“You want me to do what?”
The question hung in the air for moment between the two, Princess Celestia in more formal dress as she acted as principal for a new school that had been opened in Canterlot while the other, a charcoal colored unicorn stood before her arms crossed. Nowadays the princess had more duties to attend but it confused Nightshade on why she chose him, sure he was well qualified for the job, there were may others she could have called on.
Princess Celestia shook her head at the smaller black unicorn standing before her in the massive throne room, “Nightshade look, you’re the best we have, and we can’t afford to send any of the castle guard. We need you to round up the members of this Foals of The Draconequus cult. I’ve been hearing quite a lot about them, but I thought nothing of it a first. A group of ponies meeting in the Everfree Forest isn’t breaking the law, albeit strange, but then I began to get reports of missing ponies. This isn’t something I can bring to public light, Nightshade.”
This piqued the unicorn’s interest, he wanted as little to do with the princesses as possible but the opportunity this presented was too much to pass. Despite how dangerous this may well be, he was already formulating a plan.
Nightshade rolled up the sleeves on his hoodie and folded his arms, tracing his jawline with a fingertip in thought. Nightshade was dressed quite casually before the Celestia, a plain grey hoodie and jeans. His dress would be considered unusual to someone who didn’t know the relations between the Celestia and Nightshade. He cocked his head to the side and pointed at the princess, “So who’s Luna sending to help me out with this witch hunt?”
“Are you familiar with 1st Commander Strike? Or as the guard call her ‘Striker’? Luna figured she’d call out the best and brightest, speaking of I’m sending a rookie with you as- “
“A rookie?” Nightshade facepalmed with his prosthetic arm. The last thing he wanted was to worry about some kid getting hurt, “Celestia I respect your decisions, but with all due respect this kid is gonna get hurt or killed and I’m not going to be the one who tells their family.”
The sun princess seemed to have enough of Nightshade’s attitude, “Whether you agree or not, Private O’Hearts is partaking in this mission and you will treat them with due respect. Do I make myself clear Nightshade? Just… Bring them in if you can, I’d rather not have a repeat of the Hearth’s Warming Eve skirmish.”
A silent nod was the only response given. There was an entire minute of silence before the charcoal unicorn spoke again, “What do I gain out of this, for my friends and I?”
“What would you like? This is a big favor I ask of you.”
Nightshade took a deep breath before continuing, “I want to be promoted back to Captain of the Lunar Guard, I want my father Fusion to be released from prison, I want MY estate back and I want diplomatic immunity for my friends.”
The princess didn’t seem surprised, after the incident, everything Nightshade wanted made sense. “I’ll see what I can do, Commander Strike and her Private await you at the gate. Don’t disappoint me Nightshade.”
With that Nightshade turned away from the sun princess, exiting the main hall of the castle lost in thought. This was an interesting predicament for him, he was used to fighting an easily identifiable enemy. He’d never hunted a cult before and he just agreed to an impossible task. As he walked he swore he heard someone call his name but continued to walk, a hand gently grasped his shoulder and he turned to face the source. Two bright blue orbs met his red, a blonde maned alabaster Pegasus faced him looking confused. “Mr. Valentine, right? I’d been trying to get your attention after you’d finished talking to the Princess.”
“O’Hearts right? Private O’Hearts?” Nightshade was almost at a loss; the private’s armor was in pristine condition, shined and clean as if brand new, her rifle and sword holstered and ready for use. “What about Strike? Where’s she hiding at?”
The private’s wings twitched in annoyance bit kept it out of her voice, “She said that you’d know the place, some hole in the wall bar called ‘Lucky’s’.”
Nightshade wordlessly began to walk a familiar route and figuring she wasn’t going to get anything else out of him the private followed, they cut straight through Canterlot; past a classical performance hall that was across the street from a busy café and passing into the urban district. The buildings consisted more of brick and the walkways and roads more run down. Fear crept up the guard’s spine as she walked the street with Nightshade, receiving glares and catching whispers. They turned down a dead-end street, on the far left on the end of the road a green neon sign adorned with a glowing shamrock that simply read, ‘Lucky’s’. A zebra patterned motorcycle was parked outside, passing it to get to the door they notice the license plate said, ‘5TRK3’. Nightshade pushed open the doors and the heavy smell of alcoholic drinks and greasy food greeted him as a familiar, however the same scents offended the nostrils of the private.
