Life Anew

Talk about fucking heart attacks. Three all at the same time. Sisters ran away because Big Mac and I blamed them for breaking a window and yet we didnt know they told the truth until they went missing and turned up being found by- OF ALL FUCKING PONIES- Daring FUCKING Do. I told Daring I owed her WHAT EVER she wanted. She was in the right place at the right time but still scared the living shit out of me when I went and tried to wake em up for breakfast. Big Mac had to slap me, hold me down, check himself and try to keep level headed all day trying to take care of me and call the guards to help search for them which.... apparently they didnt do via Princess orders..... They just made it seem like they were looking with all the radio chatter. Only figured it out after Luna told me. And apologized. And gave me a gift to shut me the fuck up to Rarity. Apparently she went to Canterlot for a few days, met with Celestia, ate fine dining and was pampered head to toe in a spa. Should thank Celestia for said distraction. Definitely dont wanna know how fast it takes Rarity to try to kill herself knowing her sister went missing. Anyhow its been a week since that happened, everything is calmed down now, nightmares and all... Even talked with the guy who broke the window, he did say he thought he heard something but knew his clunker of a truck made all sorts of weird noises. I ended up telling him if he payed about fifty bits extra for the pies to cover the window, I'd take a look at his truck for free, see what's what with it. Getting off track. Well tonight was a no sleep night. Applejack was home and snoring a bit, that wasnt keeping me up though. Wasnt even waiting on Applebloom or Scootaloo crying because of a wet bed and Big Mac? Thankfully out of the house already. Where? Actually dont know. Never said. But anyways I ended up getting dressed in a hoodie and sweats as well as a pair of sneakers before stepping outside. I started walking towards my car. Didnt bother getting in. Just went tree side and leaned on it just looking into the trees. "Here to report something or creep me out? Because that's what you're doing!" I said.

I waited a moment before two stallions appeared from nowhere in their dark armor. They both saluted before I saluted back. "General, sir..." One said. "We think we've got information you need to see. We request you come to the compound first thing in the morning."

"And why cant you tell me here?"

The other guard stepped forward. "You never know who could be watching and listening." He said. "You know where to meet us. We'll pass word along to the Princess that we told you."

"I want you to tell the Princess to call me in for work and make it something IMPORTANT if I have to be away from my wife for a bit. And make DAMN sure she does it in such a way she doesnt have to worry about me. Understand?"

"Yes sir." They both replied.

"Good. Clear out now. I'm going to bed...." They both nodded and just disappeared again before I stretched and walked back to the house. Just went to the bathroom and went to sleep.

Slept well. Next morning I got up and just started making breakfast. Not a school day so the girls could sleep in. I made pancakes and within... maybe about three pancakes everyone was up. Even got some tofu bacon on the skillet as well. I know everyone was up because Winona came running downstairs barking a bit with Applebloom trailing behind her wearing basketball shorts and a teeshirt and her work boots. Taking Winona out as a chore for whoever has her that night. Scootaloo came down stairs after her rubbing her eyes still holding her stuffed wolf. She was wearing her silk PJ's from Canterlot. Then came Applejack. She was just brushing her mane out. Wore something similar to what Applebloom was wearing, minus the boots. She came right into the kitchen and gave me a kiss on the cheek before ducking into the fridge for some Orange Juice. Gotta get that vitamin C somehow. "Mornin' there sugarcube. You were up late last night. Reason for that?" She asked. I sighed.

"Just couldnt sleep.... Thinking about the future... Baby on the way.... We gotta expand unless we wanna put another bed in our room or make the girls share a room.. Yet we dont wanna do that now do we?" She sighed as she grabbed a few glasses out of the cupboard and set them on the counter.

"I aint gonna lie, I've thought about that... Aint no way in hell I'm having Big Mac move out for one of the girls to take his room and having them share a room? Dont wanna have either of them wake up to a shower they didnt want.... Aint gonna hurt, see what we can do with this. Maybe ask around, see if the Princesses have someone who can draw up a plan." I gave a nod as I plated another pancake. I glanced to Applejack as she looked to the girls as Applebloom came back in and Scootaloo just turned the TV on. "You girls good? Sleep well?"

Applebloom yawned a bit as Winona hopped up into her lap. "Yeah... Didnt get to sleep right away but I did alright." She said.

I looked over as I plated some bacon for them. "You Scoot?" I asked. She just lied back on the couch and cuddled with her wolf. "Something tells me.... You're either getting sick or you had a nightmare that scared you into not sleeping since this morning...." She just groaned a bit. I huffed and passed off the spatula to Applejack before going over to the couch. I felt Scootaloo's forehead. "Ah... just as I suspected.... You're burning up...." I sighed. "After breakfast you're going back up to your room and you are gonna get back into that bed." Just then I heard my phone go off upstairs. "Ah shit.... Gimme a minute...." I got up and looked to Applejack. "Be right back. Phone call!" Applejack nodded getting a pancake off the pan and onto the waiting stack. I hurried upstairs and dove onto the bed grabbing my phone before sitting up hitting the green icon before putting it to my ear. "Hello?"

