I walked through the station door, a look of tiredness and fatigue on my face. We had finally cleared a small pathway in the rocks from the entrance of the cave. We wouldn't be sending anyone in there until it was cleared as safe for entry.

“Trip did you tell everybody where we would be staying?” I asked drearily.

“Yes sir, but some of them were wondering if they could stay with family they have here.”

“That’s fine as long as they can get here in case of an emergency. Go ahead and tell them.” I said pushing open the door. I looked inside and saw Jet along with Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight. Scootaloo was over on my bunk curled up on the cold mattress.

“Rushie!” Squealed Pinkie latching on to my midsection. Too tired to pull her off I just returned the hug.

“Pfft, Rushie.” Snickered Jet.

“Keep laughing and we’re gonna find out what sound you make pulling a KBAR out of your ass.” I said as pinkie crawled off of me.

“You all have a very dark sense of humor.” Said Twilight confused.

“Comes with the job.” Said Jet with a smirk.

“Speaking of which, you were talking about a medal of honor.” Said Twilight wanting to get back on subject. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Scootaloo shiver a bit.

“Not that shit again.” I said taking off my gear, trying not to wake up Scootaloo.

“Yep, so any way there we were. Coming off the stage and filing back into the limos when it hits us. Not only did they pass us off as adults. They passed us as in their army.” Said Jet with a hint of anger.

“It was pretty bullshit.” I said peeling off my pads along with my ballistics and MOLLE vest.

“Well aren’t you all glad that you were honored at all.” Said Twilight, confused again.

“That’s just the thing we weren’t.” I said pulling off the top of my BDU.

“I don’t follow.” Said Rainbow who was lying down on a top bunk.

“We weren’t honored. Think of it like this. If you were getting honored, wouldn’t you want your group to get honored as well?”

“I guess, yeah.” She said with a confused look.

“Well that didn’t happen. What did was a branch from the government military.” I said also getting a little angry. I climbed up on the bunk, waking up Scootaloo.

“Dad, is that you?” She asked wiping the sleep out of her eyes.

“Yeah it’s me kid. Sorry about leaving you earlier.” I said picking her up into a hug.

“It’s okay.” She said drowsily returning the hug.

“I got an idea, how about tomorrow afternoon we go out and get you something nice.” I said putting her back on the bunk.

“Really?!” She squealed excitedly while her little wings buzzed. In all seriousness. That was the most adorable thing I had ever seen.

“Yeah we’ll get you whatever you want.” I said with a smile.

“Well I think I’ve asked enough questions for now. It was nice to meet you Jet.” Said Twilight walking out of the room and closing the door.

“Oh thank Christ I thought the questions would never stop.” He said with a sigh.

“I can still here you!” Said Twilight through the door.

“Haha, you got in trouble.” I said mockingly.

“Shove it, Rushie.” Said Jet.

“Ah, screw you.” I said lying down on the bed. Scootaloo crawled on top of me and stretched out on my chest. Again, it was pretty fucking adorable.

“Ooh, ooh, ooh! Can I spend the night!?” Asked an excited Pinkie looking at me with the puppy dog stare.

“I don’t see why not. We have plenty of room here. Just pick a top bunk next to us.” I said pulling the covers over me and Scoots.

“I’ll go tell the Cakes!” She said bouncing hopping out of the room.

“Right, well if we can stay then I am too. I’m already comfortable.” Said Rainbow.

“I’m back!” Exclaimed Pinkie who hopped out of the bathroom.

“How did yo-

“Bro, don’t ask. It’s Pinkie Pie.” I said slowly.

“Right, I’ll keep that in mind.” He said coming over to his bunk.

“That would be wise.” I said closing my eyes. I slowly drifted off to sleep.

When I opened my eyes I was greeted by the dark room. I looked down at my chest to see Scootaloo was no longer on me. Instead she was beside me on her back kicking her leg. I smiled and looked to my left. In the room was most of the two ranger squads and a snoring Rainbow Dash.

I turned back over and wrapped my arm around Scootaloo before pulling her into a hug. She let out a little moan before opening her eyes.

“D-dad? What are you doing?” She asked sleepily.

“Hey kid, wanna go get that toy now?” I asked with a smile.

“Sure.” She said stretching. I hopped off the bunk as quietly I could.

“Here climb on.” I said facing away from her. I felt the weight as she climbed onto my back. I grabbed my hat and my sack of bits before walking out the door.

“So kid, where are the shops?” I asked looking around.

“That way!” She said excitedly pointing to the left of us.

“Then that’s where were headed.” I said cheerfully. I jogged through the town looking at the stores we passed.

“Hey Scootaloo! There you are, we’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Said a high pitched voice. I turned around to see Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

“Hey Sweetie Belle. Hey Apple Bloom.” I said, they flinched at my voice.

“Rush is going to buy me stuff you wanna come?” Said Scootaloo.

“C’mon I’ll get you all something too.” I said. They looked at each other and nodded.

“Yeah let’s go!” Said Apple Bloom as they fell in beside us.

“That one, in there!” She said turning my head with her hooves. I saw the shop with a large poster of a wonderbolt in the window. We walked in and were greeted by the sight of rows of toys. I felt Scoots jump off my back. I could here her wings buzz as she glided to the ground.

