//------------------------------// // Chapter. 5+6 Mush! + BNG // Story: Middle ground // by DarkShadow95 //------------------------------// It was all very surreal for Adam at this stage. All of this palace was huge and made of the finest material he had ever seen, it shown him that Equestria was a very wealthy state indeed. He saw marble, fine cotton and gold. So much so even the guards wore gold. But that just confused him. If you were using gold for armour would it not be easy to break, after all gold was one of the softest metals known, the more pure the softer. He decided to ask his tour guide Shining Armour. "Can I ask something about your guards?" Shining then pulled his thoughts back from walking "Go ahead sergeant." "Why do the guards all wear gold? I mean Its the softest metal on earth for us, it would useless against any impact. So why wear it?" "Easy. Gold is a good metal that can be enchanted to resist magical blows. You will see what I mean when we go to the training area. Also its not pure gold. If it was it would weigh a tonne! Its has a thin gold plate on top of some lightweight steel so it can protect against a physical attack and a magical one too." Shining lectured. Adam thought about if for a second and noticed all the guards they passed now looking at him by the fact he was asking about them. All of them looked at him with suspicion and weariness. He felt uncomfortable from their stares but tried to ignore all the eyes now watching him. He realised he would have to learn of magic, the basics at least. If magic had defensive elements to it, it would bean there would also be attacks. Another thing to add to the worry board. They walked through all the corridors taking turn and staircase to try to reach the guard area. The soldier wondered how on earth anyone could navigate all of this maze. He thought it would be funny if anyone tried to attack this place would get lost instead of actually taking over the palace. He tried to memorise all the route but because it all looked the same it would be hard to find any references to get back. Might have to keep the captain in his sight till he was confident enough to actually navigate on his own. The officer pny then decided to ask the human a question. One that had been bugging his mind also "Was that a gun you took out and aimed at Princess Luna, when she scared you I mean?" "What this?" Adam patted his thigh where his holster was, shining nodded in response. "Yes its my gun, one of them anyway. Only used in personal defence only. Never seen one?" "No I haven't there is little we know of your 'armies' the princess thought it to be wise to keep it quiet till we learn more from each other" Adam was quite shocked at his answer, they were holding back information to the public of their world? Adam tried to think of a good reason, but instead came to the reality his world did not know much of Equestria. So why all this secrecy? Was it to prevent the whole world going mad? Only way to find out was to ask Dr Olof, it was something he would have to find out later once he finally got to Amicus. He decided to stop thinking or else he would end up with a double sided A4 of 'to do list' and no one likes double sided. "So what does it do?" Shining continued. "Well basically it fires a small projectile, known as a bullet at very high speeds. Small enough to pierce skin and some armour. Causing a wound, internal and external bleeding." Shining winced at the soldiers blunt response "That sounds painful". "I wouldn't know, never been shot and don't intend to," He replied coyly giving the pony a huge creepy grin to add to the situation. "I would tell you in more detail how they work but I doubt that would be wise. Guns cause a few deaths on earth, luckily where I live guns have heavy restrictions, so less deaths from bullets. So people stab you instead." The walk suddenly turned quiet for a moment out of awkwardness. Adam was trying to see how a pony would react to how violent humans can be, see if he could learn something, so far it was going okay. "We do get a few ponies of our own trying to commit murder," The captain admitted "They do use knives magic and other means but it is rare. Are Humans more violent?" Adam laughed at the final question. "That question has been asked by many over hundreds of years. And still no one is sure, humans are capable of doing good and being bad. That we know for sure." He was trying to reassure his pony comrade. Giving him a hint at what humans do so that if any bad thing does happen (which he hoped it wont), he would have faith in him still. "We are the exact same. Some ponies do good some do bad. Its my job to prevent that bad." "I'm in on that" Adam replied, holding out a fist for him to bump it. Shining saw the gesture and stared at his fist for a second. He knew it was a gesture of some kind, but did not know what to do "Urm... what do I do?" He asked, trying examine around the fist. "You take your hand... I mean hoof and bump it against my fist." Adam tried to explained, never before had a human had to explain a simple fist bump. "Oh you mean a hoof bump!" The pony replied, the captain immediately raised his hoof and bumped it against the humans fist. Making Adam smile in the process, maybe they did have the concept of a fist bump here. "Now moving on from the whole philosophy crap. Where will I be staying? And do you have a large room I can park my car?" Adam asked. Admitting he did want to ask where the nearest bar was, but he would find that out for himself. "Well do you mind staying in the barracks?" The captain already thought keeping adam in a military base would make him more comfortable. When he took over the Crystal Empire getting settled into a normal room with his wife took a long while. It was alien to him, compared to living in the officers accommodation at the barracks. So He thought Adam would feel the same way. "Its just the officer accommodation. Its not much but you do get your own bathroom, so that's a plus." Adam was happy with all that he was saying, plus getting officer accommodation would be a plus. Saves sharing the communal showers and running out of hot water. "Sounds fine by me," He said cheerfully "And the car?" "Well I don't know, maybe