The sound of her shoes would be heard across the wide hallway, as she strutted down like a shopper in Time’s Square. The hallway itself was as white as her robe, with paintings and pottery that could be compared to that of the finest artists. She went on to open the double door way in front of her, where two men and two women, wearing uniforms of the same color, were waiting. With medals adorned on them, and gold epaulets lining their shoulders.

“May Celestia bless you.” she said in a regal but stern tone, reaching her right arm out.

“And may Celestia bless you two.” they’d respond in a harmonious chorus, returning a simple salute with their right hand.

She’d walk past them, and was now standing in front of a large round hot tub. There, she took off her red stole that depicted Celestia’s sun on both sides, then handed it over to one of them. Then came off her robe, her undergarments, and then her silver tiara. She’d adjust her long blonde hair before merging her nude body into the soft, warm water.

She’d relax for a while before turning to the men and women in uniform. “So, what is there to report?”

One of the women raised her hand, letting the tiara hang on the other.

“Yes, General Cornelius?” she’d ask with an encouraging smile.

She spoke with a mouth filled with pride. “The commanders under my wing managed to capture an Oil Rig from the Sisterhood outside Krasnoyarsk. Hopefully, we’ll have it back up and running in a couple weeks. And have RED workers there just a couple of days also.”

“Good.” she’d chirp. “What about you, General Frederick?”

“The City-State of Port-Gentil has fallen, Madame.” he declared. “Successfully cutting off the HUE’s supply route to their African front… Hmm, serves them right for sympathizing with those rats.”

“Impressive.” she said, smirking. She stretched her tone arms, letting a groan escape from her mouth before dipping them back in the warm water. “With those burdens out of the way, we might be able to wipe the HUE off of Africa in just five years instead of ten. You know how persistent they get.”

“Indeed, your grace.”

She turned to the one holding her stole. “What about you, General Peterson?”

“We attempted another offensive on the Ozark Plateau.” Frowning, Peterson would go on to add, “We were forced out, ma’am. Fortunately, our sheer power was enough to scare them into not pursuing us.”

The mood started dying in her. She looked out the window, where the sunset was looming over the trees. “Oh, I see… Hopefully, they don’t dare step into our turf.”

  He turned to the last General with a face of discontent. “What about you, General Robb?”

  He too was frowning as he stepped forward. “I was visiting the small town of Harpington in Texas… the HUE came out of nowhere and attacked. Fortunately, I was able to flee back into the command post… But they were too much, your grace.”

  He clenched onto her stole tightly as he continued. “I attempted a counter offensive… but their fortification was quick and impenetrable… I… I don’t know how they did it… they looked outnumbered and...”

“That’s enough!” the leader avowed with a thundering voice. This made Robb jump, nearly dropping the stole on the floor. However, she quickly calmed down to his relief. “You’re showing your sign of weakness, General.”

“Oh…” Robb said, moping. “I am, am I.”

“Yes you are.” She leaned her head back against the concrete. “Just because you’re in the High Command, doesn’t mean that you’ll be looked down upon when you mess up, got it?”

Robb, still holding back his tears, nodded slowly before turning away to wipe the few he had. She then sighed,

“When will this war end? We’ve been in a stalemate for more than two decades.” She glanced at each and every General standing beside her. “However, all four of you did your best… our successes and failures here will long be remembered by our beloved Princess.”

They smiled a little before bowing with gratitude.

“Now then, you all remember Ivan Bentley?”

“Who?” asked General Peterson.

She rolled her eyes. “One of the Infiltrators.”

The Generals all reveled in the knowledge of Ivan. Letting out various ‘Oh’s and such.

“Yeah, turns out he’s still alive… and on the run.”

The Generals’ revelry then turned into sudden panic, all of them doing what they could to hide their dread.

“Redmond’s spies uncovered that he’s been hiding in a Government work camp in South Dakota before his employer ratted him out.” She ogled at her golden acrylics. “He’s said to wield the power to burn, freeze, and control minds. He also killed nearly a hundred men while escaping… or was it near fifty…? I don’t know.”

General Cornelius stepped forward. “Your grace, do you fear that this could endanger our cause? I-I mean…, he had loosened ties with BLU, didn’t he? And you said yourself that he killed several men before escaping.”

“Yes your grace,” General Frederick added. “He’s one of the most dangerous men in the country, don’t you think...”

She began to laugh facetiously. The Generals would only look at her with concerned gazes.

“Y-your grace, what’s the matter?” said General Frederick.

When she stopped laughing, she spoke. “I’m surprised that you’ve forgotten who his employers are, General.”

“Uh…”

Her happy face changed to a serious one with a gradual fade. “They’re just as big a threat as that boy, especially the pony and that abomination they call a human child.”

The Generals began to scold themselves in any way possible. Ranging from moping to grins of embarrassment.

