Old Wounds and New Friends

Chapters

Raven and the train
Lets go out with a bang
Skitter's totally normal everyday patrol
Next step forward
Some dreams taste terrible

Raven and the train

Author's Note

This is my first story EVER I'm excited but I'm also aware of my bad spelling/grammar. Feel free to correct me and put in any constructive criticism, just telling me I need an editor doesn't help, I already know lol. I would genuinely appreciate any critique so i can improve. I'm probably gonna make this up as I go so please forgive any minor plot holes or whatever. Also don't expect ponies for two chapters, Imma do a wee bit of world/character building. Ponies come into play chapter three.

Also I'm super busy with my shit job so I may only upload once every two weeks or so, Idk .

Raven and the train

"Wake up, Two-Twenty-Eight." a deep voice whispered, tempting me to awaken. "Brother, wake up." the voice said louder this time. Rousing in my sleep I came to the sudden realization that behind enemy lines alone..... there's not supposed to be any voices.

Eyes shooting open I struck the position I last heard the voice and made a grab for my combat knife. unfortunately for me my opponent saw this coming, my knife gone and my wrist twisted. As death in the form of a silver pistol stared me in the eyes.

"Brother I expected better of you" the man said. Now fully awake I can see my assailant. A black man adorned in an eloquent obsidian cloak smiled brightly at me. The man I knew more about than I would truly care to. Marquise Raven the eccentric noble and my mentor. Putting his pistol down he gave me his hand. taking it he lifted me up off of my cot.

I motion for him to follow me to the entrance of the cave. Grabbing my equipment and passing past several traps I wondered what I did wrong. I set a tripwire to set off a bullet alarm that would have woke me.

"Say Raven, how did you get past my alarm? The entrance to this cave is quite small and the wire should have been hidden by the shadows. So I must ask, how did you get in?" I inquired. Surely he couldn't have known about it, he wasn't even the one to show me the trap.

"Brother, you really think I would fall pray to a trap used by communist scouts? Besides, I was searching for you. I knew you were here thus all of your traps were destined to fail." he added chuckling. Which I suppose is true, after all the title of noble isn't given to just anyone. Only the emperors finest may even attempt to claim that name, and even then the price to achieve it is payed in a mountain of bodies.

Reaching the entrance of the cave the bright sun blinded me and the sands of the dessert blew harshly just outside. "Weren't you hunting spies in and around the capital, what are you doing here on the eastern front?" A noble like Marquise out here behind enemy lines. I was on assignment to uncover the activates of the communists at and around the Chicago Hives. Reports of high activity on the surface rails. These desserts are a barren wasteland so any activity at all was strange.

"Brother, I've come to come to deliver a message to you," Marquise said smirked as if daring to question him "I wanted to make sure you got it."

He, one of the nobles, the spymaster, my master, all the way out here in one of the most dangerous areas in the sector. For what? A letter? I would say I don't believe it but being one of the only few people who can confidently say I know Marquise, I have to say that this sounds exactly like him. He is practically the embodiment of chaos and unpredictability. I completely believe he could be doing something as mundane as sending a letter, or maybe he brought tea.

"So what caught your eye this time Raven? Interested in the supply train the commies are building? Or are you here to chat about your new favorite brand of tea?" I asked as I stretched my back, popping several bones. Waiting only to not revive a response. He just stood there chuckling, staring into the dessert.

If I were to use my binoculars I could see the ruinous surface city of Chicago. Nuked to the ground all those centuries ago. Supposedly a once beautiful place now rubble and ruin, with a communist hive residing underneath. "I know you get bored easily, you want to go sabotage a train?" I smirked, "Or would you rather discuss a boring old letter?"

Marquise was bellowing long before I even finished. "Ha, you know me so well, but I do not think you would say that if you knew who this letter is from" he continuing to laugh as he reached into his coat.

"Raven, do you take me fool? Knowing you, I would bet you wrote it yourself just to find the excuse to search for me." looking away from him I put my hands to my mouth and let loose the loudest whistle I could.

"Under normal circumstances you may or may not have been right. Though this is far from a normal circumstance." Marquise said also letting lose a loud whistle. "Though you have certainly swayed me. I'm totally in the mood to stop a train. We can discuss the letter tomorrow." just as he finished speaking I saw movement from the south as he finished his statement a white and brown horse trot over from a cave system just ahead. Angel and Spirit.

I couldn't help myself but to sigh, Marquise the spymaster, had a white stallion as his ride. If I hadn't seen his work first hand I would refuse to believe him to be a spy, much less the head spy. He stood out far to much. Regardless of his 'flair' he did do his work remarkably well. Having him with me would make this sabotage mission easier than a walk through the capital hives.

Our horses arrived and I fit Spirit with his saddle and Marquise followed suit. First I checked my pistol and ammunition.
I don't recall it's name, but its some 2300 model. Its not the worst there is but its prone to jamming which has bit me in the ass more than once. Its mag holds ten bullets and I have ten mags total. I should be able to get away with bringing one but I'll grab two just in case

Then there's the ammunition for my pump action shotgun. My 2055 Missouri drake that was passed down to me from my father, and to him from his father. As much as I love this gun it rarely sees the work it so deserves. Shotgun ammo is a luxury, and one I can't afford. I only have twelve shots for it but I'll make due as always.

After checking my guns for a second time I reach into my pack and fit a gas mask on to the side of Sprit to reach easily and a gas mask made special for Spirit as well. I had requisitioned it form my legions head Quartermaster. Seeing as horse masks haven't been used in so long the problem was finding a functioning one rather than there not being enough. I can practically hear my compatriot laughing at me. "The radiation died out over three centuries ago," I heard him say "why fit your horse with a mask?"

"There are skunks. They like to eat the night blooms that grow in the area." I replied as I double check my shotgun an make sure my trench shovel is safely fastened Spirit's saddle. "Skunks are a particularly nasty way to go out." The smell so potent it can be sensed from half a mile away and the toxins can kill ten full grown men. I know considering I saw it happen just three days ago.

One of the enemy hive workers was working on the underside of the engine of an armored car and none of his hive mates warned him of the approaching threat. None of the men dared to move nor did they dare make a sound. The one caught unaware let out a cry of fear as he saw the toxic rodent near him. It was already over at that point. The poor hive workers were caught in its noxious gas. The toxin has no visible effects, but I've heard field medics say it shuts down the lungs and causes swelling as well as inflammation preventing those afflicted from being able to draw breath.

The thought had crossed me to lure the foul abominations to the train but that was not only too risky but I would rather not resort to such cruel methods unless there no other option. I never found joy in the pain of others like many of my siblings. I suppose that's part of the reason I was made a scout in the first place so I guess that's alright.

"There is a cave system to the northeast, I've seen 5 guards there and I've seen the hive workers come from there. I assume that's where their factory is. If we want to stall their progress we could collapse the cave system." I stated. But then again Marquise always did behave in a flashy manner. "Or perhaps blowing up the train yourself is preferable? If that's the case then it's being built within the city outskirts on the rail lines."

Looking to my mentor for a que he stared at me with a wilding grin. "Aye, brother, let us destroy a train. I assume your legion lent you with explosives for that very purpose." He said picking up an ecstatic tone.

Simply nodding I climb atop spirit and we begin to ride into to the city outskirts. We should be safe and unseen if we head a few miles to the south. We can easily hide our horses in the suburbs on the outskirts and make our way to the train station from there. Then it's only a matter of either stealth or extreme violence... or both.

As we ride towards the city I can't help but wonder what the Chicago hives are like. I've never actually seen under the surface. Heading into an enemy hive proper is forbidden to scouts without direct orders from the brass.

Were their hives like ours? Did their breeding factories use natural birth, artificial birth or both? Did they have proper schooling for the young or are they left to fend for themselves like I've seen in the surface villages? If the filth and debauchery of the surface colonies were anything to base off of then their hives proper must be truly vile places.

I recall one during a mission in one of their surface colonies a sickly young girl was beaten and dragged away. The very thought of what they did sickens me. The men were all but skin and bones so cannibalism was a distinct positivity, I'm not sure if it's better than the other option though. The communist states never unified. that mush was obvious. those with German decent gathered with others of the same heritage. Those from Africa vehemently held their religion and would refuse to conform. Those from France held their enlightenment above the good of the nation. They simply could have murdered the girl for having the wrong parents. The communists were so vile. No law. No order. Nothing more than a group of barbarians.

In the Empire, there is no German, no African, no French or whatever other pre war countries there were. There are only Americans. Every man and women fighting for the greater good, making an active effort to better the lives of neighbors and our Imperial brothers. A rising tide lifts all boats as they say. The only 'cultural' differences within the Empire are the different sectors belief on how best to bring about what's good for the greater nation, and even then, only four of the twelve sectors even slightly conflict in their ways.

Unity. Strength. Pride. Honor. Justice. Devotion. These are the qualities that make a nation great. Pride fills me as I think of our flourishing nation. Even in the era of endless war our people are strong and without fear. Even if the enemy breaks our lines. Even if the vile barbarians kill our beloved emperor. The spirit of America will never die. The Empire is more than a place. It is an idea, and it is the people who hold it. Truly the empire is superior in every way. The degenerative filth that lives in the enemy hives are unworthy of the title human.

After mulling about in my thoughts I realized we were getting close to the outskirts. Turning back to Marquise I saw the face that was usually adorned with a stupid grin was now filled with unbridled conviction. Marquise had already put on a different face.

Those that don't know my master would say he's capable of becoming two different people. I know the truth however. When Marquise takes an assignment he doesn't just become another person, he IS another person. There is no wordplay, deception, trickery or even torture that can break him of his role.

If we do get caught we'll likely have to shoot our way out so I don't see the point, but if Master Raven thinks it's a good idea then I suppose I should too. let's see, there's a surface village to the south I've seen the hive conscript workers from. That may be to risky though.

Looking to Marquise I had to ask "Have any of your spy chapters been to Cottony Village, or have info on village conscription?"

"Spy chapters?" he asked, "Aren't you aware that Imperial fear-mongering Is illegal in all commune hives across America? If you are spreading false rumors of Imperial spies then I will have to report your actions to the local commissar." He said in what sounded like an annoyed and almost angry tone.

Oh Emperor, he's doing this again. I won't get any info out of him. Eh, I suppose I could just say I'm visiting my cousin. That usually works.

"I apologize guardsman, I won't spread false rumors any longer." I said in as sincere a voice as I could muster. Which was harder than I thought it would be.