the chariot storage will take it. But we will have to convince the storage master to let you have a spot." "storage master?" "Tough stallion, old and very stubborn. Even Luna has problems talking to him. But we will cross that when it comes. C'mon I'll show you your room. I'm staying in the same dorm anyway." Shining picked up the pace and the human soldier followed in suit. They came to a huge set of doors. That had a symbol of Luna and Celestia on the door. Engraved underneath was a phrase 'United Equestria'. At least this door would be easy to find being so obvious. Shining stepped up to the door and placed a hoof on it. This caused a reaction that Adam could only guess was magic. From around his hoof a light blue ripple went around the door and disappearing. Soon as it did so, the door came alive and started to make noises like gears moving. All went suddenly quiet for a second before the door suddenly cracked open. Light poured in through the slit made in the middle. Adam honestly felt like he was going to Hogwarts out of harry potter, but with ponies. In his head he came up with a weird parody of 'harry trotter and the order of the horseshoe'. But he decided against speaking it aloud, incase it was a little insulting. "If you want access to the barracks, you may want to place your hand on the door," Adam looked at shining who just looked back at him gesturing to the door. Adam looked at him funny for a second wondering his intentions "Its for you to get in when I'm not around" He said. Adam stepped up and place his hand on the door. He paused for a second wondering what would happen before taking a leap of faith and placing his finger tips on the door. Shining then put his hood on the door again and closed his eyes, his horn started to glow in a unicorns aura and the same ripple came back. Adam did not feel a thing throughout the whole process. Shining removed his hoof and opened his eyes. "Is that it?" Adam asked, inspecting his hand. "Yup, what did you expect?" "A light show, maybe something to feel? I don't know, just something." Shining just rolled his eyes and proceeded to walk through the door, letting out a huge sigh. "Honestly, you're as my sister when she started using magic." "Hey humans don't have magic, what did you expect me to say!?" Adam shouted back, taking a few quick steps through the door trying to catch up. As they went through the door started to close. Adam watched as they did so and turned back around to see the next part of the building they stepped into. But what he saw seemed strangely familiar. It was a scene of chaos, but one that he knew best. The chaos of a military base. Everywhere he looked he saw different groups training all the new guard being trained up while fully trained teams were patrolling around, making sure their patrol drills were still up to scratch. Adam looked on, even the buildings seemed similar, simple huts that had only the basics and seemed a little outdated. He started to study the groups around until one particular group caught his eye. From first glance he guessed that the group was a load of recruits. He could see all of them trying to practice basic drill movements and the guard pony leading them did not seem pleased with their effort. He was shouting at them, not screaming. But using the kind of voice that was stern and frightful. He was clearly pissed at the lack of discipline that team. Calling them a few names that Adam did not understand but could probably guess they were all swears and related to their mothers. He snorted at all the sights around all of it was just like on a training base, just with ponies. If it were just humans it would all seem like a normal day, like being back in the UK. The captain noticed his small outburst and questioned "What?" "Nothing," Adam replied instinctively taking a few more steps to get a better view. "It just seems funny." Shining felt insulted at human soldiers remark "You find all this funny?" "Yeah, its just well... exactly like my old base. Recruits running, soldiers doing daily duties even the sounds seem the same. You replace your troops with humans. You would think you stayed on earth." Adam went into his bag and pulled out his DSLR camera. "Do you mind if I take a photo?" "Just don't take a picture of anything sensitive." Adam took a few photos of the landscape, through the lens he could zoom in and see things closer. Behind the group he was watching he noticed some loops held in place in the air. He was curios and took a photo, looking at the screen to see what it was. It looked like and assault course but not one he had ever seen before. "What is that?" He asked showing the captain the screen, who seemed quite surprised at his camera showing him a picture. "That's the Pegasus assault course, they fly through it to train for aerial combat." The soldier looked at the photo more closely, realising what all the obstacles were all related to flight. He felt a bit of excitement grow in him, he really wanted to watch how they would go through the obstacles. Like a air display. "Mind if I watch them do it sometime?" "Sure I'm helping out tomorrow so you can come by and watch." Shining smiled at the sergeants eagerness to learn. For him it was like having a new lieutenant to train under his wing, which he liked. But this time the lieutenant could teach him something. Especially since he himself was curious about the sergeants 'gun'. "Sergeant, can I ask a favour?" I turned back from taking picture to see the captain looking a little sheepish. Rubbing a hoof behind his head, which seemed pretty funny. I gave him a smile indicating him to proceed. "Well, could you give a demonstration of your gun? I'm just curious from what I've heard from humans they are interesting." I could see he was hoping for me to say yes, and I did want to say yes but I doubt princess Celestia would be pleased with me showing off guns and making a noise in her backyard. "Captain I would love to," I could see him perk up and smile like a kid getting an ice cream "But I don't think Princess Celestia would be pleased with me doing so" I said sharply, shattering his hopes I could see his ears place down and his whole expression drop. I felt sorry for the guy, I would love to