Part 36 The Pass
 
>The sun set, giving way to the moon
>A couple hours of a quick pace with Blazin' Blue at point leads you to the beginning of the Manticore Pass
>A thought occurs to you
Blazin', the naming of this pass... stupid as this question may sound, are manticores a problem here?
>He considers the question
>"They used to be, but there hasn't been a sighting of any manticores in the pass for about twenty years.
Huh. Well, good for us. How long is the travel through the Pass?
>He turns to you
>"A complete trip through it will take another four hours at our pace, sir."
>You look at your watch
>1830
>The Diamond Dog Army will probably be resting, if they're attacking tomorrow
>They're at most another six hours away, given that they're probably not hanging at the other side of the pass
>A rest for your troops wouldn't be a bad idea, considering the hell they'll go through tomorrow
Everyone, stop.
>They all look at you, questioningly
It's alright everyone. We'll see battle with the Diamond Dogs tomorrow, but we need to be ready for them. So we're going to set up camp.
>"Understood SIR!"
>They all dart, collecting necessary survival items
>Star Shine collected a good amount of firewood
>Lucky scouted the area
>Blazin' Blue set up several lean-tos
>Lightning Strike sets up the fire
>That's all you catch, as they run around in a blur around you
>You didn't have to lift a finger. They all just knew what to do
>You taught them very well
>You sit on the ground, staring at the fire
>Your troops join you around the fire
>A calm falls upon the group
>Silently, you reflect on your times with them
>All that will probably end tomorrow
>Realistically speaking, five fighters against an entire army...
>Though they fear you and your Bad Company, a fight against thousands...
>Well, the most important target is Boss Paw, and the five of you could probably put a sizable dent in their army
>You have to stop the Diamond Dog Army before they enter Equestria, because if you have to enter Equestria...
>Princess Celestia has already mentioned that she'll know the moment you cross the border. Be it magic or sentries, the last thing you need is the Royal Guard interrupting your fight with Boss Paw
>Or maybe...
>Nope. That would be a desperate plan, and besides, without a leader, the rest of the Dogs should just give up
>No need for more Royal Guards to die
>No need for any Royal Guards to die, actually...
>Well, this silence is really off-putting
Hey, Blazin'
>"Yes?"
Whatever happened to your marefriend? Her name was Peachy Sweet, right?
>"That is correct. We ended up splitting because she couldn't handle me being in the Royal Guard."
Oh. I'm sorry to hear that.
>"Don't be. She just wasn't the one."
>You're surprised how well he's taking it
How about the rest of you? Any of you got any significant others?
>They all shake their heads
Ah. Married to the service, eh?
>"Yes Sir!"
>A little guilt hits you
>You instinctively reach for a cigar in your front pocket...
>And pull out a water-damaged cigarette
>Well, fuck
>Whatever. You gotta get this off your chest
Gentlecolts, you all have much more going for you than I do. I've lived a terrible life, full of sorrow and anger, fear and pain...loss and regret. I don't intend on surviving the fight tomorrow, only killing Boss Paw and however many Dogs it takes before I'm overwhelmed. With your help, we could kill more of those bastards, but there's no point. None of you have children, I'm assuming, no family of your own yet. I want you all to live happy lives, finding wives and having foals. I want all of you to continue living, and that won't happen if you help me tomorrow. Head back, and find your commanding officer. Tell him that I had controlled you telepathically, and you might get away with your mutiny.
>A look of shock falls on their faces
>Lucky speaks up
>"What about you , sir?"
What about me? Your lives have more potential than mine. I'm just a fighter, going into his last fight. I don't want to drag any new guys into it. I thank you all for the escort, and thanks to you Blazin', for getting me this far. I think I can manage the rest of the way.
>They're just awestruck at your suggestion
>None of them know what to say
>You stare into the fire, done speaking for now
>There's not much more you can say
>Finally, Lucky speaks up
>"Sir, if I may?"
>You look up
>He reaches around his neck, and pulls out two little...
>Huh. Dog tags. You didn't know the Royal Guards used them
>"I worked hard to earn these, Captain. I knew what I was getting into, and I realized I might die in the line of duty."
>The others also stand, taking out their dog tags
>Lucky continues
>"I accepted that fact. We all did. Knowing that you're going to die, I cannot let you go alone."
>Star Shine speaks up
>"I'm not abandoning my Captain for anything. Not even the threat of death will keep me from serving with you, sir."
>Lightning Strike speaks next
>"If you think we're just gonna let you have all the fight, you're wrong! It's every Guard's dream to protect Equestria from harm. I will not have my dream taken from me! You trained us, and now we will use our training to save Equestria!"
