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The Militia3,142 words

The Militia

It was a gorgeous morning in Ponyville. The sun was shining, animals were playing, and Fluttershy was humming a lovely tune. Each of the animals around her squeaked, chirped, or made some other noise along with her. Fueling her tune in her own private concert. Said humming was interrupted by some rather loud grumbling, followed by a whisper, and then a loud hiss. "AHHHHHH! Feral ferret!" Fluttershy heard along with some rapid hoof steps fleeing the area.

It seemed like there was trouble with an animal. She had better go check it out. She wasted no time and galloped over to where she heard the hiss. In no time, she spotted the supposed 'ferret'. Whoever the voice belonged to, they got the species incorrect. What she saw was a mongoose. A slightly dark orange fur covered it's majority but it's underbelly was of a lighter shade. Oddly, it was wearing a tiny vest that fit it so well. It also wore a pair of goggles on top of it's head, ready to be pulled down at a moments notice. It seemed the vest was disadvantageous to it because it was caught in a thorn bush. The mongoose struggled against the thorns, hissing loudly, but it was only making it worse.

Fluttershy made sure to keep a fair distance away and cleared her throat to get its attention. The effect was immediate and she was glared at with intensity. It was better to not surprise it or it may injure itself further. "Hello," she greeted softly. "May I please help you?" she requested. The glare eased up and took a more fearful gaze, pressing itself against the bush, attempting to hide from her. The rather swift change in emotion was strange but that may be because it realized that it could not intimidate her. The voice from before was wrong. This wasn't a feral mongoose, it was much smarter. Right now it was scared and hurt. So she will help it.

Slowly she walked over to the creature, who continued to press itself against the thorny bush, and came to a stop in front of it. Mindful to not make any sudden movements, she sat down and reached both hooves towards the mongoose. It hissed at her but didn't strike out with a claw or its teeth. When her hooves finally touched the creature, it completely froze. Without any resistance, she was able to pull each thorn out of its vest and the mongoose was released.

As soon as it realized it was free, it sprinted away from her and around the bush. "Wait, you still need help!" she called after it, but it was already gone. She sighed sadly and made her way back towards her cottage, praying that the critter was okay.

The mongoose made its way through the Everfree Forest, weaving over and under roots as he needed. When he came to a stop, he stood up on his his hind legs and gripped his chest. "Good gravy, that was too sickly sweet for my taste," the mongoose unexpectedly spoke.

"You could use a bit more fat on those skinny bones of yours," the voice from the beginning called out. Out from behind a tree came a white stallion with a brushed turquoise mane and tail. On one side of him was a gold sheathed sword and on the other side was a gold shield. Against his barrel lay two gray mechanical wings. His Cutie Mark was of the mentioned tools, crossing over with each other but at the center was a mysterious box that hadn't been seen.

"Pft, that much sweetness wouldn't fatten me up. It'd just straight up give me diabetes. Why do I gotta be the one to deal with her? Can't you get Spot? He'd love that kind of attention," the mongoose complained.

The stallion rolled his eyes, "Because Spot isn't that smart and can't talk. Unlike you, Ricky. It will be easier for you because you're an actual animal."

"Rude," the apparently named Ricky said, pulling an eyelid down and sticking his tongue out. "Speaking of animals, how are you holding up? Get those legs working yet?" he asked.

The stallion raised a leg and looked at it, "Yes and no. Director's implants are helping me along but HQ is more or less the one controlling my limbs. She just follows my thoughts and makes me go through the movements."

"Handy," Ricky said with an unamused voice. "Anyway, I have my report. So far I think she's convinced that I'm just another animal. Although, she may be suspicious of my equipment," he mentioned, pulling at his vest.

"As long as she doesn't make any connections or try to take it off, it's fine," the stallion dismissed.

"You going off to do your part, Sven?" Ricky asked.

"That's right," the now named Sven said, running a hoof through his mane. "You have your way of spying and I have mine." Sven walked away from the mongoose, "Good luck with your mission." With that, Sven's form blinked and disappeared.

"Show off," Ricky commented before scampering off back towards Fluttershy's cottage.

Rarity thought she was going to have an easy day. She had gotten her supplies without hassle, she had a rather open commssion prepared that would let her creative genius flourish, and she had plenty of time to get it done. However, her day took a strange turn when he arrived.

