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Location: Camp Echo, Baghdad
Perspective: Sergeant Nicholas

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"Alright people! Get those trucks moving!" A soldier yelled out, directing drivers and soldiers who were moving vehicles and supplies across the sandy desert floor of the base to a secured airfield next to the base where several C-130 planes awaited for departure.

This was Camp Echo, the second largest and well known joint military operations base in the country of Baghdad. Situated near the city of Ashall'a, and filled with over thirteen thousand joint troops from all over the world, Air Force, United States Marines, Special Operation Units, Medical Personnel, and other branches of the military among various civilian groups like scientists, constructions workers and others that were a part of news stations and freelance journalists, some others were students from various countries there on a tour of the facilities as they prepared to leave the base and eventually, the country itself.

After some talking and other things relating to politics, all of the bases and troops in the country were being called back home to the good old US of A, for some much needed rest and relaxation. Now, everything in the base, vehicles, weapons, armor and the tents. So far, nothing had been loaded up yet, what with the protesters outside the walls, and the planes still refueling, things were not going well, for the leading commander of the base that is.

A stoic female led this base, and she, in not so many nice words, was an absolute bitch. She was a hardened veteran of the USMC, ex-sniper and leader of Echo Squad for ten years running. She's kept this base running for ten years, having retired from Echo Squad at thirty and running the base after the old one retired from active service. Her name was General Fin, short and to the point like she is with her knife... ouch. This base had been around since the late eighties, and it was well known for holding off many terrorist groups and bombardments, and being home to Echo Squad... the heart and life blood of Echo Base, a squad my father had been a part of.

My name is Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy, I'm a part of my own squad, Fireteam Seven. We were small, five members and tasked with small missions and such. But for now, we were going home. Hopefully, I couldn't wait to go home and see my parents, who were no doubt still worrying their hearts out. I was sitting outside, watching helicopters land and more trucks drive in, empty ones who were preparing to evac the base. I don't know why we didn't just do it already, but we had to wait until General Fin did a speech for the media, the hundred or so reporters from several different countries were here to report on the famous base of operations as it was dismantled and its troops leaving to go home.

I could see them all around, carrying around their cameras and asking questions, trying to find that juicy little tidbit that'll skyrocket their careers into stardom where they'll make the big bucks. I heard so many voices talking, hundreds of different languages talking to each other. Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, Turkish, and some other dialects belonging to this country and some others I had never heard before. It wasn't too loud thankfully, otherwise I probably would have clamped my ears shut.

"Heeey, Nicky boy!" I heard someone call to me over an engine noise.

Looking over the crowd I saw a jeep drive up to where I was sitting, nearly hitting a couple of other reporters as it stopped next to me. It was a simple jeep wrangler with an open top and roll cage with one of those nets draped over it. Sitting in the driver's seat with the biggest possible grin was a Freelance journalist I knew who was... well, in sort, a lunatic with more luck then you had fingers and toes. I watched as the man stepped out of the jeep, his boots hitting the ground and kicking up sand.

"Kevin," I nodded as he approached me, normally some soldiers weren't friends with journalists because they were mostly... well... vultures, to be honest with you. But Kevin was alright in my book, the reason was because he wasn't a complete asshole, just lucky and a bit of a mouth on him. "You here to do some scaving?"

"Yeah, you got that right!" He chuckled, "Figured I'd get over here to see my buddy one last time."

I smiled, "I'm touched."

"And to report on the base of course, that's more important."

Forget what I said earlier, he is an asshole.

"Really feeling the love over here." I rolled my eyes as several Apache attack choppers flew overhead, flying to the landing pad at our airbase. Yeah, this base was that big. Big enough to land several hundred fighter jets, cargo planes, and still have room for two of those behemoth planes from Russia. This base should be number one, but somehow... it isn't. "Got anything interesting to tell, Kevin? I'm sure you didn't come up just to say hi."

The man before me chuckled lightly. "Hehehe, coming here to see you may have been one of the reasons why, but the other was to tell you about the storm." he said, fiddling with his Nikon camera.

"Storm?" I asked, looking out into the skies. I saw a few clouds, but nothing storm worthy. Looking back to the man I asked. "What storm?"

"Just something on the doppler of mine." Kevin told me, going back to his jeep and lifting up the back flap of the net. I got up and followed him, hefting my M4 over my shoulder and carrying my helm with me. When I got to the back of his jeep, I saw the door was steel plated and behind it I saw several small TVs and some equipment I remember seeing used for tracking the weather and such. On top of his jeep I saw a small satellite dish and some other weather equipment.

"When did you go Twister on me?" A laugh escaped me as Kevin joined me, unlatching the back and messing with his gear.

"A while back I suppose when that weird storm came out of nowhere and swallowed up a small town, completely burying it under the sand." Kevin informed me, picking up a small box with a screen on it and placing it on his knee when he put his leg onto the back bumper. "They're still digging it out, but they haven't found anything yet."

I found my head tilting at that. "How could they not find it? How big was the town?"

"Not sure, and it was big enough to hold a little under three thousand people." He told me, flipping a switch and turning on the box. "Here we go!" He held it up, turning the screen to me. "See those?" He asked me, pointing to a big blob of green and blue.

"Uh, yeah... what are they?"

"That is the sandstorm I've been tracking for a few months, its been moving this way after it sucked up a bunch of towns and buried them completely." He explained, putting the box back and turning on his equipment. "So, I'm here to catch it on film and see just how powerful it really is." He grabbed a small black bag, one that I recognized as his camera bag, one he never left anywhere. He strapped it onto the back of his belt and adjusted his jacket, when he did I noticed the wooden handle of a gun in his jacket.

I jerked my head upwards at him. "You packing?"

Kevin looked perplexed for a moment before making a face of realization. "Oh yeah," he reached into his jacket, pulling out the gun and handing it to me handle first. "Its a little something I picked up in Iraq after ISIS almost took my head off for snapping a photo of their sniper, Shiek or, something like that."

I took a look at it, the build reminded me of Dirty Harry's revolver, nickle plated with a chrome finish and a wooden grip. I flicked open the cylinder, seeing six 44. Magnum rounds sitting in the chamber. "I'm going to go on a limb here and guess you didn't get this legally?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"... uhh..."

I shut him up and shoved the gun back into its holster. "You're lucky we're friends, but you owe me for not spilling." I told him, smacking him on the shoulder as he laughed nervously.

"Yeah yeah, I'll owe you one. Just don't expect me to suck your dick or anything."

"Damn it." I laughed, he joined and soon we were both laughing like a couple of loons. Ah, it was good to laugh when you know you're going home soon.

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Ponyville, Equestria
Perspective: Derpy Hooves

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"~Mama!~" I heard calling to me from upstairs, I took a look and saw my wonderful daughter Dinky cantering down with her school supplies poking out of her saddlebags, a few pencils and books in both our native language and the Equestria Standard. I smiled as she trotted over to me, giving me a quick hug. "~I'm off to school now!~"

I nodded, reaching over and grabbing a small bag, I hoofed her the lunch I had made and kissed the top of her head. "~Be sure to have fun, and don't get into trouble.~" I told her, ruffling her mane, the young filly giggling under my assault. She fought me off, and won in the end before darting over to the door.

"~Bye mama!~" She cried before leaving, the door slamming shut and making my ears ring.

I could only chuckle as I rubbed a hoof against my ears. "~Silly filly.~" She always slammed doors, she didn't mean to of course, she was just so full of energy that she did some things she didn't mean to. A breathless laugh escaped me as I trotted over to the study and going inside, once I was inside I shook my head, dispelling the wall eyed vision I had to put up with. "~Having to put up with that is annoying.~" I voiced, rubbing my aching head as I looked around my study. Books and scrolls adorned bookcases and it smelled of cigars and expensive liquor, leftover smells from when my mother visited the other day.

I saw the easy chairs sitting around the fireplace, the burgundy colored chairs smooth and reflecting the lights from above. Small end tables sat by each of the chairs, one having a magazine on it and an ashtray filled with small ashes and a few cigarette butts. I sighed as I walked over to one of the bookcases, scanning each title I saw some books involving magic, flight, economics and so forth. I scanned them until I came to a book with a single symbol on its spine, a hoof breaking a chain. I pulled the book back, and the bookcase shuddered as I heard several gears clank and move.

Before I knew it the bookcase jutted out suddenly, expelling dust and moving to the side revealing a staircase going down. Without wasting time I moved onto the staircase, shutting the bookcase from the inside and shutting myself in the darkness. I carefully made my way down the spiral staircase, my hooves clacking against the metal as I descended into the darkness.

