Justified

Everything was foggy. I couldn't move at all, trying to open my eyes was a tough task all on its own at this point. They must have drugged me. It would take a lot more than the butt of a rifle to paralyze me like this.

I was being dragged along the ground. It was dark too, I think we were in a cave or tunnel or something. I could barely make out the shape of a griffin walking next to me, a gray one. It must of been that bastard from the woods.

“What should we do with them?” I heard a scratchy voice ask from behind me.

“Take the males down to General Whip Crack and the females to his holding pen.” The scarred griffin spoke.

“Right awa-” The world faded to black once again

*** *** ***

“Wake the FUCK UP!” I awoke to being struck in the face. My eyes snapped open and locked on to the assaulter. A tall griffin. But thats not what stood out about him. He had spots on him where his feathers and down and fallen out. His eyes were pinpricks, he was clearly strung out on chems.

I was spread eagle up against the wall, iron cuffs keeping me in place around my front hooves.
He gave a blood curdling laugh of pure insanity. “Good! Gooodd! You’re awake! We have some fun things to do today!” He gave another laugh. His voice was high pitched and it alone hurt my ears after being so abruptly awoken from a drug induced slumber.

I could still feel it too, my limbs ached. I felt sluggish. Damn them! What the fuck did they stick me with!?

“I hope you like pain pony! Cause I sure do!” He began cackling again.

I looked around the room and saw Quick in the same position as I was, and next to him, five more soldiers. They were probably from the landing team.

Then I recognized the last pony along the wall. It was Lieutenant Gale. He had a mixed look in his eyes. A mix of fear, and pure, unending hatred.

“You son of a mule! You’re going to pay!” He yelled at the griffin who turned towards him.

“Now Lieutenant, I outrank you. You must be punished for such insubordination.” He said calmly as he walked over to Gale.

Gale spit right at the griffin, whom I was guessing as General Whip Crack.

A smile spread across the generals beak, and in one swing, sliced open Gales throat.

Gale began coughing blood up through his mouth and nose as a river of it began to flow from the gash in his throat.

The blood began dripping off of his rear hooves, pooling under him.

The general gave a maddening cackle and jammed two of his talons into the Lieutenant's throat, and pulled his tongue out through the slash.

“The Columbeighian bow tie suits you Lieutenant!” Another episode of cackling and twitching.

Two of the soldiers against the wall threw up. Their helmets were removed, but all of our armor was still on our bodies. That was a good sign. I also noticed all our stinger tails had been cut off. These griffins were playing it safe.

After the Lieutenant stopped coughing and flailing the General turned to look at Quick.

I looked over to him, pure rage in his eyes.

“I saw that lovely mare you two were dragged in with, ” He said, a sadistic smile on his face. “I cant wait to play a few games with her later.”

Quick began thrashing against his restraints, to no avail. He stopped and leaned in as close as he could, breathing heavily, and said in a low, dangerous tone, “ If you touch a single hair in her mane, I will rip your wings off with my bare goddess damned hooves!” His voice rising to a shout at the end.

“Oh no I think we shall start the night with dinner…” The general began.

I tuned him out as I noticed the bolts holding my right hoof restraints were very weak. I looked back over to him to make sure he was occupied.

“... I’ll take that eye socket and…” The general still had a madmans smile and Quick was in a hell, a furious hell.

Sorry Quick, i’m working on getting us outta here! Was all I could think as I jiggled my right hoof around hoping for the restraint to pop loose.

Just as the general let out yet another mind searing laugh the iron shackle came free, luckily the general remained unaware.

He kept picking at the soft spot he had found in Quicks heart. I began using both hooves to try and free my left hoof.

It only took a few strong tugs till it came free. Again, the general was oblivious.

It came loose a second too soon however, for as it detached from the wall the general quickly slashed his talons across the five remaining soldiers, flinging the blood onto Quicks face.

I gave a hard flap a launched myself at him, slamming into him and wrapping one hoof around his neck and the other around my fetlock.
I began squeezing as hard as I could.

He tried to claw into my legs and hooves but my armor was too thick. So, he went for my unarmored spot, my face.
He lunged his talons at me, one striking home. I felt it tear through my cheek and into my mouth. As I howled in pain I did the only offensive thing I could do, I bit down.

I already had the metalic taste of blood in my mouth, now came a deep crunch. He tried to scream in pain, but my headlock hadn't eased up any.

