Big Mac sat on the ground filled with sadness and regret, he had just killed thirty three griffons, thirty three! What would Applejack and Applebloom think?

"Macintosh pick your butt up, we're going home." The colonel said. "Also I heard about how you killed thirty griffons by yourself, I'm promoting you to corporal."

"Thanks sir." Big Mac said as he hung his head down low while he walked back to Ponyville with the surviving troops. Medical staff had been sent to tend to the wounded and put the dead in caskets.

"DUDE YOU KILLED 33 OF THOSE BEAKHEADS! AWESOME!" An earth pony private praised as he held his hoof up for a high five but Macintosh simply ignored it.

"What's with him?" The earth pony asked.

"Who knows?" A nearby pegasi replied. As the returning soldiers approached town they could see the residents of Ponyville cheering and giving flowers to the returning soldiers. Most of the soldiers jumped with joy and had smiles on their faces as they ran to greet family members. Macintosh saw his sisters and their friends running towards him. Applejack was horrified at what she saw, her big brother was covered in blood and bruises, he had a scar going down his face, and he had the most sorrowful look on his face.

"Big Mac!" Applebloom said as he hugged her brother who took little notice of her and just stared off into space.

"Big Mac?" Applejack asked as she waved her hoof in front of him. Macintosh suddenly snapped back into reality.

"Oh uh! Hi y'all!" He said as he hugged his sister tightly. Twilight had seen the look Macintosh had on many other soldiers before and she knew what it was from.

"Hey Pinkie?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah Twilight?" Pinkie asked.

"I think Big Mac is well... how do you say it? Really sad and traumatized right now." Twilight explained.

"What do you mean?" Pinkie asked.

"It's called PTSD, soldiers often get it after seeing war. He must have seen or done something horrible and I think he needs something to cheer him up. Twilight said.

"Okie dokie lokie! I'm already on it!" Pinkie said as she sprinted back to Sugarcube corner. Pinkie had set up the celebration for the returning soldiers and now she was going to set up a private one especially for Macintosh. Applejack was still confused about Macintosh's behavior since all the other soldiers were jumping up and down celebrating. Rainbow Dash took notice of this and went up to a pegasi.

"Um excuse me?" Rainbow asked trying to show respect to the soldier.

"Yes ma'am" The pegasi asked.

"You know that guy over there?" Rainbow asked as she pointed to Big Mac.

"Him? Yeah guys a beast!" The pegasi exclaimed.

"What do you mean?" Rainbow asked.

"He slaughtered thirty three griffons single handedly! He ripped them all to shreds!". Rainbow suddenly gasped, now she knew why Macintosh was acting so weird. Big Mac was never one for violence and she could not picture Big Mac killing another thing, let alone thirty three.

"You should've seen him! After his friend got killed he went ballistic! Even I was scared and I'm on his side!" The pegasi explained. Rainbow felt tears roll down her eyes. She knew the friend he was referring to was Redwood Oak.

"And than he- Hey where'd she go?" The soldier asked. Rainbow had heard enough as she flew to find her friends. She found them and got them all together except Applejack.

"Girls, i know what happened to Big Mac but you can't tell Applejack or Applebloom got it?" Rainbow said through her tears. The ponies knew that if Rainbow was crying, it must be bad.

XXXX

Shining Armor didn't know how he was still alive right now, he had not eaten or drank for three whole days. He had been brutally beaten on top of all that. He had accepted the fact he was going to die here and he was never going to see his family again. He waited for death to overtake him when something odd happened.

"Eat up!" A griffon said throwing a bundle of hay to ground with a bowl of water. Shining Armor was confused but he proceeded to gorge himself on the food.

"You're probably wondering why we gave you food?" The griffon asked. "We want to prolong your suffering". Armor knew there was a catch to this but he didn't care. After his food, which wasn't much but it still was something, he fell asleep hoping that somepony, anypony, would come rescue him.

