Author's Note

Hello readers and a heads up the chapter is unedited due to my current editor is busy and can't do his job. When I get a new one or he gets a chance the next few chapters will be unedited but i will have them fixed when i find a editor who can help.

Chapter 5.

-Canterlot-
-Recon Team-

Not long after they handed over the two changelings in varying states of well being a group of six guards with two of each type arrived and started to escort the four clones to some unknown location. The six guards were quiet as they marched in a semi-circle around the clones who didn't like things being to quiet if they could help it.

"One of you golden boys please tell us where we are being escorted." Eric said blankly while Timber followed close by his legs.

The guards remained quiet before one that seemed to be the youngest spoke up even though a glare or two was sent his way by the other ponies. "We are taking you to meet the royal sisters. They also are very curious of what happened on the train ride here if i may add."

The clones merely smiled at each other. "They had a good idea to get friendly with us and try to chat us up..." Franklin started.

Dexter spoke up chuckling a little. "One of those shape-shifters tried to be a little cute clueless mare and get me to talk, even tried some mind control magic but failed. Then we fought and shot them." He finished laughing and the others couldn't help but join him while six guards stared at them confused.

"You killed one and wounded the other... and your laughing?" One unicorn guard says.

The clones ignore the question and get their laughter under control soon after. "Well lets get going best not keep the sisters waiting." Dexter said pointing down the hall they were heading only getting irritated snorts from the guards in return before they started to march again.

Franklin rolls his eyes. "Alright lets not pick on the poor lads... just because we're better don't mean you can pick on them." He states and the guards either give a glare his way or ignore him and keep walking.

"How did you get to meet the royal sisters with that kind of lip?" One pony asks.

Eric speaks up. "To answer that question is we have a army on the way and we need to made sure blood isn't shed pointlessly." The guards became quiet as they went into thought and some were full of disbelief at what he just told them.

The sound of hoof steps and complaining drew their attention down the hall where a small group of well dressed ponies were complaining about not being able to meet the princesses in court, then the group of ponies spotted the ten soldiers in front of them and came to a stop and the two sides exchanged looks. Finally after a moment of this one of the lead unicorns with a white coat and gold mane stepped forward and spoke. "I demand to know who and what are you.. things!" He said in a snobby tone.

The ten soldiers stared blankly before Jackson asked. "Why should we tell you?"

The guards held back a laugh as the noble glared at the clone. "You must be from a very deep hole not see know the royal prince when you see him!" He spat at Jackson. "I'm prince Blueblood. Now that you know I have authority over you, tell Me what You are!" He almost yelled.

Jackson once again stared blankly. "We're not under your authority so we don't have to do so." He looked to the guards. "We should get going, we kept the princesses waiting long enough with us messing around." At that the nobles all gasped.

"YOU!?" Blueblood yelled. "How does a... APE like you get to have the permission to meet with the princesses in private? You look like commoners, if you were actually ponies." The group of nobles were also shocked at that they were put to the side for four creatures they never seen before.

Franklin sighed and started to walk past them and the others followed along with their escort. "Maybe you can learn once everything comes together. Also you must be short minded if you think we're just 'commoners' by what we wear. Wonder what you will think if we had our battle armor on." He said as he past the prince who glared at him the whole way before sticking his nose in the air and walking the other way and the group of nobles follow quickly after a moment.

After a while of walking and casual chat between the ponies and clones they reached a pair of massive doors flanked with two thick armored unicorns standing with pikes in hands standing at attention. As They neared the spears leaned over to block the door. "If you wish to enter please strip all of your weapons. We will keep them safe." They state in unison.

Franklin smiles. "Just like the black guards. Alright guys give them your belts so we can get this over with." He says while taking off his belt and holster with the others following suit The six guards give them odd looks as a pile of leather and metal is held out to the two door guards who take the bundle in their magic and take it out of sight.

"Thank you for cooperating, you may enter." With that their horns glowed again and the doors opened and the clones walked in with their escort and they get a good view of the throne room. It was a large room with very high ceilings with the sides full of many windows depicting events of the past, some even have a few of those girls they saw in Ponyville.

At the end of the room that soon had all the troopers looking was two thrones, one gold with a sun at the top and the other a dark blue with a moon in the place of the sun. Two mares sat in each seat of power and the men recognized Luna but was unsure who the taller white one was who raised from her seat followed by Luna and began down the ramp to the gathered ten soldiers.

