Ghillie in the mist

     Sub was laughing like a maniac. "We're gonna die! We're on a forest floor bleeding out! We're already dead, it's just a matter of time!"

     I stood up to my feet. "This isn't funny, Sub! Luna could find me at any second!"

     "No, it's hysterical! This is the funniest shit I've seen in years!"

     "No, Sub! This isn't funny! If Luna finds me, she's going to be bouncing all over the walls. We know she can't keep secrets well." I started to form a .44 in my hands.

     "Killing yourself won't work, Michael. Your body is currently in a state of shock. Shooting youself would just leave you with a massive headache. Best bet is to wait it out. It'll all be over soon. Either we'll die, or the unicorn will save us."

     I sighed as I took a seat in a rocking chair. "Sub, play some music."

     "Loud or soft?"

     "Soft."

     "Quick or slow?"

     "Slow, but a hard hitting beat."

     "I think I know what you want, will this work?"

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     I smiled as I heard the soft voice. "Perfecttion. Now, we wait."

     "You know, what makes you think she'll still be looking for you after a month?"

     "Because she's like me, and I looked for her for a month. And now I'm closer than ever to having her back."

     "So, you feel she would look for you longer?"

      "I was going to look until the day I died. And she would do the same."

      "She's immortal... she would eventually be looking for a corpse."

     "But she would keep looking." I heard a low rumble in the distance. "Well, I guess this is it. Time to find out if we died or lived."

     "Michael, we may have a problem..."

     "What's that?"

     "If Luna is immortal, doesn't that mean Celestia is too?"

     "They still bleed, Sub. And if it bleeds enough, it dies."

     "Just like you."

     The dream collapsed around me. I started to fall through an abyss of black. "Goodbye, Sub."

     My eyes slowly opened, and were met with a small dancing fire.the soft crackling of the burning wood was almost rhythmic. I then heard something walking towards me. I tried to roll over, to see whatever it was, only for my body to scream in pain. I let out a small scream. Then, a gasp. "Trixie did it! Trixie saved the monster's life!"

     I coughed up a small pool of blood. "Where am I...."

     "Well, Trixie thinks she's seen your kind before, and knows you're not from here... we are in Equ..."

     I stopped her. "I know I'm in Equestria, but where?"

     "The edge of the Everfree forest. Just three miles from Ponyville."

     I kinda laughed. "Too easy." I looked up into the sky, noticing that something was wrong. "Hey, why aren't the stars as bright as they usually are?"

     "Trixie does not like the night either. Princess Luna always made a better night."

     "Wait, what do you mean?"

     "After the wedding a while ago, Trixie read that Princess Luna was very mad. Celestia had to lock her in her chambers to prevent anypony from being harmed."

     "So, this isn't Luna's night?" I looked to the stars, our alignment wasn't even there.

     "Trixie doesn't believe so..."

     I was finally able to roll over. "Could you stop talking in the third person? It's fucking annoying."

     She was kinda taken back. "You cursed at The Great and Powerful Trixie!"

     I grabbed my SKS, shakily trying to stand. "I don't have time for this." I got about two steps in before my legs gave out beneath me.

     "Are you alright?" She exclaimed as she ran towards me.

     "Never better." I tried to stand again, but my legs wouldn't respond to my brain. I slowly started tk crawl, using only my arms, before they gave out too. Leaving me face first in the mud. "Kill me..."

     "Where are you trying to go?"

     I started to grind my teeth together. "Doesn't matter."

     She walked in front of me. "Well... I could always help you get on your feet." She swished her tail in my face. "For something in return?"

     "Engaged...." I said flatly.

     Her face turned a bright red. "Oh... well umm..  how about I just help you then?"

     "Please." I said, trying to hide the annoyance in my voice.

     "Here, first I will have to remove your bandages."

     I raised an eyebrow. "Bandages?" I looked at my hands, and sure enough, I had white cloth wrapped around them. I also noticed my lack of shirt, and white cloth over all my scars. Even the moon. When she started removing the bandages, it kinda tore the scabs, the dried blood and all. "How long was I out?"

     "Five hours...." She gave the moon on my chest a weird look. But shook her head. "Why?"

     "I have a deadline."

     "For what?" Her horn stared to glow.

     I looked up at her. "It doesn't fucking matter. Just fix me and I can get out of your hair."

     "Alright, hold still." She hit me with a blast of warm magic. I could only assume it was like what Cadence used on me. I felt my hand lose all the pain it once held. I looked down, and at first, I was relieved. Then, fear overwhelmed my whole body.

