My little starcraft: Friendship is chaos

Chapters

The academy
The awakening
The tranquility of death
Krasus' dark secret
Rise of Valleran and the Swarm
Nearsighted
Unforeseen Events
Undying rivalry
Quest for the truth
Damnation

The academy

Chapter 1: The academy

Two women, one in yellow, one in blue, sat waiting, the one in yellow's pink hair curling over her face, the other, a look of determination on her face, her rainbow-colored hair glowing brilliantly through the glass of the mobile vehicle.

"Don't worry Flutter shy!" The rainbow haired on said. "We'll be fine! It's just the academy! You'll do better than any of us I'm sure. . " A tone of doubt shook in her voice. The many people surrounding them seemed to stare at the duo.

"U-Um . . . N-no Dashie. . . I-It's okay. . " The pink haired girl managed to squeak out, A rosie-red blush crossing her cheeks.

A pair of legs kicked from the corner, the black armor with white knee guards glimmering from fresh polish. Light-red stains ran up his overly large suited legs, the figure leaned in, the pack of plasma fire making a loud clang against the uncomfortable metal chair.

"Don't worry rookies" The rough voice called out, making Rainbow and Flutter shy wince as if in pain. "Training is brutal. . . You probably won't see the field of combat anyway!" He grinned, showing his dark face. A scar ran down his right eye, a large dent swept deep into the crest of three flaming skulls. "Names Zaskorch!" The silver haired boy said, still grinning.

"Wh-what are you?!" Flutter shy finally shuddered out, the many heads of the soldiers and recruits turned back and forth. Zaskorch chuckled.

"I'm a firebat dear. . " He stood up, the heavy armor clattering together, two epyon plasma incinerators sat on his wrists, the trigger mechanism would lite when he closed his hands into a fist. "Though, unless your a criminal or volunteer. . . You won't be one." He closed his eyes, his visor going down, a carass of stained red laid on his visor. "Only criminals are bats. . . Or those ignorant enough to volunteer, this is my only option of what they call 'Freedom'", His head shook in his visor.

"Well why're you here!" Rainbow exclaimed, the slightest hint of ignorance filled her voice. Her eyes prodded Zask with questions.

"I'm the escort, ya'll will be my new team! Most of the recruits will be what we call 'Reapers'" Zaskorch made a hand motion "Reapers are lightweight infantry with jet packs who are used for search and destroy, recon, also tactical advantage, meaning attack the enemy where it hurts!" Zaskorch grinned "Although i won't spoil this for you. ."

"A-are you hurt?!" Flutter Shy spat out, staring at the huge dent on his chest. Tilting his head, his silver hair fell over his face

"No dear. . Thanks for you're concern, but that's a 'parting gift' so to say. . ." Zaskorch fingered the dent, memories running through his head. "It was earned. . . I've been called to combat three times, I've seen the field more than most of these guys, Anyway, I'm sure you two didn't sign up alone?" Zaskorch replied, more of a question than a statement.

"Oh course not! Me 'n five friends". She motioned to Flutter Shy. "Five including her signed up" The rainbow haired girl said, then perked up. "Oh! I'm Rainbow Dash, and this is Flutter Shy! It's. . . . good to meet you. ." She smiled weakly. Zaskorch sat back in his shadowy corner, covered in darkness.

"Always a pleasure. ." Zaskorch muttered, putting a hand on his knee with a light thud.

The vehicle stopped, the rusted bolt turned with a loud Clink!. The door rose. Starlight blazed in, A scrawny man with peach-fuzz and a buzz cut hopped in the opened door, he looked back and forth at the new recruits. Rainbow Dash tightened her back, sitting up straight as if trying to impress the man. Flutter Shy simply slumped down, letting out a light squeak as her hair fell over her face. The man stopped in front of Zaskorch, the one chair in the middle, starlight shining through showing the fullness of his huge suit. The many scratches and dents showed signs of courage and bravery on the battlefield.

"What squad is this?" The sergeant barked, spit flying out of his overly-large mouth. Leaning in, Zaskorch got in his face, a vein protruding from his head.

"You got spit on my suit. . . !" Glaring angerly at him, the man backed off a bit, though he continued barking orders.

"What.Squad.Is.This?!" The man repeated, puffing up his scrawny chest to look bigger. Standing up, Zaskorch stood to be over six foot tall (Including his suit) The dent shimmered from armor polish.

"You'd best wipe that smug look off your face and watch that tone. . ." Zaskorch said, slightly leaning in, the man had a glint of fear that seemed to shake off the instant it appeared. "But this is squad four." Zask said, bumping the man's shoulder as he desended from the truck.

"Someone's bad. ." Rainbow said, her eyes on the back of the Firebat. The man stood staring at the chair, he finally turned around and walked to the end of the vehicle.

"Alright maggots! Mooooove out! We a'int got all day to plant flowers and pet the little critters!" FlutterShy instantly perked up, she took Dash's hand and ran off the craft.

"FluuutterSsshyy!!" Dash yelled as she was being dragged along the bumpy path, a huge building came into view, Zaskorch was just entering the building having to crouch as he entered. Rainbow Dash sighed as they came to a halt. "He didn't mean it, there are no animals here. . But lets go, I gatta ask him some questions" Dash said, continuing on the trail to the huge building, checking out their surroundings. They both noticed Bunkers, aslo, the huge center had huge robotic suits going back and forth, carrying a hard, bluish materil that seemed to be celestial. Minerals. . Dash thought to herself. The buildings around the could be identified by what was near it, the large Starport sat, the main building being used. One of the jets landed, A pilot with light-brown hair spiked down the length of his face, his blue eyes glimmering in the starlight. His plane was a dark-blue shade, easily hidden in clouds and different atmospheres. He smiled as he walked the path, meeting a Reaper with blood-red eyes and emerald-green hair, both grinning they shook hands.

"Nice fightin' Nightshade!" The boy in the yellow suit said, confidence overwhelming in his voice.

"I try. ." The other boy retorted, a straight, serious face being worn, scratching the back of his head non-chalantly. The two looked over to Rainbow Dash and FlutterShy, who both shrank when Nightshades eyes wondered over them. He sighed "I'll catch you later." He said as he walked away. Rainbow sighed in relief.

"Well that was rude. ." Thunder Cloud muttered, jumping as he was greeted.

"Hi!" Rainbow said, smiling weakly as she cast a wave. Seeing him jump, she quickly apologized. "Oh, sorry!"

Thunder Cloud turned around holding his chest. "It's fine. . You startled me, Anyway, I'm Thunder Cloud, the most evasive pilot in the fleet, that over there was Nightshade! Sorry. . he's not easy on the eyes. ." He chuckled, then shoved his hand out to them.

"I'm Rainbow Dash!" The multicolor haired girl said, gripping his hand tight and shaking it, grinning at how surprised he looked.

"I-I'm Flutter-" Her voice seemed to lower, her pink hair curled over her face, hands still tight on her side.

"That's FlutterShy!" Rainbow interjected. "She's shy, don't be mad at her. ." Rainbow said, putting an arm around FlutterShy to comfort her.

Thunder Cloud scratched his head "Weeeeell. . . Follow me, I'll show you around!" Thunder said smiling as he turned using his heels and started walking down the path. "So what're ya'll going for!!" Thunder said, curiosity getting the best of him.

Rainbow ran one arm down her other arm. "From what I've heard. . . Reapers?" She said, tilting her head slightly in confusion.

"Ahhh Reapers, how fun!" Thunder said. "I'll most likely come with you. . I'm captain of this sector's stealth ops. . The Reaper you saw was NightShade. He leads flanking manuevers and ground stealth ops." Thunder turned his head smiling. "Thats the Command Center, where we gather resources!" He pointed to the many men in big robotic suits. "Thats the Starport, Factory, Science Lab, Ghost Academy-" Rainbow cut him off.

"Ghost Academy?! Two of my friends are training to be Ghosts!" Thunder Cloud winced as she said this, slightly drawing in a breath.

"All I can say is. . . They won't be the same afterwards. ." He shook his head, Zask's words echoed in Rainbow's head Training is brutal. . You probably won't see combat!. Thunder Colud interupped her thoughts. "Anyway. . Sign up with anyone else?" He said, turning his head back to look at them, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yea. . . " Rainbow paused in thought, THunder Cloud stopped, making her run into him. "Oh! Sorry. . Two are going to be Marines. . " She said, her voice seeming to be monotone.

"Oh then NightShade may train them, what are their names?" Thunder Cloud said, walking backwards.

"Pinkie and Apple Jack. . . " She responded.

Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie stood in the gargantuan Barracks.

"Don't worry sugar cube! We'll be fine!" Apple Jack guaranteed, her long camo pants looked more like decorative bell-bottoms, the white T-shirt was drenched in sweat, Apple Jack's beat up face was still soft, even through the bruises.

"But. . They don't have lollipops!" Pinkie exclaimed, a frown hanging from her small lips. Her pink hair was frizzed from the hours of hand-to-hand combat. It was night now, the woman's barracks hung with chatter of new recruits. The senior Marines, knowing how early they had to get up, snoozed through the chatter.

"Ah miss 'em too Pinkie piah, but we gatta hang strong!" Apple Jack said, changing her cloths as she laid on her bed, tipping her hat over her eyes. That Niaghtshade boy sure don't play! Apple Jack thought to herself, sleep slowly taking her before she fell into sleep's spell, she heard Pinkie's light breath, she had evidently exhausted herself to passing out. "Sleep tiaght sugarcube. ." Apple Jack said as her eyes closed.

Apple Jack awoke to alarming red lights, shooting out of her bed, Pinkie slowly rose, Apple Jack looked to her in distress.

"Pinkie, what's goin' on!" Apple Jack muttered, a mixture of sleepiness and fear flooding in her voice. Pinkie simply hopped up, changing into camo shorts and a camo shirt, her poofy hair seemed untouched from her slumber.

"Time to get up, silly!" Pinkie exclaimed, hopping out of the room.

"Pinkie wait!" Apple Jack threw on her cloths, her frizzed hair stuck out, blowing in the wind as she chased Pinkie to the combat room. Apple Jack entered the room, only to see Pinkie in hand-to-hand combat with the reaper they knew as NightShade.

The sounds of combat filled the room, NightShade had just thrown Pinkie into the wall as Apple Jack heard a crude wind, she ducked, a fist breezing through her hair, the Marine was hopping back and forth, both fists clenches and cocked, ready to fight.

"Nice dodge!" His thick accent erupted from his gullet. "I'm Whispy!" The grinning Marine spat out, his foot quickly lunging out into Apple Jack's neck, making her stumble to the floor. "Let's fight!" The weary, muscular Marine exclaimed.

"Ah recon ah don't got a choice. ." AJ said, her southern accent lashing out, a mixture of annoyance and adrenaline in her tone. She swooped low to the ground trying to trip him, he simply jumped closer to her, his fist smashing into the ground beside her head. Pressing her back to the ground, Apple Jack landed a double foot kick, square in the chest, sending him breathless in the air, she quickly stood up, jogged to where he was heading, and when in range, clocked him straight in the jaw. Whispy's hands flailed out and caught the ground, lunging his leg out, he knocked her in the forhead with his foot, making her head jerk back. The coppery taste of blood filled Apple Jack's mouth, she spat, the crimson liquid running down her chin as the blood hit the floor.

Whispy was already standing, dusting himself off "Good reaction time. . . Could be faster however. ." His hands reached out to shake her's, mistaking it for a trick, she laid a punch dead in the face, Whispy stumbled into Pinkie, who was still in combat with NightShade, her battered face seemed to lighten in surprise. She slapped him across the face.

"Will you watch where you're going silly! You could get hurt!" Pinkie giggled as she turned to face NightShade, watching quietly, his back was to the wall, Pinkie bounced over to him, putting her hands out to strike. Crouching under her arms, NightShade crossed both arms, hitting Pinkie in the lower ribs and making her slide back on her heels. After the long slide, she fell on one knee, placing both arms over where she was struck. NightShade slowly walked over and stuck his hand out.

"Are you okay?" NightShade asked in one of the most monotone voice's Pinkie had ever heard. Taking his hand, she stood up with his help.

"Course!" Pinkie winced, placing both hands back on her chest, Apple Jack ran over to her and helped her walk out of the combat room and into the clinic.

"This here facility don't go easy on it's soilders!" Apple Jack said to Whispy, who, in concern walked with them.

"Course not. We're trainin' fer war!" Long as yer not a problem 'Y won't be Neurally Resocialized!" Whispy cracked a smile, quite a few gaps in his teeth, he reminded Apple Jack of her sibling back home.

"Neurally Resocialized?" Apple Jack questioned, seeming to challenge his words.

" 'Y never heard? 'T's when 'y get yer memories replaced by th' Confed'racy, they top 'em with false memories so yu'll fight more 'ficient" Whispy said matter-of-factly.
Apple Jack shuddered at the idea, running back to Pinkie to wait by her side till she awoke.

Twilight awoke, strapped to a chair, her head lulled down. Questions such as "Where am I?" and "Where's Rarity. .?" filled her mind, lifting her head, looking through her hair she saw a glass window. She felt someone staring through her in the glass, a sudden knot seemed to burn in her head, it was as if her brain were being pressed on her skull. The door slowly creaked opened. . No one was seem entering. The light patter of footsteps was the only sound that carried in the room, she jerked her head to the left where they were, yet say no one.

"Who's. . . . There!" Twilight managed to yammer out, wondering why it was so difficult to say.

"Don't. . . be to loud. . you're drugged, I was sent to rescue you. ." an outline flickered, his Ghost helmet was Removed. "I'm. . . I'm Krasus. . I was sent by Luna to free you before the begin testing. . " The shackles clattered off her, he cut the straps with a long combat knife. Helping her to her feet, that's when she saw it, the huge rifle draped across his back, putting his helmet back on, he flickered from existence. Slowly walking out of the door through the hall unseen, he helped her to the Armory, where he took up a helmet and a C-10 Canister Rifle, putting the helmet on her. To Twilight, all this seemed like a dream, her vision blurred and her speech in slurs from being drugged, Krasus pressed the cloak on her suit and cautiously walked down the hall. The built-in mic seemed to come alive, talking as if it had a mind of it's own.

"Did you get the other one. .?" The voice was smooth, spoken as if to calm a whining child, yet authoritative and serious . It was the rebel leader, Luna, fighting the inescapable force and power of her sister Celestia. Celestia certainly had a force worth recognition. Krasus crept through the hall, bringing his wrist to his mask.

"Affirmative. . No information on dampeners. Repeat, no information on dampeners." psyonic dampeners brought down a Ghosts powers, they were also accompanied by Neural Inhibitors, Neural Inhibitors were the Confederacy's mind-control devices. They were used to whip memories and replace them to make the troops more devoted. Infantry could also not say no to any command, any infantry that didn't make it were unmarked, never to be recognized again.

Cha-chink. Twilight heard the familiar noise, then felt the cold, hard alabaster floor. The other Ghost had already dropped, pulled out his side-arm (The Slugthrower) and shot multiple times. A bleeding Ghost dropped to the ground, his cloak deactivating. Krasus ran over and ripped something off the suit, tucked it in his pouch and ran back, helping Twilight up in his arms, he ran to the lift which two scientists had just left out of the lift. Krasus's shoulder bumped between them, seeing nothing, the scientists shook their heads as they turned the corner, looking back at the ascending lift.

Moments later in the lift, red lights blared. The alarm. . . Krasus thought to himself. Racing out of the lift and through the electric doors. Krasus ran non-stop, trying to avoid any more unnecessary deaths. Twilight's eyes closed, consciousness fading from her Light murmurs filled her mind. As audible as it was, it was also comforting. Her eyes slowly creaked opened, blurred figures stood above her, one of the figures noticed.

"Twilight darling! Thank Celestia you're alive!" The magnificent voice drifted in her ears, realization struck her. Gasping, she shot up, eye's wide she looked at the figure. She had long, curling purple hair, and wore a white Ghost suit that had three blue diamonds on the shoulder.

"Rarity!!" Twilight exclaimed, her head still throbbing, smiling, she pushes the pain to the back of her mind. Leaning up, she hugged Rarity who, in turn, hugged her back. "Who. . Who saved me. .?" Twi said, brushing a strand of pink hair from her eyes.

"His name is Krasus dear, he's the Lieutenant. They liberated us from the Solar Empire!" Rarity responded softly. Hearing the doors open, the both turned their attention to it. Krasus casually strolled in, still in his Ghost attire. His helmet was off, catching her first real glimpse of him. His longish green hair ran down his left eye, with each step it waved, his deep blue eyes full of concern for his new comrade.

"Hey . . . Krasus" Twilight called out, the pain slightly increased. She put a hand to her head. "What . . . What is this!" she closed her eyes, Krasus only slightly winced.

"O-Our alpha waves are conflicting. . Gh-Ghosts usually have dampeners to prevent this. . But I got you out before the implanted them. ." Krasus explained, staying at a distance. "Do. . Do you have any questions for me?" Krasus's eyes looked tender and sweet, way different than what she remembered from the facility as he was fighting.

"Only one. . . Where are the rest of my friends?"

(AUTHOR'S NOTE! I would like you're criticizm . . . . . Also, if you liked it please inform others who may like it. This fan fiction is fan based meaning, If enough people select a relationship it will happen, if you would like to be added in, send me information of you're OC and I'll do my best to capture you're character. .)

The awakening

Chapter 2: The awakening

In the mess hall sat Pinkie, Apple Jack, Flutter Shy, and Rainbow Dash, all seeming to chatter at once. They slowly adjusted to talking one at a time.

". . . NightShade said I was a natural Reaper!" Rainbow said, a grin of triumph spreading across her lips.

"I-I'm just glad they were targets and not animals. ." Flutter Shy looked away, some of her pink hair strung across her face.

"C'mon Flutter Shy! ya ain't gatta worry, we're here for ya!" Apple Jack cut in, fixing the small red scrunchie in her hair. Apple Jack still had her trusty cowboy hat, she smiled, being seen even through her bruised face.

"I miss Twilight and Rarity!" Pinkie whined, her eyes growing huge and sparkling. The door slid opened, gathering everyone's attention. A boy with dark green and green hair walked in, he wore a brownish environmental suit which had a symbol on it, right above a rip on his suit. He quickly walked up to them, keeping his eyes to the ground half the trip.

"Um. . .Tw-Twilight Sparkles calls for you all. . " His eyes averted theirs. They all seemed to gasp, shocked looked crossing their faces. Rainbow stood, palms slamming on the table, making Krasus jump.

"Take us to her then!" Rainbow exclaimed, her excited face radiating to each of the others. They all stood and stared at the awkward Ghost. He simply turned around and walked through the hatches, his hair flicking over his left eye.

Rarity and Twilight got distracted by their soft chatted by the electric door sliding opened. Krasus stood standing in the doorway, Twilight stared at him, he let out a light gasp as he was shoved.

"Well go on!" her voice rang in the small medical room. Twilight pondered at first Could it be the nurse? she thought to herself, still staring at the doorway. She felt a strong wave of familiarity in the air, Rainbow, Pinkie, Apple Jack, and Flutter Shy walked in, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Apple Jack rushed to Twilight and Rarity, frantically yammering on about the various training they went through in the past few days. Flutter Shy stood above Krasus.

"Are you okay!" Flutter Shy helped him up, concern nipping at her mind, pulling her attention away from her normally timid and shy self. Krasus stood with her help, a light blush ran rampantly across his face. It wasn't just that moment however, he'd had it the whole time they addressed him. He heard them and looked up at Rainbow, who seemed to be pointing at him.

