Pony Kombat X

At the Pegasi temple, two ninjas stepped up to their master's throne and bowed.

“The forward defenses stand down as you commanded, Grand Mare,” one ninja said.

“It is confirmed,” the other said. “Four intruders.” Rainbow Dash smiled.

“It is time to entertain our guests,” she said, coldy.

Outside of the temple, Anthem, Little Mac, Snowshine, and Raindrop snuck around, trying to get to the throne room. They stopped at a doorway.

“All right,” Anthem said to Raindrop. “I've got point.” “You and Snowshine, that way. Move!” Snowshine and Raindrop moved to their position and prepared to breach the door.

“Ready?” Little Mac asked. Anthem nodded. The door suddenly opened, and the infiltration group hid in the shadows. Rainbow Dash and four ninjas stepped outside. Snowshine waited, anxious to attack. Rainbow Dash and her followers knelt in front of a statue and hung their heads to pray to their first Grand Mare. Snowshine motioned to Anthem, ready to strike.

“Not yet,” Anthem mouthed. Snowshine ignored Anthem and crept towards Rainbow Dash.

“Damn it, Snowshine,” Anthem whispered. She got up to stop Snowshine.

“You,” Snowshine said. “I need to...” she was cut off by Anthem.

“You are not welcome here,” Rainbow Dash muttered, not moving. “State your intentions.” Anthem stepped forward.

“Grand Mare,” she said. “We need you to come with us. My name is Sergeant...” Many Pegasi ninjas drew their swords and surrounded the group. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and stood up.

“You demand my cooperation,” she said. “Yet you're cut off. Surrounded. What will you do?”

“My father always spoke highly of you, Rainbow Dash,” Anthem said. “He wants to talk.”

“Talking,” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Always his first choice.”

“OK,” Snowshine said. “Let's try pummeling. Now!” The group began to attack.

“Wait!” Anthem cried. He was immediately attacked by Rainbow Dash. She was thrown back, then deflected an ice attack.

“Anthem Armor,” Rainbow Dash said. “You lead this group, but they do not follow. What would your mother do?”

“Stop wasting time and take you down,” Anthem replied. She and Rainbow Dash began to fight. Rainbow Dash was more skilled in combat than Anthem, and she quickly took him down. She thrust her hoof into Anthem's gut and crushed his liver. She then tore her hoof out, formed a giant ice spear, and drove it into Anthem's eye. Anthem fell to the ground and didn't get up.

“You are more like your mother than you think,” Rainbow Dash said. Snowshine ran up behind Rainbow Dash and attacked. Rainbow Dash blocked each attack, then submerged herself in ice. Snowshine attacked, but the ice crumbled, leaving nothing there. Confused, Snowshine didn't see Rainbow Dash appear behind her, and she was knocked to the ground.

“Your power should have revealed my intention, Snowshine,” Rainbow Dash said. “No doubt Snowdrop taught you how to use them.”

“My mother taught me a lot, Grand Mare,” Snowshine said.

“Let us see,” Rainbow Dash hissed. Snowshine fought fast and hard, but her arrogance eventually cost her the match. Rainbow Dash performed the same maneuver on Snowshine as she had on Anthem, and Snowshine fell to the ground.

“You are not your mother,” Rainbow Dash said. “Not yet.” Little Mac came up behind Rainbow Dash, but was flipped over. Little Mac landed on his hooves in front of Rainbow Dash.

“Damn it,” he mumbled.

“You announced your arrival, Little Macintosh,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Specialist Macintosh,” Little Mac growled.

“Yes,” Rainbow Dash said. “Military decorum is important to your family.” Little Mac quickly threw punches at Rainbow Dash, knocking her back.

“If you know my father, you know me,” Little Mac said. “Thought you and he were friends.”

“Our history shares a dark chapter,” Rainbow Dash said. Little Mac and Rainbow Dash matched each others fighting capabilities. Little Mac used her wrist mounted rifles to keep Rainbow Dash at bay, but Rainbow Dash evaded them and was able to get in close. She took down Little Mac quickly.

“Do not judge yourself harshly, Specialist Macintosh,” Rainbow Dash advised. Little Mac quickly got up and took Rainbow Dash by surprise. After a few swift kicks, Rainbow Dash fell to her knees. Ninjas attacked from all directions, protecting their master. Snowshine, Anthem, Little Mac, and Raindrop fended them off as best they could. Raindrop turned to Rainbow Dash. She attacked, but Rainbow Dash quickly got up and knocked her back.

“Faking a wound,” Raindrop said. “Bravo.” She summoned her bow and arrow.

“Raindrop,” Rainbow Dash said. “You should rally your companions rather than mark your superiors.”

“I'll remember that,” Raindrop said. “In case I ever meet one.” She and Rainbow Dash started to fight. Raindrop and Rainbow Dash fought hard, but Rainbow Dash ultimately won. Raindrop fell to the ground.

