Equestria Noir Case 20 "Red Snow Fall"

Chapters

Chapter 2 "Brace Yourself"
Chapter 4 "Old Memories, New Plans, Same Evil"
Chapter 5 "Do you hear Ponies Sing? I hear silence..."
Chapter 6 "The Truth"
Chapter 7 "For the Snowlands!"
Epilogue
Chapter 1 "A Test?"
Chapter 3 "Red Hammer"

Chapter 2 "Brace Yourself"

Chapter 2

“Brace Yourself”

The first thing I noticed was how cold it was. I blinked open my grey eyes and saw I was standing in a vast snowy area. Mountains dotted the background, but aside from that all I saw was a vast plain of snow and rock. Very little vegetation could be seen anywhere, and there was little cover from the wind as it blew on me.

I shook and held my trench coat tighter around me. I was glad that Twilight gave me the scarf. It and my trench coat were the only things keeping me truly warm.

I looked over and saw Raiden’s flank sticking out of the snow. I smirked as he struggled trying to get his head out. “Sounds like Voidera’s teleporting skills are a little lacking,” I said with a grin, using my magic to pull on my friends tail until Raiden’s messy maned head came popping out of the snow.

“Brrr!” he said, shaking his head so that all the snow came off. “Alright, next adventure, we’re going to Haywaii.”

“Two minutes in and you’re already complaining,“ I said, with a roll of my eyes. “Where’s Big Mac?”

I felt a rumbling beneath my feet and jumped aside just as Big Mac and Swarm shot up out of the ground. Swarm was in his true form and was wiping his wings. Big Mac shook off some snow as well and said, “We got teleported into a cavern twelve feet below us.” He pointed to Swarm. “He helped dig us out.”

Swarm buzzed his wings and then transformed into his typical unicorn form. “I honestly prefer underground, less cold down there,” he said.

“Question is, where did Applesnack end up?” I asked.

“Over here,” I heard a deep voice answer. I looked over and saw Applesnack was standing a little ways away. He had a pair of binoculars over his eyes. I walked up to him and he hoofed the lenses to me. “Check out that pass over there,” he said.

I put them to my eyes and saw a small town not far away from us. I looked down at the inhabitants, they looked ragged and tired and most of the stallions were covered in soot. I found the leading cause, a nearby factory spewing out smoke.

“Looks like a coal factory of some sort,” Raiden said, looking over at the factory in question.

“Why coal?” I asked, looking at the workers. “They look ragged, tired beyond belief. I wonder why they’re putting so much effort into coal?”

“I don’t understand,” Swarm spoke up. “Isn’t coal used to power pony machinery?”

“Maybe back when my grandfather was alive,” Raiden answered. “Most ponies nowadays use magic or electricity as their main source of power. Coal is kind of becoming obsolete.”

“Maybe in a nation with a lot of races,” Applesnack said, “but Private, look at all of the workers.”

I eyed each of the workers that came out. In fact, one thing stood out about every inhabitant in the village. “They’re all earth ponies…”

“You sure?” Big Mac said, looking down. “That would explain why they need coal. Even still, t’ain’t no excuse to drive yer workers like that.”

“Either way,” Applesnack quipped. “We can’t go in there with two unicorns and a pegasus. We’d draw too much suspicion.“

I nodded and looked at Swarm. “Lose the horn, Swarm. I’ll be able to cover my horn with my hat and Raiden can find a cloak or something to hide his wings,” I said.

Swarm nodded and his green magic removed the horn from his head. I tilted my fedora so it covered my horn completely. As the others were walking I felt a strange dread. A chill ran down my spine. Somepony was here, but where?

Thieeefff!

I turned around and my eyes grew wide at what I saw. A huge cloud of shadow gathered before my eyes. Two green eyes with red irises were glaring at me as a fanged mouth slowly formed. No, it couldn’t be.

“Private, what the hell’s that?” Raiden called, I turned around and saw the others staring.

“Get to the village now!” I ordered. The others didn’t need much encouragement as the cloud came closer. I stood my ground and lifted my fedora, aiming my horn at the beast. I fired a magical bolt at it, but the beast just laughed as it passed through him.

“Truly pathetic mortal.”

“I know who you are, Sombra,” I growled, hoping to keep his attention on me long enough for the others to get away. “You’re not getting Tenacity on my watch!”

“That power belongs to me,” I heard a sinister voice growl, recognizing it from my vision back at Attrotica. “As will your friends, once I am through with them.”

“Over my dead body, you bastard,” I cried, firing another bolt at him. This time the bolt missed him completely. I growled, feeling hatred in my heart for this bastard.

“Yes,” he said with a smug grin. ”Give into the hate and anger you hold within you. With that you can unlock Tenacity’s true power!”

“I know what you did with that power, Sombra,” I cried. “I’m not using it for any gain of mine.”

“I care not for your measly morals, thief,” he growled. “I simply wish to take what is rightfully mine! When I do, I shall have the Crystal Empire, and perhaps dear Twilight Sparkle as well.”

“If you lay one hoof on her, I’ll kill you,” I shouted, my horn glowing a different color, one of green and purple magic, which I used once before.

“Funny, that’s what Eclipse said to me a thousand years ago,” he gloated, with a smirk. “It seems your line still is trying to make up for the sin of Prometheus.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I growled, my horn glowing bright with the sickly green color, “but you’re going right back where you belong!”

I fired the green magic with all my might towards him. Sombra cried as if in deep pain. He deserved it! Every bit of pain for threatening…

“Prometheus, stop!

I looked down, tenacity was there? I saw the cord of light coming from it. I followed it slowly and saw a wondrous sight before me.

She looked like an earth pony, only unlike any I have ever seen before. Her coat was pink, glistening like a shining crystal. Her eyes seemed like jaded blue orbs rather than spherical ones. Her mane was long and tri-colored, almost exactly like Cadence’s.

Her blue eyes looked on me, as if she was close to true tears. For some reason, that faltered me. I'd said a name, as if I’d known her all my life,

“Aria?”

“Prometheus, just stop!” she said, tears flowing from her eyes. “Don’t do this! I can’t bear it if you fell again!”

Was she talking to me? Just who…

I felt the earth shake around me, Sombra’s eyes blinked and he glared off in the distance. He smirked at me and said, “Don’t think this is over mortal! I shall have what is mine!”

With that he vanished in a puff of shadowy smoke. I looked back where the strange looking pony was. But she was gone, was I hallucinating? Her voice seemed so familiar. How did I know her name?

Aria.

The name, I know it from somewhere, but where? What was with that earthquake? It only lasted for a brief moment before.

“Hey!” I turned around and saw Raiden running towards me. “Dude, are you alright? What was that?” he asked, with concern.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts, looked at my now cloaked friend and replied “Just a horrible nightmare. “Where are the others?”

“Everypony down at the village was freaking out by the earthquake,” Raiden explained, “but we managed to sneak in using it as cover. We’re setting up in one of the local inns.”

Raiden walked away, careful not to use his wings. I looked back to where Sombra was. There was nothing there except the endless plains and mountains of snow. I felt uneasy. I swayed and fell into the snow. I heard Raiden’s voice speaking over me.

Aria…

_____________________________________________________________

Aria…

Prometheus, I’ve been looking for you all day.

Aria listen, I wanna talk.

About what?

When you said you loved me, did you mean it?

Why wouldn’t I mean it? You made me after all.

It’s just that, I’m the only stallion you’ve ever known. I’m just thinking about what mom said.

I made her mad at you, didn’t I?

No, it’s not your fault. I just didn’t want to face the fact.

That I only love you because I didn’t have a choice?

….

Prometheus, you made me, you’re the first true friend I’ve ever had, and you’ve cared for me and taught me so much, what mare wouldn’t love that?

Aria.

Do you love me, Prometheus?

I do.

What of Izanami?

She, she doesn’t want me. She never did…

Am I a replacement for her?

No, no you’re not. You’re something far more to me.

Then you.

Yes, Aria. I do love you!

___________________________________________________________

I blinked open my eyes to find myself staring at a wooden ceiling. I rubbed my temple and realized my horn was visible. I sat up and came face to face with a gun muzzle, held in the teeth of a large dark blue earth pony. His teal eyes glared at me as I raised my hooves in surrender.

He lowered the gun from his teeth, knowing I wasn’t going to try anything. “That fedora, where did you get it?” he asked, in a local accent.

This was an odd question; I raised an eyebrow and said, “From my mentor, fellow by the name of Fenlock Rusty.”

He looked at me for a long time, and then a wide smile came to his face, “I wanted to be sure your friends were not bullshitting me.” He set the gun aside and held out a hoof and introduced himself, “Rushanwin, I was Fenlock’s partner for nearly ten years.”

“So you’re the great Rushanwin!” I said, flashing a smile “Fenlock told me a lot about you. Said you were,” I cleared my throat and imitated Fenlock’s Manehattan accent, “the best damn partner this side of Equestria, too bad he has no taste in music”

“Ah,” he said, waving a hoof. “Still hasn’t changed I see, so how is the old bastard?”

I reached over to the night stand, put on my fedora and replied, “He’s retired now.”

“Damn waste of a good detective,” He smirked, but then turned his head and said, “Your friends are downstairs. It is safe there to speak, we all have little love for Red Hammer, so don’t worry about speaking your mind.”

I nodded, getting out of the bed. We walked out of the door and down the stairs. “How long was I out?” I asked.

“About fifteen minutes,” Rush explained. “Your friend Raiden had quite a fantastical story to tell, something about a smoke monster or something?”

I shuddered at the memories of my encounter with Sombra. I looked down around my neck at Twilight’s scarf. I held the end to my face for comfort before reaching the main room of the inn. I looked around at all the ragged, drunken workers voicing quite raucously their opinions of local politics.

“Way I see it,” one shouted in a drunken state, “we’re all screwed anyway. Between soldiers and the food dying out there ain’t nothing we can do!”

“Hush, you idiot!” his friend hissed. “Do you want everypony to hear?”

“Aww let em 'ear!” the drunken one hiccupped. “Maybe it’ll finally get those revolutionary bastards off their flanks to help us once in a-“Finally he keeled over in a fashion I have seen Berry Punch do right after a rant about Celestia’s flank or something.

Rush rolled his eyes and explained, “More of them every day, poor lads constantly drinking themselves into stupors in order to escape the suffering this country has wrought.”

I nodded and saw my group sitting off to the corner. Raiden waved at me but got a look from Applesnack and that calmed him down. No need to draw more attention than we already have today.

“Thank Luna you’re okay, Private” Big Mac said, as Rush and I took a seat at the table. “What was that thing anyways?”

“Long story,” I answered quickly. “Anyway, how did you find us?” I asked, looking over at Rush.

“I was here drinking myself into a stupor,” Rush admitted, “but when I saw your friend come in with you on his back I had to help. I know the innkeeper here, so it wasn’t hard for him to look the other way.”

“Pardon my interruption,” Applesnack spoke up, his deep voice giving an air of command and firmness “but I couldn’t help but notice, we haven’t seen a single unicorn or pegasus since we arrived here.”

Rush closed his eyes and said, “You are lucky it was me who found you, if one of the soldiers found you, you and your large friend here would’ve been imprisoned as spies.”

“What about us?” Raiden asked, afraid of the answer. “What happens to unicorns and pegasi?”

“They are taken to the Yards,” Rush said darkly, his expression crestfallen. “Any unicorn or pegasi caught goes there. They are never heard from again.”

Applesnack narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything.

I decided to move on “I can imagine you know who we are then?”

“Ponies from Equestria,” Rush said with a smile. “It has been long since I’ve seen the land. Is it true Princess Luna has returned?”

“Dude, that was like years ago,” Raiden replied,

“You hafta remember,” Big Mac pointed out. “They’ve been locked in for almost three decades. They wouldn’t know about all that’s happened in Equestria.”

“Either way that doesn’t matter,” I said. Then I reached into my trench coat and hoofed the picture of Princess Snowflake over to Rush, asking, “Do you recognize her?”

Rush gave the picture a long look, then his eyes grew wide. “I had heard rumors, but I never believed them to be true!” he exclaimed.

“Then that’s really her?” Applesnack said, his eyes still gazing at Rush.

“I would recognize her like I would my own daughter,” Rush said, trying desperately to keep from shouting to the world in joy. “That is Princess Snowflake! I had not seen her since she was three! She’s still alive!”

“You knew the Princess?” Raiden asked in shock.

“I was part of the royal guard,” Rush explained, his smile infectious. “I had known her since she was born. She was such a sweet filly growing up. Never fought with her siblings, always tried her best to please her papa and mama.” He let out a small sigh. “I remember her playing with my son when he was her age. She didn’t care that he was a peasant, she was just happy to have a friend.”

“Well, looks like that filly grew up” I said, looking at the picture again. “What can you tell me about the incident when her parents died?”

Rush’s expression quickly turned to one of sorrow. “Frostwind tried his hardest to help the people during the longest winter, but the ruddy nobles wouldn’t let him give food and shelter to them. They wanted to horde all the food for themselves. Frostwind wouldn’t listen to them, however. He opened up his palace so that the sick and poor would have a place to stay.”

“That guy sounds awesome,” Raiden said, smiling a little.

“It was all for naught, though,” Rush said, his expression turning to one of anger. “That bastard Red Hammer came along and riled the peasantry up. He claimed that Frostwind was causing the winter to stay on purpose so that we would suffer. My king tried desperately to stop him but it was too late.”

“Then the sacking occurred,” Applesnack stated bluntly.

“Yes, my friend,” Rush said, nodding somberly. “I still remember it was the coldest night of the year. I remember hundreds of angry rebels attacking the palace, slaughtering any in their path. I saw my king die as Red Hammer struck him down.”

“He took down an Alicorn?” I asked, in shock.

“Frostwind’s power had already been weakened trying to fight off the other soldiers.” Rush looked down and continued, “We fought valiantly, but I guess even Alicorns have limits. Red Hammer tired him to the point that a knife could kill my king. It was horrible to watch.”

“You escaped?” I asked.

“Yes, through a laundry chute, believe it or not,” Rush said, he laughed a little at the memory, as if trying to stave off total depression. “I remember coming out on top of a rebel as he was reloading his rifle. I saved the lives of two servant colts that day.”

“The family?” Raiden asked, again afraid of the answer.

Rush bowed his head and said, “The entire royal family was killed, save Snowflake who was never found. Queen Hearthglow, Princesses Freewind, Orchid, Icicle, Tambrina, along with their brothers Nightstill, and little Alondrel, were all slain by rebels.”

Raiden looked ready to smash the nearest wall. I put a hoof on his back to calm him down. He and I gave each other a look and we decided to move on “Where would Snowflake go?”

Rush put a hoof to his lips and looked over his shoulder. When it was apparently safe we all drew in to listen. “I have heard rumors that she has taken up residence in the old palace.” He gave one last look to see if anypony was listening in and whispered, “If you find her, take her to the Black Boar pub. There you will find help.”

We all nodded and broke, ready to find the princess and put a stop to this madness.

___________________________________________________________

The five of us left Rush behind at the inn and he gave us directions to the palace. When we arrived there were no guards present. Raiden looked around as I tried to pick the rusted gate lock. “Where are they? This is the palace of Frostwind and you’d think they’d have guards everywhere.”

I looked up at the palace in question. It looked like it was almost carved out of a glacier. The walls were white and looked to be made of some kind of marble and wood. The place looked like it had been abandoned for years. Windows were boarded over, the gates looked rusted and parts of the palace were crumbling. I wondered what it must’ve looked like in its prime.”

“Bad memories,” Applesnack replied. “I’m guessing Red Hammer doesn’t think anypony would want to come back after what happened.”

“Be ready for anything though,” I said, levitating out White Tiger, getting used to it’s weight before finally managing to open the gate lock. With that the five of us walked forward to the massive gates of the palace.

I tried giving them a shove but they wouldn’t open or budge. I looked between the doors and saw some ice had frozen over the middle. “Somepony sealed the entrance with this ice stuff,” I said.

Swarm sniffed the ice like a dog would. “I smell reminiscing here, as well as pain. Somepony is definitely here and has come recently.” he informed us.

“Either way we aren’t getting in this way,” Raiden said, crossing his forelegs in frustration.

Big Mac walked up to the door and slid the bracers on his forelegs. “About time, ah gotta test these out.” He then stretched his legs and hooked his forelegs around the handles, giving a mighty heave.

The gauntlets glowed a soft red before a small creak could be heard. I saw the ice sealing the doors crack under the force of Big Mac’s strength. Finally the doors gave way, opening wide before us. Big Mac wiped some sweat from his brow and smiled at us.

Raiden and I closed our jaws from their dropped position and entered the palace ahead. Swarm was on the ground like a dog, sniffing the area. I’m guessing his nose detected things other than Raiden’s bad smelling cologne.

I used my horn like a flashlight and saw the palace interior was covered in cob webs and dust. Hundreds of paintings adorned the walls of the palace. There were also several suits of armor and other decorations that had fallen apart after ages of neglect.

Raiden ran a hoof along a table, frowning at the dust. “Dude, talk about your fixer uppers,” he remarked.

“You’re sure somepony is here, Swarm?” I asked the changeling.

He nodded and stuck his nose in the air, giving a wide sniff. “I smell, sorrow again, along with memory and joy?”

It was then that we all heard it.

Dancing bears, painted wings

Things I almost remember

And a song someone sings

Once upon a December

“Do you guys hear that?” Raiden asked. “Somepony is singing!”

“Shh!” We all shushed Raiden and listened intently to the female voice singing.

Someone holds me safe and warm

Horses prance through a silver storm

Figures dancing gracefully

Across my memory

We followed the sound of music and entered a vast ballroom. There in the center was an Alicorn. She was dancing with an invisible partner as we stared, just singing her heart out.

Far away, long ago

Glowing dim as an ember

Things my heart used to know

Once upon a December

We all just watched her dancing in her own fantasy world. She was oblivious to our presence and we liked it that way. She didn’t seem to care, just dancing in her own world, but slowly her singing turned sad and she held herself in her white forelegs. I saw traces of tears in her soft blue eyes...

And a song someone sings

Once upon a December…

Chapter 4 "Old Memories, New Plans, Same Evil"

Chapter 4

“Old Memories, New Plans, Same Evil”

I sat at a table in the pub with Statehood in front of me. Around me ponies were celebrating the return of their princess. I looked over at the scholarly stallion and asked, “Aren’t you worried that soldiers will find you by making this racket?”

“We are remote enough that most soldiers don’t care to travel out here,” Statehood replied. “Besides, if anypony asks, we are celebrating my birthday.”

I nodded, looking over as Raiden was showing off his suit to the crowd. Showing all the different functions and means he can handle his lightning. It was a marvel of technology, but I feared this gave Raiden an even bigger ego then he already had.

No wonder he and Rainbow are dating.

I looked back at Statehood and asked, “What kind of ponies do you have?”

“We are mostly farmers, factory workers, and like I mentioned before, college students.” He adjusted his glasses and continued, “I was a teacher myself before the university closed down.”

“Why would Red Hammer close down a university?” I asked.

“He didn’t like some of the ideas being taught there,” Statehood said flatly. “After I was fired my students came with me into the resistance. We are one of the last left but we are still quite numerous.”

“So anyway,” I said, moving on, “any idea who the mole could be?”

Statehood shook his head and answered, “I haven’t seen anypony acting suspiciously. Most of us were here the whole time while you were at the palace.”

“I hate to ask this,” I said, looking down and then at Rush, who was speaking to Snowflake, “but where was Rush in all this?”

“He came back here with Brick Break after he gave you the information,” he explained, gesturing to a stallion I recognized from before. He was the stallion that told off his drunk friend. He had a rust colored coat with a short brown mane. His brown eyes glared at Big Mac who was apologizing for accidentally smashing a chair in his attempts to show off his strength.

“A rather brash stallion,” Statehood said, looking at me over his glasses, “but hardly spy material if you ask me. Plus, I’ve known him for years.”

“What about that guy Tablet?” I asked, pointing to the stallion from earlier. He was drinking with some friends. “He seemed pretty swift to accuse us of being spies.”

“He’s always been a more,” Statehood fought for the right word “zealous member, of our group, so I doubt he would turn rouge.”

“Well, ask around among your group,” I suggested. “Find out if anypony was giving anything away.”

Statehood nodded and walked off, talking to one of his lieutenants. I walked and saw Rush was waving for me. I walked over and sat opposite the old stallion. He smiled wide at me and said, “From the stories your friends and her highness as told me, you are definitely Fenlock’s student.”

I smiled and replied, “He taught me about everything I know about detective work.”

“That hat on your head proves it,” he said, flicking my fedora with a smile. “Belonged to Hercule Ponitrot and his own mentor the legendary Shamrock Homes. That hat has quite a history in police work.”

I took the fedora off my head and looked at it’s grey cloth for a minute. I still remember the day when Fenlock passed it on to me after I made homicide. It was one of the greatest days of my life…right after the day I met Twilight…

“So how did you two meet?” I asked, putting the hat on my head again.

“We met long before you were even a twinkle in your dear mother’s eye.” He took a swig of his drink, whatever Snowponies drank, it was very strong stuff. Stronger than even the Apple’s famous Apple Cider. “I met him on the front lines of EW2 back when we were both fighting together against the Bermans. He pulled my ass out of bunker just as it was about to explode.” He laughed and continued, “I argued with him for over an hour because I was about to snipe an officer and I was too stubborn to admit that I could’ve died doing it.”

“Since then our companies were almost inseparable. We were called krovʹyu glaza, or blood eyes, in our old tongue. We worked with the Hell Hounds providing cover while they took the front lines.” He shook his head and said, “Old Fenlock and I left for Equestria together after the war.”

“How’d he get you into detective work?” I asked, taking a tentative sip of the drink and then putting the mug aside. I’ll stick to cider, thank you.

“Mostly because I needed a job over there.” he replied, taking a small sip of his own drink “He and I joined the police force because we both remembered how to use a gun. There were a lot of soldiers who joined up after the war.” He smiled again and recalled, “They called us Rusty and Rush, we were partners for my ten years of service on your police force.”

“Then you came back home?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “I came home with my wife after I retired from police work. I just knew my country needed my talents more than Equestria did. It was hard to say goodbye to Fenlock, but he insisted I head home to perform my duty.”

“That sounds like Fenlock alright,” I said with a smile. “Always somehow knowing what’s right, no matter how crazy it may sound.”

Rush chuckled and inquired, “So how is the old bastard? Still kicking?”

“Maybe once all this is over I’ll take you back to Equestria, that way you can see him yourself. You can even take your wife and kid too.”

Suddenly Rush’s expression became sullen. I blinked and was about to speak before he spoke up himself, “They were taken, by Red Hammer, to the Yards.”

“They were…”

“Unicorns,” Rush said, taking a generous swig of his drink. “I was so proud the day my son was born. I thought it would be amazing to have a son talented in magic, but that blessing proved to be a curse as well. Three years after the sacking Red Hammer found them. They took them while I was away searching for food in the hills. I never saw them again.”

“I’m sorry, Rush.” I looked down guiltily and said, “I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth.”

“You didn’t know, you were simply curious” Rush said, taking another drink “Another quality you share with Fenlock. He could find out anypony’s secret if you gave him enough time.”

“Just what are the Yards?” I asked, “Nopony wants to talk about them.”

“Nopony really knows because nopony has ever come back from there,” he said sorrowfully. “All we know is that any unicorn or pegasus found within our borders is sent there. Never to be seen or heard from again.”

I nodded slowly and said, “Again, I’m sorry to bring these things up.”

“If anything it strengthens my resolve to kill Red Hammer even more,” he said with a bitter smile.

I frowned at his expression; again there was something I didn’t like about it. I shook my head and left Rush to drink away his sorrows. Something about this whole thing just didn’t sit right with me. I felt like something else was going on that nopony was telling me.

I ignored it and found Applesnack gesturing with his head to a corner table. I sat down and he said, “I asked around myself, and everypony was here when we met up with Rush. Except for three stallions that were unaccounted for.”

“Who were they?” I asked, pretending to sip some of the drink.

