Twilight, Cadence and, Shining Armor watched as Jack played around with Flurry Heart, as Jack played catch with his Stahlhelm to the baby alicorn. Jack had short blond hair, the edges singed.

"So...", Twilight said.

"I still don't like him.", Shining Armor said.

"Don't expect you to. But, as the princess of Friendship, it is by my authority to ensure that you make friends.", Twilight said.

"Hey, I have friends.", Shining Armor said.

"Non political.", Twilight said. Shining Armor was about to talk, but found out that he had no proper retort to this.

"Twilight!"

Edward walked up to Twilight, his BAR slung over his back. "I've been looking for you. Where have you been?", he asked.

"Watching Jack take care of my niece.", Twilight said. "I think I told you I had a niece? Her name is Flurry Heart."

"Yeah. And you blabbered all sorts of stuff about your brother too.", Edward said. Shining Armor turned to Twilight, who chuckled nervously.

"Something about a former babysitter and taking care of you past adulthood.", Edward said. "Anyway, we need to see you, so can you come over?"

"Huh? Who needs to see me?", Twilight asked.

"Me and the princess. And...another princess, I think. Her sister?", Edward said. Twilight's eyes widened. She got up and made a quick flight to an IS-2 heading for the center of the Ponyville Human Military Refuge.

"Come on!", Twilight said, as the IS-2 kept rolling.

Edward sighed. "Coming!", he said. He started running after the Soviet anti-Tiger tank, with Twilight waving on the back.

Shining Armor wiped his forehead as a tired Jack slumped next to him, both leaning on an M-45 Quad-mount.

"Taking care of that baby is hard.", Jack said, as he wiped his forehead.

"I know.", Shining Armor said, subconsciously. The two looked at each other, before they started glaring daggers into their eyes. Cadence, who was nearby, sighed as Flurry Heart hovered over to the both of them.

Flurry Heart giggled as Cadence rolled her eyes. "Yes, I also wonder why I put up with this.", she muttered.

Elsewhere...

Twilight and Edward made their way to where Celestia was, only to receive a surprise.

"Luna!", Twilight said. She galloped forward and hugged the night princess, who returned the hug graciously.

"Hello, Twilight? How are thou feeling?", Luna said.

Twilight smiled. “We’re doing OK. How’s Canterlot?”, she asked. "We sent Ponyville's citizens there to protect them from attack. i'm hoping they're alright?"

“Canterlot is holding. There have been incidents of attacks, but the tanks have held them off.”, Luna said.

Twilight jolted in surprise. “Wait, what?”, she asked.

“The Shadows have been going after refugee camps, but humans with monsters they call tanks have protected each and every one of their attacks.”, Luna explained.

She looked over to see a Matilda II and a Comet tank rolling by, a group of Royal Engineers marching by. “Like those.”, she said.

“How many?”, Celestia asked.

“Let’s see...I’d say about twenty tanks and a hundred humans.”, Luna said. “That was the last time I counted.”

Edward came up to the princess. “Princess.”, he said, bowing. He slung his BAR over his shoulder as Luna approached him. Celestia watched as her sister’s horn glowed.

“Edward, I presume?”, Luna asked. Edward simply nodded while still bowing. “Rise, sir Edward.”, she said.

Edward stood up, and Luna tapped her horn against Edward’s helmet. An indigo spark connected between the both of them, and Luna smiled.

“Thank you for rescuing the Princess of Friendship.”, she said. Twilight blushed slightly at this, while Edward grinned.

“It’s something any of us would do.”, the lieutenant said. “It’s our job.”

Luna smiled. Then her features became serious. “Now the real reason I came here. We have a problem.”, she said. "I was on night guard a few days ago when something came to me. I think it's better if you see it for yourself."

Using her horn, she summoned a glyph that opened up a wormhole right in front of them.

Twilight and Edward watched as several futuristic soldiers with bulky armor fired massive machine guns at incoming creatures. Behind them were large machines firing humongous cannons at the enemy.

Explosions and storms of machine gun fire ripped through the monsters, as even more came in. There was devastation all over the place, and death was spreading like the plague.

Twilight had a horrified expression watching all this. She looked on as one of the futuristic men got crushed by a massive six legged armored creature.

Edward and Twilight watched as the battle between the humans and ponies continued to slaughter, until Luna shut off the vision. They looked to Luna, their eyes demanding an explanation to what they have just seen.

"I have foreseen the future. If the shadows win, this is the outcome.", Luna said. (BTW, this is not the future, this is some other random vision from Korhal. But they don't know that)

Twilight stared at the princess of night in disbelief, as the news of this possible outcome of Equestria sank in. She looked at Edward, who kept a neutral expression on his face.

She was shocked to see the soldier unaffected, and judging by the looks on Celestia's and Luna's faces, so was she.

"Edward...are you OK?", Celestia asked.

"Huh, yeah...this reminds me of something...a game I think?", Edward mumbled. "Anyway, I'm not surprised. War is everywhere, so I can't really be nerved by that."

Celestia sighed and looked at the army around her. "I can see why.", she said.