Now, maybe you're wondering just why I have this little staircase going down into a pitch black hole. There's a perfectly good reason for that... and I'll explain.

For years I have lived in Ponyville, working as the Mailmare and delivering mail to all of the ponies in Equestria. It was a hard job, and coupled with having to take care of Dinky and other chores it was almost tedious. But I love my Dinky with all my heart, ever since she came into my life. I vowed to take care of her and protect her from harm, no matter the cost. But, before I get ahead of myself, I should tell you I'm not just a mailmare.

Years ago, before I even thought of living in this town, I lived in Neighpon, just a few hundred miles away off the coast of Germaneigh and the Hooviat Union. I was a different mare back then, I like to think I still am that mare. I was an outcast because of who and what I was, my name non-existent, my profile black as a canvas waiting for somepony to paint it.

I reached the bottom of the stairs, and I came to a pair of tunnels, dug down below this place years before I was even born. Both led to different places, one led to the outskirts in the Everfree, and the other led to a massive underground burial chamber used during the Great Wars centuries ago. Used by the Earth Pony Tribes and such to bury their dead, but it wasn't used like that anymore. The dead remain however, their skulls and bones a grim reminder of what could happen should friendship and harmony fail.

I took a left, heading towards the burial chamber. The tunnel lit up by special stones placed in small crevices to allow one to see, very few know of these tunnels, and the ones who do have no idea how to get into them. Even Celestia herself doesn't know of them, which I have found strange, considering how long she's been around.

"~Somepony is coming~" I heard from afar, I sped up my trot eventually coming to the rotunda that dominated the underground. The rocky path led forward through the rotunda, with another path leading down over on the far right. All around me I saw other ponies dressed in cloaks, special ones colored black with a red trim and outline. Their faces were covered by masks, and at each of their sides I saw a long sword clasped to their belts, the Neighponease Katana, and above I saw a single banner, the same symbol from the book was on it, a hoof breaking a large chain that was shackled to the fetlock.

One of the ponies approached me, bowing their head before greeting me. "~Master Hooves~" She said.

"~Rise~" I told her, she did so without hesitation, her blue eyes locked on my own. "~What have you to report?~"

Another pony approached me, his cloak had seen better days as it was covered in scratches and it was torn. But he did not seem to mind. "~Master, we've reports from the other cells that Princess Celestia's Royal Guard is moving a caravan of supplies westward towards a warehouse. There are twenty royal guards in each, led by a captain~"

I thought for a moment, closing my eyes in thought. Twenty? I nodded. "~Take thirty of your best and intercept it, we could use the supplies for our ponies~"

the stallion bowed his head once more. "~Your will shall be done, Master Hooves~" Without another word, he vanished in a puff of black smoke, tricky unicorn magic.

Trotting past the young mare who was still next to me, I made my way over to the large path leading down, when I made my way over to it, I was greeted with a steep staircase leading down. I nodded to both the remaining ponies in the room and they followed me down without a word. The two behind me followed close, their eyes locked forward as they trailed behind me silently, any sounds from their hooves were non-existent thanks to their uniforms.

The path was was steep, but the stairs and holds made it easy to climb down. I lost track of how long we descended down the dark path, the path winding and long with the only sounds being a whispering wind and my hooves hitting the rocks. A part of me wondered if Diamond Dogs had a hoof in crafting these tunnels, I had never studied the architecture any. Maybe one day I will learn how these were made, so we could replicate them should the need arise.

Once we reached a small cliff, I soon found myself overlooking a massive underground sanctum. Lanterns were hanging from ropes, patrols of other uniformed ponies kept vigilant watch over the small shanty village below me. A small river ran through it all, forking into others that fed into several homes via a system built by several ingenious earth and unicorn ponies. All of these ponies, were what's left of my clan.

My name to everypony else is Derpy Hooves. But my real name is Cherry Blossom, of the Red Hoof Clan of the former country of Neighpon to the east. I am the sole Master of the clan, the current leading member and last of the Red Hoof Pegasi line. And these are my people, what is left of them after our homeland was destroyed by none other...

...then Princess Celestia herself, and its my mission... to exact vengeance upon what she has done to my family... to my home... to my people...

You will pay Celestia, for what you've done to us all...

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Burned Out ISIS Safehouse, Baghdad
Perspective: Shiek

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"~Sheik!~" Someone called me from down below where I was sitting on my perch.

I looked and saw a young boy looking up at me with eager eyes, in his small hands he held an Uzi that was attached to his vest, one that was too big for such a child. He was my brother, Tik.

"~Yes Tik?~" I asked, turning back to my rifle's scope and peering through it. I could make out the massive base from here, the disgusting buildings, tents and concrete runways that made up Camp Echo along with the thousands of soldiers situated there.

"~Elder Yahol wants to see you!~" He informed me, adjusting his cap which, again, was too big for him.

I sighed, grabbing my rifle and climbing down from my perch from the second floor and climbing down the rocks jutting through the walls. I had learned to climb up most obstacles in my youth, climbing walls, jumping from rooftop to rooftop and scaling mountains. It was all training, training to prepare myself to fight against the American War Machine, to take them down before they cause mayhem and destruction. I had learned from my father long ago that Americans were nothing but pigs, people who enjoyed war and causing them, swooping in to save the day and take the credit even though they started it behind closed curtains.

Tik moved back as I hit the ground with a thud, standing up tall, I overshadowed my brother by a good three feet. My frame being close to six feet in height. I nodded to my brother and walked past him, messing up his hat and making him chase me. "~I'll get you for that Sheik!~"

I could only laugh as we ran through the halls of the abandoned safehouse, running past several other fighters of our group. Some would smile as they spotted us, others would shake their heads, or do nothing at all. The whole world saw us as monsters thanks to the propaganda being spewed forth from the media, but we were not... we were fighters, soldiers fighting for an idea, of a world free from tyranny. Sure we went about it using some... more brutal methods, but we were accomplishing something here.

We ran and ran until we got out into the streets, several people spotting us but paying no mind. I could see the elder, Yahol Simbabl standing with the rest of my squad. He was an older man in his fifties, dressing in a long shirt, a combat vest and fatigues. In his hands he held a shotgun, one liberated from an american soldier he killed with his bare hands. He saw me coming and waved me over, Tik following close behind.

"~Ahh, Shiek, I have been wanting to talk to you.~" His voice had a tone to it that I knew as one that meant he had something for me to do.

I stood up straight. "~Yes sir, about what, if I may ask?~"

The man looked out behind me, in the distance if one squinted they could probably make out Camp Echo. "~The Americans are about to drive a convoy up to the base, they are carrying over five thousand gallons of jet fuel to fuel their planes, I want you to take this group~" Yahol gestured to the group before me, all of them wearing black masks and other standard ISIS garb. "~And blow up that convoy, set fire to their base. I know for a fact all of their soldiers, and a good number of their supporters are their today, so this is an opportune moment to destroy a good portion of their forces!~"

He got several nods of agreement, and I just now noticed several of the fighters in front of me had RPG launchers and certain vests strapped to their chest. Each one carried an AK-47 assault rifle, and wore protective gear. "~Attack them now?~" I wondered, there were hundreds, if not thousands of armed soldiers at that base, attacking them wouldn't be a smart move.

But to my confusion, Yahol nodded. "~Yes attack them now.~" He pushed the others forward, making them run down the road. "~You will have support from the other cells nearby, that is close to three thousand fighters all together, this will be an all out assault!~" He held up his shotgun, and cupping his hand he yelled. "Allah Ackbar!"

He got a resounding reply from the surrounding fighters as they ran down the road, I could only turn and run to follow them. If we had to fight today, to bring them down right now... then so be it. I will make them fall with my rifle. I ran down the road, my brother Tik running alongside a child carrying a rifle too big for him. Having children fight a man's war was not something I liked, but we had to fight, for our parent's sake. I sprinted down the road, holding my rifle flat to my back with one hand while the other held onto the strap across my chest.

I quickly darted down an alleyway, turning right and running past pots, pans and other discarded dishware. A car blocked my path but I remedied that by sliding over the hood and landing on the other side, my cap almost fell off but I fixed it by turning the bill backwards and continuing to run down the alley. Eventually I reached a point where I could climb up, running faster I let go of the strap and rifle and leaped forward, grabbing onto one of the rocks jutting out and planting my foot onto another, quickly I started climbing up and up, I had to be careful when doing this, as I had twisted my ankle more times than I could count messing up a jump or mistiming a landing.

