“That’s no excuse…nevertheless what happened? Where did you go?”
“Just a few scouting missions on the Crystal Empire before him and Cadence established the Sombra shield. “We had a few close calls: Shining almost froze…and almost fell into a gorge…and almost started an avalanche. To be honest ‘he’ had a few close calls.”
“That isn’t surprising, he was always so accident prone,” she chuckled. “I’m sure glad he has Cadence. Who knows what trouble he would have gotten into without her?”
A cry pierced the afternoon sun, shattering the serenity of Canterlot, “I think we have our own trouble to deal with,” Crimson spoke straightly and started a full tilt run to the source. The cry rang for a second time and he was on the scene, just in time to see a pegasus fly away with a large pouch and leaving an injured flying Royal Guards on the ground whilst several unicorn guards were casting magic to subdue her. Crimson in one swift motion pulled out a shotgun from his bag and loaded a single shell into it, he waited for the pegasus to stop moving if only for a second and fired. The pegasus dropped to the ground and the calmness of the city was broken for a second time
.
“You killed her!!” Twilight shrieked after she turned the corner.
Putting the shotgun up Crimson responded, “No, I did not.”
“But…you shot her.”
“I did but not with a lethal round it was just a rubber slug, she is just stunned, not dead. Despite my reputation I only kill the unredeemable, those who live to prey on the weak, the redeemable I spare. I was taught to temper my judgment with mercy, which is why I keep rubber slug rounds anyway.” Crimson turned to the guards “Now guards send her to the jail and give her ample nutrition for three days and then release her on parole for two weeks, dismissed.”
“Yes, sir; Crimson, sir” the guards responded. As Crimson and Twilight were going to leave a guard approached them and offered the bag saying that it was a package for Crimson. “Sir, this package was in the bag it is addressed to you.” He quickly added it to his bags and reminded himself to check it after he got to the castle.
“Well that was quite an adventure;” Crimson mused.
“What was with her punishment, how did you come up with it?” Twilight asked.
“She had assorted foodstuffs in her bag so I assumed she was stealing to eat” Crimson explained and added sharply “I don’t suppose you know much about my weapons?”
“Sure I do, I know all about…uh what are they called?” Twilight admitted.
Crimson let out a sigh. “They’re called guns...and they originate only from the Badlands and from changeling copiers. Celestia has banned them and enforces that edict magically in Equestria, only a few ponies can have them inside the border. Come to think of it my old company is the only one allowed to utilize guns, although I use other weapons as well, but let those be a surprise,” Crimson answered. “I think we should hurry along before any more trouble finds us.” Twilight shook her head started humming as we walked.
Not long after the incident they arrived at the gates to the great palace and entered unquestioned with many bows, ‘sirs’, and ‘my princess’. The Hall of History lay before them and at its end awaits Celestia, standing vigil for the day and helping those that came before her. The sunlight came through the storied and stained windows painting the hall like a kaleidoscope and the light was reflected by Twilight’s crown adding gold to the already dazzling display. Crimson and Twilight walked through the glamorous hall and arrived before the princess.
“My Princess I have returned from the Badlands in triumph and with the stolen armor. The fiend and thief is dead killed by my hand, she was too far gone to be saved, her compound lies in ruins…there is nothing left…her followers lie burned.” As Crimson finished is expression grew deep and sullen
“This news is regrettable but unavoidable, anything more to report?” Celestia declared
“Yes, as I left the complex I encountered Ground-Stamper,” Crimson paused the light in the room seemed to darken surrounding him, “I slew him and every single one of his gang.”
Celestia was visibly shocked, meanwhile Twilight looked on concerned, “I thank you for your service Crimson,” Celestia said after composing herself “I hope you suffered little injury.”
“I’m afraid I can’t say no, I was poisoned with Mother Darkness which almost proved fatal, but Twilight was able to save me,” Crimson continued.
Celestia finally relaxed after holding her breath, despite her better judgment, through the whole sentence, “well thank you once again, if you would can you bring the armor to my private quarters I will join you. Twilight, Crimson and I will need to discuss this alone.”
Twilight stood gaping in indignation for a moment and then took on the expression of great sadness and dejection. Crimson spoke up, “My Princess, I require Twilight’s assistance to help me with the armor, I only trust her with it.” Twilight’s face lit up at this,
“Very well, if you insist.” Celestia smirked.
Celestia walked ahead to her room while Crimson carried the armor to her room with Twilight in tow. All the Royal Guards bowed as Celestia walked passed but they almost cowered as Crimson’s heavy hoof-fall sounded through the hall. When they arrived Crimson arranged the armor on a stand. “I suppose you would wish to refurbish this piece?”
“Yes” Celestia responded.
“And I assume I have another mission?” Crimson asked knowingly,
“Yes”
“I’m taking Twilight with me.”
“What!?” Celestia and Twilight exclaimed in shock and disbelief.
“You heard me, Princess,” Crimson said slyly, “she had to take on the whole of Alicorn magic beside m--, never mind, she almost died fighting Lord Tirek and countless other beasts. I think my job might be safer.”
Celestia prepared a response but she saw the admiration in Twilight’s eyes and the adamancy in Crimson’s. “Very well, I will respect your wishes. Prepare to be briefed in the throne room in ten minutes.” Silence fell as Celestia walked out the door, her hoof steps slowly fading.