". . . . Yeah, he's just so coy! I don't know if he's try'n to be cute or what. . " Rainbow looked back again. Twilight started speaking now, her voice a little high due to still having the drugged effect.

"He wasn't shy when he saved me, he was kinda ruthless." Her head throbbed again, the pain returning. She heard all of them before they spoke, shaking her head dizzily, she finally heard Rarity.

"Are you alright dear? You seem quite. . Out of it." Rarity and the others looked at her concerned. Krasus interrupted.

"She um. . . She needs sleep!" He seemed to shrink down, both shoulders lowering, his eyes drifting to the ground.

"Stop acting so shy! Come on girls. . . Let's go so Twilight can rest, if he's right." Rainbow eyed Krasus up and down, he simply scooted out of the room, quickly walking down the hall looking behind him. They all walked out again, Flutter Shy, as usual, in the back of the group.

The deep starry sky called out to him, his light brown hair glinted as if the stars shone a smile upon him, he fidgeted in his cot. How could they take me away. . .? I needed more training! I never even got to cloak! Thunder Cloud threw his legs over the cot, unable to sleep, the call taking him by the neck and drowning every other desire to rest away. His light armor was in a locker, his wraith in the hanger of the behemoth class cruiser. Something tugged at his mind, a feeling. Yes. He was being followed. Quickening his pace, he turned the corner, rapid footsteps echoed through the corridor. Rainbow started to turn the corner, Thunder Cloud crashed into her, gripping onto her light, leather jacket. His angry eyes grew soft again. "Sorry. . I'm a bit on edge." He scratched the back of his head and chuckled nervously.

"A little . .? Where were ya goin' anyway?" She eyed him suspiciously. With her surprising strength, she broke his grip.

He paused, then saw there was no point in running or lying. "To the hanger, don't try to stop me." Thunder Cloud backed away, starting to turn to her.

"Can I come . . .?" Rainbow was pressing her fingers together. "I've always wanted to fly in a Wraith. . ." Surprised, Thunder Cloud turned around, falling right in her puppy-eyed trap.

"Ohhhh fine! Just don't press anything okay?" He turned around and started walking through the empty halls at a steady pace, picking his suit out of his locker and putting it over his casual cloths. They both walked into the hanger, Rainbow finally responding as his dark-blue Wraith came into view, that's when she noticed his mark, a cloud wrapped in lightning.

"No promises. . Uh! . . Nice jet!" Rainbow gawked at it. The Wraith itself reminded her of a hornet, ready to strike. They both climbed in the chamber. Pressing many toggles, the inside jolted to life, the engines whined as the Wraith slowly lifted off the ground, flying out of the hanger. Rainbow pressed the comm on her head. "This is great! Also. . Not to doubt your skill, but please don't crash us!" Thunder chuckled, maneuvering the Wraith through an asteroid field.

"We're entering turbulence!" The jet seemed to shake, small rocks pelted the wings as they descended to the planet, keeping the Nav/comm unit on so they could return if needed. Flying over the planet, some spots seemed to have a grayish material spreading across the ground. Thunder Cloud brought up a close-up on the screen. "What is that!" Thunder Cloud exclaimed. The material had a slick look, veins and arteries ran through it. Dog-like creatures ran across the ground, their claws lashing out at each other.

"What the hell are those?" Rainbow's comm cracked out., she pressed the button to respond

"Should we check it out?" Rainbow replied, removing her finger from the comm afterwards.

"Nah they could be hostile, until we know we shouldn't fire." A face appeared on the screen, Commander Silvermoon stood, hands behind his back.

"Thunder Cloud, what're ye doin' mate?" His thick accent cracked though the mic, his red and black hair was neatly laying on his left eye, his commanders hat sat atop it. He wore a neatly primmed white jacket with golden buttons. "An' 'oos with ye!"

Thunder Cloud responded by touching the comm in his ear. "I'm exploring, and I'm with the Reaper Rainbow Dash. . It's all my fault we went sir, please blame nothing on her." Rainbow watched Thunder Cloud pace, walking just out of the grayish substance. They heard chittering. . . As did the commander.

"Get outta there mate! We be on our way!" Constant chattering filled the comm, a Dropship named Xon set out. The Dropship was a newer, modified version with four Plasma engines, the sleek form could cruise over three hundred Miles per hour. Among the Dropship were the most veteran troops. Zaskorch, Krasus, Whispy, and Nightshade were among the top of any recruits. Whispy for his swift reactions, NightShade for his precision, Krasus for his cunning, and Zaskorch for his ruthlessness. The many creatures surrounded them, Thunder Cloud pulled out his Slugthrower and shot as Rainbow pulled out two P-38 "Scythe" Gauss pistols.

"Cover me!" Rainbow yelled, shooting her pistols at the bug-like critters. They almost looked like wolves, only, two claws arched out of their backs, horns covered their face, and their deep orange eyes stared death at them. They slowly closed in, despite their fallen comrades, they continued closing the circle slowly. Rainbow had stopped shooting, glancing back, Thunder Cloud watched her pull out a Deuterium 8 Demolishion charge out, she tossed it.

Thunder Cloud turned and shot the Zerglings behind them, the smoke in front of them blocking all view, only small silhouettes were now standing, a zerg leaped into Thunder Cloud. Adrenaline coursing through his veins, he pulled out a knife and sank it deep into the creatures neck, not before it struck him in the side. Blood flowed out of both, Thunder Cloud laid, bleeding out as he shot his Slugthrower.

Cha-chink. A Zergling in front of Rainbow exploded, it's blood flying all over her, she cringed. Another shot- It buried into a cobra-like Zerg, It's scythe-like claws flailed as it fell back. Rainbow turned to Krasus, the boy with green hair wore optical goggles, three scopes on it, he was using night vision. His C-20 Canister Rifle clicked again. The rapid chatter of two P-38 Gauss pistols sounded. NightShade was rampaging through them, laying one bullet in eat of their skulls as he went. His jet-pack blazed as he jumped on a tall rock, tossing 3 Demo charges into a group of the unrelenting beasts.

Two more sounds erupted, she looked back to Zask and Whispy, fighting side-by-side above their bleeding comrade. Whispy threw him over his shoulder and quickly retreated while Zaskorch covered him, his C-140 "Epyon" Plasma Incinerators erupting with flames. The Zerg let out the closest they could to a scream as they were scorched.

"Back to the Dropship!" Krasus yelled, surprising Rainbow from his outburst. NightShade was among the first to move, using the move that made him famous. He flew backwards while shooting, letting out a joyful yell. Zask held his post.

"Everyone go! I'll cover you!" Zask stopped using his Plasma Incinerator while they passed. "Lets burn. . " Zask said, spreading both arms out and drenching the Zerg in fire, he backed up. A spike shot from one of the Cobra-like Hydralisks and went into the heavy armors shoulder. He backed into the bay.

"Where's the Rainbow-" Whispy started, then let out a long sigh. She was in the Wraith, Whispy pressed his comm. "'Re 'y kiddin' me? 're ye tryin' 't be left?!" Whispy shot out of the still opened craft's door, raining death with his C-14 Gauss Rifle. Krasus shot a grenade from an under barrel grenade launcher. The grenade blew in a wide range, flames erupting out of the hell-fire grenade. Zask sat near Thunder Cloud, muttering as he pulled the spike out of his shoulder, the bandaged pilot laid groaning.

"This is the second time I've had to save your ass. ." Zaskorch let out a light chuckle, his comm was connected to the others, he listened in.

". . .Push the yellow button and pull the toggle, then press auto-pilot! Quick!" It was Krasus's voice. The Wraith lifted off, frying a few Zerglings as it took off. The Drop Ship trailed beside it, spines from Zerg Hydralisk's still pelting them hard. The constant pang of the spikes rang through the hull as they flew deeper into the atmosphere, the bay doors shut. The Wraith and Drop Ship flew in a tight side-by-side formation, Rainbow seemed exhilarated. Thunder Cloud sat up after the medics attended his wounds.

"What happened to my Wraith?!" Thunder Cloud exclaimed, looking out and seeing the Rainbow haired girl. She smiled and waved, it seemed like an eternity cruising through the expanse of space back to the lead ship. The main ship was named The Eternal as Luna named it. In all, the fleet consisted of twelve Battle Cruisers, twenty-seven wraiths, four Golieths, nine Vultures, two Tanks, and ten Drop Ships. Each Battle Cruiser carries around five to six hundred crew members (Not including those it takes to pilot, navigate, refit, and repair the ship). The Silver Lining was the second in command of the fleet, the General. The Captain of the ship was named Captain Silver Moon. A silly name Thunder Cloud thought, but that was beside the point. Luna had called for a report.

Zaskorch helped Thunder into a lift that quickly rose to the control brig. Luna was pacing next to a holographic sensor, Their whole fleet showed. Luna had long bluish hair, her dark-blue suit seemed radiant in the brilliant light of the many stars in space. On her shoulder sat a dark spot with a crescent moon in the middle, Her face wore a look of distress.

"Thunder Cloud, what are you doing, what were you thinking!" Luna's face turned somewhat enraged, her hair stringing down into her eyes. "You know Delta squadron needs you!" She got in his face, Zaskorch stood by his friend stone-faced.

"Sorry Luna. . I just wanted to show Rainbow what it's like to fly in a Wraith. . I didn't know those. . Those things would be there. ." Luna's look softened, she slowly backed away from his face.

"The Zerg are everywhere. The broken colonies are controlled by Valleran. Valleran was a great Terrain scientist, a master Biologist. . I only fear his plans. ." Luna looked away, fingering the side of her pistol.

"I'm fine Luna. . ." Thunder Cloud cracked a dry smile, Zaskorch lumbered out of the room, Thunder Cloud and Luna now conversated as if nothing had happened. Zask reported to the mess hall again, sitting in a cushioned seat at a table. Chatter seemed to echo, Zaskorch put a hand on his head, the hand of his suit covering his whole face. Movement to his right made him quickly spin, turning both Incinerators to Rainbow Dash and Flutter Shy. His eyes lightened as he pulled his hands back down.

"Sorry, I suppose I'm a bit on edge. . ." Zaskorch cracked a wry smile. "How may I help you?" Twilight, Rarity, Apple Jack, and Pinkie were all chatting at a nearby table.

"I had some questions. How is Luna different from Celestia? How long have you been with her. . What were those things?" Zask stared for a minute the constant laughter and clinking of glasses filled the room. He looked over to Rainbow and responded.

"Celestia is a tyrant, her system is a corrupt hierarchy. Her troops may as well be slaves. . . We are liberated; given another chance. Luna is my savior so I devoted my life to her cause. As for how long I've served. . I've served over six months, a nice record for a Firebat anyway." Everyone in the room seemed to be listening in, even Rainbow's friends. "And as far as those creatures, they are the Zerg, they also go by 'The swarm'. They are ravenous, ruthless, and almost unstoppable." Zask sighed, picking up his drink and sipping it.

"So. .How many times have you fought them. . .?" Rainbow asked, turning her attention to him. Zask looked sort of grim. Setting his glass down, he turned his head to Krasus, who was sitting alone, his green hair draped over his face.

"I first fought them with the Solar Empire. . . They were everywhere. Krasus was with me, one of my only squad mates. . The Zerg got through the first defense, Krasus and my squad held the perimeter, flying crab-like monsters flooded the skies, the dog and snake-like creatures stampeded the ground, their hungry, soulless eyes staring at us. ." Zask looked down slightly, touching the huge dent in his armor. "A huge mammoth-like creature with large tusks busted through everything we put in it's way. . Tanks, Vultures, even a Thor. Krasus jumped on it's back, using duel knives to climb up. He shoved his Canister rifle in the beasts eye and shot. The monster came down with a huge crash, throwing Krasus to the ground. I stood over him, spewing fire. Through the fire shot a spike that stuck in my chest, blood flowing in and out of my armor. That's when Luna came. NightShade, Thunder Cloud, and Whispy came in. NightShade helped me while Whispy took the Ghost to aid." Zask shook his head. Rainbow and Flutter Shy stood gaping, Flutter Shy in fear, Rainbow in a mixture on anxiousness and awe.

"What about Celesta. . .?" Rainbow choked out, the story playing in her mind.

"Celestia left us for dead. . We were her escape plan. that's the thing about her, ANYBODY is expendable. ." Rainbow just stared, lightly shaking her multi-colored hair.

"No way. . .She couldn't do that. ." Rainbow glanced over to the lonely Ghost, she slowly started walking over to him, leaving the dazed Flutter Shy in front of the stone cold Firebat. "Hey you, what's that rip on your shoulder?" She stared at the rip, wandering what happened, also noticing her friends Twilight and Rarity had a similar rip in the same spot. Krasus kept his eyes down as she stared at him. She sat in the chair next to him.

"It was um. . . Numbers. . " Krasus still kept his eyes to the floor, Twilight and Rarity both walked over to join the conversation.

"Instead of names, Ghosts go by numbers, It's a system that they set up. As well as putting dampeners in us. ." Twilight looked to Krasus, the shy Ghost only nodded, feeling her gaze on the top of his head.

"Y-Yeah. ." Krasus kicked his feet, his brown suit had green energy lines running through them, they shone green and he disappeared. Twilight started walking, leaving the mess hall to go in the hull of the huge Battle Cruiser. They caught the feintest sight of a blur leave out before Twilight.

"Did you see that?" Rainbow said confused, still eyeing the exit. She started walking to the exit, Flutter Shy had finally started walking with her.

"Where do you think they went. .?" Flutter Shy walked faster due to the many stares she was getting. They walked into the hallway and heard Twilight in an opened room. A loud grunt and a thud was heard, they ran to see Twilight on the ground and Krasus standing above her. He helped her up, his eyes softening from the blazing stares of murder.

"Um. . .Sorry. . Are you okay?" Krasus backed away to the wall, looking down at his hands.

"You're a great fighter!" Twilight's shoulder popped as she moved it, she winced for a moment. "I didn't know anyone could beat me that fast!" Twilight turned to her friends who were looking at both Ghosts. Twilight's purple suit ran with pink energy. She tilted her head and smiled. "Sorry girls, I needed to spar, and other than Rarity, Krasus is the only Ghost on board!" Looking to where he was, she noticed he was gone.

"Where'd he go. . .?" Rainbow looked around carefully. He was nowhere to be seen.

NightShade sat alone in the mess hall, reassembling his P-38 Gauss pistol, his food was untouched. He seemed to be muttering to himself, noticing the many figures staring at him. Many were Marines, new recruits, some were older Marines. Whispy came out of nowhere and sat beside him.

"Howdy partner!" He slapped his arm on the Reaper and snapped him out of his world. "How've ye been?" Whispy smiled, his missing tooth made NightShade chuckle on the inside.

"Hi Whispy, It's nice to see a friendly face." Nightshade kept a straight face, even though he wanted to laugh. To NightShade, laughter was a sign of weakness, just like mercy. Dominance was the key to survival and he knew it.

"I recon. . Did 'y hear, we're stoppin' on Tavin VI to fuel up! That planet's got some mean swamp-bats! Care 't go shootin' with me?!" Whispy let out a hearty laugh. His huge chest heaved up and down, his wide shoulders calmed down, the mark on his shoulder was a sword and shield with a tri-force on top of it. The corners of NightShade's mouth turned up.

"Sure Whispy, I'll join you, after all ONE of us have to hit them!" NightShade grinned. Finally finishing his mandatory gun-cleaning. NightShade was the fastest human gun assembler, his best time was 0:49 seconds. His ability to reassemble guns, and his extensive knowledge also helped his to rig guns. NightShade's pistols had extended mags, and could contain explosive rounds. "Have you cleaned your gun yet?" NightShade pointed to Whispy's C-14 Gauss Rifle. The Gauss Rifle itself was beat up from smashing skulls with it.

"Sure haven't!" Whispy said smiling, he pulled it from the table, NightShade took it from him.

"I'll do it. ." He quickly took it apart, lubing the barrel. "You need to be more careful with this thing. . You could break it." NightShade looked up to Whispy, who was, as usual, drinking alcohol. He downed the glass in one long sip.

"Well, ye gatta shoot when 'ye gatta shoot!" Whispy responded. Whispy's response was more of a trade mark really. Whispy was a 'Shoot now, ask later' type of Marine. NightShade stood up.

"You really should cut down on the alcohol Whispy. . " NightShade shot a look of concern that quickly dissipated. Whispy just waved his hand.

"Hooooo'eee! 'y can never have enough alkehol!" Whispy chuckled. NightShade shook his head and looked up to the tall Marine.

"One day you're gunna mistake someone for a friend. ." NightShade drank occasionally however, it wasen't for fun. . It was to forget. Krasus rolled back in, sitting in a dark corner so all anyone could see was the shining green energy.

"Personally, I think he needs more attention." Whispy interjected Night's thoughts, he nodded in agreement. I wonder what he's trying to forget. He thought to himself, wonder tugging at his mind. He decided he would ask later. Checking his armory, he decided to suit up. As he was getting the jet pack on, the ship's alarm blazed. The ship rumbled, the sound of cannon-fire was heard. What's going on? He threw Demo charges in his pouch, holstered his Pistols, and walked to the brig quickly.

(Authors note: Still taking suggestions if anyone wants to be in the story, Zerg, Terrain, or Protoss, I need them all, I currently have chapters 3, 4 ,and 5 written, I just need to find the time to type.

Also, please leave comments with criticizm, tell me what you think and how I can improve.)

The tranquility of death

Chapter 3: The tranquility of death.

The alarms chirped loudly, red lights flared in the ship. Thunder Cloud set his wine down, looking at the frantic, pacing Luna.

"Luna what's going on?!" Thunder Cloud looked, fear and anxiety flowed though his veins.

"The Solar Empire his here! So are the Zerg!" Her flustered feature shone in the reflective glass, her dark-blue hair seemed to frizz from it's normal wavy complextion. Thunder Could came up beside her, catching the arieal battle. Squid-like creatures roamed, giant dragon-like creatures called 'Mutalisks' chased the Solar Empire's Wraiths, only to be battered by the out-of-date Terrain Valkyries. The Battle Cruiser Emphon was the flagship of the Lunar Uprising. The commander was smart no doubt, but no match for the endless swarm, and technologically superior Solar Empire. Not with only five Battle Cruisers in the sector. Luna got on the intercom.

"To all pilots, report to the hanger and prepare your crafts immediatley! We strike as soon as one side loses!" A dirty move however, that's war for you. Running from the brig, down the lift and to the hanger with all due haste, Thunder Cloud saw Krasus being dragged into a Dropship by Rainbow Dash and Twilight. Everything in their arsenal was being thrown into this assault.

"On my mark we fly! Fly to preserve the freedom of this universe, Celestia must not get word of our growing forces!" Luna shouted, her voice sounded nervous and frustrated, yet it was authoritative. Thunder Cloud took control of his Wraith, bringing it to life again. The newly reinforced wings were grey, mis-matching the color of his Wraith. Thunder Cloud made a mental note to repaint his beautiful Wraith.

"Alpha Squadren on me." Thunder Cloud said calmly, putting his oxygen mask on. Many Wraiths as well as Dropships blazed alive. The infantry comms crackled with constant call-outs and chatter.

"Leiutenant Krasus here, Dropship C square and ready for take-off." Krasus's voice seemed almost monotone, just that he talked startled both twilight and Rainbow. His eyes turned alive and ready to kill, paying no attention to the two gaping girls. The comms crackled again.