“Brick Break, Tablet, and Statehood,” he said. “Brick Break was with Rush when he was giving us the information. Tablet and Statehood were apparently having an argument about two hours before we arrived.”

“What about?” I asked.

“He didn’t say,” Applesnack said, taking a swig of the heavy drink. “Only that it was a very heated conversation.”

______________________________________________________

I looked at Tablet as we sat down in the back room. The stallion was nervous and jittery, constantly rubbing his hooves together. He looked up at me with pale blue eyes and whined, “I still don’t understand why I am here.”

“I’m curious about an argument you had with Statehood before we arrived,” I said slowly, “Care to explain that?”

“Why do you wanna know?” he said, looking away.

“Call me curious,” I said, trying to keep this casual so as not to cause him to shut down.

“Look it was about this plan we’ve been working on,” he answered quickly. “Statehood and I got into talks about starting a riot over in Hammergrad where Red Hammer has his fortress. Only Statehood thought it was a bad idea, said he didn’t want civilians hurt or some other bullshit.”

I raised an eyebrow at this and asked, “Have you noticed anypony acting strangely since that argument?”

“I kept noticing Brick Break going back to his room” he said, rubbing his hooves again. “Always the same time, ten o clock exactly. Whenever I asked him about it he got in my face and told me to buck off.”

“What’s wrong with your hooves?” I asked, gesturing to his rubbing hooves.

“Sorry.” He stopped doing it and explained sheepishly, “I was a chemist before I joined up. It’s just a habit I developed from having to wash all the chemicals off.”

“Getting back on topic,” I said, waving my hoof, “what can you tell me about this plan that you and Statehood came up with?”

“The idea is that we’d cause a riot so bad that the people would have to stand with us,” Tablet said, his face developing an excited expression. “Everypony is afraid of Red Hammer because he has an army to back him up. We’ll show him though! We’ll show him just how much fury our people can bring to him!”

I raised an eyebrow at this plan; it certainly seemed like a way to boost morale. However, this whole mole business had to be dealt with first. I nodded and noticed Tablet rubbing his hooves again, this time I noticed a small pocket watch in his hooves. I shrugged and left. Time to confront Brick Break about all this.

______________________________________________________

Brick Break looked at me with narrowed eyes and said coldly, “You’re asking what I’ve been doing every day at ten?”

I nodded, standing opposite him as he sat on his bed and explained, “Tablet was saying you have been hiding up in your room for hours at a time. That seems awfully suspicious to me.”

“Look it isn’t anything that bad!” he said, far too quickly.

I got within inches of the guy’s face, my grey eyes peering into his soul. “Listen here, my friends almost died because somepony was spying on us! You were there when Rush told us about where Snowflake might be. You could’ve just as easily ran back to Red Hammer and given him the information.”

“I’d never turn in anything to Hammer!” he growled.

“Then what were you doing?” I asked. “If you’re so innocent then just tell me the truth.”

“Fine!” he growled, glaring back at me. “Statehood’s been asking me for a couple weeks to create listening devices. He said that he thinks a mole has been giving out information. So he wanted me to put some listening devices in the building.”

“What was your job before you joined up?” I asked.

“I was an architect, graduated from the university same year as Statehood,” Brick Break said. “I used to design buildings for some paranoid nobles that wanted places to hide bugs and stuff. That was back when we had nobles.”

“What happened to them?” I asked, almost afraid of the answer.

“Most of them were unicorns,” Brick Break said, looking down. “So when Hammer took over, they all got sent to the Yards. Red Hammer has had it out for pegasi and unicorns for years. Can’t honestly say I blame him.”

I gestured to my horn and he let out an uncomfortable cough. Now I know how Seeker feels.

“Present company excluded of course,” he said, raising his hooves. “However, back when Frostwind was in charge a lot of nobles took advantage of us earth pony peasants. They created a whole bunch of laws that taxed us to death while they sat in their posh palaces.”

Equestria had a noble caste as well, but ours was much more restricted. Nobles couldn’t pass laws without Celestia and the consent of an elected council. Recently Celestia and Luna have gotten more and more commoners on the council in the hopes of keeping things on a more equal ground. Then you had guys like me who lock up nobles who decide to take things too far.

I still remember the look on Blueblood’s face when we sent him packing. That got me to smirk.

“So anyway, about these listening devices,” I said. “Could you show me what one would look like?”

He reached into his pockets and pulled out a listening device. It was cheap, made of scrap material, but it would serve its purpose. I nodded and took the device. “Where would you stick one of these? Say, in a bar or something?”

“Probably under a table or something,” Brick break said. “Whoever the mole is has been using my devices?”

“The question is,” I said slowly, “who’s been using them?”

______________________________________________________

I sat at the table as Raiden returned with a very embarrassed looking Swarm. Raiden was laughing his flank off as he walked up to me. “Dude! You are not going to believe what Swarm here had to do!”

I frowned at my friend and asked, “Did you find the device?”

“Yeah,” Raiden snickered. “Only the bartender was very suspicious of us. He said we might be spies for Red Hammer as well.”

“So we had to convince him we weren’t by hooking him up with a,” Swarm cleared his throat and muttered, “a hot date, as he said.”

“So I started asking the guy what he was into,” Raiden went on, trying not to burst into laughter. “He said he was into exotic young mares.”

“So Raiden then asked me to transform,” Swarm’s cheeks were flushing green in sheer embarrassment. “I transformed into a…”

“A Neighpanese school mare!” Raiden exclaimed, laughing out loud. “He looked so embarrassed in that dress I made him put on! You should’ve seen the look on the guy’s face! Swarm, you make quite a sexy young mare”

“Not funny!” Swarm growled.

“What’s the problem Swarm?” I asked. “You transform into mares whenever you imitate Pinkie or Fluttershy or any other mare.”

“Only he forgot a very important part,” Raiden said, trying not to run out of breath. “After we got the listening device from him he took Swarm in the back.” He smirked again, Swarm still looking embarrassed. “Then he comes running back out shouting, ‘that mare is a stallion! That mare is a stallion!!!’ Swarm came running out and everypony was just staring at him. He was so green, it was hilarious!”

Swarm bowed his head; I patted the changeling’s red mane and smiled. “At least we know you won’t make that mistake again.” I then gave Raiden a cold glare and he calmed down. “So did you find it?” I asked.

“The listening device?” Raiden reached into his pockets and withdrew a listening device. A small piece of duct tape was on it, that was what it must’ve used to stay on the table. “Also we found this in the bar,” he said, withdrawing a black and white picture. “Somepony said that a customer left it behind when he arrived about two weeks ago.”

“Did he see him?” I asked, levitating the picture to me.

“Nah, said he was too busy looking at some other mare,” Raiden smirked at Swarm. “Apparently he prefers them…”

I just rolled my eyes and then stared at the picture. It was a picture of a small pegasus colt. He was tied up to a chair, his eyes portraying his worry. I looked at he inscription written in permanent marker at the bottom…

You are running out of time, Statehood, remember Erasure…

This was a textbook threat. I pushed my way through the crowd and found Statehood standing at the table, arguing with Tablet again.

Tablet snapped, “So, you’re going to call off the plan?”

“There are too many civilians involved!” Statehood fired back. “I won’t have their blood on my hooves!”

“With all due respect, Statehood,” Rush added, “we’ve had this plan ready for nearly two weeks now. Red Hammer is going to be away from his headquarters this afternoon. It’s the perfect time to strike!”

“I won’t risk it!” Statehood said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Don’t you mean you won’t risk him?” I asked, causing everypony in the room to turn towards me. I threw the picture on the table, and Statehood’s eyes went wide. “I thought it was odd how calm you were when I mentioned the mole. Most would freak out at the mention, but you maintained your calm because you didn’t want to give anything away.”

“Give what away?” Rush asked, looking at me.

“Does anypony here know a colt by the name of Erasure?” I asked, looking at the crowd.

“He was Statehood’s son!,” Brick Break spoke up, “but I heard he was taken to the Yards!”

“He was,” I said, looking at Statehood who was starting to sweat now. “Only he wasn’t killed, but used as a hostage so he could turn over information to Red Hammer.”

“This is ridiculous!” Statehood shouted. “You have no proof he is even my son!”

I held up the picture in my magic and explained, “Back when I was on the force we learned how to draw out the color in a photograph via magic. This will show us the truth…”

My horn glowed grey and the picture suddenly filled with color. Erasure’s body showed blue, his mane white and his eyes a deep violet. He shared several traits and features with his father.

Statehood closed his eyes and said sadly, “I tried to hide him as long as I could, but Red Hammer found out about where my son was. He took him and said if I didn’t lure Snowflake to the palace he would kill him.”

“The stallion who pointed me to the palace!” Snowflake cried, pushing her way through the crowd. “I remember it was you! It took me a while to recognize your voice! You were wearing a hood when you told me I could find help at the palace!”

“You set us all up,” Raiden growled, about to suit up before Applesnack stopped him.

Statehood started backing away slowly, saying, “I didn’t want any of this. I only wanted to ensure my son’s safety!”

“By selling out your princess and country?” Tablet shouted, glaring at him. “No wonder you didn’t want to go forward with the plan! You wanted time to tell Red Hammer what we were up to!”

“Get him out of here!” Rush ordered to two stallions, who tackled Statehood and grabbed him. “Take him below! See what information you can get out of him! All communications can go two ways!”

Statehood was dragged kicking and screaming down below. I felt a small frown cross my face. Something was wrong with all this; this was all too easy…

Exactly what was going on here?

______________________________________________________

It was about two when Rush gathered everypony together. I sat along with my group, Snowflake was asked to stay out of the meeting for whatever reason. Rush looked around at the revolutionaries and began his speech, “The time has come for us to make our stand. For nearly thirty years we’ve put up with Red Hammer’s tyranny, but no longer. We will send him a message that the people are not his to control.”

Several nodded in agreement, I admired how Rush could get a crowd’s attention. He pointed to a map on the table, which showcased the layout of a town. “This is Hammergrad, formally Frostgrad, before the sacking. I’m sure you are all aware that this has become the capital of our home.”

I noticed several didn’t like that. Many cursed under their breaths, smacking hooves together as Rush continued “Now we will show Hammer that even in his own capital he has no real control. We were going to attack from the back while the soldiers were away, but we can only figure that Statehood has told the bastard about our plan.”

Several more curses were uttered, many I would not want to-

Private! You can’t break the forth wall that’s my job!

Pinkie! Get back to your own adventure!

Okay! I needed a new flugal horn anyways!

Where was I? Oh yeah, Rush went on and pointed to the town, explaining the new plan, “Instead of attacking the base, we will cause a riot in the town. Our people will rally behind us and the soldiers will have to leave the headquarters unguarded.”

“What about us?” I asked, looking at the blue stallion.

Rush pointed to the base and said, “You and your friends need to find a way to sneak into the base and recover a package.”

“Red Hammer knows about us fliers now,” Raiden said, flapping his wings to drive home the point. “So we can’t fly inside.”

“We can’t rush in either” Big Mac pointed out. “Ah’m no expert on fancy mathematics, but five ponies against several dozen armed ponies just don’t add up.”

“We could go under it,” Swarm suggested. “We could dig a tunnel under the headquarters and pop out once the soldiers are gone.”

“That’s brilliant, Swarm!” I said in approval.

Raiden slapped the changeling on the back and teased, “See, you aren’t just a pretty face.”

Swarm gave him a green eyed glare as Rush gave us further instructions, “Once you are inside, you will head to the second floor and I will guide you via radio contact.”

He gave us a small walkie talkie that I put inside my trench coat. I then asked, “So what’s this package?”

“No offense, Private” Rush said, “but I cannot risk the enemy finding out what you were looking for, should you get captured.”

“I guess that makes sense,” I said. “So, let’s get going.”

Rush looked at each of the stallions gathered and said, “Stallions of the Snowlands, for far too long we have suffered. For too long we have toiled and watched our families be split apart. We will make Red Hammer rue the very day he stole our king away! Let us paint the streets of Hammergrad red with the blood of his soldiers!!!”

With that the rebellion cheered, grabbed weapons and ran out the pub to war….

__________________________________________________________

Hammergrad was a small city years ago. With it being the capital of the Snowlands now, it had become a thriving city. I looked with Applesnack’s binoculars at the city. I saw the heavy fortifications as I sat on a hill several miles away.

“Private.”

I turned around and saw Snowflake walking towards me. She sat beside me and asked, “Are you sure you will be alright this time?”

I smiled reassuringly at her and replied, “We’ll get in, get the package, and get out. There’s nothing to worry about, Princess.”

She gestured to the scarf around my neck and said, “You be safe, for the special one you hold dear.”

“How did you know this wa-“

“I know when a stallion is in love,” she said with a smile. “Especially when he presses his muzzle into that scarf when he thinks nopony else is looking.”

I blushed bright red, subconsciously putting a hoof on Twilight’s scarf. Wherever she was now, I could feel her closer to me when I wore it, like we were connected. For some reason I felt strangely frustrated at stairs. Weird.

“Yo!” I looked over and saw Raiden flying towards us, now fully armored and ready to go. “Swarm found an old changeling passageway leading towards the base,” he announced.

I nodded and turned to Snowflake, saying, “Princess, wait for us. When we are done, we’ll have you back on the throne before you know it.”

“I pray for the safety of all of you,” she said, smiling at me.

With that Raiden and I began the walk to where Swarm’s tunnel was. Raiden looked at me and asked, “Dude, what do you think the girls are doing now?”

“I don’t know, Raiden,” I replied, as I shook my head. “I can’t stop thinking something’s wrong though. Like the girls are in trouble or something, and I can’t be there with Twilight during it.”

“Dude, you two are definitely joined at the flank.”

“Says the guy who has daily races with Rainbow Dash,” I fired back.

“Yeah well, Rainbow and I aren’t into all the lovey dovey stuff like you and Twilight. So when are you gonna finally show her th-“

“Don’t even joke.”

“I’m sorry,” Raiden said, his face becoming serious. “I was only trying to lighten the mood”

“You know how I feel about talk like that,” I said as I narrowed my grey eyes, “especially about Twilight.”

“Dude, relax.” Raiden lifted his hooves. “We all know what almost happened last Nightmare Night. I’m sorry I joked about you and Twilight taking your relationship up a notch. You two have been dating for almost a year though, man. At some point, you’re going to have to ask yourself whether it’s permanent or not.”

“What are you getting on about?”

“I’m just saying, that maybe you should start really thinking about it. Sooner or later Twilight or you are going to start to wane on the relationship if you don’t take the next step. Either towards marriage or doing it with her, something to make it not go stale.”

For all of Raiden’s perversion of the subject he was partially right. Would Twilight get bored of me? Would I not be enough? Would she think some other stallion could be better?

Damn it! Now I’m starting to think like her!

“Raiden,” I said with a sigh, “I got some stuff I need to figure out before I can even think about marrying Twilight. I got Tailspin, detective work, my dad, a whole lot of other things that come first.”

“Dude, you’re my best friend. You know I just want you to be happy,” Raiden said, his expression comforting. “I really think you guys will work. Love like yours only comes once in a lifetime. So start saving up for that ring, or I’ll have drag you both to Las Pegasus and make sure it happens.”

I laughed, just laughed at the absurdity of it all. As we made our way to the tunnel where Swarm and the gang were digging, it stuck in my mind, however.

Truth is, Raiden’s right. Twilight and I have been dating for ages. Did I want to spend the rest of my life with her? Did I want…

___________________________________________________

Sitting by a fire, her leaning next to me for warmth the fire can’t provide. A book open in front of us, a foal’s book. A little lavender unicorn curled up in my forelegs sound asleep. Twilight’s gentle breathing, her saying, “I love you, my wonderful husband.”

Feathers…

______________________________________________

Swarm burst through the floor of the headquarters. His head peeking out from the hole, he then climbed up and helped me out. I turned and helped Big Mac, Raiden, and Applesnack get out.

I looked around; we managed to dig our way into a storage closet. I peeked outside the door, White Tiger at the ready. I saw some soldiers running outside in the halls. They were shouting about a riot outside.

That had to be Rush and the rebels. I booted up the walkie talkie and said into it, “Rush, you there?”

“I hear you, Private!” I heard Rush shout over gunfire on the other end. I heard screaming and shouting to add to the symphony. “We managed to get their attention! Most of the guards have left the building, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble!”

I nodded and turned around to the others. “Alright," I said, "I’m going to go look for the package. Applesnack and Swarm, you go looking for the armory and see what you can find. Big Mac, you and Raiden will fly to the other side of the headquarters and if you see any soldiers cause as much damage as possible”

“Why are you going alone, dude?” Raiden asked, his yellow eyes looking worried.

“I’m faster and can hide better on my own,” I answered. “We’ll all meet back here in about twenty minutes. If they discover the tunnel, we’ll escape from the roof.”

They all nodded, and went to work. I watched as Raiden and Big Mac ran out of the storage closet into a group of soldiers. They looked a little stunned at the sight of two stallions appearing out of nowhere.

Raiden looked at Big Mac and asked, “Shall we run for our lives?”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac replied, just before he and Raiden turned tail with a host of angry soldiers following them.

I left Swarm and Applesnack and started climbing stairs. I spoke into the walkie talkie, “Okay Rush, what am I looking for?”

“You are looking for a small door, marked Red Sickle. The door should be guarded and the package is inside.”

I ran down several hallways, hearing small explosions outside and inside the base. I’m sure Raiden and Big Mac were handling everything well. I just needed to find this package; I wonder what Red Sickle could be? Some kind of weapon perhaps?

I peeked around a corner and saw two armed guards standing in front of a door. I squinted my eyes and saw a small engraving that read, “Red Sickle,” in cursive writing. Funny how a weapon could have such an eloquent door hiding it.

But I had no time to marvel at Red Hammer’s taste in interior design. I loaded White Tiger with a magazine filled with tranquilizer darts. Some of the rebels had smuggled in the tranquilizer from pet shops that were closed down now that they had no more pets to feed or sell. I aimed the gun and fired two silenced shots into weak spots in the soldier’s armor.

They fell down like a ton of bricks. I ran to the door and listened in. Was that music?

I slowly opened the door and saw with wide eyes, a colt, surely no older than twelve. He was playing the piano. He had a red coat, a short black mane, and his eyes were red…

Red Eyes?

This colt must be Red Hammer’s Son, and I was supposed to be kidnapping him?

He’s the package…

Chapter 5 "Do you hear Ponies Sing? I hear silence..."

Chapter 5

“Do you hear ponies sing? I hear silence…”

The colt turned towards me as I stood there, White Tiger levitated in my magic. His red eyes gazed at me for a long time. A strange feeling burned within in me…

“Who are you?” he asked fearfully, backing away slowly. “What do you want with me?”

Kill him…

I looked to my right and saw Littlepip. Only there was something off about the little mare. How was she here? Her brown eyes turned to me. They were blazing with a cold fury I’d never seen the mare carry.

“He causes such pain in my future,” she said, her voice carrying a dark edge to it. Her eyes turned to Red Sickle, who was still gazing at me with wide fearful eyes. “His descendants will cause no small amount of suffering to innocents! He must die!”

I looked at the kid; he was absolutely terrified of me. He gazed at me with those red eyes, I saw a shadow come from him. Standing behind him was a much older stallion, clad in a black cape, with the same red coat. His eyes turned towards me, only, instead of two blue eyes, he had machinery covering the right side of his face. A cybernetic red eye gazing at me with a look of evil I could not ignore.

“Do it now, Private!” Littlepip cried. “If that boy lives then many will suffer and die! He’ll try to make himself a god amongst ponies! You can’t let him come about!”

I then pulled out Blackbird, and aimed it at Littlepip. I glared at her as her brown eyes blinked in surprise. “Are you nuts!? What the fuck are you doing?!” she asked in disbelief.

“Kid?” I looked at Red Sickle and asked, “You can see her, right?”

Red Sickle slowly nodded, looking at the mare as shock came over her face.

I glared at Littlepip and said, “The real Littlepip would never ask me to do something like that. I know because I was once asked to prevent her from being born by killing myself. I was pulled out of it because I knew, that all beings deserve a stab at life no matter how evil. Also, I don’t hear any chanting coming from me, so you are no apparition of Tenacity”

Littlepip’s eyes then glowed green, her grin became wide as she laughed. “You are clever, Private! Oh so fucking clever to the point of pure insanity! It’s no wonder Littlepip came about through you.” Before my very eyes Sombra’s shadow formed from the little mare. He grinned at me and said, “Did you think I forgot about you, thief?”

“Sombra!” I growled “What the hell are you trying to pull?”

“Once again it seems you can never do something when asked. I offer you a chance to do good for your precious Equestria and you turn it down!” He grinned maliciously and snarled, “It seems you are as foolish as your dear Twilight Sparkle.”

“If you hurt her-“

“Oh, I do not plan on hurting Twilight Sparkle. In fact, right about now she’s going to look for dear Aria’s heart. She’ll find I was very careful in my traps for anypony who plans to steal from me again. She will fail, and I will return and claim her…”

“Twilight will stop you, Sombra!” I growled “She won’t let you rise up again, and neither will I! I won’t let you murder Red Sickle through me, either!”

“Look at you; you actually expect to win…”

I opened fire on Sombra’s shadow. The bullets passed right through causing him to laugh and say, “Again resorting to bullets? How did Nightmare Moon ever lose to you? No matter, I have a date in the empire rig-“

Suddenly Sombra’s eyes grew wide, and he vanished in a cloud of smoke. I smirked; sounds like things weren’t going according to plan entirely.

To use Littlepip like that…

How much evil can one colt bring about?

I shook my head and turned back to Red Sickle, who was cowering from what he'd just seen. I put away my weapons and bent down to look at him. “Your name, it’s Red Sickle, isn’t it?” I asked gently.

“Y-yes” he replied, trying to sound brave. “My father is Red Hammer though! He won’t let you kidnap me!”

I closed my grey eyes and lowered my head so we were at eye level. “My name is Detective Private Phelps Eye; I’m not with the rebellion. I was here to collect a package for them, however. I had no idea it was you they wanted.”

“You are an odd kidnapper,” Red Sickle observed, “but how do I know you speak truth?”

“I didn’t shoot you,” I pointed out. “If I really wanted to kidnap you, I would’ve tranquilized you and carried you off on my back.”

He stared at me for a long moment, gazing the truth in my eyes. Slowly but surely he nodded and asked, “If you are not here to kidnap me, what do you want?”

An idea popped into my head; if I could get Red Sickle to talk with Snowflake then maybe something can be gained. There wouldn’t be a need to fight anymore. A diplomatic solution could be made if Red Sickle came willingly.

“I want you to meet somepony I know,” I said firmly, “but your father cannot know about it. You see, the pony I want you to meet is very important, and I want you to act as a liaison between her and your father.”

Red Sickle gave it some thought, and then he looked at me, asking suspiciously, “How do I know I can trust you? Father said that a lot of unicorns are liars.”

I knew that the kid probably didn’t know better, so I ignored the comment and said, “Listen, your father had good reason to hate unicorns. However, I’m different from them. I’m not a noble and I gain nothing for myself if I take you with me. I just want to help ponies here, and this is the best way of doing that.”

Sickle looked down again “I don’t know, my father didn’t have a lot of good things to say about the ponies fighting against him.”

“Listen, I swear I’ll take you back home as soon as all of this is over,” I promised, honestly. “I want to help, and I know you want to help your father too. This is the best way for both of our goals to be achieved.”

Sickle gave it a little more thought and then nodded, saying, “I’ll do it for my father. If it means father and this pony can get along, then I'm willing to try it”

I smiled but then heard the walkie talkie crackle to life. I heard Rush’s voice on the other end, “More soldiers have arrived, Private! Have you secured the package yet?”

Fury enveloped my voice as I growled into the speaker, “When were you going to tell me that the package was Red Hammer’s son?”

“I didn’t tell you because I knew you were going to object to it!”

“This is insane, Rush!” I yelled. “You can’t ask me to kidnap a colt.”

“What does it matter? His father would do anything to make sure he’s safe! Do you want to fight this regime or not?”

