Kevin checked the sight of his gun, sighing as he did. Luna had joined them in the throne room, as Celestia and her conversed, staring at one of the windows, Kevin and his friends sat on the ground, right side of the throne as they checked their gear. Cody was practicing how to reload, as it appeared that any dropped boxes would simply disappear, and Cody described that he could feel a full box on his side. Zack was testing how fast he could pull out his SMAW, and was also seeing if he had enough RGO impact grenades. Alex was checking his MK11, while laying out his three flash bangs and Kevlar. Kevin loaded his SCAR before turning on the safety, checking the aim one more time. Placing his rifle down, Kevin looked to the sisters, as they still continued to talk. He overheard a moment ago that Luna wanted to go as well, as she was afraid that Sombra was going to take over the Empire. After hearing that the humans would be going, Luna only gave her sister wide eyes before the conversation eventually got her to calm down. With all of their gear in check, Kevin looked to his friends.

" Are you sure you guys are O.K.? No need for me to teach you how to sprint?" Kevin asked jokingly. Alex shook his head as Zack gave him a deadpan look. Cody laughed heartily as he cocked back his LMG, the sound of the metal echoing through the chamber.

" Yeah I'm good dude. Locked and loaded." He said, confidence clear in his voice. Kevin nodded, the sound of the doors opening making everyone turn their heads. Twilight cleared her throat as she stared into the room before smiling awkwardly, Luna looking at her sister in worry. Celestia whispered something to Luna, her wing covering her mouth as Luna began to walk past Twilight.

" You wanted to see me? To give me a test?" She said. She looked to Kevin and his friends, raising a brow as she wondered why they were there, let alone checking their gear. Giving her a quick wave, Twilight returned the gesture before her eyes widened at the fact that Celestia was there.

" I brought my own quills, and plenty of paper to show my work." She said, as she placed her bags full of books and writing utensils down. However, she may have done it a bit too hard, as a huge roll of blank paper rolled down the carpet, all the way to Celestia, as she stood at the foot of the throne. Twilight heard Zack snicker, as he held the laughter in him, making her face go slightly red in embarrassment. " Sorry sorry!" She said, as she tried to roll up the paper with her muzzle, her mind to distraught to use magic. Alex nudged Zack to get him back to being serious, as the four began to out on all of their gear.

" This is a different kind of test." Celestia said, as she levitated all of Twilight's stuff back into her bags. Twilight watched as the four humans got up from their positions, as they began to walk up to Celestia. Seeing the four in all of their attire, Twilight felt a tinge of fear, as well as feeling intimidated, as she could barely see their faces, besides Zack.

" The Crystal Empire has returned." Twilight's eyes widened as she looked to Celestia with fear.

" T-The Crystal Empire? I'm sorry I thought I studied, Oh I don't think there's anything in any of my books that-"

" There wouldn't be." Celestia said, cutting Twilight off. As Celestia began to talk to Twilight about the past of the Crystal Empire, the four humans stood to the side, watching as the crystal landed.

" Ooooooh, Star wars hologram!!!" Zack said, making Kevin chuckle and Cody giving him a deadpan expression. Twilight looked to the humans, confused at what Zack had said. Celestia cleared her throat, as she began to tell Twilight what she had told Kevin and his friends. Upon seeing King Sombra in the hologram, Kevin could agree that this fella was full blown evil. The crystal was lifted into the air, as Celestia smiled.

" If the Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected all across Equestria." The room shined in a rainbow of light as she said this, making some of the humans squint there eyes, but the feeling of warmness brought a small smirk to their face. But that moment was short lived, as Celestia closed her eyes, her smile disappearing. " If hatred and fear talk hold." Re opening her eyes, the sound of her magic, as well as Zack screaming " Holy shit!" echoed through the throne. The crystal turned a darker shade, as its shadow grew out to the front of Twilight, before black crystals sprouted out. Celestia quickly used her magic to cast away the crystals, bits and pieces being disintegrated by her magic.

" Well that was dramatic." Cody said, earning a nod from Alex in agreement.

