Arcane Fire relaxed in his bunk in the barracks of Canterlot Castle. These barracks were not visible on any floorplan of the Castle that had ever been created. After all, according to official records, they didn't exist. According to official records, neither did he. The only pony who had any authority over him was Princess Celestia herself. He had no listing of rank or even name in any military record. In fact, official records stated that he had been killed in action during a routine scouting mission in the Everfree that had gone horribly wrong five years prior. However, every record of even that mission had been destroyed shortly after it was created. It was as if he had never even enlisted.

But who honestly believed the official story? After all, official records were nothing more than a cover up anyway. As a member of Princess Celestia's Elite Guard, he learned that lesson very quickly. He understood the reasoning behind official records of course. If the unofficial, true story of many events that Arcane found himself involved in got to the public, all hell would break loose within days.

But that was one of the most important parts of Arcane's job: Keep the public blissfully unaware of the threats that faced Equestria every day. Keeping the public blissfully unaware had left him with a body count that would leave any common pony petrified at the sight of him. He didn't enjoy killing by any means, but taking a life didn't haunt him like it had when he first started his career with the military. It was ugly, but it was just something he had to do.

The few ponies who knew Arcane Fire had lots to say about him. Some called him ruthless, others cold and calculating. Some said he was void of emotion at all. The other members of Celestia's Elite Guard simply viewed him as he viewed himself: Professional. His snow white mane was trimmed exactly to the regulation 16 inches, his tail at 24. His maroon coat was always clean, but never made to shine. His amber eyes never betrayed any emotion, even when he actually felt something. His alarm woke him at exactly 0500 every morning. At 0530 he was at the Spell Range to ensure that he was well practiced with his combat spells. At 0600 he ate breakfast, and by 0630 he was standing guard over the Princess. Out of sight of her and anypony she met with, of course. Yes, secrecy had always served him and other members of the Elite Guard rather well. At 1800, his shift was over, and he made his way to Shining Armor's office to receive any assignment the Princess had for him. Technically, Shining Armor had no authority over him, but the Princess didn't usually have time to spend giving orders. Instead, she sent any assignment she had for the Elite Guard to Shining Armor, and he relayed the orders to the leader of whichever squad Celestia wanted on the mission. Celestia was a politician with a full plate, after all. At 1830, Arcane was back at the Spell Range for more in depth practice. At 1930 he returned to the barracks and settled in for the night. That was his routine almost every night. That was his routine for three weeks before the Changeling attack on Canterlot.

The Changeling attack had taken every member of the Elite Guard by surprise. Celestia had sent more than half of their number away to take care of what she had believed to be the source of the threat against Canterlot. Celestia had made a good judgement call with the information she had: An insurgent group based in the Innercity of Manehatten had been developing a spell that would have the power to wipe a city like Canterlot off the map. The group also had many smaller bases stationed around Equestria, each working on different spells to give them an edge in battle over the empire, and the rest of the Elite Guard had been sent to clear them out. Naturally, Arcane's team had been sent to the main base in Manehatten, and they quickly discovered that the insurgent base was nothing more than a distraction designed by the Changelings to draw his outfit away from Canterlot for the attack. By the time they figured it out, Canterlot was already under attack. The fact that Chrysalis could possibly know about the existence Celestia's Elite Guard meant that she had managed to get her forces to infiltrate the highest ranks of the Equestrian Military.

That was a slip that would not soon be repeated. Ever since the attack, Arcane and his squad had spent every day playing search and destroy with whatever Changeling forces managed to remain in Equestria. The crazy "Love-Bomb" that Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amour e Cadenza used had driven back most of the Changeling forces, but naturally a few stragglers remained. It was just another thing that Arcane Fire kept the public blissfully unaware of.

Arcane Fire sighed as he felt his horn tingle. The Elite Guard consisted entirely of unicorns, so naturally they had developed a means to communicate from a distance with magic. His horn cast a crimson glow as he projected Princess Celestia's image onto the ceiling above him. As soon as he realized that it was the Princess that was contacting him, he jumped out of his bunk and snapped to attention.

