“I asked if you would join us? What’s wrong with him?” My savior asked turning to his companions.

“Could be that he has a concussion.” I noticed an older, yellow coated earth pony with a jet black mane. She was wearing a dirty coat that had once been white. Underneath it she wore light leather armor.

The yellow mare grabbed me by the head with her hooves, and started turning it left and right.
She then held up her hoof in front of my face and moved it from side to side. I followed it with my eyes.

“Seems fine. His head at least.” A sudden jab at my ribs sent unspeakable shivers of pain trough me. I screamed, and curled up instinctively to protect them from further damage. Wheezing with pain that only got worse as I drew breath, I looked at the mare through teary eyes, wondering why she had done that.

“Sheesh Saw! You’re supposed to help him not kill him.” Blinking away my tears of pain I turned to observe the owner of this sweet voice.

The voice belonged to a mare with a bright pink coat and an unkempt, blond mane. She wore the strangest outfit that I ever saw. A suit made from thick metal plates that covered every inch of her, including her tail, only her head was left bare. The armor was steel-grey in color and there was a sign on her chestplate, but it was too badly faded and scratched for me to identify it.

“Shrapnel. You stick to blowing shit up and I’ll take care of the patching up ponies part.”

Before I could say anything the yellow mare shoved a bottle in my mouth and I had no choice but to drink. I felt relief as my ribs stopped hurting. When the contents were emptied she removed her hoof, and I could remove the bottle from my mouth. The healing potion had done its job. It was a strange sensation feeling my lip with my tongue as the flesh knitted its self back together.

“Who are you? And what are you?” I had been reading about this kind of foreign creature. It wasn’t native to Zevrass that’s for sure. A feathered head adorned with golden eyes and a bird beak. Two strong wings resting on its back, and sharp, claw shaped talons. I noticed the metal lining his right talon. Everything except the thumb was steel.

“Did anypony catch that?” It asked its friends.

“Beats me.” Said another voice. This one I remembered. It was the same voice that took bets while I fought for my life. A green colored unicorn with dark leaf-green hair. He wore a strange blue suit with yellow stripes, and some kind of old world tech on his leg. A bracer, or shackle with a flat smooth surface, and buttons too.

The pink mare in the heavy armored suit approached me and cleared her throat.

“DO! YOU! SPEAK PONY!?” She yelled.

“Damn Shrapnel! He’s not deaf!” Said the green stallion.

“And it’s Equestrian. Not pony.” Added the yellow mare.

“Yeah! DO YOU SPEAK EQUESTRIAN!?” She yelled again. While rubbing my ears I realized that I had spoken my question in Zebra.

“Yes I do. Please stop shouting.” She smiled and walked back to stand beside the creature.

“Why is he looking at me like that?” He asked. What was its species called?

“Relax boss, he probably never saw a griffin before.” The green unicorn mused and approached me. That’s it a Griffin! They must be from Equestria! But what were they doing here?

“What’s your name?” Asked the unicorn as I got to my hooves.

“It’s Mist.” I said while looking behind them. Lenya was helping Doran to his hooves. He seemed alright, just a little roughed up.

“Well my name is Cog. The maniac shouting at you is Shrapnel.” He pointed at the pink mare.

“Hi!” She waved an armored hoof smiling. Cog continued.

“The grouch is called Bonesaw.”

“Bite me.” She replied.

“Or just Saw for short. And the griffin, our boss, is called IronClaw for obvious reasons.” The griffin impatiently tapped his metal digits on the floor as if for added emphasis.

“Right. What the boss wanted to know was if you’re looking for work and were interested in hooking up with our gang?” He sat, spread his hooves wide and smiled.

“Why?”

His grin slipped. He gave me a look that seemed to say that I was crazy for asking. I mean: Who wouldn’t want to join a mercenary band that he just met during a fight? Right?

The griffin, IronClaw, took a few steps forward.

“Why? Because you have skills. Skills that would have been wasted. You can fight, you know the local language and you are a unicorn. Another magic user is always a nice touch.”

“Mean’s we won’t have to rely on Cog’s sorry rump to get by, whenever we need some hokus-pokus done.”

“Hey!”

IronClaw just rolled his eyes as Saw and Cog bickered.

“So who do you work for?” I asked.

