Experiments: Shielded Soul

Chapters

The First Chapter
The Second Chapter
The Third Chapter
The Fourth Chapter
The Fifth Chapter
The Sixth Chapter
The Eighth Chapter
The Seventh Chapter

The First Chapter

"Solid! Catch!"

I turned around to the sound of my name just in time to see something flying through the air. A hoofball was soaring over my head. Not a bad throw really, but not good enough to stop me. I bolted down the field in the same direction the ball was going, doing my best to keep from falling. Damn, that thing's high. I kept galloping as fast as I could until I could see the ball make it's descent. Pushing off my forelegs so I could stand on my hind legs I kept my pace. It felt a little awkward but I've been doing it for years now so...no biggy.

I jump, catch the ball, and slide a couple yards on the grass. My mane's dirty, my legs hurt, and I'm covered in grass, but I caught the ball.

"That was insane. You went up like six feet." I looked at my friend from the ground. Jester Colt, an old friend mine, stood over me, his yellow maw smiling manically. The small bit of wind made his red a blue mane almost appear to be a flag of some sort.

"I've jumped high before." I told him as I lifted my huge frame off the ground. Jester hadn't let up though.

"Yeah, but, like, I've never actually seen you clear six feet that easily. What do you eat? Feathers for the weight and steel for muscle?"

"Only on Tuesdays." We share a laugh and head back into the lockers. My fur is patted against my body from sweat and I'm tired. I was hoping to grab an ale with the guys but it looks like that's not happening. I think I ripped a muscle from that jump and tore something when I landed. "Hey! Jest!"

"Yeah!?" he yelled from across the room.

"I'm not joining you guys tonight at the bar. I'm gonna rest up for the game tomorrow." I heard him close his locker and make his way to me.

"Oh come on, Solly! You're always the life of the party."

I raised an eyebrow, "You're the jokester, hence the name, Jester."

"Yeah, but you my friend make the jokes all the funnier. You have the best laugh out of all of us. Don't deny it. It's like you've got an earthquake in your chest." he poked me in the stomach, seemingly like trying to poke a brick wall. I don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty well built. "Plus, you know as well as I that my talent means I put on a good show. I pretend to be funny when I need to. You actually entertain everyone."

He had a point, I am a bit more sociable than him, but I had to put my hoof down though. Now was not the time to be thinking about my social status. I had a game tomorrow and I needed rest. Ales and beers would not be a good idea.

"Look, I want to go but I can't alright. Like I said, I need to rest." Jester looked crestfallen. Crap, I felt bad. "I'll make it to the next one alright? I promise." that didn't help much. "Is something else wrong? I've turned down drinks before--"

"It's nothing." he seemed squirmish about the subject. In all the years I've known Jester, he's never been nervous about anything. Well...side from that time he accidently bumped into a mares hind end. That was funny. I shook my head. Back to the topic.

"Doesn't sound like 'nothing' from the way you're saying that." I bumped him in the shoulder, carefully of course, as a normal hit from me would have knocked him over, "Come on, Jest, I'm your best friend, you can trust me with a little secret."

It took a few seconds, as well as a couple glances to make sure we were alone but Jester did eventually speak, "I'm...asking Lilly tonight." for a split second I had to process the information. Once neurons started firing again I smiled widely and picked the little guy up. "Hey! Put me down!" I didn't.

"Jest, you just told me you're going to get married! I have a full right to be excited for you right now."

I spun him around a couple times before setting him down on the floor. "It's just a first proposal, it doesn't mean--."

"Oh, shut up. You know what Betty would say right now."

Jest chuckled and rolled his eyes, "Yeah." his voice raised to a higher pitch and he spoke with a familiar Trottingham accent, slightly exaggerated, "Pish posh, darling, true love cannot be stopped by either you nor her." we both laughed for a bit at the remembrance of our distinguished friend. Her daughter, Rarity, wasn't much different either.

When the laughter died down, I looked at Jest and put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Lillypad's very found of you Jest. I hope you know that. I'm sure she'll say yes, and if she doesn't..." I took in a breath as I felt Jest hold in his, "...maybe you can try again in a few years, or days really. Mare's are very unpredictable."

"That's why I want you there. A big muscly guy to make me look better." After the words left his mouth, Jest shrunk a little.

"That's why you wanted me to come. Isn't it? You wanted to be your quarterback in a way." He nodded and I sighed, "Well, then, I'm sorry but I most certainly can't come with you now."

"What? But--" I put a hoof over his mouth.

"Hold on, it's because this means so much to you. You've got to stand up this time, rather than shrink behind words you use, let the words you want push you forward. I know that sounds cliché, but a little corniness never hurt anyone." I pat him on the head and made my way out. Before leaving I shouted, "Let me know how it turns out tomorrow after the game. If she says yes, we'll get a few beers and live it up. If she says no...we'll...still do that. Bye."

"Bye Solly." and with that I made my exit.

~~____________________________~~

The trek home was plenty pleasant. Fillydelphia was either really noise or really quiet, and it rarely ever gets quiet. I guess that makes this all the more sweeter. A one in a million chance to get a silent night in Las Pegasus on the day before we fly out to Canterlot and play against the Seasaddle Seahawks. It would be the game of the century. If we won this we'd be on our way to the Super Bowl.

My thoughts swayed back to Jester. Not only was this an exciting night for me, he was going to propose to the love of his life. The two of them have been friends since...well as long as I can remember, and I knew Jester in preschool. I'm glad that he's taking the reins and making this decision. The only risks I've ever seen him take are for the team, as my agent and a fellow athlete. Now he's making a decision that could potentially change his entire future. Yet, I still have many doubts. What if Lillypad does say no. Maybe she's not ready for a relationship. I can understand the feeling, with my large frame I've had a number of mares come after me for either my money or my body. Lillypad has an incredible figure, and has quite the number of Stallions she's had to turn down. I myself have asked her out, and yet the only pony she ever said yes to was Jester.

Oh, Jester, if only he knew what a dork he could actually be. True, he was smooth in political matters and even talked himself out of a gang brawl when he ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since foalhood he's gotten himself out of trouble as I got us into it. I was no spring chicken, whatever that means. I do tend to get Jester into the most ridiculous situations. I remember that one time in the elevator when I pressed the fire alarm out of curiosity. He had a lot of things to say about that. Mostly profanities.

My thoughts were interrupted when I bumped into someone in a trench coat. I apologized but he merely got up and continued on his way. Such is the way of ponies these days. Sometimes I wish ponies cared for each other as much as they cared for themselves. Huh, I guess I might as well hope that the moon stays in the sky all day. Sounds just as plausible.

When I finally arrived at my hotel, I headed inside, greeted the receptionist, and went upstairs to the tenth floor. I walked down the hallway not bothering to glance at the numbers and found myself at room 105. Going inside I laid down a few of my things, including my helmet and went to bed.

…

I couldn't sleep. I don't know why. It's not like I couldn't sleep all those other nights before a game. This one was bigger sure, but it wasn't that kind of restlessness. It was the kind of restlessness you get when you feel watched, or that you've been watched and were unaware until that moment. I was just paranoid. Who'd wanna watch me?

Oh, yeah, Hoofball player for the Fillydelphia Everfreelancers. Of course someone would stalk me at some point. With that "comfort" in mind I drifted off into the land of dreams.

~~____________________________~~

This day is going to be great. At least that's what I keep telling myself. I woke up early in the morning and ate a small but good breakfast, I had no trouble getting to my carriage outside, the driver was nice, the weather was perfect for a game, I'd arrived with time to spare, and the rest of the team was early as well, allowing us some free time.

So what's wrong? The only pony not here is Jester. I don't mind him deciding not to come, but nobody has seen him since last night. I heard the proposal was a success, both he and Lillypad left together, and now, neither of them have been seen since. He never does this, like ever. He always lets at least one or two ponies know where's going to be. Why is it so different now?

My heart wrenched a little. Did something bad happen. I wanted to throw away the though with a bitter comment so it would slink back into the depths of my mind, but I couldn't while still being worried. Was he just held up? Hungover? Laid? I need to know!

"Solid Gold!" I nearly jump out of my skin at the voice. Looking down, I noticed a little colt standing in front of me. His coat was a shimmering white, just like mine, his mane a two colored shade of sky blue. He smiled wide enough to split his lip slightly.

"Um...yes?" I asked. The colt was quick to reach into a pair of saddlebags he had with him and pull out a poster of me holding a hoofball. I remember that photoshoot.

"Could you sign this for me please!?" His voice rang in my ears slightly but I obliged. After a quick magical sign off I gave him back the poster. He thanked me and galloped off, quite quickly to what was likely his parents. They smiled at me thankfully and I gave one back to them. Once that was over I calmed down slightly and my thoughts were clearer. Jest might have just forgotten this time. He's certainly not flawless. For all I know, he took Lillypad to Prance on a whim.

I went to my coach and talked with him for a bit.

Then...it happened.

BOOM

I felt the earth beneath me rumble and shake for a second. Everyone looked around fearfully as did I until I smelled smoke. It didn't take long to see it. A cloud of fire and smoke was rising from several blocks away, right where I'm pretty sure a big school stood.

I ran along side other ponies on their way to check the damage and see the commotion. If I could help I was going to be there. We arrived at a horrible scene. Pieces of debris were everywhere, fire raged on the side of school.

Some very powerful mages were luckily nearby and the fire was put out fairly quickly, but there were a few casualties: a red coated stallion lay burnt to a crisp and missing a leg, two other ponies lay in similar conditions. However, under some of the debris I noticed a color, unburnt. Yellow, blue, red.

No.

I ran over and used all my strength to push the stone off the body of Jester Colt. He was only partially singed, which gave me some relief but his body looked flattened. I rushed to him and gently felt around his neck.

No pulse.

"No! Jester, wake up!" I screamed loudly, hoping beyond hope that he could hear me. Hoping that maybe he was just unconscious. Maybe if I kept yelling he'd just wake up surprised and I'd crack a joke.

He didn't wake up. He didn't even twitch. He was already going cold.

I looked into his lifeless eyes and spoke earnestly, trying to hold back sobs, "No. Damn it, Jester, listen to me. If you can hear, listen. I want you to fight this. You have to live, you have to. You're going to marry Lillypad, you two are going to get married, and...and...have seven foals. You're going to grow old next to her, and I'm going to visit when I can and you're going to laugh about this day as you look back at how much I cried over you. Fight Jest! Wake up! Please wake up!"

On that day, my best friend died. He didn't hurt anyone, nor did he ever intentionally do something evil. He made others happy and made me happy to have him as a friend. He stood his ground and kept his beliefs. He was a good pony. He was. Now, he has been taking, by the endless sea of death, the one thing all living creatures have yet to experience. He was taken from this world before he could enjoy the true beauty of it.

I noticed the smallest bits of a smile on his face, as if, he was happy. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't, but one thing was for sure...

Jester Colt is dead.

Author's Note

Well, the first chapter has been made. I've worked pretty hard on this and well, I must say, I am proud of the results. Sorry for taking so long, I really should have put a later due date for myself. However, I believe that the wait was worth it.

What will Solid Gold do now that his Best Friend is gone? Who was that figure who bumped into Solid the previous night? Why was there an explosion in the first place? Your questions will be answered eventually.

