Das Wiederaufleben

Chapters

Chapter 1: Meet the Team
Chapter 2: Enter the New Guy
Chapter 3: I Predict a Riot
Chapter 4: Nazis!?
Chapter 5: Haemo-Filly-A (Clop)
Chapter 6: Come Fly with Me
Chapter 7: A Proper Welcome
Chapter 8: Relocation
Chapter 9: Declaration of War
Chapter 10: Drown Your Sorrows
Chapter 11: Cat and Mouse
Chapter 12: Ryuugekiken
Chapter 13: Alone Time (clop)

Chapter 1: Meet the Team

We're expecting a new recruit tomorrow morning. We're gonna meet him and Grand General Spike tomorrow morning at Princess Twilight's castle. I say "him" but that's kinda just an assumption on my part. None of us know anything about "him" other than he's joining the Phoenix Centurions. Fang is really hoping it's a mare, and Marks is relatively excited to meet the kid. Well, excited considering it's Marks we're talking about, anything other than disgruntled groans or impatient sighs might as well be taken as a sign of the apocalypse. Anyway, I just hope this kid is as good as Spike says he is. There's little room for buck-ups on my team. Commander Scootaloo, signing off.

Scootaloo dropped the pen from her hoof, shut her journal and leaned back in her chair. Sighing contentedly, Scootaloo swivled around to stare at her chambers. It was a small room with cold steel walls. On her desk sat her journal, a picture frame containing a picture of her and Rainbow Dash, the latter of which was wearing a Wonderbolts uniform.

The memory of Dash's initiation into the group was well engraved into the orange mare's mind, despite it happening all those years ago.

Nine years ago, the image of Scootaloo's adoptive big sister in the blue and yellow Wonderbolts uniform streaking across the sky brought the now twenty four year old mare a wave of nostalgia. She briefly recalled her sister's huge smile as Scootaloo was clutched to Rainbow Dash's chest and the feel of the smooth uniform against her fur. It was such a wonderful day that brought so many happy memories to the orange mare.

Before Scootaloo could reminisce further however, a timid knocking sound came from the door to her room. "The door's open." Scootaloo called out.

In a swift motion, the door slid open revealing a dark blue thestral mare with a steel silver mane and tail and two piercing cyan eyes off put by an innocent and friendly fanged grin. "Frau Scootaloo", the pony said with her heavy Germane accent.

"Hello Fang," Scootaloo said as she met the eyes of her tech specialist. "Need something?"

"Nein." Fang said with her toothed smile. "Marks just vanted me to tell you dinner's almost ready."

Scootaloo nodded. "Okay. Tell Marks I'll be down in a minute."

The thestral nodded before turning around, shutting the door behind her and humming a quiet tune as she went on her way.

Scootaloo couldn't help but grin as she listened to Nacht Fang's song fade as she trotted farther and farther away. Ever since Fang had joined she had been a blessing to serve by. Her candid happiness and optimism was the perfect counterbalance to Hit Marks's "Verbitterung" as Fang called it. More than once has Fang's Positive outlook diffused some serious tension in the team. Couple that with her knack for all things mechanical and electronic and you have Scootaloo's favorite thestral.

Eventually Scootaloo got up and walked towards the kitchen to find Hit Marks, her artillery expert, setting the table. Upon seeing his commanding officer, Marks gave a slight nod. "Commander." The silver earth pony said.

"Marks." Scootaloo greeted. "What's cooking?"

Marks turned to his cooking. "For you and me," He began, "Hay salad. For Fang: Tofu."

An audible groan resonated from the dining area. "Can it, Fang!" Marks called. "We're out of your fancy synthetic meat so tofu is gonna have to do."

"Not my fault I vas born a carnivore, scheisskopf." Fang called back.

Marks groaned and turned back to his cooking. "You have a seat, commander. I'll be done in a minute." Scootaloo nodded and sat down besides Fang, who was busying her self go over schematics for her latest project.

"Whatcha working on, Fang?" Scootaloo asked her subordinate.

Fang smiled and handed over the piece of azure parchment. Scootaloo observed the paper closely and read the label at the top.

"Das Laserkraftwerk?"

Fang nodded. "I'm vorking on an anti-armor energy weapon!" She cried enthusiastically. "Imagine it, commander! A weapon capable of punching right zrough a panzer tank's armor vithout firing a single bullet and packing all zat firepower into ze size of a simple assault rifle!"

"Yeah..." Scootaloo said, trying to hide her confusion. "You... You get right on that."

"I am!" Fang cried. "I just need a power source."

Scootaloo cocked her head to the side. "It's a laser beam, right?" She asked. "Won't a regular battery work?"

Fang sighed, looking to her CO with a face of utter disappointment. "It's not zat simple, Commander." She began. "In order for it to vork, ze power source needs to output a tremendous amount of energy while being small enough to make ze weapon capable of being wielded by a hoof." The thestral sighed once more and ran a hoof through her mane. "Until I find a power source like zat, Das Laserkraftwerk is nothing but a fantasy..."

Smiling gently, Scootaloo patted her tech expert on the back. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually."

Fang simply shrugged.

"So tomorrow we're supposed to just chaperone a meeting for ze princesses, ja?" Fang inquired.

"Yep." Scootaloo affirmed. "A simple, easy job."

"Hate to interrupt, but dinner's ready!" Marks called from the kitchen.

Dinner passed by relatively quietly. A few questions about the new recruit Scootaloo couldn't answer were asked here and there, but mostly they just ate their respective meals. Well, in Fang's case, she merely spent most of the time poking the block of tofu with her fork and making disgusted faces.

Once everypony was finished, they retired to their rooms, ready to sleep or whatever it is Fang did when her non-nocturnal cohorts were sleeping. Scootaloo plopped down onto her bed and fell asleep almost instantly. The orange mare needed all the rest she could get in case this new recruit proved a hoof-ful.

Chapter 2: Enter the New Guy

The Ponyville outpost was bustling with activity. Troopers running this way and that to prepare for the summit of Equestrian Royalty taking place at Princess Twilight's castle. Soldiers were shining their boots, cleaning their barracks and in general making sure everything was perfect. This would be the first time since the signing of the Canterlot-Changeling treaty that Queen Chrysalis herself would be attending to discuss possible annexation of the changeling hive's territory, and nopony wanted to look weak in front of the Changeling Queen herself.

Scootaloo polished her boots with the same care and deliberation she’d take dismantling and reassembling an Atlas 12 gauge shotgun. She nodded to herself in the spotless reflection of her leather boots and slipped them over her hooves with the usual heavy creak of resistance. She may have worn this boots since her training days in the academy, but the leather was still strong and firm. Just one of the perks of behemoth hide, she reasoned. She chuckled at the memory of when she first learned what these boots were made out of. To think that the boots on her hooves her made from the flesh of another animal made her sick to the core, and she darn well might’ve just dropped out of the academy right then and there. As it turned out, when she did her research, the behemoths are much like giant tortoises, albeit that these tortoises grew to be the size of entire continents, and were famed for the mountainous peaks that decorated their shells. Of course, due to their reptilian nature, behemoths needed to shed their skin in order to grow, as their hide is as thick as granite. Because of its tough, durable and regenerative properties, it was a highly favoured material for pony armour. As she checked herself for, what she planned to be, the last time before the treaty meeting, there came a knock at the door.

“It’s open.” She called out. She turned to face her visitor as Fang poked her head round the door frame.

“Commander Scootaloo,” she greeted. The bat pony adjusted the sash that swept across her chest and stood to her full height, “ze changeling Queen is due to arrive vizzin ze hour.” She reported.

Scootaloo smiled and nodded. “Very well, sergeant,” she replied, professionally. “I’ll join you at eleven hundred hours sharp to greet her.

With a salute, Fang left to go about her duties in preparation for the meeting with Chrysalis. Scootaloo made her way down the hallway toward the convoy. She inspected the armoured carriages for any faults or weaknesses, as well as improvised explosives or other sabotage devices.

After ascertaining everything was free from tampering planted by any sort of terrorists or the like, the orange mare walked outside, soaking in the Ponyville outpost’s defensive measures.

Let’s see... Guard towers are manned, all entrances being patrolled, and Marks is at the weapons depot inspecting firearms. Everything seems to be in order.

The soft clapping of hooves against the ground signalled the arrival of Fang.

“Meine General, ze troops are ready to depart.” She reported ,dutifully.

Scootaloo nodded, smiling. “Dankeschön meine freunde.” She replied with a salute. Fang couldn’t help but chuckle as she returned the salute, making both mares chortle amongst themselves at the sight. “Come on,let’s go see how Marks is doing.” Fang nodded and the pair made their way to the armoury.

As they entered the armoury, they were greeted by a titanic array of weaponry and firearms of all sorts; Saturn rocket launchers, Orion Sniper Rifles, Mars semi-automatic combat rifles and many more weapons all lined the walls in a neat display, each one well kept and maintained, ready to see some conflict.

“Marks?” Fang called out into the armoury as they rounded a corner to the melee weapon section.

“On my way!” Marks returned, slipping his clipboard into his saddlebag and making his way toward the exit, knowing he would meet up with Fang and Scootaloo soon enough. The trio met up and Marks gave his report on the weapons present. All were present and correct, with no discrepancies or malfunctions to report.

“Which makes a change.” He had to add at the end, causing Scootaloo to roll her eyes.

“Really, Marks? It was one time, dude, let it go.” Scootaloo retorted, unimpressed by Marks’ pessimistic attitude.

“One time is all it takes for an invasion to overwhelm us,” The stallion retaliated, huffing as he strode towards the door, already growing tired of the conversation. Scootaloo and Fang rolled their eyes as they followed.

“Vill you lighten ze buck up every vonce in a vhile, Marks?” Fang chastised. “It vas a new recruit, and he learned his lesson.”

“Yeah, once it was beaten into him, the stupid kid.”

“Gott in Himmel, vill you just give it a bucking rest!?” Fang all but spat, growing ever increasingly exasperated by her colleague’s shitty mood.

“That’s enough, both of you!” Scootaloo interjected. “Look, we’ve run our checks, everything’s in order, let’s just get to the castle so we can get this whole thing out of the way.”

Without another word, the trio boarded their respective carts and the military convoy rolled out to Twilight’s Palace.

Scootaloo had always hated riding in convoy carts, especially over such short distances. Princess Twilight’s palace was only about a fifteen minute trot from the Ponyville outpost, and only a fraction of that for flyers like herself and Fang. Convoy carts were loud and cramped. And noisy. That awful, clattering din they made as they managed to find every nook, cranny, bump and peak in a usually silky smooth road, tossing its passengers this way and that like a sailboat in stormy seas.

“Am I the only one who thinks these things could do with a little more attention to detail than just being cobbled together with bits of scrap iron and cake frosting?” She complained, only to be jostled by a small hump in the road and thrown into Fang’s side for an answer.

“I zink it is only you, Scootaloo,” Fang teased cheekily, giving a mischievous snort. Marks simply rolled his eyes and continued staring out the window, focusing on nothing in particular as the town of Ponyville rolled by.

After a long and arduous journey, they arrived at the palace. The trio climbed out of their cart, stretching their sore muscles and popping each fused bone meticulously.

“Zank Himmel zat is over.” Fang moaned, flicking her wings, snapping each bone beneath the membrane back into place, making Marks wince.

“Eww. I do wish you’d stop doing that,” he grumbled, prompting the thestral to stick her tongue out in a juvenile display of cheek. Scootaloo rolled her eyes with a chuckle at the display, offering a playful bop to the head for each of her comrades.

“Come on, you two, let’s get inside,” she said as she turned to the large, imposing crystal doors, closely followed by Fang, Marks and the rest of the battalion that was called to chaperone the meeting.

They walked through corridor after corridor after corridor before finally finding themselves in the grand hall, in which the meeting was due. The hall was vast and cavernous, the high domed ceiling seemingly reaching upward forever, meaning the acoustics in the room echoed loudly, as if being fed through a surround sound system comprised of a thousand speakers. Scootaloo led the way to the other end of the empty hall, where a purple alicorn stood in wait, wings neatly folded at her sides as she stood to her full height, her regalia all perfectly polished and shined to catch the sunlight just right. The purple mare smiled as she watched her new arrivals approach, slowly stepping forward to formally greet them, and to thank them for their service for this important affair.

“Lieutenant Hit Marks. Sergeant Nacht Fang.” She addressed in turn, nodding respectfully to the ponies in question as they saluted her, before turning to Scootaloo with a fond smile. “Commander Scootaloo.” Throwing the formal charade to the wind, the princess and the corporal embraced each other briefly before releasing one another and resuming their formal poses. “You three have my deepest gratitude for your service in this important affair of state matters. It is my hope that you shall bear witness to history being made, and the paving of the road to a better, more united Equestria.” Scootaloo, Fang and Marks all bowed as deep as they could in response.

“Princess Twilight,” Scootaloo made her address. “It is with great honour that we serve under your rule, and we hope to see your vision for a better, more unified Equestria come to fruition.”

Twilight smiled and couldn’t help but break her regal guise to offer Scootaloo a brief nuzzle of affection. “I can’t think of anypony I’d want more to be here and witness this historical turn of events.” She cooed, sweetly, causing the young mare to chuckle.

“If it wasn’t for you and Rainbow Dash, Twilight, I’d never be in the position I am now to be able to witness this at all.”

A soft clearing of somepony’s throat broke the tender tension of the scene, turning every head to the culprit of this interruption. Celestia and Luna had advanced on the gathering, and were offering amused, half-smirking, smiles at the surprised expressions that greeted them.

“It’s good to see that we have such perfect candidates to demonstrate the benefits of friendship for today’s meeting,” Celestia mused. “But remember, my little ponies, there is still much work to be done if we are to truly persuade Queen Chrysalis to agree to the annexation of the changeling territories into Equestria’s borders.

“Which is precisely why we must remain optimistic, yet cautious,” Luna chimed in, taking a step forward to command total attention. “Thus far, the changelings have shown much promise in their opinions towards the annexation of their territories, but there are still those who are cynical. Likewise, there are still ponies within our own borders who still exercise caution when dealing with subject matters pertaining to the changelings. Which is why this meeting is paramount to the future between ponies and changelings, and uniting forces against new, greater threats to come.”

Scootaloo nodded, turning her head to see Marks refusing to look the Princess of the Night directly in the face. She chuckled at the sight, prompting a giggle from Fang as well, and a warning glare from Marks himself.

“Well, we’d better comb the perimeter to ensure there’s no funny business for when Queen Chrysalis arrives.” Scootaloo chimed, dismissing Marks’ empty threat before being cut short by a new voice.

“No need for that. I already made sure of that.” Everypony present turned face toward the source of the new, ethereal voice to find Chrysalis walking down the long strip of crimson carpet, her carapace regalia looking just as well oiled as Twilight’s. As she reached them, the sound of insect-like scuttling drew their eyes upward to find at least a dozen changeling climbing down the inner walls of the domed ceiling towards them. Marks immediately assumed a defensive position, wary of any and all movement made by the unexpected arrivals.

“Stand down, Lieutenant Marks,” Scootaloo commanded, holding a hoof against his chestplate.

“Don’t know if you’ve noticed, Commander,” Marks spat in retaliation, “but we’re surrounded and outnumbered by bugs right now, and they’re using the same tactics they always do.”

“Exactly,” the mare returned. “Which is precisely why they’re not a threat to us, here. Even they learn that by using the same tactics and maneuvers and expecting a different outcome, they doom themselves to fail. If this were truly an ambush, don’t you think they would’ve struck without Chrysalis making herself known?”

“Ever the observant one, aren’t you Commander Scootaloo?” Chrysalis complimented, with a smirk. “I guess that’s why you rank higher than Mister Marks, here.” The stallion growled at this snide comment before being swiftly silenced by an elbow to the ribs from Fang.

“Well, now that everypony is present, I believe we should get down to our order of business,” Twilight suggested, swiftly steering the line of conversation to a more amenable topic. The changeling queen offered a nod of approval.

“Yes. Let’s.”

“Excellent,” Twilight beamed, clapping her forehooves gleefully. “Now, as I understand it, you proposed for us to, first, discuss a possible transfer of a member of one of your special forces troops.”

“Correct,” Chrysalis affirmed, “It is my belief that by introducing a member of my own military into that of Equestria, we may grow to understand one another’s militant strength, and find new ways in which to integrate our differing military strategums in an effort to maximise the security of both ponies and changelings against possible future threats.” Despite the odd look of concern from the militant ponies present, Twilight simply nodded her approval.

“I think that would be a wonderful idea. Do you have a candidate in mind?”

Chrysalis nodded. “I do, as it happens. I left him in the capable claws of your Grand General.”

“Well then, let’s bring him in and meet the new arrival,” Twilight beamed broadly, excited at the prospect of a new friend and comrade. “Spike?”

The large crystal doors swung wide open and a large, imposing silhouetted figure slowly walked toward the gathering, bringing a second, far smaller silhouette with him.

The larger shadow came into the light, revealing glimmering purple scales and three rows of green spines starting at the back of its head going all the way back along its back to the very tip of its tail. The inside claw of each hind-leg curled upwards like a scythe blade. Two horns sprouted from the beast’s skull just behind it’s emerald eyes. The large, draconic being saluted.

“Your Highness. Grand General Spike reporting.” He addressed. The smaller figure turned out to be a young changeling, baby faced - even by changeling standards - and spritely. He turned to Scootaloo and company with an eager expression as he saluted.

“Tarantula Hawk Special Forces! Private Herimestus reporting!” He chimed, cheerily. Marks rolled his eyes at the young cadet.

“Herimestus? Sounds like something nasty you’d pick up from a street pony.” Fang shot Marks a venomous glare as she all but stomped on his hoof in response. She took a small, tentative step forward and bowed her head politely.

“Grüße, Herr Herimestus. Eine Freude, Ihre Bekanntschaft zu machen.” She greeted, kindly. The changeling smiled and bowed in return.

“Die Freude ist ganz auf meiner Seite, gnädige Frau. Sie können mich anrufen Hermes.” He greeted, surprising Fang with his fluidity in her mother tongue. Scootaloo chuckled as she boldly stepped forward and held out a hoof to greet Hermes properly.

“Welcome to the squad, squirt,” she teased, winking at the young private. “The name’s Scootaloo. I’ll be your commanding officer from here on out”. The changeling blushed as he accepted the offered hoof, shaking it amenably.

“Thank you, ma’am. I promise I’ll do you proud.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

Chapter 3: I Predict a Riot

“Now then,” Scootaloo began, turning to her subordinates. “This is Nacht Fang. She’s our tech support.”

