Prologue-Black Holes and Mercenaries
Equestria, Ponyville
Castle of Friendship
11:00 AM
As the sun continued to rise in the mid-morning sky, Princess Twilight Sparkle was busy in her royal duties, mainly the day's paperwork from Canterlot. As she looked over finance reports, a few proposed laws, and a potential ease on import taxes, Spike came into the room.
"You still working, Twilight?" the dragon asked, hopping up into his own chair next to her.
"Yep." she replied, continuing to write or abstain from her signature on several documents. "Just because I'm a Princess doesn't mean that I can't slack on my paperwork."
"Well, we're still on for our lunch appointment with the girls at 12:30, right?" Spike asked.
"Yes again." Twilight said, shuffling some approved papers away. "I know this is important, but do you honestly think I'd miss a lunch date with my best friends for some paperwork?"
"Maybe." Spike replied. "So...place your bets."
"On what?" Twilight asked, confused.
"It's Tuesday." Spike stated. "In the 3rd week of the month. It's That Day."
"Come on, Spike. A dangerous or supernatural occurrence doesn't happen every time this day comes around." Twilight admonished. Spike raised an eyebrow in response.
"First there was Nightmare Moon, which is one. Next was Chrysalis, that's two. Then Sombra for three. Then Tirek last month." Spike said. "It's correlation, Twilight."
"But not causation." Twilight said smartly. "The two might go hoof in hoof, but they don't cause each other. Simple logic."
"I'm going to prove you wrong someday." Spike muttered. "Wait, it's 12:20!"
"You're right!" Twilight said, glancing at the clock on her wall with a gasp. "Let's go!"
As the two of them raced out the door, neither of them knew that Spike's theory would soon be proven true.
====
Deep Space, Near Equestria
UNSC Scout Prowler - Echo Noble
As the blue blur of Slipspace rushed past the cockpit of his ship, Agent Nevada took in a weary sigh of exhaustion. As he removed his Recruit-Class Mjolnir Helmet and set it aside, he put his head in his hands.
"Is something wrong, Agent Nevada?"
A small holographic figure appeared next to Agent Nevada, wearing a trench coat and a fedora.
"I'm fine, Garrett." Nevada replied, looking at the UNSC AI he had "requisitioned". "What's our heading to Planet Chorus?"
"We will arrive in approximately one hour, thirty-two minutes." Garrett said. "I am reading slight gravitational anomalies near us, but they shouldn't bother us while we're in FTL speeds."
"Thanks." Nevada said, standing up and replacing his helmet. "I'm going to get some rest. Can you fly the ship?"
"Of course."
As Garrett gave a salute and disappeared, Nevada proceeded to the Prowler's crew bay. As he slid into his bunk, he gave off a moan of exhaustion. Ever since he had been recruited by the UNSC to investigate the civil war on Chorus, he hadn't been given a moment's respite.
Nevada was unique, even among men of his caliber. He had previously been a member of the elite UNSC military group known as Project Freelancer. The Freelancer Agents were supposed to be the best of the best, and Nevada was certainly qualified for the job. However, he had retired long ago due to one unfortunate occurrence.
His supposed "death" while on a dangerous mission. During an operation to recover a stolen UNSC flight recorder module, he had been ambushed by Insurrection forces. He had delivered the objective to the waiting Freelancers for extraction, then stayed behind to fight the Insurrection troops off in a stolen Broadsword Fighter...
...which got shot down before he could reach safety. Nevada had survived and extracted via an outbound cargo ship, but he knew that his chances of returning to Project Freelancer were nonexistent.
So, he left Project Freelancer behind and settled on the remote Planet Accord as local security for a UNSC Colony. He had enjoyed the quiet life of hunting and fishing, with his pay being food and board. The locals eventually grew used to him, even admiring him, and Nevada figured he'd spend his remaining days here in what he considered paradise.
That is, until the UNSC somehow figured out he was alive. Picked up in the middle of the night by Navy ODSTs, he had been given a new choice of occupation by UNSC Fleetcom.
Either go to prison for supporting the now-defunct Project Freelancer, or perform one last mission and be exonerated for his actions.
