I watched as my colleague took out the two guards. They fell to the ground, never knowing they had ever been in danger. One of them, still barely alive, had been skillfully wounded by my squad mate, Bulls’ Eye. The guard was wounded in a way that caused internal bleeding, enough for him to die, but not be messy, so we didn't have to worry about a trail of blood that would give away our position. This guard knew something, and we had to get him back to base. Quickly, my squad mate grabbed the colt by his torso, and fled into The Everfree Forest. The rest of this would be a solo mission.
I walked through the town of Ponyville in the dead of night, looking for my destination, the Library. I was to go in and capture the unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle. It is openly known that Twilight is Celestias’ best student. It has been no secret that she is close to the tyrant Princess Celestia. I flew up, and did a quick search for any traces of magic, knowing that her home would be well defended by magical barriers and traps. I saw many barriers around each of the homes in Ponyville, but none of the other homes were nearly as bright as the library that housed Twilight Sparkle, it could easily be seen, glowing as bright as the sun in the middle of the night, I immediately knew that she was there, as she didn’t even bother to pull the curtain over her window.
I landed on the ground, gathered my bearings, and set off at a quick gallop towards the library. When I came to the barrier, it became clear that it would not be easy to pass undetected. The clever mare had set so many traps on the floor that it would be impossible to pass undetected, leaving flying as the other option, but that put me in range of her detection spells, but that put me in range of her detection spells that acted like a ray of light, though only going a certain distance. That shot out like a ray in the night, and most likely was set to wake her up. As far away as I had been, I could have been a bird, and not enough to wake up the mare. Knowing that my mission depended upon stealth I knew that I couldn’t just break the door down and fly off with her, I would have to be quiet.
I set an area of spells that I would clear out, the barrier being the least of my problems. I set to quickly disarming the many multitudes of traps, though not moving so fast that I could make a mistake. It took about ten minutes to disarm five traps, and I still had about thirty to go.
“I can’t go on like this, I need a new way in,” I thought to myself as I disarmed the sixth trap, a particularly nasty one that would release a gas and knock me out until morning had I stepped on it. Then, it came to me. Of course! I thought to myself as I remembered the teleportation spell that I had learned with the mages of the New Lunar Republic.
Quickly, I teleported myself into the mare’s room, a few feet above the floor in case there were any traps in there as well. Scanning the floor, I found none, though a few balls of magic floated in the air around the room, they were in no way dangerous, I could easily maneuver around them and never get hit. I turned my head to the mare sleeping in the bed, and immediately felt sorry for having to kidnap her for interrogation, which could easily mean torture. The unicorns’ sleek purple fur seemed to fit her eyes perfectly.
“Wait, her eyes?” I could tell that I had been caught, she immediately blasted me with stunning magic, and quite accurately towards my stomach, then as I grunted, I realized that I couldn’t hear myself. The last things that I saw were those big curious eyes, and then there was darkness.
When I awoke, the first thing I realized was that I was in a dungeon. I could only tell because it smelled like a bathroom that had never been cleaned. The next thing that became apparent was that I couldn’t move, my front hooves were bound in chains above my head, and my back legs were hanging a few inches above the ground. I gave a little kick to make sure that they still worked. The kick set me swinging and the chains began to jingle. Almost immediately a white unicorn with a blue mane came in front of my cage. Immediately recognizing him, I hung there, afraid of this colt that called Canterlot his home.
“Ah, so you’re finally awake,” said the stallion.
“Shining Armor,” I say calmly, still dazed from just waking up. We had been good friends throughout our school years. “How long has it been? Ten years? Twelve?” Shining Armor, recognizing me, now wears an expression of dread,
“Y-You! You’re the one who tried to kidnap my sister!?” I nod, smiling at his reaction. “What happened to you? After you disappeared we searched for months! We couldn’t find you, and we gave up hope.” He looked angry and all of a sudden, sad. I flashed my teeth at him, glittering in the dim light, showing off their sharpness.
“No, it can’t be,” he said as he stumbled backwards, “You, betrayed us? And then you became, that, willingly?” Trying to startle him, I said “Ha! More than willingly, I was glad to do it! Every day, the dragon blood in my system boils with bloodlust; I can hardly keep it under control!” I begin to laugh manically, for show of course, but it would be easier to leave if he hated me, I still wished for him to be my ally, even a friend, especially because of his amazing defensive spells that could allow me to leap into a battle against any number of enemies, and then I could leave without a scratch.
“I can’t even begin to understand how you could just betray us,” said Shining Armor, shaking his head. Suddenly, he gathered his wits and made his decision.
