Twisted Nightmares: Standing Alone

Dead bodies littered the room. Empty shells lay lifeless on the floor after being fired from their respected rifles. Even the Tiger tank seemed to be knackered. Plasma vapour was rising from its cannon even the hatches were open. The four crew were coughing and groaning.

“Great *cough* *cough* plasma cannon fired the cooling system prematurely. *cough* for the lord’s sake, plasma vapour sprayed out of the rear of the cannon. Will be safe to go back in?” George said holding back a cough.

“Should be safe in a few minutes. Best let the cannon cool itself down. It should then do a ventilation procedure.” Marcus said while picking up his spent 5.56mm shells. Leon was going the same with his higher calibre weapon. “Great that’s three of my magazines wasted. Three more left. We are lucky we have that new plasma based Tiger tank. Ayden what is status of the cooling system?”

“Not long left. She is almost done. A straight hour and a half has allowed massive heat build up. We are lucky George switched it to Plasma mortar, otherwise the cannon would have overheated a lot quicker.” Ayden said while he got out of the commander’s hatch. Aleksey began to get out of the driver’s hatch. Dan was just sitting half in and half out of his hatch.

“I consider that lucky comrade. Come look at burn mark on wall.” Aleksey said. His Russian accent becoming more dominant. He walked right in-between the two Princesses and straight to the wall with Marcus behind him. Aleksey pulled his combat knife from his boot seethe. He put the tip of the blade onto the scorch mark. Strangely the blade tip turned purple.

“Black magic.” Marcus said getting gasps of everyone in the room. “We are dealing with a dangerous enemy. Black magic is not a force to be used lightly. It has the power to corrupt those who are strong. It has the power to corrupt light. Black magic is weapon of the magical world, even dragons fear this type of magic.”

“Dragons fear black magic? What about you? You’ve been cursed to forever use magic. How do you react to black magic?” Aleksey asked. Unintentionally he had set the two Princesses gaze upon the commander.

“Its forbidden by the ancient dragon law. Even I refuse to tamper with such magic. It can reanimate the dead and allow them to walk among the living. Its an unholy thought, that only the devil should control. As for me being cursed. Call it what you wish. But I call it a gift off nature herself. If she can give a dragon the gift of magic, why not a human? Do you wish to know why see doesn’t?” Marcus asked. His squad gave a nod and had all began to sit on the back of the Tiger tank.

“With all due respect, sir. We knew you can use magic. After all we have seen you train Aradace with it. But we have yet to know why you have this ‘gift’ and why we can’t.” George said, since he was the last one to sit down after helping Leon up.

"The reason why Nature does not give us the power to use magic, is simply because we are a destructive species. Nature’s weapon as some put it. But in order to balance our destruction those many years ago while we still were understanding the world. Nature had created a tool of life. Dragons. While man used fire for destruction. A dragon used fire as a tool of creation. They undid what man had done to their world. But like all great things. Man began to try to hunt dragons. Luckily dragons had used their combined magic, and thus created an alternate dimension so they could live peacefully.” Marcus said. His throat beginning to hurt. He blamed the lack of water consumption. “The reason why I can use magic, simply lies on the fact I saved a dragon from death in my youth. In return the dragon allowed the gift of magic. It still comes at a price. Do not use black magic. But believe me when I say this. Magic is within use all. Only some of us are chosen to use it.”

“Riders of Dragons.” Leon said. Marcus nodded.

“Indeed. Dragon guardians or Dragon riders are unlikely pair of unnatural design. A force of destruction and a force of creation united as one, is a force to be reckoned with.” Marcus said. His tone somewhat not changing. Aradace landed on Marcus’s shoulder. “Enough Ancient dragon history. We have a new enemy we must wipe out. Before they have chance to corrupt this world.”

“Sir, yes sir. Consider it done, sir!” They all said in unison. While they were going the last minute adjustments. Leon had approached the white unicorn.

“I would like to thank you ma’am. You didn’t show hostility while we were doing what we are trained to do. So I am thanking you ma’am.” Leon said before giving a well executed British salute. He about turned on the spot then marched off. He climbed up the back of the Tiger. His weapon on his back; he warned he was getting in. Then he was gone.

“Your highnesses!” Marcus called. Both Princesses looked at him concerned. “If we are to protect this Kingdom. We will need at least one more tank. If have seen another human vehicle please let us know. You may not want another human weapon among your ranks. But as you have seen, we can hold those insect things off a lot longer than your guards. Time is of valuable essence.”

“If I am to make a respectful option. Much like what the Germans did with that Tiger tank. My nation of people have brought back an old KV-3 tank. They have place a reactor capable of casting a impenetrable plasma shield in return for disabling the cannon. Never fear though, the cannon has very penetration. But the bad news is it has three more months until completion.” Aleksey said. “Sorry for not letting you know sooner comrade. The project needed to be as secret as possible. With the German’s success in bringing the Tiger back to life with full deadly firepower. My people have tried to create one such weapon too. I hope it does well.”