     "Stop! Stop now!" I yelled, trying to shake off the warm magic.

     Her horn immediately stopped its glow. "What? What is it?"

     I studied my hang. Every scar I once had, was now gone. Leaving smooth, flawless skin. I looked up my arm, letting out a sigh of relief when I saw it hadn't made its way up to my tattoo. "Have anything else that, oh I don't know, won't tear my iconic features off of me?"

     "You want those scars?" She looked at me weird.

     "They tell stories. Now, hit me with something a little less, laser ink remover."

     She started to concentrate. "Trixie can do this!" Her horn started to glow bright, hitting my arms. Thankfully, not removing the ink and burn from my chest. Once ally wounds were sealed, I stood to full height. She let out a large amount of air, sweat dripping from her mane.

    "Thanks, Trixe. But I have to go now." I picked up the SKS and lunchbox, deciding not to down a five hour until later.

     "Wait! You still owe Trixie!" She pleaded.

     I sighed. "I don't have any currency on me. I have no way of repaying you." I started to walk towards Ponyville.

     "I was just heading for Ponyville! You could help me with my show!"

     I kinda gave her a glare. "No. I have somewhere to be." I took two steps before she was teleported in front of me.

     "Where do you jusy have to be in such a rush that you can't help Trixie? The pony that saved your life."

     "I made a certain pony a promise, and I intend on keeping it."

     "Trixie demands to know who this pony is!"

     "Trixie's about to get her horn snapped off if she doesn't shut the fuck up." I barked.

     She had a look of horror on her face. "Maybe... maybe Trixie can help you again?"

     I rolled my eyes. "Doubt it."

     "Well, what are you planning to do?"

     I sighed. "There's a small house just outside Ponyville. I need to hit it first. Then I need to gain entrance into the castle in Canterlot."

     Her jaw hit the floor. "You want to get into the castle?"

     I looked over at the shining city. I could see a small ball around Luna's spire. "That was my plan, yes."

     She was in deep thought. "Alright, let's go to your house first. But you have to tell Trixie all about you!"

Really? This shit again? "Deal."

     She put out the fire with her magic, connected herself to the trailer, and we set off. At a rather slow pace... "So, what's your name?"

     I eyed her cautiously. "Alex." Sorry, bud.

     "Alright, Alex, what do you do for a living?"

     "Well, I used to be a chef, then I abandoned that lifestyle and decided to pick up underwater basket weaving. When that didn't work, I decided to clean weapons for a living."

      "Amazing!" She said, eyes shining.

     After about thirty minutes of walking, Trixie let out a rather large yawn. "If you're tired, we can stop? And by we, I mean you can stop and I'll keep on truckin'."

     "No! Wait! We're on the edge of the Everfree, at night! You can't leave Trixie alone!"

     "And why not? You're a unicorn, you have magic, defend yourself."

     "Please! Just, stay here while Trixie gets some rest!"

     I was getting angry. "Look, I need to be either in or near that fucking castle, in under forty-eight hours! If I stop so you can rest, I lose time, and am behind schedule."

     "Please?" She tried to pull off some puppy dog eyes.

     "Fuck you. No."

     "Bu..."  she started, but stopped.

     "What?" I turned to see her in a frozen position. "Yoohoo, Earth to Trixie." I waved my hand in front of her face.

     "She can't hear you..." I heard a voice, and fingers on my shoulder. I whipped around, bringing the SKS to my shoulder. "Oh no! Don't shoot me! I'm not the one that brought you here or anything." Discord said in a sarcastic voice.

     I brought the gun down. "And I appreciate it, but if you can't tell, I'm trying to work here."

     "Yes, but by the looks of it, you're having some trouble?" He flew over to the blue unicorn. "I mean seriously, does she ever shut up?"

     "I considered blowing her head off, but trying to keep collateral damage to a minimum."

     "Yes. And nopony knows how to use your weapons. It would be mighty weird to see a pony with a perfect bullet hole in her head."

     I walked over to the trailer, going through all the stuff. "Any reason that you're here?"

     "I thought you might want something a little more potent for killing the bug, Celestia." He snapped his fingers, and my Barrett fell into his hand. He gave me a smug look. "If you catch my drift."

     I thought for a second. "I'll take it, but it won't be for Celestia. I plan on putting multiple shots in her." I pointed to the rifle. "That will blow her apart."