It wasn't much of a choice, but Nevada accepted his fate. He had been surprisingly well-prepared by the UNSC for his mission on Planet Chorus, which was against Nevada's expectations. He had been given a ship, an AI to manage his armor systems, an ample supply of weapons and ammo, and finally orders to use any means necessary to survive.
Even if that meant violent or forceful measures.
Either way, Nevada didn't care. As long as he could return to that little planet he had once called home, he was fine with whatever he had to do. As he finally laid back in his bunk and began to drift off to sleep, his helmet's visor flashed against the fluorescent lighting of the cabin.
====
As Twilight Sparkle and Spike walked through the town of Ponyville, they were surprised to see the Royal Crystal Express train docked at the station. As they approached, Shining Armor appeared and wrapped his sister in a hug.
"Hey, Twily." Shining said. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."
"No, it's okay." Twilight said. "What are you doing here?"
"I figured I'd stop in for a visit." Shining smiled. "See my sister and her friends, and check if everything's okay...seeing as it's That Day."
"You noticed that too?" Spike asked. "That every Tuesday in the third week..."
"...of every month, something bad happens." Shining finished. "I didn't think about it until Cadance told me a week ago."
"Wait, first you two and now Cadance think this phenomenon is real?" Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?"
"Not really." Shining said. "So, wanna get something to eat? I'm starved."
"Sure, I was going to head to lunch with the girls..." Twilight said.
"Great! Let's go!" Shining interrupted as the three of them headed to Sugarcube Corner, followed closely by a squad of Crystal Guards.
====
"Agent Nevada, please wake up."
"Uh, I'm awake, Garrett." Nevada said as he slid out of his bunk and put his helmet on. "What's the matter?"
"We've got a big problem." Garrett said. "While we were en route to Chorus, a Slipspace rupture appeared right in front of this Prowler, tearing us out of the Slipspace jump. I had to cut the engines in order to prevent us from being crushed into scrap metal."
"Brilliant." Nevada groaned as he headed for the bridge. "Where are we?"
"AstroNav can't pinpoint our location. We're about 500 Light Years off course from Chorus." Garrett said. "I'm sorry about that."
"I don't blame you. You did what was necessary." Nevada replied, taking the Pilot's seat. "Any good news?"
"There is a habitable planet on the starboard side, with a remarkable similarity to Earth." Garrett said. "I recommend we sojourn there for the time being, until I can prepare a distress signal for the UNSC."
"Can't you do that now?" Nevada asked.
"Unfortunately, the systems of this Prowler were damaged during the rough exit. We've not no communications or further Slipspace capabilities, so in all essential purposes, we're stuck." Garrett deadpanned. "Shall I take us to that planet below and begin landing procedures?"
"Go for it." Nevada said as the Prowler dipped towards the mysterious world. "I'll be in the armory. Once we've landed, transfer to my helmet and prep my armor enhancements."
"Roger that." Garrett said as Nevada entered the Prowler's Armory, which consisted of little more than a rack stuffed with ammunition and grenades, modules for various armor enhancements, and a set of standard issue UNSC firearms.
Nevada unlocked the case and pulled out a BR55D Battle Rifle, shouldering it before sliding an M6G Magnum into his holster. Then, his eyes turned to the various Armor Enhancements in their charging racks.
"I must inform you that you can only run a maximum of four enhancements at a time." Garrett said. "Even with your suit's capabilities and my assistance, they don't play nice with each other if there's more than four at a time."
"Works for me." Nevada said as the atmosphere cleared up, revealing a vibrant forest. "I suppose I need the Healing Unit, Speed Boost, AUG Vision, and...what's this one?"
"Ah, the Kinetic Disruptor." Garrett said. "That enhancement is still a prototype. It takes incoming kinetic energy impacts and reroutes them into a powerful blast in all directions. A fairly strong one, too. However, it is a rather fragile piece of tech."
"I'll take it, then." Nevada said as the Prowler leveled out, reaching the planet's skyline. "We all set?"
"Affirmative." Garrett said. "Transferring to your Helmet now."
As the AI's icon appeared in his HUD, Nevada proceeded to the landing ramp to disembark. As he stepped onto the pale green grass, he smiled under his helmet.
"What now, Agent Nevada?" Garrett asked.
