The Best of Us

Chapters

The Offer
The Decision
What Have I Done?
First Deployment
Stranger of the Present
Secrets
Badland Massacre

The Offer

" Atten-SHUN!". I never did get used to hearing that.

" At ease", I told the stallions. " Glad to see you boys haven't quit yet".

The new recruits, Dinny Bug and Stream Chaser, weren't exactly the best for this job. But I was surprised to see they made it this far through training. Ol' Armor probably eased up on them. I don't blame him, Dinny looked skinnier than a toothpick when he joined, but now its a thin wall of muscle.

" Thank you sir", they saluted.

" Silver, boys, remember that". I never liked the whole 'superior officer' thing. We would all fight for this nation, so why salute someone that would die just the way you would.

The mess was louder than I remembered, some talk about these Lunar Guards coming through. In all honesty, I never even met the guys but everyone hated them. I'm not talking name calling and crap, I'm talking full on fights in the barracks. Me and Captain had to restrain them sometimes, once Celestia walked in on us trying to handle it. Boy did those boys quiet down.

Today though, it was just talk, thank Celestia. I don't know how many more bucks to the stomach I can take without my armor. But that talk died down, and when I turned to see why I was kind of surprised. Princess Celestia was making her way over with, son of a gun, Princess Luna.

Of course I got on all fours and bowed. " Your majesties".

" Rise Lieutenant", Luna told me. Ever since she got back from that 1,000 year banishment thing her talk was kind of weird and offending. Now though it's normal.

" What is it I can do?", I asked. Celestia's horn glowed and a scroll levitated in front of me. Before I could open it the princess of the sun made direct contact with me.

" For another time Lieutenant", she sternly said. Behind her I could see the guys just watching. " Farewell, and remember to read it as soon as possible".

" And remember". Princess Luna came closer to me when she said this," It is for your eyes only Lieutenant".

" Yes ma'am". If I hadn't lost my fear of the princesses years ago, I would've shit a brick right there. Instead I took the scroll and tightly wrapped it.

Of course the guys came flooding to my table. " What'd she give you?", one asked.

" Retiring already sir?", Dinny chuckled. I waved them off with my hoof.

" Sorry boys, my eyes only. Now get out of here". They left at least, leaving me to wait for the Captain.

" You're early today huh?". Speak of the devil.

" After drills yesterday I'm surprised I didn't wake up sooner", I laughed. " It's good to see you Armor. How's the little sis?".

The Captain sat across from me with his tray of hay and cider. " Good to see you too, and as for Twiley she's fine", he grinned. " What's with the scroll?".

I shrugged and showed him the seal. " Royal business, you just missed the princesses".

" The princesses gave you it? Personally?", he sounded doubtful.

" Yep, just now. Both of 'em. Whatever's on here must be pretty important", I said aloud.

" Must be if both of them came". There was another thing bothering me about the scroll. It didn't have the usual seal of the sun or moon. Instead, a sort of pointed eared pony head with a dagger behind it adorned the black seal.

" So how goes the Empire, must be interesting to be crystal", I laughed. He groaned as he smacked his head onto the table.

" Don't get me started. Its not that it's hard, just boring", Shining groaned. " You guys get to have all the fun on the field".

I laughed sort of then punched him in the shoulder. " Yeah well get used to it Prince".

Ever since I served under Armor in the battles at the Badlands we were buddies. Ironically, it was also the time when I earned my first dozen medals for bravery on the field. Sure hauling three wounded to safety is pretty hard with all those damn changelings firing spells but it wasn't too big a deal. But I shot through the ranks while I chatted with Shining more and more.

He even introduced me to Twilight Sparkle, his little sister, and Princess Cadence, his wife and my old HVT (High value target). She didn't know me outside guard duty but I didn't blame her, no pony really knows who the guards are without their armor. Still, she was surprised to see me out of the castle, and his sister was a total nerd.

" We meeting tonight for a drink?". I shrugged, since I wasn't much of a drinker.

" Depends on this letter", I showed him it. Finishing up the last of my hay I got up to leave. " But I'll see if I can, just save me a spot".

" Will do". I waved him off while I stepped into the hallway and headed for my bunk.

Sure today was my 'day of freedom' as we guards called it, but there wasn't really anywhere else for me to go. My parents were in Fillydelphia, the other side of Equestria, my brothers and sister were vacationing, and I was stuck here. One of the many perks of being a guard. Don't get me wrong, I'd die twice for this country, but sometimes it's kind of a drag.

I jumped into the unforgiving mattress and pulled out the scroll. Without hooves or magic it's a challenge to peel the seal off. I could rip it off, but last time I did that was in my Private years. After getting the damn thing off I opened it up to read it.

Dear Lieutenant Silver Spirit,

You are a very rare stallion in the Solar Guard. Not only did you prove yourself in the Badlands, but you also rescued those stallions in Germane. The recounts of your deployments are of the noblest, and some might even say you deserve to be Captain of the Solar Guard.

I read until there, since this was starting to sound like somepony was watching me. But I kept on.

We've seen your skills firsthoof, and would like to extend an offer to you. If you're interested, speak to Princess Celestia at midnight any night. This offer could help you greatly, so we would advise you accept

That last part sounded threatening. But that aside, I was really interested as to why there wasn't a signature. Instead, it was just a hoof print with an X connecting it. What kind of offer did they have in mind? And just who the hay was this? It was 11:30, so I finally thought why not?

Going to see the princess is no laughing matter, so I fixed up my cerulean coat a bit. I slicked my black mess of a mane back to at least look decent. The castle was like a blueprint seared onto my brain, I could get through it blindfolded. And after some nods to the guards still on duty I got to the staircase leading to the solar princess' chamber.

Strange thing was, there weren't any guards there. That was pretty unusual, since I was the one who assigned them to guarding their chambers. Now I could see just how important this offer was. I climbed the enormous staircase at last and stood in front of the golden doors. I knocked on the door twice and no more.

Soon enough, the door opened and I was told," Enter".

It was Celestia's voice, so I wasn't too nervous. That changed when I saw the other princess standing by the balcony. Y'know those creepy door slams in movies when someone's about to die? Yeah, that's how I felt.

" I read the letter, and I wanted to know more". Their expressions didn't change, but I could feel a disturbance.

" Silver, how long have you served in the Solar Guard?". That was a little dumb, since she could just pull up my file.

" Ten years ma'am", I answered like any guard.

" And are you loyal to your country?". Another obvious question.

" Of course ma'am". Now the lunar princess walked closer.

" And how many medals and titles of honor have you recieved?".

At this point I could tell that whatever it was they were offering, it had something to do with my career. " Eighteen ma'am".

" Do you feel any hatred or mistrust towards the Lunar Guard?", Luna asked.

" No ma'am. I barely know them".

Before another question could be asked, I decided to just get it out.

" With all due respect your highnesses, but I was wondering what this offer was", I spoke carefully and respactively.

" My sister and I have observed your records and reports in battle", Celestia said as she pulled up my file. " Lieutenant Silver shows much valiance on the field. It seems as though each engagement is just another drill for him.".

Luna pulled up her copy of my file. "The lieutenant refused to retreat even after reinforcements were to be delayed another day. His deployment bought another day for Captain Shining Armor to pull the Solar Guard around to the changeling hive". I still wasn't getting it. " You are a very rare stallion Lieutenant, a stallion who is patriotic to the heart".

" Shining Armor's more committed than me, your majesty", I said. It was true, the guy always worked himself hard as hell. Broke a bone at drill one time too.

" Another one of your traits is you're humble", Celestia added. " You're a very skilled stallion, both guard and pony. And that is why you're here".

A pony I didn't see before walked between the princesses. I recognized the usual Lunar Guard helm, but not the rest of his armor. It looked thinner, more versatile than regular guards armor.

" Hello Lieutenant", he said. " I am Captain Shadow Stone, leader of the EUOD".

I raised a brow and asked," What's the EUOD, sir?".

He chuckled, then smiled. " Exactly, no pony knows who we are. The EUOD is the Equestrian Undercover Operations Division", he said proudly.

" The EUOD is a discreet division that has served us for millenia", Luna said. " They are a highly trained force of ponies, and the loyalist in the the land".

Suddenly I was starting to understand why I was here. " So that was the seal on the letter?", I asked. Shadow nodded to me.

" With your skills we would like to offer you a position in the EUOD", Shadow cut to the chase.

Don't get me wrong, being a spy or black-ops agent sounded cool and all, but I know how things like this work. " What's the catch?".

" I knew you'd be good for this", Shadow chuckled. " To join the EUOD, you lose your rank, your bunk, all those medal ain't worth hay, and you can't talk to no one about it. Its undercover for a reason, mind you".

Everything I ever worked for, all the messes I've gone through, to lose it all? Hay no, I watched good stallions die on the field, I trudged tens of pounds of equipment through battle. Hay, I even broke a bone while dragging the Captain's sorry ass away from the ambush. He still owes me that favor.

" But, there are a few up sides to being an EUOD agent". It didn't sound like anything that could make it better than losing your career practically.

" Like?".

" The pay is significantly better", Luna said. " And you will be working alongside the true best of the best".

" Along with EUOD, you have complete diplomatic inmunity, access to the royal funds and any knowledge within our power", Celestia added. Well there's mud in my eye. " Should you accept, that is".

Now this was a toughie. I could join an elite division of guards, get a whole new set of training, and money and basically a stay-out-of-jail card. But I would still lose my status as Lieutenant, all those achievements down the drain like trash.

Or I could stay with Captain, help the new recruits, and pray to Celestia next time I get my hooves dirty I don't end up in sick bay. Still, I would be saying no to both princesses, and a Captain of a secret black op unit.

" We understand there is much we are asking from you Lieutenant", Luna dragged me out of my thoughts. " You have until midnight tomorrow to decide".

Shadow looked a bit disappointed, and all he did was sigh. " If that's what you think your highness", he sighed.

" Lieutenant, as Shadow said, this is a top secret discussion", Celestia moved closer. " As of now, this meeting never happened, we never offered you any scroll, Luna was never here nor Captain Stone. There's no such thing as the EUOD, correct?".

I've never heard the princess, kind and fair ruler of the land, speak so threateningly. This wasn't something you could just go talking to your friends about. Not like I would do that of course.

" Right", I saluted. " Ma'am. Captain".

With a salute and nod I left, finally. Don't get me wrong, I'm very loyal to the princesses, and it's not that I'm afraid. Hay, I've been face to face with a manticore before. It's just that, I don't even know what I'd say to the Captain. 'Oh Armor, we've saved each other's asses dozens of times and I bled for this position, now I'm going to leave to be a private'.

There would be no fooling the Captain, he's not gullible or anything synonomous with the word. Sure there was the wedding but, anyways. Being honest and loyal to the guy made me the worst liar next to...what was her name? Pinkie Pie? Some incident in Ponyville when I was a Seargant, a pink mare that had one too many drinks.

So yeah, bad liar. I wasn't even sure where I was going when I bumped into the door to the barracks. Curses were spilled, and I tossed myself on my bunk like any other night. Except now, I was thinking probably the most ridiculous thing ever.

Maybe joining wouldn't be so bad. Maybe.

Author's Note

Story two, WOO! This idea came to me in the middle of my English classes. We'll see where I go with this. Remember, like, fav, comment, and have a rockin' day or night!

The Decision

You have no idea how hard it is to go to sleep after an offer like the one the princesses gave me. I've slept through air raid spell clusters, slept in mud and snow. But that damn offer kept ringing in my head. I still had to see which was worth what, and what would happen if I did join.

Now though was drills, and it was Captain Snaggle's turn to train us. The first thing you learn when you join up, never make fun of Captain Snaggle's name. Not in the mess, not in combat, no for fun, and especially not in front of him. Private Leaf had the audacity to even make a remark after Snaggle whacked him over the side of the head. It was his job to push the boy, but a few days later he quit the Solar Guard.

" Up!". 58. " Down...up!". 59. " Down...up!". 60, finally.

It was the middle of drills, working the front hooves, now we had to run through that battle simulation. The twenty of us trotted in line to the course. Belly first we jumped into the mud and dragged our asses under the fake wires. Each of us grabbed a stick that was supposed to be our spear before jumping in, making the crawling part harder.

" Come on you poor excuse for guards! Drag your asses outta that mud! Let's go, move!", Snaggle shouted at us. " My grandchild could do this and he's not even born yet!".

