The true pony of ancient times knew nothing of loving life, knew nothing of hating death. He emerged without delight; he went back in without a fuss. He came briskly, he went briskly, and that was all. He didn't forget where he began; he didn't try to find out where he would end. He received something and took pleasure in it; he forgot about it and handed it back again:Snowstorm-Road to the Way.

Just kill them all! Celestia will sort out friend from foe:Rumored to have been the response from high command during the massacre of YakYakakistan, when a subcommander asked how would they tell their enemies from their allies.

The Breezie flew on the edge of the stratosphere in the hour just before sunrise. Modified to allow two people to ride on it instead of one, but with the changes they had to sacrifice the stealth technology most of the other types of Breezes were equipped with, They solved that problem by flying beyond the range of surveillance equipment or sight.

Two ponies flew in the Breezie. The first was the pilot hooked up to the machine, The second sat in the back quietly staring at the blank wall for the past few hours. More machine than pony as most of her body had been either replaced or covered with metal and plastic. The pony was still wearing the mask she had on since the start of the mission, revealing nothing of her that was underneath.

The pilot gave his passenger a nudge indicating they were approaching the drop point. Silently the pony got up, and adjusted the equipment on her. Doing a final check to make sure her knives were securely tied to her body she gave the pilot a nod indicating she was ready. The cockpits warning lights came on, bathing the area with red, as the back hatch came open.

The metal pony stood next to the exit for a moment. She took a deep breath to steady herself, before jumping out of the Breezie into the night sky.

She was a pegasus at one time, but she suffered from a genetic defect making her wings useless so she had them removed and replaced with a cybernetic augmentation as they unfolded outwards while she dove. Looking more like the wings of a bat than of the pegasus she was, adopting them more for gliding than flight while she angled herself towards the building that was her target.

Using the red dot that had now appearing in her visor as a guide to her destination miles below her. The metal pony flew on with the wind howling around her was almost defining, almost jerking her body around. But she stayed the course watching the world of Equestria get slowly closer to her. She flicked her wrist and a small chute opened up, more of an air brake than anything else. She made some more adjustments on her flight noticing she was starting to overshoot her goal. With another flick of her wrist the chute broke off to smolder in the sky unseen. She was still flying too fast but her wings now could take the punishment as she starting to fly under her own power. She angled herself up from the nosedive she was in, becoming level with the ground. She traveled like this for a few more miles before diving again straight downwards, leveling off when she was a mile away from the Trans Equestria Creative building. The metal pony flew straight towards it, her camo matching perfectly with her environment above and below her.

Catching an updraft she rose towards the roof of the building. slamming her four hooves on the side near the top, they drilled themselves into the wall, sticking her to the side of the building. The metal pony extended her wings out further having them wrapped around her body. Altering their coloration and texture to match the building she was attached to.

Six hours. The pony had to wait for six hours, when Trans Equestria did their uploads and maintenance. According to the information their informants had given them. So with six hours to wait until time. The metal pony attached to the side of the building shut herself down.

"How do I look Applejack?" asked Rarity sitting in the back of the limousine, putting the final touches of eyeshadow on.

Rarity put down her makeup and gave Applejack a look of disapproval. "Applejack I hired you for your honesty. And when I ask for your honest opinion, I expect your honest opinion. I'll ask again. How do I look?"

"Good! That's the effect I'm trying for. When strong appear weak, when proud appear humble. Never let your opponent know what you really are. Though I have to admit I'm more than a little nervous with this meeting of Tirek." said Rarity adding some blush. "It doesn't get much bigger than him. And I'm sure he's not going to fall for it."

"Why do you think he invited you then to this meeting between to two of you?" asked Applejack

"He wants to find out what I'm doing. He's pumping me for information of course. Let him think I'm some dumb mare who got to were she is by sleeping her way to the top. Wouldn't be the first pony to think that of me." she said as she put the finishing touched of lipstick on her. "Though it has been awhile since I got a chance to dress sexy."

