Flesh and Siliconby GalacticJamChaptersNo Pony's LandRecurrenceUnconventional WarfareVisitorCloak and DaggerReformationNo Pony's LandAs the cold wind howled over the deserted wasteland. The barbed wire swayed in a smooth motion, similar to a tree. The thick black pillars of smoke from the fires drifted off into the air. A small periscope surfaced from a hole in the ground, and turned in multiple directions and stopped, looking in the direction of a swarm of Changelings. The periscope quickly dived into the cracked dirt. Suddenly the desolate wasteland burst to life with the scream of a single word. "FIRE!" Suddenly explosions could be heard from miles away. Heavy metal shells flew up from the ground and rained upon the Changeling swarm, who quickly retreated from the area. The erratic chatter of stallions could be heard as metal clanging emanated from the trenches. Suddenly the same voice screamed "CEASE FIRE!" A Pegasus walked among the rows of mortar cannons with stallions unloading the shells. He was tall, even for his race. He had a scar across his face and had 2 massive black rings around his eyes and walked in a rigid style of motion.He had a light grey mane with a white highlight in. He was dressed in metal, rifle green armour and had a Officer cap to put across his rank in the trench. He inspected the troops and went back into his small room. He lit a candle and began writing a small letter. To my dear sweet Luna, I am writing to you in deep regret as I have been ordered to be stationed at my trench for yet another 6 months. I hope that you are well and hope to see you after this tour. I wish you the best and hope that everything is OK in Equestria. Yours, Steelwing He then put it in an envelope and put it on a desk, ready to be picked up by the courier soon. Another pony walked in soon after, he was dressed in the same armour, but had a large,metal helmet that had several scrapes and mud stains on. He had a dark grey mane with a white highlight in as well, he was fresh faced and young. "Sir the mortars are cleaned and packed," The young stallion reported.However the tall officer didn't respond as he was lost in thought. "Sir?" the stallion said, trying to get the officer back into the unforgiving world that they were in. "Oh, I'm sorry Lieutenant . Yes very good," he stammered. "Is everything OK sir?" he asked with concern. "Forget the formalities, Platinum. We have been in this service since Cadets," The officer ordered tiredly. "Sorry si...Steelwing," "Anyway, I just been notified by HQ that we have to stay in this den of pain for another 6 months," "What!" Platinum shouted with shock. "But I have a family, they need me there. I promised that I would be there on my son's birthday," "I know, I said the same thing. My Luna isn't in the best condition anyway," Steelwing sighed. "Yeah, you told me yesterday. Apparently she is having troubles with..." Platinum recalled. "Please don't," Steelwing cut off. "On the brighter side, if there is any. The Changelings are weakening," "So we are not just converting shells to shrapnel then?" Platinum joked. Steelwing chuckled. "You always find a way to make me laugh, even in the worst of times". Suddenly a short, young stallion burst into the office. "Sorry for the interruption sir, but we have a massive swarm of Changelings coming our way!" He said with deep breaths, like he had run a mile. "Thank you private, carry on. We will be out immediately," Steelwing said, dismissing the private. "Just another day at the office". Steelwing and Platinum walked along the makeshift path to the spotting post. Steelwing grabbed a periscope and scanned the area. He suddenly stopped and turned to Platinum. "You haven't got your spotting qualifications yet, have you Platinum?" Steelwing asked with a grin. "No sir," He responding quickly. "Well today you will, grab the spotter," Steelwing said, letting go of the handles. "Are you sure that's wise sir?" "Do you want to be a Captain?" "Yes sir," "Then grab the bucking spotter before I have to get the can of fly spray out!" Platinum grabbed the 2 handles and scanned the area above the trench. He then set his sights on a small swarm, charging at the trench. "Changelings at 3 O' Clock!" Platinum shouted. "OK, upload the coordinates to the mortars," Steelwing guided. Platinum pressed a small button which set the mortars to move at the direction the periscope was facing. "You know what to say next," "Detail, load!" Platinum shouted. The stallions hurried and loaded the heavy metal shells in the barrels. "Ready!" "FIRE," Platinum shouted. The trench came to live as the shells flew out of the trench. They rained down terror on the swarm, dispersing them almost instantly. A few bodies flew and some scattered across the field. Steelwing smiled at the sight and chuckled to him self. "Just like confetti". A storm of metallic shells came from the sky and shook the ground until Platinum screamed "Cease fire!" The stallions then took the shells from the barrels that did not get armed. Steelwing and Platinum walked back to the small office and prepared a cup of tea. "You know, you're gonna get Captain one day," Steelwing comforted. "Yeah, third time lucky," Platinum sulked. "I know that feeling, three people got promoted before me, and they were less qualified. Oh well, that's the commanders fault, not mine". Platinum shrugged it off and changed the subject. "Hows Greytail?" Platinum asked. "Thats King Greytail to you," Steelwing told. "He is fine, got a letter off him last week. I bet he is cosy in his castle while I'm in the rain and muck, defending that castle of his," "I presume he hasn't been the model father then," "Not at all, he just said that he wishes me the best. Like he is practically saying, try not to get yourself killed". "Anyway, lets hit the hay. We got a night op to do tonight and we don't want to be sluggish," Steelwing yawned. The smaller stallion climbed up onto the top bunk as Steelwing lied down on the bottom bunk. They soon fell asleep. RecurrenceOne week passed, but it felt like a year. As every day progressed, time felt slower. Every minute felt like a day and every hour felt like a month. The same thing happened over and over. More swarms, more shells. Rumours of the Changelings actually retreating spread around the trenches like a plague. Cold winds thrashed the wooden posts holding up miles of barbed wire and echoed in the eerie wastes above. Steelwing was doing his daily patrols, checking on the mortar cannons and defences until he was intercepted by a courier. "Excuse me sir, telegram for you," The courier stammered nervously. It was either Steelwing's high rank or the blistering winds. Steelwing grabbed the letter off the courier and headed into his small office. He proceeded to open the letter, hoping that it was from Luna. It has been weeks since he last heard from her. He unfolded it and a disappointed look came across on his face. It was from HQ. Dear Captain Steelwing You are aware that we have monitoring Trench #54 for a week now and have found minimal activity. Therefore, Master General Crimson Blade has decided to order your outfit to... Steelwing stopped in shock as he read the last part of the letter. He stood motionless for a moment, but then managed to regain his bearings. He dropped the letter and sat down, feeling faint, he poured a glass of water. Platinum walked in the room, and had noticed him slouching over his desk with the letter on the floor. "Steelwing? Is everything OK?" Platinum asked with serious concern. Steelwing didn't reply, but instead sighed heavily and then put his front legs on the table and buried his head in them. Platinum ran up to Steelwing and put his hoof on his shoulder. "What's the matter?" He asked. "Tell me please, you are worrying me now!" Steelwing lifted his head, his eyes were red and swelled with tears. He then managed to muster some strength to utter, "We...we are going over the top," Platinum froze in place, not being able to take the news. He picked up the letter on the floor and read... ...to order your outfit to proceed to evacuate the trench and advance towards the enemy encampment. We hope that you are successful in your advancement and hope to see you soon. You advance in one week at 06:00. Good Luck Expert Major Ferrus "What do we tell the men?" Platinum trembled. "Well, lets be honest with them. We might as well tell them so that they don't get forced over the trench," Steelwing sighed, still in minor shock. Steelwing and Platinum walked outside into the blizzard and assembled the entire outfit. "My loyal comrades. We have fought off the very face of evil together. We have almost destroyed every Changeling in the sector," Steelwing addressed. Every soldier cheered with with him as they think it is a morale speech. "But apparently, this is not enough. For the general has decided that we, one week later," Every soldier looked at each other in confusion, unable to predict what was going to happen next. "We shall evacuate this trench, and advance to the Changeling encampment, 1 Mile away from here". Every soldier froze in fear, the thought of going over the top and trekking the dangerous wasteland, was like a death sentence. For every outfit that had advanced, never came back. "But we are not like other outfits, we are the best of the best. We shall advance towards the enemy. And we shall use tactics that not even the Master General would think of. Most of you would call that misconduct, but I don't fancy walking towards 50 Changelings and being slaughtered!" Every soldier snapped out of their statue like position and began to cheer. They respected Steelwing, they knew he was a good leader as the outfit was the lowest performing before he came into command. "Sir is right!" A soldier shouted "We can do it, who says that they can hit us" Another one shouted. The troops then began cheering in high spirits again. "We advance, one week later. At 06:00," Steelwing announced. "No sir, we win one week later. At 06:01," A soldier corrected in the way to raise morale. Steelwing smiled at the soldier ordered everyone back to their posts. He then walked back to his small, cramped office and sat