An Echo of What Once Was

A sharp crack of thunder was what roused Tony from his sleep. The man gave a groan as he sat up and looked around. He was in the middle of a warehouse that was filled with a few dozen people and marines, who were either sleeping on makeshift bed or talking around a makeshift fire. Those awake seemed to ignore the cracks of thunder as they were more occupied with drinking their worries away or talking.

With a grunt, Tony pulled himself to his feet and stretched. The young man noticed he had a slight pain in his ankle but pushed through it as he walked over to the drinking men.

“Aye Kid, you're meant to be sleeping” An old, grey haired man civilian man said with a slur, causing Tony to stop in his tracks.

“Oh fuck off you old cunt, If it wasn't for him. You'd be a sticky puddle” A slightly younger civilian man growled before he gestured Tony to sit next to him. “Come here kid, just ignore the old man… he is just pissy that he can't boss you around” He said politely as Tony walked over and sat next to him.

“Thanks” Tony said, his voice breaking slightly which caused the other marines around the fire to chuckle.

“Fucking hell, would you listen to that squeak” A woman civilian said with a laugh as she sat down next to Tony and wrapped her arm around the young man. “I knew the brass wanted fresh meat but fuck” She laughed, causing Tony visibly shrink.

“Who you leave the kid alone, he is doing a damn fine job… all of my men were” A marine said as he walked over and sat across from Tony. Tony knew him as colonel Bishop who was incharge of the defense of the planet. “If not for his squad, we may have lost ninety percent of you all instead of seventy five” Bishop said as he snatched the bottle of amber liquid from the bitter old man and passed it to Tony. “Here kid, it helps you sleep.”

“Um sir, as much as I'd like to, I'm only sixteen” Tony said, causing the woman to groan.

“Well there goes my plan for this evening” She said with a wink, causing Lex to blush brightly.

“Kid, right now I doubt anyone gives a fuck about how old you are. There is a high chance that most of us won't survive” The man to Tony’s side said as he undid the bottle of liquid and took a swig before offering it to Tony.

“Come on kid, it'll calm you…” Bishop started only for one of the guards on the upper rails to scream.

“Phantoms inbound!” He shouted, seconds before the catwalk detonated in a burst of purple plasma, incinerating the man and sending the catwalk and the remaining marines to the ground hard.

“Holy fuck” Tony said as he attempted to get up, but as he did the old man charged past him. Causing the smaller male to be shoved over and smack his head hard against the concrete floor.

“Asshole” The woman said as she knelt next to Tony and shock him. “Wake up kid!” She screamed at him moments before several green plasma bolts struck her in the chest. This was enough to snap Tony out of his daze.

“Come on kid” Bishop said as he pulled the private to his feet. “Grab your gear we are getting the fuck out of here” He exclaimed, gaining a nod from Tony, who turned and ran for his bedroll, where his rucksack, chestplate and weapon was.

Time seemed to slow as Tony ran towards his kit though before he reached it, the area where most of the civilians were detonated, sending shards of concrete and rebar flying. Hitting the scattered Marines and Civilians.

Tony attempted to cover his head with his hands but only achieved having a red hot shard of rebar impaling his right hand while other shards sliced at his chest and concrete chunks hitting his legs and gut, making him drop to his knees and clutched his gut with his left hand while gritting his teeth and the immense pain while he suddenly felt a tightness around his chest.

“Tony are you…” A fell marine called out moments before he was hit in the back by a Hunter that seemed to appear out of nowhere. The marine fave a cry of pain only to be silenced as his body connected with a nearby container.

“Bring it down!” Another marine ordered several others before opening up on the towering walking tank, though to the despair to of the man, all but a few, which hit between the armour plates, ricocheted off. The marine didn't get a chance to continue his attack after a few moments as a second Hunter appeared from behind and used its shield like arm to swat him into Tony, crippling the soldier and dazing Tony.

