Valiant Knight, I think my name was a mockery, maybe even a freaking sign that nopony was bound by their name or cutiemark. At least in my case, also if I wanted that bond with it. The finish line was just where I could see it. Today was the day the marks on my flank aligned with what I knew I was meant to do. Be a knight, remember your oath, to ministry and country. To that orange mare that breathed life to our order, two-hundred years ago. To the Stallion that returned us to our purpose. Inspiring words, but inspiration didn’t exactly make my lungs stop burning. Almost there, the line was clear now crudely painted over the cracked pavement of a Manehattan road. All around me the reminder of the old world, reminder that even with Equestria brought down to this pitiable low. We were here, and that didn't stop my lungs from burning-but gave me the strength to keep going and follow along with Star Paladin Heavy Arms.

“I don’t know what I’ve been told!”

“I don’t know what I’ve been told!” sing, keep cadence don’t miss a step, conserve energy. Don’t overstretch yourself like you did your first…second. Okay, every time I made it to this point. Thankfully I was put in the back of the group, or well thankfully might be overdoing it. They did it because they expected me to lag and it is less embarrassing for me if no one had to go around me.

“But the ministry mares flank is mighty fine!”

“The ministry mare’s flank is mighty fine!” the line drew ever closer, and my heart was beating with excitement or threatening to kill me by bursting from my chest. It was hard to tell, either way. My muzzle broke into a grin following along.

“Bucking apples in the shade all day!”

“Bucking apples in the shade all day!” Star Paladin Heavy Arms slowed down and moved right next to me! Shit keep calm, keep cool.

“Big Mac came in this is what he said!”

“Bic Mac came in this is what he said!” deep blue eyes that froze me to the core gave me a side glance. He could see me struggle; he could see I was, if only slightly falling behind.

“Zebras don’ gone and shit the bed!”

“Zebras don’ gone and shit the bed!” he snorted not even looking like he was breaking a sweat and moved up ahead. While I felt my black mane stick to my coat along with my neck.

“Now the Rangers need to wipe their asses for them”

“Now the Rangers need to go wipe their asses for them” I sang out, and the group slowly crossed the line. I was almost there!

“Sound off!”

“One, two, Applejack’s Rangers roar!” We all roared, well mostly them I just tried to keep going until I crossed the final line. With a loud clop, my forehooves passed the front, and soon the rest of my body followed. I just crossed the Knight line and didn’t drag my team down to the lowest possible score. All the extra training had finally paid off! The pushups the running, oh Celestia the running! All of it came to a head with this. I felt the group slow and finally stop. Star Paladin Heavy Arms turned from his position and began a slow walk to the center.

“Left face!” he barked at us. With practiced ease, we turned left to face the Paladin. He had a light blue coat, blue eyes like an impossibly cold storm. His frame was muscular, and he towered above a few of the other trainees and me. His black greying mane kept cropped short and combed.

“Congratulations, you have officially finished your basic, training. As of now, you are all Knights of Applejack’s Rangers.” He held up a hoof before celebrating hoots began. “In particular I would like to commend, trainee leader Strider for getting you all.” His gaze paused on me. “Up to shape and I believe he will make a great squad leader. As such he is now Crusader Strider leader of squad 02.” He paused for a moment, “Now you may holler.”

The squad all began whooping and slamming hoofs together while I sat on my haunches and panted just trying not to pass out. Before I could make another move a shadow loomed over me, Star Paladin Heavy Arms looked down at me before giving me a nod. I knew that nod, and I knew what I needed to do once dismissed. I righted myself when I noticed Strider-sorry-Crusader Strider make his way to me. As I was expected I saluted him with as crisp a salute as I could manage.

“Heh, you don’t have to do that.” My friend smiled. He had been my friend since we were colts. Both of us were born in the order, however recent the order as we were among the second generation of Applejacks Rangers. He was a dull grey stallion two years older than me. He had a bullseye as a cutiemark, his mane a light brown swept back always trimmed and in order with kind stormy blue eyes. Compared to me he was more muscular and just a few inches taller. I was about eye level to his nose; my coat was a light blue with baby-blue eyes. My mane was black with a streak of grey almost unnoticeable was running down it.