down. "We are going to get slaughtered aren't we?" Platinum asked, pessimistically. "Definitely, we might as well get everyone in high spirits before they get sentenced to their death," Steelwing sighed. Another courier then knocked on the door and said, "Package for Captain Steelwing sirs," "Thank you, who from?" Steelwing asked happily. He never got a package from anypony after he left to the trenches. "Equestria, Sir. We checked it and there isn't nothing dangerous in there. I assure you," The courier said, deep in thought. "Thank you anyway". Steelwing picked up the letter attached to it. It was from Luna. He observed the large, thin parcel as he picked it up. He then noticed a piece of paper taped to the side. To my dear Steelwing, My deepest apologies for not replying to any of your letters. The Changeling war has affected Equestria's borders and I had to pull some strings to get this parcel past the borders. I am fine but I miss you dearly. I now have to put up with my big sister more than ever as the population seem to worship her as a Goddess and ignore me. If only everypony else shared your love of the night. I do hope that you are safe and that you receive this package intact, it is a blade that my father carried with him all the time and It has to be passed on. Love always, Luna As Steelwing finished the letter, he opened the package very carefully and pulled out a deep purple sheath. He looked at the décor of the sheath. "This is peculiar blade indeed, the craftsmanship is indeed divine," Steelwing complimented. He then pulled the broadsword out of its sheath and a purple blaze ignited the blade. The blade seemed to be black but not shiny, but had stars in it, similar to the night sky. He then looked at the bottom of the package to see a parchment at the bottom. To the new owner, I hereby bestow you with the rift blade, a blade forged from the night sky, burning with the fire of darkness. "I read that in legends and myths once, apparently it has the ability to surge the user once it kills something," Platinum said, observing with curiosity of the sword's blade, but staying clear of the purple inferno. "Well now, I guess the Changelings are going to be surprised," Steelwing muttered, but soon jumped at the sound of a mortar going off. Steelwing stormed down the wooden plank path to the cannons where he saw all of the soldiers had mobilised to fire. "What in the world is going on!" Steelwing demanded, "Sir, you might want to check your spotter," A private said. He then went to his periscope and scanned the surface. "What the..." Suddenly a deafening chitter had echoed across the wastes. Everypony fell to the floor and covered their ears from the high pitched scream. "Fire you fools, blast that thing to Heretics Valley!" A booming could be heard, going louder with every sound. A darkness shrouded the trench as everypony looked up in total shock. A green. "Sir...what is that," Platinum stuttered quietly. "Whatever it is, I don't think it's too happy to see us," Steelwing replied. A large pair of cyan wings extended out, causing a tempest on the ground. A massive black leg struck the ground and caused rocks to fly in the air and strike the ground. Its cyan eyes stared down at the Metaquines, looking like ants. It was a Changeling but much larger than the rest. Unconventional Warfare"How in the hay is that supposed to feed on another pony's love?" Platinum asked, still in awe of the gigantic Changeling standing only mere metres away from the trench. "I don't think it does," Steelwing replied. As a Pegasus charged at the abomination, he choked violently and crashed into the ground. The Changeling then picked up the stallion with the magic and consumed him. The thick gas that was used to thaw the Changeling's shape shifting abilities had worked, but had rendered the air unflyable as the gas would choke any Pegasus that would go above a mere 5 metres and it also caused the wings to fail. The massive Changeling however had some breathing apparatus on its muzzle. "Well what are you waiting for? Fire you fools," Steelwing ordered in anger. Mortars suddenly came to life as they lobbed shells at the Giga-Changeling. The shells only angered it as it shook it off like the bite of a flea. Suddenly it stomped in the mortar entrenchment, causing the shells to set off. Steelwing and Platinum ran towards a control panel and pulled the lever, sounding an alarm. Everypony then mobilised on the mortar placements and the ones that couldn't picked up rifles and fired it at the giant. It got worse however as normal sized Changelings began to swarm the trench, seeing this, Steelwing pulled out his new blade. "Take my old one," Steelwing said to Platinum, with a sense of urgency in his voice. Platinum took the rapier off him and unsheathed it. "Come on you bugs, let's see what you're made of!" Changelings came at him from all directions, but they were shot by the privates with the rifles. The ones left were sliced up from the swords by the officers. Suddenly the rift blade's purple flames grew in intensity as he got faster with every swipe. Meanwhile the giant Changeling began to breach the trench by digging a small hole from the ground, into the trench. A small Changeling foolishly tried to change into Platinum as Steelwing had his back on him. However he soon burnt to crisp as the cloud of gas reacted with his fire. Steelwing ran to his periscope, where he had soon discovered that the Changelings had been digging tunnels to the battlements as swarms came at a time. He looked at the giant and then looked at the blade. "If the blade can absorb the power and transfer it to the user, imagine the power from the Giga-Changeling," Steelwing shouted, as the noise from the several mortars and rifles was deafening. "What? You're gonna face that thing in melee combat, are you nuts?" Platinum shouted in shock. "That thing will just devour you!" "Where is that prototype wing suit we had sent to test but never did?" Steelwing asked urgently. Platinum pointed to the storage room, over the vast sea of Changelings. Steelwing readied his sword and charged through the swarm, he used his wings as a boost as he was lower than the no fly level. He held his sword out by his sword and cut almost every Changeling in half. The sword then began pulsing with pure energy as he ran into the storage room and strapped the wing suit onto him. He turned on the suit and exploded into the sky, leaving a trail of smoke behind him. The suit worked as the black gas didn't choke him and he still remained in the air. He readied his sword and charged at the monstrosity, he then sliced at his hoof which was going for where Platinum was standing. The Giga-Changeling moved his hoof back at the pain which the sword had caused, burning it's skin as a purple flame rose on the cut's location. The Changeling tried to blast down Steelwing with his magic but was too slow as he sliced his horn in half. The abomination screamed in pain as the horn landed down in the cracked dirt. Steelwing landed down on his muzzle and rose his broadsword in the middle of it's eyes. He then stabbed it, causing the massive Changeling to scream and finally, fell down to the floor. The massive amounts of dust flew into the air, but soon set. Revealing Steelwing who had landed near it. The sword then began to absorb an aura from the Changeling, it then began to shine and then flashed, blinding everypony nearby. A bolt of lightning soon hit the sword, causing it to change into a longsword. "Well, I like this new blade. Bit excessive but still," Steelwing said, observing the new longsword. He then looked towards the trench where every soldier and Changeling had stopped fighting and looked at the dead behemoth before him. "Come on lads, lets take back this trench," Steelwing rallied, as every soldier soon began to cut through the Changeling's assault force. The Changelings soon retreated as the massive Changeling was the key to blasting through the trench. A day later, Changeling activity had been quiet. Most soldiers assumed that that was half of the Changeling army and the rest were either fighting the war or scared. The soldiers celebrated as they lived through the worst assault they had. Some sighed in relief, others mourned the loss of their comrades. Steelwing however was in his office, looking at his new sword. He observed the blades material as it was no metal that the Metaquines had ever had ever encountered. He then took a piece of paper from his desk and began writing. Dear my sweetheart Luna, Yesterday we had the worst assault ever, but 2 things concern me more than anything. One: Today a Changeling who was bigger than Canterlot castle itself lead an assault on my trench. If you know anything about enlargement spells or any kind of incantation to make anything of this size, please notify me immanently. Two: The Rift Blade: What is it? This blade managed to take down that giant with only a few swings and somehow changed into a longsword. Also the metal is something nopony knows at all and the flames seem to burn on forever. I do thank you for the sword, as it is the reason that I am still alive today. You couldn't of picked a better day to send it. I am fine but my soldiers seemed to be shaken up. It is good that things in Equestria are fine. Do not take any notice of everyone worshipping your sister though, they only fear her. I hope that one day, we can unite together forever this time. After this tour, I'm leaving service to live in Equestria. Love Always Steelwing He then sent it off as the courier was delivering the mail to the soldiers. He sat down, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. "What do I do?" Steelwing asked himself loudly. "There must be more of those Giga-Changelings out there, waiting to slaughter us," "Well, we can push them back," Platinum said, he was standing in the doorway. However one thing was different, he was wearing some captain rank slides. "Platinum your shoulders," Steelwing pointed out. "Got them today, HQ said I deserved a promotion from the assault," Platinum explained. He then grabbed a chair and looked at the envelope and then at him. "Still concerned about