“So... now me?” Pinkie asked and Celestia nodded.

“Twilight and Rainbow seem tired after their journey, but Twilight assures me that you are best suited for diplomatic journeys where a Princess is not available.” Celestia said and Pinkie smiled before hopping around. “You must choose one of your friends to take with you.”

“Oh goody. Wait... I can choose anypony?” Pinkie asked and Celestia nodded. “Hmmm.... I chose.... Colgate.” Pinkie said and Celestia paused for a moment. She had to think about that for a moment, finally coming to the conclusion that Pinkie Pie was, indeed, friends with everypony.

“Alright. I shall have a Colgate summoned right away.” Celestia said and Pinkie smiled before she hopped away, Twilight and the rest of her friends trailing behind her. Twilight shared a look with the others as they all walked down the halls of the castle.

One hour later, Colgate and Pinkie Pie both stood in front of the Mirror Portal. Celestia and Twilight lit their horns, the mirror wobbling like water for a moment before stopping, settling back into what appeared to be a solid form. “Ready?” Celestia asked and Pinkie nodded. “Alright. Best of luck to you two.” She said and the two of them stepped through the portal.

On the other side of the portal, the two of them stopped as multiple people in dark green armor raced around, some of them shouting orders, others out right shouting. Colgate looked around at them before jumping backwards as a vehicle with a cannon looking thing on its back rolled by. “Hey! Newbies! Get armed up and get ready to go!” Someone shouted and the two of them looked as rifles were shoved at them. “We have orders to board the enemy frigate!”

Pinkie stared at her rifle for a moment before taking it. Colgate, for her part, stared at it as if it was the most terrifying thing in the world. “What? Never seen a rifle before? Take it and get going to the armory!” The soldier snapped, shoving the rifle at Colgate before shoving them towards the armory. Colgate tried to protest but Pinkie grabbed her shoulders and lead her towards the sign that said armory.

“What is this...?” Colgate asked, shivering.

“I think this is a world where everything is at war.” Pinkie said. A few moments later, they were at the armory door. It didn’t look like it could open. “Um...”

“Like this newbie.” One woman said as she pressed her hand to a panel next to the door. It lit up, a narrow beam of green light going from top to bottom, scanning her hand. The door then slid from the bottom to the top, disappearing into the ceiling. “Hurry up.” The woman said, leading the two of them inside. “Get armored up. We’ve got a battle to fight.” She said as she walked over to a shelf and grabbed a chest plate, sliding it over her head and pulling it on before clasping it tight across her chest. When she turned back around, she caught sight of Pinkie’s chest.

“What?” Pinkie asked as she approached.

“Come to think of it, those tits are way too big for armor.” She said and Pinkie looked at herself. “Your friend though is the perfect fit.” The woman said as she walked over to Colgate and tugged her shirt off. “Now come on, get changed into your armored suit.” Colgate shrieked as the woman practically stripped her naked, despite the men gathered around her.

“Wait... wait...” Colgate tried to argue as the woman finished stripping her naked.

“Now, put this on.” She said as she tossed a black body suit at her. Colgate caught it, quickly tugging it up over her legs and body, holding it tight to herself. The woman who stripped her then turned to Pinkie and quirked an eye brow. Pinkie had already stripped and put on a suit. “See, your friend here knows how to follow orders.” The woman said, her helmet clicking against her shoulder plate as she turned again. She then walked over to a locker and pulled out armor boots, gloves and leggings.

“Wait... we have to wear those?” Colgate asked and the woman nodded, setting more armor on the bench. Colgate sighed as she walked over to it, pulling on the armor. Pinkie had already put some on. The woman turned to ask her how she knew only to freeze. Her armor base was baby blue, but there were stripes of pink and yellow everywhere.

“Hang on recruit... only Officers get specialized armor.” The woman said and Pinkie looked at her armor.

“Let her be.” Another voice said and the two ponies turned humans watched as a soldier in bright blue armor walked around the corner. Rainbow stripes adorned her shoulders, for arms and legs. “Besides, if she’s any good with an AR, she’s bound to make Officer quickly.” The soldier said and Pinkie blinked.

