Samson placed a shotgun on his back and pulled a rugged-looking automatic rifle off the rack. He put the rifle on the table next to a three-dimensional holographic display of the Crystal Empire. The display showed the locations of the Vex in red, just like the overlay from the cockpit. Aveline, Gospel, and Twilight joined him at the table, with Twilight having to stand on her hindlegs in order to see on the table. They stared at the display as Samson began speaking.

“So we can all see what’s happening in the city.” He stated, pointing at a cluster of red dots. “The Vex are on the attack in the city; as to why, we don’t know, we’ll figure it out once we get the locals away from the fighting.” He pointed at the center area, underneath a holographic image of the castle. “There’s a defensive position underneath this structure. Whatever they’re doing, it’s working, but it won’t for very long. Our goal is to attempt to rendezvous with whoever’s under the castle and get them out of the city. However, due to the castle’s design, we won’t be able to fly the Mischief Maker in safely.”

“So how do we get to them?” Twilight asked and Samson pointed at the southern edge of the city.

“Vex are being eliminated when they approach too close to this area here. No doubt there’s another defensive line.” Samson replied, and then pointed just past the edge. “We’ll drop in just outside the city here and try to find somebody in charge. After that, we can coordinate a plan of action to getting through the city.”

“We will need to be quick; the Vex are surrounding the central defensive position.” Aveline noted.

“Why don’t you just help them take back the city?” Twilight asked.

“We don’t have nearly enough manpower or resources to route the Vex… at least, not this many Vex.” Gospel replied.

“Guardians are strong, Twilight, but we are not invulnerable.” Aveline told the alicorn. “This is an invasion, one we can do nothing to stop. All we can do is try to save as many lives as possible.”

“But I bet we can take this central thoroughfare leading to the castle.” Gospel said, pointing at one of the main streets. “We’ll be open to sniperfire, but if two of us cover the buildings on either side, we should be able to protect anyone fleeing the city through that street.”

“That’s a good idea; Vex presence in the southern half of the city is still relatively light.” Samson said, and then he pulled the action on his auto-rifle. The gun then disappeared. “Wedge, take us down at the indicated location.”

“Affirmative, Titan Samson-12” Came the response, and the ship tilted slightly. Aveline approached Twilight and held out a handgun and bandoleer with several clips. The alicorn looked at them in confusion.

“Aim down the barrel at your target and squeeze the trigger.” Aveline said, showing Twilight how to hold the weapon. “Don’t worry about it being loud; it is very quiet, as well as accurate and easy to use.” Aveline pressed a button on the side of the grip to eject the clip, showing both to Twilight before putting them back together and pulling the weapon’s slide. “When the clip runs out of ammo, press this button to remove the clip. Then just take a fresh one off the bandoleer and push it in the slot. After that, pull the slide like this to chamber a round.”

Aveline slid the gun into a holster and helped strap the bandoleer around Twilight’s barrel, making sure her wings and legs had room to move comfortably. Twilight looked at the bandoleer with no small amount of apprehension while Aveline also fitted her ear with some kind of device.

“I-I don’t know about this… I think I’d prefer to just stick to my magic…” Twilight said uncertainly.

“That’s fine, Twilight.” Samson told her. “The gun is just there in case you need it. If you’re that confident in your abilities, then you probably won’t ever have to draw it.”

They could feel the ship’s descent slow as it approached the landing zone.

“Is there anything else I should know?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah.” Gospel responded as the ship landed. “Aim for center mass; the glowing white cores are their weakpoints. If you see a Harpy or Minotaur, however, make sure you hit the former in their red eyes and for the latter… hit it with your best shot, because they don’t have a weakness.”

The ramp descended and all three Guardians charged down it. Twilight lingered briefly before running down the ramp as well. She made it in time to see Samson charge past a pair of crystal ponies that she recognized as leading officers in the city watch. Twilight watched in amazement as Samson tore into a pair of large, bipedal machines that she held no doubts were Vex. She noted that both automatons had some kind of defensive barrier that ultimately proved useless against the Exo’s might. Seeing that both machines had been destroyed, she rushed over to the guardsponies to speak with them, catching the last bit of their conversation with Samson.

“Why are you here?” The guardspony with a pink, curly mane asked.

“We’re here to help in any way we can.” Samson replied.

“Rose Quartz.” Twilight said once she made it to the guardsponies and Rose turned to Twilight, surprise and relief in her eyes.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, you’re here!” Rose exclaimed. “Grace of the First, I was beginning to think all would be lost.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we don’t have nearly the strength needed to take back the city.” Twilight told Rose and the crystal pony nodded.

“I’d be surprised if you did.” Rose replied.

“What? But your friend just took down those two monsters easily!” Pearl Essence exclaimed, pointing at Samson. “It took over half a dozen of our guards just to kill one; surely the three of them could destroy the rest of these Tartarus-spawned abominations!”

“We’re not an army.” Samson told the lithe crystal pony. “If we had more Guardians, then maybe we could clear the city. Right now, though, we’re going to focus our efforts on securing the main street through the city.”

