Family and Friends

Its been two days since I've been dubbed 'The Claymore' by the Shadowskins. I killed Nightshade who spoke highly of me before his.... 'cook' went and killed him.... That's the lie I told myself. But I was given his room yesterday. I still speak with Mythic who's told me targets and I've been going after them.... I was nearly caught by someone with one of the targets... Ended up having to kill him too. Though that night I went to Doctor Forcep. She was surprised that I was alone but I told her what had happened... She questioned me for a bit... Until I told her something about Ikkebuckero. The poison and the fast acting detox meds which she actually had a bottle of. She gave it to me and I drank it right down... Didnt take ten minutes before I was asking for a bucket and a new pair of pants.... Oh I felt so bad for the ones who had to clean that up but she had medics watching me all night, puke, shit and sweat that stuff out. And it hurt. BAD. Though I did manage to get some sleep it wasnt the best. Didnt get a deep sleep here either so I wasnt able to talk with Luna. That next morning I was given a new jumpsuit... even some underwear to keep things clean and tidy just in case. Though I went back to maintenance duty just to keep up a little work time between meals. I actually just got done with working on another broken door. Had to walk all the way back to the nearest maintenance room just to find a new job to do... And I've been keeping in touch with Overcharge. Secret communications that are encrypted to hell better than what these guys can do since she's got programs from the Elites that help with staying hidden for double agents.... At least that's what she told me.... But here? I had free reign. I closed up the door behind me, set my tools aside and just got on the computer. I bypassed all the work orders before getting to the glitched out one. 'Ryder! Good news, we've found out where you are. Bad news is this may be our last communications so we may have to work this out quickly.' Overcharge typed.

I huffed grabbing a nearby metal rod. I just bent it... Barely had to try so I knew I was back in action.... I quickly bent it back to near its original shape before going and typing. 'Good. All I need. I'm ready to make my move but its gonna have to be a quick hit for the targets keeping me here... Been plotting with someone close to see about getting to hasten that process and he's done his research...' I typed in reply. 'Three targets... One is The Warden yet to get to him I get to the other two, Fireborn and Predator... Fireborn is an explosives expert... Might have an idea to signal that we're ready for an assault... Predator is another story... Assassin... she handles all the training with carrying out assassinations... Surprised she hasnt gone and noticed an extra toy I have... Yet to get to her I know one thing I can do... Might have to work the charm... Though I probably have to go at her head on.... I'd give more info but I'm limited on what I can say right now'

'Fine. This might be time to at least alert Equestrian Royal guards as well just to have them come down on this place.'

'NO! No RG. No casualties on that end. I want the best of the best fighting for me and if they have to fight dirty. There's gonna be fuckin' blood in the water and I'm the shark that's spilling it... Get on with things. Hopefully I'll see you soon... And tell Izzy if she wants to drop by for a celebratory drink to bring Celadon with her.'

'Gotcha. OC OUT.' I just took a deep breath and sighed wondering what to do next... Tell you what I did. I went all the way back to the room I was given. It took a bit but I just looked to the guard at my door.

"...Gonna nap... Anyone needs me, I'll be up in an hour..." They just saluted and I went right inside. I just looked around. They had this entire room cleaned spotless. Even the bar restocked as well as the food... and thank fuck they got rid of all the meat in here.... Weirdest thing is I've yet to see ONE griffon in here... I'm just gonna believe that there was a team of griffon here at one point but they didnt after a while and couldnt find more. I just closed up the windows and went straight to the bed. Lifted it right up and went down into the little hidden bunker that was in here. Nobody but The Warden knows about this. And I'm assuming Fireborn and Predator have their own. Inside? I had pictures of Fireborn and Predator as well as the warden up on a cork board. Another mistake is they gave me some throwing knives.... Not just for them but me as well. I never knew how hard it was to throw those fucking knives. I learned that the hard way. Got one richochet'd off the wall and nearly got me. I just took these and just stabbed them into the pictures. Even flicked one between my fingers before just stabbing it into the warden again. I walked back out of the bunker and set the bed back in place. I just took the blade off but kept it in a drawer just in case. Set the alarm on my alarm clock and just nodded off. As I fell asleep I started to dream.

I just thought of those two ponies. Predator and Fireborn. Fireborn I might have to try to dispatch quickly and alone if possible.... Even have his body booby trapped with anything explosive... dark I know but I want to send a message... and a signal to my saviors. Though when it comes to Predator... She's probably gonna wanna jump my bones if I even go near her... Last thing I wanna do is put my dick in crazy. And no matter how many times I say that I've fucked Pinkie a time or two. But she's the good type of crazy. As I slept I was joined by Luna who looked at the two ponies apparitions. Just walked right in front of me and around them both, looking at them. "...Something tells me your captors?" She asked. I gave a nod. "Silent... You arent usually silent unless you're in deep thought..."

"I am..." I replied. "...I dont usually have to think this hard on what I have to do... but things are being put in perspective here... I was glad to get detoxed to get my strength back.. fucking lucky I did something on a whim and not just shit my pants over it..."

"Uh... Did you...?"

"Well worth it to get my strength back to myself.... And if I ever get exposed to a toxic substance that is poison or something.... I'm gonna need it... Drink it all down and I would need someone to watch over me while it works itself through my system... And trust me when I say its not a fun experience...."

"So... Do you have plans yet for these two?"

"...Not much... one is gonna have to be a head on approach... The other nobody is gonna know he's dead until the signal goes out... and its gonna be a big one... Gonna be going for Jungles of South Eastern Steurope levels of fuckery with the big guy... Take him down, set a few traps... they're only gonna know when they're sent to find him...." I pointed to Fireborn. "This guy is a master with explosives... from what I hear he's a fucking menace when it comes to selling explosives to everyone who wants to use them to get at their respective governments... Either that or for war.... Wouldnt doubt he sold something to the enemy when I was at war... And her..." I pointed to Predator. "She's an assassin.... Wouldnt doubt she could poison me or anyone just to put someone else in power that could control their narrative. Hell she probably could've carried out murders we've seen but had no connecting suspects... And neither do I want to ask questions... I only want them to die... Give me an opening to the Warden...." The darkness opened up with bright lights... The warden in his armor... Ready for anything. "...Soldier... drill sergeant... Acts like one but he's a false leader... Yet with that armor I'm already gonna have one hell of a fight...."

