The last soldier

I stay awake and alive. I don't really know, how, but I've managed to survive an impact of a howitzer. And my mind is clear, which brings a bit of confidence. However, my face stings, and my legs hurt. The result of a few-meter-high landing on a chassis with barely no suspension at all, what can I say. However, I was expecting a far worse consequences.

"You... YOU'VE RUINED IT!"

As I hear a hysterical shout from somewhere in the depths of a chamber, I carefully step off the platform, and walk towards the source of the sound, limping. As I come closer, I can see Chrysalis, lying on the ground with broken legs, and without her horn... Again.

"Yeah, I'm pretty much a ruiner. But before I shoot you in the head, let's just talk, okay? You've got nothing to lose, after all."

The changeling's face changes from mad to sad after a few seconds of thinking. Chrysalys sighs deeply and lies on her back.

"Why do you want to talk? And what about?"

"I want to know, why did you attack these ponies anyway. As much as I can tell from the files, they'd offered you a sanctuary and a chance to rule your subjects, but you'd just left. That doesn't make any sense."

"I've always wanted to avenge that unicorn, Starlight Glimmer... She'd ruined everything that I'd built! And without my subjects, now I lose to an enormous monkey with a fire-spitting stick... And something tells me, that this time everything won't finish until my permanent banishment."

"Not banishment. Your DEATH."

"That's why these ponies have brought you here, huh? Because noone in Equestria can kill?"

"Yeah, pretty much like that."

I take a cigarette from the pack and light it up with my Cricket lighter. A hot smoke fills my lungs, and the stinging sensation goes away from my face for a bit.

"Well, there's also a strange coincedence. I've found a buried garage under the Ponyville, and now I fall into the tech-filled hangar. None of these ponies use technologies like these -- cars, guns, or even firearms."

"Honestly, I don't know either. I've found this system of tunnels by accident, and I really had no idea, that this tech can be so powerful. Ugh, what could I do, if I'd discovered this earlier..."

"Any ideas, how it could get here?"

"Well, I've heard that before Equestria these lands were occupied by someone else. But these are just rumors, after all. Noone really believes that before ponies nobody came here, or where the Ponyville stands. To think about it, there are probably a lot of other remains of this kind. Or this can be just a coincedence. I'm not really sure about it."

As I finish the cigarette, I release a big cloud of smoke and throw the filter away. I take the rifle, that's been strapped to my back, and the magazine. After loading the barrel, I take out my music player, and enable the dictaphone.

"For a record, Chrissie. Any last words?"

"Yeah... You don't belong here, fool. I may be a villain of everypony around here, but you are the thing, that will ruin the balance of this reality. You think that you're fighting for good, but in reality, you're a murderer. A person that can't exist here. Remember my words, monkey. Keep them in mind."

"You're done?"

"Yes. Now... Do your thing."

A wide grin emerges on my face. As I turn off my music player, I push the safety lever on my AK-74, and, after taking a quick aim, pull the trigger. I hear the loud "bang", that echoes across the chamber. However, much to my surprise, Chrysalis doesn't die yet -- I can see how the bullet is being held by the purple aura in front of her face. Right after I notice that, something heavy hits me in the back, and I lose my conciousness from suffering a great pain.

As I wake up, my eyes immidiately shoot wide open. However, that's not the best decision in my life -- I immidiately become blinded by the bright light from somewhere up above.

"Well shit, I'm in Heaven. Never believed in that, yet somehow managed to lift up."

"You're thinking too much about yourself, you know that?"

I hear a familiar voice somewhere nearby, but can't really tell, from where it's coming from. As the light distracts me, I complain.

"Someone, turn off the light, will ya? Or bring me my goggles, for fuck's sake!"

"Alright, just having fun there. And please, stop swearing!"

A few seconds later, the light above shuts down, and I can finally look around the surroundings. I find myself on some sort of a couch, in my gear, and right under the lamp. And the voice's owner is Rarity, that's standing right over the couch.