"Zaskorch here, Dropship A, accompanied by Whispy!" Zask's voice seemed rougher than usual, the Firebat seemed excited.

"NightShade here. . . Dropship D, I got Reaper squad. Minus two members." NightShades voice seemed dull, Krasus knew he was demanding to know where the remaining two squad members were.

"Rainbow and Flutter Shy are with me." Krasus called, further confusing them. What did they do to you. . Twilight thought, staring hard the the Ghost. "To awnser your question. ." Twilight snapped from her mental transe, looking at his closely. He hadn't raised his head. "They succeeded in those tests. ." Krasus just let out a light shiver.

"I'm sorry. . I didn't know. ." Twilight paused, shock and concern spread across their faces.

"The past is the past." Krasus sighed, the pilot turned his head.

"Buckle up ladies! We're in for some chop!" The ship started shaking, a bang was heard. The pilot spoke over the comm. "Cover us Alpha Squadren, we're taking some heat!" Crossing the rigid vallies, the Dropship was being chased by the organic cannons know as Mutalisks. "Once we land, be quick! I'm not tryin' to stay long. Scanners show Zerg in the area. They are in most area's fighting hostile units. The Solar Empire as it appears!" the Dropship landed, pouring out troops. Three Wraiths went back into space with the Dropship, paying no heed to the hostile battle. Debris from enemy Battle Cruisers hailed down, crushing many small Zerglings.

"Marines on me!" Whispy called out, clicking his gun. The many Marines followed Whispy, Zaskorch followed, the only Firebat in all of the Lunar Uprising. Many vulture scout vehicles rode out, their engines kicking dust off the dry ground. Vultures have a hovering system that kept them off the ground. Two sensors in front picked up rocks that could be harmful so the rider could detect and dodge them. The Vulture was armed with AGP-2 "Thumper" grenade launchers. The top speed ever recorded was 230 Miles per Hour. The three Ghosts climbed up a hill, Rarity and Twilight stayed side-by-side, whispering to eachother. Krasus reached the top of the hill, putting on his mask. His voice crackled through.

"We're in for a surprise, I can feel it. ." His Canister Rifle was around his back, he had two large combat knives out. There was a light chitter and the rocks seemed to move. . No. Not rocks.. Hydralisks! The cobra-like Hydralisks slithered into view, they propped up on their boney tails and reared back. "Find cover!" Krasus shouted, jumping behind a large rock. The spines hailed on the rocks, their acidic spit starting to desentigrate it. As the rock melted, the deadly duo of Hydralisk looked around, noticing nothing was there anymore. The Hydralisks started stirring, they were conscious of the danger, yet they spotted new targets- Twilight and Rarity. Every spine that hit the rock echoed in their heads, time was wasting. . Then everything went quiet.

They both stood, two Hydralisks stood with knives through the back of their thick carapaced skulls. Twilight and Rarity stared at the normally shy, blood covered Ghost. Krasus returned their gazed for a mere moment, then averted his eyes. "Krasus dear, are you feeling alright?" Rarity asked, watching him pull both his knives out with a sickening crack.

"I'm fine guys, really. I owe my life to Luna, just as Zaskorch does. She sent a Dropship where the Solar Empire had left us!" Krasus continued on, sheathing his blades. Rarity shook out of her trance.

"Krasus, where are you going?" Rarity grabbed the shocked Twilight and ran after him, Krasus had already pulled his Rifle out.Three Reapers flew from the horizon, Krasus flashed a light, the Reaper in front quickly closed the gap with his jet pack, hopping up the cliff. The Ghost still hadn't responded.

"Krasus, it's Nightshade. Enemy compound about seven klicks to the West." NightShade pointed from where he just flew. The other two Reapers were quiet. Until they saw Twilight and Rarity.

"Twilight, Rarity am I glad to see you!" her voice seemed broken. The voice was that of the Rainbow-haired girl. The other stayed quiet, but embraced them both.

"What's wrong with FlutterShy?" Twilight asked, hearing the pink-haired reaper sob quietly into the mask. Rainbow put a lightly-armored arm around her.

"We uh- Had a rough trip. ." Rainbow said, looking to the Reaper who was consorting with Krasus. The memories of combat flooded her mind, screaming, explosions. It was all a horrid sight, the many explosions went off like fireworks back on her home planet. Many buildings burned, men shot and killed. So many. . . It was a shower of red. Had they known how terrible this job was, they wouldn't have signed up. Finally, the Ghost Krasus's voice leaked through to them.

"You thinkin' Nuclear strike?. ." Krasus said roughly, shifting in his spaceboots. NightShade nodded grimly. Krasus just let out a long, drawn out sigh.

"Very well, take me there and I'll mark it for Luna." Krasus took his mask off and shook his head, his hair flailed back and forth. "Ugh. . It's so hot in there. ." NightShade scoffed and pressed on, walking in front of the Ghost.

"The Solar Empire will be expecting us. Be prepared for Science vessels." NightShade said as they pressed on, twirling his pistols around his fingers before holstering them.

"I got EMP rounds NightShade, no need to worry. I got three in my bag. ." Krasus pointed back to his backpack, many wires came from the pack to the suit, his optical implants greatly increased his sight. Krasus was an A-1 class Ghost, one of a squad of three. The Command post was now in sight. . .

. . The Marines were behind a rock, Arclite Shock Cannons were hailing down on the rocks, the 70mm shots taking large chunks off. Whispy yelled into his comm.

"Vulture squad! Take that thing out!" Whispy yelled, his accent blending with the many Gauss Rifle shots from the enemy Marines.

"This is Gamma, leader of Vulture squad, target aquired. ." Five AGP-2 Grenader Launchers went off, ripping the tank a new hole. The fires sounded again, the tank exploded violently. Clouded in smoke and confusion the Marines turned to see the Vultures revving as they sped off. Yamma, second in command was to late. A hail of Guass Rifle spikes impaled his head against the side of the Vulture, blood slowly dripped from his head to the seat.

"Yamma!" Gamma cried out. Gamma came from the same mother as Yamma, the identical twins both signed up, being experts at speed racing back on their home planet of Baler X. "I'm going back for him!" He cried out, starting to bank left, two squad mates clutched his vehicle between theirs.

"He's already dead!" One called out, his red glasses and Orange hair waved in the wind. The leader stopped, the two Vultures that were holding his clashed hard into eachother, pulling off before more damasge to their rides could be caused. Gamma's radio ranted at him. "Gamma, that's suicide, you can't maintain that much fire!" The man yelled

"I don't care!" His voice broke between sobs. "I can't do this without him!" Gamma rode back to the scene, speeding as fast as the vehicle could go.

"Marine squad, cover Gamma, he's gone crazy!" Another squadmember yelled. The burst of the Vultures thrusters boomed loudly, the screen on the Vulture lit red signaling the thrusters were overloading. The enemy Marines turned to the Vulture and began firing. A few stray spikes hit the thrusters. The Vulture started careening out of control, the Vulture slammed into a nearby rock. The explosion startled the enemy Marines, they all watched the cloud of smog rise into the air, the smoldering Vehicle had been wrecked. The front tips were smashed all the way back to the seat of the light-weight vehicle. Whispy took this as an opportune moment.

"Move, go go go! Kill 'em all!" The Marines moved quickly, teeming with Stimpacks. The few without Stimpacks jogged slower and had a slower reaction time. The suited Marines poured over the barricades, catching the enemy Marines by surprise. Spikes hailed back and forth. The enemies only had a few soldiers left, they were cut off from any extra ammo, and their moral was crushed due to seeing the sheer number of their slaughtered comrades.
AppleJack ran in, placing a hard kick into the visor of a downed Marine. He punched. She ducked under his fist, grabbed his arm and threw his body over her. The shattered visor of the Marines suit filled his face. The man sat with the shrapnel'd glass in his face and eyes. Whispy walked to him casually.

"Ey' boah, Who's th' commanding offcer here? Y' may join us 'r die." Whispy said grimly, looking down with pitty at the soldier.

"I'd rather die than serve that monster Luna!" The man said gruffly, breathing raggedly after spitting blood. Whispy pulled out his Slugthrower and shot a spike through his adversary's head. AppleJack stared at Whispy from behind.

"Was that really necessary, sugarcube?" AppleJack spoke softly and put an armored hand on him.

"Those who do not join or leave the Solar Empire must be taken out as to not cause harm to the rest of the group. ." Whispy managed to sputter out, not turning to face her. AppleJack felt sorry for this Marine, yet she was glad he had his own opinion and mind.She turned to Pinkie who was playing with her Gauss Rifle.

"Pinkie, ya ought ta be a plume more careful with that there rifle, It's a might dangerous" AppleJack looked at the Slugthrower in it's holster and pulled it out. It felt so familiar in her hands. This world has consumed so many good men and women. . Is it goin' ta take me too? She opened her visor, mechanized treads could be heard.

"Tanks!" A Marine yelled before his body split grotesquely from a 30mm tank shot. Mechanized arms came from the back and sides of the tank, propping it up as a huge barrel arose. Whispy cursed under his breath.

"Retreat!" Whispy said, looking at the many Marines, he noticed something. He tugged AppleJack's arm. "Wheres Zaskorch?!" He said, staring at the cased face, she shrugged.

"Last ah knew he was behaind me!" AppleJack replied helplessly, knowing the answer wasn't good enough.

The firebat stood alone, looking at the chittering Zerglings. "You ain't getting me that easily!" He said angerly, he closed his fist and a column for plasma-fire drenched the onlooking creatures. He turned and charred the ones flanking him. Suddenly, a guttered roar rose from the sky- Mutalisks. Zaskorch pulled out his Slugthrower and pumped the small gauss bullets into it's silky wings. The beast crashed down to the ground, still spitting out what were know as Glaive wurms. Zask had just crawled out of a huge hole, the Zerg appeared everywhere. Smacking the 12 round clip to his helmet, he slammed it into the pistol. Screaming angerly, he torched the squirming Mutalisk. Seeing no further Zerg, he walked off casually.

Running up the hill, he saw three men-like shapes. They all stood to be over Seven feet tall and wore golden armor. One turned, it's blue eyes blazing.

"Un taro Adun!" The figure yelled. Plasma blades blazed from the goldish gauntlet. That's when Zask realized; We are fighting in another war. . Zask thought. He turned and started running away from the figures. The strange aliens were gaining on him. Zask threw his hand back and let a burst of flame shoot at them. A bluish aura seemed to surround them.

Cha-chink. Cha-chink. Two shots flared like cannons from a large hill. The shots pelted the oncoming protoss Zealots. Their shields faltered, two bluish lights flew towards the heavens as their death cries rung out. The last one seemed to slow a bit, but kept coming. Two shots smashed into the same target, making the last Zealot disappear. Zaskorch slowed to a cautious walk, still aware of the Terrain presence. Three Ghosts stood, Krasus's rifle seemed to smoke, as did Twilight's. They both ran to him.

"Looks like your debt is paid Krasus!" Zask said. Three faint figures were seen flying over rocks in the horizon. Finally catching a feint view of the suit color, Krasus and Zaskorch said Simultaneously. "NightShade."

When he finally arrived to the scene, his unchanging eyes seemed to stare in the distance. "Let's get moving." He said impatiently. Rainbow and FlutterShy seemed to lag behind. "Come on, come on!" NightShade shouted through gritted teeth. Zaskorch stared at him.

"Come now, no need to be such a drag!" Zask said chuckling. NightShade just scoffed. He landed and started walking.

"Whatever." NightShade replied in a low grunt. FlutterShy and Rainbow Dash landed near Krasus. Rarity and Twilight quickly jogged over to them.They talked of their situations lightly, but they thought differently. Krasus and NightShade were the only two who's minds couldn't be read. All the other's thoughts ran through Krasus's head. Fear, hopelessness, death. Seeing in their minds Krasus knew the exact reason. Krasus knew something was different, when they landed there were five Reapers. They caused many casualties yet. . The enemy Terrain overran them. This however, was a question that would have to wait.

"There it is. ." NightShade grunted. His gruff features seemed to shine in the bright starlight. Krasus and NightShade were discussing urgent matters between each other.

"The sun don't rest I swear. ." Rainbow complained, helping FlutterShy cope.

Krasus looked grim, most likely due to the fact that it was up to him, the only Ghost with optical implants, to nuke the enemy. The sheer number of deaths alone made Rainbow jumpy. FlutterShy whimpered, but was soon silenced by Rainbow. "It's okay FlutterShy. . We are safe with them, I know it. They won't let us. ." She searched her mind for the proper words. "Get lost. ." Rainbow said, still uncertain of anything at this point. FlutterShy gave a slight smile and a nod.

"O-Okay. ." She replied simply. Everyone but Krasus sat, even NightShade. His emerald-green hair gleamed. Twilight and Rarity sat dead silent.

"Meet back here if you can. . You got Twenty minutes and no less." NightShade said sincerity caught in his features. Krasus just nodded, turning away. Turning his cloak on, Krasus seemed to be wrapped in a shroud of air. Only a slight blur being seen. His voice shot from a rock. "You took out all the missile turrets?" His voice was calm yet destructive.

"Is that a question?" NightShade retorted. An awkward silence kicked in before the Ghost was heard skidding down a few rocks. Krasus sensed the enemies, heard their every thought mostly fear, but some surprisingly tranquil. Most likely due to overdose of Stimpacks. He shook it off, these feelings were affecting him more than he would like. It was always grim being the bringer of death, however, this wasn't just killing a few soldiers for a cause. It was more of a mass genocide! Flicking a switch, the next time his trigger is pulled will be a nuclear mark for the nukes on the Emphon.

Pulling the trigger, Krasus aimed at the middle of the base laying in a canyon filled with the unsuspecting Terrain. As he aimed, he watched the small red dot.

Is my fate really to condemn the lives of my adversaries? Am I, a fellow Terrain, to fall into the trench of darkness, never to be seen again? The lives of those I take are no better than my own. . Even as I nuke them. . I envy them. So tranquil even in death. . Am I really an angel of death?

A small pod fell from the sky, it looked a lot like a drill of some sort. A single tear managed to slip from his eyes as the nuke slammed down, obliterating every man in sight. The buildings that still stood were burning. Krasus backed away and started making his way back to the rendezvous point. He had to get back fast, his cloak was running out and he was still in hostile territory.

Just another minute! Krasus thought, turning a corner only to fall on his flank after hitting a Marine. The Marine had been pumped full of stims. his suit looked as if a tight schoolgirl uniform. His face was lean and muscular. No doubt, due to his bronze-colored armor, he was a Captain of the Solar Empire.

"The buck? Something just hit me!" the Marine whined, the whole battalion laughed.

". . You seein Ghosts?"

". . Had a bit to many stims?!"
The other soldiers teased, Krasus slowly crawled away.

"I ain't crazy! Somethin' brushed up against me!" The Captain screeched, he pulled up his gun and fired randomly. Putting a serious expression on, Krasus stood, pulling out a dagger and throwing it. Fffpsh Right between the eyes. The soldiers stopped laughing as the Captain fell, still firing his Gauss Rifle, pumping two Marines full of slugs.

"We got a Ghost boys!" One of the Marines hooted, obviously new due to the ignorance from how dangerous a Ghost can be. Taking the knife, Krasus came behind his target, slitting the second-in-command's throat. After, he quickly threw the knife through the Corporal's faceplate. One by one, the only man who stood was the new recruit, shooting randomly in a panic. Taking both wrists, Krasus tossed the soldier over him, making him drop the Rifle.

Uncloaking, Krasus slowly holstered his knife and began walking away. The whimpering Marine made moans of sadness and fear, half unbelieving he's still alive.

"This will be your curse. . To see each member of your squad killed over and over. . One by one, your the lone survivor of your squad. You will explain how one Ghost took out your squad, slowly driven mad by the replaying horrors you've witnessed. Fairwell." Krasus said as he left slowly. Still hearing the man yell, calling him mad and vowing revenge. The man threatened to return and kill his friends.

The whine of Wraith engines screamed overhead, being chased by some bat-like scourge, creatures that sacrificed themselves in a great explosion on impact. Krasus shot three before they were out of range. The other Wraiths flew towards them, the three Wraiths pulled up as the two approached. The two fired a volley of Gemini Missiles, standard on Wraiths for air-to-air combat. The two pulled up, however, one was to late. Three scourge slammed into the body of the Wraith, making it explode in a huge eruption. Krasus arrived at the rendezvous point, all eyes looked towards him. Some's eyes were watery. Twilight stood up.

"Welcome back. . We thought you died. ." Twilight said in a squeak, looking over to her other friends. NightShade, being the only one who was 'Okay' in a standard.

"Sorry." Krasus apologized, then looked to NightShade. "How much longer?" NightShade looked up, his red eyes beaming into Krasus's blue ones.

"Do I look like a stopwatch?" NightShade responded, making FlutterShy fold in on herself. She sat in the fetal position, rocking back and forth. Krasus shot him an angry look, just as Rainbow did. Rainbow sat next to FlutterShy to comforting the emotionally weak girl, she suddenly remembered how FlutterShy, even before Rainbow, had shot two enemy soldiers. She seemed so aggressive, then the next moment, her eyes were soft and she teared. Krasus sat next to Rarity and Twilight, he sighed, putting a block on his mind.

"Whats wrong dearie?" Rarity asked, turning towards Krasus.

"I just need time to think. ." Krasus said, looking back at her, then turning his gaze to the sky.

Krasus' dark secret

Chapter 4: Krasus' dark secret

(Note, this is just a sneak peak because I love ya'll.))

The battle-scared sky of Tarvenus VI seemed to radiate red. Maybe it was just Krasus, the waves of endless flying Zerg soured above, the few Wraiths that were left fought. They fought for their fallen comrades, themselves, but most of all, for the Lunar Uprising. Two Dropships flew forward, accompanied by many Wraiths, five by count.

"There it is. ." Krasus said, watching them inch closer. One came to them, the other broke off toward the opposite direction.

"Finally" Rarity said, flipping her hair. She had one leg overtop the other, a silence kicked in, it seemed like an eternity before their salvation finally got there. The LU Domination The Domination was a newer Dropship model. Sixteen seats, they all boarded the ship. It took off, the Neo-steel windows shook as the Dropship moved back toward space. Three Wraiths followed suit. Krasus looked out the window toward Emphon The Dropship shook while exiting the atmosphere. The other Dropship, Zombiecrane flew beside them. The Wraiths pursued close behind. Krasus finally saw the Battle Cruisers floating, though damaged. One Battle Cruiser was completely demolished, the other was being dragged by the two other regular Battle Cruisers. The Emphon opened it's bay doors, Zaskorch, as usual, was the first one off. He was seen heading towards the Cafe.

"I need a beer." Zask said as he walked across the catwalk. Thunder Cloud hopped out of his Wraith and jogged to Whispy, AJ, and Pinkie.

"Heya ya'll!" Thunder Cloud said, grinning. "How's the land life?!" Thunder was still grinning.

". . Not bad!"

". . Pretty fun!"

"It's alright"
They all responded, Pinkie giggled. "I'm gunna go get some cake!" She said as she hopped away. Twilight and Rarity walked out with FlutterShy and Rainbow, they all reunited under the safety of the ship with AJ and Whispy. Krasus walked out with his head down. Twilight was the only one to take notice, she walked over to him.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked, stopping in front of him and putting a hand on her waist. He shuffled, looking up at her.

"Y. . Yeah. . I'm fine." Krasus said, rolling his green hair from his face. His brown suit looked scruffed. NightShade crept around the brig, Rainbow walked after him, dragging AppleJack with her. Rarity snickered.

