> North Woods NightMares
>  by Starfighter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: The NightMare Special Counter-Piracy Operations Weapons Platform
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three feet tall at the shoulder, nearly seven feet rearing, four hundred pounds. 

Large build, nearly all muscular bodies. 

Robust framed, and thighs with the strength to crack skulls. These were the just some of the standard attributes selected for the project.

When the modern worldwide Equestria trade network was established, pirating and looting began to flourish as large amounts of valuable goods were now traveling in bulk very long distances, with little to no defense. These began to impact Equestria in a complex multitude of ways. For example, goods moving across the Bone Dry Desert to and from Klugetown were often subject to roving bandwagons that would loot, often so severely that the merchants were lost in the desert without vehicle or provisions.

Another route of importance was the Dragonlair-Kirin Grove route, which would follow along the eastern shore of the South Celestial Sea. Droves of pirates would often hide out in the coves, attack passing vessels, impress the merchants into their crew, and assume control of the ships and goods, sometimes holding them for ransom. 

Undoubtedly the most damaging situation, both financially and politically, was the Northeast Equestria to Griffish Isles trade route. A torrent of money and materials would flow back and forth between Griffonstone and Equestria, covering this segment on the western leg. The geographic isolation in this region, combined with the poor climates allowed terrorist cells to establish themselves along the mountainous coast. The terrorists would ambush in isolated forests, dangerous mountain passes, as well as bridges, and often destroy, but not directly benefit from the seized cargo. 

Generally, the goal of the terrorists was just that- cause terror. There were enormous political repercussions of this, considerably Equestria, the most plentiful and wealthy nation on the planet, was somehow unable to defend its northeastern periphery, was unable to provide adequate security to safeguard its assets, and was losing enough money to dent the yearly budget. Nocreature knew who was responsible, but the perpetrators were of all kinds of creature, hence the unturned changelings were suspected.

So when the Royal Guard came looking for a solution to their problems, the ideal image would need to face all of this. The requirements were thus to be large, innovative, intimidating, tough, and versatile in all environments the mission demanded. They would also need to be affordable, which largely disqualified the unicorns who either weren’t too keen to take risks, or so powerful that they would concentrate attacks on themselves like the Bismarck.

Naturally therefore one would look towards larger creatures with the potential to be menacing such as Yaks and Griffons, but these would present two potential issues- for one, Yaks and Griffons did well in cold mountainous areas, and would not have a fair fight in tropical jungles. The other potential issue, highly debated and controversial admittedly, is that there might be too much at stake in selecting candidates with familial ties to other nations that could create a conflict of interest if war ever were to break out between those nations and Equestria.

Therefore Equestria had to look inward, and find the meanest, toughest sons of guns they had, and outfit them as best as they could. Legends from the time the railroad was built had it that a large bodied tribe of Earth pony lived somewhere north of the Crystal Empire, in the cove forests between the Crystal Mountains, located just below the highland tundra’s arctic treeline and Hoofs Range, where it was said King Sombra was still looking for the shattered remains of Princess Amore with his BFF Radiant Hope.

The leading military scientists and engineers led an expedition into the forests of the Frozen North from Crystal Heart City into the Crystal Mountains and were not disappointed. The robust earth ponies who roam the dangerous, bleak lands of Equestria's northernmost woodlands made for ideal candidates and as expected, readily adapted to the augments which were to come.

The Northwoods Tribe, as it came to be known, was quite patriotic and delighted to serve Equestria. It really was a perfect match. The ponies were fierce, warrior types, but with a vast amount of discipline and respect for authority. They were also very cunning and could be quite intimidating. For example, in one such demonstration exercise, the ponies were asked to split into two teams and capture as many ponies of the opposing team as possible. That’s when one of the engineers running the test was approached and threatened to order the opposing team into the capture zone. Being ponies themselves, Northwoods ponies were not locked into any one environment- although their large bodies did lend themselves to the rougher and colder lands, it wouldn’t limit them- and their size and toughness would improve survival rates in the deserts and jungles.

Perhaps the most interesting thing of note is that during the selection process, one bright engineer determined that since their size was so superlative, gender selection wasn’t critical. He advocated for psychology, claiming “if we select ONLY the mares, the enemy will be so compromised with emotion in being overpowered by these large mares that they’ll lose their stomach to fight and be defeated physically and psychologically!”. The suggestion stuck. Only the mares would be selected for the project, later known as the NightMare Project, and they absolutely proved the engineer correct.

These fierce mares from the north featured excellent eyesight, having large pupils adapted for the low lighting and sun elevations at the high latitudes. When paired with a good pair of sunglasses or snowglasses it meant they could typically see their enemy before he could. Like most things in the north deprived of sunlight, their coats were largely of colors muted towards white. The Northwoods Mares and their escorting party trekked back into the Crystal Empire before boarding the express train to Tall Tale and the Western Transcontinental to Canterlot. Some say the town of Tall Tale hasn’t been the same since. The mares’ “loading gauge” was so large that they barely fit into the train.

The scientists and engineers at Ponyeon Industries worked hard upgrading their workhorses. Recent advances in magic technology had allowed the construction of compact gunpowder machines capable of firing off high speed kinetic projectiles- better known as guns. Normally one would expect a unicorn to wield such a complex device, but as the Mares were earth ponies, the engineers would need to rig something up. And so they did. An assortment of fingers and an opposable thumb, controlled with the cortex using nerves was designed and installed on all the mares, who were designated “The Night Mares” post processing. The exact heritage of the fingers and opposable thumb are not known, and the details surrounding the matter are classified.

Perhaps the most striking part of all of this was the calmness exhibited by the mares as their bodies were modified- the engineers were almost disturbed by their apparent lack of pain reception at all. During one installation mishap, the surgical machine missed the stopmark and put a hole straight through the mare’s hoof- and she had to be told this before she was aware of the mistake.

The subject matter experts assigned to work on the project were quire keen with their subjects; they got to know them, often talking to them in the same way one speaks to a machine, owing to their size and strength. Some of the technicians even went so far as to fraternize with them, though company leadership frowned upon this. Sometimes they went too far, catching the mares’ tempers. After the modifications were complete, the NightMares were given custom sized uniforms composing of three-toed boots to aid in stability, body cushioning for high power rifles and machine guns, armor, and nylon clothing to protect exposed skin. They also had many packs and pockets to carry all of their equipment. All NightMares were fitted with radios, a brand-new technology at the time.

They also underwent a rigorous boot camp training program which taught them their ranks, their commands, the chain of command, duties, and toned their already impressive physique. The NightMares were also trained to move about on two legs as much as possible, to maximize their physical prominence and enable the use of their machine guns. The NightMares once online for duty were super-soldiers so powerful and so well trained, they resembled something akin to Halo’s Spartans. However, once online, only minimal support staffing was needed to retrain and refit. As a result, many of the scientists, engineers, and military subject matter experts were reassigned to other projects as a cost saving measure once the NightMares went online.

The NightMares were nearly giants, at three feet tall at the shoulder, nearly seven feet rearing, and upwards of four hundred pounds. Compare this to our story’s main character, a pegasus stallion by the name of Polaris “PW” Wind, standing proudly at one foot eleven inches at the shoulder, four-and-one-half feet rearing, and four times lighter at one hundred pounds even. He was small, even for a pegasus stallion, but he was not intimidated by the mares.

PW was a technician that showed a huge respect for the NightMares, mainly out for their physical size. PW had a fancy for big things, whether it be a big cozy towel, a towering thunderstorm, big speed, or a big island. Thus for him, the NightMares were something superlative to respect with awe, and he would always ask their permission before touching them to make installations. The NightMares reciprocated by giving PW a little more attention and a little less flack than most of his coworkers got.

Unfortunately for PW he was one of those engineers selected to transition to another project. And worse yet for him, the Ponyeon Industries division responsible for the continual support was transferred to Norfilly at the tip of Horseshoe Bay, to be closer to the central trade network. And since this project was largely classified, it would be nearly impossible to resolve their whereabouts.

Much as he didn’t want to admit it, PW developed a strong bond with the NightMares, and longed to see them again. There was one mare in particular, Night Mare-2, that he personally had the honor of fitting prosthetics to in the cleanroom. And you had better believe he did it right. He fondly recalled one such instance where he got to direct a test with Night Mare-2’s prosthetics, as his coworker of the next rank up who normally performed it, called out sick.

The test director would typically stand opposite the NightMare and face her, examining all of the test steps for compliance. For this test the NightMare was rearing vertically, allowing her prosthetic fingers to be inspected by the test operator on a service scaffold (as seen in the cover image). PW stood there not two feet from the mare towering over him, watching it all go down. PW was absolutely breathless at her immense size, with her hocks reaching the same level as his cutie mark, her knees high enough to reach his chin, and his eyes were at the level of her cutie mark. She was massively built too, and just one of her thighs was as thick as PW’s entire body. To PW they were like the cylinders on a steam engine, immensely powerful, unstoppable, and all powerful.

PW was delighted to see that the Night Mare-2, instead of doing what most NightMares did, looking all around, was just gazing at him. Not a stare, just a curious peek behind her long silvery-white mane. Her bright copper eyes, though sharp, weren’t full of fury. Being the young immature stallion he was, this thought of her looking down at him encouraged PW to entertain the thought that the mare liked him, which caused him butterflies. Sophomoric yes, but to him, genuine.

“You’re doing great 2!” he would say with a wink. Though the mare’s eyes did not turn sour, she did not wink back. This day at work was obviously his favorite, but there was also another time he embarrassed himself. Quite often, the testing equipment needed to be carried around the room. Some of the less expensive equipment was carried by hoof, with the technicians required to walk around reared like the NightMares. Well this one time PW carried more than he should have, and he was famous for that. Loosing his balance, the toolboxes spilled as he careened forwards out of control, in a failed attempt to stabilize himself using his wings.

That is when he was met with a sudden stop. Like he was hit by a sack of rice. Though it knocked him up, he was fine. He looked out to see Night Mare-2’s thigh. He was amazed that even standing on two legs, after he had nearly done a tackling move right into her leg, she didn’t step back, didn’t even flinch. He was immediately embarrassed. 

“I’m so sorry! That was so stupid of me!” he complained, trying to clean up the spill. “I know you’re tougher than Tartarus, and that couldn’t have hurt, but I’m sorry to get in your way, or touch you without asking. I…” 

“PW.” the mare called. “Relax. I’m a piece of military hardware. I’m used to it. No hard feelings. Please” Night Mare-2 responded. PW nodded. 

“You’re the best, 2!” he responded before excusing himself.

“Yup, those were the days” he said sitting at a desk in a cubicle. He had the honor to work on one of the most classified and significant projects undertaken by the Royal Guard but didn’t stay with the program because of a bunch of money hungry top brass. PW longed to see the NightMares again, and he did care about them. If anything, nearly side tackling Night Mare-2 and getting no flinch gave him confidence she wasn’t going to be upped. 

“Then again, what if some creature takes her gun, turns it around, and unloads the whole clip into her throat? She’s a big girl, but I’m still worried” PW thought.

It got to the point where PW had to take a break from his work. And of course, he thought more of the NightMares. They wouldn’t be around to protect each other anymore. Since their missions were spreading out all over the planet, only one of them would be around at a time, likely each soloing. Finally, he gave in. 

“I’m going to find those mares and make sure they’re supported with the care only I’ve shown them!” he said. He only had 6 days of vacation to spare, and with the weekend that gave him 9 days away max. “If I find them, I’m going to leave my job and support them directly. In the field!” he decided.

PW had a natural talent for geography and knew that would be the answer for how to find the NightMares. PW put his vacation on the calendar for the next week and as soon as quitting time came around, he bought some newspapers, piecing together the unrest.

“Gold cart ambushed in the Frozen North on the Yak Road. Sunday July 12 1029. Reports are flooding in from Yakyakistan that a few escaped stallions have claimed their gold cart, hauling fine jewelry out of Yakyakistan, was ambushed while enroute on the Yak road about fifty miles southeast of Yakyakistan. The cart was ransacked and broken at the cost of a few lives. This marks the fourth attack along the road this month. Bingo” PW read.

“Convoy ambushed in Starlight’s Cave. While accessing Starlight’s Cave pass to cross the Bug Bear Territory towards the Griffish Isles, a convoy of undisclosed contents was ambushed and the contents of the carts looted. Take caution and avoid the area. The assailants are at large and assumed armed… Hmm, I wonder what the “undisclosed contents” were! Hehe”. “But armed is good, because it means that there’s even more reason to send somepony to deal with it.”

PW managed to collect five more stories, but none seemed more convincing or more threatening than the convoy ambush in Starlight’s Cave. That was an exact location too. PW got a map out and started examining the train lines. 

“Hmm… Starlight’s Cave is relatively near the Great Northern Line. That comes from… the Crystal Empire. I’ll need a passport.” PW found that he could take a train from Canterlot to Tall Tale, then another to the Crystal Empire, then the International Train which he’d catch in Crystal Heart City and hop off in the vicinity of Starlight’s Cave. The actual cave would then be a few miles of flying away.

PW spent the rest of the week packing his things. This would be a weird one- he could only pack for 6 days- after that was a big question mark. “How does the mare even eat? She must have rations, but those aren’t likely enough. In the cold climate doing hard labor they’d likely eat six times more than me” PW realized. He didn’t like the food situation but couldn’t do much about it.

With each passing day closer to his departure, PW became increasingly more impatient and hungry to leave immediately.
> Chapter 2: Entering the Red Zone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Departure day came and the excitable stallion descended off the mountain on the westbound train. Canterlot was miserable in winter, but in summer the weather was cool enough to be comfortable. Descending to the plains underneath Cloudsdale the weather was a hot ninety degrees or so, before cooling off near the West Coast. The first leg of the trip was uneventful, though it took the first three days of his vacation. 

Before catching the train to Crystal Heart City, PW needed to display his passport. When asked about his destination and purpose of visit, he had to be very careful not to arise suspicion. 

“I’m visiting my distant friend in the Bug Bear Territory, northeast of Rainbow Valley. Starlight’s Cave happens to be the closet station” he told the inspector. 

“Are you aware of all the news coming out from the pass?” the inspector questioned.

“All the ambushes and stuff? Yeah. Very. I did some research to check the areas to avoid.” 

“We have this brochure I’ll give to you- all the red areas are known hotspots. There’s some real firefighting going on there- you don’t want to be there” he said, handing PW the map.

PW grinned and whispered silently “and the red areas are likely the best places to go! All that firefighting is hopefully my NightMares’ standard issue Celestar D16!”. After two and a half more days on the train PW arrived in Crystal Heart City and transferred one more time to an old steam train. The line to Griffonstone was more antiquated and slower than the others. Finally, on the evening of the seventh night of his PTO he arrived at Starlight’s Cave, with an evening and a day left before he’d be due back at work.

PW took the evening to plot out all the red spots. There were five of them. One of them was in a hillock, two of them were in the cave itself, one was near the shore by the north cave entrance, and another by the shore past the south cave entrance. The train station was north of the cave by a few miles, so after alighting the train PW took to the sky and climbed a few thousand feet up to survey his surroundings. The landings at each of the spots looked doable, though he’d have to be careful around the cliffs. 

He began descending when he heard a familiar “BRRRRRRRRRR!” sound of a high-powered rifle. PW whirled around in desperate hope. “BRRRRRRRRRR!” it went again. “Yes! Yes that is definitely the D16! One of the NightMares is down there!” he exclaimed. PW waited several more minutes to listen for more- since he didn’t quite get a fix on the sound. Unfortunately, no more firing would be heard and soon after PW tired himself, and had to land. This last night would be very difficult for him. So many questions flew through his mind.

“It was a D16 I heard, wasn’t it? Which mare's was it? But what if it got stolen and is being re-used? No. Not possible- the blow-back is too strong. Unless the gun were mounted? If the enemy captured a NightMare, would they keep her alive? Could she be turned evil? And who was firing? What do I say to them after nearly two years? What if it’s NightMare-2? What do I say to 2 if its 2?” PW said all at once. The poor stallion stressed himself out so much that his heartbeat became erratic. His thoughts dimmed away, and his chest felt heavy. A cold flash enveloped him in a wave, and his blood pressure fell. “No! Deep breath. In… Out… you’re going to kill yourself PW if you don’t stop this! It’s not worth going into cardiac arrest over…” he said, trying to calm himself down.

Evening came and morning followed- the eighth day of his PTO. Then PW said “it is time to find my friends and finally devote myself to their cause. It is not good for the NightMare to be alone”. He had a meal at the bed and breakfast he was staying at. Then he flew south out of town, approaching the first red zone. “I’m going to land early. Don’t want to be an open target” he told himself. PW landed and retired to the hedges for cover. The weather was party sunny- a veil of cirrostratus dimmed and yellowed the sunlight high above, smoothing shadows. The temperature may have been in the mid-forties, but it felt colder with the weakened sunlight and sea breeze. PW was unaffected by this though, himself being a pegasus from north of Cloudsdale.

PW sat waiting before moving deeper into the red zone and waiting again. If he covered the whole zone, he’d switch to another zone. He was about halfway through when he heard noises in the vegetation across from him. 

“1, 2… 3, 4 legs” he said, silently counting its footfalls. PW noticed it was making towards the road, so he settled deep in the vegetation for cover. Then he began to hear the bushes on his side of the road making noise. At the same cadence.

“What should I do? Should I take to the road? The Sky? No. This is something trying to flush me out into the open where I’m vulnerable!” realized PW. He would stand his ground. He would be brave, like the NightMares. The noises continued getting closer, getting nearly ten yards from him- almost near enough to see. And then, they ceased altogether. 

“What? Where the heck did it go? Is it staring at me? Is it moving silently now?” asked PW, trying different head positions in an attempt to see through the brush.

PW once read about a unicorn spell that would lift the debris on the forest floor, as well as bow the branches back allowing the caster to move all but silent through the forest. PW opened his wings just in case and waited.

“HALT! Hooves up! WHO are you and WHY are you here?!?” shouted a powerful mare’s voice.
> Chapter 3: Bridge Number 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"HOOVES. UP. NOW" said the creature.

“I know that voice…” realized PW, putting his forehooves up and turning around.

“Don’t even think about using those wings! I’ll shoot you out of the sky like a turkey!” the voice threatened. PW looked up and made eye contact with a heavy set bipedal seven foot tall mare who was fully kitted out and holding a D16 pointed right between his eyes. Though this would terrify nearly anycreature, PW knew the steady fingers that held it were in part his own work and took comfort in the familiarity of their wielder instead of fearing the rifle.

“Night Mare-2!” called PW, recognizing her unique cream white coat and silvery mane, and those now fiery copper eyes. 

“Answer the question little stallion! Who are you!” the mare yelled. 

“Yes, sorry! It’s me, Polaris Wind- went by PW back in the factory. I was the technician at Poneyon who installed your fingers! And ran one of your tests! Don’t you remember me?” PW questioned. The mare did not move.

“What are you doing here?!?” the armed mare yelled. 

“I missed you. I worried about you. Especially with all the stories hitting the press. It was keeping me up at night and I had to do something. The bushes… I heard them rustling in front of me. I think somepony is…” 

“It was a diversion. Nopony is there. It’s just you and me. Which means there’s no witnesses” said Night Mare-2, grinning with a sinister, toothy smile.

“Right! Good thing I’m on your side! I’d be dead otherwise! But I know you don’t take innocent lives, and unarmed ones!” said the now nervous stallion.

“Thanks for reminding me. I haven’t frisked you. Rear up” ordered the mare. PW did as he was ordered and his saddlebag was removed. The mare approached him; leaning over him and wiping his body down to verify he wasn’t hiding anything. As the mare leaned over, her chest pack covering her core muscles was pushing into PW's face and he was quickly developing a blush, making his normally grayish red cheeks go apple red.

Then the mare pushed PW back down to all fours and sat. “Dump your bag out. Do not grab anything” she ordered. PW did exactly as he was told. Night Mare-2 rummaged around the pile until she was sure there was no weapon, then she collected his notes and maps. “What is all of this? Looks like you might have been planning something!” 

“No Night Mare-2- I was trying to find you. They transferred our department to the east coast so I wouldn’t have been able to find you other than in the field. These were my attempts to meet up with one of you NightMares. Looks like they actually worked!”

“Then what business do you have with me?” the mare asked. 

“I told you- I was worried. I’m too attached to you girls. I’m going to support you in the field.” 

“You are off the contract, Polaris Wind.” 

“I know but I’m too emotional about everything to just not support you mares. I’m not able to stand by the wayside while you all are in mortal danger, growing day after day.” 

“That’s nice of you. But this is no place for a volunteer. You are in a military engagement zone.” 

“Are you alone, Night Mare-2?” 

“That’s tactical knowledge” the mare replied. PW knew her enough to read the answer in her eyes. 

“You aren’t alone anymore, 2. I’m here" PW said. The mare hesitated before turning away.

“You slow me down. Not to mention your reddish coat gives you away. Now I need to escort you back to town and break off my operation. We were expecting something big. And this must be reported.” Night Mare-2 grabbed her radio to make the report. PW gasped and shook his head, pleading with his hooves as the mare made her call. 

"Please, I quit my job to find you!" he pleaded.

“Manehatten Control, I’m returning to base… I… need to refit” she said, keying down the microphone. 

“Rodge.”  

“As always, you’re the best 2!” cried PW. 

“I’m doing you a massive favor Polaris Wind. Consider that my thanks for your good work back in fitment. Now into town.” 

“Understood mam.”

PW began walking towards the road. “Stop. It’s not safe out there” called Night Mare-2. 

“With your strength?” the stallion rebuked. 

“All it takes is one well placed bullet through your chest. Then the terrorists here have what they wanted. An increased casualty count. Stay hidden” ordered Night Mare-2.

The duo snaked amid the evergreen hedges, pine trees, and maple bushes along the road. They also maintained silence for maximum stealth. Though Night Mare-2 was nearly silent, PW was smaller and able to cut his way through more easily like a deer. Thus it actually gave Night Mare-2 a challenge to keep up. She also lacked the geographical wayfinding abilities PW had, and it actually made things easier for her in keeping parallel to the road.

“Polaris Wind!” the mare whispered ahead. She waved him back. PW returned and Night Mare-2 sat, whispering down into PW’s ear. 

“There’s a bridge up ahead. It’s a choke point ideal for ambush. I want you to run across first. If there’s somecreature watching the bridge, the first pony is likely to get their attention, but they won’t be ready to shoot in time. The second pony gets shot. If you’re ambushed on the other side, I’ll be able to draw fire.” 

“But I don’t want you shot either, NM2” the stallion whispered back.

The mare sat back, unstrapped her kneepad, and pulled her nylon sock back, exposing her large right knee. The right side was wounded. “Oh that’s rough” PW whispered. 

“See? I’ve been shot before and made it through fine. Run across the bridge. Don’t try to sneak” the mare added.

PW huffed. “Alright 2, I shall follow your orders as your subordinate!” PW declared, moving away before the mare could rebuke him.

The log beam bridge was short, only twenty yards or so long. It bridged an opening gully in a ridgeline on their right side, to the east. The bridge was exposed on the west side where the gully expanded into a valley. The valley had high edges to the north and south, creating a large theater like space. PW didn’t need to be a military strategist to know anypony on the bridge would be a target of opportunity.

PW stopped short just before the treeline and studied the other side. Nopony appeared to be hiding in the bushes. Then PW developed a full gallop and sprinted across at full speed. “That’s right PW, show this mare how fast you are!” he called. PW crossed the log beam bridge completely and vanished into the tall trees on the other side. He had made it with no ills. Then he turned around back south to face the NightMare. He looked back towards the southwest, the only tactical location he could see from his position and didn’t see anycreature. He then waived Night Mare-2 across.

It was just after the NightMare crossed the first of 3 beams. A loud shot rang out, with a wizz. “2!!!” PW yelled. The NightMare paused and briefly looked left before resuming the sprint across. Five more shots rang out, with two splintering the railings. 

“Deeper into the trees” the mare ordered, pushing PW on like a tractor. Suddenly a Yak, two ponies, and a griffon appeared out of the woods on the road ahead, all armed with rifles. “Shit” called the mare, pulling PW into the trees to the east, up the hill.

"Did you get hit 2?" asked PW.

A spread of bullets from above rained down on them. “Let’s go!” she called, pulling PW back west across the road and down the hill. 

“Manehatten Control, I’m taking fire at Bridge Number 1” the mare radioed. They took off down the hill and started seeing things in the pine trees below. “We’re surrounded” the mare said. Night Mare-2 saw a rock outcrop that would shield their eastern side and they ran for it. “Sit down” she ordered, pushing PW to the ground at the base of the rockface. The NightMare squatted just in front of PW, shielding him while she readied her D16 automatic assault rifle.

The glint of a gun barrel was seen below them. Finally, with no better option, Night Mare-2 aimed and pulled the trigger on her D16. “BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!” went a volley of fire. One of the pine trees collapsed at its base and fell. 

“Holy shit that’s loud!” shouted PW, trying to cover his ears. Not a second later Night Mare-2 turned right on instinct. The creatures from the road were coming down the hill. “BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!” Night Mare-2 fired. PW was amazed to see the power of this gun blowing back on the mare and though her forelegs vibrated, her chest and tremendously powerful legs remained completely motionless.

The mare drew her radio. “Manehatten Control, I’m engaging. Six down” she said. Before she could hang the radio back up a small pebble struck PW on the head. He looked up and saw a shotgun aiming down at them from the cliff above. 

“Above you six O’clock!” yelled PW. The mare moved two hundred pounds of muscle and one hundred pounds of gear in the blink of an eye and opened the magazine. 

“BRRRRRRRRR!” 

A unicorn pony from above fell dead between them. Night Mare-2 was smiling at PW. 

“That was cool, PW! Nice job!” the mare remarked as drops of blood from her battle splattered and dripped across her face and shaggy silver mane surrounding it. The mare didn’t react at all to the blood covering her. 

“I was doing my duty, mam” replied PW, trying to be as professional as possible. Though he was giddy that Night Mare-2 had just called him PW again for the first time in over a year.

“Let’s get back to the road. I think we opened our northern periphery” the mare said, slapping PW's back to get him moving. The pair raced up the hill and after checking the coast was clear the NightMare stowed her D16 and they galloped out onto the road. 

“PW, faster!” the mare barked. PW was already maxed out. 

“Wait, you’re keeping up with me? I thought I was faster!” he replied. Night Mare-2 accelerated her gallop to overtake PW at more than walking speed, crossed in front of him, and dropped back to his right side. 

“Nope” the mare said flatly. 

“Please, no more embarrassment! You’ll cause me to slow down!” called PW. 

“You’ve already slowed down.” 

“I’m getting tired!” 

“Do I need to carry you on my back like a foal?” the mare teased. PW snorted and started flapping his wings. “No! No flying. You’ll become a target. Just please keep going.” 

“Maybe you can motivate me by telling me something I’ve wanted to hear since you halted me!” PW shot. He received no reply.

They came up to a bend in the road and Night Mare-2 ran out to the outside of the curve to see around it. She froze up and skidded to a stop. PW, on the inside of the curve was still hidden from what was ahead when he stopped. “What is it?” PW called. A spread of gunfire was heard as the NightMare ran towards the inside of the curve. “Oh” PW added. The NightMare pulled her D16 out and began sighting round the curve, heading back towards the outside. She paused. 

“Fuck!” she yelled, running back as several bullets wizzed by. “Run” she shouted to PW.
> Chapter 4: Worthy Assistant
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“GO, now!” the NightMare yelled to PW. The escaping mare could canter pretty well on two legs but would not be able to gallop. 

“What is it? Need to reload? Gun’s jammed?” an alarmed PW asked.

“Damn fingers acting up! I need to short it out with water. It’s been happening more lately.” 

“2! I dealt with that in testing! There’s two wires in the j-box on your hoof that you need to cross. I can get it with my wings right now!” PW called, lunging towards the mare soldier. He took to the air in a hover and grabbed Night Mare-2’s hoof, with her junction box. 

“You really know what you’re doing, Polaris Wind?” the mare asked sincerely. 

“Promise. If I’m wrong I’ll shield you with my body” the stallion said, opening up the box. He grabbed the two wires with his wings. 

“What’s wrong nightmare?!? Gun’s jammed?” yelled somepony with intent from around the corner.

PW crossed the wires and reset them to their sockets, causing a buzz and the NightMare’s index finger to shoot out. Then whence the wires were reconnected she could use her fingers again. Night Mare-2 flung PW from her foreleg, across the road and into the bushes- out of the line of fire. Then she opened fire just in time. 

"BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT!" 

The panic stricken crowd split, with some creatures scattering, and some hard minded individuals standing their ground. The NightMare’s trained ability to strafe prevented her from getting shot, and she took six more lives to end the firefight.

Night Mare-2 hung up her dangling radio, closed the junction box and approached the bushes where PW landed. “Hey. Sorry about that. Are you okay?” she called.

“That was so awesome! You just hurled me like a trebuchet! So much power!” 

“Hehehe! Oh PW” the mare laughed. 

“Is the fight over?” the stallion asked, getting back on his hooves. The big mare raised her head and looked both ways. 

“It would appear so.” 

“I’m glad that worked. That was scary.” 

“You probably could have flown off safely at that distance.” 

“I mean for YOU! If we couldn’t get your fingers working it would have been curtains. How long has that been “acting up”?” 

“Too long. And it wouldn’t have been curtains, just embarrassing. I’m a weapons platform. It takes more than a few bullets to take me down.” The NightMare paused and huffed. “PW?” 

“Yeah?” 

“If you really do want to support me, in the field like you are now… you did save my six. And my twelve. I guess I wouldn’t find having you around to be a liability.” 

“I can stay?” 

“You may stay at your own risk” the NightMare answered. 

“You rock 2!” 

“You’re not so bad yourself, PW. Just know I don’t know how HQ is going to react to this. It may not work out.”

After checking their surroundings, they went back onto the road. “Manehattan Control, I dispatched another six enemies. It appears that I will be able to recover the weapons. More of the enemy ran off armed- this isn’t over yet. Also, I’m reporting another finger lockup.” 

“During the firefight?” came the response. 

“Yeah. Over.” 

“So you poured water over it?” 

“No, switched the wires up.” 

“How did you get it open? Did the other fingers work this time?” 

“No, a pegasus helped me out.”

“…” “A pegasus on your side? A bystander?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Well you can tell that bystander he just rescued the most expensive piece of military hardware this side of the equator!” 

“He can hear you sir. And he knows that.” 

“What are your plans? Are you still returning to refit?” 

“Yeah.” 

“10-4.”

Night Mare-2 stopped at the body pile and looked around again. “Watch the road for me please? I’m going to reload.” 

“You got it 2!” the pegasus replied. “So 2, if I saved your life twice already- how are you still alive after a whole year?” 

“Well, maybe not my life, but definitely my appearance. The reason is because normally my firefights with armed individuals are one-offs. Armed with cannons. Today was fighting a small army. It’s almost worse than training. Most of the time it’s hand combat or a single armed warlord." 

“Yeah the newspaper I read said there was an undisclosed cargo and then said the perpetrators were armed. Sure leaves a lot of room open for interpretation!”

After the mare finished reloading the D16 she unloaded all the guns except for one, bundled all of the ammunition up and took a strap out of her pack and wrapped the weapons together into two connected bundles. “Hey PW."

“Hey 2.” 

“I got a job for you. Stand up!” 

“You don’t want to carry them?” the stallion asked, as it was becoming clear what the job was. 

“It would be hard for me to see over my shoulders if I carried these. As well as defend us” the mare said, placing the double bundle of 3 and 3 guns onto PW’s back with a single outstretched hoof. 

“Agh!” he squawked with the burden. His legs quivered and buckled, unfamiliar with needing to carry so much weight in the heat of the moment. 

“Hehe! How cute.” 

“Shut up! I got this!” the stallion huffed, walking off. 

“So you do! Good job buddy” the mare replied before pausing in thought. "We need to make one stop on the way back. The townsfolk… they don’t like this stuff on my face” said the blood coated mare soldier, pointing a finger to the red spots. 

“Aha! They don’t?” laughed PW. 

“You have a pretty good tolerance for gore, PW. It almost creeps me out.” 

“I’ve been conditioning myself. I’ve wanted to be here for so long at your side it’s like a dream come true.” 

“The little stallion with such huge dedication!” 

“Oh come on!”

Night Mare-2 inhaled and exhaled deeply. “Smell that cool air pocket? The pond is nearby.” 

“Pond? Oh- I thought you were going to stop at some spring or something” replied PW, glad that he was getting a rest. He was nearly certain that the titanic mare knew he was struggling, and that she just kept quiet out of respect. 

“Nope. Not out here.” 

“I’m actually glad to know a mare who will go swimming with ice in the water.” 

“Oh?” 

“Yeah most mares complain about the water temperature being under seventy. I’m not that way. I’m like you.” 

“You’re northern raised then too?” 

“Yeah. Maybe not as far north as you. I’m from the skies north of Cloudsdale. Latitude sixty degrees. But also a few thousand feet up. You’re from the Crystal Mountains, latitude seventy degrees.” 

“You’re just a walking encyclopedia aren’t you?” 

“Yeah. Do you think it’s going to be safe though for us to go swimming here?” 

“Well, we are close to town. But I do not think so. I need to wash off. You will stay out of the water and sit with the weapons.” 

PW was bummed that he wasn’t going to go swimming with the mare, but also felt a huge obligation to be with the guns. “The guns don’t like the water I guess?” 

“Nope. They plug up.” 

“I see. I’m also honored that you trust me with the weapons.” 

“Not the D16. You can’t fire that thing. Well maybe you could but you’d also get shot back. And as if you of all ponies, could stop me” the mare teased, leaning in sideways to bump him a bit. 

“Hehe! So it’s the one small gun you left loaded?” 

“That’s no small gun, PW, that is an AJ-47! You’d better act like it’ll knock you down because it will if you’re not ready!” 

“Oh.” 

“Have you ever fired a gun before, PW?” 

“Uh… no.” 

“Let’s fix that then. You’d better know how to do it before your life depends on it” said the mare, as they arrived at the rocky shore of a very reflective small lake.

PW couldn’t even wait for the burden to be lifted and collapsed. “You did good, PW. That’s a lot of weight, even for an earth-pony” said the mare, lifting the gun strap with a single hoof. 

“Thanks. I know that’s nothing compared to you, you’re a machine.” 

“Thank you!” said the mare, unstrapping the loaded gun. She inspected it for integrity before facing PW. “First cardinal rule of gun safety. Never point a gun at somecreature you don’t intend to kill. I do realize this means I was an ass earlier for aiming at you. I’m sorry.” 

“No worries 2! I’d never aim at you- you should know that well.”

“Second rule of gun safety. Keep your barrel pointed below the horizon. See how I’m holding the AJ-47? Against my chest, firm stance, and gun aimed at the ground. For you, a good stance would be sitting. You need to get good before you can fire a gun standing. On the left side here is the safety. Third rule of gun safety. Safety is on unless you have made the decision to use the weapon. To shoot, take the safety off, look down the sight as I am now, look to line up the two needles here and here, and once the shot is lined up, pull the trigger once. 

“BKK!” fired the gun as the NightMare continued. “Immediately turn safety back on! Do not hold the trigger. Ammo is precious. You can’t spray guns like the enemy did back there. Probably 3 shots went out. That would be fatal if you aimed right.” 

“That’s intense!” 

“As I said it’s not a little gun. I’m actually going to make sure you can even take the blowback first. I’m going to lightly sock you now.” 

The stallion’s ears went down and his pupils shrank, and his wings began trembling. “Wait… wait” he said stepping back. “You’re huge 2! You could really hurt me.” 

“I could. But I know what I’m doing and the strength will be exactly the same as the gun. Ready?” the mare asked, rolling up her sleeve.
> Chapter 5: The Mare Behind the Gun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Okay, sock me I guess but please go easy on me.”

“The gun is not going to be able to tell the difference so you’re getting recoil power.” Replied the big mare. The titan drove her hoof lightning-quick into PW’s shoulder.

“Oww!” he cried.

“Oh, hush. What’cha think? Can you handle that again?”

“I think so.” PW winced and rubbed his shoulder.

“Okay, then here’s your weapon.” 2 said, positioning the AJ-47 in the stallion’s grip. 

“Without fingers you’ll have to use your wings. You should be able to hold it with your forelegs and work the safety and trigger with your wings. Sounds good?”

“Good!”

“Good. Okay; practice. There’s just you and me. Where do you point the gun?”

“The ground!” PW stated, recalling his own briefings back on The Farm.

“Okay. Say some-creature approaches. What are you going to do?”

“Point it at him?”

“No. Threat assessment.”

“Oh.”

“The ‘some-creature’ turns out to be a unicorn couple with a newborn. Now you feel bad for even having a weapon, right? Now, let’s say somepony approaches and shouts, “she’s in the water we got her!”” the mare called, deepening her voice.

“Hehe! Now I lift my gun.”

“Yes. Pretend the bad guy is that boulder on the other side of the lake. Now what?”

“Now I point the gun, and… turn safety off…” PW huffed under the weight of the weapon.

“Slow down. Establish your posture. Hoof, hoof, lean.” She instructed, demonstrating a secure, spread sitting position for firing.

“Okay. Form, gun up, safety off… aim… … can I fire?”

“Send it.”

“FIRING!” PW cried, pulling the trigger.

The muzzle spit a ball of flame with a deafening CRACK, sending several bullets into the boulder.

“You see? Not bad. Safety off.” 2 put a hoof on PW’s shoulder.

“Safety off! Oh my Celestia; I hit it! I actually hit it! And the recoil wasn’t any worse!”

“Not bad sport, just don’t get cocky.” 2 said with a wink. She stood to her full height and began to strip her uniform off.

PW turned to face the direction the road was. To him, most mares looked better with clothes on. Not this mare. 2 had well defined hips and thighs, a broad barrel and powerful abdominal muscles. PW tried to be polite and not peek, but once in a while he would peer over “for her safety” as he told himself.

PW watched with butterflies in his chest as 2 descended a partially-submerged basalt rock on two legs then slid into the water up to her shoulders. This mare, being so tremendously tall, was very good at wading; something PW loved to do himself. The water was crystal-clear and pure, amplifying the beauty of the scene.

"She’s probably in five feet of water!" PW thought to himself. "I’d likely be in over my head if I tried to walk out to her there. Completely submerged!" This only amplified his perception of her already-impressive physical size, to say nothing of his interest.

He imagined walking out to her and quickly being forced to swim. There, she could do anything she wanted to him. 2 would have no resistance whatsoever in pushing him to the bottom, denying him even the basic right to breathe in her presence. His meager struggle would vanish in only a minute, and his life would have been claimed by the deep water she was simply standing in. That was only a fantasy though, and one PW would not share. He knew the Night-Mares didn’t care for them, as per the stories from the other technicians. Still, PW couldn’t help but stare as 2 freshened up.

“Oh, Celestia; what I would give for a photograph right now – this is it! This is what I came for!" PW grinned wide. "I’m with her now; she’s so beautiful… she trusted me with her weapons, and I’m watching over and protecting her. Crystal-clear water, rockscapes, pine trees, mountains, deep blue sky, and glaciers above!" He all but hummed in thought as 2 began rinsing her face off. PW decided he would focus more of his attention from this point onward on her surroundings rather than on her. He would honor the Night-Mare’s trust in protecting her.

After another minute she made her way out of the pond.
“Was it cold?” PW asked, playing it cool.

“Nope. Sun’s been warming it all day. It may have been fifty degrees.”

PW snickered at that. “Fifty-degree water! Not cold! I love it!”

2 ran her fingers through her mane and tail. “Any sign of danger?”

“There’s no danger when you are nearby, 2! Seriously though, I didn’t notice anything.” Replied PW. “Here’s your gun back.” He added, unslinging it and passing it off to her with the barrel down. “Also, can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“How did you go from suspecting I was a terrorist to trusting me with your weapons in one day?”

“Well, there are several reasons. First off; you had many opportunities to mess me up. Crossing the bridge. Then there’s the instance you warned me about the shotgunner above us. If you’d simply stayed silent the shot would have been taken, knocking me down and allowing for a finishing blow. But most of all you fixed my fingers, in a way that only the Ponyeon engineers would know.” 2 held up a forehoof and clicked the augments in and out of their sockets. “This could have been a sabotage, but you fixed it. And, in that moment, I remembered seeing the fear in your eyes – the same fear I saw in you inside the cleanroom. That same fear when you recognized a safety concern threatening myself or the other technicians was present. I know you. And I can read you. The same way you read me when you asked if I was alone. The answer is no – not anymore.” 2 admitted while she put her equipment back on.

PW smiled and absorbed the Night-Mare's words for a few seconds. “How’s your knee, 2?”

“It’s healed enough that it won’t re-open underwater. Thanks for your concern though. Ready?” She asked, offering the bundle of guns again.

“Yes ma’am!” He barked, positioning his back under her forelimb. He didn’t buckle as much this time when he took the load.

“I see some improvement! We’ll make a soldier out of you, yet.” She said, leading the way to the road.
It was another mile or so back to the bed and breakfast in town. Night-Mare-2 covered PW’s back with a throw-tarp to hide his cargo just outside the town. She hid her own gun in her duffle and put a blouse on to obscure her combat gear.

“2, this is the same bed and breakfast I stayed at last night!” PW exclaimed in surprise. “I can’t believe it!”

“Oh; please refer to me as ‘Miss Snowheart’ in town.” She instructed, gesturing to nearby ponies. Miss Snowheart burst through the door of the bed and breakfast on all fours, as the door height was only five feet or so.
The look on all the towns-ponies' faces… PW would never forget it. And he could tell that his stature, being a small stallion beside a monster of a mare, wasn’t helping them keep a low profile. 

He chuckled to himself. ‘She’s the power. I’m the amplifier!’ He thought.

They approached a counter and 2 rang the bell.
“Snowheart. Looking for a copy of my room key?” She asked the approaching attendant.

“Hmm… Miss Snowheart. Ah yes I do have a note here; room 426.” He replied and gave her the key.

“Thanks.” She muttered, walking off toward a grand staircase.

The staircase proved to be a little too difficult for PW and he had trouble climbing with the weapon bundle on. Miss Snowheart reached down with her foreleg and pulled him up from the strap for the rest of the first flight. Just before disappearing into the second floor, he shot a shit-eating grin at several gawking ponies in the lobby and giggled.

“What are you on about?” 2 asked, noticing his queer behavior.

“The ponies in the lobby were traumatized by our appearance!”

“That happens a lot. And you probably don’t help that being with me. A giant pony is one thing. A giant earth-pony mare with a… petite pegasus stallion is another.”

After the next staircase Miss Snowheart had enough. She walked in front of PW and went prone. “Alright. Walk over me PW, onto my back. I’m hauling you up.”

“Seriously?” asked PW, blushing for an ensemble of reasons.

“C’mon. You’ll have more chances to prove yourself later.” She said as PW climbed onto her back. “Hold onto my neck.” She ordered and stood up.

“This is so embarrassing! I hope nopony sees us!” PW whined as 2 took to the steps.

“If you stay low nopony will see you up here. My back is higher than their eye-level.” Miss Snowheart smiled. She was totally unaffected by the added weight, moving at her normal pace up the remaining stairs before going prone again in the fourth floor hallway to let PW climb off.

“I’m so glad nopony ran into us. But you mares with your power never cease to amaze me.” Said PW, clambering off. The room was 3 doors down.

Miss Snowheart knocked in a characteristic pattern and unlocked the door. “I’m hot and with a guest!” She announced.

“Come in!” said an older mare. “Welcome, Number 2. And I take it this is your lucky stallion?” She looked at PW expectantly.

“Hello, I’m Polaris Wind!” announced PW.

“He’s ex-project. Not currently cleared.” 2 warned.

“I see we’re in a safe house so if you need to discuss classified material I am perfectly happy waiting outside by the stairwell.” PW offered.

“No need,” replied the older mare. “You mentioned you were hot, Number 2?”

“Oh, yes.” the Night-Mare responded and yanked the tarp off of PW.

“Oh my. That’s quite a lot of gear for one stallion!”

“I carried it most of the way. But I needed help on the stairwell ultimately.” Answered PW.

“This one’s loaded. All the others are unloaded.” 2 inspected the AJ-47 and continued her statement. “Their original wielders were all dispatched.” She sorted the other rifles on the floor of the room.

“All that carnage doesn’t bother you, hon?” the older mare asked PW.

“I mean, I hate death. But as Night-Mare-2 mentioned; I worked on the project before and I developed a… very strong… bond with the mares. They mean so much to me. And I want to actively support them, like I did for Night-Mare-2 just now.”

“Then that answers my next question, which was if you felt “outclassed” around her.”

“Oh, no ma’am. I love large and powerful things. These mares are basically miniaturized locomotives and I’m so amazed at what they do. And they make me so proud watching them.”

“Good. In the meantime I’m not going to make the call but I can tell you the brass is not going to like a volunteer putting himself in harm’s way. You may want to consider your more realistic options for supporting them in the future.”

“Understood ma’am.”

She nodded and looked to 2. “Let’s review your tallies. Number dispatched?”

“13.”

“Escaped?”

“At least 8.”

“Captured?”

“0. Well, maybe 1 if you count this guy.” She teased, grabbing PW’s back.

“Care to explain?”

“He rendezvoused with me in a hidden location in the engagement zone and I wasn’t sure if he was friend or foe. So, I had to confront him.”

“I’ll bet that was terrifying!” The older mare said to PW, writing the note down.

“Nah, moreso thrilling. As I said I knew this mare during fitting and knew as long as I didn’t do anything stupid she wouldn’t hurt me.” PW replied.

"You say that like it's true, PW." 2 glared and leant towards him.

“Number 2, these numbers are not good for HQ. No captures, 13 deaths; 8 escaped? You know we would have liked to see 21, 0, 0.”

“With all due respect, S, I believe I was fighting a small army today. Up to now it’s been rag-tag bands of pirates, looters, and the occasional lone creature. I was unaware we’re fighting a war for the Royal Guard.”

“That’s a valid point, Number 2. Still, the brass will not see it the same way.”

“Will there be anything else, S?” Sighed the big mare in the room.

“No, Number 2, that concludes your debriefing. You can expect to return to your post tomorrow morning with the normal possibility of re-assignment should an emergency occur.”

“Thanks, S.” 2 turned to the door.

The mare was so heavy that PW could feel the floor shudder under every step. She pulled it open and motioned to PW. “Let’s grab some grub.”

“Yes, ma’am!” He ducked underneath a forehoof holding the door..

“Number 2?” S called. The big mare looked back. “Take good care of Mr. Wind. We’re going to get into trouble if he’s harmed. And I can tell he really cares about you.”

“You got it, S.” 2 said with a smile and shut the door.

Now completely unencumbered PW walked down the stairs normally. As expected, a hush fell over the lobby once they entered. Miss Snowheart dropped the keys onto the front desk and pushed the front door open for them both. By now the sun had set and the temperature was below freezing. A mighty wind had picked up and was causing PW to sway. He wasn’t sure where they were going and he came to a halt.

Miss Snowheart came up on his windward side and stopped beside him, acting as a windbreak. “Looks like there’s a lot of places to eat.” PW observed.

“Not exactly. I have special dietary needs. I know this great place called Horseshoe Inn and Restaurant. They serve good food at a reasonable price. And before you get too excited, you’re not employed and not covered under company expense. So you’ll be paying out of pocket. And if I understood you correctly you will be unemployed entirely starting tomorrow.”

“2, the last 12 hours have been my most exciting, ever. I’d offer my wings to eat dinner with a Night-Mare.”

“It’s Miss Snowheart. Very well, then.” 2 led the way again.

“So, it’s decided then, right? Horseshoe?” PW asked. The mare only casually glanced over her shoulder to acknowledge she heard him but didn’t say anything.

“Well, I dare not take back what I said.” 

The dimorphic duo walked two blocks down the street where PW read a storefront sign. “Okay, it is Horseshoe. Hehe. Thanks for not gouging my wallet, Miss Snowheart. It makes me feel like you do care about me!” PW laughed.

2 hauled the door open. “Get used to the awkward silence you heard in the lobby.” She said, ducking her head into the restaurant. There was a greeter just inside.

“Oh, hello again! Table for one?”

“Two, actually.” Miss Snowheart stepped aside to expose PW behind her.

“Ah, you brought a guest! Very good.” Said the greeter, waving them through. As they began walking by, table after table of ponies were silenced as though a zipper spell had been cast on them. PW took it upon himself to reduce the awkwardness this time, smirking back at them and shaking his head, as if telling them off.

They were led initially to a booth but then the greeter seemed to doubt herself. She glanced back at Miss Snowheart and chose an open table for four instead. She pushed two of the chairs together to make the seat wider. PW swore he could feel the room shake as the Night-Mare sat down and caught some of the light fixtures swaying.

“Would you like to see the Eastern menu again?” the greeter asked Miss Snowheart.

“Yes.”

“And would you like one as well?” She asked PW.

“Erm – Eastern? I’d…”

“No,” 2 interjected. “I’m pretty confident he’s not going to order from it.”

“Okay, somepony will be with you shortly!” The greeter trotted away.

Though the restaurant was quiet, gentle murmurs arose as Miss Snowheart lifted her menu. PW leaned over to whisper. 

“How do you deal with this? This happens everywhere you go? That’s so rude!”

“Yep. I just tune it out. The discipline training in boot-camp helps.”

“I now have newfound respect for you, Miss Force-of-Nature.” PW responded as a bubbly unicorn mare bounced toward them.

“Hi, my name is Windy Locks, I’ll be your server this evening. Are you all ready to order?”

“Hi, yes.” replied PW.

“You go first, PW.” 2 said.

“I’ll get the mashed potatoes, the tomato bisque soup and a lemonade.”

“Great. And for you?”

“I’m going to do an appetizer; the garden salad. And I’ll get the Rainbow Salmon.”

“T – er, Snowheart!” Whispered PW.

“I’ll also get the scrambled eggs. Then the Bacon Gnocchi. And for desert I’ll have the Carrotcake.”

“All at once?” The waitress gawked.

“One by one is fine. I'll have a glass of milk also, in the largest glass you have.”

“Um, all right just sit tight!” She bounded away.

“Mother-of-Celestia, Snowheart! How much do you eat?!”

“Standard caloric intake for us is ten thousand calories per day.”

“Good grief! Should I just offer my entire body up on the menu now?”

“Well, that would only feed me for a week. Then what?” She gave PW a glare that looked like she was actually considering it.

“Ahehe… and you eat meat?”

“I’ve had beef burgers before. Can’t say I like beef very much but meat is a must for us, too. I’m sure HQ won’t mind having you around once they learn you’re my contingency snack.” 2 said, licking her lips. PW’s ears folded and his smile was failing him.

2 grinned. “Kidding! Or am I?”
> Chapter 6: Dueling Nightmares
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I-I- gotta go!” Cried PW, getting up at the mare’s cannibalistic threats.

“Wait, PW, it’s just a joke!” Miss Snowheart called after him as he fled.

“I know, I know; I just gotta wash my hooves.” He chuckled, walking to the bathroom knowing full well he’d stick with her no matter what.

When he returned Miss Snowheart had her serious face on. “PW, you know if that actually happened - an innocent pony cannibalized - I’d be dishonorably discharged and very likely terminated. Being eaten by me is the least likely thing to happen to you.”

“I know Miss Snowheart. It’s all a joke!” PW replied. 

He placed a small card on the table.

“What’s this?” Miss Snowheart asked.

“My parent’s address. Kind of like your dog-tags. If anything should happen to me, you’ll make sure word gets back to them?”

“That’s very responsible of you, PW.” The big mare responded. Both ponies sat in silence until the waitress arrived with the appetizer.

No sooner did she turn away did Miss Snowheart devour it like a mad-mare. She didn’t even lift her eyes from the bowl until the salad disappeared only seconds later.

“Do you always eat like that?” PW asked, impressed.

“Like what?”

“Like, well - a dog?”

“I’m a piece of military hardware!” Snowheart scoffed. “What do you expect me to do?” She put on her best Canterlotian accent and sent her eyelashes aflutter. “Act like a lady?”

PW’s jaw dropped. “Now that’s my kind of mare!”

The scowl returned. “Don’t get on my bad side again, PW.” Snowheart warned.

The main course came next and by the time PW finished his mashed potatoes Snowheart’s fish and eggs were gone. Somehow they both finished eating at the same time (even counting the cake).

“This place was great, Miss Snowheart. Thanks.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts. Like I said, I don't know when HQ is going to separate us.” She muttered.

The bubbly unicorn server dropped the check off which Miss Snowheart looked at and deposited several bits into.

“How much do I owe you?” PW asked, reaching over.

“I got it, PW.”

“You’re paying for me?”

“…”

“Golly-gee, Miss Snowheart, that’s really generous of you!”

“It’s the least I could do. I thought about it and I’m glad I’m not reading about a you-know-what-Mare that got shot and only barely escaped. Maybe with an eye missing in the paper. That’ll embolden the terrorists.”

“Me too.” PW took on a somber tone. “... Snowheart. I don’t know what got into me but I’m glad I found you when I did. I feel like this was meant to happen the way it did.”

PW barely saw her tiny smile. “Ready to hush the room?”

“Heh. Sure.” Agreed PW. 

The giant mare stood up and, as expected, the already quiet room went deathly quiet. Snowheart strode toward the door, causing several wine glasses to clink in her wake. PW followed and looked forward at the immense, bushy silver tail bobbing before him and was entranced by its enormity. It was just about large and long enough to jump inside! He noted that for the future, in case for some messed up reason he needed to hide himself there.

“PW you’re going to need to get a room. I hope you understand I can’t book that for you on a separate bill.”

“It’s okay, Miss Snowheart. ‘Tis a small price to pay.” Answered PW. 

Thank Celestia there wasn’t anypony left in the lobby by the time they arrived back.
Snowheart picked up her key, this time to a different room, from the attendant. “Meet me out back by 8. I’ll be working out there.” She ordered and departed up the stairs.

"Roger." PW acknowledged, walking up to the counter.

“Checking in?” The attendant asked.

“Actually, I’ll need to book and then, if I can, check in.”

“Sure thing...” The attendant said. 

PW glanced at his favorite big mare ascending the staircase, the last he’d see of her for nearly 12 hours.

“We have several vacancies. 30 bits, with tax.” The clerk snapped him from his stupor.

“Er, no problem.” Said the short pegasus, fishing out his coin-purse.

“Room 427. Have a good evening.”

“Thanks!” PW said, relieved to be on his way. The day’s excitement had left him worn and he was only just realizing how tired he was.