Tony groaned as he shook off his daze only to realize that the heavier man was lying on top of him as one of the Hunters walked over, either failing to notice the pair were alive or not caring as it Tony noticed this and tried to get out from the semi conscious marine, which was nearly successful save for the fact that the piece of rebar in his hand had caught on the heavy marines chest plate, making it jerk to the side and making Tony grit his teeth from the pain.

The next thing Tony knew he froze as he watch the hunter raise its foot and bring it down on top of the downed marine, even though it wasn't stomping, the alien was probably several tones. Though before both the man and Tony’s right arm, the world froze and collapsed around Tony. Tony pulled himself to his feet and looked around the void before he looked to his arm to see the wound was gone. All was back to the way it was save for the tightness around the man’s chest..

“What the hell?” Tony asked confused as Luna and Nightmare appeared out of thin air and hugged him.

“Are you okay?” Nightmare asked as she nuzzled him.

“Why are you here?” Tony asked confused, still dazed at what he just relived.

“Been awhile since we entered you dreams… but we noticed a great disturbance and attempted to enter your dream earlier but i was helping Cadance with a nightmare” Luna said with a frown as she kissed his neck.

“Wait? Is Candy okay?” Tony asked snapping out of his daze.

“Yes… a bit traumatized but she should be fine… she is currently cuddling you.” Moon explained.

“That explains the tightness” Tony said as Luna and Nightmare released him.

“Yes, but if you are ready, the sun has risen a good few hours ago” Luna explained as the man stretched.

“Then why am i still asleep? I am usually up at daybreak” He asked.

“Well, when i got up with Molly to raise the sun, i noticed how comfortable you were sleeping with us so… i kind of kept the blinds shut as to not to wake you” Luna explained as her ears flattened her ears against her head. “I didn’t expect such a horrible dream to afflict you” She said as Tony knelt down and took her in his arms.

“Hey it’s fine moon butt” He said, causing the mare to blush brightly at the name.

“So that was how you lost your arm?” Moon asked curious.

“Yes… my hand got caught on a another man’s armour due to the rebar sticking thr…” Tony started only to stop and place his hand against his neck.

“What’s wrong?” Moon asked concerned.

“My neck feels wet” Tony said confused as the world began to collapse.

“Hmm it would appear that you are waking up… probably due to whatever is going that” Luna said as she pointed her hoof to Tony’s neck.

(Real world)

“So what are we gonna do with that bitch?” Tony heard Lucy ask.

“I don’t know, i’m not gonna say that we should let Tony decide as he did try and kill her” Evelyn said as Tony opened his eyes to see only pink.

“The heck?” He muttered as he shifted, only for the pink to shift enough for Tony to make out that it was Cadance’s wing.

“Well why not bucking kill her? She did try and kill Tony” Lucy growled as Tony shifted and looked to his side to see the Alicorn mare was drooling on his neck as she was wrapped around him.

“Well that explains that” He said with a smile as he managed to get his arms free before wrapping them around the mare. Once secured, Tony sat up causing her wing to fall away and free Tony from the world of pink as Candy remained asleep while against him, snoring away.

“Yes, but maybe we can change her” Chrys said as she finished getting dressed. There was several members of the herd casually arguing while getting dressed.

“Why do i get the feeling that if we go down that road then she’s gonna end up in our bed?” Tony asked, causing the entire group to jump suddenly in fright and surprise.

“Tony you're awake” Lucy said as she calmed herself as she watched the man peel Candy off of him.

“Yea… kinda hard when this one is drooling all over me” He said as he gently laid Cadance onto the bed. “Look, i know we need the information from her but let's try and be careful about this as she is incredibly powerful” Tony said as his tone great serious. “While yes, she could be a powerful allie, she could also be a serrated knife in the back” Tony said as he slipped out of the bed and grabbed some clothes. “So all i am suggesting is that we keep her on a short leash while keeping a blade to her throat as we make her feel at home so that she knows that, yes we are happy to let her join us we are also at no way upset to kill her if she becomes a liability and threat to this family” Tony explained.

“So what? You want her in the herd” Lucy said as she crossed her arms.

