T-55Equestria

Chapters

01

You and your crew of your T-55AMV had been on the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

However, due to a sudden sand-storm, you had to button up and wait for it to pass.

When you finally unbuttoned your tank, you noticed that you were no longer in the desert, rather you were surrounded by trees.

"Cyjot!" You exclaim as you nudge your gunner with your foot "Dis not look like desert comrade."

Your tank mates had all observed out their own hatches as you slowly ease out the command copula, looking around at the new landscape

Lush trees to your right, lush trees to your left,and nothing in front of you but a dirt path leading onward.

"Guess v'e go on ahead yah?" Spoke your driver "dere doesn't seem to be anyting behind us."

You look around outside, the air was fresh and clean, it smelt different too; nothing like the war torn place you had just been moments before.

The question was...how?

"Kaptain Anon!" spoke your gunner as he looked down the scope of his weapon "I see village several clicks av'ay, shall v'e investigate?"

You ease back into the tank, looking through your range sites at the location your comrade told you.

Indeed, there was a small village not to far away, perhaps a good drive down from your location, who knows, maybe you can find some friendly locals.

"Yah...dere seems to be little else, v'e move den... Driver, take us slow."

Your driver acknowledge, putting the gear forward as your tank lurches ahead, slowly driving down the dirt path as you scan your surroundings from the view scope.

It didn't make sense, a few moments ago you were withdrawing with the rest of your command unit, seventy T-55's and T-62's all on the withdrawal from Afghanistan, that hellish place you had spent the last 4 years fighting in. You were glad to go home, despite the losses you suffered, but this...

This made you very uneasy as you studied the pathway, slowly driving down the dirt road.

Caution continued to beckon your mind as your driver would occasionally swerve, the fighters you had faced often used IED's in the road, and even a misplaced stone gave worry as you feel the tank lurch left and right.

"Comrade driver, v'hat you doing?" You ask.

"S-sorry sir, cannot help but be cautious."

"I do not think v'e are in same place comrade, do not hesitate to stay straight...something bout this place is different."

"Smells different too." your gunner chimed in "I do not tink v'e are in middle east anymore.

"Yah..." muttered the loader "Someting not right."

You look closely at the left, observing out the small periscope you had, turning it about to see the trees all around you.

"Dere are no trees in desert..." you mutter as you turn the periscope forward, suddenly feeling the tank lurch to a sudden stop.

"Cyjot!" you exclaim, nearly falling into your control console as you look down at the driver.

"V"hat 'as dat for?" you bark.

Your driver looks up at you. "Comrade...dere is...pink pony in road."

"Pink...pony?" you reiterate as you scramble back to your periscope, eying what...looked like a little pink horse with a pink fluffy mane staring...at you.

It didn't move, it didn't flinch, it just stood there as you blinked.

"Vhat...is dis?"

"HI!" it shouted as it waved a hoof "Are you new here, oh you MUST be new here because I've never seen something like you before, My names Pinkie Pie and I;m from Ponyville, where are you from? What are you doing out here, why are you all dusty..."

"Is she speaking English comrade?" Your gunner said, looking ar the pink mare as she rambled on, somehow clambering atop your tank and inspecting it, almost dialoguing everything she could see about your tank, commenting on its color to why it was covered in sand and how there wasn't any sand around.

"Perhaps she tinks t-55 is thing and not us inside..." you mutter as she seemed to keep referring to "you" as the tank.

"I tink she's retared... who tinks tank is living ting?" spoke your loader, hearing her clamber about your tank.

"Why do you have such a looong nose, I never knew noses were this long!" she said as you shake your head.

"I tink v'e should stay here until she gets tired, I do not vish to talk to crazy ting like dat."

"Comrade...if I may say, dat is a talking pony, v'ere dah fuck are v'e?"

"I v'ish I knew comrade gunner." you mutter as you eye the periscope, seeing the pink mare clamber off, noting about getting someone named Twilight to see it.

"Ah, she's leaving!" your driver calls "perhaps v'e can escape now?"

"And go v'ere?" you mutter "V'e a big tank in v'orld of ponies, v'e can't exactly go about and find hiding spot...besides...i do not tink dis are normal, not like horses on farm."

"Den v'hat ve do comrade kaptain?"

You huffed, looking out the periscope as she trotted away.

"Ve vait, see who she brings..."

"Pinkie..." Spoke another voice as you look out the Periscope, seeing the pink mare returning with another...this time however, you could clearly make out she was a purple....unicorn "I don;t have time to see your new friends right now, I was in the middle of a very important experiment on the process of alternative dimen-"

She paused, staring almost blankly at the object before her.

"Seee, I told you it wasn't something from around here! I wonder what its called."

"Pinkie...what on....how did....where did?"

"I know, it just came out of nowhere down the road, I was on my way to go and see Applejack when this big thing was driving towards me. It has such a long nose, I don't think I ever seen a nose THAT long."

You gaze out the periscope, huffing "Great...now unicorns...v'hat is dis shit?" you mutter as the purple mare cautiously approaches.

"Is...it safe?" The unicorn asked

"Well, it didn't move when I talked to it, so I would have to say yes!" the pinke one exclaimed as Twilight slowly eased onto the hull of your tank, thumping against the metal.

You watch through your scope as she trotted over your tank.

"Well, its definitely not something...alive...but...how does it move? It doesn't feel like its made of flesh or fur..."

"It moved by these things!" Pinkie called, pointing to the treads of the tank.

"Well...then what would MAKE it move" Twilight added, noticing the periscope turning slightly as she gazed into it.

Her eyes would not meet yours as you gazed out, hopefully she would just see her reflection as she eased back, slowly bringing a scroll and quill in a purple glow of magic.

"Oooo do you see anything? I noticed it had a few of those window looking things all over it, but I didn't see anypony inside it."

"I don't think Ponies made this..." Twilight said as she looked back at the periscope.

You watched her expression of curiousty, bewilderment, confusion, and then udder deterrence as she rambled on about how this thing couldn't possibly exist.

"Fascinating..." you mutter, your foot slowly nudging the driver as he looks back at you.

"Move us forward...give dem a scare.." you whisper as your driver nods, suddenly revving the motor as the purple unicorn jumped and quickly clambered off the tank.

"Oh it moved, it moved!" the pink one exclaimed "It must be alive!"

"but how?" twilight said, slowly composing herself "I've never seen something like this before, not in any of my books!"

"Maybe its a new discovery!" Pinkie urges on as Twilights eyes lit up.

"A....new discovery...." she said slowly, a big grin on her face.

You didn't like where this would be going...

You didn't like this at all.

That grin on the unicorns face told a tale you wish to never hear as she slowly trotted over.

"New Discovery?" she said slowly "Yes...a new...discovery." She slowly put a hoof onto the hull again.

"Now...don't move...please." she said softly, getting back atop the armoured vehicle as you watch her trot over to the turret and inspect it.

With a cough, you see her horn suddenly start to glow as a quill and scroll suddenly appear out of thin air.

"The Armoured golem of Equestria." Twilight reiterated as she wrote.

"Golem?" Pinkie asked

"I read in one of my books of giant stone golems, they were often created by powerful unicorns to do their bidding, and seeing THIS isn't a normal creature, we can only guess that it too is a golem."

"Golem..." you mutter as the crew chuckles "she tinks dis is still living ting."

"Now then..." Twilight muttered as she looked back at your periscope. "I do think these 'windows' are its eyes, they do look like eyes do they not?"

"yup yup!" the pink one replied, obviously oblivious to what the purple one was saying as you look back at her.

She spent almost 20 minutes checking everything about your tank, never once even thinking something was inside it, preferably 4 humans sitting in this rather unsettling position.

"Dis is crazy...v'e can just roll over dem..." your loader muttered.

"Dey no magic...dat wouldn't be wise. Not good to piss off magic creatures." you retort as your loader mutters something in Russian before you glance back, seeing the purple mare jump off the tank.

"From what I can tell" Twilight began as she rolled up the scroll and poofed it away "It is certainly built differently than the golems I've read about, we're going to have to get this back to the Library and study it further."

"Study?" you repeat "she v'ants to STUDY us?"

Your driver looks up at you "Comrade, dat not good, dey might try to steal tank information!"

"I know.." you reply "dey may even try to take it apart, can't have dat..." you pause, looking back at the scope "get us out of here..." you add as the driver nods.

The tank revved up again, causing a bit of a jump from the purple one as you start to reverse, driving backwards.

"Hey!" She called as she started to trot after you "were do you think you're going!?"

"Keep going!" you bark as you suddenly put into a second reverse gear, picking up speed as you see the pair give chase.

"Dey are persistent..." you mutter "but dis is machine, v'e can keep going."

Twilight however had a different idea, suddenly putting her head forward, her horn began to glow a vibrant purple.

"V'hat is she doing-" you mutter just as the whole tank lurched to a stop.

Your face nearly met your console yet again as you grumble.

"V'hat happened?! Vhy aren't ve moving?" you look down with fit of rage at your driver who is just as confused.

"I am putting petal to metal comrade, ve aren't going anyvere!"

You can hear the groaning of your gears as the treads began to dig into the road, kicking up dirt and dust as you can see the unicorn's horn glowing vibrantly...and a faint purple sheen about your tank.

"Did she....stop tank v'ith magic?" you ask aloud as your driver huffed.

"It seems like it comrade, v'e cannot keep dis up, v'e have to get avay before dey take us or v'e lose engine!"

You ponder a few tense seconds as you watch the unicorn obviously having a bit of difficulty keeping your tank steady as she approached you slowly.

"You're...coming...with....me!" she said, tugging you forward ever with a sudden jolt, causing your tank to stop completely in a huff as your driver flopped onto the wheel.

"Cyjot!" you mutter as your driver doesn't move.

Your gunner leans over, pulling the driver back to expose a big red spot on his forehead.

The lurching from the stop had thrown him forward and knocked him out cold.

You growl as your tank comes to a halt, the engine hissing slightly as the overworked beast remains still as the mare continues to approach.

"Gunner..." you mutter "load up a round..."

"Comrade Kaptian!?" he said in shock "you don't mean to shoot dem!?"

You smirk "No...dat v'ould be foolish, but..." you tap your chin "I noticed she focus on magic to use spell, so, v'e simply cause her to lose it...." you point forward and raise your finger.

"Elevate barrel as high as possible, load round, and den fire v'hen I give word."

You look back at your loader, a big grin on his face as he quickly slams a round into the breach.

"Finally, ve show dem v'hat Russians do to dose who try to study us!"

"Keep calm comrade, v;e not going to cause too much of ruckus...just enough to escape...v'eady gunner?"

Twilight slowly approached further, hoof-print after hoof-print. Unknown to her, she continued to put a heavy dose of magic into the containment spell, not wanting you to escape a bit as you bend over, nudging your Driver.

"V'ake up..."

"Hruuhh, wha..." he said, rubbing his forehead "V'hat happened?"

You pat him on the shoulder "bumped head, now get v'eady, v'e going to be leaving dis place soon."

The driver blinks, looking at you with curiosity before nodding and getting into place.

"Shall I keep going den?"

"No.." you mutter "just vait..."

"Gun elevated max comrade! Ready to fire!"

"HEY!" spoke the pink one "its nose Twilight! Its nose is pointing upwards!"

"Not now Pinkie, I don't care about its nose, I care about it NOT running away."

"But Twi-"

You didn't give Pinkie a chance to finish.

"FIRE!"

You are Princess Celestia.

You're enjoying a good sip of tea for this calming afternoon, there had been no worries to your kingdom and it was a good time for a bit of relaxation after a long days work.

You're tower was set in the center of the castle grounds, giving a perfect view of the land you ruled, especially with a good view of Ponyville, your pupils home and the residence for the Elements of Harmony.

You sigh contently, quite pleased with yourself as your ears perk, a sudden BANG in the distance like the roaring of thunder caused you to stir, pausing mid-sip as you look out towards Ponyville, seeing a massive cloud of dust suddenly billow from its outskirts...

And the sudden whine of something heading right for you.

"I tink v'e hit a tower..." you mutter as you eye the castle in the distance, seeing a tower sudden go poomf as the shell hit it.

You didn't think you had THAT much of a range on your tank, but something certainly made it clear that physics and ballistics didn't apply here.

You huff, seeing the mares both on the ground in a heap as the shock wave would have been enough to knock them senseless as you nudge your driver.

"Go, dis is chance v'e need!"

Your driver nods, somewhat complacent on the fact they might have done damage to these creatures, but you weren't subjects of study, not for some crazy ponies as you pull into reverse, using the dust cloud as cover as you put the tank into reverse, hoping to get as much distance between you and these crazy creatures as possible.

You are Twilight Sparkle

And you can't stop the ringing in your ears.

Moments ago you were trying to stop a 'golem' from escaping, something you've never seen of this world and certainly something not natural to begin with.

However, when you tried to stop it, you certainly must have angered it as it let out a boom louder than anything you've ever heard.

Perhaps more along the lines of Rainbows SonicRainboom explosion, but a lot more hot and smelly when it went off.

As you rise to your hooves, you look about, seeing nothing but dust all around you.

"Pinkie?" you cal "PINKIE!?"

"Ah....is it time to wake up mommy, can we make cookies today?" the mare said as you see her in a heap on the floor.

"PINKIE!" you exclaim, trotting over to see if she was alright.

She looked fine, dazed, but certainly a little lost in the head from the shock. You gently tug her to the side of the road as you rest her against a tree.

"Stay here...I'm going to find that...thing...and make sure it doesn't scare anypony else!" she said

"Okay mommy, I'll go get the ingrdents..." Pinkie replied as you rushed off down the road.

Whatever this thing was, it certainly left a big trail to follow as its 'tracks' had made big imprints in the dirt road.

You are Kaptian Anon

And you're crew is certainly in a flurry of good spirits.

You continue to reverse away from the scene as your loader is jittery with delight.

"Hehe...boom boom little ponies."

"Shut it...I do not like having to do dat, v'aste of ammo." You retort.

"But comrade, v'e made sure dey didn't catch us!"

"But v'hat cost? V'e shot tower in distance, dat certainly v'ill not be plesant."

The loader huffed "V'ell, v'e have enough rounds to take dem on, dey couldn't touch us inside here."

You grumble, looking our your periscope as you see nothing but dust slowly fadding back into the winding of the road.

"Turn us about comrade driver and full throttle, v'e drive until v'e can find cover."

Your tank turns a full 180, coming about on the dirt road as you push forward, only to suddenly see another pony, this time an orange one wearing a strange hat and pulling a cart full of..apples.

"Apples?" you mutter "v'hat is dis?"

The pony is equally suprised, coming to a full stop before the behemoth.

"What in tarnation..." she said as she took a step closer.

"APPLEJACK!" came the voice of the purple mare from behind as Twilight came rushing up.

"Be careful, that golem is angry!"

"Golem....Twilight, now what ya;ll be spewing this time?"

Twlight didn;t answer, she magicked both Applejack and her cart to the side as tyou blink, taking the opportunity to move ahead without a problem as AJ just looked at her friends.

"Twi, mind explaining wht ya'll doin and what the hay is that thing?"

"Long story, but pinkiefoundthisgiantgolemoutsideoftown and when Itriedtostudyit, itgotmadandmadeabigbooman-"

"Whao sugarcube..." AJ said, her head spinning a bit as she shook herself straight "ah think ah getcha here, so ya;ll done and angered some big ol monster?"

"its not a monster...its a golem, its not alive, nor dead, but...it moves and does things."

AJ shook her head "Well, it certainly didn't seem mad ta me, it stopped right infront of me, not raging like ah bull."

Twilight sighed "I know...but...it just..."

AJ put a hoof to Twi's maw "Ah know sugh, now why don't we go n'get this thing then?" She unhiched herself from the cart, smirking as she yanked a rope from the carts side and trotted off wit Twi in tow.

"Dey following us...dat orange v'one looks...like an American..." You mutter as you turned your scope a full 180 to see behind you.

"Do you tink those Western capitalists have been here too?" your loader mutters "dat makes it v'orse for us to be here."

"I do not tink it is good to go dat deep, ve have not seen American armour or troops here, so v'e can assume not."

Your loader crossed his arms "Still don't trust dis."

"Den shut it and keep v'eady, v'e need to keep away from dem." you said as the orange mare began to whio about her rope into a lasso and tossed it atop your tank, grabbing hold along the main hatch of the tank as well as the AA gun nearby.

"Ah got it!" AJ said, starting to slow, but finding herself pulled, if not dragged, along with it.

"Ah got it...AH GOT IT!" she said, trying her best to get her footing before she too loses it and lets go of the rope.

"Ah hayseed...ah don;t got it..." she said as Twilight continued on ahead, trying to get her magic ready one last time.

"C'mon....you can't get away, not until we know what you are!" she said, suddenly magicking the tank once more as it slowed, lurching a bit to a stop before its 'head' began to turn, and its nose pointed directly at her, causing her instantly to release her magic, both out of fear, and not wanting to hear the boom again.

"Dey keep trying..." you mutter as you do not advance, turning the whole tank back to face Twilight as you depress the turret to point at her.

"Finish her comrade Kaptian, she v'ont stop unless she's dead!"

Your loader shouts as you look over at her.

Twilight stepped back, seeing the 'nose', or more for the matter, the cannon, now pointing directly at her as she gulped. "Uhm...I'm...s-sorry for b-bothering you...I j-just wanted to know w-what you are...." she said, her expression deadpan fear as she trotted back a few paces. "n-no hard f-feelings?" she said as she tripped and fell as she sat on her rump, glancing up at the guns barrel.

She closed her eyes, bracing for the boom.

Instead, the sudden wing beats of something big suddenly disrupted the tension as a massive form landed between twilight, and the 'golem' beast.

"Dare not beset your cannon upon my student!" spoke a booming, royal voice from the large, white creature as you gaze at what you can't even believe to be seeing.

"Is...dat an Alicorn?" your gunner asked as you blinked in sheer surprise.

"I do not tink dis is good..." you mutter as you slowly flick a switch beside you, activating countermeasures, prefferably, smoke grenades for cover.

"Driver...get ready to throttle tank backv'ards, v'e going to make a shady escape. Gunner, depress turret below Alicorn, we low ground up beneath her to make her lose footing, she v'on't follows us if she stumbles up...v'once v'ere clear, v'e make tracks to forest nearby and hide dere to assess, yah?"

"Yah comrade Kaptian!"

You are Kpatian Anon

And you're about to blow Celestia out of her hooflings.

"Day say you return to whence you came!" the Alicorn shouted "harming my students, above all, myself shall not go unpunished!"

Her voice boomed, you could almost feel the tank shudder in fear as you tapped your driver.

"Slowly...rev engine back...v'hen I give word..."

