Broken Mirror, Part One

UNSC Infinity

Dusk chuckled for a moment. Dart was still in his lap, while Full Sail was cracking his knuckles. “Uh, it’s not what it looks like?”

“You said you’ve been sleeping with my daughter.”

“And I didn’t know she was your daughter.” said Dusk.

“Then where’d you find her?” questioned Full Sail

“Oh, you know, captive servant to a Gryphon oligarch.” said Dart. “That ole’ chestnut.”

“What?” asked Daisy.

“Ya. I really don’t know how long I was there, amnesia and all that.”

“So you don’t remember either of us?” asked Daisy.

Dart got out of Dusk’s lap and sat down in the chair next to him. “Can’t say I do.”

Doctor Halsey took a moment to poke her head into the atrium. “Dusk?”

“I’ll just let you three get reaquainted.” said Dusk as he rose from his chair before following Halsey through the door. “What’s up?”

“Cloud Runner is all set, he’s just getting moved to recovery now.”

“Good. His gear should be just about done by now.” said Dusk. “How long until he’s back on his feet?”

“Right about now.” said Cloud as he turned a corner and strolled up to the two.

“Well, job well done Catherine.” Dusk looked over Cloud for a moment. “How’s the neural lace?”

“Bit different. Feels like I’ve got a metal plate running down my back.” noted the stallion.

“That’s normal. Anyway, your parents might need a bit. They’re otherwise-”

Cloud brushed past Dusk and Halsey, walking out into the atrium before stopping in his tracks. “Dart?”

“Yes, it’s me. No, I don’t remember any of you.” groaned Dart. “Amnesia’s a bitch.”

“Huh?” asked Cloud.

“Look, I’ll just pull a page from Steeljack’s book and sit down with you three later.” Dart rose from her chair and marched out of the room, Dusk right on her heels.

______________________________________________________________________________

Dusk stayed with Dart as she stalked down the corridor, glowering and radiating what appeared to be anger.

“Dart?” asked Dusk. “You OK?”

Dart didn’t say a word as she stepped into an elevator with a group of marines while Dusk filed in behind her.

“Where to?”

“Anywhere on this boat with booze.” snorted Dart.

“Really?” questioned Dusk. “Just gonna drink yourself silly?”

The elevator stopped about two floors up and Dart stormed out while Dusk chased after her. “Can you just slow the hell down?” yelled Dusk.

Dart stopped and turned to Dusk, tears starting to form in her eyes before she wrapped him in a tight hug while her knees began to wobble.

“Easy there, no reason to let gravity kick our asses.” said Dusk as he held up Dart’s weight.

“Why not?” asked Dart.

“Because I’d rather you not look like a blubbering mess. That’ll rub off on me.” Dusk broke the pair’s embrace, looking at Dart. “And I really don’t do emotional anymore.”

Dusk swung his arm around Dart’s shoulder, leading her to a lounge area that was mostly empty, save for Miller in the far corner. Leading her over to some chairs, Dusk sat the mare down before dragging over a chair of his own. “That really wasn’t the best way for me to drop a bombshell, was it?”

“That’s not it.” sighed Dart while she wiped away some of her dried tears. “Tell me, where did we get on my background over the last six years?”

Dusk pondered for a moment. “Assuming that nothing changed, then nothing.”

“Exactly.” Dart slumped down in the chair. “I spent the last six years telling myself I’d never find my parents, that I’m an orphan or something like that. Then I go to check on you, and guess what? They’ve been living in my backyard for three years Dusk. Three fucking years!”

“Dart, you didn’t even know what you were looking for. How the hell could you expect to know that Full Sail and Daisy were living in Canterlot?”

“It doesn’t matter.” groaned Dart. “My job has been to protect ponies from the shadows, find out whole life stories by listening to whispers, cloak and dagger shit like that. And I didn’t even pick up on a family whose daughter was kidnapped years ago. Gee, how well does that make me look?”

“You’re really concerned about your image?” Dusk sighed. “Miller! I need some moral support over here!”

“Don’t look at me. I’m off duty!” yelled the Spartan, returning his attention to his tablet before Dusk dragged him across the room with his magic.