“Rainbow?”

“That’s Commander Dash to you, rookie.”

“Oh be quiet. If she wants to call me Rainbow, she can call me Rainbow.” Rainbow said as she walked over to the locker beside Pinkie’s and pulled out a helmet. The helmet looked like someone had lit fire to its face and then froze the fire as it rolled over her head. “Come on, let’s go. My crew and I have a mission. We’re dropping in.” Rainbow said and Pinkie glanced over at Colgate as the two of them followed Rainbow out of the locker room.

“But... what about us?” Colgate asked and Rainbow glanced at her.

“You’re dropping with us recruit.” Rainbow said as they walked into the landing bay.

“What’s a landing bay?” Colgate asked and Rainbow froze, looking at the two of them.

“Alright. You’re a recruit in the UNSC and you don’t know what a landing bay is?” Rainbow asked and Pinkie looked around, her helmet under her arm. “What do you know?”

“Well... um...” Colgate started before looking at Rainbow. “What’s a... UNSC...?” She asked and Rainbow face-palmed, the sound echoing through the landing bay.

“You’re a soldier in the UNSC and don’t know what that is...” Rainbow said and Pinkie nodded. Rainbow sighed and touched the side of her helmet. “This is RD-2251. I’ve found a couple of stowaways. I’m bringing them to the bridge for questioning.” Rainbow said and Pinkie stared at her.

“Hang on, stowaways? On the UNSC Harmony? How? We launched from a Space Station.” A voice said through their helmets. “Bring them in immediately, Spartan.”

“Right away. RD-2251 out.” Rainbow said before leveling her rifle at Pinkie and Colgate. “Alright you two. Move that way. Stay ahead of me.” Rainbow said and Pinkie and Colgate started down the walk way, their hands up. They’d never been held like this before, but having their hands in the air seemed right. The doors opened as they approached, multiple soldiers in green armor watching them as they passed. Eventually, they came to a set of doors that slid open, revealing a large room filled with monitors. Outside of the massive windows was open space. Nothing for thousands of miles ahead of them except other ships. Out the left window, Pinkie and Colgate could see a planet. Bright blue and green.

“Spartan 2251. Your report?” The person in the seat in front of them asked as the chair spun around. Colgate’s eyes widened. Sitting in the seat was Twilight Sparkle.

“These two don’t know what the UNSC is, Commander Sparkle.” Rainbow said and Pinkie danced on her feet.

“I see... that’s unfortunate. They must be stowaways then. You know proto... would you stand still!?” Twilight shouted and Pinkie froze. “Thank you. Now, you know protocol, Spartan 2251. Take them to the brig and...”

“Incoming!” Someone shouted and the entire ship was rocked as something slammed into them.

“Report. What’s the situation?” Twilight asked after slapping her hand on the console.

“Impact with the landing bay. Ten Pelicans have been destroyed, as well as five detachments of marines. Thankfully, no Spartans were injured.” One of the people at the seats said.

“Deploy all Spartan units to the landing bay immediately. Scramble fighters. Orders? Recon and establishment. Find out the extent of the damage and establish a perimeter. If the intruders are hostile, shoot on sight. If not, take them directly to the brig for questioning.” Twilight said. “Secondary objective, ensure the energy core is protected. Now, you all have your orders. Move out!” she shouted. Pinkie and Colgate looked around at the resounding “YES!” Almost immediately, sirens started blaring and red lights flashed in the hallways. “You two, remain with Spartan AJ-2551.” She said, pointing Pinkie and Colgate at a soldier in pale orange armor with an apple adorning her chest.

“Hi Applejack.” Pinkie said, waving and the Spartan waved for a second before shaking her head sharply and grasping her weapon

“2251, you have your orders. Keep them alive unless they prove to be a detriment to the ship. If they threaten the integrity of my ship, shoot them.” Twilight said and Applejack nodded, her helmet turning to the two of them.

