My Little Operator

Chapters

Prelude
Chapter One - Grey Vulcan
Chapter Two - Twilight Sparkle
Chapter Three - Las Pegasus
Chapter Four - The Demolition Sisters
Chapter Five - Rainbow Dash
Chapter Six - Onyx "Glaz" Blueflame
Chapter Seven - Winning Bet
Chapter Eight - Her
Chapter Nine - Ponyville
Chapter Eleven - Rainbow Training Facility - Part One
Chapter Twelve - Rainbow Training Facility - Part Two
Article Five - Part One
Chapter Fourteen - Article Five - Part Two
Chapter Ten - Everfree

Prelude

One Thousand Years Ago
Castle of the Two Sisters

Wrought Vulcan's face held a somber expression and his light yellow eyes shone with concern. He stared into the intense teal eyes of the Princess of the Night. "Luna, do you trust me?" he questioned cautiously.

Princess Luna's hard face softened into confusion; she did not expect him to say that, not after telling him her plans to overthrow her sister. "Of course, We doth trust thou. We hath known one another since thou were but a foal. What brings about thine questioning?"

"Luna," he sighed and shook his head, "your plan is short sighted and selfish." She was about to retort, but he held up a crimson hoof and stopped her, "Your. . . Coup d'etat would lead to the deaths of thousands. An eternal night would kill off plants and the other survivors. You will make Equestria the number one enemy to the other kingdoms."

He stepped closer to her with a warm smile and placed a hoof on her shoulder, "Luna, you do not need to prove to anypony that you are better than your sister. I know you are stronger than her and I am willing to bet she knows it, too. She controls one star while you control millions!" He waved his free hoof into the air for effect, "Luna, you are still young and trust me, politics are a hassle. Let Celestia take care of the paperwork; Mother knows she has the flank to support her."

Luna brought up a hoof to stifle her giggle.

"As a friend, I am completely honest with you; you still have years to mature, and that is not a bad thing. You are practically immortal; you do not need to rush things. Learn from Celestia. Right now, with the war against the Griffins, you need to support her, not fight her and start a civil war."

Luna watched her aging unicorn friend before her. She hated to admit that he was right, that her sister was right, but perhaps that was the immaturity in her speaking? Deep down she did not want to hurt her sister; she did not want to see other ponies hurt. Luna waged war inside her head.

"Luna, it is not good to keep your feelings bottled up. If Celestia is too busy and you can't talk to me or anypony else, you know what you can do?"

"What can We do?" Luna wondered.

"Go deep into the forest and release all your feelings into the trees," he smiled, "That's what I used to do. I would spend hours shouting at the top of my lungs, being angry about this, that, or the other, and sometimes I would sit in the stillness and cry."

"Truly?"

"Verily. Trees are good listeners." Wrought Vulcan saw his dear friend's troubles shed away and a weight lift off her shoulders. Her icy gems returned to their steadfast nature and reflected shame. She unexpectantly leaned in and wrapped her hooves around him in a hug, which took him by surprise; not only the act but also because she was almost twice his size.

"Oh, Vulcan! Such a fool We are!" she confessed.

"As long as you understand now, that is all that matters," he replied strained, with a gentle tap on her side, his three limbs wanting to buckle under her weight.

She ended their embrace and smiled gratefully at the crimson stallion before her, "We will go to our sister and apologize at once!"

"Good," he replied followed by a yawn he had been holding down the entire conversation. "I guess I should get some shut eye while I can. We are making the final push tomorrow. Soon, the Griffins will be out of our home."

"Yes," she affirmed.

They walked out of her quarters, and the guards went to attention. Wrought Vulcan accompanied the Princess down the dimly lit hallway until the last intersection. Luna swallowed the lump in her throat and with a gentle nudge from her friend, continued forward. The stallion took the right hallway back to his smithy.

Princess Luna lowered the moon, and Princess Celestia raised the sun, bringing with it the dawn of battle. Wrought Vulcan was no soldier, nor was he a pushover. He stood in the front line with his black armor shining in the light, his spear leveled and ready to impale any Griffin in his way. From the right of his peripheral, he saw Princess Luna in her midnight armor, her lustrous mane floating in some unforeseen breeze. She stood with her head high and her eyes ready for the fight at hand. Princess Celestia stepped forward from behind Luna. Her bright gold armor was glinting in her light. With a gilded hoof, she set forth her forces upon the Griffin invaders.

After two days of battle. Neither sister was pausing their fighting to lower and raise their respectful celestial bodies, the Griffin King finally surrendered, when he saw that his army of two hundred thousand was reduced to only a thousand. Princess Celestia and her top Generals went back to the Castle of the Two Sisters to write up a treaty and acceptance of defeat. Princess Luna stayed on the battlefield and looked sadly upon the grizzly scene. Ponies and Griffins alike laid strewn about the bloody landscape with limbs missing and their organs spilled out for all to see. More than a few Griffins were still burning to ash. The stench of death nearly choked the princess.

When one of her Commanders walked by she stopped her to ask her a question, "Doth thou know where Captain Wrought Vulcan be?" She instantly recognized the displeasure in the Commander's dark green eyes and noticed her shift her gaze away.

"He is not looking too good, Princess. . ." the Commander replied reluctantly. She pointed a silver hoof to the east, "Healers are working on him in the critical condition tent." A gust of wind and dirt splashed up into the Commander's face as Princess Luna rocketed away.

Luna landed as softly as possible, not wanting the dirt to infect the open wounds of the injured soldiers nearby. She rushed over to a Lieutenant in silver armor, "Where is Captain Wrought Vulcan?" She followed the stallion's muzzle to the group of four healers and hurried over there. "What can We do to aid him?" she asked a pink coated mare.

"We found him too late," she replied solemnly, "He was buried under two Griffins. He has multiple bones broken; a rib punctured his lungs, and he has lost so much blood."

Princess Luna flung the four healers away. Her horn lit up with her blue magic which enveloped her single friend. She could feel his life slipping away slowly. "No. . ." she whispered as tears welled in her eyes.

"Luna," Wrought Vulcan croaked weakly.

"Captain, We order you not to die!" Luna commanded hopelessly.

Vulcan coughed up blood, "Sorry. . ."

"Shhh," Luna went to his side and petted his silvery mane, "Save thy strength."

"Luna," he spoke weakly, "Please, take care. . . of my son. . ."

"Your 'son'?" she reiterated in shock. "Thou has never told usmeyou had a 'son', let alone a wife. . ."

"He was. . . A product of a one night fling," he admitted hoarsely, "I wanted to take full responsibility. His mother did not hate that," he labored and continued, "She died. Four months ago." He reached up and placed a broken right hoof on her shoulder, "Luna, he is such a good boy. You are my only friend. Please."

Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, "I 'still have years to mature,' remember? I can not take care of a child. You have to live, if not for me, than for him!"

"He is," tears rolled down Wrought Vulcan's cheeks, "such. . . a good. . ."

Luna stared into his open eyes for an eternity, waiting for him to finish his sentence. Finally, grief and reality took hold of her, and Luna slumped over his body, ignoring the blood and the mud and sobbed loudly. The soldiers watched with sorrow and in silence. A cold autumn breeze blew through the tents and carried Wrought Vulcan away.

Author's Note

Decided to go the pony route. This kind of explains why there is no Nightmare Moon and other things down the line.

Chapter One - Grey Vulcan

Present Day
1001 A.C.S (After Concord Signing)
Canterlot
Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns

"With the signing of the 'Equestrian - Griffin Concord' one thousand years ago, peace between both nations was reached and has lasted since. The other warring species took notice and with the help of the Princesses, the differences between Dragons, Yaks, Griffins, Zebras, and Buffalo subsided and peace flowed all over Equus. Industry began to bloom afterward, starting with the Dragons and soon spread to the Griffins. It did not take long for ponies to pick up the new inventions and start an industry of their own. Competition between the Dragons and Griffins soon escalated into a confrontation. War broke out between the two kingdoms, a war that dragged in their allies, spreading the war to the entire world."

The aging black unicorn with a steely mane was interrupted by a light purple hoof. "The Great War, World War One," the blonde unicorn filly attached to the hoof added knowingly.

The gruff stallion stared icily at her with his golden eyes, "Would you like to come up here and teach the class, Hyacinth Bloom?"

Feeling as if her soul was being examined, the young filly buckled under his intense gaze and retreated as far back in her chair as possible.

"Anypony else want to interrupt my lecture?" His piercing gaze swept across the class. "No?" He cleared his throat and began where he left off, "The war ended with the ponies and dragons creating a weapon with devastating power: the atomic bomb. It was with a heavy heart the Three Princesses and the Dragon King deployed such a weapon. Sixty years later, the Griffins are still rebuilding and recuperating from the bomb that leveled their capital.

Twenty years ago, the Changelings suddenly attacked Everfree Castle and spread like a plague across Equestria. Dragons, Griffins, Yaks, and Zebras, were all afflicted within months. After five years of grueling fighting, the Changelings yielded to the nations. Despite all the death and destruction they cause, the leaders had a compassionate heart for them, after all, the only reason they invaded was that they need love to survive. A treaty brokered between the Changelings and the rest of the species ended the fighting."

"Didn't you fight in that war?" Diamond Dancer spoke up when the older stallion was sipping coffee from a blue mug encased in his golden magic.

A heavy sigh escaped his nostrils and his hard eyes softened, "Yes, yes I did." He took a second long sip of his coffee and set the mug down, his eyes returned to their default hardness, "That will be one hundred laps around the school for you, Diamond Dancer; no flying."

The silver pegasus filly's ice blue eyes threatened to pop out of her head, and her jaw crashed onto the wooden desk in shock. Her face scrunched up into a pout, and she smacked her face down on the desk in defeat.

"Please, feel free to speak your two bits now or forever hold your peace," he announced to the class. Like a lighthouse on a forlorn coast, his gaze surveyed the class. With no hooves raised or voices heard he continued his lecture. "There is still animosity towards Changelings and with their new residence near ponies at the Everfree Castle, guards there are always on the look out for illegal Changelings. The Princesses fear that with the nuclear bomb in the claws of the dragons, who have no qualms about using it, might one day turn and use it on Equestria. Reluctantly, the dragons have, for the most part, agreed with the Three Princesses wishes and decrees.

With the splitting of the atom, anything seemed possible to all the races. Technology advanced two hundred years, some experts believe. All the advances of technology and magic give us the world we live in now; a world with devices that connect an individual with the entire world via a network of satellites and cables; a world where you no longer need to have wings to fly; a world where you can drive around faster than a pegasus can fly; a world where guns have replaced swords. A safer worlda peaceful world."

The dismissal bell rang, and the students stayed firmly planted in their seats. After the first day of school, when he had made them all run one hundred laps for packing up and leaving without his permission, the foals new better than to move without his say.

"Have a pleasant afternoon, my little ponies," he smiled warmly, "Be safe on your way home." He turned from them and began to erase the blackboard. Instructions and outlines in white chalk disappeared.

"Mister Grey Vulcan, sir?" a little voice squeaked from behind.

The black stallion removed his attention from the board and down to the ice blue mane, big eyed pegasus filly, "That's the name, teaching's the game."

Diamond Dancer swallowed the lump in her throat and mustered all of her courage, "D-do I have to r-run a hundred laps around the school?"

His heart melted, "Of course not, sweetie."

Diamond Dancer's face lit up, "Really?"

"Only around the track," he smiled warmly. Diamond Dancer deflated and wore a sour expression. "Get going, DD."

"Yes, sir," Diamond Dancer replied solemnly. She dragged her hooves across the marble floor as she trudged out the door.

A familiar figure caught his attention in the door frame. A familiar, lavender unicorn figure in a black business suit walked in with a beaming smile.

"As strict as ever I see, Mister Grey Vulcan," Twilight Sparkle greeted her former instructor.

"And look at the fine mare you turned out to be," the old stallion complemented, which made Twilight blush slightly. After a quick embrace, he added, "You, what graduated top of your year? Best in history?"

"Something along those lines," Twilight circled an embarrassed hoof on the floor.

"No need to be so modest." He took a seat in his chair, he levitated a second chair from the back of the room and placed it in front of his desk for her. She bowed politely and accepted the chair. "You here to visit your folks?"

"Yes, but that was not the only reason I came to Canterlot. Last year, I joined the Equestrian Intelligence Agency, as an Analyst Specialist. With the increasing attacks in the major cities, I thought I would be able to help find the organizations behind them."

"Have you?"

"No" she answered crestfallen, "They are too random and have different m.o.'s. . ."

"If anypony can find something, it is you, filly," Grey Vulcan encouraged with a warm grin.

"Thanks," she smiled weakly back. "The main reason I am here is that Princess Celestia asked for mepersonally."

"Ah," Grey Vulcan replied knowingly, her sugilite gems revealed all to him, "And your nerves are getting to you, ja?"

She nodded her head sheepishly.

"You have nothing to worry about, Twilight. Princess Celestia is not at all as fearsome as some think; unless you cross her. . . or steal her muffins. Just be yourself, and everything will be okay. If not and she hurts your feelings, tell me and I'll give her a stern talking to," the old stallion's eyes lit up playfully.

Twilight Sparkle giggled, "Okay." She stood up, and Grey Vulcan stood up respectfully. She walked around the desk and gave him a warm hug, "Thank you, Mister Grey Vulcan, for everything."

"Anytime, filly," he replied with a hoof around her neck. He walked with her down the hallway and to the parking lot, talking about life and current events. Once he saw her to her car safely, he headed to the track to check in on a certain silver pegasus.

Diamond Dancer laid on her back, gasping, and heaving for oxygen. Another filly from his class knelt by her side with a water bottle in her hooves.

"I do not see you running," he stated above the two fillies.

"I. . . break. . ." she wheezed.

Grey had to admit, she did look worse for wear, and he felt a tinge of guilt in his heart. "Do you know how many laps she ran, Skippy Sparkles?" he directed the question to the pink pegasus filly with the wildly frizzy purple mane.

"Twenty-seven and three-quarters!" the pegasus chimed, her amethyst irises twinkling in the late afternoon sun.

"Only twenty-seven and three-quarters, DD, in ten minutes? I am thoroughly disappointed in you," Grey grinned down at her.

"Come. . . say that. . . to my face. . ." Diamond Dancer challenged between deep breaths.

Grey Vulcan's horn sparked to life with his gold magic. He touched the pegasus' belly with his horn which encased her in a gold aura. When he dispelled his magic, Diamond Dancer jumped up to her hooves in shock. She gave him a quizzical look. "Just a simple Rejuvenation Spell. You two, make sure you get on the bus to the orphanage this time, alright?"

Diamond Dancer hung her head low, "Yes, sir." She began to walk away with a chipper, floating, pink filly following close at heel.

"And DD," he called out to her, she stopped and cranked her head at him, "try not to get into any fights."

Diamond Dancer snorted and huffed away.

Grey Vulcan sighed and decided to escort the two fillies to the bus stop. He paid for their fares, gave instructions to the driver about the two fillies, and watched the bus disappear into the mass of vehicles and lights. "Mother, help her," he sighed under his breath.

Chapter Two - Twilight Sparkle

Princess Celestia sat at the wooden oval table. Her attention focused on the papers levitating in her pale yellow aura. She set the papers down neatly and scanned the others sitting at the table with her poudrette orbs. To her right sat the Dragon Princess, Ember, the youngest Secretary General of the International Open Trade Alliance, followed by the Griffin Ambassador, Gallus Regallius Magus, next to him sat the dusky Changeling Duchess Lacewing. On the left side of Princess Celestia, the Yak diplomat, Leif Forslund, next to him sat the Zebra Foreign Minister, Zakia. All the Generals wore their respective country's military uniform and stoic expressions.

"Do you think she should be here?" Gallus broke the silence and pointed a suspicious beak at the Changeling Duchess.

Duchess Lacewing smiled politely back at him and refrained from speaking.

"Absolutely," Princess Celestia affirmed, "the Changelings are part of the alliance now. Why we are here goes above a single country. The attacks, the bombings, the threats. . . I have good reason to believe all are from an individual group of. . . terrorists." Princess Celestia, the head of IOTA, let that word sink with the Secretary Generals.

"'Terrorists,'" Zakia sighed and shook his head, "Terrible."

"Then is simple what we do!" Leif projected, his voice booming in the small room, "Find the leader and kill him! No more terrorists!"