You flicked the switch, suddenly depressing the smoke charges to fired....

directly...

At Celestia's face.

The canisters bounced off her face harmless, exploding in big puffs of smoke as you tapped the driver.

"GO!" you shout as you feel the lurch as the behemoth of metal begins to whine, pulling backwards as your gunner depressed the barrel.

"LOAD HEAT!" you bark, your loader complying instantly as the round is ready.

"ready comrade!"

"Wait for clear shot!" you bark, eying through the scope to see a coughing Alicorn, the guns sights aiming below her.

"FIRE!"

Another deafening BOOM as the round fires into the ground, sitting there for a second before the charge detonates, exploding beneath the mare as she is sent flying.

Though you don't see this as smoke is everywhere now, and you're booking it double-time in reverse as you look out the optics, seeing the smoke billowing and then,

WHAM!

An Alicorn lands square on your tank, her body crumpling against the upper hull and turret as you jump back in your seat, her face pressed against the periscope as she looked quite...pressed for space.

You make a quick turn about, the whole tank turning a 180 to have its front forward, and with enough force to sweep the Alicorn off and have her crumple to the side.

Without a second glance, you push forward, driving on past as you turn the scope, seeing the Alicorn slowly, if not wobbly, ease upright before shaking her head, just as the smoke finally engulfed her and the rest of the area.

"Dat did it..." your gunner said, easing back in his seat "v'e better keep distance from dem, I do not tink dey are happy."

"Dey aren't at all..." you muttered "I tink she v'as in tower we shot, not good, not good at all."

"She didn't seem hurt..." your loader muttered "what is she, immortal."

"She mythical creature..." your driver said, his words soft "and she looked beautiful, like angel from heaven."

You nudge your driver with your foot "You falling for animal?"

He looks at you "What...NO!" he barked "Just...she looked pretty, noting seen dat beautiful since..."

"Since a horse parade?" your loader joked as you sighed.

"Enough...v'e make tracks for forest now..." you order as you point ahead to the woods. "turn in dere, v'e hide till nightfall, head back to dat village and see v'hats up. Maybe v'e can sneak in and steal supplies, v'e can only hope."

"Well, better to hope den not comrade, I do not tink v'e going home anytime soon.." your driver mutters as you all look down in angst. He was right...you were stuck here.

All of you were stuck here...and soon or later, those...ponies...may be the only ticket home.

02

Nightime in Equestria

You're time...as you slowly pull your tank out from the woods you've hidden it in.

You had gotten lucky, the mares hadn't bothered to give chase when you left them in the smoke, but you couldn't find the canisters you discharged either.

Perhaps they took it, thinking it to be 'part' of your tank, or as they called it, golem.

"It is a nice night..." your driver said as your tank rumbles steadily back down the same road, coming towards the village you identified when you first arrived.

You had spent the better part of the afternoon trying to raise Army command, but you had been given nothing but static as no signal seemed to get through.

You were completely cut off.

What was weird was your fuel gauge, it hadn't dropped past the three quarters full mark since you last checked.

When you inspected your fuel and tried to fill it, you noticed that it hadn't even dropped past that mark.

Whatever the case, you had unlimited fuel.

Your loader also noticed that the round he had used was replaced in the container you kept them.

Another...puzzling thing.

Did resources negate their usage here, or was it some other magic that came over you and your crew.

It could explain the ballistics mishap, firing a single round that flew far enough to blow down a tower several miles away.

You were best not to dwell on it as you come to a halt not too far from the village.

"Alright..." you begin as you slowly turn off your machine "Gunner, driver, v'ith me, v'ere going to inspect village.

"Roger..." your gunner and driver said.

"V'hat about me?" your loader asked.

"You..." you begin, with a sigh, "you're going to stay here comrade, someone needs to v'atch the tank."

Your loader huffed, crossing his arms "Ack, a'vays v'ith the tank yah, v'hen can I get tp go v'ith you?"

"Maybe later, for now, anyv'one who vishes to see des...ponies...shot...I do not need lose trigger."

He grumbled, but nodded "roger comrade..."

You dismount, your carrying an AKSU74, your gunner and driver dismounted with you, drawing their Makarovs. You were keeping low profile as you sneak toward the village. It was eerily quiet for such a lovely night, no movement, no worrying about ambushes, not even a faint scent of explosive propellant.
Everything was at peace, everything was calm and everything was just...unsettling.
Having fought four years in a war torn desert wasteland, the fact you've arrived in such a peaceful place was unnerving, but you huffed as you slowly entered the village perimeter.
No barking, no dogs, nothing about this seem wrong as you crept through the village, eying the quaint little buildings.
"Dis is nuts..." you mutter as you sneak about the village, gun pointing ahead as you eye the different buildings, noticing their design to be rather...western, if not vastly different from what you've seen back home.
Your gunner grumbles, suddenly pointing his pistol in the direction of another building, one that looked like a giant ginger-bread house.
"Dah heck...?" he muttered "i must be seeing tings..."
He notions to the building as you look at it.
"Hrmmm..." you rub your chin "perhaps dere is food dere, v'e can always use dat."
Your men nod in approval as you begin to approach the 'cookie house'
"Let us hope dere is no v'one awake, do not v'ant to cause a scene."

Your words however bring about a rather uneasy feeling as a pair of Light blue eyes watch you from above.
"Strange creatures these be...yet what fear has Celestia seen about them...I do not understand." the Lunar princess thought as she landed atop the bakery and watched these creatures go about their business.

You are Princess Luna
And you're concerned about your sister
She had returned home later in the afternoon, her mane a mess, her fur matted with splotches of dirt, and a strange...odor about her.
Earlier in the day you were awoken by a thunderous boom, only to look out and see Celestia's tower suddenly crumble beside yours.
It was...shocking...for what sort of destruction could be wrought so instantly against something without being seen.
When she explained how some "iron golem" of an unusual design was responsible, Luna was more than curious to investigate herself.
Now, with her night upon the citizens of Ponyville, the Lunar Princess had a moment to see that the golem had released its 'servants' about the village.
She had never seen such creatures, walking on two legs rather than four, and held their 'horns' in their forelegs....but...that was certainly odd enough to be interesting, and above all, fascinating.
She kept above them, sitting atop a black cloud as she watched over them as they approached the sweet shop of the pink mare.
She felt a pang of uncertainty as she watched them slowly enter, she would have to confront them soon, or they may never realize the crimes they have committed.
"I shall not let these creatures pass by Sister..." Luna muttered "We shall confront and investigate them and if need be apprehend them for their crimes."
Luna huffed, slowly fluttering from the cloud as she eased down before the door, looking into the darken entrance way of the bakery, hearing the new creatures about the interior.
She could see you scrounging around the place, opening cupboards and things, taking out loafs of bread and sweets and the like, obviously knowing what you were looking for as she coughed.
"Ahem..." she began as she trotted in, instantly beckoning attention as the men turned to look at her.
"What tho beset upon our humble community of Ponyville?"

Your are Kaptian Anon
And this is the second Alicorn you've seen.
You're not dreaming, this certainly is real, being transported to a land of colourful ponies was one thing, but now dealing with them face-to-face was unsettling.
This one however wasn't as...demanding as the last one.
She was smaller for one, and her coat was dark like the night.
Something about her was more...calming, but you don't hesitate to kick up your AKSU74 and cock the chamber, loading a round as you hold it tight.
"V'e mean no buisness v'ith your kind, v'e only need food and supplies for our golem..." you mutter, trying to keep the charade of them thinking its a 'living thing.'
"It is not v'ise to hinder our progress"
"Not wise? Tho has done more harm then good, what folly do you speak of nay wisdom to your actions against you, when tho has done more to us?"
"She has you dere comrade..." your gunner whispered as he held a cookie jar in hand.
"If you mean tower, dat v'as accident..." you huff "Golem set not to be taken by purple pony to study, golem found dat unsettling and reacted, shell not meant to hurt pony, but, didn't know it v;uld go dat far."
Luna looked at you for a moment before trotting further into the bakery, you can see out of the corner of your eye the driver making his way behind her in the shadows.
"A misunderstanding? well, tho shall explain their actions thereafter against my sister Celestia?"
"Dat her name?" you ask, keeping her focus on you.
'Yes...Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, I am her sister Princess Luna, and what you had done to my sister cannot be let go without punishment."
"Punishment...." you repeat as you grin "if Princess Celestia so easy to best by tactics, den you out of league to best golem beast."
Luna seemed both shocked and hurt as she looked crossly at you.
"Dare insult thy sisters might? She has the power of the SUN! Nay say your golem can handle that!"
"But v'e can..." you say as your driver sneaks up behind and *WACK*

"Out like light..." your driver said as he holsters his pistol.
you sigh, slowly easing your rifle as you walk over to the mare. Your driver is already kneeling by her, checking her out.
"Blow to head knocked her out cold comrade, v'hat v'e do with her?"
You ponder the situation, for the first part, you've just knocked out a Princess and SISTER to the ruler of this place, for the second part, you were caught stealing from a bakery, for the third part, you really didn't care too much as you gently ease down.
"V'e take her, collateral, if dey try to take us, v'e use her as shield, but make sure she is not badly hurt, v'e are not monsters, just soldiers." you mutter as you gently brush her mane aside, seeing the bruise on the back of her head.
"Better take care of dat." you point out to your driver as he pulls a feild kit forward "on it." he said, quickly bandaging her head as you look back to your gunner, still stuffing cookies into his face.
"Magic or not, dey make good s'veets" he said as you roll your eyes.
"Come, v'e got v'hat v'e need, lets go...v'ith her."

Your gunner, being the bigger of you three, heaves the mare over his shoulders with little difficulty, plopping her body around the shoulder blades as he kept her head steady.
You and your gunner kept close, all three moving slowly and carefully through the village, eventually making it to the outskirts and away without incident.
Upon returning to your tank, you can see your loader standing beside it, smoking drag as he turned to see, his eyes wide as he witness you carrying pony.
"V-vhat is dat!?" he exclaims, nearly dropping his cig as you huff.
"Pony Princess, she tried to stop us, got a tad heated so v'e knocked her out."
The loader smirked "Did not tink you had dat in you comrade."
"Wasn't planning, but had little choice."
"So den, v'hat v'e do with her?"
You smirk "tie her to barrel, v'e show des ponies v'e mean business."

Author's Note

Short chapter is short....

I think this is the shortest chapter I've written.
Ever...
Seriously, only ~1,000 words? Geeze, what was I doing with this?
I can't be mad at it, I've been told many times to cut down on my word-use and writing method to avoid bogging down, so being able to do a chapter in a thousand words or so is exhilarating; knowing it can be done makes me feel pretty damn good.

03

You are Princess Luna

And you can't recall the last time your head hurt this much.

Only since the time you were banished to the moon did you feel this limbo about you.

You couldn't see anything for the moment, even as you opened your eyes, darkness enveloped you.

Where you dead? No...you heard movement about you.

Your wings felt pressed to your body and your legs felt stuck in place.

Whats more, you felt the odd sensation of vertigo, something you never felt before.

"Wha...what is this?" you ask, trying to move about but only feeling stiff.

"I tink she's av'ake.." you hear a voice beside you.

"Ah, bout time, v'as worried she may have been knocked unconscious.

"Whose there?" you boom "Unhand me you wrecked beast! Tho not satisfied with my end, yet you torture me so?"

"Ah shut it..." spoke the voice "you are not in position to argue."

"And why tho say I am not?"

"Because you try to, its not going to end well."

The blindfold came off, your eyes blinded by the light as you can see the dawning sun....rising...but...upside-down.

You look left, seeing the voice as one of those golem servants, though, he too is upside-down.

"What be this trickery?" You demand as the servant looks down at you.

"Dere is none comrade, you just tied upside-down."

You look at your hooves, they are tied together, fore and rear, and hanging upon the 'cannon' of the golem like savages carry their prey.

You blink in surprise before you start jostling against the ropes.

"UNHAND ME THIS INSTANT!" you bark "Or you shall feel the might of the moon."

You felt a tapping cold against your cheek as another one of those servants 'tools' pointed itself at you.

"I suggest you clam it. Like before, you not in position to argue...." he gently tapped your forehead a few times as you glared at him.

You're Kaptian Anon

And you're quite proud of what you accomplished over the night.

When you returned to your tank, you had the princess in tow, now, with the dawning sun coming, you had held her 'captive', tying her to the 105mm barrel of your tank.

She was not going anywhere, and you figured, with her being upside-down, she'd have a hard time casting a spell with the blood flowing to her head.

You cross your arms as your driver stood beside her, tapping her head with his pistol as she woke, finally taking your cue to walk over to the tank.

"Dat be all comrade, mount up, v'e move towards village. Perhaps her...sister v'ill be dere v'hen she realizes little sparkle princess here did not come home."

"You ignorant fools!" she barked "My sister would end you for such transgressions! What harm has befall you by our hooves? Your actions...are...are insufferable!"

"Our actions are just, and if det are so insufferable, den v'hy are you still alive?" you walk over to her, easing over to the barrel and grabbing her chin, facing her towards your face.

"Insufferable v'ould be us doing more den just tying pony up, be glad v'e are not monster who see joy in harming little creatures."

"L-Little creatures!? You see us as nothing but animals or beast!?..." she flushed red, she obviously was a tad upset you didn't realize her 'authority', but that was the point wasn't it?

"When my sister finds you there shall be no end to your punishment!"

"Den v'e shall take it v'ith as much resistance as possible, besides, v'e have you do v'e not? I do not tink your sister v'ill be so quick to unleash her might v'hen dere is a hostage as a shield."

You let her go, she was simply hanging around as you walked back to your tank.

"I do not like dis..." your gunner mutters "I feel bad tying pretty pony up."

"I know... as do I, but v'hat choice do v'e have? If dis Sun Princess sees us as hostile, holding sister of hers hostage will....it gives us leverage... she v'ill have to reason."

You mount up, all four of you clambering into the tank as you rev its engine and begin to drive down the road.

Not being too far from Ponyville made it quick to arrive, and as you began to enter the town limits, the few early risers began to look in awe.

What a sight it must be, their Nighttime Princess hanging upside-down from an elevated pole, for most it would be laughable, but this was their Princess...at least one of them...having her in such a discomforting, if not ridiculing position as your beast of metal rumbled through town was a sure sign of defiance to the Princess's rule.

"V'ell...." you mutter as you can see your armoured vehicle pull up to a rather open spot in the middle of the village, a massive fountain not too far ahead of you as a crowd starts to gather around.

You didn't want to expose yourselves, not yet anyway as you hung the Lunar princess off your main gun. You were waiting for her sister to show, and with this much bait to expose....it would only be a matter of-

"Unhand my sister you wretched BEAST!"

Ah...there she is.

The booming voice of Celestia was heard not just in your ears, but almost in your mind as her words echoed across the armour plates.

Giant wingbeats overhead as the Princess of the Sun lands across from you with a contingent of other, smaller pegasus, some donning golden armour, others a dark blue and black.

"T-tia!" Luna said.

"Luna...are you alright?"

"Aside from not being sure whats up anymore..." she muttered "please sister, free me from this!"

Celestia took a single hoof-step forward as you grumble.

"Show time..." you mutter as you pop the hatch, your AKSU-74 in hand.

"I v'ould not press luck Princess..do not take any step further, or your sister shall be in v'orse shape den she is already."

Celestia froze, her glance turned to a deep seated glare of distaste for you as you only smirk.

"As you see, you sister not harmed, but...v'e do not plan to keep it dat v'ay unless you co-operate."

Celestia looks at you, those eyes would trace from you to her sister, then back to you.

She huffed, her head slightly bowing as she closed her eyes.

"What are your demands?"

"Sister!" Luna exclaimed, wiggling in place "you cannot allow these cretins to claim victory over us!"

"Then what am I to do sister?" The princess asked, "they have something I care so much for that losing you would solve nothing for me...they have the advantage, and rather risk you safety for heroics, I shall abide by their word."

Luna is complacent, she tries to speak, but the logic of her sister is enough to silence her as the sun Princess returns her glance to you.

"I ask again, for my sisters sake...what are your demands.... I will make certain that whatever it may be is worth my sisters safety"

You blink, finding it quite overwhelming to see the once defiant Princess reduce to accepting the fates before her.

You only grin "V'e have no demands of your country comrade, besides...." you mutter as you look at Luna "if she means dat much, den v'e know you v'ould be too willing to offer anyting in exchange... dat is v'hy v'e ask for you...to claim her from us."

"Claim her?" Celestia repeated.

"V'e challenge great Sun Princess to a match, v'its upon v'its, tactcs upon tactics..." you look at her with determined eyes.

"Simply put, you, alone, have to claim sister from golems hold." he points to Luna.

"If you cannot, den she stays as Golems maiden."

"And...if I can claim her?" she asked with equal determination.

"Den..." you look down at your crew mates "You can take me."

"Comrade!?" Your gunner exclaims "You can't be serious!"

"I am..." you mutter "if v'e are holding sister to princess, den she has reason to fight with utmost tenacity to take her back. If I put self on line, den I know..." you look down at your men "you will fight with even greater purpose to keep me and prize."

Your men look amongst themselves, a moment of silence and concern as they all looked back, determined grins and nods.

"V'e v'ill show dese ponies how v'e fight! None shall stop power of great Soviet TANK!"

You chuckle, your men had served you well, and they will keep doing so, but where would the fun be if they didn't have real purpose to defend what they have gained as you looked back at the Princess.

"Does dat seem reasonable? As day say, an eye for an eye."

Celestia looks at you, then at her sister again.

"I see no reason to deny such an offer, if it must be so for my sisters sake, then there is little else to refuse such a...generous...challenge. Most of those who beset our realm have done worse, I cannot hold that against you for your willingess to offer fair game."

"Fair is putting lightly comrade. V'e seen your magic and your abilities, dat puts odds against us, so dere is v'one catch."

"Catch?"

"Dah...give us v'one hour to prepare self, as v'ell as take Princess sister out of harms v'ay, den...you may seek us, and 'vhen you decide to either v'in or lose, fate of your sister shall be granted."

"Sister..." Luna said slowly.

Celestia just smiled "Very well...do as you must, but when your hour of freedom is over, I shall come to claim what is mine."

"Dah, and v'e shall make it as difficult as possible den...you are good leader Princess, v'ould be shame to see you fall to likes of us."

Without a moments retort, you slip back in.

"Go, full reverse, get us to v'oods, v'e plan defense dere." you order as your crew nod, no hesitation as your driver pulls the tank into reverse as you make your exit from the village.

"You shall not succeed, Celestial will best your golem and your sick ways of exploitation, thy shall feel our wrath!" Luna calls out as your gunner and driver hoist her down from your tank barrel. Her hooves and wings still bound as you keep your AKSU-74 on her. You didn't have any device to hinder her magic, but good old cold-hearted threats of shots in the legs were enough to make her not try it.