"I'm not a guardsman you arrogant peasant, I'm THE high inspector of Washington, Phillip J. Cornwall. I've come to see the progress of our efforts on the front." He practical sneered in a convincingly pompous east coast tone. Unless the peons have actually met the high inspector before this is probably going to work. Something as important as a new supply train could turn the tide of war in their favor.

But I digress. We're finally here in the suburbs. I decide to tie Spirit to a decrepit house with at least a hint of grass surrounding it. Marquise 'or should I say' high inspector Cornwall did the same.

"I suppose this is were we part ways inspector, though I feel we will meet again soon." I muttered. I wasn't used to infiltration missions, and Raven seemed bent on playing his part. This is so exciting. As a scout I'm usually constantly on the lookout for snipers, other scouts, forgotten minefields and genetic abominations like the skunks. To finally be on the aggressions is filling me with exhilaration.

I decide to leave my Missouri drake, gas mask and shovel with spirit as they would be far to conspicuous so I opt for the pistol and a standard combat knife. Grabbing the bag of explosives I begin to trail behind Marquise. Knowing marquise, he'll make a scene allowing me to slip by relatively easily.

If any guard wants to know what's in my bag I'm going to have to kill them, but I think I should be safe from sight. Countless building line the path to the objective so with only twelve guards walking by we went unnoticed.

The lack of guards was quite unsettling. I had looked through this area just a week ago and there were over a hundred guards patrolling the streets not twelve. The walk here was far to easy. Which only served to sunken my excitement and replace it with a churning worry. As we grew closer to the station I immediately saw why there was a lack of guards. They've set up a blockade.

Fuck.

Marquise will be able to get in just fine but my half-baked alibi is worthless now. O.k. plan B. The workers should be coming from the north west in about half an hour. I'll knock one of them out, steal their badge, cover my face and pretend I'm sick so I don't have to talk. No, that's too risky. Maybe there's a weak point in their defenses. If not then I can impersonate a worker.

Seeing Marquise speak to the guard at the entrance I can't help but feel nervous. What if this guard knows what the high inspector looks like? I'm too far to hear their conversation properly though guard says something and begins to harbor a look of doubt. Grabbing my pistol I prepare to fire and run. If Marquise is caught here we will need to retreat and our mission will have failed. Even faced with failure we can always sabotage later, I don't think I could live with myself if my only real friend died.

Ready to pull the trigger at the last a moments notice I realize that the guards demeanor had suddenly shifted. Gone was the unhidden aggression and in its place was a stern resolve. A soldier standing on duty. Good, whatever Raven had just said had caused the guard to buy his ruse. Lowering my gun. I see that Raven is making it in to the compound, now all I need to do is get in and wait for his signal.

Making my way around the compound I search for a weakness in their defense or a way around it. The guards make it so I can't just pass by. So I need to look elsewhere. Backing up I noticed a manhole on the other side of the barricade, how convenient. It was likely that the tunnels were more heavily guarded than the blockade itself, but I had to try. This is likely the only way in without getting caught.

I began walking towards adjacent streets looking for a nearby mam hole and just as luck would have it. I found just what I was looking for two streets down. Luck was a cruel mistress though seeing as there were four guards there.

How am I going to get past? They've got their heads on a swivel, if they have guards here they'll have guards at every manhole. Killing them is out of the question. Cant shoot or I'll blow 'Cornwall's' cover. I need to get them away somehow. Looking at the bright side, if they have their guards covering the manholes its unlikely there also underground. I just need to get them away first.

Wait. Get them away. That's perfect. If there's one thing all men are absolutely terrified of it's a skunk. If you kill or spook them you die. The only option is to run or stand still as a stone and hope it doesn't spook. It may be a gamble but they will probably run. I mean, there was a skunk incident not even two weeks ago. The deaths are likely still on their mind.

Getting as close to the guards as cover would allow I cup my hands to my mouth and make a nickering sound as close as I could to the toxic monsters. I couldn't see the guards directly but I heard their panic. Waiting a few seconds I continue to imitate the skunks.

"John, we need to get the fuck outta here." one of the guards quivered, voice filled with terror. He must have witnessed a skunk death first hand if he is this afraid. Or has just a coward. Not that I would blame him, it is a terrifying way to go.

"Shut up, Clay!" the one I assumed to be John whispered violently.

"Have you ever seen a man die to those rodents, I'm not sticking around to suffer that." a third voice exclaimed.

Continuing to make the sounds I couldn't help but giggle. Mind manipulation is usually the work of the cult of shadows. This was a rare treat indeed. Hearing the sounds of a skunk near I couldn't help but revile in their fear to my simple deception.

Wait...… I didn't make those sounds this time.

Looking to my left I felt my heart stop. It was the very creature I was imitating. Looking down I saw the black and white messenger of death. staring dead at me with those beady black eyes. I hear the shuffling of the guards. They can obviously see the creature too. This isn't how I want to die, anything but this. Emperor damned it. I brought that fucking mask for a reason, why did I leave it with Spirit?

It felt like an eternity of me just staring at the abominable rodent. Time moved slow as molasses as if to mock me. Myself, still as a statue. The rodent suddenly looked to its right. Was it interested in the commies? Please be so. Just as I thought that it started to wattle towards them. Taking a deep breath I've been holding it for that entire time. Trying to keep my pant as quiet as possible I listen for movement. I couldnt hear the commies and the skunk was growing further.

The commies must have fled as the skunk appeared. Oh thank the emperor. Peeking my head from cover I could see that the guards were indeed gone. The skunk is still far to close for comfort. The manhole was closer though. I dint want to risk death to the black and white rat so I need to make it underground.

Seeing the rat walk just a bit further I rush for the manhole. Seeing the abomination turn around I throw caution to the wind lift the manhole and jump in. Hitting the concreate my knees gave way as I feel to my left side. Shoulder bashing against the ancient concrete the bone lets out a harrowing crack, as if the ground split in two. Searing pain forces me to scream. Biting into my cloak I repress the noise as best as possible. Why the fuck does this shitty fucking manhole go down so far? Calming myself and focusing on the fact that the pain will fade soon enough. Its not as if I'm being tortured again. The pain will go away.

After laying for a good three minutes the pain is still throbbing, begging me to stop, but I still have a mission to do. getting up I climb the ladder to the manhole I just jumped down in order to close the entrance. Its doubtful that the guards will return anytime soon, but its better safe than sorry. After checking to ensure the skunk was gone I use my right hand to close the manhole.

Descending once more I make my way in the direction of the blockade. While walking my arm screams for reprise, not being well versed in the art of medicine or a nearby allied medic the best I could do would be to make a sling with my cloak. as I fashion my makeshift sling I notice an abundancy of cobwebs. I guess they really don't have patrols down here if these webs were left unperverted. I just hope they don't have jumping spiders. They aren't dangerous or anything but they creep me the hell out. I'm not a coward but once you've experienced three or for of those little fuckers jumping on your face, you'd be wary too.

Spying my target, I begin to ascend, stopping just short of the cover. Listening closely for movement I noticed the faint beet of footsteps. Having to guess I would say there are five or six. Three for sure as boots ate easier to discern than other footwear. Unfortunately one of those boots planted itself above my head, the soul shifting the rusted metal above me.

"The perimeter seems to be secure and up to standard, Ten watchmen at the train at all times and even generators to power flood lights at dusk." An all to familiar voice exclaimed. 'High inspector Cornwall' was here. along with at least three others. "Has there been any unusual activity in the area as of late?" he must be figuring out if I've made my move. Super lucky that I'm here to listen in. Men of the empire can achieve anything when done in tandem with our brothers and sisters. if we attune to the same wavelength the odds of failure will be but a feint memory.

"Sir four guards just retuned to the station in a panic sir. We were under the impression that there was an attack, but they reviled their panic to have been caused by a skunk sir." one of the commies stated.

"Skunks? Are they common in this sector?"

"Not usually during the day, but their activity has been spiking lately. Should we equip a squad with masks to exterminate them sir?" the guard replied.

"If there has not been any suspicious activity in the area then you should divert the necessary manpower to be rid of this issue as soon as possible. In fact if the rats have been a problem you should have killed them sooner!" 'Cornwall' snarled at the communist. This is good. Not only do the Communists not suspect me, but Marquise no doubt knows where I am. Him diverting the watchmen will make my job easier.

"I will gather three solders right away Inspector" the previous voice said before walking away. There were still at least two more though. What were they doing? Why didn't they leave with the other?

"You two, You are to make sure no one goes to the area the skunk was last reported without a mask If there is to be an incident then it sure as hell wont happen on my watch" 'Cornwall' said and One set of boots and what sounded like bare feet headed in the direction I came from. "Go to the other under way entrances and alert the guard that there are skunks in the area," he said as another set of boots walked off, "and you, head to the supply room and divvy out gas masks to all those outside the barricade."

This is good. I was expecting a distraction a bit more robust, but garnering focus on the pests is both in character for an inspector and will make sneaking in easer for me.

Looking up to the manhole I cant help but wonder if that was the last of them, should I get 'Cornwall's' attention. Before I could act a boot stomped on the manhole above me and then quickly moved to the side. Yeah, he definitely had the same idea as me. Pushing my back against the wall and my feet to the ladder I use my right hand to lift the cover.

"Will you be able to complete the mission?" he asked devoid of emotion. Seems he noticed the sling given my awkward position. Giving him a quick nod I mouth ten Minutes. Nodding he begins to walk off. As much as I don't want to I remove my sling. The pain swells once more but I need the utility of my left side. I don't think I would be able to do this if not for my sectors beliefs and associated upbringing.

Looking out of the manhole and seeing no watchmen in the area I slide the cover off and exit the underway. The train station itself is a semi-open, it was likely a enclosed building at one point but it was missing a wall. Raven said there were ten guards in the station itself so if the guards are smart they will be divided into five sets of two. Creeping my way around the building I notice a break in the wall. There's a back door there. Its likely that there are two guards there so I ready my knife. Inching closer to the door I use the blades reflection to see what's around the corner only to spot... nothing? Are there truly no guards at this entrance?

Turning the corner and opening the side door ever so slightly I couldnt hear a peep. Not guards talking, nor the shifting of boots. If there were guards beyond this door they were as still as stone with a deafened breath. There is nothing worse than the absence of enemy in war. Both the possibility of an ambush and the mere fear that possibility produced could break the some of the bravest frontlines. This was normalcy for me as a scout. To observe the enemy and probe their defenses.

