Coltmando
Base of Crystal Tower
9:30 PM
“Captain Sunshine?” an earth pony guard said as he approached.
The pegasus held up a hoof. “No, she said ‘Prance Perfectionaires’.” she said into the mike of the headset she was hearing. She paused as she listened to the pony at the other end of the line. “I don’t know how she spells it. Listen, just contact everypony you know that has any connections to Prance and eventually you’ll find one that knows something. …No, I cannot share the details right now. …Yes I do realize this is a headache for you, but this is a giant thorn in my plot for me. …Listen, I’m likely going to have around thirty dead ponies in less than two hours if you don’t start making calls. …Honey, I know it’s Hearth’s Warming Eve, so believe me when I say I will personally come down there and shove a candy cane so far up your-!”
“Captain?” Robinsson said.
Sunshine covered the mike. “What?” she hissed.
“May I take a crack at getting you some cooperation? I do deal with these kinds of ponies often.”
Sunshine sighed and took off the head set. “Yes, commander, I do think you’d be a better choice.”
“It’s just Robinsson.” the pegasus offered a weak smile.
Sunshine nodded and hoofed over the headset. She turned and walked away as Robinsson began speaking with pony at the other end of the line.
“Listen, I could have your job on a silver platter right now if I wanted to, so why don’t you start playing ball?” he growled as Sunshine moved out of earshot.
“Yes?” she asked the guard that had tried to get her attention earlier.
“We have a prisoner, ma’am.” the guard shoved a white unicorn forward. “He was trying to get into the weapons carriage.”
Sunshine looked at the unicorn closely and then her eyes widened. “You idiots!” she shouted at the guard, who took a step back. “Don’t you know who this is?”
The guard glanced around nervously. “Uh…”
Sunshine sighed. “It’s Shining Armor, you foal!”
The guard gaped. Sunshine shook her head and pushed past him. She quickly began freeing Shining, starting with the metal muzzle some kinky nut had seen fit to put over his mouth. Shining sighed in relief as the muzzle came away and rubbed his wrists as Sunshine removed the cuffs.
“I’m very sorry for this, Captain Armor.” Sunshine said. “But everypony here is on edge, so I can understand this.” she glared at the guard. “But I’m still going to punish you later. And not in the good way.”
The guard gulped.
“It’s fine.” Shining said. “What time is it?”
Sunshine glanced at her watch, which she had only recently gotten. “About Nine Thirty. Why?”
Shining looked up at the Tower. “Because right now those assholes think I’m on a train bound for Canterlot. It is supposed to arrive at Ten. That means in half an hour, they’ll know I’m not on the train and they will kill my family.” Shining looked pointedly at Sunshine. “I can’t let that happen and I can’t get to Canterlot in half an hour. So the only option is to kill them back first.”
Sunshine sighed. “I understand, Captain. But I can’t let you go near that building. They said that they will shoot if they see a pony with a weapon come anywhere close and if we shoot back, they’ll start killing hostages. I’m sorry, but you can’t go in.”
Shining’s face became a grim mask as he stared at the Tower. “You’re wrong.” he said.
“How so?”
“It’s not that I can’t go in.” he looked back at Sunshine. “I just can’t let them see me.”
Sunshine’s eyes widened for a moment and she suddenly grinned. “I like you more by the second, Captain Armor.”
*******
Crystal Tower Office
9:40 PM
“Say that again. Slowly.” Juno said into the radio, sounding none too happy.
“We have to shut off the power grid.” Sunshine said over the radio.
“And why is that, exactly?”
“Our techs say that a few cables got nicked in the fight earlier. They can’t fix them while the power is on and if they don’t get fixed there will be a surge and everything hooked up to the power will be overloaded.”
“Which means what exactly?”
“It means every light bulb and monitor in that place is going to go off like a firecracker. I don’t think you want that to happen.”
Juno growled. “If this is a trick…”
“There’s no trick. The Tower has emergency lighting, so you’ll only be in the dark for a few seconds.”
Juno snorted. “Fine, captain, but let’s be clear. This is my show. When I say jump, you jump. When I say run, you run. And when I say do something, you had better do it. Or ponies start dying. That is how this shit works.”
“I understand. We’re working on it.”
“You’d better be.” Juno clicked off the radio. And then after a thought, clicked it back on. “Theo, did you get that?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You got the computer system on back up power?”
“Set it up ages ago.”
“Good boy.” Juno sighed and stood up. “You know what?” she said to the ensemble. “I’m tired of playing games and we’re going to be out of here soon anyway.” she placed a hoof on her flank, right at the edge of her cradle cutie mark, and pulled.
There was the sound of tape coming off and taking a good amount of fur with it and Juno yelped sharply. The pegasus tossed aside the covering that bore the cradle and everypony got a good look at her actual cutie mark.
It was a peach.
Masque whistled lowly and Blackguard chuckled. Cadance, Chrysalis, and Truth just exchanged glances.
With a happy sigh, Juno sunk back into the chair as she pulled yet another peach from her pocket. “Oh, that feels so much better to get that out in the open.”
******
Base of Crystal Tower
“Did they buy it?” Shining asked.
Sunshine set the radio down. “They weren’t happy, but yes, they bought it.”
Shining nodded. “Good.”
Off to the side, Robinsson was still shouting into a radio mike. “Listen, I don’t care about lay lines. I don’t give two shits about the wattage wash back. You lose a few bits because a gauge was thrown off, so what? Either you lose the grid, or you lose your job. …Yeah, I thought so.” the pegasus turned and nodded to Sunshine. “Ten minutes!” he called.
Sunshine nodded and then turned to Shining. “Okay Captain Armor, let’s get you, er, armored up.”