" Which is why I need your help finding a way to protect it." Twilight looked down at the floor, trying to process the weight of the situation.

" You want me to help protect and entire empire?" She asked, disbelieving Celestia as she placed the crystal back.

" It is, as I said, a different kind of test, but one I am certain you will pass." Twilight looked up to Celestia with confidence, as Kevin gestured to the throne doors, the sound of guns clicking and boots hitting marble present as they made their way to the exit.

" How do I begin?" They heard. Hoof steps were heard as well, as Celestia started to follow the humans.

" By joining Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in the crystal Empire."

" My brother is there?" She asked, the excitement in her voice clear. Running up to Celestia with a smile on her face, the four friends split to the side and let the ponies pass, before following close behind.

" He is, and your Ponyville friends will be joining you there as well." Celestia looked back to Kevin with a smile, which he returned, but she couldn't see through his balaclava. " Kevin and his friends will be with you as well." Twilight looked back to Kevin.

" Now that you mention it, I was wondering why they were dressed like that, is this what you guys wear?" She asked.

" Yep, we're ready for war." Cody said, hefting up his LMG as he said that. Twilight gave him a fearful look as Kevin sighed.

" Don't worry Twilight. We requested to Celestia that we should protect from this Sombra character, while you do your work and try and find a way to seal him for good. Think of us as the front line." She looked at the ground, before looking back up at the four.

" Which one of you is which by the way?" She said. Kevin took off his goggles, while Alex pulled down his bandanna.

" I'm Kevin, that's Alex, Zack the one with the sunglasses, and Cody is him." Kevin finished, Twilight giving him an 'oh' before nodding in understanding. Celestia smiled.

" I still want you to know how much this means to me, as well as Equestria. I do hope you keep Twilight safe." She said, as they stopped at the door. Resting her head on Kevin's shoulder made the guards outside go wide eyed, as Kevin wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

" We'll be sure to keep our word and protect her, no matter what." He said with a smile, Celestia returning it. Twilight was dumbfounded to say in the least, nopony being that close with Celestia besides herself. After the hug, Kevin and his friends began to walk to the exit, giving Luna a smile as they did.

" Art thou ready to head to the Crystal Empire? Thou do know what lies there?" Luna questioned.

" Yep, and we're willing to fight it. Sure Sombra may have magic, dark magic being that. But we have something that our ancestors have mastered for generations." Kevin reasoned, as the four began to walk away.

" Oh, and what pray tell may that be?" Luna asked quizzically. Kevin smirked under his mask as he turned to her.

" Firepower." Kevin said, gesturing to his rifle before they left, walking down the steps. As the four humans did, Twilight eventually caught up with them, but the look she had was one of uncertainty. As they reached the final step, Kevin raised a brow as he saw what appeared to be a small lizard, the purple scales mixed with its green spikes only raised more questions in Kevin's mind. The creature turned around to the sound of hoof steps and footsteps, but its eyes widened in confusion as it saw the four humans. Twilight quickly interjected before the creature could freak out.

" Wait wait wait! Spike these are the four I was talking about when we were in Ponyville!" She said. Spike stopped mid fire breath inhale, looking at the four humans, before giving Twilight a confused glance.

" You never told me they would look like this. I thought they were just four new ponies." He said.

" Yeah sorry, I forgot to tell you that they're actually humans. Kevin, why don't you introduce yourself." Kevin tapped two of his index fingers together in a shy manner.

" I don't know. I'm shy Twilight." Twilight rolled her eyes as she nudged him, making him chuckle before walking up to Spike. Spike had to crane his neck pretty far back to look at Kevin, but the stress on his neck was reduced when Kevin knelt down.

" Nice to meet you little guy. Name's Kevin." He said, reaching his hand out. Spike took the gesture, a smile on his face.

" I'm Spike and I'm a dragon, as well as twilight's number one assistant." He said, puffin his chest out slightly.