Fang smiled slightly, nodding at the acknowledgement.

“And this is Hit Marks. He’s in charge of the big guns.”

Marks sneered. “Yeah. You better remember that, Maggot, whenever you feel like starting something with m-AGH!”

Scootaloo bucked Marks with a mighty kick and turned to face him as he rubbed his cheek. “You’re out of line, lieutenant! Apologize now!”

“Tch... Sorry...”

Hermes nodded. “It’s okay, sir. I understand that you may have a stigma against my kind. I hope that my service will help alleviate any prejudices you have!”

The orange mare wrapped a wing around the cadet’s torso and pulled him in. “Ha! I like you, kid! We’re gonna get along great.”

His cheeks glowing with a green blush, Hermes smiled. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Twilight took a step forward, once again gaining the center of attention. “Thank you, Spike. Now that everypony has arrived, shall we take our seats?”

Chrysalis tilted her head. “Everypony?” She asked. “I take it Princess Cadenza and Prince Armor will not be present?”

It was Celestia who answered. “No. My niece and nephew-in-law both agreed that their bias towards this subject matter made them a slight liability to this negotiation.”

“And what of Princess Sparkle, yourself and Commander Scootaloo? You were all present during my failed invasion.”

Hermes’ eyes widened and he turned to his new commanding officer whose eyes were just as wide.

“Your majesty,” She said. “You remember me?”

With a chuckle, the Queen turned to the pegasus. “Of course. You made an adorable flower filly.”

Luna cleared her throat, speaking up. “To answer your question, Queen Chrysalis, Princess Sparkle and my sister were the catalysts behind our people’s alliances, and as such, they agreed that they should be present for this meeting.”

The Queen nodded. “Very well. Let us take our seats. I assume your general will be joining us?”

Spike stepped forward. “Indeed, your highness.”

“Very well.” Chrysalis said as she turned to her squadron still scuttling about on the ceiling. “My children, I ask you to leave us for the time being.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, each one of them saluted and hovered out the door.

Hermes almost went out with them, his wings buzzing before Scootaloo stopped him.

“Hey, buddy, you’re with us now. Not them.” She said with a smirk as she grabbed his hind leg.

Embarrassed, the young cadet nervously chuckled as his green blush returned.

One by one,the princesses and the Queen took a seat around the large table in the center of the room.

Spike, despite his gargantuan size, managed to wriggle himself into a specially designed chair, built to accommodate his excessive draconic bulk. Scootaloo, Fang and Marks all took up their positions around the table to maintain watch, Hermes sticking to Scootaloo’s side like a school pony tailing his teacher on a school trip. With everypony in place, Twilight cleared her throat to make her address.

“Alright. I officially call all parties present to present to the table all their terms, conditions and demands for the annexation of the changeling territories into Equestria. Queen Chrysalis, if you would like to present your demands.” The changeling nodded and turned to address the small committee.

“If I were to agree to annex what territories my people have claimed, I would like a more developed infrastructure and oversight of the areas within my control.” In reply, Princess Celestia nodded.

“A reasonable request. I’m sure we could gather a taskforce of volunteers to aid your people in building the beginning of a small city or town of your own. With time, perhaps we could even look into integrating our peoples within those settlements.” Chrysalis gave a satisfied nod to this proposal.

“I assume you have stipulations for us. Let’s hear them.”

Luna sat up. “Unfortunately, yes” she began calmly. “We do have to ask that, unless given authorization, changelings shall not use their shapeshifting abilities.”

Instead of a display of outrage, as Luna had expected, the changeling queen merely brushed a strand of papery mane away from her face.

“And what, might I ask, would be cause of said authorization?”

“Well,” Luna coughed. “If one of your people works in the field of law enforcement, shapeshifting might be allowed during an undercover investigation. That is of course, but one example. If the need arises, this condition can be negotiated further.”

“No, no.” Chrysalis said, waving her chitinous hoof as she dismissed the notion. “I understand. I find this condition acceptable.”

As the diplomats discussed and bargained, Scootaloo turned to her new cadet with a playful smirk.

“Also, Hermes. Wie haben Sie sich so fließend Deutsch Sprache?” She quizzed, giving the young changeling a cheeky wink at his stunned expression at her almost faultless Germane pronunciation.

“Um, well…” Hermes stuttered as he pawed at the floor with his holey foreleg. “W-We changelings have very good brains for learning different languages. Just part of the ability to blend in with other species, I guess.” Scootaloo chuckled and playfully barged him with her shoulder, making him stumble a little, only barely catching his balance again before he ended up kissing the cold floor tiles.

“Geez, kid, it’s like I’m babysitting for Private Pansy, here. We’re gonna have to toughen you up a little, cadet, or else you’re gonna get chewed right up and spat back out again.” She teased, making Hermes blush again with that all too familiar green glow.

“Geeze... How’d we get stuck with guard duty?” One unicorn stallion complained as he slumped against the stone fence.

Opposite the gate, another guard sighed. “Would it kill ya to stop complaining? We could be stuck cleaning the barracks.”

“What do the princesses even need guards for? They’re ALICORNS!”

“It’s just to keep up appearance.”

A third, nasally and young-sounding voice interrupted. “Uh. Hey? This is castle Friendship, right? Princess Twilight’s palace?”

The two guards sprang up, grabbing the spears and standing at attention. As they turned toward the source of the new voice, they found a tall, skinny teenage Earth pony stallion towering above them. His tannish fur stretched across his near skeletal face, his eyes almost yellow and cloudy and piercings covering his brow and muzzle. Though his thin stature wasn’t much to make him look physically menacing, his creepy expression and sheer height were certainly cause for concern to the guards.

"Sorry sir,” the first guard said in an authoritative tone, “but the grounds are currently off limits to civilians." The teen quirked an eyebrow and gave a sinister, cocky chuckle.

"Oh?” He questioned, amusedly. “Then who are those guys?" He pointed to the grounds just off to the left of the guards. As soon as they turned their heads, however, they found that there was nopony in sight.

“What are you talking abou-” CLANG!

The guard found himself cut off violently as several mechanical hooves burst out from under the ground and dragged him and his colleague under the soil, their wild yells of horror quickly muffled by the loamy turf. The pony smirked as he cackled gleefully at the terrified expressions on the poor guards’ faces.

"Holy bucking shit!” He roared. “Did you see his bucking face? That shit is priceless!"

One by one, several pairs of hooves dragged themselves out from beneath the soil like zombies, revealing black silhouettes of mechanical ponies, each one holding at least one high caliber assault rifle.

“Alright boys! Up and at ’em!”

One of the machines approached the teen and handed him a weapon, much to the young earth pony’s delight.

The teen walked towards the gate and cackled maniacally.

“Alright! Time to skullbuck that Sparkle slut! Let’s start a motherbuckin’ riot up in this bee-yotch!”

Chapter 4: Nazis!?

Inside the palace, oblivious to the impending horror forcing entry into the building, the diplomats continued to negotiate their services and demands, holding a surprisingly civil conversation, in the eyes of any outsider. Fang and Marks stood watch, making sure no trouble makers tried breaking in.

Just as the royals were finalizing their arrangements, however, the entire hall suddenly found itself plunged into perpetual darkness with a heartstopping snap. Everypony present began chattering, a growing discountenance slowly filling their voices.

“What is this trickery?” Chrysalis demanded, now highly expecting an assassination attempt from the ponies as her mind played out worst case scenarios in an attempt to make sense of this sudden turn of events.

“I was about to ask you the same thing.” Twilight countered, adopting a defensive pose.

“Fang!” Scootaloo called out. “Get to the light switch. Everypony, stay on your guard” The nocturnal thestral picked her way through the dark, her specialised eyesight guiding her faultlessly in the poor lighting. Within moments, she located the light switch and flicked it with her hoof. The second the lights blazed back into life, everypony present was stunned to find that there seemed to be nothing different about the meeting room since the lights mysteriously cut out. They didn’t seem to be surrounded by potential assailants, as they had previously imagined.

In fact, the only thing different was…. a large projection being cast down from somewhere above the table onto its crystalline surface?

All eyes were drawn to the skeletal face that seems to sneer up at them, the figure’s twisted expression seeming to say “Surprised to see me, bitches?” Fang’s eyes widened in horror as she studied the terrifying face, her hooves clumsily scrambling for balance as she tried to back away hurriedly from the figure.

“Nein.” She whispered, hoarsely. “Lieber Gott, nein. Nicht ihm. Wie? Wie konnte es ihm vielleicht sein? Nach all den Jahren ... Ich dachte, dass ich sein Gesicht vergessen. Bitte lassen Sie diese einige grausamer Alptraum.”

Marks quickly rushed over to Fang’s side, pressing himself against her encouragingly, prompting the terrified mare to whimper and bury her face in his neck as she tried not to let her fear show. The figure on the table chuckled sadistically, as if he could see Fang’s fear… and was enjoying it.

“Hello, everypony,” he sneered, smugly, “allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Schadenfreude. And you motherbuckers would do well to remember it; You will all be screaming it, later.” Schadenfreude turned his head, seeming to look directly at Twilight. “Especially you, so-called Princess Sparkle slut.” He snarled, practically spitting the title of “Princess” like a bitter pill. “Princess, indeed. You are not worthy of such a title, false alicorn.” He turned as if to address the whole room and spoke again. “Now. Listen up, bitches, because I never repeat myself for any bucker. Here’s how shit’s gonna go down. Imma buck every hole that sparkle bitch has, then I'm gonna just make more holes to buck until she looks like a damned changeling! Capiche?"

Everypony witness to this bold claim instantly came back with venom.

“Now you listen here!” Spike roared, slamming his claws down on the table, cracking its surface and distorting Schadenfreude’s projected face. “I don’t know who the buck you think you are, you snivelling little scumbag, but threats like that towards Twilight will not go unpunished. Do you hear me!?”

As if in reply, the sounds of gunfire and screaming flooded in from the hallways outside the hall. The grand doors to the hall swung wide open as a cream furred mare ran in, her maid’s uniform coated in a dark, sticky red fluid before she collapsed on the floor, her eyes rolling back in her skull as she fell, a stream of red liquid gushing from a large hole in her neck like a fountain and splattering her face and the floor beneath her. Not far behind her, the pony from the projection strolled in, toting a large, smoking firearm and flanked by numerous pony androids.

“Loud. And. Clear.” He smirked, as if enjoying the looks of sheer horror on everypony’s face at the barbaric sight before them. In the blink of an eye, everypony went for their guns and trained them on the intruder. Schadenfreude didn’t so much as bat an eyelid at this, rather looking like he was enjoying and revelling in having multiple war weapons trained at his head, continuing to smirk smugly. Hermes inspected the teenage stallion with his acute changeling eyesight, his gaze falling upon the helmets that donned his companions’ heads. He noticed that the headgear seemed to all bear the symbol of some sort of irregular icosagon, made of a sort of cross with extra arms extending from its sides.

“What’s that symbol on their helmets?” He whispered to Scootaloo, prompting her to take a look for herself.

“Hmmm…” she hummed, her brain piecing together why that symbol looked so familiar. She remembered reading about it in school when she was a teenager, and it certainly wasn’t good news. “Oh. My. Bucking. Buck.” She cursed, the bit dropping with a horrible clang. Marks turned his head to look at the metal ponies Hermes had pointed out, his eyes widening before narrowing to letterbox slits as he snarled.

“Swastikas?!” He exclaimed, incredulously. “We're being attacked by bucking skinheads?!" Schadenfreude’s smirk split into a full grin before he roared with laughter.

“We prefer the term ‘Nazis’, if you wouldn’t mind.” He croned, causing everypony present to open fire, without prejudice. Schadenfreude barrel rolled to one side while his metal friends soaked up the bullets as if they were insects trying to swarm them like mosquitoes. Immediately, the other machines leveled their weapons and opened fire, prompting Marks to push Fang away behind cover and duck behind a pillar of his own as he reloaded his gun.

"The hay are these things made of?" Scootaloo shouted as she fired her pistol from behind cover.

With the hail of lead shot firmly distracted by his strategic bullet sponges, Schadenfreude trained his own weapon on Twilight’s head, lining up his shot to ensure he made as much mess as possible when the bullet passed through her skull and splattered her brains all over the place.

As he lined up his shot, Fang managed to pull herself out of her shock and went for her gun, going to help her comrades as they filled the metallic Nazis with even more metal. As she raise her weapon, however, the sight of another raised weapon caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She turned her head to find Schadenfreude aiming his gun at the distracted Twilight, using the commotion of the gunfire from Scootaloo and the others to hide himself behind a pillar as he readied to shoot.

“Princess! Achtung!” She hollered, swinging her gun around just in time to fire at the would-be assassin, the bullet whistling past his sights, barely managing to gouge out a small chunk of his hoof, causing the Earth pony to yell in surprise just before he pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the solid crystal floor with an earsplitting scraping sound before ricocheting into Twilight’s ankle.

“GYAH!” She screamed, collapsing in shock as her ankle gave way beneath her.

“Twilight!” Spike instantly rushed on all fours to her side, rearing up over her to protect her from further harm as he opened fire upon the stricken teen.

Schadenfreude ducked behind his pillar for shelter, hissing and cursing under his breath at Fang. “Nicht gerade stehen dort, ihr Idioten!” He yelled to the droids. “Schnappen Luna und Bein it!”

Fang gasped at Schadenfreude’s command. “Luna!” She called out to the princess of the night. “I zink you’re zeir primary target!”

Before Luna had time to react, Chrysalis stepped out in front of her, her crooked horn glowing fluorescently as she readied her magic. “Enough!” She hollered, proceeding to fire at the drones one by one with a powerful beam of magic that reduced each drone it touched to dust. Once again, Schadenfreude cursed and activated a radio strapped to his chest.

“This is Schadenfreude. Abort mission, I repeat, mission has failed. Release the flood, plan B it is. GO!” His order given, he sprang out from cover quickly enough to fire a cheap shot at Chrysalis’ horn, snapping off the hooked tip and staggering the changeling queen while he and the drones made good their retreat. “You may have won this round,” he croned, turning around just long enough to quickly gloat, “But how about a quick game before I leave?” His smirk turned grim. “The floor is lava. Think fast, bitches.” And with that, he was gone.

Before anypony could question what was happening, there was an almighty boom from somewhere from the top of the castle, followed by an alarmingly rapid increase of temperature.

“Quick! We need to get everypony still alive outta here!” Twilight cried, attempting to get to her hooves, only to be put back down on her belly again as her hoof failed to hold her weight.

“You’re in no fit state to try running outta here, Twilight.” Spike chided, picking the stricken princess up over her shoulders. Before anypony could even move, the crystal doors slammed open, and a huge mass of molten liquid came pouring in from anywhere possible, including the roof which was cracking under the weight of all the molten fluid. The air quickly turned sour with a metallic tang, and a suffocating thickness.

“Lead!” Marks shouted. “Damned skinhead motherbuckers are trying to encase us in molten lead! We have to leave. NOW!” Everypony ran as fast as they could, along with any of the castle staff left alive and/or uncrippled by the ambush, to escape the approaching flood of molten metal. Less able, or slain, ponies were less fortunate, the screams of the damned snuffed out one by one as the lead made swift work of those unlucky enough to be unable to outrun it.

Faster and faster, the surviving ponies fled before finally escaping onto the streets of Ponyville. Luna and Celestia sealed the castle doors tightly shut with their magic and sealed all conceivable gaps to prevent the toxic metal oozing out and harming civilians. Everypony collapsed in exhaustion, sucking down greedy gulps of much needed oxygen.

“Dammit,” Marks swore, beating his hooves in the dust. “I can’t believe we got our asses handed to us by a load of metal skinheads!” Hermes glanced to Scootaloo, his chest heaving as he gulped in the fresh air he desired.

“So…. I have a question.” He started, tilting his head curiously. “Just what are these ‘Nazis’?” Fang leapt to her hooves, a vicious snarl burned into her features.

“Herr Führer vas a bucking disgrace to Germaney! He vas a cruel, merciless, tyrannical scumbag who vas only out for ze destruction of all peace und friendship in all of ze world!” She raged, her body twitching with violent muscle spasms. “His only goal vas to eradicate unicorns ponies in order to breed, vhat he called, ze 'Aryan Master Race' of ponies, vhich only consisted of scheißkerl Earth ponies!” Marks placed a calming hoof on Fang’s shoulder.

“Calm yourself, Fang. Remember, Führer was not a true Germane citizen, and only rose to power by playing on the prejudice and social attitudes of the time, and brainwashing the good Germane ponies to side with him in his misguided crusade.” He reasoned, gently rubbing her shoulder encouragingly, helping the thestral pony to relax and calm her nerves.

“Gah. You’re right.” She growled, still rather irate about the subject. Scootaloo slowly approached her and placed her own hoof on her other shoulder.

“Say, uh…. Fang?” She asked delicately. “I, er, couldn’t help but notice you sort of…. cowering… when Schadenfreude showed up on the table in that hologram. Do you mind explaining why?” Fang bit her lip with her sharp canines before giving a defeated sigh and staring at the ground.

“It vas ze vay Schadenfreude looked.” She confessed. Seeing Scootaloo’s look of confusion, she elaborated. “He looked like ze mutter bucker who raped me.” Scootaloo and Marks immediately gave her withers a reassuring squeeze, and she leaned into Marks’ neck for support as she fought back her tears.

“Rape... That’s when another pony forces you into a mating ritual against your will, correct?” Hermes asked, earning a glare from Marks.

“Yeah, it’s totally that simple, you stupid gnat!” He cried as he caressed Fang’s withers. “I don’t know how you changelings mate, but to us, sex is a sacred and personal thing. To be forced into it is humiliating and traumatizing!”

Fang grabbed Marks’ hoof. “I-It’s okay, Marks...” She said as she wiped her tears, turning to Hermes to explain a little. “I’m not in ze mood to go into detail, but, suffice to say, I had just moved to Equestria vith my mother und father, I met a colt, went out a couple times vith him until he drugged me, chained me up, und... violated me several times...”

Hermes’ ear-like antennae drooped as he bowed his head to the sergeant. “F-Forgive my insensitivity, ma’am. I’m still learning the ins and outs of Equestrian society.” he said earnestly.

Fang weakly smiled, offering a soft nod to her new subordinate. “Forgiveness granted, Private.”

“I DEMAND ACTION!” The group heard Chrysalis scream. “That insolent bastard slaughtered good soldiers and innocent civilians! He must be made to pay!”

“No pony is disagreeing with you, Queen Chrysalis,” Luna placated. “We shall gain justice for those who lost their lives.” She turned to Twilight, who was nursing her shot ankle. “These ponies have committed an act of terrorism. We must look into this group and try to work out their motives, and what they hope to gain from these atrocious acts.”