“Hopefully the project does indeed go to plan. We will need another weapon to aid humanities struggle against the aliens. Once we help these equines win their upcoming war we can get back to Earth. And finally win. Clearly we are here by reason. Question nature’s plan later. Now we must protect this kingdom.” Marcus said. He turned back to the winged unicorns. Only now did he noticed they had flowing manes and tails. The white one had; light blue, green, dark blue and pink mane and her tail. Her eyes were magenta in colour. His attention switched the smaller dark blue winged unicorn. Her colour was slightly easier for Marcus’s eyes to adjust to. He mentally took a note of each of the rulers colours. The smaller one was just Dark Blue in colour, her mane and tail seemed to match her coats colour, but had white sparkle in both her mane and tail. Almost like the night sky. Her eyes were that of a lighter shade of blue.

“Noted. Comrade let us go fourth. We must scout.” Aleksey said trying to speed things along. “Maybe protect the front gates. No, that’s what they want. We must patrol around the walls.” With that said he vanished into the tank. That left Marcus and Aradace to get in.

“May I request your names?” Marcus said while he had quickly done a spell to replenish his and Leon’s ammunition. Both Princess looked at each other before turning their attention back Marcus. “Never mind. Forget I asked.” He respectfully saluted before walking away. Loud metallic bangs echoed the room as Marcus climbed up the side. At the same as the tank gained a urban camouflaged from nowhere. By the time it was finished, Marcus closed the hatch with a loud thud. The sound of the reactor turning back on followed. It charged up before it bursting back into life. Marcus gently put his foot on the accelerator. In return the Tiger gave a purr while its tracks rattled as it moved forward towards the blown up doorway. Just as they were about to past it. The tank suddenly growled but wasn’t moving forward. The tracks rattled, but yet nothing was happening. That was until the sirens began to wail that a sudden change in altitude was to blame.

“It appears that we are floating. Maybe it’s the unicorns that are the cause. But it is wrong to accuse without evidence.” George said. His theory however was way over assumed. It was actually the winged unicorns lifting the tank. As apparent when they spun the tank around. “Marcus, sir. What did you say to them?”

“I only asked for their names, then decided it didn’t matter. Why? Nothing wrong with that. Besides they do not look angry. In fact they look the same. But rather a little… Happier. I don’t know why.” Marcus said being observant. “Something isn’t right.” He watched the two Princesses put the tank down carefully, and they even shut the reactor off. Its dying whine echoed the room.

“Should we get out? Or stay in?” Leon asked. Marcus said nothing. Aradace eyed the two Princesses.

“Well good news is they do not wish to harm us. Maybe they going to answer your question.” She said as they just sat down on their hunches. “It appears they want you to get out Marcus.” Marcus gave a weak smile. He admired their persistence, but that’s what he was beginning to hate

“I admire your persistence to keep us in this room. What is your desire now?” Marcus said but almost regretted it when the Princesses eyes lit up. He was in trouble now. “We have a mission to be completed. Our world is in danger. We must finish our mission, so we can go home.” It didn’t sway either of the Princesses.

“You wished to know our names, did you not?” The blue Princess asked. “Then your dragon has my permission to reveal our names. Thus relieving her of the burden of secrecy.” After those words Aradace emerged from the tank. Wings fully stretched out as she risen from the machine, with a quick internal debate she decided to go to the younger one first. With one beat of her young, agile wings she had propelled herself forward towards the dark blue Princess; a flash later Aradace was already hovering above the Princess with her wings beating slowly but powerful enough to hold her in the air. She cleared her throat.

“This is Princess Luna. She is the younger sister of the one to the left. Luna controls the moon. She as a matter of fact rises and lowers it; also adding that she is responsible for the stars.” Aradace said almost coming to land on Luna’s back, but stopped just before a single piece of fur could be touched. The older sister looked at the dragon while she increased her distance from Luna’s back; Aradace had found her shadow on the floor in front of the purple unicorn. She watched the dragon with watchful eyes.

“Right, and what of the older sister then?” Marcus asked promoting a smile on the young Dragon’s face; red electricity began to dance around her tail before heading towards her two main horns. She had her shadow in sight. Everyone in the room had their eyes on the small black dragon. In a flash she dashed to her shadow and upon contact she went through it. Only to emerge from the wall behind the white winged unicorn.

“Impossible! That’s against nature!” Cried the purple unicorn.

“It is only impossible if one does not try to achieve.” Aradace said as she stopped above the white winged unicorn’s wings. “Look at them. They had ancestors fight in the most horrific battle humanity has ever seen. World War 2. A war that was never meant to happen. A war which the allied forces of Britain, Russia and America struggled with. Germany was proving a far greeter enemy then they thought. Germany had better machines, better firepower. It was all in vein. Germany soon grew desperate as the allies began to push them back. Yet the allies thought it was impossible.” Aradace said. “I find it impossible that you pacifists are at war. That’s if you are pacifists.”