PW checked in and found the room configuration to be exactly the same as the one from his previous night, but mirrored. This confused him at first, to his annoyance. Finally, after an exhausting first day in his new life he plopped down onto the bed. 

“Boy am I going to sleep soundly tonight! Night-Mare 2 is safe, I’m on her team, and her safe room is across from my room!” he said excitedly as his eyelids wore heavy.

A sound sleep, however, was not to be. 

–

A beaten, starved PW sat in a rusting cell. The sway of the ocean bobbed him back and forth and his throat ached from several bouts of sea-sickness. “Oi, cage rat! Get up!” A very angry diamond dog emerged from the gloom and rattled the bars.

“Ugh… do I finally get to eat?” Croaked the filthy pegasus.

“Better!” The dog flashed an evil grin. “You get to witness history in the making!”

With that he yanked on PW’s newly-discovered leash, eliciting a pained yelp. PW was led up to the deck of a great galleon. Sea-spray found its way into his myriad cuts, making him wince.

“Got the toadie, cap’n!” The dog yelled over the roar of the waves.

An enormous Doberman wearing a red and blue vest donned with a jolly roger hat reared up beside a large, covered box. “Commence filming!” He barked. A brand new film camera was brought forth.

The operator counted off. “Cap’n, you’re live in 5, 4, 3, 2… ”

“PRINCESS CELESTIA!” The captain bellowed with a flourish. “It is I! The Alpha-Captain of these South Celestial Seas! I think you might be interested in what we caught the other night!” 

He yanked the cloth from the box.

It wasn’t a box at all, rather a large frame. Inside was Night-Mare 2; bound and a noose around her neck. A crate at her hooves was the only thing keeping her from certain death. “NIGHT-MARE 2!!!” PW cried.

“This Night-Mare is over PW!” 2 hissed from a thoroughly-bruised face. “Forget me and save yourself!”

“No! The Night-Mare never ends! Night-Mare forever!” PW screamed.

The captain sauntered up to 2 and was able to look her right in the eye.

“No! What?!” PW exclaimed in disbelief at the sight. 

The diamond dog captain was so large that he was 2’s height including the box supporting her.

“Foolish Celestia.” He chided. “You thought you could simply out-size your enemies?” He struck 2 and turned to the camera. “Dear Princess Celestia! Today I learned that you can’t out-size your opponents. There is always a bigger fish! Yar-har-har! Yours truly, the Alpha-Captain of the Southern Seas!”

“You’re never going to win, Alpha!” 2 shouted. “My tribe will hunt you down like a pack of wolves!”

The captain turned on her. PW, meanwhile, was utterly defeated. 

The project had failed. “The Night-Mare was supposed to be the ultimate weapon! The greatest, biggest, and strongest of all!” PW huffed in distaste.

The passing captain stopped.

“And what have we here?” He growled, approaching PW along with the camera.

“A rather small pegasus stallion from Marewaukee, cap’n. His name is Polaris Wind.” The handler spat.

The captain addressed the camera again. “A-ha! A fitting name for somepony becoming friendly with the NorthWoods Tribe. And, har-har-har, for apony sharing the same fate.” He slapped PW and lumbered back to the hanging Night-Mare.
“Because, as you see, Celestia, we’re going to execute one of your so-called “super soldiers” today, along with her little assistant! A tiny, common young stallion. Isn’t it comforting knowing your weapon-of-terror is destroyed? And your merchants left vulnerable? After today, the free seas become free again! But, I digress. Enough talk; I’m all about action! Let’s see some!” The captain howled and approached the crate’s pull-rope.

“Polaris Wind! Equestria! Never stop fighting! Never give up! Size is measured in spirit, nothing else!” 2 shouted with all her might. 

The crate was yanked away and sent the behemoth mare to freefall.

“2!!!!! NOOO!!!!!” PW screamed in horror. The captain was now suddenly beside him, as though appearing from thin air.

“And as for you, featherweight.” The Captain insulted, clipping a chained cannonball to PW’s collar. “Enjoy your final descent and landing!” He laughed, picking PW and the cannonball he was chained to up with sickening ease.

“I’m sorry 2! I’m sorry! It’s all my fault! I was so stupid! So naïve! So weak!” PW cried.

“Legend has it a shark with an appetite for flyers prowls these waters. Haar!” The captain shouted as he hurled PW over the side of the ship.

PW thrust his wings out on instinct, desperately flapping as fifteen feet above the water became ten feet, then five until impact. PW inhaled a deep last breath as he fell beneath the frothing waves. He sank deeper and deeper at a terrifying rate. “I need to breathe! Need to breathe! Need to!” He pleaded to a cold abyss. Finally, he realized that even if were to break free there was no way to make it back in time…



PW all but leapt from his pillow with a huge gasp. For a minute, it was all he could do to take in great gulps of air in a terrifying darkness eerily similar to the one he had just escaped. He wiped his forehead. The stallion was so drenched in sweat he would have to change the sheets. 

“A nightmare! I had a nightmare… about my Night-Mare.” He admitted aloud to himself, recalling the whole thing. 

He really wanted to see 2. No. He needed to see her. Immediately. He felt ashamed that he was unable to do anything in his dream. More than that; he felt sick at the thought of a physically-larger opponent to a Night-Mare. 

“Oh, Faust! Please tell me what I need to do to protect this mare!” he prayed.

PW slept lightly after changing the sheets and ended up waking before his alarm just after 7:00 AM. He stumbled out of bed and looked outside, seeing that his room faced the back of the structure. There, down in the grass along with some overnight frost, was an enormous cream-white mare with a silver mane doing pushups. PW sighed in relief, falling back onto his rear. 

“I wish I could preserve this moment forever, seeing her out there.” He said to himself.

He knew the dangers she consistently exposed herself to. After a quick shower he headed outside.

“... 455, 456, 457, 458… ” 2 huffed to herself, now doing situps. PW placed himself in her field of view to let her know she wasn’t alone but didn’t interrupt her counting. After another dozen or so reps she finally sat up. “You going to just sit there and watch me?”

“Your count; don’t wanna interrupt!” He said quickly.

“You’re observant, but I tend to lose count anyway after a thousand.”

“O - one thousand?”

“Yeah.” She wiped her brow. “This count isn’t from zero. It's from a thousand.”

“Oh my. Do you think if I sat on you you’d be done sooner?” He asked jokingly.

“Nope. You’re too light of a weight. But I might make use of you in a few minutes.” She said, answering his joke with her own.

“Hey, T– er, Snow… Snowheart? On a serious note; I had a nightmare last night…”

“Had a nightmare? You have one now!” She resumed her sit ups.

“Well, it was kind of both I guess. It was… a nightmare, with a Night-Mare in it.”

“Was it me? Did I kick ass?” She grinned.

“Actually, not a dream. A nightmare.”

“Ah.”

“You were in it! So was I. But, instead of kicking ass, we were captured by some sea pirate and on a ship. I couldn’t save you. He hung you. And then he tied a cannonball to my neck and threw me overboard.” PW shivered at the recollection.

The mare stopped exercising. “How did you feel about that?” She asked.

“Like I failed you.” PW admitted.

2 sighed and stood up. “PW, I am moved that I mean so much to you. But, I’m getting a little worried. You must remember that I am military hardware and my time might be at hoof any day. If you concern yourself with my wellbeing so very much that you become attached to me like that, you may one day find your spirit gone. And spirit is everything. Size is measured in spirit, nothing more.”

The stallion gasped. “2! You said just that in my dream! ‘Size is measured in spirit, nothing more!’”

“Snowheart, please.” She shook her head and looked down at PW. “I see. So, you are already pretty attached, huh?”

He beamed. “I can’t help it!”

She hummed. “Then you’d better be prepared to share your fate with mine.”

“I already am.” PW nodded. “Symbolically, that is. I never once regretted being on the ship. Just that I couldn't save us.”

2 only nodded at that and then resumed her situps in silence.

She finally stopped at 600. “Hey, would you mind laying flat on the ground and being my barbell? I don’t have one handy and you’re about the right size.”

“Please be gentle.” PW pleaded, prostrating himself on the grass. 

2 reared, clicked her fingers from their sockets and grasped his hip and shoulders. Before he knew it PW was carried aloft to her chest, then straight up above her in a clean-and-jerk.

“Whoa. Just be careful with my cutie mark. There’s…”
“I know. I’ll make sure what you’re worried about doesn’t happen.” She assured him, taking a moment to study PW’s cutie mark. “Hm. A blue compass with a howling wolf on it?” 2 remarked.

“Yeah I’ve been told that symbolizes loyalty, freedom, and wayfinding!” PW responded in a wavy pitch as he was repeatedly lifted up and down. 

He found it comforting as it was humbling to witness firsthoof the power of a Night-Mare’s augments on his form without being injured. He likened the experience to an amusement park ride.

After a hundred reps he was starting to get dizzy when a voice called out. “Miss Snowheart!” 

It was S, calling from an open window.

“Yeah?” 2 answered, stopping her exercise at full extension.

“Stop… whatever it is you are doing with Mr. Wind and come up to my room. Immediately!”

“Okay.” 2 responded, setting PW down with a chuckle. “Hooves down; you’re the most entertaining workout weight I have ever used, PW.”

“I’m glad to be of use, ma’am!” He responded.
> Chapter 7: Mission Status: On Track
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After entering room 426, S instructed PW to deadbolt the door and close the viewport shutter.

“Number 2, you’re being reassigned.” S announced. “HQ is rethinking their options in the northeast given that firefight yesterday. But, there’s more. The annual meeting with Yakyakistan on the trade agreement with Equestria is coming up. Intelligence has intercepted a report that a party of changelings is planning to intercept the diplomatic mission’s caravan in the Frozen North along the Yak Road. They will be ambushed at a cliff located at latitude 75 degrees 46 minutes north, longitude 45 degrees 19 minutes west. Your mission, Number 2, is to track and intercept the party of changelings before they are able to reach this pass.” 

With that S concluded the introduction and looked at her notes. 

"You will ride by rail to Crystal Heart City and will need to trek up the Yak Road past the attack zone and into the staging area. There, you must locate and destroy the changeling encampment before the diplomatic caravan reaches the ambush. After doing so, you must escort the caravan until it reaches the Yayakistan gate.”

S turned to face PW with a smile. “Polaris Wind! You are going to like this request. Because the exact location of the attackers is unknown, HQ has made the decision to allow you to accompany Number 2 in the hopes that you can help locate the enemy encampment from the air and keep eyes on the caravan. Though we suspect the enemy is going to use white camouflage, this location is north of the arctic tree line and thus the environment is entirely tundra. Overflight should very well help.” S took on a serious tone. “This is unprecedented, Mr. Wind. Do well here - prove yourself - and you may be eligible for a possible assignment to permanently support Number 2.”

“Fuck yes!” PW shouted with unbridled spirit.

“We need to get you a code name, PW.” The big mare suggested.

“That’s easy! 2-point-1. Night Mare-2, accomplice 1!” He explained.

“That one won’t fly.” S immediately said. “Perhaps we can discuss that in a potential job interview in the future.”

“Equipment?” 2 shifted attention back to the mission.

“A supply depot in Crystal Heart City will be ready upon your arrival. We will have clothing and food available as well as the standard-issue D16. Sorry Mr. Wind, we will not be able to supply you with a weapon given your volunteer nature.” Admitted S.

“It’s totally cool! I completely trust this mare with my life.” PW pointed his hoof up at Night-Mare 2. She didn’t respond save for the ever slightest smile but PW wasn't looking at her to see it.

“Also available in the gearpack is a combination snowshoe / ice skate to traverse the frozen terrain. All your clothing will be camouflaged in a winter pattern, given the environment. We also need to get Mr. Wind’s measurements, before I forget. Number 2, mind giving me a hoof with that?”

“My pleasure. Just give me the smallest tape measure you have.”

“Seriously, 2?” PW scoffed.

“Ready when you are.” She nodded to S.

“Head circumference?”

“37.”

“Neck circumference?”

“23.”

“Neck length?”

“5.”

“Barrel length?”

“19.”

“Barrel circumference?”

2 couldn’t help but chuckle. “36! … PW, my thigh is thicker than your whole body.”

“Thanks for that tidbit of knowledge!” He shot back, turning away to hide his blush.

“Front inseam?”

“13.”

“Rear inseam?”

“Oh, this should be fun.” PW muttered.

“Hold this in your… inseam.” 2 hesitated. Now it was PW’s turn to laugh. The mare pulled the tape down to the floor and read the value there. “14. Not bad. Mine’s 26.”

“Damn, not even twice as much? Got to say, Night-Mare; I am disappointed!” PW teased.

“Hoof?” S asked.

“7. Wow, a size 10 is huge compared to a 7!” 2 teased.

“Wingspan?”

“45.”

“Beat ya!” PW grinned in triumph.

“I’ll give you that one, PW.” 2 admitted.

“So, Mr. Wind, despite all this teasing she’s doing - and she’s been trained to do this so don’t take it personally - of all ponies that could act as an accomplice you’re a good fit because you’re large enough to appear as an adult pony, but still small enough to make the Night-Mare look even bigger beside you. The enemy won’t know you’re on the shorter side. I’d list that on my job application if I were you.”

“Thanks, S!” Replied PW.

“You both should pack up immediately and head to the train station. The train will arrive in a little under an hour.”

“PW, plan to meet me at the train station. It’s safer to travel alone than together to avoid arousing suspicion in our appearances.” 2 advised.

“Number Two, your Stallion and Western pistol.” S hoofed over a box.

“This is the only armament we have on the road, PW.”

“You mean, besides your skull-crushing legs?”

“That’s classified information, PW. Now, start packing, I’ll see you at the station.”

PW excused himself from the room and started packing. There were a lot of consumed provisions that he was able to discard, now having established a supply line with Night-Mare 2. He was checked out and off to the train station with plenty of time to spare. PW was very excited to be traveling with her and his thoughts turned to daydreaming. 

‘I bet her haunches take up the whole hallway in the train car!’ He snickered.

PW purchased his ticket to Crystal Heart City in the station-house and proceeded onto the platform. He found 2 - or rather, Ms. Snowheart - already there, laying prone with most of her gear off. Probably for the better, to avoid advertising her size and identity. She simply looked really fat more than anything lying like that. Like a giant, frosted loaf.

“You didn’t get your ticket yet, did you?” She asked, forgoing greetings or even a glance in his direction.

“Yeah, I got a coach ticket. Why?”

“Heh. HQ arranged my room. We always travel that way.”

“It’s a two day journey, we’ll be getting there around lunchtime." PW said, before realizing something. "Wait - the roomettes are conversion sleepers… right?”

“Yeah, but…”

“With double-bunks, right?”

“Ah.” She clicked.

“So we get to be… roommates, right?”

“We can’t convert the room to bunks, PW. You of all ponies can probably understand but I don’t fit. The bed is only five feet long.”

“Okay.” He nodded. “So, how is this all going to work then?”

“I’ll show you onboard.”

Not too long after a whistle blast was heard. 

“PW.” Snowheart whispered, encouraging him to lean over to her. “When we get on the train we always quickly look left and right just before stepping through the door. We’re looking for anypony making eye contact with us as we’re boarding. If somepony distant is looking at you, note their appearance but DO NOT stare.”

“Looking for ponies trying to do us dirty?”

“Precisely.”

The approaching train rounded the bend and rang its bell. Heading the train was an old 4-4-0 locomotive originally from the Friendship Express. PW felt as if he was shrinking as Ms. Snowheart rose to stand.

“Remember what I told you about looking.” She whispered.

The train came to a halt and four other passengers got up. After a few ponies alighted Snowheart ducked her head, glanced left and right, then fully boarded. PW did the same. Once onboard the mare twisted her head back. Just as PW thought, things were really tight. Her enormous body took up the whole hallway and her ears were scraping the ceiling. 

“Anything?” She asked. PW shook his head.

“Tickets please!” Called the conductor, gawking for a moment at Ms. Snowheart before punching her ticket and stepping into a seat to make way. “Uh… ma’am? Your cabin is two cars down.”

“Thank you, sir.” She replied in her most polite tone of voice.

“I’ll catch up with you later… Snowheart.” PW called.

“Ticket?” the conductor asked PW after she’d plodded away. “You’re right where you need to be, pick any seat you like.”

PW sat down in an empty row and watched the train pull away. He was elated at the thought that he was going to bunk with a Night-Mare that night. He suddenly wished his special talent was music. He could have written a song about it right then and there! After a few minutes of going down the line the stallion sensed a huge presence behind him.

“Hey, Miss Snowheart.”

“I think I got things set up pretty well. You want to check it out?”

“Sure!” He said, getting up.

She didn’t move right away, prompting an expectant look from PW. 

Ms. Snowheart fidgeted and gestured down the aisle the way she was facing with her finger. “I can’t turn around here. We need to keep going to the vestibule.” She explained as PW led the way there. With ample space she was able to spin about and led PW back to their room.

As they approached the sleeper car they passed by some first class rooms where the aisle narrowed. 

It was on a particular corner that Snowheart stopped abruptly and grunted. 

“Ugh.”  The hallway plug groaned in response.

“What’s wrong?”

“... I’m stuck. Hey, PW; want to learn an interesting fact about Night-Mares?”

“Um, sure!”

“Our bodies were perfectly matched to the width of the aisles and hallways of a standard train car. That’s why we’re the size we are.”

“Really? That’s so cool!”

“Nah; I just made that shit up.”

Just then the train went over a switch that caused the whole car to sway back and forth. “Ah, the train fixed things!” She sighed in relief, moving forward again.

“That’s a real liability, Miss Snowheart.” Teased PW.

“I’m not made for this, PW. Though, wouldn’t you be terrified of some-creature that plugged the hallway from floor to ceiling?”

“Not terrified, more like in awe.”

“Hm. You’re funny. Funny and weird.” The mare responded, slithering into an opening in the hallway. “Home sweet home!” She announced.

PW looked around in the bedroom. The upper bunk was actually down while the lower bunk was not. However, the seats looked broken. “Upper bunk is for you. Everything else - for me.”

“Can you sleep on that? You’re taller than the room is wide or long.”

“It’s tricky… but with the seats like this, I can *huff* recline here on this seat, drape one of my legs on this one, and *hup!* point the other off into the corner.” She sighed as she demonstrated a diagonal posture.

“That doesn’t look very comfortable for you.”

“It’s actually worse with the seat completely down. Putting the upper bunk up doesn’t change anything. If you’re worried about taking my space in here it actually doesn’t matter in the end if you’re here or not.”

“Okay, that’s good! So I guess it's just a question of how I get up there. There's definitely not enough room to open my wings here.”

The big mare slapped her thigh and made a curling motion with her foreleg.

“Right.” PW agreed.

“There’s also the ladder, if I’m asleep.”

“You can’t lift in your sleep, Night-Ma–” PW started but suddenly found his mouth - and most of his face - plugged by her hoof. She shut the roomette door before freeing him. “I’m sorry, Miss Snowheart. It's a bad habit and I know I’m in trouble if I don’t stop doing that. What was I talking about again?”

“You were criticizing me for not being able to lift in my sleep.” She muttered.

“Mmm, I’m going to withdraw that.” Said PW.

“Smart. You want to get lunch?”

“Sure.” He replied. 

The pair worked their way to the dining car without incident.

“Table for two?” Asked the head waiter. 

“You should probably count me as two ponies.” Miss Snowheart said. 

They sat at an empty table. The large mare had to squeeze in and nearly didn’t fit.

“Do you have an Eastern Menu?” She asked.

“Yes, actually. Would you like one?” The waiter asked. 

She nodded and he turned to fetch one.

“So, who would win in a fight? You or the locomotive pulling the train?” Asked PW.

“Me.”

“So what you’re telling me is you’re the most powerful thing on and off this train?”

“That’s right. If the engine breaks down, I’ll pull the train. And the locomotive.”

“How much torque can you put down? Is that measured?”

“That’s classified.” 

PW shot her a deadpan look. 

“Also for the record, I’m planning to eat all the other meals in the berth.”

“Why?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Look at me. My ears are touching the ceiling. My body is touching the wall and hanging into the aisle. My thighs are ready to pry this table off its feet. And we haven’t even started with hoovsies.” She planted her hind-leg on PW’s seat for emphasis.

“Hey, be careful!”

“What?”

“I just don’t want to die playing hoovsies, okay?”

“No. No, you don’t.” She warned as the menus arrived. When the waiter turned away she muttered. “It’s a horrible way to die.”

PW’s eyes went wide and he half-whispered. “You’ve done it?”

“Enough yap in public, little stallion.”

“You say that as if you intend to shut me up.” He challenged her with a wry smile. She frowned and her leg thumped closer to him. “Point taken; I’m done!”

“Ready to order?” Asked the waiter.

“I’ll have the garden salad, the grilled cheese, and a lemon tart.” Replied PW.

“And for you?” Asked the waiter, turning to Miss Snowheart.

“I’ll have the garden salad… filet mignon… chocolate cake. And - sorry about this - but also the hay bacon… and the barbecue sausage.”

“Give me a few minutes.” He sighed, clearly annoyed with the amount of food she ordered.

“Miss Snowheart… sausage?” PW stuck out his tongue.

“It was on the menu.” She shrugged.

“You’re not a griffon!”

“You know, PW, if they’re going to hire you you’ll eventually run boot-camp. I reckon - since my job is really dangerous - they’ll make you a special regimen. I think a fair one would be getting all five Night-Mares in my squad together to bully, poke, prod, and sock you until you stop yeeping from it all. How does twenty size-10s going at it free-for-all sound?”

PW gulped under flat ears. “Like a closed-casket funeral.”

She grinned. “That’s a really good description, actually. Here’s a good boot-camp story for you. One time; I dropped the soap. Can you guess what happened?”

“…”

“Everypony ran out of the shower before I could bend over to pick it up.” She smiled as food was placed in front of her like some trophy.

Ms. Snowheart didn’t hesitate and began wolfing the spread down. One particularly rude earth-pony stallion passed by. “What are you supposed to be? An oversized freak of nature? You must have some disease.” He barked.

“The hell, dude?!” PW yelled back, his chest floof rousing.

“Ha, didn’t see you there! You’re her little coltfriend aren’t you?” The stallion scoffed.

“Alright sir, please keep moving! We have a lot of food coming this way.” The head steward said, ushering him on. “I’m terribly sorry about that, ma’am.” He apologized.

“It’s fine. I get that a lot.” Snowheart muttered as the platters were placed.

“Why didn’t you speak up? I thought you’re trained to intimidate?” Asked PW.

“I can’t just intimidate a common citizen because they call me names, PW. That’s not how it works.”

“You do it to me?”

She paused. “You’re… different. I know you. And it doesn’t work on you anyway. It, like, does something weird to your brain.”

PW smirked as she resumed stuffing her face.

It took Miss Snowheart a full minute to shimmy out of the seat without breaking it. There was a visible depression in the upholstery that didn’t fade after she got up. She was leading the way back to their room when they encountered a couple in the hallway.

“See, PW? This is why I usually stay put in my room.” She called back to him.

“No, I don’t see! All I see in front of me is your rump!” He answered. He wasn’t lying- his head didn’t even reach her shoulders.

“Sorry folks; I can only move forward!” She announced.

“Are you sure you can’t move backwards?” Teased PW. 

A size-ten hoof reared, ready to buck. “Forgive my transgression!” PW pleaded.
> Chapter 8: Inside Information
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The untimely couple in the hallway yielded back to a suitable passing area.

“Thank you, please excuse me and sorry about that.” Snowheart nodded as she passed them by. Luckily these ponies were understanding and weren’t annoyed by her.

Back in her quarters 2 fixed up her berth so she and PW could use it as a seating area again. Even sitting opposite each other her knees extended all the way into PW’s seat, pushing hard into the cushions. Thus PW had to insert his legs into the gaps on either side of her enormous knee.

“Hey, PW.” She called.

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to use the downstairs bathroom. I recommend you don’t for the rest of the day.”

He furrowed his brow in thought. “How does that even work?”

“How does what even work?”

“The bathrooms are not spacious, even for me.”

“Exactly. Avoid it. The shower’s even worse. I can’t fit, period.” He blanched as she stood. “Oh, that’s right. You’re going to have to deal with a stinky, sweaty, dirty Night-Mare for the next two days!” The mare said, pulling the door open.

“No worries, Miss Snowheart.” PW responded, properly addressing her this time.

“Good boy.” She responded, walking off.

Finally, PW was able to spread out. Though it wasn’t like he couldn’t just put the bunk down and climb up there to have the whole bed for himself. But, there was no window up there, and certainly no Night-Mare. And when the big mare did return, he had to climb up into his bed above to let her get situated again. As promised, she ate her dinner in the cabin. There was no extra room, so PW ended up being the table, and had to smell all of her “eastern food” on his lap (and as the Night-Mare ate with mess hall ethics, some of the food did in fact end up on him).

After the sun set PW went off to take a shower. There was barely enough room for him- even less than in the hallway, so he knew if somehow the mare got into the shower, she definitely would have plugged the stall up and created a bathtub with her back. He also looked up at the showerhead, which wasn’t much higher up than his back. 
‘She’d probably rip it right off its mount!’ PW realized. He laughed out loud to himself, imagining what a disaster that’d be. ‘Imagine if she drowned that way! Supersoldier got stuck in the shower, sheared the head off, water started pouring out, unable to stop, and surface tension holding her in place until the whole upper part of the stall became a tank. They’d likely have to dismantle the car just to get her out!’

PW came back up the stairs to find Miss Snowheart draped over all the lower seats, seemingly zoning out. 

PW climbed up to the top bunk and shut the door to the room. ‘I’m sleeping over with a Night-Mare!’ He reminded himself in gleeful disbelief. “Nighty night!” He called down, hoping the night would go better than the nights in coach on the way up to her. 

He really got behind on sleep due to a great deal of stops and squealing brakes, so he hoped laying down would solve the issue.

“G’night.” The simple reply.

He silently squealed like a filly. ‘She told me goodnight!’ He mouthed.

PW was just about to fall asleep when the train lurched left and right, passing over a switch and he was jarred awake for the seventh time. “Ugh, not again!” He complained to himself. 

But there was now another noise. A grating noise below him. It was growing louder, in pulses. PW peered below and found the source; it was the Night-Mare herself! 

“I didn’t know the girls snored! That’s so cute!” Snickered PW, rolling back over.

Then it got louder. A LOT louder. “Kwhkhkhkhkaaaaaa!” She rumbled.

PW’s eyes snapped open. “Oh no!” 

In a few moments it got so loud that a conversation in the room would have been impossible. Even the train’s noise was washed out by this world-class snoring. By the time the brakes were applied for the next signal, the only indication PW got that they were in fact applied was the tugging force pulling him forward. 

“Sweet Celestia, make it stop!” He complained, smashing a pillow over his ears.





“Hey, PW.”

"..."

“PW.”

".."

“PW GET UP!”

“AGH!” Shouted the stallion, suddenly shaken awake. He was met with 2’s face taking up the majority of his groggy vision.

“It’s 9:30. We’re making a smoke stop soon at Rainbow Falls. Why’d you sleep in so late?”

“Night-Mare 2, you snore so damn loud I couldn’t sleep!”

She cocked her head at that. “I snore? Really?”

“Yes, really! I would have thought that to be a liability in the field!” Barked PW.

Her ears folded back and her voice went unusually quiet. “Well, you’re not wrong, PW.”

His expression softened. Was she… embarrassed? “Erm, sorry for snapping. I should be kinder to a Night-Mare.”

In a flash she was back to herself. “Not wrong about that one either. C’mon.”

PW leapt and used his wings to cushion the fall.

“Cool move.” She complimented. 

A few minutes later the train stopped and they could get off. 

“Have fun. I have to work out.” Snowheart said, bolting off on all fours like an ox. PW could only imagine how much momentum she carried once she got up to speed. She ran out a ways and then towards the engine before suddenly stopping, turning about and running towards the end of the train. One there, she would stop and reverse back and forth, doing laps.

PW took to the sky, taking in the lay of the land and keeping a close eye on his favorite Night-Mare. After several dozen laps she began doing pushups and then sit-ups. Finally, the ‘all-aboard’ call was made. PW intercepted her far enough from the crowd to avoid the antics he had planned from going too far. 

“Oh no; not you, ma’am. You’ll have to walk. Your snoring is too loud!” Challenged PW, holding his hoof out to stop her.

“You really want to try and stop me?” The giant mare growled. Her augments clicked from their sockets and she reared to her full height to leave PW eye level with her thighs.

“No, but I’d sure love to see what you can do to somepony!” He squeaked, yielding the way to her.

She fell to all fours and kept walking to the train. “Then you’ll like this upcoming mission. Interceptions make for great takedowns.”

“Nice, I can’t wait!” He called, heading back onto the train with her.

After another day of travel, the Night-Mare and her adoring assistant arrived in Crystal Heart City around noon. “Where are we going?” He asked as they deboarded.

“We’re looking for a stallion wearing sunglasses and a saddlebag with an all-black mare on it.”

“Is that the secret sign?”

“That’s classified.”

“One of these days I’m going to get it for not knowing.”

“Then get a job working with me or beat it, colt.” The mare fired back.

A slim figure on their left moved into their path. “Ah, Quarter.” Snowheart greeted him.. The slim stallion lowered his sunglasses and swept the bag with the all-black mare around so it was hidden again.

“Miss Snowheart.” The stallion responded in a refined Trottingham accent before looking over at PW. “Ah yes; and you must be Polaris Wind!”

“Yes, sir!” He replied.

“Well, Miss Snowheart, I’m impressed. At a glance I can tell you actually got a set of measurements right! For once.”

“Yes, I wanted to make extra sure they were true.” Said Miss Snowheart, shooting PW a creepy smile.

“The auto-wagon is just outside, if you please.” Quarter said, leading the way to a waiting pony-less carriage. 

PW gawked at this remarkable and incredibly rare example of equine ingenuity. Whoever was running this operation had powerful friends. He wouldn’t be surprised if things went straight to the top - to the princesses themselves. He clambered inside after Quarter and Snowheart.

“So, Mr. Wind.” Quarter addressed him as they departed.

“Yes sir?”

“You were on the contract during Fitment, if I’m not mistaken?”

“Yes sir, I was a Ponyeon employee who had the honor of testing a Night-Mare with the augmentations. This one, actually." PW gestured to 2. "And, I remained their employee up until yesterday.”

“Am I correct in assuming that your attachment with the Night-Mare was what drew you out here?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. Did somepony tell you?”

“No, all of us at Lockhoof Colton are selected because of certain qualities. Chief among them being intellect.”

“Lockhoof?” PW’s ears perked at the name.

“Yes, that’s right. Ponyeon lost the sustaining support contract and the department was reassigned to Lockhoof Colton by the Royal Guard.”

“Oh! Uh… That’s really good news! Because, I, well... I kind of vanished from my previous job at Ponyeon. To do this.”

“Well… you were chasing your passion! Mr. Wind, there are a lot of recent murmurs at the top; of potential in-field support opportunities. That was already being discussed when the contract was reassigned. And lucky you have walked on and shown management firsthoof how to do that job!”

“Which means I have a good shot at staying?”

“You have experience working with the Night-Mares for one. If you’re Lockhoof Colton material - and I for one think you are - I recommend getting in contact with this individual.” Said Quarter, slipping PW a contact card. “I do wish you good luck. And that reminds me, if you are awarded the job you will see the classified information that your Night-Mare friend here is holding hostage from you. There’s a whole fascinating datasheet on each Night-Mare if you’re into statistics. And I have a hunch that this is the reason the Night-Mare tried to get your measurements as best as she could. She too believes you’re going to get it and is collecting, shall we say - ammunition.” Said Quarter.

PW looked over at the large mare who crossed her forehooves and was developing a deep look of disgust with a scrunched nose. “I agree with you!” PW laughed. 2 began pumping her hooves in a flurry of mock punches in a display of power.

“Let us get you some lunch.” Quarter said, pulling into a Hayburger drive-through such that PW’s window was beside the call-tube. 

“Can I get a number 13 with a lemonade?” Asked PW.

“Yes, and what else?” Asked the voice through the call tube.

“That’s it for me! Miss Snowheart, what would you… S- Snowheart?” Asked PW in terror as the goliath began climbing over him to the window, practically burying him under hundreds of pounds of muscular earth-pony.

“Relax, Mr. Wind, she intends to order for herself.” Quarter chuckled as he watched the show.

“I’ll have two number 9’s, a number 9 large, a number 6 with extra dip, a number 7, two number 45’s, one with cheese, and a large soda!” Snowheart gruffed and slumped back into her seat.

“Holy mother-of-Celestia, Snowheart!”

“That’s what happens when you make me miss breakfast, PW!”

“You kept on snoring Snowheart!”

"Seriously PW?!?"

“Can I confirm that with you once more…” the voice said, snapping the ponies out of the argument. 

In fact, it took two more attempts to get the order right and they ended up waiting a good half hour for their food to be prepared.
> Chapter 9: NightMare Nightlife
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Mr. Wind; the secret to the Night-Mare program is that while they require a great deal of support it pays out tenfold in an instant when they unload the D16 magazine. Do drop that statement in a job interview.” Quarter suggested.

"Thanks!" Responded PW, looking over at Night-Mare 2 and her mountain of food. “Do you even know how many calories that is?” He asked.

“Mmf - shumver veteen shix an eigh-houshand haloreesh?” She shrugged with a faceful of food.
PW bent his head and shook it as crumbs above the right seat fell to the floor.

Quarter dropped them both off at the Grand Crystallton. “Briefing is at 0800 hours in my safe house. Meet me here for pickup.” He ordered.

“I’m gonna work out. Meet me at the Heat Brewery by 1900 this evening.” Snowheart said as she clambered out of the vehicle.

The auto-wagon pulled away as PW shot her a quizzical look. “You’re going to drink? The night before a briefing?”

“I’m a heavyweight.”

“And you’re going to use the gym equipment in the hotel?”

“And probably break it!” She added, speaking PW’s mind as she sauntered into the ornate entrance.

PW had to book another hotel room and wasn’t too thrilled about the price.

“I seriously need a job working with her. I can’t keep dropping dough like this to keep up with this mare!” PW admitted, seeing his cash reserves depleting.

He checked in and crashed until dinner time, having a sound sleep for the first time in two days.
Polaris was always a very punctual stallion and showed up to the brewery right at 7:00. He found the Night-Mare already seated at the bar with a drink in hoof and a bunch of stallions egging her on. He realized he wouldn’t be able to get her attention with the paparazzi of stallions shouting around her and would have to do something drastic. 

‘Menaces. He soured. Enthralled now but will flee for absolutely anything including a scratch to their baby faces.’ He sighed and cleared his head. ‘Relax, PW. She does this all the time. It’s not like she picks up stallions regularly… right?’

Polaris snaked through the crowd, grabbed a hoof-full of Snowheart’s tail and tugged it hard. The large mare swung her stool about and grinned. 
“Heyyy, PW! You’re here!” She shouted, waving him closer. “This is the guy, guys! Get this stallion a seat!” She thundered as several ponies vacated the area of the seat next to her.

“I heard you put up with this gal daily!” A nearby unicorn slapped PW’s back.

“Er; yeah, you bet!” PW answered with hesitation, unused to the spotlight. “Thanks for pulling me into your fold, Snowheart!” PW called.

Another glass was placed down in front of a very pleased Snowheart.

“What’s your shoe size?” A stallion asked as she gulped it down. 

She sat the now-empty glass on the counter with a THUD.

“Ten!” She breathed.

“Are you taller than Princess Celestia herself?” Asked another.

“Maybe!” She answered.

“How many drinks have you had, miss?”

“Eight!”

“And, how drunk are you?” Came the reply. 

Snowheart scoffed and took a filled wine glass from a neighboring stallion and balanced it flawlessly on her prosthetic finger. The crowd erupted into cheer.

“Wow, Snowheart, I didn’t know you were such a heavyweight?” PW said.

“Hmmm, and how about you, PW?” The big mare asked, pointing right at him.

“Me? Oh, no; I don’t drink.” He responded with an innocent shake of his head..

“Really?” Asked a nearby stallion.

“C’mon dude!” Said another.

Another drink arrived on the counter which Snowheart slid to PW. “Now ya do!” She said to the crowd’s delight.

“C’mon, buddy! Show the big mare you care!” Sompony shouted.

Polaris fidgeted.

“Don’t drink at all?” Snowheart hummed.

“I’ve never had a drink.” Polaris admitted.

“Then this one’s on me!” She grinned at him.

“Um, I’m nineteen!” Lied the small pegasus.

“Nice try, but drinking age in the Crystal Empire is eighteen anyway. Bottom’s up!” She shouted.

“Chug Chug Chug Chug!” Everypony chanted.

“STOP!” Interrupted the bartender. “Let me see your ID.”

Snowheart leaned back in her seat and laughed heartily as PW passed up his ID. 

“HAH-HA-HA-HA-HAH!” She laughed, her leg thumping the bar stand until a splintering *crack* was heard.

“You’re older than I thought.” The bartender handed the ID back with a raised brow. 

PW hefted the glass aloft.

“You trust me, right?” Snowheart asked.

“Um, yeah?”

“Then down the hatch! It’s only one!” She reassured him, forcing the drink towards PW’s mouth. PW lifted the cup from her to his mouth and drank it.

The crowd cheered. “You’ll always remember your first drink now!” Said the fellow next to him.

“Guess so!” Replied PW sheepishly, fighting the sour taste lingering in his throat.

“Now, are you ready for your first blackout?” Said the stallion behind him, passing him some unknown green liquid in a glass.

“Get lost! No way!” Polaris shouted.

“Kidding, kidding.”

“Hey do you want something to eat?” Asked a suddenly concerned Snowheart.

“I… hic! my stomach kind of hurts. So not hic! now.” PW squeaked.





As it turned out, Polaris Wind was such a lightweight that the single drink was enough to wreck him. Pegasi were already known for their lack of alcohol tolerance, and PW certainly more than most.

“C’mon, PW. We need to get back to the… the hotel.” Snowheart slurred after drinking her twenty-fifth glass. Her crowd was a mixture of gone home or passed out.

“Wha… hotel? I - we’re still hic! on the train?” PW mouthed near-unintelligibly.

“C’mon, you silly. I’ll help you!” Snowheart smiled wide and stood.

“I’m gah fall!” He cried at the shift.

“No, you’re not.” She soothed, providing a sturdy support with her strong frame. She patted his head and squeezed him close. “See? I got you.”

Polaris hummed against her warm body. ‘She’s just… just a big ol’ softie when she’s tipsy. The thought disappeared as quickly as it came to him.

Miss Snowheart walked him all the way back to his room, taking his key in her fingers to look up his room number. She unlocked the door, set him comfortably on the bed, said goodnight, and didn’t give him any flack for his situation. 
Though she didn’t expect his night to end quite like that, she did have to admit that she liked the experience of taking care of Polaris without him being able to judge her the next day. 

She blushed and made her way to her own room.





Polaris checked out the following morning and walked up to the front patio of the hotel. Miss Snowheart was already there. “Um; what happened last night? Did I do anything stupid?” PW asked.

“What do you remember?”

“Nothing, not after my stomach started hurting.”

She nodded. “We stayed a little while longer and then went back to the hotel.”

“Did I do anything stupid?” PW insisted, begging to know.

“Nah, you were just tipsy. No embarrassments.” Reassured the mare, keeping her role that night a secret.

A different auto-wagon promptly arrived. Quarter got out and opened the rear door for them.

“You first.” Snowheart motioned PW in.

 The only seat large enough for her was the rear-most one anyway. They drove a few blocks down the road to a seemingly random, detached home in the outskirts of the inner city.

Inside the living room were 2 piles of equipment and clothing for each of them. “Wow; a winter-suit? For me?” PW exclaimed.

“Hopefully it fits. We had to tailor a retail purchase given you’re not participating in an official manner.” Admitted Quarter.

PW gawked at a very large pair of snow boots next to him. ‘Sweet Celestia, these things are gigantic!’ He thought to himself.

He wondered if he could even put it on. The boot looked longer than his entire leg! He’d satisfy his curiosity later, to spare him embarrassment. No doubt 2 would tease him. Or, worse, if he couldn’t manage to put it completely on.

They each strapped on their gear. Night-Mare 2 was provided with her standard tactical uniform layer: nylon leggings, an undershirt, knee-pads, and a hoodie. Over this would go the snow gear, including a white, woven cloth helmet, a pair of goggles with snow visors, white scarves, cloaks, long warm socks, and snow boots.

The Night-Mare naturally began her teasing tirade, holding up a sock to PW. “This comes up to your back, PW. I guess this one must be mine!”

“Yeah, I think you might be right. Probably. Still not sure.” Replied PW, bouncing off her jab.

Once all of their uniforms were in order Quarter showed them to their kit. 

“Enclosed for the both of you are saddlebags containing provisions of food and water, heating pads, fire-starting equipment, tarps, mess gear, radio equipment, and first aid kits. For Number 2 we have the standard amount of ammunition, your D16, 3 flashbangs, 3 smoke grenades, and your Stallion & West pistol sidearm. Mr. Wind, if you were hired we might be able to supply you with your own weapon. In lieu of one I have gained permission to provide 3 smoke grenades and one flashbang. Use them wisely.” Quarter said.

“He probably doesn’t know how to use them.” 2 said honestly.

“Er, no. No, I don’t.” PW admitted.
 
“I’ll teach you with pinecones. It’s really easy.” She said and looked to Quarter. “He’ll be fine.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” Quarter smiled and moved into what was once a dining room. Only two tables remained and supported a large map and assorted cartographical accessories.

“Ooh the briefing room!” PW said with awe.

“You catch on quickly, Mr. Wind.” Said Quarter. “This will serve as your briefing to Operation Smash-Smash.”

“Hm. I like it. Go on.” Commented the big mare.
“For the record, this mission is declassified. However, it is SBU. You obviously have a need to know but do not tell any-creature about this mission, Mr. Wind. Now, I know you were given some run down, so I shall spare you the details and cut right to the deltas.”

With a quick clear of the throat Quarter began. “The Equestrian-Yakyakistani trade summit is in two days. However, the stakes are now elevated. The diplomats Equestria has chosen to represent us are royalty: Princes Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire and Blueblood of Canterlot.”

“My goodness.” Exclaimed PW.

“Indeed. You both understand that failure in this mission would mean our royalty would be rendered unable to accomplish their objective.”

“That’s one way of putting it.” 2 muttered.

“While several rogue changeling hives exist, the current understanding is that Queen Chrysalis herself is still plotting revenge even after being released from lithification. An individual we suspect as being a spy for the changeling hive has retrieved a large amount of information relating to the specifics of this event.”

Quarter leaned over the map and indicated where the ponies ought to look. “Intelligence reports that three days ago a party of changelings was seen by a group of fisher-ponies moving up the Luna Bay coast. Another report has come in confirming that there is an ambush planned on the road at a cliff located at latitude 75 degrees 46 minutes north, longitude 45 degrees 19 minutes west, henceforth designated as point Alpha.”

“Now I am sure you all are aware that, in our past, Queen Chrysalis successfully infiltrated Canterlot and took royalty hostage. I cannot stress the severity of that outcome enough. Though we do not expect the Queen herself to be active in this operation.” 

He pointed to the map again. “The changeling party was last seen trekking inland from the coast of Luna Bay around latitude 68 degrees 33 minutes north, longitude 70 degrees 47 minutes west, henceforth designated as point Bravo. You will be escorted up the road as far as an auto-wagon may travel to point Charlie. Point Charlie is approximately 20 miles from Point Alpha. Mr. Wind, you will then take to the skies and generate a cloud about yourself for cover. Number 2 will map the engagement zone as well as locate and neutralize any enemy scouts that may be on the move.”

“While she is doing this Mr. Wind will attempt to track down the current location of the changeling party. We expect that by the time you arrive the party will be located around latitude 71 degrees 30 minutes and longitude 52 degrees zed, designated as point Delta. Mr. Wind, you will find a hoof-watch barometer included in your pack. Please remain above seven thousand hooves mean sea level to avoid detection. Do bear in mind that the changelings may be in flight. Unfortunately we do not have any information as to their flocking altitudes. Once you have located the party, radio their coordinates in with the enclosed engagement map. Your radios will have two channels. Channel 1 is Vanhoover Control and Channel 2 is your partner. The radios will likely only reach Vanhoover Control from the top of a mountain or in the air. Number 2, this means you may be reliant on your partner for communication to base.”

She gave a small nod of understanding.

“Once we have the location, an interception of the interception will be planned. Hence the mission code, Smash-Smash. The changeling party will then need to be neutralized by Number 2. The use of deadly force is not permitted unless deadly force is displayed by the changelings. Although we do not believe the changelings, save Queen Chrysalis, have the ability to transform into a Night-Mare they certainly have the ability to take on Polaris Wind’s form. Therefore, you will need to establish a passphrase to secure identity.”

“That’s easy. My cover-name PW?”

“Miss Snowheart.”

“Done. We can use it as a safety word too, during practice.” She added. PW raised an eyebrow in confusion at that but didn’t interrupt Quarter.

“The exact method for neutralizing the enemy is at your discretion, though as I stated please avoid deadly force whenever possible. HQ was not happy with the results of your last mission. They desire intimidation, not bodycounts.” Replied Quarter sternly.

“Sounds plenty intimidating to me.” She growled.

“In her defense sir, we were fighting a small army armed with rifles and machine guns.” Polaris jumped in. The mare’s glare softened and she looked down at the small stallion defending her.

“I only relay what I’m told. That said, I also advise you in particular to not take any lives. Leave that to Number 2. A civilian making a kill is a BIG no-no. Are we clear?”

“Yes sir.” PW acknowledged.

“Once the threat is neutralized we will enter the third phase of the operation; escort. To protect against unforeseen counter-attacks you will escort the royal convoy through the mountain pass from a point no later than point Alpha and the Yak gate. I recommend Mr. Wind take to the skies again to spot the royal convoy’s position from the air. Note the terrain is entirely bloody tundra. There are no trees nearby for cover. Upon arrival at the Yakyakistani gate the mission is completed. Remain very vigilant during the escort. If an assassin is present they will need mere seconds to complete their task.”

Quarter took a step back. “This concludes your formal briefing, any questions will be fielded onboard the auto-wagon. Time is of the essence and we must depart immediately.”

Without another word the trio entered the waiting vehicle and they were off.

It wasn’t until they were on the Yak road that Quarter broke the silence. “Mr. Wind, be sure to remain near Number 2 while on the ground. We do not want the enemy capturing you, holding you ransom, or getting information out of you. I’m also rather concerned about Number 2's fingers. They tend to seize in cold conditions. I trust you have had experiences unsticking them?”
“Yes, actually. Both in testing and the field. Enemy weapons were on us and I unstuck her junction box in the heat of the moment.”

“Is that so? Good for the Night-Mare then.” Quarter said, impressed. 

He looked up in his rearview to find 2 looking out the window with a frown. 

Quarter knew Mr. Wind was telling the truth given her predictable response. “Yes, so having you around her may prevent a mishap.” Quarter admitted.

“Um, Quarter?” PW asked. “Why don’t the Night-Mares work as one team?”

“They used to, Mr. Wind. But with numerous trade-routes come numerous pirates and bandits. HQ decided one Night-Mare per mission would have to do. It was an untimely and reckless decision if you ask me – one that was made during the contract change. I for one fancy your methods in supporting a single Night-Mare’s operations. Ultimately I do hope the Royal Guard determines it for the better.”

The auto-wagon drove high into hills that soon became mountains. Gradually the spruces grew shorter and shorter along the road until they reached the arctic tree line, where the landscape consisted entirely of gravel, rock and snowy mountains. The road condition began wearing out until they were barely moving faster than walking speed. Finally, a field of small rocks brought their ride to an end.

“We are now at Point Charlie.” Announced Quarter. 

The two field soldiers got out of the auto-wagon (which lifted considerably on its right shocks as they did so), then tested their radios and synchronized their chronometers.

“Quarter, where do we rendezvous after the mission is completed?” Asked PW.

“That remains to be determined, Mr. Wind. But we are going to try and get you a spot back on the escort. Assuming the initial onslaught is too intense for the enemy there shouldn’t be much worry on the way back.”

“Thanks Quarter.” Said 2, adjusting her gear.

He smiled. “Take good care of her, Polaris. The convoy should be coming up the path in about 24 hours.”

“Yes sir!” PW barked with all his energy as the vehicle departed back down the road.

The Night-Mare and her small accomplice strapped down all of their gear and began trekking up the road.

Polaris scrunched his nose at the biting breeze. “So windy and desolate, isn’t it?” Said PW, noticing a snow-devil being stirred up ahead.

“Reminds me of home.” 2 said.

“We’re a little further north than that aren’t we? Your tribe are forest dwellers?”

“Yes, just a little bit north of there. We’re likely only a few days’ walk from there.”

“2, what was growing up for you like? Did you get to live a normal childhood?”

“As you would describe it, yes. We even have a school endorsed by the Royal Educational Society. Families are close, led by the father usually.”

“Are stallions even larger than the mares, typically?”

“Yeah. Especially my dad. He’s enormous… and not too thrilled that I joined the Guard.” 

PW gulped at that, knowing if something happened to 2 on his watch then he’d have a tough customer to answer to. “What did they call you back home?”

“That’s classified.”

“Oh. I wish I had classified things about me…” PW moped.

“Hey, if they hire you then you likely will.” She cheered him up.

“I really like that about you 2.” PW smiled. “You’re great at reading my emotions and know when to lob a joke or be cool.”

“We go back a ways, PW.” She shrugged. 

They continued up the road, having lunch at some point where the road doubled back, providing a wide vista. Then, in the afternoon before the sun went down too low, PW flew up to get his bearings. He did look around the nearby vicinity but didn’t see any sign of the changelings.

He took several breaths before finally speaking into the radio. “Vanhoover Control, Number 2’s number 1, how do you read?”

After several seconds the crackly reply came. “5 by. But please change that callsign to something easier on the ears!”

“Um, Northwind reporting! We’re halfway to point Alpha, currently in section G-Q. I do not see any sign of trouble yet but plan to look more tomorrow.”

“... Copy all.”

PW then landed. “Did you hear that?”

“Yeah, I was tuned in. Agent Northwind.” 2 said.

“No fires allowed right?” He asked.

“Nope. None at all. Could give our positions away. Your MRE’s should have a spell-activated heater pack in them to heat the food up. We just need a water source.”

“Everything’s frozen over. Ugh it’s going to be a cold night.”

“This time of year the streams are usually accessible under a thin sheet of ice. Just be careful not to fall in. We like to boast about how hardy we are but this is not the time to yield body heat.”

“I like how you think, 2. I’ll head down the ravine to see if I can find any water.”

Sure enough, there was a small stream running at the bottom of the steep valley which he flew into. No sooner had PW filled his containers than he heard a growl and looked up at a large, blue creature.

“U-u-ursa minor!” He cried, looking into its sickly, yellow eyes.

He hurried to get air under his wings as the giant bear charged. He tried flying back up the hill but his gear and water proved too heavy. While he didn’t make it all the way up the hill in one go he did get far enough to escape the Ursa. The beast glared at him before finally sauntering away, finally allowing PW to let out a huge sigh.

“Did you find any?” 2 asked upon his return.

“Ursa minors? Yes. And water!”

“That’s what I thought I heard. Glad to see you were still able to fly with all that water.” She said, taking her share.

“Yeah, that was close.”

“This is also Ursa Major territory. We should take care to avoid those. The Ursa Major fears nothing and I’m going to admit it’s the one creature I am unable to defeat.”

“I thought you’re trained to take anything?”

“There’s always something bigger out there, PW.”

“So, how do we protect ourselves from it?”

“Run and hide. It’s got nowhere out here to sneak around. When we see a big purple blob on the mountain it’s time to start burying yourself in snow.”
> Chapter 10: Field Training
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The peculiar pair poured water into their MRE’s to start the cooking process. Just as Night-Mare 2 said, in five minutes they became piping hot and were ready to eat. Though Polaris Wind only ate a single MRE, more than a meal for a stallion, his companion wolfed down five. All in nearly the same time, at that! After taking care of their trash and cleaning their mess gear with newfallen snow 2 held up a pinecone she had packed.

“I promised you earlier I’d teach you how to throw a grenade. You ready?” She asked, looking down to PW.

“Sure!” The stallion eagerly replied.

“Okay. The ones marked SMOKE are smoke grenades and the ones marked F.B. are flash-bang. See?” The behemoth asked, holding some real ones out. “The smokes are straightforward. They create a cloud of smoke that obscures the area and makes the eyes tear up. They are affected by the wind, so DO NOT throw these upwind. And since they make a lot of smoke they will get any-creature’s attention. So do not use it when you are at risk of more enemies showing up. Generally, a good use-case for a smoke grenade is when escaping. Think of it like an oil slick. Pull this pin, wait for it to envelope you, then run. Ready to demo?”

“Okay!” PW nodded and took the pinecone.

2 reared up in an aggressive posture. “Okay; so I’m a scary, giant changeling! Crackle-crackle-hiss! Now what?”

“Check my surroundings for more changelings?”

“Right. You don’t see any and you know the real me is right past that hill.” 2 said, pointing a finger to the hill on her right side.

“Okay, so I pull the pin and drop it.” PW yanked a blade of the cone out and dropped it.

“Good; there’s lots of smoke coming out now. It’s hard for me to see you.”

“So I run now for 2’s position.” He trotted off toward the hill.

“Perfect! Now, the flashbang." 2 called as PW returned to her.

"The flashbang is a very loud popper that also produces a very bright flash that will literally blind you. You and I are both north-bloods, so our eyes are affected EVEN MORE than the average pony. And still worse for you, being a flyer, the concussive blast will ruin your vestibular system, meaning you won’t be able to develop a sense to fly for several minutes. Although the flash bang is not supposed to be lethal, it actually can be at point-blank range. Generally though that’s not a problem since aim is almost never perfect and the enemy will try to dodge.” 2 lectured to the eager pegasus sitting before her, as attentive as a puppy.

“The effective range of the flashbang is about ten yards. If you are inside that radius you will be defeated. If the enemy is outside that radius, they will be unaffected. The fuse lasts three seconds. When you are preparing for detonation, face away, close your eyes, cover your ears and open your mouth. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

“A typical situation you might need to use one is if you’re in imminent danger. An example would be a hostile taking aim at you with a weapon. Remember to hold it as long as you can and lob it as close to detonation time as you can. Now, ready for a demo?”

“Sure!” Piped PW, picking up the pinecone again.