I heard a sigh. "Good morning General...." I heard someone say.... Someone being Princess Celestia... "Tell me... did I interrupt some morning.... exercise?" I huffed.

"N-No I just... I had to run up stairs.... Was cooking for the family..."

"Good... Now I suppose you know why I called... Correct?" I sighed and went and closed the door.

"Yeah. The Elites from last night... Guess a text was too much?"

"In this case, a security risk. A text sent from my phone, to yours can be intercepted even if it still gets to you. Calling is another story but safer. But just to let you know as we speak I'm having guards mobilize on your position. Three trucks, you get in one of them, family stays where they are unless you want them elsewhere. But you are the most important and we need you for this."

"What 'this' is is something I dont even know yet Princess... Though if you're saying what's going on is serious and that what ever this is is putting my family in danger, by all means get them out of here. Just know this, Scootaloo is sick, Applejack is pregnant and I'd rather not be coming home in a body bag."

"Understood. This should be quick and easy. All details of whats going on will be given all in due time. As for now, go enjoy breakfast, guards shall be by in an hour. Remember, you get in one truck and what ever truck you get in, they have orders to take you nowhere but you-know-where."

"Alright... Just hope they've got a good lie going to get me out of here and not have anyone worry about me."

"One special assignment coming up that requires you to head to The Crystal Empire for a few days. Contact will have to be minimal and you'll know why soon. Now go, eat, get prepared."

Celestia didnt give me much time to answer back before hanging up. I just put my phone in my pocket and started downstairs. Applejack was just giving the girls their breakfast. She glanced up just before going back to the kitchen. "Everythin' alright sugarcube? Havent seen you run that fast before..." She said. I huffed.

"Call from Celestia." She sighed.

"Ah shit.... thought today was gonna be nice and calm.... What's she want now?"

"Me in the Crystal Empire for a few days. Apparently they've got something going on up there... guards are gonna pick me up in about an hour.... She did say you guys could go to Canterlot if you want."

"You know sometimes I dont buy this guard bullshit. You go all the way to the Crystal Empire and yet we're supposed to go to Canterlot? The hell is so important that we cant go too? I mean Cadence can put us up in the Castle or is there something going on that we cant be there?"

"She never said. Only that I needed to be there. You can go to Canterlot, ask her yourself after I get picked up. Alright? Just please dont go chewing anyones head off because I need to work on a day off...."

"Just shut up, eat your damn food before I really chew your head off...."

I sighed and rolled my eyes grabbing my food. I ate somewhat fast. Syrup for everyone, the bacon was delicious, greasy yeah but good. After eating we just sat on the couch. I had to go get Scootaloo some medicine in the cupboard to bring down her fever. Even packed her a bag for a few days while Applejack and Applebloom packed their own. Applejack wasnt happy about it either. Could hear her mumbling while I was packing a bag for my 'trip'. Though her tone changed when the trucks started rolling up. I helped them into one of the trucks, bags and all. Had to lay Scootaloo down on one side while Applebloom and AJ took up the other side. And yes, she was padded... dont want her having an accident staining the seats. Both trucks got to Canterlot but my truck split off like we were going towards the train station. Passed the station and went out of town where we just parked roadside. I was meant to walk the rest of the way. I slung my pack over my shoulder and went towards the bunker.... I swear it still sits fresh in my mind the way I was brought here against my will.... I'm pretty sure if Schrivechnya wasnt with me I more than likely would've died here... either that or Celestia would've had to come here to see me, bruised, bloody, malnourished and shit.... I'm pretty sure if I was able to break out on my own, half this complex would've been dead. Maybe even the guy who helped me. Would've been that enraged.... Anyways I got into the elevator and just pushed a button heading down. Just sat there with my bag over my shoulder, leaning on the back wall. Took a minute or two to get to the bottom. When the doors opened up I was greeted by two stallions. One masked, the other unmasked. Both in their gear, armor and all. Though the unmasked one I recognized right away. Mags. The bastard who risked everything to save my ass. He gave a grin and stepped forward as I stepped out of the elevator. "General sir! Welcome back." He said saluting.

I saluted back. "Such a warm welcome Mags.... Hopefully everyone here has been treating you well since my last time here." I said.

"Princess told everyone I was not to be touched for aiding in your escape as well as telling us about you being in charge here. Speaking of being in charge... You're needed in the briefing room after changing into uniform." I sighed.