Shining nodded, a small grin pulling his lips. “Okay, let’s show them how this shit really works.”
******
Crystal Tower Office
9:45 PM
“I have to pee.” Chrysalis suddenly declared.
Blackguard snorted the punch he was drinking. Not intentionally.
“Come again?” Juno said.
“I have to pee.” Chrysalis said slowly, enunciating every syllable.
“Hold it.”
“I have been.”
Juno sighed exasperatedly. “Then hold it a little longer.”
“I can’t!”
Juno groaned.
“Juno,” Cadance spoke up. “These seats weren’t cheap and they’re the best in the house. Unless you want this place smelling like changeling urine, which you do not, let her go.”
Juno groaned again. “Fine. Masque, you, Hans, and Poker here take her to the bathroom. And for Celestia’s sake, watch her.”
Masque nodded to the two stallions and they all got up from their seats. Masque roughly pulled Chrysalis up from her seat and shoved her forward. The former queen snarled softly, but she walked forward without further complaint. Masque and the two hench-ponies followed her out.
Juno sighed and rubbed her eyes. “I can’t believe the shit I’ve had to put up with during this op.”
Blackguard rolled his eyes. “Please, you’ve never had to deal with drugged griffons in a back alley with nothing but a stick and a box of noodles.”
Juno looked at Blackguard. “What?”
The unicorn just grinned.
“I can’t wait until Shining gets here and puts a hoof through your face.” Cadance growled at Blackguard.
He just grinned nastily. “Me neither, honey.”
********
Crystal Tower Bathrooms
Chrysalis walked into the bathroom, followed closely by Masque. The two stallions tried to follow, but Masque stopped them.
“Stay back, perverts.” Masque said with a giggle as she closed and locked the door on them. “So,” she said as she walked up behind Chrysalis. “Need a little help with those ropes?”
The bound changeling just glared at the unicorn over her shoulder.
Masque chuckled and undid the knots, rolling up the rope and setting it on the counter. Chrysalis rubbed her arms and quickly went into one of the stalls, securing the door behind her.
“We can talk, if you want.” Masque said as she leaned back against the counter.
Chrysalis stayed silent.
“You know, being you wasn’t too bad. I’m kind of sad I could not be you longer. I would have very much enjoyed showing Cadance a good time.” Masque laughed.
Chrysalis growled. Masque laughed again.
And suddenly the room was plunged into darkness.
Chrysalis came out of the stall at a run, slamming into Masque. She threw a hoof, knocking the unicorn’s head to the side. Masque returned with a hook of her own, knocking Chrysalis back. Masque cast a quick illumination spell, finding Chrysalis and putting a hoof in her gut.
Chrysalis grunted as the air was driven from her lungs. Masque was on her in an instant, forelegs locking around the changeling’s neck.
“And I wanted us to just have a nice chat.” Masque hissed.
********
Base of Crystal Tower
9:50 PM
Shining didn’t imagine he would get used to flying in the dark. Flying he could handle. Flying under another pony’s power without being able to see where he was going was not a pleasant experience.
“Ready, Captain?” Sunshine whispered in his ear.
“Ready.”
She released him. He was falling for a brief second before he went through a large window with a resounding crash. A quick shield spell, uh, shielded him from the glass shards.
Shining tucked and rolled into the darkened hallway, jumping to his hooves as soon as he was able to. A pair of flashlights lit up the hallway was two hench-ponies came running up.
“Hey! What the buck are you doing?!” shouted one.
Shining pulled the knife from his belt and tackled the speaker, shoving the blade into his throat.
“Holy sh-!” was as far as his companion got before Shining slashed his throat as well.
Shining searched the bodies as quickly as he could, appropriating the ponies assault rifles and ammo.
“I’m in.” he said into his radio. “You got the package in place?”
“Of course.” Sunshine answered, “Good luck, Captain Armor.”
“Same to you.”
*******
Crystal Tower Office
9:52 PM
“Finally.” Juno groaned as the lights came back on. They weren’t as bright as before, but that hardly mattered.
Her two hench-ponies returned a minute later, flanking Masque as she entered carrying Chrysalis. The unicorn unceremoniously dumped the changeling on the floor.
“Chryssi!” Cadance cried.
Juno stared at the changeling. “Damnit Masque, what the buck happened?”
“Bitch attacked me!” Masque spat.
“Well what, did you kill her?”
“No, she’s just unconscious.”
“Chryssi!” Cadance shouted again. Truth held Lovebug closer.
“Oh shut up!” Juno shouted. Her radio buzzed. “What?” she demanded into it.
“You’re never going to believe this, boss.” Theo said excitedly. “The vault was set on a failsafe if power grid went out. It’s open! We’re in!”
Juno suddenly grinned broadly. “Yes!” she said happily. “You hear that? we’re in!”
Blackguard and the two hench-ponies grinned. Masque looked less than enthusiastic.
“Oh cheer up dear.” Juno laughed. “We’re rich!”
Masque forced a grin.
“That’s the spirit!”
“Hey boss.” Theo was speaking again. “I’m also all set for the spike. As soon as that package goes off, I’ll hit their network and we can download all the finances in less than half an hour.”
“Wonderful!” Juno said jovially.
Cadance just stared. “Are you serious? Our vault? Financial data? All this was a fucking robbery?!”
Juno just smiled. “Yep. And we do appreciate your cooperation.”
“Oh fuck this.” Masque said suddenly. She grabbed Hans, wrapping a foreleg around his neck, and brought him close, she turned him towards Poker as she pulled the pistol from his belt. The stallion yelped and brought up his gun as Masque fired three shots into his torso. The stallion cried out and accidentally fired his own gun, killing Hans as he went down.
