Valiant

Valiant is a main character of the Soldier's Memoirs saga. He is a male pegasus pony enlisted in Skyfall Unit. His role in the team is heavy assault, including breaching and infiltration, as well as minor engineering. 
== Family and early lifeCategory:Skyfall characters ==
Not much is currently known about Valiant's family or his past. He has hinted that he got involved in the Royal Guard after his older brother had enlisted, but no other details have been revealed yet. 
== The Second Griffon-Pony War ==
Valiant was enlisted as a private first class when the Second Griffon-Pony War began. He fought at the Battle of Skyfall and later served with Fleethoof and Shining Armor in Phalanx's unit for the Battle of Midgard. Valiant vowed a life debt to Fleethoof after the pony saved his life in Skyfall by demolishing the griffons' heavy weapons. 
When the unit dissolved in Midgard following Phalanx's death, Valiant convinced Fleethoof to step up and take the reins. He accompanied Fleethoof for the rest of his journey to Asgard, becoming fast friends with the stallion due to his loyal nature. At Asgard, Valiant was apart of Fleethoof's special operations team to sabotage the city defenses. 
During the rescue of Princess Cadance and Prince Blueblood from Skyfall, Valiant played a key role in assisting Fleethoof's search for clues and the escape from the city. During the escape, however, Valiant took a bullet to save Fleethoof's life, sustaining a grave injury that would have killed him had Blue Shield not rushed to save him. When the ponies returned to Equestria, Valiant was taken to Manehattan General Hospital, where he made a steady recovery. He did not return to the conclusion of the war, but was promoted for his meritorious service in the rescue of the Royal Family and awarded the Bronze Star. 
After the war, Valiant was invited to join Skyfall Unit by Fleethoof's request. Valiant accepted and became the team's engineer. 
== The Double-Edged Sword ==
During the hunt for the Double-Edged Sword, Valiant uncovered the group's methods of traveling Canterlot via the sewers, which ultimately led to their discovery and the interruption of their plan to assassinate the princesses. When Skyfall was relocated to Saddle Arabia to protect Cadance, Valiant began to figure out Fleethoof's attraction to the princess, becoming the first pony to learn of his hidden feelings. 
During their stay in Saddle Arabia, Valiant demonstrated his ability to lead when he took over temporary command of Skyfall Unit while Fleethoof remained undercover. Valiant maintained close watch on the princess and captain, slipping Fleethoof his pistol during the gala event and stashing his rifle for him. When the Sword attacked the gala, Valiant led the fight through the ballroom and service corridors to rescue Fleethoof and Cadance. 
== Project Union ==
Valiant was one of the initial ponies with concerns regarding Fireteam Union, fearing that they were trying to be too much like Skyfall was. 
During the confrontation with Lightning Strike and Glider at FOB Sierra Alpha, Valiant took command of the Marines posted there and helped lead the counterattack to assist Fleethoof. He and the Marines eliminated the Re'emian mercenaries while Fleethoof was battling Lightning Strike, providing cover for him long enough to defeat the corrupted soldier. 
== The Hunt for Alaric ==
=== The Abduction of Cadance ===
After the arrest of Dandridge Clydesdale, Valiant was assigned to protect Princess Cadance alongside Fleethoof and Midnight Dasher. Valiant's team was the first to respond when the convoy was ambushed by Alaric's forces in the forest, putting up a tough front to keep their attackers at bay. He suffered a bullet wound to the leg while protecting Fleethoof. He survived the attack, but was unable to continue the search for the princess in the following weeks. After the recovery of Fleethoof, he was recruited into the Operation Black Wraith program to serve a role as heavy infantry and support. 
== Depiction ==
=== Personality ===
Valiant possesses a very youthful, yet professional demeanor. He rarely lets serious or dark matters depress him, usually offering solutions or suggestions when Fleethoof cannot come to one on his own. He shows a great deal of respect towards authority figures, especially Fleethoof, whom he always refers to by rank, even though Fleethoof expresses disdain for it. 
His loyalty knows no bounds, and his dedication to his teammates has gotten him into trouble more than once. He has taken multiple bullets meant for others, even at the risk of his own life. He shows little empathy for those who stand against Skyfall, and has no qualms about being involved in the practice of torture; it is merely a means to an end for him. 
Valiant is usually reserved, speaking only in outspoken comments when needed. He spends most of his time observing his surroundings and watching others than joining in on conversations. When he is social, he tends to gravitate toward stallions he is comfortable being around. 
=== Skills ===
Valiant's knowledge covers a range of fields, from basic first-aid to engineering to minor demolitions to scouting and navigation. His jack-of-all-trades assortment makes him good for filling many diverse roles, but keeps him from specializing in one particular field, leaving him lacking in any expertise. 
Valiant's role as heavy assault support gives him experience with a variety of weaponry, particularly heavier calibers than the standard issue rounds most of Skyfall and the Equestrian Army uses. Being of smaller stature, Valiant prefers to avoid getting into close-quarters combat, as what he lacks in physical strength, he makes up for in deadly efficiency with a firearm. 
He has a fascination with Quarter Master's toys and vehicles, particularly the helicopters, which he loves riding in. 
=== Equipment ===
Valiant's standard kit includes the standard issue Skyfall Unit black plate carrier and uniform. He is one of the few members of Skyfall to wear his helmet on the regular, after having witnessed its effectiveness when Phalanx was sniped during the Second Griffon-Pony War. His weapons include a custom assault rifle akin to a SCAR, or a shotgun depending on the missions. He carries a .40 caliber pistol as his standard sidearm and a combat knife. He carries a combination of fragmentation grenades and flashbangs. 
=== Military ===
Valiant's quiet personality and attention to detail make him an ideal follower, and his ability to relay that information to others makes him effective at leading small bands of troops. Though his loyalty to keeping his comrades alive at all costs is sometimes seen as reckless, Valiant never gives any less than his all, and refuses to leave a job half finished. 
Skyfall Unit
 Valiant is seen as the guardian of Skyfall. His drive to make sure everyone stays safe leads to Blue Shield placing special focus on the bullet-attractive pony. His shy demeanor often makes him the brunt of jokes and pranks from Sharp Shot, but Valiant isn't afraid to retaliate back, resulting in a teasing friendship between the two. Fleethoof admires him for his dedication to his friends and to Equestria, and often leaves him in charge as his second-in-command when he is disposed of.