Crossroads

“Now son, in the Corp when I was a lot younger, we didn’t have these fancy-schmancy assault rifles. We had two sticks per pony, and a rock. And the whole platoon had to share that rock.” - Gunnery Sergeant Granny ‘Mean n Green’ Smith, to the new cadets of the 76th Equestrian Rifle Platoon.

Chapter 7: Bloom

<~Babs’ PoV~>

After a few short minutes of staring at the ceiling and coming to terms with my missing leg, Rainbow returned to our shared room with Applebloom. I couldn’t believe how much she had changed.For one, her favorite giant bow that she always wore was now missing from her hair, which was now hanging loosely, as well as her tail. And instead of the normal blue overalls and t-shirt she wore, she was dressed in UNSC armor without a helmet. Another thing was that she seemed older than me somehow, with grey streaks that shouldn’t belong in a mare that young.Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears as she stared at me in awkward silence with a weak smile. Rainbow was sitting quietly on her bed, her one leg swaying back and forth as she seemed to be resisting the urge to hum. Applebloom opened her mouth like she was going to speak before closing it, then suddenly found the words she was looking for, “I can’t believe that, after all this time, you’re still alive.”She ran over and gave me a hug around my neck while finally shedding the tears from her eyes. The wires hooking me up to the heart monitor and the IV in my vein kept me from returning her loving hug properly.Of all the things I could have said to her in that moment, I chose to ask, “Can I see your cutie mark?”She let go of my neck and backed away, the expression on her face was priceless, “Wha-?” She half murmured out.I flashed a wide grin, “Big Mac said you got your cutie mark. I want to see it for myself.”What happened next wasn’t as I expected. Her face turned red as she got angry with me, “Damn it, I haven’t seen you in almost half a year, and when ya finally show up, you ask me about my cutie mark!?”She then let out a sigh before smiling softly as she playfully punched my shoulder, “Not right now. You lost your leg. I don’t want to be flaunting around what I gained.”“Yeah,” I said slowly as I rose what was left of my leg uselessly under the covers, “Thanks,” I said sincerely for her respect and set the stub down.I looked to Rainbow Dash who was still sitting in bed, and then back to Applebloom, “Rainbow said you were doing something that could help me?”Applebloom nodded slowly, “Yeah, but I need you out'a here to help you.”“How so? Wouldn’t you be able to help me here just as fine as when I am out of the hospital?”“Not necessarily. I’m going to find a nurse ta see if you’re in the clear to leave.”With that, Applebloom walked out.I idly scanned the room before looking over to Rainbow Dash. I couldn’t believe how much punishment she had taken and survived. I wanted to say something, but Applebloom returned with a smile on her face. “Guess what Babs, you’re free to go.”“I thought only adults or myself, could check me out of the hospital.”She rolled her eyes playfully as she made a motion with a hand, “Nope. The staff here wants to get as many people out of here as they can before the next attack. Keeps from overcrowdin’ the rooms.”I turned my gaze to Rainbow Dash. She seemed fine enough given how long she said she was here. “So why haven’t you checked out, Rainbow?”She just looked down to the ground and mumbled, “Rehab.”I guessed that losing vision in her left eye, as well as two limbs impeded her progress towards being ready to check out the hospital.After that, Nurse Sunshine came into the room to give me my clothing as well as remove the heart monitor pads, IV, and catheter tube. Applebloom and Rainbow Dash kindly left the room so I could change.“How long was I out?” I asked as I slipped on my washed clothing. Feeling the clean body armor on my washed fur felt strange; I was so used to being covered in dirt and grime, I had forgotten the feeling of cleanliness.Nurse Sunshine replied in her annoyingly chipper voice, “Just one day. You healed at a rate I haven’t seen in anypony before. Your missing leg was actually scabbing when the two Grunts pulled you in here with Macintosh’s help.”“What? The Grunts saved me?” I asked as I recalled being dragged by Yipyap and Flipflop. I guess I owed them my gratitude.“Yep, they sure did. Most ponies don’t trust them, but they have brought in so many wounded humans and Equestrians for help, that I have no choice but believe they’re on our side.”I nodded slowly, “I have to admit, I probably would have bled out if it wasn’t for them.”“That would probably be the case. Now,” She said, her voice going from chipper to stern, “make sure you drink plenty of fluids and eat healthily. You’re nearly dehydrated and underweight by a few pounds.”“So, am I free to go now?” I asked. Hopefully, I didn’t have to visit here for a long time.“You sure are dearie. Hopefully I won't see you in here again.” She said while smiling as she handed me the crutch from against the wall.Hopping up from the bed as I put the crutch under my right shoulder, I said, “I fully agree with that idea.” Then I slowly managed to hobble to the door, open it, and enter the hallway. There, Rainbow Dash and Applebloom were waiting, but Rainbow slipped back into her room without saying a word, while her face read an expression of mild anger and sadness. She slammed the door as soon as she was back in her room.“What’s eating her?” I asked, noticing the look and how she didn’t speak to me.Applebloom gave a short but heavy sigh, “Babs,” she paused, “Rainbow is the Element of Loyalty. I could tell she was feeling betrayed by you for leaving shortly after waking up. The war keeps mah sis and her friends from visitin’, so Rainbow is mighty lonely here.”“Oh,” I mouthed silently in sadness as I stared at the tiled floor. Now my conscience was telling me I was a horrible pony.Applebloom began walking and I hobbled after. She noticed my trouble with using a single crutch to walk, and quickly threw my right arm over her shoulders, taking my crutch in her right hand. I had seen wounded Marines do the same thing in old war photographs my grandfather owned. Heck, they were sometimes missing legs as well.“So, how long is it to where you want to carry me?” I asked. With any luck it wouldn’t be far, otherwise, my only leg would cramp up and the two of us would be in quite a situation.“Only five blocks. Not really that far considerin’ how enormous the city is.”That was true.As we walked, we both stayed silent as civilians and soldiers mixed together with each other in the streets. I couldn’t help but feel that one of these days, all of this would be ashes and rubble.