"Alright, Secretary Leif, go out and locate the leader for us and kill him," Princess Ember remarked.

"I will!" the Yak stood up violently which threw the chair against the wall.

"Please, sit down, Secretary Leif," Princess Celestia politely ordered. She stared down the hotheaded Yak who, after moments of tense silence, picked up his chair and sat back down at the table. "Which brings me to the purpose of this meeting: the reactivation of Team Rainbow."

"I knew it!" Gallus shot up then quickly sat back down. He pointed a talon at the Duchess, "She should not be here for this!"

"What is 'Team Rainbow'?" the Changeling Secretary General asked Princess Celestia with curious eyes.

"They were the elite group of individuals that. . ." Princess Celestia began to explain but trailed off.

"They quelled the Queen that initiated the quarrel," Zakia finished for the Princess bluntly.

"Ah," Lacewing replied, "This 'Team Rainbow' assassinated Queen Nymph." With all eyes on her she continued, "Well, it is not like we were fond of that lunatic. She incited the attack against the ponies, ignoring the objections of the other Hives."

"Team Rainbow is a secret, joint, multispecies, group of soldiers. With only a talon to count the surviving members, we need new operators," Princess Celestia shared with Duchess Lacewing.

"I agree with Director Princess Celestia, Team Rainbow needs to be reinitiated," Gallus stated matter-of-factly.

"Although I was but a dragonling at the time, my father said that we had special forces that could rival any military. You will have our best Dragon Warriors," Princess Ember stated.

"Why would our warriors not want to fight?" Zakia input.

"Yaks will fight! Yaks will win!" Leif enthusiastically declared.

"As the heads of our military, we decide this, yes? Superseding our heads of state?" Duchess Lacewing questioned.

"The heads of state can refuse to help, but if a large attack were to happen to any nation in IOTA, Article Five dictates full cooperation of all allied nations," Princess Celestia explained.

"Right. Of course. I have no reservations about this. I can not say the same about Queen Chrysalis. She still holds a grudge about the 'murder' of her mother," Lacewing informed.

"Understandable," Princess Celestia said. "I will give you a week to forward dossiers of suitable candidates to me. Please, only share this information with your respective heads of states. That concludes this meeting. We are adjourned."

Slowly, the Secretaries gathered their belongings and left the room, except for one. A light blue, dragoness remained. She walked over to the sitting Princess Celestia.

"What do we tell the soldiers?" Princess Ember inquired.

"Tell the ones that are picked that they will be part of an exclusive, elite, task force," Princess Celestia smiled politely. "Do not worry, Princess Ember, I will have letters explaining, in part, about the task force to prospective operators."

"Thanks," Princess Ember sighed, "I am not that great with words, to be honest."

"You do fine. You are much better than your father. Are you sure he wasn't raised by Yaks?" Princess Celestia quipped playfully.

Princess Ember laughed, "I wonder sometimes! Have a good day, Princess Celestia," she bowed respectfully before taking her leave.

"You, as well."

Twilight sat in the hallway, reciting pi in her head to try and calm her nerves when a voice interrupted her.

"Hello there," the mare greeted warmly.

Twilight shot up from the bench and blurted out the decimal points she was on, ". . . 49387!"

"Excuse me?"

Twilight blushed pink and turned to face the mare. Once she saw who it was her face flushed red with embarrassment, "P-P-Princess C-Celestia!" Twilight stumbled over her words and immediately knelt before the solar princess, her horn threatened to make contact with the floor.

"Greetings, my little pony," Princess Celestia greeted warmly, keeping her laughter in check, "You may rise."

Twilight did as her princess ordered, "It is an absolute honor to meet with you, Princess Celestia."

"Thank you," Princess Celestia smiled politely, she turned around and beckoned the young unicorn to follow, "Please, come with me."

After a short walk, the two found themselves in Princess Celestia's office of Canterlot Castle, the International Open Trade Alliance headquarters. Twilight Sparkle shifted in the chair nervously under the intense gaze of Princess Celestia.

"Twilight Sparkle, you are one of the top analysts of the EIA, and thanks to you, we have gotten closer to uncovering the forces behind the attacks."

"I only want to help and protect all the civilians I can, Princess," Twilight replied honestly.

Princess Celestia smiled contently, "Which is why I am giving you a promotion." Twilight's violet eyes grew wide. "I am assembling a team of individuals who are the best at what they do, and I want you to join these elite soldiers."

"W-with all due r-r-respect, Princess, I am not a soldier by any means," was Twilight's hesitant response.

"Twilight Sparkle, you excel at everything you set your mind to doing. You graduated as the most honored valedictorian, you completed EIA training with top marks and broke two shooting records. Twilight Sparkle, you are a great pony and this team will benefit from your expertise greatly. Furthermore," Princess Celestia grinned mischievously and stated with finality, "this is not negotiable."

Twilight audibly swallowed the lump in her throat, "I-I will not fail you, Princess!"

"I know you will not, my little pony."

"When do I start?"

"Right now," Princess Celestia floated folders that were hidden inside her desk to Twilight who accepted them with her magic, "These are dossiers of prospective operators for the team. The top two files are the surviving members of the previous team. They will serve as trainers for the new operators." A knock on the door stopped the Princess. A small smile formed on her lips.

The first thing Twilight noticed from the stack of manilla folders was the big, red stamp that labeled them as "Ultra-Top Secret."

"Twilight?"

Hearing the Princess call her snapped her out of her trance, "Y-Yes, Princess?"

"You will not be alone in this endeavor. Team Rainbow's former leader will assist you. His designation was 'Thatcher,' but you may know him as," Princess Celestia opened the door and revealed her guest.

"Mister Grey Vulcan?!" Twilight voiced in surprise.

"The one and only," the older stallion smiled as he entered the room. He closed the door behind him and went over to his stellar student to pick her jaw off the floor.

"Thank you again, Colonel, for returning to Team Rainbow. Your experience will be invaluable," Princess Celestia complemented.

"You are going to be a trainer?" Twilight asked.

"I am used to dealing with foals," he commented.

"But aren't you. . . kinda. . . too old?"

Princess Celestia snickered.

Grey Vulcan released a strained sigh, "I did miss your brutal honesty so."

"I-I'm sorry," Twilight's ears splayed back.

Grey Vulcan tussled the young unicorns purple and pink mane, "I am getting on in my years; that's why I'm only going to be a trainer."

Princess Celestia, content with the situation, stood up from her chair, "Since you two have everything you need, I suggest you start recruiting."

"My thoughts exactly," Grey replied. He bowed respectfully to the Solar Goddess and turned to leave.

Twilight quickly scrambled to her hooves, stuffed the folders into her briefcase, and bowed to the Princess, "Thank you, Princess!"

Princess Celestia waved a gilded hoof "good-bye" to the first two official Rainbow operators.

"After all this time we have known each other, how come you didn't tell me about this?" Twilight interrogated the older black stallion.

"What part of 'ultra-top secret' do you fail to understand? Perhaps I can clarify it for you," Grey Vulcan remarked sardonically.

Twilight pouted but saw what he meant. A second question popped into her mind, "Why did she call you 'Thatcher'?"

"It is my callsign. Since this is a secret organization, anonymity is a must. Which reminds me, you must not tell anyone your real name. Princess Celestia trusts us with the actual names of the prospective agents, but they can not know our names. Lest there is a repeat of Las Pegasus."

"What happened in Las Pegasus?" Twilight inquired.

"We were betrayed by our own. A Changeling infiltrated our ranks and revealed the roster of Team Rainbow to criminals. Three of us survived because we had destroyed any written documents about us and we never told others our names." He answered her, much to her surprise. "We can talk more when we are in my car," he informed her as they left the empty hallway that opened out into a busy reception area.

Name: Dark Eidolon

Callsign: Mute

Rank: Specialist (ret.)

Age: 47

Place of Birth: Everfree

Height: 5"7'

Weight: 289 lbs.

Background: Dark Eidolon was the youngest to graduate from Everfree University, at the ripe age of fourteen. He graduated at the top of his class and with two Doctorates, one in Science Engineering and the second in Electrical Engineering. Dark Eidolon was integral to the creation and programming of new and improved communication technology, namely "smart" devices. When he turned eighteen, he wanted a new challenge in life and joined the Everfree Special Intelligence Agency, as a signals intelligence specialist. His knowledge and analytical properties quickly rose him up in the ranks.

[redacted]

Psychological Profile: Dark Eidolon is a brilliant unicorn, he is used to being the smartest in the room (which he usually is). Being a stallion of few words, his curt, stoic nature gives first impressions of being rude, standoffish, and brash, which could not be further from the truth.

Training: Everfree University: Ph.D. Science Engineering/ Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, ESIA signals intelligence specialist, [redacted]

Relevant Experience: Founder of the Macrofruit Corporation, creator of multiple Mfruit products, [redacted]

Notes: Currently runs ESIA's counter cyber terrorism division, [redacted]

Twilight set the file down with a confused look. "Why are there redacted portions of his file?" she turned to ask Grey who was driving.

"Probably has to do with Rainbow," he answered nonchalantly.

"How come your dossier isn't in here?"

"Whatever you want to know about me, you can ask me," he offered with a small grin.

Twilight thought for a moment, "What can you tell me about him?"

"Darklon wasisa heck of a soldier. His tenacity and ferocity can even rival my own. He's calm under pressure and executes orders swiftly and precisely. He prefers knives for close quarter engagements. He is extremely loyal and motivated to end all terrorism."

"What motivates him?"

"He's got good reasons. Let's leave it at that."

Twilight pursed her lips, wanting more information, but settled for asking, "Where are we going?"

"To go visit him. He should be waiting for uswell meat a cafe in the Government District. A little place called 'Donut Joe's.'"

"I love Donut Joe's!" Twilight elated.

Ten minutes later, Grey Vulcan turned into the shop's driveway with his older 963 Mustang FG. The pinnacle in motorization forty years ago; the old, gas guzzling, metal beast of a car stopped in the only parking spot he could find.

Grey Vulcan sat with the motor running, admiring the sounds of his baby. "Just listen to her purr," he sighed contently.

"I hear nothing but the environment coughing and wheezing from your carbon emissions," Twilight snarked. She received a deadpanned look from her former teacher.

"And now, I hear you walking home," he harrumphed and cut the engine off.

Twilight chuckled but stopped when she saw his unamused expression, "Wh-what?! You can't be serious?"

Grey grunted and opened his door. With Twilight frantically catching up to him, he cast a quick locking spell over his pride and joy.

"I-it was only a j-joke. . ."

Grey stopped at the diner door and smiled at her, "I know, filly, relax." He opened the door for her and allowed her to enter first. A quick scan of the room and he spotted the stallion in the far back of the cafe.

Twilight noticed the lack of "Joe" in Donut Joe's. Where was he?

Grey made his way over to his target with Twilight behind him. "This seat taken?" he greeted the black stallion with his muzzle in a newspaper.

The unicorn lowered the paper and looked at Grey with unamused crimson eyes. He switched his attention to the young lavender unicorn mare behind him. As the two sat in front of him he spoke, "Still cradle robbin' I see," he spoke with a slight Trottingham accent.

Grey Vulcan laughed, "You know how it goes, forbidden fruit and all that. It's good to see you again, too."

Twilight was taken aback by their exchange.

"We should not be seen together in public," was the other's flat response.

"Just because you don't want others to know about our love, doesn't mean we have to hide it from each other!" Grey said in a slightly raised voice, which turned a few heads their way.

Twilight face hoofed and sunk in her chair.

The corners of Dark Eidolon's mouth rose to the faintest of smiles, "What d'you want? And why d'you bring EIA's top analyst with you?"

"Tell your squints to get lost; then we can talk," Grey smiled.

Dark Eidolon raised his left hoof and flicked it quickly which was the cue for all the patrons to leave. He folded the paper and discarded it to the side. He waited for Grey to speak with crossed forehooves.

"I have some good news, and I have some bad news for you. . . Mute," Grey began. Dark Eidolon furrowed his brow. "Good news: you're getting a promotion! Bad news: it is to Rainbow."

"No," was his immediate reaction.

"Darklon," Grey sighed, "We can do this the easy way or the fun way, your choice."

"I don't want to lay out an old stallion in front of a young gentlemare," Darklon threatened.

"Oh Kay!" Twilight interjected she held up her hooves in front of the stallions, "Settle down, colts. Dark Eidolon, sir, surely you have noticed the rise in attacks recently. Our intel suggests an organized terrorist cell is behind them."

"My intel says the same thing," he replied and quickly quipped, "Don't call me 'Shirley.'"

Grey chuckled, "Never gets old."

"We need all the veteran soldiers we can get to train a new generation of Team Rainbow, since I am sure tactics are a tight secret," Twilight continued.

"Grey can teach and tell you everything," Darklon commented.

"But it won't be as fun! With Onyx, it'll just be like old times," Grey reminisced.

Darklon snorted, "That's if he can get off a female long enough to cooperate."

Grey smiled, "So, you in?"

"Already put in my month's vacation," Darklon smirked.

Chapter Three - Las Pegasus

Fifteen Years Ago - 986 A.C.S.
Las Pegasus
Las Pegasus Power Plant

"What the fuck is this shit?" Onyx explicitly spoke.

"I know, I know," Grey replied in an annoyed tone, "Don't worry, those deserters will pay for their cowardice and disloyalty."

"Drop off's in two minutes," Giannus Towers, the team's intelligence officer informed them. The Griffin sat up front in the co-pilot's chair beside Broody Cloud, the pegasus pilot.

The helicopter shook from turbulence.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Angel Caller burped, holding tightly to a strap and cradling his stomach with his other hoof.

"And I thought you couldn't get any greener; was I wrong," Darklon remarked, earning a side glance from the earth pony.

"We go in, neutralize all threats, shut down the computers, and keep the missile from launching," Grey explained. "We do this last mission, and we can all pretend Rainbow was a dream when we get back home."

"Just in time to go back home to the cuties," Onyx retorted.

"I've seen many a female dragon, Glaz, can't say I'm impressed," Darklon commented.

"That's because you can't handle a Dragoness, even if she were bound and gag. Hm. . . that reminds me. . ." Onyx trailed off.

"Here we are!" Giannus Towers informed them over their headsets. "So far, the deserters have not primed the missile nor have spotted us. Failure is not an option."

Onyx slid opened the helicopter doors, lowered a rope, and jumped out first and glided silently to the ground.

"If you see my electric bill in their, I won't be sad if it 'disappears,'" Broody joked in their ears.

"I'll see what I can do, Broody," Grey chuckled. A hoof stopped him from roping down after Darklon. He turned and saw Angel looking at him with determined brown eyes. "What?"

"Let me go. I can still fight!" Angel assured him.

Grey frowned at the dehydrated stallion, "We rescued you an hour ago, Angel. Just take it easy. Keep Gia and Broody safe."

"But"

"That's an order," Grey cut him off and rappeled down the rope. He waited for Broody to disengage from the area.

With the other two following him, they quickly sprinted the one mile to the power plant. Dark Eidolon spent the whole ride to the power plant memorizing its layout. They had to enter from the west side of the building and go to the subfloor to disable the primary and emergency generators. Also on the west side, a van was acting as a communications hub for the deserters. They would neutralize the van first, using his patented disruptors to silence the comms without alerting them to their presence.

Since the war started, this mission felt like the most important in his career. In the deserter's hooves, they threatened to launch the missile at Canterlot if the 'perpetrator's of that injustice were not brought to trial.' Darklon smiled on the inside at the irony of the situation. The military personnel stationed here disliked how the government used the "peace treaty" as a ruse to assassinate the Queen. The fuckers fail to realize that the Changelings turned the meeting into an ambush and the assassination was a last ditch decision.

There were three guards around the black van Onyx spotted through his night vision scope mounted on his sniper. A quick scan of the side of the building revealed two sniper sentinels.

"Mute, hack the cameras. You know the drill," Grey ordered in a hushed volume.

"Aye, sir," Darklon holstered his submachine gun and set the black case on his back on the ground with his red magic. He quickly disabled the cameras and alarms for the building and looped the video of the cameras as to not bring up suspicion. "Linking you up, Oracle," Darklon spoke into the comms.

"Live feed established," Gia affirmed, "I'll keep you posted. Out."

"Roger. Red One, out," Grey replied. "Glaz, take your shots."

"Roger, roger," Onyx replied. He silently eliminated the snipers first. Seconds later, the three guards around the van dropped to the ground.