He tried flying up and smashing me into the roof but my armor took the blow entirely, and sent us back down to the floor.

Finally my lower teeth met the upper as I heard a final crunch. I could feel the scream of pain he was trying to get out but I only tightened my grip.

He began to slow, his gasps for air becoming farther and farther apart. Starting to sink to the floor.

Once he stopped moving as much I gave a sharp jerk and heard and felt the snap. I dropped his limp body and spit his severed talon out, along with a large pool of blood.

“Luna damned, sarge, remind me to never piss you off.” He gave his best at a joke in the situation, but I didn't laugh.

“Yeah, right.” I said quite dryly. I walked over to a small desk in the corner and opened the drawers. Nothing. I walked back over to the general and searches the pockets on his blood soaked apron.

I pulled out a key ring with two keys on it. I assumed one was for the shackles here and one for the pens I had heard about on our way in.

I walked up to quick and slipped a key into the lock. It came open with a click and his hoof dropped. I repeated the process on his other hoof. He dropped down onto all fours, and as soon as he did I grabbed his shoulders and looked right at him, “Where is Rod?”

He shook his head innocently, as if I were accusing him of a crime, and responded, “He wasn't in here when I woke up. It… it was me and six other guys. Lieutenant Gust and Night were with me too. H-he killed them all sarge! All of em!” He was shaking. After the adrenaline runs out it's common for this to happen.

“Quick, calm down. We have to get Misty and Rod and get back to the Victorious. god knows what's happened since we've been out.”

He was still shaking a bit but nodded in compliance.

I looked around for anything we could use as a weapon, there would most likely be more griffins guarding the rest of the prisoners.

I looked down at the floor, spotting the only thing that would make for a decent weapon. I REALLY didn't want to use it, but it was necessary.

I reached my head down and picked up the generals severed finger in my mouth. I spit out the blood that began to pool.

Quick grimaced from the gruesome sight. “You do what you have to huh sarge?”

I nodded and began walking down the tunnel. We were obviously underground. The supports holding up the ground above us gave it away.

We silently crept along the dark tunnel. It was pitch black, the illumination of the torches from the torture chamber far behind.
We came to a split in the tunnel. To the left, darkness, to the right, we could see the faint glow of a torch and the mouth of the cave.

I looked back to the left, we couldn't leave without Misty and Rod.

I gave a hoof signal that we were moving down the left path. Quick gave a nod and we started down the dark shaft.

We’d been creeping down the dark corridor when we heard a mares terrified scream. We took off full blast down the tunnel. Damn it for being so small, or we could have flown.

The tunnel made a sharp right turn. As soon as we rounded it we came to a large underground dome. We were scanning the area below and found Misty, she was sitting alone, back towards us, in the large cage in the center of the dome floor. Thats when we heard another scream from above us, and it was getting closer. Before we could step out of the tunnel onto the lip of it, the screaming came to a stop. It stopped when the mare they had thrown down had her neck snapped by the rope around it. She was moving with such force that the sturdy rope tore her head off at the sudden halt of movement.

I heard Quick draw a breath in, in terror. I swung around and pressed a forehoof over his mouth to silence his howl of horror. I brought the tip of my hoof up to my lips, signaling him to be quiet. he nodded. Once I let him down he turned and ran a few yards into the tunnel. I could hear him throwing up.

I looked back at the body, a pool of crimson forming around it. Then I looked at the bloody stubs where her wing had been so cruelly severed. I looked around the room, eight mares lay around it, lifeless and un-moving, all mutilated in some way.I was mad. So mad I could scream. But something kept me from doing so. Laughter. I could hear the bastards laughing up above. That's what sent me over the edge.

Without a word I launched myself into the air and out of the cave. As soon as I was clear of the ceiling I gave all the energy I had into flapping upward. They didn't even see me coming.

I streaked past the two, the talon cutting through the ones throat with ease. I kept going past them, quickly turning around before I hit the top of the dome, and coming back down full force.

I slammed all four hooves into the injured birds neck, feeling a sharp snap. Without missing a beat I sent the talon, still clenched in between my teeth, right into the eye of the second winged son of a mule.

He screamed in pain and tried to fly away. But I wasn't letting him live.

I gave a strong flap and launched myself at him. I pushed the talon deep into his head, killing him. Maybe it was painless, I hope not.