honestly. But I don't want getting fired from my nicely paid job. That and I was on another world, where the hell would I go if I was? "Look," I said "I'll try to talk to her tomorrow. See if I can convince her tomorrow while I sign the contract. But I can't promise miracles, okay?" "Thanks, I really wanted to see what they do. I know you can't do much, thanks anyway." He replied still a little sad. I think it was time to move the conversation. "So where is the officers accommodation?" I asked trying to lighten the mood. Shining pointed a hoof to what appeared to be a large set of flats. Like the rest of the place it was white, but growing along the walls where climbing plants that flowered. They climbed up to the second floor, just short of the wall which from my guess was 3 floors high. We went closer and from the flowers came quite a pleasant scent. I could see windows and in some pony officers taking their day off from training to relax and unwind. Here I was a non-commissioned officer, staying in officer accommodation, living the soldiers dream huh? We climbed the steps passing some guards in full dress going on duty for their shift. I guess being military police most of these ponies saw more action than me, the max I ever saw was a demolition of an abandoned village by air strike. That thought really got me down for a second, till shining stopped at one of the doors opening it. Gesturing me to walk in, so I did. We went into a reasonably sized room, not like the ones you normally get where just a bed and desk fit in. This was different to all that. To the immediate right was a desk and a wardrobe and on the opposite side to that was a double bed. I walked further in and saw another room that was the bathroom, quizzically, I walked in. It was freaking huge! The bathtub looked like a freaking Jacuzzi! To add to that it was a bathtub, now in military bases I don't think that has ever happened. I looked more to the detail of the room. The captain watching my reaction to all the furniture, he looked confused and asked "Is it okay? Did you expect more?" "No, no. I was just well... expecting less," I said laughing slightly. "Normally we just get a bed, a wardrobe and a toilet. This is a apartment" I looked more and then realised there was a large cushion instead of a chair for the desk. I will have to sort that out. "So is it okay? It is to human standards?" He continued to ask, worried he may of insulted me somehow. When in fact he did the complete opposite. "More than enough captain, thank you. This is a hotel room compared to what a human soldier would have, even our officers don't get this much, again thanks" I gave the captain a big smile to seal the compliment, he smiled in response. "So should I give you a tour of the place? I am meant to be watching you all day, this is my only duty till tomorrow." He said. "Love to but I think I'll get my gear and move some in if that's okay? By the way how secure is this place?" "What do you mean?" "Well I want to keep my weapons with me if that is okay. They are secure already in their chest but I would feel better if they were with me most the time, after all we were trained to sleep with our rifles" "Well the building is secure enough, after the changeling attacks all security is updated, like the door we went through. It only recognises who is enchanted into it. Plus the base is constantly in use, even at night. You will see that later. This dorm is off limits only officers can get in, with the acceptation with you of course." He was about to list a load of other things before I butt in to ask my main question. "How secure is that door?" I asked pointing to the door that lead into the room. He looked at it and decided to give me a lecture on that as well, great. "Well it is 1 inch thick, magic resistant against most magical spells and has a dual single spin hoof lock..." Jesus does this guy shut up!? "Captain!" That got his attention "Is it easy to break into, yes or no?" I looked at him sternly expecting a simple answer. "No" "Good" I let out a large sigh, anymore and I would of got a headache "I hope your sister is not the same" I ended at that. The captain the pawed at the ground with his hoof admitting "She is, I sort of get it from her". Wonder if they both drive each other insane, or his wife for that matter. I sighed and started to walk out the door before I heard behind me "Where you going?". "To get my stuff!" I heard footsteps behind me as captain Shining caught up, good now he can help. "C'mon, I need to find a place to keep my vehicle." The sergeant and captain walked back towards where the vehicle was parked. Adam trying his best to remember all the routes he had just took. He did this while talking to shining. Eventually they came to the door they first came in and two earth pony guards opened the doors for them. Adam walked out in a hurry, trying to get the gear away so he could get a look more around the castle. He was smiling as he did so, although all of this was just surreal to him he was taking it well. He now understood why he was picked from so few, he could accept all of this culture. All he had to do is remember its a whole new world, and one he was lucky enough to be exploring. He got in and looked back at the captain, who was still standing on the top of the stairs. Adam looked closer and noticed the worry and insecurity in his face. He had a feeling he might be unsure of his car, after all it was huge and looked quite intimidating. Adam opened the turret hatch and poked his body out. "C'mon!" He shouted "She wont bite promise. I've done this hundreds of times." "I'm okay walking alongside thanks!" The pony captain replied with a little stutter in his voice. Adam was a little concerned, but then again this was something completely alien to his pony friend. "Mate just get in! Honestly once you're inside you will forget its a car. Got to do it some time, plus think how badass you will look rolling in one of these!" The pony captain paused to think before placing a hoof forward, and gently started to walk. Adam smiled at his small steps. He left the engine off so he would feel a little comfortable. Once he was in the car he could just lock the doors if he panicked. Eventually the