"Finally, you are awake. You were blacked out for a day, and honestly, I thought that it would take much more time for you to wake up."

"Yeah... I just don't understand, why Twilight did hit me."

"Um, what do you mean?"

"Don't play stupid, I'm not buying it. Her aura is purple. And she's stopped the bullet."

A heavy silence fills the room, as I get up from the couch and walk towards the window. As I look through it, I can see wide crowded streets and high skyscrapers of Manehattan. As I turn around towards Rarity, I can see a slight neurosis in her eyes.

"Well, you've never mentioned that you've wanted to kill her... Nobody has known about it. So, we kind of snuck up behind you and... Knocked you out."

"Well, I was hired to kill Chrysalis. By Celestia and Luna. Have fun with that fact."

"Wait... You say that Princesses have offered YOU to KILL for them?"

"Correct. And I completely understand them. We had a deal, after all. Anyway, where's Chrysalis?"

"Well, thanks to the Elements of Harmony, now she's reformed. Can't say that I trust her much, but I guess that's the situation pretty similar to Discord."

"Who's Discord?"

"Nevermind. I'll tell you later."

After a quick gathering of my gear, me and Rarity are walking through the halls of what happens to be a hotel. We see some ponies on our way, that would say something like "hi" to me and bow before Rarity. Then, we finally make it to the big room, filled with our team and Chrysalis in the middle of it. After closing the door behind us, me and Rarity go inside.

"Sid, you're okay! And... Do you know about... Chrysalis?"

"Yeah, Spike. Rarity has told me about the situation. And I am very disappointed in everyone of you. Maybe except yourself."

As I take a look at Chrysalis, I can see her literally shaking, with eyes like saucers. A picture of recent carnage comes in mind, and I can feel the anger building up in me. I come a few steps closer to the former queen and lift her from the floor by grabbing her dress. As I look straight into her eyes, I can see her fear.

"Now, you must give me a good reason why shouldn't I finish what we've started. You've got five seconds, or else I will shoot."

After saying so, I take my rifle in my free hand, and push its muzzle into Chrysalis' ribcage. As I take a quick look around, I can see that the gang starts to shout loudly.

"Five!"

"Cider, why are you doing this?!"

"Four!"

"She's reformed!"

"Three!"

I push down the safety lever, and punch the changeling, so she falls back on the floor.

"Two!"

I take a quick aim, and load the barrel of my AK-74.

"ONE!"

But then, something unexpected happens. In front of my rifle's muzzle, appears Spike. His face shows an enourmous amount of bravery -- he's literally shaking from nervousness, yet his moves are confident.

"Spike. Why are you standing in front of your commander's gun?"

"Not just a commander, but also a friend! I know that Chrysalis has done a lot of awful things, but at least listen to me!"

Spike's phrase shocks me, and I step back, lowering the gun and unloading it.

"You... Did you call me a friend?"

"Sure thing I did! Will you just listen to me? I'm not asking to do anything extraordinary."

After a quick thinking, I put the gun down and cross my arms in waiting.

"You know, Cider... You've said that you were killing all the time back home. And you've said that sometimes you have to make difficult choices. And I can understand why Celestia and Luna asked you to deal with Chrysalis. They have laid a huge responsibility on your shoulders, and you've said that it's all yours. But... I think that this time THEY must learn something."

As I look around, I can see everyone smiling. Twilight and Rainbow Dash even hover a few meters under the ceiling from excitement. And I can feel, how something breaks in the depths of my soul.

"They must learn, that sometimes they need to deal with problems personally. Not to hire a killer that won't fit into the society, because there weren't any killers in our history, at least on purpose. I know that you have an order, but we would like to take a bit of responsibility from your shoulders. Killing won't work here, you would be an outcast, if anyone will know about it."

