Mercenaries Of The Shadow

Morbis awoke feeling no better than he did yesterday, his heart was still heavy with guilt. The thought of the families who suffered made him sick to his stomach, and it was all his fault.

It took him a while, but he managed to get out of bed and head to the bathroom. He began thinking that a shower would relax his nerves. He turned on the water to a moderate temperature. He closed his eyes and leaned forward, letting the water run down his back. Without meaning to, the thoughts came back. The cries and screams echoed inside his head, burning flesh stayed locked in his nose. He dropped to his knees and vomited in the tub. He sat there for a few minutes before deciding he should get cleaned up.

Once he was washed, he dried his hair and wrapped the towel around his waist. He stared at himself in the mirror for a few moments before decided he should go get dressed.
As soon as he stepped out of the bathroom, he was met by the certain rainbow pony he was staying with. He had no problem staying with her, it was just difficult to live with someone who was used to living alone, and walking around naked in the morning.

"Stop staring asshole!" She yelled as she threw a vase in his direction. Luckily the house was made of cloud or it would have shattered, instead it just made a poofing sound as it collided with the wall.

"Sorry, I'll just wait in here." He slammed the door shut behind him and sighed "What a way to start off the day."

Morbis decided to go for a walk to clear his head, maybe stop and get something to eat 'I should probably see what everyone his doing.' He thought to himself.

The first person on the way would be Haze, Morbis hoped that he wasn't drunk.
He walked up to the boutique and was about to knock until he heard Rarity's soft voice, and Haze's voice straining.

"Uh, its so tight!"

"Don't you give up on me now, we have already come this far."

"Alright, i'll do this for as long as I can."

"Well I hope you can do it for long, cause we are no where near done." She finished with a small laugh.

'Oh shit, they better not be doing what I think they're doing'. Morbis forced the door opened and witnessed something he thought he would never see. Haze as a mannequin.

"Oh hello Morbis, how are you?" The white mare asked as she went back to sewing.

"Im uh... Im fine, how about you?"

"Splendid, I would be better your friend here would cooperate for a moment." She said, scolding Haze.

"Hey what can I say, im an impatient bastard." He said with a huge smile. Rarity flicked his forehead, causing him to wince.

"Watch your language, I will not have such vulgarity in my boutique."

"Yes mom." He said sarcastically "I'll catch up with you later Morbis. Bar tonight?" Morbis shrugged and walked out the door. 'Thats the last time I burst in on ponies'.

Sweet apple acres, if you don't like apples then stay the fuck away. The orchard was a relaxing place, it was usually quiet with the exception of a few chirping birds here and there, and Morbis liked that. It was a place to go to get away from ponies for a short while... until some assholes decide to interrupt it. Morbis opened his eyes just in time to react, he ducked just before an apple was whipped at him, hitting the tree.

"Whats up Morbis?" Scorch asked as he walked up with Applejack and Big Mac close behind.

"Well I was trying to relax, that is until you decided to chuck an apple at my head."

"Eh stop complaining, If you want to relax, we should take a break, like a vacation." Morbis stared at him for a moment before answering.

"Out of the question, we can't afford to take a vacation in case of an attack."

"Oh come on, y'all can take a little break here an' there right?" Applejack asked, attempting to reason with him.

"No, and its not up for debate." He said as he stood up and walked away. Morbis couldn't believe that they were asking for a break during the start of a war.

After a walk through town, Morbis decided to return back to home he was staying at. He entered the house and notice rainbow wearing a sports bra, spandex shorts, and was carrying a gym bag.

"Oh hey, I wasn't expecting you back so soon. I was just about to hit the gym. You wanna come with?"

"Yeah sure, I don't have anything else to do, besides, a work out might help me relax." He said, giving her a shrug and a smile.

After a long race to the gym, they began arguing over who won. The race was a very close one, they honestly weren't sure who won but wasn't gonna stop their competitive sides to take over. They soon agreed to disagree and made their way to the exercise room and began doing their own thing. Rainbow went into the wind tunnel to strengthen her flying, while Morbis decided to hit the weight room.