“What the-!” Juno cried as Masque dropped the body and turned the pistol on her.
Blackguard suddenly struck out, hitting Masque in the jaw and sending her into Cadance’s lap.
Truth jumped up and bolted, racing out the door.
“Get the nanny!” Juno roared at Blackguard who bolted after Truth.
Turning her attention back on Masque, she saw her beloved’s body suddenly twist and become that of Chrysalis, while the Chrysalis on the floor became Masque.
“What!?”
“Changelings can make others appear different too.” Cadance sneered.
Juno opened her mouth to say something else, but she just yelped as Chrysalis brought up the pistol and Juno dived behind the desk as the changeling fired. The pegasus shoved her own gun over the top of the desk, blind firing. Chrysalis pulled Cadance down to avoid the bullets.
Chrysalis pulled the knot holding the ropes binding Cadance apart and pulled the alicorn back out of the office as she fired at random at the desk. Juno pulled her hoof back as the bullets bit craters and furrows in the desk.
Suddenly Juno’s crystal ball beeped. Pulling it out of her coat she tapped it and yelled, “WHAT?!”
“Armor and Weasel aren’t here, boss.” the voice on the other end of the line shouted.
Juno said nothing. She just began breathing rapidly.
“Boss?”
Juno ended the call and tapped the crystal contraption a few times. It made a sound and she raised it up level with her face. “Weasel! Answer me!” she roared into it.
“Weasel’s dead, Juno.” Shining’s voice said from the other side of the line. “And I’ve got your package. I’m on my way to turn it over to the Guard. It’s over Juno, give up now and we can end this with everypony still breathing.”
Juno took ragged breaths as she tried to speak. Finally, through the rage and fear, she found her voice. “No. This can’t end now. It’s too soon. I can’t just walk away now. And don’t give me some shit about a trial. After what’s happened, I’ll just disappear. I’ll vanish and never be heard from again. No, I will not give up.”
“Then go to Tartarus.”
Juno gave a humorless laugh and reached into her coat pocket, extracting the detonator. “Come with me.” she said as she pressed it.
“Message for you, sir!” she heard an automated voice with a Trottingham accent called out.
The smile vanished from Juno’s face. “Oh fuc-”
********
Base of Crystal Tower
The massive explosion caused by the package’s detonation tore the whole front entrance to shreds, even crumbling the section of crystal between the first and second floors. The whole building was rocked by the force of the blast, windows shattering and glass raining down. A cry of war went up from the ensemble forces.
“How do you like how that shit works?” Sunshine shouted through the microphone she had appropriated. “Let’s rock fillies and colts!” she shouted to her forces.
“Hoo-rah!” they shouted in unison, all save for Robinsson. Even though he had indeed picked up a rifle and joined the ranks of the grunts, he didn’t feel as though he deserved to join in their war cry.
As a wave of bodies, the assembled charged forward, those that could fly taking to the air to enter through the windows.
The Battle of Crystal Tower had truly begun.
*******
Crystal Tower
Shining charged down the halls, stumbling slightly as the explosion rocked the building. He quickly regained his hoofing and kept going forward. As he rounded a corner, a hench-pony spotted him and opened fire with a yell. Shining dove back behind corner and returned fire blindly.
After a moment, he dared to peek his head out and saw he had hit the stallion. Shining rounded the corner again and charged down the hallway again.
As he passed a turn off, a zebra suddenly leapt at him wielding a machete. Shining managed to block the overhead chop with his borrowed rifle, but the well-crafted blade bit deeply into the gun, rendering it useless.
Well, useless as a gun.
Shining snapped the weakened rifle in half and swung both ends as clubs. The zebra cried out in pain as the gun pieces hit his sides. Shining pulled both improvised clubs back and jabbed both into the zebra’s midsection. The zebra doubled over and Shining dropped the gun pieces. He wrapped a foreleg around the zebra’s neck and twisted and jerked, snapping his neck.
Shining was running before the body settled on the floor. In the next hallway, he actually ran right into the first of two stallions, both toting shotguns.
He grabbed one he ran into and used him as a shield. His buddy panicked and fired, killing the first stallion and driving the breath from Shining’s lungs. He grabbed shotgun from the dead stallion’s grasp and raised it up in a single hoof. The blast knocked the second stallion to the ground.
Shining dropped his dead shield and snatched up the second shotgun as he ran past the second body.
He pushed through a pair of double doors into a large two level room. A set of stairs on his left led up to the balcony on the second floor. To his right were several large silver tanks. And in between him and the stairs were several hench-ponies, as well as a few more scattered about. They were all talking and milling about. Only a few actually had weapons in their hooves.
All heads turned to him as he burst through the doors.
“Okay, I’m only going to say this once.” Shining said as he did a quick, double single hoof shotgun pump. “Get the fuck out of my house.”
The ponies scrambled for their guns.
Shining leapt into the air and pointed a shotgun either way, firing as he flew, putting two ponies down. He made his landing a roll and spun the shotguns upside down, cocking them using his forelegs and body as a grip.
He spun and threw himself backwards, firing again and bagging two more bad ponies. He scrambled backwards and onto the stairs, using the rungs as leverage for another pair of pumps.
Shining fired the shotgun in his right hoof back down the stairs as he ascended, hitting another pony. He then brought it up and against the one in his left hoof, firing and pumping both as one as he made his way up the stairs.
As he reached the balcony, the shotguns ran dry and Shining tossed them away. Luckily, the banister of the balcony was solid and he could duck behind it as the ponies still on the level below fired at him. He snatched up a sub-machine gun from a fallen hench-pony and took potshots at the ponies below.
Suddenly a voice shouted and the firing quieted down.
“Captain!” a voice that was somewhat familiar called out.
