//------------------------------//
// Chapter 23 
// Story: The Elements of Equestria 
// by trooper7051 
//------------------------------//



"Wait for it." Sargent Roller ordered his troops.

More than two hundred members of the E.P.U. 'Royal' Guard were arrayed just outside the swamp surrounding Haysburg. A flight of starving Gryphons had arrived at Canterlot five days prior and collapsed from malnutrition at the gates of the Royal Palace. They were administered to and we're recovering well as guests in the Royal Palace, fed by loads of fish every day. Once he regained consciousness the flight leader had explained to the Princesses about the situation in Haysburg and the E.P.U. Guard had been dispatched immediately.

At that moment they were waiting for the fog to completely clear from the swamp before they moved in. There were seventy-five Earth Ponies, seventy-five Pegasi, and fifty Unicorns. Once they arrived at the outskirts of the swamp, Sargent Roller had been given specific orders to wait for any and all magical barriers to clear before he moved his troops in and secured the town.

Captain Shining Armor stood at the forefront of the gathered Guards, waiting patiently for the fog to clear. On the outside he was calm as a still pond, but within his mind blew a hurricane of unimaginable furry. He worried terribly about his younger sister and her friends. When the Princesses had explained that Twilight and her friends were likely in the same location as the trouble that had been stirred up he had nearly passed out from shock. His stomach was tightly knotted with worry for her safety. The Princesses had briefly mentioned that his sister and her friends were safe with five stallions he had never met. Supposedly they were the ones who had fought the giant chimera that had destroyed a full block of Canterlot, but the Captain kept his opinions to himself. The Princesses were absolutely adamant that the stallions were trustworthy but the Captain was nevertheless worried especially about his sister's safety and perhaps virtue amongst a bunch of full-grown stallions. He decided to judge for himself by the condition of the town. If what the Gryphons in Canterlot had said was correct, the situation could not be dealt with by just a few ordinary stallions.

As the last of the fog lifted Shining Armor raised his right forehoof over his head, once it dropped the Guard would enter and sweep up any trouble. The fog lingered as if afraid to depart, but depart it did and the white Unicorn's hoof descended.

"Move!" Sargent Roller ordered loudly, "Stay in groups of three like we planned!"

The Unicorns and Earth Ponies broke into a brisk trot, staying in groups of three as ordered, while the Pegasi launched into the air as one and flew out over the swamp.

*          *          *

Trooper yawned and stretched out his limbs smacking his lips and blinking owlishly, "Where am I?" he asked quietly.

Laying in a hospital bed right next to his own was an already awake Rainbow Dash, "We're in the Haysburg medical clinic." she was first lying on her back but then turned toward Trooper, her coat rustling against the somewhat stiff white sheets "I'm glad you're alright Troops. You were really..." she trailed off and looked down toward the floor, "I thought you were a goner." she finished quietly.

Trooper's eyes bulged as the memory came flooding back. He quickly stretched out his left foreleg, then his right, then very hesitantly lifted the sheet covering the rest of his body. Relief flooded through him at the sight of his entire body being whole and lacking the rather shredded look he had been sporting previously.

He flopped his head back against the pillow, blinking in confusion, "Correct me if I am wrong, but I do believe I was in a rather sorry state after my tussle with that..." he waved his right forehoof vaguely, "That... whatever it was. How then is it that I am hale of health? By all rights I should either be in traction, in surgery, or deceased."

Rainbow flinched at the last word, "You're not the only one. Most of us got pretty banged up last night..."

"Last night!" Trooper sat bolt upright staring at the cyan mare, "How? How are we healed after everything happened 'last night'?"

Rainbow sighed and shook her head, "You got me. Mend did... something. He was trying to work on you and he got all frustrated, said he was 'losing you', anyway his mane and tail started glowing. They got really long and wrapped around you and when they pulled away you were fine. He did the same thing to Rarity and a bunch of us. We were all pretty banged up... all except for Sea Blue and Pinkie." she huffed, "Those two didn't have a scratch on them."

