Operation A.R.K

Chapters

Operation R: Rescue
Operation K: Knowledge
Chapter 1: The ARKs
Chapter 2: The Escorts
Capter 3: Rescue and Destroy
Operation A: Assault

Operation R: Rescue

Meanwhile, in the east side of Equestria, there laid a small village where accidents always happen in less than five minutes. But that doesn’t stop one Pegasus from doing his job, to protect the home he loves. A young Pegasus named Rotor Wing, former captain of the Wonder bolts, was soaring through the sky of his home. Studying his family and friends as he fly’s by.

“Man, wish something interesting happens. Not that anything does, but I wish I could be a better hero for my home,” He said as he flew on a cloud. He lies down and decided to watch the rest of the day fade off from there. That was the plan, until the sound of a scream from a local pony down on the ground woke Rotor up. Rotor looked from his cloud and saw a little filly calling for help. He flew down and landed near her side.

“Sir, you have to help me, please!” The filly said.

“What’s the problem little mare?’ Rotor asked. The filly was coughing and gasping air.

“There’s a fire that’s happening in the dry grain fields! If that fire doesn’t stop, we’ll have no food for me and my family!” The filly started to cry. Rotor formed a grin.

“No need to worry little filly, I’ll take care of it. Go to the village elder and tell him to dispatch some fire manes to the site, I’ll see if I can hold the fire off,” Rotor said. The filly smiled.

“Okay, hurry though, my family also trapped in the fire as well,” The filly announced. Rotor‘s eyes were shot open.

“You could’ve told me that first!” Rotor dashed off like a lightning bolt and headed off to the grain fields. He saw the site and it wasn’t pretty. The fires were blazing up each time they hit a new set of fields, and the heat from the fire was so hot you can’t even get close to it without burning up. Rotor flew around the fire and saw there was no way in. He then heard a faint cry from inside the blazing inferno of death.

“Help…somepony help us please!” Rotor took a closer look in the blaze and saw a mother, a father and a downed baby filly in the eye of the fire.

“Mother of Hasbro, how do I get them?” Rotor thought and looked around his surroundings and saw a small creak. The creak smelled and was buzzing with mosquitos. “Oh, I’m going to regret this!” Rotor flew into the creek and soaked himself in the water, three times.

“Help…cough…anypony out there? We’re trapped,” Rotor flew over them and shouted as loud as he could.

“Hey, just hang on tight! I’m coming in!” Rotor said. He closed his eyes and flew in the intense heat of the blaze. He felt the fire taking its result on him, but he wasn’t going to let these ponies die today! He saw the family and slammed down on the ground.

“Oh, thank Celestia…please, take our baby, she can’t survive in this heat!” The father said. Rotor took the filly in his hoofs.

“We send one of our others to the village, how is she?’ The mother asked.

“She’s alright, I told her to call in the fire manes to come in, but they better get here quick!” Rotor said. He placed the filly close to his chest. He looked at the couple who were still sitting in the ground and Rotor was wondering if they weren’t actually staying?!

“Aren’t you two going to grab on?” Rotor asked. The mother and father thought he was crazy.

“Young Pegasus…we…cough…can’t make it out of here. Take these filles to their grandmother in ponyville, please help them!” The mother begged. Rotor grit is teeth. He placed the filly on his back and tied him up with a rope he had in his pockets.

“I don’t care…grab on to my hoofs!” Rotor ordered. The mother and father grabbed on and held on for their lives. Rotor flapped his wings faster and harder than ever. He grunted his teeth and strained his muscles. He put everything he got in his wings and ascended in the air.

“Son…it’s too much for you, leave us behind!” The father said. But Rotor wasn’t bugging.

“I’m…not…leaving…you…to…DIE!” Rotor shouted. He prayed that something, anything, a miracle might happen. It must’ve worked, because as he was flying in the air, he felt a strong surge of power through his wings. He felt awesome, powerful, and stronger!

“Hey, boy…you’re doing great, just keep going!” The mother said. Rotor flapped his wings one more time and he flew faster than ever as he and the family flew out of the blazing inferno. The whole village, fire manes and ponies saw the event and couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

“It’s Rotor, he’s saved them all! He did it, he did it!” One of the ponies said. The whole village clapped their hoofs in joy as Rotor placed the family carefully on the ground. The little filly from before ran up and hugged her folks, who she thought would lost. Rotor fell on the ground wheezing and coughing.

“Rotor, that was awesome!” The little filly said.She jump, embraced Rotor tightly hugging and kissing him.

“It’s no big deal…besides, there’s an old saying my family say’s, a true soldier never leaves a colt, or mare behind. We stand together,” Rotor said. The little filly’s eyes widen in amazement.

“Thank you son…you’re a real hero, the way how you saved us, you were so strong!” The father said and shook Rotor’s hoof. Rotor laughs a bit.

“Well, it’s not about how big, or strong, or how good looking you are, The real hero is based on the actions of his heart, and will do anything to save those who he loves, that’s a real hero,” Rotor said. The cameras were flashing and the ponies were now starting to ask questions. Rotor didn’t want to stay for long, so he spread his wings and flew off, into the setting sun, to seek out who needed help. One stallion looked and observed his actions and had Rotor’s information papers.

“He’s the one the princess wants. Report back what he had done,” The stallion said to a Pegasus scout.

“Yes sir,” The pegasus said and flew off. The stallion turned away and hopped on the nearby train to report back to the princess about what had happened here today.

Operation K: Knowledge

In the peaceful lands of ponyville, a stallion professor had just came back from an intense mission, of bringing a rare idol to the National Ponyville Museum, and had been paid five hundred bits for the artifact. He walked back to his University and decided to have a long day off. He walked into his class room and laid down his coat, hat and had himself poured a cup of tea. He lay down in his chair and relaxed his body after a long adventurous day. It was almost peaceful, that is until he heard a knock at his door. His shoulders flinched and he let out a long sighed.

“Who is it?” The stallion asked. An old stallion walked in and formed a smile.

“Well, I see your back from your mission. Was it successful Kit Tail?” the old mane asked. Kit sighed and sips his tea.

“If you spent your half hour running away from savages, dogging arrows, and escaping a giant boulder from making a side walk pancake out of you, you’d get the definition of success,” Kit said. The old stallion laughs at Kit’s points of views.

“So, I take it the payment met your experience?” The stallion said as he poured himself a cup of tea.

“Well, five hundred bit’s is one thing…but being thank and discovering knowledge of the truth, is more important than gold,” Kit said. The old stallion formed a smile and chuckled.

“Well then, I have something for you. A couple of stallions wanted me to give this to you when you got back,” The old mane said and handed Kit an envelope.

“What is this?” Kit asked.

“I have no idea, but three ponies said to me that it’s important,” The old mane said. Kit examined the envelope and wondered who the three were.

“Any idea what they looked like, or what they were?” Kit asked. The pony shrugged his shoulders in confusion. Kit looked at the letter, shrugged and opened it up. He read the letter that was inside.

Dear Kit, The professors of the Canterlot University needs your help immediately. We’ve found an ancient tablet and could not make out its words. Come immediately or when you have the time.” Kit and the old mane were a little confused right now.

“That sounds a little odd. Wondered what the tablet is they found,” The old mane said. Kit examined the letter.

“Well, if they need my help, might as well go and help them. I need a ticket though,” Kit said. The old mane pulled one from his pocket and handed it to Kit.

“Here, I got it for you when those three stallions told me to give you a ticket for a train ride,” The old stallion said. He took the ticket form him and popped is coat and hat back on.

“Wish me luck…grandpa,” Kit said and left the office.

“I will…my grandson,” Kit’s grandpa said as he sat down and sip his tea. Kit ran as fast as he could to catch the next train for Canterlot. He saw the train spew smoke and heard a loud whistle. Kit ran up to the train station just in time to catch it.

“To Canterlot please,” Kit said. The conductor took his ticket and punched a hole through it. Kit sat down and observed the documents of the ponies he use do work with a lot, until the day they all went their separate ways. Kit tilted his hat over his head and fell asleep on the train, until it could get him to his destination. The train ride was relaxing enough, but Kit couldn’t get something off his mind. Of all of the ponies show studied many various languages, why him? The train hissed its engines, blew his horn and the stopped as it reached its destination.

“All passengers, we have arrived at Canterlot, please be careful of stepping out of the train,” The conductor said. Kit removed his hat and stepped off of the train. He looked up and saw the beauty of the majestic city.

“Well, let’s see. The University should be over here,” Kit thought. He looked at the address and saw the place he was called to. He shrugged his shoulders and walked in the building. He saw the any teachings in the school, much more than the one they have at the Ponyville Universe. Kit continued to walk and meet the front desk mare.