“You’re” I gasped, filling my lungs with sweet oxygen. “a Crusader now, and my CO,” I said with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. I was happy. I was! But like always Strider was ahead of me. Even though he knew he could have joined the Rangers at any point in his life. Strider never expressed the desire; he was smart, athletic unlike me, and he had the aptitude for leadership. Everypony always said he should have taken Star Paladin Heavy Arm’s offer to become his squire to groom him for a command position. That had stung me, but Strider refused, he didn’t mind living as a scribe for the order. So, when I joined for the final try-I swore to my mother it was-he helped me train my less than stellar physique. If nothing else, he deserved the position, but for some reason, he stuck by my side. He was my friend, and I loved him for it. But I felt like a weight to him. I was keeping him from his real potential.

“Still, it’s just us right now, and we aren’t on duty.” Strider chuckled and batted my hoof down with his own. “Come on; we should get back to the Stable and get some grub…and probably some water for you.”

I nodded, and we tracked back to the stable the squad slowly doing the same everypony trotting at a leisured pace. Some odd twenty years ago nopony could have done that. But thanks to the NCR expansion, and constant rebuilding of parts of Manehattan. The Manticores and Bloodwings had forced to the outskirts of the city. Any raiders had gone with them as the NCR drove them further and further from the places they could squat in. This relative peace near stable 29 allowed us to set up a camp to help train knights and in relative safety enabled us to expand. Not that we didn’t bump heads with the NCR even with their war against the Crimson Empire. They probably could still muster up a force to drive us from here. Our relationship with them was…tenuous at best and hostile at worst when it concerned our fight with the Steel Rangers. Who still view us as traitors. Our previous Elder Steelhoves, the founder of this outcast chapter of Ranger's, had tried to mend fences. So, I heard, but in the end, even after his demise, we could never reform. We had at least grown stronger, and our tech patrols had found a Ministry of Wartime Technology storage site north of Manehattan. It was within Fetlock hidden incredibly by the Ministry of Image.

Thanks to that we had more power armor that needed filling, as well as weapons and ammunition to mount a counter-offensive against the lights of the Enclave-if they’re still out there-and the NCR itself. Though wisely Elder Sharp Sides kept us in good terms with the NCR. Reasonable as we are, we were no match for its sheer size and numbers it could throw at us. Even while our knights patrolled, we encounter NCR outpost ourselves. The fact that they have anti-machine rifles on some of those patrols somewhat unnerving.

“Valiant?” Strider broke me from my thoughts when we reached the vault.

I scratched the back of my head with a shrug and smiled “Sorry just contemplating.”

“As always.” He laughed shaking his head, we headed inside and found our way to the atrium and found the cook scribes had served food already. With treys in our mouths, we picked up apples, courtesy of NCR trading. We grabbed water cups and found a place to sit near the center of the Atrium.

“Well now that you’ve had some time to feel it, how does it feel? Being a Ranger.” Strider took a bite of his apple and gave me a side glance.

“Well,” I tried to think how to put it into words. “I don’t feel different, but I feel… I just broke a wall. Something that had been obstructing me for a long time. It's freeing yet; I feel the same as I always was. I’m me, and I don’t know how to feel about that.” I don’t think I explained myself well enough.

“Well I don’t think you would I don’t know, suddenly turn into the reincarnation of Elder Steelhooves. You should be you; don’t be something you’re not.” Strider lifted a hoof for emphasis before he tipped his water glass into his mouth. I thought about it and gulped my water down in one swig. The feeling of it cooling down my throat was like Celestial herself was nuzzling my neck.

“I know, but I don’t know I don’t think…he’s You know. Proud.” I moved my apple around the plate. Strider looked to me and gave me a soft smile putting his hoof on my shoulder.

“I don’t think he’s not proud. He has always been like that. You know that.” Strider smiled at me with encouragement. “if nothing else I’m proud of you Valiant. Always have, never met anyone with your drive to achieve their goals.” Strider looked away for a moment at his apple. Maybe it was just me, but he sounded, sad when he said that. But just as it happened, he was back to his old self, calm but smiling. We ate our apples without much talk after that. He said he had to take care of a few things and excused himself. I headed home, deep down in the housing section. I made my way down on the elevator located on the first floor of the Atrium, the sound of the elevator and grey walls to accompany my thoughts. Scattered as they felt, I wasn’t sure how to feel about my promotion.