"Move up!" Grey ordered. They closed the three hundred yard gap quickly. Grey held the van's door handle with his golden magic. "Do your thing," he nodded to Mute.

Darklon unsheathed his six-inch dirk and lunged in when the door opened. He tackled the surprised stallion to the ground and ended his thrashing with the dirk to his heart. Darklon twisted the blade out and cleaned it on the soldiers green uniform. He levitated a black box from one of the pockets on his back and attached it to the roof of the van.

"Tango!" Glaz hissed over the radio.

"Drop him!" Grey barked.

"Lights out," Glaz reported.

Mute stepped out of the van and into the crisp night air, "Done."

Thatcher walked around from the opposite side of the van. "Let's stuff the bodies in the van."

The mission continued flawlessly like all the previous missions. Red Squad was the most successful out of the seven Rainbow squads, with an unprecedented one hundred percent success rate. They went it, eliminated all hostiles, and left without a trace, with surgical precision. With the central computers down all that was left was the firing sequence computer on the top floor. When they were done disabling that, they would head to the roof and blow up the missile.

Grey pulled out the snake cam and stuffed it into a chest pocket with a frown.

"What's up, Thatcher?" Glaz questioned, noticing the change in his squad leader.

"I dunno. I just got this sinking feeling in my stomach all of a sudden," Thatcher confided to the two.

"Ditto," Mute confirmed, "Something feels off. This was too easy."

"With as many personnel that defected, not many are here. Somethings not right," Glaz added.

"I marked the two tangos in the room. Stack up." They did as they were ordered and when he gave the signal, Glaz and Mute opened the doors. Mute shot the tango on the left, and Thatcher shot the tango on the right. The room had three empty desks, and another door was on the opposite wall.

"Did you think we would let your crime go unpunished?" a feminine voice spoke over a speaker. Her voice instantly registered as Changeling.

"Pretty much, yeah," Onyx answered mockingly.

"Laugh all you want," her voice grew sharper, "We will have the last laugh!" A section of the opposite wall began to sink and revealed an empty room with Broody and Giannus tied up and gagged. The room was filled with C4.

"No!" Grey stepped towards the window, but Mute and Glaz pulled him back before the explosions claimed him.

The female Changeling cackled in their ears over their comms.

"You fucking bitch!" Grey roared. "Show yourself, so I can fucking gut you!"

"Infiltrating Rainbow was easier than I expected. And after all these years together, you never suspected a thing. You should have left me to die, but I knew you would come back for me. Predictable as always, Thatcher."

"Angel," Grey sneered.

"I couldn't find any info on you three, but the other operators didn't fair as well. I would love to stay and chat, but I have places to be and governments to topple!" A second later she returned on the comms, "Oh, consider the missile a parting gift. I suggest heading outside to see the fireworks for yourself."

"Quick, to the roof!"

Grey Vulcan busted down the steel double doors to the roof and saw the helicopter buzzing away. They went to the missile, and a countdown blinked on its LED screen.

"Stop it, Mute!"

"On it!" Mute dropped the black case on his back beside the missile. Mute feverishly tapped on the keys. "It is no use! It would take hours to crack through the shutdown firewalls."

"Fuck!" Grey kicked the missile in anger.

"I wish I had a big gun to shoot that bitch down," Onyx grimaced.

A light went off in Grey's head. "We do have a giant missile."

Mute caught on to Thatcher's insinuation, "Yes! Laze the helicopter, and I can lock the missile on it!"

Thatcher pulled out a camera-like gadget from his side and aimed it at the escaping helicopter. He peered through the green screen and within moments it flashed red. Grey smiled wickedly down at Mute who nodded.

"Firing!" Mute announced at the press of a key.

The three dashed away and hit the deck as hot smoke and flames shot over them. The rocket shot off and roared away. They sat up and watched as it homed in onto the helicopter. Within seconds they celebrated as a massive explosion echoed throughout the canyon.

"That was for Broody and Gia!" Grey thrust a hoof towards the crashing helicopter.

Darklon pressed his hoof on Thatcher's and Onyx covered their hooves with his claw. "For Broody and Gia," they said in unison.

Grey sat on his haunches with a heavy sigh.

"So. . ." Onyx broke the silence, "is getting to know your two names out of the question now?"

Grey huffed and shook his head.

"I am more concerned with how we are getting home," Darklon voiced.

Chapter Four - The Demolition Sisters

Twilight knocked on the oak door with vigor. Today was the second day of recruiting for Team Rainbow, and she could not wait to get the day started. A golden glow opened the door a crack and a tired golden eye peeked through the crack. She waved happily and singsonged, "Good morning!"

He huffed and closed the door. She heard him unlatching quite a few locks. The door opened all the way this time, and Grey Vulcan stepped out into the humid early Spring morning air. "I guess seeing you every morning will make them good," Grey smiled warmly. "How's it going, filly?"

Twilight would be lying if she said she did not have a small, schoolfilly crush on her former teacher while she was in school. When you are picked on by your classmates and he, is the one pony to stand up for you, how would an impressionable filly not fall for him? Those feelings rose to her cheeks every time he would compliment her or say something sweet unexpectedly. "Today is going well," she answered and led him down the steps. They stopped in front of Twilight's car, and she saw him frown. "What?"

"I am not fitting in that thing," Grey chastised the small bright purple car; the latest in 'environmental friendly smart cars'.

"It's bigger than it looks," Twilight pouted.

Grey stifled his laughter which escaped through his hoof as a snicker.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"Nothing," he cleared his throat. He opened the door and inspected the chair doubtfully.

"There is a lever on the side you can press to push the seat back," Twilight informed as she settled into her seat.

He located said lever and used his hoof to push back on it. The chair electrically, slowly, moved back as far as it could go. He climbed in and felt slightly claustrophobic. Ignoring the flaring pain in his joints, he buckled his seatbelt, and asked, "Who are we condemning next?"

"We are not 'condemning' anypony. We are going to scout the Pie sisters."

Grey levitated their dossiers from off the dash and brought them up to his muzzle.

Name: Limestone Pie

Callsign: N/A

Rank: Sergeant

Age: 27

Place of Birth: Trottingham

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 245 lbs.

Background: Limestone Pie is the oldest of four sisters. When she was twelve, her family moved to and bought Rock Farm, because of fierce competition back in Trottingham. At the age of eighteen, she enlisted into the Equestrian Army and joined the 23rd Demolition Company. After her two-year mandatory service commitment, she stayed for six more years, afterward, she went back to Rock Farm to help with the family business. In her years of service, she quickly earned a name for herself for being the strongest and toughest in the army. She won eight light heavyweight boxing championships. . . in the male division.

Psychological Profile: Limestone Pie is brash, hot-headed, ill-tempered, and impatient. She respects strength over rank. She holds a high regard for the safety of those around her; she takes missions seriously. She does not back down from a challenge which can lead to borderline obsessive behavior. Underneath her tough exterior and gruff demeanor. . . there is a rough interior and gruff demeanor.

Training: Eight years in the Equestrian Army (active duty), E.O.D. certified.

Relevant Experience: Spent her eight years clearing unexploded ordinance

Notes: She has a strong sense of duty and protection for her family. She exceeds expectations when teamed with her three siblings. In her first deployment, survived IED explosion with minor injuries and single hoofedly dragged her squadmates from the raging inferno of the truck before it exploded. She was promoted to Sergeant afterward.

Grey whistled and put down her file, "She's just a barrel full of monkeys."

"I'd say," Twilight giggled.

Grey picked up the second file and began to read.

Name: Maud Pie

Callsign: N/A

Rank: Corporal

Age: 25

Place of Birth: Trottingham

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 240 lbs.

Background: Maud Pie is the second oldest of the Pie sisters. Unlike Limestone who joined because she liked it, and her other two sisters who joined out of obligation, Maud acceded to the Army for the college scholarship. After her two commitment years, she went to Las Pegasus University, where she picked up a Doctorate in Earth Science and a Masters in Geoscience. She is Head of Geology in Princess Luna's Royal Conclave of Scientist. She developed a personal scanner that can "see through" stone and determine its composition. She currently is helping with the family business in Rock Farm.

Psychological Profile: Maud Pie is level headed, calm under pressure, and persevering. She is easy going and likes talking about rocks (also to them, apparently). She has a strong sense to protect her siblings.

Training: Two years with the Equestrian Army's 23rd Demolition Company (active), E.O.D. certified, Las Pegasus University: Ph.D. Earth Science/ Masters in Geo Science

Relevant Experience: Two years clearing explosives, helped develop sonar/x-ray technology

Notes: Maud Pie is a significant contribute to the family's farm. Has a pet rock named Boulder.

"I've heard about Maud Pie. Her family makes the best rock candy," Grey commented.

"Her family also supplied the rocks for building the wall around Everfree," Twilight added.

He set the file aside and picked up the third, "Are we there yet?"

Name: Pinkamena Diane Pie

Callsign: N/A

Rank: Corporal

Age: 23

Place of Birth: Trottingham

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 238 lbs.

Background: Pinkamena Pie is the second youngest of the Pie sisters. She joined the Equestrian Army at the age of 18, where she joined her two older sisters in the 23rd Demolition Company. She quickly became adept at creating explosives and within her first two years of service, developed an explosive capable of cutting through steel. Near the end of her four-year service, she also helped develop Composition Five, C-5, which is twice as deadly per ounce than C-4 and harder to detect.

Psychological Profile: Pinkamena has shown signs of asocial, bipolar, and psychopathic behavior. Coupled with her affinity for dissecting small animals as an adolescent and pyromania, one should not let their guard down around the seemingly cheerful Pinkamena. Also, keep all sharp objects away from her when not in the field.

Training: Four years of active service with the 23rd Demolition Company, E.O.D. certified

Relevant Experience: Four years of E.O.D., the development of two explosives

Notes: Eat cupcakes at own risk, do not leave her unsupervised around explosives, do not leave her unsupervised around sharp objects; we advise not to leave her unsupervised at all.

"Ooo," Grey awed, "I like crazy. I think she is going to be delightful!"

Twilight frowned at him and rolled her eyes.

"Let see. . . there is the rude one, the stoic one, the crazy one. . . what's left? The funny one?"

"Don't count on it," was Twilight's flat response.

Name: Marble Pie

Callsign: N/A

Rank: Private

Age: 23

Place of Birth: Trottingham

Height: 5' 5"

Weight: 220 lbs.

Background: Marble Pie is the younger twin sister of Pinkamena Pie. Marble grew up in a sheltered life because of the complications after her birth. Her family kept her in a bubble of sorts to keep her from getting injured or sick. Her father forced her to join the Army so that she could get out of her hermit-like behavior. She was deeply terrified when she was not cleared to enter the 23rd Demolition Company, where her three other sisters were. Instead, she was put into the 2068th Markspony Squad. She broke several of the Army's and multiple international military range records and currently holds the record for longest recorded hit on a four-inch diameter target at an astounding distance of 3,002 yards and 7 inches.

Psychological Profile: Marble Pie suffers from crippling social anxiety and insecurity. She prefers to be by herself or with her sisters. She has great attention to detail and precision.

Training: Four years of inactive service with the 2068th Markspony Squad

Relevant Experience: Multiple awards for sharpshooting and marksponyship

Notes: While noticeably smaller than her sisters, Marble Pie is a proficient hand-to-hand fighter who was taught by Limestone. She not only has an affinity for sniper rifles but also boast an extensive collection of shotguns.

"Oh, Onyx is going to eat Marble up," Grey chuckled, "That is if he can get past her three sisters. She is just precious."

"Three thousand yards is way past impressive. Marble is talented," Twilight commented.

"Did you talk to Darklon?"

"He called me in the middle of the night. His exact words were 'this training facility is complete shite,' and he hung up."

Grey laughed, "Yeah, that sounds like him."

"Princess Celestia already has the Corps of Engineers working on a new training facility in the old Wonderbolts Academy."

"Fantastic. It's great to see pony's taxes put to good use."

"You mean besides your paycheck?" Twilight gibed.

"When did you develop a sense of humor?" Grey reflected.

"About the time you started getting old," Twilight jabbed and stuck out her tongue at him.

"Good thing I'm not old then," Grey harrumphed and crossed his forehooves across his chest.

Twilight laughed.

The rest of the ride passed by in silence. With ten minutes of intense debating over what to listen over the radio and what music was best, they parlayed to take turns listening to each of their favorite genres for thirty minutes. By Twilights calculations, she would be able to hear to her station one more time than her mentor, which did not escape Grey Vulcan.

Thick, lush forests opened out to flat plains and meadows which finally transformed into a dry, arid landscape. Barely any cars traveled down the dirt road where there was no shortage of trucks hauling mountains of rock away.

Upon hearing Grey mumbling to himself, Twilight asked, "What are you doing?"

"Praying to the Mother that this tiny shit doesn't get stuck out here," Grey remarked.

Twilight scoffed and rubbed the dashboard with a hoof, "Don't listen to the mean stallion, Lavender Coupe." She snapped her head to him and glared at him, "You need to stop disrespecting my car or you can walk home."

"Okay, okay," Grey held up his hooves in surrender, "My bad, my bad."

A few minutes went by and they zoomed past a 'Pie Construction Inc.' sign that informed them their destination was five miles ahead. Fifteen minutes later, and a quaint two-story concrete building came into view. It was relatively large, and most of the parking lot had each spot filled with cars and trucks. They drove past the building, heading for the Pie residence instead. Ten minutes and they are pulling up to gate that reads 'Pie Family Rock Farm'.

"You think this is the place?" Grey mused.

Twilight rolled her eyes and turned off the car. She climbed out of the car and stepped onto the crumbling dry earth. Rocks, boulders, bare land, all greeted her sight. She was kicking herself for spending the night tirelessly imagining what a rock farm would look like. She spotted a white sign that read 'Trespassers will be shot'.

"'Survivors will be shot again,'" Grey read the sign on the other gate post. "Hm. Challenge accepted."

Grey began to walk down the cobblestone walkway that led to a quaint, wooden two-story house with a straw roof. Behind the cottage stood a large storage silo and a squeaking windmill turned lazily. When they reached the door, he rapped on it quickly five times paused then knocked two more times. The door violently swung open and a pair of shotgun barrels introduced themselves.

"Yaer're tresspassin' on private property!" Limestone's sharp, edgy, Trottingham accent spoke behind the shotgun.

Grey smiled warmly at the mare, "My name is Colonel Thatcher of Princess Luna's Royal Armed Special Forces. And this is my colleague, IQ," he introduced them.

"Doesn't 'splain wot yaer're doin' 'ere," Limestone hissed.

"We are here to recruit you to join a special, secret team of elite soldiers, Miss Limestone," Twilight explained.

Limestone cocked an eyebrow and examined the two with her intense yellow eyes. Limestone set the shotgun aside to the left of the door and beckoned them in, "C'min. We're just 'bout done with lunch anyways."

Inside the cottage looked and felt no different from the outside. Grey had wanted to make a comment about the house being made of wood when there were rocks around but opted instead to ask, "Are all your sisters here?"

"Yea, wot uv it?"

"We were hoping to recruit all four of you. You four work well together and have impressive resumes," Twilight spoke.

Limestone led them to a living room area which was furnished with comfortable looking couches; a fireplace sat unused in the middle of the far wall, and a large TV and media center filled the right wall as they entered.

"Sit," she ordered and eyed them until they sat together on a couch. "Pies! We 'ave guests!" she shouted then sat in a large chair, glowering at them. "Ma 'n Pa are still at th' fact'ry. Yaer lucky t'day was our day off."

Maud was the first to enter the room, her stoic face and calm blue eyes scanned the room and located the visitors, " 'allo," she greeted them in her cold monotony. She sat to the left of them on the longer couch which blended with her gray coat.

Marble appeared next and when she spotted the new entities, she released an 'eep!' and quickly hid behind Limestone's red chair.

Pinkamena entered last. He wild blue eyes stared at the new ponies through her straight, pink mane and she smiled warily at them, "Hi," she greeted meekly and sat beside Maud.

"We don't want to take up too much of your time, so let me get straight to the point," Grey started, "war is brewing. We need the best soldiers we can find who are the best at what they do. You four show great promise. The secret task force we are recruiting for will hopefully end the war before it ever truly begins." He looked to the four mares, "I can't guarantee you will live to grow old; I can guarantee that this will be an experience you have never gone through and it will be worth it. Every pony, every Griffin, every Dragon, all of Equus will thank you for securing their way of living and freedom."