"....Do be careful with these ponies... Use Schrivechnya if you need to. I'd say something about your message.... but with how pissed off you are.... I'm allowing this signal to be sent if it sends everyone into a frenzy... And if it gives you an opening to deal with the Warden he should expect an army to rain hellfire down burning brighter than the fire that burns within you..."

"...I quench their want for fire, you snuff the flames with what you do... whether by words or blood... And with the words you speak.... I must too snuff the flames of their progress..." Luna smiled.

"...I might see about putting a good word in to the Nukes Galore devs to see about getting you to voice a character after we're done... Might still have to dig through your mind and get those thoughts out of your head..."

"Do what you need. Just make sure I'm good and knocked out... Now If you'll wake me I have work to do..."

"Be safe Ryder... But before I wake you, Applejack... she came up to Canterlot trying to find you...." I just stayed silent... not even meeting Luna's gaze. "...She asked where you were to guards, Celestia.... even me... Guards pushed her along to Celestia, Celestia to me since I've had the only contact with you..."

"...What did you tell her?"

"...Since there werent any fillies present I just... I had to sit her down to talk with her... I told her you were taken but she couldnt say anything to anyone about it... She did freak out a bit but.... She's thinking because you got your new title that you're too good for her... And you just- in her words... 'dropped all ties and fucked off to who knows where'..."

"Is she still in Canterlot?"

"Fortunately and unfortunately yes. We've had to hold her here just so she wouldnt say anything. She's mopey and such but we're having Twilight distract the family and Cadence and Shining are down there now helping with the foal. She's limited to texting and we are making sure that she doesnt tip anyone off..."

"When I get back I'll explain myself... she doesnt take it at face value... well... I'll just leave her be... let her think about it...."

"If you cant go through with everything today and you somehow manage to get away with your life, I'll see that your minds are connected when you are both asleep. I just have to make sure you're not going crazy first...."

"Good idea... Lets just wake me up..." She nodded and everything faded one by one. Luna first, Fireborn next, Predator next and then finally the Warden. I woke up with my alarm and got up stretching. Went and did my mane, preened my wings before grabbing my blade and going out. I looked to the guards at my door. "Anyone need me while I was out?"

They both looked to each other and then back to me. "Nothing sir." He said.

"Totally fine. Thinking I might join the prisoners for a meal as to keep disguise. Gonna need an escort." They nodded just before one started walking me down the hall. Took a few minutes before I was inside the mess hall. Got my food and went to find Mythic.

Once I found him I sat down next to him. He barely looked at me. "Good of you to join me... Got a few targets that need to be taken care of...."

"And I've got a few of my own..."

"So you're ready?"

"Almost...." I took a bite of my food. "...There's a few kinks in the lines... Trying to figure out a way to get at em. And these things need fixing..."

"And I take it you might need some tips on getting em fixed." I gave a nod. "Well.... Definitely a few options.... From what I hear training with explosives is set after the meal here. Always needs help with wiring. The other.... Guessing nothing a good hit in the right place cant fix." I sighed.

"I... was kinda hoping with the second problem you'd have some solution."

"Everyone else I've asked about that second problem cant really say... either that or just wont... I mean... There's another hand to their reach... Who the fuck even knows at this point?"

"...And the problems you have?"

"Well... Two have been thorns in sides... kinda mine as well since you pissed em off.... Lucky you arent on the list..."

"I can handle them... But maybe you can help... Might have visitors soon... might pay someone a visit, give signal... you can either get these guys to go crazy... or you can keep your ass out of any crosshair... Your call."

"Aint much I can do... Maybe start spreading rumors of you being someone else completely... start some chaos while keeping my head down. Just do what you gotta... and dont forget to pick me up on the way out." I gave a nod and just kept eating.

When I was done I excused myself once everyone started going out to the yard. I had to figure out where Fireborn was. I had to ask where he was and a guard had to show me where he was.... Long walk and we went down an elevator. When we got to where he was we were in a large underground bunker looking area. I could see him getting explosives ready. Everything from C4 to grenades to even a box of mines. He looked up as I stepped off the elevator. I had to keep myself from just going off like a grenade with the pin pulled... Just bide my time like a long fused stick of dynamite. "Ah Claymore! Glad of you to join me! I was wondering if you'd help teach the prisoners how to toss grenades and possibly place mines properly." He said. "Surely a soldier of your caliber can do that dah?"

I hummed. "Well... The grenades sure. Actually havent placed a mine myself so I might be in the mood to learn something myself." I replied. "Where's the training taking place?"

"Topside. We got guards keeping tabs so nobody runs. Maybe you want to help carry some things? Just make sure you dont drop anything. Dont want these things to go off before they're ready!" He let out a laugh... honestly made me nervous but I've handled C4 before.... The rescue with Mythic. Oh that was an escape plan and something fun.... I plan to do something similar... Anywho I picked up a box he had and ferried it in to the elevator. Set it down gently before we headed up. I had to fake having a little trouble with the box just so he wouldnt suspect anything. When we got topside I carried out the explosives again. We were in a scorched field, craters here and there... honestly looked like a warzone. There was a group that was fallen in line. Fireborn just pointed where he wanted the box. I set it down and just went to fall in line as well. "Alright little fire lice! You are here today to learn explosive techniques. You know rules. If not, best rule is not kill yourself or others. You already know what happens if you pull pin on grenade and hold it for too long.... But that thing better try to go down range... Its either you throw it or you end up eating it... And trust me... you do not want to eat it...." I watched him reach down just to pull a grenade out. He held it up. "Speaking of.... There are few types of grenade. Some start fire, others give off smoke... Some give out gas you'd rather not breathe. And here? Here we have grenade that send shrapnel all around. But is simple enough. Once pin is pulled..." He pulled the pin and just held it with the primer still in place. "Make sure before you're ready to throw hold primer down. Keeps explody stuff from mixing. And when ready, release." He released it, the primer flying off. "And THROW!" He whipped right around and launched it down range. I saw where it landed. Made a little dust cloud fly up. Five seconds to explode from when he released the primer and threw it. And it was LOUD.... Oh I wont lie I actually had a little flare up.... Waking up in the dead of night because some fucking coyote stepped on a land mine while I was at war and the entire base was on alert. No gunfire, no enemy sightings for an hour. Just spotlights going around. One found the crater and the carcass. Oh it was hard getting back to sleep that night for sure. Fireborn turned back around. "Would anyone like to try?" He looked around. At me, then the others. "Ah come now. Do not be shy! Sometimes is fun to blow things up!" I just huffed and stepped forward hesitantly. He just looked to me and smiled. "Good! We have a volunteer! Come friend! Throw grenade. See if you can actually throw properly."