Trooper blinked slowly, "Sooooo... where is everypony else?"

Rainbow waved her forehoof toward the door of their room absently, "They're all out there in Haysburg. I think they're trying to explain what happened to the ponies who live here. Valiant and Fluttershy disappeared somewhere and according to this one Searcher guy, his friend Birdie is missing altogether."

Trooper groaned and pulled the sheet off himself with his right forehoof, "We need to be out there with them."

Rainbow Dash chuckled at the stubborn stallion, "Then it sure is a good thing one of the nurses came in and took out your IV a couple of minutes ago." she let out a small groan as she too pulled the covers off herself, "I should probably join you."

Trooper slid out of the bed and onto his hooves which promptly gave out and sent him chest first to the floor, "Ouch." he groaned, "And now I seem to be as weak as a newborn." 

Dash having seen Trooper's legs give out, pulled the sheet back over herself, "Maaaaaaybe I should stay here for a little while longer."

Trooper grumbled and began trying to force his legs to cooperate, "I *grunt* suppose that *groan* we have yet *huff* to recover from our *groan* ordeal without food or water."

Dash agreed, "Yeah the nurses said something about being weak until we've eaten some food." at receiving a withering glare from her stallion companion Dash rubbed the back of her head and chuckled nervously, "Heh... I guess maybe I should have said that a little earlier."

Trooper leaned up against his bed and shook his head, "Do not bother yourself over it Rainbow Dash. You were ready to join me which indicates you obviously considered yourself to be in a state to do so. You were mistaken, it does happen. At least we are not both on the floor as I am unsure whether or not your ego could take it."

Dash's eyebrows crinkled, "Hey, what the hay is THAT supposed to mean?"

"It means that I can take the embarrassment as I have little pride. You, on the other hoof, would undoubtedly go into cardiac arrest if you did something so silly." Dash caught the smile in Trooper's eyes as he finished his statement, "I suppose you and Rarity really DO have quite a lot in common." a fluffy white pillow made a soft *poomph* sound as it impacted Trooper's face.

Trooper bit down on the pillow and tossed it on top of his own with a grin, "Well that was very generous of you Rainbow Dash, giving me your pillow like that. It seems I was correct about you and Rarity, generosity and all."

Before Dash had a chance to make a retort she was cut off by a stern voice, "Get back in bed you dense sack of feathers!"

Dash followed the voice back to the unicorn mare, "He... uh, he rolled out of bed by accident." she said trying to cover for Trooper.

Trauma turned a flat gaze toward Rainbow Dash, displaying how likely she thought the story was, "Uh-huh and I'm the mayor." she looked back to Trooper and lit up her horn, "Come on, up you go."

Trooper's body was outlined with her magic as she deposited him onto the bed, "Now just stay there while I go and get you two some food. I took out your IVs after you were hydrated, but it will take several more hours of eating to get your full strength back." she turned and headed for the door but stopped before she left and called over her shoulder, "And do not even think of getting out of that bed before I say." with her peace spoken she left the room.

Rainbow Dash let out a sigh, "That's nurse Trauma. She and her sister Triage run the clinic here. I met her earlier. Real sweetheart huh?"

Trooper shrugged, "If nothing else her demeanor would help to ensure ponies stay out of the clinic. I suppose it does take all sorts. I am sure that someday some stallion will take quite a shine to her."

*          *          *

Searcher laid in another bed in the rear of the clinic. He stared up at the ceiling not moving a muscle. Beside him, Colossus laid in another bed, also silent, but that was mostly due to his entire body being suspended and wrapped in bandages. Neither stallion had said much beyond asking where Birdie was, not even to each other. They both knew what they had participated in and both felt the heavy weight of guilt on their shoulders. Searcher in particular felt the weight strongest. He knew he was responsible for everything that had happened and the guilt weighed heavily upon him. His mind replayed everything over and over, every detail where he might have escaped, every opportunity to perhaps free himself, anything that he could have done to avoid the situation. Everything that had happened was his fault and he bore the burden silently, hating himself every second.

