Fallout Equestria: Shaping Shadow - Book 5

The Radiant Sun slid up to the Squad Barracks. They had requested a short drop off. The ramp softly touched the clouds and the whirl of the engines began their distinct floating idle sound.

General Firestorm was there to meet them, along with many of the upper brass. Especially the retired officers. Cardinal Spitfire was the first one down the ramp.

"He acquired some interesting pieces during his time below," Cardinal Spitfire immediately said. "We also got an ammo supply. Things went…interestingly well."

"Ammo?" Firestorm asked. "How? Why!"

"Apparently Shadow is rich, and the years his caps were in the bank, untouched, made him richer. But actually, he is friends with an arms dealer. He sold us the ammo, all armor piercing rounds, on deferment?"

"Deferment? At what price?"

"Um, well, once this is done and over with, he expects payment back in salable goods like weapons and ammo."

Fire storm's eyes widened in shock. Several things played through her mind. "Initial thought...he doesn't have the authority to barter military equipment. Second thought, we hopefully won't need them all and our stocks are automatically compromised so it was a good choice."

"That was his friend's thoughts. We would not need all of them. And that we have more in storage. We didn't discuss our actual stock, only that we were probably coming up on the short end. Especially for ammo. We are talking several thousand rounds in each of our main calibers, all armor piercing."

"And where is Shadow?"

"Prepping our VIP. Things went surprisingly well. And probably waiting for me to shut up so he can make an entrance."

"Not true!" Shadow shouted back. "I…complicated!"

Cardinal Spitfire snorted. "Stupid Filly Fooler. Nothing is ever simple with him. He has more stories he is holding out on us. Like when he bought a hooker, didn’t do anything with her, and then helped her escape the place she was ‘employed’ at. He bought her for the night so she could sleep in his bed, while he took the couch. She is a sweet pony."

Shadow finally emerged, but not in his armor. He was wearing his neatly pressed blue Beret uniform. The beret was perfectly placed on his head.

"Holy Celestia," Retired Lieutenant General Soarin said in shock. "I haven't seen that uniform in a long time. Very few of them were ever worn, and even fewer wore it nearly as well as he does."

"I think this will work better," Shadow stated. "The first separation from the GPE by the EPM."

"Where did you get that?" Soarin asked, beating the others to the question.

"Years ago. I left it with my stuff in Trottingham. It was in the Quartermaster shop with the Steel Rangers there. I had one set of clothes, and they got all sweaty and dirty before the exposition. I needed something else, but comfortable. This was the only thing that would do and hide my wings. I also have the jacket. They tried to bait me into joining their ranks with more information about the Blue Beret."

"That is amazing," General Shielded Vengeance said, stepping closer. "Deke is the one who keyed us in on the Blue Berets, accidentally, and he is the reason why the ACUs now wear the berets. It's our heritage. I saw pictures, but we never had a uniform to really go off of."

Shadow looked back up the ramp. Ukuzwa was standing there, shaking her head. Shadow sighed and walked back up the ramp.

"I can't do this," Yellow Quartz whispered. "The clouds…"

"You have the Talisman on?"

"Only the cloud walking one. I can't handle wings yet."

"That's fine," Shadow shrugged as he walked to her rear. “Wings are finicky as you learn them. Especially wing boners.”

Before she could ask what he was doing, Shadow bucked her in the flank, hard. It forced Yellow Quartz to stumble forward and then she didn't have a solid footing as the ramp slanted down. She tumbled down in a roll.

Shadow jumped ahead of her and braced her against the roll. He got her to stop right before the end of the ramp. Ukuzwa was smiling mischievously as she helped Yellow Quartz up.

"Officers of the Equestrian Pegasus Military, meet another pony I know pretty well, Star Paladin Yellow Quartz. I personally fought with her against those Hellhounds and can attest to her skill back then, knowing it has only grown. She also was my rival in the Reactive Rifle Course, who I will be giving a rematch as soon as possible. Finally, the Star Paladin is of the order of the Applejack Rangers, the more defensive oriented Steel Rangers. The old Steel Rangers are dead, the Applejack Rangers now protect Equestria. And the Trottingham contingent has assured us of their support."

