A/N: Have not had a Rainbow Dash chapter in a while. Might change that now. Might not. Read and see.

Chapter 11: Deals rather not made.

Cutting Edge woke up before the sun rose. He didn't rest well and was looking through the cabinets in the kitchen. It seemed that is was stocked but Cutter wondered why. The guards had taken all of their food so why have food just sitting around? Cutter would ask about it later. He made breakfast for himself and Golden Eye who was still sleeping soundly on the bed.

As he cooked Cutter heard hoof steps outside his door. He hated not having his weapon. The soldiers confiscated his weapon when they entered the city. He planned to fashion a new one with his spare supplies. Lucky for him the soldiers that looked through his stuff didn't realize that it could be used to make weapons. Cutter noticed that the hoof steps stopped by his door. He levitated a knife near him.

It wasn't much but it was better than going bare hoof. He positioned himself near the door but out of sight. Sure enough the door creaked open. Three ponies in armor walked in. They stepped lightly as to not make noise. They were horrible at it but they tried. They walked in and immediately went for the bedroom. They failed to see Cutter who slipped around them and grabbed the last one. He held the knife on the pony's throat.

The other ponies turned as Cutter spoke. "You are going to tell me what you are doing or I am going to make a mess of your friend."

One of the ponies answered. "Calm down Cutting Edge. We are not here to harm you. We just came here to tell you that you are needed in the throne room later today. Try to be there around ten." The pony slowly strafed towards the door. "We are going to leave now."

Cutter waited for the two ponies to leave and then he shoved the third out the door. "Well played. Don't enter my room without permission again." Cutter didn't wait for anything to be said before he shut the door and locked it.

The three ponies looked at each other outside the room. "That pony was scary."

The one that had a knife to his throat spoke. "You think he was scary? I was the one with a blade to my neck!"

"That is what you get. You said that we should try to sneak in and see how bad he really was."

"Well I wanted to see if he is as bad as the other guys were saying."

"You should have known after he knocked Brigade out."

Cutter heard the ponies' entire conversation through the walls. He went back to fixing breakfast. He prepared both meals and put them on a small wooden table in the kitchen before waking Gold up.

Cutter sat down with Gold and ate. Gold was still waking up and was sluggish. "What was that noise?"

Cutter chewed and swallowed before answering. "Some dumb guard ponies tried sneaking in. I scared them away."

"Cutter. You are suppose to be civil."

"I didn't do anything harsh. I just scared them a little. No pony was hurt. I won't be rash. I promise."

Golden ate some of her food. "You better not. I don't want to hear anymore shit from Celestia."

Cutter hid his anger at the mention of the princess. Just her name was enough to upset him. He didn't react though. Cutter finished eating and went to the throne room to see why he was needed.

As he entered he secretly counted how many ponies were here as well their equipment and all escape routes. There was eight guards that were fully equipped. Those were the ones that concerned him the most. Second was the three ponies near the princesses that were talking to Celestia so Cutter assumed that they were not guards. An earth pony, unicorn, and a pegasus.

The pegasus' coat was navy blue which matched her uniform. She wore a matching cap that covered most of her mane but Cutter could tell it was orange.

The earth pony had bronze fur, His mane and tail was extremely short and barely rose off his head. It was a bright red. This pony wore some unique armor. The armor was custom made and looked like a spin off design of the royal armor. It was chromed and shined even from across the room.

The last was the unicorn. She wore a white robe. Cutter managed to glimpse a golden amulet around her neck. Her fur was pure white. Her mane was long and light blue.

Cutter cold see none of their cutie marks. He did see one mare that caught his eye. She wore no clothes and was surely not a princess. The cyan mare had a rainbow mane and tail. She was a pegasus and sat next to princess Twilight.

Cutter knew of all the princesses by name and look but he knew hardly anything about Twilight. He knew what she looked like and that she is the most recent addition.

Cutter approached the group of princesses. As he came all the ponies watched him. He could feel their eyes on him. He noticed that the three ponies that had been talking to Celestia look at him as if they were disgusted. Cutter wanted to jump out of his skin. He had to find something to calm him down. He closed his eyes and tried to thinking of calming thought. Nothing seemed to work but then he thought of the pony he was doing this for. He thought of Gold's face. He thought of her. He imagined her lavender coat and grey mane. He counted his hoof steps so not to lose track of his position. His last thought before he was interrupted was of Gold's golden eyes.

Celestia called Cutter's name.

Cutter opened his eyes. He had effectively calmed himself. "Why am I here?"