     "Alright, alright, I see what you're saying." He snapped his fingers, making the rifle turn into a small lighter. "Whenever you need it, flick it, and watch the magic. But, it only works once. Once it's a weapon again, no changing back." He tossed the lighter to me.

     "Alright."

     He was in deep thought. I continued to go through her stuff. I eventually found what looked to be magazines. I pulled the paper out, but kinda gagged when I read the cover. 'Playcolt.' And the cover image? None other than the blue unicorn just yards away from me. Discord finally spoke. "I have an idea. Take your time getting to the castle. Focus on staying hidden. It would be a shame to spoil the surprise."

     "What about Luna?"

     He pointed at the bubble on the castle. "That restricts all magic, in and out. She won't be touching your dreams."

     "Sounds like a plan."

     "And now, Trixie will..." she ranted on.

     I was hiding in an alleyway about five blocks from Sugarcube corner. The buildings were tall, away from major roadways, and I was hiding inside the garbage bin. The odds of a pony finding me were slim to none. I leaned back, waiting for her stupid show to be over with. Once Discord left, I had decided to waste some time. No point in rushing an assassination, no matter how personal. I closed my eyes, letting my thoughts carry away. My main concern was getting in the castle. I could always sneak past the guards? My thoughts were cut short when I heard a loud gasp. My eyes shot open, to be met with a pink fluff of hair.

     "Oh my gosh! Michael! I knew my Pinkie senses were right! I felt a...." I grabbed her mouth.

     "Pinkie! I need you to do me a favor." She slowly nodded. Something was... different about her. I pushed it aside. "I need you to Pinkie promise me, that you won't tell anypony I'm here." I sloly released her mouth.

     "But whyyyyyyyyyyy?" She stuck out her bottom lip.

      "Because, I'm really not supposed to be here. Please, Pinkie."

      Her hair kinda deflated. "So.... I can't throw you a welcome back party?"

      I shook my head. "Afraid not."

      She sighed. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." She said as she did all the motions.

     I smiled as I rubbed her mane a little. "You will maybe get to soon? I just have some business to take care of."

     Her hair reinflated. "Okay!" She started bounding out of the alley. I leaned back in the trash again. I smelled like shit, no doubt. But I wasn't trying to impress anyone.

     As I closed my eyes once again, I heard another familiar voice, this one was far away though. "Pinkie, who were ya talkin' too?"

     "Oh, I was just talking to ahh.... ahhh...." she stalled out.

     "Come on, Pinkie. You can do it!" I whispered.

     "I was ah... talking to a friend!" She said.

     "Alright. Say, me and Fluttershy are headed to Canterlot tomorrow to see Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Want to join us?"

     "Well duh, silly!" She said as she started bouncing off. I could tell this by the odd squeaking noise.

     "What are those two doing in Canterlot? And where's Rarity?" I asked myself. I dismissed it, probably nothing.

     I stood outside my old home. My home. I didn't know of I should consider it old, it had only been a month. But for some reason, the house looked like it had been withstanding the elements for years. Maybe when I left they just trashed it? Threw every storm they could at it? It's what I would do. I sighed, looking over at the blue unicorn that stood beside me. She had a look of confusion on her face while she looked at the giant house.

     "Trixie feels like she has seen this house before."

     "Don't care." I chambered a round into the rifle. "Trixie, I need you to do something. If anything gets near this house, tell me. Signal me, teleport something, anything. Just alert me."

     She gave me a nod. "Trixie understands."

     I walked up to the house, slowly grabbing the handle. I tried to turn it, but it was surprisingly difficult. I lowered my shoulder, letting my body slam into the door. It wasn't locked, just stubborn. The wood splintered off the door. I dropped to a knee, waiting for anything. I was met with silence. I slowly stood, never lowering the weapon. I found my way to the kitchen. Everything was still there. The knives, table, chairs, and even the cup Scoots made for me one day before I had to go. I smiled as the good memories flooded my head. I turned, heading for my room. The door was shut.

     I pressed my ear to the door. No noises. I went to turn the knob, when the door just opened. I walked in, looking for anything odd. And multiple things were odd. All my clothes Rarity made for me were flung all over the room. Nothing was where it neededt be. It was obvious the guards had torn the place apart, looking for any way for me to get back. And they sure as hell would have destroyed it. But that wasn't the room I was afraid of.

