Fallout: Equestria - Our Finest Hour

by MintCakeWrites

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, Adventure, Crossover, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 80070

Nopony wanted this war

War. War was a foreign concept. After over a millennium of peace, the dark shadow of war covers Equestria leading to the Last Day and the end of pony civilisation for two hundred years. This is the tale of a pony who came long before the Wasteland, before Littlepip, before Red Eyes and the Enclave. This is the story of Rivet Bolt and his journey to become a champion of peace through an instrument of chaos.

Unfortunately, Our Finest Hour is dead and I currently have no interest in continuing/rewriting it at present. However, if you enjoy my writing, please check out my current FO:E side fic Waking the Dead! I'm sure you'll enjoy at least 5% more than a memory extraction!

Published 2012-04-10 01:44:21 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-30 23:55:40 UTC

Chapter Two: This is my Rifle

"Let the foal try along try along this blade"

Silence.

All I'm aware of is an artificial silence that holds this place still. The strange nothingness persists, as if it's cleansing the room of all life until I am the only one left. All that exists is myself and the everlasting dark.

The darkness surrounding my head clears slowly, a heavy fog of exhaustion lingers around my body. I've been drugged, sedated heavily. I can barely move a muscle, but my half closed eye can still detect shadows. One such shadow peers over me, tapping at a monitor above my head.

I try to call out to them, only making a slight grunt. The shadow stops, turns to look at me. Surprise at first, followed by a smile. The shadow strokes my right hoof gently, and I feel all my worries fade. "It's OK Rivet, we'll put you back together. You just need to sleep for a little longer."

A mare. A pegasus mare. She turns around, the sound of her hooves clack against the floor followed by a soft rustle of feathers as she pushes a set of doors open and leaves the area.

I try to check myself again, twitching up to my stomach before another hoof is placed on my chest. "Try not to move Mr Bolt, the stitches have yet to take hold fully and there's still work to be done."

A stallion, the one who wanted to euthanize me. I'm glad he changed his mind. I hear him turn and walk in the same direction as the mare, the doors opening to the sound of three other ponies, one pacing restlessly.

"How's he doing?"

"He's stable ma'am, but the real challenge begins now. One slip and we'll loose him for good."

"Do not let that happen doctor, he needs to survive for the good of all Equestria. We need him alive and fit for duty as soon as possible."

"Understood ma'am, but may I ask something first?"

"... Go on."

"Well... what exactly are your plans for him? How will this benefit anypony other than himself?"

The doors swing shut and all outside sound is blotted out. I'm left alone on a slab, blind and groggy, but better than before. I try to twitch again, only to feel my skin tighten unusually. My body was covered in stitches, soon to be scars. At least they'll make me look more rugged than before.

I manage a smile at the thought, maybe a certain somepony will take notice of me. A realisation crosses my mind, and my smile falters. That poor mare, I wonder if she still thinks she loves me. She only met me a few... ah, how long have I been here? Better question, where is here? It's a hospital, certainly one of the better equipped ones if a cybernetics expert is resident.

It's almost as if the cogs on my flank turn with the cogs in my head as I piece everything I know together. My thoughts mesh and web, dancing and weaving themselves as I think. It's harder than normal, the anaesthetic dulling my senses. I continue trying to solve the puzzle, but give up after ten minutes. I'd find out soon enough anyway.

The doors swing open again, two sets of hooves walk up to the slab before a third joins them. A slight hum of magic sounds, and a mask is placed over my mouth and nose.

"No need to panic Mr. Bolt, we'll have you better than new before you know it. You just need to sleep one more time, and when you wake you'll be a brand new pony." The stallion surgeon seems to be eager at this part of the operation. Whatever they're doing to me, he's happy to be taking part. That's probably why I could never get along with doctors, they creep me out. Enjoying a job that requires ponies to nearly die, it's just wrong.

Then again,who am I to judge? I'm the pony who kills zebra for a living and I'm idolised for it.

A hiss of gas, and the world turns foggy again. My eyelid closes by itself, my senses dull and my body grows heavy. My entire existence is swallowed up by the slab and the darkness, and I fall into my past once again.

The chariot rocked from side to side, the wheels striking the unpaved ground with particular malice as if they were long enemies. Xander and I had already gone beyond acquaintanceship, having told each other of our home and our past lives before the war. He was from a town underneath Canterlot, owning a small food stall. His father had left his family when he was still a colt, his mother left to raise him and his sister on her own.

He was an odd unicorn, having only recently been able to tap into his magic. When I pressed him for a reason, he changed the subject rapidly as if he was afraid of his own magic.

"Are all earth ponies like this? Are you so fascinated by magic you feel the need to interrogate unicorns?" Xander's patience was wearing thin, but there was so much I needed to know.

"It's not that, I'm just surprised that you've only recently used magic for the first time. I mean, how old are you?" My curiosity was spiraling out of control, an issue I had ever since I gained my cutie mark; I didn't just understand, I felt compelled to figure everything out.

Xander gave a sigh, and looked out of the window wistfully. His reflection betrayed his emotions, his eyes were full of memories best forgotten and his lip began to quiver. I raised a hoof to comfort him, but thought better against it.

"I'm old enough Rivet. We're all old enough." with a hoof he gestured to the ponies sat around us on the chariot. Many were muscled stallions, ex-factory workers at a guess, but the odd mare sat amongst them. "But I must ask, if we're ready for this."

I nodded silently, I studied each and every pony. Some had the glint of fame and honour in their eyes, several held the same stony look my father and his chariot held and one stood out from the others. A sunset-orange mare sat alone, her face was set in a half smirk as she held something in her hooves hidden from my view.

She looked up at me, and caught my eyes.

It was as if time had stopped for the brief moment we exchanged looks. Her soul screamed malevolence and hatred as it peered through her pupils, as if it wanted to break out and rend me limb from limb. She flicked her mane over one eye, smiled gently and the anger was gone.

I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding, dragging another one in as I felt cold sweat run. I felt myself torn. The sensible side of me wanted to kick open the door and flee in fear of what she was capable of, whilst my curious side dared me to get closer.

A pat from Xander broke me out of my stupor, a quizzical look on his face. "You alright? You look like you've seen the Pony of Death."

I blinked, shook myself and forced a smile. "At least she's happy to see me."

Xander raised an eyebrow, before grinning and bursting into laughter. Unable to keep a straight face, I joined in and soon we were on the verge of tears with mirth. Looking back now, it's strange that we laughed at the idea of meeting the Pony Reaper. We had both been touched by the pain of death, but it seemed almost ridiculous that such a thing could exist.

A stallion cleared his throat loudly, breaking what remained of our joy. A red beret hid one ear and covered his horn. A bronze sun adorned the front of the ceremonial head wear, as did a scar across his face. "Would you two get a hold of yourselves? These ponies are prepared to die for Equestria, so stupid colts like you can giggle away at you fleeting fantasies of being soldiers."

His words shook all on board, but held our attention. "We no longer have the opportunity nor the privilege to laugh or smile because the zebras we will kill won't have them either. We are our country's last hope against this menace, our families' last hope, our friends' last hope. We will march into battle with the thought of killing or being killed."

He stood from his seat and surveyed the entire chariot, not caring how many eyes were on him and how many were filled with tears; patriotic or fearful. He coughed slightly, and continued in his gruff voice. "So I ask you, stallions and mares on this dead pony's chariot, are you ready to give yourself up for your country? Are you ready to make the sacrifice that so many others have made? Or are you like these fools" - his hoof pointing at me and my unicorn companion - "and this is just a game? If you're the latter, then get off this chariot. There is no room for colts and cowards in this army."

He turned and walked back to his seat, the chariot falling silent save for the sound of the ponies pulling the machine and the squeak of the wheels. After a few minutes I rose to my feet and staggered over to him, the ground destroying the suspension of the the chariot in revenge for the treatment it received earlier.

The stallion glanced over at me, his sapphire blue eyes studying me as I studied him. Numerous ribbons and medals decorated his uniform, as the scars disfigured his grey coat. I looked up to his beret, noting his mane had been cropped, hidden beneath.

"You just gonna stand there colt, or are you going to say something?" He had finished his overview of me and from his tone I cold tell he was unimpressed.

"I want to apologise, sir, for our previous behaviour. I understand what you've been through, and maybe we aren't old nor mature enough for war but I'm more than ready to die for my beliefs." I stood my ground and snorted slightly, preparing for the shoot down of my life.

"Hmph, what's your name?" Not the reply I was expecting.

"Bolt sir, Rivet Bolt"

"Of Manehead?"

I nodded, my bracing stance faltering as I felt my body droop; it was almost insane that such a connection would occur, but maybe it was inevitable. There are only so many officers in the Equestrian Army.

The stallion's hoof landed on my shoulder and a regretful sigh came to life. "Corporal Wrench was a damn fine soldier son, one of the best I've served with. You should be proud."

"Thank you sir, but I'm not here to be my father. I'm here to fight for the good of all ponykind and to make my mother proud to be a Bolt again." I mentally kicked myself for forgetting how big an influence my father must have been in his platoon after his stand.

The stallion smiled and stood up, holding out his hoof. "You're right son, you're your own pony. Work hard, fight hard and come home alive for your family. Come home alive for all of Equestria."

The officer stood and walked past me, leaning his head out a window and calling out to the pulling ponies. "How much longer?"

"Ten minutes Officer Slate," came the reply. I stood, looking at the foreboding grey walls of my new home.

Ten minutes until I became another instrument in the orchestra of the Equestrian war machine, just another cog in the monster we've become. I looked over at Xander, who was peering out at our voluntary prison.

We were old enough to fight, and no zebra was going to care if we were too young to die.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to Camp Torntail!"

We disembarked the chariot after passing through numerous security checks and gates, Xander's anxiety growing with each nod and barrier peaking when we stepped on the dirt floor. The pulling ponies booted a panel and the doors slammed shut, turning the chariot around and walking back out.

A tall, bulky stallion stood waiting for us, clad in a red shirt and wearing an expression full of discontent. He stood to attention as Slate walked by, the other pony nodding at him, before turning to look at us.

"I am Sergeant Hartpony and I will be your WORST nightmare for the next six weeks. In these six weeks you will change from being the milk suckling fillies stood before me into the best killing machines the Equestrian Army has ever seen!"

Our disorganised rabble barely understood what the sergeant had just said, busy studying the inside of the fortress. Hartpony broke our freedom in one move, walking up to a cloud white pony and staring him right in the eye.

"Is there a reason nopony is replying, recruit?" the stallion stared straight at the unfortunate buck, crushing all his spirit by sight alone. As the poor pony was placed under this torture, the rest of us had the sense to put ourselves in some kind of order in time for him to interrogate each and everyone of us.

"USELESS! Get your shit together recruit or you will be killed out there," his attention came to the orange mare from the chariot. "Why is nopony replying recruit?"

"Because we are untrained milk suckling fillies sir!"

Her response shocked most of our group, and even the sergeant seemed taken a back at her outburst. The otherwise silent mare had the voice of a manticore and twice the fierceness.

"Well spoken recruit, what's your name?"

"Sunset, sir!"

"Ain't that pretty?" Hartpony turned away from her and studied each of us. "You see that stallions? THAT is the sort of discipline I expect from you. I am not training you to be my weapon, I am not training you to say yes to every order. I am training you to be the best damn ponies there can be in this army and to make Luna proud with every single kill you make until your body is riddled with bullets and you're pissing yourself when the Reaper Pony turns up and takes your soul. IS THAT CLEAR?"

"Sir, yes sir!" we chanted in reply, more terrified of what this insane stallion was capable of than any zebra.

"WHAT IN CELESTIA'S NAME WAS THAT?! DID I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!"

"SIR, YES SIR!"

"FIVE MILE CANTER NOW, MOVE IT!"

We all scrambled to maintain our places as we ran through the camp and into a neighbouring forest, our hooves striking the ground in a strange disharmony as we ran. Hartpony cantered alongside Sunset, Xander and myself, barking out what we were in store for over the next month and a half.

"Your days in hell will begin with this every morning, when you're done it's drill practice until you're doing it in your sleep. Playing with guns comes when I say so and only when I say so."

"Sir, yes sir!"

By the end of the run, we were all dead on our hooves, barely able to stand up. None of us were prepared for such intense exercise from the word go. Hartpony took this as the opportune moment to have us run the assault course in pairs, me joining the white buck who had received Hartpony's earlier tirade.

We galloped together, dragging in ragged heaves of air as our lungs flamed in protest. We clambered over a wall, hitting the mud on the other sides heavily before crawling to a tunnel. All light was blotted out as soon as we entered the claustrophobic space, the scratch of our hooves on tiny stones and mud echoed around and blocked out almost all other sound save for the obscenities Hartpony screamed at us.

I burst out of the tunnel, crawling for fresh air and freedom. I forced myself to drink up the air, before a hoof came down on my back. Pain racked through my exhausted body, I could barely let out a squeak at the agony of the attack.

"ZEBRAS WON'T CARE IF YOU'RE FIT AND HEALTHY OR ON YOUR LAST LEGS WHEN THEY KILL YOU!" Hartpony directed this onslaught to the others rather than myself as I tried to squirm out from underneath him, "YOU WILL NEED TO BE PREPARED AT ALL TIMES, ELSE YOU WILL DIE."

Grimacing, I turned over and gripped onto the offending leg. I pulled and twisted, throwing the Sergeant onto the floor before standing up. My vision was shaky, my legs were about to give at any second and my head was spinning. Hartpony was right, I was going to die if I wasn't ready.

A blow from behind threw me to the ground, Harpony's voice hissed into my ear, "What the fuck do you think you're doing recruit?"

"D-defending myself, sir," my back groaned in agony as my form was pressed into the dirt. The pressure lessened and hooves dragged me to my feet.

"Stand to attention and state your name, recruit."

I stood up as best I could, gasping "Rivet Bolt, sir."

"Wrench's lad?"

"Yes sir."

A nod of approval, and Hartpony turned away from me, "Live up to his name and you might make a half decent soldier Bolt. All of you, get to your bunker and put on your uniform. Drill practice is in twenty minutes."

"Sir, yes sir!"

Xander came over, propping me up and we walked to a mess of corrugated iron and wood. We all walked in silence, stunned by the events of the last few hours and in a state of near breakdown. Only Sunset and a few of the older stallions walked with their heads held high, ready to take on the world.

We entered the bunker, walking to our possessions and the beds on which they lay. The white buck from earlier collapsed next to me, nodding at me as we caught eyes. He rolled on to his back, his flank showing off the snowflake that revealed his talent.

"Sweet Celestia, that was something else," he gasped, picking up a canteen near to the bed only to find it empty. Tossing it aside, he scrambled back to his hooves and pulled on a green shirt with the Equestrian flag displayed on the sleeve, "You're Bolt, right?"

I nodded, pulling my own shirt on and grabbing for the accompanying hat, "Yeah, but call me Rivet. Yourself?"

"Snowfall, my brother mentioned your father a few times in his letters. Said he was an inspiration to the entire camp."

I snorted, turning away. It wasn't that I disliked my father, I was just sick of others comparing me to him. I had only just arrived and three separate ponies can compared us. I was my own pony, not his. I walked over to Xander, his horn sticking out of a convenient hole in his hat.

"Seems you're famous around here," he commented, amused at the attention my presence had brought from the higher ups.

"For all the wrong reasons though," I retorted, "How you keeping?"

"I'm scared, tired and I feel like I'm about to throw lunch at the wall," he replied wearily, motioning for us to leave the bunker, "But it could be a lot worse."

He gave a smile at the last point, and I smiled back. Doing this alone would've been an unimaginable torture, but we'd pull through together.

Chapter Three: And this is my Gun

“And the bullets chirped – In vain, vain, vain”

“Alright, pretreatment complete. We'll have to create replacement nerves for this section, and we'll attach the muscle to the hoof here.”

“Understood, I’ll have somepony prepare the cybernetic potions for administration.”

“Thank you. Could somepony fetch the enhancement for me? Last checks everypony.”

“Doctor...”

“What is it?”

“There's something wrong with the new enhancement.”

“Something wrong with it? How can there be anything wrong with it? It's passed all checks, even Miss Applejack herself oversaw production and the quality tests.”

“But it's missing pieces, and has pieces where there shouldn't be... AH! Fuck!”

“What's happen- oh sweet Celestia, how in the name of Luna did you do that?”

“I don't... fuck! I’m sorry, I’ll be back after I’ve tended to this.”

“What's wrong?”

“There's a knife in the damn hoof!”

“A knife? Oh my... there's more than a knife here... how strange...”

“Luna above, you're one unusual pony Mr Bolt. Given specialised cyber-enhancements, able to dream despite a massive hole in your head, and looked after by the Ministry Mares. I’m not sure if you're blessed or cursed.”

“This isn't Stable-tec is it?”

“No, private company. There a problem?”

“No... no, there isn't a problem. It's just weird, you know? This whole operation is fishy...”

“Don't you worry, if it's for the war then be thankful it's him and not us with this weird stuff.”

“I'm back, let's wrap this part up and get on to the tricky bit.”

“You OK to operate?”

“I'm getting paid half a million bits to stick some metal to a half dead pony, I’m not backing out after just that.”

“If you're sure... alright then, let's attach the hoof and then begin the skull treatment.”

“Yes doctor.”

After two weeks, our fitness and strength had improved considerably as had our idea of what it meant to be a team. Snowfall, Xander and I had become firm friends, working together whenever possible, conquering any challenge that was thrown at us. Sunset had begun to warm towards us as well, after Xander had stopped her from loosing an eye in a particularly nasty fight in the mess hall. At the end of the fortnight came a new challenge; firearms.

Some of the more testosterone heavy stallions seemed overjoyed at the prospect of being able to shoot things; why else would you join the army? Most of us wore a mask of calm and the strange readiness that had been drilled into us, the real pony inside shaking with fear or anticipation. I was in the latter group. I had never held, let alone fire such a mechanism, and my curious side was leaping with joy at the opportunity to take it apart and figure out how it worked.

We arrived at the firing range, marching in formation with pride at the chance. Hartpony was waiting for us at the armory, a strange expression on his face, “I must admit I never thought I’d see the day you whelps would wield a weapon. I’m proud of some of you, and as for the others...”

His gaze fell on Sunset, who's reputation had grown considerably over the weeks. She often lashed out at horny stallions, breaking the legs of one such buck who came a bit too close to her. We heard the screams half the camp away.

Her largest stir was her refusal to bunk with the other mares, stating that if she was to die alongside us then she will live alongside us too. While it made sense, it also spun the rumour that she was a 'freefilly' amongst the other soldiers posted at Camp Torntail, the chant “You're going to have fun when down goes the Sun” often heard when she walked in a room.

Despite all this desensitising work, her ferocity had grown; the 'other side' of her personality had appeared during some of the more extreme training. She nearly broke the neck of a soldier posing as a zebra warrior in close combat training, only to have our resident super-pony Xander step in and put her in a hoof-lock. She repressed the other side each time, but the memory of her eyes back in the cart had been burned into my brain making each outburst a reminder of the demon living within.

Hartpony took down a selection of weapons, listing each one as he went, “Standard issue pistol, .20 gauge shotgun, 5.57 mm standard issue assault rifle, mark III fragmentation grenades. Look closely fillies, you will be training with each and every one of these guns and you will find your VERY special somepony within them. Now pick up a pistol and move to a trainer, they'll teach you the basics for each weapon.”

“Sir, yes sir,” our unit replied, lining to pick up our instruments for the upcoming performance. I peeked at the numerous other weapons, my stomach fluttering at the sight of the complex tools of war hidden away, several requiring magical input to fire. Luna have mercy, this was too tempting. My stare was broken by a sudden question from Snowfall.

“What do you think that is?” his hoof gestured towards a four barreled gun attached to a saddle, large ammo packs taking the place of saddlebags.

“That would be a battle saddle soldier,” replied the armorer, floating the machine out for us to see. “One of the best bets against a large number of zebras. This baby is equipped with a lovely piece we've nicknamed “The Mower”, the fastest firing minigun we have access to, courtesy of Manehead Munitions.”

I smiled a little at the name, studying the side and finding my brother's embroidered face and name has been almost picked clean; the tan giving away his trademark. A strange feeling washed over me, a mix of pride, anger and loneliness filled me up. Clearly, my brother was still doing well, better than ever, but his profit and success came off the back of thousands of dead ponies. It made me realise not only how much I missed him, but how I’d probably never meet him again.

I shook myself, standing tall. I’d patch things up with him another day, but today I would continue my path as a soldier. I took the pistol from the armorer, and walked over to a free booth. The instructor taught me how to load and cock the weapon, how to fire it with my tongue and what to do if it jams. I picked it up quickly, able to load and empty a magazine in less than a minute while maintaining deadly accuracy.

“Well done,” commented the instructor, “but remember that when you use this in a combat situation, things will be different. You'll be under a lot of stress and there will be too much uncertainty for you to fire as precisely as that. Let's move on to the rifle.”

I took up the gun, the unfamiliar weight settling unusually in my mouth, and attempted to fire it. The weapon slipped from my jaw and fell to the ground with a clatter, making me jump a mile. I looked around, waiting for the berating of a lifetime only to hear laughter. My instructor floated the weapon back up and shook his head slightly.

“For a pony whose talent is understanding, you're pretty stupid. You're not a unicorn, so you're going to need a battle saddle to fire this one. The overall weight of the gun is too much for the head alone, so you need the saddle to spread the weight. You get it?”

By the time he had finished his lecture, I had taken the weapon back up and fired three bursts with ease. I set the weapon down and smirked, pleased with myself at the achievement, “I understand it fine sir. I just needed to get used to it first.”

My smirk grew at the look of surprise on the instructor's face, before it turned to a smile, “Well, that's something Bolt. I don't think there's a pony of your size that's ever managed to fire a rifle with just their mouth.”

An hour later and I had grown attached to the rifle, Hartpony's instructions came to mind; I had found my other half. I smiled a little at the thought and stepped back from the booth, joining the rest of the group. I had finally become a macabre musician, playing the symphony of death on my new instrument.

After days of intense gun training, we moved on from basic training to our own specialisations; Snowfall took on the role of fire support with heavy weapons, I trained to be part of the Royal Engineers while Sunset and Xander trained in the Special Operations squad.

It was the Engineers' job to get the machines that drove the Equestrian war effort forward operational as quickly as possible. I was the only pony from my unit that took the specialisation, and the only earth pony in the class. The entire division was a mix of unicorns, from the Army and Navy, and a few pegasi for the Air Force's vehicles.

Being the only earth pony, I was often the subject of torment; earning the nickname “Muddy” after an incident with the Brigadier General and a pegasi turbine. But it didn't bother me, I wasn't being compared to my father any more. I had become my own pony within the division he worked in, and that made me happier than all the praise from the whole of Equestria.

Two weeks in, and we had started a new course; sabotage. Our instructor had called us all into the barracks, standing next to a large object hidden by a brown sheet.

“As engineers, you are expected to get our machines up and running while the zebras' are left in the dirt. Gentlecolts, this is the toughest part of being in the Royal Engineers by far. The Spec Op bucks can go on about how impossible it is to sneak into enemy territory, the Rangers can talk all about how difficult it is to take down a platoon with only four ponies. None of them will have to repair and dismantle some of the most complicated machinery known to ponykind while being under a flood of bullets.”

He stepped back, and pulled the cover off an intricate piece of technology, covered in dials, levers, gauges and coming to a stop at the largest barrel I had ever laid eyes upon. The instructor smiled at the gazes of awe, intrigue and shock at the weapon, “If you think this is bad, it's only the baby. This here is a zebra mobile anti-air cannon, it fires magically altered shells at fifteen rounds per minute. This gun has been killing off more pegasi than we'd like it to, and today we're going to tear it apart to find its weakness.”

We all stepped up to the fearsome weapon, gemstones covering almost every spare inch. While the unicorns began to study the connections for a weak joint, I studied the gems closer. I raised a hoof, tapped a ruby the size of my eye, and felt a hum of magic within. I smiled to myself, and stepped back from the others, waiting for their ideas.

After twenty minutes, they backed off. One stood out and delivered their findings, “It's solid, but if somepony could place a stone or something within the turning mechanism it would be useless if surrounded.”

The unicorns stood proud, the instructor sighed and took a position next to the weapon, “Yes, that may be true, but we're going to need something a bit better than a rock. One of these bastards will be heavily defended and impossible to get to. By the time we'd have enough resources to overrun it, the stripes would have been driven back miles. And how exactly will you deploy such rocks? Ask the pegasi bomb runners to carry some gravel on the next mission?”

“I have a suggestion, sir,” I smiled inside, my time to shine. I stepped up to the machine, and dealt a single kick to the ruby I had studied before. An audible crackle sounded, and the air smelt burnt as each gem cracked in turn. I stepped back, and turned to the others, “the spells used to enchant it are connected in a spell web, like in zebra rifles. Each gem relies on the other to keep the enchantment in place. However, the zebra magic makes them unstable on a molecular level, meaning that a hard enough strike at a certain point can force the gem to crack. Destroying one of these gems upsets the spell web. I didn't think it would blow them all out, but it would certainly make the machine unstable, possibly exploding. Either way, this turret is now useless save for scrap.”

I smirked at the looks of surprise on the faces of my comrades, until the instructor rained on the parade, “Clever, but would it work on the full sized model? I’m sorry Bolt, but it's too tenuous a theory to apply in combat.”

I felt defeated at the remark, and slightly stunned. This was the first time since I was a foal that I was told that I was wrong. That I screwed up. I shook my head to clear the numbing fog of depression, returning to my fellow trainees.

The rest of the session was spent studying zebra weapons, and ways to prevent the stripes from using them at their full potential through basic techniques like jamming the barrel, but my mind was elsewhere. I knew my theory was right, and that it was plausible to implement the technique in combat too, but I wouldn't get the chance to prove it. Not for a long time at least.

During this time, my small circle of friends within the unit began to dwindle, yet Xander, Snowfall, Sunset and I would always have time for one another in the bunker, often swapping techniques and ideas from the different divisions. One night, Snowfall's recap brought unusual news.

“Say that again?” Sunset asked, making it sound more of an order than a request.

“They're letting me have The Mower,” he repeated, a little on edge from the interrogation. “The designer saw me use it in a test today and he said that I deserve it most. He said that nopony has ever taken to his designs so easily.”

My ears pricked up, moving towards Snowfall, “Is he still here?”

“Yeah, I think so, why?”

I bolted from the bunker, kicking the door open and running towards the armory. I hated what he did to our mother, I hated the self absorbed pony he had become, but he was still my brother. I missed him, maybe even loved him as family under all the anger. I pummeled on the door to the armory, the guard reluctantly opening it.

“Private Bolt? It's past curfew soldier, leave now and I’ll let you off this once.”

“I'm sorry sir, but it's my brother. I heard he was here,” I tried to catch my breath, winter had begun to set in and the cold air was only aggravating my lungs.

“Your brother? Oh, the weapons designer! I believe he's dining with Colonel Midnight this evening, I’ll call through and let them know you're on your way,” the guard turned around and went inside, flicking a radio on and speaking quickly into the static. He exited after a few moments, and nodded.

“Sir... I... thank you, but why did you allow me to do this? I’m breaking enough rules for this as it is,” I was truly dumbfounded by the stallion's actions, almost to the point of wanting to hit myself to check if I were dreaming.

“We've all been through a lot in this war, and I’ve heard about your family's history. So I’ll give you this one chance. Celestia knows what I would do to see my family one more time, so who am I to stop you? Besides, you should be thanking the Colonel; she's the one who's given you permission for this,” a warm smile came across the guard's face, before he turned back into the armoury and closed the door, bolts sliding across.

I galloped across the camp to reach the grand house that served as the higher ups' quarters, slowing to a trot as I passed the two frozen guards and into the comparative palace of my commanders. A dark blue mare stood inside the entrance.
Numerous medals decorated her suit and a single star adorning her flank, all held in perfect posture. Colonel Midnight. The leader of the Special Operations unit of the camp and the second scariest mare I have ever met, only just beating my mother.

“I apologise for the intrusion ma'am,” I stood to attention, my hoof raised in salute, “But I believe Sergeant Powder radioed in to inform you of my arrival and reasons.”

“At ease Private Bolt, and yes he did. How long has it been since you saw your brother last?” The Colonel's voice was like silk running along my ears, beautiful yet chilling at how deceptive it was. A complete opposite to the one that answered.

“Must be a year or two now, is that right Rivey? I bet you counted the days,” a tuxedo hid most of my brother's red coat, his blond hair falling over one eye as he descended the staircase leading to the other officer's quarters, “Oh don't look so sad, big brother Ratchet's here to make it all better.”

He walked towards me, putting a hoof around me. I flinched at the touch, and repressed the urge to vomit. Celestia banish him, I hated this pony. I soon forgot everything good I had thought about him, he was lower than dirt.

“So, why are you here? You know I don't have time for family, none of us do, big war going on and all,” his smug attitude rolled off him in waves, several of the guards began to look down on him as he strode by, “Oh how precious, a private in the army already! You're all grown up ikkle brother.”

“Stop it,” I growled, fighting back the bile.

“Stop what Rivey? I’m just so happy to see what a big responsible pony you've become!”

“Why the fuck do you think I’m still your ikkle brother? Why do you think I still care for you after all you've done?” my voice began to tremble, I felt my face grow hot as memories flew through me, images of my elder brother carrying me through the forests, teaching me the different kinds of tools, helping me build my first chariot. I bit my lip, my eyes welling, “What gives you the right to talk about family when you abandoned us?! WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!”

Ratchet's expression changed from false joy to a sneer, looking down at me with malice and contempt, “I'm sorry, who am I? I’m Ratchet Bolt, the proud son of Wrench and Daisy Bolt and elder brother to a sniveling coward who thinks playing soldiers will make him as great as daddy was. No, the real question here is why on Equestria do you think I give a shit about what you think of me?”

Colonel Midnight looked apprehensive, her gaze flicking between me and my brother as the electricity in the air surged. Several passing soldiers stopped to watch the glare between myself and Ratchet, but nopony stepped in. I snorted, and tried to clear my head of anger only to have more memories of his betrayal appear in my mind. The empty seat at the funeral, the letter, the tears on my mother's face, all his fault.

“Oh come on now! You're crying? Oh sweet Celestia, you actually are! How pathetic, look at you! Half dead, stood in the doorway to a palace, dressed in rags, treating me like scum, where did you get such a warped view of the world Rivet?”

I dragged my hoof along the floor, Colonel Midnight walking towards me and smacking me over the head, “That's enough Private Bolt, if you're here to cause a fight I will have to ask you to leave. Regardless of your history, your brother is key to our victory in the next few missions so we can't afford to have him dead.”

“Yes ma'am, I apologise,” I stood up, still glowing with rage, giving the Colonel a salute before walking to the door.”

“Huh, look at yourself Rivet, you're a failure. You'll always be a sheep, just following orders and bowing your head. Grow a pair and then grow up. It's no wonder dad only wrote to me!” Ratchet called out, turning around. I stopped at the door, glaring at my brother and gritting my teeth before spitting out my last words.

“I will continue to play soldier Ratchet, and I’ll prove to you what real sacrifice is in this war. While you toyed away at your machines, lying in the arms of your big stallion, ponies are out there dying. Ponies like dad. So sit there in your office, safe from harm and away from everything. As long as you're there, ponies like dad and me and the mares and stallions in this camp will have to take the bullets and bombs for you. Dad was never meant to fight. He was called to arms because you were exempt. When you remember yourself, I’ll be ready to talk. Whether I can stomach it is a different matter, murderer.”

I left, running to my bunker in the cold night air. I wished that my final line had some punctuation to it, like a lightning strike or rain, but the real world doesn't work like in the books. Ponies get hurt by the smallest of upsets, and hold on to grudges for years.

A simple apology doesn't clear away the gloomy skies of a broken heart, and not everything can be solved by a party like Pinkie Pie seems to think. It doesn't matter how many deformed alligators and balloons she brings, the world can't keep smiling because one pony wants it to. Not even the thought of my dream mare could release the darkness that clouded my heart, the image of Fluttershy's smile crashing and falling against my indomitable anger.

My brother will always remain my brother. As much as I’d like to ignore it and run away, I can't change that simple fact. So I bit the bullet and pushed him out of my mind, it was a hurdle I would have to deal with later.

I burst back into the bunker, leaning on the door frame as the others looked at me with curiosity. Xander was the first to speak.

“What happened? Where did you run off to?”

Sitting on the bed, I shook my mane and recounted the events that led to my outburst, my mind numbing the shock of my actions as I spoke, desensitising myself from the pain. A hoof landed on my shoulder, and Sunset looked over at me, “Grow a pair, my brother's a prick too. My entire family are pricks, every last one of them.”

I forced a smile, nodding at the words before grinning, “You're a bit of prick yourself, you know.”

A hoof to the stomach shut me up quickly, followed by Sunset's odd laugh; half way between a snort and a giggle. Xander began to laugh as well, Snowfall soon joining in. Unable to stop myself from grinning I laughed along with them, harder than I had in weeks. Tears of joy ran down my face, and for the first time since my father died I felt like I was at home. In a iron shack in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by heavily armed killers all baying for zebra blood, I felt at home.

My brother left camp not long after, and then came our final day. Lined up before our commanding officers, we all stood to attention as our pins were added to our shirts and a salute to our efforts; we had all graduated. Sunset and Xander gained a promotion, becoming 1st class Privates due to their outstanding performance in a mock infiltration mission. Snowfall also received a distinction for his quick thinking when a flame-thrower malfunctioned in a practice run.

I, on the other hand, was given something more. As we were packing our meager possessions away, a knock on the door to the bunker sounded. Looking up, a familiar grey pony stood in the doorway, his red beret still disguising his horn and ear, “Ah, Private Bolt. I was looking for you. Congratulations.”

“Thank you sir,” I gave Officer Slate a salute before standing to attention, he chuckled at the gesture and waved me off.

“No need to be formal right now Rivet, I’m here on more personal business than anything else.”

Slate reached into a saddlebag and passed me a small case, the word Bolt ornately inscribed on the front. He stood and watched as I opened it. Inside was an decorated knife, the edges sharper than diamond and the handle adorned with hundreds of engraved cogs and spokes. The blade was light, as if I were holding a hoofful of leaves. I studied the base of the handle, the initials W.B etched in. I looked up to the officer, my eyes full of questions.

“This knife... it belonged to my father, right?”-the stallion nodded-“ how did he get it? And for that matter, how did you get hold of it? Shouldn't my mother or I have it?”

“Your mother did receive it, and she sent it back after I wrote to her about your training. The knife was the only possession your father had on him when he was killed. Your mother figured that you'll need it more than she will, and so sent it to you.”

“But how did my father get it? He couldn't have made it, his expertise is chariots, and my uncle didn't make blades.”

Slate shrugged, replying “I'm not sure on that, all I know is that he started carrying it not long after he graduated and never stopped. Oh, that's a point, your mother asked me to do another thing.”

Slate's horn glowed underneath his beret, floating out an identical one and resting it on my head. The hat felt heavy, as if a new responsibility had been added to my growing collection.

“I pulled some strings, and have a placement for you in 1st Platoon. You'd be fighting with your old stallion's comrades, but we'd all be honoured to have you fight alongside us. As Rivet Bolt, not as Wrench's son.”

Slate stood at the door, smiling a little at how my face lit up. I stood to attention, bringing my hoof up in salute, “Private Rivet Bolt, ready for orders, sir!”

Chapter Four: Along Came a Spyder

“You just can't stop that little guy. He's like a... like a... Tank!”

A light buzzed quietly, the hum of electricity blunting the otherwise morbidly tense silence the two mares sat in. Down the hall, numerous medical ponies moved around, tending to patients waiting for their salvation under the knife. The two mares sat on an elegant couch, brought in for the pampered unicorn, neither wanting to shatter the calm of the corridor yet both wanting to relieve the other of their worries.

The tension was broken by the squeak of doors opening, and a blood soaked surgeon stepping out into the hallway and sighing heavily. He lent back and took the weight off his hooves, letting out another sigh as his horn glowed and removed his surgical mask. Floating a bottle of water to his mouth, he drank greedily.

“Is the operation going well doctor? The new hoof working fine?” The white unicorn stood up and walked to him, her companion just behind her.

“Yes ma'am, the nerves have attached well and he'll be able to start using it after he wakes,” the surgeon stood up despite the dull ache in his hind legs. Grafting the hoof to the stump had taken longer than they anticipated, and with more injuries than they expected. This was nearly not worth the half million bits.

“Phew, at least some good's gotta come outta this,” the second mare commented, her country accent thick and complementing her hat almost too well.

The unicorn nodded, “Agreed, though it's a shame the steel clashes so horribly with his mane, and that eye colour, simply revolting! Why did Twilight only commission two colours?”

A sigh from her orange companion made it clear that such conversations had taken place numerous times, “Will ya drop it prissy! Ya know how that pony thinks – anywho, this sure is the best of the two.”

“Hmm...”

The surgeon coughed slightly to pull the attention back to the matter of the near dead stallion in the operating theatre nearby. The near dead stallion that was costing well over 5 million bits to bring back. His initial intention was forgotten however, when he noticed the lack of pink in the hall.

“I'm sorry to interrupt, but where is...”

“Pinkie Pie? She's preparing a party for when he wakes up,” Rarity responded as the Ministry Mares rolled their eyes at their companion's actions, yet also held a slight smile. The surgeon swallowed hard, such parties were infamous at the least.

“I don't think that's wise ma'am, sudden shock could cause serious problems when the nerves fully connect.”

Rarity began to object, before a pair of pegasi approached to join in the discussion; one mint green, bearing a lily for a cutie mark, the other a delicate yellow with a cascade of pink hair that fell softly over one eye.

The yellow mare paced the floor a little, and spoke towards it, “Um... excuse me, but I think I have a solution, if you don't mind me saying that is...”

“Not at all ma'am” spoke the exhausted surgeon, “and who, may I ask, is this companion of yours?'

“Private first class Starshine, sir,” the mint green pegasus stood to attention, bringing her wing to salute rather than her hoof; a sign of the Equestrian Air Force.

The surgeon nodded in return, allowing the Private to stand at ease, “... and what are her duties here, ma'am?”

“Oh! Um, well, you see, she knows the patient and helped calm him down when he was shot. So I was thinking that she could keep him calm when he wakes up,” the Ministry Mare gave a heart melting smile, her timid pride at the idea shining through.

The surgeon couldn't help but nod at the idea, it was logically sound and if one of the best rehabilitation ponies was recommending it then how could he refuse her?

“I understand ma'am, but would it not be easier to simply not throw a party as soon as he awakes? It seems only logical.”

Starshine stepped forward, standing to attention, “With all due respect sir, I want to be in the room when Rivet wakes up. After all he's been through... and what he'll have to go through afterwards... I think it's the least we could do to celebrate his recovery.”

The mare's voice wavered as she spoke his name; clearly his near death had been a shock to her. The surgeon had seen how she held his hoof until she was forced to leave to clear the blood off her coat, and even then she begged to see the patient one last time before the cyber operation began. Rarity and Applejack nodded in agreement at the mare's persistence.

“Eyup.”

“Indeed.”

Defeated, the surgeon turned to the final Ministry Mare present, “Do you agree as well ma'am?”

“Yes, if it's not too much hassle that is...” out came the warmest smile to have ever graced Equestria again.

“Not at all,” the surgeon pony smiled in return, before a buzzer sounded. A light flicked on over the door, the words 'Operating' lit up. The pony finished his water, pulled the mask back on and nodded to the mares in apology, “Ah, excuse me, I’m needed back in theatre. By the time I return, he'll be ready for anything.”

A confident nod, a squeak of a door and he was gone. The mares stood in the hallway, all looking at the darkened room.

“Ah sure hope so...”

The Royal Engineers, a collection of the most tech-savvy, combat ready ponies in Equestria. Despite only being in action for a little over a decade, the division had grown in fame throughout the Armed Forces; every pony that fought in a red beret was obsessed with all forms of technology. When I first arrived at the division's camp I had to physically stop myself from tearing apart every custom piece of equipment they held.

“Sweet Celestia, I’ve never seen anything like the equipment you ponies have!” I stared in wonder at the complexity of the weapons they carried, marvelled at the near beautiful armour that protected them, and fell in love with the customised vehicles that were scattered around the camp, most being worked on.

“It's something else isn’t it? Come on, I’ll introduce you to your squad,” Officer Slate was my personal guide through the division, though I believed my father was the main reason behind his kind behaviour. As his outburst on the chariot to Camp Torntail proved, he was capable of extreme anger. Anger that hadn't appeared since I told him who I was.

We continued walking, numerous ponies saluting Slate and muttering towards me. I swallowed hard, I was the new foal in town and these ponies were not going to let me forget that. After what felt like a year of stop-start walking, we arrived at a workshop not dissimilar to my family's chariot repair shop. Inside, a green pair of hind legs lay under a four legged machine while a large speckled grey unicorn stallion stood welding armour plating to the contraption.

The mechanical beast stood at least two ponies high, and had four legs similar to those of a spider. Two mini-guns rested atop the cockpit, which was protected with reinforced glass. The cockpit itself housed four panels on the floor, several levers and a firing mechanism. Wires, hydraulics, coils and cogs all lay bare to the world, save for one side which was fitted with metal plates several inches thick, a seam of previously molten metal running between them. The beast was branded with the golden sun of the Equestrian flag and the word “Spyder” across the plates.

“Squad one, fall in!” Slate barked, and I found myself standing to attention without meaning to; Hartpony was a damn good drill sergeant. A hiss from the bulky unicorn's horn sounded as the welding magic was stopped, his mask floating off as he walked to position and stood at attention. His blackened work apron held several ribbons and medals, though significantly fewer than Slate's decorated jacket.

This was followed by a rustle and some grunting as the green legs became a green unicorn, a red beret over his horn and a pair of goggles around his neck. The goggles looked like something from a foal’s fantasy novel, covered in dials and wires and sporting a large slot on one side. One lens had a telescopic feature, the other was near black in colour, yet each had several wires linked into it.

“Gentlecolts, may I introduce our newest member; Private Rivet Bolt. He's only just graduated from Torntail, but he's already shown promise.”

I blushed a little at the praise, even my own father hadn't praised me in such a way when I was a colt; he was always pushing me forward, driving me to do better than before. It was worth it in the end, but the compliment made my heart soar, 'somepony actually thinks well of me!'

“... you serious sir?! This colt's Hammer's replacement?” my confidence was crushed in an instant as the two unicorns studied me coldly, “He's too young to fight, let alone be in first squad! Has he even had real battle experience?”

“Sir, would the fact he's Wrench's boy have anything t'do with it? I know ye take the blame for him and all but sir, ye have to move on...” the green unicorn spoke this time, and my fears were all but confirmed.

It had been nagging me for ages, but I had brushed the thought away. I could see why Slate wanted me in his squad all along now. It was so he could protect me. I gritted my teeth at the thought, feeling betrayed. I was sure that he was using me to satisfy his own misery and to comfort himself.

“I'm afraid you're wrong there Gadget. Rivet here may be Wrench's boy, but that's not why he's fighting with us. No, he's here because he's the best Torntail produced, and I get the feeling he'll suit my squad just fine,” Slate stood his ground and smiled, placing all his confidence in me.

Gadget snorted in response, “Would it be rude t'ask for some proof 'fore I start taking yer word as gospel, sir?”

'That insubordinate little shit!' I heard Hartpony yell in my head, which forced a smile. I snapped out of my mind's wanderings when Slate pushed me towards the mechanical demon, urging me to study it.

I began to look over the machinery, feeling the urge to tear it apart rising as I gazed in wonder at the complexity and beauty it held. I ran a hoof along one of the hydraulics, feeling the cool metal and smiling a little; I was finally back in my element.

“OK Private Bolt, tell me what's wrong with it,” Slate instructed, watching me intently as I explored every nook and cranny the machine had to offer. I crawled underneath the belly of the beast, and met face to face with an open panel.

“Sir, I must protest! He's never even seen the blueprints, how can he be expected to find something wrong with technology years ahead of what the public's allowed to see?!” the larger unicorn spoke this time, a sense of urgency and panic in his voice as if I were holding his only child.

“Just wait and see Private Hefty, his talent is something I haven't seen in years.”

“And just what is his talent, sir?”

“Understanding.”

A burst of laughter from Gadget further increased my animosity for him; he was an arrogant prick through and through.

“Sir, this is ridiculous! Just because ye understand how t'pull a chariot, it doesn't mean that ye know how t'build one!”

I grinned; 'If only he knew'. I pulled some wires to one side, and found a fatal flaw in the design. Beaming, I tugged and pulled the issue out, my hoofs covered in oil and other fluids as I wriggled out, much to the dismay of Gadget and Hefty.

“Gems can be easily broken by a well placed bullet or explosion. If the whole machine is relying on one, then it's doomed from the start.” I stood up, confident with my discovery only to have my new comrades shake their heads.

“We know that! It's the only way t'power her with only one unicorn, so we took measures t'protect it. Hence the shit load of armour and wires to reach it. Now put it back before ye pull anything else out!” Gadget pulled the gem from my hooves, crawling back underneath and placing the stone back inside the armoured hull, “Ah ye fucker! What've ye done? She's bleeding all over the place!”