Shadow smiled at Yellow Quartz. "The Star Paladin requested coming here as an envoy. To represent her contingent. Like my Zebra team, she has a cloud walking talisman on. But unlike the Yellow Quartz I knew; she is suddenly too chicken to do anything. She can stare a Hellhound in the eyes and blow his head off at point blank range, but she can't-"

Shadow expertly ducked as she swiped at him with her hoof. As expected, she was still the same knight he knew. Goading her into her courage and honor mentality was easy. The swipe also forced her to take a step off the ramp.

Yellow Quartz looked down at the clouds under her feet. She stared at them for a while. "Cushy. But not saggy or heavy. Odd. But I can see why you like them. Enough to never live on the ground."

"Hey!" Shadow laughed. "Working with below in mutually beneficial ways and living below are two different things for some of us.”

“Do you want to tell them, or me?"

Shadow gave her a nod.

Yellow Quartz looked at the officers. "Friendly Pegasi, friends of Shadow Flare, I am proud to be the Envoy here for the Trottingham area contingent of the Applejack Rangers. I’m a little scared, but my heartbeat will return to normal soon. But I also am proud to inform you that we at the Citadel can take in 200 refugees with one stipulation."

"Name it," Firestorm immediately said, with a smile showing her relief.

"The only stipulation is that they must be farming ponies. It will be a strain, but we already protect those farms. It's all we can take, and to be less of a burden on all, we can't afford to teach anypony the basics of farming."

"That is absolutely acceptable," Firestorm announced. "We shall begin to assemble the list. Most of our refugees are farmers. But, I have to ask. Why? We barely are together and on the verge of a war in between ourselves, and you are sticking your necks out so far."

"The Elder knows Shadow Flare," Yellow Quartz explained. "He led the team of us three for the Hellhound hunt. He got a very good look at the real Shadow Flare. No flags, no wings, no preconceived notions. He also was over the long-distance shooting competition Shadow won. He needed a sniper, but Shadow Flare was so much more than expected. He was saving me!"

"That would be because of Marble Falls," Shadow chuckled. "Where is she?"

"Dealing with a problem with the recruits,” Firestorm explained. “They don't like being in holding like this. They want to go to war. Most of them are against peace. They joined for the war. It's a problem. But we will certainly organize a time where those friends of yours can brag about your skill. General Marble Falls will want to hear about how much you grew up.

"Now, Star Paladin, let's get your head on straight. Follow me to the Squad Barracks. We have rooms that are open. We will get you set up there. It will mean a solid thing beneath your hooves. This has to be disorienting."

"The wing talisman was worse," Yellow Quartz fired back. "My wings would not fold down, even when pressed down. But please, this is weird. It is worse than I expected it would be."

Soarin, Nova, and Shielded Vengeance were left behind with Shadow and Cardinal Spitfire. The others on board were unloading everything. It was evident that the three of them were growing close. At this point, all three of them were all old, retired generals, two of who were disfigured, and two who were Wonderbolts. They had a lot more in common than many would think of at a glance.

"You look dashing," Nova said. "Shadow, you look better in that than in the Enclave Uniform. It just…it's not that it fits you better, physically, but you are so much more confident in that. No, that doesn’t even fully explain it."

"Thanks,” Shadow blushed. “Elder Warding Blade is investigating if they have any other artifacts. The only problem is that this is a relic. Yes, it's in great condition, but it's not something I can go to war in.”

"No," Shielded Vengeance said, thinking. "But we don't need you to do that. Maybe this will be the face we need plastered on the news. A real, old school Enclave Soldier. And one who can show off the Equestrian Pegasus Military's might. Still with Enclave ranks, still with the awards and decorations, especially that MIA badge, but this uniform instead. The beret is already familiar in the public’s eye. Several years ago we ran a hard campaign about the ACU’s heritage, which is the very uniform you wear."

Soarin grinned. "I would be honored to approve your acceptance into the 1st ESF division. The only one currently, but the division need to be rebuilt somehow."

"And the meaning of the dagger and wings?" Shadow asked.

"They were the swords from the skies. It is amazing what they did. They cut up whole Zebra units with surprise attacks. And they didn't always come in from the air. They often set ambushes and even made a solid number of attacks from the Zebra rears. They were the perfect balance for the Steel Rangers.

"Their motto was De Oppresso Liber, to free the oppressed. Equestria was viewed as the defender. And it did hold a bit of an elitist idea. A touch of the idea that they were freeing the oppressed, regular units, from fighting on the stalwart lines. But it wasn't that bad of an elitist idea. Not like the later one that founded the Enclave."

Nopony reacted to the comment against the Enclave.

