Chapter 1 - Unscheduled Inspection
Redmist watched in satisfaction from beneath a hood of deep black fabric as the workers below his office stacked the newly arrived shipment of large, heavy wooden crates. They worked in complete silence, save for the scuff of hooves on concrete and the clunk of wood on wood. He trotted down onto the factory floor and began examining each box individually.
“Has everything been searched?” he growled at a nearby worker.
“Yes sir,” the colt said, slapping a hoof to his chest and lowering his head in deference, “no tracking devices or tampering were evident. It would appear that the police have no suspicions.”
“It’s not the police we have to worry about,” Redmist said, dully, “police can be bought, reasoned with, and disposed of. No, the only group we have any need to worry over is-“
The warehouse door was struck with such force that it was nearly knocked off its hinges and on its tail came a skittering hunk of metal, sliding across the concrete. Redmist barely had time to turn his head away before the flashbang went off.
A deafening sound met his ears while the explosion simultaneously blinded nearly everypony on the factory floor. Redmist bolted, charging up the stairs to his office even as a legion of armored ponies, their faces hidden by protective head coverings, charged onto the factory floor, subduing and binding each of the workers there.
Redmist swore under his breath as he scrambled into his office, sealing the door behind him and opening the trap door hidden under his desk, only to find the point of a sword pressing against his neck. “Going somewhere, Redmist?” asked the stallion emerging from his own escape tunnel, “We’d really appreciate it if you stuck around.”
Within minutes the warehouse workers were tied up and kneeling against a wall, Redmist at the head of the line. After a sweep one of the armored ponies removed his mask to yell out the door, “All clear, ma’am.”
Through the door stepped a pegasus mare. Taller and with a slimmer build than most, she cut an intimidating vibe with the scars spread across her body. Her throat was ringed with old, deep burns. She turned to regard the captive ponies, her eyes were cold behind frameless elliptical glasses and her face, like her body, was marred by deep scar tissue. She carried an ornate rifle strapped across her back and wore an armband with the insignia of the former New Lunar Republican army.
“Director Moxi,” Redmist said, a patronizing smile spread across his face, “to what do we owe the honor of a visit from her majesty’s head of secret service?”
“You’re a two bit thug, Redmist,” Moxi growled in reply, “I don’t know how long you expected to have this operation running before we shut you down, but it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is what’s in these crates? Care to tell me and see if it gets you any leniency?”
“How about you fuck off, with all due respect,” he grinned arrogantly, “I know my rights, and I don’t have to tell you nothing.”
“Charming,” Moxi sniffed. She turned to regard the troops stationed through the room, “Smash ‘em open, colts!”
“Oi!” Redmist barked, “That’s private property! You got a warrant!?”
Moxi slugged him across the face and he reeled back in shock at her display of force, a trickle of blood spilling from his nostril. “You know who I am,” Moxi snarled, getting close enough that Redmist could feel the heat from her breath, “do you really think I need one?”
Both ponies locked eyes with one another as Moxi’s troops began smashing open the wooden crates. Redmist lost the staring contest, finally backing down and turning away in discomfort. Moxi huffed out a breath with a nod and turned to examine the crates.
“Empty night,” her lieutenant said, “what are these things?”
As Moxi arrived at the box, she looked down to find them stuffed with slender objects of wood and metal, similar in design to the rifle strapped to her back, if less ornate. Scooping one of the rifles up from the box, she examined it more closely.
Primarily made of a heavy, carved wood, the weapons only had one superfluous piece of metalwork in their designs, a seal embossed into a brass plate on the stock of the gun. Inspection of one of the smaller crates revealed stacks of small, metal cartridges of a perfect size to fit into a hole in the rifle’s frame. Slapping one such cartridge into the rifle in her hooves, Moxi turned the weapon on one of the restrained ponies against the wall and casually pulled the trigger.