"Princess Celestia, Ma'am!" He snapped a smart salute. The Princess nodded to him.

"At ease, Arcane Fire."

Arcane lowered his right foreleg to the floor and spread his legs to shoulder width. He was expecting Shining Armor to be the one communicating with him. If Princess Celestia was contacting him, something was wrong. And Arcane was not a pony who enjoyed cleaning up a political mess.

"Yes, Ma'am. What do you need?"

"I have an assignment for you, Arcane. Assemble your squad and meet me in the throne room immediately."

"Yes, Ma'am. We'll be there shortly."

No more words were exchanged as Princess Celestia cut the communication spell. Arcane's face may have been chiseled in stone as he made his way to the throne room, but he couldn't have been more worried. The Princess was always trying to get him to be more chatty, even when she requested him for an assignment. She was never so to the point.

Civilians. Arcane thought bitterly as trotted through the barracks. Always want to make nice when the empire is falling apart around us. Arcane Fire hated nothing more than dealing with civilians. He was glad he didn't have to make a habit of it.

"Stinger! Angel! Report!" Arcane called out. His two squadmates stepped into view.

"Right here, Fire!" Dark Sting called back. His coat and mane were both jet black, making him a terribly imposing enemy to anypony who managed to see him. Dark Sting was the best infiltrator Arcane had ever encountered. He was a shadow against shadows. Like Arcane, he never hesitated, and ice was visible in his deep blue eyes.

"What's going on, Sir?" Angel Hair's scarlet coat shone in the dim light of the barracks. She kept her jet black mane shaved, and her tail cropped roughly at her knees. Her emerald eyes conveyed a determined air. She was always ready for anything, and as the squad's counter spell specialist, that readiness was an invaluable asset. That and her peculiar affection for anything that exploded.

Arcane allowed himself a rare smile. Dark Sting and Angel Hair not only were his squadmates, they were his only friends. They were the only ponies in Equestria he enjoyed the company of, and when he got the chance to do so he usually took it. He snapped himself back to reality.

"Princess Celestia has an assignment for us. We're to assemble and meet her in the throne room ASAP."

"Yes, Sir!"

"Understood!"

Stinger and Angel parted so Arcane could get through, then proceeded to follow him to the throne room. Inside, they found the Princess in a heated discussion with Shining Armor.

"Princess, are you sure the Wraiths are necessary for this job? We have other small group infiltration specialists who can get the Asset and get out without the collateral damage they'll cause!" Shining Armor pleaded.

Arcane Fire felt a small sensation of pride well within him at the mention of the nickname his outfit had received. Wraith. It was so much more fitting than the title of an Elite Guard. In a way, they really were just like the Wraiths of legend. If they were called to a mission, they would eliminate all opposing forces without ever being seen. They were cold, calculating, and showed no mercy. It was their job. He continued to listen to the conversation as he and his team approached the throne.

"Getting the Asset isn't enough, Shining Armor. We need to wipe out the insurgent forces that are there. My Elite Guard is the simplest solution." The Princess responded flatly. She hated the term Wraith for her Elite Guard force. It was hard enough for Celestia to send them to do what they did. If she called them guards she could pretend it wasn't as ugly as it looked.

"Is the trail of bodies they'll leave worth it? There are civilians working in that building! Civilians that have families and aren't involved with the rebels at all!" Shining Armor may as well have been begging at that point.

"You think I don't know that, Shining Armor?! You think I like that I have to send them in?! The fact of the matter is that the Asset means more to us than he does to them. If we take the Asset and leave the rebel force intact, more civilians will die than Arcane Fire's team will kill tonight!"

Shining Armor sighed. He hated to admit it, but he knew the Princess was right. It was days like this that he couldn't stand his job. He scowled as Arcane Fire and his team approached the throne. Shining Armor hated the Wraiths, but he didn't have a say in their presence. The Wraiths were a necessary force to maintain peace in Equestria. And like the other Wraiths, Arcane Fire and his squad hated Shining Armor. They never once questioned his ability as Captain of the Royal Guard though. He was a natural leader, and every grunt in the guard looked up to him as though he were a god. The reason the Wraiths hated him was because he was far too emotional. It wasn't uncommon for him to allow his emotions to get the best of him, causing him to hesitate and make bad calls for the sake of saving lives. He commanded an army. Soldiers die, and Shining Armor needed to come to terms with that fact. Arcane broke from his train of thought to address the Princess. He was here for a mission, not a mental exercise.

