A Rarity of a soldier

Chapters

A spell gone wrong
Getting to know each other-Pt2
Interlude
First blood
Diffuculties
Reach
High Charity
High-end meetings
Training
A Nightmare reborn
Fifth battle for Manehattan
Mombasa
Voi Pt1- The Storm
Voi Pt2-Floodgate
Journey
Interlude-The nobles
Interlude-Contact
The Ark-Arrival
The Ark-The map
The Ark-The end of it
Sangheilios
Tafam
Interlude-visions of the future
Never a dull moment
Siege of Vadam
Getting to know each other-Pt 1
Interlude- fortification and alliances

A spell gone wrong

Celestia walked down the hallways of Canterlot, going to what had become her usual spot when not doing anything in the past six years, the window room. She passed by numerous guards, solar and lunar, on her way there, giving each a motherly smile.

As she reached the window room, which documented the most important parts of Equestrian history, as well as memorials for the most important ponies in said history, she saw five others. The closest was her sister, Princess Luna, her head hung low as she stared at the ground. Those next to her were four of the Elements. Pinkie Pie, who was putting cupcakes and cakes in front of two particular windows, Applejack, who had her trademark hat on and covering her face so none could see the sadness Celestia knew was there, Fluttershy, who had her head low as well, but had small streams of tears running down her cheeks, Rainbow, who simply had an expression of sorrow on her face, and Spike, who had grown quite a bit in the past six years, with an expression of hardness, masking his inner sadness. The reason as to why was quite simple.

As Celestia walked up beside her sister, none but Pinkie acknowledging her due to their own sorrow, she saw the two mirrors. One had three diamonds over a purple and white background on it, the other having an all too familiar starburst symbol over a lavender background.

These two windows were memorials to Twilight Sparkle and Rarity, both of whom had gone missing six years ago to the day.

"Hello, Luna," Celestia said as she looked at the two windows. "How are you doing?"

"Fine, dear sister," Luna said, looking up at Twilight's window. "I simply wish that they were here."

Celestia put a wing over her sister's barrel in a comforting gesture. "As do I, Luna," Celestia said. "But, as much as we miss them, I'm certain they'd wish for us to, on the anniversary of their disappearance, to remember the good times, and not what might have been."

"I know, but still, Twilight Sparkle was the first friend I had upon my return, aside from you, sister," Luna said. "I feel it is only right that I remember her on this day."

Celestia smiled. "I know what your connection is to her, Luna," Celestia said. "Why do you think I come here every year, too?"

Before Luna could respond, a solar guard rushed in. "Princesses," he said out of breath, "our scouts report two metors coming down from orbit, and they detect life forms on them. What should we do?"

"Where will they impact," Celestia asked, her voice becoming steely to reassure her subjects everything would be okay.

"Just outside Ponyville, your highness," the guard replied, bowing.

"Then I shall go and make first contact should the beings be peaceful, and eliminate them should they not be," she said, making her way to the door just as Luna spoke up.

"I shall come too, sister," she said getting up. "And I am quite certain the Elements will as well to protect their homes."

"Luna, I'm glad you wish to help, but this may be too dangerous for the others," Celestia said, turning around.

"We still want to come and help, princess," Rainbow said. "Me, especially." Rainbow had, in honor of her friends, asked Celestia to start a guard regiment, the gem dusk guard, as they had been called, and she had become the captain of that group a year after it's creation, two years after what had prompted her to ask for it's creation, Spike being her second in command. The others, who had stayed in the trades they were in six years ago, nodded, a threat to their homes and friends breaking them out of their sadness, for the time being.

Celestia knew she wouldn't be able to bring them off their decision, so she sighed and said, "Then prepare," before she lit her horn, and they all disappeared.

The seven of them appeared at the edge of the town. Celestia looked up, and was astonished to see that the meteor seemed to be speeding up. In an effort to save what ever was on them, she reached her magic out to grab the meteors, the task nearly draining her strength due to the energy needed to safely stop them for those on board. Once they had been slowed, Celestia used her magic to teleport the objects down in front of them.

The objects were somewhat similar in shape, but had different colors. The first had a steel gray color to it, with a t shaped window at the front, Celestia being unable to see inside of it, with four protrusion that ended in squares coming from the top.

The second was much smoother, and had a dark purplish color, and there were two, small, blue lights coming from the side, and had a small hexagon pattern all over and a spiked bottom.

Celestia set the two objects down on their backs, what she assumed were the fronts pointed up wards and at a slight angle. Just after, the six ponies and one dragon heard a hiss from both objects, only for the top side of each to fly off at incredible speeds, smoke pouring from the inside of both.

Even though she doubted they understood her language, Celestia spoke to whatever might have been inside, saying, "Are you alright?"

She thought she heard something, but wasn't sure, just before two pony like figures, each in different armor, sat up from the objects, each with a horn and an odd tool in their magical grasp. The one from the first had on white armor, the helmet having a purple stripe down the middle that went to just above the view plate, which was colored a light blue, the strange armor having purple highlights, with the armor overall having a somewhat blockish look and some burn marks across its surface.

The second was more organic, like the object it stepped out of. The armor had a view plate that took up more of the face and some of the being's side features. If one looked closely, they could see small figures scrolling across the inside. The color was a familiar lavender with the accenting colors being a fuchsia color, with the helmets on both having a protrusion that fir a unicorn horn perfectly, while the second one also had armored wings.

The two of them looked at the two monarchs, four Elements, and one dragon, and seemed to freeze up.

Rainbow stepped up. "Who are you two, and why are you here?" she asked before Celestia pulled her back.

"Rainbow, this is first contact," she said sternly. "That's no way to treat new allies.

"More like old friends that were on a long trip, Celestia," the second said in a somewhat smug tone, and in a familiar voice, which caused all of the others to freeze.

"Twilight," Celestia whispered in shock, not believing her ears, "is that you?"

The second figure took off her helmet, revealing none other then Twilight Sparkle. She looked much the same, with the exception that she looked, for lack of a better term, more rugged, and even had a small scar above her right eye, her mane cut short and a part of her left ear missing. "Hey, girls," she said. "So, miss me?" she asked before she was tackled by the other four Elements and one dragon.

"TWILIGHT!" they yelled in happiness that their old friend had returned. "Wait a minute," Rainbow said after ten seconds. "Does that mean the other one's-" she asked, trailing off.

"Indeed it does, darling," Rarity said as she took off her helmet and put her, if Celestia had to guess at what it was, weapon on her back, Twilight's having fallen to the ground when she was tackled. Rarity looked similar to Twilight, her mane cut short, something that surprised her friends, and she too had a scar, only this one went from just above her left eye to below it, a glow coming from her left eye. "We're back."

"What happened to you two," Spike asked.

"Oh, oh, did you meet some aliens from two different sides of a war that had been going on for years, and you ended up on two different sides, and had to fight each other a few times before both sides reached a peace agreement?" Pinkie asked in her usual bubbly attitude, to which both mares chuckled.

"Long story, Pinkie," Twilight said.

"Well, we got time," Rainbow said. "So, how about you start from when Rarity went missing?"

"We were going to," Rarity said. "If the rest of you want to listen, that is?"

"I know I wish to know what happened to the both of you over the past six years, including your armor," Luna said.

"As do I, Rarity," Celestia asked as she and her sister sat down, followed by the others.

"Guess I should start, then," Rarity said, and she began the tale.

Today had been a good day for Rarity. She had woken up, fixed her mane and tail, fixed breakfast for herself and her sister, Sweetie Belle, and had gotten another order from Sapphire Shores. One thing she needed, though, was Twilight's help, as the order included a special spell that would have the outfit shimmer as if in water.

The white unicorn was currently making her way to Twilight's crystal castle. Along the way there, she saw the local mailmare, Muffins, though everypony called her Derpy in a friendly way, making her way to Rainbow's cloud home. She raised a hoof in greeting, and Derpy returned it before continuing on her way. What a lovely day, Rarity thought to herself as she reached the main door way of the castle.

She knocked on the door, quickly recieving a loud, "Coming!" The door opened, nd Spike, Twilight's assistant, stood there. As his mind registered who was there, his face took on a happy, dream like look. "Oh, hey, Rarity," he said in a trance like way, which Rarity didn't notice. "What're you up to?"

"Hello, Spike," Rarity said. "Is Twilight home?"

"Uh-huh," Spike said, not hearing Rarity, or at least hearing something different.

"May I come in," the fashionista asked, to which she got a nod in return from the baby dragon. The white unicorn walked in, and began to make her way to the throne room, Spike floating behind her, a dreamy smile on his face. She made it to the door way, and opened it. "Hello, Twilight," she said before a large flash of light filled her vision, and then black.

It had been a bad day for Twilight. She had woken up to Spike delivering a message from Celestia, who asked Twilight to research long distance teleportation spells. She had set up her lab in the throne room, complete with magic analyzers, devices which would measure the strength of a spell, and special crystals from the Crystal Empire that would enhance certain spells, and asked Spike to make sure nopony interupted her.

Her first few tries at making the spell work, which used a small amount of the crystals, all failed. She then thought of combining multiple crystal types, which, she had to admit, though dangerous, got results, and could be easily maintained if the caster had a high magical talent and concentration.

About noon, six hours after she began to increase the crystal size, which, true to her previous findings, increased the strength of the spells. She was in the middle of trying it with a fifty-fifty ratio of large crystals to small when she heard, "Hello, Twilight," which made her jump in surprise and look at the source of the noise, which caused he rto lose concentration of holding the spell in, which sent a beam of lavender light in the direction she was facing.

That's to say, its path was on a course with Rarity, who was hit almost instantly, and vanished in a bright flash of light, leaving no trace of the unicorn, not even a pile of ashes.

"Oh no," Twilight said. "I knew I should have locked the door," she said in a panic. "Spike, get the others." Spike didn't hear her, only looked around, looking for Rarity. "Spike!" Twilight yelled, which got the young drake's attention. "Get the others, then get a letter to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I won't be able to handle this by myself."

Spike saluted. "You got it, Twi," he said, and he rushed off to get the others, leaving Twilight panicking and putting her equipment away, hoping that wherever Rarity was, she was okay.

UNSC colony world Shakespeare

August 27, 2550; 17:50

Mass evacuation in progress

Today was absolute crap for Staff sergeant Jacob Harken of the UNSC Marine Corps. To start off with, he had been woken from Cryosleep, which is uncomfortable in and of itself, let alone being quick thawed. The ship he had been assigned to, the UNSC Antieatam, named for one of the bloodiest battles in the American civil war of the mid-1800s, had been sent to this colony after receiving word of a small Covenant force enroute there. Small being in the numbers, not the tonage. The "small" force actually had three covenant destroyers and a single carrier, which was a match for at least a hundred UNSC ships, what with their shields and plasma rounds. Shakespeare had only three destroyers, six support frigates, and a single MAC gun.

The reason why a colony like Shakespeare, which had little natural rescources and a small population, was because of the prototype weapons.

Currently, Jacob and his squad of five, originally ten that had lost five to Covenant forces after landing, were pinned in an old warehouse by snipers. Their job as to ensure as many non-combatants got away from the planet with a UNSC fleet distracting the Covenant forces. Jacob himself was in cover behind a crate, his MA5B rifle down but ready and an M6D pistol on his thigh. He himself was an average height guy with tanned skin and dark hair, with deep blue eyes, and a small scar on his upper lip from when he fell on a staple as a kid.

"Bishop," he said to one of his squadmates, a petite young woman with short, blonde hair and brown eyes with a BR55 in her hands, "what's the status of the evacuation?"

"As good as it can be, given the circumstances, sir," she replied. "But HIGHCOM just radioed everyone: they want us to start evacuating too."

"Great," Tony, another member of Jacob's team with short, dark hair, brown eyes, and an admittedly somewhat handsome face, but a smile that wouldn't be out of place on the Joker sometimes and an MA37 in his hands, said. "So, we're gonna die, regardless of what we do?"

"Probably," Jacob agreed, to which Tony groaned just as one of the Jackal snipers took a pot shot wit his carbine, the shot hitting their cover. "Damn it. Too bad we don't have a flash bang. Hell, I'd settle with smoke."

"Amen to that," Josh, the fourth member of the squad with short, brown hair, green eyes, a pale complexion, and a slight, boyish appearance, but by no means was he young, he was in his mid thirties, with an MA5C rifle in his hands. "And I'm atheist, so you know it's bad if I say that."

"No duh, Josh," Patrick, the fifth and final member of the squad said. He had a similar complexion to Josh, but was a bit taller, Josh being at 5' 4", him being at around 6' even, and had slightly longer brown hair, with brown eyes. He had an M90 shotgun in his hands, and a sniper on his back.

"So, any ideas how we get out of here?" Bishop asked.

"Nope," was the collective response just as the five of them and the two snipers pinning them down saw a bright flash, which blinded the Jackals for a few minutes due to the intensity.

"Now," Jacob said. "Move it, Marines!" The five of them brought their weapons to bear, and got out of their cover and began to move to the main door. "Bishop, take 'em down."

"Copy," she said as she fired off two bursts with her battle rifle, each killing one of the snipers. "Clear."

"Understood," Jacob said. "Move out."

"Hold up, guys," Josh said as he passed by where the light originated. "Got something here." He knelt down on the floor next to what he partially recognized as a horse from reading old stories and looking at pictures taken while the species existed, but with a white coat, a purple, curled mane and tail, three pictures of diamond designed rhombus' on her flank, and a horn from the head. He assumed it was a she from the mane and tail style, as well as the clearly obvious, to him, anyway, fake eyelashes.

"What is it," Tony said as the four walked up to where Josh was and saw the creature.

"Well, it looks like a horse from Earth, but the horn makes me think it's a unicorn," Josh said. "Think we should bring it with us? Might be something ONI cooked up."

"Better safe then sorry," Jacob said. "You're in charge of it, Josh. Carry it to the pickup zone. We'll cover you."

Josh nodded and put his rifle on his back. "Copy that," he said as he picked up the tiny horse, which wieghed little, and put her in a fireman's carry position.

"Bishop, call for evac," Jacob said.

"Right," Bishop said as she put a hand on her helmet. "Command, this is Diamondback squad, requesting Evac. Be advised, we have potential important cargo, no idea what it is, but we think it's ONI. . . Understood." She put her hand back on her battle rifle. "Pelican's inbound, five minutes. Taking us straight to the ship."

"Copy," Jacob said. "Move it, Diamondback." With that, the five humans, one carrying a pony, made their way outside, where, fortunately, there were no nearby Covenant forces. About two minutes into their wait, the pony began to stir.

"Guys, she's waking up," Josh said as he laid her down carefully on the ground.

"Oh, my head," the pony said, confirming Josh's suspicion as to gender from how her voice sounded, as she rubbed her head. "Where am I?" she asked as she opened her eyes. "Who are you?"

"We're UNSC Marines, Miss. . .," Jacob said.

"Rarity," Rarity said. "What's the UNSC?"

"Later, when we have more time, Miss Rarity," Bishop said. "As for where we are, we're on one of our colony worlds, which is in the middle of evacuation. You'll find out what from soon," she said as the Pelican came into view. "But if you want to live, you'll need to come with us. It's not a threat, it's a fact."

"Um, right," Rarity said. "Would you mind helping me? I still can't feel my hind legs."

"On it," Jacob said as he out his rifle on his back and picked Rarity up like a cat just as the Pelican landed and the ramp lowered. "Move it, Diamondback," he said, and the six of them boarded the dropship, which lifted off and made it's way up to the ship.

Getting to know each other-Pt2

"Okay, before you guys get back to the story," Rainbow said, "I gotta know, Rarity: What's with the eye?"

"Oh, this," Rarity said, pointing to her left eye. "It's a prosthetic. How I got it isn't until a few years into the story."

"Aw," Pinkie said. "I was hoping you'd actually tell us," she said, a sad look on her face.

"Oh, don't worry, Pinkie," Twilight said. "There's a lot of good stuff between where we are now and then."

"And I do believe it's my turn," Rarity said.

The rest of the pelican ride was a short one, only a few minutes. When it arrived, Jacob said, "Rarity, just stay here until we can get the captain down here to see you, got it?"

"But of course," Rarity said. "A lady must be patient, after all."

"Right," Tony said as the ramp lowered. "Well, we'll see ya later."

"Of course," Rarity said. "I'll see the four of you later."

With that, Jacob and the rest of Diamondback got off the pelican, a D-77 model, only to find the Captain, a man in his early thirties, physically speaking due to cryosleep, about sixty chronologically, wearing freshly a pressed captains outfit with the UNSC insignia on the suit's left breast pocket.

"Ten-shun!" Jacob said upon seeing the Captain, and he and the rest of his squad saluted.

"At ease, Diamondback," he said. "Comms told me you had something important, and I wanted to see it as soon as possible."

"Not an it," sir," Josh said, his hands behind his back. "More of a 'she'."

"What do you mean, Corporal?" the Captain asked.

"Best if we showed you, sir," Jacob said, raising his hand and pointing a thumb towards the crew compartment of the pelican. "She's in there."

"Well, tell her she can come out," the Captain said. "It's not like she's a covie, is she?"

"No, sir," Jacob said. He turned back around and said, "Rarity, the Captain's here, and he wants you to come out."

"Coming," Rarity said in a sing song voice before she walked out, making the Captain's eyes widen.

"Staff Sergeant, am I seeing a talking, white unicorn with a purple mane and tail?"

"Yes sir, you are," Jacob said. "Rarity, this is Captain Hayden Price of the Antieatam. Captian, this is our guest we picked up on the planet, Rarity. We have no idea where she's from, we didn't ask, and she doesn't remember how she go there, though Bishop thinks that might be because of short term memory loss brought on by the event."

Price nodded, then looked at Rarity. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rarity," he said with a polite bow, as he always was chivalrous.

"Oh, why thank you, Captain," Rarity said. "If I may ask, where are we?"

"On board the UNSC Antieatam, for one," Price said. "If by where on the ship, we're in one of the hangers. And, seeing as how this is first contact for our races, I hope we can become allies."

"Well, I do know the princesses, so I'm certain I can help when I get back," Rarity said. "But until then, I'd be happy to answer any questions."

"Thank you, Miss Rarity," Price said. "I have to get back to the bridge. Diamond back, I'm tasking you five with being her escorts until we can get to CENTCOM, and that includes answering whatever questions you can, understood?"

"Sir, yes sir," Diamondback squad replied with salutes.

Price nodded. "Good. I'll have Hercules prepare a room for her, then. Carry on." With that, Price left the hanger bay, making his way back to the bridge.

"Wow, he sounds nice," Pinkie said. "Do you think we could meet him?"

Rarity winced a little. "I'm afraid not," she said. "It's. . . complicated, to say the least, and Twilight was there, so she can attest to that."

"That I can," Twilight said. "I still can't believe that happened."

"What, Twilight," Celestia asked, concern for her former student in her voice.

"Nothing, Celestia," Twilight said. "That's close to the end of the story, and we don't want to skip anything. She turned to Rarity. "So, Rarity, want to continue, or should I go?"

"You can go, Twilight," Rarity said. "I'm sure everyone's wondering what happened to you."

Right," Twilight said before continuing her part.

As Twilight, escorted by Ruso, made her way to the Covenant outpost, she couldn't help but notice all the bodies. "Uh, Ruso, are those humans?"

"For the most part, highness. Many of them are, with a small few being other Covenant troops," Ruso said. "This planet was not heavily defended, and they lost many when we first attacked."

"But why not try to capture them," Twilight asked.

"Because, like my people, they have honor enough to fight to the death. One of the few things that isn't an insult I can say about them, along with their ingenuity."

"Really?" Twilight asked.

"Indeed, highness," Ruso said, nodding, as the two made it to the edge of the camp. One T'voan Kig-yar, what the humans called a skirmisher, and one Ruutian Kig-tar, the most common variety of the species, both with the Type-51 carbine, raised their weapons at Twilight, growling, before Ruso raised a hand.

"Do not fire," he said in the Covenant language. "She is royalty of a new species, and I am certain the high council will wish to speak with her and have her race become a part of our Covenant."

The two Kig-yar, growled, but lowered their weapons, though they still had their eyes on Twilight. "Do not worry, your highness," Ruso said. "They will not harm you so long as you are an ally of the Covenant."

"Oh, good," Twilight said, nervously eyeing the Kig-yar. "So, when will I be able to speak with your leaders?"

"That is uncertain," Ruso said. "They are often bust interpreting the will of the gods. At best, you will be able to speak with a lower representative of one of our ministries."

As the two walked through the camp, they got looks of what could be guesses was confusion at what they saw. "So, how will that work?"

"I will take you up to the ship I was deployed from, and put in a request for a San'shyuum to speak with you."

"Do you think they might be able to help me find my friend," Twilight asked.

"If the humans haven't killed her, highness, we will find her," Ruso said as the two came upon a dropship, two Sangheili in front of it. One wore a blue combat harness, a Carbine across his chest held by his hands.

The second wore a claret assault harness, a type-1 energy sword on his thigh and a plasma rifle in his hand.

"Hello, brothers," Ruso said to the two. "How goes your duties?"

"Quite well, Ultra," the blue one said before seeing Twilight. "What is that?"

"She is royalty of a new species, and I wish to take her to the ship so that she can speak with a San'Shyuum to establish a pact," Ruso said. He turned to face Twilight. "Highness, this is N'tho 'Saromee, a friend of mine," he said, gesturing to the blue armored Sangheili, who bowed his head. "And this," he said, gesturing to the claret one, is Usze 'Taham, another friend of mine."

"Your Highness," Usze said with a bow of his head. "It is an honor to be in your presence."

"Thank you," Twilight said, blushing at the attention. "So, you two are the guards for the ship?"

"Indeed, highness," N'tho said before turning to face Ruso. "I assume you wish to use it, Ultra?"

Ruso nodded. "Indeed I do, N'tho," he said. "If I am allowed, of course."

"I am certain that the fleetmaster will forgive us for letting the ship go when he learns of your find," Usze said. "You may use it, Ultra."

"I thank you," the Ultra said as he and Twilight stepped aboard the transport, a Type-25 spirit.

"Wow," Twilight whispered before speaking up. "I can't believe it. I'm actually inside a spaceship."

"If you think this is impressive, highness," Ruso said, going to the cockpit in the back of the ship, "wait until you see the Faithful Servant, the ship I was deployed from."

Twilight went wide eyed in amazement at that.

Rainbow snickered, getting looks from the others. "Yeah, that definitely sounds like you, Twilight."

"Shut up, Rainbow," Twilight said as a beeping could be heard from Rarity's pod.

"Uh, if I'm not interrupting," Fluttershy said, hiding behind her mane, Rarity, what's going on with what you came down in?"

"Oh, I had forgotten about that," Rarity said as she got up and went over.

"Uh, forgot what, Rares?" Applejack asked.

"I forgot that Twilight and I had to check in with our commander when we landed," she said as she pulled small, ovoid object from her pod with her magic. She brought it to her ear and, applying a little more pressure to the 'transmit' button. "Captain? We've made contact, and are letting them know what we were up to since we met with you. The others can be deployed." After a second, she said, "Understood, sir. We'll wait." With that, she put her communicator on her back, next to her rifle, which the others guessed was an MA5B from her earlier description of it, and went back to sit next to Twilight.

"Who was that," Luna asked.

"Captain Shannon Brooks, our current CO," Twilight replied. "Due to our, well, circumstances, when they found Equis, they wanted Rarity and I to initiate first contact, with us requesting our squad come down after it was initiated."

"They should be here tomorrow," Rarity said. "And yes, Pinkie, they eat cupcakes."

Pinkie jumped up in excitement, screaming, "Yay!" before sinking back down so the two could resume the story.

The ride to the Faithful Servant was a quick one, but Twilight still learned a little. Looking out the view ports, she could see two different ship styles, one being organic like the Spirit, and one style being block like, in combat, with the latter being utterly devastated. "Uh, Ruso, what are those ships?" she asked.

"Those, your majesty, are human ships, the ones that have the color of steel. Ours are the purple ones."

"What's going on?"

"The humans, as always, are trying to prevent our forces from taking their planet, but just one of our lesser ships are equal to three of theirs." If Twilight knew the history of the war, she'd know he was referring to the official first contact between the Covenant and humanity. "Though, I must admit, they are clever enough to use that fight to get as many of their civilians off planet."

"I thought you wanted to exterminate them."

"Yes, but I find it highly dishonorable to kill those who can't protect themselves. Many of my brothers do not care, but a small number, including N'tho and Usze, agree with me, even if we can do nothing about it."

"How come," Twilight asked.

"Because, if we did try to do something about it, we would be labeled as heretics. We and our families would lose honor, maybe even killed."

"So you're Protecting your families?" Twilight asked.

"Indeed we are," Ruso said.

It was few seconds before Twilight spoke up again. "Ruso, if you could, would you try to make peace with the humans?"

The question caught the Ultra off guard. "Why do you ask, highness? If I may know."

"Well, you said that their are a few traits you, and, by reasonable guess, all of your particular race, respect in humans. Plus, they're willing to sacrifice lives to protect civilians, which I know my people would consider an honorable thing, even if we haven't had a war in who know how many years," Twilight said. "Even they have families. If they acted the same as now, but walked, talked, and looked like your race, would you still be at war with them?"

Ruso opened his jaws to answer, but then he began to think on the question. She did have a fair point, after all. He was not a scholar, but he had read texts from when the other covenant species had been brought in, and, like humanity, they were considered heretics. Even destroying relics wasn't unheard of, as the Lekgolo worms, or the Mgalekgolo, what humans called hunters, had sometimes eaten through Forerunner structures, and yet, they were in the covenant now. Which begged the questin as to why the opposite was true for humanity, who, in hindsight, Ruso realized, had simply acted like even a Sangheili would on first contact, as he had had contact with one of the few Jiralhanae who escaped, who told him they were hunting for artifacts with out the humans being aware. He had no idea what the humans thought, but if it were the Sangheili, they would have thought they were trying to find an ambush spot, and would have opened fire.

"I do not know, highness," Ruso said after a few seconds of thought. "I fell that it would require to know someone in their command, and none of the covenant do."

"Oh," Twilight said, looking down in disappointment.

"Though, I doubt they would wish for peace anyway, as we have killed many of them, and they are not ones to forgive. So now, we can never find peace, and they will try anything to wipe us out."

Twilight rode the rest of the trip in silence, though, given her expression, what little he saw of them so far from her, Ruso guessed she was thinking. About what, he was not certain, but something nonetheless.

"If I may ask you a question, highness," he said, "If we found your friend, what would you do then, as I am certain the humans have told her their point of view on the war?"

"I-I don't know," Twilight said. "I guess it just depends on who we want to believe more. In my case, that would be between believing you, or Rarity, and her believing me or the humans." She sighed. "But, if I had to choose, I guess I'd go with you, Ruso."

As the jaws of the others dropped to the ground, Twilight and Rarity snickered. "I guess we should have seen something like that coming, huh," Rarity said.

"Yep," Twilight said.

"Uh, if that happened," Rainbow asked, why didn't you two try to kill each other when you first met again?" She was promptly punched by Spike.

"Who says we didn't?" Rarity asked. "But that's later on," she said before she resumed her part of the telling.

"And here's the mess," Josh said as he and the rest of Diamondback showed Rarity the first room on her tour, aside from the hanger. There weren't a lot of people there. Really, just two other humans, one male, one female.

The six of them walked in, and Rarity's escorts went to get their own food from the, if Rarity had to guess at what they were, robots that were preparing trays. "Come on, Rarity," Tony said as the five of them sat at a table close to the door, with Rarity sitting next to Jacob.

"I swear, I hate this shit," Josh said as he put a spoon of, for lack of a better term, green shit, and nearly barfed. "Okay, this is the worst stuff I've tasted. Some one give me a a granola bar, chocolate chip. Now."

"Here," Bishop said, taking a granola bar out of her pocket and handing it to Josh. "Any one else?" she asked, pulling out five more, with her squad taking three. "Want one, Rarity?"

"It's either that or this crap," Patrick said, pointing to the muck that was a military meal.

"I'll take the granola," Rarity said, taking one of them in her magical grasp and opening it. She took a bite, and her eyes widened as the flavor hit her mouth. "This is the second most amazing," she said. "And given what I've eaten, that's saying something."

"Thanks, Rarity," Bishop said. "Family recipe." With that, they all ate the granola bars.

"Delicious," Jacob said.

"Second that," Patrick said as he got up to throw the food on his tray away, and put the tray into the washer. Just as he had finished that, the ship shook, and he fell on his ass.

"All hands, this is Captain Price," Price said, coming over the intercom. "We have a covenant cruiser inbound, and our engines are damaged. They will most likely try to board, so all hands, prepare to repel boarders."

Interlude

"So, what happened next?" Spike asked.

"I think that can wait a while, Spike," Twilight said. "Besides, Rarity and I still need to know what's been going on here since we left."

"Then I believe it would be best to head to Canterlot," Celestia said. "That is, if you two want to go there."

"Sure," Twilight said as she and Rarity got up. "Just let us get some stuff." Both of the mares made their way to the pods they had come down in and leaned into them, using their magic to grab what they needed, which included a transmitter for communication with the ship they had deployed from, in case something happened, which, according to Murphy's law, was inevitable. Along with the transmitter, Twilight got replacement power packs for her rifle, a Type-55 Directed Energy Rifle/Advanced, the official designation of the Storm rifle, and extra blamite crystals for her, thanks to an invisibility spell, hidden Type-33 guided munitions launcher, or the needler.

Rarity got three replacement magazines for her assault rifle, which, in all actuality, was a custom one. Her friends hadn't noticed the diamond patterns on the weapons stock, and the muzzle shroud also had a pattern, this one being the six stars from her time as Nightmare's host, and her M6D Magnum pistol strapped to her back right leg.

"We're ready," Twilight said as she and Rarity walked back to the others.

"Then hold on," Celestia said as she lit her horn, and the nine of them vanished.

Twilight, Rarity, and the others all reappeared in the castle throne room. The first two stretched. "I had forgotten just how disorienting that could be," Twilight said.

"Please, it's no where near as bad as taking a plasma grenade explosion just a few feet away," Rarity said, glaring at Twilight.

"I said I was sorry!" Twilight yelled, to which Rarity chuckled.

"I'm just fucking with you, Twi," Rarity said, shocking the others at the fact she cussed. She looked at them and said, "Really? That's what you all are shocked by, given my prosthetic eye," she said as she pointed to said eye, "my scar," the scar that made the prosthetic needed, "or the fact I carry a weapon?"

"Sorry, Rares," Rainbow said sheepishly. "It's just, well, you. None of us would have been able to guess that."

"Yeah, we figured," Twilight said before her eyes widened. "Oh my god, I forgot: where's Shining and Cadence, not to mention my parents? They need to know I'm back."

"And Sweetie, too," Rarity said, "as well as my parents." Rainbow and the other Elements, as well as Spike and the Princesses, all cringed. "That's. . . not gonna happen, Rarity. Your parents, I mean," Rainbow said. "Same with Shining, Twi."

"What happened?" both Twilight and Rarity asked, fear on their faces and in their voices.

"Guess I should start from the beginning," Rainbow said. "You see, just after you guys disappeared, Griffonstone got its act together and rebuilt pretty quick. But one thing from before the idol stayed: Their greed. And right now, they all want Equestria." Rainbow sighed. "A few Griffons, including Gilda and her friend, Greta, are trying to help us, but its a losing war." She looked at Rarity. "Your parents moved to Trottingham just after you disappeared, and that was the first place they attacked.

"Nopony survived." Rarity gasped.

"What about Sweetie?"

"She moved here a year ago, and actually ran your Canterlot boutique in her free time," Rainbow said. "Actually, she and the other Crusaders discovered their cutie marks, and Sweetie's was in singing."

"What about Shining?" Twilight asked, to which Rainbow shook her head.

"MIA, maybe captured," the pegasus said. "Nopony knows. All we do know is that he was last seen just before the first battle of Manehatten, which was two years ago, and we haven't seen him since. As for the Empire, the Griffons took it, and Cadence and most of the civilians from there were able to get out and come here, and I think Cadence could use some good news, along with your parents, Twi."

"I can send for them, if you wish," Celestia said to the two mares, both of whom looked down at the floor. Yeah, they had seen more death then any should in their time gone, but losing a friend or family member? That always affects you to some degree. If it doesn't? Well, something's wrong with you.

"Yeah," Twilight eventually said. "They should know they haven't lost everything, even if it won't help. The ponies they knew before we left died when the two of us met on the front lines, and we just have their memories and names."

"No, you aren't."

Both mares looked up the one who spoke, and were surprised at the fact it was Fluttershy who said it. "You're still the Twilight and Rarity we knew before that, you two. You just changed a little, something that happens to everypony."

"Looks like you got some courage, huh, Shy?" Twilight asked with a small smile.

Fluttershy just nodded, which got a chuckle from Twilight and Rarity.

"Then I'll send for them," Celestia said as she made her way to the doors. "Rainbow, I might need help getting everypony."

"Right," Rainbow said before following the solar diarch.

"So, while we wait," Rarity said, "any questions?"

"What's a plasma grenade," Luna asked instantly.

"This," Twilight said, pulling a small orb from her armor's belt, "is a plasma grenade, Luna. A T-1 antipersonnel grenade manufactured by Iruiru armory. Its casing, when the grenade is activated, which causes the grenade to vent its coolant and thus destabilizes the plasma generator inside, allows it to stick to infantry and vehicles. Creates a mess if someone's unlucky enough to get stuck with it."

"Both of us know that firsthoof," Rarity said.

"Uh," Applejack said, "if'n I may ask, y'all, just exactly who's in yer squad?"

Twilight and Rarity looked at each, a small hint of worry on their faces. "Nopony important," Twilight said. "Though, out of the entire UNSC, we do have a. . . unique squad makeup."

"You'll see what we mean tomorrow," Rarity said. "We can't really tell you. Actually, we had hell just trying to get it to where you can meet all of them. Never did like ONI."

"Who are they?" Pinkie asked.

"A bunch of plotholes who are even less human then the Covenant, and that's saying something," Rarity said. She then grinned like a maniac. "One thing even their physical defenses can't thwart, though, a pouting unicorn, and I do enjoy having their people spill secrets I can use for blackmail to make sure they don't harm my friends, at least."

"Which reminds me, Rarity," Twilight, "we should probably get some to make sure they don't get any records on us and the others, to be safe."

"Did that back in '54, Twilight. Remember our trip to Onyx?"

"Oh, that little nugget," Twilight said with a devilish grin. "That should do it, especially if we threaten to tell the Sangheili about it."

"That's why I got it, Twilight," Rarity said with a chuckle before looking at the others. "Inside thing. Not even our squad knows what it is."

Before the others could say anything, Celestia and Rainbow walked in, with Cadence, a grown up Sweetie Belle, and Twilight's parents in tow.

"Why is it you wanted to see us, Princess," Twilight Velvet asked.

"I had something I thought might cheer you all up, given the more recent. . . hardships," Celestia said.

"Don't you mean two someponies, Princess," Twilight said, which made her family and Sweetie to stop in their tracks and, with wide eyes, look at the two mares in armor just before they tackled their respective family members and nearly strangling them in hugs.

Both Twilight and Rarity laughed with their family until the just couldn't, and they all stood up.

Those that had followed Rainbow and Celestia had tears in their eyes, with Cadence asking the question that was on all their minds. "What happened to you two?"

Twilight chuckled. "Long story, and we just got finished with the first part before we came here, but the short version of that is that Rarity and I were sent to a war zone and met people on two different factions that were fighting against one another, and we stopped at where what Rarity was on was about to get attacked by the other group, the one I met with."

"What?" Cadence asked, as Twilight spoke quickly.

Both mare facehoofed and retold the first part, ending where they had with the others. "Now, do you guys want to hear the rest," Twilight asked, to which all present nodded.

"Right, so. . ."

First blood

As the alarm blared, Rarity had a look of panic on her face. "What are we going to do?" she asked.

"We're going to make sure you stay alive," Jacob said, "while making sure the Covenant don't take this ship."

"Come on. Rarity," Bishop said. "There is one place on the ship you'l be safe as long as one human's alive."

"Where's that?" Rarity asked.

"Armory," Josh said. "And I imagine the captain will want us to stay with you to make sure you survive, so we can protect you if some random Covenant gets there."

"And what if more then just one shows up?"

"Then all of us are most likely screwed," Tony said. "Now, come on."

The six of them ran out of the mess hall, the humans leading the unicorn to the armory.

They ran into other soldiers, but none paid Diamondback or their charge any attention, as they were too preoccupied with getting into position to repel the covenant.

As a result, when they made it to the armory, there were no other soldiers there, which allowed them to get in easily. As Jacob and the others had their armor on, they grabbed assault rifles of various makes, as well as SMGs.

Once they were finished, Jacob took one rifle off the racks and handed it to Rarity, who only looked at it in confusion.

"Its to defend yourself," he said. "Are you able to lift it?"

Rarity nodded, saying. "O-of course. Every unicorn can do simple levitation spells."

"Can you apply a little extra pressure in certain locations?"

"Yes."

Jacob nodded. "Good. When you want to fire it, just apply a little pressure here," he said, pointing at the trigger. "This is an MA5C, which has only thirty-two rounds in the magazine, which means thirty-two shots before reloading. To reload, just press this," he pressed a button at the back of the rifle on the inside of the stock, the part that faced towards the operators body, "then just grab the spent magazine, take it out, and put a new one in. Oh, and this," he said, pointing to the guns muzzle, "is what you point at the one you're trying to kill. To aim, just look down the muzzle shroud, which is this part," he said, pointing to the gray ridge at the top of the rifle. Got it?"

"I believe so," Rarity said, taking the rifle in her grasp.

"Right, just. . . don't fire it unless its a last resort, got it."

"I don't intend to shoot at all," Rarity said. I just took it so you wouldn't pester me about it. Killing, even in self defense, is a crime back in my home."

"Then whoever came up with that law's a fucking moron," Josh said.

"A princess came up with it."

"Even more so, then!"

Rarity and Twilight snickered. "That never gets any less funny," Twilight said. "What's even funnier is that he's right."

"Twilight, I came up with that law," Celestia said, to which, to the shock of all, the lavender alicorn just shrugged.

"Yeah, and guess how many times in our history would have been better if you and Luna killed the one you were fighting with. Sombra and Discord wouldn't have come back, and I only give Nightmare slash Luna a pass because she's your family," Twilight said. "The only time you lift that rule is in times of war, and even then, the guards are afraid to kill because they don't want to risk getting punished, which is probably why you guys are losing the war: the Griffons are willing to kill, but you aren't."

"She's right, you know," a male voice said out of nowhere, which made Cadence and the others freak out while Twilight and Rarity facehooved.

"We forgot to introduce Arion," Rarity said.

"Who," Rainbow said. Twilight lit her horn and pulled a small chip from the back of her helmet, which had a small blue circle in the center. She placed it in front of the others, and a holographic image of a stallion with a tan coat and black mane. He was scaled down, and had much smaller eyes then the ponies, but, if he was scaled one to one, he'd be as high as Celestia.

"That would be me," he said with a bow of his holographic head. "Arion, personal AI to Diamondback squad, and friend to the two mares you all are familiar with. Pleasure to meet you."

"What are you?" Cadence asked.

"Basically, I'm a digital reconstruction of a brain that chose this form and was assigned to Rarity and Twilight, who, at the time of my assignment, were on the same squad. My capabilities range from hacking, piloting, being a wise ass, pissing people off, and messing with people when not on mission. Oh, and combat support."

"He based his appearance after an old myth from human history," Twilight said.

"Anyway," Rarity said, "back to the story."

As the six of them waited in the armory, yelling, screaming, and the occasional explosion could be heard. "Not going well out there," Josh said.

"You think," Patrick sad. "Question is though, for who?"

"I'm going optimist and saying for the covies," Tony said.

"Same here," Bishop said.

As soon as she said this, voices could be heard outside. "Sho ne' sa krt Nishum. Wort!" (Kill all the worms. Go!)(1)

Squealing could be heard, as well as high pitched voices.

"What're those things," Rarity whispered, though none of Diamondback responded. Almost in response, though, the first voice, a deep one, said, "Ko ne eshewa. Kino vesho." (I heard something from the other side of this door. Open it.)

More squealing was heard, as well as what sounded like sizzling before the door to the armory began to open slowly.

Just as it was half way open, an alien as tall as a normal pony walked in. It had gray skin with a round tank of somehting on its back, with a tube going into what Rarity assumed was the nose.(2) It was only able to widen its eyes before Josh delivered a stream of bullets that killed it.

Before the others could do anything, they saw a plasma grenade land at the doors. "Fuck," Jacob said as the grenade detonated, the heat from the grenade melting enough of the door to allow more grunts in. "Light 'em up!" he yelled, and all of Diamondback fired, Rarity just sticking behind them.

With the bullets firing like a wall at them, the Grunts, a total of ten, fell to the floor, numerous holes in their bodies.

"That's not it," Jacob said. "Still got an Elite."

"So, should we move out and look for the guy as a squad, or wait here for him to throw a grenade in?" Patrick asked.

"Or you could die," the cloaked Elite, who had snuck in as the grenade detonated, said as he turned visible and back handed Josh into the wall. Before Jacob and the others could respond, the elite kicked Jacob into the wall and punched Bishop in the gut with enough force to lift her off the floor before she slammed back to the ground, clutching her stomach.