The doors to the elevator opened to a knight in armor; he looked down. Or his visor stared me down at least before he spoke. “Valiant, your father, is waiting for you, congratulations by the way. Glad you finally made it.” The voice even if gargled by the helmet I could tell was Crusader Flag, my father’s friend. Well, I think anyways my father never really talks about any pony. My father was the silent type and spoke short sentences when not on duty.

“Thanks, Flag” I saluted Flag as an afterthought. “Sorry, Crusader Flag.”

Flag chuckled waving his hoof at me “It’s alright kid were off duty, don’t let the armor fool you. I was just out in patrol. Elder Sharp Sides wants to see your father. I was delivering the message before I can get this thing off.” With that said he stepped into the elevator and I left giving him a wave before resuming my way to my room. I walked down the catwalk on the second floor, just below I saw other scribes and knights off duty going about their day. Some benches were dotted where ponies could sit and talk. The Stable, after all, is a civilian Stable just converted for our purpose. My room was at the far end of the housing floor. I reached up with my hoof and pressed the door button. The door slid to my home. It was bigger than the others, thanks to my family’s status. Or more like my father’s status. A living room with a kitchen to the far left. Three other doors separated three rooms one mine, the other my parents. The third room I got to use as my workshop, the living room was sparsely furnished, a couch in front of a bookshelf. It held several books I had read myself as a young colt. Near the kitchen table where we ate our meals, or well mom and I did. Father usually ate his meals in his office or with the Elder.

“I’m home,” I called out, from their room my mom and dad came out together. Light Dew, my mother was a descended of Vault 2. A unicorn she had a white coat, pristine as always, her mane was golden and framed her muzzle. My father looked down at me with his stormy eyes.

“Oh, congratulations darling.” My mother wrapped me up in a hug, and I took comfort in her soft coat and the faint smell of flowers. She helped around the botanical garden in the stable. But despite her congratulations, she hadn’t wanted me to be a ranger. She wished I had chosen the path of a scribe. Or hell she hoped I would have done anything that didn’t mean a soldier. I think she didn’t want me to be like Father. Although if only with nopony else, I had only ever seen my father smile around my mother. I don’t think he ever smiled with me, maybe when I was a colt, and I couldn’t remember. My father quietly walked over and placed a hoof on my shoulder. Wait that isn’t right he hadn’t done that in ages.

“My son is a knight.” He smiled, holy shit! My father gave me an honest to god smile. My ears perked up and did not cry. Well, maybe a little but stood up straight and saluted him with as much pride as I could muster.

“Adese soldier.” He chuckled, before shaking his head wow I don’t think I remember him chuckling either. “Light, Valiant, I need to see Elder Sharp Sides. I’ll be back later tonight at 1800 hours. I’ll be stopping by Strider’s he did a hell of a thing fresh out of training, and he made it to Crusader. I’ll invite him to dinner if that is fine with you Light.”

There it was, the pride quickly deflated I was a knight. But Strider was a Crusader, fresh off training too. On his first try, while after my fourth I made it to Knighthood, I didn’t bother paying attention to my mother’s answer. Instead, I decided to make my way into my workshop. Working with technology was the one talent I didn't need validation for doing. Because I know I was among the best in the Vault.

“Valiant.” I heard my mom call out. I turned with a smile making sure she didn’t see my broken spirit. I didn’t want her talking to father about it; it would probably just make him think I’m weak.

“I am very proud of you, so is your father. He told me himself I hope you understand he’s just…well a stubborn ass.” She gave a soft smile that filled me up with warmth. However, fleeting it was, I nodded keeping quiet and went into my workshop. On the bench far to the left laid several parts of machinery. A Mister Handy laid partly built by the door. I had been working on it for about a year now, hoping to bring it online so it can help my mom around the house. Or even in the garden, it was the one thing I could feel proud off even if no one else-except my mom said so. Well, Strider liked my ability to tinker with robots, but honestly, it wasn’t that special the other scribes could do it too. Maybe they couldn’t say rebuild a Mister Handy like me. But still, building a robot didn’t get your father to gush about you. No, it only got a nod when you bring him a rebuilt watch that you never saw again.

