//------------------------------// // Epilogue Golf: Selene // Story: Lucky's Seven: The Changeling Hunters // by Lucky424 //------------------------------// I was fucked. Laying face down on the grass was not very dignifying, but at least I had completed the session. Barely. Ironically, the first one to drop was 'Harry'. You'd think with his earth pony background he'd be stronger, but that doesn't matter if his stamina isn't at the same level. Jet was the last pony to drop, leaving me and Simon as the last two. He collapsed thirty seconds before me, but as I was laying there, I found out he had enough energy to punch me in the arm. “That's.... .for pushing......me in......the pool........dick!” I was rolled over and opened my eyes to see Luna kneeling next to me, Celestia doing the same with Simon. “So,what's going on with them two?” She just smiled and offered me her hand, helping me to my feet and leading me over to the deck chairs. 'Warren' came walking back out from the toilet. “I see why you said not to eat that now.” He just carried on and laid down on the grass, relaxing in the sun. A pressure on my shoulder pushed my sideways, and rolled me on to my front. I then felt hands go across my back, squeezing my muscles. A quick glance and I caught sight of a few strands of dark blue hair. “Thanks.” “You're not the only one getting this. Tia is busy as well.” Looking up I saw Simon staring back at me. He just smiled and allowed her to continue her work. A shadow fell over me and I looked up to see Chief Johnson stood there. “I got to say sir, I'm impressed. When you said two hundred, I was a little worried. But you proved me wrong. If I ever get in to the shit, I know who I'm gonna call. Catch you round sir.” I just nodded and Sarah led them back out the front. Lowering my head again I relaxed, letting Luna carry on. I awoke to a wonderful smell filling my nose, and raised myself up on to my forearms. The sun was lowering over the horizon, which meant I had been asleep for a good eight hours. My stomach decided that it wanted to agree with my nose and let out a large rumble. “Oh, so you are awake now. Shame, I won't get to pour this cold water over you now......” Rolling over, I had Luna standing above me. She was wearing the same bikini from earlier, but with one of those skirt-sheet-wrap things. She also had a mischievous smirk on her face. “Don't even think abo...” Too late, she tipped the jug over my chest, and damn was it cold. “Right, that's it!” As I stood up, Luna started to run towards the house, but I was too quick for her. I grabbed her gently round the waist and lifted her over my shoulder. “You're going to regret that.” Her feeble hits on my shoulder did nothing to stop me, and her giggling told me was okay with it. She looked over her shoulder and saw where I was heading. “I do hope you are not planning on getting this skirt wet. I believe this material will be ruined if it does.” A quick glance and I saw that the knot was next to my head. Both my hands were busy keeping Luna steady, so I used the only thing I had available. Luna's giggling increased when the stubble on my chin brushed against her stomach as I removed the skirt with my mouth. (Since coming back, my hair had started to regrow, and I never bothered to ask about it.) The skirt fell away from her as she kicked her sandals off. I pretended to throw her a couple of times, getting a few screams, until she realised what I was doing, to which she stopped. Until I actually let go of her. The was a big splash as she hit the water, and before she could open her eyes I dove in after her. Holding my breath under water was always a skill of mine, and the time I could spend holding it had increased a lot in the past two years. I watched as Luna turned round a few times before I grabbed her legs and pulled her under. It was a new experience for us, kissing under water, but we stayed there for a good thirty seconds. When we crested the water, Mac was stood on the edge. “Ah thought Ah said t' warn us. An' besides, can't y'all keep it for the bedroom?” Luna just gave him a cheeky smile. “If you feel that way Mac, then I suggest you no longer prepare your food on the kitchen counter.” “What?” “Hm? Oh nothing. But this time it was just a kiss. We'll leave you alone for your swim now, it is time for us to eat.” We headed to the edge and I helped Luna out before hauling myself up. As we got in to the kitchen I looked the the clock on the side and noticed the time and date. An idea immediately sprang in to my head remembering a flyer that came in the post. “Hey Luna, I've got something I want you to see. Why don't we have dinner on the roof?” She looked at me over her shoulder with a confused look in her eye, before she nodded. “Okay, go get in to something a bit warmer, and I'll come get you when it's ready.” “But our meal is ready, what are you talking about?” “You'll see, now get