“Um...”

“You two are guests on this ship until you prove to be a threat. If you can fight, you’ll be given a pistol. If not, you will be in the brig until we return to Canterlot.” Twilight said as Applejack escorted them from the room.

“Be lucky we’re bein’ nice. If we weren’t in the middle of a battle, I’d be shootin’ you right now and draggin’ yer corpses t’ the incinerator or one of the escape pod pays and launchin’ you int’ deep space.” Applejack said as they rounded a corner. Pinkie barely registered what was happening as seven pink spikes slammed into Applejack’s chest. She froze, raising her weapon, before an eighth slammed home into her visor. Pinkie and Colgate both froze as Applejack dropped like a rock, her visor going black as their coms picked up.

“Applejack. AJ! Damn it, answer. They aren’t jackals. It’s a squadron of Elites. AJ!”

Colgate fumbled for the button on her helmet as she and Pinkie ducked around corners, finally finding it. “Applejack’s dead. She... she was shot by... by one of those Elite things... with pink darts.”

“Damn it. They have needlers. All squadrons, reset shields to deflection. They’re elites. All Spartans, engage. Shoot on sight. Let’s show these Covies what it is to invade the UNSC!” Twilight shouted and Pinkie stared at Applejack’s fallen body. “Pink one. Hello? Pink Stowaway!” Twilight shouted over the coms and Pinkie jumped, slapping her helmet.

“Yes? What? Sorry...”

“Can you get to Applejack’s suit?” Twilight asked and Pinkie looked at Applejack, three feet from her.

“Y...yeah... why...?”

“Is her left arm near you?”

“Yes...?”

“Tap the screen on her arm guard and bring up the AI protocol. Her AI can revive her and heal her wounds while her suit does the fighting, but you need to do it now.” Twilight said and Pinkie nodded as she tapped the screen, touching what looked like a person with AI under it. Immediately, Applejack’s suit lit up, the visor repairing itself.

“Cremini you’d think she’d learn to duck by now.” A voice said from the visor, clearly not Applejacks.

“Discord, I’m activating AI Protocols two, three and five in Applejack’s suit. Acknowledge.”

“Protocols two, three and five. Roger that Commander.” The voice said and Applejack’s body suit up as the needles in her shattered. Just as she stood, her rifles rose and she opened fire. Colgate peeked around the corner, nearly taking a needle to the face only for it to glance off of her helmet. She shrieked and fired wildly down the corridor. Pinkie couldn’t help but be impressed as most of her shots found their targets, one of them smacking into Applejack’s butt and bouncing off. Pinkie herself set herself up behind Colgate, resting her rifle on Colgate’s hip and firing at even intervals. Every shot took out a single grunt or jackal. The Elites in the corridor all ducked behind cover, their shields taking the brunt of the initial fire.

A third shot from Applejack slammed home into an Elite’s chest, knocking him to the ground as Pinkie’s rifle sent a round up through the Elite’s rear and out the top of its skull. Colgate just stood, terrified. “If ya ain’t gonna help, get somethin’ fer cover!” Applejack snapped and Pinkie paused for a second. That was Applejack’s voice.

“Discord, gimme a vitals reading on Applejack.” Pinkie said and a little holographic discord appeared in front of her.

“Her vitals are fine. She’s a little roughed up, but she’ll be ok. Healing jelly works wonders.” Discord said before vanishing. Seconds before a round could have slammed into Colgate, Pinkie yanked her to her knees as Applejack dropped a holo-shield.

“Damn it girl, ya gotta learn t’ react when yer under fire.” Applejack snapped, looking at Colgate and Pinkie through the side of her visor. “Damn it, this helmets screwed.” She snapped as she tore it off and lobbed it down the hallway, pegging an Elite in the head. Pinkie blinked as she stared at her friend. This... wasn’t AJ. Yeah, it was Applejack, but her hair was short and cropped. Her eyes were hard and mean. One of them had a scar running from her hair line to her cheek. This Applejack was a hardened warrior.