An explosive blast rent the air and a spray of blood blossomed forth from the pony she’d aimed at, a small piece of metal having apparently torn through his throat. Moxi regarded the weapon in astonishment, ignoring the sputtering pony bleeding out on the floor nearby and the ponies around him who were staring at her with sheer terror in their eyes.
“This is a remarkable piece of technology you’ve managed to smuggle into my country,” Moxi remarked to Redmist, approaching him with a calm, purposeful stride, “now tell me, where did you acquire such technology? Speak quickly, my hoof feels a little slippery and this trigger is remarkably sensitive.”
“What the hell?” Redmist said, his eyes wide in terror, “Aren’t you supposed to have some fucking code of ethics or something!?”
“No,” Moxi replied plainly, “because you ponies took that from me six years ago. Now tell me what this insignia means or I swear to Luna, I will fire this gun into your gullet.”
“I don’t know what it means,” he stammered, Moxi shoved the barrel of the rifle into his gut and he screamed, “I swear! I don’t know! I just get the shipments!”
“You’re not telling me anything that makes me think I should keep you alive,” Moxi growled.
“Marelin!” he screamed, his voice reaching a fevered, high-pitched wail, and Moxi could smell as his bladder released, “We get the shipments from Marelin in Germaneigh! That’s all I know! I swear!”
Moxi eyed him in disgust before standing and handing off the rifle to one of her masked soldiers. “There, you see?” she gestured to the gathered ponies, “These gun runners aren’t so tough. Put the fear of Luna into them and they’ll scramble to tell you what they know.”
“Does that mean you’ll let us go?” one of the warehouse workers piped up, his voice trembling in fear.
“Oh heavens no,” Moxi said, turning on them with a humorless smile, “you’ll be taken back to Canterlot, questioned, tried and if you’re lucky, thrown in the dungeon for the rest of your natural lives. If you’re upfront with us like you’re oh-so-wise leader here, it should even be relatively painless. If you struggle, however, you will die before you reach the street.”
Moxi saw the hope of all of the ponies in the lineup die at her words, each of them hanging their heads, terror evident on their features. Moxi turned and gestured to the crates. “Collect two crates of rifles and four of ammunition,” she called out, “intact ones, I want a proper analysis once we’re back in Canterlot. The rest of you, gather up the prisoners and get ready to move out. I want everything done within ten minutes.”
The Secret Service ponies snapped to a unified salute before setting about their duties. Moxi watched as they finished their tasks with time to spare, and once everpony had left the building she stepped outside and turned back to fire her rifle into the stacked crates of weaponry, calmly took to the sky as the crates caught fire and exploded, collapsing the building behind her.
The rifle landed on Prime Minister Luna’s desk with a solid, heavy thunk of wood on wood. The alicorn mare took a long look at the weapon before turning her gaze up to meet Moxi’s.
“What am I looking at here?” she asked, her voice calm and neutral.
“My ponies did a raid of a smuggler warehouse today,” she responded, gesturing at the rifle with a hoof, “this is what we found. They were stockpiling the things.”
Luna nodded before spreading her hooves in slight exasperation. “Yes, that’s all well and good,” she sighed, “but what is it?”
Moxi’s face flushed as she continued, “It appears to be a rifle, similar in design to the experimental rifle the science corps made for me during the war, but designed purely through earth pony innovation. It’s not nearly as powerful, but they’ve clearly been able to mass produce them. It would seem that it uses some kind of explosive to launch bits of metal at deadly speeds.”
Luna raised an eyebrow, turning to face the green unicorn who stood just behind and to the right of Moxi. “Melody,” she said, gesturing at the rifle, “have you had a chance to examine these things?”
“Not as well as I’d like, ma’am,” she said, laying out a series of objects on the table; an empty cartridge, a conical sliver of metal, and a small pile of black powder. “Moxi’s analysis is an apt one, unfortunately it’s as apt as we’re going to get until we have a chance to properly examine this powder. It’s clearly the propellant, firing this piece of metal fast enough to pierce flesh. We have no idea as of yet where the cultists gained this technology…”
“So that’s a dead-end,” Moxi growled, “what about the insignia?”