“Remember also, he’s running away from them. He won’t be fighting alongside BLU or the Sisterhood any time soon. “

“But he does run the risk of fighting with the HUE.” asserted General Cornelius.

  She went quiet, frowning at the thought. Then she asked civilly, “Can you hand me my Tiara?”

She squatted down, giving her the silver tiara with her arms stretched out in reverence.

“Thank you.” Like with her nails, the tiara would be watched with the same manner. Observing the attached gems that were each a color of her majesty’s mane. “Celestia, is a beautiful, strong mare. Doing what she can to make sure her little subjects achieve a greater tomorrow… even if it means exiling that wench she had no choice but to call ‘sister’.”

The Generals paid close attention as usual.

“Which is why, we shall do the same in return. His will to fight for nonsense shan’t kill our will to fight for her majesty’s future. He may be dangerous my friends, but we have the might of Celestia by our side to smite him into flames!”

With their spirits lifted, the Generals made a modest cheer, clapping and smiling all the way.

“However…,”

The Generals’ celebration quickly ceased.

“That doesn’t mean that we can’t bring the battle to him.” she smirked devilishly.

“B-but your Grace,” General Cornelius said, hiding her trembles. “Don’t you think this proposal is absurd?”

“Nonsense, General Cornelius. What did I say about our will to fight?”

Cornelius backed away, standing beside the quartet.

“Besides, since you all fear that he'll join the HUE, might as well do the obvious." she handed the tiara back to Cornelius. "Also, my friend Redmond’s got it all under control.”

“What do you mean?” asked General Robb.

She laughed. “When you hear of her, you’ll see.”

“I’m sorry Haystack, it just came out of nowhere.” Marianne said, via her walky-talky. “Plus, he said it was urgent.”

“’Ah understand.” Haystack said. “Not mad actually, just confused.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be back to hunting Ivan down in no time.” she retold optimistically. “Remember what I told you back in the Den.”

“Eeyup.”

“Okay, gotta go.”

He nodded. “Alright.”

She put the walky-talky away, turning back to the saddened boss. Her optimism quickly dropped upon seeing this.

“I’m… sorry, Captain.” Marianne said, berating herself behind his back.

“It’s all right.” the Captain eased. “The pony wasn’t here to witness this anyways. Not to mention that it could kill his morale too.”

“Don't worry about that. It bums him out, but he's grown used to it.” She looked at the lined bodies that filled the street. All of them covered in tarps. She’d look up to find two women hugging in grief. Another went out of his way to hug tightly his fallen loved one, sobbing over her now cold shoulder.  Another would place his hat over his chest, looking down in utter silence.

“Do you think this plan is working?” asked the Captain.

“What plan?”

The Captain, puzzled, asked, “Uh, don’t you know?”

“Oh, that…” Marianne kept quiet for a little while. Making the Captain more eager to hear it. She’d take her time to speak, and when she did. “I… I don’t know. Haystack’s plan may be absurd, but it’s possible. Though, Ivan is very stubborn. So it’s going to be difficult at best.”

Marianne kept looking at the bodies, sending chills up her spine. “It’s what brought him here in the first place… then again, we’re going to try.”

“Oh… but until how many tries then?” He gripped onto his hands.

“Don’t know.” Marianne said, disheartened at the thought. “But hey, someone’s gotta put these poor sods over there out of their misery, right?”

The Captain held back his anger, watching his grieving comrades. “I disagree… people like them don’t deserve such a loss… so if that bastard ever decides to attack us, then we’ll be one step ahead.”

“Well, good luck with that.” Marianne said flatly.

The Captain said nothing, his anger and his sadness would drive him to walk away from her, and never look back.

Marianne frowned, not wanting to look at those bodies again. “Oh Ivan, Jackie…, can’t you just listen for once.”

“Aaargh!” a blue uniformed soldier cried, falling back after a bullet pierced his heart.

“Jack!” his companion shouted, before being fatally shot in the head.

The perpetrators in red would shortly walk over them as if they were nothing.

Click!

“God Damn it!” another soldier mumbled, desperately searching for another round in his pockets. “Come on, Come o-”

He felt something circular hit his helmet, looking up would only prove fatal.

“Push towards the base!” a soldier in red ordered, with his squad and him advancing towards one of the two hallways.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

“Phew!” he sighed, the relief would change to disappointment once he saw red coated bodies on the floor. He took out his walkie-talkie once more. “Commander, we’re meeting with heavy defenses from the hallways. Have Squad Five captured the Outer windows!”

“Yes, but they too are being pinned down!” said the Commander. “Sentry guns, right?”

“Yeah!”

“Try to toss a grenade there!”

He obeyed the order, tossing one down the hall. Time went by, but nothing came of it. “Damn… Nothing!”

“Shoot.” the commander mumbled, watching over a static screen.  “They really saved those short circuits, huh?”