“Applejack. Your vitals just went flat again. Report.” Twilight’s voice said over Pinkie’s helmet.

“She... took her helmet off.” Pinkie said and Twilight sighed.

“Damn it. Alright, fine. Discord, activate Spartan RD-001.”

“You sure Twilight? I mean... she’s not exactly...”

“Do it.” Twilight snapped and Pinkie heard a world weary sigh before the entire ship lit up red again, the alarms blaring. An explosion rang out from the landing bay but the sirens were already blaring.

“Spartan RD-001 active. All UNSC Forces report to the hanger bay for evacuation. Repeat. Spartan RD-001 active. All UNSC Forces report to the hanger bay for evacuation.” An automatic voice announced over the speakers. Applejack turned and scooped up Pinkie and Colgate after dropping what looked like a bubble made of yellow-ish diamonds on the ground and running out of it, quickly.

“What’s evacuation?” Colgate asked as Applejack turned a corner, her shotgun blasting a gorilla like alien in the chest and dropping him like a fly.

“We’re leavin’ the ship. Keep runnin’.” Applejack said and Colgate nodded, not needing more encouragement as she and Pinkie raced on ahead of Applejack. Pinkie peeked behind her to notice Applejack dropping little balls behind her as they went. When they slid into the hanger bay, a wall of it exploded and a massive purple thing stepped out of it. “Ah shit...” Applejack groaned, leveling her shotgun at it as it raised a gigantic cannon attached to its arm.

Pinkie and Colgate watched as the cannon started to glow before something slammed into its side, splattering the cannon arm and shattering the armor. “What in Celestia’s name was that?” Colgate asked.

“That... is RD.” Applejack said as she walked into the hanger, Pinkie and Colgate taking their time behind her. “What took ya so long?” Applejack asked and a second soldier in armor stepped out of the crater made of alien remains.

“Had to get my armor on, bitch.” He soldier said, her helmet unfolding from her head and sinking into her armor. Pinkie smiled as Colgate’s eyes went wide. Definitely Rainbow Dash.

“Ya could have put it on on the way here.” Applejack said and Rainbow pointed at one of the large ships.

“I was getting the others onto the ship. Can’t leave Flutters and Rares here, can we?” Dash asked and Applejack looked over at them.

“Ah guess not. What about Pinkie?”

“Her pod was jettisoned ten minutes ago, planet side. We’re to rendezvous with her when we land, see about setting up a planet side base camp.”

“Who ordered that?”

“Twilight.”

“Of course... alright you two, onto the ship. Dash, help me load Rarity up.” Applejack said and Pinkie pushed Colgate onto the ship, strapping her in next to a pod containing a sleeping, humanoid Fluttershy. Once Colgate was strapped in, Pinkie took a seat across from her as Applejack and Rainbow loaded up another pod, this one housing Rarity. As soon as Rarity’s pod was hooked up and active again, Rainbow checking the gauges, Applejack moved to the front of the ship.

“Well, ain’t you a sight fer sore eyes.” Applejack said and Pinkie looked over as Twilight poked her head around the corner.

“I’m not leaving my Spartans to go into free fall on the planet.” Twilight said and Applejack smiled and hugged her commander. “Alright get off and get seated. We’ve got a platoon of marines jumping on too.” Applejack grinned as she climbed up into a higher seat as a line of soldiers raced onto the ship.

Once they were all seated around Pinkie and Colgate, the back of the ship closed up. “Discord, set landing trajectory to join up with Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said and the ships console, what of it Pinkie could see, lit up yellow-ish orange for a second before turning green.

“Coordinates set Commander.” Discord said over the ships speakers.

“Alright. Any of you soldiers new to space travel, hold on tight.” Twilight said and Applejack walked over and strapped Pinkie and Colgate in.

“Are we really going to meet up with me?” Pinkie asked and Applejack looked at her for a second before her eyes went wide and she removed Pinkie’s helmet.