When she got to stand before them she spoke a soft neutral tone that washed over the troopers' ears. "You four must be the ones my sister has told me about. I am Princess Celestia and i welcome you to our capital Canterlot." She said smiling and the men felt at ease for some reason.

Franklin spoke up returning her smile. "Thank you princess and let me introduce ourselves, I'm sergeant Franklin." He pointed back at the others and one by one named them off. "This is Corporal Eric, Private Dexter and Jackson." As their names were called they each saluted to the princess. "We come to represent the UAF and wish to make a peaceful first contact and make sure when our comrades arrive no blood is shed pointlessly." He states before he and his brothers stand stock still waiting for her response.

Princess Celestia regards the clones standing before her and if she didn't have a few thousand years of experience she would have missed the troopers trying to look more disciplined then the six royal guards standing at attention around them, and she had to agree they were doing a good job at it. She finally spoke braking the silence that fell over them for a moment. "Well sergeant we have much to discuss then, first how large of a force will be arriving from you your world?"

Franklin got into thought recalling the force of his brothers that are due to arrive tomorrow. "If I'm thinking correctly ma'am, A full regiment further supported by some smaller companies from others nearby forces. To round that into a number i would say maybe over two thousand troopers." He says looking at his brothers before looking back at her.

Luna who has been standing just behind her sister stepped forward and spoke her mind on this subject. "This is a smaller force then we came to believe, is it really only two thousand?" She asked used to the large formations that used to take part in warfare.

"It may seem small, yes. But it has enough firepower to level a city. And don't worry about them once they arrive as they have plans for a FOB to garrison." He said to them and she nodded her head in return.

Celestia spoke up next. "I also have gotten reports of your... equipment from Twilight, what will this force have with it when it arrives? I don't want to risk my little ponies, I hope you understand." She said looking over the clone soldiers.

Franklin gives the worst answer ever, he shrugs. "Not sure princess but i do believe the regiment will be the second German Panzer regiment, so a lot of tanks and light armored units and such. The companies tagging along maybe from the English or French." He said

Eric stepped forward and gave in his two cents. "As well I believe we will get a detachment of royal marines from the Brits sir, but i'm not a 100% sure of it, sir." He then steps back into place.

The princesses shared a look. "We will help in any way we can but you must agree to keep our ponies safe. We don't need anypony getting hurt by your forces." Celestia said looking over the clones.

"No worries princess we will never hurt a civilian unless provoked, but i assume that wont be a problem." Franklin said before adding. "It would help if you gave a official order for no civilians to enter the area around the portal and the FOB that will be built to keep where no problems will arise."

Luna nods in agreement. "That does sounds like the best course of action. Now if we may ask, is there anything we should know about this army that is planned to arrive?" She asked with curiosity in her voice.

Jackson stepped forward to answer her question. "The biggest thing so far is how the language we're speaking now is their second language so they wont speak it perfectly, they speak German so there could be some minor language barriers." With that said he steps back where he was and waits quietly.

Franklin soon follows up saying. "They can speak English to a extent and get what is important out. Just don't expect a long conversation with them." He added.

Celestia merely smiles. "I believe that wont be a problem, we have had many ponies with different languages come meet us and we have a spell that can translate anything they say into the current language we understand." She said clearing up a problem before it appeared. "Now their are a few more things I wish we need to do to clear up some issues."

Franklin nods. "Whatever is needed."

-Royal Guard Training Grounds-
-Half an Hour Later-

Shining Armor stood on one of the walls over looking the newest batch of trainees getting drilled into shape. He was trying to build the Equestrian armed forces into shape trying to catch up with the other nations' that have well surpassed them. And the news from Ponyville of the four soldiers from another universe has gave him more motivation to get the soft skinned royal guard into a respectable force that is worthy for the job of defending the sun and moon.

He smiled to himself thinking of how many things have changed from his new reforms that got them better equipment, armor, and training for his guards. He was pulled out of his thoughts to a mix of armored horseshoes and some other odd hoof steps to his side causing him to look to the source.