It was talk like that that got a smile out of me. I never let the drill instructors see, because I saw it as encouragement. They would probably go through the whole,' Think you're better than any of them?' routine. Muddy and tired, I galloped to the wooden wall we had to hurdle over. I threw myself over it and did a sloppy roll.

The boys behind me were climbing over it, which gave me a head start on the rock climb. This wasn't one of those geared up wall climbs. No, in the Solar Guard you learned how to climb and not screw yourself over. If you fell here, well, the ground will feel a lot more comfortable after a few seconds. I got my hooves into the sockets or on top of any edges jutting out.

The first time I climbed the wall I wasn't sure how to get down, until I saw Shining Armor do it. I put my hooves over the edge and pushed off. Using the little bumps to slow myself, I slid down the side of it and broke into another roll to gallop. Snaggle was waiting with the little stopwatch of his.

" How'd I...do, sir?", I panted. He glanced at me condescendingly, which was his job, and chuckled.

" 2:34, a new record", he chuckled. " Good job Lieutenant".

" Thank you sir", I smiled weakly.

" Don't get used to it", he snickered. " You're dismissed".

I saluted again and dragged myself to the barracks. Being first gave me those few seconds to myself, just the shower head beating water on me. It soothed me, which I would need to think thing's over.

Lose everything I ever worked for, all the guards I got to safety, all the guards I watched die, and all those medals I got for my work. Down the drain like useless shit. But in return, enough money for myself, access to knowledge even Twilight Sparkle, the princess' student, didn't have access to. Not only that, but I'd be working with ponies that were better than me, helping me become better at my job. But one of the conditions really bugged me, even now.

Diplomatic immunity.

Even civilians knew what that meant. So of course I knew, but I didn't know why. I'm a guard, my job is to enforce the laws my boss makes, not break them. So why in Equestria would the princess allow these EUOD to break the law?

" Evening Lieutenant". That voice, sure enough when I turned around I saw Captain Stone.

" What are you doing here? These boys'll eat you up now that you're here", I warned him. He chuckled and started the shower next to me.

" Not with this", he flashed the star of the captain.

I tried to ignore him as I rinsed myself, but he was here. The guy that wanted me to join a black-ops divison of elite guards. Any other stallion would jump at the offer, so why couldn't I?

" How many ponies have joined the EUOD?", I finally asked. Even though I kept my gaze on the wall, I knew he was smirking.

" 371", he said. " Wanna know how many Solar Guards have joined?".

" Indulge me".

" A wide vocabulary, just like they said. In all of the EUOD's history, no Solar Guard has ever joined", he sternly said. I looked to him to make sure I wasn't hearing things.

" So they're all Lunar Guards?", I asked. He nodded, confirming my fears.

" Ex-Lunar Guards. Remember, when you join you quit the Royal Guard division you are assigned to", he reminded me. " You would be the first Solar Guard in history to join my op".

I turned off the water and made my way out of the showers. " I kinda picked up on that", I said.

Before I could leave he put a hoof on my shoulder. " This would be the best move for you, Lieutenant. Imagine what you could do as an EUOD agent. No standing around all day waiting for a deployment. This would be something a stallion like you could enjoy".

I made eye contact with him for a moment, then I turned back. " I'll have my answer by midnight, sir".

The rest of the boys came in and started cracking on the ex-Lunar officer. I knew why it went quiet after a few seconds. Those badges work like a charm. I stopped when a thought occured to me.

Lieutenant was right around the corner from Captain. It's something I always wanted to be, like Shining. After all this dedication, and bloodshed, and the stallions I've lost, would I really want to throw all that away?

" Enter".

I forced the door open and shut it behind me. The two alicorns and one bat pony stood in front of me, waiting for my answer. I took a deep breath, not out of anxiety, and layed it out.

" I'll accept your offer". My new Captain was about to say something before I cut him off. " On a few conditions".

Luna glanced at Celestia, who kept her gaze fixed on me. " What sort of conditions?", she asked.

" First, I'd like it if you would tell Shining Armor I've been reassigned, not resigned". Celestia nodded for that one. " And, I wanted to know if I could visit the castle so it would seem I'm still working here".

" You'd have to take your chances for that", Captain Stone said. " We EUOD operate strictly at night, barely any operations in the day".

" Wait, so I'd be sleeping in the day?", I asked. The three of them nodded. " Wouldn't that take some time for me to adjust to?".

My new Captain got a more commanding voice. " You'd better get used to it quick Private".

Damn, back to the rookie stats. At least I could keep the medals and stuff, for the guys sakes.

" You are to take orders from Princess Luna, Celestia, or myself. You'll have your commanding officer by the next night. By the name of Gunnery Seargant Stalker". I saluted and stood tall. " Your armor will be sent to your new quarters, and tomorrow night you leave for your new base".

" New base?", I parroted.

" All in good time Private", he assured me. " Now get some rest, it'll be the last one you'll have for a while".

Just like yesterday, I didn't like that comment. I saluted nonetheless and left for the last of the night. It felt weird again with the salutes the on duty guards gave me, now that I'm a Private all over again. I had to keep the facade up though, so I nodded and said," At ease".

So I was a private, my duties would be at night, and I'd be getting a whole new set of armor. The one Captain Stone had one must be for guys his rank, because I didn't recognize it at all. And I've never seen an EUOD Captain, or underdog for that matter. I flopped onto my bed again, and crossed my hooves behind my head. The bunk above me became my center of attention, I was going to have a hard time adjusting.

Sleep would have to wait, because my bag started glowing. I knew who it was, and boy was it going to helpt get my mind off things. I reached into my bag and pulled out the flat gem shaped like a circular mirror.

" Show the one that looks for me", I chanted. The mirror swirled the image of a scarlet pony with a golden mane.

" Hey Silver", Blossom smiled.

" Hey Bloss", I smiled back. " How's Prance?".

" C'est sympa", she said. " Comment va Canterlot?".

Ma and Pa taught us Prench since Ma was Prench. " Même ici. Je suis heureux de vous voir", I sloppily said.

" You Prench is a bit rusty big brother", she giggled. I rolled my eyes and laughed. " So how's work been?".

I looked away, but feigned a smile. " Pretty slow sis, we got some new recruits. Scrawny guys, nothing Armor can't fix", I joked. " Can I see my nephew?".

She nodded and left to get the little tike. The colt came back in his mother's hooves while she floated back over. " Here he is, say hi Daney". He tried to lick the screen, sometimes I wonder if my nephew's special.

" Hey Daney, behaving with your ma?", I chuckled. He started gurgling and giggling when he recognized who I was. " I miss you too, and I sent your mommy something for you".

The Royal Guard plushie floated over to him. " That's right, my brother-in-law has this for you", Blossom's husband cooed. Daney started biting the back of the guard, getting all of us to laugh.

" Well, it was good to see you guys again. Take care of my sister Chaser", I mock warned him. " And take care of mommy ya tan baby".

He gurgled and started laughing. " See you later Silver, be careful". And with that, the spell broke, dispersing the image of my closest family.

With what was going on, I might just need to be careful.

Author's Note

Second Chapter already! God the ideas have literally overflowed! Remember guys, like, fav, comment and (this is a first) check out my other story here. See ya soon!

What Have I Done?

This was it, my final look at the castle before I left for my new career. As Stone said before, I was no longer Lieutenant Spirit. Now, I am Private Spirit of the EUOD. My belongings were taken in the day by who I assumed to be more EUOD agents. Their not like other secret service divisions, no black coats or shades. They didn't even have armor on, which showed they were bat ponies.

" You Private Spirit?", one of them asked. I nodded and stood straight. " Gunnery Seargant Stalker, glad to have somepony like you in my op".

I shook his hoof. " Thank you sir", I said.

" Now then, the chariot is waiting outside, come on". I followed him out to the castle courtyard where some of the stallions were going through drills.

Again, I didn't have to since I'm not Solar anymore. My new CO brought me to the waiting chariots, just for me and him. I climbed on beside him and we were off. We went west of Canterlot, and soon it was clouded by, well, clouds. I sighed as we left my home, something I wish didn't have to be.

" Now that we're out of sight, I'd like to talk to you", Stalker said. " I read your file and, quite frankly, I'm impressed with what I saw. Twenty stallions pulled off the field by you, the stand in the Badlands, refusing orders and winning a war. You certainly are a rare soldier to find".

" Thank you sir", I nodded. He started chuckling, reminding me of Captain Stone.

" Another one of your traits is how serious you can be. That's good, because this isn't some walk in the park", he said. " You agreed to this, and if Captain Stone hasn't told you already, quitting isn't an option. You quit, you're dishonorably discharged, stripped of any titles you've gotten, and sentenced to death".

Okay, that was definitely something they never spoke about. " Death, sir?". No stuttering, I lost that in my Seargant years.

" Mm, we're a highly secretive division of the best soldiers ever assembled. We do what the Solar Guards and Lunar Guards aren't allowed or able to", he said it like he recited it. " There's already one who tried to leave, and he's ten feet under".

I gulped forcefully, guess there's no turning back now. " And what is it we do?", I hesitated.

" We're not soldiers anymore. We assinate, we steal or steal back, we do behind enemy line missions, get back any hostages a nation has". Almost like mercenaries, mercenaries I don't take a liking to. " And there's something else I should tell you. When we are sent on deployments, there's no 'no pony left behind' rule. You watch your own arse, you pull your own weight".

This was starting to seem like a worse idea by the minute. It was true, I pulled twenty stallions off a battlfield in one engagement. I couldn't watch any of them lay there, bleeding out from spells and spears. Here, I wasn't allowed to help a fellow officer. It was complete and utter...

" Horseapples", I said.

" What was that?", Stalker asked.

" With all due respect sir, I'm not going to watch a fellow officer die from a wound", I spoke with no emotion. Just like I learned.

Stalker turned to me with a sort of glare. " Like I said Private, this isn't the Royal Guard. We're not soldiers", he snarled. Before I realized it he raised his hoof and slapped me across the face. " If I see you pull somepony's hide back up, without good reason for it, you'll get a night in the ice cube".

I still couldn't believe he did that. Sure I got hit by my drill seargants but not like this, they were on the back or on my leg to simulate anxiety. Never had an officer hit me while on common terms.

" Sorry, sir", I barely suppressed the snarl.

He turned his attention to the front and chuckled. " Welcome to your new home rookie", he smirked.

Ignoring the earlier hit I looked to where he was smiling. I never saw a more strange sight. It wasn't a castle, or mobile barracks tent platoon. No, it was a cave. An enormous cave that we were flying into. The inside of it was hard for me to see, since I didn't have the cat like eyes these bat ponies had. Still, I could hear whooshing noises and the chariot dropped in altitude at times. With another tilt to the side a break of light was coming from a massive door, big enough for a huilding sized dragon.

As we got closer the chariot lowered to the ground. Outside the doorway I could see dozens of chariots lined up, waiting to be used. We stopped then clambered off, the other two agents unhooking themselves and walking behind us. I marveled at the size of the door, wondering what could be inside.

" This, is Fort Shadow", he smirked as the enormous door raised from the ground. As soon as I was able to see, an entire base was before me. Hundreds of bat ponies were going through drills of their own, and some were just talking.

I followed Captain Stalker down the stone steps and into the base. There was a huge wall made to keep out intruders, as if this place would even be found. The bat ponies saluted my CO and opened the gates. As soon as we were inside I saw all of those sharp eyes on me. A lot of them were glaring, some were confused, and another group was surprised. I ignored their gazes with an emotionless expression.

Three particular ponies came towards us. " Private, these are your classmates", Stalker pointed. " Dark Glider, Savage Crawler, and Shock Rock. Boys, this is our new recru-wait. Where's-"

" The seargant is on another deployment with Zulu squad", Crawler saluted. " As per Captain's orders".

" Not again", Stalker sighed. " Alright, I gotta go talk to the Cap anyways. In the meantime, show our new friend around".

The three of them saluted and Stalker walked off. " So you're the new guy huh?", Glider chuckled. His coat was a light gray and his mane was a dull white. " You Solar Guards are finally moving up in the world eh?".

They all surrounded me, like a pack of timberwolves surrounding their prey. Of course I got into a more stable stance, since this wasn't the best welcoming committee.

" How'dya like it so far rookie?", Crawler laughed. " Must be pretty scary down here in the dark". His brown coat was matched with blood red mane.

" Come on guys leave him alone", Rock hushed them. " He's not one of those flankholes". His coat was a dark red with a grey mane.

