Dimensional Chaos: Evil Rising

---Ponyville, Equestria, Crystal Tree, 12 hours after hostile contact---

Equestria, land of magic, friendship, and beauty.  This is the home of the Ponies of Equinia.

In a giant Crystal Tree, a certain young alicorn princess was awakening.  Twilight sat up in her bed and stared out over the land from her bedroom window.  After quite the stretch and the biggest yawn any mare could make, she smiled as she took in the beauty of her kingdom.  She heard small snores, startling her out of her moment of bliss.  When she turned to see what it was, she quietly giggled.  Lying in his new, luxurious bed was none other than her number one assistant: The purple baby dragon Spike.

After another moment of taking in the glorious new day, Twilight stood and went to her bathroom.  A million thoughts raced through her mind as the minutes passed by and she prepared for the day.  She did the usual, brushed her mane, straightened out her feathers, brushed her teeth.  No doubt her friends were on their way to enjoy breakfast with her today.  She went downstairs..... to find a Paladin Guard waiting for her.

That got her thinking.  These ponies with all their technology and firepower could have stood up to Tirek couldn't they?  No..... Tirek had stolen their magic during his assault no doubt.  Loss of magic meant loss of strength for a pony.... even the strength to wield the powerful.... and heavy..... armor and weapons of the Paladins.  She shook it out of her mind.  Such thoughts were irrelevant now.

She smiled at the Paladin.  "Good morning," she greeted.

The Paladin smiled at her through his depolarized visor.  "Good morning Princess.  You slept well I trust?"

Twilight giggled a bit.  "I did...." then she frowned a bit.  'I would have slept better if Gunnar were here....' she thought to herself.

The Paladin trooper noticed her frown.  "Are you certain you are okay?"

Twilight smiled a bit again.  "Yeah... just.... missing somepony right now.... I'll be fine."

The Paladin chuckled and nodded.  "I understand.  We all miss the Commander.  However.... I don't think any of us miss him quite as much as you do.  He will return.  Have faith."

Twilight smiled.  "Thanks.  Oh I didn't catch your name."

The soldier smiled again and answered her indirect query.  "Star Rider, at your service ma'am.  Flight Combat and Recon Specialist."

Twilight giggled again.  "A pleasure to meet you Star Rider.  I'll talk to you later.  I'm gonna go get breakfast ready before my friends get here."

Star Rider let out another chuckle.  "No need ma'am.  The chefs have that covered.  Today is a day to relax anyway.  You have no pending appointments."

Twilight beamed at that reminder.  "GREAT!  That gives me and my friends plenty of time to work our magic.  Gotta keep the Magic of Friendship flowing."

The pegasus Paladin soldier couldn't help but laugh a bit.  "Can't wait to see that rainbow again Princess.  It's quite a spectacular sight.  I'll let you know if anything requires your attention."

Twilight giggled once more and continued beaming at him.  "Thanks Star Rider."  She then turned and headed downstairs to the front lobby where she would meet her friends.  A few royal guard were posted there to help maintain security..... that word suddenly had Twilight thinking about.... and missing.... the UNSC ships that patrolled the skies months ago.... providing Equestria with security and homes to the soldiers that brought even more companionship to the ponies of the land.  Even the human colonists had been evacuated.... and she never knew why.  She found herself missing the gentle thrum of starship engines high above.

Twilight suddenly heard a knock at the door and beamed again.  She opened the door to find the most welcome sight of her five best friends beaming back at her.  As always, Pinkie spoke first.

The bubbly mare bounced forward excitedly.  "HI TWILIGHT!  So what's for breakfast today huh!?"

Twilight laughed.  "I'd tell you if I knew.  The royal chefs are preparing it today."

Rarity just lit up at the mention of royal chefs.  "YOU HAVE ROYAL CHEFS NOW!?  Oh my goodness you really are a princess now."  That earned a few giggles from the rest of the group.

Rainbow yawned though.... of course.  Too early for her to be up at this time.... most days.  "Heh.... think we could start eating?  I could use a wake up call."

Applejack was giggling all of a sudden.  "Don't yall normally get up this early to manage the weather?"

"Not this early on a Friday," Rainbow shot back.

Pinkie giggled.  "Silly AJ!  Rainbow always sleeps in on Fridays!"

Applejack shrugged.  "Aaaaah don't really keep track so ah wouldn't know."

Fluttershy giggled a bit.  "You know, we're still two short.  Where's Spike and Discord?"

Applejack raised an eyebrow.  "Discord was invited?"

Fluttershy looked back at AJ as if the farm pony had lost her mind.  "Of course, Discord is our friend too you know."

Rarity smiled.  "I will admit, he really did learn his lesson, and he came through for us a couple times during that last.... i-incident."

Rainbow scoffed.  "If only those human fighters were here at the time.  A few airstrikes would have beat Tirek down good!  Or maybe one of those Havok Nukes Thorne kept mentioning."

Twilight looked at Rainbow as if SHE had lost HER mind.  "Rainbow!  A human nuclear device would have wiped out Ponyville and Canterlot in the process!  Those things have a massive blast radius!"

Rainbow rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.  "Oh.... heh, good point."

"Oooohoho, I'm here!  Are you ponies talking about our Missing in Action human friends!?" a male voice called as the source approached:  Discord floating down with an umbrella Mary Poppins style.... much like he had a couple weeks ago.