The veteran engineer crawled out from the machine, covered in oil and near to tears, “Spyder's bleeding ye bastard, the fuck was that for?”

I was at a loss for words; I got something wrong! And it was a mechanical issue too. It felt like my heart was torn at the edges, my head was spinning. I began to panic, what if I had messed up on another project? What if my cockiness had killed somepony? What if they think I’m on the side of the zebras?

Slate tapped me on the head, smiling a little, “You found something else, right? Bright pony like you wouldn’t overlook something.”

I took a deep shuddering breath, and tried to compose myself. Slate had faith in me and I wasn't going to let him down, “You were using an inefficient way of pumping fluid to the legs, so I redirected the flow. Then I found the gemstone and assumed that was the issue Officer Slate was looking for.”

“Yer fucking dead if she can’t move!” Gadget yelled, almost bawling his eyes out, “Hefty, get in and see if she’s still kicking.”

Hefty then barged past me and clambered into the cockpit, placing a hoof one each panel and lighting his horn. Gears whirred into life, and the beast gave a groan as it was awoken from its slumber; the exposed gemstone shining brightly as magic was poured into it. Pistons hissed as it clambered up on all four legs, standing well over three ponies tall when straight. Hefty pulled levers and green text scrolled up on the glass, before separating into a display of figures and dials.

He tugged on another lever and a single piece of glass came down, not dissimilar from Gadget's goggles. Placing his eye to the lens, the mini-guns whirred, spinning up. Satisfied, Hefty pushed the lever back in place and the mini-guns slowed down, the lens retracting.

“She’s alive guys, nothing wrong coming up on here. Clear a path, I’m taking her for a test run,” Hefty's voice sounded through hidden speakers, as the pony leant forwards. The machine took a single shaky step, followed by another, and another. Slowly, she crept out of the workshop, the clunk and hiss of the steps attracting the attention of the nearby engineers. Soon, a small group had formed around the workshop as the vehicle took cautious steps into the world, like a newborn foal.

“Alright, let's see how we handle a light trot,” Hefty said through gritted teeth, the effort of keeping the magic flowing taking visible a toll on him. With a grunt, the machine lurched forward and began to gain speed, soon moving a little faster than an ungainly foal. Slowly but surely, Hefty managed to raise the speed to that of an average pony's trot, moving through the camp like a freakishly large spider.

Gadget's goggles then hissed static, and Hefty's voice came through, “Is it worth firing up the magic dynamos?”

Gadget floated his eye wear over his face, turning a dial which caused a microphone to drop down to his mouth, “Give me a second, just going t'patch into the heads up.”

His darkened lens then lit up with the same green display as the machine's window displayed, his eye flicking back and forth along the data, “Go for it, let's see what she can do.”

“Copy,” the machine's distant hum became softer as a quiet whine began to sound, the clunking footsteps growing louder as the speed increased to a near gallop. The mechanical spider tore along the camp, throwing mud up as it ran. Hefty's voice gave out a cheer of joy as the machine leapt over several barracks, narrowly missing another as it landed.

The spectators began stomping their hooves in appreciation, some going to Gadget and congratulating him on the display, “Finally! How long did it take you to get this bitch up and running?”

“Sweet Celestia, it actually works!”

“Fuck, alright just let me get my wallet. I swear we only agreed to ten bits.”

Hefty brought the contraption back to the workshop, slowing it down until it came to a stop in front of Slate. The bulky unicorn was haggard, sweating and breathing heavily, but smiling from ear to ear, “It's not perfect, but it's running a hell of a lot smoother than before. Give it a few more tweaks and Spyder will be combat ready in a week or two.”

This announcement caused an increase in the fervour of the platoon, several of the unicorns running to their own workshops to continue their work. Hefty and Gadget approached me, both standing to attention and saluting me, wearing massive grins on their faces.

“Welcome to the squad, buck.”

As the new member of the squad, my main duties were restricted to repair work and tune ups. It didn’t bother me that I was given all the menial and ordinary tasks; they reminded me of life before the army. Though I had only been a soldier for ten weeks, it felt like it had been years since I last smelt the oil of a chariot, felt the cool metal of the plating and messed with the intricate electronics of the transport.

Gadget and Hefty’s attitudes towards me changed from our initial meeting, both impressed with how I managed to get their project up and running. They were both veterans of the war, having served for nearly five years and seen countless battles, but they behaved like foals whenever a chance to modify something came along.

Gadget thought himself the squad’s long range and weapons expert, heavily modifying his prized rifle and goggles. He had designed Spyder’s weapon system as well as the heads up display, basing it off an arcade game from when he was a foal.

It wasn't long after the affair with Spyder that Gadget offered to modify my rifle, “To be honest with ye, the standard rifle can’t hit shit, jams up more often than they’d care to say, and has a nasty habit of slicing your tongue off if ye don't reload it right. I would say that the designer needs to be shot, but he’d come out better than his executioners with guns like these.”

“How does yours differ then?” I had seen the numerous additions to the gun, but couldn’t figure out what half of them did until I picked it up in my own hooves.

Gadget floated his weapon over to me, wires and dials covering every possible inch and a small screen rested in front of the trigger. I studied the additions closely, my smile growing. 'Celestia send me to the moon, I needed to tear this thing apart!'

Every new attachment was expertly chosen, the gun gave off an evil sheen as if Gadget wanted it to look its best before it blew the head off a zebra.

As I scanned the complexity of the weapon, my eyes were drawn to a small lens underneath the barrel, “A camera? Why do you need a camera?” As pretty a picture war paints, it seemed fairly odd to attach a camera to a gun.

Gadget snorted, “Video camera genius, and because there’s only one of me 'nd a thousand of these rifles. If it means I can peek 'round a corner without having my fucking head taken off then I’ll gladly add any attachment ta this beauty. 'Nd if it falls in the wrong hooves, ‘bout as useful as shit,” – he tapped his goggles – “ye need these 'nd unicorn magic to power the modifications, else it’s just a fucking heavy rifle.”

“Video camera?” I stood confused. I could remember when my aunt brought her camera round, showing off her holiday pictures and boring me and my brother to death, but that’s as far as my experience with the devices went.

“Shit Bolt, how backwater are ye? Here, look at the screen,” Gadget turned a dial on his goggles and trotted over to a large panel of glass, pressing a button. The glass suddenly lit up and a cascade of swirling lines appeared, dancing like the snow of Manehead.

Taking the rifle, he plugged several cables into his goggles and the gun, the screen suddenly flaring and a picture of the ceiling appeared. Gadget grunted and swivelled the gun towards me, the image changing to a greyed version of me, “Smile!”

I gave a grin at what I had seen; this was beyond anything that had ever reached Manehead. I felt privileged to be part of such a world, but also felt slightly heart broken; what would’ve happened had I left home earlier? Could I have discovered such technology if I grew up from chariots and watches?

'This war has brought me so much, at the expense of so much more...'

Gadget turned the dial and the image was gone, calling me over, “Throw some of those broken tools up, I’ll show ye what it’s supposed t'do.”

I picked up a bent wrench and flung it up, Gadget standing still and turning the rifle to fire at the target. A whine built up, ending in a load bang as the weapon fired, tearing the tool in two. The gun flew back as the recoil hit, moving at least two inches before Gadget’s magic stopped it. I winced at the power; even if a zebra took hold of the gun and fired it, they’d need a neck of iron to take the shock. At his order, I threw two more tools, each meeting the same fate, before he called for the exercise to stop. The magical whine died down, as the rifle slowly landed on the floor.

Gadget beamed at me, and floated my own rifle towards his work bench, “Just going t'fix a few things. Don’t worry, it’ll be worth it.”

I snatched the rifle out of his magic, and placed it back in the holster, “Thanks, but I’d rather work on it myself; it’s my own gun after all.”

Gadget’s smile diminished, his head hung low and he kicked his hoof, “Alrigh', you have a point. But don’t ye come crying when ye blow your own head off by mistake.”

I gave him a cheery smile, “You’ll be the first to know if I do.”

Throughout my time at the platoon’s camp, I had met numerous other ponies from all across the army. Special Operations, Medical Corps, Rangers, Infantry, Intelligence, they all depended on us to get moving. We were rooted deep into the army. As such, we rarely saw any of the other forces that protected Equestria. I assumed that this was thanks to their own Engineer Corps, until one day.

We were working within our workshop, on a new armoured chariot for one of the Ministry Mares when the ground began to tremble. I looked up at my tools, which seemed to dance off the workbench while my rifle performed a jig on the ground. I turned towards Gadget and Hefty, who both shrugged and walked outside to see the source of the commotion.

I stepped outside to join them, our manes blown as the air was whipped up into the maelstrom. Slate galloped out to greet us, his beret barely staying on his horn as he came up to the group, “She’s beautiful isn’t she?”

“I’m sorry, sir?” my voice was torn away into the wind as I noticed the looks on Gadget and Hefty’s faces. Their attention was fixed on something overhead, and both wide eyed and grinning from ear to ear. I turned my eyes to the sky, and found it replaced with a giant floating hull. My breath was snatched away by the wind, and I joined in the mad ponies’ smiles as squadrons of pegasi flew around the beast.

“Gentlecolts,” Slate stood proud as one squadron flew overhead, “pack your gear. It’s time to go to war.”

My squad mates saluted and ran inside, I shortly joined them after watching the pegasi’s display; subtlety was an unknown word to the winged ponies. I trotted inside the workshop and gathered my possessions; my father’s knife, a picture of my mother, several shirts and a somewhat distasteful picture of my Fluttershy, taken during her time as a model and probably without her permission.

'Celestia bless the determination of the paparazzi,' I thought to myself, tucking the image away for later and taking out my combat equipment.

I pulled myself into my body armour, and placed my beret onto my short black mane. I missed the length I used to have, but cutting it short made work easier and meant less time spent caring for it. That and Sunset once commented that I looked more mare-like than she did, which was a devastating blow to my stallion pride.

I stood and gazed at myself in my quarter’s mirror; my charcoal coat covered in green carapace armour at the front, my red beret over one ear; the badge polished into a gleam. I stood confident; it was easy to recognise the air of pride a solider carried as well as the weight of their past and future actions. My smile faltered; ever since I joined I had discovered so much about myself.

I was cocky and arrogant, believing that every choice I made was the correct one. That was a habit that I probably would never kick, it just came as part of being a pony that could understand anything. More than once I had been shot down by my superiors and comrades, but I was determined to become the better pony.

“Just you wait; I’ll be the grand hero. I’ll do you proud,” I spoke out loud, unsure as to whom but glad they heard anyway.

Placing my rifle into my custom holster, I hefted my saddlebags on to myself and walked out, greeted by four pegasi. A black stallion with yellow streaks in his dark grey mane stepped forward to greet Slate, Gadget, Hefty and myself, giving Slate a salute and nodding to each of us.

“Senior Airpony Clap, is that correct?” Slate returned the salute and stood as a large transport landed nearby, a panel opening and a single pegasus operator sat inside.

“Yes sir, and you’re Warrant Officer Slate? The Air Force have heard of first platoon’s prowess under your command, and I want your team to fly with us tonight,” Clap turned and beckoned us to walk towards the airship, Slate confidently leading the way while the rest of us giggled like school fillies at the thought of flight, “Luna has ordered an assault on zebra occupied territory, and the air force are part of the initial strikes. Problem is that there are too many anti-air cannons for us to employ our full force.”

“So you’re sending our squad to take down their defences?” I inquired, figuring out how that night was going to pan out.

A chuckle sounded from Airpony Clap, “Not just you guys, we've drafted in some spec op ponies for assistance and have a combat medic squad just in case.”

“I bet Colonel Midnight wasn't fond of that,” I replied, remembering the pony's hatred of pegasi and her numerous rants about the Air Force.

“A bunch of untrained colts who think flapping in will save the day. Luna knows why we have to work with the winged bastards.”

Clap laughed harder, giving a wink to a smiling Slate, “Too right my buck, too right. What’s your name soldier?”

“Bolt sir, Private Rivet Bolt.”

“Bolt?” A quizzical eyebrow was raised as Clap looked over at me, “You’re not the same Bolt that said we should just shoot the gems on these damn guns are you?”

“Yes sir, that’s me,” I replied nervously, expecting the worst from admitting such a theory.

“By Celestia, did you know you had such a brainy buck in your squad Officer? It's a one in a million shot, but it's saved my flank,” the Airpony turned and winked at me, before boarding the airship.

“Thank you sir, I didn’t know it actually worked,” I felt slightly sheepish at the praise, filled with pride that my theory worked yet embarrassed at how much my name had spread. We stepped onto the metal plates, the pegasi pilot nodding at us and taking off alongside the squadron.

“Drop the formality soldier; we might die tonight so why not at least pretend we’re friendly? Thunder Clap,” the pegasus extended his hoof, shaking mine firmly as I returned the gesture, “You ready for this buck?”

I nodded, trying my best not to let the fear appear in my eyes, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Chapter Five: Blood on Your Hooves

“Come fly with me, let's fly away”

The main deck of the mothership throbbed with life, hundreds of ponies raced around the floor from screen to screen as night fell upon Equestria. Pegasi and unicorns conversed over ongoing flight missions, as the ship flew along gracefully. A squadron of armoured ponies flew ahead of the fortress, guiding it to its maiden battle.

I stood in the sky chariot, gazing in wonder at the flying ponies' technology and feeling a little jealous of the unicorns and pegasi who operated the cloud-based terminals; not only were they able to operate them, but they knew how they worked. I kicked my hoof on the floor, pouting a little at the loss of the chance to study something new as our pilot flew us alongside the behemoth.

My squad, along with half the camp, were flying to the fortress in the sky: a ThunderHead Cloudship named The Wing of Luna, in an air-force sky chariot. Thunder beamed at the looks of wonder on our faces as we approached the behemoth, smiling at it warmly as if it were his own foal. He seemed to take great pleasure in answering all of our unasked questions as our pilot circled the fortress, giving us a grand tour of the outer hull.

“She's the second one ever built, three more to come apparently. She's dropped more explosives on the zebra army than the entire pegasi bomber division put together.”

“How many confirmed kills?” Hefty asked, studying the cannons that covered almost every inch of free space one the upper decks.

“We've honestly lost the actual kill count for her, but we estimate it to be around a thousand.”

As the pilot continued the tour along the ship's starboard rear I heard Gadget inhale suddenly and sharply. I curiously craned my neck towards the tiny port-hole window, trying to catch a glimpse of what it was the took the immovable pony's breath away.

“Fuck me! How big was the bastard?!” he exclaimed.

Thunder raised an eyebrow and peered out of the window, drawing a shuddering breath, “I... I’m not sure on that one. The bastard flew away before we could get him, but he was wild rather than with the zebras. Didn't have any signs of allegiance on him at least.”

I felt my jaw drop slightly. Until now, the hull of the fortress had been clean; not so much as a dent in the plating. Here however, several large chunks of the armour had been torn off, the edges blackened and large gashes were visible. I swallowed hard; everypony knew what dragons were capable of, and that some had sided with the zebras, but to face one in combat and to survive was a feat in its own.

“How many did you loose?” Slate's blunt question clearly struck a nerve in the pilot and Thunder, forcing them to relive memories they had hoped to bury six feet under. It was clear from the prior brush off from Thunder that this subject was taboo. I tried to intervene to prevent upset before he interrupted.

“At least two dozen; mainly unicorn engineers working on a new rear defence system when the hull was breached. Most were sucked out in an instant, the rest were either burnt alive or torn in half when he started trying to tear it open,” Thunder screwed his eyes up and shook himself, the memory seemed painful for him to remember.

Slate stepped forward and offered his thoughts, “Don't blame yourself. There is always the chance that any of us could die at any given moment, you said that yourself.”

“They died off guard! It was a cowardly, sneaky thing to do. Even more so when it's a dragon!” Thunder kicked the plating hard, the ship giving off a boom as the noise reverberated around the hull, “Most ponies on here are spouses or relatives... how are you able to look each and every one of them in the eye and tell them that their husband, wife, brother, sister, child died for the good of Equestria when they know that they were killed by dragon who was a little bit pissed off for no damn reason!”

Thunder's anger began to surge, before subsiding abruptly. His wings sagged and his head drooped. He looked tired, defeated; the weight of the dead was pressing down on him and he couldn't take it for much longer. He turned his eyes on me, and growled, “Rivet, this is your first combat mission, correct?”

I nodded, fear preventing me from uttering a word.

“Then listen well. This war will never end in peace. You know the saying? 'Better Wiped than Striped?' That's more or less my motto now. A code I will live by.”

He looked out at the clouds, as though he were searching for something. His yellow eyes darted across the horizon, gritting his teeth as the wound of the ThunderHead came into view again.

“I will personally hunt down and kill every single zebra that took part in this war. I will find their families and tell them how they all died before killing them. I will be the one who will wipe the zebra race out, and then every pony will call me a hero, give me a medal and forget about it,” Thunder spat out at the world; challenging the earth, sky and sea to bring him the best they have.

“Then you'll have to be a hero before I end this war,” I retorted teasingly, distracting him from his thousand mile stare, “I will fight until there is no longer a need to, and then I’ll bring peace back to Equestria.”

Now, I understand that such a way of thinking will get you killed faster than you can cry to your mummy, but back then it was a true belief. I still hold a little bit of that ideal, at least I hope I do if I ever wake up; there is a way for peace to exist between us and the zebras, but until we find that common ground I will kill them before they kill me.

Thunder gave a dry laugh, looking down on me and my foalish dreams, “You're an interesting pony Rivet. A soldier that will fight for peace in a war that will obliterate us, maybe you'll sing a different tune after your first kill.”

He turned back around and continued his staring competition with the world, the chariot rolling by The Wings of Luna before pivoting and hovering slowly towards a cloud attached to the edge of the ship. It barely made a sound as it touched down on the landing platform, the door opening to a roaring wind and an entrance into the ThunderHead.

Thunder stepped out first, walking towards the door where he stood patiently waiting for us. Slate hefted his bag onto his back and walked out of the chariot, his spell preventing him from falling through the clouds and to his death. I could only hope that it worked for me as well as I left the safety of the ship.

I took my first shaky step onto the cloud, almost wetting myself as I felt the dampness of the fluffy white floor underneath my hoof. My logical side was screaming at me for attempting such a thing; earth ponies were NOT meant to be anywhere near this high. I swallowed hard, trying to keep the contents of my stomach inside before feeling my body fly forwards.

“Come on ye fucker, shake a hoof,” Gadget trotted past me after bucking me onto the cloud.

“You're a right prick, you know that?” I replied, my armour soaked by the cloud and and my flanks beginning to chill as the wind whistled around me. I stood up, shook myself and continued into the ship, my fear not conquered but sedated for the moment.

“Ye still love me though,” He grinned, still smiling as I slammed my hoof into his spanner cutie mark in revenge, barely shifting him. We continued down the walkway, the cool wetness of the air reminding me that the entire ship was built around a cloud. The thought made my stomach spin; I wasn't one for heights it seemed.

Thunder lead us onto the main deck, where I met the ponies I had flown by just minutes ago face to face. I stood and observed their actions, gazing in wonder at the complexity of cloud technology until a thought dawned on me. It was logical as to why, but there wasn't a single earth pony on deck other than myself. The sky suddenly felt lonelier than it had ever before; everypony else had somepony they belonged with up here. Everypony except me.

My squad were fine company, but even they looked down on me for my lack of magic just like the rest of the platoon. It turns out that after my father, I was the third earth pony to have ever served in the Royal Engineers. That meant that everypony knew my name, and that those who knew that and nothing more detested me for 'dirtying' their platoon.

“This is where the magic happens,” Thunder stated, a pun so cheesy it was almost sickening but it caused a smile to appear nonetheless, “I'll introduce you all to the team.”

He guided us back off the main deck and down towards the ThunderHead's hanger, leading us into a Raptor. We boarded, and made our way up to a mission room, pegasi saluting Thunder as we entered. He returned the gesture, saluting with his wing.

“These fine mares and stallions will be our flight crew for the mission. I hoof picked each and every one of these ponies so we'll be in the best of care,” Thunder pointed out the gunners, pilots, spotters and the chariot pullers for the mission ahead. A mission I was dreading.

I knew that I would have to kill a zebra at some point, we were at war with them. But it was a daunting feeling; I didn't know if I could kill. Hitting a target with pinpoint precision is one thing, hitting a mesh of blood, flesh and bone which was trying to hit you is something else.

'We only hear our side of the war,' I thought to myself, wondering if a young zebra was bawling her eyes out at the loss of a parent or brother. A parent or brother that I would have to kill.

I gritted my teeth; 'This war is pointless'.

The materials we were fighting over were so trivial when compared to the importance of life, and after 13 years nothing had changed.

“Keep up, we're gonna meet the fire teams,” Thunder lead us past an armoury and into a small room, where a small herd of ponies sat waiting. I studied each one of them, trying to remember their faces when an orange mare stood up and walked over to me.

“Private Bolt, where are are your manners?” she inquired, her face sporting a scar that led from her stump of an ear down to her mouth, turning it into a sneer like smile.

“Don't you recognise little old me?” she jested, running a hoof playfully along the ridge of her new feature.

I blinked hard and finally made the connection, giving her a huge grin and a salute, “Apologies Sunset, loving the new look though. Scars are all the rage at the moment.”

A gentle hoof to the head and her strange giggle-snort laugh made my grin grow larger. I had missed her dearly, just as I missed Snowfall and Xander. But it was the hope that we would meet again like this that kept my mind at ease during the long weeks of hard work with the Royal Engineers, they were strong ponies, and they would surely survive.

“That's Corporal Sunset to you, soldier,” she corrected, a stern look on her face pulling her muzzle into a strange grimace, “but I think I can make an exception for a strapping buck like you.”

She punctuated this last comment with a cheeky wink, before turning around and beckoning me to follow her, “You'll be flying with Thunder tonight, right?”

I nodded hopefully, my inner pony almost praying for the chance to fight alongside her. I had seen her fearsome combat prowess in training, but I was yet to have the chance to see her in a real fight. Then again, I was yet to find out how I’d fare as well.

“Shame, I’d love to fight alongside you but they've put me in with the big one from your squad and Thunder's second in command. Guess our catch up will have to wait until after the mission,” she said warmly with another wink, trotting over to the locker she sat by when we entered.

Spinning the dial with her tongue, she opened the metal container and took out two photos, passing one to me and holding the other in her hooves. Sitting on a bench nearby, I studied the image curiously. Sunset was stood smiling, nuzzled against a unicorn buck. His coat was covered in mud brown and white stripes, and his flank bore a very unusual cutie mark. He was unlike any unicorn I had ever seen, yet something about his eyes seemed to stir memories deep inside me. They were brimming with joy, yet pained, as if happiness physically hurt him.

“We've been together ever since we left Torntail. Bastard doesn't let me out of his sight when we're on a mission together,” Sunset's voice began to waver as I looked at the photo, before breaking into gentle sobs, “he's the greatest pony I’ve ever known; caring, compassionate yet ready to die for Equestria at the word go.”

“But he isn't a pony, is he?” I pointed out, rechecking the buck, “He's a zebra, at least in part.”

Sunset nodded, tears forming at her eyes. I felt my stomach drop miles. She was always the strongest of our group, and now she was crying like a filly over this zebra unicorn half breed. Her eyes were bloodshot and bleary, and her breaths were long choking shudders. I looked at the picture once more and felt something in my head click. The buck's eyes were familiar, too familiar to be coincidence.

“You figured it out yet? That's your damn talent isn't it?” Sunset scowled, her wavering voice full of aggression, as if hiding her shame at crying before me.

“...Xander?” I couldn't stop the name from falling out. I looked over to Sunset and my suspicions were confirmed by a tearful nod. My thoughts began to stir as I remembered the how he spoke of his family.

“My family live in a small settlement underneath Canterlot. It isn't much, but everyone knows everyone.”

“Everyone? You mean things other than ponies live there?”

“You could say that.”

I had heard rumours of the last zebra settlement in Equestria being underneath Canterlot. Some of the platoon had been there to repair the water system and they told of how the zebras were completely different to any they had faced in battle. They were more pony-like than most ponies, as if they were compensating for having stripes. One stallion mentioned how the foals would roll in mud to cover their coat, and how it was almost impossible to tell if they were a pony or zebra if they stopped rhyming in their mess of zebra tongue and ponyspeak.

“Well... wait, what's wrong with that?! Xander's a good pony, a good friend. He's perfect for you!” I put a comforting hoof around the mare, only to be shoved away and passed the other photo.

This one displayed the smiling faces of a stern looking stallion, a smiling orange mare and three foals. Two fillies and a colt, each grinning from ear to ear. One filly had her cutie mark already, the image of a flower on each flank, while the other foals were bare. The other had a coat of orange, just like the mare she was nuzzled lovingly against.

“My family. I’m the blank flank with the orange coat. “My elder brother took this photo. He was supposed to ship off in the morning after this was taken,” Sunset began to explain, sitting down and staring blankly as she recounted her lost childhood.

“We lived on the edge of the fighting, but were promised protection by the army if my brother served them. The house had been in the family for generations, so nopony was just going to lie down and let the zebras take it. But it doesn't matter, it's all gone now.

“The night before he left, my brother thought he heard something outside. He stepped out, and disappeared into the night. We didn't even hear his screams when they killed him. We only found out when his severed head was thrown through the living room window and the door was kicked in. Three zebras, fully armed and covered in my brother's blood. They took us at gunpoint, made us sit on the floor next to his head.”

Sunset's voice trailed off and her hooves scraped along the seat. She gritted her teeth, her eyes returning to the soul consuming horrors I had seen on the chariot all those weeks ago. I felt frightened for my life, afraid to move in case she slaughtered me on the spot.

“They took my father first. They made him cut his own head off with a blunt sword, threatening to kill my mother and my siblings if he didn't comply. It took him five minutes before he collapsed from the blood loss. Then they shot his body to make sure he was dead.”

The burning anger in the mare's eyes dampened, turning into those of a filly who had just fallen out with her friends. They were full of tears, which fell with choking sobs as her story continued.

“M-my m-mother was n-next. One of them t-took her up-upstairs while the other t-two b-beat my little b-brother,” Sunset's tears had begun to flow freely, in anger and upset, “H-he only l-lasted a few m-minutes. M-my sister t-tried to stop them b-but they kno-knocked her out. I then t-tried to stop them, b-but they beat m-me until I p-passed out.”

Sunset began to heave, I passed her an empty maintenance bucket as she threw up. I placed a hoof on the mare's shoulders as she retched, “Sunset, you can stop. You don't need to do this to yourself.”

Mare shook her head, “You need to know Rivet. You need to know why it hurts so much to love him,” Sunset took a shaky step up, shaking her body as if to wake herself from a nightmare.

“When I came to, the house was a wreck. The zebras were gone, but they had desecrated the place before leaving. My brother's body was lying next to my father's broken mess on the floor, his head was caved in. It took all my strength to go upstairs, I was weak and feeble. When I reached my mother's room... by Luna, it made Tartarus look beautiful.

“Both my mother's and sister's bodies were on the bed, their hind legs stuck in the position they were when their heads were cut off. They had been raped, before and after they died.”

I felt bile of my own rise, swallowing it to prevent my breakfast returning. My mouth was dry, as if Sunset had stole all the moisture to fund her tears. It was a horrific thing to do, something nopony should ever go through.

“It's how I got my cutie mark, a dandelion. A weed, the plant that sprouts back up after being kicked into the dirt, always surviving. By any means necessary,” Sunset fixed me with a glare, “I hate my family Rivet. My brother died, unable to anything. My father and mother died without a thought for their foals. They're all dead and gone and I’m alone!”

Sunset's sudden outburst shook me to the core, I had never experienced such vile polluted hatred towards anypony. The fact that the hatred was directed towards her defenceless dead family made it all the worse.

“I will kill those zebra, Rivet. I will hunt them down. If they're dead when I find them, I’ll bring the fuckers back from hell and kill them again and again until I can kill no more.”

I felt a shiver down my spine; it explained why she chose to serve in Special Operations, it gave her the chance to find the zebras in her own time. It also told me why her relationship with Xander was such a toll on her, “You're scared you're going to loose it and kill him... right?”

Sunset nodded, looking over at me, “He looks just like them when he isn't disguised. I’m scared that one day he might not be able to calm me down and I’ll end up taking this all out on him. I love him Rivet, I don't want to hurt him.”

The sound of hoof striking metal echoed from behind, and Slate joined us. He sat down and gave out a long sigh before placing a comforting hoof on Sunset's shoulders, “Xander is an amazing pony.”

Sunset looked up, eyes full of tears, “Sir?”

Slate smiled and spoke softly, “I was watching all of you during training. Every single pony on that chariot was special, the cream of the crop. It doesn't matter what coat you wear, if you're ready to die for Equestria then you are a pony in my books.”

Sunset gave a weak smile, and stood up, “Thank you sir. Excuse me, it's best I clean up before my squad sees me like this.”

The air that night was cool against my coat. The pegasi provided stealth armour which was less comfortable than my customised carapace body armour, causing me to shift uncomfortably every now and then. I turned around to the combat team I had been placed with, smiling at each of them.

First, there was Thunder. He was squad leader and liaison with the chariot pony who was flying us in. Second was a member of Sunset's team, a buck called Shadow. He mentioned that he had worked with my father on one of these missions, and that he was sorry for my loss. Empty repeated words.

Finally, there was a mint green pegasus mare. She held two saddlebags, each with a single pink butterfly on them. Each squad had been assigned a combat medic, she was ours. When we were giving introductions, she stayed silent; gazing at me intensely.

She had remained silent the entire time, gazing out of window at the rapidly changing terrain. She had a distant look on her face, as if the war disinterested her. Yet I had a strange feeling that her silence wasn't out of respect or meditation. An uneasy calm was draped over her

I trotted over to her, nudging her slightly, “Err, hey.”

She looked up at me, her eyes flitting over my body, “Hey.”

“So... um... what's your name?” I gave a sheepish grin, trying to defuse the icy silence.

“Does it matter? You'll just shout medic when you need me,” the pegasus replied coolly, turning back to the terrain.

'Luna save me, this was awkward,' I racked my brains to find a way to engage with her, determined to follow Thunder's prior actions on board the transport earlier that day. I cleared my throat, only to for the mare to turn and flutter her eyelashes at me.

“Thirty seconds until drop guys, opening door now,” the pilot interrupted the moment, saving me from potential embarassment.

A section of the chariot slid open, and our manes began to swirl in the tempest that followed. I poked my head out and spotted our objective; the mother of the cannon I had destroyed a few months ago. There were four more like it, each one had to be taken down before the major offensive at dawn.

The plan was to plant an explosive on each one, then blow them all at the same time to cause confusion. It was simple, effective and harder to pull off than we anticipated. Due to the nature of the magic, most electronic instruments were ineffective. Radios would be too full of magic induced static to be used, so we were relying on clockwork watches and a pot of luck to pull it off.

Shadow approached me and cast a spell that would slow our descent, so long as we stayed still. He nodded at me and we took our places behind Thunder and the medic.

“Ten seconds!”

I swallowed hard, trying to stop myself from shaking as the drop off point approached.

“Five seconds!”

Thunder turned and began to mouth the countdown.

“Four, three, tw-”

An explosion rocked the entire chariot as one of the cannons exploded in a ball of neon green light. More explosions came as the gemstones' magic was released, each adding a new colour to the concoction.

“Oh fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Thunder began to yell as sirens whirred into life, spotlights beaming up and scanning the sky. One spotted our chariot, and hundreds of bullets slammed into the lower plating. The pilot gave a yell of terror as the shots began to focus on him, turning violently to avoid the fire.

Thunder, Shadow and I all braced against the movement, but the daydreaming medic was flung out the gap. She twirled mid air, unfurling her wings and began to fly back until a stray bullet struck the tip of her wing. She cried out as her mint green feathers were thinly coated in blood, spiralling as the wing locked up in shock.

I took a run at the opening, leaping from the chariot and towards the falling pegasus. I’m still unsure what was going through my head at that time. I just didn't want anypony to die on my first mission, that much was clear to me.

I flew through the air, praying that I wasn't hit. I stretched a hoof out to the medic, yelling out to her, “Grab on!” Shadow's spell and her working wing slowing our descent, making us easier targets.

The pegasus stretched out to me, our hooves touching for a moment before being blown apart, 'I will catch you!'

I clenched my teeth and tried a second time. Our hooves tapped and I took hold of her leg. I pulled her close and moved so my back was closer to the ground, bracing myself for the impact.

We collided with the treetops a second later. Searing pain shot up my back as branches snapped and whipped against it. I bit my lip and held on tighter to the pegasus, trying to tough the pain out than reveal our location with a cry. We smashed into a trunk and I felt the wind fly out of me. I slid down the wood, landed on a branch and gasped for air as the medic set herself down next to me, gracefully in comparison.

She took a cautious step towards me as I grunted in pain. I stretched out my limbs, hearing my back groan and crack at the action. Wincing, I stood up and made my way over to the mare. She had already taking out a healing potion and was sipping on it gently, conserving as much as possible for a later battle.

“You OK?” I grunted, wincing a little. The mare walked up to me, pushing me down onto my rump and began to caress my torso gently. I shifted uncomfortably, 'Sweet Celestia, what is wrong with this mare? Just a second ago she was ice, now she's massaging me? I don't even know her name!'

“You've broken a rib or two, but you haven't done too much damage to yourself yet,” she passed me a healing potion for any internal bleed, wrapping my bruised torso in bandages. Her hooves lingered for a split second, before she turned around and flapped her wings, testing them. I let out a sigh of relief, glad I had merely misunderstood her actions.

She then tested her legs and hooves, flexing each and every joint. She shook her hind legs, moving her rump in a similar manner. As paralysed as I was, I had little choice but to notice that this last action was slightly more seductive than the others.

'Maybe not, then.'

I coughed, and averted my eyes. My heart gave a little skip as my mind turned the image to a particular yellow pegasus performing the same action. I shook myself, wincing as my ribs moved at the action.

“My name's Starshine. You're Rivet Bolt, right?”

I blinked in surprise at the mare's voice. It rang out like as if the stars themselves has voices and were singing sweet nothings into my ears. I nodded after savouring the sound of her, before shaking myself back to reality. 'There's only one mare for me,' a younger version of myself crossly pointed out, stood next to my beloved Fluttershy.

The daydream was crushed when two more explosions went off, the morbid fireworks set off to decorate the night sky. Starshine grabbed my hoof and pulled me off the branch, gliding us down to the ground. I touched down hard, letting out a grunt of pain before Starshine landed next to me.

“Ah! Heh, this isn't as bad as it could be,” I tried to laugh out the pain, Starshine pushing against me to keep me upright. I blinked back tears as she brushed a bruised rib, trying to keep up the tough pony act.

“You're still in shock. Just relax and the pain will recede a little, else you'll do serious damage to yourself.”

I couldn't tell if she had whispered the advice, but it still sent chills down my spine as if she had. She guided me to the bottom of a tree, sitting beside me in amongst the roots. I looked over at her, glancing nervously at the sounds of gunfire.

“We really need to move. What if the fighting comes closer?”

“Relax, they're far off and I don't think they saw where we landed. We'll rest here for a moment,” Starshine replied, getting my to lie next to her. I was powerless, all the fight seeping out of me as the healing potions took force. I could detect the gentle rise and fall of her torso as she breathed, the soft scent of her breath filling up my senses. I felt her wings run through my mane, and stood upright instantly, the unfamiliar touch frightening me.

Starshine blinked and beckoned me to return, “Just relax. It's my talent, it's easy for me to make ponies feel at peace,” she tilted her head and gave a smile that could turn any stallion's heart to butter and their mind to mush.

I complied and sat next to her, laying my head on her flank and letting her wing run through my mane again. I felt relaxed, more relaxed than ever before. Soon, I stopped worrying that there was a horde of blood thirsty zebra less than a mile away, that I could die at any moment. I just wanted to sleep all those troubles away.

I felt Starshine's breath on my ear, and felt her silky voice float its way into my skull, “Thank you Rivet. For saving me I mean. I don't think there's an earth stallion alive who would attempt such a stupid thing for a mare he has just met.”

“Don't mention it,” I mumbled in reply, trying to stay awake despite the weight of my eyelids.

I heard the medical mare let out a soft sigh, and felt her lean in closer. I began to get nervous; it felt strange for her to be so close to me. Her closeness ended with a kiss on my face, and a whispered “Thank you.”

I blinked in surprise, and my mind clicked, “Starshine, what are you..?”

My moment of realisation came to a grinding halt as a rustle sounded nearby. I threw myself to my hooves, crouching in a fighting stance. Starshine gave me a confused and somewhat hurt look at my actions. I looked over to her, and brought a hoof up to my lips. She nodded slowly, holding her position in case she hadn't been spotted yet.

I carefully surveyed my surroundings, the chatter of gunfire echoing in the distance adding a layer of discordant beats to my heart. I swallowed hard, trying to recall my training as best I could. A crunch sounded nearby, and I ran headlong towards it.

Crashing into a shadowy figure, I fell the the ground. We both stood up on our hooves, the moon showing itself from behind a cloud and bathing the clearing in pale light. A zebra dressed in a crimson cloak stood before me, snorting and pacing the ground. I took a similar stance, dragging my hoof across the floor.

My head was a near mess with a rush of adrenaline and emotion, but I held on to the slim clarity that remained.

'This is it Rivet, your do or die moment. You must survive dammit!'

The zebra bounded towards me, bringing his hooves down towards my neck. I pushed up onto my hind legs and put my fore hooves up in defence, feeling his blow strike my leg. The pain numbed the limb, and left me dazed for a moment.

'Where did that strength come from?! He's no bigger than me!'

A hoof shot out and tripped me up, sending me sprawling on the floor. I gasped for air, and barely managed to roll away from a stomp the zebra. My ribs cried in protest, but the adrenaline forced me onwards despite the pain of breathing. I tried to stand up, only to be kicked by my foe.

The pain was unbearable, forcing me to kick into the ground to stop a scream from sounding. I heard whispering from behind my head, and rolled again as the zebra tried to break my neck with a blow. Forcing myself to stand up, I pulled out my father's knife from the sheath on my right shoulder and ran at the zebra.

Closing my eyes, I tackled him to the ground. Hot iron tasting liquid filled my mouth as I dug the knife deeper, the zebra letting out a horrific choking cough as he bled. I pulled back, spitting blood out and wiping it from my face. The zebra was on his back, spluttering and wheezing for air as hooves came up to pull the knife free.

“DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH THAT!” I screamed at the zebra, feeling an indomitable rage take over me.

I ran forward and stomped on the blade, burying half the hilt inside the wound. The zebra let out a howl of agony, and continued to as I pulled the blade out and brought it down on the twitching carcass again and again and again. I lost track of how many times I slid the blade into the body, when it stopped moving and how many times Starshine called out to me before pulling me away from the body.

I moved back onto four hooves and looked at the mess of blood and gore that was once a zebra, breathing hard. The survival instinct dropped as the adrenaline faded, and I felt a wash of emotions come flooding in.

“Oh... oh...” I felt tears well up as I looked at the remains and coughed hard, mucus and zebra coming into my mouth as my eyes started streaming, “F-fuck... oh sweet Celestia, fuck.... FUCK!”

I started crying hard, moving to the body and pulling the knife out. I sat and looked at the gore covered decorations, my body shaking hard as I forced heaving breaths into my lungs. I turned to Starshine, feeling a greater fear than anything I had ever felt.

“I-I didn't mean to kill him! I just, I just... oh fuck!”

Starshine placed her legs around me, holding me tight as I sobbed harder. She pressed her head into the back of my mane, speaking softly and making empty promises of everything being OK. I gave in to her half-truths, my breath slowing until I was almost back to my normal self.

“You've never killed before?” Starshine turned my head around to her, forcing me to look into her eyes. I nodded slowly, feeling ashamed at admitting it. She gave a sigh, and placed a kiss on my forehead, “It's OK. It's completely against our nature to kill another animal, but we have to. That's just the way things are now.”

I whimpered in response, nodding at her words as she passed me a healing potion, waiting for me to drink my fill. The pain in my chest subsided, but my ribs were still broken from my brief flight. I managed to get to my hooves, still dizzy from the wave of emotions. By the time I could stand on my own, an orange mare had ran out into the clearing. She grimaced at the zebra body, and looked up at me, sighing in relief.

“Thank Luna, you both made it. Slate and a few of the others are taking care of the last cannon,” Sunset nodded to Starshine and guided me to a gathering of the other teams. The walk was long, painful but peaceful. Every step was agony in my chest until Starshine pulled out a syringe and injected me with anaesthetic. Hefty nodded at me as we drew near, Thunder rushing over to Starshine and ordering a report.

I sat by one of the chariots, letting out a sigh before looking over at several huddled masses. It dawned on me that they were all zebras, each of them holding either fear or loathing in their eyes. I looked each one over, noticing how similar Xander was to them.

A burst of static sounded on one of Thunder's pony's radio, Shadow's garbled voice coming through.

'Looks like the magic interference has diminished somewhat,' I thought, unable to hear what the news but glad we had contact with others.

The peagsus grunted in reply, beckoning the others to follow him. Soon, I was left with Thunder, Starshine and Sunset, all of us looking at the zebras. Thunder gave a sigh, and walked over to one of them. The zebra looked nervously at his comrades, and spoke in a strange sing-song like language to Thunder. The pegasus gave him a blank stare, cocking his head to one side as if tilting his ears would let him understand the zebra.

The black stallion turned and smiled at me, “You OK there Rivet? Feeling better after seeing your first dead zebra?”

I nodded grimly, it was an image that would haunt me forever. The stench, the feeling of his exposed flesh, the sound it made when I took out the knife. My senses were poisoned by death, and there was no escape from it now.

“Good, good. Let's show you a few more,” Thunder called out cheerfully, pulling out a handgun with his wing and blowing the head off the zebra he had singled out. The crack made me jump out of my coat, Starshine and Sunset both looking over to see what was going on. I stood up and ran over to the helpless cowering group, standing between them and Thunder. Starshine walked over to his side, standing by him.

“Thunder, what are you doing? These zebras are helpless, they're hostages! You can't just kill them like that! It's not right!” I appealed to him, the stallion looking at me strangely.

“Hey Rivet, it looks like they're trying to escape. Uh oh, is one of them making a swipe at you?”

“What are you on abou-”

Thunder's hoof connected to my nose, breaking it instantly. I hit the ground for what felt like the millionth time that day, tasting blood.

“Oh my, they launched an attack on us. Looks like we had to retaliate with force,” Thunder brought his gun up again and took the head off another zebra. He passed the handgun to Starshine, who put it to one side and came over to me. Setting the bone straight, she forced me to drink a healing potion while Thunder kicked his battle saddle into action, gunning down the striped beings indiscriminately.

The grass began to churn into bloody mud under the panicked hooves of the prisoners, all of them crying in terror at the demon pegasus. I turned to Sunset, looking at her with pleading eyes, “Please, do something!”

The mare shook her head, and I remembered how she was back on The Wing of Luna when she told her story, “I'm sorry Rivet. I won't join him, but these fuckers deserve every last bullet.”

“Starshine, please! I’m begging you!” I appealed to the medic, though it was in vain.

The mint coloured pegasus shook her head, “I can't. It's only because you're injured that I’m not killing them myself.”

“You'd do the same as him?!”

“Of course... why wouldn't I?”

I shook in anger, pounding the ground with my hoof until the firing stopped. I turned to Thunder who was stood looking at the single survivor, both covered in the gore of Thunder's actions. He forced the shaking figure to its feet, the light revealing it to be a mare. An earth pony mare.

She had painted her coat in stripes, showing her allegiance to the zebras proudly. Thunder walked past her and sat himself nearby, his eyes locked on her.

“Rivet, kill her.”

I swallowed hard at his words, looking over at him, “Is that an order?”

“I can make it one,” he growled, Starshine passing me the handgun. I took the weapon in my mouth and stood up, trotting in front of the prisoner. I placed the barrel to her head, closing my eyes to avoid contact with her hateful stare.

“What are you waiting for Private Bolt? Kill the traitor,” Thunder spoke impatiently, as if he would kill me as well if I took too long.

“Bolt? You're related to Bolt?” the mare suddenly spoke, my eyes opened wide at her tone, “You want to know how loud he screamed when we were killing him?”

I felt my heart stop, and the gun fell the ground, “What did you say?”

Thunder snorted a little, he seemed pleased at the situation. I leaned down to pick up the gun, surprised at how the mare sat and waited for me.

The painted pony sneered at me, “You're not a killer, you're too gentle. Same as that sack of shit that was your father.”

I brought the gun down on her head, striking her hard enough to bleed but not enough to knock her out. I wanted her to feel every blow I gave her, “You shut the fuck up about my father!”

“Aww, is the wittle pony upset 'cause daddy's dead? Poor wittle pony,” the mare giggled as I advanced on her, striking her repeatedly, “You won't kill me you shit. You're a fucking coward, afraid to loose yourself to the killer within.”