"Well lead the way Mags." Mags nodded and pointed down to the right with one hand. I started walking that way and he followed leaving the one grunt behind. I glanced at Mags and huffed. "What ever this is about, please tell me you've got a contingency if I end up getting a pregnant wife wanting a call from me, see how I am." He nodded checking a clipboard that I somehow missed..... I'm not the brightest okay?

"Yep. Celestia asked Cadence to play along for this. If I'm correct Celestia should've explained to your wife about whats going on. Training exercise, high ranking official from another country coming in and you're having dinner and a great time. This operation will be quick. After briefing, we gear up, hop on a jet and air drop to the objective. Needs a few squads of four. Three to four at most. More information will be given upon our briefing. Any questions you have will be directed towards your second in command." I looked to him confused.

"And... who's my second in command?"

"You'll meet him soon. Goes by Smoke."

"Alright.... Hopefully he's open to some planning on my part if I find anything wrong with the plan we've got...."

"He might be open to it but he's honestly the best strategist we've got here sir. N-No offense there sir... Celestia did show us some of your plannings when you were out at war. But we should hurry here. No time to lollygag." I gave a nod and we went to where to get the uniforms. Boots, pants, shirt. Even snagged a jacket and a cap.

After that I ditched my stuff in a lone barracks room marked for me. Cool room. Cot, desk, even a rifle hanging up on the wall. Old but still in pristine condition. One of my favorite ones too... The reload sound is like sex for the ears. Anyways we went through the halls of this place. Elites left and right looked at me, some saluting, others acting like they were minding their own business. Wonder how many were assigned to cleanup those two fuckers in the torture room. Dont doubt a lot of them are scared of what I could do. When we got to the briefing room mags let me in and I went in alone. He had to get back to his post. As I entered there were many ponies, most masked, few were unmasked. There was one stallion at the front wearing half a mask and sunglasses, with a big screen next to him showing a map. "General! You're finally here..." He said with... I'm not lying here.... with the most familiar voice I've ever heard. "Why dont you come up here, introduce yourself before we get started?" I gave a hesitant nod before heading to the front of the room, standing to the opposite of Smoke.

I looked out to the room and put my arms behind my back. "I am General Ryder.... You may call me by my call sign, Rush." I said. "Many of you know me by face, some by reputation.... And most of all what happened months ago.... If you are taking orders from me I need your FULL cooperation. Any questions or concerns, bring em to me."

I got a few welcomes from the small crowd. Yet there was one stallion that came from the left of the room. "Heh... You dont look like much of a General...." They said. I zeroed in on him real quick.

"WHO SAID THAT?!" The whole crowd jumped back. "FRONT AND CENTER." And just like that someone was shoved to the front. The stallion looked back and huffed before coming over to me. I grabbed him, lifted him up and pinned him to the wall. "YOU WANNA RUN THAT BY ME AGAIN? NOT MUCH OF A GENERAL?! DO YOU WANNA END UP LIKE THOSE TWO WHEN I WAS HERE LAST WHO DIDNT THINK I WAS GENERAL MATERIAL?!" The stallion stayed silent other than a whimper or two. I let him down and pushed him off to the side. "Fall in line, shut up AND LISTEN. Otherwise GET THE FUCK OUT!" I looked to the group. "That goes for the rest of you. I dont want to have to make examples out of everyone here. We are ELITES. NOT FUCKING PUSSIES." Nobody else spoke up. Not even a 'yes sir'. I went over to a chair set in the middle of the room and sat down.

Smoke huffed. "Well now.... Good way to start off... Show you're not to be fucked with." He said. "Now... Onto business." He clicked a button he held in his hand causing the screen to now show a few highlighted parts on the map. Four sectors. North west, south west, north east and south east. "Our insertion points are here around this compound." He clicked the button again. Now the screen showed closeups of aerial views of parts of the compound. "The enemy has AA-Guns sitting on the edge of the compound. Attacks from the air arent possible but we will have helicopters get us to our insertions. Two squads out, two inside. The two squads outside will provide support from cliffs to the north west and the south east. The two squads inside will fan out and find the target. Once the target is in our hands, we will need exfill meaning ANYTHING needed. We can either destroy the AA guns with explosives or leave via ground vehicles. We have also found a fuel depot due south of the compound which looks as if it supplies fuel for vehicles and the energy to the compound. We take that out, we can provide a distraction, snipers can take out anyone who goes to defend the fuel depot." He clicked it one last time and my heart just about dropped. There on the screen. Mythic. My father. "Target is one of our own. From our understanding he was on assignment and went missing. We've tracked him for months, finally found him. Sources say Mythic is still alive albeit beaten and tortured. It is unclear if they have any information on us in particular but to be sure, any papers you see need to be destroyed. Now get your gear, meet topside for transport. Dismissed." I waited until everyone left the room. I just stared Smoke down. Waiting for the door to close and the room to clear out. Cleared out fast. When it was just us, Smoke gave a sigh. "Yknow.... I really didnt think you'd find me out like this...." I huffed.