"I think I understand the balance," Shadow replied. "Plus, they literally came in from the sky to save the other units. It's what we do in the ACUs in support of the regular Enclave soldiers."

"So I understand," Soarin nodded. "A tactic that will prove invaluable if we go to war."

Firestorm found them in the same spot. "Command Sergeant Major, I need you to be ready for a late afternoon briefing, about 3 hours from now. You will tell the Council the agreement with the Applejack Rangers."

“Firestorm, Dear,” Nova said with a sly smile. “We have decided that Shadow should wear this uniform. Perhaps it will be the new uniform of the Equestrian Pegasus Military.”

“Fine,” Firestorm nodded. “Let’s go for it. The Council meeting will be a good test. Shadow, tell the Council of the aid given, but don’t let them know we are about to break off.”

Shadow nodded and repeated what he believed she meant. "Tell them of the alliance I forged with old friends below and that most importantly, they can protect 200 farmers. And," Shadow said, hesitating. "And tell them we are assembling the candidates and moving on the relocation of our refugees before they make a try at it alone."

"Nothing more," Firestorm said. "Oh, you will probably have to explain the uniform. And I have a set of more Medals after our deliberations on your brief reports. It is technically up to you whether you wear the set you were approved of before you disappear, or add new ones you were approved to wear. The Council did get a memo sent to them about it."

"I will be ready," Shadow stated.

“One last thing,” Firestorm said as Shadow and Cardinal Spitfire began to leave. “You will be the only one in the room, but we will be watching. We have a hidden camera and the room is bugged. We will be actively monitoring the briefing.”

“I didn’t expect any less,” Shadow winked.

Shadow and Cardinal Spitfire got to their room. It was now crowded with several boxes and bags.

“I now understand why you think I brought a lot back,” Shadow chuckled. “It wasn’t a lot when I was down there. I had to live there, somehow.”

Shadow opened up Kifo Herixleta’s beautiful case. He retired the sword there, for the moment. He didn’t need it for the upcoming meeting. It had been almost a decade since it had been in its beautiful case.

Shadow pulled the uniform off so they could attach everything. He was distracted as Cardinal Spitfire hugged a naked him.

“You know,” She said coyly. “I have been thinking about what Elder Warding Blade said.” Cardinal Spitfire stopped talking as she traced his chest’s scar. “I do like it. If you came back without your scars, I don’t know I could believe you when you say you did everything those medals represent.”

Shadow faced his wife with a kind smile. “I have to get ready for the meeting.”

“We have time,” Cardinal Spitfire shot back, a hungry look in her eyes. “And we have years to make up for. Now, go put on that red sequin dress you mentioned the other day. I want to see you in it.”

“I saved it for you to wear!” Shadow replied, resisting her ploy.

“So? I am okay with sharing it.”

Shadow took a deep breath in and sighed. He wanted a distraction. He wanted his wife. But he needed to be ready for the briefing. Cardinal Spitfire won that battle. Shadow slipped into the dress.

“That is awesome,” Cardinal Spitfire giggled.

“I stuffed my pistol and my combat knife under my wings,” Shadow added. “It was not comfortable.”

“And now?” Cardinal Spitfire prodded.

“It’s not bad. Better than I thought it would be. It’s not something I would ever be caught in public wearing, but it’s got its perks.”

Cardinal Spitfire lunged at Shadow. He couldn’t do anything since his wings were pinned up under the dress. Cardinal Spitfire was done waiting.

It wasn’t long until Cardinal Spitfire was laying on the bed in a content bliss. Shadow was sitting at the desk. They would need another desk for him to work at, but she had the room to slide another desk in. He had a stack of papers under several boxes holding medals. He was barely though reading his original awards. Shadow had to admit, when they were written up, all official, he certainly deserved them. It was odd since he was the one doing those action, and he never hesitated on any of them; but the obvious choice also came with more admiration and dedication than he realized.

In the end, Shadow chose to pin on only his original awards since that was all he had time to review. His Command Sergeant Major stripe pins went on the collar. He put on his MIA badge and then above it, he fixed Mwokozi’s jeweled ‘ribbon’ bar above the MIA badge. His Silver Wings looked marvelous against the blue uniform.

Shadow Flare met General Firestorm outside the lecture hall.

“I know you can do this,” She immediately said. “But if this is played wrong, we get on the bad side with the Council and that becomes a problem. Our enemy is getting bolder with their organization tactics. We don’t have much time.”