“Hearts, I told you not to wait up for him. You must be Nightshade.” A husky feminine voice called from the bar. The voice belonging to a tall cobalt pegasus who sat at the bar, she glanced at him through half-lidded grey eyes. Said mare slicked back her black mohawk, her motorcycle helmet, decorated with the symbol of her commander rank decorating the side, rested on the bar counter. Her black jacket unzipped with the collar popped up, white shirt beneath and black biker pants completed the look.
The private snapped to attention, “Command – “
“Alice, at ease kid. Take a seat. Relax.”
Private O’Hearts wasn’t used to being referred to by her first name, especially by her superior, but she complied taking a seat on an unoccupied stool next to the commander.
Nightshade copied the blonde mare and tapped on the counter slicking back his shoulder length black mane, “Lucky! Guess who’s back?”
A green earth pony peeked his head out from behind a rack of drinks, his messy ginger mane tied back in a ponytail covered by a brown cabbie hat. The shamrock colored pony came around the rack drying his hands on the dingy apron wrapped about his neck then rested an arm on the counter in front of the trio, “Nights! Strike’s here too? Grand. You came on a good night, it’s a bit slow tonight but I’m more interested in what yer doing here with these lovely ladies – “
“Hunting a cult.”
“Celestia, lad. So quick to get into some trouble eh? You know the others will want in. So, what can I get ye to drink?”
Strike shook her head no, Nightshade was confused by that. He guessed she’d want something to drink, he turned to Alice. The private had refused to take off any piece of her Royal Guard armor and was staring off into space to the amusement of Nightshade and Lucky. She was confused, she was told that this was a confidential operation. Nopony else was supposed to know, yet here they were talking about it like the weather. To Alice it reeked of unprofessionalism and cockiness.
Lucky tapped the wooden counter lightly, “Little lady? Would you like a drink? It’s on the house.”
Alice’s next words let Nightshade, Strike and Lucky know exactly how Alice grew up, “Do you have water? If that’s alright.”
Lucky chuckled then escalated into hysterical laughter, “Oh that’s so pure, best hide her from Classics and the girls. Where ye from lass?”
“I figure I’m from Canterlot.” She sounded like it was almost a question, as if she wasn’t sure.
Lucky ignored the hesitation, “I’m from out n’ Appaloosa. Came here because I wanted to build me own pub, the fact that I happen to like a good drink or two may have influenced that, heh.”
“A drink or two?!” Nightshade scoffed loudly earning a chuckle from Strike and a glare from Lucky.
“Nightshade ye might want to pipe down – “
“It’s not my fault you like to drink – “
The sound of a door slamming open came from behind the alcohol rack, Lucky cringed as he heard glass shatter. “Oh, boyo now ye really gone and did it.”
A sand colored unicorn stepped out from behind the rack in a typical waitress outfit completed with thigh-high boots looking quite pissed off, she pushed her long curly black mane out of her face. Her golden eyes met Lucky’s emerald, “All I asked, was for you to keep it DOWN... During my break. Now I – “
Something caught her attention, not something but some pony. Alice stared into Classics’ eyes, “I’m sorry miss, if we were causing a ruckus.”
Classics pointed at the three around Alice, “We need to talk, now. Kid sit tight, the adults will be right back sweetheart.”
Author's Note
First chapter of my first story, I'd love criticism. Constructive would be the most helpful but your genuine thoughts are welcome as well. Until next time. 
“Nightshade, you do know the kid can’t actually help out with this right?” Classics smirked at the mentioned unicorn. “No offense, but snowflake over there is just for show.”
Even though they were roughly ten feet away from the pegasus I question they figured it was good enough, though it was mostly that they didn’t care if she heard.
He glared at her knowingly, “Celestia’s orders. I can’t just sit her on the sidelines, maybe she can hang back with Bri and O’Malley? They’re capable stallions – “
Strike slammed a fist down on the oak table that they surrounded, earning a glance from the private who sat obediently at the bar counter as it vibrated from the contact. “I will NOT have you talk about my private – Alice, like that. Being a mare doesn’t make her less able to handle herself, you haven’t given her a chance. Besides you let Classics and Dia go with you everywhere.”
A silence hung in the air for a moment, Strike was right, her truth rang in Nightshade’s ears briefly. Classics was suppressing a smirk, Strike was one of the few of them who’d ever challenge Nightshade and his word.
