Author's Note

This was the original starting chapter. Boy looking back at it -and some of my earlier chapters- I think what I put out is significantly better than this mess. There will always be mistakes because I have no desire to fix them.

The Brink of War

Chapter ____ The Brink of War

Location: Friendship Castle, Ponyville, Equiestria, Planet Equin.

I finished up putting a few things away inside of the ship before walking out the ramp toward the girls. With the engine repaired and the Void generator also, it was high time that we left for home. The war was raging still and I could only imagine how the rest of the primes are handling not only me missing, but my sister too.

“Well,” I said while wiping my hands. “We’re just about ready to head out.”
Everyone’s ears fell flat against their heads as they avoided looking at me with saddened looks.

“Do you really have to go?”
It was heartbreaking. Everyone had become good friends to the four of us, some more than others. I myself couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pain in my heart. As much as it pained me to admit it. I love Twilight, and she loved me. But I had a promise that I intended to keep. I’d be back no matter what.

“I’m sorry girls, but we have a job to do,” I apologized. “We need to bring this war to an end.”
The all let out a saddened sigh. Pursing the left side of my mouth in I sighed myself. This was the unfortunate reality of the situation. My hope was never to be here for so long, but with what had happened, I cannot say that my stay was boring.
“Don’t worry girls,” I reassured. “We’ll be staying for the next week.” They all seemed to brighten up at that comment. “Pinkie still needs to throw us that goodbye party,” I said with a wink. Winking back, Pinkie smiled brightly.
Everyone’s smile quickly turned to confusion as they looked past me.

“What is that?” Dash asked while pointing a hoof to the sky.Turning around, I looked to the sky to see a tiny black dot rapidly approaching. As it got closer it started to grow in size. I was starting to get a little worried. It almost looked like...

“Excalibur! Grineer fighter inbound!”

No…

Immediately I spun around to see everyone giving me a horrified look.

“Hit the deck!”

Behind us the ship opened fire as it gun runned the top of the Liset and the dirt behind us. Each round kicked up and splashed us with dirt as the massive 20mm rounds tore through the dirt. Once it finished it run it accelerated upward. I lifted my face out of the dirt and stood up.

“Everyone onboard! Gogogo!”
Immediately everyone got to their feet and ran for the ship as I guided them from the side. Running inside behind them the ramp closed. Heading straight for the cockpit I grabbed my helmet from a nearby table and ran up to the window.

“Ordis! Punch it!”

The cephalon wasted no time as the engines roared. Immediately we lifted off the ground and accelerated at a rapid pace. The ship shook violently as the ship buzzed us yet again. Passing in front of the window the ship banked left. This is when I knew it…

War had arrived.

“Excalibur, I am picking up Grinner transmissions. They are talking about dropships and troop movements!” Ordis explained in a panicked tone. “I am also detecting a Class five frigate in the atmosphere!”
I swallowed hard. So far standing between us and Ponyville, were four Tenno. Pulling up a holo-feed of the surrounding area, more and more ships started to enter the atmosphere. The ship shook again as the first opened fire yet again. Everyone cried out in fear.

“Ordis, transfer power from any unused electronics power to the rear shield!” I ordered. “We have to protect the hull and the girls!”

“Excalibur?”

Turning around I could see the scared faces of the girls. Fluttershy was actively crying into Applejack’s neck while she held her. Rarity and Dash were holding each other, Spike had Twilight by a leg and Pinkie held Twilight.

“What do we do!?”

I was starting to panic. There was nothing they could no. No on this planet could. Tense silence filled the air. This was it, this was our moment. We fight for what we stand for and I’ll be damned if I fail them!
My training kicked in. “Ordis, deploy the archwings, remove the tables and help the girls strap in!” I ordered. “I’m taking control!”

Walking up to where my map sits the floor opened up as the pilot’s chair ascended from below. Behind me the two tables rapidly descended into the ship while seven chairs took their place. Climbing into my seat a handle popped out of the left rest while a stick came out of the right. Getting into their seats, the girls and Spike quickly strapped in. Leaning back my suit connected with the ship as my HUD came online.

My radio quickly exploded.

“Vhat is happening!?”

“I hear gunfire!”

“What are the Grineer doing here!?”

“Attention everyone,” I said over the radio. “The planet is under attack! We are being invaded! The mission is as follows; defend civilians, contain the battle, and kill the fucking Grineer!”

Sending out the orders the three Tenno on the ground looked at the inside of their helmets in horror. As the Liset roared by, three ships took chase. They came in like demons. The sky was filled with the dots of Grineer dropships loaded with soldiers.

On the edge of town several ships landed. As the doors opened, dozens of Lancers, Troopers, Scorches, and Commanders poured out onto the gentle green grass of the earth. Just inside the city limits the peaceful residents of Ponyville watched as the humanoid figures approached. The massive wall of armor took up defense, prepared for a rebellion. But it never came. The two species looked at each other in utter confusion. One was curious and scared, the other saw slaves and work horses.

Literally.