>Blazin' Blue speaks last
>"If we run away from this, there is only dishonor for us. We are honor-bound to fight by your side, against all odds. Thanks for the offer, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least help stop the Diamond Dog Army."
>Tears start to form
>After all that you've done, you still have four loyal troops
>That's more than you can ask for
>At least you won't die alone...
Lucky...Star Shine...Blazin' Blue... Lightning Strike...
>"Yes, sir?"
You four are the best troops I've had my entire life. I have the honor of serving alongside you all, and I could not wish for anything else. Thank you. Thank you all.
>Lucky catches your eyes
>His are about to water
>"Sir, don't get so emotional on us."
>You can tell that everyone is moved by your words
>Group morale is much higher right now
>In fact, you've never seen morale this high
>Especially before a grim task
>You comply with Lucky's request
Alright. I'll stop. But remember what I've said.
>You change your tone
Now, what weapons do you all have?
>Lightning Strike answers you
>"Sir, we all have a Model 2A repeating crossbow with 50 bolts each."
>200 shots together. Not bad. Could be used to make a path.
>"We also have our standard swords and spears."
Keep the swords, forget the spears. They'll only slow us down.
>"Understood, sir."
>You look at their regular Royal Guard uniforms
Did any of you manage to keep your tigerstripe uniforms?
>They all snicker
>"Of course we did. They're actually in our packs. We would never leave those behind!"
>You quickly devise your plan
So, here's how this is going to happen. We're going to rest until 0200, where we'll resume our travel. Of course, someone will be on watch. Lucky, you'll be first. Then Lightning Strike. After him, Star Shine's shift is up, and then Blazin' Blue. I will be on the final watch. Make sure the fire is still going while you're on watch. We have plenty of firewood, and little warmth without it. When you're woken for your shift, you will change into your tigerstripe, and wear it after you're relieved. This is so we can move almost immediately at 0200. Understood?
>They all nod
>They've stopped with the formalities. Good. They understand what's going to happen
>You continue
When we find the Diamond Dog Army, I will spot Boss Paw. Star Shine, you will stay hidden and provide all of us shields with your magic for as long as you can. Lightning Strike, you and Blazin' Blue will provide air support with your crossbows. Lucky, you and I are going straight to Boss Paw. With Star Shine providing defense and our flyers giving air coverage, we should have a straight path to their leader. You will help clear up whatever Dog is missed, if they become an obstacle to us. Lightnin' and Blazin', as you both will be flying, if Boss Paw moves to a different location, you will guide us. Is all that understood?
>They again nod
Good. With any luck, we all might actually survive, if we manage to take out Boss Paw. Like I've said before though, our chance of survival is very slim, but this is something only Bad Company can do.
>"HOOORAH CAPTAIN!"
>Good to see they still have their spirit
Alright. Everyone, get some rest. Lucky, you're up on watch.
>As you lie down, so too do your troops
>All except Lucky, of course
>Above you is a starry night, somewhat blocked out by the fire you're close to
>Closing your eyes, your thoughts turn to tomorrow
>What are your true chances of death?
>Gotta be pretty damn high
>Chance of living is pretty slim
>Would you really want to survive?
>Your life has been wrecked, beyond any foreseeable repair
>Though, with how fucked up your early life was, it's a wonder how you're still sane
>Your father killing your mother, your sister...
>Enough
>You're just lucky enough to have gotten to Equestria in the first place
>Maybe your amnesia is a blessing...
>Perhaps there's more fucked up shit...
>Death, then, wouldn't be a bad release from all that
>You wonder what death is like
>Is it a loss of consciousness, akin to eternal slumber?
>Is there a destination like Heaven and Hell for your collected consciousness?
>If so, where would your soul go?
>Possibly the Elysian Fields the Royal Guards have spoken about on occasion?
>Is reincarnation a possibility?
>All of those possibilities sound...better
>Better than your current situation
>Ending your existence by saving your beloved Equestria...Who could ask for more?
>Not you
>You slowly drift off into sleep...
 
>Suddenly, you're in the desert
>You've got your battle rattle on, and an M16
>It's hot as balls, and you're taking a break from  your duties
>Which are....apparently not important as you've forgotten what they are
>Lighting up a C-Note, you take a long drag, as the sun bears down on you from straight above
>You're kinda alone. There's other personnel around, but you're looking for a moment alone
>Dealing with them day after day takes it out of you
>You flick the ash onto the ground...
>And the sound of an explosion fills your ear
>M16s firing around you
>Just before you can look around...