<~Canterlot, Azure Whisper’s PoV~>

A Thestral in public is a bizarre sight to see. A Thestral in broad daylight is an even stranger sight, especially if they’re wearing a long and baggy, black-leather trench coat with gun holsters underneath as well as shades. I was a prime example of said sight.I was sitting on an outside stool at a nearly empty Pony Joe’s Donut Shop and Café, waiting on a guy who knew a guy, who was owed a few favors from some higher-ups. I hadn’t met my contact in person, but the first guy told the second guy a code phrase to use when he meets me. Normal cloak and dagger dealings.Ever since overhearing the fight between the Princesses over Project Spearhead, I was calling in as many favors as I could without generating enough attention to get caught.After half an hour and three cups of java, I was ready to call it a quits. Getting up from the stool, someone from behind me spoke.“Can you keep a secret from a whisper?”That was the passphrase, so I sat and returned my own code phrase, “No, because secrets are whispers.”The whole thing may have sounded a little narcissistic on my part due to my last name, but in reality, the entire Thestral race is known for plots and espionage. The only race better suited for those jobs are the changelings, but there are counter spells against their disguise magic.My contact spoke again, his voice old and scratchy, “Don’t turn around. We both will go to the gallows or worse if we’re caught.”His voice sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. “Won’t it look even more suspicious if two stallions are speaking with each other from different tables?”I heard my contact groan loudly then move. A few seconds later, an elderly brown coated Unicorn stallion in the dark blue and purple robes of a Lunar Mage sat across from me. His hair was black with a single wide streak of white, and his goatee was as white as the streak in his hair.I gasped, when I saw his ruby red eyes “Discord?” I asked lowly. He currently was public enemy number one after being blamed for the arrival of the Covenant by Princess Celestia.Discord rolled his eyes, “Is it really that obvious?” He asked skeptically.I nodded quickly before darting my gaze around. If I was caught stealing secrets from Celestia, the worst she probably would do is execute me on the spot. But if I was caught with Discord, the very being she blamed for all this mess, I couldn’t imagine what would happen. I could be slowly tortured, or sent to the sun, or slowly tortured after being sent to the sun.“Why are you here?” I asked in an even lower voice than when I found out it was Discord who I was talking to.“I’m giving you Celestia’s closetful of skeletons,” he said as his horn flashed grey, causing a miniature closet to appear on the circular table our stools sat around. The closet’s tiny oak doors swung open and a large pile of bones fell out. I watched in a stupor as the bones reformed into five pony skeletons before marching single file off the table, shattering into dust on the ground like glass. I swore I heard one of them say ‘lemmings’ as it fell.I gritted my teeth after I got over the distraction, “I meant, why are you still in Canterlot? The entire Solar Guard is hunting you down like a lost million dollar bit,” I gave a sigh, “Even the Lunar Guard is being pressured into searching for you, but none of us believe it was you who caused all of this.”Discord’s shoulders slumped, his ancient eyes weary. “Thank you,” he whispered, before picking up volume, “For believing I’m innocent that is. I’m the living incarnation of chaos itself, not a mass murderer. Why would I ever bring such horrid monsters into this reality?”“You wouldn’t. You actually created the Thestrals if our history serves correct.”He chuckled before saying, “That isn’t the case,” and rolling his eyes.He then frowned and let out a grunt along with a motion of his hands, “Enough of this, I have a schedule to keep and I believe you came for this, not to hear me ramble,” Discord said as he lightly tossed a manila folder filled to the brim with white paper onto the table, right next to the miniature closet.He then whistled to catch my attention, “I need to go. If Sunbutt catches wind that I’m still amongst her, her desperation and anger alone will send me to the sun.”I nodded and he teleported off in a flash of grey along with the dust of his miniature skeletons and the tiny closet they had come in.Looking back down at the folder, I grabbed it and took flight for my apartment. The caffeine from the cups of java I had drunk was wearing off. Thestrals are normally nocturnal, and it was way past my bedtime. Luckily I didn’t have guard duty that night.