"That's some speech," Maud was the first to speak, "if things are as dire as you make 'em out to be, then I will join. I won't let anyone ruin what we have all worked so hard for."

"I'm in!" Limestone announced.

Pinkamena tittered nervously, "Well if they are joinin' I guess I can tag along."

Marble had stepped out from her hiding spot with determination in her eyes, "Mhm!"

"Excellent!" Twilight smiled, "When everything is prepared, and the trainers are ready to start, we will send you a letter with directions to reach the facility."

Grey Vulcan and Twilight Sparkle left a few minutes later, with Limestone's diminishing patience apparently presenting itself. With the two visitors gone, Maud returned to the living room after escorting them out. They all exchanged varied glances. To the curious onlooker, the scene would appear to be four mares standing idly around, but to the Pie's, their little twitches and glances spoke volumes to one another.

The author could probably translate their movements into words, but the author will not. They are talking in private, and it would be rude of the author to reveal what they are saying when the readers will find out later in the chapters to come.

Chapter Five - Rainbow Dash

Jets thundered overhead and seconds later the pressure of the sound barrier being broken washed over the crowd. Standing on the back of a strapping young rainbow maned and tailed pegasus stallion was an equally scrappy filly with matching mane and tail. Rainbow Dash watched the Wonderbolts spectacle on the back of her father, the Everfree Shadowbolts Captain, as her mother performed with her flight as Captain of the Wonderbolts.

They were flying the latest in jet fighter technology the Equestrian Arsenal had to offer: the F-15 Thunderbolt. The F-15A Thunderbolt designed and produced by North Roper and Douglas Fir Aeronautics was the epitome of the term "fighter jet," boasting the first ever twin afterburning turbofan engines that dish out 65 kN of thrust each, one nose mounted hex-barreled 25 mm Vulcan Autocannon, and able to carry up to sixteen missiles. Now, Rainbow Dash only being a three-year-old filly did not know what all the words her mother said meant, but her mother always seemed happy whenever she talked about it, so it made Rainbow Dash happy.

Her mother's flight of four was preparing for the grand finale of the show and were climbing high and fast. When they began to nose dive, no one batted an eye, but when they started to flip, tumble, and spiral out of control, panic waved through the crowd. Seconds, minutes, hours, an eternity later for Rainbow Dash, and she saw four fireballs rise from the ground. Screams and cries echoed and rippled through everypony in attendance, not only for the four lost souls but because of the massive cloud of black that blocked out the sun.

Rainbow Dash found herself standing all alone in complete darkness. The Changelings swarmed around her. A loud roar bellowed behind her, and when she turned around, she saw the gaping maw of a giant Changeling swooping down on her, ready to devour her whole.

She sat up in bed, heaving loudly, her lungs desperate for oxygen, her heart slamming against her chest. A cold sweat covered her cyan coat and rolled down her spine. She laid back on her side and curled up into a ball. Losing both parents in one day is traumatizing to any foal, that she still had nightmares about how weak and hopeless she was infuriated her. She may have been a filly, but she could have still done something, right? After twenty years, she still beat herself up about not being of help.

Outside, the sky was still dark as ink, and the red glowing face of the clock told her what she already knew: it was early. Throwing the covers off her, she rolled out of bed and headed to the shower. A cold shower always made her forget the nightmare. She shook herself dry, not bothering with a towel. After ten minutes of stretching, she zoomed out the window and headed for the track.

Captain Spitfire and the rest of the squadron saw Rainbow Dash on the track early in the morning; it never meant something good. Captain Spitfire knew better than most the reason her top Lieutenant was exerting herself early in the morning. As much as she wanted to comfort her as a sister, Spitfire knew that Rainbow Dash would rather be alone right now, and she gave her the space she desired.

After trying in vain to run away from her past monsters, Rainbow Dash went to her hangar to marvel at her next-gen fighter jet, "Blazing Blue," a newly-out-of-prototype-development F-18 Bird of Prey. This wondrous beast of aeronautical engineering was twice the size of the recently retired F-15's and boasted double the stats of its predecessors. With two internal hex-barreled 25 mm Vulcan auto-cannons hidden in the left and right wing roots, with housing for twenty-eight missiles, and still able to carry an external fuel drop tank, the jet was practically a tank with wings. Twin afterburning turbofan engines that delivered 120 kN of thrust each made sure the behemoth had speed to go with its fangs.

As much as the author wishes to go into more detail over this majestic aircraft, and gush about all of its hidden technology, the reader has to be made aware that enemies could be reading this and that revealing all the secrets of the F-18 Bird of Prey would more than likely lead to copying and would be considered treason. The author has been allowed to say that the F-18 Bird of Prey boasts many secret and innovative stealth capabilities.

Rainbow Dash laid on the left wing of "Blazing Blue" with her tail dangling off the leading edge. She stared up at the rafters of the hanger with sullen fuchsia eyes. Her gems pooled with tears which threatened to flood down her cheeks. She will avenge her parents, she vowed; a vow she made daily, a vow she intended to keep. She was no longer the helpless filly twenty years ago.

Name: Rainbow Dash

Callsign: N/A; Blue Wing Two, "Rainbow Crash" (airforce)

Rank: Lieutenant Rainbow Dash

Age: 23

Place of Birth: Cloudsdale

Height: 5' 4"

Weight: 247 lbs.

Background: Rainbow Dash was born into the airforce with her father and mother both being Captain of the Shadowbolts and Wonderbolts, respectively. Captain [redacted] and Captain [redacted] both perished in the Cloudsdale Invasion. With such high ranking and renown parents, Rainbow Dash was taken under Cloudsdale's Excellent Pegasi System. Unfortunately, the true intentions of CEPS weren't discovered until ten years later. The raid found Rainbow Dash and several dozen other Pegasi in large chambers held in suspended animation. Luckily, the clones were easily distinguishable from the real foals, and she was rescued while the clones were humanely dealt with. She was placed within a real foster home, where she and Captain Spitfire grew up as close as sisters. Rainbow Dash joined the Cloudsdale Airforce at eighteen, and within three years, she made her way to the prestigious Wonderbolts Fighter Squadron. She quickly became the world's best pilot.

Psychological Profile: Rainbow Dash is brash, arrogant, boastful, and loyal. When faced with a challenge, she usually takes it personally. Rainbow Dash may have narcissistic tendencies, but she is a team player and follows orders diligently. She is very loyal to her friends.

Training: CEPS [redacted], Cloudsdale Airforce, Wonderbolts

Relevant Experience: Three years inactive service with CAF, Two years inactive service with Wonderbolts

Notes: Plagued with nightmares and waking nightmares; suffers from insomnia (which does not seem to affect her performance)

Grey Vulcan returned the file into his briefcase. The wind blew his navy blue windbreaker against his black coat, and his steely mane danced on the breeze. Twilight was talking with the guard at the white guard booth in front of the Wonderbolt's Academy gates. The metal chain linked fence rattled when the guard opened the gate. Twilight beckoned Grey over with a smile. He heaved a sigh and followed after her with a grim countenance. Maybe she wouldn't remember him?

Chapter Six - Onyx "Glaz" Blueflame

Everfree Forest
Haplometropolis (Changeling Capital)
Queen Chrysalis' Chambers

"If you rule an empire, shouldn't you be 'Empress Chrysalis'?" Onyx inquired.

"Yes, well, there is a pesky law that says that I need a king before I can be Empress," Queen Chrysalis answered as she rolled off the chest of the dragon. She propped herself up with a leg and gazed at him salaciously.

"'King Onyx' has a nice ring to it," Onyx smiled up at his dark goddess with satisfied sapphire orbs.

"I am sure it does," she replied and bit his scaly ear.

Onyx noticed for the second time that night the change in her dicolored eyes. "What's wrong? You bit me harder than usual. Is something bothering you?" He ran his claw absently over her velvety chitinous side.

"Bah!" she spat, "I finally learned who assassinated my mother!"

"Wh-who?" Onyx's voice cracked.

"A special team of soldiers called 'Team Rainbow.' Duchess Lacewing has informed me that Princess Celestia wishes to reactivate them and that I had to give her soldiers for the team."

Onyx heaved a sigh, "Chryssie, I must come clean with you about something. . ."

Chyrsalis sat up and eyed the dragon beside her cautiously, "Go on. . ."

"I was part of Rainbow. . ."

Queen Chrysalis pounced on Onyx and crushed his throat with her hoof. "Who killed my mother?!" she demanded, her eyes burning with an intensity which threatened to burn through his skull.

"M-Me!" he choked.

Chrysalis growled and snapped at him. The next thing he saw was stars when her hoof collided with the side of his skull.

Everfree Forest
Haplometropolis
Fifteen Years Ago

Vladislava, "ruling glory" in Ancient Draconian, Onyx tenderly and ritually tended to his sniper rifle by cleaning every part of his beloved, faithful rifle. The custom made, patent pending, suppressed, bullpup,18x118mm Rylokan, 1,500mm long, 13kg heavy (empty), manually operated rotary bolt action, hydraulic mitigating buttstock, "weapon system of the gods!", has served with Onyx throughout the entire campaign faithfully.

She notched her first kill in the capital, hours after being completed to perfection. The Changeling warrior didn't even know what hit him. Through her 9x magnification, telescopic Predator scope, patent pending, he saw the black bits of his chitin and his green blood explode through the back of his head. Onyx rallied his comrades together and with only seven warriors kept the Changelings from entering the capital building. King Torch promoted Onyx to Marshall after his heroics and for his leadership ability.

Two years later, he meets with his king again, who tells him "you are now working with the ponies" and ships him off to Canterlot. He didn't even get the chance to protest or to say farewell to his comrades. The weak, soft, plush, adorable ponies always needed someone strong to help protect them, in the eyes of the Dragons, so the ponies would naturally turn to the kingdom that had already kicked the Changelings out of their borders.

Suffice it to say; Onyx was more than pleasantly surprised when he saw first claw the strength of the ponies. He was impressed by Earth pony strength, awed by Unicorn magic, and impressed with Pegasus acrobatics. One Unicorn impressed him the most: Grey Vulcan; a Unicorn (who doesn't boast like most Unicorns his lineage) that can claim direct descent of the legendary smith Wrought Vulcan. Grey Vulcan was as strong as any Earth pony, powerful as the grandest of Unicorns, and as swift as any Pegasi. Grey Vulcan earned a spot in history for himself.

Onyx remembered the stories the Equestrians told of Grey Vulcan. Major Grey Vulcan was at the capital, off duty, when the Changelings attacked Everfree Castle. Half the population was slaughtered within hours. He organized a counter attack with the guards and police officers which held them back for three days. By the fourth day, he was the sole survivor. Surveillance cameras captured every moment and his final stand which lasted two days. Carcasses were burnt to a crisp, heads were ripped off shoulders, entrails plastered walls, limbs littered the ground, and chunks of Changeling floated in the blood as if he stood in a green stew.

When reinforcements arrived, led by Princess Luna who had teleported to Canterlot for safety, they found him standing in a pool of green blood in the middle of the castle courtyard. When she questioned him what gave him the strength to fight, he answered with eyes glowing as hot as a star and uttered one word: vengeance, before collapsing from physical and magical exhaustion.

Onyx looked up from cleaning Vladislava and saw Thatcher, Red Team leader at a table with Mute across from him. Thatcher reminded Onyx of Grey Vulcan, but all the times Onyx confronted him, Thatcher replied dismissively, 'I wish I was as good looking as him.' Mute also kept quiet about his real name and both never bothered to ask Onyx for his.

A sigh left him. Saying "one last mission" is inviting trouble. Saying "it will be easy" is a death sentence. Saying both in one sentence, well, better start digging the graves and making the coffins. Onyx felt that "Six" was setting them up for failure. Call him crazy, but he didn't trust disembodied voices, blacked out video calls, or scrambled voices. He scratched under his wings, agitation getting to him.

Thatcher moved from the window and turned to him. He set his binoculars on the table. "It's starting. Glaz, get into position."

Onyx wanted to make a quip but knew now was not the time, "Roger, roger." He went over to the table, where Mute removed the map cluttering it and set Vladislava's bipod on the table. Half her length still hung off the table, and he sat on an invisible chair, steeling himself for the long wait.

Mute sat against the wall at a desk working with a listening device, manipulating its knobs with his crimson magic and holding up the headphones with his left hoof.

"I still have one hundred bits that Thatcher is Grey Vulcan," Onyx interrupted the suffocating silence.

Thatcher snorted, "Well, I have five hundred bits Mute is Grey Vulcan."

"Mute?" Onyx inquired without removing his cheek from his rifle.

"Since Thatcher is paying. . . one k bits," Mute answered.

Thatcher shook his head. He picked up the binos and went over to a second window. "Blue One, report, over," he ordered over the comms.

"Blue One 'ere. Nuffin outta place, over," he answered.

"Orange One, give me a sitrep, over," Thatcher continued.

"Orange One here," a chipper female replied, "Everything ground level is normal, Five. Nothing strange has happened, over."

"Yellow One, what's your situation, over?"

"Yellow One here," a gruff dragon male voice answered, "Situation: nominal. HowHey, you are not permitted to being here."

"Yellow One?" Thatcher called.

"I-I'm just looking for the market," an elderly female's voice sounded in Yellow One's comms.

"Market be another way. Now" an explosion made Thatcher wince, and static filled his ear.

"Green One reporting!" a male Everfree voice shouted over the comms, "We saw the explosion! Yellow Squad is gone. Changelings are flooding the area!"

"Ambush!" Thatcher announced to the comms. "All squads, hold the courtyard! Blue Squad, secure the ambassadors!" He received a choir of confirmation from the squads. "Glaz, make sure no Changelings enter the meeting room."

"What about the ones already in there?" Glaz questioned.

"If they try to do anything, drop them," Thatcher replied.

Glaz spotted Blue Squad advancing down the hallway to the meeting room when suddenly his scope was filled with smoke and fire.

An explosion drew Thatcher's attention to the building across the way. Smoke and flames spewed from the fifth floorthe same room as the ambassadors.

"Well, there goes Blue Squad," Onyx deadpanned.

"Scheißen!" Thatcher interjected in his native Everfreese, crushing the floorboards under an angry hoof. "This is why we should have just nuked them all!"

"Here, here!" Onyx agreed with a fist thrust in the air.

"Now is not the time for jokes. What do we do, Thatcher?" Mute spoke up.

"Who says I'm joking?" Onyx grinned devilishly.

"Hold on. Six, we have a SNAFU. The meeting was a setup, and the ambassadors are dead. Along with Blue and Yellow Squad. Please advise, over." Thatcher touched the earbud in his ear and spoke into the mic on his forearm.

"You are cleared for 'Plan A,' Five. Six out," was the response from the leader of Team Rainbow after a few moments of silence.

"Six has given us the go for 'Plan A,'" Thatcher informed the two others.

"I thought thiswhat's 'Plan A'?" Onyx questioned with a quizzical look.

"'Plan A' is chopping off the head of the snake," Thatcher replied cryptically.

Onyx turned to Mute to translate Thatcher's analogy. Mute obliged, understanding the situation, "We are going to assassinate the Queen."

"We should have just fucking done that from the beginning!" Onyx huffed. He picked up Vladislava and slung her on his back. "Ready, boss!"

Present

Onyx groaned and winced at the throbbing pain in his head that flared as he lifted his head up. He felt stretched, and for a good reason, he was chained up, and his limbs were threatening to be pulled out of their sockets. His back was on a wooden table, and his wings were also restrained. Movement from the corner of his eye grabbed his attention. His dark goddess stepped out of the shadows and bathed in the light the single bulb showered down.

"If you were into S&M you should have just said so," Onyx smiled wryly up at her.

"The only reason you yet draw breath is for the sole purpose of telling me everything about Team Rainbow," she spoke menacingly.

"So it's not because of everything we've been through?" he joked, his laughter was cut short by a hoof to the ribs.

"You will answer me, and I might spare your life, wyrm," Queen Chrysalis snarled.

"Yes, Mastress!" Onyx strained, an odd feeling of pleasure warming his body.

"Who is the leader of Team Rainbow?"

"Six."

"'Six'?" Chrysalis' face scrunched up in confusion, "Six what?"

"That is just their moniker. I don't know who 'Six' is but on the ground 'Five' leads the squads. The last Five I knew was Thatcher, but I don't know his real name."