" Wait a minute, you're a dragon? As in those big fire breathing monsters that could level a city?" Cody asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

" Actually, I'm just a baby dragon, as embarrassing as it is to say it like that." Spike said, a frown on his face. Cody nodded in understanding.

" Well I'm Cody. This here is Zack." Zack took off his sunglasses and gave him a wink with a small salute. " And this here is Alex, the sharpshooter of the group." Alex pulled down his bandanna and smiled at Spike.

" Hey kid." He said. Spike waved back, before turning to Twilight.

" Hey Twilight, we're gonna go to the train station, you coming?" Kevin said. But it seemed his words weren't getting through to her, as she seemed to have her head hanging, a sour look on her face. Spike looked to four, and ushered them to leave.

" Just give her some time okay?" He said. They nodded before walking away. As they walked through the streets to the train station, they were given strange looks by the populace, some even angry.

" You ever think the populace is gonna get used to us?" Alex asked, Cody simply shrugged.

" I don't know dude. From what I heard by one of the guards, some of the people are still uneasy with the fact that four creatures of a new species is living in the same city. But not all of it is bad." Just as Zack said that, a filly walked up to the four, making them look at each other in confusion, that is until Kevin's eyes widened. The filly had a navy blue coat, as well as a light blue mane. Her face seemed flushed as she hid her eyes behind her mane. Kevin knelt down and took off his goggles, as well as lifting his balaclava off his mouth.

" Hey, aren't you the filly of the mare we saved?" He asked. To answer his question, he looked a bit ahead, and noticed the mother trotting up to them.

" Oh sweetie there you are I-" Her eyes widened when she noticed the four humans, but she smiled more when she saw her daughter.

" Do you have something to say to these creatures sweetie?" The filly nodded her head as she looked to her mother. Her mom gestured to the four, making her turn back around. She began to stutter, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to say something.

" U-um, c-c-could you u-um... Th-Thank you!" She quickly said, using her wings to lift her up slightly as she hugged Kevin's neck, before quickly running up to her mother, hiding behind one of her legs. She only chuckled at her daughter's antics.

" I'm sorry she tends to be shy."

" It's Okay, she said she wanted me to do something, mind asking her what that was?" Kevin asked. She looked to her daughter, as she whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened slightly, before a small blush appeared on her face.

" W-well, she was wondering if y-you could... pick her up?" She said, her daughter hiding her face more at the way it sounded. The four humans gave off the same reaction, their eyes widening slightly, a small amount of blood rushing to their cheeks. The filly let out a small whimper, bringing Kevin back. He smiled, chuckling a little to himself.

" You want to see how high you can go?" Kevin asked. The mare's eyes widened, and the filly poked her head out. Reaching out to the little filly, Kevin smiled as he waited for her. She looked up to her mother, who nodded with a smile. The filly quickly walked up to Kevin, raising her two front hooves in the most cutest was possible. Kevin gently picked her up, making her eyes go wide at the feeling of the gloves. Kevin raised her up above hie head, looking at her as she observed the streets from her new perch. She smiled, looking down at Kevin, who got an idea. Bringing her at chest level, Kevin shot his hands up, making her yelp as he laughed, giving her air before catching her in his hands. The mare's eyes were wide at the sudden movement, as she looked at Kevin, hoping he wouldn't drop her. He did it again, this time the filly giggling while he did.

" Look at me mommy look!" She said. Her mom smiled at the antics, looking to the other three,

" I just want to say thank you, so much for saving our lives. If it hadn't been for you four." She smiled bitterly, as she did not need to finish the sentence. Kevin set the filly down, giving her a small hug before doing so.

" It's okay, just be glad that you have your life, and will spend it until death do you part." Alex said, the mare smiling more happily at that.

" I see you four are leaving, where to?" She asked. Kevin mentally slapped himself, remembering the schedule.

" Oh you just reminded me, we have a train to catch! Sorry." He said, gesturing for his friends to jog. The mare nodded a smile on her face.

" Well it was great seeing you again, and thank you...?"

" Kevin, Zack, Cody and Alex." He quickly said, as she nodded. With their goodbyes, and the filly still giggling and telling her mother how high she went, they set off to the train station.