“Moving topic. Stay on the introduction of the Princesses.” Marcus said having to shout over the argument, sadly Aradace never heard him. He shook his head as the argument between dragon and unicorn got more and more intense. “George, Aleksey load the 8.8 with a old AP shell. Then fire.”

Orders were executed efficiently; Aleksey had the shell in the chamber within two seconds before he sealed the shell inside. He shouted ‘loaded' down the internal radio. Marcus received the transmission, but he noticed Princess Luna’s ears twitch towards the tank. Marcus was looking for a spot to shoot at. He found it, he could George to adjust the cannon before ordering to fire. Silence followed.

“Stop your childish bickering, it gets on my nerves. Aradace please continue with introduction the Princess you are above.” Marcus said. “Do not force my had to fire that 8.8 again. It has ten times more velocity than it did in world war 2. You know that Aradace.” Aradace nodded to acknowledgement. The argument seized.

“Continuing with the introduction. This is Princess Celestia. She is the older sister of Princess Luna and is the ruler of the day. Believe me when I say this, she raises and lowers the sun. But they both work together to keep the right amount of day and night at the same hours. Just like how Earth rotates on its axis.” Aradace said finishing with the introduction. She landed shortly her wings were aching so with a quick stretch she fully deployed her wings.  Her wings measuring 2ft compared to her 3ft frame. She hasn’t reached her teen-age stage yet. After her wing stretch, she folded them to her sides and began walking back. “Nice to meet you all dears.” She added before jumping onto the top of the Tiger 1.

“Right then, we must find a place were we can rest for the day. Our operation begins at night. Under the cover of darkness our foes shall feel the might of our weapon.” Marcus said. With a metallic thud his hatch was closed. Only the whirring of the Tiger’s plasma reactor charging back up filled the quite room. Once it started up Marcus traversed it so they were facing the blown open door. Hopefully for the last time and began to drive slowly towards the door way. Marcus relaxed at the gently sound of the reactor while the tracks rattled against the floor.

"That dragon knows too much. Better yet she is another Pinkie Pie with her denying the laws of physics. It is impossible to disappear into your shadow.” The purple unicorn said ranting while she watched the machine move through the hallways before it make the first left turn. “Luna doesn’t that lead to your guard area? Better yet doesn’t it lead to your bed chambers?” Princess Luna didn’t even looked surprised.

“Highly unlikely they will find it.” She said. To their surprised the Tank had come back in reverse before it traversed right and carried on down the main hallway. Luna’s face changed for a brief millisecond. “I will see to it that they find their way out.”

                                ****

“Where in blue daisies is that exit door?” George asked as gentleman like as possible. “Sir, so If I am correct. We are finding a place to camp, then we are going to sleep until night arrives?”

“Indeed. We all work better at night. In my opinion, we need to scout out under the cover of darkness. Were these ponies should then sleeping, thus making it easier to get around without being noticed by the civilians. Should be easier to map the city.” Marcus said while he concentrated on keeping the Tiger in the middle of the hallway so they didn’t damage the décor; but he stopped the machine at a two choice hallway. Left or Right. With serious consideration he chose the left.

“You are fully aware, if you take this route you will end up turning around. As you would have found Princess Luna’s bed chamber. I doubt she will be nice to you if she catches you doing through her draws.” Aradace said through the ball she was in on Marcus’s lap. Despite her being a 3ft dragon she could curl up into a tiny ball of scales. “Its not polite to go through a girl’s things. You caught me that.” Marcus gave a hearty chuckle; the course remained the same.

“Perhaps she is right. Turn us around comrade, I don’t want the Princess of the night after us on our first night here.” Aleksey said trying his best to suppress his yawn. Clearly it didn’t work. He yawned down the internal radio. “They both seemed a bit too happy when you and Leon demonstrated a two man team. We held them at bay while Leon picked them off. At the same time your getting the ones that Dan couldn’t get. Still loved the Glock-17c kill though.”

“How did you feel having the Sun Princess help you Leon? Forgot to drag the table the back?” Dan teased.

“Didn’t see a way of dragging it back without having to put my rifle away. So I left it, but it was were I could return to if needed. Clearly though Princess Celestia moved the table. At the time I thought nothing of it. Now on the other hand. I fear anything with horns.” Leon said. He took a sharp breath when he realised that Aradace had horns.

“Hey! I have horns too you know. They just can’t focus magic. Its not what they are design for. They are designed to stab.” Aradace said without moving from her ball. “But saying that I have never used my horns as a weapon, yet.”

“Now young lady, don’t you start thinking ‘war.’ We someone who is good at diplomacy. Besides people tend to trust someone that can speak in a civilised manner. With us being soldiers, and with us operating this tank. The civilians will look at this thing and run.” George said eyeing his new updated weapon instruments. “I must say. So far this old Tank has impressed me. It has targeting system that is easy to use. A plasma system that reloads the shell by forming it in the chamber. Yet it can go back to its 8.8 shell. Its marvellous.”