“Okay; now I’m a scary, overfed changeling and I have a gun! Now what?” 2 asked.

PW chuckled and shrugged. “Nothing. You got me! You’re too close.”

“Exactly!” She gave an impressed nod and trotted backwards a few yards. “How about now?”

“Not quite!” Replied PW as the mare trotted a few yards further.

“And now?”

“Yeah, I’m good!”

“So I’m taking aim at you!” Barked the big mare, holding her hooves up as she would hold the gun.

“Pull the pin; one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, throw!” Counted PW, lobbing the pinecone at her.

“DEAD!" She shouted. "You didn’t leave enough time to get into the detonation position. Try again.” She tossed the pinecone back and furrowed her brow.

“This one will be really nice to kidnap and hold ransom!” She growled as she played the part..

“Kiss my ass! Pull the pin; one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, throw!” PW shouted, chucking the pinecone at her.

“Eep – a grenade!” Cried 2, sprinting away. “KABOOM!” She yelled, freezing up.

She turned to her student. “Good job PW, I see you’re in the correct position. So you did well, now let’s check what happened to me.” She dropped to all fours and scooped up the pinecone. “Not bad, PW. At this range even I’d have been downed. Always remember that if you throw too soon the enemy can deflect it back with their wings and end your mission.”

The pair came towards each other as a chilly breeze blew through. The sun had already set ten minutes ago and the sky was starting to turn a deep purple.

“Alright my assistant. We’re getting an early start tomorrow so let’s get a quick camp set up. Wind’s out of the southwest so let’s head back around this hill to the northeast side. I want to be up before sunrise!” She declared as they headed around the hill they used in their demo.

The pair set their sleeping pads and bags out, packed their gear up and settled in. Polaris made sure to set up his bed a few extra yards away as he remembered 2 snored like a monster. Despite even his best efforts she still managed to wake him up. Not soon after this did he discover another problem: shivering.

“I’m so cold!” He mouthed. 

Entering a shivering fit, the poor stallion found himself unable to sleep. He activated the heating pad but it did little for him as his core was chilled and the pad was only intended for extremities. After nearly an hour of suffering the great mare’s snoring suddenly abated.

PW could hear the large mass near him stir but he wanted to be a tough stallion and ignored her. She stood up and shuffled around to him, finding him awake. 

“PW?” 2 muttered. No response. “PW, you’re shaking!”

“S-s-so I a-am.” He hissed through chattering teeth, refusing to admit that he was cold.

She knelt and felt his cutie mark. “PW, you’re freezing.” She exclaimed.

“Not like we c-can do anything.”

“Actually, I can help.” 2 bit his bag and dragged it, PW and and all, to the warm spot where she had been laying.

When the pad settled again PW rolled onto his side. The giant approached his backside and mirrored him, laying down on her side so they were back to back. She scooted up to him until they were firmly against each other. PW stopped shivering. 

“Wow…” He sighed as the trembling finally stopped as it was met with Night-Mare warmth.

“It gets better.” 2 smiled, flicking her massive tail over him. “Oh my – this is nice!” He practically melted under the warmth. “Now if only I could just ignore the snoring.”

2 rolled her eyes and rummaged through her saddlebag. A pair of combat earmuffs was retrieved and placed over PW’s ears.

“You’re the best 2! I really, really mean that!” He could hardly hear his own voice.

“No problem at all.”

“Thanks for being cool about… me being cold. Instead of giving me a hard time about it.”

“This cold is life and death – no laughing matter.” She shrugged. “And if anything else is on your mind and you need to wake me up; stomp on me if you have to!” She laughed and finally settled in.

Polaris Wind sunk under the cozy embrace of her tail and finally drifted off for a time.





His eyes snapped open. It was still dark out. The moon had risen off to the east and was now high in the sky, casting a soft, white glow over the snowy tundra. PW didn’t know why he woke up. Nothing was wrong with him. He was warm, the night was quiet, the air was still fresh.

Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling of something seeming... off. Unmoving, PW looked about. That’s when he noticed it.

The light of the moon was suddenly extinguished, throwing the landscape into a marginally-visible gray.

 ‘Odd for a cloud to roll in that fast…’ He thought, not wanting to turn his head up to the moon. Then, as quickly as it had disappeared, the moonlight returned for a few seconds then vanished again.

Polaris’ heart quickened.

“Luna, what are you doing?” PW whispered, finally gazing up at the moon. 
Then, he saw it. 

The face. 

Not the mare-in-the-moon but a pair of luminescent, yellow eyes. Full of interest yet lacking any emotion at all, like a snake’s eyes. They belonged to a semicircular purple head, and below them was a nose that looked like an anvil. Underneath that, a terrifying, monstrous maw filled with sharp teeth hung open, fangs glistening from both jaws. Polaris’ heart raced as he beheld the rest of the monster’s massive body. It was truly enormous, extending all the way down to the horizon and framed by the mountains in the southeast. The broad, midnight-purple torso had two muscular arms, each bearing a paw ending in five gold claws each that looked like they could dig through solid granite.

PW began to quake again.
> Chapter 11: Eye in the Sky
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“U-ursa! U-u-ursa major!” Polaris’ voice escaped him as he froze in terror before the massive monster.

The creature roared with all the force of a thunderclap. Impossibly, Night-Mare 2 continued snoring. PW remembered what she told him and he kicked her shoulder to avoid making any sound.

“Mmf, PW? Whatever is the matter now?” The normally-biggest female asked. 

The Ursa meanwhile took a ground-shaking step and lifted its shoulders, totally eclipsing the moon and casting the tundra into darkness. The Ursa moved her head as she repositioned, tracking her prey despite her movements. PW knew they were definitively spotted.

2, realizing from her times as a filly what was upon them, spun around and looked up.

“Oh no!” She cried in real fear as her ears went flat against her mane.

“Is it too late to hide?”

“Was she looking at us before she took that step?”

“Yes, and for a full minute before that. Maybe more before I woke up!”

2 pursed her lips and nodded. “Fuck. I’ve really enjoyed my time spent with you, PW.” She pulled out her D16 and took aim. “I wished we had more time together. Maybe we could have grown closer.” She smiled.

“Agreed.” Was all PW could say, reaching down in a futile attempt for his flashbang grenade.

The creature roared again and began its quarter-mile attack lunge.

“Finally, an easy target. No aiming necessary!” 2 squeezed the trigger and the D16 roared as it unleashed everything it had at 750 rounds per minute.

*CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-CLINK!*

With the Ursa twice as close and undeterred, 2 nonetheless slapped a fresh magazine into her weapon in less than three seconds.
*CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-CLINK!* 

The superweapon spent all 50 rounds and once again clicked empty. The pair of ponies pulled their grenades on instinct and lobbed them into the creature’s mouth as a last ditch attempt. Finally, the teeth sailed through the explosions until the inevitable finally reached them...





“AGH!” Polaris shrieked and bolted upright, beads of sweat glistening in the frigid air.

“PW? PW what’s wrong? What happened?” 2 was instantly awake and visibly alarmed.

He looked up and saw the moon and only the moon; thank Celestia. 2 looked about and, seeing there was no immediate danger, relaxed and gave a sigh.

“Did you have another nightmare?” She asked. 

The defeated stallion hung his head and nodded. “I’m sorry.” He whispered.

“It happens. D’ya wanna talk about it?” She crawled over and pressed her foreleg down on him for emotional support. “Was I in it? Another Night-Mare in a nightmare?”

“Yeah, along with an Ursa Major.”

“OH.”

“See... in my head, Night Mare-2, you’re all-powerful. My logical brain says that’s wrong, but my emotional brain says yes; you are. I can’t process you not winning a fight in a stable thought. You know?” He turned to face her. The moon reflected teardrops now forming around his eyes and cheeks.

2’s expression softened and she wiped his tears away with a finger. “Maybe you’re right PW. Maybe I am invincible. It hasn’t been proven. A fight between an Ursa Major and a Night-Mare? We’re good. Even better when size isn’t on our side! But your biggest task tomorrow is making my presence even more powerful. But you can’t do that if you don’t sleep through the night.”

PW laid back down and sighed. “I’m sorry about all this. My worrisome-ness. I know it’s getting annoying.”

“It’s not PW, really. Actually, it’s been a long time since somepony cared about me this much. A very long time. It’s nice to know that.”

“Thanks. Good night Night Mare-2. Really, this time.”

“Nighty-night PW.” She replied. 

This time, PW would go all the way until the great mare woke him up.





“PW. PW! You made it! It’s time. Get up!” She shook him.

He stretched and set to rolling up his bag. “What’s the plan?”

“I want to get up to the ridgeline. We’ll be able to see more from there, be able to hide faster and be less likely to enter a direct confrontation which could force me to increase my body-count. Then, we’ll discuss our roles.” She explained.

 After a quick breakfast of oats they ascended the hill.

“Hey, PW, it looks like our timing might work out for an amazing sunrise.” 2 realized. 

The eastern sky was turning into a growing blaze of orange. No sooner had PW’s eyes peeked over the hill than a narrow, orange sliver was seen on the horizon. The peculiar pair stopped to admire the view. 

“Now that’s a beautiful sight.” Sighed the big mare.

“I’m so glad to witness this here with you. What a great experience with you, 2. I’m never going to forget this!” Replied PW. 

The lower limb of the sun popped off the horizon and a large gust of wind suddenly blasted them, kicking up snow sheens.

“You ready for the Night-Mare’s orders?” Asked 2.

“Yes, ma’am!” PW answered and stood to attention and saluted with his wing.

“My plan is to walk the ridgeline in view of the Yak road. If anything is there I’ll be able to hide quickly and complicate things. I want you to do the following. First, we need positive identification of the changeling force. Fly southwest, halfway from Alpha to Bravo. You should encounter them by then either in the air or on the ground. Remember to stay hidden. It’s actually easier to spot them on the ground against the white snow. Unless they’re using camouflage but they’re not expecting company so I doubt they’ll be taking on any forms.”

PW nodded his understanding and 2 continued.

“Radio back to Vanhoover Control when you’ve spotted them or reached the turnaround point. I’ll be on the ridge, so I should receive the call. Once you get their position, make back for point Alpha and do your best to look for scouting parties. Notify me of every one you see. Then, land back at Alpha, where I’m planning to be. We’ll develop an attack plan then.” She finished. “Questions?” She asked.

“None, ma’am!” Replied PW.

“Then it’s getting bright.” She put on her goggles. “And time you get up there.” She added.

“Woah, you look great with those on!” Exclaimed PW, seeing the mare's mane blowing in the wind as well. She opened her mouth and grinned, throwing up her thumb and pinkie finger.

“What’s that mean?”

“I dunno, exactly. Something like ‘go get ‘em.’”

“Alright 2; you stay safe!” With that Polaris soared into the air.

“Stay hidden!” 2 called after him.





PW leveled off around five thousand feet until he reached point Alpha, then he flew southwest towards the Luna Bay as he clicked his portable radio.

“Vanhoover Control, good morning. Northwind flying Southwest from Alpha.”

“Good copy. Northwind, we need to nail down your callsign when this is all said and done. I can’t have Norths flying South and Number 1 and Number 2’s Number 1.”

“I totally understand sir.” Replied PW with sincerity, fearing his bad call-sign might jeopardize his chances with the company.

PW flew over a veritable sea of frosty mountains. Finally, a low, southerly valley broke free of the heights that hosted a vast forest.

“This must be where the Night-Mares are from.” PW noted. 

It was at this point that he noticed some black streaks in the sky. They were moving against the apparent motion of everything else. 

PW brought up the mouthpiece again. “Vanhoover Control, I’m halting my advance to check something out in the sky.” He said, using his wings to create a venturi.

“Get hidden.” Came the crackling reply.

“Already done.” He settled into his newly formed cloud. 

PW wisely moved the cloud at an angle towards the moving objects, keeping them relatively motionless. From an enemy perspective his hiding place would simply look like a building cloud. He took note that the formation these objects were in did not match migratory bird patterns. It did not match the often chaotic formations of pegasi, nor the single file of griffons either. This formation was organized into 4 rows, front to back, and solid columns from one side to another. PW also noted it must have been another thousand feet up, which would place it some six-thousand above the terrain.

“Changelings.” He muttered, finally within distance to recognize the characteristic blue blur of their insectoid wings.

“Vanhoover Control, Northwind. I’ve spotted changelings in flight.”

“Count and description?”

He paused to double-check.

“Count and description?” 

“4 rows… looks like eight across. 32 in formation!”

“Location?”

“Um, quadrant F-F!”

“Copy, 32 bad guys quadrant F-F. Good job Northwind. We want you to withdraw and make your way back to point Alpha! Once you’re out of sight range of the main force cut in front of their path. Changelings are slow fliers and you should get ahead of them. They will likely have scouts out ahead. You can descend if you need to. Report back all you see with positions!”

“Yes sir! Returning to Alpha, looking for scouts! Did you read Number 2?”

“Great job, Northwind! I’m proud of you!”

“Thank you so much Number 2!” PW answered back.

PW withdrew his cloud eastward from the area and evaporated it. Using the changeling’s formation as a vector, he then accelerated and overtook them. Once out of sight he adjusted his course to get in front of them as instructed. It was at this time that PW spotted four groups of black spots on the white snow spread out from one another. He hastily condensed another tuft of cloud and lowered his altitude to resolve the black specks. Each of the four groups turned out to be a pair of changelings. Another 8. PW then ascended.

“Vanhoover Control, I’ve got scouts. Location D-H. Almost to point Alpha.” He radioed.

“Count?”

“There’s 4 pairs, spread out.”

“Copy, four pairs. Zigzag on your way back to Alpha at your discretion. Could be more, keep your eyes peeled.”

“OK.”

PW flew his zigzag pattern but did not see any additional scouts. During the descent to Alpha Night-Mare 2 hailed him.

“Northwind!”

“You called?”

“Look down and to your right.” She said, waving her black D16 against the bright snow.

“On my way down.” He replied.

He made his landing extra perfect to try and impress her. She lifted her goggles and cocked her head to the side. “Well?” She asked.

“Northwind reporting for duty!” PW responded.

“Take off again and climb up there. Tell Vanhoover that I’m going to engage one of the scouting parties.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Replied PW, taking to the air.

“Vanhoover Control, relaying a message from Number 2. We are going to engage one of the scout parties.”

“Roger.”

PW began descending but Night Mare-2 called out to him.

“Ah-ah-ah, PW!” She warned.

“Now what?”

“I want their location.”

“Got it.” He replied, flying southwest again to get a better fix. “The most southerly pair is five miles by my guess and southwest of your position. If you track with the sun on your left shoulder you should run into them.”

“Copy that.”

“I’m returning to your side now.”

“I feel safer already!” She joked.

PW met her and they continued their southwest offroading. “So, 2, why are we only intercepting one pair?” He asked.

“Biggest reason is the hassle afterwards.” She explained. “We’re going to try for capture. If we succeeded, we’d now be marching two prisoners by the time the main force arrives. Now if we went for all of them, we’d be marching eight; a much bigger hassle. But the other reason is information. If we can isolate two changelings we should be able to make them spill the beans.”

PW periodically flew to validate the position of the scouts. Finally, once they were in visual range on the ground, 2 laid out the plan.

“Alright, PW. I’m going to drop here. I want you to go over there and make contact with them. Distract them. Stand in one location as long as you can and make sure they keep facing your direction.” She said.

“Yes ma’am!” PW responded, knees aquiver in anticipation.

“Vanhoover Control, we’re engaging.” She radioed. There was no response – they were out of range.

Polaris glided down the hill to the scouts. As he neared them he could see them flinching back in concern.

“What is that?” The one on the right exclaimed.

“It’s a pegasus!” Replied the other.

“I know that, you nitwit! What’s he doing here?” Right hissed.

“Maybe he got lost?”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere! This is bad. Be ready to nab him.”

PW landed in front of the pair. 

“We’ll ask him ourselves.” Left muttered before calling out to PW. “You there! Who do you represent and what are you doing here?”

“H-hey guys! Did you see the sunrise this morning? Wasn’t it beautiful? I mean – wow!” PW asked in jollity.

“Who do you represent pegasus?”

“Me? Why, I represent myself! I’m out exploring. I’m like the Daring Do of the north!”

“Who is Daring Do?” The changeling on the right asked.

“What? You don’t know who Daring Do is?”

“I think he means to –” Left began but was cut short.

“Daring Do is this awesome explorer down south in the jungles of Arimaspi!” PW exclaimed. She explores the jungles for amazing artifacts and hidden desperados!”

“You’re in search of desperados?” Left asked.

“Yeah, and historical artifacts!” Polaris answered.

“Hmph, I’ll bet you couldn’t even recognize a desperado right in front of you.” Left muttered.

PW noticed a pair of copper eyes behind them, creeping across the snow. They didn’t look very happy that he made contact with them. PW stretched back to mask his lookaway.

“Ha, sure I could! What makes you say that?” PW all but yelled as 2 neared them.

“We don’t have time for this… should we report, ignore, or dispose?” Left muttered to right.

“He’s in the middle of nowhere exploring with no gear and just happened to run into us? Something is wrong; I say dispose.” Right said.

“Dispose of what exactly?” Asked PW.

“You, nuisance!” The changeling hissed.

“How? I’m a pegasus in my prime. You can’t catch me, scale-wings!”

“Then be off already!” Shouted the changeling as a behemoth image was growing behind them. 

PW had to try hard to mask his heavy, excited breathing.

“Your buddy here doesn’t seem to be giving you any trouble? Why don’t I just deal with you?” Replied PW.

“My so-called buddy doesn’t follow the rules of the hive. He’s nearly a Thorax-sympathizer! Now then, I think it’s time I put an end to you!” Declared the changeling, forming up into a stance.

“Just try and see what comes of it!” Replied PW, putting on his best high-schooler taunt.

The changeling opened his mouth and coiled his neck up. As he went to strike a size-ten hoof knocked him headfirst into his partner.
> Chapter 12: NightMare versus Changeling
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Already stunned by the blow, the quiet changeling was pinned underneath his comrade. The large, size-ten hooves moved quickly to crack his right wing with a great *SNAP*!

“OW– MY WING!” He shrieked.

“Great job, PW! Two captured.” Night-Mare 2 commended Polaris and moved to pull tie-wraps out of her bag.

She quickly secured the Changelings’ wings to their bodies with them and chained their hind hooves together for good measure.

“Ugh– I swear I’m gonna pummel that freak!” The noisy changeling grumbled, coming to.

“You didn’t have to get me!” The quiet one whined as he tried not to strain his wing.

“Hmph– I didn’t know you had that much fight in you, pegasus!” The loud Changeling said. “W– who tied me up?!” He added in alarm.

“I didn’t do a thing. Then, or now.” Polaris smiled.

“Then, who…” The words fell as he turned.

“I did.” 2 declared, stopping what she was doing and rearing to her full height, seven-odd feet with her snow-boots on. Although PW would have said she was even taller.

“For Chrysalis’ sake; wha– what is that! We can't morph into that!” Cried the noisy changeling.

The quiet one could only stutter as he took in 2’s shifting augments, let alone her sheer size. “Run for it!” He finally shouted and sprang to his hooves. He didn’t get far before his chain tying him to his partner stopped him and fell to the ground whimpering.

“Get up, you idiot!” His partner shrieked. 

The Night-Mare circled around to their faces like a cheetah stalking its prey and stomped hard into the ground.

“You are captured!” She shouted. “I’m calling the shots, now. You; loud one. Rear up; you’re being frisked!”

The changeling was unhappy and resisted by moving slowly. 

“Move it or else you’re getting a bullet in your head!” 2 thundered, yanking his shoulder.

Polaris looked up at his towering companion, awed as she moved about frisking the changeling. Night-Mare 2 recovered his saddlebag and tossed it to PW, who dumped it out..

“You! You’re an accomplice! This whole thing was a trap!” He shouted in complaint as PW shifted through his things without a word.

“Your turn!” The imposing mare barked to the other changeling. 

He reared up immediately and did not resist being frisked. His saddlebag was also chucked to PW who’d already neatly organized the first bag’s contents into tactical and non-tactical piles. 

“Good job, guy!” Number 2 complimented his workmanship, pleased to see PW had sorted it for her as she too looked through the items.

“What’s the deal here?! You boys are apparently planning something!” The intimidating mare bellowed, throwing several maps before them. “What is this?!” She demanded.

“Uh, i-it’s…” Began the timid changeling.

“Quiet, you idiot! Don’t rat us out!” His partner cut him off.

Polaris and 2 exchanged glances, impressed at his resolve. “How many of you are out there?” She snapped.

“It’s just us lot.” He muttered behind a glare.

Night-Mare 2 turned to PW and gestured for a fact check. “Wrong, dirty liars!” He stamped the ground to directly assist the interrogation.

“Do you take us for fools?! Try again. How many of you are there?” Night-Mare 2 thundered and whipped her tail against their equipment with a great *CLAP*

“Us and two others.” The changeling held his ground.

2 looked down at PW. “Still not coming clean.” He said.

She closed her distance with the noisy changeling in a slow, snaking motion until they were inches apart. “I’m going to ask you ONE MORE TIME. How many of you are there?” The mare growled, building a temper to her words.

A forehoof found its way to the back of his head. Her metal fingers clicked from their sockets and gripped his skull. He gulped and shut his eyes tight.
“There’s eight of us on our own. A-and a group of thirty-two lagging back there.” He finally relented through a clenched jaw.

PW nodded that he was telling the truth. 2 backed off and took a look at the maps. 

“This seems to describe what’s going on here.” She pointed. “I see a big blob and four small arrows converging on this location which looks like a cliff along the road. Then this big arrow is running up to the same cliff. You two seem to be on the path of the southernmost small arrow. So tell me; what is supposed to happen here?” She pointed to the cliff on the map.

“Um, we…” The quiet changeling grumbled.

“Shut up!” Rebuked the noisy one. He found his resolve again and said, “It’s a picnic!”

“A picnic? Where’s your food, then?” 2 chuckled.

“We don’t have it. The other guys are carrying it!”

“Really? If all five groups of you are going to converge on this one spot, after entering from the same location; why take separate paths? You’d think flying in formation would save time and energy.”

“We are explorers!” He explained. “Like the, erm, the Daring Do!”

“I don’t buy that…” 2 muttered and rose.

She thumped over to the quiet changeling and sat down in front of him. “You there. You look like you’re the kind of guy that doesn’t like to get bit for saying the wrong thing. Am I right?” The mega mare asked with a toothy grin.

“Leave him be, he doesn’t know anything!” Complained the noisy changeling.

She ignored him and clicked her fingers out before his snout. His breathing quickened at the sight, even more so when she gripped his shoulder. 

“Are you going to talk to me? Or am I going to need to break even more of you?” The mare asked, leaning into and forcing herself over him. 

The changeling gulped and shook in terror but said nothing.

Polaris, meanwhile, was having a field day watching this go down. ‘I’ve got to get HQ to let me take a film recorder if I get hired! For evidence, of course!’ He lied.

The huge pony next reached out and took the changeling’s unbroken wing in her fingers, examining it. 

“Such an interesting, scaly complexion. Compared to my friend’s feathers.” She said as the changeling in her grasp trembled. She then worked her fingers against the wing, starting to bend it.

“So, um… here’s your chance to speak. Without it costing you.” She warned as she bent the wing back.

“Stop, please! I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” He finally cried and was immediately released.

“You pussy!” Mocked the other changeling.

2 rolled her eyes, reached over and yanked a neckerchief out of her bag and tossed it towards PW. “Give us some peace and quiet please?”

PW rolled up the cloth and gagged the noisy changeling, much to his irritation.

“That’s better. We don’t need to worry about your partner here lobbing insults at you while we have our conversation. You need to get your point across the first time. Unless you want these thighs to use your exoskeleton as a one-time exercise tool.” She sat down with a low *THUMP*. “So, why are you here?”

“It’s an ambush. We’re here to ambush the royal caravan.” The changeling whispered.

“You mean to drive it over the cliff?”

“Yes, exactly that.”

“And why are you separated from the main group?”

“Scouts went ahead to look for any Royal Guard!” He answered.

“Too bad. I’m Guard. I guess you could say you found us.” 2 next pointed to the map’s ‘x’. “Is this your rendezvous point?”

“Yeah?”

“What time is the rendezvous set for?”

“Tonight. At sundown.”

“Aw, yeah. Momma’s gonna hunt in the dark. See these eyes?” She pointed to her amber pupils. “They’re specifically suited to seeing in the dim light common at northern latitudes.” She stood and fished another gag from her pack. “Well, I think we have all the information we need. I’m glad you decided to talk and you should be, too. You’re still in one piece! Keep being good and I’ll put in a word for you. Might even get you a softer sentence!”

With that she inserted the gag and rose.

“I do believe you both know the way. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to travel across the ground now. Lead the way.” She ordered and turned to her companion. “PW, take their map into the sky and cross reference it with ours. Reassess all the positions.”

“Yes ma'am!” He said, taking off into the sky. 

Night-Mare 2 pushed the changeling pair in front of her and the hike began.

Polaris meanwhile retraced his first flight and quickly found the 6 other scouts in the air. ‘No time to confirm the others!’ He realized, turning back. “Vanhoover Control, two changelings captured. Six more scouts will be arriving momentarily.”

“Copy, great job.” Was the response.

It wasn’t long before 2 and her captives arrived at Alpha.

“The scouts are nearly upon us! I didn’t even have time to confirm the main line’s position. What is the plan?” PW asked her.

“Changelings are predictable. They’re going to land beside the ice cliff where the ambush is intended. I’m going down there and we’re going to smoke them.” She caught herself and muttered. “I mean, subdue. We’re going to subdue them. Without casualties. As for these two.” Her voice went low as she withdrew her pistol and handed it over to a wide-eyed PW. “You’re going to have to watch them! If they move an inch, shoot them. No words. Just shoot.”

With that she saddled her bags up before trotting down the hill to the road. Polaris Wind was terrified but could not voice any reservations in front of the enemy. He eyed the weapon and mentally noted how he would aim something clearly designed for something with fingers. He wasn’t sure if he could even handle the recoil.

2 meanwhile trotted to the ice cliff, dug out some fallen snow from a snowbank and then burrowed into it to hide herself from view. Just a few minutes later a gaggle was heard entering the valley.

“That’s it!”

“How do you know?”

“I have the map, dummy.”

One changeling landed only yards from 2’s hiding spot.

“So where the buck is Chitin and the other guy? I ain’t a dummy and count six of us, not eight.”

“We’re at the right location so those idiots must have gotten lost!”

A gray object popped out of the ground and hissed a cloud of smoke.

“The hay is this?!?”

“Volcanic vent!” Another shouted as the cloud enveloped them.

“No, you imbecile, it’s some ca-AAUGH!”

“What’s a ca-aaugh?”

“Probably some stupid ei…”

“What the hay is going on?”

“Help…” Cried a voice familiar to PW.

“Who is that?”

“Idiots it’s a…”

“A what?”

“Is there somepony in the cloud?” One of them asked, finally escaping the smoke cloud. 

A titanic hulk with a coat to match the smoke flew out of the opaque cloud like a giant wrecking ball and knocked the poor changeling back several yards.

“Sounds like a fight!” Cried yet another voice. 

The mare instinctively turned for the sound and ran through the cloud again.

“It’s– !” Yelled yet another, silenced voice.

“It’s what…? Hello…? Guys…? EEP!” Went the last voice alongside an audible *CRACK.* 

Despite the smoke 2 bundled up her catch and emerged from the smoke walking on two legs, with a changeling tucked under either of her forelegs. She simply dropped them onto the ground beside each other like sacks of rice and repeated the process until there were six in a row. The titan got to work binding their wings down, followed by chaining them together. Gradually, they began to regain their senses one by one.

“What happened? What is this?” One of them asked blindly.

“Don’t look now, Abbie, but we’ve been dropped.”

“That’s impossible.” The changeling stammered. “There’s nopony out here!”

“Wrong.” 2 stood and thumped over to the changeling. “Your little game is up. I know why you all are here; you’ve already lost. Now, keep your mouth shut. You’re of no use to me.” She quickly gagged the struggling creatures and shouted in Polaris’ direction. “PW! Take to the air and locate the main force. Radio the capture quickly, before dark!”

“I’m still holding a pistol!” Shouted PW.

The mare rolled her eyes and raced up the hill to meet PW and retrieve her pistol. The mare lifted the gun so strongly she almost pulled PW off the ground with it. She then yanked the two scouts off down the hill towards the others while he took off.

“Vanhoover Control, six scouts neutralized. Eight captured. Looking for the main group.” Radioed PW.

He found the formation flying in the twilight sky a few minutes later. “Vanhoover Control the main force is ten minutes from Point Alpha. I believe Number 2’s intention is to engage almost immediately.”

“Yup.” She piped in.

“Northwind, please radio back when the threat is understood to be neutralized.”

“You got it.”

PW landed just as night was falling. By that time 2 had relocated the captured changelings up the hill again, reuniting all of the scouts just above their planned attack location.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were into Daring Do!” The big mare teased.

“I mean, they’re good books!” PW defended.

“Uh-huh. Sure…” 2 scoffed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Whatever you want it to.”

“Shut up!” He chuckled.

“Careful, now. I’m the one with the gags and I’m pretty sure you’re not stopping me. I got eight in the line and could easily squeeze in a ninth.” She fired back.

“Alright, focus now! What’s the plan?” Asked PW.

“Wow; you’re starting to sound like me! We’ll wait until the main party arrives and I’ll flashbang them.” She said. 

It wasn’t long until the distinctive buzzing of changeling wings were heard overhead. 

Night-Mare 2 walked out to the cliff's edge above the path and started counting them as they landed. “Thirty. Thirty-one. Thirty-two! With the scouts that makes forty.”

“Form up!” One changeling shouted below as Polaris rushed to her side. 

2 grasped her grenade in her fingers as the changelings below organized themselves into ranks. 

She reached with her other hoof to pull the pin. 

A sudden *CLANG* caused her to freeze.
> Chapter 13: The Gatekeeper
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hearing the *clang* too, Polaris looked over at 2 and saw a genuine look of fear and panic in her eyes but it vanished when she looked down at her forehooves. 

“Oh…” She whispered. “I am so glad my fingers were not over the ring. They just locked again.”

PW, still beside her, opened up the junction box on her fetlock and crossed the same wires, unlocking the mechanism. 

“These things are really badly made! I couldn’t believe the amount of times they froze up even during testing.” He whispered back.

After flexing her fingers several times Night-Mare 2 pulled the pin and lobbed the flashbang down onto the changelings below. 

“Tuck head, eyes and ears closed, open mouth!” She hissed.

“I hear…” A changeling started before he heard nothing more.

PW saw a bright flash with his eyes closed and heard a blast orders of magnitude louder than the D16. By the time he opened his eyes again the Night-Mare was descending down the bluff, scampering down the vertical escarpment like a mouse. PW jumped off the cliff into a glide but she was nonetheless faster. There were just a few changelings that were running off. One of them was trying to fly but had about as much control as a moth with one wing. Polaris Wind targeted this one and scored his first combat victory by giving him a jab in the side of his head which sent him down.

“A giant pony!” One of the changelings shrieked. 

PW looked up to see 2 chasing her quarry down as a hungry dog would rabbits; smacking, punching, tackling, or just simply running down changeling after changeling without pause.

“PW! Hogtie the ones lying still with your paracord!” She shouted.

He got right to work, first tying his combat victory then the rest of the ones lying helplessly discombobulated. Eight were secured by the time Night-Mare 2 showed up again, dropping several more changeling bodies onto the pile. Her face had blue juice splattered over it. PW was entranced by the threatening look in her eyes there in the low light, covered in changeling blood, huffing hot puffs of air out as she threw hundred-pound changelings around like they were bags of food. 

“A steam engine with a heart!” PW squeed silently.

“It’s just one mare! We have you outnumbered!” Shouted one of the changelings.

“You should be terrified! This is the best fighter the world has to offer. One alone is more than a match for your hive!” PW answered.

“Help me tie them in!” 2 yelled, quickly getting out her chains, cables, and anything else they could use to tie the captured together. 

PW worked alongside her and every so often a changeling would wake up and have to be knocked out again.

“One, two, three…” 2 counted all of them up. “…Thirty, thirty one, thirty two. All alive.”

“I take it you had a good hunt?” Joked PW.

“Yes- actually, we have thirty-two live changelings here. And add eight more up the hill – I think we have every single one!” She smiled.

“Should I leave them hogtied?” The Night-Mare helper asked.

“We don’t have enough chains to make a walking line. Besides, now that they’re caught, we’ll not need to march them around. Stealth is no longer needed. The goal now is to keep them here until morning. I’m going to pull the other eight down here.” She gave PW the pistol again before heading up the road to get to the climbable portion of the hill.

No doubt the eight chain-ganged changelings did make an attempt to escape, though they didn’t get very far by the time they were run down again. Unfortunately for PW at that time the group of 32 changelings had started to wake and were making a cacophony in front of him, discussing a potential giant pony. Finally, one of them contacted PW directly after he turned his lantern on.

“You! Did you tie us up? Is there a giant around?” He asked.

“Shut up! Or I’ll unload this sidearm into your gut!” PW shouted.

“Joke’s on you, pony!” Yelled a different-looking changeling with green eyes.

“Unlike these nitwits I’m the leader. Which means I have enough brains to know you can’t shoot that thing! You can’t handle the recoil enough to keep firing.”

“Yeah, so what of it?”

“What of it is that you’re defenseless! All changelings able to stand – DO SO!” He yelled. 

About five other changelings managed to stand after a great deal of effort.

“I’m taking aim at you, leader!” PW warned, angling the pistol towards the leader. 

PW heard a scraping noise behind him in the dark but he couldn’t turn around.

“All changelings prepare to attack on my command!”

“I have another flashbang!” PW yelled.

“Prove it.” The leader dared but PW didn't move.

“Changelings charge on my command! 3, 2…”

“CHARGE WHAT, EXACTLY?” Asked a booming voice behind PW. 

PW turned his head to see 2 dragging the entire scouting part in tow. Her thighs, belly, and face illuminated in the lantern light. She took the pistol from PW.

“I’m up for shooting you! But let’s reunite you with your scouts first!” She blurted.

“There is a huge pony here after all!” Exclaimed the squad leader.

“Anything else to say before I gag you?” She asked.

“Imma radio this in!” PW squeaked and took off in excitement.

“Vanhoover Control, NorthWind. We have four-zero in captivity. That’s four-zero in captivity. We believe the threat to be neutralized.”

“You’re kidding? Four-zero? As in for-ty?”

“That’s correct.”

“That’s unheard of!”

“What can I say? We make a great team!”

“In that case, yes. I can update you on the position – the caravan left last night and they should be reaching your position around sunrise. Now, what do you intend to do with the captured changelings?”

“My thoughts were we’d just march them with the convoy?”

“Are they well secured?”

“Yup, chained up good.”

“Alright, you may do that.”

“Roger.” PW responded, beginning his descent.

"Northwind."

"Here."

"HQ wants to use them as a bargaining chip in the negotiations. 2 will understand what we mean. Make sure they're ready to be marched all day tomorrow."

"You got it."

“Well?” 2 asked as PW landed.

“They got the message that all changelings are captured and approved taking them into Yakyakistan. Convoy will be here around sunrise.” He saluted.

“Great. In that case, you need to get some sleep.”

“Well who’s going to watch them?”

“I am.”

“But, you just captured them!”

“I know. I got it. Also, I need to find more lines to tie them up with so we can march them tomorrow. You go to sleep, then when it’s cold I’ll wake you up and my snoring will keep you up. Deal?”

“Okay.” Responded PW, gathering up his bedding.

“And you lucky bastards get to sleep through the whole night!” She boomed.

 Having disarmed a small army, PW slept comfortably that night. That is, of course until he was woken up by Night-Mare 2. As expected, of course.

“Uuugh!” He gave a groggy groan

“Oh, come on, PW. This girl is tired and wants to sleep.” PW sat up suddenly, as quickly as if a snake was about to crawl on him. “Wow, that worked well!” She muttered, getting her bedding situated.

“Who am I to keep you waiting?” PW asked. She yawned and laid down, offering her pistol to him.

“Here. Don’t underestimate the recoil but you can handle it. If anything bad happens just shoot it. I’m not sure I’ll wake up any other way, anyway.” She admitted. 

Polaris was fond of the way her messy, gray mane spread all out over the sleeping pad as she was speaking. 2 next looked at the gagged changeling leader. “And don’t you threaten him! You’re all still alive but I won’t think twice about changing that.” She looked back to PW. “If he threatens you again, shoot him. I want him dead before I wake up.”

PW gulped and nodded, realizing she was completely serious. He glanced at the head changeling. In just that amount of time, PW heard snoring and looked down to find 2 already asleep, and did it keep PW awake. As a matter of fact most of the changelings were woken up and they had to bury their faces between each other, hooves covering ears in a failed attempt to muffle the snoring.

PW marveled at the fact that the sound echoed off the canyon walls. He looked down at her and noticed she was drooling as well. “I’m going to remember that if for any reason we share the same bed or blankets.” He told himself with a chuckle.

The snoring kept the changelings quiet and PW found himself lost in the stars, looking at the various constellations above. About the time they disappeared in the morning light, so too did the snoring.

“Nn – we need to get this place cleaned up before the convoy gets here.” 2 said suddenly, still laying down.

“How do you wake yourself up like that?” Asked PW.

“Discipline. I tell myself what time I will wake up and then I do.”

“Amazing.”

She rose and immediately rolled her bag up. This action got the changeling’s attention – they were getting uneasy at seeing her awake. PW and Night-Mare 2 ate a brief breakfast of crushed oats and then she approached the changelings. 

“Alright! The caravan is coming! Get into formation now; four columns of eight. Do it now or I’ll blow your heads off!” She thundered and dropped to all fours. 
The changelings formed up without incident. While they stood the sound of galloping hooves heralded a stallion in gleaming Royal Guard armor.

“Good day! The convoy is just minutes away! Has the threat been neutralized?” He shouted ahead.

“What remains is beside us!” PW answered.

“Good, because… they are… almost here and… yeah.” His voice trailed as he approached and beheld Night-Mare 2.

His ears fell and his tail tucked as she stared at him.

“Are you okay sir? You look like you’ve just seen an Ursa!” PW teased him.

“Erm, fine! The prisoners; what are we doing with them?”

2 approached him and his eyes went wide as she leant to speak into his ear. “Per Vanhoover Control we’re going to march them to the Yak Gate and ask them if they’re interested in using the prisoners as bargaining chips against Queen Chrysalis.”

“I-I see! Ah; where are my manners? Marble Shields, at your service! Wh–er, who are you?”

“I’m Ms. Snowheart and this is my assistant, Polaris Wind.” She answered simply and gestured to PW. 

PW nearly blushed at being introduced by none other than Night-Mare 2!

The noise of grinding wheels and squeaking axles was heard. 

“Ah, the first carriage has caught up.” Shields announced. 

The group stood still as three carts passed before the largest and last of them approached.

“Stop this cart!” An ill-toned voice shrieked from within the ornate carriage. A white unicorn stallion with a golden mane and blue eyes stuck his head out from the wagon's window.

“Goodness gracious, we’ve found quite the disgracious circus! What is this? Barley and Bales?” He mocked.

“Seriously, Blueblood? They have my Royal Guard’s insignia on their equipment!” Came another, irritated voice.

“Then, Shining Armor… why in the world are there changelings everywhere?” The pony, Blueblood, sneered.

2 leaned down to whisper a warning in PW’s ear. “Royalty, PW. Don’t get defensive.”

“Your Majesty, the changelings are being detained. The pair in front of them are our own. The mare is an elite; one of our best.” PW imagined Shining Armor to be rubbing his temples as he said that. 

Prince Blueblood leaned out of the cart again and asked. “I see. Then who is the little Pegasus beside her?”

“State your name and role!” Commanded one of the officers.

PW snapped to attention. “I – um – your majesty, I am Polaris Wind! It is my duty to support the N– erm, her in the line of duty!”

“Tactical support, your majesty. Much like myself.” The guard added.

“Hrm…” The prince’s mind worked. “Shining Armor, do you think that stallion is short enough to stand underneath her? As if her foal?” PW saw the NightMare’s mane shift as part of a confused gesture, and she gasped in disgust.

“Knock it off, Blueblood. The Wonderbolts are roughly the same size. Stop teasing.” Ordered Shining Armor.

“And who do you think is bigger? That mare, or Celestia?”

“Ugh; get this cart moving!” Shining Armor shouted. 

Polaris and Night-Mare 2 exchanged glances. She shook her head, acknowledging the impoliteness displayed.

“We are terribly sorry about that.” Replied a rear guard as the clattering wheels resumed turning. 

“We’ve had to deal with shit like that since this expedition set out.” Said the guard next to him. “We’re the tail end of the escort. You can bring your prisoners in line in front of us.”

“Alright you gross bugs; start moving!” 2 yanked the slack out of the line like a locomotive. 

The first few changelings were dragged until the changeling line woke up to the fact they needed to move immediately. “PW, you’ll be the mid-guard. Patrol the middle of the line between me and the rear guards and report any foul behavior back up to me.” She ordered.

“Yes, ma'am!” PW responded.

Their journey took the majority of the day and, aside from a single hour-long break for lunch, they followed the road with no delays. At around 3:00 in the afternoon they arrived at a massive, wooden gate.

“Yakyakistan.” Announced one of the rear guards. They sat for several minutes as the caravan’s arrival was processed. Finally, one of the forward guards came running to them.

“The Yaks want to see the changeling prisoners.” He informed them.

“Alright,move it!” Bellowed the Night-Mare, hauling the now extremely-sore first line of changelings again. 

As they neared the gate the Yakyakistani guards came into view. Their eyes, normally hidden underneath a great mop of hair, widened upon seeing 2.

“Wow… Yak never see Yak-size pony before!” One of them exclaimed.

“How do you do? Miss Snowheart. Royal Guard.” 2 bowed her head.

“And pony-size pony?”

“My assistant, Polaris Wind. Any-how…”

“Allow me.” Shining Armor interrupted and came forward. 

2 stepped back in reverence. 

“This troop of Changelings was caught attempting to disrupt our visit. Now, thanks to my crafty Royal Guard.” Shining Armor nodded up at the towering mare behind him. “We eliminated the threat and wish to start this trade summit at once by offering these prisoners to Yakyakistan. There is no expectation of repayment. We trust that this troop may provide Yakyakistan with bargaining power against Queen Chrysalis should the need arise.”

“Hm… this sounds good! Will ask the Chief. Take them in for now.” The yak said. 

Two particularly large yaks came out of the gate and took possession of the changeling line, much to their dismay. 
While all this was going on a hoof tapped on PW’s shoulder. “Yes?” He asked, turning around to find Shining Armor.

“Hey, can we chat over here?” He said, motioning backward.

PW followed him a few steps off the road and away from everypony. “What is it?”

“I’ve heard you doing good work alongside her. From saving her face to helping her capture forty changelings with no casualties! So… fantastic job. Unfortunately, you’re not Guard. Let alone have an active clearance. Which means you technically aren’t allowed to work with her…”

“I knew this was coming. I knew I wouldn’t be accepted and that I’d be denied trying to help her.” PW responded, turning his face to the ground.

“That’s why we want to take you back home to Equestria and offer you the chance to set things up legitimately.”

“What do you mean?”

Shining shifted his eyes about before leaning in close to whisper. “We’re going to get you in touch with the Night-Mare project management so that you’ll have a chance to rejoin the project and legitimately start contributing again.”

“Okay.” PW said, seeing 2 approaching.

“Did you?” He asked her.

She shook her head. “I still heard everything though. Polaris?”

“Yeah?”

“You’ve helped me big time, but don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl and you know that. These last few days have been very successful for me. Even fun!” She patted his head. “It’s time you get back home but don’t give up hope. Who knows? You may just end up stuck with me again if you try hard enough.”

The stallion leapt up to the mare to hug her so fast it even surprised her. “Goodbye, 2. Just for a little while! I’m going to miss you. Don’t have too much fun without me, okay?”

“Heh, okay.” She responded softly, placing her foreleg and fingers across his back in a hug. “There. I hugged you, now my last order is for you to leave me happy and stay that way until we meet again.”

PW laughed and snapped into a salute. “Yes ma'am!”

“Alright, let’s go.” Shining led him to a pair of pegasi who escorted him southward.
> Chapter 14: Moving Out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once the trio of pegasi had leveled off Polaris Wind began thinking. 

“Was this Shining Armor’s idea?” He asked aloud.

“Oh no, this action has been in the works for some time now." The escort to his right replied.

PW hummed in thought. “Wonder what I did wrong.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong – other than getting involved. There’s just... limits to how much classified information you can know uncleared. And how much contact a volunteer guard can have with Royalty – you know? Without having your background cleared we can’t rule out the possibility of an insider threat.” Responded the left escort.

“Right.” PW gave a pout of agreement.

They flew back in silence until landing at the Crystal Heart City train station.

“Alright, Mr. Wind. As promised, before we leave you – catch!” Called the pegasus Royal Guard, throwing something at Polaris which he caught in his wing.

“Mister Stablecolt. It’s a business card.” PW realized, reading the name on it.

“Not just any business card – that’s the N.C., or Night-Mare Coordinator, who handles the Night-Mare assignments. And his contact information, of course. I will also add that he is expecting a call from you.”

“Thank you so much!” Replied a gratified PW.

“And, to smooth things over, here’s a first class rail pass that’ll take you back home to Canterlot.”

“Thanks guys. Really.” PW called as the guards took to the skies once more.

Polaris boarded a train to Talltale similar to how Night-Mare candidates would for augmentation and commissioning. 

“I hope this is my journey to my future too, like it was for them!” PW pleaded. 

The first class ticket enabled him to ride a single berth to Canterlot, so when the train arrived in Talltale his car was shunted overnight to the Western Transcon and he rode all the way to his journey’s end in Canterlot. Though, of course, he had wished he could have shared it with his Night-Mare.

The temperature was only seventy degrees in town but PW was already sweating due to acclimating to the north. He had a bad feeling that this problem would only get worse in the near-future. Upon returning to his apartment he  made a bold decision.

“Job or not; I’m convinced I need to move to Norfilly. If I’m rejected I’m going to keep trying. And I’m closer to them anyway in Norfilly, just being there.” PW convinced himself. 

He informed the building management of his intentions before going to purchase several packing cases.

Later that afternoon Polaris composed himself for what he believed would be the most important phone call of his life. He inhaled and exhaled deep before rotary-dialing the number on the business card. 

“Be cool, PW. This guy runs the program. Don’t buck it up.” 

The phone clicked.

“Lockhoof Colton Office 222.” Replied a mare's voice on the other end of the line.

“Hi!” PW said a little too eagerly and squeezed his eyes shut in embarrassment. “My name is Polaris Wind, I was told to contact Mr. Stablecolt regarding a potential job offer?”

“Ok, hold on hon; I’ll connect him to you.” She replied.

Almost immediately a gruff voice was on line. “Hello, is this Polaris Wind I am speaking to?”

“Yes sir. I wanted to apologize for using unofficial channels to interact with your team members.”

“It’s fine, Polaris. I’m Rex Stablecolt. Night-Mare Coordinator, or N.C. We’re impressed with what you were able to accomplish in your time with 2-2. You used to be on the project, correct?”

“Yes sir, I was a Test Operator Technician in the cleanrooms during fitment. I was involved with the fingers, in particular.”

“Familiarity and former clearance, very good. We could use more bodies with I&T experience. So, why did you leave the project?”

“I was part of the team that ran out their roles. There was a hiring freeze and they transferred my entire department off. I was simply debriefed and told to expect another assignment.”

“And, how did that make you feel?”

“Terrible! Like I wasn’t worthy to work on the project.”

“You’re aware that the contract has since transferred from Ponyeon to Lockhoof Colton?”

“I’ve been slowly finding that out, yes. That’s good, because Ponyeon would not let me move back. They blocked my horizontal move.”

“Are you still with them?”

“No, I quit.”

“Because you were not allowed to move?”

“Initially, yes. But obviously my pleading became moot because the contract changed without my knowledge. They just kept ignoring me.”

“So, just to be clear; you quit because the contract changed?”

“No sir, I quit to work with the Night-Mare.”

“You quit immediately for that?”

“Yes sir.”

Rex paused. “You got guts, kid. All that because you wanted to work on this contract?”

PW smiled. “Yes sir; I love those girls. They are so powerful, so fierce, so prominent, and so dear to my heart. I have dedication to their mission beyond profession. For me, it’s personal. I don’t want them working out in the field risking their lives alone. They deserve support.”

“Wholeheartedly agreed.” PW couldn’t make out whatever Rex next muttered away from the phone but he was quick to return. “Alright, Polaris, I think I know the answer to this one but would you like to support the 2-2 as you did this past week officially?”

“I’d die for it!” PW nearly shouted. “And yes – I do understand the risk. I don’t care.”

“Alright! Then I’d like to set up an interview with you. I’ll see you Monday morning.” Rex declared.

“Monday morning!” PW agreed.

“Great. You’ll be reimbursed for travel fare. You’re in Canterlot?”

“Yes sir. Although I’m moving to Norfilly.”

“Oh yeah? Nothing is guaranteed yet.”

“I understand, but if I’m rejected I’ll even sweep those streets just because it’s the city the program’s in.”

Rex chuckled. “Okay Polaris, we’ll see you Monday morning. 10:00 AM.”

“Yes sir.”

“200 Coltumbia Park Circle in Norfilly. Just let the gate guard know you’re here to see Mr. Stablecolt for an interview.”

“Will do so, sir.”

“All right. See you soon.”

“Thank you! Bye-bye.” Polaris said as he hung up the phone.

“YEEEEEEEEA!” He screamed so loud it disturbed the neighbors. PW began packing right away.





After spending the previous day packing up Polaris Wind was off to the train station for the last time. He could barely control the luggage cart on the way, however. 

“I wish 2 was here! She’d be able to truck this thing around like it was made of foam.” He grunted, trying to get it unstuck from a cobblestone gutter for the umpteenth time.

In the train station PW boarded a Ponyvania Railroad express to Baltimare. He was a colt the last time he’d gone that far east and in that time the railroad had experienced a revolutionary upgrade in adding concrete ties and a wired catenary to allow for mainline electro-magic trains. These machines were far faster than traditional locomotives, at times reaching 100MPH! Polaris couldn’t even fly that fast. Given that speed on the Eastern transcon he arrived in Haysburg in just 8 hours. Here, he transferred to another train that worked the southern shore of Horseshoe Bay to Norfilly. Though he arrived at midnight it was a humid eighty degrees.

PW booked a room in the railroad hotel for two nights while he looked for a place to settle. He ultimately chose a place in the Farrell neighborhood. Far from the city center and the beach but near the defense contractors’ business park. He paid to have his belongings stored at the train station until he was ready to move in. Compared to Canterlot the town was completely flat and moving the cart was far less of an ordeal. PW nonetheless worked up a huge sweat in the soggy summer heat.

He had the evening to set a few things up before retiring early to bed to ensure he was well-rested for the interview. An hour ahead of schedule he trotted from his apartment into the business park and approached the gate guard of building 200.

“Hi. I’m here to see Mr. Stablecolt for a job interview with Lockhoof?” He addressed a unicorn guard.

“You can proceed into the building and repeat that to the front desk.” Came the reply as the gate clicked open.

The diminutive stallion entered the large, stone building and went through a revolving door before approaching a singular desk in the center of a lofty atrium framed by two staircases.

“Hi, I’m here to see Mr. Stablecolt for a job interview?” PW asked the lone clerk.

“Wait right here, he’ll be down to escort you in a few minutes.” The mare replied and picked up a P.A. call phone.

Several minutes later hoofsteps clacked to PW’s right. He looked to see a broad, suited earth-pony stallion with a khaki coat and a no-nonsense visage descending the stairs. 

“Polaris Wind?” PW recognized the commanding voice immediately.

“Y-yes sir! Mr. Stablecolt?”

He nodded and looked PW up and down. 

“You’re just as 2-2 described.” He said, motioning for PW to follow him.

“Oh? How did she describe me?” PW clambered up the steps.

“In her words? ‘Coat of a faded barn, eyes like a changeling, a mane the color of shit and small enough as to barely qualify as an adult.’”

“Geeze, that’s high praise.” PW muttered.

“Behind my tail, their description of me is ‘blocking their view of the floor.’ Don’t sweat it. In my experience the worse the description, the more fond they are.

PW laughed at that.

“The conference room.” Rex gestured to an open door. 

Two other, similarly-dressed stallions were waiting for them.

“This is Swifthoof, Royal Guard Special Operations Lead and Westheart, our Chief Medical Officer.” Rex first pointed to the pegasus on his left and a unicorn sitting beyond him. Both nodded at their name’s mention without a word.

“Gentlecolts, this is our mystery assistant. Polaris Wind, you may be seated. Your check reimbursing you with a little bonus is there, too.” Rex motioned to a seat in front of him.

Swifthoof tapped his chin. “This is a first. I can’t say I’ve ever seen somepony so excited to put themselves in harm’s way.” He said in a curious tone.

“For the Night-Mares!” PW pumped a hoof as he sat.

Swifthoof narrowed his eyes. “Let’s hope it doesn’t prove to be a liability.”

“Polaris Wind.” The N.C. declared. “This is your official interview for the role of Initial Field Technician.”
> Chapter 15: THE Interview
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Alright, gentlecolts, I’ll go first.” The N.C. began. “So, Polaris; your volunteer work has inadvertently exposed a position that should have existed from the beginning and didn’t. We’re frankly surprised that Ponyeon didn’t have any in-the-field support and that firefight you took part in exposed a glaring flaw – almost to the point of suspicion. It is clear that Poneyon wanted to rid themselves of the contract and were trying to cut things off early. So, regardless of whether you get hired or not, this job will need to exist and we need somepony with experience to train the others up. Let’s see if we can get you back on the team. My first question is simply: why do you want to work with the Night-Mares?”

The excited candidate leaned forward. “Well sir, I can tell you that since I was little I’ve always had a fascination for big things. As you can see I’m a pretty small guy so I’m not big on myself – I’m big on big ponies. So, the idea of this Night-Mare as an unstoppable machine that commands the room and fills the enemy with fear is something I almost nearly worship. The opportunity to serve such an enormously powerful mare is very exciting for me! And in my time working with three of them in I&T I've found they’re great ponies. I feel bad that they’re all alone in the field, too. I set them up for success and up until a few weeks ago I was in a cubicle with all the knowledge on their augmentations while they’re in a swamp, in the tundra, or Celestia-knows-where.”

