Chapter 6
Spending 5 hours with talking. I never thought it would take so long.
The guard was the medic that gave me breakfast. Storm was getting my lunch, Shining Armor was busy somewhere else.
“You’re the medic who brought me breakfast, right?”
“Yes I am. What’s so special about it?”
“Nothing. You guys just have to do the job that must people can’t because it gets too bloody sometimes. You’ve got my respect for that, at the very least. What’s your name?”
“Sergeant Straight Arrow. So, you respect medics, huh?”
“Yeah. They’re safe lives. Plus, I used to be a medic like you.”
He grinned. “You were?”
“Yes. But I've learned from experience that the place to save lives is in the field, not an office. And sometimes the only way to save a life, is to take one.”
“So, you’re not afraid to kill?”
“In this war, I spare civilians and especially children. You know, before the war, I was in a counter-terrorism and special operations unit. In this unit I learned, that sometimes the only way to save a hostage, is to kill the hostage taker. Get what I mean?”
“Yes. We never had a hostage situation in Equestria, but I understand your concept.”
“And you know, as we have something to talk now, your and my ‘shift’ won’t get boring.”
“You got that right.”
I deployed a like for him. We were similar.
In the cell, I turned my MP3 player on to listen to music. Rusty Cage by Johnny Cash.
I almost forgot about this song. I listened to it in 1996 but I discovered it again when I played Mob of the Dead with Tom. We broke the circle back then.
Lunch was good. Broad and salad. Better than some MREs.
Instead of Storm or Arrow, a Pegasus guard with orange coat was guarding me.
Flash Sentry if I am not mistaken. I never understood why he got all the hate for what his human counterpart did.
I stopped my player. “Hey, buddy.”
“Yeah?” he responded.
“You’re new here, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I have been transferred from the Crystal Empire just a day ago.”
“You’re young, aren’t you?”
“Yes. And I am scared. Scared to die. I am too young to die.” I could hear the fear in his voice.
“I know this feeling. I have a wife and son back home. I hope to get them to see again. I have fought in many battles; I never thought I would survive. But in the end I did.”
“How did you survive all this?”
“Experience, sometimes just luck. But the most important thing in battle is cover. If you have no cover, keep moving.”
“Thanks for the tip. I became a royal guard just a year ago. I even became a good friend of Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“You did? Impressive.” Actually, it didn’t surprise me, as I knew it already from the show.
“Yeah. But it’s not like you think. We’re not a couple. Just friends.”
“Why the people always have to think when a boy and girl are together, that they are a couple.”
“Don’t know. Don’t care.”
I talked with Flash a little bit before it was night. This time, I woke up when it was midnight.
As last night, Sergeant Ash Mark was the night guard. If it was really him.
Before I could ask, I heard voices coming from the hallway. An earth pony and one unicorn walked into my sight. They were members of Celestia’s guard, so it was strange why they were here at this time. They stopped in front of the Sergeant.
“The Captain of the night guard wants to see you. We take from here.
Ash Mark was not convinced. "And why were you two sent? Your shift ended hours ago.” Yep it was Ash Mark
The unicorn just mumbled, “Are you questioning his authority?”
Mark thought for a moment. “No, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.” As he left, the two new guards took his place.
I had to interest in them and tried to sleep again.
Yet, I heard hoof steps and the opening of the door. Opening my eyes, I saw something I didn’t like. Sadistic expressions.
The unicorn lit his horn and I was yanked off the bed on the floor. I tried to break free but the unicorn held me in a strong grip, unable to move.
What the…The earth pony used his full strength on my solar plexus. The unicorn released me, and I crumpled to the floor.
“Look at you. An Elite soldier? No, a helpless coward. You’re humans are nothing without your guns.”
The unicorn used his magic to get my upright again while I gasped for air.
“You… don’t… scare…me.” I got a small breath out.
“What was that?” the earth pony taunted.
“You… heard… me.”