“I never said that, i was pretty much saying that we keep her close to us while keeping our cards closer” Tony said as he pulled on some pants.

“Okay… would you be upset if she joined our herd?” Evelyn asked.

“I would be apprehensive about the idea, though seeing as Umbra, Luna, Celestia and Glimmer have joined the herd after trying to kill me… lets just say that i would not be surprised” Tony said as he sat down on the edge of the bed and slipped on socks and boots.

“Wait… so Glimmer and me are actually allowed to join?” Umbra said as she pointed at Glimmer, who was currently doing up her top, but stopped at Tony’s statement.

“Well you both did get down and dirty with us all last night and i am pretty sure that i only sleep with those who are in my herd” Tony said with a shrug moments before Glimmer tackled him. “Ahh for fuck sake!” Tony growled in pain as Glimmer’s shoulder connected with his jaw.

“Does that mean that you forgive me? Glimmer asked before noticing that Tony was clutching his jaw.

“I was until you nearly broke my fucking jaw!” Tony growled and glared at the mare, who frowned and gave him puppy dog eyes. “Fine… i forgive you for all the shit you did twenty years ago” He said causing the mare to wrap herself around him and hug tightly.

“Yay, you forgive me completely” She said happily.

“I said nothing about forgiving you for tackling me” He said with a smirk.

“What?!” She said alarmed as she looked at him, causing him to chuckle and kiss her forehead. Tony was about to say something but he didn’t get the chance as the door to the room burst open and in ran Rarity and Twilight, though both froze when they realized that they had barged in on several half naked Alicorn mares, Changeling Queen, Dragoness, Elves and Tony, who were all staring at them in shock at the sudden intrusion.

“No… no more alicorns” Tony said causing all eyes to shift back to him in confusion. “There is already like… what eight?... one, two, three….” Tony said before he started counting them. “Yea eight” He said.

“What are you talking about Tony?” Amanda asked confused.

“Well, i was just saying that…” Tony started only to be cut off by Rarity.

“Sorry to interrupt but we… i need your help Tony!” Rarity said, she was slightly shaken.

“Wha…” Tony started only for Lucy to interrupt.

“Fuck no… i know where this is going, and no… i refuse it!” She growled before she turned at pointed at Tony. “Last time you went on a mission, you nearly died” She said, gaining a smirk from Tony.

“It wouldn’t be one if i didn’t” He said as the woman looked close to throttling him.

“I need Tony’s help… i just received a letter from Fancy… he is alive but imprisoned” Rarity said, gaining everyone’s attention.

“And why do you need Tony’s help instead of Armonian Marines?” Chrys asked.

“Because from the stories told by you all, he is the most capable of slipping to the prison and freeing everypony… as not only is he smaller than most of the Marines, he is far, far more trained in combat than anypony else” Twilight said as Tony gently pushed Glimmer off of him and got to his feet.

“Well i guess it is decided” Tony said, receiving a glare from Lucy, who proceeded to walk over, grab his head and kiss him deeply.

“You better not get hurt or else” She threatened him as she broke the kiss. Tony would have waved it off if he did notice the amount of worry in her eyes.

“I won’t my love… i’ll bring everyone home safe and then you can help me prepare for those trials” He said with a soft smile as he gently pulled her against him and gave her a kiss.

“You better” She said as she held him close.

“Rarity, give me an hour to gear up and prepare” Tony said, gaining a nod from the mare before she left the room with Twilight. Once they had closed the door, Tony moved to the bathroom.

(An hour later)

Rarity and Twilight were sitting in the kitchen on Tony’s home sipping coffee as Rarity held the letter in her magic, reading it again with a look of worry and concern on her face. Twilight sat across from her with a frown on her muzzle as she did her best to think of something to say to console her best friend but nothing came to mind until Tony walked into the room carrying a large duffle bag while dressed in his ODST armour.