“I’m glad somepony else thinks so highly of my Night-Mares!” Rex smiled..

“I’ll go.” Swifthoof raised a hoof and looked to PW. “This role requires clearance and access to knowledge hidden from the public. Can you tell me what you know about how the sun and the moon work?”

“Sure.” PW paused to collect his response. “So, they have and generate gravity on their own but are moved across the sky by the princesses – Celestia and Luna – per the almanac.”

“Not on their own?”

“Right. Because I remember years back that mom and dad told me about how the Storm King got a hold of the celestial powers during an attempted coup. When that happened the sun started flashing in and out of the sky!”

“Very good – you’re not one of those… crazy kids.” Swifthoof muttered. “And how do you feel about the current state of government and policy in Equestria?”

“I like it. The multitude of creature diversity is a big plus for me because it ties in several parts of the world beyond Equestria. For example, I had the chance to visit the Crystal Empire and Yakyakistan while working with the Night-Mare. Friendship with other nations is good. I know that’s been the biggest policy recently. Also I know it matters so I’ll say Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Queen Chrysalis are all my enemies, though I also believe they can be reformed.”

“So, foreign policy; you’re happy with things as they are?”

“That’s right.”

“Hm.” Was all he had to say as he scribbled something onto a paper.

“Polaris.” The N.C. addressed him while looking at his paper. “Are you prepared to be killed in action?”

PW frowned, taken aback at how nonchalant Rex was in asking such a heavy question. He glanced at PW expectantly.

Polaris cleared his throat and answered. “Um, well; obviously that would be less-than-ideal and I am very trusting of my safety in the Night-Mare’s shadow and think they can handle anything. Should it happen though; yes. I don’t have a marefriend, wife, or foals and I’m an only child. So there’s just my parents and some extended family. I have no looming debts or bad things that would happen if I vanished one day. And those NightMares are really important to me. If they are gone, so too is my purpose. Yes. I can die and will die for a Night-Mare if it comes to it!” PW exclaimed.

The medical officer, Westheart, leaned forward. “Polaris Wind, it’s my understanding that you saved one of our Night-Mares on multiple occasions. Elaborate.”

“Yes, though just to be clear she insists she would have survived it. I think she’s right since she’s too strong to be downed by a random spray of bullets from a regular rifle, but there were two cases. The first time was during an ambush after crossing the bridge nearest the village by Starlight’s Cave. We were surrounded on all sides by armed creatures that had stolen the contents of an arms shipment and were using the weapons for terror. We were sheltering in front of a rock escarpment. A lucky stone fell on me and I was just in time to look up and see a unicorn aiming a shotgun down at us. I quickly alerted Night-Mare 2 about it and she dispatched the enemy.”

“The second case was approaching armed enemies on the road. Her fingers locked up, which I’ve dealt with in testing – and, Mr. Stablecolt, when that keeps happening it means the circuitry in the unit is going bad and you really need to have her j-box replaced right away or it’s going to keep happening. And now I’m not there to fix it! The other thing I saw being done wrong is trying to short it out with water. That’s not a good response because over time the water will corrode the internal circuitry, leading to more problems. That’s probably what’s going on now. Anyway, I taught her the crossing of wires 2 and 3, which I did for her in time for her to fire back. I really think it’s important that we send somepony with the Night-Mare who understands this stuff in the event it breaks. These are advanced gadgets, and they need expertise.”

Stablecolt cocked a brow and leaned forward again. “That’s very eye-opening, Polaris. We’ll send to have that unit replaced. Maybe I’ll even credit you with saving her a third time, just now. Now, you just started pushing for assistants and that goes right into my next question: what do you think the role of Field Technician entails?”

“A whole lot! For starters, what I just said – ensuring her equipment is working and troubleshooting when it’s not. Furthermore, I was her eye in the sky during Operation Smash-Smash. I also held her captured changelings for her while she did more work – and that’s probably why her kill count ended up as zero. I carried her captured weapons from the first mission. I think it comes down to the following: equipment operation and troubleshooting, reconnaissance, task management, navigation, transport, safety management, and de-saturating the Night-Mare’s tasks as she gets them. Plus, having a normal sized pony beside her is likely to boost her perceived size. Ah – and possibly physical adaptability! For example – the Night-Mare cannot fit into a small opening. I can. Which means I can get into places they can’t!”

“That last point is a big one.” Replied Stablecolt. “And just some information for you; this position would report to me. So the Night-Mare would be considered a superior officer but the chain of command leads to me.” PW nodded in understanding. “What did you learn in your volunteer time and in Integration and Testing?”

“I think the most glaring issue is that the Night-Mare is not properly being supported and is endangered by a failing support structure. I don’t mean you all – the contact just switched. This mainly started with Ponyeon cutting a whole bunch of us with experience. Other than that, I learned of how sweet the Night-Mares really are, a little bit about them, their augmentation systems and how those work, and how integration works and the relationship between poor quality and poor results. Which is why I was absolute and thorough in my work. Once on my own I learned about how the Night-Mare actually operates in the field, the threats that she faces, the strategies to deal with those threats, radio usage, and basic gun safety.”

“You learned gun safety?”

“Yeah, Night-Mare 2 taught me.”

“That’s good. I’m proud of her for doing that. Assuming she did it right.” Stablecolt muttered..

“Do you have any experience with weapons?” Asked Westheart.

“Okay, there’s a question you probably won’t like my answer to.” PW fidgeted but tried to dress things up as best as he could. “Other than a little bit of gun safety and pulling the trigger for practice once on an AJ-47, and the weapons the Night-Mare has built into her body, that I helped test, no other experience unfortunately.”

“That’s what boot camp is for, right Westheart?” Stablecolt said but only got a curt shrug from his compatriot.

Stablecolt looked at his paper again and read off the next question which especially interested PW. “Polaris, if you did get the job as our first Night-Mare Field Technician Assistant, and you could choose, is there any particular Night-Mare you wish to be matched to?”

“Yeah; without a doubt Number 2. I mesh with her really well. I did in I&T too. I think I’m actually growing on her; forgive the pun!” PW smiled.

Westheart cocked a brow. “Just to be clear who we’re talking about, it’s… er, Stablecolt, is he cleared for me to give the full designation?” Westheart asked.

“No he is not, but it is 2 that he worked with a few weeks ago.” Replied Stablecolt.

“Copper eyes, cream white coat, silver mane and tail! Goes by Miss Snowheart in public.” Replied PW.

“Indeed. Knowing her it doesn’t surprise me that she gets along with you well.” Added Westheart.

“Polaris, how do you view your relationship with 2?” Stablecolt asked.

The small stallion paused, carefully selecting his response. “I guess you could say we’re longtime friends… but with very limited contact only spread out two years. It’s kind of tricky explaining it, but what I can say is I want to be with her. Even right now. ‘A friend I really long to be with’ I think explains it well.” Replied PW.

Rex nodded and jotted some notes down, finally reaching the end of the page. “I hate to end this interview on a bad note- but there is one more question we need to ask. What will you do if you don’t get this job?”

“If I don’t? Ugh.” PW looked about the room and sighed. “I’d be defeated. I guess I wouldn’t try to do what I did a few weeks ago? I can’t. But I would keep trying to apply every time the position opens and would take classes, train and earn certifications to continue raising my chances every time!”

The N.C. hummed with a frown and jotted down one final note. PW couldn’t help but fidget in silence as the three interviewers looked to their notes and occasionally at him. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity Rex looked up with a polite smile.

He turned to Westheart. “Good?” He asked, and after receiving a nod turned to Swifthoof. “Good?” And received another nod. “Alright Polaris, I’ll escort you out.”

It was at this time that the stallion sprang his strategically withheld question. “Did you all get my new telephone number? I’m living in Norfilly now!”

“Erm, not that I’m aware.” Rex put the pen to the paper one last time.” Go ahead.” PW was glad to receive this reaction as he read the number, as it meant that, at minimum, his interview was strong.

Stablecolt escorted PW to the front of the building and they said their goodbyes. “We’re going to move really fast on this one; you should hear back by the day after tomorrow.”

With that, PW spent the next day settling into the apartment. That done, he found himself growing nervous. He took a flight to the beach and saw Horseshoe Bay, though it was yellow-brown and cloudy as it almost always was. The anticipation grew.

The next day was agonizingly long for PW as he waited for the call. Though it arrived early sooner than later, every minute felt like days to him. PW yanked the phone from its cradle, hearing his heart beating in his ears. 

“Hello, Polaris?” Came the voice of Mr. Stablecolt.
> Chapter 16: The Right to Know
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hello, Polaris Wind?” Came the baritone voice of Mr. Stablecolt.

“Yes, this is him! This is Mr. Stablecolt?” The pegasus chimed, eager to learn of his fate.

“Yes, although you can now call me N.C., because congratulations! You’re the First Field Technician Assistant to Night-Mare 2! Officially!” Declared Stablecolt.

PW was so excited he dropped the phone onto the table, sending a *bang* through the line. “Sorry, I dropped the phone! This is the happiest day of my life! I’m actually officially getting to keep helping her!”

“Yes, Polaris; you’ve ticked all the boxes. And just between us, Number 2 asked me to choose you.”

“I’m so glad I fit your selection criteria!”

“Me too. Now, let’s discuss some less attractive topics. You’ll need to go through boot-camp for Intel Officers and clearance onboarding.”

“Ok.”

“When can we get you in? Training will take one seven day week. Are you free this Monday to begin?” The coordinator asked.

“Actually, I can be ready tomorrow morning!” PW exclaimed.

“The enthusiasm is appreciated but the next class doesn’t even start until Monday. Does that work?”

“It does!” Replied a very excited PW.

“Great. Since you’re already here that makes things really easy. Your training center will be at Thalassa Naval Station. It’s almost within walking distance; only a few minutes by air. If you’re around tomorrow we’d like to bring you into the office to get your onboarding paperwork taken care of and get your initial briefing in. We’ll also get you cleared to know the classified details for when you are processed for the first mission.”

“I’ll be there!” Vowed PW as he hung up.





“There goes my beautiful mane!” PW complained as the shaver buzzed it nearly flush with his coat. 

His tail was likewise cut short and bundled up. He then was issued his uniform and shown to the barracks where he waited for training to begin with several other recruits.

The door flew open, revealing a large, green earth-pony with a flat top and an angry look on his face. “RECRUITS! I AM SERGEANT WHIPPING POST! FROM NOW ON YOU WILL SPEAK ONLY WHEN SPOKEN TO!” He bellowed, approaching the line of stallions. “SOUND OFF!” He ordered.

“Yes sir!” The unsure chorus replied.

“YOU BETTER TRY THAT AGAIN LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!”

“YES SIR!” They cried.

“YOU LOSERS WILL ONE DAY BE INTELLIGENCE WEAPONS OF WAR, HANDLING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION! BUT, UNTIL THAT DAY YOU ARE LITTLE PANSIES, MUSHROOMS, AND MOSS GROWING IN THE GROSSEST RECESSES OF THE EQUESTRIAN DUNGEONS! NOW, WHAT IS YOUR NAME?” Whipping Post hollered into the face of the nearest recruit.

He went on down the line, mocking and insulting them as they went. Each of them was given a nickname. Some weren’t half-bad but most were humiliating. Of course, PW hoped his would be badass but the drill instructor had other plans.

“WHAT IS YOUR NAME MY LITTLE PRIVATE?” He yelled at PW.

“POLARIS WIND, SIR!” PW shouted back.

“CLEAR YOUR FUCKING MOUTH OUT PRIVATE IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE CHOKING ON PISS!” He yelled, mocking PW’s scratchy voice.

“POLARIS WIND, SIR!” He tried again, cleaning his voice.

“I DID NOT ORDER YOU TO REPEAT YOURSELF, LITTLE PRIVATE! NOW WHY ON EQUUS DO YOU THINK YOU ARE WORTHY OF MY CORPS?” He challenged.

“SIR, I WAS SELECTED FOR A CLASSIFIED OPERATION, SIR!”

“PRIVATE POLARIS WIND YOU USE ONE SIR AT THE END WHEN SPEAKING TO ME! NOW REPEAT YOURSELF!”

“I WAS SELECTED FOR A CLASSIFIED OPERATION, SIR!”

“BULLSHIT, YOU’RE BARELY TALLER THAN MY GRANNY!”

“I AM THE HEIGHT OF AN AVERAGE PEGASUS, SIR!”

“ARE YOU FUCKING WITH ME LITTLE PRIVATE?”

“NO, SIR!”

“I WOULD CHOOSE MY NEXT WORDS CAREFULLY LITTLE PRIVATE! NOW WHY ARE YOU IN MY CORPS?!”

“IT REALLY IS CLASSIFIED, SIR!”

“BULLSHIT! YOU MOCK ME LITTLE PRIVATE!” He yelled, knocking PW down and back towards the bed. “GET UP, LITTLE PRIVATE!”

PW gasped and floofed his chest tuft. 

“DO YOU THINK I’M FUCKING STUPID? I SEE YOUR CHEST HAIR, LITTLE PRIVATE!”

“I AM BEING TOUGH SIR!”

“BULLSHIT! LIKE HELL YOU ARE, PRIVATE POLARIS WIND! YOU ARE NOT ONLY A LIAR BUT YOU ARE A TINY, MISERABLE MIDGET! I WILL CALL YOU PRIVATE SQUAT!” He yelled.

There was snickering in the room.

“DO I HEAR GIGGLING? TIME TO MAKE SQUAT HERE PROUD. ALL OF YOU LITTLE PRIVATES GIVE ME FIFTY ‘SQUATS’ NOW!” The sergeant yelled.

“Nice job, Squat!” The stallion next to PW hissed, obviously upset about his poor performance impacting everypony negatively.





-1 Week Later-


Once the week had passed, PW managed to graduate with most of the class. While they would continue their rigorous training for more specialized tasks PW was accelerated through training because of concerns regarding the situation of the Night-Mares. The coordinator, Stablecolt, was there to congratulate him on passing.

“I would have asked Number 2 to join us but she is currently on assignment.” He said.

“I get it.” Replied PW.

“She will be returning tomorrow for a refit so we are just going to process the both of you tomorrow.”

“Great!” Replied PW, anxious to see 2 again.





PW was awarded his rank in a small ceremony and was surprised to see the N.C. approaching him.

“Private Wind, are you aware of the tradition of rank advancement? I see your boss is here to help you celebrate the moment." Whipping Post asked.

“No?” PW responded.

“A friend or family member is invited to punch your badge.”

“What?!” Exclaimed PW as Rex stepped up to him and punched his shoulder.

“Oww!”

Rex placed a hoof more gently on his shoulder. “Polaris, when your new rank is awarded in the Royal Guard somepony you know gives you a celebratory punch on the badge. In lieu of any such persons present I did the honors. Just know that in the future 2 has volunteered herself to be the familiar doing the congratulatory-punch next time. You should feel proud, PW. And terrified.”

“… oh nooo!” He cried, fearing the next promotion.

“I’m sorry we’re not able to give you a day off.” Said his boss.

“I know what I signed up for, N.C. The sooner I’m beside her, the better. Have you replaced her j-box yet?” Asked PW.

“Yes, immediately. So far so good; you helped us out again, Polaris.” The N.C. said.

The exhausted training graduate went home and slept the best night’s sleep he had in several weeks. The training was done, he was back in his own bed, and now he was officially on team Night-Mare 2, to be at her side professionally.

The next morning he walked to the office with great excitement and was surprised to see somepony he wanted to see so badly already there in the waiting room.

“Night-Mare 2! I’m for real now!” PW exclaimed to the earlybird.

“PW! Nice haircut.” The large mare called back with enthusiasm before reaching down into a saddlebag.

“I got something for you!” She removed a small object from the bag.

“Ha, a plushie?” He cocked a brow  and chuckled.

“Not just any!” She held it aloft.

“Oh Celestia! It’s you! As a plushie!”

“Yup, they’re making plushies for the Guard now. Thought I’d ask for one too.”

“She’s so CUTE! I love her so much!” He exclaimed, embracing the toy.

“Size is measured in spirit, nothing more!” It cried.

The surprised stallion took the toy in his hooves and squeezed it again. “Move in to engage!” It squawked.

“Oh my Celestia, 2! She even talks! This is so great!” PW added.

“I’m glad you like it! Well, me.”

“This is so cute!”

“Boop your nose to hers! This one’s special – a one of a kind.”

“Okay?” PW responded, pressing his nose into the plush’s one. 

“PW, you’re my number 1!” The toy replied.

PW looked over at the Night-Mare who was now a bit red and looking down shyly. PW jumped up and hugged the mare around her chest.

“Thank you. Really.” He said sincerely. The mare raised her right foreleg to place her fingers over his back.

“What did you name your rifle?” She asked.

“You really want to know, 2?”

“Yup. Tell me.”

“Snowheart!” PW bleated.

“After me?”

“Yes.”

“Did you cuddle with Miss Snowheart in bed?” The mare asked in a teasing way.

“N- no!” PW responded, turning red in the face.

“It’s ok- it’s only natural for you. So how about this- how many times did you drop the soap?”

“Just once.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“And did you do it?”

“Yeah, I sang ‘I’m a little teapot.’ Let’s be honest. What am I unarmed when I can’t fly...” Admitted PW.

“You’re a lot of things PW. More than you realize.”

The door on the other side of the waiting room opened and the boss walked out. “Ah, the former Night-Mare-series-2-serial-2, now Night-Mare team. I’m glad to see you both catching up. Come on back.” He led the way with the size-reversed dimorphic pair in tow.

“Polaris, this is the ready room. This is where the Night-Mares prepare for their missions. It’s really a series of rooms. You started in the creatively-named Waiting Room. We have a series of rooms grouped together with various functions, but we normally refer instead to the stations within the rooms. The stations aren’t set in stone and can change. Like this mission for instance; Station 1 is entirely dedicated to you, Polaris.”

“I’m the reason?”

“Yes, you are. I am going to be sharing very sensitive information now. 2’s portfolio." Rex hoofed PW a folder that looked like a piece of machinery. "This IS classified, and you have the right to know.” He added.

“Ponyeon Systems Night-Mare Weapons System Platform Series 2 / Serial No. 2… Frosty.” PW read. A tear fell onto the paper, which his observant boss picked up on.

“Everything alright, Polaris?”

“Yeah! Absolutely! I just cannot believe that I am worthy to read this!” Exclaimed the fountain of joy that was PW at the moment.

“You barely made the cut...” Teased the NightMare. PW laughed out loud, then opened the folder.

“Oh, the ID!” He read. “Series 2… Serial number 2… codename Frosty. Frosty! Is that what I should be calling you?” PW asked.

“Yes. That’s my handle.” She responded.

“Public alias is Miss Snowheart… Your birth name! Tiny Hooves? Your REAL name is Tiny?!” PW asked.

Frosty stood and walked into PW’s file, into his hoof holding it, and stopped only once they were hoof to hoof. With her muscular chest directly above and in front of the small pegasus stallion's face, and the mare’s face staring down with an expression of disgust so foul it looked as if he’d deeply insulted her. “Look at my hooves. Do you think they are tiny?” She asked.

PW looked down and was convinced he could have fit three of his own hooves in one of hers.

The terrified stallion squeaked. “I… fucked up bigtime! Forgive my transgression!”

She grinned and backed off. “You are forgiven PW. If you must know, my dad named me Tiny Hooves because, when I was a foal, he thought I had tiny hooves. And before you ask; yes, my dad is BIGGER than I am.” PW gulped, hearing another reason it was better to die alongside the Night-Mare than survive her in action.

She noticed Rex smiling at her.

“He likes it when I do that.” She muttered.

“Really?” He gave a curious look to PW, who remained completely motionless, unable to confirm or deny that statement.

“Moving on!” PW all but shouted, desperate to change the subject. “Stats… standing height 60.4 inches… full ancillary clearance height including mane and ears 65.4 inches… width gauge clearance 27.9 inches… body length 56.0 inches… rearing height- holy shit! 80.9 inches! Commissioned weight 394 pounds. Woah! Strength stats! Deadlift 1,685 pounds, bench 882 pounds, torque 1,605 pounds, thigh contraction pressure 79 psi!” Read PW.

“Do you see why it’s a bad idea to fuck with me PW?” Asked the mare.

“Yup, this is insane!” He replied back, completely nerded out.

PW started paging ahead in the file. “Leg augmentation system… finger augmentation system – ah, here’s all the stuff I knew from I&T!” PW mentioned as he paged through the detailed design drawings.

“Sounds like you have the lay of the land.” Rex noted.

“Actually, sir, I really want to go over this and memorize everything by heart.”

“I really do admire your dedication. The more you know the better, as it’ll be your job to look after her. For example; the clearances on missions. You will need to ensure she’s able to move around safely.”

“Consider it done!” PW exclaimed with a salute.

“Great. Then we’ll move on to Station 2 where we’ll confirm everything is up to date on our Night-Mare and also get your stats down for my file on you. We won’t need to collect strength stats or anything like that though.” The N.C. motioned to the other side of the room where a small team of nurses came in and greeted Frosty.

One, a blue unicorn, climbed up a stepladder and released a measuring tape. “Height on fours: 60.25!” She announced, before climbing up higher.

“Rear up please?” She asked, to which 2 reared to her full height. “Height rearing: 81.” The nurse said as 2 dropped all fours, producing a light tremor.

The other nurse, a yellow earth-pony, measured her width. “Width: 28, body length: 56.” She read off.

By now the first nurse had put the ladder away and now was wheeling a spring scale out. The unicorn set the large notch in the 300’s position and started advancing the 1’s all the way up to 50. Then she reset for 350, advancing the 1’s towards 400. The scale did not tip. The mare then advanced the first notch to 400, it’s final position, and began advancing until a balance was reached. “404!” Called the nurse.

“Beat that, shrimp-boat.” Teased Frosty, stepping off the scale with a loud *clack*.

“Alright Polaris, we’re ready for you. Since the scale’s out let’s get that taken care of first!” The unicorn waved him forward.

The mare reset the 50 and 1’s weights to 0 and took the 100’s weight back to 100. The scale did not tip. The nurse set the 100’s weight to 0 and moved the 50’s weight back up to 50 and worked the 1’s column out, taking forever to balance. “99!” She called.

“Feathers; he’s lighter than I am!” Called the earth-pony nurse. 

Snickering could be heard from the other side of the room where 2 watched.

“I’m four times bigger than you, PW.” She said as the scale was wheeled back. The nurse started wheeling out the ladder.

“Oh hon, you can leave that. I think I can reach.” Said the yellow colored nurse. “Rear up sweetheart?” She asked. She did the same with PW and held the tape up to his ears. “Got it- can you read it?” She asked the blue unicorn nurse on all fours.

“54.25!” She called as an embarrassed PW looked over at the big mare, barely at eye level with her as she sat. PW returned to all fours as the nurse put pressure on him to do so.

“Height on all fours is 40.0! Width… 11.5! Body length… 36.50!” She called off.

“Okay, mister Stablecolt, we’re done!” The unicorn said, passing the clipboard over to the N.C. while the other started clearing up the room.

“Thanks girls! Ok you two, into the next room!” He ordered.

“Beds?” Asked PW, confused.

“Yes. We need somewhere comfortable for you to rest while you receive your immunizations.” The N.C. explained.

“Immunizations?” Asked PW, gulping.

“Yes, shots PW! Big ones.” Teased the mare. He looked back at her to find a stupid grin on her face. She was having too much fun terrorizing her small teammate.

One bed was obviously sized to her (and structured accordingly) while the other to a normal pony.

“We’re back!” called the blue unicorn, carrying a tray in her magic. “You’re due for a booster, Frosty!” Called the mare, lifting a syringe nearly as thick as the nurse’s leg, and nearly as long.

“What the buck is that?!?” PW cried.

“Immunization.” Frosty called back.

“Don’t worry hon, yours is much smaller.” Reassured the nurse.

The nurse unsheathed the inches-long needle and drove it deep into the Night-Mare’s thigh. The Night-Mare continued smiling at PW for the thirty seconds it took to deliver her dose, never once changing her expression.

“Would you like the auto-wagons or the fuzzy dice?” Asked the nurse, holding up two bandages.

“I’ll take the fuzzy dice.” The enormous mare responded.

The yellow earth-pony nurse came out carrying a normal sized syringe and pushed it against PW. “This is Cutie Pox.” She said, delivering the dose.

“I’ll take the autowagons!” PW called.

“Oh noted sweetheart but you’re not finished yet.”

“Ugh!” Cried PW, dropping his head onto the bed.

“Influenza…” Replied the nurse performing the injection. She discarded that needle and picked up another.

“Roots…” She continued.

“Fuck, that hurts!” Complained PW.

“Didn’t you go through boot camp?” Asked the big mare.

“That doesn’t change everything...” Replied PW.

“I don’t know what this is...” Said the nurse, stabbing him again.

“Are you kidding me? What if it’s a lost lethal injection?!?” Complained PW.

“It shouldn’t be – it came with the Night-Mare care package. It's likely a classified pathogen.” Added the nurse, finally putting the bandage on PW.

The door to another, dark room opened. “We’re ready!” A familiar voice announced from within.

“Shall we?” Rex motioned.

The combat team stood up and walked into the room. The floors and walls were colored scarlet. There was sound deadening everywhere, low profile lighting, and red padded cloth seats facing a table and map at the front of the room, where a particular stallion sat.
> Chapter 17: Back to Work
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Quarter?” PW recognized him..

“Polaris Wind! Welcome to the team, ‘ol boy. I knew you could do it. Enter the briefing room! This is where the Night-Mares – and now you, too – will be informed of the mission ahead. But, before we begin, let us sort out your callsign. You were using ‘North-Wind,’ which is a bit rubbish as it contains a direction. Polaris, what would you like your handle to be?” Quarter asked.

“Hmm… 2’s handle is Frosty. I want something associated with that… frost…”

She stepped in alongside PW. “You’re already North-Wind. What about Windy?” She offered.

“Windy! I like it. Can I use Windy?” PW asked the planning master.

“Windy it is. Alright, Frosty… Windy… we are now ready for your briefing.” Announced Quarter, activating a slide projector.

“‘Operation Sidewinder.’ A roving band of looters from Klugetown has been striking merchants and caravans moving Equestiran commodities between Appleloosa and Klugetown, in the middle of the desert. As of late they have been attacking further north and this is now a homeland security concern. The risk is that as they move north they’ll reach water and other resources in the Forbidden Jungle. This would allow them to take root and once they get in it is unlikely we would ever be able to flush them out.”

“Your mission – like it or not – is to intercept one of their raids against a Royal Guard dummy convoy that you’ll be shadowing. We want to eliminate the threat now before it can get any closer. As for an identity: the top suspect is Desert Enemy Number 1; believed to go by the name Verko.” Quarter said, displaying a picture of a naked mole with a top hat. “This is what the devil looks like. He is a Polymorph creature from Klugetown, often seen wearing a suit and is quite crafty. It is believed he currently makes this operation his primary source of income. Once his band intercepts and robs the convoy, they are believed to transport the goods back to Klugetown and the chap passes himself off as a merchant importing the goods. Unfortunately Klugetown does not have an established customs, making detection of stolen goods very difficult.”

“Extreme care must be exercised. Several years ago, six Element Bearers – Twilight Sparkle and company – were captured by Verko during the Storm King War. In light of this fact we have also arranged for Night-Mare 2-5, who is operating in the vicinity of Seaward Shoals, to provide support in this operation.”

Quarter paused to advance to the next slide.

“The mission is to proceed as follows: we have allocated a parlor-car to be attached  to the end of Westbound train 29 – The Horseshoe – for your journey to Canterlot.”

“Poto-mare?” PW said aloud, reading the nametag on the back of the parlor car which was being displayed on the projector.

“No, it’s pronounced ‘puh-tow mare.’” Corrected Frosty.

“Continuing…” Interjected Quarter. “The train will take you to Canterlot where the parlor car will be transferred to Southern Train 1, the Seaward Limited, which will carry you down through Ponyville and Appleloosa to Arimaspi where you will alight the train. You will then trek southwards out of the equatorial jungles and into the Bone Dry Desert. Polaris, did you tell us that you know Celestial Navigation?”

“I did sir, yes.”

“Splendid! In that case we shall give you a sextant, timepiece, almanac, and the coordinates of an Oasis in the desert where you will rendezvous with Number 5 and the convoy. I felt no need to provide a photograph, for as you know it is near impossible to confuse a Night-Mare’s identity. The sole known exception is with Queen Chrysalis.”

“Once you rendezvous with Number 5 you will make contact with the leading convoy carrying fake copies of magical artifacts that are sure to drive Verko mad. You will need to track and engage him as you see fit. As there is very little cover to be had we expect that you will have the advantage, especially with Windy. But, just to guarantee it, we will spare no expense. The expectation is that you will capture Verko alive so that he might stand trial but we recognize sometimes aggression must be answered with aggression. We are also looking into providing additional air support. Once the threat is neutralized, you can make your way back to Arimaspi where your mission will conclude. Now then, let us proceed to the outfitting room!” Quarter said as he pushed open a pair of doors at the front of the room.

He led them into a stark white, windowless room featuring an array of objects..

“Oh, isn’t that cute?” Frosty remarked upon seeing her usual gear-stand, which was previously always alone, in the company of a much smaller gear stand.

“Woah this is awesome, we’re being outfitted together!” Remarked PW.

The Night-Mare and her supporter began strapping their gear on. In addition to the usual body armor, helmets, kneepads and radios there were also their packs, outfitted with survival, combat, mess, and camping gear. Once they had everything suited up 2 stepped beside PW and leaned down with a smile.

“You’re going to like this part, PW.” She promised, anticipating what was to come.

“Now then, Polaris! Most call this session the most exciting because this is where we get to give you all your toys. First off; the Celestar D16 high power machine rifle for Frosty.” He announced, as two earth-pony stallions entered the room wheeling a sawhorse propping the weapon towards the Night-Mare. 

There was a visible displeasure on their faces, likely their anticipated embarrassment. Not so with PW. He watched with glee as the mega mare reared and picked up the super-rifle that likely outweighed all of him like it was a foal and she began feeling it out for integrity.

“She’s back in action!” PW whistled in admiration.

She stowed the D16 on her back. “And your standard side arm; the Stallion and West.” Said Quarter, presenting a tray to Frosty. 

The behemoth grabbed the pistol and shoved it into a holster on her belt. “We also have three flash bangs and three smoke grenades which we have placed into your bag. And as you’ll be operating in the desert…” Added Quarter, reaching for some additional items, “your sun visor… your cap… and your gaiter.”

The Night-Mare slipped on a black gaiter adorned with a skeletal muzzle and teeth and turned to face PW. His ears immediately went flat and he instinctively took a step back on weakened knees. 

“That effective?” The giant mare asked.

“S-super scary!” Her small companion squeaked.

The mare lowered her visor to cover her eyes. “How about now?”

“I feel like surrendering already!” PW answered.

Quarter cleared his throat. “And one final item for the both of you, actually.” He held up two ear-pieces. 

He explained as the pair figured out the items’ use. “A new development from the labs of the Royal Guard. Rather than squawking aloud on your radios, which clues the enemy in, we can now communicate directly and silently to this earpiece which rests in your ear! Also with a cord functioning as a clip attached microphone which will pick up what you say. You can even set it to voice operated exchange, which we refer to as VOX. Then everything you say will transmit without you even needing to key the microphone. Let us demonstrate!”

Quarter whispered into a piece. “Windy? Are you receiving me?”

“Loud and clear sir!” PW responded.

“Excellent. And Miss Frosty?”

“Five by.”

“Great! We can put those away and present some items to Mr. Wind!” Quarter wheeled in a cart full of trays to the assistant. “You also have three flashbangs and three smoke grenades. Please, use them wisely. Now, some items new to you!” Cheered Quarter, opening up a tray.

“Woah!” Cried PW, seeing a sheathed machete being lifted out of the tray.

“Your machete. You can clip it onto your saddlebag strap there so it’s out of the way.” Quarter said, going for another tray.

“And your very own Stallion and West!” Announced Quarter, holding out a guncase.

“Oh my goodness! My own weapon!”

“Remember, use it sparingly. Ideally, not at all.”

“I shouldn’t have to, not with this Night-Mare around! I’m just touched that I’m worth arming!” The stallion said, equipping his holster.

“Relax, Mr. Wind! You are one of us now!” Reassured the craft stallion.

“Thanks!” PW called as 2 jabbed his side. “Ow; geeze, Frosty!” He complained.

“Well now! I do believe we are ready for deployment!” Said Quarter.

“Can I use the bathroom first?” Asked PW.

“If you can wait ten minutes, I promise the washroom aboard the Potomare is much nicer than ours.”

“Think five Night-Mares, PW.” Whispered Frosty.

“Alright! I’ll wait!” He responded.

The N.C. laid a hoof on PW. “This is the last we’ll see of each other for a few days, Polaris, so I wanted to let you know that I’m excited to have you on the team and know you’ll do well in taking care of your Night-Mare!”

“Yes sir, thank you!” PW responded. "Oh! Can I ask you to take this and drop it off in my P.O. box? Agh!” He cried, digging his plushie out of his bag a little too rough.

“Interceptions make for great takedowns!” Squawked the toy.

“I… she got it for me. So I can always take her home!” PW said, defending himself.

“Yeah, thanks for letting me know you were into foal toys! I would have never guessed otherwise!” Frosty teased.

The assistant glanced up at his now sheepish Night-Mare in disgust.

“I’ll drop it off for you.” The boss agreed.

The combat team was escorted by Quarter down the hallways and elevators to the outside where a pair of Royal Guard soldiers saluted them.

“You’re that important?” Whispered PW to the Night-Mare.

“I’m an officer, PW.” She reminded him. 

The pair were led to an auto-wagon with the same large rear right seat configuration from Crystal Heart City.

“Alright you two; we’re off to the train station!” Quarter said. 

PW looked out the window at all the saluting Royal Guardsponies as they made their way out of the industrial park.

“We will have you alight at the train station before the passengers are released to board, so you won’t need to do your threat assessment.” Quarter informed them as they pulled onto the main road. 

The thirty-minute drive gave PW a good look at a large amount of Norfilly. The auto-wagon pulled through a gate and dropped them off on the paved area beside the train. 

“Good luck, the both of you!” Quarter called.

“Thank you sir!” Responded PW, jumping out of the vehicle.

Frosty naturally caught the attention of several station attendants as she approached the train. She strode up the stairs like a machine while PW lumbered up much more slowly. Everything was ready to go in the car, with swing music playing from a phonograph. Polaris found the restroom and Quarter was proven right – it was lavish with brass fixtures, porcelain equipment, and sparkling, clean floors.

He next took the opportunity to tour the rest of the car. The Potomare lounge featured padded seating around the sides of the car, a bar (which wasn’t open), desks and tables, cubicles, ice boxes, cupboards, and loveseats near the rear. 2 dropped her equipment in one of the corners and took one of these rear love seats facing forward for herself. PW could hear the wood upholstery underneath creaking as she spread her massive body over the mini-sofa, extending her forelegs over the rests, and stretching her long hind legs out, which caught PW’s gaze without him realizing it.

“Windy; the Night-Mare demands snacks. Bring her food!” The reclining mare demanded with a clap of her hooves.

“I shall obey, Frosty! Though I’m surprised they didn’t put any courtesy snacks out.” Admitted PW, saluting her.

“I ate them.” The mare muttered.

He walked to the vestibule and found a key ring on the door latch which he took with him. He discovered the door to their car would lock once it was closed. PW found himself in the midst of many other stallions and mares getting themselves situated for the ride ahead in coach. He continued up two more cars where he found a café car staffed by a unicorn mare about his age.

“I take it you’re not open yet?” PW asked.

“Not yet. Check back in about 10 or 15?” The mare suggested.

“Great, thanks!” PW responded, heading back to the NightMare Lounge and getting to try his key out.

“The café is currently closed. But it will open in a few minutes.” Reported PW.

“Thanks for trying.” Moped the mare as a lurch was felt.

“Looks like the train’s moving. How long has it been since you rode this line?”

“Oh, not even a week.”

“Isn’t the electrification project awesome?”

“The what-project?” She asked.

“They electrified the tracks and now the trains are running on electricity instead of fuel and steam!” He practically shouted.

“And?”

“And? And that means we can go fast!”

“Why am I just now finding out you’re a train nerd?”

“Probably because I was worried you’d say something about why I shouldn’t be hired when I tried to be?”

“Who’s to say I won’t now?” She threatened under narrowed eyes.

“Because I’m unquestionably devoted to your success.” Suggested PW, becoming serious.

The cream-colored mare turned to look out the window and sighed deeply. “I’m getting hungry.”

“I’ll go back and wait…” Replied PW.

He returned with a dozen platters from bread doodles to Mareitos to grapes. Frosty snatched the bag of Mareitos, held it over her mouth and popped the bag in such a way that all the chips fell neatly into her mouth and were gone in seconds. She downed all the grapes including the vine in one bite. 

“Uh-oh…” PW realized he had not retrieved enough snacks for her.

After just 90 seconds PW was again facing a hungry mare. “You gonna get more or sit and become the thirteenth snack?”

“I’m a fellow employee, Frosty!” PW said in a challenge. 

She crossed her hooves, scrunched her muzzle and looked out the window.

 “Frosty, you know I’m your number 1.” He repeated, turning and walking back to the café car.

This time PW managed to convince the café attendant to sell him an entire box of Hot Pouches. When asked why he wanted the whole box he simply replied with “I’m traveling with a four-hundred-pound mare with an appetite for meat”. As expected, the mare shot him a look of confusion and concern. PW’s issues, however, continued getting worse.

“12 times 5 minutes is 60 minutes.” She said, dumping the box’s contents into the toaster oven. 

PW was admiring the scenery and it took him several seconds to register what she had just done. 

“What?” He exclaimed, coming around the loveseat and into the closed bar. He looked into the window and found all twelve pouches haphazardly placed inside.

“It doesn’t work that way!” Shouted PW, opening the door and pulling out all but two. “You can’t cook more than two at a time! It just doesn’t work that way!” He added.

“Oh.” Hummed the mare flatly. “Can I cook one PW at once?”

“Sure. But you’d forever lose your loyal assistant who is trying his very best to satisfy his weapons platform he adores more than anything!” PW responded with a nerve.

The mare took a deep breath. “Disregard…” She sighed. 

PW looked back in a smile but Frosty was looking into the toaster and never saw it.

The first meal served in the dining room was dinner, and this is the time they received a knock at the door.

“Can I take your meal preferences?” A mare server asked.

“Write small on that paper. You’re going to need the space.” PW warned, motioning back to the towering mare approaching them.

“Oh! Erm – sure!” The server said, becoming increasingly nervous the closer the lofty mare got.

PW spoke first. “As for what I’ll have- a glass of milk, the garden salad, pizza, and the ice-cream bar.”

"Thanks. And for you?” The server asked, scribbling his order down.

“Do you have an eastern menu?” Frosty asked.

“Uh… no? Sorry! Not on this train!” The server responded uncomfortably.

“Okay, then. I’ll get the same, but give me two more milks and one of each of your dinners with that.”

“Wow. Nice and easy to write but a lot more difficult to carry!” She complained, leaving the car. 
A few minutes later, she returned with a cart in and started putting trays on the various tables of the room. 

“Enjoy!” She sang, rushing out of the room before any other request could be made.

She returned a second time after dinner to collect all the dirty dishware back onto the cart and then wheeled it out of the room. 

“Are there beds we can get?” PW asked.

“Oh, they’re just foldouts. The sofas along the sides of the train.” The server mare replied, leaving the car.

PW walked back to the sofa on the left side near the love seat Frosty was sitting on. He inspected it and found that there was a matrix of metal inside it. 

“Guess this folds out?” PW figured, pulling on the cushions. 

They started moving somewhat along with some metallic creaking and then all stopped moving. 

“Hmm… it’s stuck!” Cried PW, tugging it out with increasing force. 

When he released his grip for a break the sofa cushions returned to their normal position. The small stallion made another attempt, even biting the cushions this time, but to not effect. The sofa would not open.

PW felt an enormous presence above him. 

“You look like you could use some help.” Said a voice above his ears. 

He looked up to find Frosty’s head above his, and further back to see she was standing overtop his back.

“You mounted me?!” PW exclaimed, feeling hot all of the sudden.

“I haven’t mounted you, PW. My legs are still touching the ground and my belly is above, not on, your back. I’m merely standing over you.” The mare explained. 

PW felt dizzy and he retreated underneath her to hide his blush, getting smothered by her voluminous tail on the way back out.

PW sat directly behind her as she worked her ‘magic’ on the sofa. 

“Whoops!” She shouted, pulling the cushions out quickly. 

The powerful mare was relying on some resistance to keep her balanced. Unfortunately for her, she overestimated the strength she would need to un-stick the sofa when the train suddenly lurched. She stumbled backward, losing her balance and falling straight rearward. The poor stallion behind her became the stallion under her again. As his forehead made contact with her tail dock he could only think ‘This is how I end!’ as a tidal wave of emotions overtook him.
> Chapter 18: Heading South
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘This is how I end!' Thought PW as a tidal wave of emotions overtook him, much like the large rump enveloping him from above. 

Frosty’s mass continued its uninterrupted trajectory right towards the ground, smothering PW. When everything landed the technician was flat on his back face up and inches from her rear-end. Miraculously, he was alive.

Upon realizing what was happening Frosty had immediately braced her knees against her fall and locked her thighs with all her strength. She managed to arrest her descent before nearly a quarter ton of force was fatally transferred into her assistant’s skull. She recovered into a crouch and stood to whirl around and triage her unintended victim. PW simply lay still, a drop of blood in one nostril and betraying no emotion.

Frosty’s eyes widened and she gasped in panic. “Oh no-no-no-no; please don’t tell me I broke his neck!” The titan feared as she gingerly checked for a pulse.

“PW?” She called in alarm. 

She looked back to his bleeding nose and touched a towel to it–

“Owww~!” Cried the stallion.

“That’s a good sign; you can feel pain!” She let out a trembling sigh. “Are you alright, PW? That was a big, big operational error on my part, buddy!”

“Er, yeah!” PW whispered with a chuckle. 

Frosty took a deeper breath, shook her head towards the ground and then smacked her hoof into her forehead.

“That was so dumb of me to do that with you behind me.” The mare complained.

“Not all bad, 2; my bad being behind you!” PW consoled her with a smile. “You know; I finally got that treatment! What that one guy wanted so badly? The face sitting creep from fitting?”

She laughed at the memory. “Yes, I remember him, PW. That bastard would probably be asking me to do it again!” 

The giant pony turned around and found the bed had been pulled completely out from the sofa. She put a foreleg under PW and gently placed him onto it.

 “Alright, PW. Just take it easy and keep the towel pressed to your nose. My oaf ass is going to leave you alone now – I can’t believe I nearly took out my new assistant by mistake.” She muttered.

“Wait, a towel?” Asked PW, pulling it off his nose. “Agh– it’s ruined; I ruined it!” He complained, seeing the blood.

“Forget the towel!” She shouted, startling him. “We’ll get a new towel. Just, take care of your nose, okay?”

“Okay. Yes ma’am.” He nodded. 

She nodded back and retreated on that high note to go make her bed before she could ruin things further.

With her sofa-bed on the other side of the train car, Frosty’s snoring was masked by clattering train wheels. PW was able to sleep soundly through the night as it completed its run in Canterlot, arriving early in the morning just after sunrise. The jolt woke him and he watched as a switcher locomotive coupled up to the rear of their car and moved it around the yard, including through a wye to reverse direction, dropping it off at the end of the platform track, and finally pushed a whole other train into their car.

They waited several minutes before the Seaward Limited departure and in that time PW walked past the fast-asleep 2 to see if she was awake and he noticed something odd. The area around her eyes was tinted red and the corners of her eyes looked damp. ‘Did… did she cry herself to sleep?’ PW wondered.

He backed away before she could wake and criticize him for entering her personal space. With a strong golden shaft of light streaming into the car the train finally started off down the mountain and onto the Southern Line. PW noticed a few things around the car vibrating more. He was now tuned to recognize this cue and he turned around to greet the Night-Mare.

“Hey.” Frosty said with a yawn.

“Hey.”

“Um, how’s your nose?”

“It’s fine. Also, I didn’t get the chance to tell you last night but you don’t need to come down so hard on yourself over what happened. I’m fine. And, mistakes happen. It’s no big deal and I don’t want it weighing on your mind.” He explained in the most comforting way he could without revealing what he saw.

She let out a long breath and gave a weak smile. 
“Where are we?” She asked in a more usual, commander-like tone.

“Halfway between Canterlot and Ponyville.”

“I see there’s no more wires over the tracks.”

“That’s right. They’re only on the Ponyvania Railroad. We’re on the Southern now.”

“Learn how to do that with tactically important knowledge, PW, and you’ll be a super-soldier too.”

Breakfast was brought in by new staff in new uniforms given the railway and train change. Just after breakfast the train stopped in Ponyville and continued round the western periphery of the Everfree Forest. The train also made a stop at Ghastly Gorge just after lunchtime. PW eagerly watched out the window as thick forests slowly began to yield towards badlands as the train made its way into the horse latitudes.

It was fully dark, however, before the train arrived at Appleloosa. The train was mostly empty by this point, aside from tourists bound for Arimaspi and Seaward Shoals. The combat team had one more night on the train. PW was able to feel the train making its climb over the Macintosh hills before he fell asleep and the train continued its nightward journey through the equatorial region of the planet.

Before heading to bed that night the massive mare did her usual workout routine. 

Polaris wasn’t even aware that he was focusing on Frosty’s powerful thighs and she caught him staring. “PW!”

“Wuh–huh?” The helper stallion cried, stirred from his trance.

“Why are you staring at my legs?” She asked with wide, dangerous eyes.

“Um, I–I told you I like large things?” The stallion squeaked sheepishly in his quick-mounted defense. 

Eight toes clicked from their sockets to steady her as she reared (or, rather leaned because the train ceiling wasn’t high enough for her to stand fully) and she thumped over to the stallion who was now in big trouble. She came so close that his snout nearly made contact with her knee. So close that PW could make out the muscle beneath her coat. 

“Now, what do you think?” She asked, imposing.

“P-p-powerful, powerful base! Sturdy as hell, tough as steel and strong as any machine!” PW complimented. 
She’d intended to rebuke him but was rather impressed by this display of appeasement and let it slide.

“Don’t forget, PW; these legs have a registered kill count.” She warned.

“I know! They deserve offerings!”

“Excessive attachment can lead to mission failure.” She declared and got back to work. PW spent a long, long time reflecting on his mistakes.

"She's right. I'm a threat to the mission. I can do better. I WILL do better!" PW scolded himself.





By daybreak the train was still making its way to Arimaspi, having overnight entered the canyon of the endorheic jungle river which would be unavoidably dumping all of its water into the desert to be evaporated further south. Several hours later it finally arrived in the town of Arimaspi. There was a knock at the door which PW answered.

“The train is prepared for you to alight.” Said an earth-pony conductor.

“Thanks.” Replied PW, next hefting is bags atop his back.

“Remember the threat assessment, PW.” Frosty muttered. 

He led the way and, because they were at the end of the platform, he only had to look right. There were just a few handful of ponies getting off, and none of them seemed interested in looking their way.

“OK, what now?” Asked PW.

“We need to keep moving.” Frosty explained. “Let’s get to the south end of town and take a look at the map in a more private setting.”

“Sounds good!”

The town was very small, even smaller than Starlight’s Cave. Although the real reason for the town’s existence wasn’t to subsist – it was exclusively imperial; to establish the furthest reaches of Equestria and prevent a possible northward settlement by the Polymorph creatures. Though some particularly adventurous, well-off ponies would also use the town as a staging location for great jungle expeditions to retrieve ancient artifacts in the jungle, as Daring Do did.

One road that led south became the Desert Gateway, and it was just that. In a glade of palm trees and banyan trees removed from the town they were able to don their combat gear.

“How do I look, PW?” Asked the tactical outfitted Night-Mare, wearing her characteristic skull gaiter.

“Very scary and very dangerous!” He grinned.

"Good. See PW, you can compliment her without going overboard and being a mission risk." He thought, debriefing himself.

They continued down the Desert Gateway and came to a bluff. Frosty, ahead of PW, stopped to admire the view.

“Woah! Look at that – it goes on for miles and miles; eh, PW?” She exclaimed, looking out at the vast desert.

“I would but your butt is taller than me!” He chuckled.

“I-it’s not that big…” The mare assured herself as she stepped aside.

“Oh, it is big!” Polaris looked out into the desert for himself.

“P-PW!” Frosty barked.

“What? I just said the desert was big! I’m agreeing!”

“Oh… nevermind.” She yanked her gaiter up to her nose to hide her blush.

Part of the reason for the stark contrast between the equatorial jungles and the southern high pressure zone responsible for keeping the Bone-Dry Desert bone dry was a steep drop off the plateau on which the jungle sat. That allowed the soggy moisture from the sea to penetrate the hills and kept the desert wind at bay. Once over the crest of the plateau the air dried remarkably quickly as one descended.

It was certainly hot but now, in the southern hemisphere, July would actually make this among the mildest months to travel. The Desert Gateway descended as a cobble path that eroded to dirt and then sand. As the last bits of the road began to crumble, they came upon a well-pipe and a sign.

“Klugetown 440 miles. Fill up ‘yer jugs!” Read PW.

“We might as well.” Frosty dropped her bag onto the ground and rummaged through it. “Also, we need to test our radios and check in. Put your headset on while I fill our waters.” 

Once their waters were filled Frosty put hers on.

“Windy, Frosty soundcheck.” Said the mare quickly.

“Five-by-five.” PW replied.

“Do you actually know what that means?” She asked.

“Erm, not really!”

“The first number is volume.” She explained. “The second is clarity. The scale is out of five. So, if you are sufficiently loud and perfectly clear that is five-by-five. I say again. Windy, how do you read?”

“Five-by-five, for real. How about me?”

“The same. Switch your channel over to number 2.” She said preparing to make a call. “Arimaspi Control, Frosty. How do you read?”

“Five-by-five.” Control crackled. “Standby for a briefing from S.”

“Hold up, control. My little assistant hasn’t done his soundcheck yet.”

“Oopsie.” The voice chuckled in reply.

“Arimaspi Control, Windy. How do you read?” Polaris finally tuned in.

“Five-by. Welcome to the team!”

“Thanks!”

“Standby for briefing…”

A gust of hot wind out of the south dried their eyes and mouths out and they both needed to take a drink. PW stood in awe at how quickly Frosty drank, having downed half a water bottle in only four or five gulps.

“Frosty, Windy, S here with your briefing update. Night-Mare 5, Echo, is already arriving at the oasis. It is located about forty miles southwest of the town. Follow the riverbed until it completely dries up, then shoot for bearing 210 for another twenty miles and it should take you right to the oasis. Once you get within twenty miles, barring a freak dust storm, Windy should be able to identify it from the sky  as there are no other notable objects protruding from the sands. The oasis is at exactly 16 degrees south and 13 degrees 47 minutes west. Once you make contact with Echo, she will lead you to the dummy caravan and you can then be on your way south. Be sure to look out for Verko at all times. S out.”
> Chapter 19: Island in the Yellow Sea
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“C’mon.” Beckoned Frosty, encouraging the pair to head out.

“Isn’t it amazing how the jungle transitions to desert so quickly? In only a few miles it goes from trees so thick that not a ray of sun hits the ground to not a tree to be found!” Exclaimed PW.

Frosty hummed in response.

“And this river; which started as a muddy torrent and is now fanning out to a layer of wet gravel, will soon be entirely lost!” He continued.

“Mmm.”

PW began acting very giddy and excitable, even starting to bounce with his steps. “We’re walking in the riverbed now! Isn’t this desert so big?!?” He excitedly announced. 

2 pulled his water bottle from his saddlebag, opened it, and pushed it to his muzzle.

“PW. Drink.” She ordered.

“Good idea!” Called PW, accepting her offering. “Woah!” He exclaimed, seeing his vision suddenly clear up.

“You weren’t drinking enough, PW. You won’t sweat here. It’s too dry. You need to tell yourself to drink or you will not make it out here.”

“Thanks for looking out for me Frosty.” PW said in gratitude. 

She cracked a smile hidden behind her gaiter.

“PW. Let’s get your bandanna on. That’ll stop you from losing so much water.” Frosty walked over to PW and opened his saddlebag.

“Oh! Let me do it!” He cried, pulling his back away from her.

“Refusing my help? That’s rare for you.” She cocked a brow as the pegasus grinned. “Do you have something in your bag you don’t want me to see?” She teased.

He backed away, like a guilty puppy dog. She squinted at him. 
“Alright then!” She replied. 

PW took out his bandanna.

“At least let me tie it on for you.” She said. 
PW approached her again to entertain her wish. She sat, bent down, and tied the bandanna onto her little assistant. It was an interesting experience for her, working on a stallion below her like that. Normally she was tying up a pair of hooves under arrest. This time she was dressing one up, if only a little bit.

After it was tied on, Frosty patted PW’s back. “You look great!” She complimented. 

‘Why did I say that?’ She asked herself.

“Thanks! Can you believe you’re the first mare besides my mom to say that?” PW asked.

“That’s… sad.”

“Also, you look great too! But I’m sure you know by now I always think that about you.” He smiled and Frosty was glad to be wearing a mask that hid her blush.

Eventually the setting sun turned red and began casting long shadows over the desert, turning the sand from a yellow-white color to a dull orange. The pair set their gear down in a low spot.

“We should break camp here. We’re in the lee of a big sand dune blocking the southeasterlies. While I’m setting things up do you mind flying up and trying to spot the oasis?” Asked Frosty.

“I’m on it!” Shouted PW, already in his takeoff roll.

The wind was challenging in the first few hundred feet aloft, constantly bubbling thanks to the many dunes. The winged assistant did not need to even reach a thousand feet before he saw a dark patch of land sticking up from the sands in the distance. He took out his magnetic compass and confirmed the bearing before turning around and gliding in. The sun had just set and an air exchange was taking place as the ground was cooling.

As Polaris slowed for a landing, these air currents began to upset his approach. “Woah… ack – look out!” He warned 2, careening out of control. Then he started slipping towards her.

“I’m gonna…” He began, fearing a collision. 

Then she reared up to intercept PW’s approach path, opened her forehooves wide and caught him mid air like a beach ball. His speed was immediately nulled; completely absorbed by her stoic mass while she remained entirely still.

“Ahehehe!” PW chuckled as he stowed his wings.

“Did you see anything?” Frosty asked.