"V;e shall see, from what I gander, your princess-sister may be strong, but I doubt she's ever fought somting like this."

"HAH!" Luna retorts "She has fought far greater foes then your golem or you!"

You roll your eyes "Yah, and I'm sure she has, if dat true, den dis v'ould never have happened yah? She v'ould have stopped us first time v'e met, but we ended up making her fall flat on face."

Luna grumbles "You shall see!" she barks "She is no warrior to make a mockery of, she shall be swift and decisive!"

"Dats if she can see us first..." you mutter as your men slowly bring Luna to a tree.

"And what of me, you have the gaff to leave me here?"

You don't answer as you have your men set her down on the grass.

"W-what is this, do you plan to execute me!? Such traitors to your word."

You roll your eyes as you take out a bun of bread and toss it at her.

It bounces off her face and lands before her.

"S-such insolence!" she barks, looking at you.

"Its food, eat, I'm sure you hungry...do you va'nt drink to?"

"HAH!" Luna barks as she turns her head away, pointing upwards in defiance "We shall not take your food, it could be poisoned!"

You shrug, walking over and picking up the bun.

"V'ell, if dats de case." you take a bite as she looks at you.

"Tastes fine to me..." you toss it to your gunner.

"Try it."

Your gunner nods, taking a bite, nodding in approval as he hands it to the driver.

It goes around to the loader and then back to you, now half eaten as you wiggle it before Luna.

"Still refuse."

She looks at the bun and then away again.

"V'e have more... comrade loader?"

Your loader tosses you a fresh bun as you hand it over to Luna. She eyes it, looking at you, then the bun before she quickly took it in her maw with a single gulp, eating the whole thing.

You smirk "Dats good yah....drink?" you ask, unhooking your water jug from your belt as you wiggle it before her, she looks at it as you ease over, gently putting the tip to her maw and water-falling its contents down her throat.

She drinks several gulps before she starts coughing.

"Ack..." you mutter as you ease away "Silly pony, drink too much."

"You spilled it too fast!" she retorted, looking at you "Besides....I...do not need anymore."

"Be thankful v'e do not let you starve, ve' are not monsters." you say, putting the jug away.

"Then...why do all this, why capture me, cause such ruckus?" Luna asked as you sigh, turning about to look back towards the city on the mountain and the village.

"Perhaps v'e just confused, lost like children in woods and not sure v'ere to go. Your...friend, dat purple mare, made us uneasy v'hen she van'ted to study us, den fact your Sister was hostile to us by accident. Can't blame her, any bad day v'hen shell breaks castle. V'e meant no harm, but...misunderstandings rise to conflict, dats how some wars happen in our v'orld...and sometimes, only best way to show whats right is to fight."

"Why?"

"For respect."

"Respect?"

You nod "It may sound crazy, but v'e have been fighting against a foe dat is cowardly, dat hides in mountains and ambushes us v'hen ve are not prepared. Four years of conflict and much blood." you finish the half bun you still held.

"Perhaps....its just how we have grown to such things, v'e can only be unsure of something until it proves itself to us. Do not get wrong, v'e can see you are not evil adversary v'e have fought, but v'e cannot be sure unless your mettle tested against ours."

Part of Luna didn't understand why these creatures would go so far as to wage a little war against her sister as a means to gain respect, such a means almost seemed...barbaric.

Yet, she couldn't really blame them; having fought a war for four years...it does things, strange things to ponies. She could recall how her sisters guards had been...changed after their first war with the griffins. Many ponies had died during those short moments, but it wasn't something anypony could walk away with.

Perhaps...these creatures....lived on it, needed it, to show their own strength, and she couldn't help but feel a tad sentimental they would see how strong Celestia was by using her own sister as a means to fight.

"I...see.." she said softly as you turn to look at her.

"I do not hope anypony gets hurt in dis...but I do not v'ish to simply get on knees like dog, v'e fight, tooth and nail, see who is better at dis."

"Well..." Luna began "I cannot condone you for your actions, but...." she smiled "I cannot simply refuse to wish you luck in your escapade." she exhaled with a coy smirk "even though my sister shall best you without incident."

You sigh, a content smirk as you lower your gaze with a grin.

"So we can be certain you won't leave this spot?"

Luna looked at you.

"You mean..."

"We weren't going to ride you into battle like prize comrade, v'e were going to tie you to tree, but if you v'illing to respect our merits for dis match, staying here v;ould be enough. You can watch from distance until Sister comes to claim you....IF she does..."

Luna chuckled "Very well then, I shall abide by that Mr..."

"Anon...Kaptian Anon..."

Luna nodded "Very well...Kaptian...may you present my sister with an honorable and worthy challenge."

You nodded, saluting Luna as you looked at your tank.

"Spasibo Princess....v'e shall do just dat."

An hour has passed since you had left the scene, now, with Luna safely away, you can begin your own wargames.

The Princess knew this land, the soldiers realized that right off the bat, but she didn't know the capabilities of you or your tank. They had trained in wilderness, their homeland being a big blunt of it; the desert was only practice, this was just play.

Driving up to a ledge you had settled into, you were camouflaged with only your barrel and optical devices sticking out.

"V'ell..." you mutter as you check your watch "an hour is up."

"Dis gonna be good..." your gunner said with a slight hint of flare.

"You going to enjoy shooting her?" You ask as the driver shakes his head.

"Neit comade, she beautiful creature, perhaps ruffling mane v'ould be good, den again, alwv'ays wanted to see a pony dance.."

Your driver chuckles "I'm going to drive circles round her, show whose fastest here...be a trick for her to keep me in her sights."

"Ah...but we don't know what she can do; she has power of sun, if you ask me, sounds like somthing from spy-movie."

"Yah...dat v;one with the laser?"

You waggle your finger "Bingo comrade."

"You tink she has solar beam of sort?"

"I vouldn't doubt it, but v'hat would its Armour penetration be."

"Dat is not something I v'ish to find out!" your loader shouts "Ve, got enough ammunition to blow both of us a'vay....if dat beam hits, it might set off all rounds..."

"Then we have to make the first strike."

"How?"

You look down at your gunner.

"Prepare a missile in the barrel then....she v'on't expect det."

The loader gives a slow nod, opening the breech and stuffing a tube-like device inside it.

"Loaded..."

"Good, let us see v'hen she decides to take dis stage..."

You are Princess Celestia

and the zero hour has come to pass

These creatures...their golem...their hour of grace has run out, and now it was time for you to come about.

Up until now you had prepared yourself well, and though you had done much in your hour, you knew this was not going to be as easy as casting a spell.

These creatures, they were resourceful, tactical, and above all, dangerous; no amount of preparedness could ready you for what they may have planned.

Let alone what Luna would be doing, would they have her atop the golem or..

worse...had they done away with her.

"no..." you mutter "they are not monsters....they are noble, giving such a task, I can only hope they will fulfill their end, and not lay harm to my dear sister."

You knew this would be tough, their golem was nothing you've seen or even read of in your studies; it was quick and agile, and of course, well armed.

With a sigh, you spread your wings, taking flight to the sky as you begin your own search pattern, looking for anything that may be a clue to their location.

An toppled tree, a unnatural clearing, these are some things you had to watch for.

"But...it is so large...how can they hide that so well?" you ask, slowly touching down as you land at an open clearing.

"Where..." you ask, looking around "where are they?"

"Contact..." your gunner mutters as your optical computer comes to life.

"Its Princess..." you mutter "range...almost four miles down."

"Can v'e shoot dat?" your loader asks

"Neit...our range is three, and missile is that plus half, v'e v'ont be able to score hit."

You tap the screen, zooming the thermal display "v'e have to make sure she's v'ell within range before v;e make first strike."

"And...." your driver muttered "v'hat iv ve miss?"

You look down at your driver."V'e have to make sure she doesn't see us den."

Your driver gulps, knowing as soon as impact is done, he'd have to be ready to move once the dust settled.

"Dis not...going to be easy..."

You are Celestia, and you're growing concerned.

You had been spending several tense moments seeking that golem, and to your dismay you have yet to find it.

where did it hide?

How could it hide so easily for something so big?

You take flight again, hovering above the tree line as you eye your surroundings...

a sudden glint in the mountains caught your attention as your eyes fixated about the upper tree-line.

"Hrmmm..." you think, slowly taking wing towards it.

"She's moving again..." your gunner mutters as you watch her fly in your direction.

"Range?"

"Almost 3 and half!" your gunner responds.

"Good...v'aint just a bit more...den start lining a shot."

Your gunner huffs, turning dials and easing the scopes lens to lock down the target as he watched Celestia.

You could see her rather clearly, the thermal and magnification optics of the modernization upgrade was...commendable...if not useful against warm-bodied opponents.

Celestia showed up as a bright object as she flew in you direction; seeing you or not, she was closing the gap.

"V'e ca hit her v'ith missile, just wait for the right time..." you whisper, your gunner licking his lips as he held himself in place, aiming down the scope.

"Range, three miles..."

"Just a little bit...more." you mutter as you hold in place, watching her slowly approach your position.

"Range....below three."

"Fire!"

The missile launched with a whooshing noise, much softer than a shell as the rockets canister flew forward, discharging its fins and screaming towards the alicorn on a laser guided trail.

"Its going..." your gunner mutters, seeing the Princess falter slightly in movement, trying to move away before the explosion enveloped her in a fiery ball of energy.

"Direct hit!" Your gunner says with glee "V'e got dat alicorn!"

"Maladets comrade! Dat deserves drink!"

"Hah, dah, she did not see dat coming..."

Cheers all around as you watch the ball of fire engulf the pony, slowly falling to the earth with a thud as you watch through the range-finder.

However your cheers are cut short as you notice movement inside the orb, and to your shock...and slight horror, the massive wings of the Princess open wide and with a single sweep, cast away the flame exposing her form....unscathed.

"NEIT!" You bark "She's not down! Loader, get v'ound up!" You bark as you fixate on her.

"Dat...impossible! How she still alive after dat!?"

"Loaded!" your loader shouted.

"V'hat do sir?" Your gunner asked.

You rub your chin, you're not sure if she saw where the missile came from, but you weren't going to sit around here nay longer than you had to.

"Get v'eady to fire some shells, v'e going to confuse her."

"Confuse her?"

"She may know v'ere v'e are, but lets make sure she doesn't get a chance to strike! I v'ant a round shot down at her left and right, den v'e make tracks."

Your gunner nods as he starts lining up the shots.

"Ready!" he calls.

"FIRE!"

04

You are Celestia

And you didn't see that coming either...

twice....twice these creatures and their golem have gotten the jump on you.

Their...armament indeed was varying.

Those...ballistic shells the first time striking your tower, now these fast moving flying things were another to add to the check-list of these golem’s weapon systems.

It made you slightly concerned what OTHER surprises they had, but for the moment, you had to get your bearings.

The fire washed over you, it was warm, if not unsettling for its power; it almost rivaled that of the sun as you could see the missiles explosion ebb over the importune shield you erected.

You had flapped your wings before you, adding another layer as you felt the pressure of the explosion, and lost your flight, sending yourself to the ground in a heap, but relatively unhurt from the attack.

The fires warming fury was welcoming as you flapped it away, shaking your head as your mane and coat were tainted with a dark soot as you let out a cute cough as you shake yourself clean.

The glint you had seen no longer was there, and you tsked, trying to remember where the flash had come from.

Certainly they had the higher ground this time, smart, very smart, you'd have to be more cautious than ever when dealing wi-

Boom

A round whizzes by, slamming into the ground just by your right as you jump away on reaction alone.

They certainly did have the higher ground, but where? That mountain's upper tree-line wa-

Another round strikes to your direct left, nearly clipping your left wing as you had them splayed to stabilize yourself from your last jump.

They were getting closer, but....if they had such clear shots, why did they miss twice as you shake your head, getting the ringing from your ears as you look at the mountains.

You cannot see the glint anymore...nor hear them....

You huff, back to square one as you flap your wings and take flight again, going up at a faster pace towards the mountains tree-line.

"Round out!" your gunner said as the second shot impacted right beside Celestia.

"Good, get us out of here comrade driver!"

Your driver nods, putting the tank into reverse as you pull away from the bush you hid in, right down into the make-shift dirt-path you had carved into the ground with your tank.

You didn't have the fording equipment, let alone woods-clearing mounts as you were fighting in a desert, but your weight and mass alone was enough to get through this wilderness.

You start taking the path forward, having found it spiraling all the way around the mountain as your driver handles it flawlessly, keeping the tank nestled deep under the canopy, hidden from anything that may fly above, especially nosy alicorns.

You're not sure if Celestia will be able to make it to this spot by the time you drive of, hopefully your second-phase plan will be able to work if you confused her long enough.

Then there was the fact if she was going to fly here double quick, or take her time searching again.

Whatever the case, you had to get OFF the moutain, and stat.

The low ground is what you needed if she was going to the high ground, and with luck, you could get her in the back.

"Dis is insaine..." your loader mutters as you kept checking all around with your infa-red scope "she sruvived direct hit v'ith AT-10? Dat makes NO SENSE, she should been blown apart!"

"She did comrade, v'e can't change v'hat happened." you retort "she is magic, magic creatures are trickery."

"Dah..." your gunner mutters "Im sure dat sheild she had v'ould have stopped shell to...dat v'hy you made me shoot sides of her?"

You nod "Direct attack v'ould be silly, she can block dem, v'e have to flank and surprise here, but...dat is tricky in itself."

You are Celestia

And this certainly was puzzling.

You had arrived at the spot you had seen the glint, but all you were able to find were a pair of tracks leading off into the woods.

"They were here...before...but now they moved? How curious...such speed in which they go on the offensive to the defensive..."

You rub your chin, looking closely at the tracks as you start to follow them into the brush.

They went around the mountain, taking a rather long way of going from the top perch to wherever they went too, but you certainly weren't willing to follow these tracks right too them, for all you know it could be a trap.

With a smirk, you look at the ground and cast your horn up, closing her eyes as her horn brilliance and within a second, the tracks began to light up like a bright light as you smirked.

"Now then, shall we begin this game anew?" you ask as you take flight over the trees, eying the brilliant line of golden energy you had cast upon the trail this golem made.

It should be easy to spot now as you follow the tracks almost completely around the mountain, seeing it pull out around the base.

"Hrmmm now where did the-"

You didn't have a chance to finish as another whoosing sound erupted from afar, and another one of those flying shells whisked towards you.

You grinned this time, suddenly catching the missile mid-flight before you, eyeing it with curiosity.

"Hrmmm..." you said, looking back down the way it came as you reverse its direction an send it on its way.

"Now then... take me to your master little flying thing..."

You are Kaptian Anon

And now your missile is flying right towards you.

"Cyjot!" You exclaim as your whole crew is staring in disbelief "FULL REVERSE!"

Your driver wastes no second putting the tank in reverse as the missile, now plotted of course, swivels and fish-lines towards you, slamming only a few feet ahead of you just as you pulled away from the blast.

"She can do dat to missiles!?" Your gunner exclaims as you recoil from the shockwave of the near-hit to your hull.

You knew full well that one of those AT missiles would be the end of you, your armour was strong, but not THAT strong, and certainly not against your own missiles.

"V'e have to get a'vay, she's smart, v'eal smart." you mutter as you look through the scope as your tank comes to a halt.

Dust still covering your view.

"V'ere...is she."

Your question is answered as you suddenly see a pair of golden hoove tap onto the hull.

The Princess violet eyes glancing through your scope.

"Gotcha..." was all she said with a smirk as you blink.

"Punch it!" you order as your driver scrambles for the controls.

The driver did so, flooring the tank forward as Celestia quickly lifted off it, the tank rushing forwad back into the wilderness as ts engine drove it like a mad dog, over fallen trees and back to the road as the turret traversed, aiming at the spot where the Alicon stood.

“Fire round!” You yell as your gunner does so, sending a round at close range into the brush as it erupted with a terrifying boom.

“Hope she didn’t have time to react to dat one.” You begin, only to see a brilliance of light shimmer and then fire its way towards you.

“MOVE!” you order, the tank turning slowly just in the nick of time as the beam of energy ripped across the turrets side, hitting the jutted armour slightly and singing along its side. For a moment, the heat from the beam simmered inside the tank, it felt like you were back in the desert as your driver turns the tank into reverse, hull pointed towards your foe as you drive backwards.

“V’ell, seems gloves are off.” You mutter as you watch your view scope, your loader huffing as he loads another road into the chamber.

“V’ere good!” he calls as you watch the smoldering trees you had fired into burn as you see from the smoke a white flicker of wings as the Alicorn flew into the open.

“FIRE!” you bark, the gunner slamming down the trigger as the round expels from the barrel.

You continue driving around the mountain, exchange of shells and energy bolts leap about the wilderness as neither can land a clear shot. Either the desire to defeat the other was not strong, or you both were just really off your game.

Silence beckoned for a moment before your tank ripped through the foliage at the base of the mountain, coaxial MG unloading into the brush as your driver pulls you through into a clear path of grass. You pause, waiting as you look around your surroundings.

You had left the mountain, and were coming into an open field, this would get very hot and very...interesting.

“Target!” Your gunner calls as you spot Celestia fly upwards over the foliage and down towards your tank like an attack aircraft.

“FIRE!”

Another round explodes from the barrel, just as Celestia unleashed another beam attack as both collied, causing a massive explosion as you nudge your driver, who kicks the tank back into reverse as you’re now in open field, and with much more freedom of movement.

You see Celestia fall, perhaps the blast being too close as she fwumps into the woods at the edge of the clearing. Though she is down, you are certain she is not out, not at the slightest.

You grin “Wait for it...” you ease back, gripping the arm rests of your chair as you watch, waiting as you keep your eyes on the foliage just as you see a flash of white, and another brilliance of magic.

Celestia herself ripped from the woods, her whole bod enveloped in magical energy as her horn struck out towards your tank.

“NOW GO!” you bark, going into full reverse as you keep a bit ahead of her. You knew that horn could do damage, but your driver was no green-horn either. He turned the tank quickly to the left, seeing Celestia have to bank with her wings made it like a tank fighting a low flying fighter jet, only with matching speed.

Gunner aims the barrel and fires, the round narrowly hits the Princess as she lets out another blast, then two, then three.

Each one misses, the third clipping the top of the turret as the heat wave washed into the tank again.

“I can see v’hy she is Princess of sun, dese shots have after-heat...v’e better make sure v’e do not get hit again or v’e may fry in here.” Your loader said, picking up another road and loading it.

“Dat...or she discharges ammunition up with sheer heat.”

