//-------------------------------------------------------// Guards and Rebels -by silverstream- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Bat wings //-------------------------------------------------------// Bat wings "Left, left, left, right left." The commander shouted as the soldiers of the company marched perfectly in time. This was a normal day in Equestria. Our ruler, lord, or King Sombra was showing off his military power yet again. After a newer rebellion group fell in a pool of blood. The rebellion group was called STAR, was crushed. STAR was a small group of 16. It was made up of 6 unicorns, 4 earth ponies, and 6 pegasii. There were more rebel groups and they are more powerful than STAR was. Sombra began to get lazy and ignored his troops whereabouts. The next day Regulas Moon a privet in Sombra's military ended up walking right into trouble. Regulas trotted from the barracks happily. He received 3 days of vacation by working really hard on his flight attack patterns. It wasn't normal for a bat pony walk during the day but Regulas was almost an exception. He was used to daylight because of his military background. Regulas thought about what to do now that he had time to himself. "I guess I could go to the pub, but what if u get called in?" Regulas had a small inner conflict until he finally decided to go. He found himself in front of the Night Wyvern pub. "May as well have some fun." Regulas walked in the pub all of the talking and activity ceased and everypony inside stared at him. Regulas ignored the attention and walked to the bar and sat down on a stool. Everyponies attention was locked on him in plain silence. "What'll ya have?" The bartender asked with a small and devilish grin. Regulas thought for a minute and saw a sign that listed specials, giving it a quick glance. "I'll have a Manehattan Margarita with a splash of vodka." Regulas was staring the bartender down waiting for his drink. When he wasn't looking Regulas looked over to the wall were a sign hung looking out of place.. Regulas read the sign out loud. "Obey or fall... More like 'Obey or be Slaughtered by the military'." He was just joking around with himself but it got an unexpected reaction from the bartender. "Good to know your a brother." Regulas' eyes snapped back to the bartender who slid his drink to him. "We were worried you were a guard." Regulas thought for a moment and then gave him a smile. 'It wouldn't hurt to play along with what he is saying...' "No need worry brother. No corruption allowed. As we all say." The pub's other occupants began to talk again obviously calmed down. 'Is this the base for some rebellion against Sombra? As if... It can't be... Can it?' Regulas thought as the bartender asked a question. "What is your name brother?" Regulas looked at him for a solid minute before answering. 'Should I give him my real name? Or an alias? "My name is Regulas. Regulas Moon." "Wait, I saw your name in the paper a while ago that you joined the guard." The room once again fell silent. Regulas felt all eyes in the room drill into his back again. As if he didn't feel out of place enough already they are staring at him again. He was caught he had to think of a way out of this. So he thought up a lie and quick. "I was going to hand you off some info right now. After all brother I have my reasons for giving it." Regalus still ignoring all the eyes drilling away at him. Regulas now fought with himself to stay still. "What kind of information?" The bartender gave Regulas a curious look. The look was enough to tell that he had this pony hooked. All he'd have to do now was give a little tug. "Combat and strategy plans... All of them." The bartender's jaw dropped in shock and Regulas heard a small gasp from behind but ignored it. He stared at Regulas for a a long while and pulled a switch behind the counter and the poster moved leaving a empty doorway. Regulas looked at the doorway with a raised eyebrow looking at it then at the bartender. "Take the drink with you your gunna need it." Regulas nodded and picked the glass in his mouth and made his way through the doorway. Regulas heard it close behind him and kept walking straight. He soon came along a room with a candle lit table with a a few drinks on it. Regulas widened his eyes to activate his night vision. He placed his cup on the table gently and sat down. He felt eyes drilling into him as if he didn't get enough in the bar. Soon after another door opened to reveal a bat pony like himself only a tad smaller. He somehow recognized the figure but he couldn't quite remember where. "Who in Tartarus are you?!" Regulas could now tell she was a girl by her more feminine voice. "My name is Regulas Moon." She gave a disgusted look as soon as he said his name. She knows he was with the guard because she reads the paper. "Kill him he knows too much." Regulas put up a hoof in the face of a pony approaching him from the aide with a large knife. Now he was scared as hell so he had to think of something quick like before at the bar. "I don't think you will want to do that when I contain military intell. That you could use in you rebellion agenst Sombra." She became wide eyed with shock. 