“Yeah, actually! Big dark area on the horizon at heading 2-0-0. Also, are you going to put me down?”

“Oh.” She muttered, lowering PW to the ground. “Erm, no baddies either?”

“Nope. Didn’t see anypony else nearby.” PW responded.



Dinner in the desert was very simple – PW had a hayburger. Dehydrated food wasn’t an option like it was in most other places because of their lack of water access. The only water they had near them was in the form of soggy sand and powdered rock, remnants of the jungle river. It was very dark by the time everything was cleaned up.

Frosty had begun unrolling her massive sleeping pad and placed a light sleeping bag overtop of it.

“Guess I should set up over there since I can’t sleep with noise.” PW suggested.

“Nuh-uh – catch!” Frosty threw a small bag at PW which he caught in his hooves.

“Earplugs! Thanks, but don’t you think I should leave myself to be woken up to noises? If I wear these somepony could sneak up on us.”

“I don’t think so. You didn’t see anycreature up there and we’re laying low. It would be have to be an accident to discover us here.”

“Okay.” He agreed and unrolled his bag near hers. He positioned his so their heads would be somewhat close, then laid down.

“Woah!” He exclaimed, seeing the milky starfield above.

“How many of them do you think there are?” Asked Frosty. 

PW was filled with excitement as he realized they were going to share a moment together.

“I’ve heard Princess Twilight Sparkle say four or five thousand can be seen by eye. And then with a telescope it adds up to half a million!”

“Hard to imagine. The scale of it all.”

“What’s really crazy is when you start comparing star to star. You’re four times bigger than me. But when it comes to stars, that’s close. Small stars are 100 times smaller than big stars. It would be as if I were the size of your ear to be considered small on star terms!”

“Haha! That is crazy. Ooh- a shooting star!”

“You get to make a wish now, Frosty!”

“Okay… I wish- I wish- I wish…”

“Don’t tell me or it won’t come true!”

“That’s too bad. You would have loved to hear it.”

“Aww.”

“D’ya think there’s creatures on other worlds, laying there like we are… staring back at us wondering the same thing?”

“Princess Twilight said she thinks each star is somewhat like the sun, and that there could be a world around almost every star. I think it’s almost a near certainty.”

“I’ll bet they don’t have Night-Mares…” Joked Frosty.

“What a tragedy that would be!” Complained PW. “Though I guess nothing’s to stop them from imagining us… and writing a story about us. D’ya think we’re worth a story Frosty?”

“Totally.” Reassured the Night-Mare. PW yawned. “You’d better put those earplugs in and get some sleep, guy. I want to be up at dawn.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Replied PW, stuffing his ears and climbing into his sleeping bag.

The temperature was perfect for sleeping – around sixty degrees with a light, dry wind. PW was out cold until he felt a poke.

“Wha–!” He shouted, seeing a tall looming figure over him after opening his eyes. 

Frosty made motion to his ears. “Oh, yeah it would be much easier to hear you if I wasn’t wearing these things!” He stated, popping the ear plugs out.

“Time to get up.” She barked. 

PW rolled his bag and pad up and clipped them onto the saddlebag.

After a quick bag of oats the pegasus took a morning bearing. “This way.” He called, pointing the way. 

The combat duo rose atop the dune and looked out.

“This desert is so amazing! It’s so big!” He exclaimed.

“You really like big things huh PW?” Frosty asked.

“Yup! That’s why I like you!”

“Is that the only reason you like me?”

“No of course not! You’re nice to me. You make me feel confident in who I am and my physical size and make me feel supported.” He paused and worked up the courage to add, “And… I think your hind legs are kinda cute-please-don’t-hurt-me-for-saying-that!” He sucked in a breath as his heart jumped into his chest. 

2 didn’t speak, suddenly finding herself particularly hot all of the sudden and dropped her sun visor to hide another blush.

“It’s cool, PW.” She finally muttered, striding off in the bearing. 

With a landmark in sight for the bearing, and realizing he wasn't going to be destroyed for saying what he did, PW followed her lead. The day wore on and before long the rising sun on their left shoulders was making things hot again. PW caught himself walking in the large shadow cast by the Night-Mare, but once he did so he went back into the sun.

“You don’t have to avoid my shadow if it makes you cooler, PW.” She said, intelligently making the connection.

“Thanks. But I feel bad about it because I can’t return the favor to you. Even if I hovered just above you in slow flight I’m only so big.”

“Don’t sweat it, PW. You are the perfect size.”

“Where’s all that intimidation gone?”

“I dunno. PW, you tiny ass stallion! You’re a horrible sumbrella!” She barked.

“Now there’s the Night-Mare 2 I know!”

“The desert does weird things to you, alright?” She said as they crested the next dune. “Ah, I see our oasis up ahead.” She announced. 
PW climbed to the top of the hill and stopped before turning to her. “Well, I don’t!”

“Hmm… I just see it. Maybe if you were a little taller!” Frosty teased. PW shook his head and reared so he could come up to her eye-level.

“Oh, yes. I see it now! Good on you for using your height to your advantage!” He grunted in maintaining his balance.

“Thank you!” The mare responded, taking kindly to his compliment.




It was almost an hour of watching the oasis rise and fall from view as the team went up and down each of the many sand dunes. It was grueling, seeing almost no change for the first half hour with every successive dune, as if swimming to an island on the horizon. However, over one of the last dunes along the way, somecreature had taken note of them and began to stalk the pair at a distance.

They descended the last dune and encountered cool, soggy sand. A nearby aquifer was feeding puddles here and there. There were tufts of bushes and foliage, and cacti, and shallow pools of standing water, but it was far from a green paradise.

“Do you think we’ll be able to fill our waters up here?” PW asked.

“Of course. If we don’t find a pond deep enough to get the water bottle in, we can always dig a hole for it to sit in below the surface."

They kept looking and after trudging through a floodplain the team came upon a pothole in the limestone rock where a spring bubbled up.

“This’ll do.” Said Frosty, passing a jug down to PW which he immersed.

When it was filled he found himself struggling with bringing the ten gallon water jug up, all but sputtering with the effort.

“Guess that thing probably weighs as much as you do.” Frosty offered a hoof.

“At eight pounds per gallon; that’s eighty pounds!” PW cried.

“Close enough.” Frosty responded as PW filled his jug. The pair left the water to adjust their gear packs.

“Guess we should also radio in that we’re here, right?” Asked PW.
“Go ahead and let them know we’re here.” Frosty confirmed.

“And, me too!” Said a third voice. 

“The…” PW began to say before turning around and obstructing the Night-Mare behind him with a *POMF* as his wings opened to full span in instinctual defense. 

PW looked out… and up… and up at the massive pony before him.
> Chapter 20: O'bachan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polaris Wind’s chest-floof billowed instinctively in response to the sudden, enormous presence before him.

“A cutie-wootie pega! Hi, o’bachan!” Cried the sky-blue-maned earth-pony. 

PW looked back at Frosty. This pony’s coat was the same color as hers. He looked back at the new pony with his blue eyes and made contact with her blue eyes. She was almost as large as Frosty, too.

“You’re Echo!” PW said in realization.

“Arimaspi Control, Frosty.” 2 muttered.

“Go Frosty.”

“We’ve made contact with Echo.” She clicked.

“Roger.”

"Hi, o’bachan!” Echo waved again, realizing her first greeting fell on deaf ears. 

PW gawked at the mare and was struck by her thick, bare legs. Unlike Frosty, Echo’s sturdy hind legs were dressed in only short boots and shorter shorts, leaving her legs bare from the level of PW’s hocks to more or less the top of his head.

“Hey Echo.” Frosty nodded, stowing her microphone boom.

“O’bachan – about time!” Echo pouted.

“Um – her name is Frosty!” PW squeaked. 

The grinning super-soldier behind him leaned down with wide eyes.

“I wouldn’t argue with her, PW. Stow your wings.” 2 advised, to which his wings went limp as he retracted them. 

Echo circled him, bobbing her head about like a turkey in her study. She stopped just two yards away, placing him squarely between two Night-Mares.

“O’bachan, this your little helper-chan?” She finally asked.

“Why does she call you that?” PW whispered without taking his eyes off Echo.

“She’s into Catoshima culture. O’bachan means granny. She calls me that because I have a silver mane. She nicknames everypony so, beware.”

“O’bachan~?” Echo trailed.

“Echo, this is Polaris Wind. Callsign ‘Windy.’ He saved my mission at Starlight’s Cave and now he’s helping me out.” She explained.

“Mm, NC-san says he wants to give us all assistants and you are the demo. But, are you sure him o’bachan? This pega is too small to be in combat!” Echo declared, leaning her neck down to PW’s level for emphasis.

“He saved my mission twice, Echo. Maybe even my life. It was an ugly situation.” Frosty admitted.

“Really?” Echo raised a brow at that. 

Frosty nodded as Echo advanced until her head was nearly above PW. He could tell that she was a few inches shorter than Frosty, seeing his eyeline was a little higher on her body.

She looked down at him and cocked her head. 

"How big are you, Polaris?” She asked, grasping the stallion in her forehooves and lifting him off the ground as she reared to her full height.

“Whoa – Echo?!” Polaris gasped in surprise.

“Wow, you’re a featherweight!” She said with delight.

“I-I weigh a hundred pounds!”

“Ninety-nine.” Frosty Corrected.

 Echo gently sat PW back onto the ground.

“O’bachan, you sure PW is fully grown?” She looked to 2.

“Hey!”

“Echo, he’s a year older than me.” Frosty said.

Echo nonetheless shook her head. “I worry O’bachan. About a pega this smol in a firefight.”

“Well he’s been in two and saved my mission in two. So he’s netting positive.”

“Not to mention, I can fly!” Exclaimed PW, opening his wings wide with pride.

“Oh, how cute! I gonnna call you Windy-chan!” The blue mare declared, eliciting a snort from Frosty.

“And just what’s so funny?” PW looked back.

“‘Chan’ is the suffix for a little filly! She’s calling you – *snrk* – Little Filly Windy!” Frosty said, outright cackling now.

“Oh, she must have just made a mistake! It’s not like she actually named me that? Did you?” PW looked up in question.

“Yes I did!” Echo grinned wide. 

“Wait, what? I’m an adult stallion! Call me san too!” He cried.

“No.” With that she sat as if for emphasis. 

PW growled, rearing up to bring her eyes level with hers. He quickly lost his balance, however, and found himself falling toward her.

“Angry Windy-chan pega is so cute!” Echo seized the opportunity – and PW – and yanked him into a smothering hug.

“Ack – Frosty? Help?” Cried PW as the mare began nuzzling him.

“Nuh-uh, PW, you really got in over your head trying that one. I warned you; you’re on your own!” Frosty said, clearly enjoying things.

“I'm gonna wub you so much, lil’ Windy-chan!”

“Ugh!” He sighed in defeat.

“Oh!” The affection came to an abrupt end and she set PW down. “NC-san gave me a camera! Told me to photograph the mission. Get ready for a picture of you two cuties together!”

She rummaged through her bag as PW perked up while Frosty got dismissive, completely exchanging emotional states with him.

Frosty was shaking her head at Echo when she felt a bump on her foreleg. She looked down to find PW had come alongside her and was affectionately leaning his chest into her, smiling with joy at the camera as if he’d saved her life again.

“Hm. Alright.” She relented, dropping her gaiter with a smile.

“Say ‘Verko!’ One Arimaspi – Two Arimaspi – Three Arimaspi…” Echo trailed, taking the picture. 

The paper rolled through the exposure chamber.

“This is a new camera! Give it a few for the photo!” Said Echo, waiting for the film to develop on the page. “Aw~, this is adorable!” 

She waved the pair over and held the photo aloft, forgetting the stallion beneath her. He reared up in front of the photo between the Night-Mares to view it.

“Oh that is cute! Look at how happy we are, Frosty!” Exclaimed PW, seeing them in similar postures, expressions, equipment; even composure. 

It was as if they were two parts of a whole instead of separate entities. She said nothing but Frosty was nonetheless moved at how happy she looked in the picture. She couldn’t remember a time when she smiled like that.

“I’ll put it in the safety bag.” Echo deposited it into a weather-proof compartment in her pack. “We’d better go now. The caravan ponies are this-a-way!” Echo sang, leading them eastward.





Polaris was impressed with the size of the caravan. He counted around twenty ponies among five wagons. Several noticed their approach.

“Another giant fighter? They sent us two giant fighters?” Whistled an older earth-pony stallion wearing a Stetson.

“And, that’s not all! There’s a… what is that?” A mare with a southern accent put a hoof to her brow. “It’s a little pegasus!” She realized.

“I doubt he’s that little, Apple Fritter. He just looks that way because he’s between two giants!” The stallion chuckled. “What do you reckon he’s doing, fraternizin’ with ‘em? He’s got combat gear on, too. Must be some elite.”

The other ponies came forward as Frosty, Echo and Polaris neared the wagons. 
PW was steeped in awe as Frosty stepped forward and took charge in seconds. “Alright, everypony. No doubt you’ve met Echo. I am Frosty, in the same unit! This is Windy, my operations assistant. I’ll be taking charge of the operation now. Can I ask who is the ops lead here on site?” Frosty bellowed.

“That would be me, ma’am.” An earth-pony mare with a swirled, pink and blue mane emerged from the crowd with a particular swagger. 

“Secret Agent Sweetie Drops. Nice to meet you.” She introduced herself behind a black jacket and aviators.

“Frosty. Likewise.” The Night-Mare bumped hooves.

“This is your assistant?” Sweetie Drops asked, looking at PW eye to eye. “He must be talented to be helping a Night – er, super-soldier.”

“He’s proven his worth.” Frosty put a hoof atop his mane. 

Polaris couldn’t help but glow with appreciation.

“Is the caravan ready to depart?” Frosty got back to business.

“We’re going now?” PW asked, hoping they would be spending the night at the oasis.

“We must keep the mission moving.” She whispered.

“It is prepared, as requested.” Reported Sweetie Drops.

“Roger that.” Replied Frosty, grabbing her microphone boom. “Arimaspi Control, Frosty.”

“Go Frosty.”

“We’ve met the caravan. Setting out into open desert.”

“Stay cool.”

“10-4.” Replied Frosty, releasing the push-to-talk.

“Alright MOVE OUT!” Screamed Sweetie Drops.

The wheels began creaking as the caravan came to life, rolling again. Unlike their trip out, to keep the vehicles from getting stuck they had to ride the ridges of the sand dunes in a zigzagging pattern in single file.

“PW, why don’t you try to get a location on the enemy?” Suggested Frosty.

“Yes, ma’am!” He responded, leaping down a sand dune to get into the air.

As PW climbed the air began to cool. Relishing this break from the heat PW continued climbing as much as he thought it would benefit the mission. Before long he’d climbed all the way to 10,000 feet where the air was much, much cooler. There, PW could see fifty miles through a clear sea of sand. Initially he didn’t see anything but then a black speck caught his eye.
Polaris reached for his push-to-talk. “Frosty, Windy.”

“Proceed.”

“There’s some black object on the sands to the southwest of our location, maybe heading 2-0-0.”

“What shape?”

“Looks like a trapezoid. Want me to investigate further?”

“Negative. Return to the convoy. We have to assume that anything out here is hostile. I’ll radio this into control.”

“10-4, in descent. It’s really nice up here by the way! Like fifty degrees!”

“STOP.” Replied a hot, irritated Frosty.

On the descent PW felt the opposite effect as time went on. He got hotter and hotter as he fell deeper into the oven of the desert. Then he got a devious little idea. PW identified Frosty, and made directly for her at speed. 

“Hey Frosty!” Called PW on the radio.

“Hey PW.” Came the response.

“Catch!” He said, leveling out and balling himself up as he sailed into her. 

As before, he came to a sudden stop when she caught him.

“Next time I’m stepping out of the way.”

“Okay, okay! I’ll stop but if I’m losing control like last night? Please?”

“Tough, then.”

“Frosty!” He whined.

“Okay but don’t take advantage of me. Or I’ll give you a wedgie.” She laughed and set him down.

“I’ll not do that again. On purpose.” Promised PW.

“Course adjust 2-0-0!” Shouted Frosty.

“2-0-0 it is!” Replied Agent Sweetie Drops.

PW used his sextant to get a few readings as the sun began to near noon. Then, as it crested, he stopped. 

“Frosty, please stop the caravan. I want to take a noon sighting to confirm our position.” He said.

“Halt the caravan for course check!” Shouted Frosty.

“All STOP!” Relayed Sweetie Drops. 

PW put his sun filters in and held his watch in front of him. Every twenty seconds he adjusted the index mirror’s micrometer drum to place the sun on the sandy horizon. Then on another sighting he saw a great blue eye instead of the sun.

“Hi, cute pega!” Exclaimed Echo.

“Echo, I’m trying to look at the sun!”

“You’ll burn your eyes out, Windy-chan!” She gasped.

“No, it’s got a filter! It’s really important I see this!” Said PW, strafing away from Echo to get back into the sunlight. 

Then he felt himself being grabbed and lifted into the air.

“Better Windy-chan?” Asked Echo, rearing and holding him up high towards the sun as if offering him to it.

“No – Echo! I want to see the horizon! Not up here! You’ll throw off my calculation by lowering the horizon from your tall vantage point!” Shouted PW, getting annoyed.

“Okie dokie!” Said Echo, finally setting him down.

“Weird seeing the sun in the north… fifty minutes… fifty one minutes… fifty one minutes… fifty one minutes… fifty minutes… forty eight minutes…” Muttered PW every few seconds. “Alright, I got it!”

“Caravan resume motion!” Ordered Frosty.

“Move it!” Relayed Sweetie Drops.

“But Frosty, I have to write out the solution!” Complained PW.

“We have to keep moving. Go ask Sweetie Drops for a seat in the wagons.” Replied Frosty. 

PW grumbled and fishtailed his way through the moving caravan. Sweetie Drops was sitting on the front of a wagon being hauled by two other ponies.

“Hey Sweetie Drops, I need to sit somewhere to work the math out on paper.” Said PW.

She scooted a few inches to her left and patted the open spot next to her. PW climbed up into the wagon, much to the dismay of those pulling it.

“I’ll be quick guys.” Promised, PW, starting to do the math. 

Sweetie Drops was curious and she peered over as PW started flipping through almanac pages, writing numbers down.

“Fascinating. So you can figure out where we are?” Asked Sweetie Drops, lowering her shades to read the worksheet better.

“Yes. I run the tables in this book that tells me where the sun is and depending on how high it is in the sky and when it reaches that point that will tell us where we are.” Said, PW, finishing his calculations. “Alright WE’RE AT 16 DEGREES 19 MINUTES SOUTH AND 13 DEGREES 52 MINUTES WEST. NO ADJUSTMENT NEEDED!” Shouted PW, packing up his things and hopping off the wagon.

“Mr. Wind?” Called Sweetie Drops. “Do you have another fast minute?”

“Uh, sure!” He called, hopping back up. 

The wagon haulers growled in disapproval. Sweetie Drops directed his attention over to Frosty. “I can see you’re a big fan of hers!” Said Sweetie Drops, nodding over towards Frosty.

“Yeah…” Agreed PW, peering over to admire her.

“And you’re here on sheer determination of willpower? Or, put another way, you’re her assistant because you like her.”

“You can tell?”

“Oh I can tell. Your body language says it all. If you ever want any advice about mares, I’m married to one. While also being one. Feel free to ask.”

“Thanks Sweetie Drops!”

“Call me Bon-Bon. Anyways, the main reason I called you back was to chat about her ‘finger’ things.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. My wife, Lyra Heartstrings, helped design those. But I heard they were acting… shotty?”

“Uh, well… they kept getting stuck. I had to open the junction box a number of times and shock the inductor coils by crossing the wires.”

“She’s not the only one facing these issues. I find their happening odd. Lyra is always meticulous in her work. And she has had the same fascination with those devices that you have with 2. So I’m having trouble understanding what may be the issue?”

“Yeah I see where you’re coming from. What I know is that this happened many times during testing, and I made a big stink about it to management. There is a paper trail of me calling this out and it getting ignored.”

“So then, we’re in agreement that something happened between design and integration.”

“Yeah I guess that’s the only option with you knowing Lyra.”

“Which means we’re looking at either fabrication or the delivery.”

“Yeah.”

“Mr. Wind…”

“Just PW, Bon-Bon!”

“Okay, PW, well I think we might be looking at a potential realized insider threat.”

“You really think somepony is sabotaging things?”

“I do. I also find it odd that the Royal Guard created ‘a squadron of Night-Mares’ and then sends them out on solo missions. That’s quite the deviation in intended use, from the intended design. I think there actually may be two malicious insiders. One in management and one technician. Did you notice anything odd from your I&T days? Was anypony acting like an insider?”

“Not that I remember.”

“I am alarmed that management did not act on your concerns regarding the fingers. I think the bad actor may have been one in your old reporting chain.”

“That’s a good point… a BIG one.”

“Would you do me a favor and keep your eye out for anything… fishy? I’m worried that more issues are going to come up.”

“Yeah absolutely! Those Night-Mares… my life is pointless without them. I am going to identify them if they get close for sure!”

“Thanks PW.”

PW hopped off the wagon and they continued forward up the next dune. Suddenly, Frosty ducked.

“ALL STOP!” She yelled.

“Stop the convoy!” Cried Bon-Bon. “What is it?” She asked, standing on the front of her wagon.

“The object in front of us has moved. Or PW gave a bad position report. Which, knowing him, is impossible.”

“Thanks, Frosty!” PW whispered up to her.

“How could it have moved?” Shouted Bon-Bon.

“Arimaspi Control, Frosty.”

“Go Frosty.”

“It looks like we’ve come upon an airship.” She reported as Echo started belly crawling up the sand dune.

“It was right there!” Echo called.

“Wait a minute! How did this happen – we’re smarter than this!” Complained PW. 

Frosty turned to answer PW. “Easy! They could have seen the dust we’re kicking up. Knowing we’re heading towards them is a piece of cake. If the dust cloud doesn’t move side-to-side from their perspective, they’ll know right away that we’re heading towards them. All it takes then is a low float to keep themselves below the horizon.”

“And if they’re heading towards us, this is likely an assault!” Added Bon-Bon. 

Without any further instruction, both Night-Mares reared and prepared their D-16’s. Echo rolled up to the top and peered over the dune.

“O’bachan! There’s creatures down there!” She called.

“All armed to the dune! Stay low! That means you too, PW! The rest of you STAY DOWN and keep a lookout for trouble approaching behind us!” Shouted Frosty, running up the dune alongside PW. 

Bon-Bon, Echo, Frosty, and PW all laid low, peeping over the top of the sand dune.

“Birdies!” Echo exclaimed.

“Parrots.” Frosty clarified.

“Frosty! Somecreature is coming close this way!” Shouted Apple Fritter, pointing to the west. 

The Night-Mare swung herself and her hundred-pound D16 around to face west. The weapon swung over PW’s head at such a furious pace that it elicited a *whoosh*. A lone, green parrot was coming over the dune from the west at close range.
> Chapter 21: Aerial Intel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The advancing parrot opened her right wing upwards.

“EVERYPONY STAND DOWN!” Agent Sweetie Drops yelled. “This is a friend!”

"Who is this?" Asked Frosty, only lowering her D16 to point at the newcomer’s chest.

"That's Captain Celaeno. She's a war hero from the Storm King War." Sweetie explained.

"Do we still maintain contact with her?"

"As much as we can any creature this far south." 

At that the Night-Mares stowed their weapons, PW following their lead.

"C'mon, I'll introduce you all." Sweetie Drops beckoned.

“Arimaspi Control, Frosty. We’ve made friendly contact with a Captain Celaeno.”

“Copy. You’re clear to exchange non-sensitive information.”

Ever cautious, the Night-Mare duo approached the young parrot captain rearing. Her slender, tall frame almost rivaled their height but there was no doubting the difference in weight classes. She brought her left wing up again in a waving motion. 

"I was beginning to worry!” She shouted. “Seeing all those fancy weapons trained on me!"

"I see you have a new ship, Captain." Replied Sweetie Drops.

"Oh yeah! Cheated some scum dealer who was ripping creatures off. Felt good to plunder his ill-gotten goods!" She pumped a fist, oblivious to the fact that the goods were still ill-gotten.

"Anyway, Captain, I would like to introduce you to Snowheart and Sweetsong." Sweetie Drops gestured to the Night-Mares.

She gave an impressed whistle. “I’m Captain Celaeno. Swashbuckling Treasure Hunter! I don't think I've ever had to look up at a pony before. And, who's this?" Asked Celaeno, pointing at the small pegasus who was standing between them.

Sweetie nodded. "That's Polaris. He goes by ‘PW.’"

"You remind me of Grubber." The Captain remarked.

"Seriously?!" Complained PW. 

He could hear Echo and Frosty snickering above him.

"What is your role?" The Captain asked.

"I support Miss Snowheart. I respond to her needs, am her eye in the sky, and keep her parts working." The snickering intensified.

"Basically Grubber!" She strode back to Sweetie Drops.

The Night-Mares always had a requirement to be the biggest creatures in their operating area, so they remained rearing to avoid Celaeno overshadowing them. Celaeno’s crew of four crested the dune and joined up with their captain.

"They're cool, guys." Announced the Captain.

"Those are the biggest ponies I've ever seen!" The largest parrot in the crew whispered.

"Equestrian Super-soldiers, Boyle!" The Captain muttered. "Speaking of which; why are you operating so far south?” She addressed Sweetie. “Don't tell me another recluse sailed in from some undiscovered island and managed to usurp control from all the princesses again!" She asked.

"Not at all, Captain." Answered Sweetie Drops. "We've just noticed that a lot of our shipments to Klugetown are… unaccounted for. Many reports indicate they were looted by some creature with a catchphrase: ‘Here's Verko!.’”

Celaeno’s eyes narrowed. "That scumbag! I know him. He's my second-most pressing enemy right now. He's armed with cannons on the ground. His air defense is too strong for our airboat to get near him."

"That won’t be an issue." Sweetie Drops shook her head. "You mentioned he is the "second" most pressing enemy? We're not aware of another significant threat.” She lowered her sunglasses. “Who or what is number one?"

"I don't know what his name is but I hear he's a ship captain, much like me. I think he's operating out of some isolated island off the southeast coast. He's quick – strikes without warning and immediately retreats. Always too strong an attack to intercept, and too rapid a retreat to follow. I don't think his vessel uses steam or wind, based on the speed he is moving."

"Who has he been attacking?" Frosty asked.

"Catoshima, mostly. Sometimes Henry, which is why I'm involved."

"Well, I don’t like to say this: but if he doesn't bother Aris or the Kirin Equestria won't get involved." Replied Sweetie Drops.

"I get it." Celaeno nodded.

"So, going back to Verko. How can we find him?" Asked Sweetie Drops.

"He should be close, just a little bit south of us. From what I've been able to gather, he follows the movements of balloons overhead to identify potential convoys being resupplied. If you want, I could sail back and forth from Klugetown to you a whole bunch. That would lead him to your position." The parrot replied.

"And with PW able to fly up and receive updates from the ship, you won't even have to land. You can simply turn around." Sweetie Drops said as the stallion's wings proudly shot open to full wingspan.

"Now that's awesome. We got a plan. We'll set sail for Klugetown and return to your position around midnight. We've got a torch we can light so you can see us." Added the Captain.

"Alright. Safe travels! We'll be continuing due south from our current position until we hear from you again." Sweetie Drops replied.

"Farewell!" Bade the captain, heading back to their airboat.

The false convoy had their lunch as they watched the large airboat take off and begin its southerly journey. PW was feeling a bit down during lunch, despite his role in the upcoming engagement.

"Frosty? Do I remind you of Grubber? Am I a Spike or a Grubber?" PW asked.

The Night-Mare thought for a few moments.

"What's wrong with being like Spike?" She finally asked.

PW shrugged. "Well, he's had a bad rap in the past for being perceived as a misfit."

"What's wrong with that?" Frosty asked, placing a large forehoof on PW's knee.

"Well he wasn't treated the same way or given the same opportunities everypony else was."

"He was also really young. A child, in dragon-years.” She cocked her head. “And, didn't he become a flamethrower during the Storm King War?"

"I guess."

"PW?" She asked.

"Yeah?"

"Myself, Echo, Pitch... all the Night-Mares – we're all misfits in operation now. So if you feel that you yourself are a misfit; well then congratulations. You're fitting right in." Declared Frosty, slapping PW's knee.

"Hm. Thanks!" He cracked a smile, feeling better.

"Wow! I didn't know you girls could be so consoling." Sweetie Drops said from behind, overhearing their conversation.

"This conversation is now classified!" Shouted PW quickly. 

Frosty grinned in seeing her strategy now learned by her assistant.

"I'm cleared." Sweetie Drops grinned to a brief, bitter silence. "Polaris, you should complement her more. It could serve your relationship well." 

Frosty grunted at that and walked off, clearly irritated.

"Can you NOT do that near her? She doesn't like it!" Complained PW.

"Trust me, PW."

"And now what?"

"Pretend like that didn't happen, but compliment her in the future."





The caravan continued south throughout the afternoon and pitched camp in the open desert. They started a campfire to help aid Captain Celaeno in finding their approximate position. Gradually everypony turned in, except for Frosty and PW.

"PW, you gotta stay up. Since I snore so loudly you can hang with me if you want." She offered, sprawling out on the sand.

"O-okay! Of course, just remember I need to fly off when I see the light from Celaeno's ship!" PW saod.

"Of course, PW.” She nodded. “You've got an important job to do."

"Thanks for understanding."

"No problem. Have a good night."

"You too. Sleep well!"

"Thanks." She relaxed and within a minute she was out and snoring. 

They’d stayed up so late that it was only minutes before he spotted a pinprick of orange light on the horizon.

"They're here. I'm off!" Whispered PW softly to the slumbering Night-Mare, eliciting only a twitch of her ear.

PW focused on the light and approached the airboat. It was sailing very low, only a few hundred feet up, but nonetheless moved very quickly. PW circled to her stern and glided down to land on the poop deck.

"You hear that? Something just landed!" A voice shouted.

"It's probably the big one’s assistant, DW." Answered another.

"Here I am!" He stepped into the light. “And, it’s ‘PW.’”

"You scared us, landing silently in the dark like some phantom! I’m Lix Spittle, by the way; nice to meet ya, BW." A pink parrot offered a claw.

"PW! Sorry, I didn't think about that.” He shrugged. “I have good night vision so I didn't realize I'd be invisible."

"I got news for you, my little pegasus." Captain Celaeno called. 

She sat beside a lantern protected in the wake of the ship’s front end and waved him over.

He trotted into the light. “What did you find?

 Celaeno pulled a piece of yellowish paper out of a folder. “A photograph! This was taken at noon today. Notice anything?”

He peered at the image. “Yeah, a large, dark object. With tracks.”

“It was in motion when we saw it. That’s Verko.”

“How can you be so sure?” PW asked. 

The captain pointed with a wing to the ship’s mainsail. 

“Oh my; they shot you.” Gasped PW, seeing what could only be a cannonball hole in the mainsail.

“We wanted a low pass on the way back since it was dark just to make sure he knew we were headed back to you. Looks like we took it a little too low.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not. Just make sure he’s eliminated and we’ll forget about it.”

“With those ponies you saw? No chance of losing.” Declared PW, proudly pushing his chest out ever so slightly.

“He’s about sixty miles due south of your position. 18 degrees 50 minutes south thereabouts, if that means anything to you.” The Captain explained.

"It absolutely does, thank you!”

“Sure. And at his current pace, I imagine you’ll see him the day after tomorrow.” She added, putting the image back into the folder.

“Hey there, pony. I’m Boyle and this is for you.” The large parrot from earlier appeared and handed the folder to PW. 

Wing met wing as PW took possession of the folder.

Celaeno looked out to the dark desert and then turned to PW. “Also, I thought about it and I think calling you a Grubber earlier was a little offensive. Please accept my apology.”

“Thanks Captain!” PW said.

“Good luck. We’re going to pass over him later tonight… much higher this time. Then we should see you again tomorrow afternoon.”

“Sounds good. Bye!” With that PW dove off the plank.

PW almost forgot how close to the ground he was because his dive angle was too steep.

“Pull up pull up pull up!” He shouted to himself.

With a high-G maneuver he managed to avoid the ground. He found the campfire nearby, and once he slowed it only took a few seconds of flapping his wings before entering the approach guide. He landed and took the folder out of his mouth, stuffing it into the rest of his gear to brief everypony on the next morning. Beside PW’s gear was Frosty’s. She had taken off her boots, and those were also sitting in the pile.

PW looked over at the Night-Mare who was still snoring very loudly. Before he knew it, he had his hind legs beside her boot. Frosty’s boots were only meant to cover the hoof, fetlock, and the first two thirds or so of her cannon. Three holes ringed the fetlock to allow her ‘toes’ to poke through. To PW they challenged the entirety of his legs in height. 

‘Are they taller than my entire leg?’ PW pondered, trying to place his hind leg vertically beside it.

Curiosity got the better of him and he decided to sniff the inside. He could definitely smell sweat, but it didn’t reek. PW found himself still wanting to answer his question, and he lifted his hind leg up to his barrel, and slowly began to insert it into her titanic boot.

‘Is the little stallion’s leg long enough to wear a Night-Mare boot? Only one way to find out!’ He coached himself. 

He felt its collar near the top of his hind leg, signaling that he was running out of length. PW began stretching his leg out, when he felt the soft, jelly-like insole. His one leg was in but the other was having trouble holding him level. “I did it! Didn’t I?” PW asked.

“PW? What are you doing?” Frosty muttered.
> Chapter 22: Bait and Switch
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“PW? What are you doing?” Frosty muttered.

Polaris’ heart leaped into his chest. Upon hearing that question he recalled the lack of snoring over the past few seconds, which he had fatally ignored. He looked over at Frosty and made eye contact with her.

‘What do I say? She CAUGHT me!’ He racked his mind for possible explanations.

“PW.” She said again.

“Alright!” He put up a hoof. “Alright, I come clean. I just got back from Captain Celaeno's ship and got a folder with her report. But, then I really wanted to know if I was tall enough to wear your boot and now I’m trying to wear it and I’m sorry!”

“You’re curious about my boot? You could have asked.” She rose to her hooves. “Alright then, let’s see.” With that she reared up and walked over to PW. 

She put the second boot beside the first and then hoisted him up from his forelegs, like a cat being lifted.

“Upsy-daisy.” She said before lowering his hind legs into the boots.

This was not at all what PW was expecting and did not serve to ease his racing mind. ‘What is she doing? Is this some joke? Is this Bon-Bon’s god-tier relationship skills at work? Is the heat driving Frosty mad?’

“You’re up to your thighs…” Frosty announced. 

PW was burning with excitement and having a little much too fun with this. He had to focus every bit of his brain, every bit of concentration to…

“Only a few more inches left, PW!” She said, continuing to lower him.

PW felt its collar and the insoles at the same time.

 “You’re resting on something! Let’s see what.”

‘Fuck!’ PW mentally swore as she looked down near his tail. 

He swished it forwards for cover.

“Well, it would appear that you are JUST tall enough to wear my boots as full-leg boots.” She smiled. “But, you’d definitely lose to Recce.”
She lifted him back to solid ground and in an instant his hinds were locked together and his tail all around him.

“W-who’s Recce?” He asked.

“She’s Night-Mare 2-1. The biggest, tallest, and even meanest of us. She’s pretty much always angry and even scares me.”

“Even you?” He raised a brow at that.

Frosty nodded. “Yes. Recce is terrifying. You wouldn’t like to work with her.”

“Good thing I joined the project after her fitment!” Responded PW.

“Agreed. I know of a technician that in hindsight would want to switch places with you.”

“What happened?”

“I was told they found her on top of him, and he needed his muzzle surgically reconstructed.” She shrugged.

“Oh jeez!” PW gulped and changed the subject. “Well anyways, do you want to see that folder now?”

“Nope. It can wait until morning. Good night.” She yawned and returned to her gear. 

Polaris pulled his pad out and dragged it back some before setting it down and putting his earplugs in. He sat for a few minutes, perplexed at what had transpired.

‘Was that real? Am I dreaming? What the actual fuck happened with her? And why did that feel so wrong?’ PW wondered, gradually drifting off to sleep.





“PW.”

“Woughh...?” He groaned, stirred from sleep.

“PW get up. Everypony needs to hear your briefing.” Frosty shook him. 

Just then PW heard a hissing sound to his right. He turned to find a large, pink ball. A second later it popped, covering his face with chewing gum.

“Gah! Seriously, Echo? That’s going to dry up and stay there the rest of his journey!” Complained Frosty on PW’s behalf.

“I got bubble gum, Windy-chan!” Echo bleated.

“I can see that!” Replied PW, fully awake now. 

“Want some?” She smiled.

“No, thanks.” He grumbled, attempting to pull the gluey strings of gum off his face before eventually giving up and trotting over to the waiting ponies.

“Alright PW, what did you learn?” Asked Bon-Bon as he approached. 

PW pulled out the folder that Celaeno gave them and hoofed it over. 

“So, he is here.” Realized Bon-Bon, recognizing the large wagon in the photo.

“Not just that! He’s sixty miles south of us and actually shot Captain Celaeno’s airboat through the mainsail.” He told her of the attack. “She says her ETA is early afternoon, by which she should be able to tell if he’s taking the bait or not.”

“No good guy! Nosiree!” Echo frowned and shook her head.

“PW, this is due south of us?” Asked Frosty.

“Precisely.” He confirmed

“Alright, you find due south. EVERYPONY PACK UP! We’re going!” Shouted Frosty. 

PW consulted his almanac table and found the entry for the sun as Celestia had declared it, then measured a bearing off of it. They set off, but now progress was slowing. They were nearing the middle desert, where temperatures would build to almost dangerous levels. Everypony was feeling the heat, but no sweat was felt as it would boil away instantly.

PW went off to do business during their lunch break and found that despite drinking two gallons of water (and he wasn’t a big pegasus, mind you), it wasn’t enough. He returned to find his pack missing, with Frosty standing beside where it was.

“Frosty? Have you seen my bag?” PW asked as he saw Echo rummaging through it.

 “Hey!” He called, blushing in a mixture of irritation, pre-emptive embarrassment and fear. 
Echo ignored him and continued digging through his stuff. 
“What’s she looking for?” PW sighed in irritation.

Echo pulled out a piece of paper. 

“Found it!” She shouted. 

PW snapped and leapt into the sky.

“Ah! Not so fast!” Shouted Frosty, catching the airborne stallion and bringing him back down to the ground. 

She held him captive as she walked bipedally over to see what Echo had found.

It was a photo of two Ponyvania Railroad locomotives side by side. As Echo began to giggle like a filly, PW struggled hard in the Night-Mare’s grasp.

“This’ll be good, the way he’s fighting!” Said Frosty, peering closer.

“O’bachan! I have never seen anything like it!” Giggled Echo. 

One of the two locomotives in the picture was a class I1, a heavy hauler six axle weighing 386,000 pounds, and the other a class E7, a fast light 5 axle locomotive weighing 175,000 pounds. The large I1 had the caption ‘Big hulking nightmare!’ and the small E7 had ‘smol helper PW’ written under it.

“Wow PW, this is really good!” Laughed Frosty.

“Choo-choo!” Called Echo. 

Frosty cracked up, dropping PW onto the sand. 

“I wanna hear your whistle Windy-chan!” Echo teased.

“Give it back!” Shouted PW, swiping for the image which Echo played keep-away with.

Echo stood straight and held the image up high, out of his reach. 

“I fly!” Shouted PW, taking off and buzzing Echo, trying to grab the image. 

Eventually she stopped trying to dodge him, but PW didn’t realize this warning sign until it was too late.

“Aw, angry pega so c-yyy-utte!” Echo sang, throwing her enormous forelegs around PW and squeezing him tight.

“HElp! PleEZE!” Begged the constricted pegasus. 

Frosty simply crossed her forehooves and shook her head at Echo and her prize.

“Please let GO!” PW called again.

“No.” Echo's simple reply.

“Echo! This isn’t FUN anymore.” He whined.

“Aw, Windy-chan…” Complained Echo, releasing her grip and allowing the pegasus to fall to the ground.

Frosty stepped up. 

“That’s enough – I don’t want him suffering. Now let’s get moving. I put your special image back into your saddlebag PW.” She reassured him, stuffing the image back into the bag.

PW didn’t say anything as he put his bag back on, still red in the face. They had only been on the move for a few minutes when Sweetie Drops spotted Captain Celaeno’s airboat overhead. The Captain’s skills were second to none. She managed to place the airship within normal conversational range on the ground despite winds. The Night-Mares reared to oversee the greeting.

“We meet again. What have you got for us?” Asked Bon-Bon. 

The captain pointed up at her mainsail. 

“Oh yes, PW did mention that.”

“And, you should know he is onto you.” The Captain said.

“Yes!” Shouted Frosty.

“How distant?” Added Bon-Bon.

“You’ve both closed your distances by one half. If you continue moving at your current speed you should encounter him tomorrow morning.” Celaeno figured.

Bon-Bon pondered her options.

“Knowing him, would you recommend daytime or nighttime interception?” She asked.

“Daytime. He specializes in night interceptions and, being a mole, has night vision beyond anyone here."

“We’ll keep that in mind with the flash bang.” Responded Frosty.

“And one more thing- he sends scouts ahead of himself. You should expect to see faces in the wee hours of tomorrow morning. Looking over the dunes at you.” Warned the captain.

“We’ll put on a big display for them!” Joked Echo.

“I’m sorry?” Captain Celaeno asked, confused.

“She’s talking about us pissing.” Frosty answered bluntly. A light bit of laughter went around the group.

“On the contrary, Snowheart and Sweetsong – I do believe it is in our best interest to maintain a low profile. And I do mean low. You should remain hidden until the operation begins.” Suggested Bon-Bon.

“Then we’ll be immobile.” Complained Frosty.

“Exactly. A stopped caravan is more susceptible to a moving one. If he’s sitting on the fence, as to whether or not to attack, that condition should get him to attack.” Replied Bon-Bon.

“Very well. Tomorrow morning, we will stay put instead of going into motion. We control the battlefield layout then. And the ambush should happen closer to lunch time.” Decided Frosty.

“Roger that. I’m making one more run to Klugetown. I should be back around daybreak. That gives us one last chance for an information exchange.” The captain announced. 

The two parties said their goodbyes and Celaeno returned back south.

That evening, PW remembered what Bon-Bon had told him about the finger lockups. After everypony else had finished their meals, Frosty was still cracking cans of beans open with her fingers and dumping their contents into her mouth. She was sitting on a firelog, raising her above her already impressive sitting height.

“Frosty?” PW asked, taking a seat in front of (and below) the Night-Mare. PW placed himself in a very submissive location to emphasize his sincerity. The kilo-mare chucked the empty can of beans away into the pile and made eye contact with him.

“This is important. When I had my conversation with agent Sweetie Drops yesterday, she told me a little more about the finger lock-up issue. Did you know it’s happening elsewhere?” Asked PW. 
She now turned to face him. “Really? To who?”

“She didn’t say, but she told me she was married to the designer of your finger assembly. And she also told me that she was about as obsessed with the devices, as I am with you. So, with the design being true, and their installation being true, that means the manufacturing, or the delivery is, well… sabotaged. In Sweetie Drops’ mind.” PW articulated. 

Frosty sat back, squinting her eyes and pondering the conclusion.

“That alone doesn’t rule out another possibility. They could have been damaged by mistake.” Conjured Frosty.

“All I’m asking is that you’re careful. Also… did you happen to see any-creature acting like a malicious insider around you in fitment?” Asked PW. 

Frosty looked down and stroked the sand between her and PW with her size ten hind hoof, thinking.

“No-creature comes to mind.” Responded Frosty.

“Promise?” Asked PW, in a tone that told her he really cared deeply about her. 

PW made deep eye contact with Frosty, reading the answer in her eyes.

“Promise!” Replied the big mare sincerely, grabbing PW’s ear lightly.

Suddenly a loud air-biscuit fart came from behind the fire log. Frosty’s eyes immediately flew open in surprise.

“Nice.” Complimented PW.

“I didn’t mean to do that…” Frosty denied, trying to defend herself.

“Well that pile says it's guaranteed!” Laughed PW, pointing to the pile of at least eight cans of beans. “Pinto. Good choice!” PW added, reading one of the cans.

“I’ll stay up to watch the camp PW. You put those ear plugs in and have a good night.”

“Okay Frosty. Thank you.” Replied PW with a smile. He unfurled his bag and put his earplugs in.

“It’s all about being sweet.” The stallion told himself, happy with the Night-Mare’s response to his recent behavior.



PW woke up on his own as the sun started becoming brilliant. Frosty was nowhere to be found. He walked around the camp a little bit and began approaching the wagons.

“PW.” Called Bon-Bon, trotting over to him. “That wagon has Frosty. This one has Echo.” She gestured, escorting PW. “He’s up!” Bon-Bon called to Frosty.

“That makes everyone? And is the coast clear of scouts?” Frosty asked.

“Yes to both.”

Frosty hopped out of the wagon. “Alright everypony! We’re going to reconfigure the wagons to reduce line of sight! Organize items in two columns, stagger the rows. I want as many corners as possible!” Frosty shouted. 

The caravan was reconfigured as the Night-Mares watched on.

“PW, the captain arrived just a few minutes ago.” Frosty said, pointing them out. 

PW looked up to find the airboat a few thousand feet up. “I want a status report from Celaeno.”

“YES Frosty!” PW called, climbing into the sky.

As PW reached the ship he noticed all its occupants on one side, looking down. Captain Celaeno looked up and tipped her large hat to PW, waiving PW over to them. The Captain directed her attention from PW over the side of the ship.

“Oh… there they are. They move quickly!” Exclaimed PW.

“Impressive speed, for ground movement.” Replied the Captain.

“Take a look’here!” Said Lix Spittle, passing a spyglass over to PW with her wing.

“I see one large vehicle. Being pulled by eight creatures?” PW asked, focusing on it. 

The largest parrot turned towards him.

“Yep, that’s it. They travel light. During the day the scouts roam and the polymorphs down there pull his wagon. He’s riding inside it. At night every-creature sleeps inside it, unless it’s loaded up with booty.” Boyle recalled.

“You have maybe an hour.” Figured the Captain.

“We’re ready. Everything is positioned. Snowheart’s got her plan. And whatever it is; I trust in it.” Declared PW, passing back the spyglass and heading towards the plank.

A parrot with a long neck and a lazy eye blocked PW with a waving wing, nodding as he did so. “Uh, wing?” 

Asked PW, mirroring his. The parrot nodded and started pushing his wing towards PW.

“Oh high wing!” PW realized. The parrot nodded and they beat their wings together.

“That’s Squabble. Anyways, good luck PW. I can’t promise much support but if we see an opportunity we’ll take it!” Called the Captain. 

PW nodded and unclipped his radio. “Arimaspi Control, Windy.”

“Go."

"We’re engaging Verko shortly at 17 degrees 20 minutes south, 14 minutes even west.”

“Roger. Good luck.”

“Thanks.” Responded PW stowing the radio.

PW dove off the plank and was able to pick up tremendous speed thanks to the height the ship was at before gently pulling up to a descent. His speed was so high he made a streaking sound that was audible to the caravan. PW wasn’t a particularly fast flier, but he was very skilled at making energy judgments. He floated atop the dunes and bled off speed until he was able to come down to a soft landing beside the Night-Mares’ wagons.

“Less than one hour.” Relayed PW.

“What do you see, Windy-chan?” Asked Echo, poking her enormous head out the wagon.

“One large wagon, being pulled by eight polymorph creatures.” He muttered

“Hmm… our first critical piece of knowledge is going to be knowing what side of us they’ll be intercepting on.” Reasoned Frosty. “Could you tell if they were heading left or right of us?”

“No. I didn’t notice any sideways movement. It looked like they were more or less heading straight for us.”

“Hmm… we need to see over that dune. Does any-creature have a mirror!” Frosty shouted.

As it turned out, Bon-Bon had one. They set it up at the top of the dune. It would warn of a left side attack. If the mirror reflected empty sand, it would mean an attack to their right.

“The safest thing would be for myself and Echo to take a position over the dunes behind us minutes before the attack. We must establish a communication line for movement.” Announced Frosty.

“You both go right. If we see movement to our left, I will sneeze.” Bon-Bon suggested.

“Roger that. Once they attack, Echo and I will fall in behind them and pick them off. PW, you’ll be responsible for our six.” Taxed Frosty.

“I shall not fail you!” Responded PW energetically.

“See you on the other side of this.” Finished Frosty. 

PW watched the mares climb up the dunes behind them to the north and then wallow themselves into the sand. Several minutes passed as the convoy entered lockdown. First some murmuring was heard. Then Bon-Bon sneezed. PW looked up to see the mirror as reflecting some dark object. PW turned around to see the Night-Mares already slithering on the backside of the dune, around to the left where they’d be in a better position.

Then suddenly, shouting above them. The large wagon appeared over the dune and accelerated to a high speed for the attack, rolled over and down the sand embankment, and came to a stop suddenly.

“HERE’S VERKO!” Shouted a dark figure, leaping out of the wagon.
> Chapter 23: Sayonara!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“HERE’S VERKO!” Shouted a dark figure, leaping out of the coasting wagon.

Cannon-fire pierced the sound of the desert wind as a projectile impacted the sand dune behind the convoy below, throwing sand high into the air.

“Listen here!” Verko shouted, narrating in third person as he strolled down the dune. “Verko’s going to take your goods now. You can give them up, or we can shoot you and come get them anyway. Your choice!”

“Like hay! You don’t even know what we’re hauling!” Sweetie Drops shouted.

“Doesn’t matter! If it crosses the desert, it’s got value to Verko. LET ANOTHER ONE RIP!” Verko yelled but was met with silence. “Guys?” He turned. 

A lot of screaming was coming from his wagon. PW was just in time to look up and see Frosty lifting the enormous wagon’s side high into the air as an array of creatures abandoned it. Beside her was Echo, her rifle trained on Verko.

“Sayonara, Verko-san!” She muttered behind the crosshairs.

By then Frosty had fully flipped the wagon and sent it rolling. She next took her D16 in her claws and smacked its buttstock into the back of an escaping fish-creature’s head, knocking him out cold.

“A giant pony?!” Verko blanched at the sight of her.

“Two.” Frosty spat, stomping toward him.

“You’re going to jail, you ugly motherbucker!” Shouted Sweetie Drops from the edge of the false caravan, revealing her firearm. 

PW followed her lead and took his Stallion and West pistol out, following Frosty’s instructions from their first interactions by keeping the gun below the horizon.

A cannon thundered, shredding the front-most wagon’s roof. One of Verko’s henchmen had apparently managed to sneak off with the weapon and was frantically reloading when Frosty charged. A quick shriek was all he could muster before she brought a hoof to his gut and sent him flying backward. She turned back to Verko as a raccoon-like creature scurried to her side.

“Ah-ah-ah!” Echo was quick to intercept and threw herself at him.

He cried out as she landed with an earth-shaking *THUD*, only just avoiding being outright crushed. She was quick to grasp his skull in her metal claws and yanked him down to the ground between her thighs, smothering his writhing attempts at escape. With her quarry subdued Echo rose and smiled. 

“Don’t go anywhere!” Echo shouted, charging back to Verko.

He fled toward his ruined wagon but stopped in his tracks at the sight of a cannon aimed right at it. Frosty was there, smirking behind her mask as a cackling trail of sparks disappeared into the weapon’s body.

KRA-KOW! The cannon fired and blew the vehicle to pieces in a fiery explosion, along with any creatures with the misfortune of being caught inside. Verko was in a panic now and fled over the nearest sand dune only to be met with the Equestrian convoy. All four armed ponies began chasing him down.

The telltale explosion of cannon-fire was heard on the opposite side of the convoy, however.

“HEAR!” Shouted a creature from the top of a sand dune.

“Apple Fritter!” Shouted Sweetie Drops. 

Frosty keyed her radio headset.

“Windy, how many were hauling Verko’s wagon?” Frosty asked.

“Eight!” PW responded.

“We have a fish, frog, raccoon, and three in the wagon! That only makes six!” Counted Frosty as they all looked up to the dune in realization.

Sure enough, something between a turtle and a rhino stood alongside a boar atop the dune. It held Apple Fritter up by her mane up with a machete across her neck.

“Help!” She cried behind a bruised face. 

PW looked up the dune and spotted more objects just behind it.

“Hey, Frosty!” PW hissed into his radio. “Did you see any scouts this morning?”

“Yeah; we counted five. Oh, fuck!” Frosty realized.

KRA-KOW! a cannon roared and sent a cannonball whizzing by. She ducked and lifted her own weapon just in time to see another cannon aimed at her.

“Defensive Positions!” She shouted while running back to the convoy.

Echo likewise backed up and over the crest of the dune. At its crest she looked back to see several figures running into the convoy area. She pulled out a smoke grenade and lobbed it into the middle of their convoy, creating a cloud that obstructed the cannon’s view of them. Once the smoke had grown dense the pair of Night-mares descended the dune to the cloud’s edge. PW burst out from it in flight.

“Windy! I want recon updates up there!” Frosty ordered over the radio.

“On it!” He responded, spiraling up in altitude above the cloud. “Frosty, Echo; two are holding Apple Fritter hostage. Three have cannons. Verko and two scouts in the crowd, I think.”

“We’re going in close. Cover us.” Frosty ordered, walking up to the edge of the cloud.

Just then a hunched, squat figure darted out. “Verko’s out!” PW shouted. “Running for the hostage! Turn opposite direction for intercept!” 

The Night-Mares whipped around the cloud’s edge but were met with the cannons.

“Windy, they’ve still got the hostage and the cannons. I can’t engage.” Frosty growled in frustration.

“Scout’s making a break for it! Opposite side!” Shouted PW. 

She turned around and charged straight for a ferret-like creature. Unfortunately for him, he was escaping on the wrong side of the cloud and had no cover. Frosty leapt and extended her claws to full-length, coming down hard on his back. A sickening *crunch* was heard as his back immediately yielded.

“One down.” She muttered.

A hamster’s head emerged from the smoke cloud, curious about the commotion.

“Aw, cute!” Echo said from above her. 

The hamster attempted to withdraw back into the cloud but she was caught in Echo’s grasp. 
“C’mere!” She smiled, dragging the yelping creature towards her. “I just wanna cuddle!” She brought the fuzzy hamster into a constricting hug that grew tighter by the second.

“My ribs!” She gasped. “My ribs!”

After several popping sounds she went limp. Echo gently laid her groaning form down on the sand.

“Hamster down.” Echo reported.