“You plan to fight your way to the castle?” Rose queried and Samson nodded. “Good; the prince and princess are still in the center, alongside a contingent of the royal guard. However, some of these machines have highly accurate, long-range weapons that they’ve been using to snipe at us from rooftops.”

“Hobgoblins; I shall take care of them.” Aveline said, switching her compact scout rifle for her sniper rifle.

“Easier said than done.” Pearl replied haughtily. “The… you called them ‘hobgoblins’? Curious… anyway, these ‘hobgoblins’ raise some kind of defensive barrier whenever we attempt to attack them. They prove to completely invulnerable while inside it.”

“Do not worry; one good shot in their core from this will destroy them before they can defend themselves.” Aveline told Pearl Essence, patting the long-barreled rifle.

“Failing that, removing their cortexes – that would be their heads – causes them to short-circuit and prevents them from accessing their defensive programming.” Samson said.

“And also makes them go berserk.” Pearl piped up. “We’ve been fighting these things for over an hour; we know what they can do.”

“Right… so you got a plan, big guy?” Gospel asked Samson, who nodded.

“Yes, I do.” He turned to Aveline. “Aveline, find a nice view of the main street and provide cover fire against snipers. Gospel, you’re with me on the offensive; we’ll be punching our way through the Vex lines while they’re still thin and spread out.”

“In your case, quite literally.” Gospel joked. Twilight laughed at it and then looked at Samson expectantly.

“What about me?” She asked.

“You’ll stay here, Twilight.” Samson told her.

“What? Why?!” Twilight exclaimed. “I can fight too, you know!”

“You’ve got a lot of power, Twilight. These ponies need your strength more than we do.” Samson told her. “Help with their defenses, destroy any Vex that try to breach the lines. You need to hold here as long as you possibly can.”

“O-okay…” Twilight said sullenly, and then nodded. “I’ll do everything I can to help!”

“Thank you, your highness.” Rose Quartz said gratefully, and then turned to Pearl Essence. “Pearl, tell Topaz Aegis and Jasper Lance to get their flanks over here.”

“Um, sure… may I ask why, Captain Rose?” Pearl responded with a hesitant salute, to which Rose Quartz responded by drawing her sword.

“I have no intention of letting these two ‘Guardians’ do all the work themselves, so the four of us will join them on the offensive.” She told Pearl. Pearl nodded and then ran off to a pair of crystal ponies at the barricade. Rose Quartz turned back to Twilight. “Princess Twilight, try to push the barricade into the city. The crystal we used for construction seems to repel most of the Vex’s weaponry, so tear down houses as you advance and use them to block off the alleys.”

“I don’t know if I can do that by myself.” Twilight said. “I may be the Element of Magic, but even I have limits on what I can do.”

“Don’t worry, some of my guards are unicorns and they’ll doubtless do what you tell them to do. We also seem to have received assistance from a changeling hive; they should help you as well.” Rose Quartz told Twilight, who started slightly at the mention of the shapeshifters.

“Wait, there are-” Twilight began, but then she shook her head. “Never mind, if they’re helping us then I shouldn’t worry about them.”

“Alright then, you’re in charge now, Princess.” Rose said as Pearl returned with a pair of stallions in barding and wielding spears. Rose turned to Samson. “Shall we get started, Samson-12?”

“Sure, but I can’t guarantee your survival.” Samson told Rose Quartz as him, Gospel, and the four guardsponies approached the barricade. He swapped his shotgun for the autorifle he prepared. Aveline had already disappeared into the city to find a sniping position.

“We’re the city watch, sir.” Said one of the stallions, who had a shimmering orange coat and burnt umber mane under his barding. “The safety of the people and the royalty come before our own.”

“We’re prepared to die if it means we can save their lives.” Said the other stallion, who had a light yellow-orange coat and argent mane.

“Okay, just stay behind us and handle any Vex that get close.” Gospel said, and then both Guardians’ radios chirped.

“I found a building with a nice, tall belltower. I am a little exposed up here, but I have a perfect view of the southern thoroughfare.” Aveline said over the comm.. “I can see a few Hobgoblins posted on roofs; just tell me when you start moving and I will neutralize them.”

“Alright Aveline, we’ll get moving in-” Samson began, but Aveline interrupted him.

“Before you start, there is something I should tell you.” Aveline said.

“What is it?” Samson asked, curious.

“It looks like there is some kind of heart-shaped jewel underneath the castle. It is floating in the air and radiating light.” Aveline reported. “It could be a power source. You should try and secure the jewel so that the Vex don’t get their hands on it.”

“Affirmative, we start on my mark.” Samson said, and then he looked at Rose Quartz. “Aveline’s in position; we’ll begin the operation shortly but first, I have a question.”

“What do you need to know?”

“Do you know anything about a ‘heart-shaped’ jewel under the castle?” Samson asked.