**********

Kevin and his friends continued walking, turning their final left in order to get to the train. As they were walking, Kevin saw Twilight out of the corner of his eye, and turned to see if it was really her.

" Will I fail, or will I pass I can't be sure~

" She can't be sure~. Kevin raised a brow, as to wondering why she was singing.

" Do you hear the music?" Cody asked. Everyone nodded.

" Look we don't have time for this. We have six ponies to protect remember? Common on the double!" He said, the sound of their singing disappearing into the background as they moved to the train station.

**********

Kevin was lightly sweating, as him and his friends panted. The train station was a couple feet in front of them, as they used the shade of a building to catch their breath. Sighing, Kevin straightened himself up.

" Alright, let's go guys." He said, the four of them moving up to the platform. As they made it, Kevin saw the other five ponies, as they either idly chatted with each other or they just waited. Seeing the four humans, their eyes widened, and their lips curling up into a smile.

" Whoa, you guys sure look different, what is with all of the clothing?" Rainbow Dash asked, as she floated next to Alex as she observed their equipment.

" Oh, well we decided to tag along. By the way, where is-"

" Twilight!" Kevin heard Applejack, as she trotted up to Twilight, bringing her into a quick hug before everypony else gathered around her, eager to hear the news. Kevin raised a brow, as to wondering why they were so happy. Maybe they weren't told? " So uh, did ya pass?" Applejack asked. Twilight and the others turned around to see Pinkie Pie walking out of the train, with what appeared to be a blue cannon. Kevin and his friend's eyes widened as they saw the thing, just wondering what she could be doing with something like that.

" Are we gonna celebrate your awesomeness with Princess Celestia!?" She said, confetti and streamers shooting out of the cannon as she jumped in the air. She floated there for a few more seconds, baffling the four humans.

" How the fuck-"

" Not quite." Twilight said, breaking Cody's sentence. " We're going to the Crystal Empire." She said, the others giving her looks of confusion. Kevin sighed.

" Guess they weren't told. Hey Twilight let's get on the train, we'll explain it to them on the way." He said, as she nodded in understanding.

The train left a few minutes after the group had got on. For the first ten minutes Twilight explained how important the mission was, Kevin joining in as he told them of how him and his friend's were there to protect them.

" Oh I can take care of myself easily dude! No biggy!" Rainbow Dash said, leaning back as she hovered.

" Oh don't get me wrong, I believe you ladies can handle yourselves easily. But with the princesses permission, we will be defending you from any harm that comes from the King, while you and the others find a way to seal him again. Think of us as the buffer that buys you time." He said.

" Like bait." Zack said, Kevin rolling his eyes.

" It won't come to that. We're gonna hold this thing off while they deliver the finishing blow." Kevin said, making the girls smile.

" I'm glad that you are putting your trust into us, but what if we can't?" Rarity said, Kevin shrugging.

" Then we'll by you more time until you do. We most likely have an infinite amount of ammo, as long as we stay with Cody here." Cody nodded in agreement, checking the small bag on his belt. Rarity gave Kevin a worried look, as the feeling of doubt began to creap into not only her, but the others as well. Kevin noticed and sighed, sitting down as he looked at the ponies.

" Look, I'm a little nervous too. Heck I don't even know how powerful this guy is, but hearing that he had just woken up, I doubt he is at full power. Besides, I heard Twilight's brother and Princess Cadence are there as well. With all of us here, I'm sure we can do this!" He said, clenching a fist with a determined look on his face. The others seemed to be lifted by this, as they all nodded or smiled in agreement.

" Thanks Kevin. He's right, we can do this!" Twilight said, the train bumping slightly as it sped through the snow, and straight to the isolated castle.

**********

The train came to a hissing stop, as the metal gears slowed its movement. Kevin straightened himself, stretching his neck as he earned a few cracks.

" Alright, we'll be the first to exit, then when I give the signal you may, got it?" He said, Twilight looking worried, but nodded nonetheless. Smiling under his balaclava, Kevin turned to the doors and opened them, the wind howling as the cold invaded the cabin in mere seconds.

