(Sorry, I thought it was a few weeks.) "Mine is privately owned, it’s for me and about 15 other families. I guess we should just see where this goes and in case you need any more help with political reasons and the what not, just search for me and I’ll help you as soon I can."
Dark nodded in thanks, "Yea okay. But I have some certain friends in high places, such as my sister being the president and CEO of Mark Co, who supply virtually all raw materials to Equestria. Have a nice day Rush." and she walked off.
Winter returned home to find Crimson sitting down listening to the radio. She thought it was okay for him to listen to the radio but then seen something in Crimsons eyes, something that made her very worried. There has been another massacre at an academy in the west by the a Zebra movement in Equestria. Crimson looked concerned, he might have known somepony that was involved. Then Crimson just got up and went to his room, Winter knew he went to a meeting today but she had no idea what they have said to him.
(Time skip of a year! WWWEEE) The squad of Commados lay hidden in a forest road far behind the front lines, they were some of the most feared Equestrias of the Zebra, as they could hide easily without enchanted help. The the newly developed Stealth-Bucks were hardly if ever used by them, being naturals at camoflague. A convoy began to pass in front of them over the road, while Dark waited hidden a tree just before a bend in the road, gun ready. The full convoy came into view, and her wings silently opened and then she took off like a bullet, leaving a black trail behind her as she flew over the convoy, gun blazing, taking the zebra's totally off guard. Then, while their attention was turned to the sky, the rest of the Commando squad popped and and triggered the explosives buried beneath the convoy. Within seconds, the entire convoy was destroyed, all the zebras dead and any loot not of use was burnt as it would only slow them down. These operations had been happening for almost a year now, severely hurting the zebra's ability to attack Equestria itself and they had been forced to slowly retreat as each position became more and more isolated from supplies. The Commandos quarantine of the front lines was so effective that only a quarter of original supplies made it to or back from the front lines. It was even said that the trip to or from the front lines was more dangerous than the front lines themselves.
(WOOOSH !!!!) Crimson is now a little bit older, a little bit more mature. Winter remained exactly the same as she was, but was begining to help Dark alot more with anything commando related. She even got the opputunity to have " A Day in the life of the commando's" tour. She was taught how to defend herself since that tensions between Equestria and the Zebras were becoming more dangerous. She was kindly given a custom combat knife from the Commandos saying "Thanks for your help." Crimson was now more involved in the military then ever. He was begining to train himself to his absolute limit, he was almost breaking sand bags and practising with weaponry. He was a reserve for the military, but he believed that he might be involved in the Commandos soon
(Imma say that the ambush happened earlier, and this is now.) Dark stood before the door to Crimson's(and I think Winter's right?) in full formal military dress, still would be a matter of strictly business. She put her hoof over the hidden long knife that she had that was engraved with the name Head Hunter. It was the perfect knife, it was enchanted thanks to Snow Mark to have an essence of it's own that thirsted for blood. When ever it cut into something, it grew sharper, it was virtually indestructible, it couldn't even hurt herself, and best of all, in the worst of melee situations, it could grow to the size of a full sword. Head Hunter comforted her, it was always with her, no matter where she was. She moved her hoof away from Head Hunter's hidden pocket and knocked on the door.
"I'll get it." Winter called out. She went to open the door to see Dark in a full formal military dress. "Hello Dark, what are you doing here ?" she asked.
"I've come to speak with you two. It is a relative importance." Dark said, voice completely level, "Oh you might want to duck by the way." Winter barely had time to react before Dark shoved her head down and the glint of sliver as Head Hunter was flung from its hiding spot flew over her head and strangely half the blade disappeared as it flung itself against the wall. "I knew that the zebras would target you two." Dark said calmly as she walked past Winter and over to Head Hunter, were she calmly grabbed at something and pulled off the stealth cloak of a zebra, it's old owner now with Head Hunter impaled into their head, holding the body as Head Hunter was buried into the wall. "When you spend most of your time in the zebra empire, you learn a few tricks on how to tell if a cloaked zebra is there." Dark explained as she pulled out Head Hunter and replaced it back into the pocket after wiping it off. Dark then turned to Crimson after noticing him, "You better get used to that, your being drafted into the Commandos." she said.
Crimson was suprised about darks announcement but then began to jump for joy. He was going be a member of the Commandos, one of his dreams was comming true. Winter was happy that Crimson was going to be a commando, but she didnt want Crimson to die. His parents were always on tour around Equestria and Auntie Winter looked after him. Equestria and the Zebra empire was in a stalemate, the Zebras were begining to lose alot of land, very fast, but the zebras were holding their ground. "Dark, thanks for letting Crimson do this. He has been training day and night ever since that meeting all those years ago.