I growled, “I’m not going to use him as a bargaining chip! He’s only a foal!”

“Just put your gun back to his head, and get him out of there!”

I blinked and asked, “How did you know I took the gun away from his head, or that I even had it there in the first place?”

I turned around and saw Rush standing there. His expression was one of contempt. “What the hell are you doing, Private?” he asked, his voice reminding me too well of Shinebadge. “Get the brat and let’s go!”

Red Sickle stood behind me, peeking out at the old soldier. I glared back at Rush and said firmly, “I’m not going to let you hurt him.”

Red Sickle stuck his tongue out at Rush. I gave him a small smirk and he shrank back behind me. I’m guessing he was a little embarrassed from resorting to childish insults. Then he stuck his head back out again and said, “If my father finds out what you are doing he’ll kill you! Nopony hurts the ponies of Hammergrad on his watch!”

“Watch?” I blinked and looked back at Rush. “Just what the hell is going on out there?”

An explosion answered my question and I heard Raiden’s voice over the walkie talkie, “My suit hacked into your frequency. Dude, I hope you can hear me, because all hell is breaking loose out here!”

“What’s going on, Raiden?” I asked, keeping my eye on Rush, White Tiger and Black Bird at the ready.

“It's the rebels! They’re using civilians as shields! It’s a blood bath out there!”

“What the hell are you doing, Rush?” I yelled, glaring at him “Ponies are getting hurt out there!”

“They refused to do what was necessary,” he said, his voice full of firmness. “I’m willing to put everything on the line to bring this country to true peace. If it means kidnapping the brat whose parents murdered my king, then so be it.”

Before I could react he dropped something on the ground. I saw with shock that it was a grenade of some sort. It emitted a gas that entered my lungs with lightning speed. I coughed and felt my eyes grow heavy. I fell to the floor in a heap.

Rush glared down at me and said, “May you understand one day why I do this."

My grey eyes closed and I felt cold, as unconsciousness gripped me.

_____________________________________________________

I was standing in the black space again. I slowly stood up and looked around. After a while I heard hoof steps behind me. I turned around and saw Littlepip walking towards me. She was clad in her strange jumpsuit and high tech watch. She wore a guilty expression on her face.

“Littlepip,” I said, gazing at the small mare.

“I guess we both screwed up, huh?” she asked, her brown eyes cast down. “Sombra used me.”

“Littlepip,” I said with a sigh. “It wasn’t your fault. Sombra was hoping to get to me. You were just a victim.”

“Not an unfamiliar occupation.” she said with a small smile.

“I have to ask,” I said, my grey eyes meeting her brown ones. “Would you have killed Red Sickle, if you knew what would happen?”

“You mean you were bluffing with Sombra?” she asked, giving a small laugh. “Good Luna’s Horn. You are definitely like me.”

I gave a small laugh and then went back to being serious. “So, would you?”

“Although I saw how it could benefit me, I don’t know if I would. For all the evil that Red Eye has done, if it wasn’t for him, I never would’ve been able to help in the future.” she replied thoughtfully.

“But he was a villain, right?” I asked, staring at her.

“Private, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from what I’ve done, it’s this, if good does not have evil, it will eventually turn evil to satisfy itself.”

I nodded; there was wisdom in such a small mare. I felt a strange feeling again. I turned around and I saw another sight. An Alicorn, tall and dark blue with deep blue eyes judging by his rather masculine features he looked like a male version of Luna. Granted, he was much taller than the princess of the night. His blue eyes gazed at me with a look of sheer contempt and then, he simply walked away disgusted.

I blinked, why did I feel a deep fear of him?

Suddenly light enveloped me and everything faded…

_____________________________________________________________

I blinked open my eyes to see Raiden and Big Mac standing over me. “Dude, you okay?”

I shook my head and stood up, all five of us were together again. I spoke quickly, “Where’s Rush?”

“Rush was here?” Swarm asked in shock. “We didn’t see him, when you weren’t back at the hole we came to find you.”

“Then they ran inta us,” Big Mac said, then his green eyes looked at me. “What’s wrong, Private?”

“That package he asked me to get,” I said, my voice grave, “was Red Hammer's son.”

“Dude, that’s nuts!” Raiden said, his wings flapping in contempt “I can’t believe he tricked us into helping kidnap somepony!”

“He needed a hostage,” Applesnack remarked. “Red Hammer would do anything to get his son back.”

“That still doesn’t make it right,” Raiden said, smacking his metal hooves together. “When I get my hooves on that bastard I’ll-“

“Calm down everypony,” I said firmly. “Look, let’s focus on getting out of here first. I looked at Swarm and asked, “What about the tunnel? Is it clear?”

Swarm shook his head and replied, “After we found you I ran back to check and there were guards all over the place. We can’t go back using the hole.”

“Then we’ll have to fly our way out” I said firmly, looking at Raiden and Swarm. “One of you is going to have to carry two.”

Swarm nodded and transformed into a very large pegasus stallion. I recognized him as Roid Rage, a gym going pegasus with a large body and ironically very small wings. He lifted Big Mac onto his back and grabbed Applesnack around his middle. “We’re ready to go! Yeah!!”

I nodded and Raiden’s mask closed over his face and he wrapped his hooves around me. “Dude, get ready for speed.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for, fly boy, get us out of here!”

Raiden aimed one of his hoofs at the ceiling. A lightning bolt shot out and caused a small explosion at the ceiling. The open sky was before us as Raiden spread his wings to their full length. I held on for dear life as we shot out of the headquarters.

I looked down as Raiden and Swarm flew for the clouds. I saw a horrible sight, hundreds of soldiers and rebels were fighting openly in the streets. Buildings were burning and I could hear the screams from here, not all of them came from dying soldiers. Such a waste…

“I spy a cabin over there, dude!” Raiden called, pointing to a cabin sitting on a nearby snowdrift. “It’s far enough away from the fighting that we won’t be spotted by the troops.”

I nodded and Raiden changed course for the cabin. It would provide shelter while we sort everything out. I landed along with Raiden, and looked back at the burning city. Just stared at it all as it was burning and exploding from the fighting.

I felt a hoof on my shoulder and looked to see Raiden there. He gave me a look and I knew he and I were feeling the same thing.

Did we pick the wrong side? Was it really worth all this?

I looked over to see the others land nearby. Big Mac got off Swarm as he transformed back. I noticed that Applesnack was looking a bit wobbly on his legs. I’m guessing he’s not a flying pony.

I looked down and then saw it. A trail of blood was leading up to the cabin. Somepony was here…

I looked toward the cabin and withdrew Blackbird. I was about to open the door when suddenly somepony opened it for me. A solider was standing there, clad in the same armor as the rest of Red Hammer’s soldiers. He was clutching his side; a deep wound was bleeding badly.

Before I could say anything he fell to his knees in front of me. He coughed up blood as he spoke weakly, “Please, are any of you doctors?”

“Why should we help you?” Raiden asked, aiming his hoof at the solider. “Your buddies have been trying to kill us all day!”

“It’s not for me!” He begged, coughing again “It’s for them…”

I looked behind him and saw a terrible sight. There was Driftly, the colt I gave the candy bar too. A red colored filly with a red and green highlighted mane was standing next to him, crying her eyes out. I could only imagine that was his sister.

Driftly looked up at me as we all walked into the cabin. “You, you’re the one who gave me the food”

“What happened to you ki-“ My grey eyes grew wide as I stared at his forelegs.

Or should I say, foreleg?

His foreleg was covering his bleeding wound where his foreleg was as his sister cried nearby. His green eyes were crying deeply “I was trying to find mommy and daddy in the wreckage. Then some soldiers came by and shot at me and Rosey here.” He gestured with his head at his sister, fighting tears the whole time. “Then a house exploded and next thing I know, I don’t have a foreleg anymore!!” He cried even more at the pain he probably felt in a limb he didn't have anymore.

The solider looked at me and begged, “Please, you have to help the-“ He was cut off as he fell over. Swarm caught him before he could hit the floor. He started helping the stallion to a nearby chair.

I looked at my group and asked, “Does anypony here know anything about medicine?”

Big Mac spoke up “Shy showed me some thangs, but I don’t think Ah can handle an amputee.” He bowed his head sadly.

Applesnack looked at Driftly, his face giving away nothing. “I’ve seen this before, the blast must’ve sent debris or something his way, cut it rather clean off, you’re lucky kid” he said.

Driftly didn’t know how to handle it and just cried more. His sister tried to hug him but Driftly pushed her back.

Applesnack then looked at a nearby fireplace and ordered, “Big Mac, get something made from iron, and then heat it up.”

“What do ya plan tah do?” Big Mac asked wearily.

“Cauterize the wound,” Applesnack replied grimly. “If I don’t do that then his wound will bleed out and he’ll die. This is the best we can hope for.”

Big Mac looked ready to object for a second before nodding. He walked over to the fireplace and withdrew one of the tools used to move the logs inside.

Applesnack then turned to Raiden and said, “Take his uniform.” He gestured to the soldier, whom Swarm was attending. “We’ll use the cloth as bandages.”

“Anything I can do to help,” the soldier asked weakly as Swarm set him on the ground. Raiden went through the process of helping him out of his uniform.

“Why are you helping us?” Raiden asked “We’re the enemy.”

“I don’t care at this point,” the solider said. “I have a lad of my own his age; I don’t want to see him die.”

I closed my grey eyes and then opened them again to see Big Mac coming with the hot iron. He slowly gave it to Applesnack, who turned to look at me. “I’ll need you to hold the kid while I do this,” he said.

I nodded and then looked at Big Mac. “Move his sister away; we can’t let her get in the way.”

Big Mac then walked and picked up the filly in his large forelegs. Rosey struggled for a minute, trying desperately to get at her brother. Big Mac held her tight, pressing the little thing against his chest. Rosey cried into the big stallion as I moved to Driftly.

The brown colt looked at me with tear stained green eyes. “I can still feel it, but I can’t move it because it’s gone.”

“Shh,” I said, rubbing his mane gently. “It’s going to be alright. We just need to close up the wound, Driftly.”

“Will it hurt bad?” he asked, looking at the red hot iron wearily.

“It will,” I said firmly, “but you gotta be brave, okay? It’s the only way we can help you.” I gave him sympathetic eyes “Be strong, for your sister.”

Driftly nodded slowly and I held the colt down. He didn’t struggle but closed his green eyes as Applesnack set the hot iron on his wound. The colt screamed and struggled from the pain but I managed to hold him down as best I could. He kept crying and screaming then mercifully he passed out from the pain.

Why a colt? Oh Celestia, why a colt?

I shook my head and looked down as Applesnack gently removed the iron, throwing it in the snow outside before Raiden came back with the bandages. We started wrapping Driftly’s wound in the bandages. Big Mac let his sister go and hug him tight, she cried into him.

They’re just kids, scared kids, they shouldn’t be suffering like this…

I closed my eyes and turned back to the solider. He laid on the floor, his breathing shallow. He looked up at me and smiled. “Thank you, for saving them.”

“You can’t die yet,” I begged. “You’ll pull through too.”

“I’m afraid this is the end of the road for me,” the soldier said, coughing up more blood. “I got some shrapnel in me, some damn rebel bombed me. There’s no way I’ll live without a surgeon.”

“Then we’ll find one!” I shouted “Nopony needs to die anymore! We’ll find help!”

“Too late, my friend,” he said, staring at me with soft blue eyes. “I never believed that what Red Hammer was doing was right, but I fought for my people, my home, my family… and I’ll see them again.”

“Yeah!” I said excitedly. “We’ll get you home! You’ll get to see your family again! You’ll be fine!”

“My friend,” he said, a smile forming, “I’m going to see them now…”

My face drooped at what he was saying. I looked at him and said, “Your name, let me know it so that I may know you died saving Driftly and Rosey.”

He nodded and said, “My name, is Sargent Purple Heart. I was a doctor before all this happened.” He laughed a little. “Irony I guess.”

I shook my head and spoke firmly, “You’re going to make it, I…I…”

“I’m going to see my family now,” Purple Heart said, closing his eyes and drifting off into death.

I then just started walking out, just walking away from it all into the snow as the sun started to set. I yelled out to the world with all my fury

“WHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYY?

I slammed my hooves into the snowy ground and cried, “So much pain! So much death and for what? So that some princess can get back on the throne? What price are they willing to pay to make sure this all happens!”

I felt a chill run down my spine, and then I was suddenly not on the snowy area, but instead back in the black area. I looked up and saw Sombra’s eyes glaring down at me. He smirked and asked, “So how does it feel, Private? To know you’ve come this far and couldn’t prevent another from dying?”

“You son of a bitch,” I cried, rushing towards him with a raised hoof. I punched air and suddenly I felt a constricting feeling on my forelegs. I struggled against… blue mist?

Sombra looked down at me. “You constantly struggle, trying desperately to try and fix everything for everypony, but the truth is you are nothing more than a worthless detective. You’re far out of your league, Private Eye.”

“Shut up!” I growled at him. “You have no idea what you’re talking about!”

“Oh, but I know everything about you, Private, everything…”

“How can you be here?” I asked, glaring up at him. “You’re supposed to be where Twilight is!”

“While my main concentration of power is there indeed, I always have a small trace of myself within Tenacity.” He flew and looked at me from muzzle to muzzle. “No matter what you do, you can never truly be rid of me. For so long as the dark power inside you exists, so do I.”

“Shut up!”

“Oh you’ve become quite adept at showing how you truly feel,” he said, laughing a little. “However, you are just a colt playing with matches in a gun factory. You have no idea of Tenacity’s true power.”

I blinked and shook my head. “What are you talking about?”

“I speak of the power within it. For Tenacity, like all the other elements has a power unique to itself. Instead of empowering its owner, it empowers those around him. The weakest of peasants can turn into the fiercest of killers with the right command.”

“Which is why you’ll never get your hooves on it, you bastard!” I growled, “I know exactly what you’d do with that kind of power. You’ll never touch its power so long as I breathe.”

“The thing is, I know of its power far more than you do. A thousand years ago I once ruled the land around you, an empire rivaling that of the great Crystal Empire. I was poised to conquer it, and when I did sweet Crystallite thought she could get in the way. She sent her little astronomer to steal what was rightfully mine, and then your princesses sealed me away for a thousand years.”

Little astronomer? That had to be Eclipse, my ancestor.

“Now I wonder, what is it you truly fear? Not broken bones, not bruises or cuts or any physical harm. No, you are more then happy to throw yourself into the fire. What you truly fear, is not being able to go into the fire in the first place!”

I blinked and the next thing I knew I was in a cage. I looked around and fire was all around me. I tried bucking the cage but it wouldn’t budge. What the hell is going on?

“Private, help us!”

Twilight?

“Private! We’re dyin' over 'ere!”

Applejack!

Help us! Help us!!

Everypony! Everypony was getting hurt and I couldn’t help them!

I tried bucking harder on the bars but they wouldn’t give. I heard Sombra’s taunting laugh as more and more screams came about. I heard so many hurt, dying, and pain….

Suddenly I felt something slap me on the face.

________________________________________________________

“Private, snap out of it!” Raiden said, standing in front of me, his armor off. “Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?”

I shook my head and then I saw a horrible sight. Sombra was behind my friend. “Raiden, look out!”

Raiden turned just in time for Sombra to enter him. Raiden blinked his eyes, they were green with red irises now. He started shouting suddenly, “No, I’m not him!”

“Raiden, are you okay?” I asked, stepping towards him.

“No, don’t call me that!” he cried. “I’m not Raiun! I never was!”

“Raiden?” I put a tentative hoof towards him. Suddenly Raiden started writhing in pain. Sombra was inside him!

I smacked my friend across the face and Raiden blinked his now yellow eyes and asked, “What the hell?”

Suddenly I heard shouting inside, Raiden and I ran into the cabin to find Big Mac looking around fearfully. His eyes showed he was possessed by Sombra too.

“Nah! Don’t do that! Ah don’t wanna hurt nopony!”

“Dude, what’s going on?” Raiden asked me, looking worriedly as Big Mac started writhing around.

“Some dark spirit is showing everypony their worst fear!” I concluded, and then saw as Sombra left Big Mac and entered with a laugh into Swarm.

The Changeling transformed into his true form, only his eyes glowed green. “Pinkie! Pinkie no don’t be dead! Please I didn’t mean too!”

Applesnack walked to Swarm and slapped him across the face several times. Sombra was forced out of Swarm and entered Applesnack. Only, instead of writhing and twisting, Applesnack was calm. He just stood there, and didn’t say a word.

Sombra then flew back towards me, I had to get him away from the others! I ran outside, keeping up the chase as long as I could until he finally caught up with me.

I fell to the ground in a heap, feeling the cold once again…

_________________________________________________________

I was standing in the black area again. This time I stood my ground against the growing shadow against me.

“Even your so called allies are weak against me. You have absolutely no hope against my power.”

“Maybe I don’t,” I smirked, “but never underestimate Twilight.”

“Ha! Right now my body is claiming dear Aria’s heart. Nothing can sto-“

Suddenly a bright light emanated from far away. I looked up and saw Cadence flying towards Sombra. She was different however, her coat was glowing like pure crystal. She had with her a glowing heart shaped crystal. Sombra’s eyes grew wide in fear at the sight of it’s light.

“You’ve lost, Sombra!” Cadence called, her horn glowing a bright blue “Now step away from my future brother in law!”

Before Sombra could say anything, Cadence fired a beam of pure light at him. Sombra was literally ripped apart by the magic. I covered my eyes to keep the light from blinding me.

When it was over Cadence was walking towards me, a smile on her face “I’m happy you’re alright. Twilight’s been worried about you the whole time she was here.”

“How are you here, Cadence?” I asked, taking in her new appearance. “And what’s with the crystal?”

Cadence went on to explain that while I was working here, Twilight was off saving her own nation. A lost nation known as the crystal empire that wasn’t too far from here. “I used a little of my Aunt Luna’s magic to enter your dreams here. I knew Sombra was hiding somewhere here.”

“Either way,” I smiled at her, “thanks for the assist.”

She smiled in turn. “Anything for my future brother in law.”

“Cadence!” I yelled, my cheeks burning.

The princess of love giggled and then her expression softened “Twilight’s been missing you, I’ll put her on.”

“How can yo-“

Cadence then reached out as if reaching through a wall. Then she pulled out Twilight and…

Oh boy…

Twilight’s coat sparkled like pure crystal; her eyes were the same jaded ones from that crystal pony from earlier. Her hair was done up in a bun with a hair ribbon in it. She looked positively stunning…

She ran to me and embraced me tightly. “Private, you’re okay!”

I held her tightly, and then felt tears enter my eyes. Twilight looked at me with those jaded purple eyes and asked, “Private, what’s wrong?”

“I screwed up on my end,” I said with a sigh. “Just so much death… so much.”

“Shh,” she shushed, wiping a tear from my eye. “It’s okay, Private, I know it isn’t any easier on your end.”

I nuzzled her gently, feeling her warm coat on mine. Was this really a dream?

She spoke tenderly, “Private, you’re strong but you’re not invincible. I said it before; you don’t need to face everything alone.”

“I know, Twilight.” I said, smiling at her. “But I must say, you look beautiful as a crystal pony.”

Twilight looked at me, a deep blush on her cheeks. “Well, it’s only a temporary effect, I mean, you really, oh my gosh.”

I smiled, there was the Twilight I knew and loved…

I then kissed her gently on the lips, she was eager to return it. After a moment of pure bliss between us we parted. Twilight looked at me, and then touched the scarf on my chest and said, “I’ll always be with you, Private, no matter how far away.”

“I love you; Twilight,” I said, “and I will finish this and make you proud!”

She smiled and kissed me one more time before turning to leave. She gave me one last smile before leaving with Cadence. Twilight, every moment I’m with you, you make my world seem so much brighter.

I will always love you, my Twilight….

____________________________________________________________

I blinked open my eyes and looked around. All four of my friends were looking at my warily. Raiden helped me up and asked, “Dude, what the hell was that all about?”

“Just, something I had to deal with” I replied, and then I looked at the others. “We’ll stay here for the night” I said, gesturing to the setting sun. “It’s getting late and who knows how cold it’ll get.”

“What do we do about Rush and the rebellion?” Swarm asked, buzzing his wings a little.

“We’ll find them,” I answered “but after we go to the Yards.”

“Dude, are you nuts?” Raiden asked. “The yards are where all the unicorns and pegasi go and are never heard from again.”

“Yes,” Applesnack said, “but if we were to recover Red Sickle, then Red Hammer will just use the prisoners there as a bargaining chip again. Nothing will be gained from a simple prisoner exchange.”

With that, the faintest hint of a smile came to the soldier’s face. Then he just walked off, saying something about burying the soldier.

I looked out at the burning city, Applesnack was right. If we were going to finish this, we couldn’t let Red Hammer have any cards on the table. Tomorrow, we go to the yards, and free the prisoners trapped there.

Twilight, stay safe until I come home.

Chapter 6 "The Truth"

Chapter 6
“Truth”

Driftly and Rosey fell asleep just as Luna was raising the moon for the evening. Rosey had refused to leave her brother’s side, keeping a close eye on him. As I watched them sleeping by the fire, Raiden came up beside me. “What are we going to do about them?” he asked softly.

“We’ll drop them off at a village or something,” I answered. “Then we’ll make for the Yards and hopefully get some answers.”

“Dude,” Raiden said looking at me, and then around. Applesnack was outside on lookout; Big Mac was watching over the kids, and Swarm was asleep. Although, I doubt he’ll stay asleep much longer the way he kept thrashing around.

Finally Raiden gestured with his head for us to head outside. I followed and we sat behind the cabin. Raiden drooped his wings and said, “Look, about what I said earlier, when that freaky Sombra guy was inside me…”

“You said something about you not being Raiun” I said, looking at my friend with concern. “You know, even though we’ve known each other since kindergarten you've never talked about what it was like at home.”

Raiden sighed and said, “Yeah, I guess we all have secrets, even from our closest friends.”

I knew he was talking about how I'd hidden Tailspin from him. He'd even gotten into a big fight with Potso about how I told the Bitallion pony first. They didn't talk to each other for nearly two weeks after that. I shook off the memory and said, “Raiun, was your eldest brother, I know that. You told me he became paralyzed making that suit.”

Raiden nodded and replied softly, “Yeah, he was a brilliant engineer, the greatest in the world. He pioneered the way we use electricity today. He was always an advocate for technology to help those who couldn’t use magic, but this suit was his pride and joy.” He gestured to his foreleg, which still was covered in the metal sleeve of his suit. “He made it to help pegasi during hurricanes or other dangerous weather situations.”

I asked slowly, “He never got the chance to use it, did he?”

He nodded and replied, “There was a freak power surge or something. Next thing we know, my parents came into his lab tanned found him unable to move. They had to surgically remove parts of his suit that had fused to his skin and his mind was completely gone. He was little more than a husk, just waiting to die”

“Raiden, I’m sorry,” I said, a guilty expression on my face, “I didn’t mean to bring up ba-“

“I wasn’t born at the time,” Raiden said, cutting me off. “My parents had six other kids between us. Try as they might, however, he was always the most successful, smartest, and talented. Unable to let go, they decided to have Raiun 2.0…”

“You’re a designer foal?” I asked in absolute shock. “How?”

“Mostly through Soyokaze, my second eldest brother, he was a great doctor. They infused most of Raiun’s DNA into me while my mom was carrying me. I always thought that I liked my toys too much, or that my clothes fit too well, or I liked some movies too much. I was six when I found out the truth. My mom got me this sweet looking suit for my first day at school. You remember I was a transfer student before we met, right?”

“Yeah, you used to go to that really fancy school for smart kids,” I said, “but then you cut the power in the gym. So your parents transferred you before you could get into more trouble there.”

“A lot of the teachers at my old school were very nice to me, but they talked about things and memories that weren’t mine. It was like déjà vu on steroids. One day I went up to the attic and found all of Raiun’s old pictures. He had a suit just like the one mom gave me. All of my toys, all of my clothes, everything belonged to Raiun!” He slammed his hoof in the snow and cried, “I was just their replacement! They just wanted me to be Raiun, but I’m not! I never was!”

