“You know, it was never really explained to us how Princess Cadence was related to the other two princesses.” Battleaxe said to Greatsword.
“She’s their niece, Battleaxe, she told us that when we first met her…” Greatsword said shaking his head, “close to five years ago…”
“But who’s her mom?” Battleaxe asked “Princess Celestia and Luna don’t have any other alicorn relatives, and if she’s their niece, how is Prince Blueblood, a unicorn, their nephew?”
“They adopted my family a long time ago.” Princess Cadence and Shining Armor entered the briefing room that Battleaxe, Greatsword and the rest of the 1025th were in. “We share no actual blood relation, but the magic that comes from them sometimes causes an alicorn to be born in our family, and I‘m one of those ‘sometimes‘.”
“Oh, well, ok then, I guess that makes sense.” Battleaxe said looking at the two who had just entered the room with them. “Why are you two here anyway? Shouldn’t you two be in the crystal empire running things?”
“The changeling threat is just as much a threat to the Crystal Empire as it is to Equestria and Special Force’s, Battleaxe.” Shining Armor said in a commanding tone. “And this is a very personal matter for my wife and myself.”
“You can’t let what you feel get in the way of your mission, Shining Armor,” Greatsword said. “It could get you killed.”
“You don’t have a family to protect, Greatsword,” Shining Armor snapped back at Greatsword, “you might understand my look at it when you do.”
“Shining, Greatsword has brothers you know,” Princess Cadence quickly said to her husband, “I’m sorry Greatsword, I know the two of you have a history, but at least ONE of you has put it behind you.”
“No need for an apology, my lady,” Greatsword replied, fighting the urge to punch his counterpart. “I’m sure all tensions are high now, Commander Garrison and Princess Celestia will be here soon with the details of this mission.”
As Greatsword finished his statement, Princess Celestia and Commander Garrison entered the briefing room. The 1025th and the Royal Guard present all bowed, the Princess motioned them all to stand so they did. The Princess took her place at the head of the table, Commander Garrison and Shining Armor sitting at her sides all remaining seats were filled by order of rank. This was as it always was during a mission briefing, since the three officially entered the 1025th nearly four and a half years ago, Princess Celestia wanted to know what was going on during their missions.
“Mares and Gentlecolts,” Princess Celestia began, “this will be your mission briefing, Commander, the stage is yours.”
“Thank you, my lady. We have received intelligence of a changeling sleeper cell about ten miles away from Los Pegasus, we don’t know how many or what exactly their plan of attack is, but we can assume that it is similar to their plan when they attacked Canterlot, Trotingham, and Manehattan.”
“So capture and change into a prominent figure in their society, try to overthrow them from the inside, then attack with a larger force soon after.” Greatsword said, looking at the map on the table.
“Exactly,” Commander Garrison said looking at Greatsword nodding, “that’s why you’re my second in command.” Commander Garrison returned to looking at the map, “We can estimate a few things, given that Los Pegasus has roughly the same population as Trotingham, that the force there may be more or less the same size as the force that tried to take over there.”
“So roughly two thousand or so.” Battleaxe said. “How could they hide a force that close to Los Pegasus? It’s all flat ground for a good thirty miles on all sides.”
“They can hide them underground,” Commander Garrison answered, “Los Pegasus was founded due to a massive diamond deposit that was close by, the diamonds are long gone, but the mines used to get at them are still there.”
“So what’s the plan?” Long Shot asked, “Will it be the same as Trotingham?”
“No, it will be nothing like Trotingham,” Commander Garrison said, “Trotingham is surrounded by thick forests, we can’t ambush them again and again without them knowing where we came from near Los Pegasus.”
“So then what?” Comet asked, “If we can’t pick them off in small groups then what will we do?”
“We drive them all out at once,” Commander Garrison responded, “the mine entryways are connected, if we send a small force into one entry, we will be able to push them out to larger waiting forces.”
“Sounds easy enough,” Battleaxe said, “but what’s the catch?”
“There are four entryways,” Commander Garrison answered, “if we don’t block off all but two, the smaller force inside will get surrounded and be killed.”
“Nice catch,” Battleaxe said sarcastically, “How are we going to patch those extra holes?”
“That’s where we come in,” Commander Garrison said with a smile. “The 1025th will be blowing two of the mine shafts, then the Royal Guards will do the rest.”