Firestorm smiled at Shadow. “I love it. The uniform looks great. You certainly wear it very well. I was kind of hoping you would wear all the medals.”

“I didn’t have time to look them all through,” Shadow replied. “So I stuck with what I knew.”

“And uh, what is above the MIA badge?”

“Remember Kifopiga? Well, I killed the Zebra Empire’s top general in hoof to hoof combat. He still had his mind after all those years. This was his awards bar. In Shanyisa I have the rest of his medals and awards, but I pulled these off the uniform he was wearing when I killed him. The Zebras confirmed my right to wear it.”

“I like it,” Firestorm nodded. “It is a good addition. It not only has meaning, but it has an air of mystery. The foreignness of the ribbons will help make thing unique and separate.”

Shadow faced the doors. Wonderbolts in their armor were on either side of the door. He swiped his card and pushed the door open.

The Chief Councilor looked at him. “Ah, Command Sergeant Major, we heard you were preparing a briefing for us.”

“It had better be worth the interruption,” The Fourth Councilor growled.

Shadow calmly walked down to the front and stood at ease before them.

“No salute?” The Fourth Councilor quipped.

“I am a Command Sergeant Major,” Shadow calmly replied. “The Command Sergeant Major over Reconnaissance. I act with respect to those few in authority over me, but I salute who I please, when I please.”

The Fifth Councilor snorted a laugh at Shadow’s fearlessness. It shut up the Fourth Councilor long enough for the Chief Councilor to get them back on track.

“Command Sergeant Major, you seem to be missing several awards. Awards we upheld the other day. All but the two Purple Heart with Black Stripe.”

“Yes Councilor, I am,” Shadow nodded. “I have not had time to review them all and the statements for what I did to earn them. It was all a big stack of papers and boxes of medals and devices. I wasn’t ready for it. For now, I went with what I knew. I have been busy. That is why I am before you right now.

“And one quick side note, thank you for not approving the Purple Heart with Black Stripe. I just relayed what happened and answered the questions. My heart may have officially stopped twice, but I do stand before you today. And I stand before you without the use of any of the dark magic arts.”

“You also stand before us in a different uniform,” The Chief Counselor stated. “Tell me, what is this. It looks great on you, but it is not regulation. Well the beret actually is.”

Shadow grinning slyly. The game started here. He had to play it perfectly.

“It is not Enclave regulations, but this is nearly full regs for the Equestrian Sky Force. I was lucky enough to acquire this antique uniform during my stay in Trottingham. I needed another set of clothing, and options my size are usually mare’s clothing. But nopony down there wants a Pegasus uniform. I still hid my wings with ease, and it came with the beret I am wearing. I also got the flight jacket that goes with this uniform, but it is not apart of the full dress uniform. It is just like the Wonderbolt’s jackets.

“I competed in the Steel Ranger’s Exposition in this uniform. The exposition was a bunch of contests, mostly centered around farming and rodeo things. I was competing in two shooting competitions, and I won both. There were the Reactive Rifle Course and the Long-Distance Shooting Competition.

“Not standard for this uniform is obviously the Enclave medals, rank collar pins, my silver wings, and the MIA badge. Above my MIA badge is also a set of jewels I won the right to wear. During the Inquisitors’ mission to Kifopiga, we fought at least a full battalion of feral ghouls locked up in a major Zebra base in the south mountains. We received the Silver Star for our actions. I also personally killed the Zebra’s high general, Mwokozi, known to Equestria as Two Toned. He was the only non-feral ghoul and I had to match his expertise and years of study in hoof to hoof combat with my own. I almost died, but I prevailed. This jeweled bar was the one he wore that day. It is just like our ribbon bars, except the Zebras used jewels. I took it and several other items of importance as my...reward. I figure it would be something I could wear exactly as I am today.”

“I agree,” The Fifth Councilor stated. “That is something you certainly earned. But that fight was not in the reports, if I remember correctly.”

“That entire mission was weird,” Shadow explained. “The report was actually immediate feedback. One of our only real time exchanges. Our plan was a full report with maps, but we never got back above to be able to give more than a cursory report over the terminal. It didn’t actually matter for the Enclave at the time. It still doesn’t.”

“Regardless of its value, it was an amazing mission,” The Chief Councilor stated.

“Why are you here?” The Fourth Councilor groaned impatiently. “I’m not impressed by some uniform you are not supposed to be wearing.”