Patrick and tony were able to get enough shots off to bring its shields down, but the elite was able to roll closer to them, and then grab their heads and bring them to together with enough force to knock them out. He then looked at Rarity. "You," was all he said before he began to stalk over to where Rarity stood frozen in terror. Just before he reached her though, Jacob fired off a single shot at the elite's back. He snarled and turned around, grabbing Jacob by the throat. "Insignificant," he said in English. "My face will be the last thing you ever see," he said as he closed his hand around Jacob's throat before a stream of soft thwips could be heard, and he let Jacob go, clutching his stomach, purple blood coming from exit wounds. He looked back and, to even his terror, keeping in mind he was a spec ops elite who had seen quit a lot and had even nearly avoided a scorpion tank shell, saw Rarity, rage in her eyes. That was the last thing he saw before Rarity put a bullet in his skull.

"You will not hurt any of my friends," she said before what she had just done registered in her mind, and fear took the place of rage. "I-I just killed some one,' she stammered out.

"Rarity, calm down," Jacob said as he sat on the floor. "You did it to save me, and who knows how many others." A pained smile came to his face. "Don't worry, I'm getting vitals from the others. They're alive right now."

A small smile came to Rarity's face. "That's good, I guess," she said just as one of the bodies began to move. Jacob tried to move, but grimaced in pain, his ribs having broken and the adrenaline that had numbed the pain already metabolizing. As a result, Rarity moved over to the body, a grunt with a blue tank on its back, and cautiously poked it.

In response, the grunt shot up, saying, "DON'T SHOOT, I SURRENDER!" It then saw Rarity. "What you?"

"Forgot to mention that it's rare for grunts to speak English fluently enough for complete sentence, most of the time."

Her rifle pointed at the grunt, Rarity said, "What do we do with him?

"He surrendered. I don't really care."

Rarity brought a hoof to her chin. "What's your name," she asked the grunt.

"Name Pawas," he said in his high pitched voice. "What you going to do to me?"

"Jacob, what would happen if one of the covenant you encountered surrendered? If they helped you and you vouched for them, what would happen?"

"No idea," Jacob said. "Why?"

"Pawas, how many people have you killed?"

"None. This first combat for me."

"Then what if you leave the covenant and become my helper," Rarity asked.

"What?" Jacob asked. "Rarity, you can't be serious."

"I am, Jacob," she said. "You see, since one of my friends became a princess, the res of us helped her, and I learned a bit about politics. I'm the first one of my kind the UNSC's met. As such, what I sat about them would carry a lot in what the leaders of my world say, so I could use that as leverage."

". . . Fair point, but if it fails, I and the others won't be able to help you."

"I was going to take all the responsibility anyway."

"Then I hope you know a way to make a lot of methane, as that's what grunts breath."

"I'm certain I can use my magic to find a way, Jacob."

Diffuculties

The jaws of the others were open. "You did what, Rarity?" Rainbow asked. "I thought you would have wanted to kill the Covenant because, well, they tried to kill you."

"Actually," Twilight said, getting the attention of those present, "they were from the Faithful Servant, the ship Ruso had taken me to."

Ruso led Twilight through the corridors to what she assumed was the bridge for the ship, and she was wide-eyed the entire time. Many Sangheili and other covenant species gave her odd looks, but, upon seeing Ruso giving them a death glare, many returned to what they were in the middle of.

Once they made it to the doors that led to the bridge, Ruso halted Twilight, stopping her form nearly walking into the wall. In English, he said, "Are you ready, Highness," he asked. "Though you are royalty, there is no guarantee the shipmaster will grant your request."

Twilight, jumping from hoof to hoof nervously, nodded and said, "Yeah, I am."

"Then let us proceed," he said as he put his four fingered hand on the scanner that confirmed his biometrics, which opened the door. "Come." With that, the two of them entered the bridge.

The bridge, in contrast to the few human ships Ruso had boarded, with their bridges being exposed, was located in the center of the ship, with projections of the battle area on the walls. The ship master, wearing the traditional purple cloak, had on golden armor and stood on an elevated platform in the center of the room, overlooking the mostly Sangheili bridge crew, with some Unggoy, and even a single, and, not to mention strange, green haired Jiralhanae overlooking a terminal next to the ship master.

"Ah, Ruso," the ship master said, turning around. His name was Xasze 'Tafamee. In reality, he was Ruso's father, but, due to the type of society the Sangheili had, Ruso did not know this. "I saw you arrive with your. . . guest." Xasze looked toward Twilight and bowed. "It is an honor, Highness."

"Thank you," Twilight said, trying to hide behind her mane.

"Of course," Xasze said with a bow. "If there is anything you require of myself or my crew while you are aboard, do not hesitate to ask."

"Well, do you think you could try to find a friend of mine," Twilight asked. "Ruso said that the humans might have her, and I think they may have her on one of their ships."

"We shall try our best," he said. "May I have a description of your friend, so that any soldiers I send will know to bring her here?"

"Yeah," Twilight said. "She has a white coat with a curled purple mane and tail, and a horn like mine. She also has three diamonds on her flank."

"Then I imagine it is a good thing my weapon officer already had a human ship in sight. Hades," he said, directing in to the Jiralhanae. "Have the weapons shoot to cripple the human ship. Navigation, once it is crippled, move us in and prepare troops for boarding action."

"Yes, ship master," the replied in the covenant language.

"Why does Hades have green fur?" Twilight asked.

"I do not know," Xasze said. "Hades, would you care to answer the question?"

"Of course, ship master," Hades said, and turned around. He looked down at Twilight who tried to hind behind Ruso's legs, which made him chuckle. "No need to fear me, Highness," he said with a bow in a deep voice. "I have more control over my instincts than the rest of my kind. To answer your question, it is a rare trait among my people, as most of them have brown or black fur."

"Oh," Twilight aid, coming out from behind. "Well, that's interesting. Why exactly are you the only one of your kind I've seen anyway?"

"Because the Sangheili and my kind do not exactly get along," Hades said. "I am one of the few of my kind on a Sangheili ship who has a high position."

"And I ma glad that you are on my ship, Hades," Xasze said, "for that means I can give you a greater task, one I also wish to give to Ruso here."

"And what task may the be, ship master," Ruso said with a bow.

"If her highness permits, the two of you will become her bodyguards." The three of them looked at Twilight, who, to her credit, didn't shrink or try to hide.

"I would gladly like them to be my bodyguards," she said.

". . . And they haven't left that duty since," Twilight said. "I mean, yeah, I was separated from them occasionally, but we eventually reunited."

"So, do we get to meet them, dear," Velvet asked her daughter.

"Yep," Twilight said with a smile. "In fact, they're a part of the squad."

"They did say they have an unorthodox squad makeup," Arion said. "Just wait until you meet the others."

"So, what happened next," Sweetie asked.

"Not much, really," Rarity said. "We, meaning the UNSC and myself, were able to push back the covenant forces and get away, which is when we used the escape pods to get to another ship, on which we escaped. Though, not after I had to pull the 'first contact' related cards to make sure Pawas wasn't shot and killed." As Rarity spoke, Arion contacted both her and Twilight over their comms, not having his hologram's mouth move.

"Girls, I'm using the infrared in your helmets, and I got something invisible to our right of the group," he said. "Pony shaped, and looks ot be about as tall as Celestia. What's the plan?"

Twilight stretched. "Got it," Arion said.

"Well, I do think it's time for lunch," Rarity said, getting up, passing by their right of the group, but not to close, as she made her way to the doors. Twilight got up and used her magic to pick up Arion's chip and put it in her helmet.

"Yeah. It'll be nice to get some actual food to eat," she said.

"Just to your left, Rares," Arion said to Rarity over the comms. "Just in your leg reach."

"So Celestia," Twilight said, "have the changelings been seen at all since we went missing?"

"The thing definitely has holes," Arion said.

"No," Celestia said. "Why?"

"Oh, we were just curious," Rarity said as she levitated her helmet on and activated a VISR upgrade that also highlighted em frequencies that were similar to magic signatures, as experiments done by UNSC scientists after the war with consent from both mares revealed that all spells had a similar base frequency, and the VISR upgrade scanned for it. Rarity chuckled to herself. "Well, that, and," she said as she, as much as a four legged being could, delivered a sweep kick to her left while Twilight cast a negation spell that instantly neutralized any active spell, which caused a flash of lavender light, blinding all but Rarity, whose helmet polarized to protect her eyes, and Twilight, who had closed her eyes just before it went off.

"This," Rarity said just as the light died down. Twilight had rushed next to Rarity, and, once the others looked to where they were, had their respective sidearms drawn, pointed at a particular changeling.

"Hello, Chrysalis," Twilight said, pushing her needler into the changeling queen's temple, but not firing. "Mind telling us how you got in here and why?"

Reach

As Rarity and Twilight, both now with their helmets on, had their sidearms pointed at the head of the changeling queen, the others simply stood in shock. "Looks like they need to come up with new security measures," Arion said.

"We won't ask again, Chrysalis," Twilight said. "Why are you here?" she asked slowly. She dug her needler a little more into Chrysalis' head.

"To- to ask for help," she eventually said.

"Why?" Rarity asked.

"Because the griffons ave started raiding my outposts," Chrysalis said. "I was hoping, much as I wish I didn't have to rely on Equestria, for your help."

Celestia spoke up. "Queen Chrysalis, regardless of what you did during the wedding, that is in the past," she said. "Equestria will help however possible."

"So will we," Rarity said, holstering her Magnum. "That is to say, the UNSC. But how and when did you get in here?"

"I snuck in while I was invisible under the nose of the guards as Celestia was gathering your family, and followed."

"Told ya," Arion said. "They really need to beef up the security of this place."

"You all are taking this well," Rarity said to the others. You especially, Cadence."

"Compared to everything else, this isn't much," Cadence said, though there was still a bit of hate in her eyes, as well as Night Light and Velvet's. Then a slight tinge of sadness entered her eyes. "Not even losing Shining."

It looked as if Chrysalis wanted to say something, but didn't. "So, do you guys want us to get back to the story?"

"Got nothing better to do right now," Rainbow said. "Why not?"

"Then I'll continue," Rarity said.

It had been a few hours since Rarity had arrived on Shakespeare, and the subsequent destruction of the Antieatam, and the crew of both it, the survivors, anyway, and the crew of the London, a destroyer, were in slipspace, enroute to what Rarity guessed was the UNSC command.

"Okay, Rarity," Josh said, "it's still a while before we get there, but I should let you know about the two most important people that is a part of HIGHCOM. One's Admiral Lord Terrence Hood, leader of the UNSC Navy. He's a good guy, and actually listens to stuff before saying anything, and is level headed. The other. . .well," he said, wincing a little, "is unpleasant, to say the least. Admiral Parangosky, head of ONI. She is, to say the least, a bitch. Yes, her job makes it needed, but still, she could be a lot better. Whatever you say, do not, I repeat, do not say anything about your military at all. As head of ONI, she's got eyes and ears everywhere, and will not hesitate to do anything to get that info."

"Has anything like that happened before," Rarity asked.

"Not to my knowledge," Josh said. "But it's an unofficial fact among the rank and file that ONI would do anything to get intel."

"Ah," Rarity said. "I'll do my best."

"Good," Josh said. "Now, any other questions?"

"Yes, actually," she said. "What are those metal tubes I saw others getting into?"

"Those are cryopods," Josh said. "You see, what they do is lower the body temperature to below absolute zero, stopping us from aging. They're used because slipspace travel can take a while, and they're used to put nonessential crew members in cryo so that as few supplies are used as possible. The reason why you aren't in one is because we don't know how your body would react to Cytoprethaline, which we use to avoid the more. . . negative effects of cryo, and me and the rest of Diamondback are out because we're your escorts for now."

"What are the negative effects?"

"Blistering, peeling, or red skin rashes, itching or hives, swelling of face, hands, or feet, swelling or tingling in throat or mouth, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin, sudden or severe headache, dizziness, problems with speech or walking," Josh said. "Yeah, its not pretty."

"I would imagine so," Rarity said. "But why do they have to be naked," Rarity asked with a shudder.

"No idea," Josh said. "Has to do with the skin. Now come on, Jacob wants us in the rec room."

"For what?"

"No idea," Josh said as he made his way out of the room they were in, which was one of the sleeping quarters.

The halls weren't that crowded, as most of the combined crews were in cryo, the remaining being bridge crew or engineers, for the most part. The walk was quiet, but also short, as the rec room was at the opposite end of the hall they were in from the room they had left.

The door opened automatically as they entered, and they saw the others sitting at a round table, with cards in their hands. "Hey guys," Josh said as he and Rarity made their way to the table.

"Hey Josh, hey, Rarity," Jacob said. "Wondered if you'd get here."

"Take a seat, guys," Bishop said. "Just started a new hand, and we were hoping you guys would want in."

"Sure," Josh said, taking a chair in between Bishop and Tony. "Want in, Rarity?"

Rarity hesitated, eyeing the table, before saying, "Why not? Not like there's anything better." With that, she took a seat between Jacob and Patrick, took a few cards in her magical grasp, and they began to play.

"I actually won that game," Rarity said. "I just used my eye for detail to read the others."

"You actually played a card game, Rares," Rainbow said. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Oh, we have plenty more, darling," Rarity said.

"I can't believe she won," Tony said. "And it was her first ever game, too!"

"Guess I just got lucky," Rarity said. "So, anything else to do?"

"Not really, no," Jacob said. "Not unless you want to watch old movies, that is."

"Depends on the movies."

"Let's check," Jacob said. "Hey, uh, Selena, what movies are in the ship's library?" he asked the ship AI.

"Mostly old action films," the AI replied with a pleasant female voice. "Early twenty-first century. I can give you some recommendations based on what the usual crew likes and watches the most."

"Please," Tony said.

"Well, there's the first six Star Wars movies, the Harry Potter movies, and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies."

"So, which sounds interesting to you, Rarity?"

"Should I also point out two of the three have a romance subplot," Selena said.

"Which ones?" Rarity asked.

"First and last."

Rarity put a hoof to her chin. "Hm," she hummed. "I suppose the last one."

"Right," Selena said as a screen, built in the wall, on the other side of the room lit up. "It's ready."

"Then let's go," Tony said as he made his way to a couch in front of the screen.

With that, Rarity and the rest of Diamondback made their way to the viewing area, and the movie started. At first, Rarity didn't really see the appeal, but, when the mystery had started with the discovery of a boy named William Turner from the wreckage of a ship, she found herself interested, more so when the main character, Jack Sparrow, came into play. Even with her not liking ponies, or people, in this case, who lived like a "ruffian", she couldn't help but like his character. Needless to say, she enjoyed the movie.

"That was. . . interesting," Rarity said. "And there was an entire trilogy for it?"

"Four total movies, actually," Tony said. "Each one had its own moments of stupid hilarity and awesomeness."

It was then Selena came in over the PA system. "All hands, we are nearing Reach. Prepare for slpispace exit."

"Reach?" Rarity asked.

"Main command for the UNSC, where CENTCOM's located," Bishop said. "Pretty nice planet. "Born there, actually."

"Oh," Rarity said. "Where were the rest of you born?"

"Well, Patrick and I were born on Earth," Josh said.

"I was born on Meridian," Tony said.

"And I was born on Luna, which is the name for Earth's moon," Jacob said.

Rarity, Twilight, and Arion chuckled. "You can imagine my shock there," Rarity said, "learning that one of the planets they had colonized was their moon, which shared the same name as Princess Luna, whose name, in Latin an old human language, means "Moon"."

"And some pretty funny injokes for the two of us," Twilight said. "Like, 'Luna sure does like mooning everypony at night'."

This got chuckles from all but the lunar diarch. "I do not find that funny," she said.

"I guess you wouldn't, seeing as you are the subject of it, princess," Rarity said.

"Besides, it was just a coincidence," Twilight said. "Like, for instance, they have a term, 'celestial', which means space."

"Which led to 'Celestia is as huge space'," Rarity said, chuckling again.

"I see your point, sister," Celestia said as the role of her and her sister were reversed.

"Anyway," Rarity said as she stopped laughing, "back to the story."

The six of them made their way to the bridge, where Price and the ship's captain, Shannon Brooks, were waiting. When they arrived, the two captains were standing on the center of the bridge. "Diamondback, reporting, Sir, Ma'am," Jacob said, saluting with the others.

Brooks, a woman with regulation length blonde hair, a fair face, and brown eyes. Her outfit was the normal, wartime outfit, turned to face them. "At ease, Diamondback," she said before looking at Rarity. "So this is the VIP you all found on Shakespeare?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Jacob said.

"What's your name," Brooks asked Rarity.

"Rarity Belle," Rarity replied.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Belle," Brooks said. "I assume Diamondback informed you of what you're going to be doing on Reach?"

"Yes," Rarity said.

"And do you like them?"

"Yes."

"Good," Brooks said, "because I put in a request to HIGHCOM, if you want to, to allow you to join them."

Rarity was quiet for a time before saying, "If they'll have me."

"Well, Diamondback?" Price asked, keeping his face forward towards the window.

"Hell yes, Sir," Jacob said.

"Then get ready," Brooks said, "as all of you are heading down with her to CENTCOM."

"Ma'am," they all said.

"Then report to the hanger bay," Brooks said. "Oh, and unless CENTCOM says otherwise, you five will be training Private Belle."

"Ma'am," they all, now including Rarity, said.

"Good. Dismissed."

With that, the six left the bridge, and made their way to the hanger.

". . .And that would be how I got in Diamondback," Rarity said. "But I think it's about time you resumed, Twi."

Twilight nodded. "Right."

Twilight, Hades, and Ruso were in the main hanger for the Faithful Servant, mostly so Twilight could get to know her two new bodyguards a little better. "So, um, Hades," Twilight said, "what do you do in the Covenant, usually?"

"Weapons officer, Highness," Hades said. "Though I have been involved in ground combat as well."

"Oh," Twilight said before looking at Ruso. "So, where are we going next?"

"High Charity, our holy city, Highness."

High Charity

"So, really, the next few days for me weren't that interesting," Twilight said to the others. "But the basics were that I had Ruso and Hades help prepare me for when I'd meet one of their leaders."

"Didn't Sawn come into your part of the story around here, Darling?" Rarity asked.

"Who," Spike asked as Twilight favehooved.

"Someone that really got on my nerves the first time I met him," Twilight said.

Twilight, Ruso, and Hades were in the port, left, hanger bay, next to a Spirit dropship, with Ruso and Hades telling the alicorn proper etiquette. "I do not know if they will expect it of you," Ruso was saying, "but it will be best to call, assuming one of the Hierarchs is the one you speak with, Hierarch. If it is a lesser Prophet, given your status, Highness, they may very well tell you."

"Assuming they do not wish to destroy your kind on sight," a raspy voice said from the other side of the dropship.

"Show yourself, Kig-yar," Ruso said. "If you wish to speak an insult, be brave enough to say it to one's face."

"There is no San'Shyuum here," the voice said as its owner stepped into view. He had the same build as a Ruutian Kig-yar. His armor was that of a sniper's, the helmet having a single optical lens on the right, the light off. The odd thing was that he also had a shield gauntlet on his left forearm. "And I am not the only of my kind to speak of the Prophets." He turned to look at Twilight. "This is the esteemed royalty I had heard about?" he asked. "It looks fit only for eating."

"For the record, whoever you are," Twilight said, glaring, "I am the Princess of Friendship back home," she said, getting a laugh form the Kig-yar.

"Your species' integration into the Covenant will be interesting," he said, bowing. "My name is Sawn, Highness. In case you wonder, I'm the one who is in charge of the patrol forces when they are deployed."

"So the famous field marshal who's been able to sneak in and out of a human camp on full alert is a Kig-yar?" Ruso asked.

"Indeed he is, Ultra," Seth said, and Twilight could tell there was the Kig-yar equivalent of a grin under his helmet from the smugness in his voice. Actually, he reminded her of Rainbow, albeit more aggravating. Barely. "Surprised?"

"Quite," Ruso said. "It is unheard of for a Kig-yar to rank higher than a Sangheili."

"Well, I do think we can agree that the shipmaster is not like other Sangheili," Sawn said. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have an annoying Unggoy to find." With that, he turned around, and left the hanger.

"What's his problem?" Twilight asked.

"Simply his ego," Hades said. "Never before in the history of the Covenant has a Kig-yar been equal with one of the highest Sangheili ranks. He is the only one to have that honor, to the best of my knowledge."

"And mine as well," Ruso said. "But, regardless, that is everything for now, Highness."

"You two can drop the title. I never really liked being that different from others, anyway," Twilight said as she turned her head and a small blush came to her face from embarrassment.

"Then what would you prefer we call you, Highness?" Hades asked.

"My name, which is Twilight Sparkle."

"If that is what you wish," Ruso said with a bow of his head, "then we will obey, Twilight."

"And when it's just the three of us, just, please, equals."

"If you wish," Hades said.

"Thanks," Twilight said. "So, what's High Charity like?"

"It is. . . hard to describe," Hades said. "It is our Holy city, and most Covenant races live there, the ones that don't being outlying races who have little to contribute to Covenant society."(1)

"Its population also contains all known San'Shyuum," Ruso said. "As well as the Dreadnought, the largest relic from the gods that has been discovered."

"Sounds impressive," Twilight said.

"Indeed it is," Hades said. "I speak from my own experience when I say that the Dreadnought is worth the trip."

"Well, I can't wait to see it, then," Twilight said with a small smile.

"Really, the next two days were like that," Twilight said to the group. "Fortunately, I didn't see Sawn for the rest of the trip." She grimaced. "Unfortunately, that changed shortly after I got to High Charity."

Twilight, Ruso, and Hades were on a T-44 Phantom, along with Xasze, who was along with them to assist Twilight should she need it. "I have requested a division of the Honor Guard meet us," he said. "A lesser Prophet shall speak with you, Highness. Past that, I do not know."

"I guess I'll take what I can," Twilight said.

"And I hope you do not mind, Highness, but I thought it best to add another to your personal guard."

"Who," Twilight asked.

"Me," a familiar, and somewhat aggravating, voice said from one of the shadows corners of the troop compartment before a sound like water running over rocks was heard. In the corner, with a Carbine on his back, and a Plasma pistol, of the T-25 brand, on his thigh. "Hello, Highness," Sawn said, bowing.

"What's he doing here?" Twilight asked.

"I asked him to join your Guard, as I noticed you had no long range specialists to help remove potential enemy snipers. Should you accept, that is."

Twilight was about to say no, but then thought on it. Much as she disliked Sawn, if the stories Hades and Ruso had told her since she first met him were true, he would be valuable to help protect her, in terms of against any snipers. That, and keeping a good balance would be valuable to.

"Much as I don't want to," she said, "I do."

"Then I shall let the four of you get acquainted with one another," Xasze said. "I must oversee the final stages of the flight myself."

"Of course, shipmaster," Sawn said as the shipmaster made his way to the cockpit. Once he was gone, Sawn said, "I am surprised by your decision, Highness. I thought I had made you hate me given our first meeting."

"Oh, you did," Twilight said. "I simply look at you from a skill based perspective, and thought long range would be useful."

Sawn chuckled. "Already, you think like Sangheili," he said. "Not sure if I like that or not, yet."

"So, field marshal," Ruso said, and it did indeed pain him having to call a Kig-yar that, "why do you wear that helmet and a shield brace?"

"I'm surprised that story has not reached your ears, Ultra," Sawn said. "I must so that I can see, as a human grenade destroyed my eyesight, and nearly killed me, and I refused to leave military service, so my commander at the time decided to give me this helm and connect its optics directly to my brain. The gauntlet is my own choice, and is designed to have redundancy systems against human E.M.P.s."

"It's custom made," Twilight asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Indeed it is, Highness," Sawn said. "I assume you are a seeker of knowledge?"

"Yes," Twilight said. "How is it you got the reputation you have, anyway?"

"Simply by observing the humans and being able to sneak into their bases, as well as eliminate their officers, as there are small parts of their uniforms that indicate rank. Something not even a Sangheili would know, seeing as how they care not who is killed, so long as it satisfies their ridiculous "honor"."

Ruso growled, but held his tongue.

"That, Highness, is why I have the reputation I have. For actually fighting this war for the Covenant, and not honor, as war is anything but," Sawn said.

"That is quite impressive," Hades said.

"I knew that, already," Sawn said, and the three others could hear the smirk on his face.

"We are nearly at the landing bay!" the four heard Xasze say from the cockpit. "The Honor Guard has been told that Her Highness will be bringing along her own guard as well."

"It seems the rest of this can wait," Ruso said. "I say we get into formation."

"Agreed," Hades said, and the three Covenant soldiers got into a triangle around Twilight. Sawn was at the tip, behind the alicorn, Ruso to her left, Hades to her right.

"So, um, what is the Honor Guard?" Twilight asked to pass time.

"Sangheili that protect the council and any other important individuals, such as yourself." Ruso said "The council itself consists of San'Shyuum, Sangheili, and the three Hierarchs."

Before Twilight could ask something else, the four lurched to the side as the Phantom stopped. "It seems we are here," Sawn said.

"Indeed," Ruso said. The side hatches opened as Xasze walked back into the compartment.

Twilight squinted her eyes due to the sudden light influx, but they quickly adjusted, and the first thing she saw was what she guessed to be the Honor Guard. About ten Sangheili in red armor with gold trim and pikes made of a bright, steel like metal with orange lights on the tips, of which there were two that curved from the other end of the pike handle were standing in front of the doors at attention.

The one in the lead stepped forward slightly. "Shipmaster Tafam'ee, welcome," he said. "Your message said you had a dignitary of a new race with you?"

"Indeed it did," Xasze said. He gestured at Twilight. "This is her."

The lead Honor Guard eyed Twilight, and she could guess he was slightly surprised, but it was well hidden. "Highness," he said with a bow, as his subordinates did the same. "We are to escort you to the Minister of Fairness, should you allow us to do so."(2)

"Please," Twilight said.

"Then, please, follow us, Highness," the guard said, and both the Honor Guard and Twilight with her personal guard left the hanger.

"Farewell, Highness," Xasze said before her entered the Phantom, which took off soon after.

As for the group, Twilight stood at the center of a loose circle, Sawn, Ruso, and Hades being in the same formation closest to her, the Honor Guard making up the circle.(3)

They stepped out of the hanger, and Twilight got her first look at High Charity. Its ceiling, as she was told that that the main portion of the city was made up of a hollowed dome. Most of what she would have been able to see downward was obscured by some kind of fog, while the opposite edge could barely be seen with illumination. What caught her eye the most, though, was the giant building, or whatever it was, maybe that Dreadnought Ruso and Hades talked about, in the very center of the city. "Is that the ship you two were talking about?" she asked Ruso.

"Indeed it is, Highness," Ruso said. "It is the largest relic from the gods ever found. All of our technology, with the exception of Jiralhanae weapons, are made by studying the gifts left by the gods."

"Wow," Twilight mouthed in awe at the fact most of the Covenant technology was reverse engineered from that one ship.

The lavender alicorn and her guards continued to follow to Honor Guard, not encountering any other Covenant. Eventually, they reached a hallway, with two Honor Guard splitting off at regular intervals and standing opposite one another on the wall. The one that Twilight assumed to be the captain of the group, the one who had spoken with Xasze, and another took up position next to the door at the end. "The Minister is inside, Majesty," he said. He looked at Ruso and the others. "You three must wait out here by the Minister's orders."

"Of course," Ruso said. "We shall wait."

"Guess I'll go in, then," Twilight said before taking a deep breath before she walked towards the door, which opened automatically, and stepped inside.

High-end meetings

"So, whose side should we tell next, Twilight?" Rarity asked.

"I guess yours, Rarity," Twilight said. "Yours will take the longest to tell, after all."

"Right," the fashionista turned soldier said.

Rarity and Diamondback were on a pelican that was descending towards Reach, the UNSC's second greatest military stronghold, next to their home planet. It was smooth at first, but then they hit atmosphere, and their ride began to jostle and bump violently.

"I fucking hate this part of the ride!" Josh yelled after a particularly violent jump, the only reason he and the others didn't hit the ceiling being their harnesses and, in Rarity's case, sitting in Jacob's lap, an admitadly cute scene that even Pawas, who was barely allowed on the ship, even with Rarity's first contact card, nearly had a heart, or whatever the Grunt equivalent is, attack from it.

"Not like you can change it," Bishop said. "Besides, we all hate it."

"Least humans have harnesses," Pawas said. "Elites use gravity fields. Uncomfortable, and chance of failing. Seats don't."

"They use gravity fields to keep their troops standing?" Patrick asked.

"Yep-yep," Pawas replied. "Was technician for Spirit. Broke multiple times. Had to repair each time. Remember all detail for gravity unit."

"Think you could replicate that?" Tony asked.

"With right materials," Pawas said. "Will need help from human engineers to make, though."

"Looks like we have another card to use to keep him with us," Jacob said. "We'll see what we can do."

"Me thank you," Pawas said.

"Maybe get him a few grammar classes, too," Bishop said.

"Screw the grammar, he needs armor," Josh said. "His current kit protects nothing but the top of his skull, which an AP round or plasma blast can easily disregard."

"Well, no UNSC armor can protect against plasma blasts unless it's that armor Spartans wear," Tony said, "and AP can still get through kevlar and the usual kit."

"What's a Spartan," Rarity asked.

"Essentially humans that are able to wear what is most likely the most expensive single machine in the UNSC's arsenal," Josh said. "Aside from that, no one knows. ONI keeps that kind of shit under lock and key."

Jacob had a hand on his chin. "Hey, uh, Rarity?"

"Yes, Jacob?" she replied, turning her head to face him.

"Does your kind have any, and I can't believe I'm saying this in a serious way, magic that protects against heat?"

"Yes, actually," Rarity said. "Why?"

"An idea I got. What about spells that absorb kinetic energy while protecting the one it's around?"

"I think so," Rarity replied, looking stumped. "I wish I was able to remember as much as Twilight."

"One of your friends from home," Bishop asked.

"Yes. She couldn't get enough reading done in a single day. She absolutely loved studying, and could remember anything she read." Rarity sighed. "I wonder what she and the others are doing right now."

"Maybe they search for you?" Pawas said.

"I doubt it," Rarity said. "The spell that made me appear close to you guys was an experimental, long range teleportation spell."

"Well, they have to be doing something," Bishop said. "They are your friends, after all."

"I know," the unicorn replied. "Spike must be devestated."

"Who?" Tony said, earning a slap upside the head from Josh. "What? Like you aren't curious!?"

"I am," Josh said. "But it can wait."

"No, no, it's alright, Josh," Rarity said, waving a hoof before sighinf yet again. "He's Twilight's assistant, and ever since he met me, he's had a crush on me. Not like I can reciprocate those feelings, though. He's still just a child. If I was younger or him older, maybe, but he's just a baby dragon."

"Great," Tony said. "Dragons," he said, getting a slap from Bishop. "WHAT?"

Bishop ignored him. "Then maybe you should tell him that, Rarity, when you see him again."

"That's what I'm thinking," she said. "I just hope his little heart isn't devestated when that happens."

"Hey, ay least this time," Josh said, "you won't be separated by who knows how many light years, and you'll still be friends."

This brought a small smile to Rarity's muzzle. "Yes, I suppose that's true."

"You don't need to do that, Rarity," Spike said. "I got over the crush a year after Twilight and you, what's the right word for this, teleported."

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about," Rarity said. "So, did you become interested in anypony else since I was away?"

Spike grinned. "I guess you could say that, huh, Sweetie?"

"Yeah, I guess," Sweetie said as she got up and walked over to where Spike sat, and gave him a small peck on he cheek.

Rarity smiled. "Well, I'm happy for you two."

"Yes, and thank you for the fast food," Chrysalis said, getting looks from the others. "What? I'm hungry."

Both Rarity and Twilight rolled their eyes, having gotten use to weirder shit in the six years since they left, and the former continued.

Rarity and the others in the Pelican landed about half an hour after leaving the ship, touching down in the perimeter of ONI Castle base, where they were met by a small group of UNSC Army Troopers, as well as the commander of the group, a Major Westmoreland.

Pawas, smartly, hid behind Rarity and the others, who saluted once they had filed out, Westmoreland returning the salute.

Westmoreland, by appearances, was a man in his late twenties, with short, close cut, blonde hair, green eyes, and a hard smile. " At ease. Diamondback Squad, I assume," he said.

"Yes sir," Jacob said as he and the other humans put their hands behind their backs, Pawas continued to hide, and Rarity simply had her legs straight.

Westmoreland nodded. "We received word that you would be coming down," he said. "And before you ask, the message did include news of your pet Grunt, and every soldier on this base has been ordered not to shoot him." He turned to face Rarity. "I'm going to guess this is your newest member?"

"Yes, sir, I am," Rarity said nervously, afraid she had said it wrong.

"Good," Westmoreland said. "A 'Hog's been prepped for all of you, but before it gets here, I'd like to know the Grunt's name. I have a bit of a fascination with 'em. Remind me of the dogs my parents kept. Breeders, and all."

"Sir," Josh, whom Pawas hid behind, said before stepping aside.

As the Troopers eyed him, just wanting an easy kill but didn't due to orders, Pawas stepped just between Westmoreland and Diamondback. "Name Pawas," he said nervously, rubbing his hands together, almost like a human would under similar circumstances. "Me real good with machines."

"I'll be damned, the thing speaks English," Westmoreland said before looking to the nearest Trooper on the left. "Looks like I owe you ten bucks, lieutenant." Rarity wasn't certain, but the lieutenant seemed to have a small, triumphant smile on his face when he heard that. Westmoreland then faced Pawas again. "Long as you don't do anything to provoke 'em, the soldiers here won't shoot you. Clear?"

"Yep-yep," Pawas said, nodding vigorously.

"Good," the Major said as the engine to what Rarity assumed was the aforementioned "'Hog" could be heard, getting closer. "About time, Vesetti!" he yelled as it came into visual range and a black haired woman could be seen driving, her hair only visible because her helmet was on her lap. "I ordered that thing here ten minutes ago!"

"S-sorry sir," Vesetti said as she made the vehicle come to a stop before she got out, putting her helmet on, and saluting. "The piece of shit was being difficult this morning, and the techs just finished work on her three minutes ago. Only one in the garage."

Westmoreland, a look of steel on his face, looked at her and said, "Then radio ahead and make sure I know, next time, kapeesh?"

"Sir," Vesetti said, her salute still up.

"Good," he said. "At ease. You're to drive these seven to the main facility for debriefing. And get there soon. I hear they want blood for something, just not sure what."

"Sir," Vesetti said, saluting, not looking at Diamondback before getting back in the Warthog and starting the engine.

Diamondback got in, Jacob in the passenger seat, Rarity in his lap like on the pelican, the others in the back, with Josh and Patrick having to help Pawas up, and the noise it made got Vesetti's attention.

"Holy-"

"At ease, Vesetti," Jacob said. "He's with us."

"I know, sir," she said. "Still shocked me, though." She saw Rarity, then. "Jeez, I didn't think unicorns existed, or that they'd be so damned cute."

"GET A MOVE ON, VESETTI!" Westmoreland yelled.

"Sir!" Vesetti said before flooring the pedal, nearly making those in the back fall out.

"Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!" Tony yelled as the Warthog made its' way to its' destination.

After many a violent bounce that threatened to send at least one passenger out of the 'Hog each time, they finally stopped outside what appeared to a cabin. "We're here, sir," Vesetti said.

"We noticed," Jacob said before he and the rest of his squad got out. "Next time, Vesetti, don't try to kill your passengers."

"Yes sir, sorry, sir," she said nervously. "It's my first week out of basic."

"No need to explain, Vesetti," Jacob said. "I didn't ask for one. Now, get a move on to where ever you need to go now."

"Sir," she said, and, once the squad was out, she put the Warthog in drive, and, for once, drove off at a normal speed.

"It's a wonder she hasn't killed anyone, yet," Tony said.

"I'd slap you," Bishop said, "but I have to agree with you, there."

"So, where to," Rarity asked.

"In the cabin," Jacob said. "I've been here once before, and know basic procedure."

"Then lead the way," Josh said in a friendly, but also slightly insulting, tone, "oh leader."

"Go to hell," Jacob said as the group entered the cabin, revealing an elevator that went down into the planet's surface.

It was a tight fit, but with some arrangement, they were all able to fit, and the elevator began its descent.

"They need a larger elevator," Josh said, his arms pinned to his side.

"Yep," Patrick wheezed, him being in the center of the group, and getting the most pressure.

"Me no see why this bad," Pawas said, clinging to Tony's head.

"Yeah, but that's because you're higher than the rest of us right now," Tony replied.

"Well, so am I," Rarity said, on Jacob's shoulders.

"Yeah, but you aren't rubbing it in," Bishop said.

"True," Rarity said.

They were stuck in this position for a few more minutes before the elevator stopped, and the doors opened, revealing a waiting room that was decorated with what Rarity assumed were old portraits that had to do with historic moments in Human history. One that got her eye quickly was one of a man standing in a boat, at the head of a small fleet of similar boats, crossing a river.

"Where are we," she asked Jacob.

"Waiting room," he replied. "They'll let us know when they're ready to see us, so take a seat."

With that, Diamondback, human, Pony, and Grunt, took a seat, and waited for them to be called.

"So, what is this usually like," Rarity asked.

"At this point, exactly how it is," Jacob said. "After, no idea, given the circumstances."

"Me not going to like," Pawas said. "They try to take and dissect Pawas."

"I doubt it," Josh said. "At the least, Admiral Hood will make sure ONI doesn't get their hands on you."

"That good," Pawas said, though nervousness was still in his voice.

Fortunately, they did not have to wait long before one of the aides, wearing a plad business outfit, walked in. "The council will see you now, Diamondback Squad."

"Whelp, time to walk into hell," Jacob said, getting up from his seat. "Come on, guys."

With that, the group walked to a steel door, which opened as they neared it, and stepped into the conference room.

At the opposite end of the room from where they walked in, there was an elevated, crescent table that four individuals in uniform sat at.

Going from left to right, the first was a man who wore an outfit somewhat similar to the Troopers outside, but was more casual, indicating he was a part of the army. He close cropped, black hair, and a look that just said he was planning on how to kill you if you got in his way. This was General James Ackerson, leader of the UNSC Army.

Next was a woman in a black outfit, her hair gray from age, and a look on her face that aid she was A: planning every possible way there is to kill you; B: thinking of just what you had to offer; and C: if you were worth her time. Next to her chair was a cain. Her hair itself was short, military style. This was Admiral Parangosky, head of ONI.

Next to her was another man in a white, Navy dress uniform. His head was bald, and he had a look of experience. This was Admiral Lord Hood, leader of the Navy.

The last was a middle aged man with gray hair, and a black outfit similar to Parangosky's. This was Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth, head of ONI Section III, and basic leader of where Spartans were deployed.

"Diamondback, reporting, sirs, ma'am," Jacob said, as he and the rest of the squad, still including Rarity, saluted, while Pawas just stood skittishly next to Rarity, looking for a place to hide. Can you blame him?

"So, this is the squad with the new alien," Parangosky said. "I don't see why we should give it shelter."

"I must agree," Ackerson said. "What if it is killed by the Covenant. Its kind will demand retribution on us for not protecting one of their own."

"You two are getting ahead of the meeting already," Hood said to the first two. "I expected it of you, James, but I expected Margret to at least hide it. I suggest we at least debrief the squad before we make a decision." With that, he turned to look at the squad. "At ease," he told them, to which they complied. "Now, start from the beginning, Staff Sergeant."

"Sir," Jacob said. "We were pinned down in a warehouse on Shakespeare by Jackal snipers when a flash of light occurred, which allowed us to kill the two snipers. We then made our way outside to signal the Pelican for Evac, and that's when we saw that Rarity, her name, had appeared. Corporal Miller was assigned to carry her to the Pelican, as her legs were inactive from whatever brought her to the planet. The pelican arrived, and we made our way to our ship, the Antieatam, and we introduced her to the Captain. It was shortly after that a Covenant boarding group arrived, and we took refuge in the armory, where a single Covenant Squad showed up. We were able to kill them, and we, along with the other survivors, soon evacuated to the London. As it was on its way here in Slipspace, we took some down time to help Rarity get adjusted to UNSC life, sir, as she decided of her own free will shortly before we came down that she wished to join."

"And the Grunt?" Stanforth asked, getting a glare from Parangosky.

"That is best told if Private Belle were to do so, sir," Jacob said. "Rarity?"

"Right," she said, nodding and getting looks from the four leaders. To her credit, she didn't shrink from them. "It was during the fight on the Antieatam that the Grunt, whose name is Pawas, surrendered to us, and I thought it a good idea to give him a chance. He also revealed on the way here that he used to work on gravity drives for Spirits, sir."

"Quite a story," Ackerson said. "Regardless, just bringing the Grunt here was and is a major breach of security. You all are lucky I didn't order the troopers to shoot you on sight."

Hood rolled his eyes before looking at the General. "As always, Ackerson, unless you come up with them, you try to shoot down any thing that could give humanity a chance in this war."

"At least I am trying to save humanity, Hood."

"Would the two of you save the infighting for somewhere private," Parangosky snapped at her fellow leaders. "I must, though, agree with Hood, Ackerson. Just having gravity drives rated for dropships could be a large step for us, as we could incorporate those into the ODST pods, lessening the casualties just from the launch."