"Ma'am! Delta Squad, reporting in. Ready for briefing when you are."

Princess Celestia sighed. She hated herself every time she had to give an assignment to a team of Wraiths, especially Delta Squad. Delta was the most ruthless team she had at her disposal. Every time she deployed them, ponies died. And they died in large numbers. She cleared her head. She needed that ruthlessness for this particular assignment, and she couldn't let herself get emotional over it. A golden glow enveloped Princess Celestia's horn as she cast the image of a large building on the wall of the throne room.

"Delta Squad, our scouts have recently located a rebel base in central Manehatten. It is hidden inside the thirteenth floor of the Aratec Headquarters building. Aratec has been suspected of assisting the rebel force for as long as we have known of them, but until now we haven't had any solid evidence of a connection. They go by the name Celestial Downpour. We need you to eliminate the rebels, however there is one asset that we need left alive."

Princess Celestia's horn flashed and the image of a gray stallion with a black mane appeared on the wall of the throne room. He looked older, which pleased Arcane. He would be easy to distinguish against a group of young rebel soldiers.

"His name is Gamma Ray. He is a scientist employed by the rebel forces. He has been linked to seventeen bombings in the last eight months, which is responsible for the deaths of nearly fourteen hundred civilian lives. We believe he has prepared an explosive device intended for the Capitol Building in Manehatten. Take him alive and bring him back here with his latest creation."

Princess Celestia heaved a deep sigh. She really hated this part of her job.

"Lethal force is authorized for everypony else you encounter."

"Will we have any assistance on this operation, Ma'am?" Arcane asked.

"Yes. Alpha Squad will move in from the roof of the target building." Celestia answered. "Arcane, you'll be in charge this operation. Alpha will provide any additional assistance that you request of them. They've already been briefed and are getting their equipment. Any more questions?"

Her query was met with silence, which was usual among Wraiths. She nodded.

"Get your equipment and meet Alpha Squad on the chariot launch pad. Dismissed."

Arcane nodded to his squadmates and they double-timed to the equipment room. They each made sure to put soft pads on their hooves to muffle the sound of their hoofsteps. Stealth would serve them well on this operation. They looked around for anything else they might need. This equipment room had every death machine that money could buy, but they ignored it. Anything that they could get from that gear they could create with their magic. There was no need to haul extra equipment around. However, Angel made sure to grab six small, but incredibly powerful, explosives. Arcane approached her.

"Angel, what's with the D-23's? We don't want to make a mess out of this op."

"Sir, I saw the image of the target building. It may be one of the smaller skyscrapers in the city, but it's still far too large to do a sweep of the building and get out in an acceptable time frame. The only way we can ensure that there are no survivors is to blow it. I can plant these in the basement and it will look like the Architect didn't build the place to hold it's own weight."

Arcane nodded. As much as he hated to make a mess out of this operation, Angel was right. They had to ensure that nopony inside the building survived, and time was of the essence.

"Good call. Delta, you have everything you'll need?"

"Yes, Sir." Angel responded.

"Ready to go, Fire!" Stinger called out.

"Alright, let's hit the launch pad." Arcane double timed to the chariot launch pad hidden on the side of the mountain that Canterlot was built on. He often wondered how his outfit still managed to be a complete secret. He would have at least expected a few legends to spring up. Then again, he never left the Castle enough to find out what the world knew about the Wraiths.

Arcane quickly found himself rounding the corner to the launch pad. Delta Squad met up with Alpha Squad, and the six ponies exchanged a series of brief nods before boarding the chariots and taking off towards Manehatten.

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Communicate via telepathic link. Keep the chatter to a minimum. Arcane spoke over the telepathic link he had with his squad. Let's have a roll call, make sure we all remember this spell.