“She is isn’t she? This was our last chance to save humanity. Germany and Britain secretly worked together in project known as Project: Plasma Storm. As much as I hate to say. John Weston is apart of the project. He now serves in Operation Plasma-fire.” Ayden said and took a deep breath when Marcus slowly brought the tank to a standstill in front of a door with a crescent moon. “From what the British have said. They plan to send at least 5,000 tanks into Operation Plasma-fire. Its happening as we speak.”

“Hopefully if my son plays by the book, he will pull through. Please tell me what tank he is driving.” He said,

“I do believe it’s a Chieftain FV4201 MBT. Due to the project, it now fires plasma due to its plasma systems. But 5,000 tanks have this modification. Since its mostly Britain and Germany involved, the battalion had 2,500 Leopard Tanks and 2,500 Chieftain FV4201.” Ayden said. “Sorry to tell you this now, but I am having that old commander’s feeling I used to get back in WW2. This feeling is telling me we are going to need him. No matter how insane he is.”

“We are all insane in our own little way. Look at me for example, give me a chance and I will run right up to the enemy. But I haven’t yet.” Dan said giving a small chuckle. Everyone followed shortly after. Everyone except Marcus. After hearing that his son was heading off In what could be humanity’s last battle. It could be the last he hears from his son; he pushed that thought aside. Immediately he traversed the Tiger 1 180° only to see the night Princess herself with two guards. Unlike a normal Pegasus these guards were more bat-like. Their eyes were slitted, wings were in the shape of bat wings. Their ears appeared normal. But the small Driver's window didn't offer much view. He did see the guards with their spears pointed at the machine. Just to test them he had George lower the cannon. The guards trembled.

"Princess Luna wants you to get out. She wishes to introduce you to her latest recruits. I suggest you have Aleksey with this time. After all he was the first man in your team." Aradace said. Marcus groaned. This would make it at least the third time he got out. He called Aleksey while he threw open his hatch in a pissed off manner; grabbing his L85A2 by the sling and then putting it on him. He firmly held it on his chest and tightened the sling so it held the weapon on his chest. Aleksey on the other held his Dragunov SVD-12 on full display. How he managed to fit such a big rifle inside that tank is a mystery. They both jumped off the tank and landed with a thud. Their Army boots absorbed the impact. Both the guards trembled.

"New recruits. Fresh bodies in the corps. Ha ha. You are both going to have some serious fun guarding things that we can just roll through. No, but moving on.  More serious matters await us. You waited us your highness? Please make it quick. We have to set up camp." Aleksey said. His attention was soon grabbed by one those insect things from earlier. He brought the rifle scope to his eye as he whispered get down. With a quick pull of the trigger. The recoil took his weapon up all in while the spent shell was ejected. "Target neutralised. It isn't getting up." He looked at the two guards.

"Let's not scare the recruits Aleksey. After all you have start somewhere." Marcus said looking at the Princess. She got the idea of what Marcus wanted, her guards were introduced. A brother and sister. "Pleasure to meet you both. I wish you luck on your future fitness tests. Word of advise. Ignore the rumours, of any get spread about you both. If you happen to us walking around, I am Major Weston, this one next to me is Captain Aleksey. I still don't know what Russian rank he is. If you want intel on long range tactic he is the go to guy. Or Leon is the other one." He shook both the guards hoofs before dismissing himself and Aleksey. However Marcus stopped. "If you need us, just seek us. We aren't that hard to find." They both then got back into the tank.

"That lasted far longer than I wanted it to." Aleksey said just as he sat down. "Remind me, why were are helping them? Because in my opinion most of their guards are weak and undisciplined. They need more training. Look at the two we pretty much dragged back to the Princesses. They were shaking in their boots. Say, what happened to them?" The Tiger purred once it began driving again.

"In due time they will become better, but for now lets concentrate on getting to our campsite. We will work under the cover of darkness. That way we haven't got the civilians in the way." Marcus said. "The amount of times we have had to stop has already began to annoy me. Oh, before I forget. Ayden, can we reduce the noise of the engine of this thing? Or logic remains with that."

"Nein. Reactor sound can not be reduced. I recommend scouting the area out. A forrest is most suitable. However we are in a urban environment. An alleyway should do fine while you and Aleksey do some recon." Ayden said. "Aradace seems to sleeping to recharge her energy. You both are going to need her."

"True, she has been very helpful. She knows where her loyalty stands." Aleksey said. "She can detect almost anything before they have chance to get close. She is another good member of the team."

                                                      ****

After finally finding the correct route, with the help from Princess Luna walking them through the castle. From head on it looked menacing. Luna herself being rather dark natured when she wanted to be or was frustrated. But she didn't look back to see if the machine was still there. She didn't need to because the machine itself was loud with the Plasma reactor yet alone the tracks were just as worst with the rattling; every now and then she had to stop to get the Tank to stop just so she could lesson her headache. However this stop was different. This time was different she had to find a way to silence that tank. How would she do that exactly? An idea struck her. Ask the humans to use an alternate fuel source. Marcus watched the gesture she just pulled off in front of his visor. At least the Germans had a little sense to make his view a little easier. That didn't help him with the gesture though.