“Yes, the briefing,” Shadow nodded. “I only just got back from a trip to Trottingham. It was where I had other things stored, like this uniform. But the trip was not just to recover some material possessions, no matter how valuable or rare they might be.

“I went there in search of some old friends from my stay there. One who I knew as Star Paladin Warding Blade, is now the Elder. What was once the Steel Ranger’s Trottingham Contingent, is now the Applejack Ranger’s Trottingham Contingent. The Applejack Rangers is a branch that was in response to a recent incident inside the Steel Rangers themselves.

“Their focus has shifted. The Trottingham Steel Rangers were already well focused on the defense of the ponies in their circle of influence. It’s why I destroyed all those Hellhounds on a mission with, the now elder, Warding Blade. Because they were protecting us all, I needed to get rid of them, and they needed my long-distance shooting skills. I killed more up close than I did at long range.

“The Applejack Rangers are now there to protect all of the residents in Equestria. To allow them to live in peace without the threat of invaders, raiders, Hellhounds, and other dangerous creatures. And the Elder in Trottingham believes that also extends into the sky, into caring for Pegasi as well.

“They understood immediately what no clouds meant for us: a lot of refugees and mostly from farms. And that is what we have. They have offered to take in 200 refugees. They just need them to be farmers so they don’t put as much stress on the farms they will be staying at. They are ready to aid us as much as possible.”

“And what should we do with this?” the Second Councilor asked before anypony else could say anything.

Shadow immediately answered. “We are preparing to take a final count of the refugees and sort out who can go below. Either we give these refugees hope that things will get better, or they will risk going down on their own. Not all will want to take the risk, but we can minimize the danger to our citizens by utilizing this generous offer. The citizens have to be getting restless and concerned, especially the refugees. They lost everything, and they will take risks if we don’t provide them with valid assurance and a proper solution to their situation.

“Their lives are on hold. I was born and raised a farmer, Turnip Homestead. I love farming. I’ll die in my old age on my sister’s Homestead. But I also love protecting my home. I understand what these refugees are going through; to lose everything, to go from busy serving their fellow Pegasi by raising food, to sitting on their hooves with nothing to do and taking up space and resources. It is the exact opposite to them.

“This solution helps solve that,” Shadow declared. “We don’t have any other options.”

The Fourth Councilor slammed his hoof down on the table. “We are not! I repeat, not! Begging them for aid. We are not going to grovel or stoop that low.”

“It was an offer out of kindness,” Shadow calmly shot back. “They recognize our current conundrum. It was an offer given out of friendship. One derived of the trust I earned from my time with them. It isn’t bowing to them or groveling. It is an honorable way for us to help our citizens.”

The Council once again launched into a loud argument on multiple subjects that were more or less related to the briefing. Shadow respectfully stood there as they argued.

“Enough!” The Second Councilor ordered. "This is involving me and the citizens. This has to do with the resources and economics of our citizens. This isn’t even social. I know the massive strain on our food that this means. And we are forced to have many of them housed in other pegasi’s homes because we can’t provide even that for them. I say we move forward with the plan. Unless you six all vote against me, you can't stop me."

"You will regret this," The fourth councilor hissed.

"I would rather regret it and face those consequences than regret not trying."

“Vote if you want, but I side with the Second Councilor,” The Sixth Councilor stated. “This is what is socially best for them. Plain and simple. Command Sergeant Major, please proceed with the plans.”

“I will go tend to them immediately,” Shadow said with a dip of his head.

“Still no salute!” The Fourth Councilor protested as Shadow walked away.

Shadow turned around and proudly walked over to the table in front of him. “You dare to ask me to salute you, and then scream, yell, and rant to the other Councilors? You have no honor or respect. I have seen honor and respect on the battlefield. I have seen it in Zebras, Ghouls, Ponies, and Unicorns. I have exemplified it in the worst conditions you can’t even image. You get no salute because of that.”

The Fourth Councilor stood up but Shadow shot him down before he could speak back.

“Might I remind you that I have kill more dangerous and skilled Ponies, Zebras, and Hellhounds with my bare hooves. You don’t scare me. You don’t even give me a second thought in preparation. I don’t even understand how one as yourself could even look like they had councilor material in them. You are not a leader.”

Shadow turned on his heals in perfect military fashion and walked out.

