Next Chapter.

Recoil could not believe what he was hearing.

"Let me ask you this Striper!" Recoil yelled too angry to call Striper by his rank. "Why would you give us something that turns us into that?!" Recoil said pointing to the rampant Earthshock.

"We didn't know the side effects until after we injected you!" Striper countered, "Do you honestly think I would have taken that risk had I known?"

"You had better tell the others." Recoil said. "And what do you plan to do with Earthshock?"

"I DON'T KNOW!" Striper yelled. "But you are right, I must tell the other COLTS." Striper said as he boarded a nearby carriage. He looked to where Earthshock was chained and saw that he was gone!

"Oh buck!" Striper said in terror.

XXXX

Big Mac had returned home with Applejack where they saw Applebloom ice skating with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Applejack took notice of the pack on her brothers back.

"Big Mac, what's in that bag?" Applejack asked as Big Mac put it down so he could scratch his back which was itching terribly.

"Just some stuff." Big Mac said as Applejack went over and tried to pick it up. She pushed with all her power and the bag didn't even budge.

"That dern things weighs a ton!" Applejack said. "What kind of stuff is in there?"

"Some military stuff." Big Mac said. He figured he could pull out his sword and not have his cover blown. The only difference between the COLTS swords and the other swords were that the COLTS swords were made of a harder and heavier metal making them more lethal.

"Fer pete's sake! Just show me what's in it!" Applejack yelled.

"Mah sword." Big Mac said as he pulled out his sword which still had dried blood on it's blade. Seeing this made Applejack a little woozy as she imagined how many griffons her brother killed with it.

"Alright just make sure you keep that stuff away from Applebloom so she don't hurt herself." Applejack said.

"Eeyup!" Big Mac replied as he hoisted the bag effortlessly over his back again. Applejack knew her brother was strong but to be able to hoist that bag up like nothing was unheard of. Unbeknownst to her the bag also contained the crossbow, daggers, extra arrow cartridges, and his COLT armor. The COLT armor weighed approximately several hundred pounds due to its density and thick padding. A normal pony would have no chance at even budging it. Macintosh heard his beeper going off again, the beeper made sounds at such a high frequency only the COLTS would be able to hear it.

"Uh, AJ, Ah gotta go meet Silent Shadow at the gym fer some weight training, Ah'll be back later." Big Mac said.

"But you just got back, oh well ah guess its important you stay in shape and all." Applejack said as Big Mac hoisted his pack on his back and headed for the Everfree Forest. Big Mac went for about twenty minutes before he decided to put his armor and weapons on, it would be easier to carry that way. He heard something in the brush behind him, since it was winter and all the trees were dead there weren't many places to take cover. He used his enhanced senses to try and figure out what it was, it couldn't have been a griffon unless it was an ST but that was highly unlikely. Big Mac's question was answered when a large figure plowed into him pushing him to the ground. Big Mac swung around and saw not a griffon or a beast attacking him.

It was Earthshock.

"Sir?" Big Mac asked. Earthshock responded with a sick laugh. Big Mac noted his mane had fallen out, his pupils had shrunk, his coat was splotched black in some places, and he looked like he was ready to murder. Earthshock jumped at Big Mac who moved out of the way sending Earthshock flying into a boulder.

"SIR! WHAT THE BUCK ARE YOU DOING?" Big Mac screamed as Earthshock went to grab him. Big Mac out his hooves up to intercept and the two locked in a deadly stalemate. Earthshock was one of the original COLTS meaning he was better trained than Macintosh so he began to overpower the red stallion.

"AHHH!" Deadeye yelled as came from out of nowhere and launched himself into Earthshock and repeatedly hit him in the head until he passed out. Deadeye than went up to Macintosh.

"Mac! You okay?" Deadeye asked. Deadeye was hesitant at knocking out his old friend but he almost killed Big Mac.

"Eeyup, what was that all about?" Big Mac asked.

"No clue, My beeper went off and I was heading through when I heard noises, I followed and found you two fighting." Deadeye asked. "Did you provoke him?"

