The Equestrian Borderlands

Don’t you see the bodies burning?

Part One

“Sweet Cinder, for the love of all that is holy, you better not have another fucken mare in bed with you!” The voice of Radiant Grace, my fellow officer, best friend and a general bitch, screamed out, as she bucked my door open.

As my room’s door slammed open, I was already standing at the hoof of my bed, staring the blue mare down as she entered my room. Her turquoise eyes flicked from me, to the Earthpony mare that lay in my bed, still asleep from our night of fun.

“Morning, Radiant Grace…” I started.

“Oh, you have to be shitting me…” Radiant Grace sighed, as she flicked her wings in annoyance, tired of my sexual habits. “Again? This is the third time this month I’ve found you with a mare, while on duty! Do you understand the shit you’re going to be in?” She asked, pushing part of her black mane out of her eyes.

“Yes,” I told her, staring her down with my orange eyes. “But no pony is going to do anything about it, since we’re short on troops,” I smiled ignorantly. “And we’re in a war.”

“That’s besides the point, Captain Cinder,” She growled, shoving one of her hooves into my chest. “You are one of the most respected Captains here, and what for? Fighting in battle? Fuck no! Ponies only like you because you’re soft on them, and the only reason you have your position is that you fucked your way to the top, and now you have to lead by example, otherwise we’re going to lose this damn war!”

“Cool your jets, Grace, we’re in the middle of the Crimson Lance’s main base. Nothing is going to happen.” I turned away from her before stepping over to my dresser. “Besides, today is my day off… You’re my best friend, and I don’t mind having you around, but ah, mind leaving? I’ve got a date, and need to get ready.”

“A date?” Grace flared her nostrils, before point at the sleeping mare. “What about her? What is her name, anyways? Who is she?”

“Six,” I told her.

“Six? Well tell Six here to get up and leave because-”

“Her name isn’t Six, Grace-” I started, but before I can explain myself, Grace started to stop her hooves.

“You just said her name was Six, and it’s not? Are you indecisive, Cinder? Do you even know her name?”

“Hell no, I don’t know her name. I do know she’s a Comms Officer, but that’s about it… I just calling her Six because while we were having sex, that just how many times she-”

“Sweet Cinder!” She yelled, cutting me off, throwing her hooves into the air in frustrations. “You’re my bestfriend, but s-sometimes I-I just want to choke the life out of you! I’m trying to help you!”

“Didn’t know that was your fetish…” I muttered, with a smile. “But I can get into it.”

“I’m done,” She yelled, throwing her hooves into the air again, before walking out of my room. “Good luck passing inspection now without my help!”

“Wait, what inspection!?” I nearly yelled, before rushing to the door. “Please, Grace, I’ll-” I started, trying to get her attention, but was cut off as she she turned around and shoved her hoof into my face.

“Hell no!” She yelled, as she nearly poked out my eye. “You’re on your own this time, Cinder! You have twenty minutes before General Steed shows up to do your inspection himself!”

“Well it would not be the first time he paid be a visit…” I bit my lower lip, before looking back to my room. It was a mess to say the least.

“Yeah, and it would not be the first time you fail inspection!”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, a small bit of sweat dripping from my brow. “I’ve never… failed… an inspection with your help?” I smiled, holding out my hooves for a hug. “And I'm so glad you're here to-” My hopeful remark, as well as hopes to get Grace to help me, died as she shoved her hoof into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me.

She turned away from me, lifting her head up high before walking off. “Sorry Captain Cinder,” She said in a sweet mocking tone. “I tried to help, but your too much of a ploycolt to need help. Perhaps Six can help you out.”

“Well shit…” I muttered, before glancing around. Throughout the hall other troops were standing at their doors, both looking at me and at Radiant Grace. “The fuck are all of you looking at? Get back to your rooms and get shit looking nice and tidy, we’re expecting an inspection!” I ordered, before turning back to Grace. Watching as she walked away from me. Her rump swaying side to side. “At least the view is good…” I muttered to myself.

“What was that?” Grace yelled from down the hall, glaring at me.

“Nothing!” I yelled back, before closing my door. “Damn Pegasus ears…”

“What’s going on?” Six asked, looking around.