" You sure Rock? I could've sworn I heard him call one of us a pussy cat", Glider asked. It was just him and Crawler circling me now.

" They must have been real stupid to let some Solar Guard in the big leagues", Crawler laughed. Rock got between me and him as he advanced. It was only now that I saw how big Rock was.

" In case you haven't noticed, this is Lieutenant Silver Spirit". To say I was surpised that somepony from here knew me was...still pretty weird.

" So?", Glider chuckled. " He's the Private now, aren't you boy?". If I didn't learn a long time ago not to hit higher ranking officers, ooh what I'd do.

" Yeah, we'll leave Rock to show you the way", Crawler hissed as he bumped into me. Glider followed suit and knocked into me like the first.

" What's their deal?", I asked Rock. He sighed and shook his head.

" You're a Solar Guard, and you should know how they treat Lunar Guards", he rubbed the side of his head. " It's guys like them that only prove it. But I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot of crap about it. Come on, I'll show you around".

I shrugged and walked next to Rock, probably my only ally here. The barracks, and my new home, was on the east side of the base. Then the mess hall was right next to it. Across from there was archery training building, and behind it was the field. On the north end was weapon handling for any agent to get a new or different spear or sword. I've never handled a sword, but Rock told me I will.

The south side had the gates, and to the right was the Captain's quarters. To the left of it was the briefing and debriefing building. That was where we would meet to get our mission's and covert ops and stuff. The last building was next to weapon handling, which was named the interrogation training building. In the middle of this all was the course, a sandy field, and weights for the pegasi and Earth ponies. There weren't any unicorns here though, which got my attention.

" How come there aren't any unicorns?", I asked.

" Because it would be pointless, we might as well get an earth pony", he said.

" What do you mean? A unicorn could come in handy around here", I went on. He looked at me like I was stupid.

" We do covert operations. Covert. As in stealthy, no light, no attention", he waved a hoof for emphasis. " A unicorn needs to charge up their horn in order to use a spell. And the light it makes with the sound'll give us away".

No wonder Shining Armor couldn't be a part of the EUOD. " I see", I said. He brought me inside the barracks, where everypony stared at me with hateful eyes.

" Don't mind them", Rock whispered to me. He showed me to the showers, the weapon racks, and my bunk. My bag was next to it already, along with my armor on my bed.

Rock left me to myself as I went over my new armor. The helmet was black and without the usual feathers on top. The armor itself was thin and light, with some leather underneath for extra protection. When I put it on my coat changed into a black color, to match the armor. It was just like the spell for my old Solar Armor. I put the helmet on and looked in a mirror by another bunk.

Not to be egotistical or anything, but I looked pretty good. The armor was sleek and comfortable, giving me some flexibility in the joints and back. There was a mount for spear on my right shoulder, and a sheath for a dagger on my chest. They even replicated my old armor.

" Evening Private", Glider said from the door. I removed the helmet and armor and set them in the chest me and my bunk partner would share.

" Evening Glider", I said. He walked in with a smirk on his face, I was already waiting for a punch or tackle.

" Today's your first day, so you got interrogation training", he grinned. " Best head on over, right?".

I glanced quickly at my bag, then back to him. " Right", I nodded. I walked past him, well after he bumped into me again, and made my way out of the barracks. Thankfully he came out of the bed areas and went to the showers.

When I stepped inside I wanted to run out. Behind a glass wall was a bat pony strapped to a chair, bleeding, vomit all over him mixed with sweat. From where I was, a console of buttons and blinking lights along with a heart monitor and brainwave tracker were being operated by several agents.

" Simulation complete. Corporal Fin to the med bay immediately", a female voice announced. The straps unlatched themselves and the Corporal limped out through a side door.

" Private Silver", the stallion standing said. " A pleasure to have you here. I'm Dr. Tick".

" Good evening sir", I saluted. He chuckled and took a once over of me.

" This is interrogation training, where you'll learn to keep secrets if you are to be captured", he grinned devilishly. " Its a first to see a Solar Guard here".

This guy, was creepy. " Thank you, sir?".

" I do hope this isn't the last I see of you", he sighed. " It would be a shame if you didn't survive the drill".

Creepyyy! " A shame indeed", I calmly said. He gestured to the chair, which was now clean and ready to be used.

I walked into the room which was white all over except for the one glass wall. It was a one way enchanted wall of glass. Two bat ponies strapped me in tightly, glaring a little at me, and hurried out. This was the worst mistake I could have made.

" We're going to start with level 2 Private. Brace yourself", the doctors voice said through a speaker.

A couple of whirring noises started, and two spears mounted on what looked like slingshots were pointed at me. Beside me a ball of electricity sparked from some sort of platform. On my other side a sword came out of the wall, and behind me was three daggers in a triangular formation.

" Now, the point of this is to stay silent no matter how many times we ask you for the information on the glass in front of you", the doctor said. A magic screen relayed the words: south, 15 kilometers, 50 stallions, all pegasi and vanished. " We begin now. And try not to move."

The spear on the right launched towards me, tearing my coat open just below my shoulder. I screamed out of pain and struggled before I remembered not to move. The second spear fired and grazed my side, making another gash. I cried out again and started tearing up at the pain.

The whirring to my right made me look at the sword that was poking my chest. " Where is you squadron?", a voice asked.

When I didn't answer, the sword stabbed an inch into my chest. " How far from here are they?", another asked. No answer, and the next thing I knew the sword was moving slowly across my chest. I hollered as loud as I could but kept my words crammed into my throat.

I started vomitting onto myself, which was pretty nasty. I kept spitting to get the taste out of my mouth, but I could still taste the bile. The blade wasn't done, it moved back and started sinking itself into my thigh. Tin was prevailant in my mouth as it went deeper and deeper until it was all the way through. I screamed the whole time.

" How many ponies survived?", the first voice questioned.

Still I kept my lips shut and waited for the next form of torture. The blade pulled out of my leg and retreated back into the wall. Only now, the ball of electricity was coming out of the wall. A spark made my coat stand on edge, and when it pushed into me I started convulsing and twitching around.

More vomit made its way out of my esophagus and into my lap and on floor. The sphere of electricty pulled away finally, leaving my coat singed and my body yelling for mercy. Just one last thing to worry about, those damn daggers behind me.

" What kind of ponies are they?", the second voice asked. The blades positioned themselves at my back, waiting for the go. My silence was it, and they plunged into me.

Talk about getting backstabbed, I kept still but yelled no less. My nose started bleeding and I spat out another glob of blood. The daggers started moving back, until they pulled out of me completely. The whirring noises receded until they were no more. I sat there for two minutes, just bleeding and trying not to throw up at the sight of my own vomit on me.

"Simulation complete. Private Silver to med bay immediately", the female voice announced. The latches unhooked and I collapsed on the floor, barely able to move. Sadly I was still able, so I shakily stood and stumbled out the door.

The med bay was right inside the doorway. The other bat pony wasn't here, which was strange after the beating he took.

" Private Silver". What...wait...why is she here?

" Princess Luna? What are you doing here?", I croaked. Her horn glowed a faint blue, and soon so was I.

" Due to the injuries this exercise exhibits a master healer is needed", she explained. " As I have done with countless other stallions, this spell will stop the bleeding, close all wounds, removed the scars, and rebuild the muscle".

I could feel what she meant, since my body started to wake up. The wounds closed and I felt normal, like I wasn't almost killed. My throat healed up as well, letting me talk like I wasn't just screaming like a banshee.

" Thank you ma'am", I saluted. She nodded and I made my way out the door. It led to the observation room, which was packed with agents.

Rock, Glider, and Crawler were waiting at the front. " Glad you made it whelp", Crawler cackled.

" Kinda hoped you wouldn't make it, Sun Lover", Glider hissed. Rock stood there with a tiny grin.

" Guess what I heard was right about you", he patted me on the back. I noticed a lot of the agents swapping bits.

Betting on my life, how flattering. " I'm starting to think you heard wrong", I sighed. Me and him pushed through the crowd until I was back outside.

I still got angry glares from all the agents, but I just ignored them. " Go and rest up. After interrogation training you have the rest of the night to yourself", Rock said. He trotted off to the weapons building and I to my bunk.

The vomit and sweat still reeked in my coat and I went to the showers. All the agents hissed insults at me and bumped into me as I passed. One even tried to trip me, thankfully I saw his hoof and stepped over it. The agents in the showers snickered things to each other while I washed up. I really hoped they were as loyal as the Captain and princesses said. Otherwise my stay may be short lived.

Quickly I dried myself and went to my bunk. Some of the other agents were napping or talking, but stopped when I came in and called me," Sun Lover". I ignored them and laid down, and right on cue my bag started glowing.

" Show the one who looks for me", I chanted quietly. The gem swirled into existence my sisters face.

" Salut Silver", Blossom smiled. " I have Daney here".

My pegasus sister fluttered over to Daney's crib and brought him over. He was still teething like an idiot on the guard plushie I got him. " Hey Daney", he smiled.

" Ahh bubububu", he mumbled while he bit the toy. Sis and I laughed at her son. He started giggling with us and tried to touch me.

" He misses his favorite uncle y'know", Blossom said. I sighed sadly, it had been weeks since I last saw my nephew. " When could you visit him?".

" Don't know", I sighed. " But I promise to visit as soon as I can".

Daney started cooing as his hoof slid over the gem. Apparently it was too much for his tiny brain to comprehend. " He'll be so glad to see you", Blossom smiled. " So how was your day big brother?".

I slumped a little in my bed and groaned. I would be lying to my little sister, the filly I practically raised since ma and pa were so busy. Still, it's either I lie and see her, or tell the truth and never see either of them again.

" It was...interesting to say the least", I shrugged. " You know, just standing around waiting for trouble".

" Sounds interesting", she rolled her eyes. " Uncle Silver's job is bo-wing wight Daney?".

My nephew started giggling as Blossom nuzzled his cheek. I wanted so much to hold him, but now I wasn't sure I ever would. Not with this career, or considering how far she was.

" Where's Chaser?", I asked. Blossom sighed after I asked.

" He got hung up at work", Blossom glumly said. " He might not be back for some time. And Daney misses his Daddy right?".

The colt was just munching on the plushie as he stared off to who knows where. I started laughing when I saw that, and Blossom told me to stop.

" Sometimes I think my nephew's special", I laughed.

" He must get it from you I guess". Damn, she was really good at this insult thing. Always has been.

" Well, say hi to Chaser for me, and I'll see you whenever I can", I sighed. Blossom was a bright mare, that's how she got her job in Prance.

" What's bugging you Silver?", she asked. I waited for her to put the little tike in his crib as he used all four of his hooves to hold up the plushie.

" Nothing, just had a long day". Yeah, a long day filled with enough bloodshed for a small skirmish with a timberwolf. " I'll see you soon sis, okay?".

Hopefully she remembered how she could never get something out of me when I didn't want to talk about it. " Okay Silver. Stay safe". The image vanished and I put it back into its bag.

What have I gotten myself into?

Author's Note

And now we know why there's a dark tag. If you can't handle torture, vomit, and suffering on a regular basis, I suggest you turn around now before it's too late. In other news, I have so much excitement for this story! 80 views in one day! That's the most ever for a new story! Remember guys, like, fav, comment, check this out, and have an awesome day/night!

First Deployment

The week was awful. Solar Guard and Lunar Guard training was nothing compared to this. Instead of crawling through mud under fake wires, we had to trudge through mud with all kinds of traps in it, and we had to drag ourselves under real barbed wire. The others did just fine, but I was always last to get myself out of there.

Then, we had to fire a crossbow at a target and move on. Thing is, I never used a crossbow before. I've heard of specialists using it, but I never actually handled one. You had to hold it in your hooves, throw yourself on the ground, aim, and bit on the release trigger. It took me half a dozen shots before I even got on the target. The drill seargant, Seargant Sternhoof, cracked on how terrible my shot was. He even slapped me across the back of the head when I overshot it.

And then we had to start with push-ups. Normally it wouldn't be that hard, but in Solar drills we didn't have whips being cracked across our backs. They weren't hard enough to open wounds or leave marks, but boy was it hard. My unit ended up doing 50 while I had to stay behind and do 80. Being an ex-Solar was really going for me here.

Our last drill was my least favorite. Instead of a wall to climb, it was a wall to climb up and then jump to other small platforms. I've heard of this before, parkour as the kids call it. It was a more specific type, no flips or tricks just straight on through. They had a head start, and by that I mean they finished before I started my first jump. Those agents made it look easy, hopping and jumping around easy.