He began dropping just like his buddy did a few seconds ago. I remained in the air hovering, starring as the bodies hit the top of the cage, letting my anger burn out. I gave one final scream of rage at the still, bloodied bodies.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and spun around, ready to kill whomever it was.

It was Quick, and I had my hooves wrapped around his throat, a sharp twist away from breaking it.

My eyes went wide in horror as I realized what I had almost done. I let my hooves drop down to my sides.

The look on his face wasn't of anger or fear, but understanding.

He placed a hoof on my shoulder. “Its okay sarge, they’re dead. You got ‘em. We gotta get down there and get Misty out of that cage okay?”

I was awestruck. partially from the fact that I had almost killed my teammate and one of the few ponies I could call a friend, but mostly because he was calm and collected the entire time. If it were me, I would have lost my shit and near killed who ever put his hands on me like that, accidental or not.

I nodded and gave a quiet, “Okay.” and he flew down to the cage. I just kept hovering in the air. Soaking in what I almost did.

“I need a hoof sarge!” I heard Quick from below. I snapped out of my trance and flew down to him.

I slid the key into the lock and it clicked. Quick swung the door open and ran over to Misty.

“Misty! Misty, are you okay? They didn't hurt you did they?” He was worried, just like during the battle.

That got me thinking. What the fuck happened? Where were our reinforcements? Who attacked us? What the fuck took out the Twister? I had a million and one questions running through my head when Quicks voice broke through them.

“Sarge! C’mon we need to get the fuck out of here!”

I looked over. Misty was looking at the ground, but she was up on her hooves.

“Is she okay?” I asked.

Quick looked back at her then back at me. “I think so. She doesn't seem to be visibly hurt.”

“Let me check the guards for anything of use.” I told him as I began walking towards the corpses.

I looked down them, disgusted just at the carcasses existence, and check them for any weapons. Nothing.

I shook my head and began up the thin ramp leading back to the tunnel we came out off.
We began creeping back down the tunnel. No one made a noise. I was worried about Misty, she was different. Sure she was quiet but not this quiet.

We came back to the fork. This time, after making sure it was clear, we took the path leading to the mouth of the cave.

It wasn't a far walk. Six hundred feet maybe. Once we reached the opening I stopped us fifteen or so feet short of being clear. I signaled for them to hold and I crept forward.

Sure enough there was a guard right next to the opening. His eyes were closed and he was laying down. My eyes locked on a particular piece of equipment. A large knife in its sheath attached to his chest barding.

I wanted it. I just did. We didn’t train much with knives in the Enclave and I didn't know much about them, but there was something about this blade, like it was beckoning me to take it.

I looked at it harder. Its sheath wasn't buttoned. Perfect.

I crept over him and began drawing the knife from the sheath.

His eyes popped wide, feeling the weight being removed. I was ready for him though, I slashed the blade across his neck, severing both arteries. I clamped both hooves onto his beak then plunged the blade into his head.

His body went completely limp and I withdrew the blade from his skull.

I dragged his body into a nearby cluster of rocks. No one would find him there for at least a few days. I removed the sheath from his barding and attached it to my armor.

I moved back to the cave entrance and motioned for Quick and Misty to follow. Once they were out I looked towards the hill. We were facing north, I could tell from the position of the moon.

“C’mon sarge we need to get the hell out of here! Lets just fly back to the Victorious!” He protested in a whisper.

I placed the knife in its sheath. “Negative. We don’t leave without Rod, and if we can’t free him I at least want to know where they're keeping him so we can come back. Plus they probably have scouts in the air, they'd see us if we flew.” I was, how I always was when on a mission. Professional. “And we need to get our gear back. We can’t let the enemy get a hold of Enclave equipment.”
“I think they’re keeping it in a large metal building in the camp.”

We quickly turned back to see Misty, eyes still on the ground and barely audible.

“Wheres the camp?” I asked.

She meekly nodded towards the top of the hill we were climbing.

I turned and walked to the peak, motioning for Quick and her to stay.

What I saw wasn't a small village, or a small camp. What I saw was something bigger than our raptors. What I saw was an entire army. There had to be hundreds of them down there! I saw the big metal building she described, it looked to have been made of sheet metal. It had a large antenna on top as well, that was a good sign. I moved back down the hill.

“Misty.” She looked over at me. “I thought you said it was a village? Cause that sure looks like a whole damned town.” My voice starting to rise.

“Whoa sarge cool it.” Quick easily said.