“Uh... Twi, we may have a problem.” Applejack said only for Twilight to turn on the take-off lights.

“We’ll deal with it planet side.” Twilight said and Applejack had to grab onto one of the harnesses to keep from stumbling over as the entire ship lurched forward before suddenly gravity disappeared. “Discord, scuttle the UNSC Harmony. Self Destruct Countdown initiated at five seconds.”

“Can you handle that sort of timer, Commander?”

“Just set the timer, now!” Twilight snapped and the lights on her console did what amounted to a shrug as a timer appeared on the screen over everyone elses heads.

“What about everyone else?” Colgate asked and Applejack looked at her.

“They’re soldiers. They know what they signed up for. It’s a shame, but they’ll be honored when we win this war.” She said as she gripped the handle she was holding onto tighter.

“Shit.” Twilight snapped and Applejack looked up at her as she climbed up, standing on the ladder. “We’re being tracked. Four Covenant Fighters. Looks like two Banshees and two Sirens.”

“Shit... Sirens. Ah hate those damn things...” Applejack said as she grabbed a spare helmet and strapped it on. “Ah hate these damn helmets too. So damn small. Everyone hold yer breath.” She said as she grabbed what looked like a rocket launcher and hit the button to open the back of the bay. She started to slide forward so Pinkie reached out and grabbed her belt, tight, holding on, as Applejack aimed out of the back of the ship. Four beeps echoed in the room before four rockets fired out of the launcher Applejack had grabbed. The ship bay closed just as the rockets slammed home.

“Nice shot AJ. Alright, let’s get to the planet.”

“Pinkie... we might have a problem... the mirror back was on that ship...” Colgate said and Pinkie turned and watched as the ship they were just on exploded, a beam of green light cutting it in two.

“Well... shit.” Pinkie said, testing out a word from this new world.

“Pinkie... are we stuck? Please tell me we aren’t stuck.”

“Maybe...” Pinkie said and Colgate’s eyes widened.

Three months later, Pinkie and Pinkie stood back to back on a training floor. “Kinda surprising, you not being a Spartan and all.” Pinkie said and Pinkie shrugged.

“I’m not from your world after all. I guess I’m kinda stuck here though.”

“Good thing we learned about that whole paradox thing and debunked it. Touching our counterparts doesn’t mean immediate death.”

“No kidding.” Pinkie said as she shoved Spartan P-251 to the ground before back flipping over a plasma round and landing in a pushup position in front of the soldier. “If it did, we’d both have died by now.”

“At least we’d have died happy.” The Spartan said, moving just a smidge and kissing her other world self.

“True.” Pinkie said as she jumped on the Spartan’s back and fired a training round at a recruit, who smacked into another recruit, causing his pistol to go off and armor lock a third recruit, who fell into a fourth recruit and pinned him. The alarm went off, signaling victory for the Spartans.

“And that’s time.” Applejack said as she strode onto the training yard. “So, what did ya’ll do wrong?”

“Picked a fight with Pie Squared?” One of the recruits asked and Applejack sighed, slapping her forehead and wincing. The scar from the needle round that punctured her forehead still smarted from time to time.

“Stuck too close together when they’re using armor lock rounds that send jolts through the armor that doubles are armor lock rounds.” Another said and Applejack pointed at her.

“Exactly. You’re both right. Pinkie Pie and Pinkie Pie are our best duo Spartan team yet. Might be ‘cause they’re the same person so they have that freaky twin mind reading thing. Might be ‘cause they’re just that good at predictions. Either way, you lot mouthed off to Spartan P-251 and Pinkie Pie. As they’re a general and a captain, respectively, you lot avoided a court martial simply ‘cause they’re kind hearted.” Applejack said and the soldiers all nodded when their armor reset. “Dismissed. Alla you take five. We got a mission t’ do. Spartans only.”

“But...”

“Pinkie Pie too.”

The marines all saluted before jogging off.

“Mission huh? What is this time? Covies set up a new base camp?” P-251 asked and Applejack nodded.