" Go go!" Kevin said, the four quickly exiting the train and scanned the frozen wasteland.

" I-I-It's fucking cold man!!!" Zack yelled over the roaring storm. Kevin wiped his goggles with a hand as he carefully gazed out to the snow. Backing up so Cody could take his spot, he looked to the train exit.

" It's clear, alright everypony common." Kevin ushered. The pony looked outside, looks of worry and shock as they did. Rarity smiled, a scarf on her neck as it widely danced in the wind.

" Ha, and you all made fun of me for bringing so many scarves!" She said, Spike behind her carrying her luggage as she walked forward.

" I didn't say a word." He said, before tripping and the suitcase will all of the scarves bursting open.

" Hey come back here-" Spike ran off, trying to catch the scarves.

" Alright, we need to move, I heard that Shining Armor is supposed to-" Alex said, but was soon answered by the stallion himself.

" Twilight!" He yelled through the snow. Kevin walked up to Twilight, pointing to Zack and Cody.

" You two, I want you guys to lead our group, keep a good ten feet away from us and scan in front. Me and Alex will hold the party got it?" Zack and Cody nodded, before peeling away from the platform. Shining armor appeared, as Zack and Cody rushed past him.

" Wait, what are you guys doing here?" He asked, as he lowered his scarf and pulled up his goggles, a confused expression on his face.

" They're hear for extra protection Shining, it's alright." Twilight said, hugging her brother as she did. Shining's smile quickly dropped, as a look of worry on his face was clear.

" We better get moving, there are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark." He said, making Kevin tighten his grip on his rifle. Looking over his body, he found nothing to communicate with his friends, that is until he felt his helmet. Realizing that he had what appeared to be a headset built into his helmet, he felt the right side until it came over a button.

" Alex, Cody, Zack do you copy?" He tested. As the group began to move to the castle, a small static came over Kevin's headset, as it rang slightly in his helmet.

" Finally. Hey Kev I found it, a small talkie on my right shoulder. Anyways yeah what is it?" Alex said, another static coming in.

" There we go. Hey I heard you man." Cody said, , adjusting his mic so it was close to his mouth. Zack adjusted his headset as well, making it fit nice and snug on his head.

" Hey guys! Sweet we got our little group chat!" Zack said, making Cody shake his head with a smile.

" Eyes front guys, your making sure we don't get eaten alive. Now that we know that these are working let us know when you see the Empire."

" Got it."

" I hear ya." They replied. Kevin taking his hand off his helmet. Turning around, Kevin noticed that Shining was looking back as well, talking to Twilight and her friends about something. Alex was with them too, staying close behind the six mares.

" Alex you got anything?" He asked.

" Nope, they're talking about something trying to get into the castle, most likely Sombra." Kevin nodded, thanking Alex as they continued to walk. Cody came over the radio next.

" Hey Kev I see the castle, it's got a dome around it though." He said, uncertainty in his voice.

" It's fine, probably keeping Sombra at bay. Keep moving." Kevin said. He was about to cut out the radio when someone else came in.

" Hey hey Kev yo I got some movement back here, South west." Kevin's eyes widened slightly, looking behind him. His brow furrowed, not liking the fact that they were being followed. Griping his rifle, he reached for his mic.

" Cody Zack get tighter in here we need you." Just as he said that, the sound of a low roar, akin to a whale echoed through the frozen wasteland. The whole group turned around to see a huge cloud of black mass, towering over the humans and ponies. Everyone looked up in fear, as two green eyes with red irises, and purple magic leaking from them stared down at them with hunger. That is, until the sound of rifle shots tore through the smoke easily, misshaping the eyes and general body.

" GO GO GO!!!" Kevin said, joining the fight with Alex. Kevin sprayed into the base of the fog tower, the holes making it hard to keep form. The smoke growled as Kevin and Alex turn and ran, trying to make sure that it doesn't get too close to the ponies.