Luna looked to her older sister. "I still can't believe there's this many humans here.", she said. "And they haven't started a war with us.", she said.

*ahem* "What's that supposed to imply?", Edward asked, crossing his arms.

"Nothing...", Luna said, looking away.

"Anyway, this makes our mission even more urgent to stop the shadows.", Celestia said.

"We're training our Royal Guard. We currently have an army of over half a million.", Luna said.

"We have over twelve thousand tanks and thirty thousand planes and bombers. We haven't finished counting our men, but it's residing in the 3 or 4 millions.", Edward said, pulling a notebook from his pocket, next to where his ammo hung.

"The powers of the shadows are boundless, so we won't expect an easy fight, even with our numbers.", Luna said. "We need to tell everypony."

Edward turned to look at Luna. "We've figured out the weakness of those things. Almost every fight ended with us burning out the swarm.", he said.

"So, fighting with fire?", Celestia asked.

"I hear Jack leads that specialist Brennen team. I think that's German for burn? Anyway, we should talk to him if we're to start putting this thing into motion.", Edward said.

"Lieutenant!"

Edward and Twilight turned to see a soldier running up. "Auftragasmorda, uhh...that guy in the giant old German tank needs to talk to you.", he said.

Edward sighed. "Well, I'm getting called everywhere.", he said. "I'll be back later." Edward walked away as the other soldier walked in a different direction.

"Twilight!"

Twilight turned and saw an American soldier waving to her, while walking with a few Shermans and a halftrack. He was also walking with several soldiers. "You coming?"

Twilight turned back to Celestia and Luna. "I'm sorry, princesses. I have somewhere else to be.", she said. "We're going to go out on a scouting mission and check for resources we can utilize."

"I see. Stay safe.", Celestia said. Then Luna stepped up.

"Princess Twilight, please allow me to assist you in your mission.", Luna said. Celestia turned to her younger sister in surprise, as did Twilight.

"I'm sorry, what?", Twilight and Celestia synced.

"I'd like to see and take note on how humans operate in their military, to see how we can improve our Royal Guard. I believe this will further improve our chances in the fight against the shadows.", Luna said.

Twilight turned to Celestia, who only shrugged (somehow) in response.

"OK, just stay in the middle of the group, OK?", Twilight asked. Luna nodded eagerly as she trotted towards the group.

"Princess, are you coming?", Twilight asked.

"No, I must oversee operations here.", Celestia said. She turned to a Jagdpanzer IV with a glare.

"Besides, I have something to deal with.", she said. Twilight blinked, before turning away to join her scouting group.

Later, somewhere else, Rarity and Fluttershy were still napping on the Churchill when a jolt in the heavy tank jolted Fluttershy awake.

Fluttershy yawned and rubbed her eyes. She opened them to see the Char 2C FCM rolling next to the Churchill, with Pinkie Pie still singing and skipping around the tank.

The French commander was face planted against the hull, probably annoyed to death, as Pinkie Pie kept going. The two BREN carriers were still following, as was the halftrack.

Fluttershy peeked around the turret, that the two Matilda II tanks were now in the lead. Their 2 pounder cannons were constantly swiveling on the lookout.

"Look!"

Fluttershy turned to see a British trooper pointing from a BREN carrier. Fluttershy followed his finger to see Panhard 178, a two Renault R35 tanks, a Puma armored car, a King Tiger, and a Panther rolling the same direction as them, at least half a kilometer away.

Fluttershy leaned in to see some Royal Guard on the Panhard, while Applejack was on the Panther. She smiled immediately upon seeing her friend. "Applejack!", she called.

Applejack and the others didn't hear, obviously because Fluttershy wasn't very loud. The British guys in the carriers just stared at her. Fluttershy kept softly calling Applejack's name, to no avail.

Then Pinkie Pie went and started to scream. "APPLEJACK!!!!!", she roared.

Like this.

Everyone immediately shot up in surprise, before turning to Pinkie Pie. The other tanks started to drive towards them, after hearing the scream.

"What?", Pinkie Pie asked, as everyone, including Fluttershy glared at her.

The Panther rolled up next to the Churchill, and Applejack jumped onto the British tank, before hugging Fluttershy. "Hey, didn't think we'd run into y'all out here. What's goin' on?", she asked.

"We're just going out...securing the perimeter and scouting, they said.", Fluttershy said, quietly. It was then that Rarity woke up from her little nap.

She let out a yawn and leaned to the right. Her neck cracked its tension away, and she opened her eyes. "Oh, hello. What are you doing here?", she asked.

The Panther commander, whose tank was still alongside the Churchill, sighed. "Du wachst aus einer Unterhaltung auf, aber du schläfst durch das lauteste Schreien, das ich je gehört habe? Ich glaube, ich bin schon tot."

Applejack and Fluttershy blinked at the German tank commander, before turning back to their resident fashionista. "So, anyways..."

"Ah, schrauben Sie es.", the German said, before lowering himself down the cupola.

"Anyway, how're y'all?", Applejack asked. "No shadows have showed up yet."