I gave out a yell, bringing my hooves over her head. The mare's teeth came down on her tongue, opening to reveal a river of blood as the severed muscle fell on the gore soak earth. She gave out a cry, stopping as I placed the gun at her head. A whimper and shiver betrayed the fear she was hiding.

I bit down on the handle, shoved the barrel into the mare's skull and made her brain kiss the mud on the other side of head. I continued firing into her until the weapon clicked uselessly, dropping it and panting hard. 'That bitch killed my father. A fucking pony killed him!'

Thunder applauded me, and trotted over to my seething form, “Well done Rivet, you did well buck. They're all scum, and they all deserve to die. Even the ponies who have forgotten who they should be fighting for. Now you have purpose.”

I turned to him as his motto came to mind, and I reeled in horror at the implications. 'How many times has he done this?!'

“Hunt down every single zebra and pony that killed your father. Avenge him,” the pegasus spoke, nearly threatening me with the thought of my father never resting in peace.

Thunder placed a hoof on my shoulder and I panicked, smacking him away and galloping out of the clearing. It felt like I could explode with anger, burn all the trees up and consume the area in the flames of my anger. I panted hard, letting out a scream into the night in an attempt to force all emotion out. All I managed to force out were the contents of my stomach, spewing hard on the grass.

“Fuck. Luna damn me... oh fuck fuck fuckety fuck!” I sat heaving next to the vomit, too weak to stand up again, “This is insane. This is fucking insane. Why the fuck am I here? What the fuck are we doing here?”

A flutter sounded behind me, and a voice I had all but fallen in love with drifted over, “Rivet... the others are back, we're heading off before the zebras get here.”

I nodded slowly, “Just go without me, I can't fight any more.”

A blow to the back of the head made me lurch forward, I turned to see Starshine's angry face.

“Where did the stallion that saved me go? Who are you and what have you done to Rivet?”

I stood up and faced her, staring straight into her eyes, “This is the real me Starshine. I’m no hero.”

I gestured towards the vomit as if to justify my point.

She raised a hoof and brought it across the side of my face, “Shut up Rivet, just shut up! You are a hero! Don't become a martyr just to spite me!”

I snorted, dismissing her thoughts, “You don't understand where I stand! I’m the last my mother has! I can't die! I have to live for her!”

Starshine placed her lips on mine, cutting my sentence short. I pulled back in an instant, blushing heavily, “What are you doing?!”

The pegasus smiled and looked deep into my eyes, as if she were trying to pull my soul out for the world to see, “I plan to keep on fighting, despite my family's wishes. I could die at any moment, but I get the feeling that if you're by my side... I’ll live forever. So fight and live for me too.”

“I... I’m not sure what you mean,” I replied, my words sounding clumsy.

“Be by my side, no matter what.”

I blushed harder, and looked away from her gaze, “You're asking a lot of me, I don't think I can do that.”

The pegasus shook her head, “I'm not asking you Rivet. I will fight alongside you until my last breath, whether you want me to or not.”

Then came three words that I thought I’d never hear. Words that carried the greatest weight I have ever carried. Even now, as I lie on this slab drowning in my memories, they're pressing down on my heart and head. A constant pressure, forcing me to remember my responsibilities to everypony I’ve ever met.

“I love you.”

All emotion flooded out of my body and I stood upright, walking past the mare, “We'd better leave, before they send out a search party.”

Starshine turned her head, her voice breaking a little, “D-didn't you hear me?”

“I heard you, I just don't have an answer to it yet,” I felt cruel, almost evil, but it was a necessary feeling. I really didn't have an answer to such a statement. I felt duty bound to protect her because of it, but my heart beat out for another pony. I couldn't figure out a solution to this, it was too difficult to figure out.

'Even for a genius like me...' the thought amused me, it was a challenge I wasn't looking forward to.

We met the others and stepped aboard the chariot. Thunder nodding at us as we stepped aboard, sending a shiver of nausea through my body. Shadow sat in the corner sporting a cut along his side as he drank a healing potion. Thunder motioned me to take up a gunner position, the pegasus who had manned the turret filling in for a wounded pilot for another chariot.

I took the handle into my mouth as the pilot took off, pulling us up into the night sky and wheeling towards The Wing of Luna. The cold metal brought me back to reality. My mind was a blur with all the events of the evening, my first kill, Starshine's sudden confession, my shaken ideals. I shook myself, trying to think straight.

'Father wouldn't want blood on his grave, but I will fight to stay alive. It's the least I can do for all these ponies.'

Thunder then took out a small device and bit down on a button. An awkward silence came, broken by Thunder clicking the button again.

“Oh fuck,” he dropped the device and looked over to me, “You think you can hit one of those gems from here?”

I swallowed hard as his words sunk in. We were flying away from an anti-air cannon that had the pegasi scared. A weapon that should be a smouldering pile of metal by now. A weapon still fully operational with zebra nearby to fire it.

I nodded and turned the gun towards the cannon. Lining up a shot, I pulled the trigger. A loud crack sounded as the weapon fired, leading to an innumerable amount of pings as the zebras returned fire on the chariot. Ten seconds later, the zebra cannon turned slowly to our position, and I felt my stomach drop.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, it's been an honour serving with you,” Thunder spoke, standing proud as a deafening whine built up, the entire gun lighting up in magical energy. We all stood and waited, the pilot flying as fast as he could in a pitiful attempt to save us.

The whine built to a strange screaming sound, the air becoming rich with magical static. I could see why the Air Force needed this destroyed; it could shoot down anything they had. I didn't want to die, but it seemed futile to try and escape. I stood and came at peace with everything, waiting for the end.

A loud bang crashed through the sky, followed by an earth rocking explosion and a shock wave that almost threw the chariot off balance. Thunder and I poked our heads out an armoured window, looking out at the smouldering remains of the zebra position.

“Well done Private, well fucking done!” Thunder patted me on a back as Shadow and the pilot let out a cheer, the radio suddenly bursting into life as the voices of Sunset, Slate, Hefty and Gadget all came through, cheering at a mission well done. I beamed at the praise, felt on top of the world as the pegasi called to their ThunderHead, informing them of the situation. I looked over the ponies in the chariot, noticing Starshine's gaze. She smiled, as did her eyes, but seemed upset as well. It was painful, but I tried to put it out of my mind as Shadow shook my hoof.

I felt at a daze. One half of me was shining at the praise and the emotions rushing through me, the other quietly reminded me that I had just killed tens of zebras. But it didn't sicken me, it didn't faze me. 'Now I’m a soldier.'

Thunder stepped over to me, tapping me on the back. I turned, waiting for more praise but found his face serious. He passed me the headset for the radio, and spoke “He's here now.”

A slightly garbled voice came out, broken a little by the static, “Private Bolt, I’m afraid I have some bad news. Your brother is dead.”

“Are you sure you want to see this?”

I drew in a deep breath in front of the commanders aboard the ThunderHead, “Yes sir.”

The pegasus walked over to a strange device, placing a small ball into a hole and pressing a button. The machine whirred into life and a light came on, casting an image onto the wall. I honestly hated my brother, but I wasn't watching this out of spite. I was watching his final moments because it would be the last time he was alive. The last time I could pretend he still loved me.

The image flickered, and my brother was shown standing next to gun not unlike the zebra anti-air cannon. Several ponies dressed in suits were stood watching him, all focused on the gun.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, we all know the zebras have begun using magically enhanced weapons in this war. We all know it puts them at an advantage over our conventional guns and ammunition. I say no more! Today, my little ponies, we strike back. Fight fire with fire!”

Ratchet stepped over to the gun, and pulled several levers. An all too familiar whine began to build and the gun turned and pointed away from the crowd. The machine began to glow with the energy, Ratchet stood by proudly.

“I give you, the first in the line of Magic Energy Wea-”

A figure burst from the crowd, crying out in a foreign language as they rammed my brother in front of the machine. The whine had built into a death scream and the machine fired straight at my brother and his attacker. Ratchet's eyes went wide as he threw his killer at the gun, putting him in the way.

The zebra let out a squeak as the shot hit him squarely in the torso. A blinding light flashed and the sound of the crowd crying out in despair was drowned by my brother's own screams. The light subsided, and all that was left of my elder brother was a pile of ashes.

The machine whirred before resting, the image fading as it did so. I swallowed hard, turning to the commanding officers. Not one of them were fazed by the film, not a single one of the seemed to care. They all sat looking at me, before one of the spoke.

“Your brother left everything in your name. Obviously, you can't run the factory so we'll take it off your hooves. We also want to continue research into the weapon he had designed, combine with some of Canterlot's ideas. What do you say Private?”

I felt cold. I wasn't sure if it was meant as one last insult, but I assumed it was. My brother had given me the responsibility of aiding in the deaths of untold numbers of zebras. I slowly nodded, trying to clean my hooves of his blood, “You can take it all sirs, I don't want anything to do with it.”

The pegasi seemed pleased, and dismissed me. I walked through the ship's hallways, eventually finding an unused passage. I sat heavily, resting against the wall. I brought my hooves up to my eyes and began to sob.

“Y-you bastard. N-now I’m all tha-that's left,” I cried at the loss of my brother, the loss of my father, the loss of myself. They had forced the responsibility on me, the weight of our family's future. I let out a wail and lay on my side, 'No doubt mum's heard the news... I wonder how she took it?'

It felt like I was lying there for hours, just listening to the low boom of thunder as The Wing of Luna continued its way along the cloud line. I dozed off at some point, as I woke with a start as the ship came to a stop.

I pushed myself back on my rump and stared at the floor. A rumble shuddered through the decking and a roar sounded as a Raptor pulled away from the hanger. I sighed heavily, and turned my attention to the ceiling. Pipes hissed at me, carrying water for the thunder clouds that powered the behemoth of a ship. I cracked my neck, wiped my eyes and stood up.

I walked towards the barracks, bumping into Officer Slate and Sunset on the way.

“Rivet? Where have you been?” Sunset looked worried, concerned even. She put a hoof under my chin and tried to look into my eyes, sighing a little as I turned my head away, “We've been looking for you.”

“I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't intend for any concern,” I bowed my head a little, both to hide myself and to show respect. I didn't want to be a burden on them.

“Private Bolt,” Slate began to speak as I walked past them, making me stop in mid-step, “Report to me in the morning. You'll be assigned to a squad for the upcoming battle.”

“Yes sir,” I replied, all the energy sucked out of me. I walked down to the barracks and to my bunk, collapsing on the hard mattress.

I closed my eyes, and let the darkness engulf me. That night, I wanted nothing more than the blackness swallow me whole and for me to never wake up. I felt at my wit's end, I just couldn't go on.

But I had to.

“It's all up to you now Rivet, we’ve brought you back from the dead. But do you want to stay in the past, where you'll be safe and cared for? Or come back to the hell you live in?

Choose soon, my little pony.”

Chapter Six: Goodbye, Sweet Memories

Chapter 6 – Goodbye, Sweet Memories

“So yes I’ve gone to the hills again”

I stirred a little, the drugs that had kept me asleep finally wearing off. I rolled my right eye around under the closed lid, mentally preparing myself for the lack of sight in my left socket. I breathed in slowly, taking in deep soothing doses of air and exhaling calmly.

'I chose hell over my own memories... what a strange pony I am,' I smiled at the thought, 'But I’m alive.'

I opened my remaining eye, only to be flooded with colour as a burst of streamers covered my face. I pushed myself upwards and was greeted by an all too familiar pink pony.

'Oh goddesses spare me, I’ve only just woken up!'

Pressing her nose uncomfortably close to mine, she began to speak rapidly. Her eyes conveyed all manner of expression and her mouth moved into recognisable shapes, yet no sound came. I gave her a confused look, mouthing “I can't hear you!”

Pinkie pulled an odd face in response, and turned her attention to what I assumed was another pony stood to my left, outside of my field of vision. After a bout of rapid silent speech, a shadow fell across my face and I felt a sudden pressure around my left ear. This was followed by a loud pop and a startling squeak, which diminished to a dull wine. Not more than a second later I began to hear the hum of the hospital generators, just audible over an unfittingly jaunty marching tune.

The whine persisted for a moment as the pressure continued, before settling into the jumble of sound that continued to surround me, the low bass hum of the magic and fuel generator that powered the hospital contrasted by shrill trumpets and the musical tweet of passing birds. It seemed the whole world had collided around me in this room, happiness and pain, joy and sickness, all emotions that should never touch clashed together.

I let out a sigh and allowed my senses to drink up everything I had missed; the squeak of the bed, the sharpness of the light, the feeling of pillows under my head. I breathed a second satisfied sigh, my peace shattered by another burst of streamers and Pinkie's face pressed against mine.

“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie and you look really silly opening only one eye! You should open both, but if you don't that's OK, because I have an eye patch somewhere nearby, but you really really should open both eyes else you won't know where you're going, silly!”

I struggled up onto my haunches and was greeted by three other mares. Two looked familiar, as if I should know their faces, yet the mint green pegasus I recognised in an instant. Starshine.

'Oh, this is just getting better and better!' I thought glumly as she rushed over and 'helped' me into a more comfortable position, fluffing my pillows and resting me against them properly. She gave me a smile and stood by my bed, looking over at the other two mares and a stallion still dressed in surgical attire.

The white mare stepped forward, clearing her throat and flicking her purple mane from over her eye, revealing her horn, “Good afternoon Mr Bolt, I’m Rarity of the Ministry of Image. As you may be aware, we've funded your treatment, as well as your new, er... parts shall we say?”

“I'm not sure what you're on about ma'am, but thank you anyway,” I gave a polite nod, only to be taken aback by an unfamiliar whirring sound. I turned my woozy head cautiously, glancing down at my left foreleg and gasped – I was expecting to see that crude stump from before, but instead I was greeted by an ornate steel hoof, expertly grafted onto my leg and shining brighter than a Manehead dawn.

The craftsmanship was so expert it appeared to be the exact same shape as my dear old hoof, and several buttons ran along the inside edge. My curiosity spiked and I tried to press one, only for an orange hoof to come down on the scar on my pastern, followed by a stern warning.

“Ah wouldn't touch that yet, sugarcube. Don't want you loosing your other eye. Cost us a mighty sum of bits to put you back together, and ah reckon you wouldn't want to be laying on your 'hind for much longer.”

I looked over quizzically at the country-accented mare, “Thank you for the advice ma'am, but I’m sure nothing too dangerous can be inside a hoof.”

My hubris was short-lived as I pressed the first button and heard a subtle click, followed by a searing heat in my other foreleg. Glancing down, I was alarmed to see a deathly-sharp knife protruding from my new hoof, flecked with blood where it had grazed my fetlock opposite. I took a sharp breath and watched as the gash closed over by itself, fuelled by intravenous healing potion.

Pressing the button again, the blade slid back inside. I examined my new part with interest, studying several other buttons on the hoof. I tested each one to no avail, and let out a sigh.

“Ah told you didn't I? Don't go messin' with things you don't know nuthin' about,” the mare said strictly, looking down at me as if I were just a colt. I nodded, lesson learnt, half expecting to be told to sit in my room and have a good think about what I did.

I allowed myself to lie back on the hospital bed. I began to think of everything I had survived in less than a year, and let out a humourless chuckle, 'I have killed and have almost been killed. I’ve watched hundreds of ponies go to their deaths... and yet I’m here to fight another day.'

“Doctor,” I called out to the stallion stood beside me, “Why am I still alive?”

The stallion shuffled from side to side awkwardly, replying “Are you unsatisfied with being alive, Mr Bolt? I could quite easily make your current situation very different, if you wish.”

I let out another mirthless laugh, any warmth in the surgeon's voice was just for show. He was the stallion who had questioned whether I was worth saving, “No, I’m glad I’m still kicking about, thanks for the offer. But why am I alive? Why am I in this hospital bed rather than face down in the mud?”

“Because you're useful Mr. Bolt. Very useful,” Rarity stepped forward, Pinkie and the orange mare stood next to her, “Why don't you try opening your eye?”

I blinked, “Not meaning to show disrespect, but it's already open ma'am.”

Rarity turned her head towards her country companion, keeping her eyes on me, “Applejack, could you be a dear and activate that eye thingamajiggy for him?”

The pony in question stepped forward, taking a small key-like object from a saddlebag on the ground. She trotted to my left side and set to work on my temple, Starshine stroking my fore leg comfortingly as my head rocked from Applejack's actions.

After a minute of tinkering, a loud click sounded followed by a muffled, “There we go.”

A second passed. Then came the pain. It felt as if the bullet was being dragged out of my skull. I brought my hooves down hard as I thrashed on the bed, crying out as the agony intensified. My right eye flickered to and from every sight in the room, trying to find a distraction from the pain as Starshine and the surgeon both held me down, the pegasus promising that it'll be OK.

“Relax Rivet, the nerves are reconnecting to artificial ones. Your brain's trying to reject the new links, but you need to push through this!” Starshine spoke softly, her words soothing the pain for a fleeting moment before the agony started again.

I cried out and looked over at the three mares stood at the foot of my bed. None of them could look me in the eye. Pinkie was shaking, her bright eyes forming tears. She gave out a whimper as I looked at her, whispering, “Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop.”

Rarity averted her gaze, her white coat seemed even paler than usual. She tried to stay dignified, as if my pain disinterested her and was a minor concern. Applejack, however, kept her eyes on me with a pained look on her face at my agony. She seemed the least afflicted by my ordeal, but stood respectfully as if it were her duty to watch.

I let out another cry as the pain spiked again, my new hoof denting the metal frame of the bed. The surgeon forced me down, using his magic to float out a small syringe. I hardly felt it puncture the skin and release the drug into my bloodstream, but the effects were almost immediate. I felt my body grow numb, my head throbbing.

“You're fine, Mr. Bolt, the process will take longer when you're under the influence of morphine but it won't be as arduous. A dull pain will persist however, but you should be able to open your replacement eye now,” the stallion tapped his hoof on my left socket, a slight plink sounding.

I gasped as the left half of my head twinged with pain. Raising a shaking hoof I touched my left eye and heard the sound of hoof striking metal. I took a calming breath and began to trace the area.

“Can, can I get a mirror doctor?” I needed to see what they had done to me. I wanted to know what in the name of Luna I was now. The surgeon nodded and looked over to Starshine, who stood next to me like a doting mother with a new born foal. She moved closer and helped me roll over to reach the floor.

She placed her hooves around me to guide me down. I shrugged her off my body as my hooves touched the ground, defiant and perhaps colder than I intended. I took a shaky step with my right fore hoof, finding my balance. Smiling to myself, I tried with my left. The metal replacement slid on the floor, bringing me to the ground with a crash.

“Try not to end up back in the bed for other reasons,” Starshine teased, helping me back on my hooves and giving me a quick wink, “Unless those reasons involve me.”

I let out a sigh, 'This really isn't the time or place for flirting.'

Giggling sounded from the Ministry Mares; Pinkie's smile returned and Applejack and Rarity both turned their heads away, smiling to themselves and blushing slightly. I groaned and forced myself back on my hooves, leaning on an eager Starshine for balance. She nuzzled against me, Guiding me to a large mirror. I stood before the polished glass and studied my form.

A charcoal pony clad in a pale green gown looked back, his mane shaved down completely revealing an ugly scar running from his left eye along his skull, evidence of unicorn medical magic. His chest bore numerous welts from shrapnel, each threatening a permanent mark but diminishing as the drip-fed healing potion worked away at the skin. One hoof was bright steel, polished to a menacing shine, a stark contrast to the rest of his dull, grey body.

His single fawn eye focused on mine, full of self pity and a look that spoke of a defeated soul. Its focus moved, examining a new addition to his temple; wires ran from beneath the closed lids of his left eye into a device, three dials decorating the side.

I felt movement within the socket, and braced myself when I opened the lids. A piercing green light struck the mirror, my previously empty socket the source. I tried to move my eyelids again, only for a row of metal teeth to block the light in their stead. I tried to open the eye again, the teeth shrinking away and I raised a hoof in disbelief. Placing it over the light, the beam shut off, 'My eye...'

When I took it off, my vision had become blurry. I blinked a few times and it became clear, clearer than ever before. I raised my other hoof and covered my right eye. The stallion in the mirror did the same, and gasped as he saw me looking back at him.

“I... um...” I tried to speak, but found no words. Just meaningless words trying to form the whirlwind of emotions I needed to convey. I shook my head, trying to clear it.

“Is it alright then?” Applejack stepped forward, standing next to me, “It was made specially for ya, and for a darn good reason.”

“A reason?” I turned around, facing Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity, each having recovered from the shock of my agony, “Wait, what do you mean it was made for me? I thought cyber eyes were available to most ponies?”

“Your eye is different Mr. Bolt, it was made to record everything you see, hear, taste, touch and smell. We commissioned it so that you can show the whole of Equestria what our brave stallions and mares are up against,” Rarity trotted towards me, “Have you ever experienced memory extraction?”

I shook my head, I had never heard of it but it was pretty obvious what it entailed.

“It can be a fairly painful experience. So, rather than extract your entire memory and leave you missing pieces of your past, we asked that the eye will feature a way to record everything outside of your memories, making it more like a recollector.”

“And who is we, ma'am?”

“Why, my Ministry of course, the Ministry of Image. We control what is said and what isn't, what the public see and what is hidden from view. In short Mr Bolt, I control Equestria in almost every way,” Rarity smiled, looking less like the business mare her attire suggested and more like a filly pretending to be a princess.

“I'm not sure how images of my friends dying will aid the war effort ma'am, but I suppose I have no choice in the matter. I just hope you know what you're doing,” I gave the mare a smile, feeling sick at the thought of my more intimate moments being available for other ponies to look at.

'Guess I’d better get rid of that photo,' I thought glumly to myself, 'Can't have the whole of Equestria knowing of my little crush.'

“And I’ve got something for you to do too!” Pinkie stepped forward this time, smiling gleefully, “Everypony needs something to make them smile, so I’ll be using the things from your eye to make everypony happy but to do that, you need to have lots and lots of fun! Oh! And Twilight said that if it all works out, she can make Spritebots that'll do your job too!”

I sighed and nodded, expecting a third request, “I take it you want me alive too Miss Applejack?”

“Indeedy, ah need to test some new fangled technology that ma and Twilight's Ministry created. Ma sister and her friends are planning on putting it in their new Pip-buck but we need somepony to test it first,” she replied cheerfully, taking something else out of the saddlebag.

She passed me a small, flat metal square, a smaller green gem in the centre. I studied it with my hoof, before looking up at her, “What is it exactly?”

“Place it in the slot in your temple, and it should work just fine.”

After a few moments of fumbling, I managed to slide the square into a small space on my temple. A sharp pain came and went suddenly, and my eye unfocused before becoming clear. Testing my vision, I found nothing had changed to my disappointment. I glanced nervously to Applejack, who let out a quiet laugh.

“Now say 'Sparkle On'.”

I sent the mare a glare, blushing a little, “Really ma'am?”

The mare laughed again and nodded, her hat shifting slightly from the action. I looked at the stallion in the mirror and found his face displayed the perfect emotion for the occasion, 'If Gadget hears this, he'll never live it down.'

I swallowed my pride, and spoke aloud, “Sparkle On.”

My left eye spun suddenly, before resting. I felt my stomach churn in response, bringing a hoof up as I swallowed bile, 'Suck it up, this might be worth it.'

In the corner of my vision I could see a collection of marks, each of them yellow. Turning towards them, I found each of the ponies had a single mark beneath them. I closed my left eye, and the marks disappeared, 'Guess it only affects this eye.'

“That there's a new addition to the PipBucks, called an Eye-Forwards Sparkle. Yellow is a friendly, red is hostile. Your usin' the prototype so be careful, it may get a bit screwy with you,” Applejack explained, “To turn it off, just say Sparkle Off. Easy as pie.”

I repeated the phrase, and felt my eye spin again. My stomach span with it, bringing a second wave of nausea. Starshine helped me back to the bed, fussing over me like my mother did when I was a colt. I smiled at the sentiment, and hiding my annoyance at the mare's continuous passive flirting. The thought of my mother lingered, and a basic urge to be with her came over me.

'She must be so worried... but I doubt mother's even heard the news. What would I tell her though? “Hi mum, I’m doing well. Just in hospital after loosing a hoof, an eye and most of my brain.”' My smile grew a bit, the thought of her shocked face threatening to turn my mouth into a grin. I the smile grew anyway at another realisation, 'I’m alive and I can live my life as I did before. Guess somepony up there loves me.'

My glance fell on Starshine's smiling face, 'Somepony other than her.'

I turned to surgeon, asking a question that had plagued me since I first woke up in the hospital, “Hey doc, how did I survive? My head's too much of a mush to figure it out myself right now.”

The surgeon cleared his throat, standing straight and giving us time to prepare ourselves for his high horse speech, “The bullet was redirected after striking the bone in your leg. You lost your hoof, your eye, your left eardrum was ruptured and unrepairable without a mechanical replacement, and your skull was structurally weakened. It was tough work, but we managed to replace your eardrums with artificial ones, re-strengthen your skull by adding several steel plates as well as attach a new hoof and eye. You should be dead by all accounts Mr Bolt, but I guess demon ponies run in the family.”

I looked up at his last sentence, “What do you mean by that?”

“The story of Wrench Bolt and his last stand. We use it as a case study for the effects of adrenaline as well as the basis for a new combat chem we're experimenting with. He took over twenty different fatal wounds, lost enough blood for two ponies to pass out and was still able to swing a knife at a group of zebra,” the surgeon gave an odd smile, he seemed pleased that he was given the chance to study both father and son, “I've said before, you're an odd pony Mr. Bolt.”

I smiled a little, “I'm all too aware of that doc. And what do you mean, a new combat chem?”

“Ah, I afraid information on that cannot be disclosed at present. Speedy recovery, Mr. Bolt. Farewell gentlemares, my other patients need to be attended to.”

The surgeon turned and waved a hoof goodbye to us, moving towards the door. I sat up and called out to him, “Hey! I never caught your name, I need to say thanks to pony that saved my life!”

“Don't worry about the name, you'll forget it anyway and I doubt we'll ever meet again. These mares are the ones who saved you, I was going to put you out of your misery if it was up to me.”

With that, he left the room. A dense silence followed, the humming of the generators becoming part of the omnipotent noise of nothingness despite the record player's best efforts to inject life into the room. Starshine began to busy herself, attempting to tend to my every need as I pushed her away.

After a few minutes, the Ministry Mares stood up and nodded towards me.

“Well, we'd better leave. Duty calls! Farewell Mr. Bolt, an associate will be in touch to collect those memories,” Rarity bowed her head slightly and left the room, Pinkie bouncing behind her after handing me a slice of cake and waving like a mad pony. Applejack hesitated, walking up to me.

“Ah know it ain't ma place, but your brother was a good pony. Ah know you two didn't see eye to eye, but he meant well. He left this note for ya,” the mare picked up the saddlebag and passed me a small slip of paper.

“You knew my brother? How? Why?” I inquired, Starshine taking the note and placing it to one side.

“He was experimenting with a new weapon, actually got the darn thing working before some zebra threw him in front of the demonstration shot. Oh, and ah want to give you this too.”

She passed me a small card with the symbol of her Ministry emblazoned on one side, her name and the Ministry's address on the other, “You're already giving your life for the safety of Equestria, and now ya risking it to keep it happy too. If there's anything ah can do to repay ya for ya actions, just see me and ah'll do all ah can.”

She tipped her hat, placing it back after my salute, “Thank you ma'am, for everything. I won't let you or the others down, I promise.”

“Pinkie promise?” came a high pitched reply from the corridor, Pinkie's head poking around the door, “Do as I do; Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Starshine's awkward glance caught mine and we both grinned as I imitated the insane pony. She gave us a huge smile and a satisfied nod before leaving again, the sound of her hooves almost like springs as she bounced away. Applejack gave a sigh and followed her friend, nodding to us one last time before the doors swung shut.

After a few days of rehabilitation with my new hoof, I was discharged and set free on the streets of Canterlot. The doctors informed me that the eye was a natural process, I’d have to learn how to use it slowly outside of the hospital as it reconnected with all the visual nerves in my brain. I’m able to see through it and use it as an eye, but the visual memories won't be available for collection for a week at the soonest.

The only orders I had received were to report to a local Army office after a week of rest or when I felt fit for duty. I felt physically ready to take up arms and fight again, but my mental state was far from the clean crispness it once was. My mind was still a mess from the events that had led to my placement in hospital. Xander's and my brother's death, my first kill, Starshine's confession, all things that I couldn't deal with on the battlefield.

'I need to reach that calm again, but it'll take time,' I thought, thinking back to the recent battle, 'If only I could remember how I reached it.'

My memories were damaged from the bullet, the most recent having been lost. The cyber implant nurse explained that as my body adapted to the eye I’d regain more memories of the battle, eventually being able to extract them from the panel on my temple. Unfortunately, no pony had told me how to do that just yet.

I had never been to Canterlot, but had heard of the grand city and had seen it in the distance during my visits to Ponyville. My parents told me of the grand celebrations held during the times of peace, like how the whole of Equestria held a month long party for the wedding of one of the Princesses' relatives and the captain of the guard. I smiled at the thought of the streets being paved with streamers and balloons, with hundreds of ponies to greet the happy couple as they greeted their subjects.

But such merriment could not be found here. The ponies that walked these streets looked dead, their eyes sunken into their heads and they carried themselves as if they were going to their own funeral. The only ponies with any sort of life to their bodies were those in forces, yet they walked with a sense of self importance. Again I noticed the lack of earth ponies here, spotting a single mare after two hours of aimless wandering along the streets. I began to wonder if we were as unwanted as the zebra in Canterlot.

Much to my disdain, Starshine insisted on staying with me during my recuperation period. I appreciated the mare's actions, and never thought of her as an annoyance, but it was choking to have her nearby all the time. Her confession on my first mission shook my very core, stirring my emotions like a zebra's cauldron, adding what she wanted to concoction. I felt used, duty bound to the mare.

One thing she was useful for was showing me the sights and tastes of Canterlot. We journeyed to countless cafés, museums and galleries until I could drink no more from the fountain of culture the city had to offer, yet the weight of the war pressed down on these ponies harder than anywhere I had seen.

“Canterlot's kept afloat by the elite. But with them leaving to safer places, the money's running dry. Same thing happened in Cloudsdayle. Ponies just up and left,” Starshine explained over a very expensive coffee.

We were sat outside a small café near the Palace, the street buzzing with the strange unlife the ponies here led as well as Spritebots booming marching music, “This war won't kill the ponies of Equestria, it'll kill Equestria itself. Our economy can't sustain this for much longer.”

“There anything we can do?” I could understand many things, the finer points of politics and money not being one of them. While ponies' motivations and actions, and the precision of machinary was clear cut and obvious to a trained eye, politicians and those more interested in the cold metal of a bit were complex creatures to me. They fascinated, repulsed and confused me all at the same time.

“Expand. The longer we fight, the more we'll fund weapons. The more money into weapons, the less into other areas. You following?” Starshine asked teasingly, my face seemingly blank. I blushed and nodded, hoping not to come across as an idiot, a bullet to the brain leaves you a little slow at times. The pegasus giggled and continued, “In short, we're going to have to conquer other countries to sustain our economy.”

I sighed and drank my bitter black drink, pulling a wry face, “Great, it's cold. Well, I guess I’ll never be out of a job after we beat the zebras.”

I didn't want to be a soldier until the day I died, though the irony wasn't lost on me. I had always hoped to start my family's workshop up again, repairing chariots for the heroes of the war. I wasn't cut out for the high life, 'Too many odd drinks and too few poorly made chariots.'

“That's if we beat them,” Starshine commented, before looking around her, beckoning me in closer. She looked behind her, and waited for one the Spritebots to fly by before whispering, “I've heard there's something else the Ministry Mares want to use the army for.”

I checked my surroundings, before replying with a similar whisper, “What do you mean?”

“There's another hostile race to the east. They've only appeared once to us, but they nearly conquered Canterlot in just an afternoon.”

I blinked in surprise, “An afternoon? You're joking!” - Starshine shook her head - “Goddesses above, where were the Princesses and the guard?”

“All defeated in the battle. The Captain managed to drive them off with Princess Cadence back then, but Luna thinks they're planning another attack,” Starshine's face seemed to grow pale at the thought of another foreign force.

“So, what are they? What do they look like?”

“I don't know, but I’ve heard rumours that they take the appearance of dead ponies to feed off the love of their spouses,” Starshine's pallor grew, and her eyes looked panicked, “If such rumours are true, we could be surrounded by the enemy right now!”

I snorted and laughed, “Ok, you actually had me for a moment there. Come on Starshine, creatures that feed off love? And to that point, where is the love here?”

I gestured to the undead ponies that drifted from shop to shop, each one drained of all life. A mare pushed a pram with her foal inside, the tiny pony sleeping peacefully despite the quiet chaos that throbbed through the city. The tender innocent obliviousness of the foal seemed to serve no purpose than a counter point to the mare's tense look. It felt that Canterlot was a ticking bomb, all these ponies looked spitefully at one another as they carried out their daily business on what little money they could scrounge.

Starshine sighed, “I guess we'll just have to hope this is just speculation. Rivet, you can't tell anypony this OK?”

“Why not? The public have a right to know.”

Starshine rolled her eyes, “I know you've lost some of your brain but come on! This is obvious! Think of panic it would cause, the thought of us being threatened by two different forces.”

I threw my gaze at the ground, feeling less intelligent than ever before, 'Rivet you idiot!' my younger self yelled at me. It took me longer to work things out since my dance with death and I became confused at things more often, often to my embarrassment. It was a concern, though the doctors thought little of it.

“You took a bullet the head and you're surprised that you're less intelligent? You're still fit for duty Private, you just need some time to think everything through.”

We left the café, walking down the bustling street. The scents and smells of the stalls coating my senses, teasing my nearly empty stomach. Starshine recommended each and every one of the shops we passed, acting more like a tour guide than my personal medic.

She knew of the city because of her father's business, an Equestria wide delivery service that had ran in family since her grandfather's time. She was a carrier pony for numerous packages in her youth, travelling from town to town. As such, we often met ponies she had worked with or for, usually leading to a free sample of their wares and a lengthy catch up. It seemed sad that her smile was somewhat forced at such meetings, it could be the very last time she saw those ponies and it must have been painful for her.

“Is this really necessary? It's only going to hurt them more when you die,” I commented after a cheerful goodbye.

“If I die. You're too bitter for your own good,” Starshine chimed, “But that's just you Rivet.”

She came close for a hug, disappointed when I shied away, “I'm not bitter, I’m a realist. How is being bitter a good thing anyway?”

“Well... it makes you you,” Starshine stood before me, standing in my way in the middle of the street, “And you know my feelings about you.”

I glanced at the mare, trying to avoid her staring eyes, “And where did those feelings come from? You don't fall in love with someone after they save you once.”

A hoof pressed against my torso, and the pegasus forced me into looking at her eyes, “What do you know about love, Rivet? Have you ever loved anypony before?”

“W-well, I....” my thoughts raced to my Fluttershy, my younger self stood adoringly next to her dressed in a tuxedo. I was sure that such a long lasting adoration and mixture of emotions was sure to be love, 'After all, it was love at first sight wasn't it?'

“Don't you believe in love at first sight?” Her words came as I thought them, resulting in a strange mix of silky harmony and rough pretence. The question had me stumped, her idea of love was vastly different from my own. It was raw, passionate, physical, yet wrapped in emotion and tenderness, while mine had begun as harmless admiration to lewd complexity. I motioned for us to move onwards, trying to ignore Starshine's questioning glance until it had faded.

We continued down the street, before the pegasus' face lit up, “Oh! I just remembered this brilliant doughnut shop nearby! You're going to love it!”

She grabbed me by my steel hoof, dragging me through the city to find this glorious confectionery store. We eventually reached a small parlour, a large sign proudly pronouncing the title “Joe's”. She ran in without delay, giggling away as she pushed the doors open. I stood up and straightened my beret, checking the eye patch on my cyber-eye.

It wasn't that I felt ashamed or embarrassed at the new part, I was overjoyed at how useful it was. But I did realise that it would make me an easy target for zebra and any spies; a green glowing eye with metal teeth for lids is a bit hard to forget. Starshine joked that it made me look jaunty, almost like a pirate, but also seemed upset that I was hiding what I was.

'Maybe one day I’ll be able to walk these streets, glowing eye and all,' I pondered, entering the doughnut shop. A gruff stallion stood behind the counter, engaged in conversation with Starshine. I joined them, uninterested in their conversation. One perk to loosing your eardrum and having mechanical ones in place is that you could turn it down or off at will, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

Resting my right hoof over my ear, I sat in silence as the conversation grew in laughter and hoof bumps. Every sentence was another memory of a happier life, every laugh an attempt to pull it back. I soon found myself smiling at the memories of the smell of machine oil when working on a chariot, the heat my tools generated as I put the finishing touches on a master piece of earth pony engineering, the smile of my mother. I brushed a tear from my right eye, turning towards Starshine and bringing my hearing back up.

The pegasus was pulling a strange expression, looking outside at a group of ponies dressed in the army's uniform. The group laughed and called out to passing mares, making a general ass of themselves in the streets. Starshine sighed and looked over to me.

“Colts will be colts, right?”

I nodded, and looked over at her, “They're just being a rabble, they won't hurt anypony. I’ll step out if they do.”

Joe nodded in gratitude, “Thanks. They've caused a lot of problems now they're off duty. I get that they're bored and all, but getting drunk off your hooves each night and picking fights with other companies isn't the way to go about it.”

I gave out a sigh as another mare was harassed by the group, some of them rearing on their hind legs and performing obscene gestures. Starshine touched my leg, and I glanced over at her. It seemed strange that a pony that would happily jump into a battle, kill helpless prisoners without batting an eyelid and thought it appropriate to flirt with me in the middle of a fire fight, felt threatened by a group of drunken stallions.

“Alright, alright. I’ll go sort them out for you. They just need to be reminded who they are,” I stepped forward and pushed the doors open, striding confidently towards the group. Two of the bucks tapped the others, and pointed at me. The group of five ponies stood and stared as I approached them.

I gave them a nod and put on the air Hartpony wore, “Afternoon bucks, I was wondering if you could move on elsewhere? You're causing a bit of a problem for the civies and it isn't fair on them.”

“The fuck are you? Who the fuck do you think yer talking to mate?” the largest of the group spoke, squaring up to me. I let out a slight laugh at his bravado, he was green as the grass. He pushed up against me, staring straight into my eyes, “Something funny?”

“Yes there is. Now back down private before I call in the MPs, that's an order.”

“From who?”

“Private Second Class Bolt, now stop questioning me and get back in line,” My new rank rolled off my tongue gleefully. The promotion came from recommendation by Thunder and Slate, after my actions during the reconnaissance mission and the recent battle. A sudden thought came to me at the last one.

'Ah shit, forgot to attend the debrief on the battle... guess I’m in for a lecture when I sign back in.'

Three of the group stood to immediate attention, the aggressor eventually doing so as well. Only a unicorn remained, standing separate from the group. I approached him, putting on Hartpony's face as I stared him down.

“There a reason why you're not following orders Private?”

The unicorn looked up at me and blinked, his eyes nothing more blank voids. I felt a chill down my spine, 'What in the name of Luna is this pony?'

“He's not all together sir. He was shot at on patrol a few weeks ago and he's still suffering from the stress,” one of the more obedient troops replied, letting out an omph as the largest kicked him.

I nodded and stepped back, letting them leave. The unicorn walked oddly, as if he was putting a limp on. Every other step was a strange dip as he trailed behind the others, who all but the largest seemed to be frightened of him. I studied them closely as Starshine joined me, before loosing sight of the group in the crowd.

“Fly overhead, I want to follow those ponies. That one behind doesn't seem quite right to me. I can't put my hoof on why though,” I began to walk after them, Starshine letting out a sigh but floating above the buildings.

“You owe me dinner for this!” she called out as she sat herself on a cloud, searching the crowd.

'You'd be lucky,' I removed the eye patch, placing it in the pocket of my jacket and followed the path the bucks had taken. The metal teeth slunk back as I opened my real eyelid. The fleshy part was useless now, but the doctors felt it should be kept so I felt a bit more like a whole pony rather than an unworldly mash of machine and muscle.

“Let's see if you are any use then, Sparkle On,” my vision spun and a street of ponies became a sea of yellow. Resisting the urge to hurl, I began to track the group. Several civilians let out gasps and whispers to their companions as I walked by, my green eye attracting attention as I trailed after the group. I focused on the limping buck, his gait attracting a crowd. My EFS warped beneath him, holding the yellow colour yet flickering every few steps, the same happening to the largest stallion.

'Bloody thing,' I gave my eye a tap, trying to shake free any dirt, 'Don't crap up on your first mission.'

After a few seconds of amateur messing with the implement, my vision flickered and the limping unicorn's colour settled. A bright red, a dangerous contrast to the mellow yellow of the other ponies. I swore under my breath and galloped forwards, glancing up at a confused Starshine.

I ran in front of the group, and stood in their path. The largest pony rolled his eyes, “What's wrong now... sir?”

I ignored that the title was an afterthought, and responded, “I need to have a chat with your friend there.”

“He can't speak sir, lost his mind,” the larger buck retorted, the other three glancing at each other nervously.

“I don't care, he needs to come with me,” I stood my ground, the colouration of the buck flickering red, “And you need to back off and calm down.”

“Or what?”

I glanced at the three companions, their confusion and fear clear, “You can leave gentlecolts, my problem is with this buck here. If you pass any MPs, please send them this way.”

The three ponies nodded, saluted and ran past me towards Canterlot's Barracks. I looked over at the gathering crowd, many whispering at the sight of my cyber eye. I snorted and stood my ground, “Stand down Private, your friend needs to come with me to the barracks.”

“He can't talk dumbass!” the stallion roared in reply, puffing his chest and stamping at the ground.

We began to circle each other, the crowd opening a hole for our potential fight, “This is your last warning soldier, you back down this moment else I will use force against you.”

“SHUT UP!”

Stallion sped at me, throwing his weight into a tackle, I sprang to one side as the crowd fled, crying out in terror and nearly trampling the limping unicorn. The stallion turned around and charged at me a second time, clipping my flank and sending me sprawling. I sprang back to my hooves, rolling away from another charge and tripping the stallion up.

The beast's hooves caught my midriff and sent me into the air, hitting the ground with a crunch. I coughed to check for damage, and forced myself back onto four legs, wiping a trickle of blood from a cut on my face. The stallion charged at me another time as I stood my ground, dipping down, spinning and bringing a hind hoof to his jaw. Another hind hoof to his neck and the stallion grabbed my limb in his teeth, throwing me to one side.

A crash of wood and fruit came as I struck a vendor's wares. I lay uncomfortably on the broken stall, spotting a nearby Spritebot, obliviously playing cheerful marching music as the street descended into chaos. I called out to it weakly and the bot floated towards me, the sound cutting out as I put myself back on my hooves.

“Private Bolt?” it asked in a hiss of static, “Is something wrong? Why is the street des-”

The angry stallion crushed the bot with a single hoof and gave a strange hissing noise. The unicorn responded in kind, limping over to him. I studied both carefully, bringing my steel hoof back in preparation for an attack. The stare down continued for a minute, the tension escalating as the two ponies hissed at me, before the crack of a gunshot pierced the silence.

The large pony let out a howl of pain and dropped to the ground, clutching his leg in agony. The other turned and ran away, only to run into a group of heavily armed police ponies. He buckled and turned, running towards me. I crouched low and released the blade in my hoof, wishing I had my father's knife in my mouth and tensed myself. The unicorn stopped before he reached me, a look of terror on his face.

“Stay right where you are. We know what you are and I will shoot if you don't surrender,” a familiar voice called out. A cloud-white pony stepped out in front of me, a large minigun attached to his battle-saddle. The unicorn hesitated, before making a mad dash to the larger pony.

The gun began to whir as the barrel sped up, “Last warning! I will open fire!”

The unicorn stared at him, and shivered. Two insect like wings burst from his back and became a blur as he hefted the larger stallion into the sky, weaving as The Mower burst into life. Bullet casings fell around me, yet no shot struck the creature that sped away.

“Fuck, this won't be good,” Snowfall muttered, his weapon slowing as the pair were chased by pegasi. He turned and pulled me onto my hooves, “Shame we had to meet again under these circumstances Rivet, but it's good to see you.”

“Likewise Snow,” I retracted my hoof-blade, wondering where Starshine had disappeared to, “What happened to you?”

“Drafted into a special operations unit, I work for the Ministry of Morale now,” Snowfall beamed, “Have my own squad too, though they're probably after more of those bastards right now. Like the look by the way. A steel hoof and glowing green eye suits you.”

“Hm? Yeah, thanks. Getting shot in the face is all the rage these days. What the hell was that thing anyway?”

Snowfall shook his head, “Can't tell you. National security.”

I fixed a glare at him.

“I'm sorry Rivet, I really can't tell you,” Snowfall seemed almost upset at his lack of power, “If it's any constellation, nopony else is going to know about this.”

