Mane-Six

by Black_Bones

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Princess Celestia, Alternate Universe, Anthro, Main 6, Princess Luna, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Other
Length: 7308

Equestria is at War. A battle waged for over four hundred years. Princess Celestia, now known as Empress Celestia, has ordered her apprentice to join the Equestrian Imperieal Army to learn the values of comrades and friendship in this war torn time.

Equestria is at War. The battle with the Wolvar, distant cousins of the Diamond Dog, has been waging for over four hundred years. Princess Celestia has long since been forced to take up the title of Empress as a show of strength. Now, by order of the Empress, Senior Librarian Twilight Sparkle is being sent to join the Equestrian Imperial Army to learn the values of comrades and friendship.

A/N: The anatomy of ponies has been slightly altered, It's not full anthro and as such is not posted as an anthro story, if anyone thinks I should post as anthro, please let me know.

Published 2013-10-11 18:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-04-19 11:26:37 UTC

Prolouge

Disclaimers: You know who owns what so get off my ass, only the plot is mine... that sweet sweet plot...

This is the only OC-Centric Chapter... after that its all pretty much Twilight and the Mane Six.

Well, here you go.

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Mane-Six

Prologue

Black clouds of smoke rose from Green Saddle Ridge. Contrary to it's name, the once green ridge had long since lost it's color and was replaced with the brown of a barren wasteland. The cries of war and gunfire echoed through the air and plooms of smoke ascended from newly formed craters in the earth. The once peaceful and prosperous farmland was now, like so many other places, a battlefield for a war going back centuries.

Behind a rocky outcropping, which was slowly being chipped away by a hailstorm of gunfire, two young mares huddled together gripping there rifles tight in their three fingered hands.

“Damn it!” One of the mares cried out over the sounds of suppressive fire. “Where the hell is 5th Company!?”

“Oh Celestia...” The other one sobbed. “I don't want to be here... I want to go home!” A large hunk of stone shattered next to her and caused her to scream in fright.

A blue maned stallion with a cream colored coat turned to look in the general area of their position and his eyes settled on the pined downed mares. Following the trail of whizzing projectiles the stallion's eyes locked onto the enemy position.

On the ridge were three Wolvar soldiers manning a stolen Blackhoof Heavy Machine Gun Turret.

Swiftly and with hard earned precision, the stallion raised his own rifle and fired three quick shots, taking out the three enemy combatants and silencing the pilfered turret.

The stallion quickly made his way over to the two mares who looked at him with relief. “Lieutenant!”

“Are you two alright?” he asked taking cover besides them.

“Y-yes sir,” One of the mares answered for them both.

“That's good to hear...” He muttered as he looked up towards the ridge. “Do either of you have heavy weapons training?”

“I-I do sir.” Replied the other mare.

The Lieutenant smiled at his sudden good fortune. “That's great. The 5th Company is on it's way, but we need to hold this position until they arrive.” Pointing towards the now vacant turret he then said. “I want the both of you to secure that Turret and it's ammunition and reposition it to face the enemy, understand?”

“Yes, Lieutenant!” The mares replied in unison.

“Good, I'll cover your advance. Once you get it set up mow down anything that isn't a pony! I don't want a single mutt stepping over this side of the ridge!”

The stallion looked out from the outcropping and seeing nothing waved the tow mares forward. The mares took off stumbling but they quickly reached their objective and were soon beginning the process of reorienting the turret to face the opposite direction.

Soon the sound of heavy machine gun fire filled the air, now raining death towards the advancing enemy. Suddenly the radio on the Lieutenant chest roared to life.

“Lieutenant, come in!” A sophisticated sounding mares voice called out. “Blue!?”

“This is Buckler,” The stallion replied.”Whats happening out there Rarity?”

“The enemy is pushing in hard,” Rarity's voice replied mournfully. “Pinkie's entire squad has been K.I.A. She's falling back to Applejack's position to provide support for her squad.”

“Damn it...” Buckler swore, a weight suddenly forming on his shoulders.

“What's your status?” Rarity asked over a sudden surge of static.

Buckler sighed before replying with a wince. “Four K.I.A, Two are missing, presumed dead. The last two are with me right now. We've secured the right side of the ridge for now and have re-appropriated a Blackhoof Heavy Turret.”

“How unfortunate...” Rarity whispered hearing the fate of the other six soldiers. “As for the turret that's a small blessing, we we're beginning to fear the next wave might break our line but with that turret we should be able to hold out a while longer. I can send two runners with more Blackhoof ammunition to reinforce your position.”

“Negative,” Buckler said firmly. “The enemy is concentrating on your position, you need all the hands and ammunition that you've got. We'll be fine here.”