"Dont know how you do this.... Hold life working businesses and have a wife and daughter... Best come clean now Uncle Orange." Yep. Uncle Orange. He took off the mask and glasses and just sighed.

"I'm only needed when I'm needed. Celestia knows that. Right now? I'm sure as hell needed..... Same with you considering why you're here. But while we're in front of the men and in the field, I'm Smoke, you're Rush.... Anyone finds out who we are, we're dead. Puts us and our families in danger. Now I know you wanted to know what happened with your father since your uh.... unfortunate kidnapping to be brought here and tortured. You're needed as a fighter and an on-field strategist.... You'll be in my squad as we go for your father." I huffed.

"You know... if I wasnt so allured by mysteries I wouldnt be here... but now that I know we found my father.... and I say that very loosely considering what he did to my mother... yet I owe him for helping me set my life back on track when I needed it."

"You definitely owe it to him. Bring him home... He's working this gig to better himself. Regrets what he did, wants redemption any way he can even if it means trying to protect his flesh and blood." I got up and huffed fixing my cap.

"Protect me all he wants. Doesnt change a god damn thing. Now lets move. Faster we go, faster we get him out alive." Uncle Orange nodded and put his mask on as well as his glasses. I followed him out before we raided an armory. Grabbed a few guns. Pistol, SMG and a shotgun with a good amount of ammo for each. When we got topside we all got into a few trucks. Outside looked like delivery trucks. Inside was lined with seats and luckily air conditioned. Took a little while for us to get to an airstrip and load into a jet. Jet was cargo yet it was interesting. It was almost like we were on a flight bound south like I was just going on vacation or something but... still didnt shake the fact I was surrounded by military personnel. This plane ride? Hours. About five. I ended up taking a two hour nap before being woken up by Uncle Orange who gave me a bit of coffee. Wasnt what I'd choose for caffeine but it was something. Even had a bit of water before we were dropped at what looked to be an air strip. Seemed to look abandoned but there were workers running about moving boxes, trucks and what not. We grabbed our equiptment and got off the plane and grouped up. The area around us was a saharan desert. Cliffsides here and there, trees bending everywhich way on those cliffs. Was pretty warm too but the uniforms kept me cool. Uncle Orange got out in front of us.

"Alright! Rush, Blaze and Shock are with me. We're the North West squad. North East Squad is snipers. South East assaults the compound with us and South West, blows the fuel depot. Once the fuel depot is blown, dig in. There'll be a lot of enemies heading your way.... any and all options you find are yours to use. Move to your transports NOW!" Everyone didnt say shit. Just went to their squads and hurried off towards choppers waiting. Small choppers that could fly low and easily out menuver. I stuck with 'Smoke' and the others. "How you doing Rush? Got your head on straight?" I gave a huff.

"About as straight as a runway is long."

"Dont worry. We'll get you home. Maybe have a drink or two when we're back. My treat." I gave a nod before flipping my cap backwards. Made sure my gun was cocked too before we hopped in the chopper. Was even handed a half mask before getting in. Strapped it on. Just had a demonic smile on it. Fitting. Now the chopper ride was a bit long. Saw other choppers flying with us before splitting off sometime later. We flew with the chopper destined for the south west for a bit. That one split off and it was just us. I looked over the compound from afar as we wrapped around. My heart was honestly pounding.... I havent been in a fire fight since I proposed to Applejack.... Should ask Celestia, see if anyone's made attempts on Shady Sands. Just check up on him, see how he is. The chopper landed and we all got out before it started flying away from the insertion point. We waited until the sands settled on the warm land before starting to move out.

"Stay alert.... eyes in the trees and on the ground.... Never know where these guys could be...."

Blaze hummed. "Understood." He said.

"Look for unnatural shapes in the dirt, movement in the trees..... Dont wanna step on any mines nor do we wanna be ambushed from the trees.... See anything, call it out just be sure its not a fucking bird or a rock...."

We got startled a few times on our way to the compound. Birds flying from trees, branches cracking here and there because some of us stepped on some fallen twigs... Lucky we kept our head, didnt fire a shot. We neared the wall after about a half hour of walking. Uncle Orange looked at me. "Rush, I want you to get up there, find us a way in. You do have a blade with you dont you?" I shook my head. "Shit... Knew there was somethin.... Here." He grabbed at the pouch at his side pulling it off his belt before handing it to me. "Here. Take mine. I'm not as young as you and I cant be quiet." I handed off my SMG to Shock before taking the knife and attatching the pouch to my side. "We'll patrol here. Dont be afraid to make your own entrance." I huffed looking to Shock and Blaze.