“We checked all known trademarks,” Melody sighed, “wherever these things are from, it’s not Equestria. You said that the cultist leader claimed they were receiving shipments from Marelin?”
Moxi nodded. “The crates were stamped with another symbol that we weren’t able to identify,” Melody continued, “our records of foreign trademarks and companies are fairly lax, but if we go to Germaneigh we might be able to figure it out.”
“We couldn’t send an armed force into another country without sparking another war,” Luna said, planting a hoof firmly on the desk, “things are more stable now than they were six years ago, but the Republic’s foundation is still shaky. If we spark an international incident now, the public dissent could be enough to make us easy targets for an ambitious militarized nation.”
“Then we don’t send an armed force in,” Moxi interjected, “we can’t keep explaining away these cultists as gangsters, and we damn sure wouldn’t be able to justify chasing simple criminals into another nation, nopony would buy it. My ponies are loyal, but even they get suspicious sometimes. If they stumble onto a Temple of Wrath before we’ve had a chance to sanitize it, it could spark an issue.”
“I’m well aware of this,” Luna sighed, “so what do you suggest?”
“One mare,” Moxi said, planting her hooves on the desk and leaning towards Luna, “send me. My loyalty has never been in question and there’s nopony in Equestria who hates the Cult of Wrath more than me.”
Luna pondered for a moment, standing and walking to the window of her spacious office, gazing out at the jeweled night sky. “You realize,” she said, looking over her shoulder at Moxi, “you’ll be on your own. We won’t be able to offer much of any support, if you are arrested or killed, we will be forced to disavow your actions and, depending on the circumstances, you may be branded a traitor.”
“I will do what it takes to bring this organization down, princess,” she said, her wings furling and unfurling in apprehension.
“Don’t call me that,” Luna sighed, approaching Moxi and wrapping a hoof around the smaller mare, “you never needed to refer to me by a title, even when that was mine. When you’re ready, name your successor as director of my secret service. I trust your judgement on this better than anypony else… and, above all else, take care of yourself out there, and know that you will always have a home here.”
“I’ll pen my resignation tonight,” Moxi smiled weakly, “and I’ll be gone before anypony wakes. Goodbye, Luna.” With one final hug, Moxi exited the Prime Minister’s office.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Melody said, watching Moxi go with misty eyes, “I have to see to some things.”
“See to it she has whatever support we can afford to give her,” Luna said, turning a stern gaze on Melody, but she could see the fear and discomfort behind her eyes. Melody gave her a quick nod and galloped out of the room.
Chapter 2 - The Great Equestrian Plains
Moxi rose from her bed at dawn, moving gently out from under the warm covers to keep from waking the slumbering mare beside her. She trotted to her bedroom window and looked out over Canterlot. The city had been her home for more than half a decade, and it had only just begun to hit her that she was about to leave the life she had built for herself here in the palace.
She pulled the strip of cloth bearing the symbol of the NLR, it felt strange having her flesh bare, she hadn’t removed it in years. “Luna Nobis Providet,” she mouthed the words she’d held so close for so long, laying the soft band of cotton on the dresser atop a letter of resignation.
Pausing only to gently run her hoof over the plush green mane of the mare who still lay slumbering in her bed, Moxi trotted quietly from the room, making her way through the palace, past the guards who all nodded in recognition, none of them realizing that this could perhaps be the last time they ever saw her. Arriving in the entrance hall, she took one last look at her home before pushing open the heavy palace doors.
“You were just going to leave without saying goodbye?” The words brought back memories, it seemed like a lifetime ago that she’d accosted Dreamcatcher as he left the palace.
“I promised I’d be gone before anypony woke,” Moxi said, turning to face Melody with cold, empty eyes, her mane was disheveled and her eyes shadowed from sleep, “and you’re making me break that promise.”