Any pointers will be well appreciated.

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The Second Chapter

𝓣𝓔𝓝 𝓨𝓔𝓐𝓡𝓢 𝓐𝓖𝓞

"Please state your name. Last name first, first name middle name last."

It took a few seconds, but the mare was patient, thank Celestia, "Gold, Solid." She didn't hesitate to ask her next question.

"Job?"

"Hoofball player, defense, and...sometimes offence."

"Can you vouch for that Mister Charge?"

He nodded.

"Mister Gold, as you know, exactly twenty-six hours and thirty-two minutes ago a bomb was set off in Celestias School for Talanted Unicorns. We believe the reason for this was to assassinate Princess Celestias Student: Twilight Sparkle. Fortunately they failed, however there have been casualties and we have yet to find the criminals. We are also aware that you lost a friend, Jester Colt, to this tragedy. For that we are sorry. But we do have some questions." She put down her notebook and took off her glasses. Blue eyes.

"Mister Solid, do you know what a changeling is?"

𝓟𝓡𝓔𝓢𝓔𝓝𝓣 𝓓𝓐𝓨

I awoke calmly, my mouth filled with the bitter taste of last nights beers, and my brain flooded with the results. It took a moment but I was eventually able to push myself out of bed. As I did so I glanced at the clock. Seven fifty. I woke up late today, not that it matters. Today's my day off.

After a stretch of my limbs, I made my way to the small kitchen I own. A box of Oats In A BoatTM sat expectantly and I used my magic to bring a bowl and a spoon to a small table I owned. I ate four bowls, slowly enough that I finished with soggy cereal each time. I drank the last bits of milk I had left and cleaned up. Glancing towards the second bedroom I noticed my roommate was already gone for the day.

I thought about laying back down and drifting back to sleep, but decided against it. I might as well make the most of the day.

"'A dull moment is a moment you haven't tried hard enough to make exciting.'" Oh, how many times had I heard those words? Too many to count, along with many other euphuisms Jest used to say. He'd want me to stay lively, not sulk, so that's what intend to do. I won't let him down, he wouldn't have let me let him down, if that makes any sense.

I left the apartment, but not before checking my mail. Mostly a few bills, magazines I wasn't subscribed to...and a letter from my old coach.

Dear Solid

It's me bud. I haven't heard from you since the incident, and I thought I'd better check up on ya. I know we didn't leave on the best of terms but I still worry. Are you alright? If you ever need anything, just know that I'm here for ya.

I know you probably don't want to hear this but as you know, next Thursday is the day Jester ~~was killed~~ passed, and the team and I are going to have our Annual Memorial Event. I know you were at the last one, no one leaves hoofprints as big as yours.

Also, sorry to say this but, the authorities have found nothing on Lillypad's disappearance. So far, it's a dead end. I don't mean to depress you but I know you're the type of stallion who'd want to know.

Forever your coach
Victory Charge

I finished reading the words on the page and contemplated. I'm sorry coach, I thought but I can't come back. The Hoofball field, the other players, it reminds me too much. Someday I'll deal with the grief, but not now. Not just yet. For now I'm going to smile and enjoy my day, like Jester would want me to.

Besides, a Royal Guard needs to enjoy his Sundays.

~~____________________________~~

The Corner Grove, my favorite place to eat. Good Hayburgers and should I want to take a risk, a Strawberry Cake, the obvious best choice of desert. With me are Thunder Strike, Honey Page, and River Breeze.

Thunder's a brown maned, redish purple coated Pegasus stallion. His cutie mark is a purple abstract lightning bolt. It represents his talent for cloud and lightning manipulation. A good skill for a Pegasus in the Royal Guard. He was helpful against a number of Timberwolves about a year or two ago.

Next to him sat Honey Page, his marefriend. She's a quiet pony, orange coated with a mane and tail the exact color of honey combs. I've never understood how, no matter what color the honey is, she still matches. Oh, by the way, her cutie mark is a bee with a pencil. Yeah, go figure. Despite her quiet nature she's a great asset and a great friend. She's got a plethora of healing spells mastered. I nearly cut my hoof in half once and she had it fixed in five seconds flat. Why she chose the Royal Guard is beyond me. She's only ever told her reason to join to Thunder Strike.

Finally, to finish off our little group, is River Breeze, a unicorn stallion with the most amazing silver mane and tail. Chicks go crazy over him. His blue coat just finishes the ensemble of everything a mare is looking for in the physical attributes of a stallion. His cutie mark is a blue breeze that nearly disappears on his coat. I will say however that his skills as a swordstallion are unparalleled.

And that's us. The four musketeers, a Bee caretaker, a drop-dead gorgeous stallion, a cloud seducer, and...an old hoofball player. Yep...that's us...three good ponies and a weak...useless...

"Solid!" I awoke from my stupor to see everyone staring at me.

"Oh...I'm sorry. Kinda dozed off there for a second."

Honey looked at me worriedly, "Are...are you all r...right Gold? Di...did we say something th...th...that bothered y...you?"

I shook my head and smiled, "No, no. I was just reminiscing." True, but not entirely true. River Breeze spoke up in that silky voice of his.

"Are you sure? If there is anything wrong, you know you can speak with us, right? We're here for you." Thunder Strike nodded in agreement. I smiled a little wider and glanced down at my burger.

"No, really. I'm good. Honestly, it's those memories that help me from time to time. It's like what you said in your poem Honey. 'We are built by our memories.' Always liked that one." I chuckled as a thought came to my mind, "Ya know, that reminds me of a book I once read, a Moo York Bestseller." and with that I told them a story filled with hilarity.

~~____________________________~~

By the time I got back to my apartment, around six 0' clock, my roommate was back. His name is Azure Lore, he has a blue coat, and brown mane. I don't actually know what he works as, but I do know he travels a lot. For most of the time he isn't even here. I think he has a shared apartment in almost every city of Equestria. I don't know why anyone would need a job like that. It astounds me how little I know of him after seven years.

"Hey, Azure. What's up?" I asked him as he sat on the couch, apparently exhausted.

He noticed me and didn't lift his head, "Hello Solid. I'm just tired." he made a move to get up and lifted my hoof.

"No need to rise. I'm off duty and honestly I've got some paperwork I should've done before leaving."

"You should really finish it when it is due."

I chuckled, "Yeah, I know. I don't get why they let me in the Royal Guard in the first place."

He rolled his eyes and repositioned himself more comfortably. After a few seconds I could already hear snoring. Strange pony. Leaves for any time between a day or a month, comes back tired enough to collapse, and then he stays in the apartment for a few days straight. One part of me wanted to ask him what in Tartarus is going on, whilst another part of me says it isn't my business. I didn't want to listen to the latter part but I decided to let him rest. He payed his way at least, so he's not doing anything wrong, as far as I know.

I made myself a small snack and went off to my room to do paperwork. The stack wasn't terribly tall so it only took a few hours. Unfortunately, those were a few hours of silence. Nothing puts me off more than silence. Silence is sometimes louder than anything. It's deafening. It provokes thought, and thought leads to memories I'd rather not think about right now. Finishing the last page of a report that was due yesterday, I got up and went to my bed. I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow.

~~____________________________~~

Being a Royal Guard is normally boring...depending on whether you're just a guardspony or part of a tact team, as I am, or lead a tact team, as I do. The Line, we're called, the tact teams. There's Alpha, Beta, Omega, and Delta, the last of which is us.

By 'us' I mean River Breeze, Honey Page, Thunder Strike, and myself. Most tact teams have five members, but I guess we came to the field short a player. We made up for it though. We were probably the strangest team there. The Alpha Team is mainly based on offense, the beta does defense, the Omega has spies. Our group hasn't ever been used for anything other than a Timberwolf problem. The females had all gone into heat by accident. Please understand that I use the word 'accident' loosely as I later found that Discord might have been involved. I use the words 'might have been' lightly in this as well.

It was a very interesting ordeal though. While Thunder and I held off the Timberwolves (at the sake of sounding like braggart I say we did so expertly), Honey tended to wounded and River both kept the crowd calm and worked them into safer places until we were done. We all became much closer after that day, which was the same day Princess Celestia chose us to be the fourth tact team of The Line. I remember it so well.

"I think these four will be perfect." She had said, to the disdane of The Line and the amusement of Princess Luna.

"But your Highness, they have no training in this...particular fie--." The Alpha Team Leader said, only to be interrupted by the Sun Diarch.

"Then they shall be trained whilst they work."

"But they are not of high enough rank."

"They are now."

"But they--."

"Alpha Team Leader, should I hear you say 'but they' one more time, I shall throw you, very forcefully, through that stained glassed window. Am I clear?"

Very unhappily he responded accordingly.

Things are better now though. We may not get to go on as many missions as the rest of the teams, but after training with them, they at least have respect for us.

Today however was not going to be simple. Why would it be?

Today was the day new recruits came in to try out for the Guard. Now, with me being the heavyset pony I am, I'm used like a punching bag. New ponies try to bring me down, which is no small fete mind you, and I advise them on the best ways to do so.

"Stop falling over when I hit you!"

"If you're seeing stars, then don't run head first into me!"

"I know magic too bozo!"

Needless to say, it's one of the most entertaining things I get to do, side from sparring with Thunder.

"Hey, Solid, Thunder!" a voice came from behind me. I motioned for the recruits to start practicing wards and trotted over to Wing Tip.

"Princess Celestia demands your presence." she said before turning around a walking away at a steady pace. Thunder and I followed closely behind her keeping the same pace. I spared a glance at Thunder. He glanced back with just as much confusion as me. I decided a new tactic.

"So, Tip...how's guarding the Princess's quarters?" I asked calmly as possible. Luckily our escort was in a talking mood.

"It's fine...I guess. I mean." She sighed and lowered her head ever so slightly, "If I'm being completely honest, my new partner is getting very annoying. I used to be able to stand guard peacefully. Now I've got some idiot who won't shut up. He just keeps going on, and on, and on."

Thunder rolled his eyes, "Well, then maybe you should talk back. Who knows, you two might get into a good conversation."

"But I don't wa..." Tip stopped speaking as we passed a superior officer. As soon as he passed she went on in a lower voice, "But I don't want to talk to him. I want to guard in peace. Is that so much to ask for? I mean really, if I wanted to talk, I would've, if I don't, I won't. I'm not the rude one in this situation. He's the one who keeps going on about his uncles and aunts and siblings, as if I care. No one should have to talk so much about anything. He--."I bumped her with my hoof. "What?"

"We're here." She looked at the door we'd nearly passed and blushed. Deciding not to address what she just did, Tip opened the door and announced our presence. We stayed at the door until she bade us in. I took in my surroundings. I'd been in this room before but with so much paperwork scattered around. Looking around I noticed that a purple coated unicorn was in the room as well. She looked awfully familiar.

"Delta Team Leader Solid Gold and Deputy Thunder Strike at your service your Highness." I said as Thunder and I saluted.

"At ease." We relaxed. "Do either of you know why I called you here?" she asked us.

"No ma'am." we replied simultaneously. The Princess began pacing the room slowly.