Chrysalis growled, turning her head away indignantly.

Celestia bowed her head. “I’ve dealt with Herr Fuhrer’s Third Reich nearly three quarters of a century ago. Groups of so called ‘Neo-Nazis’ have sprung up from time to time but have never committed an attack this brazen!” She explained. Turning to Scootaloo, Celestia beckoned. “Commander Scootaloo, come here.”

Immediately, the orange mare spread her wings and hovered to the white alicorn, and saluted. “Yes, my Princess? Do you wish for my team to give chase?”

"Negative", the ivory colored mare stated. "I think our first priority right now is to tend to our wounded."

"Understood, your Majesty." Scootaloo said with a respectful bow.

Celestia nodded and turned to Spike. "General, I want you to put out an alert for that terrorist after Twilight receives ample medical attention. Are we clear?"

"Of course, my Princess." Spike said as he hoisted the wounded Alicorn. "I'll be sure to send for paramedics and put out an alert for the little runt. Centurions! Front and center!"

Without a second’s worth of hesitation, Marks, Fang and Scootaloo all rushed to the violet dragon, all saying “Sir!” in unison.

“I want you to take the new recruit to the outpost and help him get settled in. After that, I leave you to spend the day as you wish. I’ll make sure Twilight remains safe. If you come across that Schadenfreude, do not engage, but alert me as soon as possible. Any questions?”

“No, sir!” Was the universal answer.

Spike nodded and helped Twilight readjust her position, trying give her injured leg a rest, as he turned away.

As the dragon left, a strange thought occurred to Scootaloo.

“Did anyone catch that Schadenwhozit’s cutie mark?” Scootaloo asked, drawing blank stares from the other ponies.

“You know, now that you mention it, I don’t remember seeing a cutie mark on that skinhead’s flank whatsoever.” Marks replied as his eyes widened.

"What? Impossible..." Scootaloo thought out loud. "The Tartarus is going on here?"

Fang shuddered and whimpered against Marks' side, nuzzling him for comfort. “Hey, uh…. I-I think Fang and I need to, uh…. get her back to base and to bed. She needs to rest and recover, after all that drama.” He suggested as he gently guided the thestral away.

Scootaloo blinked as she watched the pair depart. “Uh… sure. Herm and I can just…. I dunno, I guess I’ll show him the ropes and then we can get looking into this Nazi group.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Marks called over his shoulder.

With that agreed, Scootaloo lead Hermes to a parked army cart and instructed the cart pulling ponies to take them back to base. The journey was spent in total silence, neither pony nor changeling knowing what to say, given the horrendous events that had recently unfolded before them. After a long, jolty ride back, the cart door was opened, and Scootaloo showed Hermes his new home, marching him down corridor after corridor toward the sector where she, Marks and Fang lived.

"Here we are." The orange mare stated. "Home sweet home." She approached a door left ajar and pointed inside. "Will this suffice? I don't know what you changelings are used to."

Hermes took a step inside, his turquoise eyes scanning the room. "It's very... Plush."

"Plush?" Scootaloo asked. The cold, metallic chamber wasn't cushy in any sense of the word. "What are you talking about?"

Hermes turned to his new commander and said "Back in the hive, we slept in little burrows dug into the wall of a cave, not very cozy compared to this."

"Huh." Scootaloo grunted. "Interesting."

Suddenly, panic filled the young changeling’s voice. “N-not that I’m unappreciative!” He declared. “I thank you, commander!” Hermes cried as he saluted.

“Hey, buddy, you don’t have to be so formal with me.” Scootaloo explained. “I’m not your CO when we’re not on duty. I’m your friend. Just call me Scootaloo.”

With a nervous chuckle and a green blush, Hermes saluted again. “My apologies, command-... er... Scootaloo...”

Scootaloo chuckled. “We’re gonna have to work on that stick, aren’t we?” She teased.

“Stick?”

“The one up your ass.” Scoots answered cheekily. Hermes turned around to look at his abdomen, clearly not understanding the colloquialism.

“Oh boy, we’ve got some work to do.”

Chapter 5: Haemo-Filly-A (Clop)

A few doors down, Marks and Fang laid cozied up in each other’s fetlocks, the stallion smoothing down the bat pony’s mane as he slid his tongue in and out of her mouth gently.

“Are you sure you wanna do this, Fang?” He questioned as he broke the kiss, looking at the fragile mare with soft, worried eyes. Fang averted her gaze and simply nodded.

“J-Ja, mein liebling,” She whispered, wrapping her forelegs around his barrel. “I-I’ve made you vait for long enough... It’s time I got over zis fear of mine...”

Gently, Marks pressed a hoof to the mare’s lips. “Shush, now.” He cooed. “You know I’d wait until Judgement Day for you.” He punctuated his sentence with a soft peck on Fang’s forehead. “And besides, you have a right to be nervous, after what you’ve been through.”

Fang shifted uncomfortably in Marks’ embrace as a blush made its way across her cheeks. “Marks?” She asked in a hushed whisper.

“Hmm?”

The thestral squirmed a bit as she struggled to force the words to come out. “I... I-I zink ve should come clean viz ze commander...”

Marks’ eyes widened for a split second before returning to the soft, caring state they were in before. “If you think so, Fang.” He said sweetly, running a hoof through her mane. “A year and a half is a long time to keep a secret like this, and it gets real tiring pretending to be an asshole to you all the time.”

Fang nodded in agreement. “Honestly, I’m not sure vhat ve vere so scared of. Ze commander von’t care about us being togezer.”

“Right.” The silver stallion said as he grabbed the mare’s hoof. “If anything, she’ll be more pissed that we hid it from her for so long.”

With a chuckle, Fang scooted back up against the stallion. “I love you, Marks.”

Gently, Marks slid his hoof down the thestral’s smooth contours, coming to rest on her flanks. “I love you too, Fang.” He cooed sweetly. “Now let’s see about getting you out of those fatigues.”

The thestral blushed and nodded, holding her hooves out as Marks helped her shrug off her jacket and pull her shirt up over her head, roughly folding them and letting them fall to the floor in a careless heap. Instinctively, Fang’s fetlocks wrapped around her bare barrel to hide her body, old habits dying very hard for her. She’d never let Marks see her in any state of undress beyond a vest shirt, and she always made sure she wore boxer shorts on her lower regions, for insurance. Marks gently stroked her hooves and forelegs softly, offering her a soft smile of assurance, letting her know she was in safe hooves, and he wasn’t going to knowingly hurt her. Fang soon relaxed, thanks to her lover’s assurances, and dropped her hooves to her sides, wriggling her hips to allow Marks to take her army slacks off, leaving her only in her white boxers.

“You know, we could just spend a few hours together like this.” Marks suggested, rubbing the vulnerable mare’s flanks softly. “If you wanna go further later, then yeah, we’ll do it-”

“Nien, Marks,” Fang affirmed, sharply, placing a hoof on his chest. “I….. I vant to become von viz you.” Marks simply nodded and slowly shrugged himself out of his clothes, before easing Fang’s beloved boxers from her hips. The thestral pony whimpered at the sight of her body being laid bare before a stallion, but she clung onto Marks’ hoof for reassurance.

"You have beautiful teats," Marks said earnestly, stroking her hoof and eyeing the two perky orbs.

Fang blushed as she moved her hooves down to grasp them. "N-No... I don't... Zey're big und ugly..." She claimed.

Marks wasn't satisfied with that response, as a disappointed expression made its way across his face. "Fang, ugly is the last word I'd use to describe anything about you." He said as he moved in for another kiss, only to be denied as the blushing thestral rolled onto her side and covered her privates with her leathery wings, giving her lover a perfect view of the computer chip image contrasting with the cobalt fur on her curvaceous flank.

“Hey,” her lover soothed in a hushed, loving tone, “it’s OK. Listen. Tonight, it’ll just be about you. OK? You’ll have complete and total control of how we do this. Sound fair?” Fang bit her lip considering what Marks was offering, and weighing up her feelings about this whole situation. She truly loved Marks with all her heart, and would entrust him with her very life. In fact, many times, she had. And she knew, more than anything, that Marks would never, in his right mind, do anything to harm or distress her. She let out a weak whimper and rolled back around slowly, opening her wings for Marks to nestle himself in with her. The stallion gently positioned himself between her leathery membranes, resting his hooves on her shapely hips.

“J-Just….” the timid bat pony squeaked, biting her lip so hard she nearly pierced it. “B-Be gentle?” She whimpered.

Marks simply smiled and nodded softly. “Of course, darling.” He purred, lovingly. Fang blushed and looked down at her lover’s cloth covered groin Slowly, and with much apprehension, she eased him out of his underwear, freeing his member. Her eyes widened and she turned her face away, her cheeks burning red hot. Marks gave her a curious look, stroking her mane gently.

“What’s wrong?” He queried, hoping his marefriend wasn’t going to start crying. As much as a hardass as he made himself look out to be, the sight of Fang crying would always get his bottom lip quaking. To his surprise, however, Fang gingerly rested the frog of her hoof against it, patting him gently.

“I-It’s… bigger….. z-z-zan I expected.” She whispered, shyly. Marks’ ego swelled a little at that statement, though he wasn’t entirely convinced that that was to his credit. He rolled them over so that he was hovering over Fang’s curvy form. His eyes roamed along her perfect hourglass hips, her shapely flanks showing good muscle tone from being in the forces for as long as she had. As his gaze slowly slid up to her face, however, he was met with a heartbreaking sight. The poor mare underneath him was whimpering, looking at him as if he were pinning her down like a barbarian, eyeing her up like a slab of meat and plotting how he was going to devour her. He gave her a soft expression in reply and stroked her cheek tenderly.

“You know what?” He murmured, softly, so as not to scare Fang more. “Maybe you should try being on top.” He suggested, rolling off his mate and laying flat on his back, giving her a sideways glance. Fang looked at him in surprise.

“V-Vas?” She stuttered, taken aback by the suggestion. “But….. b-but I don’t know how.” She whimpered, turning her face away again. “A-And….. I vouldn’t vant my inexperience to disappoint you, mein liebling.” She muttered, tears pooling in her eyes. Marks pressed a hoof gently into her back and massaged her spinal column tenderly.

“Experience doesn’t matter, Fang.” He affirmed, softly. “This is about making you as comfortable as possible.” Fang slowly rolled over to look at Marks, her lower lip wobbling at his words of love.

“I…. I-I….” She swallowed thickly and nodded. “I t-trust you, Marks.” She whispered as she slowly climbed on top of him, sitting back on his loins. The stallion rested his hooves on her inner thighs, gently caressing her fur lovingly. Fang bit her lip as she slowly wriggled her hips, attempting to position herself better and properly align herself with him. Marks responded by gently lifting her hips and adjusting them both until she was sitting right on him, making her gasp, her eyes widening like a deer in headlights and her hooves flying up to her “o” shaped mouth. “G-G-G-Gott…… in……. H-Himmel.” She breathed, nervously. Her nethers quivered anxiously at the feeling of sitting on Marks’ male pride. Marks padded her soft orbs before wrapping his hooves around her cheeks and pulling himself up far enough to kiss her furry breast, pressing his cheek against her chest encouragingly.

“It’s OK, darling.” He whispered, softly, nuzzling her breast. “You can take as much time as you need. I’m not going to judge you.” Fang wrapped her fetlocks and wings needily around him, pulling him close and kissing his forehead spastically, needing his comfort and support.

“I… I’m going to try and move now, Marks.” She whimpered, after a few minutes of hesitation and deep breathing exercises. Slowly, she pressed down on him, groaning as his girth parted her, forcing her to give way and grant him entry. She let out a soft squeak as the first inch disappeared inside her, small drops of her arousal trickling down onto the stallion’s member.

“Everything feeling okay, sweetheart?” Marks asked as her reached around behind the mare, resting his hooves on her hindquarters.

“J-Ja...” Fang whimpered.

Marks nodded and traced his hoof along the outline of his lover’s cutie mark.

Fang steadied her breathing and pushed back up, leaving just the tip inside of her, whimpering at the feeling of emptiness.

Marks groaned as his lover began to push back down a little further than before, trying her best not to let out a lewd moan. “Ugh...” Marks sighed. “Fang... Y-you feel so good... Nice and tight and warm...” Fang blushed, not sure if that was a compliment to be proud of.

“D-Danke...”

At this point, Fang was beginning to set a gradual rhythm, slowing pushing upwards and then letting herself back down, going a little further than before. The feeling was amazing, nothing like anything the young mare had experienced before. It was all she could do to bite her lip to suppress her squeaks and whimpers.

The mare looked down to see her lover propped up on his forelegs, his eyes screwed shut and a dopey grin on his face. “F-Fang...” He sighed. “Don’t be scared to get loud. Do me a favor and don’t hold anything back.” Marks placed a loving hoof on the thestral’s left teat, giving it a reassuring squeeze, and earning a low purr of approval.

“J-Jawohl...”

Fang resumed her rhythm, this time not bothering to bite her lip. She panted as she felt Marks pass where her hymen used to be.

Gently, Marks began to massage her teats, helping her to relax even more as she pushed down further, nearly taking the entirety of his length. It became harder and harder for him to sit still, the sight of such a beautiful mare riding his length was driving the stallion crazy. He wanted nothing more than to thrust upwards and meet Fang’s hips with his own and make her squeal in delight, but Marks persevered, committed to making his lover feel as safe and as comfortable as possible.

Fang was lost in a sea of carnal bliss. Everything around her melted away, leaving just Marks and herself. He was the center of her universe and vice versa. All the fear and anxiety from all those years ago had vanished. She increased her speed, moving back and forth at a much more moderate pace, much to Marks' and her own pleasure.

With one swift, final motion and a loud squeal, Fang impaled herself completely with Marks' member. "SCHEIßE!" She cried as she felt her lover all the way inside her. Instinctively, Fang pulled her mane with one hoof while the other snaked down her supple contours to fondle her teats. Marks looked up at her curiously, making the young mare blush as she slowly relinquished her mane and move her hoof away from her orbs. “Umm…. s-s-sorry, Marks.” She stammered, embarrassed. “I, uh…. v-v-vell…. z-z-zat’s vhat….. h-he did.” She looked away from her lover’s face, ashamed of herself for finding pleasure in something that was so violent and careless when she was cruelly robbed of her fillyhood innocence. Marks rubbed her thigh sympathetically, slowly raising a hoof to Fang’s mane, letting it glide over the silky strands that dangled low enough for him to reach.

“Do you mind if I…..?” He needn’t finish his question, as Fang simply flicked a lock of hair into his grip, and he held it with a careful, but firm, grip, giving her an experimental tug and jerking an involuntary, but pleasured, moan from the bat pony, who started bouncing on his member with renewed vigour.

“Oh mein Gott, Marks,” She drawled, her hooves returning to her puffy teats to massage their swollen little buttons. She rode him like a bucking bronco, loudly letting out her confirmations of appreciation as Marks’ manly pride continued to throb and twitch inside her. Marks, for his part, rocked his hips in tangent with Fang’s hip rolls, seeking to add to their interlinked euphoria. Fang squeaked and gasped to encourage him as he hit all the right marks, bringing her closer and closer to her peak. Then, Marks found a tiny kink in her lining, a small point of tension that sent an electrical storm coursing up her spine and through her veins. She let out a yelp. “Marks!” Her eyes widened and misted over, the sparkling pools of cyan bleeding out to a deep, rich ruby red as she fixed her lover with a predatory glare. Her fangs for which she was so named extended half an inch until the were no longer concealed by her lips when she closed her mouth. She bared her engorged fangs with a sharp hiss, lunging down at Marks and digging her incisors into the stallion’s neck, eliciting a choked gasp from him. The vampire pony injected her lover with a powerful, aphrodisiac enzyme straight into his bloodstream. Within moments, the speed of his heartbeat pushed the enzyme through Marks’ body, the alien substance stimulating the nerves of his inner vessels, slowing their metabolism and, effectively, rendering him limp on the bed as Fang rode him, filling his body with immense, burning pleasure.

Briefly, terror struck Marks as the feeling of Fang’s sharp teeth penetrating him made him flinch, reflexively. He almost jerked his head to try and get away, but the combined fear of rending the flesh of his neck further and almost instantaneous pleasure from the inhibiting enzyme stopped him from attempting it. As his vampire lover slowly pulled her fangs out of him, however, he began to settle into the feeling of strange euphoria her intrusive toxin fed into him, practically melting as she started to lap up his blood as it started trickling out of the two small holes she’d punched in his throat. The thestral shivered as the coppery syrup warmed her tongue, trickling down her throat as she completely lost herself in the bloodlust. As she continued to feed on his life giving fluid, Marks began quivering as the feeling of her hungry tongue slicking his fur as she stole his blood began to fill him with an ecstasy he never thought mortally possible. His muzzled burned as the realisation dawned on him that Fang may have been unlocking some form of previously unknown desire from deep down inside of him. As she rode her lover’s member, Fang licked his wounds one more time, shivering with delight at the sweet, coppery flavour as she pulled away and smirked at him, her piercing red eyes looking right through him with a menacing cockiness.

“Mmm. Sie schmecken so herrlich süß, meine kleine Schlampe.” She taunted, making him gasp at her condescending profanity. He quaked at her domineering smirk, his look of fear and anguish suddenly sparking a pang of guilt inside Fang, snapping her out of her bloodlust. She gasped, her crimson eyes bleeding away, a deep sea of cyan replacing them as her hooves flew to her mouth as she looked at him in shock and horror. “O-O-Oh mein Gott. Marks…” She whimpered, her lower lip quivering as she watched a little red snake slowly ooze its way out of his vein and down his neck, toward the pillow. “I-I’m so sorry, my darling! I…. I-I don’t know vhat came over me! I….. I, I didn’t mean to hurt you, I vas just…. I…. I, oh sheiße….. I-I mean….” She babbled and sobbed,her body shaking as she freaked out that she let herself act in such a despicable, primal way, that she would draw blood from the stallion she loved.

Marks struggled as he lifted his hoof, taking three attempts at reaching out for her mane and giving it a strained tug, just the way she liked it. She gasped at the attempted pull and stared down at the crippled stallion in surprise. Marks gave a disabled, lopsided smile to show her he was, relatively, OK, and wanted her to continue. Fang blinked in amazement before tears streamed down her face and she hugged him needily, licking his neck clean. Marks shuddered jarringly at the lick, slurring a moan as he peaked, letting out his load inside his lover. Fang gasped and gave an adorable whimper as she sprayed his fur, the warmth of his love being all too much for her. The hot, gooey magma seeping deep into her sent the young mare into a blur of carnal bliss. Fang lost all perception of time as stars exploded behind her tightly screwed eyelids.