I sighed and nodded, letting my friend go. He ran over to the group of police ponies and began giving orders. I reached to my ear to turn the volume up but went against it, turning from my friend and walking towards a confused Starshine.

'I’ll find out soon enough,' I assured myself, 'Not everypony can keep their mouth shut.'

“What was that about?” She asked, pressing close. I pushed her away, placing my eye patch back on and walking briskly, “Rivet...”

“National security... I think your foreign invaders exist Starshine.”

The pegasus stopped in her tracks, “What?! You're pulling my hoof aren't you? Aren't you?”

I shook my head, “I don't think so and, more importantly, I think I just pissed them off.”

Clouds blanketed the sky, coating the gathering in shadow. I stood dressed in a black jacket, my rank stitched into the collar, watching as an elderly mare took to a podium. She cleared her throat, and tapped a microphone as we took our seats. I helped Sunset take her place next to me, passing her a handkerchief as a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Friends, family, we are here today to bid our final farewells to Private Xander who fell valiantly in battle for Equestria. He stood tall in face of danger, fought back against the forces of the zebra and is an inspiration for us all of what loyalty truly is. We will commend his body to the earth and pray that he rest in peace, but first I ask that his friends take to the stand, and speak on his behalf.”

I stood up and trotted to the podium, leaving a quietly sobbing Sunset. Taking my place behind the podium, I looked briefly at the coffin my friend was held in before surveying the crowd. The funeral party was mainly formed of his unit, several other high ranked officers as well as Sunset and Snowfall. All but Sunset wore a solemn and reserved look, too desensitised to cry at a funeral, too patriotic to not attend. I blinked back tears, and began to speak.

“I first met Xander on the chariot to Torntail. I guess it's safe to say that we were friends from that moment onwards, something just... clicked. I remember we were inseparable during basic training, we worked best as a team... that's where he shined brightest.”

A long shuddering breath, and I continued, “He was always the pony to push the others along, keeping us in check. If something went wrong, he'd put it right. If somepony was struggling, he'd go out of his way to make sure they kept up. If something was in his way, he'd always come to us and trust us with his deepest fears and problems. He was the perfect soldier and friend, never giving up on my short comings and being there for all of us. I can't put into words how much I miss him, nor can I compare to how others will. I just hope, for his sake, we can finish this fight and let his soul rest in true peace.”

I turned to the coffin next to me and walked towards the final resting place of my friend, “Farewell Xander, you rest up and wait for me, OK?”

A single tear struck the wood and I turned away, trotting past the gathering as one of his unit took the stand and began to recount their tale. I found a tree and rested against it, a tears rolling down my face.

“I'm sorry Xander... I’m sorry I fucked up... Luna damn everything, you shouldn't have died!”

I wept, throwing my hooves over my face to hide myself from the world, pretending it wasn't there. The war had never touched me so powerfully before, it had consumed everything I had. I had lost my family, my friends, my very existence. All I was was another pony dedicated to the purpose of killing another race of some pretty stones and lumps of coal under the pretence of defence. For the first time, I felt useless and abused, a complete shell of the pony I should be.

I lost track of time in my private laments, as when I looked up the coffin had been lowered into the grave and a stern group of ponies were burying my friend. I sat and watched as the mound grew, bowing my head respectfully as the group stood up and walked away. A single orange mare garbed in a black dress and veil remained, sat before the tombstone.

I trotted over to her, placing a hoof over her shoulders, “He's gone to a better place now Sunset, away from this war, away from this world.”

The mare nodded, suddenly turning and crying into my neck, “It's not fair Rivet, I wanted to be with him when he died... I wanted us to grow old together... what is the point in this war anyway? All it does is take and take and soon we'll have nothing left. He was my sanity, Rivet, the only way I could pretend to be a proper pony instead of this... this evil thing I am now.”

“I wish I could've done something Sunset, I wish I could've saved him like he saved me...”

The soft sound of hooves on grass distracted me, and two hooded figures appeared behind me. The smaller of the two leaned in close to the other, and stared at me with hidden eyes. I turned around and bowed to them.

“I'm sorry for your loss. He was a fine zebra, one of the greatest ponies and the best of friends. I know it doesn't mean much, but I hope you know he died rescuing me and I’m eternally grateful for it. I can't repay him for what he did, but if there's anything I can do for you I will.”

The larger nodded, and removed her hood. The zebra shook her mane and walked to the grave, sitting at the edge of the grass-less mound. The younger zebra also removed her hood, and looked up at me.

“You knew my brother?”

I nodded, “Yes, I trained and fought with him.”

“Then you must be Rivet. He talked about you a lot in his letters,” Xander's sister looked up into my eye, drowning me in her watery irises, “He said you were the son of hero, and was fighting for peace between our races.”

She stepped up to me, looking me dead in eye as if she were seeking out my very essence, “Promise me that you'll survive and fight for him. All he wanted was peace as well, even if it's a bloodstained peace. Please, I beg of you. If not to place my worries at ease, then do it for the blood in your veins, pony. Your life belongs to him.”

The young zebra bowed before me, her face touching the ground as she did so. It was a powerful gesture, the mare who was barely out of foalhood asking me to fight for her brother and willing to bow to me to do so. I helped her back up, moving down so we were eye to eye.

“I promise. I will fight for Xander's peace as I fight for my own. You're right little one, this war will bring total destruction of both of us or a bloodied peace. I can only pray it's the latter.”

Sunset let out a sudden wail and collapsed into the hooves of Xander's mother. The two mares' eyes were streaming with tears as they sobbed, I approached them and attempted to comfort them both only to have a hoof pressed against my chest by his sister. She shook her head, and pointed to Sunset.

“She can't fight any more, the will to has left her body.”

I glanced over to the young zebra, “What do you mean? If anything, Sunset wants to get back on the battlefield and avenge him. Xander was the love of her life, and she holds enough animosity to zebras to want to kill them all.”

The zebra filly shook her head, “She cannot muster the anger, and soon she won't have the strength to stand.”

“What?” I shook my head, praying she hadn't fallen prey to some strange disease as the panic rose in my voice, “What's happened to her? Is she going to be OK?”

“Zebra are prey in our native land. It's a struggle to survive every day. When we are conceived stress induced hormones can slow a pregnancy for a short time, giving our parents the chance to find somewhere safe to give birth. The foal's reaching its limit, she probably never knew she was carrying one until now. Even then, if she gives birth without zebra potions, she will loose the foal.”

I swallowed hard, 'She's with foal? Oh Celestia, how long for?! When did they conceive?!'

I began to shake, the thought of all the moments they could've died in recent weeks came flooding in. Images of my friend dead with her child unborn covered my mind, sending me into a horrific mix of trepidation and anger. I felt enraged at the zebra for stealing the foal's father from it, further angered at my futility to save him.

'It isn't right! It's. Not. Fair!' my inner pony cried, quivering with rage.

I pounded the ground hard, fighting back the urge to dirty the air with obscenities as wave upon wave of anger washed over me. I struck the ground again and again, eventually running at the tree I had rested against and throwing myself at it, yelling out my frustration. The wood splinted from my anger fuelled onslaught, yet the tree held strong. I stood panting, seething with rage at the zebra invaders before sitting on my hind and crying into the still air, drowning out Sunset's wailing.

I sat there, every part of my body burning and baying for zebra blood. After a few minutes of my anger boiling away at my soul, a trot behind me betrayed the presence of Sunset. The mare's eyes were bloodshot, her face drenched in tears and her body shaking. I placed my hooves around her as she shivered, the cool metal of my hoof being a stark contrast to her warm body. I held her in the embrace, rocking her gently as Xander's family approached.

Sunset let out a shuddering breath, pushing away and moving close to Xander's mother, “I'm leaving the army Rivet, at least until the foal is old enough to be raised by somepony else. But I want you to do something for me.”

I moved back and waited for the mare to speak her demands, ready to accept anything for my friend, “I want you to do what I couldn't. I want you to avenge Xander and my family. It's a lot to ask, but I have nothing left now. I can only live for his foal, but what then? I have nothing...”

I took her face in my hooves, and put on a reassuring smile, “Live, live for Xander. Live for his foal, bring it up in peace and with Xander's family, it's best you can do for it. I will avenge him Sunset. I will find the zebra that took this away from you and I will bring them to justice.”

Sunset nodded, and kissed my cheek. One last hug was shared and a goodbye smile sent before my friend left with Xander's family. As I stood and watched them become smaller and smaller in the distance, I felt my face grow sterner. I looked over at the grave, and faced my friend for the final time.

“I will kill the zebra that killed you Xander. And if he's dead then I’ll kill every single one of them. But first, I have to to ask that you wait for that retribution for just a little while longer. This war is bigger than we ever imagined, and I don't know if I’ll survive it all. But I’ll try for you, for my mother and for...” my mind flicked to a certain green pegasus and her love confession. I shook her out of my thoughts and replaced it with an image of a smiling Fluttershy and soon the whole of the country, “Equestria.”

I turned around and walked away from his grave, never looking back.

Rivet,

Words cannot say how sorry I am for what has happened between us. This war has consumed Equestria, poisoned it. We are not the same ponies we once were, nor can we ever become them again. I’m sorry, little brother, for everything.

I hope the day comes that you never have to use this hoof, it wasn't meant for you. Yet I bequeath it and my hopes to you so that I may live on alongside you. There are many additions I made to it, but I’ve left most inactive for you to puzzle out yourself. I’m sure you can figure them out soon enough.

The eye is an experiment, the Ministry Mares wanted me to create something a lot worse than what it is now. By now, you're wondering how I know you'll receive both the eye and hoof. Perhaps one day you'll find out for yourself, I can't be expected to help my little brother out all the time, can I?

Farewell Rivet. Maybe you can forgive me when we meet in the afterlife, though I understand if you won't or can't.

Your brother, Ratchet

There is more for the eye to see

Chapter Seven: Bringing the Fight to Them

"We will fight, or we will fall"

The room throbbed with the sound of a hundred assorted ponies whispering, each trying to avoid raising their voice to keep the conversations private. Pegasi rubbed shoulders with earth ponies, unicorns chuckled with well dressed stallions and mares. Several waiters weaved between them, each supplying a steady stream of champagne to the herd. A mare dressed in a shirt, waistcoat and bowtie trotted over to me, offering a glass. I glanced at the drink, turning my nose at the odd scent.

A green glow surrounded the glass as it lifted over to me, forcing itself onto my metal hoof. I frowned and looked at the bubbling liquid, still unsure.

“Buck up ye filly, any booze's good booze,” Gadget slurred slightly, floating his tenth glass of the evening over to him and draining it in a single gulp, “Didn't yer pa ever give ye a pint?”

I sipped at the drink, pulling a wry face at the unusual taste, “When it comes to booze, cider's the way to go. Why do the rich punish themselves on such drivel? There's irony in the more expensive drink being the worst.”

Gadget laughed a little too loud at my observation, ignorant to the disgusted faces pulled by a group of nearby unicorns, “When did ye become such a wit Riv?!”

'When you finished your fifth glass... after the ten shots before we sat down and after the two pre-drinks at the bar I found you in,' I replied mentally, hoping my mouth didn't betray my thoughts.

Our squad, along with every first squad across the entire combined war effort, had been invited to a gathering in Canterlot to discuss the war. Being in Canterlot thanks to doctor's orders, I had no reason not to attend. Much to my annoyance.

Slate and Hefty were introducing themselves to the other Officers across the armed forces, leaving me with a fairly drunk Gadget and a steadily increasing tab at the bar. I sighed to myself, and made my way to the bar, taking a seat to a worse for wear Airpony. The pegasus sobbed into his drink, taking large gulps and asking everypony that passed the meaning of life. I gave him a comforting pat, and was repaid with the buck speeding to the nearest bathroom, a hoof clamped to his muzzle.

The bar pony peered over the bar, shook his head, and turned to me, “Yes sir, how can I help?”

“Sweet Apple Cider, please” I replied, pulling out the bits from my wallet and spilling them on the counter.

“I'm sorry sir, we only stock Flim Flam,” the stallion offered, smiling a little as I deflated.

I let out another sigh, slid my bits across and nodded, “Cider is cider I suppose.”

The amber liquid frothed in the tankard as I picked the drink up carefully with my metal hoof, and walked back to where I left Gadget, “Goddesses tonight, it has not been my day.”

“Goddesses? Who t'fuck are t'goddesses?!” Gadget roared, popping up in front of me and coating me with the smell of whiskey and numerous drinks. Several civilian mares and stallions glanced over at him, tutting in disgust as I led him away from the group, “Ye keep talking about these fucking goddesses!”

I sat him down at a deserted table, and convinced him the water he was drinking was a new form of alcohol, sipping at my own drink as he swallowed several pints in a few minutes. The murmurs continued as he did, the odd bout of laughter spawning from several points in the room. I finished off my cider, grimacing at the poor after taste, 'No matter how good that jingle is, this is swill. Good swill, but swill.'

I glanced over at Gadget, who had taken it upon himself to discover how the seats vibrated, a feature I wasn't aware of until he had overloaded it and covered himself and the table in water. A unicorn waitress sighed at the sight, and took out a rag to mop up the liquid as nuts and bolts floated around the green unicorn.

“Ye gonna answer me question then?” asked the muffled voice of Gadget, “Who are t'goddesses yer always on about?”

“Does it matter who they are? Really?” I replied, hoping to avoid the topic.

“Yes it does,” came a deathly serious answer, made slightly comical as it came from a green tail.

“Well, the Goddesses are... er... well, they...” I was stumped. I had always used the idea of higher beings as an escape, something to look to in times of need. But even then, they were just an idea that my father passed on to me. He had called on them numerous times, rather than the Princesses as many other ponies did, often at one of Ratchet's or my mishaps at home.

Gadget turned around, frowning at a series of wires he had pulled out before throwing them to one side, “Ye don't know, do ye?”

I shook my head sheepishly, feeling a little embarrassed at how easily he picked up on my mannerisms, “Heh, no. Not really.”

“Ah, don't fret. I know where yer comin' from,” Gadget drunkenly patted my head, pushing the beret over my eye, “All I need is a bottle of something and something t'take apart t'take the worries away. We all have our methods of feeling better, yers is just a bit more make believe than others'”

He buried himself back into the seat and was soon repairing the damage done. I sat back and let out a long breath, feeling all the energy being sucked out of me. Two special operations ponies trotted by, nodding to me as they did. I nodded back, remembering their faces from Xander's funeral two days ago.

It was a strange notion. Barely forty-eight hours ago I had been in mourning, clutching at the crying form of my friend's spouse and their unborn child. Now, I was sat in a highbrow club in the middle of Canterlot sipping away at pointlessly expensive drinks and engaging in idle chatter with the elite of Equestria. It stirred bile in my stomach, the thought of these pampered stallions and mares all patting themselves on the back for a job well done. A job they didn't even have the grace to appear at.

“Easy there Private, don't take your anger out on these ponies. They're not worth it,” Slate appeared behind me, Hefty just behind him. The Officer was worse for wear, the after effects of the healing megaspell still haunting him. Gadget told me how he lost a leg and most of his gut before being healed by the Ministry of Peace's new invention, only for him to nearly loose his head after being regenerated.

“Sorry Sir, I’m not used to this whole 'Well done for sitting on your flank' thing they have going on,” I replied, feeling something press against my back.

“Don't you worry about it my buck, you'll get to kill off some zebra scum soon enough. Then you can pretend they're these bastards instead,” Thunder had landed alongside the senior officer, and offered his hoof. I shook him off me, moving away from the Airpony to his surprise, “Hey, what's bothering you? Something I said?”

“Piss off Thunder, I’m not in the mood for this,” I replied, standing up and leaving the squad to themselves. Slate took a step forward, only for Hefty to bar his way.

“Come on Rivet! What did I do wrong?!” he called out, flying over and landing in front of me.

“What did you do wrong? You don't remember? It took me a while to, but hey I had a fucking hole in the head,” I pushed passed him, only to be stopped by his wing.

“Remember I’m your superior Private Bolt, and I will be addressed as such,” he hissed, the malice in his voice echoing his actions during my first combat mission.

I buried my rising anger, and glared at the pegasus, “Sorry Sir, but I’ll recognise you as my superior when I recognise you as a comrade. You abandoned us. The moment the zebra noticed we were flying overhead, you pissed off as fast as you could leaving me, Starshine and Shadow in a falling chariot. Feel good to abandon us, hero?”

“Who the fuck do you think you are? You have no idea what I had to go through in that fight,” Thunder hissed again.

“Well forgive me for being so selfish in wanting my comrades to survive,” I shoved past the pegasus, and weaved into the crowd before he had the chance to stop me.

Over the last few days my memories had slowly returned. I had begun to remember and more of the events of the battle, some regretfully. The worst of it wasn't the images, it was the emotions that came with them. The feeling of joy that came with taking the head off a zebra mare, the exhilaration of helping pegasi carpet bomb a medical tent, the unequivocal high of standing soaked in the gore and blood of the enemy. I had no context to these emotions, only a repressed addiction to them.

Dancing around mares and bucks, I found a secluded corner and half collapsed against the wall, holding my head in my hooves. I let out another sigh and began collecting myself, 'It doesn't matter what I am on the battlefield, here I’m just an average pony. I won't become him.'

The image of Thunder's gore soaked coat and wide mad eyes came into mind, forcing me to shake the memory out of my skull. I grumbled to myself, standing back up before anypony realised who I was and how I looked. I trotted through the chattering groups, nodding to any military personal I passed. It felt that we were all in same boat, everypony in Equestria's colour wore a bitter look, despising the rich ponies.

'Maybe they'll change their tune once they see what I’ve seen,' I smirked a little, the sight of death changes every pony. No amount of money was going to sway that. I glanced over a grand staircase, seeing a mare step up to a podium at the top. She tapped at a microphone, cleared her throat and began to address the crowd.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, please make your way to the main hall. Princess Luna and the Ministry Mares have arrived and would like tonight's discussions to take place quickly. Thank you.”

The herd began to make their way to the staircase and into several large doors, drinks forgotten. I went with the tide, straightening my beret and military dress, checking my eyepatch hid the unworldly green glow. I fondly glanced at the new medal on my chest, feeling a little ill at who requested it at the same time. It felt heavier than anything I had worn before, as if it were filled with the blood of the creatures I had slaughtered . A permanent reminder of what I was capable of and that I will be rewarded for it.

The main hall soon became packed, each pony trying to situate themselves with those they felt they should associate with. The stained glass bounced the light of bulbs in a mockery of a rainbow across the audience, the windows themselves containing Equestria's history throughout all time. Not a single window featured a scene from the war, as if the whole thing would be ignored and forgotten over time.

'I only pray that is the case,' I thought, sitting next to a well dressed mare and her escort. I gave both the ponies a comforting smile as I sat down, only to be repaid with looks of disgust and fear at the scarring around my left hoof. I turned away from the pair, feeling isolated but not too bothered by the looks. Having spent the entirety of my recovery period in a city where the wounded dare not to tread, I was accustomed to looks of horror and fear from the numerous ponies of Canterlot.

The herd fell into a repressed silence as Princess Luna entered the room, a creak of wood as every pony leaned forward in an awkward bow to the alicorn. After she had taken her seat, the six Ministry Mares entered the room and took their places next to her. I felt my heart skip a beat as Fluttershy entered, the sudden realisation that this was the first time I had seen the pegasus in the flesh pushing all dark thoughts from my mind as I drank up the euphoria of seeing her.

“My loving subjects, thank you all for coming. I bring bad tidings, and I know we do not need any more than we already have. It is with regret that I inform you that we are on the brink of war,” Luna began, her voice quiet and troubled. Several members of the audience looked nervously at one another, until an all too familiar voice rang out.

“Where the fuck have ye been?! We're in the middle of a fucking war right now!” Gadget belted, followed by a loud cry as Hefty knocked him out and carried him to the door, placing him outside the hall.

While the audience glanced shamefully at the drunken stallion, I brought a hoof to my head and let out a sigh. I glanced up, smiling a little at the Princess' response. Luna had brought a hoof up to her muzzle, trying to disguise a smile at my squad mate's outburst. She composed herself and continued.

“True, we are already at war. But now, a new threat had appeared. In the past week, the police of Equestria have reported an increase in arson attacks throughout the land. No culprit has been found, but two things have been linked to each attack. First, the victims of the attacks had relatives in service or were serving, and secondly; the fire and scorch marks were green.”

The last statement caused a ripple of murmurs through the elder members of the herd, as if they collectively shuddered at the mention of green flames. I looked up with interest, it was the first time I had heard of such a phenomenon. Several older ponies murmered to one another, I was able to catch the hushed ending of one such conversation.

“It would be chaos if the public found out they were back.”

“I can't tell you. National security,” The voice of Snowfall echoed through my head and I felt a little satisfied, I was about to get answers.

I sat attentively, waiting the buzz to die down and for Luna to continue. The princess held until silence had fallen, the Minstry Mares also holding their tongues and looking more on edge than before.

“Some of you may recall the events nearly twenty years ago, at the marriage of Princess Cadence and Shining Armour. I fear that what you may suspect is true. The Changelings have returned and they are undoubtedly hostile towards us.”

An older mare let out a shriek at the announcement, her husband leading her from the room. The hall burst into discussion, the most common question sounding off every few seconds.

“What are Changelings?” Twilight Sparkle spoke into the microphone, bringing quiet and uneasy silence to the hall. The purple mare cleared her throat and lit up her horn, the lights darkening and a wall bathed in the light of a projector, “For those of us who were not alive during the attack, Changelings are a race of miniature alicorn-like beings, capable of full body mimicry of any living pony they have seen. Each tribe is run by a male hive leader, and the entire race is governed by their Queen. Like Princess Luna stated, they are capable of creating a unique green fire that appears when they change and when they die.”

An image of one of the creatures came up on the wall. The Changeling was black, save for its soulless eyes and unworldly white teeth. A single crooked horn rose from the insect like head, and two insectoid wings decorated its back. The creature's face was pulled into an evil smile, as it were pleased with something we weren't allowed to know.

I felt my stomach drop at the sight of the wings, remembering the strange unicorn I encountered before. It then dawned on me how close I had came to dying, having fought the larger one in hoof to hoof combat and now knowing that if I had killed him he would have erupted into flame, and I would just be charcoal by now.

“We attempted to find a peaceful solution to any animosity towards us, but it was met with failure,” Twilight continued, not missing a beat as the shock of the image struck the audience, “And so the Ministry of Awesome has proposed a new idea.”

Rainbow took the microphone before her, standing smart in her ranked Air Force uniform. The blue pegasus cleared her throat and silence fell once more, “The Changelings will be expecting counter attacks, that much is obvious. However, they won't expect what I have planned. The reason we gathered you all here tonight is part of it. In one week's time, I will launch Operation BugSpray and lead a combined effort of both Air and Ground Forces into Changeling territory. We will squash every single one of those bugs for good.”

The crowd reeled in shock at the Bearer's ferocity, even some of her friends looked panicked by her brashness. Rarity glanced nervously at her friend, while Fluttershy was nearly in tears. I felt a pang of pity induced nausea and anger, wanting to comfort the yellow pegasus in her time of need.

Rainbow seemed unfazed by the reaction, and continued her plan, “Here tonight are the best of the best. These are the ponies that will be flying alongside me. The campaign can't be noticed by the public, and so we are disguising this as an appeal to the other races in the press. In addition to this, we cannot take any money from the government without raising questions, so I ask you to donate some money to the cause. I also ask that you cooperate and tell nopony what is being discussed tonight.

“The operation is simple, we will strike at their major hives hard and fast. Pegasi squadrons will take out the structures, ground forces on clean up. The tactic is basic shock and awe. If...” the pegasus glanced nervously at Luna as she continued, “if Little Horn has taught us anything, it's that striking at the heart will kill morale. I’d rather we take the fight out of them than take them out of the picture.”

The audience broke into whispers at the pegasus' words, the mare next to me looking in disgust at the mention of the disaster. I tuned out the noise and sat in silence, trying to collect my thoughts.

'This means they're planning to send me to fight the Changelings. Can I do it though? I don't even know if I can kill them like I can zebra,' I danced with the thoughts inside my head, trying to keep my calm, 'I have no animosity towards them, they've personally done me no wrong... but isn't this campaign no different to the zebra terror attacks?'

A bump brought me out of my thoughts, the audience were standing and leaving the room. I glanced around, noticing the Ministry Mares were stood and discussing with several high ranking officers. The younger pony within me shouted with glee as Fluttershy was stood alone, save for a rabbit who was impatiently waiting on the mare.

Summoning up what little courage I had, I pushed my way through the tide of ponies toward the gentle pegasus. Ducking and weaving through the waves of fancy hats and overdone dresses, I broke through on the other side. I straightened out my uniform, checked my eye patch and made my approach. My heart skipped beats as I drew nearer and I felt my cheeks blush like a awkward colt, meeting the gaze of his filly-crush across the classroom.

“Um, good evening, ma'am,” I said nervously, my blush growing furiously as she took notice and smiled shyly.

“Oh, good evening sir,” she replied, her eyes shining as her rabbit companion stepped between us, arms folded sternly “Oh Angel, don't worry about a thing. He's just a nice colt who came to say hello.”

My heart soared at her voice; her legendary shyness seemed to lessen among friends. This would have been a moment plucked straight from my dreams if it weren't for her angry fluffy bunny guard watching my every move.

“Er, hey there Angel,” I said to the glaring bunny, his piercing little eyes accusing me of crimes undone and making me feel uncomfortable, “You can't read minds can you?”

Fluttershy giggled at the question, “Oh no, Angel Bunny just wants to keep me safe, I’m sorry if his protectiveness offended you.”

“Not at all ma'am!” I laughed back nervously, feeling my whole body burn up as I extended my metal hoof towards the rabbit. Angel studied the artificial body part carefully, before shaking it cautiously.

“Oh my, did you loose your hoof in a battle? I’m so sorry for your loss if that's the case,” Fluttershy mumbled as the steel hoof glistened in the light, “How did you loose it, if.. if you don't mind me asking, that is?”

“In a recent skirmish ma'am, but don't worry about it. I’m still standing,” I beamed proudly, “But I do miss my eye more.”

I removed my patch and opened my cyber eye, smiling as Angel was bathed in the green light. My smile was cut short as Fluttershy let out a squeak of fear, shrinking from the sight. I stepped forward, eager to comfort the timid mare, only for her to let out another squeak, the terror in her eyes clear.

“Oh no... it's you!”

I felt my stomach drop, my thoughts raced as I tried to think of what I did that offended the mare I loved, “I'm sorry ma'am, did I do something wrong?”

“I'm sorry, I’m so so sorry!” she began to sob, “I'm so sorry for what we've done to you, what we need you to do!”

I smiled nervously, “What do you mean? You saved my life, I’m eternally grateful for that ma'am.”

“We haven't saved it, you're a doomed pony! I even couldn't bring myself to learn your name, I’m so sorry, I’m so so sorry!” the pegasus wept before running out of the room, Angel giving me a dirty glare before hopping after her. I stood stunned at the scene, unsure of what to make of it. I felt my mind cave in on itself, my younger self curled up and crying to himself.

'I really ballsed this one up... I don't think I’ll ever get a chance like this again,' I thought glumly to myself, trying to accept a nagging reality from the moment I first laid eyes on the mare, 'It's not like I’d ever have the chance to say it anyway.'

I took a breath, and looked at the direction my unobtainable love had ran off to, “I guess I’d better say it anyway... Miss Fluttershy, I love you. I always have. And I think I always will...”

Satisfied, I turned around only to meet the eyes of another pony. My stomach backflipped and my inner colt wailed inside my head, 'Oh come on!'

“Starshine! I didn't know you were there...” I began, only to feel the horrendous monster called guilt creep up inside me. I took a step forward, only for her to take one backwards, “I guess you heard me, right?”

“If... if you felt that way you should have said something! You jerk!” Starshine replied loudly, turning and fleeing from me. Several stallions and mares turned towards the scene, commenting on my dumbfounded expression.

“It really hasn't been my evening,” I whined, smacking my head on the ground in frustration. My head throbbed for a moment, my heart pounding at my eardrums. I stood still for a while, trying to gather myself before being interrupted by an overzealous Pinkie Pie.

“OH! It's the glowy eye pony! I needed to talk to you about something super duper important!” she babbled, dragging me from my place on the floor. I woke up from my stupor as my metal hoof began to shriek along the marble. Clumsily standing up, I walked alongside the bouncing pink pony, not wishing to offend her. We reached her place at the head of the hall, and she buried her head deep inside a saddlebag. After a little wriggling, along with numerous party supplies being thrown casually around, she returned with a small card not unlike the EFS.

“Here we are! This is something I got made just for you! It's a late 'Well done for not dying' present!” she inserted the card into my temple, and stood as I winced. My eye span around for a brief moment, adjusting to the new feature as the all too familiar feeling of my stomach churning came.

“So, what does this do?” I asked weakly, trying my best to keep my stomach at bay.

“It's a radio! I think it also lets you use nearby Spritebots too if you know the code for them. Oh! And this is also for you,” Pinkie passed me a card with her name, face and Ministry proudly printed in decorative writing on the front, “Everypony gets to attend a party I’m throwing! You can choose which one you want to go to, it's just part of the fun!”

I smiled gratefully, tucking the invitation away and giving the mare a salute before leaving as quickly as I could while staying polite. Passing a still inebriated Gadget, I bolted through the gathering hall and outside to the streets. A comment from a passing couple reminded me of my lack of an eye patch, which I hurriedly placed back on.

The night air was cold against my coat, the clouds threatening rain on the city. A tense electricity filled the air, and the deep boom and rumble of thunder rolled across the sky, 'The pegasi had chosen a perfect night for a storm,' I mused as I raced through the streets, seeing the flying ponies direct passers by to shelter.

Some clouds retained the fluffy white image I was used to, remaining as pegasi overwatch stations to keep Canterlot safe over night. It was on one of these clouds I found my mint green companion, sat sobbing into the fluffy substance. I cleared my throat, looking up at her. She turned, glanced, and went back to sobbing.

I let out a sigh and sat against a wall, gazing up at her. My heart beat out painfully as I stared, heat motion a heavy toll on my conscience, 'I didn't lead her on, she put herself in this position... then why do I feel so bad for her?'

I soon dozed off, being awoken by a downpour of freezing concentrated rain. I looked up to the bottom of a cloud, the face of Starshine peeking over. She jumped off, gracefully gliding her way down to my side.

“Hey,” I chimed, blowing a strand of drenched hair out of my eyes, “I hope you're into wet manes, I’m soaked.”

The pegasus cocked her head to one side, giggling eventually. I sent a smile in return, glad my friend was back to the way she should be, “You deserved that Rivet, you're a damn stupid pony and a general idiot when it comes to mares, but I know you wouldn't hide this from me out of spite.”

“Listen, Starshine... I know I should have told you, but I never thought I’d ever meet her. And even then, we're not exactly a... thing? Yeah...” I explained, keeping my voice calm and quiet as I stood up. I walked over to the mare, whose gaze fell to the puddles on the floor. I stood in front of her, and lifted her chin with a hoof, “I don't know what's going to happen, but I wouldn't mind spending more time with you. As a friend.”

I hurriedly added the last part of my speech, feeling relief as she flung her hooves around my neck and held me tight. I placed a hoof around her, and embraced her likewise, “Thank you Rivet. I’ll still love you, or at least think I do, and no words can change that. But if just being a friend is what it takes to be with you, it's worth it.”

The mare placed a kiss on my cheek and tightened the hug, as I smiled to myself. It felt at home to be with her. Familiar, welcoming but slightly painful at the memories that came along for the ride. I broke the embrace, and beckoned for her to walk alongside me back to the barracks, letting her move closer than before.

'She's everything I imagined Fluttershy to be, kind, gentle, happy...' I thought cheerfully to myself, the colt within me yelling out in protest. The new me stepped out before him, standing his ground, 'You're just a colt, what do you know about love?'

'And what do you know about it now?'

'She isn't our Fluttershy, but we could never have her. So, we'll do as all ponies are doing in this war. We'll make do.'

“Is this your first time?”

“... Yes.”

“OK, it'll hurt for a little while, but you'll get used to it.”

“... I’m kinda nervous.”

“Don't be, I’ll take perfect care of you.”

“Y-yeah, I’m sure you will.”

“OK, it's going to go in now.

“Luna above! It's a bit big isn't it?! Will it even fit?!”

“Just relax, it'll be over in a little while.”

“Ah... AH! Fuck me, that's... argh!”

“Almost done, keep going.”

“Ah! Sweet Celestia, this... ah!”

“There we are, all done. You feeling OK?”

“Y-yeah, give me a moment... dammit, that was something else.”

“Memory extraction is a strange sensation Mr Bolt, it'll be a while until you'll be completely comfortable with it.”

I lay back into the reclined chair as it rose back up, my metal hoof massaging my head. The memory extraction process was specialised for my eye. It meant that I retained my memories of events, but it also meant that I had to be awake during the process. The feeling was peculiar, as if a bird were scratching at my brain and only touching the memories it deemed most important.

“OK then, shall we hook it up the projector and see how it came out?” an attractive mare dressed in the latest Canterlot fashion had carried out the procedure, appearing nearly giddy at the opportunity to mess with a war stallion like myself. I wasn't one for the bait and switch flirting she was employing, though I had come to realise that I wasn't one for any shape or form of flirting.

Over the week in Canterlot, I had only just realised how often and how forward both mares and stallions had been with me. My obsession with the Ministry Mare had blinkered me from any other advances, save for one other medical pegasus, and now I could see just how much I was oblivious to. From the most subtle of movements, to the most vulgar of dances, I was painfully aware of how sexed up Canterlot was.

She stepped over to a projector, rolling the freshly made memory orb into a hole. The machine whirred, flickering into life as her horn began to turn the mechanisms within. A beam of light flickered, forming into an image of a stallion studying himself in a mirror. It felt strange, I was watching something I did from my own perspective just a few days ago.

'This could end up in one Tartarus sized headache if I keep thinking about it,' I decided, turning to leave the mare to her work. I reached the exit only to be called out.

“Mr Bolt, you may want to look at this,” the mare called out to me, beckoning me over.

'That better not be a poor attempt at flirting...'

“Because your eye is linked to the visual nerves in your brain, I should be able to collect all the information your left eye received throughout your life. The problem is, some rather key moments are missing here.”

I glanced up at the wall, the projector displaying my life in fast forward. Yet I also noticed seconds where nothing appeared at all. Brief flashes where the projector failed, each time during moments I cherished above all. The first time I saw the advertisement for Fluttershy, the day I gained my cutie mark, meeting Xander, hundreds of other moments lost to the machine.

I shrugged at the mare, “I don't see how that affects me, I can recall them pretty well.”

The mare sent a glare and shooed me away, reprimanding me for my brashness, “You'd better get that eye fixed Mr Bolt, else Miss Rarity will not be best pleased.”

I gave her a smile and showed myself out, glad to be away from the clinic. I made my way past numerous offices, the walls covered in posters. The strangest being one of Pinkie grinning madly, proclaiming her action of watching me forever. It was an unsettling thought, that mare was clearly out of her mind at times. Her intentions were pure enough, and she was a genuine asset to the whole of Equestria, but she seemed as if she were putting on a front.

I made my way out of the Ministry of Image's office block, trotting out to the streets of Canterlot. The city began to feel less like a temporary home and more like my prison. At the first chance I had to leave, Slate had ordered me to stay put, reasoning that the ThunderHead I was departing on was leaving from the Canterlot barracks. I ended up spending the last few days wondering from shop to shop, looking for something to entertain myself with.

It was strange walking down the somewhat familiar streets without my companion. Starshine had left the day after the campaign announcement, with the promise that she'd be back in time to say goodbye. She was only attending the discussion as a representative, her duties to the medical corps taking precedence over the opportunity to die in a different country.

'This whole thing just rubs me the wrong way... the Changelings have been around long before the war, and they've launched attacks on us before then. Why in Celestia's name are we retaliating now?' I pondered the thought almost daily. The entirety of Equestria had gone from a peaceful existence to a war driven demon in less than two decades, 'It's obvious we not only had the ability to produce weapons but were ready to use them, so why didn't we attack the Changelings before this even broke out?'

A passing Spritebot distracted me from my thoughts, the patriotic marching tune reminding me that Pinkie Pie was always watching me. I buried the feelings and continued along my way, trying to avoid contact with the bot. The pink pony didn't posses the ability to read minds to my knowledge, but I didn't want to take the chance with her.

The days drifted slowly by, more and more ponies from across the Armed Forces arriving each morning and night. The stallions and mares spilled out into Canterlot, injecting the city with a needed boost of income. Bars and cafés heaved with a multitude of coats, hats and medals, the patrons offering a discount to every service member. A discount they conveniently neglected to mention during my first week here.

After much coaxing from Snowfall, I agreed to join him for a drink in one of the local bars. The place was filled to the brim with ponies. Pegasi mingled with earth ponies, unicorns gossiped with civilians, a band led by a violet eyed mare on the cello filled the gaps between conversations. We squeezed our way to the bar, standing next to a group of mares.

Snowfall gave them a cheerful smile, and was returned with a wink or two. The stallion beamed as we ordered our drinks, “Isn't this great Rivet? I hardly have to move before another filly is swooning at my feet because of this uniform! I bet you get some looks too.”

“You could say that,” I replied, rolling my eyes a little, “Hey! Two Sweet Apple Acre ciders over here!”

“Awww, treating your pal to a drink?” Snowfall chimed, moving closer to me than I preferred.

“No, I’m really thirsty and too sober for this evening,” I replied, picking both tankards up after sliding the bits over to the bar tender and finishing them before he counted out my change, “Why, you want something to drink? Wallet's getting lighter every minute if so.”

Snow grinned and placed an order for his poison, a specialty drink from his northern winter lands. He told me during training how the pegasi never settled near his home town due to the high winds in the area, meaning that the community was at the mercy of the elements.

“Hence the cutie mark, I'm really good at predicting the weather since I loved to cloud gaze all the time. I saw a particularly nasty snow cloud coming, and managed to warn everypony before it arrived. It appeared while we were taking shelter.”

The bartender slid my next cider, which I chose to nurse instead. The sweet taste of the amber liquid filled my mouth as the bubbles danced on my tongue. My mother was partial towards the drink, having queued for hours to get a single drop of the stuff when she was a filly, though she assured me that back then the Apple family only produced a non-alcoholic version.

I sipped away at the drink, turning to Snowfall and giving him a huge grin, “Now this my friend is a drink fit for Celestia herself. A true testament to the greatness of earth ponies.”

My boast caused a few angry glares from nearby pegasi and unicorns, but I paid them no heed, 'You all deserve to be taken down a peg anyway, you smug bastards.'

Snow tapped my tankard with his glass in agreement, “Too true my dear friend, too true.”

We glanced at each other, smiled, and finished the drinks in one swig before asking for the other's choice at the bar. Snow wasted no time in quaffing the cider, irritating me to no end. I chose to savour the tastes of my companion's exotic drink, taking a drink and swirling the mixture around in my mouth.

The alcohol was warm and slightly fruity, though I could not detect which fruits had been blended to form such a taste. I swallowed it gleefully, wincing slightly as the drink burned its way down my throat. Finishing the glass and placing it on the table, I joined in the crowd in applause as the band finished their piece. The cello playing mare gave the bar a bow before taking her place before a microphone.

“May I say a word before we continue? Thank you. Hello there everypony, and a welcome to Canterlot to our mares and bucks who are shipping off to the far reaches of Equestria in search for aid to our cause. I want you to know that we all appreciate what you do for us, and that we will always remember your sacrifice and actions for the good of our nation.

“It's so sad that I must say such things in such a dire context, but at the same time I am glad. Glad to have at least seen you, just once, just so I can say thank you. Thank you, fillies and gentlecolts, thank you,” she then lifted a glass of champagne, raising it in toast to a raucous cheer from the crowd. Snow and I raised out empty glasses in respect, joining in the appreciative noise.

The mare smiled, and sipped at the glass before placing it back down, “I would now like to play a song that I once heard a buck sing on his way to battle. Though it may bring tears to our eyes, may it bring tears of happiness when you hear it again. Thank you once again everypony.”

She took up her bow, and placed it to the cello, drawing out a powerful sound. Everypony fell silent as she stroked along the strings, each singing a different note in perfection, hypnotising us into a stupor. She played a few bars, forming a beautiful melody before I heard a murmur behind me.

I looked over at my friend, who was mouthing words to her song. His eyes burned fiercely, as if his very soul was ablaze with passion at the song. Snow stood tall, and began to gain in volume, matching her notes in perfect harmony.

“The buck's eyes closed
And his last breath spoke
He fought 'til he could fight no more
A life once full
Now his empty gaze
Won't see the flowers on his early grave”

His words stirred some of the crowd, a unicorn mare also standing and joining the other two in their song. The two ponies caught eyes, and looked deep at each other as they sang in duet.

“Walk away my colt
Walk away my colt
One morning we'll be free
Wipe the saddest tear
From sweet Luna dear
Raise what's left of the flag for me”

A group of pegasi and the rest of the band began to go along with the trio, as the bar grew with emotion. One of the mares we passed on the way in had tears streaming from her eyes, her friends nuzzling close as they were on the verge as well.

“We could never see
Zebra treachery
'Til it was right at our door
And now garbed in black
We will pay respect
To the ponies who fell before”

The whole bar stirred, and I stood alongside my friend as the establishment all sung out in unison and harmony, the cello pony stood tall and wrapped in the moment. We were just one group of ponies who had not lost hope. One group who still had faith and were ready to die for Equestria. We were just one group, but one group could be enough to change anything. All it would take is one group of friends.

We sang out loud, we sang out clear. We sang out without a care in the world. We were the mares and stallions of Equestria. We will take the fight to our enemies, be they Zebra or Changeling. And, by Celestia, we will win.

“Walk away my colt
Walk away my colt
One morning we'll be free
Wipe the saddest tear
From sweet Luna dear
Raise what's left of the flag for me!”

I stood tall, looking at the stallion. He stared back, unclothed and with grim determination in his eyes. We stretched our hooves out, clacking against the polished glass. We looked at each other in distress, separated forever by the mirror. The only pony who had been through the same we have and to be there for one another, unable to meet.

We sighed in unison, and turned to out respective belongings. First came the new eye patch, two pieces of interlacing string connecting behind our heads as our metal hoof pressed them together. Our left eye was now hidden from view, just one of the many precautions we were taking before leaving on the campaign.

Next came the body armour. We pulled ourselves into a black undershirt, before attaching leg guards on our fore and hind legs. Next came the torso armour, sliding over our heads and clipping in place, tightening with the pull of a cord. The armour felt heavier than before, a reminder of the death and destruction we had seen and made.

We looked fondly at the beret, lifting it up and placing it on our head. The bronze sun of Equestria shone brightly on the front of the head gear, proud to be on display and staring death in the face. We brought our right hoof up, hooking it in a custom hold and pulled. The knife pocket on the right side of the armour popped open, and we placed my father's knife inside. Another tug and the pocket closed again. The left hoof came up, and a cloth the same colour as our coat came over the metal replacement, disguising the artificial body part.

We picked up our customised rifle, the stock reshaped to fit our armour and shoulder better when firing. A dual clip holder held rounds underneath; one with armour piercing, the other regular rounds. The iron sights had been refined to my singular eyesight, while a custom made chip gave a read out of bullet trajectory, ammo left and the weapon's condition in my left eye. We holstered it on our back, sliding it into the custom holster we made on the first day at the Royal Engineers' camp.

We gathered our personal belongings; our mother's last letter, a photo of the family, our brother's farewell letter and another photo. I stopped at the image, unsure whether the mirror me did the same. It had been taken the day before, and featured myself and Starshine in a restaurant. The mare looked overjoyed as she pressed close to me, while I appeared to be happy yet on edge. My smile was genuine, as was the glint in my eyes, yet my body was tense.

I let myself smile at the image, turning it over to read the mint pegasus' words;

For those lonely nights

Starshine

I slid it between my undershirt and armour, keeping it safe out of respect. I still wasn't sure of my feelings for her, but still saw her as a friend above all else. We placed the rest of our belongings into a duffle bag, alongside numerous healing potions and an emergency rations kit. Swinging it onto our back, we looked up at each other one last time.

“Go finish this quick Rivet, you have too many things to do to be killed by a changeling.”

I nodded at the words, and left my mirror self alone in the quarters, no doubt waiting for me to see him again. As I trotted through the barracks, I dodged past rushing pegasi as they urged the importance of leaving to the numerous earth ponies and unicorns. Several Rangers stepped out, oblivious until Snowfall barked at them. My friend walked alongside me as his fire team followed, marching in unison.

“I see Hartpony rubbed off on you,” I commented at how well disciplined his troop were.

“Don't get me started,” Snow grumbled as we existed the barracks and began a light trot to the casting unicorns. We waited in line for the cloud walking spell to be cast on us, and for information on when it would need to be renewed. Waking up in the middle of night and finding yourself a few thousand feet in the air with no ship underneath you wouldn't be the greatest way to go.