Melody reeled at the words, turning her face away with hurt in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said, she didn’t sound it, “but I had something I wanted to give you…”
Extending a hoof, Melody passed Moxi a golden locket. It was simple, an oval of polished gold which fit easily into her hoof with a simple chain intended to be worn around the neck. Moxi eyed the locket before turning her listless gaze on Melody.
“So you always remember,” Melody said, meeting Moxi’s eyes defiantly, “what you have to fight for.”
Moxi turned her eyes back on the locket before nodding at Melody and tucking the golden trinket in her saddlebag. Melody bit back tears and trotted forward to wrap a hoof around Moxi, “Come home, okay?”
With a wordless nod, Moxi turned and trotted across the castle courtyard. Melody watched until the pegasus mare was completely out of sight, her face burning. “Don’t break that promise,” she muttered, turning and walking slowly back into the castle.
Riding on the train, Moxi laid out a map of Equestria and its neighboring nations. Germaneigh lay to the north, and with no direct travel route between its capital of Marelin and Canterlot, the trip would take several days at least and would take Moxi directly through a large stretch of Equestrian wilderness. The Great Equestrian Plains.
Moxi had kept tabs on the Navapony, even if she hadn't maintained communication with Dreamcatcher, she felt better knowing that she could find him easily if she ever chose to. "Well," she muttered, turning to regard the gathering clouds above, "I suppose the time has come."
The encampment was easy enough to find, even though the Navapony had increased their nomadic ways following the severe diminishment of their numbers in the Lunar War. Moxi strode directly into the encampment, several dozen tepees spread around a lush valley floor at the embankment of a river in the Great Equestrian Plains. A lone sentry spotted her well before she had arrived at the border of the camp, approaching her as she made to enter. "Good evening, traveler," he greeted her with a shallow bow, his voice and face were friendly, but Moxi could sense apprehension beneath the surface, "what brings you here to our home?"
Moxi returned the bow before replying, "I'm looking for an old friend of mine. I believe he is the shaman of your tribe. An earth pony by the name of Dreamcatcher?"
The sentry's eyes brightened and at once he looked genuinely pleased. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "You must be Lady Moxi, Dreamcatcher spoke of your actions during the war." He bowed again, significantly deeper this time, "Our people are deeply indebted to you for helping to return our shaman to us."
"No, no," she shook her head, flushing slightly, "you don't owe me anything. Dreamcatcher was my partner. Besides, he pulled my flank out of the fire way more often than I saved him."
"A noble sentiment from a noble mare," the sentry beamed at her, "Dreamcatcher's tepee is at the outcrop at the top of the camp, overlooking the rest of the herd, though he is likely asleep by now. Perhaps you would prefer to stay overnight? I'm sure the shaman would be delighted to speak with you in the morning."
"No time," Moxi sighed, waving her hoof in a dismissive fashion, "I'm only passing through. I have business to take care of, and this was on the way. If he's not awake, I'll have to be on my way. If that is the case, I trust you'll give him my regards."
The sentry blinked at her in surprise and she could see his face fall slightly, but he nodded in agreement anyway, "As you wish, Miss. Should you change your mind, there are many among our people who would gladly share their homes with you, myself included."
Moxi gave the sentry a brief smile and trotted into the encampment to search for Dreamcatcher.
Moxi approached the tepee at the top of the camp to find its fire pit naught but smoldering ashes. The embers were still hot to the touch, but the inhabitants seemed to have long since retired. She pressed her ear against the soft, leather structure and listened for any sounds of life within. When she heard only the deep breaths of sleep, she turned from the tepee and made to leave.
"Did you really come all this way to leave without saying a word?"
At the sound of the gently chiding voice from behind her Moxi turned to face her old friend. "Dreamcatcher," she smiled, walking forward to wrap a hoof around the stallion.
"It's been a long time, Moxi," he said, returning the hug, "how have you been holding up?"