“We don’t have a permanent employer. We are an independent company that takes on jobs in the form of contracts. Basically the finest mercenaries around, with the best reputation, the best gear, and damn good pay.” He finished proudly, his head held high. On the middle of his chest, on his black armor, a white talon was painted, open and ready to strike.

“What kind of contracts?” What do they do that’s too difficult for other mercenaries?

“Like I said. Dangerous ones. The assignments vary from escorts, raids, recon… even the Remnant hired us a few times. I can’t give you any details until you accept the offer to join.” The Remnant?!

“You worked for the Remnant?! Don’t you know what they do? How they treat ponies?!” Memories started flooding back of their atrocities. IronClaw raised a talon.

“Not for me to judge. Our commander RazorWing decides which contracts we take. Once a contract is accepted teams like mine receive orders, and we head out.” I walked past him towards Lenya and Doran.

“Thank you for the offer but I won’t be joining your team.” I said turning back to face him. His expression darkened.

“And why not?” I’ve obviously wounded his pride from the way he looked at me.

“I’m grateful to you for saving my life and healing my wounds, but I will not work for the Remnant.” He opened his beak to argue, but I pressed on.”I can’t be sure your commander won’t take another job for the Remnant again. When I set out it was to help ponies not their enemies.” He wasn’t satisfied, but at least he looked less inclined to tear my head off.

“Doran. Must you always cause trouble?” All heads shoot to the direction of the new speaker. I noticed that (besides the mercenaries, Doran, Lenya and myself) we were alone in the bar. The other zebras must have sneaked away while IronClaw and I were talking. The newcomer was an older zebra dressed in green robes flanked by two armed guards. The guards looked at the mess we made and shot us all scornful looks.

“Sorry magister, it’s not as if I wanted to get punched in the face.” Doran said while holding his bleeding muzzle with a hoof. The magister just shook his head and walked on.

“And you must be Mist. I heard you have been secretly assisting Doran here move his ponies from my town.” Uh-oh.

“You have me at a disadvantage?”

“Magister will do, and you can relax. I know what you three have been up too. After all, I’ve been helping. Come we shall talk more privately at my home.” He turned to his guards.

“Stay here and make sure the body isn’t moved.” The guards nodded and detached themselves from Magisters side.

“IronClaw if you and your squad would join us?” The griffin shrugged in a remarkable fashion, flapping his wings, and then we left together.

The magister’s home was spacious, but the furniture inside was plain and not what I expected for one of his position. There were carved masks hanging on the walls. Some of them were there to welcome guests and others to ward off evil spirits. There were also a few wooden fetishes and talismans on the shelves. Memories came flooding back of Zaeryl. This magister must be a shaman. Or at least had some training.

A zebra brought us drinks while we sat in his office. Lenya, having never seen the inside of the house, along with IronClaw’s team opted to explore. That left Doran, the griffin and me alone to talk with the magister.

“The Remnant you killed was one of three. The other two have left to get reinforcements. They know about the ponies Doran stashed away. They were tipped off by a zebra who I now have a reason to believe was the late Tellen.”

“Late?” Doran leaned forward, clearly more interested in the conversation now.

“He fell and broke his neck. It would seem he tried to climb my roof.” The magister said, while looking at me. Doran picked up on the hint, and stared at me, eyes widening in shock.

Not this again. “I didn’t kill him. I was just chasing him. He tried to get away by jumping rooftops. He overestimated himself on the last jump.” I didn’t bother trying to hide the irritation
from my voice. How many times was I going to have to repeat myself? Ironclaw stared at me intently, his eyes seemed to be digging into my own.

“Perhaps not by your own hoof, but you’re the reason he’s dead. If you weren’t chasing him, he wouldn’t have broken neck now. Either he was very stupid or you are more dangerous than you look. Why else would he risk a jump like that?”

He was right, if I hadn't been chasing after him like that. He would still be alive, but that didn't explain to me why he had jumped. What had he thought would happen if I'd caught him?

“Regardless. Tellen is dead, but he managed to inform the Remnant of the ponies presence and yours as well.” The magister said pointing a hoof at me.

“Me? But what does that have to do with anything? He told me about Doran hiding ponies in the first place. He thought I was with the Remnant.”