Nevada chuckled as he began to walk towards the edge of the forest.
"Now? We go find out who lives here." Nevada said.
"And if they're hostile?"
Nevada merely smiled.
"Then I'll do what I do best...Kick some ass."
Author's Note
Don't worry, the epic first fight scene comes next chapter.
Chapter 1 - First Contact
As Twilight, Spike, and Shining Armor settled into the large table at Sugarcube Corner, the rest of the Element Bearers entered in various states of surprise at seeing Twilight's brother with them.
"Well, hello, Prince Shining Armor." Rarity said. "I didn't know you were stopping by."
"It was a spur of the moment sort of thing." Shining said as the Elements sat down. "And it's nice to see you all again. Cadance couldn't make it, unfortunately, seeing as there needs to be one of us in the Empire at all times."
"Really?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Can't you both leave?"
"We can, it's just frowned upon." Shining explained. "Apparently the former ruler, if you get my drift, always left somepony loyal to him in charge at all times if he had to leave. They still honor the tradition, but not because of him, though."
"Oh, you mean...I shouldn't say his name, right?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah." Shining said. "Every Crystal Pony hates hearing his name. Lots of bad memories. Anyway, onto another topic, Twily. One of my Guards actually volunteered to come with me, instead of being hoof picked like normal.."
"Who?" Twilight asked.
"Lt. Flash Sentry." Shining said, looking over his shoulder at the stalwart-looking pegasus. "He's been commended by a lot of his superiors. I think you might've met when you went through that mysterious portal in the Spire."
"We did." Twilight said, adding "his alternate self" under her breath.
"What?" Fluttershy asked.
"Nothing." Twilight said. "So, how is my sister-in-law doing nowadays?"
Shining's response was cut off by a long shadow obscuring the sun for a few moments, followed by the roar of airship engines. As the patrons of the bakery looked at each other and whispered, Spike looked at Twilight with a raised eyebrow.
"I told you something was going to happen." he smirked.
"The better statement would be...what was that?" Shining asked, standing up. "You seven stay here, we'll go check it out."
"Are you sure?" Twilight asked, anxiety in her voice.
"Yeah, we'll be fine." Shining assured her. "It's probably nothing, and I'll be back before you know it."
"Form up, on me!" he called to the Crystal Guards, who nodded and followed him towards the Everfree, heading along the path out of town.
====
"Garrett, how much further until we're out of these woods?" Agent Nevada asked as he vaulted over a fallen tree with ease.
"Not too much farther." Garrett replied. "However, I did see a small village or settlement as we landed to our northeast. I would suggest heading there to find out who or what exactly lives here."
"Good plan." Nevada replied, pulling out his Battle Rifle and loading a magazine into the chamber. "And I know exactly what to do if they're hostile."
"Well, I assumed that was a given regarding your past employment with Project Freelancer." Garrett said. "And don't act surprised, I read your personnel file when I was assigned to you."
"I'm not." Nevada said as the dirt and grass crunched beneath his armored feet. "I knew you'd tell me that sooner or later."
"Well, color me impressed." Garrett laughed. "You're quite an enigma to me, Agent Nevada...wait, contacts, up ahead, coming right at us."
Nevada immediately dove to cover and activated his AUG Vision. As his normal eyesight turned blue and an orange filter appeared, Nevada glimpsed about twenty unknown beings approaching his position. From what Nevada could tell, they weren't armed with guns, but lances and swords, plus a few of them held longbows.
"Well, antiquated gear aside, this is fascinating." Garrett said. "They're like horses, only smaller. Ponies, I think. Though why some have a horn and with others have wings is beyond me. Though, they are armed, which does concern me."
"Why?"
"Well, those weapons may be far outdated, but we don't know how well they can use them." Garrett said. "For all we know, those arrows could be capable of piercing your armor, and likewise for the swords and lances. I advise caution, Agent Nevada."
"Any other tactical judgements?" Nevada raised an eyebrow.
"Well, they're in formation around that one there..." Garrett highlighted what was presumably their leader. "And they seem protective of him to a large degree. If we get hostile action, I would recommend taking him out of the fight first."
"Copy." Nevada said, lowering his Battle Rifle. "Let's introduce ourselves, shall we?"
