A Lost Cause

Shruko set Riku's body down infront of the 3 princesses. "What a shame... He was my favorite out of you guys." Twilight said, putting her book down.

"Princesses... The Crystal Empire is secure. Queen Chrysalis, Discord, and their Changling army have been decimated." Shruko said.

"Very good, Shruko..." Luna said, motioning for the guards to take Riku's body to the mourge.

Tell me, Shruko..." Celestia said, sipping her tea. "How many were there?"

"50,000, tops." the sniper replied. "If it were less I'd be back before now."

"Very true." Candace said, appearing from behind the thrones. saddle packs filled with her personals.

Shruko bowed his head. "Princess Cadance..."

"Rise, Shruko." She said. "Well, it was good to see you girls again. But I have to get back to my kingdom."

Shruko turned to leave. "Wait." Cadance said.

"Yes Princess Cadance?" He said.

"Thank you for saving my kingdom, on behalf of all the Crystal ponies." Princess Cadence said, and touched Shruko with her horn. She then pulled put a gem from her saddlepacks with her magic. "Here, have this, and when we get back on our feet, feel free to visit us any time."

Shruko took the gem and put it away in his saddle pack. "Thank you, Cadance. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to find Elite."

--------------------------------------------A few hours later-------------------------------------------------------

"Elite?!" Shruko yelled, flying from waterhole to waterhole."Where are you?"

Elite then flew past him, Rainbow dash soon followed. "Right here, Shruko." Elite said, floating near his friend. "Need anything?"

Shruko sighed. "Yeah, for you to think of things to say about Riku."

Elite raised his hoof, he was about to say something.

"Nice. Things, Elite." Shruko remarked.

"Damn..." Elite muttered lightly.

"Well you have a week to think of something." The sniper said, before flying off.

"Riiight..." Elite said, and looks over to Rainbow Dash. "Ok honey, lets go." He said before flying off with her.

--------------------------------------------That night------------------------------------------------------------------

Shruko got to his house and sighed. "These mission are getting more dangerous..." He dropped his helmet and laid on his bed. "We keep losing more and more men every time we go out..."

He closed his eyes. "And Elite just acts like its fine..."

Later he sat up and looked out his window, "Damn thoughts..." he muttered. ""This stuff's gonna drive me up a wall..."

He picked up a cup and filled it with coffee. He then sat down in front of his window. "I wonder what Elite is doing..." Shruko then thought for a bit.

"On second thought.... Nah, I'd rather not know." He said, a slight smile appeared on his face. It quickly disappeared at the thought of Elite and Rainbow having good times. He then looked back at his empty house, and it dawned upon him. All of his friends had somepony to be happy with, he had no one.

He finished his coffee and got back in bed. His eyes, packed with sadness slowly shut, sending him into his dream world.