“That’s the Crystal Heart.” Rose replied. “It’s a powerful magical artifact. It spreads happiness and good-will across Equestria.”

“We need to make sure we don’t leave without it, then.” Gospel said. “Who knows what the Vex would be able to do with something like that.”

“Agreed.” Rose said as Samson approached the barricade and positioned himself.

“Ready?” He asked and everyone nodded. “Let’s go; breach!”

The Exo gave a sharp, precise kick at the barricade, causing it to open just enough to allow him through first but not completely fall over. Almost immediately angry, flaming bolts began pelting Samson, but his body became covered in crackling electricity and he jumped at the group of Vex. Instead of striking them, however, he slammed the ground and exploded in angry lightning that consumed all the surrounding Vex. After that, Samson quickly maneuvered to one side, firing his autorifle and drawing the Vex fire away from the opening. Gospel followed him through the opening and went the other way, his own pulse rifle quickly dispatching the attacking Goblins. A Hobgoblin on a nearby rooftop turned to them, but its torso exploded in white ichor and it fell over, its death followed by a sharp crack that echoed briefly through the city.

Rose and her chosen Guards entered the breach once Samson gave them the all clear and the five warriors raced down the thoroughfare, the castle looming above the city ahead of them.

Shining Armor was beginning to tire. The machines were relentless, but the defenders caught a break once Star Swirl managed to modify a barrier spell that “locked” the temporal zone within the defensive line. The barrier didn’t stop the machine’s weapons, but it did stop them from teleporting behind the lines. Of course, it didn’t take the machines long to come up with a new tactic. Smaller, weaker machines began to float above the barricades, raining fire upon the defenders. Shining Armor and the royal guards managed to beat them back, but the surprise had taken a heavy toll.

“This is hopeless!” Uncharted Fortune exclaimed as he plunged a spear into another floating machine, but then quickly dove back to ground just in time to avoid a searing lance from a nearby rooftop. “We’ll never hold out long enough for a rescue!”

“This isn’t about getting rescued.” Shining Armor retorted. “The longer we keep the fighting focused on us, the more civilians can escape!”

“Hey, I didn’t sign up to die, buddy!” Fortune snapped and Shining Armor got in the pegasus’ muzzle.

“Oh yeah? You’re free to leave at any time, buddy, nopony’s gonna stop you.” Shining Armor growled, but then him and Fortune were pushed apart by Daring Do.

“Stop it, both of you! Now is not the time for arguing and infighting!” She shouted irritably. “You’re tired – we all are – but we can’t be going at each other’s throats right now!”

“Lady Rose is correct; we can ill afford to fall apart in the face of this adversary.” Star Swirl said calmly, and then he looked to the south gate. “I suspect that salvation is well on its way; we just need to hold the line a little longer.”

Daring saw his glance and knew why he was looking to the south gate. Most of the fighters had missed it, but both she and Star Swirl had seen something land at the south gate and then leave. A part of her worried that it may be more enemies, but at the same time she knew it wasn’t. Not long after the thing had left, a new series of sounds had joined the cacophony of the invasion; unusual cracks and pops that sounded similar to explosions heard at a distance. On top of that, the machines that had been encircling the southern section of the barricade had relented in their attack, as though their attention was being drawn elsewhere.

“You’re right, Star Swirl; we must not lose faith that Twilight will come.” Cadance said.

“As much I despise saying so, I agree with Princess Cadance.” Chrysalis stated. The changeling queen had been given some strange jewel by Reliquary that had renewed some of her strength. Daring Do made a mental note to ask about them later. “The Bearer of Magic has the tendency to make an appearance just when you…” Chrysalis sneered. “least expect… assistance to arrive.”

Shining Armor smirked at this and opened his mouth to respond, but instead one of the ponies at the barricade shouted a warning.

“GET AWAY FROM THE WALL!” The guard shouted and there was a scrambling as Guardsponies ran about and readied spears.

Shining Armor wondered what was going on until he began to hear a rhythmic series of crashes against the barricade and he could see purple smoke rising above it. The walls began to buckle, but after a few moments the assault ended. The defenders looked around at each other curiously, wondering why the attack had stopped as suddenly as it had started. Then they heard a loud howl from the other side of the wall and Shining Armor’s heart dropped.

There was a loud crash, and then after a moment, another one. The crashes kept repeating and the wall bent more and more until they exploded inward and one of the larger machines charged in, howling and firing a stream of red projectiles. Behind it, more of the smaller machines marched in, firing their own weapons. Shining Armor managed to create a barrier that encompassed the remaining defenders, but then he saw something floating behind the creatures that was most certainly the reason behind the warning. It was huge, bigger than the beastly machine, and had multiple segments comprising its body. It was firing a rhythmic series of purple fireballs at Shining Armor’s shield and he could feel them impacting hard; each explosion threatening to destroy his barrier.