His training kicked in as soon he saw the princesses walking his way and he bowed. "How can i be of service?" He asked looking up slowly, but once he looked up he noticed the routine behind the royal sisters made him stare blankly for a moment. Directly behind the two embodiments of the sun and moon stood four creatures that almost could be mistaken for ponies if not for their lack of fur and lack of snouts on their face, and they have the description of the same creatures that fought and wounded a guard in Ponyville.

Shining Armor stood up from his bow as Princess Celestia stepped forward smiling her usual smile. "Please Shining no need to bow we are all royalty." She said placing a hand on his shoulder. "But there is something me and my sister had in mind and it may interest you and your plans to reform the royal guard." This got his attention and he raised an eyebrow.

"Alright... but why are they here?" Shining points a finger over at the four soldiers.

Luna smiles and speaks. "They come from a advanced military that fights to keep order on their entire planet. And they wish to come here and explore our world and in a promise to allow them they will help you train and reform the royal guard into a fighting force to be respected by the world." She said looking back at the four clones.

"Thank you for the praise, ma'am. But its what we were made to do no matter what the cost." The lead one said smiling back.

Shining Armor was now in deep thought. 'A army from another world big enough to fight around its world? Must not have many conflicts then if one army can manage it, unless its massive. If that report was right they have strong hand held weapons similar to the black powder cannons used by the griffins.' He spared them a glance before he noticed them all looking the same then it hit him. "An army of clones?" His answer was a simply nod from the four troopers. "I'll think about it. I want to see this force first hand and see if it really is all that." He said walking towards the clones and looking them over.

He stood a almost as tall as them but his horn still towered over them and their build was impressive. He could see they all had a small weapon on their belts but each seemed to be slightly different from each other in some way that also reflected the one using it. He held out a hand to the lead clone who in turn took for them to shake hands. "I'm Sergeant Franklin, leader of recon team Charlie of the UAF. Pleasure to meet you Captain Armor, the princess told me of you a little." He said as their hands parted.

Shining Armor nods. "So you are a global military force... when the rest of your forces arrives i better be impressed." He said with a small grin.

The sergeant raises an eyebrow. "Is that a bet? Knowing my brothers from Germany they will march though that portal in parade fashion with panzers rolling in front. Trust me they will impress." He said chuckling a little.

Shining's curiosity finally made him ask. "And what are these 'panzers' never heard anything like that before?"

This only caused Franklin to smile. "You'll know them when you see them, they arrive tomorrow so make time too watch the show."

Shining nods. "Than i'll hold that promise to you I better be impressed."

The sergeant looks out over the training grounds slowly. "So lets have a look at this royal guard you are in charge of, captain. I want to know what kind of work we have ahead of us to help with these reforms."

The captain walked to the edge of the wall and started to point different things out explaining as he went. "We have a sparing area for swords and spears to be trained with and a range for our crossbows, bows, and combat spell casting. This area for now is just to keep the guards in shape and skills hardened for whatever may happen." He said turning to the clone who looked over the ground slowly.

Franklin stared a moment before sighing. "If we're going to help you reform... dear god do we have a hell of a job ahead of us... you guys seem to be still in your dark ages when it comes to military... we left these weapons for new stuff about... few hundred years back." He said making Shining stare at him.

"We haven't been at war for well over a few thousand years. So our army will of course be lacking." Shining said defending his force.

The sergeant gave him a odd look. "Peaceful nations that haven't seen war for so long and falls behind the rest of the world. When you fall behind in the arms race you become a target, a nice beautiful target." He said and Shining seemed to deflate a little. "Sorry Captain but your army is pretty much equal to a town militia in a third world country... yours just has better discipline, I hope they do anyways."

Shining rubs his head a little sighing. "Did you have to be so blunt about it?" He groaned a little. "Will this UAF really change this force into a respectable one? Or respectable in your terms, anyways."

Franklin smiled. "We have trained with other armies before, won't be a problem to help yours out... maybe even refit your boys." He looks over the training grounds and spots a few mares and adds. "And girls."

Shining nods before Dexter stepped forward in between the two with a hand one the side of his helmet. "Sir we have a slight problem." This gets the attention of everyone. "Sir i just got a signal on my transceiver... i didn't fully catch the message but it seems the schedule for the army's arrival has been sped up, the task force will be arriving later today if i understood it correctly."