“Well, least I get to work on my power armor tomorrow.” I was looking forward to it, no doubt like everypony else. I had already been thinking of all the ways to modify it! Primarily I wanted to add the computer hacking module I had been working on in the last two years before I found the partly deconstructed mister handy when out with my mother. As a scribe hacking into pre-war terminals is just a chore. But with this module, I could practically do it hassle-free. Speaking off, I turned to the computer just adjacent to the workbench. I began to type away at the Mister Handy code to get him back online.

I was so focused on my programming; I didn’t hear the knock on my door until my mom’s voice broke the spell. “Valiant? Your father and Strider are here.” Holy crap how long was I doing this? “I made apple pie, come eat dear.”

I sighed and was ready to save my work when I heard my father.

“It’s fine dear; he wants to toy with his machines let him be.” His deep voice cut through me, and I felt my ears flatten against my head.

“O-oh its okay mom, I’m not hungry. I’m fine.” No, I wasn’t.

“Valiant…” She tried.

“I can go if you’d like we can do this some other time.” Strider’s softer voice chipped in. Celestia and Luna both bless him. He knew my proudest moment wasn't going so well.

“Nonsense, you did a good job son, come on sit down have some pie, Light cooks the best pies.” That was the longest sentence I heard my father say off duty.

“Go on mom. I’ll listen to music.” I turned to DJpon3 and did my best not to let any tears escape my eyes. Focusing on programming the Mr. Handy robot helped in that regard.

I had remained in the workshop once I was sure everypony was gone, Strider had stayed a bit after dinner where my dad once more asked him to take him under his wing to be his squire. Strider politely declined and said his goodbyes. He passed by my door and slipped me a note, or well a napkin which he had found a way to write on. ‘hope to see Mister Handy soon’ that made me feel better. Working on robots was soothing and relaxing really. Though maybe other ponies felt different about technical work. When the time for bed arrived, as my father liked to keep me in a schedule double so more now that I was a knight. He barged into the room; he never knocked. I doubted my knighthood would have changed that.

“Time to sleep soldier, early day tomorrow to get your power armor.” He looked over my workshop his eyes landing on the Mister Handy robot. “Think you’ll get the bot working before your first patrol?” I blinked, he never asked me about my tinkering before.

“Y-yeah I finished the programming today. I need to assemble the pieces now. Found the replacements thanks to Flag.”

“Crusader Flag.” My father cut me off, his tone neutral merely correcting me.

“Y-yeah Crusader Flag, he told me he would be on the lookout for the pieces some time ago, and he found them for me.” I pointed to a box labeled Mister Handy parts.

My father looked to me for a moment before he walked out without a word and returned a few seconds later. He gingerly put a watch on my workbench. “It stopped ticking, can you fix it?”

I looked at it surprised. It was the watch I gave him. “Y-yeah I can father!” I think I sounded too excited because I clopped my front hooves on the workbench hard enough to rattle the strewn around parts. He gave me a short nod and turned to leave; he stopped looking down and opened his mouth. Whatever he was going to say, he seemed to think better of it and just nodded. I looked at the watch over and smiled, leave it to dad to not believe it was a simple change of batteries. Lucky enough for me, I had scavenged some from an old alarm clock that still had juice in it.

The next morning, I was up with my dad while he brewed coffee in a coffee maker I had gotten working. The coffee grains were a rarity the NCR somehow got planting again. I dressed in the knight uniform, a full body suit with interaction points to better interface with power armor. It was orange with black at the hooves up to about where my legs bent. My father wore a similar suit in black signifying his officer status. A knock on the door made us both turn, and I moved to open it. Crusader Flag was outside in a similar uniform, his coat a shined orange with a dark blue mane and yellow eyes. I smiled and was about to say hi. But the look on his muzzle told me this wasn’t an unexpected visit. So, I saluted him with as straight a look as I could manage at 0600 hours.

“Good morning knight,” Flag saluted me and stepped to the side to my father. “Star Paladin, the Elder requires your immediate attention for a special briefing.” I looked at my father. He was going to oversee the new knights to their power armor. So, who was going to do it now?