I put a hoof on my friend’s shoulder and asked, “Does Rainbow know about any of this?”

He shook his head and replied, “When I saw her out in that audience for the first time, she just stood out among the other screaming mares. Rainbow mane, athlete, everything about her was just so different from the regular crowd.” He smiled sheepishly and said, “Dude, look at me acting all sappy”

“Raiden, you’re the only pony who can decide who you are” I said. “Your parents never could let go, but I'm sure one day they’ll realize just how unique and utterly frustrating you are.”

He smirked and said, “Well, I’m half way there, anyway.”

I nodded and gestured to the cabin, “Let’s go get some sleep. If what Driftly said about the yards is true, we’ve got a long walk ahead of us.”

_____________________________________________________________

We dropped Driftly and his sister off at a neutral village. Poor kid kept trying to look brave in front of her. I hoped that whatever came about for them, they'd find happiness. Though, it reminded me I’d have something to ask of Snowflake and Red Sickle once all this was over.

Driftly and some of the villagers pointed us in the general direction of the Yards. Apparently soldiers have been taking them far north. It must only be a couple miles away from the palace, now that I thought about it.

As we walked I came beside Big Mac. The rest of the group was ahead and out of ear shot. I could tell by Big Mac’s expression that something was on his mind. I decided to poke around a little. “You okay, Big Mac?” I asked.

His green eyes turned to me and he sighed, replying, “Ah’m fine, just thinkin' bout Shy, is all.”

I smiled a little and assured him, “She’s fine, Big Mac. If Twilight made it out alright, then Fluttershy did too.”

He smiled only a little bit, “Still, Private, ah reckon ah wasn’t too helpful back with that Sombra fella.”

I looked at him sympathetically and said, “It wasn’t your fault, Sombra was after me."

He sighed again and admitted, “Even still, Private, it doesn’t stop me from feelin' bad about it.”

“Big Mac,” I said softly, “If you don’t mind me asking, what was that all about when Sombra entered you?”

Big Mac’s pace slowed as his expression darkened, he said slowly, “All mah life Ah’ve been bigger then everypony else. So, everypony teased me as a result.”

“Why would they pick on a big guy like you?” I asked, “In the school world, that’s like lighting a match in a gas filled chamber.”

“Ah’m not a violent pony,” he stated firmly. “Ah don’t like tah hurt others. Ah didn’t pay the bullies no mind, but their words still cut. They called me a freak because Ah was bigger than they were. Everypony else was scared of me cause of mah size. Ah relate to Tyran in more ways than he realizes.”

“It couldn’t have been easy when you got arrested,” I pointed out, recalling my first case in Ponyville.

He shook his head and said, “Ah still haven’t repaid all the kindness ya showed me.,”

“Big Mac, its no-“

“Horseapples, Private” he said sternly, looking at me with firm green eyes. “Ah’ll never repay the debt Ah owe ya. Ya saved mah farm, mah family, and everything that ah held important in mah life when Ah couldn’t.” He closed his green eyes and said, “Ya helped me get the courage tah talk tah Shy, too.”

I smiled again and said, “You owe me nothing. I just do my job and that’s all. I don’t want ponies in my debt running around trying to please me.”

Big Mac smiled for the first time in a while. “That kinda humility, is why we all follow ya anyway.”

“Big Mac…”

He looked forward and then back at me “Private, if Ah’m ever blessed with foals. You’d honor me, by being the Alicorent of one.”

Alicorent? As in Big Mac wants me to become what Sapphire Shores is with me to one of his own foals? I felt a happiness grow in my heart and just stared at Big Mac. “On one condition, big guy,” I said after a while.

“Anythin', Private” he said, eagerly awaiting my answer.

I smirked and slapped the big stallion on the back “That you don’t have that foal, until after you've married Fluttershy.”

Big Mac’s face turned even redder than usual. I gave a laugh at his expression he always gets whenever Fluttershy is in the conversation. Yep, they were meant for each other.

“Hey guys!” I looked forward to see Raiden waving for us to catch up. Big Mac and I ran up to the top of the snow covered hill. I looked down at the Yards for the first time.

The Yards was a lot smaller than I expected. It was only a few square miles, not very large by most standard bases. I saw several tents and ponies walking among them. The perimeter was covered with a metal fence with barbed wire at the top. We couldn’t scale them if we wanted to. I lifted the binoculars to my eyes and scanned the place below.

I saw several soldiers, all heavily armed and dangerous looking. I caught my first glimpse of several colts and fillies being kept in the tents. I noticed about half of them were either rubbing their hooves together, or feeling their backs.

“Looks heavily guarded,” I stated, looking at a guard who was standing in front of the gate. He kept looking around, his helmet obscuring his face. “Also, there are the captives.” I pointed to the tents which were sealed off. They contained the captives, all of various ages. “No way are we getting in while the hostages are still there.”

I looked back and saw Swarm suddenly tensing. He started sniffing the air and then placed his nose to the snow. The changeling transformed into his true form and started digging away at the snow.

“What’s up, Swarm?” Raiden asked, staring as the changeling kept digging.

“I smell something, a hive is here!” He started digging more “They’re right under us!”

“So, explain why we are digging towards them?” Applesnack said.

“They are not part of Chrysalis’ hive. They are like me, they are free. They must be part of my old hive.” He sniffed the ground some more. “They have tunnels down here; we can use them to help the captives escape!”

“Brilliant, Swarm!” I said, slapping the Changeling on the back. “You just go down there, dig up under where the captives are, and then they’ll escape.”

“Why do I get the feeling we've gotta be the distraction?” Raiden said, rolling his eyes. “I guess I’m going to have to stand out …” He suddenly put on shades. “Till they notice me.”

YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Raiden Bolt, I am going to kill you!” I said as I started chasing a laughing Raiden through the snow. After I gained control over my murderous urges, we decided to set the plan into action.

______________________________________________________

I sat crouched behind a rock, White Tiger raised, watching the two guards at the front gate. Applesnack counted twelve guards inside. That was twelve too many. Raiden was hiding up in the clouds waiting for his moment to strike.

The two guards looked at each other and one said, “Don’t seem right, keeping them here like this”

“At least these ones get to go back into society,” his partner said, “You know the ones Red Hammer sent to the palace? They never come back.”

“That’s creepy,” the first one said. “You think he's got them working on some sort of secret project?”

“Who knows?” his partner said with a shrug. “It’s not our business.”

“Shoot my friend! Play to kill!”

“What the hell?” The guards looked up to see Raiden flying above them, blaring out rock music as the ground troops opened fire on him.

Raiden laughed as he dodged the bullets deftly. Then he aimed his hooves down and fired lightning bolts into the camp, probably aiming at the soldiers shooting at him.

I shook my head and facehoofed at my friend’s glorious idea of a distraction. Then I shot both guards with the tranquilizer darts from White Tiger. I ran to the front gate and Big Mac hopped out from his hiding spot beneath the snow. He ran to the door and bucked it, his strength enhancers glowing.

The door flew back and slammed into two unsuspecting guards. Using my magic I levitated the door back and used it as a shield as two more guards came around. They opened fire on our metal door cover and I cursed under my breath for being careless.

Just then something leaped over us, I looked up to see Applesnack, battle saddle on, charging at the guards. The guards were caught off guard they tried to aim their muzzles but found that Applesnack was already firing.

His bullets fired at their legs, knocking one guard completely off them. As Applesnack got close, he slammed his head into the still standing guard. The helmet cracked under the force of the blow and the guard went down. The other guard tried to stand up but a swift buck, provided by the soldier silenced that attempt.

Applesnack looked at the two guards, then at us, rolled his eyes and simply said, “Amateurs.”

I looked over at the nearby prison area and saw that the prisoners were using the chaos to run into the tunnels provided by a transformed Swarm. The changeling led the prisoners out through them.

I saw two more guards coming to intercept the prisoner’s and Big Mac tackled them like a Stormball linebacker. He knocked down one, and then proceeded to buck the other, sending him flying. The guard smashed into a nearby light pole and was knocked unconscious.

Raiden, who'd been finishing up with the rest of the guards, flew over to the commander’s tent. He landed, ran inside, then came back and said, “Nopony here, looks like he's at Hammergrad.”

I nodded and looked around; most of the guards were electrocuted, smashed, shot, or otherwise incapacitated. Suffice to say, they wouldn’t bother us as we explored the camp.

I entered the commander’s tent and started sifting through the files on a table. Most of them were guard shifts, food supplies lists, and otherwise dull junk. Then I saw a rather thick file at the bottom of the pile, however. I pulled it out, making a mess on the floor, and read the title aloud.

“Project Spring?” I said. I opened the file, inside was a boat load of statistics, comparisons between various unicorns and pegasi. It was like something a dog breeder would have, it showed genetic lines of unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies. Several numbers were circled or crossed out as some subjects got rejected or accepted. The question is, where did the ones who got accepted go?

Raiden walked in with a smirk on his face. “A heroic rescue brought to you by yours truly.”

Big Mac walked beside him and frowned “Was the heroic part before or after ya almost slammed intah the fence?”

“The uh,” Raiden said, rubbing the back of his helmet, “sun was in my eyes.” Big Mac and I rolled our eyes as he went on, “So, we got all the prisoners out. What were they doing here anyway?”

I looked down at the files and replied, “They were singling out unicorns and pegasi for some reason,” my face turned grave. “One of the guards said Red Hammer was taking some to the palace for some reason.”

“What happened to them?” Raiden asked, crossing his forelegs. “I didn’t see any unicorns or pegasi among the prisoners.”

“That’s because they aren’t unicorns or pegasi anymore.”

All of us looked at the entrance to see Applesnack standing with another stallion. He had to have been in his late forties, with a short brown mane and a deep orange coat. His cutie mark was a pair of screwdrivers. He blinked yellow eyes at me and then sat in front of us; he looked like he was desperately trying not to rub his hooves.

Finally he spoke, in the same local accent “I am Nuttam, I was a worker in the factories before I was taken as a colt.”

“Dude, how long ago was that?” Raiden asked.

“Twenty years ago,” Nuttam said somberly, putting his hooves together but not rubbing them. “When they brought us here, they examined all of the unicorns for their magical talent. Those that weren't especially talented had their…”

Applesnack continued for him, “The reason we haven’t seen them, is because they had their horns and wings cut off if they didn’t measure up.”

All of our eyes grew wide in shock. How could Red Hammer think this is right? What could possibly justify this? I asked, “Why did they do it?”

Nuttam started slowly rubbing his hooves together as more memories came back. None of them were good judging by the look in his eyes “Red Hammer wanted a world where only Earth Ponies lived and worked. Red Hammer called my kind liars, and accused us of using our magic to cause the winter to never leave our home for years.”

“Look, Ah’d be ticked too if somepony was hoarding food,” Big Mac said, “but it t’ain’t right to take away horns or wings.”

“Can’t a horn grow back?” Raiden asked.

I shook my head “A horn is like a cross between a hoof and a bone. A horn can grow back if you cut off like the tip of it or around the middle. But at a certain point, once it’s cut off, it will never grow back.”

Nuttam began rubbing his hooves together; finally Big Mac asked, “What’cha doin there?”

“Sorry,” Nuttam said, stopping the rubbing, “It’s a habit that we ex unicorns develop. Our horns give off vibrations whenever we use magic; this is our way of coping.”

I nodded and said, “You go back with the other captives, and stick to the outskirt villages until everything has calmed down. Then you all can return to your families.”

Nuttam nodded in understanding and walked out; Swarm came in when he left. Our group sat in a circle as I talked, “Alright, something went down in that palace that Red Hammer wanted the captives for. Raiden, Big Mac and I will go into the palace and investigate further.”

“What about us?” Swarm said, gesturing to himself and Applesnack.

“You two will gather Red Sickle and Snowflake,” I explained. “We have to get those two talking so that maybe we can find a peaceful solution.”

“Are you sure that Snowflake will want to talk?” Applesnack asked. “There’s no telling what lies Rush has told her. It may take some convincing to win her over.”

I nodded and spoke honestly, “I’m trusting you two; find some way to convince them to at least get away from the Black Boar Pub. Once you two are out, we’ll all meet up at the palace and then we’ll see if we can’t get Red Hammer to back down.”

The soldier nodded in understanding, turned to Swarm and said, “Come on, we got some walking to do.”

Swarm looked at me; a little nervous. “I hope everything goes right this time.”

“I hope so too, Swarm, but you gotta convince Red Sickle. I got him half way there; you just gotta get him out of the rebel hideout.” I said, putting a hoof on his shoulder.

Swarm looked at me for a long time. Finally he sighed and said, “I will do my best, it's what is needed.”

I watched the pair leave and said to Big Mac and Raiden, “We’ll tie up the guards and destroy their weapons. That should keep them from chasing down the captives.”

“Ah hope they make it to safety,” Big Mac said, his green eyes looking down. “T’ain’t right fer all this to be happenin'.’”

“This is all just so messed up,” Raiden said, shaking his head. “I just can’t believe ponies can do things as insane as this.”

I started walking out and simply said, “Welcome to my world.”

___________________________________________________

Perspective: Swarm

Applesnack and I stood outside the pub. We could hear raucous celebrating inside. It was probably the rebels celebrating their victory, judging by the smell of joy and intoxication coming from inside.

Applesnack looked at me and said, “If I were Rush I’d keep Red Sickle in the basement. Look there, and try not to be spotted.”

I nodded and transformed into my normal unicorn self, but I altered my appearance by giving myself a shorter blue mane and a sea green coat. This way the rebels wouldn’t recognize me.

Applesnack pulled a hood over his head from our old cloaks and we entered the building. I almost suffocated from the intoxicating aroma of joy; drunken joy is not dissimilar from a pony drinking alcohol in terms of effects on us Changelings. I’ve known changelings who transformed into several embarrassing forms because they spent too much time in bars.

I mixed myself among the crowds in a corner of the room. I pulled the hood over my head and concentrated. I had to find a scent of despair, hopelessness…

I spat as I took in that taste. However, it meant I knew now where Red Sickle is! He was in the cellar!

I made my way towards the back, stealthily moving between drunken rebels. I managed to sneak my way into the back without anypony noticing me. I found the cellar door and slowly opened it with my magic, careful not to make any noise.

I transformed into my true form to better blend into the darkness of the cellar. I closed the door behind me as quietly as my magic could allow and ventured downward. I heard a voice yelling as I made my way to the cellar floor. I hid behind a wood support to keep from being seen.

“Tell us what Red Hammer is planning, you brat, or do I need to start cutting your legs till you talk?” Tablet said.

“Please,” Red Sickle begged, the colt’s sadness entered me, causing me to taste its sour flavor. “I don’t know anything about my father’s plans! He never told me anything!”

I heard a slap, and then more anger exuding from Tablet. “You lying brat! We don’t tolerate liars here!”

“Father will save me,” Red Sickle cried, trying to fight back, defiance’s strong flavor coming from him. “He’ll stop you all! I know you attacked the ponies in Hammergrad! You claim that my father is a monster, but so far all you’ve shown that you’re no better!”

Another slap. “Stupid brat! You’ll tell us what you know or I’ll cut you right here!”

I peeked out and saw that Tablet was alone. He was rubbing his hooves furiously. Wait… rubbing hooves?

Tablet glared down at Red Sickle who was tied to a chair, his face showing signs of abuse. Tablet growled, “Look, you’ll tell me everything you know, daddy will hand over his nation to us, and then we’ll all be happy.”

“I’d never betray my father!” Red Sickle spat back, “Also, it doesn’t matter what you do to me! Private will find a way to stop you all!”

Tablet was about to strike the colt again when I had enough. I leaped out of my hiding spot and bit the stallion in the leg. He let out a scream as I drew blood. Red Sickle was staring at me, just in awestruck as I wrapped my hooves around Tablet’s neck in a sleeper hold. After a few moments of struggling, the stallion finally gave in and fell to the ground with a grunt.

I looked to Red Sickle who was sweating at the sight of me in my true form. “Wha, what are you?” He stammered.

I walked over to Red Sickle and examined him, ignoring his question. “Are you alright?” I asked.

"I'm fine," he replied. He looked down at Tablet and asked, “You saved me, why?”

I smiled at the colt and said, “Private sent me to rescue you.”

“He did?” he asked, his red eyes growing wide. “Does my father know where I am?”

I shook my head and said, “I'm sorry, not yet, but we’ll get you to your father soon. Right now we need to get you out of here.” I untied the colt with my magic and he walked to me.

“You didn’t answer my question from earlier” he said. “What are you?”

I looked at the colt with my sectioned blue eyes and explained, “I am a Changeling. I have the power to shape shift into other ponies, that’s how I got in.”

“You look like a weird bug, though,” he said, tilting his head.

I smiled and before his very eyes I transformed into his father. He fell back in shock before I transformed back. I kept my smile and said, “Now you see I am not lying.”

“That’s amazing!” he said, staring at me in wonder. “Now we can get outta here without them noticing!"

I nodded and looked back at Tablet. Something was off about the way he was rubbing his hooves together. I walked to the unconscious stallion and felt his head. There was a small bump there hidden under his mane! He was a unicorn! That could only mean…

Tablet was a unicorn that had been taken to the yards. Red Hammer must’ve placed him here! That’s how Red Hammer knew to target Statehood! He was a spy, spying on another spy. Ponies are very strange beings…

I looked back at Red Sickle and smiled reassuringly. “Alright, I’m going to get you outta here,” I said.

________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private

We walked the deserted halls of the palace, stirring up dust with our hooves as we moved. We had to walk by some old chandeliers that came off when the place was abandoned. I was leading the way, using the light from my horn to illuminate our path.

Raiden looked around, his own helmet’s eyes providing light as he looked around at the walls. “Dude, talk about your fixer uppers. I don’t know why Red Hammer would want to come back here,” he said.

“He was probably looking for something,” I deduced, “something that Frostwind was keeping hidden.”

“Question is what could be so important that he’d ruin the lives of dozens of families to solve it,” Raiden replied, as we rounded a corner.

“Hey fellas!” Raiden and I turned to see Big Mac standing before a wall. “Ah was walking nearby here, when Ah felt a draft. It's hollow,” he explained, tapping the wall with his hoof.

Raiden’s helmet’s eyes glowed blue for a second as he looked at the wall. “Yep! There’s definitely some air coming from there.”

I looked around and saw a nearby candle holder that was slightly crooked. I used my magic to twist it a little and suddenly a secret door opened in front of us. It showed stairs leading down into the darkness. I levitated out Blackbird and carefully ventured down into the darkness.

_____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Swarm

I smuggled Red Sickle out under my cloak. Most of the rebels were too drunk to even notice me walking out with a large bulge under my belly. Then again I was disguised as a mare, so I’m guessing anypony that did notice just thought I was pregnant.

I managed to smuggle him outside and went to the drifts where I was supposed to meet up with Applesnack. I used the time waiting to explain the situation to Red Sickle as best I could.

He glared at me as I accused his father for what happened at the yards. “If anything those unicorns and pegasi deserve it,” he said stubbornly.

I closed my blue eyes and asked, “Why do you say that?”

“They hoarded all the food while we earth ponies starved!” Red Sickle shouted. “Father said that’s why he rebelled! That’s why we should all-“

“Be earth ponies?”

He blinked his red eyes as I looked at him in earnest.

“Red Sickle, your father’s intentions may seem pure, but you have to understand, a society where everypony is the same isn’t the best idea.”

“I don’t understand,” Red Sickle said, his anger cooling slightly. “Shouldn’t we all be treated the same? If we were all earth ponies, then nopony would pick on another for being different.”

“Yes, but that won’t help in the long run,” I explained, looking at my hoof as I sat in my true form. “My race, we’re all the same, we all looked the same, acted the same, and obeyed the same orders.”

Red Sickle just stared at me.

“However, my people stagnated,” I continued. “Since we all thought the same, nopony was willing to come up with new ideas. I envy ponies; you all look different, act different, and think differently. That’s what makes everypony unique. We should all treat each other with decency, but if we don’t accept what makes us different then we will never grow as a people. We shouldn’t put down those that are different. We should respect that difference, and try and work with each other, not against each other.”

Red Sickle took my words in and looked down at his hooves. Then he tracked a line in the snow and spoke softly, “Father just wanted everypony to be treated equally. Maybe he was wrong about how to do it. I want to help do the right thing, but this is all so complicated.”

“It is less complicated then you think young one.”

Red Sickle turned around to see Applesnack approach with Snowflake. The princess looked at the colt and the two stared at each other for a long moment. Snowflake lowered her head to meet his eyes and asked, “You are Red Hammer’s son?”

“Yes, I am,” he answered, and then he looked up at the princess. “You must be Snowflake, right? The one that Private said I was supposed to help?”

Snowflake looked at me, and then back at the colt. “I am," she replied. "Applesnack told me what Rush tried to do. I did not believe it myself until I have seen the bruises on your face with my own eyes.” She reached out and put a gentle hoof on his cheek.

Red Sickle stiffened at her touch, and then gazed at her with his red eyes. “My father said that your father caused the winter to come on purpose.”

Snowflake closed her blue eyes and said, “I have little memory of my parents. I was only a very young filly when all of that happened. Both of our fathers seem to have caused a great deal of harm, whether intentional or not. I am so sorry, Red Sickle. I am sorry that you got captured like you did. I cannot believe Rush would think that acceptable.” She said sadly, keeping her hoof on his cheek.

Red Sickle kept his gaze on her and asked, incredulously, “You’re really sorry?”

“Yes, child,” she replied, a small tear in her eye. “My people are fighting each other. A war is going on, and my friends almost got killed trying to help me. I feel a terrible guilt on my heart. I’m sorry, Red Sickle; you don’t deserve to grow up in a world such as this…” She trailed off as tears started flowing down her cheeks.

Red Sickle walked towards her, and hugged her leg gently. I stared as Red Hammer’s son was holding Frostwind’s daughter in comfort. Red Sickle spoke softly after a minute of holding her. “I’m very sorry, for what my father did to yours. I saw the pain of everypony first hoof. We have to stop all this fighting. I know Father wouldn’t like me trusting an Alicorn, but I don’t want anypony else hurt, least of all a mare who’s also lost a parent.”

Applesnack looked at me and explained “He lost his mother at a young age as well. I found out from one of the drunken guards.”

Snowflake reached down and hugged the colt tightly. She stroked his black mane as they cried for their home together. The factions they belonged to may have declared them enemies, but all they can see in each other is a kindred spirit.

I only hope that Red Hammer can see it that way…

_________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private

We reached the bottom of the stairs and saw piles on piles of gold, jewels, other valuables all piled up like a dragon’s hoard. Raiden looked on the gold and whistled, opening his helmet to get a better look at it. “Look at all this stuff, and it’s been buried under here for decades!” he exclaimed.

Big Mac reached into the pile and pulled out an unopened package. “Look at the card, it says here that all this stuff was a present to Frostwind for bringing about spring for another year,” he informed us.

“All of this stuff can’t have been from the royal treasury,” I said, picking up a sapphire. “That was already cleaned out.”

“So, these were all gifts for making spring come?” Raiden asked, hovering over the pile. “Look at all of this stuff; he must have been getting gifts all through his reign.”

I noticed a small book and levitated it up to eye level. I opened it and started reading it. “Says here, that Frostwind was causing winter to last longer on purpose!” I exclaimed.

“Why the hay would he do that?” Big Mac asked, walking towards me. “His people suffer through the winter.”

“Yes,” I said with a nod. “Which only made them all the more grateful when he finally did bring spring.” I looked at the piles with contempt and continued, “He was doing it to satisfy his own greed! That’s why he wanted to open the palace to all when the winter lasted too long! It was just a façade to keep the ponies relying on him!”

“This is sick!” Big Mac said, bucking a treasure chest in sheer contempt. “How could he do this? Making innocent ponies who relied on him suffer so they’d give him gifts out of the kindness of their hearts!”

“That still doesn’t explain why Red Hammer wanted to come back here,” I said, closing the diary. “What’s so important about this place?”