With the whispered step of a shadow I began to run through the halls. Reaching the first corner I turned with abandon. After giving myself ten minuets I did need to hurry. and after the Bomb goes off I'll either need to book it or fight anyways so I figure that faith in Marquise will Guide my victory. Passing three hallways without incident seems to prove my faith true. Slowing myself to a brief jog I come into view of the train.

Ok normally a lack of enemies doesn't unnerve me but this is fucking ridiculous. There was supposed to be ten guards here. What the fuck did Marquise do to draw these peoples attention? Not looking to punch a gift horse in the mouth I make my way to the train engine. I figure that would be the best place to strike. A cannon car, storage car or platted troop car would not take anywhere near as much time to rebuild as the engine I would assume. I'm no mechanic, but given that I only hear of a new train once every one or two years. seeing as I'm a scout hearing such things is my job.

My excitement peaking. Seeing such a large blow be landed against the communists before my very eyes brings me elation. like playing a game of chess just to watch the opponent lose be checked unaware. reaching the engine I enter the compartment. Due to the heavily armored hull the bomb needs to be hidden inside.

Inside the compartment there's no real place to hide the bomb I simply place it on the ground and arm the device. I requisitioned my legions bombardier to preset the explosives timer for three minutes. Not only will this allow me to complete the armament in the time I allotted Marquise, but it allows me to use the chaos to escape rather than tread the same path and risk getting caught. but for right now I need to run like my life depended on it, the bomb itself not being a large threat but the attention it will garner.

Fleeing towards the same direction I came I ready my knife in my right hand and pistol in my left. fleeing without care I notice that the halls are still empty. on my way in this was good but now it just means that any guard will be coming through the side entrance to investigate the explosion.

Breaking out of the station I notice that about forty feet from me is a contingency of at least thirty guards and hive workers all wearing gasmasks and the commissar distributing what I assume to be filters. Kicker is, they were right above my escape plan. The masks may reduce their peripheral vision but it wont reduce it enough to hide me if I stay any longer. I'm going to be questioned if not shot on sight.

Deciding that gambling with a direction or trying to hide I run to my right and crawl under an ancient loading truck. When the bombs go off it will draw all of their attention if even for just a moment. One and a half minute left and I need to come up with an escape plan stat. Just in front of me is a somewhat cluttered parking lot. this would provide some cover both visually and if things turned for the worse and it was almost a direct beeline to Spirit. Slightly to my left was what appeared to be a warehouse. Definite no, to much risk, who knows who or what's in there.

Suddenly a loud explosion draws me out of my thoughts I spring to the lot before me not even waiting to see the reaction of the guards. weaving throughout the wreckage of older times keeping in mind to try and abstain from enemy sightline. Fleeing from the compound only to see three guards ahead of me... Shit.

Drawing my knife in my right hand and pistol in my left. As the communist furthest to the right turned his head to the sound of my thundering footsteps. Lunging to him leveling my knife to his temple. It was an unfortunate decision for him to turn as this decision lead to a six inch blade burrowing into his eye. Raising the pistol I fire twice to my left. Each shot sending a sharp pain trough my broken arm. The last communist fumbling on his holster trying desperately to get his own sidearm. Leveling my gun to his head in that last second I saw true terror in his eyes, they began to gleam as if shedding a tear. Without hesitation I pull the trigger and ended the mans life.

Digging my knife out of the first mans skull I begin to run to the horses. Adrenaline fueling me, my feet fly as if unchained by the vengeful surface. Dancing through the rubble and ruined houses I hear the dreaded foe screaming in a scornful rage as if to sing the assurance of my death. The harrowing cry only pushing my broken body further past its limits.

Breaching the last of the houses standing between me and my freedom I spot my beautiful, faithful steed waiting calmly for me with my mentor atop his own aiming a 2120 Springfield at me. Slowing slightly in confusion Marquise takes aim and fires. Behind me a body drops pulling me from my stupor. I run to spirit and hop on, drawing my sidearm and ordering Spirit to flee with haste. My mentor following suit our steeds gallop away at full speed, Marquise and I laying fire upon the Ruinous city from with the vile filth then did emerge.

The enemy firing volleys of bullets at us but it was to late. We were to far and they had no horses of which to give chase on.

"And this is why you are the most respected among the emperor's scouts Twenty-Eight." Marquise boasted turning to me as we share a wilding grin. The adrenalin beginning to wearing off I started to feel wounds I didn't even know I had and my arm pleaded with me to return it to the comfort of its sling.

"Don't be so modest brother, you did all the heavy lifting." I state, fitting my arm into the makeshift sling. He does nothing but chuckle at this. The sun was beginning to set, our horses going strong with no sings of apparent exhaustion. Slowing Spirit to a trot I begin to turn south. "Come brother, Its best we change direction as to throw off any who wish to chase us. we must find camp and finally discus that silly letter you brought."

Smiling the man reaches into his jacket and pulls out the parchment in question. I reach for the letter with my good hand and use my teeth tp rip it open. Giving the letter a quick glance I couldnt believe my own eyes.

"Marquise?" I asked with a sigh. "Is this a fucking joke?"

Lets go out with a bang

It had been almost a whole week since I had read the letter received from my mentor. I still hadn't believed it. A mission so important that the Emperor himself had to authorize the change of command from the thirty first legion to my mentor. To top it all off, he won't even tell me what the mission is. Says it will be a surprise and he'll tell me when we meet the others.

Apparently he sent his underlings for a scholar at the Cult of Self who was studying under the hopes to enter the Order Mech's pre-war R&D team, as well as some big shot from the Honor Blades.

At least they should be there already, and we're close enough as is. I hope the others are alright. We are behind enemy lines after all. The Emperor damned rendezvous point is almost at the state line of Pennsylvania.

The trip has been slow and quite for the most part. I needed to part with Spirit and Marquise more than a few times to scope out enemy patrols. It was tiresome at times but I loved exploring and visit in new places. Excitement builds as I realize this it the furthest I've ever been home and we're behind enemy lines on top of that. What a spectacular wanderlust.

Reaching our rendezvous point I saw a puller of smoke and I felt my heart sink. Great. These guys were supposed to keep a low profile and they have a fire going for all to see. Well if we're caught the honor blade should be able to fight our way out for us. Looking over to Raven I see that he has no look of worry or doubt on his face so I should just trust his judgement.

Shortly after entering the forest we come across a group of four sitting around a fire cooking something in a pan. These four are easily distinguishable. The two with vailed faces that noticed us immediately were Ravens goons, the skinny child staring into a book was from the cult of self and the last one was quite odd. A female who looks to be about my age sits on her knees, polishing a blade.

Don't get me wrong, it's obvious that she's from the honor blades what with her wearing their signature kinetic absorption fiber below her breastplate. The problem is that I was under the impression that the blades disallowed women within their ranks. She must either must be the daughter of one of the warlords or a incredibly skilled fighter. Given that Raven sent for her it's likely the latter.

The bookworm looked as if he were no older than twelve, as young as I was when Raven sent me on my first mission. As annoying as the Cult of Self is, this kid must be some sort of prodigy. He was wearing a blue cloak typical of imperial scholars. It's likely that he was to prideful of his education to wear something more practical. Not that pride is a bad thing, but one should always be willing to swallow it for the sake of the Empire.

Then there was the Blade. She was fair skinned and had long black hair that was tied into the ponytail which was fairly common amongst her order. Adorned like one of the knights of ancient humanity.

Before the other two noticed our presence Raven cleared his throat and spoke allowed.

"I see you've all made it safely. I presume you await our mission with great anticipation, but I would like for us all to introduce ourselves first." He said then looking directly at me. I guess I'm first then.

"Greetings, I am Two-Twenty-Eight D of Sector Three. Born to the Cult of Sacrifice, I am the First scout of the thirty first legion and the personal student of the Nobleman Marquise Raven" I said in as neutral of a tone as could be mustered.

Looking at my new squad mates I see that the woman looks somewhat confused, the bookworm glared with barely hidden disgust and the shadows had expressionless faces as per usual. The bookworms reaction I expected. Our cults are basically polar opposites in ideology, but I expected the blade to have a much more positive reaction considering the close bonds our groups share.

Either the reactions went unnoticed by my mentor or he just didn't care as he signaled the bookworm to go next.

Standing up the lanky blonde cleared his throat and raised his glasses to once more level with his eyes. "I am Evan McClain the second. Son of the famous mechanic Evan McClain and Professor Mallory. I am the top of my class at the Phillips School for all things pre-war and the one responsible for the McClain theory of Mechanics," Standing there he had boasted with an aura of smugness suffocating the air around him. "And before you ask Nobleman, yes I did bring the device you requested." I swear, if his ego got any larger it would collapse on its own weight.

Evan finishing his introduction we all look towards the blade. A slight look of discomfort builds on her face telling me that she must not be a vocal person. That's just fine whit me. I have a feeling we will get more than enough talking from Raven and McClain.

Clearing her throat she began in a rather rough but still distinctly womanly voice for a female. "Greetings I am Ella Banes, daughter of Edward Banes and Victor of the two hundred and tenth Malki tournament. It is a pleasure to meat you all."

At that I felt my heart jump. Not only was she the daughter of a blade lord but a victor of the tournament. I'm one of if not the best scout in the entire empire and I only managed to rank twentieth out of one hundred and fifty. Becoming the victor of the tournament grants any man a token of the emperor so winning is a huge deal. Yeah I didn't stick around until the end of that tournament but how in the hell have I not heard of her before?

Looking at the women I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. I've done some impressive thing with my legion but even lesser lords fight in those tournaments. It was a lord that kicked me out of the running in the first place, so she must have beat him as well.

"I am N" "And I am K" Stated the spies one after another. I didn't even catch which one was which, I think N was the one on the left. Raven truly picks the oddest allies. I suppose that applies to me too though.

"Now that we're all acquainted, let's go over the mission details one more time." Raven stated. Which is annoying because he never told me anything in the fist place. "In an underground research facility ahead is a nuclear test site. We are going to infiltrate the site and detonate their bombs."

I couldn't believe what I just heard. The enemy was developing world ender bombs? And we were heading to stop them? Even sector three would not authorize this mission. This isn't a heroic sacrifice this is a group suicide.

"Twenty-Eight. You'll be the vanguard, deciding how best to break through the enemy guard and take the safest path to the inner facility. N will kill those stationed at the comms room so there is no reason to worry about a coordinated enemy." He said as if it weren't bat shit insane. A single man vanguard? If only I had half the confidence in myself as Raven apparently had in me.

"Ella you will be guarding Evan to the bombs. Once there Evan will set the explosives to detonate and we'll book it the hell out of there." He continued. Looking over to the others, they were just nodding along as if they weren't being sent to their deaths. Was there something I'm missing?

