Mercenary Bereavement

While leading Jade out onto the field, Nikolai thought over the offer put on the table by Cheerilee. While not a bad general idea, any and everything he had heard about that particular patch of woods was not great or inclusive for taking the equivalent of kids into; it was nothing compared to back home. The other reason he was considering it, if he was being honest, was he was BORED out of his skull. So far the only two to keep up with him reliably were Jade and Sparklink; for different reasons to boot. The others were certainly good, they had to be when picked in the first place, but they were effectively champions in their own rights.

Still, once the whole trip was over he could get this current routine over with and move on to more interesting training regimes. First thing to deal with after this spar was informing the troops what was happening. “So, Jade, are you ready for this today?”

“I am. Let us begin.”

“Sure thing,” Nikolai smiled like a Cheshire Cat, “DODGE!” And not giving the poor stallion a chance to even react, threw a punch that almost literally cracked the ground under his hooves. Meanwhile, only a little distance was between Cheerilee and the Hitch residence. She heard the boom and felt the tremors from the spar begin. She merely shook her head and went back into town, heading to Twilight's. If Ser Morgan is as good as he has been claimed to be, we might finally have a way to get out to those ruins on a regular basis. I wonder if that thought has occurred to Twilight yet.

After making her way to Golden Oaks Library, Cheerilee knocked on the door, unsure if Twilight was in or available. Cheerilee heard a voice call out of a window, “Come in!”

After making her way inside, Cheerilee saw it was Spike who answered. “Hello Cheerilee, what can I hep you with?” The young dragon was currently behind the main desk reading a comic with half of his brain asleep if his tone was anything to go by. Cheerilee just shook her head and asked if Twilight was in. “Sorry, she left earlier to get the rest of her friends together and meet with the Princesses. The whole meeting has been put off for a while, and the girls really need it.”

“Did something happen?”

“A while back, yeah. We all kinda got sucked into what Princess Luna called a Night Terror.”

“Oh my, is everypony alright?”

“Yes and no, Fluttershy hasn't really been all that active since, and she was hit the hardest. Luna has been helping if any of the girls showed sings of a nightmare, but so far its just her and maybe Pinkie. That we know of.”

“Well, in that case just let Twilight know I wanted to speak to her but it can wait until next week or so.”

“Alright, will you need anything else?”

“Yes, let Twilight know the newest books for home-schooled foals came in the other day.”

“Great...” groaned Spike. He knew he would have to read them and be a guinea pig for her again. He dejectedly hung his head as he sat behind the main desk of the library. Cheerilee laughed, and shook her head.

“It wont be that bad, the books are on art this time, and I think one of your comic artists was involved in a few of them.”

“Really? That isn't to bad then...”

“Well then, until later Spike. Have a good day.”

“You to miss Cheerilee!” called out the young dragon as she left, turning back to his comic. After some time, he finished after he went back and re-read the portions that had made no sense within the plot as offered in the last few issues. When Twilight finally came back to the Treebary she was alone. “Twi? Where is everypony else?”

“Busy. On a more positive note, it seems Flutershy is doing a little better. While not fully recovered enough to be herself from before that night, she is far better than she had been. The same is true for Pinkie as well. So far the only one to not be recovering as well is actually Rainbow. She seems to be in a bit of a funk.”

“Huh?” asked the young male, finally looking at her and not at his preview of the next issue. “I thought she was fine. I mean, she was in here a few days ago for the new Daring novel.”

“She was putting a tough face on for the town. While she isn't breaking down like Pinkie and Fluttershy, she is having issues of her own. Princess Luna has told me in some of her letters that she is having some nightmares while sleeping. While I don't know what about, I can guess it has to do with the Element of Loyalty; there is no easy answer for her and what she seems to think at the best of times anyway.”

“Well, Cheerilee was in here a little while back. Mentioned some books came in and she needed to speak to you, but it can wait a week or so. I don't-” a URK cut off the young dragon in his explanation of what had happened while she was gone, a letter coming following the small geyser of flame from the belch. “And I hate that happening when I'm talking. I am taking a nap now.”

