Birds of Prey

If I wasn’t sure before it was painfully obvious that this place was under the jurisdiction of the Solar Empire, and it was highly likely that the architecture of the houses was drawn up by mares. No stallion I know would put this much pink and hearts all over the buildings. Actually no I take that back this looks exactly like something Bagel would do. None the less I carried on searching for a large tree in a town. The layout seemed to follow a radial design, placing the town hall at the center. I figure the best way to find what I was looking for would be to go there and look down all the streets at once and try to locate this ‘librartree’. And yes I did mentally kick myself for that pun. Looking down the streets as I walked around the town hall I caught a glimpse of a rainbow trail being left in the wake of a speeding Pegasus preforming several different stunts as she flew. I had to admit she was good but a bit of a showoff. I continued my search only to realize that this stunt pony was flying directly over where I needed to be; thank you random civilian. I trotted down the street catching the eyes of a few passersby; the looks are probably warranted for me mumbling a song to myself. More specifically a song all of the soldiers from the Lunar Republic should know.

“Cold winter fast approaches, as we fearfully wait. The simplest of simple creatures, bound by the laws of fate. As we shivered in the gutters, far away from home. We lost the last vestige of hope, freezing and alone. A shadow came to us in our dreams, with tales of better times.
The royal Princess of the Night forgave us for our crimes. And as the Solar Sister overlooked us, nocturnal we became. We wore a darker armor, and we carried a different flame. You now belong to a greater good, and you answer to a higher call! You are part of the best and greatest, and there is no room for failure! You will leave behind all weakness! You are no longer a mortal! You are an indestructible Soldier of the Night!” I would have continued but I realized my voice was getting louder and the trip didn’t take as long as I thought it would. I had been standing on the doorstep for the past few moments quietly singing to myself, though perhaps the door was listening. Is it weird to personify a door, thinking it’s listening only to hit it repeatedly? Regardless I ended up giving the door a quick staccato of taps to let whoever was inside that I was out here. Standing at the door, waiting I noticed a bug floating around my head. I began to watch it my eyes tracking its motions, when it flew too far my eyes my head followed it. I heard a click and snapped my attention back to the door. Upon the door swinging open I found myself looking into blank space before I realized that the one who answered the door was just shorter than I expected. On top of that the one who answered the door was a species I wasn’t expecting ether; it was a dragon, a baby one, well more of a child than a baby but still a dragon. I only realized we had been staring at each other for almost a minute when he spoke up.

“Can I help you?”

“Oh right, I was told there was a unicorn here by the name of Twilight? Is this pony available?” I asked to see the one I was sent here for.

“Yeah, come on in. I’ll go get her.” The little dragon lead me into the reception area and started toward the stair case, before calling up for the pony in question.

“Twilight there’s a stallion here who wants to know if you’re available!” He looked back at me with a smirk. He knows what he just did…

“Wow, you completely twisted my words you little shit.” I chuckled and smiled harmless comment for a harmless joke.

“Hey, those where your words exactly; besides you set up that domino, I just knocked them down.” He continued to smirk at me.

“Cleaver little bugger aint’ ya? I like you kid. Names Wa…” I faked a sneeze to save myself. “I’m Hatchet.” I almost said my real name… After saving myself I extended a hoof for a hoof… claw… shake… There has got to be a better term for that.

“Spike, it’s a pleasure.” The little dragon responded simplistically. He gestured for me to take a seat on the couch while I waited. It didn’t take long before I heard hoofstepps descending the stairs, hoofs that in fact belonged to the lavender unicorn Twilight whom Spike had previously summoned. Her face had a slight blush to it, undoubtedly from the thought of a stallion having an interest in her. I however was not here for romance and nor did I have the time for it, I have a mission to see through damn it! She looks at me and her blush becomes enhanced. Well, shit I honestly should have seen this coming I mean it’s my fault that I don’t pay enough attention to what I say to keep from landing in these situations. But I can’t just shut someone down like that. Okay brother, calm down it’s a misunderstanding that can be easily fixed with brutal honesty. Just don’t be an ass about it and it’ll be okay.

“Oh, hello my name is Twilight Sparkle, you wanted to see me?” She began sheepishly as she took a seat on the sofa opposite of me. I spoke, trying my damnedest to keep a professional tone. But in my mind only one word repeated itself like a broken record ‘Shit shit shit shit shit’.