"Remember. Once your objective is completed you are to immediately retreat. Any questions?"

Well, that made more sense. We're being used as a spearhead, not an 'actual' fighting force. Using the term lightly.

"Just how many enemy's should we expect? From the sounds of it we'll be heading strait into a fortress." I prod. I usually trust Raven but this just seems a tad to much. "Also I'm not a historian or a scientist but I thought nuclear weapons were supposed to have a large blast radius. How will we escape the blast zone?"

To this the child scholar scoffed. "I was under the impression that your kind loved suicide missions."

That little nuisance. Just because my family puts the needs of the wider Empire above ourselves doesn't make us all suicidal fanatics.... Only a small fraction of our numbers are suicidal fanatics.

Before I could tell the little brat off my mentor interrupted "This will not be a suicide mission Twenty-Eight. The enemy has placed a false confidence in their distance from the front lines. Their will be no more guards than there was at the train station."

Well, that's reassuring. But it still doesn't answer the second question.

"And what of the blast radius? If this is not a suicide mission then how are we to avoid it while still detonating the bomb?"

To this the brat pipes up with his chest puffed out in pride. "That would be thanks to my ingenious designs. I have a device that will pick up radio transmissions from me and will only activate when I am far enough away for this specific frequency to stop transmitting to the device. Which should leave us ten miles outside of the blast radius."

The brat surely is proud of himself for this one but it seems he didn't think it all the way through.

"Oh? And how pray tell will this device stay hidden long enough for us to get out of the splash zone? We aren't exactly sneaking in." I prod. If I'm going to do a recklessly stupid mission it should at least have a good chance of succeeding.

"Ah and that is where my true brilliance comes into play," the child boasted "I have two other devices on me. One will disrupt their terminals making it more difficult to discover as well as a decoy device that will transmit a second signal to hide the first and it's purpose is to draw attention away from my real magnum opus."

I must say, his confidence in himself is inspiring to say the least.

Turning to Raven I had to ask "And why is it we aren't sneaking in? Surely it would be more effective." He was the type to put himself I'm harms way. I think he is addicted to the danger, but even this is a bit much for him.

He gave me his trademark smile as if I had asked exactly what he wanted me too. Honestly it was kind of posing me off. I'd like to think that I'm tolerant of his behaviors but the spymaster telling me to go on a blitz seek and destroy mission when stealth is an option is absurd.

"We had already tried seven months ago. There are cameras and motion sensors all over the facility. Stealth simply isn't an option."

Oh, well that makes more sense.

"That's all the questions I have. If no one else needs anything then I'd like to get this over with quickly." I said with nerves already beginning do erode my resolve.

"Are you ok to go on this mission with your arm, if not I can take your role and you can wait outside with a rife to cover our retreat in K's place" Raven said with what almost sounded like genuine concern.

He should know me better. "Dr. Mihir, will no doubt give me an ear full but I'll be fine. Just a bit of shock and awe right?" The answer seemed to satisfy Raven as he looked to the others.

"Let's get this show on the road." With that I grab my drake and pistol. They will no doubt come in to play but I'll use my combat knife to handle any guard caught on their lonesome. We may have someone to kill the cameras but the guards still have ears.

Looking over to the other two I saw Ella sheathed her sword and drew a rather nice looking revolver out, and the child was fiddling with his devices. He then grabbed an ear piece and put it in, handing one to the girl and tossing one to the rest of us. Nice, that will make my job easier.

Leaving our horses we began to walk towards an open cave. It wasn't uncommon for simple cave entrances to delve deeper into a greater facility. But if this was an important test site then this was likely a forgotten back door. As the vanguard and resident scout I get to go first. How exciting.

"When you get in, let your eyes adjust first. No flashlights, no lighters."

Stepping into the cave I walk until the outside light is nothing more than a soft glow. My eyes adjusting it's clear to see there has been humans hands in the making of this cavern. The ceiling a comfortable five feet taller than my head and a width enough for four people to walk side to side. This continued for at least three miles on a steady decline.

After walking for about twenty minutes the cavern starts to end and a human sized rectangle appears. A door. Perfect.

Reaching the door I jiggle the handle to see of its locked. And just my luck it is. Well, there's always the tried and true sector three method of death in with locked doors. Rearing back I lift my foot and drive it into the door as hard and as close to the lock as I can.

With that the door busts open and the lock flies off behind me. Easy. Looking inside it was rather a stark contrast from the cave without. The end of the cavern leading into a relatively clean facility. Standing still and focusing on the sounds around me the echo of my destruction fading into nothing. There are no thumping of boots nor the pitter patter of bare foot on tile.

Not trusting in the lack of a guard or two I continue to wait. There has to be something there. A minute passes and I hear my allies coming up behind me. Raising my arm I signal go them to stop. Despite any looks of protest they may give I continue to wait.

They say patience is always rewarded and rewarded I was, as the ever so firing shuffling of cloths made themselves known at the second corridor to the right. I knew there was someone there. And they had been ever so patient. Unfortunately for them, mine was more so.

Reaching my knife I silently signal that there is a guard ahead and to let me take point. Pulling my boots off I prepare to make a silent dash down the hall. We will be discovered soon enough, but I intend to make sure it doesn't happen just yet. Soaring down the hall I ensure my footsteps are as quite as possible but as I reach the halfway point between the first and second corridor the guard appears to finally notice the sound.

As the man turned the corner a noticeable look of shock adorned his face. Perhaps he thought his ill planned ambush would work? I don't know, but he was obviously caught of guard as there was no issue for me to close the distance before he even had his gun properly aimed at me. Plunging my knife into him a new scarlet smile was born onto the side of his throat and the first of many obstacles was dealt with.

Looking down on the corpse as it desperately trying to cling to its fleeting life I spot something rather peculiar. Flashbangs. Due to the semi-rare nature of the device the only ones I've ever used are the ones that I 'borrowed' from the enemies. This will come in handy.

Before I can head down the hallway a spy appears behind me. He points towards himself then in the direction of the hallway the corpse came from. The comms room must be that way. Nodding to him I head down the left corridor instead. In most facilities the communications room was separate from the rest of the important rooms. Being isolated made it less likely for uninformed attackers to find it. Lucky for me Raven already probed the place.

"Second hallway on the left, hold at the intersection and await further instructions." I spoke allowed to the piece of machinery in my ear. Ella and Evan needed to be close, but out of the way.

"Copy," came the curt response.

I've always hated earpieces, while it did allow me easy communication it took away from my main tools as a scout. As Useful as eyesight is, sometimes having your ears open is better than mere eyesight. Eyesight doesn't tell you when someone is rounding a corner nor when something unsavory is prowling behind you. The mission called for communications I guess. Though I don't truly understand why. Once this devolves into two sided bloodshed it will no longer be needed. The little brat was probably just trying to optimize his chance of survival, not that I could truly fault that.

Continuing down the hallway my still bare feet gave off a melodic patter. After passing the fifth hallway the thumping melody was interrupted by the clicking of what I assume to be dress shoes coming from the right hall just ahead. Coming to a stop just a few paces from the corner I grew excited. Dress shoes mean that this was likely a scientist. There's a good chance he can just tell me where I need to go.

Giving a silent thanks to the mistress of luck I await my oblivious prey. As the sound was rounding the corner I lunged, seeing my prey I forced my hand over their mouth and placed the edge of my blade to their neck. The one I snagged was cute blonde woman wearing glasses and donning a white lab coat.

Behind the woman's glasses her blue eyes became pinpricks as an aura of pure terror suffocated the area around her. She began to struggle in shear panic only stopping when I push the knife closer to her neck.

"Hello. I assume you know why I'm here right?"

At this the woman began to nod as vigorously as my grasp would allow for. The woman looked at me as if all the evil in the world has manifested into a physical form and was standing before her. An overreaction if you ask me, but it's an overreaction that works in my favor.

"This can go one of two ways. Either you tell me exactly what I want to know or I torcher you to death. And considering I'm an escapee from Hades prison camp I know my fair share of methods."

As soon as those words left my mouth the fear radiating from the girl amplified. Tears began to well in her eyes. A great sinking feeling made itself known in my stomach. I hated doing this. Seeing others afraid and in pain made me feel terrible. Of course I couldn't show this on my face. As distasteful as I found it, I needed her to be afraid of me.

"I'm going to let go now, and once I do you are going to calmly and quietly tell me what I want to know. Do you understand?"

She began to nod once more still afraid, but slower and more calm this time. Slowly moving my hand I instead push my hand to her chest, pressing her into the wall so she doesn't get any bright ideas.

For a few seconds there was nothing. No screaming, no information, nothing other than the two of us staring into each other. After a few seconds go by she began to speak.

"ThelabsareinthedetectionIjustcamefromhreehallwaysdownandtotherightthebombsarejusttwohallwaysdownfromthatandthereareabouttwentytgaurdtherepleasedon'tkillme." The girl babbled tears beginning to stream down her face.

As I looked at her the sinking feeling began to leave and was immediately replaced with anger. Yes, this was the expected outcome, but this woman had betrayed her nation. She offered the lives of untold numbers just to spare herself from pain. I have suffered hell and back just to preserve the locations of allied encampments, yet this coward would willingly surrender her friends for a petty desire to go unharmed. I hated causing unneeded pain, but in this moment I wanted this woman to suffer.

Suppressing my intense hatred for this craven coward I spin her around and put my arm around her throat and begin to suffocate her. She struggled against me with all her might, but compared to mine there wasn't much of a challenge. As much as I wanted to kill her, the live capture of a nuclear scientist would probably be much more appreciated by the higher ups. Slowly but surely the struggling slowed as the consensus faded from her.

"Five hallways down. Meet up with me, I have a live capture and there are twenty guard ahead. I'll need backup."

"Two-Twenty-Eight I didn't authorize any captures. Did this one catch your eye?" My mentor replied to me in a somewhat mocking tone. Wait? Was he on cams? How in the emperor's name did he know?

"Very funny, the opportunity merely presented itself so I took it. I figured the capture of the egg head would make me look good." I said in a tone that probably sounded a little to defensive. "Besides I never took you to be the type to punch a gift horse in the mouth."

"You know, I thought that the blood raven and the immoral scout of the thirty first would be a bit more professional." A feminine voice cut in. It was also strange. I've heard the nickname blood raven before, but immortal scout? Nor only is that a stupid nickname but I don't even know where it came from. It must be tall tells from a legion wide game of telephone. It's not entirely uncommon for such things to happen.