"You were just looking for an excuse to dress like that weren't you?" chuckled AJ.

"Well someone has to show those young fillies up." Said Rarity. "Seriously Applejack I have a bad feeling about this. A real bad feeling."

"Not here no. But I think he's going to become a big problem for us." said Rarity finishing up and putting the rest of her makeup back into the small diamond pocket book. She adjusted her dress one more time as she looked at herself in the mirror. It was a white dress that clung to her body, showing off her figure. in the bottom was three diamonds purple diamonds stitched to the dress.

"Rarity I just want to let you know." said Applejack turning into the main road that lead to the New Futures offices. "No matter what happens. Me, Pinkie, the rest of us, we got your back."

"Thank you. I know all of you do, but still I appreciate it. I really do." said Rarity smiling. "But I'm still not giving you a raise."

The timer went off activating the metal pony attached to the side of the building. Her wings slowly folded back into her sides, while she started to make climb to the roof.

Getting up she saw the coast was clear as she adjusted her scanner for heat and Their security A.I. Not quite as good as the stealth suits that the wonderbolts exclusively had but still it did the job. She flipped her jammer on the side of her calf as she grabbed one of her knives attached to the front of her chest. Her map showed she had two floors to her destination. which should be easy with the help of a maintenance elevator that ran all the way to the roof. Keeping herself low she made a dash to it. Feeling too exposed out in the open like this.

The panel in front of her was blank except with a small key slot for security or maintenance to use. The pony took out a small blank card of her own and inserted it into the slot while attaching it to a cable that ran to a portable hacking computer attached to her other leg. Pressing a button the card came to life. The pony could hear the machine whirring as it went into overdrive to find the combination to open the door. She felt herself starting to worry but their was a small snick as the elevator door slid open showing a long tunnel heading downwards.

Grabbing the edge she slid off to hold herself by her hooves on the ledge, shifting her weight, she swung herself towards the left wall. Hitting it she bounced herself to the right wall. Repeating it over and over, she made her way down the two stories towards her goal.

Rarity walked down the hallway of the New Futures building swaying a little as she walked. A few paces behind her was Applejack following. They both knew when to let your guard down and when to be professional, which made for good teamwork between the both of them as they were escorted to the lounge.

Opening the door they noticed the room was a tasteful grey with a small crystal fountain off to the side. In the middle was a few sofas and a small glass table with a chess set placed on it. Besides the set was a bottle of wine and two glasses and an ashtray.

"I know you smoke so I decided to bring one." said Tirek sitting in the sofa across from them. "Smoking is banned in the building, but I will allow it for this one time."

Tirek stood up and extended his hand to Rarity. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you Miss Rarity. I hope the purchase of InGen will help you further your business needs."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Mr. Tirek." said Rarity bringing her hoof out for Tirek to take. "And as for the profits we will have to wait to see what the future holds."

They both sat opposite to each other, while Applejack stood straight up near the door watching everything going on.

"I have some paperwork to be sent to you for finalization. But I thought it would be better if we did it informal and personal." Tirek said while leaning back. "Although I do admit to a curiousness of the purchase."

"Nothing so secretive about it." said Rarity opening up the bottle and pouring the wine. "We are just saving Equestria."

They both took their drinks and leaned back getting themselves comfortable. Watching each other for the first sign
of weakness. Finally Tirek spoke.

"While we wait I thought it would be good for a little diversion. Have you ever played chess before?"

"As you wish." stated Rarity looking over the board for a moment before moving a piece."

The metal pony quietly opened the door of the elevator an inch. Peering through she saw that the entire hallway was empty. She griped both sides of it and pulled it opened enough for her to move through. She then leaped into the corridor with her knives drawn and ready for use, but still it was empty.

Sheathing her weapons she made it down to a side door. with another key card lock attached to it. As before she inserted the card to the lock and hacked it opened, doing a quick sweep as she entered the main CPU for Discord, and went to the nearest console.