"I called you two here because I wanted to ask you a few questions. Captain Solid Gold, you are in a chariot, and it has gone out of control, you cannot stop, but you can steer. In the road are three ponies, a filly, a grown stallion, and an elderly griffon. There is no way to maneuver around them. What do you do? Answer truthfully, for I am monitoring you."

At first, I was nothing but confused. We're summoned at the first thing we get is a quiz? It didn't make sense but I answered in utmost confidence, "I would blow up the chariot." Princess Celestia seemed surprised by my answer, a small flash from her horn and she smiled. That must have been some truth binding spell. She then looked to Thunder Strike.

"Deputy Thunder Strike, if you had the choice, would you stop fighting permanently marry the pony of your dreams, and live in a small peaceful village?"

Thunder spoke immediately, almost offended, "Absolutely not!" He paused and cleared his throat, speaking more respectively, "...your Highness."

"Why not?"

"Because I'd go crazy. I'm an active pony. I need to do stuff, take risks, and explore new things. I could never be happy just...just...dying slowly. Letting age wisp me away after years of pain and suffering. If I die, I'm gonna die doing something great."

The Princess seemed happy with this answer and turned back to me, "Captain Solid Gold, am I a perfect ruler?"

I thought about my answer. I wanted to say yes. Oh, dear did I want to say yes, but I felt she was looking for a completely honest answer. So I said, "No. No one pony nor alicorn is perfect in every way. The Nightmare Moon incident proved that. You have however experienced more than any of us ever could, and you have led Equestria very well, so I find that you are the wisest choice for a ruler." Dear Faust I hoped that was okay. Luckily I could see the hints of a possible smile on her lips.

"Thunder Strike, do you agree with this?"

"Yes, your highness."

"And why is that?"

Thunder didn't answer right away, instead he looked at me and smiled, "I've known Solid for years now, and in those years I've known him, both I and the rest of my team have found that our respect and trust is well placed in him." He looked back to the Princess, "We'd die for him."

I don't know how that made the Princess feel but it certainly gave me a mix of emotions. I'd already lost someone to the jaws of death. I didn't want to lose another one. But then again, these were friends who I knew would be in dangers way because of our job description. In some ways I guess that prepared me more for the day I'd say goodbye to them. Jester wasn't supposed to be at risk in the first place.

"Then you two will be perfect." Princess Celestia lifted a file out of the large number of books and gave it to Thunder, "That is the profile we have on a Pegasus mare who has been causing disturbances and has been the cause of a number of deaths."

I looked at the file as Thunder opened it. It displayed grey coated mare without a mane nor tail. Her eyes were solid blood-red spheres, no sign of white.

Thunder commented, "She doesn't look that dangerous your Highness."

Celestia responded, "Looks can be deceiving." She pulled out another file and handed it to me, "In there is your debrief, read it later. In short, I want you two to go to the Badlands where she is said to be hiding. You will find her, and attempt an arrest, if you cannot arrest her, I want you to come back and give us all the information you could gather. No one we have sent has returned. We need to know what she's doing and then we can work on a solution."

Before we left I had to ask, "Your Highness, I know it is not my place but...why the questions? They don't appear to me to have any connection to this particular mission."

Celestia chuckled, "That is for me to know, and you to find out." she then waved her hoof, "Go now. Prepare, I have business to attend to."

We saluted and left, leaving Princess Celestia to her...ward, I guess, and leaving Wing Tip to her partner. We went back to the training grounds and had someone from the Beta Team replace us. Luckily, they'd been informed that we would be leaving on mission, so they didn't say anything over the matter. I doubt they knew what was going on though. Thunder and I got our stuff ready to leave the next day after letting the Delta Team know what was happening. Honey nearly had a mental breakdown.

We left the next morning, early. Azure was gone again, so I ate breakfast with Thunder. from there we left.

Little did we know what waited for us. I really wish we'd been more prepared.

Author's Note

My first chapter with 3,000+ words. Whoo!

Also, this chapter is mainly a chapter filled with explanations of the current state of the characters. Kind of like an Info-Chan page.

The character Azure Lore is based off of Asher 23's OC if any of you are interested in asking him about the character.

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The Third Chapter

𝓣𝓔𝓝 𝓨𝓔𝓐𝓡𝓢 𝓐𝓖𝓞
"Look, maybe you should think this over."

"I'm done thinking about it! I'm leaving and there's nothing you can do to change my mind." I yelled at my coach. I've never yelled at my coach before, but he can go to Tartarus now for all I care.

"Look, it's not just your reputation on the line here." He said. I gaped at him.

"Reputation!? You think I give a damn about reputation right now?" I picked up my suitcase and headed out the door. I paused at the frame ,"He was my best friend. Now he's dead, a changeling might be the cause of it, crap, Lillypad is missing, and all you can think about is this stupid game. I joined for him, I'll quit for him too." And with that, I left.

My team won the Super Bowl that year.

𝓟𝓡𝓔𝓢𝓔𝓝𝓣 𝓓𝓐𝓨

Rain pitter pattered against the window outside of our temporary living quarters. Thunder Strike and I were in Appleloosa. Luckily for us, Thunder has an Uncle who was an Apple, so they let us lodge in a spare room. However, judging by how nice they were, they'd probably have let us stay anyway. The house belonged to some young guy named Braeburn, a yellowish tan coated earth pony with a brown tail and mane. His cutie mark was an apple. Who knew? He was a cheerful stallion though, very peppy and perky. Heh, just like me.

I looked from the window to Thunder Strike who was eating a green apple. He noticed and swallowed a bite before talking, "I have to say, I wasn't expecting much from apples grown in the desert, but this is pretty good."

"They are the Apples. I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to grow apples in a snowstorm." we both chuckled at the notion.

"Actually, we've done that before." a voice said from the doorway. We turned and saw Braeburn, slightly wet, probably from being outdoors.

Thunder was more surprised than I was, "Wait, you're serious?" Braeburn nodded and Thunder looked down shaking his slowly, "There must be some, like, ancient spell on the Apples then. I thought plants hated the cold, especially apple trees."

Braeburn walked over and sat down, "Not if ya cross breed a pine tree with an Appleseed." he took off his hat and put it down, "Speaking of Apples, how's yer Uncle doin' Thunder?"

Thunder waved a hoof carelessly, "Oh, same old, same old. He's still a bit of an old coot. Last time I went to visit him he thought I was his wife."

I chuckled, "Well you do sound like mare when you're excited." I raised my hooves to my face and squished my cheeks, "Oh my gosh, is that the Soarin of the Wonderboltz? I've gotta get a picture. Take the camera and take the photo as soon as I fly by him. Oh, I'm sure it's legal." I put my hooves down and laughed with Braeburn. Thunder tried but couldn't help himself and laughed as well. After the chuckles died down Braeburn got up and stretched his back.

"Well, Ah'm glad Ah was able to catch up on you guys. I need to finish a few things now that the rain's let up, so I'll see you tomorrow." He began trotting to the door as Thunder Strike exclaimed.

"It stopped raining already?"

Braeburn chuckled, "Yer in the dessert Thunder." again he started to leave but stopped as something came to his mind, "Oh, by the way, there's a stallion who plans on joining you tomorrow. He needs to make a delivery to Dodge City and would probably feel safer traveling with you two." I nodded. That wasn't a problem, at least it wasn't for me. He nodded and left.

Looking outside I decided I might as well catch some shut eye. Thunder seemed to get the same idea and went to his bed across the room. While laying there I thought about a few things. Could I have gotten a life like this? Could I have been born to the Apples instead of the Golds? Would I have been happy?

Too many questions to think about. They all just lead to the same conclusion: I wouldn't have met Jester if that had happened. I...still hate that memory, holding him in my hooves, limp and cold. Despite that, if I had to lose all the good memories to get rid of the bad one, I'd experience it again and again if I had to.

And I do, every night.

~~____________________________~~

Starting on our trek the next morning took a little too long for Thunders taste. We had to wait for whoever was joining us and found out he was stuck in his room because the door handle had fallen off. When we did finally take off we headed North, using the train tracks to keep track (see what I did there) of our location. When we came to the fork on the tracks we turned right and headed East. After about half a days travel we came to Dodge City where we left our fellow traveler and got supplies.

Then...we headed into the Badlands.

The Badlands...are honestly not all that bad, if you're prepared. I can see it being terrible if you were caught out here without any provisions. I doubt even the Apples could grow food on this land. Better not bring it up though, they'd probably take that as a challenge.

I'm glad I brought a cloak with me, otherwise the sun would have probably cooked my fur off by now. I was getting tired though, and it was getting late. We probably should have stayed the night in Dodge City. We've been traveling all day and haven't found hide or hair of any living creatures. Not even cacti seemed to like this place. Thunder Strike was looking about the same as I so we trotted until we found somewhere to rest. There was caravan of some sort that had put up tents, so we went over and approached slowly. As soon as we could be seen, their warriors took a defensive stance and approached us with spears and bow-n-arrows. Thunder tensed up but I held hoof up to keep him from doing something brash.

I'm am so glad they had us take language class in the guard. I bowed my head and spoke, "Tahiat tayibati. nahn almuhawar min kantirlut. [Greetings. We are ponies from Canterlot.] La naeni 'ayu darrin. [We mean no harm]" I waited for a response. One of theirs ran back into the village, likely to get their leader. He brought back a old pony dressed in beads, with a cloaked figure next to him. The beaded pony spoke first.

"'Ana zaeim alqabilat , Raeb Alqulbi. 'ant tataeadaa altaeadiy ealaa almawt yaeni almawt. [I am the Tribe's leader, Heart Terror. You are trespassing. To trespass means death]" I tensed up. Thunder bumped my shoulder.

"I may not speak fluently like you do, but I know a threat when I hear one." I looked back at him.

"This isn't a threat." I said softly, "This...is an execution." The ponies around us started to close in. I looked at Thunder, he looked back at me and we both nodded.

The first pony to attack was a scrawny fellow from behind me. Hearing his hoofsteps I turned around hit the long side of his spear with one hoof and used the other hoof to shove him away. I threw the spear over my head for Thunder to catch, after all I fight better barehoofed. While Thunder took on one of the bow-stallions, I bucked one of the other speared ponies. One Pegasus flew up and tried to ram my stomach with his head. I braced, felt impact, and watched him fall limp on the ground. Thunder Strike was fairing just as well, diving and weaving between shots until he was close enough to take the pony out. He did so with a few more archers as I bashed in a few skulls. Not too hard of course, just enough to cause a concussion.

"Stop!" the chieftain said, causing every warrior to cease attacking. That wasn't what surprised me. What surprised me was his perfect Equish. "I've seen enough. You two are pretty good. Wouldn't you say?" He motioned to the other ponies with a hoof. All the conscious ones nodded their heads and chuckled, a real genuine chuckle, as if being beaten so harshly was an enjoyable pastime.

Thunder looked curiously at the chieftan, "You speak Equish? Why didn't you say something sooner?"

"Thought it'd be funny." he responded with a laugh and ripped off the apparently fake beard, showing he was much younger than we thought. When he stopped laughing he motioned for the ponies to help their companions. As they did so he turned around and smiled at the cloaked figure next to him. The chieftain went back into the camp as the figure removed his hood. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Azure?" I asked in shock. The day just kept getting better.