"What's up with you? You seem so glum all the time!" Twiight said, blocking his exit, FlutterShy and Rarity started chatting.

"What do you mean. .?" Krasus replied, looking around for a new exit.

"You're so. . Evasive, you always want to be alone. You always act the same!" Twilight exclaimed. She moved agaisnt him to keep him in place.

"Twilight dear, what are you doing?" Rarity called out as she and FlutterShy approached. Twilight turned to them.

"Nothin'" Twilight replied, staring with her purple eyes. Krasus started inching away, he was wearing a light blush.

"Um. . Krasus. . Are. . Are you alright?" FlutterShy asked, watching him through soft, tender eyes. He was surrounded. Unable to escape.

"I-I'm fine!" Krasus almost yelled, sliding into a corner. He knew he couldn't take much more, they would crowd him until he broke. Twilight looked back over to him.

"So how about it Krasus?" Twilight asked, a bit of aggressiveness in her voice. Rarity and FlutterShy looked puzzled.

"Whats going on darling?" Rarity asked, pulling her Ghost suit to make sure it didn't bunch up. Twilight sighed, feeling that if she pressed on that she would be interviewed by her two friends.

"I'm learning more about Krasus, I wanna know what made him like this!" Twilight said, starting to pace, still making sure he can't escape.

"I am a bit curious myself.." Rarity said, standing behind the pacing Twilight. FlutterShy stood in the back, silently curling her hair.

"Maybe. . Maybe he was born that way" (Not a Lady Gaga reference. -.-) FlutterShy added in a quiet voice. Her speaking up seemed rare and caught both Twilight and Rarity's attention. Krasus sat on the ground, thoughts and memories running through his head in one quick moment. Krasus let out a light whimper.

"So tell us Krasus. . What makes you so. Indifferent?" Twilight questioned, leaning over him. The block on Krasus' mind finally collapsed, the gush of memories, his memories, filled both Rarity and Twilight's heads.

Krasus stood, a young man in what looked to be mid-teenage years. Around Sixteen from what was gathered. He was eagerly filling out some sheet of paper.

"I'll be one of the first ones in this program!" Krasus said, looking to the title and admiring the genious that was "Operation Ghost". "This is just the best thing ever!" Krasus was smiling, his joy was irrefutably the purest joy there could be.

A few men strolled in, they all wore name tags. Then possibly the most gorgeous woman walked entered, her name tag read 'Commander Celestia' Beside her was Corporal J. Tanes, one of the most notorious battle Marines. ". . . Let's just get this over with." He said impatiently.

The head proctor, Lone Star, pushed up his glasses and whispered something to Krasus. Krasus turned and made his way to a chamber with the proctor behind him. Lone Star told Krasus to lay down, the nervousness of the young teen seemed to set the mood of the whole room which was painted all white and was empty, save the machine that stood in the middle with an uncomfortable table under it.

The young boy laid there, staring blankly at the machine. It all seemed like a dream, like the old tales of being "Abducted by aliens". Lone Star started hooking up the machine, then put suction-like cups on his forearms, then on his forehead, and one on each leg. Krasus lay shirtless on the table, waiting for the testing to begin. The proctor left the room to a room with black tinted windows. All he could see were dark figures, the many computers running in the room were the only way he could see and distinguish the figures. A voice drifted in under the door, the machine whirred.

". . . Spectacular! He has the highest potential I have seen!" Krasus couldn't help but let a smile cross his face. Lone Star re-entered. "Good show my boy! You've impressed Celestia herself!" He said, unhooking Krasus. "But we have a few more tests. ."

Twilight and Rarity snapped out of his head. Krasus was panting, the invasion of his mind left him breathless. "Well that wasn't so bad. ." Twilight said dully. "You seemed happy." Krasus leaned on one hand.

"It. . It wasn't that!" Krasus whimpered, holding his head. "It was the tests after that!" He felt it, the surge of memories burned in his mind, he cringed, falling close to the ground. The memories were now projecting themselves to the two puzzled Ghosts.

//Prepare to enter sadness zone :[//

. . . Krasus stood next to his overseer, his hands entwined together near his waist. "Now Krasus, I need you to focus.. Focus all your thoughts when you look at this man.. . Block everything else out."

"Okay. .?" Krasus replied questioningly. Krasus closed his eyes and tried to focus. The man seemed to burn in his mind. He could feel the rage, the utter blood lust in the man. That's when he saw it, his mother and father. . The man stood with a Slugthrower to the back of his father's head.

"Give me the money or you and your wife die!" Both his parents were shaking in pain and fear. His father's bruised back had rips in the flesh, a small, dull knife lay beside them, bloodied with skin residue on it.

"We don't have the money!" His father had managed to utter, his voice broken by the torture he had endured. His wife, Krasus's Mother, had her tongue cut out, her whole waist was burned due to sterilization. She would have died either way, due to bladder explosion.

"This was your last chance. ." the thug said, raising the gun to his wife's head. He shot her, right in front on him, chunks of her grey matter splashed over his chest, all he could manage to do was cry. "And I'll find your baby too. ." He walked over to the father, pressing the gun to his head. Lone Star held him as Krasus fell limp. The tall murderer stood confused at the events that took place.

"Now Jack, did you feel anything?" Lone Star asked, looking up to the man.

"No, was I suppose to?" Jack said, staring at the boy. He saw the same images yet couldn't piece together what brought the memories.

"That is all, Krasus needs rest." Lone Star said, dismissing Jack, murderer of Krasus's parents. Krasus was led to a room, it was a luxury suite in the academy. "This is your room Krasus. I'll come back to get you for the next test." Lone Star closed and locked the door. Krasus collapsed on his bed. The images of his head filled him with emotions. Sorrow, sadness, confusion, but most of all, anger.

"What. . What was that?!" Krasus asked himself, the pictures of his mother and father were changed from their smiling portraits to their tortured reality. Krasus had cried himself to sleep that night.

Krasus was now on the ground, FlutterShy over him trying to soothe him. Twilight and Rarity stood frozen; shocked at the play they had just seen.

"Krasus. .! Krasus are you okay!" FlutterShy seemed to get louder every time she called his name. She turned to her friends. "What did you do?!" FlutterShy asked, standing up. "You're hurting him, stop it!!" FlutterShy's sudden outbursts made the Ghosts' jaws drop.

"FlutterShy. . We. .We aren't doing it dear. . He's just remembering." Rarity managed to crack out. Twilight was speechless, unable to talk or move.

"Maybe you shouldn't have pushed him!" FlutterShy snapped back, her words slapping both Rarity and Twilight in the face. Rarity started tearing, FlutterShy's face instantly softened. "I-I'm sorry Rarity. . I Don't know what came over me.." Rarity looked up to FlutterShy.

"It's.... Fine... We deserve it.." Rarity responded, her voice cracking. Krasus groaned, the rest of his life flooding in.

. . . His door opened, Krasus sat up, his eyes dry from the many tears he had shed. He had evidently cried himself to sleep. "What time is it. . .?" Krasus asked, looking up to his proctor. Lone Star looked at his watch.

"Three thirty PM master Krasus." He said, pulling his eyes from the watch and laying them on the nappy-headed boy. Krasus sat on the edge of the bed.

"Okay. . I'm. . Ready. ." Krasus said, standing up. His light-green hair tumbled over his eyes and face, he was led to a chamber.

"Does your head hurt, Krasus?" Lone Star asked, telling him to lay on the table again.

"I feel a bit light headed I guess.." Krasus replied, trying to get comfortable. Lone Star pulled out a mask.

"I'm going to give you some chips to help you with that okay?" Lone Star put the mask over Krasus's mouth and nose.

"Oka-" Krasus passed out, unable to finish his sentence. Lone Star started the procedure, however once implanted in his head, they fried due to overload. Cursing at this, Lone Star waited for Krasus to awaken to inform him of his unique talents.

Krasus awoke in the dimly-lit room, his proctor Lone Star had fallen asleep while waiting. "Lone Star. .?" Krasus lightly pushed him, he just groaned and slowly opened his eyes.

"The procedure was. . Above all else. . A failure." He stated, sitting back up, all the bones in his back popped. "We have something for you to test. ." Lone Star said, getting up and reaching into a chest, he pulled out a brown suit with greenish lines running through it. "This suit should allow you to bend light around you, making you almost undetectable to the human eye." Lone Star turned and gave Krasus the time to strip, then put the suit on.

"It's a bit tight. ." Krasus said, looking down at the suit. The proctor turned, pressing something on the suit, it loosened. "Woah. ." Lone Star smiled.

"Now. .Turn that nob on the belt and concentrate!" Lone Star's anxiousness seemed to glow right through to Krasus. Krasus did as he was told, he slowly faded from sight. "Krasus, you still there?" Lone Star called, excitement running through his voice.

"Yeah. . Did it work. .?" Krasus looked up to him. Lone Star seemed to jump, the door to the tinted room opened. The gorgeous woman know as Celestia walked in gracefully.

"What is this? Where is he?" Celestia questioned, staring in disbelief around the room. Lone Star rubbed his hands together.

"He's invisible dear Celestia!" Lone Star exclaimed. He looked around the room. "Press that button on your suit Krasus," Lone Star stalled, an outline slowly flickered and Krasus appeared. He looked around confused.

"What happened. .?" Krasus asked lowly. He pushed his long hair from his eyes, looking over to Lone Star tenderly.

"Well. . You did it! You successfully turned invisible!" Lone Star exclaimed, opening the door. "I'm sure you need rest before your. . Last . . Test." Lone Star eyed him.

"Of course, I am kinda worn out." Krasus said, slowly walking out. Once he got to his room, he quickly retired to his bed.

Lone Star was sitting at a table with Celestia and a few of her generals. "We'll guarantee his loyalty." Lone Star said grinning.

"How?" Celestia asked, eyeing him. The generals shifted uneasy.

"Easy, You'll see, so if it works you'll fund us?" Lone Star spoke anxiously.

"Of course, the idea is genius." Celestia said, her hair curling his her face. Lone Star smiled at this.

"Then let's put him through the last test.." Lone Star turned and walked through the electric door and down the hall. The rooms passed by. C3, E4, C5, E6, C7. He stopped at the door and knocked. "Krasus, are you ready?" The door was unlocked, inside stirring and rustling was heard. Calling his name again, Lone Star entered with his Slugthrower out.

Krasus was found around the corner, his eyes wide and almost bloodshot. He was frantically throwing books off the shelf. "Come on, come on!"

"Um, Krasus, are you okay?" Lone Star said, staring at his only shot of fame and money. Krasus jumped and spun around.

"No!! It hurts! I can't stop it!" He teared, the constant chatter picking up, voices from all over called out. Only a few things matched. Lone Star's faith slowly dropped slim to none As he watched his only chance fading away. No! Lone Star though I won't let this stop me!

"Calm down Krasus, we have your last test ready" Lone Star's voice was smooth and calm, his thoughts and attitude somehow affected Krasus. Krasus stood and looked watery-eyed.

"I'm. . Ready. ." He said as he walked to his proctor, then through the opened doors. Walking into a blank room, his mind seemed to lose all edge. Pulling up the Pistol he was given, he stared at it. It was loaded, one shot. Krasus awaited his new challenge nervously. A hatch opened, the murderer of his parents stepped in. The whole world went grey to Krasus. Staring in pure hatred, his anger burned like a fire-y inferno. The passion of revenge kicked in his head. The intercom cracked.

"June 15, 2505 The death of the Shyhoofs took place." The intercom started. "All but one, the sole survivor. . . Krasus Shyhoof." Blinded everywhere else but where the man stool, the whole room faded to black. The man's mind finally clicked.

"YOU!" He pointed and started getting closer, Krasus stood, staring at the man. The gun dropped from his hands as the man started running at him.

"Uuf!" A thud occurred. Jack had dropped before Krasus's feet. Krasus crouched down, staring him in the eyes, he talked with a cold chill.

"When I'm done with you. . You'll know the meaning of. .'Suffering'." Rings of a pure light-blue shaded his eyes as the man screamed and held his head.

"What. . What the. . Hell!" Blood started to trickle down the man's ears, his eyes started to pull and start bleeding aswell.

"Now for the finale. ." Krasus grabbed the man's head, making sure he saw Krasus's face before his brain gushed out of his nose slowly, painfully until he could no longer breathe. "Now. Die. ." Krasus said as he watched the man gasp and shudder, his lungs not pumping oxygen into his body. Jack finally died of asphyxiation.

Lone Star entered the room. "Good job Krasus! You've passed every test!" Lone Star put his hand on Krasus's shoulder.

Taken to his first bar, he had his first drink, getting smashed and trying to forget the events of the day. A gorgeous woman with dark-ish blue hair seemed to watch him. Standing next to her was a scruffy-looking man, built with silver hair. On his shoulder sat a skull with blue fire and three smaller skulls on his shoulder. He heard them talk.

"Don't worry Zask, we'll get 'em. ."

The images and voices faded, both Ghosts stood motionless, unaware if this was reality or not. FlutterShy's form appeared stroking her hand through Krasus's hair. The invasion had knocked him out, he flinched as FlutterShy moved his hair. "Is he. . Dead?" Twilight asked, staring at the green-haired boy. Slowly, FlutterShy stood, Krasus in her arms. She slid down the hallway, avoiding eye contact with both. She seemed . . Different. The door hatch shut, leaving both Ghosts standing still. If they were grey it would look as if they were statues. Rarity finally moved.

"What. . Just happened?. ." She asked, tearing at the words of her friends as she left.

"I don't know.." Twilight said, biting her lip to hold back a stream of tears.

Rise of Valleran and the Swarm

Chapter Five: Rise of Valleran and the Swarm.

Whispy stood at the bar, chugging down classic beers. Sitting next to him was AppleJack, drinking glass after glass. After chugging his next mug, Whispy slammed the mug down.

"Always good 't have a drink after a victory!" Whispy exclaimed, ordering yet another mug and placing some credits on the table.

"A drink?" AJ specified, watching him chug the entire mug and slam it down once more, beer dripping down his shaved beard. Whispy just chuckled.

"Yeah! Nothin' like some cold brew!" Whispy exclaimed. He slowly stood up, wobbling a bit. AppleJack looked at the twelve empty mugs in front of him. She sighed.

"Lemme help ya" She finished her beer, then got up and took his arm around her shoulder. "Come on big gah. ." She said, straining to move. As she left, she say Rainbow sitting near NightShade, she just sat there and stared endlessly at him. "That girl jus' don't know what she's doin'." AJ said as she shook her head. Whispy let out a wheezing laugh.

"Even a Zerglin' could tell she laiks 'em!" Whispy slurred out. AJ shushed him.

"Shh, Ah'm sure she'll tell 'em her feelin's in tahm." AppleJack looked over to the googly-eyed Rainbow. "Bein' blianded by love ain't good in the battlefield. ." She said to herself, not even Whispy hearing her.

They both stumbled in the hallway. Pinkie Pie was walking down the hall happily and saw them.

"Awwww! So cute AppleJack!" Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing next to her and nudging her. "Hehehe! AppleJack and Whispy sitting in a shuttle!-" AppleJack cut her off.

"Kwuiat!" AJ said, shooing Pinkie away. "Whispy jus' needs ta rest, he's had to much ta drink!" AppleJack snapped.

"Awww, come on AppleJack! You could at least play along!" Pinkie giggled, starting to fiddle with her hair.

"Pinkie, have ya seen Twahlaght?" AJ asked, starting to work up a sweat from assisting the drunk Marine. She shifted to the other leg.

"Last I saw she was with Rarity and FlutterShy in the docking bay!" Pinkie answered happily, her eyes sparkling in the bright lights of the neo-steel hull.

"Can ya help me here sugarcube?" AppleJack asked, pointing to the opposite side of Whispy.

"Sure!!" Pinkie exclaimed, jumping under the Marine's arm and helping him down the hall.As they finally made their way to his room, he swiped the card and the electric doors swung opened. Whispy stumbled in without their help and crashed into the couch. Aj and Pinkie watched for a minute, then turned and closed the door.

As they turned, they caught Twilight and Rarity walking side by side. Their eyes were watery and their cheeks swollen and red. "What happened sugarcube?!" AppleJack puled them both into a long hug. "An' wheres Fluttershah?" At the mention on her name,, they both teared.

"She. . She stormed off. ." Twilight replied, looking at her friends for comfort. AppleJack obliged her plight and hugged her longer.

"It's okay sugarcube. . It wasn't your fault. ." AppleJack stated, stroking Twilight's hair. She looked up guiltily.

"It was my fault AppleJack!" She whined teary-eyed. "I made Krasus show us what happened!"

"What're you goin' on about?" AppleJack asked, still trying to comfort her friend. Twilight looked to the ground, her purple eyes sparkling.

"We .. Saw what Krasus went through to be a Ghost. ." Twilight stared at the ground, AJ hadn't said anything. "All the tests, and his life as a young Ghost. . He fainted. . FlutterShy got mad and stormed off with him. ." Twilight sniffled, AJ looked puzzled.

"So. . Yer sayin' you saw Krasus's life an' Fluttershah left, mad at you with him in her arms?" AJ still sounded confused, she shook her head. "Ah jus' don't see it sugarcube. ." Aj finished. Twilight looked up and sniffled again.

"It. . IT happened!" Twilight exclaimed, tears rolling down her cheek. AppleJack moved to put an arm around her.

"Hey, hey sugarcube. . It's alraight." She patted Twilight's shoulder. "Ah'm shure she'll come apologaize. " AppleJack looked to Rarity. She hadn't teared up as much, but her face was still wet. She also looked at AppleJack for consolation.

"I think she went to the clinic dear. ." Rarity said, looking into AJ's eyes. AppleJack nodded, leaving Twilight in the care of Rarity, they continued to the bar. As she walked, faster, thinking about what she had just heard, trying to make sense of it. As she walked down the hall, she noticed pinkie had disappeared. She drew nearer to the clinic, her heart seemed to pound in her throat. She swallowed loudly, her heart still thudding against her chest. The light ahead flickered, she felt what she hadn't in a while. . Fear. She started looking back, then she noticed a buzzing sound coming from a flickering light. Tzzz. . tzzz "Well, if this ain't jus suspensful. ." AppleJack said, her voice echoed down the empty hall.

There it was, the clinic, she started running. . Then suddenly tripped. Looking back, she gasped in surprise.

`NightShade started to turn. Noticing the staring Rainbow haired girl, he rose an eye brow. She quickly snapped out of it.

"I call for a drinking contest! Me vs NightShade!" Rainbow exclaimed, moving to a stool that seemed to sit backwards. Rolling his eyes, NightShade stood, heading towards the bar. The hatchway door opened. Twilight and Rarity entered and sat at their usual table, watching Rainbow and wondering where everyone else was.

Two glasses were placed in front of Rainbow and NightShade. Some crew members gathered around. Both downed the glass in under ten seconds flat. Ordering another, both took shots, then, they just took the whole bottle, chugging it as fast as they could.

Slamming the bottle down, NightShade finished first, quickly ordering another. Rainbow panicked, spilling the liquor all over her shirt.

"Ugh! You. . You win. ." Rainbow said reluctantly. He head bobbed back and forth and her speech was slurred. Twilight and Rarity got up and walked over.

"Rainbow! Are you okay?!" Back where they lived, they were never allowed to drink and didn't hear about people being drunk, on the ship however, it was all to common. Slurring out random words, Rainbow downed another bottle. Rarity and Twilight hung over her concerned.