She narrowed her eyes at him, annoyed, "There is a lot you don't know."

"I do know that our original mission was to overlook the meeting and make sure you Changelings played nice. When things didn't go as planned, we were told to assassinate the Queen." Onyx sighed, "I feel sorry for pulling the trigger. I don't think your mother was behind the ambush by how frantic she was acting."

"Of course not! She knew she had made a mistake and wanted to make up for it!" Chrysalis growled.

"I'm sorry, Chryssie," Onyx apologized.

Chrysalis felt her heart twinge when she saw the sincerity in his big, blue eyes. Before she could speak, Onyx spoke up.

"Do you know what this means?" he questioned, realization flooding his face, "There are conspirators in the Hive that wanted her dead and may even still be after you."

That thought had never occurred to her. Who would want her mother dead? She was a great leader and beloved by all, Chrysalis thought. Though, there are those who always want power for themselves. Chrysalis released the tension from the wrench letting Onyx's limbs plopped on the table in relief.

Onyx sighed in relief, "I must admit; Thatcher sent me a letter to meet up with him. From what you told me, it has to be about Rainbow. Attacks are happening on an increasing scale, and he wants my take on it. Chryssie, as an ally of IOTA, you have an obligation to aid with the request of Princess Celestia."

Chrysalis began unlocking the chains that bound Onyx. She rolled her eyes.

Onyx saw her deep in thought and kept quiet while he rubbed the soreness from his limbs.

"Fine. Celestia can have one soldier, as a sign of goodwill," Chrysalis turned and left the cell, beckoning Onyx to follow, which he gladly did.

"I like that fiery side of you, Chrysalis. I think you made me an M," Onyx smiled playfully.

Queen Chrysalis slid her forked tongue over her fangs, "We can continue your punishment in the royal chambers, my king."

Onyx picked up his goddess in his arms and started running, "Then let's not keep me waiting!"

Queen Chrysalis giggled and bit his ear.

Chapter Seven - Winning Bet

Canterlot
Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns

Grey Vulcan stood before his class, observing them in silence with a stoic expression. "Good morning, class," he warmly greeted them.

The class collectively answered him back, "Good morning, Mister Grey Vulcan!"

"I have to go do some super secret government stuff to save the world and while I am gone," he nodded to the doorway and a Griffin stepped through the doorway after ducking to fit, "Mister Maximus Caeparius Osterianus will be your substitute teacher."

Maximus bowed before the class, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, class."

Diamond Dancer raised her hoof; her enthusiasm almost threw her from her seat.

"Speak," he pointed a hoof at her.

"What kind of 'super secret government stuff'?!" she asked with a beaming grin.

"The kind of super secret government stuff that will keep all of you children safe," he smiled at them.

Hyacinth Bloom raised her hoof and waited for her teacher to call her. She spoke up when she was allowed to, "Please be careful, Mister Grey Vulcan."

"I will be all right, Miss Bloom," he assured her.

"Yeah, don't throw out your back or break a hip!" Diamon Dancer quipped. The whole class laughed with her.

Grey smiled and turned to the brown feathered Griffin, "Aren't they just precious? Make sure she runs a hundred laps around the school, ja?"

Diamond Dancer slumped over her desk in defeat, the consequences of her jeering far outweighing the brief laughter she got from the class.

Grey returned his attention to his class, keeping his eyes as mist free as possible, "Now, this may be the only time I allow this, but if you don't want to, I will understand." He stood on his back hooves and opened his fore hooves wide for a hug.

Skippy Sparkles was the first one to jump out of her seat and fly to her teacher and hug him tightly. The rest of the class followed suit all with big smiles. They ended their group hug and returned to their seats. Grey cocked his brow and smiled at the filly who didn't join them.

Diamond Dancer rolled her eyes and sheepishly made her way over to him.

He knelt down and hugged her warmly. "You may use your wings," he whispered in her ear.

She sighed and wrapped her forelegs around as much of his neck as she could, "I'll be on my best behavior."

"I would hope so," he ended their embrace and spoke to the class, "Max eats bad little colts and fillies, don't you, Mister Max?"

"For breakfast, lunch, and dinner," the Griffin affirmed.

"Alright, class, I have to go save the world now," he turned to leave.

Maximus saluted Grey, "Good luck, Colonel."

"Try not to eat too many of them, alright? I am rather attached to them." Grey smiled, placed a hoof on the Griffin's shoulder, then left out the door.

"How did it go?" Twilight asked as Grey Vulcan clambered into the Mustang.

"Heartbreaking," Grey droned, "Let's go meet up with Onyx."

Onyx walked down the street. The sun shone down on him, warming his black scales, a cool breeze blew came down from the mountain, and ponies stopped to look at him. Onyx was used to the looks, and frankly, he quite enjoyed them. By dragon standards, Onyx was a medium sized dragon, seven feet tall from horn to heel, with a twelve-feet wingspan, and a nine-feet-long tail. Being forty-three was nowhere to being middle-aged, in fact, in certain circles of the Dragon hierarchy, he would be considered, at best, a teenager.

He got a fairly decent workout from walking from the train station to the donut shop; he wanted to work up an appetite. Walking fifteen miles should do the trick. He was sitting in a front, dragon friendly, booth for about twenty minutes when he saw Thatcher walk in, after letting a lavender unicorn enter before him.

"Hey, Thatch," Onyx smiled, "How's it go" a bag of bits landed on the table cutting him off. A large bag of bits.

"Your six hundred bits," Grey grinned.

Understanding lit up Onyx's face and eyes, "I knew it!"

Grey slid down the booth and Twilight sat beside him.

"This is my associate, IQ," Grey introduced Twilight.

"So, we're playing that game still? Alright," Onyx reached over and held Twilight's right hoof and gently kissed it, "A pleasure to meet you, IQ."

"I-It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Glaz," Twilight flustered.

"'Mister,' I'm not nearly old enough to be called 'mister,'" Onyx pouted.

"We have somewhere else we gotta be so I'm gonna make this quick: are you in or not?" Grey asked impatiently.

"Is Mute still around?" Onyx asked as he stuffed a donut in his mouth.

"Yes."

"Will there be cuties?"

"Sure."

". . .What's the pay?"

"Doubled."

"Fuck yeah, I'm in!" Onyx exclaimed.

Grey turned to Twilight, "Go order a few donuts to go, please?"

"Oh, uh, sure," Twilight excused herself from the two.

Grey leaned over the table and beckoned Onyx closer. "We believe a terrorist cell is behind the attacks. They are getting bigger and bolder," he whispered.

'Gotcha, comrade. I'll get in touch with my contacts in the State Security Committee and share what they have," Onyx replied in a hushed tone.

"What are you two suspiciously whispering about over here?" Twilight asked with a sly smile.

Grey sat back in the booth, "He asked if you were single and I told him firmly, yet politely, to drop dead."

Onyx reared his head back and erupted into thunderous laughter. He wiped a joyful tear from his eye with a claw, and heaved a happy sigh, "Oh, Thatch, I forgot how funny you are. I haven't laughed like that in years." He finished off his glass of water and cleared his throat. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a business card. He slid it along the table to Grey, "Contact me when things are in order, da?"

Grey levitated the card with his yellow magic and hid it away in his suit jacket pocket, "Da." He stood up to leave.

"IQ," the lavender unicorn turned to the dragon who called her, 'Don't be a stranger," he winked playfully.

Twilight blushed slightly and trotted after Grey.

After an hour of silence, Twilight felt the urge to ask, "What was your deal at the Wonderbolt's Academy?"

Grey munched on a donut caught in his magic, "What do you mean?" he returned without removing his eyes from the road.

"You barely said anything and kept your distance from her as if she was going to bite your head off or something."

"Ah. I, uh, hate heights. Being up in the clouds made me woozy."

"You were clutching the armrests pretty tightly on the plane. . ." Twilight mused.

"If the Mother had wanted me to fly, she would have made me a Pegasus. That's all I'm saying," Grey replied defensively.

Twilight smirked and picked up the top dossier to read.

Name: Vinyl Scratch

Callsign: N/A

Alias: DJ Pon-3

Age: 24

Place of Birth: Manehattan

Height: 5' 4"

Weight: 249 lbs.

Background: Vinyl Scratch is a prodigy when it comes to electronics and music. A recent graduate of Manehattan Institute of Technology, with a Masters in Electronic Engineering. She doesn't have any combat experience, but she had contributed many gadgets to the Equestrian Army to make ends meet when her DJ career was first starting off.

Psychological Profile: Miss Scratch is rather taciturn but loves making music. She is cooperative, collective, and calm under pressure.

Training: Manehattan Institute of Technology: Masters in Electronic Engineering, 4th Degree Black Belt in Hoof-fu

Relevant Experience: Multiple awards and certificates for Hoof-fu

Notes: While she does not have any combat experience nor training, Vinyl Scratch is an avid martial artist and a fast learner.

Twilight set the folder down and picked up a second.

Name: Rarity

Callsign: N/A

Age: 29

Place of Birth: Prance

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 234 lbs

Background: Miss Rarity is a private military contractor and fashion designer. The Equestrian Army recently reached out to her to see if she was up to the task of creating a bullet resistant material, and she delivered. "Dragon Weave" is twenty times stronger than steel.

Psychological Profile: Miss Rarity, while prone to dramatic outburst, is kind and generous. Her accent and speech often construe her as uptight and haughty, but that can not be further from the truth. She dislikes getting her hooves or coat dirty, yet she would walk a mile in mud to help a friend. Her attention to detail borderlines obsessive compulsive. While she is rational, when pushed to the extremes, she has been known to have mental breakdowns.

Training: Twenty years of kickboxing

Relevant Experience: Creation of Dragon Weave, multiple lightweight kickboxing championships

Notes: We believe that coupled with Team Rainbow electronic engineers, her expertise with fabrics could help with the development of stealth cloaking technology for clothing.

"Rarity? I have heard of her. She is world famous," Twilight commented.

"Looks like she is going to have to use a disguising spell. You should, too, now that I think about it. In fact, I am using one now. Black is not my natural color," Grey spoke.

"Really?"

"Seriously."

"Hmm," Twilight thought about disguising herself. It was not too difficult of a spell and lasted for a long time. She picked up the third dossier and read it contents.

Name: Applejack

Callsign: N/A

Rank: Sergeant Major

Age: 28

Place of Birth: Ponyville

Height: 5' 7'

Weight: 250 lbs.

Background: Applejack is the middle child of three siblings. She joined the Ponyville Defense Force at eighteen when she saw how the Changelings destroyed and ravaged her home. She helps out with the family apple orchard and is a handymare of sorts around Ponyville.

Psychological Profile: Applejack is truly the definition of pragmatic. She believes that "honesty is the best policy." She is hard working, strong, and dependable.

Training: Ten years with the PDF, A class license

Relevant Experience: Basic and Advanced PDF training, ten years inactive duty

Notes: N/A

"She seems like an excellent candidate," Twilight commented.

"About as good as any meat shield," Grey remarked darkly.

Twilight's jaw dropped.

"Sorry, video game talk," he chuckled. He cleared his throat, "So, are you going to do that spell now or later?"

"I like being purple," she frowned, "but I know it is for my safety." Her horn glowed as she focused on the spell.

"Not just for your safety, Twilight, but for your fam" he stopped to stare at the new mare beside him. She was magenta, with a long golden mane that hugged her face, and spectacular bright green eyes. He was lost in his memories.

"Grey," he heard her speak from the depths of his mind and his heart melted, "Grey!"

A loud blaring horn brought Grey back to his senses, and he swerved in time to miss the truck. The car skidded off the road and did donuts in the dirt before coming to a stop.

Grey Vulcan slumped against the steering wheel.

"Grey?" Twilight called to him gently.

"Change," he croaked.

"What?"

"You can't! Look! Like! Her!" he turned to her with grief-stricken eyes and tears streaming down his cheeks, "It's bad enough you sound and remind me of her!" He stormed out of the car and walked over to the wooden fence he nearly broke down. He rested his forehooves on the top of the wooden post, drawing deep breaths to calm himself down. "It's. . . not her fault. . ." he whispered to nopony in particular.

Twilight dispelled her disguise, but before she could step out to comfort her former teacher, a picture in the driver's visor caught her eye. A picture of a red stallion, holding a white bundle that had a small, maroon snout stick out of it, with his arms around a mare. . . a mare that looked exactly like her disguise.

Chapter Eight - Her

Baltimare
Clover the Clever Public Library
Twenty-Four Years Ago

Was it necessary to learn all this crap he would never use? He graduated in the top five of his class for Mother's sake. . . ten years ago. . . He sighed as he walked down the aisle looking for 125.89 CK in the Psychology section of the library. As much as he enjoyed being a guard, he wanted to do more. He wanted to have and impact on society and change lives. What better way than that than becoming a teacher? With two nephews, who were the world to him, he found a new love for foals. Speaking of nephews, Priceless Defence's birthday wasbonk!

"Woah!"

Shaking his head from the crash, he saw a young, cerise unicorn mare sprawled out before him with books around her. "I am terribly sorry! My mind was in the clouds. Are you alright?" he apologized and began picking up the thick tomes that were on the floor.

"I-I'm fine," she stood to her feet and adjusted the red, square spectacles over her snout properly. She looked up at him with brilliant emerald gems and his heart stopped. "I should have been paying attention to where I was walking," she spoke angelically.

"It is entirely my fault. I'm just living in your world; I should've been more careful, Miss, and don't break my heart and tell me it's 'Misses'?"

"Razzle Dazzle Rose," she blushed slightly.

Grey chuckled and bowed politely, "My name is Grey Vulcan, Captain of Luna's Royal Guard."

"You're kind of far from Everfree," she commented as she moved the golden strands of her mane out of her face.

"I grew tired of dealing with recruits so now I'm becoming a teacher, I already have experience dealing with whiny foals," he joked.

Rose giggled, a sound Grey would love to get drunk off.

"What's the deal with all these books? A Compendium to Mathematics, The Complete Volume to the Sciences, The Comedy of Life, these are all high caliber reference books."

Rose shrugged, "It's the usual for my classes at UB."

"You working on your Masters in Science or Math?"

"For General Science and Astronomical Physics," she beamed.

Grey smiled, her smile was infectious, in a good way.

She dug a hoof into the carpet, "Um, can I have the books back?"

"On one condition?"

"Oh?" her ears perked up.

"I will release your books to you for your com number," Grey grinned.

Rose snickered, pulled out a pen and paper from her saddle bags, and wrote down her number, "On the count of three?"

"One. . ."

"Three!" Razzle Dazzle Rose launched the paper over the bookshelf with her neon green magic. Grey was distracted long enough to weaken his magical grip on the books which she snatched in her lime green aura and ran away in a titter.

Grey caught the paper with his magic; a giant grin plastered on his face. "That mare," he sighed contently. Now, for the moment of truth.

Brrrrring! Brrrring! Razzle Dazzle Rose pulled out her pink communicator and saw "unknown number" in black letters on the LED. "Hello?" she answered expectantly.

"Oh, hey," Grey replied, "I was totally not calling to see if you had given me a fake number or anything."

Rose rolled her eyes knowing that was the exact reason he was calling so soon.

"Well, you have my number now, which was the purpose of the call. Although, the primary reason is I was wondering if you wanted to go out tonight? There's a club I go to every-now-and-then it's not bad."

"Hmm," she pretended to think, "You are not just trying to get me drunk, are you?"

"N-No! I don't even drink. They have great kebabs and pool tables," he replied.

"Okay," she laughed sensing his anxiety.

"So. . . nine? By the Clever statue?"

"It's a date," she confirmed.

"Great! That's great! I'll see you then!" he ended enthusiastically.

"A 'date,' huh?" she squealed happily in the elevator.

"A 'date'!" he pumped his hoof victoriously.

"Is this your car?" Razzle Dazzle Rose questioned as she circled the black, older model vehicle. She wasn't much of a muscle car enthusiast, but she knew they were out of style.

"This reliable beauty has been in the family for three generations, now. It has never failed our family. I was practically born in the passenger seat!" Grey laughed.

"Is it safe?" she eyed the vehicle suspiciously.

Grey opened the passenger door for her with his magic, "Yes. Do you trust me?"

Rose stared into his bright golden eyes, "Yes. . ."

With his date safely in the car, Grey entered the vehicle. The Mustang roared to life which startled the young magenta mare. "So, what kind of music do you like?"