Shining dared poke his head up over the banister and saw a brown earth pony stallion standing in front of the silver tanks.
“Who are you?” Shining shouted down at him.
“Me?” The stallion said with a shrug. “I’m the cook.”
He pulled a RPG launcher from seemingly nowhere and took aim. Shining ducked down behind the banister as he fired. The rocket whooshed over the banister and exploded on the wall behind Shining, showering him with chunks of rock and crystal. The force of the blast shoved him hard into the floor. His armor protected him from any broken bones or squished internal organs, but was horribly damaged. Gasping for breath, Shining pulled off his now useless armor and tossed it away.
The rest of the hench-ponies opened fire on Shining after the rocket exploded. In desperation, Shining took a few grenades from his belt and threw them over the banister. He had to get the earth pony before he reloaded the RPG.
The grenades exploded and there were cries of death and pain from the ponies below. Shining snatched another SMG from the bodies nearby and popped up, firing both. The earth pony dropped his weapon and pulled a pair of pistols from somewhere. He fired while moving to the side along the wall. Shining fired back, but his shots missed their mark. Mostly anyway.
Shining dropped back down as his guns ran dry. He tossed them away and pulled a shotgun from another corpse. It was the last gun there.
“You missed me!” the earth pony shouted mockingly at Shining.
“Hey asshole! What’s in those tanks behind you?” Shining yelled back.
The earth pony and the few remaining hench-ponies turned to look at the tanks, which were all leaking from multiple bullet holes.
Propane
Highly Flammable
“Aw shit.” the earth pony muttered.
Shining pulled the pin on his last grenade and tossed it towards the tanks. He then scrambled to his hooves and bolted for the door. The ponies below were too busy running themselves to fire at him. He pushed through the door and slammed it behind him.
Taking a deep breath, Shining began stalking forward, not even flinching nor turning around as the room behind him exploded.
******
Crystal Tower
Blackguard perked up his ears as another explosion went off. For some reason, he felt a grin stretch his lips.
“Welcome back, Shining.” he said as he continued down the hallway, not too far behind the nanny and the foal.
******
Crystal Tower Office
Juno regained consciousness with a start and a gasp. She got up, ignoring the trickle of blood coming from her head. She coughed and sputtered on the dust filling the air. The window was shattered, letting cold air blow into the office as the broken light above flickered.
Juno stumbled forward out of the office and caught sight of Cadance and Chrysalis, similarly stumbling to their hooves. Coughing, Juno raised her hoof, only to discover she had dropped her gun. She bent down to search for it.
Coughing and sputtering as well, Cadance and Chrysalis shakily got to their hooves.
“Go, find Truth and Lovebug.” Chrysalis said to Cadance.
The alicorn seemed reluctant to go.
“Go!” Chrysalis ordered. “I’ll hold her off here, go!”
Cadance nodded once. “Fine, but if you die, I swear I’ll kill you.”
Chrysalis smiled. “I love you too. Now go!”
Cadance turned and sped off down the hallway, not looking back as she rushed to save her foal. Chrysalis watched her for a moment before looking forward and stalking down the hallway towards the office.
Juno suddenly threw herself out of the office, wings spreading as she used them to speed her way. She fired wildly at Chrysalis as she flew by, the changeling firing back just as wildly as she threw herself into the office. Both their bullets hit wall instead of flesh.
Chrysalis crashed into the office, landing heavily. She jumped to her hooves only to crash to the floor again as a suddenly awake Masque swung a vicious right hook into her face.
Chrysalis cried out in pain as she hit the floor, but she quickly brought the pistol to bear, determined to end this pony now. The gun clicked on empty.
Masque grinned nastily as she leapt at Chrysalis.
********
Crystal Tower
Juno coughed again as she activated her radio. “Theo! All Tartarus is breaking loose. Disable the elevators and barricade yourself in there. I’ll come get you just as soon as I take care of something.” she clicked off the radio before he could reply. Switching to another channel, she said, “Bennett, if you’re still alive hunt down that little shit nanny and kill her and the girl. Shining betrayed us, now he has to pay.”
“With pleasure.” Blackguard replied.
Juno just nodded to herself and tossed her radio away. She was following Cadance through the halls and up the stairs. She may not have have killed Masque and the Prench unicorn may not even be dead.
But Juno was going to kill her anyway.
*********
Crystal Tower Office
The thirty or so hostages cowered, huddling together in a stepped dip in the floor as their four armed minders argued.
“I don’t know what’s going on!” one shouted at two others. “The boss won’t answer!”
“All Tartarus is breaking loose and we’re stuck here guarding these fuckers? Let’s just go now!” another shouted.
“We need them! They’re insurance!” the first shouted.
“They’re a liability!” one on the two ponies standing close argued.
“Yeah!” his companion shouted. “I say we waste ‘em! Teach the fucking Royal Guard a lesson!” he cocked his rifle.
The large window that made up one wall of the room suddenly spider-webbed as several shots were fired at it. It shattered as a dark pegasus threw herself threw it. She had a sword clutched in one hoof.
She used her momentum to bring the sharp edge of blade cleanly through the neck of the pony that had just cocked his weapon. Still using her momentum, she spun and brought the sword stabbing through the other pony’s abdomen. Her back was to the third pony, but she shoved her pistol under her foreleg and fired three quick shots that put the stallion down.
She rose and pointed her pistol at the fourth and final pony.
“Drop it or you’re dead.” Sunshine ordered.
The stallion squeaked and dropped his gun as he damn near pissed himself in fright.
“Good boy.” Sunshine smiled. To the cowering and mute hostages she said, “Alright mares and gentlecolts, let’s move!”