     I started walking towards Scootaloo's room. The door was wide open. I stood beside the entrance. Afraid of whatever was inside. I didn't even know. I slowly walked around the corner. To be met with nothing. Literally. The room was empty, save a few hairs on the floor. I looked around the room, getting on a knee to examine the hair on the ground. White and black hairs. Royal guard hair, and not just Celestia's. I let out a small scream of anger.

     I realized I had a mission. I got up from the floor, making my way towards the living room. My chair still in its correct place. I moved it out of the way, ripping the floorboards up. Luna had secretly hidden my AR there when I finished cleaning it. And to whoever pony reading this, it is no longer there. If you rip up my floor, I will beat your ass.

     I grabbed the AR from the floor, the silencer still neatly screwed on. Three clips under it, one in. But it was dirty, like majorly dirty. Dust and mud covered the poor rifle. I grabbed all the equipment, making my way towards the kitchen. I sat down in my chair, placing the assault rifle on the table. I then realized I forgot a very important part of the process. The tools used to clean the weapon. I sighed as I stood up, making my way back to my room.

     I moved the trashed items all around the room, unable to find any of my tools. It then hit me that I keep them in my closet. I walked over, opening the double doors. The ssme scene, only this time, I saw the little black box that contained my reward. As I picked up the box and made my way for the kitchen, I thought I heard voices outside. I froze. Then shook it off as me just being paranoid. Trixie would tell me if something was getting close.

     I sat at the table, and began to take the rifle appart. Cleaning every little piece as I went. For just a month, it was way dirtier than it should have been. The mud was caked onto most of the pieces, and there was even a bit of rust. I complied though, keeping my mind on the task at hand. Clean the rifle, get to Canterlot, shoot the bitch. I stopped once again when I heard the voices, this time much closer. They faded away, but I was getting nervous. I started to clean quicker, not worrying so much about the fine details, but more on the good enough.

     My heart stopped when the voices came back. This time, at the front door. I strained my ears. A male and a female. Then, the front door opened. I sat completely still. The voices came closer, and I could hear what they were saying. "...w, this place is a dump!"

     There was an audible thud. "Hey! Don't make fun of it!"

     "I'm just sayin', damn. I mean, the front door was broke in, the floor's all ripped up."

     "Yeah, this place has seen its better days." The female said. Then, I heard a sob. "I miss him."

     "Babe, it's been a while. He's not coming back. From what you told me, he wouldn't want you to focus on your past."

     She sniffed a little. "Yeah, you're right. He always talked about how, while you need to know what happened, don't worry about it."

     "See..."

     "But I made him a promise."

     I heard the hooves of the male get closer. I was hiding behind the door, waiting for a chance to strike. "Hey, what's thi..." was all he got out, before the door was thrust into his side, causing him to yell in pain.

     I then landed a nice right hook into his gut, causing him to lose his breath. I backed away for a second. "You can leave. Now."

     He popped his neck, and opened his wings. "Buck you, you monster!"

     I smiled. "I guess today is your last day." He charged at me, using his wings to propell him even faster. I had been expecting this, and simply moved at the last second, bring my knee into his lower jaw. He rolled on the ground. I took this as my chance. I ran forward, grabbing his left wing, placing my boot on his side, and yanked. I heard a loud popping noise, followed bt screams of pain. I leaned in close to his ear. "Want it quick and painless?"

     He spit in my direction. "Fine, whatever you want." I broke hi other wing and his back right leg, making him immobilized.I started to make my way towards the knives, when I was hit from the side, rather hard.

     I didn't look up, I just reacted. I rolled with the blow, and swung my momentum, allowing my arm to have incredibly high speeds. It landed right in the female's eye. I ran forward, grabbing her by the throat, and slamming her against the wall. She made out a small "Help!" Through my strong grasp.

     I was looking at my feet as the sweat dripped off my body. It was a hell of a fight, I'll give 'em that. I kinda laughed to myself. "And now, you get to see the inside of a glue..." I looked up, and immediately regreted everything I did. "...factory...." I dropped her to the ground, her body heaving, trying to grab precious air. I got on a knee next to the mare, and held my finger under her chin. "Look at me." She shook her head. "Look at me dammit!" I yelled. She cringed a little, but finally, her eyes met mine. "Oh my God..."

     She had a look of complete and total fear on her face. "Don't kill me.... please!" She whimped.down.

     I wrapped her in a bone crushing hug. "I missed you so much, Scoot!" Tears started to roll down my face.

