Guardian exited through the opening to the drop ship landed outside. Inside were Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Twilight out cold. Pinkie was sitting on a seat with an dark look that could make a pony drop dead, while Fluttershy tended to Twilight. As soon as he walked in the traumatised pegases gave him a blank expression, she hadn't the words to describe how it was her fault the Empire fell, and how this was so familiar.

Guardian picked up the radio frequency and silently listened in. The Hallowed have fully withdrawn, likely preparing another attack. Contact had been lost with all artillery stations on the perimeter. Casualties were heavy as well as the number of missing soldiers. When he believed he heard enough he ordered every single unit to retreat into the mountains, were the largest military complex was located.

He tuned out of the comms and walked over to Twilight and placed two fingers on her forehead, she awoke with gasp and looked around wildly trying to discern where she was. When her gaze fell on Guardian she looked at him expectingly, as if he would answer all her questions at once. He merely shook his head and gesturing towards the opening. She gave him a confused look but proceeded to stand up and walk towards the gap. About two seconds later came a screech and then sobbing, she had found Cadence.

Fluttershy just proceeded to pack up the medical supplies she was using, trying her hardest not to burst into tears. She hadn't the guts to tell him she was to blame. But she wasn't aware that he already knew.

A tragic day indeed, looks like this is how your favourite world ends.

He didn't bother to reply to the mocking voice in his head. He strode out to the top of the spire and gazed into the distance in the direction of Denthar's forces.

You should just take your daughters and run at this point. This world is done for.

"I'm not leaving them behind. I'll fight till the planet implodes."

You know as well as I do that that may very well become a reality. Unless you tell them of the last resort you installed.

"If I do that they will use it instantly without hesitation, the plan won't work if that happens."

Their lives shouldn't have become a higher priority, we have the means to end this war right here right now. If you weren't as so ignorant to listen to me you'd know that one life is worth sacrificing for the sake of many."

"The consequences would be tremendous. The time it would take to rebalance the Aether, I'll have other places to be.."

Do you think It'd be that easy to fool me? We both know there are quite simple ways to restore equalibrium. You're just afraid of losing them.

You've become attached to them all.

A swarm of dragons was approaching, most likely to finish off the remains of the city. Fortunately, evacuation has almost been completed, the last transport ships were on their way to the mountains. Once there, the shield and AA defences would give them enough time to formulate a plan to destroy the Dreadnought.

Harmony's trip to the mountains was silent. The loss of their home and Cadence was almost too much to bear. Guardian spent most of the time quietly formulating a plan to destroy the Hallowed air fleet.

The drop ship passed through the energy field protecting the mountains. Behind them, dragons lay waste to what remained of the Crystal Empire. Twilight reached a small balcony outside and watched the burning city. The grief and guilt weighed heavily on her mind. Memories of Cadence and the time they spent together flashed through her head. She didn't deserve to die, nopony did.

"Why?" She whispered to herself, "What caused this hellish nightmare to be brought upon Equestria? What have we done to deserve this?"

Her will completely devastated, she walked back inside.

Two Hours Later

Spitfire, Soarin, and Rainbow Dash stood at attention per Guardian's request. They stood in the hallway outside the war room, awaiting their order.

Under normal circumstances, Rainbow Dash would've completely flipped out being in the presence of two of her idols, but she'd been devoid of emotion since the Empire. All she could think of was hatred towards the Hallowed for causing them so much strife and misery.

Guardian stepped out of the war room, Celestia and Luna flanking him.

"You three have been selected for a special assignment," he started, "we are beginning our final stand against the enemy. Any craft we have will get instantly obliterated if it gets too close to the flagship, so while our main forces will be engaging the enemy, you will be responsible for taking down the Dreadnought airship." He used telekinesis to hover three small saddlebags in front of them, "These are dev charges. Your task is to plant these in specified locations on the ship. If done correctly, the ship will go down in flames." Rainbow Dash could picture the glorious scene in her mind. "However," Guardian continued, "Time is of the essence. If that ship gets into firing range of this base, it will destroy our last line of defense. Our forces will scatter and be slaughtered by those monsters, and Equestria will fall.

"You must be prepared to lay down your life for your country, your friends and family, and do whatever it takes to bring down that airship. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir!" The pegasi shouted in unison.

"This is Spitfire of Blue Angels calling in ready to drop."

All three pegasi had there wings spread, ready to launch out of the drop ship and into the fray. The gunfire could be heard even over the noise of the engine. Drop Ships didn't have interior windows, but from the chatter on comms and constant booming of cannons suggested they were in the thick of the raging battle.

