"So what now, Captain Price?" Allen asked as the men of TF141 rappelled down the castle wall, and into an alley. "We don't have transport out of this city."

"We don't, but the Equestrians have got to." Price replied, reloading his M4A1. "Luckily, we've got the high ground. Ghost, take these and scout us a way out of here."

"Rog'."

The skull-faced 141 Operator took the offered binoculars and rappelled back up to scout the area, while the others reloaded and checked their gear.

"We set on ammo?" Price asked.

"Yep." Soap replied. "Topped off."

"Good, attach suppressors. We can't have the entire city knowing our location." Price ordered, and the men attached suppressors to their weapons. As they sheltered down, Ghost radioed in.

"We've got a train station at the southeast corner, looks like a few cars are still there. That's our best bet for getting out of here."

"Roger that." Price said. "Get back down here and let's move!"

As Ghost rejoined them, the men of TF141 headed off with weapons at the ready.

====

As the Element Bearers, Luna, and Shining Armor teleported back into the ballroom, they gasped at the sight of the dead Griffons and the unconscious Celestia.

"Get a doctor!" Luna ordered as they rushed to their fallen leader.

"Will she be alright?" Twilight asked.

"She'll live." Luna said. "She is not dead, but that must not change. We must move her now!"

As Applejack helped Luna move Celestia, Twilight then noticed a chunk of white-colored amber near her previous position. As she picked it up, it was soon snatched out of her hoof by Spike.

"Spike, that was rude!" Twilight admonished.

"What, I'm hungry!" Spike replied as he clamped his jaws down…

...on thin air. The stone had been snatched away for the second time by Princess Luna, who seemed awestruck at the sight of it.

"What is it?" Twilight asked.

"A Tear of Faust." Luna said. "I haven't seen one of these in many, many, years. Whoever did this must've left it behind."

"You didn't answer my question." Twilight added. "What is a Tear of Faust?"

"A symbol of mercy." Luna said. "Paramount to divine intervention. Faust or one of her emissaries came and saved us."

"And who's Faust?" Pinkie asked.

"Later." Luna said, putting the Tear of Faust away. "Let's get this cleaned up."

As the Royal Guards filed in and began collecting the bodies, Luna brought the Elements and Shining Armor to her office, where Princess Cadance was waiting.

"What's going on?" Rarity asked.

"I will tell you." Luna said. "Faust is my aunt, and the Alicorn of Life. She gave up her physical existence to protect Equestria from an evil unsurmountable. She now presides over the crossroads, where the dead receive judgement."

"What?" Rainbow asked.

"She watches over life and death." Luna said, rolling her eyes at the pegasus. "Do try to keep up. These tears were given to those who were worthy of her protection and saving grace. But they haven't appeared since centuries ago. We must find out why."

"But we still haven't found out what those Griffons were after, or who killed them." Shining said. "That should be our priority."

"I agree, Prince Shining Armor." Luna said. "However, we have more things to deal with than just that. These Tears usually contain a message for the receiver, however."

Luna scanned it with her magic, and a voice began to speak.

"Hello, Celestia, Luna." said the voice of Faust. "I know what you just witnessed was disturbing, but hear me out, my nieces. I have brought nine powerful warriors, known together as Task Force 141, to Equestria. They saved the lives of Celestia at my request, because the realm of Equis itself is in danger, and I cannot stop it this time."

"But Task Force 141 can." Faust continued. "Only their deaths could stop them and their pursuit of peace. However, they are on the run as per my instructions to them. The Element Bearers and the Element Bearers alone are to follow them, using my Tear as a guide. Once you catch up with them, tell them they have succeeded in their first task. After that, you are to keep them in Ponyville as respected guests until further notice."

"I know you have questions, but please trust me." Faust finished. "I will guide you as needed. Farewell."

As the voice faded, everypony present burst into a cacophony of noise and exclamations.

"WHAT?" Twilight said. "This Task Force 141...saved the Gala!?"

"Powerful warriors?" Shining gasped.