“That means the convoy should be clear! Two haulers, three scouts plus Verko is everyone! We’ve isolated ourselves!” Radioed PW.

“Except Apple Fritter.” Frosty noted.

“I’ll cut you a deal!” Verko shouted. “This country pony for one wagon!”

“Deal.” Frosty was quick to reply.

“Frosty, what are you doing?” PW hissed.

She glanced at him. “Trust me, PW. Call Arimaspi Control and tell them we’re quarantined, now.”

He paused but nonetheless did as she asked. “Arimaspi Control, Windy. We’re quarantined.”

“Roger that Windy. Wait one.” The voice said before promptly returning. “Please land. The airspace is going hot.” 

PW landed as he pondered what that could mean. Meanwhile, Echo pulled a wagon up and moved it up the dune halfway to Verko, with Frosty covering her. Verko released Apple Fritter and the Night-Mares withdrew back down the dune with her.

They heard more chatter over the radio.

“Standby, air boss, you’re being patched in... 3, 2, 1.”

“Roger, audio feed tied in.” A new stallion’s voice tuned in.

“… bolts, downwind leg for the drop!” A mare with a scratchy voice joined him. “Wonderbolts downwind to base turn in 1-2. Stay with me. Target in sight!”

Having done flight training himself, PW looked up where he thought they would be and saw several dots in the sky, moving much faster than anything he’d seen before.

“Wonderbolts base to final turn 1-2. Ready? Hit it!” She commanded.

“You seeing this Frosty?” PW asked.

“Where?”

“North, 30 degrees up.” He nodded at the growing figures.

“Wonderbolts standby for the dive!” 
> Chapter 24: Top Fun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Now I see them!” Called Frosty.

All five Wonderbolts were primarily sky blue but varied from silver, red, blue, gold and even rainbow in mane color. They were arranged in a five-diamond formation, featuring a lead, a left and right wing, a tail, and a slot.

“Wonderbolts, base to final turn 1-2. Ready? Hit it!” The flight lead said through the radio.

Frosty and Echo looked up as the formation, which had been flying level, suddenly took a nosedive and revealed the pegasi making it up. The lead had a gold coat, the tail blue, the left wing was rainbow, the right wing red, and the slot blue and white.

The aerial team’s descent became audible as a tremendous roaring sound built up with the pegasi accumulating several hundred miles per hour in speed. By this point Verko had become aware of the sound above him and looked up.

“SHIT!” He screamed in an attempt to flee.

“Wonderbolts, drop 1-2. Ready? Hit it!” Shouted the lead with tremendous wind shrieking. 

Several black objects detached from the pegasi in flight, headed right for Verko’s wagon.

“Wonderbolts, pull up! 1-2. Ready. Hit it!” 

The team made a low pass to the west of the convoy and just a handful of yards above Verko’s wagon, passing with a thunderous *WHOOSH.*

The cylindrical, black objects next crashed into Verko’s wagon and began spewing a cloud of green smoke that caused the remaining creatures there to cough out of control.

“Teargas.” Explained Frosty.

“Airboss, Spitfire. Target is bullseye’d!” The lead’s voice reported.

“Copy Spitfire, great work as always! This never gets old!” The other voice replied.

“Age is just a number!” Replied Spitfire. “Wonderbolts, level off, wing power 50%. 1-2, Ready. Hit it!”

Polaris accompanied Frosty back to the other side of the convoy where several creatures victim to the Night-Mares lay. At the same time Echo appeared with a gasmask and removed the cannons from the area while collecting the creatures. They reassembled in the center of their convoy.

“Fish is dead. As are raccoon and ferret.” Frosty said as their remains were stacked.

“The others are alive but will need a ride.” Polaris observed.

“All the cuties over there can hip-hop! Nobody over there died.” Echo remarked.

“That makes three dead, four critically injured and seven alive who can walk.” Frosty counted and turned to PW. “Well PW, now you got to see what a Night-Mare in action is capable of. All that without using her D16.”

“Yes, you are so very powerful and thank you for putting up with me!” Cried PW, rearing to throw his forelegs and wings around her flanks (as much as a pony his size could).

“You’re… welcome.” She said, suddenly surprised with unexpected affection.

“Awww – O’bachan! Windy-chan!” Giggled Echo.

“Frosty, Spitfire! Are we clear to land?” The radio cracked.

“Affirm.” She muttered.

Echo had since returned to Verko’s destroyed wagon and rummaged about the wreckage. “Uh-oh!”

“Uh-oh what?” Frosty stood and approached with caution.

“Bad, bad, Verko-san!” Echo shook her head.

“Hey get out of there! There’s nothing for you there!” He shouted and squirmed on the sand.

He had regained enough strength to stand up and he approached Frosty.

 “You know what your problem is? You’re really big. Which means you… MOVE SLOW!” Shouted Verko, pulling a dagger out of his cloak.

“WRONG.” She grunted and sent a blow to his chin that knocked him upside down.

“He won’t make that mistake again! Add one to the unable-to-walk-list!” PW shouted.

He and Frosty looked back to Echo who was holding a bag of white powder in her hoof.

“Ah narcotics.” Realized PW.

“That’s crack.” Frosty said flatly.

“And look! Mehanine-methan-theta-thines-OH! Methamphetamines!” Echo rolled her eyes and held up another bag.

“Who were you going to sell those to?” Frosty asked. 

The injured mole only groaned in reply.

“Yeah, he’s too far gone now.” Laughed PW.

“Frisk everycreature!” Shouted Frosty. 

The four armed ponies collected any remaining armaments. A whisper in the wind was heard as everypony looked up. The Wonderbolts made their glide into a soft touchdown. PW would have loved to capture a photo of Captain Spitfire’s face as she eyed Frosty.

“Erm, … ma’am?” Spitfire said.

“Captain.” Frosty gave her a curt nod.

“R-right. So, I wanted to follow up with you; the results of your mission. Is it complete?” Asked Spitfire. 

PW was amazed to find that Spitfire, the renowned Wonderbolt captain, was shorter than he was! So, in fact, were the two other mares flanking her. One stallion was the same height and only the other stallion was taller. This particular team’s age was starting to show in the form of gray highlights.

“At this point, yes.” Frosty explained. “Our counts are three dead, five badly injured and six captured with minor injuries. No kills or significant injuries from your operations, Captain?”

PW’s eyes widened upon recognizing the red wonderbolt. “You’re Starfighter! The first pegasus to break 100,000 feet under wingpower alone!”

Starfighter turned with a grin. “That’s right!”

“Pft, big deal.” The proud, rainbow-maned mare scoffed. “What good is a record that nopony can see? My Sonic Rainboom is the real record of this squadron!”

Wonderbolt fan-colt mode was kicking in for PW now. “And you’re Rainbow Dash, the fastest flier there is!”

“Heh, yeah! That’s me!” Rainbow said with her muzzle to the sky.

“Knock it off, Dash! You’ve been using that phrase for years!” Barked Starfighter.

“Because YOU always seem to get recognized first!”

“That’s not my problem, Rainbow!” Responded Starfighter.

“Hey, can… I get your autographs?” PW interrupted, bringing forth the back side of the image with the trains.

Soarin walked up and leaned in, already with a marker in his mouth.

PW saw he had a moment to chat. “So, Starfighter, I’ve always wanted to fly super high myself. What’s the secret?”

He cleared his throat and began. “Okay. Forget trying to climb as high as you can. Instead, fly where you go the fastest. That’s usually about two-thirds of your maximum altitude. Then, go as fast as you possibly can and pull up into a sixty degree climb. That’s the zoom climb. Around 70,000 feet, if you can get there, you’ll find that you’re not able to breathe anymore, and you can’t get any more air under your wings.”

PW listened with bated breath as the other Wonderbolts signed the photo. Starfighter continued. “At this point, breathe out, stop flapping, tuck your wings in close like a delta, and ride it out like the top of a rollercoaster, opening your wings again as you slow down. Oxygen management is critical. If you feel light, you’re doing it right. Then you MUST reconnect the air stream to your wings when you come back in before pulling out- or you could enter a fatal spin.”

He took the marker, provided his signature and passed it back to PW. “Good luck!”

Polaris looked to Fleetfoot, who was whispering up to Frosty and pointing at the other Wonderbolts.

Frosty’s eyes flew open in shock and she gawked, walking away. 

“Creep!” She shouted.

“Fleety? What did you ask her?” Asked Soarin in a tone that indicated he already knew it was going to be bad.

“I just asked her to push her butt into one of your faces and squeeze it in place for a picture!” Fleetfoot laughed. 

All the other pegasi, including PW, grimaced at that.

Echo approached, forehooves wide. 

“Wonderbolts! So cute, the tiny pegas!” She squealed and lunged for a hug.

“BAIL! BAIL!” Shouted Fleetfoot, already in her takeoff roll.

“Enjoy your time with her, PW! Fly for your lives!” Cried Starfighter, beginning his roll.

“Go-go-go!” Added Rainbow Dash in quick succession.

“Wonderbolts GTFO! One – fuck – just do it now!” Spitfire spat and entered a maximum performance takeoff. 

The team were airborne in a broken formation, soon increasing their angle to straight vertical.

“Aww! Echo-chan wanted a Wonderbolt to huggie–wuggie…” Complained Echo.

“Echo?” Called Frosty.

“Mmm?”

“What about PW?” Frosty asked. 

His ears went flat against his skull.

“For fuck’s sake, Frosty!” Cried PW, trying to take off.

“Windy-chan!” Cried Echo, grabbing his tail. 

The pegasus screamed as he was brought into the same embrace that had broken a creature beyond being able to walk.

“Echo loves Windy-chan so much!” She nuzzled him deeply.

“Can’t… breathe…” PW huffed.





The group moved into the task of cleaning up the site and preparing to depart.

“We need to dig three graves now I bet.” Whispered Polaris.

“The shifting sands of the desert will take care of it. We just need to haul them up to the northwest corner of the dune and they’ll be buried within a few days.” Frosty replied, pointing to the location.

She hauled the creatures into position on the slope and Echo took a picture to document the deceased. 

“Arimaspi control, Frosty. The mission is complete and we’re returning to you with eleven in tow.”

“Roger that Frosty. Good job.” Replied the controller.

“Hey Frosty, I’m going to tag up with Captain Celaeno.” Radioed PW, already climbing towards the ship.

“Copy. You can let her know the mission is done as well.” Replied Frosty.

The pegasus glided down onto the deck of the stationary airboat.

“Welcome back, Windy!” Called Celaeno.

“Exciting, eh?” Claimed PW.

“Absolutely, Windy. My congratulations to you and I’m glad you defeated him. That was awesome to watch! Is anypony in your troop injured?”

“Nope. The only ones injured were from Verko’s band.”

“Excellent. In that case I will bid you farewell. And come say ‘hi’ next time you are in the area. You’ve got friends up here, PW.” The captain said with a wink.

“Thanks captain. Until we meet again!” PW said in farewell, shaking wings before jumping off the plank for the final time.

PW descended back northward to the desert to find that the six healthy captured were now being made to haul the wagon carrying the six injured, a bit of karma in action.

“Good job today, PW.” Complimented Frosty as she walked beside him.

“Thanks. We did not avoid deaths, though. We have three.”

“I think with eleven captured, none escaped, and Verko alive it’s going to be okay.” She shrugged. “And, you took no lives – it was all myself and Echo. So, you are clear. You also helped out a lot by relaying information to and from Captain Celaeno, which saved us valuable time.”

“Aww, thanks!” Answered PW. 

She gave a smug grin and whipped her tail against PW’s back in affection.

“Ow, hahaha!” He laughed.
> Chapter 25: Debriefing Module 1: Non-emotional
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polaris Wind, Frosty and Echo strolled up a brick path and arrived at a small rambler overlooking the desert from a bluff. Frosty rang the doorbell and an older mare soon answered the door.

She looked the trio over and said: “Number 2. And Windy. And Number 5!”

“S.” Replied Frosty.

“Are you hot?”

“Negative.”

“Nay!” Echo added.

“Come in!” Called S, opening the door wide. 

Frosty was met with a creaking in the floorboards as she did so. A nearby glass marble rolled into the depression the supersoldier’s hoof was making.

“Small steps, dear.” Advised S. 

The small house’s frame began rocking back and forth, causing knick-knacks on shelves to shift and dish china to rattle.

“Have a seat?” Invited S. 

Frosty carefully lowered her rump onto the sofa, already straining its frame. Echo, however, was none the wiser and sat beside her. With a *CRACK* it yielded under their combined weight.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. We’ll get a new one.” Reassured S.

“How can you possibly grow that large?” PW wondered, bouncing up and down on the seat next to it and getting no ills from it.

“Mr. Wind, it is good to see you in an official capacity!” S addressed him, sitting down and opening her manilla file.

“Agreed, S. I am very grateful for becoming a part of the Night-Mare project once again. This time, with a more critical role!” Said a gleeful PW, getting seated. 

He looked over at the collapsed sofa.

“With Frosty at 404 pounds and Echo at 357, that sofa is bearing 761 pounds of Night-Mare. No wonder it broke!” He calculated while Echo dumped a box of knives out onto the coffee table.

S got up and rinsed a washcloth under warm water and passed it to PW.

“You have something on your face dear.”

“Oh… yeah the bubblegum!” Remembered PW, turning towards Echo in a judgmental expression. 

Echo began whistling as PW wiped the gum off.

“Since I brought you up, Mr. Wind – or, Windy… let’s debrief your mission. Did you have any direct involvement in any confirmed kills?”

“Me? No. Not directly.” PW shrugged.

“Good. Now, what was the number dispatched?” Asked S.

“Three in total.” Responded Frosty.

“How does that break out between you both?” S asked. 

Frosty and Echo exchanged glances and retraced their steps.

“I had the fish thing, and the ferret… so, two for me.” Answered Frosty.

“Echo-sama got one. I took out the Racoon.” Answered Echo.

“Three in total?” Asked S.

“That’s right.” Reaffirmed Frosty.

“Captured?”

“Eleven. Six injured.”

“And escaped?”

“Zero. That we know of.” Answered PW.

“And Verko was captured alive?” S asked with a little more caution.

“That he was.” Responded Frosty.

“And the wagon’s destroyed?”

“Yup-yup!” Replied Echo.

“Any other contact worth mentioning?”

“We ran into Captain Celaeno. She provided recon as well as attracted Verko over.” Replied PW.

S frowned. “Did Celaeno ask you any questions about the classified material or attempt to get any classified information?”

“No.” Replied Windy.

“Did Celaeno behave in any way to suggest that she may have had an ulterior motive?”

“No actually, she was very friendly and openly supportive.” Responded PW.

“Did any important information come of your discussions?”

“Actually… she did mention some rogue band off the southeast coast, near Catoshima, that seemed to be causing trouble down there.” He offered.

“Catoshima’s gonna whoop him good!” Shouted Echo loudly.

“Interesting. And any other discussions?” S asked.

“Well I did discuss a few things on the fingers with Special Agent Sweetie Drops. She said tha– ” PW began to explain but was cut short.

“Yes, Windy. We’re aware.” S held a hoof to stop him. “In fact, we can proceed at this point to your next assignment. We’ve already arranged a meeting with the Lead Systems Design Engineer herself on the finger-hoof augments subsystem. We’d like for you, Echo, and Frosty to meet with the engineer to get a technical exchange going and uncover any potential hidden issues.”

“Did this come at Sweetie Drops’ recommendations?” Asked PW.

“Actually, this request came from management.” She said.

“Okay.”

“The meeting will take place in Norfilly, so you three get to go back home. At least for a little while.” Replied S, passing PW three train tickets.

“Your train for Canterlot leaves in an hour. Great job you three. Windy’s presence seems to be making things smoother. Anything to add?” She asked.

“We also seized narcotics. Methamphetamines and cocaine. We gave those to the convoy to dispose of.” Answered PW.

“Thanks Windy. Alright, you’ve got a train to catch!” Replied S. 

The Night-Mares stood and the broken sofa responded by firing a loose spring into the air.

“Sorry about your sofa.” Frosty apologized as she went out the door.

“Not your fault. Bye now!” Called S.

“What kinda choo-choo we gonna get Windy-chan? A big Night-Mare train? Maybe a cute, small Windy-chan train?” Teased Echo as they walked down the street into town.

"I'm not a child, you don't need to hype me up." Moped PW.

“Oh…” Frosty sighed in relief at seeing the first car. “Thank goodness! It seems we have the Potomare lounge still in the station.” 

PW reared up to see it over the road's incline.

“That’s a siding. Not in the station.” Corrected PW.

“Whatever.”

“We’re gonna travel in style!” Echo chirped. 

When the team got to the small station, a teenage earth-pony colt rushed up to the group, alarming them.

“I know who you are… but, I know to keep it a secret!” He whispered. “Can I have your autographs?” He begged, holding a poster up to Snowheart.

“O-okay. What’s your name?” She asked, taking the pen in her fingers.

“Woah cool! I’m Desert Shield.” He replied, starstruck.

“Okay Desert Shield, nice to meet you.” Snowheart replied, passing the colt the autograph.

“‘To Desert Shield… size is measured in spirit – nothing more. Snowheart.’ Aww, you drew a heart!” Desert Shield exclaimed.

“Can I have yours too?” He asked Sweetsong.

“Yup-yup, Desert-Kun!” She replied, proceeding to cover the poster in hearts before passing it back. “‘Luv you Desert Shield, x-o-x-o’ and there’s hearts everywhere! ‘Sweetsong.’”

PW rolled his eyes as the colt started to turn away before abruptly facing him. “Oh, I didn’t get yours! Actually, I don’t remember hearing about any normal sized elite guards?”

“I’m new here. Anyways, I help them both out.”

“That’s so cool! Can I get your autograph too?” The colt asked. PW was suddenly surprised at the colt’s interest in his status.

“Yes, you may.” Responded PW, trying to hold back an intense grin of satisfaction. “To Desert Shield, chase your passion. You’ll never know the limits. - W.” Wrote PW, passing it back.

“Thanks mister! Cool ‘W!’ Keep us safe!” Cried the earth-pony, running off.

“Cool, W?” Asked Frosty.

“I drew the W in the shape of wings.”

“That is neat…” Frosty admitted, walking to the Potomare lounge and pulling the handle.

 It snapped off and fell to the ground.

“Locked.” Frosty announced.

“Tiehoof? Are these the mares you were mentioning?” Shouted a nearby earth pony mare.

“I told you, the biggest mares you have ever seen!” Shouted a gruff reply from inside the stationhouse.

“Hello, hello!” The mare trotted over to unlock their door. 

She looked down at the broken door handle. 

“Funny… I feel like I would have noticed that earlier… let’s try the other door!” She called as PW snickered. 

Snowheart quickly lashed her tail against PW’s rump, taking all his humor away and, for a brief moment, he became fearful, until Snowheart winked back at him. PW moved forward to whisper up to her.

“That really hurt!” Whispered PW.

“Don’t get me in trouble.” Snowheart whispered back.

“I’m sorry, ok?” Replied PW expectantly. 

She sighed and responded by patting her forehoof on his neck.

“All good to go! You’ll feel a little bump when the train hooks up in a few minutes!” The mare called, pushing the door open.

“Thank you!” PW responded, passing the mare the tickets.

“Ooh, nice!” Exclaimed Echo, looking around the car. “You traveled this way down here?”

“That’s right.” Replied Frosty.

“But, food?”

“They bring the food in here. I hope they have a second dining car, actually. One of us is bad enough, but two? That’s over twenty pounds of food per day!” Realized Frosty.

“And, where do we sleep?” Asked Echo.

“The sofa pulls out into a bed.” She pointed. “Just make sure PW isn’t behind you when you do it. We almost had an accident. No joke!”

“Frosty…” Moaned PW.

“I’m looking out for you buddy!”

“I can do that myself too!” He rolled his eyes. “I know not to get behind you on a moving train.”

“Trying to get a look at Frosty’s big butt PW?” Teased Echo.

“NO! Stop saying things like that Echo! You’re going to get me in trouble!” PW complained.
> Chapter 26: Debriefing Module 2: Emotional
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The entire train car jerked backwards. Frosty and Echo strafed with the car as it moved while PW instinctively opened his wings. 

“Guess the rest of the train’s here!” He said. 

In a few minutes the stewardess came through, introduced herself, and took three pages of lunch orders. In a few minutes the car’s air lines were hooked up, the passengers boarded at Arimaspi, and the train was rolling northwards.

Echo sat down at the sofa in the rear. 

“Ahhh!” She sighed, looking around the room until she made eye contact with PW. “Windy-chan. Come sit on my lap!”

“I’m not a colt! Or a toy!” Barked PW.

“Aw… Echo-sama wants somepony to talk to…” She moped, lowering her head in despair. 

PW could see floating hearts around her, but they had all popped. PW gazed at the large blue-eyed mare and, as he did so, he could see horrors in her eyes that didn’t belong in her head.

He frowned and approached. “Alright Echo, lean back so I have a seat! You’re getting a visitor.” 

“Aw, Windy-chan yay!” Echo smiled, bouncing right back to herself. 

PW pushed himself up and gently sat on the enormous seat that was the smallest Night-Mare’s thighs.

“You did great on the mission, Windy-chan!” Echo complimented.

“Thanks, Echo. I really do enjoy working with you girls.” He smirked. “I try as hard as I can to do a great job.”

Unfortunately PW did not connect the dots on the silence coming from Frosty.

“You both are so cute.” Muttered Frosty, peeping out from behind a nearby booth. 

PW turned to face her and was blinded. The sound of a printing page filled the car as PW’s vision returned.

“Gotcha, Windy-chan!” Echo sang, announcing her prize.

“Seriously?!” Shouted PW.

“Echo-sama wanted a picture.” She beamed.

“Yeah, well I want to see that!” Shouted PW, leaping from his seat into a gliding fall. Frosty read him and pulled the camera away just in time.

“You really want to go up against two Night-Mares, Polaris Wind?” Frosty challenged, rearing up. 

The train car was only so high and she banged her head before she could reach full height.

“Fine. Whatever.” PW spat.

“You know, in this job, it’s not always what you want. You’re supporting Night-Mares.” Frosty stated. 

PW sighed, feeling betrayed by himself.

“... you’re right.” He admitted.

“Windy-chan? Echo-sama still wants you to sit with her! That is no joke!” Cried Echo.

“Support the Night-Mare.” Said a voice from within PW’s head.

“Okay Echo!” He replied, returning to her lap.

“Sometimes stuff like this just comes with the job, right PW? Night-Mare support can look different – depending on who and when.” Frosty explained.

“Right.” PW agreed.

“Echo needs you, PW.”

“Alright Echo. You wanna hug?” Asked PW, turning sideways and throwing his forelegs and wings around the enormous mare.

“Aw, Windy-chan…” Echo cried, embracing the small stallion and stroking his mane and feathers. 

Her large eyes produced tears as she held him. “Holding a small pega like this, Windy-chan… helps Echo-sama know that she is not a monster for killing creatures.”

“Oh?” Replied PW, remembering he was in the embrace of a lethal weapons platform.

“Mhm!” She hummed, nuzzling her cheeks against PW’s ears. “Echo-sama’s no monster… right Windy-chan?”

PW frowned. “You are an angel, Echo! You save lives. And you do that by any means necessary. You are a hero. And heroes make sacrifices, like you sacrificed your friendliness. And you are a mare. A wonderful mare that tries to find ways out of killing others, and it weighs heavily on her- when there’s no other way out.”

“Oh, Windy-chaaan! You’re gonna make me cry!” Echo squeezed PW as he offered his wing for Echo to wipe her tears up. “Windy-chan also helps Echo-sama feel safe.”

“Wha-? I help you feel safe?” PW scoffed.

“Mm!” She hummed. “You find help if we get in trouble. Because you love Night-Mares.”

“Not to interrupt your therapy session, but I think I hear lunch coming.” Warned Frosty.

“Off, Windy-chan! We cannot be seen like this!” Echo all but shoved him away. 

As soon as the mare’s lap was free she ran to the bar counter and wiped her eyes with a napkin just before the door opened, spilling appetizing aromas into the car.

Unlike Frosty, Echo shared a lot of the same excitement PW had when he first slept over with Frosty. Upon seeing Windy open up his bed to sleep (which did not get stuck this time), Echo opened hers just feet away. She dropped her head onto the mattress and started nuzzling the bedspread.

“Windy-chan’s gonna have a sleepover with Echo-sama?” She asked, lifting her head off her resting jaw like a puppet as she spoke.

“I hope you don’t sleep loudly.” He chuckled.

“O’bachan says you have earplugs Windy-chan!” She smiled back.

“Please don’t tackle me in the night, Echo.” PW begged as he laid down onto his bed.

She tipped her head still atop the mattress left and right and swished her tail.

“Windy-chan! Such a dirty mind you have! Hmf!” Rebuked Echo, leaping onto her bed.

The poor metal frame exceeded its design load several times over and a loud *CLANG! rang around the car. Echo then sunk into the now sagging mattress, leaving a pair of huge legs sticking out of the bed-taco.

“Uh-oh. Echo-sama made a boo-boo…” She muttered, bringing a hoof to her mouth. 

By now Frosty had come over to inspect the bed.

“You snapped it clean. No fixing that.” She muttered, walking back to her side of the car. “And keep it down! I’m going to sleep.”

“Do you want to trade, Echo? That doesn’t look very comfortable.” Offered PW.

“Aww, thanks Windy-chan! It’ll be ok!” She said. “Nighty-night!”

“Nighty-night, Echo!” Responded PW.

“Nighty-night, Frosty!” Shouted Echo.

“GO TO SLEEP ALREADY!” Frosty gruffed from the other side of the room.





Polaris woke to a vast pastureland. They had stopped at Appleloosa overnight and Frosty was in the midst of doing her exercises. He saw Echo laying in the same position she fell asleep in, still fast asleep. He also found breakfast had already been delivered and was sitting on the bar counter. He was in the middle of eating it when Frosty finished her exercises and walked over.

“Hey.” She nodded, winking at him with a pillow in her claws. 

PW turned around and watched her approach her comrade, winding up her hooves with the pillow. She brought it down upon Echo’s face with a rush of wind and the room was suddenly filled with a thunderous clap as well as hundreds of feathers.

“Aaagh!” Echo bolted upright.

“Get up, already!” Frosty shouted. “Get your exercises started!” She added, storming off.

“Mmm-mmm!” Echo groaned, flopping back into bed and rolling her head left and right. 

After a good minute she rolled onto her side and opened her eyes, immediately making eye contact with PW.

“Win-dee-chan…” She mouthed.

“Hugh?” Came PW’s confused response.

“Win-dee-chan. Echo sa-ma wants a morn-ing hug!” Echo rolled onto her back, exposing an almost-plump belly. “Windy-chan. Please! Echo-sama feels friendly. With smol cud-dully pega. Makes Echo-sama feel safe.”

“Alright but ONLY a hug!” Warned PW, getting up and climbing onto the giant mare’s belly.

“You are cra-zee Windy-chan. Echo-sama wants a hug. No fro-lick!” She clarified.

PW settled prone on the mare and she enveloped him in an embrace.

“Thank you Windy-chan. Small feathery pegas are so soft and warm!” Cried Echo, stroking his wing with her fingers. PW could hear hoofsteps behind him.

“Echo, I think I hear them coming to clean breakfast!” Frosty lied.

“Aw!” Echo whined.

“Snuggle time over.” Frosty added, pulling the pegasus off of her and squeezing him just ever so slightly before setting him gently onto the ground.

“O’bachan!” Echo complained.

“He is a shared asset, Echo.” Frosty reminded her teammate.

“But you don’t cuddle with him anyway! Hmf!” Echo pouted, crossing her forehooves.

“I have differing needs from him, Echo.” Frosty explained.

“Like what? Hmf?” Echo thrust her snout to the sky.

“None of your business.”

“Ooh, I get it, O’bachan!” Smiled Echo, winking in a cheeky way. 

Frosty was now visibly agitated.

“PW, go to the café car and bring me back a pepperoni sub... Darn-it Southern Line! Hay sub!” Frosty barked.

“Yes, ma'am!” PW declared with force, immediately walking out.

PW returned a few minutes later to find Echo’s mane somehow messier than when she woke up. Frosty’s tail looked a bit messier than normal as well. PW took the sub to Frosty. “How’s this?” He asked, offering it up to her on a paper plate.

“Splendid. Thank you.” Said the mare, taking the plate in her fingered hooves. "That's one reason why I need him, Echo." She added.

“Attention fillies and gentlecolts, we’ll be making an extended stop at Ghastly Gorge to take on extra provisions of food… apparently two of you are very hungry eaters!” The agitated conductor announced. “You will have time to step off but this will make the train’s arrival in Canterlot late by twenty minutes.”

“I don’t care, this train car runs through!” Frosty responded in open air to the PA.

“He must mean you and me, O’bachan.” Echo muttered.

“He can complain all he wants but if this train comes under a hijacking we’re all safe with you both!” Complimented PW.

“Aww!” Echo sighed.

Frosty popped her fingers in her sockets. “Well said, PW. Well said.”

At the stop, PW stood outside near the Night-Mares the whole time, ready to tear apart anypony that dared to make a mention of their dietary needs.

“ALL ABOARD!” Called the conductor.

“They’re all afraid of me…” PW smiled in fantasy. 

Though in reality, they were more afraid of the Night-Mares.





It was just after midnight when the train pulled into Norfilly. “You gonna take me home with you Windy-chan?” Asked Echo as they walked down the platforms.

“Ugh… I don’t think Frosty would like that…” PW said, trying to make up some excuse.

“Good thing, Windy-chan! Echo-sama might break all the tiny pega furniture.”

“I don’t care, PW. For the record. Take her to a petting party for all I care.” Teased Frosty.
> Chapter 27: The Take-Home Night-Mare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A stallion walked by PW so close he thought he was being attacked. 

“He put something in your wing, PW.” Frosty noticed, looking down at PW’s flying appendage. Frosty took the card out. “It’s a telegram from the N.C.” 

“NC-san!” Bleated Echo. 

“Welcome home. Please all report to the office at 0900 tomorrow morning.” Frosty read. “Guess we get to go home.”

“I’m gonna follow you home… Windy-chan.” Echo teased, shuffling up to PW until her forelegs were against his back. “It-sa rough neigh-bor-hud.” Echo bounced. 

“Echo, seriously? You’re stalking me?” 

“Wow, PW. Last week you were excited beyond belief to get onto the Night-Mare contract- today you’re refusing to spend time with one?” Jabbed Frosty. PW’s reset button was pushed.

“Alright, Echo! Follow me!” He chirped.

“I don’t want to anymore- hmf!” She pouted. 

“Echo? Why not?” 

“You do not want me stalking you, Windy-chan.” The mare chanted, turning her rump towards him. 

“That’s my self-policing. Please? I’ll feed you!” The eager stallion called up. 

“OK we go now Windy-chan.” Piped Echo suddenly, turning around into him, forcing him to walk forwards. 

“Bye Frosty! For tonight!” PW called.

“You’d better have a week of food in your cabinets, PW!” Frosty warned.

“O’bachan is big time silly. Thanks Windy-chan for the bed and breakfast!” 

“Uh… sure, no problem!” PW responded, suddenly learning the mare would be spending the night. 

“So it’s breakfast then.” 

“Mmm! And don’t worry Windy-chan. I’ll sleep on your sofa by myself and it won’t get weird at all.” The mare responded. 

“Do you want pancakes?” 

“Ohh-hhhhh!” The big mare moaned. 

“I got some mix.”

There were no trams available at this hour, and they had to walk the entire way. They stopped at the post office on the way home to collect PW’s plushie of Frosty from the P.O. Box. 

“Ooh Farrell! Nice choice, Windy-chan!” Echo complimented upon entering the neighborhood. 

“Thank you!” PW responded. “I can’t believe I’m letting a Night-Mare into my own apartment!” PW remembered, unlocking the door. Not even Frosty had been there yet. 

“Home sweet home!” PW called, looking around to make sure everything was still in order.

The mare strolled in, looking around. “Bare bones walls, Windy-chan!” 

“I just moved in here- no time to decorate!” 

“I see. Oh…” Cried the mare, looking down at the small sofa she was towering over. “Oh- forgot small pega furn-ah-chure.” 

“Ugh, I can take the cushions off?” PW asked, getting mad at himself for not foreseeing a party of Night-Mares visiting. 

“I’m going to get room for all of them later!” PW decided, throwing the cushions onto the floor. Without another word, Echo laid down on the sofa cushions. 

“This works. Night, Windy-chan!” Called Echo. 

“Night.”

PW felt very responsible for her as the host of his guest of honor in his apartment. “You have a Night-Mare IN your home, PW.” He reminded himself over and over again, nodding off.

“Windy-chan!!!” Screamed Echo. 

“Where are you!” The pegasus called in reply. 

“I don’t know! But they’re going to inject me with poison!” She screamed again. PW ran down the jellylike green floors of the hive, searching cell after cell for the Night-Mare. 

“Hoo-hoo-hoo!” Squeaked a sinister laugh. PW spun around, spreading his wings wide. 

“Queen Chrysalis!” He snorted.

“Silly pegasussss… Did you really think you were going to save her?” 

“Windy-chan, they’re going to encase me!” Echo cried. 

“I’m coming!” PW yelled, then fell flat on his face. 

“Oh, did you not think I would have thought you’d try that?” Asked the Changeling Queen as PW examined the jelly binding his wings.

The stallion attempted to charge for it. “Mmm-hoo-hoo-hoo!” Laughed the Queen, stepping on PW’s tail. He switched directions and immediately lunged to attack the Queen. “Excellent!” Exclaimed the Queen, baring her fangs and striking his neck, sinking them deep into his skin. 

“Windyyyyy-chaaaaaan!” Labored Echo. 

“I’m getting dizzy!” PW screamed in horror. 

“You’re not going anywhere now!” Laughed the Queen. The Night-Mare assistant’s muscles were all locked up. 

“I can’t move, Echo! I’m paralyzed!” 

“Bye-bye Wind-glg-glg-glg-glg…” Echo choked.

“ECHO, NO!!!” PW screamed as the behemoth fighter fell silent. “Echo…” PW cried, doubling over on the floor and sniffling tears out. 

“Mmm-hmm! And the best part!” Laughed the Queen.

A sudden flash rocked the room. “PW-Chan? Did you know Queeny Chrysalis could change into a Night-Mare? We’re going to have so much funnies together! PW-chan." 

“ECHO!!!” PW screamed into the ether. 

“What’s wrong, PW-chan? I’m right here!” The Queen emulated. 

“ECHO!!!” PW screamed again. The constructed Queen pushed PW onto his back and slid overtop of him. 

“Do you like it when I do this, PW-chan? Hehehe!” 

“ECHO!!! Come back ECHO!!! ECHO!!!”

“Windy-chan?” 

“ECHO! ECHO NO!” 

“WINDY-CHAN!” 

“…” “Echo?” Asked PW, suddenly in the dark. 

“I’m here Windy-Chan! Just outside your door! Are you okay?” 

“Whew…” PW rapidly exhaled. He sat for a few seconds while the adrenaline drained away so he could open the door. “I had a Night-Mare.” PW called, walking to the door. 

“Right! Me!” Echo chirped as PW opened the door. He was in awe at the immense but gentle figure on the other side of the dark doorway. Unlike in the desert, seeing her in his own home accentuated her size.

“Not your kind of Night-Mare… a bad dream.” 

“Ohh… what about?” Asked Echo, cocking her head to the side. 

“It’s dark…” 

“Echo-sama kills.” The big mare declared flatly, reminding PW she was prepared for anything. 

“Right. Okay I dreamed you were captured by the changelings, and held in the changeling hive, and killed and Queen Chrysalis turned into you and taunted me.”

“Aww! Windy-chan!” The mare cried, walking forward. PW instinctually stepped back from the advancing mare. “Aaa-aaa. Mandatory hug!” Echo cried, slamming a hoof into the floor which would have easily woken the two floors below them. PW fell back onto his butt from the shock. “Windy-chan…” Cooed the enormous mare, picking the stallion up like a toy in her forehooves and pulling him into a hug. The mare crossed her hinds and she lowered PW onto her lap, enveloping him in her forelegs and nuzzling his ears. “It’s all okay, Windy-chan. Echo-sama is safe.” The emotional pegasus sniffled. “You can cry, Windy. I’m not gonna tell O’bachan or hold it against you.” Echo admitted. The small stallion grabbed onto Echo and leaned into her.

“We’re lucky to have you watching over us, Windy-chan. This why I feel safe around you. Windy-chan never stops fighting to save a Night-Mare!” Echo waited for a reply but it never came. She looked down at the pegasus leaning on her who was now sleeping again. “Windy-chan… what a super star!” Whispered Echo, yawning. The mare repositioned to lay down beside him and slept there for the night.

Echo awoke to the smell of hay cooking. “Mmm!” She sighed, heading towards the kitchen. PW saw a sniffing nose advancing through the kitchen entrance above him. “Whatcha cooking Windy-chan?” The nose asked. 

“Out! It’s not done and I won’t have enough space to move around with you in here! I am making you pancakes!” 

“Mmm!” 

“Also, don’t you need to work out? Maybe do that while you wait?” 

“Ohhhhh! You’re right.” The mare admitted irritatingly. “Do you not normally exercise?” PW asked. 

“No, Echo-sama just hates it!” She responded, starting her pushups. Everything in the apartment started shaking. 

“Ugh! Alright never mind! Something’s going to break. If not the whole floor.” 

“Okidokies!”

The impatient Night-Mare waved her tail back and forth as she was served. She was so large that a chair at the table was pointless- for she was already at the right height siting on the floor. The mare took a piece of the pancakes to her mouth and chewed it. “Mmm! Oh my Winny-shan, itd sho-good!” Echo sang with food. PW made three pancakes for himself, and thirty for the Night-Mare. Every single one of them was eaten by the end of the meal.

PW showered and gathered his things up before they strode out to work. Just after locking up, PW saw the mother next door and her young filly. PW winced at the oncoming cringe. 

“Mama? Why is his mama so big?” She asked. PW froze in matrix of emotions. 

“C’mon sweetie, let’s…” 

“Hey quootie chan!” Echo called to the young one, collapsing into a prone position to stop appearing so imposing. “My name is Echo… Echo!” Shouted the Night-Mare, shuffling around in the hallway.

The little filly giggled. “I’m not his mama! Just a really good friend!” Echo corrected. 

“Why are you so big?” 

“Orchid Ro…” Snapped the mother to correct her filly. 

“Because my family is big, silly filly! My family is part of a hidden tribe up north!” Echo added. 

“Who he?” The filly asked, pointing to PW. 

“That’s mister PW!” Echo said, saying his actual name for the first time. 

“He’s your friend?” Asked the filly. 

“Yepyep! And your new neighbor.” Replied Echo. 

“Why are you her friend?” The outspoken filly asked.

PW finally came out of his shell and stepped up forward beside the big mare. “Because everypony needs friends. Especially if they don’t fit in.” PW said, wrapping his foreleg around the Night-Mare’s. 

“I get it! Wow!” Exclaimed the filly, smiling. 

“Thank you!” The mother said, passing them by. PW and Echo started down the stairs. 

“Wow Echo you’re really good with fillies!” 

“They are just so adorable!” Echo responded. 

“Also, Sweet Song, aren’t you supposed to be guarding your name?” PW asked. 

“Yeah- but she a little filly.” 

“And if I tell N.C.-san, he would agree?” 

“Windy-chan, do you want Echo-sama to cuddle you to death? We call that pega-squish.” 

“If you pega-squish me then I can’t support Night-Mares anymore.” 

“Right. So don’t tell N.C.-san, Windy-chan.”

They walked the short five minutes to the industrial park. “Wow Windy-chan, you got a place super duper close to H-Q!” Echo exclaimed as her badge was inspected. 

“I am ready to support, 24-7!” Piped PW. They were both cleared and they made their way to the waiting room.

“Cutting it close, aren’t we?” Asked Frosty’s voice. The pair looked over to find Frosty sitting in the corner of the waiting room. She was nodding to the clock, which was reading just two minutes to 9:00 AM. 

“We’re not late, O’bachan!” Echo snapped back. 

“I would have thought that you would’ve gotten here sooner, Windy.” Frosty challenged, raising an eyebrow. 

“I made her a big breakfast and we had to get everything cleaned up!” PW complained. 

“You fed her breakfast and you didn’t invite me?” Teased Frosty. PW walked up to his Night-Mare and boldly replied.

“Please forgive me.” He said, looking nearly straight up to her face above his. Frosty frowned and looked away, feeling that she took it too rough for him.
> Chapter 28: The Shot Felt 'round the Stallion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Windy? We’re ready for you.” Called the mare at the desk, opening the glass pane for him to sign in. 

While he was filling out his form he heard Frosty gossiping in parts. PW heard interesting words such as “between you two” and “together”. PW turned away from his work to make eye contact with Frosty who quickly diverted her attention elsewhere and walked into the other corner, the whole while Echo gave him a sheepish smile.

“Night-Mares.” He muttered in a sour tone, heading into the processing room.

“Welcome back, Windy!” Greeted the Night-Mare Coordinator, meeting and escorting him through the office.

“Thanks boss!” PW nodded to him.

“Did your mission go well?”

“Absolutely! We got him alive!” PW said with enthusiasm.

“And not just that; you also managed to do it with as good of a record as we could have hoped. No casualties on our side. Did you enjoy your air support?” The N.C. asked.

“It worked well, thank you!”

“We thought it could clear things up in a bind.” He replied as the two Night-Mares strolled in.

“Girls.” Called the N.C, tipping his head towards them.

“NC-san!” Echo called.

Frosty responded with a much more reserved “hey”.

“Station 1 this time around is physicals.” Warned the N.C., opening the door for the two nurses to wheel carts in. 

Frosty was up first, getting all the same measurements except weight- which was now up to 405 pounds.

“Echo dear, would you please come over and rear up next to the ladder?” Asked the nurse.

“Anything for the cute nursies!” Echo called out.

“Mmm… 78 inches.”

“Wow, that's 3 whole inches less than Frosty!” Exclaimed PW. 

Frosty leaned down to him. “You seriously memorized my stats enough to do mental math with them?”

“Yes, of course Frosty. I’m your Night-Mare assistant! I must know all I can about you, to protect you!” He smiled.

“Right…”

The floor shimmied as Echo returned to all fours. “All-fours height is 56 3/4.” Said one nurse as the other was scribbling notes down. “Gauge 28… and length 56.” Read the nurse

 “Alright Echo, you can step on the scale please!” She reset the position to 300. The scale did not tip with the 1’s weight, so she reset the scale’s 50 pound weight before advancing to 1’s to balance. “357.”

“Good job Echo, you’ve maintained to the pound!” Complimented the nurse with the clipboard.

“Thank Windy-chan. He fed me well!” Echo sang as she climbed off the scale which had made a loud *BANG* as the weight suddenly lifted from it. 

She snickered and the two Night-Mares whispered to each other as PW was measured up.

“Why do we need to do length measurements again? We’re all adults.” He wondered.

“Supposedly.” Frosty teased.

“Yes Windy, that is to ensure your body was not over stressed in any way during the mission. If you carry too much weight or have a bad fall, a length change might indicate something internal is wrong.” Replied the unicorn nurse.

“Thanks for that explanation.” He replied with satisfaction as he walked over to the scale.

“And the weight is to ensure you’re maintaining a healthy energy balance.” Added the N.C. 

The nurse reset the 1’s and 50’s weights to 0 and moved the 100’s back to the first notch- but it didn’t tip the scale. So the nurse reset at 50 and worked upwards until the scale balanced.

“97.” She read.

The yellow earth-pony nurse with the clipboard looked disappointed. “Lost 2 pounds. At your size we ought to get you back to 100.”

“Windy-chan you're too small!” Cried Echo, grabbing PW’s shoulders and lifting him up and down. “Oh no, Windy-chan! We need to fatten you up! You are not porky at all!” She cried.

“He should drink milk and eat pizza more often.” Suggested the nurse.

"We're gonna take him on a fast food spree!" Echo cheered.

“Right this way.” The N.C. chuckled, guiding them to station 2. There was only one large bed there. “You’re due an immunization, Echo.” Announced the N.C.

“Oh-no, not Echo-sama!” She complained.

“I will never understand why you are more afraid of getting a shot than getting shot, Echo.” Frosty said with frustration.

“Really? She is?” Asked Windy.

“Yep.” Frosty rolled her eyes as Echo began tearing up as she sat down. 

PW approached her and hopped onto her lap.

“Squeeze me, Echo! That way you won’t feel the shot!” PW ordered.

“Good idea, Windy!” Called the N.C.

“Bad idea! You’ll get yourself strangled!” Warned Frosty. 

Windy didn’t budge as the huge needle was plunged into the lethal mare’s flank. PW immediately coughed all his air out as the mare enveloped him in a tight squeeze.

“Echo! Can’t breathe!” Is what PW would have said if he could but he had no air at all.

“Just twenty more seconds.” The nurse said as PW’s vision began darkening.

"Sweet Windy-chan! I feel nothing!” Echo exclaimed as he turned blue, very much feeling it all.

“Ten more seconds!” Called the nurse. 

PW now couldn’t see a thing and felt nauseous, no doubt from the tremendous pressure on his stomach. He didn’t remember the nurse removing the needle but felt himself inhale tremendously, on the cusp of blackout.

“Thank you Windy-chan, you were perfect!” Called Echo, setting him on the ground. 

He immediately collapsed, too deprived of air to stand. Frosty pulled him by his tail across the floor back to herself.

“N–nah problem!” The stallion mouthed.

“Well now I do believe you’re going to enjoy the third station!” Announced the N.C., walking over to the exit.

After several moments of recovery PW hobbled over to the exit. However, as the N.C. pulled the door open it became an entrance instead.

“Hello, my name is Lyra Heartstrings!” Burst an energetic aqua, gray, and white unicorn.

“In the next room, please!” The N.C. snapped.

“Oh, where are my manners!” She chastised herself, turning around and back through the door. The three combatants entered the next room, which was set up to resemble a meeting room.

“Okay, Mrs. Heartstrings, now…” The N.C. motioned.

“Lyra Heartstrings!” She introduced herself with a flourish. “Lead design engineer of these wonderful machines! Let me see your hand!” She approached Frosty with speed.

“My what?” Frosty asked in confusion.

“Your hand!” Lyra said again, lifting her own hoof.
> Chapter 29: A Problem Out of Hand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hand. Interesting.” Repeated Frosty, holding hers out. 

Lyra immediately began examining it with precision tools in her magic grip.

“Yeah, I’m the Lead Design Engineer for the hand system! Are you telling me you haven’t heard the word ‘hand’ used to describe them?!” She asked.

“No, we just called them fingers. So did management.” Frosty shrugged.

“Ah! No-no-no.” Lyra tutted as she was fished through her saddlebag. “Bucking management, I tell you. Classifying everything including the very name of your subsystems!”

Lyra growled, pulled out a poster and unfolded it so quickly it even terrified the Night-Mares.

“This… is your hand!” She announced boldly, pointing to a diagram of the unit. “This item here is a finger! These together are fingers! They do not, however, include your palm! Which is this!” She pointed to several items in succession. “Or this! The J-box!” She said, spinning around. “All of these together… make the hand!”

“It’s amazing that some creature could come up with an idea of something so intricate!” PW exclaimed, examining the poster. 

Frosty found Lyra working on her hand again, all while the unicorn held the poster up in her magic.

“Actually, not an idea! There’s a unicorn, who is not actually from our world! She is a transformed member of a creature called a human! Humans have hands as natural parts of their bodies! As natural as Windy’s wings! Two of them each have. Both sporting five fingers. By the way, do not tell any-creature that top secret information. Or I’ll have to kill you!” Joked Lyra.

“I’d like to see you try.” Frosty smirked.

“Ok!” Lyra cheered, dropping the components she was holding and opening the squeaky window with her magic. Then she faced out the window, inhaled deeply, conjuring up a storm of magic around her horn. She reeled it back, and unleashed a thunderous torrent of magic off into the sky that echoed like thunder. All their manes were blown back. Lyra, still as giddy as before closed the window and turned back to them. “Unicorns of that caliber are rare, but we do exist!” Laughed the master engineer, resuming her work inspecting Frosty’s hands.

“Hmm… your joints look worn. You could use some graphite powder.” Lyra brought a bottle over to the hand, squirting it, and returning it to her toolkit in one smooth, rapid motion. “This unit looks like it was replaced two weeks ago. May I ask why?”

“I recommended it, on account of the joints locking up.” Volunteered PW.

"Can I see that unit?” Lyra asked. 

The N.C. walked to the exit of the room and cracked it. “Quarter, get the discarded finger unit. The design engineer wants to see it.”

“HAND!” Baa’d Lyra. “There’s hardly anything I can think of to cause that sort of issue. I designed this unit to serve you in battle! Not to break on you!” She pushed her hoof into Frosty’s bosom in a display of support. The door swung open and Quarter walked in, carrying the unit in his magic.

“Ah, let's see what we have here!” Lyra took the unit, opened up the J-box in a split second and tipped it to her face. “Oh, that’s interesting… the dimensions are off for the second and third digit at the metacarpal struts.” She narrowed her gaze, pulled out a caliper in her magic and began placing it over the parts.

“Yeah, there should be 2 more millimeters in the dimension on both of these. See how the middle two fingers have thinner struts then the outside two?” Lyra asked, tipping the junction box towards them.

“Now that you mention it, yeah.” Replied PW.

“You’re Polaris Wind, aren’t you? Bon-Bon mentioned you were like me with your fascination but with the Night-Mare as a whole.” Added Lyra, examining the unit for more defects.

“Yes, though you can call me PW, Mrs. Heartstrings!” The pegasus answered. Frosty leaned down.

“And I can attest to that. That little brain of his has my stats memorized already.” Added Frosty.

“Call me Lyra. No need for all that formality.” She said, setting it down.

“So there’s definitely a defect in there, eh?” Asked the N.C.

Lyra lifted her cheeks and cracked a small sappy smile. “Not quite. The manufacturing process calls for the part to be machined to 10 millimeters. These have dimensions of 8.” Stated Lyra.

“You think maybe a part may have been switched out?” Asked the N.C.

“I do not. Mainly, because, if you look closely, the part is machined correctly on both the ends. It features a little something in the middle. See?” She asked, tipping the hand unit towards the N.C.

“I do see. Quarter, what do you make of this?” He asked, calling the tinkerer over who had been suppressing his inventive spirit for the past few minutes. 

The stallion’s eyes flew open.

“Blimey! It looks like somepony has milled out the middle!” Quarter exclaimed.

“Exactly.” Answered Lyra. “And what’s more, there’s two additional safeguards in the manufacturing process.” She finished, quickly searching through her saddlebag for the manufacturing control document, which she floated in front of them. “First, nowhere in the process does it call for any milling of the metacarpal struts. Second, part 12 of the procedure, here, specifically instructs the QA to verify the dimensions of the part are 10 millimeters in the V&V process. So this should have been checked for compliance!” Shot Lyra as the air left the room.

“But not only that, if we look at these two metacarpals, you can see that the machining is identical in mirrored symmetry. And why do we check to make sure the metacarpals are 10 millimeters? Because the interior of the second and third metacarpals are a critical spot which, if weak, allows lateral shearing forces to tear the whole hand apart, starting with pulling the J-box wires out strand by strand, resulting in finger lockups! Quarter!” The energetic mare called as he stormed off to his room.

“I see where you are headed Lyra Heartstrings, I am retrieving the other one we have now.” The stallion said as he trotted off.

In only a few seconds he trotted back in. Lyra immediately looked wide eyed and held the unit up. “See how this one’s second and third fingers are already fully contracted?” Asked Lyra, turning the J-box around to her audience and popping the door open. “Two popped wires, completely out. And look.” She added, holding the other unit beside it. “Exactly the same machining technique done to these metacarpals. And, the breakup has already begun.” Lyra observed, focusing magic light on the metal palmplate. 

The part, also functioning as the bottom of the J-box, sure enough had a small crack in the aluminum.

“My word!” Exclaimed Quarter.

“I do not like this.” The N.C. said, backing up and shaking his head. “What does this mean?” He added.

“Bon-Bon, my wife, told me that she suspected an insider threat was present. And I love her, but independent of that, we have identified two similar defects that require two discreet modifications, both done to exploit a weakness with this modification present. This is not quality escape, N.C. You have an insider threat.” Declared Lyra, popping open Frosty’s J-boxes.

Frosty held them out for every-creature to see. “Quarter, these were the ones you replaced? Were they recently manufactured?” Lyra asked.

“Yes, they were manufactured just a few days before installation.” He answered.

“They are good.” She concluded, closing Frosty’s and opening Echo’s. “How about yours? These look like they’ve seen some action.”

“I killed Racoon-san!” Cried Echo.

“You did not kill him, Echo. He killed himself.” PW insisted.

“These are good also.”

“At this point N.C. Stablecolt and Quarter I can report the following. I strongly believe you had a malicious actor present during the manufacturing of Frosty’s old unit and that other unit you showed me. It appears that they did not do their unauthorized work on the units on Echo and the new ones on Frosty. I am going to bet they were here early on in the project and left later on. But I can tell you this – they are very crafty and very smart. It takes a lot of mechanical knowledge and familiarity with the systems to identify this as a potential weakness. And I would investigate very carefully, very quickly, and immediately have all units inspected for this modification. And, PW?”

“Yes?”

“Great work picking it up on the fly.”

“Thanks, but I was I&T. Shouldn’t I have caught this during testing? I feel a little awkward now being in the middle of all of this.” Lyra looked PW in the eye.

“No, don't feel that way. The installation onto the Night-Mare is not the subsystem level acceptance V&V. They handed you a unit that they claimed was good and you believed them. As you should have.” Lyra reassured. 

Frosty made eye contact with Windy.

“And not only that PW, you did your tests correctly and discovered problems early on. And you reported the nonconformances as you should have, and these were not acted upon. You did nothing wrong.” Frosty insisted.

“Bon-Bon also said she believes there may have been an insider in management blocking and intercepting his discrepancy reporting. This would make sense and should also be investigated.” Added Lyra.

“Thank you Lyra. For everything.” Said PW with a smile.

“Sure thing, kiddo! And keep at your passion! You’ll be running the whole project before you know it at this rate!” She finished. 

The rest of them said their farewells and proceeded into the briefing room. Lyra hung back for further discussion later with Quarter at his request.

“Operation Lost-at-Sea. If either of you have needed to get your fix of ozone, this is your chance. Though, for Windy, being a flier, he’s already got it.” Quarter explained as he slid a world map onto the projector glass. "This operation is a big one. There will be three Night-Mares on it. Frosty, Echo, and Recce.”