Some of the other defenders had gone around his shield and thrown spears at the monster, but it had a glowing white barrier of its own that slowly rotated around it and deflected the polearms. It turned its attention to the guards and started bombarding them. They tried to retreat but it was no use; the machine was too accurate and they were decimated. Shining Armor’s heart sank; they had no way out and the machines were moving toward the area where the wounded and civilians were. The floating machine with the barrier regarded Shining Armor’s shield briefly before turning its attention upwards. Shining Armor wondered what it was looking at, but then he realized with a jolt of dread that the Crystal Heart was directly above him…

And the machine was staring right at it!

“What do we do… we’re surrounded!” Reliquary exclaimed, her spear readied but even she knew that they were dead the second Shining Armor’s shield fell.

The large machine that had broken the barricade howled again and began pounding on Shining Armor’s shield with its large fists. Some of the smaller ones joined it and started firing their weapons at the shield. Shining Armor began to sweat; shield magic was his forte, but against this assault, it wouldn’t be long before his magic reached its limit and the shield shattered. If he’d had time, he would have used the same shielding magic he’d used just before his and Cadance’s wedding, but that was no longer an option.

“I… I don’t know…” Shining Armor said quietly.

“We have fallen; there is no escaping this fact now.” Chrysalis stated bitterly, then she noticed Daring Do glancing anxiously at the south side of the barricade. She cocked an eyebrow curiously and looked as well. All she saw were the ponies that were being pushed back by the machines; a group of unicorns had joined their magic together to form a strong barrier. Chrysalis looked back at Daring Do. “There is nothing we can do for them, Compass Rose… it is hopeless.”

Daring Do said nothing and turned back to the machines at the front of the shield. She looked at them and began to plan where she would strike as soon as the shield fell. However, the shield did not fall. Instead, all the machines stopped attacking the shield and turned their attention just past Shining Armor’s group. Shining Armor didn’t know what was going on, but then he heard a crash from behind him and he turned sharply.

The barricade on the southern main street had been torn apart and Shining Armor could hear somepony shouting.

“Make for the south gate, quickly!” He heard somepony shout and it took him a moment to realize it was the captain of the city watch, Rose Quartz.

He almost didn’t hear her because of the noise now filling the area. A series of staccato pops and cracks were coming from the opening and whatever was making them had the machine’s attention because they began to file past Shining Armor’s group firing their weapons. The large machine howled again and charged past its smaller brethren, unleashing its weapon’s fury. Shining Armor didn’t know what they were now fighting, but then he saw a figure leap above the crowd and extend its arm aggressively. Immediately a glowing ball of indigo light shot forth and struck the monstrous, howling machine where it detonated ferociously and the large machine and a good number of the smaller ones were consumed in the same light.

The newcomer landed and wasted no time readying some kind of weapon it held in its right hand. It gave several rhythmic bursts and several more machines fell over, unmoving. It was joined by another figure – this one much taller and wearing what was unmistakably heavy armor – which began firing a different weapon at the shielded machine that was floating by the Crystal Heart. The machine jerked back as some of the projectiles impacted it just before its shield could rotate in between them and it turned its attention to the heavily armored newcomer, returning fire and causing the new arrival to retreat away. Shining Armor watched this unfold in awe before he realized somepony was calling for him.

“Hey you, with the blue hair!” The voice – a male – shouted and Shining Armor looked around, confused, until he saw the other arrival waving. Once the newcomer saw he had Shining Armor’s attention, he pointed at the southern breach where Shining Armor could now clearly see Rose Quartz and a couple other guardsponies waving urgently, and shouted. “Get to the breach and make a run for the south gate, we’ll cover you!”

The guardsponies with Shining Armor looked at him uncertainly and Shining Armor looked at them, waving his hoof.

“Everypony go, this is our chance!” He shouted.

The guardsponies nodded and quickly ran past the robed figure, which was now firing at the machines trying to get past Shining Armor’s shield. Cadance wasted no time in pulling the Crystal Heart down and putting it in a saddlebag given to her by a guardspony. After that, she also ran toward the breach to escape. Once everypony else was cleared, Shining Armor lowered his shield and ran toward the robed figure, aware that the armored one was now fighting the shielded machine.

Gospel felt relieved. They had arrived at the barricade and could hear screaming from the other side. Gospel was sure they had arrived too late and Samson wasted no time in opening a hole in the barricade. Once they had gotten in, Gospel and Samson cleared out the nearest Vex while Rose Quartz and her guards herded the ponies through the breach and into the main street. However, a group of ponies – though Gospel noted one looked more like an insect with holes in it – were behind a barrier that was warding off more Vex but more importantly, a Hydra was approaching the Crystal Heart hovering in place in the center of the area. Samson fired at it to get its attention and then moved to the side to give the group of equines an opening to run while Gospel pulled void energy into his hand. Once he had done that, Gospel leapt into the air and threw the charged nova bomb straight at a charging Minotaur, causing it to explode and destroy several Goblins as well. That done, he called out to a blue-haired pony that was wearing regal purple barding.

