//------------------------------//
// The Firebrand Regiment 
// Story: Stages Of Life 
// by TheEquestrianWing 
//------------------------------//

In his youth, Bronze Star had often felt a compulsion to reach out to the common ponies of Equestria. Of course, he could already do that by funding various social and political projects and establishing charity organizations. However, while such actions did enable him to impact everyday life, it did little to bring him closer to his subjects. He wished to give them a reason to love and praise him the way they loved and praised his mother.

He knew full well that he had to earn their love and praise before he received it. Ideally, he would have to demonstrate that he truly cared deeply for everypony in Equestria first. As such, he got the idea to form a personal bond with the citizens of Equestria. Since he rarely left the capital city, he needed ways of attaining that objective that did not involve him physically meeting his subjects face-to-face.

Fortunately, his position as a royal prince presented him with plenty of other options. He often gave speeches and announcements in public, mostly to deliver great or memorable news to the public. He also enacted a number of bills that were designed to help everypony in the country in some way. He was definitely appreciated for those acts of benevolence.

All the same, he found that his most popular and most effective technique for communicating with his subjects as a friend came in the form of the press.

Every week, Bronze Star would publish an article in all of the most notable newspapers and magazines. The article was called "To The People: The Musings and Disclosures of a Royal." The topic discussed in the article generally varied. Sometimes it covered proposals on ways to improve Equestria. Sometimes it paid homage to ponies who had distinguished themselves in a noteworthy fashion. Sometimes it announced the creation of a new type of occupation or the creation of many new jobs. At times, Bronze Star frequently included some personal information about himself (but never anything that would embarrass his family or compromise national security, obviously).

Whatever the subject of his article, every issue brought in quite a bit of revenue. Millions of ponies read Bronze Star's work every week. There were a few ponies in each city who bought a newspaper or a magazine solely for the article. Some ponies would even convene in groups to hold live public readings of it.

Bronze Star's most famous article had been released when he was eighteen years old. This particular article had been one of Bronze Star's more formal and informative ones.

That article was aptly labeled "The Top 10 Greatest Contemporary Equestrian Patriots." For this one, Bronze Star had compiled a list of whom he viewed as the ten most honorable, most loyal, and most inspirational military officers or government agents in Equestria. Unlike his previous articles, this one's creation had been announced months in advance, and it had also involved months of mediation and preparation. Bronze Star was determined not to publish it until he felt it was perfect.

When it was perfect, he sent it out. It sold out almost instantly. Apparently, everypony was eager to read about the most charismatic individuals serving in the armed forces or the régime. The military and the government in particular had been patiently waiting in great anticipation. The vast majority doubted they would make a spot in the list; they just wanted to know the prince's thoughts on the matter. His opinion carried a lot of merit, after all.

The article had been printed as such:

"It's finely here! Months in the making, and it is ready for public exposé. So sit back (or remain standing, if that is what you prefer), and enjoy the countdown of the top ten greatest contemporary Equestrian patriots.

Before I begin, I would like to establish a few criteria. When I say "Contemporary," I mean that everypony on this list must be currently working for a branch of the military, a branch of the government, or both. Therefore, no retired or deceased individuals will be included. Also, in addition to being employed by one or both of those entities, everypony must have provided their services consistently for the past five years, but they must belong to my generation or the previous one. In other words, all inactive or veteran individuals will be excluded, as well. Lastly, I originally intended to have a rule where only one pony per each division or the government or faction of the armed forces would be allowed. However, after many, many revisions, I found that when I finished putting my list together, all those organizations were fairly and equally represented without the need for that limitation. So do not be surprised that there is only one pony from each of the country's foremost foundations.

Now, without further delay, here are the ten ponies whom I believe have contributed the most to the Equestria of modern day.

(This marked the beginning of the list. It had been formatted in bullet points; one for each of the ten ponies. A picture of each pony was printed in color next to the respective bullet point.