“Thank fuck Smitty made several copies of this” He said as he placed the dufflebag on the table and unzipped it. “So Rarity, i need you to tell me what you know about where Fancy is being kept” He asked as he pulled several weapons, grenades and a strange cylinder device that had a thinner metal tube at the base and a tripod while the tip seemed to pulse with a faded yellow light from bag and laid them down.

“From what Fancy’s letter has told us, the prison is somewhere nearby the ruins of Baltimare… about several miles south… it is also is apparently where the Collective are keeping most of their prisoners.” Twilight explained, gaining a nod from Tony as he produced several large blocks of metal.

“Alright, well i guess once i get everyone out, i’m gonna blow the place to hell” He said as he picked up the DMR on the table and attached a suppressor to it before he loaded the weapon before placing it back on the table and attached the strange glowing device to his belt.

“So how are you planning on getting the prisoners out and what was that odd glowing device?” Twilight asked as she watched Tony load a suppressed pistol and SMG before returning them to the table.

“I can explain that much better than Tony” Celestia said as she walked in and watched as Tony attach a bracelet to each wrist. “When Tony has released prisoners, he will use a special crystal that will create a portal that will send them all back to Armonia” Celestia explained as she used her magic to float a rucksack over to Tony.

“Thanks and that device is a bubble shield” He said with a smile before he placed the blocks on metal inside, along with some ammo.

“No worries” She said as she watched him pull a few medical supplies, rope and a small device from the bag, which he put in his pack. “What was that device?” Celestia asked confused.

“It is a cutting torch, i’ll need it if i can’t find a key for cells” He explained before he stopped and thought for a moment. “I think this is everything” He said as he pulled his helmet from the bag and slipped it on.

“Okay, i’ll transport you there, just remember if something goes wrong then use your radio.” Celestia said, gaining a nod from Tony as he slung his backpack over his shoulders.

“Thank you for this Tony” Rarity said as she got up and hugged him.

“It’s cool Rarity, you’re a friend” He said as he patted her on the back before they parted. “Now, time to rock” He said moments before Celestia teleported away with him.

“I have a bad feeling about this” Twilight said with a frown.

“Why do you say that?” Rarity asked.

“Well, for several years we thought Fancy was dead and now suddenly he sends us a letter, telling us exactly where he is and all the other captives are” Twilight explained.

“Yes, it is a stroke of luck” Rarity said, not wanting to lose her hope that her husband was alive.

“No it isn’t i feel like it is a trap… this is why i recommended that you get Tony to go as he is far more qualified to deal with it” Twilight said, only for her pupils to shrink as she noticed that both Lucy and Chrys had just entered the room and heard it, and they didn’t look pleased.

“You got us to send Tony because you thought it was a trap?” Lucy asked as she crossed her arms.

“Yes because he is the most qualified…” Twilight started before being interrupted by Lucy.

“Yes but a few hundred marines, heavy armour and air support would have also gotten the job done more effectively without risking Tony’s safety” Lucy said with a glare as her words dripped with venom.

“Then we can just call him back” Rarity said as chrys sighed and rubbed her eyes.

“When it comes to Tony, that would be nearly impossible… the best we can do is prepare a small attack force to support him” Chrys said before turning to Lucy, who nodded and left the room.

(South of Baltimare)

“Okay, so here is the crystal and to use it you just impale it into a wall which will turn the wall into a portal that will last for a few minutes” Celestia said as the pair had appeared on a hill a little bit north of a large compound, which was overlooking it.

“Thanks Tia, you better get out of here” He said as he removed his helmet and kiss her gently, causing her to blush slightly before she teleported away.

“Okay… show time” Tony said as he slipped on his helmet and turned on the systems, causing a motion tracker, hud and a few other icons to appear seconds before a transmission came through.

“Tony co…. In, ……. ……. This then beware …… … Trap. …. ……. …… Caution” A voice came through before it repeated a few times, not coming through any clearer so Tony turned off his radio.