"Dashie, what's wrong?" Twilight asked, taking the drink from her. Dash turned to her, staring at her like she was an alien.

"The hell are you. ." Her head drooped down, she pulled it back up, her rainbow hair curved around her face. Twilight was to puzzled to respond.

"She's drunk . ." NightShade spat out roughly. Twilight and Rarity looked to him.

"Drunk?" Twilight and Rarity spoke simultaneously. They both giggled and looked to each other. NightShade turned to them.

"Yeah. . I'm sure you've heard of it before. ." NightShade said, a bit lighter than usual. Rainbow drew her head back with the glass, she fell back, spilling the rest of the contents of the bottle all over her cloths and face. She laughed.

"E hehe! This is fun!" She wiggled her feet, trying to get back up. Rarity and Twilight drew nearer, pulling Rainbow up.

"I think you two have had enough. . Especially you, dear." Rarity said, looking to Rainbow as she spoke. Rainbow got quiet, NightShade turned to her.

"Well. .I'm not acting like that. . I've had just enough!" NightShade's eyes were lighter than usual, Whispy stumbled back in. "Unlike ol' Whispy." NightShade let out a hearty laugh. They all looked to eachother shocked. NightShade never laughed. NEVER! Twilight looked at the glass in front of him.

"That stuff must change personality. ." Twilight whispered. Rarity nodded lightly, staring at the stumbling Marine who had just flipped over a chair. Crash!

"Where'd that come from!" Whispy hicced, starting to get up but falling right back down. Pinkie had hopped behind him.

"He needs help!" She giggled. "I watched him use the wall to guide him aaaalll the way here!" She giggled again at the picture of the stumbling Marine bumping and crashing against the wall. Whispy grabbed the edge of the table to help him up, Pinkie grabbed his arm and helped him. "Come on, get up silly!" Pinkie giggled, she helped him to a chair.

"Give me a beer-" Whispy started, but was cut off by NightShade.

"I think you've had enough!" NightShade said, the slightest smile crossing his face. Whispy waved his hand.

"No, no, no. . Never enough!" Whispy exclaimed with a loud chuckle. Actually getting his beer, he chugged it down before anyone could take it, falling back in his chair. The whole group laughed, even NightShade, who was chuckling lightly.

Inside the dark, dank organic structure sat Valleran, leader of the Kuolemantuomio Brood. Many small Zerglings ran around, chittering as they moved back and forth, patrolling the area. After they moved, they burrowed deep into a tunnel. The abundant and ever-increasing amount of Larvae skittered around, their purple centipede-like carapace's radiating off of the pulsing orange walls of their Hive. They began their metamorphosis, Cocooning themselves in greenish eggs to become whatever it was that Valleran told them to be. The Larvae are the very basic unit of the Zerg, these crawling bug-like creatures used whatever strings of DNA was collected from various worlds and morph into them. Dragon-like creatures flew in the skies, legions of these Mutalisks flew over the desert plain of Ivain X, a huge planet that had Nine moons.

His purple eyes set deep in his skull, an orange-ish tint sank into the eyes themselves. He sat in a slimy organic seat, cushy, yet hard. Standing on each side were Hunter Killers, Valleran's elite, personal vanguard. Greenish acid oozed out of their ever-opened mouths, their hinged jaws moved up and down slowly as they hissed. Valleran was slowly petting them.

"Ahh, my dear pets. How delicate a plan do we have for these Terrain traitors." Valleran said, pulling up his clawed fingers and rubbing his chin. Valleran could feel the Zerg. Every Zerg for miles was under his command. He was the Kuolemantuomio Brood, known for their ruthless assaults. At least they were. The new, evolved Zerg were better. Spines grew out of their thick Carapaces, they quickly slithered and clawed their way though a grey-ish substance know as Creep. Creep is what allows the Zerg to build and mature, the thick, nourishing biomass seemed to be a living carpet and quickly covered anything in it's path. Without the creep, Larvae would die.

Zerglings crept along the sides, their Adrenaline glands pumping them with overwhelming speed. Their deadly speed made the legion of Zerglings terrifying. Valleran sent over half his brood to take over the Teronovian region. Only a few Terrain actually inhabited the sector. The Teronovian region was known for it's fertile land and vast mineral deposits. Some planets had Vespyeme Geysers on them. Gas was required to feed their vast Brood, making the region Valleran's Brood flew to even more desirable. The plan was to take each uninhabited planet first, then, spread to each other planet. The unsuspecting Terrain would be swept away like cockroaches under a fridge. Valleran looked through the eyes of one of his Overseers, battle commander to the Zerg swarm.

"Take the ridged one first, it has the biggest source of Vespyeme. " Valleran commanded, still petting one of his Hunter Killers. The Overseer responded with a gruff roar. The swarm of Zerg all let out a bloodthirsy roar. Entering sub-warp, the whole swarm of Overlords, Overseers, Mutalisks, Guardians, Brood Lords, Devourers, Scourge, and Corrupters flew into the vacuum of the warp field, quickly traveling through space. Valleran watched through anxious eyes as the bluish-purple vortex swirled around them. Exiting into the endless black space, the planet Xero loomed in the distance, two moons floating in it's orbit. The Zerg swarm split into three groups to colonize each of the one. Small Terrain outposts were confirmed. Small towns of 'Rock farmers', Their most fortmitable weapons were small Plasma torches and some vehicles. A few of the vehicles had large arms to mine, along with the arms, others had Plasma torches to burn rocks.

The Zerg burrowed into the ground, waiting for the perfect chance to strike. They watched and waited, huge wheels ran across the holes where some Zerg had burrowed. The colonists had camped near a large deposit or minerals and Vespyeme. Along with the Swarm came a few Devouring one's. Elite Zerglings that were smarter, faster, and way more ferocious. The Overseers flew through the clouds, spying with their advanced eyesight. The Terrain had nothing. This would be way easier than Valleran had thought. The small outpost was blocking their food. . Not for long. Large Drones made many Hatcheries, huge Zerg outposts that produced Larvae. In turn, many Drones were made to mine Minerals in the underground tunnels. The minerals were put into Spawning Pools, Hydralisk Dens, and even Ultralisk Mounds. These Zerg didn't want much air support, they held back on forming a Spire. The Zerg were getting ready. . And these helpless colonists didn't stand a chance. .

It was evening, the bright-orange star slowly peaked on the horizon. Jayle, a well-known town technician, was waist-deep in repairing someones mobile crawler. Climbing up the land rover, she dripped oil on it's rock smasher. Jayle's main "Duty" was to make sure the few Space construction vehicles (SCVs) stayed repaired and in tact. The few SCVs they had were used to mine Minerals and Vespyeme gas, also to build Refinery's over Vespyeme Geysers so the gas could be captured and used for fuel in their vehicles.

"Almost. ." Her hoarse voice rang out, barely heard under the loud burning of the SCV's plasma torch. The mayor stood pacing, his rover being repaired. . Or sabotaged. Mayor Nikolai was very paranoid, even those he knew since childhood. In a freak accident, Nik's wife died in a violent explosion caused by a bomb that was meant for him. Or so Nikolai thought. After the explosion, research over the scraps found, some inexperienced twit added some flammable substance along with the vespyeme. The engine ignited a spark and the whole rover went up in flames.

"Hurry up Le!" Nik exclaimed, itching to get back to his reinforced home. After everything, Nik convinced Jayle to border up his home, reinforcing every square inch of his domicile. The only time the town saw him in person were either in the general market, or having something repaired. Their small planet was practically unnoticed by their Terrain 'Family'. Being that the planet was doved "Uninhabitable" the first people sent were the poor families, promised wealth by the Solar Empire. The small planet thrived on low technology, their most up-to-date weapons were their land rovers with their Rock crusher or flame thrower attachments.

Jayle arose from the rover, oil sploched on her rosey cheeks. "There ya go mayor, all fixed! Start her up!" Jayle exclaimed.

"Why don't you do it?!" The mayor questioned. Jayle knew better than to get angry, she was use to his paranoia. She rolled her eyes, taking the keys and shoving them in the ignition. Turning the key, the engine turned over, puffing out plumes of vespyeme. The contained vespyeme acted as fuel for many rock-farming vehicles. The dry, arid land of this particular planet made farming hard. Each family, or better know as, tribe, owned one thing that the others needed. The Joudaan Tribe had the most fertile land, producing food for each tribe in exchange for resources. Some families married into each other to get access in both territories, working to make extra minerals or gas. Jayle's tribe, the Vinnaa Tribe owned the gas exchange, controlling all Vespyeme geysers in the area. Vespyeme gas spewed out of these Geysers, the silvery-green composure is how it was recognized. Refinery's helped to contain the gas in barrels. The captured gas was then distributed as needed.

After the mayor saw his dirt-crawler start up with no problem, he picked her out of it and drove off, throwing dust in the confused colonists' face. "Rude. ." Is all she could bite off at the time. Not dwelling on it, she set off for her own house. . Until she heard a strange chitter. She turned quickly, in front of her stood a large dog- No this. . Creature had a gleaming yellow carapace. It's thick hide gleamed as it stared straight into her soul, eyes showing nothing but hunger and frenzy. Green ooze slowly dripped down it's pointed face, it's head turned sideways as it clicked and chittered. "That's a good dog. ." She slowly started backing up, her back hit the SCV. The creature quickly dug a hole and scurried away.

Nearsighted

Chapter 6: Nearsighted

The ship rocked through the vast, abyssal space, vespyeme running low, Luna knew they would need to stop and harvest the precious gas to keep their fleet moving. The darkness seemed eternal. Stars seemed to hide in the expanse, the darkness illed bad news to Luna. She had no idea why, but everything here felt. . Empty. The endless darkness bode ill to Luna, after being banished by her treacherous sister Celestia. The tyrannical women who banished her also banished her quadrant, Antigina Delta, a ripe system with many resources. A system which Luna planned to liberate and retire in one day. Luna sat in a control chair, watching a few screens and occasionally glancing out the window of her battle brig. Luna's "Battle brig" was her office, where she decided strategic motions during combat.

"I need a break." Luna blurted out loud, knowing there was no one around to hear her. Luna laid down and waited, staring at the ceiling for a lifetime before she closed her eyes. Luna fell asleep thinking about her next move.

As AppleJack looked up, she gasped, seeing her big brother Big Macintosh. A big grin came across her face as her puzzled brother stared.

"Well if it a'int mah bruther, Big Mac!" AppleJack sprung to her feet and wrapped her arms around her brother tight. Still puzzled, all he could manage was -

"Eeyup." The Orange haired man stood tall, large muscles showing through his checkered white and red button-up shirt.

"Ya look bigger than ya use to!" AJ exclaimed, pulling off her big brother and smiling brightly. "Ah missed ya, ya big ofe!" Big Mac snapped out of his puzzled expression and smiled.

"Well a'int this just a reunion!" Big Mac responded, his deep voice booming through the corridor. A smaller voice called from behind the tall, standing figure. A small girl with cherry-red hair peeked from behind his waist.

"AppleJack!" Applebloom's shimmering yellow eyes showed confusion and fear, the small girl stood in her big brother's shadow. AppleJack gasped again.

"Whah're ya'll here?!" She put her hands on her waist. Big Mac scratched his head.

"Ah don't know! Some big bucket done took us here!" Big Mac answered shrugging, still juggling the odds of finding his beloved sister. Regardless, they all hugged as a family.

"Is Granny Smith here! Ah wanna see her!" AppleJack exclaimed. Big Mac solemnlyshook his head, his orange hair waving with each shake. His hair seemed longer than usual and he was drenched in sweat, his red and white checkered shirt plastered to his muscular body.

"Them dropships was to full! Dispaht mah protests." Big Mac stated. "Ah tried AppleJack." He slowly let his siblings go. "So where were ya goin' in sucha hurry ta anyway?" Big Mac tilted his head slightly to the left, his green eyes questioning her.

"Ah was goin' to see Fluttershah, she freaked an' took Krasus to the infirmary!" AppleJack said, a renewed sense of urgency in her voice. Big Mac started thinking to himself, all five of AppleJacks friends were here. He wandered if Cheerile was here too. AppleJack walked passed her siblings until she saw the green sign stating "Infirmary". The door was opened and she heard FlutterShy's soft voice drift out.

"It's okay Krasus, Twilight doesn't know what she's doing. . But you'll be okay. Oh, you'll be just fine." The voice slowly drifted to AJ's ears. AppleJack entered the infirmary. The Reapers pink hair was strewn on the bed next to the unconscious Ghost. FlutterShy was slowly stroking her hands through his Green hair. Krasus rocked in his unconscious state, sweat slowly ran down his face, his bottom lip was curled under his upper lip, held by his teeth. His eyes quivered at the many visions of the past, voices filled his head, but seemed to be cut off occasionally.

There were his parents, sitting execution style with a man - Jack behind them.

"Fluttershah, Krasus needs to be alone!"

His mother's bleeding mouth was a mixture of red and white from the blood and saliva.

"No! Krasus needs me!"

His father's bruised face showed fear and misery, his pleading eyes shot around before he broke out into sobs. His Father begged and pleaded.

"Big Mac, help me out here!"

A gunshot echoed, tormenting the young Ghost.

"Whudda ya expect me ta do?!"

A second gunshot, everything went quiet. The images of his dead parents faded from his mind. The quivering Ghost shot up and pulled his sidearm, staring in blinding rage at the orange-haired male that was advancing. "Don't. . . Move!" Krasus shouted through a dry throat, making his voice scratchy and painful to talk. His hands were wrapped around the grip so tight they were turning pure white, nearly pulling the trigger. "Who are you! And where am I!" The tension seemed to be so thick that is could be cut into little doughnuts. AJ struggled to move torwards her startled brother, her combat boots seemed to weigh as much as steel anchors. Her brother couldn't manage to utter a word, only short studders,

"Ah. . We. . Uh. " Big Macintosh stumbled back, Krasus' eyes stared bloody murder as the trigger came closer to leaving a trail of metal murder, blood and brain matter.

NightShade stood in the firing range, eyeing all the targets. The many small targets were all lit up from other recruits. "Blind grunts." NightShade remarked, pulling out his P-38 Gauss pistols and shot two targets. Bullseye. One bullet shot through the middle of the target, the second followed close behinde, traveling through the bullet hole he just made. Double Bullseye. The hidden Rainbow-haired girl squealed in excitement to herself. NightShade shifted, feeling a gaze upon him.

"Come on Nightie, again!" Rainbow whispered to herself, staring at him from inside a large barrel of Kevlar vests. NightShade's eyes shifted around, checking the perimeter for anything out of the ordinary. Seeing his red eyes drag and analyze, she knew he was on to her. Her Rainbow-colored hair was tied in a pony-tail (No pun intended) to help hide her.

"I swear my paranoia gets the best of me. ." NightShade sighed, turning back to the range. Firing a volley of shots into the tarp, NightShade holstered his guns. As he stepped away, he heard rustling in the room. NightShade waited for the intruder on the other side or the door.

Rainbow snuck out, making just enough noise for NightShade to pinpoint her location. Throwing out his arm, he caught the young Reaper by surprise, she fell to the ground. Once she regained her thoughts and senses, she saw NightShade with a knife to her throat. She swallowed loudly. NightShade scoffed and put the knife back in his boot.

"What were you doing?" NightShade asked, narrowing his eyes. Rainbow smiled sheepishly.

"Watching you shoot.." She said, a mixture of embarressment and adrenaline. NightShade lifted one brow.

"If you wanted to watch, why not approach like a normal person?" NightShade questioned, fatigue falling in his seemingly-monotone voice. Rainbow shrugged.

"It felt cooler to spy..?" She let a smirk of confidence stretch across her cheeks. Her dimples are really cute.. NightShade thought for a moment. Finally noticing, he shrugged the thought away. As much as NightShade hated to admit, he was attracted to this new recruit- No, friend. This Rainbow-haired girl seemed to appeal to him, make him fight harder, shoot faster, and aim more precise.

"So, you like watching me? Do you watch me in the shower?" NightShade gave a concerned expression.

I wish! Rainbow thought, but simultaneously declined the answer with a giggle. "Noooo." The tension seemed to fog and cloud the room.

Whispy sat back at the bar, a hand on his chest and his head lulled back in a deep drunken slumber. Beside Whispy sat Pinkie Pie, who had her head buried in her arms, sleeping on the bar table. The two had decided to have a drinking contest. Pinkie was a formidable opponent, however, dropped in her arms after about fifteen beers. Whispy had retained his title, however, passed out during the celebration due to more beer. The passed out duo seemed to be the laughing stock of the whole cafeteria. Until Twilight and Rarity decided to have their first drink. . .

"God, this stuff is great!" Twilight spat out, burping loudly. Her hair was starting to frizz and branching out everywhere. Her stuttering and rocking made every person around her laugh, save Rarity, who was just as drunk as her friend.

"HEY! You people.. Leave her aloooone!~" The now unappealing fashionesta called out. Twilight reached for a high five and Rarity tried to oblige her, but missed and they both ended up face-first on the ship's floor. The whole room roared with laughter. They both laid there for a while before Twilight pushed off of the floor.

"Ugh.. That was so fun!" She giggled as she jumped up. She looked around the spinning room. For once, she knew she was the center of attention. The small Ghost gave a squeal of happiness. She finally heard Whispy for the first time since he had passed out.

"Ugh... I don't feel 't good.." Whispy grunted out, leaning up. One hand strewn through his hair, gripping his head. Twilight stumbled over, tripping and falling on his back.

"Whispy, you're up!" Twilight called. Whispy winced from Twilight's volume. She obviously hadn't yet figured out she was yelling.

"Ah... Quiet down will ye..." Whispy had his head clenched so tight it may as well have popped. "... Crazy women.." Whispy grumbled to himself. Twilight managed to push up on Whispy's back.

"Hey... Hey what's. What's your problem hon?" Twilight managed to ask. Whispy sighed and slowly stood. Twilight's hands fell to her sides.

"Ye've had 't much 't drink, Ye should go back 't yer cell. Along with yer friend there." Whispy replied in a sincere tone. "Before someone here tries 't take advantage of yer present state." Twilight seemed to scoff and try to jump on his back.

"Piggy back! Piggy back!!" Twilight exclaimed. Whispy sighed, picking up Rarity with one hand and holding Twilight on his back with the other. His eyes pleaded for help, but no one came forward to help. With much trouble, Whispy exited the cafeteria with the two woman and escorted them to their cells. After thoroughly explaining why they need rest, they both promptly surrendered and fell limp on their beds. Whispy then proceeded to his cell to sleep off his headache.

Thunder Cloud stood in his own room near the window, glaring out at the vast expanse. His mind was lost somewhere between space and the desire of flying in it. The anxiety was killer, his Wraith was his lover. Every time he touched of thought of it, his whole body went numb. The feeling of being separated from it seemed to be a fierce punishment. Thunder always had trouble sleeping at night, due to his constant train of thought.

"I might as well ask Luna.." Thunder Cloud stood, shaking his thoughts away. Thunder stripped from his casual clothing, not thinking about the noise in the hallway, he turned to his cabinet, facing his door. That's when his door shot opened.

"Thunder Clou-" Twilight paused. Thunder Cloud's bare skin shone throughout the whole room. The ventilation system blew through the puzzled man's hair. A blush ran rampant across Twilight's face. Her whole body froze, all but her eyes. Her scanning eyes shot to a stop as she saw his hanging genitalia. Thunder Cloud managed no better, all he could manage was short outbursts.