passenger door opened and he climbed in carefully. shutting the door behind him "See not so bad, is it? Now are you comfortable?" Adam asked his new passenger. Shining didn't reply  just just gave him a weary, still nervous look. "I'm going to turn on the engine now" with that he turned the key and let the engine roar to life, sending birds exploding from trees. Even though in an armoured vehicle you can't really hear the engine, shining still leapt up in shock hitting his head on the roof. Adam, even when fighting the urge to, let out a long laugh clutching his chest from his outburst, tears coming to his eyes. "Jesus mate!" He tried to say while still in a fit of laughter "Your face when it came on ha!" Shining rubbed his head and grumbled at the driver, who was still laughing slightly while he came back to his task. "If I had a camera, anyway you better get used to that. If we are going to work together you may need to use this thing," He said tapping the steering wheel. "So how to get in?" He asked trying to give some of the captains dignity back, best not to mention it to his own troops. Shining still in his grumbly mood pointed a hoof to the gate they had just came in. Adam guessed he would have to go all they way around to find another gate that lead into the barracks. Once again the drove through the outer gate and into the city. Once again ponies looked at the marvellous machine, while the nobles seemed to 'tut' and carry on walking as if was nothing. Adam though, for a laugh decided to get them back. With a slight press on the accelerator pedal he let out his revenge. The Husky let out a loud roar from its 6 litre engine. that made all the ponies jump and made the nobles run for cover, as if they had just heard a tiger right behind them. Adam smiled and waited for them to realise just who it actually was. Eventually, and slowly the nobles peeped over there choices of cover. Looking to the source of the noise. Seeing Adam at the wheel of the roaring machine, a few of the nobles stared at him in disbelief while others just scowled at him. He however was laughing and as soon as the normal ponies saw him laugh they too started to snigger at the nobles frightened outburst. Adam turned to see if Shining was okay, in case he had the same reaction as before. Instead he saw the captain look at him in a very stern manner. Like a teacher would to a disruptive pupil, Adam stopped laughing and felt the blue eyes of the unicorn reach right into his soul. They both stared for a moment Shining having his hooves crossed and Adam frozen in his stare. Shining knew that was no way to behave in Canterlot and now he was going to hear it all from his commander, all because of a human soldier. Adam meanwhile felt sorry and frightened from that stare, but he did not say anything he just returned to driving without any manner and followed Shining's  directions. They drove slowly in silence. Getting the same looks from ponies, although they could not hear them, the captain and sergeant knew they were the centre of attention in Canterlot. Through some careful and very quiet driving. The Husky reached the gate that lead straight into Canterlot training base. Ponies along the wall on duty, looked at the machine crawling up to the gate and took immediate action. Pegasus POnies took to the air surrounding the Husky, Unicorns charged their horns ready to fire. And Earth pony guards burst from doors surrounding them on the ground. Everywhere they looked, up, down, left, right, was crawling with very angry looking guards. They were all armed with a variety of weapons. Most of which were swords, spears and the odd bow, nothing compared to Adams arsenal. But Adam still felt very nervous. Shining looked around, now he knew how the local delivery guy feels when he is greeted in the same way when he drops off deliveries. He saw the tension in Adam and took action, firstly by saying "Can you do something rather than stay here?" Adam came back to her senses and heard the words of his still annoyed companion. "Hey, there your men. You call them off!" He proclaimed. "Well let me out, or something! Before they decide to drag us out!" "Hold on, I have an Idea," Adam looked at the dashboard and started flicking switches, grabbing a speaker microphone. He put it right in front of Shining's face and smiled. The captain was confused however what to do "Urm... what do I do?". "Talk" the soldier said getting a little angry at the whole situation. Shining wondered what the device does but tried to say "Hello?" He immediately heard his voice through the thick glass. So it must of been loud to do so. The guard ponies all put their hooves in their ears, trying to block out the massive sound wave. All went silent after that, all the ponies looked confused except the human. One of the guards quickly recovered and recognised the voice. "Captain, is that you?" Shining was impressed by the loudspeaker and continued to talk into the mike "Yes its me," He said in a more lower clearer tone "Sorry, had to keep an eye on our new guest. Don't worry, this is his... car. He has permission to access the gate." All of the guards looked at each other, wondering what was going on. there was a few mumbles and a long delay in the order. Before long the top hatch to the Husky opened and a very angry looking sergeant popped his head out "Are you going to open the fucking gate or what!?" He demanded. The guards saw his unamused look and decided to open the gate. Once surrounded the husky, all the guards headed back to their previous posts. Before long the large heavy gates began to slowly move. Adam slumped back into his chair, still a little peeved at the whole incident. "Jesus fucking Christ," He mumbled "Last time we didn't have this problem. Why all now?" Shining heard his question and proceeded to respond. "Last time you were under escort and we knew you were coming, these ponies didn't" He said so bluntly. Adam thought about it for a second, he could not deny the logic in his answer, but he was still pissed. For that he was going to play a prank to lighten his mood and revenge. "Hold on," The human rummaged around in his left pocket and pulled out a rectangular black device. Shining watch in curiosity. He had