The metal pony detached the small hacking computer that was on her leg. and laid it out. Removing a small memory car that had a wire running from it to the computer she brought with her. The pony slotted it into Discord. She stood their watching the card download data she was stealing from Trans Equestria.

After a moment the card registered full. The metal pony took the card, slotting in a holder attached to her arm, and reattached her hacking computer back to her leg. As she started to leave she heard a voice coming from behind her.

"If you needed to use the bathroom. You could have just asked. One of us would have been glad to take you to it." said Rainbow Dash.

"I'm sorry?" said Rarity. "Did you say Alicorns? Are we talking about my purchase of InGen, or are we telling fairy tale stories?"

Tirek smiled while moving another piece across the board. "It is interesting was what was found as we went through the archives from InGen, but you already know that."

"I couldn't tell you. We are still doing the audit and inventory." said Rarity taking as sip from the wine. "So much work has to be done. But we expect big things from it."

"May I ask what that would be? I personally found that company a waste of time and energy. If you hadn't have bought it I would have closed it down." Tirek stated. While moving a piece to capture one of her pawns. "Check so soon Rarity?"

Rarity took a drag from her cigarette as she offhandedly looked at the board. "I am afraid it has been ages since I played this game. It seems like you will win it."

Casually Rarity moved another pawn around the board. "If you must know Trans Equestria is looking to branch out in the pharmaceutical market. InGen, as you said, might be a waste of time and energy for you. But I feel it would be a good starting point for us and our parent company I.I.T."

"Really?" said Tirek. "Well I do have to admit InGen had done some interesting work in the past. It is sad that they never thought to put it to use."

"Agreed. You can't afford to be caught off guard in this world. Equestria has no sympathy for the weak and stupid, We have enough as it is."

"Then what would be a better term then?" Tirek asked as he leaned forward, to look at the board.

Rainbow Dash had to give credit where credit was due. The metal pony was fast, very fast. Turning around with lightning speed with both of her knives already out. But not fast enough. As her blades connected with Rainbow's sword already up to block the attack. The knives slid downwards, arching off sparks from the string and the knife blades as it traveled.

The two ponies circled each other. Weapons out and ready, waiting for the other.

"See that behind me." said Rainbow Dash. "That's the door, Your ticket out of here with all of our secrets you have just stolen. Seems pretty easy. Only catch is you have to get through me."

The pilot hovered the Breezie waiting for the call for pickup. Which if everything was going according to plan she should be coming momentarily. The pilot did another circle trying to fight off the monotony. He enjoyed being up here in the bright blue skies away from the smog, pollution, and problems that always covered Ponyville. Sometimes wishing he could just stay up here.

The blast of noise on his communicator made him almost jump out of his seat. As it took him by complete surprise.

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?" said a high pitched feminine sounding voice on his communicator.

"Who is this?" He asked wondering who or why he would be contacted during a mission.

"Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie." said the voice. "Have you ever heard the smile song?"

The warning lights flashed on telling him of an approaching aircraft. Unfortunately it only added to the chaos happening as his cockpit started to be flooded with music. Making him realize he was in a lot of trouble.

The Party Cannon approached from the rear. Flying below the Breezie. Legs folded underneath the body to allow it more maneuverability. Pinkie singing to herself, flew closer trying to get a better shot. She didn't want to destroy the Breezie, just down it.

A barrage of bullets fired from the back forcing Pinkie to back off, while she started to loop her U.A.T. to help avoid a lock on.

"Lost?" laughed Tirek. "They are sheep to do with as I wish. Only the best are able to climb out. The others can rot in Tartarus for all I care." He move another piece across the board taking one of Rarity's bishops. "You really are bad at this game."

"That's a pretty heartless thing to say." responded Rarity. "You make the ponies of Equestria sound like toys."

"Don't play innocent with me Rarity, it doesn't suit you. You don't get to a position of power unless you want to be powerful. Like getting the alicorn DNA."

"I can't even begin to imagine what we will do with this supposed DNA you keep telling me about." said Rarity. "Even if we did have this supposed creature what can we possible do with this? Alicorns in this day and age? They would be as useless as if magic was still around. Sure it would be good to bend a few spoons, but nothing else."