I gave a nod and swallowed as I came back to the boxes filled with all these things that could just instantly end me if not careful. He was the one to grab the grenade and hand it to me. Had some weight to it. I just took a deep breath and swallowed. "...Here goes...." I told myself. I turned around with the grenade and just chose a good place to throw it. Once I chose a spot I pulled the pin and just chucked it. It flew a bit but landed somewhere around where I wanted it. But this explosion was a bit bigger. Kinda knocked me on my ass with the sudden explosion... Caused everyone else to laugh at me. Even Fireborn. He helped me up giving a chuckle.

"Aha! He found a lost land mine! Even I was not expecting that! Good job friend! Go dust yourself off and watch from sidelines. You deserve it after that!" I did as such with dusting myself off. As I stepped away he looked to the rest of the group. "That is another thing. If you have far target, you throw over hand. If you have target that is closer say in room... You throw underhand. Little toss but get to cover or get clear. Understand?"

The group just all in unison said "YES SIR!"

"Good good! You learn quickly! Now lesson on land mine. Proximity fragmentation mine, EMP, bouncing boys, you name it. If its in ground, and explodes in way, it is mine. Though you can make mine out of anything, not anything can be mine. If placed correctly you can make mines with grenades to trap bodies. Enemies move bodies to see if they are comrade, they trip it and explode! Here someone try to arm this mine and bury it. Mine have five second delay after being armed for you to back off."

I sat and watched.... Oh one guy got unlucky when he went to set a mine. He went out there and buried his mine. All good there. On his way back.... yeah he found another one. Oh a few of us couldnt keep lunch down... First there was one guy, then there was no guy.... The rest were afraid to step out there. Totally fine. Guards had to watch us while Fireborn had to call someone to find any loose land mines and clean the guy up. That took about fifteen minutes. Guy who came was in a blast suit and he had a metal detector. He went straight for the body going slow. Mapped out the perfect path and even marked little spots with mines and even got out without blowing his own ass up. He looked to Fireborn just as a medical team in full hazmat gear went in and bagged up the body. "All clear!" The blast suit guy said. Fireborn nodded before turning back to us.

"Alright. After that we will probably call it early. I do not like it when we lose someone like that... The guards will take you to go into the yard to just decompress after that. Those of you who got sick will be given snacks." He looked to me. "You there. Help me carry this back. You did good today." I gave a nod and hurried over. This was it. I grabbed the boxes and carefully carried them into the elevator putting them down. He followed in and hit the button going down. "You did good out there Claymore. Throw grenade like pro! Just wish we could've taught you plastic explosive..."

I smiled a bit. "How about you just tell me and I'll figure it out?" I asked.

"Eh... Couldnt hurt..." It wont... for long.... "You can set a timer on it, set a signal on it and match it to detonator, arm the detonator and once you are ready squeeze it and BOOM!" ...Oh the smile turned into a grin. An evil grin that made Schrivechnya happy.

"...Good to know...." I grabbed him and just thrusted the blade right into his neck.... Again we were in a white void. He was laying on the ground in front of me. I really wish I knew what this was.... But I'd rather think this is just a moment of bliss knowing I'm doing good.

"....You... YOU TRAITOR!"

"You call me a traitor even though I'm still allied to who I served.... To who I love... the only traitors here are you and the others...."

"...You do not know what you are getting yourself into... I could've taught you so much... You probably could've brought down more buildings like those terrorists did in Manehattan!"

"....Those terrorists died cowards.... They might've died with everyone else that day... yet they couldnt kill me... And something tells me why I'm still alive and they're not speaks volumes.... You have emotions yet you do not see others, you have the fire but you do not feel it burn. All you are is ashes... Take my words to your grave... And prepare to say hi to the big guy downstairs for me... Might actually see an old friend waiting for you and the others...." I shoved the blade into his neck yet again. As the void faded I found myself holding him up. I took the blade out, wiping it on his clothes before setting him down in the corner. I took things out of the boxes and started setting them up. C4 on the elevator walls, a grenade in his mouth, belt of grenades across his chest with a land mine between his legs... And the best part? Two more just hidden out of sight. One of the C4 I set with a frequency and matched it on the detonator. I didnt arm it yet. Once I put the frequency on and armed the mines i just hurried over to the other elevator. Fuck me was that ride up tense.... Though I had to think fast.... Just to have them not find the body before it was ready I had to break the elevator in some way. Just punched the control panel and it stopped right there... a bit rough but it stopped. I had to fly up the rest of the way in the shaft. Dark, only lit by emergency lighting. Once I found the door I landed on a steel girder and pried the door open. I had to poke my head out slightly just to make sure nobody was coming and just squeeze through before shutting the doors as best I could as to not raise suspicion. I got away from there as fast as possible. Just went to my room and just proceeded to just tear his picture up with the blade. Then I looked to Predator. I just couldnt think of the best way to do it. Its either I go straight to her or do I try to figure out a way to do things?

I figured I'd need info from the doctor. I went down there, told the guards at my door I was getting a little pain in my ears and might see if she had medicated ear drops or something to help after the explosions that were happening. When I arrived Doctor Forcep was treating a patient in a room. Patient looked laid up with bruises and what looked to be a broken leg. I just sat to the side waiting for her. Once she was done she came out of the room and came over to me. "You again? What is it this time?" She asked sounding annoyed.

"Having a hard time hearing you. Think we can get a one on one so I can hear you better?" She gave a nod and an annoyed huff. She just waved me over just before going into the furthest room. We went inside and closed the door.

"Alright! What did you do for you to be hard of hearing?" She asked loudly.

"Nothing but you dont have to yell... I just need information... Just keep doing your thing to keep up appearances."

"...Info? Who now.... And why should I help you when you keep sending bodies to the morgue?" She came around and checked my ear with something that she got in her pocket.

"Predator. Gonna have friends here soon and it may get chaotic.... I need to know what she does, where she does it and how she does it..."

