Introduction

Hey there, I’m Mel, the only human in Equestria, you might be wondering how I ended up here, well it all started a long time ago when a stone gateway appeared down where I used to live. Curiosity got the better of me, so I went through it not knowing what was on the other side. I ended up in Equestria where Princess Celestia was waiting for me, who naturally assumed I was an ambassador. I was given the role by order of the President so that maybe one day our species could maintain peace between worlds. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case as the government tried to push me out of the way when I didn’t do as they told me, so they could get all of Equestria’s resources for themselves. I intervened and stopped them, shutting them out forever thus becoming Equestria’s Guardian (by order of Celestia) she wanted me to be the protector of all that live in Equestria But I knew I could not handle a job like that on my own, I needed help and over time I developed my own group of soldiers. The Ranger Initiative Program or R.I.P for short, I refer to these soldiers as “Rangers”. I train them like any military including weapons training, Communication, and infiltration. Rangers are like a police force that protect the world, watching from afar, stopping threats before they happen, kind of like the CIA but more western. Every major town or settlement in Equestria more than likely has a Ranger outpost nearby while some soldiers go undercover posing as civilians within that town as part of their reconnaissance mission. Every Ranger refers to me as Head Commander and under the authority of Equestrian law by Celestia herself if I see things that are wrong you will be punished severely

--There, all caught up now

Operation: Crackdown

Canterlot Station 6:18am

I had been sitting on a bench at the station for what seemed like a very long time. The weather was fair as other ponies were also waiting for their supposed train. I could hear the wind wisp by as well as a few birds chirping. Pretty soon from down the tracks, a train was heading towards the platform chugging and I could smell the smoke all the way from where I was sitting. The train was different from the other trains I’ve seen and have ridden on, this one was more rounded, aerodynamic and was made of crystal and I knew Shining Armor was on it. He’s the only other one to ride a crystal train from the Crystal Empire aside from Princess Cadence of course. I had agreed to meet Shining here in Canterlot before he went off on vacation with his mother. As the train screeched to a halt up to the platform the door on the sidecar opened and a guard’s pony got off and stood by the door

“Announcing the Ruler of the Crystal Empire King Shining Armor” he said

As he said that Shining Armor came out with some luggage that he was levitating with his horn

“Let me get those for your sir” the guard said

"No no I got it besides I’m meeting my mother here, oh and by the way you don’t have to announce who I am every time I get dropped off you know”

“But sire you are royalty and must be announced”

Shining rolled his eyes, the guard jumped back into the sidecar and the train left as quickly as it came. Shining turned and saw me waiting on the platform

“Hey Mel, how are you, up high my dude” he said holding out his hoof

I walked over and gave his hoof a slap

“How’s my Brony doin?” I said

“AH you know ruling a kingdom, training guards, attending summits and all that, so what brings you here?” He said giving me a rather curious look

“Well I thought I’d make sure that you were in good hands before your trip, I mean you are a very important pony after all, I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you while you relax with your…. Mom”

“I appreciate it, you know it’s odd that my mom wanted to spend more time with me out of the blue”

“Well mothers are like that they always wanna be with their sons and make sure there safe and all”

“Yeah, I get it, but I just think it would be better if Twiley and my dad come too but I guess she only wants to take me, seems off”

“Sure, sounds odd, anyway if your ever in danger, you should take some rangers with you in case of an emergency”

Shining waved his hoof at me

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I’ll be in any danger at this resort, Mrs. Harshwhinny is running it and I trust her”

“Still, I just have this feeling in my gut, and I never go against my gut”

“I hear ya, but I’ll be fine” he assured me

While Shining and I were talking the Canterlot train pulled into the station. When the doors on the sidecar opened, I saw Shining’s mom Twilight Velvet step off with her bags.

“Whew, these things are heavy” she set them down and looked at us

“Honey you made it” as she trotted over to her son and gave him a hug. She embraced in as his face turned pink a little

“Mom your embarrassing me” trying to stop his mom

“Shiny I am your mother, and mothers love their sons”

Shining frowned as his mom hugged him tightly

“Miss Velvet good to see you” I reached out to shake her hand

She looked at me still holding shining

“What are you doing here?” she asked slightly annoyed

“Well I was making sure that Shining Armor got on board safely before his travels”

“You don’t need to watch over my son that’s my job” she said pointing to herself looking high and mighty

She let go of shining and walked toward the train

“Now bring my bags Shiny were departing soon, Mommy needs some relaxation” as she walked back onto the train car

“What crawled up her ass” I said

“Hm not sure, maybe she’s just cranky from the trip is all”

I had my suspicions, but maybe he was right

“Well Shining I hope you enjoy yourselves”

“I hope so too, see ya around Mel” he said as he took his and his moms Bags using his magic as he boarded the train

The train headed down the mountain, but something was still gnawing at me, but I couldn’t figure it out. I walked to my seat and waited for the next train to arrive

“I hope you’ll be alright”

==========================================**==============================================

Ranger HQ 5:32am (one week Later)