“Hello there kind sir, how may I help you?’ The mare asked. Kit removes his hat.

“I’m here on the behalf of some certain ponies who wanted to see me,” Kit said. The mare smiled.

“Of course, this way sir,” The mare said. She got up and Kit followed after her.

“Your name is Kit, right?” The mare asked.

“Yes, that’s right. I got a letter saying some ponies wanted to see me,” Kit said.

“Yes, they’ve been expecting you. They’re in this room here, good luck,” The mare walked off, and Kit sighed and opened the door.

“Hello, is anypony here?” Kit asked.

“Ah, you came! Good, come here,” An old stallion said as he came from behind his desk and grabbed Kit by the hoof and pulled him to a certain item.

“This here, we found this tablet in the ruins of the Rock Mountain, what does it say?” the old stallion asked. Kit was a little perplexed. The ‘ponies’ was just one little stallion trying to break and solve the tablets reading? Kit wanted to smack him silly

“Well, for starters…what you have here is an old table, at least five thousand years old,” Kit said. The stallion looked at Kit.

“How do you know?” The stallion asked.

“Well, this language is old. Really old, this language is long forgotten from the text books or any archeological find in Equestria,” Kit said.

“Then how do we solve it then?” The stallion asked. Kit thought hard, and scratches his head.

“We have to track its original origin. Where did you say you found it?” Kit asked.

“In the mountain areas, somewhere in the east,” The old stallion said.

“Do you own any air transportation?” Kit asked.

“Heck yeah, I own a blimp and a tour cruise,” The stallion said.

“Okay, take me to where you found this tablet,” Kit said. He places the tablet in his bag and the old stallion lead Kit to his air balloon. Kit enters a room to the left of the stallion’s home and saw where the balloon was.

“You like it, it’s the best air balloon in all of Equestria,” The stallion said.

“Hate to see the worst,” Kit answered.

“Well, don’t just stand there, hope on!” The stallion said. Kit took a breath and jump in.

“So, where was it exactly? You know, the tablet,” Kit said.

“Over there by those mountains, behind the castle, I was on an expedition team and we discovered it, still don’t know what it says, but that’s what made it fun!” The stallion said. Kit formed a smile.

“Well, let’s go!” Kit shouted. The stallion smiled and removed the ropes around the balloon and off they went. The two flew over the castle; Kit looked down at the bottom and saw that everything was so small from above.

“Mind I ask…why do you take interest in research than in money?” The old stallion asked.

“Because…there’s more to life than fame and fortune in this world, in fact; I think there’s more than meets the eye in this universe,” Kit announced. The old stallion looked at him and grinned.

“You know, I think you’re right. Oh, here’s our destination,” The stallion said. Kit looked out and saw the mountain area where the old colt found the tablet.

“Do you know what lies in these mountains?” Kit asked.

“Oh, just some rumor…they say it was inhabited by rare species of dragon like ponies that died out, many years ago…some say there ancient city is buried in these mountains, but now pony has ever found them,” The stallion said.

“You mean until today,” Kit alleged and took a long peek at the tall mountains. The blimp landed on the far side of a cliff and the old stallion laid a rope on a nearby branch that stood out of the ground. Kit jump off and fixed his hat up a bit.

“There, that should hold her…now; let me show you that place where I found that tablet,” The old colt said. Kit followed him and the two walked through rocky lands and high places. Kit had an itchy feeing that there was something fishy about these mountains…like there was something told about them. Kit continued to travel up hill and then realized something, the old colt was gone!

“Hey, where are you old colt? Come on out!” Kit shouted and there was no reply. Kit sighed and continued to climb up the steep hill by himself. The climb was not so difficult; the rocks were kind of like a grabbing device to hold onto if Kit would slip, and sometimes, when Kit needed to take a break, he sat down on one that is buried into the hill, yet sticking out, whenever he needed the chance. The sun began to set and Kit needed to find this place before dark. He made it to the top of the mountain where he saw the dig site of where the stallion said he found the tablet. “Man…puff…huff…sigh… I’m not as fit as I used to be,” Kit said. He walked up to the entrance of the cave and heard nothing, except the sound of water dripping in the darkness. Kit grabbed his head light and switched it on. He took four steps in to the cave and descended into the darkness. The tunnel was made very narrow and was somewhat difficult to pass through. As Kit traveled through the cave, he came upon a chamber. He switched his light off for there was light in the room. He studied the walls and realized, the writing on them were the same as the one on the tablet in the university. He took another step closer, but then step on a lever that activated a booby trap in the room. Kit grunted and ran to the door, but it closed down on him, and Kit was now in a room, filled with statues that had swords. The statues moved and came to life as the door finished closing.

“Halt, you are trespassing on royal grounds, you will be terminated,” One of the statues announced. Kit smiled and reached in his bag.

“Good thing I came prepared,” Kit said. He pulled some dynamite ad ran up to the three statues that were guarding the room. He used the fire in the room, where a nearby torch was hanging on the wall, and activate the explosives. “Eat this!” Kit shouted ad threw one of the dynamited at the statues leg. The first exploded into bits while the other two were still running at him. Kit took two more from his bag and lit them up as well. He jump on one statue and shove it down its cracked armor, and the other one in its back side. The two statues blew up and shook the room. Kit landed on the ground safely and smirked. As the smoke started too cleared, Kit saw something. A figure coming out of the ground, and to Kit’s surprise, it was another statue, but this one was a female pony. She had the most beautiful mane, and lovely eyes.

“I see you completed your task,” a voice said. Kit turned around and saw the old stallion standing by the door way.

“Where have you been while I was fighting demon statues?” Kit shouted.

“On the contrary…I told them to attack you,” The stallion said. Kit was furious now.

“What, why!?” Kit yelled.

‘I wanted to see you in combat and you were amazing…you’re the ones the princess exactly needs,” The stallion announced, and Kit was confused.

“What do you mean ‘you’re the ones’? And who are the others?” Kit asked.

“The other two were just like you Kit, only one is a royal guard, and the other is a former captain of a group of fast flyers, and you are a combination of both of them,” The old stallion said. Kit was even, more perplexed.

“What of the tablet?” Kit asked. The old stallion laughs at Kit’s tone.

“That was and old dialect language made by the draconians ages…they dismissed the teachings because they were so dark…but I knew what it said,” The old stallion alleged. Kit was now beyond words at this time.

“So, you didn’t need me?” Kit asked.

“No, I still needed you. I needed you to do a task many would turn down, not because of the truth, but because there’s no money in it. You however are willing to do any mission put in front of you, without complaining about prices. That is a true warrior,” The old stallion said. Kit chuckled and sighed.

“Well, I guess this was all a wild goose chase then huh?” Kit asked. The old stallion chuckled.

“I guess you’re right. Though, this statue is quiet dazzling, do you think we should take it with us?” The stallion asked. Kit looked at it and shook his head side to side.

“No…leave her here. Let her be the last thing these ruins need to remember their heritage by,” Kit announced. The stallion smiled.

“Then we should get going. It’s almost night fall, and this mountain is dangerous in the darkness,” The old stallion said. Kit agreed and followed the stallion outside of the cave, and into the open. He took another look back and saw the statue fade away into the darkness, he may not see the statue again but Kit knew that as long as she was in the cave, she will always be a memorial of the mountains and of the ponies’ that live there long ago. As Kit lay down in the train on his way home, he wondered who the three he would meet were. He closed his eyes and decided to sleep on the way back home. Back at Canterlot, the old stallion handed the papers to one of the guards.

“Here, take this to the princess, and tell her, we’ve found them,” The old mane said and the guards flew off back to the castle.

CODE GREEN: The Gathering of Friends

Back at the castle, one of the royal guards ran up to another and handed him the papers. The other one nodded and ran to the throne room. As he came in the room and bowed a soft voice spoke out in the shadows.

“Report,” The voice said. The stallion rose and walked over to the shadowy figure.

“Your highness…we’ve found the three you’ve been looking for. Each one shows great potential,” The guard said.

“I see, and where are these reports?” The princess asked. The royal guard showed the papers of the three manes, a unicorn, a Pegasus and a stallion.

“Axious, Rotor Wing, and Kit Tail…hmm, good work royal guard. Send each one of these manes a letter, each one calling them here to the castle. It’s time they learned what is going to happen to their lives for now on,” as the princess stepped into the moonlight.

‘Yes, Princess Luna,” The royal guard said and ran off. Luna stood in front of the castle window looking out towards Equestria, seeing the glorious moonlight shine throughout the land. The royal guard made three letters for the three manes and sent them in an instant. Axious was in the barracks, training with a punching bag. He heard a noise and saw the letter fall right in front of him as he finished punching the bag. He stooped, picked it up and unraveled it. Rotor was sleeping on a cloud in his home dreaming about being the captain of the Wonder Bolts again he was almost in a wonderful land, until one of the letters smacked him as he opened his mouth on accident and almost caused him to choke. He spat it out on his bed, picked up and opened it up. Kit was now in the research room and the letter fell right on his important document he was writing in and he was now mad. He took a look at it and saw it was the royal seal. He raised his eyebrow and unfolded it. The three read each of their letters.

