Shards of light glistened through cracks in the doorway, gentle beams flowing through whatever they could find to illuminate what had become my new shelter. Stretching my shoulders apart as I yawned in an effort to wake myself for another day of captivity, I could hardly contain what little excitement I had for the concept of being stuck in a cell for even longer than I had already been in here. Patience is a virtue, but the prospect of being a prisoner was simply boring.

With the morning stretch routine out of the way and a quick reminder to myself about my broken hind leg from the dull, constant throbbing sensation, I continued to lay down on the bed. Looking up to the ceiling, I wondered how familiar I might become with the sight. Using the toilet was my only way out of the cell but even that was far from anything to keep my mind occupied. Letting out a small sigh, I could do nothing but wait and wish that my Crimson would arrive soon.

The fact that I was here and alive was something that I could take comfort in, despite the pain running through my leg as if in an act to mirror the desolate feelings running through my head. The Coalition were keeping me prisoner, but they had still provided me with medical supplies, food and water so far. To somepony like myself, it felt like punishment and truly, it was. Thinking over to the ponies out on the streets who had nowhere to call their own, no steady supply of food nor water, of anything other than the cold... it was strange to think, but to them, this would be a privilege.
I could be considered privileged by many, especially for being an enemy of the leadership that ran the very jail I was in.

As the thoughts trickled through my mind and kept me occupied, a new set of sounds suddenly took my attention as hooves walked across metal, the metal I assumed that led up to the door from the distance and from what little experience I had with this place already.
Not a moment later, the sound of an opening door confirmed my suspicions and a friendly voice called out to us prisoners as if there was nothing abnormal about that for them.

"Good morning all!" He called out, the voice of the one truly reasonable pony in the Coalition had come to visit us. "And welcome to you, Cherry Sundae. I know this is your first morning in here so the routine isn't something you're aware of, so please, I ask that you simply comply and cause no trouble. Please?"

My eyes shot wide and my head spun to the door in shock... did he just say please? He did, didn't he?
Mouth open in surprise, I stared into the distance of the door as it then slowly began to open, exposing his friendly, smiling face before he laughed at me, at my bafflement.
It wasn't a harsh and horrible laugh though, he held no malice. Instead, he had the look of subtle joy in his eyes as he smiled at me and reached out a hoof with a gentle confidence that made me feel calm.

"Are you okay? Is the pain of your leg causing you distress or is there something else the matter? Aside from being stuck in here, that is."

Quickly recomposing myself, I gave a shy little shake of my head. "N-no, I'm fine. Bored out of my mind, but honestly? I was just considering the fact that you kept me alive, that you keep me locked up despite the fact that it would be that much easier to have killed me when you found me, to just be rid of me."

"Cherry Sundae, let me tell you something. What I'm about to tell you may come as a shock, but that isn't how the Zebra-Donkey Coalition works. If you've been told that we're monsters that kill everyone we see like some kind of filthy raiders, you've been lied to. Perhaps the rule hasn't always been the kindest, but I'll be damned if you expect me to believe that anarchy is the best option."
For a moment, the strange buck stared down, away from me, towards the ground. Thoughts must have been consuming him because the look in his eyes told of a troubled soul, but quickly he regained his posture and looked back to me.
"Though that's for another time, perhaps. As I was saying, no, I do not intend on harming you. I do however intend to... use you, should you let me."

Without hesitation, I glared at him and quickly snapped back my response in an angry tone. "No! How dare you even consi-"

Before I could finish my sentence, he shook his head and looked at me in a way that made me pause. He wasn't looking at me with lust... nor with any harmful intention, not what I could tell anyway. Taking in a breath about to question him, he beat me to the next word. "I'm not intending to use you in a sexual manner, before you worry about that. As beautiful as you are, you have a stallion you love and truth be told, I'm a hopeless romantic. Old world traditions and teachings are something I believe in strongly and I could never go against those. Besides, that wouldn't have been on my agenda even if you weren't the elegant visage of beauty that you seem to be. No, my request is about your skills."

Crossing my forehooves and looking at him with a cocked eyebrow, I was curious now. The compliments definitely helped lift my mood from the sudden disgust, further put to bed by the honest tone he spoke in. Letting out another sigh, I nodded. "Go ahead, what is it you're after or want to know? Just remember I won't tell you anything that will get my love in trouble."

With a smile of appreciation, he nodded back to me. "Your weapon, you're a markspony - no two ways about it. No pony carries around a rifle of such expense in both obtaining it in the first place, maintaining it and keeping it stocked with ammo unless they have the skill to wield something of such power and destruction. You must have been trained to handle it very well, but more importantly for me, for us, to spot your opponents at range."

Looking at the Captain, I gave him a glance that confirmed his suspicions. "Okay, sure. You know my combat role and have been able to piece together something about me from it. Why is that important? What does that mean to you?"

With a grin, he looked to me as confident as could be. "What's different about my uniform today compared to yesterday?"

