Honor and Friendship

Chapter Five

-Friendship Castle, The Next Day-

Aythai’Vadam stood at the center of a dark room, in his full body suit, with a single light shining down on him. Twilight walked forward, standing before the Sangheili with a scroll in hand, but she didn’t have a very confident look on her face. “Aythai'Vadam, of Clan Vadam and Warrior of Sangheilios… Do you swear to protect Equestria, and its people, from all threats? Both foreign and domestic?”

“I swear.” Aythai’Vadam answered, as Twilight’s horn started to glow with a lavender aura. The pieces of his lower armor floated over and began to attach to the Snagheili’s body.

Twilight waited until the last piece had attached itself to Aythai’Vadam, and continued. “Do you swear to uphold our laws, and punish those who break them? But stand ready to defend the innocent, above all else?”

“I swear.” The pieces of his torso and arm armor floated over. It attached around his body, clamping down and becoming tightly sealed. It felt good to have his armor back on, feeling the protective plates tightening down and the shield starting to shimmer about his body, feeling like a juggernaut again.

Twilight nodded once more, reaching the last part of this oath. “Do you swear to hold faith to the Princesses of Equestria, and act as their sword against evil… Even if they are the evil that threatens Equestria?”

“By Clan and Ancestors, I swear.” Aythai’Vadam lowered his head, as both the Sangheili’s weapons and helmet floated over. The two hilts attached to his hips, while the needle rifle clamped on to his back. The black stealth helmet slowly slid on to his head, eyes remaining dull, as his armor’s protective shielding activated all around the warrior’s body, and then vanished from sight.

“Then by the Elements of Harmony, rise up, Aythai’Vadam… Sword of Equestria. Your duty calls, and your charges wait.” Twilight announced.

The helmet’s eyes suddenly lit up with a bright blue glow, and Aythai’Vadam drew the needle rifle into a presenting position. “I stand ready, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I am Equestria’s Sword, name this Kingdom’s foes and I shall destroy them.”

The lights came on, as he other Elements began to applaud at the display they witnessed. All except Rainbow Dash, who kept both arms crossed and an accusing glare on the Sangheili. “Well, with that there fancy ceremony done, ya ready ta get yer ship ta Sweet Apple Acres, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, walking up to Aythai’Vadam.

“Yes, it would make things a lot easier for what I am able to scavenge… Not to mention, I prefer to have a Base of Operation, before we conduct salvage operations on the cruiser.” Aythai’Vadam answered, facing the farm mare.

“Surprised you were so willing to wait a day, and went along with doing the oath and salvaging of your ship today.” Twilight noted, walking up to them.

Aythai’Vadam nodded to her. “During my service, in the Covenant Empire, I learned that patience is a requirement.” The Sangheili turned around, and walked towards the castle exit, with Applejack right behind him. “You must wait, and allow opportunities to come to you.”

Rainbow Dash scowled at him, she didn’t like the way he said that. Instantly, the daredevil followed them out, the others raising their eyebrows. “I’m going to help move his ship… They will need all the help they can get, in order to get that big hunk of junk all the way to Sweet Apple Acres.” The others looked at one another, as Rainbow Dash left, and quickly followed suit.

-Phantom Crash Site, An Hour Later-

Several members of the Royal Guard, and a few volunteers from Ponyville, were tightening harnesses around themselves and each other. Each one was attached to a rope tied somewhere on the fallen Phantom… The only reason why they haven’t started pulling it yet, was because the ship’s owner currently holding a silent burial of his crew. The bodies had been removed and buried in Ponyville shortly after the crash, trying to respect the dead, so he couldn’t really get a proper ceremony. In respect to his own beliefs, they waited for the Sangheili to finish his silent prayer, the warrior believing their spirits remained where they had died and needed to be informed that it is time to move on.

Those from Ponyville did not really understand why he was doing this. However, those within the Royal Guard had an understanding and made sure things remained silent. After all, it takes a warrior to understand another, and the death of those within one’s unit was never easy.

Once done, Aythai’Vadam nodded to Applejack before he walked towards the Phantom’s troop hold. “Alright, everypony! We’re about ta get started here, so get into position ta move this puppy!” The group nodded, as specific ponies got into specific positions around the downed Phantom. The earth ponies prepared to pull the transport towards Ponyville, the unicorns getting on the other side so that they could push it, while the pegasi hovered above them in order to give the Phantom more leverage to move. Applejack gave a nod, as she went inside of the Phantom, after their Sangheili friend. She found him in the transport’s cockpit, pressing key on the Phantom’s computer. “Whatcha doin’ there, sugarcube.”

The Sangheili had his helmet off, the piece of armor sitting on the computer next to him, and kept most of his attention on what was being displayed. “Trying to get the Phantom’s hover system back online. I know you believe they can pull it on their own, but the hovering ability within this transport will make moving the Phantom a lot easier.” He explained, bypassing a red display on the screen.

“Why do ah got a feelin’ there’s a but in that?” She asked, walking up next to him, and tried to read what was on the screen.