“In part, yeah. But, here’s the news. They also have all of the pieces of the mirror from the UNSC Harmony.” Applejack said and Pinkie’s eyes widened.

“Is Colgate?”

“She left this mornin’ with her squad to attempt to retrieve it.” Applejack said and Pinkie perked up a little. Colgate was moving again. She’d been stagnant since the ship exploded. To hear she was up and moving again, even after being promoted to Captain, was great news. “That’s where you come in. Twilight ordered that all Spartans are to join up with Captain Colgate’s squad t’ retrieve the mirror before the Covies figure out how it works.”

“You can count on me General.” Pinkie said, snapping into a salute. Applejack smiled as she and the two Pinkies ran to a Warthog.

“They’ll meet us on the field.” Applejack said as she hopped into the driver’s seat. Pinkie and Pinkie jumped into the other seats and Applejack roared to the barracks.

One hour later, Applejack and the two Pies pulled up at the small FOB Twilight had set up, Rainbow Dash standing outside in just her armored legs. “‘Bout time you show up.” Rainbow said and Applejack hopped out of the jeep and slapped Rainbow across the top of the head before grabbing her partner and pulling her in for a smoldering kiss that had Rainbow collapsing to the ground when she was released.

“What’s the situation?” Applejack asked as she and the two Pinkie’s walked into the building.

“Pinkie. And Pinkie. Hi.” Colgate said and her Pinkie bounced over and picked her up in a hug.

“The Covies have set up a defensive structure around the mirror while their balloons try to get it working.”

“You mean the engineers?” Applejack asked and Colgate nodded.

“Yup. Three of them, all armored up.”

“Poor things are brain washed...” Fluttershy said, hugging her rifle, Angel, to her chest.

“You know we can’t leave ‘em alone Flutteshy.”

“I know Applejack...” Rarity threw an arm around her friend while the others all went over the plan.

“If we attack from the front, we can deal the most damage to the enemy forces.” Rainbow said.

“Attacking from the rear grants the element of surprise.” Twilight said.

“What if...” Pinkie started and everyone turned to look at the Commander. “We attack from above?” They all stared at her for a moment before turning back to the map. These Covies had one huge weakness.

“No banshees...” Twilight said before smiling and grabbing her helmet. “Suit up Spartans. Let’s get those two home.”

“You realize this might be a one way trip for us, right?” Rainbow asked and Twilight paused as she held her helmet above her head before tugging it on and clicking it solid.

“No choice.”

“Alright. I’ll provide air support.” Rainbow said as her helmet went on, linking into the jump pack she’d custom made. Fluttershy pulled on her helmet, followed by Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie, Colgate, and Applejack.

Ten minutes later, Rainbow was hovering above the Covenant base, Pinkie Pie and Colgate hanging from her legs. “On three, drop and activate your Armor Lock. Gravity will do the rest and those Brutes will be crushed under ya.” Rainbow said over the coms. Pinkie and Colgate nodded as Rainbow started to count down. “Three!” Pinkie and Colgate both let go, squeezing into balls as their Armor Lock activated. Sure enough, gravity kicked into gear and they quickly dropped at terminal velocity. The Brutes were crushed under the weight of two Spartans, the grunts scattering as their commanders were crushed, only to get mowed down by sniper fire from Fluttershy.

Pinkie and Colgate ran into the base, Applejack peeling away from the corner and dropping camo as she fired buckshot at the nearest Brutes to come after them. As they reached the interior, Pinkie and Colgate pressed up against the wall. They could hear the Engineers clicking at each other. Twilight and Pinkie hadn’t taken them down yet. Peeking around the corner, Pinkie saw only the two engineers and one Brute. She could handle a single Brute easy. Twilight could take them out just as easily. Seeing a flicker behind one Brute, Colgate stared as the Brute suddenly started gargling, a knife blade of blood appearing at its throat. A second Brute turned the corner to see what was happening only to take a shotgun to the chin. The Engineers kept working, as if nothing had just happened.

