Better Years

by DarkDarsi

First published

When all are shot and done, where do the mercs go? Home, and to make them.

'Ponn Co. Tips It's Hat' that's what the headline read. After all the killing and respawning, the robots, the ghouls and ghosties, after all these years, Miss Raven finally delivers the news we've wanted for longer then most care to admit.
"You're going home guys"

So here we are. Home, and back to make them.

*hiatus until I can do the required words thing good again*

The Split, All is well.

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"That's it, Ponn Co. is done, The brothers are dead, we finished the Administrator, and even Six-ton Haywall's gone." Miss Appalling Raven says as she places the newspaper down on the table for the 9 mercenaries to see

"I-it's over" She stutters, suddenly unsure, the realisation dawning upon her that she was in an enclosed space, with nine highly trained, very dangerous creatures that she made do various acts of an undisclosable nature that might likely make them hate her “Umm, this means we’re no longer contractually bound to, or protected from the consequences of, the task I had a hoof in telling you to do…”

She smiled nervously at the group, Most of the straightening up, and looking more towards her.

“So” a deep Stalliongrad accent rings out “What does that mean for us?”

Nods and noises of agreement went through the room and Raven gulps,

“That, uum, that means… You” She clears her throat and composes herself, having accepted the fact she would likely die here, wanted to at least die professionally

“You guys can go home”



Well, she thought she was going to die, but it was more just the encompassing silence that was doing the killing.



“Go… Go home” one of the other females in the room says worriedly “But, I-i-I don’t have a home to go back to”

“Well, you'll have to find someth’n, cause I'm guessing we don't get a choice to stick aroun’ eh Ms Apaulin’” The Scoltish Stallion in the group comments aggressively.

“I'm sure your motha has a list ready ‘n’ waitin’ at ‘ome” the Thestralian accented Griffin says softly , barely loud enough to be heard.

“We-----ell, If I’m not need ‘ere I’ve got myself a coltfriend to catch up with. See ya blockheads, try not to stay in touch” A fiery yellow mare says as she hops up and speeds off, The Scolt following, along with a Changeling who stops at the doorway,

“Mademoiselle Apauling” It tips its head slightly towards her, picking up a hat from the hatrack (duh) it fades from view as it puts it on it’s head.

‘Well, I’m supposen I’d better head off now too” A red Earth-pony stallion says as warmly as ever, turning to the Dragonesse “Hey, Sparks, why dontcha come along with me, Apples always welcome friends, I doubt that’ve change while we weres here” He gestures to the door with his unshorn, faded blue fetlocks.

The smile that splits along her face spoke for her and they soon left too.

A slim light cyan grey stallion looks deep in thought through all this, but chooses to speak now,

“Himmelschreind, mien mädchen, Ve are killers, mercenaries, considered insane, how are ve to just go and get jobs, not many hospitals vould like, how do you usually put it Zoldier, a ‘Freedom hating Communazi’ to be working for them, even without my actual achi... atrocities being taken into account?”

“Because I have cleared all sign of it” A voice to them calls out. The group immediately turn to the door weapons drawn, but quickly lowered when they spot who it is.

“Princess Celestia, to what do we owe this visit” Apauling asks respectfully.

“Oh nothing much, just heard some talented people have recently hit hard times and thought I might be able to help them out a bit. Clearing all major criminal activities from their police records, funding the development of an Apple farm near the Badlands, bringing some people down to meet up with their special someones again, securing jobs, little things like that” The monarch replies nonchalantly, a small smug smile creasing her face, “Which reminds me, Mister Victory?” She looks to the Red coated stallion saluting while his helmet falls in front of his eyes.

“Yes Princess! What is it! DO you want me to kill the ‘Grad and the Freedom hati…”

“No, Victory, no, but I do want to keep an eye on you, here are your new mission details”

She floats a manilla folder over,

“Heh, make sure is not baby mares mother this time” The Grad chuckles.

The Soldier flips it open, before looking up at Celestia.

“Princess Celestia. Heavy was almost right. The are pictures of YOUR mother, in some rather lovely position”

“WHAT!” A collective cry filled the room.

Followed by manic laughter,

“I am joking. Like saying Communazi and The ‘Grad, it is a joke, I am funny. Sometimes” The Soldier back down and has an actual look at the page.