“Exactly. You can imagine their surprise when Tellen told them that one of their own was already operating within Sumaj. Yet this operative has yet to contact them. Knowing the Remnant they intend to return tomorrow in force to find this operative.” Well it’s not as if they would attack Sumaj just to get me? Would they?

“Then let them come. The ponies will be moved tonight and by tomorrow all they will find is an empty basement.” Well at least Doran seemed confident. The magister just shook his head again.

“As I said there were three of them. You killed one, another has gone for reinforcements which leaves the third to wait outside of Sumaj and observe the comings and goings of zebras and ponies alike. Outside of these walls with their cloaks you will never see him. When you leave you will lead him to the tribes and put all of their lives in danger.” And just like that all of Doran’s confidence left him.

“But… They wouldn’t dare attack Sumaj.” Doran was trying desperately to hang on to some hope.

“They don’t need to. All they need do is make their presence known, and that would scare away traders. Sumaj will starve. Should the Separatists learn about how interested the Remnant are in our town. They will investigate, and that investigation will lead to bloodshed outside our boarders. Further disrupting both trade, and future pony smuggling. What we need is a distraction.” He said tapping his chin with a hoof. I was going to regret this.

“What do you have in mind?” I asked.

“They know about the ponies but they haven’t seen them yet. You on the other hoof have recently become the talk of the town. A renegade working against the Remnant draws a lot more interest. Especially when I show them the body at the bar. My plan is this. Mist tomorrow you will leave with the Talon company by the north gate. In your cloak and in the company of the Talons you are sure to draw their eye, and should they attack you won’t be alone. Meanwhile Doran and his friends will lead the ponies through the south gate.”

“No.” IronClaw spoke firmly, and quickly had all of our attention. “I offered Mist a place in my team, and he refused. We will leave tomorrow, but he is on his own.”

“I… see. Why?” The magister looked to me, and I explained my reasons again.

“Hmm… How about a temporary alliance? Only until this contract is done? It was not issued by the Remnant?”

“No it wasn’t.” IronClaw rubbed his chin with his left talon and looked me straight in the eyes. We continued to stare at eachother. Our eyes locked. Neither one of us wanting to be the first to look away. Then at last he just nodded. “Alright. Mist would you join the Talons until the completion of this contract as a temporary member?” What other answer could I give him except...

“Yes.”

He clasped my hoof with his metal talon.

“Ha I knew the boss would change his mind now pay up Cog!” Shrapnel yelled when she heard that I was to join them.

“Speaking of paying. Who won the bar fight bet?” Saw asked.

“Since the boss ended the fight early no pony won.”

Had they seriously been making bets about that?

“So does that mean Saw and I get our caps ba-“

“No refunds!” Cog yelled before Shrapnel could finish.

“You puke colored basta-“

“That’s enough! You’re acting like foals for Luna’s sake! Now listen up this is the plan.” IronClaw gathered them around and told them how we were to bait the Remnant while Doran and his friends lead the ponies through the south gate.

“So we’re going to be diversions? Wonderful.” Cog wasn’t happy. Can’t say I blame him. We’re probably all going to end up dead.

“We are getting paid for this I hope?”

“Come on Saw, there is more to life than caps!” Shrapnel said bouncing in her armor. Like it was no heavier than a coat.

“Yes we are getting paid. I wouldn’t jeopardize our contract by risking a squad member without some compensation.” IronClaw said with a grin.

“I knew you cared, so Mist, how does it feel to be part of the team?” Cog asked elbowing me.

“I’m only helping out with this one contract. I’m not a member of your group.”

Shrapnel took this as her cue to add herself into the conversation.

“But you can change your mind after. Come on! It’s going to be fun! There are going to be explosions!” Oh joy! How could I say no to that? Nothing says fun like mortal danger.

“Listen up! The magister has graciously offered his home for the night. You don’t have to turn in yet but I want you all rested for tomorrow. And Shrapnel, don’t break anything.” IronClaw said as he climbed the stairs. Leaving Lenya, Shrapnel, Cog and me alone. Saw went to find something strong to drink and Doran had left to prepare the ponies and gather the zebras that will be escorting them tomorrow.

“Anypony up for a game of cards?” Cog asked and before anypony could answer we heard Saw shout.
“I found the booze!” I think the only time I’ve seen her smile was while holding those bottles.