“Whoa.” They all said at once. Looking over I saw the store owner look up in shock. He was an elderly light blue earth pony with grey hair.

“Hello, um may I help you?” He asked politely.

“I’m just here with the kids.” I said, pointing back to the kids who were scrambling around the shop.

“Are all of them yours?” He asked surprised.

“Hmm, no just the orange ones. The others are her friends.” I said looking around.

“You wouldn’t happen to be Rush would you?” He asked.

“The very same.” I said looking at Scootaloo.

“You’ve been making quite a few waves in town I hear.” He said.

“Just a few, so what’s your name?” I asked looking bat him.

“He he, my name is Toy Tag.” He said staring.

“Well Mr. Tag I’m kind of surprised you’re acting so calm around me after what happened yesterday.” I sighed.

“I don’t like to judge, and between you and me, you did the right thing.” He said.

“Nice of you to sa-

“RUSH!” I heard a high pitched voice scream.

“What?” I said rubbing my ear.

“Can I have this?” Said Sweetie Belle holding up a microphone.

“How much?” I asked with a confused look.

“Twenty bits.” She said losing her smile.

“Yeah sure, why not.” I said looking over at the other two. Apple Bloom came up with a purple bow, it was the same as her regular one.

“Yo Bloom what’s with the bow?” I asked confused.

“Mah regular one is wearin out.” She said handing it to me.

“Alright then. What about you Scoots?” I asked pulling out my bits.

“I want this.” She said pointing to a plush doll of Spitfire.

“Alright, how much I owe you?” I asked Tag.

“About forty bits.”

“Huh, thought it would be more.” I said laying down four silver bits.

“Discount for serving and vets. Not to mention you seem like a nice guy.” He said putting the bits in the register.

“Alright then, see you.” I said walking out the door.

“You take care now.” He called.

“Hey Rush.” Said Apple Bloom.

“What’s up?”

“Um, Ah’m hungry.” She said followed by a small rumble.

“Me too.” Said Sweetie.

“What about you, Scoots?”

“I can eat.”

“Mah sister should be at the cart. We can go see her.” Said Apple Bloom.

“Alright then, let’s go.” I said.

Walking along the road I heard someone running behind us. I turned around, and saw Spike huffing in air.

“You okay bro?” I asked concerned.

“Twilight…help…letter…ugh.” He wheezed out.

“Right, Scootaloo you mind if I take him back to Twilight?” I asked looking down at the passed out dragon.

“I guess, is he okay?” She asked.

“I guess I’ll find out. Here’s my cash you all grab some food.” I said lifting the dragon onto my shoulder and throwing them the bag with my remaining bits. I turned back around and started to jog through town.

Once I reached the tree house I slowed down to a walk. What could be so important that Spike had to run? I mean, no offense, but he’s not made for it. I opened the door and looked inside at the shelves crammed with books.

“Twilight, you in here?” I yelled.

“Up here.” A voice from upstairs echoed.

I walked up the stairs and saw Twilight looking at a letter. She looked up and I saw she had a nervous look on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, setting Spike down on her bed.

“What’s wrong, I’ll tell you what’s wrong, the diamond dogs are what’s wrong.” She said franticly.

“Calm down, what are you talking about?” I said confused.

“The Diamond dogs are angry about what you did.” She said.

“Their angry, I’ll fucking show them angry.” I growled.

“That’s not all they have support from the gryphons.” She said in a shaky voice.

“The more the merrier.” I said feeling a sudden heat inside me.

“Rush, this is serious. The princess is requesting your presence.” She said.

“Tell her to come to me, I have a surprise for her.” I said walking down the stairs. I had a new enemy.

“Rush you can’t just deny the princess!” She yelled surprised, but I wasn’t even listening.

I arrived at the guard house with harsh intentions. I walked up the stairs and into our room to see most of the Rangers up and about.

“FALL IN!” I yelled causing them to stop whatever they were doing and file into ranks. Jet just looked up at me.

“At Ease.”

“Ladies and gentlemen. It has come to my attention that Equestria has come under the threat of war.” I bellowed, this was followed by a few murmurs in the small crowd.

“Following this threat, we will be shipping back to Canterlot within the month and running combat drills based on what Celestia has to say. I also plan on expanding the Rangers, so prepare for more training considering you all didn’t even pass my basic. Any questions?” I hollered. I saw a few hooves raise.

“Who are going against?” Asked Sergeant Tool.

“Diamond Dogs with possible gryphon support.”

“Are we absolutely sure this will happen?” Asked High Mark, a brown Pegasus pony.

“No we are not, but just in case spread the word to those not here. But whatever you do. Do not. Tell. Civvies. Not even your parents, girlfriend, nobody.” I said threateningly.

“That it? Dismissed. Jet I need to talk to you.” I said walking out the door.

We walked through the door and down the stairs.

“Not even here for two days and we already got a war.” He said with a grin.

“Yeah, well the dogs are angry at me for slaughtering those dogs.” I said as I walked out the door.

“Wait, they’re angry at you? Weren't they the ones who took those kids?” He asked.

“Yes, and I can tell you right now it’s all just one big, land grab.” I said angrily.

“Well, I guess they’re going to get what’s coming to them.”

“Damn straight.” I said walking towards Twilight's tree house.

Author's Note

What do you all think of the shorter chapters, compared to the old ones?