“Well that will make this more difficult” Tony said as he made his way down the rocky slope of the hill and quickly darted forward to the wall. Once there, he took a moment to observe his surroundings before he raised his DMR and proceed along the wall of the compound until he reached a point that allowed him to climb up to a balcony. As the man climbed up towards the balcony silently, he heard the sound of guards talking, which caused him to stop.

“So… how long do you reckon it’ll take before we are attacked?” A male voice said.

“I don’t know but it is unnerving… still have no idea why they actually gave those Armonian bastards the location of the prisoners” A second guard said.

“I heard from the commander that when the army arrives, we sound the alarm which will alert the main force… this will lead to us either killing some of their commanders or capturing them to get information from.” The first voice said.

“Oh… but why are the prisoner actually here?” The second asked.

“Because those Armonian Bastards would be able to sense them, and if they weren’t here then they wouldn’t attack.” The first explained.

“Ohhhh i get it… anyway, i best get back to my post” The second said before Tony heard footsteps moving away, which signalled Tony to move up. When Tony could up, he saw a Caribou buck standing on the balcony while wielding a battle rifle in his hands.

“Damn this is nerve racking” He said as Tony crept up behind him before he lunged forward and wrapped his arm around the neck of his victim while drawing his knife and holding the blade over the Buck’s heart. Once snared, Tony pulled the buck down low.

“Hey, you're gonna answer my questions and keep quiet or this pretty knife is going through your heart” Tony threatened.

“Go die in a fire” The Buck choked out while clutching Tony’s arm.

“Now now, how about telling me how many guards are on duty?” Tony asked quietly.

“Fuck off” The buck growled out moments before Tony plunged the knife into his heart and twisted it, causing the buck to gasp before falling still and silent. After a few seconds, Tony looked around to see there wasn’t any other balconies or any towers.

“Hmmm odd” He muttered before he put the corpse on his shoulder and moved inside the building, where he saw the second guard walking down the hallway, away from Tony. as the guard moved away, Tony moved to a nearby door and pushed it open. Once open, Tony moved in with his pistol draw only to find a few sleeping night guards, so Tony moved to a empty bed, where he put the corpse in it and cover it with a blanket. Once secured, Tony moved to the first sleeping guard, where he put his hand over the mouth of him and put his knife to his throat. “Wake up” Tony said quietly, causing the caribou guard to wake, only for his eye’s to go wide at the sight of the masked attack with a knife to his neck. “Morning sunshine” Tony said as the guard whimpered at as he noticed the blood on Tony’s shoulder and arm. “Now, if you don’t want to drown on your own blood, how bout you tell me where the prisoners arm” Tony said as he quickly moved his hand from the Buck’s muzzle and grabbed his throat just above the knife.

“Se...second…. Floor… please do… don’t kill me….” The buck choked out as Tony pulled the knife away and smacked the buck in the face, knocking him out.

“Thanks” Tony said before he quietly exited the room. Once out, he went down the hall that the second guard moved down. Upon reaching the hall, Tony looked around the corner to see a pair of guards standing by a door, both armed with assault rifles.

The guard on the left was a Gryphoness and the right guard was a Stallion. They both appeared to be bored as they lazily rested against the wall around the door.

“Sorry but your in my way” Tony said as he drew his DMR and took aim only for the door to open, to reveal a tall Caribou Doe wearing crimson armour, she seemed to be the commander of the facility just from the stark contrast in armour from the other guards. Tony would have brushed this off if not for the fact that over her shoulder was an unconscious bound alabaster mare. Once the doe had come through, the guards started to follow her so Tony shouldered his rifle and activated his active camo unit on his arm while staying still to watch where they went.

“Pathetic bitch, she didn’t have anything for us” The doe grumbled to the guards as they walked past. As they did, Tony saw who the mare was, it was Fancy’s sister Fleur. The mare was currently hanging over the shoulder of the doe with cuts to her cheeks, neck and arms. Without thinking, Tony drew his knife and pistol before he stepped forward, driving the blade deep into the stallion’s throat while blasting the Gryphoness. Said actions quickly put down the guards, but caused the doe to turn confused only to freeze when she saw the invisible figure that was now coated in blood. She was about to call out for help but Tony slammed his fist into her solar plexus, sending her to her knees and dropping Fluer before he wrapped his arm around her throat and began choking her. “W-who are you?” She asked in a strangled voice.

