The Equestria Badlands, once a beautiful landscape known to Equestria, now turned into a feared land where ponies fear to tread. Over the years, while the war was going on, safe routes protected by shields were made for those to avoid entering the badlands and putting innocent lives in danger. Scattered within the badlands were dead rotting corpses of those who have fallen serving the Equestria and Equus Resistance Armada, and those of Project Horselance. Along the bodies were guns, even high tech guns. The most feared part of the badlands, was that Horselance sometimes roams the lands.
Merc and Web, we're now seen driving in their WT through the badlands. Although they could just drive on the safe route where other pony drivers drive to get to various of cities, they decided against it. The last thing they wanted was absolute chaos on the road and ponies freaking out that a Horselance Vehicle was on the roads. Even leading to various of accidents and causing the route to be closed down.
As they were driving through the Badlands, Merc saw a lot of what Horselance caused. Glimpsing at each of the bodies that are now slowly decaying into nothing but bones, Merc began to think if these poor souls had family members, or even children that now have to deal with the lost of their loved ones in The Great War. Not noticing, Merc felt Web rubbing her neck. "Don't worry, this isn't our fault," Web assured.
"Web....just look, we turned the landscape into a war zone. I mean, we are the enemy. W-we caused this."
"Merc, don't worry, they won't hurt us, we have info on Horselance. Just trust me, they will listen, we might be able to help out with preparing attacks on Horselance."
Although Merc was afraid of being killed for being a Renegade of Project Horselance, her friend bought an interesting but valid point. Even though they are considered enemies to the resistance, they be able to help the resistance fight Horselance. While driving, they saw a lot of the destruction Horselance caused. From damaged or destroyed WT's, JT-42s, destroyed pony tanks, all the destruction, was like very traumatic to see. Once when Merc and Web were out on the field for duty, they saw a fellow Horselance soldier, who happened to be a top rank soldier, get shot in the the throat, and ended up in critical condition, and losing the ability to speak.
Thinking of everything that happened, they began to think that the director was some kind of crazy psychopathic sociopath that was hungry for power. Although he showed some signs that he might have some sort of problem, Web on the other hoof, began to think there was some kind of deep secret The Director was hiding, not only that, but he never even told the troops what his name was. All they referred to him as was, Sir, Boss, and Director.
At one point,, they began to make a pitstop near one of the towns, a town they both remember from Equestria history, the town of Ponyville, it was the town where the bearers of the Elements of Harmony lived. Although in the modern days, Ponyville was just a simple town unlike major cities, even though missing a library during one of the most well known historical catastrophic events, but now, it's a more futuristic type of town.
Stopping at a store in the town and parking, Merc and Web got out of the Vehicle, and began to walk into the store. Within the store, they saw a pony who happens to be wearing official E.E.R.A Armor talking with a pony behind the counter as Merc and Web were browsing for food for their trip to Canterlot. they kept hope that their logo doesn't stir trouble. While talking, the counter pony saw them. Even the Horselance symbol, that seeming looks like it's been Scratched off, as if, something was up. "H...HORSELANCE!" the Counter pony shrieked as the other pony pointed a high tech rifle at them.
Merc was the first to go in self defense mode with her cybernetic. "Eh woahwoahwoah, chill, lower your weapon. We are renegades."
The pony, pointing the weapon, to laugh sarcastically as if it was a joke. "I call Bull. I recognize that symbol. You both are under arrest for terrorism."
Fearing for arrest, Web then walked up to Merc and lowered her cybernetic and used her device to put it into safe mode. The Pony was looking at them curiously, even at the cybernetic. To her, she saw ponies using normal weapons, but a pony with a Cybernetic wasn't something she usually saw, even during a time where peace is at vain. "Merc is telling the truth, we have info of Project Horselance. We found their true goals and stole ‘em, and we betrayed ‘em so we can fight with the resistance to end the project."
Upon hearing this, the Pony lowered her weapon. They had Info of project Horselance that they actually stole from their formal army? Questions were filling her mind. If they did this, how were they not killed? How did they escape? These questions were filling her mind up like how one asks how the Friendship Palace is still standing and not rotting for the past eighty years. Thinking, she put her weapon back in its holster on her back.. "You...have info? Well, I be damned, it's like Hearths Warming morning and nopony told me." The Pony jokingly said with seriousness along with a little laugh. "But how are you alive? You should of been gun downed by your so called "director"."
"My Cybernetic is my ultimate weapon. Me and Web can never be stopped. We used a Flashbang and escaped by stealing their WT-427." Merc replied.