“Lieutenant, don't be stubborn your squad is almost wiped and we need you to hold the righ-” The radio suddenly cut to static as an explosion sounded from the west.

Blue Buckler's eyes widened in horror as his gaze settled on a large ploom of smoke rising from the approximate position of the command area.

“L-Lieutenant!” A voice cried out from his right.

His eyes snapped up to the two mares to see one of them frantically waving at him. Sprinting towards them he focused his mind on them. He could worry about Rarity and the others later.

“What is it!?” He shouted as he neared them.

“There's enemy armor coming up the ridge sir!” The mare cried. “The rounds aren't penetrating, they're just bouncing off!”

Buckler arrived at their side and focused on the metal monstrosity slowly making it's way towards them. It looked like a giant patchwork turtle shell made out of scrap. There were multiple gun ports all over it with Diamond Dog and Wolvar Soldiers shooting out from within.

He watched as the turret rounds just bounced off the metal plating leaving only the tiniest of dents. “Were there any HEAT or just plain AP rounds?”

“N-no, just regular Blackhoof!” The mare on the turret replied. “W-what are we gonna do sir?”

Buckler looked over at the approaching armor and after a moment of thought nodded to himself. “We're gonna take it out.” He said resolutely. “Do you both still have your A.V.G.'s?”

“Y-yes, but sir the grenades weren't designed to take out something as heavily armored as that!”

“Never mind what they were designed for, just pass them here!” Buckler ordered as he pulled out his own grenade. While the mares hurriedly passed over their grenades, Blue pulled out a roll of gauze from one of his vest pockets.

“Alright you two,” Buckler said as he began to wrap the grenades together. “You need to get out of here, take the Turret and hurry towards Rain- Lightnigflash's Squad. I'm gonna take this out and hurry back towards the Command Area. Hold that position until 5th company arrives, that's an order!”

“But Sir, the enemy wi-”

“What part of 'That's an Order' don't you understand, Private!?” Buckler shouted as he finished tying the gauze. “GET GOING!”

The two mare's quickly and reluctantly dismantled the heavy machine gun turret. Securing the turret and its stand on their back, they picked up the remaining ammunition and sprinted away.

Blue Buckler watched them go for a moment before turning back to look over the crest of the ridge. The Diamond Dog patchwork A.P.C. was halfway up the side of the ridge, its engine roaring above the potshots they were making at him. Buckler set down his grenade cluster and took up his rifle. What he was about to do was going to need perfect speed and accuracy. Buckler took a deep breath and made a quick prayer before making his move.

Time seemed to slow down as Buckler rose up and took aim into the center most gun port. The Wolvar occupying it stared at him with its yellow eyes gleaming. One pull of the trigger and the mutts was blasted back, giving Buckler the perfect opening. The rifle fell from Buckler's hands as he quickly picked up the grenade cluster and pulled the pins out of the explosives with one quick motion. He reared his arm back and with a mighty heave, he hurled the grenades into the air.

A round whizzed through the air and caught him in the chest just as the grenade cluster flew through the weapon port and into the hulking vehicle. There was a moment of silence before the grenades detonated. The resulting explosion ripped the vehicle to shreds causing the fuel tanks to rupture and sending a shower of flaming metal into the sky. The few surviving Wolvar and Diamond Dogs inside howled as they burned inside the wreck.

Buckler crashed into the dirt and rag-dolled down the ridge coming to a stop at the bottom. He lay motionless for a moment before he rolled onto his back and looked into the sky above. His breaths came in and out with great effort. “Well...” He whispered to himself,“... I guess... my timing... was off...”

Another moment passed as the last howl of the burning Wolvar ended. “...enant!?... Blu... Can...u hear me!?” The radio on his chest suddenly flared to life. His arm felt like lead as he raised it to his chest.

With a click of a switch he replied. “... This is... Buckler...”

“Blue!” Rarity voice cried in relief. “Are you alright? The command tent took a shell to the generator, we lost power for a moment but Shorty got it working again.”

“I've lost the ridge... sent Rainbow the turret...” Buckler said with some effort.

“She probably sensed that,” Rarity said, a chastising tone in her voice. “You know she's gonna kill you for calling her that.”

“Too late...” He replied with a dark chuckle which quickly turned into a hacking cough.

“Blue, are you alright!?” Rarity asked in concern.

“...Been better...” Buckler replied after regaining control his body.

“I'll send Fluttershy and Pinkie to extract you,” Rarity's firm voice “they'll be there as soon as I can rea-”

“Don't bother.” Buckler said firmly. “They won't... make it in time...”