The static screen would fade to display the current situation.

“Sir, you have a solution or something?” he shouted. “The enemy will be reinforcing this area soon, don’t you think you should hurry!”

“I’ve deployed a spy in the base. Hopefully he’ll come up with a solution!”

“Well, hopefully!” the soldier answered. “I hope he does the right thing and-Aaargh!”

The Commander gasped, watching as he flew out of the picture. “Ocelot two, Ocelot two!”

He got nothing, and could only sigh in sorrow. “Dear God… Focus on the spy’s camera!”

“Yes sir!” one of the men said, using the controls to bring the video feed.

The few sentries were being lined up all across the vast room. While soldiers were setting up as many garrisons as they could. Using riot shields, sand bags, sticky bombs, the works.

“They really are making their last stand, huh?” He pressed a button on his control pad. “Snake ten, get ready to push towards the hallway on the second floor! Try and take out that sentry and the troops that are guarding it!”

“But sir, isn’t that suicide?” he quietly objected.

“The sapper will be a great distraction tool.” the commander reminded. “Once you sapped the sentry, kill as many as you can and flee back to us.”

“Understood. Moving now.” The spy stood up and ran down the stairs and down the massive space that divided the- “Aaaarrgh!”

  In an instant, a long and bleeding blade was keeping the camera feed company as the spy collapsed onto the floor.

“No…” the commander gasped. “I-It can’t be.”

He heard the blade be pulled out with a quick but gut-wrenching squish, before seeing the body be flipped over to the sight of a blonde-haired girl and her callous grin. She’d switch from her katana to her pistol before firing a blast that would turn the screen to static once again.

“Uh… Thanks.” said the BLU commander, nearly speechless. “H-How did you know he was…”

“Just a hunch.” Maribelle said with a smile, cleaning the blade with a large handkerchief. “So what now…? Haystack?”

“Huh?” he turned to look at her, looking as if he was high as a kite.

“I said, what do we do now?”

Busy looking at every man and woman in the base, he didn’t know what to say. Even as many of them would look at him with mixed feelings. It made him feel anguished, having to look at these people. In that brief moment he had, he held onto that feeling before giving out his order.

“Commander, order all soldiers to stop preparations and head to the second floor. Bring the Sentries too.” he finally ordered.

“Commander, the Blue coats seem to have ceased fire!” contacted the head of the Squad. “What do we do now?”

“R-Retreat!” he screamed.

The soldier didn’t understand. “But we have the chance to push towards the base!”

“Never mind that, Sarge! They have a killer little girl on the loose!”

“Pfft, you don’t mean that Maribelle girl is-”

He only watched as she sliced his throat open with her katana.

“No…”

“Ocelot five! Come in Ocelot Five!” shouted the soldier. “Get your ass out of there! That Maribelle bitch just swooped in and murdered five of our guys! Can you-”

Another soldier picked up the walkie-talkie. “This is Private Richardson! Ocelot Five’s KIA, we’re trying to hold the line as-”

A bullet to the head silenced him for good, along with anyone who didn’t know that BLU soldiers were coming in from above. Landing on their feet with guns blazing.

“Ay!” one soldier shrieked, the blade tearing through his stomach.

His comrades tried desperately to put her down. Firing as many bullets as their magazines allowed. But it felt as if she could read their bullets’ minds, too bad they’d be cut down before they could think of that.

The last man standing would take out his knife. “Come at me you little turd!”

The two blades would clash against one another, but it would take a chest-jab of the Katana shortly after to finish him off.

On the floor, Maribelle stood up. Nonchalantly humming as she used a handkerchief to wipe the bloodstains away.

“You impudent little bitch!” she heard a soldier scream from behind. “You’re going to wish you stayed in Elementary sch-”

A second later, Haystack jumped in. Assault rifle in hand.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

One by one the soldiers were mowed down.  Each of them with fatal blows to their bodies. By the time the magazine had run out of ammo. Every soldier he faced was now on the floor, immovable.

“Clear.” he’d declare. In no time, the BLU soldiers would arrive at his position. In an instant, they’d crouch, now invisible to the enemy snipers’ gaze.

“What now, sir?” asked one of them, carrying a sentry gun alongside his friend.

Haystack only had to hear the footsteps to find that they were trying to make another attempt at taking the base. He quickly turned to Maribelle, saying confidently, “You know what to do, right?”

“Yep.” she said merrily.

She’d jump through the window and land perfectly on the ground.

“It’s her!” a soldier would shout.

Maribelle sighed before jumping onto the air and making her kill.

“Kill ‘er!” another screamed. “Kill ‘er!”

The bullets began to fly towards her, but she would always be one step ahead. She focused on the troops over the metal bridge, jabbing the three with the speed of lightning.

“Damn you!”