going.” She went up the stairs and I heard our door open and shut. I ran in to the front room and the person I was after was watching more documentaries. “Twilight, come with me. I need your help with something.” A few minutes later and we were on the roof. “Right, I'm going to clear an area for a table big enough for two up here, and when I come back down, I'm going to need you to teleport it up.” She nodded and I pointed to the area where I was going to put it. As she went back in to sort out the stuff, I started to shift the crap that was lying around. Thankfully it wasn't dirty, as we had just shoved it up here out of the way a couple of weeks ago. Once I had a sufficient space cleared, I stuck my head back inside and saw Twilight had got the table and chairs to the bottom of the stairs. I nodded to her and her horn appeared on her head in a lavender glow. There were two flashes, the tables and chairs appearing right where I wanted them. I rushed inside and grabbed a couple of bits for the table, before leaning back over the balcony. “Twi, can you teleport our dinner up here?” She nodded once and headed to the kitchen, whilst I went to the master bedroom. I knocked on the door and entered. “Luna? It's ready.” She walked out from a walk in closet, wearing a black low cut evening gown. I had already dried off and pulled on a shirt and a pair of trousers, before meeting her at the door, where she placed her arm in mine, and we walked towards the roof. Does she know what I've done? As we stepped out, Luna stopped breathing for a moment. I don't think she expected this. The table had a cloth over it, and the light was provided by a few candles spread around the table and one on it in the centre. On the table was a bottle of wine in a chiller bucket, and our plates with our meals on it. Since arriving, Luna had tried our meat, and she had taken a liking to venison, which is what I had Simon arrange for the days meal. I escorted Luna over and guided her in to her seat. The meal went smoothly, just small talk here and there, mainly me telling her little bits of my time in school. Until my fight in the bar the day before, she hadn't really asked much about it. She made to leave and take her plate in, but I stopped her. “Not yet Luna, there is something else planned for tonight.” I took her hand and led her over to the balcony, facing towards the coast. We could just make out the Santa Monica pier on the beach, and that's when it started. A flash of white light followed by sparks burst in to the sky, followed by more, and a multitude of colours. Luna leant back against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her, one across her chest, and the other with its hand resting on her stomach. We stood there for a few minutes watching the display before Luna spoke. “What is this in aid of? Did you arrange this?” I had a little laugh at this before replying. “No, I didn't arrange it. Toady is the fourth of July, the day this country gained independence from my country. It was a war that lasted for eight years, lots of bloody fighting and high loses on both sides. Around fifty thousand lives were lost I believe.” “But I thought you said your country protected others?” “Yeah, I did. But we haven't always been like that. Most of the areas of the world with problems can be blamed on either my country or one near it. They used to go somewhere, fuck up the country, and then leave. But that was hundreds of years ago. I would like to say we've learnt from our mistakes, but well, that remains to be seen. We are actually allies with this country now, which is why when we go out and about we are allowed to be armed.” We stood there watching the fireworks display for a couple of hours, before we heard foot steps coming our way. Sarah burst through the door. “Sir! We've got a situation. You have a visitor in the study!” I looked to Luna who just nodded at me. I ran down the stairs and in to the study, seeing Simon and the others there already...........and a RAF officer sat in the centre. I sat behind the desk and gestured to him to speak. “Thank you for your time. Now I must get straight down to business. We need you and your squad for a high risk rescue operation. A high profile target has been kidnapped in our current main AO. We need you to go and rescue him.” “Who's the target?” “Papa Mike One.” “You serious?” He just nodded. “How the fuck did that happen? And why should we? Doesn't matter which party he's from, all politicians are lying fucks anyway. Doesn't matter which one is in charge. So again, why?” “Because she has asked it of you. I am one of the few on the staff who know what actually happened to you, but need I remind you that you are still under oath to the crown for another four years?” “No, no you don't. I assume that is the intel pack?” He passed the sealed envelope to me. “First time I've been given something marked 'Eyes Only'. Simon, contact