“Guards! Escort our guest here to the main hall, he is to be sentenced for his crimes of betrayal, murder, and attempted foalnapping. I allowed myself to be unchained and escorted to the main hall. I was going to get out, somehow, but it probably wouldn’t be pretty. There was too much security for a stealthy operation, and being proficient in combat magic, I was well able to take on all of the earth pony and pegasi guards on my own, however the other unicorns who could wield weapons more easily and at a distance, would be a problem.
Princess Celestia, upon my entering the room, cast an extremely powerful binding spell on my wings, and disabled my horn by making a little null zone that magic couldn't get through. Both the spells would wear off over time, but how long that would be, I didn’t know.
“So,” said the Alicorn, “you’re the one who tried to capture my student.”
“Yes,” I said in my usual monotone voice, “and if you wouldn’t mind I would like to get back to that, now where is she?” “No, you and I both know that that is never going to happen. I want all the information in that little head of yours. I assume that you’re not going to comply, so we’ll skip the whole ‘Easy way, Hard way’ business and use the hard way. Shining Armor, would you be so kind as to interrogate this stallion? Try not to kill him, but do your best to get the information.” It was clear that she didn't like me very much.
“With honor, Princess,” Responded Shining Armor. I feel my hooves bound together and a silencing ward placed over me to restricting my magic again, then I was levitated a few inches off of the marble floors. The only thing that I could still move about freely was my head. As I was moved through the large halls, I observed my surroundings, taking everything in.
“Nice place you got here,” I commented, trying to get a reaction from him, “I don’t happen to be eligible for an apartment?” This made Shining Armor angry, “You’re not eligible for anything in the Solar Empire!” I pressed on, “Oh, come on! You aren’t going to just say ‘No’? I mean, I have money!” Shining Armor turned deadly serious as we approached a small door in a cramped hallway. Shining Armor opened the door with his hoof and floated me to the bindings that would hold me.
“Tribulation!” shouted Shining Armor, “Get in here!” A bright red earth pony with gnarled hooves came out from the opposite doorway. When he saw me his eyes lit with a dark malice, I could tell that he would be the one interrogating me.
Tribulation pulled a bag out from behind the door he just walked out of.
“Now, tell me of any pre-existing medical conditions you may have.” His voice was gravelly and old sounding, like he had a big problem with phlegm in the back of his throat.
Bewildered, I asked, “Why?” Smiling, Tribulation said, “So I don’t accidentally kill you of course, that destroys the purpose of interrogation” that malicious light returning to his eyes. Wondering what he had up his sleeves, I told him there were no medical issues that he needs to know about.
“You’re sure?” he looked disappointed, “There’s usually at least one. Whatever, if you’re sure then I’ll go about the standard procedure.” He reached into a bag, and pulled out a nasty looking knife. Even in the dim light, I could easily see the glint of the blade’s edge, “You’re absolutely sure?” I nodded, and he proceeded towards me. He placed the blade upon my right foreleg. “Last chance,” he said.
“I’m fine; I’ll be out in a few hours.” I told him This brought a sick smile to Tribulation’s face.
“I’m sure you will, kid, I’m sure you will.” He proceeded to cut, and though it was painful, he didn’t cut anywhere that would endanger my life, nor were the cuts very deep. A few on my forelegs, some on my back, but never did he outright stab me.
"We know that you're a freak, and we know that the New Lunar Republic has employed you," he paused, "Now, tell me, what are you?" I began to fabricate a story in my own mind. I needed something believable, but it couldn't me too ordinary. My mind was whirling, but it would take a while to fabricate a believable lie.
Several painful cuts from a knife and various other sharp, and sometimes rusty, objects later, I decided to unleash my story, and hopefully make them believe me.
“Now, this is the last time I’m going to ask nicely. What the BUCK are you?” Tribulation asked.
“I am part of an underground organization that works for the New Lunar Republic. We are known to Princess Luna only as the Drakes. We are unicorns that have gone through hell to be where we are. There are many various tests we must pass to become what we are. If you fail, you are killed, because your body wasn't strong enough to handle it.”
Tribulation, now chuckling, asked me, “You really expect me to believe that!” He continued to laugh. After his fit of laughter passed, he said “You know, I've heard some excuses in my time, but that is the most ridiculously funny thing that I have ever heard out of a tortured soul like yours. Please, do go on!” He said it all with a smile, and as he said the last part, I quickly obliged.