Outside the hall General Firestorm met him, grinning. “That was impressive. And almost stupid. But you earned the respect of the other six by how you handled him. It was amazing. You knocked him off his pedestal and into his place. Regaining what he once had will be difficult for him. Your threat was impressive, but a dangerous gamble.”

“I lost nothing by stating the facts,” Shadow replied calmly. “He already hated me.”

“That is most likely true,” Firestorm admitted. “On the real note, we are halfway through the list. We are going to pull from multiple cities for moral purposes. We need you to immediately declare it though.”

Shadow nodded.

“That uniform will do, but I want the rest of the medals on it.”

“I will be back shortly,” Shadow replied.

“Head to Unit 0. We have taken over one of their seminar training rooms. It was already clear and large enough to easily convert.”

“Understood,” Shadow said as he went back to the room.

“Well,” Cardinal Spitfire asked as he entered. She was still on the bed, and it looked like she was just covered by a hastily rolled on sheet.

“The Second Councilor asserted his position and that this was an economic issue. The Sixth Councilor added her approval, which meant they couldn’t have the 6 votes they needed if they wanted to overrule him. I have to put the rest of my medals on in order to tape the public announcement.

“The Council did agree on my awards. Which makes it a very odd mix of for and against many policies right now. They are currently useless.”

“It can take too long sometimes to get things done through them,” Cardinal Spitfire said, troubled.

She joined Shadow’s side, without even barracks wear on, and they began to put everything together. Shadow would have to read the official award letters after, but he had a duty to wear them. A duty to look as strong as he could to the citizens. If they saw a weak Pegasus, they would never believe in the option available.

They had been given a bunch of devices to pin on the medals and ribbons. They covered both devices worn on the award, and devices to cover multiple awards given. It was a headache deciding how to apply several of them.

Shadow already had:
• Pegasus Defense Medal Top Barracks Stripe with “4” device.
• Defense Meritorious Service Award
• Purple Heart x 2
• Bronze Star with Valor
• Silver Star x 2

The end results of their decisions from the reports had him also juggling: 3 Humanitarian Service Medals, 1 Council Unit Citation, 8 Defense Meritorious Service Medals, 11 Purple Hearts, 10 Bronze Stars, 3 Bronze Stars with Valor, Legion of Meritorious Service, 14 Silver Stars, 3 Distinguished Service Crosses, and the Order of the Wings, number 791. He also was given a Marksmanship Badge for Expert Rifle. It was a broach that had crossed rifles suspended below it.

“It’s all too much,” Shadow groaned into his hooves. “Way too much.”

“I know,” Cardinal Spitfire chuckled. “But you underwent multiple missions on your own, killing dozens of raiders and Enclave enemies each time. Those times fit the qualifications for these awards and decorations. It wasn’t approved without reason. And I wouldn’t surprise if General Firestorm gets one of them upgraded to the Enclave Wings of Honor. It’s just a lot to push right now.”

“I don’t understand the humanitarian awards,” Shadow sighed. His head was still on the desk in defeat. “I don’t recall any actions like that.”

“Well, we can find them in this stack later and then you can take them off if you want.”

“How do I even represent 4 Bronze Stars with Valor and all the regular Bronze Stars?”

Cardinal Spitfire made the executive decision for Shadow. “We will just put 3 V devices on and we can sort it out later.”

“Thank goodness you only wear one of the medals. Without the star devices, I wouldn’t be able to stand up straight.”

Cardinal Spitfire let out a laugh. It was true. “You know, some of these are really important. And not just for the citizens. The Legion of Meritorious Service takes time to earn, if you even care. And Deke is the only one I know with the Order Of The Wings. He is 790, one before you. That is impressive.”

“Ugh,” Shadow groaned, confused and defeated. He had a massive headache from the cursory glance.

Cardinal Spitfire put all the award stars and other devices on his medals for Shadow. He was too overwhelmed to do it himself. Besides, he needed to focus on the announcement he would be giving, in front of a camera. That was enough pressure.

Cardinal Spitfire got dressed in a dress uniform with her ribbon bar, and then they headed to Unit 0, together.

“I was getting worried,” General Firestorm said as they entered.

“You overloaded his simple brain,” Cardinal Spitfire stated. It wasn’t a joke. “Shadow is fine with awards, but he definitely feels like you just dumped them on him. Well, you technically did because it was making up for years.”

“Well they look good,” Firestorm said. “They look like an Enclave soldier who has been fighting for his life and race for nearly a decade. And all solo action.”