“Hey you, with the blue hair!” Gospel shouted and the pony looked around in confusion before his gaze settled on the Warlock and Gospel pointed at Rose Quartz, who was waving. “Get to the breach and make a run for the south gate, we’ll cover you!”
The guardsponies wearing gleaming, crystal barding looked at the blue-haired pony uncertainly and Gospel almost facepalmed.

“Everypony go, this is our chance!” The blue-haired pony shouted and this time the guards were more than happy to run past Gospel while he fired at Vex trying to get around the barrier.

Gospel paused to reload and for some odd reason, locked eyes with an ochre pegasus mare that had a monochromatic mane. He noted that she was wearing a vest similar to one worn by Indiana Jones and an old-time explorer’s pith hat. Unlike the other ponies, her eyes weren’t filled with fear – instead, they were full of determination and the will to overcome. She didn’t stop, though, and continued toward the breach Samson had caused. The last pony to pass Gospel was a strange pony who bore a beard and appeared to be of a moderately advanced age. This one stopped as he passed Gospel and turned back to him.

“You came from the mirror, did you not?” The bearded pony asked, curious, and Gospel looked at him incredulously.

“Come again?” He asked, quickly shooting some more Vex as the blue-haired pony dropped his shield and ran for it.

“You are human, yes? I have never seen your kind outside of the mirror so surely you have come from there.” The bearded pony said and it took Gospel a moment to realize he was talking about the “magic mirror” Twilight kept in her castle.

“Uh, no, I’m from a different planet.” Gospel replied, backing up as the blue-haired pony passed them. “I’d love to talk more, but we need to go. I’ll provide cover.”

“Indeed, I shall inquire more at a later time.” The bearded pony said and then he departed. Gospel reached the breach and shouted to Samson, who was moving quickly to avoid getting blown away by the Hydra.

“We’re good to go, Samson; let’s get outta this hellhole!” Gospel told him and Samson nodded and dropped a glowing orb.

The Titan then ran straight for the breach, where Gospel, Rose Quartz, and the ponies who had been behind the shield lingered. After a moment, the orb exploded in a bright flash and the Hydra reeled backwards and looked around quickly. Its optic had been overloaded by Samson’s flashbang and it was blinded. Samson made it to the breach and they all crossed it. Once they were on the other side, a wall floated into place and sealed the breach.

“We need to get moving, that won’t hold them long.” Samson said, reloading his auto-rifle. The blue-haired pony approached the Titan and gave a salute.

“Thanks for the rescue; my name is Prince Shining Armor.” He told them and Gospel did a double take.

“You’re Twilight’s brother?!” Gospel exclaimed and Shining Armor looked at him, surprised.

“You know my sister? How?!” Shining Armor asked.

“Later, right now we don’t even have time to explain why we don’t have time to explain.” Samson interjected.

“Er… yeah, you’re right.” Shining Armor said sheepishly, and then he got a serious look in his eyes. “Your weapons seem more effective against them then ours; do you have one I can use?”

“I don’t-” Gospel began, but Samson stood in front of the unicorn with his auto-rifle.

“Point this end at them, pull this to fire. All you have to do is hold the trigger down and it’ll keep firing, but watch the recoil; she kicks hard.” Samson said, showing Shining Armor how to use the weapon and speaking quickly. “When the magazine’s empty, just press this to eject it and then put a new one in like this. After that, pull this to chamber a fresh round.” Samson held the weapon out to Shining Armor, who looked down the sights. “It’ll be loud, so don’t be surprised and lose control of the weapon, and for the love of God, don’t close your eyes or fire it in our direction; friendly fire really isn’t.”

Shining Armor looked at Samson curiously.

“Isn’t what?” He asked, but Samson just walked past him, pulling out his shotgun but Shining Armor still didn’t get it. “Isn’t what?!”

“It isn’t friendly, dear.” A pink alicorn that Gospel was certain was the one called Princess Cadance said sweetly, giving Shining Armor a loving peck on his cheek as she walked past.

“Really, even I understood that implication, Prince Shining Armor.” The bearded pony said, amused as he passed the – now blushing – unicorn.

“If you were not so handsome, I would seriously wonder what it was I saw in you.” The bug pony said derisively, a coy smirk on her muzzle.

“Okay, okay, I get it; let’s just get out of here already.” Shining Armor muttered, the autorifle hovering in front of him so he could see down the sights.

They began to retreat down the street. Samson and Gospel both noted that there were fresh Vex corpses on the street and surmised that the first retreat – led by Topaz Aegis and Jasper Lance – had already been through and met some resistance.

“Aveline here; the first group just made it to the southern gate and are now retreating to the train station.” Aveline told them over comms. “Twilight’s doing pretty good with the barricade; they’ve moved about- hold on, something’s wrong; they’re falling back.”

“Samson, Gospel! Where are you?!” Twilight demanded urgently, clearly about to panic. “We’re in serious trouble!”

Samson and Gospel couldn’t see the south gate anymore because a wall of smoke was now between them. They paused at the edge and Samson turned to the group.