'Hooked, line and sinker.' "So? What do you want? In exchange for the information?" Regulas smiled slightly. 'I can you this to my advantage. Become an inside pony for Sombra. Or... Something better.' "To be your peraonal guard. That is all I want." She stopped for a moment and looked at him like he was nuts but stopped and nodded. "Alright. My name is Halo Vex. I approve of these conditions and are now effective. Now tell me Regulas what information do you have?" Regulas explained all the training regiment as well as all the night patrols. All the way to mapping out the entire lay out of the castle. "It seems you are more valuable than I thought. Do you know any of the combat training skills?" Regulas nodded. "Show me. Lets see how well you bat wings of the military fight." "Halo with all due respect I don't wish to harm anyone of female gender. I have a moral code I follow that retains me." Halo gave him a angry look. After he said this disapproving her statement. "Okay then... Hmm... As your commander I order you to spar with me. Now." Regulas shook his head. Now knowing that he couldn't refuse he gave in. "Okay if you wish Commander. I apologize for any future harm I may do during this match." Halo smiled silently praised herself for the little victory. "Okay lets get to the training room so I can see what your made of." Regulas nods and chugs down his margarita. "This way Regulas." Halo lead the way out of the room and into a brightly lit room. Regulas covered his eyes for a moment until they adjusted to the sudden light. "Ready? Set? Fight!" //-------------------------------------------------------// Possible Betrayal? (2 sides of a all too familiar coin) //-------------------------------------------------------// Possible Betrayal? (2 sides of a all too familiar coin) The fight had begun. Halo charged mercilessly at Regulas. Regulas using the charge as a vantage point when she got close enough he dodged slightly to the right with a beat of his wings and struck Halo in the side hard. Halo was toppled over and thrown several feet away from him. Halo gets up verbally insulting herself with a few unheard but very discriminating against herself. "Halo, I believe you should..." "No!" Halo interrupted Regulas with a burst of anger. "I will not give up just because I was knocked down." Halo again threw herself at Regulas. Regulas raised an eyebrow with a confused look and countered her attack by blocking and tossing her to the side with an expert twist of a hoof. Regulas even thought he was just a Private he was able to bring down lieutenants with a bit of ease if he chose. Because of his cutie-mark. His talent is hoof-to-hoof combat. "Halo, straighten yourself and approach calmly instead of blinded by rage." Halo froze for a moment and thought to herself 'Did he just give me advice? Should I use it?' Instead of listening to him she charged again. Sence Regulas didn't see Halo as much of a threat at the time he began to think to himself 'I am a guard I should report them... But I hated it when my fellow guards mercilessly murdered the rebellion group STAR. Also siding with the rebellion would make me corrupt. The last corrupt private was hung and his wings were chopped off. Blood was still streaming from him as he hung from the gallows by a chain nuse.' Without second thought he flipped Halo over onto her back and stepped back a few steps. 'But then again no pony has expected me of anything suspicious. I wasn't as new as the pegasus private that got hanged. One question though would they accept me into there group? It is worth a shot...' Regulas ducked down to dodge a hoof heading at his face. Before Halo could retract her hoof he grabbed it and with a fluid motion had her on the ground with one fore-leg restricted behind her back. "Halo? May I ask of something?" Halo grunted under the pressure he was placing on her back. "What?" Halo struggled under him trying to get out of his grip. "I know I am now your guard and info giver. But will i be given respect here?" His voice contained a stern tone. Regulas didn't get any respect from any of his comrades because he refused to kill. Regulas had a strict moral code he swore to follow back when he first started learning how to fight from his father and grandfather. Number one on his moral list is don't kill unless situation 100% demands it. "Yes. Now can you get off of me Regulas? I have to use the mares room." Regulas immediately released his grip and got up as Halo rushed to the bathroom leaving him to sit and decide on how he wanted to join. 