Having calmed down from the near reveal of her incestuous desires, Celestia turns to the aforementioned foreigners,

“Now, while your country aren't at war with anyone anymore, I still wouldn't recommend going back jus…”

She is cut off by the Heavy,

“I must go back”

“I thought you might say that, but I have a job and home…”

“Niet. I must go back”

“I know why you say this bu..”

Heavy stands to his full height,

“I. Go. Back”

Celestia is about speak, but again, a new voice fills the room, speaking in Stallish.

“Winter! Let the nice Princess finish”

The large Stalion turns to the doorway, eyes sparkling,

“Mama! You are here!” He rushes over and engulfs the small mare in a hug “I trust the Princess got you here safely, if she had told me I would have come and gotten you myself”

She pats him on the shoulder “Bah, no need, your Sisters proven their worth on the way here. THEY finally came, we caught them coming up the path, same one we were using to get down, you should have seen them go, I’m so proud of you all”

Winter goes to reply but the griffon beats him in and, in Stallish also, asks

“How about you catch up later, like you said, we’d like to let her finish” he nods at Celestia and all eyes return to her.

“Umm, yes, well, Yes, I’ve taken the liberty of bring your family here to Equestria, though I have not organised you a home yet, but I will supply you the stipend to purchase one when you find it”

“Thank you Princess” Heavy bows before going over to the door “Let us go now Mama, and our new home”

“Just moment” she replies in Common and walks over to The Medic, examining him, circling around some.

Noticing he straightens up, before yepling and jumping away when she quick lifts his tail.

She looks between Winter at the door looking pale, and the Stallion currently cursing his head off in Germane at her.

“You two better adopt, I still want Grandchildren from you Winter” She says walking out the room,

Heavy breaks out in a wide smile, looking at the less fuming, more blushing Nestlekiss, saying contently, “Come along now Doctor”

He goes, followed by said doctor. Leaving the Princess, Griffon, Soldier and a silent Apauling trying to shrink into the corner.


Celestia looks around the room “So, Mister Victory, wha-”

“YES! I WILL DO IT!” he cuts her off, and as she goes to reply he does so again “I HAVE NOT GOTTEN PAST THE PART ABOUT ME BEING THE RECRUITS DRILL SERGEANT BUT I WILL DO IT!”

The room is silent for a moment, Celestia waiting to see if Victory was done this time.

“Ok, well, I have a carriage waiting out the front, how about you go wait out by that. I’ll be along right after I finish with these two”

“HYUP!” He salutes and leaves.

“Now then, Miss Apauling”

“eep”

“No, don’t worry, I’ve long since forgiven you for the shovel incident, no, actually, I want you to work for me”

Pauling steps forward away from the wall,

“Work… work for you? How? ”

Smiling softly, Lestia replies

“My current Aid is getting past his prime, and I want him to leave now while he’s still able to keep up with his grandchildren. There is a long list of very eager applicants already, and when it becomes an official opening it’s bound to triple”

Raven sits in stunned silence.

“W...w-what?”

“Oh bloody… look She wants to skip you down to que and have you take over immediately, doing the same bloody thing you’re doing for The Admin, just less killing and fraud I’m guessin’”

“Correct Mr. Grundy, so Miss Raven, will you accept and relieve my Aid?”

She is silent for some time, then walks over the Grundy,

“Sniper, please. Kill ME! I CAN’T DO THIS! I CAN’T WORK FOR CELESTIA! I’M NOT QUALIFIED! I HAVE NEVER HAD HOLIDAYS! I WON’T BE ABLE TO WORK IN THOSE CONDITI-”

*SLAP*

“Shut it Apauling, you know you’re more then qualified, and Holidays are a good thing, remember. Now get out of here, I believe you’re actually entitled by law to a month of RnR before PC there can hire you out”

Celestia thinks quickly,

“Oh yeah… I forgot about that one. Anyway, If you could go wait by the carriage with Victory, I’ll be out soon and we can arrange everything for once your month is up”

Having calmed down, Raven nods,

“Yeah, of course, sorry, I… I’ll wait outside… See you, Sniper”



The room stays silent for a solid amount of time.

“I…” Celestia starts “I actually have no idea what I should do to help you. You… *sigh* I can’t offer you good lives like I did with them, I only have a place that I think could use you… I don’t like using Ponies, uhh, my Sube… people… Yeah, that’ll work. I want everyone to do something that helps or fulfills them, but you…”

He chuckles, bringing her gaze up off the floor to him,

“Yeah, Mr.Hard to fill here, but hey, maybe that’ll change, what’s the job love?”

“OH... Oh, Well, you see...”