******
Crystal Tower
“Hey, Shining, the hostages are secure, no sign of your family though.” Sunshine reported over the radio.
“Right.” Shining replied as he stalked the halls. He had entered the stairwell and was climbing higher, checking off floors as they were radioed in as secure.
At one double backing set of stairs, he managed to spot a hench-pony before the thug spotted him. He threw the shotgun to distract the stallion, which worked perfectly. The pony turned and fired a few pointless shots as Shining stepped out into view, fanning the hammer on the revolver as he brought it up on target.
The hench-pony cried out and pitched forward as the bullets struck him. He fell over the railing, screaming as all the way down to the ground floor. Shining tossed the revolver aside and picked the shotgun back up as he made his way up the stairs.
Reaching the last floor before the roof, Shining kicked down the door and checked for hostiles. Finding none in the drab corridor, he decided to risk a shout.
“Truth! Cadance! Chrysalis! Can you hear me?”
*******
Crystal Tower
Truth’s ears twitched as she heard Shining’s voice call out.
“Shining?” she said as though she didn’t really believe it. “Shining!” She cried happily as she came out of the alcove she had hidden in. Even little Lovebug, awake yet quiet in her forelegs, seemed to get the idea, cooing sweetly.
“Shining, I’m here! We’re here! Shining!” she shouted.
Suddenly a large form pressed against her from behind, a strong hoof clamping over her mouth.
“No, but I think he knows us both.” whispered Blackguard as he pressed a knife to her neck. “Now shut up and come on.”
*******
Crystal Tower
Shining’s ears twitched as he thought he heard Truth’s voice. “Truth?” he called. “Truth!”
He charged towards where he thought he had heard her voice, not taking the time to check around corners first. He past many pipes, wires, and whatnot. This was obviously the boiler room area… thing. Shining wasn’t really in the mood to memorize intimate details about his surroundings.
“Truth!” he called out just as he looked around a corner, exposing his back to the hallway opposite him.
There was the boom of a pistol and a bullet ripped through his right shoulder. There was a scream from Truth and Shining yelled in pain. He dropped the shotgun and managed to throw himself behind an errant pillar.
“Hey Shining.” Blackguard called out, sounding like he was having the time of his life. “How’s the foreleg?”
“Come on over and find out!” Shining called out.
“No, I’ll pass.” Blackguard grinned. “Hey Shining, tell you what. You stick your head out and I’ll put one right between your eyes. Quick, easy, and clean. For old time’s sake.”
“Fuck you, Bennett!” Shining shouted.
“Aw, now you’ve hurt my feelings, Shining. And I may just have to hurt your little friend here.” Blackguard laughed. “You know, it’s been awful for me ever since you kicked me out of your unit. I couldn’t get shit for work with that kind of black mark on my record. Well, not honest work.” he laughed again. “But you know what kept me going? The thought that someday I would get to pay you back for all the misery you put me through. And today is payday, Shining! Don’t ya just love Hearth’s Warming?” Blackguard laughed again.
Shining gasped in pain, trying to think. “You know, Bennett, you don’t want to shoot me.”
“No, I really think I do.”
“No, you don’t. You don’t want this quick, clean, and easy. You want this rough, dirty, and drawn out.” Shining got to his hooves with some difficulty. “You don’t want to shoot me. You want to put a knife in me. You want to make me suffer.”
On a gamble, Shining stepped out into the open “Come on, Bennett. Let the maid and the foal go and throw away that fucking gun.” he stared Blackguard in his crazed eyes. “Come on, Bennett. I’ve only got one good hoof now. You can beat me when I have only one hoof, surely.” Shining drew his knife from his belt. “Come on, Bennett. Let’s party.”
Blackguard looked at Shining as if he was crazy. He suddenly began laughing again. “Oh Shining, you always did have a way with words. And you know what? I think I agree with you. I don’t need the maid.” he roughly shoved Truth away. “I don’t need the gun.” he tossed his pistol away and out of sight. Blackguard drew his knife with relish.
“Oh, Shining Armor,” Blackguard drew a deep breath as he pulled a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and put them on. “I’m going to kill you now!”
******
Crystal Tower Office
Chrysalis braced herself, feeling Masque slam into her with enough force to carry them both back and into a wall. Masque slammed her elbow into the side of Chrysalis’s face, snapping her head to the side and causing her to cut the inside of her cheek on her fangs.
As soon as Chrysalis managed to bring her head back to the position it was originally in, Masque slammed another elbow into her face.
There were a few inches of space between Chrysalis’s head and the wall behind her. She leaned her head back and then slammed it forward. Her horn sparked as it brushed Masque’s and the unicorn was suddenly thrown backwards by a blast of energy.
Chrysalis wobbled and had to grab the wall to steady herself as Masque picked herself off the floor. The unicorn shook her head to clear it and then pulled out her butterfly knife.
Before she could open it, Chrysalis charged forward and slammed herself into the unicorn, causing her to drop the weapon. Masque roared and punched a hoof into Chrysalis’s gut, doubling her over. She tried to bring her elbow down on the changeling again, but Chrysalis managed to slip her head by to and deliver a sharp uppercut to Masque.
The unicorn’s head snapped backwards, and before she could recover Chrysalis swung her hoof around, hitting her in the jaw. The unicorn brought her head back around and spat blood before grabbing Chrysalis and throwing her onto the desk.
Grabbing her green hair, Masque slammed Chrysalis’s head into the desk twice before throwing her off of it. The changeling landed in a bloody heap behind the desk.
Spitting blood again, Masque bent to pick up her knife. “You know, after I kill you, I’ll make myself look like you again. Then I’ll slip away and nopony will even look twice at me.” she opened her butterfly knife with a few quick motions. “Maybe I’ll steal a kiss from Cadance while I’m at it.” she sneered.