“But Blue-”

“No buts Rarity!” Blue shouted with a wince. “That's an order... Hold the area... and don't let the Wolvar... take this patch of dirt...” His vision began to go black, even as a blue shape in the otherwise blackened sky began to descend towards him. “Don't... let them... have it...”

“Blue!? Blue, stay with us!” Rarity shout sounded dim in his ears.

“I'm sorry...” Blue whispered even as the shape landed next to him.

“Blue, don't you bleed out on me, just stay calm!” The shape yelled at him. “You need to stay awake!”

Blue Buckler felt a tear escape his eye as he looked into the shapes face. “... Rainbow...” Bucklers quivering voice replied. “...It's... so dark...”

The world went black and Blue Buckler passed on from the world.

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Author's Note

Well, this was redone cause I decided to not to use Warhammer 40k content in my story.

Interesting

Interesting

Disclaimers: You know who owns what so get off my ass, only the plot is mine... sweet sweet plot.

Well, here you go.

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Mane-Six

Chapter One: Interesting

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The atmosphere of the Canterlot Military Offices was quite somber. Despite the recent victory at Green Saddle Ridge a week prior, nopony could summon up even a smile. The victory had come at too high a price.

A heavy blanket of sorrow filled the air and the worst of it seemed to hover around the Mane-Company Captain's Office.

Inside the rather spartan office sat a brown coated stallion looking over a desk littered with papers and folders. He was dressed in an olive green shirt with a patch on his shoulder signifying his rank as Captain. A cap of the same color sat atop his black mane and a walrus mustache adorned his face. Every so often a sigh would escape his body, as if to fuel the depressing mood.

There was a knock on the door and a pair irritated green eyes gazed up towards the entrance of the office.

“Uhh... Captain Black? Sir, are you in there?” A hesitant voice asked through the door.

“Yes, what is it?” The stallion called out.

A colt with a brown coat and mane opened the door carrying a small stack of folders. “S-sir, do you have a moment?” He asked fumbling with the folders.

“Yes, Private...” The Captain's voice trailed off as he didn't recognize the young colt in front of him.

“Buckly, Sir.” The colt replied quickly as he walked up towards the cluttered desk. “I'm the new office aid.”

“What happened to Danson?” Captain Black asked leaning back in his chair.

“Pvt. Danson's on leave, sir.” Buckly stated, finally relaxing a bit. “He'll be reassigned to Solar Company once he returns.”

“Ah...” Black articulately replied. There was a moment of extended silence before the Captain asked. “Well?”

“O-oh!?” The colt sputtered before fumbling with his folders.

As Buckly sifted through the folders Captain Black found himself smiling for the first time in days. “Was I ever that green?” He thought with a mental chuckle.

After a moment Buckly pulled out a rather thick folder and instantly the smile vanished from the Captain's face.

“I-it's the final report sir,” The colt said softly as he set it down. “Straight from intelligence.”

There was a moment of intense silence before Black suddenly asked. “What happened Buckly?”

“W-w-why are, I mean I didn-” The young colt stuttered before seeing the look Black was giving him. It was that “I know you did what you weren't supposed too” look.

“We've all been in the dark about the battle since it ended,” The stallion said calmly. “I know you read the report, you wouldn't have been so nervous coming in if you hadn't... Now tell me... What happened to my Platoon?”

There was another brief moment of intense silence before Buckly replied. “Mane Company Platoon Six... has almost entirely been wiped out.”

Black closed his eyes and sagged in his chair. “Continue...”

“As you know,” Buckly started. “5th Company was supposed to relieve Mane-Six who were only supposed to be there temporarily until they arrived... The last transmission from Mane-Six was two hours after 5th company was supposed to get there. They reported seeing a Wolvar scout trike and inquired when the 5th was going to relieve them. After that about an hour later there was a burst of static and some incoherent, garbled up words. Then the signal went dead.”

5th Company arrived three days late.” Buckly said as his face took on a sour expression. “They wanted to investigate something they thought was suspicious... A “supposed” enemy squad that had somehow gotten past Mane-Five and Four at the southern border. There's no confirmation wither or not there was one.”

“When 5th company arrived...” Buckly paused to swallow before continuing. “There were only five survivors.”

Silence descended on the office for the longest time. After a while the Captain finally opened his eyes. “Who?” he asked, a tone of despair in his voice.

“Umm...” Buckly quickly plucked the folder from the desk and flipped it open, luckily to the page he was looking for. “Sergeants Applejack, Lightningflash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and P̶i̶n̶k̶a̶m̶e̶n̶a̶ 'Pinkie' Pie. They found them in the smoking and shattered remains of an APC, armed to the teeth and drenched in blood. They had held off two company's worth of Wolvar and Diamond Dogs with vehicle support, by themselves for 2 days. Physically, they were exhausted, but mostly unharmed. Mentally... I don't know, but they nearly turned the team that found them into “confetti” before identifying them.”

