[Location: Sick Bay-Mother Base]
[Time: ????]

Sunset was sleeping, her injuries had been treated by a combination of traditional, for Earth, and somewhat experimental magical methods. Luckily there wasn't anything too serious so surgery wasn't necessary, but the doctor in charge had still ordered a few days of bed rest. Her dreams were troubled, but luckily for her she wouldn't have to suffer them for long, as someone had other ideas.

Sunset groaned as something started licking her face. She cracked open one of eyes to see that a small white puppy with an eyepatch was licking her, then immediately closed it just before her eye got licked. "DD, down," someone said, and she immediately felt the licking stop and felt the puppy leap off the bed. Now that she was sure she wouldn't get slobber in her eyes, she opened them to see Boss at the doorway with the puppy nuzzling his leg. "Sorry about DD, he's rather... energetic."

"That's one word for it," Sunset said as she sat up and wiped the drool off her face, "so, docs say I can go home yet?"

"The docs do, but there's something I'd like to talk to you about first," Boss said as he picked up DD.

"What is it?"

"An opportunity," Boss said before walking out of the room.

Sunset got dressed as she wondered what he meant. Her old clothes were unfortunately too damaged to keep, but luckily there was a set of fatigues laid out for her. As she dressed, she noticed a patch on the left shoulder of the coat, a diamond with a dog's head and the words 'Diamond Dogs'. Although her memories of the trip were fuzzy, she thought she remembered the same symbol on the side of the rig. After she slung the coat on, she walked outside. Luckily there were maps posted so she didn't get lost, much.

As she exited the building, she noticed that Boss was looking through his binoculars at something in the distance. After double checking that yes, there was that symbol on the side of the rig, she looked in the direction that he was facing. It appeared to be construction of some sort. Boss noticed her and handed her the binoculars, which she accepted eagerly. Peering through them, she saw that it was another platform, as well as what appeared to be some sort of bridge that led to the one she was currently standing on.

"Impressive isn't it," Boss said, slightly startling Sunset, "when it's finished, it'll be the home of our R&D Department."

Sunset wondered why a mercenary group would need an R&D department, but pushed it to the back of her mind as there were more pertinent questions, "You said you had an opportunity for me?"

Boss nodded, "Tell me, what do you think is worth fighting for?"

Sunset shrugged, "I don't know, depends on the person I guess."

"For me, fighting is a means to stop conflicts. That group that's been supplying terrorists? I'm putting together a group to find out who they are, and I'd like you to be a part of it."

"Why me? I'm no fighter, or did you forget that I needed rescuing?"

"I never said anything about you needing to fight. I have a knack for finding talented people, and you'd be perfect in a support position."

Sunset considered what he said. While the prospect of finding out who had abused what was basically her life's work was appealing, she didn't know if she was prepared to become a gun for hire. "Mind if I sleep on it?"

"Consider it an open invitation," Boss said, "there's a supply ship coming in a few days, you and your friend are free to take it to the mainland if you wish."

"I'm still not sure why he asked me to join him," Sunset said to Rarity. The two of them were currently in the room Rarity was staying in while they were waiting for the boat.

"To be honest, he said something similar to me."

"Really?"

"Well, he didn't offer me a job, but he did say that I'd do well in intel, whatever he meant by that."

Sunset chuckled, "Well, back at CHS you practically ran the rumor mill, makes plenty of sense that you'd be good at gathering information."

"Sunset, I'll have you know that I've never engaged in rumors, merely harmless gossip."

"Whatever you say Rares."

"Anyway, I think it might not be a bad idea."

"Rarity, how is me becoming a mercenary a good idea?"

"Well, I wouldn't be suggesting it if it was any other outfit, but these fine gentlemen are cut from a rather different cloth. I've been here for a week and they've been nothing but accommodating, they even let me in the observation room during your rescue."

Sunset didn't reply, instead looking out the window at the setting sun. It was true that they did seem different then what she expected from a common mercenary band, in fact there hadn't been a single fatality during her rescue, although some of them probably needed a bath after being stuffed into a dumpster. On top of that, she too was curious about who had perverted the magic that she held so dear to her heart.

It was a lot to think about, luckily she had time. The only question, was it enough time?

[4 days later]
[Command Platform-Mother Base]
[0900]

Sunset watched as a freighter approached. It was bringing supplies for the nearly completed R&D Platform, and would take her and Rarity away soon after.

"So, made your decision?"

Sunset started and turned around to see that Boss had walked up to her silently, "Don't do that!"

"Sorry, force of habit. Anyway, the Oregon's here, will you be staying, or leaving?"

Sunset frowned slightly. She had thought it over for her entire stay, but was unable to decide one way or the other, or at least she couldn't until now. "Before I decide, there's something I need to know."

"Go ahead."

"You told me about your mission, but not about your organization. I need to know what you stand for."

Boss nodded, "Mercenaries don't have a cause of their own. They're hired by those who treat them as nothing more than disposable troops, nothing more than tools. But here, they have a chance to have a cause, and be free from those who would exploit them. We're more than comrades, we're family. We're dogs of war, but also diamonds in the rough. We're not just mercs, not just a simple PF, we're Diamond Dogs, and we take care of our own."

Sunset processed the information for a minute before she noticed something, "You've been practicing that speech in the mirror haven't you?"

"A little bit, how was it? It felt a bit rushed."

"No it was fine, and every word of it was true?"

"Ask anyone around here."

Sunset sighed, having come to a decision, "Then I guess I'm a Diamond Dog too, Boss."

Boss grinned, holding out a hand, "Glad to hear it."

Sunset grabbed his hand and shook it, "Don't make me regret it."

"You won't. By the way, Boss is just what I'm known as to the average Joe."

"So, what do your fellow Dogs call you?"

"Sometimes boss, cause I am their boss, but I much prefer if you think of me as Snake, Mythic Snake."

Author's Note

Yes, I played with the name a bit, but Mythic was much more appropriate. Venom is for a Snake that seeks revenge, Mythic is for one that uses both tech and magic.

By the way, this is primarily an MGSV:TPP Displaced, but I'll be incorporating elements from other franchises to flesh things out. Also, if you can identify the 2 references, I'll PM you a sneak preview of what my plans are for the Mane 6.