Chrysalis growled and yanked open a drawer on Cadance’s desk.
“Au revoir, chienne!” Masque shouted as she rounded the desk.
Chrysalis brought up the gun that had been inside Cadance’s desk and fired three times in rapid succession. Masque jerked violently as each shot hit her body. She collapsed on the floor, wheezing.
Chrysalis got up and walked over to the unicorn. “You couldn’t pull me off anyway, bitch.” Chrysalis walked away, limping slightly, leaving the unicorn to bleed out.
*********
Crystal Tower
Shining braced himself as Blackguard slammed into him. He rolled with the force of the shoulder slam, managing to twist around and end up behind Blackguard. He slammed the hilt of his knife into the back of the unicorn’s neck, but that only seemed to stun him briefly.
Blackguard back-hoofed Shining, sending him reeling. The unicorn came slashing at him, but Shining managed to match him slash for slash, stopping the blade from biting his flesh.
Blackguard stabbed with his knife, trying to gut Shining, but the former captain of the guard barely managed to dodge the jabs. Blackguard then shoved Shining against a pillar, trying to put his knife through the unicorn’s eye.
Shining stopped the foreleg with his own, the spear-point of the knife just a few inches from his left eye. As Shining struggled to match Blackguard’s strength, the coal black unicorn suddenly pulled a switchblade from his pocket.
Shining’s eyes widened and he got his right hoof up to block Blackguard’s left, but the switchblade was inching towards his side with frightening speed.
“You’re getting old, Shining.” Blackguard sneered.
Shining responded by slamming his head into Blackguard’s nose.
The unicorn grunted in pain and stumbled back a step. Shining pressed his advantage and slashed a shallow wound on Blackguard’s right foreleg. He yelped in pain and dropped his knife.
Blackguard jabbed wildly and managed to stick Shining in the side with the switchblade. Shining grunted in pain and grabbed Blackguard’s mane. He jerked it to the side and the two went crashing through a door and over a guardrail, crashing to the ground a level below in some kind of boiler room.
Both groaned in pain on the ground.
“What the buck made you think that was a good idea?” Blackguard groaned.
“I don’t know.” Shining answered.
*******
Crystal Tower
Dwayne T Robinsson had never been in combat before. In all honesty, he barely qualified with any kind of weapon. Nevertheless, he soldiered on, yelling and firing wildly at any terrorists he came across. He hadn’t hit one as far as he knew, but he had scared the piss out of them, and that was enough to make them easy picking for the others.
He had ascended the stairs and now found himself in what he could only describe as the boiler room floor. It was strange that this place was so close to the roof.
He made his way through the narrow halls until he heard the grunts of fighting ahead. He hesitated for a moment, but mentally slapped himself and charged forward.
When he arrived at the scene of the fight, he saw no fight. All he saw was a knife laying on the ground, an open door, and a frightened changeling clutching a foal huddling in the corner.
“Miss, are you okay?” he said as he knelt by her side. A few hours ago ho would have balked at the idea of being this close to a changeling. But A-few-hours-ago Robinsson wasn’t scared out of his mind, so fuck him.
“I’m… I’m okay.” she took a deep breath, “Who are you?”
“I’m… er, Robinsson. Just Robinsson.”
“Are you in contact with the police forces?”
He nodded.
“Prove it.”
Robinsson pulled the radio from his belt and clicked it on. “Captain Sunshine, can you vouch for me to a civilian?”
“It’s okay, he’s with us.” Sunshine’s voice said over the radio.
Truth nodded. “Okay Robinsson. I’m Truth and I need you-”
A shot suddenly rang out.
Robinsson grunted in pain, falling forward as he felt a bullet slam into his shoulder. His armor protected him from penetration, but the force still caused him to pitch forward and lose hold of his gun. Truth cried out as she saw Reuben walk up, looking blackened and holding a pistol. A RPG launcher was slung over his back.
“Hello sweetheart.” he sneered as he came forward and grabbed her.
Robinsson pushed himself onto his back and reached for his gun, before deciding playing dead would be a better choice. He allowed himself to go limp.
Truth cried out and quickly passed the now bawling Lovebug to Robinsson, who she could tell was faking.
“You’re coming with me.” Reuben growled. He pointed the pistol at Lovebug. “Or… well, I’m sure you can imagine.”
Truth stopped struggling. “Fine. But drop the gun.”
Reuben sneered and tossed the pistol aside. But as insurance, he crushed Robinsson’s radio underhoof. He then pulled Truth close and all but dragged her to the stairwell. They ascended the stairs and Reuben bucked open the door to the roof.
The roof was cold and a light snow was beginning to fall. Reuben roughly shoved Truth forward and out onto the platform in the middle of the roof.
“What now?” she demanded as he approached her.
He unsung his RPG and gently placed it on the rooftop. “Now we get ready to fly.” he grinned as he pressed close to her.
“I can’t believe I had drunk sex with an asshole like you, Reuben.” Truth snarled.
“What the hell did I do?” Reuben said as he stepped out onto the roof.
Truth blinked and looked between the pony next to her and the pony that had just arrived. They were exactly the same.
“What?” Truth said, confused.
“Oh, hi Truth.” Reuben waved with a sub sandwich he was carrying.
“What?”
“Hey, jerkass.” Sandwich Reuben said to RPG Reuben. “Let the lady go.”
“What the buck is going on?” Truth demanded.
“Changeling.” Sandwich Reuben said simply.
The other Reuben rolled his eyes and in a flash of green was black and chitinous. “Oh no, you’ve found me out.” he said mockingly.
“Who the buck are you ponies!?” Truth shouted.
