And Ever We Fight On

As night approached, Sunset and the others met in the main tent of the camp set up just outside of Neighagra Falls. “Our scouts have confirmed the base is being protected by a shield,” Shining explained. “Since the source is coming from inside the base, we're left with few options. Anypony have any suggestions?”

“Well...we do have two exceptionally skilled earth ponies on our team,” Sunset said. “That shield only goes into the ground so far…”

“But if we go underneath it, we have a straight shot into the base,” Pinkie finished. “I'm all for this plan.”

“You're both volunteering for this?” Shining asked.

“If we get too close to the shield I'll be able to sense it,” Maud stated.

“They'll need my help as well...but I have an idea of how to get us in undetected,” Sunset said. “But... unfortunately it'll have to be just us three. Too many will attract too much attention.”

“That's okay, just save some for the rest of us,” Fleetfoot winked.

“Once the shield is down, we can begin our assault,” Shining said. “Now that that's settled, any other questions? You're all dismissed then.”

Much was on Sunset's mind in the final hours before nightfall, including the approaching mission. She felt so stupid about what happened before. Why was she so surprised about Flash? The people in the other world are the same as she had soon found out.

“It's just my emotions getting in the way,” she thought. “Probably hormones too.” Unfortunately, she wasn't paying attention to where she was going and bumped into someone. “Oh sorry!”

Sunset looked up and blushed slightly. It was Flash, yet again. Sometimes she wondered why fate acted like it did. “So we meet again,” Flash said with a warm smile. “Sunset right? I was trying to remember if we ever met but unfortunately I've got nothing.”

“Oh don't worry about that I was…” Sunset looked down and sighed. “If I told you the reason you'd think I'm crazy.”

“I dunno, I consider myself a pretty open guy,” Flash replied.

“...You sure? Cause it's pretty out there…” Sunset commented.

“Oh well, maybe you're right.”

For the first time in a long time, Sunset genuinely laughed. “A charmer and a funny guy. Pretty brave too. I never did quite thank you for before.”

“Think nothing of it, it's what brothers in arms do...at least that's what Captain Armor says,” Flash shrugged.

Sunset then decided to sit down, glancing up at the sky occasionally. “Was your dream to be part of the Royal Guard?”

“Hmm… I dunno about dream, but I've always been willing to represent and fight for my country,” Flash replied. “What about you?”

“To become Celestia's best student...to become an Alicorn...to expunge my reputation as a disgraced former student…” Sunset was quiet for a moment. “I guess...I just want to be remembered for the good things I did.”

“I can relate,” Flash said. He then looked north. “It's going to get crazy pretty soon.”

“No kidding...hey Flash?”

“Yes?”

“I know this is going to seem out of the blue but... would you want to join our squad?”

“Squad? Oh you mean with those two earth ponies and the Wonderbolts?” Flash then smirked. “Are you using this as an excuse so we can hang out more?”

Sunset returned the smirk. “Well that's one reason... let's just say it's a gut feeling.”

“Fair enough...if you can convince the Captain I have no objections.”

“Well...in that case I'll wait til afterwards once I'm sure he'll be in a good mood.”

“That's a good idea...well we better get prepared. It's almost nightfall.”

“Yeah,” Sunset said, getting up. “Do me a favor... don't die on me out there…”

“Same for you,” Flash replied. “But also try to leave some fighting for me.”

Sunset put on a suit that was given to her by Maud. It didn't offer much for protection but it would help her blend in the darkness. Black seemed to be her color as well.

“Ooh now we're matching!” Pinkie said as the three of them met outside.

“...Yep that was exactly the point,” Sunset replied.

“You three better be careful over there,” Dash said, joining them. “They treat prisoners terribly over there apparently.”

“That's nice to know…” “We'll be fine,” Sunset said. “Just keep an eye out and be ready when the shield falls.”

“Aye aye ma'am.”

“So shall we get started?” Sunset then asked.

“Sure! You may want to put up a shield spell though,” Pinkie grinned.

“Why-?” She had to put it up quick before she was suddenly pelted with dirt. “Oh...right…”

“You might want to hurry up to keep up with them,” Dash laughed.

For the next ten minutes, Sunset provided light as Pinkie and Maud continued their digging. “If you two get tired we can always take a break,” Sunset offered.

“Pft, tired? We'll be fine, this is nothing compared to working eight hours on a rock farm,” Pinkie said, who appeared to be able to dig and talk at the same time.

“That's how you can...do that?” Sunset asked.

“Pinkie likes to say we have hooves of steel...even though there's no metal in our hooves,” Maud said. She then stopped and Pinkie followed suit. She was quiet for a moment and seemed to be listening for something. “We're near the edge of the shield...we should go about five feet deeper just to be safe.”

“If you say so!” Pinkie then went diagonally into the ground while Maud followed her.

Sunset didn't know many earth ponies, but she found the Pie sisters’ skills to be unique. “No wonder they're so popular…” Sunset then continued on, providing light.

“You know it's funny...we don't usually talk about our personal lives so much,” Pinkie said. “I've been a rock pony all my life but when I was younger I used to think time and again some greater calling would call to me...but it didn't so I guess this was the life chosen for me.”