The first pony was a 24-year-old Pegasus stallion with a brown coat, a beige mane, green irises, and a quarterstaff for a cutie mark. In his picture, he was standing on the top of a wide wall and holding a pair of binoculars in his front hooves. He appeared to be studying something way off in the distance.)

Number 10 – Inspector Heckler of the Border Patrol. Let us start off at the very top. The top of the country, I mean. The northern border between Equestria and Yakyakistan has been in a delicate state for the past eighty years. Although no yaks have been sighted since the treaty was first ratified, the border is a common place for creatures of unsavory repute to attempt to enter Equestria illegally. Fortunately, the Border Patrol valiantly stand their ground to prevent any unwanted parties from crossing over. The pride of the force is this young stallion. Originally from Las Pegasus, he left the comfort of his city home to partake in this admirable duty. He has only been serving for three years, but he has done what most could maybe do in thirty. He singlehoofedly drove back two packs of yeti, and he has turned away over forty irascible foreigners who sought to exploit our country's resources and hospitality. Recently, he conducted a wide-scale investigation that located the weak spots in the border, and as a result, he has enabled us to strengthen the Border Patrol as a whole.

(Next there was a 29-year-old Earth Pony stallion with a purple coat, a red mane, grey irises, and an anchor for a cutie mark. He was dressed in the garb of a high-ranking naval officer, and based on his surroundings in his picture, he was on the bridge of a warship. In it, he was examining a clipboard.)

Number 9 – Lieutenant Koch of the Navy. Now we can come a little closer. Since Equestria is surrounded by water on two sides, it would follow that we would have a strong fleet to complement it. Our most prominent naval base – located in Nanbucket – is home to a whole community of families who have served in the navy for generations. This stallion belongs to one of those families. Both of his parents were sailors, as were all four of his grandparents. However, he brings more to the table than your typical mariner. After attending college and earning a degree in both Biology and Biochemistry, he returned to his hometown to enlist in the navy. For the past decade, he has served on a multitude of vessels in the waters both east and west of our country. We have him to thank for the discovery of a few new species of fish, bacteria, and plant life, and he has helped to develop measures that ensure the fleet's safety from piracy. Also, his service record is not limited to the sea. He has occasionally lent his services to the airships that non-Pegasi officers use to patrol and guard the skies. In doing so, he proves that regardless of location, a sailor is still a sailor, so long as there's a deck beneath his hooves.

(Next there was a 27-year-old Unicorn stallion with a scarlet coat, a gold mane, black irises, and a syringe for a cutie mark. He was clad in a customery white buttoned-down coat of a physician, and he was in the midst in the midst of sewing up a wound on a patient in his picture.)

Number 8 – Major Peacemaker of the Army. Doctors have always belonged to a noble profession, irrespective of their field of study or their specialty and knowledge of medicine. The only thing more respectable than a pony who actively seeks to heal and treat other ponies is one who does so at their own personal risk. Imagine being in the middle of a battle whilst having to care for your wounded comrades, knowing that if you are not careful, you could be sharing their anguish soon. That is the mentality that every army doctor faces in the field. The honorable ones – such as this stallion from Manephis – never balk. Immediately after attaining his medical license, this formidable stallion entered the armed forces as a combat medic. He quickly went on to become one of the most renowned surgeons in the army. Throughout his tours, he has saved over ten score of his fellow soldiers, and he has a rare zero-percent loss rate. On one particular occasion, he operated on half a dozen injured combatants at the same time with little assistance. Two of them had been mortally wounded and seemed as though their deaths were inevitable. Miraculously, thanks to him, all six pulled through and are still living today.

(Next there was a 30-year-old Earth Pony stallion with a blue coat, a green mane, yellow irises, and a shield for a cutie mark. He was clad in the standard full-body armor of the Royal Guard. In the background of his picture, half a dozen additional officers were saluting him respectfully.)