“I think the Guard should take the extra shafts down,” Shining Armor said. “ If I recall we have plenty of guys that can cast explosive magic.”
“Not like Cannon Fodder and Pyro can.” Commander Garrison replied, “Not to mention our training, experience and that it is easier to hide twenty than two hundred.”
“Fine, my men will cover the exits,” Shining Armor growled at Commander Garrison, “you better not fail, Commander.”
“I won’t be able to,” Commander Garrison said shooting his glare back to Shining Armor, “Greatsword will be leading this mission.” The 1025th looked shocked, especially Greatsword, Commander Garrison had always led them into battle.
“I have things that I must attend to personally on Princess Celestia’s orders, so Greatsword will be in charge for this one.” He looked at Greatsword and smiled at him, “I have the utmost confidence that he will lead just as I would,” he looked back at Shining Armor, “if not, better.”
Commander Garrison never said anything like that about anypony. He really believed that Greatsword could command the 1025th. Greatsword, though still a little surprised by this information, was very honored by what Commander Garrison said. After four years of following and learning from him, Greatsword would finally get to test his abilities as a leader on the battlefield.
“Well then,” Shining Armor said giving Greatsword a look of malice, “I hope YOU don’t fail, Greatsword.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Greatsword said returning the stare, “and more if I have to.”
“Then this briefing is over, should be an easy one for once mares and gentlecolts.” Commander Garrison said looking to Princess Celestia, “It’s all yours Princess.”
“Thank you, Commander,” Princess Celestia nodding towards the Commander, “Gather all necessary equipment ponies, you shall be headed to Los Pegasus in the hour, and good luck to you all.” All the ponies in the room exited to gather the necessary gear that the Princess spoke of.
As Greatsword exited the room Princess Cadence stopped him. “I’m sorry about Shining Armor, Greatsword,” she said lowering her head, “he’s only like that around you, he’s a good stallion, he’s just mad at you for what happened in Trotingham.”
“You don’t need to be sorry for him, I put all of that behind me, and I forgave him for what he did to me. He just needs more time I guess.” Greatsword said doing, his best to calm her mind.
“I think two years is more than enough time,” Princess Cadence said looking back at Greatsword, “it wasn’t your fault that it happened in the first place.”
“He needed somepony to blame for that scar he got in Trotingham, I guess he decided to choose me.” Greatsword said remembering that battle. “How’s your baby coming along, by the way?” he said to change the touchy subject.
“Oh,” Princess Cadence said placing one hoof on her expanded stomach, “it’s coming along fine, we’ll know if it’s a colt or filly in a few days.”
“Congratulations.” Greatsword said as he started to walk away.
“Greatsword…” Princess Cadence said, stopping Greatsword with her hoof.
“Yeah, Caddie?” Greatsword said turning back to face her, “What do you need?”
“Just make sure he comes back to find out what his foal will be.” Princess Cadence said softly.
“I’ll do what I can, Caddie,” Greatsword said turning back to walk away again, “and more if I have to.” Greatsword and the other ponies went and gathered the supplies they needed for their mission then made their way to the train station.
The three day train ride to Los Pegasus was a long and quiet one for both forces. The Royal Guard and Special Forces units never really had got along with one another, but Shining Armor was leading the guard personally this mission, furthermore, Greatsword was in command of the 1025th, so the usually high tensions between the two forces were especially high amongst them. The train arrived in Los Pegasus late in the evening. The two forces gathered their supplies off the train and made their way to the old diamond mines only ten miles away.
After a few hours the ponies had arrived near their destination. The Royal Guard began to make preparations for their part in the upcoming battle, while the 1025th double and triple checked their supplies to ensure that they had enough to blow the supports to the mine. While the 1025th was making sure they had all of their supplies, Greatsword noticed out of the corner of his eye that Shining Armor was approaching them.
“What do you need, Shiny?” Greatsword said, expecting Shining Armor to be his usual self when he approached.
“I’m just making sure that your guys have all the necessary equipment needed to complete your mission.” Shining Armor said, much to Greatsword’s surprise he was actually trying to show concern for his unit. Greatsword turned to Shining Armor and saw that it seemed to anger him after he said it.
“We are going over our supplies now,” Greatsword said as he pointed to the 1025th still counting up all their gear. “But I wonder why you would ask? You never have before.”