“I’m Reuben.” Rueben said. “And this asshole knocked me out earlier and locked me in the meat freezer. So when I got out, I followed the smell of burning changeling.”
The changeling rolled his eyes. “Whatever, you are a wonderful tracker. Congrats. But do you really think you can stand up to the might of Conicer?”
“Who?” Reuben asked.
“Me!” Conicer hissed.
“Oh.” Reuben shrugged. “Listen, just let the lady go and you can fly off to wherever.” he gestured pointedly with the sandwich.
Conicer sneered. “Or what? You going to-”
He was cut off as a loud bang issued from the sandwich and Conicer was thrown backwards and off the platform.
Truth just stared. “Did you just shoot him with a sandwich!?”
Reuben blinked at her. “What? No.” he pulled a shotgun from within the sandwich. “I shot him with the gun I had inside the sandwich.”
Truth just shook her head. “Let’s just get out of here.”
*******
Crystal Tower
Robinsson shakily got to his hooves; fairly certain he had cracked a rib or something. He cradled the white foal close to his chest, loosely holding his gun with his other hoof.
His ears twitched as he detected a voice carrying down the halls.
“Truth! Truth! Can you hear me?” the voice called.
Judging by the tone of voice, the mare calling out either was a good actor or was genuinely concerned for the changeling. Robinsson dared to answer.
“Here! Come here quick!” he called.
The sound of running hooves herald the arrival of a pink pegasus. No wait, she was a unicorn. Wait, she was… both?
“Princess Cadenza?” Robinsson said in disbelief as the pink alicorn ran up, only to stop a few feet away.
“You’re not Truth.” she said as she warily approached. She then caught sight of the foal. “Lovebug!” she cried. She leapt the rest of the distance and Robinsson gently turned over the foal.
Cadance grabbed the foal and hugged her close, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Thank you! Thank you!” she cried happily, embracing him.
Robinsson blushed and awkwardly patted her on the back. “Uh, er, no problem ma’am.”
Cadance backed off. “Where’s Truth?” she asked.
“A stallion took her up to the roof. They’re probably-” Robinsson was cut off as a crazed female voice with a Trottingham accent called down the halls.
“Oh, Princess!” Juno called down the halls in a sing-song voice, laughing manically. “I’m coming for you, Princess!”
Robinsson stepped in between Cadance and the direction the voice was coming from. “Go.” he said as he aimed down the hall.
“But-” Cadance started.
“Go! I’ll be fine!” Robinsson shouted over his shoulder.
Cadance hesitated and then nodded once. “Thank you.” she whispered and she turned and fled.
Robinsson’s grip tightened on his gun and sweat beaded down his forehead. He didn’t know who was coming, but that voice sure did scare the shit out of him.
*********
Crystal Tower Boiler Room
Shining and Blackguard got to their hooves and exchanged glances before each scrambled to grab a weapon. Shining managed to get a pipe while Blackguard came up with a length of chain.
Blackguard swung the chain, the end wrapping around the pipe. A sharp jerk tore the pipe from Shining’s grip and a sharp punch snapped his head back.
Blackguard grinned and swung the chain low, trying to trip up Shining, but the white unicorn leapt over it. Shining shoved Blackguard back and the unicorn hit a wood burner that was used to heat water.
Blackguard rebounded and punched Shining in the jaw, knocking the former guard captain to the ground. Shining quickly swept Blackguard hooves out from under him before the unicorn could start stomping him.
Blackguard landed heavily but quickly rolled away. He snatched up the pipe Shining had grabbed earlier and came at the unicorn swinging.
*********
Crystal Tower
Robinsson fired off a burst from his gun when he thought he saw a flicker of movement around the corner. He heard a groan and lowered his gun in surprise. Had he actually -
A pistol was shoved around the corner and the first shot hit him squarely in the chest. Robinsson jerked as a pink pegasus came around the corner, pistol clutched in one hoof, firing as she stalked forward.
Robinsson’s body jerked as the pistol bullets impacted his body. Most thankfully hit his armor, but one went through his thigh and dropped him to a knee. The next shot knocked him down.
He gasped and jerked. His ribs were definitely broken now and he could feel warm blood soaking his fur. The pink pegasus stopped firing after he fell over. She walked past him and scoffed as his bleeding form.
**********
Crystal Tower Rooftop
Cadance threw herself through the door to the roof and slammed it shut behind her. She tried for a moment to seal it with magic, but her horn glowed for just a moment before popping and fizzling out again.
She held Lovebug close as she simply ran forward and ascended the stairs to the raised platform in the middle of the roof. She noticed a rocket launcher of some sort laying on the platform, but that barely registered.
Cadance spread her wings. She didn’t want to abandon Truth, or Chrysalis, or Shining, but she had to protect Lovebug. Hopefully there was somepony on the ground that could take care of her daughter while she came back up and searched for the rest of her family.
The hesitation before taking flight cost her dearly. Three loud bangs rang out as three bullets ripped through the thin metal of the door to the roof. Juno kicked the door open and leapt at Cadance, howling like a mad pony.
Cadance grunted as Juno crashed into her. She tucked Lovebug close to her chest as she rolled with the force of the impact. She however lost her grip on the foal as she came to a stop. The bundle of blankets and foal rolled a few feet away, Lovebug bawling once again.
Cadance reached out with a hoof towards her foal, even though she was out of reach. Cadance then cried out in pain as Juno’s hoof came crashing down on her foreleg.
“You stupid fucking bitch!” Juno roared as she shoved her gun down and Cadance’s face and pulled the trigger.
The dull click was almost mocking.