I was about to explode on him, but then I remembered what I almost did earlier. I took a deep breath. “Im sorry Misty. I didnt mean to yell.” I thought she said ‘its okay’ but she was being too quiet.

“Anyways. I saw the building she was talking about. Its not far in the camp if we enter from the east.” I said as I pointed in the mentioned direction.

Quick nodded and Misty a half nod. I nodded back and began walking into the woods with them following. It was an odd sight, trees with leaves. I wasn't sure if it was from the unrestricted sunlight, or maybe because Aldorna didn't get hit as hard as Equestria did so many years ago. It didn't matter either way. The flames of war would sadly but surely engulf the scenery around me. I had a mission to do, and damn it, it was going to get done.
*** *** ***

Under the cover of the night we moved in between the trees towards the eastern edge of the camp. I had my knife drawn and firmly held between my teeth. We came to the treeline and I peeked out. It was clear as far as I could see. I motioned for the pair to continue following me as we moved closer to a large, burlap tent. One in the wall of them that lined the eastern perimeter.

Once we came to the rear of it I signaled for them to wait. I silently entered the tent. It was dark inside so it took my eyes a minute to adjust. Once it did I could clearly see what this tent was used for. Troop housing. Ten, occupied, cots were in the tent. Five on each side. Each One occupied by a sleeping griffin. I had a bad feeling that shit was on a collision course with the fan for this mission. If anyone raised an alarm, these guys would wake up and come to kill us. I knew what I had to do.

One by one, I quietly crept up to each cot. Swiftly but silently I thrusted the blade into the soft spot on the side of their heads. After a few minutes, the only heartbeat in the room was my own.

I walked out of the tent, a hollow look in my eyes as I slid my knife back into its sheath. Quick looked over to me.

“Sarge? Everything all right?” He had that worried look on his face again

“Yeah.” I lied. “ Listen, both of you.” Now misty brought her eyes up from the ground to look at me. “When we go in there… keep your eyes in front of you. Don't look around, just keep your eyes on me.” I told them. Now Quick looked real worried.

“Y-yes sir.” He finally worked out.

I nodded and headed into the tent. They followed, and hopefully obeyed my order. We made our way to the front of the tent. I moved the flap a little so I could see in front of it. Perfect, the armory was only about a hundred or so feet away. I turned my head around to look at the two.

“Stay on my ass. We’re just gonna dash across and right into the place. On three.” They both nodded.

“One...Two…” We all tightened our stance and I unsheathed my knife. “Three!” I said around the handle of the knife.

We all ran as fast as we could out of the tent into the building, crashing right through the door. I rolled to my hooves, knife ready. Luckily the bottom floor was empty of griffins. I flew up the stairs to check for any others. None.

I came back downstairs and let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

“Sarge?” Quick asked, breathing heavily, not from exertion, but from the rush.

“Yes?” I replied

“What if the door was locked?” He asked as he closed the door we just barreled through.

I gave a chuckle, “It wasn't. Be glad. I didn't have a plan if it was.” I said with a smirk.

Quick chuckled nervously and just nodded.

I looked around and saw weapons everywhere. Of every kind. Grenade launchers, rifles, everything. They hung on racks against the walls and in crates on the floor. Nothing near as good a condition as our stuff however. I spotted a large open crate. I walked over to it and looked inside. Sure enough, My rifles, along with the other Lieutenants, Quicks missile launcher. And finally Mistys big ass rifle.

We got all our gear situated and hooked up. No ammo though. I saw all kinds of different ammo upstairs, I figured it would be there. I hooked my two Novasure rifles up to my armor and headed for stairs.

“Um. Sergeant?” I heard Mistys quiet voice call.

“Hm?” I turned to face her.

“Um. Your armor is capable of holding four Novasure rifles. I just figured you could take two of theirs and use them as well.” She said while lightly pointing to the crate.

I blinked. I didnt know that. I walked over to the crate.

“Really?” I was pretty surprised.

"Yes. I can hook it up for you if you'd like.” She asked. There was just something off about her voice. I couldn't put my hoof on it though.

“Sure, thanks.” I turned to the side as she began hooking them up.

Quick came downstairs, I hadn't realized he left. He had a crate balanced on his back and wings.

“Here ya go.” He said as he lightly let it slide off his back. Inside were large bullets, for Mistys gun no doubt, and Spark batteries for mine. I dumped them in my ammo pockets and let the suit do the rest. It was pretty cool how it organized the ammo, ready to be loaded.

