//------------------------------// // The trolling begins! // Story: How the hell did this happen? Or should that now be hay? // by Lucky424 //------------------------------// “Chin up Pinkie, we're not angry with you, and we don't have to tell Shining Armour about this. Not yet anyway.” At this, Pinkies expression instantly rose, and she started bouncing alongside Twilight just like her usual self. As they were about to step through the door way, the others rushed up to them, and Rarity began to explain between her deep breaths. “Twi....Twi....Twilight.....Fluttershy...is...all.....ready here!” The gears in Twilight's head started spinning when she recalled it was Owlowiscious' check up day. They all burst in just as Fluttershy was coming from the kitchen, blissfully unaware of her audience. “Okay, Owlowiscious, that's it for today, and I'm happy to say you're as healthy as ever.” “Fluttershy!” Opening her eyes to the noise, she was met with the concerned faces of four of her friends, and a very sheepish Pinkie Pie, who instantly darted forward and hugged her friend, almost crying. “I'm sorry Fluttershy, but they asked me about it and the sent Applejack to talk to me, and you know we can't lie to her!!” As she was about start off on one of her speeches, Fluttershy interjected before she could continue. “Pinkie Pie, it's okay. We would have had to tell them eventually. How much did you tell them?” “Just what we did for it, getting it a blanket and some food.” “Okay then, there is nothing to worry about.” Turing to the others, she posed a question that she all ready knew the answer to. “I suppose you all want to see it then?” There was a chorus of excited replies, and it left little doubt that she could go home before showing them. “Okay then, Pinkie Pie, would you like to lead the way?” Pinkie drew away and rubbed her eyes before nodding and starting to trot out the door. As Fluttershy started walking, Applejack came up beside her. “Jus' what did Pinkie mean when she said she only told us what y'all did for it?” A quick glance forward and she saw Pinkie's ears droop a little bit, and it was with this action that she replied. “I'm sorry Applejack, but Pinkie told me something in confidence. I'm sure she will tell you all when she feels the time is right.” Another glance forward and Pinkie's ears had perked up again. “Okay, as much as Ah would like to know, Ah can wait for Pinkie to tell me.” They continued to walk in silence until a voice spoke up. “We're here.” Everypony came to a halt behind Pinkie Pie, and looked at the massive tree. “But don't get too excited, he's not here right now.” “But I had so many questions I wanted to ask it!!! Fluttershy, Rainbow, can you fly up there to see if there are any clues as to where it went?” A quick nod followed by the flap of wings, they waited for a moment before the peace was broken by Rainbows laughter. Flying back down, she came carrying what looked like trousers and a jacket, and some sort of bag. Fluttershy gently glided down beside her with a big smile on her face, and the plate balanced on her back. “So come on then Rainbow, what was so funny?” At this Fluttershy stepped forward and set the plate down. There in the remains of the egg was a smiley face. And made out of crusts from the toast was the words “thank you”. “You see girls, he may be dangerous, but he does have a caring heart after all.” “Okay Fluttershy, I know it was wrong for me to panic. I don't know why he left this stuff behind, but we can at least look after it for him for now. Come on, lets get back to the library.” They all turned to leave except for Pinkie Pie, who just stayed sat down with her eyes closed again, and Fluttershy noticed this. “um, can you give us a moment girls. We'll catch up okay?” They looked at each other before nodding and trotting off. “Pinkie?” “It's okay Fluttershy, I was just waiting for them to go. Look over there.” Following Pinkie's outstretched hoof, she saw the light reflecting off something made of glass and gave a smile. Both she and Pinkie waved in that direction before leaving. Having decided to go get the rest of my stuff, I started to organise just what I was going to take back with me. There was a holster for the pistol, and a magazine pouch for five spares. I was going to do some observation of the town as well, and even though the new L85 and the M4 had scopes on, I wanted to be at quite the distance. Reading the manual for the sniper rifle, I found out it was actually a prototype, and have never been fired in the field. Maybe I was going to get to test it. Maybe not. Placing the 7.62 rounds in the magazines, I took stock of my armaments. One USP with six x twelve round magazines, and the sniper rifle with ten x five round magazines. Stowing both the weapons I placed my helmet back on and started my way out. I planned to use the same route to get here, and had gathered the ropes from the crates together. Turns out it was just one long rope looped around a few times. Hopefully it was long enough. Tying in to one of the sturdier looking trees, I threw the rest over the edge and took a peek. It looked like it ended at the bottom, so I started the climb down. Reaching the end of the rope, I had still had about five metres to go, so I turned around and carefully made my way back down