“Com’s Officer,” I started, listing off the little bit of information I DID know about her. “We’re having an inspection soon. Please report to the showers, and clean yourself up. But first, give me your name and number so we can do this again. And that’s an order.”

Ah, inspection day! A day of hate, pain and extra pain because fuck us, the higher ups hate us, and to be honest, I would rather drink piss than dealing with it. Sadly, I don’t get that luxury. No, I didn’t even have time to make my room fully presentible. My bed was made. The floors were clean. The pile of laundry in the corner? No, didn’t have time to go get rid of it, and since the windows were welded shut, I was not able to throw it out the window. Yes, I tried to open it, and now my horn hurts...

But did I have enough time to do everything I needed to do? No. No I did not.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

My heart skipped a beat as three slow, but loud, knocks rattled my door. I held my breath as it slowly opened, and standing before me was Commanding Steed. The leader of the Crimson Lance. He stood taller than me. His horn, to my own satisfaction, shorter than mine. His white coat was groomed beyond perfection, but I knew better then to make fun of it. With a single word, I could be killed. His black mane was cut short, and his even blacker eyes slowly looked at me.

I immediately snapped to attention. Raising a hoof to salute him.

He slowly entered my room. Glancing around, his eyes roaming over every surface. Flanking him was two large Earth pony guards. Both decked out in black Crimson Lange Armor.

He didn’t speak. Not a word. His eyes were doing all of the talking. And they told me that I was fucked. How fucked? Royally fucked!

He frowned in discussed as he looked down to my laundry basket. I knew right then and there what he was looking at.

“And what are these?” He started, as the pair of bright pink painties were lifted from the basket, held up in a black magical glow.

My eyes flicked from him, to the panties, to the two large guards at the door. “Those are…” I started, not knowing what to say. Seriously, how are you suppose to tell your CO that you’re fucking other Arion troops? “Mine?”

“Yours?” He asked. “You want me to believe that these-” He then gave the pair of panties a quick shake. “-are yours?”

“Please don’t tell the other Officers, General Steed,” I requested, trying to lie through my teeth. “I’ve built up a reputation and if it gets out that I wear, eerr, bright pink panties…”

“Enough…” He muttered. “I do not care what your sexual orientation is, Captain Sweet Cinder. All the other times I’ve seen you, you’ve passed inspection with flying colors. But this time? I didn’t expect to see a disappointment. Your uniform needs to be clean, and I can see stains through the bedding. I don’t want to know what made them, but I better not see them again. You know what happens to troops that fail the borderline expectations, don’t you?”

“Yes Sir! Anypony who fails the borderline expectations of the surprise inspection is considered nothing more than a bandit in a uniform, and shall be sent to death!”

“Good,” He turned to the door, and slowly started to make his way out of the room. The two armed guards he had brought with him quickly following behind him. “Oh, and Sweet Cinder?”

“Yes, General?!” I asked.

“I know of your reputation around here. I do not like being lied too. You’ve lost your day off, and are on outskirts patrol for the next month now. The next patrol rotation is in twenty minutes.” Without another word he made his leave. Leaving me to wallow in my shame. Somewhat. I was mostly pissed off. At the fact that I now have to go out on hot summer days, walking around the sands of the world. My Crimson Lance armor didn’t even have air conditioning, and now I had to go out and walk the desert!

Better than death by firing squad though.

Almost.

It depends on how hot it is, if you ask me… Did I forget to mention that our base was located in a desert? Out of all the fucken places on Equnora to put a base, a sandy doom was their idea… Seriously, who’s the idiot that said, I know! Let’s put the base in the middle of fucken no where! Near bandit homes and in a place that can literally kill our troops if they don’t drink at least fifty gallons of water! Oh, and by the way, it had to be a Monday, didn’t it?

“Why is the AC always gone?” I groaned, as we walked through the hot, hot desert. Sweat coming from my brow, as I walked in combat armor. Insulated combat armor. That had a broken Air Conditioner. Oh, did I forget to mention that my AC was broken by the way?

“Sir, please, we’ve been walking for ten minutes. I can still see the base. The heat can’t be that bad.” I glanced over to young stallion that stood at my side. He was a Private, and had much to learn. You could tell this from his blue colored armor. All Privates had blue armor.