The Ranger Headquarters was the central command center for organizing Rangers and their Stations, I had it positioned in Ponyville not too far from the stone gateway that lead back to Earth. It held some Rangers as well as some secretaires typing updates from the other stations as well as requisition forms. I was just sitting in my office doing the usual paperwork, signing equipment requisitions, troop transfers, bills from Celestia that sort of paperwork. You know running a large-scale army of Ranger ponies is not as easy as you’d think. So, as I was doing that my secretary buzzed me

“Sir an important message from DR 5 has arrived”
(DR stands for Deep Reconnaissance, 5 is there designated number)

“Hm” I thought to myself “I sent her and her squad to look after Shining armor at the resort that him and his mom went too, something must be wrong.” I hit the button on my desk

“Alright send it in”

A few seconds later my secretary came through the door, she was a yellow earth pony, with an orange mane, green eyes and wearing her ranger fatigues, she had the scroll in her mouth and placed it on my desk. I leaned in, took the letter and unrolled it to read the message

Dear Commander-stop
Shining Armor possibly in trouble-stop
Others may be in trouble as well-stop
Please come at once-stop

Upon reading the letter, that feeling I had in my gut came back hard. I knew something was indeed wrong and Shining Armor, as well as some others, could be in danger after all, which is odd because before Shining left he told me that the vacation with his mom was rather out of the blue and wondered if his mom had any ulterior motives.

My secretary looked at me as I pondered the situation

“Is there a problem sir?” she asked

“There might be, it might be nothing, but I can’t afford take that chance, if Shining Armor is in need of out help then by god were going to help him”

“Tell us what to do sir” as she raised her hoof to her head in salute

“Gather the rangers, we are heading out soon” I said

“Where to sir” she had a clip board in her hoofs

“Canterlot, we need to inform Celestia about the matter at hand and get a proper warrant before we head to Bee Sea Camp”

She wrote that down on the clipboard “At once sir”

She ran out of the office to alert the rangers about the mission, I went to the wardrobe that I placed in my office and open the doors to reveal my equipment. I slipped on my overcoat, my sequoia and belt holster, a taser, a collapsible baton, a tranquilizer gun and of course my commander hat. After a few minutes I came out of my office several rangers were standing at attention with their blunder spears* over their shoulders.

“Gentlemen” I said as I stood at ease “We’ve got a mission, Shining Armor and other civilians are in danger and they need us to help them, we need to get a warrant from Celestia in order to proceed, head to the station, MOVE OUT”

Upon saying that, they all grabbed their weapons and marched out the door to the train station. I followed suit right behind them

==============================================**==========================================

When we got to the station, my troops all waited at the platform for further instructions. I showed up just before the train was about to leave and saw the conductor

“Excuse me” I said “Me and my men need a ride to Canterlot”

“Well do you have tickets” he said

“UH no”

“Then I can’t let you on sir”

He was starting to get on my nerves.

“Excuse me I am head commander of the Equestrian Rangers, me and my men need to see Celestia at once”

“I know who you are sir, but I can’t just let anybody on my train for free”

I buried my fingers in my eyes

“Look let us on and I’ll make sure the Rangers compensate you”

He raised his eyebrow at me

“Sorry sir its pay now or your not getting on”

I was losing my mind, right then and there, at the fact that this stupid pony was impeding my progress because of a fucking ticket. So I leaned over to him, grabbed him by the collar brought him to my face and stared right into his eyes

“Look I don’t have time to argue with your right now Shining Armor is in danger and we need to alert Celestia, so are you gonna let us through or will I have to tell Cadence that her husband wont be coming back because of you!”

The Conductor saw the rage in my eyes and knew the situation was serious

“Very well then, please take your seats the train is about to leave soon” he huffed as he turned to the train and hopped on board to use the intercom

“Last call for Canterlot” he said before boarding the train

My Rangers moved into the train carts and sat in their seats awaiting their next orders. The engineer pushed a switch and the train began to chug right along slowly but surely until it was moving as a good pace. I went back to find myself a seat, when I got the cart that housed my Rangers, I found them all on high alert holding their spears. I decided to stand, since there was no available seating, I held onto the railing of the train.

One ranger finally spoke out

“Sir if I may” he said

“Proceed Private”

I looked at the private who had an orange coat with a brown mane hiding under his helmet

“You said that Shining Armor might be in trouble, what kind of trouble do you think he’s in sir”

It was a good question that I unfortunately didn’t have an answer

“I don’t know Private, what I do know is that he needs us, and we need to help him, so be ready for anything”

“Oorah” I said, and every ranger said it back to me.

==============================================**==========================================

Canterlot Station 6:47am

The train came to a screeching halt as it slowly pulled up to the station platform in Canterlot.

“Canterlot station” the conductor yelled

Most of the ponies gathered up their belongings and got up to get off the train. I made my way to the door to once again talk to the conductor

“I need this train to remain here until I get back”

The Conductor was furious

“Seriously, you hop my train for free and expect me to keep it here because you need it, what is this world coming too”

I went back over to him again

“If I come back and it’s not here, I swear you’ll be living on the streets asking for a goddamn handout!”