He asked with a tone of self assuredness, certain that he'd beat me in his little mind game. Either he wanted to see what I could remember about him or he was just trying to be mysterious, but still I gave it a moment of thought as I looked at him. Taking a moment to consider everything and notice the differences, I began listing them off.
"You're intentionally wearing your cap the other way around today, it doesn't look like it normally would judging from the way your mane isn't styled to hold it properly in its current style. You've got an extra badge on your uniform, suggesting you've either been promoted or you don't always wear every badge you own, which would be weird and generally out of place. You're wearing a pair of cuffs on your belt, you weren't carrying them yesterday. As well as that, you've got a needle in your pocket. I can tell from the outline of the bulge."

Crossing my forehooves and scrunching up my face, there was something more... one or two things more that I hadn't noticed, but there had to be something. "Turn around. Please?" With my request, he did so. A pair of binoculars. There was something more!
"Didn't have them on you yesterday either."

Chuckling as he turned back to face me, he nodded with a great smile. "I was right, you have exceptional perception. Typically a trait amongst sharpshooters, be it through training from the job or simply being made into a sharp shooter because of natural skill. Either way, it doesn't matter how you came to be a so keenly perceptive, what matters is that it can do good for the community."

"The community, huh?" I asked in return, sure that it was going to be just a job of trying to point out rebels who I had already met before. By the Princesses, I wouldn't help him for even a moment if it was anything like that.

"Please, Cherry. Before you keep getting yourself worked up, remember, I am a member of the Honour Guard. I would never request you to do something that would put those you care about at risk. I know I may be of the 'opposing side' but at the end of the day, I'm just trying to get by like anypony else. Besides, your group has my brother captive, remember? Lest I seek to see him hurt, I dare not antagonise you."

Honour guard, again with that claim. Yet clearly in my memory I could see him the first time we met... I needed to question him about that little stunt. "So, 'Honour Guard' hey? What about the time when you almost ordered the slaughter of innocent civilians? I wouldn't call that very honourable. Would you?"

Immediately, his tone dropped. Not to an angry, defensive one I had expected however, but one filled with regret.
"Indeed, you are right. I let fear get the best of me and without you, without your threat, I would have made a mistake that would have seen me stripped of my title. My rank within the Coalition would have remained, but my pride would have been destroyed. Thus, I only have you to thank, and is another reason I made sure you stayed alive despite any commands from so called superiors. It's also the reason I am giving you this chance now."

Biting back at his words, still not satisfied as the memory riled me, I gave him no quarter. "Do you even know what you could have done? Your troop were going to shoot a colt! My colt!"

"You're a mother?" He asked in sudden shock, surprised to think such things.

"Well, no." I responded limply, blushing a little at both the thought and the misunderstanding I had caused. "I mean... I didn't give birth to him, I found him. I had only found him a very short while before that even. Still, I promised him a home, I promised he could stay with me. I can't let a poor little orphan like him just live on the streets with nopony to take care of him. When I'm out of this whole mess, when I'm far away from here, back home, I'll be keeping him for my own regardless of anything other than him saying he doesn't want to be mine. I will adopt him as my son before I see him cry on his own like he was before. You almost took that from me, so unless this offer of yours is good, I'll stay here."

"Wanna discuss things over breakfast? I'll let you lean on me or even hold me around the neck for support if you'd like?" The strangely friendly pony offered, a small whisper of a smile on his lips. "Hell, I'll even let you have first dibs on where to sit and tell you about the new shiny badge you noticed if you want me to?"

Looking at him with uncertainty, his easy going attitude quickly made me give in and agree. "Sure. This better be worth it though. Don't worry about supporting my walking though, I'll handle it. I'm trained to be able to handle things like this, even if I haven't ever had to put that training to the test before."
With that, he simply walked out of the door and gestured with a hoof for me to follow... to simply follow him out of my cell as if it wasn't anything at all. That was strange.

Walking along towards the outside door, I didn't know what was happening, but he was guiding me so I guessed all I could do was trust him. The other cells were open too, surprising me even further. I had done guard duty in our own jail before, releasing prisoners like this was definitely not something we did so freely. Sure we had supervised exercise times, but this was just weird.

"Come on, this way. We'll be going to the mess hall." The Captain eagerly announced to me, his tone completely relaxed and calm.

Walking into the mess hall, I felt tense as I immediately noticed the fact that Pony Joe and Blessed Cradle along with a few others I didn't recognise were on the other side of the room in a barred off section away from the guards, though there was still easily enough room in the bars to pass food through one part and we could see one another clearly. Instead of being with them, I was with all the different guards.

Zebras dressed loosely in their usual attire salvaged from back during the great war while Donkeys mostly wore their heavy armour and ponies dressed in anything they could cobble together it seemed.
Some of the zebras looked tired and from my experience I guessed this was their dinner rather than breakfast given they typically patrolled at night and early hours of the day, where as the ponies and donkeys seemed fine if a little groggy.

"W-what's going on? Why am I in here?" I asked, certain that Captain Blueheart had led me to the wrong room. All I could do was hope it wouldn't cause me any trouble.

As if on cue, one of the zebras marched up to us and shot the captain a look. "You're bringing a prisoner to eat in here, with us?" His tone didn't sound happy in the slightest and by the look in his eye, I could tell he would have loved to correct that fact.

"It's fine, Xumy. She's here because I say so and last I checked, I have the authority to do that. Besides, I'm intent on making a proposition that'll give her rights to eat in here anyway." Captain Blueheart simply waved his hoof in a care-free manner with the end of his sentence, not at all worried about the reaction he'd get.