She quickly pushed her katana back into the holster, and switched to her pistol. The next round of bullets came to her, but as always…

Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam!

Splash!

She swam deeper and deeper into the water, using what little vision she had to navigate.

Twang!

”Uh oh.” she thought. Seconds later, she was starting to hear more of them dart all around her. She pointed her pistol upwards, firing three shots back until she heard an unexpected click. This forced her to abandon it in frustration.

Despite her limited vision, she was able to swim to where she needed to go. She could only grin to make sure her giggles wouldn’t end the celebration too early. The tunnel was just enough to prevent anymore bullets from trying to kill her off. This gave her a little time to herself as she swam, and she used that time to reflect on…

The look he had…

Of those people…

He was looking at the battered Statue of Liberty. The gentle waves underneath a rainy sky felt greatly fitting to him, and Maribelle could tell. Sadly though, she couldn’t say the words. Even as tears were beginning to trickle down his eyes. The only thing she could do was just hold onto him, and keep doing so.

“You okay, Big Mac?”

They looked up to find Marianne looking back onto them, no doubt worried.

“Eeyup.”

Marianne rolled her eyes. “Well, to be honest, from the very start I thought what you were doing was a stupid idea.”

“Ain’t that a surpr’ahse.” he muttered with a hint of sarcasm.

“Well, you’re back here now. Just be thankful that your family forgave you for it.” She stretched her arms, letting them pop with every move. “Ugh~… you’re here ‘till you can pay off that debt. Won’t be easy, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible either.”

Splash!

She sucked in a huge ball of air upon leaving the water.

“Miss Maribelle, you okay?” a soldier asked while trying to get her out of the water.

“Yep.” Her feet landed on the floor. Though, she couldn’t move after that. She was busy looking up at the ceiling above. She’d look with a face of anxiety, holding onto her arm.

“Maribelle?”

“Huh?”

With an eyebrow raised, the soldier would ask. “Uh… you okay?”

“Uh, yeah.” she took out her katana back out. “Now let’s go.”

BLAM!

Haystack watched the flamethrower armed soldier fall to the ground, his mask baring a huge bloodstained hole.

“Pyro unit down!” an enemy soldier cried.

Cl-Click!

BLAM!

He sighed, still maintaining his focus on the scope. He didn’t know how many he killed, but he just didn’t care. ”Ah’m okay, Maribelle… don’t worry.”

A man, wearing a red suit, sat calmly in his chair. He took a few puffs of his cigar, letting the smoke fill the air. The doors located several yards away from him would open a few moments later.

“Hello Alice.” he greeted with a smile.

“Morning Redmond.” she said with a modest wave.

“How was your meeting in Israel?”

“They chose humanitarian aid over military protection, sir. Just as we hoped” she reported. “Even though the Arabian Republic is at Jerusalem’s doorstep, I don’t think they can afford additional reinforcements at the moment.”

“Well, the least they can do is let us help them evacuate their citizens and feed their poor. Let their battered and alienated government figure out the rest.” Redmond said, before taking in another puff of smoke. “So, how was it with the Central Union’s president?”

“It went well, sir.” she answered, smiling. “He agreed to let us set up shop in Mexico, saying that it won’t interfere with their future plans for the country.”

“Good.” He grinned. “What about in East Australia?”

“Their Militia managed to put down rebel forces hiding in multiple cells across western Queensland. Thus, the Prime Minister is renewing his contract with us in exchange for training more civilians into the Police force.”

“And in Brussels?”

“It was a success, sir.” She kicked the floor softly. “The remnants of the Italian Parliament have successfully fled the country. In exchange, the EU is allowing us to assist the Italian Military in Guerrilla tactics against the Revolutionaries.”

“Ha, those blokes underestimated the might of our special forces.” He leaned back on his chair, putting his cigar back in between his lips. “So… you’ve done a great job here, Alice. I’m glad that you fought so hard to get to this position.”

He took the cigar out, sighing. “Even if it was for different reasons.”

“Yeah.” She looked out the window feeling flustered. “I know.”

“You’ve done a lot for this corporation, I can certainly say that.” He placed his arms over the table before letting out an annoyed groan. “However… your husband seems... he seems to be lacking in your skills.”

She looked back at him with a face of discontent. “What?”

“I hate to say this Miss Gree…, I mean…”

“Uh… Missus… Missus Wesley, sir.”

“Right…” Quickly, he switched back to the issue at hand. “Anyway, your husband hasn’t been doing so well since he accepted that job offering four years back.”

“B-But sir, he’s-”

“I’m not saying that he’s doing a terrible job, Alice.” he interrupted. “I’m just saying that his skill on the battlefield seems to be very unsatisfactory. He’s bringing in more casualties with every battle won and lost.”

“But isn’t that with everyone in your command?”