“Didn’t say you had a choice.” Dusk turned his attention back to Dart. “So, do you expect me, or anyone else for that matter, to think less of you because you have no idea where to even start looking for details on your family. Do you realize how selfish that is? You’re selling yourself short-” Dusk grabbed Dart and dragged her in for a brief kiss “-and I won’t have any of it.”

“So why’d you drag me over here again?” asked Miller.

“For moral support. I’ve got things covered from here.” said Dusk as he got up and moved over to a free couch, Dart saddling up against him. “Look, I can’t tell you what to do, or what you even should do. But whatever happens, I’ve got your back.”

Dart didn’t say anything as she curled up and burried her head in Dusk’s chest in an attempt to muffle her sobs.

______________________________________________________________________________

Cloud walked down a long hallway, flanked by two marines. One opened a door off the side, while the other brought the stallion into the room before turning around and leaving with his partner. Looking around the room, he saw two sets of armor. One he had seen dusk wearing, while the other was a shiny black with an elongated helmet.

“That’s a modified Enforcer set.” said Palmer as she walked in behind Cloud. “These are mostly used by Spartans on guard detail at secure installations. The helmet has a strengthened communications suite, and the eggheads tweaked the shield generator to recharge quicker.”

Cloud walked over, running his fingers along the chestplate before trying to pick it up. “Is it supposed to be heavy?”

“It weighs five hundred pounds.” noted Palmer. “Sure, some of the components are lighter, but it’s a fully powered set of armor. Weight really isn’t an issue.”

“So how do you put it on?”

Palmer turned and pointed over to an armor rack on the far side of the room. “That. There’s a bodysuit over there for you. Put it on, and I’ll get you squared away.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Palmer was watching Cloud with amusement as the armor rack tilted him back and moved his chestplate into position.

“Is this normal?” he asked, clearly nervous.

“Yes, it’s normal.” reassured the Spartan. “I’ve used one of these hundreds of times, trust me, they’re safe.”

As Could was tilted back to a standing position, an arm came around and placed his helmet on his head before releasing him from the rack. He tried to step forward, before tumbling to the ground. “What the hell!”

“Might take a bit of getting used to.” said Palmer as she helped Cloud scramble to his feet. “Mjolnir acts like an extension of your body. When you move, it moves with you.”

Cloud took a step forward, managing to maintain his balance. “This is different.”

“It should be.” said Dusk as he walked in. Dart was right behind him, slipping over to a corner of the room as the door shut. “How’s it fit?”

“Fine.” Cloud rolled his neck to a resounding crack. “Bit stiff though.”

“Give it some time to break in, and you’ll be fine.” said Dusk as he grabbed his own undersuit before pulling it on. “Mine was the same way when I first got it.”

“Ok…”

“Palmer, where are we on weapons training?” asked Dusk as he stepped into the armor rack..

“The firing range should be ready within the hour.”

Dusk walked off the rack, stopping the process so he could instead grab his helmet. “Palmer, I never said anything about the firing range. Roland, is my simulation ready?”

Roland’s AI appeared out of a wall projector. “Should be good to go.”

“Start setting it up. We’ll be at the wargames simulator in a few.”

“Wargames?” asked Palmer as she looked over at Cloud. “Is it really a good idea to train him against veterans?”

Dusk laughed. “Palmer, we’re not doing a round of slayer. I think it’s about high-time for a firefight.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Cloud was pacing around the locker room as Dart, Comet, Strike, Meteor Shower and Steeljack assembled their equipment. Off to the side, DeMarco and his former fireteam were conversing while Palmer over at a terminal with Dusk going over some of the simulation details.

“Ok, we’re all set!” yelled Dusk as he threw his helmet on. “This is a simple sim we’re running. It’s all of us versus waves of relentless alien bastards. While I’d encourage everyone to avoid dying, respawn is an option in there.”

“To make things a bit easier, I’ve dialed back the difficulty on the simulation’s programing.” said Palmer as she swung her rifle off her back. “We’ll be using a map called Beachhead. Roland set it up based off of an actual engagement that took place in New Alexandria during the Fall of Reach. Stick to the villa, keep to cover, and whatever you do don’t stand in front of a Hunter.”