"Yes, I figured that. And besides, he would have had to be drafted somewhere anyways as he qualifies, and his name was draw." Dark said, hoofing Crimson's draft number over to Winter, "Don't worry, Commando casualties are some of the lowest in the military despite having the most dangerous job thanks to our training and other things." Dark said, "Crimson, I hope you realize that the training of new Commandos is 4 months long and is mostly overseen by myself and my most trusted commanders, and that is much different from the other corps. You aren't going be able to make it with just strength and athleticism. Anyways, Master Protector Red Glory will be here at 4 in the morning to lead you to training camp, so be ready." and with that, Dark left the them with a nod.
(Last post for today.) "Ok, thanks for this chance Dark." Crimson then walked off up the stairs. "Well, goodnight Auntie Winter. Ive got a big day tomorow." Winter was happy for Crimson but she now had a job to do. Clean up and dispose of this dead zebra
At four in the morning, a loud knocking at the door rang through the house. M.P. Red Glory stood outside the door, there to escort Crimson to the training camp. He honestly didn't understand why the Commander, well his mother, was making him do this. In all likelyhood, he would be in the 95% that don't last through to earn their gold crosshairs.
Crimson walked to the door. He was up since 3.30 in the morning, and has spent the last half an hour packing up his gear. He was ready to leave with Red Glory to the commando camp. Where he would be training for the next 4 months
(Fast forward 4 months now!) Three ponies stood before Dark Light in full formal military dress, one of which was Crimson. Behind them stood the hundred others that had tried to go through the training but failed, and behind them were the families of the ponies. "We are here today to recognize the endurance and hardiness and all the traits required to get through the hell that is Camp Com-Train in these three ponies. Today they go from trainee, to Commando, today is the day they have worked, sweated, and bleed for in the past four months. Today they join the elite ranks of the Commandos and earn the coveted Golden Crosshairs." Dark said to the crowd, "Free Fire of Fillydelphia." a fire-red pony approached Dark, who pinned the Golden Crosshairs to his chest. After shaking hooves with him, she called, "Crimson Lionheart of Canterlot."
( "Let's do the time warp again !!!") Crimson walked up onto the stage to recieve the Goldern Crosshairs. He shook hoofs with Dark and stood next to Free Fire. Crimson could see Winter Rush in the crowd, she was happy but was too far away for Crimson to notice. Crimson stood proudly on the stage as he waited for the last commando to be called up.
"True Sliver of Cloudsdale." Dark called the last of the three up. Repeating the same process as with the other two, she turned to the crowd, "There they are, this cycle's newest graduates of Camp Com-Train. From here they shall be assigned to a new unit and deployed to the Commando line. Families of the new Commandos may have a day with them before their deployment. Thank you all for coming!" Dark then did an about face and walked up to the three new Commandos, "Congrats!" she said, smiling for the first time any of them of have seen her smile, even Crimson, "Welcome to the Commandos. You three did a really great job on the exit exams. If you would kindly look at your Crosshairs, you will each see a star on an A in the crosshairs, that means you did well enough to make it into my squad! Now, go spend the day with your families and I will come get you when it is time to go." with that, Dark left the three to find their families and speak with each other.
(kind of building up to the characteristics of the program featured King of Diamonds now, hope you like it.) Crimson spent his last day with Winter Rush,they celebrated by going to one of Canterlot's famous cafe's. Winter hugged Crimson, and almost knocked him to the ground. "Im so proud of you Crimson. Not only did you make it to the commandos, but you are also in Dark's squad as well." Winter Rush said to Crimson. Crimson was still proud of what he had just accheved, it has been a long four months, but it was now finally worth it. They spent the rest of the day walking around Canterlot when they saw a advertisement for Power Armor on a tv. Technology sure does has a way of showing itself off. But the power armor reminded Winter of the Super Solider Program. "Crimson, remember that program i have told you about. Well, that is still happening and i dont like it one bit." Winter said sadly. Crimson remembered that meeting all those years ago, the meeting that changed his life. "Auntie Winter, this is going to happen. I cant stop them, you cant either since that Princess Luna wants this program up no matter what. But i will protect you no matter what. I will meet you in your Stable when the end of the world happens and we can live out the rest of our lifes together." Crimson said to Winter. This cheered Winter up as they both walked home into the sunset
When the day was over, Dark was back on Winter's and Crimson's porch. But this time, she brought some bad news. She sighed as she knocked on the door, He was going to be a great Commando, she thought sadly as she waited for the door to be answered.
Crimson answered the door to see dark standing there very disappointed. "Hello, Dark. How can i help you, is something wrong ?" Crimson said to Dark, but on the look of her face, Crimson expected the worst.
"I'm sorry Crimson, I tried my best to fight it, but one against seven is not a very even arguement." Dark said sadly, "You will not be joining me and the Commandos in the zebra nation. You are going to be brought into the super soldier program. I'm sorry but I am here to," Dark gulped, "Take you to the facility."