Number 7 – Captain Glock of the Royal Guard. Somepony once said that the commanding officer of the Canterlot Royal Guard should always be either a Unicorn or a Pegasus. That same pony also said that an Earth Pony would be unsuitable for that position. I do not know who exactly said that, but I hope he or she is reading this article, so that he or she knows that I think he or she is a moron of phenomenal proportions and a bigot. This stallion is one of the few on this list that I have met in person, but my relationship with him has not impacted my judgement of his abilities. It simply enables me to observe firsthoof what he is capable of. About a decade ago, he moved from his hometown of Vanhoover to the capital city and enlisted in the Royal Guard. In less than five years, he was leading it. In the time since then, he was made the Castle safer than it has been since it was built. All without the use of flight or magic, I might add. Furthermore, near the start of his service, he discovered that some of the force had been taking bribes by some of the Castle's would-be trespassers. He could have looked the other way, but he valued his integrity over money. Because of him, we were able to stamp out corruption within the Royal Guard and return it to its former glory.

(Next there was a 26-year-old Unicorn mare with a tan coat, a brown mane, pink irises, and a scope for a cutie mark. In her picture, she held a loaded firing apparatus, and she was perched on a branch in a tall tree. She was peering through the apparatus's eyepiece, as though focused on a target on the ground.)

Number 6 – Sergeant Beretta of Special Forces. You didn't think this list was going to be all stallions, did you? Of course not. There are plenty of fine mares who are serving this country, as well. Many of them have even greater capacity and potential than their male counterparts. Take this young yet highly skilled marksmare of Neighwark as an example. She may be beautiful, but her eyes are what you should pay especial attention to. I say that because she has perhaps the best aim of anypony in her line of work. Special Forces are unique from the other armed forces in that they are deployed solely to resolve civil disputes such as hostage situations. When negotiation fails – and sadly, it does quite often – we bring in the cavalry. Their goal is to eliminate the threat and simultaneously avoid incurring civilian casualties. This mare has never failed in either respect. She is an adept sharpshooter; perhaps the most accurate in her field. Every time she fires a shot, she hits the target spot-on without fail. I would also like to mention that every pony on this list has been forced to kill at least one other pony in the line of duty. But it is worth noting that with over 150 confirmed kills, she is by far the deadliest pony on this list. Be that as it may, for every life she has taken, she has saved five more. Not only that, but she has also upheld law and order in the more sparsely-populated regions of Equestria.

(Next there was a 28-year-old Pegasus mare with a sky blue coat, a light blue mane, dark blue irises, and a tool chest for a cutie mark. She did not appear to be doing anything out of the ordinary in her picture. In fact, she just seemed to be sitting in front of a large mirror and putting on makeup.)

Number 5 – Special Agent Caracal of the Equestrian Threat Neutralizing Agency. Have you seen this mare before? Most of you would probably answer "no." However, some of you would be lying, albeit unintentionally. I say that because this mare is the closest thing we have to a chameleon. She was born and raised in Orlancolt, but she could fool you into thinking she was from outside of Equestria. She can become anypony, take on any appearance, assume any identity. She is the type of performer most serious actors aspire to be. But rather than employing her skills in the entertainment industry, she chose to use them for a more selfless and reputable purpose. Her undercover work alone has vastly improved Equestria for the better. She has successfully infiltrated over a dozen gangs, cartels, and other illegitimate organizations at great personal risk. Working unaided, she acquired sufficient evidence to bring all of those groups to justice. To avoid compromising her cover or the Agency's, I will not name any names. But I will say this: as long as she is out there, no organized crime syndicate is safe from justice.

(Next there was a 31-year-old Earth Pony mare with a taupe coat, an orange mane, red irises, and a cluster of wires for a cutie mark. In her picture, she was standing at a table. On that table was a large metallic capsule. She was wearing a pair of transparent goggles and observing the capsule closely.)