The door slid open, revealing an open compound overlooking a beachfront. The group filed through, the door closing behind them.

“Firefight.” chimed a voice in the background.

“Anyone hear that?” asked Steeljack.

“Spartans, we cannot allow this area to fall into Covenant hands.” said another voice.

“Ya, and it’s creepy.” noted Meteor.

“Alright, spread out!” yelled Palmer. “Majestic, we’re up top.”

“Dart, Cloud. We’re covering the the patio. The rest of you keep this building clear.” ordered Dusk as he ran outside before diving behind the railing.

“And what exactly are we fighting?” asked Dart as a Phantom flew overhead before stopping over the beach.

“Those guys.” quipped Dusk as some Elites and Grunts dropped out. “Bunch of religious pricks bent on killing the non-believers. Granted they broke apart in civil war after a major revelation, but still.”

“So what am I looking for?” asked Cloud as he peaked over the railing.

“Anything that didn’t walk in here with us.” Dusk stood up before taking the head off an unsuspecting Grunt, causing the advancing group to begin firing.

Above the group came the report of a sniper rifle, followed by an Elite collapsing to the ground. “Fuck you hinge-head!” yelled Madsen.

Cloud stood, sweeping his rifle around before finding a Grunt trying to sneak around the far side of the villa. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the trigger.

“Headshot”

Cloud looked over at the Grunt, noticing it had collapsed against a rock while blue blood pooled out of it’s head. For a moment, he couldn’t help but gag.

“You OK?” asked Dart as she tapped Cloud’s shoulder, before she began making use of her own rifle.

“I just killed-”

“Get used to it.” said Dusk as he tossed a grenade. “You want to fight the Enclave? Fine. But don’t expect them to let you live because you can’t handle the blood and gore.” Dusk’s grenade exploded, sending an Elite to the ground from the blast.

Cloud shook his head, before focusing his attention on an advancing Elite. “Alright then.” Time seemed to slow down as he pulled the trigger on his rifle, watching the three bullets fly out of the barrel and planting themselves in the helmet of one of the Elites.

“Not bad.” stated Dusk as another Phantom flew overhead.

“Shit, they’ve got a Wraith!” yelled Palmer as the hovertank was dropped off the bottom of the craft.

“What’s a Wraith?” asked Dart before a massive plasma mortar exploded a few yards away.

“On, you know. Tank that rains deadly fireballs from the sky.” said Dusk with a shrug. “Anyone bring some heavy weapons?”

“They weren’t on the shopping list!” yelled Meteor from inside the villa.

“So, that’s a bust.” groaned Dart as another plasma mortar exploded.

“Since when were you this negative?” asked Cloud.

“I’m a bad influence.” said Dusk as he vaulted over the wall. “Sue me!” Dusk ran for the Wraith, tossing his knife into a Grunt’s head as he ran before whipping out his pistol and killing the gunner on the Wraith’s turret before leaping onto the hull. Pulling out a grenade, Dusk primed it and dropped it to the bottom of the turret before jumping off and diving to the ground.

“And that’ll do what?” asked Cloud.

“Just watch.” said Dart with a smirk.

Dusk looked around for a moment, before he shrugged and got up. Scrambling to his feet, the grenade went off in the Wraith’s turret, turning the once shiny weapon of mass destruction into a burning hulk. A number of grunts charged him, each falling to the ground from wounds inflicted by Dusk’s pistol. As he started to walk away, the Wraith exploded, sending armor plate flying everywhere, while Dusk kept on walking. Behind him, two blue armored beings walked around the burnt out tank.

“Cocky bastard.” groaned Dart. “Someone cover me!” Dart jumped over the railing, Cloud doing the seemingly smart thing and following his sister as she ran towards Dusk.

“I know, I’m awesome!” yelled Dusk as he pounded on his chest before turning around. “Well… Fuck.”