"Agreed," Stanforth said. "But that still leaves the issue as to what we are going to do with the pony and Grunt."

"Simple," Hood said before looking at Rarity. "Miss Belle, is it true that you wish to join the UNSC?"

"Yes, sir," she said.

Hood nodded. "And what about you, Pawas?"

"Me just want to live," he said. "If it mean I go with humans and pony, so be it."

"That settles it, then," Hood said. "Unless there are any objections?"

"I simply wonder how a Grunt will be able to help one of our squads," Ackerson said.

"We already have something of a solution, sir," Josh said. "Though it's nothing more than an idea right now."

"How much of one," Parangosky asked.

"Oh, here we go," Tony mumbled.

"Twelve percent, ma'am."

"That's barely a concept," Ackerson said.

"Better than eleven percent, though," Stanforth said.

"We can worry about that later," Hood said calmly. "For now, though, I believe Diamondback should be the ones to ensure the safety of the new recruit and the Grunt."

"I concur with Hood," Prangosky said. "They found them, they take care of them."

"Then this meeting is over with," Stanforth said. "Diamondback, you're dismissed."

"Sir!" they said, saluting, before leaving.

Once they left the room, they made their way to the elevator, only to be stopped when Hood came up behind them. "Hold up, Diamondback," he said.

"Sir," they said, saluting before Jacob asked, "Do you need anything else, sir?"

"No, Staff Sergeant," he replied. "I simply wished to talk with your new member in private, if that's alright with you."

"Of course it is, sir," Jacob said.

"Then the rest of you are dismissed. Private, walk with me."

"Sir, they all said, and the humans of the squad, along with Pawas, got in the elevator, and the door closed.

"You seem to be adjusting to military life quite well," was the first thing Hood said as he and Rarity began to walk. "Were you in your people's military before?"

"Not exactly, sir," Rarity said.

"Care to explain?" he asked, a genuine question. "And don't worry, I made sure any ONI devices that could listen in are disabled." This wasn't exactly a lie, as Hood told it. Any device he knew of, a small amount, given ONI, that could listen in was disabled for the time being.

"Well, I guess the simplest explanation," Rarity said, "would be that me and five of my friends were chosen by old artifacts to wield them, and we go on missions the princess gives us, though we were still, technically, civilians."

"Not even an honorary military position," Hood asked. "I know your race is different than mine, but if a civilian does something while in a combat zone that goes beyond what even the military expects of them, such as using their personal vehicles to help evac troops when they could just run, they often get a medal, and with it comes an honorary rank."

"Well, just about every guard had to follow our orders," Rarity said. "Though we never used that power. Actually, now that I think about, most ponies didn't even know who we were after we became heroes."

"Not even a parade in your honor," Hood asked.

"No. The only one I can think of that had to do with my friends and I was when one of my friends became a princess herself."

"Sounds like your kind looks up to your rulers highly. Some would probably say too highly, even."

"I wouldn't see why," Rarity said. "After all, it's because of them that we've never had a war."

Hood shook his head. "Margret is going to have a field day getting intl on your race, then."

"Why's that?"

"Well, the way you talk about your rulers and the fact you've had no wars, it makes them sound more like appeasers than ruler. I may not like war, most don't, but it's wars that help a race evolve, more technologically than anything else. Does your kind even have space travel?"

"Only in science fiction, sir," Rarity replied. "Though we do have airships and ships made of steel. Why?"

"Would you believe me if I said almost all the technology humans have is because we kept trying to find better ways to kill each other?" This brought a look of surprise to Rarity's face. "I thought so," Hood said, seeing her expression. "I don't mean to bash your people's way of life, Private, I'm just giving you a slight lesson on human culture."

"Of course, sir," Rarity replied.

"Good. Now, get back with the rest of your squad. I already have a driver that'll take you to the training area."

"Sir," Rarity replied, saluting, before making her way back to the elevator.

"And, well, that's about it for me," Rarity finished. "For now, anyway."

"This Admiral Hood sounds wise," Luna said. "Prechance, will he be coming for the official negotiations?"

"Maybe," Rarity said. "And that wasn't the last time I would see him, either, but that's about two years later in the story."

"He was correct, also," Celestia said. "In our war with the griffons, our technology has advanced. Not that it's stopping the griffons, though."

"What do you mean, Princess," Twilight asked.

Rainbow was the one who answered. "About two years ago, they started using extremely advanced weapons. Like your weapons, Twi. And our pegasai scouts would sometimes report weird things, like big vehicles colored blue or purple, and green, for lack of a better term, wads of magic that would melt away a pony's skin, and smaller bursts of magic that vary in color, but with the same effect."

Twilight and Rainbow stiffened. "Rainbow," Twilight said, "that isn't magic, that's plasma."

"Which is to say," Rarity added, "Covenant weapons. Twilight, I'm going to let Brooks and the others know. You can start your next part." Rarity then got up and put her helmet on before she walked out of the room.

"And the shit hit the fan before it was even thrown," Twilight sighed. "Not surprising, I guess." She then got a small smile. "Then again, this isn't the worst thing we've encountered."

"So far, Twilight," Arion added. "So far."

"Yeah, Arion, I know," Twilight said, rolling her eyes.

"But we had thought humans had a peace with the Covenant, if what Pinkie guess is right," Applejack said.

"Yes and no," Twilight said. "More like a peace agreement with the Sangheili and the ones who follow them, but their are a lot of warlords who say they lead he Covenant now. This is most likely a group that doesn't know of the treaty, or one of the latter."

"Then what are we going to do," Spike asked, slightly panicked.

"Rarity's already on that, telling Captain Brooks so she can let the UNSC know, and let them know we might need reinforcements. In the meantime, do you guys want to know what went on with me?" Twilight said, to which they nodded.

Twilight nervously walked into the office of the San'Shyuum she was meeting. The room itself was almost organic in fell, not a single corner on the walls, with little decoration. In the center was a desk that had a similar aesthetic to the room, and had a small. . . well, Twilight wasn't sure what it was, but, if she had to guess, it was something that allowed for communication, as well as let the user call up anything they needed in terms of information, that last thought making Twilight excited. But what got her attention was the individual who sat behind the desk.

Said individual was in some kind of seat that hovered off the floor, the top being spherical, somewhat, and wore green robes that looked as if they were made of silk. He had a youthful appearance, as well as slight, brown hair on his head, and some kind of ornamentation on his back.

He heard her come in, and looked up from a data pad in his hands, which had three, slender fingers. "Ah, Your Highness," he said, his chair coming out from behind the chair. "The Guard Captain told me he was bringing you here. It is an honor to meet you."

"Th-thank you," Twilight said, nervously.

"No need to be nervous of one like my self, Highness," he said. "Oh, where are my manners? I am Urd Lozco, Minister of Fairness."

"And I'm Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship," Twilight said, nervousness in her voice still.

Urd raised the San'Shyuum equivalent of an eyebrow. "An interesting title, if I may, highness."

"It's alright," she said. "I know that others would find it a strange title if they don't know what friendship means to my people."

"Well, regardless, I imagine you wish to begin negotiations, Highness?"

"I would," Twilight said. "So, um, what's usually first in these situations. This is my first time in negotiations."

"Actually being in them, that is," Twilight said, glaring at the other three alicorns. "But I'm getting off topic."

"That would depend on what needed the negotiations," Urd said. "Seeing as how this is a first contact, I think answering questions may be best."

"In that case, how is it i can understand you? Of what Ruso told me, your kind only speak the Covenant language."

"I had guessed you would ask that, Highness," Urd said. "Which is why I had translation device installed in my chair. You hear what I say in your tongue, and I yours."

"Oh," Twilight said, her eyes lighting up. "Do you think I can get one?"

"May I ask why, Highness?"

"I like to learn about new things," she said.

"Ah, I can sympathize with that, Highness," the Minister said. "I was like that before I obtained my current position, and still am, to a certain degree. I shall see if one can be sent up."

"Thanks," Twilight said with a small smile.

"Of course, Highness? Now, if I may ask, is there any way you can contact your fellow rulers? Things would be easier if all of them could be in this conversation."

Twilight shook her head. "No. I had paper with me when I arrived in front of Ruso, but I guess I lost it, and the energy I would need for a long range spell to allow for instant conversation would kill me before the first second was over."

"Of course, Highness," Urd said. "Then I suppose you have a few more questions?"

"Not now, no," Twilight said. "What about you?"

"Only questions that can wait until later, your Highness. For now, we can begin what negotiations we can, which brings us to the first point I can discuss: Your people's place within the Covenant. You see, Highness, we work on a caste system, with the Unggoy at the bottom, and my kind at the top, with the Sangheili just under us, and the Jiralhanae under them. Brining a new race is almost always a difficult time, as the new race's place must be determined. It is hard especially in your case, Highness, as you are the only one of your race we have encountered."

"Well, do I have any say in the matter?" Twilight asked.

"Yourself, Highness, no. Your skills and abilities, yes. I have been made aware by transmission from ship master Xasze 'Tafam'ee as to some of your abilities, including your telekinesis and flight, and a recording of your race having further sub-races, of which you are of the rarest, correct?"

"Yes," Twilight said. "There's only four alicorns, myself included, and I'm the weakest. and each pony types has unique traits."

"I had guessed as much, Highness. Otherwise, I doubt your kind would be as diverse. Would you mind telling me of the general abilities, so that I have more information with which to make my decision?"

"Not at all, Urd," Twilight said. "Earth ponies are the most common, and are the strongest pony race. They're more often then not farmers. Then there's pegasai, which are able to fly and manipulate weather."

"So they are able to control the elements?" Urd asked.

"No, more just able to make and move clouds," Twilight replied. "Then unicorns, which is what I was. They're able to use the most kinds of magic, compared to the others. Except alicorns, that is, which are a mix of all three, and have more magical capability."

"I imagine it takes an amazing feat to become one of these 'alicorns'?"

"Yeah, it does," Twilight said. "I had to finish a spell that the greatest mage wasn't able to, and Cadence, my old foal sitter, had to save an entire town."

"Those do indeed sound like impressive feats," Urd said. "Given that, as well as what you told me of your races abilities, I think I know the best location in the hierarchy for your kind."

"Where?" Twilight asked.

"I am not sure what the other San'Shyuum will think on it, but I believe the best location would be on equal footing with the Sangheili and Jiralhanae, with you and the three other royals having the same authority as a council member, higher than I."

"What does that mean, exactly?" Twilight asked.

"It essentially means the only ones you need take orders from are the three High Prophets," Urd said before dropping into a whisper and bending over lightly. "Though, to be honest, I think even they should have to bow to royalty and take orders from them."

"Why?" Twilight asked.

"Because they have far too much power, in my opinion, Highness." Urd then straightened up. "But that is beyond my status, Highness. The only question I can think of for you now is what do you wish to do now?"

Twilight brought a hoof to her chin in thought. "I guess," she said, after a while, "help Ruso in the field."

"But that would put you in needless danger, Highness."

"So?" Twilight asked. "They're my friends, and I want to help them."

"If that is what you wish, Highness," Urd said. "I shall send an order to the weapon and armor forges(1) and tell them to prepare something for you, as well as training facilities."

"Thank you, Minister," Twilight said.

"You need not call me that, Highness," Urd said. "In truth, I never really liked being the Minister of Fairness, as many titles are the opposite of those who bear them, and I am not like those. In private, you may call me by my name."

"If that's the case, Urd," Twilight said, "you can just call me Twilight when it's just us and my guards, as they're under the same instruction."

"I shall keep that in mind, Twilight," Urd said. "In the meantime, I think we have done what we can with negotiations."

"Yeah, same here," Twilight said. "I guess I'll be going now," she said, making her way to the door.

Training

Rarity walked back into the room. "So, where's the story at," she asked.

"Just finished my meeting with Urd," Twilight said. "Meaning it's your turn, Rarity."

Rarity nodded, and sat back down next to Twilight. "Then I guess I should start with my official training."

Rarity exited the elevator, the rest of her squad waiting for her. "So, how'd it go," Josh asked.

"Quite well, actually," Rarity replied. "So, when can I start training?"

"That quick and eager for it," Jacob asked. "I know you don't cuss, Rarity, but with that attitude, you're going to be cussing real damn soon."

"I highly doubt that," Rarity said.

In the meantime, in a random and unoccupied portion of space, Discord and a few other. . . interesting persons were watching this. "Oh, I doubt that highly, Rarity," Discord said.

"Aye, I can agree there," a man in a purple and red shirt with white hair and reptilian eyes said. He snapped his fingers, and a plate of cheese and intestines appeared. "Cheese, or intestines, Discord?"

"I'll take the cheese, Sheo," Discord said, taking a piece of cheese in his talons and putting it in his mouth, and the two along with their other notable companions resumed watching.

Diamondback made their way to the firing range via troop 'Hog. Upon arriving, they first made their way to the armory. "So, Rares, here's your beginning weapons," Josh said, tossing Rarity an MA37 rifle and a Magnum. "Don't worry, they're loaded with training rounds, so you won't be able to kill anyone."

"Nor should you," Tony said. "Save that for the enemy, please." This got a few chuckles out of the humans of the squad, while Pawas looked nervous, not that you could blame him.

"So what's first," Rarity asked.

"Simple," Jacob said. "Going for a run."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Rarity commented.

"Just wait until after a few clicks," Bishop said. "That'll change your tone. Does for everyone."

"What 'bout me?" Pawas asked. "Me no have enough methane for run, and no know of any place to refill."

"Uh, Rarity, you wouldn't be able to cast some sort of spell around Pawas that creates his own methane bubble that refills itself, could you," Josh asked.

"I think so," Rarity said. "I usually have my friend, Twilight help me with that, though, as I sometimes need to make one to keep myself breathing fresh air. I suppose I might be able to modify it, but no guarantees."

"Well, do what you can," Jacob said.

"May a well help so she doesn't kill him," Discord said before snapping his talons.

Rarity lit her horn, and the same blue aura of her magic enveloped Pawas, fading a second later. "So, is it okay," she asked the grunt, who breathed in through his mouth.

"Perfect," he said. "Feel just right."

"Looks like you got lucky, Rarity," Bishop said. "Now we just need armor for him." At the other's looks, she added, "Which can wait until later, I know."

Jacob nodded. "Then time to run, Diamondback." With that, everyone, pony and grunt included, left the tent, and began their march to the shooting range a hefty ten kilometers away.

"I hated that run," Rarity commented. "And they only got worse from there."

"I hear that, Rarity," Spike and Rainbow said at the same time. "You think that's bad," Rainbow continued, "try having to fly that distance at slow speeds, with the danger of falling to your death being what keeps you in the air."

"Really?" Twilight asked, glaring at Celestia. "You let that shit happen, Celestia? You're just reinforcing Josh's point, you know."

"I can't help what the wonderbolts do for training," Celestia said in a defensive tone.

"I'd buy that is Rainbow was in the wonderbolts, but she's in her own guard unit," Rarity said. "If there were safety nets under them, maybe I could see it, but that is just plain dangerous, and given what the two of us have seen, we know what we're talking about." The white unicorn exhaled. "But I can rage later. For now, back to the story."

Near an hour later, with both Pawas and Rarity nearly out of breath, Diamondback arrived at the shooting range. "I-I- can't breathe," Rarity said between breathes.

"Agreed," Pawas said.

"Oh, suck it up," Josh said. "It could have been worse."

"He's not joking," Patrick said. "Try a twenty or thirty click run."

"Oh," Rarity said sarcastically, her eye twitching. "Joy."

Behind her, if she had been paying attention, she would have seen Josh, Tony, and Bishop whispering, the topic being a bet as to how and when she would finally cuss.

"So, what first," Rarity asked.

"Shooting practice," Jacob said. "Why else would we be here?"

". . . Fair point," Rarity said. Jacob led her to the range.

"Okay, just aim the weapon at the dummies. The rounds are meant to disintegrate in proximity, and their contents will spill out so that we can see how well the aim is," he instructed. "And at this range, use short bursts, Rarity. Don't spray-and-pray."

"Right," she said before taking aim with the MA37, and pulling the trigger, the kick back nearly sending the magically held rifle into her face.

"Probably should have pointed out that MA37s have a bigger kick than the others."

"You think," Rarity replied.

"Someones getting an attitude," Josh whispered to Bishop and Tony.

"Doesn't mean she's gonna cuss, and make you the winner, Josh," Bishop retorted.

"Hey, long as it's during the next six days and the rest of today, I win. If it's here at the range, I win."

"Just shut up, Josh," Tony said.

Back with Rarity and Jacob, Rarity was still trying to get the firing pattern down for the MA37. "Rarity, all you need to do, and I thought you'd be able to do it easily, is use your magic to hold the thing down, and either brace it here," he said, slapping her shoulder, "or use your magic to hold it out."

"Normally, Jacob, I use it on things that don't kick back," Rarity replied. "Now please, be quiet. I'm trying to aim." The unicorn took a breath, and fired off a small burst, holding the rifle butt to her shoulder and her magic to keep it from kicking up. Three reports from the rifle rang out, and three red blothes appeared on a target.

"Nice shot, Rares," Jacob said. "Now reload, and keep drilling with it until you feel comfortable with it."

"Right," Rarity said, and she reloaded, and kept putting in three round bursts in the target dummies.

Once that was done, Jacob walked up to her, an odd ball in his hand. "This, Rarity, is a fragmentation grenade. Do not be near one, or any thrown object that you don't recpgnize, for that matter, as they will kill you."

"How," Rarity asked.

"This," Jacob said, putting the timer on a delay for a bounce and throwing it. He didn't cover his ears, as he had safety plugs in. Then he forgot that Rarity didn't, and had used a spell to reduce the rifle noise that most likely didn't effect the grenade. Shit.

BOOM!!

"SHIT!" Rarity yelled before she froze wide eyed.

"Did you just cuss, Rares," Jacob asked, having not heard properly.

"I-I believe I just did," she said.

"Ha, pay up, losers!" Josh yelled, and Bishop and Tony handed him the money that had out on the bet. "For both. Both of what I said was right, so both pots are mine."

"Damn it," Bishop said, hoping Josh had already forgotten that.

"I think I actually rather liked it," Rarity said, to her own surprise.

"See," Jacob said with a small smile. "Not so bad, is it?"

"Hell no it isn't," Rarity said, cussing just so she could get used to it now.

"Good," Jacob said. "Now, keep drilling."

Rarity nodded. "Right."

From there, they spent an hour more at the range, with Jacob looking at Rarity's score afterwards.

"Damn," he said. "That's good, considering you were using an AR, Rarity."

"Really," she asked.

"Yeah, it is," Patrick said. "I use a sniper, and I only beat that score on my tenth try."

"Which is to say you are a goddamn AR master in terms of shooting, Rarity," Josh said.

"Well, I do have an eye for little details," Rarity said. "That probably helps."

"Yeah, I'd say so," Tony said. "So, what next?"

"Well, CQC isn't an option," Jacob said. "I guess using a medkit in the field, then."

"Please tell me we're using a dummy for that," Josh said. "I remember the last time you guys pulled a prank on me related to the medkits, and I still haven't washed away all that blood."

"What happened?" Rarity asked.

"Long story," was the unanimous reply.

"Why is that already not surprising with you guys?" Rarity asked.

"No idea," Bishop said. "Come on, the tent for medkit training is close by."

"'Close by' happened to be half a kilometer," Rarity said. "Needless to say, we made it there, and they showed me what a medkit could help with, and showed me how to use it. Nothing of interest happened there."

"They even showed y'all their biology?" Applejack asked, getting looks from the other Elements. "I went ta school to, ya know."

"Oh, no, Applejack, there was actually a diagram on the wall for that," Rarity said.

"I can imagine it was a while before they had any hope of using it on you," Chrysalis said.

"Oh, no, there was a book of equine anatomy in the library Bishop had," Rarity said. "Horses are rare for them now, but to them, ponies are small horses, and she wanted to study horses, so she had a book on their anatomy."

"Talk about useful," Twilight said. "It helped save our lives a few times after we met up, which, by the way, is later on."

"Just like everything else that's interesting," Rainbow said, pouting.

"Don'y worry, Rainbow," Rarity said. "Only two things left of interest, one of which is what Twilight's about to tell, before we get back to where we met back up."

"Guess I should get started, then," Twilight said.

Ruso, Sawn, Hades, and Twilight were making their way to the nearest forge to Urd's office, about a human hour away. "So, what am I going to need," Twilight asked. "Armor wise, I mean."

"I would imagine something sized for an Unggoy," Hades said.

"Agreed," Ruso said. "Though it would be best if it was full body as much as possible with energy shields. Assuming, Highness, you are able to wear our armor. It is quite heavy for those who have not worn it before."

"Don't worry, Ruso," Twilight said. "Since I'm an alicorn, I have the strength of an earth pony, so I should be able to wear it."

"That's good, I suppose," Ruso said. "And what of weapons, Highness? What will you wish to use?"

Twilight thought on this for a few seconds before saying, "I don't know. I probably need to use them in a training scenario before deciding."

"Then that will be our next destination after we reach the forge," Ruso said. "Still, if I may recommend, I would suggest a Carbine and Sword."

"I would suggest the Carbine, yes," Sawn said, "but rather a plasma pistol instead of the Sword."

"Or a Spiker," Hades said. "They are much more damaging than the Pistol."

"I said I'd decide after I try each of them out of combat," Twilight said.

"We were simply making suggestions, Twilight," Sawn said.

"I know," Twilight said. "But I'm not exactly one for handling pressure."

"Neither am I," Hades said. "But then again, I never was in most ground conflicts, and human ships present a threat only when in large numbers. Especially to a ship such as the Faithful Servant."

"Unless they use their demons," Sawn said. "They are the only human weapon that can easily destroy one of our ships."

"Fortunately, that are rare," Hades said.

"What are those?" Twilight asked.

"I do not know all, Highness," Ruso said. "But some say they are beings brought from the dead to fight again. I doubt that is the truth, but it would explain much, including how they can fight far longer than their normal comrades."

Twilight looked sickened with that. "How could they do that?"

"I am not certain, Highness," Ruso said. "But like I said, I doubt it is true."

"There it is," Sawn said, pointing to a nearby building.

"Then let's go," Twilight said.

"Not much happened for a while there," Twilight said. "For the most part, it was just us going there and me getting measured for this baby," Twilight said, gesturing to the armor she still had on. "May be six years old, but it's saved me from a hell of a lot of situations."

"Did you geek out after seeing it," Rainbow asked. "The forge, I mean."

"Actually, not as much as I thought I would," Twilight replied. "But for the armor, it would have been a week before it was ready, they work that quickly with armor, so, from there, we went to a nearby training range where I was able to test out various weapons. Needless to say, since it was my first time, there were a lot of missed shots, but Ruso, Hades, and Sawn all gave me pointers, and I was soon hitting just about every shot. Eventually, I chose this, a T-55 directed energy rifle/ advanced, or Storm rifle, and my needler." Twilight then smiled. "Actually, mine is a custom one, as I can do this," she said before lighting her horn and the same color appearing around the needles on her weapon before they jumped out of the weapon, and began to hover around Twilight. "Basically, I modified what holds the needles to release them if I put a little magical force on it, which allows me to use the needles in close quarters as a stabbing weapon. Though it's more a modification I made after the war, and mostly just because I could."

"That definitely sounds like you, Twilight," Cadence said. "So, what happened next?"

"That would be the last part of the story before we met back up," Rarity said. "But a little backstory, first. It had been a year since I met Jacob and the others, and, due to various circumstances, Pawas, Jacob, and I had been split from the others by way of transfer, though we did meet back up with them soon after Twilight and I met back up. But back on topic, he had been demoted to Lance Corporal because of an incident on Reach that, if I remember correctly, involved a young woman. I don't know the details, but I do remember that, even though he wasn't discharged, he was demoted. Soon after, he applied for, and was accepted into the ODSTs, basically special forces, and I followed behind with Pawas. Our first mission was to an old colony, I think it was called Meridian, to investigate an odd signal coming from underground. It was odd because Meridian was glassed earlier that year, and had been under Covenant assault for three years, only human world to survive that long against a Covenant assault, by the way. It was just the three of us there, and, well, it was that mission that got us the last member of the squad as it is right now."

"And whose that?" Luna asked.

"You might not like the answer, Luna," Twilight said. "I know I didn't."

"Why?" Luna asked.

"Because," Rarity said, "or last member is Nightmare."

A Nightmare reborn

Twilight put up a magical shield just as Luna initiated the Canterlot Royal Voice. "YOU HAVE ALLIED YOURSELF WITH THE NIGHTMARE!? WHY WOULD YOU WHEN IT CORRUPTED YOU ALL THOSE YEARS AGO!?"

Twilight then lowered the shield as the others rubbed heir ears, Celestia having put up a less effective shield. "Well, Princess," Rarity said. "Wait, and you'll find out.

UNSC Normandy- November 10th- 2551

Rarity, Jacob, and Pawas were in the hanger bay of the Paris class frigate, Normandy. Jacob wore ODST armor. His helmet, next to him on a crate, was steel gray with a white-gray stripe down the middle. He had a row of grenades on his waist belt, and his lower legs had multiple ammo pouches. "So, what do you guys think our mission is?"

"No idea, Jacob," Rarity said. She wore ODST armor modified for her body type that was colored white with purple accents, her helmet being white with a purple stripe down the middle, with two combat knives attached, one on each side of her barrel, her assault rifle, the modified one she had in present day, on her back with an SMG on her left, rear leg. "But it's ONI, so it can't be good."

"Me agree," Pawas said. His armor was. . . interesting. It was a mix of Grunt Ultra, Ranger, and Storm. He had on a small jetpack that functioned similar to how normal Grunt Methane packs would with a quick release of it, albeit without the smell, and he had on a helmet that resembled the Grunt Ultra helmet along with the under suit of a Ranger Grunt, while the armor itself had greenish blue lights, similar to the color motion trackers would have friendlies. But the interesting part was that it was made out of Titanium, lightened with the inclusion of an ONI micro gravity reducer, built thanks to Pawas a year before from the gravity drive on Spirits, making it as heavy as normal Grunt armor. "Human world we go to been glassed by Covenant earlier this year."

"Which means the bastards missed something," Jacob said.

"And now ONI, lazy assholes that they are," Rarity said, now cussing like every other soldier, "want us to go in. Yay."

"Still, I wonder why we're heading to a glassed planet," Jacob said. "Must be important, especially since they gave us each some kind of armor upgrade."

"I suppose," Rarity said. "Still, be nice if we had more than 'Go into this cavern, we are picking up strange readings from it', Much as I hate ONI, I'll give them that they have eyes and ears practically everywhere, so they know more than they're letting on."

"We'll find out once we get to the surface," Jacob said. "Once we get deployed, anyway."

"Which should have been five minutes ago," Rarity said.

"Sorry, Marine," the ship's A.I., a green female projection that wore an old fashioned, twentieth century military outfit, said as she appeared on the nearby pedestal. "Captain's a little nervous, as some planets are reported to have become hunting grounds for the Covenant, humans being the prey."

"Trying to see if there's any Covenant left on the planet, Abby," Jacob asked.

"Indeed," Abby said. "So far, nothing's found, and we haven't scanned the area you three are going to need to get there."

"Why no pods," Pawas asked. "Modifications made make pods safe for occupant."

"Yes, but there's still the possibility of anti-air fire," the A.I. replied.

"Oh," Pawas said. "Me forgot."

"Well, while we're waiting," Rarity said, "can you tell us anything else about the mission?"

"Simply that the signal you're investigating is not Covenant or human in origin, and that Evac will be a Prowler hanging in low orbit that'll be on station for a planetary week before you're left there."

"And if we miss that window," Jacob asked.

"Then it'll be another month until you can be evaced."

"So we'll probably be dead by then," Rarity asked.

"Most likely," Abby said.

"Well, at least she's blunt."

"Thank you, Marine," Abby said before her projection straightened. "The Captain says you three are cleared."

Jacob nodded, and put on his helmet, completing his look. "Copy that. Come on, Diamond Squad."

"Good luck, guys," Abby said before she disappeared.

The three got into the pelican, a D-77, and Jacob went up to the pilots seat, him being the only one tall enough to sit in the seat and look out the wind shield. He closed the back hatch, and got the Pelican started out, Rarity and Pawas in the seats behind. "So, what do you guys think we'll find?"

"No idea," Rarity said. "Must not be important to the covenant, though, assuming they haven't picked it up, seeing as how they aren't here."

"Latter likely," Pawas said. "No Covenant ships nearby, means no signal receiver for said signal, meaning they don't know."

"Which means we probably have free reign here, assuming there aren't any human scavengers there."

"And if they do," Rarity said. "Well, I hope for their sake, I hope they don't mess with us."

"Oh-ah to that," Jacob said.

From there, it was Pawas and Rarity preparing their weapons, Pawas having a modified Magnum that had a slightly larger clip and was burst fire along with an SMG.

Near half an hour after leaving the ship, they landed next to the cave they were to enter, and, with helmets on and re-breathers at the ready if needed. "Okay," Jacob said, "remember, we're on a portion of the planet that hasn't yet become a glassland, so we don't need those re-breathers. Yet."

"And let's hope we don't need them," Rarity said as Jacob opened the hatch, and the three stepped outside.

"Uh, quick question," Spike said. "What's a glassland?"

"Well," Twilight said, "basically, it's an area of land that Covenant ventral beams had been used on, which burned away the ground and boiled the water, and super heating the atmosphere, which caused a vacuum of sorts to be made that swept up a lot of dust, which created an extremely cold winter, cold enough to make the molten rock harden into glass, often for hundreds of miles. Hence, glasslands."

"Though natural features like mountains do remain, simply not as tall," Rarity said. "Though, only the very tall ones."

"That sounds like it was practical tartarus for any who survived," Chrysalis commented.

"I doubt any one survived that," Rainbow said.

"Actually, Rainbow," Twilight said, "there have been a few planets that have had colonists survive the glassing. Maybe not until evac, but they survived the glassing itself."

"Back to the story-"

The three made their way to the cave entrance, keeping contact with the Normandy by using the pelican as a midpoint for transmission, until it suddenly went out, which occurred just before they entered. "Well," Jacob said, trying various channels, "shit."

"Yep," Rarity said. "So, what do we do?"

"Our mission," Jacob said. "Come on." He took the lead as the three made their way into the cavern, which seemed to glow with a strange, blue light.

"Definitely no Covenant," Pawas said. "Supply pods be here is there were."

"Let's be glad for that one," Jacob said.

"Agreed," Rarity said. "Still, I can't help but feel I've felt this way before."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, not exactly," Rarity replied. "A shiver down my spine, a tingling at the base of my horn, and a buzzing in my head. It just feels. . . familiar, but I don't know from where."

"Well, whatever it is, let's hope it isn't bad," Jacob said.

"Yep yep," Pawas said in agreement.

The three continued further into the cave for near an hour, scanning the and passages for anything hostile, if they didn't know what was hostile here. "Hold up," Jacob said, holding a fist up. "Armor's reading a sudden pressure increase."

"What does that mean, Jacob," Rarity asked.

"It means," Jacob said, "someone's trying to kill us or knock us out." With that, he fell to the ground, unconscious, but alive, with Rarity and Pawas following soon after while trying to get out of the cave, but failing to do so.

"Turns out, that cave was, for lack of a better term, man made," Rarity said, "though by no means were they made by humans."

"Then who made them," Celestia asked.

"The Forerunners," Twilight and Rarity said at the same time. "Basics are they were an ancient race that died out a hundred thousand years ago fighting. . . well, best not to say," Twilight added. "But let's just say both Rarity and I fought what they fought, and it wasn't pretty, or easy, even with our magic."

"Indeed," Rarity said with a shudder at those memories. "Anyway, the three of us were taken away, as I found out later, to some kind of lab, which is where I'll continue."

Rarity came to slowly, and with a small headache. She tried to get up, but found she couldn't. She slowly opened her eyes. "Jacob," she yelled, hoping he'd reply, but got nothing. "Pawas?" No reply.

She looked at her hooves, and saw she still had her armor on, but she was being held down by what she recognized as a gravity field, but the tech in the room around her wasn't Covenant, being more blocky, a mix of both human and Forerunner tech, looking both mechanical and organic at the same time.

She didn't have her helmet on, and she was sure her weapons were gone.

"Oh, you're finally awake."

The sudden and unfamiliar voice startled Rarity a little, and she would have jumped if she could. To her surprise, it wasn't a person that came into her view, but a small, round, orb with a yellow light from the center. "I had feared you'd been accidentally killed," the orb said in a feminine voice. "My name is 6732 Peaceful Resolution, the one who oversees this laboratory. And you are?"

Rarity didn't reply, only glared at the machine. "Where are the others," she asked.

"You mean the Inheritor and the Unggoy," Resolution asked. "Oh, they are quite alright. Still unconscious, but alive. But that does not answer my question: What is your name?"

"Let me go, and I'll tell you."

"I'm afraid that isn't possible," Resolution said. "You see, protocol prevents me from letting a previously unknown race free with out some way of monitoring them unless they help me answer questions, and you have not made that step yet."

"And I won't until you let me go," Rarity said.

Resolution sighed, much as a machine could, and said, "Then we are at an impasse. No matter, I was able to extract the other personality, and use the equipment here to grow it a new body. I'm sure it will answer my questions."

"What do you mean, 'other personality'?"

"Simple," Resolution said. "When I scanned you and your compatriots, I discovered a second personality in your brain, and extracted it, as I couldn't very well question it with you suppressing it. Now, all I have to do is place the personality in the body I grew for it, using your genetics as a starting point, and wait for it to awaken." With that, Resolution left, leaving Rarity with more questions than she had started with.

It wasn't an hour later that Resolution returned, with a tray of gray mush that was probably supposed to be food. "This is all I could make, Subject. It has all the nutrients your kind needs to eat that I was able to observe from studies while you were unconscious. I do apologize if i tastes terrible."

"My name isn't 'Subject'," Rarity said.

"Well, I don't know what your actual name is, so I went with what came to mind. If you do not wish me to call you that, answer my question."

"Ugh," Rarity groaned. "Fine. "My name is Rarity. Happy?"

"Indeed I am," Resolution said as Rarity dropped to the floor, the gravity field deactivating. "I hope you find someplace to rest. I did not expect there to be any visitors here, and I have no guest quarters prepared."

"And where are the others," Rarity asked.

"In the next room," Resolution said. "Though they are currently unconscious, though they should wake up soon. It has been three weeks since you first arrived."

This made Rarity's eyes widen. "Three weeks?"

"Yes," Resolution said.

"We need to leave soon."

"Why's that?"

"Because," Rarity said, "in a month since we arrived here, it would be our last chance of getting off planet."

"Oh, you can't leave," Resolution said. "Protocol dictates any new species who enters here can not leave until every thing, including life span, can be discerned."

"To hell with protocol," Rarity said. "Me and my friends will leave in a few days, and you won't be able to stop us."

"The Reclaimer and Unggoy, no, I won't be able to stop them," Resolution said. "But you? You, I can ensure you don't leave," she said before Rarity was lifted off the floor in another gravitational field. "I am sorry, but until the other personality's body is ready and it is in placed in it, you can't leave. And don't bother using your natural abilities. That gravitational field negates them. I made sure to modify them to do so if this were to happen after I discovered what you could do."

She hovered the tray over, and said, "Now, if you will excuse me, I must over see the final stages of the body's construction," before leaving the room.

"Yeah, Resolution was a bitch," Rarity said.

"How'd you get away," Fluttershy asked.

"Well, that's quite a tale," Rarity said.

A day later, Resolution came back into the room. "What do you want?"

"I simply thought to inform you that your companions are awake, and that the other personality is currently being transferred to its body."

"And why do you think I would want to know about the second one right now?"

"I honestly didn't, but she asked me to tell you."

This made Rarity slighty uneasy.

"'She'?"

"Yes," Resolution said. "Said her name was Nightmare. What an odd name. Then again, you are called Rarity, so perhaps it has to do with the abstract. And if you try to tell me to terminate that, which Nightmare told me you would try, to allow one contact between you two."

"And why should I listen to her," Rarity said. "She corrupted me four years ago."(1)

"She informed me of that," Resolution said. "And she asked me to tell you that, given the fact both are far away from home, you would at least listen. Of course, only one of you is getting away. So, what will it be?"

Rarity was, in honesty, curious as to why Nightmare would want to talk with her. "Fine," Rarity said. "But only one."

"It should only be a few hours, then. Would you like your comrades to be here as well?"

"Why not," Rarity said.

"Then I shall fetch them," Resolution said before flying away.

"This'll be interesting," Rarity said to herself.

Anyway, an hour later, Jacob and Pawas were brought in. "Rarity," Jacob said. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I am," Rarity replied. "What about you guys?"

"We fine," Pawas said.

"That thing said you wanted us for something," Jacob said. "What is it?"

"Something from my past," Rarity said, before the sound, familiar to the three, of hooves treading stone could be heard, a sound which, in current circumstances, surprised Jacob and Pawas, but only served to further confirm Rarity's guess. From the shadows of the cave came a figure, as tall as Rarity was, with a beautiful, black coat and elegant, purple mane and tail, a pointed horn, and six stars on each of her flanks, and teal blue, reptilian eyes.

"Hello, Rarity," Nightmare said. "It has been far to long, hasn't it?"

Even with them knowing it was coming, the mouths of the others hung on the floor, to which Rarity and Twilight chuckled at. "Yes, she did look somewhat different then before," Rarity said. "Honestly, though, that wasn't the most shocking part."

"Then what the buck was," Rainbow asked.

"The fact she apologized for what she had done, and wanted to help the three of us escape."

Rarity glared at the supposed unicorn that had just walked in. "Why did you want to talk with me, Nightmare?"

"I can't just talk with an old friend," Nightmare asked in an offended tone, even if she was far from offended.

"We aren't friends," Rarity said. "You tried to corrupt me and turn me against my friends. What makes you think I want to speak with you on friendly terms?"

"I thought similar circumstances would," Nightmare said.

"What do you mean," Rarity asked. "Resolution said she'd let one of us leave once you got a new body."

"Then she lied, or you simply misunderstood her," Nightmare said. "She said that all subjects of a new species are to be kept here until information on them can be obtained, and stuff like lifespan is an average."

"Which means she'd need more then just one of you," Jacob said. "But just who are you, and what do you have to do with Rarity's past?"

"I'm surprised and a little insulted she didn't tell you," Nightmare said with a chuckle. "Certainly she told you of what happened to a Princess Luna and her self, didn't she?"

Jacob's expression turned to one of understanding, then of hate. "You're the one that took her over."

"Indeed I am," Nightmare said. "And yes, I was defeated, but a small portion of myself remained in her, as well as Luna, though I was brought out of Rarity by that infernal Resolution. At least with me still in Rarity's mind, we could have easily escaped from that gravity field."

Pawas perked up. "Gravity field hold Rarity?"

"Yeah," Jacob said. "Why?"

"You forget," Pawas said. "Me once Spirit technician. Worked with gravity drives."

Jacob then got a devious smirk, a look Rarity had associated with him having a plan. "Got it. How long would it usually take to, say, deactivate an active one for maintenance?"

"Best an hour. Worst two," Pawas replied.

"And, just for curiosity," Jacob said, turning to Nightmare, "you wouldn't happen to know any illusion spells, would you?"

"I do," Nightmare answered. "Why?" Jacob gestured as silently as possible to where Rarity was being held, Pawas, and his forehead in order. "Oh," Nightmare mouthed. "Yes, I know illusion spells."

Jacob nodded. "If you all will excuse me, there's something I need to ask Resolution," he said before leaving the chamber.

Nightmare's horn then lit up, and a projection of Pawas left after Jacob. "Now that that's taken care of," she said, "Rarity, I do hope you can look past our history and at least tolerate me until we can get back to Equis."

Rarity growled, but said, "Only until you show otherwise."

"Do not worry," Nightmare said. "I won't."

"And, really, the plan went well," Rarity said.

"I sense a 'but' coming on," Sweetie Belle said.

Rarity chuckled. "You'd be right, Sweetie."

An hour into the completely improvised plan, a complication happened. "Uh oh," Pawas said. "Big trouble."

"What is it," Nightmare asked.

"Last part of gravity field generator in ceiling above Rarity. Can't reach myself. Need help."

"Damn," Nightmare cursed. "I still haven't made it back to full power. I can't maintain all these illusions and a levitation spell at once."

"Jacob, this Pawas," Pawas said over his comm unit. "We run into problem. Last part of gravity field generator in ceiling. Can not reach my self, and Miss Nightmare unable to keep illusions going while levitating me. Need time."

"So, how long have you been here," Jacob said, asking Resolution a question, as well asking Pawas how long it would take.

"Me say ten minutes," Pawas replied. "Do that?"

"Sure, that makes sense," Jacob said is response to both Pawas and a question Resolution asked.

"We have ten minutes," Pawas said.

"Let's hope that's enough," Nightmare said as she lit her horn and lifted Pawas up to the ceiling.

The following span of time was as tense as it could be, with Pawas, Rarity, and Nightmare fearing that Resolution would walk in, so to speak, and keep them all there for the rest of their natural life spans. Pawas worked quickly as he dared, not wanting to make a mistake that would result in Rarity's death, Nightmare doing her best to keep Pawas steady during the ten minute period. Rarity, though, was the tensest of all, only able to watch her comrade and temporary ally work on freeing her while Jacob was in another room with a potentially murderous robot.