The shamrock colored pony snickered, he added nothing to the conversation. The only relation Lucky had to this, which he thanked his lucky stars for, is that he’s friends with them. “Ye know, ye gotta give the lass a chance. You three talk this out, I’ll close up shop and make a few calls.” He sauntered back over to Alice, “Kid I’ll warn ye now, Nightshade draws a strange crowd but they’re good ponies. Be polite kiddo.”
About fifteen minutes after Lucky made his phone calls there was a telltale smell of sulfur that everypony in the bar smelled, all except Alice. The blonde maned pegasus heard the door swing open, spun around to welcome whoever was entering and nearly fell off the stool. She felt her breath catch in her throat, she could feel her heart pound throughout her entire body. A tall shadow-like hooded figure towered over Alice, purple eyes gleaming from under the hood akin to amethysts in the sunlight. The eyes were drawing her in, like a moth to a flame against her mind’s wishes which was to back away. The longer she stared the more she felt her consciousness slip and just as she was reaching the edge a voice cut through.
“Endie! You’re scaring that poor mare.”
The shadow figure shrank down and at that point she was roughly shorter than Celestia, maybe Luna height and Alice took a huge gasp of air. Had she not been breathing that whole time?
The figure known as Endie dropped the hood and it revealed a dark grey mare whose fur had a purple tint, mane a twilight purple. The mare who called Endie away stood before Alice with a hand on the blonde’s shoulder, she was grey with a greener tint, her hot pink mane matching her eyes. “I’m awfully sorry about that miss, Endie’s… Affectionate. She gets… weird. Now could I get your name? I’m Speedstar and the… Taller mare over there is Endie.”
Alice introduced herself but couldn’t stop stealing glances at Endie, the pony made her uncomfortable. It made Alice a little weak to look at her, as if the taller mare fed off it.
Nightshade watched this interaction in awe, he’d known Speed and Endie in the past they’d always have been dismissive or hostile, seeing their interaction in action kickstarted his brain. As far as he could remember, Speed and Endie were inseparable. Be it their unspoken communication or their raw talents, they were unparalleled in the field. The interaction from the duo with Alice was brief and they joined Nightshade at the larger table adjacent the bar counter.
Speed looked at Lucky, the owner of the pub made eye contact with her and nodded. Nights simply shook his head, he’d find out what that was about later.
Nightshade had already concocted a method for completing this mission, but his idea had to wait, as four ponies walked into the bar, two stallions and two hooded ponies. Alice glanced at the four of them, suspicion setting in. The stallions in the front wore thick coats, bags slung over both their shoulders. She thought nothing of it until she noticed a gun barrel jutting out of a zipped pocket. Red flags went off in her head, she found it odd that nopony else was reacting, but she figured they hadn’t noticed yet. Alice slowly reached for her rifle, it lay against the stool loaded and ready.
“Touch that gun an you lose that hand girl.” The Scottish voice unnerved the rookie and she recoiled away from her rifle, Alice had hoped that if she was facing away she might not have looked suspicious. Her heart skipped a few beats as she steeled herself.
“O’Malley, she’s with me. Girl doesn’t know any better.”
Alice instinctively whirled around on the stool and was instantly face to face with a muscular stallion, aggression burned in her eyes, but the taller stallion revealed nothing. His grey eyes were tired, as if he’d seen just about all the world could throw at him. His black leather jacket was worn, his jeans looked as if they had been through hell with holes here and there. The other stallion was dressed practically the same but he wore a cap that shaded his eyes.
“Well, why didn’t you say so? Let me introduce myself then.” The ocean blue earth pony sat down on an empty stool and ran a hand through his midnight colored mane, “Since you’re new let me give you some advice. One, don’t be a hero. We don’t do glory, we live to fight another day. Nightshade learned that a while back. Two, learn about us well because you’re stuck with us now. Don’t worry, you’re a pretty mare so we’ll play nice. And three… Uh. I don’t really have a three but my name’s O’Malley.”
The mercenary flashed her a venomous smile, Alice geared up to shoot back a response but at that point Nightshade had enough, this happened every time they had a recruit and he’d rather not have it end the same as the last one. The sheer memory alone sent chills down his spine, he was gonna make sure that was the last time he would deliver that speech to somepony’s parents.
“Enough! Stop hazing the recruit, we got business to get down to. You all know why I called you here – Most of you know why I called you here.” He directed that at the hooded ponies and well as Speed, he took a deep breath. “I gathered you all because this mission has probably the biggest score we will ever have, but this is one of the riskiest cases I’ve ever accepted. We’re hunting a cult, Foals of the Draconequus is what they’re known by. Before… Before I go into my plan to root them out does anypony know anything useful about them of even heard of them?”