“I hope you feel better Spike!” called out Twilight as she grabbed the scroll in her telekinesis and watched her assistant climb the stairs. She knew that the stomach ache he got form the act of delivering a letter while talking could be bad, a few time had actually turned green and gotten ill from it. It hadn't happened in years, but they were careful none the less. Issues about sick dragons leaving her mind, she opened the scroll. Reading quickly as she walked to her desk, to ready a reply for when she finished, she stopped and slowly re-read the letter to make sure she missed nothing or had misunderstood the contents. “What? Why would the Princesses cancel our meeting for the foreseeable future? And what do they mean Nikolai will get a visitor in a few days? This is not good...”

=====================================

Nikolai had gathered the motley band he called trainees and laid out Cheerilee's request to them as straight as he could. After some yelling about how the forest was not a place for foals and they all had calmed down a bit, he asked for more of a reason than folklore and rumors. “Simply put,” began Onyx, “The wildlife of the forest is too aggressive; a roving Manticore is the least of our worries. And most of the group haven't faced anything of that level in a true life or death situation. To say nothing of some of the animals of the forest having no real catalog written up anywhere, much less enough for class room training purposes.”

“That is a valid point, I will grant that. But you all know that I am going to be leading this little excursion as the head of this motley band of misfits?”

“While I don't doubt your abilities, not since you bodily threw me around a few days ago, I do doubt the young foals the teacher wants to bring are going to listen a hundred percent to us all the time.”

“Again, valid. But should they start to wander off or anything of that nature, if it can't be prevented, I WILL call this off. Remember, I was a parent too. I fought back home, at least at first, to prevent a parent from losing their child again like I had.” At that Moonlight started to speak up, only to be blocked by Nikolai, “And yes, my children died. Mah wife too at that,” that caused some of the group to flinch and look away. This was exasperated by the next comment making them all more subdued, “And to add to that pleasant mental image, my whole family was incinerated in my arms. At once. Don't question my motives for calling this if it starts to head anywhere but a pleasant end.”

“I wasn't doubting that, just the sanity of the teacher.” said Flameleaf. The Changeling looked up from the table she was sitting at, to continue. “I can understand the need to educate and encourage broader thinking patterns. I can even appreciate the drive to study the unknown. What I question is if she wants this so badly, why not get some other way than by hoof to get there.”

“That...IS a good point.” said Peppermint. She looked to Wintersong. “Why haven't we thought to start using more air based transport?”

“Logistics and sheer lack or training in most towns. The chariots we use in the guard can't really be used to move bulk shipments and the larger hot air balloons are almost not viable at that size. The one quick and ready fix, having a couple of Pegasi pull the basket works only as long as you have fresh individuals to pull them; distance flight is not as glorious as speed nowadays.”

“Lamenting the lack of new recruits?” asked Swift. He seemed to be thinking on the problem as well.

“Mostly, but the point has been brought up a few times in think tanks back at the main base in Canterlot. Trains are good for bulk movements, but have no real speed advantage. Chariots and balloons are better for speed, but have no real carry capacity.”

“And simply having a ground bound chariot is no better than the trains; they just cover terrain different.” Swift said. Scratching his head, he looked to Nikolai. “You already had an idea didn't you.”

“Maybe the start of one.” smirked the man in pony flesh. “How adverse are you lot to logging?” Stunned silence met him. Then laughter so loud and hard it shook the room.

"The trees of the Everfree are almost like Redwoods! There is no woodaxe or saw that wont dull too quick to be use...full.” the comment from Lightning died with the laughter. A dull thunk resonated. She, like the others, were subdued by the sight of two knives embedded in the table that hadn't been there a few seconds ago.

“Axe.” That was the only word uttered by Nikolai as he held one of his hooves out to the side, causing all the magic users to jump as a runic circle appeared behind his outstretched forelimb. A massive two-hoof axe appeared, with a large single head. The half-moon shape curled just past the shaft leaving just enough space for a hoof to hold the shaft right below the head of the weapon. It as ornate, if in its simplicity. Simple oak shaft, wrapped in leather in a few key locations, the head a gleaming blue steel, inscribed with runes they had never seen before.

“Shield.”