seen Humans use these devices before, but they were much bigger, more than a hoof. He remembered the humans call them 'tablets'. Adam started to make his fingers dance across the screen, looking for something eventually he found it "Aha! This will do just nicely" He grabbed the mike out of shining's hooves and pressed it against the device. "What is that, and what are you going to do now?" The Captain asked with a lot of suspicion. He did not trust the sergeant, not after his earlier mischief with the nobles. "Relax, just going to play some music that's all," Adam said while putting his phone next to the loud speaker mike. "After all first impressions count, anyway you may like it." He gave the pony a creepy grin to let him know he did indeed, intend to cause more mischief. But before Shining could react, Adam pressed play and began letting the Husky roll forwards, slowly. As they entered the gate the music started to play 'They see me rollin, they hatin...' Shining tried to shout but could not be heard by the human, who had just put the volume up. Shining tried to scream at Adam to shout but all he got in response was Adam continuously bobbing his head up and down to the beat. All the guard ponies who were on duty at the time, all looked towards the source of this weird melody. They looked at the gate and saw a great big piece of machinery crawling in, blasting some kind of music. Some, had the normal reaction of 'what in Tartarus is that?' expression while others caught the drift of the beat, and began to nod their heads like the human inside. Those doing so where mainly the recruits, the commanders however where not one bit impressed by this abomination. Meanwhile Shining now tried a different tactic , fighting. Inside the drivers seat Adam was trying desperately to hold onto his phone, while the pony was grabbing his arm trying to prize his hand open. This made driving a little difficult and Adam was worried he may crash. "Shining stop! You carry on and we are going to crash!" Shouted Adam, still stuck between fighting off hoof attacks and driving. "Well give me the phone! For Luna's sake!" What they did not realise that the mike next to the phone was also picking up the fight inside. Ponies around them heard the cursing and swearing of the battle going inside the machine. A few were scared, a few unsure of what to do and others were preparing to raid the machine. But behind all that along the walls of the towers, Luna was watching the scene unfold from a balcony. She had managed to get away from the meeting with the nobles. How she envied those moments of ponies trying to out class each other for no reason. If she had it her way, she would have them all thrown in the water fountain like she did before her banishment. She laughed at the idea of doing that again. Although watching all this commotion below her unfold was even more amusing to her. As she was about to get some popcorn and a cushion to sit and watch, her sister Celestia crept up behind her. Trying not to make a sound with her shoes. She did this carefully and slowly, rolling her hooves long the ground rather than direct impact. But soon as she saw her sister Luna turn around she had to launch her attack early. She leapt forwards to close the gap and shouted "Surprise Lulu!" "Celly!" Was all Luna could get out before her sister collided with her. They tumbled as the lost their balance, rolling backwards away from the door. They impacted the railings and came to a halt. Celestia was now laughing and so was Luna, for a while now they had been playing the prank game on each other. If by a while you mean since they were fillies, which was well over 1000 years. Their laughter died down and they began to take breath back into their lungs. "So the score now is 10789 to 10778 to you sister" Luna pointed out. "You cant beat the Trollestia Luna, give it up sister and admit I am the better prankster." "Never in a thousand years!" Luna threw back They laughed at that pun and began to talk what was the original Idea. "Lulu, why did you sneak off like that in the middle of the noble's argument?" Celestia asked her sister still slumped against the railings. Luna looked down, slightly ashamed of her disserting her sister like that. Normally she gets away with this sort of thing, but hates it when her sister catches her. "Sister I am sorry, but you know how I feel about the nobles of Canterlot. They are not like the days of old, when honour and kindness was a thing they valued more than their ego's. Just thinking about them makes me want to throw them out of Canterlot all the way to the Crystal empire!" "Lulu, I feel the same way. I've been doing this all in your absence. Even I feel like banishing them to the Griffon kingdom sometimes. But we have to maintain this image or else how are we to get the nobles to donate money to charities and keep them in check? We as sisters and princesses have to put up with all this for the good of Equestria. And that means no sneaking away from your duties Luna" Celestia wrapped a wing around her sister to reassure her that it does get better. More to Celestia's case get used to the sound of nobles harsh words. It was then Celestia noticed the shouting going on in the distance "Sister what is that noise? The guard are not normally this noisy." "Aha! Sister it is quite amusing," Luan got up to her hooves and pulled her sister u to look at the scene below. "I believe our new Human tried to make a grand entrance into the barracks, but The captain Shining was not amused by such an act. Oh and now they are fighting, its all good fun!" She sat down and clapped her hooves together as she explained the situation to her sister. Celestia groaned at it all, hoping that it would not end up like this "Stallions will be stallions" She muttered before unfolding her wings about to take off. She leapt off and glided down towards the ground. Soon as she made her landing she began to walk forward Behind her Luna also landed and ran forward to catch her sister. "Celestia, I must ask though, do you still think it was a wise choice to let the humans let one of their armies through the portal? You know if the griffons find out they will not take to this kindly." Luna tried to ask before they were about to go through the crowds of guards. Celestia stopped mid walk, now she felt shame from her sister. 