Screaming something in Grineer, a commander opened fire toward the sky. Everypony in the relative area screamed out in fear. Panicking, many grabbed crying foals, others dropped what they were carrying and ran. Quickly the soldiers started to spread like an unending plaque. They kicked in doors, overturned carts, tables and anything that wasn’t secured to the ground.

“Find the Tenno!” a commander ordered to his troops. “I want them-“
He was cut off as his head exploded in fine pink mist. As he dropped to the ground his men looked at the corpse before they looked up at the attacker. Standing in the center of the street were three figures clad in armor, the central one lowered her pistol.

“You want us!” she screamed. “Come and get us!”

The lancers growled before raising their weapons and opened fire. Ember and Drax separated as Serenity screamed. Activating her Hysteria, she let her anger overtake her. Charging head long, she intended to shred the invaders to pieces!

***

The engines of the ship roared as I pushed on the throttle. I had to figure a way to shake the three ships on my tail. Turning back towards Ponyville I deployed my Odonata to the bottom of the ship. Outside Ordis used the rest of my archwing as drones to aid in my fight.

/!\MISSILE LOCK/!\

“Flares!”

Deploying the flares and banking hard right, the heat seeking explosives targeted the little balls of light before exploding in a series of massive fireballs. Rolling, I quickly leveled out as the chasing ships roared through the smoke of their failed attack. Looking to the left I could see multiple dropships landing, deploying troops, and taking off again. The sound of round impacting off the rear shield forced me to look forward yet again.

“Hang on!”

Pulling hard on both the stick and the throttle, the ship came to rapid deceleration as the three attacking ships roared past. Pushing the throttle all the way forward I quickly matched the pace of the three.
The prey has become the predator.

Banking to the side two of the ships made a hasty retreat as I placed the third in my sights. As he banked side to side in a failed attempt to shake me, I matched his movements as I lined up my sights. I pressed the button and fired. Six tiny missiles fired from the wing as they raced toward the ship. Banking to the right the ship made a run for it with me hot on its heels. Rolling to the left the ship gave its last attempt to escape before the missiles impacted.

And it was glorious.

Shards of metal sheared off the hull as a series of large fireballs covered the ship and destroyed the engine. Unable to keep control the ship fell into a rapid nosedive. Several seconds later the ship impacted on the ground in another massive fireball as the wings, engine, cockpit and any unfortunate crew man was thrown in various directions.

“Ordis… today we become aces.”

“*BZZT* ALLL-RIGHT! *BZZT*”

Banking back towards town. I roared past an ascending dropship. Unable to accelerate fast enough and with the current speed, one of the fighters clipped the tail of the dropship. Spinning out of control, the drop ship dropped like a rock before crashing into the side of an already landed dropship. Shortly afterwards, both exploded in a massive fireball as they impacted on the hard ground, sending flaming hot, razor sharp debris in all directions.

Anyone hit was mauled to death.

The attacking fighter crashed nose first into the ground before being torn to shreds. Up above the engines roared as we climbed higher into the sky. With two down I just had to deal with this last ship before more arrived. Pulling on the stick, we went inverted before I leveled out yet again.

/!\MISSILE LOCK/!\

Deploying flares yet again. The attacking missiles exploded safely behind us. Before I could even sigh I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Looking to the left a fighter leveled out before dropping a single massive missile. Banking to the right I watched as the warhead started to approach. Clicking the flares button, nothing happened.

REFILING

As it approached the girls screamed behind me before covering their eyes with their hooves. They expected the end. But I wasn't going to go out this easily.

“Ordis!”

High above the ground a massive sonic explosion rocked the air as the Itzal was pushed to the limits of its power. The Cephalon piloted the wing with utmost precision as it raced past the engaging Grinner fighter and up toward the Liset. Banking it hard to the left, the wing impacted against the missile, exploding in a massive fireball as debris fell safely to the ground.

“Missile destroyed, Excalibur.”

I let out the breath I was holding, relieved. “Thank you, Ordis.”
Behind me the girls let out the breath they were holding while lowering their hooves. My attention however was still on the chasing ship. Another set of rounds impacted on the shield as the ship rocked violently.

“Ordis, I could use some cover here!”

Behind us, two Archwings took up position behind the fighter. The Eletron fired a single massive missile. Banking off, both wings headed for separate targets. Far in front the projectile raced through the air before impacting on the rear of the ship. A massive explosion tore the rear half of the ship off as it went crashing to the ground. Banking back, I headed back toward Ponyville.

“Status report?”

The radio clicked on as gunfire filled my helmet.

“They’ve taken *sporadic gunfire* the northwest part of town!” Ember yelled over the radio. “I don’t know -get off me! *more gunfire* I don’t know how long we can hold the line!”

“Do what you can!” I replied while surveying the scene. “Keep the Grineer off the residents!”

“Excalibur?”

I careened my neck back in an attempt to look at Twilight.

“Yes?”

“How… how are you so calm?” she asked with a hint of worry and confusion. “Ponyville is under attack!”
I sighed and looked forward.