“Sure… but it’s a sharp contrast from your accomplishments Missus Green. Seriously, if you were to switch sides with him I’d say that you’d win us the entire war in two weeks. While your hubby would’ve gotten us defunct at the same time!”

She bit her lip, doing her best to be quiet.

“That being said, though.” he continued calmly. “He’s at least keeping the stalemate going. It’s better than losing, right?”

There was still that awkward void of silence.

“I don’t blame him, though. Using what little he learned in that place is both intriguing and tragic.”

“Yeah… V-Vanessa wasn’t a very… great teacher, Mister Redmond.” She held her hands together.

“No she was not.” He looked back at her. “I mean, he didn’t do much there. The only job he probably had was to jump in her bed and enjoy the ride, am I right?”

She hardened the grip on her hands.

Seeing this, he stood up from his seat, walking to the large window. The buildings stretched across the skyline, making him feel relaxed. He exhaled. “That ‘country’ was in a really bad state even after the coup… and even after we came in. Then again, I don’t know what to say of him. Honestly, before you reunited with him, you were a great Personal assistant, but a terrible diplomat.”

“I know sir.” Her grip loosened.

“You let that poor man be used as a weapon against you. But hey, look where you are now.” He smirked. “You kept this company alive and you kept our relationship with the world intact.”

She stood there, not wanting to look up. “Right.”

“Your husband may have learned, but all war is based on luck you know. Keep that in mind, I’m confident I forgot when he lost his first battle.” He walked back to the table, the cigar still in his hands. “On the bright side though, he’s been doing fine in capturing a well in Northern Nebraska. Pushed the BLU forces back towards their base.”

She looked back at Redmond. “What?”

“Took far less casualties this time, meaning the battle for that well will be done in no time.”

“Well, there you go!” She smiled, trying to hide her tears. “He’s done something successfully and-”

“Until he reported having difficulty taking it.” he grumbled.

Her heart sank. “Uh… Why?”

“Well, do you remember that, ‘Marianne’ girl?”

Her growl was as audible as a kitten’s meow. “What is that bitch up to this time?”

“Well, she sent two of her finest to try and retake the well. And they’ve managed to push us out of their warehouse.” Redmond grumbled, putting the cigarette in his mouth. "Honestly, even though it's all luck based in the end, I expected more from your husband... Heh, that's what I was getting at."

“I see.” She lowered her head again.

Redmond would sit back in his chair, seeing a tear flow down her cheeks. “Alice, why do you worry?”

“Remember Danville, Redmond?”

Redmond let a scoff escape his mouth. “Hmm, you seem to forget about our newest weapon, do you?”

She looked at him, ignoring her tears. “Uh…w-what, weapon?”

“Focus your HMG fire on the windows in the Central building!” Thomas shouted, his shoulders tensed. “Make sure their special forces don’t exit out! Riflemen, shoot suppressing fire at the troops below!”

“You got it, sir!”

Static!

“Damn.” He muttered, slamming his fist against the large console.

“Haystack, do you think we should advance into the building! They seem to be ignoring us!” one of the soldiers asked, standing behind a boxcar.

“N~ope!”

“Right, they might set up an ambush!”

Haystack then added, “Yeah, and chargin’ while focusin’ your fire on the windows won’t do much either.”

“What about firing tear gas?”

“Nope. It’ll mostly blind us than them.”

Maribelle used her mirror, looking at each window in the building. “Damn, their commander surely knew how to set up their...”

Twang!

She gasped, watching the mirror break into pieces. The shock didn’t last long, and it would be replaced with a groan. “Defenses.”

Thwap!

Haystack looked up to find a punctured hole above him. ”Oh Celestia.”

Static!

“Sir, I was thinking that instead of tossing tear gas into the water, we can have you two use the canal to swim into the enemy warehouse.”

“But how?” Maribelle butted in. “The entrance is only to dive into the water, not leave it! Not to mention that I had Clarissa there to help me out.”

“Uh… yeah.” Hesitant to speak, the soldier would hint, “Hey, if we execute this plan…, do you think it’ll come out of my paycheck?”

“Remember, we don’t have enough time. The enemy must’ve called for reinforcements after this.”

“Roger that.” Maribelle answered.

Static!

Silently, the two kept swimming through the dim tunnel. Until they found the canal that separated the two fronts.

“So, looks like we’re in No man’s water, huh?” she giggled slightly.

Haystack just kept staring at the tunnel ahead. She could see the narrowed eyes through his mask.

“Big Mac, it’s okay, I’ll stop if you want.”

The narrowed eyes changed to loosened ones as they swam through the next tunnel.

“You know, people will do anything for someone, right?” Maribelle went on to state, grasping at the opportunity. “Even in times like now.”

Haystack was hesitant, but would go on to say, “’Ah know.”

They swam upwards, finding the metal door above. Quietly, they planted the C4 on the door before quickly swimming back the way they came. Haystack grabbed the detonator and did as such.