With a huff, 'Xumy' reared up and crossed his front legs before looking away from my new 'friend'. I had seen zebras rear up in the past but it still surprised me how they managed to maintain such a pose without any effort in the slightest. "Bah! It's Xumeh. Fine, whatever you say. Just don't go doing it for all of them." Okay, not Xumy, Xumeh.

"Come on, lets get some grub." Captain Blueheart insisted with an infectious grin that brought a smile to my own face.
I didn't know why or what it was about him, but something about the Captain made me feel like I could smile. Still, it didn't match the way Crimson made me smile with his silly little antics like pulling faces at me. With that, I giggled at my own thoughts and the Captain gave a inquisitive look.
"Oh. Uh.." I stuttered, feeling my cheeks blush hard as I realised he wanted to know why I had just laughed the way I had. "I was just..."

"Thinking about something?" He offered.

"Crimson, actually. You too. I mean-" Now I was in trouble, my cheeks were roasting with all their blood rushing to them. Hiding my face as we made out way in line, I felt a gentle nudge at my side.

"Go on, do tell. Unless it's something you really aren't comfortable with telling me, of course."

Taking a little breath in an attempt to recompose myself, I looked back up at him and felt my confidence fall back in place as I remembered Crimson's words and thought about the next thing I was about to say.
"Well, I was just thinking about how friendly you've been so far and how you make me feel okay around you. How I can smile, actually. Then I thought about how Crimson makes me smile and the faces he pulls at m-"

I wasn't able to continue the sentence, my lips curled up to my cheeks as I felt embarrassed about sharing the silly little moments me and Crimson had. Captain Blueheart let out a small chuckle of his own as he visually showed signs of trying to imagine what those faces might be and gave a small, approving shake of his head. "Humour really is the way to win a mares heart. Any ponies heart I should say, really. We're like that as a group, aren't we? Why, if I remember my history lessons, wasn't there an element of harmony that was laughter?"

"Yup!" I stated while nodding away. "Pinkie Pie was the last one for that, or, so the textbooks from the Stable told us."

"Stable?" Captain Blueheart asked curiously with a cocked brow. "You're a Stable Dweller? I should have guessed from the PipBuck, but... you don't act like-"

"I'm not." I quickly corrected him. "I just come from a settlement with deep ties to a Stable. They share their educational sources with us and we provide protection."

"Hmmmm..." The captain muttered. "Sounds just like this one place I've heard of, something along the lines of F-"

Before he could get any further, I loudly interrupted him with a worried smile and rubbing my stomach. "Ah well, maybe I'll tell you about it later. Right now I'm starving, when do we get a chance for some food hey?"

As if perfectly timed, the line moved on up and we managed to meet the chef. "What'll it be for you today?" He asked in a very orchestrated tone that told of how many times he had to say that each day. It made me wonder how boring it must be to do such a menial task, though that was definitely a better option than to be homeless with no certain way to eat each day.

Lost in my moment of thought, the Captain grabbed two bowls of food and gave me a nudge. "Come on, Cherry. Where do you want to sit? Usually I like to sit over at the window, but if you don't want to then I'll sit anywhere you like. Just one thing, you don't mind carrying these with your magic, do you? Would be a lot easier than me trying to carry the tray with my mouth is all."

Nodding before levitating the tray in my magic, I nodded to the window. It seemed as good of a place as any other to sit. As we made ourselves comfortable, I looked out into the landscape and began to understand now why he liked sitting here. From where we were we could see out clearly into the distance. It was a surprising sight, but it turned out that Coltchester wasn't built in the typical circle fashion but rather had a corridor that was nothing more than some transport networks and what might have once been nothing but green belt land. To the left was the industrial region of the city, smoke still pouring from a few roofs, though I couldn't tell if that was through production lines still active or if our recent fight had scarred the landscape so badly that it still burnt. To the right was a walled off area, almost reminiscent of the wall that surrounded Four Ridges, albeit a lot smaller and nowhere near as fortified.
It was obvious that the wall had been built in post-apocalyptic times given the use of multiple materials and its general design, this didn't retract from the beauty of what laid behind it however.

Staring out as the sprawling buildings that rose into the sky in elegant ways, Captain Blueheart gave a polite little cough to catch my attention. "I see you're admiring the view, just like I enjoy doing myself. You already know of the industrial region, as we are both fully aware. You can even see the damage to the highway if you look closely, can't you?"
Looking a little harder, I noticed it myself and gave a mute nod before he continued. "But what of the Luxury district? You've not seen that I suppose?"

"No, I haven't." I answered honestly, amazed to see such beautiful buildings standing intact in a city like this. The name 'Luxury District' made total sense give the view from here.

"Well, that's where the most affluent of ponies live and work. Even some of the more fortunate ponies from Slumside have access to there, though they are typically traders and workers who do jobs that those with caps, power and or fame do not wish to do. Typical jobs like cleaning, maintenance of the building structures, salon workers. You'd be surprised just how pleasant it is there."

Wait, what? Looking at the Captain in confusion, I couldn't quite believe him. "You're joking, right? I mean, you don't say it like you're joking, but you say that particular area has ponies living lives much like they would have before the war?"