the rest of the way. I followed the tree line to where I had left a marker in the ground, telling me what way to go next. Ha, and all my friends thought being in Scouts was gay. None of them would have thought of this. Well maybe a few of them, but they were military as well. As I continued my trek, I started singing quietly just to make it seem like I wasn't alone. “Row row row your boat gently down the stream, merrily merrily, life is but a dream, aaand row row row your boat......” After numerous repetitions and a few altered lyrics, I started to get closer to the tree I had camped out in the night before. I must have been around a hundred metres away when I heard the loudest laugh possible. Sounds like they found my plate. Easing my way to the side, I found a bush that gave me cover and a line of sight to the tree, I unslung the rifle and opened up the bi-pod before going prone and looking down the scope. At the bottom of the tree was Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie. I guessed where Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were. They were all sat looking up at the tree, except for Pinkie, who turned in my direction and sat with her eyes closed. Shit, she knows where I am. Is she going to give my position away? Whilst I was thinking this, the pegasus ponies had flown back down, and I listened in on their conversation. “So come on then Rainbow, what was so funny?” Fluttershy then set my plate on the floor. “You see girls, he may be dangerous, but he does have a caring heart after all.” “Okay Fluttershy, I know it was wrong for me to panic. I don't know why he left this stuff behind, but we can at least look after it for him for now. Come on, lets get back to the library.” Wait, they got my stuff? Fuck you Murphy, fuck you. At least I know where it's going, I'll get it after nightfall. “um, can you give us a moment girls. We'll catch up okay?” The rest just nodded and walked away “Pinkie?” “It's okay Fluttershy, I was just waiting for them to go. Look over there.” Her hoof is pointing straight at me, why didn't she tell the others? Wait, are they waving at me? Okay, they're leaving now. I spoke in a whisper. “Thank you girls. We'll meet sometime, when we're both ready.” Standing up, I followed them at a discreet pace until I could make out the town down from the tree line. Looking around, I spotted a likely looking target, and started to climb it, hoping for a good vantage point. “Okay, I've never done recon in real life, so lets see if those tac team games online line taught me anything. First, observe enemy routines and patrols. Second, exploit any weaknesses. Third, and most importantly, don't get caught.” I settled down on a large branch with gave me a viewpoint covering most of the town, plus an unobstructed view of the library. I watched as the door opened in a lavender aura, and Twilight trotted inside. “Target acquired.” I looked at my watch and gave a small groan. I had been there for five hours and I hadn't seen one patrol of the guards. Are they all doing the same, waiting for me to make an appearance? As I was thinking this I spotted some movement around the library. Looking down my scope, I saw Shining Armour hugging Twilight before cantering off in the direction of the train station. Okay, so they have been recalled, I wonder if they are leaving a small contingent behind. Coming out of the aim, I caught more movement around town hall. Zooming in on there, I caught a Unicorn guard raising the Equestrian flag. Yep, there are some left behind, and it looks like they're using town hall as barracks. I'll wait for nightfall. Another three hours had passed and night finally came. I was a little distracted by the beauty of the night sky here. On Earth you'd have to go miles from any civilisation to just get a decent glimpse of the sky. The guards left behind had started patrolling at around sunset, and they went past my planned route to the library every forty five minutes or so. I climbed down from the tree and put the sniper rifle down against it. I wanted to be mobile, and that thing was heavy. Crawling my way slowly across the grass, I unholstered the pistol and waited for the next patrol to go by. I didn't have long to wait and as soon as they rounded a corner I was up and in to the alley. Making my way slowly along it, I came to the other end. Checking the main road was clear, I sprinted to an alley on the other side. This went on for ten minutes before I came across an obstacle I had not seen from the tree. There was a six foot wall blocking the way, and this was the last alley before the library. “Really? six foot? We had to take a eight foot one in basic with no help! This isn't even a challenge!” Stowing the pistol, I reached my hands on top on hoisted myself over. Turns out that was a bad idea, as my stab wound flared in pain and I fell off on to the other side. Laying there and catching my breath, I heard a door open behind me. “Who's there? If that's you again Pipsqueak, then I'll be sending a letter to Princess Luna! And your parents!” The door was slammed shut behind me and I let out a little laugh. So the little guy likes to get in trouble huh? And at least he has parents here. Too many fics have him as a runaway or orphan. Good to see reality isn't like that! Easing myself up, I