Number 4 – Specialist Ruger of the Defense Department. Technology has witnessed a major breakthrough in the past century. This can primarily be attributed to the rise of electricity. It has proven to be even more versatile and useful that magic in many cases. In fact, there is an adage: 'Magic can take you far, but electricity is what gets you there.' However, the truly ambitious pioneers are the ones who thought to combine the two sources of power, like this mare. A native of Santa Hay, she earned a Bachelor's in both electrical and mechanical engineering. After that, she began her career as a federal technician. She was on the teams that created the wireless earpiece communicator, the motion detector mainframe, the automated water heater/cooler, and several other practical contraptions. She also helped industrialize the cities of Hoovston, Manehattan, and Chicacolt. By herself, she has developed numerous weapons and safety devices that have been distributed throughout the country. Ever time she hosts a demonstration of her products, she always delivers.

(Next there was a 33-year-old Unicorn stallion with an aqua blue coat, a lime green mane, sherbet orange irises, and a flashlight for a cutie mark. He was standing at a chalkboard in his picture. He held a piece of chalk in his aura, and he was using it to compose what looked like a martial defensive tactic.)

Number 3 – Brigadier Carabine of the Military Enforcement Corps. While the Constabulary Contingent's leader, Commander Hard Hull, is a very fine officer, the one who really stands out is his second-in-command. Hailing from the proud town of Manever, he has been involved in peacekeeping work since he was seventeen. He started by serving an internship in a local smalltime security firm. From there, he frequently switched corporations and worked his way up in status until he was working directly under the president of the country's largest and most prestigious security firm. Wherever he was employed, nopony was ever afraid to wander the streets at night. Even when he got to the top, he was not content that he was doing enough for the safety of Equestria. That led to him joining the Corps, so he could protect the common folk, the officeholders, and the aristocrats alike. Through his guidance, the Corps has excelled like never before. Additionally, he has one of the most analytical and systematic minds in the country. He could devise an ideal solution and at least two backups for any possible crisis that could ever come about.

(Next there was a 40-year-old Pegasus stallion with a mahogany coat, a blue-gray mane, brass irises, and a lightning bolt on top of a clipboard for a cutie mark. He was clad from head to hoof in the standard uniform of the Wonderbolts. His picture must have been taking while he was flying, as he was in midair.)

Number 2 – General Walther of the Wonderbolts. Of course one of the Wonderbolts was going to make it onto the list! The only question was who. There are so many excellent flyers in recent history. Captain Spitfire, Lieutenant Soarin, Commander Wind Rider… I could go on. After careful deliberation, I found that I could only pick this living legend. I have never had the pleasure of meeting him, despite the fact that he grew up in Canterlot just as I did. All the same, it is hard not to have heard of his many accomplishments. He has broken at least eleven different flying records, and there is not another Pegasus alive that could travel great distances in the time he can. But he and his wings have much more to offer than speed. Nearly half of the Intelligence Bureau's information is provided by the Wonderbolts. Of that, this stallion has supplied no less than a third for the past several years. He can be relied on to pursue and investigate any lead. No matter how small it is, he can obtain significant amounts of useful data from it. That information has gone a long way to reinforcing the country's defensive and offensive capacities. It is also worth noting that his daughter, Fleetfoot, is another promising Wonderbolt. If she has even half the nobility and aptitude of her father, she could prove to be his equivalent, as well.

Now some of you – particularly the Wonderbolts' dedicated fanbase – are probably wondering 'Who could possibly top an iconic hero like Walther?' Well, the answer may surprise you. I'm fairly certain it will surprise the person who actually made the top spot. But rather than keeping you wondering, I shall carry on and give you the final entry to this list.

(The last was a 38-year-old Unicorn stallion with a pine green coat, an orange mare, teal eyes, and a golden shield with a pair of silver swords crossing over it for a cutie mark. His picture was relatively simple compared to all the others. In it, he was merely sitting at a desk, leaning on his left front hoof and staring off to the side, as though he was in deep thought.)