The conductor pushed his hat back slightly sweating like a pig and sighed heavily

“Yes of course sir”

I looked back at the rangers that were left

“You two with me” as I pointed to the closest ones near me

“Rest of you stay here until I get back and do whatever it takes to keep this train here, that’s an order”

They nodded with understanding and the two near me began to follow me out the train car while the rest remained on the train. We quickly made our way to the castle which took about thirty minutes to climb all those stairs up to the castle door. Two guard ponies were stationed by the door one on each side. I slowly walked up to them and they knew who I was.

“Greetings Commander” they both said as they gave me a salute

“At ease genltecolts, I need to speak with Celestia, it’s a matter of utmost urgency.

They both looked at each other and nodded

“Lower the gate at once” one said

The drawbridge began to slowly come down at the base where we stood. Once down we made haste towards the royal throne room. Twenty minutes go by as we made our way inside. We walked fast towards the doors to her throne as two more guard ponies were stationed there as well. They saw me and did the same

“Greetings Commander”

“At ease” I said a little breathless from trek from the station

“I need to speak with Celestia immediately”

“Celestia is just wrapping up some things and will be with you shortly”

I gritted my teeth with frustration, we were kind of on a time limit and I didn’t wanna waste any more time standing around, but I had to keep a leveled head when in situations like this, so me and the two rangers I was with waited patiently. After a few minutes go by a couple of ponies from some other country came out and proceeded their way towards the exit.

“The Princess will see you…” before he could finish his sentence, I pushed the door and strolled into the throne room accompanied by my rangers. I walked up to Celestia and bowed and so did my Rangers.

“Mel it’s good to see you, what can I help you with” she said with a soothing calm voice

“Your majesty it’s about Shining Armor, we believe he might be in danger, one of our Deep Reconnaissance operatives has reason to believe so as well as others”

Celestia was shocked by this news

“What possible danger could he be in?” she asked

“I’m not sure your Highness, I have my suspicions, but I need a warrant signed by you in order to proceed with the mission”

Celestia grabbed some parchment and wrote down the necessary information for a warrant

“Who is the suspect in question?”

“Shining Armor was last seen at a camp called Bee Sea, my operatives say that Mrs. Harshwhinny runs some kind of resort there”

“Mrs. Harshwhinny!” she said shocked upon hearing her name

“That’s strange, about a month ago she came to me about asking for permission to start some sort of program at a resort she was building, I didn’t read what kind of program it was, I was far too busy at the time, so I said I would get to it at a later time. She seemed like she was in hurry and stormed out in frustration”

“Hm that is pretty suspicious” I said

“And after she left a couple of days later an artifact that had not yet been catalogued from my private collection had gone missing”

“Huh do you know what the artifact was or even did?” I asked

“I don’t quite remember, all I remember was that it was a gold disk with gems and old runes that I couldn’t read, but I have no idea what it did”

“Do you think that Mrs. Harshwhinny is responsible” I said

“She seems like a likely suspect but without proper evidence I can’t point the blame on her” as she finished signing the warrant

She used her magic to levitate the warrant down to me, as I reached out and took it placing it in my overcoat

“Thank you Celestia I’ll do whatever it takes to get Shining Armor back I promise”

“Thank you, Mel, if Mrs. Harshwhinny is responsible for something and Shining Armor is indeed in danger arrest her, just don’t go and blow the place up” she said

I laughed a little on the inside

“I’ll do my best” I said as I made my way to the doors.

It took a half an hour to finally get back to the station and as luck would have it the train was still there. I turned to the conductor who was waiting by the train door.

“We need to head to Bee Sea Camp as fast as Possible”

“WHAT” he said angrily

“You want us to change our route all the way back down the Mountain”

“I wasn’t asking” I leaned in closer to him “I’m telling you"

“What do I tell the other passengers that have already boarded”

I grabbed the intercom to make my announcement

“Fillies and Genltecolts, this is Head Commander of the Equestrian Rangers I’m ordering all civilians to please exit the train by order of Princess Celestia, this train is bound for Bee Sea Camp on a rescue mission to save Shining Armor, sorry for the inconvenience, the Rangers will compensate you for your troubles, thank you and have a nice day ” I said before hanging up.

The passengers began to exit the train and back onto the platform some were worried while other were angry about the layover. I looked back at the conductor

“Get this tin can moving” I yelled

He was sweating nervously as perspiration began to drip down from his hat

“Full steam ahead to Bee Sea Camp” he said on the intercom

The train chugged along back up the mountain and switched tracks in order to travel back down the mountain. The train was going pretty fast I could feel the wheels grind against the track.

“Hang in there Shining, I’m on my way” I said to myself

Author's Note

This story you are about to read takes place in a different universe from where the original comes from, this is sort of an alternative ending because I feel like what happened to those characters was undoubtably wrong on a lot of levels and those involved should be arrested or at least punished especially harshwhinny, so I hope you enjoy