"Well enough," she replied, breaking the hug and stepping back to speak with him face to face, "Luna's guard detail is a pretty simple job. Nopony wants to see her ousted from the throne, so there's really not much for us to do."
"That's not what I mean," he said, his eyes softening as he turned them on the burn scars around her neck, "does it still hurt?"
"No," Moxi winced, turning away, "some of the unicorn doctors have offered to try to fix it so the scars will be completely gone, but I want to keep them. They remind me that I've got something to fight for."
Dreamcatcher's eyes widened slightly and he began to respond when the sound of a mare stirring in her sleep emerged from the tepee behind him. He placed a hoof to his mouth and motioned for Moxi to follow as he walked deeper into the camp.
The pair settled down by the main bonfire of the camp, kept burning all through the night. A couple of stray ponies sat beside the fire, but there was plenty enough room for Dreamcatcher and Moxi to sit without worry of being overheard.
"So," Moxi said, sitting down in the warm orange light, "you've found a mate? And you're already living together? That was quick."
Dreamcatcher smiled, gazing into the heart of the flames. "I'm not a colt anymore, Moxi," he remarked, turning to face her, "I'm getting older, it's time for me to settle down, besides, my people need me, and they certainly need more ponies."
"Already got foals on the mind, eh, Catch?"
"I should hope so," he chuckled, "she's pregnant."
Moxi's eyes widened and she beamed at Dreamcatcher, wrapping the stallion in a hug, "contratulations, Catcher."
"Thanks Mox," he smiled at her momentarily after they broke the hug before his face went stern, "but the more important thing is that my place in the fight is over. I served my time in the war."
Moxi eyed her former partner warily. "Catch," she said, "I'm not trying to recruit you for this…"
"I know that, Moxi," he said, his face hardening with a gentle sternness, "that's not what I mean. What I mean is that you were beside me for most of that war." He took in the premature wrinkles creasing under her eyes beside the scars, "You're not a filly anymore either, Moxi, and you've done your part too. It's time to pass the fight on to the next generation and get the rest you've earned. My offer still stands. You can come live with us here, settle down and find a life for yourself among the tribe. You may not be Navapony, but the tribe would accept you without hesitation."
"I can't do that, Catch," Moxi said, not turning from the fire, unable to look her friend in the face, "you know what they did. You were there. Most ponies don't even know that they're out there. Don't know that he's out there." She shook her head, "Worse yet, with the rumblings Luna has been hearing from across the world, not just Equestria, mind you, the world, it seems that the majority of ponies who do know about him are his followers; this Cult of Wrath. I can't entrust this fight to anypony else."
"And why not?" Dreamcatcher said, an edge in his voice, "Moxi, you can't do this! You can't let yourself fall into this trap! You're fooling yourself into thinking this is your duty, but it's not! What you're doing is chasing revenge, but killing for revenge is just the same as killing for spite. It won't bring you peace, just like killing that lab pony didn't bring you peace for Chillwind."
Moxi glared at him at the sound of her lost love's name, "Shut up."
"I will not!" Dreamcatcher got to his hooves, "Not until you promise me that you'll go home and leave this business to somepony else!"
"Like who!?" Moxi stood as well, glaring into Dreamcatcher's eyes, "Radiant Sol? Twilight Sparkle? How many corpses do you expect me to ask? Nopony else knows about them! He appeared to us! The only other ponies I could entrust this to are you or Luna." She fought back the tears welling up behind her eyes. "Luna has a country to lead," she spat, her voice cracking, "and you've got a tribe, a family."
Dreamcatcher's face softened and he reached out a hoof to comfort the mare, "Moxi, I-"
"Save it, Catcher," she spat, tears streaming down her cheeks, wetting her coat over the deep scars across her face, "I'll do this on my own or I'll die trying." And with that, she turned and stormed away, leaving Dreamcatcher standing alone beside the bonfire, watching her depart.
Do it or die trying, he thought, watching her go with a heavy heart, but which are you hoping for, Moxi?
