The Small Story of Serenity Nocturne

The young stallion was nervous as he bit into the white flower nervously. It was a beautiful flower, hopefully enough for the pretty mare that it was for. His father had always drilled into him that opportunities were to be grabbed by throat, and he truly believed that if he didn't seize it now, at this moment, the pale blue pony with the pretty black dress and glowing silver mane would walk out of his life, never to return.

"Miss!" he manages to call, swallowing his fear, "Miss, excuse me, miss!"

Striking red eyes turned to him, causing his heart to waver helplessly before he held it place with steeled confidence...

"Y-yes?"

...only for it to collapse in response to the soft, delicate voice, marred only by a slight stutter.

"Y-you dropped t-this." He curses himself for his more noticeable nervousness. He's got this, he tells himself, he just needs a little bit of courage.

The young mare looked bewildered. Of course she would. The flower wasn't hers, after all, it was just an excuse and oh Celestia this wasn't to work this was a stupid idea stupid stupid stupid-

He feels the mare take the flower out of his mouth with her hoof and start examining it in wonder. He sees her look up and say, "I think it's very sweet."

He melts at her smile.

He introduces himself, and learns that the mare's name is Serenity Nocturne. He is unable to stop himself saying that her name is pretty.

"What brings you around here?" he asks, growing in confidence.

"I'm an engineering student," she replies, "I got an opportunity to transfer to MIT, and I couldn't refuse the offer, especially when I heard that some new wonder project was under development!"

He can't believe his luck. This was perfect. He tells her that one of the factories he works at was involved in some big secret corporate project, and sure enough, Serenity's excitement completely covered her features, making her even more cute (if that was even possible).

He was less enthusiastic at her request to let her see, but her disappointment at his initial rejection almost broke his heart. He tells her to meet him tomorrow night, making her promise not to tell anyone. They part ways soon after, and he is soon joined by his friends congratulating him on his success.

He couldn't wait for tomorrow.

---

The plan was to sneak Serenity in as a maintenance worker. He had a spare uniform, and whilst it was bit big for her, the uniform policy was one size fits all. Serenity did insist that he turn around when she got changed though. It was a little strange, but his dad had told him never to refuse a mare's request, a philosophy that his mother took full advantage of.

They got through security easily, the guard only making a lackluster token attempt which was easily overcome by his bluff. But that wasn't the important thing.

"I overheard them calling these 'ironclads'," he states proudly, enjoying the look of utter shock and awe on Serenity's face, "Powerful as train, and able to travel over any ground." He turns away from the mare to the machine of war, admiring the raw power it exuded. "Obviously, Canterlot and the Princesses don't know about it, but I hear there are buyers out in the Badlands and-"

He never sees the garrote coming.

He never hears the soft apology.

He never realises his mistake.

He dies.

---

Her face rarely revealed what she felt inside.

It looked bashful when she was cautious of somepony coming up to her.

It looked excited when she scheming a way to take advantage of this opportunity.

It looked shocked when she was dreading what she was going to have to do.

It looked cold when she was really, truly full of regret.

But the feeling that Nameless' face hid when she disposed of the body and began to sabotage the production of the illegal weapons of war was her utmost refusal to acknowledge the tingling sensation she felt on her flank.

((NOT A THING ANYMORE DISREGARD NOPE NOPE STUPiD THESPI DOING STUPID THINGS))

(Thespi, this was originally planned as a simple plot bunny that kept me up at two in the morning and I didn't plan to continue it...but I'll consider it.)

((oh god oh god oh god I am so sorry))

(Posted with permission.)

Police tape and road blocks quarantined the exterior of the building the next day. The events of the other night were called in on an anonymous tip. It didn't take long for word of what exactly was inside to get to Commissioner Stonewall. He was personally satisfied that there was a significant find, but it didn't last long.

The Commissioner waited outside, looking more livid than anything. Other guardponies seemed rather irritated as well, but more-so intimidated by their commissioner. Just when he thought he had the chance to earn a bigger name for himself, THIS had to happen.

"Damned red tape." He muttered to himself repeatedly among other profanities.