Luna?" "Yeah, what do I say? I cant just tell her that I'm going over the top," "I don't know, It is your life, not mine. But I would suggest the truth," Platinum suggested. Steelwing sighed, he picked up his blade and stared at it, then looked up at Platinum. "There must be more of the Giga-Changelings, I don't think that they would of made just one," Steelwing theorised. He then picked up some pictures that some scouts had took from the other posts from the trench. It shown the creatures size, its ferocity and Steelwing taking it down. "We have to call HQ about the wing suit as well," Platinum reminded. "Already have done, there's a shipment for a squad coming tomorrow for aerial support for the advancement". "Steelwing, if there is anything bothering you, say it," Platinum said, putting his hoof on his shoulder. Steelwing tried to deny but instead just sighing hopelessly. "OK, there is. I think that Luna is falling out of love with me, the letters are becoming shorter and shorter with less detail," "Well, you have been in the trenches for about one and a half years now, I wouldn't be surprised if your relationship is decaying a bit, but if she really is your very special somepony. She wouldn't leave you for anything or anypony in the world," Platinum lectured. "Chin up, you might be able to get out soon as the enemy base is destroyed from our advancement," The day dragged on, the soldier were busy repairing the trench and being healed from the Changeling assault. Steelwing was waiting for Luna's letter, if it ever came. The courier finally arrived and handed a letter to Steelwing, he opened it eagerly. He looked at the letter in disappointment as it was just a reminder that he was going to advance 5 days from now. He sighed and threw away the letter. He rested his head and finally drifted off into a sleep. Until is was awoken by an odd sound, it wasn't any Changeling magic as he would of been able to identify that in a heartbeat. He opened the door and looked around, nothing. He tried to go to sleep but couldn't as the thought of something being there that he didn't know was around. He got up and began to patrol the trench. Everything seemed normal, until he smelt some kind of burning in one of the store rooms. He burst open the door to find that a purple unicorn mare was staring at him in surprise. He drew is sword at pointed it at her. "Identify yourself operative!" Steelwing shouted, getting closer to the unicorn. "Where am I?" The mysterious mare asked in confusion. Steelwing narrowed his eyes and put his sword up against her throat. "Who are you! And tell me quick otherwise you will meet your demise quickly," Steelwing asked, almost killing the mare. "OK, OK! My name is Twilight Sparkle, no need to be hostile just calm down and we can talk." The mare said. Visitor"Well Twilight Sparkle, you want to talk. We shall talk," Steelwing said, unsheathing his sword and sitting on a chair. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief as she pulled the chair from under the small wooden table and sat on it. "One question, how did you get here". "Well, I was supposed to be in the Ancient Equestria era to look for a legendary artefact," Twilight explained. "It is known as the Rift Blade to most ponies but we haven't been able to track it down", Steelwing looked at his sword as he had realised he picked up Platinum's sword instead of his, he looked at the Rift Blade which was under the bunk beds. "May I ask why you need this blade," Steelwing asked suspiciously, trying to defend his only means of defence against the Giga-Changelings. Twilight shook her head slowly while she organised the messy work table. "I'm afraid I can't as that is Princess Celestia's concern," Twilight said sternly. "Princess Celestia, white Alicorn, about this tall?" Steelwing asked, as he raised his hoof to his shoulder height. "Yes, how did you know?" Twilight replied suspiciously. "Well, I may be courting with her sister..." Steelwing trailed off. Twilight laughed to herself. "Princess Luna? She hasn't even had a colt-friend in her life". Steelwing narrowed his eyes at her, Twilight noticed the look. "Oh, you wasn't joking," Twilight nervously laughed. "Not for long I bet, this war is damaging our relationship, anyway you didn't answer my question," Steelwing said, putting the interrogation back on track. "I came from Equestria, from the past I'm guessing from the technology that you ponies have," Twilight complimented, looking around the room. "I used this to get to the past, however Princess Celestia said I would be teleported to a random location in the world as well as going to the past," Twilight explained, lifting a necklace with a clock charm. "Where am I anyway?" "Trench 54, near Circuit City". Twilight looked at him blankly, Steelwing groaned in annoyance. He then got out a map of the known world. "Here is Equestria, you are here," Steelwing pointed, far down south of a huge landmass that was bigger than Equestria. "Oh my, it seems Princess Celestia wasn't kidding," Twilight gasped. Suddenly a courier burst into the room, out of breath he said. "Telegram for you sir, it is marked as urgent," Steelwing grabbed the letter and ripped it open. His eyes scanned across the pages. His eyes then widened. "No, it cannot be!" Steelwing shouted, he threw the letter on the ground in anger and then proceeded to punch the mirror. "What's wrong?" Twilight asked, flinching from the glass flying around the room. Twilight then picked up the piece of paper, it read: At 10:43, Princess Luna has been sentenced to a life banishment until further notice, I am sorry. Princess Celestia. "So...I'm in the past, 1000 years ago," Twilight muttered to herself, trying not to cause any paradoxes. Steelwing was walking around the room, rambling to himself. "Leave me Twilight Sparkle, put these on to blend in," Steelwing snapped, handing Twilight a rifle green jacket with some Lieutenant rank slides on. Twilight quickly changed into the uniform and went outside into the heavy rain. Platinum soon walked in, looking at Steelwing in an odd fashion. "Steelwing, are you OK," Platinum asked, he noticed the telegram and read it. He then dropped it and went up to Steelwing and put his hoof on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. He soon threw it off and then manically screamed, "I'm OK, in fact I'm good, best iv'e been in a while". "Steelwing, you're scaring me!" However he then threw him a crazy look, his eyes and completely widened and his pupil and iris shrunk until his eyes were nearly all white. Platinum ran and alerted 4 soldiers to restrain him. Steelwing grabbed his rift blade and readied it to strike, "Come on, I'll gut you like a fish!" Steelwing taunted, he then slashed a soldier in his arm, burning it and causing the soldier to scream in pain and fear. He then backslashed at the other 3, making them retreat. Platinum looked at Steelwing in shock. A dart gun then would be heard firing which then hit Steelwing in the neck. He began to feel faint and dizzy until collapsing. Reality kept on fading in and out, he saw him being pulled to a armoured van, then he saw he being pulled out of it and lead into a pair of double doors. He then saw Luna, however she looked different. She a much larger horn and was even taller herself. She had a slit for pupils, like a snake. "Look what they done to me my poor Steelwing, they locked me in the moon. But don't worry, we shall have our vengeance. For now, play their game, I shall watch with great interest". Steelwing suddenly shot up from a padded floor, he looked around and saw only a few metal bars as a window and a solid steel door with a small peep hole in. He tried to get up but he had his wings and front legs restrained by a straitjacket. He attempted to bite it off but he then discovered he had a metal cage around his muzzle. He soon gave up trying to escape and sat on the padded floor. He suddenly heard the metal peep hole open as he saw a pair of purple eyes observe him. "He sure did cause trouble back at the trench," A voice said. "Yeah, the psycho came out slashing at us!" Another one said. "So will I have to conduct a therapy session tomorrow?" The pony looking in said. "Yes, from what we have heard he seems to have a equincidal tendencies towards Princess Celestia," One of the voices replied. The mention of Celestia caused Steelwing to snap, his wings managed to break the straitjacket and he soon pulled off the muzzle cage. He punched through the door but ended up damaging his hoof, the pony observing fell back and slammed the hole shut. "What about his son?" The pony asked. "My son?" Steelwing shouted in surprise. Cloak and Dagger"I...I have a son?" Steelwing asked the mysterious pony. However they didn't hear him as they continued with their conversation. "Ironplume is being cared by Princess Celestia, he is going to be the next leader of Equestria," One of the ponies said. Still shocked by the news it took Steelwing several seconds to realise what they had said. "Over my dead body!" Steelwing shouted in anger, trying to kick the door off it's hinges. However it was futile as the heavy door didn't move an inch. "Anyway, lets leave the psycho to himself," One of the ponies said, walking away from the door. Steelwing collapsed onto the floor in exhaustion. Suddenly a small hatch opened under the door, sliding a tray with bread on it. He walked up to it and split in half, he then noticed a small note with a key in it. Confused, Steelwing picked it up and read it. To Captain Steelwing, Who I am and why I am doing this is not important now, all you need to know is that we need you out of the institute and back in the trench. The key is to the door, open it when you hear silence after a bell going off, that is when everypony is on lunch. Go to the store room and take your blade back. Then exit through the vents and meet me at Sugar cube corner in Ponyville. Don't worry the cameras will be disabled then for an hour. So hurry up and good luck. From, A friend. As soon as Steelwing finished reading a loud bell rang, he heard loads of ponies walking. Then total silence, he put the small key into the hole and twisted it. He then