"She wants you to get out again. She wants to know whether you can use a quieter fuel source. That or turn the reactor off. Those requests are something we can not fulfil. I could reason with her. After all I know everything about her. I will tell you how I know later on. I am just letting the realisation kick in. By the way you lot have lasted longer than expected." Aradace said yawning as she stretched her muscles. She went to stretch her wings but an inch stopped her. Said inch was on her wing blade on the right wing. "Could you open this hatch please. I would open it using magic, but as you say 'its pointless to use magic when you can do it yourself.' Now I know why my mom granted you magic." Marcus rolled his eyes while Aradace blabbered on. He got the hatch open so the dragon could get out. He left it ajar.

"Sorry Princess, but no. Machines can't be any quieter than what this is now. At the end of the day this is a war machine, and it doesn't help that the engine is a plasma reactor. As for the tracks, the only way to silence them is to stop the tank completely." He heard Aradace say to the Princess. "How about we stay at a distance. These two guards could keep an eye on us."

"Neigh, I will cope with the annoying sounds. Your just trying to escape." Marcus heard Princess Luna say. Marcus just shrugged his shoulder and turned the reactor back on. Its usual sounds purred from the tank, and once Aradace was in Marcus put his foot down.

"She thinks we are trying to escape... Wait she can't be leading us to the... She is! Floor it!" Aradace said. She accessed the magical aura and immediately knew of Princess Luna's intention. "Make an immediate right." Marcus dropped the break on the right track and drove the left one forward. Luckily the suspension took the sheer weight that was suddenly applied to the left track. Nevertheless the Tiger 1 made the immediate right turn.

"Нет! Why would she does this!" Aleksey said accidentally using his native language through the internal radio.

"They have turned hostile. Permission to fire?" George asked as he monitored his advance targeting system.

"Nein, hold fire!" Ayden ordered. "Marcus I want you drive and don't stop! Dan if anything attacks from the front you are ordered to fire! George and Aleksey you are authorised to fire at door or big threats."

                                                       ****

"Gah! This is taking the fucking piss! Where the fuck is that exit!" Leon shouted as the tank violently shook while it smashed through the walls. "At least the walls aren't slowing the tank down."

"I have a bad feeling we are going to end up where we began." Aleksey said while he monitor what systems he had that concerned about the cannon. So far his systems had not picked up any damages. Other than the crashing through walls everything was fine.

"Ayden what a your systems reading? Mine are threatening to shut down, I think I have rammed to many walls." Marcus asked as he did a hard turn left and sacred a few maid ponies by accident. Marcus held a confused expression. "Maid uniforms here reveal more than they should. That or she has out-grown that uniform."

"Who else wished they closed their eyes while going through that group of maids?" Dan asked sounding a bit disturbed through the radio. "That's a sight I do not want to see that again. Because If see one more maid, I'm going to get out and have a few words with the Princesses. That is one image I am never going to be able to get out my brain." Marcus heard him shudder through the radio.

"Done a pulse scan while Princess Luna had you distracted. I have only just received the map. From this location there is balcony. Bad news is its a sheer drop. The shield will have to be overcharged in order to lift the pressure off the suspension. It will get us outside, but at the cost of our shield for an hour while it recharges." Ayden said while he quickly ran scenario tests. "Right, continue at this speed. And drive through the door ahead of you. Divert all power to the shields now." Marcus kept the tank on its course for the mentioned door while pulled a new lever inside of his compartment. All power to the cannon was diverted to the shields By the time Marcus had done that all he felt was a strong thud as the Tiger just rammed through the door and the banister guardrails. Seconds past and the Altitude sensor was blaring at them as the altitude was dropping too quickly.

"Brace for impact!" Marcus shouted as he saw the beginning of a building and the paths becoming more clearer, even the ground became much clearer. By now he could actually tell there were ponies watching the strange machine plummet from the sky. Marcus looked at the warning indictor and the altitude sensor system, they were much more frantic; as planned Marcus diverted all power to the Tiger's plasma shield. Immediately power was drained and the shield had overcharged. It was all it good timing too. Marcus shouted 'brace' for a second time. This time everyone got into the aircraft emergency position. To the crew time seemed to have slowed down, as it felt like the crash was taking forever.

However it all came crashing down on them like a tonne of bricks. Within moments after Marcus declaring 'brace' the Tiger slammed into the ground with outstanding force it made the stone beneath make a splash like it was water. Guards that were by the main door looked at the tank with fear. They noticed a Blue-yellow flash vaporise seconds after the crash. If it wan't for their guard shift they would have investigated the mysterious thing. Instead they had to just watch it instead.

"Guards what is going on out here... Oh my. I think they found the exit." Celestia said as she walked out the castle to the sight. She studied the trajectory of the fall and then looked up to the balcony. It confirmed her theory. She saw Luna looking down completely shocked. Same with her new guards they too shared Luna's expression. "Do you know what happened? They were meant to be under your supervision."