"H-Hey I- Close the d.. Door!" Thunder Cloud's voice shot at her, noticing where her gaze hung. His hands quickly closed the gap between his genitalia and her eyes. Twilight swung around dizzily and shot down the hallway. Thunder's door closed.

"Oh... My... God!" Twilight panted, running quickly and slamming into Nightshade. Falling to the ground, Twilight looked up, her face burning red. "I-I saw Th-Thunder Cloud... Naked..!" Her blush covered her whole face. and started to stain her normally yellow skin.

"...Not this again.." Nightshade responded, snaking his hand out to help her up. She took it and Nightshade pulled her up. Twilight stared, a bit puzzled.

"A-Again?" Twilight questioned, curiosity staining her voice. Nightshade looked back down to her.

"Yes... Again. It happened to me on one of the first years of service." Nightshade responded, shaking his head. Twilight still appeared to be confused.

"So.. So you saw.. Everything?" Twilight asked, the blush getting deeper as her memory shifted back to the recent event.

"Yes." Nightshade heaved, his back slowly sinking, making look similar to an ape of old Earth.

"Oh my.." was all Twilight managed to chew off. Twilight's cheeks seemed to be stained by the crimson blush. The slumping Reaper straightened his back out.

"But I got over it. Thunder Cloud is my best friend." Nightshade's mind slowly cruised back through the years to when they first met. It was Tuesday afternoon, the birds cried out and chirped in the mid-summer wind, Nightshade strode down the concrete streets of Tarsonis. All he currently owned was a dark-blue duster and the black pants that he wore. Nightshade, despite his current poverty, was well known for his skills at hand-to-hand combat. One day, a Brown-haired pilot walked up to him, wearing a wide grin and competitive eyes.

"Hey! I heard you were a good fighter." The brown-haired boy stated, his hands in the pockets of his grey jacket. NIghtshade just scoffed.

"Another prick then, huh?" Nightshade asked, staring at the boy. Thunder Cloud put up his hands, palms facing Nightshade.

"Wooah friend.. I was just wondering if you need a place to crash! Heard you were also homeless." Thunder Cloud replied.

Nightshade looked skeptical, the chances for this were slim to none. Finally, considering the option, he accepted. "Let me see your home.." Nightshade surrendered, seeing Thunder Cloud's smile, he couldn't help but let a smile cross his lips. Thunder Cloud strutted triumphantly down the street, almost raising his fist to bump the sun away. The walk to Thunder Cloud's house was long and silent. During the long walk, Nightshade watched the clouds drift slowly passed.

"We're here!" Thunder Cloud exclaimed, pointing to his tall-standing house. Nightshade eyed the home.

"This.. is your home..?" Nightshade asked, standing in it's tall, dark shadow.

"Weeell... Not exactly..." Thunder replied, while scratching the back of his head. "It's more of a shared home!" Thunder smiled sheepishly, Nightshade stared at him for a few moment, his mind feeling as if it's curving in on itself. Great, now I'll have to put up with more people.. Nightshade though to himself. Thunder Cloud suggestively ushered him in.

"Come on, come on! You'll love it, I'm sure!" Thunder cloud was ecstatic.

"Sure I will..." Nightshade grumbled to himself as he followed the skittish young man into the home.

"I live just upstairs!" Thunder exclaimed, excited to have a new room mate.

"I don't know Thunder.. I just..-" Thunder Cloud cut him off.

"Oh, come on! Better here than a curb!" He smiled again. Those flawless shining teeth were almost impossible to deny. Taking a look around, he finally gave up.

"Fine." He replied simply, his eyes lightened from this boy's hospitality.

". . . . Nightshade?" Twilight's voice cut into hi memories, making him snap back to reality.

"Yes?" His eyes landed on the young Ghost.

"You never answered my question." Twilight said, a bit nervous.

"Uh.. What was your question?" Nightshade asked, feeling a bit embarrassed from spacing out in front of someone. A weakness! Nightshade cursed himself internally

"Well.. I mean.. How did you get over it?" Twilight asked softly, looking to the right to hide her still blushing face.

"It leaves over time. Just busy yourself with training or reading." Nightshade stated, staring down at the girl.

"Hmmm.. Reading." Twilight put a finger over her lips. "That may just work!" Twilight moved from sight after thanking him, quickly walking down the empty hallway to go read in her cell. Nightshade lightly shook his head, the smile on his face stayed as he walked through the halls silently.

Zaskorch sat in his cell, hands entwined before his lips. He was thinking back to the day he was saved. (Yes this is a memory chapter, get over it!) As he closed his eyes, he drifted back in time. He was before the court, his leather pants and jacket shone against the dull-lit courtroom. The judge was dressed in a long black dress, her glasses hanging half-way down her tan nose. His lawyer was dressed in a black overshirt with a white one underneath, and faded black pants, the sewn in lines showing.

"And that, judge, is why I find my client, Zaskorch Skullsworth, innocent." Zask heard the chair scrape against the floor, his lawyer shuffled his papers together. Zask moved in his chair uncomfortably. His memory blurred to the verdict.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Mare said.

One of the jury members stood. "Based on the undeniable proof, we the jury find Zaskorch Skullsworth guilty of treason. The sentence is life in containment." Shocked, Zaskorch sat speechless. Two burly officers walked down the isle, 'helping' him up and forcing him out. After being hauled to the big house, Zask stepped out of the aircraft- He was in. The government facility looked typical. Metal fence, paint-faded bricks, and ugly men and women staring as he entered. Zask was 'urged' into the building, his restraints were removed. First rule of prison- Don't make eye contact. Broken. Zask stared down most of the inmates, their intimidation methods doing little to no good on Zask. Later that day, he learned another rule - Keep your food close. In mates would take his food as they passed.

"I get it.. Pick on the new guy..?" Zask muttered, not looking at any of the ones passing. Suddenly, an inmate sat by him. His head was shaven and he had many tattoos, one was clear, the rebel tattoo on his forearm.

"You need a daddy, boy?" The man breathed deep, smirking and staring at the side of his face.

"Watch who you're talking to cowboy." Zask shot a look of disgust. The mans face crumpled into an angry expression.

"You're not makin' it here unless you'll be my bait!" He said. "You won't make it a week!" The other men exchanged glances and laughed. Zask just glanced, disgusted again.

"Stay outta my face." Zask closed his eyes and smirked. The men stopped laughing, eyeing him before starting to close in. Zask opened his eyes and glared.

"Heh, what're you gunna do about it?" A few men said as they approached. Zask pulled his fists up, prepared for a fight.

"I'll take you on." Zaskorch grinned. His special ops training was about to pay off.

. . . . .

After the fight, Zask glared at the four men on the ground. Half of them had broken bones.

"Told you not to mess with me." Zask said as he paced around them, officers clamored to get paramedics and more officers to detain the silver-haired man.

"Get on the ground, now!" The officer said, pushing him down. Zask put his hands behind his back,

"Yeah, yeah I know.." Zask closed his eyes, but instead of being taken to his cell they took him to a large truck known as the "Death Truck". He knew he was being taken to the execution center. As they shoved him in the back, for the hell of it, they pushed the gas. Zask's head smacked against the back of the truck. Slowly picking himself up, the back of the truck opened, Zask squinted from the light that intruded. "Oh, Faust.." Zask said.

"Shut u." The guard roughly pulled him out of the truck, making him stumble on the granet cement. The facility was fenced in, barbed wire lined the top of the fence. The front service gate was armed with two men wielding Impalers.

"So whens my "Appointment"? Zaskorch asked, a bit curiously. The guard smacked the back of his head, forcing Zask to fall.

"Get the hell up!" The guard yelled. Two of them pulled him up by his upper arms, his feet dragging across the floor. He grunted as he stood up and grinned.

"That all you got, you softie?"Zask snickered to himself as the guards threw him in a dank cell. "That all you got, you softie?"

After two days of detainment, the sisters attended the trial. The judge slammed down his gavel.

"The jury finds the defendant, Zaskorch Skullsworth, guilty of slaying five imperial guard on the day of July 5, 2476. Luna eyed the silver-haired boy. He showed neither fear nor remorse. "We have set the execution for tomorrow afternoon. You are sentenced to death by firing squad." Zask sighed, being escorted to his cell and laying down for sleep.

Suddenly, gunshots echoed through the halls. Zask stood, ready to fight if nessicary- If he could. His cell door shot opened. Zask almost threw himself at the target. Dark-blue hair was strewn down her shoulders, a silvery-colored crown sat atop her head. Her beautifully curved body seemed to lean against the doorframe.

"We need some help." She said as he was pulled from his cell. . . .

Unforeseen Events

Chapter 7: Unforeseen Events

Krasus's finger was itching to pull the trigger, Big Mac's thoughts all pointed to pure fear. That just made Krasus all the more eager to finish him off.

"No, quit it!" AppleJack called out, running in front of her fear-struck brother. Krasus shot a look of confusion, hesitating to pull his gun down. It started to shake in his grip.

"A-AppleJack..?" Krasus dropped the gun. Big Mac was still staring fearfully at the green haired boy. FlutterShy quickly threw her arms around him.

"Krasus! You're okay! I was so worried. . I never left your side.." FlutterShy smiled, her hair was bound up in a long ponytail. No one had seen her so assertive, so different from her normal mindset. Krasus blushes softly, looking to the side.

"I . . I uh.. Thanks.." Krasus returned her hug softly. Krasus pushed his hair from his face, shifting a bit. Krasus pulled back slowly. "S-Sorry.." Krasus said contritely, keeping his head down. FlutterShy pulled his chin back up.

"No, it's okay." FlutterShy's smile radiated off her shining features. Her eyes analyzed his.

"Whut's gotten in ta you, Sugar cube!" AppleJack cut in, placing a hand on FlutterShy's shoulder. FlutterShy turned, AppleJack could see the disappointment of her friends face.

"I'm just fine, thanks for asking." FlutterShy replied, tilting her head slightly to the left. Her hair strung halfway across her shoulder.

"Ya sure Sugar cube? You've been actin' strange and ah'm a tad concerned!" AppleJack exclaimed, lightly gripping FlutterShy's shoulder. FlutterShy flashed a comforting smile.

"AppleJack, I've never felt better!" FlutterShy giggled. Everyone in the room fell silent. Krasus shifted to lean up. "Woah there Krasus.. Be careful, you just woke up.." FlutterShy smiled. "I can wait with you a bit longer." Krasus looked up at her in confusion as she placed a hand on his chest and lightly pushed him back down, sitting on the edge of the bed now.

"I-I have a headache.." Krasus spoke softly, running a hand through his hair. FlutterShy placed her hand on is head and started rubbing it.

"It'll all be okay, FlutterShy is here.." Her soft hands slowly streaked through his hair her many years of taking care of animals coming in to play. Krasus's blush spread rampantly across his face, the dark crimson shade encompassing his cheeks, almost bridging on his nose. His face heated up slightly.

"I.. I think I'll be okay.." Krasus said softly, biting his lip.

"Nonsense, rest Krasus! I'll be by your side the whole time!" FlutterShy smiled, messing with his hair and moving it over his face. "You look a lot better with your hair that way!" She smiled. Krasus just closed his eyes softly, allowing her to mess with his hair. AppleJack and Big Mac decided to leave, feeling weary and on edge after the gun situation.

"I-I'm going to bed.." Krasus spoke softly and almost curled in on himself. FlutterShy's eyes softened. Seeing the boy close his eyes made this whole trip, this. . adventure feel tranquil somehow. All that mattered now was to protect what was precious to her. Her friends. . This boy. . Her gun- FlutterShy froze mid-thought. My gun? Awareness draped over her like a cloak over a cold man. Her hands stopped fiddling with his hair, her eyes softly gleamed and she blushed, a slight squeak escaping her lips.

"Eeep!" FlutterShy's squeak was low. She stared at the boy. "Wh-What happened?" Her eyes gazed around the room. "Where as I..?" The pink haired Reaper stood up and moved for the exit. For a second, she turned back, feeling as though she was suppose to do something. She left the room, still watching his until she turned the corner.

FlutterShy proceeded with caution until she strode through the electric twin-steel doors. She appeared in the cafeteria, where her friends all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Even Big Macintosh and AppleJack , who were pouring alcohol down their gullets like cider.

"Give up big bro! Ya cain't beat me!" AppleJack shot a look of determination and a smug grin. Big Mac smirked.

"Yes ah can, lil' sis!" The tall orange haired Marauder tipped the whole bottle, chugging from the large glass container. AppleBloom was watching all the commotion.

FlutterShy sat across from them and watched the groups laugh and play. She ordered a small cocktail and quickly downed it. She shook her head, eyes closing from the raw taste and burning sensation as it went down her throat. "Oh my.." FlutterShy moved the hair from her eyes and ordered another one.

The twin doors slid opened, Krasus appeared at the entrance of the cafeteria. The only one who really noticed him was Thunder Cloud, who stood and walked over to Krasus with a confident grin.

"Hey bud, long time no see! Where'd ya go!" Thunder cloud's smile only grew wider.

"Oh, I've been in the clinic.." Krasus looked up to the brown-haired pilot. His jacket was ruffled and still covered in greenish ichor from the many Zerg bodies. Glancing around, Krasus noticed Nightshade was the only one missing. "Where is everyone..?" His eyes scanned the small crowd. Thunder Cloud shrugged.
soldiers

"Most of the soldiers 'Celebratory drank' until they passed out." Thunder Cloud chuckled softly.

"Umm.. May I sit with you?" Krasus spoke softly, trying not to draw attention to himself. The pale Ghost waited for Thunder Clouds response.

"Uh, sure. Can't stay long though, I got flight practice!" Thunder Cloud winked and gave Krasus a thumbs up. He seems excited... Krasus though, following after Thunder Cloud. They both sat at a table, barely cushioned chairs felt warm from previous occupants. The dark seat covers had a small amount of fabric that was pre sewn in, half the seats were ripped or broken from all the drunkards horse-play.

"So um, what would you like to drink..?" Krasus asked, looking up to his friend.

"Ah, just a lemonade.." Thunder Cloud sighed. Disappointment drenching the words heavily as they came out. "Can't be drunk, Luna wouldn't let me fly!" Thunder Cloud spun in his chair. All of a sudden his fone rang in a loud, single beep. "Wha-" Thunder Cloud pulled it from his pocket.

"Hey! Thunder Cloud, long time no see! How ya been?!" The familiar voice beckoned him to answer. He couldn't quite place his finger on who it was. "You there?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm here! I'm just uh. . A bit confused on who this is." Thunder Cloud scratched his head. His brown hair moved freely.

"It's Spitfire!" Her voice came through, a giggle followed shortly after. "I haven't seen you since flight school!" Another voice went through Spitfire's fone.

"Hey buddy, how's flying!" It took a second for Thunder Cloud to recognize the voice, but found out who it was based off his old memories and how close the voice seemed to match.

"Soarin'! It's been a while stud, How you been!?" Thunder Cloud chuckled. Using the term 'stud' was usually only used in the Gutter. Soarin' laughed.

"I've been great! You comin' to the reunion at Flight Academy? You better show, ya scan me!?" Soarin's 'intimidating voice' just made Thunder Cloud laugh.

"Hell yeah! I just gatta stop for some Vespeme, my Wraith needs it!" Thunder Cloud chuckled, walking off with his lemonade, forgetting Krasus was sitting with him.

The slightly drunk FlutterShy takes on her split personality, briskly eyeing everyone until she spots who she's looking for. The timid Ghost sat at a table alone, staring at his drink as he moved it in a circular motion. FlutterShy stood up, moving in on her shy prey. She wrapped her arms around his waist slowly and rested her head on his shoulder, her pink hair rolling his chest. Krasus shivered from the feeling, smelling the strong presence of alcohol from his admirer's breath. Letting go, FlutterShy grabbed his hand and pulled him up, taking him out of the cafeteria and to his own cell. Krasus gasped as she pushed his arms against the wall, pinning them down by the wrist. She softly pushed her lips against his hard. Krasus could taste the alcohol on her tongue, feel her heart beat ten-fold, each beat ringing like thunder as it thud against her chest, Having not received any resistance from her lover, FlutterShy wrapped her arms around his neck. Krasus couldn't pull away. This is something he'd wanted ever since they met eyes. Besides, it was due time to pay her back for staying and caring so much about him.

Almost skipping down the hall, a bright smile beamed across his face. His brown hair bounced with each step and his tannish-brown flight jacket waved in the breeze that was being made. Thunder Cloud stared down the hallway, lost in the thought of seeing his childhood friends. He thought back to the simulations that he and Soarin' use to train in. Thunder Cloud and Soarin' trained in air combat, whereas Spitfire and Thunder Cloud trained in hand-to-hand combat. Racing with fleet-foot was always a challenge, in fact, Thunder Cloud normally lost. Reuniting with his old friends highly excited him. As he bounced into the room, everything seemed brighter; like a dark cloud had lifted.

"Hey guys!" Thunder Cloud exclaimed, smiling wide. Some people turned their heads to him, others just carried on with their everyday lives. The people who had looked at him simply eyed him up and down as if he were crazy. Except for one.

"Hi!" Her pink wavy skirt wiggled as she stood up. The three balloons on her skirt looked as if they were about to jump out at him.

"Hiya, Pinkie Pie!" Thunder Cloud laughed as he pulled her into a hug. "It's great to see ya!" Pinkie smiled and returned the hug.

"Good to see you too!" dancing around after the hug, her hair bounded up and down. Thunder Cloud stalled a minute.

"Oh, I have to get going! Sorry!" Thunder Cloud ran out the door to his locker. Pulling out a dark-blue and light-blue leather suit. If was standard procedure to put on a suit before flight. His cutie mark was a large gray cloud with a jolt of lightning shooting out the cloud. Slipping out of his old cloths, he pulls on the leather pants and slips on a heavier jacket. Something felt strange to him as he strode to his jet. Shrugging it off, Thunder Cloud chuckled, the thought of uniting with his old friends lingering in his mind.

Climbing up the ramp to his jet, Thunder Cloud jumped behind the controls excitedly. Roaring to life, his wraith's ramp receded and allowing his wraith to lift off the ground. Soaring out of the hanger, he set his Guidance system to the Koprulu Sector and hit hyperspace. Still smiling about the thought of his old school friends, Thunder Cloud hadn't hear the rustling in the co-pilot chair. Wearing the oxygen mask, he spoke to his wraith. "Transmit coordinates." scanning the area, his Wraith's computer locked on to a planet; Phei Sara. Are Mar Sara and Chu Sara were vaporized by the Protoss, a new planet nearby was discovered by an unlucky pilot. After being established, Phei Sara became the new flight school's home world.

Flying in hyperspace, Thunder Cloud heard a huff from the back seat. Thunder Cloud turned slowly, Pinkie materialized from behind the small control center in the back seat.

"Pinkie!?" Thunder Cloud was confused. She sat innocent-looking with a finger on her lip.

"Oh.. Hi Thunderr!!" Pinkie giggled, sitting in the cozy leather seat non-chalantly. Turning on the auto-pilot, Thunder smacked his face in his palm. Sighing, he pulled his hands from his face.

"What are you doing here?" Thunder Cloud stated in an annoyed tone. Pinkie was facing the opposite direction, but laid her head back on the chair and looked at him upside down.

"I just wanted to do something! I was booored!" Pinkie gave him a puppy-eyed look, her blue eyes shining brighter than ever.

"Oh fine, just don't get me in trouble, okay?" Thunder Cloud turned back to the controls. Being dumped out of hyperspace and nearing the orbit of Phei Sara, Pinkie replied.