"Copy that," came the response on the radio,"You're clear for drop"

The bay doors swung open and the trio propelled out of the ship. Dragons, jets, and the occasional heavy gunship flew about in all directions. The airship fleet of both sides became one mass of metal and fire, only the Dreadnought remained alone.

They manuvered through the warzone in the sky, their pre-war training helping them through the frenzy.

Explosions from flak cannons surrounded them from all sides. A squadron of dragons had taken up position behind them.

"Soarin, they're on our six, see what you can do about them." Spitfire ordered. Soarin gave a grin and saluted before breaking off the formation and flying towards the dragons. He made it look as if he was just another pegasus. He banked and swerved until he was directly above them.

The pegasi weaponry were very similar to the crossbows used by the guard before the war. A saddle with a firing and reloading mechanism wasn't extremely difficult to use. The new Arsenal was simply lighter and fired bolts of energy. But had a similar design and control. The Wonderbolts sometimes used them for their shows, hitting targets while doing near impossible stunts.

Using the interface in the suit, Soarin charged the guns and fired right in the middle of the cluster. The blast incinerated the ones closest while scattering the rest. Soarin let out a victory whoop them increased speed to join with the others. Little did he know the trap had been sprung.

He almost made it back to them before a shot from a dragon rider went clean through his abdomen.

A memory of his family flashed through his head as he plummeted to certain death. He saw his house in Cloudsdale, he was coming home from training, before the Hallowed. Soarin landed on his porch, excitement and anticipation bubbling inside him. He gathered his composure and knocked on the door.

"For the last time," the voice of the most beautiful mare in the world came from inside, "I don't want your bloody-" she stopped when she opened the door and saw who was knocking. Soarin drank in the sight of his wife, Cotton Candy. Her coat was the pink of the fuzzy treat that bears the same name, while her mane was of the blue variety.

"Hello! Do you have the time to talk about our great and benevolent ruler Celestia?" He mocked the fanatical priest solicitors that were a bane on family dinners.

"SOARIN!" The light pink mare threw herself at the grey stallion, knocking him to the ground and holding him in a deadly bear hug.

"Hey Candy." He replied through the choking grasp of his wife.

He had been away for months, training and organizing for the upcoming war. His days had been spent in a facility on the outskirts of Las Pegasus. He wrote and received letters to his family while he was there. But nothing compared to being in their presence.

"Mom?" Called out the filly standing in the doorway, wondering what all the commotion was about. When she saw her father her eyes lit up like fireworks. She too flew like a missle and joined the embrace.

That was the last day he'd seen them. It was back to training for another month then the portal opened.

He couldn't feel anything anymore. He didn't even remember hitting the ground. He lay on his back, the tundra around him completely deserted. He was alone, and paralyzed. While the snow made it where he didn't go splat, he was still slowly dying. His spinal cord damaged and most of his internal organs incenerated, he didn't have much time left.

"Soarin!" Spitfire's voice called desperately through the radio, "Soarin! Respond! Where are you?!"

He had just one request. "Tell my baby filly it's all right." He forced out the last of his breath.

"I've sung my last song today..."

"Nothing" Spitfire replied.

"What do you mean?" Asked Rainbow Dash.

"I mean there's no response." Spitfire was lying through her gritted teeth. She heard Soarin's final words and knew exactly what they meant. But she refused to let her emotions overtake her. Not yet.

"But...he could be hurt! He might need help!" Called the cyan pegasus.

"Unless you saw where he landed, there's nothing we can do for him. We still have a mission to finish, and I'll be damned before I allow him to die in vain."

Rainbow Dash was silent after that.

The Dreadnought was close now. They kept out of the range of its cannons and drew up behind it. The engine were exposed and vulnerable. They went in for the kill.

Celestia watched the flagship go down in flames. The sight was spectacular, but she had no time to marvel in its beauty. She flew ahead of the drop ships in formation behind her. Dressed in golden ornate battle armor with a matching battle axe strapped to her back. She was to join up with Luna and her forces, who had already engaged the enemy. She had fought life and limb for her country more than once. This was different, Guardian was here. Commanding, planning, giving the orders. This time she was a soldier. But she would give everything she had to protect her subjects. She gave a bloodcurdling war cry before diving headfirst into battle.

Author's Note

I'm back from my 'exile'

Writers block and depression seriously suck. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. There isn't much left now.