Dear fellow mane, You have been summoned at Canterlot, by the order of Princess Luna to hear a very important message for you. Come as soon as possible while the night is still young,

The three read each of their letter sand couldn’t believe it.

“Why would Princess Luna want to summon me?” Axious wondered. He packed his armor up and headed straight for the castle.

“Man, this is awesome; I get to meet the princess of the night!” Rotor said and flew out of his home and dashed off to Canterlot.

“Probably another test…but whatever that stallion said is true, I must meet these other two manes that are chosen as well,” Kit said and ran out to catch the last train in ponyville. Back at Canterlot the royal guard entered the room and bowed.

“The letters have been sent your highness. They should arrive here in any minute,” The royal guard said. Luna looked at him.

“Very well royal guard…you’re dismissed,” Luna said and the guard walked out of the room, leaving Luna alone. “Now must come a time…where thou shall make a brand new branch of guards…ones who are with honor, valor, and dignity…now this will be the day I will make them…I will now make my own elite guards, now is the time where I’ll make my ARK’s,” Luna announced in the night. In the castle ground the three manes walked into the plain, unnoticeable of each other as well. Kit was amazed at the wondrous site of the castle, Axious was examining the statues of the fallen brave warriors who gave their lives to defend Equestria, and Rotor was spinning out of control in the air, seeing the glamorous buildings. The three were taking small steps as they examined the castle itself. The three took baby steps until they both smacked back to back at each other, scared and surprised.

“What in the name of ponyville, who are you two?” Rotor asked.

“I was about to ask the same question,” Axious stated.

“So, you must be the two that old stallion was talking about,” Kit alleged. The other two looked at Kit.

“What do you mean other two?” Rotor asked.

“This old stallion I meet said that we three were chosen for something, something big,” Kit said and Rotor scoffed.

“Come on, Princess Luan asked me to be here, so you guys can just buzz off,” Rotor said.

“She summoned me as well,” kit said. Rotor’s mouth dropped.

“No way, you’re joshing me!” Rotor said then Axious bugged in.

“She also summoned me. And by the way, I’m a royal guard here so you both will do as I tell you to,” Axious said and Rotor flew up to him.

“I like to see you try to take me on, tighty!” Rotor said. Axious drew out his horn, but was stop by one of the castle guards.

“Alright you three, that’s enough. Princess Luna is expecting you lot,” The guard announced. Axious withdrew his horn and walked up; Kit shrugged his shoulders at Rotor and followed Axious. Rotor kicked the dirt and walked in, following Axious sand Kit. The manes walked down the hall and into a chamber, where the princess was waiting for them.

“DO you know why we’re being summoned?” Rotor asked Kit.

“The stallion said we are the ones the princess was looking for,” Kit said.

“Oh, well, then we haven’t been introduced. My name is Rotor Wing, former captain of the Wonder Bolts, until my accident,” Rotor said.

“Names Kit, Kit Tail, but most ponies call me the Helping Kit, guess I do a lot of helping around for fun and not for money,” Kit said. Rotor snickered.

“You two, stay focused. We’re about to enter the room, where the princess of the Night is waiting for us so be on your best behavior,” Axious said. Kit nodded and Rotor zipped his lips. Axious walked in and so did the others. The room was silent and was kind of creepy without any light. Suddenly the drapes opened and summoned a ray of light, shining through the glass windows’. There a young alicorn was standing near one of the windows was looking outside, seeing the plains. Axious nudged the other two and walked up to the princess, so did Kit and Rotor. They all bowed before her and Luna turned around to see her three chosen guards.

“Ah, you are the three thou have been expecting. Have thou come to wonder why thou are here?” Luna asked. The three remained down and still. Luna smiled and walked up. “It’s okay, thou can stand,” Luna said. The three stood up.

“Princess Luna, my name is Axious. I understand you want us here?” Axious asked. Luna nodded.

“Yes, you see, thou has been wondering, why sister has personal guards. So Thy princess of the night has decided to make her own guards. Guards who are strong, full of courageousness and selflessness, and you three have been chosen,” Luna alleged. The three still didn’t understand.

“But, why us, were just regular stallions,” Rotor said, and Luna walked up to him.

“Your name is Rotor Wing, yes?” Luna asked. Rotor gulped and nodded.

“You were a former Captain of the Wonder Bolt’s, the fastest flyers in Equestria. You were nominated six times after you rescued fifty ponies during a fire in the south east, was elected the best until you and your team encountered a heavy storm during your flying schedule and had a casualty; your wing,” Luna said. Rotor looked at his wing. He had it replaced with mechanical wing and sort of flinched as well. Luna then walked up to Kit,

“You are Kit Tail, no?” Luna asked. It bobbed his head and answered.

“Yes,” He said.

“You were only eight, yet you were able to translate an entire foreign Equestrian foreign language in less than ten seconds. You were offered a job as a professor and you accepted, you are always awarded with prizes yet you always turn down the money whenever it is given to you,” Luna said. Kit shrugged and yawned. Luna then walked up to the last one.

“And that leaves Axious. Your parents were part of the Royal army during my sisters time and they both died in order for the South West countries to become free. You were only ten and you already showed great combat strength and honor,” Luna said. Axious held onto his parent’s necklace they had given him when he was only a little filly. Luna walked back.

“But what does that prove?” Rotor asked. Luna turned to face the three.

“You, out all of the life forms in Equestria, you three have the potential of becoming the greatest the land will ever see,” Luna said.

“But what good can I do? I’m just a temp,” Rotor said.

“I’m just a professor in a university,” Kit alleged.

“And I’m just a soldier that losses his squad each day,” Axious announced.

“True…but you three show greatness in your souls. Thy can see it, and thou shall see it too. Thy have decided you three become my very own private guards, ones who are stronger, faster, and honorable than anypony. You will become, my ARK’s,” Luna said. Kit’s eyes were widening now.

“You can’t be serious! We get to become ARK’s?” Rotor asked Luna smiled and nodded.

“What’s an ARK?” Kit asked. Axious looked at him.

“An ARK is the elite of the elite, the top class of warriors ever to be alive. They are the ones who fight alongside the princes and princesses. But your highness, didn’t Celestia banned that training?” Axious asked.

“Yes, but I need all of the private manes I need to gather, and you three will do,” Luna said.

“So, where do we train?” Rotor asked.

“The training will be tough, devastating, and even harsh. Many have gone through the training, and may have failed. All in all, there’s a sixty percent chance of you failing the test and never becoming ARK’s at all,” Luan said with a devilish glare. The three gulped down hard.

“If you think we’re the only ones to becoming your private guards…then we’re in,” Axious said. Kit and Rotor puffed in excitement and in determination. Luna raised an eyebrow at them.

“Very well, you will begin you training first day tomorrow morning. But you not just any ARK’s, since you're becoming my ARK’s, the Nightmare ARK’s of Canterlot,” Luna said. The three saluted and stood up tall and proud. Luna smile and gave each one of them a kiss on the head. Now that Luna has her elite guards, these manes will be biting on more than they can chew, but they knew that if they’re going to become ARK’s they need to rely on more than just their skills, they need to rely on each other as friends.

THE END…?

Chapter 1: The ARKs

CHAPTER 1: The ARK’s

“Zzz…Rotor to Axious, do you copy?” Rotor spoke through an electric link on his wrist.

“I copy Rotor…Kit what about you? What’s your position?” Axious asked.

“I made it through the south hall, but the security is getting thicker. I need Rotor to create a diversion to get them away from the destination,” Kit answered.

“Rotor do you hear that? Get them away from the area for Kit to pass,” Axious said. Rotor responded.

“You got it. I’m now going into mantis mode,” Rotor said. He spread his wings open and flew up in the air. He soared above the area and made his distraction. “Hey, hey you guards! You guys are a bunch of bed wetter’s!” Rotor shouted. The guards ran out and saw the target flying in the air. They engaged Rotor and ran outside to fight him. Kit took a peep and saw one guard was left. He smirked and crept slowly behind him. Kit took a deep breath and did his magic.

“Excuse me, but is this the door to the records?” Kit asked.

“Hey!” The guard shouted and tried to hit Kit with his spear, but Kit shifted to the right, broke the spear and knocked the guard out behind the neck. The guard fell on the ground and Kit called in his buds.

“This is Kit, I made it through the hall, I am now entering the room,” Kit said.