Spotting my last hand hold I grabbed it and pulled myself up, my muscles burning and my lungs sucking in air as I climbed onto the rooftop. Turning to my left I spotted the base was a bit closer now, and so I kept running in that direction. Hopping across the rooftops, I hit tiles and knocked a few off, ducked under clotheslines someone had hung up days, maybe weeks ago and hopped over small walls. Sometimes I would come across a narrow piece of roof that was an archway down below and I had to tightrope walk across it, it was nerve racking but it had to be done, I had no fear.

I walked across the narrow roof pathway, knocking over a few pieces of hay and straw before I came to a tall tower that overlooked parts of the city. These were scattered throughout, for use as a radio relay system by a radio operator that worked out of this city. They worked alright, for a dual purpose. High above I saw a perfect place to snipe from, and rubbing my gloved hands together, I started climbing up.

Today is the day they will all learn my name... Shiek.

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Manehatten, Equestria
Perspective: Octavia Melody

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"Miss Melody, Miss Melody!" A young voice called out from behind me, it sounded like a colt. Turning my head ever so slightly I saw it was indeed a colt. Still in his teens and carrying a violin case in a saddle bag, he jogged up to me a tired expression on his face. "Oh, thank the stars, I thought you were running away from something for a moment there with how you were moving."

I raised a critical eyebrow his way. "May I help you?"

"Oh!" He stammered something and flaring his magic, he lifted his violin case out of the sadle bag and presented it to me, I noted the case was charcoal black, much like my mane was. "I was hoping, that since I caught up with you, that maybe you would do me the honor of signing my case?" He asked me, chuckling lightly. "I know it seems a bit odd but I was just ho-"

I cut him off by pulling out a fountain pen I kept and gesturing to the case, he held it up and kept it steady while I signed my name on the bottom in script. I could only grin ever so slightly as I saw his starstruck expression, when I pulled away he looked at the script with a smile.

"Oh thank you so much! This means a lot to me Miss Melody."

I smiled in kind, making him blush. "What is your name?"

He looked shocked that I would ask such a question, but answered. "M-my name is Fine Tune, Miss Melody."

I took a moment to look him over. His mane is neatly combed, and he faintly smells of some expensive cologne, suggesting he comes from a well off family. His violin... "Show me your instrument." I asked, he deftly unclasped the case and carefully opened to up, and to my surprise my eyebrow rose up, more shock then anything else. T-that is a Hoovian Original! the polished black wood, the silver strings and the unmistakable insignia of Hoovian's clan on the bottom right... there's no mistaking it. "Where did you get such an instrument, Mr. Tune?"

"Oh... uh, my father gave it to me before he passed away." He said, running a hoof delicately over the polished black wood. "He had inherited it from his grandfather, who got it from his father. Its really old, older then I think it is." Fine Tune explained, inspecting the violin.

I smiled sadly. Who would have thought a fan of mine would posses an instrument as old and beautiful as this? I trotted over next to him and placed my arm over his back, much to his shock as he gave me a questioning but not unwelcome look. "I am sorry for your loss Mr Tune." I said, getting a nod and a small smile from him. "Tell me, are you free this weekend?"

Fine Tune looked up at me, "Um, I have some classes on Friday, but other then that, yes I am." He looked me in the eyes, as if trying to find out why I was asking him this. "Why do you ask?"

I only smiled and reached into my own saddlebags, there I produced a small card I carried around and hoofed it to him. "Take this and go to uptown to the Echelon Estates, go to number 666. That is my Family's estate, show them this and you'll be accepted inside."

He took the card from me, holding it as if it were a precious artifact. "B-but why would you give me this? You don't even know me!" He half asked half yelled, I understood why. Who wouldn't?

"Simple," I told him, stepping back and saying. "You have a talent for music, I can tell by your cutie mark you are a musician, and you are carrying around an extremely rare instrument, and I can tell you have talent but that will only get you so far." I looked out into the streets of Manehatten, the ponies all walking in massive crowds as they passed by each other. "but in this world, practice is important if you wish to have a good life later on, so I am offering you the potential to practice with the best classical musicians this side of Canterlot... House Melody."

...

...

Oh dear, I think I broke him. I giggled as I saw his gaping mouth and wide eyes, his magic still holding onto the card. I trotted up next to him, still frozen as I leaned in close to his ear. "If you ever decide to unfreeze yourself, meet me at the estate this weekend, it'll be an experience you won't forget." With a quick peck on the cheek I turned about face and cantered away to my carriage that was waiting for me.

It was sleek and black like most of the family's carriages, with tinted windows and plush seats. The door was opened by my driver, I nodded to him and climbed inside as he took my Cello case and placed it inside in its usual spot across from me, sitting down on the burgundy seats I leaned back, closing my eyes as the carriage started forward at a leisurely pace. I took the time to think of my previous performance, it was rather bland compared to some of my others at Canterlot. The crowd was small, barely twenty ponies and most looked like they were there for something else instead of my hard worked performance.

It was a crime that so many ponies nowadays don't respect the classical arts like they used to, opening my eyes and looking out of the window I sighed. Oh what it must have been like back in Roamin times, where classical music was cherished by hundreds if not thousands of ponies and creatures all across Equus. I wish I could go back to those days, but I am stuck in this present era where wubs are worshiped and classical music is dying out. But Vinyl Scratch is making a good living, at least. I mused as I thought of my old collage friend, I didn't think she would get far with her talents, but she proved me wrong with her skills as a DJ, specifically a creator of said wubs.

Vinyl Scratch, or better known as DJ-PON3 turns the underground scene into a virtual mosh pit of hysteria and musical prowess, a goddess of the underground. Nopony is better then her at the turntable, at least as far as I know. I don't follow that brand of music.

The days of classical music are dying out, and before you know it the three houses will end up dying out, our musical lineage corrupted by the virus that is modern music. That's not to say the modern musicians are bad, they are doing well for them, its just that we don't particularly care for their style, as we of the three houses strive to keep the classical arts alive. There are other houses, but they are either too small, or scattered throughout Equus.

I was of House Melody, and if you asked me I would tell you it was the best house. But every other pony of their own house would same the exact same thing about their own, and before you knew it you'd have an argument on your hooves. House Melody was argubly the biggest house, having over three hundred members by blood and another two hundred extended members that were adopted, or brought into the family as an honorable member of the household. Which happened rarely, if it did, consider yourself extremely blessed, because that would not happen unless Father thinks you were the absolute best of the best, or you did some act that caught his attention that helped the family in some way.

"Miss Melody, we've arrived." I heard the cultured voice of my drive alert me.

With a sigh I sat up. "Thank you Jeeves." I said as we entered into the estate's grounds. It took a few moments but we stopped in front of the manor and the door was opened. I dare say, even though we moved at a slow pace, we got home faster then I thought we would. I must have dozed off. Stepping out of the carriage, Jeeves used his magic to pick up my cello case and hoof it off to a couple of bellcolts who carried it inside for me. As they did I took the brief moment to scan my home.

It was a large estate, possibly the largest in Manehatten's upper east side, situated near the bank of a clean and crystal clear river that flowed through the small park we had. Its large well trimmed lawns green and healthy, trees interspersed here and there with many colorful birds flying from them, a tall rock wall cut off anyone from seeing inside, thus ensuring our privacy from the outside world. Cobblestone paths led from the front door to a few side doors on either side, one large one looping around a fountain of several angelic ponies holding vases that spilled out water into the basin below, and another path leading to the garage.

The manor itself was quite large, four stories and built from the ground up by ponies of the old Blackclaw house. It was inherited by my ancestor, Philharmonic Melody in a game of poker... that is no joke. It had beautiful windows imported from Prance that shone like crystal in the moonlight, beautiful ornate doors crafted out of the finest wood, it was quite the sight to behold. A few stone dragon statues made of the corner stones of the house, giving it an intimidating look. My father rather liked dragons.

Trotting up the steps I made my way over to the double door, as soon as my hoof came into contact it was opened wide by two mares in waiting, both wearing the typical maid outfit. "Greetings Miss Melody." They both greeted me in their melodic voices, I've forgotten their names, but I do love their voices. Twins I believe they are.

"Girls." I nodded, walking inside I was greeted with the main room, which was only the finest rugs and paintings imported from Germaneigh and the late country of Neighpon. A crystal chandelier hung overhead, casting its light down below. A few decorative vases sat on end tables that were placed throughout the building, a duel staircase led upstairs with another going opposite of it to the third floor and so on. To my right I saw my several maids cleaning some of Father's prized possessions, and to my left sat a room with a few couches, chairs and tables for guests. Up ahead I would find the dining room, but that was not my destination.