“Well, if you happen to pass the tests, you get injected with a Drakes blood. It feels like fire moving through your veins, and if you manage to survive that, then you’re in.” Again having broken out into a fit of giggles, Tribulation suddenly stopped. He looked thoughtful for a moment, and then said, "Let me see your eyes, there will be proof there.” fearing the worst, I closed them as quickly as I could, “Open them,” Tribulation said calmly, “Or I will rip off your eyelids and look at them myself.” I cast a small illusion spell, and showed him my eyes. “No, it can’t be,” Tribulation looked terrified; “You’re lying!” My eyes, which now resembled that of a dragon’s, terrified him.
“May I also mention,” I started, “That you can take another level of tests, after which, you get Dragon blood injected into your system? Only this time, they inject so much that your bodily features begin to change, granting you the wings of a dragon, and their natural resistance to magic and weapons in general, it was fortunate for me, that my eyes and brain changed instead of anything crucially important, oh and I get the same lifespan.” The last part was only partially true, but I wasn’t going for truths here, I was going for fear. Tribulation, only now realizing that my wounds had been healing too quickly the whole time he was laughing, and the silencing ward from Celestia had long since worn off, due to magical resistance she didn’t know about. I easily broke what was left the magical chains, and began my advance to Tribulation.
“I’m sorry, but you know far too much to be allowed to live.” As I began to charge a spell that would atomize him, effectively erasing him from existence, Shining Armor burst through the door.
“Stop, fiend!” It was too late, I loosed my bolt and Tribulation ceased to be.
“Where did you send him?” cried Shining Armor.
“Oh, Shining Armor, you should remember two things, if nothing else. One: I don’t take prisoners, and Two: I was always better with destruction spells.” The stallion stared in disbelief, not wanting to believe it possible, that a pony could be vaporized so quickly, and with such ease, despite it happening before his very eyes. Taking advantage of his moment of shock, I dashed past him and did my best to remember the way I had come. I had spent enough time in the castle when I was younger and remembered the way out from the throne room. I didn't remember much about the way here, and cursed myself for it. I could usually commit anything to memory as soon as I saw it; unfortunately, I had been too involved in getting Shining Armor riled up to bother with it. I knew that if I took too long I wouldn't be able to get a big enough head start to beat Rainbow Dash. I was by far the best flyer in the New Lunar Republic, but I couldn't do a sonic rainboom.
Eventually, I found myself looking at a window. Desperate, I threw myself into it, and surprisingly enough, it broke, and I was free. I immediately flew north to our winter base in the Frozen North. I didn’t get very far until I saw a cloud to my right turn red. I turned around and saw the colors of the rainbow exploding outwards. And a certain blue pegasus giving chase. Buck. There was no way for me to get away from her now. Rainbow Dash knew exactly where I was, and that meant that so did everypony in Canterlot. Thinking quickly, I began to charge her. Alright, let’s play chicken. Within a few seconds we were only about one hundred meters away from each other, and I had begun filling my lungs with air. When we were within fifty or so feet, I let out a great burst of flame. Startled, Rainbow turned off course, looking away long enough for me to take cover in a cloud. Confused she looked around.
“Where are you, coward?” I heard through my fluffy cover. All of a sudden, my nice cloud popped, and I was face to face with Rainbow Dash. She looked surprised for a second. I took my advantage while I had it and shoved my fore hoof into her lower jaw, hoping to knock her out. The mare was tougher than I first thought, and quickly recovered, flying up underneath me to try and get at my back. My wings were more than strong enough to keep her off, and she realized this right after her first try. She began to kick at me and fly around me faster than she had with the Manticore, except she hit me far more often than she had that thing. I kicked with my back legs, and ended up kicking her, full force, on her lower jaw. She was out before she even registered that she had been kicked. After catching her falling body, I took her on my back and carried her to the edge of the Frozen North, where she could be safely interrogated and kept from the other Elements.
Oh yeah, there's no way I'm leaving without a promotion.