"Oh, certainly!" He responded with a smile as he took a sip of his food, reminding me that I hadn't even began to touch mine. Eyeing the stew before me before having a taste, it was surprisingly good. "See, we even have one of the shopping centres up and running over there. Many, many shops in one building with both indoor and outdoor exposed areas dedicated to giving ponies, donkeys, zebras and all others alike a good, calm time while they shop. With its own security force, it's somewhere to rival Tenpony Tower's shops while giving Megamart's protection. Truth be told, any pony from Slumside with enough caps or a work permit can enter the Luxury District. We just make sure their intentions aren't to do harm to those who simply wish to live their lives."

Nodding my head, I understood the idea. I had to admit, their dedication to keeping a peaceful area where any could live and work without worry was a very noble idea and that, at the very least, I couldn't knock. "And I suppose that means-" I stopped mid sentence when Captain Blueheart gave me a look that said 'watch your words', I quickly blushed and then thought about what I was about to say. "-the rebels who would seek to harm that status quo, right?"

With an approving nod, the Captain smiled. "Yes, it means we want to keep it safe from being attacked. Truth behind it is that it isn't just ponies living their lives, it's also where our headquarters are..." and for a moment, he looked around as if scanning the room for something, perhaps to see if there was anyone in particular or anyone too close. "...in the tallest tower." His quietness with that last comment made me think. Why would he simply tell me something like that? He didn't want me to cause trouble yet he was letting me have information that could cause trouble? The look on his face told me he knew what he was saying and I didn't for a second believe it was a lie, but I couldn't figure out his motive for telling me.

"As I was saying however," He began again in a more normal speaking voice, obviously turning the topic back to what it was before. "It's a nice place to be. We want to keep it that way, and that's why I'm offering you a job. You'll get to go there, you'll get to do what you're good at - and if you play nice - perhaps even access to a weapon. Depends on what strings I can pull, how good you are and other circumstances."

"What of my own rifle?" I asked politely. "Where is that, may I ask?" Goddesses, I hope they hadn't given it to somepony else. I would be beyond mad if they had given away my rifle.

"That's kept in the prisoner items storage, not to be accessed by any other than whoever has some reason to be doing so. See, these facilities aren't just for rebels, they also hold any trouble makers from the Luxury District as well. To simply take away property without any ability to return it should a prisoner be released is out of question unless the items in their possession are strictly not allowed, such as high explosives. You know, the same type that could bring down a highway."

Rolling my eyes a little as I continued to eat breakfast, I took a moment to pause. "So, what's the job exactly involve?"

"There has been reports of some raiders on the outside lately who haven't been getting inside the district, but they have been harassing merchants on their way in and out. They're not our forces, they're not rebels either. For a small while we let them be so we could gather some more information about them, where they're working from. We'd much rather have a clean and quick fix to the situation by cutting the roots of their operation rather than making a mistake by stopping a single raiding party. We still don't know their exact location however, so we want you to be our eye in the sky. We'll put you on the tallest building with the best proximity and give you the best pair of binoculars we can."

"What zoom levels can I expect?" I asked as professionally as I could.

With a shocked expression, Captain Blueheart looked at me sceptically. "You accepted the offer rather quickly. Normally somepony would take a moment to consider such a proposal. Any reason?"

Looking at him straight in the eye, I decided that letting him know about myself wasn't going to hurt. "Fact is, I'm a mercenary. I'm not the type of mercenary who will do absolutely anything because there is caps involved, but a recon job like this? If there's raiders attacking traders, genuine traders, I'll accept the job. I want to see a better world and trade is one of the ways to build that better world. Trade makes communities prosper and gives us all a chance for something far better than simply hoarding what we have. If it was to stop rebels from getting into the Luxury District, I'd tell you that's your own job. Since it's protecting innocent ponies who foster growth, I'll do it in a heartbeat." Taking a moment to let it sink in to the astounded Captain, I then asked my question again. "So, what zoom levels can I expect? You think I'll actually be able to see these bandit attacks? See the attackers in enough detail to identify them?"

"Actually, yes." He confirmed with a grim look on his face. "With my promotion, it was put upon me to investigate this threat. I have my suspicions on what it is and I'm fearful that my own worst nightmares, and the nightmares of the commanders are reality. I want to be sure that I'm either right or wrong, that's why I want you to be the one with them. I don't trust my own eyes for this, I need you."

Looking him dead in the eye, I asked something I could tell he didn't want to answer. "What are your worst nightmares, Captain?"
Instead of giving me the information, he simply stared into the distance with distinct worry showing in the corner of his eyes.
Whatever it was, it was something he didn't like to think about.

The rest of the morning was pretty uninteresting after that. Finishing breakfast we made sure to do our morning necessities and then geared up. I was surprised that Captain Blueheart allowed me to wear my own armour and carry the binoculars, though with my broken leg I supposed he knew I wasn't really capable of running off. Besides, where could I run to? Everywhere around us was more Coalition soldiers so there was nowhere to hide.

Hitching a ride on a wagon was a surreal experience I honestly had never expected to experience, especially not one drawn by ponies who I would in other circumstances be likely shooting at. Instead of violence, we had a peaceful ride out of the military base and towards the Luxury District. The route we took avoided travel through the Slumside area and instead took a direct path via the transport network that connected the city into one unified piece, allowing myself and Captain Blueheart a scenic view as we waited along with the others with us.