<~Ralneigh, Babs’ PoV~>

We had made great time during our walk and we were nearing the building where Applebloom worked during the day. It was a nearly windowless brick and cinder block building which Applebloom explained was a workshop dedicated to reverse engineering along with research and development. She was actually right under the lead engineers of both departments in terms of status.No wonder her hair was going grey. She was working as the assistant head engineer of two project departments trying to fight and win a war. She had my utmost respect.We stopped right outside a slate-grey metal door with an electronic card-scan lock. She gave me back my crutch before pulling out her ID card.“When we get inside, stick ta me and don’t touch anything,” she ordered sternly with a glance back to me, “Covenant plasma weaponry tends ta explode when disassembled and jostled.”I gave a quick nod, showing I understood completely. We then entered the building after she swiped her ID badge and typed in a code – for which I had to look away – and began walking down a cliché, featureless, and long hallway with a white floor and walls.We both stopped at the end of the hallway, Applebloom staring at the red metal double doors that blocked our way into the building.I then realized we stopped at a security checkpoint from a quick glance to my left. I could see the room beside me was a typical office with a clear glass window that looked into the hallway. A microphone on a counter next to a fax machine connected with an intercom system. The stallion in security guard clothing gazed at us from his swivel chair through the barrier of wire reinforced, bullet proof glass.“Assistant Head Engineer,” He addressed in a stern tone as his lips twisted into a frown. I could tell he didn’t like addressing Applebloom as his superior, “Who is the filly without a badge?”Applebloom gave him a sideward glance, not even turning fully to address him. I never heard her so irritated in my life, even when I had bullied her with Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, “Mah cousin, and she’s here on official business. Now would ya please buzz us in?”I could see the guard flinch in his swivel chair and fumble for a button. When he pressed it, there was a resounding buzz as well as the unmistakable click of a lock. Applebloom opened the door for me and ushered me inside with a slight bow.Upon entering the complex, my ears were assaulted by the sound of idle talking, welding torches, and machinery as I scanned my vision over a large room. It was filled to the brim with workers in rather clean clothing, working in near clinical workspaces at tables and vehicles. Most of the vehicles being Covenant.I was amazed at the cleanliness. Every inch of floor was clean, besides the few workstations dedicated to vehicles that had dirty vehicle parts scattered around them.“Princess Celestia spared no expense with this place because we get results,” Applebloom proudly told me as she patted my back. The feeling of her hand on my shoulder broke me out of my almost-trance.“That’s for sure. What is it you wanted to show me?” I asked, my voice oozing intrigued curiosity at the building I found myself in. I never imagined I’d ever see a place other than a hospital that was this clean.Applebloom didn’t respond verbally, but she did pass by me and wave for me to follow. As I did we entered a simple locker room dedicated to mares, obvious from all the pink splashed onto the walls like Pinkie Pie had a field day. Following Applebloom up to a green painted locker, she dialed in a combination for the built-in lock before opening the door, and pulling out two lab coats along with two pairs of protective plastic eyeglasses.She handed a coat and glasses to me. It was hard putting the coat on over my armor while simultaneously balancing my weight on my remaining leg and the crutch and Applebloom offered to help, but I refused. I didn’t need to be dressed by somepony like I was a little filly.After getting the coat over my armor and donning the glasses. Applebloom somehow lost her country accent to take on a near scientific tenor and posture as she donned her own white coat with nametag and glasses over her armor, “Wear the eye protection at all times. The Covenant has developed explosive crystals that break into several razor sharp fragments. I had to deal with at least five missing eyes before safety glasses became mandatory in all work areas.”