====
As Shining Armor turned to scan the treeline where it met the grassy plain north of Ponyville, his ears suddenly registered rustling coming from his right flank. As he turned and magically conjured his armor and weapons, heavy hoofsteps could now be heard, coming towards them.
And as whatever it was exited the treeline and entered full view, nearly every Guard there flinched, gasped under their breath, or both.
The being that stood before them was tall, probably taller than Princess Celestia. It was covered in brown skin with green markings and highlights, and its face was a single visor-like eye made from a metallic gold. Displayed on its shoulder was the image of a wolf on a green circular background. As it approached them, it lowered a long metallic object and placed it on its back.
"Who are you?" Shining Armor demanded, slowly reaching for his sword.
There was silence, before the being responded in Equish, speaking in a masculine tone.
"That's classified." the being replied. "And I could ask you the same question, though."
Shining lowered his eyebrows. Whatever it was, it certainly was evasive...and he didn't like it.
"Come with us." Shining commanded, as two guards came forward. "So we can work things out."
"No." the being replied.
"What was that?" Shining asked again, shocked. "Why?"
"Because I don't trust you." the being replied. "We just meet and you're ordering me to come wut you? Heh, not gonna happen. In fact, I should be the one ordering you."
Shining bristled as he stepped forward, nearly ready for a fight.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked calmly, trying one final attempt at diplomacy.
"No." the being said. "And you should know that I'm not one you should mess around with, seeing as you probably want to fight me. Or is that sword on your holster just for show?"
Shining motioned to his Guards, and they proceeded to surround the being to prevent escape. The being tilted his head in surprise and slight amusement at the demonstration.
"You're trying to surround me? How quaint." it said, taking a fighting stance. "You want a fight? I'll give you one."
"Take it!" Shining ordered two of his Guards. As they approached, the being stepped back...then it moved so fast, Shining could barely register what was happening. Before he knew it, the two Guards skidded to his hooves, each beaten into a pulp. As the guards recoiled, the being once again took a fighting stance.
"Okay, now I'm mad." he said. "Brace yourselves. This is gonna hurt."
====
As the beings charged as one, Nevada leaped to the side and grabbed one of them before throwing him into a crowd of three more. As they toppled like bowling pins, he spun around and pinned the hooves of another into the ground with his foot before launching an uppercut.
As the being flew backwards, his chin bloody, Nevada easily sidestepped a tackle and launched his arm out, causing the assailant to fly directly into it. As soon as it hit, Nevada slammed the being into the ground.
As the others charged again, Nevada then engaged in close quarters combat, landing punches, throws, and the occasional knee-strike with flawless precision and blinding speed. As each of the Guards fell, Nevada stared down the remaining seven who were uninjured and defending their leader.
"Come on, show me what you got!" Nevada laughed. "I'm just getting warmed up!"
"Take it down!" he roared as his six protectors charged...and were promptly sent flying back or face-first into the dirt. Soon, Shining and the being were the only ones left standing. Shining drew his sword and growled angrily.
"Oh, is that a sword?" the being asked. "It's nice. Let me show you mine."
As Nevada whipped out a small hilt from his belt, he swung it a few times as a thin blade extended, completing the image of the UNSC Hayabusa-class Katana. As he took a defensive stance and readied his blade, the leader roared again and leaped into the air before diving to the ground, in an attempt to catch the being off-guard.
However, this attempt did not succeed. The strike was easily countered by a sidestep, a catch, a throw to the side. As he leapt back to his hooves and growled again, Nevada easily rushed and disarmed him before pinning him against a tree.
"I'm impressed." Nevada smirked. "There isn't a lot of ppeople out there who can last a few seconds in the ring with me, let alone a few minutes. So, you are pretty good."
As he left Shining fall to the ground, he began to walk off.
"Thing is, I'm better. Far better." Nevada said. "And by the way, I'm Agent Nevada, of the UNSC, formerly of Project Freelancer. Come find me if you want a rematch."
As Shining watched the being called "Agent Nevada" fade back into the treelines, the last thing he heard before passing out was his sister calling his name.
Author's Note
Update!
Next time - The Main 6 meet Nevada, and things go from there. Also, did I mention someone's going to get their ass kicked again?