We continued to the ThunderHead titled Glorious Dawn, the behemoth grounded as supplies and war machines were led into the hangers. We followed the guidance of a blue pegasus, her frosty tail bouncing as she flapped to the barracks on board the ship. I arrived finding Gadget's and Hefty's belongings already on two of the beds, yet the unicorns nowhere to be seen.

Bidding Snowfall's troop farewell, I galloped through the gangways of the ship, eventually finding them outside. They were slowly guiding several unicorns and pegasi into the hanger, a massive box wrapped in magic and rope. I smiled at little at how much the two ponies were obsessing over the care of the box, Hefty making more noise in a few seconds than he did most days.

“Alright careful now! Careful! OI! I said careful ye fucker!” Gadget berated a poor unicorn mare, the strain of lifting the box too much for her, “If ye can't do it right, bugger off and let me take over!”

My squadmates took position and placed the container next to a hanger opening, content with the positioning. I waltzed up to them, smiling at their over protection over their child, “You know, my own mother wasn't that protective of me.”

“Well look who finally showed up! Where the fuck have ye been?” Gadget clasped my left hoof in an embrace, pouting when I pulled it away lest he take it to pieces, “Yer one to talk though, ah haven't had the chance t'take a look at that hoof of yers.”

“You know, there's a reason for that. I need it to walk,” I replied, nodding at Hefty in greeting. The larger stallion rarely spoke in company, preferring to make his point through actions rather than words. That said, when he did speak it was never without cause and often put an end to the problem.

“Why walk when ah can make ye fly?” Gadget continued, his horn securing the container to several hooks., “Ah've been studying t'way these pegasi power t'ship and ah think I can make it smaller.”

“I think I’m alright for the moment. The fact that I’m soon going to be over ten thousand feet in the air with nothing but cloud and metal between me and the ground seems to dampen my enthusiasm for flight.”

“Yer pretty mouthy today,” the green unicorn grumbled, satisfied with the container's security. He walked towards the door to the decks of the ship, Hefty and myself following behind, “Ah heard we're supposed to go up top for some farewell thing. Propaganda and the like.”

We walked up an uncountable number of stairs, passed hundreds of ponies and dodged several Spritebots. The automatons' presence unnerved me, Pinkie Pie was planning to watch our every move for no foreseeable reason.

'The again, when has anypony been able to predict Pinkie Pie?' I mused, ducking under the oblivious bot as it blared a jaunty tune. I studied it for a moment, remembering the present Pinkie gave me and wondered how I was supposed to gain access to the bot. The floating metal figure turned to face me, the cold emotionless stare of a camera studying me.

“It's a game Rivet, you just need to learn the rules!” it chimed suddenly, before returning to the march and floating off. I stood still for a moment, Gadget and Hefty leaving me for the top deck. The voice was unmistakeably Pinkie's, yet that just put me further on edge; 'Did she know what I was thinking? More importantly, is she monitoring everything that happens on this mission?'

I shook off the feeling, trying to put it in a positive light. It was clear that I was important enough for the Ministry Mares to not only save me, but to keep an eye on me. Yet that just raised further questions.

'Why me? There are hundreds of ponies with only one eye, all of them more deserving than me. I’m a nopony,' I wondered, 'And why are they using me to test their equipment? They have the resources to do that elsewhere.'

Something seemed off about all these events, and the other mares just put me further on edge. Fluttershy seemed traumatised after figuring who I was, and though that mare was renowned for being shy it seemed too strange to me. I found myself thinking that I could trust nopony in this war, though I prayed it wasn't the case.

I eventually made my way to the upper deck, a crowd formed of the upper class and relatives of the troops on board were waving to the ship and the hundreds of service ponies. Many wore brave smiles, many wept tears for being torn from the loved ones again. I pitied the mares and bucks who were leaving their special somepony behind, having to keep the truth from them with just a promise of “I’ll be back soon”.

I found Gadget and Hefty stood with Slate and Snowfall's troop, the presence of other earth ponies bringing me comfort. A cyan blue pegasus dressed in military attire flew by us with impossible speed, her rainbow mane and tail blurring with the acceleration. After a few tricks to please the spectators and to wow the troops, she settled down at a podium and addressed the cloudship.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, there isn't much I can say other than thank you. Let's get out there and do our damn best, and make Equestria proud!” Rainbow Dash announced, her voice booming through every Spritebot and speaker on board. The crowd cheered in response, beating their hooves on the plating in an orgy of noise. I looked over at my companions, feeling my stomach dip a little at the sight of a black pegasus. His thunderbolt cutie mark had been emblazoned on his new combat armour, a declaration of who he was.

'Pegasi are too damn cocky for their own good,' I noted, remembering how every pegasi I had come across save for one was brash, reckless and at a complete disregard for their safety half the time. Though the irony of myself calling another arrogant wasn't lost on me.

Thunder Clap looked deadly serious as he surveyed the troops, his eyes lighting up as he caught mine. I turned away, unable to face him again after his actions. The memories of the battle were still hazy, but I clearly remembered the last look he gave us as the pilot's brains splattered across the front of the chariot, the fear as he leapt from the open door leaving me and two injured comrades to bring the transport to the ground in the middle of a fire fight.

My brief moment trapped in time was pushed to one side, as Gadget and Snow linked up together, tapping a count with their hooves. Many other ponies began to tap along with them as a band below began to play. The roar of clouds crackling with the necessary electricity to power the ship washed over all sound, yet the continuous beat drowned out all other noise. The unicorn and the earth pony both began to hum together before breaking into our farewell tribute, Gadget's heavy accent mingled with Snowfall's near angelic voice.

“Up to grand Canterlot came
A simple colt one day,
All the streets were paved with gold,
So everypony was gay!
Singing songs of Buckadilly,
Strand, and Filly Square,
'Til the buck got excited and
He shouted to them there:

It's a long way to Tippepony,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to Tippepony
To the sweetest mare I know!
Goodbye Buckadilly,
Farewell Filly Square!
It's a long long way to Tippepony,
But my heart lies there.”

Chapter Eight: Operation: BugSpray

“And I rose up with death, and gazed below”

“Your go.”

“Erm, I spy with my pony eye... something beginning with... s.”

“Sky.”

“Yeah, your turn.”

“I spy with my pony eye, something beginning with c.”

“Clouds?”

“Yep.”

“I spy with my pony eye, something beginning with b.”

“Birds.”

“Bingo.”

“I spy with my pony eye, something beginning with...”

“Is there any chance it won't begin with b, c or s?”

“... No.”

“Then shut up.”

An icy wind filled the following silence, chilling us to the bone. Gadget, Snow, Hefty and myself were laying on the upper most deck of the ThunderHead, trying to find a way to pass the time. We had played several games of 'I Spy', '20 Questions' and 'How many times can we shout at a passing pegasus before they get pissed off' in the numerous hours we had spent on board the flying fortress, counting the minutes until we arrived at Baltimare. The city was out last stop before we advanced into Changeling territory, and we were already behind schedule.

“That's it, I’m going for a walk,” I stood up, my joints sore and creaking after lying still on the cold deck of the Glorious Dawn, “Anypony going to join me?”

My question was interrupted by a bottle cap landing on my head. Gadget began to take aim with another, a row of five empty Sparkle Colas surrounding his body. His horn glowed as he lazily tossed another, the cap landing on my nose resulting in a bored smile and polite applause from Hefty and Snow. I sent the green pony a glare, making him hesitate as he picked up another. A shrug followed, and third came sailing my way, hanging on the beret's badge.

“You're really really bored, aren't you?” I commented, rolling my eye for added effect.

“Ah'm havin' t'time of my fuckin' life here,” he replied, standing up, “Ah just wish these pegasi trusted us enough to take one of their flying tank things apart.”

“Can we come up with a better name than 'flying tank things'?” Snow piped in, standing up alongside Hefty, “I know you're the engineers here, but come on. Don't they have a code name?”

I glanced over at my squad mates, and we all shrugged in unison, “Luna knows what they call them.”

“She probably does,” Gadget mused, kicking his hoof against the steel plating that served as ground. We trotted around the upper deck, our boredom sinking in further as our hooves clacked against the cold metal. Wind threatened to tear us off the little hold we had on the plating, forcing Hefty and Gadget to employ gravity spells to our hooves. The idea was to make our hooves heavier, and so harder for us to fall off. The downside was if we did fall off, it would be a much quicker trip.

“They've never bothered to tell us what they're called, guess it's above dumb earth ponies,” I muttered, beginning to understand the animosity some ponies held towards the flying ponies.

“Well, why don't we come up with a name? You've all flown in one before, what's it like?” Snow pressed, waiting for Gadget and Hefty to open one of the doors back into the cloudship.

“Like a flying chariot,” I replied, “But 'Flying Chariot' is a bit shit, even for them.”

“Sky Chariot then?” Snow suggested.

“Yer not gonna drop this 'til we agree on one, are ye?” Gadget inquired, answered with a shake of a head, “Fine, they're called Sky Chariots.”

Snow beamed as his idea was accepted, shining happily as we made our way past several rushing pegasi. Soon, the halls were filled with many of the winged ponies, all with a panicked look on their face as they rushed to the main deck. I glanced over at Hefty who was pulling a perplexed expression similar to my own.

“You think we're at Baltimare already?” I suggested, only for Hefty to shake his head and point out a window. We were flying over boundless fields and greenery, Canterlot's mountains barely visible in the far distance, yet no sign of pony civilisation was visible. Gadget's horn lit up as he held the tail of a passing pegasi mare.

“'Cuse me ma'am, what's t'rush?” he inquired, “Where's everypony going?”

“The main deck,” she whimpered, fear in her eyes as we trotted up, desperately tugging at her magically held tail, “There's a fight breaking out and we've been asked to prevent it from getting out of hoof.... can, can I go now?”

Gadget released her sending her flat on her face. She flapped up and away, running from our gang of strange earth bound ponies. Snow motioned to follow her, and we all set off at a canter through the metal hallways, following the steadily growing crowd. We reached the main deck, finding that a space had been cleared where a pegasus walked slowly around another pony. The gathering were muttering to one another, drowning out the supposed fight that was going on.

A few pegasi flew in, obscuring my view of the events. It was pretty tough being one of the smaller ponies in the room, “Gadge, what's going on? I can't see a thing.”

I glanced over at my friend who was wearing a mischevious grin, “You know, I really want to see you use that hoof in combat Riv.”

My face dropped a little, “You can fuck right off if you're thinking what I think you are.”

His horn began to glow and magic wrapped my hooves as I continued my protests, turning to Hefty to find him lighting his horn up as well. I looked at my final escape, only to find Snowfall getting ready to ram me, wearing a cheeky smile. As his head connected to my hind quarters, Hefty and Gadget flung me into the air, bowling me through the crowd of pegasi.

“Fuck you!” I wailed, sailing through the air. After all events, I found that I still possessed a terrible fear of flying without a chariot or pegasus to guide me. After several feathers and a close call with a horn or two, I landed heavily in the clearing, “You're all pricks!”

“Yer welcome!” came Gadget's cheerful reply, clear through the silence. I stood up, brushing myself off before I was painfully aware of all the eyes on me. I swallowed a little, giving a nervous grin before turning around.

“Private Bolt, how nice of you to... drop in,” a silky voice greeted, the dark blue coat of the unicorn instantly recognisable even without the seductively worn mane and ranked jacket, “I trust you are keeping well?”

“Y-yes ma'am,” I stuttered, frightened beyond belief of Colonel Midnight's posture. The last time I had seen the mare so relaxed, she had broken every limb of a cocky trainee after he asked her on a date, “I'm sorry for interrupting, please excuse me.”

I tried to stand up, only for the Colonel's blue magic to drag me to her, “Nonsense Private, you're more than welcome here. I was just discussing with Miss... no, Commander Rainbow Dash about our plan of action once we arrive at the changeling borders. Could you repeat your plan, Commander?”

The cyan pegasus ignored the thick sarcasm in the unicorn's voice, leaving the air tense and awkward, “We will fly into the enemy's territory and kill them, isn't that how soldiers work Colonel? Or were you too busy skulking around in the shadows to realise that ponies in the military actually fight in a war?”

“Oh yes, we'll just waltz in with no intel, throw ponies at them until we run out and then gallop as fast as we can back to Canterlot for wine and nibbles,” Midnight retorted, “And that's how we win wars!”

I gulped as the tension intensified, “Erm, ma'am, may I please be ex-”

“What's your opinion on this Rivet? As a soldier, what would your plan of action be?” Midnight inquired, putting me at the centre of attention. The entire room's eyes fell on me, and I begged with all my might that I could hide myself away from all those stares. Public speaking had never been my forte.

I blushed madly trying to figure out the best strategy in the shortest amount of time. The gears in my head were rusty, it had been a long time since I had to think under this level of pressure and I was out of practice. I stood still for a few minutes, trying to find the best way to put the words to not offend my superiors.

“OK... the best action is to send in some small squads of disguised ponies to establish a safe zone within the enemy territory. After setting a base of operations, we can then begin the blitz campaign,” I suggested, trying to stand as proud as I could in front of a crowd of expectant ponies.

“Disguised? Disguised how?” Rainbow inquired, poking for fault in my plan.

“As other ponies not on board this ship. If they're killed and changelings return in their place, we'll know if they are who they say they are if they take off their disguise,” I replied, feeling more confident as a coherent and foolproof plan began to form, “That along with a single code word between one other pony on board will confirm it for sure.”

Rainbow started, before closing her mouth and looking a little ashamed. I felt a pang of guilt at my actions, I had only intended to suggest an idea but ended up humiliating one of Equestria's greatest heroes in a mission she announced and was funding. I glanced at the dark blue unicorn, only to find the Colonel smiling smugly at the scene, revelling every second the pegasus was suffering through.

“There we have it, one of the most intelligent ponies I know has suggested a plan and I approve,” Midnight gloated, her pride at my decision telling me she suggested something similar, “What do you think?”

Rainbow stood still for a moment, thinking hard as if she needed a way to prove herself top pony, “Alright, but I want him in that first wave. If he has such confidence in taking things slow, he can put his neck on the line. Besides, I want to see if he's all the others make him out to be.”

The Ministry Mare trotted over to me, keeping a piercing gaze on my shrinking form, “You're important to my friends, which makes you important to me. Don't die out there kid.”

I saluted, much to Midnight's disgust and began to turn around back into the crowd. A hoof on my back stopped me, and I turned to see Rainbow looking at me once more. I gave the pegasus a friendly smile until she drove another hoof into my jaw. Dazed and confused, I staggered before landing on the steel floor.

The pegasus leaned in close, whispering menacingly, “That's for making Fluttershy cry you bastard, you stay the fuck away from her. She has enough shit on her plate already without you trying to talk to her.”

Her words made my stomach drop miles. I never meant for her to cry, I had no idea she would! But I was still responsible for bringing tears to those beautiful eyes, the cause of her sorrows. I could only hope that she would forget me over time, though it seemed unlikely at how quick her reaction was when I revealed my eye.

'But why did she cry at the sight of me? What did I do wrong?'

I stood back up, Midnight waiting for me as the crowd dissipated. Gadget, Hefty and Snowfall all approached me, all glancing at Rainbow Dash as she left the room. Midnight gave me a pat on the back as I got back onto four hooves, waiting for the pounding dizziness of my head to leave as well.

“Well done Private, that'll show those pegasi bastards who's best,” she cheerfully announced, “We'll make a fine officer of you yet Bolt.”

“T-thank you ma'am,” I struggled to reply, trying to tough out a concussion. For a small mare, Rainbow packed one hard kick, “Did you really mean what you said?”

“Hmm?”

“You said I’m one of the most intelligent ponies you know,” I noted, fishing for compliments to patch up what was left of my pride.

“Of course you are, you're the third earth pony to ever make it into the Engineers. That's an accolade in itself,” Midnight began to leave the deck, trailing us behind her, “Not the modest kind then?”

I blushed a bit, “Not really, I guess it came from growing up as the most intelligent in the village.”

“Heh, an earth pony with the pride rivalling that of a pegasus and a unicorn, you're an-”

“Odd pony,” I finished for her, smirking a little, “I get that a lot ma'am.”

“I'm sure,” the Colonel turned and faced Snowfall, her head cocked to one side, “And why are you here? You're not military, not any more.”

“Ministry of Morale business, ma'am,” Snowfall replied, falling into an attentive stance.

“Oh? What business does the Ministry have all the way out here?”

“Can't say, ma'am. National security,” Snow's response puzzled Midnight, who I assumed was used to be given all information at the drop of a hat.

“I'm sorry, your superior just asked you a question, what is your business here?” the mare asked again, moving aggressively into the pony's face.

Snow looked back coolly, pronouncing each word clearly and powerfully, “National security.”

The stallion turned around and promptly left, leaving my squad and the Colonel in the hallway, stunned at his actions. Snowfall had always been reserved, keeping himself and avoiding any vocal confrontation if he could help it. Out of the small group of friends back at training, he was always quiet one, listening to all our idle chatter and simply nodding along.

'What has happened to him?'

Gadget nudged me, and pointed his head, gesturing we should take our leave as well. He and Hefty saluted the Colonel, and trotted their way down the hall, I following suit before the mare called out to me.

“Private, may I have a word?”

I turned around, her tone revealing her purposes. Bracing myself for the next weight upon my soul, I stood to attention, “Yes ma'am?”

“You're in good relations with the Ministry of Morale correct?” - I nodded - “And that stallion is one of your friends? Good, you can do something for me.”

“Yes ma'am.”

“I want you to find out why the hell that Ministry and his troop are on this ship. This is a joint operation between the Equestrian Military and the Ministry of Awesome, and, as much as it kills me to say it, that pegasus bitch should be the only Ministry mare to have any hoof in it,” the Colonel's words shocked me quite deep. Her hatred of pegasi was legendary, she refused to even acknowledge lower ranked members of the air force if she could help it, but she held the Ministry Mares in the highest regard, having lived through several events where they, as the Bearers, had saved Equestria.

“Ma'am, I understand that this is troubling you, but I can't go behind my friend's back! It's not right!” I protested, desperate to find a way out of this predicament, “I'm sure Snow and Pinkie have valid reasons for being on board. It's not my place to question them.”

“Hmph, I thought you were a better pony than that Bolt. Fine, I respect your decision, disappointed though. I get the feeling you'll turn around though, just have a good think about it,” Midnight closed the distance and looked straight into my soul, “Don't you think it's odd that a measly one thousand ponies are being sent to conquer an entire country?”

With a smile, a snort and a flick of her tail, the Colonel made her way down the hall. Her words had a profound effect on me, I had wondered about the size of the force we were sending but with our prowess in battle and technology it hadn't bothered me. We had kept the zebra at bay for thirteen years now, and we were brand new to the game of war compared to their extensive knowledge of the art.

I made my way along the hallway, heading towards my quarters and hoping I could avoid Snow for a while. I needed to clear my head before asking him any questions into the politics and actions of his unit and current employers.

'And the best way for that is a hell of a drink,' I glumly thought to myself, the need for alcohol buzzing in my skull like a persistent bee. Not a single drop of alcohol was allowed on board after a particular event involving a drunken unicorn and a rather stupid bet. The story we got; they had to bury him in a pot with what little was left.

Disgruntled, I trotted down the metal walkway, descending a flight of stairs, and became slowly more aware of how other ponies were looking at me. Unicorns and earth ponies gave me a glance, hiding it when I noticed and staring when they thought I hadn't. The gaze wasn't aggressive or apathetic, just filled with curiosity and interest. The pegasi stares were a different matter though. Filled with contempt and distance, it was engineer training all over again. I didn't belong in the clouds, I didn't belong on this ship. Not a single crew member wanted me here.

I pushed the gnawing numbness of fear out of my head, committing myself to the idea of messing with my rifle for a while before heading off on the mission. I increased my pace as I entered the barrack area of the cloudship, avoiding the pegasi quarters as best I could. I ducked under a passing Spritebot, the crispness of the march trying to liven up the mood of the transport.

The speaker gave an all too familiar burst of static, and it wandered in my direction, “Hey there mister frownypants, what's got you so sad?”

“Ah, hello there Miss Pinkie.”

'Oh for the love of Luna, I don't need this right now,' my skull whined, searching for a reason to escape this conversation.

“Is it what Rainbow said? She's such a naughty filly, but she doesn't mean bad by it,” the speaker happily announced, several ponies poking their heads around doors to see the source of the noise, “Ohohohohoh! We should go somewhere else, else everypony will be able to hear us!”

The bot began to float carefree away from the barracks, away from my one safe place on board this craft. Reluctantly, I followed. A show of respect mainly, she did save my life after all, but also because of Pinkie's nature. She was adored and feared across the nation, the pink pony was never far from our thoughts and even closer with her eyes and ears in every city, town and road. When she needed to say something, everypony listened.

We eventually came to an unused section of the ship, broken chariots covered in dust sheets were dimly lit by minimal power from the lights, basking the room in a strange orange glow, “Okie dokie lokie, here will do!”

The Spritebot span around to face me as I sat on the dusty floor, waiting expectantly, “Now, what's got you so frowny?”

“Heh, just what Commander Dash said... could I ask a favour ma'am?”

the bot giggled loudly, “Oh silly, just call me Pinkie Pie! And don't mind Dashie, she's just upset because Fluttershy was really really sad the other day.”

“Ah.. that might have been my fault ma-... Pinkie. I think I scared her when we met at-”

“She's always scared silly! No, this was a different kind of sad... I haven't seen her like that for ages,” Pinkie's voice seemed distant, as if she were staring off into space, “Anyway, I heard what you and that meanie pants Midnight were talking about.”

'Oh fuck.'

“Don't you worry your silly little head about it, auntie Pinkie Pie will make sure everything will be OK! It'll all end in sunshine and rainbows.”

“But why are you here? Why is Snow here?” I felt a little relived, able to ask the questions directly to the mare. It was a weight off my shoulders, the spy role suited somepony else.

“Snow? He's here for a super secret thing! And he can't tell anypony about it unless I say so.”

My joy was short lived, giving no option other than to go on a whim, “Could you tell me?”

“Aw sorry, this has to be top secret even from you! But I think you'll work it out eventually though,” the bot chimed happily, before moving past me.

“But you could let him tell me! Please, this whole campaign rubs me the wrong way!” I tried desperately, “It honestly scares me.”

“If something's scaring you, just laugh it all away silly!” Pinkie let out a joyous giggle, bringing an unwanted smile to my face, “But don't be a nosey pants Rivet. If I catch you doing anything you shouldn't, it could be really really bad and make lots of ponies unhappy. And I don't want any more ponies to be sad. Everypony is sad these days.”

With that, the floating metal sphere tuned back into the march and wandered to find another pony to annoy. I sat for a while, trying to draw up a conclusion from all the information I had.

'The Ministry of Morale need to be on board to supervise or to enforce something. The Ministry of Awesome must know this, and so Rainbow must be aware of whatever Pinkie has planned, but from Colonel Midnight's request the military are unaware... The Ministry of Awesome are spearheading this operation, which would mean that Rainbow is flank deep in whatever is going on... what in the name of Luna is so damn important about this mission?!

'One thousand ponies sent to destroy a country. The zebra have over a thousand fold that number, and they haven't been able to take us down yet. We're outnumbered, out gunned, and alone in this. And if we succeed, the public aren't going to hear about it anyway. This entire operation is suicide!'

The news had unnerved me greatly. Rainbow's insistence of attacking head on without setting any kind of fall back I had previously believed to be due to pegasus pride, but now I wasn't sure. It seemed more likely to be part of an overriding plan the Ministries had concocted together, possibly to test something or find something. In either case, I was glad that I would be one of the first into the changeling homeland. I hoped I would find the answers there.

We stood inside the ThunderHead's hanger, all hung up on anticipation and trepidation. I stood amongst several pegasi and a few unicorns, once again being the only earth pony on board the Raptor that was taking us out. Ours had been dubbed Moonbeam, its sisters resting nearby where the other scouting troops were waiting to board.

Unicorns walked between us, enchanting our coats and manes to change in shape and style. Two appeared either side of me, giving an evil grin. I let out an exasperated sigh as they changed my coat and mane to varying shades of pink. The colour didn't bother me that much, I was rather fond of it, but I was the only pony who was that colour on board.

'A metal hoof, glowing green eye, dials on the side of my face and now I’m bright pink. Completely inconspicuous,' I grumbled internally, glaring at the giggling unicorns.

When I initially suggested the plan, I assumed we would be surveying the area in chariots or small units. But, as I have now drilled into my skull, pegasi had no idea what the word 'subtle' meant. I awkwardly shuffled, trying to find a calm I could hold on to. It's now I realise that up until this point a certain pegasus had always fought by my side. Starshine had been nearby in every firefight I had taken part in and it seemed too much of coincidence that I felt strangely at ease when it came to killing another creature, aside from the first two.

My memories had begun to reawaken, but they seemed jumbled. Thunder's abandonment was early on in the battle, and I could recall up to ten minutes before I lost my eye, but only snippets of what happened between those events. The sight of blood, cries of agony, the feeling of unequalled joy as I tore holes through countless zebra. It kept me up the night before, leaving me exhausted and on edge.

“Alright fillies, here's the plan. We'll be flying in V formation into the territory, scout out this area here and then find the best location to set up a command post,” a grizzled pegasus flew over head, pulling down a picture of the nation and pointing out a small area on the border. The section chosen featured numerous mountains, and strange spire like structures, increasing in number the further away from the border, “the main force will remain at Baltimare until we secure this section. Questions?”

“Yeah, why do we get Mud-pony over here?” one of my pegasi comrades sneered, sending me a hateful glance.

“Because Commander Dash wants to see if he can prove his shit. I think it's punishment enough that if this fucks up and he dies, he'll be dragged to hell with the weight of every pony here,” the higher ranked pegasus replied, happy at my discomfort.

'I’ll be sure to drag you down with me,' I kept that reply to myself, not wanting to start an argument with the others. It was one thing to be on a ship with pegasi that hate you, another to be rapidly approaching the ground.

I hadn't considered that I was wrong, but at the same time my plan was simply correct. Any pony could see that it made tactical sense to have a fall back point, no matter what the mission was. The pegasi's reluctance in following basic safety procedures just unnerved me further.

“Anything else?”

“What kind of heat is the Moonbeam packing sir?”

“Conventional weapons, three standard anti-air turrets on each Raptor and a few air to ground missiles.”

“No Mag-”

“Hold it there Airpony, we're not showing our best hoof right now,” the grizzled pegasus landed as the doors to the Raptor opened, two orange lights flaring as the hanger doors began to hiss, “That's our signal, on board now! Move it, move it!”

The three patrols began to shift, trotting up into the Raptors and towards waiting chariots inside for when we arrived. Wailing sirens began to shriek as the hanger fully opened, the twin doors opening to a sea of cloud and the tiny city of Baltimare below. The furthest Raptor shuddered into life, rising up and lazily banking out of the hanger. Sunlight glistened along the armoured hull as it broke free of the Glorious Dawn's womb, floating underneath as the second Raptor took flight.

As the doors began to shut on our craft, I noticed a Spritebot speed along after the first two cloudships, 'Pinkie's along for the ride too.'

Our craft hummed into life, lifting up as I trotted to the main deck. The rest of the party had already settled into bands of pegasi and unicorns, leaving me to tend to my equipment in peace. Sunlight had us all wincing as it pierced through the windows, unicorn magic darkening up the glass to reduce the intensity. We floated alongside the other ships before settling into the flight formation and moving at speed towards the border.

After the fifth time of cleaning my rifle, I admitted I was bored. Nopony had even noticed my existence on the ship, stepping around me or over me. I placed the rifle back into the holster and decided to explore the ship, my stomach full of butterflies as turbulence rocked the craft. Making my way along gangways and through metal corridors, I came across another Spritebot. Checking my surroundings, I sneaked up on the robot and pounced on it.

Springing the blade from my hoof, I unscrewed the back panel of the bot. Inside, a gemstone powering the machine along with a small panel underneath a code. The blade slid inside easily, eventually freeing a familiar metal plate. I released the bot which drifted obliviously away, and placed the card into the slot on my temple.

In place of the eye spin and nausea, I was rewarded with a splitting headache and a squeal in my ear. I bashed my hoof on the source of the offending noise which eventually died down after a few attempts. Panting and with my head still throbbing, I began turning dials trying to tune to the frequency the bot used.

After turning numerous dials, and finding only many different marches, I finally came across the frequency the Raptor captains were using. My discovery was sort lived, as the ship's speakers blared into life, “All hooves to the main deck, battle stations ponies!”

I raced along the walkways, bumping into several unicorn technicians before reaching the main battle force. We trotted to our gunning positions, several pegasi flying onto the roof of the Raptor as lookouts. I made my way to a minigun emplacement, clicking the weapon's safety off and setting the barrels to spin. Taking the grip into my mouth, I peered down the sights, studying the ponies on board the other two Raptors as we passed tall black mountains.

The ship began to slow as the formation held, lazily drifting past the cloud topped peaks. The lead Raptor took us past a few more peaks before a burst of gunfire was heard. The other tail Raptor had opened fire on a single figure, churning the changeling up in a mess of bone and blood. The remains flew past, striking a mountain and spinning to the distant ground.

“Hold your fire, only engage if the target is confirmed,” the Captain instructed, his voice booming through the many speakers on board. I squinted as the sun broke through the clouds, trying to shield my right eye. The sun disappeared for a brief second as two more changelings burst from nowhere, meeting the same fate as the first from our guns. The other ponies on board gave a quiet cheer as I felt my ear buzz.

“Two confirmed kills for us, I think I’m taking those bits when we get back,” our Captain chuckled on the radio, a reply coming after a short burst of static.

“Day's still young. Anyway, Sunbeam's got the best shooters on board. I’ll be taking that golden delight! Oh fuck, three dead ahead!” the tail Raptor opened fire again, squashing the insect like creatures on a wall of lead.

A few more repeated instances left the group testy. We were all anticipating something worse than this, and the nature of the creatures didn't add up. It was clear they knew we were within their borders and armed, but they had only sent out groups of three at the most. Many ponies left their stations, sat playing cards in the middle of the deck.

I swivelled in my placement, craning my neck to get a better view. After a few minutes of pointless searching, I flicked the safety on and powered the gun down. I stepped back from the minigun disappointed in the lack of action, and caught something in the corner of my eye. Stepping back up, I studied a mountain closely. A rock quivered slightly, before breaking free. A burst of gunfire revealed it to be a changeling curled up, the bloody pulp flying away.

But the dead creature wasn't what held my attention. It was the white rock from where it once hid that made my stomach drop. My hoof shaking, I removed my eye patch and opened up the artificial part. I swallowed hard, hoping for the best as I spoke, “Sparkle on.”

I nearly cried out in terror as the eye filled with red marks. Uncountable numbers of them filled my sight, the mountains covered in them. I desperately flicked the safety off, the barrels whirring into life as I pressed my hoof to my left ear.

“H-hello? Anypony there?”

I anticipated the response, but was glad it came, “Huh? The fuck? Moonbeam, are you radioing us?”

“No... did you just radio us?”

“I'm sorry ma'am, but we have an emergency,” I began to explain, my heart fluttering, “My name is Rivet Bolt, I’m on board the Moonbeam. I need you both to turn on your EFS, you're going to want to see this.”

“Bolt? You're the fucker who made us go on this stupid mission in the first place!” Moonbeam's captain yelled, “How in the name of Celestia did you get hold of the radio codes?! More importantly, where did you get a radio?!”

The Sunbeam's captain remained silent for a moment, waiting for the tirade to stop, “Private Bolt, can you clarify what an EFS is? We don't carry such a thing.”

'Fuck, of course they don't,' I mentally reprimanded myself, trying to think of something they could use.

“We have a basic heat detection system we use to track missiles, will that work?” the mare inquired, giving the order to another pony.

“This is ridiculous! If we weren't in the middle of mission I’d have you marked for treason! How dare you give your superiors orders and hack into military technology! Actually forget that! I’m ordering your immediate arres-” our Captain raged, screaming down the headset and forcing me to spin the dials as low as they could go.

“Oh sweet Celestia, have mercy on us all,” a horrified voice came, “Wind Dancer, you need to turn your heat detection on, I’m pulling out now.”

Sunbeam banked and turned towards the way we came, moving at increasing speed and up towards the cloud cover. Captain Wind Dancer gave a grumble and delivered the order. Every window on board lit up suddenly, displaying the locations of high heat sources. Each mountain came up a deadly yellow, and I felt my legs give out from beneath me.

“To the gates of Tartarus and back. We. Are. Fucked,” our captain commented on the speakers, every pony at a station giving a similar reaction. The scent of urine filled the air as a younger stallion let his bladder loose, shaking as a cruel reality sunk in. We were hopelessly outnumbered, surrounded and flank deep into enemy territory. Wind Dancer had summed our situation up quite nicely.

“About turn, get us the fuck out of here!” the captain panicked, the ship rolling and moving away from the location, “We'll set up a command post elsewhere!”

“Sir wait! What about Starbeam?” a second voice had joined the radio, her voice as panicked.”

“They've shut off all communication... we need a flyer, who's fastest on board?”

“Fleetfoot, sir. But... she'll never make it!” came the reply, the Raptor rapidly approaching the assumed safety of the clouds.

“Then Starbeam will be going solo.”

I abandoned my station, racing to the rear of the Raptor. Pushing past several pegasi and unicorns, all oblivious of the near chaos outside, I reached the hanger and slammed the door to open. I pressed myself to the metal plating, digging my hooves in to stop myself from being sucked out by the pressure.

My cyber-eye focused on Starbeam, the leading Raptor ignorant to the lack of allies. I span a dial, my vision zooming in. After the brief wave of nausea, I noted to thank Gadget for adding the ability. Even if he did add it while I was asleep. I scanned the area around the cloudship, praying to the Goddesses that the ship would realise the situation and pull out.

All at once the mountains shed their black cover, and the ship opened fire in all directions. This time however, the changelings didn't speed away in a bloody mess. As they were cut down, a horrifically beautiful burst of green flame came forth, coating the ship in rolling fire. Pegasi on the roof were burnt to a crisp, crying out in agony. Their screams covered the sound of blaring guns and explosions as more changelings erupted into green fireballs. Several changelings dived at the windows, the glass splintering as the ponies behind cringed in fear.

The hanger doors opened, and a cluster of pegasi and Sky Chariots burst forth. The group made some space, fighting off pursuing enemies as the changelings broke into the Raptor. Static blared through my ear, and a ragged voice came through, barely audible over the sound of gunfire and cries of terror and agony.

“Help... help m-”

The interior of the ship burst into flame, the entire Raptor diving towards the ground as changelings swarmed out of it. The Starbeam gave a horrible shriek as it scraped by the naked mountains, before a deafening explosion came as it struck the ground. I looked at the carcass of the ship, flames licking the metal frame.

A single pegasus collapsed from the hanger bay, covered in burns and blood. Her right wing had been all but torn off, gore and bone sticking out from the part. Four changelings set upon her, driving her to the ground. I span the dial, unable to watch a second more. Pulling my eye patch back on and placing my hoof on my ear, I called in to Wind Dancer, watching the escapees fly towards us.

“Starbeam's down, we have incoming friendlies but they've got hostiles on their tail!”

“Understood, we'll deal with it,” the captain replied, his voice then booming over the speaker system, “All hooves, incoming hostiles to the rear. Shoot without discrimination.”

My stomach dropped to the earth below, and I let out a cry as our guns opened fire on the desperate pegasi and unicorns. The ponies were torn up in a matter of seconds, blood and gore raining down on the ranges below us. I stretched out a hoof as a pegasus mare flew towards the hanger, looking into her desperate eyes before she was torn away by an insectoid aggressor to the ground below. Her screams rang out before a burst of flame silenced her, chilling me to the bone.

A male pegasus pulling a Sky Chariot reached the hanger, a female unicorn bursting from the door and into my hooves. The mare sobbed and let out a squeak as the Chariot came under heavy fire, the pegasus crying out as his wings were clipped and he fell to the ground, his load dragging him to his doom. I pulled the mare close, shamefully closing the hanger doors as the remaining ponies cried in pain and terror.

We sat for a while, her sobs preventing any kind of silence as the battle raged on. I leaned over, attempting to console her only to be pushed away. A second attempt was met with a scream and a hoof to my chest. The wind was driven out of me, enough left for a cry as my back struck a Sky Chariot. Pulling myself to my hooves, I approached her cautiously.

“Stay away from me! Murderer! You're no worse than they are!” she screamed as I approached, forcing me back with magic.

“I couldn't do anything! I’m just an earth pony!” I yelled back, feeling ashamed for having to use that as an excuse for my actions, “I couldn't have saved him without putting you in danger anyway!”

“I'm not talking about just him! You closed the doors! They'll all die out there!”

“What else was I supposed to do?! I’m not sacrificing every pony on board for a few outside!” I stood beside my reasoning, “It was the logical, obvious thing to do. Those ponies out there were doomed anyway!”

The mare's horn began to glow, her pistol floating out of its holster. I froze in place, keeping my eye on the weapon as it wavered in the air. The gun rotated, the barrel placing itself into the soft underside of her jaw. An audible click as the gun's safety was disengaged.

“Then I go with them.”

“Now hold on jus-”

The shot cut my sentence short, the mare's lifeless body hitting the floor with a dull thud. I ran towards her, skidding in a mess of dark blood and tangled mane. There was nothing I could do other than sat in shock, my hooves washed in her blood. I clenched my teeth at the sight of her dead eyes, respectfully closing them before reaching down and pulling her dogtag free.

The sound of hooves on steel echoed around me, and I was joined by another unicorn and pegasus. The winged pony sniffed at the body, moving towards the hanger doors and opening them. The air whipped our manes around as cool damp cloud seeped in.

“Throw her out, she can't stay here,” the pegasus yelled over the din.

I looked down at the dead pony and over to the unicorn. He seemed worse for wear at seeing a dead member of his race, moving away from the carcass. I beckoned him over, annoyed at his hesitation for being so close to the body, “Get some bandages, we're taking her with us.”

“Didn't you hear me? Throw the bitch out!” the pegasus roared as my orders were followed.

“No,” I replied coolly, looking up at the gangways for the unicorn to return.

“I'm sorry, I thought I told you to get rid of her! That isn't up for discussion!”

“I'm going to bury her. It's the least I can do,” I stood between the winged pony and the body, blood seeping past my hooves as the ship levelled out. We stared at each other for a while, the silence breaking before the pony with my bandages returned, aiding me in wrapping her head. The pegasus glared at us, closing the hanger doors and flying away.

With the mare's head covered, I placed her body on my back and walked towards the main deck. The male unicorn walked beside me, keeping an eye on the body, “Did you know her?”

“No,” I wanted to avoid speaking for a while, feeling my throat tighten and tears well up.

“Do you know her family?”

“No.”

The unicorn stepped in front of me, his eyes questioning, “You have no relation to her at all?”

“Yeah,” I replied nonchalantly, trying to push past him.

“Then why are you burying her?” he inquired, refusing to move until I gave him an answer.

“Because its what ponies should do. The zebra don't throw their dead to one side, and we're better than them, right?” I pushed past him and continued down the gangway, the mare shifting as my hooves struck the steel.

“It's pegasi tradition to bury their dead in the air. They use special clouds for it,” the unicorn informed me quietly, shying away.

“I'm going to bury her the way she should be then. And if nopony likes that then so be it.”

The burial was unceremonious, private and one of the most difficult things I had ever done. As soon as we had returned to the Glorious Dawn, I had asked for permission to take a chariot down to Baltimare and bury the unicorn. I had inquired as to her spouse, only to find that he was on board Starbeam during that mission.

I stood respectfully at the grave, a collection of stones marking the mound. Opening a saddlebag, I took the mare's dogtag out and placed it on the ground. It must have been a strange sight, a bright pink male earth pony staring at a grave, but I shook that feeling. Ponies can think what they want to. After a few minutes of silence, I began to speak, thinking that some words would mean more than nothing at all.

“Miss Blossom, all I can say is that I’m sorry for not being able to do more. Maybe if I had more time, I could have saved them, I could have saved you. But I guess that's useless now. You're with the many ponies we've lost now, I just hope you can find solace there,” I gave a sigh, feeling my heavy heart boom slowly, “I'm going to take your tag with me, to remind me. I’ll try better next time. Goodbye.”

I trotted away, heading back towards the city and a waiting pegasus. The dogtag was back inside my saddlebag, safe and secure. It was just another burden to bear to me. But this one held little weight to all the others.

The burdens took a heavy toll on my soul, yet each made me who I was. I was dedicated to living for my mother, exterminating Xander's killers for Sunset and finding peace between zebra and pony kind for Xander. I liked to think that it gave me purpose, a reason to live other than to put Starshine's mind at ease.

The pegasus, and the chariot I rode in, was waiting on the outskirts of the city. We had explicit orders to not enter Baltimare until after the campaign, several soldiers disappearing after a peace keeping mission would be too suspicious for the Ministry of Image to cover up. The pegasus had very little to say to me, opting absolute silence rather than attempt any conversation. The fact that he opted to carry me down to the ground was amazing in itself, until I noticed that he was part of Thunder's squadron.

The black pegasus had made no attempt to contact me after my reaction towards him. I assumed he had given up trying to keep in touch at all until this pegasus volunteered to pilot the chariot. It was a pointless gesture, I wanted nothing more to do with the blood drunk pony. I had avoided him at all costs when I was on board the ThunderHead, yet he seemed insistent that we at least acknowledge one another without talking.

The flight back was short and uneventful. My arrival on the Glorious Dawn was anything but. As soon as the Raptors returned, I put in for a chariot and so was still unaccounted for. The chariot touched the plating, and I was immediately mobbed by a herd of unicorns. They stripped the spell away, returning my coat to its natural charcoal colour and my mane to the inky blackness. Compared to the wondrous bright voice of pink, I found myself to be rather mundane and uninteresting. Perfect for a pony who's trying to avoid attention.

I tried to head back to my quarters, only to be pinned against the floor. I let out a sigh as identification questions rolled off the herd's tongues, answering each one in turn without pause or break. Even the slightest hesitation would have me killed, though the thrill and terror of such a situation had disappeared to bother a keener pony.

Eventually, the final question came. My last fall back on changeling identification, and one of the more worrying moments of my life so far. An interrogator leaned in close, keeping her eyes dead on mine, “Who is your code partner?”

“Specialist Gadget of the Royal Engineers, second platoon,” I was not looking forward to this. My squad mate was brought into the hanger, much to his annoyance. By the way he trotted over, my guess was that he had finally cracked open the emergency liquor he kept in his rifle's stock. He was a technological genius, modification magician and very bad at hiding his inebriation.

“Yer 'right there Rive? Haven't seen ye in a while. Mind tellin' me what these gents want?” he slurred. The familiarity was most welcome, and I felt a tenseness I wasn't aware I was harbouring leave my body.

“The code word Gadget, I need you to confirm the code. Else I’m off to visit the floor.”

“Code? Oh yeh! Go on then me lad,” the green unicorn tried to stand up straight, only to slump onto a pegasus mare. The pony gave him an evil look, and kicked him awake.

“Alright then,” I moved closer to the pony, careful to not let slip my final safety rope, “Spyder.”

I moved back, confident and at ease. Gadget however continued to stay close, his ear close to my muzzle, “Yeh, that's the one.”

I let out a sigh of relief as the unicorns left my side, the pegasus guards leaving the hanger soon after. I stood with my green squad mate, his ear still pressed to my muzzle, “Gadget? You can take your ear away.”

“Not 'til you say 'Gadget is best engineer pony'.”

I tried to push past the unicorn, on to find that he had stuck my hooves to the metal plating of the ship. I let out a nervous laugh, “Come on Gadge, this isn't funny.”

“Say it,” the drunken stallion whispered, making the situation more tense than it should have been.

“F-fine, Gadget is best engineer pony!” I half shouted, making sure he heard every word. My hooves came free from the plating, and I sighed in relief.

“Damn right I am,” he slurred before prompting crashing to the floor. I prodded him with a hoof, only to be batted away and answered with a loud snore. Pulling a dust sheet over him, I trotted up to the gangways and out of the cloud ship. The sounds of hoof striking metal crushed the silence of the sleeping vessel. The pegasi slept during the end of the day rather than at night, the cover of darkness providing the perfect conditions for a surprise raid.

Reaching my squad's quarters, I sneaked in quietly. Hefty's snores cloaked most of the noise I made, the large unicorn making more noise at night than he did during the day. Slate twitched and muttered in his sleep, tossing and turning. He had been plagued by nightmares for days now, the lack of sleep beginning to show in the bags underneath his eyes. Every morning he would shrug it off, every night he'd stay up as late as he physically could to save him from the terrors. The medical bay had put him on a course of sleeping pills, which had remained unopened in his foot locker.

I moved to my bunk, releasing my saddlebags and placing them at the head. Lifting the pillow, I slid a pistol underneath. Always pays off to be a little more cautious at times. My armour came off with ease, my beret and eye patch resting on top of the carapace as I felt my dogtags bounce against my torso. I brought my right hoof up, stroking the scar above my left eye until my mane covered the mark.

'Another permanent reminder...' I mused as I took out the unicorn's tags and placed them along side several other items. Each one was my reminder of all that has passed and all that I had promised.