Her body spasmed as she cried out "M-MARKS! I-ICH... LIEBE DICH-KYAAAAAAA!" She squealed, her voice echoing around their cramped bedding quarters as she embraced her dazed partner. They rode out their shared wave of otherworldly pleasure in perfect synchronisation, the moment seeming to last a thousand lifetimes, before Fang - rather reluctantly - rolled off her lover and snuggled against his paralysed form, nuzzling the crook of his neck like an affectionate puppy. “Mein Gott.” She purred, tracing little heart shapes on Marks’ chest. “I’ve…… I’ve never felt zat gut before.” She looked deeply into her stallion’s eyes. “Danke schon, mein liebling.” She kissed him sweetly on the cheek and nestled against him, sighing happily as she settled down to rest and bathe in the afterglow.

As she settled into a comfortable position, Marks began to twitch in her hold, slowly regaining control of his body again as he rolled onto his side and embraced his lover, planting a firm, loving kiss on her lips.

“What happened to me?” He asked, more amazed than alarmed. “Why couldn’t I move?” Fang flushed, her ears folding back as she adverted her gaze from his shamefully.

“Oh. Um…. i-it’s because I injected you viz a sort of…. enzyme.” She explained. “I-It acts much like a poison, like zat of a rattlesnake. It…. it paralyses prey and zins zeir blood, so it cannot clot properly for a few minutes. It’s, um…. a-also quite a potent….. a-a-aphrodisiac.” Her blush deepened. “It…. p-paralyses ze victim viz pleasure.” Marks looked at her with an impressed expression.

“I see.” He drawled, thoughtfully. “That’s a neat little party trick you’ve got going for ya, my dear.” He stroked her hair, which was now matted a damp with sweat. “Would you care to use it on me again, sometime?” He asked with a smirk. “I think I have a new kink.” Fang gasped at that, a bashful whine escaping her throat as she looked away from him with all the shyness of Fluttershy herself. After playing with her mane shyly, she nodded and glanced sideways into her lover’s eyes.

“J-Ja.” She muttered, softly. The pair wrapped their fetlocks around each other and shared one final goodnight kiss before settling down to sleep in one another’s hold

Chapter 6: Come Fly with Me

“So, you need any help unpacking or anything?” Scootaloo asked her new recruit.

Hermes turned to her with an appreciative grin. “No, thank you.” He said. “I didn’t bring any personal effects.”

The orange mare nodded. “Alrighty then. I’m gonna head to bed and tomorrow we can look into who exactly this neo-Nazi group is.”

“Oh! That reminds me!” Hermes cried. “Sergeant Nacht Fang didn’t do a very good job of explaining what a ‘Nazi’ is.”

Scootaloo chuckled. “Long story short: Bad guys. Like... Really bad guys.”

“In what way?”

“Well, they were a political faction that took control of Germaney in 932, led by a mad pony named ‘Herr Führer’. In 939, they started World War II by invading Poland, which forced Equestria and Prance to declare war on Germaney as Poland was allied with them at the time.” Scootaloo explained. “Germaney’s allies, Japon and Haytaly, also declared war. They started out really well, handing Equestria and their allies their collective asses on a silver platter, but we eventually came out on top. After Herr Fuhrer committed suicide in his bunker, we found these massive prison camps dotting Nazi controlled territory. It turns out these camps were used to execute an ungodly amount of unicorns and others who Herr Fuhrer declared ‘undesirables’, like gays, gypsies, Slavs and political dissenters. They herded inmates into these giant chambers for ‘showers’ and then flooded the room with toxic gas.Then they dumped the bodies in a mass grave or cremated them in massive furnaces. The total death toll was around eleven million, with around six million of those being unicorns.”

Hermes stood there wide eyed. “E-Eleven million? How could the Germane ponies allow something like that to happen? I find it hard to believe that Sergeant Nacht Fang would come from a place like that...”

“Hey!” Scootaloo snapped. “Don't even think about lumping Fang together with those monsters. Aside from location, the only major remnants of Nazi rule in Fang's home country are museums dedicated to the atrocities they committed!”

The changeling gulped. “F-Forgive me, comma-... Scootaloo... Still... I find it disgusting that anyone would try to mimic an organization like that...”

“Buddy, you're not the only one.” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “But if I've learned anything during my time in the military, it's that ponies will do deplorable things for no other reason other than they can. And because they can, they think they have to.”

“T-that’s a bleak outlook.” Hermes stammered. “I'd like to think that there are at least some good ponies out there, who do the right thing out of a sense of duty and that you, the sergeant and the lieutenant are among them”

Scootaloo sighed and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Hermes, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret: I'm no saint, and neither is Fang or Marks. We're soldiers, instruments of war. We kill ponies. Who's to say what we fight and kill for is any better than our adversaries? They honor a call of duty just as we do, the only difference is the end goal. War is rarely about right and wrong, black and white. It doesn't determine who's right, war only determines who's left.”

“Us versus savages who are trying to replicate the actions of monsters who systematically murdered eleven million ponies. I'd say that we're the good guys in this case at least.” Hermes stated, trying to lighten the mood.

With a smirk, Scootaloo let out a slight chuckle. “Heh. I said ‘rarely’, didn't I?”

Hermes smiled.

“Get some sleep, buddy.” Scootaloo said with a grin.

As she made her way down the hallway, toward her own sleeping quarters, she passed Fang’s room. She toyed with the idea of seeing if the bat pony had recovered after her panic attack earlier, but thought it best to leave her be. A little way further, she encountered Mark’s room. Her face scrunched up as a rich, musky smell wafted into her face like a stone wall. “Eurgh. Marks, when’s the last time you cleaned your room?” She muttered under her breath, shaking her head and making a mental note to kick his plot in the morning.

Ignoring the foul odor, Scootaloo went onwards to her chamber. The door was unlocked just as she had left it (She didn't keep anything worth stealing inside). Her journal was still on her desk from last night, and while she had plenty to write about, her brain was too addled with exhaustion to bother. She disrobed her uniform, leapt onto her soft mattress and wrapped her hooves around her pillow, eager to let the warm embrace of sleep enshroud her.

A sudden burst of heat made the young mare’s eyes pop open. Her brain tried to wake itself up from its drowsy state, only to find herself within some sort of black abyss. The crackling sounds of a roaring inferno could be heard, but all Scootaloo could see was darkness.

A shiver went down the young mare's spine as she felt like she was being stalked by an unseen hunter lurking in the shadows, just outside of her view.

Scootaloo turned around and gasped as two giant, violet eyes transfixed their gaze upon her. “Wha-!?”

The next thing she knew, a red beam of light pierced her bosom.

With a loud gasp, Scootaloo shot up from her bed, gasping for breath as she tried to calm her nerves. She placed her hoof over her heart and felt it pound inside of her, as if trying to escape the confines of her chest. “... Just a nightmare...” She thought out loud as her gaze fell upon the digital clock on her nightstand.

5:58 A.M.

Well... Since I'm up, might as well go for my morning fly. I think I’ll let Fang, Hermes and Marks sleep in a bit. They could use the rest after yesterday's events. Scootaloo thought as she climbed out from underneath her sheets.

After stretching out her back and wings for a few seconds, the orange mare went to her closet and grabbed the black tank top she always wore when she worked out. Scootaloo pulled the garment over her head and weaved her wings and hooves through it.

With her training garb equipped, Scootaloo quietly cantered out of her bed chamber, only to find Fang seeming to be trying to sneak into her own room. “Psst! Fang!” She whispered, causing the cobalt colored mare to almost jump out of her skin. “What are you doing up this early? And why are you out of your room, at this time?”

Panic setting in, Fang urgently fumbled her words to think of an excuse. “Oh! Uh… S-S-Scootaloo. I, um….” She looked around hallway as her brain worked furiously to make up a reason as to why she was out of her room. “I-I vas just….. v-v-visiting ze little filly’s room.” She lied. Scootaloo looked her up and down. The night pony’s mane and fur were all matted and tangled, and she carried a funky smell with her as she simply stood there, shifting on her hooves as if being interrogated by her mother. Scootaloo just nodded in understanding.

“Oh, I see.” She said, until she noticed Fang’s bedraggled look. “But…. why do you look so messy?” Her muzzle crinkled as the stench hit her. “And you smell all funky.” Fang hissed a Germane swear under her breath as she tried to come up with yet another excuse.

“Uh…. v-v-vell…. um….. d-d-don’t tell Marks or Hermes, but….” She looked away, playing up the shy filly act to try and deflect Scootaloo’s suspicions. “I-I’m coming into heat. A-And I need my medication.” She forced herself to blush, adding to the act. Scootaloo’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh, Fang. I…. OK then, I understand.” She chuckled nervously. “Sorry. I, uh… yeah. I won’t tell the guys, I know how much the heat cycle worries you.” Fang bit her lip. She hated lying to Scootaloo, but she just couldn’t tell her what she’d been getting up to last night. At least, not on her own.

“D-Danke.” She nodded, slipping into her room and holding her tail tight against her plot as she disappeared into her chambers.

Shaking her head, Scootaloo tried to forget the encounter that had just occurred. The heat cycle was something Scootaloo hated to think about, and she could only imagine how much Fang abhorred it.

Once Scootaloo had pushed the encounter to the edge of her mind, Scootaloo resumed her trot to her favorite flight path. As she did so, she passed the training gym, which bizarrely had its lights on.

“Huh?”

She peered inside the window to see Hermes going to town on a punching bag hanging from the ceiling. The kid's got nice form, she thought to herself.

Silently, Scootaloo slipped inside of the gym to get a closer look. She could hear the grunts of exertion coming from the young changeling, and if he had sweat glands, Scootaloo was certain his chitin would be shimmering with moisture.

“Aren't you a busy bee?” Scootaloo called out cheekily, causing the changeling to stumble and face plant into the ground.

“S-Scootaloo?” He stammered as he got back up. “You startled me!”

“I noticed.” She teased. “How long have you been down here?”

“Three hours, give or take”

Scootaloo's eyes widened. “Yeesh! Do you bugs even sleep?!” She exclaimed.

“Of course. I got a whole two hours!”

Scootaloo wanted to press on, but she honestly didn't think Hermes would have appreciated her asking volley after volley of questions about his physiology.

“I saw you giving that punching bag a good pounding and thought I’d get a closer look.” She said, curtly. “You’ve got good form, kid. A nice one-two.”

Hermes blushed. “T-Thank you, Scootaloo. B-But... I-I still have room for improvement...”

Scootaloo let out a soft chuckle. “Of course you do, kid. You’re not a god.” She said as she nudged his shoulder. “You remind me a lot of myself when I first joined up with the forces.”

“I-I do?”

With a smirk, the orange mare nodded. “Eeyup.” She declared as she flicked out her wings. “I would constantly sneak out to give these puppies a good workout. I could never train enough. One hundred push ups, one hundred squats, flying two kilometers. I nearly died of exhaustion before I even left boot camp.” Just then, a sinister idea crossed Scootaloo’s mind. “That gives me an idea, kid.”

Hermes cocked his head.

“Let’s go for a fly. Just you and me”

Chapter 7: A Proper Welcome

The young changeling blushed. “O-Oh comma- I mean.... Scootaloo. All I'd do is slow you down... N-Not that I'm not flattered by the offer....” He stammered.

“That's all well and good,” Scootaloo said with a devious grin. “Except it wasn't an offer. It was a command.”

Hermes gulped and saluted. “Y-yes ma’am.”

The young mare chuckled and turned around. “Follow me.” She told the cadet, who complied with nervous trepidation.

Once the two had left the building, Scootaloo flicked her wings outwards. “Alright, Hermes.” She began. “Let's put those slips of paper you call wings to work. You and I are gonna race to Ponyville proper.”

The changeling gulped. “Race?”

Scootaloo smirked and nodded. “Hopefully you'll put up more of a challenge than Fang. I love that mare, but between you and me, thestral wings aren't really built for speed.” She joked.

“W-Well... I'll try my best...” Hermes stammered nervously.

“My personal best time is five minutes and thirty four seconds.” The orange mare explained. “Okay! One two three, GO!”

With that, Scootaloo launched herself into the sky, leaving the stunned changeling in her dust, watching her afterimage blast off towards the town.

Not wanting to look bad in front of his new commanding officer, Hermes leapt upwards and set his buzzing wings on overdrive as desperately tried to catch up with Scootaloo. His lungs burned as he pushed himself to the limit chasing the mare. His wings felt like they were about to rip themselves off his shell with how fast they were vibrating. How is she so fast!? He asked himself.

“Come on kid, I'm going easy on ya over here.” Scootaloo called without a hint of fatigue. Hermes looked on in awe of the mare and how effortlessly she cut through the wind. It was like she was a hurricane, blasting away at near supersonic speeds.

Hermes could see the town coming up just on the horizon, and redoubled his efforts. He felt like his body was ready to implode, but he didn't care. His organs could have liquefied inside his chitinous carapace and he still would have kept flying. The only thing that mattered was keeping up with Scootaloo. The changeling screwed his eyes shut and poured all the strength he could muster into his buzzing wings.

The pain was excruciating, but Hermes powered through. I am a Tarantula Hawk... I can do this! He screamed to himself when suddenly, he felt something grab the ridge in his shell near his neck. Inertia carried his hind legs forward a meter or two, prompting the young changeling to open his eyes.

“Gotcha!” Scootaloo called as she hovered downwards. “A few more meters and you would have splatted against that building there.” She teased.

Hermes looked forward and saw the building in question. A large clock-tower.

“Rule number one of flying, kid: Always keep your eyes open.”

Hermes looked down in shame. “U-understood...”

With a chuckle and a grin, Scootaloo nudged the young changeling’s shoulder. “Hey, chin up, soldier. Ya did good.” She stated.

Hermes’ antennae twitched as he looked back up.”R-Really?”

She nodded. “Yep. I forgot my stopwatch, but I’m guessing that you finished around... Let's be generous and say around the seven minute mark.” Scootaloo tried to calculate her own time only to shake her head. “Ugh. I'm not good with numbers. That's Fang's department.”

“And what would your department be?” Hermes asked.

Scootaloo smirked. “Keeping my subordinates alive.”

Suddenly, the orange mare stepped forward and glared at Hermes. “On that topic, let's make one thing clear. If, on the field, you go against my orders and get Fang or Marks killed I will tear the wings off your exoskeleton and use them to wipe my ass.” She deadpanned with a murderous aura and a lack of any humor.

Hermes stood completely still, paralyzed by the sudden change in demeanor from his new CO. He pulled himself out of his stupor just enough to salute.

“U-understood, ma'am...”

Scootaloo's murderous glare instantly turned to a gentle and warm smile. “Good. Those two are family, even if they are always at each other's throats.”

Hermes chuckled. “They are quite the polar opposites, it seems.”

“Buddy, you don't know the half of it. Marks is pretty intelligent, it's just he prefers to let the business end of a gatling gun do his thinking.

“I can imagine. He does seem rather impulsive.”

With a grin, the young mare looked up at the sun peaking over the horizon. “Yeah. He's a dick. But he's our dick. A gun toting, profanity spewing, afraid-of-insects dick.” She let a tiny giggle pass through her lips.

“The lieutenant is scared of insects?” Hermes asked with a tilted head.

“Terrified. It's the stinging ones especially. Wasps, bees, hornets. That's probably the main reason he's been a cunt to ya.” She teased. “But you didn't hear it from me.”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

Scootaloo turned around and began to hover. She looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Let's head back to HQ. Fang and Marks are probably awake by now and cooking breakfast. I swear to god, you have not lived until you try Marks’ cooking.” A blush formed on her face and a shiver made its way up her spine.

Hermes joined his CO in the air. “Sounds like knows what he's doing. Can he cook meat?”

“Fang certainly seems to think so.” The mare smiled.

Almost on cue, a high pitched, heavily accented voice called out. “Frau Scootaloo!”

“Fang?” Scootaloo thought aloud before remembering the encounter earlier. “FANG!”

She turned to face the voice and sure enough, there was Fang, short of breath and hovering down towards her. “F-Frau... Phew... Frau Scootaloo...”

“Uh... Hey... Sergeant... Uh” Scootaloo quickly stepped between the thestral and the changeling. “Gee... Can you believe this heat, Fang?”

Fang tilted her head before her eyes widened and her cheeks grew red.

“It's hot to you, Scootaloo? “ Hermes interjected. “It's borderline freezing compared to the changeling deserts.”

Scootaloo breathed a sigh of relief in her mind knowing that Hermes had not caught on to her euphemism.

“Sergeant, what can I do for you?” Hermes asked.

“Um... Vell... I... It's really ze commander I need but suppose you should come as vell, Herr Hermes.”

Scootaloo tilted her head. “What do ya need, Fang?”

The cobalt mare nervously shifted on her hooves. “Vell... C-could I get you to follow me, Scootaloo? Zere’s... Something I vant to talk about viz you...”

“Um... Sure?” The commander said. “Lead the way.”

“Danke.”

The three took flight. Scootaloo and Hermes followed behind Fang in an awkward silence. After about nine minutes of flight, the three were directly over the outpost. Fang stayed in the air for a brief moment as she scanned the ground for something before setting down behind the barracks, leading the others as well.

“Hey, boss.” A masculine voice called, prompting Scootaloo to turn her head.

“Marks?”

The stallion trotted over to the thestral and whispered something in her ear that she blushed and nodded at.

Fang opened her mouth to speak. “Commander... I... I z-zought... Zought you... I...um...”

Marks sighed. “Oh for the love of...” Quickly, he wrapped his hooves around Fang and pulled her close before planting his lips on hers in a sensual and very intimate kiss.

Fang squeaked in surprise, but returned the embrace and kiss with equal measure, sliding her forked, thestral tongue into her lover's mouth.

“YOU BUCKING IDIOT!”

Suddenly, Scootaloo grabbed Marks by the throat and slammed him into the wall. Fang gasped in surprise and fear. “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!? FANG'S IN HEAT, YOU SHITHEAD!”

Marks gasped. “What!? No she's not!”

“She told me this morning!” Scootaloo retorted.

“That's impossible! Fang and I had sex last night. I would have known if she was in-”

“YOU WHAT!?” Scootaloo screamed. “I swear to God, if Fang becomes pregnant because of you, I will personally make sure you never make that mistake with her, or any other mare, ever again!’

“Scootaloo! Please! Let him go!” Fang pleaded.

“This asshole took advantage of you! While you're in HEAT! I'll have him court-martialed!”