Across from Searcher and Colossus lay Molasses. His entire flabby body covered from ear to hoof with bandages thickly slathered with burn ointment. Dr. Mend had yet to be notified of his condition and the two nurses wanted to take care of their own. They had already dossed him with a healthy amount of Valiant's healing potion. Molasses would live. His body would be hopefully free of scars, but he would live in any case, scars or not.

Surf & Turf had been dossed with a hefty serving of the healing potion as well. Triage and Trauma expected him to make a full recovery. Tinker was temporarily in traction with nearly every inch of her body covered in bruises and more than a third of her bones broken. She would be fine after being force-fed a vial of Valiant's potion. Mill Treader mysteriously had no injuries, but he had been asleep when he was brought in and had yet to awaken. Of the Gryphons who participated in the battle for Haysburg, none had died from their many various injuries, but the entire front end of the clinic has jam packed full to bursting with injured Gryphons. Triage and Trauma knew they would have to concoct another batch of the healing potion. They had to admit, they got a lot of use out of it.

*          *          *

Twilight, Rarity, Sea Blue, and Live Wire helped the ponies of Haysburg clean up their poor, beat up town. Everypony stepped very carefully over the furrow in the road that had been made the night before. The residents might not remember what exactly had happened, but the signs were frightening. Collapsed buildings, entire stretches of the road being plowed like some monstrous farmer had decided to open the ground. Little did they know how accurate the analogy was. They were grateful for the help from the four mysterious unicorns, but they took pains not to engage in too much conversation with the visitors for fear of rekindling the kind of ferocity evidenced by the state of their town.

Applejack's leg was steady enough for her to walk on it lightly, but she and her brother stayed next to each other watching the town around them. Dr. Mend had been politely asked by, Triage and Trauma, not to go into the clinic for fear of using his newfound  power to heal everypony. The two sisters didn't easily trust mysterious magic and after what had happened with Searcher, nopony could blame them. So it was that the serious and taciturn stallion was forced to try to keep up with Pinkie as she bounced from one pony to the next trying to cheer them up. Well that was the theory, he TRIED to keep up with her. In practice, he merely ended up running from startled resident to startled resident apologizing for Pinkie's random outbursts and cleaning up the perpetual confetti she seemed to leave in her wake.

As for the residents of Haysburg, there was little speaking or interaction. They had a great deal to think about and reflect on. The vast majority simply sat in their homes or temporary shelters and stared silently at the eleven mysterious ponies who had saved them all from... something. They answered when spoken to, but made no attempts to interact with their saviors of their own volition. Their minds were swirling, trying to comprehend what had happened and it was a realization that was slow to come about.

Around noon seventy-five Pegasi in golden colored armor landed in the center of the town. Twilight, Rarity, Sea Blue, and Live Wire had been taking a short break underneath the overhang of the clinic when the Guards showed up. Declining offers of help, Twilight and Live Wire trotted out to meet the Guards.

Twilight picked out the insignia of rank among the Pegasi Guards and trotted up to the commanding officer, "Hello Lieutenant..." she greeted.

"Miss Twilight Sparkle?" he interrupted her.

Twilight took a step back, "Y-yes?"

"Secure the V.I.P. then secure the town." the Lieutenant ordered stiffly, "Search out and locate any dissenters then hold them for questioning."

A group of ten Pegasi Guards encircled Twilight, pointedly ignoring her demands to know what was going on, while the rest spread out searching buildings and questioning every pony on the street. Sea Blue, Rarity, Applejack, and Big Macintosh all rose to their hooves and trotted up behind Live Wire as the little yellow therapist stomped up to the Lieutenant.

"Is Twilight under arrest?" Live Wire asked loudly to the Lieutenant.

The pegasus stopped and looked him over, "She is not, civilian. Stand aside."

Live Wire drew himself up to the maximum of his inconsiderable size and glared at the pegasus, "Then she is free to leave." he spoke crisply.