"And good riddance to that.", Rarity said. "Too bad Twilight couldn't be here."

"What're ya talkin' about?", Applejack asked. "Twilight shouldn't be here, with her duties an' all."

"Applejack, dear. You know we just miss her.", Rarity said.

Applejack sighed. "Ah know...Ah do too.", she said. "She never has time to ask us for help, or talk to us. Though...Ah guess Ah know why, especially since this whole war started."

"I know what you're talking about.", Fluttershy said. "I had to leave Angel behind because it was too dangerous for him to come."

"Oh, dear!", Rarity gasped. Applejack was surprised too. Fluttershy usually couldn't bear to leave her pet bunny behind.

"It's OK. It's worth it, especially since I know he'll be safer at Ponyville.", Fluttershy said.

Almost imediately, she imagined Angel standing in the middle of the road, with a vehicle racing towards him.

Fluttershy gulped. "I hope.", she said.

Later, Pinkie Pie bounced off the Char, rolled off the Panther, and landed on the Churchill. "Hey, guys! What's going on?!", she chirped.

"Nothing much. We're all just waiting.", Rarity said, in a matter of fact voice.

"Well, are we waiting for those guys? Cuz he's just chilling!", Pinkie Pie said.

The Churchill commander turned to see Pinkie Pie. "What? Who?", he asked. "I don't see anyone."

"Him! The Ghost and the Reaper!", Pinkie Pie said, pointing a hoof at the forest.

Everyone turned to the forest to see a human in red armor wearing the largest backpack in existence.

The Reaper looked to see everyone staring at him. "This ain't good." he said.

The Ghost uncloaked. "Give me the sit-rep.", he said. The Reaper just pointed his hand cannon at the large group staring at the two of them.

"Well...color me happy.", the Ghost said.

Somewhere else...

Rainbow Dash, the Wonderbolts, the Royal Guard, and the pilots sat on the clouds, when a roaring sound caught their attention.

"What the hell's that?", an American pilot said. Everyone got up, looking around. In the Angel of Belladonna, the dorsal twin barreled turrets swiveled around in alarm.

A roar filled the air, and a red, black, and white unidentified flying object shot by.

"What the-", a British pilot said.

"Defensive positions!", a Royal Guard said, drawing a hoof held crossbow from his armor.

A large strange looking jet flew downwards, firing missiles. The missiles struck and destroyed a P-47 and a FW 190. Everyone scattered as the turrets on the bombers opened fire.

The 50. Cal rounds did nothing, as the jet flew around for another strafing run. More missiles flew out, and a B-17 was destroyed, wreckage and burning metal flying everywhere.

"Get the others out of here!", a pilot yelled. "Move!!"

The large jet was immediately met with lightning fire from the Wonderbolts, as the Reaper's Vanguard and the Angel of Belladonna turned away from the attack, ready to take off.

The jet flew close to a racing plane, before the jet suddenly transformed, two double jointed legs jutting out. The legs crushed the BF 109, and landed on the cloud violently, a small wave of air blasting out.

Rainbow Dash gasped as the wings folded, and the missile launchers were set on the top. Two large rotary cannons shot out, spinning rapidly.

The fins of the jet were morphed downward, and the cockpit shone. Everyone stared at the monstrosity before them. Its rotary cannons spun faster, as the pilot removed the shadowy tint from the cockpit.

"Ha ha! I love a good raid!", the pilot laughed, as the Gatling cannons opened fire.

Elsewhere...

Twilight sat on a Sherman in the middle, with Luna sitting and taking notes.

"Hmm...defense formation consists of layers.", Luna said, still writing. "Designed to protect important assets..."

Jones and Twilight exchanged funny looks, before a rumble filled the air.

Then a large car with three wheels jumped out of the nearby forest, racing towards the American convoy. It was red and black, with the word "Ranger" painted on the side. A large flamethrower glowing blue was mounted on its back behind the canopy.

It swerved to a stop, before its frame split apart. The machine morphed into a mechanized robot, flipping on its legs. Two large shields were mounted on its wrists, and the flamethrower was modified with a longer range.

A Sherman instantly fired at the robot, only for the 75mm shell to shatter on impact. The machine turned and fired its large flamethrower at the tank, the armored vehicle melting and exploding almost instantly.

Twilight, Jones, and Luna stared in disbelief at the scene, before the other tanks backed away. The infantry immediately turned around, before retreating. The bipedal machine turned to Jones's tank, and stomped forward. "You're all coming with me.", the robot said. It had a sort of young, hot shot voice to it, as if someone were inside.

Twilight just gulped. Luna used her magic and grabbed her notebook, before writing in it as fast as she could.

Back in Ponyville, Celestia looked up to see a massive shadow in the clouds, rumbling before disappearing from view. Her eyes widened as several tiny flying things, machine or creatiure, flying down from the clouds.

"Is Ahti with them?", Celestia muttered.

Author's Note

Sorry for using Starcraft, but I like it so don't judge me.

It's gonna be a permanent part, so don't worry.

Anyway, I'm planning to change the update date to Mondays, maybe Tuesdays if unfortunate.