'I don't know but this way seems right I will be respected and I can give information to them at the same time. Only one problem the death penalty if I'm caught. Buck that! I will die free.' After a minute or so Halo came back and sat next to him. "Seems like something is tugging at your insides. What's up?" Regulas glanced at Halo who gave him a small smile. "Don't worry I can keep a secret." Regulas felt something inside him tug again. Regulas was unsure what it was. "I feel... Different. Not as in personality change but like something has been lifted from my mind and placed with something new... It is pulling at me... But I don't understand." Halo didn't know what to say so she gave a small nod of understanding. Regulas looked down unable to stop the tugging from inside him. "It could be the feeling of betrayal to something you once held dear." Once Halo said that Regulas's eyes grew wide. He was betraying Sombra and the guard. Halo had no idea what she could do. She wanted him to give her information and battle training. 'What is he betraying? Is it a friend or a family member?' Regulas cut her thoughts short when he got up and stood in front of her. Halo gave a confused look to Regulas. Regulas was looking down and didn't see the look she was giving him. Regulas knelt down in front of her with his head down.Halo stood up and looked around to see if anypony was looking. None where in sight. "What are you betraying?" Regulas huffed softly and closed his eyes. "Are you betraying anypony special?" Regulas shook his head in response. "Then what is you problem?" "I... The last guard that betrayed King Sombra was hanged and his wings were... Chopped off with a cleaver." Regulas was scared. He didn't want to have his wings cleaved off and hung from the gallows. "I know that what I'm doing is suicide... I just.... Want to bring Sombra to hell... Even if I have to drag him into Tartarus with me." "Why do you hate Sombra?" Regulas looked at her with a solemn and crushed look. "Sombra had them both executed in front of me. My father was ex-military. He served for a long time. He didn't do anything to make Sombra murder him or my mother in cold blood. They were tortured and beaten to death." Halo saw a single tear fall from Regulas's golden cat-like eye. "I will have my revenge but for now I will follow orders as I am told. Mistress Vex I wish you good night for I must get some sleep."With a yawn Regulas began to head back to the door. "Hey, wiat!" Regulas froze and turned his head to her. "Why don't you stay with me tonight. After all you are my new guard." Regulas thought for a moment until he nodded. "As you wish, mistress Vex. I will stay." 'The coin has landed and now the face smiles up at me. Maybe my luck is about to turn.' Author's Note Sorry for any grammar errors my phones auto correct is really annoying at some times. //-------------------------------------------------------// Emotional Crash //-------------------------------------------------------// Emotional Crash The moon hazed down on Regulas and Halo as they made there way to the home of Halo. Regulas could feel a clawing inside his stomach. Regulas always got this feeling when he was being watched. 'Should I tell Halo about how I think we are being watched or should I not... Hmm.... What would my father do? What would he say?' Regulas looked over at Halo who was right next to him. "Miss Vex. I believe we are being watched." Halo glanced at him with annoyance. She had noticed it too. She had a suspicion that they weren't alone but now it was confirmed. "Yes I feel it as well. Only where is our pursuer?" Regulas's eyes were darting around scanning the area for any sort of movements or any other types of oddities. Regulas's eyes locked onto a blue tail poking out of a bush. Regulas walked over and pulled a uniformed guard who had been watching them. "Gale Drake! What are you doing here? Your patrol shift ended an hour ago." Gale stared bluntly at Regulas. "I was ordered to stay by the commander. Commander Freeze told me to say and be on the look out for shady characters." "Commander? He was promoted?" Gale nodded his head in response. "Have you been