"Nope, he just came out of nowhere, growled than tried to kill me." Big Mac explained.

"Grab him, let's get to base." Deadeye said as Big Mac carefully and with caution put Earthshock on his back and carried the crazed pony all the way back to COLTS-01. When they arrived, security ponies took Earthshock and brought him down the the vault, the vault was was where the creatures the COLTS fought in training were kept. Earthshock was locked in the same pen used to store manticores and ursa minors.

"There you guys are! What took so long?" Blitz said.

"Don't even get me started." Big Mac said as the COLTS all headed into the briefing room. Big Mac noticed not just his squad but ALL the COLTS were present.

"COLTS you are probably why I called you here." Striper said.

"Yeah why was Earthshock trying to turn Macintosh into a pancake?" Deadeye asked. The ponies all gasped.

"Wait, Earthshock attacked you?" Autumn said.

"Eeyup, if it weren't fer the captain ah might have been killed." Big Mac said.

"Just listen and you will find out. I promise you that you will not like what I am about to say." Striper said as he explained the situation to the COLTS. All of the super soldiers in the room had looks of fear, anger, and confusion on their faces.

"WHAT!" Black Soul screamed as he charged forward in anger and was held back by three COLTS.

"Black Soul I doubt you'd be any different if you went rampant." Striper said. Now he knew why Recoil couldn't stand the crazed pony.

"You mean we'll go crazy and... kill ponies?" Shadow asked. Striper nodded as he was assaulted by threats and insults

"You idiot!"

"Why would you do that!"

"We outta kill you!"

"LISTEN!" Striper yelled. "I did not know of this till after you were augmented! Had I known I would have never done it!"

"He's right, all of you shut up!" Deadeye yelled. "As long as you control your tempers nothing will happen."

"Good luck with that." A voice peeped out.

"Who said that?" Deadeye asked angrily. "WHO SAID THAT?". Nopony dared confess it was them.

"That's what I thought." Deadeye growled as he turned back to face Striper.

"You are all dismissed EXCEPT COLTS Omega." Striper said as the COLTS left.

"This can't be real!" Autumn said angrily.

"I'm too dangerous to be around Fluttershy now." Shadow said sadly.

"COLTS! Listen up! I have a mission for you." Striper said. "I know this news isn't easy to hear but bear with me."

"Go ahead Colonel." Deadeye said.

"Deadeye your suspicions were correct, there is a traitor and we are going to find him." Striper explained. "The traitor must be one associated with the COLTS program seeing as the grifs were able to get ahold of our stuff. So NOPONY will be leaving this base unless they have signed orders from a superior to leave."

"What does that have to do with us?" Big Mac asked.

"Each night I want you all to scout the perimeter, if you see anypony leaving you are to ask them for signed orders, if they don't have any then they are to be arrested immediately!" Striper ordered.

"Do you want us to stay in our armor for that?" Blitz asked.

"Yes, nopony is dumb enough run from or say no to a COLT" Striper said. "You may return to Ponyvillle now."

"Yes sir!" They all said.

"And COLTS, for all our sakes, PLEASE control yourselves." Striper said as the COLTS left the base. Striper could hear Earthshock thrashing in the thirty foot thick steel cell he was imprisoned in. He simply shook his head. As the COLTS walked back to Ponyville they took their armor off and put in bags they carried.

"Hey Black Soul!" Blitz yelled.

"What?" Black Soul replied.

"How come you well look like you do?" Blitz asked.

"You mean you don't know?" Black Soul said surprised. "Celestia must have covered it up well."

"What do you mean?" Shadow asked.

"That is a story for another time." Black Soul said as he moved ahead of the others.

"That was weird!" Blitz exclaimed.

"There's more to that pony then meets the eye." Shadow pointed out as they exited the Everfree Forest.

XXXX

"I'm not going to ask you again." Gore said to a mutilated POW. "What are the identities of the COLTS?"

"I ain't telling you nothin!" The pegasi known as Thunderlane said. Even if he wanted to tell Gore nopony knew who the COLTS were.