“Twilight… you have to be able to put your fear aside for the good of the mission,” I explained. “If you let the fear overtake you, you start to make poor decisions.” I banked to the right to avoid some small arms fire. “All that matters is what is in front of you. Concentrate on the mission. Deal with the consequences later.” I looked over my shoulder as best as I could. “Your friends and the people I’ve come to know are what matters.” I looked forward again at the ensuing chaos on the ground. “And with the Grineer, any form of weakness gives them strength. Stand up, fight, die if you must, but whatever you do, don’t be afraid! Especially you, Twilight… Don’t second guess yourself and stand up for what you believe! You will be tested… remember that. Please.”

Silence filled the air as I continued to pilot the ship. Passing several more landing dropships, I watched as several Heavy Gunners started their attack. Scanning the town, I pulled up a map. On it were several little blue dots hidden in buildings while the red ones ran around the area. Three little lotus flowers ran around attacking the little red ones.

“Excalibur!” Serenity screamed over the radio. “We could use some help here!”

“Got it!”

Racing out of the hostile air I pulled back on the stick and climbed a few thousand feet. Turning back, I headed back for Ponyville. Let's give the Grineer a taste of their own medicine.

“Ordis, let's test that new modification!”

“*BZZT* WITH PLEASURE!!! *BZZT*”

Disconnecting the archwing, it banked in a random direction as the robotic arms retreated into the ship before a massive multi-barreled gun took its place. All six barrels extended to their full length before spinning up.
“Everyone find cover; this is going to be danger close!”

Ponyville came into view rapidly as we headed straight for one of the main streets that was just loaded with targets. So ignorant. Those clones will always be dumb and easy targets. I couldn’t think of a better set of test targets.

“Let’s show them the wrath of the twenty mil.!”
“*BZZT* RIP THESE ASSHATS A NEW ONE! *BZZT*”

“I intend too!”

The gun roared like a chainsaw as we raced down the main street of Ponyville. On the ground soldiers ran for cover while those less fortunate were torn to shreds by the massive rounds of the minigun. Those rounds that didn’t hit a soft target impacted on the ground creating a miniature crater, sending dirt and debris in all directions. Many were lifted into the air as limbs were torn free and bodies crashed into walls and through windows.
Upon reaching Town Hall I lifted my finger off the trigger and climbed while banking to the right and circling the town. I sighed as the drop ships continued to land while troops poured into the streets of the once peaceful little town.

Today, the streets will run red with blood.

“Ordis… reload the Gauss and set waypoints for ammunition drops… I got a feeling we'll be doing more than one gun run today.”

God be with us.

After circling the town completely, I got out of my seat and let Ordis retake control. I stopped and took a quick glance at the girls as they sat strapped into their seats. Spike and Twilight were holding hoof and claw, Applejack was holding her hat to her chest, Rainbow was holding her back legs with her front ones, and Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were holding each other’s hooves.

All of them were sobbing lightly.

“Girls?” I said softly, grabbing their attention. “Ordis will keep you safe. I need to get down there and help with the situation. No matter what happens, I will never, let the Grineer take this planet.”
Twilight sniffled. “Promise?”

“Promise,” I replied with a nod. My attention quickly went back to the mission. “Ordis, when the Gauss is reloaded I want you to hit the drop zone to the north!” I ordered while walking past the girls and petting Applejack on the head. My attention moved to my team. “Everyone, spread out, use the layout of the town to your advantage! We know this land and they don’t, guerilla tactics. Let’s show the Grineer what we’re made of!”

“I intend to!”

“Da! Ve’ll shred them like paper!”

“I’ll send them straight to Hell!”

“Shoot straight, Tenno!” I finished.

Walking up to my arsenal I messed with the feed for a second before an arm appeared with my Sciathin Jet pack. Taking it I headed for the back door of the ship as it opened. Grabbing one of the supports I surveyed the scene. Down below I could see all my teammates in the middle of combat.

Ember thrusted her blade forward and into a Lancer before using his corpse as a shield. Drax ducked behind a stack of crates and reloaded before leaning back out and firing at a small attacking squad. Serenity used her Rip Line to swing around a building before kicking a Trooper in the chest with both feet, knocking him to the ground.
Looking down at the pack I slipped it over my head and attached it to my back before walking a little ways back into the ship. Setting my stance, I ran…

And jumped.

The roar of the wind graced my ears as I descended from the heavens. In the background the Liset continued its path as
More fighters took up chase. But in that moment, all was peaceful with the world. I closed my eyes and relaxed. There was no war, no violence…

To bad that was about to change.

Turning 180 degrees I dropped feet first before lifting a fist high above my head. Channeling every bit of energy into it. My clenched hand glowed bright red as the Void energy gathered into one massive, explosive ball. Just before I landed, I activated the Jet pack.

“RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!”

I landed.

A massive energy explosion reverberated through the air as unsuspecting soldiers were launched screaming in all directions. Pulling my fist from the chard and glassy crater, I rose and straightened my back. From the crater small smoke trails floated high without a care in the world. Craning my head to the side it made a loud and very sickening crack. Reaching up over my head my hand wrapped around the grip as I unholstering my rifle. I held it up before grabbing the charging handle.

SHUCK-KING!

“Let’s party!”