Infiltration

Vanguard.

Location, Satorian MT. Ridge, AKA: The Gallows, 1:00...A.M.

The high peaks of the Gallows often brought a majestic sensation of a winter paradise, and by no means is that a bad thought. Quite the opposite, in fact. For the troops stationed there, it felt like a refugee from the harsh reality around them. Thickets of heavy snow blanketed the natural formation, casting a treaded pattern that led up and down the base.

Past the ring of arctic clouds sat a base camp at the very forefront, a group of 4 figures staring out to the slow rising sun. After a moment a silence, a deep voice spoke over the roaring winds.

''So how long do you reckon we got?''

''About 3 hours if we hustle, but-'' a young, but timid voice replied. ''don't you think we should think this over at least?''

''What the hell is there to think over? We go in, make big boom, then we get paid...hopefully get that tip for early expectations.'' a mischievous bout of laughter followed.

''Must thou act so rash? We thinketh your plan reeks of a decaying swine.'' a rather posh voice complained. ''However, if one is to be honest, we would peg thou intentions to be flat,''

Peering over the landscape ahead, a brilliant light shone on the snow, illuminating the snowflakes past the ongoing plain.

''Intel says what?''

''Ah yes. Our intelligence tells us that our target has been accused of multiple crimes in order of: Sexual trafficking, murder in the 1st degree, abuse ranging from substance, animal and physical, perfidy, smuggling, falsifying, rape, reckless endangerment, going AWOL, and to top it all off: attempted suicide,''

''Whoo! And you said we don't do anything fun, am I right?''

A pained groan of annoyance echoed throughout, drawing out a silence before a snide remark triggered a chain reaction.

''And yet it baffles me how you, Kouri, one of the 12 Exceed Gods possess the least amount of maturity and yet is 4th ranked of all dragons and 1st class Thaumaturgy master,''

''What, there has to be some life in this swanky little group and you should feel honored to work with a God as normally we distance ourselves from helping our own kind and you mortals, so I recommend that you shut up a little,''

Under normal circumstances, the deities of this broken world gave up hope long ago, except for three who stayed. The legendary Ice dragon, Kouri, The Formidable Opposer and the Dragon Punisher, Shirai, each who rested at a certain place to aid and deliver absolute judgement to what was left of this lost world. Brushing some frost on top of his comrades, a look of boredom showed on his face.

''C-Come on guys, why are you arguing? We have a job to do,'' a timid voice piped up. ''you don't want me to have to do the stare, now would you?''

''No!''

''Are you sure Rarity, I really don't want to have to do this.''

''No, no darling, I assure you...I am fine,'' Rarity folded her ears in caution.

''Will you guys focus? Rarity, would you please finish our intel?''

''Oh, right. The last piece of information states how we should take caution in apprehension as he has been known to pull sly tactics,''

''Name?''

''All the paper says is S and that he's last been known to reside in the crystal caverns beneath...Canterlot.''

''W-Wait, how can he be in Canterlot? Wouldn't Princess Luna have found him instead of hiring us to do it?'' Fluttershy questioned.

''Maybe she has a lot to deal with and hasn't the time,'' Korui reasoned. ''but why she would pay us 500,000 bits for one little degenerate is beyond me, but what do you think Redgar?''

''Hmmm.'' the werewolf king pondered. ''If Fluttershy and Rarity have known her for as long as they have, I see no reason why she would do this without a valid reason, but what are your inputs?'' he looked over, the size of his stature making that he has to slowly crane his head to not cause a bout of light-headness.

''Well, I have no real reason to judge her decisions.'' Fluttershy shrugged. ''of all the jobs we did as her personal enforcement, she's never once led us astray, especially since it happened.''

''I must concur with Fluttershy.'' Rarity agreed. ''Princess Luna is a trustworthy adversity to have in our corner, but why else would she pay her elite this amount for one capture means it could be a major issue if not rectified,''

''And what of you Korui?''

''I feel the same, this...does not seem like a case we can sweep underneath the rug.''

''All I needed to hear. Team, prepare to head for Canterlot! Her majesty has requested our aid and our aid we shall give her!''

But a lingering presence in each of their hearts told them otherwise.

Redgar, chief among all were-species have always hailed for many things, such as being known as the alpha and fiercest of all, a brilliant tactician, natural survivor and quoted for being 'The Wise Wolf.' as his most notable accomplishment was leading his people to victory against the Centaurs in the inter-species war. Genetically bred from a great descendant of the famed mage, Starswirl The Bearded and a female werewolf bore him with a few of Starswirl's key spells: matter manipulation, healing, teleportation and most noted: shape-shifting to a degree.
Throughout the entire time he has been in this forsaken world, he has seen and heard many things, none drawing a bigger worry to his than this.

Rarity and Fluttershy's stories are not that apart either. Ever since Tirek was brought down by the Elements of harmony and Equestria's longstanding peace restored, all seemed to be right until that fateful day occurred, peace was anything but. Each of the girls went their separate ways, whispers of lies drove a massive wedge that seems to be unable to fix. With the events of Fluttershy being turned into Flutterbat by Twilight, she took this as a way to improve her self-confidence as to certain degrees she is able to revert back to her pegasus form.

As for Rarity, she experienced the same as her friend in being tricked away from their strong friendship. Instead, now she spends most of her days with being a part-time designer and also involved with Princess Luna's personal police for enforcing law. As with Fluttershy, a grave procedure took place one day while exploring the dream realm: Nightmare Rarity was brought out. Now at first, the initial transformation scared the life out of her, but in time she grew to accept and adjust thanks to the help of Princess Luna.

Going to such extremes would not be frowned upon for this group: they do things like this all the time. Extending his paws forward, a brilliant red light enveloped Redgar before dying to a hum.

''Korui, you know what to do.''

''Right.'' the titan extended his wings, sifting a mountain of frost on his comrades in the process.

''Next stop, Canterlot!''

***

Meanwhile, elsewhere deep in the Everfree forest sat a ancient castle on the verge of collapsing. Down a broken archway, a flight of stairs led to a long stone hallway with a gated door at the end. The heavy clunk of steps against the ground brought out a sense of anger as the gate was blasted to smithereens. Looking beyond, a stone book with spikes was enveloped by a teal magical field.

In a matter of seconds, it was brought to a brown satchel.

''Too easy and here I thought-

''Stop, fiend!'' a voice echoed throughout the halls, a teleportation spell activated, transporting the intruder to a damp and dark lake. Looking around, a figure bore down on the intruder with multiple intent.

''Well, I just had to open my big mouth, now didn't I? I only hope you put up more of a fight than Discord, so I implore you to do your best.''

Author's Note

Sorry for the short chapters just feel I can make it up for you with more chapters instead, but If you guys want longer ones let me know.