“Roger that, Rotor, regroup with Kit, I’ll enter through the north hall,” Axious said.

“Copy that, I just finished knocking out these guys out here, they really need to improve their training,” Rotor said and flew to the area where the three will meet up. Kit was in the room looking through each book shelf and moving stuff out of place. The other two entered the room and closed the door.

“Yo Kit, try not to make this conspicuous for the enemy,” Rotor said as he lifted books and moved box’s.

“We don’t have much time, Kit how are you doing over there?” Axious asked.

“I think I just…aha, found it, over here guy’s!” Kit shouted. The two ran over to where Kit was at.

“Do you think it’s inside that thing?” Rotor asked.

“Only one way to find out, let’s get out of here,” Axious, said. The two ran to the door, but then were blocked by more guards.

“Crap, how do we get out of here?” Rotor asked. Axious looked around the building and saw a way out.

“The top of that ledge, go!” Axious barricaded the door and followed his manes. The door started to bang a bit and began to give way.

“Axious, the tops sealed off!” Rotor shouted.

“Kit, do you think you can blow a hole in the roof?” Axious asked.

“Please, anything that has to do with my explosives, I’m your mane!” Kit shouted. He pushed his way and cut in front of Rotor.

“Rotor, I need you and Axious to by me some time!” Kit shouted.

“Roger that, let’s go Axious!” Rotor shouted. Axious nodded and jump down from the top shelf of the room. Kit was lining the roof with his TNT’s and setting up a detonation charge to go with it. The door gave way and the guards started to storm the room.

“Rotor, start by bringing the heavy stuff on them!” Axious ordered. Rotor smiled a bit.

“Oh I love this!” Rotor said. He picked up some heavy boxes and stuff from around the room and started to throw them at the guards. Axious used his magic to blast some of the guards down and away. Kit was putting up the finishing touches on his detonator.

“There, charge is set and ready to detonate, it’s all yours boss,” Kit announced. Axious pointed his horn and aimed for the bomb.

“Get clear!” Axious shouted. He then fired a shot and blew up the roof top open. As the debris fell to the ground the enemy fell back and retreated out of the room.

“Now’s our chance, go, go, go!” Kit shouted.

“Rotor, fly up, see if the coats is clear,” Axious ordered. Rotor nod and flew up to check the sky. He took a good look around the area and signaled an all clear.

“Clear, but hurry up! The enemy is advancing to the northern site,” Rotor alleged. Axious leaped out of the roof, followed by Kit. Rotor remained in the air for scouting. The three ran down the building and jump on the floor of the ground.

“There they are!” One of the guards shouted.

“Kit, get us out of here,” Axious said. Kit reached in his bag and pulled out a smoke bomb. He threw it on the ground around his teammates. The smoke was thick; had the smelled like sulfur and brimstone, and was powerful enough to smack the guards in the face. As the guards consumed the smoke, Axious, Kit, and Rotor were able to make their way out of the thicket. As they exit out of the gates of where the base entrance was, an alarm went off. The two looked up and saw that their training was over.

“Simulation training is now over, all guards report to the medic bay, and those who are not harmed, pleased report back to your stations, thank you,” A voice shouted. As some of the guards went back to their post, some went to the med lab to heal up. Axious, Kit and Rotor stood still.
"You three! The Princess is here," A guard shouted. The three stallions bowed down as they're princess showed up. As Princess Luna walked up to them, she looked down in them with a smiling face.

“You three are the ones. You've proven your skills during your training and have looked out for each other ever since,” Luna said.

“We may be different in types, but in our hearts, we’re more than just comrades, or partners,” Axious said. Luna looked at him.

“What is that Axious?” Luna asked. Axious looked at Rotor and Kit and they both smiled.

“We fight together…as friends!” Axious stated.

“Amen to that Axious,” Rotor said as he grabbed him and Kit and hugged them tightly around the necks. One royal guard runs up to Luna, and whispers something in her ear. She nods and turns to her three loyal guards.

"Is there something wrong princess?" Kit asked.

“You three...I have to inform you that Princess Twilight Sparkle is going to attend the royal meeting at the Chrystal Empire…you three must secretly watch over her, and make sure no harm comes to her,” Luna said. Rotor let’s go of Axious who saluted. Rotor and Kit did the same and Luan bowed and left the room. As the doors closed, Rotor was pumped.

“Man, we get to watch over the Princess of the mare six! I…huff…think…Gah…I’m…puff…going…ttt…” Rotor fainted on the ground and Kit just looked at him.

“Axious, you realize if we’re going undercover, we can’t be seen, that means this has to be a stealth mission,” Kit reminded Axious.

“I know…," Axious said.

"...You've been to the Crystal Empire before too, haven't you?" Kit asked. Axious had a look on his face and Kit could tell he didn't want to talk about it.

"Kit, see if you can get the next tickets to the next train the princess is going to take, I’ll take Rotor here to the barracks and we’ll meet you there,” Axious announced. Kit saluted and ran off to the train station, while Axious used his magic and levitate Rotor in the air and took him the barracks. As Kit arrived at the train station, he paid fifty bits to the train conductor who gave him the schedule of the train Twilight and her friends we’re going to be leaving in. As he gave Kit three tickets, Kit played an extra five bit’s for the conductors luck. The conductor cheerfully thanked Kit, and the stallion walked off. Back at CCG Axious was putting on his new armor which had shadow like features to them. He took his helmet, walked over to a nearby mirror to see him-self in a new dazzling kind of way. Kit entered the barrack chambers and Axious turned around to meet.

“What is the report?” Axious asked.

“The next train the princess will be leaving in leaves in about 0900 hours, and she’ll be accompanied with her friends,” Kit alleged.

“Understood, put on your armor. They just came in,” Axious said. It looked at his and it too had the same features as Axious.

“Cool, never thought I would be a royal guard,” Kit said.

“You shouldn't be…some battles we've fought in are devastating,” Axious said. Kit put on his breastplate and mentioned one battle.

“…Like the battle of the Minotaur?” Kit asked. Axious stopped fixing up his armor and sighed.

“Yeah…like that,” Axious said and continued on. Rotor woke up, laying on a hay bed, stretched his arms out and saw Kit and Axious getting ready.

“No fair, how come you guys are ready?” Rotor complained.

“Well if you hadn't faint in the training room, you would've gotten your armor on quicker. Here, put it on Rotor,” Axious said. He tossed Rotors armor and what do you know, it also had the same features as Kit’s and Axious.

“How come all of our armor looks the same?” Rotor asked as he put on his hoof shackles.

“We’re not just any royal guards. We’re ARK’s, Nightmane ARK’s, dedicated to serve Princess Luna, our leader,” Axious said.

“Plus, we look 20% cooler with these things on,” Kit said, as he rearranged his bet around his waist.

“Well how long before the princess train leaves?” Rotor asked as he then placed in his breast plate.

“We have about forty nine minutes left for us to hitch a ride on the next train and secretly protect princess Twilight Sparkle, once we make it to the Crystal Empire, Princess Luna said she’s going to reveal us to the others, introducing us,” Axious said and Rotor tripped and fell on a pile of weapons. Rotor grunted in pain and stood up as he heard Axious say reveal them.

“You can’t be serious! What happened to banning ARK’s and ARK training?’ Rotor asked in a worried tone.

“She said she can’t keep secrets forever. Besides, it’s wrong for her to keep it from her sister and from her friends,” Kit alleged. Rotor was about to speak, but then was out of words the next.

“Well, you do strike a positive point. But I just feel naked whenever someone revels me in front of audiences that I don’t know,” Rotor said as he finished putting on his back shackles on. Axious and Kit both looked at him and raised their eyebrows.

“What, I’m just saying!” Rotor said. Kit sighed.

“Look, if we’re going to do this, then we need to pull each other through,” Kit alleged.

“Kit is right, we got a mission, and we can’t let anything stand in our way, Ark’s commence operation Escort, stealth mode,” Axious said.

“YES SIR!” The two of them shouted and marched off to catch the next train to the Crystal Empire.

Chapter 2: The Escorts

“Don’t worry Twilight, I’ll be fine,” Spike said. Twilight hugged her assistant and stood up.

“Okay girls, let’s go get that train up,” Twilight ordered. The others nodded and followed Twilight to the train station. Axious, Kit and Rotor faced the opposite direction and crept forward to the hideout where their friends were captured. The three manes waited outside of the train station, secretly watching Twilight and her friends as they board the train to the Crystal Empire. Axious signaled the team to go in and in they went. As the train hissed and blew its horn for the next destination of its journey, the three stallions sat across a row from where Twilight and her friends were sitting at. Axious looked at Kit and Rotor who sat across from him. They nod their heads and stood still and calm. The ride was full of sound from the ponies ahead of the three ARK’s. They watch in silence as the seven friends laugh and shared stories.