"That takes guts, The resistance needs guts. hang on I will contact the Canterlot guard patrolling the Vehicle gates."
Watching the pony go outside, Merc and Web decided to make a few purchases. Although the clerk was skeptical about these two being renegades and now Ex-Horselance members, he decided to allow them to purchase what they were buying, even since he heard they have info about Horselance. Going outside, they saw the pony talking via his visor to whoever he was calling as they were getting in their WT. Couple minutes later, the pony walked up to them and both Merc and Web looked at her. "Well, you to have been given authorized clearance to enter Canterlot. Since I had to mention you both are Renegades of Horselance and are now willing to join the E.E.R.A., Princess Celestia and Princess Luna want to see you both in the throne room to see the info. the Chairman of the Overseer Sub community also wishes to speak to you," The pony informed. "Just take the route that leads to a tunnel; that will let you gain access to Canterlot."
Giving the pony a goodbye, Merc and Web began to drive to the location of the vehicle entrance to Canterlot. Now that they have access to Canterlot, there only hope, is that they be able to join the resistance.
____
Within the palace, Celestia and Luna were seen in the throne room of their palace. Like their usual new routine, they were checking the missions given to the troops to send to the Chairman of the E.E.R.A.. While looking at the reports, they noticed one of the colonels of the E.E.R.A, reported days ago that they saw two Horselance members with their Logo scratched off, were in the towns, and traveling through the Badlands. Although they were going to be setting each town under lockdown for further investigation, they gotten report that two "Renegades" of Project Horselance, wanted to talk to them. To their shock, the report given to them was that these two had info about Project Horselances secrets
While they were looking at the reports, they saw the doors open. Including with the doors opening, they heard Clanking noises. It sounded like a sound of one of those new Ponbot prototypes that the Equestria army were experimenting with to create the ultimate super weapon for the war. Looking at what was causing the Clank, they saw two ponies walking towards them. Both were wearing body armor of Horselance, with the logo covered with a huge scratch. However, one pony had a cybernetic.
Approaching the throne, the two ponies bowed to the princesses. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, it's an honor to be in your presence," Web stated.
"W-what do you two wish to speak to us about? I-I mean, you both are part of the enemy. You're a threat. You two should be arrested....but, we will here you out since we overheard about you from LT. Colonel Star Blitz," Luna mentioned.
Merc then stood and looked at them. "We have info about Project Horselance's true purposes. We have every single file, excluding one, about their plans." Merc said.
Hearing this, Celestia and Luna looked at eachother, Through the years the war has been happening, and when the landscape outside each city of Equestria started to turn into the Badlands, they had several ponies attempt to gather Intel on Horselances secrets. Eventually, those ponies failed due to being killed while trying. However they never thought of seeing, or having two Renegades bring info to them. It felt like there was a chance they can end the war; Thinking fast, Merc plugged her cybernetic into the holo-computer
Just then, all the Horselance files became visible. Eventually, Web bought up the Horselance secret goals file. Reading through what Horselance goals were, this caused Celestia and Luna to have appeared to have, was a horrified look on their faces appear. These goals, they weren't oridnary goals, what they now realized, that they were plans for domination and revenge. Reading each plan, it felt like the Director who is in charge was some sort of madcolt like how Tirek was when he wanted power.
"This, can't be. Please tell me this is some sort of jest Tia. IS THIS INFO THESE TWO GOTTEN TRUE?!" Luna asked horridly
All Celestia can do was shake her head. "I'm sorry Luna, but, seems this info these two Renegades dug up is acurate. I hate to do this but looks like they are willing to redeem themselves. This info proves something is up in the shadows."
Sighing, Celestia had no choice. She turned on her holographic communicator and began to call Chairman Holos. After a brief few seconds, she saw Holos appear. Even Merc and Web began to tremble in fear. After all, Chairman Holos is the head of the Overseer Sub Community, and both Web and Merc began to fear that if they are found out to be now Ex-Horselance, they be arrested. "Princess Celestia. How may I be of service? Did something occur thats Horselance related?" Holos asked.
"No Holos. We have to renegades from Horselance that bought info to us."
At this point, all four of them saw one shocked and speechless Holos. Through the years that Holos has been the chairman of the Equestria Overseer sub committee, he saw Horselance as a threat. Since Horselance has been around through the years of The Great War, even before the war even started, Holos wanted each member of the project to be arrested, prosecuted, and executed.