Just as I was about to ask them to hurry up I heard metal clanking on tiled floor. There the were. The woman was covered head to toe in strengthened steel and the boy was running along trying to keep pace. The boy will need to keep behind a pace since he's the VIP, the capture can be abandoned or killed if need be.

"Follow my lead, when we get to the labs Evan, you will hide behind a corner with the hostage and I'll use this flashbang to disorient the enemy's then pick a few of them off with my drake. After that Ella you can clean the rest" I said to the two of them Evan catching his breath and Ella simply nodding.

After receiving confirmation from the both of them I lift the unconscious woman over my shoulder. The sudden weight sought to remind me that, yes, my shoulder was still broken. Leading the two in the directions I was given I decide to stop two halls ahead.

"The labs should be just ahead and to the right. Let me go first, don't move in until you hear gunshots." I tell tell Ella as I lay the captive on the ground. "Egghead, once the deed is done, I'll come get you and the prisoner, don't move." With that said and done I begin to walk towards the lab, making sure my footing is silent.

Reaching the second hallway, drake in hand I listen for movement. There was an ever so slight shuffling of clothes. The sound so minute that I could tell this was a guard. There were likely more standing still as an ever vigilant statue. Pulling out the flashbang I scavenged earlier I pull the pin and toss it around the corner.

With that a storm of boots and voices went into a panicked frenzy and I knew where they all were. With the sight of sound I foresaw two grunts coming to round the corner right before the white light blinded the rest with is deafening cousin following immediately after. Knowing that two were coming my way I crouch and level my drake to where their chests should be.

Seconds later the two rounded the corner, one firing just above my head and the other trying to get sight of me. Aiming first for the one who was actively looking for me I pull the trigger and a scornful light landed itself in his chest painting a revolting portrait of red onto the wall behind him. Immediately following I fire upon the second soldier.
In an instant the most competent of my foes were slain.

Rounding the corner with my gun drawn I spot the rest of my opponents and immediately throw myself behind cover once more as a hell storm of weapons fire upon me. Something hit me in the leg before I could get to cover and I fell rather hard. Seems the device wasn't quite as effective as I had hoped. For a moment I thought I had died until I heard metal clank against tile once more.

Watching the blade girl charge the enemy headlong sent a bout of inspiration through me and I stood once more biting back the pain. Looking around the corner what made itself immediately apparent was that she had slew eight of the poor bastards and was on her way to the ninth and tenth. Aiming my gun I fire at one of the men aiming at my ally.

After firing I heard a blood curtailing scream as the man dropped his gun and fell to the floor covering his face with red hands. Well, I guess the shot didn't fully connect and he was unfortunate enough to catch just enough pellets to not kill him. Hearing the man cry out in pain I considered shooting him once more to kill him but that thought was quickly cut short by a bullet hitting my lower left arm. Quickly making my way back behind cover I realize that there's to many of them in this condensed area, I can't really do anything.

After waiting for a few moments I had realized that all of the gunfire stopped. Peering around the corner the hall was painted with corpses and the girl was adorned a new set of sickeningly red armor.

"You alright?" I asked.

"How about yourself?" She asked in return. He bloodied armor giving off an eerie glow underneath the illuminated lights of the facility. Rather than give an answer I nod and begin to limp back to the kid. Without even turning around I hear the little fuck.

"Is it safe to move up yet?" He asked. This kid. I told him to stay put, and what does he do? He walks straight towards all the gunfire. I suppose it doesn't matter.

"Where's the girl?" I asked in a demanding tone.

The child seemed to pale at this question as if he completely forgot about her existence. He even gave me a look of fear as if I was going to strike him for disobedience. I may find the kid obnoxious due to his general upbringing but I wouldn't wish ill upon him. He did remind me of myself when I was young after all. Always so eager to prove myself to the adults, doing stupid and chaotic things in the whimsical hopes of growing up sooner.

"Relax, I'm not gonna gut you because you lost a prisoner. It doesn't really matter, taking the prisoner was just a side benefit, not the main objective. Let's just move on to the bombs." With that said the boy visibly relaxed. It was kind of cute, what little restraint he had over his emotions. I could tell he was trying his best to be brave, it was adorable how hard he was trying.

Limping down the hall making sure to check my ammunition before the next engagement I realize that I only have nine shots left for my drake and only two magazines for my side arm. The pain screaming at me, blood flowing down my leg and the numbness in my arm made it all to apparent that I wasn't going to make it out of here alive.

Making our way to the bombs the boy makes a dash for the device getting straight to work. Leaning on a wall to support myself I take aim my drake down the hall. The guards shouldn't know we're here but it was better safe than sorry.

"It's done, now we just need to get out of here." The excitement in they young boys voice was clear as day. His first big mission. One that would likely go down in history and possibly finish this eternal war and he succeeded with little issue. The kid was breaming with pride. That will only make this next part harder.

"You two are going without me." I tell them. The looks I received was terrible. I couldn't tell what Ella was thinking what with her helmet and all but the kid looked mad. It was like I took his favorite book and burned it in front of him.

"YOU DANN CULTIST!" The child wailed "Always looking to sacrifice yourselves, and not thinking of how it affects others."
He looked as if I had betrayed him. Like we knew each other for more than just a day. Obviously this kid knew someone else from my sector. Best guess is that one of his friends died or something. Child mortalities weren't entirely uncommon in sector three.

"Grow up. I chastised him, "Look at me kid. I cant even stand properly. How do you expect me to escape?" I could see his anger shift as he tried to maintain it. He did as children do. In his heart he knew he was wrong but his mind refused to accept it. This kid would hate me to my dying breath and likely beyond that.

"I will stand guard here as you two escape." I lied. Truth is, I could already hear the siren calls of sleep beckoning me and my body grew colder by the second. I've lost to much blood and I don't have much longer. But the kid didn't need to know that. Even if he's technically enlisted he should be spared whatever can be spared.

Ella looked at me and nodded grabbing the red faced kid by the hand and forcing him out of the room. With the two of them gone I limp my way over to one of the bombs and lay my back onto it holding my gun as steadily as is possible.

I fought my own death as valiantly as possible trying to stay awake to the end. As the seconds went by both my arms and eyelids grew heavy and ever harder to force them up. Seconds began to feel like hours in this struggle against death. As my breath weakened and my body won the fight against my mind my eyes began to close and I thought of all I've done in this life.

Growing up in the breeding factories and the stories my adoptive clutch mother would tell us. My first brush with death at the claws of a mole bear. When I first enlisted into the army and when Marquise first discovered my talent and took me as a disciple.

The good and the bad all flashed before me as death came to claim my soul. As my eyes began to close for the final time a small electric hum made itself known and the world was devoured by a brilliant light.

Skitter's totally normal everyday patrol

It was yet another drab and dreary day around the badlands that the hive resided in. The dessert seemingly devoid of life. That is with the exception of the constant buzz of a single changlings wings. Skitter flew throughout the badlands keeping her eyes out for anypony who was found themselves to close to her hive.

She always thought patrols were so boring and hatred doing them. Not like anything ever goes to the badlands anyways. Not that she would ever defy Queen Chrysalis. No changeling would ever defy their Queens. Mostly because she was their mother but that's not important.

Skitter began to hum to herself as she buzzed along through the barren lands entertaining herself by looking for patters amoungst the occasional cloud that blew in from the Equestrian border. She thought this would be another boring routine patrol as it was every other time she was sent to do so. That is, until she noticed a baby blue speck near the horizon within the seemingly endless see of dead brown.

A blue speck in the badlands? It could be a pony. Even if it isn't a pony checking it out would break this mind-numbing monotony the changeling thought to herself.

Flying closer to the blue blob she could tell that it was definitely a pony lying down. What's more is that their was a second pony but she just couldn't tell because it was also brown. Getting a good look at the two she froze in disbelief.

Both of the ponies were alicorns. Shaking her head in disbelief Skitter checked again and then once more. They definitely had wings and horns.

Not only were their only supposed to be three alicorns but they were supposed to be in Equestria. The fact that their are two alicorns spelt doom for the changling hive. Beginning to panic Skitter did the only thing she could think of and spat adhesive gel onto the hooves of the two alicorns.

After a minute had passed and the gel hardened Skitter began to calm down. She walked closer two the ponies to look at then in better detail. The brown one was a full grown stallion with terrible scars adorning his entire body and the blue one was a colt without any such markings. She couldn't guess the age of the two given the longevity of alicorns, but they were lacking the ethereal manes and tails that the princesses had. Another apparent detail is that both of them were lacking cutie marks.

Skitter thought she was having hunger induced hallucinations before but this sold it. It wasn't possible for a full grown stallion to be without a cutie mark. But at the same time, she could taste the latent emotions potruding from them. She began to worry. If she went back to the hive and told them about these two she would be punished for lying and causing panic in the hive yet if she didn't tell them and it was discovered that two alicorns escaped... oh she didn't even want to think about what mother would do.

Looking at the two of them she noticed that they were already asleep. It wouldn't be hard to give them a quick little nip with her venom. Changeling venom was used to put their prey to sleep after all. A quick nip and it'd practically be guaranteed that they stay asleep for the trip back to the hive. But then again these were alicorns.

After debating with herself she decided that it was worth possibly angering two alicorns to avoid the wrath of her mother. She thought that mother may even praise her. That was a truly rare prize within the hive.

Leaning down she reached for the brown stallions neck and bit down, activating her venom glands. After that she reached for the colt and repeated the process being careful not to inject to much into the little one.

After poking the older stallion in the barrel a few times Skitter was confident that the two were out for the count and lift the two of them in her telekinetic field. Normally it would be difficult to fly and levitate something at the same time but with both of her hearts pumping the changeling didn't feel a thing. With all her might she flew towards the hive.

After five or so minutes of flying Skitter noticed Aqua Rune, one of her sisters. Aqua was kind of weird, she preferred her pony name but Skitter was glad to see her none the less.

"Aqua, check out what I found!" She exclaimed landing and subsequently dropping the two stallions on the ground.

For a moment Aqua just stood there. Shocked at the revelation of the two alicorns. Looking to Skitter then back to the stallions.

"Skitter," She said in a questioning tone "WHAT THE BUCK DID YOU DO!?!?!"

Skitter flinched at the outburst ears folding back. It wasn't like she did anything wrong though. She just found the two of them in the badlands.

"Skitter, pony-napping two alicorns is the worst thing you could have done. Not only are the Equestrians going to look for them but now the invasion plan will be botched!" Aqua chastised the mare before her.

"I just found them out in the badlands, they were even already asleep when I found them." Skitter retorted. She wouldn't let herself be blamed for something she didn't do.