Tears rode down Fang's cheek. “I’m not really in heat! I vas sneaking back from his room! He didn't take advantage of me!”

“She's right.” Hermes said, causing every pony present to go silent. “Last night, in conjunction with hearing equine mating calls, I felt a large surge of love-making.”

“Oh yeah... I forgot you changelings use that stuff to charge up your magic...” Scootaloo deadpanned with Marks still in her grip.

“Commander, please! Marks and I have been in a relationship for a year and a half! Ve love each other!”

Scootaloo dropped Marks. “Bullshit. You two are always at each other's throats.”

Marks got back to his hooves and rubbed his neck. “Fang was scared to tell you, so we hid it. We agreed to come clean with you after we consummated.”

“So, let me get this straight... You two have been dating under my nose for a year and a half, and are just now telling me the good news because you fucked?”

“...Zat’s... One vay to put it...” Fang stammered. “Vait... Good news?”

“Duh!” Scootaloo cried. “I love you guys! Why wouldn't I be happy about it?”

“But... Fraternization...” The thestral whimpered.

“You think I give a rat's ass about fraternization? As long as you two are combat ready, you can do whatever you want. If anything, I'm more upset that you didn't trust me enough to tell me.”

Marks chuckled. “Told ya, Fang.”

The thestral rushed to her lover's side and began frantically kissing his face. “Ich liebe dich...”

“Ick leeba dick.”

Fang couldn't help but burst out laughing at Marks’ butchering of her native language. “Never change, Marks.”

The stallion ran a hoof through her mane. “I won't if you don't.”

“Deal.”

Marks pulled away from his lover and glared daggers at Hermes. “And you better not even think about feeding on us.”

Hermes gulped. “I had no intention, sir.”

Marks grumbled something under his breath then went back to snuggling with Fang.

“Ugh. I need something to eat.” Scootaloo groaned. “What's the plan for breakfast, Marks.”

“I made some hash browns.” Marks explained. “There should be enough for you and the gnat.”

Fang bit Marks’ hoof, careful not to break the skin, causing him to yelp, more in surprise than pain. “Be nice, Dummkopf.” She commanded. “Just because you're scared of bugs doesn't mean you can be rude!”

A gasp escaped from the stallion as a blush appeared on his face.

“F-Fang!”

“Uh... It's okay lieutenant. The commander already told me that.” Hermes explained.

“Un-bucking-believable!”

The stallion stormed off, leaving the three behind. Fang merely giggled and rolled her eyes.

“Zat big baby.” She chuckled. “Oh! Commander, Private, could I ask you two to come to my room after you eat?”

Scootaloo smirked. “I didn’t know you and Marks were into polygamy.” She teased.

The thestral squeaked and blushed. “C-Could ve not... talk about my sex life?”

“I’m just teasing, Fang.” The orange mare explained. “Sure, we’ll meet up with you right after breakfast.”

“Danke schön, mein kommandant.” The cobalt mare turned and flew up and over the building, leaving Hermes and Scootaloo alone.

“Follow me, kid.” Scootaloo said over her shoulder.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

The two walked around the building and headed towards the private kitchen near their barracks. “So, Hermes, probably should have asked you sooner, but what’s the typical changeling diet?”

“Oh, we’re omnivores by nature, with just a slight preference towards meat, especially fresh carrion.” The changeling sighed and looked up to the sky dreamily, his mouth watering slightly, making his CO chuckle softly.

“Good to know. If I ever go carnivore, you’ll be the first to know.” She joked. “Fang’s more a ‘grilled burger’ kinda mare herself.”

“Oh. So you can cater towards carnivores?” Hermes asked.

Scootaloo nodded. “It’s not real meat, but you can’t tell the difference from what Fang tells us. We call it synth-meat.”

“Sounds delicious.”

“Heh. Good luck getting Fang to share any with ya.”

The two opened the door to the kitchen and saw the plate of leftover hash browns that Marks had left. Scootaloo smiled and took a big whiff.

“Oh yeah. If there is a god, then Marks’ cooking is what he smells like.” She joked, prompting a slight chuckle from the changeling as she filled two plates. “Here’s your grub. Oh! No pun intended!”

“Sure there wasn’t.” Hermes said with a grin as he took the plate with his telekinesis.

Scootaloo poured herself a glass of water and took a mighty swig. “Ahhh.” She sighed. “I needed that.”

The changeling chuckled and took a bite of the hash browns, his eyes widening at the taste. “Mmm! This is amazing!”

“Told ya.” Scootaloo snickered as she rolled her eyes. As soon as she looked back, however, his plate was completely clean. “Jeeze! You don’t mess around when it comes to food, do you?”

“Absolutely not.” He declared with a proud grin.

With a chuckle, Scootaloo sat down and began eating her own meal, stopping at about halfway to fill another glass.

“You want some water, kid?” She called from the sink.

“Yes, please, ma’am.”

She grabbed another glass and filled it up with ice before filling it up with water. When she turned around, however, she found Hermes leaning over the table and stuffing his face with what was left of Scootaloo’s hash browns. The young changeling’s eyes widened like a puppy who had knocked over a trash can before he gulped down the food in his mouth. He stood perfectly still as he awaited the inevitable reprimanding that would surely come.

What he didn’t expect was for his new commanding officer to drop to the floor, laughing uncontrollably and with tears pooling in her eyes.

“HAHAHA!” She guffawed. “O-Ohoh! Oh! T-Thats! T-thats just too much!”

Hermes didn’t know how to react, here he was, stealing food from his commander, right in front of her, and she was rolling on the floor laughing uncontrollably.

“Oho. H-Hermes!” She wailed. “I... I... PFFFTTTT! HAHAHA!”

She tried to steady herself, rising onto her wobbly hooves and sitting down as she tried to regain her composure. “Ohhhh...” She sighed. “Just couldn’t control yourself, huh?”

Hermes sat back and smiled bashfully as a glowing green blush made it’s way across his face.

“Phew... O-Okay... I’m done now...” Scootaloo gasped as she tried to bring herself back under control. “Jeeze... I was getting full anyways, bud. I probably was just gonna give ‘em to ya.” She teased.

“F-Forgive me, commander!” Hermes begged, earning another giggle from the mare.

“Forget it, kid. Finish up and we’ll go see Fang.”

The changeling nodded and shyly finished up the last of the hash browns before standing up and holding the kitchen door open. “After you, ma’am.” He gestured outward.

“How chivalrous.” the pegasus teased.

The two walked down the hall a ways and entered Fang’s room. The thestral was sitting in a chair in front of a strange machine. “Ah! Willkommen!”

“Hey, Fang.” Scootaloo responded.

“Sergeant!” Hermes greeted with a salute.

Fang chuckled a bit. “Ze formalities aren’t necessary, private. Just ‘Fang’ vill suffice, ja?”

“Of course.” Hermes nodded as he mouthed the word ‘Fang’, to himself.

“Now, onto business.” Fang declared. “Your custom dog tags!’

Hermes blinked. “What are dog tags?”

“Essentially little necklaces viz names and other information etched into zem.” Fang explained. “Ze Equestrian military uses zem to identify zeir soldiers.”

Scootaloo chuckled. “Fang here rigged up a machine that she uses to make custom dog tags. Some of the troops pay her to make them as little gifts for friends or family.” She said as she flicked her own tags out from underneath her training shirt, revealing a metal beaded necklace with two tiny plates on it, one reading ‘Scootaloo T Dash. DOB: 6/6/92’. The other showing an engraved image of a shield with an assault rifle magazine emboldened in the center. “Marks has one too, with his cutie mark.”

The changeling nodded. “I see.”

“Welcome to ze team, Hermes!” Fang squealed as she eagerly put the tags around her new teammate’s neck.

“Since you don’t have a cutie mark, I just designed a-”

“Tarantula hawk wasp!” The young changeling interrupted, examining the plate. “The insignia of my old battalion! Thank you so much, Fang!”

The thestral giggled. “It vas my pleasure.”

Just then, Marks entered the room, still clearly irate. “I bumped past the General.” He explained grouchily. “He wants us all in uniform and to meet him at the train station in an hour. We’re shipping out to Canterlot.”

Chapter 8: Relocation

The crew all strapped on their gear, weapons checked and safety measures taken, as to prevent misfires and accidental impalements. Hermes buzzed as he busied himself with making his uniform presentable, both out of excitement about his first official deployment in his new battalion, and nervousness of what their duties would probably now include, with this new threat looming over Equestria. “Commander,” he called. “Can you help me strap on my breastplate?”

“Ya got magic, don’t ya?” Scootaloo called back. “Do it yourself. I’m your CO, not your foalsitter.”

The young changeling sighed, lifted the purple plate over his head and brought it down around his neck, using his magic to latch it secure. Once that was out of the way, Hermes took his helmet and placed it over his head, sliding it down his horn. Scootaloo looked him up and down with a curious look. “I can’t believe changelings fashion armour out of metal, rather than ballistic fibre.” She commented. “Doesn’t it weigh you down, at all? And what if a bullet bashes your helmet in?” Hermes looked himself up and down and simply shrugged.

“Well, you’ve probably noticed that we don’t, really, have any real complex equipment, like you ponies.” He explained. “We have guns and the like, but we just, to put it simply, don’t have the tech to make fancy fibres, we’ve never moved past metal forging for several decades.” Scootaloo simply nodded.

“Ah. I see. Yeah, it’s weird. Your culture is still in the stage of bartering for goods, isn’t it? You don’t, like, have a set currency, like we do.” Hermes nodded. “That’s, actually, pretty neat,” Scootaloo made her way to the door. “Now, how about we go make sure Fang and Marks are ready to rock and roll?” Hermes nodded again and followed the commander to check on the aforementioned lovers.

The walk took some time, the monotonous grey walls not particularly giving much perspective of time or distance travelled. Once they were stood in front of the door to Fang’s room, Scootaloo swung the door wide open with an almighty crash. “Alright, troops. Eyes front, stand by your…..” Her words dropped away as her jaw fell, practically slamming into the floor at the sight before her. “HOLY CELESTIA!” She shrieked, raising a fetlock to shield Hermes’ eyes. The two ponies, stood balanced on their hind legs, hooves wrapped around one another’s withers and their tongues buried in each other's mouths. The two yelped in surprise, both of them toppling over into a comical pile of legs, tails and wings. Hermes couldn’t help but giggle to himself at the sight as he peeped over his CO’s raised hoof, Scootaloo simply smirking at the scene. “Well, well, well.” She crowed tauntingly as the embarrassed lovers scrambled to their hooves, dusting themselves off, faces bright red with shame. “Fang,” She smirked as the bat pony squeaked and flinched at the sadistic way Scootaloo said her name. “I know we may have run out of your special synth meat, until the next shipment arrives, but you really don’t need to substitute it for poor old Marks’ face, now, do you?” She giggles with delight as Fang’s blush spread from her ears to her neck.

Marks huffed grumpily and turned his face away from his commanding officer. “Commander….” he harrumphed. “It….. It’s bad enough you barged in on us so rudely, without first seeking permission to enter in the first place, but…… to harass your sergeant so brutally…”

“Oh, she’s a big mare, Marks.” Scootaloo laughed, rolling her eyes. “She can take it as well as she can give, am I right!?” The lovers stared at her, wide eyed at her remark, as she fell about laughing on the floor, holding her aching sides. “Alright, alright.” The amber pegasus conceded, wiping a tear from her eye. “Let’s get to the train station, before these two lovebirds start playing tonsil tennis again.” She teased, leading the gang out of the barracks.

At the train station, the group found themselves greeted by Spike, Chrysalis, the princesses, a now bandaged Twilight Sparkle and Spike’s wife, Fluttershy, who was greedily stuffing her face with grapes and ice cream. Scootaloo tilted her head curiously as she watched the buttery pegasus scarf down the frozen dessert like it was going out of fashion, all sense of decorum or manners thrown to the wind. Spike noticed Scoots staring at the usually demure pegasus.

“Hey, uh…. Scoots?” He said, gently coaxing the orange mare from her zoned out stare. “Don’t, uh….. Don’t stare at my wife, please. She’s, uh….. You know.”

Scootaloo blinked uncomprehendingly. “What? Starving?” She chuckled, snorting a little as she gave the grand general a teasing smirk. “Geez, Spike, do you keep her locked up in the pigpen, or something? You need to feed your wife a little more often, man.”

Fluttershy giggled softly through a mouthful of ice cream, drawing all eyes to her as she smiled at Scootaloo and shook her head “No, Scootaloo.” She cooed softly, a little bit of melted cream spraying from her lips, raising one or two eyebrows as she shamelessly continued. “You see……. I may or may not be…..” she giggled again and angled her body so that her belly was visible to Scootaloo and the group, revealing how her abdomen was slightly rounder and more distended than usual. Scootaloo’s eyes bugged out, legs staggering backwards as she choked on her own saliva mid gasp.

“F-Fluttershy! You’re….. Y-You’re….?” Fluttershy simply giggled and nodded, nuzzling into her husband’s side as he crouched down to embrace her. Scootaloo turned her stunned gaze to Spike, before a teasing smirk spread across her face. “Took ya long enough, dude.” She teased, lightly hoof bumping the dragon’s clawed hand. “It’s been, what, six years since you two tied the knot, and you’re just now putting a little Spike in her belly?”

Spike rolled his eyes with a chuckle and shook his head at his friend’s teasing. “Well, think about it, would you, Scoots?” He teased back. “She’s a pony, I’m a dragon. Not exactly good building blocks to create a little life together without a little… assistance, are we, now?” Scootaloo tilted her head curiously at the dragon’s words, so he went on to explain. “Twilight here can go over the details.”

The alicorn cleared her throat and stepped forward, slipping into her infamous lecture mode.

“Through meticulous combing of the dragon and Pegasus genomes,-”

“If I may be so bold,” Chrysalis interrupted with a not so subtle roll of her eyes, “might I request the abridged version?”

Twilight stood paralyzed for a second, her face appearing to hold back an immense amount of rage at the interruption, before sighing. “I made Spike produce pony gametes eight months ago.” She huffed.

“Oooohhhh” Scootaloo drawled. “Psst... Fang. What's a gamete?”

Fang rolled her eyes and smirked at Scootaloo with a giggle. “Sperma, Kommandant.” She deadpanned, making the orange mare blush.

“You’d think she’s never copulated before.” Chrysalis sighed, causing Scootaloo to growl at her. Hermes tapped Scootaloo on the shoulder.

“Um… excuse me, Commander, but… why are you being so informal with the Grand General?”

“I've known the scale fart since I was eight” she chuckled. “Should've seen before puberty hit him like a sack of bricks. Barely taller than I was, and that was including his crests, chubby and his voice was so squeaky and childish.”

Spike chuckled and rolled his eyes. “And now, I tower above you, and can easily snap you in two like a twig if you continue to talk smack about me in front of your regiment.” He teased, making everypony present laugh. “Well. Now that everypony’s here, I think it’s high time we get on that train and gone.” The dragon suggested, to a unanimous vote of agreement. Everyone boarded the Friendship Express to Canterlot, and the train chugged off toward the mountaintop city.

The train ride was long, tedious and uneventful, the never ending walk to the castle only worsening the combined tiredness and exhaustion of the group as the guards let them into the grand palace. After dropping Fluttershy off in a suite for her and her husband, the group started talking amongst themselves to discuss sleeping arrangements and plans of action, regarding this new threat to Equestria’s national security. As they got to the throne room, Fang let out a horrified shriek, making everypony jump.

“Fang?” Marks rushed to her side. “What is it, darling? What’s wrong?” Everypony followed the bat pony’s wide eyed stare to find the cause of her scream; a mangled, bloodied carcass of a pony.

Chapter 9: Declaration of War

“Lock down the castle!” Chrysalis ordered, turning to a nearby guard who was just patrolling the area. “Lock down any and every entrance and exit to the palace, and put the city of Canterlot under marshal law!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, we can’t enforce a marshal law! Especially not for just one murder!” Spike interjected, just before the guard hurried off to carry out his order. “We’d start a riot. Lock down the palace, sure, but we cannot allow civilians to suspect that something’s amiss.” The guard saluted and rushed away to order the lockdown.

“We should probably see about identifying this poor pony.” Twilight suggested.

“Let me handle that, Your Highness.” Marks stepped forward, making his way to the corpse and starting his search.

“And what, pray tell, qualifies you to carry out a forensics test?” Chrysalis challenged.

“Marks here knows his way around a crime scene, alright?” Scootaloo replied. “He knows what he’s looking for, when identifying a body.”

Marks began rifling through the dead pony’s pockets of his jacket, looking for any form of ID or items that might suggest any indication of occupation or heritage. Going through the pockets of his stuffy, very clearly business oriented, suit, he found a pen, a fob watch that had been broken, the hands telling half past five, and a wallet tucked away in the deepest pocket of his coat lining. “Aha! Bingo.” Marks cheered victoriously, opening the faux-leather plastic pouch. “This must have something in it we can use to identify this poor bastard.” Fishing around in the wallet, Marks found pictures of a beautiful young mare on the beach, mane and tail soaking wet as she posed for the camera, and a long reel of photographs of a young filly with a pacifier in her mouth, along with a few bits and a business card showing a picture of the pony in question.

Hector Kontizpony, Mortgage Advisor for the Royal Bank of Equestria.

“Well…. That answers that.” Marks deadpanned, giving the body a quick once over. “Poor guy’s cold as a stone, and stiff as a board, so he’s been dead for… ooh, five days? A week? Gunshot wound to the frontal cortex, looks like a sniper bullet. The time on his watch suggests he was sniped as he was locking up at the bank.” Walking round the banker’s body, Marks noticed something odd about Kontizpony’s belly. “The buck?” Bending down, the stallion noticed that the corpse’s abdominal cavity had been, very obliviously, sliced open, and looked as if all the internal organs had been removed. “Ugh. I cannot believe I am about to actually do this.” Marks complained, the call of curiosity urging him forward as he cautiously reached inside the mutilated body and pulled out a small silver sphere with several lights dotted around its surface.

“A holoprojector?” Scootaloo gasped, staring at the sphere in shock.

“I’ve got a very bad bucking feeling about this.” Marks swore, throwing the sphere up in the air, the metal orb steadying itself in midair and flashing up a beam of light, projecting a 3D image of Schadenfruede amongst the group. The ghost pony stood tall and proud, facing forward with a permanent smirk on his pointed face.

“Guten tag, everypony,” he drawled in a cocky, commanding tone. “As you can see, this is what we think to the pestilent bucking scourge of Equestria and, as you now see before you, we do not hold back in our extermination methods. This greedy, motherbucking-”

“Schadenfreude, zat's enough.” a new voice interrupted. The pony being projected gulped and nodded.