“I’ll assume the responsibility of the new knight’s sir, don’t worry.” Crusader Flag to the rescue eh? My father abandoned his coffee and passed by me wordlessly stopping at the door.

“Good luck.” He threw over his shoulder and walked off. I didn’t have a chance to respond, as my father disappeared around the door. With a neigh, I looked to Crusader Flag who blinked and then smiled easily.

“Take it easy kid; this is every newbie's favorite part.” He’s just Flag again; all formalities dropped in an instance. We made our way out of the housing area to the Security level. We had expanded the armory over the years, several ‘racks’ had been added over and made storage space for the several retrieved power armor sets. The armory is separated into several levels as each of the walls had racks with several unicorn scribes, and earth pony scribes helped around the power armor frames. I made my way to the third floor. Near the far-right corner my squad 02 had assembled, I found Strider standing near the front organizing everypony. When he saw me, he smiled and waved a hoof at me. With a small smile of my own, I made my way to the squad. Crusader Flag, as I could tell by the way, his expression changed moved to stand before us. His suit of power armor stood as well before us.

“Alright knights listen up! This a T-60 Magical Power Armor. It weighs six hundred pounds and can withstand a battle saddle mounted balefire launcher at point blank range. Which means! Ministry Mare Applejack made sure a Steel Ranger is the deadliest son of a bitch in Equestria. This armor is durable. It can let your breath in Luna’s damned moon if it has too. It is sealed against radiation and fitted with a rebreather and rad scrubbers. The spell Matrix helps you control your E.F.S and S.A.T.S targeting systems. Each suit is powered by a spark battery that was meant to last until time itself ends. A self-repair system keeps the armor held together in battle, and the medical injector keeps you alive with healing potions and Radaway when needed.” Flag turned and bucked the underside of his armors belly. The armor reared up to its hind legs, the armor plates on the back opening. Standing on two hooves Flag entered the suit as it wrapped around his frame and head. When the suit sealed tight with a hiss, he was down on all fours again. “Alright, you have been trained and briefed. Find your suits, then prepare for weapon assignment and roles. Crusader Strider organize your unit as you see fit.”

We all moved out as Strider pointed us to our assigned armors which he had been given prior knowledge to apparently. He walked to me and walked me to the rack at the far left of the squad. Next to my assigned armor was his. With giddy excitement, I entered the suit from behind as it was already on its hind legs. The armor slowly enclosed around me each plate locking into the inner frame. The armor’s visor lit up with information.

E.F.S SYSTEMS: ONLINE

S.A.T.S SYSTEMS: ONLINE

SELF-REPAIR: ONLINE

MEDICAL UNIT: ONLINE

M.W.T COMMAND CONNECTION INITIALIZED…

I realized it was connecting my suits vitals and information to Crusader Flag. He was keeping an eye on us. My hooves touched the ground as the armored set-up was complete. Comfortably inside, I felt powerful, like a walking tank, I was practically invincible. The weight of the armor barely registered as the motor servos, and piston joints held all of it. Even my armament felt far less than it normally would weigh. Additionally, I also got a saddlebag and a scrap collector on each side. A direct magical link with a low-level teleportation spell enchanted my saddlebag. Any ammunition I collected that fit the battle saddle weapons would be loaded automatically. Now I just had to have an actual gun mounted.

“Alright, Wolf Pack get ready for weapon assignments.” Strider scuffed the ground with his armored hoof as he got our attention. Eight of us meant a variety of weapons would be needed. Machinegun grenade launchers, Miniguns, and missile launchers all divided between eight bucks and mares in our squad. I got outfitted with two M8 Miniguns on both my flanks. Each powered by my suits spark pack, and four thousand rounds of 5mm Equestrian made rounds. I stood corrected; this was power! I could feel the weapons weight, and the targeting markers on my visor followed my sight and adjusted the battle saddle accordingly to my aim. Of course, the movement of my body is also part of the equation. This armor was the M.W. T’s crown jewel when it came to frontline combat. I briefly wondered if we were going to be sent to the front lines to keep aiding the NCR against the Crimson Empire. It certainly would be my first ever actual battle.

The thought admittedly scared me; I never killed anypony. Or hell a Radroach for that matter, I was a bit of a wimpy colt, and Strider had saved me from the damn bugs. But my mom always said she liked the gentle soul in me. I don’t think my father agreed, even if I did stand up to bullies which eventually granted me my cutiemark.