"Both kinds," she answered sweetly. She noticed Grey's quizzical look, "Rock and roll."

"Really? I thought you would be more of a galpop lover." He saw the sour expression she made and laughed, "I don't mind rock 'n roll. I prefer country or the classics, y'know, Beat Hooven and other great composers." He turned on the radio and tuned it to the local rock station.

Rose smiled widely.

"Is this what they call 'irony'?" Grey remarked.

"No. It is called great music," Rose tapped a hoof to the beat and bobbed her head to the song.

Fifteen minutes later, they are passing a building with a line of ponies wrapped around the corner.

"Are we going in there?"

Grey noticed the slight panic in her voice, "Don't worry, it's not as packed inside. Besides, the pool hall is separate, and you have to pay, so it usually has few ponies."

"Um. . . I probably should have told you this, but I'm not old enough to drink. . ." she said sheepishly.

"Don't worry. The club is for eighteen and up. Besides, I don't drink."

"Okay. . ."

Grey parked in an open parking spot after paying the sixty bits. He saw her fidgeting. "Hey, if you don't want to we can go some place else."

"But you already paid sixty bits. . ."

"Bits are just bits," he smiled, "I don't want you not to feel comfortable and not have a good time."

"I just. . . I don't get out much," Rose chuckled nervously.

"Want to go to the carnival?"

"What?" she looked up to see his eyes sparkling foalishly. "Yes," she nodded, "I think I would have more fun there. And since it doesn't seem like your a cheapskate, you can blow all your bits trying to win me all the prizes I want!"

Grey laughed, "At least try to pretend you aren't after my money."

She smiled impishly.

"To the Boardwalk!"

Going to the Boardwalk was the better option, even if it did cost more than the club. It did earn him high points with Razzle Dazzle Rose in the long run, which made every failed attempt that much sweeter when he won. Throughout the night, they walked closer and closer to one another. Razzle Dazzle Rose eyed him knowingly when he proposed to ride the Ferris wheel but had no reservations about riding himriding with him.

"Grey?" she spoke quietly beside him. He turned his gaze from the scenery and smiled down at her. "Um. . . can I tell you something?"

"What? Are you afraid of heights?" he asked concerned.

"No. I. . . I just wanted to confess that I," she drew in a deep breath, "I like you."

Grey grinned widely, finding her blushing face adorable, "I am a pretty likable stallion."

"You know what I mean!" she pouted and punched him softly.

"I don't know. . . With you hitting me all the time, I don't see this turning out to be a healthy relationship," he remarked.

Razzle Dazzle snorted and turned away from him.

"Dazzler," he spoke sweetly and wrapped his forehooves around her, embracing her lovingly, "I feel that bumping into you at the library was destiny. I have never been happier with any other mare than you."

Dazzler turned her head to look up at his sincere golden eyes, "I-I feel the same way. . ."

"You've been with other mares?" Grey quipped with a chuckle.

Dazzler pushed Grey back and suppressed his laughter with her lips. He held her intimately and reciprocated her feelings.

The operator rolled his eyes and shook his graying mane, "Kids," he thought.

A sharp "ahem" made them separate from each other. Razzle Dazzle Rose look behind her and saw the old donkey shaking his head. Her face instantly heated up with embarrassment. She ran out of the car, leaving Grey behind with a satisfied grin.

"Hey there, babe, you lookin' a little lonely," she heard a stallion call behind her.

"Well, I'm not, so please go away," she snapped without looking back.

"Aw, don't be like that," Grey laughed.

Dazzler turned to see Grey grinning from ear to ear.

"Does you walking to the exit mean you want to leave?"

"Yes," Dazzler stated.

"Have a big test tomorrow?" Grey asked walking close to her.

"I don't have anything planned tomorrow. . ." she divulged sheepishly.

Grey glanced at his watch, "Well, it is way past my bedtime. Gotta head back before the dorm head locks the doors."

On the drive back to the ole U, Grey couldn't help but notice how quiet Dazzler had gotten; even when her favorite songs played she did not change her melancholic demeanor. Grey pulled up into the senior parking area and put Black Thunder in park.

"Pondering the creation of the universe?" he inquired.

"Just thinking about how the conversation with my parents will go." she shared and sighed. "They'll probably think I'm naive. And my dad will want your head on a spike."

"Can't say he'd be the first father." Grey laughed. Her icy stare cut him off, "B-but, um, he'll, uh, d-definitely be the last."

Dazzler snorted in annoyance and stormed out of the car.

"Dazzler!" Grey called out to her and quickly caught up to her. She glared daggers up at him. "I had a great time, Razzle Dazzle Rose, thank you," he grinned dopily.

Dazzler rolled her eyes, "I bet you say that to all the mares."

"Ja," Grey admitted, "And I meant it every time. Especially now."

"I need to think about all this," she finally said after staring and nearly getting lost in his golden eyes.

He smiled sweetly, "Take as long as you need, Dazzler."

"Even if you have to wait fifty years?"

"The Vulcan's boast over a 300-year life span, doll," Grey grinned.

Dazzler snickered. One last lengthy gaze into his compassionate gems and she walked away before she drowned in his eyes.

Grey laid in his bed that night with only one thought running through his mind: She's the one.

Everfree
Everfree Museum District
Three Years Later

And he was right. He strutted proudly down the sidewalk with his mare at his side and one-year-old son in the stroller he pushed with his golden magic. The droning of the cars did not phase him, the singing of the birds did not matter, and he could care less about the other ponies around. Right now, he was in Dazzler's world, with their colt, walking down her streets. They had just left her parent's house after celebrating her nineteen birthday.

Grey heaved a strained sigh.

Dazzler noticed the change in Grey's mood, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," he leaned over and kissed his beautiful wife, "I am just glad I did not turn myself over to the authorities all those years ago."

Dazzler giggled, "I wasn't going to report you."

"You still should have told me how old you were before the deed!" Grey defended.

"Well, it did not come up until after that memorable night of passion," Dazzler gibed playfully.

"The past is the past," he sighed defeated, "and the rest is history."

Air raid alarms blared in the air. Ponies ran frantically, and cars drove maniacally.

"This is not a drill! Everypony evacuate immediately! Unknown enemies have been sighted and are attacking the city! This is not a drill!"

Grey instantly filled with dread. Tanks, APC, and half-tracks were soon rolling down the road. Jets and gunships roared overhead. This could not be happening.

"Grey!" Dazzler's frightened voice brought him back to reality. She looked up at him expectantly.

"C'mon, we are going to the castle!"

They reached the inside of the castle via a secret tunnel. Once the three of them popped out of the basement, guards focused their rifles at them.

"Intruders!" one shouted.

Grey's horn flared, and he slammed all ten guards to the ground with his magic, "I am Captain Grey Vulcan, you morons! Now, where is Commander Bulwark?"

He relented his magic off them, and a corporal spoke up, "Sir, he is meeting with Princess Luna in the War Room."

Grey pulled the corporal up to him, "I don't care what you do, you find me a VTOL for my wife and son, you hear me, Corporal?"

"Y-Y-Loudly, sir!" the corporal quivered seeing the fire in Captian Vulcan's eyes.

Grey released him and ushered Dazzler after him.

"Let me through!" Princess Luna heard a familiar voice growl. The next second, five guards are sent flying at her through the War Room steel doors. She was never so happy to see him again. "Grey!" her heart filled with joy then deflated upon seeing the magenta mare behind him.

"What are you doing here?" Commander Bulwark asked, not bothering to check on his guards.

"I was here on vacation with my wife and son. Now, I am here to do my job," he answered sternly.

"'Wife'?" Luna switched her confused gaze from the red stallion to the mare. "'Son'?" her heart broke.

Dazzler noticed the sadness and heartbreak in the Princess' eyes and tone and suddenly felt awkward.

"With you here, the counter attack should push these bastards back," Commander Bulwark stated.

"I'm not going anywhere until my wife and son are safe aboard a VTOL," Grey replied.

"Our personal VTOL is available for use," Princess Luna spoke somberly after breaking her gaze away from the foal swaddled in a blue blanket. "We must make haste!"

Commander Bulwark went over the plan with Grey as the four of them sped down the hall to reach the VTOL pad. Within five minutes, they had reached the pad. Princess Luna said her farewell before teleporting to Canterlot to inform her sister.

Grey held his son in his arms, trying to comfort the crying colt, tears welled up in his eyes, too, "Be calm, my son. I will make sure to see you and you mother in Canterlot. Be a good boy for Papa, ja?" he kissed the top of Brilliant Vulcan's head and gave Dazzler a long kiss before she climbed into the VTOL with their son tightly in her hooves.

"I love you!" Dazzler shouted as the chopper took off.

"I love you, too!" Grey shouted back as he anxiously watched the VTOL gained altitude.

As he was about to turn away, the VTOL exploded. Grey's heart stopped; the world around him stopped; but the burning, crashing VTOL did not stop. His dreams, his love, his future, all gone, in the blink of an eye. That day 'Grey Vulcan' died. He can not recall what happened that day. The security cameras captured his rampage and bloodlust. The Changelings received the full force of his wrath. The world shook with his grief and rage.

Chapter Nine - Ponyville

Twelve miles outside Ponyville
Present Time

"For the longest time, I felt hollow; I went through the motions of daily life; it all was a blur, and it all meant nothing to me, not anymore," Grey continued his story. Twilight listened as they sat in the car. "Until I met you. You helped me remember why I wanted to become a teacher in the first place. I saw what I had turned into and knew that Dazzler would be disappointed in me. You're a lot like her sometimes," he turned to her with morose eyes, "it frightens me."

"I'm sorry, Grey, I didn't know. . ." Twilight spoke softly.

Grey inhaled a slow, deep breath from his nostrils. He started up the car. "I can never get over it nor forget it completely, but I am trying. The class, every student, I come to think of them as my own. I want to protect them, guide them, love them, and discipline them when I need to."

"Do you have favourites?" Twilight asked, trying to move the conversation along to a brighter path. "Besides me, of course," she added playfully.

Grey cracked a faint smile, "You were adorable as a filly, what happened to you?" This earned him a glare and pout from the lavender unicorn. "There are a few I pay more attention to. Diamond Dancer, she has a lot of potential but is having trouble as an orphan. The discoloration of her fur makes her a target for bullying which she answers with violence. I don't blame her, but she should also learn to control herself. She wants to be a Wonderbolt. Then there is Skippy Sparkles. She's just precious and adorable when she doesn't skip her meds, otherwise, she becomes quite the handful. She wants to be the first mare on the moon. She has the smarts to take her there. Brave Heart is another one I have my hopes for. He shows great promise as a leader and is a hard worker. I know he will keep the others in line while I am away."

"You really like children, don't you?" Twilight mused when his face lit up as he talked about his students.

An hour later, the two of them find themselves parking near the edge of the Ponyville market. Vehicles were forbidden from entering the market since the town was still paved with stones. After the three hour drive, Twilight did not mind walking. Her new dark blue coat, pink mane, and tail enjoyed the afternoon rays of Princess Celestia's star. Her cerise eyes absorbed the sights before her: rows of stalls lined the market, ponies of every species, size, age, and color walked about; they talked, laughed, and smiled, which was a great change of pace from the serious, straight-laced ponies of Canterlot.

"Target acquired," she heard Grey say mechanically with a smirk.

Twilight followed his eyes and spotted the blonde, orange earth pony mare at an apple stall.

A bright yellow filly with equally bright red mane, which was tied back with a large pink bow, crossed their path and Grey smiled warmly down at her, "Hello, sweetie. My daughter and I are new here. Would you be able to show us around?"

'Daughter?' Twilight echoed in her head but kept her smile. She waved at the little filly.

Her tangerine eyes stared up at him and she pouted. "Mah name's not 'Sweetie'! Ah'm Apple Bloom!" she introduced herself with her thick drawl.

"Precious!" Grey's heart melted. "My humblest of apologies, Apple Bloom. My name is Grey Vulcan," he extended a hoof towards Twilight, "This is my daughter IQ."

"Pleasure ta make yer acquaintance!" Apple Bloom shook their hooves. "Ah'd be happy ta show y'all 'round!"

Apple Bloom tried her best to show the two newcomers the best places in town and to be as helpful as possible. She first introduced them to her big sister Applejack who allowed her to continue the tour. With the market out of the way, she showed them to Town Hall, then to all the restaurants, stores, the library (which Twilight obviously wanted to spend more time in), their next big stop was the Carousel Boutique where they met Rarity and a second filly joined their party: Sweetie Bell.

Grey decided to treat everpony to lunch, and the two fillies suggested a sugary treat at Sugarcube Coner. The bright pink cupcake atop the establishment did not catch Grey's eye nor did the chocolate looking roof with white icing trim, no the thing that grabbed his attention the most was the weathervane pony seemingly made of chocolate that held a candy cane in its hooves. Was it real chocolate? If it was, how did it move in the wind? If Grey were any older, he probably would have died of sweetness overload; not from the delicious confections but from the two foals Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. He had to excuse himself after holding the twins.

Sensing his change in demeanor, the two fillies decided to continue with the tour by taking them to their school. Scootaloo had just been released from afterschool lessons when she joined her friends. Dusk was fast approaching, Grey and Twilight escorted the fillies to their respective homes. They then revealed their true purpose for visiting Ponyville to Rarity. Rarity, understandably, declined, saying she needed to take care of Sweetie Belle. Applejack gave them a similar answer. With her brother Big Mac injured because of a runaway tractor, she needed to tend to her farm and family. That left one pony left on the list.

Twilight glued her ears firmly to her head, hoping it would keep the blaring noise out of her ringing eardrums. She loathed entering the club. When the bouncer confirmed their target was inside, Grey had asked if she wanted to wait outside. Twilight did not want to be outside alone with random poniesa mare had already tried hitting on her. They sat at the bar waiting for a bouncer they "tipped" to deliver a message to the DJ. A few minutes after she had ended her set, the bouncer returned and escorted them back to the VIP area.

"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to see us, Miss Scratch," Grey greeted the unicorn lounging on a red chair who was sipping on water from a bottle. She shrugged her shoulders and slipped her headphones off her ears. Grey continued, "I am Colonel Grey Vulcan of the RASF. This is Special Agent IQ. We are here to recruit you for a special secret task force."

The DJ lowered her tinted glasses with a hoof and raised a curious brow.

"With your contributions so far to the military," Twilight began, "we believe your expertise would give the task force an edge in combat situations. You are not required to be in the field and will work with us under a contract and in secret."

Vinyl Scratch eyed to the two ponies before her and pushed up her glasses. Why would they want to recruit me? Why a 'secret task force'? Was something bad about to happen? If I say no will they kidnap me?

"Miss Scratch," Grey interrupted her thoughts and smiled, "An unknown entity looms ever closer. Their intentions are clear: they want to harm as many ponies as possible and cripple our nation. We could use all the help as possible. You will be helping guarantee the security of your home and the safety of your family and friends."

Vinyl Scratch got off the couch and walked over to Grey. "Will you teach me how to shoot a gun?" she inquired.

Grey chuckled and extended a hoof, "We will teach you all the combat skills you want."

"I'm in," Vinyl shook the stallion's hoof. "When do I start?"

Chapter Eleven - Rainbow Training Facility - Part One

Undisclosed Location
Rainbow Training Facility
Altitude: 15,732 feet

Grey Vulcan gripped the armrests tightly in his hooves. He kept his eyes forward and jaw clenched. He kept his mind off his current situation by remembering the events of the past week. Out of the eight candidates he and Twilight were to recruit three of them declined, two for family reasons and one, Doctor Fluttershy, because she is a conscientious objector. Against his better judgment, he allowed his nephews into the team and did not kill Princess Celestia. He wasn't jumping in front of any bullets for her anytime soon. He met the others when he arrived at the airport with Twilight giving him their files.

Gilda and Brutus Gallio Tiberius, Griffons; Harald Ostenson and Sven Wahl, Yaks; Zavra and Zula, Zebras; and finally Onyx brought his son, Obsidian, along with a Changeling, Soldier 129. They were told not to talk with one another nor to share their real identities.

"Onkel?" his nephew's voice and hoof snapped Grey from his thoughts.

"Ja?" Grey smiled wryly, and his neck twisted stiffly to face the gray unicorn with lime green eyes and light green mane. "Something you need, Price?"

"We are almost there, so you can relax, Onkel," Priceless Defense smiled warmly and spoke calmly.

