Author's Notes:

Warning: Shit get's Serious.

Hell Fire

Crystal Tower Ventilation System

7:38 PM

“Commander.” Sunshine said as she walked up to Robbinsson.

The pegasus turned from speaking with one of the police captains to look at her. He said something to the pony, who nodded and stepped away as Sunshine walked up.

“Yes, Captain Sunshine?” Robbinsson said.

“I believe we need to enter the building.”

Robbinsson smirked and shook his head. “And I believe you are mistaken. This is a waiting game Captain. All we have to do is wait for the nut in there to get tired and give himself up.”

Sunshine looked at Robbinsson as if he had just suggested grinding up fillies to make rainbows. “Sir, this isn’t some lone gunman or a depressed office worker. I’ve been speaking with Lieutenant Justice and he’s told me that the bomb that went off earlier was professionally made and set. We’re dealing with a premeditated and well thought out plan here, sir.”

Robbinsson smiled and shook his head like he was dealing with an ignorant child. “I appreciate you input, Captain, but I seriously doubt Lieutenant Justice is a reliable source.”

“Commander,” Sunshine said firmly, growing irritated. “I’m not Blind Justice’s biggest fan by a long shot. But I trust his experience when he says what a professional job looks like. And if we’re dealing with some depressed office worker, why hasn’t he sent a list of demands?”

“Maybe he’s having trouble deciding. Captain I really appreciate you and your team coming here, but I’m afraid this is all really unnecessary.”

Sunshine snorted. “If you don’t act, ponies are going to die. If they haven’t already.”

Robbinsson dropped his smiling act and shoved his face in Sunshine’s. “Captain, your presence is unnecessary. Anytime you want to leave consider yourself dismissed. Now, unless you get me concrete proof that we’re dealing with anything but some pony that’s had a little too much, then I will continue to treat as if that’s the situation.”

Robbinsson turned and walked away, not even bothering to glance at Sunshine. The pegasus growled and pawed the ground.

I swear if this thing ever gets going, the Commander might just get hit by accident. Nothing lethal, of course. Maybe just a bullet in his happy place.

Somepony tapped Sunshine on her shoulder.

“What?” she growled.

“I think we may have something.” Justice said.

Sunshine turned around to see the unicorn holding a radio, with a soft voice emanating from it.

******

Crystal Tower Ventilation System

7:43 PM

“If anypony can here this, this is Truth of the Crystal Empire. I am hold up inside Crystal Tower, which has been taken over by an unknown number of terrorists. They are well equipped and have already killed one hostage. I do not know what they are planning, but I advise immediate-”

A sudden burst of static interrupted Truth’s message. The changeling gasped softly before quickly covering her mouth. If they had heard her…

“Truth? This is Captain Sunshine of the Night-Guards. Can you hear me?”

Truth let out a breathy laugh of relief. “Yes I can.” she said into the radio.

“Is this a party line?” Sunshine asked.

“No, I made sure to keep off their frequency.”

“Good. Now Truth, I’m going to ask you a few questions to just make sure it’s you I’m talking to. What is your full name?”

“My name is Truth Uso.”

“What is your directive?”

“To protect my mistress and her family.”

“What is the average airspeed of an unladed swallow?”

Truth couldn’t help but grin. “Prench or Equestrian?”

*********

Base of Crystal Tower

7:48 PM

Sunshine smiled as Truth answered for the third time. She had no idea if the questions she was given by Justice would actually be relevant. But hey, every jackass has his day. She nodded happily to Justice.

“Alright Truth, you’re good. Now, what can you tell me about the force of terrorists?”

“The leader is a pink pegasus called Juno. She’s planned this out, covering as many ends as she can. She’s experienced and comfortable with violence and possibly psychotic. She’s brought in a tech and by now they likely own building by now.”

Sunshine nodded as she digested the information. She was surprised that the maid knew how to give intel. “Okay. Well, shit. They’ve no doubt fortified themselves for Tartarus and more. Truth, is there any weakness the building has? Somewhere a small team might slip in?”

There was silence on the other side of the line for a minute before Truth answered. “The kitchens. If you can get their attention focused elsewhere you can get in through the kitchens.”

Sunshine nodded again. “Okay, that sounds like it might work.” she glanced over at Robinsson. “Hey Truth, I’ll level with you. We have a snag. Commander head-up-his-ass won’t do jack unless we have ‘definite proof’ that there’s terrorists in there. Can you do anything to change his mind?”

Sunshine could practically hear the grin in Truth’s voice. “Yeah, I have an idea.”