“Hatchet, I was wondering if I could get your assistance with something. See recently an antique item of some unique nature has fallen into my possession.” Holy crap I actually spoke intelligibly. So that’s how politicians do it! Putting my thoughts aside I removed my flight goggles with a hoof and placed them down on the coffee table. I could tell by her facial expression that she was confused.

“So you aren’t here for me?” She wanted answers, and you bet your bottom bit I was gonna give em’ to her.

“I’m afraid not. Look, you’re a very nice mare, pretty too but it would seem that my words where lost in translation, or the nature of my request as it were. But I’m a reasonable stallion; if it’s any consolation to you I am willing to make up for the confusion upon your request.” I tried to be as sincere as anyone could be while shooting down a shot at romance. Twilight shot a scowl at Spike for his deceiving her, he just grinned to himself for the same reason I did, it was a pretty good prank.

“Well, let’s have a look at these then shall we? Strange, these aren’t like any flight goggles I’ve ever seen. Why would they have a square lens? And what is this symbol? Where did you say you got these?” She questioned pointing out as many questionable aspects of the goggles as she could. I didn’t know what she was talking about. As far as I knew all aviators had the choice between round and square flight goggles, and it was all a matter of preference. Think damn it think! Come up with a believable backstory quick!

“I got them in an auction. A storage locker went up for bid and I found those in there. If you look on the inside, you need to look good and hard, because it’s difficult to see. But they seem to require some kind of power, I’ve already tried electric and the only other power I know of is magic. After I asked around for a magically inclined unicorn I got directed here.” It was the first thing that came to mind and I think it actually worked. Twilight levitated the flight instrument in an aura of magic briefly before she dropped it out of shock.

“Whoa! Am I crazy or did that thing just draw in the magic from my levitation spell?”

“So I was right?” I asked purely to make it seem as if I had no idea it would do that.

“I guess so, that’s both fascinating and creepy at the same time…” She picked the goggles up once again and lifted them up to her eyes. They must have been running through their emergency power cycling program properly because she didn’t have to strain her eyes nearly as bad as I had to see what they were displaying.

“Incapacitated? Maybe if I give them a proper charge they’ll be fixed.” She placed the goggles down on the table and charged a spell in her horn to force a reboot onto the goggles. She then closed her eyes to cast the spell. While she did this I grabbed hold of my dog-tags and held them up so I could read what was engraved into them some of the magic from Twilight’s spell wisped off into the air, collecting in a small stream that made a B-line straight to my tags. I watched as the raw magic caused the engravings to glow green. By the time Twilight had reopened her eyes there was no more magic drifting through the air. She again lifted the goggles and looked through them.

“Well it looks like that did it; it’s not automatically drawing in power anymore and now there are a lot more icons.” She handed the goggles back over to me. I placed them over my eyes to ensure they were working properly. Sure enough the heads up display read; Altitude: 0 Speed: 0 Medical Status: Fractured Ulna Squad Location: Unknown Objective: Abort mission.

“Thank you, this is, this is just amazing.” I continued to fake my surprise in order to keep my story straight. “Hey, you don’t happen to know of any hotels in the area do you? I’d try for home but I don’t think I’d get too far with this.” I lifted my broken wing.

“Whoa how did that happen?” Twilight asked.

“Do you want the truth or the believable story?” She took my broken wing in her hooves and light up a spell to allow her to see the nature of the injury. I began to explain as she looked.

“Option A; I was making my way through the woods when I suddenly get ambushed by a hydra. I saw it coming in for a tail whip so I try to fly away and instead got flung into a large and very hard tree, leaving me with a decommissioned wing. Option B; I fell off of a roof. You may pick whichever you believe.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this before. This bone is way denser than any normal Pegasus bone.” Twilight inspected my wing but in my mind I heard Iron Clad disguising a ‘That’s what she said’ under a poorly faked cough.

“I mean this looks like it belongs in an Earth pony. It would take some serious force to cause it to fracture like this.” She had stopped examining my wing and just looked at me bewildered.

“Well I’ve always been a bit of an odd ball. So which story do you believe?” I was almost sarcastic thinking I knew what she was going to say.