"So..." I aimlessly verbally pondered as myself and the Captain looked out to the distance ahead, the lack of mountains being something different than I had expected. "Since there's a little while before we arrive to where we're going, do you mind if we talk about things at all? Ask some questions back and forth?"

"Sure, sounds like it would pass the time. What have you got in mind?" The creamy stallion replied in a dignified manner.

"Well, first of all, I'd like to ask your name actually. When I think about you, all I can reference you as is the Captain or Captain Blueheart."

"And that's an issue because?" He replied happily, a grin on his face while he looked at me curiously.

"It feels improper." I quickly informed him, not wanting to give him the wrong idea. "I mean, perhaps you want to keep it that way to make things feel formal and official, but I like to know ponies by a more personal touch than just a title like Captain. Is there another part to your name? It's not common for ponies to use a single part for their name." With that I paused for a second, feeling the need to sneeze quickly rising and contorting my face in a fashion I hadn't intended for. Just as quick as the moment came it disappeared again in a flash, allowing me to get back to our discussion, much to the amusement of the Captain. "Back to what I was saying," I quickly added as I began to blush from the silliness of the moment. "Most ponies use two names, like for myself, it's Cherry Sundae. Or for males, names like Crimson Wings."

The stallion nodded slowly, crossing his forehooves together as he looked at me in the eye. "Indeed that's usually true, but in my case I am simply named Blueheart. I am sorry to disappoint you Cherry, I wish there was something else I could say but that would be a lie and I do not intend to lie to you. Especially not about something so trivial."
That response elicited a pout from me as the answer turned out to be a lot less interesting than I had hoped, but then he spoke again. "But if you really want to call me something that feels more personal, call me Blue."

"Blue, huh?" I asked, considering the way it sounded. It really didn't match him given his cream coat and grey mane, but that was the beginning of his full name anyway so there was still sound logic in it. "Okay, thank you, Blue."

"No no, thank you." He responded. "I'd much rather you feel comfortable as possible around me, remember? See, the thing is Cherry, I don't know how long we're going to spend together like this. Circumstances can change day by day but for as long as you are in my care, for as long as you are working alongside me, I would like to know that we can get along."
"The Coalition may not be perfect, but as I've told you before, our ultimate aim is to protect. Just like Four Ridges."

My blood chilled the moment he finished that sentence, the look on my face was obvious in his reaction. I knew he had gone to say it aloud earlier, I knew changing subject would only confirm his suspicions, but now I was worried about the possible implications it could hold for Four Ridges' citizens to have somepony like myself be captured and confirmed for such origins. Coltchester probably didn't have enough armed forces to fight both the rebels and cause trouble to Tank let alone Four Ridges as a whole, but the worry was still genuine.

"Don't worry," He began. "Nopony is holding Four Ridges accountable for the rebel forces. As a member of the Honour Guard, I have greater access to things than the standard member of the Coalition of my normal rank would have. It's all a part of our reward for what we had to endure, what we did that others could or would not. Anyway, we've known the rebel forces are home grown for a long time now and almost as soon as the pair of you walked into our fair city, we knew who he was. Four Ridges isn't without its recognition and traders often go between our two settlements. Were you aware of that? That a fair amount of weapons, armour, ammunition and even high end PipBucks were shipped to Four Ridges in the early days?"

"Actually, yes." I countered. "Not just a fair amount either, most of them in fact. The PipBuck I'm wearing right now was from Coltchester, I believe. It's hard to be sure of the exact origins, but it's a commander type PipBuck with built in radio transmitter designed for organising troops out of visual distance without the need for heavy equipment or a dedicated radio-pony. My armour was likely also from here, given the fact it's pre-war judging by the quality crafting of it."

"And as such, there is no need for Four Ridges to hold ill intention against Coltchester, and vice versa. Or, that was until you two came along. Crimson's presence and his choice to aid the rebel forces puts us at possible odds, Cherry. I won't lie, leadership doesn't like the prospect any more than you do, I'm sure, but we'd rather we come to a reasonable agreement and see you gone on peaceful terms. Still, as much as I'd love to discuss all that with you right now we're about to arrive at the checkpoint, we'll have more time to talk later. Do you remember the task credentials I've given you?"

"Yes, I am to assume spotter position and maintain over-watch on the south-east access and trail until the shift ends. If or when I spot any potential threats or issues I am to report the news to you on the designated frequency and keep track of their movement. Details you want are where they're coming from, where they head back to and any possible locations they use to ambush. Discover as much about their techniques and patterns as possible in an attempt to figure out how best to combat them."

With a smile and a nod, Blueheart looked at me happily. "Glad to hear you remember the orders, not that I had expected anything less with how professional you've been acting." With the end of his sentence, he began to rummage through his saddlebags with intent. Watching him as he looked through, I didn't say a word, I didn't really think what he was doing was anything of importance and instead began to focus on the blockade we were about to come into contact with in a few seconds time.
"Here," He added. "take this. It's a multi-pass. It'll allow you through into the Luxury District as you so pleased should you be stopped by any of the guards. That isn't to say that I want you walking around freely like a normal visitor, but I'm sure you'll occasionally need to use the restroom or perhaps grab some lunch during the day. I can't guarantee I'll always be around so it makes life easier for us both." For a moment the Captain paused, but then looked back to me after closing his bags. "Just remember that there's no sense in trying to run away, please. You'll only get yourself hurt further by trying."