XXXXX

"He did what?" Fluttershy squeaked. The ponies all knew Big Mac was going to have to kill at some point in his career but the fact he killed so many and how brutally he killed them is what was bothering them.

"Thirty-three?" Rarity mumbled.

"That's just so awful!" Pinkie cried out.

"I don't want Applejack or Applebloom to find out because it would probably break their hearts to hear that." Rainbow explained.

"I agree, nopony tell Applejack or Applebloom what happened got it?" Twilight asked as all the mares nodded their heads in agreement. Rainbow looked down again as tears rolled down her face.

"What's wrong Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked.

"There is one more thing I have to tell you, and it's not easy for me to say this." Rainbow said sniffling.

"What is it?" Twilight asked.

"Remember Big Mac's friend, Redwood Oak?" Rainbow asked.

"No don't tell me he-" Rarity began to say.

"He was killed, thats why Big Mac killed all those griffons." Rainbow said as she wiped away her tears with her hoof. The four ponies all stood their shocked and began to cry, Redwood was such a handsome and young stallion and it was awful that he had to die, even worse that Big Mac had to watch if happen. None of the mane six could ever imagine watching one of their friends die right in front of them.

"Poor Redwood." Pinkie said sniffling. After crying for a few minutes Twilight spoke up.

"Well we have to do our best to cheer Big Mac up got it?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah!" The ponies all said as the hit hoofs together. The ponies than went their separate ways and thought about ways to make Big Mac feel better. Rarity had decided to visit the hospital where all the wounded soldiers were. The wounded were divided into four areas based off how severe the wounds were. Minor injuries, major injuries, critical injuries, and fatal injuries. Rarity walked past the fatal wound section and could hear the haunting sounds of crying and dying ponies from behind the curtains. As much as she hated being around blood, she attempted to go in the comfort the stallions in their final hour but she was denied access due to the horrific sights inside. She than went to the critical section where she was allowed access.

"Be careful, some of these stallions may get moved to the fatal wing if they move to much." A nurse explained.

"I understand." Rarity said as she walked into the room. The smell of blood almost caused her to faint but she pushed on. She saw some ponies missing limbs and others with spears and knives embedded in their stomachs. She recieved numerous whistles from the stallions as they all recognized her from the posters.

"Hey dollface!" A Marine with his front leg cut off called out. Rarity smiled as she knew how much something like this meant to the troops. She planned to sit with all the ponies but she went to the one closest to her first. He was a green earth pony with a red and yellow mane and he had a bandage around his neck.

"Hello dear." Rarity said as she sat next to him.

"H-hi ms." The pony said weakly.

"How are you doing?" Rarity asked. The pony looked at her and smiled.

"Well I got my neck and artery slashed open by a griffon but other than that, I'm great" He said chuckling. Rarity giggled at the pony's comment but she also shuddered at the thought of such an injury.

"That sounds dreadful!" Rarity exclaimed.

"Well at least they were able to fix it, hey I know you from somewhere, You're Rarity aren't you? I know you from all the magazines and posters." The pony asked.

"Why yes I am" Rarity said. "What is your name?"

"Sergeant Autumn Leaf, Equestrian Marines" The pony said as he saluted.

"Well Sgt I just have to say how thankful I am for you brave young stallions" Rarity said causing Autumn Leaf to blush.

"You don't have to thank me for what's expected of me." Autumn said. Rarity was surprised by Autumn's humbleness.

"Sergeant, I got your medical report. You will make a full recovery but there will be a scar on your neck for the rest of your life, we can do some surgery to fix that though" A doctor explained.

"I don't care bout a scar, it'll make me look tough! When I can go into combat again?" Autumn asked much to Rarity's and the doctors shock.

"Three days." The doctor said.

"Good, I need to be with my stallions on the field and whoop some griffon ass." Autumn asked as the doctor left.

"Please excuse me sergeant but why would you want to go into combat again after you were almost killed?" Rarity asked.