My time? 6:33. Now, here's the thing. When I first joined the Solar Guard, my first time ever, was 4:18. This was probably the worst time anypony could get. And Sternhoof even told me. I had the new record for longest time. With a few remarks from my fellow agents, and a joke on quitting, I left the course to go to the archery field. I could work through the mud, and the parkour training. But archery was definitely something I needed to work on.

Thing was, I was tired as shit since I still hadn't gotten used to sleeping in the day. And all they serve here is that damn meat. Ugh, they even got the fangs for the stuff. The only thing I could eat was hay and grain, better than meat I suppose.

" Silver!". I turned around and saw Rock galloping to me. " What's up Silver? Where ya headed?". Rock was a pretty nice guy, we became friends after my first few days. Turns out I saved his cousin from a Solar Guard who tried to fight him.

" Archery. My shot's worse than a civilians", I weakly laughed. He chuckled some and followed me. Until the other agents warmed up to me he was my 'bodyguard'. He was the biggest guy here.

" It ain't that hard, I'll help you", he said. 'Ain't hard' my flank. I know Lunar Guards used crossbows on their night ops.

While my shot improved minimally in archery, it was better than it was earlier that night. Rock gave me some tips on how to use the bow properly, since he was sort of the sharpshooter in our squad. Glider and Crawler were their version of a shock trooper. It was basically them being equipped with smaller crossbows and a foreleg long blade. For now I was the only one using a dagger and spear, though they had to shorten the spear. GySgt. Stalker had his own sword and the missing Seargant apparently used a single dagger.

I was still curious about who this Seargant was, but I never got around to asking who he was. I was going to meet him tonight though. Tonight we had our first op since I joined. Apparently, whenever a unit gets a new recruit it takes a week for them to train before going into the field. I was on my way to briefing now.

I was wearing my armor, the spear mounted behind me, and the dagger in its sheath. That dagger was hoof crafted by my uncle, who died during the changeling invasion. It was the reason I was here, since he wrote in his will to give it to me. I was 15, and my uncle was like a second father to me. It all happened a month before my sixteenth birthday, and when that day came I didn't have a birthday, no cake, no presents. I just sat by my uncle's casket and cried that day.

Out of anger, and a small portion of my comic book reading self, I enlisted for the Solar Guard. My mom and dad told me I will never join, but I went against their word and joined anyways. For my uncle's sake.

So my coat was black, and my mane was already black so no change there. When I walked in Glider, Crawler, Rock, and Stalker were all standing in line in front of Captain Stone's desk. The CO in the room grinned at the sight of me.

" Still here, huh Private?", he chuckled. I knew he wasn't like the rest of them. He had no problem with Solar Guards. " Good. I knew you wouldn't let those boys get ya down".

" No sir", I saluted.

" Good. Now we just need the Seargant to get here", he sighed as he sat back in his chair.

" Permission to speak freely sir", I recited.

" Granted".

" If I may ask, where is the Seargant? Where has he been?", I asked. The four of them chuckled some, getting me to raise a brow.

" Sorry I'm late boys. Those meatheads in Zulu don't know hay".

When I looked to the door I was surprised. It was a female bat pony, but what really surprised me was how she wasn't black all over. Her coat was still a decent shade of gray and her mane was still kinda purple. Her armor matched a Lunar Guards, for some reason.

" Seargant Blossom was assigned to Zulu squad since they were down one stallion", Captain Stone said to me.

So she had the same name as my sister, coincidence. Though it was kinda weird how when she saw me she kinda sauntered over. She examined me like the other guys did, and she gave me a wink when I made eye contact. Hitting on me? Maybe, something like that hasn't happened since high school.

" So you're the new recruit huh?", she grinned. " Thought somepony was pulling my leg when they said a Solar joined". She eyed me a little longer before getting in line. " You're taller than I thought", she snickered.

" What is our mission sir?", Stalker asked. Stone leaned into his desk and pulled out a folder.

" Apparently some griffon ex-warriors were banished from the Empire", he summarized. " They've been causing hell in a small village at the base of the mountain to Canterlot. The six of you are to infiltrate the police building they're using as an OB and take care of any of those winged bastards. There may be hostages, so free'em and pull your asses out of there. Clear?".

" Yes sir", we said in unison.

" Your chariot leaves in 10. Don't be late". With another salute, we left the building.

We hoofed on over to the gates. Then the enormous door that lifted up. I climbed into the closest chariot. " Mind if I ride along?". Midnight didn't even wait as she climbed in next to me.

I tried to ignore her, but I could feel her gaze on me. The pegasi pulling the chariots took off, and soon the darkness of the cave consumed the three chariots. I felt the chariot turn and rise at times, getting me a little uneasy since I couldn't see. Soon though I saw the mouth of the cave, and not too long after we were out in the night sky. I glanced over to Blossom, who was just grinning at me weird.

" So you're The Lieutenant", she said. " Thought you'd be more...muscular".

It was really feeding what little ego I had that somepony I didn't even know knew who I was. " You knew?", I asked.

" You put a manticore's head on a spear", she laughed. " Why the hay wouldn't I know you? Even Cloud Skipper said you were better than their Captain".

I chuckled, since that rumor was still around. Both of them. " First, that manticore on a stick thing was an accident. Second, if Shining wasn't a unicorn he's sure as hay be here". She rolled her eyes and laughed.

" Take a compliment, jeez". She kept watching me as we flew. I glanced over to Rock who shrugged when I gestured to the only female EUOD agent. Glider and Crawler were glaring at me worse than before.

" So why don't you have your own armor?", I asked Midnight. " Ma'am".

She laughed again. " This ain't Solar anymore LT, just Midnight. And this is my armor, just didn't want that one", she pointed at mine. " Too much black".

I was a soldier, so of course I never questioned the use of the armor. I tried looking ahead again, but she still wanted to talk. " So what happened in the Badlands? Heard you held off a whole swarm of changelings".

" I don't wanna talk about it", I sternly said. She raised a brow and shrugged. She didn't know what happened. It was all my fault, but I won us a war. At a cost. There was nothing for me to be proud of.

" C'mon, Cloud said you killed fifty", she said like some filly. " Was he lying?".

" Fifty-seven", I said kind of loudly. " That's it".

" Well crap, don't blow up at me", she chuckled. This mare was something else, I was starting to wonder how she got in here.

" So how did you get in here Midnight?", I asked. She smirked and exhaled as she closed her eyes.

" You'll see", she smiled.

Ignoring my chariot buddy, Canterlot came into view just in front of us. I already missed my hometown, but it left my vision as we plunged to the bottom of the mountain. The small village was something I saw often, I even gaurded it myself. We landed a mile off from the village, and we used the tall grass to keep hidden. Midnight kept close to me, for Celestia knows what reason.

" Alright", Stalker whispered. " Police HQ is on the south side. We got some G's making rounds a block wide. Rock, get on that shop and take'em out nice and quiet when I give the go".

" Yes sir". He crawled out of the grass and galloped quietly inside the shop. We waited for him to pop up, which he did.

" All right, Midnight, take care of the guys guarding around the building after Rock's done", he ordered. Midnight tapped me on the shoulder and galloped off to hide behind the building.

" What about us sir?", Glider whispered.

" You and Crawler go around back", he ordered. " Me and the Private'll meet up with Midnight out front and we'll work our way up".

" Yes sir", they whispered. The two of them split around the side of a building to get to the back of the HQ.

" Ready Private?", he snickered.

" Yes sir".

We stood up and galloped behind a taxi wagon. Stalker waved his hoof and brought it down sharply. There was five small smacking noises, followed by five loud thuds. We waited another few minutes, then galloped behind a shop. Rock scanned the skies before giving us the all clear. When we got to the HQ Midnight was standing with her dagger in her mouth, two dead griffons on either side of her.

" Glider and Crawler cleared the back", Midnight said. " Ready LT?". I nodded and the three of us walked in

Glider and Crawlers handiwork was clear, three dead griffons layed dead with wounds in their necks and stabs to the chest. I got a hold of my short spear as we climbed the steps.

" Where's Beakbrain?", a voice called.

" Beats me. He's always doing this crap", another voice chortled. Me, Stalker and Midnight got to one side of the hallway as the voices got closer.

" Get the first one, then duck", Midnight whispered into my ear. I drew back my spear until a griffon walked into my sight.

With a hard thrust I stabbed the head of my spear into his head and dropped both of us. Midnight leaped over me and sunk her dagger into the other griffon's neck. We pulled the bodies put of sight and continued on.

" Keep your eyes peeled, might be hostages", Stalker advised us. " Private, take point".

I nodded and took us to where I thought we'd find more. Weapon caches. Sure enough there was five damn feather heads trying to break open the cages.

" Just break the damn thing!".

" What's it look like I'm trying to do?!".

" Just hurry up, boss is gonna be pretty ma-ack!".

My spear flew directly into his skull, and the three of us charged the other four. I bit the handle of my uncles dagger and slit the throat of a griffon. Midnight tumbled with one before stabbing the other in the temple. Stalker was sword fighting one griffon, and before the last could sneak up on him a large arrow embedded itself in his head. With the second threat gone, Stalker slammed his sword into the griffons heart. Before it could cry out he slammed its beak shut and twisted its neck.

I sheathed the dagger and picked up my spear. We left the bodies and searched for more, but found no others. I still didn't see a single hostage, but we had to move up. The stairs were vacant, and before I opened the door I heard another griffon.

" Where is everyone!", one shouted. " I told those dumbasses to report!".

" Want me to check it out sir?", another asked.

" Sure, go. In the meantime you two watch that bitch". So four in total, one coming this way.

I bit the handle of my dagger and pulled it out again. When the door opened we were right behind it, I tackled him and stabbed his throat then threw my spear. The clunk meant I missed, and the griffon was on top of me. My teammates were busy with the other two, so me and him wrestled around a little.

He tried reaching for his dagger on his chest, but I bit it and tossed it away. That pissed him off and we pushed away. He punched me clean across the face before I raised my hoof to block the next one. The training I got taught me hoof to hoof combat. I tried punching, only to have it blocked, then uppercut the poor fella in the stomach. He stumbled back and I grabbed the sides of his head, them twisted hard. The crack of bones shook me, then he slammed into the floor.

The other two had better encounters, and the 'bitch' turned out to be a yellow and pink maned pegasus pony. We glanced knowing glances at each other, then to the Element of Kindness. It didn't feel right, but I had to blindfold her and leave her there.

" Don't worry, help's on the way", I whispered to her. She just whimpered into the gag and the cloth I put around her eyes was getting wet.

Leaving the Element bearer in observation, we met up with Glider and Crawler. They were bloodied some, since Crawler got cut in his leg and Glider patched him up. We seperated and looked through the building again, but found no other gryphons. Silently we went outside, Rock came down from his perch and we ran to the exfil point.

It was in a nearby patch of trees. " Nice throwin' LT", Midnight whispered into my ear. " Don't miss next time though".

She snickered and we kept going at a silent yet full pace. Our exit was the chariot they left for us, big enough for three to pull and three to ride. Glider, Stalker, and Crawler were the strongest pegasi, so they had to pull it. Me, Rock, and Midnight all hopped in back and took off.

" Just like I heard from my cousin", Rock chuckled. " Gets shit done right".

" You know it", Midnight chuckled. I rolled my eyes at their exaggeration and turned to Rock.

" That was some fine shooting", I told him. " Where'd you learn to shoot like that?".

He chuckled and took out the large bow. " I wasn't one of you guys, ex-Royal Guard. I was a merc for my family before Captain Stalker recruited me", he said. " Assassin from a distance and stuff".

So I wasn't just working with ex-soldiers. I was working with ex-mercs too. " Rock could hit a fly and not kill it with that bow", Midnight patted his back. " And where'd you get that dagger? Doesn't look like standard issue".

I put a hoof to the sheath. " It was my uncle's. He made it himself, and when he died in the attack I got it from his will", I said sternly.

Midnight eased up a little. " Wait, you're Captain Moccker's nephew?", she asked. I was more surprised she knew my uncle than when she knew me. " I thought that thing looked familiar".

" How'd you know my uncle?", I asked. She grinned and leaned to the side.

" He did better than Shining Armor or Captain Stalker or Captain Shadow could ever do", Rock said. " A year after I joined the Lunar Guard I met the guy myself. Living legend let me tell ya".