 
>"Are you ok?"
>Blazin' Blue shook you awake
>It takes you a moment to gather yourself
Yeah, I'm fine. Why?
>You already suspect why...
>"You were thrashing and screaming in your sleep. Everything fine?"
>Yup...that's it.
Yes, I'm ok. Just a dream...
>You say that for him, and partially for yourself, even though you still have your suspicions
Is it about time to change shifts?
>"Just about."
Alright. I'll take over the watch.
>You two change places, and you sit nearby the fire, facing the dark
>Putting a couple of logs on it to keep it going, you notice how chilly it is
>That dream... Could it be a repressed memory?
>The idea seems plausible, but its relevance to you is lost
>A deployment while you were enlisted...though it was a deployment, surely it means little, since you commissioned.
>Perhaps you went to the Academy right after it?
>Maybe, but still, you're not sure why that particular memory rose up
>And it seems familiar, too
>Have you maybe dreamed it before?
>A small crack in the distance alerts you
>You abandon all thought on the subject and focus on the noise
>Looking at where the source was, you sense a little movement
>Drawing your saber, you ready yourself
>A louder noise grabs your attention now: the sound of a lion's roar
>More roars surround your camp
>Fuck
WAKE UP EVERYONE!
>Your party jumps at your voice
WE'RE SURROUNDED! BLAZIN' BLUE, TAKE POINT AND LEAD US THROUGH THE PASS NOW!
>Without question, he takes the lead, showing everyone the way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-5aPBPDS34
>Spotting a pair of red eyes in front, you sprint past Blazin' and strike it with your saber
>You feel it nicely slice through the creature's hide
>Hearing wet, sloppy entrails dropping, you let the others pass before you continue
>Watching those other eyes get closer doesn't scare you
>You simply continue running, knowing you need to conserve energy for later
>At least twenty pairs of red eyes are following you
>Following your party, you can feel the terrain going uphill
>You're not a fan of running uphill
>Nevertheless, there's no choice
>Moonlight guiding your Bad Company, it feels almost surreal running away from a fight
>Suddenly, you feel a heavy weight pounce on you from behind
>Quickly you turn your head, and move it to the left, avoiding a stinging appendage
>Swiftly, you push yourself up, surprising the beast
>Grabbing the saber, you swing...decapitating the monster
>In the glimmering moonlight, you see its body twitching, a scorpion-like tail moving from side to side...
>Yup. Manticores
>Ahead, your troops are encountering them, but holding their own
>Just like you taught them
>Nobody is checking up on anyone, because they know everyone can take care of themselves
>And constant checking upon others slows down the group and causes less situational awareness in the individual
>It's thrilling to see just how quickly they've learned from you
>It's almost scary, actually
>But it's also beautiful, in a way
>Catching up to your group, you notice fewer and fewer manticores attacking the group
>You also notice a slight decline in your path
>Finally going downhill, your legs start feeling like they're on fire
>The moon starts to go down, and you can see it on the horizon
>Looking behind, you can see no more manticores
>There's nothing around you but small vegetation
>Nothing to hide in or around
>It looks like you've lost them
>Slowing down, you stop before a cliff
>Catching your breath, you look at Blazin'
I thought you said there were no more manticores?!
>"Negative. I said there were no sightings in twenty years."
>He gives you a shrug
>That cheeky, sly bastard
>You give a small laugh, and the group joins you
>Time check: 0545
>Time seems to be a bit out of your control
>No matter, you're through the Manticore Pass
Hey, Blazin', how much longer until we hit Equestria?
>"It's actually about six miles that way. The river there is actually where Equestria starts."
>He points forward, beyond the cliff
So that means that the Diamond Dog Army...
>You look below
>In your sight is a few trees here and there, plenty of grass, that river Blazin' spoke of
>What catches your eye is masses of sleeping dogs
...Is right here
>Almost as soon as you finished your sentence, you hear a bugle playing something resembling Reveille
>Waking up, they do not notice your group as they take their arms and start to get ready to march
>Damn, they're assembling pretty quick
>You're almost ready...
>You face your group
Men, whatever happens today, Boss Paw cannot be allowed to pass that river. Understood?
>They all nod
>Good
It's been a privilege and an honor to train and fight with you all. You all will always be a part of Bad Company!
>That raised morale visibly
>You're now good to go
>You walk to the edge of the cliff, and feel your aura surround you
>You look to your left, and to your right
>Lightening Strike and Blazin' Blue are ready
>So is Star Shine
>And Lucky
>You take in a breath...