"Is that the magnificent sun, come to walk among us?" a sudden voice pierced the air. "No, it's a shining star that glows even brighter than the bringer of day," the voice continued. Bemused by the rather loud praise, Rarity turned and came face to face with a stallion with a peculiar set of equipment. She'd never seen this particular stallion before. One of his front hooves was placed on his chest and he had this wistful look on his face. "Oh, her gaze has fallen upon my unworthy self. I should shy away from such a lovely gaze, but I cannot have my eyes part from such beauty. It is like tapestry, stitched into perfection. Truly a visage that deserves praise. But your eyes, they glow. They glow like a crown jewel that treasures would give anything to be just as beautiful. I thank you for turning them my way." he finally finished by bowing to her.

Rarity and everypony in the immediate area stared at the stallion. Rarity gave an uneasy chuckle for being the center of a rather... Colorful praise. While she would say that she enjoyed the compliments, the way he expressed it for everypony to hear was rather odd. This stallion apparently had no shame. And why did he have such equipment on him? "Well thank you for the compliment, sir, but I don't have time to dilly dally with a stranger. Good day," she said making her way back home. His words were too well practiced, she highly doubted she was the first mare he's used those lines on.

However, he did not let her leave in peace. "Oh, where are my manners. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sven," he gave a rather peculiar name. "Yes, I am aware that it is rather odd but my father came from a remote country and that's how their names went." She did find the name interesting but she didn't want to hear his life story. "May I have your name?" he asked.

She decided to be polite and return the favor, "I'm Rarity. It's nice to meet you, but I really must return home." She hoped he would finally leave her in peace.

"Very well. I wish you a good day. Perhaps I may see you again?" he requested. This stallion was being a little pushy.

"Well if you plan to remain in Ponyville for a while, we will most likely see each other again," she pointed out.

He smiled brightly, "Alright, until we meet again." With that, the pushy pegasus finally left, spreading his mechanical wings and taking flight. For some reason, Rarity felt that something wasn't right with him, but she couldn't put her hoof on it. Besides the fact that he was a flirt, it felt like... he wanted something. She'd best tell the other girls to be careful.

Sven teleported onto a cloud out of sight from any pony that could be nearby. He tapped it a few times to make sure it was stable. "Ha, cloud walking. I've got to get some boots that will let me do that," he said to himself. He reached a hoof up and tapped a metal device in his ear. "Nothing to report. So far, being friendly with the locals has amassed negative results," Sven spoke loudly at nothing.

"I think getting shot down by a bunch of mares is technically a report, doofus," Ricky's voice came through the device.

"No one asked you, rat. Shouldn't you be getting cuddled or at a tea party right now?" Sven spoke again.

"Bleh, don't remind me. I'm going to wait until dark before I do anything. Probably rummage through her stuff to get her attention," Ricky said.

"Pretty sure these ponies don't wear lingerie," Sven pointed out.

"There are other things to go through, you pervert!" Ricky yelled through the microphone.

"Quiet," a new and much deeper voice came through the device, silencing them both. "Continue as planned. We need the intel of this world if we hope to protect our town. Ricky, continue to monitor. Keep your cameras and sensors on anything that may be useful to know. Sven, continue to question these ponies. Tone down the flirting, it's making you suspicious."

"Yes sir," both Sven and Ricky said together. "What about you, Director?" Sven asked.

"I will be going for the head of this snake. Keep communication to a minimum. No distractions. Move out," the now named Director said.

Sven tapped the device and gave a tired sigh while rubbing his neck. "Well, this is going to go from zero to a hundred fast," he said in a resigned tone, giving a glance towards Canterlot.

The day court was a time for everypony to be able to speak with the Princess of the Sun personally. Where you can take their worries, suggestions, and grievances directly to the highest order. Said princess was sitting upon her throne staring down at a local sweet maker who had a rather unusual request.

"Your highness, I must reiterate that this business won't get off the ground if you do not show your support," Mrs. Pieces requested of Princess Celestia.

"Mrs. Pieces, I do not know if I can approve of your proposal. You are asking me to give you the ability to legally use other brands of big name candies, turn them into packs of tinier versions, and sell that for even more bits. I fail to see how this is fair to all of my other little ponies," Celestia pointed out.

"But think of the possibilities!" she said loudly. "No longer will we chew through bars and bricks, but perfectly sized sweets of the same amount, just easier to eat."

Celestia was about to respond but a loud voice came from beyond the doors at the end of the room. "You can't go in-!" but it couldn't finish for some reason. A foreboding feeling came over the whole room. Mrs. Pieces started shivering in fear while the princess and guards around the room tensed up. Without warning, the doors were kicked open.

In stepped through a rather large dark grey earth pony stallion, whose height was comparable to that of the princess. He was a slightly muscled imposing figure. His cutie mark was of a metallic hand, gold in color, with different colored orbs indented into its side. However, that's where things were normal. The stallion had no mane. Instead he had shining black metal cover his forehead, branching out on each side of his snout but not over his mouth. The metal ran along his spine and towards his 'tail'. It was difficult to actually call it a tail because it was of segmented metal that was able to bend at each joint. Every other segment had a glowing orb inside, none of them being the same color. At the end of a tail was a pyramid shape that had lines going down each edge, presumably it could open. For what purpose, nopony knew.