" You're just like him, especially with the commitment", Midnight lightly pushed my shoulder.

It felt good to not only hear that my uncle was the best, but that I was somewhat like him. Soon we found our way back and went into the cave. The others unhooked themselves and the six of us got back to base. Glider and Crawler went to med bay to get their wounds patched up while me, Rock, Stalker, Midnight went to debriefing.

" Took you long enough", Stone chuckled. " How'd it go?".

" All griffons were dealt with, the hostage was the Element of Kindness Fluttershy, and Glider and Crawler are in med bay", Stalker said. " No pony saw us, except for the Element".

" I'm sure she won't be able to identify any of you", Stone waved a hoof. " How was your first mission Private?".

" Good sir", I saluted.

" Good, I knew you'd be good for this. Get to the mess, get some chow in ya", he waved us off. " And Private, a word".

I walked back in and stood before the Captain. " What is it sir?".

He pulled out something I thought I hid pretty good. " What is this?".

I barely restrained myself from snatching the gem back. " A gem my sister's husband enchanted to allow me and my sister to speak with one another", I quickly said.

" Don't let me catch you giving away any information or details as to what you're doing with your sister", he said solemnly. " Or you'll be fired, catch my drift?".

He did not just hint that I was a traitor. " Yes sir", I calmly nodded. He slid the gem to me, and I snatched it up and galloped out of the briefing building.

Before heading to the mess I made sure nothing else was missing. I had everything, bits, rag to clean my weapons, my family photo, and my uncle's ribbon of gratitude. I sighed with relief and put the gem under everything and slid the bag back under my bunk. I took off my armor, put it in the chest, and went to the mess.

I got the grain and what little hay was left. It was gone in three bites, leaving my stomach to rumble. I heard a tray clatter beside me, and when I looked I saw Midnight was a coy grin.

" Have some meat, a big colts gotta eat", she snickered.

" I don't eat that stuff", I groaned out of hunger. My stomach made its own groan that it was desperate for something.

" Hey, it's either this and you get your strength up or die in drills", she told me more seriously. " That's how Dunebug went".

" I thought I was the first Solar Guard to join", I said.

" Yeah, Dunebug was a ram, not a pony", she said. " Still, eat up".

Forcing myself not to gag I put the piece of steaming flesh in my mouth. It tasted...new. I wasn't comfortable with it, but I could bear it. I swallowed another few chunks until I felt satisfied.

" Alright, I'm hitting the sack", I yawned. " Bye".

She waved lazily as I left. I hopped into my bunk and reached back under for my gem. I tapped it twice and the crystal began to flicker, signaling that it was getting in touch with my sister. Sadly, she wasn't available tonight, so I had to sleep with a filled mind. Before I fully fell asleep, more agents came in for rest. When I looked to the pony going into my chest I wanted to hit myself.

" Hey bunk mate", Midnight smirked. She tossed in her armor and climbed onto her bunk. " Night".

This was going to be a problem.

Stranger of the Present

" AHHHHHHHH!". The pain in my leg only got worse as the sword went deeper. Level 3 was worse than level 2, way worse.

" Where are the other survivors?", the voice asked.

As much as I wanted to just scream it out, I held my tongue and waited for the newest form of torture. The blades, two now, pulled out of my legs and hid in the ceiling. More vomit wiggled its way out of my throat and splashed onto me, getting me to shudder from the feeling of it on me. Another whirring made me snap my neck to the right, where a club started its way towards me.

"How many survived?", the voice asked.

Again I said nothing, and the club smacked me across the face. On the opposite side it clubbed me again, and again, then my bloodied legs. I was just taking it, because I was not going to let these ponies get to me. When the beating stopped I could feel my cheeks swelling, and my eye had the feeling of a bruised one. Thankfully the club went back into the wall, bringing me my last torture device.

The stinger.

It was basically the ball of electricity, only more amped up. The only thing it did was make me vomit and twitch around crazily. But after the fire, the spears, daggers in my back, two swords, and a beating I could manage. I screamed, no doubt, but I pulled through.

The unlatching of the straps were music to my ears, and sluggishly I pulled myself out of the slightly less white room. The princess of the night healed me up again and I took myself to the showers. The best part about interrogation training was that once it was all done, I had the entire night to myself. And that I only had it once a week.

There were only a few bat ponies in the showers, since I start early. They still shoot me glares and some remarks, but other than that it's not so bad. Even Glider and Crawler got off my ass about me being ex-Solar. I let the hot water wash away the blood and vomit as I scrubbed it clear.

" Hey LT". I whipped around and saw Midnight smirking.

Okay look, I know what you're thinking. A regular stallion would eye this mare like a foal's tongue over a lollipop. Me, hay no. Being in the Solar Guard showed me that there were actually mares in service. I always stayed away from those showers, but some of my boys would get 'curious'. I'm no pervert, so I covered my stallionhood and made sure I could just barely see her.

" What are you doing here Midnight?!", I loudly said. " Don't you have your own shower?".

She walked into where I was looking, snickering slightly. " Nah, I'm the only mare so I shower with these boneheads", she nodded towards the exit. I turned back around and tried ignoring her. " C'mon LT, what happened in the Badlands?".

I spun around and got in her face, getting a small reaction from her. Why did she want to know so badly? And why couldn't she just let it go? I ignored how close I was getting and pressed my muzzle into hers, forcing her back.

" That, is classified on a personal level", I said in a hushed tone. " So drop it".

I swear, if Midnight were a stallion she wouldn't be standing there. She actually had the nerve to snicker, but at least she got the message. She finally shrugged and turned on the shower behind me. I finished up and dried off so I could get into my bed. It was a long time ago, and her bringing it up just made it worse. I could still see Corporal Shield's face when those splash spells hit. I owed him my life, but I'll never get to repay him or any of them for fighting so bravely.

The next morning...actually night was our second op. it had been another month since we had one, and in that time I got to Private First Class. I'm making progress, sort of.

So back to the mission, I met up with Rock outside and went in. The team was waiting, and I took my place beside Midnight. The Captain came soon afterwards.

" How's training been colts?", he chuckled. We said it was fine and he laid it on us. " Here's your new assignment. Apparently those griffons from last op weren't rogue. Turns out they never joined the griffon military".

" Terrorists sir?", Stalker asked. The Captain nodded solemnly.

" They were using the police HQ to get closer to Canterlot, but thanks to you six they didn't get the chance", he said.

" But sir, wouldn't the Solar or Lunar Guard handle a terrorist group?", I asked.

" Normally they would", he started. " However, these may be a new group. They aren't the Red Feathers or the Black Beaks. Before the princesses send the boys in steel in they need intel. Weapons, numbers, what species are in them, how coordinated are they".

" So recon?", Midnight questioned. " We can get it done nice and quiet".

Stone nodded and pushed the folder towards Stalker. " We need recon and another thing". Stalker's eyes widened as he read the file.

" You want us to blow their MBO?", he asked.

Main Base of Operations. Shit would this be tough. " Yes. Which is why I'm sending Charlie and Terra squad in with you", Stalker said. " Terra'll get you in, and Charlie'll get you out. Plain and simple".

" Sir, with all due respect where are we going to get the explosives for this kind of stuff?", Stalker huffed. There was unicorn magic, but Rock said they didn't accept them.

Captain Stone rose a hoof for silence. " You won't be needed them", he smiled. " The new group's got some being imported. And that's how you're getting in. You'll hide in the crates and blow the place inside out".

Actually, it kinda was starting to sound simple enough. I guess the others agreed too, because we all saluted and made for the door. The ride out was still dizzying, but I still held my lunch down.

" Ever been in griffon territory?", Midnight asked me. She had to get into my chariot.

" No. I never thought the griffons would attack us", I said to her. " Everything seems to be fine between Equestria and the Empire. There'd be no reason to attack right?".

" Just askin'", she shrugged. For once she kept silent until we entered griffon territory. They flew beside the chariots as we sped through the jungles of the Empire's land.

Before we actually went for the terrorists we had to speak with the General to clear things up. Stalker said he knew about the EUOD, as did most other nations. Just that civilians and military forces weren't informed of us, only the leaders.

The chariots of our entire deployment landed at the base of the mountain. We hoofed on inside and saw the black and grey feathered griffon. He was pretty big too, maybe bigger than Rock.

" General Talon", Stalker shook hoof and claw with the General.

" What is the meaning of your visit?", he cut to the chase.

" There is a terrorist group in the confines of your territory that both your Empress and our Princesses want gone", Stalker said. " We were told to inform you to keep any griffon dispatchments away from the target building".

Stalker showed the signatures of all three rulers to the General. " Very well", he nodded. " I'll have them withdrawn from the area".

" Thank you", Stalker nodded. " And one more thing. This meeting never happened, there are no terrorists in the area, and our rulers know nothing of this group".

Talon grinned and nodded. " Of course", he smirked.

We got back to the chariots and flew to the loading dock. Sure enough there was a boat coming in, holding the cargo vital to this mission. The chariots had an enchantment that turned them almost transparent. Using it to sneak in, the 20 of us jumped on and slipped into the dozens of crates. How ironic that my partner was Midnight, the two of us crushed against each other.

" You look more heroic up close", she teased. I can't believe how she could joke in the middle of a freaking mission.

" Shh", I hushed. She just rolled her eyes and snickered. Why does she do this to me?

The boxes swayed and jerked as the terrorist griffons started loading them onto portable wagons. Even without looking we knew there had to be ponies, since a griffon didn't necessarily pull these things. I tried looking through a hole to see where we were, but I still wasn't too good at seeing in the dark. No matter how much I squinted I couldn't see outside.

" Here, let me see", Midnight whispered as she leaned in to see. She was practically laying on me while she looked through. " We're in some kind of warehouse, lots of armed featherbrains".

I gulped as she looked through, ignoring the sudden rise in heart rate. No I wasn't in love with her, but I've only had two mares actually touching me. And not like that, like any physical contact. Those ponies were ma and my sis Blossom. Just...weird at least.

The chariot stopped and threw us around a little as they unloaded our crate. I scrambled off Midnight the best I could, but I could feel the familiar heat in my face. Finally, the mission started and the lid opened up. Before the griffon could cry out I got up, twisted his neck and threw him to the side. Midnight jumped out at the same time, going for the nearest griffon she could.

Everypony else pushed open the crates when they heard us, and soon a small skirmish started up. I focused on this one bastard trying to warn the others. Good thing my spear shut him up. But after I threw it I got tackled from behind, and the griffon started hitting me with a club. I rolled over and got back up, drawing my dagger out. He swung again, but this time I ducked under it and sunk my blade into his throat.

At least ten griffons were dead in the loading bay, and we hid the bodies in the crates. We started pulling out the explosives from the crates and placed them around the perimeter. Standard explosive rock tnt, just add a little fire and boom goes the weasel.

We still needed to save some, for the rest of the base. " Alright, Alpha squad get us a distraction", Stalker ordered. " Charlie, keep this area clear of any hostiles. We only have half an hour for this, so move it".

Alpha entered through the main hallways. Me and the rest snuck into a ventilation tunnel. The armor helped a lot, Solar or Lunar Guard armor wouldn't've been any help in those tunnels. Midnight had the female armor, which was about as sleek just heavier. We crawled for some time before Stalker halted us. I peered through the little ducts, and there I saw Alpha squad engaging another group of terrorists. I almost ran out there when I saw unarmored ponies attacking the agents.

Alpha was keeping them occupied while we snuck around. The last I saw there was thirty griffons and ponies coming for them. I know they're Alpha, but still hope they make it outta there.

" Eyes up, we're getting to the staircase", Stalker told us. Glider kicked the vent until the cover came loose, then we dropped into the hall.

Crawler took point as we went up the staircase. Rock covered our six just in case Alpha wasn't distracting all of them. I followed behind Glider and Stalker as we went up. The second floor was really just command and control rooms, rooms we had to clear out. We just needed to get the center and the building would collapse on itself.

" There's gotta be a dozen of 'em in there", Crawler whispered to us.

" Crap. Midnight, still got those smoke bombs?", Stalker asked. Midnight smirked and held her wing out with two small glass orbs with smoke inside. An enchantment I guess.

" Three...two...one". Glider creaked open the door and Midnight tossed the smoke into the room.

A big cloud of smoke kicked up from them, and we slipped inside.

" What the ha-ack!"

" What's going on-argh!"