My father's knife, a symbol of his last stand and the pony everypony expected me to become. My brother's letter, his true last words to me and to the world. A picture of Xander and Sunset together, their foal was due soon and it was my duty to assure vengeance and peace for the family, no matter the cost. Blossom's tags, to teach me that the logical thing isn't always the right thing to do.

Finally, there was the picture of me and Starshine. I picked it up, feeling emotions bubble within me. She had stayed prominent in my mind at times alone, a source of worry and questions. I wasn't sure how to act towards her any more, any warmth was misinterpreted yet the guilt of being icy was overwhelming. Of all the things I had to decipher in my life, she was the hardest. One thing rang clear and true however, my feelings for her were nothing like her feelings towards me.

I turned the picture over, smiling a little at the writing on the back, 'I guess I need a friend during these lonely nights more than I need a lover.'

I slipped between the sheets, holding the photo to my torso as if it could fly away at a moment's notice. I lay in the dark for a while, listening to the sounds of the cloud ship and the city below. Before too long, I found my right eye closing and I was drifting into an uneasy, tense sleep.

Night had fallen on Equestria. The oblivious country slept on, wary of the striped warriors of far off lands. Uneasy peace had come to the land, and fate let the fleeting respite stay for a little long. Come morning, all hell will unfold.

Chapter Nine: Greater Perspective

“Lose control”

Bullets pinged against the bottom of chariot as we raced over the battle below. The roar of mortar fire and artillery only added to the din of hundreds of beings dying and dying beneath us all. An explosion rocked the vessel violently, sending me crashing into the opposite side. The pilot corrected herself, her wings beating furiously as the ship swung back into a stable level. I staggered around, grabbing back on the minigun and laying hot lead upon countless zebra soldiers, smiling at their cries of agony.

“That's the spirit me buck!” Thunder called out, doing the same on his side of chariot. Starshine beamed happily as I caught her eye, revelling in the ecstasy of justified murder. A cheeky wink from the pegasus as she swung her incendiary grenade launcher around, setting both live and dead zebra alike on everlasting fire.

We flew like mad ponies through the sky, dodging past pegasi squadrons and flak fire. The roar of two armies clashing sounded below, like two dragons fighting over a horde. We raced over the zebra line, trying to find a chance to turn towards our line with some safety. Thunder gave out a whistle, pointing with his wing.

“Enemy medical tent below!” he called out, looking over at me and Starshine with a grin on his face. The mare beamed back, bringing her weapon to bear and firing on the tent as I poured bullets into the camp. Zebras screamed below, their coats alight as they ran to save themselves. The tent was just a skeleton after we passed it, the blackened frames standing around the burnt bodies of zebra soldiers.

Shadow coughed loudly, a splatter of blood landing on his coat. Starshine raced over to him, wincing as a gash in her wing added drips to the pool. She injected another syringe into his flank, Shadow letting out a satisfied sigh.

“He won't last much longer! We need to get back to the medical tent,” she yelled out to the pegasus pilot.

“I'm going as fast as I can, we're taking too muc-” the pilot's back exploded as a mortar shell struck her back, the explosion flinging me and Thunder to the back of the chariot. The pony's body hung limp in the harness, the chariot beginning to dive as blood and gore poured from the wound.

“Fuck!” I recovered faster, racing to the emergency controls and deploying the chariot's wings. The steel flaps burst from beneath the chariot, bringing it out of the sharpness of the dive.

“They won't hold for long Thunder, you need to get out there and pull for us!” I yelled out, turning around to the black pegasus. He kicked the door open, looking over to me. Bullets slammed into the wings making the chariot dip suddenly. I stumbled for a moment, looking up into his eyes as he opened his wings and jumped backwards out of the craft, turning and flying away from us.

“THUNDER!”

Klaxons wailed as I was shaken out of my slumber. I wiped my eye, looking up at a fully dressed Hefty. The stallion nodded, and moved away as I rolled out of my bed and onto the floor. Slate threw my beret and eye patch over, pulling his armour on after.

“Shake a leg Rivet, we're going in hard. Meet us at the hanger,” the Officer commanded, lifting his rifle into its holster and trotting out with Hefty. Gadget's equipment floated behind them, wrapped in their combined magic.

I grunted in response and sat against the bunk for a while, trying to clear my head of the memory. After knocking on my skull a few times, I felt a little better. I sighed and rubbed my face with my hooves, trying to push all animosity out of my mind before getting dressed, 'Let it go, it's in the past now.'

I pulled my armour on, tightening the straps and locking it on safe. My father's knife slid into its sheath, and my gun cuddled snugly on my back. Racing from the room, I stopped just outside the door. I bit the inside of my mouth and turned back, rushing back out after grabbing Blossom's tag and placing it between my undershirt and armour.

The cacophony of a thousand sets of hooves rang out in the Glorious Dawn, the inky blue sky and pure white moon showing that such a dawn was yet to rise. Pegasi swooped overhead, some dressed in battle armour while others wore the white coats of the Thunderhead's crew. I kept behind the crowd, not wanting to risk injury in the mad push to the hanger bay.

Another crowd of hooves came from behind, and I was joined by Snowfall's squad. Each pony bore several scars from battles long gone and had a single pink ribbon tied to their body or equipment. Most also wore battle-saddles, their steps having a little swing to each step due to the weight of the ordnance they were carrying.

Snowfall himself looked deadly serious, a Spritebot floating behind him wherever he walked, “Morning Rivet. You feeling ready for this?”

I gave him a nod, smiling a little “Yeah, I know what they're capable of. We just need to keep our heads in the game and we'll be fine. Is Pinkie along for the ride?”

Snow glanced at the bot, “No, she's merely observing today. Though she has a message for you.”

I blinked in surprise. I expected to be in contact with her again, but to receive it through one of her team leaders rather than the mare herself seemed to be very un-Pinkie like, “Oh? What is it?”

A clang sounded and I turned around, finding Thunder stood patiently. My anger seethed and faded in a moment at the first look, 'Give him a chance to speak just this once.'

The pegasus nodded to Snow, turning to me, “Commander Dash wants to see you before we head off Rivet, it's urgent,” a moment's pause, “And an order.”

I reluctantly nodded, trotting past Snowfall and keeping close to Thunder, “Tell me when I get back Snow, this won't take long!”

I kept behind Thunder, pushing through the tide of ponies heading in the opposite direction. Dashing up countless stairs and through cloned corridors, we reached the main command room where tens of pegasi manned terminals, each speaking orders into head sets. A single cyan pegasus dressed in black carapace armour stood in the middle of the room, gazing out of the window.

I approached her cautiously, remembering her nasty blow from the day before “Private Rivet Bolt here and accounted for, sir!”

“At ease Private, walk with me,” she replied, not even turning her head as she walked from her spot towards the giant windows. I followed, Thunder ducking out of the room as I did. I kept close to the Ministry Mare, aware of the melancholic mood that had taken hold. Even when she was humiliated by me in front of the entire ship she held a confident air, bordering on self indulgent.

“We lost a lot of good ponies in that last mission... not to mention an entire Raptor,” she began, staring blankly out of the window, “I hold you accountable for that.”

“Ma'am, I couldn't do anything! They had switched all communications off,” I protested, keeping my distance lest I anger her, “There was nothing we could do!”

Rainbow nodded, “Yes, there was nothing you could do. There was plenty the pegasi could have done, but they fled first. At your recommendation.”

I tried to speak, but found no words came. I tried to piece together an argument, thinking of a way I could justify myself. I could find no way to do so, and sunk my head. Blossom's tag dug into my skin, once again I had taken the most logical action rather than think ahead. Maybe we had the firepower to defend all three Raptors and escape, but there was little comfort in any knowledge like that.

“Thank you Private,” I perked up at the mare's words, “Thank you for getting those ponies out of there. That unicorn was right, we did need intel... we have it now, but the cost has been too great.”

The pegasus turned around to face me, offering her hoof , “We'll take it from here, just don't get yourself killed today.”

I shook the blue hoof, feeling on edge still, “I'm sorry I couldn't save them all ma'am, but I’ll try to this time.”

A smile came across her face, “Trying to be the hero? Heh, I remember when I tried to do the same when I was younger... don't let it get to your head soldier, you can't be everypony's saviour. Keep thinking that way and you'll end up dead. Just do what you can, that's all we ask. You're dismissed.”

I saluted the mare and trotted quickly from the room, my heart pounding hard. It seemed that she was truly humbled by my actions, which didn't make anything any easier. I had still offended a Ministry Mare, and no doubt the others would have stern words with me for doing so.

I raced through the hallways and merged back into the crowd. Wind blew our manes into a crazed dance, my beret threatening to take off if it weren't for the bronze Equestrian sun upon it. Ponies filed slowly into various Raptors and Sky Chariots, each to an assigned location. Mine was into a sleek vessel dubbed Radiance along with Officer Slate. The unicorn himself stood waiting for me alongside a few pegasi, discussing the upcoming mission.

“Rivet! Over here, you can help these gentlemares out. You've faced these creatures before, what are we up against?” Slate began, his head tilting as I stopped in my tracks. My blood had ran cold, these pegasi were flying in blind for a second time! My thoughts raced to Rainbow Dash's thanks just moments before, wondering why the information a hundred ponies just gave their lives for wasn't being applied.

“I need to use your radio,” I ran inside to the ponies' protests, heading straight to the command centre and to a unicorn who was operating the radio system, “Let me see the frequencies! Quickly dammit!”

The confused stallion hoofed me a scroll listing all the Raptors active for the mission. I scanned across them, memorising each one until I came across the final frequency. This one had no Raptor to identify it, yet was the most basic of the codes.

I gestured to it before the unicorn, “Whose is that?”

The unicorn shrugged, “I'm not sure, all I know is that we're only supposed to broadcast on it if there's an emergency,” he snatched the scroll from my hooves with magic, turning back to his station.

Slate entered the deck, rushing over when he spotted me, “Rivet! Don't run off like that, you're on thin ice with the Air Force anyway. Hey, what's got you so bothered?”

I pushed past him, moving to the pegasus mares he was stood with “Ma'am, who's the captain on the ship?”

One of the mares, wearing a coat of vibrant red and a golden mane, nodded “Lieutenant Velocity, I’m commander of this Raptor. What's wrong Private?”

“I need you to get in touch with the other ships, we're all flying blind!”

The pegasus chuckled “Of course we are, we only need to know the terrain to execute a blitz campaign. Any more information and they'll panic if one of us is interrogated. Look here,” the mare moved over to a projected map as unicorns and pegasi raced around the deck, each engrossed in preparation for lift off.

“We'll be flying over these areas here, bombing their spires from above the cloud line. When we finish that assault, we'll fly in lower for a second run. I think your Officer oversimplified things here, we know they won't go above the clouds and that they'll hide as rocks on a mountain. We just don't know their battle tactics.”

I let out a sigh of relief, feeling the worry fade away. Slate gave a nervous chuckle in apology, rubbing the back of his head with his hoof. Saluting my superiors, I made my way to the gunnery, choosing a turret to take control of. The gun was a belt fed grenade launcher, a small screen giving a read out similar to my rifle and Spyder's systems. I tested the weight in my mouth, finding it easier to turn than I first assumed.

A shriek sounded as Raptors began to close up their hangar doors, the bay of Glorious Dawn opening wide as we throbbed into the air. Ponies began to gather in the gunnery, finding their weapons of choice. Several placed bits into a tankard in the centre of the room, taking a piece of chalk back to their guns. I felt a little queasy at the thought of killing for sport, remembering the exhilaration of gunning down zebra after a smiling buck boasted that he'd kill an entire mountain's worth of hostiles.

Radiance floated out over the cloud line, falling into the flight pattern set by the other Raptors. Glorious Dawn rumbled as the hangers closed up, moving slowly behind us as the convoy began to move out. My ear hissed and cracked, I winced as it screeched before a voice came through.

“Com' on, com' on... that workin'? Oi! Rivey! Ye there?” Gadget's voice called out, “Yer sure this'll work Hefty?”

I grinned, “Morning sunshine, feeling well?”

“Ye can fuck right off ye prick! Why did ye leave me there?!” Gadget yelled, bringing a chuckle forth, “Oh, this is funny?”

“It isn't funny, it's karma,” I replied, smiling happily at the thought of fighting alongside him again.

“T'fuck's karma?”

“Zebra belief I think, the idea that every action will have a consequence. You do good, good will happen. Do bad, something bad will happen,” I remembered reading about it in a magazine when I was a colt, giggling at the idea. It was simply ridiculous that such a system could operate, 'What did Equestria do wrong to stir the anger of two different nations?'

“The zebra can fuck off with their crap, ah think it was just you being a prick,” Gadget grumbled, his suffering at the hooves of his hangover clear. I chuckled in response, shaking my head.

“How did you get onto the pegasi radio system? They flipped out when I did it yesterday.”

“How? T'was easy. Dumbasses don't even have a half decent encryption, yer just need a radio. How did ye manage it?”

“Oh, I wrestled a Spritebot for it,” I replied cheerfully, keeping the secret of my eye's capabilities to myself. An awkward silence came before a long exasperated sigh.

“Ah worry about you sometimes Rive, think t'bullet screwed with ye more than ye let on,” Gadget tutted. A Spritebot floated behind me as he spoke, playing a grand concerto rather than the cheesy march I had become used to. The music floated through my earpiece as well, only quieter, “Ye hearing that? Or have ah gone screwy too?”

“No, no I hear it... do you have a Spritebot nearby?”

“Nah, just me, Heft and our baby. It coming from the radio then?” Gadget pondered, the same question forming in my head. I spun the dial, trying to find the source. The music began to grow steadily louder as I came closer and closer to the emergency frequency. The song came into perfect clarity when I reached the channel, confusing me further.

'What the? Why is this being played through the Sprites and this frequency, and what is it anyway?'

“Ah, Ride of the Pegasi,” a pegasus mare sighed, “Commander Dash's favourite piece. She always plays it before battle, says it reminds her of the Wonderbolts. This is first time in a few weeks she's played it openly.”

I glanced at the mare, finding all the other pegasi had a similar lovelorn look on their faces, 'Guess this song means a lot to them... still doesn't explain why Rainbow's playing this on the emergency channel if Pinkie's playing it on the Spritebots.'

The song continued on the Sprites until the grand conclusion, returning to the tinny marches we were all bored of. Yet the emergency frequency continued to play the song on repeat. I shrugged it off, thinking that Commander Dash wanted to use it for herself, 'Judging from the Air Force's reputation, the channel must be hardly ever used.'

I checked a small terminal in the gunnery, studying the map of the area carefully. I let out a sigh, our destination wasn't for another hour or so at the rate we were moving. Settling under my gun, I curled up and rested my eyes, trying to regain what sleep I could from the nightmares before.

“THUNDER!”

“Rivet! What happened?” Starshine called out me, her mane and tail gaining streaks of red from Shadow's wounds.

I stood shaking in rage as the pegasus slowly disappeared from sight, bellowing in rage, “Is this what she would do?! Abandon her friends when they need her most?! You fucking COWARD!”

Tears poured from my eyes as I yelled, my rage making me blind to the incoming fire from all sides. An anti-air shell rocked the chariot, sending me skidding across the floor to the emergency controls. I pulled myself up, grabbing a lever in my mouth and yanking hard to bring us into the air for a moment.

Another explosion took out the right wing completely, flinging the carcass of the pilot away as it spun out of control. My body struck the ceiling, driving the wind out of me as we span over the zebra line. I managed a glance out of the window, paling when I realised we were going to crash into our own soldiers. The chariot increased in speed, striking the ground hard, bouncing and rolling along.

We all cringed as the shriek of metal had accompanying shrieks of ponies being flattened and torn apart by the metal hull, us inside being flung like a filly's toy in a tantrum. The craft eventually came to a rest, gore dripping off every edge of the dented hull. I tried to get to my hooves, only to heave and vomit as my head span.

Starshine fared no better, the small cut now a gaping weeping wound. She managed to stand and shake herself, staggering around and resting on the frame as ponies raced to us.

“That was fun,” she managed weakly, smiling a little. I smiled in return, opting to sit as medical ponies rushed inside and began tending to us. I looked around at the faces, smiling dimly until I realised a lack of a certain one.

“Shadow... where's Shadow?” I called out, standing up despite protests to look for the unicorn. I let out a gasp as I found his body. What remained of it at least. His top half was hanging out the grenade machine gun's station, blood encrusted on his muzzle. Entrails and bone were all that remained below that, his entire lower body torn away. Medics lifted the body up, wrapping it in a towel and carrying it away.

A hoof kicked mine, bringing me back to modern Equestria. I shook the sleep from my head, standing up as Slate trotted back to his weapon “Rise and shine sleepy head, we'll be starting the first strafe in a few minutes.”

I yawned and turned to my own gun, taking the trigger into my mouth. As soon as my tongue touched metal, my memories flooded to Thunder's betrayal. I spluttered, keeping down bile as I spat the taste of powder and metal from my mouth. Coughing hard, I tried to take hold of it a second time. The taste had subsided, but the anger did not.

I chomped down hard on the grip, the speakers suddenly blaring and Velocity's voice calling through, “All ponies to your stations, bomber chariots scramble on my command.”

Across the Raptor squadron, hangers opened wide. A deathly applause came as safeties were clicked off, miniguns whirring and grenade machine guns beeping as the arming systems came online. Mine read out lines and lines of text, scrolling through hundreds of characters. I smiled a little to myself, the code was horrifically out of date compared to system running in Spyder.

'It's easier to judge everything by eye,' I mused, checking my rounds as the windows flickered. At the very bottom, the intense yellow of heat licked along the frame. We were directly above the mountain range we flew through the day before, and it was just as deadly.

Out of the hangers poured a hundred pegasi and chariots, each carrying a payload large enough to take out a small village. The winged ponies flew alongside us for a few minutes, before turning and ducking beneath the clouds. The fleet floated in silence for a few moments, until the booms of high explosives came.

I span the dials on my skull, finding the frequency being used by the squadron commanders. Loading a grenade into the chamber, I listened intently, 'Come on, drop it and get back up here.'

“That's a good kill, load up the next drop and come around.”

“Copy, coming around.”

“Ten plus kills confirmed, my lucky day.”

“I'm calling bullshit on that one.”

“Go down and check for yourself, but I’m sticking with what I said.”

“Fuck you if you think- oh shit, break formation!”

“Haha! Close call there.”

“Squadron Delta coming in hot, clear a path for the first Spire.”

Thunder's voice rang out to me, chilling me a little. I chewed the inside of my lip as more bombs fell, 'Cocky bastard, he'll get himself killed... why the hell do I care about that anyway?!'

“Delta, bombs away.”

“Good effect on target. Heh, looks like we've stirred the hornet's nest.”

A massive explosion sounded as the clouds lit up with an eerie green light. The unicorns and pegasi at the gunnery let out woops of joy as Velocity called through the speakers, “Going below the cloud cover, prepare yourselves for contact.”

The Raptors dipped below out haven in the sky, shots ringing out as the remains of the changeling force in the area came to meet us. Hundreds peeled off the white mountains, flying at us at breakneck speed. My machine gun thumped as explosives were flung at them, striking many down in a single explosion. Text scrolled furiously as the windows flared at the heat, my eye flicking from target to target as I kept my tongue on the trigger.

One of the insectoid creatures flew close to my firing port, a direct grenade coating the side of the Raptor in gore before an eruption of green flame. I brought my hooves up to shield my face, the heat intense enough to smell burning hair. I took my hooves down, finding the magic had melted the window, leaving a few smoking wires in its place. A tap on the gun informed me that it was still cool enough to wield, and I continued raining death on the creatures, the wind whipping my mane in my face as I fired shot after shot at them.

'So much for thermals,' I thought to myself, the text scrolling quicker with every shot, “Come on! I’m right here!”

A loud clack announced my lack of ammo, and I rushed to add a new belt to the gun. As I hefted the ammunition into my hooves, I noticed movement at my station. Thunder hovered in front of my gun, looking around at the chaos around him. I grabbed the stock of my gun, pulling it forward out of its holster. The rifle flew out, sliding along my cheek until I had the trigger in my mouth. I turned and fired a single shot at Thunder, the bullet tearing through his skull.

The pegasus looked surprised before he fell backwards, almost in slow motion. Blood trickled from the head wound as he fell, before he exploded in green flame. I finished reloading, suddenly aware of glances from several pegasi in the gunnery.

“How did you know?” one asked, her voice wavering slightly.

I cocked the weapon, “I didn't.”

I continued to fire until I ran out of ammo a second time, not caring what I hit. My mind was numb and blank, like I was drugged up again. Killing changelings was nothing like killing zebra. They weren't even remotely equine, let only pony like. Fighting the zebra was a terrible necessity, killing this race felt more like sport. It was also a perfect chance to test myself.

I honestly hated Thunder for what he did, what he was and what he was trying to turn me into. So when the opportunity to test such hatred came around, I needed to find out if I could do it. If I could shoot him.

The shot was meant for his chest, enough to wound but not enough to kill. I wanted to lie to myself, and say that I forgot to compensate for the recoil. But I had polished and modified this gun into perfection, it had next to no recoil.

The slaughter continued for a few minutes more, the remnants of the horde fleeing down the mountain ranges. Cheers rang out through the radio and gunnery, several ponies trotting forward to collect their bets. I let out a satisfied sigh, sitting back on my hind as cold air drifted in. The acrid smell and taste of burning flesh and metal drifted in as we passed over the wreckage of the changeling spire.

“Look, there's movement,” a pegasus mare murmured, pointing at the centre of the crater. Black figures stirred below, and a few crawling from the hole. It took me a while to realise what they were, and the first shots to do something about it.

I ran into a unicorn stallion, his gun cracking down into the spire's remains. Shots burst from the other Raptors as I pinned him down, another coming from behind me. I dragged a pegasus from the position before an aura slammed me into the plating. I growled as the unicorn held me pinned to the floor.

“Let me go! Those are civilians you're killing down there!” I yelled, feeling the pressure increase, “This isn't right!”

The stallion sneered in response, spitting on me, “So? Do you think they cared when they burnt our civilians to death? This is a message to their kind; do not fuck with Equestria.”

His aura dissipated as the last screams of the defenceless creatures rang out. I stood up, feeling sick at the actions. We were no better than the zebra or the changelings. We just said we were because we were always the victims. Chariots ran along side the craft before ducking back into the hangers. I sighed and stood up back at my post, checking my gun, 'I cannot let this get to me. They may be the sickest, twisted ponies I have ever met but I still need them to survive.'

The Raptors began to move along the ranges, the Lieutenant's voice coming through on the speakers once more, “Good work, we're heading with the bombers. Ground team one members need to disembark on the chariots provided. Best of luck.”

Slate picked up his equipment and trotted past me, patting me on the back “See you soon Rivet, take care OK?”

“Sir wait!” I called out, moving up to the unicorn.

“Yes?”

I glanced nervously to the side, ready to be put down, “I know it isn't my place, but could I ask something of you? If you come across any civilians down there, please let them go.”

Slate raised an eyebrow at my request, “Let them go? Rivet, you're not sympathising with the enemy, are you? That can get you executed.”

I shook my head for a second before stopping, “I.. I’m not sympathising with them, but aren't we better than them? If we kill their innocents, aren't we no better than the zebra? Both these races kill indiscriminately, we can show some compassion at the very least.”

Slate looked at me sternly, and began to chide me, “Be careful Private, somepony might take those words as treason. I cannot make that promise Rivet, this is war. It looks like this campaign is intended to be entirely shock and awe, nothing will shock them harder than an entire group eradicated.”

With that, the Officer turned and left me in the gunnery. I forced the bile back down, remembering why we were in the country in the first place. Morale was key to fighting, and the first pillar you needed to knock down in the house of war.

'“If you can make the enemy shit themselves hard enough then you will avoid a fight! Something I’m sure all you fillies want to do,”' Hartpony's words floated into my skull, the sergeant’s voice setting my resolve in place. I began to think harder, moving over to my station and forming a plan. After a few moments, I turned to the gunnery and tapped my hoof on the plating. Pegasi and unicorns all turned to face me, a few glares of anger sent my way.

“H-hey there everypony. Listen, I know we have our orders but I was wondering if we could try something,” I swallowed hard as the glares intensified, “Our orders are shock and awe, and I’m not sure about you but I don't agree with killing off innocents... it just isn't our way.”

“Then what do you suppose we do, eh?” a pegasus shouted out, “Just yell boo so they get scared?”

I shook my head slowly, “No, we kill their warriors. In the most convoluted and stylish ways possible.”

I gave a little smile as the others turned to each other in disbelief. The idea was simple, we would shock the enemy by deploying our best weapons and techniques while acting like this was a game. The image of a herd of heavily armed ponies joking as they tore creatures in half for sport was sickening, but perfect for scaring the enemy into surrender.

One of the unicorns stepped forward, looking around at the others, “Alright then, I’ll do it. I’m better than these insects and I’ll damn well prove it!”

The gunnery gave a rousing cheer at her words, and the herd began to discuss how they would pull off such manoeuvres and kills. I smiled grimly to myself, it was the perfect way to assure minimum loss for both sides at the cost of our sanity, 'I’m almost worse than him...'

The echoes of distant bombs and the garbled blare of static brought me back to the nearing battle. I moved to my gun and looked at the window, spotting a series of wires. Looking around, I moved closer and pulled the wires free from the melted window, finding them still attached to the wall. A grin came out as an idea came to me, and I pulled the copper towards me, pushing the wires into the ports on my left temple.

'If the window is linked to the thermal detection devices across the ship through these wires... then I should be able to link into the device through my eye,' I twisted the wires and heard the buzz of electricity within them, 'I hope.'

This time I couldn't keep it down, vomiting out of the remains of the window as my eye span rapidly. A flame ignited within my skull, burning its way through my entire head as my left eye span wildly. The heat surged and then slowed, easing away like a dying campfire. I took in deep breaths, snorting a little as the others were too busy to help me.

I slid the eyepatch off and opened my eye. Nothing had changed. I grunted, annoyed that my idea hadn't worked. It was slightly far fetched, but not impossible. As always, the theory was sound but practice was yet to yield results. I stood back up, groaning as my stomach protested any movement, and took the trigger back in my mouth.

“Might as well use it now it's out, sparkle on,” my voice was muffled, but clear enough for my eye to spin and flick up the sea of yellow with the pool of red in the far corner of my vision. I turned my gun towards the explosions, watching as another spire fell to our bombs. The Raptors then began to speed up, two on the other side of the formation releasing their ground force as we flew over the smouldering wreckage. I tried to put the screams and buzzing pleads of mercy from the hundreds of changelings below as they were chewed up by bullets.

With the pegasi bombers streaming on ahead, and the Raptors on clean up, our force had cleansed at least twenty changeling spires over the next few days. We found that our need for gunners were lessening with each one, as resistance fell each and every time. It became apparent that the spires we were attacking now were mainly filled with civilians. Equestria's strike at the heart of the changelings had begun.

Our ships were hungry demons, scouring the earth in search for the flesh of lesser beings. Occasional pieces of resistance came from our prey, yet we paid little heed to their attempts. We squashed them like the bugs they were, pressing our hooves down on them until they were nothing. It was barbaric.

This new breed of pony, the war pony, was not natural. We were not normal by any standards. We were twisted, deranged malformations of what a pony should be. Everything we did, we justified using some strange logic, and then turned on those who dared question us. We took what our ideals of harmony were, and bastardised them to fit our new minds, twisting what the Bearers fought and stood for.

We had the ponies who followed laughter, giggling as they killed off the innocent. Honesty, who freely spoke of their hatred and lust for the blood of Equestria's enemies. Loyalty, staying true to orders no matter what they entail. Generosity, letting our foals revel in tales of gore filled glory. Magic, a force designed to defend and aid yet used to torture and slaughter those who were against us.

Then came kindness. I felt most drawn to that element above all others, not merely because of the Bearer. I tried to show as much kindness as I could through my years, twisting it a little to convince myself that doing certain things and pushing a certain somepony away were the right thing to do. And then this campaign happened.

The ponies on board had taken my words to heart, not firing a single shot at the creatures below yet toying with those who rose to face us. Wings and horns were shot off, coaxing them into blowing themselves up to get rid of the pain. Limbs were blown off, the bleeding carcasses hanging in the air by unicorn magic. Those who fled were crippled and left to die alone in their agony.

Slaughter continued her path down the range for a week and a half, until we were called to a general halt by Rainbow Dash. The Glorious Dawn hovered above us, the hull only just visible through broken clouds. I looked ahead, seeing a collection of spires. Twisting a dial, I zoomed in on the collection, gasping as I noticed how intricate and beautiful these structures were.

Tall spikes stood proud above interlacing roads and carriageways. Changelings bustled below, either ignorant of their impending doom or trying desperately to ignore it. It was heartbreaking, touching and lamentable. We were monsters.

'Their capital city?! Already?! We're that deep into their territory this soon into the campaign?' my thoughts raced as I tried to figure out what I was seeing, 'It can't be their capital! This has been too easy for it to be! Where's this grand resistance they were supposed to have?'

The sound of massive doors opening cracked through the sky, along with a mechanical whirring and klaxons. The pegasi began to chant, stamping their hooves on the plating, “Mew! Mew! Mew! Mew!”

The unicorns and myself stared at the strange behaviour, looking nervously at one another. My ear wailed a little as an overriding message came over all radios, “Clear the area, don't want any of you getting caught in this.”

A familiar whine began to build, slowly turning itself into a scream. My coat went cold at the sound, the image of Ratchet's last moments coming to mind, 'They don't stand a chance...'

The scream reached its climax and a beam of iridescent light shone through the sky, striking one of the spires. The area around the building turned to white for a brief moment, every pony looking shielded their eyes from the intensity of the light. All colour seemed to be sucked out of reality until the beam vanished.

All that stood in the beam's path was ash. Pegasi let out cries of joy and woops of laughter at the sight, while the unicorns and myself simply looked in despair. If our massacre hadn't scared the changelings into backing down, that certainly would. I looked up at the Thunderhead, feeling appalled that I had anything to do with the weapon they were using. Nothing could survive a hit from that.

Even from our distance we heard the cries of anguish and terror as the city descended into chaos. While others rejoiced, I stood still and listened to their agony. I wanted to listen to the noises Equestria would make if we hadn't done this, I needed to.

“Look sharp ponies, they've come out to play,” Velocity announced as a cloud of black rose from the city. Miniguns whirred, grenade launchers bleeped and the thermal imaging windows went offline. The entire gunnery blinked in unison as more and more electronics were shut down one by one, my grenade launcher becoming useless as the screen flicked off. The Raptor stayed in the air however, the cloud powering it was still present.

A green shot flew by us and exploded past us. A few more winked by, until I realised what they were, “Fuck, they're using themselves as missiles! Somepony get the thermals on now!”

As the ponies scrambled, I winced as my eye began to spin violently. After suddenly stopping, I found that my vision in my cyber eye had changed drastically. I gave a sadistic grin as I recognised the shapes and colours, 'Now we're talking.'

At that moment the Raptor rocked violently to one side as shots began to echo across the mountain range. I slid along the floor, kicking to one side as my eyepatch slipped out of the melted window and was blown away by the wind. I swallowed hard as I realised the distance between myself and the ground. The Raptor rolled again, an explosion of green flame tearing a hole at the opposite end of the gunnery.

I landed hard on the ceiling, and laid low, waiting to see what would happen next. Two more explosions as the battle began to swell above us, Raptors breaking formation and moving out of the way of the incoming kamikaze changelings. The ship shook and one final explosion was heard. Then came the shriek of torn metal.

We all look nervously at one another, before breaking into a run as the ship began to fall to the ground. I ran as hard as I could, buffeted by fleeing pegasi and panicked unicorns. Pushed into a wall, I tripped and landed under the mad herd. I curled myself into a ball as a second explosion sounded, this time above us.

“Ah fuck! Rivet! Rivet, can ye hear me?” Gadget's voice rang through my radio tuned ear along with grunts from Hefty and the screams of other ponies.

“Gadge! We're hit! We're going down!” I yelled, getting back onto my hooves battered and bruised. I began limping towards the hanger, hearing the doors open and shots ring out as changelings swarmed inside. Cries of anguish and angry chitters convinced me to turn and take a different route.

“Same here bud... want a lift?”

I stopped still as his words sunk in, “What?”

“You've got about... ten seconds,” with that connection ceased. I bit my cheek and ran through the pain towards my destination; a large viewing window. I brought my rifle to bear, fired a few rounds and threw it at the glass. The pane shattered on contact, sucking out loose items as I jumped through, catching my rifle.

The sensation was unmistakable. I was terrified. The rush of the wind in my mane should have been an agitator to excitement, but it only served to remind me that I was far from my element. On the plus side, I was rapidly approaching said element.

Wind buffeted me around, threatening to blow me back inside the Raptor. I turned over, kicking myself off from the hull and back into the battle around me. A changeling warrior flew by, nearly impaling me on its horn. Spinning rapidly in its wake, I caught sight of the creature doubling back. It gave a gleeful chirp as it bared fine white teeth. The insectoid being raced towards me, only to crash into the side of a large wooden crate.

“Oi oi! Caught up with ye then!” Gadget called out, riding the large crate along with Hefty who wielded two crowbars as my squadmates fought off more changelings. The unicorns guided the crate to me as they slowed our descent, enough to stop us from turning into mush when we hit the ground but fast enough to keep changelings off our coats. Throwing me a crowbar, Hefty nodded and set it into the crate. I did the same, pulling on his nod as Gadget pulled his goggles on and connected them to his rifle.

The green unicorn's shots rang out as Hefty and I pulled the crate away, the panels taking to the air as a curled up Spyder was revealed. Hefty pulled himself into the cockpit, the gangly legged beast whirring as his magic took hold. I clung to the roof for dear life, blushing as Gadget laughed at my actions and took another changeling out without looking at it.

He stood cockily on the roof, his rifle swinging around gracefully and loosing off single shots into the oncoming horde. His grin gave away the emotions bubbling beneath, he was loving this fight. The air ripped through my mane and tail as I cowered, teeth chattering at the sensation, while he stood tall and proud.

I glanced at the ground as our descent speed increased, gasping at the sight below, “Gadget! Hostiles below!”

A hoof patted me on the head, “Don't yer worry yer pretty head about it, Uncle Gadget and Hefty will take care of ye!”

Spyder's legs unfurled just before we struck the ground. The landing flung me from my safe haven, my rag doll body striking the ground hard and bouncing before stopping in front of one of the locals. I let out a squeak and drove a hoof into its mouth, breaking a jaw and skidded away. Spyder let out a whirr followed by the unmistakable sound of her miniguns firing as the changeling horde moved upon us. Gadget floated me back on the roof as his gun rang out at the enemy, moving so we were flank to flank on top.

I pulled my own rifle back out and opened fire as well, placing each shot in the skull or torso of one of the insectoid creatures. We stood in the centre of the masses as the battle raged on above us, bodies of unexploded changelings begining to pile and burn as their fallen comrades tore themselves in a roar of green flame. My legs were shaking as we fired round upon round into the never ending horde. This fight seemed hopeless.

A scream of metal and pony came from above, and I glanced above us. A flaming Raptor was approaching our position rapidly, ponies leaping from the hanger and engaging the enemy in the air as they fell. My heart stood still for a moment, the cloudship wasn't just above us; it was going to crash into us.

“Hefty! Get us moving!” I screamed, firing to clear an escape route. Spyder shuddered and began to gallop across the ground, crushing changeling skulls underfoot. The whine of magic dynamos began to build as her pace increased, leaping from rock to rock while the Raptor drew nearer and nearer to us.

“We're not going to make it!” I cried, firing faster and faster. A ping sounded and my penultimate clip popped out, “Empty!”

“Alright Hef, hit it!” Gadget yelled, taking out three changelings without turning his head once. Spyder began to groan suddenly, her legs coming in close before pushing away hard in a jump. A click followed by a sudden roar came, flinging our transport further and out from the shadow of the Raptor.

I clung onto the roof for dear life, looking down at Spyder's legs. Each had Hefty's aura around it, shaped into a cone. The cones dissipated after a short burst, the legs striking the ground as the Raptor crashed into the ground, the magical energy wiping the entire craft out in a single explosion. Debris and bodies were flung from the ship as the ammunition chambers ignited, tearing another hole and spreading chunks of metal and glass across the ground.

The horde pressed against the scattered metal, tearing the creatures in half or crushing them into the dirt. Spyder continued her strange gallop across the ground, skittering to avoid a dying changeling or a sheet of burnt metal. Clinging on to the roof, my ear crackled at Hefty and Gadget's woops of laughter and joy as we raced back along the mountain range. Raptors above turned and headed towards the Glorious Dawn to lick their wounds.

“Hey Gadget, have we got orders to retreat yet?” I called out to my squadmate, his shots ringing out into the fleeing changelings. Chariots and Raptors sped to the Thunderhead, pegasi fleeing to the mothership in search of sanctuary. Sypder continued along her path, slowing as Hefty pointed out a gathering crowd.

Unicorns and earth ponies had flocked together, heading towards the same direction in a unified herd. In the distance, one of the many ground teams we had dropped off as we made our way to the changeling capital had set up a command post, chariots flying to and from the area. Gadget jumped off Sypder, trotting alongside his mechanical child as she slowed to match the pace of the many ponies present.

I jumped off the beast as well, holstering my rifle and moving towards a group of mares from the Logistics Corp, waving them over. The mares looked battered and bruised, used to simple behind lines operations rather than open combat. Two unicorns carried an injured third, her right hind leg missing from the knee down.

“Excuse me ma'am, where's your radio op?” I called out, the Ride of the Pegasi still playing over the emergency channel. This unnerved me greater still after the retreat, as proud as the pegasus race were the wouldn't deliberately endanger their own and the other pony races, right? I pushed the thought from my mind, I still had only one reason to not trust one pegasus, and he didn't speak for them all.

The mare I addressed pointed me to a bespectacled violet mare, her braided mane still adorned with a tattered bow. I approached her slowly, the limp clear from a distance as she desperately tried as many channels as possible, “This is Echo Squad radio calling on all channels, anypony read? Repeat, this is Echo Squad radio calling on all channels. We are stranded on the ground with limited supplies and injured, requesting evac and support, over.”

“No luck either, huh?” I called out to her, trotting by her side as she let out an exasperated sigh. A shake of a head gave me my answer, “I need to check something, did you pick up the song being played on the emergency broadcast channel?”

The mare nodded, “Yeah, that damn song's been playing since before we left off. Always on repeat, over and over again.”

It was my turn for a sigh, now I had another reason to not trust the pegasi, “Damn her, what's she playing at? Blocking an entire channel for such an important mission.”

The mare turned her head slightly, “Mission? The song's been on repeat since we left Baltimare.”

I rounded on her, feeling a tiny pang of guilt as she flinched and lifted a hoof in defence, “Baltimare?! We've been without back up radio since the beginning?!”

The radio pony nodded, shaking a little as I moved back to Hefty and Gadget in a huff. It was simply insane, this entire operation was suicide. From the start it was doomed to fail; we were planning to fly in blind into enemy territory, while heavily outnumbered and outgunned with no back up. To make matters worse, the entire campaign was going to be kept quiet by the government to prevent civilian panic despite the outcome.

“The fuck are we doing here,” I grumbled as I joined my squad, climbing over rocks and the occasional body as we went, “We're all going to die.”

Gadget raised an eyebrow at my words, moving closer to me, “Come on lad, we've been through worse shit. This ain't all that bad, at least we have air support, eh?”

Hefty nodded, Spyder mimicking her master's actions. Gadget's words offered little comfort, it simply showed me just how deep in the shit we were. We approached the command post, chariots flocking around the base of what had been a spire an hour before. I turned my head from the decaying, smouldering bodies of changelings.

None were spared, warriors were draped over the elderly, adults over children. I bit the inside of my cheek, the events in the gunnery coming back along with the words of the unicorn stallion, “This is a message to their kind; do not fuck with Equestria.” If that message wasn't clear yet, then may the Goddesses have mercy upon them.

Chapter Ten: Fear Will Stay Them

“Best friends means forever”

Incessant chatter sounded in the Chariot as it approached Glorious Dawn, leaving me with a buzzing headache as the voices rebounded around the metal hull. Hefty twitched and paced around, sticking his head out of a gun port from time to time to look down at his dear Spyder. After my suggestion to tow her behind the ship, he and Gadget had a near tantrum, hollering and crying as she was lifted up.

“What if she falls?! We'd never know?!” the green unicorn had wailed, only silencing when Hefty forced a stashed bottle of cider down his throat. No doubt that it was due to this outburst that the other ponies on board the cloudship were giving my squad a wide berth. It didn't bother me though, I was too busy wrapped in my own thoughts to care.

Though such peace was short lived. Not long after take off, my ear began to scream desperately ending in a sky shattering explosion. One of the Sky Chariots carrying the ground force's ammunition went up in a plume of green smoke and flame. A changeling had found its way on board and committed suicide, blowing itself up in the process. It was a harrowing thought, and did very little for morale on all the cloudships.

Soon, everypony on board was pointing hooves at each other. Trigger happy troopers reached for their weapons as the pilot shouted out for silence and calm. I glanced out the window and saw the same happening across the transports, one opening the rear and a earth pony stallion being thrown out to the ground below. A sickening thud ended his cries as he fell, a raucous cheer given afterwards until another passenger pointed out the unchanged broken body.

More fighting broke out across the ships as ponies yelled at one another, sending shivers down my spine, “We're dead if we can't trust each other... how the hell are we supposed to fight and flee from something can pretend to be us?”

“Little busy for philosophical bullshit right now Rivey,” Gadget grunted as he stood guard in front of a logistics officer, “Right! All of ye piss off and calm t'fuck down! She's done nothin' t'deserve this, ye hear!”

“Fuck you she hasn't! We have no radio contact with the superiors because of her! She's one of them!” A hot headed mare yelled back, “I say throw her off!”

“Yer not laying a hoof on her ye bitch!” I moved over to Gadget per his request, standing my ground in front of the cowering mare as he shouted back, “Ye will wait for further orders!”

“You're one of the too!” She yelled, jumping at Gadget. Her leap was cut short by a white hoof crashing into her torso, pinning her to the floor. A cough and whimper sounded as she struggled, looking up at the officer's saviour.

“THAT IS ENOUGH!”

The whole chariot fell silent as Hefty roared, standing up fully, “How /dare/ you suggest such a thing about a higher ranking officer and then attack them with no evidence?! I should have you executed for such actions! Now, let's all calm down and think this through. Together.”

The arguing came around again, but it wasn't until a medic spoke up through the radio that any organisation was found. Her idea was simple, crude and let us all blow some steam; we all give ourselves a shallow wound. The news had come in that changelings couldn't hold their changed appearance after a wound not long after the first ground troop had been deployed, the sickly buck from Canterlot coming to mind.

Taking my father's knife out, I sliced my fetlock shallowly. A short gasp of pain came, but nothing worse than a bug bite. Looking up at my companions, an audible collective sigh of relief came as we all came up clean and safe. Healing potions came around afterwards, the liquid giving an odd after taste as I guzzled mine down. A soft chuckle from a medical mare sounded as I grimaced from the flavour.

“I hear they're designing one that tastes better,” She smiled as she passed the bottle on to Gadget who drank greedily.

I gave a quiet laugh in response, “Wouldn't that mean we'd want to get injured for more of it?”

“I'm not complaining if I get to meet more stallions like you,” A flutter of eyelashes averted my gaze, aiming it to the outside world. A strange feeling of guilt came over me at the thought of rutting with the mare, as if I were betraying another. I shook my head slightly, shaking free the image of a different medical mare beneath me.

“All returning personnel please report to an identification squad. Do not be alarmed, this is a routine check. Repeat, all returning personnel please...”

Gadget growled at the blaring speakers as we disembarked from the Sky Chariot, Spyder clunking behind us slowly. Ponies of all kinds were herded by armed guards into single file lines, trotting through gateways under the eyes and barrels of pegasi. We approached a small tent, the flaps opened and a group of unicorns beckoned me inside.

I sighed and stood to attention, ready for the tests, “Private Second Class, Rivet Bolt of the Royal Engineers, Second Platoon, present and accounted for.”

The unicorns promptly ignored my announcement and moved around me, horns lit. The scratching of pens on parchment was unmistakeable, as was the slight hum of magic in the air. I shifted my hooves slightly, feeling on edge and defenceless. I glanced at the tent flaps and began to make plans before I felt a tap on my cyber eye.

I flinched and instinctively reached to bring my hoof blade out to play. My efforts were for naught, as a great pressure came down upon me and crushed me against the floor. The chatter of safeties being flicked off chorused the room, as all but one of the unicorns pulled out their weapon.

“It would be wise if you did not make such sudden movements, Private Bolt,” The unarmed mare spoke, standing directly in front of me. Her lab coat covered every part of her body, while her head stayed out of my vision.

I growled in response, “What is this? We already have safety procedures.”