"Well you got me their. I am afraid I'm not a very clever pony." said Rarity moving a piece. "By the way check."

Like streaks of light flashing into sparks of lightning the two ponies fought across the room. Blades connecting splitting apart, and reconnecting trying to fight for an opening. Rainbow Dash found herself against a very skilled opponent as she was on the defensive more times than she would admit. Of course the enhancements weren't helping either.

The metal pony managed to deflect Dash's sword, creating a hole for her other blade to take advantage of. With her other knife slicing through her side, cutting through her wonderbolt uniform into her skin underneath. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth in pain as she could feel the knife digging into her skin. Quickly before more damage could happen she twirled away from the metal pony To give her some breathing space.

She could feel blood gushing from the cut running down her. She let out a small hiss of pain as she touched her hoof against it. "Fairs fair." she said bringing her sword up. "You got me good."

The pony approached Rainbow Dash with a spin. Extending her knives in diagonal slash, which she deflected, but left her open again from the rear kick that followed. The kick connected near her wound sending Rainbow to her knees in pain, as she found herself again on the defensive barely able to block the onslaught.

"FIGHT IT!" she hissed to herself. Getting more distance between her and the metal pony. Enough to stand up again. "I am Rainbow Dash I am a force of nature." she said focusing herself away from the pain.

"Do you know that the gorilla tribe of the western Onoki Island believed that by eating the brain of a fallen enemy they would gain their soul from them and would be even stronger. Bet you didn't know that."

The metal pony stopped and turned her head , giving her a "Why are you telling me this?" look.

"Its true look it up. They were the one of the fiercest warriors who ever existed. Total psychopaths."

Rainbow Dash bent backwards when the metal pony thrust her knives straight at her. Using her wings to keep herself from falling onto the ground she swung her sword in an arch knocking one of them out of her hoof.

"Too bad they died out a few thousand years ago when the volcano on their island exploded. Sinking it under the ocean." she said smashing the pommel of her sword into the metal pony's face.

"You are being so uncooperative!" said Pinkie as she missed the Breezie again. "A little help would be nice." Missing her target as the vehicle rolled to the left.

The two fought for control of the sky. The pilot of the Breezie debated on whether he should abort the mission. Knowing full well of taking on a Nightmare Moon class with his Breezie. All it took was one lucky shot and she would down him. As he would have to be lucky a lot of times to do some real damage to her.

"Now hold still." said the voice of Pinkie into his communicator, He would like to know how she was able to hack it. "I'm going to shoot my laser now. Its been awhile since I got a chance to use it."

He was able to avoid most of the shot but he lost one of the back legs in the process. Scrambling to keep it level as the Breezie started to wobble. He was getting Unnerved as this Pinkie continued to ramble on.

"You weren't supposed to move." she huffed angrily. "Oh well lemme try again. And this time stay still."

"Rarity just took Tirek's queen." said Applejack on her communicator to Fluttershy. "I think she has been winning all along."

"I taught her when she used to visit me at the hospital when I started to get sick. We also play a lot during our time together on Tuesdays. My father was a Grandmaster chess player. He taught me how to play."

"I'm pretty mad at her right now. When we play she always loses. I see she was just faking it all along."

"You are full of surprises Rarity." said Tirek. "What I don't understand is why you needed only a partial strand of alicorn DNA."

"Where would we get said strand then Tirek? One is nearly impossible. I can't imagine where we would get the second strand."

"Why don't you tell me Rarity." said Tirek as he leaned closer to her. "You the smart pony in this room it seems."

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were getting upset Tirek." said Rarity taking a sip from her drink.

With lightening speed Rainbow Dash grabbed the hoof holding the gun, knocking it out of her grip and kicking to away from them both.

"I'm so disappointed in you right now." said Rainbow Dash in disgust. "And here I was thinking you were cool, and you bring a gun to a sword fight."