"I am relaxed. Super relaxed. I am the epitome of relaxation. What do you kids call it these days. . . 'chillaxing?" Grey blabbered and chuckled nervously.

"Didn't Onyx give you vodka to calm your nerves?"

"I am calm! Can't you see how calm I am?!"

Priceless Defense saw his uncle's wild eyes and felt his rapid breaths. He heard metal creaking and saw the armrest bending under his uncle's will. "Oh, yes, absolutely, Onkel. My apologies."

Grey leaned back in the chair and took deep breaths. He felt Price grip his right hoof. He looked up and calmed down under his nephew's lime gaze. "You are so much like your father, Price," Grey commented sadly.

"Thank you, Onkel." Priceless Defense accepted the praise with pride. He might have been young when his parent's died, but he remembered everything during his time with them, even if his little brother claims he has forgotten. His father was a good stallion, and he knew his uncle looked up to him.

If Priceless Defence had to be completely honest, though, he viewed and held his uncle with higher respect than his father. His father was a painter; his uncle was a guard, soldier, war hero, and teacher. Grey Vulcan went through many hardships in his life and still came out on top. His uncle Grey is Price's hero.

"Ladies and gentlecolts, this is your Captain speaking," Rainbow Dash spoke over the intercom with a snicker, "we will be landing shortly so, please, put your seats in an upright position and remain seated. Thank you."

True to her word, within a few minutes, the plane touched the ground which sent Grey's stomach up into his throat.

Mute drove up to the plane in a sports utility vehicle. He waited patiently by the stairs. He watched as the ground crew started unloading the private jumbo jet of its cargo. He checked off the names of the recruits as they walked past him. He hid his faint smile behind the clipboard as Grey hobbled down the stairs aided by his nephew. Grey stood beside Mute; he pulled Photo Finish aside to stand with them while Onyx joined them. Mute stepped up to the line of recruits to address them.

"You will all address me as 'Mute.' For your safety and the safety of your family, I suggest you don't share too much with your new comrades. All documents of your existence were destroyed. I will be giving you your new identities."

These are the new identities of the operators:

Rainbow Dash - Ash

Limestone Pie - Castle

Maud Pie - Pulse

Pinkamena Pie - Thermite

Marble Pie - Buck

Brutus Gallio Tiberius - Smoke

Gilda - Jäger

Priceless Defense - Rook

Avenging Defense - Fuze

Vinyl Scratch - Twitch

Obsidian - Blackbeard

Photo Finish - Blitz

Harald Ostenson - Kapkan

Sven Wahl - Tachanka

Zavra - Bandit

Zula - Valkyrie

Soldier 129 - Frost

"Now," Mute continued, "with that out of the way, you all are going to run ten laps around the base. Those who do not complete the laps in an hour will have to sleep outside. Stay in the Main Hall when you all are done. Get goin'." The recruits all started running in different directions. Mute used his crimson magic to ground Ash, Smoke, and Jäger, who were already in the air, "No flying."

Twilight stood still and smiled sheepishly, "Even me?"

"Get going, filly," Grey instructed with a small grin.

Twilight, with her smile gone, started trotting off after Rainbow Dash.

"Even if we are officers, I, Blitz, still believe we should be training with them."

"It's not training, love," Mute spoke up as he headed for the SUV, "that'll give us time to talk and plan things over with you, Blitz."

As they shuffled into the black vehicle, Grey spoke up to Onyx who was in the back seat with him. "I couldn't help but notice your interactions with the Pies."

Onyx beamed. "Yeah, I know them personally. When I first heard Marble break my record I had to investigate myself. Ever since I have been close with the Pies. Marble is such a sweetheart." Onyx's smile disappeared, "I hope this doesn't change her."

"Yeah." Grey watched the six black VTOL's pass by. Up ahead, he saw a barracks, hanger, a large building (which he assumed is the Main Hall), and a smaller building next to it (which could be the officer's barracks). Behind the hanger, he could see tall obstacle structures and the top of another building. All the buildings were a stone gray, to match the surrounding mountain. A control tower zipped by and Grey noticed a radio station tucked beside the tower.

"Very impressive facility," Onyx commented, "Now, I know we are spoiling them."

"Right?" Mute grunted in amusement, "Camp Radden was such a bloody shite hole."

"Hey! They did the best they could in a short time," Grey defended the budding Engineer Corps of the past.

"Pfft!" Onyx stifled his outburst. "You only say that because you created it!"

Chapter Twelve - Rainbow Training Facility - Part Two

The warm, compassionate Grey Vulcan Twilight knew as a filly was destroyed by the cold, unempathetic drill instructor he had become. Constant working, constant moving, only four hours of rest and fifteen minutes for two meals. For a month, all operators were pushed past their limits and grew stronger. Twilight realized this after the first week when drill became easier.

After the month long, intense physical and mental training combined with team building, came the month of learning tactics and weapons training. Grey returned to his usual self, and everyone participated in morning warmups before being instructed by Onyx. By the end of the month, all the operatives knew the ins and outs of every single weapon and how to utilize them properly.

They were not the only ones training and learning. A rising threat was also training, learning, plotting, and biding their time. Soon, the day would come where they could enact their plans. Ponies, Yaks, Griffons, and Dragons would not know what hit them. Soon, all would learn true fear, hopelessness. . . terror.

Grey blinked at Darklon. "You never told me you had kids, Four."

"Echo and Hibana are not my children," Darklon stated.

"What? They are a splitting image of you! The tufted ears, the bat wings, the fangs, the leathery tail!"

Darklon face hoofed. "How did Six choose you over me?"

"You say that like it's a difficult choice," Grey jabbed.

Darklon groaned. "I have been training Echo and Hibana the past two months I've been away. They are up to the task."

Grey walked over to the two rigid Bat ponies behind Darklon to examine them. He eyed them intently while he rubbed his beard. "Who are you?"

"That's"

"Can they not talk for themselves?" Grey cut off Darklon. Darklon clenched his jaw and kept quiet. Grey returned his golden eyes to the stallion. "Name."

"Echo."

Grey frowned. "You would have gotten major brownie points if you had said, 'My name is Echo Echo Echo Echo'." Grey chuckled. He looked over at the mare.

"Hibana Hibana Hibana Hibana Hibana. . ."

Grey guffawed, and Hibana cracked a small smile. "You're a fast learner. Would you like to become the new Four?"

"Oi!" Darklon interjected.

Grey laughed and started to walk to the main building. He motioned for them to follow him. "You got here just in time. Because today, today is special equipment training!"

"Like kids in a candy store," Onyx mused to himself as he watched the operators inspect their new weapons and gadgets on tables in front of them. Onyx clapped his hands together and grabbed their attention. "Alright, boys and girls, these are your new friends. Each of you has a different, unique weapon or gadget that you will utilize in the field."

"Weapons created by yours truly," Grey bowed to the right of Onyx on the platform above the operators.

"Gadgets created by me with the help of Twitch," Darklon informed to the left of Onyx.

"Right," Onyx rolled his eyes, "Anyways, Ash, what's on the table in front of you?"

"A grenade launcher," Rainbow Dash answered.

"Pick it up and fire at the target down range."

"Yes, sir!" Rainbow Dash rushed over to the table and quickly shouldered the grenade launcher. She finds the target, a stone wall, down the range about one hundred yards and fires. For three seconds nothing happens, even after the round hits the target. Then. . . BOOM! "Wicked!"

"That is a modified M120 that fires Compact Rifle Entry Munition, a forty millimeter grenade with a drill bit that allows the round to burrow into hard surfaces and create new entry points," Grey boasts.

"Next," Onyx said, "Castle, you see that rolled up mat on the table? Set it up on the door frame in the range. You're going to need that nail gun, too."

"Yes, sir," Limestone walked over to the table, placed the nail gun on her back, tucked the mat under her right foreleg, and hopped over the guard rail of the range. She strode over to the white, standard size door frame, stood up on her hind legs, unrolled the mat to cover the red door, and nailed it in place with the yellow nail gun.

Gunfire erupted in the range, and the operators hit the ground. Thatcher's laughter from above made them cautiously pop their heads up.

"What the fuck was that!" Limestone shouted up at the officers. Her eyes went wide when Thatcher pulled out his side arm; she hid behind the black mat. The fifty caliber thundered and echoed in the range.

"Excuse me?" Thatcher said with a shit eating grin.

"What the fuck was that, sir!" Limestone shouted from behind cover.

"That," Thatcher fired his sidearm again at the mat which absorbed the lead, "is your new best friend. It is made of organic polymers and organic plastic. Fifty times stronger than Kevlar and half the weight. Courtesy of one special pony back in Ponyville."

Limestone peeked around the mat and saw Thatcher's guns holstered. She then checked out the mat and saw that the metallic front side had plenty of lead in it, but the back side was unmarked. She was impressed.

"If we ever have to hunker down and fortify a position, you will be there with the Universal Tactical Panels to do so," Onyx explained.

Mute spoke to Maud, "With your geo-scanning technology, I improved it where it can pick up living, organic materials. Meaning, with the device on the table, we will be able to see enemies on the other side of walls as well as see their equipment."

"That will come in handy," Maud replied.

"Thermite," Onyx addressed the pink mare who kept her eyes on her gift on the silver table before her, "That is your new bundle of joy. Thatcher upgraded your original thermite formula and added a secondary explosion. Care to try it out?"

A smile slowly crept across Pinkamena's lips, and she nodded her head in a similar manner. She walked over to the table and picked up the explosive mat. In the middle of the range stood a twelve-foot tall, ten-foot wide, four-inch thick steel wall. Pinkamena unrolls the magnetic mat onto the wall. She bites down in the pin and pulls it. She took a couple of steps back and marvels at the sparks flying. She took a few more steps away from the wall after the thermite finished burning.

KABOOM!

A perfect six-by-six-foot square hole was created in the wall.

Pinkamena breathed in the smoke as if the scent was a bouquet of roses and released a satisfied sigh. She skipped back to where her teammates were lined up.

"Huh," Grey grunted amused, "So Griffins and Bat ponies can get wingboners, too."

After the winged operators had control over their excited extremities, Onyx continued and smiled down at his favorite operator. "Buck. I know you have an affinity for snipers and shotguns so I give you the Customized Auxiliary Markspony Rifle System. "

"The CAMRS," Grey continued, "is an eight by sixty millimeter IOTA markspony rifle fitted with a ten-gauge, semi-automatic 'Skeleton Key' shotgun. I don't know why Glaz was so insistent on the Skeleton Key since you will mostly be overwatch but there you go."

"Thank you," Marble replied with a small smile.

"Smoke," Mute said, "due to safety reasons, your remote detonated smoke charges will not be demonstrated today. They release a thick smoke that, not only provides cover but also is filled with a devastating irritant. The irritant is potent enough to cause permanent blindness and even death."

"You had me at 'due to safety reasons,'" Brutus cracked.

"Jäger, I made your idea a reality," Mute stated. "That device is called an Active Defense System, and it intercepts grenades of any type and destroys them before they detonate."

"Could have used that a decade ago," Gilda commented dryly.

"Rook!" Thatcher called out.

"Sir!" Price went to attention.

"Shoot Fuze in the chest."

"Excuse me, sir?" he questioned and cast an uneasy glance between his uncle and brother.

Grey threw his sidearm at Price. "Erschieß ihn."

Price catches the pistol with his light blue magic and just stared at the black gun.

"How about this, you don't shoot him in the chest, and you both are out of Rainbow." Grey threatened.

"I. . . I can't!" Price sets the gun on the ground and glares up at his uncle, "I won't."

"Fuze, shoot Rook in the chest," Grey ordered.

Avenging Defense picks up the pistol with his lime green magic and shoots his brother in the chest without hesitation.

"Autsch!" Price exclaimed and fell to the ground. He held his chest and groaned on the floor.

"Thank you, Fuze," Grey said.

"So why didn't he die?" Avenging Defense inquired.

"Same reason you wouldn't have." Grey used his magic to undo the velcro strap in front of Fuze's armor and pulls out a plate of armor. "Ceramic plating encased in Dragon Weave. If shit hits the fan, Rook can armor us up." Grey picked up his gun with magic and glared at Price. He shot Price one more time in the chest, "I find your lack of faith disturbing."

"Sorry!" Price groaned weakly.

"I think he needs to be shot one more time," Brutus gibed.

The gun points at him. "You aren't wearing a Dragon Plate nor a helmet," Grey stated.

"Enough," Mute spoke up, "put your gun away."

Grey teleports the pistol to its holster. "Happy?"

"Never," Mute cracked.

Grey smirked.

"Fuze, you like what you see on the table?" Onyx asked.

Avenging Defense turned his attention back to his table after helping his brother up. "What does that contraption do?"

"Kill," Grey stated.

"I love it," Avenging Defense grinned.

A red flash in the center of the range grabbed their attention. A mockup room, with four concrete walls, stood in the middle of the range.

"That is the 'Matryoshka,' developed in the Motherland for clearing rooms," Onyx informed Fuze. "Technically, it is still in development and not permitted by the Concord. It can be mounted on any flat surface, just press the black button first to lock it in place, then the red button to start the drill."

Fuze picked up the Matryoshka device with his magic and walked to the wall that faced him. He placed the device against the wall, pushed the black button which anchored the device. Two seconds later when the drills finished, he pressed the red button, and the two-foot piston began to drill into the wall.

"Step back, Fuze," Thatcher warned.

Fuze took four steps away from the wall. Three seconds later, five explosions go off in succession inside the room.

"Get back to the line," Mute ordered.

Fuze walked back to stand on the blue line where his fellow operatives stood.

"Twitch, roll out the drone," Mute stated.

Vinyl Scratch saluted and drops the black case on her back to the ground which opens up flat. The case contained a drone, a remote control with a large screen, tools, spare parts, and extra ammunition for the drone. Twitch levitated the remote control to her with her blue magic and with a push of a button the screen came to life. Twitch manipulates the sticks of the controller, and the drone zoomed out of the case, down the range.

The television on Twitch's table switches on and all the operators can see in real-time (in high definition) what the drone is recording. The drone rolls under the door of the room, and everyone awed at the destruction. Five black marks litter the floor where the grenades exploded, yellow ballistic gel dummies are ripped to shreds and ooze "blood," furniture is destroyed, and in the corner, there is a blue ballistic gel dummy that is as mangled as the others.

"As you all can see, Matryoshka destroys indiscriminately; that blue dummy represented a hostage. Which is why it will only be deployed if the situation requires." Onyx explained.

Twitch returns her drone to its "garage", as she calls it, and stores the case on top of the table, behind the TV.

A phone ringed, and everyone stopped to locate the sound which came from Thatcher's pocket. Thatcher removed the phone from his chest pocket with his magic and frowned at the screen.

"We are in the middle of training, Six, what do you need?" he answered the phone.

"Grey," Six spoke softly, "there has been an incident in Canterlot. We are activating Article Five."

"What kind of situation?"

"A horrendous one. Reports will be on the plane for you to go over." There is a long pause before Celestia continued, "I am sorry."

The line went dead, and Grey stared at his phone grimly. "Something has happened in Canterlot, and we are all going. Gather your things, and we leave in ten. Dismissed!"

The Rainbow Six operators saluted and quickly gathered their bags of equipment while talking amongst themselves.

"What's the situation?" Darklon asked.

"I don't know, but I have a terrible feeling about this," Grey answered with a heavy sigh.

Article Five - Part One

Diamond Dancer groaned. School. How she loathed it. She huffed a sad sigh. Nearly three months have gone by since Mister Grey Vulcan had left the Griffin in charge. Was he even allowed to do that? The Griffin was a. . . Griffin when it came to teaching. He expected everypony to understand his lectures and write all the notes within the given time. At least while Mister Grey Vulcan was here, he would explain everything and give plenty of time for notes. Was she starting to miss that old stallion? Sure, he walked with her and Sparkler to the bus and paid for them every now and again. Sure, he brought tasty lunch to class for everypony every day, which was a thousand times better than the cafeteria food. Sure, he made her do hundreds of laps, but she was finding it easier to do them. She groaned and slammed her head onto her forehooves on the desk. Celestia's. Bright. Solar. Ass. She did miss him.

Skippy Sparkles watched her friend groan for the third time straight since class started. Her concern grew.

"Are you feeling okay, DD?" Skippy Sparkles leaned over her desk and rested her chin on her friend's shoulder. She stared at her with concerned eyes, "Whenever I eat too much candy sometimes I get a big tummy ache and sound like you do. Did you eat too much candy?"

