As the train sped through the night, Allen kept his M4A1 trained on both sets of doors into their car. Though his hand twitched with the effort, Allen ket watching, alternating between doors every so often.

"Allen?"

He turned to see Soap stir and look at him with a raised eyebrow.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Allen said. "How about you?"

"Eh, decent." Soap said, picking up his own M4A1and leaning on the crate next to Allen. "You know Allen, back on Earth and before you joined the 141...I looked over your files."

""What'd they say?" Allen asked.

"A model soldier." Soap said. "You did what was asked of you and more, excellent marks all around...you know, if you hadn't been killed at the Airport...you would've fit right in with the 141."

"Yeah." Allen said. "The airport…"

"Still feel bad about it?" Soap asked.

"I do." Allen said. "I shot civilians that day, Soap. Civilians who didn't know what was coming. If I'm not going to hell for that alone, I don't know what else would qualify."

"Allen, if it's any consolation, we're all going to hell." Soap said, slapping Allen on the shoulder. "And if that's the case, we're all in good company."

Allen chuckled, and sighed with relief.

"You're right." Allen said. "Hey, Soap? How'd you get your nickname? I don't think I've heard anyone ask you that before."

Soap chuckled this time, and rolled his eyes lazily.

"It's a long story." he said. "Back when I was training for the SAS, my unit went on a really long hike into this big fucking swamp near the base. We hiked for three hours through that moor, and we were completely covered in mud by the time we got back."

Soap smiled to himself.

"After a few more drills, we got time to shower." Soap said. "Back then, I had a bottle of shampoo sent to me by my folks. I used up the entire bottle's worthy getting myself cleaned up for roll call the next morning, and it worked. From there on after, I was known as Soap by my mates. The name stuck with me from Basic to Hereford, and I guess with good reason."

"Wow. How big was that bottle?" Allen asked. Soap motioned with his hands, and Allen raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"It was that big?" Allen said.

"Yep." Soap said. "Anyway, you should get some rest, Allen. I'll take over from here."

As Allen nodded and sat down, quickly slumping over and falling asleep, Soap took up watch position, and after a few hours, he too was asleep.

====

As Twilight and the Element Bearers appeared in Ponyville via Twilight teleporting them from Canterlot, Rainbow stretched and looked at the lavender Alicorn.

"So, when should that train arrive?" she asked.

"In the morning." Twilight said. "Once we get those humans somewhere safe, we'll ask them the questions I've prepared."

"What if they don't want to answer?" Pinkie asked.

"They have to, I'm a Princess of Equestria." Twilight said, then adding in a whisper. "Not that it matters since the one with the strange mane flipped me off…"

"What?" Applejack asked..

"Nothing." Twilight said. "The train should arrive at Eight AM, so let's be here by Seven, everypony. Set your alarms and if there's trouble, I'll handle it."

"Right!" the other Elements said as they parted ways for their residences, Twilight forming various plans in her mind in case of trouble.

====
The Next Day

Eight Am

As the train arrived in Ponyville, the 141 were already awake and ready for trouble. While Price mustered the men, Allen worked to unlock the car's cargo hatch.

"How's that door coming?" Soap asked.

"These latches weren't meant for human hands, that's for sure." Allen replied. "Fuck it, Ghost, toss me your shotgun."

Ghost tossed Allen his M1014, and Allen blew the hinges off with two clean shots before tossing it back to Ghost.

"Let's go." Price said as the door collapsed, revealing a treeline bordering on some grassland. "We don't have much time to find cover out here."

As Roach and Grinch moved a crate to cover the vacant door, Price gave the sigganl for an "All clear".

"Roger, let's go!" Sandman said as the 141 sprinted into the grass outside Ponyville, making sure hide themselves every so often.

====

"Where are they?" Rainbow moaned as they stood outside the train station. "It's eight AM and the train's there, but where are those things?"

"Maybe they got off at a different stop." Spike suggested.

"There's no stops between here and Canterlot." Twilight said. "They got off here, I'm sure of it."

"Well, how much longer do we need to wait?" Rarity complained. Twilight was going to reply when Rainbow groaned and zoomed off into the sky.

"Well, anypony else feel like quitting?" Twilight rolled her eyes. Then, Rainbow came back and pointed to the Everfree.

"They got off the train through the Cargo hatch! They're heading for the Whitetail woods!" she cried.