The metal pony was starting to get sloppy losing ground in the fight. Rainbow could see she was making a lot of mistakes. Leaving a lot of openings for her to exploit. Which she did whenever the opportunity presented itself.

"Anyway as I was saying about the Amazonian Zebras in the jungle's of Kali. They had this rite of passage for their female warriors. When they reached a certain age they would be given a knife and sent out to live in the jungles for three years." Said Rainbow Dash flipping away from the slashes. "With no help from anyone they had to stay alive. When they came back they were trained to become warriors. They called it the Agoge."

The metal pony slashed again which was easily deflected by Rainbow Dash. who got inside her defenses. She attacked with quick jabs at her chest area. Followed with her grabbing her hoof and flipping her over onto the ground.

"You don't find any of this fascinating?" said Rainbow backing off a few feet, watching the metal pony get back up. "Your no fun at all. Here I am telling you all this amazing history and you don't show any interest. Aren't you passionate about anything?"

The metal pony thrust again. This time Rainbow Dash caught her hoof, extending it away from her. And with her other hoof she brought her sword down upon it, cutting it off just above her elbow.

Holding her severed limb Rainbow Dash took the memory card from the slot and pocketed it, Tossing the rest away from her. "Its over." she said pointing her sword at her enemy.

The metal pony touched a something on her chest. Dash wasn't sure what it was but she knew it was trouble. Through her thermals she could see parts of her starting to heat up very quickly.

"Crap!" She mumbled leaping into her. Roping her limbs around the metal pony's neck she twisted it sharply to the right. Their was a loud crack as the metal pony went limp. Holding her she ran towards the window in front of her, while she changed her stringblade to a whip. Striking out at the Plexiglas she made small openings in it which helped as she ran through the window, smashing it while sprinting out of the CPU room.

Extending her wings Rainbow Dash took to flight, dropping the dead pony into the air. She watch the body fall for a few stories before exploding. Sending her spiraling out of control for a few minutes. Finally after a short while, she was able to get back on track. Rainbow Dash landed back on the hole she made. Looking down she could see the smoke slowly being blown away in the smoggy sky.

The pilot of the Breezie saw the a blip on his HUD. Indicating his member went flatline. Silently cursing the failure, but happy as well to get away from that crazy pony behind him. He increased the thrusters making a beeline out of T.E.C airspace.

"Oh no you don't!" said Pinkie lining up her grappling hook on the fleeing vehicle. Taking careful aim she fired hitting the Breezie. The hook went through the back of the middle embedding deep inside the Breezie. "You could try to run now." said Pinkie through the communicator. "Heck I would even let you. But I don't think your ship could take it. And don't even think about ejecting. That wouldn't be too smart of an idea either. So why do we land just land your vehicle. I have cake back in the office."

Realizing he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, the pilot eased the remains of the Breezie down with the Party Cannon attached to it.

"Check mate Mr. Tirek." Rarity said as she got up. "This was a fun time, but I'm afraid I must get back to work. Farewell Tirek I hope to see you again very soon." She finished bowing slightly.

"Goodbye Miss Rarity It was a pleasure for me as well." He said flatly. "I look forward to seeing you in the future as well." glancing at her briefly before going back to look at the board.

As Rarity passed by Applejack she whispered slightly while passing. "Get me the hell out of here now!"

Listening to the echoes of their hoofs fade away into the background Tirek continues to stare at the board expressionless for a long time. Well after the other two had left the building. With a sudden backhand swipe Tirek struck the chessboard wine and glasses, throwing the pieces all over the room. He leaned back in the sofa fuming as a secretary entered to clean up the mess.

"Oh thank Celestia were away!" said Rarity looking back at the receding building. "I feel like I can breath again."

"Fluttershy said the recon group was stopped before they could get any classified information." said Applejack. "By the way how did you know they would try something like that?"

"It's what I would do if I was in their shoes." said Rarity lighting up another cigarette. " I just made a very powerful pony angry at me. That is gonna bite me on the flank sooner or later."