So, imagine the relief of all of them when the field keeping Rarity off the floor vanished, and she fell to the floor, not as a pancake. "You okay," Nightmare asked, offering a hoof to help Rarity up, which the white mare took.

"Yeah, I am," Rarity replied before saying something Nightmare didn't expect. At least, in a serious tone. "Thanks."

Nightmare staggered, surprised at the fact Rarity had just said thanks to the one who had taken her over all those years ago. "Your welcome," Nightmare said, getting over the shock. "After all, we are technically sisters, maybe even twins."

"We can discuss relations later," Rarity said. "Pawas, tell Jacob we're ready to go."

"Right," Pawas said before activating his comm unit. "Jacob, we ready."

There was no verbal reply, but, through some impressively subtle gestures, Jacob was able to Morse code out, "Right. Teleport."

"Jacob wants teleport," Pawas said. "You two manage?"

"I do believe we can," Rarity said. "So long as it's together."

"It will be," Nightmare said. "Just get Jacob in here. We will most likely be able to manage only a single teleport."

"Understood," Pawas said. With that, he radioed Jacob to tell him that they were ready, and just needed him.

Jacob was able to get away from Resolution a few minutes later. "You sure you're ready," he asked, walking in.

"As sure as we can be," Rarity replied. "Besides, if we don't try now, we'll be stuck here, and miss the secondary exfill.

"Fair point," Jacob said. "Besides, normal protocol is for a sub-prowler for an op like these be here a week before and after it's supposed to be, to increase chances of finding a team, and we're in that window now."

Both Nightmare and Rarity lit their horns. "Then let's move it," Rarity said, before the four of them vanished in a flash of light. What they didn't realize, though, was Resolution had been watching.

"Make it home," she said, her voice changing from the confident tone it was to a more. . . shy tone. "Make it home, Rarity."(2)

"So, from there," Rarity said, "we teleported to the pelican, which was still intact, contacted the Prowler, a kind of stealth ship, and was extracted. Though, I was surprised when Resolution didn't contact us, saying she'd find us."

Rainbow scoffed. "Might have been 'protocol'."

"Yeah, with what we learned a year later," Twilight said, "I came to the same conclusion."

"I still refuse to believe that Nightmare got a new body," Luna said.

"Technically, she both did and didn't," Rarity said. "Let me explain. The body she had is more of a. . . well, the best term I can think of is 'shell', with an organic heart, lungs, every thing but a brain and nervous system, which are mechanical, to which Nightmare was downloaded into. Essentially, with the right technology, that means the body could die, but another one could be made, and she could be transferred to that one, but she still has biological urges, form eating to needing a good buck from time to time." Both Rarity and Twilight chuckled.

"Probably a good thing the three of us got drunk that night, huh," Twilight said. The fact the two armored ponies had changed to the point they got drunk surprised those listening a bit., and, at the confused and shocked looks, Twilight explained. "After the war, Rarity, Nightmare, the others, and myself were at a bar, all of us got drunk, yes, that is possible with Sangheili and Jiralhanae, and the next morning, Rarity, Nightmare, and I woke up in the same bed, which smelled with, well, guess, and the night before, according to the others, we apparently told each other we loved the others personality and looks, and fucked. Surprisingly for the three of us, we actually started a sober relationship, and we haven't broken up since." Again, looks. "Hey, the three of us had been fighting for the better part of a year then, and had gotten to know one another well, so it can't be said it was a rushed relationship unlike most other relationships here on Equis."(3)

"She isn't wrong, unfortunately," Cadence said. "That's how most of the relationships among my staff go."

It was then that a guard rushed in, wearing armor that was a mix of lavender, purple, white, and fuchsia rushed in, both Twilight and Rarity assuming she was a part of the Gem Dusk guard, given the coloration, and stopped just short of the group. The mare had a blood red coat with a navy blue mane and tail, her wings armored, the front edges having blades.

"What is it, Morning Flare," Rainbow asked.

"Ma'am, scouts report Griffons massing near Manehattan," Flare said saluting. "We believe they are preparing for an attack."

"Buck," Rainbow cursed. "The guard regiment there still hasn't recovered from the last battle. They'll get slaughtered."

"Maybe not," Rarity said, putting her helmet on as the others looked at her. "Shannon, it's Rarity. We have a situation, and need the others. We'll head there, and broadcast our location. Drop the others there. It's a coastal city under threat of hostile attack, and the military forces there will need help." A second later, she nodded. "Got it, and tell them to bring the fun shit." Shen then looked at Twilight, who had put her helmet on already. "Ready, Twi?"

"You know it, Rares," Twilight said.

"Before you go," Chrysalis said, "I have agents there. I told them that if they see you two, they are to remove their disguise, and assist."

"Thanks, Chrysalis."

"Thank my husband," Chrysalis said. "Which reminds me, the both of us will be there soon."

"As will the rest of us," Celestia said. "And, Twilight, Rarity? Good luck."

"We don't need luck," Twilight said, pulling her storm rifle out with her magic. "We have ammo." With that, the two vanished in a flash of light, and a pop of sound.

The fifth battle of Manehattan would soon begin.

Fifth battle for Manehattan

Twilight and Rarity, each wearing their armor, Twilight holding two Needlers, the second one having been invisible before teleportation, in her magic, Rarity holding her assault rifle. The two stood in the middle of a crossroads, the buildings all around burning and devastated. "I wonder if this is the worst the city's seen," Rarity said.

"No idea," Twilight said. "But look, there," she said, pointing a hoof at a three story, brick building. "Plasma burns. Griffons are definitely using Covenant tech. No way they could jump from eighteenth to twenty-first century tech to Covenant levels in a single war, at least one this long."

"Jul, or someone else?"

"Does it matter," Twilight said. "They're a problem, either way. Right now, we need to find a landing zone for the others, and help any guards we find, pony or changeling."

"Agreed," Rarity said. "So, which direction should we go?"

Twilight looked around before setting her eyes on the pony equivalent of the Empire State Building. "Well, the horn of the building is opposite Central Park, so," she said, trailing off, "there," she said, pointing south east of their current direction. "Central Park would be best for a landing if pelican, and a good rally point if their coming in ODST style."

"Then let's go," Rarity said, and the two began to make their way to central park. Along the way, they saw more destroyed and burning buildings, most having plasma burns on them, along with dead bodies, most being pony, almost all, nearly ninety percent, really, having plasma burns somewhere on their body. Almost none had on armor.

"Damned brutes," Twilight said. "I'm beginning to think the Griffons and the Jiralhanae have some kind of common ancestor, but were settled on different planets after the Halo firing."

"Agreed," Rarity said. "Though how that would have happened is beyond me."

"Probably a mix up with the records," Twilight said. "Forerunners weren't perfect, after all."

"Too true," Rarity said. "Still, I thought that Rainbow's scout, or whatever her role was, said they were massing, not attacking."

"You forget the gap normal communications have here on Equis, Rares," the lavender alicorn said. "Assuming, you know, there isn't an agent in Rainbow's division of the guard."

"That's could be it," Rarity said. "Hold up, Twi. Tracker's picking up movement, twelve o'clock. Can't tell if friendly or hostile."

"Copy that," Twilight said. "Move slow. I'll go stealth," she said before she began to fade away, blend in with what was behind her, to which Rarity nodded, and began to proceed carefully, scanning with her eyes for anything moving.

When she passed into a intersection, something yelled, "Halt! Lay your weapons down, and don't move!"

"Ponies," Twilight said, still invisible. "Wearing guard armor, with bows and swords."

"Got it," Rarity whispered, her radio on. "Color?"

"Same as the Gem Dusk."

"Then what do we do?"

Before Twilight could respond, a mare said, "Identify yourself. Now!"

"My name is Rarity," the unicorn replied. "Element of Generosity. I ma aware that ponies believe I was missing, but I returned just today, and are here with the graces of the three princesses, as well as Rainbow Dash. If you have a unicorn in your group, get in contact with one of them."

It was silent for a few minutes before the same mare said, "If they don't, we'll kill you."

"Unlikely," Rarity muttered.

A few more minutes later, the same mare said, "The Princesses say the sent you. "They also say that we are under your command.

"General."

"They made me a General," Rarity asked, picking her weapons up.

"Indeed, Ma'am," the mare said. "If I may ask, General Dash said Princess Sparkle was with you, but I do not see her."

"That's because I was invisible," Twilight said, reappearing. "Rank and name."

"Sergeant Bright Day, Ma'am," the mare said, and Rarity turned around. Bright Day was a unicorn mare of Rarity's size with a yellow coat and white mane and tail, and she was saluting. "Ma'ams, if I may ask, what's with your armor?"

"Just something we picked up," Twilight said. "Status of the city?"

"Ma'am, the city's been taken, and has been for the past day. The Griffons stopped any messengers we had for the past week, when the siege began," Bright said. "They sent there own with a fake message earlier, according to General Dash. We, meaning myself and my squad, think it was to lure more troops in."

"But how did no one see the city being attacked," Twilight asked.

"I don't know, Ma'am," Bright said. "But, personally, I think we may have a few turncoats among our ranks, unicorns, to be precise, who put an illusion spell over the city."

"That makes sense, I guess," Twilight said. "What about the Griffons? Anyone important?"

"Not that we can tell, Princess," Bright said. "If I may ask, where are you two going? We're ready to escort you?"

"Central Park, Sergeant. What's your squad strength at?"

"Fifty percent, Ma'am," Bright said. "We lost four ponies before today, and most of us are injured to a degree. We're held up in that building," she said, gesturing to a nearby, two story building. "We're able to move and fight, though."

Twilight nodded. "Tell them to get ready to move out."

"Yes, Ma'am," Bright said before going into the building she said her squad was in.

"You know," Arion said, "it could be something else other than a unicorn."

"You mean Covenant," Rarity asked.

"No, I mean Forerunner baffler tech. Covenant used versions of it in their Active Camo, and a few actual ones were found in Covenant storage buildings."

"Yeah, I guess," Twilight said. "Still, that means there's a Covenant remnant faction here."

"Which is bad, regardless of how we slice it," Rarity said. "But right now, we need to get a beacon for the others."

"Agreed," Twilight and Arion said at the same time. A few minutes later, Bright and her squad mates, a thestral mare, a pegasus stallion, and an Earth pony mare, each but Bright being injured.

"Diamond reporting, Ma'ams," Bright said, saluting, their sqaud name bringing back memories for Twilight and Rarity. "Ready to escort you to Central Park."

"Are you sure you're up for it," Rarity asked.

"Ma'am, the Gen Dusk has the most brutal training regime," The thestral said. "We can manage."

"Then let's go," Twilight said. "But if you feel like we need to slow down, let us know."

"Of course, Ma'am," the pegasus said.

With that, the group of six made their way to Central Park, with each on the lookout for hostiles. "I don't like this," the Earth Pony said. "At least, we should have encountered a scavenger. The Griffons may stay in a city for near a month, but they let their own people scavenge."

"Yeah, something isn't right," Bright said.

"You probably just jinxed us, Bright," the thestral said.

"Yeah, I know."

"Hey, at least we're here to help you guys," Rarity said.

"Thanks, General," the bat mare said. "By the way, if you don't mind me asking, how do you plan on kicking the Griffons out?"

"Just some friends of ours," Twilight said.

"Well, I hope your friends have an army with them."

"They are an army," Rarity said cryptically.

"Well, let's just hope they get here soon," the pegasus said.

"Oh, they will," Twilight said.

The group continued to walk, passing destroyed building after destroyed building, until they reached an intersection where, unlike all the others, the overlooking building were intact.

"Detecting something inside the buildings," Arion told Rarity and Twilight. "I'm thinking hostiles."

"Where are the others," Twilight asked, her suit's external speakers off.

"Inbound," the A.I. replied. "Josh'll arrive first."

"Does he have it on?"

"You know he does."

"Hate to be the Griffons, then."

As soon as the last syllable left the armored alicorn's mouth, the familiar, to the two Elements, anyway, sounds of weapons being readied were heard, and a voice said, "Stop where you are, now!" The group stopped, the guards out of surprise, the other two to bide time. "Lay down your weapons, unless you want to die." Again, the group complied, for the same reasons, but the guards had entered anger. Before anything could be done, though, a single Griffon, wearing the usual Griffon armor, which resembled ancient knight armor, colored blue and yellow, stepped out of a building. He also had a Carbine across his back, and a Plasma Pistol, notably with the coloration indicating the Spitfire variant, in one talon.

"You all are now prisoners of the Griffon Empire," he said. "If you wish to live, I suggest you take your armor off. Now," he said, the last part with the pistol pointed at Twilight, who scoffed.

"You really think that'll hurt me in one shot, let alone kill me?"

"But of course," the Griffon said. "It is a gift from our newest ally, a Shipmaster Nyrseeus. It can easily melt through pony armor."

"This isn't pony made armor, dumbass," Twilight said, a smirk on under the helmet. "In fact, I bet I can kill you without getting hurt at all."

"Perfectly timed," Arion said.

"Oh, and what makes you think that," the Griffon said.

"Not what," Twilight said. "Who. Josh, care to open fire?"

"Nope," was the reply on the other side of the radio before a swarm of missiles hit the buildings overlooking the intersection, killing each Griffon in them, and Twilight yanking the plasma pistol away in her magical grasp as Rarity grabbed the Griffon's throat.

"Looks like I was right," Twilight said just before a large, for lack of a better term, suit of armor came into view, flames coming out of the back. The armor was colored black with highlights of yellow, along with a yellow visor. It had three tubes above it's right shoulder, and a large tube over the left, the entire right hand being a machine gun.(1) "So bye." She grabbed a Needler, and fired a shot into the Griffon's head, killing him, before releasing the body.

"Hey, Rares, Twi," Josh said via radio from inside the suit. "Already in trouble?"

"Just waiting for you, Josh," Twilight said. "Diamond Squad, this is one of our friends, Josh. Major Josh Miller, to be precise."

Bright and her squad saluted at hearing Josh's rank. "Sir," they said.

"New friends," Josh asked, looking at the two mares.

"Just some ponies from a new guard division," Twilight replied. "So, Josh, how long until the others come in, and how?"

"Thirty minutes, and drop pod in the Central Park," Josh said, pointing the suit thumb in the direction of the park. "Orbital images show large hostile group there, most likely to ambush and kill any soldiers that head there. I was sent first to find you guys."

"Then we should get going," Twilight said. "They're going to need help."

"Right," Josh said. "Lead the way."

"You got it, Josh," Rarity said. "Diamond squad, keep close."

"Ma'am," Bright and her squad mates said.

"Follow us, Josh," Twilight said, and the group began to move.

"Not even back a day, and you guys are already in the thick of things," Josh said. "You sure are trouble magnets, aren't you?"

"Like the others aren't," Rarity shot back. "It seems ever since we met in New Mombassa, we've gotten the jobs that seem easy, but go to hell almost instantly."

"Touche," Josh said. "So, how'd meeting with your friends go, and where did you guys get?"

"Good," Twilight replied. "And just before Mombassa."

"So Rares finished the 'Nightmare'?"

"Yep," Rarity said.

"Well, they sure are in for a shock when they see the spell you guys learned," Josh said.

"Yeah, they are," Twilight said. "Hey, wait, Rarity, didn't that Griffon Commander have yellow and blue armor?"

"Yeah, why," Rarity asked.

"The Keepers."

"Oh. Fuck," Rarity said. "Of all the remnant factions, why them?"

"Uh, Ma'ams, what are you talking about, if I may ask," the pegasus said in confusion.

"Something that's currently classified," Twilight said. "So pretend like you aren't listening in."

"Listening in on what?"

"Exactly," Twilight said before resuming the conversation with the others. "But that would beg the question as to when they got here."

"We'll have to worry about it later," Josh said. "Right now, let's kick the Griffons out of your city."

"Hell yeah," Rarity said, a small grin on under her helmet. After a while, with the edge of the park in visual range, Rarity said, "Hey, uh, Twi, didn't you know who say her soldiers would be helping us?"

"Yeah, I'm surprised we haven't seen any of them?"

"Are you talking about the changelings, Ma'am," Bright asked.

"How do you know," Twilight asked.

"We encountered a small group a day ago," the thestral said. "We were fighting three Griffons, and we were already injured, and they were kicking our plots. Only reason we survived is because five changelings came in and killed them. When it was done, one we think is their leader said 'The changelings stand with Equestria' before they left. Haven't seen any since."

"Well I don't trust them," the Earth pony said. "I was in Canterlot when they invaded. Probably just trying to gain our trust so they can stab us in the back."

"Or there's the fact the Griffons are attacking us too," Bright muttered loudly, not noticing until after the fact, and everyone was looking at her.

"Kill her," the Earth pony shouted, but was held back by Twilight's magic.

"Stand down, Soldier," Twilight said. "As for you," she said, turning her attention to Bright, "your real name, and no more illusions, got it?"

Bright sighed before her body burst into green flames. When they died away, a changeling with a black carapace, wearing dark green armor, was in her place. "My name and rank are the same, Ma'am," the changeling said with a slight echo effect "Though I do have the changeling rank of Infiltrator. I've been in the Gem Dusk since the start of it. The Griffons began to attack the Hives a year ago, and Queen Chrysalis and King Carapace told every Infiltrator that, if it was needed, we were to reveal ourselves. It was only a few hours ago that Queen Chrysalis informed all of us in Manehattan that you two were coming, and we were to assist you. The others are overlooking the park as we speak, waiting for us to arrive."

"I say we kill her, then let the Griffons know so they can wipe the bugs out," the Earth Pony said.

"Shut it," the thestral said. "If she wanted us to die, she would have told those changelings not to help us earlier. So shut it."

"Traitors, all of you!"

"Princess Celestia herself said the changelings were our allies now," Twilight said, not really lying just. . . predicting the future. "And even if she didn't, as a princess, I say so. And if you don't want to be charged with treason, I suggest you don't try to harm Bright in any way. Understood?"

"And how do I know you all aren't being controlled?!"

"Oh, for christsakes," Josh said, walking over to the pony. "Shut the fuck up." He raised his hand, and slapped the pony with enough force to knock them out. "I always hated racists."

"Same," the pegasus said before looking at Bright. "So, Ma'am, where are they at?"

"You still trust me," Bright said in a surprised, but still sorrowful, tone.

"Yeah," the pegasus replied. "You forget, Bright, you and I were in training together. I would know if your personality was an act. You forgot, my mom was an actor, and she once told me that their is a tell for every actor that one can see, you just need to pay attention. There's a lot, so I'll just say that I have seen none of them with you."

A small smile came onto Bright's face. "Thanks, Cloud."(2)

"You got it, Bright," Cloud said. "So, what do we do with her."

"Take her with us," Rarity said. "We can let Rainbow decide what to do with her."

"Yes Ma'am," Bright said, lighting her horn and taking the unconscious mare in her magic. "The building where the others are would be that one," she said, pointing to a still intact building.

"Then let's go," Twilight said.

"I'll wait outside," Josh said.

With that, the group, with a now unconscious mare, made their way to the building, the equines going inside with Josh outside, saying, "Five minutes."

"Hoe the changelings are ready," Twilight said.

"We are, Princess," Bright said. "For the past week, King Carapace has been sending his best in to help us kick the Griffons out of here, and the Queen said you would the one to give the order to attack."

"Then we move when the others arrive," Twilight said. "And believe me, it'll be obvious when they do."

"If that's what you order, Princess," Bright said. "Somepony hand me some rope or something."

"Here ya go," the thestral said, offering Bright some rope.

"Thanks, Shield," Bright said before hogtying the Earth pony. "Now, she won't at least try to kill us. Well, try well, that is."

"That, I can live with," Cloud said.

"Agreed," Shield said.

With that, Twilight and Rarity walked over to a window that overlooked the park, with Rarity looking up. "There," she said, pointing to eight flames in the sky, which were followed by ten others. "Looks like they're bringing in a few others to help."

"Good," Twilight said. "Because if the Keepers are here, then we'll have a fight on our hands."

Rarity chuckled. "To think that, if this were happening the year we met with the others, we'd be nowhere near Manehattan, let alone in the actual army."

"Yeah," Twilight said. "Nor would either of us have gotten drunk that night and be in the relationship. Not that I'd want to change that."

"Same here, Twily," Rarity said, nuzzling the alicorn, much as she could with the armor on. "I wonder how Luna will react to seeing Nightmare in person."

"Probably freak out," Twilight said. "They're almost here," she said, the "meteors" closer, and flame trails obvious on the leading ones.

"Then let's get ready," Rarity said. "And after this, Twi, we're going to Joe's."

"Whatever you want, Rares," Twilight said. "Bright, tell the other changelings to get ready."

"Ma'am," Bright said as Twilight activated her radio.

"Almost time, Josh."

"Copy that. I got the party favors ready for the Griffons."

"Just don't go overboard."

"No fucking promises," Josh replied, chuckling.

"He always did like guns first with that suit in a combat zone," Rarity said. "It's a wonder he hasn't accidentally killed a friendly yet."

"The suit has features to prevent that, Rares," Twilight said.

"Still," was all Rarity said.

A few minutes later, the leading eight pods hit. "Bright, now!"

"Yes, Ma'am," she said, and a few seconds later, a large scale buzzing sound was heard, and a huge-ass black cloud of changelings came out of the buildings around the park.

"Josh, get the others on the radio, and tell them the black, insect,pony hybrids are friendly."

"Already done," Josh said. "Now come on, I want to see how well the suit works on this planet."

"You heard the man, Twilight," Rarity said. "Time for some fun," she said, bringing her rifle up.

"In that case," Twilight said, "move it, ponies. We're going in."

"Ma'am," the three other equines said, standing at attention.

With that, Twilight and Rarity, Twilight holding both Needlers in her magic, rushed out of the building, the Gem Dusk squad behind them, with Josh not far behind once they exited the building.

The sight in the Park was. . . already one of carnage. Because of their chitinous exoskeletons, the changelings could take a few more plasma shots, and the double attack, one part from inside their defenses thanks to the drop pods, the other from the outside, disoriented them, and the outer lines were cut down with ease. It was the middle lines, which were quite large in numbers and had enough time to get into good defensive positions. The first Griffons to see Twilight, Rarity, and the others, opened fire on them with Carbines and the standard Plasma rifle, but were blocked with magic shields, or dodged by Twilight and Rarity. Josh slid to a stop, using his left foot to counter his forward force, then brought his right arm up, the hand for the chaingun coming out, which he grabbed in his left before unleashing a hail of bullets, cutting the Griffon group to shreds.

"Contact, nine o'clock, coming in fast," Twilight said, which Josh simply punched, with the machinegun hand, with enough force to rip the Griffon in half, but three others were coming in. These three, though, were killed by three separate rockets which seemed to track their movements. Josh turned around, and a female Spartan wearing the Hellcat armor with Hydra in hand stood there.

"I missed using this baby," Bishop said. "So, Twi, Rares, how are your other friends doing," she asked, walking to the others, firing three more rockets, resulting in three more Griffon Deaths.

"Good," Twilight replied as a Griffon supercombined. "They're looking forward to meeting everyone."

"Well, same for me here," Bishop said as she dropped her Hydra, and pulling out a magnum. "But first, I say we get out of here."

"Agreed," Rarity said, firing off a burst from her rifle, downing a charging Griffon while she dodged a plasma rifle shot. "Where are the others?"

"Near the lake, just east of here. We landed there, and that's our rally point. I volunteered to find you guys and get you to it," Bishop said, firing off three shots with the pistol in her hands.

"Then let's go," Twilight said.

"What about them," Rarity said, referring to Diamond squad.

"Right," Twilight replied. "Diamond, with us."

"Ma'am," Diamond squad said.

"Josh, come on," Bishop said as they began to move, while Josh was firing into a group of Griffons that had hunkered down behind some rocks.

"Hold on," Josh said, grabbing a canister from his left thigh, pressing a button on it, and throwing it behind the rocks. He then turned to face the others as an explosion occurred from where the canister was thrown. "Boom, motherfuckers."

"Overkill, don't you think," Bishop asked, already knowing the answer.

"Maybe," Josh said as he caught up with the group. "But in war, sometimes, never hurts to go a little overboard."

"Fair enough."

From there, it was a short, but bloody, hike to the lake where the rest of Diamondback was. When the group arrived, well, let's just say it wasn't pretty for the Griffons. Ruso, Jacob, and Patrick swung energy swords at any who got close, Tony fired off BR bursts, Pawas and Sawn were firing off Needler shot, with Sawn using his shield gauntlet to cover both him and Pawas, who stood behind him and fired at Sawn's left and right. Hades just smashed shit with his gravity hammer. Nightmare, though not visible, was in the trees, using an invisibility and silencing spell in conjunction with a DMR. "Jacob, over here," Bishop yelled, and a Spartan in Helljumper armor colored white and purple turned to face them.

"About time," Jacob said. "We got two five man ODST squads coming down to assist, so get ready, guys."

"Copy that," Rarity said as she, Twilight, and Josh formed up with the others, Diamond squad behind them.

"So, Ruso, enjoying the fight," Twilight asked as Ruso stabbed a Griffon with his sword while the lavender alicorn fired off a few needles.

"Indeed I am," Ruso said with a chuckle. "Shame, though, that they think rushing will be able to stop all of us."

"Agreed," Hades said, bringing his hammer down on a Griffon's head. "Not even Truth's forces were this stupid."

"Which makes it all the more fun," Sawn said, firing his Needler, a hailstorm variant, into a small, incoming group to the point where supercombine explosions occurred.

"Still, I'd like a bit of a challenge," Tony, with the Maverick armor with the colors being green and blue, said, getting a headshot on a lightly armored Griffon.

"Same," Patrick, wearing Recruit armor with the hardened skin going, the colors being black and red.

"So, Rarity," Nightmare asked over radio, "how did Luna react when you got to my part of the story? Josh told us how far you both got."

"Better then we thought," Rarity said. "She probably won't want to see you though, Moony."

"I had thought so," Nightmare replied. "Oh well."

From there, it wasn't much different, Diamondback killing any Griffon that got close while, at the same time, having casual conversations. The only actual disturbances to this was the arrival of the ten ODSTs around the park, and, near an hour into the thing, Diamondback having gone physical skills near five minutes after Twilight, Rarity, and Josh made it, an ODST shouting, over the radio, "They're falling back? Should we pursue, sir?"

"Negative," Jacob said. "Athens, this is Diamondback. Hostiles are pulling out."

"Copy that, Diamondback," the Comms officer replied over the radio. "We have satellites over the city now, and there is a mass retreat. We have Marines on standby in Pelicans if they try to get you all by surprise before defenses can be set up. Also, be advised, satellites are picking up five chariots, if General Belle and Princess Sparkle's descriptions of royal chariots are accurate. I'd say they will arrive in fifteen minutes."

"Copy that, Athens," Jacob said. "Diamondback, out."

"So, what are we going to do," Rarity asked.

"Let them leave," Jacob said. "And it looks like your friends are coming here in person, guys."

"Me can't wait to meet ponies," Pawas said.

"I'm sure they can't wait to meet you too, Pawas," Nightmare said, physically joining with the squad fir the first time since the battle had started. "A for me, I think they'd rather me be locked away in the moon."

"Then I hope they like lead and or plasma," Josh said, still in the suit. "'Cause they'll have to get through each of us to harm even one of us."

"Oh-ah to that," Bishop said before Bright, with a few cuts here and there on her chitin, walked over to Twilight.

"Ma'am, King Carapace has arrived," she said, saluting. "He wishes to speak with you."

"Then tell him to come here," Twilight said. "If he has a problem, tell him to hold it."

"Yes, Ma'am," Bright said before walking off.

"Just how many races do you have on this planet again, Twilight," Jacob asked.

"Well, there's the ponies, changelings, minotaurs, griffons, who we just turned into fried chicken, donkeys, mules, horses, deer, and then there's the fucking, and I mean that literally, caribou."

"Bad blood," Tony asked.

"Try they want to take equestria over just because it's a matriarchal society," Twilight said. "Sawn, do you have any friends with glassing capable ships."

"For the right amount of money, they'll do it," Sawn said, knowing where Twilight was going. "Though I'd recommend waiting until they actually do something, so that it's justified in the eyes of the law."

"Noted," Twilight said.

A few minutes later, Bright and another changeling, this one taller, near Chrysalis' height wearing ornate armor, but still functional, don't get me wrong, walked up. "Princess Twilight, this is King Carapace," Bright said.

"Pleasure to meet you, King Carapace," Twilight said before tilting her head a little. "You seem familiar. Did I ever run into you while you were disguised?"

The changeling king chuckled before speaking in a voice that Twilight knew well. "In a way, you did, LSBFF," he said before he burst into flames, with, upon the flames dying down, Shining Armor, still wearing the changeling armor, standing there. "Hey, Twily."

Mombasa

Diamondback, mostly the ponies, excluding Twilight was quiet as Twilight's eye, under her helmet, began to twitch. "Back away slowly," Sawn said, which was promptly followed by those in the area, the exception being Shining.

"Uh, Twily," Shining said, now getting worried.

"How. Long?" That was all Twilight said, and the anger was clear, as well as the meaning.

Shining sighed, knowing it best not to piss Twilight off further. "For as long as I can remember," he said. "It was a few week before you were born, Twilight. Mom and Dad were out, and I was home alone. I did something stupid, and I mean normally stupid, which, long story short, led to me somehow teleporting to the Hive I was born at, as well as my disguise, something my genetic mom placed on me. As for why I was with you and the others is because their was a love shortage, yes we actually feed on it, and I had to be given to a pony family. my genetic parents were the rulers of that Hive, and they, along with Chrysalis' parents, after I had arrived there, and after a few other subsequent visits for the reason of at least knowing what I was, had us meet, and, well, the both of us hit it off, and, well, our parents arranged a marriage. Which was set before my wedding with Cadence."

"Shining, I'm not sure I want to hug you for still being alive, kill you for hurting Cadence, or give you to a pack of hungry Kig-yar for cheating on Cadence," Twilight said. "And believe me, being attacked by hungry Kig-yar is worse than death."

"That's. . . kinda it, Twilight," Shining said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Both changeling and equestrian law allows for polygamy, and, well, due to Chrysalis not knowing what I looked like as a pony, she didn't know it was me, and I didn't realize it was her until after the wedding, for which I apologized. It was a few years ago I tried to help Chrysalis and my hive by disappearing as a pony."

"Shining," Twilight said.

"Yeah?"

"Cadence is going to kill you when she finds out. And she will find out."

"Yeah, I know," Shining said. "But if so, she'll have to go through all the guards I have with me."

"You know," Rarity said, walking up, "you don't seem all that scared of Nightmare."

"Hive mind, Ma'am," Bright said. "We still have an individual personality, but we are able to easily connect with one another."

"Oh," Twilight said. "Hey, wait a minute. "Shining, is there any chance that long exposure to a changeling's magic can cause. . . slight alterations to somepony, such as pheromones?"

"Yeah," Shining said. "Why?"

"Huh," Rarity said. "That explains the Yanme'e hive."

"Yeah, I guess it does," Twilight said.

"What," Shining asked.

"Bug like alien race," Twilight said. "Works a lot like a changeling hive, if I'm right, and about a year ago, all the drones began to treat me like their queen in one of them. At least I have an explanation as to why."

"Five minutes until the other royals arrive," Jacob said. "Either you two finish this reunion now, or later. We nee dot get moving to where they're landing, just north of here."

Shining sighed. "Looks like you'll get to hear all of that twice," he said, "as well as everything else once."

Twilight nodded. "And if Cadence doesn't kill you, Shining, we are going to have a talk afterwards."

As the group made their way to where Celestia and the others would land, Shining visibly stuck close to Rarity and away from his rightfully pissed sister, though she was nowhere near as pissed as Cadence could get. Let's just say that the Crystal Empire went through multiple replacement crystal walls to the point they got a discount on them a month, as Shining was always that unlucky, rarely more so. Shining would most likely need a cast laced with diamonds so that Cadence didn't hurt him accidentally while in recovery, if he was unlucky to that point.

Anyway, the group arrived a minute before the chariots did, but said vehicles, if they could be called that, were in visual range.

"So, um, do we do the honor guard stuff, where we for two lines," Tony said, "or just like we are now?"

"Seeing as how we're friends of one of the royals," Hades said, "I believe it does not matter."

"Same," Josh said.

"I could care less," Sawn said.

"And I technically am a royal," Nightmare said.

"That settles it, then," Jacob said. "Still, I think it best if Twi and Rares do the introductions for us."

"Agreed," everyone else said as the chariots landed.

It was Twilight, Rarity, Nightmare, and, with a large look of shock, and possibly anger, who knows, on Cadence's face, Shining Armor. It was Shining who spoke up first. "Hey, Cadence," he said nervously.

"Explain. Now." Shining sighed and, after getting Pinkie promises from everypony but Cadence that they would listen, and, in Cadence's case, not assault him, he went to his changeling form, and began to explain. At the end of where he had gotten with Twilight and the other, Cadence said, "You know, Shining, you could have said something before the wedding. You forget I'm the alicorn of love."

Shining facehoofed upon getting it, to the chuckles of the others, while Luna walked up to Nightmare. "Nightmare."

"Luna." Both mares of the night, and not in the hooker sense of the word, stood, eyeing each other, Nightmare having her helmet, that of an ODST in her magic and by her side. "I am surprised you are not trying to kill me."

"Not like I can," Luna said. "If I tried, then Twilight Sparkle and Rarity Belle would most likely try to do the same to me, as well as your fellows."

"No, they wouldn't," Nightmare said, chuckling. "At worst, they would cut off your horn, and give you to a group of Sawn's friends. And you do not want that."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Luna, neither of us are the same as the last me, for lack of a better term, met," Nightmare said. "Personally, I think we could at least try to get over our history with one another, and at least become ponies who can stand one another."

"Agreed," Luna said. "But only because you had a part in returning two of the Elements."

"Agreed," Nightmare said.

Twilight walked up to Celestia. "The Griffons are out of here, princess," Twilight said.

"That is good, Twilight," the solar alicorn said. "So, are you going to introduce us to your other friends?"

"Yeah," the lavender alicorn said. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Diamondback Squad. Diamondback, everyone else."

"Pleasure to meet you all," Jacob said, with the others speaking some variation of it.

"And a pleasure to meet you all," Celestia said. "And you all have my thanks for ensuring that Twilight and Rarity are okay."

"It was our honor, Highness," Ruso said. "I imagine you all wish to know the next part of the story?" Multiple nods from the four Elements, one dragon, and five royals.

"Then I'll start it off," Twilight said. "After all, that is what takes place first, chronologically speaking."

Covenant CCS battle cruiser Faithful Servant- in orbit above Forerunner world Erde-Tyrene; AKA: Earth, October 20, 2552

It has been two years since Twilight had met with Ruso, Hades, and Sawn, and th efour of them were in a Phantom, a type 52 variant, as humans would come to call it, preparing to go the a human city to assist the forces there already. "I can't believe we're at the human homeworld," Twilight, wearing her armor, said, preparing her Storm Rifle and dual Needlers.

"Same," Sawn said. "But I'm more surprised this is the human home world, given we have such a small fleet. The one for that last world was larger, and, we still took casualties. They could easily destroy the fleet."

"Agreed," Hades said.

"Say what you will about the humans," Ruso said, "but even I will admit they have become much more ferocious fighters than they were since the start of the war."

"Then I guess we had better be careful," Twilight said. "Along with the four of them in the Phantom were six Unggoy, three other Kig-yar, and two other Sangheili. "Is everyone ready," Twilight shouted to the others.

"Aye," they all replied.

"In that case," Twilight said before activating her radio, "Pilot, are we clear to leave?"

"Aye, Highness."

"Then take us down to the planet."

"As you command." With that, the Phantom took off as everyone in the troop compartment finished their weapon checks. About ten minutes later, with the ship shaking from explosions outside, the ship touched down, and the compartment doors opened, and everyone rushed out. One of the Sangheili, with Ultra armor, lead the three other Kig-yar away from the landing site, while the other, wearing Zealot armor, lead the Unggoy into a building in front of the landing zone.

Ruso, Hades, Sawn, and Twilight went to the left of the landing site, into an alleyway, the sounds of human rifles and plasma artillery evident in the air. "All troops, be warned," a Sangheili said over the battlenet. "A demon has been sighted. If seen, engage and kill."

"I suppose that was to be expected," Hades said. "If there were any demons left, they would have them here, trying to defend their home world."

"Then we should probably be more careful," Twilight said. "Engage from a distance."

"Agreed," Sawn said. "Do you think you can make us invisible as well?"

"Easily," Twilight said before she lit her horn, and each had an aura the same color of her magic, which rendered them all invisible to any but each other.

"Yeah, it took me a while to get that spell perfected," Twilight said. "But, when I did, it helped us a lot."

"That it did," Sawn said. "Especially that night.

"Oh yeah," Josh said. "And if you all are wondering, this is an exo suit that is, essentially, a walking tank, which is a vehicle of destruction."

"Cool," Rainbow and Spike said.

"Anyway, back to the story," Twilight said.

A few minutes after they had landed, Twilight's group was in a building as the Covenant ship over the city, the one the Prophet of Regret was in, went into slipspace. "I wonder why he left," Twilight said.

"It is not for us to question," Ruso said. "But I admit, it is curious."

"I'm simply curious as to where the demon is," Hades said

"So long a she isn't near us, I am happy," Sawn said. "We should continue moving, so that a human patrol does not find us."

"Agreed," Twilight said. "Even with us being invisible, some of them do have enhanced HUDs that would let them see us."

"Then let us continue," Ruso said.

A few minutes later, they all heard something over the battlenet, something that was a surprise to all of them. "All Sangheili, the Jiralhanae have betrayed us on the planet. Kill the traitors, and give no mercy. Any who fight with them are traitors." As soon as it was over, Ruso pointed his rifle at Hades.

"Explain, Hades."

"I did not know of this, Ruso," Hades replied. "If I had, I would have killed you, and tried to kill the others, while that message was going, if not tell you as soon as we had split up from the other groups."

"Ruso, he's right," Twilight said. "And besides, we've been together for the better part of two years. We know he wouldn't betray us, or the Sangheili."

Ruso stared at Hades, who didn't have his weapon, a Spiker, raised. After ten, long seconds, he said, "You are correct, Twilight," before lowering his rifle. "Then what do we do now?"

"I would say find someplace to hide out," Sawn said. "And I know this will hurt your pride, Ruso, but I think we have a better chance at survival right now if we find a group of humans."

"As much as I hate to admit, I was thinking the same," Ruso said. "But the humans will kill us before we get a chance to say anything."

"Then we should find a place to hide, and wait until we can get out of this city, and find a human transmitter," Sawn said.

"Agreed," Twilight said. "let's move, guys." With that, the group, with still a bit of mistrust from Ruso to Hades, moved into the city, eventually finding a two story building, which they entered. The top floor is where they hid, and it overlooked a single, tiered plaza, which, the noticed had a human drop pod in the center of it, as well as a trio of dead Unggoy.

"I wonder what happened down there," Sawn said.

"Whatever it was," Hades said, looking at a monitor on the wall, "it was enough to force this helmet through the window and embed it into the wall." Indeed, a helmet, with a crack down the middle of it, with the word "Dare" above the visor.

"Don't human helmets have some kind of beacon in them," Sawn asked. "If so, we may be able to wait until one comes, and, if we're lucky, we may be able to convince them we are against the Brutes. Well, most of them."

"Agreed," Twilight said. "Still, I would like to know why the others betrayed the Sangheili."

"As would I," Ruso said. "For now, we should set up positions so we don't get attacked without knowing."

"I'll take the bottom floor, then," Twilight said. "With an invisibility spell, it should be easy."

Sawn nodded. "I'll go after."

"And then I," Ruso said. "Hades-"

"You need not bother saying it, Ruso," Hades said, a hand up in a "hold on" gesture. "I will not take a watch downstairs until you all trust me fully again."

Twilight just rolled her eyes, and made her way downstairs, where she stayed for an hour before Sawn came down, an hour later, he and Ruso swapped, then Twilight, then Sawn, then Ruso. During the last few minutes, two Kig-yar came in, and were swiftly killed with two Energy daggers to their throats. It was after that that Twilight came down again, and, ten minutes later, she heard a door open. "Lower level clear, far as I can tell," a human voice said, to which a voice Twilight didn't think she'd hear again spoke up.

"Copy that, Jacob," Rarity said. "Let's move in. Beacon's coming from inside."

"And with that," Twilight said, "I pass the story over to Rarity."

"Thank you, Twilight," Rarity said. "So, my part starts six hours before that point."

UNSC Marathon class cruiser Say my name- in orbit above New Mombasa- drop bay

Six individuals stood around a square table, which showed a hologram of the city under them, as well as the Covenant carrier over it, the Space Tether, and the drop route, as the mission of this group of ODSTs, along with many other, was to infiltrate the ship, while a seventh slept near his pod.

"The Navy put up a good fight," one of the ODSTs, a male with short cut hair, as well as a small goatee, wearing ODST armor with the standard right plate, a left late with an extended bottom, a backpack with a lever like thing at the top, and shotgun shells strapped to his lower right leg, said.