The lieutenant looked down at the short stallion blandly, "She is under protective custody..." his eyes met those of Rarity and Applejack, "Two more V.I.P.s, secure them."

The Pegasi Guards moved to surround the two mares but found themselves face to face with three unmoving and unhappy stallions,
"Let. Twilight. Go." Live Wire ordered slowly.

The Pegasi Guards looked to their commanding officer for direction, he did not disappoint, "Arrest these three dissenter stallions and secure the V.I.P.s." he said idly.

With a loud clang three sets of armor formed around the so-called 'dissenters', 
"Ah'd back off real nice like if'n Ah was you." Big Mac warned calmly.

The lieutenant took a step back in surprise, "Who are you?" he ordered harshly.

Sea Blue chuckled into his hoof before answering, "We're the ones who saved Haysburg last night. Who are you?"

The lieutenant raised his head and eyed the turquoise stallion with a  haughty air, "We are the E.P.U. Guard of Equestria, protectors of her lands and all who dwell within." he lowered his head and spread his wings aggressively, "And you are under arrest."

"I don't think so." Live Wire suddenly spoke up, "Because in order for you to place us under arrest you have to suspect us of having committed a crime, furthermore you are required by law to tell us what crime we are suspected of committing. You have not said we are suspected of committing any sort of crime furthermore, you have placed Twilight Sparkle under arrest. That's wrongful arrest. So far the only crimes being committed here are by you. You don't have the authority to place anypony into protective custody, only the Princesses or the Captain of the Guard can do that and even then a situation must be dangerous and you can only act to protect the civilian from harm. There is no law that allows you to restrict or restrain the movements or actions of a civilian under protective custody. In that case, YOU have broken the law and abused your authority and any of your Guards who follow your orders are in violation of law." he machine-gunned in a single breath.

The lieutenant stared at Live Wire incredulously for a moment before regaining his composure, "We have orders from Captain Shining Armor to take the Elements Of Harmony into protective custody as soon as we locate them."

Live Wire lowered his head and stepped up to the Lieutenant's face, "Release Twilight, now, or we will take her from you."

"Live Wire don't!" Twilight yelled.

In a flash of lavender light, she teleported right next to the short stallion, "Leave it alone. In an emergency situation the Guard have the authority to take whatever actions they deem necessary to guarantee the safety of civilians."

Live Wire rolled his eyes, "Don't quote the Rules and Regulations of the Guard to me Twilight. I tried out for the Guard. IF the situation were an active combat zone then they would have such authority. We are not in combat," he turned to the Lieutenant and sneered, "Yet. So this pompous road apple has no right to order us around." he took a step toward the Lieutenant and smirked, "WE secured Haysburg. Are you reporting to us to relieve us of duty as defensive civilian combatants?"

The Lieutenant's eyes bulged, "What!? Three stallions secured the entire town?"

"Six." Sea Blue corrected him, "The three of us plus one who is recovering in the clinic, one who has wandered off, and one who is running around here somewhere. We brought the Elements Of Harmony to Haysburg and helped secure it. We are their guardians: The Elements Of Peace and believe me, you will not get us to back down. We have yet to be officially instated by the Princesses, but believe me, we outrank you by several dozen orders of magnitude. Back. Off."

*          *          *

Valiant and Fluttershy were indulging in some much needed sleep. Her nightmares had become progressively worse and her sleep had suffered, but now that she had been reunited with him, she felt her lack of sleep catching up with her. Valiant had been awake for nearly three days while the Rainbow Of Darkness held control of his body. After the fighting ended, the two of them had snuck away to the hotel in Haysburg, taken a key from the front, and just collapsed together on one of the beds.

They slept peacefully until the sun was high in the sky. Fluttershy was the first to awaken. Her eyelids fluttered open slowly and she came face to face with Valiant's sleeping visage. She sprang out of the bed blushing furiously. Disturbed by the bouncing bed, Valiant yawned and opened his eyes. He spotted the brilliant blush adorning the face of the butter yellow mare in front of him and smiled sleepily.