Moving forward, I passed by another nameless maid and made my way into the back halls. This manor was so large, I can't count the times I had gotten lost as a foal and had cried for mother, only to be saved by either my brother, Silver or father, as mother was easily side tracked more often then not. The winding halls and the long corridors could be confusing to many if you didn't know them well, over the years I had managed to find my way around alright.

And just as I think that, I come across a dead end. I huffed, staring at the wall that held a mask of a Zebrican tribe I knew not the name of.

A chuckle sounded from behind me. "Lost again?"

I turned, facing none other then my brother, Silver Strings. The silver coated blue maned stallion being only four years older then me. "I am not lost!"

"Okay then, I guess you were interested in that mask then?"

"... yes, yes I was, what of it?" I asked, turning up my nose at him and looking away.

"Because its a fake mask that father bought at a pawn shop because it looked authentic, wasted five hundred bits on it." Silver chuckled, leaning against the wall.

I could only sigh. "Okay fine I am lost, are you happy?"

Another laugh. "Come on, I'll take you to father, you wanted to see him right?" Silver questioned, turning around and trotting off with me regrettably following suit.

"More like he wanted to see me," I commented, stepping into line alongside my brother, "did father not call you?"

A hum, then a shake of the head. "No, I don't believe so."

I nodded, if father didn't call Silver, then... what?

We both trotted down the halls of the estate, passing by several black shirt wearing ponies guarding several doors and trotting about with keen eyes hidden behind sunglasses. We eventually reached a familiar black door with our house's insignia on the front of it, crossed cello bows over a shield with the name Melody below. With a heavy sigh I knocked on it thrice, and it opened to reveal a mare dressed in a tight fitting suit with her mane pulled back in a bun. "Hello Miss Melody, your father is expecting you, and you as well master Strings."

I nodded as my brother and I walked into the dark hallway, leading to a large room where I saw several small TVs on the wall, and a large round table made of oak wood. Some more of the guardsponies were standing around, wearing black suits and trench coats, stoic expressions on their faces as I trotted inside. At the head of the table, was my father, Blazing Melody.

"Octavia." He greeted me, a glass of wine sitting near him.

"Father."

"Silver."

"Dad."

Father nodded to a pony who brought over a large steel case, one I recognized as one I've seen sitting in a certain room in the manor. Does father want us to- My thoughts were cut off as Father said.

"You're probably wondering why I've called you both here," when we said nothing he continued, "I've heard rumors of a small house of musicians on our payroll going rogue. They've broken the rules of our own house for the last time, it's time they... were punished." Father nodded to the pony holding the case once more, and the stallion levitated it onto the table and unlocked it, and inside I saw it... "Octavia, Silver, I want you two to purge the House of Sorrow."

Of course...

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Riverton, United States
Perspective: Kyle Keller

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

"So I'll talk to you tomorrow?" I asked, letting go of the talk button on my Ham radio.

"Of course Kyle! I wouldn't miss tomorrow for nothing!" The crackly female voice of my best friend chimed back to me. "When we do talk tomorrow, you have to tell me more about how school is doing."

I sighed, clicking the talk button and replying. "Of course I will L, jeez, you're not my mom."

"I know KK, but still. Your schooling is important if you want to get a decent job in the world ya know." She told me, I nodded.

"I know... I know, thanks for the talk, I should probably get going. My mom is expecting me to help with dinner tonight."

"I wish I could come over for dinner, your family sounds amazing..." L replied back, making me sigh again. I wish she could come over, I really do. Damn countries being apart

"If I had a way to get you over to my house, I would so have you over. We could have a sleepover or something." I suggested, a joking tone to my voice.

When she replied she was laughing. "Hahahahaa, yeah maybe, that does sound kinda of fun. But you're a boy, I thought you weren't into that kind of stuff?"

"I'd make an exception for you." I told her, smiling even though she couldn't see it.

"Awww, that's sweet of you." Some knocking in the background, then a hurried. "I should get going, my roommate gets really pissy when I'm not there to help her make stuff."

I laughed. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow." I told her as she logged off, her radio going silent with a hissing noise. I leaned back in my chair, sighing as I stared at my gaming posters planted on my wall. Another night gone, and another night I have to spend not talking to L...

My name is Kyle Keller, or KK for short. And I had just got done talking to a good friend of mine I had met a year ago when my grandfather gave me his old Ham Radio, her name was L, and she wouldn't tell me anymore then that. I told her my name was KK, sort of a way for getting back at her for not telling me her real name. She just chuckled and accepted it. A year ago I was messing around with the radio, and I was about to call it quits before a voice came over the airways, asking if anyone was there.

That was the beginning of our friendship. But I wish I could meet her, but she won't tell me where she is, so I figured she would get in trouble with her parents if she did say anything, but I told her about where I was in case she ever got the chance to be able to visit. She must be overseas or something. L's no creeper so don't star with that, she's just a twenty year old just like me.

"Kyle! Come help me with dinner would ya?" My mother called, a grunt and I stood up.

"Coming!" I hate making dinner... damn it all to hell. Maneuvering past piles of video games, books and other things, I managed to get to my door and open it up... coming face to face with my younger brother, Devon. I eyed him, Devon being the second tallest member of the family behind me, and the lankiest. "Uhh... hey, Devon." I nodded, he only grunted, muttering something about me being a fag and a sinner. "Ookay." With a hum I bounded down the stairs, past my still mumbling brother and into the kitchen where my mom was sitting. Dad was out, still at work no doubt.

As I walked into the kitchen, I was greeted with my mother, five feet and a blonde, like me. My brother seemed to have inherited some shit manners from our Grandma, he's all clean cut and wears what he calls normal clothing. A clean looking blue polo shirt, beige pants and dress shoes. I could smell absolutely nothing from him, it's like he scrubbed his body clean until there was no smell left, not even body odor.

"Sooo, what do I help with?" I asked, eyeing the pots and pants.

"I'm leaving." Devon said, picking up a backpack off of the floor near the door and walking towards it.

"Uhh, where? Its like," I looked at my watch. "Eight at night."

"Church."

"... please tell me, you're not talking about those assholes next door?"

"If you're talking about the Westboro Baptist Church, yes I am going over there, I'll be back later." He told us, mom giving him a slightly disappointed look as he left the house.

I facepalmed, the smacking sound of flesh against flesh astoundingly loud. "Devon, you fucking... UGH!"

My mother sighed, having gotten used to my bouts of cursing long ago. "If that's what he wants you can't force him to quit."

"I can drop kick some sense into him, freaking Grandma messing him up like that." I looked to my mother, shaking my head. "He doesn't need to be like that, I'm pretty sure if god existed he wouldn't take to kindly to the WBC." I sighed, looking at the stove. "Gimme something to do before I vomit."

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Equestria
Perspective: Lyra Heartstrings

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

"Okay okay! Jeez, I'm not a master candy maker like you are, calm down some." I told Bonny as I levitated some goop into some other goop... because I didn't know the correct terms to use, so sue me. Bonny watched my movements like a hawk, biting her bottom lip with this intense expression of concentration on her face. Her eyes locked on my own, it freaked me out... like... a lot. Yeah she was really strict, like, military strict but this was crazy even for her.

"Careful... careful... careful!"

"... I moved it three inches to the left... three Bonny... that's barely enough movement to make it spill!" I told her, moving the small pot over to the left. Admittedly this was harder then it looked, the pot was weirdly heavy because Bonny was using some magical substance in her batter that was making my magic harder to use, I didn't know what it was but I hope it doesn't make me drop this thing... I don't need an angry Bonny chasing me around all midafternoon.

"Still! What if you sneeze!?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "Then I'll still be able to move the pot, a sneeze isn't going t-" Bonny cut me off.

"What if you get bit by a bug!?"

"It depends on the bug, bu-"

"What if we get attacked by Changelings?!"

"Bonny-"

"Or what if Princess Luna comes in as Nightmare Moon!" Bonny cried, looking towards the front door in fright.

"Bo-"

"Or what if-"

"THEN I GUESS I'M SCREWED!" I yelled back, moving the pot over to the other and putting it down with a frustrated sigh. I sat down on my rump, crossing my arms across my chest and looking away.

Silence for a few moments before Bonny asked. "Lyra, are you alright?"

I only sighed, rubbing the tiredness out of my eyes before replying. "I'm just tired." I told her as she came over to me and putting a hoof under my chin, she lifted my head up so she could look into my eyes.

A scoff. "Your eyes are bloodshot, Lyra what have you been doing all night?"

I shoved her hoof away halfheartedly, rubbing my eyes still. "Doing important studying and stuff, secrets and whatnot. You understand right?"

