An Elite Guardian

"Ruso, if I may ask," Archivist, who walked next to me as the survivors from the battle for the Empire-a week past- made our way to Canterlot, said, "how are you alive? Fernis stabbed you through the heart?"

"A mix of factors," I told him. "The potion merely healed it quickly. The two main factors are the seeds- Sombra's and Harmony's- as well as the reason how I'm able to have two of them. Sangheili-the kind I am, not Rainbow and the others- are born with two hearts. We are a warrior and predatory race, and we evolved as such."

"So, Ashen is awake, then?" he asked.

"Yes, but he is not very talkative," I replied just as Mist-in his changeling form- flew up to me from behind.

"Field Marshal?"

"Yes, Mist?"

"A report from our scouts," he said. "They report a small group of dragons around Canterlot, including their leader, Dragon Lord Ember. They don't dare risk getting close to find out why, but the lack of burn marks on Canterlot's walls and dragon bodies suggest a lack of attacks from both sides."

"May be they are there as allies to the ponies and have informed them of the Ifrit," Archivist said. "Dragons are the only race we can not convert and are resistant to our flames."

"Then it seems as if negotiations are going to be very entertaining," I said with a grin.

"You seem to have an interesting definition of entertaining, then," Archivist said. "No dragon would willingly speak with an Ifrit. Much rather kill and eat them."

"Yes, yes, I remember from your records," I told him. "I say that because they may actually provide a challenge. Thus far, everything but Fernis has been easy to defeat. If their scales are heat resistant, than my blades may finally require actual power behind a strike to slice through the target."

"Yes, well," Mist continued, "I was able to get a scout inside the city, and he reports Celestia's former nephew is in charge now, and has his own command staff, given those for Celestia are either Sangheili now or are currently in the escort group with us."

"That reminds me for whatever reason, have we had any problems with the refugees?" I asked him.

"Just some harassment, nothing major."

"If it continues, remove the rations for those individuals. I don't care if it's Equestrian on Crystal, vice versa, or if my soldiers are involved as an offender or bystander. They need to learn that they're stuck with one another right now, and must live with it."

"Yes, Field Marshal," he said.

"One other thing: how far away from Canterlot are we?"

"An hour at mo-" he was cut off by screams.

"That came from our right flank," Archivist said.

"We are near that farm where I saved you months ago, Ruso," Rainbow said as she ran up to see what my orders were.

"Archivist?"

"Potentially Ifrit soldiers attacking small, outlying population areas in an attempt to bolster numbers," he said. "Common tactic used in other wars between the various houses."

"Rainbow, get two more filers, and get me over there with you. Mist, get the five generals, and inform them that if they wish to help, they are welcome. Archivist, have a recon flight go over and see what the strength of this group and it's exact composition are."

"Understood," Mist and Rainbow said.

"If that is what you order, Ruso," Archivist said before using the radio in his helmet-if the banshees weren't any hint, the Ifrit are extremely technologically advanced as compared to ponies- to tell one of the fliers overhead to do a scouting run of the nearby farm. "Flier three, redirect to the farm on our right flank. The Field Marshal requires a scouting run."

A second after, a Banshee was seen heading towards the farm just Rainbow returned with two more pegasai, both mare and any features hidden under their armor, which was Sangheili Ranger armor modified for ponies thanks to the Ifrit flames. "Reporting, sir," the rainbow pegasus said as she and the other two saluted.

I nodded. "Excellent. I assume Dash has informed the two of you as to what our objective is?"

"Yes sir," one of the mares replied. "And may I say that it's an honor to fight along side you?"

"You may after the fight," I replied. "Now, it is time we left."

"Yes sir," the three said before they spread their wings, and the two armored mares flew up behind me and picked a shoulder each to pick me up.

"Before you leave, Ruso," Archivist informed me, "the scout has confirmed my theory, but also that dragons are inbound."

"I will keep that in mind," I said as I was lifted off the ground, and the three pegasai and myself made our way to Sweet Apple Acres.

The flight was short, just two minutes, and we had visual of the farm when we were thirty seconds out. "Drop me here, and wait for my signal to engage from the air," I ordered.

"Copy that," Rainbow said as I was lowered close to the ground as the two pegasai continued to speed along.

"Release," I said, and I was dropped to the ground, rolling to avoid injury, landing on the dirt trail, and ran the rest of they way there, hiding behind a tree as I saw ten Ifrit soldiers around Applejack and her family, alongside Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and three guards. I glanced skyward, and saw the three pegasai in the air, alongside a Banshee that was higher to avoid being heard.

The Ifrit soldiers had, judging from what I could see, cut off Applejack's rear legs, as well as her brother's, and cut off the wings of the pegasus guard and the horn of the unicorn guard.

I sent a mental signal into my armor to activate Active camo, and, as I faded away, slowly made my way to them.

". . .will want a damned pony strong as these two in her forces if we are to have a chance," I heard one of them say.

"Did you not hear the Queen's proclamation that none are to be left alive?" another asked.

"Then why are we letting her live if she's essentially a-" he was cut off as his head was cut off by a third Ifrit wielding a two edged sword that seemed to have flames inside the blade.

"Any who speak ill of the queen shall freeze," the third one-the captain if I had to guess- said. He then looked at the hostages. "Still, he was correct, and Inquisitor Solaria is known for going against the Queen's will with an appropriate amount of reasoning beihind it she'd agree with. Take them to the camp."