"You guys stay in cover under the tree tops. If those guys create a distraction at the fuel depot I may just do that... And what ever happens... dont ask." They gave a salute before going back into the trees. Smoke looked to me.

"Careful. Dont want you caught too."

"If I do, they wont know what hit them...." Anyways he backed into the trees while I turned my attention to the wall in front of me. I flew up only to a sentry window. Peeked in and looked around. Guards going opposite me thankfully. I stepped in and drew my knife holding the blade down as I went for a crate to hide behind. Kept an eye on my six just in case.... I peeked around the crate and saw another guy coming my way. Waited until he was on me before attacking and slashing his throat. Dumped his sorry ass out the window. Now heres the thing... we were in the Zebra Prideland. These guys? Griffons. The hell were these guys doing out here? Didnt have time to contemplate that. Had to keep moving. Went back down the hall the way the guard came from. Found a door and went through. Led to another hallway. Lucky me there were crates on both sides. Rushed the next guard that came around me, sliced his throat and brought him back to the crates, stuffing him in one of them. Not gonna lie my heart was racing. These guys shoot first, ask questions later? Take you in and base on high alert? Didnt wanna find out. Went over to a window and dropped down cushioning my landing by flapping my wings a few times. When I landed I looked around. Nobody to be seen. Not even behind me which was where I went. Flicked the blood off the knife and shoved it back into its holster. Where I was? Surprisingly an empty store room. Though I just waited against a wall. There were no doors other than the one I was hiding just off to the side at. I waited for what felt like forver before hearing the sound of explosions off in the distance.

That's when I grabbed my hammer and walked up to the back of the storeroom wall getting it ready like a baseball bat. Tapped at a few bricks as I heard the commotion of soldiers crying out in foreign language and alarms sound. Once I chose one... I took a swing and that wall went out like I had just strapped a C4 to it. Bricks and dust went everywhere before I ended up stepping out only to now face my squad who were just surprised as I put my hammer away. Uncle Orange rushed up first handing me my SMG with Blaze and Shock behind him. I rushed back to the door and waited. Shock gave a laugh. "Distraction is working perfectly!" He said.

"Good... Now hold position... Wait for my mark...." I watched outside as I listened to the imaginary ticking of a clock watching soldiers run by, load into vehicles and take up positions by the gate at the front of the complex. It was huge compared to what I explored... and something tells me we're going underground. "Wait...." I saw few soldiers drip by before going. "Now!" As a group we moved with me taking point. I kept my sights forward while the others kept their sights on the courtyard making sure we could get through. We stopped just outside a door. Gave them a hand signal for hold position. I opened the door just a little bit and peeked in. Nothing that I saw. Opened it more and went in, team following behind. I shut the door behind me and looked to Smoke. "Alright. Where we going from here?"

Smoke looked up and down the hallways then pointed to our right. "This way. Keep your wits about you boys... we might be in for a little bit of a fight." I took out my shotgun after putting the SMG on my back before cocking it.

"Sounds good to me...." I aimed it down the hall and started taking point. I was waiting for someone to walk in front of me.... I didnt have just anything in this shotgun... I had slugs..... Big holes in things. We went quick down the hall... Guess surprisingly everyone had sights on the fuel depot... just hoped the other squad was alright. We were basically alone.... well... until we came across an armory.... Two shots that rang out down the hall, both guards at the door dead, their blood splattered all over the wall and each other. I just grabbed that door and yanked it right off the hinges throwing it down the hall. "Stock up, find a gun and use it... feel like we're gonna have company...." I put my shotgun back on my back and searched the armory. Found breaching charges, C4, Rifles, shotguns, SMGS's and other ordinance. Though what i grabbed? 200 round, belt fed, large gun.... and I aint talking a mounted MG.... Mini gun. Smoke grabbed a duffel bag and filled it with a few explosives.... C4 and some breaching charges as well as a few proximity mines. I readied up by the door and started spooling up the gun hearing company. I grinned as I saw two soldiers came within view of the door, guns drawn.... They took one look at the guns and turned booking it. I walked out and just started unloading.... took one burst to bring em down. Not gonna lie its hard to control this thing while its spinning and firing. "C'MON BOYS! WE GOTTA MOVE!" I aimed down the other side of the hall and just unloaded a bit hearing soldiers coming our way.