"I'm all right, Sparkler," Diamond Dancer sighed. Sparkler's confiding perked her up. "You never give me any candy," she confronted the bubbly filly.

The pink filly's amethyst gems lit up. "We are not talking about me, silly! What's bothering you?"

The silver pegasus slumped in her chair, "Nothing."

"Is it because you miss Mister Grey Vulcan? Because I do," Skippy shared with sad, big eyes and lowered ears.

"Please," DD scoffed and waved dismissively, "that's just because you want to marry him."

"And you asked him to adopt you," Skippy smirked smugly.

DD's blushed. "N-No IShut up!"

Skippy nuzzled her friend lovingly, "You know he will."

DD pouted. "He said he couldn't as long as he was my teacher."

"So you have to wait two more years, it'll be worth it."

"What do you mean?" DD cranked her neck around with a confused expression.

"Well, we graduate in two years. He'll no longer be out teacher. Duh, silly!" Skippy smiled.

DD's face lit up with understanding. Small pops outside grabbed her attention, along with the screams. "Who would be popping firecrackers this time of year?"

Skippy Sparkles shrugged.

Maximus heard the noise outside and decided to investigate. He set his book down and crossed the classroom to reach the window that faced the front entrance. His eyes grew wide at the sight: many white vans were parked wildly outside, ponies in white hazmat suits had automatic rifles and were gunning down cops and innocents.

"Children!" He raised his voice in alarm, "Duck under your desks now!" He ran to his desk while the students looked at each other in confusion. He picked up the phone and frowned when the phone was dead. He reached into a drawer to retrieve his Mfruit phone and set it down when the "no signal" white text greeted him.

"Children," he spoke again, and the students fell silent, "stay here. I am going to go and see what the disturbance is. Nopony leaves this room or looks outside."

When the Griffin left, curiosity pulled all the children to the window. They gasped in horror at the scene below. Ponies and cops were on the ground and were laying in a pool of their blood. Ponies in white plastic suits had guns and were shooting cops who took cover behind their squad cars, and more of the white ponies were bringing large devices into the school. Without warning, the white vans outside exploded, sending flames into the sky and raining shrapnel in the streets. Yellow clouds of smoke billowed from the fires and floated in the air. They watched as the yellow gas engulfed the police officers and saw the blue dressed ponies combust, their clothes and fur spontaneously igniting. Their screams sent shivers down the foal's spines.

Hyacinth Bloom stepped away from the window with her breath short and eyes wide, "Is that what will happen to us?!"

Pops, which Diamond Dancer finally registered as gunshots, erupted from down the hall. The children all huddled in the far corner of the room and held each other tightly. Maximus crashed through the door which made the children scream when he landed five feet away from them. A white pony entered the room and loomed over the fallen Griffin. The pony leveled a shotgun at the terrified ex-Legionnaire and pulled the trigger. Some of the children recoiled from the sound, the ones up front turned away when they got showered with Griffin gray matter and blood. The pony's bright blue glowing eyes fell over the foals, and they stopped their sniveling. The pony pulled out one of the silver canisters from its black utility belt and tossed it at the group of foals.

Brave Heart sprung from the middle of the group and kicked the canister in mid-air back to the pony. The pony reeled back when the canister collided with its head. Brave Heart had lunged at the dazed pony before he got kicked down by a second pony in a white, plastic suit. The second pony crushed Brave Heart's chest under its hoof and quickly obliterated the foal's head with a shotgun blast.

A third white pony entered the room. The dual red cylinders on its back and the sprayer in its hooves resembled a flamethrower like the one Mister Grey Vulcan showed them the previous show and tell. That happy memory quickly faded from Diamond Dancer's mind as the pony lowered the nozzle at them. Yellow powder shot out of the nozzle.

Skippy Sparkles cried in agony when the powder touched her pink fur and started to burn her. Her curly purple mane caught fire, but she could not feel it biting her as her senses were already on fire from the pain all over her body. Within seconds, her eyes were cooked, her lungs scorched, and her screams deadalong with the other foals that shared her same fate.

The pony breathed slowly through its gas mask. Its glowing eyes remained on the cooking children corpses. It released a second burst of gas over the bodies mercilessly.

Chapter Fourteen - Article Five - Part Two

Twilight could only look outside the window of the plane as she digested the news. She could only imagine how Grey felt. As soon as the loading door closed, Grey went balls to the wall with the plane, not even waiting for clearance.

The gleeful aura from earlier? Long since expired. Everyone was disgusted and angry and wanted blood. Twilight took the attack personally as sure as Grey did. Twilight never wanted to shoot somepony as badly like now, which scared her.

Would she be able to pull the trigger? What the terrorists did was inexcusable to be sure, but they would have guns, too. With current bullet technology that could pass through magical barriers with ease, she was scared. A quick look at the other passengers and she saw a few with similar feelings.

"Who would do such a thing?" Valkyrie asked her fellow Zebra teammate.

"Aliens," he answered matter-of-factly.

"Why do I even bother?" Valkyrie huffed and turned her attention to the window.

Frost spoke up, "All I know is, it wasn't Changelings. Things have only been improving these last decades; we would not do anything to destroy that."

"We will find who is responsible and we will kill them!" Tachanka bellowed from the back of the plane.

"Woah! A four syllable word from a Yak!" Smoke jeered, "Look out everyone!"

Tachanka got up, but Kapkan placed a hoof on his shoulder and sat Tachanka down. "Vi drepe ham uten vitner senere," Kapkan whispered to Tachanka.

"Why don't you come say that to my face?" Smoke said as he got up from his chair.

"Why don't you sit your arse down?" Mute spoke behind Smoke.

Smoke chuckled nervously and sat back down, "Yes, sir."

"Everyone," Mute spoke up and grabbed all of Rainbow's attention, "you have read the news. This is not a drill."

Mute explained the plan of attack and layout of the school to the team while they looked at holographic projections that displayed from the chair headrests in front of them.

For the third time in the last five minutes, the red button labeled "incoming transmission" blinked. Rainbow Dash glanced at the button, again, and cast a worried look at Thatcher who sat to the left of her. She tapped her hooves on the yoke.

"Are you going to answer that, sir? It's on the emergency line." Rainbow Dash dared to ask. She sank back in her chair under Thatcher's murderous glare.

Thatcher punched the button. "What?"

"Thatcher, what happened. . . we could not have known"

"Bull! Fucking! Shit!" Thatcher cut her off. "Twenty fucking white vans go unfucking noticed through the city?! Nopony raises a flag about it?"

"Thatch"

"After I fucking kill all the terrorists and hang them by their intestines, I am going to put a bullet in your incompetent head," Thatcher growled and punched the button again which terminated the call. Thatcher threw Rainbow Dash an annoyed look. "What are you gawking at?"

"My new hero," Rainbow Dash said.

"I'm no hero. I get shit done."

"Then my new shit. . . doer?"

Grey stared at Rainbow Dash for a moment. A small smile formed on his lips. "You are ridiculous." He focused his attention back to the sky in front of him. "Thanks, filly."

Rainbow Dash smiled then frowned in thought, "Was that Princess Celestia?"

"For now."

"Can you threaten her like that?"

"It was no threat."

"'It was a promise?'" Rainbow Dash finished for him with a smirk.

"You better fucking believe it."

Five minutes before the plane landed in Canterlot International Airport, Team Rainbow loaded up in the six black SUVs in the cargo bay of the cargo plane. As soon as the gray plane landed, they would roll out of the cargo bay and head to the school.

Each vehicle had one squad. There was: Red Squad, led by Thatcher; Orange Squad, led by IQ; Yellow Squad, led by Mute, Green Squad, led by Blitz; Blue Squad, led by Glaz; and Indigo Squad, led by Fuze. Red, Green, and Indigo were on the ground, taking the fight to the terrorist; Blue was handling overwatch; Orange would scout out the school and surrounding area; while Yellow remained on standby to provide reinforcement if needed. That was the plan but plans change.

"Um, Thatcher?" Twilight broke the silence.

"Yes, IQ?" Thatcher replied over the radio.

"You, um, there weren't any handcuffs in the supplies."

"We are not taking any prisoners," Thatcher stated.

"But what about interrogating them? We need to know why they did this and who is behind it."

"You will try to identify the leader on site, and we will apprehend them. The others die." Mute input.

Twilight sighed and shifted in her seat.

"It is not going to be easy, but it must be done," Echo commented from the back.

"I do feel badangry even," Twilight sighed again, "If we kill them all, we are no better than them."

"We aren't monsters, so we are already better than them," Smoke added behind the wheel.

Twilight turned to the Griffin and looked back at the dash to sigh.

Twitch stared out the window; her music played in her ears, and her head bobbed to the beat. Today was not the day she wanted to kill somepony; today was not the day she wanted to die; today was the day things would change for her and for the other members who have not shot another living being.

A hard bump of the plane landing signaled the drivers to start their vehicles. Two minutes later the plane stopped. Thirty seconds later and the cargo doors and ramp are open. Before the ramp completely touched the tarmac, Rainbow Dash had pushed the pedal to the metal which sent the SUV launching out of the plane.

Chapter Ten - Everfree

Everfree
Castle of the Night Sister
The Next Day

Name: Photo Finish

Callsign: N/A

Rank: Lieutenant

Age: 39

Place of Birth: Everfree

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 237 lbs.

Background: Photo Finish had earned a full scholarship to Everfree University, where she wanted to pursue a career in photography. Unfortunately for her, one month before school starts, the Changelings attack. She barely escapes capture thanks to one General Stonewall Smith's sacrifice. Seeing his heroism led Lieutenant Photo Finish to enlist. She served valiantly through the war. She developed a special stun grenade that can blind Changelings. The technology led to numerous innovations and adoptions, including her most famous adaption the Lichtschild, a riot shield with a blinding flash ability.

After the war, she became a police officer; she wanted to patrol the streets of her home and keep a vigilance over the neighboring Changelings.

Psychological Profile: She possesses a strong conviction for justice, has great leadership qualities, and is goal driven. While seen as brusque, conceded, and arrogant by some, Lieutenant Photo Finish sees a situation and immediately knows at least twelve different ways to handle it and is quick to action.

Training: Standard Royal Armed Special Forces training, advanced police training and education, Grenzschutzgruppe Königliche-Polizei training

Relevant Experience: Changeling War (four years active duty), six years active police service, nine years GSG-KP active duty

Notes: Her comrades and ponies in the police force affectionately and respectfully call her 'Blitz.' Since the GSG-KP was founded by fellow Rainbow Operative Bishop, their tactics and training are closely related. High-value candidate as a trainer.

Grey set the file down on the table on top of the other file before him. He stared blankly at the mare who sat across from him. This was the last place he wanted to be with the last person he wanted to see. "Can I go now?" he did not hide his impatience.

Princess Luna smiled wryly, "It is always good to see you, Grey."

"Likewise," he replied idly.

"I apologize for bringing you in that way, but you never respond to my correspondences nor calls." She was apologizing for the van pulling his car over and the six guards ponies holding him down with magic and dragging him into the van while a perplexed and frightened Twilight watched. One of the guards explained the situation to her, and Twilight decided to recruit the Doctor Fluttershy they originally came for.

Grey huffed, "This is only business for me, Princess."

"Of course," Princess Luna cleared her throat, "of course. There are two more prospects that I believe would be perfect for Rainbow." She levitated the two files in front of her over to Grey.

His brows instantly furrowed when he saw the names on the tabs. "Not. Happening," he threw the files back which landed in the middle of the wooden, rectangular table.

"I just wanted to give you a little heads up. Six has already recruited your nephews," Princess Luna shared.

Grey brusquely stood up which sent the chair flying back, "You are going to have to throw me in the dungeons then because I am going to kill her."

"Ah-ha! So 'Six' is a female!" Princess Luna mused.

Grey scoffed and turned to exit the small room.

Princess Luna stared at the closed oak door with a solemn expression, her teal eyes full of sorrow and regret, "I was such a fool."

Everfree
Grenzschutzgruppe Königliche-Polizei Headquarters

"How did your meeting with Princess Luna go?" Twilight inquired innocently. She took a bite of her sandwich and waited for the stallion's reply.

"Swimmingly. It turns out I'm going to have to kill our boss when we return to Canterlot," Grey sneered.

Twilight choked on her sandwich. Grey levitated a napkin to her. She cleared her throat, "What do you mean?"

"I mean: I am going to put a bullet into Celestia's head," he clarified.

"Let's talk this out," Twilight advised in a rational tone. "What did she do?"

Grey snorted in annoyance and turned his head away from her to look out the window. A hoof on his shoulder made him turn back to the dark blue mare. He smiled. "Purple suited you better, filly."

Twilight crossed her forehooves across her chest, "I know!"

Grey sighed and removed the keys from the ignition, "I was just foalish. I will not kill heryet."

Twilight rolled her eyes and followed after him out of the car. They entered through the glass double doors of the rusty red brick three story building making their way to the reception desk. A small smile presented on Grey's muzzle.

"Mister Grey Vulcan?" the receptionist beamed, her voice full of surprise.

"That's the name, teaching's the game," Grey replied. He recoiled slightly as the mare wrapped her hooves around his neck. Grey returned her hug. "It's good to see you, filly."

Twilight waited patiently a few feet away with an awkward smile. She twitched under the sharp pink gaze of the dark violet unicorn mare.

"Genuine Image, this is my partner, IQ," Grey introduced them, "IQ, this is Genuine Image, one of my top students."

"Nice to meet you!" the dark violet mare extended a hoof with a dagger-like smile.

"Pleasure," Twilight replied courteously and cautiously shook her hoof.

"What brings you to my neck of the woods?" Genuine Image asked as she returned to the wooden desk.

"In ist der Oberleuntant?" Grey inquired.

Genuine Image typed on the keyboard and pressed her hoof on the computer monitor. "Sie sollte in einer halben Stunde von ihrer Patrouille zurückkehren."

Grey smiled. "Well, you sound much better since last we talked."

"Living in Everfree helps," she admitted with a smile.

"How has the transition been?" Grey continue casually.

"Great! Well, little miss, Sunshine is having trouble adjusting to a new school and new language," Genuine Image shared her concern.

Grey smiled empathetically. "I can imagine." His smile took a mischevious turn, "if she is anything like you, she will have all the colts wrapped around her hoof in no time."

Genuine Image smirked seductively, "All but the one she wants."

"Filly," Grey chuckled and shook his head, "I doubt I'd be able to keep up in my old age."

"There's a pill for that," her smile broadened.

Grey laughed heartily, garnering the attention of more ponies, "I'll let you get back to work. We'll wait for the Lieutenant in the waiting room."

"Oh, alright," she replied dejected.

"I, Photo Finish, have arrived!" the Lieutenant announced crashing through the swinging doors of the waiting room. "You and you!" she pointed a cyan hoof at Grey and Twilight, "We go!" As swiftly as she came, she left.

"Let's not leave the good Lieutenant waiting!" Grey commented and trotted after her.

Twilight picked up her jaw off the couch and quickly followed.

"I, Photo Finish, agree that these attacks are concerning," the Lieutenant projected herself, rather loudly Twilight thought, in the small office.

"I, Grey Vulcan, extend an offer of recruitment to you, Photo Finish, to lend your expertise as a trainer for a special secret task force."

Photo Finish tapped her chin in thought with a hoof. Her purple-tinted black glasses hid her eyes and thoughts.

"It will be a temporary position if you are concerned about your duties here," Grey clarified. Still looking as if waging an internal conflict Grey continued, "The stallion that started the GSG-KP was a good friend of mine. In fact, he was part of the special task force and integral to forming its tactics and training."

"Can we go a lifetime without a war?" Photo Finish stated out of the blue. "It seems like only yesterday I, Photo Finish, was just a young mare on her way to becoming a photographer. Then. . . the sky is blackened by those. . . things."

Grey sighed as memories of the war filled his mind, "I know and if we had been better prepared we might have been able to save thousands of lives. Which is why it is imperative we act now and nip the bud before it blooms into war."

"I, Lieutenant Photo Finish, will be honored to join you, Colonel Grey Vulcan, in training a new generation of soldiers to protect our homes, friends, and family!" She thrust her hoof out and wielded a toothy grin.

Grey shook her hoof, "Welcome aboard, Blitz."

"Wunderbar!" Photo Finish exclaimed.