“Y-yes... Mein Fuhrer...” The hologram of Schadenfruede stepped out of existence to give way for a new projected pony. He was tall and broad, clearly in the peak of his physical prime, with a pristine white coat, flowing golden mane that cascaded down his neck and a pair of thin rimmed glasses perched on his muzzle before his piercing blue eyes. His expression held the most imperious, self important look of “buck the world” it was equinally possible to conceive.

“Dear deities of zis pazetic excuse of a country.” He addressed all present, clearly aiming his words at the princesses. “For too long, ze pony race has been plagued by a cancer so violent, it zreatens ze very stability of our planet’s future. I speak for all Earz ponies and Pegasi ven I say zat ze genetically inferior narvhal race, known as ze unicorns, must be purged from ze gene pool.” Everypony present gasped in horror.

“N-Narwhals?” Marks sneered, utterly horrified by the racial slur.

“Eradicated?” Fang whimpered.

“Aw hell bucking naw!” Scootaloo snorted, blowing steam from her nostrils as she stared down at the hologram.

“For too long, ze narvhals have held zemselves upon a pedestal, zinking of zemselves as ze great epitome of pony evolution. I, however, feel zis is ze single most disgusting pile of pferdescheiße in ze entire vorld. As of today, let ze ponies of Equestria tremble at ze might of ze Zyanid, und may zey cower in fear of my name……. Endlösung.”

Fang’s eyes widened in horror. “W-Was!?” She yelped, leaping back.

“Ponies of Equestria, bevare.” Endlösung sneered. “For, on zis day, ve declare var.” And with that, the hologram fizzled out of existence, leaving the holosphere lying inert on the ground.

“Who is this Endlösung to declare war on us!?” Luna exclaimed.

Celestia shrugged, and sighed. “It makes no difference. He clearly has the resources to engage us, if yesterday's attack was any indication.”

“Zyanid... An appropriate name for poisonous terrorist snakes.” Chrysalis mused.

“What now?” Scootaloo asked. “Do we just wait, twiddling our hooves until they decide to make another move?”

“Hmmm...” Twilight examined the holoprojector, lifting it upwards. “There appears to be some sort of message... Coordinates it looks like...”

“To where?” Scootaloo queried.

“If I'm reading this right... Siberia.”

Scootaloo scowled. “This has to be a trap. That Endlösung wants us to follow those coordinates.”

“Like it or not, it's our only lead.” Twilight sighed. “We have to take it we want to stop this Zyanid organization.”

The orange mare grunted, not content with being forced to play in her adversary's ballpark.

“Commander Scootaloo.” Celestia called, earning a salute from the orange mare. “I'm assigning you and your Phoenix Centurions to track down this Zyanid organization. I want to keep this threat privy to as few as possible. Our citizens are already wary of OSIRIS in the middle East. Another threat could cause mass panic.”

“Understood, your Majesty.” Scootaloo affirmed.

“Excellent. We shall hold council here to decide how to proceed. Reconvene here tomorrow morning. Dismissed.”

“Yes, princess. Ad Victoriam!” The commander shouted.

“Ad Victoriam!” Marks and Fang parroted.

Celestia nodded.

“Ad Victoriam.”

Chapter 10: Drown Your Sorrows

“Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!” Scootaloo screamed once she and the other centurions were out of the royals’ earshot. “First Princess twilight’s castle and now this!?”

Marks had pulled the whimpering Fang to his side. “This is bullshit...” he agreed. The large stallion felt the tiny mare beside him grow damp from sweat and turned his gaze to her. “Fang, sweetie, what's the matter? You're sweating like a polar bear in the middle of the Mohoove Desert.”

“Zat can't be Endlösung, it just can't...” she whispered.

“Sergeant,” Hermes interjected. “You're speaking as if you know that pony.”

“Und vhy do you zink zat is, private?” She growled. “Endlösung was my hero growing up. He vas ze foremost expert in ze fields of aerospace und robotics. He supposedly committed suicide fifteen or so years ago...”

“So we're dealing with zombies, now?” Hermes queried, not exactly sure himself if he was joking.

“You looked up to a Nazi?” Scootaloo queried confusedly.

“He vas NOT a Nazi!” Fang barked. “He vas a genius! An innovator, who sought to better ze vorld! Not some verdammt new-age fascist!”

“Sweetie! Calm down!” Marks urged. “We're all upset right now, but there's nothing we can do till we get our orders tomorrow.”

Solemnly, the thestral bowed her head.

“That reminds me,” Scootaloo began, “you two need to be better at concealing your little... 'bond’. I don't think anypony caught on but still, try not to call each other 'darling’ or 'sweetie’ or stuff like that around anypony other me and Hermes.”

Marks grunted in annoyance. “I thought you said you were okay with us being together.”

“I am, but I can't speak for the General or the Princesses. I'm just looking out for you two.”

“Understood.” Fang answered for Marks. “Marks, let's go blow off some steam, ja?”

The stallion smirked. “How should we blow said steam off?”

The thestral blushed and whispered something into her boyfriend's ear, causing his smirk to widen. “Getting adventurous, huh? My tongue could use a good workout.” He teased.

“Trust me, it doesn't, Dummkopf.” She teased back.

“Heh....” Scootaloo chuckled nervously as a blush creeped across her face. “Um... You two.... h-have fun, I guess...” she mumbled as Fang led Marks by the hoof to their sleeping quarters.

“Those two certainly enjoy each other's company.” Hermes observed. “They've been that way for a year and a half?”

“I know, right? Hard to believe.” Scootaloo nodded. “I'm just not sure how they managed to keep that hidden for as long as they did.”

Hermes let out a chuckle and grinned. “If they're that good at acting, I wouldn't be surprised if they were changelings themselves.” He joked.

“Aaaaannnndddd there's my recurring nightmare for the next week or so. Thanks for that, kid.” The orange mare giggled when suddenly an idea popped into her head. “Hey, Hermes. How old are ya?”

“Um... my egg clutch hatched twenty-one years ago.” The young changeling answered. “Why do you ask?”

“Perfect.” Scootaloo grabbed Hermes leg, dragged him to her chamber and opened a cold box near the door, before reaching in and pulling out two large bottles. “It ain't Sweet Apple Cider, but it gets the job done,” she said as she handed him a bottle.

Hermes sniffed curiously at the contents of the bottle, muzzle scrunching at the tart aroma. “Um…. is this… alcoholic?” he questioned, cautiously.

“Of course it is!” Scootaloo chimed, cracking open a bottle for herself with her teeth. “After the crazy scheiße that’s been going down, recently, I think we could all use a bit of Dutch courage, if ya know what I mean.” She joked, waggling her eyebrows as she chinked the lip of her bottle against Hermes’. “Welp. Bottoms up, kiddo.” She winked, necking half the bottle in one go. Once the booze was down her gullet, she quirked an eyebrow when she noticed Hermes had put his bottle down on the floor and was pushing it away like a foal rejecting his strained peas. “What’s wrong, Herm? Never got yourself white mare wasted before?”

Hermes shook his head. “Never. And… with all due respect, Commander, with good reason.” He turned his gaze to meet the mare’s, his eyes uncharacteristically staring at her with great intensity. “You see…. Alcohol is to a changeling what cyanide is to a pony.”

Scootaloo’s eyes widened in horror at that revelation. “Oh! O-Oh shit, I’m sorry, dude.” She stumbled, quickly swiping the bottle away. “Shit... I'm sure I have something in here that you can drink.” She mumbled as she dug into the cooler.

“Really, Commander, that's not necessa-” Before the young changeling could speak any further, his commander thrusted a different bottle into his grip. This one plastic instead of glass and with a red label with little white swirls. “What's this? Colta-cola?” Hermes asked.

Scootaloo smiled. “It's called soda. It's essentially flavored sugar water.” She answered. “And not a bit of alcohol in it.”

Hermes tentatively twisted the cap off the bottle and cautiously sniffed at the dark sugar water inside. It smelt sweet, almost sickeningly so, and he could hear the fluid hissing and bubbling inside the bottle. Slowly, and with much trepidation, he took a small sip. His eyes widened as the sweet tasting fizzy liquid poured down his throat. He felt his wings start to buzz of their own accord, seemingly in response to the delicious nectar. “This is... this... More...” He tipped the bottle back, wrapping his lips around the neck of the bottle and gulping greedily as he necked the whole bottle in one breath.

Scootaloo watched with wide eyes, an amused smile creeping across her face when the changeling let out a loud, echoing, belch. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, Herm, you can’t just neck it like water, you’re gonna give yourself a sugar rush.” She giggled as the changeling literally buzzed and bounced in place, chanting for more.

“Alright, Alright,” She chuckled as sipped her own beverage and tossed Hermes another bottle.

The cadet opened the bottle and raised it above his head, letting the drink cascade down into his mouth. With one gulp, Hermes had emptied the bottle, his wings now buzzing so hard that he was barely on the ground. His tongue lolled out of his mouth, his euphoric face clearly enjoying the new concoction.

“Jeeze, kid,” Scootaloo teased as she finished off her own drink. “You look like you've just been fucked by the stuff.”

“More! I need more!” Hermes exclaimed as a pinkish tinge crept onto Scootaloo's cheeks.

“Aw crap, I'm starting to feel buzzed already,” She declared. “Shit... Well... a few more bottles won't hurt.”

Chapter 11: Cat and Mouse

Hermes stirred as a world of unfamiliarity slowly pulled him out of his peaceful slumber. With the blissful shield of dreamless sleep broken, the pain of a hundred tiny jackhammers thrumming against the inside of his head finally yanked the changeling to consciousness with an iron fist. “Ugghhhn...” he moaned as he felt the stiff chitin in his joints pop. “What happened last night... And why is this mattress so lumpy and warm?”

The mattress beneath him was gently rising and falling in a slow rhythm. An almost soothing aura surrounded the young changeling, helping to dull the pain, or at least it was until he pushed his head past the rising hump and felt his muzzle press against something feathery.

A gruff, but feminine, moan emanated from the lump below him. “Ugh. Did I get drunk, or did I get drunk?” Someone mumbled in a groggy, dopey tone.

All of a sudden, Hermes heard a sharp gasp and felt the bed shift under him, the hump completely disappearing. To replace it however, two hooves bucked him in the back, hurling off the bed.

Hermes groaned sorely as he picked himself up off the floor, only to turn to see Scootaloo bolt upright from her bed, wings outstretched and cheeks flushed. “Oh dear sweet bucking Celestia!” She squeaked,pulling up the bed clothes to cover herself.

Hermes groaned and writhed a little on the floor, massaging his temples. “Nggh, heeeey.” He complained as he looked up at Scootaloo on the bed. Scootaloo returned his gaze with a sheepish, nervous look.

“Um… I, uh… G-Good morning… I-I guess.” She stammered. “U-Um… did we, uh…?”

“Do what?” Hermes whined as he continued to run his head.

“Uh... Y-ya know...

The changeling wracked his brain to try and remember the events of the night before through the haze of pain swimming around his head. “I remember betting you I could cartwheel up the wall……” he recounted. “And then…”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about!” Scootaloo squealed.

“I'm sorry. I really don't remember anything beyond that point...”

“Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap.’ Scootaloo panicked as she looked under the sheets. “Please be clean. Please, Celestia, let them be clean...”

At that point, the door was opened to reveal a suspiciously squeaky clean Marks and Fang. As they walked into the room to find the private on his back on the floor and the commanding officer frantically inspecting the bedsheets, the stallion smirked. “You pieces of filth.” He teased. Scootaloo looked up from the bed clothes to growl at him.

“Shut up!” She hissed, only to be tutted at by Fang.

“Oh dear. Oh dear, dear, dear, dear, dear.” She purred jokingly. “To court your commanding officer in such a callous way…” She crept up on Hermes like a manticore stalking its prey. “I hope you get schwanger, you cheap tart.” She giggled.

“Come again?” Hermes questioned.

“Ooh, careful what you ask for,” came the swift reply from Marks. “Do you not know what happens when a changeling copulates with a pony mare? If he doesn’t take precautions, he might very well find himself up the duff.” The changeling’s eyes widened.

“What? Seriously?” He turned to Scootaloo. “Could I be-?”

“No, of course you can’t, featherbrain, they’re just winding you up.” Scootaloo barked, throwing the sheets back. “And, anyway, the bed’s clean.” She huffed, folding her forelegs in front of her chest. Marks and Fang fell about laughing, clutching their bellies as they rolled about in fits of giggles.

“Oh, come on, Hermes, it’s basic sex ed one-oh-one, here,” Marks chortled as Fang wiped a tear from her eye.

“Ja, vhat do zey teach you back at ze hive?” Fang giggled.

“They don't teach us anything about mating. We don't do it for fun.” Hermes explained.

“Enough!” Scootaloo cried, earning the eyes of her subordinates. “All of you, get out now or I'll have you all court martialed!”

Fang and Marks gave a few wheezing chuckles before saluting and backing out the door, Hermes following immediately once he had gathered his armor which was strewn about the chamber haphazardly.

After about two minutes, Scootaloo emerged from the room dressed in her fatigues. “Not. One. Word.” She growled as Marks and Fang giggled quietly amongst themselves. The orange mare huffed and trotted towards the throne room, the rest of her team silently followed.

“So what's the latest word about this whole Zyanid thing?” Scootaloo asked.

“Dunno.” Marks affirmed. “I think the Princesses have a plan, but that's about it.”

Scoots nodded and trotted along, remaining almost completely silent.

After a short while, the four came upon the colossal door to the throne room. The orange mare pushed it opened to see the three Princesses and Chrysalis gathered around a table, each of them appearing as if they had not slept at all during the night.

“Ah! Centurions!” Celestia smiled. “Excellent timing!”

The four saluted the princess. “Reporting as ordered, your Majesties.” Scootaloo declared.

“Splendid.” Celestia nodded. “Before we begin, I believe Queen Chrysalis has something to say.”

“Indeed.” The large changeling stood up and slowly approached the centurions. “Private Herimestus.”

“Y-yes, my queen?”

“I cannot in good conscience ask a private what we are about to ask of your new team.” Chrysalis explained

The private's antennae drooped low. “I... Under-”

“Which is why, effective immediately, you are hereby granted the rank of Paladin.”

Hermes eyes widen as a gasp escaped his lungs. Immediately he donned a determined expression and saluted. “Thank you, my Queen! You honor me!”

Chrysalis nodded. “This is a promotion in title only. It is up to you to do the rank justice.”

The young changeling nodded and bowed. “I understand, my Queen. I’ll do you proud. I promise.”

Chrysalis nodded and returned to her seat. “Centurions.” Twilight beckoned.

The four sat down at the far end of the table.

Twilight cleared her throat and stood up from her seat. “I have spent the previous night extracting data from the holo-projector that came into our possession yesterday. Unfortunately, all I could uncover besides the set of coordinates was an encoded message reading ‘Lassen Sie uns, wenn Sie können’.”

Fang snarled as she rolled her eyes. “Zey’re taunting us. ‘Catch us if you can’? Vhat are zey? Narcissistic foals?”

The princess nodded. “This is clearly a trap, but unfortunately, we don’t have any other leads. Which is where you four come in.”

All four centurions nodded. “What are our orders, your majesties? Scootaloo inquired, prompting Celestia to stand up.

“Currently, we are having a Wyvern Aerial Command Center being prepared and equipped for deployment.”

Marks' eyes lit up like a foal on Hearth’s Warming. “A WACC!?” he gasped.

Hermes tilted his head. “What's a WACC?”

“A Wyvern Aerial Command Center is an experimental aircraft designed to transport small squadrons quickly and efficiently, while offering private sleeping quarters and a base of operations.” Luna explained. “Utilizing an experimental Automatic Recharging Mana Core, or ARMC, a WACC requires no fuel, instead, a WACC merely requires short periods of inactivity to recharge. In addition, Wyvern’s possess a decently sized armory and radar stealth technology.”

“That's some cutting edge tech!” Hermes admired.

“You don't know the half of it, bug boy! WACCs are supposed to have enough firepower to glass an entire mountain!” Marks exclaimed, drawing a glare from Scootaloo.

“If you're quite finished gun-gasming, Lieutenant, we have orders to receive.” She reprimanded.

“Indeed.” Celestia spoke. “The Grand General is overseeing the final preparations for the Wyvern in the castle's hangar bay. We've programmed an autopilot path that will bring you as far as Japon before needing to land and recharge. If all goes well, you should be able to reach the coordinates given to us by this Zyanid organization within a twenty eight hour time period, including the time spent recharging the Mana Core.”

“Understood, your highness.” Scootaloo bowed. “We’ll report in to him immediately. Is there anything else?”

All princess and Chrysalis shook their heads. “Nothing besides wishing you the best of luck. Come home safe.” Twilight said, earning a salute from the four centurions.

“Thank you, princess Twilight. Ad victoriam.”

“Ad victoriam.”

The centurions bowed and left the throne room, making their way for the castle's hangar bay. “Kinda ironic these Nazis are luring us to Russia, don't you guys think?” Scootaloo asked.

Fang nodded. “Zat's one vord for it. A Nazi base in former Soviet territory...”

“Doesn't matter where the cowards are hiding.” Marks spat. “Siberia, Caneighda, the bucking moon. These shits are gonna get what's coming to them.”

“That being a hearty serving of hot lead!” Scootaloo declared, earning a confident nod from the Lieutenant. “And Hermes.”

The young changeling looked to his commander. “Yes, commander?”

“Congratulations on the promotion, kid. Paladin, huh?”

Hermes blushed and chuckled sheepishly. “Thank you, commander.”

“So what's a changeling paladin equivalent to in Equestrian ranks?” Scootaloo asked.

Hermes thought about it for a bit before answering, “Paladin's are roughly equivalent to your sergeants.”

“Quite a jump, don't you zink?” Fang inquired.

“Not at all. There are only five real ranks in our military. Private, paladin, sentinel, hornet and finally scorpion.” He explained. “A simple hierarchy to avoid any confusion about authority.”

“I see.” Scootaloo nodded as she continued down into the bowels of the castle, heading for the hanger built into the side of the mountain. “Nazis... Well, this beats Hydra population control.” She joked, earning a chuckle from her subordinates.

After a solid three minutes of walking, the four came upon a massive metal door guarded by two armed soldiers.

The two guards stood at attention, saluting the four. “Phoenix Centurions.” One of them said. “Grand General Spike is waiting for you inside.”

“Thank you, soldiers. At ease.” Scootaloo replied.