"I understand and I wouldn't have tried, I promise. Like you say, I'm too injured to go very far anyway and there's no way I can manage to work my way out of this one. Sometimes the best thing to do is to accept what you're given and wait for the circumstances to change." I replied accordingly, earning a reassuring touch upon my shoulder from the Captain.

From that point we managed to get through the checkpoint with absolute ease. The fact that it had been a military transport was probably a big advantage, the fact was they didn't need to be so strict about checking their own soldiers and it meant that before we knew it, we were being dropped off in the center of the district.
Tall, beautiful buildings surrounded us on all sides as if the war had never happened. Blueheart simply smirked at me as I sat on my rear staring up at the masterpieces of architecture that I hadn't expected from what time I'd spent in Coltchester.

Where Slumside was ruined from years of poor maintenance or absolute lack of any at all, the Luxury District had been taken care of to extreme levels. All of the windows that were possibly broken by time, weather or war were replaced with shining new panes of glass. A large statue of a group of ponies made of marble with obsidian eyes stood proud amongst the crowd, clean and cared for with no signs of wear or disrespect.

"The Coltchester War Memorial. Beautiful, isn't she? But unfortunately for as much beauty as the statue holds, her historic meaning is a rather dark tale, just as her eyes shine with the stunning black aura, so is her meaning something we should respect and remember. See, Coltchester was a major city by the time of the great war two hundred years ago, the largest city in the southern region of Equestria. From what records tell us, the military base you were in was the headquarters of operations in the region much like Canterlot for the heartlands, though Canterlot was ultimately the absolute headquarters of everything across Equestria anyway. This statue was designed during the early days to commemorate the Royal Guards who laid down their lives in the first conflicts, but by the time it was finished the war was in full swing and by that point it no longer about just them but everyone who had fallen."

A sadness filled my heart as I looked beside me at Blueheart, his eyes set nowhere other than the statue before us.
"I... I can't believe it came to that. I know about the rising tensions and how it all ended up happening, we were taught about all the events that just led to bigger and bigger conflict before it ended up becoming a battle of megaspells. Still, it..."
Looking down at the plaque at the base of the statue, I had expected to see some names perhaps, but instead saw something much more chilling. 'For the countless lives lost, from the Royal Guard and the brave soldiers to the last civilian, we remember you all dearly in our hearts.'
Across the whole plaque where many names could have been inscribed, there was nothing but that one sentence. The realisation that there would never be enough space to list down all of those lost to the horrors of war even before the megaspell attacks... I lost my words, feeling a tear run down my cheek as I quietly began to sob, holding what little I could inside.

"Are you okay?" Blueheart asked tenderly, wrapping one of his hooves around my shoulder.

"I'm fine." I let out with a sniffle, surprised I'd let myself break down like this so publicly. "I just... it's how many ponies and zebras died, how many good lives, innocent lives that only wanted to carry on with their daily norms... they were the ones dragged through the worst of anything. Whenever I think about just how many died through no fault of their own, how many died just because someone else decided they should, or worse, that they could."
Again the tears began, my head lowered down to the ground as the thoughts of needless death overwhelmed my feelings and made me feel a prisoner of my own stupid emotions.

"I agree." Blueheart muttered softly in a comforting tone. "It's a horrendous thought to think that someone should feel others have to die when they have done no wrongs themselves, but it's even worse for a leader to believe that some are simply worth less than others and should be used as pawns or fodder for their own purposes. Trust me, I've been there."

Looking up at him through tear filled eyes, the grimace on the Captain's face told me he wasn't lying. Meekly, I did all I could. I hiccuped as I sobbed further before wiping my tears and gave him my condolences. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay Cherry, it's okay."

After getting the sudden surge of emotion out of my system and wiping my eyes clear of all the tears, we continued our way through the district. The graceful elegance of the buildings still astounded me and Captain Blueheart was still relishing the experience of giving me a tour. Occasionally he pointed out the different buildings, showing me where the shopping centres were and other important buildings were on tourist maps that had been made since the war.
I was surprised to see it so well organised but at the same time, it didn't feel out of place somehow.
Every so often I saw a face I recognised and there was a small nod of recognition hidden as normal greeting between us, nothing that anyone else would understand but we definitely had seen one another before.

Finally as we arrived at the destination point, I looked up at the large building ahead of us. "So, large building huh?" I asked with a keen sense of dislike. "I mean, I know I've got to be high up to get the view I'll need... but..."

"Stairs?" Captain Blueheart asked with a chuckle.

"Stairs." I confirmed with a groan, not looking forward to the pain I was about to experience while trying to ascend the tall building. Once more I found myself internally cursing Crimson for being a pegasus and not having to have such worries like this. If he broke his leg he'd just fly up to the roof, but he wouldn't have broken his leg in the first place to be in this situation. Damn him and his exotic feathers.

Grumbling to myself as we made our way into the building, some of the security staff seemed a little unnerved by the sight of me, though I couldn't tell why that was for sure. As we passed by them and began to make our way up the stairwell, one of them called out from behind.
"Excuse me! Excuse me!" He shouted. "Miss?"

