In Friendship Due we Part

Lance sat back into the seat of the train, looking over his uniform to ensure it was still presentable, he wore the drab jacket of the Royal Equestrian Army and the cap of matching color. Pinned onto his left chest was the badge for saving somepony's life, and his lapel had the symbol for Medical Specialist, as though the giant Red Cross emblazoned on a black shield on his flank which was his cutie mark did not give anyone a hint at what he did. His check continued on over his white coat and his straw and orange coloured mane; after ensuring he was still clean and professional looking he slumped, relaxing into the seat as he looked out over the rolling hills of Equestria.

He was startled and jumped a little at the sound of some-pony clearing their throat. He glanced around furtively as a few mares on the next bench began to giggle at his expense until he noticed the old bearded conductor waiting for a presentation of his ticket. Lance began to blush as he scrambled to pull out his orders.

"Relax son," hummed the old conductors baritone voice. "take your time, we have plenty of it."

Lance showed his orders and nodded his head, "Thank you sir."

The conductor shook his head and smiled, "No thanks needed, just my job... Though, if you do not mind me asking, where are you coming from lad?"

Lance muttered something out, prompting the Conductor to repeat his question, to which Lance replied sullenly with, "Stalliongrad."

The conductor looked at him quizzically, "What has happened to Stalliongrad?"

Lance looked at the Old Pony with a quizzical expression, "The Changlings... were still hard pressed pushing them out of the city."

A short silence followed until the conductor shook his head again, "It's been 5 seasons since they've attacked! We haven't heard or seen of anything from them since in Canterlot! I had not heard that other cities were still dealing with them!"

Lance looked taken aback, "Not heard? But.. we still loose good ponies there how do you not hear of that? And what do you mean about Canterlot? I had thought that's where we were hit the hardest? I had thought that there might be some repercussions still."

"Their best was even there but the Elements of Harmony saved us!" The old man stuck out his chest. "These 6 mares from Ponyville happened to be in Canterlot and defeated the Queen of those vile things and threw them from the region before the day was out!"

Lance slumped back again, "And yet, no one here has been hearing about the rest of Equestria? How the rest is faring? What about Seadle?"

The conductor shook his head as he began to trot onto the next bench, "Sorry son, but I work the Canterlot-Crystal Empire line usually, so I don't hear alot of news from other parts."

Lance shook his head and looked out the window at the scenery sauntering lazily past as the train made its way along the tracks to Canterlot. Crystal Empire? A war no ones even heard of? A bunch of vigalante mares? Its only been a year and a few moon cycles.... By Luna's name what else have I missed?

Lance's mind went back to this morning as he gazed out the window, more aggravated by what put him on the train than before.

Lance entered the office of his commander, "You wished to see me sir?"

Major Medical, the commander of the Medical Pony's in Stalliongrad, looked up from his desk, his haggard face betreying just how tired he was. "Ah, Specialist Minder. Please relax, You've done some great work out here, and from what I hear you may be in for a couple of awards for your effort."

Lance stood a little straighter at Major Medical's words, "Sir. There are many here who deserve that. Im just looking after those who get hurt in the fighting."

Major Medical waved Lance off with one hoof, "According to these reports you've been in more than a few fights yourself. And As a medical pony you have no need to be."

Lance shifted uneasily, getting a feeling where this conversation was headed. "Sir, its just that i feel that I can save more pony's lives by being with them when and where they get hurt instead of hanging around waiting for the apples to hit the fan.. Sir."

"Exactly! That's just what we need here. That kind of dedication and effort in a more senior position! Too many of my commanders are becoming unhappy. Upset that we are stuck here without much in the way of support while Equestria moves on without us. There are two reasons you have been brought here Minder." Major trailed off, waiting for Lance to raise to the bait.

He always was a bit too much he fan of drama Lance thought though he accepted as right of rank. "What are those sir?"

Major Medical snorted at the lack of enthusiasm in Lance's reply but continued, "You are as of now, Sergeant Minder. I believe you can do better than holding the hoove's of a dozen Stallion's. You would be a great asset in teaching other Medical Pony's to help out in the way you do!"

Lance seemed albeit taken aback, "Do you mean... As a school instructor sir? I would much rather."