~~____________________________~~

"...after that he decided to stay behind. I didn't know he'd eventually become a chief, but I guess looks can be deceiving." Azure finished his story of the chieftain, who's name really was Heart Terror.

"So let me get this straight." Thunder said, "You travel a lot, you met a pony who had business to attend to, he traveled here with you, and then decided to stay?" Azure nodded, as did the chieftain next to him. Now that I could get a better look at him I could see he was barely in his thirties. He had a naturally grey coat with a black mane and tail.

From what they told us, the fight wasn't planned on being to the death, which is why they tested to see what we would do. Apparently our not killing anyone of them while still subduing them gave us a right of passage. That still didn't answer one question for me though.

"Azure?" I asked. He looked at me expectantly, "I just have to ask: What the hay are you doing out in the middle of the badlands? While I'm on one my of missions, no less."

His eyes looked down and to the left for a split second, "I travel a lot. You know that. I just thought that if I was going somewhere, I might as well go where someone I knew was going." That didn't satisfy me.

"But what possible job would require you to travel so...much...?" I trailed off as I realized something. I looked him dead in the eye and spoke, "How did you know we were coming to the Badlands? Thunder and I never spoke of the location with anyone besides Honey Page, River Breeze, and the Princess." Azure's face seemed to freeze in position, as if someone had just turned off the expressions on his face. When he did speak, it was cold and calculating, but deep within I could barely sense his fear.

"I can't tell you that." He said. I stood up.

"Why? Why can't you tell? What possible reason would you withhold information from the Royal Guard? That's treason you know."

He stood up as well, "You want to arrest me? Arrest me. I'm still not telling you." We stood there and glared at each other for a good long while before I stormed out. I immediately regretted that decision, mainly because it was hot outside and I'd left my cloak inside. I couldn't go back in though, not with my hot head still boiling.

Why couldn't he tell me? What reason was there not to tell me? Well, I guess that's a stupid question. The only way he'd know is if he was spying on me or had someone else spy on me. Then again, maybe he just knew one of my friends. If it was Honey Page, I'd understand her keeping a secret with the irrational fear that I would be mad. River Breeze is great at keeping secrets, though I would have no idea why he'd hide this from me. For all I know, Azure works for Princess Celestia.

My inner monologue was interrupted by a figure next to me. With a glance, I noticed it was the young chieftain. He didn't say anything, just stood there. I spoke to him however.

"Why won't he tell me? What possible reason would prevent him from telling? I mean, Faust, I've know him seven years, and now I find out he's stalking me?" Heart Terror didn't respond, so I kept going, "No, no. That's not right. There must be some reasonable explanation. He can't be like some sort of rogue, or fugitive. He joined me at the castle once and wasn't addressed by even the princess when she saw him." Again, I was met with silence, so again I kept speaking, "I guess I was kind of hard on him though. I should've asked calmly, not all sternly, like it was my business. I was talking to my friends about it in the open street, he could've been walking by and overheard. I guess I'll just have to ease him into telling me. He'll tell me when it's time." I patted the chieftan on the back and smiled, "Thank you."

I trotted back to the tents and went back inside, thankful to be out of the sun. I went to Azure and smiled, "Azure, if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to. At least not yet. I do want an explanation, and I plan on getting one, but for now it's your secret. Okay?" he smiled and nodded.

If I'm being honest, he hardly ever smiles, so this was definitely a victory.

The Chieftain returned, so I sat down, and spoke, "Alright then, now that that's outta the way, it's time for a little bit of a fill-in. Thunder and I are on a mission, and we may need some directions if possible."

Author's Note

I used this as a map:

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The Fourth Chapter

𝓔𝓘𝓖𝓗𝓣 𝓨𝓔𝓐𝓡𝓢 𝓐𝓖𝓞

The roads of Canterlot are always clean. I noted this as I walked down the stone path, looking down at my hooves. My hooves are dirty and unkept, I haven't bathed for a few months now. I've only had a little to eat, it's not like I can just buy food though. I don't have anything, no money, no food, no job. I guess I could go back to...

No! No, I'm not going back there. I'm never going back there! I just need to find a temporary job. Something to keep me going. Something to at least let me buy a loaf of bread. Why am I in the most expensive city in Equestria?

Oh, yeah, because I'm an imbecile. I can't live with my cousin in Ponyville since he doesn't live there anymore, and I end up using the last of bits to get back here. Peachy, just peachy.

My thoughts were astray so I didn't notice that I was about to bump into something. Needless to say, the inevitable happened. Who the heck put this sign in the middle of the...uh...the...ro...road...

Join the Royal Equestrian Guard Today
Three meals a day
A cot to sleep in
and a roof over your head
All for the low, low price of swearing fidelity to the crown.
Find your local enlistment tent for details.

Royal Guards get free food, a place to sleep, and I'd even get paid for it. I'd have to work, but...at least that would occupy my mind. I guess...I guess that's a plan.

I'm joining the Royal Guard.

𝓟𝓡𝓔𝓢𝓔𝓝𝓣 𝓓𝓐𝓨

The tribe was very helpful. Apparently, they'd encountered the mare we were after. They'd lost a few ponies to her and fled before anymore could get hurt.

The debrief we'd gotten from Princess Celestia, fortunately, had a lot of information we could use. Her original name is unknown, but she currently calls herself Feu, the Prench word for fire. She must have been from somewhere in Prance (no sh*t). Her being a Pegasus could mean anything, but it was something to work off of.

We traveled about two and a half days without any sign of trouble. I was beginning to think it was useless until Thunder got something in his hoof.

"Ow! Damn it! Who the hay left a piece of glass in...the middle...of the desert?" his voice slowed as he came to the realization of his own words. I looked at the shard and saw how smooth it was. It was fresh glass, straight out of a factory.

"The reports say that wherever she is "fire rages." If this mare has figured someway to make fire without the aid of unicorn, say...with an artifact of some kind, then it's likely powerful enough to turn the bits of sand here..."

"...into glass." Thunder finished for me, "We must be near." I nodded and looked around. The only thing visible from where we stood were a few canyons in the distance. Contrary to belief, the Badlands are larger than they look on a map. It would take a week just to get to the center, and then you wouldn't be able to see anything besides dunes.

I pointed towards the canyons, "That's our best bet. If she's held up out there, she'd look for shade and a place to recuperate. Put on your armor. I don't want anymore surprises." We put on our armor and put our cloaks over it. I'm glad I'd suggested it, because as we got closer our hooves were making louder crunching noises. By the time we got there, we were quite literally, walking on glass. It wasn't a thin sheet though, it was thousands of little bits and pieces, as if not everything in the dirt was able to turn. Falling face first into this would leave you with a face full of pain.

We walked cautiously around the rather large canyon, looking for any signs of life. We found none. A second check told us the same as before. Thunder shook his head, "Well..." he said as he looked at me, "I guess we've got nothing. Let's head ba--LOOK OUT!" I turned around just in time to see a rock come crashing down from the mountain towards me. It wasn't just a rock though. The damn thing was on fire! I tried a small teleport and barely got out of dodge. It gave me a severe headache though. I'm better at shields. Thunder Strike was out of the way long before me.

Once we recovered, we looked up the mountain to see a grey figure running down towards us. With a blood curdling scream, the creature launched a volley of fireballs at us, which seemed to have materialized in it's hooves. I couldn't pull up a ward just yet so I side stepped them. As they past me, I could sworn they were hotter by my side than when she launched them. Wait...she?

By Faust, I was right. It was Feu, the ashen mare, though now that I got a better look at her, she was three times as deadly looking. She came to the bottom of the mountain and launched another few fireballs. Thunder Strike faired very well, but I nearly touched one. Just being close to it burned me. Once I had the chance, I stood in a defensive stance to look at the mare who had quit attacking us. She paced back and forth, smiling and staring at us.

I addressed her as authoritatively as possible, "Ma'am, this is the Royal Guard. We ask that you kindly come with us so you may face trial and..." another fireball flew past me. So much for diplomacy. I burst forward at high speeds, she seemed prepared for this and launched more fireballs in my direction. I dodged past them, but kept my pace. I got close enough to touch when...

..she burst into flames. That's right. Burst. Into. Flames. Her entire body was a living torch. She was...for lack fo a better word, demonic. Before I had a chance to think, she hit me square in the chest, my armor began heating up as she held the pressure, I use one hoof and hit her face hard enough to hear a crunch. She looked back at me and opened her mouth. I could already tell what was about to happen and brought my hooves up to protect my face.

The blast from her burning breath forced me away from her, and made me want to scream in agony. My forearms stung with every movement as I lowered them. I was lucky that the cloak had taken about 1% of the damage.

Feu got ready to charge again when, quick as lightning, a blast of electricity hit her from the side. Thunder Strike then came in for a hit and knocked her on her side. I stood looking as he began punching her with his bare hooves. Suddenly, she began taking a breath. I launched myself forward, Thunder needed to get out of the way. Right as she attacked, I grabbed him and put my back to the mare, taking the brunt of the attack. My vision began going dark, I was about ready to black out...

Solid stood between me and the mare, taking the brunt of an attack I hadn't seen, nor had I been ready for. He slumped over, and passed out. I couldn't take on the mare alone, she was like, wicked dangerous. I had to figure out a way to get Solid and myself out of here. Good thing she'd taken a few steps back, waiting for us to attack, but how was I going to move this big guy? I searched around for an answer, but found none. The burning...thing stepped slowly towards us, I held Solid closely, ready to meet our demise together.

But nothing happened. I didn't feel the heat anymore, nor did I hear any hoofsteps. I could hear panting though. Strenuous panting. I opened my eyes and looked up. There before me was that friend of Solids. Azire...or lordy...something. I don't remember his name but damn, was I happy to see him. He took a few more deep breaths and rubbed his horn. He teleported us out? But the next safe spot, another canyon, was like miles away. He must've had some special teleportation training, then again, I only know what I've been told.

"He's got severe burns on his back and forehooves." I told him as I began to lift myself from the large beast of a pony, "We need to get him to a hospital...agh!" I suddenly felt a horrid pain in my side. I hadn't gotten off entirely unscathed. Some of the flames must have gotten past my friend. The unicorn in front of me shushed me and took some bandages from the saddle bags. I didn't argue as he patched up Solid as best he could. we weren't about to take his armor off with some sort of way to keep him from bleeding to death.

When he was done he offered to patch me up. I took the bandages and did it myself. What's a stallion without his pride?

With the help of several unicorns from the tribe we were able to have both Solid and I teleported to Canterlot. A message had been sent to prepare for our arrival. Solids friend stayed behind. Strange pony. When we got to Canterlot, Honey was already there and immediately started giving orders. She surprises me way too much. A pony like, who stutters like crazy, giving orders so perfectly clear.

Anyhoo, it only took a few seconds before I was in another room getting better bandaging. There was a lot of commotion in Solids room though. I wish I could have seen what was happening.

I also wish I could have been there...to keep him safe.

Internally, I was freaking out. What happened? Who did this? Why? Are you okay? But I knew that if Solid was going to live, then those questions needed to be saved for another time.