“Honestly based on what I’ve seen the first one; getting slammed into a tree by a hydra’s tail sounds about like the right amount of force to break a bone like that. Besides why would you have fallen off of a roof when you can fly?”

“That’s exactly what I said. Anyway, what about local hotels?”

“Well there is one on the other side of town but I got a guest room if you’d rather not deal with a hotel.” Twilight offered.

“Really? Even after what just happened? You’re sure you’re okay with me staying here?”

“Yeah, I figure Spike’s joke kind of hit both of us. He used my reaction to put you in a strange situation. So I suppose we both kind of owe each other in a way.”

“Wouldn’t that mean that neither one of us owes the other anything… you know what, never mind…” All attention was brought to the door of the library when three fillies came marching in; each with her own idea of how to earn their ‘cutie-mark’, still a silly name. They took a few steps before looking up to see me and Twilight.

“Oh hey girls. Thanks for the directions to the doc’s office.” I was the first to address the kids.

“Hey, you’re here!” the little white unicorn exclaimed.

“You know I don’t think you ever told us your name.” The little orange Pegasus said.

“This is true, and you never told me yours. Let’s fix that. I’m Hatchet.”

“Scootaloo, that’s Sweetie Belle, and mah name is Applebloom.” My attention turned back to Twilight when she next spoke.

“I see you know the crusaders.”

“Not on a personal level, just learned their names. I do know they live through a code pest at school. Saw to it that that was solved at least for today personally.” I remembered how bad I scared those two brats earlier that day, and it made me smirk.

“So, are you going to tell us why you don’t have a cutie-mark?” Apple bloom seemed eager to hear the tale. Intrigued that somepony who was at least four times her elder was barren of the mark she and her two friends so desperately wanted. Twilight then took notice herself that I was in fact without a mark.

“Wow, you are just full of surprises aren’t you?” Twilight assumed before I could begin my story.

“Oh you have no idea. Now then. My situation is one of extreme rarity, as in the probability of any other pony living under the same circumstances is extravagantly minimal. I would say like one in fifteen million chance.” Scootaloo leaned over to Sweetie belle and whispered.

“What did he say?”

“It’s impossible for anypony else to be in his situation.”

“Oh, I thought he was talking about your sister.” I paused momentarily to allow them to sort out their confusion. Perhaps I should keep the vocab restricted to smaller words.

“Anyway. My father was of an older evolution of pony. His kind had little to no magical inclination therefore it was impossible for him to get a mark. My mother was a Pegasus of the newer evolution of pony-kind with a higher MQ (magic quota) she unlike my father, did have a mark and could fly. When I was born I had inherited my mother’s wings, but at the same time my father’s genes also stuck around leaving me with a below average MQ for my generation but his Earth Pony roots left me with bones that matched the density of that race. Again while this was helpful it meant I would be too heavy to fly but that’s a story for another time. Basically the reason I don’t have a mark is because my MQ is too low to actually get one, and unlike IQ there is no way to raise it.” I finished my story and scanned faces for reactions. Twilight seemed to be reviewing information in her head, and then Apple bloom spoke up.

“So what you’re saying is you don’t have one because it’s impossible for you to now or ever in your lifetime have one.”

“Hit the nail right on the head there kid.” I replied.

“Wait, that doesn’t make sense. The last of the previous species of pony died off a thousand years ago right around the time Luna was first banished. If I remember correctly the last one died when the Castle of the Sisters collapsed.” Twilight seemed to have found the information she was searching her memory for. I shrugged and got an idea. Actually I just remembered an alchemy spell that could help me with my wing.

“Hey Twilight, you don’t happen to have a chemical lab do you?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I just remembered something that may or may not help me with my wing issue.”

“It’s in the basement.”

I guess the Crusaders got what they came for because they got up and left once I started asking about a lab. A few hours after everything I was ready to crash on an actual bed; Spike had showed me to my room and while I wouldn’t have chosen the wall paper I could make do with it if it meant I could sleep on something that wasn’t a stone floor or even a cot in the barracks back at base. I ever so gracefully landed face first into the pillow and rolled around until I was comfortable. One leg out of the covers face pointed out the window to admire the night sky and the rest of me perched precariously halfway off the bed. Before the sucker punch of a much needed sleep hit me, I remember congratulating Luna on the beautiful night.