“Den I tnk v’e make escape and hide again.” You mutter as you watch the tank do a full rotation, now with the woods to your back and Celestia before you.

She lowers her horn, charging another attack.

“SMOKE!” you command, pressing the discharge button as smoke canisters fly off your tank, peppering the area with white smoke as the energy shot arcs over your tank and away before you start reversing back into the woods.

You hunker down some distance into the wilderness, having countined driving even after you cleared the field as you pulled your tank against a tree, looking forward to the opening you made.

You had driven backwards, then taken a left, then right, then another left, hoping to at least make it hard for the Princess to spot your depression in the wilderness.

The ground was firm, and aside from a few fell trees, you didn’t leave much of an imprint.

Your crew were unsure, but you kept you composure.

“Now v’e vait...” you mutter as you look out your scope.

You are Celestia, and of course, for a third time, this golem has been trying your patience.

Its ‘smoke’ trick was annoying, disrupting a perfect shot to disable the beast, yet it refused to go down easily. Part of you wished to end this quickly, but deep down, you had longed for this thrill, this, true test of skill against an opponent who may not hold much of the same capabilities of you, but posess such cunning and tactics that it almost makes you...excited.

These creatures and their beast, their ‘golem’ were certainly putting you through your paces, and you were actually enjoying it.

But...all good things must come to an end, and you have other duties to tend to, simply cannot keep this going, but...a deal is a deal, and this challenge shall be won by your hooves for your sister sake.

As the smoke cleared, you could see the beast was gone, just like before, but this time, you knew how to track it. Magic enveloped your horn as you cast as spell upon the faint imprints the tank made in the ground as they lit up brightly with a yellow hue; all you had to do now was follow.

You are Kaptian Anon

And you’re suddenly noticing a bright light approaching your tank, your ‘tracks’ are now alight with a vibrant yellow glow as you look in sheer...surprise...at this new development.

You rub your chin, clearly perplexed by this light, but it slowly dons on you.

“Princess is tracking us...” you whisper as you look at the tracks glowing. Your driver is already at the wheel, ready to go as you look out the viewport, scouting the area.

Your viewscope brings nothing ahead of you as you keep it focused on the path you came in, your glowing tracks clearly marking the Princess’s way, but you were ready, if she got into range, you’d pop her instantly, she didn’t know HOW deep you were into the woods, that gave you an edge...

Or did it...

You hear a soft thunk behind you as you blink.

“Did you hear dat?” you ask as your gunner looks back.

“Hear vat?”

Another thunk...soft, but a thunk none the less as you slowly turn the scope around....

...only to peer into the amethyst coloured eyes of the one Princess Celestia.

She blinks, looking through it before asing away, smiling “I see you....” she mouths as you ease back slowly from the scope.

“Driver....” you mutter “get us in reverse slowly....”

The driver dosen’t hesitate as he suddenly pushes the transmission into Reverse as you watch Celestia tap the view scope.

“NOW!”

Your tank lurches backwards, sending Celestia a bit towards the view scope as she wasn’t expecting the sudden force backwards as the tank drove through the brush, breaking through trees and shrubs as the Princess lowers her body to the tanks hull, remaing tight against the metal beast.

“Cyjot, she v’ont quit!” you mutter as you slowly begin to traverse the turret...trying to knock Celestia off just as you clear the wood, seeing nothing before you as the tank suddenly drops...over the edge of a canyon.

The vertigo hit instantly as you felt the sheer weight of the tank plumetted donward.

You looked up to see the cliff you just drove off of, seeing the princess hovering above were you fell.

Her expression is of shock as she suddenly magicked her horn.

Then everything stopped.

For a moment it was silent, you felt you were falling, but for a moment everything had just went dead.

It all returned in an instant as you felt the tank slam down, not too hard, onto the ground as you look out to see the Princess standing there.

"I guess you could say I had bested you and saved you, does that count as a victory for me?" she asked, putting a hoof to her chest in triumph as she only smiled...and you looking quite...dumbfounded.

You sigh, certainly surprised by the events that had unfolded. Not only did she learn how to adapt to your tactics, but she was even so able to change the direction of a guided missile right back to you.

You couldn't argue with the fact she saved you either. In reality, had she not been there, you would have all been killed.

Without really wanting to admit it, she had won, not only that, she had saved you when she could have let you fall.

Perhaps it was some sort of irony or karma, but whatever the case, she had bested you as you sigh.

"Guess she's v'ight."

"Comrade Kaptian!" Your loader barks "You cannot be so willing to let her vin!"

"She had rescued us, and if not, v'e would be DEAD, do not make guess, v'e already knew she v'as out of leauge."

"I have to admit to Kaptian loder...she followed our trail perfectly round mountain, v'as stroke of luck she did it airborne to knock shot off, but fact she saw it, stopped it, and turned it v'as...impressive.

"Her sheild too." your driver adds "Dat could stop missile, it coul stop shell too, doubt v'e could break through it v'ith anyting else."

Your loader huffs in disbelief.

"I cannot let you be taken comrade. I v'ill fight her hand to...er...hoof for you."

You shook your head.

"Neit comrade, v'e lost, she v'on, you knew risks, you fought v'ell, but magical creature superior to armour and tactics v'e could play...perhaps...next time v'e do better."

Your loader grumbles, turning away as you slowly nbutton the hatch and ease out.

Looking behind you, there indeed was a steep cliff that...was quite difficult to see as you turned to the Princess.

"I guess that means we settle our deal?" she asked as you nodded, slowly easing out of the hatch as you climb down to the ground.

It felt...good to be out, but you could only guess your men were disappointing in failing you.

You wave them off as you turned to Celestia.

"Dat be it...I am yours to take."

"Celestia!" came a familiar cry as Luna touched down nearby, nearly stumbling as she quickly trotted to her sister, embracing her with glee.

"Oh, we are glad thy is well!" she said as Celestia smiled, looking at her little sister.

"It wasn't asy Luna, their golem certainly put me for a loop, but, I had bested them, and they have kept their word..."

"Dah..." you said, fixing your tankers hat "v'e never break v'ord towards your sister, v'e took care of her to keep her out of harms v'ay..."

Celestia blinks "oh, is that true?"

Luna nods "They were indeed... hospitable, though hath been rather...uneasy at first."

Celestia only smiled as she looked at you.

"Well, I am glad I put my faith in you, you and your associates had done a valiant effort, but, a deal is a deal, and as such, you shall be ours."

You nod, looking back at your tank as your entire crew dismount, rushing over to you.

"Comrade!" they bark, but you raise a pal.

"Neit, deal is deal..." you smirk "do not v'orry, dey may have v;on, but doubt dey v'ill keep me forever."

"Comrade...you cannot be serious, den v'hat do v'e do?"

You only grin, looking at your team as your language changed.

"<When you are ready, come and get me."

Of course, the princess didn't understand Russian as your men huffed, nodding as they stood at attention and saluted.

"Good luck...comrade." they say as you turn and walk off with the Princess's.

"That was very...honorable of you..." Celestia said as you walked beside them. You could see a chariot of sorts ahead.

"You shall be missed by them, shall you not?" Luna added, you keep your head down as the sisters look at one another.

"Are you alright sir Kaptian?" Celestia asked "You had wagered yourself as a prize for me...I do hope you are not regretting such an act?"

"No...." you responds "I was...just never good with defeat nor capture comrade..." you say, slowly taking a step onto their chariot and to wherever they would see fit to take you.

Your men remained by the tank long after you left, unsure of what to do as they sat there.

Your driver busied himself repairing what little damage had occurred from the 'fall back' after being rescued while your gunner and loader checked the ammunition.

"Dis not right..." your loader grumbles "V'e had no chance to begin v'ith, dat magical v'ench..." he whispered as the gunner huffed.

"Calm comrade, do not get angry v'ith dem, v'e vagered fair and square, and sure comrade Kaptian has plan for getting out.

"But v'hat of us?" your driver muttered "ve' cannot do anything to dem v'ith dis, v'e....v;e need to get better at facing dese tings."

"I know..." your gunner responds as your loader huffs "shame v'e do not have magic of our own."

"Actually..." spoke another voice, from everywhere but...nowhere at the same time "I wouldn't mind offering some help to get your precious comrade back."

"Who said dat?!" your loader exclaims, drawing his pistol as they look atop the tank to see...something....almost a beast that resembled a mis-match of limbs upon a dragon. His eyes glinted as he looked about your men.

"You want your Kaptain yes? Well, perhaps I can be of some service to give you the edge you want."

Your men look about themselves, turning back to this strange beast.

"Yah...Vv'hat can you do to help us, and...v;hy?"

The creature only laughed "Why because I simply cannot stand to see such a skilled member of your crew be taken and locked away without much use, and besides, you had done such a wonderful job causing a stir that I couldn't help but notice of all the wonderful chaos you were causing."

"Help but notice chaos?" your gunner mutters as the creature is suddenly beside him, pulling him tight.

"You see...my job is to make Celestia have as rough a day as possible, and seeing how she so wrongfully bested you, I couldn't resist to chance to help you.

Your men look about themselves as they turn back to the beast, the sheer fact alone he was against the Princess was a graceful thing, but the second notion of him being interested in your 'chaos' was unsettling.

Never trust a beast of chaos, but what choice did they have.

"Ve;ll...' the gunner says slowly as he pulls away from Discord "v'hat do you have us do den?"

05

You are Kaptain Anon

and your accommodations were less than splendor.

You didn't think creatures such as this would be able to stomach the aspects of torture, but the fact you now found yourself chained to a wall in a dungeon was an unsettling reality to the cuteness you first expected of these mares.

The Princess's indeed were...hospitable in your incarceration.

They had offered to clean your clothing as well as provide you with some food, but that didn't take the sting of the 'reality' that you were their 'captive.'

You had made the best of it, you weren't stuff in your tank with your crew anymore...a bit more leg-room was nice, but the fact you were now disconnected from them was not comforting at all.

You hated to be apart from your crew, your family, your brothers in battle.

You had fought hard and you had fought well, but taking the field against a near-benevolent being with magic was suicidal on all accounts.

You didn't have a chance in hell...the reality of that hitting you hard as you rest against the wall, suddenly hearing the clopping of hooves outside.

THUNK! the large locks slowly pry off to the side as the door suddenly opens and two ponies donning golden armour trot inside...

and both Princess's right behind them.

Luna looks at you with concern and somewhat hidden delight to see you, while her sister of course keeps her neutral expression as she smiled.

"Well, I hope you're finding yourself well Kaptian..." Celestia began "I am...sorry for such a condition of living, but, you do know the crimes you pay for."

"Dah..." was all you said as you sat there, hands crossed against your lap as you put your head down.

Celestia seems a tad...resented by your posture, something perhaps a bit depressing on how lowly you looked, or perhaps something about how your prior defiance and cunning had been simply washed away.

Maybe she got off to it, who knows, you don't look at her to tell as she trots over.

"I cannot simply pass the fact you had captured my sister in our own realm. I do admire your word to keep her unhurt, but the weight of your crime is still something that cannot be set to pass without reprimands."

"Den what do you plan to do with me? Keep me locked a'vay till i v'ither and die? Hah!" you smirk "dat might not be too long, I am old, I have been through hell and back...but to die like dis..." you shake your head "an insult...I v'ould rather be executed den locked away."

Celestia blinks, stepping back.

"You would be so willing to throw your life away?" she asked, concern in her voice.

"Den to be captured?" You retort "Dah, anything better den being kept in cage like animal at zoo."

Celestia huffed, of course she felt the sting in those words, wanting to die than accept a simple punishment was....heartless...almost barbaric as she fluttered her wings.

"And yet you still have the strength to complain about it...well....I cannot stand for a creature to simply give up and die..."

"What is dere left for me den to not? You took my crew and freedom, I am chained to wall, what more is dere den to see four stone walls?" you sag back into place.

"besides...crew cannot come save me, dey have no magic, no power to do dat, you v'in, and you keep prize better den v'e did." you look at Luna as she turned away, feeling both embarrassed and somewhat ashamed how they were kinder to her than they were to him.

At least they didn't lock her up...

Celestia of course was puzzled, she didn't want to free the creature, nor was she willing to accept his openness to want to off himself.

She bit her lower lip, ushering her guards forward as they approached you, one on each side as your chains suddenly glow with a golden hue of magic and pull you upright to your feet...albeit rather forcefully as you look at Celestia, her horn brilliant in its magical glow.

"Perhaps you will be more understanding of my view when you learn about my own trials."

You blink "V'hat you mean?" asking as you eye the guards flanking you.

A click...and the chains suddenly come free from your arms and legs as Celestia eyes you with uncertainty.

"Do not try anything...funny....I am doing this to at least merit some...understanding...and the interest in you wanting to die is not something I find pleasant...even for a prisoner."

you rub your wrists for a moment, watching Celestia turn and trot out from the dungeon.

You eye the guards, they gently push you onward as you walk past Luna, the mare looking at you, somewhat of a sadness in her eyes, but also...a glint of interest as you follow the Solar Princess from the confines of your dungeon and into the long stairwell.

"I too have faced challenges far superior to my own strength, and like you Kaptian, I too had thought highly of my own abilities to defeat them."

Celestia had escorted you down a long hall in some part of the massive castle. The lush, red-velvet carpets donning the hallway along with the draped banners of the Solar and Lunar princess's hung on either side as you look about, seeing the moon having risen and the sun long since set.

You pause, turning to walk towards a window as the guards huff.

"Hey..." one said as Celestia turned, looking at you as you walk towards the window, placing a hand on the glass as you look out towards the city below.

Celestia smirked, seeing your interest in the city below.

In your mind, jumping was out of the question, but the view certainly was...captivating...it reminded you of home.

Almost...

"Every day...when the sun is raised, I must be watchful of my subjects." the mare said, trotting beside you. "They live their lives care-free and unaware of the trials and tribunals I must tend to just to keep their happiness and love for their ruler in check. It is not easy leading a kingdom, let alone one of peace and tranquility than war and strength." she giggled "I guess you could say, its a more wild experience than most ponies would think, and no amount of benevolence could ever help against things like taxes or city maintenance." she sighed as she turned and trotted on.

You took one last look and followed behind her, the Luna princess close on your heels as you're led to a massive pair of doors.

Celestia turned to face you.

"Kaptian...few hooves have walked the halls I am about to show you, I would ask that you...please...respect the stillness of this place."

You look at her in confusion, was she asking you to be silent or not touch anything...but you had no idea exactly WHAT she meant.

"I cannot do such ting unless I know v'hat it is?" you ask as the mare smirks.

"The royal archives..." she said "a place where the history of our kingdom has lived for many generations."

You nod "Dah...I can respect dat." perhaps you could find something of a weakness for her while you were at it...

"Good." she said as she turned, and with a magical glow of her horn, she slowly opened the massive doors, showing you a large....very large chamber loaded to the brim with books and scrolls as she and her sister enter, but the guards do not.

"Only those of royal blood may pass...but you, Kaptian...shall be an exception." she said as you shrug, walking inside the grand old archives with them as the doors slowly closed behind you.

You are comrade Gunner

And you're overlooking Canterlot.

The city is brilliant with its lights and at its shimmering glow.

Captivating, if it wasn't for the fact your kaptian was there.

"You're almost there..." Discord muttered, slinking beside you "Oooo this is so exciting! How will you go about doing the deed?"

You look at the dragon before turning back to the city, checking through your binoculars.

"I don't know..." you mutter "the city is...far...and if you want us to cause some chaos..." you pause for a second before turning to Discord.

"Could you....make gun bigger?"

"What!?" Discord asked "You want ME to make the upgrades now, but...that's preposterous, not until you free me will I start doing what you ask."

You smirk "If you don't, v'e can't free you, v'e need bigger gun to help make bigger boom range."

Discord huffs, looking at you with a displeased expression, but rolls his eyes.

"Oh for pete sakes...fine!" he snaps his fingers.

You look at your tank, from the old 105mm gun, it had suddenly expanded to an almost 120mm gun.

"There...hope you don't mind the larger size to compensate for something you lack... just be sure to use it for what you intend to use it for, I will not have some humans mulligan around with an oversize tank gun because I let you have it." he poked your head "now...do what you need to do." and with a poof, he vanished.

You smirk, he certainly was a silly creature, but perhaps he wasn't all bad to have around as you look back through your binoculars only to suddenly see them move towards the garden near the castle and Discord's face appearing in the lens.

"Remember, its this one right here." he says, pointing to his 'statue' of him certainly...not in the most noble or defiant positions as you start to chuckle.

"Hey...don't laugh, I wasn't prepared when the Princess petrified me."

You smirk "Dah, guess not...but den, you certainly make good garden ornament."

Discord crossed his arms "I'm starting to realize why you...humans...are so difficult, always asking for things and cracking jokes..." he smirked "and I thought that was my job in all this, guess I can't be the bad guy all the time."

You smirk "v'e not bad, v'e not van't chaos, just v'ant Kaptian back and you help us to do dat."

"Ah yes yes...I shall indeed help, you have been so kind as to free me...or WILL whenever you get to doing it..."

He slinkers up to you "which reminds me, what ARE you doing?"

You put down the binoculars

"Trying to see if Lunar or Solar Princess are around, if dey are, v'e cannot dare try or risk losing surprise."

The archives were much larger than you first thought as you walked a good distance from the doorway. Nothing but books surrounded you, scrolls and scriptures. It wasn't anything you've seen before, not even in places like the Kremlin were this many books laid about.

You look over a few of them, many are written in strange text, a few you can see in English are stating of historical texts or diplomatic information on society, some even stating a few wars which caught your interest, but you dare not touch out of respect for the Princess.

You look back at Celestia, seeing the mare standing before a podium with a large book opened, its pages were a dark hue and its cover a sick black.

"Within this tome...those who have sought our demise have place themselves...many evils we have face have been written here...perhaps this will give you some incite to our own endeavors."

You ease over to the podium, eying the books massive pages as you can see parts of it written in a form you can't recognize. Images of creatures like golems or orges, beasts and brutes of various types of myth and lore all resided within the pages as they shuffled about.

You almost caught a glimpse of what LOOKED like an armoured imp, but the thought of something from HELL being a villain here was quite...unsettling.

Celestia began to go on about each trial they faced against the foe, you didn't pay much attention as your focus was on catching as much information on the foes and their methods...from what you could scrounge before your eyes land on a more...recent...entry.

"Nightmare moon." you mutter, seeing a picture of a elegant mare donning a vibrant shade of black and dark blue with matching armour...its mark...similar to Luna as she looked away.

"Ah..." Celestia said with a sigh "not...the proudest moment of our lives..." she said, looking at Luna "but a hard lesson for both myself...and my sister."

"Dat...your sister?"

Celestia nods, Luna just shifts in place.