"Well..." She started as she kinda cocked my head to the side. "...What she does is always secret... Even I have no idea but all of her trainee's come out alive. Where she does it you'd have to ask her. I rarely see her and when I do want to see her for a check up she disappears before I have a chance at asking her. And the how? Oh she's an assassin. Blends into the crowd, poking and prodding everyone in just the right way all for the sake of information... Even opportunities just like how you do things... My advice? Ask her yourself. You might have access to her room if you ask nicely."

"And that's something I thought I'd have to avoid... Now another question... The explosives storage... Only Fireborn has access to those things right? Nobody else goes down there?"

"Yep. Only he gets down there. Anyone who does go down there and is caught dont live long to tell the tale... and if they do tell... Well we see them being brought down range or having to defuse a bomb that was set by Fireborn attached to one of their loved ones and most of the time it isnt pretty.... The times they do manage to get them defused Fireborn gives them a minute before taking the loved one away and giving a warning to the fucker who fucked up. Why?"

"...Well thats why it may get chaotic... Fireborn is in on it in a way..."

"...Wow you work fast... How?"

"Never. Ever. Piss me off."

"Noted." She flipped off the tiny bit and stowed the thing back in her pocket. "Allow me to prescribe something... Stay here, give me a minute." I nodded and just watched as she exited the room and went over to one of the cabinets. She grabbed a few bottles of meds. Just looked at the labels before bringing one right back to the room. She handed it to me. "Take one of these tonight and the other tomorrow morning. Instructions are on the bottle and do NOT mix them with alcohol..." She just darted her eyes to the bottles. I looked at them for a second. Cyanide and a numbing agent.

"...Ah... Something quick and easy eh? Got it. Just gotta figure out the best way to do it...."

"Well take these first." She tapped the numbing bottle. "And then these ones in the morning." She tapped the cyanide. "You should only need to take one of each if you do it right."

"Got it. Something tells me taken with a meal and a drink?" She nodded giving a smile. "Ah... Got it... I'll see to it that these are taken as soon as possible."

"Well lets hope there arent any distractions that mess things up..."

"Well... Things should be done tonight if I'm lucky... Just keep safe... Alright?" She nodded and I pocketed the bottles in the other pocket of my jumpsuit. I got up and followed the doctor out just kinda fiddling with my ear a bit trying to 'clean' it out.

I just walked around until I came to Mythic's cell. Had to tell a guard I wanted to question him about rumors going on. The guard looked to me as he brought him out in cuffs looking pissed. "Orders sir?" He asked.

"Bring him to the nearest interrogation room." The guard nodded and just pushed Mythic forward. I just followed behind. Once we got to the interrogation room the guard sat him down and just cuffed his hands to the table in front of him. "Thank you. Now leave us and do make sure the other room is empty... This might make even them sick...."

"Yes sir." He saluted and just walked out sealing the door. I just walked around waiting for a minute or two before going over and sitting down. "...I gotta move fast... Please tell me you've got something to help cause chaos."

"Yup. Got intel that there's a fire drill and everyone will be hearded out into the yard tonight... Once that happens there's gonna be a little fun thats gonna happen... And I'm gonna try to fight my ass off to stay upright... Made a deal with the guys who you were supposed to off. Told them if they did as I asked, that we'd get em out. You?"

"One down, two to go... After this I might have to have a dinner date with someone... Also got a couple meds from the doc who i need to get out with us... might be of some use to us... Got a signal ready and a surprise for those if they find it early... That happens I've got one hell of a fight on my hands... and I'd rather not..."

"Just in case... I'd stop by somewhere to get gear... maybe a disguise to aid in escape. Either that or a better way to get to the last target among the chaos...."

"Now there's an idea.... Gotta love playing dress up..."

"Well dont wear your mothers panties just because you wanna. Now just clean up, dont be late for your date."

"I'll ignore that comment about moms underwear... but thank you for that information...." I held up a finger and went back to the door just to have the guard waiting outside. "Take him back to his cell. I have what I need..." The guard saluted without a word. I hurried down the hall and just sorta wandered. Well... Until I found a guard. "Please tell me there are spare uniforms somewhere? I need something better than this... Makes me feel like I blend in and dont even intimidate the prisoners much! I'd rather them be afraid of the guards rather than their fellow prisoners."

The guard gave a nod and just beckoned me. "Sure. Follow me." He said. He lead me down the hall just to a room with uniforms galore. I knew my sizes pretty well. Just grabbed a button up long sleeve, a hoodie, combat boots and pants and even a pair of long socks. They even had a private changing room in there.... PERFECT. Everything fit perfectly... Well.. Almost... The shirt was a little big but it was perfect because of the hidden blade. The hoodie was still pretty light weight enough to not trigger the blade. I was lucky the guard left me alone while I was in there... Connected was an evidence room... Inside? The big ol twisted weight bar and what looked to be a shot up riot shield. It wasnt that busted but I thought I'd help myself to these.

The best thing about being a lieutenant of this place nobody questioned what I was doing with those. Walked em all the way back to the room and even got inside before heading to my.... 'date'. Made sure I had the pills and the detonator in my pockets before heading over to Predator's room. Once there it was... weird she had no guards at her door. I just knocked and waited before she answered. She was wearing a tight leotard... Like... No legs and it was giving her a camel toe that looked almost like it could bust out at any point. "Oh Claymore! I wasnt expecting you!" She said. Honestly? She was beautiful... So sad I had to end her soon. She stepped aside. "Come in come in! I was actually just about to get dinner started. Hopefully you're hungry. I made plenty to have leftovers and rarely do I get to them." I entered hesitantly and just looked around as the door closed behind me. It was... Oddly comfortable. Of course she came across as always lusting for a good fuck or fight and you wouldnt know which one depending on how you ended up on the floor... Though she had toys here and there sitting out as well as a rack and whip out... Yeah she was more horny than anything... Surprised I never stepped in anything wet... yet now that I was here I'd have to watch my step. Think the only things that werent leather here was her bedsheets and her carpets.

"Apologies for not saying anything sooner... kinda wanted this to be a surprise... Hopefully I'm not too overdressed here..."

"A little but we can fix that later... Do make yourself at home!" ...I swear she reminded me of Rarity... But as an earth pony who would love to run me through with blades.... She sorta followed me as I went deeper. Where my kitchen area was there was a fully stocked bar there. She had her cooking area against the wall and it smelled really good.

