Now in uniform, I stormed out of the barracks and through the throne room. The guards at the door barely had time to open the door before I was passed them. Twilight and Spike were both there, waiting for me. Twi had a worried expression on her face while Spike held one of curiosity, though both looked stunned to see me in uniform. I walked past them, so frustrated I couldn't see straight. They followed close behind me until we exited the palace.
"Back in the uniform then?" Twi asked, unsure of herself. "I thought you wanted out?"
"Yes, I did, but it would seem others wanted otherwise."
A short pause, then, "How was your talk with Princess Celestia?"
"Wonderful," my voice dripping with sarcasm, "couldn't have been better! I even got a name! Philosopher! What a BRAND new day!"
"You don't have to lie to me, Toby or Philosopher." Twilight nearly yelled. "I know you didn't meet with the Princess. She met with us, she never meant to meet with you today, but she will tomorrow."
"Well isn't that just great," I stopped and turned to face her, "because I have my first assignment tomorrow at oh-freaking-early! I was told to serve, that I was marked to serve. This Lord Swift is really starting to get on my nerves!"
"Wait," Twi was taken aback by my sharpness, "did you say Lord Swift? When I left he was barely a first officer... he told you you had to serve? That's not what the Princess told us. She ordered Lord Swift to offer you choice. She knew your sacrifice, what you've gone through. That's why she offered you a choice, one she knew you wouldn't take. I wouldn't think he would place you on assignment as soon as you got here! That doesn't even seem right!"
"No, it doesn't feel right at all! It felt like I was coerced, conscripted even! I was told it was the Princess's PERSONAL wish that I serve! What was I supposed to do? I didn't know!" Then my mind caught up with me. " Wait, I take it you know this pony?"
"Well," she got a bit nervous and started to turn red at my question, "yes, I did."
"Previous suitor, I presume?"
Twi breathed deeply. "Yes, but that was a different time then. He was different."
"I certainly hope he was different then, because he seems quite the asshole now. Though, I doubt he's the type of person to change." It took me a second to see that Twilight was on the verge of tears, to see the weight of my words. "Twi," my voice dropping to barely above a whisper, "I'm sorry," I came closer and put my forehead against hers. "I'm just not sure what will happen now."
"It's fine," sniffling through her words. "I...I... just take me back to the train. I've got to get a few things from Ponyville before the audience with Celestia again tomorrow. Believe me, I've got a few words for her as well. Just.. get me to the station. I'll try to work this out."
I stepped back a bit, knowing that I truly fucked up. "Alright, I can do that."
* * *
I watched the train slowly pull out of the station. I offered a single wave to it as it left but knew it wouldn't be returned. With the train gone, I was alone on the platform. I never felt this alone before. Granted, I caused it, but being in a brand new world with no one who cared around... Letting out a sigh, I turn around and exit the station. No use standing around here, I thought to myself. You've done enough damage.
Making my way back to the palace, two emotions gripped my mind. One was guilt for the words I said and the other was anger for what words I had received. I have been deceived, lied to, and that does not fly with me.
Before I realized it, I was back in the palace, storming to the barracks, pissed off as never before. Though the other ponies didn’t know me, they quickly realized it was clearly wise to look down or away from me for fear of provoking my rage at this time. I nearly kicked down the door to my new teams’ room, I stared down Player and Painter, but both kept to their own business.
"Something up, LT?" Painter finally asked, keeping his focus on the artwork.
"Where is Lord Swift?" I growled through gritted teeth. "I've got a kind word or two to share with that stallion."
"Out on assignment ‘til the day after tomorrow," Player said in between sound of his ball bouncing off the wall.
"Out on assignment?! You've got to be kidding me! Agh, how convenient..." I started to pace, trying to keep my anger in check, but to no avail. "I apparently have an audience with Princess Celestia tomorrow. You know, when we're assigned to check out the Everfree Forest?"
"Seems like the Lord to do that," Player responded.
"Yeah, Philosopher, sir" Painter continued. "This happens a lot. He seems to have a knack of knowing when our meetings with the Princess are. Especially for us low on the totem pole." He stops for a moment and shrugs. "You get used to it after awhile."
"This is a joke," my voice began to raise in volume. "An absolute JOKE! Doesn't Lord Swift have to answer to the Princess?"
"He should, but that doesn't mean he does. Besides, I'm sure one meeting with the Princess can wait on the terms of a safety check of the kingdom she rules," Player said nonchalantly.
I let out a yell and collapsed on my bed. "This is one FUBAR'd system." I said under my breath. I stared furiously at the dark wall above me for a few moments, lost in anger and thought. "Well, what about training?" I spoke, still trying to drill a hole in ceiling. "This is my first show here. The Grand and Glorious Lord Swift surely wouldn't want to send me in without any training."
"LT," Painter sighed, putting down his brush. "Sir, Lord Swift put you in this group to test you and your skills. He just wants to see how well you do in a leadership position. This is where most of the new LTs go anyways."