Being novices, Lenya and I sat down with the mercenaries, and played cards without betting. Cog and Saw were disappointed, but Sharpnel didn't care as we moved from blackjack to poker. I learned how terrible I was at card-games. Lenya on the other hoof, now regretted not playing for caps, as she was winning quite often. Cog scoffed and claimed it was beginners luck, but I had my doubts, considering that Shrapnel was sitting next to her, playing the role of dealer, while casually making advances her way.

The whiskey flowed, and with that the Talon mercenary team under IronClaws command relaxed. They were quick to talk, about tall tales, and their adventures and exploits. Cog for instance, was a stable pony, as indicated by the yellow 85 on his back. The thing on his hoof was a PipBuck. Some kind of arcano-tech marvel that had a map, recording device, helps him aim, it even plays music. Don't ask me how it does any of those things.

Saw called it quits when the liquor dried out. Lenya started to yawn and then decided to go home but promised to see me off tomorrow. Shrapnel wanted to continue but Cog complained that they would have to get up early and he intended to be well rested. This has nothing to do with the fact that he was losing he claimed.

The magister’s home was big enough that we each had a room to ourselves. I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.

I stood in front of the bar, with my rifle out, shooting at the Remnant. They somehow managed to sneak inside the town! Zebras and ponies alike ran around screaming in terror. Saw was running from one wounded to another, Cog was trying to direct the noncombatants out of town, and IronClaw had taken to the skies. I saw feathers explode from one of his wings, and the large mercenary leader fell, I didn't see where but I could hear the thud when his body had hit ground.
There was no way he could have survived that. I kept shooting at the oncoming Remnant forces. There were too many, and they just kept coming. They were shooting at everyone and destroying everything in their path. I heard ponies and zebras screaming as they were cut down. I saw a filly running past me, away from the gate. Wait, I knew this filly.

“No, Raspberry! Your going the wrong way!”

“Mist? Is that you? Where are you?” I ran towards her but stopped when I got a closer look at her face. Her eyes were gone. Replaced by two gaping holes weeping blood.

“Where are you?” The filly repeated, as she held out her hoof. I desperately wanted to grab it, and lead her away from here, but something was stopping me. Everything seemed wrong. Remnant were pouring into the streets, but from where exactly? Saw was arguing with a pony that had his entire lower half torn off. The pony insisted that she was putting his lower intestine back in wrong and that he couldn’t feel his legs. Saw was shouted back at him. Calling him crazy and that she could feel his hooves just fine. And to prove her point she picked up the severed hoof and shook it in front of the pony’s face.

“Not again. This isn’t real. Just another nightmare.”

Reality came rushing back.

I was still in bed. Dawns light had crept into the room. My head was pounding and my tongue felt dry. Everything felt sluggish, but I managed to stumble into the bathroom and splash water on my face. Several gulps of water later I walked down the stairs. Shrapnel was sitting at the table, happily munching away at something until she saw me.

“Whoa! Mist what happe-“

“You look like shit.” Saw cut in. “Here, grab something to eat and drink lots of water and the hangover should pass.”

I mumbled thanks and sat down at the table. Shrapnel pushed a bowl of fruit to me.

“Where is Cog and IronClaw?” I looked around there was no sign of them.

“Cog is puking his guts out and the boss will meet us at the gate once were done with breakfast.” Saw said and Shrapnel mumbled something I didn’t understand, her mouth was full.

After we had all eaten, and waited for Cog to finish his food, we headed out. It was cloudy today, the air cool and refreshing. Just what I needed to clear my head. When we had reached the gate IronClaw was talking with the magister, and Lenya was there too.

“Lenya! Whats new? Is Doran ready?” The sooner they are away from the Remnant and the Separatists the better. Maybe then I can stop worrying about them.

“Yep! It’s all ready. As soon as you set out we’ll wait for about an hour and then sneak them out.”

“I really hope this works.” I needed this to work.

“It will.” IronClaw said. “Everypony get your gear.”

Each of us handed our metal-tokens over to the Zebra guards, and waited patiently to get our weapons back. Cog, I could see, had a revolver and a shotgun that had its barrel sawed off. He was also putting away a few metal egg's. Saw had a pistol as well, and a frightening number of knives and bladed implements. IronClaw was putting a long, curved knife into a sheath under his left wing, and then he picked up two 12.7 SMG’s, one in each talon. I felt… inadequate with just my rifle and pistol.