the General, we leave as soon as possible.” He nodded and left the room, picking up the phone and started dialling. I opened the pack and looked it over. “There's not much here. Does Papa Mike One have some sort of tracker on them?” “Yes, but we can't pick the signal up. We were hoping that the, uh... Luna has sensors that are more powerful. How long do you think it will take you to plan and carry out a rescue?” “Not long, we can get to the AO in a matter of minutes, so no time for planning. They never work anyway. How many others have been taken hostage?” “None. It was a few members of the local forces that got him. A few soldiers were injured in the fire fight, but they are alive. I'll head back to our station here and relay that you are on the way.” “Roger that, we'll let you know when we get them.” He got up and nodded, then left the study, Sarah escorting him off the premises. Simon came back in to the study. “We got clearance when ever we are ready. All flights have been diverted, citing 'unexplained electrical weather anomalies'. I've linked to Mai and she has everything warming up, waiting for us to get on board.” “Good. Everybody, get down to the armoury and load up. We're going to be in close quarters, so SMG's and shotguns. We'll get a scan of the area when we are above and go from there.” They all nodded and headed to the basement, whilst I made my way to my room. I saw Luna stood out on the balcony, still watching the fireworks display. “Luna?” She turned round to look at me. “I've got to go. One of my countries leaders is in danger. We don't have much intel, so we're going in blind. But I'm not going to leave you alone here. I will be back as soon as possible.” She pulled me close and gave me a passionate kiss. “Go with the blessing of the moon watching over you.” I nodded once and headed down in to the armoury, Simon standing outside the door. “I figured you would want these. And I got a surprise for you. I contacted Canterlot, seeing if they could send the feed system here.....and well, the ammo you have stored there can be used here. So you don't need to heft ammo.” He passed me two sub machine guns. M7's, with Omni-blade attachments. “You recovered them?” “Yeah, thought you might want them back. So, we ready?” “One sec.” I went in to the weapons locker and came out with a Benelli M4. “Now I am. Lets go.” I was sat in the command chair on the Luna's bridge, looking at a holographic image of the compound directly below us. Mai was on a holographic pad next to the chair. “The signal is coming from this room, in the centre tower. It is on the third floor. Thermal is picking up over a hundred signals within the compound, although that could be getting interference from the heat.” “Right, how long have we got?” “No idea, they haven't given a time limit as to when their demands are met.” “So we need to get in there as soon as possible from orbit and rescue a VIP without giving them the chance to eliminate them. Suggestions?” I looked to the others stood around, all trying to think of ways to pull this off. It wasn't them that had the suggestion. “This vessel is equipped with HEV's. You could use them to get down there, or load them with explosives and use them as traps for when they open them.” I drew my attention away from Mai. “Simon, did you know the Luna had ODST drop pods?” “Uh, no. I wish we had though. They sound like fun. So how we going to do this?” “Using the pods will gain too much attention. Mai, are there parachutes on board?” “Yes, they are located in Storage Two.” The image of the compound changed to one of the ship, a path highlighted to where they were located. “Alec, what crazy ass scheme have you thought up now?” “Simple, we go down in the Sparkle, I jump out when we are low enough, infiltrate and annihilate, secured the VIP, blow the wall, and you guys come swooping in, back up to the wall, we jump on board, and then we leave. Nice and easy.” “That's crazy. We don't have a pilot that's got enough skill to pull that off! And what's the Sparkle?” “The Sparkle is our Pelican, seeing as we now have six, might as well follow the theme. And we don't need skill. We need dangerous and crazy. I've seen your training videos.” Simon followed my gaze to the soldier I had picked out. “Oh, you can't be serious! Him!!” (Quick A/N: Apologies, but for the next link, you'll need to skip to 1:59. We were all holding on with our full strength. As soon as we had entered the atmosphere, Dan put us in to a steep dive. Any other aircraft would have stalled by now. I watched as the mountains came up to meet us, but Dan pulled up at the last minute, just missing the edges. I settled down and pulled up a map. The plan had changed on the way down. “Okay, if we follow this ravine, we can come up on their blind side. Dan, I want you to fly over at speed, then get ready to return and pick us up.” “You got it!” I walked out in to the cargo bay and