Dusk was hit with the blast from the creature’s cannon, sending him flying back into Dart. Cloud ducked under his sister’s tangled body, rushing forward while spraying fire from his rifle before diving behind the two creatures. Looking up, he saw that the creatures had exposed backsides. With no other alternative, he grabbed his pistol with his free hand and started firing both of his weapons into the backs of his quarry. One dropped to the ground, while the other whipped around and went to club Cloud with it’s massive arm, before it too dropped to the ground.

“Game over. Victory!”

“That’s it?” asked Cloud as he clambered to his feet.

“Ya.” said Dusk as he walked over. “This was moreover a quick get-your-feet-in-the-fire type deal.” Waving for the stallion to follow, he led him back to the door they walked in through, the other members of their group already there.

“So, just a bunch of Grunts, some hinge-heads, a Wraith and two Hunters?” asked Hoya. “Nothing more interesting?”

“Hoya, this was a simple training exercise for Cloud.” stated Dusk. “You are, however, more than welcome to tweak the firefight program to your liking.”

“What the hell was that!” yelled Full Sail as he stormed into the waiting room.

“Uh…” Cloud was at a loss for words for a moment. “Me learning how to be a certified badass?”

“I’ll get to you.” said Full Sail. “Dart, where the hell did you learn any of that!”

“I taught her.” said Steeljack as he stepped forward. “You have a problem with that?”

Full Sail got in Steeljack’s face, snorting. “You turned my daughter into a killer.”

“Maybe a lesson is in order-” Steeljack punched Full Sail in the gut, before kicking him into one of the lockers. “Your daughter asked to come with me and Dusk. We took her in, fed her, kept her safe. She wanted to learn how to defend herself; I taught her everything I know, as did Dusk. And you know something?”

“What?” questioned Full Sail through gritted teeth.

“She’s a hero.” With that, Steeljack strode out of the room.

Dart sighed. “Should I go talk to him?”

“He’ll be fine.” reassured Dusk. “I had Roland put aside some officers quarters for us. I’ll meet you there in a few?”

“Just bring the scotch.” said Dart as she pecked the stallion on the cheek before leaving the room herself.

“Are you and my sister…” Cloud was at a loss for words.

“Yes we’re dating. No, it’s a recent thing. Yes, I’m a few years older than her. No, I don’t plan on breaking anything off because-”

“That’s not it.” said Cloud as he took his helmet off. “Is she happy?”

Dusk stopped to think for a moment, watching as Full Sail struggled to his feet. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m not in her head.” As Dusk went for the door, he turned back to Cloud. “Once we get the armor off, grab your folks and meet me in my cabin. I figure some food and drinks might go good with explanations.”

______________________________________________________________________________

“I still don’t think this is a good idea.” groaned Dart as she buried her face in the couch cushions.

“And I think it’s a great idea.” quipped Dusk as he brought over a few empty glasses. “It’s blatantly obvious that your father thinks you're a killer. Steejack and I both know you’re not. Therefore he requires and education.”

“Then why include Cloud and Daisy?”

Dusk propped Dart up before taking the space on the couch. “Because then they’re not getting a twisted version of the truth. Besides the point, I’ve got a few aces up my sleeve.”

As a knock came from the door, Cloud and his parents walked in and grabbed open chairs. “We supposed to drink air?” asked Full Sail.

Dusk chuckled as Steeljack and Tremble walked in. Tremble came in his full ODST BDU, armed with his pistol while Steeljack was wearing simple jeans and a sport coat.

Tremble leaned up against the wall, while Steeljack took the opportunity to put two bottles of scotch on the table, along with a box of doughnuts. “So, I take it someone has some issues with my friend here?” asked the marine.

“What the hell is this? A shakedown?” yelled Full Sail while Daisy kept him in his seat.

Dusk chuckled, pouring himself a glass of scotch. “Do you want it to be?” As he sat back and took a sip from his glass, Dusk motioned to Tremble, who tapped his pistol. “Earlier, you said I made your daughter a killer. I disagree.”

Full Sail went to get out of his seat, before his wife held him in his spot again. “Sail, calm down.”