The sergeant stared back at Dexter for a moment before cursing. "Damn politicians can't wait for the army to do anything!" He turns to the Princesses who were quietly watching the exchange between the two officers. "I think our brothers may either be on the way or are already here. I think the best plan of action is that me and my team get back to the portal and make contact with them and tell how you guys aren't a threat."

His face held concern and the Princesses didn't waste time in their answer. "We can get a carriage to Ponyville in less then a few minutes to half an hour at worst." Celestia stated and was turning to a nearby guard when she saw the blank looks from the four men.

"Princess... it took about a few hours for the train to get here... how will a carriage get us there faster?" Eric said with a raised eyebrow.

She merely smiles. "Guard please escort these four to my personal carriage and round up the team to fly them they need to reach Ponyville as soon as possible." The guard saluted before nodding to the clones making them follow.

After a short trip and wait the clones find themselves looking at a gold and white carriage that would be used for a old fashion high class ball. "What in bloody hell are we supposed to get to Ponyville in that thing!?" As he had his out burst four Pegasus guards come out and start to hook up to the carriage before the eight stare at each other.

"Well we were pulled off our break to get you somewhere important! Lets get going!" One of the guards called out and the four of them spread their wings. The clones ever so slowly walked towards the carriage and got into it.

Jackson got a cocky grin. "Alright fellas, destination Ponyville and make it snappy." The ponies all turned to glare at him before they started to pull forward and flapping their wings and soon enough to the amazement of the clones they were air-born. The clones took the time to get a lay out of the land from their vantage point high in the sky. They spotted a large wooded area north of Ponyville in the distance and the portal right beside the large forest, along with many new grey objects scattered around the area around the portal.

"Fly boys! Be careful seems the army has already arrived! Don't fly low or directly over them or we're not going to have a smooth flight." Dexter called out making the four pulling them stare down at the long formation that seemed to be slowly moving towards Ponyville.

Franklin wasn't in a good mood and was thinking fast about what is ahead of them. "Alright men first thing when we arrive at the castle in the town is to get the princess and that officer we seen in charge of the garrison there to tag along with us to act as an ambassador." The others nod. "Dexter, Jackson go get the Humvee and bring it back to meet me, Eric and the others, got it?" The two troopers return with 'Yes, Sir'.

After a while the carriage makes a landing in front of the large crystal castle and the troopers quickly hop out and rush to get their objectives accomplished. As Franklin and Eric ran to the front door it was opened by Twilight running out with the guard officer and spike trailing behind them. The two clones stop right in front of them and were about to explain to her when she raised an hand.

"I got a letter from the princess, yes i will accompany you but first i must gather my friends before.-" Franklin then cut her off.

"There is no time, did the letter say that the task force was heading this way? We must hurry i already have Dex and Jack out getting our ride then you and soldier boy here will come with us to set up early relations." The officer was not happy of the nickname but his anger didn't last long with the current situation about the army that was coming here and as for Twilight, She was frozen in fear on hearing that.

She asked a simple question braking her silence. "How many are there?"

Franklin leveled his gaze. "A full regiment of over two thousand clones plus heavy weapons... and maybe more." And at that she had a very worried look on her face.

"Right, lets not waste time..." She said walking past them while the officer remained level headed.

He sighs and speaks "And for your information I am Major Curved Steel, And that's a reasonable force... I hope this goes smoothly, a battle harden force that big could wipe out a lot if they think we're their enemy." He said while the sound of the Humvee's engine roaring could be heard as it neared and soon enough the dark green colored metal beast came to a stop by where the carriage was parked getting stares from the team who pulled it and any other pony who was in the area.

"Come on! Get in we need to meet them before they reach town." Jackson calls from the driver's seat. Franklin opens the back door for the extra company and Eric climbs in and mounts the M2. "Going to be a tight fit you two." Franklin says as he climbs into the back followed by twilight who ends up in the middle and with the Major on the other side of her. With another roar of the heavy power house the Humvee has they were shooting down the road.

In the grassy fields north of Ponyville the peaceful sounds of birds and animal calls were replaced by the sound of moving metal and engines calling out loudly for all to hear followed by the heavy thudding rhythm of marching feet across the open ground with the sound of old German marching songs coming from the troopers

At the head of the formation was a Leopard A2A5 leading the formation with a sizable flag flapping depicting the old German sixth panzer division markings waving proudly. the tank wore a tiger black and orange strip camouflage scheme with a single clone out of the commanders hatch watching the distance with his binoculars.