She was just about to break or toward with all of the sudden. A moan was heard behind her, Skitter and Aqua both jumped in fear. The Alicorns were waking up.

"Skitter, you hold them off I'm going to get mother." Aqua whispered as she took off towards the hive. Wait. Aqua really just left her to deal with these alicorns alone?

"What do you think your doing! Wait for me!" Skitter yelled out as her body begging for her to flee. She knew that she couldn't just let these alicorns roam free. Thinking quickly she channeled her magic and assumed the form of a teal Pegasus mare.

"Either tone it down or kill me already miss interrogator." The stallion moaned. K-k-k-kill?? The alicorns asked her to kill him? What kind of morbid pony is this? Skitter began to panic. Even with her experience as a infiltrator, she had no idea how to respond to that.

"I didn't come to kill you mister." She stated dumbly not knowing how else to respond. "And my name isn't interrogator, it's Mountain Breeze." It may not be the best cover but she thought it was pretty decent for one that was throw up in an instant.

The stallion began to open his eyes and face his ears towards her though she didn't see his tail move. Looking over to the colt she could still see that he was out cold. The stallion began to look at her with a perturbed confusion.

"If you're going to lie, at least make it a good lie miss interrogator." The stallion said in a bored tone. "You pumped me full of hallucinogenic drugs, Why would you do that if you weren't an interrogator. Oh, and you should know, I've escaped the pits of Hades without speaking the word, so if you intend to torture me you could use the most advanced methods you can think of and none of it will work."

It was at this point that Skitter came to the realization that the stallion must be insane. He was so confident in the nonsense that he was spouting. She didn't even know what torture was. However this alicorns babble only raised more questions? Was it possible for alicorns to go insane? Where had they even coming from and what in Tartarus a Hades was?

"I think you must be confused. I just found you two asleep in the badlands." She replied truthfully, she could actually taste his confusion. It wasn't an emotion she particularly liked, it was to sour. Even if he was insane he did seem to have a knack to spot a lie so she figured half-truths would have to do. All she had to do was wait until the queen arrived after all.

"Why don't we wait here while you gather your bearings? " she asked. It probably wouldn't leave possible for her to face an alicorn on her own. Convincing him to stay of his own volition would be infinitely easier.

The stallion lifted himself from the ground and stared at her with a great intensity. She almost buckled under the pressure she'd never seen a pony who is so utterly intense. It was as if the queen herself was staring into her soul with a disapproving gaze.

"You didn't drug me did you?" The stallion asked. Well, skitter did inject him with venom but it wasn't a hallucinogenic so he didn't need to know that. The bit mark was probably still numb so he shouldn't know.

"No I didn't" Skitter said trying to give herself confidence. This was the strangest situation she's ever dealt with. It was like Discord orchestrated this encounter just to laugh at her.

The stallion stared at her once more as an uneasy feeling shook down to her spine. The feeling immediately lifted once she heard a loud buzzing behind her. There in the distance was Queen Chrysalis and her personal guard. Now she didn't have to worry about the strange stallion.

"So, who are you really? If you're not an interrogator and you're not 'Mountain Breeze'." He said making sure say her fake name in a superfluous tone. Skitter figured her disguise isn't necessary anymore with the Queen growing close and the stallion not even buying the disguise in the first place. So she simply dropped it. She was so excited to see the the look of shock and fear that would adorn the stallions face.

Green flames licked over her body as her true form showed. Looking at the stallion she grew irritated. He hadn't even flinched. Even if he was an alicorn he was still a prey species, he should have been just a little shocked.

"Skitter I'll take care of this from here." She heard the regal voice of her mother say behind her. Chrysalis had appeared from behind her and stood face to face with the alicorn. Even with mother herself in his face, he didn't flinch. This stallion is ether incredibly brave or very stupid, maybe both.

"I know a great many things... but the existence of two alicorn stallions is not one of them." Mother said as she began to circle the stallion, her words smooth and seductive while her actions were predatory. "Tell me, just who are you?"

Skitter felt the intensity of her mother clashing with that of the stallion. Surely the weak prey will bend to the might of her mother. Mother wouldn't have planed an attack on Canterlot if she didn't know we could win. The stallion stands no chance.

"Why should I tell you?" The stallion prodded and Skitter's jaw dropped. He just defied Chrysalis. Nopony has ever defied mother. Stopping in front of him Chrysalis obviously wasn't to happy at the response but mother, being the expert she is, kept herself calm. She would win in the end after all.

"How about we play a game instead?" the stallion asked. "A simple game used to train interrogators." Skitter then remembered what the stallion said about interrogators, does this game have something to do with torture? I'm fine with the stallion bring up a game now of all times? Isn't he worried about our Queen?

"It's a game of questions and the rules are simple. You ask me a question that I will answer honestly then I will ask you a question that you will answer honestly." The stallion said.

"That doesn't sound much like a game, and I don't see how it would teach somepony how to interrogate another." Mother said in a somewhat smug tone. Trying to prod the alicorn.

"You'd be right if that were it. But what makes it a game is how it ends." The stallion offered in an eerily cool and collected tone. "When one person runs out of questions the game is over, regardless of how many more the other has left."

"Very well, then I will go first." Mother exclaimed and already skitter was impressed. Had mother asked who was going to go first she would have sacrificed her first turn. It seemed the stallion noticed that too as he began to smile.

"All right then, ask away."

"I'll start off simple, what are your names?" Mother asked. Skitter thought it was odd for mother to ask such a simple question when they didn't know how many the pony would ask in return.

"My name is Two-Twenty-Eight-D though you may call me Twenty-Eight or just Eight. And I can't say for certain what the Colts name is."

"Wait!" Skitter interjected furiously "I thought you said you would answer truthfully but that name sounds made up." She couldn't believe him. He said part of the game was answering truthfully and he starts of with a lie. Looking to mother Skitter could tell she had said what mother wanted as a slight look of anger showed.

"There was no lie. The name given to me at birth was Two-Twenty-Eight-D and while I have an idea of who the colt is I don't know for sure, besides, I don't think you're one to talk Mountain Breeze."

Eight didn't seem like he was lying but that little remark of his only brought more questions. How is it he arrived in the badlands with the colt without knowing who the colt was? Just where had he come from and what kind of parent names their foal like that? Was he trying to get mother to ask more questions? This game was more interesting than Skitter initially realized.

"Now for my question. Where are we?" He asked.

"We are in the badlands which border Equestria." Mother quickly replied. "What is the origin of your name?

Why is mother hung up on the name nd why waste a question on it Skitter thought to herself. This game was about getting as many important answers as you can in as few questions so mother must have a good reason for using two on one answer.

"Do you want the full history or the abridged?" He asked in return.

"Full."

"Well in that case it started about four hundred and seventy some odd years ago. My nation went through as is still embroiled in civil war. The first Emperor launched a nuclear strike against our foes and forced all of mankind underground. We were prepared while our enemies weren't. Quickly we pushed the enemy back and forced them into a corner. Our ancestors were certain in their victory until they noticed that rather than the ratios of fighters being one to one it slowly shifted into two to one, then three to one and so on." The stallion monologed.

Skitter immediately regretted doubting her mother as this one question led to a stockpile of answers. One of the most obvious being that he clearly wasn't from here and that he isn't royalty seeing as he serves an emperor. But something really doesn't add up. If there was war anywhere on the Equis, her queen should have known about it.

"The Empire knew we would face defeat if things continued on so they withdrew to defensive positions and created the breeding factories. Where sector three was then placed. Millions of children were born, both through artificial and natural means. Because these children were born to be foot soldiers there were no need for names and thus they were given numbers. This went out of style almost a hundred years ago but my mother is a traditionalist." The stallion finished.

The thought of war made Skitter uneasy. Yes their Queen was planning an invasion, but they were going to take the ponies alive and relatively unharmed. If there were so many born that they couldn't be given proper names it horrified her to think how many had died. It seemed the rest of the changelings understood that as well because a aura of unease permeated through the area. Even mother seemed unsettled.

"That was rather much for a simple question." Mother said with a slight tremble. Skitter couldn't blame her, their was a churning feeling still in her stomach.

"It was how you asked the question, you asked the origin. Had you just asked why it was weird I would have just said it was tradition." Twenty-Eight said.

"Now for my question. What do you plan to do with me?"

Mother smiled at that. "I was going to use you as a hostage but I feel you will be much more useful then that. I want you to help me conquer Equestria and we can rule together. With your experience and my cunning it should be easy."

Well, he's a soldier and his country had supposedly been at war for over five hundred years. It makes sense why mother would want to recruit him rather than just using him as food. Even then he's a pony though, there's no way he would want to attack other ponies.

"I suppose that depends on you casus belli. Why are you going to war?"

Skitter couldn't help but facehoof. If Twenty-Eight was this weird then she almost wished the colt didn't wake up.

"We changelings are emavores. He filled out the emotions of others, and once we have invaded Equestria my children will starve no longer. And because you are an alicorn you can take the place of those foalish princesses and keep the ponies placated."

"No, that's stupid." Twenty-Eight curtly responded. Mother began to breath heavily clearly enraged.

"Don't get me wrong, the survival of your people is important and I get that, though in my opinion it seems like a more tactful solution would suit your kind. After all, and Invasion will only breed hatred and fear for you and I can't imagine those would be very tasteful."

He was right Skitter thought. Well she's never tasted the ponies hatred because they're generally kind, fear tastes gross and doesn't fill you up very much.

"Then how do you propose we deal with it?" Chrysalis asked.

"Diplomacy and propaganda duh. I may not be a diplomat myself but I've escorted more then a few of them in my career and I know how this song and dance goes. Assuming that eating emotion doesn't hurt I can't imagine that be hard to convince the equestrian leaders to accept it, and I'm guessing it doesn't hurt because you've been doing it to me during this entire conversation and I haven't felt a thing." He replied.

Skitter couldn't help but feel a little excited. Was it possible that they were going to finally get a food source without the need of an invasion? The constant hungerin her stomach would finally end. As annoying as the stallion was if he could manage that he could be a hero to all of changeling kind. The very thought of a willing food source made her giddy.

"Very well then, would you then assist us in this diplomatic matter? " Chrysalis asked.

"Yeah sure why not. It's not like I have anything better to do."

As great as this Revelation was there was still something eating at the back of skitters mind. Just who was this stallion really and where did he come from? And probably more important, why was he unconscious when she met him?

"Can I ask a question?" Skitter interjected.

"Yes." "Yes." Twenty-Eight and mother answered at the same time.