“Rose, take everybody down an alley and to the south gate. If there’s something that is strong enough to route your guards after all this time, I don’t want to lead a group of civilians into it.” Samson turned to Gospel next. “Go with them and protect them from the Vex, I’m sure there’s an ambush waiting in the side streets.”

“Wait, aren’t you coming with us?” Gospel asked and Samson shook his head.

“You know as well as I do that if one Vex spots us, the entire mind will know where we are and whatever pushed Twilight back will turn on us next.” Samson replied. He looked at Shining Armor and saw that the pony prince had frozen at the mention of Twilight Sparkle.

“T-Twilight’s in trouble?” He said slowly, and then he suddenly readied the auto-rifle he was using and charged into the smoke. “Don’t worry sis, big bro’s on his way!”

“Shining Armor, wait!” Cadance called out, but her husband had already disappeared into the smoke.

“Dammit!” Samson cursed and he waved the group away. “Go, get to the south gate; I’ll get Shining Armor!”

Samson then followed the unicorn prince into the smoke while Rose Quartz directed the rest of the survivors down a nearby alley. Gospel took one lingering glance into the smoke where Samson and Shining Armor had gone, and then followed Rose Quartz.

Samson pushed through the smoke, looking every which way for Shining Armor. He made it to the other side and saw Shining Armor standing in the middle of the street. Samson caught up to him and opened his mouth to chide the prince, but stopped when he saw Shining Armor staring at something further ahead. The Exo followed his gaze down the street and saw what Shining Armor was staring at. There was a huddled, cloaked mass in the middle of the ruined barricade, equine bodies everywhere. Samson moved toward it, thinking it was a survivor, but Shining Armor stopped him.

“That’s not a pony…” He murmured. Samson looked at Shining Armor curiously, and then decided to call out to the mass.

“Hey, are you okay over there?” He shouted and then the shrouded figure twitched.

At first, Samson thought it might be dead, but then he heard something that sent a chill down his spine. The figure was emanating a staccato buzzing noise that sounded eerily like laughter. After a moment, the figure rose and Samson was taken aback. It was humanoid and was wearing what appeared to be a tattered robe not unlike that of a Warlock’s. It turned its head – which looked helmeted – and set its gaze toward Samson. It then took a shaky step forward and as soon as Samson saw its body, he knew what it was even as Gauge practically shrieked a warning at him.

“It’s a Vex!” She exclaimed. “It doesn’t match any known Vex units; it’s completely new!”

Even as Samson and Shining Armor watched, the Vex took another shaky step and then it seemed to distort and stretch briefly, its cackling equally distorted into what was almost a cry of agony. Samson was petrified.

‘What… what the hell is going on here?!’ He thought, completely oblivious to Shining Armor’s attempts to rouse him. Samson watched as the Vex raised an arm that proceeded to open and fill with purple void light.

‘It… it can’t be… just what are they…?’

“Samson, snap out of it!” Shining Armor called out desperately, but Samson could only stare.

‘It’s… that can only… but that’s not possible!’

The Vex’s arm expelled a ball of void energy at Samson and Shining Armor. Samson knew immediately what it was and the revelation rooted him to the spot.

‘That… it’s impossible but… that Vex, it…’

The nova bomb approached and Samson could only stare at it in disbelief.

‘Is it supposed to be a Guardian?!’

Just before the orb struck Samson, he was suddenly tackled to the ground by Shining Armor and the nova bomb sailed past them, exploding harmlessly. The shock from the impact finally knocked Samson out of his reverie and the Exo looked at Shining Armor.

“Wh-What…?” Samson stuttered and Shining Armor stood up.

“You back? Great; I could use your help here.” Shining Armor said as Samson rose, retrieving his shotgun.

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Samson responded, and then he looked at the Vex “Warlock”.

The Vex, for its part, stood as though confused. It glanced at its arm, and then at Samson and Shining Armor, as though it had expected them to be dead. After a moment, it began its cackling buzz again and this time, it teleported. Samson and Shining Armor started, and then spun around. The Vex was behind Samson and had raised its left arm once more. This time, there was an explosion of void light from the Vex’s palm and Samson was sent hurtling backwards, crashing through a nearby wall. Samson’s HUD left off a warning claxon to inform him that his shield had been depleted and that he needed to take cover so it could recharge. The Exo pulled himself out of the wreckage and saw Shining Armor fighting the “Warlock”.

The Vex “Warlock” fought unlike any of its brethren; quickly teleporting and firing its slap rifle in between blinks. Shining Armor was having a tough time keeping up with the fast moving target and the Vex was gone just as Shining Armor pulled the trigger on his auto-rifle. Then there was a subtle sucking sound followed by a high keen and Shining Armor jumped aside as another nova bomb slammed into the street.