Boom!

The moment they heard the explosion, they swam back towards the now detonated entrance.

“Assault the upper floors, Ah’ll bring down the lower defenses!” Haystack would order.

“Got it!”

They jumped out of the newly made hole, landing onto the ground.

“Shoot, it’s-”

  Haystack, reached his arm out. ”Fulmen!”

“Whoa!” The soldiers flinched at the sight. What followed was the mixture of buzzing and static rolled into one.

Haystack would get out his sniper rifle.

BLAM!

BOOM!

They looked behind him to find that one of their sentries have blown into pieces. In that instant, he switched to his sub-machine gun.

Rat-at-at!

“Aargh!”

The sound of their comrade’s cry snapped them out of their shocked state. They instantly opened fire, hoping that something could be done.

Haystack jumped to the side, sliding against the floor before returning fire,

Thanks to the Sentry being disabled, Maribelle managed to run up the stairs safely. Looking to the side, she found a couple of soldiers charging towards her through a narrow hallway. It gave her the perfect opportunity to toss a grenade over, making sure they didn’t chase after her with their limbs blown off.

She’d then head to the doorway on her right, finding the…

“What the-” From her position all the way to the end, it was completely empty. Nothing but bullet casings have littered the floor. ‘That… that was quick.”

“Indeed it was.”

She jumped at the comment. “Who’s there?”

“Just someone who needs to complete his mission, miss Maribelle.”

A girl around her height would walk out into the hall from in front. She wore a long olive green dress, and was wielding a longsword that fit her grip. But that wasn’t what caught Maribelle’s attention, it was her face. She had short black hair, and a bow in the back that resembled the dress’s color. Maribelle could only cringe at her villainous face.

“Well then, Olivia.” She put away her sword. “I have to commend you. You did a great job with that… Well, aside from the bullet casings you left on the floor.”

Olivia leaned against the wall. “Hmm, just a nitpick in my opinion.”

“Agree.” She briefly glanced at the window. “So, you’ve been asleep for sixty six years. And only now do you wake up.”

“Indeed. The experiment was a success. The Australlium kept me young and alive, while the Pizazzium kept me in shape.” she scoffed. “In the end, we only uncovered how the Australians could’ve put up a fight against the Japanese if they hadn’t drown themselves in that stuff.”

“Neat.” Maribelle nodded. “So, why the hell are you fighting for Redmond?”

“Tsk, my piece of garbage father shouldn’t’ve left me behind back there. Might as well just join one of those two bozos.”

Maribelle’s demeanor loosened. “I see… I know how you feel, you know.”

“Indeed.” Olivia looked at her with the harshest stare. “So you’ve teamed up with an Equestrian pony haven’t you?”

Her eyes narrowed at the question. “You got a problem with that?”

“Kind of.” She leaned forward, standing face to face with Maribelle. “He’s just kind of a bother to be honest.”

“Which means you got a problem with him.” She grabbed the hilt of her katana.

“No, no, no. The pony is a nuisance at best. I can easily take care of him in an instant.” Olivia continued, grabbing onto the hilt of her longsword. “The only problem I have is that both of you together can cause a grave problem for RED. Something that I’m gonna have to take care of at this moment.”

“Fine then.” She took out her sword, placing it in front of her. “We’re both girls working for two different sides. It fits best that we just get it over it.”

“Agreed.” Olivia took out hers’ also, and the two would get closer and closer. Walking casually until they were side by side.

“You know what you gotta do, right?”

“Of course.” She took out her walky-talky. “Attention all remaining infantry personnel, retreat to the base and set up a garrison. Keep the pony pinned down, make sure he doesn’t reach the stairs.”

“Roger.”

Static!

Olivia then turned to Maribelle. “Do you?”

She too got out her walkie-talkie, but didn't turn it on. Sulking, she decided to put it away.

Olivia smirked. “My, my. You really got gloomy at that, didn’t...”

Clang!

Their swords were now clinging against each other. Both sides not wanting to make the next move.

“Well, that says a lot about you, doesn’t it?” Maribelle retorted, pulling back and striking at her stomach.

Olivia was quick to jump over her, somersaulting towards the floor before blocking Maribelle’s next swing. “About what? The fact that I’m siding with Redmond or the fact that I don’t like your partnership?”

Olivia would use Maribelle’s sudden drop of Morale to push her away. She’d swing her sword towards her hip, only for the shot to be blocked.

Maribelle used the opportunity to kick her in the stomach.

“Umph!” Olivia fell back as she clenched onto her pained abdomen.

Maribelle aimed her sword in that direction, preparing to finish her off.

Seeing this however, Olivia dropped on the ground and rolled away the moment she did. She stood up and charged at her with all her might. The result was the same as when the fight started. Both struggled for control of the battle, until…

Chrrrch!