Everypony was tense as he walked forward. Sounds of metal against metal rang through the air as the tail moved. One of the guards looked past him and noticed that the sentries at the door were frozen solid with looks of horror on their faces. He walked right up to Mrs. Pieces and glared down at her. The mare quivered under his gaze. The stallion lowered his head to her height. "Get out," the stallions voice rumbled. Mrs. Pieces didn't need to be told twice and practically disappeared, running so fast away from there. The stallion stood to his full height and glared at the guards who stood protectively in front of the princess. "That goes for all of you," he told the smaller ponies, "Your princess and I will speak. Alone."

The guards didn't move or relax their stance. The stallion's frown deepened. His tail rose up and the end of it split open slightly. It began to spin and sparks could be seen coming from inside of it. All of them could feel the air around them intensify as it was filled with an electric charge. Before anything else could happen, Celestia raised a single wing. The movement immediately put all attention on her. "Leave us," she commanded. The guards looked among themselves nervously but did bow to her and all left the room.

She used magic to close all of the doors, leaving just the two of them inside the room. "You attack my guards and threaten my subjects," she pointed out as she rose from her throne and stepped down towards him. "And yet you ask for a secure audience with me. Why should I allow this to happen?" she asked for a reason for his actions.

"Whether you allow this to happen or not is irrelevant. I am not here to ask or give complaint. I am going to speak and you will listen to me," the stallion said with no reverence for the diarch. However, the tail did lower and the end closed, the sparks disappearing and the air returning to normal.

"If I don't?" she pressed.

"Then what happens to your ponies will fall on your own inability. I am here to make sure you remain neutral for any coming endeavors," he told her.

"Endeavors?" she asked, curious.

The stallion looked away from her and out the window, not immediately answering. Celestia relaxed slightly, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. It did not seem like this stallion was outright evil. His actions were rather crass, but if he was seeking neutrality, then he wishes to leave Equestria in peace. "A connection," he started, "Has been made between your country and my town. How and why, I'm not sure, but your realm is now known to mine."

She looked at him in surprise, "'Your realm'? Exactly who are you?"

"I am Director, leader of the Militia and initiator of this diplomatic meeting between our two realms. My only desire is to sever this connection before any of such mishaps happen," the now named stallion said.

Celestia completely relaxed at that statement. He only wished to help both his home and Equestria. He could have asked better but if that was his intention, then she would listen. "Go on," she urged him to continue. Even though she was surprised that he was not of their world, it was best to act professional.

"Until this is complete, I ask that you do not take any actions against me or my employees. There is fear of something passing through the connection from either side. We will deal with whatever it is and return it to where it rightfully belongs," he explained further.

She gave him a confident smirk, "I thought you said you weren't here to ask me anything." She couldn't help but smile further at his unamused stare but he didn't take any other actions. It seemed he wasn't as stiff as she first thought.

"Do not twist my words," he told her.

Her grin did lower but didn't disappear, "I am willing to listen to your request but you are asking a lot out of Equestria. Telling us to not act while complete strangers search our land."

"I am willing to debate with you some terms of agreement. We can negotiate what we can and cannot do and what you will get for agreeing. I have one week before I must demand an answer," Director stated.

"Then we have no time to lose. I shall rouse my sister," Celestia said.

"The less that know about this connection, the better," he told her.

"We are a diarchy. I cannot make such decisions without her consent," Celestia fibbed a little. She didn't need Luna to make this decision, but she would still like her input.

"Very well," he consented.

"Would you like some tea and cake?" she suddenly asked, wondering how stiff he actually was.

He rolled his eyes, "If that is your desire." Celestia couldn't help but chuckle. The meeting had a rough start but now that she knew where they stood, she knew it was going to get more interesting. Now to awaken Luna and start the negotiation.

Author's Note:

A rather serious start, but this story would be light hearted. It would be broken up into 3 segments. Ricky and him trying to survive Fluttershy's loving and girly nature. Sven going ham on every lady he comes across, though mainly focusing on Rarity. And the interactions between the comically serious Director and the royal sisters. Sven's flirting would have 0 results, so no worries about him hooking up with any pony. Sides, I'd probably be terrible at the romance genre.
It'd be interesting to have fun with Fluttershy being overbearing, Rarity deflecting or playing with Sven's advances, and general fun the royal sisters could have with Director.
If nothing else, it's another idea. Hope you enjoyed.

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