Dusk light raised his eyes from what was left of his glass as the current bartender raised the TV volume.
the newscast showed rioting in the streets of the griffin capital, then a jump to another reporter atop a burning hotel's roof, staring down at a small town as buildings were demolished, property burning amid all kinds of hell that was breaking out.
'the effect and aftermath of the equestrian military complete withdrawal continues destabilizing the whole region. the violence may spread to other regions if unchecked. Secretary---
"Turn that crap off would ya Eddie?"
The sound disappeared
Dusk grabbed his near-empty shot glass, draining it in moments. Funny, to sit here in this Red Hook bar, appropriately known as the hook, just like his father used to do when he retired from active military service and set up home in Manehattan. His dad -a lifer in the equine guard marine division- was a man with only one vision for his two children.
Not just to go into military service.
To go into the corps
No question about it.
And Dusk Light never questioned the idea of following into his father's horseshoes or following his twin sister, Dawn Light. Ultimately, it lead to being embroiled in the never ending wars of the 21st century as the Griffin Kingdom and Equestria squabbled over territory, with other species joining both sides. Then it all changed for the worst.
Dawn was hit in the head by a bullet during the final battle of the final war. dead before she hit the ground. that hellish day, the grim reality of the wars and the death struck him full in the face, like a missile. His father was hit harder than ever by it, his heart giving out and not even the most experienced medics in equestria could whip out a miracle and save the dying veteran.
sometimes, ya just can't mend a broken heart
he soldiered on. it was all he could do, what he could do.
And now, he bided his time, sleeping in a small one-stallion bedroom, the bar his main pastime. waiting for new assignments.
"Goddamned guards gave up anyway"
Dusk heard the words. Way too loud for a private comment, as if this guy was in full broadcast mode. then again:
"All the Fuckin' years, thousands of Bits spent and lives lost then they just turn tail and run? God-damn"
the bartender, Eddie, gave him a quick glance. not like they shared their pasts.not that they were pals or anything. but, like any good pony, he knew when trouble was knocking at the door or in this case, broadcasting it out like a radio. Eddie moved to the customer, a griffon. To the son of a bitch that was openly pouring his hateful views on the stallions and mares who had voluntarily fought, died, and defended equestria from so many wars before recall. After war broke out, almost 30 years after Tirek's demise, Celestia waited 'til the last minutes to send in princess twilight and the mane six. To win the war.
Eventually, he heard Eddie saying "C'mon man, can that stuff, 'Kay mike?"
The young griffin looked at Dusk Light, as if putting together the pieces of a jigsaw
"i'm entitled to my opinion. its my damn opinion. We went charging in and after frickin' decades, we just pull out? we threw fuckin' hundreds of guards in there, and these new guys, the so called 'marines', just can't cut it."
that was it. Dusk Light finally blew his top. In a few strides, he crossed the bar and sized the guy up.
A bowling-ball of a head that looked like it was glued to the barrel chest that he sported. strong, muscled limbs, like those of a dockworker or weightlifter. Big, powerful guy, maybe a dock worker or athlete.
Good.
This was going to make it all the more satisfying.
Dusk said nothing. After all, what was there to say?
Instead, his hoof shot out as if it were a bullet, splaying the griffins claw out, then pushing down, partially crushing it, then using his horn to force a brutal magic stranglehold on the throat of the griffin, as the rage that Dusk had kept compressed and away for so long burst out like a cataclysmic tsunami, letting it all out. Even though it didn't look like he had a neck, there was one there, buried in the fat and jowls of his face.
He forced his stranglehold even tighter. The griffin had two amazing sensations of pain racking his body together: His hand, which was being crushed down so hard, it felt like it was just about to pop off, and the pain from the stranglehold, cutting off his oxygen. Unable to breathe, the griffin's eyes bulged out, almost rather comically, except painful.
At last, still holding him in his grip, Dusk Light spoke:
"If i catch so much as another word about the military coming from your mouth --even a single. fucking. word.-- then your arm will end up useless. And if you are able to speak.."
he tightened his throat hold for emphasis.
"- it'll be incredible. got it?!" he hissed the last words in anger, then let him drop.
throwing a few bits down on the table of the bar, he turned and stalked out, heading back to the apartment. The frosty night hit him like a hammer, and he braced against the cold before trotting on. Didn't even notice the black vehicle that waited outside The Hook like an immense black shadow. Didn't think twice about it until a window rolled down and a voice called for him from the passenger seat.
"Lieutenant?"
Whipping around, he noticed the sleek black paint job and limo-like construction, not the kind of thing that you would see someone from this district riding round in.He stood there as the passenger door opened and a stallion stepped out, dressed in the Armour of the elite royal guard.
"Yes?"
Dusk saw the large envelope and instantly thought 'orders'
"I have orders for you. here."
Dusk undid the clasp and scanned the paper as he lit it up with his horn.
"Says here... i'm supposed to get in the car -all due speed- and go with you to... twilight fields were a plane, passenger-class, is waiting. That it?"
the stallion said nothing.
"Not one for talking,hm?"
"Lieutenant, I've just been told to hand this over and to get you to come with me.You can see that it is signed by by General Voltage Overload. Everything is in-"
"I know. 'in order' i get it. lets go"
as the two of them got into the car, it roared off into the night, carrying it's two passengers, the marine and the escort away.
Out to a silent, almost ghostly street. tall grass rapidly began to show, and Dusk guessed they were getting closer to the twilight fields. Been ages since he last visited here. Back when he and dawn were foals and went to watch an annual air show there. Back when the whole damn war wasn't raging. At one time, it was proposed that the entire place be pulled down and ploughed to be turned into agricultural land, back in the old iron winter of 2098.
But the history of the place, where the last and greatest battle of the griffin/ equine war had taken place,Where Dawn, as well as countless others died, where the members of the mane 6 had won the war with the elements of harmony, becoming full-fledged alicorns afterwards, saved the place as a memorial and landmark. Although an airstrip was there, no-one was seen to have used it.
Or so it was thought.
As they made their way past aviator's trench, the beginning of the field, the car pushed itself through the red grasses, the weed-choked path difficult to navigate, fences came into view. Shabby, under-maintained, rusted fences.
"Why here?" asked Dusk
Not a word from the driver, but the escort replied "i don't actually know Lt."
great help. loaded with information, that guy
As they got near to the gates, he glimpsed two stallions, one a night guard, the other an elite. The gates swung open, then slammed shut after they made it in. Reaching the actual airstrip, He got the first glimpse of the jet.
It wasn't military or commercial, looking more like the one that an upper class citizen may rent to go and fly themselves to one of the mountain resorts or far-off towns.
Not what he expected at all.
As the car pulled up alongside the plane, as if in synchronization with every movement, every second, it let its stairs unfold as the car rolled slowly to a stop.
"Here we go lieutenant."
The escort exited, Dusk sweeping after him.