I pushed up, only to have myself forced back down by the others. The unmistakeable coolness of a barrel pressed against the right of my head. I turned my eye in the direction, only able to see the hooves of the wielder. After a quick mental calculation, I came to conclusion that the gun was a military grade assault rifle, 'Fuck.'

“Yes, and those procedures are competent for this craft and this craft alone,” She turned and moved out of my vision, though the sounds of tinkering and hooves on steel were still audible, “In your circumstance however, further precautions must be made.”

I kept my eye on the gun, replying in a less than pleasant tone, “And how exactly does my circumstance differ... ma'am?”

The mare tisked as she came back into view, “Either say it with conviction, or do not say it at all. You are a lucky pony Bolt. You're going home after this.”

I blinked and looked up, “Home? The campaign is far from over!”

“It's over for you. You have deliberately disobeyed orders numerous times, gave orders to superior officers and have forcibly gained access to technology which, in the wrong hooves, could prove fatal,” The mare leaned in close, giving me the opportunity to see her covered face, “You are a liability on this craft Private, and it is my job to remove such liabilities.”

I winced at her words, “I have saved hundreds through my actions.”

“That is irrelevant. Orders are absolute, you do not question them,” The venom in her voice dripped out as she spoke, filling me with fear, “Though your actions have been noted... Specialist.”

Though the final word was spat at me, I felt my heart flutter for a moment, 'Another promotion already!' My joy was short lived as my head was jerked to the side, my neck exposed. I gasped and struggled vainly, “What are you doing?!”

The mare moved her head away from me, the slight hum of her magic added to the others, “Just a check up. Don't move, it'll be over a few moments.”

My eyes went wide as I tried to wriggle out of the unicorns' grasp, my body chilling at the feel of more barrels pressed against my coat. The mare moved closer again, and the shape of something appeared in the corner of my eye. I cried out weakly, feeling a sharp pinch in my neck. The sensation of a liquid ran cold through my veins, filling up my entire body.

I lay shivering on the floor, ice coursing through my body. I tried to call for help, yet all that I managed was a squeak. The over powering cold soon took over my entire body, my heartbeat slowing as I gasped out a feeble breath. My hooves scraped weakly against the floor, my mind racing through every possibility.

'This is it. My execution. They're going to kill me for disobedience... I don't want to die... I don't want to die...' I whimpered and closed my eyes. Then something within me clicked. A great warmth surged through my body, and I forced myself to my hooves. My breathing became laboured, spit running from my mouth as I stood up fully, shaking slightly.

“I... will.. not... DIE!” I growled before being forced down on the floor again. The sound of pens on parchment came again. Another pinch came, this time on my flank. I barely reacted to sensation of blood being taken, too fired up to give a damn. One by one, the guns came away from me as I calmed down and got back to my hooves.

The mare stood peering at a vial of my blood, shooing me away as I approached. I felt a push from behind as another unicorn escorted me from the tent, shoving me out to the other side. Gadget and Hefty stood waiting for me, both with concern on their faces.

“Rivet, what happened in there?” Gadget began, stopping as I pushed past him. He and Hefty soon followed, keeping their distance as I made my way towards the barracks. I shunted into other ponies as I walked, showing no care for their reactions or exclamations as I did.

“Rivet...”

I stopped at Hefty's concerned voice, turning around to face the stallion. He sighed and continued with his low rumble, “It's OK if you don't want to tell us. We're here for you.”

I bit my lip, turning my head to the side, “I... I’m going home.”

“... t'fuck? Yer serious?” Gadget moved closer to me, chuckling slightly, “Yer a lucky one alright.”

I flinched and shook my head, turning back around, “I'm not the lucky one. I’ve been declared a liability, they're sending me home.”

I trotted away, an overbearing feeling of shame hanging over me. All I wanted was to save these ponies' lives, to bring as many as I could back home, yet all I had managed was to end up on the military's radar. I slammed my hoof against a wall, grinding my teeth in anger, 'Every step I take forward is another step back.'

I snorted a few times, screwing my eye up in frustration. The moment was spoiled by the joyful tune of a passing Spritebot. Turning and yelling, I kicked the bot into the other wall, the robot dented and struggling to continue the song. A few unicorns down the hall flinched at the noise, backing away as I panted and kicked the bot a few more times.

I trotted away, still seething as the distorted music weakly played out. A hiss of static sent me running, Pinkie's voice calling out to me, “Oh silly, what have you done now?”

I raced through the corridors, tsking as another bot swerved in front of me, “Rivet! Come back here!”

I slid to a halt and gave a sigh, noticing as three more bots floated behind me. Glaring at the polished steel frame of the flying orb, I cleared my throat, “Apologies ma'am, I did not mean to take out my frustration on Ministry of Morale property.”

The Spritebots floated in silence before bursting into echoed giggles, “Oh silly, you think I care? I don't like it when ponies get upset, so talk to me. What's got you so frowny? Oh! We could throw you a party!”

A garbled party horn blared through the speakers, followed by another giggle fit from Pinkie. I allowed myself a small smile. As much as I despised myself right now, her laughter was too infectious to ignore. A chuckle slipped out, bringing the sound of applauding hooves through the speakers.

“There we go! See? Don't you just feel better for laughing?” It sounded as if Pinkie was beaming at me, a strange feeling of pride and motherly love washed through in her voice. A pang of guilt and pain shot through me at the thought of my real mother, 'How long has it been now?'

I shook my head, those thoughts will have to wait, “Thank you Pinkie...”

The bots moved closer, Pinkie's voice coming through sincere and kind, “Come on glowy pony, what's bothering you?”

“This whole campaign for starters ma'am. It's suicide!” I cried out, the time for calm long past, “Rainbow Dash has sent us all to our deaths for no damn reason!”

“... there is a reason, we just can't tell you,” Pinkie's voice dropped, all warmth turning to ice and kindness to venom in her words. I felt a shiver as it echoed through the four bots, feeling isolated and exposed to the pony behind them.

Swallowing hard, I felt my voice break slightly as I replied, “And w-what is this reason?”

“Didn't I just say? You cannot know,” the mare's tongue had taken a turn to sinister with this, the bots advancing, “I don't want any more ponies to be sad, and I will do what I can to do so.”

My thoughts raced, trying to find a way to get her to talk. A realisation clicked inside me, and a smile creeped onto my face, “How about a game then? I’m awfully sad and I think a game will cheer me up.”

“Yay! What do you want to play? Pin the tail on the pony? Apple bobbing? Oh, silly me, I can't play any of those with you from here!” the warmth returned to her voice, though the creepiness of her echoed speech remained, “Oh! How about Hide and Seek?”

I smiled at the thought and nodded, “OK... how about we make it interesting?”

“Okie dokie lokie! If you can catch me, I’ll tell you everything!” the bots seemed to beam a strangely sinister happiness, putting me on edge.

“How did you...?”

“Oh silly, I know you better than yourself Rivet. I promise I’ll tell you, cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” the three floating orbs turned around, flying down the corridor leaving me alone with the fourth, “Now close your eyes and count to ten.”

I chuckled and did as I was told, 'This is easy.'

Another click sounded in my head as I was hit by another realisation, “Oh shit.”

My eyes snapped open to find row upon row of Spritebots through the corridors, Pinkie's giggling resounding throughout them. I bit my lip, feeling humiliated and outsmarted by the mare. A chuckle escaped my lips as I studied the identical bots, “And how will I know which is the real you?”

“Only one of me is the real me speaking,” the bots chorused, all out of time with another. My ears dropped at the hopelessness of the situation. Standing back to all four hooves, I peered at the hundreds of bots, spotting several confused pegasi pulling unicorns from the sea of metal spheres.

Each bot was an exact clone of the other, all bobbing together in unison as unsynchronised giggling resounded through the metal halls of the Glorious Dawn. My throat ran dry at the prospect of solving this puzzle, but at the same time a feeling of excitement floated its way into my body. This campaign had pushed me hard, and now I was going to be rewarded for my efforts.

Pushing a path through the waves, I studied each of the Sprites in turn. The giggling continued, a distraction to my pounding head. What had started to be something that filled me with warmth had turned into a constant buzz, no emotion coming in response to the sweet sounds. I reached a hoof to my ears, sealing off all sound to give me room to think.

“Clever pony.”

I blinked as Pinkie's voice rang clear in my head, “What?”

“I'm always with you Rivet, you're very valuable to me and Rarity. We have lots of things you need to do for us,” Her voice held little warmth, as did her words, but it was not the icy Pinkie from before, “You win, I’ll tell you everything.”

“BugSpray is a testing ground, many ponies are unhappy with the war and are scared about what will happen. I don't want anypony to be sad any more, and I want everypony to be friends again with the zebras, but that won't happen unless we force them to be friends with us again.”

I sat on the floor, trying to understand her logic, “You mean... a position where neither side can fight any more?”

“Oh no, that's Fluttershy's idea. Mine is to scare the zebra,” the ice cold Pinkie had returned, filling my heart with dread, “That's why everypony is here. Rainbow wants to test a new weapon on someone and the changelings-”

“Were the perfect subjects... you want to either raise troop morale by wiping the entire race out or scare the zebras into surrendering,” I felt my stomach drop at the plan, it was brilliant and brutal. An entire species wiped out to prevent Equestrian and Zebra blood from being spilt unnecessarily.

A cold chuckle came from the pink pony, “You are clever. Now, how about a guessing game? What is Rainbow testing?”

I grimaced at the mare's words, feeling like her plaything. She was toying with me, putting me in my place as the bottom of the herd. Gritting my teeth, I concentrated on every possibility. Some kind of energy weapon? No, the Air Force were well aware of such weapons, they held the majority of them. A new type of gun? Couldn't be, it would have to pass through the Engineers in some form for construction and testing. Then it would have to be a bomb, something that could devastate a large area despite its size.

My eyes snapped open as everything came together. It was horrifying to imagine, something I wished couldn't be true, but my deductions pointed to one conclusion. I swallowed, replying quietly, “A megaspell. A weaponised megaspell.”

A warm giggle came across clear, “You win Rivet! Now off you go, you've got a lot to pack before you leave!”

I stood up to my hooves, feeling sick at the thoughts that floated into my head. The memories of that battle came to mind, the awe inspiring power of the spell sticking into my skull, “No.”

“What?” Venom dripped off Pinkie's question, oozing into the air as the bots echoed the remark.

I pushed through the sea, picking up speed as the turned towards me, “I will stop her! She shouldn't set this off!”

I raced through the hull of the ship, my hooves clashing against the steel floor. Skidding around a group of slow unicorns, I slid into a staircase and leapt down the flight. My heart had never beat as fast as it did then, pounding my body into a steady gallop as I ran. Jumping down another flight of stairs I came across another Spritebot, nearly crashing into the surveillance robot.

My ear slid along the underside of the bot as I slid along the floor, bringing myself to my hooves as Pinkie's voice echoed at me, “Rivet! Don't go looking for trouble!”

“Trouble's already here!” I yelled back, racing towards the hanger. All evidence pointed to there for the megaspell, hiding such a weapon in plain sight. My anger fuelled my mad dash, absolute hatred directed at Rainbow for her stupidity, 'What is she fucking thinking?! Nothing good can come out of this!'

I burst into the hanger, to find it crowded with ponies, all bustling around command consoles. I ran at the closest, bashing into the mare, “Where is commander Dash?!”

The mare looked panicked, her eyes wide, “I wish somepony knew, she took an uncharted chariot from the hanger four hours ago. Nopony has heard from her since.”

“FUCK!” I whirled around, running back through the cloudship. I knew the next destination, and it sickened me to stoop to his level. I needed Thunder's help. He was the only pegasus on board that didn't hate my guts, the only one who would listen to my pleas for help and assistance. That fucked me right off.

Speeding towards the barracks, I leapt over ponies and ducked under bots at every turn. My legs had turned numb from the constant beat of hoof against metal, yet I still ran on. The steel edge of my left hoof squealed against the floor as I reached the Airpony quarters, my head bursting into his room, “Thunder!”

The black pegasus looked up from his book, a confused look on his face, “Rivet? What are you doing here?”

“I need you to meet me in the hanger in thirty minutes, we need to catch Commander Dash before it's too late!”

He titled his head and set the book down, “Too late for what?”

I span on the spot and began running to the ground troops' quarters instead, “She's going to kill them all!”

If he replied, I didn't hear it. All I cared about was collecting the next pony who was vital to my plans. Pinkie told me that Snowfall was there as an adviser to Rainbow, if anypony could talk her out of it, he could. I burst into his room, slamming my hoof against the frame of the door.

The entire place had been ransacked. Drawers left open, footlockers spilling non-vital equipment on the floor, the beds were messy and unkempt. Somepony had either left here in a hurry, or somepony else was looking for something. I turned back around and began making my way back through the corridors, looking down every turn to see if I could catch sight of one of Snow's squad.

Luck finally shined on me, as I passed two of his team members. I cursed as I skidded, racing down the hallway they were turning to. They seemed flustered, panicked slightly, and were moving at a pace that rivalled my own. Something had spooked these two, which served to only worry me more. If members of the Ministry of Morale had lost their nerve, then things were a lot worse than they already were.

I raced after them, trying to call out to one when I noticed it. Not only were they carrying an excessive amount of equipment for just Morale ponies, their speed had increased after they had noticed me. They weren't in a hurry, they were trying to shake me. I gritted my teeth and pushed on harder, slamming into walls and several confused ponies as I chased the two down.

The two ran past a Spritebot, one turning and yelling over her shoulder, “Agents compromised, initiate clean up!”

The bot suddenly turned towards me, the jolly march stopping. A small barrel slid out as I slid to one side, a red burst striking the floor I had just left. I dodged another blast, bouncing off the floor and bringing my father's knife out of its holster and into my mouth. The bot crumpled under my weight as the blade struck home, sliding between a weakened panel weld. A short zap and the Sprite powered down, the knife singing a little as I pulled it free.

I ran on, biting down on the hilt of the blade as I tried to catch up with the two, 'They just tried to kill me! What the hell is going on here Snow?!'

I sped through more corridors, flew down stairs and slammed into more walls than I cared to remember until I reached a fairly familiar location. The two ponies had ran into the abandoned hanger Pinkie had led me to at the beginning of the campaign, and had joined what remained of their squad. Snowfall stood watching the group as they rushed around, preparing several Sky Chariots for their escape.

“Snowfall!” I called out, the pony turning around. He wielded the Mower and her battle saddle, and wore a strange smile, “What are you playing at?”

“Ah, Rivet, good to see you again. Come to see Pinkie's master plan?” the stallion replied, trotting towards me as his squad turned to face me. Each one was wielding a gun of some sort, putting me at a horrific disadvantage. I growled and placed my father's knife back into the holster, pacing around Snowfall.

“Her master plan? You mean the megaspell she and Rainbow constructed? The one Rainbow has just unleashed?!” I yelled, keeping my eyes on the smug stallion and whispering as he replied, “Sparkle on.”

“Ah, you figured it out. Pinkie had a feeling you would. Too clever for your own good Rivet, you won't find a nice marefriend with that sort of attitude,” he chuckled and began to circle me in return, “Rainbow unleashing it however? Now that's news to me, didn't know the pegasus could perform magic.”

I growled as his entire squad lit up red through my EFS, yet felt a little relived at the yellow colouring it had given Snow, “And what do you mean by that?”

Snowfall smiled to himself and stopped, “How has she launched it when it's right here?”

I felt my stomach drop as I noticed the shapes under the numerous sheets in the hanger. Any single one of them could be the megaspell or a chariot to carry it, and I had thought nothing of them when Pinkie led me here.

“And the bit drops. Yes, it's true. Rainbow disappeared to confer with Pinkie, seems she didn't have it in her to take responsibility for this little campaign of hers,” Snowfall snorted and continued pacing, “Stupid bitch, placing her friends over the fate of Equestria.”

“And you wouldn't Snow?” I snarled in return, his words struck deep, “I fight for my friends just as I fight for Equestria, don't you?”

“Put it this way Rivet, if I had the choice between saving you and picking up a weapon to continue the fight, rest assured that I’ll give you a good send off at your funeral,” Snow chuckled slightly, stopping after placing himself between me and the exit, “Come come Rivet, you honestly think I give a shit about individuals in this? We're all in this war, we all need to make sacrifices.”

“Who are you?” I growled, moving towards the pony, “What the fuck have you done with Snow?”

The stallion stopped and let out a snort before bursting into laughter, “You're kidding me! Oh Luna have mercy, you just don't get it, do you? Go on, run any scan you want, do anything at all.”

“Thermals on,” I snarled, stopping as I finally came to the worst. His heat signature was the same as normal pony, he was the real thing, “No... no, that's not right!”

“You're honestly surprised? Oh this just gets better and better!” Snow pushed past me and moved towards his squad, the colour my EFS gave him turning to red, “I've always been this way Rivet, I’m just good at hiding it. Wouldn't be a very good spy if I wasn't, right?”

“Sp-spy?!” I reeled around, only to slammed to floor by two of his squad members, their hooves pinning me to the floor.

Snow shrugged, “I have time to kill... as well as you, so why not? I’ll indulge in some theatrics for a while.”

The stallion stopped and chuckled, “I'm sorry, that joke was terrible. But still, you won't be coming out of this alive, Rivet. Sorry, I can't have you telling anypony about this here. National security.”

I grunted as I tried to fight off the ponies pinning me, the mare placing a gun to my head to dissuade any further efforts. I glared at her, only to have the wind driven out of me as Snow stamped on my torso, “Oi! Look at a pony when they're talking to you. Did your mother never tell you that?”

The white stallion moved back and motioned to my captors, the two dragging me so only my hind hooves touched the floor. The weight of my entire body now hung on my shoulders, causing me to shudder as the tendons and muscles stretched to compensate for the weight. I looked up at Snow, and gave him a cocky smile, “Enlighten me then.”

Snow chuckled and began his pacing again, “It was tough you know, blocking all that information. Somepony kept finding a way around my filters and convincing the top brass that my ideas were stupid.”

My eyes widened at that remark, “You recommended those plans?!”

“Of course! The Ministry of Morale's personal advisor to Commander Rainbow Dash, it's a very important experiment after all,” Snow beamed at the title, his pride washing over me in waves, “If she wanted to do something, it has to go through me.”

“Experiment? You mean the megaspell, correct?”

Snow chuckled, “Well done, A grade for you. Yes, it's the ultimate weapon in terms of morale. Equestria will be elated that we created such a masterpiece, the zebras and changelings will tremble in fear at our might! All it would take is the right encouragement and Rainbow could be convinced to release it.”

The stallion gave a disturbed grin at that, “You would not believe how easy it is to change her mind! And it was going so well, if you didn't stop that little tiff at the start. I could've had half the force slaughtered on the first day!”

“Sl-slaughtered?! You were trying to get us killed?!”

“Of course! How else would I justify releasing Epona? Oh, where are my manners, Rivet meet Epona. Epona, Rivet,” Snow pulled a sheet off revealing a chariot. The harness was connected to a pulley system above, while the back contained a giant glowing ball, “She's beautiful, isn't she? A metal casing, designed to unleash pure destructive magic when burst. The spell matrix was so easy to copy after Fluttershy made the designs public, wonder if the zebras have made one yet...”

I felt the breath catch in my throat, “Fluttershy?! Fluttershy made this?!”

“Hmm? Oh yes, she worked along side Twilight to create the megaspells as the ultimate healing spell. If this test is successful, she's planning to create a Mutual Destruction Scenario with the zebras by giving them the designs.”

I felt my heart turn cold. The mare I had adored since I was a colt had not only created such a monster, but was willing to give that monster to the enemy. Even then, that wasn't the scariest realisation. Based on size alone, the spell could take down half a city. Couple that with pure destructive magic, then the entire Changeling capital would be wiped off the map.

Snow span around to me, looking fondly at the weapon, “Do you know the story of Epona? Legend has it that she was an alicorn, an ancestor to Luna and Celestia. She founded the world, and created the Elements of Harmony to maintain it, ruling alongside Discord. He then tricked her into becoming the earth we walk upon, the ultimate insult for creating the elements. She was a being above all, and now all are above her.”

I blinked and struggled, my only reward being a hoof to the ribs. I coughed hard at the blow, wincing as a new pain was added, “Heh, you think that scares me Snow? Everypony will notice that thing flying along anyway, it'll be shot down before it gets anywhere near the city.”

Snow chuckled in response, “That would be the situation, if I hadn't ordered the entire ship to return to Baltimare. Come on, give me some credit! Though I think a round of applause goes to you for thinking this far ahead.”

The stallion turned and made his way to a small panel next to Epona, pulling a few levers. The pulley began to move, slowly dragging the modified chariot away from the hanger doors, “I'm not about to sacrifice one of my ponies to see this through, so we set up a pulley system. It'll slingshot the spell straight at the city. Nothing can slow it down.”

“Then I guess I have to stop it before it sets off,” I yanked my left fore leg towards me, the mare's hoof pressing the first button on my steel hoof and squealing as the blade sprung forth and sliced the hoof open. I brought it around and drove it into the neck of my other captor, pushing him away and grabbing his gun as the rest of the group opened fire on me.

I slid to the mare, throwing her body between me and the wall of lead as I ran for more substantial cover. Taking solace behind a crate, I flicked the blade away and checked my ammo. Full clip in a full auto submachine gun against ten plus hostiles and Snow. I allowed myself a grin, 'Here we go.'

I leapt from cover and let out a burst, catching a pegasus in the chest and a unicorn in the leg. The two crumpled, the unicorn crying out as two others went to her aid as I opened fire again, my shots going wide and striking the tethers to another chariot. A groan of metal sounded as the vehicle slid along the floor, the injured unicorn shrieking as it rolled over her and her attendees. Sickening crunches sounded as their bones and muscles were smoothed into paste, a trail of blood and gore painting the road to their corpses.

“I didn't want to do that Snow! Call this off and we can all walk away,” I shouted out, ducking behind another crate as the remains of the squad opened fire.

“Can't do that Rivet, you've just committed treason. You're going to die either way now, there's nothing you can do about it,” Snow replied, kicking Mower into life and bracing himself, “Come out now and I promise a quick death.”

“For some reason, I don't take you for the honest type,” I yelled back, checking my clip. Ten shots. Fuck.

“That kind of thinking won't help you much now, but you're right. I’m more into loyalty,” a buzz sounded as he opened fire, a bullet clipping my ear while another pinged off my steel hoof. I waited a second longer, before sprinting to another crate as mine lost all structure. The contents rolled along the floor, several landing nearby the group.

I grimaced behind my cover, biting hard on the submachine gun. I ran through hundreds of scenarios, each coming with one common end. There was no way I was leaving this fight in one piece. Peeking over the cover, I noticed the group had split up. Only Snow stood his ground between me and the control panel, Epona still sliding its way to the release point.

“Clock is ticking Rivet Bolt. Clock. Is. Ticking,” Snow called out, the sound of hooves against metal rang out around me as his squad took positions across the room. I groaned as they popped up on my EFS. I was out numbered, out gunned and nearly out of time.

'Well fuck, time to go out with a bang,' I chuckled at the thought, killed by my own side while defending one of the greatest threats known to pony kind. I kicked the crate at Snowfall, leaping forwards and turning in the air. I opened fire at the control panel, hardly believing my luck as panel sparked from the bullet holes. Epona slowed to a stop, bringing an annoyed grunt from Snow.

“You know Rivet, you can be a real pest at times. I can't even recall how many times you've interrupted my plans now,” Snow sighed and kicked the Mower back into life, “Farewell buck, it was fun.”

I kicked off the floor and galloped at Snow. It took the Mower two seconds to reach firing speed, until then Snow was defenceless. I swung my hoof blade at the white stallion, ducking under him as he reared up to dodge the blow. Plunging the blade deep in his flank, I twisted it home. He cried out as his gun opened fire, spraying the gangways in lead. Two lights on my EFS winked out as yells and shouts of his group rang out.

“Gah! You little shit!” Snow snarled, bringing a hoof down on my head. I cried out as my skull struck the floor, glaring up at the stallion. Snow leaned in and sneered, spitting on my face, “Look what you've gone and done! Just die!”

His hoof came down towards my head, blocked by my steel one. We grunted and struggled under the strain, bringing the other forehoof to block a second attack. I glanced around, painfully aware that I needed to move before his squad could take a shot. As if on cue, a burst of gunfire came worryingly close to us, almost making me loose grip in the struggle.

Snow leaned in close to me, a crazed look on his face, “I'm ready to die for Equestria Rivet, so don't you dare think that you're safe under here.”

I chuckled and grunted back, “You don't think that this is my play, do you? The fun has only just begun.”

I kicked out, knocking his rear legs out from under him. He crumpled to the floor, whinnying as I rolled onto his back and brought Mower into life. I winced at the sound of the minigun firing, turning it with all my strength towards the red marks in my eye. Crates and vehicles were torn apart as the fray of bullets slid through them, the lights winking out one by one until the ammunition ran out.

My body was flung as Snow stood up and shook me off, standing shakily as blood ran from his flank. He staggered towards the control panel, where I noticed numerous ammunition boxes. I cursed and tried to roll to my hooves, only for a spray of bullets to come close to my head. I glanced up, realising I had failed to kill any of the three pegasi the squad held.

More shots rang out as I rolled to cover, crying out as one clipped my rear leg. The bullet had taken a considerable chunk from the limb, blood pouring from the wound. I slammed a hoof into the ground in pain, turning to find my attacker. A female pegasus lined up another shot, pulling the trigger of her rifle. I span around and slipped in the blood, my loss of balance saving me from a bullet to the skull.

I grimaced as I looked up at the three as I heard their guns cock, “Do it.”

I closed my eyes and waited for the end. A choking cry rang out, closely followed by shouts and guns firing. I peeked out as a blur of black grabbed my hoof an dragged me behind cover. More shots rang out, pinging against the chariot I had been placed behind as the pegasi fired upon my saviour.

“If you were planning to take on pegasi, you should've told me buck,” Thunder gave me a grin as I shook my head, passing me a pistol, “Get ready. That big one with the minigun's heading to whatever the fuck that chariot's carrying.”

“Th-thunder,” I began, scarcely believing what had happened, “Why? Why are you helping me?”

“I owe you, for abandoning you and Starshine. Now shut up and get ready to run on my mark, I’ll take care of those two,” another flashed smile and he leapt over the chariot, wooping as he sped at the pegasai, “Go Rivet! Go!”

I leapt from cover, galloping towards Snowfall. I ran past the female pegasus, her face stuck in a look of terror as her head had turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees, bones poking out from beneath the skin. Clenching down on the gun hard I ran on, pushing any thoughts of guilt from my mind, 'They shot first, it's self defence.'

My rear leg gave after a few seconds, sending me sliding as I wailed in pain. Snowfall turned towards me as I did, his eyes full of anger and agony as the Mower kicked into life once again. The plating sparked as I drove my hoof-blade into the floor, using it to change direction rapidly. I winced as I felt one shot clip my flank, glad it had only been a scratch rather than a long lasting wound.

I rolled out of Snowfall's line of fire and sprung to my hooves, using the floor and my blade to slide to cover. Loosing off a few rounds at Snow, I ducked as the body of another pegasus landed between me and him. The dying pony's body slowly turned to a bloody mush as bullets pummelled into it.

I yelped as the bullets came closer to me, kicking the remains up as a macabre shield. Snow roared as his gun span to a stop, pulling out another pack of ammo. I fired off three shots at the stallion, one taking his right ear off and another clipping his fore leg. The third struck his cheek, blowing a hole through his face. My own face dropped as he yelled in pain, his bloodied teeth and gums visible through the hole.

“I don't care what it takes, I WILL NOT LET YOU STOP ME!” he yelled, turning and limping towards Epona. He grimaced at every step, turning around to check me. I was faring no better, barely able to stand up and feeling the wounds take their toll. I gritted my teeth and pushed through the pain, standing up and taking shaky steps.

“You stop this madness right now! It's over Snow! You can't kill me and Thunder!” I yelled out as Snow's final squadmate and Thunder crashed between us. The black pegasus had his hooves pressed on the other's neck as he struggled weakly, gasping for air. A click and a buzz was all the warning they had as Snowfall opened fire on both of them.

Thunder rolled as the click sounded, putting his opponent between him and the wall of lead as I dove for cover. The enemy pegasus gave a choking cry as his body was punctured, his lungs filling with his own blood. I winced at the sound, the horrific choke of a death rattle as he drowned in his own blood in accompaniment with the pain of tens of bullets within him.

Thunder gave a groan as well, his wing torn and bloody from the barrage. He flinched as the whirring began again, Snowfall facing him fully. The stallion's manic laughter rang out as his gun span on faster, “Two friends dying before you Rivet?! What terrible luck!”

I span up from my cover and fired off my remaining rounds at Snow, yelling out in anger. Most missed, one clipping his shoulder but one struck true into his torso. Snowfall whinnied in distress, coughing out a black glob of blood as he crumpled. His breathing became laboured as more blood was coughed out.

Sliding over to Thunder, I began to move the pegasus into cover, “You idiot, nearly got yourself killed.”

He gave me a weak smile, wincing as his bloodied wing brushed a crate, “Heh, could say the same for you. Why haven't you killed him yet?”

I stood up, satisfied that he was safe for the moment, “He's still my friend, and it isn't my place to put judgement on him.”

A strange laugh came from Snowfall at that moment, chilling me to the bone, “Please! Don't give me that holier than thou bullshit, I’ve seen what kind of pony you are Rivet!” the stallion rolled up to his hooves, chuckling as blood poured from the wounds and his mouth, “You're not a soldier, you're a colt dressed up in daddy's armour. If were half the stallion you think you were, you'd kill me right now or set Epona upon the changelings.

“Don't you dare pretend to be above me you little shit! I have fought and suffered for Equestria for thirteen years. Every action I have done has changed the course of history for the better, and now you come in telling me that I’m wrong yet lack the conviction to see it through? You're PATHETIC!” Snow roared the last word and he heaved himself on top of Epona, Mower whirring into life once more.

“SNOWFALL! Get down here right now! Don't you dare!” I tried to step forwards, only for my legs to give way. I pounded a hoof against the plating as bullets shot the cables tethering Epona to the ship free.

Snow turned to me as the last one began to fail, “You will never be a hero, Rivet. You will be just another nameless, faceless pony.”

A loud snap echoed as the dummy chariot broke free, the elasticated pulleys throwing it and Snowfall from the hanger and towards the city. The white stallion stood tall on top of the megaspell, closing his eyes as it sped on silently. I cried out his name in vain again, bringing a hoof down on the plating over and over again. Tears began to fall as he disappeared, an earth shattering explosion informing both ponykind and changeling that the bomb had struck true.

Half the city was under a plume of rainbow smoke, the other cried out in horror as whatever magic contained was unleashed upon the city. I sat and watched as it burned, tears rolling down my right cheek as my left eye soaked up every moment. Pinkie Pie and Rarity had tasked me with documenting a true soldier's experience of the war.

And I plan to let the whole of Equestria know of every little detail.

Chapter Eleven: Through New Eyes

“Say that you love me”

The Raptor jostled slightly from turbulence, groans sounding from the wounded soldiers. IV stands filled with vibrant colours stood attentively at each bed, the bags watching over each pony in an uncaring and belittling manner. I glared at mine, daring it to finish faster than the others if only to break the boredom. The transport rocked again, a sharp spike of pain through my bandaged wounds bringing a grunt and a wince, 'Karma for glaring at an inanimate object? Great...'

A few more moans of pain came across the infirmary, the hurried whispers of doctors and nurses echoing after as a group cantered inside. My eyes twitched and tracked their movement, following the group to a legless pegasus. Closing my right eye and bowing my head, I gave what respect I could as a sheet was pulled over his body and the bed rolled out of the room. The third death in twice as many in this room alone, though plenty more beds had been wheeled by the door ever since we left the campaign.

I leaned back into the pillows and sighed, staring up at the ceiling once again. Wisps of cloud hung to the steel plates, faint crackles of electricity zipped through the droplets keeping the Raptor in the air. Half the journey to Canterlot was complete, though that merely dragged out my suffering. We were travelling at less than a tenth of the speed we were at on our way to the changeling nation, the ship's energy being diverted to the hundreds of ponies in intensive care wards and the medical robots that attended us.

The Raptor itself was part of a unique fleet of medical cloudships owned in part by the Air Force and Ministry of Peace after reports of hundreds of losses in pegasi. In exchange for almost all forms of defence, the ship was outfitted with enough room to carry half a thousand injured and half as many medical professionals along with numerous operating rooms and rehabilitation rooms. My ears had perked at mentions of a cybernetics station, though I quashed such thoughts when I realised that with my leg in the condition it was, the medics weren't letting me go anywhere in a hurry.

Snowfall's actions and subsequent death hadn't hit me as hard as I thought it would have. His words on the other hoof had all but crushed my spirit. It sickened me to no end, the thoughts of the sweet yellow mare giving our worst enemies the means to wipe out our entire race. A forced mutual destruction scenario could only be a last resort in my eyes, a step forwards to an uneasy peace. Thunder Clap's words came to mind, his resolve to wipe out the entire zebra race to establish his peace seemed to be the same mindset the entire Equestrian nation was taking up.

“This is bullshit,” I murmured to the air, sighing softly as the ship rocked again. Pushing up onto my hindquarters, I leaned over to lift my dufflebag onto the bed. The sound of a zip opening destroyed the uneasy silence of the room, a few heads turning as I took out my rifle and cleaning kit. With a twist, the stock came off easily soon followed by the barrel and mouth grip. The empty magazine slid out smoothly, the metal singing slightly before I set to work disassembling the rest of the gun.

As I set to work cleaning and working on my gun, I let the little clinks and kisses the pieces gave one another cover my senses, drowning myself in the peaceful work. If one thing could take my mind off all the worries of the world, it would be my rifle. The smooth metal was cold to my hooves, keeping me focused as my eyes threatened to drift over to my injured companions. They weren't unpleasant, just extremely dull. Just as my spirit had been crushed by words, theirs had been trampled over with the loss of a limb. If they had the money or connections, it was down to rehabilitation and we never saw them again. If not, they were waving farewell to the battlefield for good.

I smiled a little at the thought of going home, never having to fight again. It seemed alien and ridiculous that the Ministries thought that would be best for a soldier. We were a new type of pony, unable to fit back into the norms of Equestrian society after our dismissal. A violent, unthinking group of machines whose only purpose was to protect and destroy than discover and innovate. A thought struck me as I worked away, 'Maybe that's what Ratchet and Snow meant... I’m not a soldier yet because I want to go home...'

I shook myself, dangerous thoughts Rivet. Just keep your eyes and mind on your gun. I chipped off any gathered dirt, smoothed down any marks or small dents and oiled the gun down. I smiled and closed my eyes, piecing the gun back together in less than a minute. I chuckled slightly, Hartpony's repeated rants on gun etiquette were paying off.

The thought of one night in particular came to mind, coming into the barracks after a long day of gun training only to find our beds had been disassembled. A note was stuck to the door, stating that we were to rebuild our beds as quickly as possible after our poor performance at the range, some taking up to twenty minutes to reassemble their weapons despite their cockiness before the lesson.

If you fillies think you're half the marksponies you think you are, then I’m sure you can piece them back together just like your guns!

As soon as the door shut, the lights went out and we were left in the dark. Putting together a bed in pitch black conditions taught us many lessons, the most important being to take things seriously when it came to gun care. The second most important was that military beds can leave most baffled and that a mattress on the floor is just as good. I had questioned the teaching method at first, but as time went on Hartpony's lessons took a better hold on us than ever before.

I admired my hoof work on the gun, placing it in my mouth to adjust the sights. The cool metal stung my cheek slightly, but the feeling brought comfort and a sense of familiarity. The thought disturbed me once, the first time I felt at home with a gun in my mouth was during the Battle of the Spell. The day I lost one of my closest friends and my eye.

I let a sigh slip loose and lowered my rifle, that battle took a lot from me. More than I’d ever admit. The more I remembered about what I did and who I became, the worse I felt. Looking at my own hooves, I questioned if I was really the same Rivet from before; that happy, caring stallion whose worst nightmare was a misplaced spanner and greatest joy was a new chariot to work on. My joy was my rifle, my nightmares were myself and the pony I had become.

Collapsing back on the bed, I gave a grunt. Something had plagued my thoughts ever since that battle, but it was always buried under propaganda and the pride of serving. Just one question, threatening to change who I was completely.

“Are we really fighting on the right side?” I whispered, too quiet for any of the others to hear. Such talk was treason, and the last time I heard somepony ask a similar question they were buried within the hour. It seemed that the true military and the one the public could see were two different things, and I was helping in that regard.

I shook my head, slapping myself a few times as well. The thoughts dissipated with the pain, leaving my with a sore face but a clear head. Even if I was worried about which side was right, I had made my promises to my friends and family, and they came well above the politics of war. I was just a soldier, another cog in the machine.

I didn't have any plans in changing that one bit.

I drifted back into consciousness, the hum of the Raptor's engines refusing me any rest for the moment. A dreamless and pointless sleep, but I was thankful for what little shut eye I managed to get. No nightmares tonight thankfully. A murmur here and there sounded, the occasional whimper and call for a parent or loved one allowed me to relish the lack of dreams that night.

A gentle whir from my eye and I could see through the inky blackness of the infirmary at night. I coughed a little and forced down some bile, wincing a little. No matter how many times I used this eye's additions, the sensation never got any better. Peering through the darkness, I watched the rising and lowering forms of sleeping ponies, sighing slightly.

I slowly and quietly slid out of my cot, picked up a small satchel and moved to the door, opening it into the low light of the hallway. My hooves murdered the silence as they struck the steel floor, but I didn't care. The worst they would do is tranquillise me and put me back in bed, which I held no objections towards. At least then I could sleep better. With a limp in my step, I found my way to the upper deck slowly and carefully, avoiding the night shift doctors and nurses.

Cold steel touched my flank, sending me out of my coat and at least a foot into the air. Landing and turning around, I was face to plate with a medical bot. The multi-armed monstrosity started to push me out from behind the corner I was hiding behind and into the middle of the corridor, only to turn away from me and to go on with its business. Allowing myself a quiet chuckle, I did the same, glad that most of the machines only followed set routines.

A hiss of a door and my mane was sent billowing around me. I closed my eyes and savoured the sweet, wet air of the outside, stepping onto the outer deck to feel the breeze run through my coat. Despite the sensation's similarity to falling and flying, I felt calm and at ease. I allowed a chuckle and a faint smile to appear, opening my eyes and sitting down.

My gaze went to the stars and moon, their place in the sky free from clouds tonight. The pale orb seemed to glow brighter than the sun, and held me in wonder I could never remember having felt before. Opening up the satchel, I took a swig from a hip flask and coughed slightly as the warm liquid ran down my gullet. Alcohol was still a foreign thing to me, but I started to grow attached to a particular brand of whiskey after discovering Gadget used it in everything he cooked.

A memory drifted its way to the surface, a pleasant one to my relief. It was from when I was a colt, nearly fifteen years ago now, sat with my father on a hill watching Princess Luna raise the moon. While most ponies waited for the Summer Sun Celebration to catch a glimpse of one of the Princesses, few remembered that if you woke early enough or stayed up late enough you could see them raising the orbs.

“Do you see her Rivet? Princess Luna?”
“Look, look! ...is that her, dad?”
“Haha! Sorry Rivet, guess we're out of luck tonight.”

I smiled and chuckled a little to myself, forgetting how squeaky my voice was all that time ago when I replied over zealously, dismayed that I couldn't see the alicorn. Such a pleasant memory, something I had forgotten until now. It scared me a little, how vividly I could recall memories now. Before, it was just the basic elements; a certain conversation or place that stuck deep. Now, I could tell anypony how many blades of grass there were that night, the scent of my father's cheap aftershave he insisted on wearing, the type of wheat we had for our meal.

Another swig from the flask as I sat down on the freezing metal, looking up into the night sky. Clouds lazily drifted by, light wisps barely visible even with the gift of nightvision. More memories drifted up with alarming ease, the first time I watched the weather crew work the clouds back in Manehead becoming more and more prominent. Ratchet had accompanied me on that occasion, showing off his knowledge of the winged ponies he had picked up from school.

A shudder came as my left hoof gingerly touched my eye, the wet metal giving a slight squeak as I stroked it. This cybereye had changed me in so many ways. It had brought me back from the dead, it made me a slave to the whims of Equestria's greatest heroines and changed the way I see things, both philosophically and physically.

Chuckling slightly, I turned around and trotted back inside before a pegasus patrol spotted me, the flask slipping easily into my bag. I had come a long way from a simple chariot repairpony in a tiny town, and I still had a long way to go. So far, I regretted little in my choices. Though I have wished for things to be simpler and easier on me, I had the feeling that I had made the right choices in the end.

“Keep true to yourself, it'll work out,” murmuring advice to myself helped a little in keeping my resolve I had found, though it gave the impression that I was loosing my mind. The steel floors clanged a little as I moved back to the medical bay, my head busy in its swim of ponderings and opinions to take notice of the ship around me. After ten minutes of wandering, I forced myself to another conclusion. I was lost on the ship.

I blinked and laughed quietly, looking around the corridor for a sign or symbol. Getting lost was like a second talent of mine at times, more so when I was wrapped up in work or a new idea. I smiled a little, recalling the time I was on the way to Ponyville before noticing. Twenty minutes of searching crawled by and I had come up fruitless and frustrated.

Peeking out from a corner, I flicked my body back as a unicorn doctor turned his head, wincing as my leg spiked in pain as a form of protest. His low voice grumbled a little as his hooves clanged on the metal, the echoes growing quieter as he made his way down the corridor. My body relaxed as I let out an unnoticed breath, slipping down into the corridor afterwards. A giddy sensation had come over me, making me feel like a foal playing hide and seek. The overwhelming urge to scream out that I was here and nopony knew was nearly too much to bear, yet I kept my composure.

A smile arrived on my face as I came to the doctor's office door, the door wide open and a rather convenient map of the ship placed on the wall. After discovering I was several floors underneath where I should be, I gave an audible sigh and turned to make a swift exit when my eyes were drawn to the unmistakeable hue of blueprints. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it pushes the pony forwards.

Pulling out the sheets of parchment, my eager eyes scanned over the sketches and notes bringing my smile right up to my ears as the familiar signature appeared on each and every one. I glanced up at the office's other treasures, noticing the title on plaque proudly stating Cybernetic Specialist. A clang of hooves on steel brought me back to Equestria and I crumpled the blueprints up, stuffing them into the satchel as the doctor entered the room. His eyes met mine as the clatter of a clipboard striking the ground rang out.

“Er, where's the bathroom?” I smiled sheepishly.

Two weeks and several 'conversations' with the higher-ups later, my hooves touched ground in Canterlot once again. The welcoming committee was significantly less impressive than the raucous crowds we had when we left, mainly medical attendants collecting the intensive care patients and a few logistics officers waiting to debrief us all. I gave a little snort as they approached me, hefting my dufflebag into a more comfortable position on my back.

“Specialist Bolt?” A sharply dressed mare approached me, flanked by two well built stallions who were in similar smart dress. A single pink ribbon was wrapped tightly around their right forelegs, a small bulge underneath their jackets betrayed the presence of weapons.

A quick eyeroll came as I turned towards them, “Yes ma'am?”

“Investigator Sweet Cherry, I work for the Ministry of Morale. We'd like to have a word regarding Investigator Snowfall's, er... incident and death,” The light pink mare brushed a stray strand of purple mane away from her eyes, “It is imperative we fully understand his actions beyond what you have stated in your report.”

I grimaced a little, remembering how much I had falsified in that report just to keep myself out of the Ministry's reach. According to my testimony, Snowfall and his entire squadron had simply fallen from the Glorious Dawn after a chariot launch went awry. That would have to be the truth for the moment, but until my eye's information was extracted, I had leverage against them.

“Can it wait Investigator? I’ve just come back from a wonderful peace campaign,” I moved away from the trio, trotting towards the waiting doctors and relief for my Luna-damned leg. An eyebrow raised as one of the stallions stepped in front of me, “Can I help you?”

“That wasn't a question Specialist, don't make it an order,” Sweet Cherry trotted to my right, her other companion to my left, “Or is 'imperative' too complicated a word for you military grunts to understand?”

I gave a little growl, glaring at the smug mare, “If you weren't aware already, Miss Cherry, I have a knack of disobeying orders. I’ll get to you when I can.”

Her escorts moved closer towards me, as if I needed a reminder of their presence. Sweet Cherry moved in front of me and hissed, “I'm well aware of your situation, Bolt. Now shut up and come with me, any disobedience and I will give my guards the blind eye to their actions. Have I made myself clear?”

I glanced at the two stallions, both showing a great deal of aggression towards me. I calmly looked them over, dropping my dufflebag to the floor. My hooves slid along the cobblestones as I adopted a more defensive stance, my intentions to defend myself clear, “I do not answer to your Ministry, ma'am.”

“You ungrateful little shit,” Cherry snarled, closing her eyes. The guards advanced on me as my hoof moved to bring my hoof-blade to bare. The small knife sang a little as it came out, the steel hoof clinking as I dragged it back in preparation for the attack. Tensions rose, the stallions raising their hooves for a kick only to freeze as a voice called out.