She gave me a half raised eyebrow and an amused look as she helped me up. "Oh I understand, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the hoo-mans you have pinned up all over the wall in your bedroom." She chuckled, helping me up the stairs. Jeez I must have been more tired then I thought if I can't even go up the stairs, now that I think about it my magic must have worn me out. Great.

"its humans Bonny..." I corrected her, tapping her nose with a hoof. "And yes, you may be right."

Bonny could only shake her head, her curled bangs tapping against my cheek. "You and your humans, I'll never understand."

Without another word we reached my room at the top of the stairs, and wanting to prove I'm not completely useless, I magicked the door open and I was brought inside. It was a pretty average room, it had a desk, some bookcases filled with text books and such, and my walls covered in some musical posters. But if you walked in and looked at my work area - which was my desk - you'd see all of the papers strewn about on top of it, coupled with the drawings and sketches above pinned to a map of Equus. Bonny trotted over to my bed and I saved her the trouble and jumped onto the bed, the covers flying up and over me as Bonny sighed.

"Well, good night Lyra, get some sleep and hopefully you'll be able to help me later." I could feel her lean in closer to my ear, her breath tickling my ear as she whispered. "Don't think you're off the hook." She told me, I only whined in response getting a laugh out of her. "Night Lyra, sleep tight." With that done, she closed the door and disappeared.

I was about to go to sleep, but I found my thoughts straying towards a topic that had been the cause for much strife throughout my life. Humans, and their race and culture. Turning over I looked at my desk, and the map and papers crowding it. Years ago, before I was even born, the field of humans was a field my grandfather had pursued in his youth. It had taken him to all corners of Equus, and he had actually met my grandmother that way. On his journey, he had found many artifacts and managed to prove that humans had settlements at one point, most of them in the desert territory known as the Borderlands, a vast expense of desert wastelands and mountain ranges that divided Equestria and the Griffon Empire. It ran through across for hundreds and hundreds of miles, and was actually near a Leyline, the entire desert was surrounded by these leylines, making it extremely dangerous.

But my grandfather had actually gone in there once, and came out with several artifacts. Everypony called him crazy and nuts for going in there, but he came out of it alive, maybe with a few scratches and wounds but he lived a full life afterwards. After had had made it out alive, it was deemed off limits by both countries, but that didn't stop caravans from trying to travel through it instead of around, many souls had been lost trying to go through it.

I sighed as I stood up and got off of my bed and quietly walking over to my desk. There I looked up at the map, my eyes finding the Borderlands. The massive stretch of desert cutting through the map like a jagged knife dividing Equestria and The Griffon Empire, keeping them both apart. There were so many unanswered questions about the Borderlands, like what was it at first? Was it Griffon territory at first, or Equestrian? Nopony knows exactly, only that its been a heated debate between our two countries. And there's no way for anypony to take control of it, given the constant sandstorms and the sand wall making visibility zero.

One day... I'll go in there myself. I told myself as I sat at my desk, looking down at my grandfather's journal. I opened it up, and promptly fell onto it, my eyes closing as sleep overtook me.

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Nevada Desert, United States
Perspective: Karen Richards

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

"Whoohoohoohoo!"

"Watch it watch it!"

"I know what I'm doing, Keith!"

"Last time you said that you broke your fuckin' legs!"

I could only laugh as I revved the engine of my bike and speeding out in front of Keith's trophy truck, I kicked up sand and blocked his view as I sped over to a sand dune perfectly shaped for a jump, once I hit the dune I was sent flying high above, and over Lara's semi truck that was blazing across the road. "Hey Lara! Having fun!?" I asked through the radio as I landed on the other side of the road alongside a pair of dune buggies.

I heard the radio crackle and Lara country twang came roaring through across the airwaves. "Why wouldn't Ah be havin' fun?!" She asked, her truck blasting through a pile of sand and roaring down the wide double lane road that ran across the desert. All around me I heard the revving engines of my team's vehicles blasting across the desert, motorcycles, monster trucks, buggies, muscle cars, trophy trucks and some others. It was like Mad Max on steroids, so beautiful.

I sped up my bike, ripping past the buggies and up to a hill that overlooked out battlegrounds. The drive up was hard, but I managed to ascend and eventually I was sitting at the top, it was a big hill and was perfect as an overlook. I took off my helmet, letting my hair fall out as I overlooked the area. I could see everyone that was a part of my team ripping up the desert floor, whooping and hollering like a bunch of lunatics. I could hear the sounds of Metallica blasting from Lara's truck and her bullhorns as she drove down the roads, her massive truck and its giant trailer resembling a monstrous snake slithering across the sands.

This was life for me, the best kind of life. I could only smile as I watched them all have fun, they deserved it after all. We had won the Armageddon Championship once more, and had taken home the prize of twenty million dollars and the trophies for all of the races. No body stood a chance against my team, no one ever does. When we roll up into the ring, people stand in awe as we dominate the race tracks. Leaving none standing.

Another smile graced my face as I witnessed a bi-plane and mustang fly overhead, I waved to them as they did several fly bys. Hovering near a few ramp trucks we had set up were a few choppers, bikes and other vehicles jumped over them while their pilots prepared them for flight. We had damn near every brand of vehicle out here today, the rest were in our facility just a few miles away.

My name is Karen Richards, leader of The Stormriders, we may or may not be based off Mad Max elements. We're a team of junkies who specialize in whatever we find exciting, if it's a extreme sport that deals in racing, sledding down mountains, kicking up dirt, shredding waves or snow or involves wheels, we're there. Nascar, offroad tracks, snowboarding, surfing, destruction derbies, monster trucks, dirt bikes, whatever. We do it all. I made this team from scratch, created and here we are no, kings of the racing and sports industry. No one is more skilled then we are, no one can come even close to us... all except...

"Hehehe, well well well if it ain't the Stormriders~" I heard from my helmet radio, oh great.

I scowled, pulling the communication system out I clicked the button. "What the fuck Jared!? How did you get this frequency?" I demanded, pausing as of other engines filled my ears. The majority of my team had all gathered on the right side of my vision, all of their vehicles coming to a halt as they heard Jared's voice come in over the airwaves. "Where the hell are you?!" I questioned.

"Looky over in the mountains~"

As he said that, a massive explosion went off sending up a plume of black smoke and rocks. My eyes widened as a massive rock wall fell down, crumbling to pieces and giving off a sound of rocks sliding down.

"What was that?!" Keith yelled over the radio, I noticed his trophy truck driving my way and replied.

"Its Jared," I growled, seeing the massive plumes of smoke and sand being kicked up alongside the sounds of engines roaring. "Fucking asshole!"

"He's coming here? I thought he couldn't get past the mountain?"

"Bastard blew himself a path through," I told him, seeing the glint of steel and metal through the dust being kicked up.

Looking down the hill I saw Keith drive up the hill, his engine chugging and roaring as it pushed him up the hill. His truck was an old one, and a veteran among the racers, but it was still a powerful beast. The truck stopped next to me and I had to turn my head to block the sand from hitting me in the face, Keith cut the engine and unclasped the window before climbing out head first. A mop of dark brown hair under a hat dominated his head, and piercing green eyes locked on mine as he sat on the door. "What do we do boss, call the cops on him? He's violating the restraining order we got on him and his crew."

I could only scowl as I watched Jared's little band of misfits he calls racers drive into our territory. Jared Smith was the leader of a rival team of ours, leader of The War Pigs. He was a pig actually, a selfish cheating asshole of a man who led a band of cutthroat racers who didn't care for the sport, only the money and the fame. While me and my Stormriders do it for the fun, and the challenge of racing. We were hardcore, but we always played fair. Unlike the War Pigs, who cheated every chance they got, and managed to get away with it somehow. We had been at war for years now, not actual fighting or anything, just baseless threats and insults, and the occasional bar fight if we ran into each other.

But now, it looks like this is going to be different if he's bringing his whole team into our territory. We bought this land and we had free reign to use it however we saw fit, and now he's coming here.

Bastard. I thought as I put my helmet back on, Keith got the message and got back into his truck, clasping the window back up and starting up his engine. I revved up my own bike and sped down the hill, Keith following after peeling out, well... as much as one can in the sand anyway. We both drove down the hill where the team was all waiting. All of their cars, trucks and bikes sitting idle as Keith and I drove up, I slid to a stop in front of Lara's big rig, the massive double wide truck a behemoth monster that wasn't street legal in the slightest. I saw the Texan pop her head out through the top, her plaid shirt tied at the middle and her tank top stained with oil and dirt.

"What in th' hell's going on Boss!?" She yelled down to me, a few others asked as well, murmuring their agreements.

