STOP! Before you continue reading be sure that you have read The Last Mission. This story is the sequel to The Last Mission and failure to read will result in confusion.

Author Notes

Before we start this story I just want to announce that I will no longer be naming my chapters on my own. As it has shown in previous works, I am not very good with names. Instead I will be using a very complex formula for my chapter names.

I will be using the 1, 2, 3 method.

Dedicated to all men and women of the United States armed forces who have passed on since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and to all those who continue fighting for freedom.

Chapter 1

Nails walked through the camp filled with griffons. It had been a good month. They had just received word that another team had successfully taken out another base and now Nails' group was on the verge of taking out the only remaining base. It was a small one but as soon as they took it out he could go home to Ponyville. No doubt that even though he doesn't get much work, his work would have piled up and he would have to double time to catch up. Rainbow Dash had sent him letters every few days and apart from the jokes from the rest of his team (Delta being the primary culprit) he had taken the liberty of responding to each one. Apparently, nothing in Ponyville had changed since he left. Mostly, the letters were just to get an update on the progress and to get estimates on when he would be coming home.

Nails looked towards the center of camp where the griffons had taken to their pre-battle rituals. He never understood any of them, but he just let them be. He was passing by the bonfire when a voice called to him.

"Nails! Come over here and join us!" it was Eagle Eye. Over the course of the month, Nails and Eagle Eye had become good friends. They had become friendly competitors, often competing for body counts in missions. It was close each time and a few times ended in ties but so far, Nails had yet to lose. He walked over to Eagle Eye and took notice of the griffons around him. He instantly spotted Delta who was slowly spinning the cylinder on his revolver. Nails took this as a sign of excitement as the griffon was obviously happy about getting to finally go home. He also noticed Flying Heart, the teams medic; and Blunderbuss and Musket, the only brothers on the team who were also infantry. These weren't their real names but the nicknames had been assigned due to their obvious weapon preferences. Musket carried only a rifle and was an extremely quick work with the bolt while Blunderbuss carried what the griffons called a shotgun. Nails had been very interested in the shotgun when he had first heard about it but was steadfast to his only gun preference. In his opinion, nothing could touch the speed, power, and reliability offered by the .45 revolver. He took a seat next to his cousin as they started to talk again.

"Hot damn!" said Eagle Eye excitedly, "I'm going to flat out say that this was the best month of my life. With all the battles going on I bet everyone in this unit will earn a few medals."

"Yeah." said Blunderbuss with his deep voice, "And Nails, that was one hell of a job you did with Delta at the beginning."

"It took a lot of prep work." said Nails, "But it was definitely worth it."

"I wasn't there and haven't heard what he did so you're going to have to tell me." said Musket.

"Not again." said Delta.

"Well, it took a lot of work. We got to a place that had one bathroom which was important. Then, I had to make sure that it was all clear for the payback to begin. Once I was certain that nothing could interfere, I put super glue onto the seat of the toilet. Then, I made dinner that night and put some crazy spicy hot sauce on Delta's food and some laxatives in his water. Of course, when he did eat the hot sauce it was far too spicy for him. He immediately went for the water thinking that had been my payback."

"What was the purpose of the laxatives?" asked Musket.

"Ever had some really spicy food? Round two hurts so much worse. Just imagine how it would feel if the digestion had been rushed. Later, when the laxatives worked its magic, Delta ended up stuck on the toilet with his ass feeling like it was on fire."

"That was not funny." said Delta.

"Maybe not from your angle. From mine it was hilarious!" said Nails.

"Oh man, pranks." said Eagle Eye as he leaned back, "Takes me back to when we were training. I remember that pranks were a staple for the griffons. What about the ponies Nails? Did they pull many pranks?"

"You're asking me if the Equestrian soldiers pulled pranks. You should hear about some of the stuff they pulled!" Responded Nails. "I can still remember those days like they had just happened. I can even remember my asshole drill instructor."