Merc and Web could only listen, while Holos and the Princesses began to talk. As they listen, they saw Holos moods change when the princesses told him what was in the documents. However, in Holos point of view, the files they found were most of Hohselances goals. Theoretically, this meant that not all the info was stored in the files. Above all, the information turned out to be useful. Due to this, to both their surprise, they saw Holos Hologram turn to face them. "You two, were you the two that bought this info?" Holos inquired.
"Yes," Web responded.
For a few minutes Holos began to talk to the two, and see how much of Horselance they know. Answering the best they could this did help Holos understand their enemy. Every bit of information, Holos thinker to himself and listen to every bit of knowledge they know; Even with the mention of that the Director remains anonymous. Midway through the conversation, Holos heard his name called. Turns out that on Holos end he had to go to a meeting with some of the solders. Unfortunately having to say goodbye, Holos ended the call.
Between thirty and an hour later, Celestia and Luna decided to allow the two to remain in the castle for a brief time. Deciding to end their conversation, Luna paged for a guard to lead the two to a room they could rest in; even allowing them full access to any area of the castle they want as a sign of gratitude for giving the info.
At the time that Web and Merc left the throne room, Celestia and Luna began to look at the files more. Surely enough they were scared seeing the files the first time, but now seeing them again, they decided to call a meeting. Knowing them, all they could hope for, is for more information about Project Horselance, so they can fully understand their enemy.
Horselance Facility
Back at the Horselance Facility, things weren't the same. While the past few days were different since the betrayal of Merc Lance and Web Intel, the director, however, has changed. Ever since they betrayed him and what now is confirmed they stole an A.I fragment along with info, the director has been really strict with the missions. Even moreover, the missions were becoming more serious. It was as if the Director was losing his temper.
While looking through the data of what the troops have sent, the director, who was to focused on the mission logs, heard his office doors open and shut. Not paying attention he heard clanks of armor hitting the ground. Eventually, he notice. In Front of him was a pony in armor, and wearing a strange helmet that was so tinted, their face wasn't visible. All the director heard, was simple growls, and noticed a A.I fragment manifest itself. "You requested me to be in your presence, director?" The A.I asked as if it was acting as a translator for the mysterious pony in armor.
"Yes. Have a seat Locus." The Director replied as he saw Locus take a seat. "You understand why I requested your presence and asked you to come to our base once again, do you not? I do understand you’re still searching for the one that shot you in the throat. But, you know why you're here?"
Locus began to growl sentence fragments, so the A.I can translate what he is saying. "Of course, Director. It regards the two ponies you mentioned when you requested us to come."
Turning back on his holo-Computer, the director began to look for the ponies he mentioned to them. Since their betrayal, he added them to a list of targets for missions, this list was dubbed the Hitlist. Through his target lists, each of them are ranked by a number depending on how well each soldier are doing on the battlefield within the badlands. Some targets however, are marked special for certain purposes. When he found Merc and Webs profiles, they were under a certain type. This type however, was a mission for no ordinary member of Horselance to eliminate. It was reserved to the highest ranked soldiers of Horselance.
Through the years, some missions were seemingly impossible for some of the Horselance solders, which led Horselance had hired many Mercenaries to take out special targets instead of giving em to Horselance troopers, one Mercenary, however, became part of Project Horselance, and that was Locus, whom was one of the top ranked soldiers of Horselance, and was rumored to be a force to not be messed with. To the Director, he felt that these type of missions weren't ready for low ranked Horselance soldiers to handle. With the profiles up, the Director turned the Holo-computer and showed Locus. "Yes indeed. These two, Merc Lance, and Web Intel. The reason I want these two dead, is because have betrayed the Project, not only that, they have very sensitive information that could lead to Horselance's end." The Director stated.
"How sensitive?" The A.I translated for Locus.
"Severely Sensitive. We're talking about our Goals, our information, troopers, data of Horselance camps in the Badlands, everything. Now I have the feeling that these two gave the information to the two Tyrants, if they don't die, I be B-U-C-K-E-D BUCKED! Now I know that I be overreacting, but, these two need to be killed!"
Locus began to think. It has been a while since he has been on a mission. While he grew to know Merc, she was a fighter that never gave up. Even for somepony born with a birth defect, she kept fighting. When he was sent to his own outpost with some recruits, he had to take leave of Absence for a while after a mission gone wrong. With the Two with the said sensitive data, this could cause a all out attack someday. Growling, the A.I began to translate. "Don't worry director, I...or in this case, we, got this," The A.I translated.
Smiling with a grin, the director was happy to hear that Locus accepted the mission. "Excellent. I give you anything you need, I will let the armory know you’re coming. Your dismissed. But try to not get shot again like what happen to your throat. One last thing, bring me Merc's Cybernetic, I want a trophy to remember her death of how much of a traitor she is."
