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// Espérer 
// Story: It's My Duty To Protect 
// by BronySis 
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		 I remember when it all happened, now looking back at it, it all went by like a blur. The first big event was I became a widow, then I joined the cause and when it started, I mean the conflict, and now here I am. I am here with the most Loyal friends you could ever ask for. Especially that rookie named Cinder, shame she doesn't have a cutie mark. I mean I am only four years older than her, and I married at her age. Maybe I can help her, I mean cutie marks are a important part of society, there would be chaos and disorder without a idea of what one shall do. I guess she must live a life of chaos with no cutie mark. Well lets see what I can do for her. I mean she doesn't have her cutie mark which obliviously means she needs help. - Espérer Hope 
“So, how long have you been here?” Cinder asked as the two mare’s walked towards the mess hall, or a better name would be the mess, building in progress. Because unsurprisingly there is a kitchen and a whole bunch of picnic tables. It kinda looks like a filly was working on wall’s then found a new play thing and kinda left the mess, building in progress. 
“I have been here since the beginning of the war. Hey can we stop by my bunk to drop my stuff off?” Espérer asked, it was an innocent question, but she asked it as if Cinder was going to say no.
“Well sure, I mean we got plenty of time to kill. You know, we did sass are mentor.” Cinder gave a short chuckle, which then was followed by Espérer giving a full on laugh. Cinder didn’t understand, it was chuckle worthy, maybe a snort. But full on laughter is a little much, but hey some ponies have less of a laugh tolerance. The two pegasus mares, were walking to the warrior building. When they arrived there was nopony else there, understandable the mess hall is open. It wasn't that long ago since Cinder ate, somepony else probably needed it more than her.
“Hey Espérer, can we stop by the smith to grab my armor?” Cinder asked, Espérer nodded.
“We got plenty of time to kill,” Espérer paused then spoke again in a defensive tone. “Not kill, we don’t need to kill anything.” Cinder gave a snort thinking it was a joke.
“So, I have a few questions. You see I lived in a reclusive village, I don’t know what we did get and didn’t.” Cinder said hoping for answer, but got a confused look. “You see I have heard of Sweetie Belle, yet somehow I have never knew about a civil war in Equestria. And that seems like something that is unavoidable.” Cinder had a sarcastic tone in her voice. She wanted info but not at the risk of loss of a light hearten mood. “I mean yeah we were handling our own issues, but things like nukes may be, noticeable. I know biggest understatement of the year but you get my point.”  
“Well about a year ago is when the official split happened. As of now we are at war with Sun Clan, and neutral with Moon clan. Light clan is a odd type of clan, they are unpredictable. And as of now we have heard nothing from Crystal clan in about two moons.” Cinder nodded her head but was obviously unsatisfied. “Anyway let's head over and pick up your armor.” The two leave Espérer room, and head over to the smith. The smith is a not a odd sight with everything else, but if you were to copy and paste it anywhere else. It looks  like a lemonade stand, but with armor and weapons. The mare who was running the stand looks like a blacksmith. Her mane was a bronze as well, bronze. She had strips of silver as well, her coat is the color of ash. Her horn was glowing the same color as her eye’s, a hot red color, the mare spoke.
“Ello love, you must be the rookie.” 
“I guess so, I mean. I still  like to think I am your Mane mare.” Cinder laughed, but the other two mares didn’t laugh. To be fair the blacksmith was holding back her laughter. She was a sucker for horrible irrelevant puns. It was barely a pun, that's how bad it is.
“I need my armor before I get myself killed.” Cinder said as a fact, yet had a hint of light warmheartedness. Crystal, the blacksmith levitated a huge hunk of metal. On further inspection Cinder was able to pick out that it was wing shield, chest plate, and a neck protector. It looked like it was bronze armor, rimmed with silver. It looked very sturdy, like it could take a beating, it needs to though to survive a battle. Cinder slipped the armor on, careful not to misplace anything. Because it would either look wrong or feel uncomfortable.
“Then let’s see, you have a referral for a weapon to. What a rarity, your mentor must feels that she knows you well enough.” Cinder raised a eyebrow, her mentor gave a referral? What weapon, she wondered. I hope it's a gun like what Sweetie Belle had, or maybe it’s going to be something as equally awesome. “You have been assigned Projectile-04. Nice going, that's a good weapon.”
“Whats a Projectile-04?” Cinder was struck with pure confusion, she calmed herself then spoke again. “I mean I am going to be awesome with it no matter what, but still what is it?” Crystal brought out a machine from a box, no she brought out two. Then she got a box with what Cinder can assume ammo.
“Well it’s a new little weapon that my mentor made, it uses thrusting power to launch darts. I know, odd but it is a good weapon for stealth and speed. Because the most heavy thing about it is the ammo, and even with that the ammo is reusable. You're going to be the first soldier to use it.” Well, that makes me feel better. Cinder thought to herself. I get to be a guinea pig for a new weapon. Cinder slid the two devices onto her two front hoofs. They were oddly light, and so she loaded the ammo as well. And what do you know, it's not very heavy. 
"Well give it a try." Espérer spoke up, she was curious on this new weapon even she had not seen before. Cinder looked to the mare who just spoke. Cinder grew a smile of zealousness, her excitement grew as did her understanding of the situation.
“Let’s go,” Cinder flew quickly towards the range but she stopped herself and quickly went back to the stand. “Thanks!” Cinder’s smile became infectious spreading to Crystal. Cinder looked out and followed Espérer once she joined her, she was darting quicker than a bullet to the range. She was stopped by Espérer voice asking her a question.
“What’s it like not having a cutie mark?” Cinder paused and bit her lip, she didn’t know how to respond until it came to her.
“I mean it has it’s ups and downs. I have a open destiny, I can do anything I want until I am forced to a destiny. But I guess it would be nice knowing what you want to do with your life. I am going to be honest with you.” Cinder pulls Espérer close, she whispers in Espérer ear. “I don’t care about my cutie mark, I don’t need it. I know who I am and no mark on my flank can change that. I am what I can make of me, I am a hard working soldier who doesn't need a cutie mark to tell you about me.” Espérer was in shock, that is not what she expected at all. “Anyway let's get going I want to see what I can do.” The two mares walked down to the almost a road yet not a road. Espérer walked down the road thinking about what Cinder said.