You rub your chin.

"She looks good..." you muttered "Considering it took you and..." you point to a name "elements of harmony to stop her..." you smirk "take it she took you for quite a ride."

Celestia was taken back a bit as Luna looked up at you, a bit of admiration as she smiled a little bit, blushing too for the comment of her being...stronger...than her sister.

Celestia of course only ruffled her feathers.

"Well...it...wasn't easy, but...I am glad she was able to be freed from that form."

"V'hy, she looked better den you too?"

Again Celestia paused, huffing as you can hear Luna giggling behind them as the mare stomped a fore hoof, causing the little one to quite down instantly.

"Need i remind you this is out of respect kaptian, please do not push my patience."

"Rough spot..." you mutter as you eye another entry.

"Discord..." you read "Element of chaos."

Celestia huffs, feeling a tad...uneasy about this, more-so than of her sister's 'evil form.'

"ANother...one who, despite his sealing into stone, continues to find ways of escape from our grasp."

"sealed? Den how?"

Celestia shook her head "He is a powerful element of disharmony, chaos, pure and simple, and his abilities are far grander than a mere stone prison can house him. Above all, he uses others for his bidding as he himself is locked away. I would not doubt that he would continue to try no matter the means of imprisonment, to make myself and my sister's lives rather...miserable."

"I take it bad blood?"

Celestia looked at you "it goes deeper then...blood Kaptian, but...that is not meant to be discussed at the moment."

You rub your chin, this...Discord seemed like a powerful foe as you look at the other entries, not bearing too much mind considering an element of 'chaos' was indeed a worrisome thought.

"So...if he is capture den, v'ere is he now?"

Celestia looked at her sister and sighed. "I shall show you."

You were led out of the archives, back down the hall as the two guards who had accompanied you returned to your flanks as you were led through another twist and turn of halls before coming out to a balcony overlooking a grand garden.

There...not too far from the window were several stone statues, instantly among them was a the dragon creature in a rather silly position; surprised, with both arms out as it was downright refusing its fate.

You resist the urge to start laughing at how silly it looked, but you get a look from Celestia that he certainly was no joke.

"Discord had rough nothing but disorder and chaos o our realm, had my sister and I not combined our powers, we never would have been able to quell his reign of insanity.

"As long as he is Imprisoned, his power is greatly reduce, but time and again he has manipulated ponies to attempt to free him, yet never once has he succeed."

"Never once..." you repeat as you suddenly catch something off to your left...far left, turning your head to the mountains nearby as your eyes go wide as you caught a familiar glint...a glint you, by now, know too well.

"Cyjot...." you mutter as Celestia sighs.

"Each day I wonder what his mind works about in his state of limbo, never alive nor dead, he continues to plot his means to no ends of chaos and disorder of our land. I hope...that in time we can reform him, but each time we try, he pulls himself further and further from tranquility to his old roots."

You weren't listening as you watch the area of the mountains.

Luna notices.

"Kaptian...what is it?" She asked, trotting beside you to look in the direction you were looking, but not seeing anything as she turned up to you.

Your expression of concern, both uneasy understanding, and fear of what was to come as you close your eyes for a moment.

"Dat....must be it..." you mutter just as a thundering BOOM echoed from the distance, an explosion ripped the ground apart before the statue, kicking up a cloud of dust

You knew all too well that was your gunner, but the impact explosion...was...more powerful than you remembered.

The clink and crackling of stone gave you another reason to worry.

"What....what has happened!?" Celestia barked, turning to you as you were staring dumbstruck at the billow cloud.

"What...what have you done?!" she yelled, trotting towards you as turned to her.

"Oh, do not blame him Princess, HE didn't do anything..." spoke another...almost laughable voice as a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared behind the dust.

"He had no part in what his men's desires were...freeing their captain from your clutches was a simple gambling chip to get what I had always wanted... freedom."

"D-discord!" Celestia uttered as the draconis yowls slithered forward from the dust cloud.

"The one and only Princess...indeed it has been awhile, and I must say, you are looking well."

06

You are comrade Gunner.
And you forgot why your tank never had a 120mm gun.
The noise was deafening, even for you as your newly gifted 120mm 'cannon of chaos' had erupted another round further and faster down-range than you had ever seen, striking home right in front of the statue the dragon-creature, Discord, had asked you to shoot.
He had promised to help you in your rescue of the Kaptian, but the fact he had brought you this close to your target was worrisome.
Whatever the case, the deed had been done, and through the thick cloud of dust you could see Discord...or what his "real form" was...
which wasn't very different from his holographic form he had taunted you with.
"Clearly a fine figure I do say so myself" Discord said sitting beside you.
You blink, somewhat surprised as you see him there, and before the Princess's at the castle.

"You boys did a fine job, very fine job indeed, now then, once my real self gets all sorted with the Princess's I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help you out with our little deal." he grinned, chuckling as he rubbed his paw and claw together before poofing away with a gleeful chuckle.

You are Kaptian Anon
What in the world are you staring at.
This beast...this...Discord...had been freed by your men.
Your men...
"Ah...and you must be Kaptian Anon!" Discord said, leaning forward, his goat-like head hanging over you.
"I must say a tad smaller than I expected, you're crewmates certainly have their hearts set on freeing you."
He rubbed his chin "Perhaps I could just whisk you away now, what do you say, get away from this old gals and back with your broski's"
You huff, looking at a bewildered, if not slightly angered Princess Celestia.
"Neit!"
"Neit?" Discord repeats "What is their to Neit about, I am willing to grant you freedom."
"Freedom...at cost of v'hat? My men may not have known v'hat dey did, but I v'll not take freedom from beast like you.. creature of chaos."

Discord seems taken back by your words, fluttering in step.
"Oh my, and here I was hoping to end your little scuffle with these Princess's and let you go free back to your trope. Well, I can see that you don't think my services are needed-"
"I did not say dat comrade...in fact...quiet opposite."
"What!?" Both Celestia and Discord said together.
"You said my men were set on getting me back, and only v'ay dey could have freed you...is if you had spoken to dem about it, right?"
Discord stands up straightt, tiling his head upwards as a tea-cup magically appeared in his paw as he took a sip with his claw, drinking the cup...and leaving the tea in place "I may have had....SOME...say in their interest, finding a group willing to bring a bit of chaos to Celestia was something I could simply not live without!"
You look at Celestia, then back to Discord.
"And v'hat did dey ask you in return for your freedom?"
Discord let out another sigh and rolled his eyes.
"They wanted me to help rescue you....improving their tank and what not...something silly like that."
"Good...then stick to that...help them, but taking me back is not very...noble...to what dey would prefer to do....besides." you grin at Celestia "I am sure v'e can bring enough chas to Celestia by own own standards yah comrade Discord?"
The Draconis smirked, slinking closer to you as he poked your gut "Hrmm, I like the way you think good sir....very well! I shall leave you here and let your men commence the insanity I so surely wish to see!"
The beast poofed away, as off in the distance, you could see the dust kicking up from your tank pulling off before turning back to see a rather...unsatisfied Princess Celestia, and completely awe gaped Luna.
You only grin with glee "guess dey did find a v'ay to level playing field yah?"
You could see something would have snapped inside Celestia, but her slight grin gave you a bit of a shiver down your spine.
"Guards....please leave us for a moment."

You are Kaptian Anon
And you suddenly felt immense pressure against your front as some unseen force slams your back right into a nearby wall.
You felt the crunching of stone behind you as whatever willing power the Princess was putting forward would have crushed all but the strongest of foes.
"You...what have you DONE!" Celestia barked "I had offered you solace in my kindess, and witness to the grand archives of our kingdom, and yet...you repay our kindess for the freedom of one of the most dangerious villians in this land...are you insaine!?"
Luna cowered behind Celestia, not one to show the same strenght or force as you feel your gut tightening into your chest, you see the mare was obviously not happy, and as you try to speek, you simply feel the pressure build further.
"Your ignorance....has cost me many seasons of torment and trials to capture that foe, and now, within a split second, all of it has come to naught! Do you realize what danger you had spred upon my realm, what sort of insanity shall befall my subject!?"
You grumble, seeing her pressing closer, closer...you could almost feel her snorting breath upon your skin as you keep grinning.
"Ve...are soliders....Princess..ve do v'hat v'e....need to do to survive...if man capture, v'e do not leave dem behind...you had to....expect dis."
"You had given your WORD in the deal of our duel, and yet, your men dishonor it!"
"It was MY deal with YOU Princess, dey had nothing for it, their actions...speak only for dem."
"Yet they are yours?"
"And they did what dey are duty bound to do! Freeing me was their choice... just as it v;ould be mine for any of dem capture!"
You know you had told them to rescue you, but even if you hadn't, they would have done it anyway; you were family, and no tank crew ever leaves their commander stranded.
Celestia huffed, releasing her spell as you fall to the ground. Snorting, she eyed you, turning abruptly and trotting back into the castle.

You grip your collar, gently opening your buttoned down uniform as you let your chest expand and contrast, inhale and exhale as you slowly recover from the Princess's mad dash of rage against you.
Luna couldn't show that kind of anger towards you. Unlike Celestia, she knew where your men were coming from, and thought their methods were very extreme, she felt that this could be resolved, she knew her sister.
"A-anon..." she asked as you look at her "are...you alright? Shall I..."
You raise your hand "its fine comrade Luna, I am...alright. Not first time woman has slapped me silly." you chuckle, slowly standing upright.
"You... do not share sisters rage?"
Luna shook her head "I...understand what your men had done to be a hellish crime, that I do not doubt, but they acts are not yours, they are done by men with hearts set upon recovering what was lost." She looked down "I know...for my sister, when I had been gone a thousand years, she had yearned for my return. Your men show the same desire, if not...somewhat more unstable."
You smirk "extreme, but...desperate times call for desperate measures."
"Indeed Kaptain...but...a little too extreme perhaps."
You sigh, looking out past the walls of the castle to the city.
"He does not seem to be willing to cause his own chaos... knowing my men will do it form him would probably saciate his appetite."
Luna sighed "Perhaps, but I say that he would still find ways to cause his own destire of chaos."
You just chuckled "I doubt dat, he is v'ith harden crew, I sure dey v'ill keep him in line."
You look back inside the castle, sighing as you hang your head.
"If you wish to make amends....it is not fruitless to speak to my sister. Despite her rage, she...." she paused "She is good hearted and understands your crews position, they ae acting out of love for you."
"Love is strong word..." you mutter "It also sounds weak den honour of comradeship!"

Luna simply smiled "Fine then...as comradeship for their missing captain, they were willing to go beyond to rescue you, charming... is it not?"
"Yah yah..." you reply, taking your flask and drinking a log of water "V'ell...if sister v;illing to listen, lets go find here den."
"Oh...before we do, we best stop by the kitchen, Celestia always has a sweet spot for confections."
You blink "You mean like s'veets?"

Luna nodded with a big grin "and our chefs make some of the best!"

You are Komrade Gunner
and yo-
"POh for pete sakes how do you guys stay sane inside this thing!?"
The whines of discord had bothered you to no end when he had returned. As part of a deal with Kaptian, Discord would remain with the crew, and seeing as the Kaptians seat was all that was left, he felt rather...frustrated, to have to coil upon himself three times to fit.
"Why do you insit on such cramped places to sit?"
"Not meant for dragon comrade..." the loader mutters as the dragons head spins around.
"I am well aware that I am not meant to be here 'comrade', but if you can so graciously recall, your captain has asked me to help you rescue him, why he didn't want it the easy way is foolish beyond me."
"Because takes fun out of rescuing comrade in glorious blaze of battle."
The dragon seemed relived "ah yes...you kept saying that, but you haven't even moved an INCH towards Canterlot since we left."
"Dats because you have yet to upgrade tank like you said."
Discord lets out another exaggerated sigh as he slips out of the tank, your men follow suit, standing before the armoured vehicle as the dragon stares at it.
"It certainly is an ugly thing... maybe it should be..."
He turned it brown
"No...too dark
He made it red.
"Ugh, so last week.
Then purple.
"Oh that can't be, it reminds me of a certain unicorn who put me in that place the last time."
He snapped his fingers, turning it back to normal.
"Now then, what did you oh so desperately need done to this thing?"

"It needs to better armour, you have given us the gun, but v'e lack defense to magic."
"Defense to magic?" Discord rubbed his chin "Well...going upon what you may figure workable..." he snapped his fingers as a large amount of box-like objects started to fit around the hull, covering the front, sides, and the bow end of the turret around the cannon, giving the once rounded tank a more 'angled' shape.
"These should do it, block busters for magic if you don't mind the...simplicity of their design. I do think you humans have a word for it..." he snapped his fingers "reactive Armour?" he chuckled "reactive to magic, should be a surprise when Celestia attempts to strike you again."
You blink in surprise as you see the drastic change. You had heard of this armour type, some of the more 'modern' tanks in your army had already donned it, but your tank was not fitted for it, yet this dragon had done so with a flick of his fingers as you rub your head.
"So, v'e have defense against magic den?"
"Aqueduct enough for your purpose, i expect you to be more than a match already, so don't go around thinking its the end all defense, no fun in that."
He looked you all over for a moment. "If you do plan on causing chaos in such a wonderful display of your combat prowess."
Another snap.
your clothing feels different, slightly heavier, but also, somewhat more flexible.
"What you do?" Comrade driver asked.
"Simple...I made your clothing magic resistant, just to be on the safe side if the Princess does decide to disable your little toy."
"Disable..." you mutter "Cyjot! nearly forgot!"
Discord looks at you with an uncaring puzzlement in his expression.
"forgot what."
"Celestia had spell to light up tracks, she made spell dat follow path, v'e need something to cover dem up!"
Discord only cross his arms, then his legs, then sits on his tail before a ligh tbulb appears above his head as he takes it and eats it.
"I may know a fellow who might be able to help."

Discord had left you for almost a whole 20 minutes as you sat atop your tank. You hadn't resisted the chance to see the modifications and found to your surprise they were legit.
The armour he had...magicked...onto the tank was real, it felt 'heavy' and looked like the reactive armour T-64's and T-72's donned in Afganistan.
What was more, they covered around the turret nicely, though what he meant by "reactive to magic to surprise Celestia' was...concerning; you didn't want to outright KILL her, just...knock her about it.
Knowing what you do of discord, there must be some humour to it as you ease off the tank, and suddenly notice a red door not too far from where you were standing before.
"Eh...comrades...v'hats dat?" you ask, pointing to the door as the rest of your crewmates turn in surprise.
"Dat...v'asn't dere before..." your driver mutters as it clicks, the nob turning, and out from within came Discord holding what looked like an oversize hand carrying a broom.
"V'hat...is dat?" you mutter as Discrod skips cheerily over to the rear of your tank and slaps the thing right on it.
Stepping back, he taps it as it begins to sweep the spot right behind the tank, and with some surprise, cleans the tracks right away.
"I know a certain cat...with a very funny hat, who has a way with weird contraptions. With a little nifty asking, he was glad to be passing, such a little device off to me~" Discord chimes as he almost danced about you before coming to a pause beside the tank again, tapping the hand.
"Besides, I'm sure you'll find a perfect use for this little thing, good to have about when you want to cover your tracks." he snickered as he sat there, admiring the thing a bit more.
"I certainly have outdone myself...maybe arms dealing wouldn't be a bad career to...." he paused, huffing "oh who am I kidding, I'm not such a monster to do that, I just want to see some good old chaos from you chaps!"

You look about one another with uncertainty.
This dragon has obviously kept his part of the bargain, now it was your turn.
You were going to rescue the captian.
and you damn well hoped these 'upgrades would suffice.'
"Now then..." Discord said, pulling up a dark cloud and sitting on it before drawing a bag of pop-corn from nowhere "you may dispense with the chaos~"
"Dat...not going to be easy."
Discord pauses mid pop of some of those popcorn, the little fluffy things floating in mid air.
"What do you mean 'not easy', I just gave you the best upgrades magic could give you, what MORE do you need?"
You look amongst yourselves.
"V'e still need tank commander, v'e not complete v'ithout one..." they look at discord
"You mean me? Preposterous, I don't know a single iota of your little war games!"
"Dere is not much to know comrade, all captian does is point out targets and v'e shoot."
Discord turns to you, a bit of a grin.
"So, you're telling me I tell you where to go?"
"Pretty much..."
Discords eyes lit up as he flung off his clound and atop the tank.

"Well then gentlemen, let us get this party underway!"

You are Kaptian Anon
And you've never seen a cake this...elaborate...before.
The chefs in the castle had indeed been skillful, and their design of this simple 'dish-cake' was something out of a fantasy.
Rich, white creamy icing on a layered chocolate bottom, and laden with chocolate drizzled strawberries atop it.
You weren't much for sweets, but this, well, it would make any mortal gag on how sweet it might taste.
"Oh sister will certainly love it!" Luna insisted, supporting your choice to take something less extravagant than her first option.
"Better den dat ve'dding cake."
"I thought she'd like that!"
"Dis is for apology, not proposal!"
Luna chuckled, fluttering her wings a bit.
"Its not often sister gets so flustered..." she sighed "then again, no stallion could ever get her that angry..."

"If you trying to make Kaptian feel better, its not v;orking."
"Oh..." Luna muttered, dropping her ears "I'm...sorry."
You sigh "S'okay comrade, s'okay....I guess I am hot headed like sister, not...use to be scolded by shiney alicorn princess over men releasing some...mis-matched dragon."
Luna looked up at you as she sighed "He is more troblesome than anything, but...he is not a real threat like other creatures we've faced. Discord is more of an annoyance to Celestia.
"V'hy dat?"
Luna shrugged "There is much tale behind their...dislike...Discord enjoys teasing Tai, ever since he had first appeared something between the two had sparked, from good to bad, or bad to good, no-pony had ever been certain of why they are at odds."
You hrmm a bit, thinking it through.
"V'ell, Celestia likes control, order, v'hile discord likes Chaos and disorder, I tink dat could explain it..."
Luna shakes her head "at first, one might say yes, but, I know there is something different, something deeper..." she sighed "but...t-that is not my place to speak!" she said as she led you to the large double doors of Celestia's room.
Luna bit her lower lip as she looked at you.
"Shall I...accompany-"
"Yes..." you say immiedatly "I v'ould like to have you as moral support if sister decides to attack me again, dat...and I might need you to stop me if I try to fight back."
"F-fight back?"
You grin "I may be old, but I can pack punch like young man." you smirk, tapping your chest as Luna sighed, knocking the door.
"Tai...it is Luna...I brought the Kaptian to see yo-"
"What does HE want?" She said, an ice to her tone.
"I've come to apologize."
Silence for a moment.
"Such a task has befallen my shoulders that more than an apology shall fix it...Kaptian...I do not intend to sway my choice on the matter nor my opinion of what has caused it."
"We bring cake!" Luna blabbed as you look down at her.
Another long pause, then a click as the door opens.
"A moment...that is all."