Stinger, checking in.

Angel here, Sir. Everything looks solid.

It took some time for Arcane to get used to hearing other ponies voices inside his head, but once he got used to the telepathic communication spell he couldn't appreciate it enough. He took a moment to check in with Alpha.

Alpha Squad, communication check. Let's have a roll call.

Pincer, checking in.

Ghost here.

Scythe, reporting in. Alpha Squad is go.

Arcane nodded. Everypony knew their role in the assignment. Celestia had left him with a floor plan and some aerial images of the building they were heading into. It was a skyscraper, one of many in Manehatten. No challenge getting in from the ground, but Alpha may have some trouble on the roof. It appeared that the rebels kept a guard on the roof, likely intended to take out chariots that tried to land.

Scythe, you might want to look at these. These rebels are obviously more organized than what we're used to. Arcane thought to Alpha Squad's leader.

Yeah, I've got the pictures, Arcane. We'll circle above and take them out from the skies. Scythe thought back.

Arcane frowned. He didn't like that idea.

You sure? You'd be better off jumping from above. You have spells to slow your descent, it was a part of our training. You'd be better able to fight them with your hooves on the roof. Arcane knew that aiming spells would be easier if Alpha Squad wasn't flying around on a chariot above the building. Combat was far easier when a pony was in control how he moved.

On the roof where we'll be outnumbered and with little cover. We'll take them from the skies. Once we get rid of the guards on the roof we'll land and head inside. We'll meet you on the thirteenth floor, by the labs where we'll find the Asset. Scythe responded.

Arcane nodded. He had been thinking about Delta Squad's strength and ignoring the fact that Alpha was more capable of taking down enemies at a distance. Forgetting a squad's strength was a mistake that got teammates killed. He made a mental note of the mistake and would make sure he never made it again.

Alright. We'll head in from the streetside as soon as you raise the alarms. When we're inside, we'll make our way to the basement. Angel will be planting six timed D-23's to blow the building. We're going to have fifteen minutes for this operation once the bombs are planted. We'll have ten minutes tops to get the Asset if we're going to get out of this alive. Arcane thought.

Understood. We'll keep them busy as long as we can. Scythe responded.

Listen up, everypony. We've got a two hour flight ahead of us, and this mission needs to be carried out quickly and efficiently. Grab some sleep on the way, we need to be well rested. Arcane thought to the squad. Everypony responded with a click inside Arcane's mind. It was a simple acknowledgement, and any further response would have been unnecessary. Arcane curled up to make himself as comfortable as he could on the chariot and quickly fell into a light sleep.

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Thirteen Years Earlier...

Arcane stood his ground as his father charged towards him. The young colt glanced over at his mother, the only pony he had ever loved. She was lying in a pool of her own blood, and even a pony as young as Arcane knew that she was dead. His father would pay for murdering her. Tears streamed down Arcane's face as he forced as much energy into his spell as he could manage. He screamed as he released the spell, sending a ball of fire hurtling toward his father. Arcane heard screaming as his father tried to put out the flames that engulfed his body, but it was to no avail. Flames born of magic would only die when they had burned themselves out. Arcane watched with a smile on his face as his father burned. He felt a light tingle on his flanks, and when he looked back he saw the image of a bright orange flame adorning them. He turned again to ensure that he was able to witness his father's dying breath. He ran a hoof down his mother's face to close her eyes, and cast the same spell that had just taken his father's life against the walls of the home he had spent his entire life in. He may only have been twelve, but he knew he would be better off on the streets.

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"Arcane Fire, Sir! We're almost there!"

As soon as Arcane heard the voice of the the Pegasus pony flying the chariot, he was wide awake and on his hooves. Stinger and Angel were close behind. He tucked away the memories that his dream had resurfaced into a dark corner of his mind. Now was not the time to be dwelling on the past. He had a job to do, and his squad was going to look to his leadership to get through it alive.

You heard him, everypony up! Arcane thought to both Alpha and Delta squad. Give me a roll call!

Stinger, checking in.