“And what of Lieutenant Buckler?” Black asked already knowing the answer.

“K.I.A, Sir.”

Black sighed before looking up at the ceiling. “Its times like this I wish I was a farmer or something...”

“Sir?” Buckly question.

“Its nothing Private,” He said quietly. “just thinking about dealing with a different sort of shit... Pardon the language... What actions were taken regarding those mares?”

“Umm... That's were things get weird, sir.” Buckly said looking at the report. “According to this, they've been cleared... of everything. They're healthy and unharmed, and they passed the psychological test... All of the test, repeatedly. According to this they're perfectly fine... and even though they've been taken off active duty as a precaution, they requested to stay at the Mane-Six Camp during their down time. They just need your approval”

“Your right...” Black said rubbing his chin. “Nopony should be able to come out of a situation like that and be perfectly “fine”... and as much as I would like to be able to look into it more... I can't. However, if they want to stay at the camp, it's the least I can do... and hopefully it will help them out in some way.”

Black straightened up in his chair and gestured a hoof to his desk. “Leave the report there, I'll read it after I'm done with these forms... I also have quite a few letters to write...”

“There's something else sir.”

Black sighed for the hundredth time that day. “And that would be?”

“Well, its about a new recruit sir.” Buckly stated pulling out another folder. “She's been passed from one company to the next cause they would rather not deal with her.”

“And why would that be?” Asked Black curiosity slowly overcoming his previous mood.

“Well her name is Twilight Sparkle sir, She's a Unicorn from Canterlot.”

“Ah, some sorta noble I take it, no wonder the other company Captains didn't want her. They wouldn't want to have to foal sit her.” The Captain said while nodding his head.

“That's what everypony else thought too sir. Wouldn't even let me get to the details before they told me to pass her along. While she is of a noble blood line, she a Librarian, Sir.”

“A Librarian...” Black said with a raised eyebrow. After a moment his other eyebrow shot up. “Wait, do you mean from the Canterlot Magical Archives?”

“Yes, she's actually been drafted into service for an undetermined amount of time by the Empress herself. From what I hear she's might actually be Celestia's Apprentice.”

“What was the reason for drafting her?” The Captain asked surprised that a possible V.I.P was being placed in the army.

“Well, your not gonna believe this...” Buckly said shaking his head with a bewildered smile. “but it's to uhh... make friends.”

There was a moment of contemplation before Captain Black smiled brightly, an idea forming in his head. Librarians took a mandatory psychology course as part of there training to better allow them to study the effect of certain magics on ponies. Maybe if he sent her to the camp, he could get a better diagnosis on his surviving soldiers. Looking up he held out his hoof for the folder. “Interesting, I'll take her.”

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A few days later...

The rumble of an engine filled the air as an light armored scout bike with a sidecar made it's way down the dusty road to the Everfree Camp Military Camp. Oddly enough the sound of the rumbling engine was strangely soothing to both it's driver and passenger.

A lavender coated mare with a stylish blue, pink and purple manecut, sat quietly reading up on the Military aspect of the Equestrian Empire, the wind billowing in her face had yet to disturb her. She was dressed in the long sleeved golden trimmed orange robes that designated a Librarian of the Magical Archives, a position of much prestige and envy among unicorn mages everywhere. Attached to her belt by a thin iron chain was an old and well worn book another sigh of her position.

Senior Librarian Twilight Sparkle normally would have either been doing her job as the Assistant Overseer of Arcane Research and development or working on her project to gain her Masters Title. Instead she found herself suddenly enlisted in the Equestrian Imperial Army.

Her sudden assignment to the armed forces had thrown a wrench in her plans and so for the past week she has been reading nearly non-stop, to the further annoyance of her teacher and learning all she could. She was currently about to read The Equestrian Imperial Armed Forces Primer, a rather small book supplied to an Imperial soldier during training.

It was a compendium of useful/mandatory information for any Equestrian, covering such diverse topics as arms and equipment maintenance, personal hygiene, rules and regulations of the Army, and enemy recognition and particulars. Additionally, it features a section dedicated to the value of trust and friendship in the field, as well as areas to be filled in by the owner, so that it may act as a record of service.

“Miss Sparkle,” Said the driver suddenly breaking the steady rumbling of the engine. “We'll be arriving soon.”

“Oh,” Twilight said with a sigh. “Thank you, Corporal Stanton.”

“Ma'am.” The Driver replied with a small nod.