Juno stared at her gun and then laughed crazily as she began reloading. “You know, it’s really funny, Princess.” Juno said. “This all could have been so easy and so simple. But no. No you and your husband and your changeling and your fucking nanny. You all had to fuck everything up. Well I still get the last laugh! After I kill you I’m going to fly down, raid your vault, and then I’m going to fly away. And from a distance I could easily pass for you.”
Juno then tilted her head at Lovebug’s cries. She glanced at the foal and her lips stretched back into an evil grin. “You know what, I was hasty to try and kill the foal earlier. In fact, I think I’ve grown attached! So maybe I’ll take her with me, raise her as my own.” she looked down at Cadance and laughed as she finished reloading her gun. “Any last words, Princess?”
Cadance looked over and saw the RPG launcher laying just out of reach.
“Just two.” she said as her horn lit up.
Juno scoffed, but suddenly, the RPG was wrapped in a teal magical aura and shot into Cadance’s hooves. She shoved the cone head of the rocket into Juno stomach as she clicked the weapon’s safety off.
Juno had enough time to grunt and widen her eyes.
“You’re fired.” Cadance said just before she fired the weapon.
Juno screamed as the rocket penetrated her body and carried her up into the air. She flew high above the Tower and exploded quite spectacularly with the rocket, the blast cutting off her cry.
Cadance let the RPG launcher fall from her hooves a she stared grimly at the rapidly dissipating black cloud.
A cry pulled her eyes away and she scrambled to her hooves. She levitated Lovebug back into her hooves and nuzzled the foal, who quickly quieted down. It was strange, she only did that with herself, Chrysalis, Truth and…
And Shining.
“Cadance!”
Cadance turned to see Truth and an earth pony come running up. Cadance remembered what the pony below had said, but Truth saw her look and shook her head.
“It’s okay, Cadance, er, princess.” Truth said. “He’s with us.”
The earth pony waved awkwardly.
“Aren’t you the cook?” Cadance asked.
“Uh, no ma’am. I make sandwiches.”
Cadance shrugged. ‘Alright then. Now, let’s go find my husband.”
********
Crystal Tower Boiler Room
Shining grunted in pain as the pipe hit his sides. He held up his right foreleg to block a swing aimed at his head and cried out. Blackguard grinned and kept pushing on the pipe, trapping Shining’s foreleg.
“You’re dead, Shining.” Blackguard said. “You’ve got one hoof and it’s your bad one. And you’re tired. I had an energy bar before shit started blowing up. I’m fresh. You’re dead.”
“Hey Bennett.” Shining grunted.
“What?”
“I’m not right hoofed.”
A perfect ‘oh shit’ expression went over Blackguard’s face just before Shining’s left hoof smashed into it. The pipe clanged against the floor as Blackguard dropped it. Shining kept coming at him, left hoof repeatedly connecting with the unicorn’s body.
Shining quickly switched it up and kicked Blackguard with his hind leg. The unicorn went stumbling back, straight into a power crystal.
Electricity sparked and Blackguard howled. Smoke rose from his fur and the air was filled with the scent of burning fur and flesh.
Blackguard came away from the power crystal and charged forward, shouting incoherently. His forehead made contact with Shining’s, knocking the unicorn back. Blackguard jabbed Shining twice in the belly, doubling him over. Grabbing Shining, Blackguard sent him head first into a wall.
“Oh Shining old buddy, I feel good!” Blackguard said jovially as his next hoof strike landed right on Shining’s wound from the rocket earlier.
Shining cried out and sank to his knees.
“I gotta tell ya, a few volts does a body good!” Blackguard said as he slammed Shining’s head into the wall. “Maybe I’ll share that with your wife and that darling little foal of hers.”
Shining growled and spun around, his left hoof coming up with him. Blackguard was stumbled by the punch and Shining kept it up.
Another uppercut to the jaw. A grab of the head for the perfect head butt. Jabs to every sensitive area on the body of a unicorn. A stomp that broke an ankle. A twist that cracked a humerus. A punch that broke a nose and sent blood spurting from both nostrils.
A final punch sent Blackguard tumbling to the floor to stop in front of a large steam boiler.
Shining looked grimly as Blackguard spat blood. A sudden shout from above got his attention.
“Captain Shining Armor!”
Shining looked up to a hench-pony standing on the balcony above, pulling a pistol from a holster.
“I’ll go down in the history books for bagging you!” the stallion laughed.
He suddenly jerked violently as several bullets went through his body. He slumped against the railing, dead, his gun falling from his hooves.
“Hoo-rah.” Robinsson growled from where he lay on the ground, gun held loosely in one hoof.
The pistol fell from the balcony and landed with a clatter just in front of Blackguard. He snatched the pistol up as he got to his hooves, using the boiler behind him as leverage.
“Oh Shining, I think I’ve changed my mind about shooting you.” Blackguard said as he aimed the pistol.
Shining looked around furiously and spotted a large pipe next to him. He ripped it from the wall.
Blackguard cocked the pistol and fired. Or at least, he tried to.
“Aw fuck.” Blackguard said. “Safety was on-ACK!”
He cried out as Shining threw the pipe through him and into the boiler behind him.
“Shit.” Blackguard gasped as the gun fell from his grip. He spat blood and looked desperately at Shining. “Shining, please. I… I didn’t imagine punching out like this. Please… please let me die with some… dignity. Don’t… don’t cheapen my death and say… one of your… stupid ass one liners.”
Shining smirked. “Let off some steam, Bennett.”
Shining Armor
Has some issues
Blackguard Bennett sighed. “Yep… there it is.” he fell forward onto the pipe as steam issued forth from the end.
“Shining!”
Shining looked up to see Cadance standing there, holding Lovebug, Chrysalis by her side, and Truth standing between them.
He smiled and wiped some blood from his mouth. “What the buck took you so long?”