Upon reaching the Snowy Fortress, I was waved in immediately. Friend or foe, they wouldn't have turned down anyone who had brought Rainbow Dash to them. On the way here, I had had to knock Dash unconscious twice more and camp out in a cave for a night, other than that, the trip was uneventful. Once inside of the fortress I was escorted to my private room. Being a high rank as I was did have some advantages. I looked at the badge that I never wore, and so was in perfect condition. Command Sergeant Major Red Fog. “Red Fog” of course wasn't my real name, it was a code name given to me by the Drakes. The name came from a mission my squadron had gone on. My real name was actually erased from my memory after I accepted the Dragon’s Blood, it wasn't important, but I did wonder sometimes. The pain wreaked upon my body was too much for my mind and I temporarily went insane. The things that I couldn't remember after that were my parents, my past, and my original identity. I collapsed onto my soft bed, not even bothering to wash up after the long trip. I drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When I awoke, I was still tired; I didn’t feel like I could really do anything that required a lot of energy. I got out of bed anyway, and made my way to the mess hall for breakfast. Once there, I realized that the base was mostly void of life, there were a few ponies, a diamond dog, and two griffins. When I walked in, they all stared at me. Saying nothing, I moved to get a tray and some food. I got my slop and sat down. One of the griffins, feathers darkened at the ends, suggesting a high rank, came over, and in a deep voice said, “So you’re the one who captured Rainbow Dash.” Startled by this, I remembered the events of last night all at once. Continuing to eat my slop, I replied with,
“Yeah, what about it?” The griffin looked surprised at me.
“What about it?’ You’re a legend now! She’s been impossible to catch, she's way too strong! Up until now, we thought it was impossible! What we want to know is how?!” Finishing my food, I told them,
“I got the drop on her, and knocked her out. It wasn’t actually that hard, I mean, all I had to do after that was pay attention to when she was waking up.” I stood and began to walk down to the Interrogation room. Leaving the griffin and the rest of my food.
Making my way around the base was easy, as it was near identical to all the others, and if nothing else, there were always the signs. I found my way to the interrogation room in no time, and found that Rainbow Dash was hung up on a wall and was currently sleeping. I poked her in the stomach with my horn to wake her up.
“Wha- who’s ‘ere?” She said weakly. She caught sight of me and all at once seemed to come to life, “Who are you? What do you want from me?” She sounded weak, and though she wasn’t completely there, she was lucid enough to know that she wasn’t dreaming.
“My name is Red Fog, though usually I’m just called Red,” I told her. “You shouldn’t be scared; we aren’t going to hurt you as long as you comply with us.” She looked at me incredulously and chuckled a bit.
“You really think that I’m going to tell you anything? I’d rather die than tell you scum anything.” I sighed, realizing that she wasn’t going to give up her secrets easily. This put me in an uncomfortable position, as I remembered the stories that an orange Pegasus filly told me about her. She said that she was her idol, and she wanted to be like her as much as she could. Scootaloo was older now, and had her own opinion on things, and though she admired Rainbow Dash, she felt that the New Lunar Republic had goals that she found more in line with what she herself thought. Not because she thought we would win, but because she believed in our cause. I knew Scootaloo from teaching her how to fly, and now, even with my dragon wings, she was the best known flier in the Lunar Air Force, and Rainbow Dash’s counterpart. She still admired Rainbow Dash, and would probably hate me if I started cutting on her idol (and I don’t want to lose her favor), so I went with the only argument I could think of, though it was a long shot.
“You remember Scootaloo, right? Orange Pegasus, purple mane?” Rainbow looked at me shocked. “Yeah, you do, don’t you? Well, let me tell you, we’ve got her too, and because you’re worth so much more, we’ll want you in one piece but her…” I let the statement hang ominously. Rainbow looked at me for a second, then threw her head back and laughed. She laughed and laughed and laughed for a long time, and when she finally gained her composure, she looked at me, chuckling and said,
“That little traitor? You think I give a flying feather about that little deserting scumbag? I know she’s in the Lunar Air Force and not some captive you have, I remember the last conversation I had with her,” Rainbow Dash said, chuckling all the way through. “‘But Rainbow, why?’” she said in a mimicking voice, “’Why won’t you join me in the Lunar Air Force?’ Because I’m the Element of Loyalty, I won’t just ditch my sovereign!” She grew more vehement with every word. “You have no idea how hard it was to watch her go, to betray the leader that had given her protection in her orphaned years! And you want to know the only feeling I had after she left? Sadness; with her and Fluttershy switching teams, I had to deal with my closest friend and biggest admirer leaving!” She looked down, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
“I realize that must have been hard on you,” I said, “I can’t remember any of my family and most of my friends are dead, so maybe we can reach an agreement. I know that you agree with the New Lunar Republic's ideals, and don't lie. You know it too. So here's the deal. You're going to disappear, and I'm going to get the Information that I want. The issue with this will be that you won't be able to live a life of fame like you once did, you'll have to lay low all the time. I'm not going to trick you into this, because if you do have to be tricked, you probably aren't telling me what I want to know, or at least, not the truth." All the while, I had been channeling a low-energy hypnosis spell on her, and she began to nod. Good thing I caught her while she was still half asleep, I thought. It might not have worked otherwise.