Number 1 – SIG Sauer. Topping this list is a stallion who has never given anything less than his all for his country. Like the General and myself, he was brought up in the capital city. He began working for his country at fifteen, when he entered the youth martial training program. Over the following two decades, he rotated between many of the previously mentioned organizations, including the Army, Special Forces, the Royal Guard, and the Equestrian Threat Neutralizing Agency. He has never remained with any one foundation for very long, but wherever he serves, he always carries out his assignment diligently and nobly. He has personally volunteered for over thirty top-profile assignments, knowing full well that each one posed a strong possibility that he would not return from it alive. Sadly, that has been the case with many of his associates, but very few ponies have ever died under his command. Furthermore, for the past five years, he has been the head trainer for the Royal Guard. He has even been my own personal coach in my military training for the last three. However, make no mistake; I am not allowing that factor to cause me to favor him subjectively or unfairly. I would say this even if he and I had never been in the same city: If there is one person whom all ponies – not just soldiers and officials – should look up to (other than the Canterlot Royalty), it would have to be this stallion. He is perhaps the epitome of everything that is righteous, decent, and benevolent in this questionably benign world.

And that is my list. I hope you enjoyed it. I certainly enjoyed composing it, despite how time-consuming it turned out to be. If you were disappointed by it, you have my condolences, but remember; this is just my opinion. You do not have to let it impede on or affect yours."

It turned out Bronze Star's opinion held more sway with the people of Equestria than he originally thought. Critical reception to that article was overwhelmingly positive, with rarely a negative response. The prince was highly praised for his judgement and reasoning for his choices and why he had chosen them.

All ten ponies on that list had read the article, and they were just as surprised to see their names in it as their colleagues had been. None of them had been informed in advance that they would be featured in the article. Nor had any of them ever remembered posing for those pictures. Bronze Star must have had them taken in secrecy without them being aware of it.

Despite that, all ten of the ponies had been touched by Bronze Star's perspective of them. Although all of them had been greatly respected by their peers beforehand, the article had made them even more admired by their coworkers. Even their superiors treated them with the utmost courtesy. To express their gratitude, each of the ten ponies wrote Bronze Star a letter to thank him personally.

Three weeks after Bronze Star published that article, he invited all ten of those ponies to have dinner with him at the capital city. In the invitation, he claimed that the purpose of the dinner was to solidify his views of them as the best of the best in modern Equestria. In actuality, he had a much more practical reason for wanting them all in one place together.

All ten ponies accepted the prince's invitation. During the meal, he revealed his intentions for having them as his guests. He explained that for the past year, he had been contemplating the concept of putting together a Special Ops unit. He envisioned that unit to be composed of the most elite military and government officers in the country. The purpose of the unit would be to uphold national security and purge any and all dangers in Equestria.

That was Bronze Star's true motive for crafting and publishing that list. He planned for the unit to be composed of exactly ten ponies; no more or less. He wanted Heckler, Koch, Peacemaker, Glock, Beretta, Caracal, Ruger, Carabine, Walther, and SIG Sauer to be those ten.

Each of them had been extremely honored by the offer. By the time the meal was over, all ten of them had shaken the prince's hoof and accepted his proposal. Within the next month, they all officially relocated to Canterlot and swore an oath to serve the prince and nopony else. Any time he called upon them, they would be there for him.

The very last thing that was decided on was a name for the team. Bronze Star had chosen to call them the Firebrand Regiment. He knew full well that "firebrand" was a synonym for "revolutionary," which in turn referred to insurgents. However, he intended for the unit's existence to be a secret, and he was going to have all their activities conducted in absolute secrecy. Even his mother would be unaware of their operations. So the term applied appropriately.

Eight years had passed since then the Firebrand Regiment had been formed. They had eliminated no less than twenty-five major threats to Equestria's safety, several of which had originated from within the country. As a result, Equestria had become a much better and safer place to live in.

None of the Regiment's members had attended the Grand Galloping Gala. That was due to the fact that they had been out on assignment that night. Bronze Star had sent them to Chicacolt earlier that day to deal a group of dangerous radicals that had been scheming to overthrow his mother's reign.