The first thing we did was get his armor off. Oh Faust, it felt like pulling off his skin. My stomach churned at some parts. I nearly threw up. Luckily, I kept in my dinner and kept going. Once the armor was off we quickly applied bandages and had somepony make sure he didn't have any internal nor permanent damage. None of this was the worst part though. The worst part...

...was when he woke up. His body spasmed as we tried to keep him down. One of the nurses had been smart enough to put an inhibitor on him, but his body was a massive pile of muscle. I doubt that without a few earth ponies we wouldn't have kept him down. I applied a chemical to put him to sleep, which worked, thankfully, but many of his wounds had opened up.

It took some time but eventually he was completely stable and we were already applying some self-growing synthetic skin. I decided to take this time to see another patient of mine. As I walked slowly into his room I could see he was fine. He noticed me and smiled.

"Hey, Honey!" ,Thunder said, "How are you?" I gaped at him.

"You and Solid just teleported from Celestias knows where, I have to patch him up with a team of doctors. You've got a second degree burn near your gut, and you have the audacity to ask 'how I am'?!" I don't raise my voice that loud most of the time. In fact, I don't raise my voice like that at all. I was just so...upset with him...making this situation so light. What he said next absolutely appalled me.

"Yep."

I stood there glaring at him for a few seconds before rushing over to the bed and planting a kiss on his lips with tears in my eyes. He returned the kiss and simply stayed that way for a little while until we were forced to come back up for air. he looked me right in the eyes and raised an eyebrow.

"So...is that a yes or...?" I laughed and hit him over the head lightly. After I regained my composure i asked him what happened and Thunder gave a me a short synopsis of what happened. I wish I could have helped, or at least have been there to do something.

But most of all...I wish I had asked some guards to stand by Solids room.

I awoke, well, technically, my eyes opened, but my vision was blurry. When my sense started to come back, I was in pain. I didn't scream, but I wanted to. Why was the ground so soft?

Wait, it wasn't dirt, it was a hospital. I was in a hospital bed. That means, Thunder must have gotten me out, which means Thunder's okay. Thank Celestia. I'll have to ask him how he saved me. For now, I'll rest.

And I did...for a while, before a blurry figure walked in. I couldn't make out his face, but I could hear his accent.

"Hello Mister Gold. Vow are you?" I didn't say anything. Movement hurt. He kept talking for me though, "I am sure you vant to know vut has happened. Do not vurry. Answers vill come in time." As my eyes slowly started to regain their ability to see. I could barely make out a green coat and a...grey mane? I think that was it. "Firsht I vould like to ask you a vew questions." He leaned over me, too close for me to feel comfortable and whispered, "How vould you like to become indestructible? To become so powervul that you could protect your vriends? You could do anyving you vanted to. Vut do you say?" don't know why, but I slowly nodded. Then I felt something impale my chest.

"Zen congratulations, Experiment Three."

And with that...I blacked out.

Author's Note

Now, the plot thickens. No, not a pony plot, I meana story plot, get your mind outta the gutter.

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The Fifth Chapter

It's been three hours since I've woken up... I think. What I found when I did, was myself inside some sorta dungeon on a small cot, with a magic-suppressor on my horn. At least... I'm pretty sure it was a dungeon, I haven't seen a guard pass by yet. That means this place wasn't part of the Equestrian government.

Hold on, I'm getting ahead of myself. First off, my wounds. When I woke up, I wasn't in an ounce of pain, which I hadn't quite acknowledged until rising from bed. I had burn marks and melted fur everywhere but the pain had completely subsided. It makes me wonder just how long I've been asleep. Days? Months? Years?! Without a window or any source of light besides a lantern in the long hall that my 'prison' opened up from, I couldn't tell.

My thoughts were interrupted by what I could only assume was hoofsteps, just, very much more metallic. As they got closer, a figure clad in white armor stepped past my cell and proceeded to the one next to mine. His armor had a somewhat translucent glow, so it was hard to see him with my vision adjusted to the darkness, but I could make out that he was a unicorn.

After a few metal clangs and scrapes, he went back the way he came, although this time he had a large white glowing box following behind. What was inside of it, I don't know.

It's been another hour, four in all, and I'm getting tired of this. This room is so quiet and there's nothing to really do. I've spent enough time counting the cobblestone this place is made of. I need to study what I know and go from there.

A. I don't where I am specifically. What I do know is that I'm underground at least. My horn may be suppressed but I can still sense earth magic flowing through the walls in large currents. I'm either very deep or near the Everfree in that case, as they are the only two places where magic surges so powerfully and freely.

B. I don't know what time it is. In fact, I don't really know how long I've been awake. I've been guessing for the most part, and there's no sunlight to judge by. I don't have any hope on finding out any 'when' questions so I'll leave that be.

C. I don't know who I'm with. It's already estebelished that this is not part of the Equestrian Government. It can't be with Griffins as our nations are slightly at odds with each other at the moment. If that really was a pony I saw earlier, then Griffins would in no way, shape, or form let him in here. It's not the Zebras, they don't have the resources to build a base like this nor have armor so advanced.

D. This brings me to the last point: me. I have not been harmed, I've been helped, if nothing else. They took away the pain. I'm still intact as is my armor...

Wait...my armor! I'm still wearing it. Why would they...

My thoughts were interrupted once more as hoofsteps approached again. This time, however, theywere accompanied by a normal set of hooves. When the armored unicorn came to my door once more, he opened it and stepped aside as a pony dressed in white button up shirt stepped inside. His coat was dark brown. His mane and tail were shades of blue, although it was hard to tell with the armored pony standing behind him.

He sat down in front of me and spoke, "Hello Mister Gold. Vow are you on zis beautiful morning?" my eyes shot wider. I know that voice!

"You!" I shouted as I stood up, "You're that pony from the hospital. The pony who..."

"...offered you a second chance. Yes, yes, no need to sank me. I am just happy to be obliging." As he said this, he smiled horridly and pulled out a small clipboard, "Now zen, I am sure you vant to know Vhut is going on. All in ze good times. First I have Zees questions for you."

I was about to retort angrily before catching myself. If I want answers, then I need to be friendly. I chuckled, "The last test I took was in College. I hope you're okay with a B minus."

He smiled and nodded before asking, "Vhut is your name?"

"Solid Gold."

"Vhut are you?"

"A Royal Guard."

He shook his head, "No, no, no. Vhut are you?"

I raised an eyebrow, "Um...confused? I don't..."

He grunted indignantly, "Hmm...it seems you do not yet know ze answer to zis question. Zat simply vill not do." With that he turned and tried to head out the cage. I realized that diplomacy had it's day and launched myself fast as possible at him. Right as my hoof was close enough to grab his tail, I froze in mid air. There was no aura around me, nor any indication that something was holding me there. I was simply... frozen. I could still speak though.

"Who are you!? What do you want from me?" I asked through clenched teeth. He exited the cage and the armored pony closed it. He then stopped and looked at me.

"I am Doctor Fleisch." He smiled at me, and I noticed that his teeth were fanged, " and I want you to become my greatest success."

Then... I could feel again.

~~________________________________~~

I've been trained to withstand pain. I've been trained by some of the best to take a punch in the gut, cut my leg open, and break a rib all while talking about how good my day was. Drop an anvil on my hoof destroying it forever? Fine. Talk a blow torch to my nether regions? Sure thing.

But what I felt at that moment? It was unlike any sort of pain I'd ever felt before, so I didn't give a damn about holding in screams. Every bit of pain I hadn't been feeling for the past...however long it's been, it came rushing to my brain like a freight train. I writhed, I wiggled, I strained, but nothing stopped it. I could feel burns and rips searing every part of my body.

When it finally stopped, I collapsed. I didn't move from that spot, what felt like years. I couldn't get the feeling out of my mind. I wasn't even relieved that it had stopped.

"First time I'm guessing?" I heard a voice say. I opened my eyes and looked around from my place on the ground. No one was there. No one was outside the cell either.

"What?" I asked through a raspy throat.

"This is your first time. Feeling again." the voice said. I looked in the direction it seemed to come from, that being the wall between my cell and the next one over.

"Wh...what do you mean by 'first time'?" I asked desperately," Is that going to happen again?"

The voice chuckled and responded, "No shit sherlock. I said first time for a reason."

I managed to stand up and make my way to the wall. I sat down with my back to it, and likely to my new "friend" and asked, "What's happening?"

"Well, you're sitting in a cell and talking to somepony you don't know..."

I chuckled, "You're not as smart as you seem. At least now I know you're a pony." I listened but didn't get a response. That's not good. I need him to talk if I want to learn anything, "My name's Solid Gold."

A few seconds went by before I heard anything. Hoofsteps, and then squeaking, followed my silence. He must have decided to go to bed. No matter, I'll ask him again when he wakes up. For now, sleep sounds nice. I get up and trot over to my cot over in the corner. I lay down and let unconsciousness take over.

Author's Note

I would like to say that the first paragraph was the hardest and that I had to get some help with it. Thanks to Asher 23.

Sorry this chapter took so long. I was having a bit of writers block. Luckily, I think I'm back in the groove, but don't quote me. I refuse to give any tells on how long this will take because every time I do, I end up making a mistake and starting over so...yeah.

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The Sixth Chapter

WARNING! THIS CHAPTER HAS TORTURE SCENES! PROBABLY FINE BUT I MIGHT AS WELL TELL YOU!

I...honestly couldn't tell you how long I've been in here. Possibly days. All I know is that when I woke up, the pony in the other room was either gone or ignoring me. I assume they took him again. Looking over by my cot and I saw a plate of food, if you could even call it that. I've eaten some pretty bad stuff back home but when I took a bite of that 'biscuit' I actually gagged. I didn't even know it was possible to ruin a biscuit.

While I'm ea...no... hacking on my objects-that-don't-deserve-to-be-called-food I see the white armored pony from before pass by me, carrying that white box behind him/her. After a few sounds, the pony passes by again alone. I hear labored breathing coming from the other room.

"Like I said." I hear him say through pants, "First time." I remain silent for a few moments. I've still got to make friends with this guy if I ever want to get out of here.

"So... you didn't tell me before." I began, "Your name?

"What's it to you?" he asked bitterly, "You don't know me. I could very well just lie to you."

I chuckled and sat down with my back to the wall once more, "That's true, but then I would just call you by the fake name even after you've given me your real name so... it wouldn't be very beneficial for you. Also, I might just call Guy Pony for the sake of it." He didn't respond for a good few minutes. I decided to wait and let him think. Eventually he did speak.

"Coal Dust. My name's Coal Dust." he says. He adds, "...and I'm not a pony."

I raised an eyebrow, "Then what...?" I didn't get a chance to finish the question.

"Experiment Number Two..." a voice said from outside the cell. I glanced over and saw Doctor Fleisch, "...is a thestral, or as you ponies call zem, bat ponies." I growled back in response, "Ooh. feisty are vee?" He glanced at the armored pony next to him, "I zink you know vhut happens to ponies who are feisty."

I just stared at him in response before I froze up. It wasn't the pain, but I couldn't move. A box like luminous glow began to form around me. When it completely enveloped me, I blinked and I found myself strapped to a table. Looking around I noticed it very similar to a surgeons operating table and room. I could hear hoofsteps behind me but it was hard to see as my head was strapped down as well.