The opposite forelimb also produced an item. The large round shield was similar in design to the axe, oak and blue steel, with similar runes on the metal rim and bands holding it together. Both were well used and carefully maintained by the multitudes of scratches, dings, and chips in the items he now held. And both gave off a feeling of malice, a palpable intent to the more experienced fighters in the room. Nikolai put the two items on the table, then stretched out his forelimbs again.

“Chains.”

The twin lengths of chain that joined the other weapons on the table were very out of place. Twenty feet of seemingly golden lengths of chain each, every link covered in runes lay on the table.

“Remember, I trained and fought with literal GODS.” he said in the silence; Nikolai proceeded to remove his pendant, and take off his hood. “I trained in conditions you can not conceive of, fought monsters you have no names for after I died. I can do things you cant. I need a week to make a path. YOU are to train until you bleed. Train as if you were to kill me in a week's time.” After he had fully lost the enchantments keeping him small and weakened, the axe and shield changed sizes to more accurately match his form. The chains did not. He didn't notice, berating the group before him, though they did. “I WILL make a path there, from the shortest point at the edge to her destination. And We WILL guide them there and back. Am I clear?”

“Crystal.” said Jade, looking at the male before him with worry. “But why a week?”

“If this place is as bad as you make it seem, I might have to do some fighting. I haven't killed anything in weeks. I need a bit of a rush;” the grin was manic and terrifying on his face, “and since I haven't used these since Asgard, well...”

“How long have you had access to some form of dimensional pockets?” asked Water Lilly. “Those enchantments are rather picky.”

“Thank some Dwarven smiths for that. They know their trade well. And the Valkyries helped with the portability problem some too.” Nikolai answered.

Lightning Mist looked around, and after a few seconds asked a question. “So why didn't you use any of these,” indicating the weapons on the table, “while fighting our rulers bar your knives? Or while evaluating us for that matter?”

“Why end a good thing too soon?” he asked, face confused. The Changelings were still as statues.

“He means it, by the Stars, he means it...” muttered Winterstrike, aghast at the implications of what he was saying. The others slowly looked at her, confusion and trepidation evident. Sparklink picked up when she didn't elaborate.

“When he was talking about killing, he was radiating anticipation. Now is honest confusion at the concept of ending a fight quickly when he is having fun.”

“But nopony is that hardwired to enjoy violence. Nopony-”

“That's just it, he isn't a pony. He has said so himself.” Jade spoke out, ending Platinum's tirade before it could begin. He looked to his 'official commanding officer'. “I take it you are leaving now?”

“Something like that. Where is the shortest path from town to the castle?”

“The closest point would be...from Sweet Apple Acres? I think?” mentioned Onyx. He went to his room and grabbed a few maps. After coming back to the main room, he laid them out on the table. The local map of Ponyville and the map of the surrounding countryside being most prominent. The shortest path to the abandoned castle was in fact form the local apple farm. Nikolai, eyeing the maps, asked out loud,

“So, since I can't make heads or tails of maps wanna show me where I start cutting?”

“Here-ish.” said Onyx, pointing at the eastern side of the central orchard. The line was short, but the others looking at the map also made a comment about how going nearer to Fluttershy's house might work better, were was no river near her house and in a straight path to the castle.

“Not a bad idea, but the timber will have to be used somewhere. Some can at least be used for a bridge and some markers for the path.” stated Peppermint. “While not ideal, we can make this work.”

“And THAT scares me a fair bit.” said Moonlight. He looked up to ask Nikolai a question about when he was going to start, only to find him gone. The skylight he had installed was open and swaying in the breeze, indicating how he left. “And that is more annoying than I would like to admit.”

“Well, come on everyone, we need to get started. Something tells me we won't have any easy time with this.” said Onyx, moving to start more grueling training by starting with some heavy PT. The others followed in various states of willingness, with Moonlight being the last to leave.

“I hope you know what you're doing sir.” he whispered into the sky above the skylight.