“The bastard who is gonna break your neck if you don’t answer my questions” Tony threatened.

“Please… i’ll tell you anything you want to know… i know so much and i’m too valuable to you dead” She bargained.

“Hmmm if that is the case, then i think you’ll be coming with me” Tony said before he proceeded to choke her out. Once she was unconscious, Tony dumped her on the floor before he deactivated his active camo. Once deactivated he moved to the unconscious form of Fleur, who at some point over the two decades had made the change to bipedal but Tony shook this off and removed his helmet, which he placed beside the mare.

“Fleur” He asked as asked as he gently shook her, gaining a groan from her before she began curling up into a ball. “Fleur” Tony said a little louder, causing the mare to crack her eye open slightly and look at Tony with her purple eyes.

“T-Tony?” She asked weakly as the man smiled and placed his hand on her cheek, causing her to flinch. After a few seconds tears began forming in her eyes before she closed them and gabe a quiet sob.

“Hey Fleur, don't cry” Tony said, comforting her.

“I-i didn't want to die… to here… not alone…” She sobbed as Tony looked up and around, incase any guards heard.

“I'm sorry about what happened to you but I swear that they will all pay, also this may sting.” Tony said as he produced his injector and injected her with a sedative, causing her to give a short gasp before falling unconscious. “Shit…” Tony sighed before he unslung his backpack and pulled the rope out.

(Sanctuary Hospital)

It was a quiet afternoon in the hospital with the only excitement coming from a few marines, Lucy and a plethora of hospital bed in a large lobby.

“So… how long until we are supposed to have these freed prisoners” Stripe asked as he entered the room. Though he didn't have to wait long as a large portal opened, causing all the marines to scramble into action.

“That was quick” Lucy said shocked as Tony walked through while dragging a bound doe in crimson armour while a Unicorn mare was slung over his shoulder. “Is that all?” Lucy asked confused.

“No, but I encountered this bitch… who needs to get put in a cell” Tony said as he dumped the doe on the floor before he laid Fleur on a bed. “Also I need another few crystals” Tony said as he stepped back through the portal, only to return a few moments later and dump a pair of corpses in the lobby.

“Who are they?” Stripe asked concerned as Tony pulled his knife from a corpse.

“A pair of guards I needed to hide… um also i discovered that this was a trap that was intended to not only cripple an army but also grab any commanders so they can be interrogated.” Tony said as he cleaned his knife and sheathed it.

“So are there anymore hostages?” Lucy asked.

“I think so, also i’ll need more of those crystals” Tony said as a guard quickly ran off to retrieve it as Tony looked around at the soldiers. “Anyway, so i recommend not sending any reinforcements as it may attract the attention of the army they are hiding” Tony said as he pull his helmet on as the guard returned with three of the crystals. “Thanks” Tony said with a nod.

“Just… just be careful” Lucy asked.

“I will, and can you guys turn off that blasted repeated message” Tony asked before he returned through the portal shortly before it collapsed on itself.

(Prison Compound, ten minutes later)

After Tony had returned, he proceeded up the building in search of the the prisoners while silently disposing of any guards that stood in his way. After a slow ten minutes, Tony arrived at the holding area, which was guarded by a pair of Dragons until Tony eliminated them quickly.

Once inside, Tony was greeted with the sight of a petite dark grey with splotches of red, orange and yellow on her scales Dragoness in a lab coat, who was writing down on a clipboard as she sat at a security desk. Without wasting a moment, Tony raised his his SMG to fire, only to stop as he noticed that she had a steel collar that was linked to the wall by heavy chains.

“A prisoner” Tony muttered before he quickly moved forward behind the Dragoness before placing a hand on her muzzle, causing her to lock up and began shaking slightly. “Hey calm down, i’m here to bust you out, but i need you to keep quiet” Tony said causing the Dragoness to nod before Tony removed his hand. “Now got a name?”