“You’re clever… The Phantom’s personal plasma core is intact, it is what powers all the systems here, and doesn’t have any engineering issues. But...” He pressed a key, and a red display started o flash in front of him. “I can’t seem to get the hover system online.”

“Think there may be a crossed wire somewhere?” Applejack asked, looking up at the Sangheili. “Somethin’ that needs fixin’?”

Aythai’Vadam gave a light sigh, leaning back into the pilot’s chair. “If that is the case, then getting the Phantom’s hover systems online is not an option for us. The only way to access them, manually, is underneath the Phantom itself.” He started to tap his lower mandibles, pondering what he could do. “Maybe…”

Applejack watched the Sangheili lean back forward, and press key after key. “What is it? What did ya figure out, sugarcube?”

“Your thought gave me an idea.” Aythai’Vadam stated, watching the keys he pressed, and the green displays appearing. “If the hover systems are cut off from the primary source of power within the Phantom… Then, hopefully, I can reroute all of its functions to the emergency power core, which is on a completely different grid. This would give us enough time to reach your home, before it shuts off.” Both eyes were on the keys and computer, as green displays started to appear. When the entire screen became green, the Phantom started to shake and hum. “Done.”

That caused the farm mare to smirk at what she saw. “Seems ya just made our work a lot easier.” She punched his shoulder, causing the Sanghili to give her a confused look. “Careful not ta overdo that, at the farm… Ah’m a mare who enjoys a good day of hard work.”

This caused Aythai’Vadam to chuckle a bit, shaking his head, while placing the stealth helmet back on. “Didn’t say the thing would be easy to move… You will get your heard day’s work.” With that, he left the Phantom’s cockpit.

Applejack smirked even more. “Well, don’t you know how ta show a mare a good time?” She giggled, before following suit.

-Outside, Almost out of the Everfree Forest-

All those moving the Phantom were giving it all they had, straining with every second they either pulled or pushed. Though, Aythai’Vadam had perched himself on top of the transport itself, his helmeted gaze staring down the needle rifle’s scope. He knew that those pulling, or pushing, the Phantom were vulnerable to attack, and needed defending from possible threats within the forest. That was his current job, to provide overwatch and cover while they moved the Phantom. So far, nothing came to attack them, but the Sangheili was not dropping his guard for a second.

Though, not all the ponies present understood what exactly the Sangheili was doing. Rainbow Dash flew down next to Applejack, who was helping pull the Phantom. “Why is he not helping put this hunk of junk?” She looked back at Aythai’Vadam, who was canning the woodline. “I mean, that invader could at least lend a hand to move what belongs to him.”

“Will ya stop, Rainbow!?” Applejack snapped, still pulling with the others. “Aythai ain’t a threat ta us, ah can assure ya of that. He was tellin’ the truth when he was talkin’ ta the princess, and when he made that there oath at Twi’s castle... Plus, he is helpin’. He got that thing’s hover systems back online, ta help move it, along with pullin’ what he calls ‘overwatch’.”

Rainbow Dash was shocked, wide eyed, at the fact that her best friend actually snapped at her. “W-Well, what is overwatch? Doubt its anything very helpful-?” Right before she could finish, the needle rifle suddenly fired and sent one of its purple crystals right over them… Right into the head of a Timberwolf, who was about to snap its jaws down on to Rainbow Dash. Four more slammed into it, each one making it back away, before they detonated and caused its whole body to explode into splinters.

“It means, he’s guardin’ us while we move his ship.” Applejack nonchalantly said, with a smirk, while Rainbow Dash held a dumbfounded look.

-Sweet Apple Acres-

The Phantom was placed next to the Apple Family’s house, making the crashed ship look like another building on the farm. While the Elements thanked all those who helped, and said everything was done, Aythai’Vadam worked on the Phantom’s inside. After all, he had a lot of work to do, and couldn’t waste a second, in order for this “Base of Operation” to be fully functional for their upcoming mission.

The transport was, as expected, a complete wreck, and will require a lot of repairs. However, right now, Aythai’Vadam decided that getting a Communication Array operational was a sound first step. After that would come getting a recharge station up, in case he salvaged any energy weapons and plasma cores. The Sangheili gave a heavy sigh, looking at the Tool Kit he found, stashed away in the cockpit. “Always count on a Grunt, to pack emergency equipment and back up equipment.”

The thought made him chuckle a bit while pulling out a plasma cutter, remembering the Unggoys of his squad. Despite their kind being easily startled, along with having low morale, there were those that even Sangheili respected. Most of the time, they were placed in Special Opeation Squads. Two for every Sangheili in the Squad. In his squad, there were four Sangheili and eight Unggoys, he didn’t count towards getting more Unggoys because he was the leader of their squad. Aythai’Vadam respected the Unggoy, especially when the ones in his squad said, or did, something funny… Such as stash extra snacks for a mission.

One instance, involving an Unggoy getting the idea to lure out a squad of human soldiers by pretending he was one of their leaders… Wearing a human helmet. The memory made him give a soft chuckle, not noticing the orange mare walking in. “Now, what’s got ya in such a less serious mood, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, causing the Sangheili to look back at her.