*********

Crystal Tower Offices

8:00 PM

Juno lounged in Cadance’s chair in the alicorn’s office. The Princess of Love herself and Chrysalis were still bound to chairs. Masque stood off to the side, still playing with her knife.

Juno drank some punch. “You know princess; I really must say I like what you’ve done with this place. I mean, the modernization to nearly seamless. You almost can’t tell that all this added technology wasn’t here when this place was first created.”

Cadance, befuddled by Juno’s sudden friendliness, tilted her head to one side. “Um, thanks?”

Juno chuckled and waved her off. “Think nothing of it dear.” the pegasus bit into a peach she had brought, juices running down her chin. “I mean, sure I’ve kidnapped you and most of your family,” she said through her mouthful. She swallowed. “But, that doesn’t mean I need to be mean to you.”

Chrysalis scoffed. “Yes, you’ve been nothing but courteous.”

Juno smiled. “I have, haven’t I?” she laughed and took another bite of her peach.

“So, what now?” Cadance asked. “Shouldn’t you be… I don’t know, working on something?”

Juno just smiled. “Work on what? We own this building and the police and whatnot outside have their heads too far up their asses to do anything. Really, the only thing we need to worry about is your husband.” Juno ate the rest of her peach and tossed the remains away. “All he has to do is stick to the program and we’ll all be talking about tonight at dinner parties.”

“So everything rides on Shining doing what he’s supposed to?” Chrysalis asked, sounding uneasy.

Juno smiled. “Yes, Chryssi. Because on this end, we’ve left nothing to chance.”

Something suddenly whooshed by the window.

Juno’s smile faded a little and she glanced at each of the staring faces. “What?”

*******

Base of Crystal Tower

8:01 PM

Commander Dwayne T Robinsson prided himself on being a symbol of masculinity. However, whatever illusions he or anypony else had were shattered along with a spotlight as the body of a stallion came plummeting down from Tower. The high note that Robinsson reached would have impressed any singer and the amount of urine he expelled in fear would frighten the Sham Wow guy.

Sunshine, who barely blinked when the body hit the light, leaned over and whispered in Robinsson’s ear.

“Evidence.”

********

Crystal Tower Offices

8:02 PM

“Okay, who the buck just took a dive out the window!” Juno shouted into her radio.

A symphony of voices answered her. Growling, she switched her radio to a different channel.

“Theo, are the police doing?”

“They’re really bustling now. Looks like their setting up a staging area.”

Juno took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Theo, patch me in to the interior com systems.”

She heard a few clicks. “You’re on.”

“Attention ponies, attention! We are about to have a few party crashers, so get to your battle positions and be ready.” Juno clicked her radio over to a different channel. “Bennett.”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Get up to the roof and take a rifle from Lock and Load.”

“You got it.”

Juno clicked off her radio and turned to Masque, Cadance, and Chrysalis.

“Show time.”

******

Base of Crystal Tower

8:05 PM

“Okay, now what you’re going to do is send six ponies in heavy armor up to the front. They’ll likely take heavy fire, so use the spotlights to blind and point out shooters.” Sunshine said as she mapped out the battle plan in the dirt. “While they draw the terrorists’ attention and fire, myself and three Night-Guards will go around here and enter through the kitchens.” she looked pointedly at Robinsson. “They’ll take out the spotlights and start raining Tartarus down on them. When that happens, you hit them with suppression fire and pull those troopers out. We’ll be in by then and can start make their lives a living Tartarus.” she looked around. “Any questions?”

All the assembled ponies shook their heads.

“Then let’s rock.”

******

Crystal Tower Offices

8:10 PM

“Okay, everypony in position?” Juno asked over the radio as she watched the ground below through the window.

“Yes sir!” came the collective response.

“Good. Now listen up! We are about to teach the Crystal Guard, the Night-Guard, and whomever else a lesson in power.” Juno clicked off the radio and turned to Cadance and Chrysalis. “And you two get to watch in HD!” she said excitedly as she pulled down a monitor from the ceiling.

“I didn’t know that was there.” Cadance said sheepishly.

Juno smiled and turned her radio back on. “Okay Theo, you are the eyes. If you see something, don’t be shy and point it out.”

********

Crystal Tower Computer and Vault Room

“Got it, ma’am.” Theo answered. He cracked his neck, elbows, and wrists and took a drink from a can of soda before tapping away at the keyboard, bringing up several windows that showed the view of cameras scattered over the outside of the building.

“Okay everypony, listen closely.” Theo said, his voice being broadcast on the building wide PA system. “Twas the night before Hearth’s Warming; when all through the house; not a creature was stirring- except for the six assholes in heavy armor moving up on the main entrance in standard two by three formation.”