Lance was cut off as Major waved his hoof, "Nonsense, I wont be giving you up that easily! I'm keeping you here as a leader! You'll have your own section of medical ponies to train up and teach your ways too in-between patrols!"

"Tha-"

"Hush I wasn't finished Minder. How long have you been here? 13 months?"

"F-five seasons. That's 15 months now." Lance stammered, afraid of where this was going. Before he corrected himself "Sir."

"Longer than most every other medical pony here at any rate. Especially for ones out in the streets. Congratulations Sergeant, you've earned a hiatus."

"A-a hiatus sir? I would much rather stay with-"

"Leave. A ticket home. A bit of time away. You've been here too long, people will start worrying about you. And I have to get about creating your section of new ponies."

"With respect sir... I would rather stay and help. These ponies need help."

"Check yourself Sergeant Minder. You'll need some serious mental help if your out there for much longer. Its not a discussion, Forecepts will be covering your patrol's starting now. Your going to be in the next train to Ponyville."

FORECEPTS? That colt could barely alleviate a ponies pain let alone heal them? Lance simmered at being taken from the one place where he got along alright, but it was an order. And it was only for a month. Ponyville had a decent library he heard. Maybe he could catch up on some reading. The now Sergeant Lance Minder saluted. "Sir."

The train car rocked, surprising Lance and sending his duffelbag spilling onto the floor and a few smaller items that were at the top spinning off across it. Lance jumped quickly up off the seat and began to gather his things back up.

One item, a small iron pendant of a double bass clef in the shape of a heart skittered close to a group of three Mare's sharing two benches that were chattering excitedly to one another. One of them noticed Lance as he hurriedly scooped up the pendant and stopped the others so that they were all staring at him on the ground by them.

Lance looked up and saw the three mares; One was a pale yellow with a raspberry coloured mane, another with a pink coat and line mane, and the third with the same colour of coat but a straw coloured mane. All three looked silently at the stallion at thier hooves. Lance began blushing and quickly stammered out an apology, retreating back to his seat to re secure his belongings. Behind him the mares had resumed thier chatting as though they were never interupted.

Lance put the pendant back on-top of his duffelbag and breathed deeply, trying to calm himself down. His heart had just began to return to normal when a voice behind him caused him to startle and he spun around, before him stood a Silver-grey Pegasus with a lighter silver mane. One of her eyebrows had arched over her Lilac eyes.

"Whoa man, are you okay there? You seem rather excitable." She spoke in a lyrical soprano voice.

Lance met her eyes for less than a second before he shifted them downwards nervously, "Yeah, uh.. Thanks but I'm fine now, just dropped some of my things." He laughed nervously, and shifted his weight.

"Well I saw that part! I was talking about now." The silver Pegasus chuckled as she placed herself onto the seat across from where Lance had sat before. "You've been kinda quiet over here on your own."

Lance waited until the mare seated herself before sitting again, "Well I'm not really from around here so I just-"

"I figured that! You've got a uniform on. So what are you then? R.E.A.F?" The Pegasi cocked her head while awaiting a response, causing Lance to feel uneasy.

"Not exactly. Im part of the Army. I'm a Medical Pony."

The Pegasi's eyes widened, "Oooh like a doctor? That's pretty snazzy!"

Lance's nose twitched as he blinked hard, willing the memories to stay hidden. he never had this issue before, back in Stalliongrad the soldiers saw for themselves, and the civilians knew better than to ask. They just didn't understand. They heard the tales of ancient battles and the defense of Equestria. There was no concept of what didn't get put into the books.

The Pegasi looked troubled as she leaned in closer, startling Lance again, "You sure your okay? You look a little pale there."

Lance snorted quietly, "No I'm not a doctor, I care for the soldiers whenever they get hurt when and where they receive the injury. I go to them." and he added just under his breath, "Of course im pale my coat is white."

The Silver Pegasus laughed loudly enough that the three mares across the aisle all looked at her, causing Lance to duck his head again. But the Pegasi ignored them, "Not what I meant mister! But I like what you do! Noble, not so glamorous as a doctor i think but its pretty cool." She nodded her head slightly, "So what's your name?"

