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// Chapter 15: Before a Mission 
// Story: The Elements of Honor 
// by Flanagan 
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Nearly a year had passed since the 1025th had been relived form their service to Princess Luna and they were more ready for a fight. Fortunately for them the changeling’s failed attempt to take over Canterlot gave them a very good reason to kick some ass. For months the Equestrian military had been searching for any signs of their new enemy’s activity, one such report came from a scout who said that a massive changeling force had been amassed in the forest near Trotingham.
“Can’t believe we’re finally gonna get to be in the thick of it again.” Comet said throwing his duffle bag over his shoulder, “You as excited as I am about this?”
“I’m ready to get outta Canterlot…” Battleaxe said, “Too many uptight snobby ponies.”
“Don’t you go out with those ‘uptight snobby ponies’?”
“Well yeah…” Battleaxe said looking back at Comet, “What’s your point?”
“Nothing…” Comet said rolling his eyes.
“Are you two STILL in here grabbing everything?” Commander Garrison said walking into the room, “You know we’ve only got a few more hours before the train gets here… and we’ll be piled on in less than ten minutes.”
“We’ll be ready sir.” Comet said rendering a salute, “You don’t need to be worried.”
“But that doesn’t mean I can’t tell you to hurry your asses up.” Commander Garrison said opening the door wider, “Now get moving.”
Comet and Battleaxe rushed out of the room, huge smiles on their faces. “He sure is pushy.” Battleaxe said truing his attention to Comet.
“You’ve known him for over a year…” Comet said smiling, “You should know that by now.”
“Well I can still complain can’t I?” Battleaxe asked, “I’m in the military after all.”
Comet let out a small laugh as the two continued to make their way to the train station. Once there they were greeted by the rest of the 1025th.
“What took you two so long?” Tower Shield asked, “Cannon Fodder almost got out his emergency brown bag.”
“I did not!” Cannon Fodder said, hastily hiding the bag behind his back.
“We still have a few hours before the train gets here.” Battleaxe said, “Don’t really know why we have to get here so early.”
“Because we’re military…” a voice said from the crowd said, the rest of the 1025th looked to the direction to see Greatsword step into view, three duffle bags in hoof. “And we always show up early.”
“Why are you here late?” Battleaxe asked, “That’s very uncharacteristic of you.”
“I wasn’t late.” He replied, “I’ve been here since six.”
“Why the hell would you be here so early?” Battleaxe said, “Even Commander Garrison said be here at noon.”
“Somepony had to arrange seating for us… because you know Shining Armor would have us in the cargo been.”
“It couldn’t be all that bad.” Tower Shield said, “At least it’d be roomy.”
“You’re forgetting the gear… both ours AND the royal guards.”
“The guard is coming too?” Flare Flash asked, “But this was supposed to be purely a Special Forces mission.”
“Ol’ Shiney musta gotten a wiff of what we were doin’.” Ridge Cracker said looking around, “But how’d he do that?”
“You guys think you’re SO stealthy…” Shining Armor said stepping out of the station, “But you can’t pull a fast one on me.”
“You’re putting a lot of lives on the line by coming with us.” Greatsword said, “It should be just us.”
“You weren’t there when they tried to take over Greatsword.” Shining Armor said, “I was…”
“That doesn’t mean anything… we’ve been briefed for months on the threat, we know what we’re dealing with.”
“Have you seen them fight first hoof?” Shining Armor said glaring, “every last one of them is like a mini-alicorn… what make you think you can handle them without a pony with experience in fighting them.”
“Didn’t you and Cadence fire some kind of love missile to send them into the badlands?” Battleaxe asked, “And if you did how the hell did that even work? Don’t changelings feed on love?”
The 1025th grew small smiles on their faces when they turned their attention to Shining Armor. The look on his face almost made some them laugh, but they held it in. after a few minutes of angry silence, Shining Armor finally spoke again.
“The matter of the fact is I know more about changelings than all of you…” he said, “And Princess Celestia already gave the go ahead for me and three hundred of my best stallions to come along.”
“That’s three hundred extra lives you’re willing to risk Shining…” Greatsword said, “You know Commander Garrison won’t-“
“I don’t care about what Commander Garrison would say.” Shining Armor interrupted, “I’m coming weather you like it or not.”