Quick already had his missiles loaded up and Misty was loading a fresh magazine into her rifle. We were almost set.

I walked back upstairs and over to the door. I tried opening it, but it was locked. I thought for a second and ultimately decided my rifles were quiet enough. I fired at the door, sending four orange beams at it. It disintegrated almost immediately, giving me access to the room behind it.

Inside was the radio controls. Rod would have had a field day. I had basic radiomen training so I walked over and punched in the channel access code, placed the headset over my ears, and called over it.

“Foxtrot to Victorious, I repeat, Foxtrot to Victorious come in.”

A second later the headset came to life.

“Thunder!? Is that you?” It was General Arc.

“Affirmative sir.” I had so many questions, but those would have to wait. “We are at location Whiskey 4049 Echo 9291. Enemy strength in the hundreds. Requesting the Pyrocumulus to bring her cannons to bear. Over.”

The general came back through after a few seconds. “Negative Foxtrot. The council has ordered all Raptor and Thunderhead class vessels to stay behind the Victorious’s location. Any farther and we run the risk of losing another ship. We’ll be sending Vertabucks with troops. Foxtrot, buckle up for one hell of a shit storm. Reinforcements ETA, five minutes. Victorious over and out.”

I set the headset down and quickly moved downstairs.

“Get ready. Troops arrive in five mikes.” I told Quick and Misty.

“What? What about Rod? We gotta find him!” Quick protested.

I pulled my goggles down over my eyes. “He’s not here. If he wasn't in the tunnels with the rest of us, and not in the radio room, he’s not here.”

Quick seemed to think that through then agree, as he nodded after.

“Grab as much ammo as you can. After you're full bring all the rest down here and place it against the wall around the door.” I ordered.

“Yes sir.” Quick said as he went upstairs, Misty in tow.

I checked my ammo reserves. Full. I checked my stats. Everything was good, except for the stinger tipped tail, that was no longer there.

Quick came back down, lugging a large box of ammo on his back. It had to weigh more than him! He set it down next to the door and went back up. Soon Misty came back down, slowly, carrying a large crate of ammo as well. It would have taken her an hour to get it down.

I flew over and began to help her. Once we got it over by the door she thanked me and headed back upstairs. I flew up and began helping to speed up the process. We didn't have long.

*** *** ***

Once we got all the ammo down and around the door I checked my pipbuck screen. We had a minute and forty-five seconds till the party started. Just enough time.

“Alright lets go.” I said as I opened the door and checked to make sure the coast was clear. After I made sure it was I motioned for them to follow. We darted across the street back into the burlap tent. I stopped but they kept on going.

I pulled the flaps back into the tent and tied them up. I repeated the process with the back flaps, giving a clear line of sight from the woodline to the door to the armory.

I leapt into the treeline, landing next to Quick and Misty.

I quickly jumped to my feet and spun to face Quick.

“Quick! Take aim at the armory door! Now!” I commanded.

His eyes went wide as he spun and took aim. I think he realized what my plan was, as a large smile spread across his muzzle.

I checked the clock on my Pipbuck. Thirty seconds till reinforcements arrived.

“Steady…” I calmly said as I watched the seconds go by.

Twenty seconds. ‘Ready and…”

Quick held a breath to steady himself.

Fifteen seconds. “Fire!”

Quick bit his mouthpiece, sending a rocket speeding towards the door of the armory.

It smashed into the door and detonated. The blast was far bigger than a single rocket though. It exploded in a great wave of power, annihilating the building entirely. The tents in front of us, and anything inside them, were thrown at and past us. It was an awesome sight

Then I heard the rhythmic beat of dozens of vertabucks flying at us. The cavalry had arrived, and from the sound of a klaxon from inside the camp, the enemy was aware.

“You guys ready?” I asked as I turned to face them

Mist seemed more aware, but something was still off. Maybe a side effect of a drug they gave her? She gave a firm nod.

I looked to Quick next.

“After that blast sir, I’m ready kick some flank!”

I nodded and turned towards the camp. I wanted to smile, I was in my element. Or so I thought. That didn't matter now. I was a soldier and I had a duty to uphold.

I stuck my hoof in the air, then let it fall ninety degrees forward, signaling an advance.

Author's Note

Id like to thank Silver String (aka JacksonKnight on deviantart.com) for taking the time to be my editor, and i'd also like to thank Arial Flux for such great feedback!