"Whatcha makin? Smells amazing!" She looked back at me as I went and started eyeing up the drinks.

"Oven baked macaroni, tofu bits with a little cayanne hot sauce mixed in to spice it up. Hope that's alright."

"Spicy is good... Honestly the mess hall food is a bit bland... Though doesnt mean the cooks are bad with what they do..." I looked over to her. "Fancy a drink? Thinking I'd like one if thats fine with you. Craving a whiskey shot."

"Go for it. I'll have my drink after dinner. Helps me wind down... And get in the mood..." I'm honestly tempted to ask what her poison was. Though I'd be playing my hand a bit too soon. I grabbed the lowest bottle of whiskey and just quickly poured a shot before knocking it back. Oh the fire on that one burned. Felt good though. Though at this point I grew a bit nervous. Didnt want her to have me drink myself stupid or strip me down just to see the blade... Only time I wanted her to see that blade is when it is driven into her vital places... After that I excused myself to the TV... Just watched for a bit while Predator tinkered in the kitchen. I just had to make sure the stuff I had on me stayed in my pockets and didnt fall out or trigger. Though once we ate I felt comfortable again. The food was amazing.... I honestly wish I could ask for the recipe but I might be able to do something with it. The spice wasnt too bad. Gave the chewy bits of tofu something to perk it up. And the baked macaroni itself had just the right amount of cheese that wasnt just liquidy bullshit. Like it was just that good. Almost forgot what I was here for... Almost.... Though after we were done we cuddled on the couch.... Big. Mistake. Let me tell you why. I looked to her giving a slight smile.

"Up for that drink now? In the mood for another one here...." She gave a seductive smile.... she probably could've shoved a hand in my pants and started stroking me off a bit.

"Sure... Bars always stocked with my favorite drinks.... Pick anything and bring it here...." I gave a nod and got up... should've suspected something when her arm slid over my stomach. I just walked around the corner to find the bar. Poured a few shots of whiskey and just started feeling around my pockets for the pills.... Nothing... no numbing, no cyanide... I still had the detonator though. I had to get rid of the hoodie and open up the shirt... Didnt even do the buttons. Just ripped it open sending the buttons everywhere. I hurried back around to see her admiring the bottles of pills in her hands. "...Well well.... I must say you're either the smartest idiot I've ever met... Or you're just plain stupid to think I'd fall for something like this...."

"H-How-" She got up tossing one of the bottles aside.

"...Poison training.... Both with enduring and noticing it.... When you walked in I did catch a whiff of cyanide.... highly sensitive nose does that sometimes.... Though the food wasnt poisoned but I'm sure if I had taken a drink earlier... you might've gotten me... but I worked on a hunch and I was correct."

"...Well then... Bravo.... Now... something tells me its time for a dance... no guards for you to call it seems..."

"....A dance it is... Lets hope your fighting is as good as your stealth.... Still sloppy..."

"This one I wont take seconds on!" I made the blade trigger before rushing at her. Oh she was FAST. Grabbed my arm and tripped me flipping me over the couch. I did stumble a bit and thankfully I had my blade still... Though by the time I readied myself she disappeared. She laughed just as everything went dark. Pitch black. No lights at all.

"...Dont try to run... doors locked... No alarm though... Nobody will know what went on here but us.... Only thing that will show up is your body and those cyanide pills.... Though I'll have to cut you down to size before I think about that...." Just then I saw a light in the room happen from sparks. She had her daggers. I had to think quick... Though something at the back of my mind whimpered a bit. Schrivechnya. She whined a bit before giving a bark. Hard for you to understand but since she was kind of a part of me I knew she wanted to help me. I just closed my eyes for a moment... when I opened them I saw everything almost as clear as day. Schrivechnya had a little night sight action. I looked to where I saw the sparks from and just saw Predator rushing me silent as ever. I just jumped to the side fast and delivered a swift kick to her sending her down. "What?! N-Nobody's ever done this!"

"...Yeah... Well I'm not just some normal asshole.... I'm the last asshole you're ever gonna fuck with!" I rushed her and tried getting her. Blade missed because she rolled. She got to her feet and threw one of her daggers.... I dont know what happened here... Most of like what has already happened. Maybe reflex boost from Schrivechnya. I just saw things in slow motion as the dagger flew at me. I stepped aside, grabbed the dagger and just returned to sender. She didnt have any reaction time before that thing just imbedded itself in her shoulder disabling her arm. She dropped her dagger giving a scream. She went for the dagger but stumbled knocking it away. I kicked it to the side. She just started wanting to scramble away but her body wouldnt let her. I grabbed her leg, pulled her closer and just drove my blade into her turning everything into a white void.

"Finally... Predator turned prey...."

"...You... You're no ordinary pegasus... There's evil inside you..."

"You think I dont know that?" I started pacing in front of her. "...I've faced demons... Personal and supernatural... dated one at one time too... You? You're evil.... Rather not care about the lives you snuff... take the ones you train and either kill them or you teach them to snuff out others.... You're a burning candle whose wick just reached its end.... You're still gonna burn after that... Just with someone controlling the heat of it... And its gonna be a low... searing... burning heat until the end of time... but even then... you'll still burn...." I honestly relished this moment. Driving the blade back into her. Though once I did everything faded. I pulled the blade and went to turn the light on. I grabbed my hoodie, hid the blade again after wiping it clean and just knocking my other shot back before heading back to my room for the finale.

I just waited until the alarm happened. Once that alarm happened I grabbed the shield and the workout bar and just started walking. Guards ran past trying to get out... They were just that focused as I walked past. Though when it came to the door to the wardens office.... there were a few guards... I let them have it. One got ran through and the other got his neck sliced by the follow through. Yeah... May have torn one guy open splattering his blood everywhere. I wanted to make a scene where applicable. I opened the door and walked through just to see the Warden looking out his window in his armor. Didnt even break his gaze away. "...They were almost ready.... We almost had our army...." He said. "They're still training... but no... I dont think there's any more time.... I should've known you fucking killed Nightshade... That blade I gave you did nothing but take... You were supposed to give us power..." I planted the makeshift spear into the ground before taking the detonator from my pocket arming it.