Celestia's quarters were indeed splendid, you hadn't expected to ever be brought here, but it was a much grander scape than what you saw in the dunegon.
A moonscape style all over her room with the brilliant sug along her floor as the mare sat atop a mass of pillows with several scrolls splayed open, and one hovering before it poofs away in a green flame.
She eyed you intently, sipping a glass of tea as she looked at your treat you had brought her.
"Is that...devils food-cake?" she asked.
"Err...yah, I tink."
"Hrmmm~" She said "I must admit your tastes in treats serve meritable purpose."
First sting
"Ahah...Princess...I v'anted to just come to talk about v'hat has happened."
"So I heard...and as I said Kaptian, an apology is not enough to fix what has happened. You know that I cannot simply stand by while that creature is about my kingdom."
"I do not doubt your reasoning Princess, and as before, I know my men did not mean to cause trouble; twisted by your dragon friend dey had bee-"
She slammed a hoof down "Nay say that...monster is a friend...he is the furthest thing from it!" she barked.
Both you and Luna look at Celestia as she magicked a slice of cake from the whole thing and a plate, keeping her eyes close as she...nibbled it.
"Hrmm..an excellent choice~" she said with a slight whiff of delight in her tone as two plates hovered before you and Luna, and cake settled itself upon them.
"How...Kaptian...do you propose to fix this then....?"
"Fix dis?"
"Your men had created a problem, and though not by your word, they are still your charging, and as their 'leader', it is your responsibility to fix this."
You rub the back of your head.
"V'ell...perhaps v'e co-"
"not going to work..." Celestia interrupted.
"Den v'e cou-"
"Not that either I am afraid."
"then maybe"
"Nope."
You'r starting to get agitated.
"V'ill you let me at least say v'hat I can offer?"
Celestia only looks at you "there is nothing you CAN offer to help Kaptian...."

You huff, taking the plate and gently putting it down before you stand up.
"I bring you cake in hopes dat you v'ould be v'illing to talk, yet you show dis attitude, dis, air of authority dat nothing can be done against odds such as dis. V'at leader shows such disregard for hope dat she so rudely ignores possible solutions to problem?"
Celestia rose after, glaring at you.
"The knowledge of how this creature works, and having needed to bring the powers of not only myself, but my sister and the elements of harmony to seal such a beast in the first place is evidence enough to show the severity of your men's actions!"
You chuckle "So you admit dat you are incapable of doing it yourself, dat you need to run to someting or someone to do it for you."
Celestia is taken back, she trots a little away and her expression is both of shock and complete suprise before she glares at you.
"How dare you insult my ability to rule, do you see me for nothing but a lout? I have ruled and guided my subjects with the utmost care and devotion to their lives, and never once had something slipped byt me I had been unable to handle!"
"Ruling is v'one ting, leading is anoder, if you so rightfully chose to stay behind desks and scrolls rader den take field of battle, you have no worth as being ruler of anyting you v'ish to hold dear."
Celestia huffed, looking at her sister.
"Luna...leave!" she ordered, not even giving her sister a chance to retort as the mare was gently shuffled out by the magical embrace of her elder sister as the door was shut and...locked...behind her.

"You....you have a very sharp tongue...Kaptian...one that I can no longer hold compousre against. Yor words are venomious, lashing against my own deminor as you continue to ridiucle my judgement and rule. Heed me, that it was your responsibility for freeding this monstrosity, and that you, and your men, are alone to be held accountable for whatever it decides to conduct."
Her mane ebbed as she huffed, easing forward a bit.
"Only you have ever challenged my rule, and my rule is not something I am willing to be questioned by a creature of my own subjects or by an outsider."
You don't faulter "It is like many politicans before comrade, spolling dere words of v'isdom, tinking dey can simply cast magic and poof, problem is gone, but ah, you, you cannot, you see ids as a threat and yet, you cannot handle v'hat has been unleashed. You took a risk by accepting duel comrade, you took me, and as we had spoken, my comrades v;ould never leave me behind.' He huffed "dey did what they had to."
"And at what cost?" she retorted "what cost to my subjects, to my authroity....to me?" he expression crossed,calmer, but still cross.
"You have made a grave error in your method Kaptian, not only do I have to deal with a monster upon my subjects, but I have another to deal with before me."
You grin "is dat a threat?"
"Perhaps..." Celestia replies "a threat I may have to keep my word by."

You are Luna
And you can't recall the last time Celestia was this angry.
The fact she so rarely lost her temper, even against someone like Discord was uncommon, losing her temper against Kaptian was...both awe inspiring, and firghtening.
You were...somewhat worried for both of them, you didn't wish for Tai to be hurt, let alone Kaptain anon to be injured as well.
And yet, like most times, you were stuck off to the side as you huff, turning back to the dor.
"Tia!" you call "Tia, what is thou doing?"
You ease up to the door, pressing your head against it to listen in, hearing shouting between your sister and the Kaptian.
"impudence!" Celestia barks "You say that I am incapable of dealing with threats to my realm?" she barked as Luna pressed closr to the door.
"Regarding first time v'e crossed swords comrade Celestia, v'e chould have defeated you den and dere, point blank in face and boom, you v'ould be Princess splatterface!"
"ooo and you think your pathetic weapons would have done harm? We are immortal anon! I have lived for thousands of years."
"Immortal, but not invicible....you are just as easy to kill as anypony else."
The sudden stamping of hooves.
"I shall not stand by why you insult me!"
"Den put money v'ere mouth is, have at it!"
You press closer
The suspense was intense! You had never figured ANYpony could rile up Celestia so much as to make her WANT to-
*WHAM!*
You slip back from the door just as you see a pointed edge of your sisters horn jut right through the wooden body, lodging itself in as you hear your sister huffing.
"You..c-cheated!" she exclaimed, feverishly trying to free her horn.
"It is call dodging comrade Celestia, someting I am quite good at."
"Then hark and steady or I shall nay beset my might upon you!"
Freeing herself from the door, she turned and trotted back towards ANon, and gave you a nice little peep hole to see the human side step the mare again, this time, sending her into another wall with a gentle shove.
He moved...gracefully, you couldn't help but cheer him on in thought.
Celestia landed against the wall with a whump, her frame resting against it for a moment as she panted hard.
"You...oaf...how...d-dare you handle my coat!" she muttered, obviously tired as Anon stood ther, grinning.
"Little princess unable to fight big battle v'ith mean human yah? Dat is shame, shows how v'eak you are."
That did it...Tai would not take something like that as you see her head raise in utter diefance as she begins to cast a magical enchatment, and with it, began to rush towards the human.
"I shall so you I am no weak-"
She couldn't finish, in fact, even before she could cast her magic, the human had moved right into her, grabbing her lower neck, and with his leg, tripped her up, sending her body forward, downard, and then slammed her onto her back.
THUD
You could feel the floor shake from the impact of your sisters body against the wood, seeing er flialing abit as the human kept his hands firmly upon her lower and upper neck, his body asing over her as he leg kept one of her wings pinneded beneath it.
"Uh...hand me you ignorant fool! You dare-"
"I dare keep you as pinned prize princess, if you are so strong, den how could I have bested you...now den..."
The human reaches for his coat, slowly putting his hand into his shirt pocket as he drew out something metal and shiney.
You never seen something like it before, it was sqaure, with a strange symbol on the front of it as a small little tip extended from the center of the curved rectangular shape.
"V'hy don't v'e calm down...and talk."
He unscrewed the tip, easing it to his lips as he drank its contents, and then, gently extended it to Celestias maw.
She eased away.
He didn't like that.
He gabbed her head, and turned her back, putting the nub onto her maw as she poured whatever was inside it down her throat before he started to cough, spitting a bit.
"Ack~" She exclaimed "it...burnssss..' she closed her eyes as the Kaptian slowly relased her, easing himself off and up from her as he put the flask away.
"Now den...v'hy don't v'e start over Princess...v'e do not need to keep dis up."
You see him walking back to the door as he opened it, seeing you staring through the hole that was made as you looked up at him.
"S-sir anon!?" you meep as the kaptian smiled.
"Luna, v'hy not reaquaint v'ith us...dere is still much v'e must talk about."

You all sat on the floor, in a circle once more.
Tai seemed a tad out of it as Kaptian ha helped her upright.
Her gazes was a bit...clouded, as her head hug from her body.
She looked utterly defeated, but there was something else as her eyes rolled a bit.
"Oh dear, Anon, what has thou donith to my sister?"
The Kaptain was silent for a moment, taking another swing from that metal thing.
"She's fine...no broken, I just gave her stiff drink."
"Stiff drink, what thou be?"
"Vodka?"
"Vodka?"
He extended the flask to you, the cap off as you sniffed, finding...little scent to the contents.
"May I?" you ask as the Kaptian blinked.
"I do not know, aren't you....too young for booze?"
You scrunch your nose as you inhale, putting a hoof to you chest.
"We am more than a thousand years old! We are more than above the age limit you consider me so!" you boom as Kaptian rubbed his ears.
"So I see..." he muttered, extending it to you as you magicked the thing and put it to your lips.
Glug
A swing of it, and you suddenly felt the burning sensation of whatever it was.
"Ack!" you exclaim, suddenly putting a hoof to your tongue "it...t-tastes like fire!"
"Bah...you ponies v'eak, dis is common drink v'ere I come from."
He takes another swig, unhindered as you suddenly start to feel a bit...light headed.
"Oh...I...see..."
You felt woozey, the inebriation suddenly slamming head long into your mind as you felt everything become...lighter.
"Thou hasth spell upon thy drink?"
Anon shook his head "Neit, you just drunk, lightv'eight."
"HArk!" you remark "I am nay dainty to the art of drinking..." your tongue suddenly sags as you begin to go into a fit of giggling.
You look at Tai, and start to giggle her, gently poking her.
"Sister dear~" you whisper as the mare slowlt raised her eye, looking at you.7
"Luna...what...what are you doing here?" she looked about, turning back to Anon.
"You...w-what happened?"
"You drank vodka comrade, help calm nerves, lord nows you need it more den I do."
"V-vodka?" she said.
"Tis good sister...." you whisper "So good...I feel so warm and fuzzy inside like a blanket is wrapped around my body~" you hugged yourself tightly, slowly tipping left and right as your wings flutter behind you, keeping you balanced.
"Oh...I see..." she turned away, looking down.
"I..." she began, turning to Anon "am sorry...Kaptian....you are right..."
"right comrade?"
Celestia nodded "For so long...I've...I've wanted to be more than a figure to my subjects, but each time I try, there is little I can do that my students and subjects cannot do themselves. Big threats like Discord and others before and after had been handled by my pupil, and nay by my own might." She looked down "the one moment I had tired to stand for my subjects...I was fell by a twisted witch of a beast...she had thrown me from my throne and mocked my strenght before all my subjects and even my student..."
She put her head into her hooves.
"Since then I....I had felt nothing but a great weakness within me, a weakness I knew would only hinder me, and no challenge I may face could ever be taken by my might alone."
"Thats not true sister~" you mutter "you handle so much in the Kingdom...you...you best pony princess..." you slur as you fwump against your larger sister "You always...always make me happy when you are here..."
Celestia smiled, sighing as she turned to Anon who was rubbing his chin.,
"I take i dat still stings, perhaps v'hy you got so..."
"Heated..." she whisperd.
"Yah...v'e can say dat..."
Celestia smiled "I was wrong about you...what you had done was indeed a serious crime but..." she huffed "perhaps taking this as a challenge more than a threat would be a better outlook for me, something...that I can put my own abilities to...and maybe...learn a thing or two from you and your men."
She eased closer, slowly pulling herself up to the Kaptian as your weakened body slid down her side eventually plopping atop her tail as you look up to see Celestia come closer and closer to the human.
"Kaptian..." she began, slowly bringing her maw to his...

...Just as another BOOM erupted outside.

07

You are comrade gunner

And for once, in the moment of time you've been spending here in this strange land, you're having some fun.

Discord, despite his 'element of chaos' notion, had a pretty interesting way of causing wide-spread panic.

Of coruse, the fact he was insistent on nopony being hurt was something of a grace.

"OH what fun you humans have with these toys of yours, I don't even remeber the last time I've been able to enjoy SO much chaos without lifting a finger!"

He smirked

"DRIVER! take us over that fruit stand! lets spread some jam with these treads!"

"Davish comrader, v'e are vith you!" your driver spoke beside you in a rather confident boast of a voice.

You were all having fun, and no one was going to be losing much sleep over it.

Aside from Celestia perhaps, Discord said the only way to get her riled up was to hit something important.

"Ponyville is the best place to cause some grand ol'chaos! I remeber like it was yesterday when I made this place topsy turvey, it may not be the same as this, but this certainly takes the cake!" he said, suddenly eating a slice of cake upon his paw as he sat back and drank from a hovering fizzy drink through the craziest straw you've ever seen.

"GUNNER!" he barked as you turned your attention ahead.

"Yah comrade Discord?"

"Why don't we give these ponies a bit of a scare....lets paint the town blue!"

"blue?" You ask "how v'e do dat?"

Discord only grinned "trust me~" he said "i have ways of making things blue!" he snickered, coming out of his serious expression in a fit of chuckles.

You shrug, looking at your driver who sighs and shakes his head.

"Round up!" your loader calls as you sight a nearby building, level the gun.

BOOM!

The 120mm cannon lurches you tank backwards slightly as the round splats against the building in a big blue paint mark.

"Splendid!" Discord exclaimed "Simply spendid! I forgot you humans are quite ingenious with your designs, such sophsitication, ah, how I dreamed to bring such chaos with something like this...fire another!"

You obey without question, lining shots for the buildings of ponyville as round after round expelled from the barrel, splattering paint shot after paint shot across ponyville as Discord just laughed and laughed.

"Magnificent, you are a crack shot sir Gunner!"

You were about to move on when your tank suddenly comes to a lurching halt.

Discord, unexpecting the stop nearly topples over you as he flops about in his coils.

"what ho!" he exclaimed "Why did we stop?"

Your driver turned to Discord as he pointed forward.

"Dat is v'hy"

There...standing before you were six ponies.

among them were the two you first met, as well as four others, two pegasus, another pony, and another unicorn.

"OH bother...its THOSE six again..." Discord said, crossing his arms...and legs...and poofing away his cake and drink.

"Gentlemen, allow me to handle this, I know how these girls work. Mind the gun then, I have a special treat I wish for you to dispense when I give the word."

"So...we meet again golem!"

The purple mare barks, keeping her head down and her horn pointing at your tank.

"I guess I wasn't prepared before, but now, with my friends beside me, nothing will prevent me from figuring you-"

She paused, seeing the hatch atop it open as Discord popped out, resting his arms along the rim as he smirked.

"Well well well, if it isn't my most favored ponies in all of Equestria, how do you do girls, do you like my new wheels?"

"DISCORD!" The mare said "SO it was you behind this golem?"

"Oh pish posh, nay little fillie, I did not create this, I simply am...borrowing it...from its owner...and boy, do I sure enjoy what I can do with it! Such chaos to be had!"

Twilight was somewhat dumbfounded before regaining her composure.

"I'm not sure how you got free from the Celestial Prison, but we won't let you do what you did to Ponyville before!"

Discord simple smirked, slinking out and beside Twilight, gently running a paw along her chin.

"Oh come now, I mean no ill harm to any of you, whats the matter with having a little fun?"

"Its not safe all tel yah that, dat dere monster of yours is chewin up all the ground yah plowit over!" the orange pony said.

"Oh come now Applejack, you would be the last pony I'd expect to assume the worst of this, why, if you could ever so simply borrow this device, you could easily till so much of your land in half the time."

AJ wasn't too sure what he meant, but she huffed, not giving much inch to the silly dragon as Discord huffed.

"Always the hard nut to crack aren't you." he turned back to Twilight.

"I won't lie to you Twilight, it wasn't by my own power that freed me from my prison. This golem was so kind in doing that job for me that I just had to give it a chance to show me its stuff, and as you can see, its quite willing to cause just as much chaos as I wish to put about."

Twilight backed away, huffing "Be it you or that monster Discord, we won't let you continue your reign of terror."

Discord just laughed, wiggling back to the command hatch as he sat there.

"Awe, going to ruin my fun now are you? Fine, do what you see fit Twilight, I am...ready~" he said, almost too dramatically as he closed his eyes, seeing the mare charge up her horn and fire a bolt right towards the golem.

"Brace!" you bark as the magical bolt simply...bounces....right off your armour plates, defelcted off into the distance as Twilight just blinks.

"What...happened?"

Discord just starts to crack up.

"Oh haha you think it would be THAT easy, you silly fills haha you never cease to give me a good laugh!" he fell upon himself, feet and arms dangling out of the hatch.

Twilight simply stood there, stunned. One of her best magical attacks was simply...nullified...by the golem's hide.

It was...impossible!

How....unless...Discord had something to do with it.

"Alright girls...it seems we're going to have to do this the hard way!" she said, taking a step forward "Everyp0ny, get onto that golem!"

They all rush towards the tank.

"Now...gunner." Discord whispered as you depressed the barrel towards them and...

POOMF

Your first round hits Twilight dead on, but rather than paint...it was a giant ball of ice cream, sending the fillie splat into a wall as the frozen chocolate treat kept her placed tightly to the wall.

"W-what i-is this?" she asked as Pinkie hopped over, eying the ice cream and taking a big lick.

"OOOO its chocolate fudge ice cream!" she exclaims, bouncing around before turning to the golem.

"Do me, do me!" she cried, opening her mouth.

You shrug, pulling the trigger.

Vanillia ice-cream splatted into Pinkie, pinning her beside Twilight as she started to lick it madly

"Hrmmm so goood~" she said

Discord only grinned.

"Haha, oh you ponies are so sil-gack!"

"Gotcha partner!" AJ called as her rope landed right on the mid section of Discord, pulling him from the copula.

"Turn about, turn about!" he cried frantically as the turret turned, facing AJ now as the mare blinked in suprised.

"What in Tarnation?" she said before another shot sent her splat into a wall, pinning by a pink ball of ice-cream.

She licked it "Wha...Strawberry?"

Discord coughed, smirking before laughing "Haha, what were you expecting, Apple?" he said, just as Rainbow zipped by him.

"C'mon, get off your high horse and fight like a stallion!" she called, presenting her hoof-dukes to Discord as the dragon rolled his eyes.

"I think not, I am quite fine where I am." Discord responded as the tank began to reverse, turning its turret towards Dash.