To the surprise of Alice one of the hooded figures spoke, “Actually I had caught whisper of some strange activity in a small town not far from Canterlot. Ponyville I think it’s called, it may be nothing but it’s a start.”
Nightshade nodded, he preferred to go into anything knowing at least something. “Thanks Dia. Now here’s how we’re gonna hunt them down, Alice… You, Speed, Endie and Classics are gonna be the bait for lack of a better term. You all are gonna infiltrate the cult and once you locate their central hideout, you report back to here. There’s a pony that you need to find, his name’s Ginger. He’s a close friend of Classics, from that point on we can’t help you.” The soot colored unicorn, “And Speed? If it comes down to it… I need you to be fast enough.”
There was visible pain in Speed’s expression, painful memories flashed in her eyes as she made eye contact with Nightshade. She wished he’d stop bringing up the past, its haunted them long enough. Alice, on the other hoof, was more interested in what happened.
“I know. I’ll get her home. I promise.”
The last sentence was ominous, Alice wasn’t comfortable with this. There was too much secrecy going on, everypony but her knew something and she hated not being in the know. “Now wait a minute, with all due respect commander, I didn’t sign up to be part of some ragtag group of freaks and mercs– “
Endie hissed and O’Malley raised an eyebrow at Alice, but she could care less, Alice was done being obedient. She needed answers, now.
“I might not have the authority, but dammit I want answers.”
Strike scoffed at the alabaster pegasus, “Kid you got some nerve trying to muscle info like- “
“No, she’s right.” Nightshade’s calm gaze rested on Alice, “We can’t keep her in the dark like this, it didn’t do Ace much good when he was around did it?”
Alice looked dumbstruck for a moment, almost in disbelief that she got her way. “W-well first off I want to know why you’re really hunting these ponies, Celestia warned me about you. The black sheep of the guard, you never do anything of the kindness of your heart. You use ponies like me.”
Nights chuckled, “Tia told you that? Well it’s much cooler than the truth, but I’m hunting them because she offered a deal for my friends. I silence some anarchists and she’ll grant my friends citizenship… And she pardons my father from prison.”
“What…” Alice was shocked, did the princess really lie to her like that? She shook it off, it didn’t justify any of the other stuff. “Alright what about this other fella you keep bringing up? This ‘Ace’.”
The moment she uttered the name the expressions of all the ponies present changed, as if she’d hit a chord even Endie who was outraged at her previous comment softened as Speed nestled against her. The air was different, even Lucky who was a chipper stallion seemed to wilt, Alice chose her next words carefully. It didn't take a scientist to tell that this 'Ace', whoever he was, is an emotional powder keg and the wrong phrase would land her in serious hot water.
“What happened to Ace?”
Speed opened first, she looked a bit misty eyed. “Private First-Class Ace. We used to call him ‘Cards’ because of his cutie mark…”
“The Los Pegasus Colt, he was our friend.” Endie spoke slowly, her voice surprisingly deep.
Classics wiped her eyes, “To a few of us he was even a lover if he knew it or not, putting up with our antics and humoring us to make sure we were in good spirits.”
O’Malley stood, he didn’t look very emotional, but his voice cut back slightly. “He never put himself first always full of the mindset that he can always do somepony else some good. Even for the Changeling Queen… It got him hurt but he got back up… Always got back up, stubborn son of a bitch never knew when to stay down.”
Nightshade rested his hands at his sides, balling them up and unfurling them a few times. He looked physically uncomfortable talking about this.
“Until the day his kindness killed him… We were at a Wonderbolts show about halfway through one of the bolts fainted mid-flight he hopped out of his seat, Spitfire I believe, he caught her a fell 25,000 feet… Spitfire suffered a concussion while Ace suffered multiple fractures… His autopsy showed that the speed he was falling combined with the weight of the two ponies hyperextended his wings. I don’t think he regretted his choice… So, I ask of you, don’t you DARE speak his name with such disrespect.”
Silence captivated the room once again, permeating the air with emotion, Alice could understand how telling of a dead predecessor could scare anypony off. But she wasn’t here to replace him no, she could never fill that void and it wasn’t her purpose, but she’d be dammed if she wouldn’t try build her own niche in this circle.
Alice felt the faint traces of a smirk on her face, “I think I understand now Nightshade… Alright chief, when do we start the hunt?”