“Specialist Bolt? I’m looking for Specialist Bolt!” A flutter of wings and a soft thump sounded as the voice's owner landed behind me, “Ah, there you are. You were informed that you need immediate medical attention before you landed, weren't you?”

I smiled as the blade slid back into my hoof, saved by a doctor, “Yes, I was. Apologies Investigator, seems our little chat will have to wait.”

I turned around to the doctor, trotting quickly as I brought my dufflebag up onto my back once again. A small smile came to my lips as I heard Sweet Cherry fume, taking her anger out on the ground in stamps and kicks. The doctor flicked her mane back as her wings reshuffled, trotting beside me happily, “You owe me one.”

“Another date then?” I replied coolly. She was right, I did owe her for this; a legitimate reason to avoid the Ministries and the political side of the war for as long as possible.

“Another? When was the first?” She chuckled, her mint green coat and smiling face visible to my uncovered right eye. Luna dammit, I had missed that smile. I stopped for a spilt second, the thought sticking in my head. No, it meant nothing; just nice to see a familiar and friendly face after recent events.

“That tour around Canterlot doesn't count then, Star?”
“Enough with the casual flirting!” A rather irate nurse roared at us, trotting over quickly, “Get yourself moving Specialist, you're injured!”

With the unicorn fussing over me, Starshine aided her in urging me into a waiting medical cart. A disgruntled pegasus gave me a bored eye and a nod as I trotted inside, taking a seat on a fairly uncomfortable bed. The scent of disinfectant hung in the air, giving the transport a grizzly reminder of the ponies who had lain in this bed bleeding out.

I wrinkled my nose at the smell, allowing the mares to undress my wounds and clean them. Hooves of concrete rang out clear as the pegasus began to pick up speed, the sound going as he took flight. Shifting a little, I took a sharp breath as yet more disinfectant was sprayed. A small chuckle came from Starshine, followed by a brief comment on me not being such a foal about it.

“Where are you taking me then?” I asked lazily, inhaling sharply once again as the nurse began to replace my bandages.

“To the Canterlot Barracks, they'll be delivering you back to your regiment,” she replied, Starshine moving back and out of my sight.

I sighed a little, feeling somewhat glad to be going home. A smile creeped onto my face at the thought of my regiment being home now, despite the fact that I barely knew the names of my comrades outside of my squad. The Engineers were a solitary group, rarely convening together except when necessary, examples being drinking competitions and trying to stop the latest prototype from destroying the camp.

The smile stuck as our descent began, “So, where am I staying?”

A gentle giggle came from Starshine, “I don't know yet, but maybe somepony might let you bunk with her...?”
“Maybe... just maybe,” I chuckled back.

I sighed as Starshine led me into her room in the barracks, a little impressed that she was able to secure one for private use. Usually, only Warrant Officers and higher ranks could request for their own quarters, and even then they were often let down. The pegasus mare smiled a little as she trotted over to a cabinet, taking out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

“Looks like being a medic pays off well,” I commented, looking around the room with interest. A collection of photographs hung a wall, many of Starshine and other ponies dressed in the combat medic uniform. One picture of a pegasus couple caught my eye, both of them with smiles worn falsely, no warmth in their eyes.

“My parents, if you were wondering,” a sweet voice called out of the slight tinkle of liquid hitting glass behind me, Starshine offering me a glass of amber liquid as I turned around. A smile, a nod and a gulp followed as I took the glass and emptied it in one go. The drink burned a little, but brought welcome warmth to my body and soul as well as a loosening of my tongue.

“Pair of racist idiots,” she continued, putting the whiskey away after pouring me another glass, “Both of them convinced that we should just wipe them all out instead of trying to find peace.”

I snorted a little, half muttering to myself, “They'd get on fine with Thunder then.”

“Senior Airpony Clap, you mean,” Starshine corrected, giggling a little, “They've always been that way though, big supporters of the pegasus purity act.”

My ears flicked at the drop in mood of her voice, and I found myself moving towards her, “Pegasus purity act?”

A soft sigh came, and her light violet eyes met mine, “You might not know this, but a fair number of pegasi are against the war. Not for some noble cause, but because we need to work the clouds for Equestria, else all the crops would die out...”

I nodded slowly, turning my gaze away from hers, “So the more pegasi we loose in the war, the smaller the workforce becomes, is that it?”

“Yes... the smaller the workforce, the smaller the gene pool. Soon enough, we'll have to start cross breeding with earth ponies and unicorns to try and increase both... and that's too risky.”

I felt a chill run down my spine at the words, almost feeling like a lesser pony in comparison to the pegasus master race. A memory stirred, a conversation between my parents about my brother's size and how he took after our mother's father, “Biology isn't my strong suit Star, but I guess it's to do with recessive genes?”

“Partially... there's probably a little more to it though,” She replied, setting her now empty glass to one side, “Like if a pegasus had an earth pony foal that could walk on the clouds.”

I chuckled a little, imaging myself being able to gallop across the clouds from birth. A figure slowly came to mind, that of Xander and how he had proudly displayed his stripes in his final battle. Letting out a little sigh, I studied my drink, the pain of the loss stirring up along with the thought of Sunset and their foal. Was it born yet? How was it faring without a father?

“Rivet? Is everything OK?” Starshine looked a little puzzled and worried, most likely in response to my vacant expression. I gave her a reassuring smile and nodded.

“Yeah, just thinking about Xander.”
“Xander?”
“My zebracorn friend... he died just before I lost my eye.” And freedom.

A slightly choke sounded from the mare, who had turned herself away from me, “A zebracorn f-friend?”

I tilted my head a little, “Yeah... he was part of the rescue squad that got us out of the chariot, remember?”
“I'm not sure, a lot happened in that battle...”

I sighed and nodded, it taken me a long time to fully comprehend most of the events, and portions of the memory were still foggy, “It's alright. Are you OK though?”

The soft chuckle told me I was in the clear, the melancholic reply set alarm bells ringing, “Yeah...”

Setting my drink on the side, I reached out and gave Starshine and comforting stroke along the foreleg, “Something on your mind?”

A gentle smile came before the reply, sending my mind in a spin and throwing all thoughts of Xander from my head. I couldn't tell if it was the drink or the atmosphere, but an overwhelming compulsion to hug the pegasus came to my mind, spreading like wildfire through my body. A voice like a gentle breeze came, “I just wonder what my parents would think if they saw me with you, that's all.”

I flinched a little at the words, composing myself before I said something that would hurt her, “I... I’m not sure what you mean...”

A flutter of wings and I couldn't escape the violet gaze that came. The world seemed to drain of colour as we looked at each other, sending my stomach in a flurry of backflips and twirls worthy of any gymnast, “Us, Rivet, us. You know my feelings for you! I’ve had a long time to think about this and I want to spend as much time as possible with you, before one of us dies!”

I averted my eye, wincing as Starshine pulled my eyepatch off, “Star... I... I like you, I really do, but I don't know if my feelings go any further.”

I sighed and broke away, only to feel a hoof on my shoulder, “Rivet... please... just one night, that's all I ask for.”

I bit my lip at the desperation in her voice, feeling my mind break out in an argument. She was right, we could die at any moment in this war, but was it right? To act out on feelings that had only come about when reminded of our mortality, and not on what I felt was right. I turned and faced the mare, for a brief moment seeing Fluttershy in her place, 'We all have to make do.'

“Alright, just one night.”

And then it came, the heart melting smile I had started to grow fond of. Starshine moved close to me, nuzzling my neck gently as I subconsciously put my steel hoof around her in an embrace. It was almost like my body no longer responded to my demands, running on autopilot to satisfy the mare and her desires. That stuck in my head, her desires, not my own. Chewing my lip slightly, I let out my thoughts, “This isn't right...”

A trail of kisses along my neck made me grit my teeth, trying to force back a slowly growing urge to take her right then. Starshine's gentle voice called out to me, “I don't care if you don't love me, I just want you.”

Flinching, I pushed her away. I had had enough and was going to end this right here, right now. Forget making do, this was only going to hurt both of us. Shaking my head, “You don't Star, you don't want me...”

The minty pegasus persisted, trying to rejoin the embrace, “I do! How can you say that? You don't know what it's like!”

I turned my head, partly out of shame and partly to avoid her gaze, “I do know... because tonight, tonight I wouldn't be with Starshine... I’d be with Fluttershy.”

“I don't care Rivet! I just want you to be with me, I’ll be your Fluttershy, I’ll be whoever you want me to be, just let me have you! For Celestia's sake Rivet, I love you!” Tears had started to flow from her eyes, each one a stab of heartache and pain through me.

“Why? Why do you love me? Is it just because I saved you? Is that it? Am I suddenly the pony you love when the beret's on and medals are on my chest?” I felt a hot anger boil up inside me as the pain turned to rage, a little voice whispering in the back of my head telling me that I was just being used by her and nothing more.

“N-no! I love you for you Rivet! Not just because you saved me! You're kind and smart and you want what's the best for all of us!”

“DON'T LIE TO ME!” even I reeled a little at my shout, feeling little remorse for bringing a fresh wave of tears, “If I had never jumped out of that chariot, you wouldn't have looked twice at me!”

“Tha-that's not true! I, I... An-and what about you? Why are you still here?” Starshine screamed back, stamping her hooves as her wings flared with tears streaming, “I'm not Fluttershy, I’m not the pony you love and I never will be! So why taunt me?! Why even come here?”

I looked to the ground as if it were the earth's fault for my actions before snorting and turning around, briskly trotting outside. A slam of the door cut Starshine's cries short, the muffled screams of rage and hurt barely distracting me from my walk out of the barracks and into the evening's open air. My left eye whirred slightly as I gazed up at the stars, each one twinkling obliviously to the deeds of ponies below their stare.

A small warmth ran down my right cheek, bringing a grimace to my face, “I'm not crying over her. I refuse to cry over her. She isn't the pony I want...”

Fleeing the scene, I made my way back into the bustle of Canterlot's night life. Service ponies with their catch trotted around in various states, some drunker than others. The cybernetic eye seemed to take a life of its own as it studied the hundreds of ponies I passed on the way to a bar, seeming to enjoy the contact with the living as they lived for once.

The wooden door squeaked a little as I stepped inside, the dull murmur of locals and soldiers locked in conversation clung to the air like the smoke from their cigarettes. The taste came bitter in my mouth, bringing up memories of the burnt carcasses of ponies and changelings from the campaign. Swallowing the rising bile at the thoughts, I made my way through the crowd and onto a barstool, catching the eye of the tender.

“And what can I get you?”
“Sweet Apple Acre Cider.”
“Don't sell tha-”
“Then your Luna-damned strongest drink.”

A glare came, followed by a swift nod and the sound of the tender's hooves trotting away melted into the the atmosphere. I snorted a little, hoping that alcohol could numb my rage just a little better than taking it out of the nearest poor son of a bitch. A clink woke me up a little, a small glass filled with amber liquid stood before me. Without a second thought, I drained it and waved for another, deciding to look around at the other patrons.

A young stallion was proudly showing off his second Purple Heart to a group of giggling mares, his rank stitched neatly into his jacket. Piece of shit, flashing his 'awards' for a piece of tail while ponies much braver, much greater than he died without so much as a salute to them. My lip quivered a little, remembering the nightmare of a campaign I had locked up inside me, ready to be unleashed on Equestria and expose the public to the truth behind so many lies.

I tsked at myself as a pang of jealousy rose as the stallion kissed one of the mares, squishing the beast in my breast. Clutching at my right foreleg, I tried to shake the sensation that it should be around somepony tonight, telling myself that I wasn't in the mood for anything like that.

But then what? Would it change the war for the better? How would the public take the news, decided to drop the war effort and hope for peace? No, most likely totally anarchy would take command. The public wouldn't listen to reason, and the Ministries would be forced to take action, threatening the masses in submission with the very weapons I expose.

I let out a sigh as another glass appeared before me, the tender trotting away to happier customers. I mulled over my thoughts, chewing my cheek slightly. The worst part is, the Ministries knew I was capable of this and had the power to 'remove' me if needs be. A sobering thought came as I looked down at my drink, my hoof moving on its own as it threw the glass to the side. I began to shake, looking around me cautiously. Any one of these patrons could be a Ministry agent, waiting for the opportune moment to kill me and remove any opposition.

Shakily standing to my hooves, I began to move away from the bar and towards the exit only for a loud cough to sound, “You gonna pay for these?”

“No need, I’ve got it.”

My blood ran cold at the voice, turning around slowly to see a rather irate pink earth pony mare stood passing bits to the tender. Her larger companions had already taken their places next to me, standing guard as their boss approached, “I'm glad you don't have expensive tastes, Specialist Bolt. Be a shame to spend so much on a single pony.”

“You don't give up, do you Miss Cherry? Look, I’ve had a pretty shitty day and some shitty drinks at that so I’ll come right out and say it. I’m going nowhere with you,” I stood my ground, nostrils flared and body tense. If it came to a fight, then so be it.

A small smirk appeared on the Ministry agent's face as my hoof slipped; not only was I drunk, I was also panicked, a perfect target. With some amusement, she replied, “Not conscious at least. You've caused me enough trouble, and I’m sure Miss Pie and Miss Rarity will forgive me if I turn in damaged goods.”

Gritting my teeth, I swallowed the urged to break the mare's nose at the taunt. My face must've betrayed my anger as Sweet Cherry smiled smugly at me, “Of course, I need a reason for bringing you in such a state, resisting arrest would do nicely.”
“Arrest? Mind telling me the charge?”

A soft hum came from the mare, “Failure to follow orders, repeated resistance and disrespect shown towards senior officers and how about... oh, harassment and indecent actions towards a Ministry Mare? I’ve heard you have a little thing for Fluttershy... or does Flutterwhore sound better?”

“YOU FUCKING BITCH!” my anger exploded at the accusations and the name, the reaction Cherry was expecting judging from her growing smile. A scrape of a stool from behind set me off, my hindlegs kicking out behind me at the standing pony. They gave out a cry as Cherry's guards set upon me, both pulling out telescopic batons and bringing them down on me. I pushed back, grunting as my leg panged in protest, and dodged the first blow. The second struck my shoulder, the offender spluttering as I drove my steel hoof up into his throat, springing the blade coming loose after I pulled it away from him.

“Let's cool it right here, I’ll come to the Ministries in my own time. No blood needs to be shed tonight,” I felt strangely mature at these words considering the anger bubbling inside me, only for the feeling to be cut short as a barstool crashed on my back. The buck I had kicked earlier stood with the broken legs floating above him, snorting in anger only for him to be spear tackled by a beret wearing mare and the whole establishment descending into chaos.

I blinked at the fight, catching the similar bewildered gaze of Sweet Cherry before remembering that she was planning to bump me off. I turned and ran into the maelstrom, knocked and bashed as fighting ponies battled it out. The two sides had come clear to me now, on one were the service mares and stallions and the other were the bar's usual patrons and Ministry workers. Either tensions had been brewing for weeks or they had all gone stir crazy for one incident to break out into such a battle.

Spinning and dodging the fighting ponies, I made for the exit, only to have the wind and ground knocked from me as I flew into a wall. I coughed and winced at the pain, nothing broken but my ribs were bruised badly. Turning towards my attacker, I snorted at the remaining bodyguard, the metal baton held tight in his teeth. I stood back to my hooves and scraped one along the ground, baring my teeth like some feral beast as a surge of energy washed over me. All aches and pains seemed to numb, and an overwhelming urge to make him bleed came over me.

The hoof blade sparked as I ran it along the floor, bringing over my head and down towards his neck, only for the stallion to block and counter with a forehoof. A quick turn sent the counter attack across my back, grazing the skin as my right forehoof swung at his torso only for him to stamp on it. The pain was nearly unbearable, the blow landing neatly on the joint and nearly breaking the limb; a professional's manoeuvre.

As I tried to wrench my leg from his grip, I took a blow to the right eye from his hoof, soon followed by three more to the side of head. For what it was worth, I felt a little gratitude towards him for avoiding my neck and a quick death. Through the beating, a message came clear; they didn't want me dead. Hurt, broken and defeated, but not dead. As his hoof came rushing at me for a fifth blow, my left snaked up and stabbed into his fetlock, slicing the muscle and jarring against the bone. The shock broke us apart, my left foreleg numb from the sudden stop and my right too painful to rest on for long.

Gritting my teeth, I pushed forwards towards the opponent as he whimpered in pain, clutching at his injured leg. I gazed at the small drips of blood on the floor, an unwanted smirk appearing on my face as I advanced towards him only to freeze in my place. A gentle hoof was rested on my back, along with the soft touch a wing. I turned to see Starshine next to me, eyes cast at the ground. A roaring mare leapt at her, my body moving automatically to drag the minty pegasus to one side and out of harm's way.

“St-star? What are you doing here?”
“... you promised me a date, remember?”
“A date? Now?” I swallowed a little, turning my head sharply, “You said it yourself, you're not the pony I love... you're the not the pony I want, so piss off.”

This time, true regret reared its ugly head within me, chilling my bones. Had I wanted to be honest to myself, I would've told her that I missed that touch in the brief time we were apart, how I wanted to hold her close again and try to make amends. But I shook such thoughts and wishes again as the blade slid back into the hoof and I approached the bodyguard calmly. I felt strange, like all the anger I had was washing away and found myself offering my right hoof to help him up, “I'm... I’m sorry... I don't know what came over me...”

The stallion glared and snorted, cracking a tiny smile as the fight raged on around us, “Got a nasty left there Bolt, glad you're on our side.”

“I'm not on your side, not the Ministries' at least. Look, I appreciate what you've done for me, but I need to cool my head first... especially after what Snowfall told me, with Fluttershy and the megapsells...”
“Keep quiet about that, the public cannot know... look, Bolt, from one soldier to another, trust us. We'll only hurt you if you force us to.”
“... alright, I’ll come along,” I cracked a smile in reply to his, my ears perking as the wail of sirens came piercing through the din of the barfight. The doors burst open as armoured policeponies stormed the building, pouncing on fighters and dragging them apart. For the second time this evening, the floor flew from my hooves as one dived on me and hoof-cuffed my forelegs.

“I am placing you under arrest on the charges of assault, drunken and disorderly behaviour. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law,” the officer nearly threw me to his companions, who dragged me to a waiting cart. I groaned as I met eyes with Sweet Cherry, the smug look back on her face as she turned around. She had me right where she wanted me.

The steel pen boomed a little as I struck the floor, groaning a little. The pain from my wounds came ebbing back, bringing forth a sigh and a snort at them. The sound of a quiet hoof stepping on the steel floor sounded, and I twisted to take a look at my new companion. A strand of mane brushed against my face as she moved close to me, planting a kiss on my forehead.

“... I’m sorry, Rivet... I was being selfish... I know you don't want me, so I’ll leave you alone now... go, be happy. It's all I want,” Starshine turned and trotted out of the cart as the doors swung shut, locking me inside and alone. Deep inside me, something clicked. It wasn't in my head, like some grand idea, but rather my heart.

All this time, I had told myself I loved Fluttershy because she was there, kind, gentle and above us all. But what kind of pony, what Bearer hides the truth from everyone who fights for her? And here stood a pony who was prepared to give up the one she loved just so he could be happy. I pushed up onto my hooves and pressed myself against the doors, biting my lip.

“Starshine!” I waited for her reply with a breath caught in my throat, unable to hear much of the outside world.
“... yes?”

Pushing my lips against the crack of the doors, I swallowed hard before speaking, “I-I get it now, I know what I’ve done has been foalish and stupid! I don't think I can return your feelings, not yet! Just wait for me! All I need is time!”

Only the din of the fighting could be heard afterwards, the cart suddenly jolting as it left after a brief interval. I sighed and sat down, rubbing my face with my cuffed hooves, 'Too little, too late... you've pushed another away and for what reason? Your impossible dream?'

“One date!” my ears pricked up at the shout, a smile cracking slightly, “You still owe me one date!”

I gave a chuckle as I felt a glimmer of hope within myself, shouting back, “Then dress up nicely! I’ll be back in a moment!”

Prologue

“What we fight for and what we die for are two very different things, but they're still rooted in selfishness. We only fight for things that mean something to us, and only die to pass that responsibility on”

A roar had covered my world.

My hearing had been dampened by a constant roar, as if two dragons were squaring off in my ears only to be interrupted by my short, sharp breaths. My sight fared no better, colours had been blurred and my vision was murky with a mix of mud, blood and grit. I raised a hoof to try to wipe away most of the damage, only to find that the agony of lifting it was greater than the one my eyes endured.

A buck, barely a year younger than me, ran in front and turned, yelling muffled words at me before his flank and neck gave small explosions of blood and bone and he keeled over, his eyes wide and rolling as he drowned in his own blood, mouthing a word over and over. I yelled for a medic, unable to hear the word as it was ignored by my comrades.

I crawled towards the twitching body of the buck, praying to the goddesses that he could be saved, only to find the jerky movements of the dead pony were zebra bullets confirming the kill. I cried out in horror at the actions before shaking myself awake. I had to move.

I forced myself to my feet, the ground spinning as I fought back the urge to vomit, my instincts screaming for me to move. Life slowed, giving me a greater perspective on things, as I ran for cover, each step threatening to tear my legs in two yet I still ran for what was left of my existence. Leaning to the side, I snatched a rifle from the mouth of a long dead unicorn, tossing it expertly and catching the grip in my mouth.

The taste of iron, gunpowder and mud soon dominated my dulled senses, bringing me part way back to the world. I ran onwards, spotting a yellow sky chariot with a pink butterfly on the side. Medics. Bullets pinged against the armoured plating, scratching the paint away and denting the metal.

Bringing the sights up, I opened fire on the attackers only for my gun to jam three bursts in. Throwing the useless weapon away, I bolted for the only shelter on the battlefield, my hearing returned to the point where I could notice the screams of dying ponies and zebras alike, the chatter of a hundred guns and the hefty thumps of pegasi bomb runs adding a horrific beat to the orchestra of death and the dying.

“Friendly! I’m coming in!” I called, my carcass of a body slamming against the chariot before several hooves dragged me inside. Four dishevelled medical ponies looked back at me, one nursing her lost hoof under a blanket of bandages, each with fear and hatred in their eyes. A clatter of bullets caused the group to flinch and shudder.

“Where is the rest of your team?” I demanded, having seen the full chariot shot down a few minutes before. My eyes grew accustomed to the gloom of the shelter, only to see where the remains of the medic squad and their guard splattered on the metal floor which made the ceiling, entrails hung like party decorations at our funeral.

A mare passed a healing potion over, pointing at the numerous scratches and cuts on my body and armour. I pushed it away, shaking my head; there are other ponies who needed it more than myself. An awkward silence fell, interrupted by the intermittent clatter of gunfire, before being broken fully by the sound of the eldest of the group standing up and making her way to the entrance.

“I-I'm going t-to g-get help. We'll b-be OK.” she spluttered, turning her head away from the group. “Somep-pony needs t-to do s-something.”

I feared that the last point was directed at me, a soldier is only as good as his gun. I stood up and pushed her back inside, shaking my head, “Ma'am, you wouldn't last three seconds out there, it's suicide to attempt such a thing.”

I placed her next to the others, all but her nodding and wide-eyed as the full scale of their situation fully sank in and took hold. They could die here.

I coughed, trying to keep an air of professionalism despite the urge to break down and end it for myself, and recalled the standard procedure for such an event word for word, “Radio in command and get an evac sorted. Where is your radio?”

The one hoofed pony pointed at a pair of hind legs trapped by the chariot, the radio shattered by the transport. I grimaced, noticing the cross-hair cutie mark adorned on the flanks. Sweet Celestia, he was too young to be fighting. We were all too young to be fighting, but not young enough to be exempt from it. How would anypony get such a mark in peacetime? It felt like an abomination for somepony to be born for war.

A squeak of terror brought me to the present, my senses almost at one hundred percent again, only catching the hind legs of the elder medic as she scrambled out of safety. The resulting gunfire and her screams echoed around the metal hull, mudded blood ran down the entrance hole not long after. The only other buck began to sob quietly, nuzzling against the one-hoofed mare for comfort.

Civilians. Who thought it would be an ingenious idea to bring civilians on the battlefield as medics? This wasn't a hospital, where all it took was some bed rest and all would be well. No, here ponies died. Not just physically; mentally, emotionally. Ponies were not meant for war, it was a foreign concept. The zebras had brought it to us demanded that we played along, whether they wanted to or not.

A sudden bang announced the arrival of someone else. I whipped around, pulling a scalpel out from an open medial bag. It wouldn't kill a zebra, but it would buy time enough to find a better way to finish them off. Better wiped than striped.

A familiar voice called out, “Friendly! Please don't shoot!”, and a mint coloured pegasus dropped in. Her white mane was tinted with black and red, and a wound under a wing oozed blood. “Thank Celestia, some friendly faces!”

The mare looked up and locked eyes with me, before throwing her hooves around my battered body. “Thank the goddesses, I thought you had died when the missile hit.” She cried, her body heaving into sobs as she wetted her eyes. “I haven't seen Thunder, but I’m almost certain I've heard him flying overhead.”

I gently pushed the pegasus away, looking for a healing potion for her wing. “Starshine, you need to heal up and escape with the others. I'll hold them off for as long as I can but you need to get out of here.”

Her blue eyes lit up at the idea, no doubt a fleeting fancy of me being her warrior, the light dying a little after I continued, “You're a damn good medic, the war needs more ponies like you. Not civilians who think they're doing their bit but a real help to the effort. Me, I’m disposable. There are a thousand other stupid colts wanting a taste of glory, and they'll get their turn soon enough.”

My brave face held as I prevented my voice from choking. I was all my mother had left, my father dying a hero and my brother killed in a factory accident, and here I was. Prepared to throw away my life for the sake of a mare I had only met this day. Maybe I’d be the hero of this battle too.

“...If we don't keep coming back from the dead that is” Starshine whispered in response, the words choked with tears at the cruel kindness that had taken place today. Hundreds of dying ponies, all begging for an end to it all, brought back to life only to be slaughtered by the very zebras they had killed moments ago. It wasn't fair!

I grimaced at the memory; an older buck was missing his lower half and drawing his last ragged breaths, looking through me to some place in the distance. Suddenly, a large explosion cut through the deathly silence, his body regrowing and rejuvenating him. His cry of joy was cut short when the zebra sniper I had killed shot off his head with a calibre bullet that screamed overkill, as if they feared that if they didn't decapitate us we'd keep coming back. Probably why they used a damn rocket to kill four of us rather than pick us off one by one.

A few minutes passed, and I was still down a weapon. I looked over the medics, giving a weak smile. I wasn't coming out of this alive. Goddesses damn it, I didn't want to die! Why do I have to die? I’m nothing! Just the son of a chariot repair pony... who became a hero in death.

Another bang followed by two more hit the chariot, a rifle sliding down the entrance hole along with an extra magazine. The grizzled voice of 2nd platoon's sergeant called down, “Rescue party's here fillies and gentlecolts. Let's get moving!”

A chatter of gunfire punctuated our saviour's announcement, time to move.

The wounded mare and the sobbing stallion moved first, scrambling out of the hole and led away by one of the three rescuers. The third survivor of the chariot was next to go, stuffing as much medical equipment as she could into saddlebags before pulling her way to freedom. I looked to my mint coloured companion and motioned for her to go next.

“My, what a gentle-stallion you are!” Starshine giggled, moving towards the entrance and wriggling her way out. Perhaps too excessively as my eyes were drawn to her flanks, collecting myself before heading to my own freedom.

My head burst back into the chaos of the battle, catching eyes with an all too familiar unicorn with a glyphmark. “Xander! Good to see you're still kicking around. Cover our rear and we'll talk later. Starshine, let's move it!”

I took point and opened fire on our attackers, their heads ducking long enough for us to cover a fair distance. Another burst of fire from them and dirt kicked up around me, these bastards were too damn good at this war game for it to be fair. I continued at a gallop, the sounds of shooting closer now.

I believe this is the point I regret most in my life.

More than when I chose to enlist in the army. More than when I ran away from home to find my way in life. More than that argument with my brother. More than any other time.

I turned my head and timed slowed to a crawl. Starshine held her pistol in her mouth, firing away at the enemy. Xander fell to the ground, his brains spewing from a new hole in his head. My cry of anguish as my friend fell dead was muffled by the roar of battle, the dragons in my ears had returned and they didn't care that my friend was kissing mud.

The zebra position erupted in flame and dirt volcanoes as a pegasi bomber-squadron flew overhead, dumping their pay load on top of the enemy. Returned fire struck the wing of a peagasus, her screams rang out as she hit the earth with a crunch and a group of the striped savages surrounded her. Her cries were drowned out by the burst of gunfire from four rifles, ending as she detonated her remaining explosives, blowing herself up.

I ran towards the half-zebra buck, not caring that it was too late for him, not hearing the shouts of Starshine. Not hearing the shot from the zebra offenders.

My eyes glanced upwards, seeing the sparks fly off the hull of the chariot as a high impact bullet tore through the plating. Time moved to a crawl as it made its way towards me. I brought a hoof up in defence, crying out as it tore through the joint and came out the other side.

They say that your life flashes before your eyes before you die. For me, all I saw was the bullet that took my life. All I felt was it enter my left eye, bore through my skull and exit cleanly. It didn't hurt, nothing hurt afterwards. My body span from the force of the bullet like a giant fleshy rag doll. I caught Starshine's eye and the look of horror on her face as I turned, landing on the ground after turned a half circle.

I didn't hear her scream, nor feel her cradle my head in her hooves. Hot salty tears fell on my face, washing most of the grime and dirt off my remaining eye. The earth rocked as more air strikes were implemented, bringing this battle to a close.

My right eye lid grew heavy, my whole body did. I gave up. I’m sick of this war, sick of fighting, sick of life. I'll just sleep until then. Yeah, sleep sounds good.

My name is Rivet Bolt. This is my story.

Chapter One: Of Death, the Dying and the Dead

“Get a move on soldier, 'cause you don't belong here”

I hear them. Noises of life. Where am I? How did I get here? Voices around me whisper away, a soft hum of electronics adds ambience to the omnipotent darkness of my world. A repetitive beep sounds to the right of me, I feel a pressure on my right foreleg and my back is pressed into something soft. A bed.

A creak sounds to my far left, a slight squeak before the sound of hooves on wood tap away at the fragile atmosphere. Hushed whispers now surround near my hind legs, no names just opinions, “Nurse, what have you given him?”

“A weak healing potion, enough to stop the bleeding. Any more and the brain tissue that was lost will regrow and force its way out of the skull.”

A rustle follows, a metallic ping rings out as the bed shakes slightly. A sharp intake of breath follows, released as a murmur.“We need to operate right away if he's to survive the night.”

“It's too risky, and I don't care who's paying for the operation. I cannot, on any grounds, do this. He's a pony, not a machine.” New voice this time; male, a few years older than me at least, and it sounds like I’m in trouble. “We should just put him out of his misery.”

Ah. I’m definitely in trouble.

“The Ministries of Morale, Wartime Technology and Image have all banked on him surviving! I don't care about your moral opinion on the matter, just get the job done.” Thank Luna, I’m wanted alive.

“Why him? Why this poor bastard over every other dying pony in this place, huh? Why does it have to be him?”

The voices continue for a while, hushing until I can't hear them, before slipping away. My fate's uncertain, but one thing is for sure; I’m alive. For the moment.

By some stupid reasoning, I survived something that should have killed me outright. I just can't recall what I survived. I can barely remember a thing, my head's swimming in a sea of blackest black. It's claustrophobic, I’m finding it hard to breathe under all this darkness but the rise and fall of my torso is the only thing that can keep me going right now. I must breathe. Somepony wants me alive.

I start to check myself, I twitch my joints one by one. Hind legs, rear, tail, fore legs, hooves. Oh no. My left fore hoof, it's missing. Not numb, completely gone from the joint. I guess I’m not as untouchable as I thought I was. After all I went through in that battle, I’m surprised all I lost was a hoof. I feel a single tear run from my right eye, and searing pain from left.

And now the memories hit me. Lost brain tissue, no eyelids. No fucking eye. Oh Celestia, I was shot in the head. In. The. Fucking. Head! I feel my pace race, my heart hammering on my eardrums as if it can escape through my skull. Oh goddesses have mercy, I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die!

And now I start screaming. The first is a pitiful squeak, my throat dry from the moisture free, germ killing artificial air, the second almost tears my voice box in two. The third finally breaks through and shatters the stagnant silence suffocating the room. I cough and splutter, warm blood forming at the back of my throat as I start flailing weakly, the left side of my head becoming sticky with the blood oozing from my fatal wound.

My cries evolve from just screams into words, obscenities spew into the world before dissolving back into yelps of agony. I try to rise up from my bed, feeling wires tighten around me as they try to tie me back to the bed. A new warmth appears, the sheets becoming sodden with my urine as my body informs the whole world that it is terrified and in pain. I don't care who wants me alive, just end this agony for me by any means necessary!

Out of the edges of my awareness, I hear a clamour. Hooves rush to my side as the machine continues to bleep at a rapidly increasing pace. I don't feel the needle penetrate my flank and veins underneath, and I barely hear the whine of magic being charged.

The voices yell out in the din as my world of darkness caves into a deeper black than ever before, “Three, two, one, clear!”

My body rocks upwards involuntarily, I let out a gasp as life is forced back into me and the whine starts again. Another countdown, another hit and I fall back exhausted. I let myself fall into rest as the bed turns and squeaks.

“OK, I'll do it. But I need a cybernetic specialist up here now...”

It was just over four years ago when the war was brought home. My family lived in a small town called Manehead, my father having moved there in years before meeting my mother where they met through a friend. It was small, quaint but there was always something going on. Traditions were held onto tight, as if the townsfolk were scared of a superstition on their superstitions.

I remember the events leading to the end of those days perfectly.

It began with a celebration of my elder brother's recent promotion, he had been made executive of the town's local weapons manufacturer and our entire family was present. He was brimming with pride at the promotion, all set in motion by one simple innovation; a new method to mass produce battle saddles, bringing more fire power to the front line than the zebras could imagine. We hoped.

It was amusing, at least, the way he giggled like a school filly at the final designs for the saddles; the name “Ratchet Bolt” emblazoned on the side. It was as though the thought of hundreds of battle-hardened stallions slaughtering zebras with his name all over their equipment stroked his ego enough to make him stroke himself. Knowing my brother, he probably did that at the thought of said stallions.

My uncle was boasting about how the combined might of the Equestrian Armed Forces would wrap the war up in a matter of months, “Them Zebras may be better at fightin', but we got one thing they don't; flight! Their army may be tough as a dragon's hide but our air force is our trump, and now we're goin' hoof to hoof with the striped bastards instead of these cowardly sneaky tactics, we'll finish 'em for good!”

I remember how I was mesmerised by his tales of how pegasi would swoop overhead and shoot down entire battalions of zebra before they knew what hit them, how he was pinned down by a squad of the savages and killed them all with his ceremonial sword single hoofed. His tales of fantasy and romance, of near death and victory probably persuaded me to sign up as part of the infantry.

It was just after my favourite story of his, his squad's heroic stand in a settlement overran with the invaders from afar, when my mother came in. Back then, I couldn't stand how much she cried as she turned the radio on, why it made my father pale and all my other relatives follow suit. The report came through; there had been fighting at Little Horn.

“Not fighting,” my father grumbled after the broken voice of the presenter had stopped. “If nopony survived, then something's amiss there. That was a cold-hearted massacre.”

His words hit everyone hard, more so because he was right. The whole of Equestria fell silent it seemed, hundreds of foals were killed unnecessarily. Some shrugged it off, saying that they were casualties of war and casualties were to be expected, but it was the point that nopony survived the attack. Even if Luna hadn't propelled Equestria into the war hungry monster it became, the event fuelled the tension within the citizens.

A few weeks passed and my father received the call to arms, Ratchet being exempt from it due to his importance to the war effort on the industrial side. My parents tried to explain to me why he had to leave but I figured it out from the moment the colonel knocked on our door. In a way, the Bolt's gift was a curse as well; we understand everything, no matter how irrational. We just accept it.

The Bolt line had been blessed with the talent of ingenuity, if anypony had a solution to any problem be it mechanical or personal, we had a family member who could solve it. Just as the cogs on my flank represent, my talent was to understand all things; from mechanical faults to the irrational wailing of a foal. My Cutie Mark story isn't as whimsical or wonderful as most other ponies, my talent being discovered when I defused a heated argument between my parents after I finished repairing my grandfather's old watch. From that day onwards, they were convinced that I would become a grand politician while I preferred working with machines; much easier to understand and with less backlash.

When my father left, I only had one regret. I wished that I kicked up more of a fuss when they took him away. Instead, all I did was stand and watch as he was led off into a chariot full of stony faced stallions and mares, each looking ahead only to their deaths. Understanding, what sort of special talent is being able to understand anything and everything?

I took over the family shop, chariot repairs. Business was slow but enough to keep us fed and to live reasonably comfortable lives. A while after my father left, Princess Luna rose to the throne and the Ministries were created. Princess Celestia's abdication struck home the seriousness of Equestria's situation, the stallions who hadn't been drafted into service signed up and the town suffered from the lack of money. Taxes soared, the economy ground to a near halt, the only things keeping Manehead going were the factory, our chariot repair shop and a few other specialised businesses in the town.

The Ministry Mares were ponies above and beyond all of us, rivalling the Princesses in fame, but that didn't stop me from my fantasies. From when I was a colt, there was only one mare that I could ever have my eyes on; the Ministry Mare of Peace, Fluttershy. I had seen a banner of the mare enjoying a Sunrise Sarsaparilla, that quickly became my favourite drink of all time, and was smitten ever since. It seemed unusual to be in love with a pony I had never met, especially one that was significantly older than me, but I assured myself that I would make it work somehow, convincing myself as I got older that the age would add other benefits too.

My mother had joked when I was young, saying that one day I’d meet her and sweep her off her hooves while my father promised to pay for a grand wedding when we were engaged. Ratchet naturally joined in on the fun, teasing me about my Special Some-Pony every Hearts and Hooves Day until he began work at the factory. That factory took him away from the start, now that I look back at it.

Ratchet had always been somewhat egotistical, earning his Cutie Mark at a remarkably young age and constantly inventing new methods and designs which maximised output without increasing price. He was the ideal son to the Bolt family, excelling in everything mechanical and being the soul of the party when it suited him. When he came out, my parents didn't seem to care a single bit. To most ponies, it would be the idealised “we accept you for everything you are” thought process, but I could tell their disappointment. They were just too damn proud of him to protest.

My mother was a gentle mare, brought up in the nearby town of Ponyville, and often visited her friends there. I had visited her old home on numerous occasions, and was often subject to her stories of her exploits as a filly in the town. She didn't have the hooves for physical labour, nor the finesse for fine tool work. It was a blessing, I suppose, that she wasn't there when the news arrived.

My father had been gone for just over a year and a half, and I had grown into a stronger stallion than he. I stood roughly at his height, still shorter than my brother though, and had acquired the same black mane. A friend of the family once said that I was the spitting image of him, much to my embarrassment. I was working on a custom built chariot for a local merchant when two stallions in the Army's colours arrived, sullen and with an air that this scene was all too familiar to them.

They didn't even need to make it to the door. The folded flag said it all.

My father's unit were doing a standard border patrol when they were ambushed by zebras and zebra sympathizers. One mare survived the attack though had lost use of her rear limbs in exchange. She described how my father was the last to fall, having been shot, stabbed and kicked into a bloody pulp yet he still stood, adrenaline fuelling his body. The enemy patrol broke morale, fleeing from the demon pony who couldn't die.

That was it. No goodbyes, no dramatic final words, nothing. My father was dead and gone. The stallions offered their condolences, but they were empty words, rehearsed and practised within an inch of their worth until they seemed forced. I didn't blame them, you don't shoot the messenger.

I didn't cry until the funeral, and even then I couldn't shed a tear until his body was laid to rest. His brown coat had been patched up to preserve his dignity, a pointless gesture but one I was grateful for. It was soul crushing, knowing that the last time I saw my father he was covered in stitches and had a glass eye in place. The image haunted me for longer than I could remember, being unable to look at his photo for fear of throwing up at the memory of his desecrated body.

I stayed strong for my mother, and held my place as the new head of the family. My brother hadn't even bothered to tell us he wasn't going to attend. A messenger pony arrived a few days afterwards with a letter, Ratchet explaining his absence.

Rivet, you know I loved dad more than anything but I’m on the edge of something huge here. There is a war going on, death is to be expected and I’m one of the ponies who refuse to let those deaths be in vain. Meanwhile, you sit at home and play with your chariots. Grow up and act your age, I don't see you doing anything to help us win!

I couldn't read beyond there, I knew what he was saying was right and it made sense, but he was all but dead to me as family. He wasn't the same pony I grew up with, looked up to. My mother took it worse, refusing to come out of her room for days on end. All I heard were her cries of anguish and choking sobs every night, followed by her screams as the nightmares came.

Two weeks passed before she came out the door, her eyes had sunk into her skull and her body had become lifeless. Her auburn mane had lost it's sleek sheen, and her cream coat was dirty like she had tried to bury herself away from the pain of loss. It was all I could do to hold her before my tears came again, my hooves around her heaving body as we lamented our loss. Two members of our family, gone in less than a month and now it was taking its toll on our souls.

Weeks slipped by and became months, the business growing as the demand for specialised pegasus chariots surged; the Army had begun utilizing para-troopers as shock tactics, placing ponies deep in enemy territory to sabotage their war machines and supply lines. More news came as other mares and stallions from the village were killed in action, the blows heavy but necessary I told myself. Then our world was rocked again.

It had been two years since I heard those stories, and now they will never be heard again. My uncle had fallen too.

My aunt spluttered the news as she arrived, my cousins staying home to lament. He was killed by a cloaked zebra, killed in the middle of the mess hall. The strike was a demoralising blow for all of Equestria, nowhere near the scale of Little Horn but the message was clear; the zebras' technology was far more advanced than we thought. Nopony was safe any more.

Panic grew in the streets, ponies packing up and retreating to the furthest reaches of Equestria to escape the zebra menace. Mother did the same, moving in with my aunt in Manehatten to help her with the loss, leaving me alone with the shop and my estranged brother with his factory. I could feel the panic affect me as well, working twice as hard on my jobs to prevent any speculation that I was a zebra sympathizer; one job done wrong led to suspicions. Suspicions led to rumours. Rumour led to a visit from the Ministry of Morale and nopony came back from the Ministry's visits.

We had the rare opportunity of meeting one of the Ministry Mares after such an incident; a buck was taken away on suspicion of supplying illegal zebra drugs to younger colts and fillies under the pretence that they were sweets. The Mare in question was the infamous Pinkie Pie, renowned for her insane parties, who arrived in a bright pink hot air balloon with a ready-to-go party towed underneath. Of all the ways I want to see my hard paid taxes being used, this was the most unusual.

She personally greeted every pony in Manehead, knocking on their door and inviting them via singing telegram. When she came to my shop, I had half a mind to slink away and pretend I wasn't in, only to find it futile when she entered through the chimney. Face to face with one of Fluttershy's closest friends, the position I was in finally dawned on me; my secret fantasy could become true!

This fleeting moment was then shattered by the arrival of an alligator.

The Ministry Mare didn't stop laughing until I had descended from on top of my personal chariot, explaining between breaths that Gummy was harmless due to his namesake. I was later reacquainted with the abnormal pet at DJ-PON3's set, Pinkie dancing along with him.

After four days of non-stop partying, the Ministry packed up and left. Manehead was shell shocked and slightly more wary of alligators than before, but at ease. No matter how hard the war went, we could never stop smiling because we will win. We were better than the zebra scum and we won't loose to something that's lesser to a pony!

It wasn't long after that I finally decided to sign up and do my part for the good of all Equestria. Not for personal glory, nor to avenge my father's death but to keep the world smiling and bring back this peace. In one of his letters, my father described to me how the zebra prisoners would sing to one another to keep themselves smiling despite their predicament and how they were greeted upon their return, usually before the cowards opened fire on the ponies sent to release them.

My mother protested and threatened to disown me if I joined the army, an understandable threat. If I died, my brother would be all that's left, and she stopped seeing him as a son years ago, but it wasn't about her any more. With a brave face, I gave her my word that I would come home in one piece no matter what. I would become home a hero of peace and justice for all. My time as a humble chariot repair pony had ended, and the name Rivet Bolt would be forever echoed in time as one of the heroes of Equestria.

She never wrote to me again. I know she's doing well, my aunt writes to me time to time telling me how they're coping but my mother has never said a word to me since the day I disobeyed her.

Three weeks later, the chariot for basic training rolled up in the town square and I alone stepped aboard. I remember looking fondly at the town I grew up in, dismally the factory I lost my brother to and wistfully at my old home. I collected myself and sat next to a mud-brown coloured unicorn, his coat looking worse for wear but a keenness in his eyes, like he was ready for anything the world had to throw at him.

“Bolt, Rivet Bolt.” I said, holding out my hoof with a smile on my face.

The unicorn looked back, smiled a little, and took it in his own. “Xander, pleased to make your acquaintance.”