“Shut up,” I muttered, as we kept walking. “You wouldn't understand, anyways. Privates don’t get AC to start with, and once you do, you’ll not know how you were able to live without it...”

Without another word, and with a flick of my magic, I turned off my audio broadcaster. I could have been back at base, going out with an amazing mare, getting to know her, before plowing her in my bed. I may not have had the most complex life, and some ponies did look down on me for it, but it was my life none the same! And right now my life was screaming fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you!

I then started looking around at the ponies in my little group, or my squad if you will. I was tasked to work with three Privates, a Corporal, and a Sergeant. Corporals are decked out with yellow armor, while Sergeants are given white armor. Both of them had working ACs from the looks of it, which makes my misfortune of having a black armor set color, all the worse. Did you know the color black absorbs heat? Making me hotter than most ponies? And I know I’m normally hotter than most ponies to start with, but my point still stands! FUCK! THIS! HEAT! It was killing me. Plain and simple…

As the hours started to drag by I glanced at the clock built into my armor set. We were only part of the way finished with our patrol, and it was nearing one in the afternoon. The hottest time of the day, and even though my armor, that had the ability to tell me how healthy I was, told me that my vitals were good, I didn’t trust it. I was hot, I was sweating, and I was going to pass out. I don’t need a magical computer to tell me that I’m fine. No, I can tell you how fine I am! And right now, I’m going to die!

I glanced up to the blue sky, and to my pain, there were no cloud in sight. I didn’t even see a small baby cload... You know, the kind that you could find the smallest of shade under, if you’re lucky. No, we were stuck in a sandbox the size of General Steed’s fat ass. No water for us to find! I mean, we had water on us, but we’ve been walking for nearly four hours now, and I could tell that I needed to slow down on just how much I drank. I had already greedily consumed half of my canteen of water, and I didn’t want to die of dehydration! All I could see at this point was sand, so the thought of dying was even more real!

Now, I knew I would not die alone if this were the case. There are five ponies with me. All trained to be the best of the best. That all had water. Oh how sweet their water should taste. I could not possibly take it from them though? There are five of them, and only one of me… I was out numbered… If i tried to take their water, they would overtake me! But this heat was just too bad! I need water, but I would not make it! I NEED MORE WATER! I’LL KILL EACH AND EVERYPONY OF YOU FOR IT! I SHALL HAVE ALL THE WATERS!

“...wow, I’m starting to become delirious...” I muttered to myself, before giving myself a good smack, and taking a sip from my built in canteen.

“Captain Cinder,” I turned my attention to the Sergeant of the group. A Unicorn like me, only shorter. I could not really make out any detail in his figure or even how he looks, but he did sound like a S.M.F, also known as a squeaky mother fucker.

“Yes, Sergeant?” I asked, before it noticing that he turned my audio broadcaster with the use of his own magic, and without my permission...

“There are a group of bandits ahead of us-” He then pointed off in some direction or another. “- roughly half a kilometer ahead of us, and they are heading right to us.”

“Right… Right… How do we know this, anyways?”

“A Pegasus Scout, Sir,” One of the privates stated.

“Alright…” I muttered. “If we can avoid them, then let’s do that, if not... everypony get ready. I don’t want to deal with Bandits at the moment, but I don’t always get what I want…”

“Sorry Sir, but we have orders to deal with any bandit group that we come across,” The Corporal stated. “Get ready, everypony we’re going to be getting into a firefight soon.”

“Apparently I am not going to get what I want…” I muttered. “Alright, get ready, and form up. Keep an eye on your motion trackers… I don’t want anypony getting killed on my watch. Don’t need to deal with that shit back at base,”

We fell silent as we started to move with caution. My horn glowed as I started to turn on all the crazy shit my armor could do. Most of it was simple things like a clock or a compass. While some of the more crazy things were a motion tracker or the ammo monitor, that kept track of the ammo in your gun, as well as all the spare ammo in your bags. Hell, there was even a low level magical shield that would help me from getting shot. It even had a journal, which I never used. Hell, most ponies only used it to keep track of their orders they have been giving.

As I opened my journal my heart skipped a beet… Written in bold letters was hell itself. Message to self, Radiance Grace’s birthday is in 0 days.