“Look, it’ll be easier if I tell them.” said Dart as she slid forward in her seat. “What do wanna know first?”

“Since when are you dating this schmuck!” yelled Full Sail “Better yet, do you act like some-”

“Finish that sentence, and I rip your tongue out.” growled Tremble as he unsheathed his knife.

Dart shook her head. “Like it or not, but you tend to get attached to somepony when they save your ass from certain death.”

______________________________________________________________________________

The Badlands, Three Years Ago.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” yelled Dart as she struggled with the Guardian’s controls.

Dusk pushed the mare out of the way, trying to get a handle on his ship’s tailspin. “You took the words right out of my mouth!”

“Sergeant Tremble, report!” yelled Baxter over the radio.

“Paris, now really isn’t-” Before Tremble could finish, another shot from the Spartan’s weapon hit the Guardian. “Comms are dead!”

As the ground approached, Dusk turned to Dart, wrapping himself around her while casting a shield spell. The Guardian bounced and rolled as it hit the ground, sending it’s occupants tumbling. Dusk’s shield held, protecting Dart from the shower of glass and dirt.

As the Guardian slowed to a stop, Dusk’s shield dropped. Dart got up, looking around the destroyed cockpit before turning her attention to Dusk. A pool of blood was beginning for form under his head, fed by a stream of it coming from gashes on his forehead. She grabbed him by the collar and started dragging him out of the ship, dropping him only when they hit solid ground.

“You OK?” asked Tremble as he limped out with Meteor.

“Could be better.” Dart looked up at the Enclave airship that was bearing towards them, before it was engulfed in a flash of light and disappeared. “What the hell was that?”

“Huh.” Tremble pulled his helmet off, sighing at the shattered visor. “Figured it would at least go boom.”

Dusk stirred and rolled over to look up at the sky. “What?” Dusk looked up, finding an unharmed Dart and a battered Sergeant looking back down at him.

“Pretty bold move you pulled in there.” said the Sergeant as he tossed away his broken helmet.

“Ya, just help me up.” As Dusk got to his feet, he stared up at a clear sky. “Where’s the airship?”

“Gone. I don’t know how, but the bomb vaporized the damn thing.”

“That’s just-” suddenly, a bullet whizzed past Tremble and clipped Dusk’s horn before embedding itself in the Guardian’s wreckage.

Tremble whipped around before getting tossed to the ground by their Spartan assailant. Dart attempted to rush the giant, but was picked up in a choke-hold and tossed aside like a ragdoll.

“You do realize we weren’t done.” said the Spartan as she grabbed the unicorn by the arm.

“You’re right.” said Dusk with a smirk. “I never got your name by the way.”

“Naomi.” said the Spartan. “And that’s all you need to know.” From behind her, Meteor chucked a piece of hull armor at the Spartan, who turned around and shot the old stallion with her pistol. “Now then, I have someone who wants to meet you.”

Dart tried getting to her feet, struggling to stand. She could only watch as Dusk was dragged over to some sort of ship by their attacker, before she collapsed.

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity, Present Day

“Granted I didn’t see numbskull over here for three years, but what do want me to do?” said Dart as she leaned over on Dusk’s side.

“Let the record state I’m just rolling with it.” said Dusk as he shrugged.

“Smartass.” quipped Dart.

“Now, I’ve gotta ask, but where’d you find her?” asked Cloud. “Didn’t you mention something about a Gryphon earlier?

“I’ll cover this one.” said Steeljack.

______________________________________________________________________________

De Witt Plantation, Griffany, Six Years Ago

Dusk and Steeljack stalked through the vineyard, making their way towards the main house.

“See anything?” asked Dusk as stopped near the edge of the vineyard.

Steeljack peaked around the edge of the vines, cocking his carbine. “Nothing.”

“Alright, let’s move.” Dusk and Steeljack ran for the Villa door, ducking off to either side. “Ready?” Steeljack nodded, and Dusk swung the door open and the pair filed in while Dusk shut the door.

“What are you two doing here?” asked a mint green unicorn.

“Fuck.” cursed Dusk as he grabbed the unicorn and dragged her into a side room before he pinned the mare against the wall. “De Witt, what’s he up to?” he questioned.