"I am sorry for ze restraints. I have found that many patients vill… um... crack their heads open upon the table. I don't like zat. Dead patience are... less zen satisfactory." When he walked into my field of view he was wearing a white lab coat and two sets of black rubber gloves. His eyes were enlarged by a pair of goggles making him appear slightly froglike.

"What do you want from me?!" I practically screamed. He ignored me and reached for something next to the table. I heard the rattle of utensils before he came back pulling out a slaughtering iron. He brought down to my skin, despite my protests and struggles, and started burning away at my skin. I didn't scream this time but strained my body trying to break the holds. They held tight though, and it almost felt like they were getting tighter.

"My apologies." He said while searing up to my shoulder, "Anesthetics cause bad results."

So I took it for what felt like hours. I don't know how long it was but it felt like forever. After some time of Doctor Fleisch drawing on me, he finished and I was left alone for a while. I didn't even try to get out as I doubt movement would've been possible. This being because of the pain and the restraints.

Then I started moving, as in, the table under me started moving. I passed out of the room through a set of double doors. It lead into a hallway of some sort. What looked like Hospital lights passed over me as I went down. Eventually I ended up in another room that was much larger. Looking up (the only direction I could look in) I could see huge parts of machinery. They looked somewhat like magnetic claws. A voice rang over what sounded like a speaker

"Velcome, Mister Gold, to Ze Room! Please make yourself comfortable!" he laughed maniacally, "It is here zat you shall be made perfect!"

The machinery around me started moving. The claw like devices started reaching out of my point of view. When they came back they were holding gold plates, steaming with heat.

"Today, you shall become my greatest achievement!"

The arms started lowering down to me, the armor attached to them.

"You are to be my most successful experiment I have ever made!"

As they touched my skin I felt them melt into me. I could feel my body connect with the metal on almost a molecular scale. Something lowered over my face as I writhed, blocking my sight.

"You are to be... Ze Shield!"

When I awoke, I could feel my own breath being directed back at me. I opened my eyes and saw a light shining through a pair of slits. It was like looking through a pair of flat keyholes. A few seconds later, a rush of magic went through my body and my vision expanded. I could see normally again but it still felt like something was on my face.

When I tried to lift my hooves, it felt like I was tied down, but a little more strain and I was able to lift it in front of my face. It was in armor, or my accurately, I was in armor very similar to Royal Guard Armor but with different designs. With closer inspection I noticed that there were no openings in the armor. It was completely covered in both big and small plating's, allowing no openings. I lifted my head, which felt about as heavy as a rock, and looked around. From what I could see, it looked like I was in a large stadium lit up by several stadium lights that were spread across the area. Stadium light in a stadium, go figure.

I took another glance at the rest of my body to confirm that I was completely armored from head to toe. While I admired myself a sound came from above. I looked up and saw a metal platform lowering from the ceiling. When it came to my level it had a number of weapons displayed. It had everything from swords to hammers.

Take one

"Huh? Who's there?" I looked around. A voice came from everywhere... or now where it seemed. there wasn't anyone around me at the moment.

Please take one. I don't want to die again.

"I..." before I could ask what that meant, another sound erupted from the other side of the stadium. I saw a large door opening and revealing a minotaur. It's muscles bulged as it walked slowly into the stadium. There straps that strained against his chest. His fur was red with black warpaint design strewn across it. He didn't look friendly so I took a great sword from the assortment by me. It felt surprisingly light considering how heavy the armor was. Then again, maybe the armor had a spell. I cursed that I couldn't cast a spell reader at the moment.

Wait... my horn, it isn't covered. I can use magic. I tested it out and just as I predicted, there were a few spells on my suit ('few spells' is an understatement, there was a crap-ton of them there). I smiled at my success and looked at the minotaur who seemed to only get angrier as time went by.

"Hey!" I shouted, "You wanna talk this out?" He growled at me, "Guess not."

With that the minotaur launched himself towards me. He covered a surprising amount of distance in such a short time but I was ready. To my surprise he put his right hoof down and turned with a roundhouse kick, hitting me in the stomach. It...actually...didn't hurt that much. It felt like a small push really, but I wasn't going to take any chances. He punched at me with massive fist and I blocked it with the sword. He through another punch and I blocked it again, causing the sword to bend ever so slightly. We continued this way until he grew enraged. He jumped over me and brought a hoof to my head. It didn't hurt but the rattle dazed me.

I spun around a took a punch to the back. Though it felt like a shove, I still didn't want to take more hits. It's entirely possible that my endurance is temporary. I tried to turn around but felt my legs swept out from underneath me. I took hit after hit to my chest and head. I raised my hooves to block them but he kept pounding, harder and harder.

Eventually it simply became annoying. I pushed up against his strikes and readied my right forehoof. I mustered my strength and punched him as hard as I could in his chest. I felt the slightest bit of resistance.

When I opened my eyes, I was met with dark red fur. The minotaur was close enough for him to feel my breath on him. that wasn't what horrified me. What took me by surprise was that my hoof had disappeared inside of him.

I pulled and my hoof slid out of the newly formed hole in his body. Surprise was strewn over his face, but it slowly formed into a sullen smile as he looked at me and mouthed the words "thank you" before falling into a heap on the ground in his own blood. My hoof was covered in the same blood.

I won't say you did the right thing.

That voice again.

But one of you was going to die. It might as well have been him.

I growled back in response and said, "How can you say that?"

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll...I'll just...I'll leave you alone.

The voice quieted after that, and another one took it's place over a speaker.

"Hahaha! Zat is what I izt talking about! Haha! Did you see zat Ancient? He vas incredible! Hahahaha! I have succeeded! I am the greatest mind since Starswirl the Bearded! Haha oh... Hmm...? What? Oh, oh yes. Ahem, go ahead and sedate him. We'll train again tomorrow with another."

After he said that I started feeling excessively tired just before passing out.

When I woke up, I was void of armor and magic, and in my cot. No sooner did I get up then I could hear Coal speaking.

"I take it you killed the bastard. Always hated him anyway."

I looked at the wall in anger. I wanted to yell at him for disrespecting the dead but I chose not to, "He said 'thank you'. Did he want to die?" I heard a full on guffaw from the other side. It sounded like gravel.

"Look pal, everyone here wants to leave. There isn't a soul in this gods forsaken place that doesn't want to die You probably brought him the greatest comfort possible."

"Does that include you?" I asked. He didn't respond. I heard the sound of him getting into his cot and he wouldn't talk to me again.

After a meal and more sleep, I was brought once more into the stadium and was given a selection of weapons. This time however, they were all the same design as my new armor and they were all Battle Axes. I refused to touch any of them.

Please... the voice in my head pleaded. Please just take one. You'll need it against this next fighter, I promise.

"Why pick one? I'm not fighting again."

What do you mean?! You can't not fight!

"Oh? And who's gonna stop me?" It didn't respond, "Exactly. I'm not killing other prisoners just to survive. It's wrong."

No! I...I don't want to die again.

I frowned, "What do you mean 'die again'? You've done this before?" I was met with a few moments of silence.

You're not the first to wear me.

Before I got a chance to ask anymore, the doors opened again. The platform began to raise and I grabbed the first weapon I could. It was a small battle axe. Not optimal but then again, I don't know what to expect. When the door opened on the other side, a light brown coated Pegasus male stepped out. His mane was nearly pitch black but was light enough to be a distinct grey. On his shoulder was... dear Celestia, he's got a phoenix! That fiery mare I had fought didn't hold a match to even a baby if the bird is untamed.

The door closed behind me and he looked me right in the eye and smiled. Three scars were visible over his eye. The other eye was black. When I payed closer attention I could see that the Phoenix had a similar eye. I didn't have much time to study it though before it came bolting towards me at breakneck speeds. I tried to move but the bird grazed my shoulder and this time, I felt it. Heat built up in my shoulder region.

I learned in a quick study some time ago in school that the average temperature of a phoenix's flames in there second or third life ranges between 900 and 1300 degrees Celsius. The average flame goes to about 450 degrees Celsius. This phoenix is at least in his fifth life, and they burn twice as hot. I'm surprised this armor didn't just disintegrate. It's tough, however, it's obvious I can't take too many close encounters.

The Phoenix took a quick turn and flew back towards me. I rolled and while I stood back up I noticed it wave his wing as he passed. I jumped up as I came out of my roll and felt some heat under me. When I landed, I barely had time to move again before it charged again. I banked backwards and took a hit to my back hoof mid-bank. I spun violently out of control but used the momentum to my advantage. During the spin I took the axe in my hoof and impaled it into the ground. The force brought my rear hooves into the air and I released the axe, flinging me into the air. In mid-air I saw the bird coming toward me. I did the first thing I could think of: I brought up a shield. He burst through it like a bubble and tried to hit me in the head. I ducked my head down and felt heat pass by my neck.

When I finally landed, I took notice of the dark energy emitted from the bird through his eye. It looked back at the Pegasus stallion and I saw a link.

I burst towards him as fast as I could go. My armor somehow increased the momentum and speed. The bird noticed and took off towards me. I did my best to maneuver him but parts of my armor were starting to become extremely unpleasant.

When I was finally within striking range, he took off into the air. As soon as he did, the Phoenix stopped attacking. It seems he can't control himself and the Phoenix at once. The Phoenix started flying around confused. I thought for a moment until an idea arose, I doubt it's going to work.

I started mustering up a spell while the Pegasus hovered above me. From what I could tell, he was trying to make his flying a minor challenge so he could control the Phoenix. While he did this, the Phoenix started throwing flames in random directions, nearly hitting me a few times. As my spell strengthened I stood on my rear hooves. I brought my fore hooves back and directed the spell into them. Then I brought them together as hard as I could.

The impact shook my bones, but the results? They were incredible. I created a sonic wave that rippled through the air and knocked both the Phoenix and the Pegasus back out of the air. The dirt on the ground around me had spread away leaving me in a small crater.

I recovered quickly though and rushed the Pegasus and pinned him down. I made sure to press very lightly on him so he wouldn't choke, but he seemed to have a look on his face that I couldn't quite understand. It looked like he was pleading, but not for his life. He mouthed the words 'kill me' through tears. Years of agony seemed to pour out of those unspoken words. I...I wanted to ignore them but...

You... don't have to. I understand how you feel. I know how it feels to hold another ponies life in your hooves. I myself have tried to spare my enemy... but you should know... the reason you can't move right now isn't because you're trying to make a decision.

At this I tried to move away, but it was like trying to move the planet itself. My hoof started to involuntarily crush the stallions throat. I wanted to hold back. I really did, but whatever was moving the armor wouldn't let me. I would have closed my eyes but they were locked with the thankful ones of the pegasus. When he went limp, the black in his eye oozed out like water and the Phoenix woke up, his eye too now normal.

The phoenix took off and approached me slowly. At first I thought it might attack me, but I chose to be calm and reached out with a hoof. The Phoenix came and landed on my hoof. He looked into my eyes and I could feel something warm in the back of my eye. Before I could do anything however, I began to pass out once more. While I was on the ground I could see the now sleeping Phoenix being put inside of a cage. A deep rage built up inside of me, but I could do nothing about it.