"...No... No I wasnt.... When we met face to face I said I was both the best choice... and the worst.... something I left out of that part... I was the best because I had power... but I'm the worst not only because of my troubled past... but you kidnapped royalty... a Prince... everyone has been alerted to your presence here.... and this?" I clicked the detonator setting off the explosives. Shook the building and started causing alarms to go off... I tossed the detonator aside. "....That was the signal... You're gonna have an army coming down on you harder than a hammer on a nail.... And by the by.... That smoke cloud might have some ashes in it... Fireborns to be exact...." I could feel the air change. From tense... to heated.

"...No need for him anyways..." He stepped to the side and just pushed a button on his desk holding it down. "Predator. My office. Now. Alert Delta." He released and waited. I heard nothing but yelling and gunfire. He pushed it again. "Predator? Predator do you copy? Alert DELTA!" I chuckled a bit.

"...She was a great host... yet she was the parasite always taking.... You're alone... Just you... You and me... Yet I'm not here to protect you..." He growled before he grabbed his desk and chucked it out the window giving a grunt before turning to me.

"I SHOULD'VE KILLED YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY AFTER THAT STUNT!"

"You could've tried but due to connections everyone you sent to do anything to my family is already dead! Now come on! Less talking and more fighting! This thing needs to taste some blood again!" He just scraped his foot across the floor before charging at me. I dodged one way trying to bounce him away with the shield... it shattered upon impact. I wasnt worried... yet... I readied the spear and just started to jab it right into his armor. It punctured but not too deep. He shoved me away before I started spinning that thing like a bo staff. I got it ready before just charging him and trying to puncture that armor... Yeah nothing... He just stood there and laughed before swatting the fucking thing away.

"You think you can penetrate this armor? You're a fool! This armor is made with a steel alloy, plated and is made to be practically impenetrable! Your strength cant even rip this apart..." He grabbed me and just tossed me back into a wall. Oh that hurt... Though I wanted a good fight. I just gave the juke box in here a quick hit and holy shit I'm stealing this for a colt cave if Luna can help me build one. This just started playing some thrash metal. Oh that got me ready and crazy. I just jumped onto the wall before vaulting myself off just tackling him to the wall. He threw me off but I just kept going at it until he just swatted me out of the air... and holy fuck did that hurt. Got me right when I tried to tackle him out the window... Oh that would've been a sight but no. Knocked me out of the way so I hit the wall dazing myself. He just grabbed me by my leg and held me up. "You put up a good fight... but even with everything... you've lost..." He raised me up before just starting to slam me down. He might've slammed me three times before I just started getting desperate... and... I... I keep saying this... but I have. No. Fucking. CLUE what I did. I mimicked the hand signs from the magic book in the nuclear scenario. Though once I closed my hand and opened it... I was surprised... A fireball. It caught his eye right before I sent it straight into his face causing him to drop me screaming. "WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUCK WAS THAT?!" I gave an evil laugh as I conjured up two more fire balls after distancing myself and getting to my feet.

"That? Say that's a little gift from below... or above... Not sure which but lets hope this suit can take the heat!" I just cuffed my hands together combining the fireballs just before sending it straight for him. It exploded sending us both back, him finally out the window and even blowing the wall apart. I stayed on my feet using my wings to keep me upright. Even had to make sure they werent burning before I just rushed out and jumped down.... And I could'nt have landed any more perfectly... Drove the blade right into The Wardens skull. Everything became a white void... He was on the ground, no armor... Just burned and bruised in the face.

"...No... No this isnt how its supposed to go! I should've won!"

"And yet here you are... a loser... I'll say you won my respect by nearly besting me... maybe even making me realize I might not have to use my strength with everything... But thats as far as it goes.... You've tried... and failed... You thought you had your ace in the hole... Someone to take charge and lead your army into battle against anyone and everyone.... Though its either you lose then because we were all cut down... or you lose here... alone... restricted by thoughts of power overcoming your own mortality... you knew you were fucked but you didnt wanna believe it... you thought yourself unkillable with that armor... Yet here we are... End of the line..."

"....Fuck you..." I grinned.

"...Nah... Fuck. YOU!" I drove the blade into his skull yet again. Before I knew it I was in the fray. Everyone still fighting about, guards getting overpowered by the prisoners, some guards and prisoners just looking at me standing on top of a corpse. I just looked around before grabbing a rifle off a dead guard nearby... crushed by debris. I just grabbed it and fired it in the air. Two short bursts. Just caused attention to turn to me... Guards just started rushing me trying to take me down without weapons because the prisoners stole them or their ammo. Oh I went on a spree just ripping guards apart showering myself with blood. I used the blade sure bit I had more fun ripping them apart. It didnt take long before things calmed down just to have prisoners taking corpses and beating them or even their injured comrades aside to make sure their injuries werent life threatening.

I just wandered through the crowd with what gun I had. I was covered in blood... some I didnt even know was my own and other I knew from someone else. I just looked around as the groups grew further and further apart. I could even tell by looking at some ponies they were both relieved it was over... and scared that this might've just been the beginning. I just stood there and looked up at the night sky as helicopters flew over. Some had lights going all over the compound... I still heard gunfire. I heard a laugh as I felt a hand on my back. I looked over just to see Mythic looking up at the choppers. "Lad ya did it!" He said. "Ya look worse than Ikkebuckero but ya did it! Couldnt be more proud of ya!"

I huffed as a chopper came right over head and stopped. It just circled slightly before starting to lower down. Everypony backed up fast as it came down. Mythic and I included but we stayed just out of the groups just to be seen. Elites definitely. Five of them jumped out. Four from the back and the copilot. The copilot? Uncle Orange. Smoke. I could tell by his mask. "TAKE THESE PONIES AND GET THEM THE HELL OUTTA HERE THROUGH THE FACILITY!" He yelled at the four ponies over the chopper blades. He came right over to us and just looked at me. "What the.... I honestly dont wanna ask but fuck me do you need a shower before we get you into that chopper...." I just looked at myself.

I huffed. "Yeah... Got a little too excited..." I looked up at the Wardens office. "Gimme a minute. Be right down!" I flew up there quick and just went for the bathroom. Showered up with my clothes on and washed it up as good as I could. The floor looked like a murder scene. Though once I was out I raided the wardens closet for clothes. Grabbed sweats, a white tee shirt and a jacket. Military obviously. Though once I grabbed it and went out I looked at the juke box... You bet your ass I grabbed it, unplugged it and brought it down to the chopper just to get it strapped in.