"They aren't children Tia! I was leading them to the prisons, but they must have thought we were going to lock them up." Princess Luna shouted back at her older sister in hopes to hide the lie. She sent her two new guards down to study if the tank crew survived. Even with the reactor still chugging lightly, no one was concerned of it moving. Oh how they thought wrong. To their surprise the driver's hatch swung open with Marcus half in half out. Blood was running from the top right of his head, but he was getting the machine to move forward.

Luckily the shield had took the punishment of the fall as planned. That saved the tank's suspension system and saved the crew. At the cost of the shield. Now the crew had to rely on the thickened armour of the Tiger 1 to protect them. Thats if their injuries didn't knock them out first.

"Aradace do your best to keep your weight on the accelerator while I steer us away from that crazy night Princess. There is no way in hell am I going to prison for nothing. We have committed no such crime as of yet. So why is she trying to lock us up?" Marcus said aloud by mistake. Thus alerted Princess Celestia what Luna was up to. "She wants a reason to lock us up? How about a assassination attempt."

Once Marcus had the tank at the bottom of the stair case, he stopped allowing the tank to go forward  and instead traversed the machine 180° so he had a clear view of Luna on the balcony. He asked Aradace to stop with her assistance with the accelerator. She happily stopped putting her weight onto the peddle and collapsed straight after. Marcus on the other hand could see his vision blackening. As quick as he could he reached for his L85A2 rifle; Luna was in his sights and was looking directly at him. She eventually realised the weapon was drawn on her. Marcus's finger was squeezing to trigger, sweet trickled down his face, mixing with the blood from his wound. Bang! The finger pulled the trigger. Lucky for Luna, Marcus fall unconscious after putting the safety back on after he fired. Just by timing the Tiger 1's reactor ceased to function. However a message was left on all the screens in each compartment. The message was 'all crew knock out. Activating sleep mode. Reactor offline. Estimated wake up time: unknown.' Marcus dropped the rifle onto his chair before he fall forward onto the hull of the machine. His vision finally blackened and his hearing was becoming muffled.

"Get them all into the nearest hospital now! Before we blow our chance of standing a chance..." Was all Marcus heard off Princess Luna before he was succumbing to the darkness. He tried to fight it off by getting angry. It appeared to working. The blackness around his vision was pushed back. Marcus saw the opportunity he made for himself to make a move, he pushed up with all his might only to discover the blackness began to spread across his vision again. He continued to fight it off but no matter no hard he tried, he could feel his muscles ache. However he diverted all his energy to looking straight into Luna’s eyes.

“Me and you are going to have conversation about this.” He said until he heard and saw a camera flash. He looked in the direction and pulled his Glock-17c and then fired at the camera. Its echo made all the ponies cower with fear. “No flash photography without legal authorisation of the United Nations Defence Force.” As soon as he said it. He finally succumbed to the darkness.

“Looks like your having a long conversation about this to him. I suspected something was off. They aren’t that stupid to drive off a balcony with a sheer drop willingly. Plus that dragon misses nothing. She must have sensed something. I suggest talking to him one on one. Be sure to place his men in the same room…. And leave their weapons alone. We must show that we trust them if we are to get them to help us win.” Princess Celestia said as she walked to her younger sister; who in returned scoffed at her sister’s comment. “Being imprisoned on your moon for a 1,000 has done you no good. You need to talk to people outside our species. People like them humans. They know nothing of your past, so it should be easy.”

“Ha! Like they will ever trust me after this. How am I meant to get their trust again after this? They protected us in our own courtroom, yet I just threw that trust away like a unusable tissue. Thou must be mad if you think they will trust me again.” Princess Luna said. Deep down she knew her older sister was right. “I am lost in this modern world. No speaks the way I remember it. I am struggling with this improved language.”

“You have the hang of it so far. These humans are more advanced than we are. So maybe they can help you.” Celestia said gleaming with joy.

“Your highness, how are we meant to move this thing? Its too heavy for us to pull to the nearest hospital. They may not survive the trip as we will take to long to get it there.” A solar guard said as he walked towards the two Princesses.

“Never-mind then. I will teleport them to the hospital with my own doctors to watch over them. Their tank will be kept with me in throne room. Princess Luna will watch over them.” Princess Celestia said before she cast a spell which made the tank disappear and crew teleport them to the nearest hospital. “Go sister. You must be there when Marcus awakens.”

                                                 ****

Marcus awoke on a bed that was rather comfortable. It felt a bit wet but was comfortable and warm nevertheless. The bed sheets the selves are smooth to the touch. They even smelled like lavender. It was quiet too. Nut he could feel something on top of him as well as the sound of snickering. He opened his eyes in flash. There were at least two doctors and two nurses by his bed. Their laughing had stopped and one of the doctors had approached him before he had chance to figure out what was on top of him.