“An old memory, from a mission I was on a few years back… Avert your eyes.” Aythai’Vadam suggested, turning back to the contraption he was working on, while Applejack pulled the stenson hat down and covered her eyes. The plasma cutter started to weld two pieces of metal together. “How did things go outside?” The helmet shielded his eyes, while also allowing the Sangheili to work.

“Everypony was happy ta be done, even thank them on yer behalf.” Applejack kept the stenson pulled down, not having the protection the Sangheili did. “The girls also went on home… Rarity complainin’ about the sweat she done worked up.”

“The cyan one doesn’t trust me, nor like me.” Aythai’Vadam simply said, welding two other pieces together. “She makes it too obvious.”

Applejack smirked, stifling back a laugh at how fast he picked up on it. “Who, Rainbow Dash? Yah, she can be a bit thick headed, when it comes to strange things… But just you wait, that hot head will warm up ta ya sooner or later… You’ll see, sugarcube.”

Aythai’Vadam suddenlys topped welding, and looked back at her. “Why do you call me that? What does ‘sugarcube’ mean?” He asked, honestly curious about the word.

Appejack giggled a bit, pulling her hat back and on to the top of her head again. “A term of affection, pardner. Ah use it ta help everypony feel more comfortable around me, and ta feel friendlier.” Aythai Vadam thought about it, for a few moments, before he nodded and lowered the plasma cutter’s power, starting to work on the wires of the machine. Applejack walked up to him, and peaked over the Sangheili’s shoulder. “Whatcha workin’ on there, pardner?”

“Getting a communication array up and running.” When he heard the mare gasp, the Sangheili chuckled. “Don’t worry, it is a short range one. Unless a ship is in low orbit, I won’t be able to transmit anything out into space... Not enough equipment, or power, for that.” Aythai’Vadam explained, reconnecting some wires. “This thing is meant to keep me, and whoever else goes with, in contact with those staying here.”

The mare let out a sigh of relief, smiling at the Sangheili. “Ah assume, then, yer watchin’ out fer those who go with ya ta that crashed ship in the Ghastly Gorge?”

He gave a nod. “To quote a certain female I know… They are ‘mah responsibility, and I have a duty ta take care of’em’.” Aythai’Vadam joked, making Applejack giggle a bit. “But, it is more for those who stay here.” He corrected, earning a raised brow from Applejack. “There is no telling if there are any more survivors within the crash site, and if the ones who attacked us are the ones that survived…”

“Word will need ta get ta the Princesses.” Applejack finished, for him, as he gave confirming nod. “How much longer until ya get it runnin’, Aythai?”

The moment she asked, the array’s lights suddenly began to flash and the machine started to hum. “I just did.” Aytahi’Vadam answered, shutting off his plasma cutter. “My helmet’s communication systems should link up with it, which means we should-?”

A button started to flash red, and beep, which caught their attention. Applejack looked up at Aythai’Vadam. “Ah thought ya said ya couldn’t communicate with anythin’ outside of orbit.”

“I can’t.” He simply stated, pressing the button. “This is a repeating, mass, message designed to go to anything on the Covenant net. More than likely, from a flagship or a relay station nearby.” The entire communication array lit up, as a large hologram of some Sangheili, whose armor was highly decorated and designed with some ceremonial look, stood before them. This caused Aytahi’Vadam to give an awe struck look behind his helmet. “I-It can’t be…”

When the mare noticed the Sangheili’s reaction to the appearance, the warrior stepping back, she started to panic a little. “S-Sugarcube… Who is that?” Applejack managed to ask.

“It's… The Arbiter, considered to be the supreme commander of the Covenant’s military forces, who only answers to the High Prophets.” Aythai’Vadam informed, before going down to one knee. This message was obviously an order, and he will receive it accordingly. Applejack, feeling like she should show the obvious leader of his people respect, followed suit.

“Hear me now, Sons of Sangheilios and who hear my voice!” The Arbiter started, holding his hand forward. “We have been betrayed! The Prophets have ordered the deaths of our leaders, spilling their blood on to the soil of holy ground, and use the savage Brutes to enact this treachery!” Those words caused both Aythai’Vadam and Applejack to look up at the hologram, in shock. “They have forsaken our people’s faithful service and loyalty, thrown aside such devotion that our people have given them, for heretical and murderous intentions! All the faith we have given to their words; all the blood we have shed in the cause that was their Great Journey! All a lie, to cover up the very genocide that they plan to commit!”

“Unbelievable… H-How can this be?” Aythai’Vadam muttered, his helmeted gaze locked on the hologram. Everything he’s lived for, everything he’s done, everything both he and his men sacrificed… All of it was for nothing!

Applejack looked between the hologram, and the Sangheili next to her. She could sense the hurt that was within him, the pain he was suddenly feeling, and all the anger that started to build up. Carefully, she placed a hand on to his armored shoulder. “Aythai… Ah’m so sorry-?”

The mare was suddenly cut off, when the Arbiter activated his energy sword and held it up. “Rise up, Sons of Sangheilios! Rise up, all those who the Prophets have oppressed! The Arbiter calls to you, take up arms and fight against those who have betrayed us! Take your vengeance, and spill the blood of those who have betrayed us!"