“What do you think Princess Cadence wants you over at the Crystal Empire for?” Fluttershy asked.

“I don’t know. Last time I was there, these weird stallions were fighting and I was held hostage. Then one stallion saved my life but I can’t remember what had happened to him. All I know is his team died. It was very scary,” Twilight said.

“They said that the stallion was brave, and daring. Man I wish I was there to see that!” Rainbow Dash said as she jumps in excitement.

“I wouldn’t count on it Rainbow. The guards who gave their live for me were part of an elite class of knights called Delta’s. They were supposed to be the finest, but apparently they had a hard time fighting with all of the residents running around,” Twilight said.

“It pains me to hear such tragic tales of woe,” Rarity said.

“Well one thing is for sure, they did their duty and served loyally in the end,” Twilight said. Axious smiled and snickered.

“What is it man?” Rotor asked.

“Nothing, it’s just that, well, as royal guards we’re supposed to serve our loyalty to our kingdom and to our princess’s. No matter what the situation is, we stand together in the end,” Axious said.

“Well, that’s real loyalty there man,” Rotor said.

“Yeah, but we’re royal guards…we’re meant to be expendable,” Axious said.

“Not to us you don’t. We’re in this together man. We’re in it till the end,” Kit said.

“You can say that again, Rotor alleged. Axious smiled and looked outside the window. Rainbow Dash happened to notice the two and whispered in Twilight’s ear.

“Say Twilight...Those three ponies over there are strange looking,” Rainbow said. Twilight looked behind her and saw the three hooded stallions.

“Maybe there not used to being seen,” Twilight said.

“I doubt it,” Rainbow said. The train soon hissed as it reached its destination. The others walked off the train all excited about what was going to happen. Axious and his buddies walked off the opposite direction and followed the seven friends quietly and stealthily.

“Something is wrong,” Axious stated. The others looked at him.

“What is it?” Kit asked.

“…there were supposed to be guards here to escort us. But there not here,” Axious said.

“Those guards are sloppy, there’s nothing wrong here,” Rotor said. Axious couldn’t help but sense that something was wrong. As the three continued to walk silently through the streets, the whole city was apparently deserted.

“Okay, this is weird…where is everypony?” Twilight asked.

“Maybe they’re still sleeping?” Pinkie suggested. The three followed slowly behind the seven and soon Rainbow Dash was quite suspicious now.

“Okay, those ponies seem to be following us Twi,” Rainbow alleged.

“I’m sure they’re just lost…where’s Armor and Cadence at though?” Twilight asked.

“Where the hay is everypony, is the correct term to use,” Apple Jack said. As the seven plus the three ponies continued to walk the quiet streets, thing became intense.

“I don’t like this,” Kit said. As they continued to walk down the street, something came out of the blue and shot at Rotor in his left wing.

“Gah!” Rotor screamed and fell on the ground.

“Rotor is hit!” Kit shouted. Soon a mysterious barrage of arrows began to fire upon the ponies. Twilight and her friends found cover behind a stand, while Axious and Kit had to drag Rotor up and find a secure position for themselves.

“What the hay is going on?” Apple Jack shouted as she dogged an arrow that almost stuck her head.

“Somepony or something is shooting at us!” Twilight alleged

“No duh, you think we haven’t noticed Twilight?” Rainbow asked. Twilight looked around and saw where the three ponies were at. Axious was laying magic at the towers that were firing arrows at them, while Kit was bandaging up Rotor’s wing.

“Dang it, what’s going on?” Rotor shouted.

“Seems like we’ve fell into a trap,” Axious said as he launched a ray of magic at one of the towers.

“Who’s firing at us though is the question,” Kit said as he finished bandaging Rotors wing. Axious saw where Twilight and her friends were pinned down at and had a plan.

“Kit, I want you to run over to where Twilight and her friends are at. Get that blue pegasus to fly behind the towers and see if she can find out who’s firing at us. I’ll support you,” Axious ordered.

“Roger that boss. Rotor, can you fly still?” Kit inquired.

“I may have a shot wing…but I can reroute the power inside of my wing to make me still fly, just not fast enough,” Rotor said.

“Okay, on my order secure that position,” Axious shouted. The two nodded and as soon as Axious dropped his hoof, he gave the signal. “Go, go, go!” Axious announced and gave covering fire to his team. Rotor and Kit ran to where Twilight and where her friends were at and secured a safe zone. Axious soon left his position and ran across the street while providing covering fire for himself. He saw a huge chunk of a boulder coming at him, luckily he dogged the attack, but the explosion was so high that it caught Axious in the air and sent him flying. He used his horn to teleport himself to where his buddies were at. Rotor and Kit saw where Twilight was at and ran to her side. Twilight looked up in shock as she saw the two coming behind her.

“Girls look out!” Twilight shouted, and the others turned around to see the two. But instead of harming them, Kit threw a paper bomb at one of the towers and caused it to explode. As the tower collapsed Rotor ran up to the ponies.

“You girls okay?” Rotor asked them. They all nodded awkwardly at the two.

“Kit, where’s Axious?” Rotor asked. Axious then teleported his body to where his teammates were at and took a little breather.

“*sigh*…that was close. Did you secure?” Axious asked.

“It’s going to be hard with these barrages of arrows coming at us,” Kit said.

“Okay, you there, Rainbow Dash, I want you and Rotor to fly behind and see what were up against, Kit, you stay here and escort these ponies to safety. Your highness I need you with me,” Axious said. Twilight was confused right now.

“Hold on, who are you ponies?” She asked.

“Were ponies you can trust…now let’s get moving!” Axious ordered.

“So, Rainbow Dash, lest see what we’re up against,” Rotor said as he flew up.

“What the hay is going on?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“No time, follow him, or you’ll not survive!” Axious alleged. Rainbow grunted and flew after him.

“Right behind you, you weird looking pegasus,” Rainbow Dash alleged. As he and Rainbow Dash flew off, Axious turned to the others.

“Okay, Kit, gather everypony up. Your highness, I need you to help me provide cover for your friends,” Axious said. Twilight didn’t know what to do, or what was going on. But she knew she had to get herself and her friends out of this place and into safety. She sighed and looked at the stallion.

“Okay…what’s your name again?” She asked.

“It’s Axious…Leader of ARK squad. Now Kit, wait until me and Twilight start firing, ready Twilight?” Axious asked. Twilight nodded and the two of them ran out and began to fire rays of magic at the towers.

“Now girls, go!” Twilight shouted. Kit ran ahead and signaled the others.

“Okay, let’s go now, come on! Move it, move it, move it!” Kit ordered. Apple Jack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Spike began to run across the field to the safe house to take cover. Axious and Twilight fired several shots at the tower and caused some of the firing to die down. Meanwhile, Rotor and Rainbow Dash flew behind the towers and scoped out who they were up against.

“Do you see anything?” Rotor asked. Rainbow looked around and couldn’t believe her eyes.

“I don’t believe it…look over there,” Rainbow Dash said as she pointed to her left. Rotor looked and saw a tall fury creature that stood on all fours; it had a body of a lion and a head of an eagle.

“Griffons!” Rotor snapped.

“How did they get here?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“They didn’t, we we’re taken,” Rotor said.

“What kind of Griffons takes ponies in trains?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Those aren’t any Griffons,” Rotor said.

“Who are they?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I’ll tell you later, come on; we need to get back to-!” Rotor’s words were cut off.

“Huh, what did you say-AH-!” Rainbow screamed as two shadowy figures captured them and dragged them off. Meanwhile the firing from the towers seemed to have subsided and all was quiet. Axious and Twilight breathed heavily as they tried to catch their breaths.

“Man…that was close,” Axious said. Twilight chuckled.

“Yeah, thanks Axious,” Twilight said.

“You’re welcome your highness,” He said. Axious and Twilight then ran to where the others were at and hid with them.

“Oh, thanks goodness you’re alright,” Rarity said. The six friends held each other as they felt relieved. Axious went to Kit.

“Seen Rotor or Rainbow Dash yet?” Axious asked

“No, I can’t seem to find them, and Kit’s not reporting in his Pip Comm” Kit alleged.

“Something’s wrong…they might’ve been compromised,” Axious said. Twilight over hear their talk.

“Sir, you think they were captured?” Kit asked.

"Oh, no, do you think that they were?” Twilight asked Axious. Axious turned to the girls and sighed. He saw that the train was still operational, and that they still had time to get to the Crystal Empire.

“*Sigh*…Okay, here’s what I want you to do. Your Highness, I need you and your friends to restart the train and hold it until my signal,” Axious said. The others were confused at this idea.