After finishing his speech, Spike offers me a hand. As I look straight into his eyes, I can see only an endless ocean of hope. Events of a past few days roll by before my eyes -- how we've started our way from Ponyville, how we've arrived to Manehattan, how we've caused all that carnage, and how I've almost killed the changeling. I move my look towards Chrysalis. I can definetely tell that she's in a bad moral state -- her eyes are like saucers, and she's curled on the floor like a scared kitten. With a heavy heart, I shake Spike's hand.

"You will be dealing with it. Keep her off me and under arrest. If she will do anything, ANYTHING that will cause additional carnage, I will end her and probably beat you the fuck of your mind. Understood?"

"So, that means..."

"Yes. I'll let her live. But only because you puny ponies are not used to killing. I'll go get some fresh air now."

"Just wait for a second."

As Spike comes closer, I can see a key in his hand. I lift my eyes towards his.

"What's this?"

"A key from your car. While you were out, we've managed to fix it up. There were a few minor problems, like broken glass and bent metal, nothing too serious. And I am coming with you."

"Well... Thanks for that, man. Let's go, then."

Me and Spike are rolling through the streets of Manehattan in our GAZ. The traffic of rickshaws flows around us, being filled with shouts, gasps and other sounds. However, no matter how hot it was in the middle of the traffic lane, I didn't take off my gear -- who knows, maybe someone will need my help immidiately, if Chrysalis goes rampant again?

"Alright, Spike, where are we going? I understand the route, but you didn't tell me, what's the place anyway."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"Well, we're heading to the bar. Don't worry about me -- I'm already mature as heck. But anyway, there's someone who wants to meet you."

"On what purpose? It's not me, who reformed the changeling with Elements-of-whatever."

"Well, let's just say that this person is a bit more, than you think. Oh, come on, just drive and don't ruin the surprise!"

As I drive through thestreets of Manehatten, I can see how the sun sets above the horizon. As its reflections blid me, I pull my goggles down from the helmet, and put them on my face. Spike only laughs a bit.

"Always ready for anything, huh?"

"Pretty much yes. Without any roof, it will be hard to drive if sudden wind, duster or rain approaches. Besides, with colorfilter these goggles also act as sunglasses. Not too stylish, but they work."

"Seems like that you prefer function before style? Understandable."

"Well, I can't say that I'm a man without taste, I have a few cool leather coats back home, for example. And an enormous amount of other stuff, too."

"I won't even ask how these leather coats are being made..."

"Sorry about that."

"No worries. Hey, park the car here."

After parking the car and going out from it, I take a look at the building's facade. Typical 6-floor house, and the first floor is occupied by a bar, that tries to look more like a tavern, with all its wooden exterior. After a few seconds of thinking, I go after Spike into the front door.

When I get inside, a loud noize of a big company hits my ears. As we go further, I can see that now this bar reminds me not a tavern, but a roadside cafe in a middle of a small road somewhere between Moscow and Sochi -- wooden interior, loud company, and the smell of booze. As me and Spike go to the bartender, he greets us. He somehow reminds me of Leps -- black mane, tinted glasses and a tuxedo.

"Hello there! You must be Spike, a friend of Rainbow Dash? She's told me about you, you've helped her to reform the changeling, huh?"

"Well, technically... You can say so."

"Ah, don't be so modest. Specially for you, anything's free of charge. And who is with you?"

"Ah, he's my friend, Cider. He helped us a lot, you know?"

"O-ho-ho, that's awesome! Feel free to order anything, buddy. No charge, too. Don't mind if we have a little chit-chat?"

As I stay more in this place, I feel more and more relaxed. So, I lift my goggles, and take off my helmet, while taking a seat near the bartender.

"Well, if you say so. Spike, tell me when a person, who wanted to talk with me comes, m'kay?"

"Sure thing, Sid. I'll go find her."

As I look around, I see that a big and loud company has gathered around a few tables, drinking alcohol and laughing. As they wear pretty similar blue-and-yellow uniform, I can tell that they are probably from the same organisation. I ask the barteder about them.

"Oh, these are the Wonderbolts. As much as I can tell from your look, you've come from very far away, and probably don't know about them. Here's your coffee, by the way."