Shadow shrugged with a sad sigh. “Yeah, I hear you, but it’s still a lot to take in. I just did what I needed to do to survive, and such.”

“You basically spent all those years in combat. Action after action. You hold the record for most combat awards in the Enclave because of it. I wasn’t the only general or admiral approving this list. And we had others consulting. We also talked with Simi about the Zebra engagements. He has no concept of medals or awards. So trust us on this. And trust that the Council only approved ones they believed you were worthy of.”

Shadow let out a chuckled. “I know they denied your Purple Hearts with Black Stripe request.”

General Firestorm shrugged. “It was a stretch. I put that in as a consideration with the two instances. It was up to them with that, and they said no.”

“Alright,” Shadow said shaking his head. The medals on his chest clinked lightly together. “I am ready.”

“We can re-shoot if we need to,” General Firestorm added. “This isn’t live.”

“I won’t need it,” Shadow shot back.

Shadow was directed where to look. It wasn’t directly at a camera. Most of them were just off center to catch his medals and awards.

“Citizens of the Grand Pegasus Enclave. I am Command Sergeant Major of Reconnaissance, Shadow Flare, Enclave Military. I was one of the recently recovered MIA soldiers. But I am now back after years below. Years spent not just surviving, but acting in the interest of the Enclave. Years spent getting to know the wasteland.

“With the clouds gone, we no longer have our shield. And worse, we lost a lot of farms and communities. I urge you, do not venture below. There is a lot of turmoil, and Pegasi are not being trusted right now. We did just attack most of the cities below.

“However, we are not just sitting here. We are actively solving the problems that arose. At least I am not sitting still, and neither are my friends. I have just come back from the field once again. This time, my mission below was to reestablish contact with several old friends.

“Those friendships from my time below have netted us a big reward. A strong group known as the Applejack Rangers has opened their doors to us. Its limited, but they are willing to support and protect 200 Pegasus Ponies. That is their upper limit. We didn’t ask for this. We asked for open talks; a relationship. They decided to offer more. A lot more than we ever thought possible.

“There is one caveat. A small one. The 200 Pegasi must be farmers. They will be staying and working on farms with real soil. It’s going to be a strain, so they need individuals trained in farming. At least, as trained as we can provide. I can attest to the differences in farming the soil. But we are survivors! We can overcome this!

“The Economic Councilor has approved of the mission. We are setting up to transfer the various refugees to this new, hopefully temporary, home. The opportunity will be presented throughout the majority of the Enclave cities. We will spread it out as fairly as possible.

“Everything has changed. That is the fact of the situation. We will have to find a new way to live. I didn’t make that rule. I didn’t ask it to happen. But it has happened.

“I am not dumb. I recognize the sacrifice this will mean. I also can attest to the opportunity it presents. These are good, hard working ponies, just like you have always been. I was a farmer before I joined the military. A Homestead Farmer from the illustrious Turnip Homestead. I joined so I could protect my family and the farms I loved. Part of surviving below meant farming the soil for the food I needed to survive. I will go back to farming after I can no longer protect you, to live out my old years on my family’s Homestead.

“I know how tough it is for you to sit and do nothing. Living below comes with its risks. But life comes with its own risks, no matter where you live. And these ponies and the Applejack Rangers are prepared to minimize that risk as much as possible.”

“Do not come looking to join this. We will select you. We know who you are. And fear not, if you are selected you can decline. This is not compulsory.

“But I challenge you to not just try something new, but to look at your duty to the Pegasus Race. The duty of providing for them. It’s not a light task to undertake. It will require a strong heart and mind. Do not think that taking this opportunity means you are betraying your race in any way. It means you are willing to go that extra step for them!

“If I had stayed on my family’s farm, I would not have gotten the honor of serving all of you. That is something I have always been proud of. Every day of my life. I never would have met my wife, who stayed faithful to me all the years, despite my Missing In Action status, and despite the Enclave’s inability to track me down.

“A lot went wrong, and we didn’t have teams readily available to respond to my team’s situation. Once they were able to come to our rescue, I had already been forced to move for survival. It was a tough struggle, but it had its good moments.

“One of those good moments is the recovery of this original uniform. I stand before you wearing not the Grand Pegasus Enclave’s dress uniform, but the dress uniform of the Equestrian Sky Force. They served in the great war. They were a one hundred percent sky born Pegasi military unit that changed how the war was fought. They were the foundation for the Aerial Combat Battalion, and that includes the Enclave’s Wonderbolts.