"It's good to see you again Fluttershy." he mumbled, "I'm sorry if the sleeping arrangements were a bit unusual but we were both exhausted."

Fluttershy took several deep breaths to calm herself down before she spoke, "I-I'm glad to see you too. You look better than last time."

Valiant smirked and rolled out of the bed, "I feel better too, though I think you were referring to my health. In that case I'm certain I look better, seeing as I'm not half starved and bleeding all over the place."

Fluttershy hid behind her mane and mumbled a noncommittal response which made the royal blue stallion smile broadly at her, "If you're in the habit of showering in the morning, now might be a good time." he gestured toward the bathroom door, "I could go see about some breakfast, while you're busy, if you like."

Fluttershy merely squeaked an answer but she did make her way toward the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Valiant was feeling very pleased with himself and decided to make good on his offer. He opened the hotel room door and came face to face with a distinctively unhappy black stallion, "Hey Mend! What..." Valiant was cut off by a hoof to the jaw. He fell backward onto his behind blinking tears away from his smarting muzzle, "Ow! What was that for?"

Mend pushed his way past Valiant with Pinkie Pie right behind him. He turned and plopped his backside down on the carpet, "That was for leaving me!" Mend said hotly, "You promised me, you PROMISED that we would be each other's support and you just took off!" Mend rose to his hooves and began tromping in circles while Pinkie proceeded to bounce on the springy bed, "I poured my heart and soul out to you! You're the closest thing I have to a brother and you ABANDONED me! Am I mad? No!" he stomped his right forehoof, "I'm furious! Did you every think about how the rest of us would feel? Did you stop to consider that you were throwing away free tuition and room and board from the Princess? What about your employer at the apothecary? Did you tell her that you quit? NO! You left us one measly note and told us not to follow you! You do not just abandon your family like that young stallion! Imagine what would have happened if we hadn't come after you?" Mend quieted down and took several breaths as he let his words sink in.

Valiant slowly pulled his hoof away from his bruised muzzle, "Mend I-I... I'm sorry." 

Dr. Mend looked straight into Valiant's eyes and spoke very quietly, "You've been without a family for a long time, but you have one now. If you have a problem, if you have a concern, or a fear, even if you just need a shoulder to cry on or somepony to vent on, we are here." Mend blinked away the tears that threatened to spill from his sincere eyes, "You taught me that I can rely on you and the others, now you need to learn the same. We're not going to abandon you or throw you out like this town did. We're your friends, your family. We're here and we're here to help you, but like you told me, you need to let us help you. Listen to your own words Valiant. Take them to heart. We all came here to help you, all of us. Live Wire, Rarity, Trooper, Fluttershy, Sea Blue, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and me. We came to find you because we love you. You're more than just a friend, you are one of us. You're family, not by blood but by choice, and families stick together." Mend took a breath and drew himself up to his full height, "Now I want you to promise me that you aren't just going to run again when something comes up. I want you to promise all of us that you'll let us help you."

Valiant solemnly nodded, "I promise Mend. I'm sorry."

*          *          *

Outside, Shining Armor and the rest of the E.U.P. Guard had arrived. The Captain was deeply concerned with the amount of damage that had been done to Haysburg, but he held his tongue. The citizens of the town were his first priority. He saw a group of the Pegasus Guard arrayed in a circle near the center of town. There were three stallions in armor facing them down and his younger sister and two of her friends standing behind the strange armored stallions.

He sped up his canter and approached the groups, "What's going on here?" He asked loudly.

Twilight turned and motioned him over with her forehoof. The Lieutenant who was at the head of the group of Pegasi, turned and threw a salute, "Sir. These civilians are interfering with your orders. I was about to place them under arrest."

Shining Armor heard his Guard spread out behind him before he even spoke. They moved around and surrounded the three stallions. Shining Armor trotted up to the short yellow Unicorn stallion who seemed to be leading them, "What seems to be the problem?" He asked directly.

Live Wire snorted, "I already explained it once, but I suppose I can again..."

"He and these other two," the Lieutenant gestured to Live Wire, "Stopped us..."