“Okay,” I said nodding. I then pointed to the name tag on the coat I wore, which wasn’t hers, “Who in the hay is Ginger Lambda?” I asked, noticing the grey coated mare’s fire orange hair.Her scientific act continued, “She’s my coworker slash coffee fetcher. Space is limited here so everypony has to share lockers. Luckily she’s off today, otherwise she would have insisted on getting us both a cup of coffee.”I gave an amused snort and said absentmindedly, “I prefer hot tea,” then I felt a tickle of dust in my nose and sneezed into the crook of my left elbow. Shaking my head to clear out the sudden pressure I asked, “Now can we see what you want to show me?”She nodded and I followed, now walking with the crutch with precision like an expert. It was surprising how fast I had adapted to my missing leg.It didn’t take long to get to Applebloom’s workstation. And what the table contained made me do a double-take.I walked - or more accurately limped - forward to touch my hand against the smooth surface of one of the many prosthetic legs. They were Covenant purple and blue with a few plasma green lights, obviously made from the metal skin of Ghosts and Wraiths, and they ended in what appeared to be black rubber cups attached to straps. A quick look revealed that they were designed to bend like Equestrian and Elite’s legs.Applebloom noticed my amazed expression, “You like?” She asked.I nodded swiftly, “Do they come in anything other than purple?”She shook her head, “We used the lightweight alloy from Covenant vehicles to develop an ultra-lightweight prosthetic. It moves in the same way as a natural leg, and is powered by what was once a plasma pistol battery. A few sensors and enchantments in the leg allow for an almost realistic feeling of the missing limb. A downside to that though is the sensory feedback.”“What?” I asked.Applebloom shook her head, explaining slowly, “The leg feels so real while being worn, you feel pain whenever it gets damaged.”“Oh, well in that case, I strap it on and feel like I have my leg back?” I asked, excitement bubbling in my gut.“Yes and no. Sadly while you will have most of the feeling in your leg returned, such as the sensation of pain or touch, it’s not flesh and blood so it won’t stop phantom itches that you can’t scratch.”I knew what she was talking about. I had tried to scratch itches on my missing leg in the hospital. I had heard some stories from old soldiers during show and tell at school talking about the phantom feelings – some inconsiderate filly or colt asking how sompony’s grandfather lost his leg.I had to admit, the feeling of the ghost of my missing leg wanting a scratch was beyond strange… and creepy. Very, very creepy.Applebloom then grabbed a leg that was sitting on the table. Like the others it was Covenant purple, with a few specks of blue.“So, when do I put it on?” I asked.“In a few minutes; but first you’re going to have to take your pants off to properly strap the prosthetic onto the remainder of your right leg.”I nodded then asked “Applebloom?”She replied with a simple, “Yeah?”“What happened to your country accent?”Her face twisted into a smile and she burst out laughing. A second later she was calm enough to speak, “Working with idiots requires one to speak clearly and professionally,” Applebloom said in a mockery of Sweetie Belle’s big sister, Rarity.I cracked a smile. Then a group of two large stallions and a male Zebra jogged up in silver-grey armor, lit with plasma-green lights. Taking some time to look at them, I noticed that painted on their armor was a white gear encircling a white skull. They also carried large rifles in their hands that had bayonets and had pistols at their sides.The biggest one, a dark tan coated Earth Pony wearing a black doo rag with a scar running down his face spoke up, “Applebloom, you have the rifles we requested?” He asked in a gruff tone.“No, I don’t, Phoenix,” Applebloom responded in an annoyed tone, “Seriously, who in their right mind straps a chainsaw to an assault rifle?”Phoenix shook his head, “I’m telling you that it works ten times better on Covenant armor than bayonets.”A light-yellow unicorn stallion with blond hair and blue eyes butted in, “We were held up in a hardware store, no ammo, and our bayonets’ blades broke off after stabbing a few Elites. Phoenix had the bright idea of using a chainsaw, and it scared the Elites into leaving us alone after he cut one of them in half. Their shields didn’t do shit against it.”I leaned against the wall and watched Applebloom roll her eyes, “If Bird says you need chainsaws, then I’ll give you chainsaws, but that would require a complete overhaul of the current assault rifle prototypes to accommodate this chainsaw bayonet.”The Zebra let out a victory ‘Whoo’ before nearly shouting, “Ain’t nobody gonna stop the Coal Train now baby!”After the Zebra’s outburst, the entire group either high-fived, or fist bumped before moving on. After they all had gone out of site, I noticed Applebloom facepalming and shaking her head.Taking a firm hold on my crutch, I stood straight up again, “Who were they?”She un-facepalmed and looked me in the eyes, “You just had the privilege to meet Delta Squad. A group of gun obsessed Marines who, if it wasn’t for Bird, would have less brains than a retarded parasprite.”“Okay,” I said slowly, “did not expect that to come out your mouth, but alright,” Then I remembered the strange armor they wore, “What on Equis were they wearing?”Babs chuckled, “The R and D department calls it Combat Operations Gear, COG for short. It’s currently in the prototype stage and-” She stopped abruptly as she was caught in a fit of hacking coughs.I moved forward to help her, but she waved me off, “Sorry, bad chest cold been bugging me all week. How about we get that leg put on you now?”I had no problem with that.