cautiously opened the door and looked around, the corridors were deserted. He soon leapt out of the room and closed the door silently. He heard hoofsteps from the corner, which he then quickly jumped into a room saying 'Surveillance ' on the door. He waited for the pony to walk pass, he looked over his shoulder and saw a room with several TV screens and 2 guards unconscious. He picked up a map of the facility which told him that he was in Equestria Mental Correctional Facility, probably one of the most effective asylums in the world. He then plotted a course to the storage room, which was a few rooms away. Suddenly a pony opened the door, he had is back to him as he was looking at the room in which Steelwing was captured. Steelwing grabbed a baton and went near the doorway, waiting to incapacitate the guard. The guard then closed the door and Steelwing knocked him out with one clean swipe. Steelwing went up to the CCTV screens and observed them, most the ponies were at the canteen while some were patrolling the hallways. If he were to get past, he would need a disguise. He took off the guards uniform and put it on, a little tight but it would do for now. He then printed off a picture from the records on the computer and forged a new ID card. He was ready to escape this prison once and for all. Steelwing cruised through the hallways, every single one looked the same, steel doors and white walls. Most the guards looked at him funny but then continued with their rounds. Suddenly he went up to the storage room door and opened it, observing the masses of shelves containing all sorts of articles. Pictures of what seem to be families, dolls, sometimes unknown articles. He went across the names until he found his name, S.Wing. He picked up a purple sheath and took the longsword out of it, it was the rift blade. He attached the sheath onto his belt and picked up a few other things, breathing mask to prevent sleeping gas if they had any, metal armour, and a 9mm pistol. He suddenly heard a bell ring once again, lunch was over. A large amount of hoofsteps could be heard as the door opened. 13 ponies came in and began sorting through the big pile of letters. Steelwing flew stealthily across the room and landed in the doorway, he looked up and saw an air vent which he then flew through. However he couldn't fit his stocky body through the tight shaft and gave up after a few attempts to stuff himself in. He had to go through by force. Steelwing kicked the door open, knocking over a guard. 2 Guards behind him suddenly activated their stun-sticks. "Get him!" A guard ordered. He then ran at Steelwing, trying to land and hit but instead meeting his demise by being cut in half by the rift blade. The other one ran quickly in panic but was soon matched by Steelwing as he leapt and stabbed the guard in the head. Suddenly the white walls turned red as the facility was put on red alert. The entire facility mobilised as tens and hundreds of guards began to search for Steelwing. Running towards the armoury, Steelwing cut through several guards. He opened the door and grabbed what seemed to be a gas grenade. 5 guards that were equipped with rifles burst through the door, seeing this, Steelwing dropped the grenade and put on his breathing mask. The entire group was out in a flash. Meanwhile up in the higher levels in the facility, Twilight was observing Steelwing running around the facility, butchering several guards in split seconds. "Oh Steelwing, I'm so sorry," Twilight tutted. Suddenly she hit a red button. A monotonous voice suddenly notified on the intercom system that the self destruct mechanism had been activated. "Gentlecolts, let us leave for Canterlot," Twilight said, as she walked towards a carriage with 2 Pegasi guards pulling it. Steelwing looked up to the intercom system, hearing that the building would blow up in 1 minute he ran as fast as he could to the lobby of the asylum. He then ran into a iron completely covered in steel armour, wielding a heavy machine gun. Steelwing strafed from side to side, dodging the leviathan's bullet-storm. He then wall jumped and sliced off the pony's arms, dropping the gun. He tripped over the pony and began running. He had 10 seconds left, he ran and ran and ran, trying to break free. He saw the exit and flew towards it but it was too late as the building exploded and it blew off his wings, he then flew out of the building and began falling towards the ground. He landed on the ground and broke all four of his legs completely. ReformationSteelwing groaned in extreme pain, reality faded in and out. He lay on the floor, near death for half an hour until he saw 2 ponies in cloaks approach him. "This him?" One of the shadowy agents asked the other. "Yeah, lets get him out of sight before everypony gets suspicious," The other agent suggested, getting a field stretcher out of his saddlebag. The 2 agents hauled him on the stretcher and carried him, however Steelwing finally passed out. Meanwhile several guards were searching the local area for Steelwing's body. Twilight approached the site on a carriage, she then approached the pony in charge. "You found him yet," Twilight asked impatiently. "No ma'am, we haven't found his body or that blade you asked for us to look for," The guard reported, Twilight then huffed in anger as she observed the area. "This is terrible, not only did we lose the most wanted pony in Equestria, we also lost the legendary artefact I was sent here to retrieve," Twilight declared, as she kicked a stone in anger. "If you find anything, do not hesitate to summon me," "Yes ma'am". Twilight embarked the carriage and flew off to Canterlot castle. The 2 agents carried Steelwing to an old bunker in the Everfree forest, one of the old robotic assembly bunkers that the Metaquines put in Equestria to help with the war effort. They took him to the medical bay as several arm-bots began to repair the wounds. Several metal prosthetic limbs came into the operating theatre as the wounds were finished being tended to. One of the arms snatched a metallic leg from the trolley and held it in place, suddenly another one fused it to Steelwing's skin. Steelwing screamed in pain, trying to get it to stop but nothing could as the restraints denied any movement. Hours later, the surgery was complete. The medic bots retreated back to their storage bays and the restraints on the medical table loosened. The table began to tilt in an upright position. Steelwing finally regained consciousness and opened his eyes, his deep, orange, metal eyes. The turned, like they was scanning his surroundings. Several technicians plugged in several devices, monitoring everything that was going though his body. Steelwing's legs twitched, then his head, then his whole body. "Mirror," Steelwing uttered. Several scientists began scribble on their clipboards. "Mirror!" Steelwing demanded, holding his hoof out for a mirror. A nervous doctor handed him a mirror than back away quickly. Steelwing held the mirror in front of his face and looked in shock, as he saw that almost all of his face was converted into metal plates. He then pushed himself off the table and landed on his feet, he looked around the facility. Several machines scattered across the room, robot arms were perched up against the wall and tools were neatly arranged on a trolley. Steelwing's head dropped down as he walked slowly out of the medical bay and near the exit. An agent began to follow him. It was only until that Steelwing was near the exit that the agent managed to stop him. "Leave me, you do not know my struggles," Steelwing sobbed, as he carried on walking slowly. "I know your struggles more than anypony here, Steelwing". The agent said. Steelwing stopped and looked at him. "I recognise your voice somewhere, I don't know where though," "Trench fifty-four," The agent whispered. "No, It can't be!" Steelwing gasped as the agent took off his hood. He had a dark grey mane with white highlights and a light grey skin. However he had a scar coming down on his left eye, which was similar to Steelwing's new eyes. "Agent Shift, Platinum Shift," The agent introduced, as he took out his hoof to shake. Steelwing was in shock, he hadn't seen his friend since the incident back at the trench. "Agent? What happened to Captain?" Steelwing asked suspiciously, forgiving the fact that Platinum ordered him to be restrained. "Got court marshalled. Soon as you left, morale dropped like a tonne of bricks. When the attack came, I left. Trench fifty-four is gone Steelwing. I managed to hide your blade in the storage room before that crazy purple unicorn got it," Platinum explained, looking at the floor in regret. Steelwing put his cold,metal hoof on his shoulder. "You did the right thing, that mare isn't getting my sword. Well now they're my wings," Steelwing indicated, looking at the purple trims on his metal wings. "Come on, lets get back in the bunker and plan our approach". Steelwing and Platinum retreated back into the dark bunker. Platinum introduced him to every agent present in the bunker, the old bunker had been re-purposed as a operation centre. The transport tunnels extending to the edge of Equestria made this a favourable base. Steelwing entered the war room, where several digital maps of Equestria had been set up. Agents had posted several operations across Equestria, there was no going back now, Steelwing is now an agent. "What do you think?" Platinum nudged Steelwing, "good to say we only had this place for 2 weeks". Steelwing kept looking around the bunker, observing the maps that the agents had made. "It's good, we will take Canterlot faster with those tunnel networks," Steelwing plotted, putting his two hooves together and grinning. 2 Months had passed, several operations were successful as the Equestrian infrastructure began to give way. The castle had been put on high alert as the royals were tending to their duties inside of the castle. But one thing wasn't right, out of all the oddities Steelwing seen, this was the by far the most odd thing he had seen. He was sleeping one night, stirring and rolling across his large bed. Muttering inaudible ramblings. He began to breath deeper and deeper until he finally woke up. He shouted one word, Luna.