“Whoa!” Maribelle jumped to the side, using the wall as a place to land. Looking behind her, she found that the brick used for that wall now had a somewhat large crater melted inside it. “The hell?”

She looked back, finding that Olivia was now wielding a copper-colored pistol. Which included a bulky looking barrel and a magazine that glowed green. Using the trigger guard to let it spin, Olivia smiled as she proudly announced, “The RB Mark 7. Used by RED’s elite such as I.”

“Hmmph.” Maribelle drew out her pistol. “Two can play at that game.”

Seeing the pistol only made Olivia eye’s widen at the sight. “Whoa, Maribelle. Do you know what this means? We’re not gonna resolve anything if you point-”

BLAM!

“Aaargh!” Olivia held onto her shoulder, feeling the wet blood that oozed from her wound. “Ow… what the hell?”

Maribelle smirked. “Well then. If you’re that confident, let’s put away our swords and have a little gunfight.”

“Maribelle, do you really believe that I’m brainwashed or something?”

“What?” Maribelle snapped. “What are you…”

The two were now silent, with Olivia struggling to balance both the wound and the task at hand. They now stood there with their pistols pointed directly at each other. And they stayed like that for a while, none of them making the first move. The only sound that was heard was the gunfire below.

“Is… Is your partner all right?”

Maribelle nodded. “If your men get any closer, he’ll just put a bullet in between their eyes.”

“Well, I made sure that wouldn’t happen.”

“Good.”

The two kept a close eye on each other, looking through their iron sights as they waited patiently.

“It’s been five years Olivia.” Maribelle said. “Five years since we last saw each other.”

“Yeah. At that time, you were busy being the guinea pig while I was fast asleep in that refrigerator they called a cryo-sustainer.”

“Yep.” Maribelle giggled awkwardly.

“Redmond told me you wreaked havoc in that lab. Which got all of the other subjects to escape… and die.” Olivia added, putting her pistol away to tend to her wound. “Hmmph, what happened after that?”

Maribelle kept her stance. “Didn’t Redmond tell you? Danville fell into complete chaos, both companies are siding-”

“I’m not talking about what happened to those twats back in Danville, Maribelle.” She sighed. “I’m talking about you… How have you been?”

Maribelle lowered her pistol, leaning her back against the wall. “We’ve… we’ve been doing okay. Been awhile since that eventful week back there.”

“And I see by your demeanor that times haven’t been in your favor, hasn’t it?”

Maribelle nodded.

Olivia chose to lean beside her. “You seem to be very close with that stallion, huh?”

She nodded again.

“Do you know why?”

She shook her head. “Overtime, it just didn’t matter. I just needed to experience… well, his experiences just to figure it out.”

“And what would that be?”

She giggled awkwardly. “I have no idea.”

Olivia groaned. “Utterly clueless, aren’t you?”

Maribelle nodded again, with the frown on her face returning.

“You know it’s worrying that you’d befriend him.” She didn’t care if she agreed or not when she continued. “Especially where he’s-”

“I went there, you know.”

Still retaining her calm demeanor, she asked. “And what was it like then?”

“No better than this crapshoot.” Maribelle stated. “They’re just like the people back here, only they walk on four legs.”

“I see.” Olivia looked back at the sky. “Now that you’re out, do you still believe that your father is still out there?”

Maribelle eyes widened. Softly she shook as tears began to well up in her eyes.

“Hmm, I’m surprised you forgot about him.”

“Yeah.” Maribelle looked away, wiping the few tears she had on her cheeks.

“Are you going to still follow him?”

Maribelle said nothing, which forced Olivia to change the topic before the old wound would worsen. “Oh… But hey, does the pony at least treat you well?”

She only nodded.

“That’s a good thing, though.” Olivia sighed, giving a little smile in the process.

The two stood there in silence again. Letting out indifferent sighs as time went by.

“So, do you think we should continue this another day?” asked Maribelle, her shoulders tensing.

“Hmm, I guess so. This was just an awkward reunion to be honest… And will you look at that.”

“Huh?” Maribelle looked to find that a mass amount of soldiers were going towards the building.

“Now then, you know what to do.” Olivia leaned away, which put more strain on her wounded shoulder. “Tss~, and I know… what I must… do.”

She walked towards the hallway adjacent to the one they were in, and run down.

Maribelle watched as she did such, unwilling to say anything. She only held her hands together and sighed. However, there was something she had to ask. “H-Hey Oliva!”

She stopped to look at her. “Yeah?”

“Why are you fighting for Redmond!”

Olivia would roll her eyes, before answering, “For Mint Green Paper, Maribelle! Or at least, numbers on a machine!”

“Oh, I see!”

Olivia was about to leave before she’d say something else. “By the way, don’t expect me to go easy on you the next time we meet! Redmond’s orders!”

