Chapter 1: the assignment
Chapter one
The sound of the clock ticking away the seconds of the finale hour in the office were like the sounds of a ringing gong in Tactic's mind, the old earth pony listening to it day in and day out as he worked on the records. Tactic was a master of warfare in his own light but sadly he had grown too old for the frontlines. And with Equestria being in a time of peace there was no need for war heroes anymore. Luckily for him Shining Armor was able to get him a desk job at the castle guard post. The job at first was something he would have looked forward to but now he dreaded going into work every day. His medals hung from the wall covered in dust in his small little office. His desk was old and worn and the bottom drawer was a pain to pull out. His chair gave him such a pain it was more like a torture device than anything else. His eyes were heavy from the boredom of reading the new codes and producers of the growing army. He was disgusted with all of the new mandates and rules being changed as well as the change in stallions to mare ratio. Yes with the return of Princess Luna he had a helping hand of forming her royal guard once more.
"GONG!!" the clock struck once again, causing the dark brown coated stallion to jump from his chair in shock. Cracking his head on the little shelf above him he gave a sharp curse and rubbed his scalp with the back of his hoof. The sound of a slight giggle at his door caused him to straighten up quick.
"Are you always that jumpy Sir Tactic?" The tall white mare asked in her gentle voice. Princess Celestia the royal highness of Equestria and master of the sun. Her mane was made up of many colors that seemed to flow freely behind her even in the lack of wind, her jeweled crown a sign of her power and the only thing that seemed to keep her hair covering her right eye. Her wings were lightly rested at her side and a soft smile on her face as she entered Tactic's office.
"Not at all your highness, I had just zoned out for a second..." He responds meekly and slightly embarrassed. Tactic had joined the royal guard long ago and was assigned to an outgoing squad to the griffon kingdoms. It was there he gained the title of hero for deeds he wished he could forget. But on his return he was Knighted by Princess Celestia herself and invited to hold council with her. Since then he had written her on his other travels but as the time passed his writing stopped.
"If I may ask your highness-" He was cut off before he could finish.
"Please tactic call me Celestia, Your highness sounds so over the top" she said with a soft smile before moved in front of his desk and sat down on a pillow she conjured into existence.
"Of course Celestia, I was going to ask what brings you to my little dungeon?" he asked with a weak smile looking around his little office. She would let out a small silent chuckle at his joke before a serious face appeared.
"Tactic you are aware of Princess Twilight's crowning as well as her new title Princess of Friendship. Because of this and the fact that shining armor had to return to the Crystal Empire I am placing you in charge of Twilight's personal honor guard. I will provide the foot soldiers but it’s up to you to make your own team to defend her at all costs." She explained in a few words summoning the documents for his transfer over to him where he proceeded to read them silently as she finished. Once finished he looked to her with a large smile.
"Are there any restrictions to the team?" He asked most likely knowing the answer.
"Yes. You know I will not allow any chance of harm to Twilight and her friends....and you know who I am talking about Tactic." Celestia responded leaning over the desk at him causing him to slouch in fear for a second before she backed off and turned to the door.
"We have had rumors that something big is going to happen, we don't know when, who or even what it is but I need this team up before the next Gala. understand?" She said without looking back to him.
"Understood Celestia" he said snapping his hoof in a salute before watching her leave. Tactic's eyes turning to the old photo on the wall three words hanging below it. "Till the end."
Chapter 2: Mission start!
Chapter two
1 week later
Tactic sat alone in his personal train car. His bag and coat resting on the bench next to him the corner of the old photo hanging out of the pocket. His mind was still on what the princess had told him and considering his options this would be the first one to pick up. His brown eyes stared out to the desert wasteland that was known as the Mild west. The high peaks of the Pillars could be seen far off in the distinct the only sign of the changeling hives. But that was not the reason he was here, it was around that time of year that the buffalo would be passing through Appaloosa on their yearly stamped. As Tactic watched the sands and cactus roll past him the first sign of pony life could be seen. Closing his eyes slowly and taking one last breath he stood up and donned his coat covering his cutie mark from sight. Soon following up with his saddle bag filled with everything he would need. The train's whistle let out its shrill cry and that was his queue to leave.
Standing on the platform in his Sunday best was Slat kicker the owner of the only saloon in the mild west. The grey stallion wore a double crested vest with a white under shirt. He was sporting a thick black moustache and sharp slick hair to match a single monocle resting on his left cheek to shield his green eyes. Standing taller than Tactic by a good head and a half he would offer a kind smile.
"Glad to see your trip was safe tactic." he said with a small but still noticeable city accent.
"That it was Salt, Is everything prepared liked I asked in my letter?" Tactic asked as he walked to his old friend and offered a hoof.
"It is and I have sent word to the chief as well so there will be no alarm tomorrow." Salt said while accepting the hoof shake before walking with Tactic back to the Salt-a-Lick. The green building was a three story tall building with city design worthy of standing up to the worst of storms. The first floor held the saloon as well as some tables for the games of cards. The second floor had living quarters for any guest who could pay well enough and room for storage. The top floor was Salt's own home with a tower on top of that bearing the town flag. Pushing the door open the patrons gave their cheers to see Salt return, hoping for more drinks.
"If you please excuse me Tactic, But as you can see work calls. Here is your key and I will have your meal sent up in a second." Salt said handing tactic the small key before turning to the bar to start his afternoon shift.
"Thanks salt." was all Tactic had to say before making his way up the stairs and into his room. Opening the door he was greeted with a warm bed with brown sheets, a dresser on the door wall and two windows that looked down to the town’s main square, all in all a very nice room. Lifting his bags off him pulled out the photograph and looked at it more intently. The picture showed a Tactic sitting in the middle of his squad. A Pegasus flew over head giving a wink, a unicorn was looking away hiding half of his face with a frown; Salt Kicker was leaning on top of a large barrel his monocle switched out with a high power scope. And behind them all stood a large buffalo with three feathers hanging from each ear. One of his horns was broken and a large bag hanging on his right side. That all had smiles save for the unicorn but it would make Tactic laugh every time he saw it. Flipping it over there was a list of names on the back grabbing a pencil he put a check next to Slat Kicker's name, tapping the next name slowly.
"Greenleaf's next..." Tactic mumbled to himself as he sat on the bed next to his bag.
"You know that’s going to be almost impossible to get him to join us again, right?" Salt said from the doorway holding a plate of food for Tactic the two just exchanged glances. Sitting down Salt looked to his friend and was about to say something before a loud crash was heard down stairs. Both of them jumped quickly looking to the door. The two stallions were on their hind legs almost drawing the weapons from their hidden places. Tactic giving a nod led the way as the two made their way down stairs.