No Pony's LandAs the cold wind howled over the deserted wasteland. The barbed wire swayed in a smooth motion, similar to a tree. The thick black pillars of smoke from the fires drifted off into the air. A small periscope surfaced from a hole in the ground, and turned in multiple directions and stopped, looking in the direction of a swarm of Changelings. The periscope quickly dived into the cracked dirt. Suddenly the desolate wasteland burst to life with the scream of a single word. "FIRE!" Suddenly explosions could be heard from miles away. Heavy metal shells flew up from the ground and rained upon the Changeling swarm, who quickly retreated from the area. The erratic chatter of stallions could be heard as metal clanging emanated from the trenches. Suddenly the same voice screamed "CEASE FIRE!" A Pegasus walked among the rows of mortar cannons with stallions unloading the shells. He was tall, even for his race. He had a scar across his face and had 2 massive black rings around his eyes and walked in a rigid style of motion.He had a light grey mane with a white highlight in. He was dressed in metal, rifle green armour and had a Officer cap to put across his rank in the trench. He inspected the troops and went back into his small room. He lit a candle and began writing a small letter. To my dear sweet Luna, I am writing to you in deep regret as I have been ordered to be stationed at my trench for yet another 6 months. I hope that you are well and hope to see you after this tour. I wish you the best and hope that everything is OK in Equestria. Yours, Steelwing He then put it in an envelope and put it on a desk, ready to be picked up by the courier soon. Another pony walked in soon after, he was dressed in the same armour, but had a large,metal helmet that had several scrapes and mud stains on. He had a dark grey mane with a white highlight in as well, he was fresh faced and young. "Sir the mortars are cleaned and packed," The young stallion reported.However the tall officer didn't respond as he was lost in thought. "Sir?" the stallion said, trying to get the officer back into the unforgiving world that they were in. "Oh, I'm sorry Lieutenant . Yes very good," he stammered. "Is everything OK sir?" he asked with concern. "Forget the formalities, Platinum. We have been in this service since Cadets," The officer ordered tiredly. "Sorry si...Steelwing," "Anyway, I just been notified by HQ that we have to stay in this den of pain for another 6 months," "What!" Platinum shouted with shock. "But I have a family, they need me there. I promised that I would be there on my son's birthday," "I know, I said the same thing. My Luna isn't in the best condition anyway," Steelwing sighed. "Yeah, you told me yesterday. Apparently she is having troubles with..." Platinum recalled. "Please don't," Steelwing cut off. "On the brighter side, if there is any. The Changelings are weakening," "So we are not just converting shells to shrapnel then?" Platinum joked. Steelwing chuckled. "You always find a way to make me laugh, even in the worst of times". Suddenly a short, young stallion burst into the office. "Sorry for the interruption sir, but we have a massive swarm of Changelings coming our way!" He said with deep breaths, like he had run a mile. "Thank you private, carry on. We will be out immediately," Steelwing said, dismissing the private. "Just another day at the office". Steelwing and Platinum walked along the makeshift path to the spotting post. Steelwing grabbed a periscope and scanned the area. He suddenly stopped and turned to Platinum. "You haven't got your spotting qualifications yet, have you Platinum?" Steelwing asked with a grin. "No sir," He responding quickly. "Well today you will, grab the spotter," Steelwing said, letting go of the handles. "Are you sure that's wise sir?" "Do you want to be a Captain?" "Yes sir," "Then grab the bucking spotter before I have to get the can of fly spray out!" Platinum grabbed the 2 handles and scanned the area above the trench. He then set his sights on a small swarm, charging at the trench. "Changelings at 3 O' Clock!" Platinum shouted. "OK, upload the coordinates to the mortars," Steelwing guided. Platinum pressed a small button which set the mortars to move at the direction the periscope was facing. "You know what to say next," "Detail, load!" Platinum shouted. The stallions hurried and loaded the heavy metal shells in the barrels. "Ready!" "FIRE," Platinum shouted. The trench came to live as the shells flew out of the trench. They rained down terror on the swarm, dispersing them almost instantly. A few bodies flew and some scattered across the field. Steelwing smiled at the sight and chuckled to him self. "Just like confetti". A storm of metallic shells came from the sky and shook the ground until Platinum screamed "Cease fire!" The stallions then took the shells from the barrels that did not get armed. Steelwing and Platinum walked back to the small office and prepared a cup of tea. "You know, you're gonna get Captain one day," Steelwing comforted. "Yeah, third time lucky," Platinum sulked. "I know that feeling, three people got promoted before me, and they were less qualified. Oh well, that's the commanders fault, not mine". Platinum shrugged it off and changed the subject. "Hows Greytail?" Platinum asked. "Thats King Greytail to you," Steelwing told. "He is fine, got a letter off him last week. I bet he is cosy in his castle while I'm in the rain and muck, defending that castle of his," "I presume he hasn't been the model father then," "Not at all, he just said that he wishes me the best. Like he is practically saying, try not to get yourself killed". "Anyway, lets hit the hay. We got a night op to do tonight and we don't want to be sluggish," Steelwing yawned. The smaller stallion climbed up onto the top bunk as Steelwing lied down on the bottom bunk. They soon fell asleep.
RecurrenceOne week passed, but it felt like a year. As every day progressed, time felt slower. Every minute felt like a day and every hour felt like a month. The same thing happened over and over. More swarms, more shells. Rumours of the Changelings actually retreating spread around the trenches like a plague. Cold winds thrashed the wooden posts holding up miles of barbed wire and echoed in the eerie wastes above. Steelwing was doing his daily patrols, checking on the mortar cannons and defences until he was intercepted by a courier. "Excuse me sir, telegram for you," The courier stammered nervously. It was either Steelwing's high rank or the blistering winds. Steelwing grabbed the letter off the courier and headed into his small office. He proceeded to open the letter, hoping that it was from Luna. It has been weeks since he last heard from her. He unfolded it and a disappointed look came across on his face. It was from HQ. Dear Captain Steelwing You are aware that we have monitoring Trench #54 for a week now and have found minimal activity. Therefore, Master General Crimson Blade has decided to order your outfit to... Steelwing stopped in shock as he read the last part of the letter. He stood motionless for a moment, but then managed to regain his bearings. He dropped the letter and sat down, feeling faint, he poured a glass of water. Platinum walked in the room, and had noticed him slouching over his desk with the letter on the floor. "Steelwing? Is everything OK?" Platinum asked with serious concern. Steelwing didn't reply, but instead sighed heavily and then put his front legs on the table and buried his head in them. Platinum ran up to Steelwing and put his hoof on his shoulder. "What's the matter?" He asked. "Tell me please, you are worrying me now!" Steelwing lifted his head, his eyes were red and swelled with tears. He then managed to muster some strength to utter, "We...we are going over the top," Platinum froze in place, not being able to take the news. He picked up the letter on the floor and read... ...to order your outfit to proceed to evacuate the trench and advance towards the enemy encampment. We hope that you are successful in your advancement and hope to see you soon. You advance in one week at 06:00. Good Luck Expert Major Ferrus "What do we tell the men?" Platinum trembled. "Well, lets be honest with them. We might as well tell them so that they don't get forced over the trench," Steelwing sighed, still in minor shock. Steelwing and Platinum walked outside into the blizzard and assembled the entire outfit. "My loyal comrades. We have fought off the very face of evil together. We have almost destroyed every Changeling in the sector," Steelwing addressed. Every soldier cheered with with him as they think it is a morale speech. "But apparently, this is not enough. For the general has decided that we, one week later," Every soldier looked at each other in confusion, unable to predict what was going to happen next. "We shall evacuate this trench, and advance to the Changeling encampment, 1 Mile away from here". Every soldier froze in fear, the thought of going over the top and trekking the dangerous wasteland, was like a death sentence. For every outfit that had advanced, never came back. "But we are not like other outfits, we are the best of the best. We shall advance towards the enemy. And we shall use tactics that not even the Master General would think of. Most of you would call that misconduct, but I don't fancy walking towards 50 Changelings and being slaughtered!" Every soldier snapped out of their statue like position and began to cheer. They respected Steelwing, they knew he was a good leader as the outfit was the lowest performing before he came into command. "Sir is right!" A soldier shouted "We can do it, who says that they can hit us" Another one shouted. The troops then began cheering in high spirits again. "We advance, one week later. At 06:00," Steelwing announced. "No sir, we win one week later. At 06:01," A soldier corrected in the way to raise morale. Steelwing smiled at the soldier ordered everyone back to their posts. He then walked back to his small, cramped office and sat down. "We are going to get slaughtered aren't we?" Platinum