"You already gave your report, Lieutenant. This stallion is capable of speaking for himself." Shining Armor barked sternly. He then turned back to Live Wire, "As you were saying?"

Live Wire began speaking again, "In order for you to place us under arrest we have to be suspected of having committed a crime. He never stated that any of us were suspected of committing any crime and he is required by law to tell us what crime we are suspected of committing. He has not said we are suspected of committing any sort of crime furthermore, he placed Twilight Sparkle under arrest. That's wrongful arrest. He doesn't have the authority to place anypony into protective custody, only the Princesses or the Captain of the Guard can do that and even then a situation must be dangerous and he can only act to protect civilians from harm. There is no law that allows anypony to restrict or restrain the movements or actions of a civilian under protective custody. HE broke the law and abused his authority just because we didn't do what he ordered." 

"They are dissenters, sir! They refused to cooperate with a direct order!" The Lieutenant said quickly.

Shining Armor slowly turned his head toward the Lieutenant, "We only have the authority to give civilians orders when on guard or during an ongoing emergency where civilian lives are in jeopardy. This town is calm and it seems to me that the only one stirring up trouble is you." He gestured to Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack, "They're not in any danger. What were you planning to do? Put them in restraints? Lock them in a room?"

"We were going to keep them in one place until you arrived to give us further instructions, sir." The Lieutenant said sharply.

"And I distinctly remember telling you that you were to place them in protective custory IF they were in danger." Shining Armor replied.

"The town is not secure, sir. They could still be in danger. We need to secure the perimeter and post watches..." he trailed off as he caught the flat look his Captain was giving him.

"So instead of taking the initiative to do so, you instead tried to hold the civilians and pick a fight with several stallions who might have been allies?" Shining Armor addressed sharply. He turned his whole body toward the Lieutenant, "Instead of assigning one or two Guards to monitor and follow the V.I.P.s and leading the rest to secure the perimeter and set up a watch, you confine your Guards to a single central location where they are easy to spot and do not have a clear idea of what shape the rest of the town is in. Instead of tending to the civilians and ensuring they are well, you focus on three Ponies amongst a town of hundreds more, many of whom might require aid." Shining Armor raised his head and looked down at the Lieutenant, "And now you have wasted time that we could have spent securing the area because you were too focus on spitefully antagonizing three stallions who refused to be bullied." Shining Armor snorted, "Effective immediately, consider yourself on report. Your actions will be reviewed upon our return to Canterlot. Secure the perimeter and set up a rotating watch to ensure the safety of the town. I expect you to take the first shift and lead by example. Do I make myself clear?"

The Lieutenant saluted crisply, turned and flew off, taking the other Pegasi with him. Shining Armor turned to the rest of his Guard and issued quick instructions. The stallions ran off to obey his orders as the Captain turned back to Live Wire with a smirk, "That was a bold move. Not many Ponies have the guts to challenge an E.U.P. Guard." He extended his right forehoof, "Captain Shining Armor." He introduced himself with a smile.

Live Wire's armor evaporated with a metallic clang, but he did not slime back, "Lemon Lime." He offered no more than that and he did not accept the offered hoof.

Shining Armor lowered his hoof, his smile fading, "I apologize for what happened. You were right, he didn't have the authority to do what he did."

Live Wire was still not happy, "Is it the practice of the Guard to stand back while untrained 'civilians' handle a town that has been taken over? Was it fun to watch?" Without another word, he turned and trotted away, "Next time maybe you could be bothered to show up and actually help."

A shimmering force field popped into existence in front of Live wire. He heard Shining Armor address him from behind, "We had orders to hang back until the fog lifted. I would have been here days ago if I had the option."

Live Wire turned around and faced the Captain, "Well then I suppose it's a good thing we were here."

Shining Armor nodded, "I agree. We don't have a clear picture of what happened here. I need statements and eye witness testimonies for the reports. You already know the situation here..." he left the sentence unfinished.

Live Wire took his time in responding, "And I have a perfect memory. I'll help you."