“Come on! Shove it in! Harder! HARDER!” Heads and eyebrows were raised and a lot of mouths were hanging open. Shrapnel was the source of the shouting. A zebra was standing close to her on his hindhoves, teeth clenched and eyes shut tight. He grunted with effort. He was trying to get a huge gun to fit into place on the right side of Shrapnel’s armor. The left was already occupied by an even bulkier gun but with a shorter and wider barrel. Just as it looked like the zebra would pass out, there was a loud “CLICK” and the gun was secure.

She trotted merrily over to us. The belt that fed bullets to the newly attached gun clinking away.
“We ready? Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked tilting her head, completely oblivious.

IronClaw just shook his head. He seems to do that a lot. Saw was cackling and Cog stammered as he fought for words.

“Alright we’re heading out! Mist stick close to me.” IronClaw ordered and went for the gate.

I turned to follow but stopped when I felt a hoof on my shoulder. It belonged to Lenya.

“Mist, thank you for helping us.” She hugged me.

“I should be thanking you. You and Doran are helping out complete strangers at great risk to yourselves.”

“Well so are you. Be careful out there and good luck.”

We were travelling in single file. I was up with IronClaw, Cog, Shrapnel and Saw followed close behind. He had wanted to speak with me, so currently I marched next to him, rather than behind.

“Since you will be helping us with this contract. It's time you knew what the mission is. Word has it that the Seperatists have developed a weapon in one of the old facilities from before the war. Located west of here. Our order's are to gather information, and if possible retrieve or neutralize this weapon.”

“Who gave you this contract?” This is mission is no doubt expensive. And if not the Remnant then who could afford it?

“Vostoris offered the contract to commander RazorWing.”

“Wait a free city ordered this?” Could they finally be taking action against the Separatists?

“Vostoris is the largest city in Zevrass. It is also neutral territory. Both the Remnant and Separatists have an… embassy there. Anytime one side can get the upper hoof on the other it places the whole city in jeopardy. Cog, Shrapnel you see anything?”

“All clear, according to my EFS. Though that doesn’t mean much, what with their cloaks and all.”
Cog said as he fiddled with his PipBuck.

“Mine’s green too!” Shrapnel had put on her helmet when we left. Now she was completely armored, her face hidden.

We need some way of knowing if they are following us. If we turn west, and back into the tall grass we might be able to…

“IronClaw. I know how we can find out if the plan worked. If you fly above us you should be able to spot them as they move through the grass. You wont be able to see them, but you will be able to see the grass move around them.” Just like I spotted those shifters. IronClaw was thoughtful. Cog shook his head.

“I don’t know boss the Remnant are pretty good shots. What’s stopping them from taking you out once you’re airborne?” As he said it the memory of last night’s nightmare flooded back. IronClaw getting shot. The thud as he hit the ground. No. Bad idea. There must be another way.

“If they open fire they expose themselves.” He turned his head to the sky. “Its cloudy… good they won’t be able to see me. Give me those magic grenades.” Cog pulled out three metal eggs. These had a blue band around them. “I’ll pretend to scout ahead, be ready for the signal.” Upon finishing his inspection of the sky, he took off. The wind from his wings lifted up dust and made my cloak flap about me.

“What signal? And what did you give him?” I asked Cog.

“Oh he means when the bombs start going off and bullets start flying. I gave him magic grenades. Useful against machines that run on magic, but we've figured out that they can also be used to disable Zebra stealth cloaks. At least temporarily.”

We turned west into the grass and continued. Nopony spoke. I had my rifle pulled out and was levitating it beside me under my cloak. We continued in silence and waited. I occasionally looked up from beneath my hood at the sky. It was cloudy and perfect for IronClaw to remain undetected.

We were walking past a tree with some boulders, when it happened.

BOOM! BOOM!

That was it! Everypony immediately turned around weapons raised. I tapped the gem at my neck and started moving to the left, staying low to the ground. Saw and Cog had pulled out their pistols and took cover behind the boulder. Shrapnel just stood where she was and opened fire from the gun on her right. A line of bullets was cutting through the grass like a scythe. She tore apart two Remnant unfortunate enough to stand in the way of her assault.