asked, pessimistically. "Definitely, we might as well get everyone in high spirits before they get sentenced to their death," Steelwing sighed. Another courier then knocked on the door and said, "Package for Captain Steelwing sirs," "Thank you, who from?" Steelwing asked happily. He never got a package from anypony after he left to the trenches. "Equestria, Sir. We checked it and there isn't nothing dangerous in there. I assure you," The courier said, deep in thought. "Thank you anyway". Steelwing picked up the letter attached to it. It was from Luna. He observed the large, thin parcel as he picked it up. He then noticed a piece of paper taped to the side. To my dear Steelwing, My deepest apologies for not replying to any of your letters. The Changeling war has affected Equestria's borders and I had to pull some strings to get this parcel past the borders. I am fine but I miss you dearly. I now have to put up with my big sister more than ever as the population seem to worship her as a Goddess and ignore me. If only everypony else shared your love of the night. I do hope that you are safe and that you receive this package intact, it is a blade that my father carried with him all the time and It has to be passed on. Love always, Luna As Steelwing finished the letter, he opened the package very carefully and pulled out a deep purple sheath. He looked at the décor of the sheath. "This is peculiar blade indeed, the craftsmanship is indeed divine," Steelwing complimented. He then pulled the broadsword out of its sheath and a purple blaze ignited the blade. The blade seemed to be black but not shiny, but had stars in it, similar to the night sky. He then looked at the bottom of the package to see a parchment at the bottom. To the new owner, I hereby bestow you with the rift blade, a blade forged from the night sky, burning with the fire of darkness. "I read that in legends and myths once, apparently it has the ability to surge the user once it kills something," Platinum said, observing with curiosity of the sword's blade, but staying clear of the purple inferno. "Well now, I guess the Changelings are going to be surprised," Steelwing muttered, but soon jumped at the sound of a mortar going off. Steelwing stormed down the wooden plank path to the cannons where he saw all of the soldiers had mobilised to fire. "What in the world is going on!" Steelwing demanded, "Sir, you might want to check your spotter," A private said. He then went to his periscope and scanned the surface. "What the..." Suddenly a deafening chitter had echoed across the wastes. Everypony fell to the floor and covered their ears from the high pitched scream. "Fire you fools, blast that thing to Heretics Valley!" A booming could be heard, going louder with every sound. A darkness shrouded the trench as everypony looked up in total shock. A green. "Sir...what is that," Platinum stuttered quietly. "Whatever it is, I don't think it's too happy to see us," Steelwing replied. A large pair of cyan wings extended out, causing a tempest on the ground. A massive black leg struck the ground and caused rocks to fly in the air and strike the ground. Its cyan eyes stared down at the Metaquines, looking like ants. It was a Changeling but much larger than the rest.
Unconventional Warfare"How in the hay is that supposed to feed on another pony's love?" Platinum asked, still in awe of the gigantic Changeling standing only mere metres away from the trench. "I don't think it does," Steelwing replied. As a Pegasus charged at the abomination, he choked violently and crashed into the ground. The Changeling then picked up the stallion with the magic and consumed him. The thick gas that was used to thaw the Changeling's shape shifting abilities had worked, but had rendered the air unflyable as the gas would choke any Pegasus that would go above a mere 5 metres and it also caused the wings to fail. The massive Changeling however had some breathing apparatus on its muzzle. "Well what are you waiting for? Fire you fools," Steelwing ordered in anger. Mortars suddenly came to life as they lobbed shells at the Giga-Changeling. The shells only angered it as it shook it off like the bite of a flea. Suddenly it stomped in the mortar entrenchment, causing the shells to set off. Steelwing and Platinum ran towards a control panel and pulled the lever, sounding an alarm. Everypony then mobilised on the mortar placements and the ones that couldn't picked up rifles and fired it at the giant. It got worse however as normal sized Changelings began to swarm the trench, seeing this, Steelwing pulled out his new blade. "Take my old one," Steelwing said to Platinum, with a sense of urgency in his voice. Platinum took the rapier off him and unsheathed it. "Come on you bugs, let's see what you're made of!" Changelings came at him from all directions, but they were shot by the privates with the rifles. The ones left were sliced up from the swords by the officers. Suddenly the rift blade's purple flames grew in intensity as he got faster with every swipe. Meanwhile the giant Changeling began to breach the trench by digging a small hole from the ground, into the trench. A small Changeling foolishly tried to change into Platinum as Steelwing had his back on him. However he soon burnt to crisp as the cloud of gas reacted with his fire. Steelwing ran to his periscope, where he had soon discovered that the Changelings had been digging tunnels to the battlements as swarms came at a time. He looked at the giant and then looked at the blade. "If the blade can absorb the power and transfer it to the user, imagine the power from the Giga-Changeling," Steelwing shouted, as the noise from the several mortars and rifles was deafening. "What? You're gonna face that thing in melee combat, are you nuts?" Platinum shouted in shock. "That thing will just devour you!" "Where is that prototype wing suit we had sent to test but never did?" Steelwing asked urgently. Platinum pointed to the storage room, over the vast sea of Changelings. Steelwing readied his sword and charged through the swarm, he used his wings as a boost as he was lower than the no fly level. He held his sword out by his sword and cut almost every Changeling in half. The sword then began pulsing with pure energy as he ran into the storage room and strapped the wing suit onto him. He turned on the suit and exploded into the sky, leaving a trail of smoke behind him. The suit worked as the black gas didn't choke him and he still remained in the air. He readied his sword and charged at the monstrosity, he then sliced at his hoof which was going for where Platinum was standing. The Giga-Changeling moved his hoof back at the pain which the sword had caused, burning it's skin as a purple flame rose on the cut's location. The Changeling tried to blast down Steelwing with his magic but was too slow as he sliced his horn in half. The abomination screamed in pain as the horn landed down in the cracked dirt. Steelwing landed down on his muzzle and rose his broadsword in the middle of it's eyes. He then stabbed it, causing the massive Changeling to scream and finally, fell down to the floor. The massive amounts of dust flew into the air, but soon set. Revealing Steelwing who had landed near it. The sword then began to absorb an aura from the Changeling, it then began to shine and then flashed, blinding everypony nearby. A bolt of lightning soon hit the sword, causing it to change into a longsword. "Well, I like this new blade. Bit excessive but still," Steelwing said, observing the new longsword. He then looked towards the trench where every soldier and Changeling had stopped fighting and looked at the dead behemoth before him. "Come on lads, lets take back this trench," Steelwing rallied, as every soldier soon began to cut through the Changeling's assault force. The Changelings soon retreated as the massive Changeling was the key to blasting through the trench. A day later, Changeling activity had been quiet. Most soldiers assumed that that was half of the Changeling army and the rest were either fighting the war or scared. The soldiers celebrated as they lived through the worst assault they had. Some sighed in relief, others mourned the loss of their comrades. Steelwing however was in his office, looking at his new sword. He observed the blades material as it was no metal that the Metaquines had ever had ever encountered. He then took a piece of paper from his desk and began writing. Dear my sweetheart Luna, Yesterday we had the worst assault ever, but 2 things concern me more than anything. One: Today a Changeling who was bigger than Canterlot castle itself lead an assault on my trench. If you know anything about enlargement spells or any kind of incantation to make anything of this size, please notify me immanently. Two: The Rift Blade: What is it? This blade managed to take down that giant with only a few swings and somehow changed into a longsword. Also the metal is something nopony knows at all and the flames seem to burn on forever. I do thank you for the sword, as it is the reason that I am still alive today. You couldn't of picked a better day to send it. I am fine but my soldiers seemed to be shaken up. It is good that things in Equestria are fine. Do not take any notice of everyone worshipping your sister though, they only fear her. I hope that one day, we can unite together forever this time. After this tour, I'm leaving service to live in Equestria. Love Always Steelwing He then sent it off as the courier was delivering the mail to the soldiers. He sat down, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. "What do I do?" Steelwing asked himself loudly. "There must be more of those Giga-Changelings out there, waiting to slaughter us," "Well, we can push them back," Platinum said, he was standing in the doorway. However one thing was different, he was wearing some captain rank slides. "Platinum your shoulders," Steelwing pointed out. "Got them today, HQ said I deserved a promotion from the assault," Platinum explained. He then grabbed a chair and looked at the envelope and then at him. "Still concerned about Luna?" "Yeah, what do I say? I cant just tell her that I'm going