The radicals were all dead now; they had been wiped out shortly before midnight. Bronze Star had been informed of the mission's success not long after. As usual, the prince had been pleased by their performance, and he told them that after they ascertained that they had covered their tracks, they were to return to Canterlot at their earliest opportunity.

They were on their way back right then. They were returning via the railroads.

Normally, the railways that went to and from Canterlot were shut down on the night of the Grand Galloping Gala. That was done to avoid overcrowding in the city, and so more security could be focused on the Castle.

However, certain privileged individuals were exempt. Since the Firebrand Regiment answered directly to Bronze Star, they carried his seal everywhere they went. Among other things, they enabled them to override the railway standstill to Canterlot.

The train they had boarded had left at about 12:15 in the morning. It was approximately a four-hour trip from Chicacolt to Canterlot. They were more than hallway there by this point.

Other than the conductor and the rest of the train's crew, there was only one other pony on board the train. That was a 79-year-old Pegasus stallion with a moccasin coat, a khaki mane, aquamarine irises, and a picture of Equestria's flag surrounded by half a dozen outward-pointing swords for a cutie mark.

That was Lord Ambit Dexter, the Chairpony of Princess Celestia's War Council and known by many as "The Commodore." He had gone to Chicacolt to assist the Firebrand Regiment with their last mission. In fact, he had shouldered most of the risk, but he had done so voluntarily.

Lord Ambit had not emerged unscathed from the mission; he was currently unconscious. He had suffered a blow to the head during the mission, and he had not woken up since then. Peacemaker had examined his injury and deemed it as a slight concussion. He assured the others that the Commodore would be awake by noontime, if not earlier.

While Peacemaker stood vigil over Ambit Dexter's unconscious form, the other members of the Regiment did their own tasks. Caracal, Glock, and Carabine were getting some rest (not sleeping). Beretta, Walther, and Koch were having something to eat. Heckler and Ruger were playing a friendly game.

As for SIG Sauer, he just sat at a window and gazed outside. He paid close attention to the landscape in the distance.

SIG Sauer enjoyed travelling by train at night. Especially when it was nearly empty. It provided him with a queer feeling of comfort and peace.

Despite the lateness of the hour and the fact that he had been awake for more than a day, he did not feel the least bit tired. After how well the last mission had gone, he felt as though he could have stayed up for another full day.

Even so, the first thing he planned to do when he got home was check in at the castle, and then he would settle down in his own bed in his own home. There was nothing quite like a long, well-deserved sleep right after completing a job.

The train pulled into Canterlot's main station at a little after four o'clock in the morning. It only took the Regiment five minutes to disembark and collect their equipment.

Lord Ambit Dexter was still out, so Glock and Koch both gave him a helping hoof. Peacemaker stood close-by, in case the Commodore came around. Beretta, Heckler, Ruger, and Carabine handled all the equipment.

Caracal, Walther, and SIG Sauer were the only ones who were unburdened at the time.

The eleven ponies swiftly made their way through the capital city. Since it was still very early, there nopony out on the streets. However, as the Firebrand Regiment traversed through the city, they all thought they heard a strange humming sound coming from somewhere.

As they got closer to the Castle, the sound became louder and more pronounced. Soon it became more discernable, as well. It sounded much more like hundreds of faint voices talking over each other than humming.

It did not take long for them to realize that the Castle was the source of that noise. All the voices were originating from within that massive fortress. That was rather odd. Even though the Grand Galloping Gala had been hosted there that night, most of the attendees would ideally have departed by this hour.

"Wasn't the Gala supposed to be over by now?" Walther thought aloud.

"Yeah, but apparently nopony told the guests," Caracal drily proclaimed.

"That, or maybe it was actually interesting this year," Glock japed.

"In any case, I can't help but feel as though there's something out of place here," SIG Sauer murmured, "Let's get inside straightaway."

The Firebrand Regiment approached the large double doors, and SIG Sauer knocked on them thrice. It was quickly answered. The pony on the other side was clad not in the armor of the Royal Guard, but in the uniform of the Military Enforcement Corps.