Samson watched the “Warlock” blink around Shining Armor, trying to get its weapon’s slap rounds past his shield, but the unicorn prince was capable enough to hold his own. After it jumped a few more times, Samson charged at a blank spot in the ground and lowered his shoulder. It almost looked like he was trying to break through a wall on the other side of the street, but then the “Warlock” appeared directly in front of Samson and the Exo tackled it. The Vex skidded across the ground with a buzz of surprise and Shining Armor fired his weapon at it, but it recovered and teleported once again. However, when it reappeared, its left arm hung limply at its side and Samson knew he had damaged it.

The Vex tried to lift the arm, but when it couldn’t, it dropped its slap rifle and raised its right. A purple light gathered in its palm and it fired another nova bomb. This time, Shining Armor used his magic to pull the “Warlock’s” arm downward and the bomb hit the ground at the Vex’s feet. The Vex flew through the air and landed on its back. Samson and Shining Armor waited for a moment, but no more slap rounds or nova bombs flew at them and they slowly advanced to where the Vex had fallen. Upon arrival, they could see that the “Warlock” had been blown apart by its nova bomb, thanks to Shining Armor.

Both of its legs had been dismember and were on opposite sides of the street, one of its arms was attached only by a few wires, and the head had been crushed inwards. It twitched and buzzed, but it could no longer move or attack. Samson approached the fallen Vex, its crushed head turning to watch him, and the Exo lowered his shotgun to its torso. He pulled the trigger until the gun was empty and the Vex stopped moving, its core destroyed. Once Samson was sure it was dead, he pointed at the Vex’s legs.

“Can you get those for me?” He asked and Shining Armor cocked an eyebrow as he levitated the limbs over to Samson, who then tied the Vex up and slung it over his back.

“What are you going to do with that?” Shining Armor asked.

“This is a new kind of Vex; I need to take this so my Ghost, Gauge, can examine it.” Samson replied and Shining Armor could tell the Exo was disturbed. Samson stood and looked off into the distance. “Aveline, did Gospel make it out of the city with the other survivors?”

“Yeah, they made it out, though they had to restrain Twilight to keep her from rushing to help you out.” Aveline replied. “I am already on my way back and you should be too; the Vex are converging on your position.”

“Right, we’ll meet up at the train station.” Samson replied and he turned back to Shining Armor. “We’d better get moving, I think the Vex noticed that we broke their new toy.”

They ran to the ruins of the barricade, which Samson could see had been moved over a third the way into the city. No thanks to their new “toy”, the work had been stopped and the defenders had to retreat. They had sealed the barricade behind them as they retreated so that the Vex would have had to teleport to get through. Samson and Shining Armor approached the wall and Samson moved to push it aside while Shining Armor kept watch. Behind them, he could see sparkling lights as more Vex teleported onto the main streets and began to march on their position. Samson managed to push the wall aside and he waved at Shining Armor.

“You first, I’ll close the barricade behind us.” He said and Shining Armor nodded. Shining Armor began to move toward Samson when the Exo’s motion sensor lit up. Samson looked quickly in the direction of the ping and saw it on the roof.

A Vex stood there wearing a ragged cloak with the hood up, but Samson could still see its burning red eye as it raised its weapon, aiming the deadly line rifle at Shining Armor. Samson called out a warning, but it was too late; the rifle gave a shriek and the line of solar fire lanced through Shining Armor, his barding doing nothing to stop the projectile. He fell as though in slow motion, a look of surprise on his eyes as he collapsed on the ground.

“No!” Samson shouted and hurried to get to Shining Armor, but suddenly he was thrown back through the barricade. Samson rushed back to the breach and saw that Vex were now rapidly approaching. Another line rifle shot slammed into the ground in front of Samson and he stopped.

“We have to help him!” Guage exclaimed and Samson moved again to get to the prince but then he saw Shining Armor stand.

“Go… just… I’m done for… Samson, so just… run.” Shining Armor gagged on blood.

“No, we can get you help; I’m sure there’s magic that can-” Samson began, but Shining Armor cut him off.

“There’s no time… please, protect them… Equestria, my family… all of them.” Shining Armor said seriously. “Don’t let them win… these monsters… don’t let them… destroy my home. Promise me.”

“O-Of course, we’ll destroy all of the Vex; you have my word.” Samson said and Shining Armor smiled warmly, the autorifle lifting into the air next to him.

Then the barricade slammed closed in front of Samson. Samson didn’t move for a moment, listening to the sound of slap rounds impacting upon the walls. A part of him wanted to tear down the wall and destroy as many Vex as he could, but he knew he couldn’t. He’d seen this so many times before; it wasn’t uncommon for Guardians to sacrifice themselves for the cause. However, he’d only known Shining Armor for a few minutes and despite that, the unicorn had helped him fight the new Vex without hesitation. Samson had taken years before he had begun trusting other Guardians, so having a complete stranger be willing to lay down their life for him so readily was… moving.

“Samson…” Gauge said softly. “We’re not safe here… in his condition, he won’t be able to hold them off for long. We have to leave or we’re going to get swarmed by Vex.”