"'Course they did," a second, this one larger than the others, with mostly standard ODST kit, though with additional ammo holding on his chest plate, colored yellow with a white skull and crossbones, with a military standard buzzcut said. "It's Earth."

"Better late then never," the third, a black man wearing the ODST sniper kit, bald, the accent colors being blue, his right shoulder pad missing, his left being an entirely flat version of the standard one, said in a joking tone, pointing at the large one.

"How 'bout you show some respect, Romeo," the big one said, placing his helmet, which had teeth designs on the bottom, on the table.

"Just saying, Dutch," Romeo said, waving his hand as if in a "Goodbye" way. "They missed one."

"No. They left it for us," Dutch replied.

It was here the yellow lights and the alarm sounded. "Looks like we should head to our pods," a fourth, this one being a quadruped in white and purple ODST armor, modified for her body, her helmet modified for a horn, said as two other people waled into the room.

"You know the music," one, a male with barely regulation hair, but was still able to pull it off, wearing ODST gear that was almost exactly the standard kit, his knife on the right side of his chest, the sharp end facing left. "Time to dance."

"Hello, beautiful," Romeo said, getting a small kick in the ankle from another quadruped, one slightly taller then the other, her armor being a dark shade of purple with accents of black, and exactly the same in form as the other, as the male jumped a bit, and looked at the other, a blonde woman in recon kit, helmet under her left shoulder, hair in a pony tail, and a headset across her forehead.

"Pods," he said in an authoritative tone. "Now," pointing at them all.

"Replacements," Rarity heard the woman ask Buck as the others made their way to the weapon racks, though she didn't get the rest of the conversation.

Mickey was the last to the weapon racks. "What the hell kind of armor was she wearing," he asked Romeo.

"Dunno, Mickey," Romeo said, bumping Mickey in the shoulder. "I wasn't looking at her gear."

"Both you immature," Pawas said. "That sad when Unggoy calls you immature." This got chuckles from Rarity and Nightmare, while Romeo just ignored it.

"Pft. Seriously," he asked Dutch, who had an SMG, with suppressor and holographic scope in hand.

"Well gonna be close quarters," Dutch replied, putting the SMG in a two handed grip.

"Exactly," Romeo said, grabbing a shotgun midlength, and pointed the barrel at Dutch, who pushed it aside.

"Second to last, right next to mine," Buck said, Dare making her way to a pod.

"Cozy," Romeo commented, getting eyerolls from the two mares. "You gonna tell us her name, Gunny," he asked as Buck walked over.

"Ms. Navel Intelligence," Buck said, grabbing the shotgun in Romeo's hand. "Our new boss,"

"Oh brother," Mickey said

"So check your mouths, find your chairs," Buck said, "and get set," he said before giving Romeo a sniper rifle, "for a combat drop." With that, he walked towards his pod.

"What the hell am I suppose dot do with this inside a Covenant ship," Romeo asked, presenting the rifle vertically to Dutch as he walked towards the sleeping member of the team, and tried to hit him with the butt of the rifle, only to be stopped by Rarity's telekinesis.

"Go to your pod, Romeo," she said. "I'll wake him up."

"If you say so," Romeo said, making his way to his pod.

Rarity used her magic to shake Jacob, and wake him up. "Jacob, wake up," she said. "Almost time to drop."

Jacob, wearing standard kit, shook his head to clear his eyes, and then stood up to stretch. "Right," he said as Dutch came over, second SMG in hand.

"Interesting team you brought with you," Jacob," he said, handing Jacob the second SMG.

"I try," Jacob said, taking the SMG, and putting it in his pod's weapon holder and sitting down. "See you guys planet side, assuming we all make it."

"We will," Pawas said, going to his pod, which was just a smaller ODST pod. "These have gravity drives."

"Noted," Jaocb said as Pawas, Rarity, and Nightmare entered their uniquely made pods, the main doors closing on each, and strapping in.

The pods turned around to the left, doing a one eighty, the doors to the troop bay closing.

Dare came on over the right screen in the pod for Alpha nine, Buck the left. "Latest intel reports Covenant troops are massing beneath the carrier," Dare said over the radio.

"They're pulling back," Buck asked in slight surprise. "Why?"

"We're not going to find out way up here," Dare said as her helmet and Bucks gained their color, Buck's a sky blue, Dare's gold.

"Troopers," Buck said over the radio to the squad. "We are green- and very, very mean!" It was here that the pods in front of the squad began to detach from the ship, a countdown happening in Jacob's pod as it got closer. When it hit zero, his pod, as well as the rest of the squad's, was launched out, and Jacob was thrown up a little, he would have hit the roof if he hadn't strapped in, and the New Mombasa Space Tether could be seen from his pod's window as he dropped, as well as a single UNSC frigate.

"I take it back," Romeo said over the radio as Jacob passed said ship. "Navy got its butt kicked."

"Hey, Romeo, remember when I told you to shut your mouth," Buck asked.

"Yeah?"

"Consider that a standing order."

As Jacob passed into a cloud bank, Buck said, "Captain? Fifteen klicks off the deck."

"Stand by to adjust trajectory," Dare said. "On my mark."

"What did she just say," Dutch asked over the radio.

"Mark!" The pods of Alpha nine adjusted their trajectory, turning slightly to the right.

"We're way off course," Mickey shouted.

"We're heading exactly where i need to go," Dare said in response.

"But we're gonna miss the carrier," the ODST said as the shields to said carrier shimmered, starting from the front, making their way to the back.

"Radiation," Dutch shouted.

"Covenant just set off a nuke," Mickey asked in shock as an orb of energy appeared in front of the Covenant ship

"No," Dare said, the orb growing larger. "The carriers going to jump!" As the ship entered it, Dare yelled, "It's a slipspace rupture! You need to-", just as the ship finished it's transition.

"EMP," Dutch shouted. "Losing power!"

"Stabilize then pop your chutes," Buck yelled. "We're going in hard!" That last part came out as another pod slammed into the front of Jacobs, sending him in a spin, making Jacob have to hold onto a handle to keep the door from being ripped open, the pod spinning faster and faster, until Jacob blacked out.

The mouths of those that hadn't been in New Mombasa then only stared wide eyed and slack jawed at Jacob. "How- how did you survive?"

"Grave generators use little energy," Pawas said. "Human improvements also allow for small storage capabilities, which allowed Jacob to survive hard fall, as well as base ODST training, plus luck."

"Yeah," Jacob said. "Anyway, I was out of it for six hours. When I came to, the city center was occupied."

"And we were there to make sure he was okay," Rarity added. "Though it took us a while to get there, not to mention just getting there."

Rarity was awake when her pod hit the ground, building, whatever it was she had hit, and her head jerked down from the force. The grav fields just made sure she would survive, not that her neck wouldn't be sore. She shook off the disorientation, and activated her radio. ""Alpha nine, this is Private First Class Belle. Is anyone receiving?"

"I am," Nightmare replied. "Either the others are having radio problems, or they're dead."

"Agreed," Rarity said, using her magic to activate the release bolts on the main door. "Where are you?"

"I don't know," Nightmare replied. "If I had to guess, I'd say some kind of apartment building. My pod crashed through a few buildings, smoke coming from the hole due to a few fires."

"Right," Rarity said, looking around, seeing she was on a rooftop, before her eyes settled on a nearby smoke column, of which there were actually few. "I think I see it. I'm on my way, and if I find the others, I'll bring them."

"Copy that. I'll be waiting."

With that, Rarity grabbed her weapons, her Assault Rifle with the custom skin, and an SMG, and used her magic to hover herself down to the ground. When she touched down, she scanned the immediate area, not finding anything, but seeing one of the lockdown doors, the lights green, indicating it could be opened, so she made her way there. But as soon as she reached it, the lights turned red, and a voice said, "Wrong way. Turn around. Beware of traffic." The voice was male, and robotic.

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Stupid system," she mumbled, turning around and following the street signs. A she followed them, she came across multiple dead civilians and marines alike, but few covenant bodies. Eventually, she came across another lockdown door, though this one opened automatically, and closed as Rarity passed through it. She proceeded to follow the road until she came across a small skirmish between a small group of Jackals and someone behind a car.

She flanked the six of the three Jackals, and thus had a clear shot with her Rifle, so she took aim, and fired at the spines of them. Two of them fell before they could do anything. The last, out of reflex, jumped around, only to get hit in the back by a Plasma Pistol shot. "Die, you filthy Jackals," a familiar voice said.

"Pawas, that you?"

A familiar Grunt head popped out from behind the car. "Rarity," Pawas said. "That you?"

"Yeah, it is," Rarity said. "What happened to you?"

"Well, my pod was sent off course, and me land near here in plaza thing. Made way here, where I encountered Jackals. What about you?"

"Same, only I landed on a building, and was able to get in contact with Nightmare. I was on my way there when I ran into you," Rarity said, walking up to Pawas. "You okay, physically speaking?"

"Yep yep."

Rarity nodded. "Then let's go," she said, and the two continued the march to where Nightmare was, following the road as they did so.

About thirty minutes later, the two came across a hotel building that did indeed have a large hole in it. "Nightmare, I think I'm here, and I picked Pawas up along the way," Rarity said over the radio.

"Took you long enough," Nightmare replied as she walked into sight of the two, on the edge of the hole. Nightmare had a Battle Rifle and Magnum pistol. She teleported down to them, after which she said, "Any idea where the others are?"

"None," Rarity said, shaking her head. "Only thing to note, really, was that the first lockdown gate I went to was closed by the city systems. True, it led me to Pawas, but still. It's a little weird, in my opinion."

Nightmare sighed. "Nothing's ever simple, is it?"

"Apparently not," Rarity said. "Think we should look for the others?"

"Yeah," Nightmare said. "I just hope we find them alive."

"Me agree," Pawas said.

"And for the better part of six hours, all the three of us did was go around the city, looking for Jacob and the others of the squad," Rarity said. "We found a few Coveanant squads, each led by Brutes, as well as something that was rarely encountered before, something called an Engineer by the UNSC, and Huragok by the Covenant. They're essentially biological computers. Unfortunately, most of them exploded." At this, the ponies gasped, or, in Flutterhsy's case, fainted.

"Uh, can someone wake Fluttershy up," Twilight asked.

"On it," Spike said before gently shaking Fluttershy.

Flutterhsy came back slowly, rubbing her head as she did so.

"Okay then," Rarity said. "You alright, Fluttershy?"

"Yes," Fluttershy said. "It's just- why would they want to harm those they were with?"

"Because much of my race is deserving of the name humans gave us," Hades said, his arms crossed. "They told the Huragok that humans would use them to destroy Forerunner machines, and Huragok have an obsession with ensuring machines are made properly. Those I once thought my brothers told the Huragok that suicide harnesses would prevent that from happening."

"Oh," Fluttershy said softly.

"Yeah, it wasn't pleasant," Rarity said. "Anyway, five and half hours after the drop was when something happened."

Nightmare, Rarity, and Pawas, each now having scavenged Covenant weapons, were walking through the darkened streets of New Mombasa. They hadn't found anyone else, but, for some reason, various signs along the roads changed as they neared them, and they couldn't tell if it was the Covenant messing with them, or if it was something else. "Hey, guys, wait up," Rarity said, examining a wall, hoof to her chin. "Odd. Those look familiar," she said, but there was nothing on the wall.

"What do you mean," Nightmare asked, walking up to Rarity.

"Activate the VISR, Nightmare," Rarity replied. "You'll see what I mean."

"If you say so," Nightmare said before activating her VISR, and what she saw surprised her. "Are those-"

"Spell glyphs? Yeah, they are," Rarity said. "Most of those I recognize from the times Twilight had me sit through a magic lesson. Can't believe they're actually useful right now."(1)

"So, can you read them," Nightmare asked.

"For the most part, yes," Rarity said, looking at the glyphs. "Okay, this one says 'change', this one 'two'. Two changes, maybe? But this one says 'form', the one next to it being 'communication'. Weird."

"Indeed it is," Nightmare said. "What do you think it does?"

Rarity sighed. "Only one way to find out," she said, lighting her horn as she stared at the four glyphs, before a light the same color of her magic enveloped the caster, with enough light to cause Nightmare and Pawas to avert their eyes. When the light faded, well, let's just say it wasn't expected. When the light faded, and where Rarity once stood, now stood a female human ODST with the same colored armor, as well as Rarity's custom Assault Rifle.

"Rarity," Nightmare asked.

"Yeah, it's me," Rarity said, looking over her new form. "Can't say I expected this to happen. I figured it'd just be a simple appearance changing spell, not this. You want to learn it, Nightmare?"

"Later," Nightmare replied. "For now, we should probably finish following those signs. Have to be leading somewhere important."

Rarity nodded. "Right," she said. "Let me try something first, though." Before Nightmare or Pawas could ask what, a flash slightly dimmer than the first, and when it faded, pony Rarity was there again. "Quicker than I thought," she said. "Okay, let's go."

The looks were priceless. That's all Twilight and Rarity could think as they laughed at the stupefied expressions on the others. "You all should see your faces," Twilight was able to get out.

"B-but Twilight's the magical prodigy," Sweetie said.

"So," Rarity said once the two calmed down. "Just because my cutie mark was in fashion doesn't mean I can't be good at magic."

"'Was'," Celestia asked.

"Yeah," Twilight said. "We actually found out after New Mombasa that, if a ponies personality changes enough, the cutie mark changes, too."(2)

"Indeed," Rarity said. "Mine changed from the three diamonds to a shield with two katanas over it."

"And mine became two energy swords crossed over one another," Twilight said.

"But cutie marks are supposed to be set in stone," Applejack said.

"Well, to be fair, nothing like what happened to Twilight and Rarity has happened before," Rainbow said. "Which reminds me. Hey, Rares, can you show us what you look like as a human?"

"But of course," Rarity said before casting the spell, she had, still to the shock of the others, made herself, the same blinding light happening. When it faded, human Rarity stood there, though with her helmet under her shoulder. Her skin was a tan one, her hair the same color, with the same curls, though it went to her neck. "So, what do you think?" No verbal answer was needed. The wing boners on Rainbow's wings, and, I am not kidding, Celestia and Luna's, as well, to the chuckles of Nightmare, Rarity, and Twilight. "I'll take that as good."

"Anyway," Jacob said, chuckling, before continuing the story.

Pawas, Nightmare, and Rarity stood just in front and below a drop pod with an unopened hatch. The various street signs, ones that had actually shown them routes to avoid combat, and thus conserve ammo, had led them here. "Has to be Jacob's pod," Rarity said. "Or at least someone's."

"Really," Nightmare asked in a surprised manner. "I didn't guess that."

"Oh, shove it," Rarity said, lighting her horn. "Now come on, and help me get the thing down."

Nightmare chuckled. "On it," she said, adding her magic to the effort, and a mix of the two unicorn auras appeared around the pod, which was promptly pulled form the building it had embedded itself in, and then carefully set on the ground in front of an abandoned car.

Pawas knelt to one side of it, and punched in a safe release code, another feature he had come up with for situations like this, where the pod was on its back, and a bolt detonation being potentially dangerous, as this simply made the hatch swing open to the side. As the last digit was input, a small hissing sound was heard before the hatch swung open, revealing an alive, but currently unconscious, Jacob.

"I got this," Nightmare said, charging her horn before firing a small beam of magic at Jacob's head, which caused Jacob to jerk straight up.

"The fuck," he yelled in a pant.

"Nightmare spell," Rarity asked.

"Yep," Nightmare replied. "You alright, Jacob?"

"Barely," he said. "After that fucking mind rape, that is. Otherwise, perfect. Any idea where we are?"

"I would guess the city center," Rarity said. "The three of us downloaded a map of the city earlier, or at least parts of it, including here. City's entirely occupied, and we haven't gotten word from the others, yet."

"Then I guess we should get a move on, see if we can find anything," Jacob said before a ding could be heard. The group of four turned, and one of the signs said, "Keep left," with an arrow pointing in said direction.

"City Superintendent," Nightmare said. "When I heard we'd be over Mombasa, I decided to play it safe and do a little research on it. I imagine it wants to help."

"Then I say we take it," Jacob said. "Come on."

"From there, we followed a beacon on Rarity's HUD, and made our way to an intersection that was being held by Brute forces," Jacob said, "and into a building that led to a small, grassy area, where I used my suppressed pistol to kill a few Grunts."

"Which was just before we met up," Rarity said.

"Hostiles eliminated," Jacob said over radio in a whisper. "I see only one door unlocked."

"Copy that," Rarity said. "Get into breaching position. Jacob, care to take point?"

"Not at all," he said, getting his weapons ready by putting a fresh clip in each. He walke dup to the door as Pawas, Nightmare, and Rarity took positions up at the sides, his SMG close to his body and held one handed in his right, his left pressing the open button before going to the two handed grip, and sweeping the first floor area. "Lower level clear, far as I can tell," he said.

"Copy that, Jacob," Rarity replied. "Let's move in. Beacon's coming from inside."

With that, the group moved inside, Jacob in the lead, followed by Rarity, then Pawas, and finally Nightmare. Jacob had reached the stairs and was going up them when a voice that both Nightmare and Rarity recognized spoke up, one they didn't expect to hear, here of all places. "Rarity?"

The sudden voice made both Jacob and Pawas stop and rescan the area, but Rarity said, "Stand down, guys. It's an old friend. Right, Twilight?"

As the last syllable left the unicorn's mouth, the air shimmered a little near the other exit, opposite the side Rarity and the others had come in, before a third pony wearing Covenant armor, easy to tell with the style, colored lavender, dark purple, and fuchsia. "Hey, Rarity," Twilight said, keeping her helmet on. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm trying to find the rest of my squad so we can get out of here." It was here Rarity noticed just how Twilight's armor was. "Twilight, why are you wearing Covenant armor?"

"Because they were helping me find you," Twilight replied, before eyeing Jacob. "Why are you with a human, Rarity?"

"Because he got me off a planet the Covenant were destroying," Rarity said. "And why are you here?"

"Because the Brutes betrayed every Sangheili in the city, and we, meaning myself and those I'm with, thought it would be best for our survival to ally with humans at least until the Brutes were destroyed. We picked up on a beacon, and decided to wait here for a UNSC squad to arrive. You all, in this case." Twilight then noticed Nightmare. "Who's the other pony?"

"Pinkie promise not to shoot," Rarity asked.

"Pinkie Promise."

"Nightmare," Rarity said before Twilight teleported in front of Nightmare, and began to, or try to, beat the mare into unconsciousness, as Nightmare was bale to block the attacks, and Twilight hadn't exactly promised to hurt or kill, just shoot. "Twilight, calm down! She's helped me a lot."

"What," Twilight asked, shocked, stopping her assault.

"I'll explain later," Rarity said, "but it all happened a year ago what made her physical, I mean."

"Fine," Twilight said. "What's with the Unggoy?"

"Just a Grunt I helped out," Rarity said. "And the last one's name is Jacob."

"Noted," Twilight said.

"You're one of Rarity's friends," Jacob asked.

"Yeah," Twilight said. "Princess Twilight Sparkle.

"Well, quick warning, I don't follow the Covenant command structure, so as long as you're Covenant, I don't give a shit if you're a princess."

"Me either," Pawas said.

"I think that's enough, everyone," Rarity said. "So, Twilight, you said you and those with you want to get out of the city?"

"Yeah," Twilight replied. "Why?"

"We're following traces of our squad," Jacob said. "May lead us to a way out of here."

"So, an uneasy alliance," Twilight asked.

"Looks like it," Rarity said.

Twilight sighed. "Then I guess I'll lead you all upstairs. That's where the others are, so long as you don't try to harm them."

"Long as they don't try to harm us," Jacob said.

"Fair enough," Twilight said. "Follow me." With that, Twilight teleported to the stair case, in front of Jacob, making him jump slightly, and led the group of four to the top. "Come on."

Twilight led them up to the to floor without incident, as any potential scavengers had been killed on the entry floor. "Don't fire, guys," Twilight said to her companions, still hid from the other's sight. "Allies. For now, at least," she said as they entered a large room with a broken screen. "The beacon's coming from what's embedded in the screen," she said to Jacob as her companions came out of a side room. Rarity, Nightmare, and the other two raised their weapons, though that was out of habit, and also playing it safe.

"Coffin worms," Ruso said in the Covenant language. "Better than the standard ones." He then noticed Rarity and Nightmare, and shifted to English. "Princess, is that-"

"The friend I was looking for when I met you, Ruso, yeah," Twilight said before turning to Jacob and the others. "And don't worry about Hades. He's with me."

"And Hades is who," Jacob asked, going over to the screen and picking up the helmet.

"Me," Hades said, crossing his arms

"Huh," Rarity said. "A Brute with green fur. That's new."

"I'm surprised you aren't saying disgusting, Rarity," Twilight said.

"Well, I'm not stupid enough to piss a Brute off in close quarters," she said. "And besides, one of my old squad mates, as well as Jacob's, gave me a second and logical opinion on it."

"I'll keep that in mind with the next argument we have," Twilight said.

"Assuming we get out of here," Nightmare said. "Anything with the helmet, Jacob?"

"Yeah," he said, placing it on the floor. "Belonged to the last minute captain of the squad."

"The one who came in with Buck," Rarity asked.

"That's the one," Jacob said, going to the window. "And I'll bet that's her pod down there, too. Door open, far as I can tell, and no body. Must have gotten away, seeing as how the Covenant don't do anything to human dead except eat them." The last part had a glare directed at Hades, who simply shrugged.

"He is not wrong, much as I wish my people weren't like that," Hades said.

"My people are like that too, Hades," Sawn said. "Which brings me to the point we're all wondering about: who is going to be the leader of this odd group until we get out of this city?"

"I nominate Jacob," Rarity said .to which Pawas and Nightmare supported.

"I nominate Twilight," Sawn said, seconded by Hades and Ruso.

Jacob and Twilight looked at each other. "Looks like we're the deciders," Jacob said.

"That it does," Twilight said. "Which I think deserves this: we lead our own groups separately, while something that effects the whole group is something we both must agree on. Because if just one of us takes the lead, it could lead to one half leaving for some reason."

"Agreed," Jacob said. "So question is now, what do we do?"

"I say we follow the signs," Nightmare said. "They helped lead us here, and lead us to you. Might lead us to the others."

"Agreed," Jacob said. "What about you," he asked looking at Twilight.

"Are you sure we can trust an A.I.," Ruso asked Twilight.

Twilight thought for a few seconds before sighing. "It's a human A.I., so if Rarity trusts it, I trust it," she said. "I agree with Jacob. For now."

"Then I guess we should get moving," Jacob said. "We got a map of the area in our helmet systems, so one of us will need to take point."

"Then who do you suggest," Twilight asked.

"Rarity or Nightmare, seeing as how they would be able to put a shield around us in a fire fight."

"If your worried about being in a fire fight, I would be able to prevent it," Twilight siad, lighting her custom invisibility spell, though both Jacob and Pawas looked confused.

"Uh, what that do," Pawas asked in confusion.

"It's a special invisibility spell," Twilight said. "Makes everyone it's cast on invisible to everything except those it isn't cast on, and anything with access to electromagnetic and infrared sensors. Or Hunters. I still have no idea how they see."

"Same here," Jacob said. "So, time to move?"

"Far as I can tell," Twilight agreed. "And, due to his eyesight in the night, I think Sawn should be on point. His helmet also allows him to zoom with most weapons, and automatically adjusts for light."

"If that's true, then I agree," Jacob said.

"Then follow me," Sawn said, swinging his carbine around into a two handed grip, but before he got to the stairs, he said, "I hear something below, probably a Brute, along with Unggoy," saying the last part in confusion.

"But that makes no sense," Hades said. "Unggoy may be cowardly, but are loyal, for the most part. There is only one thing that would make them follow a traitor when they have numbers, and that's-" he stopped.

"Orders from a Prophet," Ruso said. "And one very high up in the council. And there is only one I know of with enough power and has favored the Brutes. Truth."

"A high Prophet ordered this," Hades asked in a quiet snarl. "We must alert the rest of the council."

"Useless," Ruso said. "So if one Prophet knows, then the other two hierarchs most certainly do, or at least one, and so long as two think this is the correct path, which it most certainly isn't, there is nothing we can do. Not with the Covenant."

"Then what do you suggest," Hades asked.

"When we kill the Brute in this building and those with him, I will tell you," Ruso said, drawing his sword, but not yet igniting it. "Sawn where are they?"

"Bottom floor," Sawn said.

"Too bad I don't have a shotgun," Jacob said. "Make quick work of their armor."

"Then it's a good thing you have us, then, human," Hades said.

"Then I say we get to work," Jacob said.

"Agreed," Sawn said. "Hades, care to take the lead?"

Hades grinned as be brought out his Spiker. "Not at all," he said, sliding past Sawn and taking the lead, which the others followed. Upon reaching the bottom floor, they saw a small group of ten Grunts being led by Brute major in electric blue armor.

"What are you whelps doing," he asked in the trademarked deep voice all Brutes had. "We came here to find out what happened to that outpost that went dark, not sleep!"

"But commander, we tired," a grunt said.

"I don't care," the commander barked. "Get back to work before I decide to eat all of you! NOW!"

As soon as the commander yelled, Hades took aim with his Spiker, and fired it at said Brute, catching him by surprise, and stopping him from moving just long enough for Hades to remove the armor, which was, to Hade's surprise, followed up quickly by a headshot from Jacob. The grunts were quickly killed by Ruso's sword, Hade's Spiker, in both ways it can be used, and headshots from those carrying headshot weapons, I.E.: Magnum and Carbine. "That was quick," Jacob said.

"That's obvious," Twilight said. "So, where's that next beacon at?"

"Near ONI Alpha site," Jacob said. "If the police force and any UNSC forces with them were able to complete anything, the place is blown to hell, most likely, but we still might get an idea as to where one of my squadmates went." Here, a robotic voice came on.

"Attention, traveler. Details on missing persons can be found at-," here it sounded like an audio clip was cut in, as the voice sounded deeper, close to an African accent, "ONI Alpha site."

"I guess that settles it," Twilight said. "Sawn, point. Rarity, would you mind giving us directions?"

"Not at all, Twilight," Rarity said, and, with that, the group left the building.

"And, for a few hours, that's how it was," Jacob said. "We would look for clues to everyone's whereabouts. For the most part, Twilight's spell hid us from everything. First was Alpha, where I found a detonator, as well as a destroyed building, and I figured that Micky, the demolition expert, had a hand in it. Our next stop was the HQ of the New Mombasa Police department, though we didn't get in, but we did find a sniper rifle that had been bent by a gravity hammer. After that, the nearest train station, Kikowani. The gates in were sealed, but we found a biofoam canister."

"And what is this 'biofoam'," Luna asked.

"A medical object that acts as a seal and bandage for some wounds," Twilight asked. "I kinda went a little crazy when I was able to examine it."

"That's an understatement, Twilight," Rarity said.

"Hey, Rares," Rainbow said, "you never said if you taught Twilight that spell."

"Oh, she did," Twilight said before her horn lit and a bright light occurring. When it faded, there stood a woman the same height as Celestia with dark brown skin, a round face with sharp features, with familiar hair, and wearing a human version of Elite Ranger armor. "Though I only rarely used it," Twilight said in her new form. "I kinda liked my pony form, and I felt that taking a human shape would put a kind of rift between me, Ruso, Hades, and Sawn."

"Yeah, but can we know what happened next," Rainbow asked.

"Sure," Jacob said.

Jacob had the biofoam canister in his hand. He shook it to see if there was any left, and a light sloshing sound could be heard. He held the nozzle over his left hand, and pressed the button to send some of it out by releasing air in the canister, with only a little coming out. When none came out, he looked at it, and tossed it to the ground.

"Can anyone hear me," a voice said over the radio, which got the attention of everyone, including Twilight and the former Covenant with her, as they had been patched into the frequency Alpha nine used for ease, and made Jacob reach for the button on his helmet's left side to try and hear it better."This is Captain Veronica Dare! My beacon is active-need immediate assistance! Someone, please respond!" At the last part, they all looked up to see a Covenant phantom activate its floodlight, and go off to the northwest of their current location.

"What do we do," Rarity asked.

"We help," Jacob said, bringing his SMG to bear as he looked in the direction the Phantom had gone.

"Agreed," Twilight said. "Let's go."

"I'll take point," Jacob said, and there were no arguments here. The group of eight fought through small groups of Covenant before reaching the beacon location, which is when they were blocked by a small pack of Brutes, a Chieftain with a gravity hammer in charge. "Fuck me," Jacob said. "Take 'em down," he said to Rarity, Nightmare, and Pawas, who opened fire on the Brutes, leaving the Chieftain for Twilight's group, who was able to quickly remove the armor.

"Hades, take him down," Twilight said, to which he replied by dropping his weapon, and roaring the the Chieftain before charging him, grabbing a brick off the road as he did so, which he then slammed into the Chieftain's throat upon reaching him as the Chieftain tried to strike him down, but missed, and the brick broke the spine, which made him fall to the ground, dead. Hades then reached down, and took the hammer. He looked at where those that had come with the Chieftain were, to see them dead.

"Area clear," Jacob said before looking at the doors. "Looks like we're heading down," he said before pressing a button, which opened the doors to an elevator tube. "Okay, then," he said. "Any one who is light and has hands will climb, while Nightmare, Rarity, and Twilight, if you guys are willing, will help the others down as well as use levitation to go down."

"I'm up for it," Rarity said.

"Same," Nightmare agreed.

"If it'll help," Twilight said.

"Right," Jacob said. "Pawas, Sawn, we're climbing down," he said before taking a few steps back, and then running forward and jumping when he hit the threshold, grabbing hold of the elevator cable. When he was out of sight, Pawas fallowed, then Sawn, with the ponis levitating Ruso and Hades down.

When what felt like hours, but was just ten minutes, passed, Jacob was close enough to the bottom to drop down. He cleared the rope for Pawas to come down behind him, then Sawn, with Ruso and Hades, with the taken gravity hammer on his back, being set down by the ponies as they levitated down. Once the last one was down, Dare came on over the radio, saying, "They've got us cornered! We're low on ammo! If you can hear me, we're on sub-level nine, near station t-" That's where it cut off in static.

"Two levels down," Hades said, looking at a part of the wall that said "Sub-level seven". "They most likely have troops between here and there."

"Who do you think those others are," Ruso asked.

"Might be the rest of our squad," Jacob said. "Doubtful anyone else could be down there with her."

"She'll probably shoot us on sight," Sawn said, bringing his Carbine around. "In honesty, I am surprised you haven't tried, human."

"Hey, I may hate the Covenant, but that's in general," Jacob said. "Besides, whether we like it or not, we're squadmates right now, and I don't shoot them in the back, or at all, unless they give me a personal reason, and far as I know, none of you have killed my friends or family."

"Enough talk, everyone," Rarity said. "Let's go."

"Right," they all said, and they made their way.

Along the way, they came across a dead NMPD officer's body, there being claw marks all over his body, with Drone bodies nearby. "This does not make things easier," Jacob said. "I hate Drones."

"And if there are this many," Ruso said, "then we most likely have a hive to deal with, since we are underground."

"Greaaat," Jacob said sarcastically. "Come on, we should move so they don't find us." From there, they dropped down another sub-level and killed more Brutes and their forces before dropping down to sub-level nine. Their destination was at the end of a long hall with a few turns.

With the others covering his six, Jacob walked up to a large door with a red light, indicating it was locked. "Captain? It's me, Lance Corporal Hardin of Alpha nine. I got your distress call, and made my way here with a few. . . friendlies I found along the way, so please don't shoot."

There were a few seconds before Dare replied, "How do I know the Brutes aren't using you to get in here?"

Jacob rolled his eyes, but knew where she was coming from. "Rares, you mind helping me out here?"

"There aren't any hostiles out here, Captain," she said. "I can assure you of that."

A few more seconds of silence. "Do you swear there are no hostiles out there?"

"Do you know of the promise my old squad did with Rarity sometimes, Ma'am?"

"No, I- wait, what," Dare said, making it clear she wasn't the only one in there. "Then why didn't you say so, get up here." There was the sound of shuffling feet.

"Jacob, Rares, that you?"

"Josh," Jacob said, surprised. "Yeah it's me, and I pinkie promise that there are no hostiles out here, only friendlies."

"Right," Josh said from the other side. "We're good, Captain. It's a sort of promise from Rarity's home world that, and I quote here, unbreakable promise, and you do not want to make the one who made it mad"."

"I'll take your word for it, Sergeant," Dare said. "Okay, Corporal. Opening the door."

With that, the door opened, and, to be expected, Dare brought her weapon up upon seeing Ruso and the others. "Whoawhoawhoawhoa," Jacob said, taking Dare's arm and pointing the gun to the ceiling. "They're with us, Ma'am," he said. "Long story short, the Brutes and the rest of the Covenant, far as I can tell, betrayed the Elites. The one here is an exception, and the leader of the group is, and I swear I'm not joking, a princess and one of Private Belle's friends. Twilight, Rares, back me up here."

"He isn't wrong, Captain," Rarity said. "Also, hey Josh."

"Hey, Rares," Josh said. "The others are further in the room, by the way."

"Right. And this would be Twilight."

"Hi," Josh said.

"Hello," Twilight replied in a deadpan. "And he is right, Captain. The Covenant betrayed us, and we want revenge, even if it means joining with the UNSC."

Twilight and Dare stared at one another for a few seconds, and it was a tense few seconds. "Fine," Dare said, "but if they turn on us, it's your head."

"Fair enough," Jacob said, releasing Dare's arm. "Can we come in?"

"Sure, but get in here quickly. Sergeant, tell the rest of your squad we have guests they know," Dare said.

"Ma'am," Josh said. With that, the group came into a two portioned room that overlooked what Jacob guessed to be the data center for the city Superintendent.

"So, Captain," Jacob asked once everyone was in and the door closed, "what's going on?"

"If you're asking why the Drones are very active," Dare said, "it's because some idiots blew up ONI Alpha, which is at the top the this shaft. That woke up the entire bugger hive." She then looked out the window. "As for that? That's the Superintendent, the A.I. that runs the city. ,y mission- Alpha nine's mission- was to secure its data. One problem, though."

"We must go through the Yanme'e hive," Ruso said.

"I don't trust you, you know," Dare said to him.

"And I could care less," Ruso said. "But the point remains that if you wish to complete your mission, human, you will need help."

"He's right, Ma'am," Jacob said. "We had to fight a shitload of buggers just to get down here, and, well, it's my honest opinion that it was a miracle we got down here. And besides, Twilight apparently came up with a spell that's able to hide those affected form everything except whatever Hunters use to see."

"And it works?"

"Yep," Jacob replied. "Just to test it, I stepped in front of an Grunt, and taunted him. No response. It works."

"I guess we'll use that, then," Dare said. "Talk with Miller if you want, seeing as how you two know each other. We leave in ten."

"Understood," Jacob said. "Hey Rares, want to talk with Josh?"

"Sure," Rarity said. "Nightmare, Twilight, want to?"

"I don't see why not," Nightmare said.

"If Rarity's friends with them, I guess they can't be that bad," Twilight said.

"Then come on," Jacob said, and the group of four made their way to where Josh was, along with three other familiar faces.

"Long time no see, Rares," Tony said. "Jacob."

"Tony," Jacob and Rarity said in surprise, before seeing the other two. "Patrick, Bishop? What are you guys doing here?"

"We got shipped here a week ago, and were posted by ONI to guard that damned thing," Tony said, hooking a thumb to the A.I. core. "Only reason we're alive right now is because only a few would know of the tunnels, if I had to guess. And that's human."

"Good to see you guys again," Bishop said. "But who are the two new ponies?"

"Nightmare, who is, I'm not kidding, an entity who possessed Rarity a few years before she met us, and is the other one in ODST armor," Jacob said. "The one in Covenant armor is Twilight, one of Rarity's friends who came searching for her, but found the Elite who came in with us instead."

"Yeah, care to explain that," Patrick asked.

"Twilight, you know more than I do," Jacob said. "Care to explain?"

Under her helmet, Twilight rolled her eyes. "The leaders of the Covenant, the three high Prophets, or at least two of them, ordered the Brutes to kill the Sangheili. Only reason Hades, the Jiralhanae, is with us is because he didn't know anything about it."

"Well," Josh said. "The Elites are going to be pissed."

"On that, we can agree," Twilight said.

"So, uh, Twilight, why do you have a horn and wings," Bishop asked.

"I'm an alicorn," Twilight said, "which equates to princess."

"Oh, great," Josh said. "There's another one, now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just that we have another lazy ruler out there who let's her subjects face all the danger when they easily could, only actually doing something when there's no other choice," Josh said. "And before you ask, that's my opinion on what Rarity's told us of the other princesses."

"To which you aren't wrong," Nightmare and Rarity said before Rarity added, "At least with the UNSC, the leaders are at the back because it's their job, and they know every thing needs a plan. Celestia just lets us fight with out a plan if it came to war. The most direction she gave Twilight and me was the Canterlot invasion."

Twilight sighed. "Agreed. In all honesty, in laziness of rule, I think the princesses are worse than the Prophets. Of what I've heard, the Prophets do actually lead, or at least Regret does."

From there, the group continued to talk for the remainder of the time until Dare said, "Okay, people, time to move out!"

"Looks like we'll have to wait for the rest of the reunion," Jacob said.

"Unfortunately," Rarity said. "Twilight can you do the invisibility spell on a group this large?"

"Easily," Twilight said, lighting her horn before a lavender wave of energy washed over the room.

"What was that," Dare asked.

"Us going invisible," Jacob said. "Lead the way, Ma'am."

"If you say so," Dare said, and the group left the room, entering the area where the hive structure could be seen. With the invisibility spell going, they simply needed to make sure they didn't make a loud noise, make physical contact with the Drones, or otherwise disturb them, and, having accomplished that, made it through with ease.

"My target's in there," Dare said once they were on the core, pointing to a group of Brutes firing on the main door.

"Kill the traitor," one yelled as he fired his Spiker at the door.

"You think it's another Brute that didn't follow orders," Jacob asked Hades.

"Unlikely," Hades said. "My kind has what you humans call a pack mentality, and only a few of my kind are not in a pack, myself as an example, and those in a pack almost always follow the Alpha. If not, then they battle the Alpha, and one of two things happen, the challenger dies, or becomes the new leader."

"So kill them," Josh asked.

"That would be best," Hades agreed.

"Then take them down," Dare said as Ruso ignited his blade, and ran to one of the Brutes and cut his head off and Hades grabbed the hammer he took on the surface, and pulped another's head, which left two, one of which Twilight supercombined, another dying by a plasma grenade thrown by Pawas.

"Area cleared," Jacob said.

"Hardin, with me," Dare said. "Everyone else, out here."

"Ma'am," Jacob said as the two of them made their way to the entrance. After making it past what Jacob guessed was the scanner room, the two made it into the central area. "It's okay," Dare said in a calming tone, like a mother to a scared child. Jacob heard, to his surprise and confusion, a farting noise was heard before a blue tentacle appeared.

Oh, god, please don't let this turn into a hentai tentacle movie, Jacob thought as what the tentacle was connected to came into view. "Huh," he said. "An Engineer."

"How do you know what it is," Dare asked.

"Saw a few over the night, and Twilight told us what they were," Jacob said.

"Well, anyway, ONI's been following this one for a while, and it was supposed to be our mission to retrieve it. Given how skilled they are with any kind of tech and how long it's been, this one probably assimilated the A.I.'s data, which means-"

"We bring it with us," Jacob finished. "You need the data it has."

"Exactly," Dare said. "And given a subroutine of the A.I. was called 'Vergil'," I think it's appropriate to be called that."

The Engineer signed, and an armor attachment, a translator that Twilight had improved while at the ONI Alpha site bridge remains that had every Covenant language, including Engineer. <Actually, human, my name is Quick to Adjust.>(3)

"Actually, Ma'am," Jacob said, "he says his name is Quick to Adjust."

"I'm not even going to ask," Dare said before a voice came on form a camera screen.

"Veronica!"

"Buck," Dare said in surprise as she went to a camera screen to see Buck covered in Drone blood, his Assault rifle in hand. "Whta are you doing here?"

"I came to look for you," Buck replied. "Where are you?"

"Superintendent core," Dare said. "We're coming out. Don't fire at anything that doesn't fire at you." She also was looking at a screen that showed jumper Brutes coming down the main shaft.

"Why?"

"Just don't," Dare said before she said to Jacob, "Let's go."

"Right," Jacob said. On the way out, with Quick behind them, he asked, "Ma'am, for the rest of the mission, requesting permission to lead Sergeant Miller and his squad."

"Why?"

"Because we were the same squad that found Private Belle, Ma'am, and know how the others fights. I was the leader at the time. They'll follow me."

"If you think you're able to, I don't see why not," Dare said as they exited. "Diamondback, Hardin's your squad leader by virtue of field promotion to Sergeant Major."

"Yes, Ma'am," Diamondback said.

"And I think for communication purposes, if you'll agree, Twilight, I think for the time being, your group is to be Heretic Squad," Jacob said.

"Fair enough, I suppose," Hades said.

"Agreed," Twilight said.

"Then let's go," Dare said, and the group began to make their way to Buck, killing the Brutes and their reinforcements along the way, easily eliminating a Chieftain. It was Dare who made it to Buck first. "Good to see you, Buck."

"You too, Veronica," Buck said. "Care to explain why Covenant are with you?"

"Rogue," Dare replied. "Now come on, we need to get out of here."