“Oh shit…” I muttered to myself. Today was her birthday… Yet before I could come up with a good way to say sorry to her, something very small, hard and fast smacked me in the face. What was it?! A bird? A plane? Trick question! It WAS A FUCKEN RIFLE ROUND, AND I’M GLAD I WAS WEARING ARMOR! Wish my shield was on though, as I didn’t turn it on...

As I softly slammed down on the sandy ground, the world spinning from the bullets impact, everything was blurry. My visor, from what little I can make out, was shattered. I was lucky enough not to get any glass in my eye, but that wasn’t my concern at the moment.

“Captain!” One of the Privates yelled, though I could not tell you witch, as my ears were ringing. “The Captain’s down!” He screamed before the sounds of muffled gunfire ensued.

Gritting my teeth, and trying my best to ignore the pain, as well as the ringing and blurry vision, I tried to stand up. My hooves were wobbly, and I would have prefer to stay in the ground, as what I was feeling was worse than a hangover. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of hangovers…

I slowly looked over to my ponies. They were taking cover behind small sand dooms, while bandits fired at them from afar. None of them had seen me yet, and as I slowly approached them, I lost my balance and hit the ground again. I probably had a concussion or something, but I would be worse off if I didn’t help stop the bandits!

Standing up for the second time, I lost my balance again, and stumbled to the side, slamming into one of the Privates firing at the bandits. Out of reaction more than anything else, he turned and slammed his hoof into me, shoving me away. My world started to darken as I hit the ground.

“Oh shit!” He yelled, before I felt him tugging at me. “Sorry, Sir! Guys, Captain Cinder is still alive!”

“Damn it Private, grab your gun and keep shooting! If we die, it won't matter if he’s still alive!” somepony yelled. It was hard to make out their voice. I could not tell if it was the Sergeant that yelled that or perhaps the Corporal…

“Private…” I started, holding up a hoof. “H-Help… Help me u-up…”

I held my eyes shut, as the Private helped me to my hooves. Everything was still spinning, blurry, and I could tell the ringing was giving me a headache. The darkness in my vision was fading, and all I needed was time to pull myself together. Time I did not have.

“Yeah… Today is not a good day…” I mumbled to myself, before looking over at the Private that was helping me. He was the one from earlier, who questioned me about my complaining. “Give me your gun, Private.”

“But Sir-” He started, before I held up a hoof.

“My guns somewhere behind me, go and use that. Give me your rifle, Private. That’s an order…”

He begrudgingly hoofed it over to me, and I took it in my mouth. I didn’t want to try to use my magic as I didn’t know if it would work. My headache told me no, and I didn’t want to prove it right. Slowly, but steadily, I made my way over to my subordinates, before planting myself next to them.

They paid me no mind short of a quick glance. Like then, I know what we had to do. Take out the bandits. With how badly my vision was at the moment, I would be lucky if I could make any of them out, and as I aimed through the scope on the rifle, I found myself a very unlucky stallion. There were… Ten… No six… Um, eight, bandits? My headache became worse the longer I stared, while at the same time, my vision started to focus. Trust me, it wasn’t that better than before, but at least I wasn’t seeing double.

Without thinking, I pulled the trigger with my magic. It was both a mistake, and a blessing. From what little I could tell, my round hit my target. I was only able to tell this for about half a second, as my horn exploded in pain. I definitely had a concussion, and a part of me hoped that the bandit that I shot had been the one who had shot me in the first place. He deserved it after all. No pony shoots me and get’s away with it! NO PONY!

“Nice shot, Sir!” The Private who had given me his rifle yelled, as he fired off a few rounds on mine.

“One of them is charging!” Somepony to my left yelled.

I lifted my head up, and glanced in their direction. A massive Earthpony stallion, who mind you was the biggest pony I’ve ever seen, started to barrel his way to us. He had no armor on from what we could see, other then a large white mask, and as we aimed our rifles at him, he screamed as we unleashed a lead storm into him. He had to be an idiot or something, as he did NOT do a damn thing.

“GRENADE!” A pony yelled, before something landed inches from me. I looked at it for a moment, not realising what it at first.

“Oh shit…” I muttered for the second time, throwing my hooves up in front of my face. Hoping that the armored padding on my hooves would be enough to save me.

It then Detonated...