Beyond the Call of Duty

-I've decided to rewrite this story and take it in a different direction. It will have a similar plot, but will be much better. Enjoy. <3-

"I don't remember what caused the war. I don't remember why the diamond dogs decided to invade our lands. I don't remember why they raped and slaughtered our people. I don't remember why they killed our beloved leader, Princess Celestia.

What I do remember was how it started. I remember all the bloodshed, the death, the fear. In combat, I lost and made many friends. I lost my husband, my son, and my best friend in the war. All to the diamond dog horde.

From what I can recollect, is that the war started in Stalliongrad, during Hearths Warming. I would know, I was there."

-Major Crystal, Equestrian Army (ret.)

Stalliongrad Outskirts, Equestria
December 25th, 2014

While the citizens of Stalliongrad were sitting around the fireplace, passing around hot cocoa and presents in the spirit of love and tolerance, the colts and mares of the Equestrian Army's Sixteenth Royal Guard Unit were out in the freezing cold. While this industrial city seemed like a peaceful area, it was a target for raids and looting by rogue diamond dogs and griffons. That's why, no matter what, the Sixteenth was always on duty.

Despite what most ponies thought, the military of Equestria didn't charge into battle with swords and glistening centurion armor. Instead, they were equipped with modern firearms such as assault rifles and carbines, as well as dull camouflage and kevlar body armor. They rode into battle in armored tanks, blowing away everything in their path. The bandits that typically came for a visit normally didn't stand a chance.

This time around, things were different.

The snow crunched under Sergeant Crystal's boots as she marched through the forest, her hooves grasping her SCAR-L. Behind her was the rest of her squad, the twelve colts and mares under her command.

"Second squad, how are things looking out there?" Her CO, Colonel Nightwing, inquired over the COM.

"All quiet out here. Freezing our flanks off. Same shit, different day." Crystal replied. She could hear Surprise laughing over the radio. Crystal couldn't help but crack a small smile.

"Alright, second squad. I haven't heard from first squad, and I can't get through to them either. Probably just some interference. Mind checking in with them?" Surprise requested.

"Shouldn't be a problem, ma'am." Crystal responded.

"Alright. They are about a mile to your south. Uploading their location to your HUD."

The goggles Crystal was wearing lit up a few seconds later, displaying a small map of the area. A small dot appeared on the map, which was where first squad would be.

"We got the data. See you in a few, Colonel." Crystal stated, before switching off her COM. "Squad, on me!"

One by one, the members of second squad circled the Sergeant. After a quick headcount, she continued speaking. "Alright, first squad went off the map, so the Colonel wants us to go see how what's up. Probably interference, but keep on your guard. I didn't get to my position for being reckless."

"No, you got it by kissing up to your husband." Crystal's second in command, Corporal Spice, pointed out. A deep blush spread across Crystals face as laughter erupted throughout the squad.

"Alright, simmer down. Just because I'm married to the CO, doesn't mean I'm getting special treatment." Crystal stated, hushing her squad. "Let's hurry up and check on first squad. I don't want to spend all of Hearths Warming with melted snow in my boots."

"Storms picking up." Crystal pointed out as the squad climbed up a steep hill.

"No shit, sherclop." Spice responded.

"Spice, shut it." Crystal ordered. "Snails, you're lagging. Get up here with the DMR and scout out the area."

"Coming!" Snails called up to her, as he clumsily jogged up to the front. Though Snails may be a little slow, he certainly was the best shot in the platoon. In his hooves was an M14 EBR, upgraded with a scope capable of switching to both thermal and night vision modes, which was very helpful in Stalliongrad's unpredictable weather.

As Snails caught up to her, Crystal signaled the rest of the squad to hunker down, before climbing to the top of the hill. Snails went prone as he set up his M14 on its bipod and carefully loaded a magazine into it. Crystal went prone beside him, resting her SCAR on the ground beside her.

"What do you see?" Crystal asked.

"Nothin'. Scope isn't working ri... oh... I haven't turned it on." Snails muttered. Crystal resisted the urge to facehoof as Snails switched on his scopes thermal vision mode and peered into it.

"Shit... I have eyes on first squad. They're all down. Counting three- no, four tango's. Diamond Dogs, armed with AK type weapons."

"Dammit..." Crystal muttered to herself as she switched on her COM, "Colonel, do you read me?"

There was no response, only a few bursts of static.

"Colonel Nightwing, this is second squad, do you copy?"

"Second squad, I want you to pull back immediately! The town is under siege!" Nightwing's voice shouted desperately over the COM.