The rest of the squad came out and we made our way down the hall. I just kept the gun with me, spinning, aimed in front of us. They stood behind me their guns aimed down sight too. Fired off a few rounds scaring them back. Some even looked like they had grenades but were running too fast to even focus on trying to pull the pin and lob it backwards. That's fine. Totally fine. I stopped firing for a moment rushing forward before just laying down fire taking a few out leaving a few running. Even hit a grenade with a bullet or two. That definitely sent parts everywhere. I just burned through the bullets. Oh those fuckers ran scared. And since I wanted to leave my mark I took the minigun, ripped each barrel off and just threw them down the hall like spears before chucking the rest of it. Readied my SMG before we stopped at a hatch in the ground. Smoke and I took up posts behind boxes firing at any enemies who tried firing off at us as Blaze and Shock lifted the hatch together. "SIR DOWN HERE!" Shock yelled out over the gunfire. I let Uncle Orange down first before Blaze followed him. Shock and I stayed topside before jumping down after them, Shock being first. I closed the hatch behind us and looked around for something to block the ladder. Just grabbed a couple crates and stacked em up. Bastards werent expecting that. Metal crates too. Nice and heavy so they couldnt do shit. I looked to Smoke even in the dimmly lit corridor.

"What's the plan now? Obvious they're keeping him underground." He unzipped the bag and pulled out another filled with C4.

I watched as he handed it to Blaze. "Blaze, Shock. You two find a way topside." He said. "Rush and I will collect the package. You take out the AA guns, find a radio, radio back to base, get transport here." Blaze took the bag and gave a nod throwing it over his shoulder. "Careful with that now. One wrong move, you're gone with that... Now get moving!" I watched as Blaze and Shock ran off down the hall guns at the ready. We followed at a distance before splitting off through another door. "You definitely know how to surprise me over and over again..... How the hell did you do that?" I huffed looking around. Another room, combination of storage and barracks. Empty thankfully.

"Not sure. Even if I had an answer, you probably wouldnt believe it. Just keep your powder dry.... Faster we get him, faster we get out of here.... Speaking of here... who are these fuckers?"

"Griffon Galiant. Leader unknown but we have someone on the inside. Its how we knew your father is being kept here. Had to make sure and that our contact went dark to stay safe."

"Great.... Something tells me an all Griffon organization who are just a bunch of warlords and mercs... That cache had a lot more than just guns...."

"Yep.... Carry out assassinations, keep 'peace' and get paid in fuel, guns, anything to keep them in power....." I checked my corners as we entered another room just off to the left. Made sure if there were anything here to hurt us, I'd catch it before it blew. "You know.... I almost didnt bring you on for good reason.... Think you know those reasons...."

"Threat of getting killed, leaving my pregnant wife and sister without someone to help them and just in case you bit the bullet, someone to take care of yours and make sure your wife had everything she needed to keep on her feet?"

"To the tee.... Yet we brought you on because this is personal for you. I know you and your father dont have that good of a relationship... Thinking this might at least help."

"The fuck is even there for a relationship?"

"Well we've doccumented him, revealing himself to you multiple times. We let him get away with it on Princess orders. The one thing he wasnt supposed to do was tell you about us yet from what the Princess told us, it was your friends fault for revealing us in the first place. Again we let him get away with it and then that's where shit went wrong for you. Bastards kidnapped you, tortured you because the ones who i clearly told not to touch you, thought you were the one who did something with your father. Already know you paid them back and escaped, but think of this as a big ol middle finger to em wherever they are.... Not to mention from what your father told us, he's helped you out a number of times. The wedding for one... Same with getting ready for it.... Said he found you out in a desert getting ready to sleep with someone who freaked out during the Manehattan incident. Figure you basically owe him for those and then some." I sighed.

"Fine. I owe him. Doesnt change shit. Lets just find him, get him out. We need to stay sharp." We started down stairs again. I just kept my gun ready. We came down deeper and deeper before entering an underground facility. We were in a room overlooking it. Storage area, soldiers patrolling everywhere. The room we were in had blueprints sitting right on a table which smoke looked over while I kept an eye out. Surprisingly no alarms yet.

"Alright.... We need to head through the storage facility. There's prison access. Only issue is we need to get through this place without alerting anyone... either that or we take them out. No way we can sneak through here without alerting anyone...." I glanced out the window we had. Think it was one way. Couldnt see anything in, but we could see out. Though I saw drums of fuel.... An idea popped into my head.

"Smoke... How many of those breaching charges do we have?"

"About four. Why?"

"Maybe a distraction.... Maybe a way out.... Maybe something to get us killed if I fuck up...." He looked out the window and saw immediately what I saw.

"...I'd say wait for a bit until we need something to cover our escape..."

"Well we need something as a distraction. There's no way in hell we can even get through here without a fire fight...." Smoke hummed and started looking through the drawers of the desk we were at. He stopped and pulled out two things of goggles. He handed one to me before putting his on. "Ah... Night vision.... Looks good so far.... Now how are we gonna cut the power?"