Angel, up and ready, Sir!

Arcane nodded.

Scythe?

Alpha is awake and alive, Arcane. Ready when you are.

Arcane nodded. Most commanders would smile proudly at such efficiency and professionalism from their team, but Wraiths were efficient and professional in all situations. It was just how they operated. Arcane looked at the Pegasi flying Delta's chariot.

"Captain, bring us in for a flyby drop roughly two miles from the target building, and make sure it's somewhere dark. Expect about 20 minutes for this operation. After you drop us off, find a cloud. Extraction will be on the roof of the target building. Come as soon as we launch our flares."

"Yes, Sir."

Arcane sighed. He hated using verbal communications on a mission, and he definitely hated launching flares, but the Pegasi that were flying the chariot naturally couldn't use the magic necessary for telepathic communications. They would have to risk being spotted if they were going to accomplish their goal.

Arcane looked over at Alpha Squad's chariot. They were pulling away to begin circling high above the target building. Scythe was giving instructions to the chariot captain.

Give us the signal when you're in position, Arcane, and we'll start the air strike. Scythe's voice spoke in Arcane's mind.

Will do. Good luck Alpha Squad. Arcane responded.

Good luck, Delta. Scythe finished.

Arcane felt the chariot begin to descend. He watched as it quickly made it's way towards a dark alley roughly two miles away from the target building.

Delta, on my mark! Arcane thought. Stinger and Angel nodded and made their way to the back of the chariot. Arcane looked over the edge at their landing zone. He counted down the seconds to his team.

Three, two, one, MARK!

Stinger and Angel jumped from the chariot without hesitation, closely followed by Arcane. The team cast their spells to slow their descent and safely landed in the alley below. Unfortunately, the alley was already occupied by two ponies making a drug deal of sorts. Before they had the chance to scream, two crimson lances of magic shot through their throats. The two earth ponies slumped over soundlessly. Angel nudged one of the bodies.

What a shame. The buyer couldn't have been more than 16. Already ruining his life with that crap. We probably just did him a favor. She shrugged and turned to Arcane to get his input.

Doesn't matter. We have a job to do. Double time to the target building, Delta. Arcane thought to his squad. Stinger and Angel nodded and the squad began galloping to their objective, soundless thanks to the padding on their hooves.

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"It's my daugher's birthday tomorrow!" One of the guards in front of the building was saying. "I can't believe she's already turning six! I'm taking the whole day off to spend time with just her and my wife! It's going to be wonderful!"

The other guard grinned.

"Oh yeah? What's it like being a dad, Mario?"

"It's wonderful, Dawson! But I'm sure you'll find that out soon enough, won't you?"

"Yeah, I guess I will." The guard named Dawson said with a blush. "Summer's seven months along now. We're having a colt! I've never been so excited!"

Delta Squad watched the exchange from the shadows. They were in position and ready to go, but any information that a loudmouthed guard leaked could be dramatically useful to the squad. The guards would likely know the layout of the building better than Delta did, they might know of any traps inside the building that the squad might accidentally trigger, and more importantly they might show just how devoted the rebels were to their cause. Loyalty could drive anypony to fight harder than they normally would, and would give them a reason not to back down. Loyal foes were always more difficult to deal with than hired guns. Unfortunately, the guards at the door were as useless to Delta as was possible.

Sounds like they're civilians, hired by Aratec to keep watch at night. Judging by their uniforms, they're probably on loan from a freelance security force. I'm guessing they have no idea that Aratec has rebels working inside those labs. Angel observed. Arcane nodded.

We still need to get in that door. Stinger, let's make this quick and quiet.

You got it, Fire.

Arcane took a moment to focus on Scythe. It was time to start the operation.

Alpha, Delta Squad is in position and waiting on you.

Understood. Scythe responded. Launching the air strike.

The sound of a magical explosion was heard from the roof of the building, followed by a scream. The scream got louder and louder, and Arcane noticed that it was from a falling unicorn. The unicorn hit the pavement with a sickening crunch. The two guards in front of the door looked at the dead unicorn, eyes wide with shock. Before they had a chance to react, magical auras enveloped each of their heads. A second later the guards slumped over, their necks twisted at unnatural angles. Delta team moved the bodies of the three dead guards inside the building and made their way to the basement. So far, everything was going according to plan.