"Okay, grumpy!" She giggled to herself as she looked out to the huge installation. The building was yellow with stripes of green, the school colors. Many small unarmed drones took to the air with the schools' logo; an eagle from old Earth with lighting in the background.

"Ahh, Flight school.. So many memories!" Thunder smiled, showing his pearly-white teeth. Pinkie Pie giggled at the fact that he was such a clean freak.

Four A-class Wraith fighters followed suit. Their blue bodies shone amidst the starlight. Jagged yellow streaks lined the mid-section and joining the line down the mid-section were two yellow streaks on both wings. The Wonderbolts.

Thunder Cloud grinned. They wouldn't know the Wraith before them was him. They would zoom passed him and pull every trick they can before landing. Albeit the Wonderbolts were good no doubt, but he knew they had never pull trick like he had. A risk-taker. That's what everyone considered him, and he wasn't afraid to show it.

The massive amount of Zerg covered the sky. Kortul watched as the star disappeared. There is no reason for them to come here.. The young scholar thought. Small Protoss ruins were all that remained, Faded and seemingly abandoned. Swirling like an angry beehive, the Zerg continued to spiral down to the planet's surface. Kortul shadowed himself among the dark ruins to hide. Overseers hadn't shown up yet, which was good for Kortul. Overseer's eyes are so sensitive, they could see almost anything down to the finest detail, even if they are shrouded in a psionic field!

Kortul paused. Realization hit him like a Terran Vulture. His Scout, it was still in the opened. Running across the deep-gray ashy surface, the land crackled with every step as he hurried to find his Scout. As he crested a hill, he caught a few Zerglings ravenously clawing over to his vehicle. Releasing a psionic yell, the Zerglings became disoriented. Kortul rushed forward, his dual-scythe blade blazing to life and burying its way through one of the three bodies. The loud squishing rang out before two distinct thuds. The small creature had been cut in two, it's blood and organs spilling across the grain-like terrain.

Kortul's cloak faulted as he lost concentration. The two remaining Zerg went in a bloodlust and charged him. Slicing right, one of the Zergling's claws were cut off. It fell on it's face, kicking furiously and snapping it's jaw. Focusing energy into his hand, he sent a blue bolt of energy into the other Zergling. It seemed to disintegrate under the immense psionic pressure.

Kortul stared at the remaining Zerg, but decided to just leave it. He jumped in his Scout and took off like a rocket. The screens in his vehicle showered him with warnings as various red circles pursued him. On his holoscreen, he saw Mutalisks, Devourers, Corruptors, and even Scourge. Scourge were like flying explosives, sacrificing their lives for the cause of their master. His Scout strafed to one side, diving down as a huge asteroid peaked it's way over another. An asteroid field- this bode ill news. The only up side was; as Kortul witnessed, the number of Scourge chasing him significantly decreased. only half a dozen were left.

If I could get them far enough away.. Maybe I could micro them! Kortul thought, strategically plotting his scheme. One false move could prove to be fatal..

Knowing he couldn't use his hyper drive to escape, he resorted to taking really sharp turns to dodge the fast Scourge. It worked for a few, three of the crudely smashing into each other, exploding on impact which caused a domino effect, a line of explosions following after. Kortul's mind was racing, he was so distracted that he didn't realize the Corruptors awaiting him. No Scourge remained. He uttered a joyful psionic cry, only to realize the trap ahead. Kortul watched in distress as three Corruptors flew at him. Kortul dove downward as they shot acidic seeds simultaneously, splitting an asteroid in two. Kortul burst to the closest planet in the slightest hope to find help. Quickly landing between a mass of entangled trees, Kortul disappeared into the shadows, watching the three Zerg scout the land. As one turned it's back, Kortul appeared. Bluish energy radiated from his hand as he pointed to the lone Corruptor's location. Deep-blue lightning rained from the cloudless sky, striking the Corruptor hard. In a matter of seconds, the Zerg abomination fell from the sky, the burning husk of flesh left lifeless as it smashed into the ground. It's fiber-like membrane had been ripped off. "Persistent fools.." Kortul stared at the body for a few moments. He then proceeded to wrap himself in shadows again. Feeling a strong psionic presence that provoked his interest, he spun around with his dual-scythe blades ready as he scanned the area.

"I know you are there! Show yourself!" Kortul called out psinonically on a one-on-one mind sweep. A draping cloak turned the corner.

"Does a creature not squirm when cornered?" Kortul's hands stopped as he eyed the mysterious newcomer.

"Show yourself!" Kortul watched the grayish figure vanish before his eyes. He spun around to catch furiously glowing green eyes that caught on to his brilliant blue ones.

"I am the shadow of death, come to devastate this planet and cover it in red." The green-eyed Templar suddenly vanished again, a black smoky-like aura appearing a few feet away before he pops into existence. Kortul watched in awe; not even he, the Templar scholar could learn the ancient secrets of the Void. The mysterious Templar spoke again. "May I assist you?" his golden armor shone brightly in the moonlight. Kortul noticed green crystals embedded in his armor.

"You are one of the old warriors.. What is your name?" Kortul spoke neutrally. This Templar was no doubt skilled and dangerous. An old warrior of the shadows certainly was rare, being that most died in the Brood War during the attack on Auir. Kortul was a Scholar, an artifact vulture, yet his psionic power rose off the charts. Although he did not excel in blade combat, he did own one of the few Dual-scythe blades, a Khydarian crystal powering it with a deep-blue hue.
The warrior turned his head to Kortul, appearing only feet away.

"My name is Krahas..."

Undying rivalry

Chapter 8: Undying rivalry

Luna lay slumped in her chair. Her bottom was touching one of the arm rests as she slowly kicked her feet over the side of the arm. Her hands were folded in her lap as she released a soft sigh.

"This is so boring.. I remember fighting along side my old squad.." Luna bit her own lip gently, visualizing her favorite was of execution. After disarming them in hand-to-hand combat, she'd push them to the ground and raise her gun slowly. Firing a shot into their kneecap was always mandatory for the scream that would follow. She would then proceed to land a swift kick in their visor, shattering and showering her adversary's face with the sharp chunks that broke off. For the final blow, she'd press the muzzle of her gun against the back of their head.. And pull the trigger. She seemed to enjoy bathing in her own glory afterwards, watching a pool of blood form under her dead victim. Across the Solar Empire, she'd acquired a nickname of sorts. . Murder Princess. Luna just sighed again, dropping her head into her hands. "I'm SOO bored!" Luna exclaimed. Ever since she'd broken away from her sister, she had been the battle commander and tactician, thus, she hadn't been in the field of action since. Zaskorch was her only reliable information source, being that she saved his life. Zask was indebted to her on a life long debt. Honor bound. The two had been fighting side-by-side for a long time now, as such, they had a mental link of sorts.

There was a soft knock on the door. Luna cleared her throat and shifted to sit straight, trying to look more define as a leader. "Luna, are you okay?" his gruff voice bounced around the room. Luna stood and slowly walked to the huge steel double doors.

"Yes, just a bit bored.." Luna pressed her hand on a holoscanner, the door hissed loudly before creaking opened. Zask walked in, a hand under his chin. His long silver hair gleamed radiantly throughout the room.

"Hmm, it has been a while!.." Zask smiled as he turned to Luna. "I remember when we broke away."

Luna let a smile play across her lips. She chuckled softly. "As do I, Zask... As do I." Zask smiled as he stared at a receptacle, remembering his old team mates. Most has succumb to death, been captured and executed, or retired from the mercenary life. They had all been paid handsomely after all.

"I remember the mission. It was called Stone Heart.. Mostly because that's what was needed to complete it! A stone, cold heart." Zask grinned. Sicking the Zerg on Celestia seemed extreme at the time, but who was he to question his savior? Sitting in one of the chairs, he glanced at the overly-worked commander. "You need some rest. I'll take care of the ship, okay? If anything happens, I'll be sure to wake you up." Zask smiled softly.

"You better!" Luna exclaimed with a grin. "It's your head if something does..." With that comment, Luna left the bridge. Zask sat in the command chair smiling as he muttered lyric of a song to himself. "We're terran up the niiight..."

Ifisauntus stood alone amongst the battered ruins of a Protoss base. He had given the coordinates away just an hour ago, and already the base was smashed. The Terran were indeed an interesting race that puzzled Ifisauntus. Using his Terran contact- one known as a hero for finding key locations and destroying them- he would research and study his foe's strategy and tactical command. The Terran first landed a few Marines, Marauders, and Medivacs, then dropped a few Tanks and barking to tell them to go siege mode. For detection and support, they brought two Ravens; a lightly built ship with highly-sensitive sensors, Able to detect cloaked or burrowed enemies. For support, Ravens carry a range of turrets from a basic Gatling turret, to an anti-missile turret. It also carried something called "Seeker Missiles".

The Zealot placed a hand on his chin, deep in thought. He spoke to himself in an inquisitive tone. "So the Terran Siege Tanks rip our shields apart while the bullets rittle our bodies? Interesting, however, I still need to see air combat." Ifisauntus spoke telepathically to his High Templar friend. "Is there any way to sacrifice a space fleet without causing to big of a loss to the Protoss task force?" Waiting, he kneeled down and picked up half of a Marine's body. The Templar responded.

"There is a small base on Gavin. It is supported by two Carriers, seventeen Scouts, one Arbiter, and five Corsairs. Since they are a glory fleet from the Brood Wars, relations with the Terran and Protoss may be strained if destroyed. I estimate the Terran will lose a good portion of their ships." The Templar's voice echoed in Ifisauntus's head. He just scoffed.

"I care not for these 'humans'. They pique my interest, but overall they are just pawns. They are expendable, and there is always someone who wishes to seek fame or glory!" and his words struck true. Terrans were always ignorant in that way- always seeking wealth and recognition. Ifisauntus's heavy footfalls stopped before a battered Nexus. Placing a hand on it and concentrating on his next move.

Twilight awoke next to her softly-snoring friend. She placed a hand on her head and let out a soft groan. "Ugh.. Remind me not to drink to much next time.." Twilight sat up, gazing over to her passed out partner. "Rarity, wake up.." Her fingers wrapped around Rarity's shoulder and lightly shook her.

"I don't want to.." Rarity groaned out. Both her hands wrapped around her head. "Make it go away..!" Rarity squirmed. Twilight ran a hand through her thick hair, small streaks streaming down like waterfalls. Twilight laughed slightly, making her head hurt even more.

"Hmhmhm.." Twilight's hand closed around her head as the pain seemed to never cease. "Owwwwww.." Glancing around, something on the nightstand next to the bed caught her eye. On the nightstand sat a note and a few pills. Twilight picked up the note.

Deat Twilight, This note is just to validate any questions you may have. (If memory loss occurred) You and Rarity got real drunk and passed out. I took it upon myself to carry you both back to your room so no one would try anything. I left four pain killers; two for you, two for Rarity. I would also suggest taking a shower and changing cloths. Have a nice day, and I'll see you when you awaken!" -Sincerely, Whispy.

After reading the note, Twilight smiled. "Good old, drunken Whispy.." Twilight greedily took two of the pills, picking up the glass of water and gulping half of it down. Rarity was quick to follow in drinking the water down along with the pills. Standing up, both Rarity and Twilight stared at each other. Their shirts appeared to be pulled halfway down their shoulders. Twilight's cheeks turned slightly red as she turned the opposite way. Her hair was frizzed, the frizzy, curled hair covering her eyes and making her exhale heavily. Rarity still appeared to be in shock, staring at the wall until she realized her hair had been straightened.

"Mirror! I need a mirror!" Rarity yelped, frantically searching the room and looking for her hand-held mirror. Twilight snapped out of her trance, moving to a shelf, undressing and redressing before Rarity found a mirror and let out a disgusted groan. "My hair! It's ruined! Rarity exclaimed in a whining tone. Looking over to her friend skeptically, Twilight sighed after hearing her say: "This is the worst thing, EVER!

"I guess you should fix it!" grinning to Rarity, Twilight reached up to touch her hair. Backing away, rarity placed a hand on her hip and ranted.

"Not only do I not have the supplies on this flying can, but my hair takes at least an hour to prep! First I have to shower with a special shampoo and conditioner, then I need to find a curler and- Hey! Are you listening, Twilight?" Rarity snapped, giving Twilight a slight glare, who had her hands under her head and eyes closed. She hadn't responded. Rarity moved closer, which made Twilight open her eyes.

"I was just trying to remember last night... I heard you, but I don't remember what happened to us. We got in a drinking contest and that's all I remember." Twilight looked down, then back up to Rarity. "We need to ask around to see if we can find anything out."

It had been only two days. Two days since Jayle had seen that large dog-like creature. She had spoken about it to the mayor, but he just picked up his gun and then went out on some crazy adventure. Le always wondered how such a man was elected as Mayor. In times of crisis, or even in the middle of the day, he would hunker down in his reinforced home and occasionally search out the steel-tinted shades. It always took forever to talk him out, it was usually Jayle that did it. Not only did he lock himself in his own home, but he would also run off to Faust knows where and be gone for extended periods of time. Jayle sighed.

"Where did you go, Nikolai.." Muttering to herself, she trudged through the dirt-caked side-streets. She stared at him home only minutes before knowing he wasn't home. It was instinct to her by now. She could tell if he was home. Even the slightest movement of the shades would let her know. Slowly moving away, she heard a rustling sound. Rocks were pushed around as the ground vibrated. a large dirt clump was pushed up like a draw-bridge, deep yellow eyes glowing vividly as they stared hungrily at her. Jayle released a loud yelp as she backed up against the Mayor's Dirt-Crawler. Jumping on the treads, she climbed into the seat and shut the door. Light quickly surrounded the creature. Claws. Sharp claws branched out overtop of the creature's red carapace. She watched as it's purple ligaments flickered, it's purely muscular legs moved in a perfect stride. Staring in fear and awe, Jayle's hand fumbled around the seat in search on the key. She knew she had to move or she's be this powerful creature's lunch. The enhanced Zergling's claws latched on the vehicle as it propped up on the side. Jayle knew it was just toying with it's prey - Her.

Suddenly, a loud shot fired. The creature's head jerked forward as it's face bit the tread. Another shot. The body of the Zergling collapsed, but started to get back up. A third, loud shot. Whoever was firing was gaining ground. Thinking quickly, she moved to the opposite side, opening the door and dropping out. She hadn't found the keys, and that.. That THING would have torn the door off it's rust hinges. She could smell the coppery-iron blood of the Zerg. Moving around the rover, she stared at it. It was pulling back furiously, but it's teeth had gotten caught in the treads. Jayle gazed around to find her savior, but saw no one. Until a rustic voice called out.

"You should really be more careful, Le!" It was Nikolai, the Mayor. Tearing as she looked up to him, he had a duster that was sprayed with blood. He wore a soft smile as he pulled out a machete and burrowed in between the carapace of the Zerg with a loud squish. Jaylee just stared at it's muscular, lifeless husk.

"Wh-What was that, Nikolai!" She trembled in place and wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to sooth her trembling body. Nikolai shrugged, grunting as he had trouble taking back his machete.

"Seems to me like lunch.." Something was off with Nikolai. He was either hiding something, or just naïve. He had to be joking, right? That thing had almost cut her to ribbons and had a nice feast itself. Not only that, but he wasn't paranoid at all, he seemed more relaxed than ever!

"Are you.. Are you okay, Nikolai?" Jayle asked, her eyes filled with question as her legs almost gave out from the fear. Nikolai looked over to her and sighed.

"Not only am I Mayor of this village, I was in a militia long ago, when I was just a kid. I've seen these creatures before and they are nasty little parasites. They are called Zerg, and I assure you.. Where there's one... There's a whole hive cluster. All hell is about to break loose.. And we need to be ready." With that, the mayor rested his gun on his shoulder and walked in his cabin, leaving clueless little Jayle standing there in shock. She stared at the corpse and started to tear.

Is this the end for me and my colony...?

The Wonderbolts stayed in a tight formation as the flew, each with a different colored smoke-generator to cause steams of colors behind them. They suddenly broke formation. One began to form a giant red circle while the others started forming various shapes. Students and instructors alike ran outside for such a sight. It the air loomed a large logo of an eagle. The wonderbolts went to land, reforming and landing their Wraiths with a loud whirr. Thunder could grinned at them. Nothing but show.. He couldn't wait to catch up with them! He was so excited that he had forgotten Pinkie Pie was in the back seat.

"So, Thunder Cloud! Are ya gunna introduce me to your frieeeends?!" Pinkie called out with a giggle. One of her hands rested on her hip while the other pushed up her poofy curl. Thunder Cloud looked back, almost going back in shock from her being there. Snapping out of his jaw-dropped state, he turns back to the controls and nods.

"Of course I will, Pinkie! You are a good friend yourself after all!" Thunder Cloud strafed out of the way. a Medivac burst past at blazing speeds before attempting to land. The mechanical arms branched out and gripped the steel landing pad, but it still went skidding down the hangar, stopping only feet from another person's Wraith. His spikey yellow hair shone amidst the lights in the hangar. All attention was on the crazy Medivac pilot. Thunder Cloud landing, a vein is his head pressed to the skin, showing his aggravation with the new pilot. Thunder Cloud opened his cockpit and jumped over the side. There were murmurs across the hangar as the yellow-haired man slid off his vehicle's hood.

"Who da ya think you are, blazing in here like that! You almost hit m-" Thunder Cloud stopped that thought as the other pilot turned sideway, looking over to him. It was Lightning Shift, Thunder Clouds old rival. This infuriated him. The other pilot didn't seem to recognize him. Pinkie bounced up behind Thunder as he continued to rant at Lightning. They stared each other down, their gaze clashing together like water against a cliff. "I ought to give you a smack-down!"

Finally realizing who if was, Lightning Shift frowned, yelling back. "Maybe you should be paying attention to your map! Move out of the way sooner!" Lightning crossed his arms. That's when Thunder Cloud noticed the Solar Empire crest on Lightning's jacket. Thunder narrowed his eyes, keeping his crest hidden. He knew it would be trouble if everyone knew he was with the Lunar Uprising.

"So, ya joined the military, I see." Thunder Cloud said in a dull tone, looking to the side so he didn't lose his composure. Lightning Shift grinned and released a slight cackle.

"More than you are doing with your life, you bum!", little did he know how wrong he really was. Thunder Cloud was the lead flyer in the Lunar Uprising, the commander of all dog-fights. He just went with it though, closing his eyes, gritting his teeth and forcing himself to smile.

"Well.. Ya know me..." Thunder's eye twitched. Pinkie walked hugged him from behind.

"But don't you fly a-" Thunder put his hand over her mouth hand shook his head.

"No use arguing with him. Not to mention we are in enemy territory. Don't let them know about Luna." Thunder Cloud's serious expression made her understand how dire their situation was. If they were found out or caught-

"Yo! Thunder Cloud!" All eyes moved to where the confident voice that echoed in the hanger. Her blue suit with yellow stripes made it obvious who she was.

"Hey there, Spitfire! It's been forever since we've seen each other!" Blocking out his old rival, he walked to her with Pinkie following suit. Their hands slapped and wrapped around each other before they hit their shoulders together in a typical greeting handshake. Thunder Clouds smile was revived as he saw the rest of the Wonderbolts form a line behind her. All but Soarin' I wonder where Soarin' is right now. He should be coming up and greeting me as well! Thunder Cloud smiled at the orange-haired woman in front of him. Her deep orange eyes burned brightly like the stars in the sky, thinking about her eyes made him blush slightly and shake his head to un-lodge the thought. "So where is Soarin'? Shouldn't he be here too?" Thunder Cloud asked inquisitively.