“What do have up your hoof guard?” Twilight asked

“If Rotor and Rainbow have been indeed captured, they likely may have been taken hostage. Me and Kit will go and retrieve them; but you girls have to start the train and get it ready for departure when we arrive,” Axious ordered.

“Are you sure? The two of you might not stand a chance,” Apple Jack alleged.

“Don’t worry; we’ve handled major situations like this. Now go and get the train starting, Kit, with me, you too dragon,” Axious said. Spike’s eyes shot opened as he looked around and saw that he was talking to him.

“Uh…me?” Spike asked.

“Yes you, you’re tall enough to fight, plus you and I will distract the guard while Kit saves your friends,” Axious announced. Twilight was not pleased with this.

“No way, there is no way no how that Spike is going with you two!” Twilight said.

“Your Highness, I must reject your declination…And don’t worry, I’ll look after him. You have my word,” Axious pledged. Twilight looked at Spike who looked determined to fight after what they had done to them.

“Just be careful okay?” Twilight asked.

Capter 3: Rescue and Destroy

Held in chains, in a dark room deep in the base of the enemy territory the two ponies were now captive and held prisoner in the base. Rainbow Dash was unconscious for a while until she heard her name being called out to her.

“Rainbow…Rainbow…Rainbow Dash are you okay?” Rotor shouted. Rainbow groans and opened her eyes, revealing Rotor and her tied up to the celling in a room.

“Huh…where are we Rotor?” Rainbow asked.

“We’re in the Thief’s dungeon!” Rotor said.

“What now?” Rainbow asked.

“The Thief’s…They’re a group of thug like griffons that steal, cut and burn anything in their path. Their gang was supposed to be eradicated for ten years, but now we have proof,” Rotor said. Rainbow looked at him and saw he was different. Not different bad, but different weird.
"Hey where is your suit?" Rainbow asked.
"Dang griffons striped me of my armor...didn't't want us to escape easily, " Rotor said. Rainbow then saw something that caught her eye. She noticed that Rotor's wing was leaking something and she was concerned about something.

“Hey Rotor buddy…what’s wrong with your wing?” Rainbow asked.

“It’s nothing to worry about…right now we need to get out of here, or we will die here like old bones,” Rotor said.

“Well, we’re not going anywhere now so I think it’s the best time explain what happened to you…and who are your friends are,” Rainbow said. Rotor looked around and saw there was no one coming, so he sighed and moved his chained arms to a comfortable spot.

“…Okay; Axious, Kit, and I are part of an elite group of stallions, trained to fight or to take any mission or war that is not common for anypony to be in. We’re known as Ark’s,” Rotor announfed. Rainbow’s face made a perplexing look.

“Who are you?” Rainbow asked again.

“Arks...It stands for Assault Ranger Knights. The best of the best in Equestria, though Celestia had banned the training, due to losses of so many knights that exaughsted themselves form the training. But we’re not just any Ark’s…we’re Nightmane Arks for Princess Luna,” Rotor said.

“Wait…I thought Luna had royal guards,” Rainbow said.

“She did…but she saw something in them that didn’t quiet show something. So she had us; handpicked stallions form across Equestria that were worthy of such honor,” Rotor said. Rainbow chuckled.

“Special…? We’re tied up in chains and being held in a cell, and you’re supposed to be the best of the best?” Rainbow teased.

“Hey, listen miss Rainbow Dash! If it wasn’t for me you would be dead,” Rotor said.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“These Griffons aren’t just any Thief’s…they’re the kind that tear apart their victims piece by piece…I negotiated that if we were held ransom for a price, they would pay. So they decide to give it a shot and do the pricing on us,” Rotor said.

“Well, that’s good news,” Rainbow said. Rotor looked left and right. He saw no guards were coming and decide to break out.

“Well, while they’re doing business, I’m breaking out,” Rotor said as he was straining on the chains with his wings.

“Ha, good luck with that! The way I see it, these things around us are what I read in a Daring Doo series. These are eight point pressure cuffs, the more you move, the tighter they’ll-!” Before Rainbow had anything to say, Rotor’s wing broke two of the chains and was free. Rainbow’s mouth drop as she saw Rotor flexing his wings.

“Well, how about you then?” He asked. He then got his left wing and formed it into a blow tourch and began to slice Rainbow’s chains off of her. Meanwhile in the courtyard, Axious, Kit and Spike were sneaking in the shadows of the heavily fortified Griffon base.

“What can you see Spike?” Axious asked. Spike used his dragon eyes and scanned the area. He saw seven figures; two on the top, three on the bottom, and the other two patrolling the road way to the dungeons.

“There’s seven targets…big, tall, strong; their Griffons,” Spike said. Axious fell on his back besides a rock.

“Griffons…it had to be Griffons,” Axious alleged. Kit took a look through his binoculars and bit his lip. He then turned to Axious.

“Thief Griffons…very vicious, you go first,” Kit said to Axious and he looked at him with a perplexed look.

“Looks like a dozen more on the top,” Spike said.

“This is great…We need to hurry, Twilight and her friends should have the train up and running by now,” Axious said.

“Oh yeah, and how can we get pass the court yard without attracting any attention to ourselves?” Spike asked. Axious observed the walls, and the gates. It was pretty barged tight, except for a small cauldron at the base of the gates where the water supply ran through.

“You see that small cauldron at the base of the wall?” Axious asked. The two looked and saw the hole.

“What about it?” Spike asked.

“Here’s what we’ll do…Kit, you go up on the two towers, get rid of the guards patrolling the gates; I’ll set a charge on the gap there by the water so we can make our exit; Spike, you got the most important mission of all. Down in the basement is probably where Rotor and Rainbow are being held. You’ll go down there, eliminate any all hostels that get in your way, and free them. I’ll make a distraction for you guy’s as soon as the charges are set. But we need to time it all right. Once we secured our friends, link up here at O700 hrs. Before the timer sets off; then we break for the train and go home free. Here, use t these coms; link them into your ears and keep in distance communication,” Axious said. As the three of them patch their commlinks in; they were ready.

“Sound s good…you ready Spike?” Kit asked. Spike took a deep breath in.

“I’ll see what I can do…let’s do this,” Spike said. Axious got up and saw there was a blind spot between the two towers. He ran up and headed off for the gap at the gate. Kit did his part and went left, climbing up the ladder into one of the towers. Spike over looked the area, giving Axious cover. AS soon as Axious had the charges set, he waved to Spike and he knew it was his turn. Axious got up and headed into the spot light.

“Hey look, it’s a unicorn!” He shouted. The griffons snarled and turned to him with their weapons and claws ready.

“Where did this one come from?” One asked.

“Here’s the agreement; we’ll play a game. I’ll run, and you try to catch me!” Axious said and started to run to the supply lines that lead to the back of the base. As soon as Axious made a break for it, the griffons left their post and charged ta the running unicorn. Spike then got up and charged at the lower levels to find Rainbow Dahs and Rotor. One of the griffon towers had a radio signal and was about to alert the base, but Kit came behind him and snapped his neck. He then took the griffons bow, took an arrow and slayed the other one across the yard. He smiled and kept a look out on the base, but inconspicuously. As Spike made his way down to the lower floor, he silently crept his way to the dungeons.

“Rainbow…Rotor…Are you guys here?” Spike whispered. Suddenly a griffon came out of the shadows and slammed a chair on Spike’s back. Spike fell on the floor, and stumbled into a barrel.

“You my good dragon are receiving a beating!” The griffon said. But being a dragon has its ways. Spike then grabbed the griffon’s fist and glared at him in the eye with his dragon like eye pupils.

“That was a bad choice!” Spike yelled as he picked him up and threw him into a pile of boxes. Not too far, Rotor and Rainbow heard the echo of the crash.

“Whoa, what was that?” Rainbow asked.

“I don’t know…Hold still…I’m almost-there, you’re free!” Rotor ordered and finished cutting through Rainbow’s chains.

“Sweet, how do we get out though, the door’s locked,” Rainbow said. Rotor then whistled at her and formed his wing into a lock pick. Rainbow’s mouth was silent after that.

“What or who are you?” Rainbow asked.

“My name is Rotor…Rotor Wing; former Ace Captain of the Wonder Bolts, and Ark guard to Princess Luna,” He announced and began to unlock the pick. Back at the yard, Axious was running like mad. He encountered some resistance, but there isn’t anything a little unicorn magic that can do to save him. He fired some shots and slammed his hoofs into a couple of griffons. He came to some close calls, like one part where he almost got his head severed by a stray javelin that came from behind, or the part where he almost got slammed in the face by a boulder.

“Come on, that’s the best you can do?” Axious asked. The griffons were now getting furious at his taunts and decide to stop playing games.

“Send out the Little Lucy’s!” One of the griffons shouted. The next thing Axious sees are three griffons loading up large cannons that could probably level a city.

