Baltimare was both a city of great unrest but of great importance. It was the only port next to Manehatten but was more efficient in cargo delivery due to many rivers leading deep into the land of Equestria. Although rough and rugged any soul who took Baltimare could cause a famine that would stretch to Canterlot itself. But that does not make it an easy take, The easiest route was through heavy mountains and deep forests, the train that went directly through the forest or mountain took many days to traverse. The port was built on a shoreline shaped like a horse shoe, this allowed boats ample parking space but also an easy defense for attackers from the sea. The only people who dared attack the city were occasional sea pirates but that stopped after the nightmare moon incident due to the moon's imbalance causing large waves and whirlpools to emerge. However inside the safety of the city life was no better, pirates found it a nice place to dock and relax, so long as they did not cause trouble and paid of the shore administrator that is. But like all pirates, trouble found them. However life still carried on in the salty air city of Baltimare.
"Atten hut!" The 27 privates stood at the ready as their officer barked orders to them. "This city can be broken into five sectors, north, south, east, west and central. There will be four squads patrolling each of the four regions and three in the center. The remaining will patrol the border of the country, if under attack send for a flare and those in central will come to your aid. Understand?"
"Sir yes sir." Came the unified answer, After a quick salute the groups broke up and went to their posts. The city of Baltimare was a strange one, the port and center was often bustling with activity whereas the surrounding lands were quiet and small. Half of the city was made out of shops while another quarter was the port itself, only one quarter of the city were citizens while the rest were tourists and market dealers.
Shining and his group were posted in the west. It was the poorest slum of the other places and violence and gangs were rampant. Because of this, all squads in the west were often backed up the quickest in times of need. Shining and two other soldiers walked through the streets, it was quiet save for the sound of pots clanging in the wind or small murmurs from people in the street, even young colts and fillies dare not stray further than a few meters from their house. And Shining was about to find out why.
"Please let him go I promise by next week." A young mare struggled with four large thugs as they dragged a single young stallion away from the house. "Sorry missus, You know the rules. And we law abidin citizens ain't gonna break one for you." Mocked the largest. Shining stepped towards them with his group. Immediately his companions followed.
"And this poor soul came to us in his time of need. And if his gambling hooves can't stop, then I guess we will stop'em for ya." They placed his hooves over a block and brought a rusty old axe down on it. His screams erupted throughout the neighborhood but no one came to his aid. Shining stayed silent, allowing his white rage to soothe into a deadly calm ball before deciding on the right way to react. It was hard, his years of learning not to jump into fights would be tested now, the slums, the poor, the weak, all being compressed into a corner and forced to learn submission from an overgrown dog.
"Sir I will ask you only once to step away from that stallion." Shining's voice peaked a deadly tone but the large dog was too complacent to notice. "Ah its the law securin officer eh?" Mocked the thugs. "Pay him our citizen fees." They threw a bag of bits in front of him and went back to the hoof-less stallion. Immediately the biggest felt two back hooves slam into his face potentially breaking his jaw in three places, Shining reared back again and slammed into yet another. The disorientated gang members lunged for him only to face two more soldiers beating them back. In a matter of minutes all four were rounded up and tied to a post.
"Thank you, thank you." Begged the young mare as she bandaged her partners wounds. He had lost only one hoof, but that would have serious repercussions in the future.
"No problem miss. But what did he mean citizen fees?" Questioned Shining.
The mare looked scared, she motioned him closer as the other two guards sent for more backup. "You must be new here" The Stallion moaned in pain as the guards took over his care, Shining listened tentatively to the mare
"The place is run by thugs who settled here years ago, the old guards get payed a citizen fee and the gangs simply run around doing what they please. If I were you I wouldn't fight with them, they out number the guards three to one."
He shook his head and placed his hoof on her shoulder for reassurance. "Miss that's what I am here for. Now where can I find them."
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The old abandoned warehouse just a few blocks from here is one of their hideouts, its small but also their supplier, they move in a few hours so you don't have much time. Shining Armour heard the words of the mare as he approached the hideout. It couldn't have housed more than twenty people, Shining stood there with two other squads, in all nine.
He had scouted the barn already. One front door and one back. and the area was surrounded with other buildings. An easy place to hide but not so easy to escape.
"Listen men, they still out number us but we can take them with surprise." Shining Armour may not call the shots, but his prowess in magic and his unyielding need to help others had him many followers. "Team one go and take out patrols, my group will enter the front and group 3 will flank them from the back, team one will come through the roof and take out any on the higher level, my team will then go up the stairs and team 3 will chase any runners. Got it?"
The silence was answer enough, they all got equipped and got ready for action. Team 1 crept out from the building top, going from one area to another they cut down one guard after another as Shining and his group stood by waiting for the other group to get into position.
Three...Two...One...
"NOW" He entered, levitating two nearby chairs he hurled them at the surprised rogues as his team charged in fighting off who they could. At this moment the back door exploded and team 3 entered screaming.
Perfect. Now any minute team 1 will be on the roof to start on the second floor. He heard the thud and smiled. Feeling his adrenaline rising he pulled his blade from its sheathe and griped on it with his teeth. The bandits could barely fight. Disorientated and sightly unprepared he dodged through the wild swings and went for the crippling points.