The two nodded, one of them turned to his side and pressed a passcode into a number pad, causing the gigantic door to slide open, revealing a huge aircraft, easily the size of a small house. Two long wings extended from the body, folding upwards about halfway just after a propeller built inside of the wing pointing downwards. On the starboard side of the hull was a painted image of a beautiful young mare wearing a white dress riding on the back of wyvern clutching a cartoonish depiction of an atom bomb in its claws.

Marks jaw dropped as he inspected the gun turret on the underside of the cockpit, a 7.62 mm minigun capable of swiveling around, allowing the gunner to hit targets not directly in front of the plane. “Oh sweet Celestia...” He drooled. “Six thousand rounds per minute with an effective range of up to one kilometer with enough force to shatter a behemoth’s shell... I must be dreaming.”

Fang, however, was more fascinated with the aircraft’s engines. “Jetstream model engines, specially designed to operate even in thunderstorms at speeds of up to mach two! Zree hundred kilotons of pure wing power just in ze engines alone!” She gushed, going weak in the knees. “Und experimental hovering technology eliminating ze need of a runway! I zink I'm in love...”

Scootaloo smirked. “If you two are quite finished mentally fucking the plane, we have a General to meet.”

The two chuckled bashfully when the aircraft's loading bay slid open, revealing four massive purple claws. “Oh thank Celestia. Any more time in there and I'd be a dragon cube.”

The general pulled himself out of the loading bay, stretching himself like a dog who had just woken up from a nap. “Centurions!” He smiled. “Got this metal behemoth all squared away for you four. I'd take you inside for a tour, but I am not going back in there.”

Scootaloo chuckled. “Getting claustrophobic, ya big lizard?” She teased, making Spike roll his eyes.

“Watch it there, Chicken Little.” He teased back, poking his forked tongue out.

“Oh, save the tongue for your wife's heat cycle.”

“Go to Tartarus, Scoots.” The dragon chuckled.

Scootaloo snickered. “Love you too, ya overgrown propane tank.”

With another roll of his eyes, Spike looked to the aircraft. “Let's see... Four bed chambers, two bathrooms, a month's worth of rations, long range communication relay, fully stocked armory... Yep! All ready to go. And do us all a favor and don't scratch the paint.”

Scootaloo nodded. “We'll bring this lovely lady back without a scratch.” She chuckled as she climbed into the plane. “Huh... I expected it to be a lot more cramped. Looks about as comfortable as a low rent apartment in Manehattan.”

“For you maybe. I could barely move around, the ceiling is so low.” Spike sighed.

“Thanks, Spike. We'll see you soon.” The orange mare turned to her subordinates. “You three just gonna stand there staring at my ass all day? Get up here!”

The three nodded and climbed up the loading ramp, closing it behind them. Marks and Fang immediately rushed to one of the bedchambers. “It's not ze roomiest, but it'll do.” Fang said.

Scootaloo tilted her head and opened one of the other bedroom doors. A small chamber, furnished by a two pony bed, two chairs and a ceiling lamp, laid behind it. “Room is pushing it. More like broom closet” She joked. “Right. We have a mission. Let's get ready to set off.”

Fang nodded. “I'll man ze cockpit immediately.” Marks snickered subtly. “I heard zat, Dummkopf. Keep it in your pants for now.”

The silver stallion chuckled as his girlfriend took a seat in the pilot's chair.

“Control, zis is Wyvern 1, requesting permission for take off. Over.” Fang spoke through her head set.

A sound of static played through the thestral's earpiece before giving way to a masculine voice.

“Copy that, Wyvern 1. You are cleared to take off. Happy hunting. Over.”

Fang smiled and started powering up the plane. “Ready for lift off. Ignition on, thrusters primed, green across the board.”

“Good job, Fang.” Scootaloo commended. “Bring us up.”

“Yes, Ma’am!”

The thestral grabbed the controls and lifted up, the plane shaking as it rose into the air. “Alright. Extending vings.” Fang alerted as she pressed a button that made the wings unfold and straighten.

“Excellent, Fang.” Scootaloo smiled. “Now get us out of here.”

With a confident nod, Fang engaged the autopilot and drove them out of the hangar and into the great blue sky. “Lift off!”

“Hell yeah!” Marks screamed. “This is awesome! We're so high up! I'll never understand how this is normal for flyers!”

“It isn't...N-not f-for all o-of us...” Hermes studdered.

“What's wrong, kid?” His commanding officer asked softly.

“C-changelings... we... aren't built to fly this high...”

Scootaloo smiled and walked to his side, trying to offer some comfort by letting the recruit lean against her. “Don't think of being in a plane like flying. You got a stable floor beneath ya after all. Think of it more like... hmm... like you're on a boat and the sky is the ocean.”

The young changeling nodded. “I... I guess... Thank you, Commander.”

“Don’t mention it.” The orange mare offered a reassuring smile before bumping the young recruit away. “Alright we got twenty eight hours to kill. Marks, I want you to take stock of the armory, see what kind of firepower we're packing. Fang, you and I will take shifts in the pilot seat to make sure we stay on course. Hermes... I dunno. Help Marks out or something.”

“How come I get stuck with the maggot!?” Marks cried indignantly, making Hermes wince.

“Because, dumbass,” the orange mare scolded, “you need to learn to play nice with him.”

“You know I hate bugs!”

“Yeah, and I hated ghost stories as a filly. Guess what Marks. I got over it.”

Marks grumbled. “C’mon, bug. Let's get this over with.”

“He has a name, Lieutenant.” Scootaloo growled, growing more and more annoyed. “Use it.”

“Whatever, mom.” He snarled. “Hermes, let's go.”

“Yes sir!” The young changeling smiled, making the lieutenant roll his eyes as they walked into the armory.

Scootaloo sighed and walked over to Fang. “Your boyfriend is a piece of work all right.”

“Amen to zat.” The thestral giggled.

With a smirk, Scootaloo sat down in the copilot's seat. “How're things looking?”

“Clear skies all around, optimal vind conditions, everyzing seems to be great.”

“Perfect.” The orange mare leaned her head back and smiled. “I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me up when you wanna switch.”

With those words, Scootaloo closed her eyes and let the gentle roar of the WACC’s engines lull her to sleep.

Seemingly instantly, Scootaloo felt a chitinous hoof nudge her awake. “Wha-... Hermes? Wasn’t I in the cockpit with Fang?”

The young changeling nodded. “I brought you in here about thirteen hours ago, so you could rest-”

“Fang's been piloting the ship for 13 hours, nonstop!?”

Hermes nodded. “She’s amazingly sharp.” He commented, awestruck. “I’ve never known anyone with her kind of attention span. But, I’ve just come from the cockpit. Fang says we need to land in Japon to recharge the plane’s mana core for the night.”

As soon as he uttered those words, the plane seemed to lurch ever so slightly, and a slow, controlled sinking feeling came over the pair. After a few moments, the slight weightlessness subsided as the plane touched down on solid ground. The duo made their way up to the cockpit to check in with the pilot, who seemed to be warily staring out the right side window along with the lieutenant.

“Something up, Fang?” Scootaloo asked, following the bat pony’s gaze.

“I zink zere is somezing wrong viz ze plane.” She mused. “She did not seem to fly as sveet as she vas vhile ve vere flying over Equestria.”

Hermes walked up to the window and pressed his face up against the glass. “Well, we could check if there’s something wrong with the wing, while we wait for the mana core to recharge?” He suggested.

“Yeah. It’d give us something to do, at least.” Scootaloo agreed. The group donned arctic camo gear to keep warm in the mountainous snowy air, disembarked and started inspecting the wing, checking it for any rips, dings or any other anomalies that may have caused the craft to act so differently.

A faint rustling in the nearby bushes drew the attention of the young changeling, who turned his head to look just in time to notice something glint in the dying light. With a gasp, Hermes dove to the side, only seconds away from finding himself pinned by the face to the side of the plane with a sharp metal dagger that had been thrown directly at his muzzle. The weapon whistled past his ear and embedded itself in the body of the aircraft, alerting Fang, Marks, and Scootaloo.

“Herm!” The orange mare dashed to his side. “Are you OK?”

The changeling shuddered as his mind briefly buzzed. “I… I think so.” He slowly rose to his hooves, just in time to see a new pony, a unicorn mare, shrouded in a pitch black garb that only showed her fierce violet eyes. The new arrival struck a menacing, battle-ready pose.

“Shin'nyū-sha? Matawa asashin?” The mare reached to her side and drew a long, ornate sword. “Izure ni seyo, anata wa tatakai nashide koko ni nokoshite imasen!”

Chapter 12: Ryuugekiken

Immediately, Marks went for his pistol and took aim at the assailant. “Ninja bitch!” Just before he could pull the trigger, the mare dashed towards him at a seemingly ludicrous speed and used the inertia to kick the stallion in the chest, sending him flying and knocking the wind out of him.

“Marks!” Fang cried. “Get avay from him, schlampe!” She growled as she lunged at the assailant.

For a split second, the unknown mare seemed to phase out of existence before jumping down from the trees and slamming the thestral's face into the snowy ground.

“Shit! Hermes, need some support here!” Scootaloo cried as she assumed her combat stance and drew her pistol.

The changeling nodded stood back to back with his commander, his own gun primed and ready to fire.

The pair listened intently for any noise that would give away their adversary's position, when she suddenly jumped from a bush, sword drawn and ready to slice. The two took aim and opened fire, their bullets ricocheting off some unseen barrier.

“What the!?”

The mare brandished the katana as a whirling green mist began to pour from its blade, taking the shape of a translucent green, long, serpentine dragon. “Kakuheiki. Osuo.” the mare commanded

The dragon opened its glowing maw and bellowed a thunderous, awe inspiring roar that seemed to shake the very earth. The air rose in temperature, melting the snow at the assailant’s hooves. The dragon charged forward, swiping at the two with its long claws and snapping its powerful jaws lined with serrated blade-like teeth, only to be narrowly evaded by its targets.

The cloaked mare growled. “Konchū no sewa o shimasu. Orenji-iro no mono wa watashi no monodesu!” With a twirl of her blade, the ninja lunged at Scootaloo as the dragon turned its full attention to Hermes.

Scootaloo had barely enough time to process what was happening when her assailant leapt into the air and swung her blade downwards. Letting instinct and intuition control her, the orange mare dove to her side and swept her hind leg out, knocking the cloaked mare off balance. Seizing the opportunity, the commander grabbed her gun and levelled it at her attacker. A split second before she could pull the trigger, the masked combatant knocked the weapon out of her hoof with a black throwing dagger with a diamond shaped blade. After narrowly dodging the swing of the blade, Scootaloo sat up and slammed a forehoof into her attacker’s cheek. As the mare lost balance, Scootaloo lunged at her and pinned her by the withers.

Hermes fired a few shots at the rampaging dragon, but to no avail. All of his bullets bounced harmlessly off of the beast's scales until no more rounds were loaded into the pistol’s magazine. “Crap!” He cried as he threw the empty gun to his side and took off flying, just barely managing to evade the dragon's claws and the gnashing of its teeth.

The ninja struggled against Scootaloo's grip, suddenly flipping the two over. She grabbed the snow goggles off Scootaloo's face, revealing her own pair of angry purple eyes. The cloaked mare gasped and her eyes widen behind her mask at the sight of the Pegasus's face. “Kanojo wa...Kireida... Kakuheiki! Oremasu!”

Hermes cowered as the dragon leapt at him, whimpering in fear before the dragon snarled and faded away in a cloud of green mist, leaving him both extremely relieved and extremely confused.

As Scootaloo struggled against her assaulter's hold, a recovered Marks slammed into the ninja’s side, knocking her back a ways and disarming her. “Doesn't feel so good on the receiving end, now does it, bitch!?”

Quickly, the mare sat up and assumed a submissive pose. “Watashi wa kōfuku shimasu! Watashi o yurushitekudasai, watashi wa isoide kōdō shi, nani mo kangaezu ni!”

“What the hell is she saying!?” Marks cried angrily as Fang slowly rose to her hooves.

“Is... she surrendering?” The thestral asked. “Hermes, can you translate.”

“I'm afraid I don't know Japonese.” The changeling stated as he tentatively approached the kneeling mare. “But I have an idea. Changeling's can instantly install languages into each other when they don't have time to learn a language themselves. Maybe I can...” Hermes sat down in front of the ninja and lowered his horn so that the tip of his was touching the tip of the mare's. A jolt of energy shot through the two’s horns, making both of them flinch. “Can you understand me?”

The mare blinked a few times in shock before nodding. “Y-yes... please... forgive me. I thought you were assassins.” She spoke in perfect Equestrian, no traces of any accent were present.

“Assassins?” Fang tilted her head.

The mare reached up and removed her mask, revealing a young adult of a bright yellow coloration, barely nineteen years old, if even that. Long green strands of mane dropped from her scalp, framing her soft facial features.

“I can see now how foolish I was... please... Forgive me....”

Scootaloo knelt down. “What's your name, kid?”

“Jinsokuna. Jinsokuna Arashi...”

Marks’ eyes widen in shock. “A-Arashi!?”

“What's the matter, Marks?” Scootaloo tilted her head.

“N-nothing.” Marks assured. “The name just sounded familiar.” Scootaloo could see right through the stallion’s facade, but decided against pressing further.

“Alright, Miss Arashi. Why did you think we were here to kill you?” The orange mare queried.

The younger mare played with her mane and looked down. “It's... it's a long story. I don't want to tell it out here in the snow. Would you care to join me for tea?”

“Tea?”

“Y-yes! Tea. As an apology!” Jinsokuna assured. “Tea is one of the few things I actually can make, not counting instant ramen.” The younger mare chuckled. “Please. I insist.”

The commander looked to her squad before slowly nodding. “We accept.”

Jinsokuna's eyes lit up. “Thank you! Just give me a minute.” She rushed over to her sword and whispered something softly to it.

A familiar green mist poured from the sword, swirling and solidifying into the same translucent dragon from before.

“This is Kakuheiki.” Jinsokuna spoke. “She's my... well... I guess the word is 'familiar’.”

Hermes approached the dragon tentatively. “Miss Arashi, I could grant your dragon the ability to speak our language.”

“Of course. Feel free.”

The changeling knelt before the glowing serpent, shooting a jolt of energy into its forehead. The green aura crackled around the fearsome creature, making it writhe a little as little static shocks prickled its scaly skin, its tiny rumbles growls slowly turning into ticklish giggles as the dragon found her voice.

“Ooh, that tickles! Stop, stop!” She protested, the green lightning fizzling away as Hermes jumped back from the laughing lizard, whose ticklish titters slowly died down to a soft sigh of contentment. Jinsokuna stepped forward, eyes wide in amazement at the sight of her familiar talking.

“K-Kakuheiki?” She squeaked, awestruck. The dragon turned to smile at her pony partner, leaning down to nuzzle her affectionately.

“It's good to finally have a voice.” The dragon purred in a calm, motherly tone. “Thank you, young one.”

Hermes blushed and chuckled nervously as he backed away from the monstrous reptile. “It... it was nothing. Heh...”

Jinsokuna rubbed her hoof along Kakuheiki’s snout and climbed onto her back. “Hop on. Our home isn't that far down the mountain.”

Scootaloo slowly climbed up onto the dragon's back, keeping a close on both Jinsokuna and her familiar and beckoned her team to follow suit.

“So can I ask your names?” Jinsokuna asked as Kakuheiki began to crawl downhill.

“Sergeant Nacht Fang.”

“Paladin Herimestus. Or just Hermes if you prefer.”

“Lieutenant Hit Marks...”

“Commander Scootaloo Dash.”

“Equestrian military, I take it?”

Scootaloo chuckled but remained wary. “What tipped you off? The plane, the uniforms or the guns?” As her squad chuckled amongst themselves, Jinsokuna blushed and looked forward, earning a teasing giggle from Kakuheiki.

“So how did you summon Kakuheiki?” Fang asked. “Aren't familiars supposed to be ludicrously difficult to bind?”

“Well... I didn't... Kakuheiki has existed since the end of World War II.” The unicorn explained.

Fang tilted her head in confusion. “Zen who bound her?”

Jinsokuna bit her lip and inwardly sighed in relief as a small house amidst the trees came into view. “How about I tell you over tea?”

Fang nodded as Kakuheiki laid down, allowing the five passengers to dismount. “You live out here all by yourself, kid?” The commander asked.

“H-hai, Scootaloo-Sama.”

“I'm sorry? Scootaloo-Sama?”

Kakuheiki glowed brilliantly in a radiant emerald aura, shrinking down to a less intimidating size. “Sama is an honorific. It shows respect to elders or superiors.” She explained.

Scootaloo raised her eyes, still suspicious. “Alright, Jinsokuna -”

“Just 'Jin-chan’ is fine, if you prefer.”

“... How about just ‘Jin’?” The orange mare asked. Before she could get a response, she continued. “Why do you live out here in the middle of nowhere?”

“There’s a town only about a ten minute walk away.” She explained. “I go there to buy food, interact, etcetera. Plus I still get running water and electricity. I like living up here in the mountains because it’s perfect for Kakuheiki and I to do some agility training in peace.”

“Brrr... It’s so cold...” Hermes shuddered. “Could we please go inside?”

Jin nodded and gestured inside. “Please, come in. Make yourself comfortable. Kakuheiki, could I ask you to prepare some tea? I’m going to change out of my Shozoko.” The ninja mare vanished behind a sliding paper door and left the Centurions to gaze around at the simple, but cozy aesthetic of the home. Kakuheiki found the tea supplies and mixed the brew in a black teapot, pouring in enough water for five and setting it on the stove to brew.

“Wow.” Hermes whispered, as he gently prodded at the walls with his hoof. “I never would’ve thought to use paper as a building material for a house.” He mused.

“Yeah, well… the Japonese have always had a bit of a…. Backwards culture, I guess you could say.” Scootaloo agreed. “With the invention of paper, it became all they ever used. Walls, windows, even tea sets would be made of paper. They were using paper cups for centuries, because they never invented porcelain, or ceramics.”

The wall on the opposite side of the room slid away to reveal Jin as she stepped out in her normal clothes; a pink floral kimono that parted at the flanks and revealed her cutie mark; a kunai throwing dagger with a green radiation symbol framing the weapon. The Neighsian mare smiled softly as she fixed her glasses on her muzzle and made her way into the room.

“Thank you for brewing the tea.” She smiled as she passed by the pair and set about pouring the brew into five dainty little cups. The Centurions sat as a low standing table and Jin passed them their tea, her hoof lingering on Scootaloo’s a while before she blushed and picked up her own and sipped slowly.