Another explosion revealed three more remnant. With their cloaks no longer working they were easy prey. One was gunned down by IronClaw’s twin SMG’s. I took aim. It was now or never. This is the time that Zaeryl warned me about. The time when I would have to kill. I breathed out and pulled the trigger. The bullet went through the zebras head. Even at this distance I could see blood rush out with the bullet. The third one tried to run away. I took another breath and slowly let it out as I took aim. “fwomp!” Came a sound from my right. I turned in time to see a zebra explode. Shrapnel was firing her left gun. Wherever the big bullets landed, the ground exploded. The explosions, if they didn’t kill instantly, they uncovered more Remnant. Cog had been hit, and Saw was tending to him. I moved close to them and offered supporting fire. Shrapnel was being shot at from every side but she paid the bullets no mind and continued to dispense death.

IronClaw landed beside Saw. “Where’s Mist?!” She waived her hoof about.

“Here… somewhere! He’s invisible. Covering us.” I would have answered but didn’t want to give away my position. The Remnant were taking pot shots at the boulders, and I'd just killed two of them. Strange how easy it was, just pull the trigger, and a life ends. A frightening thought, and part of me wanted to stop, but I knew I couldn’t. was either them or us. If I stopped, they would kill me.

“I counted twenty! How many did we get?” IronClaw asked between shots.

Twenty?! This is bad.

“I don’t know… ten… maybe?!” Saw offered.

“Shit. I’ll go help Shrapnel, Mist stay with them!” He shouted to the air and took off.

Twenty?! Seriously! Well at least we can be sure that we got all of their attention on us. I continued scanning the grass trying to see movement. It was difficult to do from here. If I was somewhere higher, then maybe… There! Another one. I sighted down my rifle and fired where it’s head should be. I missed, but my next shots found their target. A body fell to the ground, the invisibility faded revealing brown scales. Crap, I returned to Saw and Cog. They had taken cover, and were shooting at Remnant. Saw almost shot me when I revealed myself to her.

“Mist! What the fuck are you trying to do?! Get yourself killed?!”

“Listen. There not all Remnant there are shifters out there too.”

“What? You mean like those lizards with the freaky eyes?” Cog asked reloading his gun.

The fighting had died down and we waited.

“Boss! We’ve got shifters too!” Cog yelled out to IronClaw as he hovered scanning the battlefield. He heard and went higher to have a better look. Shifters might be stealthier as they move trough the grass, but that does not mean they can't be spotted.

“Anypony see them!?” Something collided with Shrapnel and knocked her down. All of us opened fire around her, and bodies began appearing on top of the heavily armed mare. She cursed, shaking the remains off her body and rose. The attacking Shifters had barely scratched her armor.

A few more shots, and a few more explosions from Shrapnel, and we were sure that everything in the immediate vicinity was dead.

“Seven shifters and thirteen Remnant.” Saw was telling IronClaw and me. Cog and Shrapnel had gone to scavenge anything of use from the corpses.

“Not bad Mist. I’m glad to see you did not disappoint. We just might be able to pull this off.”

“Alright! We’ve got some bullets, a few caps, canteens and food. A few weapons that didn’t get destroyed. Mist you might like this.” Cog said giving me a silenced sniper rifle. “You know how to use one of these right?” I nodded. Zaeryl taught me how. We didn’t have an actual one to practice with but she taught me breathing techniques that would increase my accuracy with snipers.

“Unfortunately most of the cloaks were torn apart and don’t work anymore.”

“Not like they helped them much.” Shrapnel said. I was pretty sure she was smirking behind that helmet of hers.

“Move out! We have a job to do.” IronClaw ordered.

“Mist.” I turned to Cog. He smiled. “Welcome to the Talons!”

Footnote: Level Up.

New Perk: A Little Dash – While wearing light armor or no armor, you run 20% faster.

(Thank you Kkat for making such an awesome story and world in which other ponies like myself can play and let loose our imagination. Somber deserves thanks as well. For proving that side-stories can be just as amazing and unforgettable as the original. Special thanks to Damhoof, Mentidabrony and Isphone for helping me edit and sort out the convoluted mess I've made out of Mist's story. Thanks also go to DamnfoolBrony for working his magic and helping me set up the perks. Oh and very special thanks to Lauren Faust!)