crept to the edge of the alley and checked to see if anypony was about. It was clear, and I was about to move when the library door opened. Out trotted Twilight followed by Spike. I slid in to the shadows as they came by. “I said I was sorry Spike, but this creature made me forget about the meteor shower. I'll make it up to you with some nice gems tomorrow.” “Okay then Twilight, you win this one!” Meteor shower? Am I here before season one ends? If I am, I will have to stay here for a year. They're going to need some help with the Changelings. But wait, the others know of Shining Armour, so is it before or after the wedding? Satisfied I'd get my answer soon, and checking that the coast was clear, I darted to the door, and was surprised to find it unlocked. Well, it is a public library I suppose. Now where did she put my gear? Remembering that Twilight performed her experiments in the basement, I started to look through the doorways to find some steps. As I opened one door, something flew out at me and landed on the table. “Who?” Well, I guess that answers that question. Knowing how clever this owl was I thought to get a answer to my other one. “Shining Armour?” At this, Owlowiscious flew over to a mantelpiece, and pointed to a photograph frame. Walking over, I picked it up and had a good look. It housed a total of ten photographs, one of each of the Element Bearers, one of Shining Armour in his dress uniform, one of Princess Cadence in her wedding dress, one of the happy couple at the reception, but the largest one in the middle was of all of them, and there was a message at the bottom. “'To Twilight and her friends, thank you for a wonderful day, Shining Armour and Princess Cadence'. Well, at least I don't have to worry about Changelings.....for now. Thank you for showing me this.” Owlowiscious just shrugged and hopped back over to the table. Putting down the picture frame, I made my way in to the basement and grew slightly annoyed. “She just had to look at it didn't she?” My GSR was in pieces, but easily repairable. All she had done was remove the filters and PSM. I clicked it all back together and placed it on to check that it worked. But then I realised the seal wouldn't work properly as I hadn't shaved for over 24 hours. Feeling around my chin, I was quite surprised to find it still smooth. Okay this has to be a dream! There is always growth if I don't shave daily! Stowing the GSR in it's bag, I considered grabbing my CBRN suit as well, but had a better, albeit cruel, idea instead. She is going to kill me when we finally meet!! Taking it back upstairs I grabbed the mop and broom, and two spare poles. I found some string in a drawer and tied them in to a general skeleton structure. After putting the suit on it, I rested it against the wall and felt something was missing. I then realised I still had my S10 on me, and my mouth tugged in to an evil grin. Removing it from it's bag, I placed in on the top most bit of wood, and pulled the hood up, placing my inner gloves on the ends of the “arms” Stepping back to admire my work, I was quite pleased with myself. When they returned and switched on the lights, they'd probably have a heart attack. Spotting an unopened book, I went to read it and saw some interesting notes. “It appears to have some kind of military training, but not of any kind I know of.” “This “Lucky”, or “demon” as it told the Diamond Dogs, seems to be immune to magic. It broke out of my shield spell that is strong enough to hold Rainbow Dash.” Huh, I wonder if it's power drained when she wasn't concentrating, or if it really was that weak? “It seems to know about our species, in particular that some pegasi do not like their hooves touched. However, there is no possible way it could have known one of those was Rainbow Dash.” Oh shit, they're going to want to know how I know! “It is possible it was just a lucky guess” Lol, “lucky” guess! “We do not know why it will not show itself to us, but Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy have both been near it since last night, they even gave it breakfast. And the fact that it saved the CMC from some Diamond Dogs and not just returning them here, but providing first aid and making sure that they got to the hospital clearly shows a high set of morals. So why won't it, or rather “he” show himself?” “Why won't I show myself? Lets see, she wants me to present myself to a magic user that is so immensely powerful, she uses paper that doubles as a flashbang!!! Gee, I wonder why I don't show myself!!!” Turning the next page, I saw that is was blank. “Mess with my stuff huh? Time to return the favour!” I picked up a quill and dipped it in some ink, before thinking what to write. I had a sudden inspiration from something I had seen on My Little Brony months ago........ "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." "I'd never given much thought to how I would die -- though I'd had reason enough in the last few months -- but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this. Having made it out of town with no encounters with the residents, I had made my way back to my observation point and had just picked up the sniper rifle when I heard the biggest scream ever. Of all time. I chuckled to myself as I started back to the castle to get some much needed rest.