Twilight absentmindedly set the Primer down on her lap and reached down for the large satchel at her feet. With practiced ease she slipped the strap over her head and rested it on her shoulder in one single fluid motion. She scowled at how light it was compared to what could fit inside. She had been given a five book limit by the Empress not including her tome and the Primer which had been given to her by a Private named Buckly who saw her off from the Military Rail Station in Canterlot.

As the transport came over the hill they had been approaching a site Twilight had not been expecting came into view. It was a town or at least, what had once been a town. “Corporal, what is this place?”

Stanton gave a sad sigh. “This is the Mane-Six Camp, also known as the Everfree Outpost, and up until 12 years ago... it was known as Ponyville.”

As they neared Twilight could better see the condition that Ponyville was in. Many of the buildings were riddled with bullet holes with their windows shattered, some showed varying degrees of fire damage and some we're even collapsed.

“What happened here?” Twilight whispered in dismay.

“Well,” Stanton began as they entered the main road into the town. “About 12 years ago the Wolvar tried a brute force blitz maneuver to try and take Canterlot and they almost succeed. They were stopped here in Ponyville by a combined force of the Town Militia, retired veterans, and the very ponies that lived here. If the Wolvar had over taken the ponies here, they could have taken the rail system all the way up to Canterlot.”

“But the ponies here would not be moved or be cast aside by the approaching horde. The resolute defense of these brave ponies held off the Wolvar advance long enough for two platoons of Solar-Company soldiers, who had been en route to Canterlot, and a platoon of Skydivers from Cloudsdale to arrive and finish them off.” Stanton came to a stop in front of a large building, obviously the Town Hall from its centralized location. “Canterlot had been spared... But the cost... was the town and almost every adult pony who lived here.”

Stanton gestured up at the Town Hall. You could see at once that the building had been swiftly fortified by the amount of wood planks and furniture used to make barricades. The Hall like most of the other buildings in Ponyville was riddled with holes but the sheer difference in amount was staggering. Whole sections of the walls seemed to have fallen by the sheer amount of holes in them.

“The Ponyville citizens made there last stand here under the command of retired Lieutenant “Granny” Smith.” Stanton said with a respectful tone. “She was a Mane-Company veteran and one of the last few founders of the town still alive. When the battle was over they found her atop the Wolvar Commander, had strangled him to death before she bled out from her many wounds.”

“Is that why Mane-Company has a camp here?” Twilight asked staring at the ruined building in awe.

“That is... one of the reasons.” Stanton said before he continued to drive. “Most of the foals who lived here and were evacuated just before the battle, joined the Army and were later assigned to Mane-Company. So the Mane-Six Camp was reestablished here.”

“I wasn't informed completely,” Twilight stated cautiously.. “but I heard Mane-Six had suffered heavy casualties in their last battle.”

“That is true, but most of the ponies assigned to Mane-Six at the time were-” Stanton was suddenly cut off by a cyan and white blur that flashed in front of the transport. “Shit!” He cried as he swerved for a moment, before quickly easing his way back onto the road.

“What in Celestia's name was that?” Twilight asked as she pried her hooves off the edge of her seat.

“Don't really know myself,” The Driver said, his eyes scanning the area for another siting. “I've heard stories ranging from a speedy animal to freak magical anomalies. All I know for sure is that Mane-Company knows about it and it doesn't bother them in the least.”

The previous conversation forgotten the rest of the drive passed in silence. Stanton came to a stop in front of a large dead tree in the town. As he stepped out Twilight took a good look around. Quite a few of the buildings in the immediate area had been renovated and a large amount of tents were erected around the tree.

“Well Ma'am,” Stanton said as he opened the door for her. “Welcome to Mane-Six” The colt quickly helped the mare out before getting back oh his bike and riding away.

Left alone, Twilight stood up on her hind legs and started walking around. It was a well known fact that all ponies were double jointed in their legs and while most Canterlot Unicorns preferred to go around on all fours, thinking it unseemly for them, she had learned at a young age to walk upright to try and impress her brother. She had even learned to do it first. It was a skill mandatory for all members of the Armed Forces to have as the ability to walk on two legs put them on even terms with the Wolvar, who like their Diamond Dog cousins, were bipedal.

As she walked she came across a pink colored mare sitting on a box in front of one of the tents. From what she could see the mare was dressed in a green light combat vest with a mesh shirt underneath, green cargo pants and a pair of combat boots. Her magenta colored mane seemed oddly flat and lifeless as it draped over her face. The mare's blue eyes were cloudy and unfocused even as she quickly and skillfully took apart a very large rifle-like weapon. She then seemed to look over the parts, her eyes seeing yet not seeing.

'I wonder if that's what I look like when I've been working for so long...'

With no one else in the immediate vicinity she made her way towards the mare. “Come on Twilight,” She muttered to herself. “Just say 'hello', I mean how hard could it be?”