Turning my head to see the pony once more, I flushed a little. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realise you were calling for me. What's the matter?"

"You're not honestly going to try walk up them stairs are you?" He said in a tone that made me feel shy and wish that I wasn't there. Noticing my reaction, he immediately spoke yet again. "I- I mean, if you want to go up you could always ask for help. Gout here would be happy to help if you don't want to be shouting out in pain along the way. How high up are you going?"

"I what?" The green pony next to him responded. "Well, I will happily, but..." And with that, he let out a sigh. "What floor would you like me to carry you to?"

"The roof, please. We're heading to the roof." Captain Blueheart quickly added. "Sorry I can't carry her myself, carrying the equipment she can't and all."

Before I could react, before I could protest, before I could do a damn thing I was suddenly lifted from the ground and placed upon Gout's back. Gripping firmly without strangling the poor stallion, he proceeded to carry me to my destination.
With a content sigh, I thanked him. "Ain't nothin', Miss. A pony my size? Fact is a pony my size was made for this, meant for it even. It's what gives my life meaning, doing things like this and tasks that smaller ponies simply can't manage."

With gratitude I held on a little tighter as we went up the stairs, appreciating the gesture. "Thank you, Gout."

"Like I said," He replied happily. "ain't nothing. Big pony like me enjoys it."

In silence we climbed up the stairs, the sounds of ponies going about their daily routines around us in the other rooms. I couldn't tell exactly what the ponies were doing though, each floor having a different sound and even smell. Questioning Blueheart on it, he just nodded and explained that rather than being on specific purpose filled building, rooms or even entire floors were rented to different ponies with different needs and specialisations and as long as they paid rent and didn't damage anything, they were allowed to do anything short of murder and other criminal activities.
Even as we passed one floor that obviously had sexual activity, he went on to tell me how prostitution wasn't looked down upon because at the end of the day, if the clients were paying and those involved in the business agreed to what was asked of them to do for the caps, it was as fair trade as any other.

Nodding my head along, not really saying anything because there wasn't anything to be said, we quickly reached the top floor. "Thank you again Gout." I said politely as I climbed off, giving him a hug for his efforts. "I appreciate it, really. Celestia only knows how much pain that would have put me through to have to climb up there myself with my leg like this."

"Like I say, you're welcome, Miss. A pretty mare like yourself shouldn't have to endure climbing up all those stairs on a broken leg. Been in that situation myself so I understand just how tormenting it is. Glad I could prevent you from having to go through the same experience."

Feeling a little sorry for the poor stallion, I let out a shy little smile as he just gave a slight nod and went back down as calmly as he had brought me up. Gout was a nice pony, I really hoped he had something to enjoy at the end of every day.
As weird as it was, that was the thoughts in my head, hoping somepony I hardly knew had something they could go home to and relax with.
Making my way with 'Blue' through the final door onto the open rooftop, I felt the cool breeze of a gentle wind blow past me and remind me how high up we were. Walking over the ledge and looking down, it was a much further fall than I had taken when dropping from the factory. Gulping a little with the memory, I didn't like that idea.
Thankfully this time I wouldn't have to worry about any of that. A small wall kept the ledge from simply dropping away making me feel a little bit safer.

"Okay Cherry, look over that way, see the gate?" Blueheart asked in a commanding tone that still had respect, the way he said it didn't sound like an order but a request. Nodding to confirm, he carried on. "That's where the merchants report these attacks. So we're expecting the bandits to be somewhere along the trail that follows out from that route. Not to say that the bandits couldn't be switching up their plans of attack at all, but that's the most frequent place for reports to be made. Feel free to enjoy the view while you're up here though, I'm not expecting you to look at dirt for hours."

Looking at all the buildings from above was a weird experience, though still utterly beautiful. The hustle and bustle of the busy ponies, zebras and donkeys down below was interesting to watch as they walked the streets going about their daily lives while I watched on. For a second I almost thought I had my rifle on me and even reached for it with my magic out of habit before realising that I wasn't allowed it, of course. Letting out a small sigh of disappointment, it wasn't that I wanted to shoot any of the people below but that it had just become second nature to me and being without it felt as if I was without a piece of my own body.
So, a broken leg and no rifle. I really was out of my element more than I liked.

Looking out at the landscape, I could see the faint outline of something. Squinting my eyes to try and focus on what it was, it looked to be... a small community?
"What's that?" I asked without a thought, before levitating the high powered binoculars over to myself while the Captain tried to attach a bipod for them onto the low wall.
Looking through, I was right. Surprisingly however, it wasn't just a small community. It was a small town roughly the same size as Coltshire had been if not a little bigger. What really surprised me though was that it seemed to have a docks and... sea!

"That's White Sands," Captain Blueheart informed me between moments of clamping the stand tightly onto the wall. "White Sands of Coltchester. A pre-war seaside resort and port community. We don't know a great deal about its history, newspapers here and there say it was a nice place to stay though and one said it became a pretty important naval base during the war, even going as far as being used to restock the HMS Celestia at one point. Couldn't tell you more though unfortunately. The Coalition remains in theoretical control over it though we don't actually post any soldiers there, we allow the locals to do as they wish and they allow us to do as we need to do when we ask to do so."