Celestia started explaining. "I wanted you to talk with my head generals. You are not going o get a free ride. You must pull your weight like any pony else. You will do that by giving my generals your information, as we agreed." Celestia pointed to the earth pony with the chrome armor. "This is Iron Wall, or Earth pony general." She pointed to the white unicorn with the robes. "This is Ice Storm, leader of our unicorn forces." Celestia pointed towards the pegasus. "Finally we have Striker. She is the head general of the pegasus forces. These are the ponies that you shall be informing about the current Equestria."

Cutter held no respect for any of the ponies in the room and spoke freely. "How do I know that you won't just take my info than kick me to the curb?"

Celestia didn't take any offense to his paranoia. "Why would I do that? I want to reclaim all of Equestria and it's ponies."

"I don't think you need a reason. You tend to be a bitch for the sake of being a bitch."

Celestia put a hoof to her head as if trying to prevent a headache. She could forget what he said but those below her wouldn't

Iron wall took a few steps towards the black unicorn. "You will take that back right now." The stallion had a deep rough voice.

Cutter didn't care about how this pony felt. "Why should I? Is there something special about this particular bitch? Is it because she is tall?"

Iron was starting to hate this unicorn. "You ignorant savage! You speak to a pony that is leagues above you. You will show your respect."

Cutter wouldn't be intimidated by any pony. "What you going to do about it if I don't, shiny?"

The earth pony puffed up. "I will personally teach you how to."

Cutter laughed. "That is funny. Some pony here will actually fight? I thought you all were afraid to mess up your hooves. What will all the ponies think of you as they bow? They might think you aren't worth their ass kissing."

"I have had enough of this. Prepare yourself." Iron Wall reared up on his hind legs and raised his fore hooves.

Cutter didn't move. "Go ahead and try."

The earth pony came closer and did a calculated jab. Cutter quickly gabbed the ponies hoof with his magic. Cutter took his right hind leg and swept it across the floor full force towards Iron Wall. The move was too quick for Iron Wall to counter and he was not expecting it. Too late did he realize where Cutter's strike would land. It made contact.

Iron wall fell on the floor. In a weak voice he commented. "Why would you hit me in the nuts?" He continued rolling on the ground.

Cutter looked down at the pony. "Because now I win." Cutter put a hoof on the stallion's throat. He pressed down depriving him of oxygen. "If I think any pony is doing a crap job than I will say so. If I think that they are a worthless piece of shit than I will say so. If I think that their mane looks like a rats nest than I will say so. I DO, NOT, GIVE, A FUCK! I will say whatever the hell I please and if any of you want to live long enough to take a shit outside your precious shield than you will deal with it."

"Get off of him Cutter." Celestia had seen enough of this.

Cutter backed off. "Was planning to anyway." Cutter looked around. The pegasus general seemed un-phased and the unicorn was smiling, trying to hold back her laughter. Cutter looked to Celestia who he could tell highly disapproved of his actions. "I will help you but Golden gets a free ride, as you put it."

Celestia was curious why Cutter thought he could get away with this. "What pray tell do you think would let her get away with being lazy while every pony else works?"

"Because I will sweeten the deal. I will not only inform you of the dangers of the outside but I will also assist you in dealing with them. I can also tech some of your newbies how to fight."

The unicorn general interrupted. "What make you think that our troops need training?"

Cutter looked at her. "Because I have seen your soldiers."

"They have been trained and show honor and dignity in battle. They are capable."

"Well I am about to bust your little bubble. They won't last long like that. This isn't the old world. There is no honor or respect for the fellow pony. Every pony fights dirty and doesn't care how they win. They will throw dust in your eyes, Use your friends as bait and,…" Cutter look at Iron Wall who was back on his hooves. "… Go for low blows. All that really matters to them is that they are alive. Hell, they will use their own friends as bait, not just yours. Judging from what I have seen you are not prepared at all."

The generals may not have agreed but Celestia did. "It would not hurt to have some extra preparations. Cutting Edge will assist on missions and help train soldiers, as well as share all the information he has Equestria. In return he and Golden Eye are aloud to stay in Canterlot. Golden is to receive all accommodations without work. Does this sound right to every pony?" Celestia looked at the other princesses.

The other alicorns nodded but the generals stood staring at Cutter with disapproval. Celestia looked to them. "Every pony?"

Iron Wall growled. "Agreed."

"I suggest you all get acquainted. It would seem that you will be spending a great deal of time together."

Iron Wall walked past Cutter. As he did he shoved Cutter back. The two other generals followed. Cutter waited. He looked up at Celestia. "There is one thing I have to ask."

"What is that?"

"Who is that?" Cutter pointed to the Cyan pegasus with the rainbow mane. "You never introduced her."

It had slipped Celestia's mind. "That is Rainbow Dash. She is the element of loyalty."

Cutter looked her over. "Why is she attending this though? The other elements aren't here."

"She is the only element that is military. She needs to be informed of these things."