"Am I not good enough for ya?" Her grin lay teasingly across her face. She slightly giggled before shaking her head. "Yeah, but really, Soarin'... Found the pie. His favorite is Blueberry, so that's what I'm guessing he's eating." She just stuck her tongue out. Thunder Cloud smiled.

"Oh.. By the way, this is my friend Pinkie Pie!" Thunder Cloud exclaimed as he pointed behind him to the girl in pink. Blinking, Pinkie bounced into action.

"Oh wow! So many smiling faces! She smiled wide and a soft squee was heard. Spitfire backed up a bit, putting her hands up to stop her if she came in for a hug.

"I like meeting new people, but I mean.." Spitfire glanced around the room awkwardly until she noticed someone glaring. It was Lightning Shift. He looked familiar, but she hadn't noticed until now. Yes. He tried to join the Wonderbolts, but was way to destructive. He was a fair shot, but ultimately they suspended his fighting-class operators license. "Um.. Let's go inside.." Spitfire said as she spun around and walked though the dual-steel doors along with her companions. Thunder Cloud, Pinkie Pie, and other onlookers joined them shortly after. Lightning Shift tightened his fists into a ball, so mad that me should be steaming. He trudged in the school before the steel doors shut.

Quest for the truth

Chapter 9: Quest for the truth

Nightshade sat atop a stool in a small room. The walls around him appeared as if they all wanted to close in and crush him. Every once in a while, memories of the Icehouse would resurface. The training was brutal.. Almost no one made it passed 6 months, But he had. Nightshade had braved those 2 years, becoming a valuable asset, thus, one reason he was targeted by the Solar Empire. Nightshade placed a hand on his chin. "I wonder what would have happened had I gone with them." Quickly batting that thought down, he looked over to Rainbow; who had just looked up to him questioningly.

"Wha?-" Was her simple responds as she bit into an apple. Her hair was ruffled due to the training Nightshade was putting her through. The wooden posts were all cracked somewhere, however her hand was bleeding as well. Nightshade's red eyes softened as he looked down at her.

"Nothing, you are doing exceptionally well.. But your enemies outside will be moving.." Nightshade glanced at his free hand which was resting on his knee. Nightshade stood up smiling and walked down to her. "You know you don't have to train so hard today, lets take a break.. You need to conserve your strength."

Rainbow panted as she replied "O..Okay.." Taking a swig of juice, she leaned against the wall, her shaking legs forced her to slide down on the wall. Watching her, Nightshade just sat next to her and released a light sigh, thinking about how similar he had look; the only difference was, he was punished. "Where... Where is Flutter..Shy?.." Rainbow asked, looking over to the tall Reaper.

Shrugging, Nightshade didn't move his head to look at her. "Would you like me to go find her?" Nightshade asked as he uncrossed his legs. His hands entwined with one another as he waited for his friend's response.

"We-..We can find her.." Rainbow gasped out in one breath as she tried to remain calm. Her heart was racing, her muscles hurting any time she tried to move. Nightshade shook his head.

"It's really not wise for you to move. Your body needs to rest. I will go look for her, you remain here and rest a while, okay?" Nightshade eyed the girl as he stood up. He knew she would say she wouldn't and then go, but that was all part of the training. With that, Nightshade exit the room.

Walking on the thick vat of creep, Valleran reached out to his overseers to see how his movements were playing out. A sly grin spread across his face as he places a clawed hand over half of his face, chuckling. “You all think you can stop me… You’re only helping my cause!” Laughing to himself in his organic fortress, he finally settled down and wrapped his fingers over his thigh. “It’s about time we finally showed ourselves, no?” Valleran gazed around in the shadows, his deep green eyes meeting all of the glowing yellow eyes of his ravenous companions. Valleran always traveled with his elite group of Zerg. Two Hunter Killers, Four Devouring Ones, and one Unclean One. Smiling to himself, he walked out with them, three Overlords floating to them and loading them up for transportation.

Before their essence was absorbed, Overlords were giant masses of floating air called Gargantis Proximae, brought into the swarm for their heightened senses. Valleran's new plan was being set into motion. he smiled and picked up his C-20 Canister Rifle. "I remember when I hated you beautiful creatures. That, however, was a time of strife and I was ignorant! I see now that these pests must make way for the perfect beings!" He thought to himself about how he would finish off both Luna and Celestia and smiled. Valleran arose from his organic throne, standing tall, staring around the Hive with his greenish-black eyes. He knew something wasn't right, but what? What could cause him and the Zerg around him such distress. Valleran jumped forward and away from the mass of tissue behind him. Secreted slime dripped down the walls until a huge spot just turned a blackish tint. The tissue ripped and a tall Protoss figure arose. Valleran stared at it and slowly blinked.

Two blue psionic blades blazed alive. Pulling up his C-20 Canister Rifle, Valleran shot twice, the Zealot's shield disintegrating each canister that hit its shield. The bluish aura seemed to shudder under the effect of the rifle, but not break. Valleran quickly bolted up, springing upward with his muscular legs and landing amongst the squishy organ-like insides. Valleran popped out a long bluish shell and pushed it in his Canister Rifle, then propped it on a stand and took aim. The Protoss simply shoved his blades in the husk, pulling up before stabbing again and climbing like this. As Valleran locked on, the Zealot jumped.

Zaskorch sighed as he sat in the control room alone. It had been almost 5 hours since he relieved Luna to rest. His long silver hair draped down his large blackish armor. His purple eyes glinted from all the stars gleaming - he stood there, staring into the endless abyss of space. "For once I actually wish SOMETHING would happen." Zask sighed, his breath making the few strands of hair that caressed his forehead waiver. His eyes scanned the darkness, but he saw nothing. breathing in deeply, he muttered to himself. "I wonder what Whispy is up to-" Something shifted. Zask's eyes catch something that seemed to vanish against the bluish flags that hung from the Bannister. Tilting his head curiously, he played it off by walking to the flag and saluting. "Here's to Luna, leader on the Lunar Republic!" Something shifted again, this time getting closer. It was a ripple of a humanoid figure. A Dark Templar? No.. It would be much taller. From determining factors, Zaskorch was 6'6, tall for any male Terran. The ripple only came up to his neck, hinting the this figure was around at LEAST 6'0.

Zask waited, just barely able to keep up with the ripple as it closed in and stopped nearly 3 feet from him. Zask felt a slight whisk of hot air - Some one was right in front of him, not only that but he knew who she was. He looked down to where he assumed her head was before hearing her gentle voice. "Zaskorch.. You should cease this struggle.. We should not be helping these people.." Her cloak crackled before her body slowly burst into view. She had thick blue hair, her red eyes looked up to his as she pulled him into a tight hug. "We are waiting to reunite the four..."

Zask sighed again, hugging her and stroking her hair. "Good to see you too, Nalanhata.. But I can't just leave the Lunar Republic, I can't just leave Luna." Zask's gaze was stone cold. Nalanhata - known for harassment tactics and causing starvation upon those who deserve it. They were a mean group, the four of them caused chaos and destruction wherever they went. Zaskorch, Nalanhata, Tiestelu, and Kuisata. It seemed like just yesterday they were all fighting side by side. Wait. No, they weren't. It was today. Zask shook his head and gripped Nalan's suit. "Stay out... Of my head... I control this ship until Luna gets back.. and as for you, I would leave this ship before you are caught." Zask huffed out, his hands unfurling to release the small figure.

Nalanhata was built slender. Her back always had a slight arch which forced her to stand and sit straight. Her chest was petite yet perky, but that didn't stop men from gaping at her. Long, thick blue hair strung like ropes down the sides of her head, her ears cut into the hair to make slight gaps which forced the hair to flow down her shoulders. Zaskorch had never seen her with a hair out of place. Complementing her hair was her radiant, smooth skin. She had always had marble-like skin, even if she had just gotten ot of an intense slaughter. Finishing off her features sat two deep red eyes. Like condensed meteors that gazed down her opponents. She was stunning, really. An angel of death almost.. Almost.
"Please come with us, Zask.. Remember the good times.. I was just trying to take you away from here to help you! No one can see the future, but it looks bad! Come back and see Kuisata, she misses you.."

Zaskorch places once of his armored hands on his head and groaned. Luna saved his life.. He owed his life to her, but here stood one of his old companions. Everything went perfect when they were all together, they were a true force to fear. Zask thought for a minute before a light went off in his head. "Wait.. how did you get in here?"

Whispy sat amongst the other soldiers, smiling as his body waved back and forth. The music echoed in his head and his head fell on his hands which were on the counter. The faint feeling of a hand fell on his shoulder and shook him as he heard a chuckle. It was one of the men at the bar. Whispy tried to distinguish who, but his face was blurred, his orange hair was the only distinguishing feature. He felt light. Light as a feather as he saw the floor rise and move underneath him. Images danced in his mind. Images of the past.

A familiar voice run off from the days before the Zerg invasion on Tarsonis, Capital of the Terran race. He was with a now notorious criminal, Jim Raynor. Jimmy touched his com, his teal armor looking even more battered than usual. "This is Jimmy. Sector 3 is cleared, any word on the evac?" Whispy chuckled, his blue armor untouched by the nightmarish creatures that raved overhead.

"What's wrong, Jimmy, don' got the stomach fer a bit 'a fun?" Whispy's grin was wide, his gun cradled between his hands like a newborn baby. Jimmy just shook his head, his sandy-blond hair speckled in the sunlight, his dark eyes drinking in all the destruction.

"Well, we've done our job, hopefully Kerrigan can do hers." Raynor said solemnly, a dark feeling wedging itself between his breast. His thoughts flashed to the Ghost with thin orange hair. She had won over his heart after first gaze. She was stone cold, and read his mind from time to time, but he knew the feelings were mutual. The dropship quickly landed, everyone except Whispy boarding the dropship. He was gazing at the distant buildings that were falling. Gaping at the large Ultralisk heading his way. He turned quickly, only to see the Dropship leaving. The coms raged to life, but Whispy never said anything, picking up a bottle of gin and downing it, his face contorting from the thickness as he threw the bottle down and broke it.

"Celestia, any word on that evac?" Kerrigans voice rang out as she took cover behind a broken building. No answer was given.

"Call off the fleet, retreat to Korhal IV" rang the empress's voice through all ship coms, they all obeyed.

"Dammit Celestia, don't do this!" Raynor exclaimed, scanning the ground to try and find Kerrigan. It was too late, they had already entered orbit. Kerrigan dropped her visor and gun as the Zerg circled around her. That was all before the Brood War. Everyone assumed that Kerrigan had been killed, the exception of Raynor who started a rebel force against Tia, and eventually found the Chrysalis that harbored Kerrigan. Jim Raynor, Whispy's best friend, left him on Tarsonis to fight alone. And how he fought for survival.

Blood splattered on his Visor as the Zergling that had toppled him over had been shot through the head. Whispy's ammunition was illegal, using a piercing round instead of crippling. He knew it was what was needed. Good thing too. A Hydralysk reared up on it's tail and shot it's acid spike. Whispy pushed the Zergling up and went prone behind it, popping up after the second shot and firing a volley of three shots, two in the eyes, one in the chest. The monstrosity curled in a bloody heap after screeching. Whispy focused in, his visor shifting upward as the huge Ultralisk closed in. "I need more gin..." He said as he ran back, the servos on his suit whined as he jumped as high as he could, jumping over the Ultralisk's Kaiser blade and landing in a ditch. He pulled out an incendiary grenade, popped up, and threw it into the large creature's mouth. It screeched loudly, spitting out fire and enraging as it swung it's blades blindly. Whispy was climbing the mountainous beast's building-size legs. Perching on the tough hide on it's leg, he pointed his gun to the muscle of it's neck, fireing all 190 shots through the beasts neck. It shoot violently, but reared up backwards, charging forward and ramming into the building which cause Whispy to fly off, bouncing off the pavement hard. The sensors in his suit were blaring loudly, he had been knocked unconscious from the fall. Pain coursed through his body as he came to. His visor was shattered on the ground, a large piece stuck vertically passed his eye. Whispy cursed, hearing a loud slam behind him that forced the streets to shake. Whispy turned to the bleeding Ultralisk, tilting his head in regret as he shaking stood up. His armor was damaged badly, blood oozed down his cheek. he stared down the beast and waited. It swung. He jumped and grabbed the top of it's blade, losing his breath as he made one last jump, grabbing a tooth, flicking a grenade pin, and throwing in in the Ultralisk's mouth, dropping on the leg before attempting to climbs down. A loud explosion went off, smoke bellowed from the zerg's mouth as it fell, causing Whispy to roll off it's leg and land on his back. It hurt to breath, it hurt to move, to talk, and even blink. He steadily rolled on his stomach and crawled into a ditch, closing his eyes to rest.

In a small room sat a teacher perched on a creaky wooden stool, her dress draped down to her thighs, a sash coiled just above her hips. She gazed upon how few children were in her 'class'. "Well, today we are going to learn about minerals and why they are important!" She said as enthusiastic as she could. Applebloom released a gentle groan.

"Cheerilee, wah do we even have school? Ah mean, isn't it a bit pointless?" Her yellow eyes stared up to Cheer's green ones. "We ain't gunna need this anyway!" Applebloom laid her head on her arms.

"Heads up, Applebloom, you may not need it now, but you will in the future. It's always been my job to teach you stuff you will use in the long run anyway!" Cheer said in the most gentle voice she could muster. Days seemed long and they seemed to coexist with the night. the only light they got was passing stars, and most clocks were harbored in the control room, so it was hard to really know when a day passed by. Still, Cheerilee's thick hair draped like a curtain down her cheeks and around her shoulders. The light pink strip in her hair was shining as radiant as ever, showing that she at least knew when to bathe.. or just felt dirty enough that she needed to bathe. Applebloom scoffed.

"But ah mean... We don't need it naow! So, there's no real reason to learn it.. Raight?" Cheerilee huffed out softly in return. There were so few children on this vessel. It wasn't like Tavin IV where there were hundreds in her class per day, only five sat in her class, and she only knew Applebloom. The kid beside her was sleeping, two were playing lil kid games, and the other had his feet on the desk and listening to music.

"I mean.. I guess you don't need to know it now, what would you LIKE to learn about?" Cheerilee tilted her head, picking up chalk and an eraser, wiping the board down and fiddling with the chalk. She felt someone near, someone familiar, the door creaked opened, turning Cheer and Applebloom's attention to the door.

"Afternoon Ms. Cheer, Ah'm here ta pick up mah sister." Big Macintosh stood in the doorway, adjusting his plad shirt and looking over to AB, smiling and walking in the room. "Ya learnin' anythin' AB?" Smiling, he rubbed her reddish hair, messing up her ribbon.

"Stahp! I'm learnin' just fahne!" She stuck her tongue out and gathered her belongings. Cheerilee sighed.

"Excuse me, Macintosh, but do you have any type of note to turn in to me as to why you are taking my student?" Cheerilee rested her hands on her hips, her body slightly curving to the side.

"Well, a'course ah do!" Reaching in to his pocket, he gave her a crumpled note. "She's gatta get 'er physical taday!" He smiled at her triumphantly as Cheerilee opened the note, looking up to him skeptically.

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Big Mac... Did you write this letter?" She narrowed her eyes and shook her head as she looked down to the note, then back up to him.

"Well, yea. Ain't that whut we're suppose ta do?" Smiling, he quickly backed out of the room with his sister, the two quickly walking down the hall afterwards. Cheerilee sighed, going up to the board and drawing a chart.

"Okay 'class'.. today we are going to learn about how gravity affect power suits on different planets..."

Damnation

Chapter 10: Damnation

Coming from a small cave rang out many whimpers. It was dark, to dark for them to see their hand in front of their faces. There was a heavy smell of smoke that hung in the already dank-smelling air, making it thick and harder to breath. Sweetie Belle had been awoke by a strange noise from just outside the cave. Rain poured from the sky above, making loud patters outside as large clumps of water splatter and splash against the rocks. But Sweetie Belle heard something, she was positive. Could the fire have attracted some animal.. Or. Sweetie Belle swallowed at the thought. It was a sunny day and they were all in class. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and- .. And Apple Bloom. It had been so long since the trio had been united, about 3 months to be exact. Scootaloo and herself were both in the bathroom, once they left, they saw a few military old-school dropships. Only a few kids had gone, but it had seemed that Apple Bloom was taken aboard one. After that there was a lot of noise, gunfire, explosions, all of the sorts. Sweetie Belle shook her head and made a few tears run down her cheek before wiping them. She heard a slight groan before crawling across the rock floor. "Scootaloo! Pssst, Scootaloo, you awake?" She whispered to her companion, who only responded with incoherent mumbles. Sweetie Belle finally found Scootaloo and lightly slapped her cheek. "Wake up! I think someone else is here!" Looking around, Sweetie Belle's worry only furthered with the fact that she couldn't see. She stood up, feeling like she just swallowed an apple whole before calling out. "I-Is anybody there?"

Scootaloo sat up, rubbing the back of her curled purple hair and groggily speaking. "Yes Sweetie Belle, I'm here.." Yawning, she stretched her arms and hit something. It was sort or rough to the touch, but smooth enough not to scrape her hands. Yelping, she bounced away on the ground and bashed into Sweetie Belle, who squealed as she fell over her friend.

"S-Scootaloo! What are you-" She froze as she heard a footstep. It was hard t see, but a dark-red light illuminated and came to life before their eyes. They gaped as they looked up to the woman-sized figure.

"Staying together is smart, as long as you never tear each other apart." Her voice was as smooth as honey, she pulled out a light and placed it on the ground, sitting down before turning her attention to the duo.

They both smiled as they jumped over to the woman in a suit, simultaneously squeaking out, "Zecora!"

Kuisata tapped her foot impatiently, biting hrt lip as she ran a hand through her fluffy orange hair. Adjusting her jet pack, she pulled out her P38 Gauss Pistol and twirled it around her finger. "Nalanhata is taking to long, we should go up there.' She narrowed her eyes at Tiestelu, who was pressing his rifle against the ground. He gazed up to her, his finger twitching against the trigger.

"I am just as worried as you are, Kui, but we should have faith in Nala. She was the only one who could infiltrate them without harming Zasks friends." Teistelus' orange hair blazed against the bright stars than shone upon them. luckily, most military-grade suits were interlaced with air cooling. three bright sun-like stars shone down intense heat, but they had been through extreme heat to below freezing, but their suits were modified to withstand overwhelming tempuratures. The day that Zask was caught was the day the Solar Empire rose to crush all resistances. Combined they had been known as 'the four' no matter where they went, outposts would be crushed, battalions killed, and cities purged of Emperial presence. They trained together, despite their different traits and paths, the worked to sync themselves with out another. They called Nalanhata 'Famine" because of her habit to kill any types of delivery transportation, starving the opponents and making them desprate to escape. This made them delusional, and confused. Kuisata was know as 'pestilence' due to the fact that she enjoyed wreaking havoc around mineral fields and killing every miner with a specialized P38 gauss Pistol that carried a multitude of diseased Hydralysk spikes. Tiestelu was refered to as 'war', obsessed with unending mayhem and mass genocide, he was soft of egdey, but would never hurt his companions. Finally, Zaskorck was called 'death', his modified Plasmathrower was more opened than most, making a higher risk of the suit being scorched, but also decimating any foe in its way, even if it was a siege Tank. The name the had was earned, they need not prove themselves, as they had already caused many problems before.

Author's Note

I'll finish this section later, I'm in a math and networking class, soo, yeah.