"If they make it to the Everfree, they're as good as gone! Hurry!" Twilight cried as she teleported them over the Train and sprinted off into the grass in pursuit.

====

"Price, we got six contacts on our left!" Truck whispered over the radio.

"I see them." Price replied. "Hunker down, don't let them see you!"

As the 141 went prone, the six ponies passed by, oblivious to their presence. They walked off into the distance, however they were still visible to the humans.

"Move quietly into the woods." Price ordered. "Hold your fire, I repeat, hold your fire!"

"Rog'." Sandman and the others spoke as they entered the woods one by one. However, they didn't notice the butter yellow pegasus in the group turn around and get a full view of Soap heading into the trees.

====

"I saw them! Over there!" Fluttershy said, louder than usual. As the six ponies spun around, they saw Allen head into the trees with his M4A1 at the ready.

"Stop them!" Twilight shouted. The shout caught Allen's attention, and he dived into the forest after his teammates.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Rainbow yelled. Before the others could stop her, she blazed off into the forest.

====

"We've got one on our tail!" Allen yelled as the 141 sprinted through the foliage. "Closing fast!"

"Allen, open fire! Aim to distract her! Get her into the open!" Price replied. Allen spun on his heel and emptied a full magazine into the trees. As the blue blur hooked right to avoid the bullets, Price hurled a Flashbang.

The blue pegasus didn't see the incoming grenade until it detonated in her face, blinding her vision and sending her crashing into a sturdy oak tree branch. She spun around it for a few moments, then fell on the ground in a heap inside a clearing.

"Ouch!" she moaned, rubbing her sore chest. "You know what, that's it! Come out and we'll do this face to face!"

As the 141 came out from the trees, Price tossed his M4A1 to Soap and cracked his knuckles.

"If you insist." he said, taking a fighting stance. Rainbow did the same, and she made the first attack. She dove towards Price's chest, aiming to tackle him. Price grabbed her and tossed her aside, sending her sprawling.

Rainbow got back up, and with a growl, sprinted back again at Price. This time, Price sidestepped and grabbed her neck with the crook of his arm. The move made Price grunt with pain, but his move worked. Rainbow was now held securely by Price, who drew his M1911 and pointed it at her.

"Whoever else is with this one, come out now!" he ordered, with the 141 crouching with weapons ready.

The other Element Bearers approached, all of them ready for a fight.

"Let her go!" Twilight ordered. "That's an order!"

"Make me." Price replied. "And who the hell are you to be giving me orders?"

Twilight growled in reply.

"I am a Princess of Equestria, and Bearer of the Element of Magic!" she retorted. "If you don't release Rainbow immediately and come with us peacefully, I will use force!"

Price then heard Faust speak in his mind, like telepathy.

"Captain, those are the Elements of Harmony I told you about. You can go with them, I assure you that you'll be safe.'

"Really?" Price thought.

"Really." Faust replied. "I've brought you this far, haven't I?'

"Fair point." Price thought again. He shrugged and tossed Rainbow to the ground, who scampered into a fighting stance.

"Just so you know, that wasn't because you ordered me to." Price said to Twilight. "I take it you're the Elements of Harmony?"

"Yes." Twilight said, growling. "You'll be coming with us..."

"Fine."

"And if you don't...what?" Twilight said upon hearing the word Price spoke. "You're surrendering?"

"We're not surrendering." Price said as the 141 lowered their weapons. "We're just coming with you so you can explain everything we need to know. In exchange, we'll tell you what needs to be known. As long as no one else attacks us, that'll be the plan. Okay?"

Twilight was taken aback, and she took a deep breath before answering.

"Fine." she said. "Who are you?"

"Captain John Price." he said. "I and my friends here are the members of Task Force 141."

"Wait, Task Force 141?' Rarity asked. "Twilight, isn't that the name of the beings Luna told us about? The ones from that tear of Faust?"

"That's right!" Spike added. "Weren't they elite Royal Guards or something like that?"

Twilight's mental light bulb switched on above her head.

"You're Task Force 141?" she asked. "For real?"

"Yes." Price said. "Now, can we get a move on to wherever it is we're going to?"

"Oh, right." Twilight said. "I guess my Castle would be okay?"

"We'll follow you, then." Soap said, coming forward. As the Element Bearers and Task Force 141 exited the forest, Price tucked his jungle hat forward, sliding the brim over his forehead.

Author's Note

Update!