“Good evening Mister Weston. You and your crew a lucky to have survived that crash with only minor head wounds. Its nothing to minor, but to be sure the Princess has ordered that you all are to stay in for one more day. Your crew are happy with this, but the weird deep voiced guy said to speak it to you. If it helps the guy had a weird accent. With a flag wit white, blue and red in a horizontal configuration.” The doctor said. Marcus nodded in confirmation.

“Its been awhile since I have been called Mister instead of Major. Lucky to walk away from a crash like that, I am amazed that the shield held at the crash. As for the extra day, I couldn’t care less. Its an extra day in bed. By the way it was Aleksey you spoke to. He is Russian. Nice bloke. Just avoid upsetting him.” Marcus said but his eyes still refused to focus. “What of my Dragon Aradace?”

“She is ok Mister Weston. Unlike you and your crew though, she has suffered more than a hole in her wing sails.” The doctor said. Marcus gave a sigh of relief. “If you need us at anytime just ring the buzzer. We have told the rest of your men the same thing.”

“Hopefully I will be fine. I have been in much worst conditions than this measly bump. One thing bothers me though Doctor. You haven’t showed the look of fear. Whereas all the other civilians looked mortified. I find it adorable.” Marcus said with his vision still refusing to un-blur everything.

“We try not to make fuss over petit things. At the end of the day your species shows better intelligence. Your not carnivores are you?” The doctor.

“Humans are omnivores mostly. We eat both plants and meat. A balanced mixture of both is what keeps our bodies operating. Too much meat for example leads to build up of protein. Which then I think turns to fat if it isn’t burned of.” Marcus said. “What this object sitting on me? Feels like someone decided to place a large teddy filled with bricks.” The two doctors and nurses had to choke back a snicker.

"Its none other than Princess Luna. She must have grown extremely tired and fall asleep on you. Even Alicorns are a mystery to us. They work differently compared to the Earth, Pegasus and unicorn races. But Princess Celestia has warned not to wake her up. She is… Cranky so to speak. We are going to leave you lot alone. Don’t be afraid to push the buzzer.” The Doctor said as he led the others out of the room and left him alone. He tried to focus his eyesight only for it fail. Instead he hugged the ‘object’ on his chest. It was sort of natural. It felt like hugging a better bear. Expect this one had a horn and wings, let alone it was a Princess. Even if he was pissed off at her, he pushed that aside and fall asleep stroking Luna’s mane and behind her ears. She seemed to like it for she moved closer to his hand.

“She hasn’t anyone talk to her in a very long time. You’re the only people that don’t fear her because of her past. As her older sister I want to see her happy. Can you do that for me? Since you even stated you will operate under the cover of the Night sky. That makes you apart of the Lunar guard. Sorry for startling you at this time.” Said a voice which he had identified as Celestia due to the gentle voice. Where she did startle him, it wasn’t enough to make him jump.

“Its our personal goal to move from the past mistakes we once made. It makes us better at who we are. By not knowing of her past mistakes must be good for her. Why? Clearly she must have done something big in order for the entire population to fear her. Just please do not tell me. I would like to here from her point of view first. It is normal to be scratched behind the ears and enjoy this much?” Marcus asked while Luna move her head slightly to place Marcus’s hand to a spot on her ear that made her sigh with relief.

“Some ponies are different than others. Although I warn you know from personal experience. Do not touch her flanks. She will go from a talkative mare to one that will bite your ear. As her older sister I did it as a joke. I am never doing that again.” Princess Celestia said while shuddering. Marcus chuckled lightly.

“I find it odd that she swooped down to a soldier’s level just to get this. Believe it if you will. Me and my squad are all mixtures of Special forces. Take me and Leon for example. We are both Paratroopers in the British armed forces. Aleksey is a Russian Spetnez Sniper. Like Leon he hasn’t missed a single target. Ayden my German father was a elite German tank commander that commanded a single King Tiger against his ruler. The crew of five had saved five KV-1 from another King Tiger and several Panzer mark IV. He emerged from a bush and went full on against the Panzers. The King Tiger was far more armoured and better weaponised. Ayden’s crew laid waste but saved the Russian KV-1 squad. He went onto assist them. Finally Dan and George are British SAS. Special Air Service it stands for. The SAS are the most elite form of Special Forces. They are the elite of British forces.” Marcus said while still stroking Luna’s ear. His vision was slowly restoring to him and Celestia was coming into focus. “It’s a shame that high society is demanding. While being full of opinion filled snobs, that think they are above the world. The press are just as annoying. I hate the press just as much as arrogant people.”

“The Press have a habit of twisting what you say and turn it into lies.” Celestia said. They both nodded in agreement.

“I warn you now though. If you find a pony with a smashed camera and a bullet hole through their head you know it was me. No photos are to be taken without my authorisation, and will not be printed unless they have my say so. Sorry, but I am not having photos of me and my crew, just for the Press to corrupt those words. Or what would the caption be if they had a picture of me and Luna like this.” Marcus said. “Like when I shot the one before failing unconscious. I hope it didn’t go through to kill the pony.” Marcus said. Thankfully Celestia shook her head.

