The Division-Cold Horse

As the squad walked through the desolate street of New York, Twilight looked over at Nick, whose face was stern and straight. Twilight sighed and forced her eyes to look forward, and she still shuddered at the sight of the ruined streets.

"Agent, you okay?"

Twilight looked over at Nick, who hadn't even turned away from looking ahead towards the front.

"I'm fine. But...Nick? How is all this not affecting you? How are you so used to this?" Twilight asked.

"It is affecting me." Nick said. "I don't let it show. That's the mark of a good agent. They don't let their emotions get the better of them. From what I've heard, "Equestria" sounds goddam near paradise from what you've said. Makes this hellhole look pretty much what it is."

"What is it, then?" Twilight asked, unsure about whether she would like the answer.

"A godforsaken hell on earth." Nick replied.

Twilight sighed and continued to walk with her squad towards the boardwalk. As they walked, Twilight again mustered her courage to ask Nick a second question.

"Nick, do you...enjoy killing?" Twilight asked.

"No." was the answer.

"Then why do you kill?" Twilight said.

"It's complicated. Humans have killed ever since we existed. Even without the Green Poison around, we've fought wars and millions of humans have died in said wars. But we persevere. We keep fighting the war till the war's won. We don't take bended knee to anyone, or anything. Why? Because when you kill, you learn what it means to be human." Nick said. "At least, that's how I see it."

"I see." Twilight said. "How long have you been an agent?"

"One year, three months, twelve days." Nick said.

"You keep track of that?" Twilight asked.

"It helps." Nick replied. "I was a ex-Army Ranger when I was contacted to join the Division. WHen the Green Poison erupted, I was kept on hold to bolster the reserve Agents. That decision saved my fucking life. Wanna know why? The whole first wave of JTF responders are all MIA or KIA."

"What's that mean?"

"Wounded, or Killed, in action." Nick said. "Believe me, the second wave wasn't as better off until we eliminated the head of the Cleaners and Rikers. Then, we could focus on the LMB, and now, New York is making a slow, but eventual, comeback. Honestly, if there's one thing I regret, it's not joining the Division sooner."

"I guess." Twilight said.

"Since we're on the topic, does your government have a real military?"

"Not really. There is the Royal Guard, but the main thing they do is protect the Princesses."

"And you?"

"Not really. I have been overloaded with requests for guard positions, mostly from the nobles, but really, I don't think I need one." Twilight said.

"That's a bad idea." Harper said.

"Why's that?"

"My father was in the U.S. Secret Service, the organization that protects the President of the United States. He retired a while ago, but before the Secret Service was around, Presidents were often attacked by assassins, and some were even killed. Lincoln, Mckinley, to name a few. Even when they WERE around, they knew that if they fucked up in any way, shape, or form, they could lose the president. Having someone protect you isn't a bad thing, if anything, it's a good thing." Harper replied.

"I see. I might look at a few of those requests when I get home." Twilight said.

"Team, get ready. Boardwalk in five minutes." Nick said. As the team drew weapons, they walked down a small street, and after five minutes, they arrived at the Boardwalk, now a changed place. Instead of carnival booths, there were stockpiles of weapons and napalm tanks. Nick pulled out a pair of binoculars and scanned the area.

"How many scorchers are there?" Dmitri asked.

"At least thirty. Most on the dock, unloading supplies." Nick said. "Team, here's the strat. Once we head in, we head in hard and fast. Leave none standing. Watch out for those flamethrowers. One gets you in its sights, you are toast." Nick said.

As the team set up positions near the start of the boardwalk, Nick made a small motion with his hand, and the team advanced, careful not to draw the attention of the Cleaners, who were growing steadily closer as the team advanced. Then, Nick placed his ACR on a crate and began firing. As the Cleaners responded, Twilight immediately realized something.

This was it. No way to go but fight.

Twilight growled and began to fire.