"If you say so," Buck said. "Rookie," he said, nodding to Jacob as they got moving.

"Buck," Jacob said. "So, did you find the others?"

"Other than you, Rarity, Nightmare, and Pawas," he replied. "Doesn't look like that's the case right now, though."

"Kinda figured that one out. Oh, and by the way, the Captain gave me a field promotion and put me in charge of the marine squad."

"Noted," Buck said.

From there, the large group fought through Drones and Brute forces before making it to a service elevator that barely held them all.

buck then took his helmet off as Dare walked up to him. "Look, Veronica-" he said before Dare socked him.

"That's for leaving," she said.

"I didn't think you were alive until a while ago," Buck said before Dare grabbed him, and kissed him.

"That's for coming back," she said as the kiss ended.

"Yeah, um, did you forget about us," Tony said in a deadpan.

"Oh, uh, right," Buck said in embarrassment. "Well, we should probably get moving," he said as the elevator stopped. The doors opened, Buck put his helmet back on, and the group walked out.

"There," Dare said, pointing to a city garbage truck. "We'll use that to get the Engineer out of the city."

"What about the rest of us," Josh asked.

"I'm seeing a 'Hog three of us can ride in," Jacob said.

"I guess I could use my magic on any Ghosts we find to allow you guys to hijack them," Twilight said. "Would still need a way for you guys to keep up."

"We could ride on the top of that truck," Bishop said.

"I guess that'll have to do for now," Jacob said. "And I call driving the 'Hog. Who's going to be gunner and passenger."

"I'll turret," Buck said as he went over to the 'Hog and got on the turret.

"Then I guess I will be riding," Sawn said. "I'm able to hit targets with ease while moving at fast speeds, after all," he said, going to the passenger seat, and settling in.

"Then I guess it's time to gear up," Jacob said as he entered the driver's seat and turned the 'Hog on, Quick opened the main hatch on the truck for he and Dare o get in, and the others laying down on the top to reduce their profile, but still allow them to fire. There was a traffic door blocking their way, but Quick opened it. Soon a sit was large enough for the truck, Jacob said, "Time to hit it," before sending the Warthog flying forward, the truck not far behind.

As soon as they were out, the group was instantly targeted by ground forces, as well as a few Ghosts. "Twilight!"

"On it," Twilight said, using her magic to hold two Ghosts in position. "Ruso, Hades!"

"Right," both said before leaping off the truck and onto the Ghosts, which Twilight had pulled closer, and punched the drive rout before taking the seat, which was when Twilight let the vehicles go. With a single Warthog and two Ghosts, the group was able to blow through the resistance ahead, either just skipping a group, or utterly demolishing them, and it was like this until a second highway door was in front. Once all four vehicles had passed through, Quick sent a signal to the one behind them to close, but held off on the one on front.

"Guys, I'm seeing a Scorpion and another 'Hog," Jacob told the others. "Wouldn't hurt to have the extra firepower."

"Copy that," Josh said as he and the other human members of Diamondback got off the truck. Josh made his way to the Scorpion, while Patrick, Bishop, and Tony went to the Warthog, Tony the driver, Bishop beside him in the passenger seat, and Patrick the gunner, this one a Gauss variant. "Could use a gunner," Josh said.

"Me on it," Pawas said before Rarity lowered him to the ground and he made his way to the turret on the Scorpion. "Ready," he said as he got into the gunner spot.

"Right," Jacob said. "You three good," he asked the ponies on the truck.

"Yep," Rarity said.

"Then let's go," Jacob said. "Quick, open the doors," he said. "And Captain, if you don't mind, I'm going to get some music playing for the mood."

"Long as you keep focused on the objective," Dare said.

"Copy that," Jacob said.

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Once the doors were fully open, hell itself was unleashed on the Covenant forces on the other end. The two Warthogs and Ghosts, sped through them, causing them to divide their attention, as the Scorpion fired on large groups or watch towers with the main gun, and individuals with the chain gun.

This chaos allowed the truck containing Dare and Quick to pass with little actual damage, as Quick had put shields around it, as the ponies picked off anything the vehicles missed, or covering the back of the Scorpion and sighting targets for it.

"Banshees," Twilight yelled as the group passed the second of the gates after getting the new vehicles.

"Copy," Josh said, turning the main gun on the wing of five Banshees. "Targets sighted. Firing," he said before firing a shot off, which thundered around the area, and the single shell hit the lead Banshee, causing it to explode.

Same," Patrick said, turning the Gauss turret and firing off a shot at the rear right, for them, Banshee, hitting and killing the pilot. The last three then split and boosted towards them, firing their plasma cannons at the vehicles.

"Fuck you," Josh said, firing off another shell, and destroying another Banshee, the main body crashing behind the Scorpion as they continued forward.

"Firing," Buck said, turning the machine gun turret to face one of the air vehicles, unleashing a barrage of armor piercing rounds on the flier, which promptly dropped as the pilot was killed by the barrage.

"Gotcha," Patrick said before killing the last one with a Gauss shot. "Targets down."

"Copy that," Rarity said. "Ground forces to the North."

"Understood," the vehicle drivers and gunners said, preparing to fire.

"Veronica, we need to get off this road," Buck said to Dare over the radio.

"Agreed," Dare said, scanning the road from inside her vehicle. "There. Second turn off past the ground forces. That'll take us to the Uplift hotel. We can hold out there."

"You heard her, people," Jacob said. "Blow through these assholes, and turn off at the second ramp."

"I'll radio the others," Buck said. "Mickey, you read?"

"Yeah, Gunny," the ODST replied over the radio "What's up?"

"Get ready for an extraction, Uplift hotel," Buck said. "And only fire on targets outside it, or Hunters, unless I say so, got it?"

"Yeah, but can I ask why?"

"We have Rogue Covenant with us as allies," Buck said. "And I found Jacob and the others, they'll be there."

"Copy that," Mickey replied. "En route now," he said as the group hit the turn off ramp.

"We need to abandon the vehicles," Dare said as she climbed out of the truck due to blockers in the way.

"Eh, the Scorpion turret was almost out, anyway," Josh said, deactivating the Scorpion and getting out as Pawas exited the gunner position.

"Same with the Gauss," Patrick said as his Warthog was abandoned.

"And this one," Buck said as he climbed off the Machine gun turret and Jacob and Sawn got out of the vehicle.

"Then we had best move," Hades said as he and Ruso got out of the vehicles, the Ghosts falling to the ground.

"Agreed," Jacob said.

"Let's move, people," Dare said, Quick behind her, and the group made their way to the Uplift hotel plaza and entry area.

"We just need to hold out until Mickey and the others get here," Buck said. "Maybe ten minutes."

"I think we can hold out that long," Jacob said. "Okay, whoever's got medium to long range weapons like the BR and Carbine, take position at the entry way to the hotel. Everyone else, spread out so they can't hit us all with a single grenade. Twilight, is there any way you can increase the strength of Quick's shields for us so we can be further away from him but still be protected?"

"I think so, yeah," Twilight said.

"Then stick with him," Jacob said. "Quick, stay behind those at the doors, make sure the Covenant can't hit you."

<If you wish.> With that, Quick turned, and made his way into the hotel, Twilight close behind.

"Okay, get ready, people," Buck said. From there, the group settled into position, with Sawn, Tony, and Bishop at the doors, the Jackal using a Carbine, the marines using Battle Rifles, everyone else spreading around the plaza, creating a kill zone in the middle where every field of fire overlapped. Just a minute after they got settled in, the first Phantom arrived, this one carrying Grunts, most likely so to have them waste ammo, a failed attempt, as the Marksmen were the ones to fire at them, firing off head shots, effectively killing all in less than ten seconds, and the three reloaded their weapons. The second Phantom arrived thirty seconds later, this one carrying a mix of Grunts and Jackals. The Grunts were taken care of in the same way as the last group, while Jacob, Josh, Rarity, and Nightmare killed the Jackals from behind with SMG fire.

After that was the third and fourth Phantoms at once, delivering Brutes leading Jackals and Grunts. The latter two were killed like the last groups, while the Brutes took longer due to their armor, but the combined fire of the group killed each in a minute. After that was the fifth and sixth at the same time, and this is the one that took the longest. The fifth one deployed a group of Brutes led by a Chieftain, while the sixth had one gold Hunter, one blue. "Shit," Jacob said. "Marksmen, open fire on the Brutes, specifically the Chieftain," he said over the radio. "Everyone else, distract the Hunters until the Brutes are dead."

No reply verbally, but the Carbine and BR fire on the Brutes showed they had heard, while those spread around the courtyard fired on the Hunters, if only to distract them.

Jacob was firing at the blue one as it turned to face him, and it began to run his way. Aw, fuck. The Hunter charged him, shrugging off the bullets flying towards it, and tried to slice Jacob in half with its shield, but Jacob was fast enough to roll under the Hunter as it tried to hit him. Jacob primed a plasma grenade he had picked up while underground, and threw it at the Hunter's unprotected back, the orb sticking to the worms underneath, causing the Hunter to roar in pain before the grenade exploded and vaporized enough worms for it to lose cohesion, and fall apart. "Fucker." With that, Jacob looked at the gold one, and saw it was taking fire from every angle, making it a wonder it was still intact, though not for not much longer, as it soon fell apart.

"Hostiles cleared," Bishop said over the radio. "Nice kill, Jacob."

"Thanks," Jacob said. "Buck, how long until the others get here?"

"Should be right about now," he said before pointing to an approaching Phantom that had three yellow arrows pointing down appearing on the ODST HUDs. "There."

Jacob nodded, then activated his radio. "Twilight, we're good. Bring Quick out. Evac's here."

"Right."

"Everyone ready, Gunny," Mickey asked over the radio as the ship settled in above the plaza.

"Far as I can tell," Buck said as Dutch came down the gravity life.

"You sure we're good," he asked.

"Long as we don't piss 'em off," Buck said before they all ducked as a Covenant cruiser came out of slipspace, and began to charge its ventral beam.

"Shit," Jacob said. "Everybody! Phantom! NOW!"

The others rushed to the Phantom, and went up the gravity lift, but Quick stopped, frightened. "Come on, Damn it," Dare said, gripping the front two tentacles. "Move!" She tried to pull Quick to the Phantom, but he stayed where he was.

"Aw, nuts," Buck said before he began to push Quick from behind towards the Phantom, Dare going the grav lift first, her feet going up, and Quick was eventually pushed into it, and both went up. Dutch looked at Buck. "What can I say," Buck said, picking a piece of Drone wing off his armor and crushing it. "It was a hell of a night." With that, Jacob, Dutch, and Buck boarded the Phantom, and it flew off over the water to escape the Covenant ships, just as the one that had arrived fired its ventral beam into the city.

On the Phantom, everyone was ready if they were to be pursued. Buck, his helmet on, walked over to where Romeo was, and waved for some help from Jacob. He went over, and the two pulled him off the turret he was manning. "Pawas, take the gun," Jacob said as the two carried Romeo, a gash in his chest, into the main body.

"On it," Pawas said, taking Romeo's position.

"Easy does it," Buck said as the two lowered Romeo to the floor, the ODST grunting in pain, and Buck took Romeo's helmet off.

"We went through hell for that," he asked in a raspy voice, pointing to Dare and Quick.

"Give him some meds, would 'ya," Buck said to Jacob.

"On it," Jacob said as he reached for a syringe that had painkillers in the vial.

"It's important," Buck said. "It knows things."

"Heck, Gunny," Romeo said as Jacob injected him. "I wasn't talking about the alien." With that, Romeo fell asleep, the meds quickly kicking in, along with exhaustion.

"Mickey? I'm sending you a very special copilot," Buck said.

"Aw, come on! I don't want a Covenant in here," Mickey exclaimed.

"It won't bite," Buck said. "And unlike you," he said, Quick hovering past him, "it knows what to tell those cruisers to keep 'em off our tail."

"I do not think that's an issue," Hades said, looking out one of the ports. "Look."

Those in the troop compartment all looked out the hatch, and saw the Covenant ships beginning to glass the city. "Looks like they found what they were looking for," Dare said.

"What about you," Buck asked her as he walked up beside her and she looked at him. "What about us?"

Dare took Buck's hand in her own before replying, "Win this war. . . then ask me that again," before the hatches closed, sealing Alpha nine, Diamondback, and Heretic into the Phantom as it made its way away from the soon to be destroyed city, and all the dead within.

ONI orbital facility-one month later

The survivors of New Mombasa, each of them, human and not, stood in a room where Quick was analyzing a UNSC drone. "Still can't believe we ended up on the same planet," Rarity said to Twilight, both having their helmets off, revealing their cut manes.

"You and me both," Twilight said. "Still, we ended up at the same place, didn't we?"

"Yes, I suppose we did," Rarity replied. "Probably a good thing I knew Admiral Hood so I could convince him to give you and the others supervised access when we made it to Cairo, huh?"

"And the fact the rest of the Sangheili split from the Covenant," Twilight said. "And that an old friend of mine was with the arriving forces."

"You mean Urd," Rarity asked. The former Minister of Fairness had left with the Sangheili, he had always been a supporter of the Sangheili, and had barely escaped in time. So far, he had seen Twilight only once since the split. Most of the time, he was with Hood and Thel Vadam, the Arbiter, discussing the strength of Truth's forces. "I'll admit I was a little surprised you had a friend high up in the Covenant, Twilight."

"Like I was surprised to learn you had discovered a new spell?"

"Hey, I showed it to you."

Twilight giggled. "I'm kidding, Rarity," she said as the doors opened, and Dare, along with an man with black skin, a marine cap on his head, and a light goatee, which got looks from everyone.

"It has access to the Covenant Battlenet," the man asked.

"Limited, but yes," Dare said as the man looked at something in his hand. "We're not entirely sure how it manages a remote connection to the w-" she stopped as the man threw something, a lighter, Rarity realized, at Quick, who caught it, but not before Jacob tried to catch it.

"Whoa, stand down," Buck said. "Stand down!"

"Sergeant Major, please," Dare said as she and the man walked over to Quick. "It's extremely flammable!"

The man put his hand son his hips as he looked at Quick and said, "The Brutes. The bastards who put bombs on your buddies and killed millions of my people," an unlit cigar in hand. He sat down on a crate in front of Quick. "They're digging a mighty big hole," he said before placing the cigar in his mouth. "You're gonna tell me exactly what they're looking for. And then you're gonna help me stop 'em." At this, Quick brought the lighter up, the top open and alight. He offered it to the man, who leaned forward, and out the tip of his cigar into the flame, puffing as he did so. After a few seconds, he pulled away, and brought the cigar out of his mouth, and looked at it as Quick flicked the top shut.

Voi Pt1- The Storm

"And that was how we reunited," Twilight, still in her human form said. "For the most part, only a few things of interest happened after that, really."

"Well, before you proceed," Luna said, "I am curious: you say those glyphs were from those Engineers, which you said are Forerunner, but Rarity said during the part where Nightmare came back that they had no knowledge of our people. It does not make any sense."

"Yeah, we kinda thought that too," Rarity, also still in her human form, said. "We figure that Resolution didn't have access to files related to our kind. Clearance, and everything like that."

"So, what happened next," Rainbow asked.

"Well, it was just a little after the last part with New Mombasa. The only UNSC base in East Africa, the continent that New Mombasa was in, had been attacked by Truth, the last prophet," Twilight said, "and most forces had been scattered, but were able to rendevous for an assault on a city that had been taken by the Covenant, called Voi."

"Why attack that town," Spike asked.

"Because the humans were attempting to destroy a Forerunner ," Ruso said. "The reason being that the ship would activate a Forerunner portal that would lead to a location known as the Ark, which would activate all Halo rings in the galaxy, which would kill every sentient being in the galaxy. Those on the Ark, however, would be safe, as it was outside the galaxy."

"Why would some one make weapons like that," Celestia asked, shocked.

"That, we'll get to later," Rarity said. "For now, the actual mission."

It has been a week since Diamondback, now with Jacob, Pawas, Nightmare, and Rarity, and Heretic squad were on the ONI orbital facility. Both groups had been re-tasked by Admiral Hood himself earlier that day to assist the UNSC forces assaulting the town of Voi, and the two squads were with the main force, which was tasked with wiping out the air defenses in a portion of the town to open a hole for UNSC ships. The same one with the legendary Spartan-117 in it.

"I can't believe we're with the last Spartan," Rarity said, the two squads in the back two troop 'Hogs.

"You and me both, Rares," Jacob, the one driving the lead 'Hog of the two. "Still, that means I'd hate to be Truth's forces."

"Ooh-rah to that," Josh, in the passenger seat of this particular 'Hog.

"Let's just hope they don't decide to glass this place just to stop us," Bishop said.

"They won't," Pawas said. "They no care for individuals, true, but they simply need to waste our time to activate portal."

"Great," Tony, the last in this 'Hog, said. "So a lot of ammo wasting here, then?"

"Probably," Patrick, the one driving the last 'Hog, said over the radio.

"Does it matter," Twilight asked over the radio. "We go in, open a hole for air, and hopefully kill Truth."

"Agreed," Ruso said.

"Can it, people," Jacob said. "We're here." He stopped the 'Hog, then climbed out as those in front did the same, the exception being the Chain Gun 'Hog in front, which would provide support inside the warehouse the group would enter. The others got out as well, the two 'Hogs carrying the squads being directly behind the one carrying 117.

"Form up, Diamondback," Jacob, wearing the normal marine armor now, said. "Take up support positions!"

"Same for us, Heretic," Twilight said.

"Aye," Ruso said.

"Door opening," a marine ahead of them yelled. "Get ready!"

"Way to blow our element of surprise, dumbass," Josh muttered, doing one last check with his Assault Rifle. The door opened slowly, and the Covenant forces in the first room, somehow, hadn't heard the marine, and assumed the door opening was more of their fellows entering, which allowed them to get the upper hand.

With the chain gun support and the Spartan, they entered, though there was no resistance, but the second door was closed. "Chief," the leader of the group said. "Open the door, then we can roll through."

"Sir," Chief said before he went to the back of the room and up a set of stairs and onto a cat walk, which led to the next room. From the sound of gunfire and plasma shots, it was an easy guess there were hostiles in that room. Eventually, a beeping was heard, and the door opened.

"Move in, marines," the marine leader said, and the group moved in, the Warthog giving support fire. With all the fire on them, the small contingent of Jackals and Grunts died quickly.

"Opening second door," Josh said, going over to a second terminal, the door opening, this one revealing a larger group of Covenant, albeit with only Grunts and Brutes, who were taken down quickly as well.

At the end of the corridor, with a door that led to the first area with anti-air Wraiths, there were two Ghosts. "Ruso, Hades, get on them," Twilight said.

"Right," the two former Covenant soldiers said before getting on the vehicles, Bishop opening the door, revealing the former lake bed. Once it was open fully, the Warthog and two Ghosts rushed out.

"Ruso, Hades, take out the hostile Ghosts," Twilight said over the radio. "Jacob, can you get us there," she asked, pointing to a building a little further down that looked to be on what used to be a dock.

"Can't you just teleport there?"

"No," Twilight said, shaking her head. "At least, not with out getting shot at first."

"Fair enough," Jacob said. "Diamondback, support Heretic!"

"Copy," Diamondback said in reply, and the two squads began to push to the dock building, so that Sawn would have a sniper position.

The fight to get there was not that long, the only issue being a few Brute Captains, one having a Brute shot, bu they were quickly taken down. "Setting up," Sawn said, pulling out his Carbine, and scanning the former lake bed. "You guys may want to stay up here so they don't shoot me."

"Copy that," Jacob said.

"Uh, guys," Bishop said, looking at the next door area. "We got a mortar Wraith."

"Long as it isn't looking here," Josh said.

"I doubt we need to worry about it," Jacob said. "Spartan's going after it."

"Then let's give him some covering fire," Josh said, scoping his Battle rifle, his secondary, and shooting at the Wraith gunner, killing it with nine bullets and a head shot. This allowed the Chief to climb onto the Wraith and plant a plasma grenade on the main hatch before jumping off, the grenade detonating shortly after and destroying the tank.

"Area clear. Move up," the Marine Leader said, and the survivors, them being the Chief, Diamondback, Heretic, with Hades and Ruso still in the Ghosts, the leader, and two other marines.

"I got the door," Tony said as he went to the button to open the next door. "Get ready, people."

The door opened, and all hell broke loose, as this group of Covenant was much more prepared for them, and the three marines fell quickly, leaving Heretic, Chief, and Diamondback. "Chieftain," Patrick said, the armored Brute coming down the steps, plasma cannon in hand.

"He's mine," Hades said before boosting his Ghost to ram the Chieftain, which he hoped off before it impacted on the Chieftain, which only injured him.

"Focus fire," Jacob said, and Diamondback fired everything they could while avoiding the plasma cannon shots. The armor on the Brute was able to take a lot of fire, but even he eventually fell. The next room, though it had no Chieftain, was more of a challenge due to the amount of Drones. "FUCK YOU!" Jacob yelled, firing his rifle into the horde. When each of them were dead, and Jacob's rifle barrel was smoking, he saw the others were beside him and reloading.

"You know, we still don't know why you hate Drones," Rarity said.

"I'll tell you when we win this fight," Jacob said. With that, the group moved up through the tunnel, which was free of hostiles, and made their way to a room with five mongoose courier vehicles, along with a single weapon rack with two Spnkr launchers with two crates of spare rockets. The Chief got on one, along with Josh, Tony, Bishop, and Patrick, while Marines who had been in the room, each with a launcher got on the back, the others taking weapons off the dead Covenant from the last two rooms.

"Door opening," Jacob said, opening the door. Once it was fully open, those on the scout vehicles rushed out first, those on foot following after.

"We have two Anti-Air Wraiths," Hades said.

"They should be able to take them down," Jacob said. "We just need to make sure the morons on foot don't nail them."

"Right," Sawn said. From there, the two squads, even if they acted like one, took care of any on foot hostile, Ruso providing support to those on the vehicles with his somehow still intact Ghost, which allowed those with launchers to take out the tanks with ease.

Once the last of the two tanks fell, a man came over the radio, saying, "All forces in the vicinity of Sierra 117, there is a Scarab inbound on your position. Repeat, a Scarab is inbound."

"Fuck," Rarity muttered. "Baseball trick," she asked the others, more accurately Hades and Jacob, who nodded.

"Diamondback," Jaocb said over the radio, "we're doing Baseball. Make sure no one fires at the back of the thing."

"On it," Josh replied over the radio just as the first leg of the Scorpion came into view, and Rarity, Twilight, Hades, and Jacob got ready.

The vehicle had come down, the four legs on the former lake bed, and with it, Rarity grabbed Hades and Jacob, who stood next to her, in her magic and lifted them up before throwing them at Twilight. The four had practiced this multiple times, and was meant to take out a Scarab, but this would be the first time they did it in actual combat situations.

Basically, it was Rarity using her magic to fling Hades and Jacob or Ruso, the latter depending on who was available, towards Twilight, and would sling them around her as if she was a star, and them the planets, which would give them enough momentum to get on the Scarab while surprising its defenders.

It worked quite well, as both of them were launched onto the lower floor, Hades firing a Brute shot he picked up at the Grunts manning the lower turrets, which cleared the way for him and Jacob to land. They made their way to the main reactor on the back, Hades using his Brute Shot to remove brute armor while Jacob delivered head shots to them and the Grunts not killed by the splash damage. Once they made it to the reactor, Hades fired off enough shots to bring the shield on the reactor down, with Jacob planting a plasma grenade on it before both jumped off the platform, Twilight and Nightmare using their magic to catch them while Rarity put a shield up to protect them from the blast.

Once the Scarab exploded, a pelican came down on the area above the lake bed, and it dropped off three Sangheili. Diamondback and Heretic, along with the Chief, made their way up to the next door with these three, nd it was here that Twilight and Ruso were reunited with two others.

One had on a blue combat harness, a Carbine in hand, sword hilt on thigh, while the other had on claret colored assault harness, wielding dual plasma rifles and two swords on opposite thighs. The one in combat armor looked in their direction. He got his comrade's attention by tapping him on the shoulder, then gesturing towards Ruso and Twilight before walking over to them. "Ultra Tafam, is that you," N'tho asked. "And you, Princess?"

"N'tho," Twilight asked, surprised as N'tho and Usze. "Usze?"

"Indeed, Highness," Usze said. "I did not expect to see either of you here on Earth. It was then that Usze and N'tho saw Hades and Sawn. "I imagine these two are with you, Highness?"

"They are," Ruso said. "What brings you two to Earth?"

"The Arbiter placed us in his combat group," N'tho said. "We were with him when he and Sergeant Johnson found the Spartan, and he wished to help in this attack."

"Then let us bring glory and honor to our families," Ruso said as the doors to the next area, a full out warehouse. Here was one of the tougher challenges to make it to the anti-air battery, as the large group had to fight through Brutes almost entirely in the warehouse, as well as a pair of Hunters at the very end, along with multiple groups of Brutes and Grunts in the storage area just outside the warehouse. And that was before the uphill battle. This one was tougher, as there was a single Brute Captain with a Fuel Rod cannon, as well as a Grunt on a plasma turret, though he was killed by Patrick with a sniper he picked up before they went up the hill.

Fortunately, though, they were able to kill each hostile, and take the gun down by shooting the core of it, causing it to explode. Both the Arbiter and Chief, with the others behind them, stood at a cliffside that over looked the Forerunner ship the Covenant were using, which stood on a round platform of some kind where Diamondback and Heretic had been but a month ago, the city nothing but ash.

Longswords were heard overhead, and everyone craned their heads to see the fighters, around maybe thirty in all, flying towards the ship, explosions evident by the plumes from the surface of the ship as missiles hammered it as UNSC frigates passed overhead. "All ships," Admiral Lord Hood said over the radio, "fire at will." And the frigates did just that as they unleashed their MAC guns on the ship. The platform the ship was on then lowered, the Forerunner vessel unharmed, whether by its material or shields being unknown as pillars of some kind rose up from the ground, and a radiant, blue beam shot from the vessel into the sky, eventually sending out a wave on energy that sent the USNC ships down, and knocked those on the cliffside onto their backs or rocks behind them. As they got up, Admiral Hood came on over the radio, and large orb of purple and black, the Forerunner ship ascending into it, could be seen in the sky.

"What did Truth just do," he asked after coughing. "Did he activate the rings?"

"No, sir," Miranda Keys replied. "But he certainly did something," she said as the Arbiter, Ruso, N'tho, and Usze roared as the one who had betrayed their kind had escaped their vengeance.

"Evac wounded and regroup," Hood ordered. "Wherever Truth went-"

"Sir," a navy man aboard Hood's ship said. "New contact slipping in!"

Chief looked to his left, the others following, and saw a single Covenant cruiser appear out of slipspace, but it had a molted, almost sickly look to it. As it turned right, pieces could be seen coming off, Arbiter raised his Carbine to it, and Chief readied his weapon, as did the others, Ruso, N'tho, and Usze drawing and igniting their blades. As the ship passed overhead, they saw it was covered in something that only four of them recognized. "What is it," Arbiter asked, hoping it wasn't what he knew it was. "More Brutes?"

"Worse," Chief said.

Voi Pt2-Floodgate

"What was that thing?" Rainbow asked.

"Do you want us to go into detail?" Twilight replied. "Either way, you are not going to like it."

"How about just the important details?" Spike said.

"Prepare to lose your lunch, then," Rarity said. "'That thing' was the Flood, an alien parasite that acts much like a parasite would, feeding on its host. Only in this case, it didn't just feed on them, it changed them on the atomic level, mutating them into something with no semblance of an individual left. It has a Hive mind of sorts, but only the leader of it, the Gravemind, has individuality, and is made up of past victims of the Flood, somewhere in the upper double digits, if not lower triple. Human weapons, to be short and concise, did shit against them, with the exception of a flamethrower and shot gun, as well as Covenant Carbines. Any weapon where what was fired was in the solid state of matter, really, the exception being Needler crystals, as the material they're made of tend to explode after being fired."

"Then how'd you win?" Luna asked, and her face, as well as most of the others, were green from imagining what a flood infected individual looked like.

"Well, let's just say we got lucky," Twilight said.

"The infestation is here," N'tho said. "I thought it was being contained."

"It must have slipped through the fleet's line," Usze said. "Arbiter, we must cut this infection off before it consumes the planet."

"Agreed, and I believe I have an idea as to how," Arbiter said. "We must do what the Spartan did on Halo: destroy the ship's drive core."

"Arbiter, we would have to fight our way through the infection," Ruso said. "It is possible we may not make it."

"Since when did you Sangheili care about caution," Sawn said. "Especially when you could gain much honor for this."

"Sawn, there are a few of us who would prefer to live," Ruso retorted.

"Agreed," Arbiter said, "but if we are to detonate the ship core, we must fight through the Flood."

"Then my blade stands with you, Arbiter," Ruso said, igniting his sword.

"Yeah, if we had swords, same," Jacob said. "Besides, no way in hell are we going to let a fucking disease kill us."

"Then we should probably get going," Rarity said as she used her magic to pick up a dropped plasma rifle.

"Agreed," 117 said. With that, the group made their way down the hill they had fought up to get to the gun. Once they were in the town itself, the first Flood encountered were actually two combat forms leaping from building to building, too far away for their weapons to be effective, as they heard Marines screaming in terror and pain over the radio.

"That. . . does not sound good," Tony said.

"Definitely not," Josh said.

From there, they made it to the open area where a Brute Chieftain had been, and a two marines currently were. One of them saw the group, and waved. "Over here!" That was his last sentence, as it was at that moment a Brute leaped down, and hit him in the back with its right hand, breaking the marine's spine.

"Oh shit," the other marine said, unleashing a full clip of Assault rifle ammo in it, but no damage was done as the former Brute, as it was now obvious something had changed it into a monstrosity of its former self, charged at her, hitting her with its shoulder hard enough to send her flying into a building corner, where her spine broke with a very audible CRACK!. It then howled, which was followed by a horde of small, sickly yellow things that had three things coming from the front, coming from over the building, and towards Jacob, Rarity, Twilight, and the others.

"Kill the Flood," Arbiter said before firing off bursts of super heated gas from his plasma rifle, followed by the other three Sangheili, Sawn, and Pawas firing their plasma weapons or, in Sawn's case, his needler, Twilight firing her Storm rifle, and Rarity and the humans their weapons as more infected Brutes made their way into the area, but, under the combined fire, they were quickly cut down, clearing the way into the building.

"So, can someone explain what exactly the fuck these things are?" Bishop asked.

"An alien parasite that converts a sentient being into a combat form, which are those Brute bodies from earlier," N'tho said. "I would not recommend letting one touch you, human, or you will turn into one of them."

"Noted," she said as the group entered the warehouse, where the front runners, Twilight and Rarity, saw the most horrible thing. (I have no words to truly describe this scene.)

Youtube Video

Just as the mutated marine turned around and charged at the two, Ruso jumped over them, swinging his sword, which sliced through the chest of the infected marine, destroying the infection form that lay there. "And stay in hell," he said as he deactivated the blades.

"That's going to be in my nightmares," Jacob said, to which the rest of Diamondback nodded. "For a few months. Nightmare?"

"I'll see what I can do."

"Then I guess we should move up," Jacob said, and, with that, the group fought their way through the infected warehouse, fighting through Flood, coming across only a few marines, each of which fell to the parasite before they could be reached, and had to be killed. It was just before they exited the warehouse, having killed untold amounts of Flood forms, that those with bullet, or any projectile weapons, really, for plasma weapons, as those were the most effective weapons against the Flood. Once they got out and the lake bed the scarab had been destroyed in, a welcome transmission was heard.

"Hail, humans, and take heed," R'tus 'Vadum, the shipmaster, said over the radio as a Sangheili controlled cruiser came into view. "This is the carrier, Shadow of Intent." As drop pods came from the ship's underbelly, he said, "Clear this sector, while we deal with the Flood."

"'Bout damn time we got some help," Josh said.

"Let's go, Diamondback," Jacob said. "Need to help 'em out."

"Right," Diamondback said.

"Same goes for us, Heretic," Twilight said as Diamondback made their way down to help the newly arrived Sangheili.

"I find it surprising, brother," N'tho said to Usze, "that Ruso was the first of our kind to join the human when he was among the most devout we knew."

"Perhaps being with her highness changed him," Usze replied before the he, N'tho, Arbiter, and Chief followed the two squads down into the area where the Sangheili troops had landed. Once they made it down, and cleared the Flood from the area, Arbiter spoke up.

"Brothers, I fear you bring bad news," he said.

"High Charity has fallen, to the dreaded Flood(1)."

"And the fleet? Is the Flood contained?"

"A single ship broke through our lines, and we gave chase."

"We had a fleet of hundreds," Arbiter exclaimed.

"Alas, brother, the Flood: it has evolved."

"Then we must stop it before it is able to spread," Arbiter said. "Come, my brothers." With that, Arbiter led the newly arrived Sangheili forces back towards the first lake bed, where the ship had crashed, the others following behind. There was even more Flood in the next building, the second that had to be fought through to get to the AA gun, and two of the Sangheili were killed and converted into Combat forms, but were quickly and, some would argue, mercifully killed before they could do any damage, and they made up a small portion of the Flood infected trail of bodies behind the group.

Once they exited, Miranda Keys came over the radio. "Chief? The Elites are looking for something," she said. "We didn't believe them when they told us."

"It's Cortana, Chief," Johnson said over the radio. "She's on that ship. Find her, get her off it." Once they heard that last part, the group came across something that seemed to be pure Flood bio-mass, with two, large back legs and two claws at the front, ending just before the same things Infection forms had at the front of their bodies changed into red, flower like things. But that wasn't the worst part, as there were three of them, and, upon seeing the group, changed into something larger than a Brute, its right arm looking like a club that had a single, edged side, their waist looking as if it was missing parts.

"Flood Tanks," a Sangheili yelled as he drew and ignited his sword, followed by those of his fellows who had one as well. "Go, Spartan," he said to Chief. "Find your companion. We will clear the way, and ensure none follow you."

"So will we, Chief," Jacob said.

"Then let's move," Chief said, and, as the nearest Flood forms, the Tanks took the first shots of this charge, and, under the combined plasma and needler fire, fell quickly, though a single Sangheili was hit by one with enough force to send him flying over the edge of the dock, and into the the abyss. With the three dead, the group made their way through the Flood horde, picking up weapons as needed, which was often, and made their way to the crashed ship, where a breach in the hull provided a way for Chief to get in. Once he was in, it was as if a switch was triggered, and an entire horde of Flood infection, combat, carrier, and all three varieties of pure form attacked, and quickly cut down two more Sangheili, leaving only Arbiter, N'tho, Usze, Diamondback, and Heretic, which would have been overwhelmed, if Rarity, Twilight, and Nightmare hadn't put a shield around them to stop the Flood, for the time being.

"Brother, call for the Phantom," Usze said to N'tho. "We need to leave."

"It's already on the way," N'tho said, pointing to a green Phantom that was flying towards them.

"Highness, will the shield last long enough for it to get here?" Ruso asked Twilight.

"Yeah," she replied, that being only the bit of concentration she could spare, as the Flood was hammering the shield, trying ot get in, and consume those within. A few seconds later, the Phantom pulled overhead.

"Rares, drop the top of the shield," Jacob said.

"You heard him, girls," Rarity said, and a circular hole appeared in the top of the dome, which allowed the Phantom's gravity lift to reach the ground, and, one by one, pick up the group.

"I'll go last," Twilight said. "I should be able to hold it long enough."

"Are you sure?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah, I am," the alicorn said as the last of the Sangheili went up, followed by Hades and Sawn.

"Fine, but not until the others are up."

"I kinda figured that," Twilight said, a small grin on under her helmet.

As Diamondback went up one by one, the Flood seemed to increase the ferocity of their attack, as the shield began to flicker, a sign of it weakening. Once the last biped of Diamondback was on the Phantom, Nightmare made her way to the gravity lift, backing up and keeping magic flowing to the shield, even as she was lifted up. Not that it helped long, as, just as she vanished into the Phantom's hold, a single combat form, a mutated marine was able to reach into the shield with its mutated left arm, and hit Rarity with enough force to crack her visor, leaving a horrible scar on the left side of her face, which crossed over the eye on that side. "Gah!" Rarity yelled in pain as she fell to the ground.

"Rarity!" Twilight exclaimed, fearing for her friend as she saw blood before, with a look of pure anger under her helmet, looked at the flood forms. Now, the Flood were emotionless, yes, but the Gravemind controlled them, and, through them, he felt something he did not think he could feel.

Fear.

Using her magic, Twilight moved Rarity, while also using a spell to stop the bleeding, to the Phantom lift as she dropped the shield, and even the Flood infection forms did not charge. "You. Will. Pay," Twilight said in slow anger as she charged her horn, and unleashed a beam of energy made of pure heat, vaporizing any Flood in its wake, even going through the building, and swept it from side to side, which vaporized the entire horde as if they were molecules of water in a frying pan. "Get the Spartan," she said over the radio to those on the Phantom. "I'll take care of the Flood." With that, she strode into the ship as the Phantom moved over it to where Chief was.

As she walked, Twilight used a spell to cauterize any hint of Flood infection she saw, eliminating entire floors of Flood biomass and sacks that contained infection forms. "Twilight, get out of there and into the Phantom," Jacob said over the radio. "Sangheili cruisers are inbound to glass the place. They'll take care of the Flood."

"But Rarity-"

"Is going to be alright. Okay, not alright, but she'll live, and we can always get a prosthetic eye for her. Besides, she wouldn't want you to die just because you lost your cool. Just keep on the path you're on, you'll come to a large room. We're holding over it."

"I just entered it," Twilight said, and she saw the Phantom overhead, and teleported into it, where she saw Pawas and Sawn checking over Rarity, and something that, now that she thought about it, looked like the Oracles the Prophets went on about, but she wasn't able to think on it as the Phantom flew away from the crashed ship, fast enough to where even the inertial dampers couldn't dampen everything, as Sangheili controlled ships came in, and glassed the city and its surrounding areas.

"That would be how I got this," Rarity said, pointing to her left "eye", as the ponies looked as if they were about to be sick. Or, in Fluttershy's case, throw up a tenth time.

"Maybe we shouldn't have been so graphic," Sawn observed, to which the others could only agree.

Journey

"So, what did you guys do after that?" Spike asked.

"Well, due to the fact we were on the same Phantom as the Arbiter and Sierra-117," Twilight said, "we were in the bridge of the Shadow of Intent with them when it was decided what would happen."

November 27-2552-Shadow of Intent bridge

Diamondback and Heretic were on the edges of the group within the bridge of the former Covenant ship. "Will it live, Oracle?" the Shipmaster, Rtus 'Vdum, said to the Forerunner monitor known as 343 Guilty Spark, who was scanning a Covenant memory storage device that held a UNSC AI. "Can it be saved?"

"Uncertain," Guilty Spark said, his voice having the robotic tone that Resolution said. To be expected. "This storage device has suffered considerable trauma. Its matrices are... highly unstable." Spark then glanced at Shipmaster and Lord Hood.

"Perhaps one of our technicians-" Hood began before being cut off.

"That will not be necessary," 'Vadum sternly said. Here, the memory storage unit lit up, and a blue hologram of a woman, with code and data streaming across her body.

"Chief," she said.

"Success!" Spark exclaimed.

"High Charity, the Prophet's Holy city, is on it's way to Earth. With an army of Flood. I can't tell you everything. It's not safe. The Gravemind... it knows I'm in the system." The hologram flickered, and stalled.

"It's just a message," 117 said as he turned to the Shipmaster.

"Let it play," 'Vadum said.

Spark fired a beam into the unit, and the message continued. "But it doesn't know about the Portal, where it leads. On the other side, there's a solution. A way to stop the Flood, without firing the remaining Halo rings-" the message said before the image of Cortana lit up, and clutched its head as it fell. Softly, it ended, "Hurry, Chief... the Ark... there isn't much time."

"I'm. . . sorry," Spark said.

"No matter, Oracle," 'Vadum said. "We've heard enough. Our fight is through the portal, with the Brutes, and the bastard Truth!" The various Sangheili, Ruso included, roared in agreement.

"Fine," Hood wearily said. "We'll remain here. Hold out as long as we can."

"Did you not here?" 'Vadum said. "Your world is doomed," he said, his chair descending. "A Flood army, a Gravemind," he said, standing up and clenching his right hand, "has set you in its sights. You barely survived a small contamination."

"Hate to see a large one," Jacob muttered.

"And you Shipmaster," Hood angrily said, "just glassed half a continent. Maybe the Flood isn't all I should be worried about."

Just as angrily, 'Vadum retorted with, "One single Flood spore can destroy a species. Were it not for the Arbiter's counsel, I would have glassed your entire planet!"

Hood raised his fist, but before he could do anything, Miranda Keys interrupted. "Sir, with respect," she said, "Cortana has a solution."

"Cortana?" Hood asked. "Did you see her condition? How damaged she is?"

As the two argued, Rarity saw 117 bend down and observe the hologram, frozen where it had stopped, in pain. "She could be corrupted, for all we know," Hood exclaimed. "Her 'solution' could be a Flood Trap!"

"We should go through the portal. Find out for sure," Miranda said.

"What we should do Commander," Hood said, "is understand - clearly - that this is Humanity's final stand - here - at Earth. We go, we risk everything; every last man, woman and child. If we stand our ground, we might just have a chance."