Shining Armor walked past Greatsword purposefully bumping into him as he did so. “Not exactly the crowd pleaser….” Battleaxe said watching Shining walk into the crowd.
“He’s having one of his days…” Princess Cadence said as patrons stood aside and bowed before her, “I’m sure you understand.”
“We do your highness…” Battleaxe said bowing, “and I must say it’s good to see you again.”
“You too Battleaxe,” Princess Cadence said rolling her eyes. “And I think we’re close enough that you don’t need to bow every time you see me.”
“It’s a habit…” Battleaxe said looking back to the rest of the 1025th. “I better get with the rest of the boys… I’ll catch up with you later.”
Battleaxe walked off to the others, leaving Greatsword and Princess Cadence to themselves. There was a silence between the two of them for several minutes, but then the Princess spoke.
“How have you been?” she asked.
“I’ve been better,” he replied, “How’s married life treating you?”
“Like everything it has its moments.” Princess Cadence said, “What about you and Record Keeper?”
“Now YOU’RE on that bandwagon?” Greatsword asked dragging his hoof down his face, “I thought better of you Caddie.”
“Deny it as much as you want Greatsword.” Cadence said giggling, “but I know love… and it’s undeniable that you two really care about one another.”
“As a friend…” Greatsword said, “Other than Comet, she’s as close as I am with my brothers.”
“She could be closer…” Cadence said taking another step towards him, “You just need to let her be.”
“I really don’t need something like that right now.” Greatsword replied, “There’s too much at stake for my mind to be split.”
“Always so concerned about others,” Cadence said with a smile. “When’s the last time you did something for yourself?”
“Maybe three years ago…” Greatsword replied smiling.
“But, you don’t remember anything past…” Cadence put two and two together and looked to Greatsword with a sarcastic grin, “You clever stallion you…”
“I try…” Greatsword said chuckling, “But it’s just who I am, I focus on the task at hand and once that’s done, I go straight to the next.”
“When will your task involve your happiness with another pony?”
“Whenever I don’t have to worry about the safety of all Equestria.”
“That will take a long time…”
“It will take as long as it has to…”
Princess Cadence let out a disappointed sigh and looked to the station’s clock tower. “It’s about time for me to head back to the castle.” She said, “Good luck with your mission.”
“Thanks Caddie…” Greatsword said bowing. “Means a lot when you say that.”
“I try Greatsword,” Cadence said looking back to him, “I’ll see you when you get back.”
“You too,” Greatsword said. “That is IF I get back…” he said under his breath. He went to walk back to the group but the moment he turned around a single white unicorn blocked his path. 
“So you can call Princess Cadence ‘Caddie’?” she asked, “I guess that means you’re a very important pony.”
“Record Keeper?” Greatsword asked, “What are you doing here? I thought you were working.”
“It’s Saturday Greatsword,” Record Keeper said rolling her eyes, “And I wouldn’t miss sending you off on a dangerous mission without at least saying goodbye.”
“How do YOU know about that?”
“I file everything military related Greatsword…” Record Keeper said sarcastically. “Everything…”
“I guess that would make since…” Greatsword said, “How’ve you been anyway?”
“Very good,” She replied. “And you?”
“Well my day’s gotten a little bit better…” Greatsword said with a smile, “After all one of my best friends same to see me off.”
“Well I’m glad I could help.” Record Keeper said reaching into her saddlebags. “I got you this the night I saw you were going on this mission.”
Record Keeper placed something in Greatsword’s hoof. He looked down at the object now in his hoof. It was a small pennant, in the shape of the sun. 
“Thanks Record Keeper.” Greatsword said, “I’ll-“
“My grandmother gave it to me when I was eleven…” Record Keeper explained, “It’s been in the family for a long time, she said it will keep whoever wears it safe from harm.”
Greatsword looked at Record Keeper shocked, why would she trust him with something so valuable to her. “Record Keeper…” he said trying to hand the pennant back to her, “I can’t just-“
“You need it more than I do.” Record Keeper said, pushing his hoof back to him. “I’m not the one going on a mission that could kill me.”
“But this… this has been in your family for-“
“If anypony in my family saw you with our pennant they’d be proud to see you have it.”
“I… I don’t know what to say Record Keeper…” Greatsword said still in a state of shock.
“’Thank you’ is a good place to start…” Record Keeper replied giggling.