“Luckily the metal that your weapon spat out got lodged in the camera. Camera was destroyed in the process, but the pony lived. Its unbecoming of me to say this, but its about time someone starts putting them in line. Since you humans aren’t under my law, by law I can’t touch you. So you could I don’t know… Lay waste to the Press buildings that take photos of your tank and crew.” Celestia said trying to stifle a laugh.

“Lay waste, nothing would be left standing. I would feel sorry for the pony that tries to take a picture while standing in our way. Must be terrifying to have a 60 ton piece of metal coming towards you. As long if your giving indirect permission, consider the press no threat.” Marcus said giving Celestia a evil smirk. “Hmm I have a feeling you are distressed, and you want revenge for something.”

“Aradace may be rubbing off on you, for you have guessed correctly. The paparazzi got a picture of my rear end through one of my windows. I can never go anywhere without some random stallion trying to hit on me. For your first mission you are to hunt this stallion down.” Celestia said spawning a magazine with the picture of her flank on the title page. Marcus gave a disappointed look.

"Consider it done your majesty. But I have better plan. Hold a open event tomorrow were you introduce us. Here we will punish the photographer. Since humanity isn’t chained by your law, we can see to it they get the punishment they deserve.” Marcus said while he thought of the plan. “I will have the Tiger behind us in camouflage, so they will not see it. I will stand in full display of the Press conference. Here I will make it known, no photography of the crown without legal permission.”

“Just do not kill them, it will make your kind look bad.” Celestia said.

“I can’t guaranty he will survive the procedure I will have done to them. I have a feeling it’s a male. Tomorrow dead on 12:00.” Marcus said. “You will get your payback, and I get to demonstrate what happens when people step out of line. Ssh Luna just stirred.” Just as he said her name. Luna began to stir and naturally Marcus stopped scratching her ear. Once she had settled down, she yawned and fall back to sleep. Marcus continued scratching her ear but decided to draw circles instead. Celestia gave a warming smile.

“Is she heavy?” She said playfully. Marcus shook his head.

“Not at all. She is lighter than I expected. That is probably because she has her weight distributed evenly.” He said holding back a yawn. “Just stick to the plan, we will do the rest. Hopefully it will install fear in the press. So much fear as a matter of fact they wouldn’t dare take another photo.”

“She is around the same size as you, that’s probably why she is light.”

“Your around the same size as an average human. You are estimated to be 6ft. That is around average height. Its just that a human male is at least 1 inch taller than you.” Marcus corrected. “The other ponies seem to be around 4ft tall.”

“Impressive. You judge size very well. I now feel small with you two legs walking around.” Celestia said in a joking manner.

“Liked the joke there. Good use use of it. I find it odd though, how your sister can mood swing pretty quickly when the circumstances require. I mean she went from trying to jail us to sleeping on my chest. I find it questionable.” Marcus said while circling her ear.

“She has had troubled past. She gets shunned because of it and as her older sister I get worried that the past is going to repeat itself. I need someone to be by her side when I can’t. Since you don’t fear her maybe you and your crew are the right people for that.” Celestia said. Marcus had to stop himself from choking.

“Pardon? With all due respect ma’am we are soldiers of war. We can’t get too attached to anything, otherwise it will be harder to do our jobs. Our duty as soldiers is to protect the innocent. No matter the cost.” Marcus said after recovering from what Celestia had said.

“You making yourself sound as cold hearted as the machine you control. Is Humanity really that dark as a species? Has this war really turned you all cold hearted?...”

“No not at all, its just these aliens came from nowhere and wage war on our kind for no reason. We held up as long as could after hearing projects were being researched to grant us better weapons. Thus the plasma Tiger was born. Each country worked in unison to created machines that could aid us.” Marcus said taking a break to add effect. “We all got a taste of the blood shed and violence, some got more than others. They are the ones who lost all their humanity. For us it was fight or be eradicated. You can guess what humanity went for.” Celestia gave of nod of understanding.

"I see. You were plunged into a war that your kind didn’t want. Yet you still fought for freedom. Has the war been one?” She asked Marcus shook his head weakly.

"The Plasma Tiger was the German’s first break though with Plasma technology. Since most of our forces were focus on a full force assault, my team had to get to the research facility. When we did we only had brief time to the use to the machine.” Marcus said. “And we are here now. We do as the circumstances demand. I suppose we are the only ones who can understand Luna. For we have so many similarities. One being we are strangers in the civilian word.”

“Your Highness you are needed back in the castle.” A guard said as he flung the door open in a hurry. His fur was white in colour and his armour was Golden with imprints of the sun. Celestia and Marcus looked at one another with confused expressions. Nevertheless Celestia heeded the request. With a Good-bye to Marcus she slowly left the room.

“Wow. How the fuck did that work? Try to go to sleep and end up having a…. Half an hour conversation.” Marcus said looking at the clock above the door. “I wonder how Aradace is.” He wondered for bit but decided against it. If his crew needed him, they would surely seek him. So he began to drift of in to the world sleep.