I turned to her. "Its Jared, bastard blew the wall off down the way!" I yelled back to her, getting a few outbursts from the crowd of racers gathered. "I don't know why but he's coming this way."

Lara only shook her head, getting back into her truck and closing up the top. I sighed, why in the hell is Jared breaking the truce we had? Sure it was a shit truce and the police made sure we did it so there wouldn't be anymore fights... okay I may have lied earlier, some of my crew do get into fist fights with the War Pig crew members, challenging each other to races in the streets and getting into brawls afterwards. Needless to say a lot of money spent on bail vanished into thin air, same goes for Jared.

And now, now he was coming into our territory. Why that was, I had no idea. I took off my helmet as I saw the massive convoy of vehicles headed this way.

At the front of it all I saw Jared's vehicle, a fixed up custom rat rod made for offroading. The top was lifted up and the wheels specially modified for off road driving and going up steep hills, the engine was also a V8 with a turbo charger. It was a beast when it came to speed, and it was his prized possession. Why he was driving it out here I'll never know. I watched several others drive up hot rodders, bikes, trucks and even a few buses in the mix.

Perhaps there is a part of you wondering why we all have such varied vehicles, well.., the championships and tournaments we are involved in are some of the most dangerous and hardcore in the world. You have to be talented and skilled with a vehicle of each category to compete, and it is tough. Good thing my team fits those categories, sad thing Jared's team does to. We were the only teams left, the others quitting or not having enough money to maintain everything.

I watched as the other convoy stopped, all of them spreading out to evenly match us in numbers. We both had size, at least five hundred members each and more vehicles then as healthy. Jared's hot rod stopped in the middle of it all, his convoy waiting behind them as they all tried to look menacing. When did this become a movie? I sighed and dove out to meet him, my own team mocking the other with looks and glares. I drove up in front of his hot rod and stopped, eyeballing the man inside before he popped open the top and stood. "What the hell do you want Jared?!"

Jared returned my glare with a smirk, his bright blue jumpsuit a stark contrast to his pale skin and blackened and rusty hot rod. "Just thought I'd pop on over and tell you the good news~"

I rose an eyebrow, frowning still. "What? That you blew up half the goddamn mountain side?!"

He only laughed, throwing back his head and laughing loudly. "Hell no, I've been meaning to do that for a while," He stopped laughing, leaning down and saying. "No, I'm here to tell you that you and your team are done." He told me, eyeing the rest of my crew with an unimpressed shrug. "The next championship that's coming up, you're sure to lose."

I only smirked. "Is that a challenge?"

"Oh yeah."

if either of us had bothered to look, we would have seen the massive sandstorm to the north baring down on our position.

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Camp Echo, Baghdad
Perspective: Sergeant Nicholas

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

An hour had passed since Kevin had brought the storm to my attention, while I was sure it was just shit readings, a part of me couldn't help but worry that if this storm hit, something bad was going to happen. A gut feeling, or as my squad called it, Nicky's Sixth Sense. A stupid name for what they call my superpower, it was ridiculous to be honest. It wasn't a superpower, it was just common sense, no tricks or magic here. Its gotten my team out of more jams then you could imagine.

Kevin seemed to agree with them, having followed my fireteam when we got into firefights with ISIS and documented us. Taking photos and videos, he was an idiot for getting himself into some situations, but like I said... he had luck, and lots of it. He's been shot more times then I can count and he always came out okay, if I didn't know any better I'd say he had a guardian angel watching over him.

"Nicky, you hear that?" Kevin asked me, tilting his head slightly as he listened around.

I rose an eyebrow, all I heard was the sounds of vehicles driving by and people chattering, that and the protesters. "No, what do yo-"

*BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG*

"Contact! We got contact!" A soldier yelled out, hefting up his rifle and running to the crowd. "Get back get back!"

"Who the fuck is it?!"

"ISIS!"

"Allah Ackbar!"

"Die Americans!"

I cursed, grabbing Kevin as a ISIS soldier fired at us from afar. The bullets hit the jeep and imbedded themselves in the metal. I grabbed my radio as Kevin pulled out his gun and camera, duel wielding the two. "We got ISIS contact outside the base walls! We need to get the civies outta here now!"

"Roger that." I heard, along with the sounds of people screaming all around me. Many of them jumped over the jeep and nearly hit me, but didn't thankfully. All of the civilian people we had on base ran for cover, hiding behind what tanks were still left out and jumping behind barricades. Some tried running out of the base only to get shot.

"This is fun!" Kevin cried, peeking out of cover and recording the firefight, his smile slowly turning into a frown. "Uh oh."

I gave him a look. "What?!"

"There's hundreds of them in the buildings!" He yelled back to me, ducking back into cover as a bullet nearly took his head off. "Fuck!"

Taking a few breathes I shot up out of cover, quickly aiming at the first target, only to find hundreds of ISIS soldiers running between buildings. All of them carrying heavy looking weaponry, in the roads I saw technical made out of cars and trucks blocking off any escape routes. And a really old tank. "Tank! We got a tank!" I screamed, getting several fearful looks from some civilians. One of our Abrams tanks revved up nearby and aimed its cannon, firing its cannon the massive round took out a soldier and imploded once it came into contact, destroying the enemy tank as I ducked back down.

It was chaos out here, and we were right in the middle of it. Every soldier on base got into attack positions, armed with everything from M4s, SAWs, Shotguns, M700 sniper rifles and 50. BMG caliber machine guns. Both sides exchanged rounds, taking out chunks of the other's defenses, cars exploded and people fell both good and evil. I shot out of cover once more and ran across the way, Kevin staying close behind me as he filmed everything. I slid into cover beside a Bradley Humvee, the gunner firing off his gun as one of my squadmates came rushing over to me. "Nicholas!"

My friend, the sniper of our group was a woman in her early thirties named Samantha, she was a private first class and a damn good shot. She sped over to me and took over as a smirk graced my lips. "Decided to get in on the action?!" I asked, peeking out of cover to shoot at an ISIS soldier, my bullets missed and ended up hitting his leg instead.

"Hell yeah!" She nodded, spotting Kevin she waved. "Hey Kevin, you enjoying filming?"

Kevin ducked as another sniper round almost took off his head, instead impacting the ground next to him. "I would be if that damn sniper would stop trying to fucking kill me!" He yelled, leaning out of cover and firing his revolver twice at a gas barrel, it exploded taking out the technical next to it and the four soldiers on it. "Fucking A!"

"Nice shot! Shame you didn't sign up to get into the USMC!" Sam remarked, aiming her own rifle and firing, taking off the head of soldier.

"Marine life ain't my style Sammy~" He chuckled, another sniper round nearly taking his head off. "Fuck!" He screamed, hiding behind the humvee.

Another explosion, and another truck had gone up in a fiery explosion taking several souls along with it. I leaned out and took aim at a man carrying an RPG, he could do some major damage with that, and I intended to stop him. But before I could he sprinted forward, jumping onto a tank and yelling something before hitting his chest... he exploded, forcing me to shield my eyes as the tank suddenly went up in flames. "Damn it!" I yelled, shooting at another PRG carrying soldier before I was forced back into cover.

"We got more vehicles incoming!" Someone yelled, pointing towards the battle in front of us.

Damn it! more ISIS?! I wondered as I looked towards the battle. There I saw several buses driving past the technicals, along with a few civilian cars and trucks. I saw no soldiers in them, just scared people inside trying to get away from the fighting. "Damn it! Cover those cars!" I yelled, waving at the bus. "Go over there!" I yelled, pointing to where the tanks were. "Go go go!"

Thankfully they listened and started driving that way, but a few cars that didn't make it onto the base got their tires shot out an they crashed, stuck within the firefight.

Damn it! A shot from above made me duck down, so I leaned back and scanned the rooftops with my rifle, trying to find said sniper before my vision suddenly went black. I fell back with a cry of surprise, hitting the ground as both Kevin and Sam yelled my name. I groaned but I doubt anyone heard me, shaking my head I saw out of my left eye Samantha looking down at me, her lips were moving but I couldn't make out anything she was saying. Kevin was kneeled down next to me, shaking my body and trying to get me to move.

"What?!" I yelled, finally hearing. My ears popped, much to my relief. "What happened?!" I yelled over the gunfire.

"I know who the sniper is!" Kevin said, picking up my gun and handing it to me. "Its Shiek! He almost took off your goddamn head!"

Shiek? I wondered, trying to get up as the ground shook and the skies rumbling. "What was that?!"