Cutter had no problem with this. The only reason he asked was because he was curious. "Whatever." He started walking away.

Rainbow Dash was confused by this. She flew up to him. "What do you mean whatever?"

Cutter looked up to the mare hovering a few feet to his left. "I was just asking. I didn't mean anything by it."

The two where far enough from the princesses that they wouldn't hear. Rainbow had better questions to ask. "How old are you?"

Cutter was taken off guard by this. "Why?"

"Well you are the coolest pony I have seen in a long time. Every pony around here is in the same routine and there isn't anything new. Really boring."

Cutter didn't see a problem with it. "Well I don't actually know."

Rainbow gave him a funny look. "What? How do you not know how old your are?"

"I lost track. I never celebrated my birthday so it is any pony's guess on when it was. I know I am about twenty. Just not exact."

"We can figure this out. It has been nineteen years since the shield was raised. Were you born before or after that?"

"After."

"Ok so at max you are nineteen. Do you have a guess on how long after?"

"I was born the same year as the shield was raised. I know because my dad told me how my mom was pregnant with me while Celestia pushed every pony away and condemned them to death."

Rainbow didn't know to say to something like that so she avoided it completely. "So we know you are nineteen. You are still a teenager. Maybe that is why you are so… cocky."

Cutter didn't like understand what she meant. "Cocky?"

"Yeah. You act like a peacock. You have this kind of I am the best attitude. Like you don't need any pony."

"That is because I don't. I only need myself."

Rainbow didn't believe this. "Oh really? From what I heard back there you have some pony that means a whole lot to you."

Cutter didn't know what she was getting at. "I don't know what you mean."

"Golden Eye. It seems you care for her."

Cutter had a straight face. "I don't care for her. You are wrong."

"Than what was that back there. You are doing extra work so that she doesn't. How do you explain that?"

"I am doing it because she deserves it. She has been outside but she doesn't deserve to die out there. She has done nothing wrong. She was just born into a bad situation."

"So why don't you deserve the same thing?"

Cutter took a breath. "Because I have wronged ponies."

"Hey, every pony has made mistakes. We can't hold it against ourselves. We have to move on with our lives."

"Some things you can't move on from. You have to live with the choices you made and hope that you can do enough good to make up for it before you die." Cutter was tired of talking about it. "How about we save the talking for another time. I need to go see what those asshole generals want me to do." Cutter left Rainbow Dash's company.

Rainbow wondered what Cutter meant by that. 'What has he done that he thinks that? Maybe I can found out one day.'

Golden Eye had been asking around about where she could be useful and had been directed to a clothes shop. 'Clothes shop? I told them I was good at sewing. Why would they direct me to a store?' Gold walked in a talked to the mare behind the counter. "I was told to come here. I am looking for work and I know how to sew."

The mare pointed to a door. "Go through there and talk to Rarity. She is a marshmallow unicorn. She will tell you what needs to be done."

Gold nodded and walked to the back. She saw a row of sewing machines whenever she entered. On the other wall was rolls of material for them to work with. The sewing machines were be operated by a few ponies and made constant noise. It wasn't horribly loud because there was only a few machines in operation but it would be an effort to have a conversation. Gold looked around and found the unicorn she believed was Rarity. She walked up behind the working pony and tapped her shoulder.

Rarity turned from her work. She looked at the pony she had never met. Rarity turned off her machine. She motioned for Gold to follow her. She left the room. "I am sorry but I don't like raising my voice. Is there something I can help you with?"

Gold smiled. "Yes I am Golden Eye and I am here to help. I know how to sew so I was told to go here. Is there anything I can help with?"

Rarity was happy to get some help. "Oh there is plenty for you to do, darling. There is not enough ponies here that know what they are doing." Rarity went back to the sewing room and showed Gold what to make and how to make it. Gold was told to make plain sweaters. She sat next to Rarity hoping to talk and get to know her.

"Is this what you do all the time Ms. Rarity?"

Rarity gave Gold a funny look. "Don't say that. Just call me Rarity."

"Yes ma'am."

"Don't say that either. It makes me feel old."

Gold found this conversation odd. "Ok. So is this your regular work or not?"

"Yes this is my job. Making tacky clothes for ponies."

"Tacky?"

Rarity held up the pants she just made. "Look at this. It is ugly. A tacky piece of cloth that needs to be condemned."

Gold didn't think it looked that bad. It was dull yes but not worth the fuss Rarity was having over it. "It isn't that bad. It actually is a little better than most things I have seen."

Rarity looked at it and then back to Gold. The pants were a dull brown. Rarity was force to use whatever material there was so she could not pick what she used. "What kind of clothes have you seen? This thing is horrible."

Gold shrugged. "It may not look the best but it is in one piece. Most everything I have worn has holes or has been repaired."