"This time I don't think so. This time I think I bit off more than I can chew." said Rarity. "This isn't going to end well. I hope we are all up for this."

As Apple jack drove on, A hard rain begin to pour down almost obliterating the road ahead of them.

"Right now I just want to take a hot bath. After being with Tirek I feel my skin needs to be scrubbed with bleach on the inside."

Looking down Rainbow dash could see a dense layer of smog clearing up due to the heavy rain falling all around her as she sat on the edge of the landing pad, rubbing her hoof across the bandages covering her wound. Watching the world move on around her. So lost in thought was she, that she almost didn't hear the Party Cannon landing.

Pinkie exited the U.A.T. as a maintenance crew headed over for its nightly upkeep.

"Applejack and I were thinking of heading over to Sugar Cube Corner after work tomorrow. Your welcome to join us."

"Come on grumpy!" said Pinkie nudging Rainbow. "You need to get out every now and then. You can be a frowny face in the morning again."

"Pinkie I just killed somepony. I really want to be alone right now." said Rainbow Dash. "Now is not a good time for me."

"Oh." said Pinkie getting down and sitting next to her. "I don't know anything to say that would make it any better."

"Their isn't any words too make it better. Its just something you deal with." said Rainbow kicking her rear hooves into the air. "It never gets any better. Easier Yes! But never better."

"Yes! No! I don't know. It was either her or me, she didn't give me much choice. But still."

"You know she would have killed you if given half a chance." said Pinkie putting her hoof around Dash's shoulder. "She probably wasn't a bad pony but she sure wasn't a good pony either. "

"I know, I know!. I just wonder what kind of pony she was. She would have been. Sometimes I wonder what if I haven't killed them."

"Maybe they were nice ponies, maybe they were jerks. I don't know. But I do know they didn't give you a choice. You were doing what you are trained to do, as well as they. It wasn't your call."

"Maybe were all a bunch of idiots running around hurting each other in the name of doing good." said Rainbow Dash as she shifted position. "I guess sometimes I wonder if were doing the right thing."

"I think we are Rainbow. I believe in Rarity, I believe in Fluttershy. They both have a good heart, even if they don't realize it. Sometime I feel that we are lucky to have them for friends." said Pinkie as she started to get up. "Now enough of this gloom and doom mopey stuff. I really think you should have dinner with me and Maude tonight, At the very least it will make you feel a little bit better. And I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Okay, okay you win." said Rainbow Dash laughing. "But your sister cooking is so plain and rocky."

Starlight Glimmer hugged the side of the building, wrapping her coat around her tightly, to protect her from the rain as she waited for the taxi. Impatiently she stomped her hoof on the wet pavement as the strong wind whipped around her. Her stomach growled at her having missed lunch do few a things before she left for the day.

The driver rolled down the window and called to her. "Compliments from New Futures." he said.

Wordlessly Starlight Glimmer dashed into the vehicle to avoid getting any wetter. Grabbing the towel offered to her from the driver she dried herself. as she closed the door.

It was a slow drive to her destination, with heavy traffic added with a terrible storm, slowing movement down to a crawl. Starlight Glimmer didn't mind, keeping her out of the rain and not being the one driving. She brought out herself cellphone and began to check her messages.

"The will be thirty bits." said the driver. "Just insert your card in the slot in front of your seat."

"Well my boss wants to make sure your credit is worth it." said the driver swerving around an accident in the middle of the road. "Nothin personal."

Bringing out a generic bank card Starlight Glimmer inserted it into the slot. Their was a small snik sound as the card disappeared into the recesses of the seat. She could hear things inside whir to life as her card was read and the information uploaded to Celestia knows where.

Her taxi pulled to the front of the restaurant and another card reappeared in an identical slot beneath the one she stuck hers in.

"Compliments from my boss." said the driver getting out to open the door for her.

Starlight Glimmer swiped the card on her phone app. A smile spread across her face seeing. her bank account jump by six digits.

"And we are happy for your assistance Miss Glimmer. My employer wishes you the very beast and hopes to hear from you again in future endeavors."