The commander was about to retire back into the turret when the gunner below him called out. "Heer Dietrich, American Humvee far right on the distance." Dietrich looked around a little before he spotted the Humvee.

"Hold fire gunner it must be our recon team." He pulled a radio to his mouth. "Column, halt" Nealy as soon he says that the long line of tanks and marching troopers come to a complete perfect stop. "Brake out of column and be on guard." with another order out tanks, APCs, SPAAs, and infantry move out and find make shift positions and start scanning around.

Dietrich climbs out of the hatch and jumps off the side of his command tank as the Humvee was pulling up. "Recon team Charlie?" The commander asked simply walking towards it.

The doors start opening and four clones come out but he notices movement in the backseat still. "Colonel Dietrich good to see you." The sergeant said walking forward saluting. "And yes sir, and we have news of this world you may find interesting." The colonel raised an eyebrow.

He then fixed his eyes on the movement of bright colors in the back of the Humvee. "Care to explain sergeant?" He pointed to their ride.

He smiles slightly. "Alright you two come on out and lets get this done with." As he said that the back doors opened and out stepped some very odd sights, at first he thought he was looking at very colorful people until he saw their faces. They seemed to look like a horse's head only a lot smaller and massive eyes and both seemed to have horns on their heads and even had hooves and not feet, but that's where they started to become different as one seemed to be a girl if he looked at her body right and even saw wings on her back. As for the other one, male and military from the Trojan style armor and sword on his hip and a build to match the clones.

"Sergeant may i ask who and what you have here." Dietrich asked looking at the two and noticed the female seemed amazed by all the armored war machines around them while the military one was keeping to himself and scanning around slowly with a keen eye.

"This-" He begun pointing to the extra company."- Major Curved Steel is part of the native armed forces and this is Princess Twilight of the country of Equestira." He introduced them and the major gave a nod while the princess a small bow. "We have brought them along to settle things and get relations out of the way... where is the general?" He looked around a little.

Dietrich rolled his eyes. "He is awaiting a all clear from us. But with you making contact and getting this settled early on he will be happy to hear." He walked to the princess looked her over before he stepped over to the Major. "I am Colonel Dietrich of the sixth panzers. Pleasure to meet you major." He extended a hand and they shook hands.

"Pleasure is mine colonel, now lets get right to the point. There is a town a few miles ahead where we can get things settled, but your general is going to be needed when the others arrive to meet." Steel said and Dietrich nodded.

"Uh.. excuse me... but i'm here to help with this and you just skipped me." Twilight said from beside them making Dietrich look over at her.

He sighs and waves her off. "I prefer to work with other military members over royalty or politicians cause as a military man myself we can see eye to eye better." He states turning back to the Major. "We shall continue to the town and await our general and whoever you need for this meeting. You may get a ride in one of the APCs or tanks if you wish, or if you wish return to the town with the recon team."

Twilight looked around before she shook her head. "I'll wait in Ponyville." And in a flash she was gone and the others stared blankly where she stood.

"Well Major what will you do?" Dietrich Looking to the odd soldier. "If I may ask what you are?"

The major simply smiled looking over to the command tank. "I'll ride along with you if you don't mind... and I'm a pony or more specific a unicorn for your other question." He said nodding to the tank and smiling. "As long i get to ride."

Dietrich started walking to his tank. "Come along then Major and we can discuss things over a drink maybe." He said starting to climb up the side of the war machine soon followed by the unicorn soldier.

"Hope you don't mind me asking a few things in return colonel." Steel said once he made his way into the hatch beside the commander's.

"Not at all major we can trade questions and what not." Dietrich said reaching down grabbing his radio. "Column, forward!" With that the formation returned to how it was and once again rolled forward while a Humvee speeds ahead to let the town know about the new arrivals.

"So Colonel-" Steel began looking beside him. "- mind if you can lean us some of these toys?" He asks with a smile while Dietrich just laughs.

"We'll have to wait and see Major... I feel like our two forces will stand side by side so I don't see why we can't help you train with some new things." That makes Curved Steel go into thought. 'I hope this works out and we work together. Still hope their reason their here is solved.'