=====================================

The week passed slowly for the group of fighters in Ponyville, with more time being used to train than anything else. And with their attention diverted, they missed a meeting of the Element bearers and their leaders. The group met in the Treebary for ease of convince and since it was one of the few places big enough for all of them bar a barn at Sweet Apple Acres. The Princesses and Queen Chrysalis arrived with no fanfare and few guards, who met with their counterparts here in town, or tried to anyway.

“While I apologize for leaving this for so long, I can say the Yaks aren't going to declare war for the foreseeable future.” said a dour Princess Celestia. “Now, how are you all doing?” While she knew the basics of their mood from Twilight, she wanted to gauge them for herself. Unlike the bearers, Luna and herself, to say nothing of Chrysalis, had been able to mostly deal with their issues privately. One of the few perks to being alive so long. Though I do hate being so desensitized some times, the plights facing my little ponies and other subjects are not as readily apparent anymore, she thought.

“Not so good, yer Highness. I think we all have been better.” said Applejack. She took off her Stetson and set it on a nearby table. “I know Princess Luna can attest to mah nightmares. It ain't been pretty for me since the other night.”

“Um...”

“Yeah, how can somepony be so passive about something so, well, wrong?” asked a somber Rainbow. Her mane was more disheveled than normal. The bags under her eyes were also a telling sign of her mental state. Rarity was wiping some tears off her face with a tissues. Rainbow, near Rarity by dint of being on the same couch, held the tissue box.

“Someponies are just harder to faze Rainbow, I thought we talked about that.” said Twilight. She sat next to Spike, the young male just watching; seemingly nonplussed. He turned his gaze to Fluttershy. His friend was holding up better than Twilight had said she was doing, at least on the surface. Her eyes, however, were almost vacant. For some reason Angel was with her and looked worried. Fluttershy tried to speak up again, but was interrupted again by Pinkie.

“If he hasn't grieved yet, how can we help him. He told me he cant until all the V'asori are dead; it just hasn't occurred to him that he can and keep doing his work.”

“Pinkie Pie, some individuals need different motivations. His, for some reason, is rage;” started Chrysalis, “By not grieving, he allows himself to hate-”

“BUT THAT IS WRONG!” yelled Fluttershy. The group as a whole looked at her, “If the aliens in his world are so bad, who is supposed to stop them? HIM? Who deserves that?”

“No one Fluttershy. However, he has talked about a team he worked with; there was also a resistance to the tyrannical rule of the aliens after they took over. He wasn't alone. He did however take the lions share of the work, from his own viewpoint.” calmly stated Princess Celestia. “A different matter entirely is just how violent he people were long before he came here. Less than one hundred years prior they fought in a war called World War Two. It was unpleasant, even by his accounts of fighting in a war; to say nothing of my sister's or my own experiences on the battlefields.”

“Two? They had more than one?” asked Rarity. She seemed aghast at a conflict on such a scale.

“Yup! Cried out a cheery voice from behind the Princesses and Changeling Queen. The bearers of the elements of Harmony and young dragon jumped. “And what a dozy that conflict was. Anywhere from fifty to eighty million dead by warfare or disease and famine.”

“WHO THE BUCK-” cried out Rainbow Dash, just as a figure appeared behind Celestia. “WHO ARE YOU!?”

The figure was bipedal, and looked to be the same species as Nikolai in the dream, but was a translucent blue and constantly shifting like a bad picture. He had a manic grin on his face and some scars around his temples and on his neck, mostly hidden by his hair and collar of the shirt he wore. “I am Ghost, the fourth member of the motley band of misfits who were some of Destruction's biggest assets.”

“Uh...that is nice and all, but what is with the whole see through thing?”

“Oh, I was a hacker who was WAAAAY too good at my job for my own health. One moment I was hacking into a V'asori database for the good Doctor, plugged into the machines and everything, when some asshole turned on their countermeasures. My physical body fried, but for some reason I continue to exist, a'la Freakazoid.”

“I understood exactly none of that.”

“Tough shit, moving on now.” said the outline-spasming figure. He looked over to the three rulers in the room. “When can I get to old scar man? You lot are as entertaining as flies on shit.”

“You aren't very nice.” said Fluttershy. She was glaring at the figure.