*******

Crystal Tower Offices

“Okay, hit them with normal rounds first. We just want to wound them for now. We’ll upgrade to armor piercing soon.” Juno said into her radio.

A few curt ‘Yes, sir’s followed her order. Juno smiled. Like clockwor-

She was suddenly blinded by a bright light shining through the window. And judging by the curses coming in over the radio, several of her ponies had been as well.

“Bennett, take out the lights!” Juno shouted into her radio.

“Yes, ma’am.” Blackguard said over the radio.

A loud bang echoed from above and one of the spotlights went out.

*******

Base of Crystal Tower

Robinsson flinched as one of the spotlights was shattered by a bullet. He coughed and tried to regain his composure, only to jump again as another shattered.

“Where are the shots coming from?” he shouted in alarm to one of the officers standing nearby.

The pony shrugged.

Looking uneasy, Robinsson leaned over the shoulder of a radio tech. “Are they through yet?”

“They’re cutting in now, sir.” the tech answered.

“Well, tell them to hurry up!” Robinsson yelled. “We’re running out of spotlights!”

“What the buck do you mean they’re cutting it!?” Sunshine hissed over her headset.

Robinsson picked up a radio. “I’m sorry, Captain.” he said, not convincing anyone. “But there’s too much at stake here to let it all ride on one team. If team alpha can get in through the front then we won’t need your team.”

“You self serving asshole! They’re sitting ducks if they try to cut in! Pull them back now!”

“I’ll take it under advisement.”

“You motherfu-!”

Robinsson clicked off the radio. “So crass.” he quipped. “How much longer till they’re in?” he asked the tech.

“Thirty seconds.”

******

Crystal Tower Offices

“Last one!” Blackguard said triumphantly over the radio.

“Wonderful.” Juno answered him. “All lower teams, focus fire on the breaching team.”

“It would appear they’re trying to cut their way in.” one of her mercs said jovially over the radio.

“Make ‘em pay.” Juno said, watching gunfire light up the floors below.

“Looks like we’ve got some party crashers.” Theo chimed in. “A team of Night-Guards coming around back, heading for the kitchens.”

“No-pony worry about them. I’ve got the kitchens covered.”

********

Crystal Tower Kitchens Entrance

Sunshine and three of her fellow Night-Guards moved as quietly as they could around the back of the Tower. They worked their way towards the large kitchen entrance, their hooves making barely a noise.

“Bravo team is in position to breech.” Sunshine whispered into her head set. “Commander Robinsson if you want to be able to piss unassisted ever again you will pull back Alpha team right now.” she hissed.

There was no reply. Figures.

As Sunshine and her team approached the big double doors, a voice she didn’t recognize suddenly whispered in her ear.

“Smile for the camera.” a female voice with a Trottingham accent said.

Sunshine heard a whirl and looked up to see a camera turn and focus on her.

“Fire at will, Bennett.” the voice said.

Sunshine opened her mouth to shout a warning, but she was too late. A bullet whipped down through Thatcher’s shoulder, her number two on this mission. The other two Night-Guards leapt forward as Sunshine grabbed the dazed Thatcher and hauled him under the overhang. She then brought her shotgun up and blasted the camera.

“You two secure the kitchen!” she shouted at the other two Night-Guards. “I’ll give this joker something to think about!”

The two dark furred ponies nodded and ducked inside the entrance as Sunshine tended to Thatcher.

“Okay Thatcher, how do you feel?” she asked as she inspected the wound.

“I’ve been better.” the stallion deadpanned.

Sunshine grinned. “Glad to see your sense of humor is alright. Now, your foreleg is broken. Hold this pad on the wound until the bleeding stops. In the meantime I’m going to borrow your weapon.”

Thatcher grinned cockily as he took the pad. “Borrow my weapon, sir? What, got a hot date?”

Sunshine couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know it.”

The pegasus slung her shotgun over her back and picked up Thatcher’s rifle. She lit a flare and tossed it out into the open. Several bullets struck the ground around the flare as Sunshine leaned out as far as she dared and opened fire at where she thought the shots were coming from.

*******

Crystal Tower Kitchens

A brown earth pony stallion dressed in attire associated with a chef sat napping at a counter in the kitchen.

“Oi!” shouted a voice in his ear.

The stallion snorted and looked around.

“Sqeezey?” he said to the air.

“Got a few Night-Guards heading in.” Juno said over the radio, the bud in his ear receiving.

“Lovely.” The stallion yawned and stretched. “And would it kill you to use my name?”

Juno sighed. “I don’t know your name.”

“Call me… Reuben.” the stallion said.