"I know it sounds crazy but I like crazy." Autumn said. "Besides, I gotta protect all the pretty mares like you toots." Autumns loyalty and courage touched Rarity's heart. She had talked with many wounded stallions before but Autumn was different.

"Yes well Sergeant I am sorry but I must see these other stallions before I leave, I would like to talk again sometime in the future." Rarity said.

"I understand Miss, have a nice day" Autumn said. Rarity turned to leave but not before giving Autumn a quick kiss on the forehead, she than quickly dashed away.

"Wow." Autumn said as he rubbed his cheek. In the corner disguised as a doctor, a white pony but the name of Deadeye watched the whole scene unfold.

"Such dedication and loyalty, he will definitely make a fine COLT." Deadeye thought to himself as he used his stealth training to slip out of the building content he had found two potential candidates. Outside the hospital Applejack was walking to the marketplace to buy dinner. She saw Rainbow flying overhead and called for her.

"Hey Rainbow, ah wanna talk to you." Applejack called as the pegasus flew down.

"What's up?" Rainbow asked.

"There's somethin off bout ma brother, ever since he went to that battle he just ain't the same! Do you know if anythings wrong with him?" Applejack asked. Rainbow felt bad about lying to her friend but she knew the truth would break Applejack's heart so she lied instead.

"Uh no nothing at all!" Rainbow said quickly.

"Rainbow, Ah am the Element of Honesty you know." Applejack said giving Rainbow a stern look.

"I swear Applejack, the girls and I don't know anything. Honestly!" Rainbow said with a surge of guilt sweeping over her.

"Alright Rainbow ah trust you, ah gotta go shoppin so ah'll talk later." Applejack said.

"Ok Applejack see ya." Rainbow said as she quickly flew away. "What have I done?" She asked herself knowing Applejack would never forgive her if she found out the truth.

XXXXXXXX

"Hey Big Mac I got five already!" Redwood Oak called out to Big Mac as he pulled his spear out of a dead griffons body. Big Mac saw a griffon coming from behind Redwood with it's claws out.

"REDWOOD LOOK OUT!" Big Mac screamed but Redwood did not hear him and was brutally slaughtered by the griffon who gave out an evil laugh as Redwood died.

"NOOOOOO!" Big Mac screamed as he tried to move but for some reason couldn't. The griffon began walking over to him.

"Hehe, don't worry you'll see him again real soon!" The griffon said as he plunged his spear into Big Mac's chest causing all his organs to spill out.

"AAHHHHHHHHHH!" Big Mac screamed as he opened his eyes to see he was in his bed, he moved his hoofs to his chest and gave out a sigh of relief to see his body was still intact.

"Big Mac?" Applejack yelled as she ran into her brothers room. "What happened? Ah heard you screamin"

"It's nuthin," Big Mac said as he tried to pull the covers over his head.

"Big Mac." Applejack said as she moved closer to her brother. "Ah know sumthins botherin you."

"I said it's nuthin!" Big Mac said a bit louder this time. Applebloom awoke from the argument and went to see what was going on. She stood just outside Macintosh's room so she could hear what was happening.

"Come on big brother, Ah want to help you, just tell me what's wrong." Applejack asked.

"You want to know what's wrong?" Big Mac said quietly as he got up and kicked his bed over in a rage. "Ah'll tell you whats wrong!"

"Quiet, you'll wake Applebloom!" Applejack pleaded.

"MAH BEST FRIEND WAS STABBED IN THE GUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AND AH COULDN'T SAVE HIM, THAN AN ARROW WENT RIGHT THROUGH HIS HEAD AS CRIED FOR HIS MA! ALL THIS TIME AH WAS WATCHING! THAN AFTER THAT AH KILLED TWENTY GRIFFONS, AH SLAUGHTERED THEM TILL THEY WERE NUTHIN BUT BLOOD AND FEATHERS! AN YOU KNOW WHAT? AH'M GLAD I KILLED THEM THE WAY AH DID!" Big Mac screamed causing Applejack to back off. Applejack honestly thought her brother was going to hit her. Applebloom squeaked as she began to cry.