Some time passed and Rainbow left the wind tunnel and made her way to the locker room. Morbis took note of two others pursuing her. One of them was orange with basketballs for a cutie mark, the other was a dark brown wtih a dumbbell for a cutie mark.
Morbis set down a set of weights and walked in their direction. He knew something was up because they followed her into the women's locker room. Curiosity finally got the best of him and he walked in.
He kept an ear out, and listened for her.

"Can't you guys just leave me alone?" He heard her say from the back of the locker room.

"Now where would be the fun in that?" One of her pursuers said. Morbis slowly made his way towards the sound of their voices.

"Just leave me alone, or you'll regret this." Rainbow said, trying to intimidate them.

"Oh, why's that Rainbow Crash? You gonna call up your girlfriend Fluttershy?"

"She's not my girlfriend damn it!" She was losing her cool and started getting angry. Morbis soon found them and watched for a moment.

"Ah leave her alone Hoops, she couldn't get a date anyways." Rainbow was visibly getting angry, her face turning beet red from rage.

"Come on, what you gonna do, you gonna fight?" The dark brown one said.

"Nope, I will." The sudden voice from behind them caught them off guard. Both of their hair was grasped as they were slammed into the lockers. Rainbow close her eyes and huddle up to herself as her bullies were shoved to the side of her. She opened her eyes and noticed Morbis close to her face and smiling "Miss me?" He released them and allowed Rainbow to walk passed them "I'll meet you outside when im done with these two, alright?" She nodded and walked out of the locker room.

"Who the hell are you?" The orange one named Hoops asked as they both regained their composure.

"Im a friend of Rainbow Dash and you, have fucked up so bad." Morbis said as he began cracking his knuckles.

"No, you fucked up by picking a fight with us!" Morbis laughed and wiped a tear from his eye.

"Buddy, you have no clue who your messing with. I'll tell you what, I'll give you the advantage." Morbis put his hands behind his back and smiled. "Well come on, what are you waiting for?" The dark brown one ran at him and attempted to strike, but was only met with a kick to the throat and brought to the ground by a round house kick. Hoops stared at his friend who was rolling around on the floor and coughing. He looked at the mysterious black pony who beat his friend so easily. Morbis only cocked his head and smiled. Hoops lunged at him in hopes to pin him down. Morbis simply dropped to the ground, and kicked Hoops over him. Morbis got to his feet and stared at his opponent who ran at him. Morbis' foot connected with his stomach, making him hunch over giving Morbis the upper hand. He swung his foot and did a back flip, kicking his face and knocking him out.

Looking at his work, he smiled and rolled his shoulders, letting out a sigh of relaxation "God that felt good."

Rainbow Dash was waiting out front when Morbis walked out, smiling like an idiot.

"Don't worry, they're still alive. Come on, lets race to Sugar cube corner." She gladly accepted and took off without warning.

They both held their own, staying at the same speed. The store soon came into view as they pushed their limits.

"I win!" They both said in unison. They continued to argue for a while before walking inside and witnessing what Starlight and Pinkie Pie did last night. They sat at opposite sides of a table that had empty bottles of Applejack Daniels, and Hoovka. Looking at Pinkie, they noticed she had bits sticking out of her cleavage.

"Seriously, can we even leave them alone for one night?" Rainbow snickered at his reaction and shook pinkie and Starlight awake. Starlight slowly woke up while Pinkie was more of a challenge.

"Morning Rainbow, Captain." Starlight said.

"Its three in the afternoon, get up. we need to go get everyone together." Starlight rubbed his eyes, stood up and stretched.

"Why,can't we just relax today?"

"I gave you an order Starlight, now go get everyone and report to Sweet apple acres."

"Yes sir Captain dick wad."

After an hour, everyone was at Sweet apple acres wondering why Morbis ordered them to report there.

"Alright, we have a very important mission today. Quite possibly the most important we've ever done." Everyone looked at each other, completely confused about what he was talking about.
Morbis pulled out a map of Equestria and laid it out on the ground. "In this area, there is a water spring and a cave."