following us Gale?" "No sir. I was making sure you on your guard. Also..." His eyes drift to Halo and he raises an eyebrow. "Who is this?" Regulas glanced at Halo and back at Gale. "She's uh..." "I'm his marefriend." Gale's jaw dropped. Regulas was as shocked as Gale was. He was about to say she was an old friend from school but he assumed that worked too. "Well... I guess that means I owe you 300 bits man. I'll get them to you when you get back on duty." "Uh... Yeah I guess so..." Regulas was blushing really hard. Halo had a amused smile on her face while Gale started to speak again. "Anyway you should get indoors Frist Privet Moon. I am sure you are aware that there are more rebellion groups than STAR out there." Regulas nodded as Gale gave a salute and trotted back to his position. "Have a good night you two. Be safe." Halo nudged Regulas in the neck with her muzzle. Regulas looked down and nodded. "Okay. We can go. Oh and thanks for the warning Gale." Regulas and Halo trotted off toward there destination once again. "Your reaction was hilarious Regulas." Halo began to giggle loudly. Not quite loud enough for it to be a considered a laugh. "Um... Yeah... Okay... Whatever you say Miss Vex." Halo stopped laughing immediately hearing hurt in his voice. "Did... I make you... Uncomfortable? Or is it something you don't like to talk about?" Regulas lowered his head it almost touching the ground. "I... I um... " Regulas closed his eyes for a few moments. "I don't want to talk about it. I will only do so if ordered." Halo allowing herself to be taken by curiosity about it. "I order you to tell me." Regulas knew he didn't want to tell anypony else about his endeavors, but orders are orders. With pain in his eyes he spoke a clear as he could. "At one time... I had a good friend. She was kind to me. More kind than anypony ever was to me. One day she asked me to her coltfriend. I accepted. I was blinded... Because I may not look it but I'm really good at Math and Chemistry. I helped her study all the time.... When she passed the test... She came up to me and dumped me... When I asked why she told me she was using me... To get a good grade... And ever since I never looked for companionship. I wish I could have recognized sooner but..... I never tried to recognize." "Oh... I'm sorry Regulas." Halo said with regret. "It's fine.... Just don't ask me about that again." Halo nodded and stopped in front of her house. "I'm going to go home now. Good evening miss Vex." Regulas turned to left when a hoof touched his shoulder. Regulas turned his head and looked at Halo. "Regulas. Come inside." Regulas shook his head no and proceeded to talk another step. "That is an order, Regulas." Regulas turned around. "No. Miss Vex I won't. I will not enter your home." "Why? Why won't you?" Regulas lowered his head again. "I don't wish to be a burden." Regulas tried to run around but was stopped by Halo's hoof. She forced him to look at her. "You are not a burden, Regulas you are my guard and I want you to stay." Regulas sighed deeply and nodded. "If you wish Miss Vex." "Just call me Vex." Author's Note Hey i thought for a while and I'm not going to continue 'These days with the Doctor' until this story has 5 chapters. //-------------------------------------------------------// All Scars Leave... //-------------------------------------------------------// All Scars Leave... 'Regulas?' Regulas tossed and turned on the couch trying to sleep. 'Regulas?' Regulas heard again. He began to dream of his past relationship. He began to sweat and roll over and move moreover with each passing second. Regulas bolted upright his golden cat-like eyes wider than full dinner plates. Regulas was breathing heavily tying to calm down. He took a deep breath and laid back down. The sun began to show through the curtains and flood Vex's room with light. Vex's eyes fluttered open and she yawned. After stretching for a few minutes she trots out of her room toward the kitchen. Vex stops and looks down at Regulas asleep on the couch. 'note to self: Regulas doesn't snore. And... He's kinda cute while he sleeps. Ugh...' Vex shook her head clearing the thought from her head. 'Why would I even think that? Maybe because I feel sorry for him? Nah... I'm just going to go back to what I was doing.' Vex trotted to the kitchen and took a seat while pressing a small button under the table. -CLICK- -THUMP- Vex turned her head quickly in the direction of the loud thump. Vex looked around the living room. Vex looked down at the floor to see Regulas on the floor still fast asleep. Vex giggled and trotted over to him quietly. Vex leaned down so her muzzle is near his ear. 