"Oh just give it a moment.... We blew that fuel depot and depending on the size of this facility.... Power should go out in three... two... one.... Goggles on..." And almost immediately the power went out causing the soldiers to yell, most likely telling someone to put on emergency power and to send some topside to see what the hell is going on. I put the goggles on and flicked a switch. They illuminated everything in this weird green glow... If I had woken up to these on my face I swear I was turning into a fucking Timberwolf again. Seriously. You dont know how scary it was waking up as one, only being able to bark and growl while trying to ask for help. Not to mention have guards all over the place after you and you dont know if you're gonna be alive at the end of this... one hell of a last stand, Big Mac and Daring riding into battle on me. Anyways we made our way down the catwalk before heading down some steps. Grabbed the knife, shoved it through one guys throat before tossing him off the catwalk. I kept a look out on guys while Uncle Orange put a few charges on the barrels of fuel in the middle of the floor. Oh I left some bodies there. Two guys, one guy got his neck snapped, the other got the knife in the forehead. Not gonna lie, I felt blood thirsty about this.... I put a few bodies on the barrels themselves, on display for when the lights come back on... if they do. We kept walking and I just kept dropping guys left and right. Few were lucky to get away without the blade touching them. Though... some were lucky for just me snapping their necks not having to suffer the quick pain of having their throat sliced, ear to ear..... Though that fun didnt last long. We managed to get into the holding area.... Seemed like a gulag.... Why the fun ran out? Had to draw a gun because I saw flashlights up ahead... Flashlights meant guns. Guns mean loud noises to alert everyone to our position. Didnt care at this point. Kept the knife out, just my knife hand over my gun hand.

Two guys popped their heads around the corner, bullet in each before we moved forward. I put the knife back in its sheathe. Just grabbed for the other guys guns. Had to put the pistol away grabbing them... double uzis. I followed Smoke until we stopped at a wall. Dead end but he had something planned. I watched behind us, guns at the ready whilst Uncle Orange placed the breaching charge on. He set the charge and rushed past me causing me to run away before diving around the corner. And here.... Jeez I thought gunshots were making my ears ring. That blast sent a shockwave through the corridor we were in. Lucky us the masks and goggles protected us from the dust floating through the air. I could hear someone hacking and coughing as we went through. Just kept my guns ready. Though that didnt stop what happeend next. I felt my guns get ripped away from me as I was rushed. I fought back, kicking my assailant off. Oh I nearly killed him until I saw who it was. Mythic. He was missing his eyepatch, saw a scar over his eye with his eye just whited out wearing rags. Looked like shit. Bruised here, dirty there. And here I was about to beat his ass. "What ever the hell you're gonna do to me... just make it quick...." He said.

I gave a huff standing him up. "Then we better get moving old man." I said. I swear the look on his face was priceless.

"....R-Ryder? The hell are you doing here lad?"

Smoke picked him up more and gave him a gun. "He's here with me." He replied. "Now hurry. We gotta move NOW whole base is on alert now, faster we get out of here, faster we go home to our families." He nodded and just threw an arm over my shoulder before being carried out of the room.

"Bastards broke my legs..... shocked me, burned me.... fuckin' gave me nothin' but maggots to eat...."

"When we get back, hayburger on me. Now shut up, focus Mythic." I pulled my pistol and aimed it forward. Nothing but darkness still. We didnt wait for anything. I just fired a shot with the okay from Smoke. Oh that fuel went up like a fucking firework! Sent barrels everywhere, blew the fucking roof off the facility and I flew us both out. Had to grab a truck that Smoke drove. It was one with an MG on it.... I had more fun taking out trucks that followed. Stopped by the fuel depot, picked up who ever was left. Lost one guy there but he took out the power generators.... Saved our ass some. Anyways we got back to the airport and we loaded everyone who was left onto the plane including Mythic. He was in a medical portion of the plane. I sat with him while he was strapped into a bed.

"....Good fucking lord.... Thought help woulda came sooner but.... shite.... Ya couldnt've came the long way?"

I huffed as I dusted myself off from the fights... actually had blood on my sleeves. "Be lucky we got you out.... I was kinda dragged into this...." I replied. "This is for my wedding day so we're even on that." I huffed just looking around the room. "If you would've told me I'd've had to be called off to war again but only for a few days, would've prepped myself for this.... Still wouldnt have helped knowing my dumbass of a fucking father got himself kidnapped and tortured. You didnt tell them anything did you?"

"...Nah... Didnt tell them shite.... Passed off some lies they took for the truth.... Didnt think I'd be there to tell you what I was then get a metal pipe upside the head only to wake up on a plane bound for that hellhole..... Celestia probably wrote me off for dead for real this time.... Gave my job to someone else.... Hope I dont have to fucking beg to keep my position after that ordeal...."