“Wait Wolf pack?” I said aloud.

“That’s right. I had to assign us a squad name, I went with Wolf pack, like the Timberwolves from before the war. Fearsome creatures.”

I vaguely remembered reading about them from my books back home, but I don’t think they were that ferocious considering the other monstrosities that lived in the Ever-free forest, and that was pre-war! Without the radiation turning already deadly monsters worst. With a neigh, I moved to line up as Crusader Flag looked us over with what I assume was a smirk under his helmet. Even in the armor most of us were giddy with excitement to get to use it.

“Alright looking good Rangers, but don’t get too cocky. Because today we are only taking them out for a stroll. A patrol in two hours has been assigned to this squad, be here an hour early. Have your power armor set and ready to go.”

Well, it wasn’t frontline combat but getting to move about in the armor and just well seeing how being in it for hours would do as a start. The rest of the briefing involved safety instructions and other essential tips for armor maintenance. Which I honestly already knew, I had been looking at power armors for most of my life. I was assigned as a scribe before I graduated yesterday after all. With that out of the way, we were dismissed and allowed to do as we pleased until the patrol.

“Hey Valiant, I wanted to talk to you. Mind walking with me to the Atrium?” Strider came up to me his face serious. I looked to him and wanted to make an excuse, anything to get to work on my power armor. But the look on his face told me he wouldn’t have come to me if this wasn’t important.

“Yeah, come on.” I began leading the way sparing one parting glance to my suit. We found a table at the far right of the Atrium sitting down not bothering to get any beverages. Strider was quiet for a moment, and I felt somewhat awkward. He seemed to be gathering his thoughts but couldn’t put the feelings into words.

“Valiant, you’re…my best friend,” he paused his hoof scuffing at the table. “Well, you’re my only friend.”

I blinked, he had always seemed to get along with the other scribes and even trainees when we were colts. I don’t recall me being his only friend. “What about those other ponies you hang around with?” I brought my hooves on the table with a soft tap.

“I think you deserve the truth. It’s important for you to know that. This isn’t your fault or mine. Please don’t think it’s mine.” Strider’s eyes practically begged to ignore my previous statement.

I could feel my heartbeat accelerate, as I prepared for his next words. A million things came to me; all of them involved him not wanting to be my friend anymore. I would be back to zero, and at twenty years of age. I could only cringe and feel desperate at trying to make new friends.

“You two, come with me emergency briefing for all knights Squads 01 to 05.” Crusader Flag had seemed to come out of nowhere, seriously how did that pony get around so quietly?

Strider sighed his ears drooping but quickly regained his composure “Never mind, let’s go.” he stood and took the lead. I followed behind Crusader Flag as we were lead to the briefing room which was a classroom repurposed for Ranger uses. We went up to the second floor of the Atrium through stairs on the far left of the room connecting to the second-floor railings of the Atrium. A turn into a hall and halfway through it we turned into the designated briefing room. It looked about a platoon worth of Rangers had gathered there in the rows of seats one above the other. Crusader Flag pointed to the rest of our squad already seated some waved us over, and we sat with them at the center row. The door closed and Elder Sharp sides and my father, Star Paladin Heavy Arms entered through another door below where a teacher would typically stand. The Elder was an older Mare, her mane greying and her coat a strawberry red. She still held a sharp mind behind those deep brown eyes; she held a hoof up to call for silence those speaking silenced themselves quickly.

“Yesterday at around 1000 hours we received a transmission. It was heavily encrypted, and our scribes couldn’t decipher the encryption no matter the method. At least until a junior Scribe fresh off training tried entering a password. Zap Apple Jam, curious but none the less the following message is broadcasting in a loop.” The Elder moved to a podium and pushed an unseen button on it making the speakers in the room come alive.

"Ah shucks, this ain’t right not one bit. I’m sorry it had to come to this. To make you choose a side. But I reckon we ain’t got much time before them fellers break through our defenses. We need reinforcement at the Crystal Empire. I’m attaching the ah’ what the blasted word is? Co-or-di-nates? Oh, apple crabs, just don come and help us out. I need Steel Rangers here, and I need em yesterday!"