Both Kevin and Sam looked up into the skies, when I looked I saw several clouds gathering quickly, faster then thaey normally would. I got up, grabbing my rifle and going back to the fighting as the smell of rain hit my nose. I leaned against the humvee as my vision in my right eye slowly came back. Samantha came to my side and Kevin kept an eye out as more soldiers ran out of the base and a few tanks started up before rolling out to meet the ISIS forces in battle.

Looking up again I saw the clouds growing darker, blotting out the sun and to the surprise of me, and no doubt everyone else... it stopped the fighting. Gunfire ceased, engines cut out, voices died as we watched the storms above. The winds swirled and picked up, sand and dirt started flying and rain fell down from above much to the shock of us all.

What the fuck is going on?

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Camp Echo, Baghdad
Perspective: Shiek

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

I sat atop the radio tower, my rifle held in my hands as the rain pelted my form. Needless to say I was confused, it hardly ever rained and it was clear a moment ago. I saw the storm clouds gather and rumble, lightning striking far off buildings, the cloudcover extending as far as my eyes could see. Which was quite far, even coupled with my scope the cover never ended. I felt it, in the pit of my stomach, something was very wrong. I saw everyone down below had stopped firing, they too were perplexed and disturbed, you could feel it in the air around us.

This was not natural, this was the work of something... different... something... unholy. It made me shiver, a tingling sinsation traveling down my spine and for the first time I felt truly scared. I looked out into the distance, and I saw it...

A massive sandstorm was coming, barreling towards the base... no... the city, it was massive, a monster of unparalleled size. It was coming faster than I had ever seen any storm do, I heard it roaring, as if it were a living thing, with sandy jagged teeth and slitted eyes locked on my body. This fight was over... for all of us. The storm was on us now, and I could only grasped onto the tower as the sandstorm bombarded the steel giant and my fellow forces below.

Is this the end?!

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Camp Echo, Baghdad
Perspective: Sergeant Nicholas

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

"Son of a bitch!" I bellowed as the storm hit the base, it had come out of nowhere. I saw several ISIS soldiers get blown away by the sheer force of this fucking monster! I had to hold onto the humvee as the ground shook under us, knocking over several people and making the firefight practially impossible to do. Everyone had ceased the fight and substituted holding onto something for life, I had been in plenty of storms throughout my tours, but this was more intense then anything I had even seen before.

Kevin had done the same, holding onto me for some reason. I didn't have the strength or willpower to throw him off. I just held onto him and Sam as the storm raged on. Soldiers around us yelled and screamed, other fires started and were quenched by the rain. Sand and rain, not a good combo. The gunner had ducked down into his humvee and the driver, I didn't know where he was.

A few of the ISIS soldiers had tried to run across and kill whoever they could, only to be blown away by the storm or in a odd twist of fate, struck by lightning. A part of me wondered if Thor was actually real and having a hand in tossing around lightning bolts.

I tried grabbing my radio and talking to someone, anyone but the storm proved making communications impossible.

"What's going on, Nicholas!?" Kevin yelled, his gun having been blown away by the storm.

"I don't fucking know!" I really had no fucking idea what was going on.

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Riverton, United States
Perspective: Kyle Keller

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

I was outside when I felt the ground shake, it felt like an Earthquake was coming. There are no earthquakes here! What the hell? My thoughts were broken as I heard my friend voice his colorful opinion.

"What in the ever living fuck?" My friend and neighbor who was named D cursed, looking out down the road as he saw a wall of sand blowing this way. We both stood in shock nd awe for a few seconds, my mind trying to come up with a reasonable explaination for a wall of sand to suddenly appear. It was coming at full speed, ripping past parked cars and trees with such force I saw one tree get ripped down! "Shit! Kyle get inside!" He yelled, grabbing me and running for my house.

"Damn it! What is that?!" I screamed as we got to the door and barged inside. Mom was in the kitchen with Dad, complaining to him about something as we barged in. "Mom! Dad!" I yelled, hoping to get their attention, we needed ot do something! Hide! Or anything really!

"Ms Keller! We got a problem!" D yelled as he turned and locked the door and quickly closing the window drapes. "Get away from the windows!"

"What's going on!" Dad yelled as he walked into the hall leading to the door, his eyes boring into my own before looking over at D. "What's going on?" He asked us both.

I walked up to him and explained. "There's a giant frigging wall of sand outside coming this way!" I know how hard it must have been to believe that, but it aws true. We didn't live anywhere near sand! We were in the upper midwest for crying out loud!

He gave me a look that suggested he didn't believe me, nope... he didn't, I know that look all too well. Damn it Dad, I ain't lying! He moved past me and unlocked the door before going out. "What are you talking about, there's no wall o-" He was cut off as I saw the sand blast him full force, he hit the back of the door frame and to our shock, was blown away. But the door was left open and and was getting inside.

"Shit fuck!" D cried as he ran over, trying to close the door as mom's eyes grew in size.

"Paul! NO!" She screamed, running out the door and into the storm.

I chased after her, trying to stop her but I wasn't fast enough. "Mom wait don't go out there!"

"Ms Keller stop!" D yelled at her, trying to grab her and failing. She got sucked out into the winds and the door was blown shut, slamming hard enough to crack the wooden frame. "Damn it!"

"Mom! Dad!" I yelled, running to the door and trying to open it. D grabbed me and pulled me away as the glass windows on the door blew open, he turned and shielded me from the shards that rained down on us. "Let me go!"

He kept his hold on me, not letting go in the slightest and I knew he wouldn't let me go at all. "You're not going out there Kyle!" He yeleld at me, holding me back as tears flew from my eyes.

"Let me go damn it! LET ME GO!" To both our surprise I did the unthinkable, and punched D in the face, making him let me go. He fell back with a yell as I ran over to the door, I didn't get far as the ground shook and something flew from a shelf, knocking me in the head. I hit the floor hard as my vision blacked out, the last thing I heard was D calling my name.

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Nevada Desert, United States
Perspective: Karen Richards

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

"Boss lady! We got a problem!" I heard someone yelled, I heard soeone on Jared's side yell as well.

"What's wrong?" All I got was a frantic finger pointing to the north. Both groups turned to the north, and there I saw it... the massive wall of sand stretching as far as I could see and moving faster then I thought possible. I was speechless, everyone was quiet as they listened tothe ungodly roaring of the storm. Sounding like something out of a movie.

The silence was broken... by Lara.

"FUCKING MOVE PEOPLE!" She screamed through her bullhorn, starting up her truck. Everyone else followed suit, both sides revved and started their engines, everyone getting back into their cars or onto their bikes and driving away. I saw our team's bi-plane flying over there before, now it was flying back with the mustang in persuit. Both no doubt gunning their engines as hard as they could to escape the storm.

I threw on my helmet and sped around before following my group. Jared had led his team in the opposite direction, everyone yelling over the engines to get moving. No one spared any expense and slammed the pedals down, tearing up the ground and moving as fast as they could. The helicopters started up and flew back to our facility, along with whatever other aircraft we had in the air at the time. Dust and sand filled the air from our convoy moving full speed, I could barely make out Lara leading the pack, her truck's triple engines at max. How she managed to get three engines to function and get that monster moving I'll never know.

I managed to drive off to the far side, moving past other trucks and bikes I could make out some fearful looks among them, and others were nothing but adrenaline fueled grins. We had driven in worst situations... I think, not sure. But this was insane, more insane than usual. My heart was pounding in my chest, my palms sweaty within my gloves and my body shivering from some fear I couldn't place... was it the storm?

Suddenly I felt weightless, I was flying, my mind was spinning and I heard Keith's voice ring out in my headset but it was garbled and cut out before I could say anything. I was inside of the storm, it hit us full blast and blew me off of my bike. Suddenly I hit something hard, my helmet taking the full brunt of the damage, but it was enough to knock me out.

As the darkness took me... I could only hope my team was okay...

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]
Location: Canterlot, Equestria
Perspective: Princess Luna

[0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0]

it would seem our day is coming to an end. I sighed as I made my way through the gardens to a balcony that overlooked the city. Today was a special day for me and my sister, special, in that it is the day our father was born. Yes he was gone... but he lives forever in our hearts, just like mother. Today, as my sister and I do every year, - before I was banished that is - we would stand together and look over the balcony, and watch the skies for a special treat from father.

I trotted along the stone path, guards and servants nodding to me as I passed, each one bearing a smile that I returned in kind. I kept my gaze forward, the balcony coming into view where my sister already stood. She was donned in her crown as always, and when she saw me coming she smiled a warm smile. "Luna." She nodded.

I nodded in return, giving her a smile of my own. "Celestia." I took my place by her side.