over the top," "I don't know, It is your life, not mine. But I would suggest the truth," Platinum suggested. Steelwing sighed, he picked up his blade and stared at it, then looked up at Platinum. "There must be more of the Giga-Changelings, I don't think that they would of made just one," Steelwing theorised. He then picked up some pictures that some scouts had took from the other posts from the trench. It shown the creatures size, its ferocity and Steelwing taking it down. "We have to call HQ about the wing suit as well," Platinum reminded. "Already have done, there's a shipment for a squad coming tomorrow for aerial support for the advancement". "Steelwing, if there is anything bothering you, say it," Platinum said, putting his hoof on his shoulder. Steelwing tried to deny but instead just sighing hopelessly. "OK, there is. I think that Luna is falling out of love with me, the letters are becoming shorter and shorter with less detail," "Well, you have been in the trenches for about one and a half years now, I wouldn't be surprised if your relationship is decaying a bit, but if she really is your very special somepony. She wouldn't leave you for anything or anypony in the world," Platinum lectured. "Chin up, you might be able to get out soon as the enemy base is destroyed from our advancement," The day dragged on, the soldier were busy repairing the trench and being healed from the Changeling assault. Steelwing was waiting for Luna's letter, if it ever came. The courier finally arrived and handed a letter to Steelwing, he opened it eagerly. He looked at the letter in disappointment as it was just a reminder that he was going to advance 5 days from now. He sighed and threw away the letter. He rested his head and finally drifted off into a sleep. Until is was awoken by an odd sound, it wasn't any Changeling magic as he would of been able to identify that in a heartbeat. He opened the door and looked around, nothing. He tried to go to sleep but couldn't as the thought of something being there that he didn't know was around. He got up and began to patrol the trench. Everything seemed normal, until he smelt some kind of burning in one of the store rooms. He burst open the door to find that a purple unicorn mare was staring at him in surprise. He drew is sword at pointed it at her. "Identify yourself operative!" Steelwing shouted, getting closer to the unicorn. "Where am I?" The mysterious mare asked in confusion. Steelwing narrowed his eyes and put his sword up against her throat. "Who are you! And tell me quick otherwise you will meet your demise quickly," Steelwing asked, almost killing the mare. "OK, OK! My name is Twilight Sparkle, no need to be hostile just calm down and we can talk." The mare said.
Visitor"Well Twilight Sparkle, you want to talk. We shall talk," Steelwing said, unsheathing his sword and sitting on a chair. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief as she pulled the chair from under the small wooden table and sat on it. "One question, how did you get here". "Well, I was supposed to be in the Ancient Equestria era to look for a legendary artefact," Twilight explained. "It is known as the Rift Blade to most ponies but we haven't been able to track it down", Steelwing looked at his sword as he had realised he picked up Platinum's sword instead of his, he looked at the Rift Blade which was under the bunk beds. "May I ask why you need this blade," Steelwing asked suspiciously, trying to defend his only means of defence against the Giga-Changelings. Twilight shook her head slowly while she organised the messy work table. "I'm afraid I can't as that is Princess Celestia's concern," Twilight said sternly. "Princess Celestia, white Alicorn, about this tall?" Steelwing asked, as he raised his hoof to his shoulder height. "Yes, how did you know?" Twilight replied suspiciously. "Well, I may be courting with her sister..." Steelwing trailed off. Twilight laughed to herself. "Princess Luna? She hasn't even had a colt-friend in her life". Steelwing narrowed his eyes at her, Twilight noticed the look. "Oh, you wasn't joking," Twilight nervously laughed. "Not for long I bet, this war is damaging our relationship, anyway you didn't answer my question," Steelwing said, putting the interrogation back on track. "I came from Equestria, from the past I'm guessing from the technology that you ponies have," Twilight complimented, looking around the room. "I used this to get to the past, however Princess Celestia said I would be teleported to a random location in the world as well as going to the past," Twilight explained, lifting a necklace with a clock charm. "Where am I anyway?" "Trench 54, near Circuit City". Twilight looked at him blankly, Steelwing groaned in annoyance. He then got out a map of the known world. "Here is Equestria, you are here," Steelwing pointed, far down south of a huge landmass that was bigger than Equestria. "Oh my, it seems Princess Celestia wasn't kidding," Twilight gasped. Suddenly a courier burst into the room, out of breath he said. "Telegram for you sir, it is marked as urgent," Steelwing grabbed the letter and ripped it open. His eyes scanned across the pages. His eyes then widened. "No, it cannot be!" Steelwing shouted, he threw the letter on the ground in anger and then proceeded to punch the mirror. "What's wrong?" Twilight asked, flinching from the glass flying around the room. Twilight then picked up the piece of paper, it read: At 10:43, Princess Luna has been sentenced to a life banishment until further notice, I am sorry. Princess Celestia. "So...I'm in the past, 1000 years ago," Twilight muttered to herself, trying not to cause any paradoxes. Steelwing was walking around the room, rambling to himself. "Leave me Twilight Sparkle, put these on to blend in," Steelwing snapped, handing Twilight a rifle green jacket with some Lieutenant rank slides on. Twilight quickly changed into the uniform and went outside into the heavy rain. Platinum soon walked in, looking at Steelwing in an odd fashion. "Steelwing, are you OK," Platinum asked, he noticed the telegram and read it. He then dropped it and went up to Steelwing and put his hoof on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. He soon threw it off and then manically screamed, "I'm OK, in fact I'm good, best iv'e been in a while". "Steelwing, you're scaring me!" However he then threw him a crazy look, his eyes and completely widened and his pupil and iris shrunk until his eyes were nearly all white. Platinum ran and alerted 4 soldiers to restrain him. Steelwing grabbed his rift blade and readied it to strike, "Come on, I'll gut you like a fish!" Steelwing taunted, he then slashed a soldier in his arm, burning it and causing the soldier to scream in pain and fear. He then backslashed at the other 3, making them retreat. Platinum looked at Steelwing in shock. A dart gun then would be heard firing which then hit Steelwing in the neck. He began to feel faint and dizzy until collapsing. Reality kept on fading in and out, he saw him being pulled to a armoured van, then he saw he being pulled out of it and lead into a pair of double doors. He then saw Luna, however she looked different. She a much larger horn and was even taller herself. She had a slit for pupils, like a snake. "Look what they done to me my poor Steelwing, they locked me in the moon. But don't worry, we shall have our vengeance. For now, play their game, I shall watch with great interest". Steelwing suddenly shot up from a padded floor, he looked around and saw only a few metal bars as a window and a solid steel door with a small peep hole in. He tried to get up but he had his wings and front legs restrained by a straitjacket. He attempted to bite it off but he then discovered he had a metal cage around his muzzle. He soon gave up trying to escape and sat on the padded floor. He suddenly heard the metal peep hole open as he saw a pair of purple eyes observe him. "He sure did cause trouble back at the trench," A voice said. "Yeah, the psycho came out slashing at us!" Another one said. "So will I have to conduct a therapy session tomorrow?" The pony looking in said. "Yes, from what we have heard he seems to have a equincidal tendencies towards Princess Celestia," One of the voices replied. The mention of Celestia caused Steelwing to snap, his wings managed to break the straitjacket and he soon pulled off the muzzle cage. He punched through the door but ended up damaging his hoof, the pony observing fell back and slammed the hole shut. "What about his son?" The pony asked. "My son?" Steelwing shouted in surprise.
Cloak and Dagger"I...I have a son?" Steelwing asked the mysterious pony. However they didn't hear him as they continued with their conversation. "Ironplume is being cared by Princess Celestia, he is going to be the next leader of Equestria," One of the ponies said. Still shocked by the news it took Steelwing several seconds to realise what they had said. "Over my dead body!" Steelwing shouted in anger, trying to kick the door off it's hinges. However it was futile as the heavy door didn't move an inch. "Anyway, lets leave the psycho to himself," One of the ponies said, walking away from the door. Steelwing collapsed onto the floor in exhaustion. Suddenly a small hatch opened under the door, sliding a tray with bread on it. He walked up to it and split in half, he then noticed a small note with a key in it. Confused, Steelwing picked it up and read it. To Captain Steelwing, Who I am and why I am doing this is not important now, all you need to know is that we need you out of the institute and back in the trench. The key is to the door, open it when you hear silence after a bell going off, that is when everypony is on lunch. Go to the store room and take your blade back. Then exit through the vents and meet me at Sugar cube corner in Ponyville. Don't worry the cameras will be disabled then for an hour. So hurry up and good luck. From, A friend. As soon as Steelwing finished reading a loud bell rang, he heard loads of ponies walking. Then total silence, he put the small key into the hole and twisted it. He then cautiously opened the door and looked around, the corridors