"WHOSE THERE?" Big Mac screamed as he pulled out his spear. Applebloom peaked her head around the corner, her eyes now red from tears. Seeing his youngest sister crying brought Big Mac back to his senses as he looked at the damage he did.

"AJ A-ah'm sorry, ah ah just- need some alone time!" Big Mac said as he ran out of the house to the Apple Orchard to be by himself.

"BIG MAC!" Applejack called but than realized her brother needed to be by himself. Applejack went to her younger sister who had seen the whole thing.

"Applejack?" Applebloom asked. "Why did he get so mad?"

"He's been through a lot sugarcube, he just needs time." Applejack said as she tried to comfort her younger sister. Big Mac kept running until he was in the middle of the Apple orchard. He sat there and felt guilty for snapping at his sister like that.

"Such power and rage." A voice called out. Big Mac immediately jumped up.

"Who said that?" He demanded. "Come out or ah'll kill you!"

"Heh, you? kill me? Maybe with the right training." The voice said as a white earth pony with a black COLTS uniform came into the clearing.

"Who are you?" Big Mac asked.

"Captain Deadeye, Covert Operations and Lethal Takedown Squad Omega" Deadeye explained.

"Yer a COLT?" Big Mac asked a little nervous about this super-soldier.

"Yes and that's actually what I want to talk about." Deadeye said as he bucked a nearby apple tree and took one of the apples that fell from it. "I say, these apples are quite delicious."

"What do you want?" Big Mac demanded.

"At your last battle, I saw you slaughter all those grifs and I was impressed with your strength and power." Deadeye said.

"Y-you saw that?" Big Mac asked ashamed.

"There's no shame in that, I've killed hundreds of these beak-head scum in my career even before I became a COLT." Deadeye said. "What I'm saying is your skills and strength are rare, you will become a fine COLT."

"Um ah don't know." Big Mac said.

"You will become the perfect assassin, a killing machine!" Deadeye said.

"Thats precisely why ah don't want to be one." Big Mac said.

"Oh you must be mistaken because I wasn't asking." Deadeye said. "You have three days to meet me at this spot."

"And if ah refuse?" Big Mac asked.

"Are you really going to say no to me?" Deadeye asked as picked up a rock and smashed it to dust with his bare hoof. This gave Big Mac the message not to buck with stallion.

"Fine, ah'll join your stinkin group." Big Mac said.

"Excellent. training last six months so I advise you say your goodbye's soon." Deadeye said as he leapt away.

"Six months?" Big Mac asked himself.

"One last thing corporal, don't tell anypony about this or protocol will require me to take you down do you understand?" Deadeye asked. Big Mac knew Deadeye meant he would kill him if he told anypony about this.

"Why? what protocol?" Big Mac asked.

"The COLTS program is top-secret." Deadeye said.

"But a bunch of guys back at training knew about COLTS." Big Mac said.

"Word of COLTS has gotten around but it has not been officially stated to exist by anypony. The public believes it was just a stunt to scare the grifs." Deadeye explained.

"Why is it so secretive?" Big Mac asked.

"Because if Celestia or Luna ever found out what they did to us in training, they would shut it down immediately." Deadeye said.

"What do you mean?" Big Mac asked a little scared now.

"The things they do to you go against all laws of Equestria. You are destroyed both physically and mentally than rebuilt into a walking death machine." Deadeye said.

"But-" Big Mac said but Deadeye was gone.

"Ah dont want to have to kill no more but ah have to do it for Applejack and Applebloom and Luna. Besides that crazy pony will kill me if ah dont go." Big Mac thought as he walked back home thinking about Deadeye's orders to him. This was gonna suck.