That was not a very assuring sight. Every member of the Firebrand Regiment knew full well that the Corps was only summoned when a national crisis occurred.

"May I see some identification, please?" the officer requested.

Five hours ago, the ten members of the Firebrand Regiment had been clad entirely in black clothing and gas masks. They had removed those outfits when their mission reached its ended, but they had all kept on the utility belts that accompanied those costumes.

SIG Sauer reached into his belt, pulled out his badge, and showed it to the officer from the Military Enforcement Corps. The young private nodded in acknowledgment, and then he glanced at the ten ponies gathered behind SIG Sauer. He inquired "Are all these ponies with you?"

"Yes," SIG Sauer confirmed.

The officer nodded again, and this time he smiled. He pulled open the door and warmly stated "Welcome back, Mr. Sauer."

The Firebrand Regiment swiftly passed through the front entrance of the Castle.

Once they were all inside, the private pushed it shut again. Then he announced "Please wait here for a minute. I need to inform my corporal of your arrival."

"Before you go, can you tell us what's going on?" Heckler requested.

"My corporal will fill you in," was all the private said in response. Then he galloped down the intersecting hallway and around the corner.

"What do you suppose happened here?" Beretta wondered.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say the Castle was in danger of besiegement or something," Koch hypothesized.

"If that was the case, they wouldn't have even let us in," Carabine debated.

"Guess we'll just have to wait until this corporal arrives," Ruger supposed.

The ten ponies stood by idly and waited for the private to come back with his corporal. After ten minutes of this, SIG Sauer sighed and turned around to face his colleagues. He muttered crossly "This is ridiculous. I'm not one to disobey orders, but we could have figured out what went on here by ourselves by now. Instead, we have to wait on a corporal to tell us. Just who is this corporal, anyway?"

"Well, he's right behind you, sir," a firm yet patient voice stated from behind the pine green stallion. SIG Sauer was alarmed, but not because he had been caught off guard. He was alarmed because he recognized that voice.

SIG Sauer turned around and came face-to-face with a 23-year-old Unicorn stallion. This stallion had a jasper coat, a lime green and charcoal stripped mane, melon irises, and a javelin for a cutie mark. Like the private, he was wearing the uniform of the Constabulary Contingent. The only difference was that he wore the rank insignia of a corporal.

The corporal had a stern countenance, but it held some warmth for SIG Sauer and his associates.

SIG Sauer took a moment to study the corporal, and then he uttered in amazement "Mauser?"

The jasper stallion simply smirked, lightly nodded his head, and said cordially "Hey, Dad."

He was SIG Sauer's grown son, Mauser Sauer.

Mauser had been serving in the armed forces for more than five and a-half years. He had been in the Army for most of that time, but he had been accepted into the Military Enforcement Corps about a year ago. SIG Sauer knew that he had been doing well in the Corps, but he thought Mauser still held the rank of private. Evidently, he must have been promoted recently.

SIG Sauer let out a long sigh and declared "I'm always happy to see you, Mauser, but please; can you tell us why the Corps is here?"

"Because most of the Royal Guard are being cross-examined right now," Mauser informed his father.

"Why is that?" Peacemaker queried.

"Less than two hours ago, one of them tried to murder Bronze Star," Mauser disclosed.

The members of the Firebrand Regiment would have been taken aback by the bluntness of that statement. But the content of it was what really unsettled them. They looked as though they were either shocked, appalled, or both.

"Who was it?" Glock demanded. As a former Captain of the Royal Guard, it would make sense that he would be the most outraged.

"Lieutenant Commander Blade Bearer," Mauser revealed.

"Where is he?" Walther mumbled angrily.

"Dead," Mauser responded, "Sir Haywood McCrank killed him."

"What about the prince?" Peacemaker enquired.

"He's still alive," Mauser tentatively remarked, "He's in the hospital wing right now. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are with him. Would you like me to take you to them?"

"Of course," SIG Sauer answered him, "We should all be with the prince in his darkest hour."

He spoke for everypony who was present when he said that.