“I don’t know, I’m just a servant!” wimpered the mare.

“Then what’s a unicorn doing out in Griffany?” asked Steeljack “Especially one as young as you.”

“I don’t know.”

Dusk punched the wall next to the mare’s head, leaving an indent from his gloved fist. “Bullshit.”

“Honestly, I don’t know!” The mare cringed up. “I’ve been here as long as I can remember.”

Dusk backed off, letting the mare slump down the wall. “Since when do-” Dusk paused for a moment, noticing something on the back of the mare’s neck as she slumped down. He crouched down and brushed her mane aside. “Steeljack, am I seeing things?”

Steeljack knelt down next to Dusk and nodded. “It’s a scar.”

Dusk propped the mare up, wiping away a tear from her cheek. “Who hit you?”

“The guards.” said the mare. “If we don’t work hard enough-”

“They break out a whip.” sighed Steeljack. “How many others are there?”

“Counting me, there’s ten.”

“Steeljack, we’re here to get information, not introduce the emancipation.” stated Dusk. “We can come back-”

“No.” said Steeljack as he got to his feet. “This isn’t a break-in, not anymore.”

Dusk got to his feet, checking over his own rifle. “Alright, so we’ll get the servants over the border and drop them in Vanhoover.”

“After we wipe this fucking stain off the map.” growled his partner as he marched back outside.

Dusk sighed and dragged the mare outside, only to watch as Steeljack lit the end of a bottle on fire and tossed it into the vineyard. “Burning the place down tends to work better when we’re not still here.”

“And your point?” Asked Steeljack as he shouldered his rifle. “By the way, you might want to hit the deck.”

Dusk’s eyes went wide as he tackled the mare to the ground. Now that the pair was out of the way, Steeljack started firing at the villa, his bullets sending chunks of stone flying. Voices of guards were heard yelling inside, while a handful burst from the front door only to be gunned down.

“What is that thing!” yelled the mare.

“Assault carbine.” responded Dusk as he scrambled to his feet and started firing at the oncoming guards.

“You two are crazy!” screamed the mare as she dropped to her knees.

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity, Present Day

“You two are crazy!” yelled Daisy. “You could’ve gotten my daughter killed!”

“I’m still here, aren’t I?” asked Dart.

“That’s beyond the point. You dragged my daughter-”

“If you don’t mind, I’m not finished.” Groaned Steeljack.

______________________________________________________________________________

De Witt Plantation, Griffany, Six Years Ago

Dusk ducked under the blade of one of the Griffin guards, before taking his knife and slashing across his throat. “Do you still think this was worth it?”

Steeljack swung his rifle like a bat, crushing the skull of one of the guards. “It will be!” As the last of the guards dropped to the ground from his wounds, Steeljack looked over at the last standing Griffin. “You must be De Witt.”

“Indeed.” Snorted the Griffin. “And you’re the miscreants who are destroying my property.”

“And I don’t give a shit.” stated Steeljack as he leveled his weapon at the Griffin “I’ve seen enough to recognize a slaver when I see one.”

“Then allow me to educate you to my methods.” The Griffin pulled a knife out as he rushed Steeljack and jammed it into his shoulder. “First, you must show no mercy to those who do not earn it.”

Steeljack tried to kick away the Griffin, before the knife was pulled from his shoulder. “You piece of shit!”

Dusk had taken Dart and hid her behind a turned over wagon. “So, I never caught your name.”

“Dart.” said the Mare as she peaked out from around the edge of the wagon. “Your friend isn’t looking too good.”

Dusk stood and looked over the top of the wagon, and saw what Dart was talking about. Steeljack was getting pummeled by the Griffin while he was struggling to reach his rifle.

Dart looked around the ground for a moment, before grabbing a rock and ducking around the side of the wagon and rushing the Griffin and chucking the rock at his head. De Witt turned his attention to Dart before he closelined the poor mare.

“I thought I taught you obedience.” said De Witt as he shook his head. Looking down at Dart, he stomped his foot down on her gut. “It appears that a refresher is needed.”