'Now how to wake him? His ear? No, maybe his neck? That will work.' Vex moved so her muzzle was right next to Regulas's neck and leaned in even closer just an inch from it. Vex breathed softly on his neck trying to get a reaction from him. Unfortunately she got no such reaction so she took it a bit further. Vex slipped her tongue out and licked the side of his neck. "Mmmmnn..." Regulas's wings opened a bit but he remained asleep. Vex pushing in a bit too far now bit down on his neck softly causing Regulas's wings open all the way and become stiffer than a board. "Mmnn~..." Regulas's eyes opened up slowly to gaze upon Vex biting on his neck with her eyes closed. "V-Vex? W-what are you doing?" Vex opened her eyes and moved her muzzle from his neck. "Waking you up..." Vex nuzzles into his neck then turns around and trots out of the room. Regulas sat up and looked at her dumfounded. Regulas made his way to kitchen slowly and looked inside to see Vex making something to eat. Regulas looked down at the floor and thought. ' I'm going to tell her never to do that again... Ever... Because some scars are to be left alone....' "V-Vex?" "Yes Regulas?" Vex didn't look up from what she was making on the counter which seemed to be a fruit salad. "I'm going to have to draw a line." Vex froze and turned her head to look at him. "What do you mean?" Vex's voice wavered slightly as she spoke. Regulas knew she knew what was coming so it shouldn't be a surprise. "Never... Ever do that again." Vex knew what she did was a little extreme but it was meant as a joke. "I.... It was a joke.... I'm... Sorry if it started you." Regulas looked her in the eyes to see blinding sincerity gleaming in Vex's golden cat eyes. "Just... Never again.... Miss Vex." Regulas turned and trotted back to the couch laid down and drifted back to sleep. Hours later... Vex trotted into the living room and sat in the chair next to the couch. Vex couldn't get what Regulas said earlier out of her thoughts. 'I should apologize for my actions... But I don't think I should try to wake him again... I'm just going to shake him.' Vex walks to the couch and shakes Regulas a few times. Regulas opened one of his eyes halfway to look at who had been shaking him. "Regulas? Can I talk to you?" Regulas nodded and sat up making room for her on the couch. Vex jump into the space given and gave a deep sigh looking down. "Regulas... Can you forgive me?" Regulas opened his eyes the rest of the way to look at her with a look of solidarity waiting for her to go on with explanation. "I.. I'm sorry I should've just left you be..." Vex's wings tighted around herself as did her tail. "I'm really sorry for doing what I did... Can you forgive me?" "I except your apology Miss Vex." Vex looked at him with watery eyes trying to hold back tears. Regulas has a weak point for ponies crying. Regulas wrapped a forehoof around her and held her near. "Thank you for your apology." Vex nuzzled into Regulas and got as close as possible. Regulas wrapped his other hoof around her and pulled her closer into a hug. "Regulas?" Vex said in a sleepy voice. Exhaustion of figuring out her apology and the weight of of her mind took its toll. "Hmmm?" Regulas still tired from his nightmare is in the same boat. "You're warm..... Mmnnn." Without another word Vex feel asleep in Regulas's grasp. Regulas slowly followed into a slumber as well. This was the one time since the incident Regulas slept peacefully. Author's Note I will get back to the military view next chapter. //-------------------------------------------------------// My heart torn? or mended? //-------------------------------------------------------// My heart torn? or mended? Vex stirs slightly as the moon light shone down upon Regulas and herself. Vex feeling warmth she pushed herself agenst the warmth. Curiously she opened her eyes to find the warmth next to her was Regulas. 'He is so warm... It's hard not to....' she thought as she wrapped a fore-hoof around him and pulled herself closer. Vex gives in to the warmth and falls asleep once again. As the moon began to sink under the horizon Regulas opened his eyes to find Vex latched on to him. He thought about pushing her off but that might be a little rude. So he sat there awake and just stared at her asleep and clinging. Regulas thought about what to do again, weather wake her or let her sleep were the two he thought of. He kept trying to think of other options until... Click Click Click Buzz Buzz- 'Who would be knocking at this hour?' Regulas thought as he looked at Vex. He wrapped his hooves around her. "Come in." The door opened