“I’ve heard that name before…” PW said. “Yeah… oh.” PW muttered, remembering his "dream" with Frosty.

Frosty’s face turned white and she looked away as the little stallion realized what this meant.
> Chapter 30: Highway Menace
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Recce is getting her own separate briefing. As are you, Echo – this part only concerns Frosty and Windy but you are welcome to listen to it if you please.”

“I’mma miss you Windy-chan!” She waved.

“Me too, Echo! Me too!” PW called back.

Quarter cleared his throat. “Right then. On with Operation: Lost at Sea. A cocaine ring has been discovered operating in the jungles between Kirin Grove and The Dragon Lands. They have been utilizing a stolen ship of the line to drop the narcotics off in the Bone Dry Desert, a point believed to be just north of Catoshima.”

“This may be the threat Captain Celano mentioned!” PW exclaimed.

“I would hope so, Windy. At this point, all doubts are gone as to your usefulness and abilities. As such we’re stepping things up! Literally!” Exclaimed Quarter, switching out the title slide with one of a small airboat.

“Night-Sky 1. A brand new, state-of-the-art steam-powered hot airboat. For only the command of the proven Night-Mare-Engineer team! Complete with an airtight cabin and onboard oxygen storage, this will allow you to take advantage of the differing winds in the height of the tropospheric air column – to 40,000 feet – so high that unicorns and earth ponies struggle to breathe.”

“You want to fly me in that?” Frosty asked in a sour tone.

“It’ll be fun, Frosty!” PW bleated.

“Yes, I’m afraid, as I am explaining, your mission…” Quarter trailed as he turned over another slide. “Will be to patrol the South Celestial Sea over open water until you find the rogue ship. When you find it, we will attempt a very long range transmission to send the location back to Norfilly.”

“Now, we will not be engaging the ship immediately. You will need to gather intelligence on their support, operating locations, and timing before landing near one of the offloading locations, preferably one they are going to be moored a good while. You will rendezvous with Recce, quietly approach the vessel, and detonate it before making a hasty extraction.”

Quarter clicked the next slide into place. “In either case of location, Windy; you must ensure that you do not sail into the horse latitudes of the northern hemisphere. If you do, the upper atmospheric winds will take you out through the Draken Straights into the Tyrannous Ocean. Faust knows what will become of you two if your airboat gets out there. As for our suspects, the name Longhorn Largo is rumored to be running the operation. We do not have any profile on this individual though, and cannot ascertain if he even exists or just some local legend.”

The projector clicked off. “Alrighty then, as we move next door we’ll see the new toys.” Quarter said, opening the door for the team and leading the way.

“Minimal wear for a tropical environment. Coat-tight clothing in black and green jungle camo.” Quarter gestured as PW daydreamed of Frosty wearing the outfit. “And the gaiter, which with the goggles should help keep disease-carrying mosquitoes, thirsty gnats, and biting bees out. We also increased the provisions of Frosty’s first aid kit to keep pace with the added dangers presented by such a hostile environment, though I stress the kit’s contents are intended for whoever needs them. I implore you both to read the venomous snake guide.”

“For weapons, the Celestar-D16 standard issue Night-Mare weapon, along with the Stallion & West Sidearm. We have also included a larger machete, five fragmentation grenades, five flashbangs, and five smoke grenades. As well as five satchel charges at twenty pounds ordinance, to destroy the target.”

“For Windy we have included your Stallion & West pistol, three fragmentation grenades, three flashbang grenades, and three smoke grenades. Manuals for the Night-Sky 1 are inside the craft and you will receive a separate briefing there. Copies of maps and charts are in my hooves and I’m sending those forward via pneumatic mail to Air Base Mareia now.” With that he walked up to a window in the wall, withdrew a capsule and stuffed the files inside. He next sealed the capsule, returned it to its place and pressed a button. A *whooshing* sound was heard and the capsule vanished from sight.

“They installed this unit just a few weeks ago. Windy, also located in the craft, is a bubble sextant unit to allow you to take celestial sights while well above the horizon, and in the air with whatever turbulence you may encounter. Well then you are off to Air Base Mareia! Frosty will be driving the both of you this time, as I need to brief Echo in her role. One more thing; your map to the hanger.” Announced Quarter, passing PW the map.

“Pega, one more hug for Echo-sama!” Echo shouted, barreling towards Windy.

“Okay Ech-OH!” He gasped, making hard contact with the large Night-Mare.

“I will miss you so much little Windy-chan.” Echo cried, embracing the assistant. “Promise me you’ll come back?”

“I promise Echo!” Squeaked Windy, finally breaking free.

“Good luck you two! Though I doubt you need it” Wished the N.C. Frosty turned her head around just before walking out the door.

“I’m saving all my puke that’s going to come from floating in this contraption for your back.” Frosty threatened, walking out.

“I’ll wear a raincoat!” Shouted the N.C. down the hallway.

Frosty led Windy out to their vehicle. It looked like a two-wheeled carriage large enough for only the Night-Mare and her gear, and a single wheel sidepod attached for one occupant. An officer opened the door for Frosty while Windy had to throw his gear in and then clamber into the sidepod.

“I didn’t know you knew how to drive!” Exclaimed Windy as he was passed a helmet.

“Mandatory offensive-driving training. You never know, nowadays.” She said, starting and revving the engine. “You might want to hold onto something!”

“I think I’ll be Fi-INE!!!” Screamed Windy as Frosty floored it and the three-wheeled cart burst off.

“I didn’t know they could make them this fast!” Windy shouted over the building wind. The shift lever was beside the side car and he had to take caution to avoid the machine-strength movements of her foreleg working the gear shift. 

“The GATE, Frosty!” Screamed Windy as the cart barreled towards a closed gate.

“They’ll move.” Frosty called as the soldiers cleared away and the vehicle burst out into the streets, leaving the gate in pieces.

“Frostyyy!” PW screamed as the cart neared a T-intersection which she took at just under the overturning speed. “How can your body even take these G-forces?!?” Cried PW. 

She draped her foreleg into the sidecar.

“Feel my foreleg!” She ordered. 

PW felt it around.

“What did you feel?” She asked.

“It’s all hard?”

“Exactly. I am tank-muscle on strong, large bones. You’ll be jelly before I break a bone.” Frosty noted, taking the next corner at speed.

“The road here looks really bad Frosty!” Cried PW, pointing ahead.

“We got it. Hold onto something.” Insisted Frosty, revving the throttle higher.

A magnitude-9 earthquake shook the vehicle, nearly ejecting PW.

“Fr-r-r-o-s-s-s-t-y-y-y!” PW rumbled. 

The gate to the air base was just up ahead. Frosty floored it again and waved the gate guards ahead to the side and they opened the gate just in time as the combined vehicle weighing more than half Night-Mare shot through.

“We need to go that way.” She pointed in what seemed an arbitrary direction.

“How do you know?” Challenged PW. 

She pointed again.

“I don’t see anything!” He shook his head.

“You probably would if you were taller.” She smirked. 

PW rolled his eyes, opened his wings and started to float while holding onto the cart with one hoof.

“No, stop! Ugh, I need to quit making that mistake with you pegasi.” Frosty grumbled. “Size cheaters.”

“Gotta level the playing field somehow, right?”

“Try telling that to Recce." She muttered and quickly frowned. "Actually, DON'T.”

The cart rounded a road leading to tarmac and they drove around a large hangar. Just in front and ahead was a large, silver craft with an inflated balloon and two propellers. The ponies there panicked as the cart drove in fast and at the last second turned hard. The cart slid sideways and Frosty jumped out in front of it, halting its movement at walking speed. The vehicle’s ground crew were speechless as she and her assistant hauled their gear out.

“I hate flying.” Frosty stated flatly as the engine continued humming away.

“You haven’t flown yet.” PW reminded her.

“I know what I likes and what I likes not.” The mare slurred brashly. 
The super soldier strode off and PW, realizing that she wasn’t going to do so, walked around and keyed off the ignition, shutting the engine off. The eight ground crew there looked on with fearful faces.

“Quiet, speechless, having never seen a mare of this size.” PW concluded. 

The sole exception was one lanky, female olive-green hippogriff who sauntered forward.

“Frosty? Windy? I am Little Teague! The test pilot of the Night-Sky 1.” She called timidly.

Frosty stopped, and turned to her in place.

“So… you’re the one I get to complain about flying to.” She answered flatly, as the rest of the ground crew gawked in fear.

“Be friendly, Frosty!” PW pleaded, stepping in front of her to avert her attention.

“I’m just sayin.” Frosty added.

“She’s not interested in flying for some reason.” PW explained.

“No worries at all! We’ve successfully flown earth-ponies in balloons many times. In fact, this very model was designed by an earth-pony engineer! And this is the Night-Sky 1! A steam propelled hot air balloon. Won’t you come over?” She asked, waving them in and walking towards the unit. 

Frosty began studying the balloon, which was hissing and puffing smoke, having already been steamed up.

“You want us to fly this thing across the ocean?” She asked.

“I assure you, it’s quite stable! We even have a positive control system aboard!” Little Teague announced timidly.
> Chapter 31: Flight School
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The air boat’s capsule was cylindrical in shape, like a pipe and had two hemispheres at each end. Resembling a submarine, the only way in and out was through the top. Frosty’s eyes were level with the diameter of the capsule; it wouldn’t even be large enough for her to stand up inside.

“The easiest way to board would be to take the gear first and stow that away, then move to the controls and have Frosty board last.” The hippogriff suggested, flying up to the top of the capsule. 

PW followed her in flight, landing opposite her on the top of the tube and beside a circular access hatch.

There was a ladder there which PW climbed down. 

“Can you pass the gear to us Frosty?” Little Teague asked. Once they were both inside they prepared to receive gear through the opening. “Ready!” Little Teague called.

“Bombs away!” Frosty called, sending a full pack of gear falling through the hatch opening like a basketball through a hoop. It landed hard against the metal insides of the capsule with a hard *CLANG*.

“I’ll have you know the boiler is under pressure!” Little Teague shouted, clearly alarmed.

“Frosty, there is a bomb on board! Don’t rough it up!” PW shouted, putting it in her terms. “She’s been acting off.” PW whispered to Little Teague. The next item was passed to PW, which was the Night-Mare pack.

“Got it PW?” She asked.

“Yes.”

“REALLY GOT IT?”

“YES!” PW confirmed, bracing himself. 

She released the weight for him to carry but it was still a great struggle. “Oh Cele…” He grumbled, being forced down by the heavy gear. Little Teague had to muscle the pack off of him, as it was crushing him.

Once PW’s pack was put away Little Teague helped him up and then together they pushed the larger pack into the storage rack and secured it before moving to the hemisphere with the controls. 

“Alright Frosty, we’re ready for you!” Called Little Teague.

“I’m coming down!” Frosty shouted. 

Suddenly the entire vehicle listed 45 degrees. “Easy, easy!” The hippogriff shouted. “Going to have a boiler explosion!” She sang softly in fear. “How do you deal with this?” She asked PW.

“It really isn’t a problem, normally.” He shrugged. The vehicle was released and allowed to tilt back onto its skids.

Seconds later a loud bang on the hull was heard, filling the inside of the capsule with a ring. PW peeked out of the hatch to see Frosty straddling the round steel hull with her thick hind legs draped on either side as though she was riding it. She shimmied forwards toward the opening and PW dropped off the ladder before a fatal mistake was made.

“Why were you looking at me like that PW?” Frosty called down, one eyebrow raised.

“Uh – I guess it surprised me, your approach to boarding?” He asked.

“Well, we don’t want a boiler explosion, now do we?” Frosty asked, swinging her legs into the hatch.

“Wait, Frosty!” PW called and looked at Little Teague. “Do you have a tape measure?”

“Tape measure? Yeah, in the toolbox.” She fished it out and handed it over. He used his wings to stretch it across the gap.

He nodded and called up. “This opening is only 28 inches. Frosty, your loading gauge was last measured as 27.9 inches.”

“So?” She rolled her eyes.

“You put on a pound.”

“Excuse me?” She snapped.

“We might have an issue.” PW warned, passing the tape measure back to the hippogriff.

Frosty rolled her eyes again, thankful that no one was around to see her blush. “Outta the way! Coming down!” She barked. 

PW ducked for cover as she dropped and promptly plugged the opening.

A small pop was heard when she sealed the opening. Her powerful legs dangled almost all the way to the floor. 

“Mmm-mk!” Her grunts were muffled. 

PW shouted inches from the metal hull.

“I CANNOT HEAR YOU, WE ARE SEALED. SHOUT INTO THE METAL!” PW yelled.

“I’m stuck!” Frosty replied.

“TRY WIGGLING YOUR HIPS!” PW shouted, putting some more space from where she would land. 

In just one pump she fell through, unsealing the opening with a powerful *PANG!* that rattled metal hull as her hind hooves landed.

“Er – welcome, Frosty!” Exclaimed Little Teague as the cabin space was halved instantly. The large mare simply gazed at her as she twisted her upper body through the hatch. “Uh, you can take a seat on that end!” Suggested Little Teague.

“Alright! Windy… training.” The hippogriff reminded herself, getting back on task. 

To the right of the large porthole window on their end was an appliance that looked like a coal oven, but with more valves, like a steam locomotive. 

“So… this is your control column. Doubling as your stove for cooking. All the controls you need are here, along with a few gauges. The exception is the thermometer, which you can see above the hatch. You generally use the thermometer when taking off and landing. Other than that, you use your outside barometer. 210 to 250 degrees is your important range, with 235 being a float, 210 maximum safe descending speed, and 250 maximum safe temperature.” Said Little Teague.

“For windows, you have this one to our left, a small one at the opposite end of the craft, and the hatch above. Since you fly, nothing is stopping you from climbing up to get a view of everything. The hatch should be sealed and the compressor turned on with this dynamo valve when you are above 20,000 feet. That will allow Frosty to keep breathing.” Little Teague advised, pointing to a red valve.

“Know that once the cabin is sealed, the inside pressure pulls the latch out of its alignment, into a keyhole. This locks it so that you cannot turn the hatch handle while under pressure, unless you pull down hard. Don’t override it except in an emergency, as the decompression will be like a bomb going off. When sealed, the compressor will remain on and pressurize the cabin to 20,000 feet, and when the pressure exceeds that excess air will vent with a check valve. This provides you with a stream of fresh air in constant replenishment so the air does not go stale.”

“We’re going to demonstrate takeoff now. You’ll drive. Checklist is here, on this hook.” She said, pulling it off the hook. “Step 1 is to check the wind direction.”

“Okay…" PW called, climbing the ladder.

“Where’s your bathroom?” Frosty asked.

“The door on your right.” The hippogriff responded. The space was so small that Frosty shimmied herself into the bathroom and pulled herself onto the toilet, with her butt on the floor the whole time.

“Wind is east, away from the hangars!” Called PW, coming back down.

“Great, so that means we do not pivot or add power per this flow. Step 2 in this case is to open the firebox damper to full. This valve.” She pointed as PW turned it. “Step 3 is to open the blower.” PW turned the valve she was pointing to. A loud roar started. “You are now heating the fire and boiler. The vapor from the burning oil is rising into the balloon ductwork and providing lift. Now we wait until the temperature reaches 240.” Instructed the hippogriff, sniffing the air and coughing.

“Oh Celestia that reeks!” PW cried, waving his wings. “Did you install a bathroom fan?”

“No, unfortunately!” Little Teague admitted, covering her nose with her wings.

PW looked up to the thermometer. “240!”

“Great. Drop your water ballast now with this golden lever.” PW pulled it as a splashing sound was heard. Little Teague looked outside. “That’s not good, we’re supposed to be climbing… keep an eye on the temperature!”

“Oh shoot 250!” PW cried, rushing to turn the damper off.

“Great work! Closing the damper keeps the temperature down. But keep the blower open because we’ll need the turbine soon for the propellers.” A flushing sound was heard in the bathroom and they felt a lurch. Little Teague looked outside. “Ah we’re off!” She called, seeing the balloon rising. PW could swear he heard shouting outside as they were climbing away.

“Okay open the damper half way! Now for locomotion! This lever, the regulator, controls the pressure of steam, this lever, the cutoff, controls how often you admit the steam. Combined they give power. When you start you want a high regulator, high cutoff, for maximum torque. But once you’re going fast bring the cutoff to a lower setting for efficiency. The boiler will run out of steam if you bring it back too late. Open the cutoff completely and open the regulator now a bit at a time until you’re half open.”

PW pulled the regulator in increments and he heard a whirring sound outside. “That’s the turbine spinning up. See your blades moving?” She asked. PW looked outside as he felt forward lurching. “And if you look down you can see we’re moving. Now you steer your course. This is your rudder, left is left, right is right. I want you to steer us over to the grassy field over there.” Challenged Little Teague.

PW started turning the craft as a sudden violent swinging motion started.

“What in Tartarus is that?” Little Teague yelled. 

She looked back, confused at how it stopped so suddenly. Then Frosty moved again, timed perfectly with the shaking. “Easy, big girl! You’re offsetting the center of mass quickly and inducing a slosh in the boiler!” She cried. 

Frosty tested this by quickly leaning left and right. The balloon entered a series of swings. “Ugh! This sucks!” She cried, slamming a hoof down into the steel hull so hard it looked like she had left an imprint.

“It’s OK; I think I got it!” Exclaimed PW, trying to improve her mood. 

It seemed to work.

“Really?” She muttered.

“Yeah, we’re heading for that field!”

“Great work. I’m glad to have you at the helm little guy.” Frosty admitted. 

PW became determined and very confident after hearing that.

“Okay. Next up. Landing.” Little Teague stated.

His confidence disappeared. “Landing!?”

“Yes, landing.” She chuckled. “What goes up must come down!”

She cleared her throat and explained. “As you know from your school days, landing is the hardest part of flying. First you get upwind of your landing location. We’ve already been there. If you need to go upwind, simply use the propellers. Next, shut off the damper if not already done. Close the regulator.” She instructed as PW moved the lever back to the metal wall. 
“Cutoff full forward for maximum power if needed.” She said as PW moved the control. A loud HISS was heard. “The boiler is venting. That’s expected since you shut power off. But you don’t want that going once you’re over the water – you’ll run out of it! And you cannot use salt water either.”

“Now pull this cord for a few seconds and release. This is the hot air dump. Look at your landing spot and keep dumping air until you are heading for the spot.” PW did as he was instructed, and the craft softly made contact with the ground again. 

“Dump the balloon by hooking the dump cord around here.” The hippogriff ordered, pointing to an inverse hook. “Now, this will keep you on the ground even if you get off. But if you’re getting out, you need to immediately fill the ballast tanks. Those hatches are marked purple, and they can take sand, water, and gravel. The ballast is what keeps you on the ground permanently, along with tying down. Regardless, great job! If you come up short, and that happens as the wind decreases with altitude, open the damper again. Landing long, you’ll have to fire up the regulator again.”

PW felt the firm press of fingers on his back and he whirled around. “Good job little buddy.” Frosty whispered.

“Only my best skills, for a Night-Mare!” He smiled wide.

“Alright, we’re going back up again. This time, we’re not coming back. Open the blower full. Close the hot air dump, then open the damper.” PW moved the controls like clockwork and the balloon lifted off the ground with haste. “When you are trying for altitude you can ignore propulsion for now. The winds are in our direction.” 

The balloon was allowed to rise at full power and PW saw the town’s buildings getting further and further below. “Just keep working the damper back and forth. Try halfway. Keep iterating positions until you find the one that keeps you at 240 degrees. Then once you have the temperature stabilized, start trying to bring the blower back until the boiler pressure can’t maintain 200 pounds anymore. That helps you conserve water.”

The balloon was now higher than anything around. “We’re now going to start a powered ascent. Blower back open full. Bring the regulator open slowly in increments.” The turbine began spinning again. “Bring the cutoff back.”

PW started the wheel and felt a sudden burst of speed. “Woah!”

“Now we’re moving! Once you bring the cutoff back, that’s when you start picking up speed. Now let’s bring the bow to the east where we want to go. PW turned the control stick and the ship came around. “Alright. Bring the cutoff back even more.” There was a huge lurch again and PW looked down to find the terrain disappearing beneath the window like he was flying by himself.

“Now we’re at speed. Altitude is at eight-thousand. Open this valve to maintain the altitude.” PW turned the red wheeled valve. “Now the damper will be pneumatically modulated to maintain this altitude. Next, bring the cutoff back until it feels like we’re moving backwards, then return to that point just before you felt it.” PW moved the wheel as instructed. “Now we’re at maximum efficiency. Close the regulator halfway. There is no need to go this fast with the wind.”

Over the next few minutes, Little Teague instructed PW how to bring the firebox temperature down to minimum and maximize boiler efficiency. “Great. We’re good to go. It is ONLY when the craft is operating efficiently like this, can you cross the ocean. Otherwise you will run out of water and drop out of the sky. And, speaking of dropping – descents. Real simple- we’ll talk through it. Cut out the automatic damper control valve, close the blower, firebox oil down to minimum, and wait. Don’t dump the air, as you’ll eventually be falling too fast if you do. Once you are where you want, level off by opening the oil valve, then the blower, then the damper. Don’t go too low too quickly or you may go into the water!”

“Now for altitudes, we have this wind atlas which shows global weather patterns at low, and at high altitudes.” Began the hippogriff, pointing to 2 maps with curvy arrows. “Where we are there’s westerlies. That means we’ll be blown east. The winds usually increase with altitude, so if you’re going with the wind, use half speed, high altitude and you’ll move nearly a hundred miles per hour. If you’re against them, use full power, and travel low. You’ll make slow progress, maybe thirty-five or so.”

PW looked down and found they had gone past the beach and were over the ocean. “A few more things. As with any boiler, you MUST keep its water level above the crown sheet of the firebox. If you don’t (and that includes keeping the ship upright), a deadly boiler explosion will destroy everything. To prevent that, we’ve included a whistle which is convecting water right now. If the water level drops too low, steam will enter the whistle and warn you. If that happens, your only chance is to cut the oil off completely, AT ONCE. You will then fall to the ocean and become a watercraft. This sight-glass will let you know how full it is. As you can see, it is nearly full.” Finished the hippogriff, pointing to a vertical glass tube full of water.

“You have enough water to make it across the ocean, but do not forget to top it off before you take off again. No salt water! Only freshwater. And finally, the oil tank supplies your heat to the firebox. The oil should only be left at a rate high enough to sustain the boiler. Open it all the way, and you’ll run out. Well now I think that covers it. Be sure to head back west if your water or oil drops below 2/3. That leaves you twice as much to get back. And when you land, if you will be a while, shut off the oil completely so no consumables are used on the ground.”

“Okay. For real this time. Any questions?” Asked the hippogriff, suddenly becoming aware of the growing distance from shore.

"I think I’m good. And you’ll be available on the radio, if we have questions, right?” PW asked, hopeful.

“Yep. As long as you are in range.”

“Got it. Thanks for everything!” Called PW as Little Teague climbed the ladder.

“Good luck with everything! I’m going to get some well deserved fresh air. Now when I jump, you’ll start climbing again. Given the wind, I say take it all the way up to 40,000. Don’t forget to shut the hatch at 20,000! And the ship will stay aloft easier as fuel and water is consumed. Okay good luck, and take those sextant sights!” 

With that she was off, diving away from western side of the craft. They were suddenly going up again.

PW looked over at Frosty who had her head propped up against the bunk. Her eyes were closed, but the sudden lurch stirred her. “Just us two now?” She huffed.

“Yeah. You and me.” PW responded.

“You got this!” Frosty called.

“Thanks! Are you okay? You’ve been very… down recently.”

“It’s stuffy. And flying is unnatural for me. Best left to you and those shrinky-dink Wonderbolts.” Frosty teased.

“Are you saying you’re too big to fly?” PW raised a brow.

“Shut up.” Frosty responded half-jokingly.

PW gazed out of the rear window, still facing westward. The sun was now starting to shine more directly through the window, causing the area to become dazzlingly bright. By now they were so far away from land that individual buildings were lost in a tapestry of grays, tans, and greens. Horseshoe Bay was visible to the northwest now, along with Halter Roads, the cape north of Norfilly. If it weren’t for their increasing altitude, they’d likely have lost sight of land by now.
> Chapter 32: Big Mare, Big Water
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polaris Wind kept a close eye on his altitude. Upon reaching 20,000 feet, with the air a bit chilly now (much better than the humid, enclosed capsule they boarded), he yanked the entrance hatch shut and turned the compressor valve, which made a chuffing sound similar to a steam locomotive. He held his hoof up to the vent to check they were receiving fresh air. While doing so he found a steam heat radiator line that hadn’t been mentioned. Which meant as it got cold they could continue keeping warm. Though once sealed the sun kept warming the craft throughout the afternoon.

Around 37,000 feet the craft stopped climbing, despite full damper. They had hit their flight ceiling. Frost was visible on the window by Frosty. Polaris looked up and saw they were above all the cloud layers, and the sky had deepened from cerulean to an ultramarine color.

PW sat for a moment and thought to himself about how he had managed to go from a rejected technician to an elite Night-Mare field tactical support assistant.

‘Here I am in the middle of the ocean with her. It’s MY job to fly her across. Her wellbeing is entrusted to me!’ He excitedly thought to himself. Being a pegasus, PW had gotten around more than most other ponies but he had never crossed the Celestial Sea before.

Pondering the level of his responsibility to safely deliver the Night-Mare to her mission safely for over an hour, it was the golden light streaming in via that late afternoon sun that got his attention. Checking the vital system health indicators first, PW cracked open a few cans of beans as well as put a pot of oatmeal on the boiler. In addition to hot water in the boiler, there was a cold potable water tank near the ceiling.

PW anticipated Frosty would wake given the smell of food, but she didn’t. “That’s funny. She usually snores when she sleeps…” He muttered. 

A flash of concern came over him. He looked over at Frosty to see her large belly rising up and down, like it always did. 

“I’ll have to wake her up for once.” PW sighed, walking over to her bunk. “Frosty. Frosty, I got you some dinner!”

“Ooo-ooooh!” Moaned the large mare, stretching and going limp again.

“C’mon Frosty! Aren’t you hungry?” He asked

“No.” The simple reply.

“But you gotta eat to keep your huge, bulky muscular body!” PW declared, describing her as he knew her.

“Mmmm!” She groaned.

He switched tactics. “How are you going to fight when we land?”

“Not being at 30,000 feet!” She complained.

“The cabin is sealed at 20,000 feet, Frosty.” He said matter-of-factly.

“Fun shit.” She gruffed.

“C’mon, there’s still two-thirds as much air as at sea level! Can’t your lean, efficient, muscular body respirate with that?” He smirked.

“Yes.”

“Then, why are you acting so sluggish?”

“I’m an EARTH-pony, with no EARTH!”

“You have earth just 20,000 feet below you.” He shrugged.

“No, we’re over the ocean.” 

PW looked down at the greenish brown water, noting its color. “Okay 20,100 feet. We’re still over the continental shelf.”

She glared at him.

“Frosty!” PW whined, yanking her large, hanging foreleg with most of his strength. 

She didn’t budge. 

“Well, Tiny Hooves, I guess I’ll just have to eat it all!” Mocked PW, turning around.

 Suddenly the entire hull swung, with the sloshing water in the boiler making a puffing sound. PW turned around as metal clanked behind him. Frosty was doing her best to stand, plugging up the entire accessway between the machinery above and to their sides. She wasn’t looking too happy.

With a huff she began advancing towards the offending stallion, on a compactor run. That was until he seated himself at the fold down table, which was neatly set with food, napkins and cutlery. It even had a flower in a vase (something that wouldn’t have been supplied by the Royal Guard). She studied the table, and then looked down at Polaris who was innocently looking up at her like a puppy dog, grinning in hopefulness and slumping back into a submissive position against the golden sunlight streaming in through the window.

“Well-well-well… I guess it’s time to eat.” She relented from her initial tirade.

With that, she sat and started spooning the oatmeal into her mouth. “I know you like it on the gritty side. Hopefully I did it right.”

“Mm~!” Moaned the mare, her eyes flying open. “I am hungry now!” She shouted. 

PW moved back as the enormous mare gorged herself.

A few minutes later, with a great burp, Frosty had finished her meal. “You make it the way I like it. Good job little guy.” She complimented him.

PW began cleaning up as the last rays of sun were disappearing behind the horizon. Frosty began yawning again.

“Hiss suuun is makiiing meee diiired!” She yawned.

“Oh that reminds me, I need a sextant sighting!” Called PW, digging the bubble sextant out of the box.

The stallion set the solar filters in place and held the device to the sun, twisting the knob back and forth to keep the bubble positioned in the sun. He continued doing this for a few minutes, before a ‘ding’ was heard. “That’s sunset!” He exclaimed, setting the device down and writing down the time from his pocket watch.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, it’s still shining orange!” Frosty corrected.

“Yes but it’s below the horizon now.” He explained.

She squinted “... Bullshit. I still see it.”

“The ideal horizon, Frosty.” PW clarified as he started referencing tables to subtract out refraction and look up Celestia’s scheduled position of the sun. He frantically scribbled a column of numbers into a worksheet, before arriving at his final answer. “50 degrees 21 minutes east!” He announced.

“What does that mean?” She asked flatly.

“That’s our longitude!”

“What about latitude?”

“I don’t know. I only shot the sun. I’ll have to wait until the north star is up.” He looked to the roof.

“So, where are we then?” She raised a brow, crossed her forehooves and looked at PW with disappointment.

“We’re maintaining a course of 125 degrees and now plot 240 miles off the coast. When I draw that out on the map I get this!” PW sketched, then held up the map with an X in the North Celestial Sea.

“Hm. Good job, smartypants. I’m going to bed now.” She declared, lying down.

“Already?”

“Food coma… oxygen coma… tight spaces… zzz…” She began snoring on the spot.

‘How on Equus does that mare do that…?’ PW wondered.

It was fully dark by the time PW had managed to put everything away and get himself ready for bed. He looked out towards the west, seeing bright, isolated red lights on the distant horizon from brand new radio towers peacefully blinking on and off, the last he would see of the mainland. He checked the altitude and the boiler level, then went to bed.

The beds were arranged opposite each other, so that if a creature faced the large stern window, a large bunk to the right side of the aisleway was for the Night-Mare and a small bunk on the left side for a small stallion. Only a small adult would fit there, as the bed was barely long enough for PW. No doubt they sized it for him. All surrounding the bed was various equipment. The gear stowage, potable water tank, head, tools, food, and more.

It wasn’t long before PW woke up freezing cold and shivering. With the sun gone, the freezing temperatures at altitude crept into the capsule. He turned the steam heat flow valve on before returning to sleep. The next time the stallion awoke it was brilliantly bright outside. A deep blue light shined in from the west and a piercing yellow sunlight entered from the eastern side's smaller window, lighting the inside of the craft up white. He looked over at his large companion, who was still motionless, and un-popping his earplugs found she wasn’t snoring.

“Frosty?” He whispered.

“…”

“You okay?” He asked, a little louder.

“…”

“Okay then.” He responded upon realizing she was not going to wake up anytime soon. 

He checked his pocket watch and found it was a quarter past ten in the morning. With lots of peace and quiet, PW planned a 10:00AM sun-shot. With no distractions, his navigation could be very accurate, and when his work was complete he found they were now 1,400 miles out.

PW looked down at the water, which was now a brilliant shade of dark blue, a far cry from the greenish-brown murky water back home. He watched from eight miles up as individual wave caps appeared and disappeared, shimmering in the sunlight. Other than a few small, puffy cumulus clouds on the horizon it was a completely empty ocean.

Next, PW powered on the radio and attempted to make contact with the mainland. “Norfilly Control, Windy reporting.” He called. 

The radio was static for the next few seconds.

“Er-u-u-i-e-u.” Was all he heard in response. He turned the radio’s squelch knob down as far as it would go.

“Norfilly Control, Windy reporting. Sound check?” He asked.

“Hear yo-u fi’ve b-y th-ee” The crackly response came.

“I’m reading you, five-by-two.” PW replied slowly.

“Any Th-ng u- repor?” The radio cackled.

“Negative contact. Empty.” Replied PW slowly.

“’-oger. –Or pos-ion?” 

“My position is north 5 degrees 37 minutes, east 5-0 degrees 4-5 minutes!”

“Wow! You're -ll most acr-oss!” Called the voice. PW checked his map.

“About two thirds!”

“Good. Kee’p loo-ing or th’ ship.”

“Wilco.” PW called, hanging the radio up. 

That’s when he saw it. Out the western window, he noticed an oddly dark object in the otherwise lapis lazuli colored water.
> Chapter 33: 'Here be the Mission
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polaris Wind found Frosty's scope and used it to look out the window. 

“One, two, three masts.” He counted. “Frosty, you want to get up? I spotted a large ship with 3 masts!” 

She took a deep breath and stood, sending the ship into a rhythmic swing. PW took note of her long, dark socks which she wasn’t wearing when she went to bed.

“Where at?” She muttered. 

PW snapped himself out of staring at her enormous legs just in time. “Erm – dead astern, nearly at the horizon. Course is roughly south by southeast.” 

She took her scope in her clicking, turning her stern towards PW to better see it. She was able to make her conclusion in just a few seconds.

“Hm, yeah. Yeah, radio this in. That’s the right appearance.” She concluded, lowering the scope.

“Norfilly Control. Are you still there?” PW spoke into the device.

“Affirm.” The radio squawked.

“Immediately after signing off we spotted a ship of the line.” He started.

“ –andby.” Replied the voice. Nearly a full minute went by before it finally returned. “Under – and you’ve see– a shi– of the line.”

“Affirmative.” PW nodded.

“ –ow many masts-s?”

“Three!”

“Copy, three. –escribe their col-or.” Came the broken reply. 

Frosty lifted the scope again. Given she’d looked through it at nearly every kill she made it was second nature to her eyes. 

PW opened the mike and repeated the Night-Mare’s words. “Foremast all white… Mizzenmast all white… Mainmast multi-colored. Main Royal black. Main Topgallant black. Main Topsail and Main Mainsail are white.”

They waited a few minutes. “Good job, that’s our bogey! –ut your engines and follow ‘im.”

“Cutting the engines!” Replied PW.

“Not bad, for such a small stallion.” Teased Frosty, leaning into him and pinning him to the equipment lining the walkway briefly.

“Frosty, w’you doing?” PW laughed. 

He was promptly freed and approached the control stand which he hadn’t touched in a day and remembered his training.

“Blower off… Slowly reduce regulator pressure… cutoff to full.” PW repeated from training, moving the controls with his words. A whirring sound spooled down as the steam turbine spun down. The gentle windy sound outside of the craft vanished, leaving only the sound of the boiler.

PW looked outside to visually check the propeller blades halted. “Engines off. We are adrift.” He radioed.

“Keep with them. –an you give me –heir distance and course?”

“Standby.” PW responded, thinking.

“Can you figure it out?” Frosty challenged.

“I think so. I should be able to get it from the horizon dip equation…” PW figured, opening his nautical almanac and flipping through the tables. “Here we go.” He muttered, scribbling formulas down. Frosty looked over his withers at his intricate arithmetic.

“It’s 75 miles. To the horizon. Now we need the sine function. Visually 90% to the horizon I’d say?” PW looked to her.

“Yes, that’s what I’d say.” She nodded.

“Okay so…” PW said, taking his slide rule out, “sine of 6 degrees 0.105… 1 over 0.105 is 9.75, multiplied by our current altitude of 6.75 miles, which puts it at 66.5 miles out! Right?” PW asked her as if he expected she did the whole thing in her head with him.

“Um, sure. Right.” She admitted, for the first time being intimidated by a calculation PW made.

“Norfilly Control, ready to copy?” He asked.

“Go.”

“Estimated position is 66 decimal 5 miles west, bearing 270, longitude approximately 47 degrees, same latitude. Course appears to be 150 degrees.”

“Copy, please stay with them. Room management is informing me that is indeed your target. We want to know where they disembark.”

“Copy, we’ll keep them in our sights.”

“That’s not an easy task out here.” Frosty commented off air.

“I’ll make sure it happens.” PW shrugged. “Know something, Frosty?”

“Hm?”

“I love the ocean. Because it’s very big.”

“Is that why you like supporting me?” She cocked a brow at him.

“Well… it’s one reason.” He smiled.

“Is it the only reason?” She leaned in above him to demand a response. 

Only then did he realize how carefully he ought to choose his words..

“H-hay no! For one, you don’t treat me like a teddy bear or ignore me. And you understand me.” He stammered.

“And how.” The mare replied in agreement. PW breathed a sigh of relief before looking back at the vessel on the ocean. He clicked into the mouthpiece again. “Norfilly Control!”

“Go.”

“We’re still drifting too fast in the jet stream. May we descend a little?” he asked.

“ –egative. We can’t have any chanc – that see us. We must –ocate their offloading port.” Came the broken response.

“Wilco. I will need to reverse course and run the propulsion against the wind to keep position.”

“Approved.”

“10-4.” PW responded, bringing the regulator open again to quarter speed and steering the ship around to the west to keep with it.

“We need to finish all of our duties by dark. We can’t utilize any lighting.” PW realized.

“Agreed. Good thinking.” Frosty complimented.

Later that afternoon PW did another sextant shot and had assessed that they crossed the equator. And around sunset PW made a significant observation down below. “Hey Frosty?”

“Yeah?”

“It looks like the ship is using lanterns. So we should be able to see it through the night. You want to take turns checking on it?”

“I’ll do it.” She muttered.

“Really? Not taking turns?” He asked in surprise.

“It’s just a check every hour or so, right?” She looked at him.

“Yes but…”

“Then I’ll just wake myself up hourly.”

“Wake me up if we need a course correction, okay?”

“You got it.” She nodded.

PW laid down on his bunk and slept for a while before being jarred awake. He looked over to see Frosty's moonlit silhouette by the window.

“Still down there. Why’d you wake up?” She whispered. “Your snoring stopped.”

“I snore?” PW responded, confused and concerned.

“Not really. Let’s change that to ‘your breathing pattern changed.’ But, why’d you wake up?” She asked again.

“Because you moved the balloon and made noise?” He shrugged.

“Jeez. I tried to be really quiet.” She muttered.

“I’m a pretty light sleeper Frosty.”

“I can tell. That has its merits. Off to bed with you, again.” She ordered.





The next time PW woke up it was due to the ship moving in a peculiar rhythm. He looked over at Frosty’s bunk and was amazed at what he saw. She was… blowing air kisses? He shook his head, removed his ear plugs and listened. Frosty was rolling back and forth, making a hugging motion with her forelegs and trying to wrap her hinds around an invisible object above her. PW could hear her kissing. As he watched her rolling and passing her field of view in and out, she did not make eye contact with him. 

“She must be dreaming!” PW realized.

The mare kept doing this for several minutes, and even tried to lick something before finally resting again and her snoring returned. 

“What… Did I just witness?” PW wondered to himself, putting the earplugs back in. He chuckled at this most peculiar dream and drifted back to sleep.





The smell of coffee woke PW up. It was light out now.

“Oh you woke yourself up!” PW commented. 

Frosty, laying over that side of the cabin, didn’t say anything – only clinked her mug and motioned to the floor. Polaris got up and peered out of the window. “Oh! They’re even closer now!”

“Thanks to you. Good job navigating.” She commended and pointed. “There’s more.”

“Land!” PW exclaimed upon making out the dark shape on the horizon.

“Dragon Land.” She clarified.

“That’s Point Scaleton! I recognize it from the map, here. That puts us around 7 south 55 east.” PW noted.

“They’re going down the eastern shore of the sea.” Frosty suggested.

“Agreed. But where?”

“No idea. But my orders to you are to keep following them. Hopefully they’ll give away their hidey-hole.” She grinned.

“Oh, by the way…” PW began, changing the conversation suddenly, “I heard you rolling around last night.”

She stopped. “... WHAT?”

“You were acting out your dream in your sleep. You were embracing and kissing somecreature. Wrapping your legs around them...” PW described. 

Frosty’s face had become as red as PW’s coat. “I’m curious… was it…” He began.

“MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!” She bellowed. 

Her voice echoed all around them, knocking PW back onto his bunk in alarm. She relented once she realized how far her shout went. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that… but that’s private.”

“I understand!” PW squeaked, backing away to the corner of his bunk.

She sighed deep and looked out the window again. “Their course has been changing to follow the eastern shore’s contour. Want me to radio this in?”

“Sure!” PW responded quickly, knowing full well she had no obligation to ask him, being the superior officer.

“Norfilly Control, Number 2.” She muttered.

“…O…” Was all that could be made out.

“We are at Point Scaleton. Ship following the eastern shore of Dragon Land, southward.”

“…ot shi… ea… ost…?” Came the very bad transmission.

“Norfilly Control I read you five by two- I can barely understand you.” Frosty sighed.

“…Ame. Ive… oo”

“Ship travelling southward. Easternshore of Dragonland.” She articulated.

“Oge, ea-ost, …agon an, outhw-d.”

“Good copy.” Replied Frosty.

“E, ing see… do ab… ignal.”

“Please do!” Frosty responded, handing the radio up.

At this point, the changing coastline required PW to readjust the ship’s steering and power. They were now in the southern trade winds, blowing them ever faster southwards, necessitating PW use more power to act against the winds. Unlike the first night, Frosty had to wake her field tech a few times to have him readjust the course. This was very easy for her of course. Being such a light sleeper Frosty simply tapped her hoof on the metal. By the third tap PW would burst into a sitting position, ready for orders.

The next morning was uneventful until the 10:00 AM check. “Frosty, come look at this!” PW called. The vessel swayed as she clambered forwards.

“The ship’s made a sudden port turn.” Her assistant announced. 

After confirming it, Frosty dug her scope out. She followed until there was no more window to look through.

“PW, rotate the ship clockwise. I need to see further to the right side.” She said.

Polaris hauled the rudder to starboard and the coastline was revealed. She raised her glass again and focused. “We got an inlet… There's something big and brown there. Let’s get closer. Fly us over in the direction they’re headed.” She ordered.

“Yes ma’am!” PW called in response. They were still seven miles high, making identification, even with the scope, very difficult until they were directly overhead.

Frosty again raised her scope once they were closer. “Inlet’s shaped like a fork. Harbor is a confluence of two rivers. In between the rivers, there’s some type of covered wharf structure. A road leads up from it into the jungle. With the thick canopy, I see nothing else. Radio this in.” Frosty ordered, lowering the scope.

“Norfilly Control, how read?” Asked the stallion.

“N… aa… … o… i….” Came an unintelligible response.

“Reading you one by!” PW radioed slowly. The radio only crackled. He hung up the microphone.

“We’re on our own, PW.” The warrior mare noted.

“Maybe not, Frosty. I took radio classes in engineering school. Our professor demonstrated that some frequencies can bounce off of the atmosphere really far during twilight. How about this; we wait for sunset, climb as high as we possibly can, and try to contact again. If it fails, we go in alone.”

“Clever little stallion… deal.” She smiled.

“At the very least we’ll get to see some operations now.” She figured, bringing her scope back to the large window. The pair watched throughout the afternoon as the ship slowly drifted into the harbor and tied up to the wharf. Being so high up it was very difficult to see what was going on, and being unable to descend for fear of compromising their mission, Frosty was only just able to make out a few enormous shipping crates making their way into the wharf.

Finally after dinner, PW opened the oil flow valve, blower, and damper, and they pushed the envelope of altitude- to 40,040 feet. This excited PW to no end.

“Wow! 40,000! Look Frosty! I think the sky is slightly darker now we’re so high! Would you agree?”

“There you go again PW, obsessing over something big – this time our height above the terrain.” Frosty teased.

“You know I can’t help it!” PW cried.

“No, you can’t. Anyways I think it’s time we made our call.” Suggested Frosty, pulling the microphone off the hook.

“Norfilly Control, how do you read?”

“Five by five! Wow what in Equestria did you do?”

“A little bird nerd here told me he took some radio classes and made a suggestion we try you again at twilight our time. We’re also above 40,000 feet.”

“Smart.” Came the reply. Frosty looked over at her assistant and bounced her eyelids to emphasize the last reply. PW grinned and pumped his hoof, knowing he scored a huge tactical win for them.

“Standby for some info. Advise when ready to copy.” Called Frosty, handing her little assistant the microphone.

“Ready to copy!” Control advised.

“Roger.” Began PW, “Our current position is 1-9 degrees south, 6-2 degrees east. The ship of interest has entered a cove underneath our location, eastern shore of the sea and off the west coast of the Dragon Lands. There appears to be a wharf. We believe we saw some large crates being offloaded but not sure because we were above 35,000 feet. Over.”

“Roger Windy… standby… lots of us scrambling here to get you some orders.”

“Wilco. I advise you only have a few minutes- the atmosphere will stop reflecting our radio waves at night.”

“Understood.”

PW prepared his maps, notebook, and pencil to copy in the meantime.

“Okay. Briefing for part 2 of the operation. We are learning that this cocaine ring may have some supporting role in a larger highly sophisticated support structure; a cartel. This operation may represent one focus group, with other possible groups for security, information or intel, and a mastermind. They appear to be occupying an archeological site known as Corail. You are advised to be mindful of this as you carry out your mission. Tomorrow morning, you will locate an acceptable place to land north of the site, distant enough to avoid arousing suspicion. We recommend ten to fifteen miles, but your call. Since we think there might be more to this organization than we know even now, we’re going to have Night-Mare Recce come in from the east and rendezvous with you in the jungle.”

PW could have sworn he heard Frosty gulp and the vessel shimmied a little bit. “Once you meet Recce you are to wipe out the wharf and the ship if it is still there per your earlier briefing. Once the infrastructure is eliminated, extract and return to the sky. We’ll expect next contact from you after the mission, as there’s no way we’ll be ab… to talk on the ground. Lastly, I’ve just been handed a paper with a recommended route – there’s believed to be a small river about fifteen miles north of you, marked with the name ‘unknown river’. We do not know where it goes. We believe it has never been explored. So if you go, you may be the first ponies of Equestria to follow it. Number 2 may be able to construct a dugout for you to ride. Lastly, remember that this is hard unexplored jungle, and risks include venomous plants, animals, biteacudas, fever, natural hazards, and more. Be careful.”

“Copy all.” PW replied.

“We’ll b… expect… you t… us… in a f… days.”

“Roger. Sounds like our time is up!” PW responded.

“Concur. Norfilly out.” Then the radio went silent.

PW lowered the oil burn valve, blower, and closed the damper some to return them into the low 30-thousands of altitude. “Good job PW. Now get in bed. We wake up at first light and try to get this ship down in a safe location by sunrise.” Frosty ordered. PW playfully leapt into his bunk, looking obediently up at her. She snorted at the sight before climbing into her own bunk.
> Chapter 34: Tropical Lumberjack
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frosty and Windy had a good night’s sleep in the floating capsule. Unfortunately the jungle would not be so accommodating. A tapping sound stirred PW from sleep. 

“C’mon PW. Find us a place to land!” Frosty grunted, passing him a chart. 

Polaris popped right up and began matching his charts to the dark, barely-visible terrain.

“No river. We need to head north.” PW concluded.

“Take us there.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice!” He moved the rudder stick and opened the regulator to help them go against the wind.

“There’s our river.” PW announced as the sun rose, prompting Frosty to lift her scope.

“Hm… runs right out into the sea. There’s a sandy barrier island a few hundred yards wide. That’ll do. Take us to the island!” She decided, putting her scope down.

“Aye-aye, captain!” PW smiled, beginning to dump hot air from the balloons.

Though it was freezing cold at altitude, before PW could open the hatch all of the ice had already melted from the windows. After the cabin check valve had popped open, PW tried to open the hatch but couldn’t. 

“Frosty? It’s stuck!” He complained, heaving it as hard as he could. 

His large companion pushed her hoof into the hatch and it yielded with a great *crack!*

Gusts rushed in and PW heard a sliding sound on the metal above them, moving towards the window. A slab of ice rolled off the picturesque window and entered freefall. He climbed the ladder and stuck his head above the hatch opening.

“Frost! Frosty, there’s frost up here!” He announced.

“Windy, there is now a lot of wind in our cabin!” She yelled back. 

He laughed as he pushed more ice off, watching it disappear into the miles-deep void below.

A few minutes later they were over their intended landing location and PW began slowing the craft. He looked at the barometer and saw they were at 10,000 feet already. 

“Frosty, we’re at 10k and it’s almost warm. It’s going to be really, really hot down there.” He recognized the warning sign from his aviation experience.

By 5,000 feet conditions were already miserable. 

“Ugh; it must be 100 degrees! How the hell are we not on the ground yet?” PW complained. 

He looked over at Frosty, who was now fanning herself off. “I should have left that ice alone!” He realized. 

The combination of the sun in the window, tropical air, and boiler attached to the craft were making for dangerous heat.

Frosty noticed PW heaving at the controls as they neared the ground. “Hey, little buddy. You okay?” She called.

“F-fine!” He puffed. “Wow, the out-outside air temperature is now one-hundredth!” His words were slurred.

“Polaris! I believe you have heat exhaustion!” She said, wide-eyed.

“T- too hot!” He muttered. “Oh, everything’s spinning…” He gasped and swerved back-and-forth with the rudder.

“Don’t you black out on my watch!” She shouted, opening the freshwater tank spigot. Frosty drank the still cool water straight from the fresh water tap, allowing her cheeks to expand. With nearly a quart of water in her cheeks, the supersoldier turned to Polaris and sprayed the water all over the small stallion in a shower.

He sighed in relief. “Ah! That feels so goood!” He unfurled his wings, unable to process how he was cooling down.

“Steer, Polaris, steer! I am not looking forward to this becoming a diving bell!” Frosty warned.

He regained his motor-control and noticed they had drifted over the ocean again. “I got it!” He called. Frosty looked down and reported their altitude. “One hundred feet. Slow us some!”

“On it!” PW said, opening the damper more.

“50… 40… 30… 20……10……” Frosty called. A hard bump knocked PW down.

“Contact!” He shouted, shutting the damper and pulling the balloon dump valve onto the ground dump hook.

“Get out! Out-out-out!” Frosty barked, all but tossing him out through the hatch. He instinctively opened his wings and glided to a landing on the beach. 

The Night-Mare, who had up until now been drinking freshwater, had exhausted her supply and was now baking. She started climbing up the hatch but became stuck around her haunches.

“Frosty!” PW called in alarm.

“I’m fine, buddy.” She answered, pushing down hard on the hull of the craft. Her body popped up with an audible sound.

“PW, shovel sand into the ballast tanks! I don’t want this thing to go flying off under any circumstances.” She pointed. 

He nodded and began cupping hooffuls of sand into the ballast tanks like it was his life’s role. Only then did Frosty leap from her perch. Upon seeing the balloon was not going to fly off, PW, still overheating, ran for the nearby bay. 

Only after a few seconds of splashing in the warm water, Frosty was yelling at him. “PW! HEY!”

“What?”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“Why not?” PW asked as she gestured to his left. 

He turned to find saltwater cragodiles-- two sunning on the beach while a beady pair of eyes poked out of the water, coming right for him.

“EEK!”PW flapped his wings and bolted, escaping an untimely death. He landed beside the safety of his companion, gasping.

“Rule number one about the jungle-lands, Polaris: EVERYTHING will try to eat you.” She warned. “Now, we need to get this stuff out of there. Only one of us can fit… well easily… into the ship.”

“On it!” PW was glad to focus on a task instead of the cragodiles.

He leapt to the roof of the capsule and felt a burning sensation. 

“Hothot HOT!” He cried as he pranced about on top of the metal hull, diving into the hatchway. By this point, the boiler pressure had dropped to almost 0. Good thing too, as every time Frosty leaned over to pick the gear up from the hatch, she would cause the capsule to lean.

PW managed to get all the gear out except her bag. “Frosty!” He grunted. “I’m trying! It’s too heavy!”

With a roll of her eyes she grabbed the hatch, yanked it down and reached inside. With a huff she pulled the gear from his hooves and through the hatchway. She released the capsule and it, along with PW, dropped back onto the ground.

The impact sent him to the floor. “Umf! That’s unbelievable power!” A very rough-housed assistant muttered. He started climbing up the ladder and flew from it to avoid touching the hull’s hot surface. “How do you touch that and not get hurt Frosty?” Polaris asked, landing beside her.

She shrugged. “It’s only 200 degrees or so. I just ignore it. It’s pain; nothing more. Too cool to even singe your fur.”

They took their ropes and drove stakes into the ground to hold the balloon down in the event of a storm. It took PW a good ten or twenty hits with the mallet to get a stake in while Frosty shoved each one down with one motion of her hoof. As a result she managed to stake eleven in the time it took PW to nail one. 

“How do you do that?” PW asked in admiration. 

Frosty sat back and puffed her chest out. “Four hundred pounds of raw earth-pony muscle.”

They got their gear on and began trekking south towards a grove of trees. Frosty stopped and looked at the pack of cragodiles. “I am hungry, PW.” The cragodiles vanished into the bay. 

“Let’s hit the trees.” She continued, continuing her walk. They arrived at the grove below large coconut palms.

“Well that’s good. I’ll just fly up there and drop a few.” PW flapped his wings up to the fronds.

“That’s one way to do it, yes.” Frosty nodded as he managed to send a few coconuts her way.

“That’s good, c’mon down!” Frosty shouted after nearly a dozen had fallen.

The pegasus landed and examined them. “Now we have to find a way to crack them open…” PW figured.

“What are you talking about?” The mechanics in her fingers whined as she drove them into a coconut and cracked its hide. She pulled the husk apart as PW watched in awe. “For you.” Frosty offered, passing him a hemisphere.

“Wow, Frosty! This is very impressive.” He smiled.

“Thank you!”

After their meal Frosty had her plan. “You can leave your gear there for the time being. We’re going to make a dugout.”With that she pulled a very large spade and an ax from her saddlebag.

“A dugout?” He asked.

“Yes.” Frosty replied, walking off.

“What’s a dugout?” He trotted to her side.

“A dugout is a canoe made from a fallen tree. You cut a tree down, dig a hole in it, then it becomes a canoe.” Frosty explained as she was peering into the jungle.

“That’ll do.” Frosty settled, suddenly turning into the trees.

“Where are you going?”

“To cut a tree down!” She shouted as the foliage she’d parted snapped back in front of PW’s face.

“Whoa – be careful! Your rump is spring-loading branches in my face!”

“Oh. I suggest you grow a few inches, then.” She shrugged.

“Seriously?” He complained as she smiled back at him behind some palms. She held the next clump of branches as PW passed through. “Thanks.”