“Ci-Cinder” She said as she turned and looked at Tony.

“Nice to meet you, now i take it you are not here on vacation” Tony joked.

“What? No of course not” Cinder said annoyed.

“Figured, now… what the hell are you doing?” He asked as he knelt down and unslung his pack.

“They have me writing out these notes to be sent to the families of the surviving prisoners in order to attract Armonia’s attention” Cinder explained as she watched Tony produce his cutting torch.

“Well they got my attention” Tony said as he stood back up and grabbed the chain link closest to Cinder’s collar and began cutting through it with the torch.

“And who are you?” She asked as Tony worked.

“Anthony Bell… human” Tony said as he finished cutting through the chain.

“Wait… as it the Anthony Bell that helped found Armonia and died in combat twenty years ago?” She asked confused.

“Apparently” Tony said with a shrug as he put the torch away and put on his pack. “Before you start, we have to get going and free everyone” Tony said.

“Alright, this way i think” She said as she lead him into a fortified room, but when the pair entered, they were greeted with a small garrison of ten troopers.

“Intruder!” One shouted as Tony shoved Cinder into a doorway to keep her out of the firing line as Tony activated his Overshield as bullets slammed against it.

“Sound the alarm!” Another shouted as Tony raised his SMG and fired, killing two of the troops. No sooner did Tony do this and took cover, did the alarm sound.

“Fuck!” Tony growled as he reloaded his SMG before looking to the Dragoness, who was currently cowering behind cover. “Fuck… think what caused my magic to activate?” Tony muttered to himself as he took pot shots at the troopers, glancing one and wounding another.

“Anthony!” Cinder cried out in fear, gaining the man’s attention. As he looked to her, he saw her pointing to the way they came in, only to see a throng of swordsmen charging.

“Shit” Tony growled as he unslung his backpack and pulled out one of the charges before arming it and setting the timer for twenty seconds. Once set, the man hurled it at the oncoming warriors, hitting one in the chest, ten metres away, moments before it attached itself to the warrior’s metal chest plate.

“What in Tartarus is this?” He asked as he stopped in his tracks while his comrades ran past him only for him to detonate not long after. The charge was designed to punch through the hull of a starship so the explosion easily obliterated a good portion of the charging soldiers, collapsed the floor, roof, surrounding rooms and buried the soldiers alive in the floors below while causing the entire compound to shake.

“That worked” Tony said as he fired upon the remaining swordsmen. Slaughtering them as they stood there stunned from the shock wave of the massive explosion.

“Goddess above” Cinder said as Tony got a idea.

“Hey Cinder, i’m about to do something really stupid” He said as he tossed her his SMG and several magazines. “You know how to use that right?” He asked as the Dragoness shrugged. “Fuck it, just point that way when you see more guys until you run out of ammo” He said as he pointed to the smoking corridor as he got to his feet and drew his knife and pistol before he charged forward, catching the Troopers by surprise. In a few moments, Tony was upon them and had plunged his combat knife deep into the windpipe of the closest Collective soldier before he took cover behind the dying stallion as a burst of gunfire tore into him. From their Tony used his pistol to kill another soldier before pulling his knife free and hurling it at the furthest soldier, getting him in the neck before Tony raised his DMR and blasted a pair next time him as bullets slammed into Tony’s over shield, causing it to flash yellow and orange but to Tony’s luck, he was greeted with the sound of clicks from his opponents’ guns.

“Shit!” One said as he tried to reload but he was grappled by Tony after the man had shouldered his DMR, and used as a meat shield.

“Let go of him!” the wounded Collective soldier shouted as he pointed his rifle at Tony.

“Free the Prisoners” Tony ordered as he put his magnum against his shield’s neck.

“Okay okay… no need to be hasty… how about i give you a counter offer” The trooper said as he put his rifle on the ground.