“I don’t see how those things are called Little Lucy’s!” Axious grunted and began to run faster than ever.

“FIRE!” The commander shouted. Then a giant missile came out of one of the guns and blasted a pillar down, causing Axious to slip and fall.

“Whoa that was close call!” Axious said. He looked at his watch and was a bit furious.

“Yo, Axious; you got a party that’s cutting you off on your five!” Kit said.

“Where are you?” Axious asked as he dogged another round.

“In one of the command bunkers in the towers, I’m patching the radio link through your comm. It looks like almost half of the base is onto you,” He announced.

“Yeah I got their attention; what’s the twenty on Spike?” Axious asked.

“I’ll check, Spike do you come in?” Kit asked. Back at the dungeon, Spike was delivering punches and blows to the griffon that was foolishly fighting him. Spike then grabbed him by the neck and threw him into the wall, causing it to break and crumble on the griffons.

“Man, that was not too hard,” Spike said.

“Spike do you come in, Spike?” Kit asked. Spike jolted up and reached down in his scales.

‘What the…what’s this?” Spike asked.

“It’s a radio link. What’s the report?” Kit asked.

“I’m heading to the dungeons now. I encountered a hostile if you were wondering,” Spike said.

“Hurry up and find them; Axious is getting pumbled by mortars above,” Kit said. And as soon as he said that the ground began to shake and the roof under Spike began to crumble.

“Uh…right, what the hay was step two again after I find them?” Spike asked as he ran as fast as he can. Rotor had just finished picking the lock and smirked. Rainbow didn’t know wither to be impressed or freaked out…His wing; is robotic!?

“Right, let’s go, come on!” Rotor alleged. Rainbow nodded and followed him. Rotor and Rainbow flew their way through the halls and saw that the way was pretty empty.

“Where are all the guards?” Rainbow asked as ten another mortar had gone off and rocked the earth.

“What the hay was that?” Rotor asked. Soon spike ran into them and sighed.

“There you guys are,” Spike said. Rainbow flew up to him.

“Spike, what are you doing here?” Rainbow asked.

“I’m here to get you guys out of here. Kit, I found them, repeat I found them,” Spike announced.

“Gotcha, Axious; Spike has found them; get your plot out of there and head for the cauldron,” Kit ordered.

“In a second; I’m doing something. These batteries can level the entire base…heh. Kit, you; Spike, Rainbow and Rotor get out of here,” Axious said.

“What about you?” Kit asked.

“I’m going to clean up the trash; with a bang,” He said and began to doge and place charges onto the battery guns and the supply crates. Kit removed the radio link form his wrist and slid down the ladder. He saw Spike and the others coming out of the entrance.

“We need to move now,” Kit said,

‘Where’s Axious?” Rotor asked

“He’s going to finish the job. Come on,” Kit ordered. He then activated the timer and blew up the gates gap making a giant hole big enough for them to escape from. Axious heard the explosion; he knew that his teammates were sea. He stopped at his tracks for he had come to a dead end at a dock and a lake. He then faced the griffon army that had him surrounded.

“You guys don’t know when to quit huh” Axious asked.

“Give, up, you’re surrounded,” One of the griffons said. Axious smiled “I don’t think so. He then used his horn to activate the detonators and fell backwards into the deep lake that was under him. The griffons saw the beeping bomb and tried to make a break for it. But it was too late; the bombs had exploded before even one griffon could make it to the boats. The others saw the explosion and began to run like mad.

“Come on, the longer we wait here, we’ll be part of the wreck edged,” Kit announced. As they ran to the train station, Twilight and the others saw the explosion and wondered what had happened.

“What happened to them?” Twilight asked.

“Start the train! Start the train now Twilight!” Rainbow shouted.

“It’s Rainbow, Spike and the Arks; get on girls, we’re heading out of here,” Twilight announced. The rest of them jump on the rain and started the engine that tooted its whistle. As the others jump on, they began to catch their breaths and relax. Spike ran up to Twilight who was tearing up that both her assistant and her friend were okay. As the train began to move on in the distance, they saw the base blow into the sky and light up the area bright.

“We’re all here,” Pinkie said and jump for joy. Twilight looked among the crowed and noticed something.

“Wait…where’s the other Ark?” Twilight asked. Kit and Rotor looked out of their window and sighed.

“…Axious Aiden is-!”

“Is still present,” He said. The group turned around and saw him standing in the hall of the train soaking wet and panting heavily.

"Axious, you’re alive!” Rotor said and jumps on him.

“Gah…okay, yeah…you can get off Rotor,” Axious announced. Rotor let’s go and Kit came up and gave his friend a hoof.

“Man, you almost gave us a heart attack,” Kit said.

“What happened to the base?” Twilight asked.

“Destroyed your highness, I found out that this train was rigged and was for your capture to keep you ransom. Luckily, I destroyed the base before they could negotiate the terms,” Axious said.

“Man, you’re all wet,” Rotor announced. Axious chuckled.

“Fell into a lake that leads to the water system. I followed the trail and hitch on the train before it took off,” Axious alleged.

“Well, I hope this time we’re heading over to the Crystal Empire,” Twilight alleged.

“Your Highness, don’t you worry, we’ll keep you safe,” Axious said and the three of the royal guards salted by placing one hoof on their chest and bowing before Twilight.

“…It’s okay, you don’t have to bow,” She said and gave each of them hugs. The three knights were confused at first but then Rotor fainted due to the fact he had just hugged has first princess. The group laughs and continues to ride the train to the Crystal Empire. As the train had made its final destination, the ponies walked out and Cadence, Armor Luna and Celestia came out and were a bit worried.

“Twili, what happened? You didn’t come at the time you were present and we got worried,” Armor said.

“Well, our train was high jacked and…How about I let them tell you,” Twilight said.

“Who tell us? The thieves that took you, I’ll tear them apart!” Armor growled.

“No Armor, no…It’s not the thieves,” Twilight stated.

“Then who is it?” Celestia asked.

“Axious, Kit, Rotor come out,” Twilight said. The group waited and soon three stallions in dark white armor with blades on their helmets came out of the train. The others were shocked to see three ponies wearing royal guard armor; yet none of them met. The Stallions walked up and bowed before the princes and princesses.

“Who are you then?” Cadence asked. Luna’s eyes shot wide open as she saw her guards.

“Madam, my name is Axious; these are my friends, Rotor Wing and Kit Tail,” Axious said. Armor’s eyes formed a perplexed look as he heard the names and swore he heard them before.

“Remove your helmets guards, so we can see and thank you face to face,” Celestia ordered. The three froze in fear.

"With all due respect your highness; it's of our best intreset that we keep our faces hidden," Axious said.

"Nonsese; you saved my sister-in-law...I sould look upon the faces of those who saved her and her friends," Cadence said. Hesitant but obideant, the guards remove their hoods and revealed their faces. Axious had a short back mane and light brown skin, Rotor was light black had a long spiky porcupine like hair, like Phoenix Wright, his left wing lost its camouflage skin so you could see the robotic wing attached to his body and Kit had small long thin glasses with a tall spiky hair, and brown skin. Among the guards Twilight soon recognized Axious as he showed his face.

“I know you! You’re that stallion that helped me when I was in trouble last time here,” Twilight stated.

“You mean during the hostile takeover?” Axious asked. Twilight nodded. Axious sighed. “It’s true; I was part of the assault team...well I am the assault team that succeeded in rescuing you,” Axious alleged.

“What unit are you with?” Celestia asked. The three kept silent for some time. Celestia grew impatient. “I said what unit are you with?” She asked once more. Axious was about to speak, but then Luna’s voice broke the silence.

“…There with me sister,” Luan spoke up, Celestia looked at her.

“These guards wear different armor from the others. What type are they?” Celestia asked. Luna looked down and her sister waited for an answer. Axious knew she couldn’t hold all the blame, so he went up and bowed before Celestia.

“I can tell you you’re highness,” Axious stated. Luna looked up and saw Axious standing up for her…No pony besides Twilight has ever done that.

“Then please…Tell me Sir Axious,” Celestia asked. Axious sighed and let three words.

“We are Arks,” Axious stated. Almost half of the group didn’t understand, all except for Celestia who turned to her sister in bitter tone.

“Luna, I forbid this to be so!” She said. Luna came up and stood in front of Celestia.

“But sister; these aren’t just ordinary stallions!” Luan objected.

“What’s who now?” CadencCelestia. Armor spoke out of the confused group.

“ They're Ark’s; supposed to be the elite race of the royal guards. Made by the founding father of the training; Admiral Lightning Rod. He wanted a team of warriors that would be able to do the impossible, to put the lives of others first above their own...But the training was so intense that many prosecutors ended up rebelling against the training due to almost half dead or exaughsted themselves to the training,” Armor said.