“Cadence and I had a talk after you left to gather your stuff,” Shining Armor explained, “she wanted me to do what apparently you did, but I’m sure you understand if I don’t think that I can do that.”
“I do, it took me some time too.” Greatsword said looking at Shining Armor, seeing how hard it was for him to try to apologize.
“Well, this is the best I can do, Greatsword. I hope it’s enough for now.” Shining Armor said looking at the ground.
“It will suffice.” Greatsword responded turning back to his ponies, still looking over all their gear.
“Greatsword…” Shining Armor said as Greatsword walked away.
“Yes, Shining Armor,” Greatsword said turning back to him, “what do you want?”
Shining Armor almost chocked on his words as they came out. “Good luck.” Shining Armor turned and quickly returned to his own ponies, Greatsword just smiled as he calmly walked back to the 1025th.
“What was that all about?” Battleaxe asked Greatsword, “was it another one of those ‘if you so much as breathe I’ll kill you’ talks the two of you seem to love so much?”
“He actually said ‘I’m sorry’…” Greatsword said to his now shocked brother. “Well, as best as he could.”
“So the two of you are all buddy-buddy now?” Battleaxe said giving his brother a nudge on the shoulder.
“Oh hell no,” Greatsword said quickly, “we’re still a long time away from that.”
“Then I won’t hold my breath.” Battleaxe said laughing to himself a little.
“Seems we got everything that we need, Captain.” Camo said to Greatsword as he finished counting the stealth gear for the third time.
“You don’t need to call me by my rank, Camo,” Greatsword said waving his hoof passively at Camo, “Greatsword is just fine with me.”
“Yes Cap-I mean, Greatsword.” Camo replied, causing the rest of the 1025th to giggle a small amount.
“All medical supplies are accounted for, sir.” Patches said with Med Kit nodding in agreement with her.
“Excellent,” Greatsword replied, “everypony else got the same traffic?”
“Green, green up, sir,” Long Shot said as he raised his hoof, “I got plenty of bolts for those green blooded buckers.”
“All scouting gear is a go.” Comet said as Cloud Seeker rose all the gear in question above his head.
“If only we had a few pick axes,” Flare Flash said shaking his head, “there might still be a few diamonds in there.”
“Boom clay is up.” Cannon Fodder called out as Pyro started to magically place them carefully in his saddlebags. “I-I hope nothing bad happens in there…”
“Hooves ‘er hard an ready fer a fight!” Ridge Cracker called out as he stomped his front hooves on the ground. “I’ll be kickin’ those ugly bug’s flanks if they get stupid nuf ta get close.”
“All our armor is good to go, not a single chink in the plating.” Tower Shield said as he and Iron Hide began to pass everypony their respective protective gear.
“The map is up to date, though I’m sure that we won’t be wandering aimlessly in the dark, but it’ll be nice not having to lay out directional markers for once.” Roadmap said smiling while holding up the map in question.
“Great, seems that everything is ready for the mission,” Greatsword said smiling a bit, “that’s a first that I think we all can like for once.”
“Oh hell yeah,” Battleaxe replied, “now maybe when we go in there the changelings will see us and instead of fighting, they might just turn tail and run, or even better, they will surrender to us.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Battleaxe,” Greatsword said to his ever enthusiastic brother, “there might not even be any changelings in the mine in the first place.”
“Now THAT would be lucky,” Battleaxe said, “then I could get a ‘I came to Los Pegasus and all I got was this shirt’ shirt.”
“You and your shirts…” Greatsword said covering his face with his hoof.
“Hey, I can’t help it if I want to have a sense of style,” Battleaxe said pointing at himself, “unlike some ponies…” he shot a glance Greatsword, who just shook his head to the sound of the laughter of the 1025th.
“Well if we have all of our gear ready we may as well make our way to the mine,” Greatsword said as he motioned the 1025th to stand, “I’ll go notify Shining Armor that we’re up and that we’ll be heading out in a few minutes, the rest of you wait up for me until I get back, then,” Greatsword started smiling, “then we kick this thing off.”
Greatsword made his way to the Royal Guard’s set up and informed Shining Armor about the 1025th status, to which we responded with a forced smile and nod of his head. Greatsword then returned to his unit and gave them the order they had been waiting for, the order to move out. The 1025th then made their way to the abandon mines, ready for anything. Or so they thought.