Frosty’s tail snagged a few times on the thick vegetation. By the time they reached their tree – a good Euterpe Palm three feet in diameter – Frosty had had enough. 

She dug through her gear and reared. “Long hair is very bad in the jungle.” She stepped into a pair of black bikini bottoms and pulled the garment into place. “Catch!” She threw PW two elastic bands.

“What are these?” He wondered aloud.

“Bands for your mane and tail. Tie them up.” She gathered her own tail, doubled it over and secured the bundle with a band. She did her mane up in a ponytail and secured that as well. 

PW mirrored her moves.

“What’s with the swimsuit?” PW asked. 

Frosty gave him a glance.

“Really, PW…" She sighed. "There’s a particular fish rumored to be in this area called the molester fish. I’ll leave you to guess how it got that name. But… There's another reason. That I’ll also leave you to figure out.” She gave a small smile, yanked a machete from its sheath and turned about, bending down to clear the dense foliage from the area.

PW’s eyes went wide and he pursed his lips in realization. He wiped his nose with a forehoof and then held it while the Night-Mare took the big ax in her hooves and firmly planted her thick hind legs in a stance that must have been three feet wide.

“Stand back, PW. Way back.” Frosty warned as a redder-than-usual PW did as he was told.

Her muscles tensed as she heaved the ax into the trunk with a blistering *CRACK*. The side of the tree all but exploded, showering them both in a cloud of splinters.

“Sweet Celestia!” PW hissed in delight. 

He caught Frosty's tiny smile as she walked to the other side of the tree.

With one swing she hacked a foot-deep gash clean through the tree. A swing, a crack, and a rumble. Heartwood burst into the air as another third of it was dusted. Frosty threw her ax down on the ground and turned to face PW, getting between him and the tree.

“There’s a mare in Ponyville, an element-bearer, who runs a farm called Sweet Apple Acres. Her name is Applejack and she is famous for her apple-bucking skills but I bet I could give her a run for her money. TIMBER!” She yelled and brought her legs up. 

A gust of wind was heard as two size-tens pushed through the air at a hundred miles per hour.

She pulverized the tree with all the force of a cannon, enveloping the trunk in a soup of sawdust and splinters. Frosty trotted forwards to PW and turned to watch the trunk fall the other way. It took several vines and two smaller trees on its way down to land with a thunderous *THUD*

“FUCK YES!” PW whooped and hopped in excitement.

“You really are the best assistant a Night-Mare could ask for…” The satisfied giant responded, burying her ax into the side of the stump. 

After clearing the rest of the area around the tree she cut a ten-yard long section off the tree to be used as the dugout. Then Frosty took hold of the log in her forelegs and began dragging it out of the jungle. The path cut by the enormous log was so wide PW was able to follow her out as if he was walking down a sidewalk.

“Hey Frosty! I’m just curious… were you always big? Even as a filly?” He asked.

“Everypony’s small at some point.”  She replied, dropping her felled tree and digging for her shovel.

“When were you my size?” PW asked. 

She paused and took a look at him.

“Probably ten? Maybe nine…” Frosty shrugged, finally pulling the shovel out.

“Sweet Celestia!” He exclaimed in admiration.

She next straddled the log and brought the shovel down hard, hauling it back to dig a chamber. She repeated this movement and more and more of the log was scraped away to form the canoe.

“Where did we land?” Frosty asked.

“Latitude 19 south, longitude 62 east.” PW remembered.

“Gotcha.”

The supersoldier kept digging as fast as any steam powered machine could have. In just a few seconds a sheen had developed on her bone-white coat; drops of sweat flying off her body. PW thought ahead and fished through her gear to get her canteen out. He presented it to her peripheral field of view. 

She paused and snatched the canteen from his hoof, lifting it high above her and dumping it into her mouth. On one go she’d downed the entire gallon of water and tossed the container against her saddlebag. Then, she started swinging again.

“Do you want help?” PW asked. 

She stopped and tilted her head.

“Hop up.” She huffed, tapping the top of the log opposite her. 

PW reared and climbed onto the log as high as his standing height. Frosty passed her spade to him.

“This is really heavy!” He remarked.

“Okay. Show me what ‘cha got. Bring it down as hard as you can.” Frosty challenged.

PW raised the tool as high as he could, channeling his inner Night-Mare energy. “FOR THE NIGHT-MARE!” PW screamed, bringing the spade down with all his strength and pulling it through the wood. 

“How’d I do?” He asked, opening his eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?” 

He looked down to his hoof-work. “What?” He gawked. The spade was a quarter inch deep in the wood, in a trench barely an inch long.

“Leave the heavy work for the earth-pony… Windy-chan.” Frosty teased, taking the spade back. “Use your ax on the trees around us and collect some water for me and the boiler? That would help.”

“I’m sorry.” PW apologized, gliding down.

“Polaris I am a North-Woods Night-Mare! I am a piece of military hardware.” She reassured him.

“And I am a support structure for that hardware!”

“You are supporting me! By collecting water! You don’t need to be the muscle. That’s my job.” Frosty replied.

PW glanced at her thighs and found there was no argument there.

“Go on, PW. I’m getting thirsty!” Frosty called.

The defeated stallion took his spade into the forest with a bucket as she went back to work. He jammed the tool into a tree and water began to drip. He repeated the process a few more times to open ten taps to fill the bucket. Then, he saw a red, slithering object in the foliage a few yards away. It was moving.

“Frosty! SNAKE! Red snake.” He yelped and backed away.

“All red?” She called back.

“Yeah?”

“Clelia! It’s harmless. It only eats other snakes.” Frosty shouted. 

The snake froze as he warily approached and snatched the bucket away. 

Frosty noticed him trying to dump the bucket into the canteens.

“Just bring it here.” She ordered. 

She took the bucket and drank straight from it. By now she’d hollowed out about three yards of canoe, with three more to go.

With Frosty taken care of, PW returned to the taps to collect more water for the boiler, keeping a sharp eye out for any more serpents. That took many trips as the boiler’s capacity was nearly a hundred gallons and just over half full. Hours later, with the boiler topped off he returned once again to the source of the chopping sounds. The canoe was taking shape but it would be a while yet before it was completed. With no more tasks PW settled into the shade and awaited the next phase of the mission.
> Chapter 35: The Unknown River
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

PW got into the hollowed portion of the canoe and felt the vibration of the wood as Frosty hacked it into completion. She next dumped all their gear inside and began it across the forest floor, out over the sand on the beach close to the water’s edge.

“Watch these for a minute please, I’ll be right back.” She asked.

The sound of wood tearing and cracking could be heard in the woods. Frosty emerged with two flat strips of wood torn from a trunk and two sticks. She took some twine from her gear and lashed them together with her fingers.

“Ah, paddles!” PW realized. 

She took one and pretended to smack PW’s back with it, then offered it to him. 

“Funny!” He smiled.

“Do we have it all?” Frosty asked, looking around.

“Believe so.”

“Alright. Gear goes in the middle. You’re in the front. I’m in the back.” Frosty decided as PW positioned their supplies between them.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t be in the back? I’ve always done it with the power in the front.” He asked.

“Trust me, PW. With a Night-Mare in the boat it’s an entirely different experience.” She reassured him.

With that PW got in position and Frosty pushed the canoe into the bay, walking with it for some distance until it had enough clearance.

When she hopped in the boat tipped back several degrees and left a large displacement wake. 

“Hold onto something.” She warned, raking her paddle through the water and accelerating.

“Woah!” He exclaimed as the canoe shot forward. 

She repeated her stroke a second time and then a third. By now they were proceeding at walking-speed. She quickened her pace. 

“Sweet Celestia – this is fast!” PW exclaimed as they reached trotting-speed.

“Here comes the plane!” Shouted Frosty. 

PW noticed the bow of the boat coming out of the water, as though it were being pushed up from underneath. 

“Drop your oar over the side, PW. Steady us like a rudder so we don’t spin out!” She shouted. 

He did as he was told right as the canoe accelerated to full-gallop.

“Two miles across the bay! At this speed, we’ll be into the river in just over ten minutes.” Frosty guessed. 

PW looked out as the boat crossed the long bay separating the barrier island from the mainland jungle. The bay wasn’t as clear as the ocean, for it contained some river water, but wasn't too terribly brown.

As they neared the mouth of the river the water took on a sickly tan color and was totally opaque. It stank as well, and swarms of flies pestered them. They entered a delta-like structure of the river, with many islands separating several channels. They were in the main channel, bearing a width of around a thousand yards, paddling up the flat muddy river with nearly no current.

They had the ocean in sight for another half-hour before turning the point-of-no-return into the jungle. An uneventful hour later they stopped at a rocky island in the river for lunch. On the approach Frosty leaned back to tip the canoe’s front end further out of the river. Then as it drifted over the bank she leaned forwards, firmly planting the canoe down onto the island.

“Alright! Making great progress!” Shouted PW, hopping out of the canoe.

“Grab the food out?” Asked Frosty.

“I got it!” He called. His eyes shrank as he heard a sudden pouring sound. “2?!”

“What?”

“You can’t just start casually peeing next to me!” He turned away, disgusted.

“Haven’t you heard of being in the field? I don’t have the need for common courtesy or decency to care one way or another.” She shrugged.

“Yeah and – that’s more flow than I’ve ever heard in the stallion’s room!”

“It’s part of my job to be intimidating, PW. Are you intimidated?”

“More like bewildered and awestruck?”

“Good.”

“You’re dirty, 2!” PW added.

“A big mare has big parts that need maintenance. It’s biology.” She sighed. Polaris shook his head.

Finally finished with her business, Frosty readjusted the nylon covering her rear, cleaned her hooves, then stepped forward to the sandwiches Polaris had unpacked.

“Ah a tasty meal!” Frosty joked, laying her hands on PW and shaking him lightly.

“F-f-fro-hahahasssty!” Giggled PW, “The jungle is making you mad!” He cried, passing her a sandwich instead.

They ate mostly in silence, taking in the sights and sounds of the jungle river. There were brightly colored birds hopping around the rocks, ignoring the island guests for the time being, as well as large fins and other objects moving out in the river. 

“Frosty, are there hydras in this river?”

“Not that I know of.” She took another bite.

“So what’s that?” PW asked, pointing to a twisty object in the water.

She squinted. “Probably a snake mating-ball.”

“A what?!” PW reeled.

“You heard me.”

“Strange creatures. Alright. I’m going to be a gentlecolt… and do my business in the woods.” He declared.

“DON'T GET EATEN!” Frosty half-joked.

As PW was alone in the jungle he thought he had heard a voice singing.

“… river of Doom!” He heard as he crept closer. “Go’in up the River of Doom!” Heyyy-aheahay-ah!

It was Frosty who sang. 

PW burst out of the jungle, calling her name.

She fell silent, composing herself and ignoring him. He trotted up to her, practically beneath her muzzle. 

“Frosty! Frosty, that was beautiful!” Her assistant remarked. She cocked her head down slightly.

“Honest! Please, continue!” He begged.

“O-okay. But first let’s get everything cleaned up… then-then I’ll do it.” She hesitated, obviously uncomfortable with an audience. 

They cleaned all of their trash and gear from the island, covered their tracks, and set out into the dark river again.

“Alright Frosty, we’re going! Let me hear it!” He beamed.

“Ugh… okay.” Frosty moped, then took a great breath.

“Go-in’ up the river of doom!
Heyyy-aheahay-ah!
Wild-ward-bound! The bite-a-cud-as nom nom!

Frosty sang, lifting her paddle and revealing one of the hungry fish gnawing on it.

Hiss of hun-gry py-thons!
Mud pits quick sand!
Dan-ger-real-ly lurks here!

You will know the car-ni-vor-ous plants! Oh!
Wild boar-on your hide!
Float-ing-raft-of fire ants bites!
Mad tribe be hind us!

Hornets sting my gun is jammed…

Won’t let the muggy jungle get it’s wayyyyyy!
Hey-ayyyy! Hey-ayyy!
In-the Dra-gon Dra-gon… Lands!
Hey-ayyyy! Hey-ayyy!
In-the Dra-gon Dra-gon… Lands!

Hey! A-yeaa!
On the shore! Fe-vers spi-ders centa-pede-sss
All will get-cha’ in time!
Poi-son snakes! Bam boo trap got-yah-now!
My food ran out oh *buck*!

The-en-em-y armed up!
Must kill or be ki-lled!
Bleed-ing out it's all gone dark! No!

Won’t let the muggy jungle get it’s wayyyyyy!
Hey-ayyyy! Hey-ayyy!
In the Dra-gon Dra-gon… Lands!
Hey-ayyyy! Hey-ayyy!
In the Dra-gon Dra-gon… Lands!

Oh yeah in the Dra-gon-Dra-gon Lands!”

Her last note lingered and PW grinned wide. “Frosty, that was beautiful! You’re a natural singer! And a songwriter too, if you wrote that!”

“Thanks buddy. I suppose it’s one of the few ladylike things I can do.” She gave a small smile.

“You do it well, with such a POWERFUL voice!” PW continued his praise.

“Singing is something popular with our tribe.” She said. “There’s not much else to do up there. Pretty much all the fillies and colts go through choir at school. We have a pretty competitive adult choir too.” 

“I’m surprised it doesn’t travel around.” PW wondered.

“The biggest problem is connectivity. We’re not connected to the railroads but, then again, that suits us just fine.”

“The world needs to hear you!” Polaris exclaimed. “We need to convince everypony to make the trek down just once. To carol in Canterlot… I have to imagine you all would be noticed immediately!” PW exclaimed.

“Hm, maybe!” She smiled again.

“By my reckoning we’re about ten miles inland. How’s about taking that tributary to our right?” Asked PW, coming back to the mission.

“Fine by me.” Frosty replied, steering them towards and into the narrow creek. Mangroves and vines stretched out over the creek, nearly creating a bridge of vegetation aside from a narrow passageway.

“This thing is irritating me!” Shouted Frosty, beating the oar with the bite-a-cuda on it onto the water. The creature vanished, but in that time the canoe slowed and dropped back into the water.

“Nuisance of a creature.” She growled.

“It just got destroyed by the most terrifying creature in the jungle!” PW announced.

“About that PW…” Frosty began.

“What?” He scoffed. “I’m not wrong. No way.”

She tilted her head. “You remember the briefing? Recce is coming.”

“Yeah?”

Frosty raised a brow. "Did you work with her in I&T? Night-Mare 1?"

"No, her fitment before I was cleared to fit. You were my first."

She hummed. “Recce is the biggest and most terrifying of all of the Night-Mares. She scares even me.”

“Oh, come on, nothing scares you!” Polaris insisted.

“She does.”

“Oh?”

“Yup. So, stay close. I doubt she’ll be all that receptive to the thought of an assistant.” Frosty warned, reaching forward and patting a hoof on PW’s head as a reminder.

“I’m helpful, though! And smart!” He retorted.

“I know that, but until she sees what a positive influence you are, things will be difficult.”

“How so?” He gulped.

“Well, let me just lay down some rules to live by. Is Recce speaking? Shut up. Is Recce moving? Get out of the way. Is Recce getting rough? Don’t fight her. Is Recce getting angry? Start apologizing.”

“Angry?”

“Yes. Everything about Recce is big except for her fuse.”

“How can I avoid ticking her off?”

“You’re an outsider, Polaris. And a former tech. You can’t.”

“Well… fuck.”

“Best I can say is hang on. Like that guy!” Frosty interjected, pointing to a nearby tree.

“Like what?” PW asked, looking at a tree on the right. “O! An- ana!” He began to say.

“Anaconda.” Frosty corrected. 

He leaned away from the hanging giant snake, which was staring dead still, out of its place in the tree. “He’s probably looking for a cragodile to swim under him. Or a juvenile dolphin.”

“They eat stuff that big?” He shakily asked.

“Oh yeah. He’d eat you too if you did something stupid like float on your back or take a drink from the water’s edge while under him.” 

The little stallion gulped, feeling that he had just been placed on a menu.

Over the next few minutes Frosty slowed their paddling, and the canoe ran aground in the shallowing creek. 

“Alright, ride’s over.” She said, throwing a line over a nearby stump and pulling the canoe across the muddy floodplain. The triple attack of sweaty heat, eye gnats, and mosquitoes bombarded the peculiar pair as they strapped their gear on.

Frosty took her machete out. “Remember – stay close!” She ordered, bobbing the knife. 

They trail-blazed southeastward, making slow progress through the thick foliage.

“Second rule of the jungle: if something is colorful, it’s poisonous. Or trying to make you think it is. Don’t test it out.” Frosty warned.
> Chapter 36: Rule Number One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The moist heat was miserable. Sweat beaded on their matted coats as they trudged through undergrowth. Polaris followed Frosty close, less than a body length. Like so many other barbed branches before she mowed this particular one down and let it slide beneath her belly. A particular thorn, however, twisted mid-way and made for the left side of her passing belly.

It snagged on her bikini bottoms and, at her pace, the meager garment stood no chance at all. The bottoms were ripped away and her bunched-up tail left nothing at all for cover.

“Uh-oh.” Frosty whispered in concern, pupils shrinking. 

PW looked ahead to see what the trouble was and he was able to confirm then and there that the Night-Mare was, beyond any doubt, a mare.

“Agh!” He gawked, covering his eyes like a gentlecolt with both his wings and forehooves.

“Shit.” Frosty clicked her tongue. “You saw me, didn’t you?”

PW held his tongue.

“Don’t lie.”

“Yes! I’m so sorry!” PW cried. 

Frosty looked back and found him covering his face, a bead of blood dripping down onto the dried mud he was standing on.

She huffed. “Well, it’s not like it was avoidable. My rump is at eye level, after all.” She admitted.

She noticed the drops of blood increase. “Okay… probably shouldn’t have said that. No big deal. I have a spare.” She said, backing up into the thicket. “As well as a more mindful step around snagging branches.”

PW held his wings in front of his eyes as self-punishment the entire time Frosty re-armored.

“It’s safe now. And I have to say; you’re quite modest.” She said, turning to resume trail-blazing

“Oh, my nose is bleeding!” PW said, finally opening his eyes. “And, yeah; I know you pros hate it when a stallion acts inappropriately.”

“Well, it’s very clear to me you recognize that and want to avoid it. So, great job! You have lots of self-control and know how to conduct yourself like an adult. Like a gentlecolt. Alright, we’re rolling.” She swung the machete and moved forward.

“Aye-aye ma’am!” He responded, relieved he wasn’t about to have his eyes torn out.





The flat jungle floor gave way to a small drainage ditch that got deeper as they went along. PW and Frosty came across a small spring that fed a stream and they were able to walk down this stream bed like a natural road save for the occasional fern, vine, mud-hole, or fallen log that had to be avoided.

It was in one particular location that PW found himself walking on something squishy. He thought it may have been mud but it was springy, and didn’t catch his hooves as mud ought to.. The substance was a pale gray color, with lots of small, interleaving stones a few inches wide that perfectly overlapped. The stones seemed locked into the bottom. He took another step and froze. There was a large flat, roughly triangular object in the creek in front of him. 

“Shit!” PW whispered in fear and squinted. “Celestia; that scared me! What the heck is that?”

He thought he could make out a pair of shut eyes but it was difficult to tell. He knew there was no way it could have been alive; the thing looked dead. All this studying the little assistant was doing let his superior officer get on ahead of him. Suddenly, PW felt a pair of hooves behind him.

“Gah!” He cried, feeling instead two tentacles take hold of his flanks from the rear. He peered down and was just in time to see another pair grabbing hold of his knees. PW looked down in alarm as he followed the shape and color of the tentacles, underneath him towards the big, dead head. 

“Fuck!” PW shouted in fear, trying to move against the creature grasping him. A third pair of tentacles grabbed his flanks, holding him back.

PW thought quickly and pushed his hind legs back at the same angle the tentacles were coming from, avoiding being pulled down. A fourth pair of tentacles grabbed him, however, and he was quickly growing fatigued. 

“Frosty?!” He yelled. 

Upon a fifth pair of tentacles grabbing him, his pelvis and legs were under so much stress that they began to sear with pain, as though his very bones were being crushed. “Frosty! Come quick!” He cried.

With that a sixth pair emerged from the stream bed and he had no choice but to yield or have his bones snap. Upon relaxing the grasping appendage yanked him to the stream bed. It was at this point that the eyes in front of him flew open and the water parted as the awakened creature rose from the water to face him. 

“FROSTY! FROSTY, NOW! HELP, FROSTY!” Polaris screamed in panic. 

He rummaged through his saddlebag for something, anything to defend himself with as the monster opened its maw to reveal a gaping throat and wild, lapping tongue. “FROSTY! I’M GONNA BE EATEN ALIVE!”

Just as it leaned in for the kill a sudden *snap!* was heard and the thing flew sideways to the ground. Frosty stepped over its corpse. 

“Oh! Thank goodness!” PW sputtered as she yanked the thing’s still-gripping appendages off. She pulled PW to his hooves.

“Rule number one, Polaris?” Frosty asked, holding him close and staring out at him in disappointment as a scolding mother would her foal.

“Everything will try to eat me.” He answered, smacking a mosquito.

She nodded. “I do believe that puts me on the board for saving your life.” She declared, setting him back onto the stream bed. PW thought for a while, trying to craft a retort to fight her statement but he knew nothing would be accomplished with him arguing. He simply hung his head and nodded.

“We have a mission to accomplish. Follow closely!” She ordered and resumed the journey.

“Yes ma’am!” He recommitted himself to remaining in the spacious shadow of her rear.





Polaris followed just behind Frosty, following her every move around vines, over-top logs, and through underbrush. They left the stream as it wound eastward again and hacked a path southward, up and down hilly jungle terrain. In addition to the eye gnats and mosquitoes there were now bees harassing them, attracted to the moisture in their eyes and the salt in their sweat.

And how much salt there was! No air moved in the hot jungle. The temperature was sweltering and the humidity had to be just as high. Beads of sweat ran down the ponie’s coats.  PW watched the drops form near the top of the Night-Mare’s rump, rolling and curling down her long legs on which every muscle became readily visible. As her hips swayed a drop or two would occasionally be sent his way. Already struggling with the heat, his panting breaths quickened.

“PW.” Frosty stopped and turned.

“Huh?” He was snapped out of his daze and blinked the sweat from his eyes.

“You’re slowing down.”

“R- really? I’m keeping up with you…” He started.

“You are keeping up because I am slowing down to keep you with me.”

“... Oh.” He sighed

“Remember your basic training! Left! Left! Left, right!” She shouted, stomping off again.

“Hey, wait! Your gait is nearly twice mine! I physically cannot match that in rhythm or speed!” He complained.

“Hiss of hungry py-thons!” Sang Frosty. Her assistant suddenly accelerated to his spot again.

The land’s topography, which had been crumpled up and down in an unsettled pattern to this point, started gently downwards for a while. For the first time, up ahead in the understory, PW saw what might be a clearing. The temperature lessened as they descended. As Frosty cut out the last vegetation he found it was not a clearing but the banks of a narrow, muddy river.

“Tell me, where is south?” Asked Frosty. 

Her assistant pulled out his compass and pointed straight ahead, across the river. “Then we need to cross. They say still waters run deep, right PW?”

“Uh… I don’t think that’s meant to be literal.” He looked at her.

“Well let’s find out! Go ahead.” She nudged him down the bank. 

He  stepped into the murk and quickly lost his footing, sinking up to his belly.

“I have a bad feeling about this, Frosty!” He warned.

“We don’t have all day!” Was her curt reply pushing his rump into the cloudy river.

“Ugh! My b-balls are freezing!” He chittered as his undercarriage suddenly submerged.

“I don’t have that problem. For two reasons.” She stepped in gracefully up to her hocks.

“Oh, how c-convenient!” He rolled his eyes and took another step, this time sinking to his withers. PW whinnied, finding he was quickly running out of height. The heavy saddlebag full of gear was holding him to the bottom and he wouldn’t be able to swim.

Frosty was running out of patience. She trudged past him, revealing that the water was, in fact, very deep. She in up to her neck before rearing to her full height. Realizing she had not heard her loyal assistant following, turned around and crossed her forehooves in a display of impatience.

“C’mon!” She called out to him. Feeling challenged, PW stepped forwards again, and the water was now at his chin. He looked out at Frosty and knew that he didn’t have a chance of making it through.

“We’re sitting ducks right now.” Frosty said. 

Realizing he was letting her down, PW balanced on his hind hooves and reared, gaining approximately another foot in height. Balancing was another matter entirely. He braced himself and tried to account for the weight on his back and the slipperiness of the bank. He took a tentative step forward

But the short pegasus was quickly defeated by the unforgiving environment. In one step he lost all of the height he gained in rearing. His next step would threaten to put his muzzle under, and he tipped it up to be able to breathe above the brown water. With his eyes looking level across the rippling surface of the river at Frosty, and feeling no mud underneath his hoof outstretched for his next step, he was done for. 

“Frostyyy-gy-gy-gy-ggg!” He bubbled before submerging completely.

The familiar sounds of the jungle- the toucans, mosquitos, crickets, and monkeys, fell silent as they were replaced with the soft howl of slow flowing water, broken occasionally by the crack of his joints or the flick of a nearby fish’s tail. Gone too were the sights- filtered sunlight, dark green vegetation, his Night-Mare, replaced with a nearly black, blurry fog.

Try as he might to swim (including flapping his wings), PW couldn’t lift himself off the bottom with his gear weighing him down. Of course, he always could have abandoned his gear but that would mean abandoning the mission. With no other choice he dropped down to all fours and began turning around to climb out until something large came under his belly and scooped him up. 

’Cragodile? Caiman? Anaconda? Electric Eel?’ Wondered the inundated pegasus.

He gasped as he was hoisted from the water, blinking his eyes to clear the grit away. He made eye contact with his rescuer, Frosty, just as she began marching the crossing to the south again. She was submerged neck-deep before the channel bottomed out and she started making her way up the other bank. She dropped PW into the water once it was shallow enough to walk in.

They were silent as they walked up the other bank. “3 and 2 now.” She finally muttered, shaking wildly.

“No, I was going to climb out! And, I could have escaped by taking my saddlebag off.” Refuted PW.

“Are you saying you didn’t need my help?” She looked to him from higher up on the bank.

“No! Not at all. I needed your help to reduce our target profile! So the enemy would have less time to act.” He gave a small, wry smile.

She hummed. “Alright, Polaris. That’s a pretty good defense. I’ll let you off the hook. 3-1 it remains.”

“Yes!” The slimy, muddy pegasus pumping his soaking hooves.

They clambered up the bank and just as the terrain began to level out PW felt only air where the ground should be.

“Woah!” He cried, stumbling back, rolling onto the ground to avoid the pitfall. Frosty looked down, confused at first, then smiled. Checking her surroundings, she pulled a pile of ferns from the ground to reveal a deep pit with shaven bamboo spears.

“Good job, buddy! You found a bamboo pit!” Frosty commended, pulling a spear out to inspect it. She licked the end  and spat. “Poison tipped. Good thing you didn’t keep going. Though you being so light maybe you wouldn’t even trip the trap.” She shrugged as PW frowned back at her, displeased with the joke. “Let's keep a keen eye out for baddies.” Frosty ordered, snapping the twig in two.

They resumed their southward march, all the while picking up more leaf litter, cobwebs, and other gross things on their wet manes. A few minutes later it was becoming apparent to PW that Frosty was habitually scratching at her left, fore fetlock. After half an hour or so she had enough and sat down. 

“What the buck is… oh.” Frosty realized, folding back her fur.

“What is it?” PW asked in concern.

“Got a maggot.” She showed PW her fetlock. A small worm had indeed burrowed into her skin.

“Ugh! Gross!” He reeled, nearly retching. He started checking himself when he heard a slurping sound and a gulp.

He couldn’t help but gag this time. “Frosty. That is disgusting! Even coming from a former-teenage stallion from Marewaukee!”

“The problem was solved, though. And it’s extra protein!”

“If you eat shit you become shit.” He said, fighting his disgust.

Frosty walked up to him and placed her hand on Windy’s head.

“What did I tell you? In the jungle it’s eat… or be eaten.” With that she resumed the march.

With his own hooves coming up clean he trotted behind her. “We should whisper. If we passed a trap we should be getting close to the target.” 2 suggested.

PW took out his compass. “Let’s head more southwest. I don’t want to overshoot this place.”

“Very well.” Frosty answered, adjusting her course more to the right.

Minutes later, from one of the shadows cast by the giant trees, a black object sailed over Polaris’ back and onto Frosty. It bounced off her back and rolled out in front of them before regaining its footing. 

“A puma!” Shouted PW, seeing the creature his size looking up at them.

“Are you fucking stupid?” The Night-Mare shouted, continuing her march towards the creature as if nothing happened.

The starving jungle cat, realizing its mistake, ran off into the foliage. “It must have been very hungry to try that move on you, Frosty.” PW realized.

“I think you’re onto something. I’m wondering if this may be the port’s ‘guard dog’, starved to the point of wanting to eat ponies sneaking in. In this case obviously, making a huge mistake.”




As evening loomed, longer shadows were cast on the forest floor. “Check our direction, Polaris. I would think we’re getting close.” Frosty ordered. 

He paused as ordered and took the bearing.

“Still southwest, making maybe a mile an hour. From the canoe I bet it’s a ten-hour trek. We may be only halfway there…” He let the words hang as his eyes went wide.

He looked down.

The ground he stood on had consumed his hooves and fetlocks. He tried pulling free and only sank further, up to his hocks. “Frosty, I think I’m in quicksand!” PW tried not to panic but was already wavering.

“I can see that.” She responded, slinking off into the brush.

“Are you going to help me?” Asked PW, sliding in further to his belly and the ground under him liquefied.

“No.” He barely made out her whisper.

“No?!”

“Quicksand cannot drown you. The dirt is three times denser than your body. Even with the heavy pack on, you cannot go under.” She explained.

“Frosty?” PW asked, now up to his flanks and growing concerned nonetheless. 

She put a finger to her mouth to hush him. The ground turned to liquid under the pressure, diluting the heavy sand around him. His withers were next to sink. 

“It’s not stopping!” He cried. 

She again put up a finger to hush him. “Must obey. Must obey!” PW reminded himself.

As he sank to his neck, he noticed Frosty out of the corner of his eye taking out her pistol and screwing the silencer on. Then, he heard rustling behind him. There was a loud snuff.

“DUCK!” She shouted, pushing his head in the quicksand. He heard a splat and a whoosh, then looked up.

“Alright. Now look behind you.” Frosty ordered. 

PW turned around and saw a dead, bleeding Kirin splayed over a bush.. Then he looked forward and saw a blowgun dart stuck in the path in front of him. 

“Now do you get it?” Frosty asked

“Yeah! This is a trap!” PW realized. 

Frosty climbed around the vegetation, reached out and grabbed PW’s shoulders, hauling him out of the pit.

The large mare looked down at her soggy, dripping, mud coated assistant. 

“Oh PW… what am I to do with you…” Frosty muttered with ever lower sanity. PW could only smile back sheepishly up at her, dripping more mud.
> Chapter 37: Green Hell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polaris Wind followed Frosty in silence, lamenting his ineptitude. 

“It’s not too late… I could turn around now and go back…” He moped.

“No, you won’t make it on your own.” Was her curt reply.

“Better than bringing you down.” He retorted.

“Admirable. But let’s not forget it was YOU who got us across the ocean. As well as YOU who discovered that bamboo pit.”

“You may have well just discovered it without me.” He shrugged. 

She stopped and turned around to make her point. “What I’m trying to say, PW, is that you are doing good things. Just… step it up. Eliminate the behaviors driving the mistakes you’ve made.”

"I'll do my best!" Her assistant replied.





Before long the approaching night made traversing the jungle too dangerous. Atop one last hill Frosty dropped her bags. “Alright; we camp here tonight.” 

PW set his stuff down as well as she took a seat on a log and set to heating up some beans over a Bunsen stove for them. Instead of sleeping bags, Quarter set them up with hammocks designed to hang between trees and mosquito nets to keep bugs away. The darkness here was particularly threatening and before going to bed either pony found a nice, flowery meadow nearby which they used as a latrine. To avoid alerting anypony to their presence Frosty forbade the use of flashlights.

PW in particular was wary of pumas and anacondas and remained as far from the trees as he could. He was thankful for his northern-genes which let him have some degree of night-vision even in the jungle. Unfortunately, night vision worked using the rod cells in their eyes. Their cone cells, responsible for determining color, were effectively blinded, and neither of them saw just how blue the flowers of the meadow were.

After dinner the pair settled into their hammocks, which were very closely positioned, to PW’s comfort. This was the first time he recalled Frosty sleeping with her weapon. The hammocks were not particularly comforable. The air cooled enough for vapor saturation to occur, causing moisture to condense on their coats, roll off, and more slimy sweat to form on them, thus their coats never dried out and their skin underneath remained spongy.

A chorus of tree frogs, insects, and all manner of nocturnal jungle life grew more intense. PW soon doubted either of them would be able to hear a would-be predator approaching them. Even Frosty’s booming snoring was subdued by background cacophony. The sound of buzzing filled Polaris’s ears as large, hungry mosquitos bounced off the netting with such force they depressed the screening. And every now and then a horsefly would try its luck and add a little extra buzz that cut through the other noises, making it more difficult to sleep. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, PW nodded off.





Polaris was knocked to the ground and grunted in pain. 

“No use for you!” A voice grunted.

“NIGHT-MARE FROSTY! I have come for your magic! You are all DOOMED!” Roared a giant red centaur.

PW looked up, and saw not just Frosty but the other two Night-Mares he’d worked with previously: serials 3 and 4.

“Light him up!” Frosty shouted. The trio opened fire on the towering centaur, who moved a great staff into the stream of bullets.

The staff absorbed the projectiles and power surged through his body. “Did you really think you could defeat Lord Tirek?” He bellowed, turning the staff back on the Night-Mares. “MY TURN!” The staff lit up a brilliant white and sent a beam of magical energy that seized them.

Tirek growled as he took on more power, growing an order of magnitude in size.The magic surrounding the Night-Mares exploded in a blinding flash that scattered them.

Tirek was now the size of a house but Frosty, who had landed at her once-little assistant’s hooves, was now broken. Polaris helped the same pony, now a little, gracile mare looking up to her former smaller assistant, to her hooves. She gasped at her newfound lack of size and the unreal reality that Polaris was now bigger than her, taller than her, and built much more heavily than her. She was little more than a filly!

Tirek stormed off, leaving the little Frosty to quake in fright. 

“F-Frosty?” PW whispered in shock.

“I’m frightened PW… I’m little now!” She squeaked and leaned into him for comfort.

“What… happened?”

“He got my powers. He got 3’s powers. A-and 4’s . We’re all defeated!” She sniffed. 

The other two mares were now coming up to him as well.

“I can’t even look through my scope right!” Whined 4.

“Lil… er, big? Bud?” Gasped 3.

“We’re all going to be okay. Let’s all stick together real close.” PW reassured them. 

A blast came from beyond the treeline, alongside a shriek.

“Aaah! Windy-san! Tirek-sama turned Echo-sama into Echo-chan!” A filly-sixed Echo appeared and galloped toward him. She dove into PW but he didn’t budge an inch.

“Girls, please calm down! We’ll get through this!” PW tried to comfort them. 

A very powerful, female glottal yell was heard that rose in pitch to a filly’s voice and then a primeval scream. PW looked up to see yet another little mare running for the pile.

“Are you Recce?” He gasped, dumbfounded. “You cannot be defeated!”

“Go fuck him up!” The fifth little mare shouted.

“Too late…” PW responded as he saw the now-five story building sized centaur direct his attention back to them.

“I SAID YOU WERE OF NO THREAT TO ME! BUT I HAVE ELIMINATED ALL OTHER THREATS! NOW YOU ARE THE GREATEST THREAT ONCE AGAIN!” Lord Tirek boomed. The five little Night-Mares huddled tightly around Polaris.

“YOU FIVE HAVE BEEN THORNS IN MY SIDE! AND YOU, STALLION, SEEM TO BE THE STEM!” He boomed. 

Suddenly Frosty left the huddle.

“Frosty, what are you…” Polaris started.

“Help me lift this gun!” The little mare squeaked, struggling to lift her gun.

“Your D-16? You can’t fire that now! It weighs more than you do!”

“Help me! We’re all going to fire it.”

“All Night-Mares on this D-16!” Polaris called.

“Help me lift this!” Frosty called again louder. Tirek’s staff lit up.

“HELP ME…” Frosty responded powerfully.

“We are Fro…”

“HELP ME LIFT THIS GUN.” Boomed a voice all around him.
> Chapter 38: Red Hell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Help me lift this gun!” Frosty shouted. 

Polaris opened his eyes and squinted in the daylight. ‘Oh thank goodness, it was all a dream!’ He thought.

“Help me… lift… this gun!” Frosty grunted again.

“Yeah, you were in my… nightmare. That’s what you said. Tirek came back and turned you into a little filly.” PW recounted, turning to face Frosty.

He saw her unsettled face and immediately knew something was wrong. “F-Frosty? What’s the matter?” He asked.

“Something’s wrong…” She said,  still focusing on nothing in particular. “I can’t lift.”

“What do you mean?” PW asked. 

She raised a hoof and slapped PW across the face.

“I’m awake!” PW shouted. 

He hit himself to make sure and finally realized what just happened.

“Frosty… you slapped me… and it did not hurt. Something is very wrong.” He rose up and clambered out of his hammock. 

“Help me!” Frosty grunted again, struggling to tip her D-16 up. 

PW grasped the cool metal and, despite what little help he could provide, managed to help her secure it onto her back.

“What is going on, Frosty?” PW asked again.

“I woke up without strength. I have none, just enough to stand.” She detailed.

“I want to see this.” He grabbed Frosty’s left hoof and challenged her. “Try pulling your hoof away from me.”

She tugged and though PW could feel it, her force wasn’t overwhelming. The giant mare began huffing for air as she struggled. 

“Holy shit, Frosty…” He muttered.

“You get it now?”

“Alright. Now I’m scared.” PW admitted.

“Pack your stuff up. We’re sitting ducks right now.” She cautioned.

PW did so with eyes shifting about for threats the whole while.

When he’d finished the pair departed their campsite. “We need to be going this way!” PW announced, motioning to the left.

“Are you sure, PW?” Frosty raised a brow at him.

“Yes.” He said, leading the way.

It wasn’t long before they came across a peculiar patch of blue flowers. 

“Fuck.” Frosty cursed.

“What?”

She sighed and gestured to the flowerbed. “Two things. One: we just went in a circle. Two: it seems we both are afflicted by poison-joke.”

“Uh–oh…” PW realized. “So, your opposite is weak?” PW asked. 

The titan mare leaned forward and tried to wrestle her assistant to the ground. 

“Hmf! Agh!” She squeaked, unable to budge the much-smaller pegasus.

He nodded. “Right… wonder what my issue is?”

“I have a guess.” She ceased her struggles and brought her compass forth. Hiding the needle from PW she asked him to point to the south. 

He pointed northeast. 

“For the first time… incorrect.” She huffed

“No way! You’re joking.” PW complained. 

She presented its face with a frustrated sigh.

“There must be some metal disturbance throwing it off in the ground!” He explained, grasping it. The needle did not waiver. “This thing is broken. Gotta be!”

“Look at the sun. It’s morning and if we were heading south it’d be on our left.” She shook her head.

PW turned and gazed at the sun for several seconds. 

“Well don’t stare at it!” She rolled her eyes.

“It’s because we’re in the southern hemisphere! So everything is reversed!” He sputtered.

She stared at him. “That’s complete nonsense.”

“No it ain’t!”

“Okay, go ahead and take a sextant reading.” Frosty waved and fished the device out.

Her assistant held the object up but, try as he might, he couldn’t seem to find the sun.

Frosty took it back. “What are you even looking at?” She complained, seeing the mirrors were way off. She twisted the knob to a close estimate and then passed it back.

“Make it exact, now.” She ordered and watched as Polaris turned the knob back and forth, causing the error to grow again.

“Um; it says we’re at 720 degrees north?”

“Ugh!” Frosty brought a hoof to her forehead. “Polaris, you are unable to determine direction! That is your affliction!”

“Bullshit.” He shook his head.

“Don’t you ‘bullshit’ me!” She snapped. “And I think your loyalty to this Night-Mare is in question.” Frosty added, walking up to PW’s face.

The small pegasus reached out with his hoof and pushed her on her chest. 

“Don’t you push me out of the way!” She growled.

“You do it all the time. Try and stop me!”

She lowered her muzzle. “I’m not playing this game. Push me all you want. Or, how about you stop being such a wet blanket?”

“All right, if you know where to go so much, lead the way! Then, when it’s obvious we’re not going the right way, ask me.” He retorted, crossing his hooves.

“At this point I’m almost convinced to just turn west, find the coast, and go south.” She said.

“That’s stupid. And you’d give us away.” He replied.

“Speaking of which. Keep your gun ready.” She muttered. “If that hotshot puma comes back I doubt things will go the same way.”

“That’s right, I’m large and in charge now!” he smiled, removing his pistol from its holster.

Over the next few minutes Polaris overtook his large companion four times, diverging in a way threatening to separate them. Frosty told him off for going so far ahead, but this only served to spur the pegasus on. She knew he wasn’t holding his bearing and it’d only be a matter of time before something terrible happened to them.

“Frosty?” PW called out, realizing he was alone.

“Ah-aha-ah!” A monkey cried out in reply. The exhausted, tired, aching stallion pushed aside some giant fern grass.

A great *HISS* greeted him and he backed away very slowly. Whatever was in the grass didn’t come out and he let out a shaky breath.

“They’re gonna find a plump anaconda or a skeleton with two large holes in its skull…” Polaris realized. “FROSTY!?” He yelled again. 

No response. The day wore on, and before long it was lunch time.

PW, now realizing what he had done, began to break down and weep. 

“I suck!” He shouted. “I suck, suck, suck! I put my all into her and some plant defeats me. Now I’m either going to end up dead or fired! Or, even worse, she will!” 

He imagined attending Frosty’s funeral, at which a huge, beige-colored earth pony stallion charged over to him. ‘So you’re the sonuvabitch that failed my daughter?!’

Another stallion approached

‘I assure you Mister Hooves, this stallion is in big trouble!’ The boss grumbled, with not an ounce of consolation present. 

“She’s gone! She’s gone!” Polaris collapsed to the jungle floor. He shook his head and looked ahead in despair.

The shape of a pony appeared beyond the undergrowth.

PW scrambled to his hooves. 

“Frosty!” He cried in relief at the large shadow. “Frosty, I'm here now. I was an idiot but I cried myself out and I’m back!”

The mechanisms in her legs whined as she reared to her full height. He took several steps forward but she didn’t respond. 

“Frosty? Is… that you? Are you okay?” He asked. 

Something was different about her. At her full height, Frosty’s belly was below PW’s eyeline but this pony was taller than her. Much taller.

PW’s ears folded and he gulped. ‘We’re on the same team. She’s on my side.’ He reminded himself.

On trembling hooves he circled the plant separating them and greeted Recce. 

“H-hi there! Um, I was ju–” He felt a crushing impact on the left side of his skull. 

By the time his vision cleared he was staring up at the jungle canopy and had a terrible headache.

‘What was that?’ He gasped for air but found his mouth plugged. He blinked and looked down to a pale, size 11 hoof painfully smashing his muzzle. He looked up to its owner and immediately regretted making eye contact.

Under a wild, red mane, Recce's face was obscured by camo-paint that framed a pair of furious, brilliant green eyes. Polaris shuddered under her stare. It was several orders of magnitude more intense than when he made the mistake of mentioning Frosty’s real name for the first time.

“Mm–!” PW squeaked from under a hoof nearly the size of his face. 

It was all he could muster with the wind knocked out of his lungs. 

Her metal fingers clicked out, wrapped about his skull and began to squeeze.

Hard.

Polaris grimaced and finally found his voice.

“Mmf – Recce!”
> Chapter 39: Night-Mare Fuel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recce gripped either side of Polaris’s pistol holster with her free hoof. Worn, chipped claws snapped the belt clean off, nearly crushing PW’s pelvis in the process. The already-bruised stallion began to fear for his life. 

She inspected the weapon and her eyes went wide. “Stallion and West?” She whispered.

She glared at him and sat down with a dull *thud*. She snatched his saddle-bags and dragged him by the mane between her thighs and into a headlock. Polaris’s mind debated pleading for mercy or shutting down functions in preparation for its destruction.

“Wait! Wait, please! It’s not what you think!” PW gasped, trying his best to wriggle out of Recce’s grasp.

The yielding flesh gave way to toned muscle and his words were lost as his headache worsened.

She dumped the contents of his saddle-bag and gave a low whistle at the satchel charges and flashbang grenades. “Fancy stuff! If I didn’t know any better…”

She yanked the pin from a flash grenade and brought it to his muzzle.

“No, wai—!” Was all he could say before she grabbed his chin and shoved it between his teeth. His jaw strained against the metal and he winced in pain.

“I’d say it looks a lot like stuff *I* use! But, I have all mine.” She continued to rummage through the gear, all the while a faint clicking rattled PW’s teeth.

“Maps of the operation!” Recce gave a menacing chuckle. “A-and a radio?”

The clicking went faster.

Recce sniffed and swallowed hard. “Well! I don’t think I even need to ask where you got this.” The stallion’s eyes shrank as the charge entered its final rhythm, indicating its imminent detonation and the end of his life.

“Leff me eff-plain!” He hollered as best he could.

Recce did nothing and with a groan PW shut his eyes tight. 

‘… 2… 1…’ 

His eyes shot open and he cried out as the grenade was ripped from his teeth and crushed in Recce’s claws. She released him but, despite her mass, was on her hooves and overtop of him in less than a second. 

“...Try.” She growled, digits clicking in and out of their sockets. It was difficult to tell if they were caked in mud or blood.

PW coughed and tried to clear the cobwebs from his vision. “Frosty! I’m with Frosty. On mission– “ Was all he managed to croak until he found his mouth plugged with cloth. Recce tied a rope around PW’s barrel and wings. “Ugh!” He moaned, the rope being tied so tightly it was crushing his organs.

“Is that so?” She eyed him. “You know an awful lot for cartel. The off-chance you’re telling the truth is the only reason you’re still breathing.”

PW tried to speak through the gag but his murmurs were swiftly brought to a halt under Recce’s withering glare and a hoof on his windpipe.

“Shut. Up.”

Now it became clear why Frosty feared her. Polaris harkened back to basic training. ‘If I don’t want to die, I’d better be perfect. She’s on a mission; no time for prisoners as-is.’ 

“On your hooves.” She commanded, hoisting him up. 

He fought the pain and disorientation and stood to attention as best as he could. Recce gave him a sidelong glance and walked right up to Polaris, until her head and chest were directly over his head. He tried his best to hide his pained wheezing and stared straight ahead as he would in drill. If he couldn’t tell her, maybe he could show her that he wasn’t her enemy.

She squinted and turned to re-pack the scattered contents of his saddle-bag, leaving him to sigh in relief.

Recce next took a lead in her hands and tied it to the rope holding PW’s wings down.

“Move it.” She barked, trudging away and yanking her quarry. 

PW couldn’t help but hiss in pain and nearly collapsed in trying to match her pace. He was certain that he was on thin-enough ice and, determined to reunite with Frosty, trotted until he came into step at Recce’s right flank. A part of him was glad for the gag because it gave him something to bite as he forced his aching muscles on. She glanced at him but said nothing, stomping through the undergrowth to Celestia-knows-where.
> Chapter 40: The March of Terror
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Polaris wracked his aching mind for a way to show Recce that they were allies. A tall order, considering the circumstances. To show up in the middle of nowhere with gear that only her squadmate would have; she had every right to be suspicious. All things considered, he was lucky to be alive at all.

‘The radio! Maybe she can call Frosty and get this all cleared up.’ PW hoped. 

He tried to speak through the gag but a threatening glare was all Recce needed to give to get him to stop. He sighed and tried to keep up with her stomping hooves, figuring she’d link up with Frosty as per the mission sooner or later.

The pair slashed through the jungle and followed a river that featured a low waterfall just to their left.

“We have to cross.” Recce declared and swiftly yanked PW up by his belly.

He hissed at the sensation of her claws digging into his skin but didn’t protest. With that she waded through the water, handling him about as gently as she would a sack of potatoes. It came up to his chin and he blinked away wayward splashes as she lumbered on. The bottom was deep, however, and it wasn’t long until his sputtering muzzle was bobbing in and out of the water. A shape slithered into view.

“EEL!” PW panicked, wanting out so badly. Luckily, the thing didn’t seem interested in approaching.

His lungs began to burn in the ordeal of holding and then taking what sporadic breaths he could. In another moment he was completely submerged. He accidentally opened his mouth on instinct, but caught himself before he could inhale.

‘Wait, my mouth closed! The gag must’ve dislodged!’ PW realized as his ears finally breached the surface. He forced his snout up and took in deep lungfuls of air. He was dragged out of the water across the gravel beach on his belly, then the rope fell. 

“Get up.” Ordered Recce.

“Polaris Wind! Callsign Windy! Night-Mare assistant to Frosty! Royal Guard! I’m on your side, please don’t gag!” PW let all the words spill out. 

Recce shut her mouth and arched her neck back. “No way.”

“Yes, it’s true!” He pleaded.

She scoffed and shook her head, already reaching for something else to use as a gag.

“No, really!” PW was on his hooves now. “I’m Frosty’s assistant! Her alias is Miss Snowheart! You’re Recce! Your alias is Cinnamon Spice!” She squinted at him. He certainly had her attention, now. “There’s Echo; Sweet Song! Our boss is Rex Stable-Colt, Night-Mare Coordinator! S briefs us! Quarter supplies us with weapons like your standard issue D-16 and the Stallion and West pistol! And, your hand! Your fingers! The junction box was replaced a few weeks ago because it kept shorting out and you had to dip your fingers in water to get them working again!” PW trailed off, gasping for air again by the end.

Recce’s expression hadn’t changed. “Alright, my little stallion.” She approached with a tempered tone. “You are either the best spy I have ever seen, or you are a huge mistake by management.”

“I can help you! I saved Frosty! Twice! I will look out for you!” PW promised.

She hummed and looked away in contemplation. 

“I still don’t believe you, Polaris Wind. She finally muttered. “But, I am curious. Until we confirm your identity, follow me and stay quiet. I’ve had enough surprises out here.”

PW said nothing but gave a small nod of gratitude.

 “Let’s go.”





Recce was highly vigilant as they marched on, glaring at him no less than once in five seconds the whole while. She was so tall that PW took two steps for each one of hers. Every so often she would stop, whether to calculate a decision or simply check on him, PW didn’t know.

At one such stop she sat on her haunches and popped open a case of sardines. At the prospect of a break PW realized he had to go to the bathroom. Recce watched as he stepped forward, silently mouthing his request to excuse himself.

“I’m not letting you out of sight. If you gotta go, open up right here and now.” She said.

He grumbled and pursed his lips. ‘I can’t go here!’ He thought. He did try but couldn’t quite manage with her watching him so intently.

“Something the matter?” She asked.

“I’m uh…” Polaris tried to explain.

She gave him an expectant look.

“Ugh, nevermind!” He looked away.

She rolled her eyes and stood to her hooves. “Then walk.” She grunted, leading the way through the jungle undergrowth.

They marched through an endless sea of vibrant green plants and animal calls. Neither pony addressed the other until, right as Recce turned to again check on her prisoner, PW noticed something in her path.

“Recce, stop!” PW shouted.

She did so immediately and whirled about. “I thought I told you to keep your mouth shut!” She hissed. 

His ears went flat under her glare and his mouth went agape. He thought back to Frosty. ‘Size is measured in spirit, nothing more.’ 

He swallowed and found his voice. “I think I found a trap, ma’am!”

“A trap? Think, or know? Show me.” Recce ordered, pushing Polaris’ whole body forward.

“Stop-stop-stop!” He cried, nearly being thrust into the trap.

“Right here.” He knelt to grab the bushy, false ground just inches in front of him.

 He yelped as he was yanked back with great force and slammed into Recce’s chest. He blinked away the shock and looked up to her muzzle.

“What?” He gasped.

“You really think it’d be a good idea to disturb it?” She whispered. “Hostiles could be nearby. Keep your voice down.”

With a shake of her head she let Polaris go and led the way around the trap and deeper into the jungle.





Unlike Frosty, Recce marched until it was nearly dark. There were stretches where troublesome bugs came back to irritate their eyes and other areas that were too dense to push through. Here Recce would wield her machete that she used to slash through the greenery like a bush-hog, leaving a trail of destruction behind her.

Finally, just as it was getting too dark to see, Recce sat and opened a can of beans. Polaris did the same. Facing away from the scary Night-Mare, PW hoped she would ignore him. Luckily, she did. Having been overworked physically and emotionally, PW began nodding off almost immediately.

That’s when he felt a cool metal object surrounding his hoof, along with a ratcheting ‘click-click-click’. Recce had cuffed one of his hooves to her own. His eyes trailed up from his hoof and the Night-Mare, barely visible, met his gaze. Polaris immediately averted his eyes to avoid another incident. She laid down and dragged him down with her.

‘Oh no, she’s going to burst my eardrums!

The now-chained PW waited nearly an hour for the snoring to start but it never did. In fact, she shared some of his own sleeping habits. It took her some time to finally fall into a silent slumber but, unfortunately, she was also a light sleeper.

Any time PW readjusted himself she’d glare at him.

“I’m sorry!” He would mouth, begging for forgiveness. 

Sleep eventually found him, too.





Polaris Wind found himself in a dank cell with 5 other ponies wearing black hoods. Just as he made to ask what was going on his own vision went dark as a hood was yanked over his head and fastened about his neck. He moved to pull the thing off but found his hooves and wings bound. He began to panic.

"You’ve all been found guilty of espionage.” Recce’s voice said before him. 

A series of clicks and clacks filled the small space and PW knew it could only be the preparation of a weapon. He tried to shout in protest but a gag limited him to muffled cries that joined the five others’.

“Equestria will not suffer traitors or failures to her princesses.”

Polaris found that he could freely speak and yelled as quickly as he could. “Recce, I am your assistant! Friend! Not foe!”

Through tiny gaps in the fibers he watched her aim an enormous weapon directly at him.

“You slowed her down.”
“Recce, no! I’m Frosty’s assistant!” He pleaded.

“You got her killed.”

“Recce no! My hooves are up! I’m unarmed! I’m friendly! I’m employed Royal Guard!” He cried.

“LIAR!” She shouted, and squeezed the trigger.