'So this is what she feels when I catch her' she thought. "Luna, Since the Humans have been here we have learned that we are not alone on this tiny planet. And now we are learning from our new friends, as they from us. But their curiosity has put some of their own in danger. Hence the Humans have tried to send their own security for assistance. But from the start the Griffons have been jealous of our power over them, even from the beginning when they hated the fact ponies could use magic. And since the humans arrival I have seen that jealousy reappear and now fear since they themselves know the humans capability for war. I was under pressure from all sides." She tried to remember all those arguments between the Humans and the Griffons, she could hear the shouting as she was still there. Luna saw her distress but needed more answers, she was not in Canterlot when all of this took place, so she needed to know. "So you let one through but kept it from the Griffons?" Luna asked, but her sister did not answer, merely just stood frozen. "Celly if this gets out to the Griffons will want answers. That's if they are in a good mood." "You think I don't know that!?" Celestia shot back, she just let a slither of her anger out. For a few nights she had been restless over this whole deal and what could happen. "Sorry Luna... I just don't know what to do. I don't want to lose our friends or create an enemy. I just hope I made the right decision." Luna saw tears start to fill her sisters eyes and went over to embrace her in a hug. Now she felt bad for making her sister cry. "Sister I believe in you. You always try to do what is best for everypony, and I've seen you put your ponies before you in many ways. I am sorry I brought this up but I just needed to know. If this all goes to Tartarus, I'll be there beside you when it does." The two sisters held each other in a moment that they will remember, for once it was Luna reassuring her sister, not the other way around. "Thank you Luna," Celestia whispered from her small cry "I don't know what I would do without you." They pulled away from their hug and Luna looked towards her sister. "Now, who was the one who said we have to try be princesses for Equestria, now lets mare up and stop the captain killing our human." "How do you know its not the other way around?" Celestia threw back, wiping her tears away and putting her regal pose back on. "Want to place a bet on that?" "10 bits and you're on" "Deal" With the bet on they resumed walking towards the crowd. No pony saw them before, all of them were concentrated around the fight that could still be heard from the back. The regal sisters began to walk forward, their shoes making a slight tap noise as the edged closer. The Guards behind them noticed the sound and looked around, immediately he bowed in their presence. The whole crowd rippled in effect from the bowing. Then the middle was revealed. In the middle was Adam holding Shining in a headlock, while the pony captain was trying to knee him with his front hoof. Both paid no attention to what was going on around them, instead they were grunting trying to break each other. The fight had got well out of hand or hoof and had turned into a full blown fist fight. No pony helped instead just watched and place bets. Very rare you see an officer in a fight. Luna tried to suppress a giggle but instead snorted. The fight then paused as the two fighters realised the silence around them. They looked around at the bowing guards and followed their direction to the princesses. They both paused again and just stared for a minute. Luna smiling, Celestia giving her death stare. Adam Smiled at the two and laughed sheepishly, while Shining just went wide eyed and froze. The white alicorn lit up her horn and a magical aura appeared around the fighting pairs ears. And pulled them apart. "Ow!" Shouted Adam being pulled away by the ear like a naughty child. Shining just hissed in pain. Now Luna could not hold it in and started to laugh but Celestia shot her a glance that shut her up. She turned back to address the two grown stallions/men "I leave you for a few hours and I come back to find you two in a fight?" They tied to answer but all that came out in unison was "Urm" "Mr Jones I would appreciate it if you got settled in and didn't get into a fight with an officer, I hope you're not like this at home" The princess spoke calmly but firm. "Hey, pony boy here broke by phone," Adam managed to rummage in his pocket and lifted out the phone with a smashed screen "That pri-Argh!" He was about to swear but Celestia prevented him by yanking on his ear. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't swear, now I understand you are upset about your phone. But that gives no excuse for assaulting a captain, let alone a prince. Now apologise please" "What!? No-ow!" Another yank "Okay! Okay I will, Captain I'm sorry for hitting you, repeatedly, in the face" Shining smiled thinking he had won, but The princess had other Ideas though. "As for you Captain, please do not injure our guest, or break him or his personal belongings. You are meant to be helping I don't think fighting is helping. Now say sorry" "Sorry" The captain grunted expecting the same treatment as Adam. "Good now shake hooves" The two were released from their painful grip and walked towards each other, slowly they shook hoof and hand but still giving death stares. "Now kiss" Put in Luna. which just made the moment turn awkward. The two men now shot her a death stare while Luna and Celestia now laughing at the whole thing. "Now go do what you need to do, me and my sister need to do our daily duty soon, "Spoke Luna who was about to walk away before looking towards Adam "Oh and I hope you get a good night sleep sergeant." She said before trotting off happily with her sister. Now they were confused, they both looked back at one another shrugging. But Adam now felt slightly scared. Okay that was weird. Never mind the fight, the way she said that was just creepy. Anyway I was still slightly pissed, but I did not want to get on Celestia's bad side again. I was damn near lucky this