“NOPE! And I have no reason to be.” The sentence caused him to shift to a rather plain red stick figure, “ONWARDS TO BEAN BURRITOS!” and he shot towards the door. Three feet or so from the door he just vanished into thin air.

“Princess? Who or WHAT was that?”

“A companion of Nikolai's from his world. The device he is stored in ended up in my chambers back in Canterlot some time ago, and ever since we have been working to both power up and keep powered his housing. The results of that failing are his death. Consequently, the item in question is of major sentimental value to Nikolai. According to Ghost, it is a gift from his wife. He also cant be more than fifteen feet from it ever, that seems to be his maximum range for those projections.”

“So, are we going to give this doodad to him?”

“Yes. I was wanting to do that before we got much further; do any of you know where he is at the moment?”

Applejack spoke up, shocking the girls and the rulers with the information she delivered. “He has been cuttin' a path into the Everfree for the last week, near my farm to boot. Ah think he has almost made it ta his destination.”

“Why would he do such a thing?” asked Princess Luna, looking confused.

“Beats the tarnation outta me.”

“That is quite odd. Still, I think we need to continue this discussion.” Chrysalis piped in, making the group wince at the prospect of continuing a very poor talk about being dispassionate. But one thing had slipped their minds almost entirely. The Crusaders weren't involved.

=====================================

At the Hitch residence, the trainees had been working hard to improve and while they knew that a week was hardly enough time for major increases to ability they were able to begin working more in sync. The obvious benefits were they were coming closer as a group for the purposes of their job, not to mention being more comfortable around one another. Onyx walked over to Peppermint as she sat in the communal area, going over logistical paperwork. “Do we know when the Princesses and Queen Chrysalis are coming to town? I had gotten notification from headquarters about some meeting in town in the near future.”

“I think I heard something while at Sugar Cube Corner from Pinkie Pie the other day.” she mentioned distractedly, “And the date I heard was the fifteenth or so.”

“That can't be right, today's the fifteenth.”

“Then I guess we might be getting a surprise visit. You might want to check in with one of our Changelings and see what the plan is.”

“That is a good idea.” with that, Onyx left the communal area and headed towards town. The four changelings were on a bulk food run, which irritated him. He had asked for one of them to be at the house at all times for communications for just this reason. Why he paid no attention to the roster while drawing it up he had no idea. He was about halfway to town when he spotted the Changelings. Sparklink seemed to notice him and closed in from the air.

“What's up?”

“Any word from your Queen? Apparently there is some meeting with her, the Princesses, and the element bearers today.”

“I can check right quick, gimme a sec.”

+Your highness, this is Sparklink, are you planing on coming to Ponyville today?+

+You are a bit late for that, I am at Twilight Sparkle's residence already.+

+Well, thank you for the update, Onyx was asking for some reason?+

+Do you know the current location of Nikolai?+

+Not precisely, but I can give you a quick route to him, why?+

+It is merely something the Princesses want to know, they have something of his and want to return it to him.+

+Do you want me to let him know? He might stop working on his little project if he had a reason.+

+No, I think they want it to be a surprise, but that being said, please go get him. He was supposed to be here for the meeting.+

+Yes Ma'am.+

The last few seconds were quiet as Sparklink talked with his ruler in the link. Onyx just stood waiting, and looked at the other three Changelings as they closed in. he held a hoof up to forestall any complaints about the last member of their group leaving behind this share of the work. “Well, I have to go find Ser Morgan and bring him to the Library. I will be back in a few minutes unless something goes wrong.” he looked over to Scrollbolt. “Just keep an ear out for anything I send your way okay?”

“Fine. I just wish you weren't going alone.”

“He isn't, I am sending Jade with him.” replied Onyx before Sparklink could even interject. “This isn't up for debate, the Everfree isn't safe. Just take him as your battle buddy. Stars above, he has been driving me up the wall with his stoic act.”

“Soooo...we are baby sitting each other while getting our merry leader?”

“When you put it like that? Yes.” with that the Captain walked over to the supplies and started to gather some up. “I am going to help get this stuff home, get Jade and move out once you have your kits together. Be ready for anything.”