" Guys?! What-"

The smoke cleared away and the last griffon slid off my spear. We moved the body out of sight from the door and Rock piled the explosives into a circle. The fuse would have to reach halfway to the base floor, either that or we'd have to set off a chain reaction.

" We don't have a lot of line", Rock sighed. " I could stack some to reach downstairs".

" No, then we wouldn't have enough explosives to bring it down", Stalker huffed. He looked away in thought for a solution. I just so happened to think of one.

" Actually sir, there is a way", I said by the door. " If one of us stays behind to set both fuses, the place would come down".

" And would you be willing to stay behind?", Stalker asked.

" Ye-"

" Actually", Midnight interrupted. " It'd be faster if two of us stayed behind to set the two fuses and get our asses out".

I spun around to see her smirking. " It'd be less of a chance of one of us getting hurt", I countered.

" And it'd be harder to set them both off without any support".

" Enough, both of you!", Stalker said louder than us. " You'll both stay and set off the charges. We only have ten minutes, we'll pull back to the dock and if you're still alive meet us there".

" Yes sir", Midnight grinned. Rock nodded to me as he followed after the squad.

" Why did you do that?!", I whispered harshly.

" Oh chill out LT", she chuckled. " Somepony had to stay and make sure you didn't die on your second deployment".

I was ready to argue back when a voice shouted in the hallway. We went to check it out and there was a griffon running to this room. I waited beside the door, and when he came in shoved my spear into his throat and dragged him in.

" So you got top or bottom?", I asked.

I could hear her snicker and I immediately facehoofed. " I do like being under", she said rather seductively. I glared hard at her, getting her to chuckle. " Bottom LT. Here, shake this when you want me to blow it".

She gave me a small transparent gem. " Okay, when you're done lighting it meet me out front. Now hurry up, and don't get caught", I warned.

" Like I would ever get caught", she laughed. She left down the hall and I waited.

I knew traveling in the vents would take some time, but I could only give her five. I heard another voice coming this way, and again I waited by the door.

" How goes the preparations in Trottingham?", one asked.

" The princesses know nothing sir", another answered. " Your chariot is on the roof".

" Go ahead, I need to see something first", the first said. He came straight for the door, and when I tried to stab him my spear hit the wall.

I didn't know what happened until I was against the wall with a blade to my throat. Holding me up was a pony, pegasi or earth pony I couldn't tell because he was wearing a hooded cape. He was wearing a cloth around his mouth and a skin tight black suit around his body. All I could see was his scarred eye and teal iris.

" I was wondering when we'd meet", the pony said.

" Good to know a terrorist like you knows who I am", I spat.

He just shook his head and put the blade closer. " You're EUOD, are you not?", he asked.

" The hay's that?", I calmly said. The blade pressed against my throat, the little pricks stinging.

" Just like I was taught", he said. " You'd better get out of here Lieutenant, this place is coming down".

Something flashed and I saw white. I fell forward and knew he was gone, but not if what he said was true. But I had to focus, and with a violent shake the gem turned green. Right after I struck the stone against the fuse and ran out of there. I didn't use the vent system, instead I ran through the building.

There were bodies all around the first floor, thanks to Alpha. I heard shouts about me running, but they were drowned out by the explosions. It was hard to not trip and fall with the force of my stack blowing up next. I still needed to get out, and the building was starting to come down on me.

I slid through the door just in time as the frame collapsed. The loading bay was out in front of me, and soon I was bolting for the open gate. The griffons and ponies still inside were trying to get out, but the falling debris took them out cold or blocked their way. They didn't even see me as I jumped on top of the stone and crates still intact. Before the entire thing went down I pushed off as hard as I could.

A cloud of dust and smoke from the explosions engulfed me. My ears were still ringing as I stumbled forward, and even with my blurry vision I saw Midnight shouting for me to hurry.

I forced my mind to concentrate as I followed her. My breathing was ragged and loud as everything around me was muffled. I didn't understand a word she said, all I did was follow her back to the exfil. Galloping was clumsy for me, but somehow I managed to keep it together until we reached the chariots.

Rock caught me before I blacked out.

" I knew he'd fuck up somehow", I heard Glider's sneer. " Solars can't handle this kinda stuff".

" He got out of a burning building with shit falling on him, and without wings", I heard Midnight fight back. " Think you could do that Glider? You barely made it out of our last op without LT".

" My wing was hit!", Glider shouted.

" He doesn't even have wings!", Rock's voice carried in. " Just scram Glider. Don't have to pick on him while he's in med bay".

I forced my eyes open, just in time to catch Glider storm out. A groan left me as I tried to sit up, but instead a huge migraine laid me back.

" Hey hey hey", Rock said as he eased me down. " Don't strain yourself. Took a pretty big rock to the head LT".

" Wha-? When? I...ugh, I got clear of the blast", I croaked. A pain shot through my head, making me raise my hooves to my head.

" Ya may have been a little too close to one of the explosives", Midnight chuckled. " And all that excitement made you ignore the hit to the head".

She gave me a mirror and I saw what she was talking about. It was covered by bloodied bandages, but I knew there was a nasty gash on my head.

" Its been a day since I pulled you onto that chariot", Rock chuckled. " Thought you'd be out longer".

" So did I", Midnight said. " Well, we got drills Rock, let's leave LT to get better". She left with a wink and Rock with a small nod.

My first injury so far. And boy how much it hurt, I've only gotten my face burned by spells but never a real hit. There's always a time for new things right?

Author's Note

It's been a while since I did this, but here it is! For those of you waiting for the sexy times, be patient. It's gonna be my first attempt, so be nice. Anyways, if you haven't already, like, fav, comment, and please CHECK THIS OUT! Peaces!

Secrets

"Glad to have you with us," said a cloaked stallion. "Your skill set is very intriguing, I must say."

The addressed stallion, Shadow Steel, nodded to his new Captain. "Thank you sir. When do I meet the others?"

The cloaked stallion chuckled lightly and turned around, prompting the new recruit to follow. "Soon, Steel. Soon."

"The chariot is waiting outside, sir," a light orange unicorn with a grey mane saluted. He too wore a scarf and hood to keep his identity secret, but his name wasn't meant to be.

The hidden stallion nodded to his personal bodyguard, Heavy Shield. "Thank you Shield. Come along Steel, you'll have your wish sooner than expected," he grinned beneath the black scarf.

Steel nodded and stepped onto the chariot with the two operatives. Another two pegasus ponies were waiting for the all clear, and once their CO was on board they took off. The night sky would keep the dark grey chariot from view, so long as no pony looked directly at it. The airborne carriage soared over Ponyville, and straight towards the Everfree Forest. Instead of going over it, the chariot dropped so that it was level with the high branches of the trees.

The various sounds of the twisted forest often kept any wanderers away. However, these ponies were not that sort of ponies. They were highly trained, ruthless, and cold-hearted killers to the bone. Survival be damned, they'd fight their way out if necessary.

The mocking faces of the trees vanished as the chariot flew into a small clearing. Coming to a short stop, the pegasi unlatched themselves and went ahead of the three passengers. They walked towards the base of the cliff they had stopped in front of and knocked twice on a piece of rock sticking out. The enchanted stone pushed itself into place and turned ninety degrees. A series of loud cracks followed soon after, and them by a rumbling of moving stone. A slab of the bottom of the cliff began to slowly move up until it slammed into place.

The three stallions trotted inside, the two pegasi remaining to close the entrance and hide the carriage. Shield lit a flash spell around his horn to illuminate the dark cavern. They were in an old and humid tunnel that looked carved out. The un-named stallion took the lead while his bodyguard followed close behind. The recruit walked at the back, curious as to where they were headed. They walked for another few minutes before a faint light signaled the end of their travel.

"Shadow Steel, welcome," the cloaked stallion began. "To the DOUE."

The light was actually an underground base. Hundreds of bat ponies and normal ponies were walking alongside griffons as they went through drills and trained with their respective weapons. They all stopped what they were doing to stomp, turn, and salute to the cloaked stallion.

Shadow Steel looked over to the far side of the base and read the banner hanging from the main building.

DOUE, Direct Operations Unbecoming Equestria

"The real, DOUE."

I got back onto my hooves for the first time in three weeks. The medical staff gave me a bunch of different tests before letting me go back to my unit. I asked the Captain why Princess Luna couldn't just heal me up like she did after interrogation training. Of course he told me I shouldn't worry too much, so I was left in bed for weeks. Midnight was at the hell-house now while Rock waited with Stalker, Crawler, and Glider outside med bay.

"Look here, now down here."

"I'm fine ma'am," I said in a regular tone.

She glared a second at me, then pushed my head to the side to inspect the wound again. "Make sure you don't take another blow to the head and you will be," she sternly said. "You're good to go."

I nodded then left the medical building to meet up with my unit. "Glad to see you back on your hooves Corporal," Stalker smirked. "See to it you don't end up six feet under, ya hear?"

"Wouldn't dream of it," I nodded. Glider and Crawler sneered at me, then walked ahead with Stalker. "How've things been since I was gone?"

Rock shrugged and chuckled. "Not much I'll say. Glider and Crawler got a temporary placement in Echo but they came back alright," he said. "And by the way, Stone wanted a word with you in private."

I sighed and pushed open the door to the barracks to get to the sleeping quarters. "Well, must be something important if he wants to speak in private," I grunted as I pulled the straps under my belly to tighten them.

"I guess. We gave our report last week on the mission, and Stone seemed a bit upset when we told him you and Midnight stayed behind," Rock grinned.

I placed the helmet on my head, then tapped the gem on the front of it. The enchantment changed my body, making me shiver from the feel. "Damn. Forgot how that felt," I shuddered.

"Want me to wait for you? Archery's in thirty. Plenty of time for a talk between you two," he offered. That was the thing I liked about Rock. He was strong as all Tartarus, but still a good friend.

Even for a merc.

"It's fine. I'm sure I can handle the Captain by myself," I grinned. My teeth began to sharpen a bit as the fangs grew out. "The first time I did this I thought I'd bite my tongue off."

Rock laughed and patter my back. "Then keep your mouth shut and your tongue still."

"See ya Rock," I waved him off.

Now that I was back on my hooves, we could start hunting down these terrorist bastards. I could still remember what that pony in the MBO said to me. I still needed to tell Stone about that incident, and the fact that there might be a traitor in the EUOD.

Still, maybe I could hold off on that part. I still didn't know what he looked like under that hood and scarf. He wasn't a unicorn, but he might have been a pegasus or an Earth pony. He was pretty strong, so I was really going for Earth pony. But I still got bothered by him saying,"Just like I was trained."

Maybe he was discharged before the death penalty was in effect? Or did he go AWOL? Or what it he was just screwing with my head? I needed to find out as soon as possible, or else it would drive me up the wall.

I passed archery and the hell-house to get to Stone's building. The blinds were closed, and when I stepped in I saw a single candle lit with Stone sitting in his chair looking at the wall behind his seat. I walked in front of his desk and stood at attention. It took him some time before he turned around to speak to me. When he looked past me, I was tempted to turn around, but I didn't want to look disrespectful.

"As honorable as always, Corporal Silver." To the right of me Princess Luna walked out of the shadows. "I told my sister you'd make a fine addition to this division."

"Thank you ma'am," I nodded curtly. "Permission to speak?"

"This isn't the Royal Guard, Corporal," Stone reminded me.

"What did you need to speak about?" I asked. To my left, the elder Princess walked from out of the shadows and stood side by side with the night princess in front of me.

"We've come to speak about your last engagement," Celestia said. "Captain Stone delivered the report weeks ago, but we have a question for you. You and Seargant Midnight Blossom stayed behind to set off explosives and take down the target building. Were there any implications during your extended stay?"

That little slip up in her sentence. I felt it in my gut the moment she asked me, and those stern faces weren't fooling anybody. They knew more than they were letting on, and they needed me to confirm something.

But what?

"When Seargant Blossom went to her destination, I stayed in the upper level to give her time," I started calmly. "Two ponies were coming down the hall when one entered and pinned me against the wall. He seemed to know about the EUOD, and apparently he says he was part of it."

"He said he was a part of it?" Luna quickly asked. Now, I could have been seeing things, but I could have sworn I saw a hint of worry pass over each of the princesses faces.

"Not exactly. When I told him I knew nothing about our division, he said,'Just like I was trained.'" The Captain got up from his chair and stood beside Princess Luna.

"What did this pony look like?" Crap, this would be a problem.