"Thanks. Yeah, who are they, anyways?"

"Yesterday they were performing on the Summerstorm festival. Basically, Wonderbolts is an aerial team of the most high-performing pegasi. Of course, the backstory is much deeper, but it's a good place to start."

"So, they only do airshows or what?"

"Nah, there's a whole spectre of what they can do -- from weather control to fighting."

A picture of MAKS exhibition appears in front of my eyes. As I take a sip from my cup, I remember how I've been there as a kid. I've seen a lot of aerial perfomance by "Russkie Vityazy" and "Strizjy". As much as I can tell, these are not just a high-pirfomance groups, but also a training centers for regular pilots. Hell, I've always wanted to be a jetfighter pilot, because of them -- men without fear. I've even got a light class civillian pilot licence! But, to be a jetfighter pilot, you need to have a lot more, than just passion...

"Hey, Cider! Here's the mare, who wanted to see you."

As I turn my head towards Spike's voice, I can see that he's accompanied by the mare. Her mane and tail look fiery-orange, while the rest of her fur remains yellow. And, she's wearing a sky blue uniform.

"I am Captain Spitfire, leader of the Wonderbolts team. And you are?.."

"Captain, callsign Cider. 176th Guard's shooting regiment from 56th Guard's shooting division. Infantry, in less words."

"So, you are a military officer?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Looks pretty much like Rainbow Dash said. I am her Wonderbolts commander, you know. Pleased to meet you."

As I shake Spitfire's hand, she sits near me while Spike runs somewhere off.

"So, why did you want to meet me, captain?"

"No formal ranks between us, Cider. Both of us are captains, after all... But anyway, there was no specific reason, why I did want to see you personally."

"I don't understand."

"You see... Wonderbolts are formally a civillian organisation, but all of us are officers and recruits, and Equestria's military command keeps an eye on us. We even fight sometimes, for example, we've been fighting against a giant dragon in Ponyville a few years back."

"And?"

"And you have pulled off an actual military operation. Well, I don't want to be too immodest, but if you take Rainbow's story as the truth, you are literally a savior of Equestria right now. I don't want to spill it out loud, because there will be much of a heat after you, but I am very impressed. And knowing that RD doesn't like to speak about anyone else's achievements..."

My face becomes red from a sudden Spitfire's statement, because of a few reasons. One: that's really embarassing. Two: there is a saying, that if one knows, everybody knows. And oh boy, if she knows about my attempt of killing the changeling...

"Ma'am, thanks for the compliment, but I think that the Elements of Harmony are the true saviors -- they've reformed the changeling and rescued everyone from their pods. They even prevented me from doing something they say I'd regret about. I'm not too happy about it, but still."

"Well, you can say whatever you want. But for me, you'll be a hero."

"Thanks, I guess... To think about it, noone's called me a hero before you."

"Really? Rainbow's said that you were fighting terrorists back home. Pretty heroic, if you ask me."

"I did. But noone has called me a hero. My country's media shows us as workers, and others... Well, we're pretty much like mass murderers for them. Fucking politics, what can I say. And to be honest, doing war is an everyday routine. Not heroism"

"Woah. That's kinda... Not good."

"It is. But someone has to do the job."

Flashbacks of war come across my mind. First boot camp, first cigarette in entire life, first foreign mission in 2008. Then, there was Middle East. Endless desert, filled with jihadists and not-so-clever allies. Helicopters, tanks, infantry vehicles, firefights, bombing runs and artillery strikes -- everything does WAR. But, these are not unpleasant memories, no. These represent... The routine.

"And you know what? I don't regret my choice. I had to make difficult decisions, and I'd seen some shit. But I've always wanted to do good deeds, and I think that I'm pretty good at it."

As I look at Spitfire, I can see her smiling. Her face shows a lot of confidence in the bright future, I can say. And, as we cling with our cups, I think...

"Maybe this life can be awesome after all."

END