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Distant sounds filled the mind of Mane-Six's heavy weapons specialist. Gunfire and cries of pain, fearful sobs and explosions. Images flashed in quick succession. Blood, fire, smoke, and blurred shapes.

A new sound entered her perception. Hoof steps, like something was approaching her from the left. Her eyes flickered, there WAS something coming from her left. The mare tensed up and her mind went into overdrive.

Unknown enemy, no weapons at the ready, no back up around her. Her eyes fell upon the disassembled weapon before her, there was only one thing she could do.

The mare's hands descended on the disassembled Red Hammer Anti-Tank Rifle and in record shattering time had it reassembled, locked and loaded. She shifted her body carefully while aiming from the hip towards the approaching figure's chest.

Just before her finger could squeeze the trigger a voice cut through the haze.

“Umm... hello,” The figure spoke. “I'm Twilight Sparkle.”

Suddenly everything came into focus, she blinked and the blurry image shifted into the lavender colored mare before her. The rifle fell from her hooves and onto its box with a dull thud. She sat there staring wide eyed for one brief moment before jumping up with a loud gasp. With a quick twist she spun around and ran.

'Oh sweet Celestia! What was I about to do!?'

Twilight blinked at the retreating form of the pink pony. “Okay... that was interesting.”

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Making Impressions (Part 1)

Disclaimers: You know who owns what so get off my ass, only the plot is mine... sweet sweet plot.

Well, here you go.

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Mane-Six

Chapter Two: Making impressions Part one

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With a sigh of exasperation, Twilight made her way around the area, looking around from time to time, trying to spot anypony. It was surprising how empty the place was especially for a military complex, no matter how oddly placed it was.

After a while she came across a very large building and judging by the smell and large amount of vehicle parts in view, she assumed it was the vehicle depot. Deciding to go in the Librarian made her way through the open garage door and into the depot. There were only a few visible vehicles in the garage and while there might have been a few more hidden under tarps and behind crates, there didn't seem to be enough vehicles to fit in such a large garage.

She spotted a flash of orange, yellow, and blue out of the corner of her eye and she turned her head to investigate. Her eyes settled on an orange coated earth pony, another mare, with a blonde mane. She was sporting a blue and slightly grease stained jumpsuit and brown leather gloves. She was just about to call out when the mare started charging at one of the tarp covered vehicles.

Just before she would have plowed right into the vehicle the mare shouted a “Yee Ha!” before spinning around and bucking a steel plate into position.

Twilight blinked as the mare trotted of towards a table covered in tools without showing any signs of discomfort or injury. Was that normal? She wasn't sure, but decided to put that question aside as she went to introduce herself.

“Good afternoon,” Twilight called out. The mare turned towards her with a surprised and confused expression on her face. “My name is Twilight Sparkle.”

The blond mare reached over and took her hand. “Mhm, Howdy doo.” She said giving Twilight a firm shake. “I'm Jack. What can I do ya for?”

“I've been sent here from Canterlot,” Twilight muttered looking at her suddenly grease covered hand. With frown she charged up a spell to vanish the grease.

Jack eyes narrowed ever so slightly hearing that. 'She don't look like a soldier...'

With the grease now gone Twilight looked up with a small smile. “I thought I would introduce myself since I've been looking for somepony to talk about why I'm here.”

“Oh,”Jack replied with a frown. “Then ya might be looking to speak with Rarity. She's in the Com building just next door. She's the one you'd want to talk with bout that.”

“Thank you, I'll be sure to speak with her next.” She said gratefully. “Well, since I'm likely going to be here for a while I thought I'd uhh... try to know the ponies I will be working with.”

Jack turned back towards the tools on the table. 'Workin with, is that what she calls it? She's gotta be a shrink, cause there ain't no other reason some upper class Canterlot mare would be down here with the common grunts.'

“Well,” Jack replied as she picked up a welders hat and placed it on her head. “I'm the Chief Mechanic n' Vehicle Specialist, I can pretty much drive anythin, and I do weapon maintenance but that's more Rarity's thing. I also serve as an assault trooper n sharp shooter when the need arises.”

“That's pretty amazing” Twilight said slightly impressed. “How do you do it all? Don't you ever get tired?”

Applejack shrugged as she leaned against the vehicle. “A bit now and then, but when ya work all yur life like I have you learn to push through the pain and strain.”

Twilight nodded in agreement as the memories of pulling all nighters one after another popped into her head. A previous though wormed her way into her head and she asked. “If you don't mind me asking where are all the other vehicles? There seem to be so few for such a large building.”

Apple jack frowned and look around. There were only five vehicles in the entire depot. An APC, with a mounted swiveling gun, three scout bikes with side cars and a small troop carrier like the one she arrived in.