I even looked to one of the Elites and told him to figure out how to get the warden out of his armor and to just fix it up and maybe see about reverse engineering it for more suits. The flight out wasnt anything special. Just me, Mythic, the pilot and Uncle Orange. I had to keep making sure the jukebox was in place every so often so we wouldnt get thrown off balance. Took us... half an hour or so to land in Canterlot. Princess Luna and Celestia were there to greet us when we touched down. They just cut the engine to the chopper after we got out. Luna and Celestia both hugged me tight. I had to just keep the blade out of the hug just in case... I do not want a fact about me to be stabbing a princess... Scootaloo already shot one.... Accidentally yeah but... she can say that she did... and hope she doesnt get in trouble... I broke the hug with them and backed up. "Thank mother you're alive Ryder!" Celestia said. "I didnt know what to think after we went to wake you for the morning meal and you werent there! We thought you just went for a walk and fell asleep in a different room... But when we sent guards to look for you they came back with nothing and we had to think fast because your mother was here and just.... I dont think she believed our lie that you went home early due to something that happened at home but Applejack and your family believed that lie.... She came up here and learned the truth... We've had to keep tabs on her..."

"Has she been trouble?"

Luna sighed. "Yes.... After last I saw you she got a bit combative over her phone and assaulted a guard." She said. "She's being held in a room despite the assaulted guard's protest but we managed to talk him down to not having her arrested and yet only to have her in a room only to stay there until given word."

"Give the word she's to be released. Let me see her first though. And please tell me you still have my stuff around..." I looked to Mythic who was just sitting aside on the chopper talking with Smoke. I looked to the Princesses. "Wait for me inside. Gotta do a quick handoff here." They both nodded and just hurried inside.

I came back over to them just as Mythic was in the middle of telling Smoke something. "...Swear that boy gets pissed when he does shit... and there? I cant blame him.... Still less torturous than the fucker who took your kid." He said. He looked up. "Speakin of him... You here to see me off before headin' home?" I huffed.

"In a sense..." I just unstrapped the hidden blade from my arm and handed it to him. "Take this back to the bunker. Maybe see if you can find a better way to make these things... And dont poke your other eye out... Rather you see everything your granddaughter is up to..." I gave him a smile... Oh the look on his face just was shocked but it turned into a smile. I looked to Smoke as well. "You need to come around a bit more as well. Still wanna have you and Babs building a relationship with the kid. Now you two stay safe and... Maybe in the future we head out for a drink."

They both gave a nod and just watched as I ran off towards the door. I hurried downstairs to join the Princesses. Only found Luna but Celestia did tell her to lead me to AJ. There were a couple guards at her door but we walked right in.... I found her just sitting on the floor laying against the wall looking like a mess... Mane unbrushed, her pajamas wrinkles and stained. She was just cuddling a pillow struggling to stay awake it looked like. I just stooped down a bit just looking at her... Just a broken mare missing her husband... being lied to just to keep her in a good mood which turned sour. Princess Luna just nudged her a little bit. She jumped and looked around wondering where the fuck she was. Her eyes locked to me and she just threw the pillow down just knocking me on my ass to hug me. "...There... See? We found him... Just like we said Applejack..." Luna said. "We found the compound he was being kept in... Caused quite the ruckus just getting out of there..."

I just held her close.... She sobbed quietly into my shoulder. She quickly pushed me down on the ground and pinned me... Not to kiss me... But she looked pissed. "NO! NO HE WASNT YOU'RE LYING YOUR GOD FORSAKEN ASS OFF!" She screamed, spit just flying onto my face. I just pushed her off and when I got up she tried tackling me again before I just tossed her on the bed.

I looked to Applejack mad. "Applejack I was fucking kidnapped!" I snapped. "Do you think I would leave the Princesses and my mother alone after I said I would spend time with her? Yeah this is the second time since I've been dubbed a prince that I've gone missing but this time it wasnt my fucking fault!"

"BULL! SHIT! You're a fucking liar! You're goin' behind my back and cheatin'! Dunno whether stallion or mare but you are a fuckin' cheatin liar! WHATS THEIR FUCKIN NAME SO I CAN KICK THEIR ASS BEFORE I KICK YOURS?!"

"APPLEJACK SIMMER THE FUCK DOWN!" I yelled... I actually jumped on the bed and caused her to cower. "DO YOU FUCKING KNOW WHAT I FUCKING HAD TO DO TO STAY ALIVE IN THERE?! DO I NEED LUNA TO SHOW YOU WHAT THE FUCK I WENT THROUGH AFTER SHE KNOCKS YOUR ASS OUT WITH MAGIC?" I panted a bit before dropping to my knees. "I fucking KILLED a defenseless mare. I watched her lover get executed after I did it.... I had to do it just to stay alive... And it was either her or me at the end of that gun. I thought after that what if that was you at the end of that gun? I would've killed the lot of them before being gunned down myself. Either that or I would've just fucking killed myself before they could kill me!" I just took my legs out from under me and sat on the edge of the bed facing away from her. "And here?! I thought I'd come back home to the mare I love, that I married to welcome me back, open arms, asking if I was okay maybe even kissing me but no! You had to go and fucking say I was cheating on you when you let me bed specific ponies. Only ponies I'd even touch even with your knowledge are Gilda, Daring and maybe a stallion if they're invited but thats fucking it! Any other one it would be me asking you if I could and if you wanted to join... But... I get this...."

The room was silent other than the sobs of the mare behind me. I just stared at the wall... almost as if I was staring down the range at that mare with the sniper scope. Luna had to kneel down and just hold my hand rubbing it with her thumb. "Applejack... I'd apologize if I were you...." She said not even breaking her gaze away from me. "He's been through a lot in there.... Even at his request I wouldnt show you what he had done but its pretty scary.... So... Just... Kiss and make up?"

I waited there.... Felt like an eternity just for Applejack to hug me from behind and kiss me on the cheek. "...I... I'm sorry sugarcube..." She whimpered. "....I... I just... I'm just scared... you've been through so much... guess now that you're royalty... I... I just cant help but get worried... that someone would just kill ya outright.... I... I dont wanna lose you sugarcube... I... I dont... i really... really dont...." She broke down again just crying on my shoulder. I just turned around and hugged her... bringing her into my lap... Even giving her a kiss. I stayed there for a while before she nodded off... finally out of energy. I lied her down, covered her up and just left the room. I looked to Luna as she followed behind closing the door.