Marching slowly through the mud of a brad leafed forest, in the dark of the night, I decided to check up on a few of the lower ranking ground assault team members. I always wondered how they could move as quickly as they did in armor as bulky as theirs was. I mean mine was thick but it was fairly light weight and it didn’t get in the way too much. I made my way up to a private I addressed him and he lifted the visor of his metal helmet.

“Evening Private.”

“It is sir!”

“Stow the formalities private this ain’t boot camp. Out here we’re all the same thing; soldiers for the same cause, now don’t let that make you think you shouldn’t have respect. Just remember when the Sunnies charge you aren’t fighting for Luna or the Republic, you’re fighting to keep your buddy on your right alive. See my squad, they’re only as good as the pony next to em’ so we have to fight for each other not a government or any one ruler. That’s why the hell were out here right?” Why’d you sign on to be a Lunar Soldier?”

“No respect under the Empire. They walk all over us and expect us to take it and they ignore the fact that they need us. I joined to give them a reality check.”

“Sounds about right. What’s your name private?”

“Winter Knight.”

“Knight that’s a bit convenient and a tinge ironic.” I patted the shoulder plate on his armor “Warhawk Curtis, hawk for short.” I introduced myself trying to lighten the conversation. We would be coming up on the target town shortly and the last thing I want is for the new guys to get so wrapped up in if they might die that they actually get themselves killed.

“Company halt!” A mare leading the line of metal clad soldiers ordered.

“Hawk, I got several archers in my sights.” My second in command Iron Clad informed me.

“Are they facing the right way?” Knight, Iron and myself chuckled as we prepared for a fight. Iron and I slid out goggles over our eyes and prepared to take to the skies. Knight flicked his visor back down so his face would be protected.

“Good luck buddy you got this!” I called down to the foot soldier in a last attempt to boost the kid’s confidence. Strangely I felt as if someone where watching me. Not the feeling when you’re alone or when you’re taking a test next to the kid that likes to cheat but like a creepy third person viewer. The presence was both unsettling and at the same time familiar. I paused for a moment and glanced over to a cloud and saw the silhouette of a tall dark pony. Before I could get a clear view Iron called my attention back to the attack at hand. My squad and I flew up to a high elevation before diving. We came down hard at the wall that held up the archers dressed in the standard golden armor of the Solar Empire.

“Hey Smoke, bet I can get more kills than you can!”

“Not a chance in hell Buzzcut!”

“Don’t get so wrapped up in counting that you forget to cover me!” Iron interrupted the argument. In my visor I saw enemy archers in my targeting sights and my altimeter and speedometer rolling in opposite directions. Something was wrong, my speedometer was showing I was going faster than I felt I was, and my altimeter stopped. The world slowed down I must have missed something because the next thing I knew I was on the ground. I was on my back and I couldn’t move the room had no distinguishable features the only light in the room was shining on me leaving the walls bathed in shadows. That’s when I noticed I wasn’t wearing my armor. That’s when the smell hit, the aroma of copper was potent but somehow I knew what I was smelled wasn’t metal. Then a droplet of a cold liquid struck my snout. I looked and the drop was a scarlet red. Where the hell am I? I tried to speak but found myself mute and unable of vocalizing. I then heard a whisper sweep past my ear, nothing it said at first had any semblance of articulated words. My eyes moved to where I heard the whisper rush to and I saw the silhouette of a pony. From the size of it I’m pretty sure it was a stallion, but when it spoke I knew not only did I know what but I knew who this was. I tried to call out but I still couldn’t speak.

“It failed. You lead them to their deaths. They’re all dead and it’s your fault!” the silhouette of Private Winter Knight spoke in a low voice. I didn’t understand what he was talking about. Then another figure, this one was a mare and sounded like it too. Smoke Stack began to slowly walk toward me chanting the same words Knight spoke.

“It failed. You lead them to their deaths. They’re all dead and it’s your fault!” Yet another shadow, this one was unmistakable Iron Clad marched toward me chanting still.