"How do we get out of here?" I was back in my cell, a new disgusting soupish concoction next to my cot and my new armor gone from sight. Coal Dust had just been brought back recently and he sounded tired. All the more reason to talk to him before he went back to sleep.

"There is no way out of here." he responded. I scoffed.

"There's always a way out. I've read enough secret agent novels to know that. We'll pull off some sort of Manes Bon Bon move."

"Okay, let me spell it out for you!" Coal Dust yelled in anger, very unlike him, "You don't know where we are, you don't know how big this place is, you don't know their security, and based on what security you have seen, you don't even know if you overcome any of them." He was practically growling at me by this point, "So tell me, Solid Gold, tell me how we get out of here!"

I chuckled, "I notice that you kept saying that 'I' don't know any of that stuff you mentioned. That means either you or someone else does. Am I close?" I got silence in return, so I went on, "First, I need to know their routine. That means time limits for fights, eating times, patterns, and schedules. You've been here for longer than I have, so I refuse to believe you haven't got some of this information. So..."

"Three months." he said, "We have three months to get out."

"Why's that?"

"When I first came here, I did check routines, patterns and other such things. I think I almost had an escape plan ready. However, I attempted it way too early. Because of that, they erase my memory every five months. It's been two already." I heard him sigh, "The problem is, I've forgotten too much. I don't even remember how close I've gotten to escaping or if I'm even in the cell I was in before. When that time comes, I will not remember you anyway. You've only been here two weeks."

"What!? That long?"

"Yes, and if you don't succeed in escaping, they'll start doing the same thing to you. It'll be a lost cause after that. You won't remember me if that happens. We'll be strangers again and again, if we ever meet. If that happens, you will die eventually."

I raised an eyebrow, "Why? I don't mean to brag but I'm pretty damn good with that Armor."

He paused for a second before answer, "Because we'll end up fighting."

"But I..." I stopped. Would I even be able to figure out some way to save him? He's obviously been here long enough to understand the routine. One of the fighters always dies. Could I really just... let him win? I want to escape too so...

I heard him get into his cot. We were done talking for the night...or day...I really don't know.

The door opened as I chose two short swords. This next enemy was a green mare, and I mean green. Green mane, green coat, green tail, green eyes. There were no whites in her eyes. In fact, I don't know if she's actually a stallion.

...Oh...oh Tartarus.

Her body morphed and folded into itself as she formed into a small ball. When the transformation was complete, two lime colored tendrils shot out and latched themselves into the ground. Using them like a giant slingshot, the ball rocketed towards me. I dodge it easily but it used another tendril to redirect its trajectory back at me. I dodged it again and it swung again.

The fourth time it did this, it slammed itself into the ground, splattering. The mass of goo began reforming again into a mare-like figure. She stared at me soullessly. We stayed that way for a few minutes before I started to notice that she was becoming more and more translucent. Upon hard inspection I noticed that she was practically hollow.

"What..." I was about to say until I noticed that her hooves were buried into the dirt. I didn't have time to react as green tendrils shot out of the ground and wrapped around me. I could barely move as they strained on my body. I tried to pull out of them but they stuck to me like glue. The mare had disappeared into the ground with the rest of her and a head formed in front of my face. I cast the first spell I could at the moment. With a small burst the world slowed and let me think.

(Mind Speed is a special spell that gives the equine mind the ability to think at ten times its normal pace. This gave me the time necessary to consider my options.)

This mare is made of some sort of everchanging substance. My swords will be completely useless against her as would any magical weapon. I doubt she can get into my suit but that doesn't mean she can't turn my helmet around a complete 180. Once she realizes that, I'm dead. Judging by the warmth I'm sensing, heat isn't going to do anything. Ice however...

The spell ended and time went back to normal. The mare was slightly surprised, and glanced around, wondering what my spell had done. I only had so long before she returned to her sense so I charged another spell. Just as I did she put her slime over my horn. I couldn't cast or even sense any magic. I lost my footing and she pulled me to the ground. Pleasure was building on my suit. I had to do something. I can't get up, my only option is... going... down.

I put ever ounce of strength into my hoof and brought it up. When I brought it down I broke the earth beneath me. I did this two more times until we were completely submerged under the earth. The slime around my horn became less thick and I let my already charged spell release.

Reality itself started changing as I was completely submerged in icy sand. The now frozen slime still surrounded my body. I burst out of the ice/sandy prison, shattering my adversary into a million pieces. I stood up and looked around. I found her head and knelt down by it. I stroked her frozen face and thought about Lily Pad. I don't know why. There was no way that this was her, but... I don't know. This creature just... reminded me of her.

You did well without my help.

It wasn't until that moment that I realized I hadn't heard the voice until now. I would have said something but... I passed out again.

When Coal Dust came back this time, I didn't address him. I remained in silence. I know this probably seemed strange to Coal because I didn't hear him get into his cot this time. I decided to ignore him and instead turned back to my own thoughts.

I have too many questions and too little answers. Why do they have us here? I don't think it's entirely for sport. This Doctor Fleisch is insane but he doesn't look like the type to make this just to watch. He also doesn't seem like a gambler to me either so he's not making bets. The only conclusion is that he believes what he's doing is right, as ridiculous as that sounds. This means he's either just a maniac with crazy resources or he plans on using us for something terrible.

"Hey. Are you alright?" I heard Coal Dust ask from the other side of the wall separating us. "You usually start talking and crap by now." I didn't respond. I didn't feel like talking. I guess he respected my wishes because a few minutes later I heard his cot squeaking again. It was seconds before I heard some stone start moving. I sat up from my place on the floor and saw one of the cobblestone slabs from the wall moving from it's normal space. When it was fully removed I got my first look a Coal Dust.

He had a pretty slim figure for a stallion er... male thestral. His leather wings were strapped to his sides with some sort of elaborate belt. What really grabbed my attention were his eyes, both of which were white and had a small glow to them. They were cat-like slits that opened sideways instead of roundly. His small frame slipped through the newly made hole perfectly but he didn't go all the way. Instead he stopped to look at me, this was his first time seeing me as well I guess.

He scoffs and reaches behind him, "I have those patterns you asked for." I hear a ruffle of papers and he pulls out a pile of files, plopping them to the side of the hole before starting to leave.

"Wait." he stops and looks back at me, "Thank you... for the help." He paused at this and then nodded his head before closing up the little hole.

I go over the files and start looking through them. There was more then I could possibly have imagined. Guards I didn't even know existed were apparently all over the place. A map of almost all the facility, minus the places Coal hadn't seen of course, and even where weapons could be found.

I heard a clange and hid the files inside my cot. It would be uncomfortable and I'll have to think of a different place later but for now that's all I can do. I barely got them in before Doctor Fleisch trotted in front of my cell, giddy as a schoolfill, if schoolfillies were entirely insane.

"Good day, Mister Solid." He said cheerily, "I am so happy to deliver you some news, and I zinc you shall be happy too."

I faned happiness and surprise, "Gasp! Let me guess! You aren't letting me go home? Oh, you really shouldn't have." My face changes to annoyance, "You really shouldn't have."

He laughed, "Vell, you are not wrong. However, zis surprise is a little different." The door to my cell opend and he motioned for me to exit. I raised my eye and didn't move, "You get to go to ze Cafeteria!"

Author's Note

Wow. +4500 words. That is something I can feel happy about. I'm so happy with how the story's going so far. I couldn't have done it without all of you. Now also, I'm not so sure when the next chapter is going to be released. I might do some other random projects. Who knows?.

By the way, the slime mare was suggested by Asher 23. If you have character ideas, go ahead and throw them at me. I don't mind having more characters.

Anyways, may your days be sweet and lovely.

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The Eighth Chapter

"Alright Fly, let's see about this place." I said before mentally kicking myself with an annoyed grunt, "I'm talking to myself again, dammit." It was a bad habit and one I don't tend to engage in unless I'm alone. However, it's not uncommon for changelings to talk to themselves. Being part of a hive for so long will effect you, whether or not you've cut it off.

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention. I'm a changeling. Now stop gawking and listen. My name is Fly. I am on a special paid mission from Celestia herself to solve almost forty connected missing persons contacts, the latest of them being a unicorn named Solid Gold.

Exactly 332 hours ago, or about 14 days, Solid Gold, a recently injured member of the Royal Guard, was foalnapped from the hospital. The mission he was injured from was connected to my missing creatures case. I followed his captors to an abandoned smithy in the middle of Everfree forest. I've been scouting the place since then, and I've arrived at a few conclusions. If I wanted to get in, I either had to be hired by the madpony who runs the place or captured for their so-called experiments. The latter isn't an option.

Now, you might be thinking "Why would a changeling ever subjugate himself/herself to the wills of ponies?" Well, to answer that you specieist bastard, I'd like to say that not all changelings hate ponies. Most of just realize that our integration would have to be slow, although, not all of us, myself included, want to be revealed. But that's... a conversation for another time.

I put away a pair of binoculars and take a file out of my jacket. On it I have the identity of a unicorn by the name of Specter. He was hired by a Doctor Fleisch (which means Flesh in Germane in case you're wondering), who may very well be running this operation, after being charged with several assaults due to alcohol addiction. I don't have enough information on the doctor, but with what I've gathered from Specter, I should be able to take his identity for a little while. I'm sure he won't mind.

I turn around and look at the unconscious stallion behind me. he didn't put up much of a fight. Even working for this Doctor he's still a lackey. Take the form of a mare that seems screwable, get him alone, and boom! Instant captive. Get yours today.

One flash of green later and I'm a blue coated teenager with a pink mane and needle for a cutie mark. I get dressed in the former Black Ops wear he had before I'd put him down and slid on the helmet. I was now an honorary member of the... well... whatever you want to call it.

I marched up to a group of ponies that had gathered around the smithy. They were talking and joking amongst themselves, and I chose to mingle. The conversation was weirdly robotic. The ponies laughing gave no signs of happy emotion. The ponies in heated debate gave off no angry emotion. Everything was fake... so I guess I fit right in.

Without warning, everypony stopped talking and stood at attention. I did the same quickly and followed them as they started a single filed line towards the building. Before we reached it, the ground around it appeared to split and move up, moving, picking up the structure with it. I'd seen this happen several times, so it wasn't much of a surprise.

We entered the now very large door in perfectly synced steps. I won't bore you with the details of the place, mainly because there were none. We marched for about an hour through pristine metal hallways until we reached a type of barracks. There were beds lining the walls, all with perfect folded pillows and blankets. Everypony went to their respective beds and sat, waiting.

I kept still, like them, so as not to draw attention. If my assumptions were correct, none of the ponies here knew about this double life they lead. When my counterpart woke up, he would likely have no idea where he was, if a nearby timberwolf doesn't eat him first. Oh well, he got himself into this mess.

I looked around and noticed that nopony was paying attention to me. I took the time to meditate on what I needed to do. The information I need is based on an incident years ago. The one who runs this place is responsible for a ridiculous number of missing ponies, none of which had ever show up until a mere few weeks ago. A mare, whatever her name was, who had gone missing started burning places and ponies in the Badlands, without the aid of magic. How this is possible is beyond me. What I do know is that my mission is clear: get info, free prisoners, and destroy this place.