"Good! Very good!" said the driver getting back in. "Until then farewell Miss Starlight Glimmer. Enjoy your dinner at the Crystal Palace." with a slight wave as he drove away, back into the pouring rain and heavy traffic.

Starlight Glimmer walked toward the restaurant looking at her bank account. thinking that during her meal, she would like to look at houses for sale along the beaches of Equestria.

Rarity listened to the rain hitting the windows with half an ear, as she poured through her paperwork playing catchup with her duties. Sure she had other ponies to do this but still at some time she was going to have to go through it all to make sure everything was properly working. Payment Reports, Inventory graphs, spreadsheets, disciplinary reports, termination reports, stock sheets, sales, purchases, overages, underages, loss report, gain reports. Rarity read them, silently moving her mouth along each word.

Rarity was doing her work in the V.R. lab with the screen on so she could watch Twilight Sparkle in her virtual world. She could see she was talking to two programs Discord and Fluttershy created. Lyra and Bon-bon she thought the ponies names were.

"Spike wants to visit the Everfree forest so I decided to make a trip of it. Want to come?" Twilight asked.

"No I haven't seen any of them in awhile Lyra. I wonder where they could be. I went to Rarity's boutique and she wasn't their, neither was Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, or Applejack. I wonder where they all went."

"Of course I miss them." said Twilight. "Granted I have only known them for a few weeks but I find myself happier when those five are around. It's funny but I feel complete."

"Anyway I better get going. I want to be back from our little adventure before dark. Goodbye you two." Twilight said as she started on the road leading to the forest.

"Also I plan on joining her so prep for my introduction." said Rarity grabbing a suit and began putting it on.

"Wha...wah...what's going on." he said waking up trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain.

For the past week Swizzle Stick has made his little corner their little corner. After finding out that her cart was beyond repair. they instead took it apart, using the pieces of it for a makeshift shelter. Which Ulysses was glad for as one of the only few places offered protection from the rain hammering the ground around them.

"Shhh! Listen!" she said perking her ears up. "Someone is out their." she finished bring her zipgun out.

Ulysses perked his ears up trying to hear what Swizzle Stick was hearing. At first he found nothing, just the continued pouring of the rain. Then he could hear it, the shuffle of a pony dragging himself around.

Ulysses heard the muttering growing louder as the pony got near. "I don't think he is dangerous." said Ulysses lowering Swizzle Sticks gun. "I think I know who it is. and if I'm right he is harmless. A little crazy but harmless."

"I don't know what his real name is but everyone calls him Napalm. Some old soldier who lost his mind ages ago in some war or battle no one remembers. He must be off his meds again."

"I-I-told them, I told them." said the pony emerging from the darkness. "I said you need to flank them from the right. I said, I said we shouldn't have taken them on, we shouldn't have taken them on, we shouldn't have taken them on." said Napalm emerging from the darkness.

He was a battered earth pony with scars running across his entire body, with patches of his mane missing and what was left clung to his body from the rain. Eyes staring out in all directions looking at things lost in the past and in his mind. Not attached to the real world. Captive to his nightmares of the past. He continued to walk on oblivious to the two ponies watching him from the corner.

"I told Sunbow Angelheart was dead, Angelheart was dead. But-but she didn't listen, she didn't listen! She left the trenches looking for her, for her." continued Napalm mumbling as he walked. "We never found her body, never found her body."

"I don't know. I don't think theirs anything to do." replied Ulysses. "Hope he doesn't kill himself I guess."

They watched the battered pony shuffle along his awkward pace. Colliding into everything as he went along. "They told us the enemy was going to attack from the right of us, they said that, they did, they did. But-but, They charged us from the front. I saw it, I saw it, I saw it all. Piper was the first one to die. He was, he was. Got caught in the crossfire, wasn't fast enough. No he wasn't, he wasn't."

"Excuse me Napalm." said Ulysses getting the courage to speak. "Is their anything we can do for you?"