"AHHHH!" Gore screamed as he clawed open Thunderlane's throat and killed him. He took the dead body and threw it into the river.

"Gore we have our informant we don't need to interrogate POW's anymore." Von Griffon said.

"I know, but it was fun torturing him." Gore said smiling. Von Griffon was a little offset by Gore's terrible personality but he didn't care.

"When will she be here?" Von Griffon asked.

"Soon." Gore said. "Ah here she is."

"You called?" The female griffon asked.

"Ah the lovely Gilda!" Von Griffon said. "I understand you wish to join our ranks?"

"Hay yeah I do!" Gilda snarled "There are certain ponies that I need to deal with!"

"May I ask their identities ma'am?" Von Griffon asked. There was no question that Von Griffon was evil but he always had a knack for acting polite.

"Pinkie Pie, she stole my friend from me." Gilda said with hate. "And Rainbow Dash, she betrayed me!"

"Two of the elements of harmony? That would be quite a blow to the ponies if they were taken hostage." Von Griffon pondered.

"Why not just kill them?" Gore asked.

"My dear Gore, killing isn't always the answer. These ponies are worth quite a bit, I'm sure Celestia would pay a high price to get them back." Von Griffon said.

"Not if they send the COLTS to come save them." Gilda said.

"That is where I come in!" Gore said cracking his knuckles.

"Not quite yet my dear and devious friend, I want two scouts to be sent in tonight to find them, we will distract the COLTS with another attack and then we will take the ponies Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie hostage!" Von Griffon explained.

"Why not take all six elements of harmony?" Gore suggested.

"Gore that is brilliant! I outta hurry up that promotion!" Von Griffon said.

"Of course my lord." Gore said.

"You can have the other four, but I want to deal with Pinkie and Dash!" Gilda said.

"Very well Ms. Gilda." Von Griffon said as two stealth griffon scouts headed towards Ponyville. The COLTS decided to just camp out in the forest since it was already getting late and they would have to come back in a few hours. Later that night the COLTS all put on their armor for patrol around COLTS-01 leaving Ponyville for the taking. The two griffon scouts moved in. Skullcrusher and Soarin were having a talk on a bench.

"Those COLTS sure are something huh?" Soarin asked.

"You bet, I'd be terrified if one of them was after me, I almost feel sorry for the grifs, almost." Skullcrusher said as Soarin started laughing. It was past midnight and most ponies were inside due to the cold. Soarin and Skullcrusher were among the few soldiers in Ponyville so they were still up in case of emergency. The two scout griffons were small and quick, they're white armor blending in with the snow.

"Did you hear that?" Soarin asked as his ears perked up. The two griffons froze.

"Hear what?" Skullcrusher asked.

"I'm probably just being paranoid, I thought I heard something." Soarin said. The two scout griffons continued to make their way to Sweet Apple Acres where Applejack lived according to Gilda. Sweet Apple Acres was the closest to they went their first.

"So how are things going with Rainbow Dash?" Skullcrusher asked.

"She's staying with Applejack tonight because it was too cold to fly back to her house." Soarin said. "I really like her though, I'm sure she is the one you know?"

"I feel the same way about AJ" Skullcrusher said before both of them suddenly froze.

"Something isn't right." Soarin said.

"I know, i feel it too." Skullcrusher said. Since he was half blind he relied on his other senses to make up for it. He always had a sixth sense when something bad was about to happen. Soarin spotted footsteps in the snow.

"Those don't look like hoofprints to me." Soarin said.

"It looks like they're leading to." Skullcrusher said as the realization hit him. "Sweet Apple Acres!". Without thinking, Soarin and Skullcrusher headed as fast as they could towards Sweet Apple Acres. Inside Applejack's house, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had fallen asleep by the fire, Applebloom was sleeping upstairs and Big Mac obviously wasn't there so the two mares were totally exposed.

"Take them quietly and quickly." One of the griffons said as they snuck in the house and saw the sleeping mares. They snuck up and put each of the ponies in a chokehold. The mares immediately woke up and began kicking to get free but the griffons were too strong.