“Oh, got it!” Maribelle would respond with urgency.

  Olivia only smiled warmly. Then she jumped over to the other side, running down the next hallway. Her footsteps would fade away as the gunfire kept going.

"Her name's Olivia." Maribelle said.

"Olivia, huh?" Haystack looked down at the cleared base. “So, is she an' old friend?” .

“I guess you can say that.”

“Hmm.” Haystack grumbled. “When do you think Ah’ll meet her myself?”

Maribelle exhaled. “I don’t know honestly. The only thing I do know is that it’s not going to be a decent meeting.”

“’Ah see.”

A soldier ran up to them. “Haystack, the sniper teams are already in position.”

He only nodded. “Hmm, now tell the artillery men set up with them. We’re using the sentry guns for ambushes.”

“Yes sir.” The soldier gave a slight bow before running off to find his subordinates.

As he left however, Haystack frowned. And began to look at the floor below.

“Four years after that incident, and you’re still worried huh?”

“Eeyup.”

“They just came out of nowhere, you know.” Maribelle reminded. “There was nothing we could’ve done.”

He grounded his hooves on the platform.

“So don’t you think it’s best that we manage with what we have?”

He said nothing, his eyes narrowing.

“You know, I never understood why that mare mattered so much to you.” Maribelle let her feet swing in the air. “Even with the powers I’m… I have.”

Maribelle looked at the vast room, watching the soldiers do as ordered. “Your reasons were very… abstract in my opinion.”

“And?”

“You don’t think it would’ve been best if you stayed with your family at least?” Maribelle said quizzically. She turn to face his glum face. “Maybe introduce that mare of yours to-”

“That wouldn’t happen…! Hmph, not after what ‘ah did?” Then he had to ask, “And wh’ah do you call her ‘that mare’, anyways?”

She only frowned, looking away from his bothered demeanor. “You just don’t want to forget her, don’t you?”

The only thing he’d say was, “Jus’ l’ahke you don’t want to forget about him?”

Maribelle’s shoulders tensed yet again. “You don’t understand… I… I… I just want to find him. Never having to deal with that incident ever again.”

“But… do you still believe they’re out there?”

“Maybe… sometimes I… I…”

They sat there quietly, the noise coming from the soldiers being the only thing audible. However, Haystack would come up with something else moments later. It would start by him gently grabbing her hand with her hoof. She somewhat jolted at the feel before watching him raise it up into the air and look straight into her eyes. “Maribelle, promise me that we’ll tr’ah again.  That we’ll meet up with Fluttersh’ah at the orchard… and run away once more.”

She said nothing, her eyes widening out of uncertainty.  ”But I…”

“That we’ll end this once and for all.”

She recalled those happier days back there. ”I still…

“Even though we failed the first time, doesn’t mean we’ll fail the second time.”

Her smile, their fun, his smile, their new life. ”I…”

“So, will you make me this promise?”

Though the reasons were abstract, she knew how she made him feel.

“Please.” Tears began to pile up in his eyes.

Maribelle looked away again, feeling uneasy by this plea. However, looking back, she knew that there was no other choice to be made. She smiled with a mixture of reluctance and empathy. “Promise.”

Timidly, they let go of the embrace before looking out at the vast room. Not saying a word for another while.

“Another day another dollar, huh?” Maribelle would go on to ask, easing up the tension. "Or in your case another bit."

“Eeyup.” was what he’d answer with.

“So, the mission was a failure?” Redmond asked, watching the moonlight.

“Yes.” Thomas and Olivia answered in unison, looking at their boss with stern looks.

“We had no choice, sir.” Olivia explained. “We were outnumbered and forced to flee.”

“I understand.” He looked at them. “Did you encounter Subject A'One and Haystack?’

“I did.” Olivia said. “But we were unable to defeat them, sir."

“Understood.” Redmond nodded. “You are dismissed. I expect better from you two, alright?”

“Understood.” They’d say before walking away.

“Oh, and Olivia?”

She turned around, looking at his concerned face.

“The death of your father may’ve fractured your will to fight.” He exhaled. “And conditioning you into fighting for me may’ve failed…,”

  She curled her hands into fists, hiding her discomfort.

“But I hope the deal we made will improve your fighting.” His eyes narrowed. “In order to achieve your ‘dream’, you have to do as told… understand?”

She wanted to leave without answering him, sadly, she knew that would only make her dig a much deeper hole. With a sigh, she could only say. “Indeed.”

“Doctor Mitsuya, his team, and I worked really hard to bring you back from unconsciousness, so be grateful... you're dismissed.”

With a turn of the head, she hid her disgusted attitude as she walked towards the door.

Bam!

Redmond was now alone, looking at the moon. He’d mumble. “This is a business, after all.” Next Chapter: Chapter 5 Estimated time remaining: 8 Hours, 11 Minutes