Not any easy fete for most creatures, but then, they aren't me.

I'll bide my time, gain the trust of the other ponies here, and work my way up, replacing creatures as I went. No one seemed to know anyone else so I wouldn't have to interact with other guards too much. I just have to keep from seeming suspicious.

I know this will probably be the hardest thing I've ever done though. Don't get cocky. That's a very important rule in my book. Cockiness leads to acting like a cock, and then you die. Seen it happen plenty of times. Damn idiots, each of them.

I glanced with my eyes to make sure no one was watching. Since they weren't, I turned my attention to other things. Vents, doors, room size. It's all important. Once I have the timing of the guard shifts down, I'll be able to sneak around and make a plan. This place wasn't going to exist for very long. I have hope.

Besides, I wanted my roommate, Solid, back.

Author's Note

CLIFFHANGER!!! And the whole thing is exactly 1000 words. Go figure.

This is what Fly looks like. Art done by Mr Scroup commissioned by Asher 23 who created the OC.

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The Seventh Chapter

The cafeteria was not what I expected...like...at all. There was a no amount of anticipation that could prepare me for what I saw when we walked through those doors, Coal in tow behind us. It wasn't a lab like before, it wasn't a torture chamber, and it wasn't a training area with an ice cream laser. It was much, much more.

It was like a high school cafeteria...but with monstrous beasts of every shape and si… oh wait... I guess that's just a normal high school cafeteria isn't it? Well then, onward.

There were creatures of every shape and size in there. Zebras, minotaurs, changelings, and many more. Most of the Zebras had symbols etched into their skin, similar to my own. A lot of the changelings appeared to be...I'm not sure...despondant? Not that I care though. For all I know, one of them was responsible for Jester. One thing I noticed was the absolute lack of any ponies. I was the only one there that was even in that species. Well, aside from Doctor Fleisch, but I don't qualify him as a creature worth the dirt off an anthill so he doesn't count.

Coal was released from his magical grip restraints and grunted in annoyance from the rough drop. He kept a distance from the Doctor that bordered on hatred of the highest order. I immediately approved.

"Vell? Vhat do you Zink? It's nice, is it not?" the Doctor said as he saddled uncomfortably close. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever makes ya happy." I looked around and noticed, even from this distance, that the food here was obviously better here than the room service. I glanced at the Doctor and smirked, "But I'm not sure if the parents are supposed to go to school with their kids so why don't you and little...um... Guard-Of-Eternal-Light just leave us be?" I saw Coal smile ever so slightly.

Doctor Fleisch chuckled and started walking towards one of the Staff Only or You will be Incinerated Doors and said, "Oh, believe me, Gypsum is staying vith you two. My children need to be kept in check after all. Auf Wiedersehen!" and with that he was gone, and a breath I doubt anyone knew they were holding, escaped the lips of almost creature in the room. I looked back at 'Gypsum' (damn, and I liked the name Armored Pony) shrugged.

It was strange. Even in the brightly lit cafeteria, she was practically shining. I could pick out a few other details about her armor such as the fact that her armor was not, in fact, seamless. There were lines you could see that showed her armor was like mine, made of a lot of little pieces so as not to allow any sort of entry.

When the three of us got our food and found a table I decided to make small talk. Might as well, I'm not the type to enjoy awkward silences, "So, Gypsum?" She turned her head to me, "You been a here a long time?" She waited a second, mulling over the question I presume, and nodded, "See? It's not hard to make conversation. Even if you don't actually talk."

Coal jumped in with a grunt, "Well maybe she just doesn't want to make conversation."

"Oh? Well then, why did she nod to my question? Answer me that killjoy." I had him right where I wanted him.

"I'm sure Gypsum is just being polite. You've heard of that, right? It's something common that ponies try to do. now and then. You know, to be courteous." I laughed at him.

"Oh sure, blame it on politeness."

"I'm not blaming anything on anything!" He said, loud enough to get some glances from some nearby griffons. "I'm just saying, you might not want to ruffle her feathers."

I shook my head and took a bite of...whatever I had gotten, "I didn't know she was a Pegasus." I turned to Gypsum who had chosen to watch us silently, "Are you a Pegasus?" She nodded. I raised a hoof in victory, "I have triumphed once more. Two points for me."

"How is that two points?" Coal asked me increduouasly.

"Because I got you to tell me she's a Pegasus and she said yes when I asked her so I have made progress in our little trios friendship. I really should get three points."

"I doubt she wants to be friends with you."

"Oh? And how would you know that?" I pointed an accusing hoof, "You haven't asked her have you?" he didn't respond, "I didn't think so." Then a voice I had never heard before made itself known.

"I would like to be friends." It echoed slightly, even if it wasn't loud enough for anyone except us to hear. I turned to Gypsum as she stared back at me. I smiled happily. Progress.

"Well Gypsum, welcome to the...uh..." I put a hoof to my chin and thought for a moment, "... the Solid Gold Friendship Circle."

Coal groaned, "That is quite possibly the dumbest name I've ever heard for a group of friends. In fact, I don't think friends actually make names for themselves like that. Next thing you know, ponies will start making groups like...I don't know, the Cutie Mark Crusaders or some shit."

I gasped in delight, "That sounds like an awesome name, but I also get the strange feeling it's probably been taken." I got a nod from Gypsum at that. Like I said: progress.

~~____________________________~~

Gypsum talked a few more times. We got some "yes's" and "no's" out of her in the conversation. Her voice was either very distinctive or very indistinctive. You could tell she was female but it sounded like someone yelling from deep within a cave. Her voice could echo if she whispered.

Anyway, when lunch (or breakfast, according to Coal) was over, we, along with the other creatures, were ushered threw different doors by Gypsum. I guessed this was when we'd separate, so I made sure to say 'See you later' before you leaving. She didn't answer that. Interesting.

A few twists and turns later and we found ourselves... outside. I hoofed the dirt to be sure. It felt strangely metallic. Looking up at the sun, I noticed a bit of a luminescent glow to it. The sky even looked box-like.

"Artificial." I turned my head to Coal. He didn't acknowledge me and chose silence. Maybe I annoyed him in the cafeteria? Oh well, no time to dwell on it anyway, a giant podium had been erected in the center of this little "fake outdoors" area, and it seemed like Doctor Flietch was getting ready to announce something. The other creatures gathered in a somewhat organized group as the Doctor began.

"Hello everyvun. How are you?" No one responded. The Doctor wasn't deterred, "I am Doctor Fleisch as you all already know. You are here to get to know each other better."

I couldn't help myself, "I'm here because of some half-assed foalnapping so..." I got some surprised looks from the other monsters nearby.

The Doctor was quite surprised, "I vouldn't call it a foalnapping, Mister Solid."

"I didn't ask." I responded. A few gasps and some snickers could be heard around me. I smirked happily. You can imprison my body but not my soul!

Actually scratch that, maybe he can. Best not to push it.

Unfortuantely, my jokes weren't getting me much headway. Doctor Fleisch simply smiled at me and left through a door in the "wall" and I waited for something to happen. And something did happen, let me tell ya.

The first thing I heard was metal on metal. I turned my head and saw a griffon and a changeling going at it with newly gifted weapons. The Griffon used an axe of some sort, the changeling used daggers. Other creatures rooted them on while some went to have battles of their own. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Coal Dust holding a golden sword up to me. Please note that I say golden for lack of a better word. Whatever material everything I'd been using was, it certainly wasn't gold. And it wasn't like the royal guard armor so you'll have to settle with a simple "Really Hard Metal" for now.

I took the blade in my hoof and swung around a few times to loosen up. It was about half as big as my whole body but this baby had some weight to it. When I looked back ay Coal, he was already in a defensive stance. One thing I noticed was that, though armorless, he had weapons of his own. A pair of steel looking claws on each forehoof. They honestly looked pretty badass (no offence to actual asses, tis an expression).

I took a stance of my own and waited for him to attack. And he did. Quick as lightning he was two inches from my face. I saw a claw ready to rip my throat out and parried in time to step out of dodge. He didn't let up though. He struck towards me with two slashes in succession as I did my best to stay out of the way. He spun and slashed a third time, actually hitting my arm. I looked down at the wound and saw blood dripping down, a bit more than I would have liked. And it hurt like Tartarus.

"Hey!" I yelled at him, "Could you not get me killed? I'd rather not end up skewered by--yowza!" I ducked in time to be missed by a tornado like spin from my...uh...friend. He finished his spin by latching on the ground with a claw and spinning his body so his back hooves went toward me. This time I didn't move. He came at me with a full forced buck. It sounded like someone had thrown a brick at Celestias castle without thinking that the damage level might actually not be a possibility.

Coal stood up from his daze and looked at my stomach where he'd hit me before asking, "Were you like that before or after they messed with you?"

"Before." I replied.

"Damn." he said before slashing at me again. I decided not to give him the advantage this time and brought a hoof straight to the side of his head. I didn't smack him full on, after all, with or without armor I'm still pretty frickin' solid (pun not intended).

He got up from his second daze, albeit, slower this time and looked at me in bewilderment before giving the very smallest of glances around. I took notice and looked as well to behold every other creature in the room having stopped to watch with eager stares. Coal Dust is much more popular than I thought.

My attention was brought back when something scratched my chest. I backed up and looked down to see three scratches, possibly permanent on my chest. I grunted in pain and stumbled back a few steps. I didn't let it distract me though. Coal Dust came charging again and ready to strike. This time I took my sword and slipped it between his claws, cutting him in the face. His strike still came though so I made sure to move away at the same time.

Coal Dust appeared shocked from the strike, as if I had just achieved the impossible. Perhaps I had, I don't know what type of fighter Coal is, although I'm starting to get an idea. When his attention was back on me, he did something that I would normally have deemed impossible but...under the circumstances.

His body slowly started to be encased in a dark mist, almost the same color as his coat. When it full encompassed his body, the only thing I could see was a faint outline of him and his eyes glowing ever more brightly. He started making his towards me, claws still drawn. When he close enough I tried punch him. My hoof went through him as I felt nothing but a chill where I had gone through. I moved forward and was then behind him incredibly surprised.

"Celestias flaming ti-Whoa!" my cursing was abruptly stopped when the mist-i-fied Coal turned around and put a claw to my throat quicker than I could think. His claw didn't cut through, but it was touching me at the base of my neck. I heard a voice coming from Coal.

"We need to get out of here before we fight." He removed the claw from my neck and returned to his original form, wings still bound, "Because I won't hold back." and with that he walked away to a refreshment stand I hadn't seen and got himself some water. I remained where I was, thinking. I had many questions, but it seemed like none of them would be answered today.

Author's Note

Well, there it is, the seventh chapter. I bet some of you have been waiting for this. In hindsight I'd like to say that the chapters for my stories are going to take a bit longer to make because I plan on spending more time revising and making sure they're how I want them to be so...yeah.

Also, don't know if you noticed but I've added swearing as one of the tags on this so that might explain the amount of language in this.

BTW, one last thing, if you would like I'm open for battle story freestyles. I can type up a battle between any two characters you provide for the current price of $0.00. if you can't already tell, I have a knack for making good fight scenes, so slide into those DMs anytime and I'll type one up just for you.

Anyways, have a wonderful day.

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