"That's a strange agreement." I muttered, mostly to myself. "What with how much you're focusing on controlling the city."

"That's exactly why though," He offered, finally finished with sorting out the set-up. "we don't have anything to gain by posting soldiers there. They cause us no trouble and accept that if we were to start moving forces into the town, there would be nothing they could do about it anyway. The proximity to the city means we'd quickly overwhelm them if they tried to put up a fight but even when we first took a stake in the community there they realised the benefits of joining us and becoming unified partners was a lot better than risking the same kind of fate as other communities face when an opposing force of greater might asks for peaceful resolutions to such an issue and declines."

Rubbing a hoof against my chin, I thought about it. "So the Coalition bullied them into joining?" I wasn't keen on the idea, but then with a sigh I rolled my eyes. "I suppose that's better than bloodshed though."
Giving pause, I allowed 'Blue' to attach the binoculars to the stand as he pulled some more things out of his pack and surprisingly, wrapped a furry coat around me as I wiggled on closer to the binoculars.

"To keep you warm." He happily murmured as he stepped off of the roof and onto a contraption that I hadn't noticed before. Ropes kept it high up and I wondered what the hell he was doing before he smiled to himself and began to check through his bags for other things.

The expression on my face must have told him everything because without me needing to say a word, he quickly told me what it was. "It's a lift. To be specific, a safety lift in the event of a fire. To prevent anypony being trapped up at the top that can't simply fly away, lifts like these were implemented on most of the taller buildings around here, a safety measure. It only goes down as a security feature, which is why we couldn't just ride it up. It'll only go back up when its empty."

Nodding my head in understanding, I had to give the designers points for forethought. It was a clever idea and an equally brilliant design. Furthermore, it meant I had an easy way down when it came to the end of the job. It would just be a task climbing back up.

Looking in his pack for a few more moments before slapping his forehead, Captain Blueheart groaned in a mixture of frustration and from what I could tell, self disappointment. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I apologise for leaving so soon but I've just realised that I've forgotten to sort out any lunch for us both so I'm going to go down and get some. You can contact me on this frequency here." And with that, he scribbled on piece of paper. Putting the frequency into my PipBuck I smiled back at him as he walked back to the lift and closed the door behind him.

"Oh, and Cherry?" He called out, his tone suddenly a stark contrast to what it had been only seconds before. Now when he spoke there was something different in his eyes, his words elongated which told me this was something that deeply troubled him. Whatever it was, it was a serious issue. Finally, he spoke. "If... if you see any flags out on the horizon, specifically green flags with golden swords longways across them..." He paused, looking straight past me almost as I looked back at him. "...Tell me. Immediately."

"Of course, I promise." I said softly, not understanding why but knowing it was the only proper answer.

Just like that he shook his head and went down, leaving me to look out to the horizon and watch for anyone causing issues with the trade route.

Author's Notes:

So, shorter chapter than usual. Sorry for that, I've just been really wanting to get the damn thing out and I've got what I needed to done with it now.
Sorry if it was fucking boring, I know it probably was but there's not really much choice I had. "But Kipper! You're the author! You get to decide!"
Yeah, as true as it is, there's also the responsibility of having those times where you set things up and get a new dig going. I hope it's just me worrying - worrying this was a boring chapter, worrying that I've screwed up Cherry Sundae, worrying that you lot aren't going to enjoy Blueheart's characterisation being all whacky with no clear distinction yet.
I've found who he is now, I knew what role he was going to play before but I know who -he- is now.
Please, please forgive me if I've ruined anything or if this is a boring chapter like I think it is. I just hope some world building kept it somewhat interesting.
Next chapter is going to be fun, I swear it.

Big thanks goes out to anyone who reads, rates and favourites - as always. Your willingness to put up with me and my story means a lot to me and makes it worth putting the effort in even when I'm feeling like I'm worthless as a person and that it's not worth your time.
Same goes for anyone that enjoys my other 18+ story, that has seemingly brought in some more attention lately, it's good fun to write and... yeah. Just feel like saying thanks to those who read that also while I'm at it.

CamoBadger gets extra special mention as always. I know I've plugged him a few times in the past so I won't link, but I will just say that he's worth checking out as All That Remains really is an amazing story and if you've been able to put up with the things I do, you'll love how much better he pulls his own fic off. He's been second guessing himself lately [at the time of writing this] and I want to make him feel as special as I feel he is, so that's why this.
He's an amazing friend and I don't know what I'd do without him.

Regolit, you amazing bastard. I'm going to add you into this as well. All the stories you read and yet you still enjoy my crappy work. You're something alright, and I mean that in the good way. Thanks dude.

Also, Katarn. The one guy who I can go to with anything and run it by him. He's amazing and thanks for always being there for me with musical suggestions, funny pictures, bouncing ideas back and forth and generally being a great friend. I deeply appreciate it.

Much thanks to everyone who has and continues to make this possible. By this point everyone knows who they are [as in, all of you, Kkat and so on] and I hope to make you all glad that you've put up with me for so long.
We've got quite a way to go yet and we're just starting to see where this new arc is going. I hope it remains interesting for everyone who reads.
Thanks.