“Dude, I think I know why”

Big Mac and I followed Raiden’s voice around a pile of treasure. The black pegasus was standing near a large magical circle. It was blue, written in several magical runes and etches to showcase its extreme complexity.

I bent down to examine the circle and said, “I remember seeing one of these in Twilight’s books. This is a spell circle, and a very powerful one at that.”

“What kind of spell are we talking about?” Big Mac asked.

I pointed out several different runes on the circle and explained, “Judging by the markings, I’d say this is a very powerful weather spell. This is why winter is still here, and why Red Hammer gathered the best unicorns! He wanted ponies that could crack the spell!”

“What about the pegasi then?” Raiden pointed out. “Why would he take them?”

“I’m guessing he wanted ponies who understood weather the best” I said, looking at the circle. “Since it’s still active, I doubt Red Hammer has had much success.”

“Can you crack it?” Raiden asked.

“I doubt it,” I said with a sigh. “Even a pony as gifted in magic as Twilight would have trouble cracking this baby. It’s so complex that anypony trying to break it could risk getting blown up.”

“Then I see you have no further reason to be here,” a deep voice behind us said.

We turned around to see Red Hammer, backed up by two body guards, walking towards us. I stared at the stallion and the feeling of contempt from before was gone. I had to put aside whatever personal feelings I had for him if I wanted everything to go well.

“I was told you were instrumental in the capture of my son,” Red Hammer growled. “I demand his location!”

“Look, dude,” Raiden spoke up. “We didn’t know we were kidnapping your son, Rush tricked us!”

“Like I would believe the words of your kind,” Red Hammer spat, causing Raiden to bristle in anger.

“Red Hammer, I know what you found out. I know what Frostwind did, but that still doesn’t excuse what you did at the yards,” I said firmly.

Red Hammer closed his blue eyes and said, “You do not know what it is like. You have grown up with magic all your life. You can never understand what it is like, to be treated like nothing just because you were not born with wings or a horn!”

I kept my face calm and said “And this is going to fix it?”

Red Hammer just stared at me.

“I saw Hammergrad; I saw all that happened there. I don’t follow the rebels anymore. I don’t think the world we want can come about through bloodshed like that. That is why I sent my top agent to retrieve your son from the rebels.”

“You did what?” Red Hammer said, shock in his voice “My son?”

“He should be safe soon,” I said, glad that I seemed to be making progress. “No deals, no rewards, nothing in return except your ear for a better world.”

“I’m listening.”

“I never asked to get born with a horn on my head. You’re right too; I can’t understand what you went through. That shouldn’t stop us from trying to make things better, though.” I said.

“You’re an idealist, like I was at your age. I seem to have lost that part of me in my time as ruler,” Red Hammer said with a small smile.

“You didn’t lose your son,” I said, a smile on my own face. “With him and Snowflake, you can start over. We can bring both sides together and true peace can be obtained.”

“Snowflake? The tyrant’s daughter,” he scoffed. “That will be the day when I hear word from he-“

“She's my friend, father,” a young voice said from the bottom of the stairs.

We all looked as Swarm, Applesnack, Snowflake, and Red Sickle entered. Red Hammer left his men and ran towards his son. The two embraced tightly. As Red Hammer held his son tenderly he apologized, “I’m sorry, Red Sickle. I should’ve been there to save you!”

“It’s okay!” Red Sickle said, hugging his father back. “I’m fine. Swarm saved me and Snowflake healed me.”

Red Hammer lifted his head to Snowflake’s face. The two stared at each other for a long moment and the ruler asked, “Why would you heal my son.”

Snowflake answered, “While I will never condone the actions you took to lift my father’s curse from this land, I will never bring harm to a child or my people. I simply wish for the fighting to stop.”

“What’s to stop me from simply taking you captive here?” Red Hammer asked, looking at Snowflake with steely eyes.

“Father, please!” Sickle cried, stepping between his father and the princess. “She really wants to make everything better! I’ve heard what she has to say! She saw what happened at Hammergrad too! We just want everypony to stop killing each other!”

Red Hammer’s expression slowly softened, as he looked at his son and smiled. “You speak with such conviction my son. Even when you stand against me” he said, fondly.

“I just want to do what’s right for the ponies of our home,” Sickle said, looking into his father’s eyes. “Sure we’re all different, but isn’t that what starts countries like this? A bunch of ponies with different ideas coming together to make it work? That’s what Snowflake and I talked about. We’ll create a new way of running the nation, where all races have a say in government. All will have their ideas heard, and all will remain equal in difference.”

“It is what we both want,” Snowflake said gently. “The words he speaks are from his very heart.”

“I can see that,” Hammer said, lowering his head to his son’s level. “You believe that this is what’s right?”

“I know it, father,” Sickle said, nuzzling him. “All you have to do is listen to Snowflake. She really wants to fix her father’s mistakes, as do I.”

Hammer eyed Snowflake and after a long pause said, “The only reason I’m going along with this is because of my son’s belief that it's possible. I want you to carry that same belief if we are to work together.”

Snowflake smiled and extended a hoof. “I shall aid you in trying to bring spring to this land. With the land renewed, we can rebuild this nation to something far greater than it ever was,” she said.

Hammer reached with his hoof for hers.

This was it! Peace was about to-

BANG!!!!!

Chapter 7 "For the Snowlands!"

Chapter 7

“For the Snowlands!!”

My grey eyes grew wide and Red Sickle cried out as his father fell to the ground. Red Hammer's shoulder was gushing blood from where the bullet entered it. I looked up to see Rush, along with two rebels aiming rifles at us. The rebels had cowls that obscured their faces. Rush aimed his rifle at me and said, “This is how you think to respect your elders and superiors, boy?”

“What the hell are you doing, Rush?” I yelled. I tried to step forward but his rebels aimed their rifles at me. Red Hammer’s soldiers were unable to help their leader. I glared at Rush and said, “He was just about to finally end this!”

“No!” Rush shouted. “He was only going to trick Snowflake into falling for that ploy! He would’ve had you all killed eventually!”

“Don’t you say those things about my father, you jerk!” Red Sickle cried, trying to sound brave for his father.

“I order you to stand down, Rush!” Snowflake commanded. “Private speaks the truth! I know you tricked him into trying to kidnap Red Sickle! You had me believing that my friends abandoned the cause! As it turns out, the only pony who’s abandoned any form of decency is you!”

“You have obviously been deluded by that bastard’s words,” Rush spat, turning towards his men. “Kill the tyrant. We will deal with the other traitors later,” he ordered.

“Wait!” I shouted, before either could fire their guns. “I have one last request before either of you start shooting.”

The rebels looked at each other, and then at Rush. Rush paused, thinking for a moment, then begrudgingly agreed, “Secure Princess Snowflake first, lest he try anything.”

The two rebels walked over to Snowflake. She looked at me questioningly and I nodded for her to comply. She reluctantly approached Rush, one of the rebels holding a gun to her back. I then turned towards the two soldiers and ordered, “Remove your helmets.”

One of the soldiers asked incredulously, “Are you nuts?”

“Look,” the other one said, “We’re going to die anyway. We may as well see what his big plan is.”

“Hurry it up then!” a rebel shouted. “The sooner you do that, the sooner we can be rid of Red Hammer!”

I gave the rebels a steely look and said, “Remove your cowls, and let them see your faces. That is all I ask.”

Slowly all four of them revealed their faces. One of the rebels was a bronze mare who gazed at one of the soldiers, a yellow stallion, in shock. “Vanilla Wafer?” she said, hardly believing her eyes.

The stallion’s jaw dropped open in shock. “Milk Chocolate," he gasped, "What are you doing with the rebels?”

One of the other rebels, a stallion with a rose colored coat, was staring at a different soldier, a young, light brown colored mare. The stallion gazing at her and said uncertainly, “Little Drop? Is that you?”

She slowly smiled, fighting back tears. “Not so little anymore, brother,” she replied.

I looked between the two parties and said, “You guys aren’t fighting faceless enemies. Look at what this war has done to all of you. You’re fighting ponies just like you, some even your own family.”

Milk Chocolate walked to Vanilla Wafer and put a hoof on his cheek “I thought you didn’t love me when you wouldn’t accept my proposal. I had no idea you were keeping this from me.”

Vanilla put his hoof over hers and said, “I only wanted to keep you out of the fighting. I should’ve just told you. Instead, I was a fool and tossed you aside. You ran to join the rebels because of me. Can you ever forgive me, my love?”

Milk simply smiled, and kept her gaze on the stallion. “Of course I can." Suddenly she burst into tears. “All those soldiers I killed, any one of them could've been you,” she choked out.

Vanilla held his love tenderly. Meanwhile Little Drop and her brother were staring at one another. He eventually spoke after a minute, “Sister! I can’t believe you would do this!”

Little Drop looked down and said, “Turnip Top, I was only trying to…”

“To get yourself killed?” Turnip shouted. “You knew what the rebels were doing, and yet you do something as reckless as this!”

“You ran out on us all,” Little Drop cried, tears filling her eyes. “I had to stay home and take care of mother. While you were off playing hero she was crying herself to sleep every night! I knew that if I joined the army I’d find you eventually, you big idiot!”

Turnip’s expression softened and he asked slowly, “How is she?”

“She’s dead,” Little Drop cried, “but you would’ve known that if you'd sent something back! Anything, a letter, or a messenger! Just something to tell us that you were alright!”

Turnip stared at his sister and said somberly, “Little Drop, I’m so sorry. I just wanted to create a better world for you. A place where there wouldn’t be any starvation and spring would come to our land.”

“At what cost?” Little Drop asked, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I don’t care about fighting for a better world if it’s a world without my brother!”

Turnip just ran and embraced his sister. Raiden looked over at me and raised an eyebrow. “Did you know that they would know each other?” he asked suspiciously.

I shook my head and replied, “It was a bluff, but it was the only card I could play.”

“What are you doing, you fools!” Rush shouted, aiming his gun at Turnip. “Kill Red Hammer!”

I spoke up, “Would that really solve anything? You’d just be trading one tyrant for another. Look at what you are really fighting, all of you. This isn’t a war for some glorious cause anymore, this is just a nation ripping itself apart because neither side can let go.”

“No!” Rush called, and then aimed his gun at me, before turning it towards Red Hammer. “I will not let Red Hammer live again!” He roared, as Sickle jumped in front of his father, trying to protect him from the gun.

Raiden rolled his eyes and aimed one of his legs, firing a lightning bolt that hit Rush in the side. It sent the old horse flying and he crashed into a wall. That’s when I saw it, blue mist, seeping out of him… Miasma.

“Everypony get out of here, now!” I cried, frantically. “Don’t let that mist touch you!”

Big Mac helped Red Hammer to his hooves as everypony made for the exit. I looked back at Rush and then stared at the blue mist. That same mist that causes ponies to forget the consequences of their darkest desires. I was prey to it once, but I refuse to let anypony else be prey to it. As I glared at it seemed to swirl and move as though it were alive. “Remember me?” I asked with a smirk.

It let out a screech. This was probably a less concentrated version of miasma. It tried to seep away from me but I ran to intercept it. “Oh don’t think I’m letting you get away, you foul substance. I don’t know how you got into Rush, but I don’t plan on you escaping again,” I snarled.

I fired a magical bolt, hitting it and causing it to stop. It appeared to be in pain as I advanced on it. “I’m going to make this perfectly clear," I growled. "If you leave this place, and never come back, I won’t purge you like I did the last time we met. Now begone!!”

The Miasma vanished before my eyes. I turned my attention to Rush, who was still lying next to the wall unconscious. I approached him and began shaking him until he slowly opened his teal eyes and asked, “Private, what happened?”

He had no memory of what he did when he was possessed. He’d remember it later, but right now I needed him to focus. “Rush, we gotta go now. Red Hammer is bleeding.”

“Good!” Rush said, climbing to his hooves. “That stallion has caused nothing but trouble for my home!”

“So has Frostwind,” I said, and then went on to explain what we'd found out about former king.

Rush’s eyes looked shocked beyond belief. “I always thought he was a good king, I had no idea he was exploiting his people’s belief in him,” he said, his tone betraying his hurt and disappointment.

“A wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf,” I said, quoting my dad. “Right now, though, we need to get Red Hammer to a hospital. He was ready to come to a peace agreement when you showed up and shot him.”

“I had no idea,” Rush said, looking down in shame. “I was only trying to help my homeland.”

“We all did,” I said. “Only nopony was going about it the right way. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

We ascended the stairs and came out into the hallway. Snowflake was helping Big Mac support Red Hammer. She glared at Rush when he came up and snapped, “What were you thinking, you fool?”

“Princess,” Rush said, apologetically, “I had no idea what I was doing. I don't know what drove me to such foolery.”

“Oh, but I do.”

I swiveled around and looked on in shock as a black cloud formed before my very eyes. Then the cloud morphed into Sombra himself. He smirked at me and said, “I told you before, thief, as long as Tenacity exists, I will come for it!”

Everypony looked on in total fear at the sight of him. I shook my head in disbelief and said “Cadence destroyed you! The light, you were ripped apart. I saw it with my own eyes.!”

“Does a shadow truly disappear when the sun is cast over it? No, it simply moves to where the sun cannot reach. Now I am back, and I will make sure that you will not stop me a second time.”

Suddenly Rush grabbed Snowflake and held her tightly, pointing the gun to her head. “Forgive me, Princess,” he said coldly.

“Rush, what the hell is this?” I cried. “I thought the miasma left you!”

“I refuse to let Red Hammer have my home,” Rush said fanatically. “I will break the seal with Snowflake’s power and finally free the ponies of this terrible winter! Sombra promised me that swift justice will be brought about once the seal is broken.”

“You’re just trading one tyrant for another,” I shouted. “That’s the same mistake that Red Hammer made, only Sombra is far worse than he ever was!”

“You just refuse to see what needs to be done,” Rush cried. “You are more like Fenlock then you believe! You always were soft! Had you simply complied and taken Red Sickle we would have had victory yesterday! Instead you had to sow doubt in my men!”

“You forgot, you bastard,” Raiden called, aiming his hoof at Rush, “there are a lot of us, and only one of you.”

Rush laughed and suddenly his eyes glowed green! He was possessed by Sombra! Only it was a willing possession. “Like you, Private, I have brought some old friends of mine to aid me,” he said distantly.

I felt a strange magic and before my eyes portals began opening. It was the same dark magic that Saladin used back on the ship! I watched in horror as large golems with black crystals jutting out of them, exited through the portals.

They looked down with lifeless eyes and tried to smash Little Drop, but Big Mac leaped in front of her, and activated his strength enhancers, He bucked the golem so hard its fist cracked.

Rush dragged Snowflake away, she was struggling but his grip on her was too strong. I had to suspect that Sombra was lending some of his power to him. He looked back at us, and said, in a voice that was a mixture of Rush and Sombra, “I hope you enjoy our friends as much as the ponies of Hammergrad!”

Before any of us could react I almost got pummeled by another golem. I looked over at Raiden and cried, “Sombra probably has plans for Hammergrad! Take the Reds and get there as soon as possible!”

“What about you, dude?” Raiden asked, firing at a golem with a lightning bolt, causing it to fall into a nearby wall.

“I’m going after Rush! I don’t know what he wants to do with Snowflake but it can’t be good!” I looked over at Applesnack and said, “You take the rest of the team and meet up with the rebels and the army. We’re going to need both if Sombra plans to assault Hammergrad!”

“You’re nuts!” Raiden declared, slamming a metal hoof into a golem. “We’re not leaving you!”

“He’s right!” Big Mac said, slamming an old grandfather clock over golem’s head, and causing it to stagger. “We ain’t leavin' ya tah get yerself killed!”

“There’s no time to argue,” I cried, firing Blackbird at a golem, shooting out it’s crystal eyes. “Swarm, you go with Raiden to Hammergrad! If things get too dicey, use what Voidera gave you! Now I’ll hold them off long enough for you guys to escape!”

“What makes you think they’ll just ignore us?” Raiden fired back.

I ran past the golems and they suddenly started chasing after me. “Sombra wants me!” I called over my shoulder.

I left my friends behind, golems chasing after me, and followed the path Rush took. As I began ascending the stairs of the palace, I just hoped I would make it in time!

__________________________________________________________

Perspective: Raiden

We all arrived in Hammergrad shortly after Private left us. That idiot! We say all that stuff about working together and he just runs at the problem himself? Typical.

I flew just above the ground; Big Mac was running ahead of me, with Red Hammer draped over his back. The two soldiers from before were with us. Applesnack had gone to round up the rebels. I only hoped he could convince them to help. Luckily, he had Rush’s rebels with him, son that should help the process.

I saw the main gate of Hammergrad and Big Mac shouted up at them, “Ah have Red Hammer! He’s hurt!”

The soldiers shouted and the gate was soon opened. We entered and saw a well decorated soldier step up to the gate. He was a tannish earth pony with bright cherry red eyes. His eyes went wide when he saw us. “Your excellency!” he shouted, looking at Red Hammer, “what happened?”

“No time to explain,” Red Sickle shouted, the colt running up to the general. “General Macho Hide, we need you to get your soldiers together! Golems are heading this way!”

“This better not be a jest, Sickle,” the general said firmly.

“It’s no jest, Sir!” a soldier assured as he ran up and saluted. “We just got word from our scouts! Unidentified golems are heading this way! They’re not looking very friendly, Sir.”

Red Hammer groaned and looked at the General, ordering, “Macho Hide, I need you to inform your soldiers we may be expecting arrivals from rebels, but they are to be considered friendlies!”

“Sir?” Macho Hide blinked.

“There is no time to explain!" Hammer said firmly. "Have everypony fight without wearing anything to obscure their faces! We need the rebels to understand we are all fighting to protect our home from a greater threat!”

“But si-“

“You have your orders, General!” Sickle shouted, in an authoritative tone.

“Yes, Sir!” Macho Hide saluted and then gestured to Little Drop and Vanilla. “You two! Get Red Hammer to a medic immediately!”

The two soldiers saluted and complied, carrying the stallion on their backs. They ran as quickly as they could before Macho Hide turned to me and Big Mac, asking, “You two are?”

“Help,” I replied with a smile. “My name's Raiden Bolt. I’ll hand out autographs later.” I gestured to Big Mac and said, “This here’s Big Macintosh. We’re here with Red Sickle to help you guys in the defense of this place.”

Macho Hide nodded and asked, “You're a pegasus?”

I flapped my wings and gave him a smooth look. “You got a problem with that?” I asked.

“At this point, no,” Macho said, his tone firm. “Right now, I’m willing to take whatever support is necessary to protect our home.”

I looked back in the direction of the old palace. I hope Private is doing alright…

“Sir, rebels spotted!” one scout called. “They're holding a flag of truce up!”

“Let them in!” Macho ordered.

After a few minutes the rebels entered, not clad in anything that would obscure their faces. I noticed that several ponies recognized ponies on both sides. I could see some were fighting urges to cry, hug, or punch a pony on the other side. Either way, I think this the effect Private hoped for.

Applesnack walked forward, standing beside him was Statehood. He adjusted his glasses and spoke to the general, “Macho, it’s been a while since university.”

Macho rolled his eyes and said, “Still the same pretentious fool as always, I see.”

“I hate to break up the reunion,” Applesnack said, “but we have a situation, and not a lot of time.”

“Hey, where’s Swarm?” I asked, looking around. “Wasn’t he with you?”

“He said he was, ‘getting backup’ whatever that means,” Applesnack replied.

Macho looked at Statehood and began to set forth the plan, “Alright, I’ll get my men set up on the walls, and you get yours to start booby trapping the outside. Makeshift bombs, land mines, anything that can stall those things before they get here!”

Statehood nodded and turned to the rebels, ordering, “You heard him, let’s move!”

Both factions went to work immediately. I knew those golems would be here in minutes. I just hoped whatever Swarm had planned he’d get here fast. Macho was right, we were going to need all the help we could get in this upcoming battle.

____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private

I ascended the stairs as fast as I could. What is up with this guy’s obsession with stairs? Does he have like a stair fetish or something?

I shook the thought off as I approached the tower I'd followed Rush/Sombra to. I reached the top of a bare tower, the wind blowing mercilessly around me, as Sombra/Rush stood in the center, over an unconscious Snowflake. Rush smirked at me and said, “So, you finally decided to join us thief?”

“Let them go Sombra!” I cried. “Your fight is with me!”

“Oh, but it was so much fun watching your precious friends squirm,” he said, a cruel smile on his face. “I’m done having fun, though. I've fed my appetite by playing with your dear Twilight Sparkle’s fears. I must say, I was tempted to dig deeper into her psyche. I wonder what her reaction will be when she finds your bloodied corpse before her.”

I lowered into a fighting stance and snarled, “Why are you doing this, Sombra? What did these ponies do to deserve you putting them in harm’s way?”

Sombra shrugged and replied, “You wish to know why? Because I feel like it. I knew with all the infighting, those precious rebels would look for a strong leader. Truth is, ponies are little more than sheep, waiting for a shepherd to herd them. They are more than happy to trade one tyrant for another, if it means they can live their precious lives in peace.”

“You underestimate just how much ponies are willing to fight for what they believe in!” I cried. “Now give up Snowflake, or I’ll have to pulverize you!”

“Cute,” he said. Then a black aura slowly formed around Rush, and the stallion fell to the ground as the shadows began taking shape. “I’ve already drained enough life energy from both of them, so now you will face me in my true form, you pathetic worm!”

Sombra’s body formed directly in front of me. He had a grey coat, a long wild black mane, fanged teeth that seemed to drip with a venomous evil, and green eyes gazing at me. Green eyes? Could this be what Zecora was warning me about?

His armored hooves took a step towards me. I felt dread enter me, but also a deep feeling of disgust. His curved horn glowed with the same purple lined green magic I’d seen lately. Suddenly a barrier formed around the tower’s perimeter. There was no getting out for me.

I met Sombra’s glare with my own and asked, “So, you plan to face me like this, huh?”

“It is how I wanted it all along,” he said, his voice still deep and seeping with evil. “I will kill you, and take back what is rightfully mine. Once I have tenacity I will use it to retake the Crystal Empire!”

“Forget it, Sombra,” I said, as we began to circle each other. “You’re not getting this kingdom. I know why you possessed Rush in the first place.”

“Do tell me, detective,” Sombra said in a mocking tone. “Unravel my master plan before my very eyes.”

“You wanted to make sure the two factions kept fighting each other,” I replied, my eyes not leaving his for a second. “That way, should something happen to your invasion of the Crystal Empire; you could easily take over this kingdom, and use it to take the Empire by force! However, my friends and I will never let this nation fall to you!”

“Your friends?” he asked laughing maniacally. “Oh that’s rich, you think a soldier, a boy playing rock star, a farm pony, a freak of nature, and a second rate detective have a chance of stopping me?”

“Like I said, Sombra,” I replied with a smirk, “tenacity’s power comes not from itself, but through others. Unlike you, however, I don’t consider allies expendable tools. They are ponies too. They have hopes, dreams, and loves. I would do anything to protect those ponies. Which is why, I’m giving you one last chance to end it all now.”

“You are bold, I’ll give you that, just as Twilight was,” he said, stepping back slowly as a small portal opened up on the tower floor next to him. A blade made of the same black crystals as the golems arose out of the small portal. “I've enjoyed our little game; however, I do plan to end this now.”

I drew both Blackbird and White Tiger and opened fire on him. The bullets hit Sombra in the chest, bouncing off his plate armor. He smirked and charged at me. I dodged and weaved around the sword, using the barrels of both guns to block the attack.

His curved horn glowed and suddenly I was hit in the chest with a magical bolt. I fell back several feet but regained my footing. I glared at Sombra as he smiled maliciously. “Now, let us see if you have the strength to face me. For when you die, I’ll make sure that dear Twilight sees your body. Right after I make her mine that is.”

HE. DIES. NOW!!!!

____________________________________________________

Perspective: Raiden

I watched as the golems advanced on Hammergrad. The bombs and land mines slowed them somewhat, but there were probably hundreds of them. They just kept coming out of portals and no matter how many got blown up more took their place.

I looked over from my perch on the wall and saw Applesnack and Macho opening fire on the golems. Their bullets helped a little, knocking down some golems but others soon made it to the wall. Where the hell was Swarm?