"Well it has to do with how I found you, you and the colt were unconscious already. With all the questions you asked I don't think you know what happened and how you got there but my question is, what is the last thing you remember?"

"Oh that?"

The stallion paused. The emotions coming from him gave a overwhelmingly sour taste. While she couldn't tell exactly which emotions he was feeling, she could definitely tell that they were negative. Slightly concerning, he wasn't even upset when he thought he was going to be a prisoner. What had happened?

"The last thing I remember was bleeding to death in a cold hallway."

Author's Note

Imma be real honest. The only reason I'm writing this is to fight off my immense feelings of melancholy. I know its bad but whatever you know. It helps keep my mind off of the more miserable shit.

Also my job is getting exponentially worse. I had to work a fourteen hour shif the other day and long nights are to be expected till like January. So progress will likely be even slower :pinkiesick:

Last thing. This isn't an oc, well it is, but it isn't a self insert oc. If I was a pony I'd probably be an earth pony because of my mentality and upbringing. If not an earth pony than a unicorn

Next step forward

After waking up and speaking to the changelings and their queen a few things became blatantly obvious. The first thing became apparent after talking to 'Skitter' as Chrysalis called her. While I was groggy and probably injected with knock out juice it was apparent that I was also not given hallucinogenics. During my time in Hades I was subjected to the use of those drugs so often that my body became addicted to them. Even with the sleeping drug being processed through my system I could intrinsically tell that my surroundings weren't an illusion. If my surroundings weren't an illusion then that meant that this body is real. The alien feeling of new limbs protruding from my back only served to add to this idea.

My first thought was that I had died and that this is the afterlife. Those thoughts quickly pushed away as I realized if I were dead and my form was an astral projection then I wouldn't have the nerves needed to feel all of these new sensations.

Then after the questioning it was apparent that I was no longer in the Empire and probably not even on Earth. Seeing as these changelings don't know why I'm here they couldn't have summoned me or something.

Knowing the basics I just need to decide what to do next. Assuming the colt is Evan my top priority should be ensuring his safety. Next on the list is getting back to the Empire, though I have reason to believe that won't be possible. Assuming we can't get back I have no idea what we'll do. And even that is assuming we can deal with the changelings.

During our little game huge warning bells rang within me when Chrysalis asked for me to join her. I may not be gifted in the fine arts of subterfuge but under the tutelage of Marquise I learned to tell when someone was being deceptive. She may not be an immediate danger but she definitely doesn't have our best interests in mind.

The problem is that I can't run and even though the most agreagous of my wounds have somehow healed I'm still injured and weak. Even if that weren't the case I don't know how to fight in this body and I would sorely lose. Dammed if I do and dammed if I don't. Luckily the mare was receptive to the idea of diplomatic ties to this Equestria place, it will give me time to make a plan. Or at the very least time to decipher their true intentions.

Suddenly their was a stiring behind me and my ears swiveled to detect it... Yeah thats supper weird. The colt began to groan and I could tell the voice was Evan's. Now all I had to do was to stop him from freaking out.

Looking towards the colt I could see panic form in his eyes and a scream beginning to form. One that was swiftly silenced with a strike from my right fore hove. The colt looked at me with a great furry that was quickly replaced with fear.

"Pl-p-please don't kill me." he whimpered in a meager voice. I was confused for a moment until I realized that he wouldn't have recognized me yet.

"Relax kid, its me. I just didn't want you freaking out." I tell him and he gives me a strange look that I couldn't describe.

"Cultist? You're alive?" he asked completely baffled. I could feel my eye twitch. Not only have I outgrown my more er dogmatic ways but he was born to a cult to. No, he's just a kid. I can't be petty about these things.

"So I take it that the two of you are acquainted?" Chrysalis said from behind smiling as if she had won some game.. If only Marquise were here, he would know what to do in a situation like this.

"Yes, this is Evan McClain," I tell the queen, "Evan, this is Queen Chrysalis and her changelings. Please be polite and cordial." Even if these changelings can't be initially trusted, I needed for them to think we could be trusted. He gave me a look of concern, he was looking for a form of confirmation. He was a bright kid, he knew something was wrong and was putting his faith into me. Giving him a nod of conformation he eases up a bit.

"Greetings, I am Evan McClain the second. Son of Evan McClain and Professor Mallory. Pleased to make your acquaintance." the boy said in a respectful tone making a quick bow. This act seemed to please the queen. Perhaps she just wants us to submit to her? I don't know what her angle is but its putting me on edge. This new environment is putting me on edge, throughout my years as a frontline soldier and as a scout I've never been in a situation like this. I've been weak, I've needed to protect VIPs before and even still this situation was so alien. Is it because my enemies aren't openly hostile, or is this new body altering my thoughts. Equines are naturally skittish after all, even Spirit, who I would trust with my life was prone to fear.

"Greetings Evan, I am Queen Chrysalis ruler of the changelings." she said with an air of superiority. As much as the mare unsettled me, I did need her. Without allied support, my own weakness, a way back to Empire seemingly out of reach and a complete lack of information about the surrounding area makes her assistance necessary. Looking to her a loud buzzing made itself apparent and the mare rose to the sky.

"Well the are you coming?" Chrysalis asked. Ok so apparently these horse bodies are capable of flight, and if she wants us to fly then the answer is no. I'll never fly again, not after that day.

"Evan and I cant fly." I tell her simply, my remark earning me a curious yet annoyed look. She and her changelings then grounded themselves and the buzzing ceased.

The annoyance on her face dissipated as she replaced it with a smile. Sundering over she spoke "Well then, we will just have to walk." she said turning her back to me.

Deciding that it was best to bite the bullet I begin walking with her and with Evan follows suite. The colt made sure to stick close to me. Whether he was sticking close because of this new horse body or because he was naturally skittish I didn't know. My last mission with him was less than perfect and we didn't interact enough for me to decipher his character further than stereotypes and the first impression.

After a minute or so Chrysalis made her way to my side, "You mentioned diplomacy, do you have any experience in that area?" she asked sweetly. I never said that I had experience, I've only ever escorted diplomates. I've watched them do their magic but never practiced myself.

"I don't have direct experience but I have guarded a few smooth talkers during my resting period." I tell her. "And to answer your question, how best to deal with Equestria depends on their existing relations with you." she did need to tell me more if she wanted to know how best to deal with this. A different approach must be made with an enemy then a neutral or even befriended territory.

"Nine-hundred and eighty years ago my mother approached Princesses Celestia in an arempt to adopt our people into Equestria much like what was done with the thestrals, but Celestia turned mother away and banished her from Equestria calling our kind monstrous parasites!" Chrysalis fumed. It was clear that she was angry at this Celestia.

What caught my attention was that her mother made a diplomatic effort nine-hundred years ago, if that's true then just how old was Chrysalis? The second thing that caught my attention was that her mother sought to be absorbed into Equestria meaning that Equestria must either have a strong economy or that their military might scared her. The problem with the second thought is that if they were more powerful then why would Chrysalis seek to invade and why did the Equestrians not destroy the changelings entirely. Assuming Chrysalis is being truthful I would guess these negotiations will be hostile.

"And just what do you want with these Equestrians?" If she's hung up on revenge then she will likely try to assassinate their leader during negotiations. If that happens I won't be able to ask them for help and I'll be thrown into a war that I don't want to fight on the behalf of someone I don't care for.

"As much as I hate Celestia for what she's done to my changelings, integration would be the best for my kind." she told me soberly. Well if she wants integration then I can't treat this like a diplomatic meeting with the enemy, but at the same time I don't want to put the changelings in unnecessary danger by treating this as a diplomatic endeavor with previously established allies. Fuck, I wish I had paid more attention to those self absorbed smooth talkers when they prattled on about their diplomatic achievements. With my luck they would have already told me how to deal with a situation just like this and I was just ignoring them.

"Ok, it would probably be best to send a changeling ahead of time to let this Celestia know you want to speak with her. Then, you should prepare a gift as a show of good will." I lecture, next came the important part. I had to convince her to let Evan and I come along. "Of course if Evan and I come along we can smooth any initial disagreements out."

She looked at me with a thoughtful gaze humming to her self. Was she going to accept my proposal?

"I had already planned on bringing you two along. What do you think would make a good gift?" she asked thoughtfully. Dammed it. Why did she have to ask such a question. I don't know the first thing about Celestia so I can't say what kind of a gift would appeal to her personally, the only other thing I know is that diplomates usually give expensive or rare gifts. In that same vein their was more than one time when an opposing diplomat found such a gesture offensive and openly attack my charge resulting in a gunfight.

"I don't know Celestia enough to say. Most diplomates gave expensive or rare gifts, but this could potentially offend her." I stated. To my words Chrysalis began to give of a look of ponderance. After a moment she nodded to herself, seemingly content. It seemed as if she understood so continuing my train of thought was pointless.

Looking ahead of us it seems we reached this hive of hers. And I have to say, I am extremely disappointed. If this was where the queen resided then it was pitifully defended. The Capital hive of my country was defended by trenches and fortified bunkers that stretched beyond the horizon with a minimum of two entire legions manning the trenches with the Alvesta Guard protecting the hive proper. As small as the surface structure of the hivewas, I couldn't criticize it until I saw the tunnels beneath. Who knows, the small structure may just be front for a
well defended chokepoint.

"How far down does the hive go?" I ask, my curiosity building. Most hives were at least a half mile underground with the more important storage centers sometimes reaching two miles.

"About two-hundred hooves down." she replied seemingly confused as to why I had asked. As for me my jaw almost dropped. This place seemingly lacked any defenses, the guards could be counted on two hands, there were no defensive structures in sight and they didn't even use the earth to protect themselves. This famine brought upon by the Equestrians must be worst than I had imagined.

"Why are you curious?" she asked as we trotted into the hive the walls shifting in unnatural ways creating new entrances and closing old ones. It would create a somewhat decent defense from a large relatively unorganized or unmotivated attacker.

"I was just thinking about how weak your defenses were for a capital." looking to her she gave a look of shock and indignation. "Back home whe had a minimum of two legions protecting the capital along with the most elite guard in the nation."

Her jaw dropped as if what I said were wrong or unexpected. "TWO LEGIONS!?" the mare screamed in my now much more sensitive ears. Despite the ringing i heard she continued ranting. "How could you waste two entire legions simply guarding a city!?"

"Well if it ever got to the point that we desperately need those two legions we would have already lost and our defeat would just be a formality." I told her simply. Each legion is compromised of a minimum of five-hundred-thoulsand men and their are one hundred legions that are combat ready not including guardsmen and the independent armoured legions and the 'civilian' population of sector three. Add to that the fact that the only reason we don't have more combat ready troops is solely because we have already pushed our supply lines beyond their limit.