and a member of the royal guard walked inside. "Good morning sir.... Is this a bad time?" "Not at all," Regulas said calmly holding Vex close to him. "What is it?" "Sir... I have to inform you that you are receiving another promotion," the guard said. "What is the promotion for I have been on vacation," Regulas said clearly confused. "I have no idea sir but you are now First Lieutenant," the guard said stiffly looking at him with expressionless eyes that seemed to pierce into him. "Your section of the guard is waiting for you outside for there orders and I'm sorry to say but your vacation is cut short." "Oh... I see.... Go out side and wait for me. I'll be out in a minute," Regulas said calmly waiting for him to leave before he got up. The guard went back outside and closed the door behind him. Regulas nudged Vex softly waking her and getting a small groan in response. "Vex? You need to let go of me so I can get up." He removes his arms from around her and waits for her to release him. "But... Your so warm... and cuddly." She argued holding on tightly her face a little red. She didn't want to let go he was so warm it's like he was warming her heart. "I refuse." "The guard are outside. They just promoted me to first lieutenant. If I'm not out there now there might be trouble," Regulas stated calmly trying not to make her flip out. Unfortunately it did. "What?" She said rather loudly and pushed away form him. "You are a first lieutenant now? How?" She asked hoping for an answer. Regulas had no answer or reason for his promotion he was just as confused as she was. He open his mouth as if to say something but closed it as she continued. "I just slept with someone who can get me killed." "Yeah.... It's a new experience for us both. You could have killed me too so.... I'd better get out there." Regulas gets up and takes a deep breath before he steps outside. All 6 of the soldiers snapped to attention as Regulas stepped out into the morning light began to peak above the horizon. "At ease." The soldiers loosen up immediately and wait for his orders. "As you all know I'm now a First Lieutenant... and in all truth... I am unsure what to do.... Is there a normal routine you all follow?" They all nod in response. "Well that makes it easier... Follow your normal regimen of duties. Don't do anything you wouldn't normally do. Am I understood?" "Sir, yes sir!" The six soldiers respond and fly away. "Sir?" Regulas turns his head to see the guard that informed him of his promotion. "Yes what is it," Regulas asked the guard. "You can stay here now the life of a Lieutenant is very relaxed and you have more free time to yourself to do as you wish. Also, you and your family and those in your herum get to eat anywhere in the kingdom for 75% off the original price as long as you are present to the meal or you drop them off. Now there are other privileges and I'll have your fellow guard Gale Drake to run the rest by you. Oh, that reminds me you now have a noblestallion home it is within a few yards of the castle.... That's it I'll leave you and your um.... lover alone now," The guard said rather quickly then turned and flew in the direction of the castle. Regulas let out a sigh of relief and walked back inside closing the door behind him to see Vex staring him dead in the face their muzzles close to touching her eyes are like knives cutting into Regulas' soft and calm eyes. "So? What happened Regulas," Vex asked him. "It went well.... They didn't ask any unwanted questions or anything else... but the guard that walked inside thought you were my um...." Regulas thought now if it was worth telling her now. After he poured out what happened to him and his feelings. "My.... Lover." Vex's face flushed immediately then her cheeks turned bright red. "H-he thought I was y-your l-lover? D-did you um.... tell him t-that I wasn't," She asked completely embarrassed. "No....." Regulas said guiltily and Vex's face got about 3 shades redder. "I-I.... Regulas? Will you be more than my guard? Will you be mine," She asked as she stared at him with pleading eyes. "I thought you would have told him... that we weren't... We aren't but that doesn't mean we can't. Please? Please Regulas." Regulas met her pleading gaze and his solid walls he built around his heart vaporized to dust and his frozen heart melts as if under a heat lamp. "I-I... Yes. Yes Vex, I will..." inner Regulas: "My heart is going wild what is wrong with me.... one look and my emotions bust out for her? It... It is different she just over passed years of hurt... Is my heart torn or is it mended? My emotions are all over I don't know what to feel..."