“Yeah...I know that feeling.”

Maud then stopped again. “There's some sort of chamber past this wall...it may be some storage room.”

“I can't believe we actually got in,” Sunset said. “Alright...can you tell if anypony's in there?”

“I don't hear anything so it must be clear.”

The two kept digging until light started to appear. Sunset poked her head out. “Looks clear to me.” They then jumped down onto the floor. “Now we need to find where the shield generator is located. We must be on the bottom floor and that's where it should be.”

She opened the door slightly and peeked outside. The hallway was mostly clear but then she saw two guards coming down. Perfect. She motioned Pinkie over to the door. “On three we're going to nab these guys. One...two...three!”

She opened the door just as the two were coming across and they were suddenly pulled in. They didn't have time to call for help or struggle since Sunset put a sleeping spell on them. “Well that was easy,” Pinkie commented.

“All part of the plan,” Sunset said. “Now, you two are going to put their armor. Don't worry, they'll be out quite awhile.”

“Well... alright,” Pinkie said. The two earth ponies then stripped off the guards’ armor started putting it on. “This stuff is heavier than it looks!”

“...This one smells funny,” Maud said, a hint of disgust in her voice.

“But what about you?” Pinkie asked.

“I'm going to be the prisoner you discovered,” Sunset said, smiling. “The horn will give me away unfortunately. But at least we can get around now.” She then magicked a pair of handcuffs she put around her front feet. “Just to convince them. And don't be afraid to go rough on me if necessary.” Of course, with Pinkie she was wondering if she was going to regret those words.

The Pie sisters then escorted their prisoner out of the room and down the hallway. From the look of it, it was as standard as bases went and the only ponies they saw for the most part were soldiers. Wit their helmets on it was hard to read their expressions.

Sunset was playing her part, stumbling slightly to look as if she had been subdued. “It's gotta be here somewhere,” she murmured. “The longer we look the longer- ow! Pinkie I swear if you poke my flank one more time…!”

“Sorry, I kinda thought guards would do that…”

“Not the female ones…!”

“I dunno...the female guards can be pretty frisky with anypony.” Sunset was about to retort when-

“Hold it right there!” The three of them froze but Sunset stayed still as Pinkie and Maud turned around. The one addressing them was a black unicorn wearing a blue uniform. Maud improvised quickly, saluting the officer as Pinkie followed suit. “Perhaps one of you can explain what is going on here?”

“Sir, we found this mare in one of the storage rooms,” Maud said. “We managed to subdue her and we're taking her to the cells.”

“Oh really? It seems you're going in the opposite direction.”

Panic started to creep inside Sunset as she glanced around. “Too many witnesses…”

“Our apologies sir, we transferred here just recently and are still learning the layout of the base,” Pinkie said as monotonously as her sister. “We thought somepony said they were near the shield generator.”

“Well at least you got one area correct,” the unicorn said. He then sighed. “You'll need to learn quicker in the future. Good work on capturing this intruder though. I will inform the Commander immediately. Carry on.” The unicorn then walked off.

“Nicely done ladies,” Sunset said. “Then we must be close. Be ready for anything.”

They could tell they were getting closer since there was a loud humming sound which grew louder and louder the further they went down. They then opened the door. There was one guard inside but Sunset took care of him quickly.

The generator itself was quite impressive. It stood from ceiling to bottom and was producing an energy similar to the shield itself. “So...do we trash it?” Pinkie asked.

“If you want to blow us all sky high,” Sunset said. “There's an easier way.” She studied it closely and saw a lever. “Well, here goes nothing…” She then pulled down the lever and upon doing so the generator powered down. “I guess that did it.”

Shining Armor was standing by with his men outside near the border of the woods. The base itself was built into the side of the falls, making it difficult to traverse by hoof. For now, all was quiet except for the sound of the airships above them.

Suddenly a pegasus shot out of the woods. “Captain! The shield is down!”

Shining nodded quickly. “Understood. Tell the airships to begin their bombardment!”

Meanwhile, Commander Vayentha was in her officer, enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir while listening to Tchaitrotsky on the radio. One always enjoyed the classics. There was then a knock on her door. “Come in,” she said.

The door opened and the unicorn from before walked in and saluted. “Ma'am, I had just been informed that we captured an enemy intruder inside the base.”

This was interesting. “Oh?” she simply said.

“She apparently snuck through one of the storage rooms but was captured shortly after. She's being taken to the cells as we speak.”

Suddenly the base shook violently, causing the glass of Pinot to fall to the ground, much to Vayentha’s annoyance. “What the hell was that!?”

Another soldier burst into the room. “Commander, we're being attacked by enemy airships!”

“And how did they get past our shields!?”

“I-!”

Vayentha then turned back to the officer. “You said there was only one intruder?”

“Y-Yes but they had her under control-”

“You fool! It was a ruse! They were impersonating as guards!” Vayentha then took a deep breath. “Lieutenant, you will rally the troops against the Equestrian forces. I will deal with the intruders myself.”