“This is all there is” Jack said bitterly.

“I was expecting there to be a bit more actually.” Twilight said looking around.

“Oh there was believe me...” The Mechanic said her tone suddenly somber. With a sweeping gesture at the at the empty stations she spoke. “We had Six A.P.Cs, four heavy armored and two light. Eight scout bikes, four modified troop trucks, a heavy armored truck, and even a small mobile artillery platform.”

“Pinkie was mighty pissed when they blew that up.” A faint smile crossed her lips. “Anyway this is all we got now.”

“What about that?” Twilight said pointing a finger at the vehicle Jack was leaning against.

“Huh, oh this? This is uhh... well tanks are really rare for normal infantry like us, normally you'll only find them in the hands of vehicle specialized companies like Hammer, or Shield Company.” Jack said nervously. “But a logistical error sent this bad boy here. It's been out of commission for three months though, lucky shot too the undercarriage near the end of the tracks.”

'Woulda made a hell of a difference...' Jack thought sorrowfully.

“Anyway,” Jack said as she put the welders shield over her face and picked up a welding tool. “I got work to do, so why don't you go and meet the others.”

“O-oh” Twilight said realizing she was interrupting her work. “Well, I'm sorry to have kept you. I'll be on my way. It was umm nice meeting you, I'll see you later I guess.”

Jack waved her off with her hand before flipping on the generator to run her Arc Welder. As she began to weld the metal plates together she frowned beneath her mask.

'I guess this means we'll be havin to deal with her for awhile...'

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“Ok Twilight,” The Librarian muttered to herself as she made her way to the next building. “That wasn't so bad...” As she made her way inside the next building.

Suddenly out of nowhere the blue and white blur from earlier suddenly rushed by sending another wave of dust into the air. Twilight started coughing and wave her hand trying to beat the dust away. The sound of laughter came unexpectedly and through squinted eyes spotted a cyan coated Pegasus in front of her.

“Haaa ha ha! Woah look at your hair its just woosh!” The cyan pony replied with a tomboyish voice. She was dressed in the same exact clothes as the pink mare she met earlier with the exception that her vest was designed to fit a Pegasus instead of an earth pony or unicorn. The mares laughter seemed to cause her wind blown white mane to fall back into its proper place.

Twilight frowning ran her fingers through her mane to find it windswept to the side and with a grumble tried to tame it. “Your hair isn't much better... uh...”

“Lightningflash,” The mare replied before boasting. “Fastest Flier in the Imperial Army!”

Twilight looked at the mare and frowned. “You can fly?”

The mare was the size of a standard earth pony mare and while her wings were proportionate to her body size there was no way she should be able to fly.

Lightningflash flinched as if struck. “W-what!? Of course I can fly!”

Twilight frowned and shook her head. “I take it from your unusual size one of your parents was an earth pony correct?”

The mare nod slightly looking mildly confused. “Yeah, my mom and both my Gramps.”

Walking a step closer Twilight grabbed Lightningflash's right arm and lifted it up slowly. “Judging by the weight your muscles and your bone structure takes after the earth pony genes meaning your over all mass is that of and earth pony. It's probably why your in the Army and not the Air Corps. Scientifically speaking, you can't fly.”

“Oh yeah, egghead?” Lightningflash said angrily, her feathers rustling. “I bet I can fly around the whole camp perimeter and back in ten seconds flat!”

Twilight smirked “Fine go a-” She didn't even get to finish her sentence as Lightningflash crouched slightly before taking off in a blue and white blur.

The Librarian could only watch as she zipped around the entire camp before landing with a skid right infront of her.

“HA!” The tomboyish mare shouted in victory. “What did I tell ya!”

“B-but that goes against all of my research...” Twlight muttered dumbstruck. “M-my project... you've just invalidated months of study...”

Lightningflash seeing the crushed expression on her face lost her smirk. “Hey, umm sorry about ruining your egghead stuff. I mean, I am pretty amazing, they said I'd barely be able to hover let alone fly back in the academy.”

“Do you know what this means?” Twilight muttered softly. “... It means I've got more research to do!” She cried happily.

“Uhh, what now?” Lightningflash question surprised at the sudden emotional u-turn.

“You've invalidated my research! Meaning there are no definite rules to pony genetics and the effects of increased breeding with earth ponies. It opens up a whole new avenue of stufy!”

“O... kay, well glad I could help you with that Professor Egghead,” Lightningflash said looking even more confused. “Anyway I need to make a boarder sweep of the forest line... So I'll catch you later then... uhh?”

“Oh,” Twilight exclaimed in slight embarrassment. “Twilight. Twilight Sparkle, I'm from Canterlot and I'll be working with you for a while.”