I felt my mouth go dry and along with everypony else, our ears perked up. That was Applejack. Her voice hadn’t been lost to us what with audio logs left behind from her reciting the Rangers oath. She was two hundred years dead, lived out her life in Stable 2. There was no possible way she was alive. Could she? No there wasn’t any technology I could think of that would extend someone's life to 200 years. Her records and statements from Stable 2 indicated she had lived and died there!

“This isn’t a pre-recorded message. It's a transmission, on a Steel Ranger frequency no less.” The Elder commented.

I raised my hoof, and the Elder raised a brow but nodded to me. “Sir, Applejack died in Stable 2,” I stated the obvious, but the Elder closed her eyes in thought.

“She did, Elder Steelhooves recorded her data in our Crusader mainframe. However, this brings to question. There is a level of technology up north that can send a long-range transmission and use a Steel Ranger frequency."

Strider stood to put his hooves against the desk. “Elder, this means other Rangers got this, not all friendly.”

I cringed, that’s right we were still at war with our brothers over our oath. Even after twenty years, there was no to hostilities in sight

“That’s right. We can expect Steel Rangers to make their way north when they come to the same conclusion we did. As such the reason you are all here is that you will be part of Star Paladin Heavy Arm's expedition to the Crystal Empire.” The Elder looked around expecting questions.

A Knight on the row below me raised his hoof “Elder, I don’t recall any records about the Crystal Empire. What is that place?” The random pony looked to his comrades as if they had the answers.

“The Crystal Empire wasn’t part of Equestria, it was ruled by a third Alicorn princess, I believe her name was Cadence. Halfway into the war, Shining Armor her husband under threat of a military coup no less. Convinced the princess to join Equestria's side. At least that is what records I am privy too from my time in the Fillydelphia chapter. Beyond that transmissions indicated Princess Cadence tried suing for peace during the closing months of the war. Before the Zebra Empire launched their all-out Megaspell attack on us.” Elder Sharp Sides gave a half shrug. It seemed she didn’t much care about what had happened and only what to do now.

“When will the expedition happen?” Strider asked next.

“In a week, I’m recalling all patrols and canceling any leave and current assignments to the Rangers in here. Star Paladin Heavy Arms will brief you on what he has planned for now.”

Elder sharp sides moved aside, and my father stepped up, his voice much lower and louder than the Elder. “Listen up everypony, we will be traveling through the Celestia line that cuts straight north. We don’t have a train, and the NCR have done little to no work on the rails as far as we're planning on going. So we're going to hoof it and carry supply wagons with us. Each squad will be assigned a wagon with ammunition, food, and most importantly a long-range transmission station. We got lucky to have these when the NCR decided to let us help them win their war with the Empire. So do not be reckless and guard these wagons with your life. They are the lifeline to Stable 29. Furthermore, we will travel in squads, and the platoon will reunite in a yet to be decided location. Until then. You are to prepare for the expedition.” My father moved to the podium and hit a button. From behind us, a projector illuminated the wall. Four squad names appeared with squad 04 next to my father’s name. It seemed to show the assigned wagons. Applebloom, Braeburn, Applejack and, Bic Mac for our squad. These will be your assigned wagons; squad leaders will assign a wagon puller. Dismissed everypony.”

That…had been a lot to take in, my first mission and I was leaving Stable 29 for…well a long time. I had looked to Strider to ask him if he still wanted to talk, but he said it was best left for another time. When I wonder, we had a week to prepare and then it is marching through the Wasteland for…however long it took to get to the Crystal Empire. I had gone immediately to the armory to work on my power armor while I had the time. It was a soothing and exciting task. I first began with the hacking module. Linking it up to the helmet and a retractable universal key in the armors right hoof. That ate up a good two hours of my time. I then looked to organize the saddle bag and scrap metal collector on the armor flanks. When I was satisfied, I had spent the better part of the afternoon there. I had to trot home fast to not miss dinner. It was a weird event, to say the least, my father was as usual quiet. But my mother was looking at me worried.

“He’ll be fine.” My father spoke up.

“I know.” She said.

“Crusader Strider will keep him in line.” He said.

“I wished he was by your side instead.” My mother said somewhat strained.