"Something the matter Ryder...?"

I sighed. "....No... Just... I just wanna get some sleep finally... but... I just... I cant get it here..." I said. "...If you still have my phone... I need to make a call... Might need someone to give AJ a map and a note saying where I am just to be sure I'm gonna be safe for the time being...."

"Guess you're going to the bunker.... Right?" I nodded.

"Yeah... Figure... I just... I owe someone an apology... Not only that but... I think security needs to be strengthened here and there around the castle.... Just to be safe.... Rather sleep soundly knowing others cant get in without alerting me.... Honestly might take a bit for me to readjust until I know I'm gonna be safe."

"...understandable. Do you want guards to take you straight there? Might even be able for Smoke and Mythic to drop you off at the chopper. I think Celestia offered them to spend the night and it would be a quick flight."

"Mythic stays. Give the man a drink if he wants one. If Smoke is still around I'll get him to fly me." She nodded and lead me to my room. Rocky was staying in there all huddled in blankets... I couldnt help but give her a little kiss on the cheek which just made her give a little squeak before curling up more. I grabbed my things and just called Daring. Took 3 calls to wake her and get her to be ready for me... Flight took about ten minutes. Was cold because I was just strapped in with the door open. Once we were at the drop zone which admittedly had to be brightened up with a spotlight I just jumped out and glided to the ground before getting down underground. When I got down there Daring was already waiting with the door open and in a warm looking set of pajamas.

Daring sighed as she fixed her mane a bit. "....You better have a good reason to wake me up like this...." She said. "...This better not be a way to get this open to sleep with me again.... And besides I thought you hated me after what I did..." I huffed.

"...Alright sorry, I forgive you now can we go inside before I explain things??" She kinda looked at me scared and nodded just letting me pass first before following me. Once inside I just tossed my stuff aside on a bench and just sat against the wall just as she closed the door up. The screeching of the door was music to my ears even though it still did bring bad memories back. She came out of the security room as the door locked shut... She came over and just knelt down next to me.

"...I... I should say you're always happy to see me but.. something must've happened for you to come here... Is everything alright?" I sighed.

"...Honestly? I dont fucking know..." I replied. "...I just came back after being kidnapped for a week... I have blood on my hands that is normal but this time I'd rather it not be and just..." I looked around. "Is there anywhere we can go so I can show you something? Somewhere that isnt flamable and doesnt have sprinklers above?" She hummed.

"Without opening the door.... Yeah actually... needed a little plan B incase the door got jammed or the main entrance caved in for whatever reason but we made damn sure that wouldnt happen that soon... And I'd rather not open the door again because of Sunburst... dont think he liked me opening it in the first place..." She offered her hand.... I was shaking as I took it. She just helped me up and hugged me... I just hugged her back before she motioned to grab my bag and follow her. We dumped it in her room and just kept walking. We went down a set of stairs into a lower part of the bunker. Wasnt much other than storage here of emergency supplies.... WISH WE KNEW THAT DURING THE FUCKING NUKE DREAM... Anyways we wandered through the storage until we found the entrance to a cave, lit with construction lights. Felt weird being this deep. I looked to her.

"...How sound is this cave? Am I gonna cause a cave in with what I'm about to do?"

"Sound as anything you juryrig together." Yeah... Stuff I rig up is sound... ish... That beer hat that I made Dash didnt last long with her.... Apparently she put 4 sets in on one day and when she tried to do a fifth she managed to break it... The cans she used stressed the plastic bits a bit and snapped em... She was mad... but called me to see if I could fix it before she wet her bed during a nap while I tried to fix it... Yep. Went over there to fix it, she laid down for an hour and when I thought I finally had it she screamed causing me to break it to being unusable. I go see what happened and she's mid piss in her bed. Anyways I took a deep breath before just mimicking the signs again and just opening my hand into a fire ball. Daring just looked at me surprised. I huffed.

"Stand back! Might get hot!" I reeled back and threw it at the wall just having it explode sending flames everywhere and even coating the ceiling of the cavern before everything went back to just having the lights light the cave.

"...How... How did you do that...?"

"...If I knew, I wouldnt come to you.... But I remember in that dream we broke into Celestia's bunker to get a map for where we needed to go... maybe even seeing about finding them to save us... But when we did I snuck a book into my bag from the forbidden book section of Canterlot library and studied the book and managed to cast fireballs... That was a reach from what just happened.... My strength couldnt help me with what I was dealing with but... that fire ball saved my ass but... I just... After that I dont feel safe.... I need to be here for at least until tomorrow while Applejack rests up.... Just... please make sure that this stays between us.... Celestia would love to know I can do that but she'd be afraid of what I can do with it.... Frankly I'm afraid to know as well..."

"....I can understand the fear of having power you dont know what to do with.... Book four... That staff that could summon creatures of darkness.... I almost wanted to use it on Ahuizotl... But couldnt... I had to throw it somewhere nobody would be able to get it... and that it got destroyed." She sighed as she rested a hand on my shoulder. "....If you can... Go get some sleep.... You can share my bed or find your own if you dont trust yourself. I'm not gonna make that choice for you.... I... I'm gonna be honest... I feel like if you are in bed with me... you'd do something to hurt me because of what I did..."

"...I'm not holding what you did against you... You're important to me but my trust was shattered with what you did... Doesnt mean I'm not gonna up and hurt you... All you gotta do is start building that trust up again... and by letting me in you definitely started that... Just keep up with what you can... But yeah... thinking I'm gonna get my own bed..." She huffed and just waved back at me as she started walking to the door. We went back upstairs, she gave me a few sleeping pills and gave me a room just near hers incase I changed my mind. Didnt. Just lied in the dark for a bit after I took the pills and sometime during the night I passed out and didnt wake up until the morning where Daring had to wake me up. I did get a call from Applejack apologizing more about what she said.... Told her how much it hurt but she ended up coming to find me.... she was a bit shocked by the underground bunker but thankfully I did get to explain to Daring and AJ at the same time for what I did in depth.... I actually cried but they understood why.... Neither of them held it against me... But Applejack did tell me she was gonna get Luna to go around in my mind... She'd even have me at home until it was time for bed but that was for both our protections just in case. Fair. Totally fair. Anyways... I think I need to rest for a bit... Until next time.