Two Night-Guards suddenly burst into the kitchen, pointing their sub-machine guns at the stallion.

“Show me your hooves!” one of the Night-Guards shouted.

“Whoa shit man, don’t hurt me!” Reuben shouted in a shrill voice, raising his fore hooves into the air.

The Night-Guard sighed. “Put your hooves down.”

Reuben slowly lowered his hooves. The two Night-Guards walked around the kitchen, checking it for any other ponies. After a minute of searching, they came up empty.

“Area secure.” one said to the other. “Inform the Captain.

“Sandwich?” Reuben said, offering the edible item to the Night-Guard that stood near him.

The pony shook his head.

“Suit yourself.” Reuben shrugged.

The pony spoke into his radio. “Captain Sunshine, the kitchen is secu-Ack!”

The Night-Guard gurgled as Reuben stabbed a knife into his neck. The other Night-Guard scrambled to bring up his gun as Reuben pulled the bloody knife free and threw it at the pony. The stallion went down with the knife lodged in his throat.

Sunshine burst into the room and only by some miracle managed to dodge a thrown meat cleaver. She stumbled as she hit her side on a counter, only just managing to bring her borrowed gun up as some crazed earth pony leapt at her wielding a butcher’s knife.

The knife skitted off the gun with a loud screech and severed the strap. A two-hoofed swing knocked the gun from Sunshine’s grasp. The pegasus managed to dodge a knife thrust aimed at her kidneys and drive a hoof into her attacker’s nose.

Reuben stumbled back, clutching his nose. He growled and picked up another meat cleaver. He came running at Sunshine again, swinging the cleaver and knife wildly.

Sunshine tried to bring her shotgun to bear, but only managed to use it to block Reuben’s chop with the cleaver. He tried again to stab her with the knife, but she twisted her shotgun and trapped his hooves in the strap. A hard yank sent the two blades flying from his grasp.

Reuben grabbed the shotgun and wrestled Sunshine for it. He managed to pry it away from her, but a double hoofed jump-kick sent him flying backwards over a counter top, the shotgun flying from his grasp.

Sunshine panted. “Who the fuck are you?”

Grinning crazily, Reuben stood up. He pulled something from beneath the counter and raised it up. Sunshine’s eyes widened as she stared at the cone of a RPG launcher.

“I’m the cook.” Reuben said just before he fired the weapon.

Sunshine threw herself to the ground and the rocket sailed over her head, exploding with a deepening boom against the wall, throwing chunks of crystal and pans into the air.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart!” Reuben called. “I’ve got another one!”

Sunshine popped up, prepared to leap at the stallion in desperation when several pistol shots rang out. Reuben ducked down beneath the counter and Sunshine looked to see Thatcher leaning against the door, pistol in his good hoof.

“Captain!” he yelled as he fired off a few more shots. “Run!”

Sunshine didn’t need to be told twice. She threw herself at the doorway, scrambling to get away.

“Shit.” Thatcher muttered as the slide of his pistol locked open. As he tried to reload, his one hoofed status making it difficult, he saw the crazy stallion rise up, shotgun clutched in one hoof.

“Yippie ki yay,” Thatcher growled as he slammed the mag home and jacked the slide.

With his RPG launcher balanced on one shoulder, Reuben held the shotgun in his other hoof. He raised it level with Thatcher.

“Motherfucker!” Thatcher roared as he opened fire. He felt Sunshine brush past him and took solace in the fact that he had saved his captain. He might get a medal for this.

The shotgun blast was like the roar of an ancient beast. It lifted Thatcher off his hooves and slammed him into the wall. He was dead before he hit the floor.

********

Base of Crystal Tower

Sunshine ran faster than she could ever remember.

“Robinsson! Pull your fucking men back now!” she screamed into her comm as she zigzagged, trying to avoid the sniper as he took shots at her.

The yell was pointless. Robinsson was huddled behind a barricade, shouting orders into his radio.

“Bring in the Boat now!” he screamed.

********

Crystal Tower Offices

“I got three. Last one ran.” the stallion called Reuben reported.

“Good.” Juno replied. “Now get into position with that little toy of yours. I want a nasty surprise for their armor.”

“At once.” came the quick reply.

“Theo, any new developments?” Juno asked.

“Yeah. Blackguard can’t shoot for shit.” the tech snarked.

“Watch it!” the unicorn growled over the radio.

Juno smiled. “Okay you two, you’re both pretty.”

“Hold up.” Theo said. “It would appear as though the police have got themselves a balloon hammock.”

*******

Crystal Tower Roof

The Boat, as it was called, was a newly created airship. Smaller and faster than its predecessors, it was armored and armed to the teeth.