Chrysalis gave me an odd look which i couldn't describe. It was almost like she was disturbed but intrigued at the same time. Looking to the boy he was still sticking to my side like glue, he wasn't comfortable at all. I need to make sure we stay together, at least until we get to Equestria. After talking to the mare a bit I'm a little more trusting of them, not enough to let Evan out of my sight but ill give a genuine effort to aid them rather than fleeing at the first opportunity.

"So where shall we sleep? I would like to be in the same room as Evan if you would." Chrysalis seems amicable and for whatever reason she is deferring to my judgment, convincing her to let us remain near shouldn't be hard. Though it made me wonder, was she differing to me so she could make her nation stronger, or was this some horse instinct?

"Of course, this chamber just ahead should do fine. I'm sorry but we don't have any bedding." Chrysalis saidas if it mattered. Bedding was a rich people thing anyways.

Looking into the room it was just an empty chamber,not sure what I was expecting.

"Why had you brought us to our sleeping chambers?" I asked. We hadn't even mentioned exhaustion or a sense of tiredness before she brought us here.

"I told you that it would be night soon, I simply figured you would need some rest. Now if you would excuse me I have a messenger to send and a gift to make." Chrysalis said in a commanding tone. After turning around she began to walk off and the rest of the changelings left with her.

"Cultist can we talk now?" the colt asked the first of his presumably numerous questions.

Looking around the shifting halls it seemed as if the changelings that were accompanying us have dissipated and we were alone. Now is a better time than never I guess.

"Before you start asking questions let me get a few things out of the way. The reason we're staying with these guys is because I don't belive we can return to the Empire as things stand and I need a way to protect you." I say in a hushed voice still weary of unwanted listeners. Evan stared at me with an intense focus, it was clear he understood the gravity of this situation. "The queen has shown interest in diplomatic ties to this Equestria place and from what I gathered the relationship of these two nations are weak to say the lest, so if I can stop conflict between them we could easily flee to one nation or the other depending on how things pan out."

"I figured it would be something like that, but isn't it risky for us to be in their home? I understand that their fortifications are weak but how are we supposed to flee from the heart of the foe?" The boy responded critically.

It seems he didn't understand that I was making a gamble. What else was I supposed to do? We had no water, no food, we were out in the desert and we couldn't properly flee.

"Evan we had to take this chance. We don't know what troubles lay before us so we must tread with utmost caution." I scold.

"A sector three cultist speaking of caution, that funny." He scoffed as if I wasn't trying to protect him from a highly unpredictable circumstance. I wanted to strangle the little bastard. No, once again, he's just a kid. He's probably just coping with this alien feeling and being from sector seven he's probably having an aneurysm because he's unable to understand what happened or something.

"Kid just get some rest. We are going on a diplomatic envoy and if we need to run I'll make sure the opportunity presents itself." I said yawning as I finished. I guess I was more tired than I thought. The kid opens his muzzle and instead of a snide remark, a yawn escaped from him as well.

"Ok cultist." The kid said curling up to me and resting his head on my barrel. Feeling the grasp of sleep claim me as well i begin to close my eyes. Before I could pass into the depth of my own mind an almost inaudible thanks made itself known. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Author's Note

Im going to go back to the initiall chapters to clean those up a bit before I move to chapter 5.

I had completed this chapter once and I absolutely hated it so I rewrote it with a different direction so this took longer than it should have.

To be honest I'm still not entirely happy with this but I needed something to move the plot to the more interesting bits and this will do I suppose. let me know if you think I should redo this chapter.

Some dreams taste terrible

"Care to play liar with us Twenty-Eight?" a young girl adorned in tattered rags asked placing down two cards. It was unmistakable. She was my sister Molly, pure and unmolested. "Two sevens."

"Liar." a nameless soldier muttered as if he was bored to be there and the girl picked up all the cards on the table in response. He was there too. I never learned his name, but he was with me during the massacre. "One eight."

Looking to the last man my heart wrenched. Why does he always have to be here? The other two I can ignore their foul accusations, but I can't ignore Liam. His blackened veins threatened to poison me and his eyes set my very soul ablaze. Not looking away from him I took my seat at the table and picked up my cards.

"Two nines." the words left my mouth with finality, no doubt to be had. The pain in my heart was swelling. I had lied. No matter how much it hurts I have to be calm and collected. It's my duty as a man of sector three.

"Liar"
"Liar"
"Liar"

The three said in tandem. Picking the cards back up I look to them and their appearances became more gaunt. Their skin paled and their eyes began to glaze over.

"You said you would protect me from all the monsters." my sister accused placing down three cards. I wasn't fast enough

"Liar"

She picked the cards back up blood dripping down her skeletal arm bits of flesh clinging desperately to their home. Her face had become perverted with those repugnant bite marks. The terrible gashes ruining her once perfect face.

"You said you would break us out of that enemy encirclement. We just needed to follow orders." The solder sighed placing two cards. I wasn't smart enough

"Liar"

I waited for him to pick his cards back up but he never did. Looking back to the man I saw why. His arms were gone and a large piece of shrapnel was lodged into his right cheek, the flesh on his face melted away from the blast.

"We were going to see the sun one last time." Sage said in his baleful tone. I
wasn't strong enough "We were brothers, bound by our suffering in Hades. You said we would escape together. YOU SAID WE WOULD SEE THE SUN!" he screamed at me. The the grievous wounds that came from our time in hell exasperated on his face and the disease ate away at his flesh.

"HOW IS IT FAIR THAT YOU LIVED!?" the three corpses screamed at me. Tears were leaking from my eyes. It wasn't fair. I promised them. I promised them.

"Do right by us." Sage whispered. Looking up the three of them were gone and in the place of our cards instead was laying a pistol. Reaching for it I knew what I had to do. Picking the gun up I checked to make sure it was loaded. Raising the gun to my head I closed my eyes, the tears refusing to stop.

====================================================================

My eyes were forced open as my head jerked up involuntary, sweat wetting my coat. Coat huh, I guess it wasn't a dream after all. Seeing Evan was still resting on my side he looked as if he was having a pleasant dream, and it seems he's a heavy sleeper seeing as my sudden awaking hadn't disturbed him in the slightest.

Looking around the room I saw a rock that was out of place, and either my eyes were deceiving me or that rock was shaking. Come to think of it that changeling mare could turn into another horse, why not a rock?

"Reveal yourself." I say in a commanding tone. The rock then suddenly shivered. A strange sight to behold, seeing something that should be still as stone quake. Normally I would strike such an intruder without hesitation but their was no hostile intent emanating from the rock. There's also the fact that something about these changelings put me at ease.

They were hungry and at the very least I could offer them food so they won't attack, but its also their general demeanor. Other than their Queen the changelings seemed a lot like the outsiders that join the military.

The ferocity and zeal of my sector three brethren is unmatched. Any man from a different sector who joins the military is dammed to be outdone in every way. They all had this same way of pretending to match us but when you looked into their eyes there was an ever present fear. The changelings reminded me of that. They tried to act tough but despite the fact that they outnumbered us they were scared for some reason.

The changeling decided that they didn't want to drop their disguise so I'm going to have to take a more active approach. Gently nudging Evan off of me I stand looking directly at the rock. "If you don't revile yourself I'll assume you're hostile and act accordingly." I command ensuring my voice had the proper authority to go with the command. To my surprise the voice that left my mouth was amplified to something that was beyond expected. The vibrations shaking the rock before me and in turn it was enveloped in a sickly green flame.

"P-p-please, I just wanted a snack." a familiar voice said, Skitter I think it was. The mare didn't wear any sort of fascad or false bravery, she well and truly looked as if she was afraid of me. What had I done to earn the fear of these creatures? The Empire has no qualms with them nor could they, and I've taken no hostile action on their people.

"Why are you so afraid of me?" I ask the trembling mare.

"You're an alicorn. Alicorns are the most powerful ponies and ponies don't like changelings." she replied as if I would strike her for speaking against me. So apparently these winged unicorns are powerful enough to negate a massive numbers disadvantage? The thought baffled me, I didn't feel as if I was any stronger than I was in my natural form. Was it that the changelings were just that weak? No, none of this adds up.

Looking at Skitter I could see that she was awaiting my response with bated breath, she was afraid and it was my fault. Something about her fear unsettled me and it made no sense. I have been feared by friend and foe alike but it never made me feel bad. It was probably because I'm a horse. Changelings were also apparently emavores, so maybe this had to do with that. By dwelling on my hatred and fear I'm probably making her sick.

"Come here and lay with me." I tell her as I try to manipulate my wing. As she shakenly walked her way to me I got the movement of my wing down enough. As the mare layer down by my side I draped my wing over her, the cold carapace against my wing was a unexpectedly pleasant feeling.

"What are you doing?" Skitter asked the fear slowly turning into confusion. I was only doing my duty. It is the responsibility of those born in sector three to sacrifice for their allies just as much as for their brothers. Becoming a burden and a net drain amongst your peers is a great sin. To bring pain and discomfort to this mare isn't forgivable.

"You said you were hungry right?" I asked half mindedly as I focus on happy memories. I would be lying if I said I had many pleasant memories to draw from, but the ones that had been, shown bright. Thinking back to when I had the chance to speak to the emperor I had been overjoyed, or the time Marquise Raven had first shown interest in taking me under his guidance. Some of the few moments that my life could have been said to be happy.

After a few minutes of reminiscing I had noticed something different. Skitter had pressed herself against me and was purring in a way. This development brought a strange feeling inside me. I felt warm. It was a sort of happiness. The warmth that was brought by embrace is something I've never felt before. To see another brought joy through my efforts comforted me. In my time serving the military I knew my efforts better the lives of my countrymen but I never saw the joy It brought.

Secretly I was hoping more changelings would come so that I may amplify this warm feeling but after a time passed that seemed unlikely. Silently I chastised myself for having such greedy desires. Skitter looked up to me with eyes that seemed to say why aren't you happy? My heart and mind were in a tug of war. If I let go of this warmth I'll become a burden to Skitter but having selfish desires is a sin for which I should repent.

It would be best to hold onto this warmth and ponder the morality of my wrongdoings once I'm alone again.

Closing my eyes I let my mind greedily hoard that pleasant feeling and the purring soon returned.

This new world is so confusing.

Author's Note

sorry for such a short chapter after two weeks but work is really picking up and it will probably be this way till January