“Well… thank you…” Greatsword said placing the pennant around his neck. “It really means a lot.”
“Well you mean a lot to me.” Record Keeper replied suddenly embracing Greatsword. “Please be careful…” she said into his chest, fighting back tears. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“Uh… I will…” Greatsword said softly pushing her away. “You stay safe too Record Keeper.”
“I’ll try not to get a paper cut…” she replied nuzzling Greatsword. “Be safe and I’ll treat you to a drink when you get back.”
“I’ll remember that.” Greatsword said watching her walk off.
“Hate to see her go…” Comet said walking up next to Greatsword. “Love to watch her leave…”
“What would Patches say if she heard that?” Greatsword asked looking back to him.
“Just because I’m not shopping doesn’t mean I can’t have a look at the other merchandise.”
“You’ve been hanging out with Battleaxe too much…” Greatsword said rolling his eyes.
“Can’t help who rubs off on me…”
“But you can control it…”
“Have you at least asked her out yet?” Comet asked motioning him to walk with him.
“Not this again…”
“Hey don’t be that way buddy…” Comet said smiling. “I’m just pointing out the obvious.”
“I’d prefer if you focused on the task at hoof…” Greatsword replied. “The train will be here in a few minutes.”
“Alright, alright…” Comet said grabbing his bag. “I’ll just… hey what’s that?” Comet pointed to the pennant now around Greatsword’s neck. “Never seen you wear that.”
“Record Keeper gave it to me…” Greatsword said, looking to the pennant. “She said it would keep me safe.”
“Oh did she…” Comet said raising an eyebrow. “Or is that just her version of a yellow ribbon?”
“She was serious Comet…” Greatsword replied. “This pennant has been in her family for generations, and she wanted me to have it for the mission.”
“You really mean something to her… or else she wouldn’t have given you something so important to her to you.”
“I guess you’re right…” Greatsword said looking off in the direction she left in. “She’s a very good friend.”
“There you go with that ‘friend’ thing again…” Comet said slamming his hoof into his face. “Are you really THAT blind? Or do you really not like her?”
“I love her…” Greatsword said, much to Comet’s surprise. “She’s the best friend a stallion could ask for.”
“So you’re just THAT blind…” Comet chuckled. “Come on, race ya to the train.”
“Always the mature one…” Greatsword said breaking into a sprint with Comet.
Meanwhile inside the castle, the royal sisters were standing on the balcony, watching the station intently. Though they were in silence Luna felt the need to bring up the topic on both their minds.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea that our subjects not know about the threat?”
“We must keep them safe,” Celestia replied. “If they knew that the changeling forces were still in Equestria; panic would grip the populous… we don’t need any more stress added to the ones trying to expunge the threat as it is.” She looked to her sister and sighed. “I hope you understand that.”
“I do…” Luna replied. “But this is one of the few times I’ve ever seen you this worried about something… what is it that troubles you?”
“I worry for them…” Celestia replied, pointing to the station the 1025th was waiting for their train at. “I know they are my best unit, but I have truly come to care for every last one of them… especially the three…” she looked back to the station. “Their lives are wrapped in mystery… even I didn’t know who they were nor where they came from… there is something about them Luna…especially Greatsword…”
“Especially Greatsword you say?” Luna said with a deviant grin. “What makes HIM stick out from the others?”
“His presence,” Celestia answered quickly. “He looks so commanding, so confident… yet that masks something, an uncertainty that I have never seen in a pony in all my years.”
“Well sister…” Luna said still grinning. “Have you been in his presence in your chambers? Does he help keep you warm on long nights?
“LUNA!” Celestia said shocked. “Greatsword is a friend to both of us, and if you assume such things may I ask the same of you and Warhammer? Does he keep YOU warm while you sleep?”
Luna’s face turned a deep shade of purple as she saw the look on Celestia’s face grow into a smirk. “Tia…” she whimpered. “We have only just started our formal courtship…”
“It’s very different coming from the other side isn’t it?” Celestia asked.
“I’m sorry Tia…” Luna said. “I was only trying to play a joke…”
“I understand, but now isn’t the time for that… we need to keep all of them in our thoughts and prayers.”
“They already are.” Luna said watching the ponies board the train. “They already are.”
“Then let’s hope they find safe passage and strong steel.” Celestia said watching the train bellow steam, “they will need it for the long road ahead.”