My father said nothing, I almost thought he had decided to remain quiet when he spoke again. “I’m sorry.” He sounded…sad? I don’t know I don’t think my father ever seemed sad. He always looked neutral to me.

This time my mother didn’t speak. She instead got up from the table and moved to my father’s side. She wrapped her hooves around him and kissed his muzzle. “It’s okay. I forgave you a long time ago.” She looked to me and then moved to kiss my head, and I tried not to groan.

“Oh, let me mother you for a bit longer, I won’t see you for a long time.” She nuzzled my head, and I sighed letting her though I couldn’t deny the warmth I felt at her touch.

“I know mom but come on not in front of the Star Paladin.” I cracked a grin at my dad, hoping.

My father said nothing before he stood from the table. “That’s fine son.” He moved and gave my mother a kiss.

She sighed looking at me with a side glance. “You know your father has a horrible sense of humor.”

I knew that, but I had still hoped.

The days seemed to pass us by in that time I was able to bring the Mister Handy online. My mom chose to name him Helping Hoof. Though the robot didn’t really have hoofs. Strider had avoided me the whole week, especially after I saw him come up to my dad one time in the armory. They talked at length, from what I could recall I had been above them on the armory second floor Strider was…mad? I couldn’t quite tell his stare was so neutral he almost looked like my father. I certainly didn’t like to think my friend was like him. I think my life could only do with one pony disappointed in me all the time. Strider had stomped away from my father not glaring but… well maybe glaring but the scowl on his face seemed resigned rather than wrathful.

Whatever had happened had stopped bothering Strider it seemed, or maybe he just hid it well. Because on the day to leave he smiled at me in his usual manner. Wolf Pack gathered in the armory and began arming. Two unicorn scribes loaded the two miniguns on each side of my battle saddle and hooked up the ammunition belt. A warning appeared in my display.

WARNING: LIVE MUNITIONS LOADED

EXERCISE CAUTION AROUND THE SQUAD.

“Alright, Wolf pack listen up,” Strider in his power armor strode up to stand before us. At his sides were a machine rifle and 50cal machinegun rifle. Most of our other squad were assigned standard machinegun grenade launchers and missile launchers.

“I want a wedge formation round the wagon at all times when moving, Valiant is our hitch mule on this one.”

What?

“Starburst your up front, the rest take each flank I’ll bring up the rear. Now let’s move out!” Strider moved, and the squad followed. While I stayed behind, I had to pull the cart…my first mission and I was the bag handler. I want to protest, ask Strider why? But what could I do, I was a knight, and he was my CO showing insubordination would just make his job harder. I didn’t want that for my friend. So, with a resigned sigh, I caught with a light trot each footfall clanking against the metal floor. Outside Elder Sharp, Sides and other Rangers were gathered by the wagons. The Elder moved up on a makeshift stage out of munition boxes.

“Rangers, you are heading out now to answer the distress call sent to us a week ago. Assume the Steel Rangers have already answered the call as well. But we cannot risk the entire platoon being caught or worst killed in battle with our misguided brethren. As such each of your Crusaders has been given their own routes to follow. The routes will lead you north, and you will rendezvous around New Buck City.” Elder Sharp Sides sighed, shaking her head.

“Quite a few of you are going on your first mission, I know it isn’t ideal sending you to the unknown without experience. But we are at war, and war demands sacrifice. So, do not forget your oaths, and keep your fellow Rangers alive. Good luck Rangers, Sempre Invicta!”

“Sempre Invicta!” we all shouted.

“Alright, Wolf Pack get into formation, out the door and let’s get on our route. Were taking the Luna line North West directly to New Buck. I had one of my squadmates check the harness around me and began pulling the wagon. Our expedition started with the hollering and best wishes of our entire chapter coming out to see us go. Fellow rangers and scribes saluted us as we made our way out. With one glance back, slightly obscured by the wagon I saw my mother wave a hoof at me and I smiled at her, forgetting she wouldn’t see it through the helmet. So begins the journey. With a command, I turned my radio to DJPON3 as an old but classic began playing.

I don't want to set the world on fire

I just want to start a flame in your heart…

Author's Notes:

Edited: 5/16/2018 by Typoglyphic