<~Azure Whisper’s PoV~>

I sat in the middle of my bed in my pitch-black bedroom. A potion was sitting beside me on the nightstand, which my nighteyes allowed me to easily see. Inside the little glass bottle was a concoction of nightshade, moon sugar, and the sap of the sleeping tree.I had made it myself easily since all Thestral guards serving under Luna were required to know basic potion alchemy.Moon sugar and sleeping tree sap alone was a legal sleeping potion, but the addition of nightshade turned it into a highly illegal sleeping potion, with a specific side effect. It caused nightmares.Hopefully, Princess Luna would be drawn to my nightmare so I could speak with her.Drinking the potion and laying down, I was under its spell in an instant.As soon as the blackness of sleep engulfed me, it rolled away like the foam of a beach, replacing itself with fire and the death throes of a town.I remembered this place… it was Ponyville during the Covenant attack.Ponies ran about while Elites ran swords through them. The town militia’s outdated weapons were useless against the shields they wore. In the distance, I gasped in horror at the sight of a Hunter.Hunters were no single creature, they were a walking colony of eels or worms or something, and they always fought in pairs.I looked down at what I had in my hands during this dream. It was the standard issue Equestrian assault rifle.Just as I did in the past, I raised my weapon and fired, the behemoth of worms moving fast and then, all was calm.I heard the sound of gulls and the roll of waves. I was on a beach.There was the sound of hoof steps behind me and I turned, “Bad memories?” She askedUh-oh, I had wanted to talk with Princess Luna after reading the contents of the files on Project Spearhead.I began stuttering “Princess C-C-Celestia?”She shook her head slowly then sighed heavily. Sadness overtook her normally powerful tone, “You honestly thought you could steal sensitive and top-secret documents without me noticing? I’m actually standing right beside your sleeping body. A sloppy hiding spot a nightstand drawer is,” She said tisking before taking on a stern glare, “I’m sorry,” she said in an apologetic tone, “but espionage against either myself, or my sister is a capital offense and with the already damning evidence against you, I have no choice but to carry out your sentence effective immediately.”Her horn then flashed gold.Oh shi-Everything went bright gold before fading to black.