Steeljack rolled over, watching as De Witt stomp away on the wounded mare. He crawled over to his rifle, finding there was a single bullet left. “Fucking wonderful.” Using his rifle as a crutch, the stallion climbed to his feet and walked up behind De Witt. He pointing his rifle up at the Griffin’s head from the hip, finger on the trigger. “Hey, fuckface.” De Witt turned around, staring Steeljack in the eyes for a moment before his last bullet tore up through the bottom of De Witt’s beak and out the back of his head.

Dart groaned as De Witt’s body collapsed at her feet. She looked up and found that her savior was reaching down to her. Taking his hand, she struggled to her feet before she was wrapped in a tight hug.

“That fucker won’t be touchin g you again.” said Steeljack through gritted teeth.

“Now that we’ve settled that, where’s the rest of the servants?” asked Dusk.

“We usually sleep in the wine cellar.”

Vanhoover, 3 Days Later

“Three days Steeljack. Three days to get these ponies back to civilization.” groaned Dusk. “Was it worth it?”

The pair was across the street from Vanhoover General Hospital, watching as a number of guards were speaking with the small mob of frenzied mares. “In a small way, it was.”

“Care to enlighten me then?” asked Dusk as the duo started walking down the street.

“We made sure there’s one less scumbag in the world.” Steeljack put his hands into his jacket pockets. “That mare, Dart. What do you think will happen to her?”

“And why do you care again?” asked Dusk

“Remember how I told you I was going to be a father?” asked Steeljack. Dusk nodded silently. “Maybe I’m just being overly protective, but watching that fuck beating her… It hurt. Almost like it was my own daughter.”

“But you never met your kids.” pointed out Dusk.

“Excuse me” Dusk and Steeljack turned around, Dart standing behind the two.

“Shouldn’t you be with the others?” asked Dusk.

“Probably, but I doubt those guards will be much help.” Dart sighed. “I want to go with you.”

“Kid, you really don’t want to be hanging out with us.” stated Dusk pointedly.

“And your point?”

Dusk stopped for a moment, before Steeljack stepped in. “You can come, but just be warned, there might be a few others who aren’t entirely thrilled that you’ll be joining us.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity, Present Day

“Trust me when I say that Strike was pissed when we got back to Manehattan.” said Dusk. “He just yelled at me when he saw Dart, then wouldn’t talk to me for a week.”

“Pretending for a moment that I know who Strike is, why wasn’t he so thrilled?” asked Full Sail.

“Part of it was that Blaze Squad’s existence was revealed.” stated Dart. “Granted at the time, we thought that these two were Equestrian Military-”

“But once those stories about two stallions who wiped out a bunch of Griffins started spreading, the Royal Guard made a point to keep their eyes out for us.” finished Dusk. “About two years later, some letter shows up in my office requesting our presence in Canterlot, otherwise the Royal Guard would take us by force. So, for the sake of keeping this all short, we went, got offered jobs and good paychecks, and then four years later here we are.”

“Granted that’s a gross oversimplification, but I think you get the point.” added Steeljack.

Full Sail buried his face in his hands before rising to his feet. “I’ve heard enough for one night.” Daisy and Cloud silently followed him out of the room.

“Well, that was easy.” quipped Tremble.

“If you say so.” groaned Dusk. “I’ll see you two in the morning.” Dusk got to his feet, walking into his bedroom before kicking off his boots and tossing his shirt in the corner before falling back on the bed while listing as Dart showed the remaining guests out.

“Was it really that bad?” asked Dart as she crawled onto the bed with Dusk.

“Well, your father still looks like he wants me dead, so nothing new on that front.” Dusk reached out and pulled Dart in close. “You feeling better?”

Dart rolled her eyes. “As better as I can be, considering the circumstances.”

“Glad to-” Dusk was interrupted by a small burst of green fire before a letter dropped down onto his chest. “The fuck?” Tearing open the letter, he started reading it over.

“What’s it say?” asked Dart.

Dusk tossed the letter off to the side before turning his attention to Dart. “Guess where we’re going tomorrow.”