The unstable pony finally stopped his ambling. Turning around he finally noticed the two ponies staring at him as rain drops hit him, to pour off his body.

"If you want we have some food that were willing to share if your interested." said Swizzle Stick. holding up a partial loaf of bread. "We also have a blanket and a few towels that are still pretty clean for you to dry yourself off and this shelter is decent to wait out the storm."

Napalm kept silently staring at the two ponies. making both very uneasy. Not sure if he was staring at them or to the objects of his past.

"Roper got hit next. She fell on me to protect me, but she got hit to yes she got hit, got hit." Napalm said walking past them in the rain. "But she didn't die right away, no she didn't, no she did not. It took two days for her to finally pass on. It took two days because we didn't have any medical supplies and we were under too much heavy fire to airlift her out. To much heave fire, The fire was to much."

Napalm continues on, finally stopping when the wall in front of him prevented any further movement. "When we were given the orders to retreat we left her body their. Their was no way to take her with us. No way, no way, no way, no way. So I left Roper. I left Roper their on the battlefield. I left Roper, Piper, Angelheart and Sunbow on the battlefield. Yes I did, I did. As soon as made it back to camp I was reassigned for a tour of duty near the Dusty mountains. A tour of Duty..." Said Napalm trailing off to silence in front of the wall.

The rain pounded Napalm's body, but the two ponies weren't sure if he even felt the rain. As he just stood their in front of the wall."

"Umm Napalm. Is their anything we can do for you?" asked Ulysses feeling very worried.

The battered war pony stood their face to the wall. No doing anything, just standing.

Finally, as if realizing the world around him, he turned he head around seeing Ulysses and Swizzle Stick for the first time. They could see the tears running down his eyes as he looked at them. A pony holding on the edge of sanity. "I can't take the images in my head anymore." he said before ramming his head to the wall. "Get them out! Get them out!"

"Celestia!" Ulysses yelled in shock. As he saw the old war pony attack the wall with his head . Before realizing what he was doing. Ulysses leaped over and tackled Napalm to the ground. Holding the struggling pony tightly.

"What do we do? What do we do?" screamed Swizzle Stick trying to hold it together.

"I got it!" said Swizzle Stick running back to their camp. grabbing a blanket and a knife. With the knife she cut strips from the blanket. "You hold him down and I'll tie his legs together."

Working together the two ponies restrained the crying pony. After they felt he was secure they dragged the crying pony back to their encampment.

"I don't know. I don't know. Theirs no place to put him, and he will probably hurt himself again if we let him go.

"Dammit!" thought Derpy. holding her aching shoulder from the gunshot wound. It was supposed to have been an easy assignment. Light guard duty. then it all blew up in her face. Becoming a major gun battle right in the middle of an empty lot, of all the places to have it. But still she counted herself as lucky seeing as what she did to the others.

Her tan parka swirled around her and her, while rain dripped off her battered old fedora she always wore, as she turned the corner leading to the alley. She kept her entrance to her home hidden in the no pony lands. About as safe as you can get in the slums. But word had gotten around the area what happens when you try to break into Derpy's home. And one day hopefully those ponies will walk again.

Grabbing one of her two shotguns she had attached to her on her side with magnetic clips she kept her eyes open for any threats. It was the three ponies in a pile that caught her attention. She had recognized the first two Ulysses and Swizzle Stick, they had appeared a few weeks ago squatting in this alley. she hoped it was just a temporarily thing, but with that shelter those two had built, it now looks like it is going to be a much much longer time. She didn't like it, but as long as they stayed away from her she would let them be.

Curious, wondering what they were doing, she silently crept closer to get a better view. Recognizing that they had tied up that crazy old war horse Napalm. She shook her head in disgust, wondering what he did this time.

It wasn't her worry so she didn't heading back to her home. The door camouflaged with some useless junk strewn over it. Turning the key she hissed in pain from her shoulder. As she entered with plans on getting very, very drunk.

Ten Seconds of Sunrises

by Opium4TmassS

Chapter 5