"No," 'Vadum said in a deadpan. "If your construct is wrong, then the Flood has already won."

Here, 117 entered the conversation. "I'll find Cortana's solution," he said, standing up. "And I'll bring it back."

"Earth. . .is all we have left," Hood said. "You trust Cortana that much?"

"Sir. Yes, sir."

Hood sighed. "This is either the best decision you've made or the worst," Hood said. "Hell if it is, Chief? I doubt I'll live long enough to find out." With that, Hood turned and left the bridge, but not before one last glance at the group.

"Well," Twilight said, "that could have been worse."

"Indeed," Hades said. "Come, we need to prepare for the coming fight."

"Agreed," Nightmare said.

From there, the two squads made their way to the hanger, where the Forward Unto Dawn was, along with its entire marine continent.

"The Ark's where the Halos were made, right?" Rarity asked.

"According to legends," Hades confirmed. "And it seems that out fight will end there."

"Which seems quite appropriate," Ruso said. "Where Truth believes the Great Journey will begin, he will meet his end."

"Me never like Truth," Pawas said. "Me hope he die slow and painful."

"You and every human and Sangheili, Pawas," Josh said. "As well as Hades and Sawn."

"And my brother, if he's still alive," Sawn said. "He was in Truth's fleet when it arrived here."

"What's his name?" Nightmare asked.

"Seth," the Kig-yar replied. "He's a scout, and only fought for the Covenant to help our mother. Our society may be matriarchal, but even former shipmistrisses have hard times. He never believed in the Journey."

"Then we can only hope he knows that we're coming," Tony said. "And that you're able to convince him to get out."

Here, a Sangheili came on over the intercom. All warriors, prepare for Slipspace travel. We travel to the Ark!

Interlude-The nobles

In a flash of lavender light, Twilight and the rest of Heretic squad appeared in the castle, with the others a good distance from Twilight. They knew how she was when she was pissed, and she was, without a doubt, pissed.

"So, Twilight," Hades said, "as we wait for the others, could you give us a tour of the city? I believe I speak for us all when I say we don't want to be in here the entire time."

"You sure about that?" Sawn asked. "I mean, of what Twilight's told us, the nobles think anything not that isn't fancy or elegant is a hick!"

"So?" Hades asked. "We've dealt with worse."

"And if they tried to attack us," Ruso said, "we have plasma weapons. They do not."

"No," Twilight said, traces of anger in her voice. "If I wanted the Nobles dead that much, I'd hire some of Sawn's friends." She then sighed. "Still, I have to agree that I don't want to be stuck here until Celestia and the others arrive, and there's a good restaurant nearby, and I know the owner. He's a friend of mine."

"Then what are we waiting on?" Hades asked. "Let's go."

This time, before Twilight could respond, a wisp of green flame came in through a nearby window, and, as it passed in front of Twilight, a scroll appeared from it. "Huh," she said. "Wonder what Spike wrote." She took the scroll in her magic, and opened it. Well, we have some good news," she said. "Looks like some allied Sangheili ships are either inbound or have arrived, so it looks like we'll have help against the Keepers."

"You think Skana is with them?" Sawn asked.

"It wouldn't surprise me," Ruso said. "She always seems to appear where I am ever since we began to allow females into the armed forces."

"Almost how Pinkie seems to show up everywhere," Twilight said. "Good thing Skana doesn't have her energy, or the world would end if they met." This got a chuckle out of the others. "Come on, we don't have all day."

With that, the group of four made their way to the castle exit, with Twilight informing the guards to alert her when Celestia and the others arrived. As they left the castle, the nobles outside looked at each of them with disgust, but put on masks of no emotion as they saw that Twilight was walking with them, but even then, contempt was evident in their looks. They had never liked a fourth princess being made(1), as it reduced their power. Not by much, but these are nobles we're talking about.

Still, they didn't really do anything, for the most part, just glared at them, really. The exception, though, was one of the few nobles that genuinely liked the fact there was a fourth princess and his wife, both of whom saw the four and, though she had her armor on, recognized Twilight.

"Ah, princess Twilight," Fancy Pants said as he and Fleur walked up to the group, making Ruso and Hades tense up. "It's good to see that you're back."

"Thanks, Fancy Pants," Twilight said. "It's good yo see you two again. So, um, sorry I missed that meeting a few years back."

Fleur chuckled. "Oh, it is no issue, princess," she said. "We're sure you had something important to do." She then looked at Ruso and the others. "Friends, or guards?"

"You are taking the fact we are aliens quite well," Ruso observed.

"Ah, yes, well," Fancy said, "if the princess has told you three anything about Equestria, it's that it get threatened by just about anything on a monthly basis. Aliens, though new, aren't exactly terrifying unless they're actually invading, and it stands to reason that since the princess is calm around us, as well as you all, then you aren't invading."

"I've heard worse reasoning," Hades said. "And it doesn't hurt that he's right, for the most part."

An eyebrow raise later, Twilight cut in. "Fringe group helping the griffons," she said. "Another group, which we're friends with, is in Manehattan helping to secure it."

"Well, we wish you and them the best of luck in stopping the griffons, princess," Fancy said, and he and Fleur went on their way.

"They seem nice," Sawn said.

"They are," Twilight said as her group continued to move. "Especially compared to other nobles. Now, come on guys."

From there, the group of four made their way to the restaurant Twilight was leading them to, with Hades and Ruso looking in surprise. "A doughnut shop?" Hades asked. "That is the restaurant you were speaking of?"

"Yep," Twilight said. "Best doughnut shop in Canterlot, maybe even all of Equestria."

"Yes, well," Ruso said, you can have what you want. You know I prefer meat."

"As do I," Hades said.

"Then we'll see ya when we come out," Sawn said. "Let's go, Twilight."

With that, Sawn and Twilight went into the store while Hades and Ruso stayed outside.

Five minutes passed before Ruso felt something hit him in the back of the head. He turned, and saw a small crowd of ponies. "Hades, I believe we have a problem," he said, causing the green furred Jiralhanae to turn around and see the mob.

"Oh joy," Hades muttered.

"Hey, freaks, go back to Tartarus!" one pony yelled.

"Yeah, and don't come back!" another yelled as he picked up a rock in his magic and threw it at Ruso, to little effect due to shields.

The two ex-covenant looked at each other. "May as well have some fun," Hades said.

"I am inclined to agree," Ruso said. "You first, Hades."

Hades chuckled. He then looked at the crowd, and roared, causing most of them to scream, the other few fainting, and run. "That's right!" Hades yelled. "Run!"

Two hours later

"Let me get this straight," Twilight said to Ruso and Hades as the Canterlot fire department tried to put out a plasma fire in an abandoned building behind them. "You decided to just scare nobles because they threw rocks at you?"

Hades shrugged. "We needed something to do. Besides, we could have done worse and ate them."

"Still, you may very well have endangered diplomatic relations between Equestria and the Sangheili and the others!"

"Please," Ruso said. "You said it yourself, Twilight. Most of them don't care so long as they get money, and business from humanity and the rest would give them more."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "You guys are just lucky I used my status to ensure you didn't get punished, as well as that they attacked first." She sighed. "Come on, the guards told me while I was on my way here that Celestia and most of the others are back, with Luna, Spike, and Rainbow staying behind to help Rares and the others. They also said a group of Sangheili arrived with them."

"Who's their leader?" Ruso asked.

"Skana," Twilight said as the group began heading to the castle. "From what I remember of her, she'll be happy to see her younger brother, Ruso."

"May the gods have mercy on my soul."

Interlude-Contact

Twilight, Sawn, Hades, and Ruso made their way back to the castle, the group getting odd looks, to say the least, from the nobles, but most gazes were averted upon seeing the bulk of Hades, or the sharp teeth of Ruso. Subconscious fear of predators, after all. Though there was the odd swoon from the occasional mare, though who it was meant for wasn't known. "You know, I'm kinda wishing we hadn't come here before Celestia and the others," Twilight said. "At least then, we wouldn't be dealing with the annoyances."

"Or possibly face sun butt's rage at destroying a building," Sawn said, getting a look from Twilight. "What? She has a sun on her flank, the pony equivalent of a butt. You tell me you haven't come up with that nickname since we joined with Diamondback."

". . .Touche," Twilight said. "But yeah, that too."

"On the other hand, it was empty," Hades said. "So if they were going to clear it for a new building, we did help."

"And if it was an entirely new one that hadn't been furbished yet?" Twilight asked.

"Then they know to make it more flame resistant in the future," Hades replied with a chuckle, making Twilight groan.

"Hades, I swear. Sometimes I wonder why I don't have you transferred to another squad," she said.

"Because this group wouldn't be anywhere without his charm," Sawn jokingly suggested, getting a chuckle out of the alicorn and Jiralhanae, and a short laugh out of the Sangheili.

"I'd say be cause every group needs a brawny idiot," Ruso suggested, getting another laugh.

"Shut it, guys," Twilight said as the castle gates came into view. "We're here."

"Right," Ruso said as the four were stopped by the guards at the gate.

"Halt!" a unicorn stallion yelled as he and his pegasus companion pointed spears at them, getting a deadpan stare and reply from Twilight.

"You do realize the armor we're wearing is meant to stop small projectiles moving faster than the speed of sound, or survive contact with parts of a sun, right?" Twilight asked. "And even if you are that idiotic, then how about you ask Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence, along with those who arrived with them. In which case, we'd be able to sneak in while you morons left, leaving the gate unguarded."

The pegasus guard scoffed. "Please. The guard doesn't leave anything unprotected."

"Then you're incompetent as all hell is at rewarding good people," Twilight muttered. "Then try to catch us," she said before she lit her horn, and she and her three comrades vanished in a lavender flash.

"Find her and those beasts!" The unicorn guard yelled to those inside the gate. "We can't let them get to the Princess!"

Those inside saluted just as said group of four reappeared in the Throne room, where Celestia and the others, including Skana's squad of Sangheili, were waiting. "Expect the guard to come in here saying somepony broke in before noticing us," Twilight said. "They were being stupid. Also, hey, Skana."

"Getting into trouble again, little brother?" Skana asked Ruso, who simply grumbled. "I will take that as a yes."

"What happened, Twilight?" Velvet asked.

"The morons tried to stop us, and I teleported us here," she replied. "And yes, I walked up with my helmet off." Of course, with Velvet being Twilight's mother and Skana being Ruso's older sister, both could tell something else.

"And before?" Skana asked. To their credit, the two lasted longer than usual. Which is to say they lasted for all of five seconds.

"We chased the nobles," Ruso eventually said. "And burnt down an abandoned building."

There were two different responses to this. One was Skana telling Ruso, "For your sake, brother, they'd better have had done something to you personally first," and Celestia berating the group for their actions. Though, to be honest, she was slightly sad she had missed the chance to have a little fun. The screams of the Nobles were almost always funny.

"Look, can we get back to the story?" Twilight asked. "There's no telling when the next Keepers attack will occur."

"And how do you think we should?" Celestia asked. "Rarity and the others are in Manehattan."

"That, I believe, I can handle, your majesty," Skana said before taking a circular device from a compartment on her waist, pressing a small button on the side, and tossing it to the floor. "The rest of you," she said to her cohorts. "Camouflage, and watch the doors and windows. If the Keepers are here, there is no telling where they have agents, and we must be prepared." The Sangheili nodded before slowly fading away, though their heavy footsteps were easily heard. "Any second," she said.

To kill that time, Celestia asked Ruso, "So, Ruso, when did you and your brother join the military?" Ruso nearly replied before the eighth word registered, causing him and Skana to laugh. "What?"

"Princess, Skana is not my brother," Ruso said. "She is my elder sister."

"But-"

"If you're going to cite the fact their builds are similar," Twilight said, "that's because of the armor. Put them in Sangheili civilian clothes, and you'll be able to see it."

"And the answer to your question would be three years ago," Skana replied. "And you need not apologize. You would not be the first to make that mistake."

Before another word could be uttered, the circular device beeped before an image of Diamondback, Rainbow, Spike, and Luna appeared. "Okay, now that's cool," Spike said.

"Holoprojector with a bit of magic mixed in," Nightmare said. "Never thought I'd see the Canterlot throne room with my own eyes, though."

"Can they hear us?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah, we can hear you guys," Sawn said, making the pegasus mare jump. "So, you guys ready to continue?"

Twilight nodded. "Yep. So, it had been four weeks since Voi. . ."

The Ark-Arrival

It had been four weeks-real time-since the Flood had attacked Voi, and the crew of a single U.N.S.C. frigate, along with a fleet of renegade Sangheili, had followed the Prophet of Truth and his forces through a Forerunner slipspace portal to an unknown destination.

Diamondback and Heretic, the only U.N.S.C. and Renegade squads to actually get along with few if any issues, were in the hanger bay of the Shadow of Intent, going over their weapons and just talking to pass the time, "So, where do you guys think we're going?" Jacob asked, as they had yet to come out of slipspace.

"Given the nature of the portal," Twilight said, "I would have to say someplace Truth and his followers would find religious, which we may be able to use to our advantage. I doubt they'd fight if it meant destroying whatever relics they find."

"It's large, whatever it is," Hades said. "Otherwise, I doubt there'd be a portal to it."

"Then maybe we can threaten to blow it to bits if they don't surrender," Josh commented.

"You do know it is incredibly difficult to destroy Forerunner artifacts, correct?" Ruso asked as he investigated his energy sword.

"Yeah, but they don't know what we have in terms of blowing stuff up," Tony said. "If there's one thing we humans are good at, it's blowing shit up."

"Given what happened on Alpha Halo, I am inclined to believe that," Sawn said.

"And I'm guessing a Halo is something important?" Rainbow asked.

"Try a massive death machine-of which there are six fully operational-meant to kill every sentient being in the galaxy as a last ditch effort," Twilight said. "One was destroyed earlier in the year the story takes place in, two others have research station in orbit around them to study for decommision." The look on the ponies led to her saying, "I really need to learn when to keep parts of stuff out."

"I'd say so," Sawn said.

"I heard that was simply because a Spartan detonated the core of one of your ships, and even then," Hades said, "it was a specially modified ship."

"Yeah, well, shut up," Tony said, resulting a few chuckles from the others before Keyes came on over the radio.

"All U.N.S.C. personnel, report to your stations. We're nearly at our destination." Then, after a few seconds of silence from the radio, she was heard exclusively on Heretic's radio. "Heretic, do you read?"

"Yes, ma'am," Twilight replied. "What is it?"

"I talked with the shipmaster, and you all are going to be with us on the first ground wave. Records indicate that you and Diamondback seem to work rather well together. No reason to stop that now."

"Then what are we doing, ma'am?" Jacob asked.

"You're going down to find the Cartographer, which should show us where Truth is holed up. Don't worry, you'll be going down with a specialist."

"Copy that, ma'am," Jacob said. "When are they going to arrive?"

"He should be on his way to the Pelicans now," the Captain said. "Pelican thirty six alpha. That's the one you'll be in."

"Ma'am."

"Guess we'd better move, then," Rarity, who had just gotten out of medical with her prosthetic having been in, though the area around her new eye was still tender, and her helmet had been modified to account for that, as well as a small spell from Twilight and Nightmare over it that helped to protect it.

"Agreed," Nightmare replied, and the group made their way to the Pelican, each grabbing their usual load out on the way, and walked past other groups-mainly marines-getting ready to head down to where ever they were going to.

Upon arriving at the Pelican, Jacob, Nightmare, Pawas, and Rarity instantly tensed up, seeing a familiar looking Forerunner monitor, even if the color was different. "Please don't let this thing want to analyze us," Rarity muttered.

The thing, much to Rarity's dismay, heard them, and turned around, revealing a blue eye, and made their way over to them. "Oh, hello, Reclaimers," it said to Jacob and the other humans. "I am called three four three Guilty Spark-former monitor of Installation zero-four." He then turned and looked at the ponies. "Hm. Surprising. I do not have any records from Resolution that your kind has space travel, Equine."

"Uh, what?" Sawn said.

"Yeah, I agree with him," Nightmare said. "She said Forerunners hadn't encountered our kind."

"I suppose that depends on how you define Forerunner," Spark said. "Still, I am not allowed to expand upon it unless she tells you herself. Regardless, I'll be accompanying you all to the Ark's surface to find the Cartographer, and where the meddler is."

"The Ark?" Bishop asked.

"It is the place in the old Covenant legends where the Halo rings were forged, and where they could all be activated," Ruso answered. "In other words, it is what you would call heaven for Truth and his followers, only one step away from the Great Journey."

"Yeah, um, Heaven's the end step," Patrick said, "but still, we get the idea."

"So, when are we heading down?" Jacob asked Spark.

"As soon as your allies exit Slipspace," the monitor replied.

A few minutes later, they were all onboard the Pelican, with Jacob in the pilot seat and Bishop in the copilot seat as the ships came out of Slipspace. As the Shadow and other renegade ships engaged the Covenant, along side the Dawn, Pelicans and Phantoms were deployed to the surface. Some to find key holding points, outposts for future attack, two a landing zone for the human ship, and one to find the Ark's Cartographer.

The Ark-The map

The Pelican carrying Diamondback, Heretic, and Spark split off from the other pelicans on approach, with the two unicorns and one alicorn making them invisible to sight and sensors, allowing them to slip down to the surface with ease. "So, Spark?" Tony said, getting the Monitor's attention. "Any idea where this Cartographer is?"

"A few, Reclaimer, based on previous data extracted from the data banks of the interloper ships I have been able to access on our flight," the Forerunner A.I. said. "Currently, I would say it is in the desert area we are traveling to, close-relatively speaking- to where your comrades are touching down."

"Anything specific?" Jacob asked.

"Uploading coordinates to your navigation now," Spark replied.

"Got it," Bishop said.

"Yeah, same," Jacob said. "Oh, does not look good, people. Place is occupied by Covie forces, according to current scans."

"There a way in that doesn't involve us showing ourselves?" Josh asked.

"Yeah. Elite scans show a few open platforms facing what is essentially an ocean separated from the entire thing by a chasm. We may be able to use those to get in and find the thing," Bishop replied.

"Then it looks as if we had best get ready," Hades said as he examined his Brute Shot and the Gravity Hammer he still had from Mombasa, though now it was fully charged.

"Agreed," Ruso said as he examined the hilt of his energy sword, followed by his double plasma rifles, each of which at full charge. Sawn checked his shield gauntlet, along with his Carbine and Plasma Pistol, Twilight checked her dual Needlers and Storm rifle, while most of Diamondback had the standard Battle rifle and magnum, though Pawas had both a plasma pistol and compact SMG.

"Okay, people, we're coming in at one of the upper platforms," Jacob said. "From the looks of it, there's a console here, so it may be what we need."

"We'll drop you guys off, and stay nearby in case it's what we need," Bishop added as the Pelican turned around, and the back hatch opened, revealing a crescent shaped platform, a large hole in the middle between the two arms of the room. The human aircraft slowly backed up until the ramp was over the main portion-the area in front of the terminal- allowing those inside to jump out or, in Spark's case, hover out.

After they had checked the area, Josh turned toward the console. "I'm guessing this is it," he said as a holographic terminal presented itself. "Get ready, people! No telling what may happen when I activate this thing!"

"Got it," Sawn replied back as Josh put his left hand on the terminal, surprised when his hand didn't pass through it, which brought up the image of the Milky Way Galaxy before it swept past the galaxy of humanity's birth, and revealed a giant-larger than anything seen in the Galaxy;larger than the Galaxy itself, really-eight pronged star that seemed to curve upwards, with each ending in two prongs, though four were smaller than the others-about half as long, and a third the width-with a giant hole in the middle, filled with a planet.

"Well, shit," Josh muttered. "I didn't think anything like this could be built."

"The Forerunners were capable of many feats, Reclaimer," Spark said as he hovered next to Josh's head, scanning the map. "It seems that the meddler has hidden away here, near the core." As he said this, a red circle appeared to high light the area he was talking about. "And he has activated the shields. Problematic, but not impossible to get around." The monitor was silent for a time before he said, "Oh my. That's. . .interesting."

"What?" Rarity asked as she looked over the map herself.

"It seems that, along with being the location where one can activate the Halo array," Spark said, "the Ark is capable of building them. And it is rebuilding Installation zero-four. My Installation. How wonderful!"

"Spark, calm down," Josh said. "Right now, we focus on taking out Truth."

"Of course, Reclaimer," Spark said. "Forgive me."

"Hey, we all get excited sometimes," Tony said. "No need to apologize."

"Yeah," the other human said. "Hey, Jacob, Bishop, we're ready for pick up."

"Copy that, on our way back," Jacob said. "Captain, we have the intel we came for, along with a little bonus."

"Understood," Keyes replied. "The Dawn's got a landing spot now. Get here, and we can plan on how to finish this once and for all."

The Ark-The end of it

Five pelicans and two phantoms colored green flew over the water, Shadow of Intent them, towards where Truth had been located. "We hit these three generators, and the barrier will fall?" Miranda asked Spark over the radio, the Monitor, by request, with Diamondback and Heretic in the left most pelican of the formation.

"A small section, yes," the monitor confirmed as Anti-air Wraith fire began to fire from the main area ahead of the seven transports.

"Good enough. Johnson, drop the Chief off at the first, then head to the third with Diamondback and Heretic. The arbiter's forces will punch right down the middle."

"Roger that," the Sergeant Major replied as the formation broke, three pelicans toward Tower three, the two phantoms toward Tower two, and the two Pelicans, one carrying the Chief, toward Tower one.

Over the radio, Diamondback and Heretic was able to hear the Tower one assault team. "Charlie foxtrot," the lead pilot exclaimed. "Tower one approach has active triple A!" A few seconds later, a different, panicked voice came over.

"Mayday, I can't control her," the voice said in fear a few seconds before an explosion was heard.

"Sounds like they're having hell," Jacob said.

"Makes you wonder why we aren't getting shot at," Twilight said.

"Perhaps because they know they need to take one of you alive," Spark said. "My makers made their technology to interface with themselves and humanity, not these meddlers. The armored Reclaimer's kind has proven to be. . . troublesome to subdue, and the Sangheili can not interface with the technology. Given that, as well as the third tower's location next to an easy entrance, it is likely they wish to ambush this group and take one human alive."

Josh laughed. "Good fucking luck with that one!" he exclaimed. "Given our squad make up, it'd be hard to sneak up on us, let alone take someone alive."

"Still, caution is best," Hades said. "The Stalker units of my kind have camouflage units on par with Ossoona Sangheili, and often have jammers to create false contacts on trackers."

"You forget we have good hearing," Rarity said. "Unless their units remove sound, they won't be able to sneak up on us." As she said this, the Pelican turned around, and the main door opened, revealing a Forerunner tower that, though having Covenant power cells, was empty.

"Let's move, people," Jacob said before the two squads jumped out of their Pelican, with Johnson and four other squads out of the other two, with Spark hovering out behind Ruso.

"Let's move, marines!" Johnson yelled, and the group made their way inside.

Just after entering, Nightmare said, "I hear something." Even though she wasn't Johnson's superior, this did make him stop.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Footsteps," she said as she scanned the room they were in with her weapon. "Heavy footsteps." A second later, she whipped around, aimed her Assault rifle next to a Marine's head, making him look in fear, and fired, the bullets ripping past the Marine's head, and revealing a Brute in black armor.

"Shit!" the Marine exclaimed a she jumped to the side before the dead Brute fell to the floor, and ten other Brutes revealed themselves, each with a Mauler or Spike,r if not both, pointed at the group.

"Surrender, filth," one said a deep voice. "And you may live."

"Hey, uh, Spark," Josh said as the group pointed their weapons at the Brutes, easily outgunning them. "What do you have to say about this?"

"Simply that these Jiralhanae are quite stupid," The Forerunner monitor said, catching the attention of the Brutes. "Now, you may notice these Reclaimers have, though primitive, more weapons, as well as your own. If any should be surrendering, it would be you."

"The oracle," one Brute. "What are you doing siding with these heretics, great one?"

"Because the one you serve misunderstands the array," Spark said. "It is not meant to bring salvation, but to destroy all life. The actual Great Journey was the Forerunners leaving the Galaxy after the first firing. The humans are trying to prevent an unneeded genocide, and i am helping them."

The Stalker Brutes looked at one another with glances, their weapons pointed still at the Marines and their allies, and spoke in their native tongue, which Hades easily understood.

"Major, the Oracle sides with this filth against the Prophets," one growled. "Should we not be standing with it?"

"I do not know," the leader replied. "It is because of Truth we hold the position we do now."

"And yet the Oracle says he is wrong. Do we believe the Oracle, or the High Prophet?"

"What are they saying, Hades?" Twilight whispered to the green Jiralhanae.

"They are dicussing what to do, given the Monitor's allegiance," Hades whispered back.

"The Oracle knows what the gods wish, and can not lie," the commander said. "If I had to choose, which it seems I must, I would follow the Oracle of the gods."

The Stalkers then turned to face the marines, making them tense up, before the leader spoke. "We will fight with you, but only because of the oracle, human. Nothing else."

"Splendid," Spark exclaimed. "Now if only I could contact the other meddlers."

"I swear, you all bring the weirdest things," Johnson muttered to Heretic and Diamondback.

"You may contact the others atop the tower," Spark told the Stalkers. "Though I recommend waiting until after the humans shut down the shields."

"But Oracle," a Stalker said, "If this attempt fails, Truth will label us as heretics."

"Is that not worth preventing genocide on a galactic scale?" The monitor asked, though his voice was. . .different somehow. To the ponies at least, who were adept at hearing emotions in a voice. They heard what they were able to identify as sadness and despair, though they could not hear why. That was before, on a frequency only they could hear, he said, "The gods know I couldn't prevent it last time." This caused the three to look at each other, but before they could say anything, they had to move up and onto an elevator in the center of the room-which was barely able to hold everyone-and the marines were understandably, tense around the Stalkers, but, as Johnson was at least able to look as if he wasn't bothered by it, they were able to somewhat relax. Not by much, but some.

Upon reaching the top, Johnson made his way to the front of the room, and pressed the holographic console there just as beams form the other two towers disappeared, and the barrier fell.

As it did, the Shadow of Intent came into view, and Vadum's voice rang out across the comms as the ventral beam charged over the Citadel. "Now, Prophet," he said, his voice filled with a particular, well earned pride. "Your end has come." As the lat syllable left his mouth, the beam fired, vaporizing any in the Citadel with a single, quick burst, and killing any nearby.

"Spark, you're up," Jacob said.

"Of course," the monitor replied before it accessed the Covenant battlenet via the Stalker's communication units. "To any and all Covenant units, this is the Forerunner Monitor three-four-three Guilty Spark, what you would call an Oracle of your gods. I am contacting all of you to say the supposed Prophet of Truth is-was-a false one. His kind were not the favored of the Forerunners, nor were they able to activate their artifacts with out tinkering with and quite possibly destroying them. The Great Journey, as you understand it, is false. Firing the Halo array will not bring salvation, but destruction, killing everything in the Galaxy, as they are meant to contain the Flood by killing their food source. If there any you should worship, it is Humanity, as they are those chosen to reclaim the mantle left by my makers. Your leaders are dead. Surrender now. There is nothing you can do now."

"That'll shake their faith up," Johnson said as he took a cigar, and lit it.

"All forces, new contact, slipping in!" a human voice exclaimed over the radio just before a slipspace exit portal appeared.

"High Charity?" R'tus said in confusion as the giant city appeared. "Brace for impact!" A large chunk of the infected city broke off, and hit the Sangheili ship, damaging it and making it have to pull away. As it did so, a dispersal pod made its way towards tower three, only to be burnt to a crisp by Twilight, Nightmare, and Rarity's magic before it got close.

"Shipmaster, are you alright?" Keyes asked.

"Yes, but weapons are disabled. "We will be unable to provide cleansing support against the infestation, and all of the ship's that were capable of it that were under Truth's command were destroyed. There is no way for us to remove it without heavy, if not total losses

Jacob and Twilight looked at one another, nodding, before looking at Spark, who seemed to be thinking the same thing. "Actually, shipmaster, there is one thing, but it requires a key." He sent the data.

"Another ring?" Vadum asked in shock.

"Yes. This is where they were built, after all," Spark replied. "And Reclaimer, I believe we both know where the key can be found," he said before looking out the window where High Charity had crashed.

"Are you sure, Spark?" Keyes asked over he radio.

"Quite, Commander," he replied back. "With your permission, I would like Diamondback and Heretic squads to accompany me to prepare the ring for firing." There was silence for a time before she replied.

"Go for it."

Spark bobbed up and down, his equivalent of a nod, before golden rings encircled the two squads, and they were teleported to the replacement Installation zero four's control room. "We do not have much time," Spark said. "The Gravemind will come for the ring to prevent its firing, and it must be ready before then."

"How long will take?" Pawas asked.

"For a safe firing, days," Spark replied. "But we do not have time for that. Even so, my old friend would rather a Halo destroyed if it meant removing the Flood than risk them having one."

"You had a friend?" Bishop asked. "But I thought you were a machine."

"To a degree, yes," Spark replied. "His name was Bornstellar-makes-Eternal-Lasting before he became a Didact." With that, he turned, and went to a nearby console, but, just as he reached it, he turned and said, "Oh, and please, do call me by my first name."

"Which is?" Nightmare asked.

"Chakas."

"What kind of name is that?" Rainbow asked.

"Said a pony whose name is that of color and speed," Jacob said. "And to answer the question, it's an old human name. We never got the full story until a few years later, but, essentially, he used to be an ancient human whose body was damaged to the point his mind had to be put into a machine. He had his mind erased as a contingency, as the Flood could corrupt just about anything, including A.I.s, and the Forerunners didn't want anything he knew to fall into their metaphorical hands. His entire human life was erased but stored deep in him, and, as far as we know, seeing Twi, Rares, and Nightmare awakened those memories, for some reason."

"All he said when we asked him next we saw him after the Ark was that it was put in by the Librarian, who was basically, the head Forerunner biologist," Twilight added. "There's a lot more to it, but that's the basics of it."

"Yeah, anyway, for the next hour or two, we helped him with what we could to get the thing ready to fire," Tony said.

"And we just barely did so before the Flood began to attack," Sawn said.

"At last, we're done," Spark-Chakas-said. "Now all we need is the activation index, which I detect to be enroute."

"Thank god," Tony said as he fell to the floor of the control room, panting. "I didn't think light could be they damned heavy."

"You and me both," Hades said, his hands on his legs.

"Anything we need to worry about?" Rarity asked, her and the other horned members of the group not out of breath.

"Unfortunately, yes," the Monitor replied. "Scanners also show multiple Flood dispersal pods on their way here, too many for the Sentinels to stop before arrival. The Spartan and his comrade will have to fight through much of it to reach here. Though they have faced worse, they may need support."

"Right," Twilight said. "You guys up for it?" she asked the others.

"Why not just teleport them in here upon arrival?" Sawn asked. "That would save time."

"No idea how that'd effect an A.I.," Twilight and Nightmare replied at the same time. "Or the Index, for that matter."

"If it will help eradicate the Flood, I would be willing to be the test subject," Chakas said. "I don't care what happens to me. I've lost years of my life, This way, at least, if I do die, I'll know it was helping."

Twilight looked at Nightmare and Rarity. Even though she had her helmet on, the other two could easily read her expression. "If you think it'll help, Twi," Rarity said.

"Right," she said. "Chakas, regardless of what happens, thanks."

"For what?" the Monitor inquired.

"For helping us out." With that, the armored, lavender alicorn lit her horn, the lavender magic aura encasing both the horn and the Forerunner Monitor before a small flash of light occurred where the Monitor was, causing it to disappear. A few feet away, and a second later, there was a second flash, and, oddly, this time, a bronze skinned human wearing simple robes colored steel and blue. Even though it was a different body, Twilight knew who it was due to the fact it had the same, familiar aura of a mind as Spark.

Chakas had been reborn.

"Uh, what?" Applejack asked. "How in tarnation did your magic turn a machine inta somethin' livin', Twi?"

She shrugged. "Right now, it's just guesses and theories, but the best one has to do with what Chakas called the Domain, which is essentially a repository for all Forerunner knowledge. "Far as we could tell, either all unicorn magic or just alicorn magic taps into it, and the teleportation spell I used on Chakas, for some reason, connected to the Domain directly, and used what the Foreruners called vacuum energy to create a body for him. The weird-well, weirder-part is that he somehow still had control over the Halo's systems and had the same capabilities as his Monitor form. Minus a laser eyes, that is."

"Which was replaced with a collapsible laser arm cannon," Josh muttered. "Somehow."

"I stopped questioning anything related to Twilight's magic a week after meeting her," Skana said. "I just put it under 'don't try to have answered unless you wish to go mad.'" This got chuckles out of the rest of the non-ponies, and even Twilight.

"Just like Pinkie Pie," the alicorn added through a chuckle.

"Anyways," Rarity said.

"Anyone else seeing what I am?" Tony asked.

"Yep," Twilight said. "Uh, Chakas?"

"Tell me later," he said. "Get the Reclaimer and his companions up here before the Flood gets here."

Twilight nodded. "Rarity, Nightmare, can you handle telling him while I get the Chief and the Arbiter up here with Cortana?"

"Yeah," the two unicorns replied before Twilight put a bubble shield around herself and left the room, and they made their way to Chakas.

"Chakas, you okay?" Rarity asked.

"Yes," he replied. "Though, to be honest, i do feel different."

"Yeah, that may be because of Twilight's spell," Nightmare commented before using her magic to create a mirror, showing Chakas he was once again human. At least in shape.

"Oh my," he said in a low gasp. "I did not expect this to happen."

"Any idea why?" Rarity asked.

"Not really, no," Chakas replied as he examined his hands. "My best guess would be the natural abilities of your kind are able to touch the Domain, the repository of Forerunner culture, and the teleportation she did somehow used Vacuum energy and the portions of my memory from within the Domain to unintentionally create a new, humanoid body for myself."

"Could that happen with Cortana?"

"The Reclaimer's construct?" Chakas asked. "It's possible, but uncertain, as it would be the second time that is used, with me being the first. It could very well be I got lucky."

"Still, lets hope we don't lose the activating Index for this thing," Nightmare said. "I'd rather not have the Flood take over the entire galaxy, our home world especially."

"Yes, I can sympathize with that," the Monitor turned human agreed. "I lost Earth multiple times before now, and I do not wish it lost again to anything but nature. The Flood is nothing more than an abomination."

"Then we just need to wait for Twilight to get here with Chief and the Arbiter," Nightmare said.

A minute later, the door opened, and Twilight came rushing, along with three others. Two were obviously Chief and Arbiter, while the other was a woman-wearing blue and black robes similar in design to Chakas'- was following close behind the three, a magnum pistol in hand, though she did have a look of fear and confusion on her face.

They did not have time to ponder it, though, as the roar of the Flood was heard just before the doors closed. "It seems that I still have control over the Installation," Chakas said. "Interesting."

"Think on it later," Nightmare said. "Looks like the same thing happened to Cortana."

"Meaning we're most likely screwed," Jacob muttered as he got up, rifle in hands. "Cover the doors, people. If those fuckers get in here, we take an many as we can with us."

"Copy that, boss," Josh said as he and the others passed the four arrivals, and took up a half circle formation in front of the door, with Twilight, Chief, Arbiter, and the now human Cortana making their way to where Chakas was, looking over the terminal.

"Before you all ask," Chakas said to the humans and Sangheili, "what happened to your companion construct, as well as myself, is a result of Twilight Sparkle's use of her teleport abilities on us, and, as far as I can tell, we have the same abilities as before this." He then turned around, and looked at Cortana as Chief and Arbiter, through habit and such, raised their weapons in caution. "That means, Cortana, you are still able to activate this Installation."

"Before you ask, sir," Jacob yelled from the door, "just go with magic! It'll save you a headache!"

"That is the simple answer, I suppose," Chakas said. "Are you still certain you wish to light the ring, Reclaimers?"

"But how?" Cortana aske,d speaking up for the first time since she had gotten a human body.

"Far as I am able to guess, simply focus," the former monitor replied. "That is how I handled the door as you walked in."

She nodded as the three ponies made their way to the defensive crescent. "This is going to be interesting," Josh muttered as the roar of the flood could be heard. "Anyone got a flamethrower?!"

"Does a flame spell count?" Twilight asked as she lit her horn, and levitated every single weapon she had on her at the moment, each pointed at the door.

"Long as it can incinerate them, I think it matters not," Ruso said, the roar now closer.

"Still, one of those would not hurt," Sawn said. "If we live, remind me to contact a few friends of mine to get us crates of them and the fuel they use. Should we encounter another infestation, that is."

"Yeah, well, if we don't," Tony said. "Actually, you know what, I'm not going that damned cliched route. We just need to hold these bastards off long enough for this thing to get ready to fire, then teleport onto the Intent."

"Then this should be fun," Hades said in a low growl before another roar could be heard, though this one was followed by a myriad of sounds, namely shotguns and maulers, as well as the occasional grenade and needler explosion.

"The hell?" Bishop asked in a whisper, as those sounds were often followed by the sound of Flood being destroyed.

"Well, that's interesting," Chakas said just as a pulse of energy erupted from behind him and toward the ceiling. "But it looks as if an extraction group is here for us."

As he said this, the door opened, revealing what was one of the more surprising things for Diamondback and Heretic-which would be saying something. That thing was a group of marines-led by Johnson-and a small group of Brutes, led by a chieftain wielding a Gravity hammer in one hand, a Mauler in the other.

"I reiterate: what the hell?"

"Well, what are you ladies waitin' for?" Johnson yelled. "We ain't got all day to get out of here. "Flood's comin', after all."

"I swear the shit we see just gets wierder," Jacob said. "Sir, why are you with the Brutes?"

"Because of the Oracle," the Chieftain replied. "Only a fool would believe a Prophet over the words directly from one of the Oracles. As much as my pack does not like it, we stand with your kind, human, simply because of our gods finding you more worthy than any of us."

"Take what you can, I guess," Josh muttered.

"Looks like we're leaving, people!" Jacob yelled to the back of the room just as a column fell down. "Let's move!"

"And from there, we were able to get to a waiting Phantom and Pelican," Twilight said, "get to the Intent, which also had the Dawn connected to it, and escape through the portal back to Earth."

"Yeah, and not that much happened for the next few months," Rarity said. "The first thing was Hood and the Arbiter formalizing the ceasefire, and Hood inviting the Arbiter to a memorial for those fallen."

On Earth, it was now March of twenty five fifty three, sunset over the plains of Voi. Ordinarily, there was nothing, no one, here. Today, though, it was different. On a spot, overlooking the portal that lead to the Ark, a portal now dead, there stood a small memorial-a pelican wing decorated with photos, medals, and other memorabilia of those dead but not forgotten- populated by a small group, with a Sangheili Cruiser hovering above the portal site, near where the portal itself once was.

Those at the Memorial were, for the most part, command staff of the UNSC, but there were a few odd ones there. For one, Arbiter was there, along with Brute Chieftain, as well as five Spartan twos and five Spartan Threes, each in dress uniform. The only group here that wasn't a part of any of these groups were those making sure no radicals would try to strike at leadership while here, and that group was Diamondback, Heretic now a a part of the squad. Shortly after the incident with the Arc, Hood had made the human portion of the group his personal guard, and offered it to the former Covenant and the ponies, each of who accepted it. "See anything?" Jacob, who was next to Hood, asked through the radio at the base of this throat, allowing him to whisper the question, as it read his vocal cords as he spoke.

"Negative," Bishop replied. "Other than ONI, nothing we need to worry about. Hey, Twi?"

"Yeah?" the lavnder alicorn replied from her position behind the memorial stand and invisible.

"Lord Hood asked if we had a way to track Kilo-five. He may trust them, but he wants to keep an eye on them so he can try to stop them from stopping any potential peace talks. You got a tracking spell?"

"One that allows for audio and visual," she replied. "Where's the Captain?"

"Next to Parangosky."

"Copy," Twilight whispered before her horn lit. "It's placed," she said as Hood removed his cap, and began his speech.

Youtube Video

"For us, the storm has passed, the war is over. But let us never forget those who journeyed into the howling dark, and did not return. For their decision required courage beyond measure, sacrifice, and unshakable conviction that their fight-our fight- was elsewhere. As we start to rebuild, this hillside will remain barren, a memorial to heroes fallen. They ennobled all of us, and they shall not be forgotten."

He put his cap on and saluted before Marine Sergeant yelled, "Present arms!", Seven marines, each with a battle rifle in hand, turned, brought their weapons to aim toward the sky, and fired three, single shots, one after the other, as a final memorial to the fallen of the war.

As the echo of the last shot faded away, Arbiter and the Brute Chieftain walked up to stand next to Hood. "I doubt any of us expected to be here now," Hood said. "As allies, anyway."

"Agreed," the Chieftain said before glancing at Hades, Tony, and Nightmare. "But I think it is safe to say that particular group had something to do with it. Perhaps it would be best to make them mediators in any meetings between our governments, or at least what counts as one for my people, given our Pack mentality."

"I'll keep that in mind, Cubbaus," Hood said. "I'll warn you both right now, the Intelligence part of my government doesn't care if we're allies; they'll try to stop a war before it begins by making it look like they had no part in it."

"A smart move," Arbiter said. "Why tell us this?"