“It failed. You lead them to their deaths. They’re all dead and it’s your fault!” By this time my whole squad was closing in on me from all directions. As they drew closer the smell of copper grew stronger. When their faces where illuminated by the light it was clear why. Iron Clad’s head was barren of any fur or skin his skull seemed to be made out of bronze like some crude black smith’s impression of a statue, his eye sockets stared into me with the most accusing look. Several of his exposed bones where too made of bronze and his lower mandible oozed black oil. Winter Knight looked as if he was dragged through a barbed wire fence and the handle of a knife protruded from the side of his head. Smoke Stack looked as if she had been left to die in a burning building. In the light she was so badly burned that the black charcoal of her skin made her retain the illusion of being a shadow. Lumber Jack had an axe wedged in his shoulder. And the rest of my squad all seemed to have suffered terrible fates. None of which would be as bad as that of what I knew they would ensure unto me. A tear came to my eye, and it rolled down to the floor.

“It failed. You lead us to our deaths. We’re all dead and it’s your fault! YOU ABBANDONED US!” They were right above me and I knew one of them was going to do something. I steeled myself the best I could but nothing happened, I heard the sound of a large bell chime then all of the corpses that hovered over me accusing me of their deaths suddenly liquefied into a pool of thick red liquid that mixed with the black oil that dripped from Iron’s mouth. I closed my eyes tight trying not to watch as the ones I cared for, called friend, the ones I loved accused me of their deaths and then turned to puddles in front of me. No, no they aren’t real. None of this is real!

I shot up quickly finding myself as I was when I had fallen asleep. I was in the library of Twilight Sparkle, I was still okay, and my wing still braced. I took a moment to let my heart slow down to a reasonable pace, knowing I wouldn’t be able to return to sleep for at least five minutes I did something un characteristic of me and helped myself to a glass of water. Down stairs in the kitchen I opened a cupboard and pulled out a glass. I turned the tap on low to make as little noise as possible. As the glass filled I looked out the window and right away I knew something was amiss. There were no buildings only trees, in one of the tree stumps an axe was wedged with its handle sticking up. I couldn’t be sure because of how dark it was outside but it seemed as if something was splattered on the axe head. My attention was brought back inside when water from the over flowing cup ran out onto me hoof. I poured a little of the water out and began to drink, once I was satisfied I placed the glass down and became aware of a strange after taste. I looked back at the glass and saw that the liquid in the cup was not clear but was black, a thick syrupy black. I closed my eyes and shook my head and the fluid was once again clear. I’m going out of my bucking mind. I reached the foot of the stairs to return to bed when terror gripped my very being. The top of the stairs was light up and the smell of smoke was rapidly building. The library was on fire. I ran upstairs to get Twilight and Spike out as quickly as I could. I pushed through the flames dodging fireballs, in an attempt to reach the room of the library’s permanent occupant. I kicked in the door and was viciously attacked by flames. I fought through the fire and in the center of the room stood a charred Pegasus. She walked a few steps toward me before exploding into a cloud of ashes. And just like that the fire was gone. I was alone in Twilight’s dark bedroom, but stranger still, she wasn’t here. What the buck! I didn’t know what else to do so I stared t head back to my room. I swung open the door and standing directly on the other side was the same Iron Clad I saw in my dream his neck squeaked as he cocked his head to the side. Every joint in his body did the same as he backed me down the hallway. I wasn’t about to reason with a monster who was clearly not a friend. I turned and ran outside. But was again taken for a loop when I saw that the night sky wasn’t the normal black, navy blue or even a dark purple I sometimes knew it to be. The stars seemed to be suspended in a blood red sky. The monster that may have once been Iron Clad burst through the door after me and began to charge. But before he could hit me I saw the same tall figure that stood on the cloud from earlier still staring at me.

I practically jumped out of my skin. I looked outside; it was morning what the hell just happened? I checked the middle of my room and was relieved to see that Iron Clad was not standing there. I looked at my pillow and saw in was wet where my eyes where, I rubbed my eyes with my hooves and found that they were in fact wet from tears. With the smell of copper gone and the feeling of being watched past I knew this was not a dream. What ever happened is now in the past and I can focus on what’s important, getting back to the mission and maybe saving my squad from the horrible fates depicted in that, nightmare. I suppose if my night was going to be terrible, my day could start off on a good note with some breakfast. Hell, I’ll even cook for Twilight and Spike, as a thank you for letting me stay the night, kind of thing.