opened the door. Getting the grappling gun ready and securing the other end of the line to my harness. We would only get one shot at this. I took aim and fired the gun. “Alec, what the hell are you doing?” “I, uh, I'm suddenly having second thoughts.” “You had a first thought?” “Yeah. Hey Simon, in case I forget to say it later.......Ow” The cable pulled taught and I was pulled out the back of the Sparkle. “Ha ha ha yes! Finally a stupid plan where someone's going to get killed and it's not me!” The drop ship then arced up and to the right as gun fire tried to track it. The grappling arm had hit where it was supposed to, which meant if I had fired it right I would be swinging in to the tower on the fourth floor. I opened my eyes in time to see wooden shutters blocking my way, but at my speed they might as well have been cobwebs. I rolled in and slammed in to the opposite wall. I was quite thankful that there was a set of ODST armour for me, as that would've hurt other wise. I clicked the comm on my wrist. “Mai, how close am I?” A small screen appeared in the upper left of the screen with her face on it. “He is directly below you. I will highlight where to place the charges on your HUD.” Sure enough, four orange squares showed up, so I placed the det charges on the floor. “Okay Dan, get ready to come back in.” A double burst of static and he had acknowledged my order. I hit the detonator in my hand and drew my M7's. A moment later the charges went off, the part of the floor I was standing on falling out. I hit the next floor and landed on my feet. It was covered in dust, but I had the thermal filters turned on. I saw five orange objects, one sat on a chair in the centre, and four all covering their faces in the corner. I shot each guard a couple of times and then placed a few more charges on the wall that would be exposed. Standing the VIP up, I placed myself between him and the wall, hitting the detonator for the second time. I then placed him behind me and unslung my shotgun, aiming at the door. A burst of static filled my ears. “We are coming in....turning.....and backing up.....in position.” I turned round to see the Sparkle's cargo bay, but it was at a distance. I grabbed the VIP by the collar and dragged him back towards the door. “Sorry about this sir, but it's the only way.” I then ran him forward and chucked him through the air, watching him as he flew....before Simon caught hold of him and hauled him inside. I was about to jump myself when I saw flashes from the ground “RPG'S!! GO!!” The Sparkle's engines flared and she shot off in to the night. All of the soldiers in the compound looked to the hole where I was stood. “........fuck.” As the fired their weapons, I jumped out, puffing the jet pack once as I got near the ground to steady my landing. Withdrawing my M7's again, I started shooting everything that moved. They had been given the signal that the VIP had been removed from the compound, which meant that they could finally assault it. The troops were a mix of British Army and Royal Marine Troops, along with a few Delta guys along to give them a hand. The compound had been shelled before the went in, so they were on clean up duty. The convoy ground to a halt and all a hundred troops stormed out, running at the building. They breached the gate way and ran in, searching for targets. Instead, the found a single trooper sat on the wall, helmet off and a bottle of beer in his hand. “Took you guys long enough. Now, do you have a working radio? I got shot in the helmet and broke mine.” One of the troopers handed him what he asked for, still stood there open mouthed. “Hello zero, this is Shadow zero-one, message over.” The soldiers all stopped moving and turned to the one sat on the wall. They couldn't believe it, a real Shadow soldier, right here. Then the response came. “Shadow zero-one, this is zero. Authenticate, over.” “Zero, Shadow zero-one, authentication 'Moon Mover', over.” “Shadow zero-one, zero, Roger. Pass message over.” “Zero, Shadow zero-one. Tell Shadow zero-three to get his ass back here. I want to get back to what I'm supposed to be doing right now. Over.” “Shadow zero-one, zero. Shadow zero-three is already on the way. Out” He just passed the radio back to the shocked soldier, who took it and put it away with breaking eye contact. “What?” “How do you join the Shadows?” “Really? Get sent to another world, be there for almost a year, and then have your friends turn up and bring you home, Or be one of the friends on the rescue mission.” “Yeah, okay. Now how do you really join?” The sound of an approaching aircraft drew their attention, especially when it landed in the courtyard. Shadow 01 just slipped his helmet back on, got on board, and the ship took off again, this time heading straight up. “Hey guys, what the fuck just happened?” I stepped out of the shower to see Luna smiling at me. But it was her smile for when things good but unexpected happened. “Okay, what is it this time?” “Your parents are downstairs. And they have been asking certain questions.” “Wait, you didn't tell them?” “No, I left that for you.” “Great, go bring them in here then. I want this conversation to be private.” Luna left the room whilst I got dressed, and returned a few moments later with my mother and father. “Hi, um could you please take a seat on the bed?” The did so without asking why. “I have some news to tell you, and it's going to be a little shocking. You see, Luna and I have grown pretty close over the last couple of months, and well..........you're going to be grandparents again.......... Several months later........ “......come on Luna, push! You can do this!” “AAAAAAHHHHHH!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE USED PROTECTION!!!” Her hand clamped around mine and squeezed as hard as she could as the next contraction came. “You're doing very well, Mrs Luckes. A couple more pushes and we should be there. When the next contractions come, I want you to push as hard as possible.” She started to breathe heavily again, and her hands gripped around my arm. “AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH” Her nails dug in deep, drawing blood, but that was the least of my concerns as she wasn't given time to rest, another contraction hitting her right away. “AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH” The last painful cry was met by the cry of a baby, and we watched as the doctors and nurses cleaned it and Luna up. They placed the baby on a table, and gave it a check over. It was then wrapped in a cloth and brought over to us. “Air Chief Marshall Luckes, Mrs Luckes, you have a perfectly healthy baby girl.” He passed her over in to Luna's waiting arms and waved the medical staff to leave, with just us and him in the room. “A healthy human girl, that is.” “Thanks doc, I'm glad you could help. And about the other thing....” “My lips are sealed. It won't even be noted in the medical records.” I shook his hand and he left. Making my way back over to the bed, Luna scooted over so I could sit next to her. I put my arm around her as she held our baby. “So what do you want to call her?” “I though you had a name picked out?” “No, if you remember, Captain, I got to name the child if it was a male, and you got to name it if it was a female. So, what do you want to call her?” I looked to the child and saw her eyes, shining with the same cyan as her mother. A light shined in through the window, the moon at its fullest at midnight. Bringing my gaze down once more, I lifted my arms up and Luna passed her to me. “Welcome to the world...........Selene.” Luna pressed herself in to my should and was soon asleep, Selene as well. I took my jacket off and placed it on the chair, lying down beside them. No sooner had I switched off the light I joined them in sleep. “Alec, wake up!!” The panicked voice of Luna made me shoot up and look at her. But something wasn't right. “Luna...........why are you upside down?” “I'm not the one upside down......you are!!” I looked 'above' me and saw the hospital bed on the 'ceiling'. I also noticed little Selene staring up at me.............with her eyes glowing. “Selene, do you think you could me back down?” She looked at Luna for a moment before her eyes flashed and they went back to their usual colour. Which meant the magic holding me up disappeared. I dropped through the air and landed in a heap. “Ow.” A giggling Luna helped me up. “I'm glad you find it funny.” There was the sound of a baby laughing before it turned to crying. “Selene, what's wrong? Alec, why is she crying?” “Maybe because she's hungry. You did read those books right?” “...........only the basic ones. Come, help me get comfortable.” I eased her on to the bed and propped her up with some pillows. I then picked Selene up and passed her to Luna. “I know you are her father, and wish to stay............but do you think you can get me something to eat?” “Yeah of course. You two stay right here. I'll be back soon.” I kissed Luna on the forehead and left the room, looking for either the mess or some food. Heading in to the reception area, I definitely found a mess. “Tia, have you and Simon been here all night?” The woman in question snorted herself awake, and upon seeing that she was buried in Simon's shoulder, fell over the chair in her haste to get off him. “Y-y-y-yes we have, what business is it of yours?” “None, it's just you two make such a cute couple.” Her cheeks reddened so much I could probably get a well done steak from them, but I held off on the teasing for now. I offered her my hand and helped her to her feet. “Come on, help me find some food. The new mother is hungry.” “You mean.....” “When she's ready. Until then, lets leave Luna in peace.” “What about Simon?” “He'll be all right there. It won't be the first time he has fallen asleep in a hospital waiting room."