I spread my wings and adjusted my trajectory. I activated my hoof thrusters and zoomed right into a golem just as it climbed to the top of the wall. It fell and crashed into one of its comrades as I landed safely on the wall. I aimed a lightning bolt and shot another one that was trying to get up the wall.

Another was about to hit me when Big Mac came like a missile and crushed the golem’s skull with his bare hooves. He landed beside me and we stood back to back. “What’s the skinny?” I asked.

“We’re holdin' them off, fer now,” Big Mac said, throwing a piece of debris at the golems, “but there’s too many of em! We’re losin' ponies left and right!”

“Look out!” I called, as I spotted a golem about to crush Big Mac. Suddenly a bunch of smaller explosions hit it I looked to my right and saw Applesnack aiming a grenade launcher at it. The beast fell off the wall and onto his comrades below.

Applesnack ran to me, reloading his launcher, and informed me, “The civilians have been taken to the center of the city, but we can’t hold them off forever! We almost lost the east wall.” He fired another grenade into the face of a nearby golem.

Big Mac looked to Applesnack and said, “We just gotta hold 'em off 'til Private takes out that Sombra guy!”

Applesnack simply nodded and went to order more soldiers. I looked in the direction of the palace. “Private, don’t make me have to tell Twilight I lost you,” I muttered.

I felt a hoof on my shoulder and looked at to Big Mac “We gotta do our part, and so does Private. We gotta trust that he’ll make it out alright,” he farm stallion said gravely.

I smiled and fired a lightning bolt at another golem. “You don’t die either, ya hear? We’re all going home!”

Big Mac nodded and threw more debris at a group of golems, knocking a bunch of them over. I flew high into the air and saw so many golems below me. I had to make a dent in them!

I spoke to my suit’s A.I., “Nento! Activate weather functions! I need the biggest storm we can muster!”

“Sir,” a metallic voice on the other end replied, “that kind of storm could severally drain your suit’s power.”

I closed my eyes; it would drain it a lot. If we couldn't make a dent in these monsters however, they would overrun us. Rainbow would want me to do it…

“Just do it, Nento!” I ordered. “Override suit safety protocols!”

“Sir…”

“It’s not for me, Nento, it’s for Private.”

“Acknowledged sir, removing safety protocols and activating weather functions for maximum effect, Sir…”

“I know the risks, Nento. I did the math,” I said, as I flew up into the clouds above.

“Sir, make it out alive, I know Miss Rainbow Dash would want you too.”

“I’ll try,” I said, as I began flying through the clouds, building up the pressure. My suit expelled water vapor that added to the growing clouds. I stood on top of one and my hooves flowed with lightning, “Full power now, Nento!” I cried.

I slammed my hooves into the cloud and a torrent of lightning bolts fell onto the golems with such force most of them smashed to pieces. More and more lightning bolts rained down upon them, until more than half of the forces were wiped out.

“Suit's power at minimal capacity,” Nento said. “Shutting down all unnecessary suit functions to preserve power.”

The lights on my suit faded and I felt weak beyond belief. I'd put all the juice into the lightning, and I hoped I did Rainbow proud. I fell to the cloud, the weight of my suit causing me to sink slowly. I just hoped I'd bought Private enough time…

Why do I hear buzzing? And is that a flute?

_____________________________________________________

Perspective: Private

I fired at Sombra with both guns again, this time hitting him in the flank. He snarled at me and lunged with his blade, knocking White Tiger out of my magic. Sombra then swung and cut me across the cheek, knocking my fedora off. Then he bucked me in the chest, sending me tumbling to the floor.

“You’re clever worm, I’ll give you that,” Sombra said as he slowly advanced on me, “but the truth is, without your allies to defend you, you are little more than a gnat trying to defeat a giant. You have no chance against me.”

I climbed slowly to my hooves and levitated Black Bird. We’d been fighting for a while now, and I was starting to feel fatigue in my legs. No matter how many times I'd shot at Sombra he only seemed to shrug it off. The fact he wasn’t using his magic, aside from levitating his sword, worried me. In a straight magical fight he would win. I had little to no talent for it so why was he holding back?

He smirked and swung at me again. I dodged and fired Black Bird into his leg, causing him to cry out in pain. I swore as I realized I'd wasted my last bullet from Black Bird. He knocked it out of my magic and aimed the tip of his blade at my neck.

He smiled evilly and said, “You really are pathetic alone, and even your allies are no match for my soldiers.”

I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear. I glared back at him and said defiantly, “You won’t win, Sombra! Even if you strike me down, others will come at you with a vengeance.”

“Brave words coming from a pathetic unicorn such as yourself,” he said, the tip of his blade pressing into my neck slightly. “Look at you, a hybrid, with not talent for magic whatsoever. You've inherited the strength of your pegasus mother but you have no wings that would complement a skinny body like yours.”

I kept my glare and fired back, “Yet, somehow you always fail to kill me.”

“Mere luck,” he spat. “In the past you've always had some ally to defend you! So far your line has slipped through my hooves, but not today! With your death, I will claim Tenacity and have my revenge on your precious princesses.”

“You’ll have to get through my friends first!” I declared bravely. “They’ll stop you, even if I can’t.”

“Your friends?" he asked with a cruel laugh. “What good are they? Your friends cannot save you now! My army is unstoppable! I have thousands of soldiers waiting in the dark realm to fight your friends! They will annihilate them and march on to the Crystal Empire!”

I smiled slowly, “Yeah, well they're going to have a bit of trouble with that.”

“Why are you smiling? Do you greet death so eagerly?” he asked angrily.

“No, but your golems are having some troubles, along with greeting some new guests,” I said, some of my fear leaving me.

“What?” he cried with disbelief, turning to look at Hammergrad. There was a black cloud moving swiftly towards it, only that wasn’t a cloud… That was a whole hive of very cranky changelings!

____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Raiden

I looked all around me as an angry hive of changelings flew down to attack the golems. What they lacked in strength they made up for it in sheer numbers. Biting and beating at the golems like a bunch of bugs on a sugar cookie.

I looked up and saw Swarm landing beside me, a smile on his face. “Did I make it in time?” he asked with a grin.

“Dude,” I said, smiling weakly, “best, save, ever!”

Swarm looked down at his kind and said, “I found them when I used the hive flute that Voidera gave me. They'd grown very tired of all the fighting up here. I convinced them that the golems were responsible and they quickly joined up.”

I looked down and saw that the changelings were turning the tide in the fight. I looked over at Swarm and said gratefully, “Glad you guys came when you did.”

“Are you alright, though?” Swarm asked, looking at me. “Summoning that lightning storm could not have been easy.”

“Eh,” I shrugged, “I’ve done crazier things, but I have a sudden urge to try Shawarma.”

Swarm raised an eyebrow and asked, “You faced possible death and all you can think about is food?”

“What can I say? A guy gets hungry after saving the world.”

Swarm simply facehoofed.

______________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private

I used the distraction to knock Sombra’s sword away. I moved back and fired a bolt of magic at him. He grunted as he took the full brunt of my blow.

“You’ll pay for that,” he growled. His own horn glowed and I felt a blast of magic hit my chest. I think one of my ribs cracked as I landed harshly on the ground. I opened my trench coat and saw that Nocturne’s medallion fall out.

I picked it up and glared at Sombra. “You will lose today, Sombra! I plan to destroy you here and now!” I shouted.

He laughed and replied smugly, “Fool! Even if you could kill me, I will simply come back as a shadow. This body is only a physical form that I have taken on. I cannot die, as I will always be a part of you. So you can’t kill me, you can’t let me live…”

I remembered Voidera’s words…

“There is always a third choice.”

I looked at Sombra, he was right, I couldn’t kill him, I couldn’t let him live either. So, instead, I’ll stop him by doing the one thing he’s done to me this entire trip.

I will put the stuff of nightmares into him….

I looked at the medallion, I knew the dangers, but it was my only option at this point. It felt, natural in my hooves, like I’d used it all my life. You know, this reminded me of some of those shows Raiden used to make me watch… what was the hero said when he faced the bad guy before transforming?

I slipped the chain around my neck and said, “Henshin.”

I tapped the medallion and I felt what was like a thousand voices at once entering my mind. I felt bigger, stronger; I felt the black armor form over my body covering my sides, along with a helmet that formed around my head. I felt my incisors grow to into sharp fangs. I let out a low growl as my now yellow eyes opened.

I growled low as Sombra laughed and asked, “So, this is your ploy? To turn yourself into a beast?”

I felt my wounds heal like they were nothing. I was at full strength again. Suddenly, I felt a deep power course through my veins. Was this the power Nocturne wielded as a Lunar Stallion?

I opened my mouth and spoke in a deep voice that caused even Sombra to wince, “Sombra, I won’t kill you, instead, I will make you face the stuff of true nightmares. You use fear as a weapon? Well, so will I.”

Sombra lunged at me with his sword, I dodged it. The armor looked heavy but it felt weightless on me. I bit Sombra in the leg and he let out a howl of true pain. He swung at me with his sword again and I instinctively unsheathed both of my blades with my magic. They were a deep violet and made of what looked like a form of meteorite rock. I blocked his blade with both of mine.

How did I know how to fight like this?

I looked to my left and saw an apparition of Nocturne smiling at me. “We fight through you Private, as we always have, remember, thou art never alone”

I smiled and felt Nocturne fighting through me. I swung my blades deftly; slicing Sombra's plate armor like it was tissue paper. I then knocked away his blade, sending it flying off the tower. I swung both blades, giving Sombra a pair of cuts across his chest.

He cried in pain as I laid on the attack. Fighting like this, felt so natural to me. Nocturne was fighting through me! We were one! This power was amazing!

Sombra then fired his magic at me, and I felt a barrier form around me. I looked up to see Eclipse standing there. His horn glowing brightly as he defended me. He smiled at me and said, “Any stallion who’s an enemy of Sombra is a friend of mine.”

I smiled and then I felt another presence. I looked over to see Littlepip, and then she entered me. I suddenly looked around and saw numerous exotic weapons levitating around me. Several of them were guns that I'd never seen before. Littlepip aimed all the weapons through me and said, “This one is for using me, you fucking hellhound spawned mother bucker!”

All of the weapons fired at Sombra with full force. Sombra screeched in pain as each bullet, fireball, or in one case, a type of exploding egg, hit him. When the firefight was over, Sombra stood there, his body slowly fading. His eyes gazed upon me, taking in my appearance, and I could smell his fear radiating off him.

“I won’t kill you, I can’t, but know this, Sombra, you can come after us all you want. You can try to stop us, manipulate more ponies to do your dirty work. However, the very millisecond you even consider hurting any of my friends, I will come for you, and I won’t be alone.”

Sombra’s eyes grew wide as several other apparitions formed around me. There was no chanting, just a glare that bore into his very soul coming from each and everypony here.

“No!” Sombra cried, firing his magic, only to have it blocked by Eclipse again. “No, I will have what is mine!”

“Forget it Sombra,” I said slowly, advancing menacingly upon him. “As of this day, you've lost again. This time I will make sure, that you won’t come charging back immediately…”

My horn glowed brightly and both swords gave off auras of pure magic. I knew the blades themselves wouldn’t hurt him. Eclipse’s knowledge knew that, but magic would. With the full power of my ancestors and descendants, I swung at Sombra.

I kept swinging at him, never letting up, slashing and cutting at his body until all that remained was his shadow.

I then clashed both blades together. I glared at Sombra, and said something in a language I didn’t know, “Vivere in te metuent bustards.”

I swung both blades at the same time and a magical sword cut hit him with full force. Sombra yelled in pain one last time before he faded to nothing. I knew he wasn’t gone, but he won’t be back anytime soon either.

__________________________________________________________

Perspective: Raiden

I looked down, my eyes growing wide when it happened. The golems one by one just stopped moving. I flew down to one and examined it. It didn't look damaged. “What happened?” I asked.

Big Mac walked to one and gave it a shove. It fell over like it was nothing and shattered like glass when it hit the ground. He smiled and replied, “Private did it! He beat Sombra!”

All around me, rebels, soldiers, changelings, everypony was cheering happily! We did it! We'd won and finally stopped that Sombra freak!

_____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private

I tapped the medallion on my chest and the armor faded from my body. I let out a breath of relief as the adrenaline subsided.

I then smiled as I slapped my fedora back on my head. I looked out to the horizon and saw the victory celebration. Ironic, isn’t it? Sombra was trying to break up this nation, but through his efforts, everypony had united against him.

I let out a breath as fatigue finally caught up to me. Snowflake walked up to me, having regained consciousness and smiled at me. “It is over then?” she asked.

I nodded and replied, “Yes Princess, it’s over. It’s all over…”

Epilogue

Case 20

Epilogue

The old palace throne room had been cleaned up for the occasion of the victory celebration. My four friends and I walked the center aisle leading up to where Snowflake and Red Sickle were standing. Both were clad in formal wear as all five of us bowed before them.

Snowflake spread her wings in a gesture of welcoming and spoke to the crowd, “My people, for too long our country has been plagued by war and starvation. Through the actions of our fathers before us, our home has come to ruin. However, because of the efforts of these five brave heroes, we no longer have to fight each other. We stand at the dawn of a new era, one where peace has been brought between all the races.”

Several ponies cheered in agreement, glad that the fighting was finally over. I looked at Red Sickle as he walked forward, clad in a small suit. “Father is recovering from his injuries, but he should be fine in a few weeks,” he informed me happily.

“Until then, you’ve got work to do alongside Snowflake to keep this nation together,” I replied, rubbing the colt’s mane with my hoof.

Sickle laughed a little before getting out from under my hoof. “I’ll do my best, but first I think it’s time we all got a taste of spring here,” he said, looking to Snowflake an excited grin.

Snowflake gave a firm nod, walked to a nearby window and closed her eyes. Her horn glowed an icy blue and slowly the clouds parted to reveal a glorious sun waiting to share its light. The snow covering the ground slowly gave away, revealing grass just starting to grow again. It was like watching Winter Wrap Up on fast forward.

Everypony cheered and most of the crowd ran outside to take in the new spring weather. I smiled as I saw birds flying through the air for the first time in probably ages. I turned back to Snowflake, her smile was contagious. “I cannot thank you all enough for what you’ve done for me and my people,” she said gratefully.

“Well yeah,” Raiden said, smirking “We are kind of awesome like that, now about a rew-“

Big Mac smacked him upside the head and smiled, “Seein' this land pretty again is reward enough, Princess.”

“What will happen to the ponies at the yards?” Swarm asked.

Red Sickle said, “We’ve returned them to their families and hopefully everything that’s happened will keep them from holding grudges against father” He sighed. “Though I doubt they’ll remain happy for long.”

Snowflake put a hoof on the colt’s shoulder and said soothingly, “We’ll get through this, young one. Just like we have these past couple of days.”

“I do have one request,” I said. “There are a couple of foals, Driftly and Rosey; Driftly lost his foreleg in the attack on Hammergrad. Do you think you could find them a home together?”

“It’s a small step to repaying the mountain of debt we owe you,” she replied. “We will also put every effort we can into rebuilding our home. Since you are all from Equestria perhaps you can tell your princess we’ll take all the help we can get.”

“I’m sure both Princesses would be happy to oblige,” I said, ignoring the strange look Snowflake gave me. They had some catching up to do for sure.

“There’s also the matter of your brethren Swarm,” Snowflake said, turning to my transformed friend. “Does the hive wish anything?”

Swarm shook his head and replied, “They simply wish to be left alone, though they would appreciate you sending an ambassador or two to remain good neighbors.”

“Alright,” Sickle said. “Every extra pair of hooves will be a great help. So what’s going to happen to all of you?”

“We’re heading back home,” I answered the colt. “We have families and friends waiting for us, as well as some very special someponies.”

“They are lucky mares to have such brave stallions as all of you,” Snowflake complimented, earning a blush from each of us, even Applesnack. “I wish you all the best on your journey home; I’ll use a teleportation spell to send you all back the way you came.”

“Okay,” Raiden said warily, “just make sure my head isn’t caught in a snow drift, please.”

We all laughed and then Sickle said, “Promise us you’ll all come back when things are better.”

“Sure,” I said with a smile. “You take care of Snowflake, you hear?”

“You need not worry about me,” Snowflake said, smiling down at Sickle. “I believe I am in very good hooves.”

Sickle blushed a little and rubbed the back of his head. “I’ll um, do my best,” he promised.

Snowflake lowered her head, and then kissed the colt on the cheek. Red Sickle turned fifty shades redder as he looked on at the princess. I was reminded of Spike and Rarity at this point and I stifled a laugh. Snowflake smiled tenderly and said, “I know you will.”

“Wait a minute!” Raiden exclaimed. “We almost get our flanks handed to us and he gets a kiss?”

“I look forward to seeing you all soon,” Snowflake said, her horn glowing brightly. “Goodbye, my friends.”

Raiden glowered and said, “What a ri-“

With that, we all vanished into thin air.

___________________________________________________________

“-off!” We all came into existence in Canterlot. Or, more accurately, above it…

“NOT AGAIN!” I yelled as we all fell to the ground towards the hard earth. I was about to hit the ground when I felt magic cushion my fall. I looked above me and saw Raiden being caught by a rainbow colored blur.

Raiden looked up to see Rainbow Dash smiling down at him. “Hey, can I make an awesome save or what?” she gloated.

Raiden smiled and flapped out of her forelegs. “Yeah you can,” he replied, throwing his forelegs around her. “It’s good to see you again!”

“Hey,” Rainbow said, her face turned a little pink. “None of that mushy stuff, okay?”

“I know,” he said, and then gestured to himself. “So, can I fill a suit, or what?”

Rainbow looked wide eyed at his suit followed by a… Spring!

“Darn it!” Rainbow cried, trying to flatten her stiff wings. Raiden laughed as Rainbow fumed. “Get back here mister!” she cried as Raiden took off. The two then began chasing each other around Canterlot’s skyline.

I looked to my right and saw Big Mac coming gently to earth, held by Fluttershy. I was surprised the little mare could carry the big stallion. But I guess when your somepony is about to fall from fifty feet in the air your body makes up for it. Big Mac drew the pegasus in a tender hug. “Ah missed ya, Shy, very much.” he whispered.

“Oh Mackey,” Fluttershy said, looking at him with tear filled aqua eyes. “I was so worried when Twilight told us that Private was in trouble! I thought that maybe Sombra got you.”

“Shh,” Big Mac comforted, as I tried not to laugh at the pet name Fluttershy gave him. He would’ve pounded me into the ground.

I looked over to my left and saw Swarm and Pinkie in a very excited conversation.

“Then I got to play a flugal horn! It was probably the most amazing instrument ever! I wonder if I can add it on, so I can be a pony who can play eleven instruments? That should throw Trixie for a loop,” the pink pony declared, bouncing around.

Swarm smiled at her and said, “You won’t believe it! I found my old hive up in the Snowlands! They aren’t enslaved to Chrysalis anymore!”

“That’s great, Swarmy!” Pinkie exclaimed with a smile. “Wait, how many are in your hive?”

Swarm raised an eyebrow and replied, “About two thousand, that’s only counting basic drones.”

“TWO THOUSAND!” Pinkie cried in shock. “That’s like, two thousand parties I have to throw when I give them my mandatory, “Hi, you’re awesome so I’m going to be your friend even though we’ve only just me,” party!

Swarm just laughed and gave Pinkie Pie a tender kiss on the lips. That stopped her up from going into another rant. Thank Luna!

I looked at a nearby tree and saw Applejack on one of the branches. Hanging upside down from it was Applesnack, his hooves tied together, tethered to the tree. He gave a small smile at her and asked, “So, this is my reward?”

“Ah warned ya, soldier boy” Applejack said with a smirk. “Ya get any more inta mah heart, and ah throw a lasso round ya and ya ain’t ever leavin'.”

“Like I said If I’m trapped for you, then that’s the best way to live,” he said with a smile, as Applejack descended from the tree.

“Ya sweet heart,” Applejack said, before she laid her lips on his.

Just then the magic turned me over and set me down onto my hooves. I then found myself looking right into the beautiful eyes of Twilight. I fought the urge to yell in delight and just threw my hooves around hear “Twilight,” I said, laughing and hugging her tightly.

“Private!” she exclaimed as I lifted her into the air and spun around like in those romantic movies. She laughed as I set her down on the ground and she kissed me. I kissed back with just as much love and joy. She broke our kiss and looked at me with tear filled eyes. “I’m so happy to see you! I missed you so much! Thank Celestia you’re okay!” she exclaimed in one breath.

“I missed you so much too, Twilight,” I said, my voice filled with joy at the sight of her. “I’m so thankful you’re alright! Sombra said all these things about hurting you. I’m glad my fears were unfounded.”

She smiled and just held me tight. I held her just as tenderly. We were all happy to be back. I even caught a glimpse of Rarity holding Spike behind Twilight. I set my head on top of Twilight’s, just holding the mare I loved close.

I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life…

________________________________________________________

I took a deep breath and opened the door in front of me. There inside there was Voidera himself. The dark Alicorn was looking up at a newly constructed stained glass window. I saw a stylized version of myself in the armor defeating Sombra. Wow, they sure put these up fast.

“You’ve returned,” Voidera said in his deep voice. “Congratulations on bringing peace to the Snowlands.”

I walked up to him, my ears flattening and said, "I don't deserve congratulations. I didn’t stop all those ponies from getting caught in the crossfire back at Hammergrad. Driftly lost his leg, and Sickle almost lost his father. Sombra almost…”

“Beat you?”

I looked up at him as his red slitted eyes turned to me. “You think yourself responsible for Sombra’s actions in the Snowlands?” he asked brusquely.

“He was after me,” I said, looking down at my hooves. “He was after Tenacity. Had I simply faced him in the beginning…”

I felt Voidera’s hoof as he lifted my head up to face him. “You believe you’ve failed the test?” he asked.

I slowly nodded and replied, “So much went wrong, Sombra got away with so much! In the end, I couldn’t stop him. He’ll always come after me, and he’ll always try to put the ponies I love in harm’s way. How can you say I passed when I couldn’t stop him completely?”

Voidera slowly smiled and said, “Humility”

“What?”

“You’re not afraid to look back at your mistakes and consider what went wrong despite success,” Voidera said. “According to Fenlock’s testimony to me, the Private from three years ago would never have done that. Ponies are always saying we should move forward, but if we don’t look back we can never know whether the road is worth trekking.”

“So, I passed?” I asked slowly.

Voidera stood stoically. “You, Private Eye, showed courage, humility, a firm handle on leadership, and above all, true determination and improvisation as well as Integrity. Three years ago you would’ve just have fulfilled Rush’s task to you without question. You’ve come a long way and now you’re willing to see beyond just the case.”

I just stared at the Alicorn as I took in his words. He was saying I did all of this?

“You are a great detective there’s no doubt about that,” Voidera said, “but in the days to come, you will become something far more. I needed to test whether you showed the qualities necessary.”

“For what exactly?” I asked, my grey eyes growing wide as I awaited his answer.

His smile grew wider and he said one sentence, one sentence that rocked my whole world.

“To become my student.”

I took a moment to take what he said in. He, wanted me as…Oh Luna! Jumping Luna on a pogo stick from here to the moon and back! He couldn’t be asking me as his…

“With all due respect, Voidera,” I said, looking at the Alicorn in confusion. “I’m not a pony like Twilight. I have hardly any magical talent whatsoever!”

“Should that disqualify you as my student?” Voidera asked, with a slight grin. “You passed the test with flying colors. I would expect you would consider this an honor.”

“I do!” I said quickly. “It’s just, why me?”

Voidera’s horn glowed blood red and a sword levitated and was set down between us. “I cannot teach you much now, as your power is something even I know little about, but you showed skill with the blade when you had never handled weapons in that fashion, correct?”

I nodded and said, “Yeah, it felt like Nocturne was fighting through me.”

“You are not mistaken in that” Voidera commented. “Your power is only in its early stages. Before, you had to be in great peril in order for your power to activate. Under normal circumstances the armor I gave you would’ve caused you to possibly hurt Snowflake in your frenzy.”