I hesitated before willing myself to say it. "I'm not sure, Captain," I exhaled. "He wore a cloak and scarf to hide his body, along with some sort of skin tight suit to cover his coat. The most I could tell was that he isn't a unicorn. Given his strength I would assume he was an Earth pony, but I couldn't be sure."

There it was again, that small bit of worry from before. "Is there anything else you could tell us?" Celestia asked.

I shook my head softly. "He may have been their leader, but I still don't have enough intel to be sure," I sighed. "Is that all ma'am?"

Celestia smiled softly at my usual formal greeting to her. "Yes Corporal, that's all we need," she nodded. I saluted once again, even if Stone glared slightly at me. All the years with them formed respect that I have with or without my uniform.

"And Silver." I turned around and saw Stone coming towards me. "Have your unit in here in ten, I need to have another word with you all."

"Yes sir." I left the my three supervisors and started for the archery building.

I still needed some work with my crossbow skills, so I planned on visiting when I wasn't being ordered around. I went straight on to the back of the building and went into the training range. I heard three loud cracks, and three arrows lodged themselves in a tri-formation in the pony dummy's head. I could see his dumbass smiling from the other end of the range.

"Hey LT," he called from the other end. "Drop by to learn how to pull the trigger?"

I shook my head and waited for him to come over with his crossbow slung over his back. "Captain wants to see our squad. Midnight out of the hell-house?"

"Should be by now," Rock shrugged. "Crawler and Glider are probably in training, and I think Stalker's in the officer's quarters."

"Let's go round 'em up," I said. We got out of there right as the next round of archers came in.

Just as I passed one, he tripped and fell into me. "Sorry, guy," he said.

"Just be careful," I said as I helped him back up.

Me and Rock left the building, then went to go get Stalker out of a meeting of officer's. They were talking about adding some new course to training. Like hell they will. Glider and Crawler got pulled out of their training early, which was a relief to them both. While they washed up from the mud and some blood, Stalker had Rock accompany him to the Captain's office and me get Midnight. Figures he'd send me after the lady.

So while the two assholes showered, and Cap' and Rock met up with Stone, I headed to the bunks. Sometimes I think Midnight's name was mixed up with some other officer.

When I got to the door I heard something strange. It sounded like…

…like… crying.

I peeked inside and saw Midnight on her bunk facing the opposite way on her side. She was the only pony in the room, so it had to be her. To say the least, I was surprised. She acted so tough with the other agents and teased me so much, but here she was crying. Now - I can't believe I'm saying this - sometimes Midnight reminds me of my sister. She teases me a lot, and while she is a nuisance, she actually pretty cool. Quietly I came over to the bunk, got on my hindlegs, and nudged her side.

She shot up in her bed and looked at me incredulously. "LT! Uh, what're you doing here?!" she shouted at me. I could tell she was embarrased, even without that small hint of pink in her cheeks.

"Captain wants to speak to us," I said. Before she could get down I stopped her. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," she grumbled. She jumped down and started rummaging through the chest we share.

I leaned against the bed and gave her a few seconds to get ready. "Why were you crying?"

"I wasn't crying," she muttered. She took the dagger and sheathed it on her breast plate. "Stone wants to see us right?"

She went for the door, but I stopped her in front of it. "Midnight, what's bothering you, really?" I asked for the third time. "Cap' can wait. What's-"

"Can we just drop it?!" she screamed. "When I say nothing's wrong, nothing is wrong!"

I kept my calm and blocked her way again. "Then why were you crying?" I pressed. "Midnight you have to tell-"

That was all I got out before she socked me in the muzzle. She tripped me out from under my hooves and slammed me down. How dumb did I look, huh?

While I tried to ease the pain in my face, Midnight lowered her head to glare at me in the eyes. A few tears were trailing down her cheeks as she did so. "You killed him! It's all your fault!"

Midnight stomped away sniffling while I tried to get a hold of what just happened. She said, I'm the reason somepony's dead.

"What?"

Midnight's POV

It was all his fault. All his fucking fault. He had to be a damn hero and get everypony killed. That asshole should've waited for backup instead of killing them. I couldn't look at him anymore. If I did I would probably punch him again. I tried asking nicely, but I'm tired of him acting like an ass and just telling me to leave him alone. He's gonna tell me whether he wants to or not. I'll make sure of that.

I wiped whatever tears were still in my eyes and went to the Captain's office. Stalker and Rock were already there, so I stood next to the big guy and waited for everyone else. The two dumbasses came in next and stood to my right. Finally, LT came in and stood next to Crawler. Captain Stone spun in his chair and looked at the six of us.

"Good to see everypony alright," Stone chuckled. "What's up with your muzzle, Corporal?"

I glared at him, and he just peeked at me. "I… tripped sir. Landed face first," he said.

Stone chuckled and pulled out a file, then dropped it on the desk. "Best be careful, don't wanna end up in med bay again do you?" he chuckled.

LT shook his head and said,"No sir."

Captain opened the file and pushed a paper forward for Stalker to see. "Gamma, Oscar, Charlie, Zulu, and Nato squad took casualties over the past few weeks," Stone stated. "All from the same group, and no mission has been a success. Whoever these guys are, they know what they're doing. They're organized, they're informed, and they're trained. As of now, I'm declaring Protocol Eclipse."

Me and the boys, except for LT all caught our breaths when he said that. "But sir, this is just a terrorist group. We don't need-"

"What is Protocol Eclipse, sir?" LT asked.

Stone stood up and walked casually to our side of the desk. "Protocol Eclipse, was first made in the year 308, by the first council of Equestria. It was made to counter-act any and all high level threats that superceded the Lunar and Solar Guard"

"As of now, I'm authorizing the endangerment of civilians in order to take down this hostile group. All squads are being deployed in two days to seperate locations around the five nations. Squads A-E will be deployed in the five major cities of the Dragon Empire. F-L will be holding down the fort across Equestria, while M-R are keeping an eye on the Griffin Empire. S-V will watch over Saddle Arabia, and W-Z will be in Prance."

"So we're going to Saddle Arabia?" Stalker asked as he went through the file. "Which city will we be stationed in sir?"

"In Riyadh. I heard it gets real hot out there," he snickered.

"And what are we gonna be watching for sir?" I asked. Stone took a particular picture from the file and showed it to me. It was a cloaked and scarfed pony speaking with some other ponies.

"Based on recent intel, we believe this stallion may be somewhere in commanding rank within their group," he said. "The past few weeks have shown us he's been going to each and every pony and griffon inhabited country."

"So why go to the Dragon Empire?" Glider questioned. "Seems pretty useless if he's going after ponies and griffons."

"Actually," LT began. "Solar and Lunar regiments were sent two years ago after a group named the 'Silver Scales' tried to start a revolution. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had an entire battalion of each to go help control them. Ever since them Equestria and the Griffon Empire have some bases established, and a few villages were even allowed."

"Which means plenty for this guy to recruit," Stone said. "Remember, two days. We've got a MBO being prepared as we speak. It won't be much, but it'll keep you in the dark from the ponies."

"In the meantime, you'll have regular training while all the other squads are being informed. Keep your eyes peeled for any unusual activity, and watch your six at all times. We lost four agents in the past three weeks, so keep on your hooves and make sure you come back. Rika squad, dismissed."

Silver's POV

We each saluted and started for the door. Midnight came up beside me and once we were outside she stood in my way. "Tomorrow, me and you are gonna have a nice long chat, got it?" she growled.

"If it helps explain what I saw, sure," I nodded. She glared at me for another second, then went off back to the barracks.

Least I have something to expect tomorrow.

Author's Note

As the great Arnold Swarchenegger once said: I'M BACK! Yep, sorry for the delay! Mother of all Writer's Block hit me! As always, like, fav, comment, and have an awesomed day/night! Peaces!

Badland Massacre

The other squads were told about our new assignments, but our schedules weren't gonna change until we got there. So I hauled my ass through mud, past the whips, the parkour course, and unfortunately, the hell-house. Princess Luna healed me again, wishing me luck in Saddle Arabia. No matter how tired I was, I didn't forget about my meeting with Midnight. I got into the showers, washed off the sweat and vomit, then walked back into the bunk area.

She was sitting on her bed, scraping a rock against her dagger. I stood and waited for her to say something. Minutes passed as I waited, and she just kept sharpening that damn blade, annoying the crap out of me. But I wouldn't want to piss her off. With one last scrape, she examined the edge of it and glanced to me. Tossing the rock aside, she bucked me in the face and jumped down on top of me. I held my breath as the cold steel seperated the fur over my throat.

"You the traitor?" She hissed venemously, picked me up, and threw me against the wall. "I'm gonna say no…"

A smirk made its way over her mouth. "If I was a traitor, wouldn't you be dead?" she sneered. "Now… about that chat."

"If it helps, ask away," I said. I felt the familiar trickle of blood coming from my snout, but I wasn't in the position to ask for a hanky.

She pulled her dagger back, glaring at me sternly. "What happened in the Badlands?"

My neutral expression switched to full annoyance. "That's what this is about?!" I shouted. "You just wanna hear that damn story?!"

She growled loudly, returning the blade to my neck. "It's not a fucking story for me," she hissed.

"Then what the Tartarus do you want-"

"My brother was in there."

…

…no…

…

Damn it, no!

I knew she wasn't lying when her eyes started watering again. I had to watch every family mourn their loved one, lots of glares coming my way. It was the reason I never wanted to lead another regime ever again. The hurt, sadness, and hatred stirring in her eyes just… messed with me. She stepped back, letting me stand on all fours.

"But… but I only had Solars," I mumbled. "How was your brother in the Solar Guard?"

"Ma was a regular, Pa was a bat-pony," she explained. "His name was Dawn Strider."

My eyes widened. "Corporal Strider?" I asked.

"So you remember," Midnight hissed. "Now spit it out."

Dawn Strider. He was a good stallion. Funny prick, not too bad of a wrestler either. It had to be him that had the crazy family member. I slumped to my flank, the memories flooding in like torrent of pain. I rubbed the sides of my head as I tried to block out the screams long enough to compose myself.

Western Badlands, 4 years ago

The summer sun beat down on us as we marched through the sands. We had our orders. Punch a hole in the Changeling central hive while Captain Shining Armor flanked around the side of the dunes. We had the bigger numbers, being mostly Earth and pegasi, since the unicorn specialists would give cover from their vantage point. Our armor cooked us alive under the desert's sun.

"Sure we're headed east?" Seargant Decker asked from my right.

Private Arrow Head checked his compass. "Yes, sir," he said. "Right where the sun sets."

"You mean where the sun rises," he corrected.

"Eyes up," I snorted, pulling my spear to my hooves. The Solar regime stomped to a halt, scanning the skies.

Squinting my eyes, I could make out some sort of arrangement of stone. Around that, a few black dots zipping around. "Changelings," Private Flap called from above. "A patrol, by the look of it."

"Then we've been spotted," Decker said. "Orders?"

A forward charge was all this was, so might as well follow through. "Alright. Spears front!" I bellowed. The clank of steel against the hoof armor reverberated through our ranks. "Forward, trot!"

We picked up the pace, the distance slowly closing between us and our objective. The patrol zipped back towards the hive, as did dozens of other changelings. If they had that many, why wouldn't they just hold us off or something? I had a bad feeling itching at my back, and it wasn't the armor. Still, I ignored it as our chance for a quick victory seemed reachable.

Then I heard screams.

I turned around and saw a horde of changelings rising from the sand like undead. They flew high above us, tackling some pegasi and taking a few regulars to the skies. Those who weren't taken airborne and dropped were blasted with splash spells. The smell of burning fur reached me as we scattered chaoticly. I threw my spear into the swarm, where it disappeared in a veil of black chitin.

"Get to the rocks!" I called. I was sure they couldn't hear me, as the whizzing noises of magic arrows and spells came from our only unicorn platoon.

I yelped as a changeling landed on my back and brung me into the sky. I grabbed my uncle's dagger and slashed his hoof, making it screech and drop me. Another bug was in my descent path, and I crashed into him before we hit the sand. Some snaps assured me he wouldn't be getting up soon. The pegasi were busy manuevering around them and piking them, while the Earth ponies fought back to back. Another wave of splash spells destroyed that plan of defense, and I watched some scream as acidic magic seared through their coats.

"EVERYONE TO THE FUCKING ROCKS!" I screamed. The remaining stallions galloped full speed for the only other cover in the Celestia forsaken desert.