“The bow and arrow do not suit you,” Rainbow Dash said. Two ninjas bound Raindrop and put her down with the others in her group.

“Any ideas?” Snowshine asked.

“Rainbow Dash,” Anthem pleaded. “Let's talk.”

“That opportunity has passed,” Rainbow Dash rejected.

“Got a new plan, Armor?” Raindrop asked.

“You could have followed the old one, Raindrop,” Little Mac said.

“You're gonna catch hell if you kill us,” Anthem said. Rainbow Dash stepped up to the group.

“Yes,” she said. “I suppose so.” She nodded her head to a ninja, who quickly cut the group free. Anthem was dumbfounded.

“That worked?” she asked. She heard a whistle. She looked to see Shining Armor at the temple doors. He waved. The group stood up.

“This was all a...” Little Mac wondered.

“A training exercise,” Rainbow Dash finished.

“Damn,” Anthem grumbled. “I should have seen it.”

“You and your friends show much promise, Anthem Armor,” Rainbow Dash said. “But until you function as one, you will fall short.”

Back at the plane, the group waited for debriefing. Anthem stormed through the hall, pushing Raindrop out of the way. She gave Anthem a glare.

“So other than that, you enjoyed your visit?” Shining Armor assumed.

“The Pegasi shredded us,” Anthem said.

“You maybe,” Raindrop said.

“I see plenty of frozen hoof prints on your ass too,” Little Mac retorted.

“Come on now,” Shining Armor said. “You're all winners in my book.” He got a call on his com. “New orders,” he said. “From General Cadence.” He opened up the CPU and looked over the orders. “Priority one,” he listed. “Tartarus folk, here in Equestria,”

“An invasion?” Snowshine asked.

“Couldn't be,” Little Mac said.

“You're not afraid, are you, Mr. Armor?” Raindrop asked.

“Tartarus folk, I can handle,” Shining Armor said.  The plane landed at the base, and Snowdrop was waiting for the group. Shining Armor and his group stepped out.

“So when did they show up?” he asked.

“The portal opened by the docks a few hours ago,” Snowdrop said. “Nearly five thousand in all. Refugees from the Tartarus civil war.

“Must be bad if they risk coming to Equestria,” Raindrop said.

“After you,” Snowdrop offered. The group moved on, but Snowdrop stopped Snowshine.

“Do not dwell on your defeat with the Pegasi, my daughter,” she said telepathically. Snowshine sighed.

“It's pretty hard not to,” she telepathically said back. She and her mother walked into the base. Cadence turned.

“Thanks, Snowdrop,” she said. “Could you and Mr. Armor join us?” Shining and Anthem Armor walked over. “Sergeant Armor,” Cadence said. “You and your group as you were.” Anthem walked away.

“This is Lemon Drop,” Celestia said. “She seeks a stand for his people in Equestria.”

“Our village was the epicenter of a fierce battle,” Lemon Drop said. “We barely escaped with our lives.”

“Such is war,” Shining Armor said. “I mean, no offense, but Tartarus folk kind of live for that, right?”

“This was different,” Lemon Drop said. “The rebels, Pinkamena, had a weapon unlike anything. Entire battalions, to waste. It was not honorable. Not kombat.”

“Tell me more about the weapon,” Celestia requested.

“A medallion,” Lemon Drop said. “Gold, with a central jewel. Pinkamena wields its crimson energy without precision.”

“Well, that's good then,” Anthem said.

“Not now, Sergeant Armor,” Cadence said.

“It is enough that she possesses it,” Lemon Drop said. “It turns the tide in her favor. The Empress grows desperate. And those caught in the middle, pay the price.”

“If this medallion is what I suspect it to be, we may all pay a price,” Celestia said.

“Are we talking about Tirek's amulet?” Raindrop asked.

“Can't be,” Cadence said. “The base, the vault, your wardens. SF, Unicorns, no way anypony could get past all that.”

“I must be certain,” Celestia said. She left the room.

“Well,” Shining Armor said. “This is cozy.” Cadence frowned at him.

“You remind me of an Equestrian who crossed over with us,” Lemon Drop said. “He also found humor in everything.”

“Handsome guy, right?” Shining Armor assumed.

“He was an Equestrian,” Lemon Drop said. “One of his eyes glowed red.” Shining Armor suddenly went dead serious.

“What does she mean?” Raindrop asked. Anthem shrugged.

“Snowdrop, continue with Lemon Drop,” Cadence ordered. “I'm going to the refugee camp.” She walked off and muttered. “I've got to find him before he finds a way out.”

“I'll come with,” Shining Armor said.

“Go and get a camp security update from the Colonel,” Cadence said.

“Why?” Shining Armor asked.

“Because then you won't be here,” Cadence grumbled. Anthem stepped up, but Shining Armor stopped him. He walked off.

“Are we with you?” Anthem asked.

“No,” Cadence said. “I need to confirm with Nyx that Lemon Drop's story is true. You and your team are going to Tartarus.” She walked off to go to the refugee camp.