time, might be because pony boy here started it. Don't look at me like that! He honestly did! Anyway, I still had to move my stuff to move into my room. That meant moving the Thor's weapons chest, and I would need his help sadly. "Hey, Captain can you give me a hand with unloading?" I asked, trying to seem friendly at least. Obviously it didn't work because he just turned around and walked off, just ignoring me. Cheeky assed bastard! "Well then fuck you too" I cursed. So now with the crowds leaving I was on my own to unload. Maybe its for the best, so I can acclimatise to all this, it has been a very surreal day. After all I just fought a unicorn for Christ sake. Never thought I would do that in my entire life. I walked over to the Husky and got in. I rummaged in my pocket to look at the state of my broken phone, the whole screen was smashed. Luckily it still worked but I couldn't see a thing on it, might get someone to fix it when I return to Amicus. I drove towards the officers block and looked around, then I noticed something. I'm pretty sure it was sunset when I drove in here, its now night. Must of been some fight to last that long. I will have to make it up to him tomorrow though. Maybe if I convince the princess to set up a range it might cheer him up a bit, after all bribery is a very powerful thing. I walked to the back and checked the cases to see which ones I would have to take. I started to unload the few I was going to keep in my room. Especially the weapons and ammo, I need to keep them in my sight as much as possible. I took out the lighter cases to get to the heavy ones, that way I can slide them out. Luckily I did that with ease. I next went into the back of husky and took out all my personal stuff and set them next to the crates on the floor. I took my bergan and holdall and went up into my room. But it was not the sight I remember before. Instead of the normal ponies I saw before now stood ponies with bat wings? I rubbed my eyes to check my sight. Nope still bat wings. I looked a little closer, all of them were wearing dark blue armour. They also had darker coats than other ponies I just saw, most of all was their eyes, the eyes were slits like a cats not the usual iris like mine or ponies. I stood there confused, what the hell have I just walked into? I must of been staring at the two ponies chatting for a while because one of them noticed me. "Can I help you with something? Or are you just gonna gawp at us?" He asked rudely, my fault anyway for staring. "Sorry, just never seen your kind before." I responded. He looked at me up and down trying to size me up, please not another fight. "Yeah, well same here who are you?" "Sergeant Jones security liaison. I'm a human from Amicus." "Why you staring at us? Eavesdropping where we?" I was getting fed up with all this now, better end this. "For your information, what are you a private?" "Corporal" He stated clearly proud of his rank, and power for that matter. Boy was I going to have some fun. "For you information, private. I may be on attachment here but you still hold respect for others, especially those of higher rank. Secondly I apologise for staring but I've never seen your pony type before, since this is my first sodding day and was dropped in here with no intel. And thirdly I can tell you're thinking of taking me on, which I highly advise against since I literally just had a fight with Captain Shining. So trust me I am pissed right now and wouldn't mind a second round." I squared up to him trying to bluff, I didn't need another fight but I am not having some dick talk to me like that. His friend looked to him waiting for a response. Luckily for me the dick pony stepped back from my approach and yielded. " I thought so, I hope you don't treat all your guests like this, if I hear anything like this again. It won't just be me you will deal with but your boss too." I stated, I was happy I just put him in his place. But then again I was unhappy the fact this day was going so well till recently. "Thank you sergeant I will take it from here," I heard from behind me. I turned around to see another bat winged pony but seemed similar to a female. She was smaller and had a blue mane slightly scruffy. She also had yellow eyes like her comrades. "Corporal black night! What in Luna's sake are you doing!?" She shouted, now she looked as pissed as I was, even I felt scared. The corporal clearly was terrified and his friend as the tried to run. Sadly for them the female leapt over me with one powerful flap of her wings and landed, blocking the path of the other two. She took up a strike pose and let out a small growl that then showed her terrifying fangs. "I have had it up to my wings with you black night! From now on you are on temporary demotion and will be training with the recruits tomorrow. I suggest you get your bucking life in order! Now run to your post Privates!" Both of them ran like their lives depended on it. smashing through the door at the end of the corridor. I was slightly terrified that I would be next. She turned around slowly and looked quite angry, I am so dead. "Sorry about that sergeant," she said turning her frown into a smile "My platoon can be pretty rough at times all of them are new. I am sorry. Please don't send in a complaint." Here she was pleading me not to send in a complaint. I think right now I am too scared to. I stumbled for a bit before making something up to say, but all I said was what was running through my mind "Please don't hurt me" is all I whimpered. Now I must explain at this point that female soldiers can be just as effective as male ones, but most of all they make great officers because they have the ability to stare right into your soul. That is exactly what she was doing just then, giving that stare to her troops. She let out a small chuckle that made the whole tense atmosphere disappear. "I'm not going to hurt you, not unless you did something to provoke them, did you?" She walked up to me on the last part looking at me. I stepped back into the wall dropping my bags and shook my head. "No! I didn't, swear!" "Good," She said returning to normal and smiling "Who are you exactly? Never seen a human like you before." She looked at me intensely and my gear. "I'm