Half way across Equestria, a rust orange mare with a dark orange mane sat in the back of her metallurgy shop on the outskirts of Baltimare. Her two colleagues, a light blue, partial crystal pony named Fixette, and her life partner, a pail orange mare named Autumn Spark, were busy in the shop building orders of the patented Silver Bit Rifles. The orange mare held a look of determination on her face as she gave a quick itch behind her right ear that was missing a small chunk. Her three silver ingot cutie mark would have been a dead giveaway seeing as it was on the sign hanging outside the shop.

Silver Bit had been tinkering with this little filly's music box for days trying to refit a spring, but couldn't find a way to fit it in without rebuilding it completely. At the front of the shop, a bright yellow unicorn with an equally bright red mane tapped diligently on a typewriter. He'd been away for some time and it was just convenient that he was in town the same time an order was coming through and needed to be filed. And seeing as the mares that worked the shop couldn't keep it afloat without his help, he was glad to do a little civilian work.

Next to the front desk, the window was wide open to let in the warm spring, soon to be summer, air. It wasn't until a large shadow overtook the entire window that the unicorn looked up for his work. Raven Wing stood tall and proud on the window sill.

"Hey Raven Wing." the stallion said as the door to the workshop opened behind him.

"Who in Equestria are you talking to Orion?" Autumn Spark asked before she saw the black and dark purple bird in the window. "Oh…That."

"He's just a messenger." Orion replied taking the corner off of his sandwich.

He lobbed it to Raven Wing and he happily ate the piece whole. He leaned in and nuzzled Orion in appreciation for the snack. He then looked to Autumn and made his way across the desk to her.

"Uh…Hi there…" She said leaning away from the tall bird.

"He's harmless. Unless you hurt one of his friends." Orion assured.

"What's he doing?"

"He's getting familiar with you in case he needs to find you. Go on, tell him your name."

"Um…Hi, I'm Autumn Spark?"

Raven's head suddenly snapped to the left where the shop door just opened with Silver Bit on the other side of the door. Silver didn't bother asking what it was or why it was here. She knew exactly why.

"That's the assignment you were here on wasn't it?" Silver asked Orion.

"It was. I told Nexus I tracked the changelings crossing the ocean and he said for me to stay put."

"Could somepony tell me what's going on?" Autumn asked as Fixette peaked shyly through the door.

Raven spotted this and glided over to Silver Bit's back. Fixette jumped as the bird had flown over to her fairly quickly.

"What is up with that bird?" Autumn asked.

"He's a people person." Silver replied

"If he likes you, he'll just come by once in a while to say hey." Orion added.

"It does that and it's somepony's pet?"

"He's beautiful." Fixette said in awe of the Nightmare Phoenix after her heart slowed down.

Raven Wing cooed in thanks and nuzzled Fixette happily.

"So is he just here to say hey or what?"

"No. He's never come by." Silver said slightly monotone.

"So?"

"Nexus said he'd send Raven Wing when he needed Silver." Orion answered.

"Define need?"

"I told you where I went a few months ago right?"

"Yeah…"

"He wants me to accompany him on a changeling hunt."

"A what now!?" Autumn said loud enough to cause even Raven Wing to jump slightly. "You said that was extremely dangerous!"

"I'm not afraid of some oversized bugs."

"She can handle herself." Orion said in her defense.

"There's no way we're letting you go without backup."

"We?" Fixette asked concerned.

"Damn right we. If you're goin' then so are we!"

"I appreciate it but-"

"We're not taking no for an answer."

"I wouldn't mind taking no for an answer actually." Fixette said putting her hoof up like it was a vote.

"If you want to go that's fine, but don't force Fixette to go too." Orion butted in.

"She'd be miserable without me. Stay out of it Orion."

Silver Bit sighed in annoyance. "Look, Fix, if you don't want to go, then that's fine. Don't let Autumn push you into it."

"So I'm going!?"

"I didn't say that."

"Well, if you think you'll need some help…"

"That a girl! So if you go, so do we."

"Fine. But the two of you are just strictly coming as support."

"Yes!" Autumn Spark said pumping her hoof in the air. "Come on! We need to pack!" She said literally dragging Fixette out the door with her.

"You sure you-Hold on. I'm not back up!?" Orion asked angry that he was considered lesser.

"Calm down. You're coming too. I'd say pack a bag, but I know you already have one." Silver said motioning towards the small black duffle bag under the front desk.

"I better. I've been hoping we finally move on Chrysalis."

Silver groaned and rolled her eyes as she went to check on the bag that she'd had prepared since Nexus' visit.