"Sir, what-"

"There is no time, Sergeant! We have at least two hundred diamond dogs with modern military hardware assaulting the city. Pull back!" The Colonel responded.

Snails and Crystal shared a sidelong glance before she responded. "I copy, Colonel. We're on our way back."

"Let's move..." Crystal muttered solemnly to Snails as they stood up. As they regrouped with the rest of the squad, Spice walked up to her.

"Where's first squad?" Spice asked.

"Dead. Stalliongrad is under siege by diamond dog forces armed with military hardware. We're being called back to help defend the city. Lock and load, ponies!" Crystal called out.

"What did I do during to Great War? I was a member of the Equestrian Navy Seals. During the war, we were deployed all over the world. The war... it changed me. Now a days, I'm a shadow of my former self. But at least I'm not trapped in my shell anymore.

Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to... anyways... during the first hours of the Siege of Stalliongrad, me and my team were deployed to the Equestrian Sea for a hostage rescue mission. That mission was arguably the biggest failure in the history of the SEAL's."

-Command Master Chief Petty Officer Fluttershy, Equestrian Navy (ret.)

Fluttershy looked down at the heavily modified HK416 that was assigned to her. To hold a tool of death in her hand, after helping all those sick animals and ponies throughout the years didn't sit well with her. But what else could she do? After her cottage was foreclosed, she couldn't get a job or a home. She would have died in a ditch if it wasn't for her savior, a Navy recruiter, who cleaned her up and fed her, and then persisted she enlist. After a few years, her CO recommended she sign up for the SEAL's, saying her medical expertise would be invaluable in it. So she did.

"How you holding up, rookie?" Whiplash asked the trembling mare, his voice barely audible over the sound of their blackhawk's rotor blades.

"Oh... just fine... I suppose." Fluttershy muttered. Whiplash shook his head and patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, rookie. We all have pre-mission jitters. Even I do. I've got your back, rookie, don't worry your pretty little head off."

Fluttershy nodded slightly, the beginnings of a smile starting to spread across her face.

"Echo 3-1, you are five minutes out." A voice stated over the helicopters radio system.

"That's our cue! Snips, we have sentry's on the deck. Take em' out." Whiplash ordered.

"You got it, boss!" Snips replied, opening up the blackhawks side door and tucking his SR-25's stock into his shoulder. Seconds later, Fluttershy could hear the suppressed whisper of Snips sniper, as he took out the sentry's one by one.

"Sentry's are down, sir," Snips stated, before adding proudly, "all head shots."

"Nice job. Alright, Fluttershy, Starlight, glide down there and secure the DZ." Whiplash stated. Fluttershy trotted over to the opening and glanced down. Starlight trotted up beside her.

"Strap it down." Starlight stated, motioning to the MP5 that was strapped to her side. "Trust me, you don't want to end up weaponless in a combat zone."

Fluttershy nodded, strapping her HK to her back before she jumped out of the helicopter, spreading her wings and silently gliding to the deck below. Starlight landed next to her without a sound, already pulling out her firearm.

"Woah... you two look like a couple of dark angels from my angle..." A slurred voice pointed out. Before Fluttershy could even begin to look for the source, Starlight twirled around and fired a burst into the chest of a drunken guard, who was slouched over lazily. It happened so quick, there wasn't even surprise in his eyes.

"Decks clear, come on down." Starlight said into her headset. Fluttershy ignored her as she trotted up to the guards lifeless body. He looked so... peaceful. Fluttershy saw that expression before, in the eyes of animals she wasn't able to save.

This was first dead sentient being she ever saw.

"Dark Angels huh...? Sounds like a nice nickname. What do you think rookie?"

Fluttershy didn't respond, as she continued to stare into the guards lifeless eyes.

"What's wrong with her?" Whiplash inquired, as he and the rest of the team walked up to the two pegasi.

"Witnessed her first death. She'll get over it." Starlight stated coldly.

"Come on rookie, snap out of it." Whiplash stated, shaking Fluttershy in an attempt to knock her out of her trance. A couple of SEAL's walked forward and picked up the body, before tossing it over the deck.

"Fluttershy... he would have done the same... we have hostages to rescue... come on..." Whiplash whispered into her ear. "Those are innocent ponies down there. That dog wasn't innocent. I need your head in the game, rookie. Let's go."

Fluttershy shook her head, rising to her hooves and readying her HK. Whiplash smiled slightly, as he motioned her to follow him. Follow him to the lower decks. What every survivor would know to be the depths of hell.