sergeant Adam Jones, security liaison for Amicus also a soldier from earth." I picked up my bags again slowly keeping an eye on the bat wing pony. "A soldier huh? Seen many soldiers all my life but never had your type before," Okay not sure what she meant by that "I'm Lieutenant night strike, what bring you here?" "Well I am here on temporary holding, they needed a soldier to look over things so the soldier don't poke a wolf with a stick," I said starting to walk to my room. "Thanks for the help earlier by the way, really did not want to get into another grapple" "Wait that was you in that fight?" She asked stepping in front of me, blocking my path. "Erm yes weren't you there?" "Well yes, but I couldn't see from that far in the crowd, so you're the stallion who fought captain Shining? Pretty ballsy if you ask me." "Yes well it ended up in us getting in trouble and now I have to make it up to him tomorrow, even if he broke my phone." "Phone?" "Tell you later, when its working. Anyway, what are you exactly? You seem like a pegasi but with bat wings?" She unfolded her wings to presently proudly "Oh, I'm a theatrical or bat pony if you want to be simple," Well could of guessed that earlier. "We are part of the Luna guard, Princess Luna's own guard. We take on the night duties once the Solar guard are done for the day. After all bat ponies are nocturnal." Huh well that explains a lot. "Cool another thing to add to my list of wonders. Hang on if you're the lieutenant of your platoon why you not on duty with them?" I asked, immediately she stumbled for a bit must of found something. "Well its my night off and a mare needs to relax after a hard weeks work" She tried to smile but it wasn't working. "Right, okay then. Anyway better get back to unpacking before it gets dark. Nice meeting ya lieutenant." I tried to walk off before being cut off again. "What room you staying in?" she shouted. "B20 why?" "Oh, I'm next door to you? Need any help unpacking" Well looks like things just picked up again. "Ya sure, cheers. Just need these boxes moving up. Only six ill carry my gear." I walked up to my room to open the door dumped my personal gear and led her downstairs to help me take up these boxes. I would help her with the ammo and weapons. One by one we took them upstairs until we came to the weapons. I paused before lifting it to explain to her it was heavy "Be careful this is full of weapons and is extremely heavy." "Can't be that bad," She said before lifting it. she tried pulling it by its handle with her mouth like with the other crates. But then she realised maybe it was a little too much for her teeth. She then took to the air hovering over and tried to grab the sides with her hooves. She did manage to lift it, before dropping it on the ground again. "Okay stop, let me help before you break my weapons or give yourself an injury." I squatted down and she took up her position, then I counted "One, two, three" We both took most of our strength to lift it off the ground. Never mind handle it up the stairs. We managed to carry it to the stairs where we then just slid it up. then dragged it across the floor, at one point I was worried it may go through the floor never mind damage it. "phew well that was exhausting and I haven't even done anything yet." Said Night. "Yeah, thanks saves me taking all night to drag it here. Suppose I owe you one," I responded, I did now owe her after all. "If you need a favour ask, maybe I can help with training your new platoon?" "Really? That would help two sergeants are better than one." "Well just say and i'll be there. Anyway I better get my head down. Way too much to do tomorrow." It was true I had a few things to do and my head was starting to get fuzzy. "Well, I'll try to keep the noise down. Ill hold you to that favour." With that all done she went out the door and closed it behind her. Turns out the hard ass lieutenant wasn't bad at all. Some good news from a day like this. See if I can make tomorrow better than today. I started to unpack my gear and hang it up, but at the same time my mind was wondering. I was still worried about Amicus, I was still nervous about meeting the princess again and I was still concerned over me and Shining falling out. I would have to do a lot of explaining to do tomorrow. I was a soldier not a politician. But the worst thing was all the pony guards now seeing me and the FNG, or in their case the bucking new guy. I would have to make an impression tomorrow. Maybe some training might help, but honestly I was not sure. It was one thing to get the leaders on your side another to get the troops. Before I knew it I was done unpacking and sat on my bed, I took off my uniform and folded it on the desk. Now the bed finally I could rest my aching body. Soon as my head hit the pillow all the sleep came to me. It had been a while since I had a comfy bed. Adams eyes started to grow heavy and started to close. his mind was desperate for rest but his mind was still going at a hundred miles an hour. Adam started to drift off into a light sleep even though his training screamed at him to stay awake to acclimatise, to get used to the environment to spot odd things. Just as he was starting to dream his ears picked up on a sound. THUD He sat up from his bed alerted to the sudden noise "What the?" THUD "Now what?" He complained. He got up and started to listen to see if the noise came again. It wasn't in his room, that he figured out. THUD A third time, he then realised it was coming from the wall. the wall next to his bed. He climbed back onto the bed and put his ear to the wall and listened. Through the wall he could make out some voices then another sound. THUD Adam felt the whole wall shake this time so he pressed his ear closer. 'Stop making so much noise! You'll wake everyone!" He heard through the wall. He remembered the lieutenant was next door to him and realised it was her. He wondered what was going on, then another voice a deeper one 'Hey you love it'. Adam then pulled away from the wall, realised what was going on. He was next door to a pony fondue. No wonder she was so nervous when he wonder why she wasn't on duty. He slumped back on his bed and groaned into his pillow. "No sleep tonight then BNG"