"Arghhhh." He parried an axe that was aimed for his head and tripped the attacker. His men were doing fine. But there seemed to be an unlimited amount of them. The battle was only in their advantage due to surprise, but the moment fatigue catches up they would be swarmed. Then his head felt cold.
There isn't anymore noise coming from upstairs.
"Dammit." He charged through the mass of bodies and summoned a pink shield. Allowing it to take all the damage he released it, sending all the force from the battering to explode back onto their sender. Ponies flew through the air, some even cracking their backs on pillars and others smashing into tables. His own soldiers were already going into another room to clear more out. Trudging up the stairs he slammed open the doors.
"Well well well, if it isn't backup." A single diamond dog wearing battle scars all over his face sat in a chair surrounded with four others. Shining's own men were beaten, lying on the floor tied together.
"I admit you guards put up a good fight." The troll spoke in a strange thick accent. "They took out three of my men before I put them down myself." He licked his lips and stared at Shining. "So how about this, you tell me who sold you out, and I let you all go free."
Shining's horn started to glow. The dog chuckled hoarsely "Such Brave one. But I don't think so now, You do anything and I will kill your friends." The diamond dog signaled to his pack who pulled out different assortments of weapons.
He was unnaturally well spoken for a Diamond dog. He obviously was not a simple henchman.
"We don't negotiate with filth." Shining nodded to his friends and they rolled away from attacking range. Instantly, Shining placed sent out a burst of light blinding the room long enough for his friends to break free and run. The Diamond dog was most definitely annoyed. "So you try to come into my business, you destroy the place and then think you can leave without a fight. He swung a large wrapped blade from his back and held it lightly in his paws.
"I promise you won't be so lucky. For if you leave, I will tear down half the city looking for you." The diamond dog let out a growl before swinging the cleaver, in a split second Shining had already darted out of the window and onto the ground below. The building was cleared and his own soldiers had left to chase down the stragglers.
"Arghhh." The dog growled in annoyance. His swipes were fast and precise. Unlike the others he was properly trained in using his weapons. Shining parried blow after blow, his own sword was chipping from the sheer force. Then a loud crack could be heard.
Shining threw the hilt at his attacker and hopped back a couple of feet. Both pieces of the sword clattered harmlessly to the ground.
Another swipe cleaved its way through the air only to be stopped by a pink shield. It held, for a few seconds before cracking. Shining rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its blow.
The dog chuckled. "Funny how your magic seems so weak eh?" He stroked his blade allowing Shining to get a closer look. "This was created solely for creatures like you. Its called the magic eater, The more magic I cut, the stronger the attack." He growled lowly.
"Pathetic Unicorns such as yourself depend your whole life on magic. Lets see how long you last." Swinging the blade over his head in a helicopter fashion, the dog swung it around twice before bringing it down in a downward slice. Shining deflected it using telekinesis before dodging to the side. Flicking the blade back up the troll swung it again to the left trying to take a piece of Shining with him, Shining could only dodge and direct the blade away, If he took a hit head on it could mean death. Flicking his horn into the sky he summoned a wall of magic to catch the blow. The cleaver harmlessly sliced through it and carried on its path hitting Shining, cutting deep into his flank.
"You still haven't learned. You think a shield user such as yourself is hard to fight? You are so predictable" The troll laughed and carried on spinning the blade around,
Gotta think of something.
He narrowly dodge another swipe, the Diamond Dog was pushing him back onto a tree. It could guarantee the fatal blow.
But it won't be for me.
Shining backed up quickly towards the tree. "Sensing your end?"He laughed "Well I'll make it quick."
His blade stuck deeply into its target. It wasn't Shining but the tree. Shining darted from under it and slammed his horn into the Diamond dog.
He could feel its blood seep off his horn and down his face, undeterred he charged forward dragging the impaled dog forward before throwing him off with a quick flick of his head. The dog gurgled the blood in his mouth as Shining charged him into a wall before stopping. The battle was over, Shining spat the blood out of his mouth and began to walk back to his troops.
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"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED IN YOUR DISTRICT PRIVATE ARMOUR!"
Bellowed the commanding officer as Shining stood with his makeshift rebel army in silence. The officer was already red in the face from the sun, Shining silently wondered if there was a deeper shade of red he could go.
"I in no way authorized your little war effort." Shining could feel the office's coffee stained breath burn the hair off his eyebrows. A single soldier spoke up from the group.
"Sir permission to speak sir."
Instantly the officer spun around and pulled the private so close their heads bumped together.
"Permission granted. What is it."
"If Shining had waited they would have been gone sir. And we didn't take a casualty except Shining sir."
The officer rubbed his temples, they had been rash and their actions could have dire consequences in the future. However their skirmish had most definitely warned all that break the law that the new guard was in town.
"Very well Private Shining, I commemorate you with a promotion...To barracks keeper. You will stay at the barracks and keep watch for any non personnel from entering. Do I make myself clear?"
"Sir yes sir." Groaned Shining with hidden frustration.
This was going to be a long post.