"NOOO!" Soarin screamed as he flew in and tackled one griffin to the ground. Skullcrusher came in and tackled the other. The two griffons pulled out their swords while Soarin and Skullcrusher did the same.

"Soarin!" Rainbow said happily.

"Go hide somewhere, this could get ugly." Soarin said as Rainbow and Applejack ran upstairs to get Applebloom.

"HA stupid pony how can you expect to beat when you only have one eye?" One of the griffons asked as he noticed the blindness in Skullcrusher's eye.

"Just wait and see grif." Skullcrusher said. Applejack and Rainbow Dash burst into Applebloom's room where she was already awake.

"APPLEJACK!" Applebloom cried. "What's happenin?"

"Nothin, it'll be alright sugarcube." Applejack said as she covered Applebloom's ears. Rainbow Dash had barricaded the door with Applebloom's bed. A loud scream was heard from downstairs along with the sound of clanking swords and breaking wood. Soarin had just cut off one of the griffon's wings and was going in for the kill.

"AHHHH! AHHH! AHHH-" The scream suddenly stopped as Applejack hugged her sister who was scared out of her wits. Another series of screams was heard as Skullcrusher literally cut the other griffon to shreds.

"Not bad for a guy with one eye, don't you agree grif?" Skullcrusher said as he spat on the dead griffon's bodies.

"There is a little one upstairs, let's get rid of these bodies so she doesn't see." Skullcrusher said as he and Soarin dragged the dead bodies outside. They than went upstairs. Soarin opened the door to be met with a hoof to the face.

"OHMYGOSH! I'm so sorry! I thought you were a griffon!" Rainbow said as she flew to Soarin who was rubbing his face.

"YOW! GEEZ!" He said.

"Skullcrusher!" Applejack said as she went and hugged her coltfriend. "What happened?"

"Two grif scouts came and tried to capture you, they are probably after the other elements as well. Where are you friends at?" Skullcrusher said.

"Their houses." Applejack said.

"You had better go get them, it isn't safe for you anymore." Soarin said as the five ponies left the farm and headed for a more secure location.

XXXX

It had been four hours and no ponies had passed.

"Uh this is so boring!" Autumn whined.

"Shut up! This is what you trained for." Deadeye said.

"We trained to kill, not play guard duty." Black Soul said. Deadeye could see why Recoil hated Black Soul so much.

"You shut up too! I don't wanna hear another word out of any of you till morning unless you see something." Deadeye ordered.

"Yes sir!" The COLTS said as they resumed their watch. It seemed like everything went slower at night and the nights were longer since it was winter. When the first rays of sunshine peeked over the horizon, the COLTS all felt a sense of joy.

"Don't get to happy. We are not leaving till the next patrol relieves us." Deadeye said crushing the COLTS hopes.

XXX

By the time of the early morning, the mane six, the CMC and Spike had all been brought to Sugarcube Corner into Pinkie's room upstairs and were guarded by Soarin and Skullcrusher. The CMC were still mad at Spike and avoided him.

"So why are we here? You never answered my question." Twilight said.

"Two scouts attacked Applejack and Rainbow Dash at Sweet Apple Acres, I'll bet my salary that the grifs will try it again." Soarin said.

"Okay." The ponies all said. They weren't too happy about it but if meant they would be safe they couldn't complain. Everypony had fallen asleep except Spike and Sweetie Belle. Spike saw this as his chance to make amends.

"Sweetie?" He asked.

"What do you want Spike?" She asked.

"Well I wanted to say sorry for what we did." Spike said.

"I'm not listening!" Sweetie said as she covered her ears.

"Why are fillies so hard to say sorry to?" Spike thought to himself. He then fell asleep feeling pretty guilty still.

Great, that bitch Gilda is back. R&R

"I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memories of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride which must be yours to have laid down so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom" - Abraham Lincoln's letter to Mrs Bixby, the mother of five sons who were killed in the American Civil War.