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Charges are in place, Sir. Setting the timers now...Done. We have fifteen minutes to be out of here. Angel informed Arcane. Arcane nodded.

Alright, double time to the Asset. Kill anypony who gets in our way. Move out, Delta!

Neither Stinger or Angel responded. There was no need to respond. They fell in behind Arcane and moved up the stairs towards the Asset. On the seventh floor, they ran into a lone janitor. Without breaking stride, Arcane cast a crimson lance of superheated magic straight through his torso, incinerating the soft organs inside his body. Delta Squad galloped past the dead stallion and continued making their way up the stairs. Before long they had reached the thirteenth floor, where the rebel forces were already in complete disarray. What was left of the rebel force that had occupied the building was casting combat spells in every direction, with no single target in mind.

Looks like they all pulled back to protect the Asset...And it looks like Alpha's been wreaking havoc down here. Stinger observed. Arcane nodded.

Let's finish them off and get the Asset. We've only got seven minutes left.

Stinger and Angel nodded in acknowledgement and began casting lethal spells with deadly accuracy at the group of disoriented rebels. Arcane followed suit, and after roughly eight seconds, fourteen rebel soldiers fell.

Took you long enough. I was starting to wonder if we were going to have to leave you behind. Scythe's voice said in Arcane's head as he stepped into view.

Focus, Scythe. The Asset is likely to have a personal guard on himself. Do we know where he is? Arcane responded.

Yeah. He's in this lab here. Scythe used his magic to project a floorplan of the labs the Asset was hiding in against the wall. A lab on the far end of the layout from their position was marked with a pulsing light. Nine red dots were visible in the room.

The eight closest to the door are the Asset's personal guard. The one under the desk is the Asset. I say have Stinger teleport in to start the party, and then you, Angel and I bust in the door and finish the rest. I'll send Pincer and Ghost to the roof to launch the flares and ensure that we have nothing but empty halls on our way out. Scythe thought to Arcane. Arcane nodded.

Alright, sounds like a plan. Stinger, Angel, let's move! Six minutes and counting!

Delta team and Scythe quickly moved through the labs, and before long they were waiting outside the room that held the Asset. Arcane nodded to Stinger. Stinger nodded back and cast a cloaking spell on himself before teleporting inside. Shortly after, a chorus of confused screams were heard as Stinger began eliminating the Asset's guards one by one. Angel pressed her horn to the door of the lab and blasted it open. Arcane, Angel, and Scythe then quickly moved in and finished the rest of the Asset's guards.

A black aura eveloped Stinger's horn as he lifted the Asset out from under the desk. Before the Asset could attempt to beg for his life, Stinger cast a non-lethal "submission" spell on him, rendering him incapacitated. Arcane found the bomb the Asset had created for the Capitol and picked it up off of the desk with his magic. Stinger tossed the Asset onto his back, and the four ponies made their way to the roof.

Alpha Squad had done a good job ensuring the path to the roof would be clear. Bodies of fallen rebels and unfortunate scientists littered the floor on either side of every hallway. When the four ponies made it to the roof, both chariots were already waiting for them. Alpha and Delta Squads boarded their respective chariots without a word. Stinger dropped the Asset off of his back and sighed.

Another day, another bit, right Fire?

A loud rumbling was heard as the building they had just left crumbled to the ground. The few ponies that had been left alive inside the building could now be seen jumping from windows in a vain attempt to escape their inevitable fates. Pedestrians on the street either screamed and ran or stood watching with mouths agape, too afraid to move. A couple of adolescent ponies who had been curious about the flashes of light and screams from inside the building were crushed as the upper floors toppled on top of them. Arcane allowed himself a satisfied smile as he set down the bomb and leaned back against the side of the chariot.

Another day, another bit, Stinger. Next Chapter: Assignment Estimated time remaining: 58 Minutes