were deserted. He soon leapt out of the room and closed the door silently. He heard hoofsteps from the corner, which he then quickly jumped into a room saying 'Surveillance ' on the door. He waited for the pony to walk pass, he looked over his shoulder and saw a room with several TV screens and 2 guards unconscious. He picked up a map of the facility which told him that he was in Equestria Mental Correctional Facility, probably one of the most effective asylums in the world. He then plotted a course to the storage room, which was a few rooms away. Suddenly a pony opened the door, he had is back to him as he was looking at the room in which Steelwing was captured. Steelwing grabbed a baton and went near the doorway, waiting to incapacitate the guard. The guard then closed the door and Steelwing knocked him out with one clean swipe. Steelwing went up to the CCTV screens and observed them, most the ponies were at the canteen while some were patrolling the hallways. If he were to get past, he would need a disguise. He took off the guards uniform and put it on, a little tight but it would do for now. He then printed off a picture from the records on the computer and forged a new ID card. He was ready to escape this prison once and for all. Steelwing cruised through the hallways, every single one looked the same, steel doors and white walls. Most the guards looked at him funny but then continued with their rounds. Suddenly he went up to the storage room door and opened it, observing the masses of shelves containing all sorts of articles. Pictures of what seem to be families, dolls, sometimes unknown articles. He went across the names until he found his name, S.Wing. He picked up a purple sheath and took the longsword out of it, it was the rift blade. He attached the sheath onto his belt and picked up a few other things, breathing mask to prevent sleeping gas if they had any, metal armour, and a 9mm pistol. He suddenly heard a bell ring once again, lunch was over. A large amount of hoofsteps could be heard as the door opened. 13 ponies came in and began sorting through the big pile of letters. Steelwing flew stealthily across the room and landed in the doorway, he looked up and saw an air vent which he then flew through. However he couldn't fit his stocky body through the tight shaft and gave up after a few attempts to stuff himself in. He had to go through by force. Steelwing kicked the door open, knocking over a guard. 2 Guards behind him suddenly activated their stun-sticks. "Get him!" A guard ordered. He then ran at Steelwing, trying to land and hit but instead meeting his demise by being cut in half by the rift blade. The other one ran quickly in panic but was soon matched by Steelwing as he leapt and stabbed the guard in the head. Suddenly the white walls turned red as the facility was put on red alert. The entire facility mobilised as tens and hundreds of guards began to search for Steelwing. Running towards the armoury, Steelwing cut through several guards. He opened the door and grabbed what seemed to be a gas grenade. 5 guards that were equipped with rifles burst through the door, seeing this, Steelwing dropped the grenade and put on his breathing mask. The entire group was out in a flash. Meanwhile up in the higher levels in the facility, Twilight was observing Steelwing running around the facility, butchering several guards in split seconds. "Oh Steelwing, I'm so sorry," Twilight tutted. Suddenly she hit a red button. A monotonous voice suddenly notified on the intercom system that the self destruct mechanism had been activated. "Gentlecolts, let us leave for Canterlot," Twilight said, as she walked towards a carriage with 2 Pegasi guards pulling it. Steelwing looked up to the intercom system, hearing that the building would blow up in 1 minute he ran as fast as he could to the lobby of the asylum. He then ran into a iron completely covered in steel armour, wielding a heavy machine gun. Steelwing strafed from side to side, dodging the leviathan's bullet-storm. He then wall jumped and sliced off the pony's arms, dropping the gun. He tripped over the pony and began running. He had 10 seconds left, he ran and ran and ran, trying to break free. He saw the exit and flew towards it but it was too late as the building exploded and it blew off his wings, he then flew out of the building and began falling towards the ground. He landed on the ground and broke all four of his legs completely.
ReformationSteelwing groaned in extreme pain, reality faded in and out. He lay on the floor, near death for half an hour until he saw 2 ponies in cloaks approach him. "This him?" One of the shadowy agents asked the other. "Yeah, lets get him out of sight before everypony gets suspicious," The other agent suggested, getting a field stretcher out of his saddlebag. The 2 agents hauled him on the stretcher and carried him, however Steelwing finally passed out. Meanwhile several guards were searching the local area for Steelwing's body. Twilight approached the site on a carriage, she then approached the pony in charge. "You found him yet," Twilight asked impatiently. "No ma'am, we haven't found his body or that blade you asked for us to look for," The guard reported, Twilight then huffed in anger as she observed the area. "This is terrible, not only did we lose the most wanted pony in Equestria, we also lost the legendary artefact I was sent here to retrieve," Twilight declared, as she kicked a stone in anger. "If you find anything, do not hesitate to summon me," "Yes ma'am". Twilight embarked the carriage and flew off to Canterlot castle. The 2 agents carried Steelwing to an old bunker in the Everfree forest, one of the old robotic assembly bunkers that the Metaquines put in Equestria to help with the war effort. They took him to the medical bay as several arm-bots began to repair the wounds. Several metal prosthetic limbs came into the operating theatre as the wounds were finished being tended to. One of the arms snatched a metallic leg from the trolley and held it in place, suddenly another one fused it to Steelwing's skin. Steelwing screamed in pain, trying to get it to stop but nothing could as the restraints denied any movement. Hours later, the surgery was complete. The medic bots retreated back to their storage bays and the restraints on the medical table loosened. The table began to tilt in an upright position. Steelwing finally regained consciousness and opened his eyes, his deep, orange, metal eyes. The turned, like they was scanning his surroundings. Several technicians plugged in several devices, monitoring everything that was going though his body. Steelwing's legs twitched, then his head, then his whole body. "Mirror," Steelwing uttered. Several scientists began scribble on their clipboards. "Mirror!" Steelwing demanded, holding his hoof out for a mirror. A nervous doctor handed him a mirror than back away quickly. Steelwing held the mirror in front of his face and looked in shock, as he saw that almost all of his face was converted into metal plates. He then pushed himself off the table and landed on his feet, he looked around the facility. Several machines scattered across the room, robot arms were perched up against the wall and tools were neatly arranged on a trolley. Steelwing's head dropped down as he walked slowly out of the medical bay and near the exit. An agent began to follow him. It was only until that Steelwing was near the exit that the agent managed to stop him. "Leave me, you do not know my struggles," Steelwing sobbed, as he carried on walking slowly. "I know your struggles more than anypony here, Steelwing". The agent said. Steelwing stopped and looked at him. "I recognise your voice somewhere, I don't know where though," "Trench fifty-four," The agent whispered. "No, It can't be!" Steelwing gasped as the agent took off his hood. He had a dark grey mane with white highlights and a light grey skin. However he had a scar coming down on his left eye, which was similar to Steelwing's new eyes. "Agent Shift, Platinum Shift," The agent introduced, as he took out his hoof to shake. Steelwing was in shock, he hadn't seen his friend since the incident back at the trench. "Agent? What happened to Captain?" Steelwing asked suspiciously, forgiving the fact that Platinum ordered him to be restrained. "Got court marshalled. Soon as you left, morale dropped like a tonne of bricks. When the attack came, I left. Trench fifty-four is gone Steelwing. I managed to hide your blade in the storage room before that crazy purple unicorn got it," Platinum explained, looking at the floor in regret. Steelwing put his cold,metal hoof on his shoulder. "You did the right thing, that mare isn't getting my sword. Well now they're my wings," Steelwing indicated, looking at the purple trims on his metal wings. "Come on, lets get back in the bunker and plan our approach". Steelwing and Platinum retreated back into the dark bunker. Platinum introduced him to every agent present in the bunker, the old bunker had been re-purposed as a operation centre. The transport tunnels extending to the edge of Equestria made this a favourable base. Steelwing entered the war room, where several digital maps of Equestria had been set up. Agents had posted several operations across Equestria, there was no going back now, Steelwing is now an agent. "What do you think?" Platinum nudged Steelwing, "good to say we only had this place for 2 weeks". Steelwing kept looking around the bunker, observing the maps that the agents had made. "It's good, we will take Canterlot faster with those tunnel networks," Steelwing plotted, putting his two hooves together and grinning. 2 Months had passed, several operations were successful as the Equestrian infrastructure began to give way. The castle had been put on high alert as the royals were tending to their duties inside of the castle. But one thing wasn't right, out of all the oddities Steelwing seen, this was the by far the most odd thing he had seen. He was sleeping one night, stirring and rolling across his large bed. Muttering inaudible ramblings. He began to breath deeper and deeper until he finally woke up. He shouted one word, Luna.