"Yeah, LT," Player reassured. "Calm down a bit. You'll get to see the Princess soon enough. Let’s just finish tomorrow's assignment and you'll be home free."
"Sir, " Player spoke. "Get some rest, you're gonna need it."
I sighed and rolled over on my bed. Might as well, I thought to myself. It's gonna be a long first day on the job. Better make it count, for what it's worth. I closed my eyes and let my thoughts drift away. I thought of how unfunny Players’ pun was. I thought of her, of Twilight. I thought of how I was going to make it right her, if that was even possible.
* * *
Before I knew it, it was time to wake up. Painter nudged me to get up. It was still dark, the sun wouldn't be up for a couple of hours. I rolled out of bed and dawned my uniform; not the dress blue uniform from yesterday, but a black field uniform with a patch of a blue phoenix sewn on the left foreleg. Wishing for a cup of coffee, as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
"Come on Sir," Player joked. "It's a walk to the Everfree forest, so we need to get going."
I shook my head, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get down to business. Painter, brief me on the situation on the way there." I received a nod in reply from the artist. "Right then! Player! Lead the way!" Player threw a mock salute, extended his wings, and took off a few feet ahead of us. "Okay, Painter, what are we facing today?"
"Sir!" Painter began, trotting quicker to get beside me. "Reports have been varying." He pulled a map out of his pack for a visual. "Everywhere from large explosions here, here, and here," pointing to various spots on the map, "to possessions and hallucinations of passerby ponies," pointing to multiple points near a trail. "The victims under possession report that they felt like puppets and then performed in a puppet show. Hallucinations range from large glowing bears to loved ponies of the victims long past. The best we got on the target is a pony, possibly a unicorn, average height, with a long white or blue coat. We have orders to capture and detain the suspect."
"So, we're looking for a pony, maybe magical, playing puppet master." A smile crossed my face. Just like every HVT I went after back in the day. Same shit, different day... different world. "Alright then, try to stick together, but if we get split up, regroup at the trail and out of the forest. I don't want to give our target the home field advantage on this one. You tracking?"
"Affirmative, sir."
"Good. PLAYER!" I called to the pegasus in front of us. "Keep above us ‘til we get there. Air cover won't do us any good once we get there, so you're gonna have to get your feet dirty for once."
"You know how much I love to do that, LT," said a voice from above.
I shook my head, a slight smile on my face. What a bunch of characters. We continued to the Everfree Forest in silence. Painter slightly behind me and to my left, Player flying above, forward, and to my right. The sun was starting to rise over the horizon, shedding its light across the land. The little cloud cover made this day quite beautiful. Equestria was waking up to a brand new day and I was on the march.
The entrance of the Everfree Forest loomed in front of us. I paused, calming myself. Player drifted down next to me and Painter approached from behind. We stood there, looking into the forests’ beckoning shadows.
"Right then," I began. "File up; Painter, up front and leads us with a light. Player, in the back, yell if you see something. Ten step intervals. Move." Painter moved up front, using his horn to illuminate the path in front of us. I waited a few moments then followed, Player following suit soon after. Painter's beam of light shifted from left to right, searched through the shadows. I too tried to search, but the shadows were deep and dark.
Slowly, a fog began to drift in. "Tighten it up! Five pace intervals! And stay alert!" I shouted, realizing the fog was quickly growing thicker. "I don't want to lose anyone!" But it was like no one heard me. Painter kept walking away, barely visible in the gathering fog. Turning around, I saw that Player was nowhere to be seen. "Team! Sound off!” I yelled, panicking. It was like speaking in an empty box. My voice echoed, but I heard nothing in response.
A voice cried out from what seemed like all around me, "Toby!"
It was Twilight's voice. But... she couldn't be here, I thought in apprehension, could she? "Toby!" It cried out again.
I stopped and started to turn in a circle, trying to track the voice. "Hello? Who's there?"
A figure emerged out the fog in front of me, and it was my purple pony. "Don't you recognize me, Toby? It's your love, Twilight."
"Twi?" I questioned as she approached closer. "What are you doing here?" She was now in front of me, the fog following her steps.
She was face to face with me now, her violet eyes stared into mine. "Toby, I just wanted to see you. Can I not do that? See my very special somepony?"
Before I could respond, her lips were firmly planted on mine in a kiss. Her eyes closed in the moment, but I was unsure, wary of the situation. When her eyes opened, slowly, I watched as those violet eyes change colors into a much lighter purple, and her coat change into a blue hue.Oh no, was all I could think. Suddenly, I was tossed to the ground with magic, my legs tied together. Struggling the best I could to get away, I received a hoof pressed against my neck. My eyes were the only part of me able to move. Looking up in helplessness to the mare above me. A unicorn wearing a conceited smile.
"A fighter? Oh Trixie is going to have lots of fun with you."