" Alex Kev what the fuck is that thing!?" They heard Cody's voice, as well as his LMG in front of them as it ripped through the smoke, making it get low to the ground and give chase.

" It doesn't matter what the fuck that thing is just keep running and keep your distance! Make sure it doesn't get to the girls!" Kevin said, skidding to a stop as the ponies ran past him. Alex kept to the back, stopping as the ponies ran past, taking position with Kevin. " When the girls are close enough to the castle, get back here and we'll fall back got it!?" Kevin said.

" Got it!" He heard both Cody and Zack say. The black mass looked down at the humans, its eyes study them, before glaring with a low growl. Alex shot first, the bullet passing through, but making a hole nonetheless. The mass lunged forward, making the two split as they rolled out of the way. Kevin turned, his SCAR ripping through the smoke, making it hard to keep its form. Growling, its eyes glowed brighter, and soon Kevin found himself ten feet of the ground.

" Argh!" Kevin landed on his side, dropping his rifle in the process. Alex ducked under what had hit Kevin, which was a black crystal that shot out of the ground. Running to Kevin's side, Alex chucked an RGO impact grenade. The sphere touched the ground near the black mass, exploding seconds after it did. The thing seemed to be shocked by the explosion, realising a small yelp of pain. Kevin got up, grabbing his rifle as he reloaded. Suddenly, a lavender laser beam pierced the head of the smoke monster, making it disappear and reappear next to wear it was recently shot, the eyes glowing with hatred. Looking to his left, Kevin saw Shining Armor, as he glared at the creature with the same intensity. Getting ready, Shining shot another beam, but the creature dodged the beam, roaring as it descended on Shining. His horn glowed, as Kevin rushed to him, trying to get him out of the way. Kevin saw Cody and Zack appearing behind Shining.

" Shining dude get out of the fucking way-" Cody never finished, the black smoke crashing down. The shock wave sent the humans back, Kevin grunting as he landed. Cody and Zack fell back, coughing as the smoke flew over them. Alex fell back into a small snow pile, grunting in pain as he landed on something. Cody coughed as he began to stand up, Zack taking a knee as he checked his sub-machine gun. Cody groaned in pain as he hip fired into the smoke, making it dissipate quickly. Growling, the smoke cleared away, as it seemed to disappear. Cody looked around, seeing Shining as he got up.

" hey you okay!?" Cody yelled, running over to him. Shining shakily stood up, as he seemed to be fine, but he was missing his scarf and goggles. Cody kneeled next to him, aiming out into the wasteland, as he waited for the smoke to return. Shining grunted.

" I'm fine... for now. We have to get to the Crystal Empire, now." He urged. Cody nodded.

" Hey Kev, Alex you guys good, I can barley see you!" He said over the mic, the blizzard seemed to be getting worse. Kevin groaned as he got up, some snow falling off as he did.

" Yeah I'm good. Alex you alright?" Kevin asked over the mic. He waited for a response, but none came. Eyes widening in fear, Kevin quickly asked again. " Dude seriously talk! Are you okay!?" Having no immediate response, Kevin lightly shook his head, as he ran to Alex's position. Seeing where he fell, he could see Alex's silhouette, as he seemed to be sitting down, looking at something. Upon reaching Alex, his back was facing him as he appeared to be not moving. Grabbing and shaking Alex's shoulder, Kevin kneeled down next to him. " Dude what the fuck!?" Kevin asked, Alex quickly shaking himself out of his trance. Looking to Kevin, he sighed.

" Dude, look at what I landed on." Alex's voice was filled with disbelief, his eyes wide as he simply pointed to what was in front of him. Kevin raised a brow, following his finger until he saw something laying in the snow, most of it was covered, but Kevin could make out the shape. The object was longer than any of their weapons, its stainless steel glistening beautifully as the snow seemed to not affect it. The front was like a cannon, as it screamed power. The two knew what it was, but their minds seemed to not believe it was in their presence. Kevin carefully reached down, feeling the metal as he carefully lifted the object out of the snow.