Standing up, Locus began to walk out with the A.I. Seeing em leave, and after a brief call, the Director then turned off his holo-computer. All he was hoping for is if his goal to conquer Equestria first would be a success. But with his best soldiers on the enemy side, he now is hopping they be eliminated. Walking to the overview window, and levitating his drink. he began to look at Equestria with a look that was sinister. "They all are going to pay." the Director growled angrily as he drank his drink. "Things will be different when I am in charge of this tartarus hole."
Getting prepared, the Director began to call the Armory department via his com ear piece. For a few seconds he heard the waiting tone, and after that, one of the Armory ponies picked up. With the Director having Locus out for blood, the Director can see that his plans will be safe.
_____
Back at the palace, Merc and Web were In a laboratory of the palace. Although they were considered to be Horselance members, the Chairman saw otherwise. Seeing how these two went their way to betray their own project after learning the truth that the resistance has been trying dig up, both Merc and Web were being discussed by Celestia and Luna if they will allow them to lead the resistance.
While in the lab, Web was making modifications to Mercs Cybernetics. This time however, she was going with what she originally was going to install into the Cybernetics systems. She was installing Modes to the system. When she was originally going to install it when they were Horselance soldiers, it was supposed to have unique modes. One of the modes, was safe mode; The Safe mode would allow Merc's weaponry to not be used in certain locations when the mode is active, such as Cities, and such. However, the modes of the Cybernetic didn't get added since the director thought it will mess up.
While Web was at work on the cybernetic, which required Web to detach from Merc's body, Luna came in and was absolutely shocked seeing Merc's true physical form showing she is an amputee. Even it was the most shocking thing she ever saw. Eventually Merc saw Luna’s look on her face. Through her entire life, Merc new these faces really well. Especially since this was one thing that made her life different. "Guess you never saw a pony with only 3 legs and hoofs before?" Merc asked.
"But how? This...doesn't seem physically possible."
At this point, Merc knew she owed a Explanation. Throughout her life, even before joining Horselance, Merc was always questioned why she only had three legs and hoofs. The more ponies asked about it, the more she hated sharing the story. "Turns out I was born with a birth defect. When I was born, I was born without a front left arm and hoof. For most of my life I have been using a motorized Wheelchair. That is until I met Web. When she befriended me, she built me my Cybernetic, and with the help of surgery to implant the parts so I can control the Cybernetic, I am able to walk like a normal pony."
Hearing this, Luna was so shocked to hear this. But hearing that Web made the Cybernetic so Merc wouldn't feel different made her feel happy that, even though in the now Dark Age of Equestria, Twilight Sparkle's legacy of Friendship still managed to survive. After a few minutes of Merc and Luna talking about how Web has been there for her, Web came back with the cybernetic and began to put it back in place on Mercs body where it attaches. When it was put back in place a Click noise was heard, indicating that the Cybernetic was reattached and now functional.
After moving her Cybernetic to see if she is able to move it, Merc now saw that it had new additions on it. Surprisingly, she tried to activate a weapon, but, to her surprise, no weapon was activated. Turns out that Web added the safe mode program which activates whenever she is in a safe zone.
For the time being, Luna began to talk to Web and Merc. For a conversation they were talking about how they met, and such. Most shockingly, Merc and Web began to talk about the reason why they joined Horselance. Turns out, to Lunas shock, Merc and Web were fooled into joining Horselance. The reason was they were offered to make Equestria a better place. Although Luna saw this as they are enemies, even though when she met them in the throne room with Celestia, they became renegades, this started to make Luna see otherwise. These two ponies were tricked into joining the enemy.
Before Luna could respond on how Merc and Webs actions of betraying Horselance and going to her and Celestia are considered justifiable, the doors to the Lab slid open and to everyponys surprise, Celestia and a Cryo pony came running in. Oddly enough, Luna noted that Celestias face showed that she didn't know what was going on. However, something was telling Luna, that something was up. "Tia, what's going on?" Luna asked curiously
"I don't know, Frost didn't tell me. He wanted to tell us both."
Clueless, and dumbfounded, Merc and Web looked at one another curiously. Additionally, Celestia and Luna waited for Frost to respond. Getting his report from what seems to be from the Cryo teem that works with him, Celestia and Luna knew something was happening. And to them, it seems that news came about one or more of the Cryo participants cryo pods . "Cryo Pods EM-TS, EL-PP, EG-R, EH-AJ, EK-FS, and EL-RD, they are...."