“Sir, yes sir!” said the Centurion, whether it was mocking or not was left to each to decide. His expression was serious as was his tone; but it was known that he was a bit of a joker while 'off-duty'. But even as he flew off, he couldn't help but feel like something was remiss. Something important, but he couldn't think of what it was and so put it out of his mind. The Crusaders hadn't been to the house in the last week or so, and as such had momentarily been forgotten as the sixteen trainees worked.

=====================================

Out in the Everfree, Nikolai was less than a hundred yards from finishing his path. The while thing would be about half a mile of walking, but considering he had been splitting tree trunks in half to act as a makeshift road as he went along, it was good progress. Some trees were easier than others to remove and some harder. The workout he had gotten was beyond anything he had ever done prior to being a super.

Every day he jumped from the house to where he made his path and back once he finished cutting for the day, and he had to say he was proud of the simple labor. The forest, while wild wasn't as bad as everyone had made it out to be. Sure, the beasts looked weird, but the left him alone for the most part and stayed away from his path once he made it, at least as far as he could tell. As he sat back and took a brief break to drink something from a canteen, he heard voices from his left, into the forest itself. “Hello?”

“Huh? Who's there?” asked a young female voice Nikolai recognized. Scootaloo and her friends walked out, being followed by Button Mash and a zebra oddly enough. She perked up on seeing the massive stallion and rushed over to him. “Hey! Whats up?”

“Not much, doing something for Miss Cheerilee. I should be asking what you lot are doing in the forest, but I recall y'all talking about visiting a Zecora last time we talked.”

“Indeed they did seek me out. Might I ask your name or should I just call you He throughout?”

“I am Morgue, but the kids probably told you my real name.” Getting up and not thinking about the fact he was minus his enchanted amulet or heavy clothes at the moment, which lie near by, he towered over the mare and foals. The sweat on his body glistened in the pre-noon light. “Nikolai Morgan. Pleasure to meet you Miss.” saying that, he held out his massive hoof and waited.

“The honor is mine,” Zecora started, bumping his hoof while looking him over, “But I must say, I cannot stay for soon I must dine.

“Before I leave however, I must ask if you think you are clever.”

“What for?”

“Those scars. Nothing I know of would leave such marrs.”

“I hope you lot never find out lady. You walking the kids out?”

“Yeah, she had been. She was only going as far as the edge of the forest though.” piped up Button Mash. He looked over to Zecora. “Thanks for letting me stay while they did their thing Miss Zecora.”

“It was no trouble at all my little foal, but I must now end this stroll.” with that, the zebra turned and looked at Nikolai with a wink as she left, leaving some parting words. “Should you ever need to have the signs of battle removed, my potions have been oft been helpful proved.”

“Thanks, but for now I don't mind 'em. But I will keep it in mind.” The stallion merely watched as the mare walked away before looking at the kids. “So do I need to escort you lot out?”

“Nah, we're good.” said Scootaloo. “She was only keeping an eye on us so we didn't get lost or attacked by the wildlife.”

“Sounds like I need to do the same thing, path or not.”

“Why are yah makin' a path anyways Mistah Morgan?” asked Applebloom. She looked down the fairly straight path and towards the other end. “Whats so special about this path?”

“Nothing yet, and I can't say no more, its a surprise.” the foals all moaned in annoyance, wanting to know about it; but before they could object, a hissing noise was heard from the opposite side of the clearing. Nikolai's head snapped to the left and he scanned the treeline. “Kids, get near me. NOW.” he snapped. While they were confused, they listened and got close. As they did however, the ground under Morgue caved in and a multitude of massive spiders scrambled forward into the hold form the underbrush. The foals screamed and Morgue yelled out, “COME ON!”

Author's Note

Gebbus, that took longer than i had thought it would. I do apologize for any seemingly off portions of this, it took a year to try and get the ideas i had right and even then i feel like i cocked up somewhere. The several rewrites i put his through didn't feel like enough. I am satisfied enough with this at the moment to publish it, so let the critiques and comments fly!

also, no more ETAs, i will publish these as i get them done; but seeing as i work a hard labor job and try to have a life outside the internet, that might be a bit.

Peace out, and have a happy holiday season everyone!