Not on my watch.  I drew my Beam rifle from my pocket dimension, sighted, and fired a single beam of super heated gas through the head of the third Ifrit, vaporizing a small portion of his brain and killing him, the body falling to the ground. I then dropped it, and drew the Needle rifle from the same location, and put a needle in the head of three more Ifrit, leaving five Ifrit, each of which were stunned.

This cost them their live, as Rainbow and the other pegasai came flying down, transforming into their Sangheili forms at the last second for maximum impact as they out daggers into the heads of those they landed on. The other two? They tried to run, but were splattered by the Banshee.

As those two broken bodies landed, I walked over to where the ponies were. "You three," I said to Rainbow and the others, "ensure those who have had unwilling amputations are otherwise all right."

"Yes, Field Marshal," they replied with a salute as the four of us made our way there, the three of them to the adults that had been wounded, and me to the lucky ones who escaped relatively unscathed.

"Are you four all right, considering?" I asked as I knelt down.

"Y-yeah," Sweetie said. "Thanks, Ruso."

"Think nothing of it," I replied before looking at the Earth pony guard.

"What happened here?"

"An hour ago, my squad and I heard a noise at the perimeter while we were on patrol, and went to investigate it," he said. "That's when those bastards attacked, and killed the others, bound me so I wouldn't run away, and captured the others still alive. Applejack and her brother tried ot fight them-even killed two with their bucks- but. . .well, you saw the end result there."

"They why is it i heard a scream just two minutes ago?" I asked.

"That's when they cut off Sky's wings," he said. "She, Obsidian-the unicorn- and myself are the only survivors of the guard, sir."

"And what's your name?"

"Lieutenant Jade Leaf, sir," he said. "Yeah, not a very intimidating name, but my parents are gardeners in Canterlot."

"You did not need to explain it," I said as Rainbow walked over.

"Field Marshall, whatever weapons were used, it cauterized the wounds. They may feel sore, but they'll live," she reported.

I nodded. "Good. "Radio the main body, and get medics here now."

Before she could reply, Scootaloo spoke up. "Rainbow, is that you?"

I glanced at Rainbow to gauge her reaction, and saw her freeze up for a second. "Indeed it is, but the reason why is classified," I said, deflecting any possible questions as to why Rainbow was currently in her Sangheili form. I then looked at Rainbow. "Can they be moved with the army?"

"Yes, but we'd need to move carefully."

About to reply, I was cut off by my radio. "Field Marshal, the dragons are nearby! If you wish to flee, now is the chance!"

"Is there any individual of note?" I asked.

"Yes. Their Dragon lord. She seems to enjoy being in combat as much as you, sir."

"How long?"

"A minute."

"Rainbow, see what you can do to move the non-combatants and the guards to the army. I will wait here for the dragons."

"You really are suicidal, aren't you?"

"Quite possibly," I said as I stood up. "Now, get back to the army with the others, and if I am not back in two hours or the dragons near, make to Canterlot. That's an order."

Hesitating before speaking, she said, "Yes, Field Marshal," before picking up the three fillies, spreading my orders to he other two who picked up Applejack and her brother, and, along with the three pony guards.

I then spoke into my radio to the Banshee pilot in the air above. "You are to stay on station should I require support."

"By your order, Field Marshal."

With that, the others left and, though most were being carried, they made their way back to the army.

As they left, I knelt on the ground in a meditative pose, and as I focused, I could barely hear the flapping of leather wings in the distance.

"It has been quite some time since I've seen a dragon," Ashen commented. "I wonder if they still have their hoarding instincts?"

"You can check later," I replied mentally as I heard something land in front of me.

"That's an Ifrit?" I heard a male voice say. "It doesn't look that tough."

"Neither do the ponies, but their former leaders could move the sun and moon, as well as manipulate the hearts of of others," a female voice said.

"What's it doing?" a second male asked.

"Meditating, you idiot," the female asked. "Meaning it's either getting ready for a fight or is asleep."

"Wait a minute. Look at the cloak. Isn't that what that Ruso guy was wearing in the Empire during those broadcast spells?"

"Then that means we aren't dealing with an Ifrit."

"Obviously," I said as I opened an eye, and saw three dragons-one red and gold with broad shoulders, a second colored purple and green with broad shoulders as well, and one with blue scales and dark blue fins, as well as having white horns coming down the back of her skull. The two males wore bronze armor while the blue one who did not have as broad shoulders wore golden armor and a helmet which cover the horns as well as all but the bottom of her head. "Do you not see the bodies?"

"Well, it seems the rumors I've heard of your personality weren't exaggerated," the dragoness said.

"I wouldn't know," I replied. "So, you clearly know of me. But I know nothing of you except that you are much more respectful of the ponies than others. I assume from that as well as how you carry yourself that you are the dragon lord Ember?"

A small chuckle was heard. "Yes, I am. And i must say, it's an honor to meet someone who isn't a dragon who can utterly destroy an Ifrit force and kill one of their leaders."

"Simply a matter of skill and using what I have at my disposal," I said. "So, do you plan on killing me and those under my command?"

"No. Not yet, anyways," she said. "If you want the specifics, you'll have to join Blueblood and me in Canterlot, seeing as how word's reached him that you decided to create your own nation."

"Then by all means, return to Canterlot and wait," I said, getting up to stand. "Because when I arrive, it will be with the refugees."

"You still have refugees?" she asked, surprised.

"It's a wonder what some will do when they know you follow a true goddess," I replied before walking away, not waiting to hear a reaction.