“How are these stallions different from any other?” Celestia asked.

“I had my guards picked them for this type of training. You know these three are the finest in all of Equestria,” Luna said. Armor took another glance at them and soon remembered where he saw them from.

“Now I remember…These three are the first! Kit Tail, at the age of eight he mastered over ten thousand dialect languages in Equestria and dropped out of Celestia’s school for being too smart, Rotor Wing, former ace combat flier of the Wounderbolts, it was said you could do the impossible in less than five seconds and that you retired after your incident, and finally Axious Aiden, you were only a small filly when your parents sent you to the academy to be a royal guard. They served their kingdom valiantly, and you always came back from your missions, but your squads didn’t,” Armor said. The three nodded.

“Now I remember seeing Kit Tail…The school district kicked him out, and that was the last we ever heard from him,” Twilight stated.

“And Rotor Wing said he was the former ace Captain of the Wounderbolts,” Rainbow Dash alleged.

“You see sister; these stallions are the type I’ve been wanting. Sure my other guards are loyal, but I need guards who could do the impossible, besides, they did bring back Twilight and her friends safe and sound,” Luan said. Celestia realized that Luna was right, these ponies are the best of the best, she hasn’t heard of them though, but she doesn’t need words or stories to see the honor in them. Celestia sighed and looked at her sister.

“If you think this is the right thing to do; then I guess we can make do with it,” Celestia said. The three guards smiled and sighed in relief.

“But we need to find out who took the train and high jacked it,” Armor said.

“We can answer that your highness. The train was taken control by a group of Griffons called THIEFS. We had proof of their base until I laid waste to the area,” Axious said. This was shocking news.

“Griffons never come down the mountains before. This is bad, I’ll have to inform all of our allies to be cautious, but until then lest get some rest. You look like you need it,” Armor said. The ponies all nodded their heads and headed off to the castle. Luna stood in front of her guards and smiled.

“You did well; you have thy respect,” Luan said and bowed. The soldiers smiled and bowed the same way. She then turned away and walked off to catch up with the others. Axious, Kit and Rotor were now left alone to head for the chambers.

“Man that was the most epic mission ever!” Rotor alleged.

“Yeah, hope we can do something like that again. But for now…*yawn*…I need the sleep,” Axious said.

“Me too, see ya tomorrow,” Rotor announced and went to his room.

“I’ll see you in the morning, boss,” Kit said. Axious smiled and went to his dorm while Kit walked into his, As Axious closed his door, he soon removed his armor, placed it on a manikin pony and fell on his bed letting sleep overcome him as he closed his eyes and said his final words.

“…Mission Complete,” He whispered and fell into a deep sleep.

END

Operation A: Assault

In the CCCI HQ (Central Canterlot Grove Intelligence Head Quarters), the year twenty one twenty two, summer time, a supreme guard tells his squad of elite stallions an important mission. The two teams pay attention to their leader as he briefs them.

“Now listen up. Last night our scouts had intercepted a transmission that changeling warriors will target Princess Twilight Sparkle’s negotiation speech, intended for Prince Shining Armor, and Princess Cadence. They tend to eliminate her for running their plans from before. Your mission is to make sure that situation does not occur,” The commander said. One of the stallions raised his hoof.

“Wouldn’t this be a better job for a warrior guard?” One of the stallions named Axious asked.

“Negative. Plans for assassination are going to happen in the Crystal Empire, busy town, and lots of civilian interference. We need two teams, eight manes on the streets and ready,” The commander announced.

“Sir, any idea who the changeling is that is leading this assault?” Axious asked.

“No. But you will die for the princess’s safety, if it comes to that. Understood?” The commander asked. Axious raised his hoof to his head.

“Affirmative,” Axious said. The two teams hooped on the chariots and rode off to the Crystal Empire to complete their mission. One of the manes turned to face Axious.

“Commander Axious, have you ever been to the Crystal Empire?’ A Pegasus asked.

“Once…it was the time I was just a royal guard, just follow my lead and we’ll be alright,” Axious said. They continued to fly in the air and some wondered if they’ll make it. They remained to fly in silence and geared up until they reached their destination. They hooped off of their rides and walked the busy streets.

“Sir, how do we take out the Changeling assassins? They can disguise themselves to look like anypony,” A unicorn said.

“Use these goggles. The supreme commander said some of the unicorns back at HQ enhanced with a spell that’ll seek out the changeling’s heat signatures…kind of like using a snakes tongue to track his prey,” Axious alleged. They all equipped themselves with their goggles and were now ready for the assault.

“So the green will be the civilians,” One mane said.

“While the changelings will remain blue, that way we could reduce our losses of manes and reduce the civilian casualties,” Axious said. The teams reached the square of the kingdom and formed a plan. “Okay, listen up. Shadow squad will remain on the ground to intercept the changelings that’ll be in the streets, while we go up on the north building there and scout the whole thing out. Any type of movement that’s conspicuous, and if they’re a blue color, take them out, understood?” Axious announced. The teams shouted.

“Sir, yes sir!” They took their positions and waited for the enemy to make their move. Axious and his squad remained on the top building while the Shadow squad remained on the ground. As the civilians gathered around in front of the castle to hear Twilight speak, One of Axious manes with his goggles scanned the area and saw nine blue targets.

“I see the enemy. Three in the square, three in the left corner, and three heading to the front of the gates,” the Pegasus said.

“Good, now we cracked the ranks,” Axious said. He motioned his hoof down and ordered one of his manes to open fire at the ones in the front gate. As the three disguised changelings made their way, one of Shadow squadron’s manes in a disguised blocked them.

“Excuse us sir, we’re with the ponyville committee club. We like to speak to Twilight Sparkle,” the changeling asked. But then, a ray of magic flew in the air and blasted the first wave of changelings at the left side. The squads were now attacking the enemy. The one shadow mane removed his hood and tried to shot them with his magic, but one of the changelings got him first and shot right through him. The three at the gate ran inside, while the other three in the square tried to make a break for it in ran opposite direction. Axious saw this and ordered the rest of shadow squad moved in to intercept the ones that were retreating. But the changelings jump over them and blasted them with their horns and disassembled Shadow Squad in less than ten second flat. Axious saw the other three and ordered his other mane to fire at them. The unicorn aimed at the targets and fired several shots at the escapes, and lit the streets with their filth. The four remanding squad left the roof top and ran towards he castle.

“There heading for the west side of the castle, lest move!” One of the squad members said as he looked through his goggles. The squad made it inside and saw that there were four rooms.

“Fan out, search and report,” Axious ordered. The four split up and moved into different directions. One stallion walked into the storage room and was blind sited by a barrage of magic beams firing right through his body. The rest of the squad heard the noise and intercepted the rest of the assassins. These changelings though put up a nasty fight. They shot their beams everywhere in the room. One of the Pegasus got hit directly in the head and was out. Axious had a plan and threw a crystal at the floor of where the changelings were at. He then fired his magic at it and causes the place to blow up sky high. There was a lot of smoke in the air and the remaining two couldn’t see anything.

"I think that's the last of them," The last guard said. They thought the coast was clear, until one reaming changeling came from the shadows and blasted the two manes. Axious fell on the ground, still alive; he looked up and saw that his last mane was down for the count.

“No…not you too,” Axious got up to see that the changeling was making a run for it. Axious ran as fast as he can and jump on the changeling, pinning him on the ground. The changeling struggled to get up, but Axious had him. He lifted his horn and shot the last changeling right in the heart. The changeling breathed his last breath and Axious stood up, facing the trash. “That was for my squad,” Axious said. He turned to his side and saw royal guards were running this way. He looked around himself and saw he was surrounded by them.

“Halt right there mane! You’re coming with us,” One of the stallions said, but Axious used a smoke bomb and threw it on the ground, only to disappear in the mist of the confusion. As the smoke cleared, the stallions wondered where he went. They searched all around the castle, trying to find him, but they could never even track his whereabouts. Back at the Canterlot HQ, Axious gave in his report.

“Mane 2234, Axious reporting sir, mission was a success, but the rest of the squad was eliminated during the process of the mission. Only I was left,” Axious said. The admiral scratches his beard.

“Understood Axious, you’ve done your duty. You are dismissed,” The admiral said and Axious lifted his hoof to his head, turned around and marched on out of the briefing room. As Axious left the room, a faint voice called form behind the admiral’s chair.

“Thou has found him quiet interesting,” the voice gently said.

“With all due respect your highness; he’s been through seven squads in the past seven years, and in each year, he always returns, but never his teammates,” The admiral said.

“Never the less, he’s the one I want. Continue your day admiral, I’ll see you later,” The mysterious pony said. The admiral bowed in respect and the pony flew off in to the night.