"Aren't they all?" said Delta joining the conversation, "You know, I'm curious Nails. I don't think you've ever told me about what life was like before you met me."

"Yeah." said Eagle Eye, "I'd like to hear that story, and some of the time that you spent with Delta would be awesome to hear about as well."

"Well, I guess we have time. Do ya'll want to hear it from the very beginning?"

"Yea." said Delta.

"Ok then, as I recall it all started during one of my daily punishment PTs...

"Hurry it up Corporal Talon!" shouted the drill instructor as Talon carried the heavy load to the finish line. It was the same shit just a different day and once again Talon had found himself at the mercy of the Sarge. Talon didn't know the Sarge's name and that was all he knew to call him. Ever since day one, the Sarge had chosen him to be his personal mule. Making him do all of the pointless work and then running him through PTs just for the fun of it. As soon as Talon crossed the finish line he heard a bugle call out in the distance signaling lunch. He watched the other militia beginning to leave and he got up to go as well.

"Not so fast Talon!" shouted the Sarge as he pressed Talon's face into the ground, the taste of dirt filling his mouth. "You still have another lap to run!" said the Sarge as he walked off. "If I hear you cheated me out I will PT you until Celestia herself stops me!" Talon groaned and got up to run the mile long lap. He hated his drill instructor and he knew that the Sarge felt the exact same way about him. He knew that the only reason that the Sarge could hate him was because of his claw. His claw gave him several advantages that other soldiers didn't have which made him pretty unpopular around the unit. He finished his lap and then made his way over to the mess hall.

Talon entered the mess hall to see that there was no longer a line. Normally, this meant that all the good stuff was gone, but to Talon, there was enough left for him. He made his way towards the counter where he was greeted by Gravy. Really the only pony that didn't give him a hard time.

"Howdy Talon." said Gravy as he got out a tray with food on it from underneath the counter, "Beans and carrots today with some creamed spinach."

"Thanks Gravy." said Talon as he turned to go to his usual spot. Another lunch meant another time he could be alone. Nopony ever bothered him and he was fine with that. He sat down and started to eat. He was almost finished when his worst nightmare happened. The Sarge was walking towards him.

"Well, I see you finally made it." said the Sarge as he walked up to Talon. Talon just ignored him and continued to eat. The Sarge didn't seem to care as he stood behind Talon.

"Well, I hope you have enough energy left in you for some more drills. We got a fun schedule after lunch." said the Sarge with a smile.

"Why do you hate me?" asked Talon as he continued to eat.

"I don't hate you!" responded the Sarge, "You just always mess up. Everybody makes mistakes it just so happens that you're exhibit A."

"I do everything just fine; sometimes I do it better than anyone else, including you."

"I would stop talking like that Talon; such proud words could get you in line for a PT."

"I thought I was already in the VIP line for that." responded Talon.

"You know, I'm glad your father never had to deal with you. You can be so hotheaded at times he's probably better off dead."

Talon got up very swiftly knocking his chair back and almost flipping the table. The unexpected noise turned every single head in the room towards the two stallions.

"Don't talk about my father like that."

"How would you know what to defend? You never knew him! I hate that he brought such a disgusting creature onto this world. The princess should have killed you the day she found you."

"You are crossing lines Sarge."

"Lines for what? You can't touch me! If you do I can have you jailed for life. The princess would be behind me all the way. Just because you were found by a princess doesn't make you a prince Talon! You're just the son of a bastard and the son of the dirty bitch you call mother."

Talon curled his claw into a fist and turned around and punched the Sarge who fell back into another table. Every jaw in the room dropped as they witnessed a soldier attacking a superior. This had never happened in the Home front Militia and they wanted to see the outcome.

"You just started to dig your own grave Talon. I see a shitload of PT in your future."

"If I started to dig my own grave, then I'm going all six feet you bastard!" yelled Talon. A few of the ponies moved in to try and stop Talon but they were too late. Talon dove at the Sarge.