The airship came fast and with less noise than one would expect. If it weren’t for Theo’s warning, Blackguard wouldn’t have seen it until it was too late.

The airship opened fire on the unicorn with a single Gatling gun. The weapon chugged out big bullets with a rhythm you could almost dance to. Blackguard threw himself behind the lip of the roof, the thick crystal protecting him from the bullets.

But the airships cannons….

“I need anti-air here now!” Blackguard roared into the radio.

“Lock and Load!” he heard Juno shout, the bloodshed getting her pumped. “Bring ‘em down!”

*******

Crystal Tower

“Yes ma’am!” the twins shouted in unison as they grabbed up the appropriate weaponry.

A matching set, they charged down the halls towards the building’s front side, where the airship hovered firing Blackguard. They took each turn at a run, skidding and slipping more than a few times, bumping into walls and such, cursing all the way.

They skidded to a halt just at a large window, the glass vibrating from the backwash of the airship.

As one, Lock and Load used their massive weapons to smash the glass and then stick the ends of the weapons out into the cold night air.

“Are you in position?” Juno demanded over the radio.

“Yes ma’am!” the twins answered as one.

“Fire!”

A pair of what looked like fireballs to those that were ignorant of the weapons’ function and presence lanced from the window and slammed into the airship. A boom and crash echoed throughout the night as large holes were blown in the airship, crippling it.

*******

Crystal Tower Office

Juno watched with a sadistic grin as fire exploded around the air ship.

“Hit it again.” she said into her radio.

“Damnit Juno!” Cadance suddenly shouted. “You’ve made your point! Let them pull back!”

The pegasus suddenly whirled around and struck Cadance, whipping her head back and eliciting a fang filled snarl from Chrysalis.

“I’ll it under advisement, Princess.” she hissed. “HIT IT AGAIN!” she roared into the radio.

********

Crystal Tower Ventilation System

Truth hugged Lovebug close as the boom of guns and the roar of rockets rocked the building. She softly hushed the foal, more in an effort to calm herself than anything else. She then heard the sound of two ponies rushing by, shouting to one another about launchers and airships.

Gently setting the bundle of blankets that was Lovebug down in a corner of the crawlspace, Truth dared poke her head out to see what was happening. She watched as twin stallions shattered a large window with two big and evil looking weapons.

At the command of a voice over the radio, the twins fired their weapons, massive explosions going off as they hit their target.

“Hit it again.” the voice on the radio, Juno, Truth realized, commanded. There was a brief pause and suddenly Juno was all but screaming. “HIT IT AGAIN!”

The twins began reloading their weapons, struggling and muttering as they loaded what looked like rockets meant for vehicles into their weapons.

Truth ducked back into the crawlspace. What was she to do? What could she do? Her hoof brushed against the grenades she had taken from Two Guns.

She quickly snatched the two spheres up and pulled the pins. She leaned out the vent to the crawlspace as fly leavers sprang out from the grenades’ bodies. She tossed the two explosives at the twins and ducked back into the crawlspace. She grabbed Lovebug, who began fussing in her grasp, and crawled into the largest vent.

She didn’t care how much noise she made as she sped away from the place where the grenades landed.

Meanwhile, Lock and Load paused a moment before firing their weapons as they heard the distinctive tinkle of metal skittering over the ground. In unison, they looked at the source of the noise, which was a pair of grenades that had stopped just between the two of them.

“Oh,”

“Fu-!”

********

Crystal Tower Roof

Blackguard looked through the scope of his rifle, paying no heed to the crippled airship, which was beginning to lose altitude, slowly spiraling down.

He set his sights on a juicy target. Captain Sunshine of the Night-Guard. He had missed once. He would not miss again.

Just as he began to squeeze the trigger, a massive explosion rocked the Tower. The fireball shot up and lit up the night as Blackguard felt the crystal beneath him give way. He scrambled backwards, missing his shot and losing his rifle in the process.

The many pieces of debris fell down to the ground below, scattering the ponies that gathered there. The airship rocked as a large piece hit in on the way by. The assault vehicle fell quickly, crashing into a heap on the ground, but thankfully, not exploding or folding completely.

Blackguard slowly got to his hooves and looked over the edge of the roof, the destruction below looking strangely pretty with so many shards of crystal among it.

*******

Base of Crystal Tower

8:20 PM

Sunshine slowly eased her head up over the partially destroyed barricade, a hoof over Blind Justice in an almost protective manner.

The pegasus mutely surveyed the damage, but eventually found her voice.

“Sweet fucking Celestia.” she said quietly.