"Only death could stop them?" Fluttershy whimpered.

As the babble of voices and cries began, Luna stood in shock. If this Task Force 141 was sent by Faust…

"We need to find them." Luna said. "And inquire what they know. Twilight Sparkle, take the Elements and search far and wide until they are found."

"Will do!" Pinkie said, now doing a sailor salute. "Let's go!'

"Wait, Pinkie." Twilight said. "We don't even know where they are, or where they're heading…"

"Hey, Princess Luna?" Rainbow asked all of a sudden. "Why are there ropes on the castle wall?"

Luna and Twilight scampered over, and it turned out Rainbow was right. Luna used her magic to scan the area, and footprints appeared in the mud.

"They lead into the southeastern part of the city." Luna said.

"To the train station." Twilight continued. "Where are the trains heading tonight?"

"I believe...Ponyville." Luna said. "The other lines are off for the night."

"Then let's get a move on!" Twilight said. "We don't have time to waste!"

As the Element Bearers sprinted off and out the door, Shining looked at Princess Luna with a curious expression.

"Luna?" he asked. "Are you sure these warriors can be trusted?"

"We'll ask them when we find them." Luna replied. "Come, let's deal with the aftermath of this heinous attack."

====

As the 141 headed out through the streets, their weapons and eyes flicked from corner to alley to street and back.

"I'll tell you one thing." Ghost said. "This place is dead quiet."

"I agree." Yuri added. "We're in the dark with no place to go but one."

"What's that?" Grinch asked.

"Forward." Yuri replied.

"Quiet." Price said. "Train station up ahead, and we've got company."

As the 141 took cover, they saw six ponies guarding the door, one of which was an alicorn.

"No easy way for getting past them." Sandman said. "What's the play?"

"Loop around them." Price said. "Double back and get behind them."

As the 141 took a side alley, Twilight's eyes were locked on the street, along with the eyes of her friends.

"So, I wonder what this Task Force 141 is like." Rarity said. "They had better be proper gentlecolts."

"Why's that?" Fluttershy asked.

"Because tonight was horrible!" Rarity said. "The blood, the screams, it was a total nightmare!"

"I agree, but stay focused." Twilight said. "They could be here any minute."

As they watched the entrance path, they didn't notice the 141 opening the reverse-side door and filing in.
"Where's our heading?" Price whispered.

"Ponyville, according to this map." Roach said. "Those ponies are gonna find us."

"No, they won't if you keep your voice down." Soap said. "Train should be leaving soon."

As the train whistle blew, the Elements turned to watch the train start to leave from their parallel position on the station boardwalk.

"Wait, why do I get the feeling we're being watched?" Pinkie asked. As they scanned the area, a sudden gasp came from Rainbow.

"The train!" she cried.

"We know, Rainbow, it's leaving." Twilight said.

"No, look at the train!" Rainbow said. "They're getting away!"

As the ponies gasped, a human poked his head out from the train window. Apart from a rough-cut mohawk and brown eyes, the most defining feature was a prominent smirk on his clearly masculine face.

As the ponies stood in shock, he casually raised his middle finger at them as the train took off towards Ponyville.

"What did he just do?" Fluttershy asked.

Twilight, recognizing the gesture from the human world, merely growled.

"You don't want to know." Twilight said. "Let's get to Ponyville before they do."

As Twilight teleported them away, Soap and the other men of Task Force 141 were currently settling down in the cargo car by moving crates, forming a makeshift tent…

...and were chortling all the way. Even Price was laughing softly at Soap's gesturing.

"That was a moment for the history books!" Truck said, slapping Soap on the shoulder. "You just became the first man to flip off an alien species!"

"And let the record show, no fucks were given!" Grinch laughed.

"Let's settle down, gents." Price said. "We should get some rest. Alternate watches, no gunfire."

"Yes, sir." the men of Task Force 141 replied. As they settled in for some sleep, Allen took the first shift on watch duty.

Author's Note

Update!