<~Over Manehattan, Third Person~>

The UNSC Frigate Frozen Earth floated on the very edge of space, aiming down at the city below.Helljumpers raced across rubber padded deck plating to SOEIV pods in racks hanging on rails that led to doors in the ship’s hull that opened into the void of space between them and the ground.The Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicles were, in layman's terms, giant single man pods fired from space towards the ground. The choice vehicle for the 105th Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, aka the Helljumpers.The Helljumpers’ target for this mission was the Scarab anti-air platform defending the dig site. Remove it from the playing field, and the Clone’s LAAT/i gunships and UNSC Pelicans could have a relatively safe trip down, as well as keeping the infantry from getting slaughtered without tank support.Powers, Metz, and Rivenbark waited; their black armor with sky blue visors ready for combat.Then they dropped, careening towards ground at unimaginable speed.It only took a few seconds before fifty SOEIV’s parachutes deployed in near unison, slowing down the otherwise deadly descent towards the ground below.A moment passed, and there was a resounding clang of metal on metal. Metz’s pod’s door burst open. He jumped out, SMG at the ready.Metz had landed on the Scarab itself, a perfect spot as well, since it was near the door to the core keeping the Scarab running.The Grunts manning the defense of the Scarab were so surprised to see a human drop from the sky that they instantly began running in endless circles. Endless until Metz shot them with his silenced SMG that is.The Scarab was turning quickly now to fire on all the other ODSTs that had hit the ground or rooftops. Surprisingly none that Metz could see had buried themselves into the ground, of crashed down hard enough to dig the occupants an early grave.Quickly thinking, Metz grabbed two plasma grenades from a fallen Grunt, then proceeded to clear the rest of the walking gun platform. Entering the heart of the beast, Metz threw both plasma grenades at the core, running towards the exit as they exploded and the Scarab collapsed low to the ground.He never made it past the door; two blades of blue hellfire lifted him in the air, pierced his lungs and heart while boiling his other organs as it did. Killing him instantly.The Scarab exploded right after, taking the active-camouflage Elite, and a nearby Wraith with it.Outside, the remaining ODSTs fought, some from the roofs they landed on, others from the ground.Jackal snipers died before they could get a shot off. ODST snipers had better aim.Within a few short seconds of the Scarab exploding, seven Pelicans and fifteen LAAT/i gunships landed in the fray. The Clones in the gunships, under the command of the Clone Marshal Commander Cap, were first to clear out the troop bays, allowing for the giant white and red boxes with wings to circle the landing area to shower a solid beam of green energy down on the Covenant forces from the bubble shaped turrets on each side of the troop bay.Razzcat fired his DC-15a blaster rifle at the Elites, the heavy rifle ripping through the energy shields quickly. The Elite died with a defiant gurgling growl.Looking to his right, Razzcat spotted Equestrian Marines lugging the bomb and detonator crystal towards the sloping mouth of the covenant dig site, legions of Grunts swarming out while snarling like rabid dogs.Razzcat sent a hail of blaster fire towards the Grunts, making sure the superheated rounds of energy would detonate the methane packs they wore, ‘This is too easy,’ Razzcat thought with a smirk under his helmet.The Clone Trooper’s smirk quickly vanished as six Hunters emerged from the mouth of the dig site. A single thought flashed through his mind, ‘This is going to be a long fight.’