Samson slowly rose, and then ran down the road out of the city. He got past the barricade at the gate and went to the train station that had a large line of ponies following the train tracks to what he presumed was Canterlot. The train was steaming and looked ready to depart. He saw Twilight and the others he’d rescued from the city – along with Gospel and Aveline on the train car’s roof – waiting for him. He boarded the crowded train and was quickly met by Twilight Sparkle.

“Samson, you’re back! Where’s my brother, is he outside?” She asked, but when Samson didn’t respond, her expression turned to a mixture of worry and confusion. “Samson… what’s wrong; why aren’t you saying anything?”

Samson said nothing, but instead shouted to a nearby conductor.

“Get this train moving.” He told the conductor, who hesitated, but at a nod from Cadance, he leaned out of the car and shouted for the train to get moving. After that, Samson turned back to Twilight and sighed; he hated this part.

“Aren’t we going to wait for Shining Armor?” Twilight asked carefully. Samson took his helmet off and glanced at Cadance. After a moment’s hesitation, her eyes widened in realization but she didn’t say anything. Samson returned his gaze to Twilight and knelt down so he was as close to eye level with her as he could be.

“Twilight… Shining Armor didn’t make it.” Samson said and Twilight’s eyes went wide. “He fought bravely and helped me defeat a powerful foe. If it wasn’t for him, so many more people would have died today.”

“N-No… he can’t be…” Twilight murmured in disbelief. She then ran to the door of the car and opened, intending to jump out. “He’s still alive, I have to go help him!”

“Twilight!” Cadance cried, but Samson grabbed Twilight’s barrel and tried to pull her back.

“Let me go; I have to find him!” Twilight cried out, hysterical. Samson struggled for a moment, but when he saw her horn light up, he raised a fist. It arced lightly and just as Twilight began to teleport, he gently thrust it into her side. She jerked from the electricity, and then went limp. He picked Twilight up, carried her to a seat that was quickly vacated, and set her down gently.

Once he was sure Twilight was comfortable, he stood.

“What did you do to her?” Cadance asked dangerously.

“A light shock, she’ll be out for a little while.” Samson replied, and then he sat on the floor under the window. “She’s fine, but she’ll have a bit of a headache when she wakes up.”

There was silence in the train car until one of the civilians spoke up.

“You’re a machine too, aren’t you?” They asked and Samson looked up slowly. Cadance could see that even though his eyes were artificial, they carried a lot of weight. They revealed a soul that had seen a lot of darkness. “Are… are you going to kill us?”

“No, he’s not.” Cadance said with authority. “He’s one of the warriors Twilight brought her to help us. Please show him respect.”

Samson looked at her, and then turned his head away.

The sounds of battle had long died down, replace instead by wind, the crunch of Vex feet on the ground, and the occasional rumble of a building somewhere falling apart. The ground was littered with Vex and equine bodies, and in places there were fires burning. A Goblin marched along the road, its head swiveling back and forth robotically as it searched for any survivors. It walked out of sight and a small object hovered out from behind some rubble. It looked around, and began to search around itself, only the object was examining corpses with a blue light.

It kept searching until it found a large concentration of Vex bodies. It looked around at street until it saw an equine body amidst the Vex. It floated over to the body, scanned it, and then moved as if surprised.

“There you are…” The Ghost said, excited. “I’ve been searching a long time for you…”

“Eyes up, Guardian.”

Author's Note

Grimoire Card acquired: Ghost Fragment: Aveline L'Freille

Ghost Fragment: Aveline L'Freille

Ghost Fragment: Aveline L’Freille

Petra Venj: “Aveline, please wait!”

Aveline L’Freille: “Oh, you are… Petra Venj, correct?”

Petra: “Glad to know you remember my name, Aveline.”

Aveline: “But of course; I knew your grandmother quite well. Is there something you wanted?”

Petra: “Why didn’t you stay at the Reef? I’m sure the Corsairs could always use an experienced gun hand like yours.”

Aveline: “I… The Reef has changed, Petra. There was a time when we worked hand-in-hand with the Last City but now… I just cannot.”

Petra: “We still do. I’m the current emissary for Queen Mara Sov in the Tower.”

Aveline: “I appreciate you trying to change my mind, but even I can see how much you despise being here.”

Petra: “Oh… sorry, I’m just used to being in the field. Sitting behind a desk all day is not something I enjoy.”

Aveline: “That is the point I am making. You are not here by choice; it is a punishment, one cast down by Queen Mara Sov.”

Petra: “Don’t remind me. Well, if I can’t convince you to return to the Reef, then I can at least give you my gun. I won’t be needing it.”

Petra hands Aveline a sniper rifle and the Hunter examines it.

Aveline: “This weapon is well-balanced and carefully maintained. You must care deeply about this weapon, I cannot accept it.”

Petra: “You’re a family friend, Aveline, I insist. Just make sure you come visit me whenever you get back, I could use a break from the boredom.”

Aveline: “Sure thing, Petra, as long as you’re buying the drinks.”

Petra *laughs*: “Wow, I give you my favorite sniper rifle and I still have to buy drinks? You drive a hard bargain there, Aveline.”