"So what does that have to do with the mission?" Blitz asked.

He smiled and simply stated "Its the best place for a campsite of course."

"Wait, were actually taking a break?" Scorch spoke up, Morbis nodded for his response, getting Scorch to cheer. "Rainbow, what ever you did to him to get that stick out of his ass, keep it up."

"How are we all getting there?" Twilight asked

"Shade, your gonna drive everyone who isn't a pegasus there while us pegasi will fly, and since I know your the one who stole from my liquor cabinet back in Canterlot, you can just teleport there Haze," Haze let out a groan after hearing his punishment. "Alright, were gonna head out there at five in the morning, so pack tonight."

The campsite was a flat ground near a cave and the water spring. About a mile from the spring, and just outside the cave. They arrived just as the sun began to rise. The air was cold enough for their breath to hang in the air for a second or two.

"Well, the cave isn't very large so we're each gonna have to share a tent. Everyone will stick with their appropriate partner." Each group had a small sized tent, large enough for at most two people, Rarity on the other had might as well had a castle. "Shade, make a pit for the fire." She placed her hand on the rock in the middle of the cave and made a five by five foot pit, about half a foot deep. Everyone chipped in on finding fire wood.

They sat around the fire making s'mores, and conversing between each other. Pinkie and Starlight winked at each other before running to the tent, getting confused looks from everyone. They soon walked out holding a few bags.

"We bring party favors." Pinkie Pie said as they both pulled out bottles of Applejack Daniels and Hoovka.

"DIBS!" Scorch called out as he snatched a bottle of Hoovka.

"Well, you can all indulge yourselves in your hard liquor, I much rather prefer a glass of wine or chardonnay. Haze darling, will you go into my chest in my sleeping quarters and grab my wine." He got up and jogged towards her tent with haste.
Shade leaned over to Twilight and imitated a whip, Twilight chuckled and nodded in agreement.

Hours passed and the sun began setting, giving off a soft orange glow to everything it touched. Everyone had fun swimming at the spring, telling ghost stories and getting drunk off their asses. "Well im gonna go for a walk, I'll be back soon." Morbis said as he grabbed a bottle and walked off in the direction of the spring. When he was out of view, Rainbow stood up and began walking in the same direction.

"I'm gonna go find some more fire wood."

Morbis soon arrived at the spring and began undressing down to his underwear. He flew to the top of the cliff to the waterfall and prepared to dive. The waterfall was calm and running over the ledge smoothly, he took in a deep breath and jumped. The water was cool and refreshing sending slight chills up his spine. He swam around for a while before climbing out and sat next to a tree. He unscrewed the alcohol and began taking small drinks. The snap of a branch caused him to whip around and look at the pony approaching.

"Oh hey Rainbow, what you doing out here?" He asked as he dried off his mane. She leaned up against a tree and smiled.

"I- I just wanted to thank you for how kind you have been to me. The only ponies that have ever been this kind have been the girls."

"It's no problem. Do you wanna go for a swim?" He offered which she gladly accepted. She stripped down to her bra and panties and dived into the water. She emerged from the water after a few seconds. Her hair matted to her head, covering one of her eyes, and ran down her back. Morbis had to admit, she looked rather beautiful. He ran and cannon-balled into the water, coming up underneath her, lifting her on his shoulders. He leaned back, letting them both fall under the water. They fooled around for a while, splashing each other, chasing after one another and such before deciding to get out. They sat against a tree, looking out at the Spring. The area around them became lightly illuminated by fireflies that flew above the water, giving it a glowing effect.
Between the two of them, they drank almost the entire bottle. With the added alcohol from earlier, they soon became quite drunk.

"That was a lot of fun, thanks for that, I needed it." Rainbow said as she leaned up against him.

"No problem, If you ever need anything just let me know." Rainbow took in a deep breath and tried to build up the courage for the question she had been meaning to ask.

"There...there is something you can do."

