//------------------------------// // Healing // Story: The Raven’s Sky // by Chemtest //------------------------------// Raven stands on top of a hill, and looks down towards the Ministry. The building looks just like an aid kit, blue with a green cross going through it. He begins to walk towards it, only to be stopped by Bedlam. She drags him to the floor, and hisses, “What are you doing? There are Bluebloods swarming that entire building.” Raven focuses a bit more, and can make out pegasi in the same Ranger Armor as the dead one he saw before. He shakes his head, and stands back up, “They’re soldiers, Bedlam. They are just doing their duty to the Equestrian Nation by defending that Ministry. I’m sure they’ll step aside upon seeing me.” Bedlam hesitantly follows after Raven as he walks up to the building. A Private stands by the door, CLR on his back. Raven marches right up to him, and salutes, “Private!” The Private instantly salutes back, “Sir!” Raven keeps his salute up, even as Bedlam approaches. She looks between the two, “Uh, what are you doing?” Raven smiles, “Messing with the Private. So trained to automatically salute that he doesn’t even look at who called him Private.” The door to the building opens, and another pegasus walks outside. He sees the Private, and begins shouting, “Private Beam, what in Tartarus’s name are you doing?!” The Private doesn’t dare to move, “Standing at attention, Officer Loo!” The Officer gets closer, “And why are you doing that?!” The Private begins to lean away a tad, “I was addressed!” The Officer looks as he leans away, “Well, you aren’t standing at attention anymore, are you, Private?! Put your damned hoof down and scan the horizon before I break your hoof off!” The Private puts his hoof down, and begins scanning the horizon, “Yes, Officer Loo!” Raven puts down his hoof, and snickers to himself. The sound draws the Officer’s eyes to him, “Were you the one who caused that?!” Raven nods, “Oh yeah, it works every time.” The Officer lets out a laugh, “Yeah, it does, doesn’t it? I have to do that more in the future, it always scares the shit out of the rookies.” He recovers, “Anyway, back to business. What the hell are you doing here, and who are you?!” Raven looks up at him, “Ravens Breath, Officer, looking for something.” The Private jumps back, “Raven!?” He draws his CLR and points it at Raven, “Officer Loo, permission to fire?!” Officer Loo knocks the Private’s CLR to the ground, “Denied, Private!” He shakes his head, “You pull that shit again and I will personally make you into a cloak for Autismo!” The Private begins scrounging at the ground to pick up his CLR, “Yes, Officer Loo, sorry, Officer Loo!” Raven looks over at Officer Loo, “Loo?” He nods, “Correct. I am Officer Scootaloo the Fourteenth!” Raven takes a step back, “What? You’re Scootalooo? But, you’re male?” He nods again, “I am a clone, a merging of her DNA with that of a volunteer. I am the best soldier in Blueblood’s Enclave, made from the DNA of the best soldier of your Equestria.” Raven smiles, “Well, shit, no wonder you sounded just like her! Well then-“ Raven is cut off by the sound of a CLM firing. Four lasers impact the Private right next to them. Raven wheels around, only to see a figure on top of a hill. He is decked out in Ranger Armor, and a Crystal Laser Mini-gun sits on his side. Raven narrows his eyes, and a flash of memory fills his mind. But Officer Loo doesn’t allow him any time to react. He instantly grabs Raven and Bedlam, bursting into the building with them, “Shit, we’ve got Steel to the hill, south! Private Beam is dead!” Ten other pegasi soldiers instantly react. They all rush to nearby windows, and begin firing their CLR’s. Such begins the process of them ducking back into the building, and then firing back outside. Officer Loo throws open a locker, once used for medical supplies, and takes out three different weapons. One of which he straps to himself, and appears to be a heavily modified Smith Gauss Rifle. He throws the SGR on, and rushes over to Raven. He shoves another weapon into his hooves. A Smith and Crystal Plasma Rifle. He then gives Raven five crystals for it. Then he gives the final weapon to Bedlam. A Smith Assault Rifle, in perfect condition. Then he gives her ten magazines of ammo. He takes out his SGR and nods to Raven and Bedlam, “Raven, that SCPR will be able to pierce their RA’s, make each shot count. Filly, those are AP rounds, aim wisely and you should be able to pierce. Come on, let’s go!” Raven rushes to a nearby window, and looks out of it. He can see the pony from before a lot closer now, and he can see more detail on his RA. Raven wracks his mind for why he looks so familiar, until it hits him. He looks over to Officer Loo, “Cease fire, cease fire!” Officer Loo looks towards the soldiers, “Hold fire!” Raven looks outside the window, seeing the armored soldiers stop in confusion from the lack of fire. He smiles, “I recognize their leader! We can work out a deal.” Officer Loo nods, “Whatever you want us to do, then ask.” One of the soldiers speak up, “Sir, why are you listening to this Wastelander? The King wanted any Steel dead on sight.” Officer Loo turns to face the soldier, “Because I couldn’t give a shit about what the King says, and you don’t either. We all know that the only one who should lead the Pegasi is Scootaloo. We all know that she was the strongest and the wisest of us all! Raven was a friend of Scootaloo. If she trusted him, then we can trust him. If she listened to him, then we will listen to him!” He looks back at Raven, “What do you recommend?” Raven looks toward him, “He isn’t really the speaking type, and probably would try to continue fighting. If I were to truly recommend a course of action, then I would suggest you gather all your resources and return to your nearest FOB. I can have a word with him myself, and perhaps I can hash out a deal for a joint occupation by both groups.” Officer Loo nods, “And who is this pony, exactly?” Raven smiles, “Head Paladin Mass Offense.”