"Maybe when you're back on your feet, I'll think about it.... But I swear to the fucking goddess herself you hurt me, or my family ever again I'll make sure you're wheelchair bound for the rest of your short fucking life."

"Look... With your mother, I agree I fucked up but why do ya think I'm doing what I'm doing? I'm trying to save others from myself... God damn warlords and just the random every day pony, thinking they're owed some tail for being in the position they're in and they're not in the mood to ask politely.... I've taken out damn near dozens in and around Ponyville that you hadnt gotten.... That first meeting of ours where I planted your sorry ass into the ground? There were four ponies I was scheduled to make look like they died by their own hand. Think one of them was fond of the little fillies...." I looked to him shocked. I heard about that after my short leave that day.... four suicides that day... one found with ungodly amounts of pictures of fillies and colts.... We took all that and burned it since he was dead. Didnt want it to get out.

".....Still doesnt change what you've done..... You're lucky I'm willing to even let you talk to me..."

"....Understand.... you dont have to trust me yet you did... multiple times. That night at the Wonderbolts facility, your fucking day out in Appleoosa.... Hell you didnt even say anything for when your fucking wedding day came around and your ass got kidnapped by god damn changelings.... Your friends seemed to trust me even though one of em pulled a gun on me.... Hell with your mother screaming bloody murder seeing me I was expecting to be put in cuffs right there... Still.... Felt like hell after that... adrenaline died down, ended up drinking myself into a holding room in that bunker.... I fucked up, she aint gonna forgive me for what i did.... putting you into her.... but if I hadnt... things probably still would've been better between us.... Maybe have had you down the line...." I huffed.

"After you're back on your feet, come find me.... We drink and talk. If anything invite me to a bar you know wont poison my drink. Or if you bring something, make sure its sealed and that I open it." He huffed as I got up.

"Fine.... We'll talk when you're in a better mood..."

"We got a long flight ahead of us... hope you're comfortable." I just gave him a look before walking back to my seat on the plane and buckling in. Just stared out the window waiting for takeoff.

Uncle Orange took a seat just across from me. "So... Happy he's back?" He asked. I didnt answer. "Alright... I get it.... Still pissed at him for what he did to your mother. Totally fine. But you're gonna have to work with him every once in a while. We all have our priorities with this work. Me? Same as you. Keep the world safe for my family. Him? Keep ponies like him in the ground. Doesnt change who he is but he wants redemption.... Guess you have the best of both worlds. Got her flying speed, his bullheadedness...."

"I am nothing like him. Day I am like him, same day I off myself. Seriously. If I were to force myself onto any mare that didnt want it I'm killing myself after."

"You control yourself. I respect that. You get all your aggression out through other ways. Even give yourself a smile whenever you're with your sister or my daughter. Speaking of which.... Maybe after we get back and rest, even clean up, you bring the family by, spend some time with each other. Maybe go out to dinner on me?" I sighed.

"Sounds good... Maybe you come with me, act like we ran into each other at the train station and we head to Canterlot, surprise Applejack?" He gave a chuckle.

"Sounds good. Still gotta see about what we can get for you from the Crystal Empire.... Say you got some presents from the Princess herself."

"I think Celestia will have something planned...." Anyways the plane started to take off once everyone was strapped in. Night fell and I slept again. Not comfortably mind you considering I had blood on my hands but I still slept a bit. When we got back it was about four in the morning. I slept for the five hours I could inside the bunker and then went to check on Mythic. He held up alright. Scheduled for surgery when he could get it.... Whoever we fought had fucked his legs up pretty good.... need to be broken and reset correctly. Stayed in the bunker for another night after touring the place more in depth. Showed me a shooting range where I spent some time. Even showed off my strength when they asked me to help move some supplies in the depot. I picked up some crates by myself, put them where they told me to, even open them. Full of some guns, ammo, even some food stuffs. Canned food and alcohol. Some asked how I got that strong, I told them I really didnt know. Just happened one day which actually isnt a lie. I stayed one more night and I had to change into a few things other than the uniform I was given. Had to leave that where I got it. Though here was the fun part. Celestia had the train stop along its route for me and Uncle Orange to get on, him with a fake brief case, suit and tie, me just in what I brought. We boarded, had a package waiting for me with an extra bag with shirts and stuff from the Crystal Empire. When we got off at the station we were met by Applejack and the girls. AJ was questioning me at first until I gave her a shirt. That night we ended up going to dinner with Uncle Orange, his wife and Babs. I swear Babs was so happy to see me she was almost like Scootaloo flying around and right into my arms. Celestia even got us rooms at the castle. I had to be in a room near the girls room on my own. I didnt trust myself with anyone in bed after what I did.... Didnt wanna be dreaming then rip off someones head in dream only to wake up to find Applejack or one of the girls in their place.... Anyways until next time.