Dash blinked "Hey, where you going?" she said, suddenly zipping after the tank just as it fired another ball of ice-cream towards her, but the ever-so-nimble Pegasus simply avoided it before stopping.

"Hah, that all you got?" she said as Discrod grinned, snapping his fingers.

That same ice-cream ball, still traveling at the same velocity suddenly appeared above Dash and fell downward upon her, slamming her right into the earth under a pile of mint chocloate-chip.

"Haha, I can't belive that work, you boys are simply spendid!" he said as you roll your eyes.

"I thought v'e v'ere going to rescue Kaptian..." you mutter as Discord slinks low.

"Now now, don't get your kinkers in a bunch comrade, we're just getting the stage set for the grand entance of-"

"This has gone on long enough!" came a powerful voice as the dragon turned to see a brilliant white mare landing some distance from the tank...and an all too familiar human easing off her back.

"KAPTIAN!?" the crew shouted as Kaptian stood beside Celestia, at ease as he eyed the tank.

"Comrades....its time to settle dis, v'once and for all." he muttered Celestia stepped forward, spreading and then folding her wings as her ever-flowing mane ebbed behind her.

"Discord I have come to settle matters with you... I cannot allow your reign of chaos to ensure, and have come to set a challenge to you, one that pits both our wits against one another, and one....that shall hold your fate, and the fate of Equestria."

Discord's ears perk as he smirks. "Well, this is a first Princess, betting the stakes of your kingdom now, my my...I'm surprised how much spine you suddenly started to show. Perhaps these...humans...aren't so bad for you afterall."

Celestia just keeps a straight face, passing a quick glance to her student before turning back to Discord.

"Are you willing to hear the terms of this match?" she asked as the dragon slipped from the tank with a smirk.

"Oh but of course Princess, lay them upon me."

You are Kaptian Anon

and you've just settled a tuckered out Luna to bed.

Strange, it felt almost...fatherly to tuck her away as per Celestia's request, she had gone outside to...contemplate...her next move.

She had s big problem on her hands...er...hooves.

A villain of hers driving around in a tank.

your tank to be exact

one that...apparently...had been upgraded by said villain and was now free to run amok on her realm.

Unpleasant, and certainly untactful for her, being an object not of this world and crewed by battle-harden soldiers.

You were partially to blame for this; your men's desire to free you had stirred a beast to manipulate them, and in turn free the beast "discord" from his prison.

Now, strong and armoured with a battle tank, he was coming to Canterlot to 'rescue' you.

More like causing chaos on the way from what you read on him.

As you leave Luna's room, you walk down the stairs, escrted by two of the Lunar princess's guards before turning to another pair of stairs and walking up, escorted by a pair of Solar guards.

You approch Celestia's room as you tap on the door; the hole from her horn mended without a scratch on it as it opened.

"Come..." the princess said as she stood at her balcony, looking over at Ponyville.

"Discord seems to have taken a liking to your toy Kaptian..." Celestia said, noting the dust billowing from Ponyville as she could imagine the dragons excitement for causing such pandemonium.

"He v'ill be fine..." you muttered "men know not to kill anyting, dey not have heart to."

"but I can't trust Discord to go easy on them either; he will continue to cause havoc weither they'd like to or not."

"Den...perhaps v'e approach him, and make him wager."

"Wager?" Celestia asked "what do you mean?"

"You goat him into challenge, v'e tips cales in favour, best him, and v'ind day, simple yah?"

Celestia looks at you, then back to Ponyville.

"Simple is putting it lightly, nothing ever is simple with Discord."

"Yah...but you forget, dey MY men driving dat ting...I'm sure v'e can figure someting out, but...you got to play warrior Princess to pull of."

Celestia looked back at you, her expression was concerning, uncertainty mixed with worry and a slight hint of dread, but beneath it all was a spirit, a shimmering glint of a warrior she was...and certainly something she'd have to draw upon in this dark hour.

"Oh but of course Princess, lay them upon me."

Celestia huffed "You...and your new toy, must drive from here to Canterlot at best speed while I shall attempt to impede your process."

"Is that all?" Discord said somewhat amused by the challenge "to simpy, drive back to where I began and make sure you don't stop me?"

"That is it exactly."

Discord frowned "I smell a catch..." he muttered as you stepped forward.

"She v'ill be aided by me comrade, and my men shall be aiding you." you smirk "Let us see if you are able to guide dem as well as I have. Also..." you add "V'e ill be given a half-hour grace to prepare, as your tank us upgraded and armoured, v'e are given chance to set our own impediments to your plan."

Discord eased back, finding his inquiry answered as he smirked, huffing, and then chuckled.

"I can agree to that, man versus machine, wit versus wit, oh how I love a one-sided game!" he chuckled as you looked at Celestia...and your men, looked at you.

You gave them a big grin, and for a moment, you could tell they were a bit further into what you had planned than the dragon was, and with some luck, might be able to win the day.

"Very well Princess, I shall agree to your terms."

"Wonderful...then we commence the game upon half past the hour."

Discord smirked, easing back into the coupla "Such is the folley of waiting hrmm, but I see no reason in you trying to hold me back, its obvious I can just as easily best this little game without worry." he smirked, getting comfortable as you looked at Celestia.

"Come Kaptian, we have much work to do."

You are comrade gunner, and you're waiting to get the show on the road.

Discord sat unamused in the command copula for a good 20 minutes before he got bored, he would continuously slip out and back into the tank, obviously trying to spot what Celestia and that human were planning.

"I don't see v'hats so difficult..."

You mutter as you check your gunnery dials "I mean, tis straight path to Canterlot from here yah?"

Discord only huffed "for a simple mind yes, but knowing Celestia and your Kaptian, I'm sure they are plotting the ultimate demise for us."

"Dat not good..." your driver muttered "hope dey do not try and disable tank..."

"Nonsense!" Discord assured as he smirks "This bad boy is protected with only the best magical defense, I'm sure even Celestia's own might couldn't stop it."

The driver gives a grin, but he looks at you, his eyes betraying his confidence.

"Comrade Kaptian is going to be planning v'ell, he grew up in tanks...dis not easy."

You lean over "Yah...but I rader let him v'in den v'atch us help dis v;one." you mutter, motioning to Discord as he had sat back, sipping that fizzy drink of his.

Your gunner looks over, then back, nodding in approval.

"Let us hope comrade Kaptian knows v'hat to do, dis not easy fight for any of us."

You are comrade Kaptian

and you had to admit, for a Princess, Celestia had a very devious mind to plot the upheaval of an armoured vehicle.

For the past 20 minutes, she had flown you down and back on the path between Canterlot and Ponyville. Normally it was almost a days worth of travel, but with an armoured vehicle that could reach almost 70 km/hr, it would be much less than that, perhaps at least a few hours.

As you flew, you had marked locations along the main road to erect 'tank traps' - concrete and stone obstacles to impeded its movements, as well as pit-falls.

"V'e have come from v'ar v'ere opposing force lacked armour as v'e posses, instead, dey rely on tactics and traps to hinder us."

Celestia wasn't too sure about your ideas on stopping that armoured behemoth.

To her, especially with Discord at the controls, she felt it was almost impossible to challenge such a power.

You however, had other thoughts in your mind.

"I have learnt many v'ays dat tanks are not invincible, dey have flaws, and best way to exploit dem is to know dem."

"Oh?" Celestia said as you started your return flight to Ponyville.

"Dah...for example, tanks are heavy, meaning dey slow in think mud, dey also lack ability to be manuverable in tight spaces and...unlike oder vehicles, are cumbersome and difficult to control on rough ground."

You waggle a finger "if v'e can exploit basics flaws, sure v'e can manage to even odds, if not by much."

"So what would you propose be the best method then?"

You grin as Celestia touches down outside of Ponyville, letting you slip off her back.

"V'e try leading tank into woods, block main road, and let nature handle it."

Celestia only blinked, considering that beast had done so much out in the open, her thoughts worried on how efficient it would really be in the woods.

The first time the tank faced her, she was surprised how difficult it was to spot and how easily it made its way about the mountain.

Putting her faith in Kaptian Anon was all she could hope for against that monstrosity as they touched down before the tank.

"Discord!" Celestia called as the dragon eased out of the hatch.

"Oh yes your humble majesty?" he said jokingly as Celestia gave a huff.

"Your time is now, you may begin!" she said

"And not a moment too soon! ONWARD!" he called as the tank raced past Celestia on out towards the main road.

"I hope you're able to handle this..." she thought as she watched the dust billow from behind before she too took flight.

You are comrade Gunner

and something doesn't look right.

You got out too easy from village and now you're taking steady path down main road.

Part of you buzzed with concern, the same 'tankers gut' feeling your crew had if something was a miss, and surely, something wasn't right about the 'calmness' of the moment.

Discord of course just looked out the command copula, sunbathing himself with sunglasses and a reflective screen as you look ahead, suddenly seeing a tree tilt over and slam ahead of the tank.

"CYJOT!" your driver shouts, suddenly slamming the tank to a halt as Discord fell forward right out of the copula and slammed face first into the tree.

"Ugh`' he muttered, slowly lifting his face from the turn

"Who put these there?" he said, huffing as he looked at them.

"It seems comrade Kaptian had begun to lay traps.'

"Hrmph! Spoil sport" discord muttered as he snapped his fingers, causing the trees to stand upright and fix themselves into the woods.

"Onward driver!" discord shouted as the tank began to move again.

"Hrmmm, he's good..." Comrade Kaptian muttered as Celestia touched down beside him.

"It didn't work, did it?" Celestia asked as she smirked.

"Yah, he poofed trees a'vay...."

"Well...perhaps we need a different method."

"What do you suggest?"

Celestia grinned "He did say the tank was immune to magic right?"

"Dah..."

"Then perhaps if we may it impossible for them to advance with the use of magic...we could make them find another path?"

Kaptian blinked.

"How do v'e do dat?"

Celestia gleamed, her horn brilliance as she looked ahead, suddenly causing a massive quake to begin as the road ahead of the tank suddenly opens into a canyon.

"Like so."

Discord blinks in surprise as the road opens up, huffing as he loomed over the canyon.

"Oh do go on Celestia, do you think this little trick will work?" he said aloud as he snapped his fingers...only to find that he had been the only one to teleport to the other side.

"What?" He exclaimed, teleporting back. "Whats going on here?"

He snapped his fingers again, only to teleport himself yet again to the other side before he returned

"What is wrong with this thing?" he exclaimed, looking at his fingers.

"You made tank magic resistant..." your loader mutters "it v'ont be affected by magic."

"ARGH!" Discord says, huffing with a fit. "Fine then, we do this the hard way...Driver, get us around this canyon!"

"Dah!" your driver mutters as he turns the tank and starts plowing it right into the woods.

You smirk, watching with Celestia as the mare lets out a soft giggle.

"I must say, this is starting to be worlds of fun! I have yet to have such a pleasurable time in ages!"

You chuckled, you were glad she was having some fun as you ease out from the brush.

"Alright, their going into the woods now, v'e better get above dem to track progress."

Celestia nodded, easing her behind before you.

"Then climb aboard Kaptian, we must make haste!"

You are comrade gunner, and you have a rather big grin on your face.

You knew Kaptian had many tricks up his sleeve, and fact he had magical princess pony with him made this a rather fair fight.

Discord crossed his arms, he wasn't too fond of traveling slowly through the brush.

It wasn't your fault that your off-road speed was reduced to only 50 km/hr, and the fact the woods this far from Ponyville were thicker made it no easy task to avoid the massive oak and red-woods.

"Can we make this go any faster?" Discord muttered "I swear this is such unbecoming of a nemesis to travel this slow about his path of chaos, not even a single house to play around with." he sat back against the rim.

"And here I thought we'd be in Canterlot within the hour."

"Leave it to comrade Kaptian to find other means to impeded us." you mutter as Discord eyed you.

"More like Celestia, oh she's always been a thorn in my side ever since we met."

Discord sighed, slowly slinking back into the tank.

"It was a couple thousand years or so ago when I first met the Celestial princess..." he droned on as you could see the world become wavy lines as a flashback took the scene of a young looking Discord and a young Celestia, her pink mane replacing her multi-coloured on.

"I had met Celestia back when she was only a young filly, and she certainly was the most beautiful filly there ever was. I had tried many times to attract her attention, to show my desire for her, but..." he sighed "her parents weren't too fond of a chimera dragon trying to nestle with their daughter. Her peers ridiculed me for how I looked, but she....she had the heart that no other could contend...and for awhile...I thought she and I would become something." he paused "but...after tremendous pressure from her peers and her parents...it became nothing but a dream."

Poof....the flash back vanishes as Discord sighs, lowering his head while he held a figure of Celestia in a paw.

"I had commit myself to chaos after that wanting nothing more than to show my desire in my own way to her, but...as you could have guessed, that didn't end well..."

He huffed, tossing it away as he suddenly smirked, showing a renewed vigour about him.

"But, that was then and this is now, so let us put away the unhappiness and start focusing on creating some good old fashioned chaos!"

Even a crazy dragon certainly has some soft points as you continue forward, slowly trudging through trees as the tank suddenly lurches to the right, as though all power to the left tread had went dead as the tank turned, and the grinding noise of something blocking the other track echoed along the left side of the tank.

"What is it now?" Discord said, having taken a bit of a shaking to the tanks sudden yawn to the right, finding some discomfort that he flopped abit in place; a displeased look on his face as your driver comes to a halt.

"Dere is someting v'ong with track, something must have jammed into track component and bloked movement, v'e better go check before v'e end up breaking tank."

Discord looked displeased, leanng over.

"Well, what are you waiting for, go fix it!"

The driver nods, slowly opening his hatch as he slid out of the tank.

"Delays...delays..." Discord muttered.

Author's Note

There was a mix-up with chapter 6 and 7. Apparently, I hadn't copied chapter 7 and instead pasted chapter 6 here.

Please read this one, its different, I promise x.x

08

You are Kaptian Anon

and you're watching your tank slow to a halt not too far ahead of you.

You trust that your crew were doing their best to appease Discord, and the fact they had driven a tad slower than normal was helpful.

You and Celestia had been monitoring the tanks impediment through the wilderness, and your team had known to try and delay the thing from reaching Canterlot.

Whats more, you had a few tricks up your sleeve, you and Celestia would not let this thing come to pass.

You had stuck a rather large plop of mud into one of the exhausts, you knew that it would stall if you gummed it up enough; though a simple clean, you needed to get word to your men.

And like you figured, your driver slowly eases out of the hull, dropping down and making his way to the rear of the tank.

Upon arriving, he'd see a rather large log wedge between the hull and tack of the tank, stuck quite deep into the metal siding of the treads cover as the driver looked it over.

"Hrmm... dat is odd, do not v'ecall many big longs on road."

You approach slowly, eventually sneaking right up close behind your driver as you tap his shoulder.

On his instinct, he whips around, attempt to defend himself, but you catch his strike and block.

his eyes go wide.

"Comrade KAPTAI-!?" he exclaims before you shush him.

"Yah...v'hat is status?"

The gunner huffs "V'e progress as slowly as you v'equested, but Discord is getting impatient, v'e need to stop dis soon comrade, v'e can make Canterlot by nightfall if v'e keep going like dis."

You sigh, you figured that this dragon would want to go about chaosing it up in the city, and the fact the woods didn't provide sufficent means of passage was unsettling; he would definitely be restless about it.

"Hrmmm...den I guess its time to speed tings up..." you rub your chin "bring tank to main road and drive towards Canterlot, guess v'e have to start putting down basic pit-falls to stop it."

"Pitfalls?" your driver asks

"Dah... only v'ay to truly beat dis is to trap it; Discord cannot magic it out of trap v'ith armour on tank."

He nods, understanding "and v'hat do you have us do?"

"Just keep distracting him, keep at the same speed, Celestia and I v'ill be ahead to stop you v'one last time, hopefully, he v'ill take bait."

"Yah..." your driver responds "let us hope, he not as good as you comrade."

You smirk, saluting your driver as you slinked back into the woods.

"Well how did it go?" One illuminated Princess said as she stood before your path.

You paused, saluting a bit as you give a grin.

"Dey v'ill take care of it, right now, v'e got to make ready the surprise."

"A surprise, what did you have in mind?"

an oddly familiar voice beckoned behind you as you turn to see that...pink mare.

"Hi...nice to see you again!"

"Oh, Pinkie Pie?"

"Your majesty, did you plan a surprise party with this one?"

"Why yes, I guess you could say, though it is not one I am setting." she points to the Kaptian.

"Have you met Kaptain Anon?"

Pinkie let out a gasp.

"Oh I knew I was right, I knew it!" she said, bouncing over to the shoulder of the man.

"Right about what?" You ask.

"That there was something inside! Duh, it does just look like a big fancy carriage if you ask me."

"You mean dat purple one who wrote all dose notes?"

"Yes, because she's all about books."

You look away "ah, I see...she is a Librarian den?"

Her eyes went wide "how did you know!?"

"Lucky guess."

Apparently, this pink mare had a sense about her.

"Pinkie sense" as she called it.

Some natural form of detection, heightened by whatever means she had to detect it.

she had said she sensed something inside but...

"Twilight was too busy looking on the outside to think anything was within."

Celestia smiled "It is certainly like her to want to know everything before going forward, but I am suprised that your "pinkie sense" could detect that."

The pink mare stood proudly "When there are new friends about, through steel and wood i shall sense them!"

She broke into a fit of giggles there after.

Passing a look to the Princess, you sigh.

"We have until nightfall to stop them, even at a slow pace, dere going to make progress wither we like it or not."

You point to the road

"I told comrade Driver to take main road, dat is v'ere ve shall make bait and trap."

The Pink mare gasps "ooo are you going fishing!?" she said, a rod and hat suddnly appearing in her hoof and atop her head.

"Not...dat kind." you mutter as Celestia only giggles, putting a hoof to her maw.

"V'e need to make trap for tank and..." you look at Celestia "she is bait."

Perhaps your plan in mind wasn't so amazing once you told Celestia SHE had to be the bait, her expression was of shock before she looked away.

"You require me to be bait?"

"Yes...sorry princess, but you are only v'one who can tick Discord off enough dat he v'ill turn to face you."

The princess gave a sigh, looking past the human before turning her gaze to him.

"Very well Anon, I shall do what is necessary for my subjects and my realm."

You give a coy grin and a thumbs up.

"right den, let us get to work."

Discord sat high and might atop his 'throne' in the tank.

Having popped the lid and letting his long upper body stick out, the beast would slowly enjoy the sights as the tank had pulled onto the main road with the capital coming into view.

He felt quite pleased, the sheer fact this thing radiated chaos was a blessing to his weary bones, and not a moment to soon as his eyes spot a familiar presence not to far down the road.

