//------------------------------// // Fated To Fight // Story: Mann Vs Mane // by dudenotactive //------------------------------// "I can't believe we have to rely on those dolts!" Trixie voiced her frustration as she and her team made their way outside.  They weren't alone, a few other teams walked along with them, especially the BG Alpha. They all shared their feelings about the situation, a lot disliked the fact that team Harmony was fighting for Equestria. They weren't just known for the number of collateral damage they have made, nope, everyone knew about Twilight's projects to create an abomination. A few mercenaries were caught in her operating table, all because they needed a medic and couldn't wait for one.  Lyra shuddered, the last time she talked to Twilight was last week and she left her castle with a pair of wings. Thankfully she got it removed after.  "Twilight and her team might not be perfect, but they are reliable." The Doctor disagreed, he has hope for team Harmony unlike most of his fellow mercenaries. "They are just as skilled as the rest of us, though their sanity is to be questioned, we can still have faith in them." "He's right," Starlight said. "I have known Twilight for a year now and I'm sure she and her team could handle this." Sunset smiled. "Yeah, and have any of you guys met the rest of those goofballs? Spike and Fluttershy are really nice once you get to know them, and the best part, they are honestly pretty good at their jobs. Though someone should tell Autumn to take off his mask when he's outside of work, those things are hard to breathe in." "If Doc says so," Derpy smiled proudly as she walked next to her fellow pyro. "Those dweebs can't even tell friend from foe, they're the most violent ones in the business. And if you pissed any of them off they wouldn't even hesitate to snap your necks, the pink one especially." Gilda said.  Berry Punch said something, but it came out as gibberish since she was too drunk to form any words correctly. But somehow, her team understood every noise she made. Even Vinyl, the engineer of BG omega, understood Berry Punch. Keep in mind she is always blasting music into her ears, it was a surprise to many that her hearing is fine.  "The drunk is right," Octavia said. She was the heavy of team BG, a mare with sophisticated grace. A cellist in the past, now a six-barrel-wielding angel of death. If looks could kill, then she'd be on a killing spree. "Remember that time Applejack blew up the local school? All because she misplaced her explosive because she drank too much alcohol, at least Berry Punch only carried her bombs when she's at work." The Doctor's spy, Bon Bon, nodded. An agent of Smile turned to a life of backstabbing and deceit, life used to be simple for her. "Let's not forget about the whole cupcake monster incident, it traumatized so many colts and fillies." "Though they made the problem in the first place, it was them who cleaned it up." The Doctor argued. "Thanks to them, the town was saved." "Doc," Colgate, a soldier who isn't afraid of getting up close and personal, she'd beat your teeth in with a shovel and recommend a dentist for you. "they destroyed a kitten orphanage, all because someone told Pinkie that they supported democracy." Carrot Top, their sniper, sighed deeply. "Right, and it was Rainbow Dash who said that." "But what would we even do then?" Tempest finally spoke. "We have no power to change anything, we must accept the results as it is. I suggest preparing a resume just in case, the worst-case scenario is that we lose our jobs." The mercenaries looked away, the idea of losing their jobs was something none wished to experience. Ever since the first group of mercs, the world changed drastically. Instead of peace, there was only chaos. The ponies and other creatures of Equestria adapted and became part of the war. Thus, making generations of mercenaries. It became a tradition for many to take up arms and fight for the crown without the fear of dying. A game for some, a lifestyle for others.  Now Mann Co threatens that tradition, especially when they have their own mercenaries. Humans were bigger and more athletic. As if they have won the race of evolution, and those hands of theirs played a part. Not much else is known since the knowledge of these creatures is still limited, and no weakness has been discovered yet.  Speaking of humans, as the group exited through the front, they came to an unusual sight. Right in the courtyard, several stalls were set up on one side with humans behind them. As for what they are selling, it was all kinds of weapons. Sniper rifles, shotguns, and more. The mercenaries drooled at the sight of magnificent guns.  "Well?" They looked away and stared at the oddest sight ever, a small little girl in green stood in front of them with a prideful smirk. Six men accompanied the child all of which wore similar uniforms as the mercs. "What are you waiting for?" "I won't let you down princess!" Twilight promised to her mentor.  Celestia smiled weakly and let out a small chuckle. "Y-yes, I know you won't my dear student." Outside she took on a brave face, but on the inside, she was screaming. As Celestia and her group followed by team Harmony made their way to the courtyard, she kept screaming.  "Yeah!" Dash boomed. "We almost had them last time, next game we'll make them run for their money!" "And seeing as Cheese Sandwich is still dead, I'll be in charge of the party planning, right?" Pinkie said as she invaded Celestia's personal space. Her face pressed against Celestia's cheek, Discord chuckled silently along with Luna as both found it amusing.  "Sorry Pinkie, but I had hired someone else," Celestia admitted. "Who!?" Pinkie's limbs wrapped around Celestia's neck like a snake constricting its prey. She wouldn't let go, Celestia felt as if the oxygen to her brain was being cut off.  "Pinkie!" Twilight stabbed Pinkie in the back, her Ubersaw pierced Pinkie's back and went out of her chest, coating Celestia's face with some blood. "Bad Pinkie!" Twilight scolded the corpse that hung on Celestia's neck.  "T-thank you Twilight..." Celestia said as she removed Pinkie from her.  "No problem!" Twilight said as Discord resurrected Pinkie. "Wuh!?" Pinkie bounced back to life, unsure what had happened. "Where am I!?" "We were just leaving Pinkie," Rarity said tiredly.  "Oh, okay! Lead the way stranger!" Pinkie said joyfully.  "Oh god," Celestia groaned as she felt her brain cells dying just from that. She wished that she could just banish them to the moon, but that would only cause trouble. Right now, she needs them if she wants to keep her crown.  Discord and Luna didn't hold back and filled the halls with their laughter. Iron Will only shook his head in disappointment at how childish the two acted. While the rest minded their own business, speaking to each other as Discord and Luna mocked Celestia. Twilight was busy gushing about human organs and giving her theories on how it'll benefit her team. Pinkie was trying to remember who she was while Spike, Big Mac, and Autumn chatted. Iron Will has excused himself and separated himself away from the group.  Rarity and AJ talked about other things. As for Fluttershy, she simply followed the group in silence.  Just as the group exited the front doors, they came upon the line of stalls selling all kinds of weapons. "What is this?" Celestia asked.  Humans were behind the stall and ponies as well as other creatures spoke to them, inquiring about the weapons on display. There were a few that only sold hats while others were just merchandise. In one stall, Tempest Shadow was holding a car engine with four Force-A-Nature attached to a wheel. How anybody could reload it, no one knows.  "Hmm!" Autumn exclaimed as she pointed a hoof at Derpy holding a trumpet that spewed out bubbles and rainbows, childish and unprofessional by appearance. But the weapon was still able to set a test dummy on fire. Magic? Perhaps, or maybe it is some kind of chemical, who knows. "Woah," Spike was impressed. Everyone in his team was impressed with all the interesting weapon designs.  "There you are!" They heard coming from their left, all heads turned and found a small little girl just a few feet away. "Where have you been!?" She marched her way towards them.  "Were you looking for me?" Celestia asked.  "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to your sister!" The girl stated.  "What does thou need of me?" Luna asked with a hint of curiosity. "You are late for your photoshoot! We must hurry before we make the commercials!" "Photoshoot?" The group asked.  "Excuse me!?" Luna snapped at the little girl, but she was unfazed, not one bit. "I have not agreed to any photoshoot whatsoever! And who are you even!?" The little girl huffed and rolled her eyes at Luna, this caused a few "Oh's" from the group.  "I am Olivia Mann! CEO of Gray Gravel Co, and owner of Builders League United as well as Reliable Excavation Demolition. Also, uncle Hale has put me in charge of Mane Co while he is at the badlands." Luna seethed with rage, this literal child was challenging Luna. "Olivia, was it?" Luna gritted her teeth. "I will give you the count of ten before I erase you from this reality with the might of the moon." "Sadly you can't," Olivia said blankly. "When Discord wagered your territory, he had also wagered your crown with you attached to it. In the end, you are now an employee of Mann Co whether you like it or not." "I refuse!" "Take it up to uncle Hale." She smirked and pointed a thumb towards a cut-out of Saxton Hale. "He has the same policy for quitters." Luna stared at the cut-out and felt the color on her face fade away. It said "Want a refund? Fight me for it!" and that alone made Luna contemplate her decision.  "Good," Olivia smiled as she grabbed Luna's hoof. "Now follow me, you will be making the company proud, I assure you." Celestia could only watch as a little girl took her sister away, she was unsure how to react or if she should do something about it. But in the end, she decided it was best to just head back inside and take a long nap. The day had been too much for her, so she'll just be in her room.  Meanwhile, as this was happening, a certain group of mercenaries was just minding their own business among the crowd of ponies. Some stared, others glared, few tried to speak with them only to clear away. Perhaps they were shy, or they would rather not come anywhere near the enemy. Either way, it is understandable. The team stuck out like a sore thumb, no one was able to ignore them.  "I'm tellin' ya! He's really my dad!" Scout said.  "And yes, the fact that he spoke to you as you bled to death makes a lot of sense." Spy was doubtful, of course, he was.  "Spy's right, Scout," Engineer agreed with the Frenchman. "besides, didn't he die a few days before you got to that island?" "Maybe. Just hear me out. Maybe, he was a ghost!" Scout reasoned.  "Scout is stupid," Heavy said blankly.  "No, you're stupid!" Scout shot back.  "Scout, I have medical evidence zat he is not your father." Medic informed him. "Ve vill speak of this at a later date. Ve have more important things to be done." "Aw come on! My dad is dead and I'm learning it just now! Can't any of you guys give me a break?" Scout whined.  As the group chatted with each other, Pyro only followed them silently. He/she/it tried to say something just to add to the conversation, but it fell on deaf ears as Scout tried to punch Heavy in the face. Resulting in him having a whole hand wrapped around Scout's face to which he started screaming in agony as Heavy slowly tightened his grip. The Spy sighed while the Demoman laughed, and the Engineer only ignored the two. Pyro stared at the team, his eyes moved from one merc to another. None of which were paying him any attention. His pace started to become slower than the rest, and soon enough, he just stopped. Something else caught his attention. And being unsupervised by the team, Pyro decided to follow his current object of interest.  He walked by numerous ponies who were also mercenaries, some glared at him while others only gave a glance of curiosity. A few went to speak with Pyro only to find out that he only mumbled. No words could be recognized no matter how hard they tried. And finally, Pyro reached his destination. A stall with a very interesting item, it looked like a trumpet of sorts, and yet it was classified as a flamethrower.  He extended a hand towards the weapon, but just as his fingers made contact with it so did a hoof. His head tilted to the side as he turned to face the owner of the hoof, at first he thought he was staring at some sort of mirror, but then it clicked in Pyro's mind that it was indeed another living creature. And the most interesting part was that it was team Harmony's pyro. The kirin with the mysterious origins.  A similar gas mask stared back at him, her mane was like rainbows that flowed out from the edges of the mask. The sweet smell of strawberries and lollipops complimented his nose. And then there was the song, a cheerful song that came from Autumn. Pyro had not heard of it before, but he wanted to listen to it all day.  "Hmm?" Pyro muffled. "Eho." Autumn greeted.  Pyro pulled his hand away and motioned for Autumn to take the weapon for herself. Autumn in turn did the same, she tried to convince Pyro to go on ahead. Pyro shook his head and insisted that she takes it. But Autumn wouldn't accept, she would've liked it more if he takes it instead of her. Sadly, Pyro wanted her to have it, as much as he wanted it for himself.  "Aw sweet!" Sunset Shimmer said as she grabbed the Rainblower and held it proudly in her hooves. She didn't notice the two pyromaniacs as she did so. "Finally got one for me!" "Huhda," Pyro said, this earned him Sunset's attention.  "Oh, hey dude. You're one of those human mercenaries, aren't you? The name is Sunset Shimmer." She introduced herself.  "Mmhmo." "Pyro, huh? Cool, you guys are so professional." Sunset said. "Hey Autumn didn't see you there. Wait, did you two want this Rainblower?" Both pyros shook their heads no, and they instead told Sunset to take it. Sunset accepted and moved on, she said goodbye to both pyros before heading towards the owner of the stall. Pyro sighed, he did want the weapon, it called out to him so badly. Autumn felt the same. They then stared at each other for a second before chuckling amongst themselves.  "Hudda?" Pyro suggested.  "Sha!" Autumn agreed.  The two then walked off to look for some snacks. Pyro mentioned that he saw a stall selling apple fritters and other apple stuff. The two chatted with each other as they walked, a few jokes were shared here and there. But just as the two pyros finally ordered their apple fritters, a little filly with a rainbow mane tackled Pyro down.  The little child squeaked something unintelligible. Now that he sees it, it was the young child who was called Rainbow Dash.  Confused, Pyro held the filly by the back of her neck and pulled her away. He scolded her and told her not to tackle random strangers, even Autumn agreed with him. But in reality, Pyro had his hands wrapped around Dash's neck and strangled her while screaming at the scout. Even Autumn was screaming with him, and it was one of the most frightening moments in Dash's life yet.  "Dash!" Twilight said as she and team Harmony noticed Dash's predicament.  "Pyro!" Engineer scolded Pyro, and the team Fortress rushed in to help separate Pyro and Dash.  Once they were far apart, Heavy held Pyro in place while the rest of Twilight's team glared at the humans. Scout and the others glared back, Soldier growled deeply as he unholstered his shovel. Applejack wrapped a hoof around the handle of her sword, her eye moved from one human to another. A crowd started to form around the mercenaries who were fated to meet today. Spy and Rarity moved in sync and brought out their revolvers at the same time.  Demoman downed a whole bottle of scrumpy before flipping it over to use as a weapon. Pinkie took a balloon off her bandolier and held it menacingly over her head. Sniper and Fluttershy moved away from their teams, both had their machetes ready to butcher someone up. The tension was high between the two teams, one dared the other to strike first. Dash, who had recovered, brought out her pistol and trained it on Scout's head.  Both teams stared down each other for a full minute. Each prepared their own way and were ready for a fight. None dared to put a stop to what could be a fight that would be disastrous. Pyro and Autumn could only watch as their teams readied themselves for a bloody slaughter.