//------------------------------// // Mission 14: Together // Story: Operation: VECTOR in Equestria // by type13 //------------------------------// “Get us out of here! You dang ol’ vermin!” screamed AppleJack as she shook the metal cage she was in. Beside her was the cage of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash; the trio, being suspended up high in the air carried by the Wyvern Riders for each pony. “It’s no use AJ, I think they don’t understand pony language” answered Rainbow Dash as she slumped in her cage. AppleJack just gave an audible sigh and sat in her little cage and looked at Pinkie Pie who sitting still in her little cage all curled up. “I’m sorry AJ, Pinkie; because of me, we got into trouble” said Rainbow Dash without looking at neither AJ nor Pinkie, just sitting in her cage and with her eyes closed. “Don’t fret non RD; it’s not completely your fault. We took on this scouting trip to look for our friend.” replied AppleJack as she gave a warm smile to RD. “But he told us to stay put! And knowing V, He must’ve escaped by now” retorted Rainbow Dash as she finally looked at AppleJack, her face showing a mixture of regret and sorrow as her eyes started to water. “Aww don’t worry Dashie..” said Pinkie as she’s still curled up in her cage looking down. “You just don’t get it, huh pinks? I got you girls in this mess just because I wanted to save V! Because of me-----“ Rainbow Dash was cut off with a large screeching sound from below. She then looked at the source of the sound, which was just below them, and at that moment she saw a huge fire ball coming straight at the Wyrm that was carrying her cage. And as the huge fireball made contact with the abdomen of the Wyrm; it released its grip on the cage where Rainbow Dash was being held. The cage then fell straight down with Rainbow Dash still in it. As the cage was freefalling, Rainbow Dash saw the source from where the fireball was shot. It was a huge red Dragon, atop the Dragon was a sight for sour eyes, as Rainbow Dash started to have a teary eye and a huge smile on her face. “I told you not to worry Dashie” said Pinkie Pie as she looked below and saw the Red Dragon catch the cage of Rainbow Dash. *** “V! You’re alright! Thank Celestia!” said Rainbow Dash in a cheery voice. If she could’ve reached VECTOR from her cage, she would’ve hugged him, but alas all she could do was smile a huge smile. “Hang tight, we still got AJ and Pinkie to rescue” said VECTOR in a flat tone. VECTOR then leaned forward and took a long sniper rifle from behind his back and took aim. Rainbow Dash saw this and cocked her head to the side to get a better look and spoke. “What’s that V?” asked Rainbow Dash “A Dragunov sniper rifle…It’s from my world” replied VECTOR as he hand signaled the Dragon to trail behind the Wyverns and stay below them. “A wonderful name for a ‘trinket’ VECTOR” said the Dragon as it followed the hand signal of VECTOR and stayed low. “Wait wait wait, how in Equestria did you get an item from your world?’ inquired Rainbow Dash which made VECTOR give an audible sigh. “It’s because of THIS Dragon” replied VECTOR as he tapped the side of the Dragon, he then added. “To make a long story short, He was the reason I was transported here with the help of your King Sombrero--” “Sombra” corrected the Dragon. “SOMBRA! Now shut up and let me do my work, I can see Pinkie making faces in her cage from my scope, she’s clearly bored” replied VECTOR as he leaned forward and aimed his Rifle at the heart of the Wyvern. And as the Dragon saw this, it was its turn to interject. “VECTOR did I not tell you about how strong the hide of ------“ *BANG* The Wyvern was hit at the heart and fell from the sky while giving a feral scream releasing its hold on Pinkie Pie’s cage. “What were you suppose to say?” said VECTOR flatly as he cocked out the bullet from the Dragunov and a 4 inches in length and 54mm in radius bronze cylinder popped out of the rifle. The Dragon only gave a small chuckle as it dashed towards the falling cage of the Pinkie Pie. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! *** After the apparent rescue mission; Pinkie Pie, AppleJack, Rainbow Dash and VECTOR accompanied by the Red Dragon returned to the Crystal Empire with the rest of their friends waiting for them. And after releasing everyone from their cage, the six friends and Elements of Harmony are finally together again plus their unusual friend. And as the six shared a warm group hug, Twilight was the one to break it and looked at VECTOR and spoke. All the while VECTOR was not looking at the group and was conversing with the Dragon and a Royal Guard. “Thank you so much VECTOR for getting back our friends” said Twilight with a warm smile. VECTOR heard this and turned his attention to Twilight and the others. As the other also gave their thanks with warm smiles, Rainbow Dash hovered forward and was scratching the back of her head, clearly ashamed from her past actions that got them into this mess. “Look V…” As Rainbow Dash was about to finish her sentence, she was cut off by VECTOR’s hand raised infront of her. “I don’t want to hear you excuse Dash. Do you know what I hate the most Dash?” asked VECTOR. “What?” replied Rainbow Dash as she looked away clearly she was feeling guilty for her actions. “Incompetence, Dash. I hate people who are incompetent. I specifically told you girls to stay put, and what did you do? Go off on your own. You were lucky they didn’t kill you three off!” said VECTOR in a flat tone of voice yet with intimidation in every word. “Look VECTOR, we only wanted to help” interjected Twilight. “So much that you endanger your friends, Twilight? And as for the rest of you, why didn’t you atleast stop them?” retorted VECTOR which made Twilight look down in shame and so did the others. “We were just worried about your safety, Darling” answered Rarity “Then what about your friends safety?” replied VECTOR “They did! But I insisted! So if you’re gonna be mad at anyone, be MAD at ME!” retorted Rainbow Dash as she finally looked VECTOR face to face with tears on her eyes. “Twilight planned a safe route for us to scout, that if we saw no clues of your whereabouts we would cancel it and wait for you to get back. But when we found nothing, I insisted to look further, and that was when we we’re captured. I’m so so sorry VECTOR, I just wanted to repay you is all, and I can’t leave a FRIEND Hanging or in trouble, cuz that’s how I am, I AM the Element of Loyalty” she added. As tears started to flow from Rainbow Dash’s eyes, her friends grouped around her and comforted her. And as for VECTOR, he turned around and started to walk away, and as he was walking away he stopped for a second and spoke. “FUN FACT: People tend to die when they are close to me” said VECTOR in a flat soft tone of voice. The only ones able to hear what VECTOR said was the Dragon who followed VECTOR as he walked away. But little do they know, Fluttershy heard what VECTOR said, and felt sadness throughout her heart. And as the Distance grew from each group, Fluttershy was the first to follow VECTOR. “I need to let VECTOR know that, we will NEVER leave his side no matter what” said Fluttershy as she followed VECTOR.