"So you wouldn't think all of the UNSC had a part in it," Hood replied. "I already have a team to make sure they don't go too far."

"Who, if I may ask?" Cubbaus said.

Hood chuckled. "Who do you think?" he asked back.

"IF they are to help, then they have my permission to be on Sangheilios," Arbiter said.

"If they wish to be on my hoe world, they will need to not be seen, but will need to contact me," Cubbaus said. "After all, if it is the group I am thinking of, then my people would hunt three of them for their meat."

"I'll keep that in mind," Hood said before he turned around to look at the two. "Until next time, I suppose."

"Until next time," the Chieftain replied before he made his way to a purple phantom that his forces had brought that took off soon after he got on, and made its way to a Covenant cruiser."

"Admiral, before i go," Arbiter said, "I wish to extend an invitaion to the Spartan should he ever need somewhere to rest."

"I'll let him know."

"My thanks," Arbiter replied with a head bow. "Also, your group will be allowed to land on Sangheilios upon my return."

"You sure you don't need their help?" Hood asked. "I've heard that a rebellion is growing."

Thel was silent for a time before he replied. "If they wish to come, then tell them I and my ship will be in orbit for a planetary day," he said. "Until next time, Admiral." With that, he made his way to his phantom, one colored the green of the Sangheili separatists. As it left Hood turned to where Jacob stood. "So, Major, how do you feel about a little vacation?"

Sangheilios

"Can't believe we're heading to your homeworld, Ruso," Twilight excitedly said, her armor being on due to rumors of a civil war brewing.

"Yes, you and me both, Twilight," Ruso said. The entire group was tightly packed onto a Pelican, along with a human scientist by the name of Evan Phillips. Nothing out of the ordinary, except he was a part of Kilo-five and had been personally invited by the Arbiter. Oh, and a member of ONI section 2.(1) How did the group know this? Well, Chakas had been taken to ONI HQ for analysis by them. While there, he had taken the liberty of extracting Kilo-five's data files from ONI, and sent them to Twilight, who shared it with the squad, as well as some of their more. . .interesting mission records. "And what of you, Phlliss?" Ruso asked him, unable to pronounce the "p" at the end due to split lips.

"Well, I never thought I'd be on the Sangheili homeworld," he said nervously. Appropriate, given the. . .odd company he had in the Pelican dropship.

"Well," Rarity said, "Long as you don't report anything to ONI, I think everything will be good," she said with an evil smirk as Phillips-his skin being white with red hair and a small beard- paled slightly. "Oh, and if there's anything transmitting and Osman can hear this, she'd better not try to take us out."

"You mess with the one of us," Nightmare said, "you mess with all of us. And one of us is essentially a goddess. I wouldn't risk pissing her off."

"Guys, lay off, even if you're right," Jacob said from next to the door. "This is meant to be a vacation for Ruso and shore leave for everyone else. Even if we're wearing armor, but that's because we've learned to expect fire fights wherever we go."

"Oh?" Phillips said, interested. "Where are you all going?"

"You really think we'd tell you?" Sawn asked.

"Well, we are on the same ship," the doctor pointed out. "So, unless 'Vadam is just a stop, it'll be in the same area."

"It's the first one," Ruso said. "My name is 'Tafam, after all. And if you want it's location, you aren't getting it from me or anyone else on this drop ship."

"Well, since I'm going to ask Arbiter if I can see ancient sites that contain relics, I may run into you all anyway."

"Not likely," Ruso said. "There are no Forerunner relics where I live."

"So, Doc," Bishop asked, "what exactly have you done related to the Sangheili?"

"Well, I am able to speak Sangheili without a translator."

"That is impressive," Jacob muttered. "Still, I don't think it sounds like native speak."

Phillips shook his head. "No, it doesn't. There'a a tonal layer I can't reproduce."

"Hey, whatever you guys are talking about back there," the pilot, another member of Kilo-five named Deravaux(2) said, "may want to finish up. We're almost in 'Vadam!"

"Well, I guess that's it for now, then," Josh said as he finished inspecting his magnum before putting it on the magnetic holder on his right thigh. "Still, I hope we don't see each other while we're here, Phillips."

"And why's that?"

"Because you seem the talkative sort," Josh replied. "I am annoyed by those types of people, more often than not. That's not a threat, just in case you're wondering, but I do tend to be a little hostile when it comes to those situations."

"I'll keep that in mind, then," Phillip said, though he was fidgeting a bit.

From there, it was a minute before they landed, and the group disembarked the Pelican-which had Tart-Cart on the side for some reason- and Phillips was lead into 'Vadam keep, while Diamondback was escorted to a Phantom by a Jiralhanae, whom Hades talked with in their native language.

"You guys understand any of that?" Tony asked the equines of the group.

"Not a word of it," Twilight said. "They switched their translators off, and I don't have one. Only reason I could understand it before is Equish is English but for ponies and such."

"Of course that's how it is," Jacob muttered.

After three minutes of walking, the group reached the phantom-of the T-44 variant(3)- and boarded it, the pilot already being in and knowing where to fly.

"Can't wait to meet your family, Ruso," Twilight said.

"I would hold back on the enthusiasm, Twilight," Ruso said. "They are very. . .xenophobic to those outside the Covenant, as many of our males were lost in the war."

"Well, that'll make things interesting for us," Nightmare muttered.

"Me just hope they won't see us as food," Pawas said.

"My kind may be meat eaters, but we do not eat other sentient species," Ruso said before thinking on it. "Well, my clanmates and I, That is."

"Somehow, that doesn't fill me with confidence," Rarity muttered.

Tafam

"So, Ruso, what's your home like?" Twilight asked.

"An old city state that is very traditional in design," the Elite replied. "All the structures in Tafam resemble those of Sangheilios during the old days of the Covenant, when it was just my kind and the San'shyuum involved. But by no means," he said, "does that mean we ignore the technology. Inside the keeps, we have modern Covenant technology, and many of my kin, including the females, are capable of using heavy weapons in the event of a clan war." He chuckled. "My sister once even tried to join the army when females are not allowed to, as it is their role to manage their keep." He then held up a hand. "Before you or the others say anything Jacob, it is not what you call sexism. The females simply do not aspire for more than they have."

"Still gonna call it that, just in my head," Josh commented, to which Ruso simply rolled his eyes.

"If you do, ensure that, whatever you all do, you do not anger my sister in anyway. She may be a female, but even the most battle hardened of my clan fear her when she is angry," Ruso warned them.

"Well," Tony said. "Shit."

"I'll get a shield ready for when she gets pissed," Twilight muttered.

"That is probably best," Ruso said.

"As long as we aren't in the middle of it, we'll probably be okay," Sawn said. "Hopefully," he added.

"Agreed," Hades said as the group felt the Phantom come to a stop and land.

"Make sure to keep weapons stowed," Ruso said. "Only draw if attacked, but keep ready to draw if needed," was the last thing he said before the doors opened, and a small group of Sangheili were outside, which were led by one in the Minor harness, and was much more lithe than the others, leading Twilight and the others to think this was a female Sangheili.

"Ultra Ruso, what brings you here?" the lead one asked.

"A vacation with my squad mates, sister," Ruso said. "Honestly, Skana, I do not understand why you act serious when everyone knows you get along just fine with your skill. Even uncle said so."

Skana chuckled. "And you've always been the killjoy in our duo, brother," she said.

"Quick question," Rainbow said. "If the Sangheili didn't allow Skana and other women into the military, how was she allowed to become a-" she was silenced as Ruso grabbed four grenades-two plasma, two frag, and threw them into the air as Skana took aim with her weapon- a modified Carbine that fired Blamite crystals- and fired four shots, each hitting a grenade and causing a detonation just as Twilight used her magic to bring a rock from the castle gardens up to the window and launched it at Skana with enough force to break the window and would have hit her in the head to knock her out had the female Sangheili not drawn her sword and sliced it in two. "Never mind," the rainbow haired mare said, her eyes wide in surprise there, maybe a hint of awe as well.

"Back to the story," Rarity said.

"Yeah, that sounds like him," Jacob said, getting the attention of the guards.

"So, then, the rumors are true," Skana said.

"Uh, what rumors?" Tony asked, a little fearful.

"That my brother is part of a group that has Covenant- or ex-Covenant, rather- and human individuals in it," Skana said before looking at the ponies. "As well as a race discovered by my brother during the war."

"And us," Jacob said. "Your brother just found Twilight. We found Rarity."

"And yet, I seem to not care," Skana said, though it was with a chuckle at the end before looking at Twilight specifically. "You are the one my brother met first?"

"Yep," Twilight replied. "So, is this the best of hospitality for both a princess and a friend of your brother, as well as those with her?"

"No, we are simply waiting for guest quarters to be finished," Skana said. "And we never said you couldn't leave the Phantom."

". . .Damn it, she's right," Josh said.

"Then let's get off the thing," Jacob said, and the group did so, though they were eyed by the guards the entire time. Once the last one stepped off, the hatch doors on the Phantom closed, and it took off.

The area where they stood was a simple grass plain, mountains in the distance, with a large structure- one which had a metallic sheen to it though it looked to be made of wood- nearby, and those with keen eyesight like Sawn could see younglings training with practice swords, though a few were looking at the odd group, adults and children alike.

"You know, you're lucky that our clan are among the few who did not want the war to begin with, humans," Skana said. "Other clans would kill you just for stetting foot on Sangheilios if the Arbiter hadn't said anything."

"Then we'll make sure to not piss anyone off," Jacob said. "Anyways, introductions. The name's Jacob."

"Yes, I am aware of all your names. My little brother sent a message detailing who was coming with him," she said before turning to face Sawn. "And I admit, it is a surprise that the Field Marshal who snuck into a human base is a Kig-yar."

"Yes, many of the Sangheili I've met since have said the same, including your brother," Sawn said. "I can only imagine how the rest of your clan will react."

"At best, it will be mixed," Ruso informed. "Trust me, if there is one you need worry about, it is Uncle Thag. Out of those I have had interaction enough with to know their personality, he is the most xenophobic, even of other Sangheili from other clans."

Here, Skana growled. "That old fool. He should be dead by now. He is, without doubt, the oldest Sangheili I have known. The only reason he is not Kaidon is he can not walk wiht out help, and the reason he has not yet been killed is respect for the Elders."

Rarity looked to Twilight. "You thinking what I am?"

"Just need to know how to contact 'em," the lavender alicorn replied.

"I can handle that," Nightmare said.

Before anything else was said, one of the guards came up to Skana. "Captain, the rooms are ready."

Skana nodded. "Come, all of you. "It is time you met the clan."

"And we will get to that," Twilight said, "but first, something I know Celestia and Luna are aware of."

"The vision," Celestia said, quite obviously a statement.

"Whoa, what do you mean vision?" Rainbow asked. "And how could the princesses and you know of it?"

"Rainbow, it is a well kept secret that when one alicorn has a vision, they all do. May not be at the same moment, but in this case, it was, and was one of the few where we were aware of it as it happened and could talk with one another in it."

"And of the rare ones where a unicorn has it," Rarity muttered.

"Then stop with the suspense," Spike said, "and tell us!"

"You really want to know?" Twilight asked, to which she got a nod. "Fine, then." She sighed. "The vision was of Equestria burning. Not just the continent or country, but the entire world."

Interlude-visions of the future

"What?" Spike was the first to verbalize his reply to what Twilight had said.

"You heard me," Twilight said. "Sometime in the future, something will attack Equestria and burn just about all of it to the ground, leaving just about no one alive."

"B-but how?" Rainbow asked.

"I don't know," the lavender alicorn replied. "I can tell you what I saw though."

"Well, don't keep us in suspense," Shining said.

"Well, it started with what I just said," the alicorn said. "But after about ten in dream seconds, it transitioned to, well. . .something I can't really describe entirely, but I'll try. What I saw there was thirty two different beings- some on two legs, others on four- that were for the most part shadowed out except for what I can guess are details to help find them, which I'll write down later. Among them were Rarity, Nightmare, me, Diamondback, and Heretic."

"So you guys are part of a group of chosen heroes, then?" Sweetie asked. "Anypony else think cliche."

"May be, but that's how it works," Rarity said. "And those details? I'm the one who saw them, not Twilight. My eye for detail, I imagine, and I did see truly magnificent designs."

"Save it for later, Rarity," Twilight said. "In short, we only know that we're in the group, not whoever else it is."

"Twilight, Rarity, you're getting off topic," Nightmare told them.

"Oh, sorry," Twilight said with a small blush on her face. "Along with the group of thirty two, there was another group of twelve- we could tell they were a different group by the fact they were separated physically- along with two somethings that they may have been facing. One with six red eyes, and another with rainbow wings, which is to say the feathers became a rainbow if not were made out of a rainbow. And yes, the group of twelve has distinguishing factors as well, though we couldn't see anything specific."

"Hey, uh, while you aren't tellin' the story, mind if ah ask ya something?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, go ahead," Jacob said.

"Well, ah remember Twi saying her teleportation caused that Cortana girl to get a new body, but don't she have an A.I.I like she was?"

"You're wondering why Arion doesn't have a physical body," Twilight said. "Simple: I just have a fragment of him, not the core. With Cortana, it was the core. Far as I can tell, it's because fragments are just portions of the A.I.. They may be in contact with the core, but they aren't a part of the core due to physical limitations. Fragments don't get transformed because of the fact they aren't the full intelligence. Sure, it may act like one, but you have to remember A.I. process data who knows how many times faster than any organic brain, and are able to have a conversation in a manner of seconds for us, but potentially hours for them."

"Uh. . ."

"It's because it's not the central part," Twilight summarized.

"Oh," Applejakc said. "Ah'm jus' gonna assume that's right."

"It is, trust me," Arion said from Twilight's armor systems. "It's one of the few things about A.I.s ONI doesn't know because Twilight discovered that little fact, and kept it secret."

"So, is there any other part of the vision you could make out?" Rainbow asked.

"Just that the scene after it seemed like Equis being rebuilt," Twilight said. "Other than those parts, nothing major, really. So, you guys want us to get back to the story?"

"If you don't mind," Spike said.

"Then let's continue."

Never a dull moment

A few days have passed since Diamondback arrived at Tafam, and, given most of them were non-Sangheili, they were getting along well with Ruso's family. Rarity was with the female Sangheili who weaved the clothing, Twilight with the younglings helping them find texts of the clan's history while the human members were working with the more open members of the keep on how to operate human weapons, mainly because of their keep having an overabundance of human vehicles. Pawas was doing maintenance on one of Ghosts, and Sawn and Hades were out hunting with two Sangheili.

Nightmare- using the transformation spell to be in her human form- and Ruso were currently in the training yard practicing their dueling skills. "So, do you think we'll meet Phillips again before we leave?" Nightmare asked.

"Perhaps," Ruso replied as the two crossed their blades, the air sizzling where the blades met. "Personally, I hope not. He may be a scholar, but I can tell he's here for more than just ONI research."

"Yes, well, he is ONI," Nightmare said. "Even if he thinks we don't know, it's just common sense to assume that he's up to something we don't know."

"There is that potential civil war," Ruso said. "My brother is involved with the group plotting against The Arbiter. An old group known as The Servants of Abiding Truth. ONI may have it's hand in it."

"Definitely wouldn't surpri-" Nightmare replied before they heard Josh shout from the garage.

"HOW IN THE FUCK DID YOU GET THAT!?"

"And suddenly I want to see what got him to that volume," the current pony turned human said before she and Ruso stepped apart and deactivated their blades, then made their way to the garage, where they, surprisingly, saw Pawas holding Josh back from something in the garage.

"Stop! Me arms getting tired!" Pawas shouted as Josh fell to his stomach, but kept crawling.

"Get off, me, Pawas!" Josh shouted back. "I want that thing!"

"But it damaged!"

"Seriously, what's going on here?" Nightmare asked one of the Sangheili guards as she and Ruso approached.

After eyeing her with confusion, the guard replied, "Your compatriot saw one of the weapons Ruso had captured years ago, and began to, as you would say, freak out. The Unggoy was somehow able to stop him, or at least slow him."

"What is it?" Ruso asked.

"That suit you found, Ruso," the guard replied.

"Ah," Ruso said. "Weapons disabled?"

"Have been since it arrived years ago."

"Pawas, let him at it! The weapons aren't functional!"

"You sure?!"

"Yes!" Ruso said, causing Pawas to let go of Josh's legs, allowing him to get up, and run into the garage. A few minutes later, a series of thuds were heard before someone-Josh- came out wearing a black and yellow armor that was taller than a Spartan in Mjolnir armor. The right arm was a mini-gun, it had a cannon over the left shoulder, and three missile pods over the right, the caps off showing the missiles had been removed.

"So, got any ammo for this thing?" Josh asked using the suit speakers.

"Josh, ONI will probably ask for that thing back," Nightmare pointed out, making Josh laugh like a maniac.

"They can try," he said in sing song. "They do, bitches gonna die." Before any others could speak, he held up a finger, and turned off the radio, though Ruso was going to have to tune him out, as the radio in his helmet came to life.

"Ruso, this is Skana. The Arbiter himself just contacted us saying he wants you and your compatriots in Vadam. Following Jiralhanae uprising, the Servants attacked. Arbiter wishes you to search for their leader, and eliminate him. Afterwards, he wishes you to search for his guest. He has recieved word from Lord Hood, who received word from their Intelligence group, that Phillis has gone missing."

"Understood," Ruso said. "Josh, I assume you've been told that the Arbiter request at at Vadam?

"Seriously, you have ammo for this?" Josh asked the guard.

"Follow me," he replied, and Johs followed him off, foot prints visible wherever he stepped.

"And I'm terrified for the Servants," Nightmare said as she shifted back to pony form.

"Come on, let's head to where the dropships are, I'm sure the others will gather there," Ruso said, and the two made their way there.

Siege of Vadam

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Getting to know each other-Pt 1

"So, if I may ask," Rarity asked the UNSC marines that had saved her as they made their way to the UNSC ship in orbit, "how is it the five of you speak perfect Equish?"

"Equish," Jacob said. "I don't know what you mean, Rarity, but we aren't speaking your language, your speaking english, our's."

"But that's impossible," Rarity said. "I mean, I don't have a large intelligence like my friend, Twilight, but even I know it shouldn't be possible for two different species to have two names for the same language."

"Well, how'd you get here?" Josh asked. "I mean, that might be the explanation. You know, it somehow making you hear our language as yours, and vice versa. And I'm reminded of an old earth book series that had that in there." He shook his head. "Regardless, how did you get here?"

"Yeah, I mean, you did appear in a flash of light," Tony said.

"I-I don't quite remember," Rarity said. "In fact, the last thing I remember is walking through the two square back home."

"Huh," Bishop said. "What ever it was, it must have caused some degree of short term memory loss."

"Probably," Patrick agreed.

"But I'd still like to know who you people are, and what are you running from, and why are you all dressed in green. It doesn't make fashion sense. It's absolutely horrendous."

"Okay, two things," Josh said. "One, my name's Joshua Miller, but every one calls me Josh. I'm the analytical part of our team. As for green, that's because of the procedures done to the armor so we can wear it. And it isn't a horrendous color. It's my favorite. Want to know why?"

"Well, yes, actually," Rarity said.

"Because of a simple reason: Life. Green is the color of grass and living trees. It's the color evryone thinks about when it comes to being ecofriendly. In my mind," Josh said, "hating green is like you're saying you hate life, and to me, horrendous is synonymous with hate."

"I hadn't thought of that," Rarity said, now slightly ashamed given the new outlook on the color green she knew of.

"Yeah, that sometimes happens when you talk with Josh," Bishop said. "He uses logic in most arguments. Oh, and I'm Emily Bishop, the tech expert. Nice to meet you, Rarity."

"Nice to meet you too, Bishop," Rarity said with a smile.

"Oh, would you two please just stop with all the lady talk?" Tony said.

"Oh shut it, Tony," Jacob said. "The wise ass here is Anthony Dinozzo, though every one calls him Tony. He's the lovable asshole with an obsession for old movies."

"And I'm Patrick Beward," Patrick said. "I specialize in sniping and close quarters combat."

"And just what do you fight," Rarity asked.

"An alien alliance known as the Covenant," Jacob said. "And I'm Jacob Harken, though every one call me Jacob. Squad leader."

"What's the Covenant?"

"Well, there goes the ONI theory," Josh mumbled. "The covenant, Rarity, is, basically, how to put this?" H e snapped his fingers. "Got it. They're basically very zealous religious people who are trying to kill all of those they call heretics simply because we are different from them. Hell, they probably would have killed you if we hadn't killed them first."

"Y-you killed them."

"Hey, they started to kill us first," Tony said. "With no reason, either."

"Why didn't you try to make peace with them?" Rarity asked, appalled.

"Because they wouldn't give us a chance," Patrick said. "They always attacked us before we could do anything. Eventually, we just decided to try to blast the hell out of them."

"But they're still living creatures!"

"And we aren't," Jacob said. "Rarity, if you had to choose, with no middle ground what so ever, would you kill a single living being, or let him live, even if doing so, in any form, meant your friends, your family, died?"

"It's a question everyone in the UNSC has faced, Rarity," Tony said. "And I'll give you three guesses as to what they chose."

"I. . . guess you're right, but I still don't like the idea of killing."

"No one said you had to," Bishop said. "I don't like killing, but I do it any way because for every covenant I kill, that's at least ten more humans saved." Even if only for a while, she added mentally.

"So I almost died?" Rarity asked.

"Nearly," Josh confirmed, much as he didn't want to. Really, if we hadn't been there, the covenant there would have killed you." He glumlu added. "Maybe even eat you."

"What?" Rarity asked in shock. "They eat others?"

"Yeah, some of the covenant species," Josh said. "Brutes, basically large apes, and Jackals, a mix of reptiles and birds, physically speaking."

"Grunts, too," Tony said. "Not really a way to describe them aside from a chimpanzee fucked a dog and they had a kid."

"Why is it you use such crude language?" Rarity asked.

"Short and sometimes funny," Josh said. "Like you haven't cussed at some point, Rarity."

"I haven't," Rarity said, small anger in her voice.

"I do call bullshit," Tony said. "Everyone cusses, even Josh, who is more like you in his view of it then us."

"Go to hell," Josh said, which got laughs from his squad mates. "Seriously, you haven't once had the urge to cuss," he asked Rarity after he stopped laughing.

"Not at all," Rarity said.

"Well, we can get back to this later," Jacob said. "We're almost to the ship, and I told the pilots to tell the captain we had something, said something being you, Rarity, by the way, he had to see. Security precautions and everything."

"I suppose that's fair," Rarity said. "What's the name of your ship, anyway, if I may ask?"

"The UNSC Antieatam," Jacob said.

"And, again, what's the UNSC?"

"Human military," Patrick said. "Hell, with the Covenant, we're practically the government."

With that, the remaining part of the ride was in silence, Rarity thinking over what the others had told her.

"And that's what happened to me just after I arrived," Rarity said.

"So I assume Twilight's part is next?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah, but first," Twilight said, "what's with you, Rainbow? You seem more militaristic, and the both of us know what we're talking about."

Rainbow chuckled. "Well, you see, after a year of you guys being gone, I kinda asked Princess Celestia to make a division of the guard in honor of the both of you."

"Which she quickly took command of," Celestia added. "She's been in that position since four years ago."

"And I'm her second in command," Spike added cheerfully.

Twilight smiled. "Well, I'm happy for you, Spike," she said before she began her part of the tale.

Equestria-Twilight's castle

Twilight sat worried upon her throne in the main room of her castle, constantly looking over at Rarity's, hoping her friend was alright. She was so worried, in fact, she didn't even notice Celestia and Luna teleporting in behind her until the solar alicorn spoke up.

"Twilight, is everything alright," she asked in a concerned voice.

At the sound of hearing her teacher's voice, Twilight jumped out of her throne and turned around. Out of old habit, she bowed. "No, nothing's all right," she said as she remembered she didn't have to bow. She continued, not giving Celestia or Luna a chance to stop her. "You see,I was working on that long range teleportation spell experiment you wanted me to, Celestia, when Rarity walked in, scaring me and making me jump to face her, which made me lose concentration on holding the spell in, which means I accidentally teleported Rarity, and I'm not even certain if she's alive!"

"Wait, you did what," Rainbow said as she and the other four Element bearers walked in, which made Twilight cringe, especially as she looked at Spike, who had a devastated look on his face..

"Don't worry, I already have a way to fix it," Twilight said.

"And, pray tell, what might that be, Twilight Sparkle?" Luna asked.

"Well, you see, with each of the spells, I wrote down what I had as spatial coordinates for it, and ensured they were in planetary systems that had planets that are hospitable to pony kind, as well as what our spatial coordinates were relative to those, should I accidentally teleport myself to one of those said planets."

"Twilight, you don't plan on following Rarity?" Celestia asked. "Not alone, I hope."

"I do, princess," Twilight said. "This is my mistake, and I should be the one to fix it." She stamped her hoof down, indicating she wouldn't back down on that decision. "Even with me in panic mode, I still had enough sense to pack for it, so there isn't any need to worry, girls."

"Are you sure, Twi," Applejack said. "I mean, how will we know if you survive?"

"Oh, I brought enough paper for a letter every week for a little over a year, if I don't write a lot, so if I stop sending letters, well, at least you girls won't need to waste energy worrying for me." As the last part of the sentence left, she took on a somber look, as did the others, as how she had said it, well, there was a finality to it.

Regardless, the other seven embraced Twilight, smiles on their faces.

As they pulled back, Twilight said, "I'll see you all in less then a year," hopefully with Rarity, being the unspoken but clearly heard part of the sentence. With that, she took a hold of the same crystals from earlier, and lit her horn with the same teleportation spell before she vanished in a flash of light.

Human colony Shakespeare

Ruso 'Tafamee, a Sangheili Ultra with his Type-25 Directed energy rifle, or Plasma rifle, as it was commonly called, stalked around the corner of a human warehouse, his active camo active. As he turned the corner, he brought his weapon up, pointing it at an unaware human soldier, who was looking the other way, its own weapon, one Ruso recognized as one of the more common assault rifles, up as well.

Ruso smiled, as much as one of his species could, under his helmet, and unleashed a small burst at the filth, killing it as one shot hit its head and making its brains flash vaporize, causing a small, wet pop. As the human fell, Ruso saw a small flash, his helmet polarizing to compensate, from just beside the corpse. When it faded, to his surprise and befuddlement, there was a small creature with lavender skin, dark purple hair with stripes of fuchsia, and a horn from it's forehead and wings of the same color as it's skin.(1)

He growled and raised his rifle at the creature, speaking in sangheili, "What are you?"

The creature looked at him with a confused expression, not unlike a human's, and, in perfect English, the main human language, said, "What?"

Ruso repeated the question, this time in the creatures tongue.

"My name's Twilight Sparkle," the creature said, "one of the four princesses of Equestria. What are you?"

Ruso bowed his head, mandatory when addressing royalty, and brought his rifle to his side. "I am a Sangheili," he said, "right arm of the Covenant, highness. If I may inqure, how did you come here, and why?"

"I'm searching for a friend of mine," Twilight said. "I came here using a teleportation spell. Is there any chance you can help me."

Ruso thought for a second. On one hand, this thing could be a human experiment, made to make its way into the Covenant hierarchy and destroy it from within. On a second, it was quite possible, given how it arrived, that it had come from the gods as a sign. Of what, he did not guess, as it was above his position. The third possibility was the creature's race truly did have what Twilight called spells, and, if he and the covenant did indeed help her, then they may very well gain a new ally. In the end, he decided it was a mix of the last two, the gods having sent her here by manipulating her spell.

He bowed his head again, saying, "It would be my honor to assist you, your highness, but not here. It is much to dangerous for one as important to your people as you. This is a war zone, and those my kind fight would gladly kill you, as they are nothing more than animals. Please, if you would follow me so that I might escort you to our base and to the ship from which I was deployed so that we can make full use of our resources."

"You're a soldier?" Twilight asked as the two began to walk.

"Indeed I am," Ruso said. "I am a holy soldier of the Covenant, those destined to follow in the footsteps of our gods, the might Forerunners. Our mission is to find the Halos, the holy rings, and to cleanse humanity, a heretic race, from the galaxy."

"Um, by 'cleanse', do you mean 'kill'," Twilight asked uneasily.

"Indeed I do," Ruso said.

"But why?"

"Because they deliberately destroy the artifacts of the gods," Ruso said, hatred in his voice. "They have no honor, killing my people while our backs are turned and resorting to cheap tactics to win. Killing them is below a Sangheili, but we must to move along the path."

"Haven't you tried to make some kind of peace with them?" Twilight asked, horrified.

"That was tried with first contact, but they fired upon the covenant forces there as they searched for holy relics. What we do is in both retribution and to ensure they do not taint the path."

"I assume that 'the path' is what you believe the Forerunners were on?"

"Indeed, highness," Ruso said. "If first contact had ended better, the humans would be following the path as well, but they decided to fight us, and by extension, our gods, and so the prophets decreed they must die."

"Well, would you kill me if I said it sounds like your 'prophets' are morons?"

"The more zealous of my kind most certainly would try, highness, but, unlike them, I understand that you have not yet seen the glory of the path, nor of High Charity, our holy city." That, and I do not believe in it as much as my brothers, he silently added. "Now come. I do not know how many humans are between us and the outpost."

Interlude- fortification and alliances

"And, really, it was near four weeks after Voi that things came to an end," Rarity said. "But, if you guys don't mind, we want to make sure that they're aren't any griffons left in the city that haven't been captured."

"That would be best," Celestia said. "Besides, Equestria needs to formalize the treaty with the changelings, and this break will give us time."

"And this time, I'm joining in," Twilight said. "And I won't take no as an answer, Celestia. I've done more for Equestria since I became an Element, and I'm including my time away from Equis in that, by the way. And now that I think about it, why did the princess summit have to be in the Empire? Why not in Canterlot, or someplace in Ponyville, where I lived? You know, to help indicate my role as princess was serious instead of just making an Element bearer a princess just because you fucking wanted to!?"

Cadence was the first to open her mouth, but quickly shut it as Twilight's question set in, she wasn't really wrong, while Luna just looked at her sister with curious eyes, while Celestia simply tried to avert her eyes, the others, with the exception of Rarity and Nightmare, just looking at her, though it was unclear if it was because of the vulgarity or the fact she had just questioned Celestia. Still, the silence gave two answers.

"So, you either didn't care on that angle, or you knew."

"Knew what?" Applejack asked, a little angry at her friend. "That Sunset Shimmer would come back? None of us could have known that." This got a chuckle out of the angry alicorn.

"Oh, please. Celestia likes to keep it hidden that alicorns can have visions of the future. I should know. I had one while I was gone. And it was about Celestia telling Sunset through the journal she had given to me that I was missing. In fact, I know what it was word for word, if you don't believe me. But then I'd be getting more off topic," Twilight said. "To answer your question, Applejack, yes, she did know Sunset was going to return. And she knew she'd steal my element. But let me guess, it stopped there: her taking the Element off my night stand. It was pure luck we found out, or she would have taken Equestria over."(1) Under the lavender alicorn's glare, a swell as feeling that Twilight's magic was getting riled up with rage, Celestia quickly wilted, and sighed.

"She's right," the solar alicorn said. "I knew, and had intentionally kept guard patrols away from it so she could get there. I was hoping your anxiety would keep you awake, Twilight, and stop her, so that you could teach her friendship."

"But you didn't plan for if I didn't do that, did you?" Twilight said. "Actually, never mind. Heretic, we're heading to Canterlot." With that, Twilight lit her horn, and her squad vanished.

"I don't think I've ever seen her that pissed off," Jacob commented. "I mean, that time in Voi was a close second, but still."

"She scary when mad," Pawas said.

"You haven't seen her hell fire form," Rarity commented. "Something tells me you may want to head to Canterlot, Celestia. Don't want to keep her waiting when she's already mad."

Celestia sighed. "That would be wise," she said. With that, she got up, and made her way to the carriages. As she got on, she looked back at the others. "Aren't the rest of you coming?" she asked.

"You know we have to," Chrysalis said as she and Carapace/Shining Armor made their way to the same carriage, followed by Cadence, which made things a little awkward for the three. Luna, however, remained.

"I think I shall stay here, sister," Luna said. "So as to oversee everything and ensure nothing happens."

"Same," Rainbow and Spike said at the same time.

"I'm coming," Applejack said, going to the second carriage. "Twilight'll probably need somepony to calm her down." Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Twilight's parents agreed.

"Sweetie Belle, I think it best if you go, too," Rarity said. "In case there are still some griffons here."

"But sis-" Sweetie began to complain, but Rarity held up a hoof.

"Do you think mom and dad would want you dead just to spend time with me?" she asked. "Don't worry, when this is over, we'll have plenty of time."

Sweetie, though upset, said, "Fine. I'll hold that to you, sis." She then followed Applejack and the others to the second carriage, which followed the royal's one, and flew off a minute later.

"Let's hope Twilight doesn't nuke the capitol," Bishop said.

"Agreed," Nightmare said. "So, where's the CP at?"

"No idea," Josh said. He then got on the radio. "All UNSC squads on ground, this is Diamondback. We got a CP up yet?"

Those with radios heard this as a reply. "Negative on that, Diamondback," Brooks replied form orbit. Squads are currently sweeping for any that didn't follow the retreat, with four more pelican loads inbound to help with that, as well as a few allied Sangheili phantoms from ships that arrived as you were fighting. You guys are going to get a CP up.

"Copy that," Jacob said. "Thanks for the news, Ma'am."

"Any time, Diamondback."

"So, you guys know any places that would be good for a CP?" Tony asked the ponies.

"Well, there is that," Rarity suggested, pointing out a three story building she recognized from her first visit here. "It's a theater, so it should do good."

"Then I guess that's where we're going," Jacob said. "Let's go, Diamondback."

"Should I follow?" Luna asked.

"Probably best for protection until we know for sure if the griffons are fully out of the city," Nightmare said. "Come on." With that, Diamondback, Spike, Rainbow, and Princess Luna made their way to the fashion stage where the competition that Rarity had been in during her first time in the city was held.

Once inside, with Josh having to stay outside due to his suit, Jacob left the group to inform Brooks that they had a command point in the city now, and Luna began talking with Nightmare and Rarity.

"I do not understand it," Luna said. "Why is it, Nightmare, you haven't tried to use the chaos from this fight to, at the very least, kill Lady Rarity?"

"You still think I want to take over Equestria?" Nightmare asked, not really surprised. "Even if I did, it's only a planet, and not even a technologically advanced one. And besides, if I did, I'd have the rest of Diamondback hunting me, so my reign wouldn't last long." She shrugged. "And I'm happy with where I am right now, anyway."

And, as ponies are, Luna believed that. Of course, the fact that she had been fighting at Rarity and Twilight's side helped with that. "I suppose that makes sense," Luna said. Then, to Rarity, she asked, "I assume reinforcements are here?"

"On their way, Princess," Rarity confirmed. "Along with more UNSC soldiers, they'll be some Sangheili that arrived earlier, while the battle was going on, coming with them. Which reminds me, we need to tell Twilight."

"On it," Spike said from nearby, and the sound of quill on paper, followed by dragon fire, was heard.

"Seriously, how do we replicate those abilities?" Nightmare said. "It'd be handy when it comes to communication, especially if comms are jammed."

"We can only replicate it if we get more dragon eggs and raise the hatchlings ourselves," Rarity said. "And that would most likely require stealing from a dragoness, something I don't want to happen, as I don't want to get burned alive."

"Which begs the question as to how my sister got Spike's egg," Luna said.

"You know, while we're on the subject of sisters," Rarity asked, "I'm actually a little curious about something."

"What's that, lady Rarity?" Luna asked.

"Well, Nightmare shares your blood, which makes her your sister," Rarity said. "What I'm wondering is, since she also shares my blood, does that make me a princess by blood?"

"I hadn't thought of that," Luna said. "I suppose we could have Twilight do a few checks with spells on that manner. Though, if you are correct, Lady Rarity, that would mean you needing to become an alicorn, both due to that loophole, as well as your actions to protect Equestria in the past. And before you say that last one should mean the others should be alicorns, there is a nature to it. Either they, as an individual, must do something of spectacular feat, such as Twilight Sparkle finishing one of Starswirl's spells or Cadence freeing an entire village from a witch, or having the blood of one, such as my sister and myself, and, by extension, Nightmare."

"I'd like to remain a unicorn, Luna," Rarity said. "Alicorns may be the pinnacle of beauty and grace, but those two traits can be found just about anywhere." And it was here that Diamondback got a transmission from the Athens in orbit.

"Diamondback, this is Athens. Do you copy?"

"We copy, Atehns, Jacob said. "What's up?"

"Satellites showed two chariots leaving the city less than half an hour ago, correct?"

"Affirmative," Josh said, using the suit's radio. "Why?"

"Feed from one indicates Keeper Seraphs are enroute to engage it. Time is five minutes."

Five minutes later

Celestia was, to put it lightly, troubled for two reasons. The first was that her former student, now her colleague, had snapped at her, while the second was that she had her first vision while gone. True, it was rare for visions to reveal the past, but it happened. The reason how Celestia knew of Sunset's return was that she had invited her.

She had hoped that Sunset had seen the error of her ways, and invited her to the Crystal Empire, where she had hoped to introduce her former student to her sister, Cadence, and Twilight. If she had known what would have happened would have, she wouldn't have told Sunset about any of that, or even communicated with her.

She was brought out of those thoughts, though, when a guard on the chariot yelled, "Princess! Something's on us!"

The solar alicorn's head shot up. "Griffons?" she asked.

"No, highness," the guard said, making the other royals on the carriage have a look of fear. "Something else, and it's nearing quickly. We're going at our best speed, and it is still coming closer."

As this was going on, Chrysalis looked back behind the carriage. "Celestia, they may be a while out, but with my eyesight, it looks to fit how Twilight described Covenant vehicles."

"Can we do anything against them?" Carapace asked.

With despair in her voice, Celestia said, "Only run," as Twilight had told them of Covenant shield technology as the mare's families families were gathered. And, for as strong as her magic was, when it was combined with just how maneuverable the ships had to be, as well as the distance, Celestia knew she could do nothing. Well, nothing on the offensive, that is.

She lit her horn, and a golden orb surrounded the two chariots, meant to protect them from the craft. "Let us hope that my magic can at least stave off their fire," she said.

It was only a few seconds later that she was proven wrong, as the ship, just one, fired it's main cannons, the shots easily shattering the magical shield. As that fact went through the heads of each pony, the ship passed, and, off it, jumped two Brutes clad in blue and yellow armor, one for each carriage, the armor they were wearing being their version of Ranger class armor. The one guard on Celestia's carriage, an earth pony, drew a sword with his mouth, but the Brute grabbed his neck, and threw him off the side without even looking. He growled, and said, "Your meat will be a delicacy to my pack."

Celestia, out of instinct, fired off a magical blast, but the Brute had shields on his armor strong enough to disperse the blast, which made the ape-like animal chuckle. "I will enjoy hunting you," it said before it grabbed Celestia by the throat.

For the first time in a thousand years, Celestia felt fear for herself. When it came to Nightmare's first return, she had doubt that Twilight and the others would cure Luna. With Discord's return, she had been worried as to how well his mind games would affect the Elements, but not afraid-she had seen their victory. With the Empire, that was the closest to fear she had come, but, in the end, she knew her student would prevail. With the vines, they had acted so quickly, she had been asleep before she knew what happened. Tirek, she was more worried for her subjects than herself.

But now, seeing the Brutes up close to the point she could make out the individual teeth? Let's just say she was glad she had emptied her intestines and bladder before teleporting to Manehattan.

She felt the hand, or paw, or whatever it was, tighten on her neck, but, just before she blacked out, she heard a faint k-chank, and felt the grip loosen before she fell to the chariot's floor, if it could be called that, and saw the Brute fall off, lifeless. In her ears, there was a sort of thrum coming form the solar alicorn's left. She looked, and saw what Twilight had described as a Covenant Spirit, though the coloration was purple, not blue and yellow. The troop doors were open, and the royals saw five Sangheili inside, one of which had a Beam rifle raised.

It was then one that one of the Elites, one who wore a claret assault harness, jumped out of the Spirit, and onto the Carriage. In his hands was a Plasma rifle, while his thigh held a Needler. "Are you four alright?" the Sangheili asked, but the surprising factor was that the voice was not deep, or as deep as Ruso's.

"Y-yes," Cadence said nervously. "Th-thank you."

"Of course," the Sangheili, bowing its head.

"Ar eyou with the humans?" Chrysalis asked.

"My crewmates and I are allied with them, yes," was the reply, "but we arrived not an hour ago. My name is Skana Refum."

"Refum," Celestia asked. "Are you related to Ruso Refum'ee?"

"Yes," Skana replied. "And the 'ee' suffix, as you call it, is no longer a part of my kind's naming practice, as it was instituted by the San'Shyuum. As for Ruso, he is my brother. I assume he and his group are here on this planet?"

"He's where we're going," Carapace replied. "How'd you all know we were in trouble?"

"The human ship alerted our group, as we were the closest, and we came to assist. And worry not about the Seraph fighter, human fighters will remove it." To punctuate the sentence, there was a distant explosion. "If you allow it, we will escort you to your destination."

"Thank you," Celestia said as she got up. "We may need it if more attempts are made."

"Then lead the way, highness."