“It is an honor to stand here and wear it, because I am an Aerial Combat Battalion soldier. I always will be an ACB soldier. This uniform honors the solider I am, as well all those who came before me, and all those who serve beside me!

Shadow knew he was beaming as they cut the cameras.

“You were not kidding,” Firestorm clapped. “You didn’t need a second take or even an edit.”

“A lot will not take the opportunity,” Shadow stated. “I estimate half will decline it.”

“Why do you say that?” Cardinal Spitfire asked. “That was a rousing speech.”

“Card, think about my community. Think about your community. What my parents did in your community all those years ago strengthened the foundation of the farms themselves. The cloud layer could get ripped away and the farmers wouldn’t have felt a thing. Most of the places that lost their farms were the weaker communities. Weaker communities means weaker minds and hearts.”

“You know your parents didn’t just do that for our community, right?”

“Catch me up,” Shadow said.

“They also were tasked with a major reboot of the South Cloudsdale District after it fell apart. Along with several other Homesteads. That’s who Deke was protecting from the storm that injured him. They were totally exposed and unprepared for a storm of that magnitude. They all got to safety because of him and his quick thinking.

“That’s also where he got his Order Of The Wings from, and other high medals. I only know that from talking to him over the years. After all, he loves your family. And that was another circumstance entirely. The north-”

“Iced them over,” Shadow interrupted. “I had to break through that ice to try and etch that message in the cave wall. I almost died doing that.”

“And we learned about Kifopiga from the story you told them,” Firestorm added. “When we checked out the cave, that is how we learned the bigger details and history of it.”

“Good,” Shadow smiled. “Now, I think I just want food and bed. It’s been a stressful day.”

“Please,” Firestorm said, gesturing them towards the door. “You are doing a lot more than expected of you.”

“I am the Command Sergeant Major of Reconnaissance,” Shadow Flare replied. “When I left, that meant something. I was supposed to be the spearhead rebuilding the recon units. Giving speeches and encouraging others is what I am supposed to be doing. Dumping the medals on me was the biggest stress today.”

They were halfway through their meal when Arrow and Dipper sat down with them.

Arrow was ready to talk before she sat down. “Shadow, did you know I married Dipper?”

“I do not,” Shadow grinned. “Congratulations.”

Dipper’s smile got mischievous. “It’s been a real ride.”

“But you got to ride it,” Shadow fired back. Shadow got quiet and somber. “I have not had time to catch up, and I have been afraid to. What happened to Chocolate and Flags?”

“Flags is a Major, in Scout Command,” Arrow said. “We rarely see him. He could still be on patrol, but I expect he would have at least stopped by to see or Dipper. Chocolate went the teacher route, and he is dealing with the recruit insurrection at the main base.”

“Fun,” Shadow chuckled. “I heard they were having problems.”

Dipper shook his head. “Whole units have been locked into their barracks and they are all under heavy guard. Hot weapons at all times. General Marble Falls is trying to keep them out of the potential war, for their safety. She is their commanding officer after all. But they are a hotheaded group that joined to kill.”

“Great,” Shadow groaned as he rolled his eyes. “That is exactly what we need in the Military.”

“But they just don’t get it,” Dipper stated. “Despite Marble Falls’ best efforts, these groups just don’t get it.”

Another pony sat down at the table. It was Slice. “I forgot how much I like this food. It beats the pre-war stuff. Baltimare was only just learning to cook with the spices you got Crystal Kiss to start growing. I guess I did miss something above.”

Shadow chuckled. “How have you been?”

“Eh,” Slice shrugged. “I’ve been better. Just keeping my head down. For now. I know they will come for me. They already grill me once a day about something. But I see they decked you out.”

Shadow’s head was once again in his hoof.

“He still feels it is overboard,” Cardinal Spitfire explained, pulling Shadow in for a side hug. “They had to catch up on years of service across Equestria and beyond. But he still isn’t happy.”

Dinner finished quietly, but nicely. It was good to be among friends, even quietly. When they got back to the room, Shadow had to unpin everything from his uniform. He was hanging it up, for now. The medals would have pulled on the fabric if he hung them up together. He doubted he would need the uniform for a while.

It felt good to have Cardinal Spitfire snuggle up to him. She didn’t care about the medals. She understood. She just wanted him for who he was.