“Now, I believe I promised to tell you where Kakuheiki came from.” Jin spoke. “To understand, first you need to know about my grand parents. My grandmother was a traveling antique merchant, and my grandfather was the heir to a powerful ninja clan called the Tatsumaki clan. The Tatsumaki were rebels and revolutionaries during the second world war, fighting in the shadows to sway Japon from war. It was on the sixth of August, 945, when my grandfather returned home to his wife after a sabotage mission. My grandmother was polishing an old decorative katana at the time that she was planning to sell in the nearby city.”

“What city?” Hermes asked.

“Hayroshima.”

The room went silent as the four stared at Jin and her dragon in disbelief. With the exception of Hermes. “Is there some significance of Hayroshima?”

“It's... It's where Equestria dropped the first atomic bomb... where we rained radioactive hellfire down on innocents just to make a statement...” Scootaloo sighed. “If any crime committed during that war could hold a candle to the Nazi's genocidal crusade, it was those damn bombs.”

“My grandparents were spared from the initial blast but the fallout... the irradiated particles gathered around the sword my grandmother was polishing. It was from those particulates that Kakuheiki was born.”

“So... Kakuheiki is made of radiation? Ve're not gonna get cancer from being too close to her, are ve?” Fang asked nervously.

Jin chuckled. “No. Of course not. Her body itself is no longer radioactive. Just like it's safe to walk through Hayroshima. Kakuheiki is, however, capable of emitting a concentrated stream of ionizing radiation in a manner similar to how Equestrian dragons breath fire.”

“And then I absorb the residual radiation and nullify it, all within a fraction of a fraction of a second.” Kakuheiki explained. “Completely harmless, unless you were standing in the way of the beam.”

“So she’s essentially a radiation sponge?” Scootaloo asked.

Jin nodded. “More or less.” The young mare smiled. “So what brings Equestrian soldiers to Japon?”

“Classified” Scootaloo answered bluntly. “We can’t share with a civvie. All I’ll say is that we’re on a hush hush search and destroy mission. Black ops.”

Jin nodded in understanding before turning to Marks. “Hit Marks-sama, if you don’t mind me saying so, you don’t really carry yourself as I expected a soldier would.”

The silver stallion raised an eyebrow. “You insinuating something, kid?”

“Oh no!” She assured. “It’s just your gait is less of a soldier and more of a Yakuza thug.”

Fang and Scootaloo gasped as they drew their hooves across their necks as Hermes and Jin looked at them with confusion. Marks slowly put his cup of tea down , his expression unreadable, before a grin slowly made its way across his muzzle. A soft chuckle sounded from his throat, slowly increasing in volume. Scootaloo and Fang looked on in horror, while Hermes and Jin maintained their confused stare.

Marks’ laughing at this point grew to a cackling chortle, and then again to a raucous laughing. “HAHAHAHA! Me!? A gangster!? Oh that is rich!” He snickered. “It’s not like I was the muscle of one of the most notorious mafia gang on the west side of Equestria, drowning in bits and mares, as I helped smuggle opium for them from the Tatsumaki crime syndicate! Like, how ridiculous can you be!? I never was busted by the police and given the option between spying on my former gang and a thirty year prison sentence! The sheer lunacy of thinking my first girlfriend was killed by my former boss’ goons after a raid that lead to his imprisonment! HAHAHAHA!”

Fang tried to place a hoof on Marks’ withers, only to have it batted away. “Don’t. I’ve put those days behind me. I’m a soldier now, not a criminal.”

“I know, sveetheart.” Fang purred as she moved to embrace her lover. “Ve all have pasts zat ve aren’t proud of. It’s just a fact of life. You’ve made mistakes, ja, but so has everypony else who’s ever existed. Your past doesn’t define you.”

“Then what does?” He growled.

“You define you.” Fang cooed. “You’re ze stallion I fell in love viz. You’re a Phoenix Centurion. You’re you.”

Marks chuckled weakly. “What did I ever do to deserve an angel like you?”

Fang kissed her lover’s cheek, embracing him with her wings. “You vere you.”

Hermes and Jin looked on in awe. “The lieutenant is an ex-gangster!?” Hermes cried.

“Yeah. No shit, bug boy.” Marks growled.

“You... worked with my father?”

“Yeah. Arekuruu Arashi. Pompous, rich shit head and his damned morphine...” Marks chuckled softly and looked to Fang. “Well... I have to give your dad credit, Jin. It’s because of your dad peddling opium that I found such a cute little geek.”

Jin tilted her head as Fang blushed sweetly.

“Whatcha mean by that?” Scootaloo asked.

“Vell...” Fang started. “Remember a year and a half ago vhen ve helped Marks kick his morphine addiction?”

“Ugh. As if I could forget.” Scootaloo chuckled.

Fang chuckled back. “Vell, I vas helping him zrough a spell of nausea and he turns to me and says, ‘Fang, you vanna go get viz me dinner sometime?’ And ze rest is history.”

“So the vomiting, anxiety and fevers were all worth it?” The commander chuckled.

“A thousand times over” Marks cooed as he nuzzled the thestral.

Hermes nodded, smiling excitedly. “So, are we ready to get going and kick some Nazi plot?” He cheered, making Jin gasp.

“Did… Did you say… Nazis?” The Japonese pony furrowed her brows and snarled in anger. Scootaloo glared at the paladin.

“Hermes! What did I say about telling civvies about our operations!?” Hermes gulped and clapped his hooves over his muzzle.

“I-I’m sorry, Commander.” He yelped. “I….. I didn’t mean to-”

“Take me with you!” Jin yelled, leaping on top of Scootaloo and tackling her to the floor, pinning the orange mare down with her hooves as she snarled. “I have a score to settle with those skinhead motherbuckers!” Scootaloo squirmed under the mare.

“I can’t do that, Jin.” She protested. “This operation is top secret, and we can’t go taking civilians with us into terrorist operation bases.”

“I’m not just any civilian though, am I?” Jin retorted. “And, besides, I seemed to give you a run for your money in our little scuffle earlier.” Scootaloo growled at that.

“Only because you took us by surprise!”

“Scootaloo-chan… it’s because of those skinhead bastards that my country’s name has been dragged through the mud.” Jin argued. “My grandparents were opposed to the war. It was a senseless, unnecessary evil that cost the lives of millions. And, because of our stupid government thinking that one tiny little island country could conquer the world with no allies, and the smallest army in the world, it cost the lives of ponies who never wanted to go to war in the first place. It's because of our allegiance to Herr Fuhrer Nazi Germaney that we suffered the wrath of the atom bomb!” The ninja mare growled. “I trained in the art of ninjutsu with one purpose; to serve justice to the corrupt and power hungry. And there is nopony more corrupt or power hungry than the Nazi scourge. Come on. Please. At the very least, I know how to keep myself hidden. Couldn’t you use a spy for recon?”

“And there's me, of course.” Kakuheiki reminded. “If you allow Jinsokuna to join you, I'd make a powerful addition to your arsenal.”

Hermes tapped Scootaloo on the shoulder. “She has a point, Commander. And, besides, did you see her fight? She’s like a wild animal, she would tear up the field! Pow, pew-pew! Slice! Dice! Wha-POW!” He cried and yelled as he did his best attempt at martial arts moves, only succeeding to make himself look clumsy and awkward. The orange mare sighed and massaged the bridge of her muzzle.

“Alright, alright, fine. But don’t come sobbing to me if Miss ninja pants here gets a bullet planted between her eyes.” Scootaloo turned to Jinsokuna. “And you. You are to leave all your weapons in a lockbox when not in use, and you are to follow every order I give not only to the letter, but to the punctuation mark. If I say jump one foot, you better land on the damn moon. Are we clear?”

“Crystal, ma’am!” Jin cried happily.

“Excellent.” The orange mare nodded. “We’ll brief you on the mission tomorrow on the WACC.” She stood up and walked towards the door, sliding it open and revealing that a terrible blizzard had just hit. “Aw crap... Even if we could get back to the Wyvern in this weather, there’s no way we’d be able to take off...”

Jin jumped up with sparkling eyes. “You’re welcome to sleep with me!” All present stared at the Japonese mare confusedly. “Um... I-I mean... You... Y-You all can spend the night h-here.”

“Um...” The commander mumbled. “Thank you, for your hospitality... I guess...” Kakuheiki chuckled into her claw and smirked before whispering something into Jinsokuna’s ear.

“N-Nani?” Jin gasped incredulously. “Damare! Kanojo no mae de sono yōna mono o itte mawari ni idō shinaide kudasai!”

“I’m just teasing, little one.” The dragon purred. “Nearly three quarters of a century without being able to speak leaves one with quite a sizable amount sarcasm built up in their system.”

“Watashi wa mada watashi no seiteki shikō wa no tanoshisa o tsukutta rikai shite imasen...”

Kakuheiki smiled and nuzzled her master affectionately. “Um... sorry about that all... Kakuheiki was being a snarky jerk.”

Fang chuckled. “I know zat feeling, meine freunde.” She joked earning a chuckle and a cheeky nudge from Marks.

“Shaddap!”

Jin giggled and gestured down a hallway. “I have a guest bedroom down the hall and to the right. It should be large enough for all of you.” She bowed. “Feel free to make yourselves at home. If you need anything, my bedroom is right across the hall.”

Fang yawned and smiled. “Dänke, Jinsokuna.”

Marks chuckled and draped a foreleg over her withers. “Come on, darling.” He purred as he led her away. Scootaloo smiled at the ninja pony.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Jin.” She bowed, making the Neighsian pony blush.

“It….. It’s my pleasure, Scootaloo-chan.” She muttered shyly.

“Come on, Herm.” Scootaloo led the changeling away, leaving Jin to watch the mare’s tail sway to and fro as she went, wistfully.

Chapter 13: Alone Time (clop)

Jin bit her hoof as the sound of moans and squeals filled her ears, her breaths short and jagged as she rubbed her hind thighs together. She increased the volume of her laptop as high as she dare, hoping her headphones muffled the sound well enough as to not disturb anypony, and adjusting the screen brightness for the hundredth time so it wasn’t glaringly bright. She flicked her eyes up to her bedroom door, then back down to the screen, then back to the door, looking like a meerkat on sentry duty.

Kakuheiki had already retreated into her blade for the night. That was one issue out of the way. The other issue being her guests, but the sounds of Marks and Fang coming from the bathroom provided a nice buffer to drown out any noises that would be made.

With careful, deliberate movements, Jin slowly typed the URL into the search bar, nervously hitting enter once she was finished.

After a few seconds, the screen loaded the desired page. A login screen to Clophub.xxx.

The young mare quickly punched in her information and proceeded to click the site's search bar.

“Hentai. Yuri. Pegasus. Unicorn. Hornplay. Defloration.” Jin muttered softly as she typed. The unicorn bit her lip as she was brought to the results screen. She scrolled down the page, looking at the title and thumbnail of each video. Most on the first page had already been viewed, and Jinsokuna was craving something new.

As she scrolled halfway down the second page, she finally saw a video that caught her attention. It’s title read “Gorgeous hentai unicorn teacher goes down on her innocent Pegasus student Part 1”. The thumbnail showed a still image of an animated scene depicting a purple mare wearing thin glasses perched on her muzzle burying her face deep between the thighs of a pale orange pony. The image looked to be uncensored, which was unusual for an animated hentai clip. She reasoned that it may have been an Equestrian dub.They tended to uncensor Japonese hentai once the Equestrian dubbing studios got hold of them. It’d be nice to see one without all the annoying pixels covering up all the good stuff. She clicked on the thumbnail and let the video buffer, all the while keeping a wary eye on the door, in case anypony came in for any reason.

Once the video had had chance to buffer, Jin reached for her favourite bottle of lubricating gel and squirted a generous dollop on the frog of her hoof, biting her lip to contain the inevitable hiss and sigh of pleasure as the cooling gel slid over her tender, aching folds, the numbing agent making her feel tingly as it worked its magic to help her last longer. As she rubbed the cold oil in, she fantasised about the gorgeous orange mare just a room over. Scootaloo.

Those pristine orange feathers coating her broad, muscular wings. Those deep violet eyes to match her own. Not to mention the image of strength and authority she radiated. Everything about the commander drove Jin mad with desire, and she needed to do something about it.

She lit her horn, using her inherent unicorn abilities to map out her most sensitive pleasure points as she slowly raised a hoof to her horn. She gingerly stroked the length of it, imagining soft feathers in place of her hoof. She bit her hoof to contain her low moans and quiet shrieks, teasing her horn slowly as she let her mind roam free with wild and dirty thoughts. She huffed and panted with hot, horny breaths as her folds grew moister and more eager for some action.

“I can't believe I'm about to do this...” the young unicorn whispered as she clicked the play button.

The video started as if the clip had been ripped from halfway through the movie, with a young Pegasus mare sitting in a classroom hooves folded in her lap, head hung slightly as a unicorn mare, clearly the teacher, stood over her with a dark, unreadable expression. The young pegasus slowly turned her gaze up to the teacher.

“Um…. what was it you wanted to see me about, Miss Jasmine?” The student asked in a badly acted Equestrian voice. Jin rolled her eyes at how poorly the line was delivered, even by her recently acquired Equestrian skills, but decided to ignore the poor expression. Afterall, a pony acting as a porno voice actor wasn’t exactly meant to be good at any sort of actual “acting” now, were they?

The unicorn smirked down at the Pegasus predatorily, eyeing her up and down like a starving timber wolf eyeing a slab of meat. “I want you to help me with a little…. Extra curricular activity.” The teacher purred, her student visibly shivering at her sultry tone.

“Wh-What kind of… extra curricular?” The student stuttered, making the unicorn’s smirk darken, sinisterly. Without another word, the teacher placed a hoof on the Pegasus’ right wing, the young mare gasping at the unexpected contact, and slowly, tauntingly so, stroked her long, silky feathers.

Jin watched eagerly as the teacher slowly leaned towards her student, the younger mare blushing and whimpering profusely. Jin could feel her nethers growing more and more desperate for relief, but she wanted to wait to get into the meat of the clip before indulging herself.

“I’ve been... working on a new spell, and I would love your help testing it.” The teacher purred as she leaned in closer. “What do you say, Hana? Ready to earn some extra credit?”

Jin licked her lips as Hana slowly and nervously nodded. She lit her horn and sent a soft buzz through the pleasure points she mapped earlier, hissing and mewling at the sensation. “Jeeze... I’m so pent up. When was the last time I got off?” the young mare muttered quietly. Slowly, Jin ran her hoof along her collarbone and down her belly, nuzzling into her own touch. Jinsokuna looked back to the screen to see the teacher character and the student passionately lock lips, moans and gasps flowing from her headphones. As she watched the teacher slowly lick at the student’s crotch, Jin finally lost all control. She needed relief, and she needed it now.

She began to rub at her slit, moistening her hooves with her fluids as she sent another jolt of ecstasy through her body. “O-Oh! Gah! Aah... S-So... G-g-g-good...” She mewled. “I needed this s-so badly...”

Through her gasps and mewls, Jin tried to keep an eye on her laptop’s screen. The teacher, miss Jasmine, was now slowly and teasingly rubbing the length of her horn along Hana’s folds, dipping the tip ever so slightly inside. Hana gasped, hooves flying to her lips to muffle her needy sounds as the unicorn pulsed a burst of magic into her nethers. Jin allowed herself to focus a quick burst of magic into her own folds, making her hips buck instinctively as she let out a silent gasp of pleasure.

“Ah! M-Miss Jasmine…” The Pegasus squeaked. “I… I’ve never been t-touched… there, before.”

The unicorn chuckled. “Just as I thought.” She purred tauntingly, pulling her horn away from the Pegasus’ winking sex. “Oh how I do so love corrupting innocent young flowers like yourself, Hana.”

Hana gave the unicorn a desperate, pleading look. “M-Miss Jasmine? Why did you stop? Please. I… I don’t want to stop.” The unicorn smirked and held her horn against the student’s lips, the Pegasus instantly flicking her tongue out to lick the appendage.

“Oh dear, it's no fair if only one of us has all the fun. Trust me, you'll thank me for letting you lubricate me when all ten inches are inside you.” Jasmine chuckled. Jin’s shudder mimicked Hana’s as the Pegasus eagerly slurped on the magical unicorn extremity. As she tries to deepthroat it however, she started spluttering and gagging, tears welling in her eyes before slowly streaking her cheeks as she struggled to swallow, or even breath, with the girthy horn lodged deep in her throat. “Oh my. Your gag reflex needs some work dear. Lucky for you, I’m here to help.”

Hana gasped as the horn slid out of her mouth, then all the way back into her throat. She tried to cry out around the appendage, but to no avail. Jin rubbed herself harder, loving the sight of Hana choking on her teacher’s horn. “Mmm... A-ah!” She whimpered as she watched the screen, almost hypnotized by the erotic images on the screen.

Jin grabbed her pillow and set it under herself, craving even more stimulation. She grinded furiously against the pillow, maintaining her hooves’ motions and giving herself the occasional magical pulse. She moaned desperately, her body screaming for the relief it craved, but Jin wouldn’t allow herself to climax this early into the fun.

“C-Come on, b-body!” She whimpered. “D-don’t give out now!”

She felt massive amounts of energy build up in her forehead, just behind the base of her horn. She whimpered and mewled with want and desire, biting her free hoof to try and contain her sounds of lonely passion. With her mind drowning in pleasure, her thoughts turned to Scootaloo, images of the orange mare gagging and choking on the Japonese mare’s horn, tears rolling down her face, and slutty moans of want and lust vibrating her sensitive horn pushing the unicorn over the edge. She squealed as she climaxed, soaking the pillow between her thighs and discharging a bright flash of magic from her horn in blissful climax. She bit her lip as she took deep, steady breaths, slowly opening her eyes to watch the video through to its end as she slowly stroked her sore sex.

The remainder of the clip wasn’t too interesting, if Jin was to be honest. Now that she had her relief, the video couldn’t hold her attention. After about six or so minutes, the clip ended. Jin logged out of the website and slumped down.

“Jeeze... I’m such a pervert...” She whimpered to herself as she tossed the soaked pillow aside, grabbing a new one and laying her head upon it. She crossed her hind legs and nestled into her futon to sleep away the night.

The world seemed so calm at that moment, in that way that only one basking in the warmth of afterglow can feel. The dark room provided a comforting blanket, a cozy shroud fit for one trained in the art of stealth and silence. The tension in her nethers had been lifted by quite a large factor, despite the ninja being unable to extend her session of self-love. Even the sounds of mewling and sloppy kissing and wobbly hooves coming from the bathroom was soothing.

With one last deep breath, Jinsokuna closed her eyes and went to sleep.