We both stood in silence for a few moments, just watching the skies above Canterlot. The faint sounds of the ponies below going about their day filling the air, above I saw a few pegasi flying merrily through the skies. Smiles on their faces as they passed by us with a wave, one we both returned. The skies were clear, though I did notice a few clouds to the north above the desert wastelands, a place my sister had called the Borderlands. This place had appeared short after my banishment, it was a place of mystery and peril, a constant sand wall blocked off any chances of going inside most of the time and there were constant storms inside. It was bordered off by Leylines, meaning it was dangerous, but ponies went inside anyway.

I remember a time when that land was a forest, one filled with many animals and lush trees... now it is a wasteland. It was massive, and if father were here he would have done something about it. But the place was a double edged sword. While it was an eyesore and managed to kill many who went inside, it blocked off any invasion and attack plans from our neighboring country of the Griffon Empire, who as of late have grown weary and tired of our country's lording over the others.

We did no such thing, but they thought differently.

I sighed as I looked into the skies above, Celestia joining me. Then it started, the skies darkened as the sun set on its own accord, and the skies began to glow as we were graced with father's last gift to us.

*Mood Music*

The skies glowed alight with a radiance my that neither my sister nor I could create, the shimmering blues and green hues mixing together amongst the twinking stars and lights above. Everypony below stopped what they were doing to honor this sacred sight, one that only happened once every ten years. The lights above danced and twirled, and a tear was brought to my eye. Father would always play with the lights in the skies for me, showing me all of the different colors and how they mixed and shone brightly.

It was such a beautiful sight that made me miss father so much, and mother as well. They were both so talented with creating such beauty in the skies and space, if only I could replicate such feats. I would forge something amazing, something worthy of honoring the two of them. But... I have so little to do with my own powers... anything less would be an insult.

"Luna, dear sister, are you alright?" Celestia asked me, coming over to my side and draping a wing over my back. "You're crying."

Bringing a hoof up to touch my cheek, I saw I was indeed crying. Tears stained my cheeks and freely ran down my face. "I am just thinking of father." I told her, still looking up into the sky.

She nodded and looked back to the skies. "I miss him as well, Luna."

I smiled sadly, my memories of him are ones I'll always cherish, ones I'll never forget.

But sadly, all good things must come to an end.

I felt the ground shake under my hooves, which made me look around in alarm. Celestia was doing the same as several guards started running around, yelling orders and wondering just what was going on. Suddenly my eyes caught sight of the Borderlands and the sandstorm going on there. My sister and I looked over at it, as did several others down below as lightning strikes bombarded the sand dunes and the mountains, the ground shook and the storm raged as the sands swirled in a massive supercell. I felt a familiar tug at my heart as my eyes caught sight of something moving around inside of the storm.

Then, suddenly... I heard a voice.

This is the end of harmony, and the beginning of darkness.

From the look on Celestia's face she heard it to. We both watched in horror as the storm raged and raged, throwing out trees and other debris, and sending out sand twisters that ravaged the nearby forests and lakes. We watched in awe as the storm eventually died down, the sand wall dying down and becoming nothing... The Borderlands were visible, massive dunes and hills, mountains and dead trees dominated this side of it, but beyond it I could just barely make out a small blackened form sitting in the desert.

I spread my wings, taking flight with my sister following close behind. I flew over to my tower, the one closest and the one with a telescope. I flew onto the balcony and galloped over to it, I wheeled it outside, my sister getting the idea and helping me by moving it with her magic. We both wheeled it outside and pointed the lens towards the desert. Down below I saw several guards in both the skies and on the ground clamoring over the Borderlands and the fact it was visible.

Moving to the scope, I leaned down and looked through it. The powerful magnifying lens enhancing my vision twenty-fold across the wastelands, I could see for miles and miles. I saw the mountains, the remains of the old forest still stood after thousands of years and looked like something out of a foal's horror story. The lands beyond it were the same, dead wastelands. I moved the scope and looked towards the blot I saw earlier, when I caught sight of it... I stood back, my eyes wide.

"Luna, what is it?" Celestia asked me as lightning struck several areas within the Borderlands all at once, booms and explosions sounding all around the massive expanse of the desert.

I sat down on my rump, looking her in the eyes. "There... there is a city there." I told her, recalling the massive buildings and structures that were not of equine or griffon origin. The city was massive, huge even and there were parts of it on fire. "There is a city in the Borderlands."

Celestia looked perplexed and walked over to the scope to confirm it. A few squeaks of the scope later and she saw it no doubt, judging from the slackjaw expression. "Its not possible..."

"It is sister... there is a massive settlement within the Borderlands." I told her, standing up and shaking my head. "I thought there was no way to build anything within."

My sister stood in silence, mulling over whatever it was she was thinking. "There is no way... but it would appear I was wrong..."

I stood there, looking out into the borderlands as more lightning struck the areas around it, eventually ceasing all together... and all was silent save for the wshiping winds cascading across the castle grounds, and the nervous murmurs of guard and citizien alike.

Perspective: Gaia

The world as we know it, is now changing. The gears of war are now turning, the pillars of peace and harmony crumble under the combined weight of greed, hate, misery and battle. The very foundation of friendship will be tested against the might of the thousands of angry souls and against the tyranny of the oncoming evil.

Forces, both good and bad will fight tothe death, Equus their battleground. Swords and axes, spears and halberds, assault rifles and rocket launchers their weapons. Chariots and bikes, airships and planes, carriages and trucks their steeds of war. Steel armor and bullet proof vest, magic and shields their protections.

There are no gods here... there is no help coming... the world of Equus will no longer know the peace it has had for eons... that peace, has already crumbled with the new arrivals. But they are not alone... others have joined them, some are good, pure of heart and noble of soul... some bad, evil in their hearts and their souls corrupt... others... not sure which side to take in this.

Secrets long since buried will be dug up, friendships made and brotherhoods tested.

This is the end of harmony, and the beginning of darkness.

Author's Note

I'm posting this now, why do you ask? Because I am a sad sad fuck, another reason below 8D

Because writing about war, soldiers, terrorists, and random civilians getting transported into potentially hostile territory and armed with more guns ammo and hormones then you can count is something that gives me a boner at night. Ahhhhhhhhh... I'm talking about like, a bone from a skeleton I can smack people with, what were you talking about?

I also love starting big stories people will get invested in and I'll never finish, it's something that gives me a boner... now I'm talking about erections silly

I also enjoy throwing in shit that people will probably complain about... such as ISIS, and the WBC (West Bore-o Bap-titty Church's Chicken) I'm curious if any intense political debates will ensue in the comments, or if this story will be flamed because of its... because its just there. I also despise the WBC, hence why they will be shat upon in this story, Don't like, oh well, I ain't stopping. This is not a hate fic, just some really intense stuff will be happening... WBC being shat upon, one of them because they are the absolute scum of the earth.

Enjoy another story I probably won't finish ever! )^o^)/ And vote for your favorite torture method now, you may see it later in the story! Cause we all know, monkey pandas love to torture you with straws.

... I don't fucking know anymore Dx

Also, the cover art, is something that I yet again, made from random shit on Google because I lack the money to get awesomer cover art, and anything that I could get as cover art would be too much for me to buy even if I had cash XD The cover IS ALSO HINTING AT SOMETHING. *shakes you violently but subtly*

Try and guess what that something is.

SHIT TO TAKE NOTE OF

1:

Whenever these pop up in a sentence ~~ that means someone is talking in a different language. The entire story is in english, but when those little marks pop up, that means they are speaking a different language.

Example would be Derpy, she's speaking in Japanese, you can all thank this video for doing that to me. Now I see her as Japanese, fuck DX

2:

Lara's Truck is a massive beast, like the War Rig from Mad Max Fury Road but a tad wider and longer. Imagine this

Crossed over with this

But the tanker is replaced with a wide trailer, and all of the wheels are off road.

3:

Methinks next chapter onwards I'll be throwing in links of what some shit looks like, assuming google images holds what I need, if not, I'm fucked 8D

4:

If anyone actually ends up liking this tripe, don't expect a shit ton of updates for it, this chapter took me about a week or more to write Dx its fucking long man. And I was too lazy to split it up, so enjoy this monster of a chapter, hehehe eue

Have any thoughts? Throw them down in the comments below, give me hate, give me love, give me doritos... specially if it's the third one I'll love you forever~

This is also a side project I'll work on, because I'm a faggot and need something to waste time on when I'M BORED! Enjoy peasents and poni lovers~

Anywho, if you enjoy leave a like and a favorite, it makes Fluttershy happy~

If you hate, throw a dislike, and some constructive criticism~ It makes Fluttershy cry tears of sorrow

Buh bye for now you beautiful little shits you!