“Oh cool, I guess.” Dash said as she crouched slightly. “Well I gotta go, later Egghead!” And with that she took off flying into the sky.

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The Cyan mare frowned as she flew away.

“A Canterlot Egghead...” She muttered as she flew by the trees. “Black probably had her sent hear to see if we all need to be sent to the funny farm.”

“I wonder what the others will have to say about her...”

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It was a smaller building with a tent in front of the entrance. When she neared the sound of muttering could be heard from within the tent. Looking inside she spotted another mare this one a unicorn with a white coat and purple mane in short stylish curls. She was dressed in what was beginning to look like the standard uniform of the company. She was dressed almost exactly like the pink mare from earlier, except that instead of a mesh under shirt, she was wearing a long sleeved white blouse and a brown vest.

She was currently pacing about picking up different colored cables before shaking her head and muttering. She then turned to an older looking radio and magically disassembled it almost instantly taking care to keep all the parts floating about. Quickly and expertly she began to remove bits and pieces from within before reassembling the old radio and taking the parts with her towards another opened radio.

Quickly and precisely the mare started to insert the gathered parts and cables before closing the radio console and flipping the power switch. Suddenly radio static blared to life and the mare smiled in delight. “Finally, I was beginning to think I would never get this thing up and running again!”

Twilight was rather surprised to see such a skilled unicorn in the Army core, from the skill's she'd just shown, she could have been a Librarian like herself or at least a high ranking Soldier in the Magic Battalions. “Umm hello?” She called out.

The mare spun around in surprise and smiled sheepishly. “Oh hello, I'm sorry If you had been waiting for long, I get so caught up in my work sometimes that the day just seems to fly by.”

“Believe me I know the feeling,” Twilight said with a knowing grin. “Um I was told to come here, I suppose that means your Rarity?”

“Yes I am actually, and you are?” She asked taking in her Twilight's Appearance.

“I'm Twilight Sparkle, I'm from Canterlot and-”

“Your from the Magical Archives!” Rarity gushed as she rushed forward. “Oh look at your robes! They are so tasteful even despite the fact that they are mostly a dull, dull orange.”

“Oh yes I am,” Twilight said with a slight blush. “I'm actually surprised that your not at the Archives yourself or in the Magical Forces at least. I mean the level of control you just used was amazing!”

“Oh thank you darling,” Rarity said smiling at the compliment. “As for why I'm not... I'm slightly embarrassed to say this but I was a late bloomer magically.” She admitted. “I couldn't use my magic very well when the scouts came searching for gifted foals, and when it came time to enlist I wasn't magically strong enough to join the Magical Forces for training. So when my power level finally stabilized I was already in the Army and that they say is that.”

“I see, that's a shame, your very good.” Twilight said sympathetically. It wasn't the first time a late bloomer had been passed up and most certainly wouldn't be the last.

“Thanks again dear, now enough about me.” She said straightening up. “I take it that since you are from the Archive that you're here to finally appropriate the books from the old library? I was beginning to wonder if anyone would, some of the books in there are really old and rare.”

“Oh um no actually...” Twilight said her eyes gleaming. “I actually wasn't aware there was a library here, where is it?”

“Oh,” Rarity said surprised. “Um, did you happen to see the tree that when you came in?” Seeing Twilight's nod she continued. “Its actually inside the tree. I've never seen a building quite like it anywhere else and it's still in good condition even if no one has been inside to dust in ages...”

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I thought I was going to go crazy without something to read.”

“It's my pleasure,” Rarity said with a confused expression. “but if you're not here for the books, what are you here for?”

“Oh, that's right.” Twilight said reaching into her satchel and pulling out a folder and a few papers. “I'll actually be joining you here for the time being.”

“W-what?” The white unicorn took the papers and scanned them over her eyes widening ever so slightly. “Y-you're being stationed here?”

“Yes,” Twilight muttered slightly annoyed. “The Empress thought it would do me some good to leave the archive and make som-

“THE EMPRESS!?” Rarity cried shaking slightly.

Twilight flinched at her sudden increase in volume and nodded slightly.

“...C-could you umm leave me be for a while?” Rarity said as she stumbbled towards the radio. “There are a few calls I need to make and they will take up a lot of time.”

“O-oh no problem,” Twilight said as she backed away towards the tents door flap. “I guess I'll go see everypony else then. It was nice to meet you Rarity!”

“T-the same dear.”

As Twilight walked away Rarity scrambled to grab her headset and started looking for an open connection. After a moment she heard a familiar voice reply. “Hi there Rarity, I wasn't expecting any transmissions from you for a while. How can I help you?”

“Patch me through to the Mane Company Office!”

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