There, with her mane ebbing and flowing in the distance, Princess Celestia stood defiantly on the crest of a hill, not showing any sign of concern as the tank slows to a stop some distance from her.

"So we meet again Princess Celestia, my, always defiant to the end aren't you?

Celestia huffs, showing no change in her expression.

"Discord, I shall not allow you to plague these lands any further. I ask you to step down from that beast and surrender yourself."

"Me? Surrender, surely you jest Princess, but as you can see I do not plan on giving up such an advantage that I will render such wondeful insanity upon this land and you won't dare spoil it."

Celestia is a tad shaken, but holds her ground, discord certainly wouldn't listen to reason.

"Then you leave me no choice, I shall do it by force if you are not willing to submit!" she said, her horn brilliancing as a beam of magic shot right at them.

Only to impact the tank's armour.

Part of it was absorbed, the other, deflected off in an odd angle by the way the armour was shaped, flying off harmlessly before striking a mountain, and causing the snow at the tip to start caving down.

Discord had pushed his sunglasses down as he smirked, watching the snow tumble down the mountain.

"Good show, but ah, I thought you were trying to hit me, my dear..." he smirked.

Celestia's cross expression was enough to show her distaste as she fired a second, then a third time.

Each shot harmless to the impenetrable magic-resistant armour coating that protected the tank.

"Haha, oh my goodness Princess, I've never seen you kick up such dust in a spat, wonderful, simply wonderful! Oh I wish I could record this and watch it over and over, oh dear me, such a treat to see the Great Celestia struggling against such a beast?" he patted the tank as he crossed his arms.

"Now then, why don't you be a good little mare and move to the side of the road, and perhaps we can get this show underway, our 'fans' shall not be kept waiting~" Discord muttered with glee.

Celestia remained poised, she didn't flinch as she just kept her horn brilliance, unmoving.

"Hrmph, fine then...Driver, proceed forward."

The tank roared, slowly rumbling forward.

Inside, comrade Driver and Gunner watched princess from viewing ports.

"She is insaine!" Driver mutteres "She not able to stop dis ting!"

"She has no choice comrade, dis here land yah, v'e can't just run her over eider."

"but...v'hat if she doesn't move?"

The gunner gave a shrug "den v'e hope Kaptian has plan for dis."

the tank slowly drove towards the princess, kicking up dirt as its heavy treads ground into the road.

The Princess didn't move, keeping her horn brilliance as she stood before the beast.

It was upon her, stopping inches from her body as the driver grumbles, quikcly turning to the left to move past her.

Celestia shifts to the left.

The Driver turns right

She shifts to the right.

The tank returns forward, and so does Celestia.

"She's got guts comrade..." the driver muttered.

"Nah, she's got ovaries..." the gunner muttered back.

"Hrumph, she has no brains, surly she knows this will not end well for her."

Discord sighed, easing forward

"You know princess, you can just as easily give up, you cannot win. This tank is impervious to your magical charm, and only the most insaine would be so foolish to stand before this monstrosity."

"You shall not pass Discord, even if I must lay down my life for my subjects, you shall not pass!"

Discord tapped his chin "Famous last words my dear...but I am done with this charade..." he snapped his fingers, dumping what looked like a large mound of...whipped cream...atop the princess, covering her completely as he let out a fit of laughter.

"Ta ta for now princess, don't wait u-"

Before Discord could finish, a single stone whizzed at his head.

It bounced off with ease, but it knocked his head from his shoulders as it tumbled from his body.

Falling a good distance to the hard surface of the tank before rolling off into the dirt.

"Ack, stop stop!" the dragon exclaimed as the tank came to a sudden halt.

The head tied to move about on the ground as the rest of Discords body feverishly felt the space where its head once been before.

"Who did that, who dares impede my progress further? Oh it better not be that pesky night Princess."

"It's not comrade, just a normal human."

Discords head turns in place, looking to see Kaptain anon not too far from him.

"Ah, so the kaptian comes for his crew hrmm? how fitting...but you still haven't won yet!"

"Oh V'eally?" Kaptain says as he walks over to the head.

"W-what are you doing, hey, put me down!" Discords head exclaims as his body began to flail in place, trying to get out of the tank but obviously having difficulty as it clambered out of the coupula and fell to the ground below.

"Seems you need dis...I tink I vi'll hold onto it."

"WAIT! Don't you even-"

FWUMP

Stuffing a rolled up cloth into the dragons mouth impeded its vocals as you turn and run off into the woods.

The body, unsatisfied that its head was gone clambered into the tank once more, moving about the interior as it clambered over the driver, pushing the controls down as it turned the tank and drove right off into the woods behind the keeper of its head.

You are Kaptian Anon.

And you are running like the wind.

You have in hand discords head, while the rest of hm begins to plow the tank forward, taking the controls from your men.

Of course, it was obvious why he was upset, you had his head, why wouldn't he go back for it.

Anything to get them off the path as you make your way through the brush, the woods getting thicker and thicker, but the sound of your tank breaking through tree's continued to echo behind you.

It wouldn't be stopped, unless a good log could be wedged in again, but you were ahead of it, no chance in that.

The head of discord suddenly spat out the cloth huffing.

"You know, you were the ones who freed me, why do you seem so intent on stopping me after I helped you, that's certainly not very friendly."

"Neider is trying to bring chaos and destruction to a peaceful place like dis!" you explaim, leaping over a boulder as you hear trees smash apart behind you.

"Destruction, good sir I disdain destruction, what fun is that when you remove all the wonderful things you can be chaotic with?"

"Point taken...."

The head smirked "You know, I left the princess in a bit of a heap if you don't mind my saying, I'm sure...you...being what you are...would make a better ruler of this land."

"Out of di question."

Discord blinks "Fame and fortune~" he ushured on as you duck under a branch.

"Not buying it."

"Oh come now, surely anything is better than what you have back home."

Home....

You couldn't even remember home.

Your family, your life...you had lost 4 years of it fighting some stupid war.

What was worth going home for when so much is already missing?

You slow a bit a Discord grins

"Yes...you see...everything would be much better here with a stronger leader."

"And what of you den?" You ask the head.

"Me?" Discord said "Why I would be nothing but your adviser for the sheer thrill of chaos! Why, you may have to do that once you dethrone Celestia, nopony would even think of listening to you."

You huff...

You weren't all for Celestia, but then...you weren't against her either.

You were willing to help her...she even accepted it.

You wouldn't just turn your back on that pony...

She even had something...then again...you weren't into horses.

Still, you had a duty to help her, you would, grinning.

Discord blinks.

"You know v'hat, I do not tink it is my time to lead dis land. I say dere is a pretty good v'one already doing dat."

You look at the head.

"She did keep you on ice yah?"

Discords head bumbles abit "Well you see...er..." he blinked again but couldn't respond as the tank crashed through another group of tree's.

Its hull littered with foliage as it drove like a wild bull towards you.

You book it again, taking right into the woods, deeper and deeper, clutching the head before you suddenly come to a short clearing and turn to a complete stop.

Right before....yes...another ravine.

Discord smirked "Well, it sure was fun Kaptian, but i think its time we returned what should be given back yes?" he said with a grin as the tank began to approach, its engine easily audible as the dragon laughed.

"Ah, soon, such chaos shall reign!"

You grip the head tightly as you see your beast of a tank slam through the last group of trees, slowly approaching you like a predator on their prey.

"You want it so bad, then come and get it!"

You bark, suddenly extending your arm holding the head above the ravine.

Discord yelps "Oh dear me, can we not be so irrational!" he exclaims, his eyes forced to look doward as his head 'squirmed' in your grip.

The tank paused, the dragons form unmoving as it clambered from the interior of the tank, slowly coming down from the command copula and over the turret and hull.

You watch it keenly, staclking you slowly as it moved towards its prize, its wngs flapping gently as it came nearer and nearer before you grinned.

"Ah...you want it boy, you want it?" you said, shaking the head as the lower body suddenly sat upright like a dog.

Its tail even wagged as you taunted the head.

"You v'ant it boy, you do, you do?" you urge it on as it jumped in place.

"go get it!" you shout, tossing the head off the cliff edge as the body went off it.

You didn't waste any time getting back into the tank.

"Be 'veady!" you bark, getting into the seat as your crew look in surprise.

"KAPTAIN!" they all said as you closed the top hatch.

"Driver, take us back sevral feet, get clear of ridge line."

"dah!" your driver responds

"Gunner, elevate barrel seven degrees up, v'ait for signal."

"dah comrade!" your gunner responds.

"Loader...get a HEAT in barrel, v'e going to need some big boom"

"You got it comrade." your loader chuckled as he slammed the oddly shaped round into the gun's barrel.

You waited, seeing over the edge of ravine as you suddenly feel a rumbling below you as a much...much larger Discord rose from the canyon.

He roared, before breaking into laughter.

"Haha, you little fool, do you think that would have stopped me? I do not need your pathetic tank to do my own chaos reign!"

He smirked "But...I must thank you for giving me the chance to see it for myself, I must say, you humans...your weapons of war are such an interesting, if not barbaric, little thing to use."

He leaned forward.

"But now, as seeing as your use is up, I shall not be needing your services..." he smirked as he slowly drew a claw towards the tank.

"FIRE!"

The gun ripped the silence as a HEAT round flew from the barrel, striking into Discord with a defiant BOOM as the dragon fell back onto the opposit sid of the ravine, grumbling as there was a big black splotch on his chest.

"Ah, you little simpltons! Do you know how hard it is to clean fur and scale?" he dusted himself off as a second round fired from the cannon.

Then a third.

Each one doing no damage, but pushing the dragon back from the tank.

Discord shook his head "Humans...such ignorant fools..." he sighed "why are you always so difficult, I do not understand." he snapped his fingers.

But nothing happend.

He snapped again "What is this?"

You chuckle "Magic resistant armour comrade."

Discord furrowed his brow "Ah shucks." he snapped his fingers, returning to normal size before the tank.

You watch discord standing there as he sighed "it seems, Kaptian, we are at a stalemate. You cannot defeat me, nor can I defeat you." he smirked.

"Perhaps we can just part ways then, you have no reason to stop me, you have your tank and your team, we are done are we not?" he about faced, clapping his heels "now then, onward to some chaos!"

"Not so fast my dear Discord."

The angelic voice echoed around them as Celestia slowly landed before Discord, smirking.

"What is it now Princess, can't you see you're stopping me from some wonderful chaos!"

"Oh I understand well Discord, but if I may say, you have lost the bet."

"bet? What bet?"

Celestia pointed a hoof at the tank.

"You were suppose to arrive in Canterlot inside that tank. Kaptian Anon has clearly dislodged you from your place and has taken it back. I do say that he is the victor here."

Discord blinked "You cannot be serious?"

Celestia nodded "you agreed on it."

You could see several gears in the dragons mind come to a complete halt as he looked deadpanned at Celestia, gripping his head in frustration.

"Argh, he tricked me!?"

"I beg to differ." Celestia retorted "he used his head...well...in this case...yours." She giggled a bit as Discord turned to the tank.

"YOu,, you had ruined everything!" he said pointing at the beast as you smirk.

"Gunner...depress barrel.."

The cannon pointed at Discord as his horns seemed to drop.

"oh...uhm but...aha...good job, hehe." he looked back at Celestia, obviously upset by the whole ordeal.

Celestia only smiled as she looked at Discord, then to the tank as you smirk seeing her from the view port before passing a salute.

"Come...let us return to Canterlot, and deal with what we have now." Celestia said, nudging Discord as he crossed his arms.

"Oh...fine." he said grumpily.

You've returned to Canterlot, sitting atip your tank just outside the city limit as Discord is flanked by two royal guards. His claws magically enchanted in cuffs as Celestia looks on to him.

"Discord...though you have been freed by...other means...we cannot let you simply wander...as such, I must return you to your stone Prison."

"Oh please Princess, you cannot think of putting me back there, I cannot stand the fact I have to be so stiff all the time."

"Perhaps you would think better than to want to free yourself, especially asking the help of such...crafty...humans."

"Discord rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as the magical cuffs had vanished, and instead, had linked the two guards together.

Celestia stifled a giggle "Well...perhaps we can think of something."

The dragon blinked "R-really?"

Celestia nodded "You have no ill intent, despite your deires for Chaos, perhaps...we can think of something to have done to you...at a later date."

Discord blinked a bit "are...you serious? You're not just toying with me?"

Celestia shook her head. "These humans have taught me something Discord, to see all foes a challenges rather than threats, you...despite your intentions, are not evil, so perhaps...in time...we can find a way to fix that."

"Oh Celesita!" Discord said, already at her hooves "I would give anything for a chance of freedom and a toss aside of that restless sleep!"

Celestia smirked "Very well...but before we can decide, you must return as a statue...I may know just the pony who could help."

You see discord smirk "Ah...if that is all then, I shall await your-"

Poof

You blink as a flash of light enveloped Discord, turning him back into a statue as Celestia chuckled.

"I don't mean to be rude to him, but we wouldn't hear the end of his desire to be good..."

For a moment you watch Celestia as her guards carry off the statue as the Princess turned, approaching you.

"Now...Kaptian...there is the question of you and your crew." she eyed your tank before turning back to you.

Her expression was a bit sorrow "I...would guess you would wish to return to your world..."

"Yah..." you said, rather quickly if you had to admit.

Discord was right about nothing being there, but damn, it was your world and you were not willing to throw it away.

This place was peaceful, but you...you knew you didn't belong as you sighed. Easing down from your tank to approach the Princess.

"Princess..." you begin "V'e thank you for your kindness..and despite our...earlier relationship, it is good dat v'e could have come to better understanding."

Celestia looked up at you "Yes...I...must thank you for showing me something I never had seen before...and..." she giggled "giving me something to put my skills together."

You grin "You okay from dat whip cream dump?"

Celestia blushed "I may have....succumbed to its delight, eating my way out wasn't easy but I had to keep this figure." she shuffled her wigs, eying her behind as you shake your head.

"Well...den nothing wrong, good."

"Yes....it is..." she looked at you, her smile breaking a bit as you sigh.

"I take it you do not v'ant us to go?"

Celestia blushed "Oh..is it...that obvious?"

"A little..."

The mare sighed "I apologize Kaptian, it is just...you have...an affect on me....I do not wish for you to leave, but know you must..." she came closer as her eyes glinted in the fading night.

Her maw slowly came close to your mouth...

A soft kiss...before she parted, blushing madly as she hid her face behind her wing "I...h-hope that was not too sudden."

"Uh..." you blink and smirk, shaking your head "no...not at all Princess."

Celestia kept her face hidden, looking away a bit as she sighed.

"The spell I have is old, an ancient tome once read, but never thought I would need."

She lowered her wing, the blush still there as she tried to act if off.

"I know that discord made your tank magic resistant, but I know...this spell, may be perfect for such an instance."

"Perfect?" you ask.

Celestia nodded "It opens a gateway, but the energy is so powerful, anything without proper protection may be destroyed. An ancient scholar, Star-swirled the Bearded, had spoken of other dimensions...and one spell to reach them, but nay pony shall ever be able to learn it as the gateway is...unstable."

"Well..." you sigh "all v'e can do is hope dat it works."

Celestia went wide eyed "Y-you can't!" she exclaimed, somewhat surprised "I.... cannot risk the destruction of a non-indigenous species." she looked away as you put a hand on her 'shoulder'

"I trust you can do it comrade, do not v'orry. You are Princess yah, you can do it."

Celestia blushed madly again as she nodded slowly.

"Very well Kaptian."

She nodded to the guards, freeing them from the chains as they eased away, taking their stand behind Celestia as the Princess rose her horn. Her vibrant magic glowing steadily as the air around them began to shift, spinning slowly, increasing speed every so steadily as it picked up.

The magical princess's horn blazed a white light as her eyes became blank, glowing as steadily as her horn did before a portal suddenly started to rip open behind the tank.

"Dere v;e go!" You yell as the Princess keeps her focus.

"You must....hurry...I cannot hold this!" she said as you clamber atop your tank, getting into the command copula.

"Princess...Celestia..." you say "spasibo...thank you..."

She only smiles a bit as you reach into your chest pocket, drawing your flask.

"Give dis to your sister!" you call as you throw the flask, letting the metal glint against the vibrant flashed enveloped everything.

"Comrade....comrade Kaptian?"

Your eyes slowly open as you see your driver looking at you.

You blink, vision returning as you sit up in your command seat.

"V'hat happened?" you ask.

Dunno comrade...v'oke up and..."

There was a dull thud thud thud outside.

You look up at your men, then up at the hatch, slowly unbuttoning it as you eased out, and looked around the world that now became known.

You were no longer in that strange land, nor were you stuck in the desert, in fact, you were at a port, and a ship bearing your country flag was waiting ahead.

Your tanks 'magical' armour was gone, and the gun had returned to its 105mm rifled barrel.

Looking down to the side, you seen an officer tapping your turret.

"Ah, comrade Kaptain, good to see you, v'e v'ere waiting on you."

"Eh?" You respond as the officer looks at a clipboard.

"You are last tank accounted for comrade, v'e ve're waiting to get de v'ord to go, cut command v'ants every tank back."

"Ah..." you nod, slowly looking down at your crew.

"And Kaptian?" the officer called back.

"Yah?"

"I v'ould ask you remove dat....ting...from your tank."

He points to your periscope, there...attached to it was a little figure of a very familiar dragon.

You blink as you take it.

"Yah yah, v'ill do dat..." you say as the officer nods and walks off, leaving you to look at this little toy as it...almost winks at you.

"Yah...I v;ill keep you safely away..." you mutter, putting the toy into your breast pocket and feeling the....missing flask....as you smirk.

"Dey going to be good ponies..."

"Ah Celestia!" Luna called, trotting out to the coming night as her sister smiled.

"Luna...are you well?"

The Nighttime Princess nodded "Splendid! Thy has slept better than ever, where thou be the human who had gave such liquor to us?"

Celestia smiled "I'm afraid he and his friends had to depart, they have returned home to their world."

Luna looks defeated, her eyes big and saddened.

"Nay, you surely jest sister! They cannot have left so soon?"

Celestia nodded, but levitated something before her sister.

"Kaptian said to give you this...I hope you can be...responsible with it." she said as the silver flask came close to Luna, and the mare quickly magicked it with her own embrace.

She looked longingly at it before sighing.

"We guess thy speak truth on Anon's departure. He...shall be missed."

"I know Luna..." Celestia said with a sigh, a moment of pause before she looked at her sister.

"Now then, do you not have duties to tend to?"

Luna blinked, lost in thought only to return at the mention of her work.

"Yes, we shall begin our nighttime guard! Thank you...Celestia...for this." she said as she embraced her sister before trotting off.

Celestia smiled "...and thank you Kaptian Anon..."