"And whats that?" She swallowed hard, knowing that there was no turning back now. It was now or never.

"Maybe you could, I don't know... go on a date or something with me?" Morbis looked at her with a straight face and stood up.

"I would love to..." She was flooded with joy and went to hug him, only to be met with a hand against her chest, keeping her back. She looked at him confused and wondered what was wrong. "But i'm afraid I can't date you." Her heart sank like a rock as she heard the last thing she wanted to hear at that moment. The last thing she wanted was some form of rejection. She felt her eyes swell up with tears, trying to break free. She tried to force them back with all she had, but a few escaped and rolled down her cheeks.

"But-But why?" Was all she could say, they were the only words she could find.

"Im sorry, but my profession restricts me from any relationships such as dating. It's against the rules to date. Please understand that it's for your safety." She nodded and began walking away. Morbis would have loved to be with her, but she was in too much danger as it is because of the changelings.

The walk back to the campsite was quiet and a little awkward, and was about to get a little more awkward. Her tent was a little smaller than the others, making them have to huddle close.

When he was certain she was asleep, he left the tent and started a small fire. Using the fire, he lit a cigarette and leaned back against a log, taking a long drag.

"Way to go, you fucked everything up between you two." He said out loud in a hushed voice.

"What happened?" Morbis looked back and saw Blitz exiting her tent.

"It's difficult to explain."

"I got time." Morbis sighed and explained to her what happened down at the spring. She listened closely to what he was saying. "So why don't you date her?"

"Because I don't want to endanger anymore than she already is. It's too risky."

"Alright listen, your assigned to watch over her and keep her safe right?"

"Right."

"To make sure nothing happens to her right?"

"Yeah, what are you getting at?" She scoffed and looked at him seriously.

"Are you fucking retarded? You can protect her and be with her, It will be the same, just with more emotion and reason. Listen, She obviously loves you and I know you love her. So you need to open your eyes and accept the fact that you care for her a lot. The feelings you have for her won't just disappear cause you want them to, you need to confront them or they wont go away."

"You know for a fact we're not allowed to be in any relationships. If Luna were to find out, she would have my ass."

"Why the fuck would you care? You punched princess Luna and got away with it, and your worried about this?" Morbis stayed silent while Blitz got up and walked back to her tent. Before entering, she turned back to him "Give it some thought. Don't worry so much about what Luna said, worry about what you want."

'Maybe I could do it...Should I do it?' He pondered as he began taking another drag off his cigarette. "Fuck this is complicated." He paced around for a while before heading deciding to go back to the tent and call it a night.

"Lets hurry up, I wanna get back before sundown." Morbis said, trying to get everyone to pick up the pace. It was three in the afternoon before Morbis decided it was time to go. They were all upset but understood that it was best that they got back in case Luna had some information or something for them.

"I take it i'm gonna have to walk again?" Haze asked as he loaded the last of Rarity's bags, luckily the tent could collapsed really small.

"Of course, until you get me another bottle of Fireblood wine from the dragon islands, your walking the entire time." Haze slammed his head on the vehicle in frustration. Everyone piled into the Humvee as Shade fired up the engine. The tires spun and kicked up dirt as it took off down the road, leaving Haze behind. He sighed and started walking down the road.

"Assholes, making me walk all the way home."

'Is this how friends are supposed to treat each other?' The voice caught Haze off guard. He pulled out his pistol and began scanning the area for where the voice came from.

"Who's there, show yourself!" There was no sign of anyone around. He began thinking he was just hearing things, or going insane until the voice responded.

'In due time Haze, but I must ask, do you appreciate how they treat you?'

"I don't know what your talking about, they treat me just fine."

'Is that so? Would a true friend or teammate force you to walk for a small mistake?' Haze tried to think of a response but nothing came to him 'I thought so, just think about it, decide whether or not they treat you right. I'll keep in touch.'

"What in the hell is wrong with me?" Haze said as he rubbed his head "Oh well, I gotta pick up the pace." He started running while trying to keep his head clear of what had happened.