     "H-how do you know my..." I leaned back, letting her see my face and eyes. "Daddy?"

     I wrapped her in another hug. "I'm so sorry Scoot. I just..."

     "I missed you, Daddy!" She said, trying to contain sobs. "Where were you all this time? Why'd it take you so long to get back?"

     I had confusion in my voice. "I've only been gone a month?"

     She pushed me away for a second. "A month?" I nodded my head. "Try more like twenty years!"

     "Bull."

     "It's true." She sighed, rubbing her eye a little. "After you left, Luna got really mad at Celestia. Like, tried to kill her mad."

     "And that didn't go the way she planned, did it?"

     She shook her head. "No, Celestia had Luna locker in her room. For a while, she just tried to get out. Get to Celestia. But then, she realized she could be doing something more productive."

     "And that would be?"

     "She's been in that room now for nineteen years. Most of her time has been spent on trying to get you back." She smiled a little. "And it looks like she did it!"

     I was still just looking at Scootaloo. She was a full grown mare now. Her wings at her sides, and from the muscles on her back, they were used greatly. Her purple mane in a neat style, the same that she used to have. "I hate to break it to ya, Scoot. But Lu didn't bring me here."

     "Then who did?"

     The stallion on the ground was pissed. "Babe! Run!" He tried to stand. "I'll hold him off!"

     I picked up the chair next to the table, throwing it in his direction. He stumbled to the ground as he screamed in pain. "Stay down, bitch."

     I felt Scootaloo's hoof on my shoulder. "Daddy! Don't hurt him!"

     I kinda gave her a look. "Why?"

     She blushed a little. "Because, umm... well... he's my ahhh... coltfriend..."

     I looked over to the stallion on the ground. Now. If a parent is reading this, you know exactly how I felt. Coming home some day to see your daughter with a random boy, it's kinda crazy. However, I was a mentally unstable United States Marine that was out for royal blood. I had a five hour energy in me, and the bastard had already tried to attack me.... after I did him... Not the point. What I'm saying, is I wasn't happy. I made this very clear to both the stallion and Scootaloo while my hands were wrapped around his neck, and his head was banging against the wall.

     "Daddy! You're gonna kill him!" Scootaloo screamed as I continued my assault.

     "That's the plan!" I tossed the bleeding stallion across the room. He tried to crawl away from my rage. I grabbed him by the tail, throwing him into the livingroom.... through a wall.

     Scootaloo jumped in front of me. "Daddy, please, stop."

     "Scootaloo, move." I said.

     She gave me her puppy dog eyes, and stuck out her lip. "Please."

     That did it. I grumbled to myself as I sat back down at the table, finishing the rifle. "Fine."

     I heard a groan from the other room. "Scootaloo, tell Celestia!"

     "Scootaloo, if you tell Celestia, I swear to God, you're grounded for a month."

     She was stuck between her coltfriend and her father. It was obvious he was in great pain, but then again, there was a reason behind everything I did, and she knew this. "You can't ground me!" She said.

     I raised my eyebrows. "You may be older, but I am still your father. And this is still my house. My house, my rules. You tell Celestia, you're grounded."

     "I have a tour to do with the wonderbolts..."

     "Well looks like they'll need a new member for a while." I started to assemble the rifle.

     "You can't do that! I'm Rainbow Dash's wingpony! And she's the captain!"

     "Then she can talk to me." I pulled the charging handle multiple times. "Your choice. Me or Celestia. I have reasons for my being here, and you don't need to know them right now."

     She walked into the kitchen. "It has to do with that, doesn't it?"

     I looked at the AR and SKS on the table. "Yeah."

     "And the promise you made to Celestia?"

     I sighed. "I know what you're getting at. The Wonderbolts are technically part of the royal guard. It is your job to protect Celestia." I looked into her eyes. "But after what she did, you can't say I don't deserve revenge. And besides, I made her a promise. I plan on keeping it." My mind went to another subject. "She probably feels disharmony here too, which means she will be getting the elements together. Where are they?"

     "The elements or the ponies at wear them?" I gave her a look that said use your head. "Twilight and Rarity are usually in Canterlot, but Rarity is in Manehatten right now. Rainbow Dash is usually in Cloudsdale, but the Wonderbolts have a show there. The rest are still here in Ponyville."

     I nodded. "I have to avoid them at all costs. Can you help me with that?"

     She gave me an odd look. "What do you mean?"

     I smiled as I heard a train in the distance. "I need a distraction."