" Kev, we need to bring this with us, right now." Alex said, getting up as he looked around them, remembering they still had a threat to worry about.

" Alex... how did you find this?" Kevin asked in disbelief.

" Like I said, I landed on it, but that is not important right now! We need yo lea-" Alex was cut off, as another roar came from the snowy fields. Kevin stood up, pressing his mic.

" Cody, get Shining and Zack into the shield we're right behind you!" He said, handing the object to Alex. Alex huffed slightly, the weight of it throwing him off for a second before he followed Kevin. They ran for the castle, the sound of the monster growing as it began to take its full form again. Quickly catching up with Cody and his group, Kevin turned around to see the mass, much bigger now as it seemed to block out anything behind them, as it seemed to be growing. Kevin picked a grenade off him, dropping it in the snow as they ran. The explosion after five seconds rivaled the cry of pain that followed. They were just a few feet away from the shield, diving into it as the mass charged. Screaming from the sheer adrenaline, Kevin dived into the shield, fazing through it, as he seemed to land of clean grass.

" Oh my gosh, Kevin!" a feminine voice called out. Kevin felt something soft grab his shoulder, as it tried to pull him up. Grunting, Kevin placed his hand on the ground as he helped himself to a knee. Looking up, he saw Fluttershy with a worried look on her face. " Are you okay? Did that thing get you? Where are you hurt? Can you see me? How many hooves am I-" Kevin raised a hand, silencing her as he smiled. Taking off his helmet, he began to take off the rest of his head gear, staring into her eyes.

" I'm fine Fluttershy, thank you. Just a little ruffed up here and there." He said. She smiled, a few tears at the end of her eyes as she quickly hugged him, her hooves wrapping around his neck. Sighing, Kevin shook his head at how affectionate the ponies could be, before returning the gesture, holding her as she sighed.

" You guys alright?" Rainbow Dash said, hovering near Alex as he stretched his back.

" Agh! That felt good." Alex said, a few snapping could be heard as he stretched.

" Anyone know what the hell that thing was?" Cody asked, Zack shaking his head, as Kevin ended his hug.

" No idea dude. But hey, at least we got out of there alive." He said, Cody nodding.

" Amen to that." Zack said, as Cody threw down an ammo bag, the four sitting around it as they began to replenish their ammo. Zack stood up, walking over to Twilight and Shining as he tried to use his magic.

" What's wrong with his horn?" He asked.

" It seems that these crystals are a type of dark magic, they seem to nullify my brother's and I can't seem to pry it off." She said, a saddened look on her face.

" Well shit that doesn't sound good." Zack said, Twilight nodding in agreement.

" We can solve this later, right now we need to get to Cadence." Kevin said, his grenade being replenished as he stood up, Alex joining as the sound of his RGO respawing was slightly heard. Cody knifed the bag as it exploded, earning a few yelps from the ponies.

" Alex, where and how did you get that?" Zack said, Cody nodded as he noticed the fact that Alex was holding something different. Alex adjusted his MK11 on his back as he held the new object.

" How is that here?" Cody asked. Alex shrugged.

" When we were engaging that thing and it crashed into you and Shining Armor over there I fell on it. It seems it was buried in the snow." He said, checking the scope as he did. Cody rested his hands on his LMG as he sighed, Kevin rubbing the bottom of his chin in thought.

" It looks like it doesn't seem to work, did you try anything?" Zack asked, the ponies seemed to be drawn by the new discovery. Alex twisted and turned the object, seeing if it had a power button.

" Ah! Got it!" Alex said, pressing a button on its side. A sound like electricity flowing through the object was heard, as it began to start up. A blue laser shot out from under the scope, as Alex aimed down, smiling like a mad man, as his friends did the same.

" Oh yeah, it works."

Author's Note

Another chapter done! The reason why I'm trying to pop these out is because it is a crucial climax to the story, and I'm getting the story rush. Anyways it is 3:41 in the fucking morning, I'm probably gonna die of sleep deprivation, hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll seeya in the morning.

• Keep on writing and keep on reading