I nodded, staring down at the sword and said, “Nocturne knew how the armor worked though, he knew how to fight.”

“In his time,” Voidera said, “Nocturne was a valiant warrior and deadly stalker at night. His signature weapons were a pair of blades.”

“So, he knew how to use them,” I concluded. “Did I channel him or something? Is that what Tenacity’s true power is?”

“Indeed, as with each of the elements. In time, all seven of you will unlock the true potential within you.” He smiled a little, and continued, “You still have a long way to go before your true power is realized, but with my aid you shall find it.”

“This is a lot to take in, Voidera,” I said, just looking down at the sword. “So what’s with this?”

“A taste of the power I will eventually teach you,” he said. He levitated the sword, closed his eyes and suddenly small red sparks shot out of the tip. A red light soon enveloped the blade and before my eyes it reforged itself. I stared in awe as the new blade was long, the hilt was black, and the blade was a deep grey.

“I’ve seen you do that before,” I said, looking at the blade. “You and Princess Celestia did it at the summit.”

Voidera studied the blade for a minute and replied, “It’s the power of alchemy. The art of taking a material, breaking it down, and reforming it as something new.” He gave a small chuckle. “Not unlike what you do with your cases.”

Find the material, the evidence. Break down the lies and inconsistencies, forge the truth…

“And you’re saying I’ll be able to do this one day?” I asked, shaking my head. “Twilight would be a far better candidate for something as magically complex as this.”

“Not quite,” Voidera said, “You have a better understanding of material magic then Twilight does. Twilight is better suited to handle the magical energies in its raw form. You are like a go between; your magic is used with objects. That’s why you would be a great candidate to learn this.”

I stared at the blade, just taking in all that was set before me. “Voidera, this is overwhelming. However, if ponies like Sombra are coming around, then I will need every advantage I can get.”

“Take this,” he said, putting the sword in my hooves gently, a scabbard soon formed on it. “You may need it, to fight foes bullets can’t hurt.”

“When do I begin lessons?” I asked, feeling the blade in my hooves. It felt almost like it was meant for me. I wonder if that was alchemy’s power.

“Not for a while, but expect word from me soon” Voidera began walking away slowly. “I look forward to your lessons under me. They shall be quite… enjoyable,” he said with a smile.

I put the sword on and walked out. Voidera was asking me, of all the unicorns in Equestria, to be his student. I felt honored, scared, intimidated, excited and strange all at once.

I can only imagine this is how Twilight felt…

_____________________________________________________

I walked the halls as I levitated the sword in my magic. I had no idea what Voidera meant by me having to use this. However, I wasn’t about to deny a gift from him. It needed a name though. All great weapons had names. It was grey, like my coat, maybe silver wolf?

I sheathed the blade and looked up as Luna rounded the corner. When she saw me a smile came to her face. “You are alright, thank goodness,” she said, walking to me. She stopped me before I could even think of bowing. “None of that, we don’t believe our friends should have to bow in such a way,” she said.

I smiled at her, and then reached into my trench coat and pulled out Nocturne’s medallion. “I think this belongs to you,” she said.

She gave a soft smile and levitated the medallion into her hoof. “It has served you well, just as it had Nocturne.”

“Did you think I would need to use it?” I asked, looking at the Princess of the Night searchingly.

Her teal eyes looked down for a minute. “I prayed it would not be necessary, but I wasn’t about to lose one of my few true friends,” she said with a smile. “Stay safe, Private, that is all I ask of you.”

I returned her smile and replied, “I’ll try, Luna, and thanks for the help.”

With that Luna walked to me, and then gently put a wing over me. I felt the same safety and warmth I felt last time I was under it. She gave me a tender smile and said, “It will get harder as it goes on, dear Private, but I know you will be strong through it. Just remember, no matter what happens, never let go of your honor.”

Then Luna walked away without saying any more. Geez, everypony was insisting on being super vague lately. At least I knew, that if worse comes to worst, I had one ally on my side.

However, part of me wondered, was she talking to me or to Nocturne?

__________________________________________________________

We spent the night then celebrating at Doughnut Joe’s. Rainbow was hovering over us recounting the story of how Spike apparently got the crystal heart. “And then Shining lifted Cadence into the air and threw her at Spike! Narrowly escaping the jaws of Sombra!” she described, animatedly.

“And then the Crystal Empire wins the Super Bowl! Whoo!!!” Raiden shouted, imitating a crowd at a sports stadium. We all laughed and Raiden went on, “Well it took a lot of guts to jump off that high tower in the first place, Spike.”

Spike blushed a little at Raiden’s praise, and said, “Hey, anything to help Twilight.”

“Don’t let anypony deny how brave you were,” Rarity said, smiling at the little dragon.

“Aww,” All of us guys teased, causing Spike to give us a glare.

“Yeah well,” Raiden bragged, “we had our fair share of awesome moments too. Big Mac here smashed an entire golem with his bare hooves.”

“Well them strength enhances would certainly help on the farm,” Applejack added. “Though, ya might send all them trees flyin'.”

Big Mac shook his head and said, “Ah had to give 'em back, they were army property after all. Sides, Ah can still buck trees like normal.”

“Ain’t only the only tree you can buck eh, Big Mac?” Raiden said with a cheeky grin.

Big Mac and Fluttershy both flushed brightly and Spike looked to me and asked, “Let me guess, not until I’m older?”

“Eeyup,” I said, imitating Big Mac. That earned me a laugh from some of our group.

“How are Cadence and Shining settling in?” I asked Twilight.

Twilight gave a small smile and replied, “Cadence said that they would be settling down there now. They both like it there, although it will be hard having them so far away now.”

“Aw don’t worry none, sugar cube,” Applejack added. “So long as ya hold 'em in yer hearts, family ain’t too far away.”

“You’re right,” Twilight said, “I hope we can all come to visit once everything gets settled.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie interjected, appearing from under my table for some reason. “We can throw them all a ‘we stopped an evil king from taking over your empire party!’ We’ll all play flugal horns and we can see a joust again and all of that fun stuff!”

“Just as long as somepony else gets to be Rainbow’s punching bag,” Fluttershy said, giving Rainbow a look. The cyan pegasus rubbed the back of her head and whistled innocently.

We all gave a small laugh and I just enjoyed the rest of the evening among my friends. If Luna was right and something dark was coming, at least I know I have allies in that fight. Voidera was right, I have changed.

I can only hope I’ve changed enough for whatever is coming…

___________________________________________________________

Perspective: ???

My hooves did not make hoof prints in the snow. I did not feel the cold that any other pony would. I wasn’t here physically, I would not be able to physically manifest for a long while. Then again, I don’t need a physical body to track down the stench of corruption I felt.

I looked up and saw Sombra’s shadow moving quickly away from the Snowlands. My horn glowed a deep blue and he stopped in his tracks. He took on his true appearance, except chains were on him, hindering his movement. He looked up at me, his red eyes growing wide with fear. “No! Anypony but you!” he cried.

“It seems you failed in your little plan,” I said, as my blue eyes gazed down at him. “Although, your line was never a clever one to begin with.”

“Don’t talk down to me!” he spat. “I know who you are! I know what you failed to do fifteen hundred years ago! You cannot stop the darkness from coming!”

“You underestimate me, just as my daughters did,” I said, using my magic to tighten the chains. “Now tell me, how did you fail in your plan? Who stopped you?”

“It was the descendent of Izanami! She used that bitch’s heart to weaken me!” he whined pitifully.

“No, there is something more,” I said, looking down at him. “I smell the very fear you so treasure radiating off you. Somepony else stopped you, and you’re terrified of him. Now that is a clever pony, to use your own deadliest weapon against you.”

“He’s nothing! A fool of a unicorn playing with a power he has no idea of how to wield!”

I walked to him and pressed my hoof on his neck. I looked down at him with cold blue eyes as he let out a cry of pain. “You will tell me what you saw, or I will extract it from you. I’ll have you know; only one Alicorn before you has ever survived a mind dive with his mind intact. He was far more powerful then you are, however,” I said.

“I’ll not tell you! That power is mine!" Sombra said, glaring at me. “You will not steal it from me!”

“I care not for whatever power that this unicorn supposedly wields,” I said, continuing to stare down at him. “I do care, however, about a taint of dark magic running around Equestria.”

“Don't think yourself so righteous! I know what you did fifteen hundred years ago. I know how many lives you’ve destroyed. I know who you are…”

My face remained expressionless as I leaned down and whispered coldly, “Then you know what will happen if you do not tell me who put the fear in your eyes.”

“Fine! His name is Private Eye! He’s descended from Prometheus like me! He wields Tenacity! His ancestor Eclipse stole it from me a thousand years ago!”

Tenacity, so it survived…

“You said you share the same line,” I said slowly, “but that cannot be right. According to the history texts from the empire, Prometheus only had children with Aria, the first crystal pony.”

“So, I know something you don’t,” he gloated.

“Speak, fool, lest I destroy you right here, you know it’s within my power to do it.”

“I never said our line was legitimate. Prometheus committed a sin fourteen hundred years ago. Through that sin, two foals were born. My line was born out of the eldest twin, and Private’s out of the younger. How they managed to escape being recorded in history is something you should take up with your daughter.”

I gave him a cold stare. “So, that explains how the taint got into his line. Also reveals why this, Private, has Tenacity.”

“So, what more do you want from me? I demand to be released!”

I shook my head and said, “I cannot allow a taint such as you to wander free unchecked. I will destroy all the taint left in this world, but I will give you one chance. For despite claims to the contrary, I can be merciful.”

“I want neither your pity nor your mercy! Nopony forces King Sombra into a bargain!” he snapped.

“Discord was foolish enough to make a similar claim, but I dealt swiftly with him, as I will you. However, until your usefulness reaches its end. I will keep you in a place where shadows can never escape.” My eyes glowed and a portal opened behind Sombra. The fool tried to hold onto the ground but he was soon dragged in by my magic.

That should hold him for a long while. Typical unicorn, believing himself to be a master of magic when they hardly know a speck of it’s true power.

So, Private Eye wields Tenacity?

The same magic I tried to use to stop Voidera’s foolish claims of a world without Alicorns. What a foolish colt, to think that such a power should be bestowed on an abomination.

A regress….

A taint on our world…

That is what they are…

Earth Pony, Unicorn, Pegasus…

All of them are abominations before their glorious ancestors…

One day…

Voidera believes a mere unicorn is worthy of such power?

I never raised him to be so foalish…

Soon, I will repair the wounds this world has suffered…

And if Voidera or Celestia refuses to comply with their king…

Then I’m afraid they will have to be gone too…

For all shall bow before King Lunard once again….

Chapter 1 "A Test?"

Equestria Noir

Case 20

“Red Snow Fall

By Jacoboby1 and ShatteredIllusions

Chapter 1

“A Test?”

Perspective: Voidera

I filed what had to have been the hundredth request today. This one came from a noble named Lord Tenpony, who wanted to commission a tower in Manehattan. Personally, I found that while his intentions were good, the way he worded his request was rather insulting. Did he really expect anypony to take him seriously when he wouldn’t accept workers that were ugly? I’ll never understand politics, no matter how long I help Tia with them.

I set the request on top of the growing pile beside me. I was seated in a small throne area that Tia used once in a while when her other one was getting cleaned or something. Tia loaned it to me so I had somewhere to work while I helped her with some of the less important administrative matters.

She had also assigned me some guards, called Dragoons, for protection. With the recent happenings in Canterlot, I can say not everypony appreciates nearly getting blown up. So having guards was considered necessary.

I motioned one of the guards forward. The stallion was clad in black and red lined armor with frills on them. I gave him the forms and was prepared to move on when another Dragoon burst into the room. He walked to me, bowed low, and said, “Lord Voidera! Forgive my intrusion, but I have news of a matter most urgent!”

I motioned for him to rise and asked, “What news?”

“We’ve just received word from Northern Equestria, milord,” he replied, looking up at me with slitted gold eyes, a part of the magic that came with his armor. “I was simply told to inform you, that it has returned.”

My red eyes grew wide as I nodded. “Thank you, return to your post then,” I commanded.

As he turned and walked off I looked to the Dragoon on my right and said, “Inform Tia that my part of the plan is underway.”

“Yes, milord,” he replied before flying off with his own dragon like wings.

I used my magic to conjure a piece of paper and wrote quickly, Private Eye, you must come to Canterlot immediately.

_______________________________________________________

Tia and I looked upon as stained glass window depicting Private Eye, and the other Elements of Harmony, fighting Discord. After a few moments, I turned my red eyed gaze to Tia and asked, “So it’s true then? The Crystal Empire has returned?”

“Indeed,” Tia replied, looking over at me “Has your search come up with anything?”

“I have, the Snowlands need Private now.” I informed her, meeting her eyes. “I just pray to Faust that they will succeed.”

“Private and Twilight will succeed,” said a voice behind me. I looked and saw Luna coming to stand between us. Every time I saw her it amazed me how much she's grown. She eyed me warily and continued, “I still do not understand why we must put them in such danger though.”

“It is to test them, dear sister. In order for both of them to master their elements, they must be put in danger. We do not take pleasure from it,” Tia replied, closing her eyes.

“Have you sent word to Twilight Sparkle?” I asked.

Tia squinted her eyes past the stained glass, peering down at Ponyville and said, “She should be getting it right about…”

Suddenly the tree that housed Ponyville’s library flew into the air several yards and then fell back down to earth. I blinked in surprise and Celestia smiled to herself. “That’s my faithful student alright,” she said with a grin.

“If she has received word than Private should’ve as well,” I said slowly.

“Again, I protest against this,” Luna said, looking between us. “You both know what will happen once he sets hoof in that kingdom.”

“Which is why he will be able to keep Sombra away from the empire,” I said slowly. “The Crystal Empire will have it’s full power soon. Shining Armor and Cadence will use that time to create a protective force field, but in order to do that, they need Sombra’s eye focused on another target.”

Tia nodded and said, “Once the shield is up, Sombra will try to take the Empire. With his focus there, Private will be able to complete his part without worry,”

“Must it be Private?” Luna asked, somberly. “He is dear to us.”

Celestia gently ran a hoof along her sister’s back and said soothingly, “I know he is a good friend to you, but Private can take care of himself, and he will not be alone.”

I looked at the train coming out of Ponyville and announced, “That is them now.”

Tia nodded and left with her sister. I watched the pair leave, they had both grown so much. Lunard, if you could see your daughters now…

___________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

“What is the square root of 906.01?”

“30.1!”

“What is the inherent algorithm for magic on a physical plane?”

“4xyp divided by 66831 multiplied by 72 and divided again by 81! Also known as Starswirl’s principle!”

“Chemical formula for Glucose?”

“C6H12O6 + C6H12O6 => C12H22O11 + H2O”

“Okay bonus question,” I said, lowering the list of questions, as I walked down the streets of Canterlot with Twilight at my side. “What mare was so worried about a test she had to blow away the library just as I was about to finally beat Raiden at Marelo?”

She blushed a little at the memory and answered reluctantly, “That um, was me.”

“Twilight, I keep telling you, you don’t need to worry so much. Whatever these tests are, we’ll both get through them, alright?” I said, looking at her lovingly.

“You’re right,” she said with a smile, nuzzling me just as we entered Canterlot castle. We walked the many hallways of the place. When we finally reached the crossroads where we had to part, Twilight turned to me and said, “Spike and the others are outside. I hope all goes well.”

I nuzzled her tenderly and said reassuringly, “I know you’ll do great Twilight, no matter what the test.”

She smiled at me and I was about to turn around before she called out, “Wait!”

I turned back to find her reaching in her rather well packed saddlebags. She pulled out a long violet scarf with her cutie mark on it. I tilted my head as she presented it to me. “Private, I um, wanted to give you this.”

“A scarf?” I asked, looking at it oddly.

“It’s just something that Cadence told me once,” Twilight explained, blushing a little “When a knight was to fight in a tournament or something, his love would give him a scarf. It was meant to show that he was fighting for her…” She blushed even more as she held it before me and continued, “After the whole Reeflet case, I thought I’d do something for you.”

I looked at the scarf and a slow smile came to my face. I took it in my magic and wrapped it around my neck. When it was secure I walked to Twilight and kissed her lovingly. “Thanks Twilight, I’ll wear your colors proudly," I said with a big smile.
She kissed me back, and then we parted. I looked down at the scarf; it was comfortable, made of wool and looked hoof made. Twilight put a lot of care into this. Sweet Luna, I always seem to find new ways to fall for her.

Some guards, clad in black dragon esk armor led me to a room. I had heard of these Dragoons. They were supposed to be the most elite guard in all of Equestria. Rumors said that their ranks were harder to get into than the Wonderbolts. One of them opened a door for me and I stepped inside.

Voidera sat there on his haunches before me. He waved his hoof for the guards to leave us and they obeyed, closing the door behind them. I was left alone with the Dracorn, unsure of how to proceed. I decided to be as polite as possible and asked amicably, “You wished to see me, Voidera?”

He nodded his dark head and spoke in his deep bass voice, “I am glad you could come so swiftly. The task I have for you is a great one.”

“Your letter mentioned a test of some sort. What kind of test are we talking about here?” I inquired, channeling Twilight.

“Are you aware of the Snowlands?” he asked, his red eyes gazing at me.

I nodded and said, “I was born around the time. Dad said the nation was a country of ponies that live to the far north. They were a largely industrial nation, they provided many tools and metal for Equestria, but around the time when I was born, they sealed off their borders completely. Nopony has gotten in or out in decades”

“Until recently,” Voidera explained, his horn glowing scarlet as an image appeared in front of me. I saw pictures of earth ponies on streets. Many children were crying and looking starved. I saw the ponies were covered in soot and I could count the ribs on several of them. Just how long and hard did they work in those factories?

“Using Luna’s power over dreams we’ve managed to spy on the country,” Voidera said, images moving around like a magical slide show. “While details are inaccurate and some minds cannot be entered, we managed to get a general estimation of the situation. Suffice to say, it isn’t good.”

Voidera flashed an image of a regal looking Alicorn. It was definitely male, as the blue facial hair showed. His coat was snow white, his mane long and icy blue that matched his blue eyes. “Twenty seven years ago, King Frostwind ruled the land, from most accounts he was a kind stallion, and he cared deeply for his people,” Voidera said.

“He can’t have been beloved by all if his kingdom is in such a state,” I pointed out.

“You are correct,” Voidera affirmed, and then he showed a picture of an earth pony stallion. He looked at least two decades older than I was. He had a red coat, a slicked back black mane, and soft blue eyes. I got a strange feeling from looking at him. It was one of contempt that I couldn’t explain.

“Who is he?” I asked.

“The stallion before you is Red Hammer,” Voidera explained. “He was once a soldier in Frostwind’s army. He fought in the Griffon Wars as an ally to Equestria. He was known as the ‘Sky Breaker’ for having killed several griffons in his day. He won several awards for his victories, however with victory came hubris.”

“What does he have to do with Frostwind?” I asked.

“Before I tell you, allow me to explain something else,” he said. “Frostwind’s power was essential to the survival of the land. You see, because the Snowlands are largely earth pony populated they have no dedicated weather team. Instead they relied on Frostwind to control it manually.”

“The guy could control seasons?” I asked, astonished by one Alicorn’s power to handle a task that a whole team of pegasi had trouble accomplishing sometimes.

“Specifically winter,” he answered. “He had the power to cause winter to come and go in the land. One year, it went on so long that the people became suspicious. Red Hammer used that suspicion to make the accusation that Frostwind was doing it on purpose.”

“I can probably guess they didn’t settle it over a nice cup of tea?” I said, almost scared to find out what happened.
“Hardly,” he answered, closing his scarlet eyes. “Red Hammer’s old partners from the war joined him and he gained a huge following. With it, he rebelled against the king and slaughtered his whole family.”

I saw a family portrait in front of me. Frostwind was standing stoically next to a beautiful unicorn mare. Around their hooves were four fillies and a pair of colts. They smiled in the picture, just as a red x appeared on their faces one by one.”
“They were all killed in the fighting,” Voidera said somberly, “Save, one.”

I looked at the smallest filly in the picture. I nearly gasped when I saw she had a pair of wings as well as a horn. Frostwind’s daughter was an Alicorn?

“Her name is Snowflake,” Voidera said. “She was born just months after Princess Mi’Amore Cadenza.”

“How come I haven’t heard of her?” I asked, looking at the innocent looking child.

“She hasn’t made a public appearance before or since the rebellion,” Voidera said. “Having an Alicorn child is a rare thing indeed, many would want to kidnap and exploit the young filly for dark purposes.” He closed his red eyes again, I could tell he was reliving bad memories by the way his leather wings flapped.

“This is all well and good,” I said, looking at the Dracorn, "but something tells me you didn’t call me all the way here for a history lesson.”

“Of course not.” He closed the images and a picture teleported to his side. He levitated it to me, the picture showed a much older Snowflake, same age as Cadence, wrapped in a cloak as she was walking down a busy street. “Our spies found and brought this picture here at great personal risk. Your task Private Phelps Eye, is to find Snowflake, bring peace to the nation, and stop whatever Red Hammer is planning.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, a little daunted by what he’s asking of me.

“Red Hammer has set himself up as ruler of the Snowlands. His people suffer under his iron hoof, I want you to put a stop to it.”

“You’re asking me” I pointed at myself “To go into hostile territory, find a princess that may or may not be alive, and topple the most powerful stallion in said territory?”

“Your grasp of the situation is quite welcome, Private,” he smiled a little smugly.

“This is insane!” I cried. “I’m a detective! I don’t know anything about spying, or toppling dictators or anything."

“Yet, you faced Discord and Nightmare Moon,” he pointed out.

“I had help!” I fired back.

“So, you shall have help again,” he clapped his hooves and the doors opened.

My eyes grew wide at what I saw. Voidera chuckled and spoke up, “Four volunteers have been told of the situation, and have insisted on joining you.”

In stepped Raiden, Big Macintosh, Swarm, who was looking pretty uncomfortable being in the palace, and Applesnack. Raiden smiled and hovered over to me, “Hey dude, sorry we’re late, had to put up a great entrance right, Big Mac?”

“Eeyup,” the farm pony agreed.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked.

“We wanted to help,” Swarm answered simply. “We couldn’t let you go alone.”

“Voidera,” I said looking at the Dracorn. “Permission to speak freely?”

“Fire away,” he said with a smirk.

“Are you out of your freaking mind?” I shouted. “Three of us are civilians, only two of us have had formal combat training, and only one of us is a soldier!”

Applesnack simply looked at me, his face of course not showing anything.

Voidera nodded and replied calmly, “Your concerns are noted, but I believe you failed to hear the part about them being volunteers”

I looked at each of the four stallions before me. Raiden spoke up first, “Dude, if I let you go into some crazy dangerous place alone, Rainbow would kill me. You and I have been best friends since grade school, and I’m not leaving you.”

“Raiden do you have any idea what you’re signing up for?” I asked, desperate to make him understand.

He shrugged and answered, “Hey, it could be fun.”

I should’ve expected that, but I face hoofed anyway. I looked to Big Macintosh, but he just gave me a resolute look and said, “Ya helped me outta jail, Ah still haven’t rightly repaid ya fer that. I reckon that alone is enough fer me tah tag along.”

“I have similar motives,” Swarm added. “You freed my hive, and I am indebted to you.”

“Swarm,” I said shaking my head, “it’s going to be dangerous, and I don’t know if I could face Applejack, Fluttershy or any of our marefriends if something were to happen to you guys.”

Raiden spoke up, flapping his wings in affirmation, “That’s why we’re here, to look out for one another.”

I looked at Applesnack and said, “You never explained why you wanted to come along.”

His eyes just gazed at me for a long moment. Finally he simply gave a shrug and replied casually, “Perhaps I have nothing better to do.”

That was about the only answer I was ever going to get out of him. He was just as stubborn as his companions here though. I knew he wouldn’t back down, no matter how much I tried.

I sighed and looked at each of them in the eye “Alright, I’ll let you guys come along, but know this. I’m not going to bring any of you home in a body bag. I’d never forgive myself if I had to look into the eyes of the mares you all love and see my own guilt in them. We’re all getting out of this alive or not at all.”