Lance began blushing again at this pony's directness as he spoke softly, "I'm Lance Minder."

"Pleasure to meet you!" The pegasi stretched out her wings, showing them off. "I'm called Silverspeed!" She smiled and stuck out her hoof. "Call me Silver if anything, I know you military types and your ma'ams!"

Lance's lip twitched almost into a smile, "Alright m... Silverspeed, an honour to meet you." Lance spoke as he leaned foreword to shake her hoof before sitting back upright.

"So what was that pendant you were fetching? You seemed pretty protective of it. Got a special somepony out there for you?" Silverspeed winked and gave a playful smile.

"I, uh yes. I mean, no. Just." Lance caught his breath again before continuing. "Its my sister's cutiemark. Decible. She's in an academy over in Seaddle last I heard."

Silverspeed swung one leg innocently, "Well my apologies then. Are you going to see her then?"

Lance shook his head, "No. I'm stuck in Ponyville for the time being."

Silver's ears perked up a bit at the mention of Lance's destination. "Well that's where I live! Its not too large at all! Maybe I'll see you around there sometime?" She asked hopefully.

Lance nodded and spoke with a little more confidence, "I would enjoy that, you could always find me at the library I'm sure. I tend to spend allot of time around books."

Silverspeed giggled, "Well say hi to Twilight for me then! She tends to stay there. But every once in a while she runs off to Canterlot I hear. Scene her once in Cloudsdale too come to think of it...."

Silverspeed was distracted by the scenery as the train began to slow down. Lance used the distraction to look the mare over once more, she was friendly and outgoing. It was hard to converse with a pony who was as dominating in conversation as she was, but refreshing. It had been far too long since Lance had seen a pony with her vigour. Lance began to drift backwards into his memories.

The last one had been Fireflank. He was a great pony, a good soldier. Came from Flankfurt, he always talked about that, the Dark Forests so different from Seaddles own. But neither of them were used to the bland colors of Stalliongrad, all the reds that blended into everything. The grays that bled into shadows, so numerous that even skilled unicorns couldn't reveal them all, so dark that you couldn't see Changling ambushes until they were sprung.

"Speaking of Ponyville!" Lance was startled by Silverspeed's sudden words, snapping him back into reality.. "Looks like we are here! Well It was a pleasure meeting you Lance!"

Lance stumbled over his words, still confused by the memory resurgance, "Y-you too ma-, Silverspeed."

"I've got to get back to my own luggage but I'll be sure to catch up to you later! C'ya!" Silverspoon waved before sliding to the floor and trotting off, leaving Lance sitting there unable to respond, still lost within his own mind.

He looked around the train-car once more as an excuse to gather his wits. The three chatting ponies hadn't halted their excited conversation even as they gathered their luggage for disembarking. Silverspeed was on the far corner of the train-car grabbing a single small bag and appeared to be humming to herself, making Lance blush a little again. The ticket collector from earlier was checking the ticket of the final occupant of the car; an Ashy coloured Pegusus stallion with a black mane, and the only occupant who had been aboard since Stalliongrad with Lance.

Lance looked out the window to see a small wooden Rail Station slide alongside the train before the sudden lurch and hiss that Lance knew meant the train had halted. He stood up and habitually smoothed out his uniform jacket before picking up his duffelbag. As he began walking onto the platform of the train station he glanced towards the from of the train, seeing Silverspoon being excitedly greeted by a white coated pegasi with a green and pink mane as well as another with a yellow coat and a light blue mane.

Lance sighed quietly to himself and forces himself to walk calmly through the small crowd around the station, as he rounded the corner of the station he saw Ponyville for the first time. Lance stopped to admire the view of the quaint little town. It was very open and serene. He could see ponies of various types and colours finishing their evenings work amoung the wooden and straw two level houses and brightly coloured decorations. There was also space between most of the buildings for junk to be accrued and piled. A far cry from the dense grays and reds of Stalliongrad or the white high rises of Lance's own Seaddle.

Lance breathed deeply, determined to get some rest out of this forced exile. The open country air and wide spaces would certainly help him to relax. Lance looked over at the setting sun and figured it would be best to find a place to lay down for the night quickly, so he picked his duffelbag up once more and trotted into the town looking for a place to stay.