“Oh?” Tony asked as he looked to the wounded trooper as the remaining soldier started to sneak around Tony’s flank but did get a chance to attack as Tony quickly turned and shot him in the neck. “Motion tracker to idiot” Tony said before he shot the wounded Troop and broke the neck of his shield. “Asshole” Tony grumbled as the alarm blared

“A-are you okay?” Cinder asked as she came out of her cover and ran over to Tony as he deactivated the Overshield.

“Yea but i doubt i can do that again as my shield is nearly depleted” Tony said as he walked over and pulled his knife from the throat of the corpse he threw it into.

“I can see that stories of Anthony Bell were not exaggerated” She said as she looked sick as she stared at the corpses.

“You know, you don’t seem all that much like a dragon” Tony said offhandedly.

“Well that is because i am a Fairy Dragon… we aren’t all that common and we are a lot smaller and more frail than normal dragons” She explained.

“Um okay… anyway we don’t have time for this” Tony said as he unslung his DMR and moved into the next room which was full of cells that were full of different species.” Bingo” Tony said as he walked up the length of the room before returning to the first one. “Is this all of the prisoners?” Tony asked Cinder, gaining a nod. “Alright… i am looking for a Alabaster Unicorn Stallion with a light blue mane” Tony said as he put his cutting torch out and began to cut through the lock, gaining the attention of the prisoners, who appeared malnourished and badly injured.

“W-who are you?” A caribou inside asked, causing Tony to shrug when he saw him.

“The guy who is breaking you guys out” Tony explained as he finished cutting the lock segment off the barred door. “Now can you lot walk?” Tony asked as he heard more guards coming.

“Y-yes we can” A mare said as Tony nodded before he suddenly turned and raised his DMR at several guards before he cut them down where they stood.

“Good, use this to cut the locks off all the prison doors before gathering everyone in the last three cells” Tony ordered as he reloaded.

“I found a Alabaster stallion with a blue mane!” Cinder called out.

“What’s his name?” Tony called out as he shot a swordsman, who entered from had just finished traversing the ruined hallway, forty metres away.

“Fancy Pants” Cinder replied.

“Good, get him in one of the three end cells so we can bug out” Tony called out as he continued holding the advancing enemies at bay. He managed to hold his own until he a burst of heavy machine gun fire ripped into the walls in front of him, making him quickly draw his bubble shield and activate it as the bullets slammed into it. As the heavy gunfire slammed into the bubble, it ripped a large hole in the wall to allow Tony to see the Falcon that was hovering outside, which was focusing on him. So as quick as Tony could, he pulled out the second charge, which he set for twenty seconds and armed it before he picked up the bubble generator and threw it at the Falcon, causing the ricocheting bullets to hit it’s hull. This caused the gunner to stop long enough for Tony to hurl his remaining charge at the small gunship. Once Tony threw it, he made a break away from the prisoners as the bubble shield collapsed and the Falcon took chase and tried to catch him only for it to detonate.

The explosion was enough to rip down several walls and collapse most of the floor, but this didn’t concern Tony as he managed to get back to the prisoners, no what concerned him was the sight of the massive army that was bearing down on them. “Shit… MOVE!” Tony ordered as he drew a crystal and slammed it into the wall, creating a large portal. “EVERYONE THROUGH NOW!” Tony ordered as he took the cutting torch and and used it to free the remaining cell.

“W-who are you?” one of the remaining prisoner asked as he attempted to stand but collapsed to his knees.

“A friend” Tony said as the remaining prisoners moved through the portal as Tony picked up the weak stallion and moved through the portal behind everyone else just as it collapsed. Once through, Tony was greeted with the Lobby, now busy with all the new arrivals.

“Sir are you okay?” A Doctor said as he ran over to Tony with a few nurses.

“I’m fine, take him” Tony said as a Nurse took the weak stallion away.

“No sir, you’re not okay” The Doctor said as he pointed to the chuck of Falcon sticking out of his abdomen and the few bullet holes in his arm.

“Well fuck me drunk… Lucy is gonna kill me” Tony said as he Doctor lead him away.