"Commissioner. They are here." A deputy pointed out as a pair of golden chariots being towed by golden armored pagasi circling in the sky, coming down and expertly easing themselves into a formation landing. Guardponies scurried to get out of the way as the chariots seemed determined to park inside the police lines that formerly had a comfortable amount of walking space.

Commissioner Stonewall gritted his teeth as his officers were forced to take cover and scatter. He charged up to the chariots, paying no heed to their numbers unloading.

"Watch your landing! Who is in charge here?"

One of the Royal Guards, an earth pony by the look of him, turned to the Commissioner. His armor displaying his rank on his shoulders, but Stonewall had little care for that.

"Why are my officers prohibited from entering? This is our city and we can handle the situation!"

Though the Royal Guard was smaller than the massive Commissioner, he was rather intimidating himself as he took a pace or two toward him. "Because they are of affairs greater and beyond the city, and thus the jurisdiction of Equestria as a whole. Despite that, the Royal Guard has authority where it deems it." He raised his chin up, the light shining on the eye patch he wore.

Stonewall stuttered as he came to realize who he was talking to. "S-Shielder? I thought you w-"

"Captain Shielder...I need you and those that witnessed or know about the scene to check in with my...relations officer for questioning immediately. Also your vehicles will be searched for any possible moved evidence or scene contamination."

Stonewall went from bewilderment to teeth gritting anger. "My ponys are trustable Shielder."

"Captain Shielder. And I didn't ask for your trust. I told you we are searching and questioning you. That is all." The captain said firmly, leaning in toward the Commissioner.

"...Captain Shielder. You know me. I didn't get to where I am because I am corrupt or looking to fill my pockets with bits. I-"

"You are where you are because you listen and do what your told, no matter your loud bark you call pride. Prepare your officers." The Captain waved over one of his soldiers and left before the Commissioner could come up with a retort. He was not worth his time. He had other things to attend to for the Crown.

Entering the facility, the others had already gone to work, cataloging and photographing everything. Trotting up to the iron behemoths, the Captain gazed at the war machine. Someone had been here before them.

"Captain. The 'iron clauds' are all dismantled. No trace of blueprints. And we have three bodies. One of them is a colt. All done in by a garrote."

The Captain kept his eyes on the iron clauds. "....All killed unawares?"

"It appears so sir. Possibly another underground group?"

"Hmmm....Probable....But...it feels familiar. Like...a vigilante."

"Sir? You think one pony did this?"

"Possibly....I have some experience with the type. You know what this means?" The Captain turned to the Royal Guard Specialist with one of his smirks. A smirk most would rather see less of.

"Shall I get someone to the media station?"

"No. We already did that. What it means is...we are not doing a good enough job....Ponies are getting careless. Things slip. Other ponies get aggressive and try to take things for themselves, take responsibility on themselves....Do things that are not up to them. And then it all just backfires into everyone's face." He paced about the large iron claud, seeing its thick armor and where it was rendered useless with plates of armor falling away. "We do our job so that ponies don't have to do it for us. It doesn't matter how right it may be for some 'vigilante' to come in and do their own thing. Order must prevail, or the armor of order will fall apart. There are so many ponies that cannot be trusted already. We are the last line of defense. We use any means that we must, whether it be buffalo or pony. Its our job to remove weak links and tie off loose ends. This..." He kicked a weak single of steel plate. "This whole place is now a loose end. Everyone associated with it is. It needs to be tied off and the weeds need to be uprooted....Find the owner, question the officer who patrols here, detain them and get me black and white results. I want this place completely dismantled and barren in 24 hours. Full reports on all persons of interests in 48. Make it happen Leftenant."

The Leftenant stood firm and saluted before marching away in an orderly fashion. Once a fair distance, he relaxed. Did the Captain always have to get dramatic? Ever since the buffaloes he had been much more serious and determined. That and his ex-fiancee....That was a different story.

The Captain turned and approached the body of the colt. Such a young pony...

"...Hmm..." He had seen enough bodies to hardly be phased, but still...something came to mind. A few strokes of the piano in his head. A song that had been stuck in his head for a long time now.

"How awful and finite a thing...to be judged so soon in life. I wish I could at least know them enough to write them a song..." Said Renny.