"Why is that dear? You could always come here and request clothes if you don't have any."

"Well before now I couldn't actually come here."

"What do you mean?"

"Well I just recently came to Canterlot."

"You are from the outside?"

"Yes. I arrived here yesterday. Me and Cutter both came from Ponyville."

Rarity corrected the mare. "It is Cutter and I dear, and you came from Ponyville?" Rarity remembered her boutique. Her happy memories. She remembered her beautiful dresses she made. The times she spent with her friends. She wished she could go back to those times.

Gold nodded. "I wasn't born there but me… Cuter and I were staying there."

"Who is Cutter?"

"He is uh, a stallion that has helped me out. He saved my life from a group of bandits that…." Gold was talking without thinking but caught herself. She remembered what the stallions did to her. Part of her was sad about the event but another part of her was angry that she needed Cutter. She hated being useless.

Rarity looked at the pony who stopped talking mid sentence. "That did what dear?"

"They did horrible things. They stole from me. They stole things that I can never get back."

Rarity wasn't sure if she wanted to ask but her curiosity needed to be sated. "What did they steal?"

"My parents life, my innocents, my purity. They were monsters. I am glad they are gone."

Rarity tried to change the subject. "What is Cutter like?"

Gold was glad to speak of something else. "He is a good stallion. He is the reason I am alive and grateful. He can be a little distant but he means well."

The two continued to talk and work. The end of the day was coming to an end and they were getting ready to leave when Cutter walked into the store. He immediately saw Gold and went over to her. "What are you doing? I have been looking for you all day."

Gold looked over to Rarity and pointed to Cutter. "This is Cutter. Cutter this is Rarity."

Rarity put her hoof out. "Hello, It is nice to meet you. Golden talks highly of you."

Cutter looked at the unicorn funny. "Hi." He turned to Gold. "What have you been doing?"

Rarity lowered her hoof. She thought that this pony was rude. Gold promptly got onto Cutter. "Don't be rude Cutter. She held out her hoof, you are suppose to shake."

"I don't care. What have you been doing?"

"I have been here making clothes."

"Why?"

"I wanted to help. We need to help."

Cutter huffed. "No we don't. We owe these ponies nothing. I have just finished working out a deal with Celestia. You don't have to work. You will be taken care of and won't have to worry about anything."

Golden didn't like that. "How did you manage that?"

Cutter knew she wouldn't like this. "I offered more. I will be accompany them on their missions. I will go back outside and assist them."

Gold raised her voice. "What! Why did you do this!"

"So I know you are taken care of."

Golden pushed Cutter away. "You stupid stallion! This was suppose to be for both of us!"

"I am doing this for you! Don't gat mad at me for this."

Gold wasn't sure what she felt. "That is not what I wanted! I wanted for both of us to be safe! Not just me!"

Cutter was getting pissed at the mare. "Stop this shit! I didn't make that deal to get a bunch of crap from you. You aren't going out there. You will be here safe and sound here in Canterlot. So shut the fuck up and be happy!"

Gold didn't say anything as she ran out the store and flew away. Tears left her eyes as she flew away.

Cutter growled. "More BULLSHIT! I try and do something nice for some pony and they spit on my face."

Rarity had seen all of this happen. "Why do you think she is upset?"

Cutter looked to Rarity with cold eyes. "Because she is a ungrateful child."

"She is upset because she cares about you. I could tell when she talked about you."

Cutter rolled his eyes. "I don't give a fuck about some dumb Canterlot pony's opinion." Cutter walked outside to look for Gold.

Rarity continued with her day. She went home and waited for Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash eventually arrived they greeted each other and asked about their day. Rainbow was talking about her day when Cutter came up. "I saw this really cool pony named Cutting Edge."

Rarity interrupted. "Cutting Edge? Black unicorn, brown mane, scar on his side."

Rainbow was surprised. "Yeah…. How did you know?"

"I met him as well."

"How?"

"He came by work. His friend Golden Eye was there working with me. She was very nice but Cutter was rude and mean to her."

Rainbow was shocked by this. "What? He made a deal with Celestia to make sure Golden was taken care of. He obviously cares about her."

"He doesn't show it very well. I can tell Golden cares about him but he is so mean."

Rainbow understood how much danger was outside the shield. "He definitely cares about her. No pony that knows what goes on out there offers to go back out there for nothing."

Rarity hoped that Golden wasn't misplacing her care. "It is not our trouble. I want to lay down and rest. Those two caused a scene at the requisition shop."

Rainbow agreed. "I think I will be sent out soon. I want to spend time with you while I can, you never know what tomorrow will bring."

A/N: Not really a Rainbow Dash chap but she was in it. Well I hope you like it. Next chap will have action in it. Might be a while until I have it up though.