Dawn Strider galloped up next to me, a swarm of changeling chasing our survivors. A few were tackled to the ground, and from their grunting I could tell they were determined to bring a few down with them. The two of us ran around the large boulder and put our sides to either end. The groups came at different intervals, changelings right on their flanks. I used the crude stone clubs to knock some out of the sky and buy our colts some time.

"I want every unicorn guard on my six!" I called. "On my mark, blast those buggers out of the sky!"

The present unicorns made a wall just in front of our cover, making a barrirer so the changelings wouldn't pick them off.

"Ready! Aim!" I counted to three, then stomped my hoof. "MARK!"

The barrier dissipated and a barrage of magic beams soared through the mild air. I grinned as they fell by the dozens, and even more Solars reached us. The pegasi were still tangling with them, and the sound of buzzing behind me drew my attention. Another swarm was on the approach, and my mind dotted out our play.

"Alright, unicorns in back, regulars in front!" I ordered. "When they get within reach, launch those spears like you were trying to hit the queen herself! Unicorns, I want a payload of mana tailing those shots!"

The earth guards pulled their hoof back, and the unicorns charged their spell. I could see the pegasi finishing up with the ambush squad, so I kept my attention to the newer one. I picked up a slimy stone rod and moved to the front of the wall.

"Ready!" Waiting just a few more seconds, I centered my eye on the bastard in front. "Launch!"

Swinging my hoof forward, I heard the grunts behind me, then the firing of magic. The swarm did their best to maneuver around the barrage, but we took out a majority of them. The unicorns picked off the survivors, and no sooner did the pegasi commander land next to me.

"We're down to half strength, sir," Commander Swift panted. "It might not be a good idea to press on."

"We need to end this war today," I barked. "Form up!"

The stallions resumed their ranks, a considerable amount of pony bodies behind us. We galloped out of cover and straight for the hive. I had the unicorns and pegasi knock out any swarms headed our way, buying us time to reach another set of cover. I peered over the sandy stone, using my telescope to scout ahead.

"Get ready! Another swarm readying up!" I called. I scanned what I could, seeing the main hive itself.

It kinda reminded me of a bee hive, only that this one had dozens of holes over it's shell. Changelings flew in and out as they brought supplies and other objects I couldn't make out. Green goo was being splattered over the hive, over dirtier green, dry slime I presumed. I assumed it was acting as a sort of armor or protection. A wall of stone also guarded the perimeter. As I repositioned the scope, my heart sank into my ass.

The wall of stone wasn't high. But the hundred meter wall off dry slime was. I pulled it away, and I realized I could see it from where I was. "Is that… slime?" Strider questioned.

My hooves went numb as I held the telescope down. "The Captain'll never make it over or through that!" Decker exclaimed. "We have to pull back and wait for support!"

I ignored them bickering behind me as I stared hopelessly. If we dared a charge with so few of us… we'd be slaughtered. If we stayed where we were… we'd be slaughtered. I pulled of my helmet and rubbed my muzzle anxiously. I noticed the silence and turned to them.

They were waiting for me. The hundred or less stallion platoon waited on me. They were tired, hungry, and hot from the relentless summer sun. But… they were determined. The fire in their eyes made me think that if I ordered them to run in there bare, they'd do it gladly. Shining was right. Being a leader wasn't so hard if you had the right stallions. And these colts were the best.

I hardened my facial expression and slapped on my helmet. "On my go, we rush that swarm and head for the wall around that hive!" I shouted. The clanking of armor being refitted was music to my ears.

"Three… two… one… CHARGE!"

The stallions let loose battle cries as we hurdled over the stone debris and rushed right at the swarm. The unicorns sent splash spells into the sky, knocking some to the ground while pegasi rammed the rest. Any on the ground were pummeled by the brute force of us regulars. In the end, three pegasi were left behind with the dozens of changeling bodies. We lined up across the wall of the entrance, panting and heaving. I peered around the cover and saw another swarm assembling.

"Alright. Pegasi up top! Ambush 'em when they come charging!" The designated stallions flew to the higher ridges. "Unicorns, stay behind the Earth, and we'll form a wall! They are not leaving through here!"

"Yes, sir!" What remained of the Solar regime filled in the gap between the masses of sandstone.

"Auxiliary spears to the front!" The unicorns passed up their spears, about half of us resorting to fallen clubs we'd acquired from the changelings. "Pegasi don't move until we go first!"

I glanced to Midnight, but she still had that emotionless look. "Why'd you call it?"

I kept silent, unsure of what to say.

"Why, did you call it?" she said with more emphasis, putting the dagger back to my throat.

I swallowed what little saliva was in my mouth. "I panicked," I said. "We had to hold them off and wait until backup arrived."

"Or you could've fallen back and waited for Shining's battalion," she growled. "But you had to be a fucking hero and end it that day."

"I know what I did!" I shouted, ignoring how hard she was pushing the blade. "I had good stallions killed so we could end a war! They're the damn heroes, not me!"

For a second, Midnight looked like she believed me. But she still scowled and sat back. "Was Strider still with you?"

I nodded, then sighed as I slumped against the wall. "He was with me to the very end," I said in a low tone.

We tossed our spears, most hitting their marks and dropping the bugs. The pegasi jumped from their perches and onto their backs, using their weight to bring them crashing into the desert sands. The Earth stallions bucked and beat the bugs until they were unconscious or worse. The changelings laid around us, but the buzzing still rang in my ears. I turned back to the hive…

…and that's when I knew we weren't making it.

A swarm bigger than three combined was buzzing right towards us. We didn't have any more weapons, just our tired, bare hooves, and low amouts of mana. "Everypony form up!"

We filed into ranks, Strider to my left, Decker to my right. "Will Shining make it, sir?" Strider panted.

"There's two miles of desert between our infil points," Decker said with just as much breath. "If we're lucky, they'll find us before the sand covers us."

I adjusted my helmet, spitting off to the side. "Doesn't matter," I snorted. "We hold them here as long as we can. Shining had to have seen that wall by now, so if I know that bastard he'll be galloping back full sprint."

Strider chuckled, shifting his hooves into a ready stance. "If we make it out of this," he began, "buy me a beer and find me a mare, Lieutenant."

I laughed weakly, the buzzing getting even closer. "Deal."

The horde let loose a massive screech, followed by an even larger volley of spells. The stallions behind me screamed as the acids burned their armor onto their coats, and we braced as they dove. I bucked one in the head, barely rolling out of the way as another crashed down. Those damn meteor crash spells were wiping us out. I went back to back with some private, and we did our best to watch out for one another. He didn't last two minutes against the seven changelings.

A bolt struck me in the face, blinding me momentarily. I screamed as the helmet meant to protect turned on me and burned through my mane. I tossed the steaming steel at a random changeling, hearing it's screeches and cries of pain. Rubbing my eyes furiously, I could make out some of my squad and changelings all around. Most of my stallions were being overpowered with jaws being clamped down on them, while others had the pleasure of being left to burn alive.

That was all I could make out before a bug tackled me from behind. I rolled over, using my weight plus the armor to crush him. I pulled my uncle's dagger and stabbed it into his neck, twisting it to ensure his death. I pulled it out and looked for anypony to team up with. Strider, Decker, and an unfamiliar guard were fighting off the horde, but I could see their fatigue getting the best of them.

Ignoring the bolts hitting my sides and whizzing over my head, I joined their circle and did my best to keep going. "Give them everything you've got!" I shouted, punching a changeling into the sand.

Strider kicked sand into a couple of changelings eyes and bucked one back, then headbutted the other. I turned around as Decker's screams reached my ears. He was burning alive, and the bastards were still blasting him. Screaming in anger, I galloped over and tackled the fucks right into the ground. The first had the honor of having my uncle's dagger in his throat, while the second had the honor of meeting my right hoof. The third had his neck dislocated from a quick buck of my hind legs.

"AAAAAGGGGHHH!"

A bolt pierced my chest, and the burning sensation traveled through my insides. Clutching the wound in pain, I saw two buggers flying straight for me. I hopped to the side, but the one on the right stabbed me with his horn while the other arched around and dug his into my side. They slammed me into stone wall, then one tried biting down on my shoulder. I bit his horn first, snapping it off then cutting off his screams by slashing my dagger through his jugular. I continued my arc until I sunk it into the other's head.

My body was done. I could feel my tail on fire, the burning was still eating away at my insides, and my face was starting to sting. The armor meant to keep me safe only added to the soreness of my muscles. One by one, I watched the stallions get overpowered, until only one remained. Strider screamed and hollered as he was struck with spell after spell, and stabbed by horns and fangs. Even as his coat caught fire, he headbutted, bucked, and finally flailed until they piled onto him.

I tried desperately to raise my hoof and grip my uncle's knife, but my bleeding chest and side were keeping me from moving. The green ooze covering my coat and armor was all I could see as my head lowered weakly. When I glanced back up, I could see the entire swarm cackling and snickering at me. I coughed out blood, and shakily stood on my hooves, using the stone for support.

"Come… come on!" I yelled, swaying in a daze.

I received another bolt to the face, then a knockback spell that slammed me back into the stone. My eyes weighed heavily as I tried lifting my head. The cackles were getting closer, and I looked at my dead stallions with guilt.

The changelings started hissing and screeching suddenly, and I understood why when I heard him yelling. "CHAAAAAAAAARGE!"

I forced my eyes to open just enough for me to see the changelings getting pummeled by hundreds of magic bolts and knockback spells. And in came Shining Armor, smacking two into each other then firing more projectiles.

"Push onto the hive!" he ordered. "Spark, Crackle, bring me a medic!"

He looked over the bodies, searching for any signs of life in the colts. Each body they checked got the same look: a sigh and a shake of the head. Spark, I presumed, came over to me checking my wounds then putting his hoof under my jaw.

"Captain! The Lieutenant's alive!" Spark called.

Shining galloped over, looking over my wounds as the field medic started using blood clot spells to stop the bleeding. "I… they… they're gone," I croaked.

Shining took off his helmet, rubbing his forehead in sadness. "You did your best, Silver," he said.

My vision started to fade as the sedative shot kicked in. "Never… never again…"

"Never again."

Midnight looked content with my retelling of the Badland massacre. She sheathed her dagger and stood up from the bed. "Is that it?"

She walked to the door, but stopped and turned back to me. "This isn't Solar anymore, LT," she said. "You'd better watch your own damn ass. 'Cause I sure as hell ain't helping."

She walked out, and I sighed as I laid down for the night. I lost the only other pony that could help me. Now, three out to get me, and one trying to help. It's no wonder they never put Solars in this. Everypony hates us. At least I'll finally take up Blossom's advice of taking a vacation.

Speaking of which.

I searched through my bag and took out the mirror. Tapping on it twice, I waited for Blossom to pick up. It was some time before she did. That smile really did help.

"Hey big brother!" she smiled. "What happened to your eye?!"

Oh yeah, shit. "I uh… got roughed up, pulling two idiots apart," I laughed nervously. I hate lying to Blossom, but I was not going to risk her getting hurt.

She laughed softly, glancing behind herself. "I just put Daney to bed," she groaned playfully.

"Aww, I wanted to see him," I grinned. "How's everything?"

She looked off to the side quickly before turning back to me. "I'm fine," she sighed. "Chaser had to leave early again."

"Don't worry, I'll be up for a while," I laughed.

She giggled lightly, then a frown worked its way slowly across her muzzle. "What are you thinking about?"

Blossom shook from her thoughts and feigned a smile. "Nothing much," she said.

"Blossom… c'mon." I did my best to frown, even though the bruise on my brows were hurting like a motherfucker.

"I'm just thinking about Strong."

I sighed softly; the topic something we normally avoided. "I'm sure he's fine," I said. "He's a big guy."

"But you know how he is," she sternly spoke. "He's gone through a lot, even if it's not like your kinda stuff. Maybe you could check up on him? Ask the princesses maybe?"

I shook my head. "I don't think they'll search for one stallion," I chuckled. "Look, I'll keep an eye out for him, but in the meantime, you have fun in Prance."

"Au revòir."

I laughed a bit as the crystal lost its glimmer and dulled. Hiding it under my personal belongings, I pushed the bag under the bunk and laid down. Falling asleep used to be so easy in the night, but now I could only keep my eyes and ears open for any sign of the traitor.

I wonder how Strong's doing anyway.

Author's Note

Yup! Bet some of you forgot about this story, eh?! Well, ideas flowed, time was put in, and I'm back! Hope you're all ready for this! Remember, like, fav, comment, and have an awesome day or night!