The unicorn slammed me against the wall, increasing in pressure.
“I don’t understand what the Princess sees in you. Instead of making you a friend of her, she should rip what she wants from you. Nothing can stop her.”
They wanted to kill me. But I didn’t want to die now.
“Coward? You may look strong on the outside, but are weak on the inside.”
The earth pony snorted in anger. “I show you who the real coward is! Let him go.”
“You sure about that?”
“Do it!”
The unicorn released me. I managed to catch myself.
I analyzed my opponent. The weak point was his head and his neck as the armor was exposed. If I could land a few hits, I should be able to knock him out.
In the cell, I had the advantage of mobility as my armor was made for this. Plus if I could distract them long enough, Sergeant Mark would be back. It wasn’t the best plan but that’s okay.
The earth pony charged at me. He was about to kick me with a two-legged buck. I ducked to dodge it and responded with a counterstrike to his neck. He stumbled, so gave him a punch to the head. “I expected better.” I taunted.
Just as the earth pony recovered, his comrade used his magic to throw me against the wall. The other guard brought his hoof down to my chest but fortunately, he hit me where my body armor was the strongest. I felt only little pain.
I responded my kicking him into the gut, then a punch right into his exposed jaw.
This threw him off me, but the unicorn was pinning me against the wall. I heard a cracking noise in my chest. I think that were my rips.
With the unicorn, the earth pony had an unfair advantage against me. I have to take both out at the same time.
“Are you done, yet? If I didn’t help you out, you would lose.”
“Just let me finish this.”
I managed to recover a little bit before the earth pony charged again at me. This time, I sidestepped, grabbed the outstretched leg and threw him back at his partner. Both didn’t saw this coming.
As they both hit the ground I taunted, “That’s all you got? You got nothing!”
The unicorn responded by slamming me back into the wall and choked me.
I tried to breathe without success. The guards had their sadistic expressions again.
“A worthy opponent I must admit. But enough. Finish him off.”
My vision began to blur and darken, for the first time in my life in the Enforcers, I panicked.
No! Not like this! My dear family… I… am… so sorry.
“WHAT IN THE HAY IS GOING ON HERE?!”
Instantly the unicorn released me and I gasped for air as I fell on the ground.
I coughed blood and was holding my chest in pain. The two guards were cowering before… Princess Luna. My and Otto’s favorite princess.
She was furious. “Well?!”
T–the prisoner a–attacked us, Your Highness! W–we were d–defending ourselves!” The earth guard whimpered.
“Princess! What happened?” Ash Mark and two other guards joined us.
“That is what I would like to know, Captain Night Star. I arrived to find the cell unsecured, and these two,” Princess Luna pointed to the two cowering guards, “attempting to kill the prisoner.”
I tried to stand up, but the pain was too much.
“Are these the ones who told you I wanted to see you, Sergeant?”
“Yes, Sir. They said you wanted to see me and that I should not question your authority.”
Night Star just said to the day guards, “Get up!”
Princess Luna saw my condition and knelt next to me. “Are you alright?” She sounded genuinely concerned.
“No. Those bastards broke my rips and I think my lungs are injured.”
“Do not worry. We get a medic for you.”
“Thank you for saving me. If you had not come, I would be dead now.”
“You are welcome. Even as a prisoner, your well-being is important. Private Night, assist the Lieutenant.”
“Yes, Princess.”
She helped me up. “They hurt you pretty bad. Let’s get you on the bed.”
“To assault, and nearly kill, an unarmed prisoner in our custody… No matter the circumstances that brought him here, what you two attempted is appalling. I shall wake Captain Armor and my sister, and you will explain yourselves to them.” Luna looked at the day guards with a disapproving look on her face.
If I go down, I take you with me!” The unicorn lit his horn. I tried to get out of harm’s way, but it was pointless as I was thrown into the wall with my head first. I trembled and saw blood before everything went black.