Fluttershy beamed at his arrival.  "DISCORD!"  She hugged him.  "You made it!"

Discord chuckled.  "But of course.  I wouldn't miss a breakfast party with my true friends."

Twilight giggled.  "I'm glad you could make it Discord.  Well, everypony is here.  Spike is still sleeping.  He's tired from a long night of stargazing soooo I think we should let him sleep in."

Rainbow snickered.  "I'll bet that one was your fault Twi."

"How'd you guess?" Twilight deadpanned before leading everypony inside.

The guards closed the doors behind them.  The soldiers gave each member of the party a respectful nod, even Discord surprisingly enough.  After a short journey through the halls of the new castle, they arrived at the dining room.  And hey ho, wouldn't you know it, Spike was there waiting for both the group and for breakfast.

"Hey guys!  Good to see ya!"  Spike greeted.  "I hope everypony is well."

"We are, thank you for asking Spike," Fluttershy giggled.

"Well he is always quite the gentleman, aren't you Spike?" Rarity praised.

Spike was speechless and blushing quite a bit after that particular compliment (three guesses why HAHA)

Discord then spoke up.  "Hey Twilight.  Where is that stallion you're always speaking so fondly of?"

Twilight frowned at the mention of him.  "H-he.... had to be called away.  It was a volunteer mission, considered suicidal by many....  I don't know what he's doing out there.... but it could have to do with the difference between life and death for the whole universe for all we know."

Fluttershy hugged her.  "Don't worry Twilight.  Gunnar will be back again soon.  Have faith.  He hasn't failed yet now has he?"

Twilight smiled a bit at the reassurance.  "No.... No I suppose he hasn't."

"Let's hope he comes back soon..... It would be nice to have the whole gang here," Discord admitted.  "Plus I'd like to meet this soldier, he sounds very unique."

AJ chuckled, "Unique don't cut it.  He's an inventor, and a good one.  He's a brilliant leader and magic user now too, thanks to a certain alicorn princess that's standing in the room with us."

Twilight blushed and smiled sheepishly a bit as she took her seat at the table.  The mares and Spirit of Chaos all took their seats and the food soon arrived.  Soon they were chowing down on some of the best food in town.

Then Fluttershy had an idea.  "Hey Twilight..... I think we could send him a signal.  Something to let him know we're thinking about him."

"Like what?" Rainbow asked curiously.

Fluttershy adopted a knowing smile.... then realization hit Twilight.  "THE FRIENDSHIP SIGNAL!  We could send a rainbow out!"

"That may actually work," AJ agreed.

Rainbow smiled.  "Maybe we could make sure it reaches our human friends too?  I miss those guys."

"Same here.  That Gabriel Thorne for instance was such a gentleman," Rarity sighed.  "I say we send them the signal."

"YIPEEEE!!!!  Let's do it!!!!" Pinkie yelled out with excitement.

Discord and Spike couldn't help but smile.

The mares gathered at the center of the throne room.

"Ready girls?" Twilight asked.

"Ready," they replied in unison.

They channeled their magical energy, focusing it into the beam that would become their signal.  It took a moment to build.  Then there was a flash.  A rainbow beam flew up to the top of the Crystal Tree.  A flash outside signaled activation, probably making a LOT of ponies smile.  The beam flew high into orbit, emitted one more brilliant flash....and then was gone.  On its way to the intended recipients.

---UNSC Infinity, bridge, 18 hours after hostile contact---

Lasky sat in the Captain's chair of the UNSC, pondering as slipspace swirled around outside the ship.  His mind wandered..... then suddenly a small alarm beeped.

"Sir," the sensor station officer called out. "Incoming energy beam..... and its coming straight into slipspace like its nothing and right for us!"

"What....?" Was all Lasky got out before a beam of rainbow colored energy flew into the ship, phasing through the viewport windows and swirled around the individual members of the bridge crew before traveling deeper into the ship, vanishing through the walls.

"What.... the hell.... was that....?" were the comm officer's only words on the matter.

Lasky smiled.  It felt familiar.  Looked familiar too.  "I have an idea."

---UNSC Infinity, Spartan Armory, 18.1 hours after hostile contact---

Palmer and DeMarco were standing to the side, chatting away.  Aurora Squad had gotten into a sparing match with the rest of Majestic.

A familiar Huragok Engineer named Patchy was on the sidelines, whistling and cheering Gunnarmain on.

"Ten credits says Gunnar has you on the ground before you can count to three Madsen," Hoya snarked.

"Oh ha ha, you're on," Madsen quipped.

That was the last word before a beam of rainbow energy phased through the wall and into the room.  It swirled around each occupant individually for a few moments each before vanishing deeper into the ship.  Each Spartan and Pony looked around at each other.

For Gunnar, Patchy, and the Spartans, the beam had brought a familiar feeling and presence into the room.  It had made them smile.

Pureheart spoke up.  "Sir?  W-what was that?"

Gunnar smiled at the pony soldier.  "A message from a few loved ones if I'm not mistaken."  He looked in the general direction of the ship's bow just as the Spartans and Patchy did.  They were coming home..... and their friends missed them.

"I'll be home soon Twilight," Gunnar whispered so no one else would hear..... though one pony did hear it... somehow... some way.  The energy remaining in the room acted as a conduit.  For a moment, one voice made a distant mare smile and caused her to let a tear of joy fall.