They all nodded at once, and I turned back to Voidera. “I accept the task before me, how do I begin?” I asked him.

“You will begin by receiving proper equipment for your travels,” he answered. He clapped his hooves again and unicorn dragoons came in. They each levitated a bunch of strange items in with them. Voidera pointed at Applesnack and explained, “For you, Private First Class, a modified battle saddle.” One of the Dragoons laid a large battle saddle in front of the soldier.
The green apple colored soldier gave the weapon a look over and said, “It’s been modified to accommodate a grenade launch and the eye piece has a sight on it. Useful in more hectic situations.”

“Not exactly cool though,” Raiden said, hovering a little.

“What were you expecting?” I asked. “That Voidera would give him a machine gun that shoots grenades?”

Raiden’s jaw dropped and he said slowly, “Best, weapon idea, EVER!!!”

We all rolled our eyes as Applesnack went through the process of examining the weapon. Another dragoon laid a set of strange shoes, that resembled the armor that a guard would wear, in front of Big Mac.

“These are strength enhancers,” Voidera explained, as Big Mac slipped them on. “Your strength is already considerable Macintosh Apple, this will increase it tenfold.”

Big Mac smiled at the shoes, and said, “Wonder if Ah’d snap one of mah trees if I bucked with this?”

“You’d probably send it flying,” Voidera said with a chuckle. Then another of the Dragoon's walked to Swarm and eyed him warily. Just about everypony knew who, or rather what, Swarm was. The Changeling seemed a little tense at the look, but then eyed the strange flute in the dragoon’s magic with interest.

“This is a Hive flute,” he said, lifting the flute to his eyes. “It was once used in ancient times by changelings to call their hive. The sound from this flute could attract a horde from miles away.”

“Which is why I ask you to use it wisely,” Voidera cautioned. “Only use it, when your brothers and sisters are necessary.”

Swarm nodded and put the flute around his neck with a leather strap. The next Dragoon walked to Raiden, and only had a small package in a leather pouch; it looked like a flat disk judging by the outline. The object was so small you could fit it into your hoof. Raiden’s eyes however, betrayed the importance of the package.

“Your father wished for you to have it should the need arise,” Voidera said cryptically. “He said you would know what to do with it.”

Raiden nodded and put the pouch inside his pocket. My friend was the quietest I’ve seen him in all the time I’ve known him. I wonder what was in that package?

I looked up as the last Dragoon levitated a pistol before me. It was painted white, appeared to be a .22 caliber pistol with a silencer on the end. I’d say the model was a Ruger by the looks of it. Voidera spoke up, “This is the White Tiger model of handgun. Designed specifically for use in snow, I trust you will find it’s silent approach quite useful.”

I held the weapon in my magic, it felt much lighter than Blackbird or even my old .32 revolver. This was a gun obviously designed for stealth in mind. I’m guessing it could be useful if I needed to break into anywhere.

Look at me, already thinking like a criminal.

“Last, but not least, there is one more item that Luna wanted you to have,” Voidera said, walking towards me personally. The tall black Alicorn held a medallion in his hoof. I recognized it almost immediately.

“That’s a Lunar Stallion’s armor?” I said, gazing at the medallion as it rested in Voidera’s hoof a chain attached to it.

“It’s awfully small to be armor,” Raiden said, gazing at the armor.

“Didn’t ya have one of those last Nightmare Night?” Big Mac asked.

“He did Macintosh Apple,” Voidera affirmed, “but that was training armor, designed to be used so a trainee could get used to the weight. This, however, is the genuine article.”

“You just tap it while you’re wearing it,” I explained, “and it will form on you, right?”

“Yes, this armor in particular, belonged to your ancestor Nocturne,” he said with a smile. “Luna was quite insistent that I at least send you this.”

I was about to reach for it when Voidera pulled it back. “However, I must warn you,” he said, “The armor is only to be used as a last resort. Once it bonds with you, it will take over your mind and body. It takes weeks to master it’s use, and even longer to control all of the urges it can bring on. I cannot stress enough how dangerous it can be to a beginner.”

I nodded and said, “I will be careful.” I then took the medallion and put it inside my trench coat.

Voidera nodded and spread his wings to get our attention. “With that, I have done all I can to prepare you for this,” he said.

All five of us stood in a line in front of the Alicorn. He spoke regally in his deep bass tone, “You have all been selected, not because you have had steep military training, but because the Elements of Harmony have brought their cases to me personally.”

“You mean Rainbow knows about this,” Raiden asked.

“They all do,” Voidera said, closing his red eyes. “I approached each of them and they all agreed that you were capable. They all protested your involvement though, but they understood that Private needed help on this venture.”
We all slowly nodded, I wonder if Twilight knew where I was going. I subconsciously put a hoof on the scarf she gave me. I miss her already.

Voidera casted his ruby eyes to me “Private, remember before you leave, that during this test you will be asked to make a choice. Always remember, whenever facing adversity on all sides, there is always a third choice”

“Now, I shall use my power to teleport you all behind the area’s defenses,” Voidera said, his red horn glowing brightly. “It will require care, but the spell will get you all there swiftly. I wish you all the best of luck.” He smiled and said, “May you all come home safely.”

With that, a bright red light enveloped me.

The last thought I had before going?

Twilight, be safe…

Chapter 3 "Red Hammer"

Chapter 3

“Red Hammer”

When Snowflake had finished her song she noticed our presence. Before any of us could speak she started running towards one of the doors. Raiden took the initiative and ran down to her calling, “Hold on, Princess! We’re trying to-“

He was cut off when Snowflake grabbed him around the neck and used him as a pony shield against the rest of us. “One step closer and I break his neck!” she shouted as we came closer.

“Normally I wouldn’t object to a lovely mare holding me down,” Raiden said, trying to sound cool despite being held hostage, “but we’re not kidnappers, so I’d appreciate it if you let me go now.”

“Who are you then?” she demanded, in the local accent. “Are you Red Hammer’s men, come to claim the last of the royal family?”

I decided to play diplomat and introduced myself, “Princess Snowflake, I am Detective Private Phelps Eye. I was sent here from Equestria to aid you.” I gestured to my friends in turn. “These are my friends, Swarm, Big Macintosh and Applesnack.” I then gestured to Raiden and continued the introductions. “Your hostage there is my friend, Raiden. We came so that we could bring peace to the land, but I can see we’re off to a sorry start.”

She blinked her blue eyes and then let go of Raiden. My friend fluttered angrily back over to us. When Snowflake caught sight of my friend’s wings and said in shock, “You aren’t with Red Hammer! He would never let a pegasus into his army! Plus you are a unicorn." She said, pointing to me. “I see the truth now, though I must ask, how did you find me?”

“Rushanwin pointed us in the right direction,” Swarm replied, smiling a little.

Snowflake looked down then back at us and said, “I vaguely remember him being a big stallion that always let me play with his son. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much beyond that and him being a member of my father’s personal guard.”

“Understandable,” I replied. “You were only three at the time.”

“So why are you here?” Big Mac asked. “Don’tcha think that Red Hammer would come lookin' fer ya here?”

Snowflake bowed her head and replied softly, “I knew it was dangerous, but I wanted to see where my parents had their first dance.” She gestured to the ballroom around her and explained, “I had seen many old photographs of them, this was my only way of connecting to them.”

Swarm looked on the verge of tears, I gave him a look of concern and asked, “You okay?”

“Sorry,” the changeling replied, wiping his green eyes. “Just never liked the feeling of sorrow…”

I nodded and looked back at her. “Normally, I’d love to hear your story, but right now you are not safe here.”

“More correct then you know, Detective…”

We all looked around as suddenly a dozen soldiers entered the room. They all wore armor of some sort, metal by the looks of it, with a symbol on their shoulder pads. It resembled a yellow hammer and sickle on a red background. They were also armed with battle saddles, that they kept trained on us. My colleagues and I stood in front of the princess as an older stallion walked down the stairs of the foyer to the ballroom floor.

He looked like he was well into his fifties with a slicked back greying mane. His red coat was covered by a tannish green uniform with a cap of the same color on his head. He had a short beard and a mustache. He was much older than the picture that Voidera showed me. A feeling of disgust came over me like before.

“I don’t know how you equestrians got past my border patrol,” Red Hammer said, himself sporting the local dialect, though definitely rougher, “but I have little tolerance for invaders in my country, especially unicorn bloodsuckers and chickens.”

I used whatever will I had to hold myself back from his racist comments. Raiden didn’t have as much will and had to be held back by Big Mac.

“You have my commendations, however,” Red Hammer said, his face unchanging. “I have been looking for the tyrant’s spawn for years. You did my job for me.”

“How did you know we were here?” I asked slowly.

“One of my spies in the revolution told me that Rushanwin was listening to rumors. I had my men hiding secretly inside of the palace in case anypony showed up. My officers thought I was being paranoid, but it pays to be prepared.”

Snowflake looked at us guiltily and said, “Forgive me; it is my fault you are all in this situation.”

“Don’t worry, Princess,” Raiden said with a smirk. “We got this, right Private?”

I kept my eyes trained on Red Hammer, for some reason I felt a deep hatred for this stallion. It was like there was a little pony inside my head telling me to pull out white tiger and shoot him between the eyes now. I fought the urge and simply glared at Red Hammer. “So, you think to finish the job, you bastard?” I growled.

“You are correct in your assumption,” Red Hammer said, his blue eyes staring into mine. “You are a detective, so I don’t think I need to tell you my motives and reasons.”

“Well, as a detective I can’t let you get away with it,” I said, maintaining my ground.

“You are bold to speak to me in such a way,” Red Hammer complimented, but I didn’t give into flattery. “Most would cower in fear at the sight of a dozen guns trained on them.”

“I’ve had worse things pointed at me,” I said smugly.

“Typical unicorn,” he spat, as if he’d bitten into a rotten tomato. “Always so full of themselves because they have horns that can perform tricks.”

I ignored the second racial comment today and said, “I’m giving you two options, Red Hammer. You either let us walk out peacefully, or I’ll show you just how much we’re willing to fight to stop you.”

“I commend you for your bravery,” Red Hammer said coldly, “but I have grown tired of your games.” He turned to his men and said, “Detain them all for questioning, and bring the Princess to me personally.” With that he and two of his soldiers left, leaving ten more behind.

One walked up to Applesnack and aimed his battle saddle at his chest. “I highly suggest you come along otherwise we will shoot your legs and drag you all,” he snarled.

Applesnack simply stared at the soldier and said, “I have two words for you.”

“I surrender?” the soldier joked, his companions laughing.

“Nope,” Applesnack said, pulling a grenade out of his pockets and chucking it at the group of soldiers. “Here, catch!”

The soldiers screamed and dodged the grenade. The rest of us used this distraction to run away, just as it exploded, sending three soldiers flying. The other seven began opening fire as we hid behind some pillars supporting a balcony. Bullets hailed around my ears as they shot at us. I looked to my right and saw Snowflake ducked behind another pillar next to Big Mac.

Applesnack ducked behind a pillar to my left with Swarm. He took a shot at one of the soldiers with his modified battle saddle.

“You could’ve warned me ahead of time about that grenade!” I cried, peeking out of cover to hit a soldier in the chest with White Tiger. Good, now we have six soldiers that want to kill us…no wait! Now five, Applesnack shot another one.

Raiden tried peeking from behind our pillar and almost got shot to hell “We can’t get out of here! There’s too many of them!”

“You got any bright ideas?” I shouted, shooting and missing a couple of soldiers before taking cover again.

“Funny you should mention that,” he said reaching into his pockets and pulling out that disk package from before. He undid the leather pouch and I saw a strange device in his hoof. It was a circular device with a glowing electrical circuit on it’s outline. As the bullets sang through the air, Raiden pressed the device to his chest. Straps came out of it and attached themselves so that the device was squarely where his heart would be.

“Raiden, what the hell is that?” I asked, staring.

“It’s a mana reactor,” he explained. “A portable ley line that generates power by cycling energy in a circle. My dad has one at his tower back home.”

“How much power are we talking about?” I asked, ducking as a bullet almost hit my ear.

“Well, if my math is right,” he said looking at me, “which it always is, about three gigajoules.”

“What would need that kind of power?” I asked, looking at Raiden with wary eyes.

He just smirked at me.

________________________________________________________

Meanwhile in Manehattan

Perspective: Arashi Bolt

Yet another day of dull paperwork at the office, I thought to myself. I looked at my watch, it wasn’t even lunch time yet. I sighed, nearly thirty years of work poured into this company and all I’m left with is paperwork.

Well, I guess we can’t always have the most unorthodox of activities all the time…

Suddenly the door burst open and my secretary, a pegasus stallion named Input, charged in breathing heavily. “Sir! The mark VII has just been launched! It’s heading towards northern Equestria!” he cried.

I smiled, so Musuko, you finally have decided to accept my gift to you.

________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private

Suddenly something came rocketing through a nearby window and landed right in front of Raiden. It was a small black and yellow package of some sort. It looked very heavy and was made of some kind of metal. Raiden looked at me as he dragged the package behind cover. “Cover me while I suit up!” he ordered.

“Suit up?” I asked, just staring as four shoes came out from the package. Raiden stepped each of his hooves on them and the metal morphed and twisted itself around him. The armor was black with yellow linings. The metal looked smoothed and made of a strong metal. A mask slowly morphed around my friend’s face, resembling an intimidating warrior’s mask of old.

“Raiden, what the hell is that?” I asked, just staring at the suit.

“Something my dad came up with,” Raiden replied. His voice sounded metallic from inside his helmet. “Pretty sweet, huh?”

“Since when do you have a suit of armor like that?” I asked, still dumbfounded.

“Less time for chat and more time getting us outta here!” Raiden said, his now metal covered wings flapping. He suddenly zoomed out above the group of stunned soldiers, and landed in front of them.

He held up one of his hooves, and suddenly a bolt of lightning fired out of it, hitting a soldier square in the chest. The others opened fire on him, but the bullets bounced off his metal armor. Raiden kept pummeling the soldiers with lightning bolts, as I looked to the others.

Big Mac was nursing a shoulder wound that Snowflake was trying to patch up. “One of them shot him when he was trying to protect me!” Snowflake said, looking worriedly at Big Mac.

“Ah’m fine, Princess,” Big Mac said stubbornly.

“We gotta get out of here!” Swarm cried, ducking before another bullet hit him.

I nodded and looked over at Snowflake “You get Big Mac out of here!” I ordered. “You too, Swarm. You carry Applesnack and get outside. Raiden and I will cover you!”

All four of them nodded, and Snowflake lifted the large stallion onto her back. She was about the same size as Luna, so she seemed to have little trouble carrying him. She spread her wings and readied herself. Her blue eyes looked on in shock as Swarm suddenly sprouted wings.

“What in the name of the frost is he?” she asked, staring at Swarm.

I took a shot at a soldier that Raiden missed, and he fell down like a rock. “No time to explain! Get out of here!” With that Swarm grabbed Applesnack and lifted the earth pony towards the windows. The pair flew out, followed closely by Snowflake and Big Mac.

I looked at Raiden as he fired the last lightning bolt at the one remaining soldier. He landed in front of me and the mask morphed to show his face. “Sweet, huh?” he gloated.

“Raiden, just what is with that suit?” I asked, looking the strange tech over.

“Something my dad invented a long time ago,” Raiden answered, tapping his chest. “Some kind of flight suit modified for heavy combat. The lightning is just me firing off some of the energy from the mana reactor.”

“Raiden, this is amazing” I said, just staring at it. “When were you going to tell me about this?”

Raiden’s yellow eyes went down and he replied, “Technically, I’m not supposed to have this. This suit belonged to Raiun, my eldest brother.”

“Didn’t Raiun…”

“Yeah, he was a weapon’s designer who was good with electricity like I am,” he explained, looking down at his hooves. “Raiun became paralyzed while modifying this thing my dad made. I didn’t tell you about it, because I didn’t expect dad to trust me with something like this.”

This was a big part of my friend’s life that he hid from me. Then again, it took me nearly a year to show him Tailspin. I’m guessing we all have secrets that we keep even from our closest friends.

“Dude I’m sorry for keeping it from you,” Raiden said, his metal wings drooping a little.

“Hey, it’s alright,” I said with a smile. “If anything that suit is very useful right now.”

“You think Rainbow would think I look sexy in this suit?” he asked with a wicked grin.

“There’s the Raiden I know,” I said, rolling my grey eyes.

Raiden and I perked our ears as we heard voices shouting. “Sounds like somepony didn’t appreciate the light show,” I said. "Let’s get out of here and meet up with the others.”

With that, Raiden grabbed me with his forelegs and we flew out the broken window. Some of the soldiers on the ground tried to shoot at us, but couldn’t hit a speeding target like Raiden. We soon left them, and the palace, far behind.

We landed in a small cave where we'd agreed to meet up should the worst happen. Raiden and I entered to find Big Mac holding his shoulder. Snowflake was using her magic to apply bandages to him. I noticed a bloody bullet next to her along with a pair of equally bloody forceps.

“You’re a doctor?” I asked, looking at the princess.

“I took some classes when I was younger” she explained, wrapping the last bandage around Big Mac. “I got the bullet out, the rest we'll need to find a true doctor to help him with.”

I nodded and looked over at the others. Swarm appeared unharmed, but Snowflake kept eyeing him wearily. She must not have seen a changeling before. Applesnack was standing guard outside, his battle saddle at the ready.

Raiden’s suit began deconstructing itself until he was only wearing a simple chest piece and the hoof attachments. I’m guessing that was a way to keep the suit portable.

Once Snowflake finished with Big Mac she looked at us. “You say you are from Equestria?” she asked.

“Yes,” I replied with a nod. “I’m guessing you have a lot of questions.”

“That’s the understatement of the century,” she said.

I spent the next five minutes explaining all that I could. She took it rather well, although she was a little skeptical about Swarm until she saw what he could do. Seeing a stallion transform into you is quite a sight the first time it happens. I know it freaked me out the first time Swarm transformed into me.

After everything was explained Raiden said, “We need to get her to that pub that Rush talked about. He said we could get help there.”

I nodded and asked the princess, “Do you know where the Black Boar Pub is?”

She nodded and answered, “It's in a village not far from here. I can lead you all there.” She looked at us with guilty blue eyes. "Again, I’m sorry for getting you all involved in this.”

“Think nothing of it, Princess” Raiden said with a smile. “Flying into danger, it’s kind of what we do.”

More than I would like…

_________________________________________________________

We arrived at the village as Celestia was causing the sun to almost reach its zenith. Our cloaks from earlier helped us blend into the starving crowd. I saw more than one colt or filly crying for food that wouldn’t come.

One little colt walked up to me and looked up at my cloaked face. He couldn’t have been older than five. His coat was a soft earthy color and his mane was long and black. “Sir, do you have any food to spare? My sister is starving and we haven’t eaten in days,” he begged.

Poor kid, I reached into my trench coat and pulled out a small candy bar. His eyes lit up as if I handed him pure gold. I hushed him before he could exclaim. “What’s your name?” I asked.

“Driftly,” he answered. “Thank you so much, sir!”

“Take this and give it to your sister.” I gave him the candy bar and smiled at him.

He nodded and ran off clutching the candy bar tightly. I looked up as Applesnack gave me a steely look. I raised an eyebrow and asked, “What?”

“How many more candy bars do you have?” he asked as the rest of the group walked on.

“Excuse me?” I said, confused.

“You plan on feeding the entire village with that candy bar?” he asked, his voice developing an accusatory tone.

“What’s your problem?” I argued. “The kid was starving, why shouldn’t I have helped?”

“Take a good look around,” he said flatly.

I saw all the other starving ponies. I could count the ribs on several of them. One mother was crying in a corner because her filly couldn’t stop crying herself.

“The fact is that won’t fix anything” Applesnack said. “You can’t fix a country by giving handouts.”

“What are you attacking me for?” I asked, glaring at the soldier.

“I’m just getting you to think,” Applesnack answered. “Our job is to bring peace to this entire nation. By giving that candy bar to that kid, you made him a target for the other starving families.”

The more I thought about it, the more right he seemed. “So what should I have done?” I asked. “Ignored the kid and let him and his sister starve?”

“I’m not saying what you did was wrong,” Applesnack said with a shake of his head. “I’m just saying that it's only a very short term solution.”

I slowly looked away, then back at Applesnack. “You’ve seen something like this before, haven’t you?” I asked, sadly.

“Too many times,” Applesnack answered. “I was stationed in Afmarestan before we met in Appaloosa. I saw dozens of starving foals crying for mothers that weren’t there anymore. I just want to make sure that when this nation rebuilds itself, we can’t have this. We can’t have another dictatorship…”

I didn’t fully understand his veiled meaning, but he seemed to not want to talk anymore and turned to walk away. Something tells me there wasn’t really a point to him talking to me like that. It was like he was playing devil’s advocate just to get me to think. Maybe he’s right; we can’t just throw money or food at them. We had to find a permanent solution to all this, and it would start by taking down Red Hammer…

________________________________________________________

We entered the Black Boar Pub to find it abuzz with activity. I walked up to the bartender as the others stood nearby. The bartender was a rather skinny stallion with a short brown mane and a sea green coat. He looked up from the mug he was wiping and asked, “Can I help ya?”

“Rushanwin sent us,” I said firmly. “He said we’d get help if we came.”

“Ole Rush sent ya?” the man asked, almost dropping his mug. “Well, I’ll be damned! Head yourselves to the back would ya?”

With that we made our way to the back of the tavern to find several stallions pointing guns at us. Raiden rolled his eyes and said, “This seems to be a habit with you, isn’t it, Private?”

“Again, I’ve had worse things pointed at me,” I quipped as a stallion aimed his gun at my muzzle.

“Hold on a second!” I heard a voice shout from the stallions. They parted to reveal Rush, he was standing beside a tall earth pony stallion with a blue coat and a long white mane. He had a set of glasses on his muzzle which he lifted upon seeing us. “You are the ones who faced Red Hammer and lived?” the bespectacled stallion asked.

“I apologize, Private,” Rush said, his ears flattening. “I did not know that Red Hammer was there.”

“He said there was a spy in the rebellion,” I said. “You may have a mole among you.”

The blue stallion nodded and replied, “We will investigate the matter as soon as we can.” He bowed his head and introduced himself, “I am Statehood, and you are looking at the Architects. We are the last thing standing against Red Hammer.”

“You guys don’t look like much,” Raiden pointed out, several of the stallions looked like college students. They hardly looked like warriors or freedom fighters at all.

“Most of us were students before Red Hammer closed down the university,” Statehood said, adjusting his glasses.

“Why tell them so much?” one stallion spoke up, he was a deep violet color with a short blue mane. “They could be spies themselves!”

“Ease yourself, Tablet,” Statehood said, holding a hoof to calm the stallion. “Red Hammer was willing to send a dozen of his men to kill them. I don’t think he would want to kill six of his own spies.”

“Six?” Rush then looked at Snowflake, who kept the hood over her head to disguise herself. “Who is this new one?”

Snowflake looked at me from under the hood, I gave an encouraging nod. Slowly Snowflake removed her hood, revealing herself to a stunned group. Snowflake spoke in a regal voice truly worthy of a Princess, “I am Princess Snowendra Jeruntul Frostwind, daughter of King Frostwind, and I am thankful that I see all are safe here.” She smiled at her subjects.

One by one, all of the stallions bowed before her. My friends and I followed suit before she stopped me with a hoof. She shook her head slowly and said, “You need not bow, my friends. You have saved my life and I cannot thank you enough.”

“Princess,” Rush said, a smile on his face, “now that you are here, we can begin to free this land from the tyranny of Red Hammer”

“For the motherland!” one shouted.

“Here here!” another shouted.

Soon the entire tavern was joined in cheers and celebration. Happy to have the return of their beloved princess, but I couldn’t shake this strange feeling. Rush had a determined fiery look in his eyes. I’d seen it before, in the eyes of many stallions that stand on soap boxes…

Just what was Snowflake’s true role in all of this?