Pinkie and Colgate ran around the corner as the others ran inside. “Why aren’t they attacking?” Colgate asked and Rainbow looked one of them over while Fluttershy walked over to the other.

“They’ve been brain-washed... the poor things...” She said as she gently grasped one of the tentacles.

“Fluttershy, when they’re done, set their explosives to go off in twenty minutes. That gives us time to get out of here and for the Covies to explore what happened.” Rainbow said and Fluttershy sniffed once, nodded and opened a panel on the side of one Engineer. Just as their panels were opened, they pushed the last piece of the mirror into place and it repaired itself, glowing with the magic from Equestria. Seconds later, Twilight stepped through the portal and collapsed.

“Twilight?” Pinkie asked as she pulled off her helmet.

“Pinkie!” Twilight shouted as she jumped up and hugged her friend. “When you didn’t come through, we did everything we could but the portal stayed closed. It’s been days.”

“W... days? Twilight, we’ve been here for three months.” Colgate said and Twilight looked at her.

“Three months...? But... no... you two only left two days ago.”

“Time must work differently on the other side of that mirror.” Spartan Twilight said as she stepped up and removed her helmet to look her counterpart in the face. “You’ve got two very brave girls here, Twilight.”

“Thanks... uh... Twilight.” Twilight said as she grasped her counterparts’ pro-offered hand. “We’ve been worried about them. Thank you for keeping them safe.”

“Of course.” The Commander said as an explosion rocked the base.

“Shit.” Rainbow said as she flew inside. “Bad news Twi. Covies just rolled up with tanks. They’re bombarding us big time.” Rainbow said and Pinkie and Colgate looked at their new friends.

“Damn it... alright. Rainbow, Applejack. You two are on demolition. Fluttershy, run recon, see if any other Covies are trying to sneak around behind us. Rarity, get those bubble shields working.” Twilight said and the four nodded and raced off to do their jobs. “Pinkie...” Twilight paused as she turned to the two Pinkies, Colgate and her counterpart. “Twilight, take your Pinkie Pie and Colgate through that mirror and get out of here.”

“What? But... Commander...” Colgate started and Twilight grasped her shoulder.

“That’s an order soldier. We’ll be fine.” Twilight said and Colgate looked up at her Commander.

“Twi...”

“Go. We’ve got a job to do and so do you. It’s been an honor serving with you, Spartan C-299.” Twilight said, snapping into a salute. Colgate sniffled and saluted back before breaking and hugging her commander. Twilight returned Colgate’s hug, planting a kiss on her head before turning to look at her counterpart. “Make sure she gets home safe.”

“You have my word.” Twilight said as the Commander pushed Colgate back, pulled on her helmet, and raced out of the base. The mirror lit up to the sounds of explosions and gunfire, Pinkie stepping through it. Colgate waited a moment before turning to her Princess, nodding, and the two stepped through it just as the entire base was engulfed in plasma fire from a ship above the atmosphere.

Twilight Sparkle, Colgate and Pinkie Pie all stepped through the portal, the mirror going blank as its counterpart was vaporized. On the other end of the portal, the UNSC honored their fallen Spartans with a Viking Funeral and fireworks. General Twilight “T-000” Sparkle, Spartan 3, General Rainbow “RD-oo1” Dash, General Apple “A-241” Jack, General Flutter “FS-341” Shy, General Rarity “R-101”, and General Pinkie “P-251” Pie were all posthumously promoted, effigies of them burned. Standing at the head of the group, helmets forgotten, were Spartans John-117 and Shade-221. The plaque at the bottom of the statue carved in the shape of all of their Call-sign Marks in a circle, read how they’d died.

“KIA. Posthumously Promoted to General for their valor and honor in battle.”

“I’ll kill them all.” Shade said and John looked at him.

“Shade...”

“Those Covie bastards will pay for taking them from us.” He said, his hands clenched into fists.

“Spartan, is that what they’d want you to do?” John asked and Shade looked at him. “Is that what she’d want?” John asked, pointing at Twilight’s name. Shade followed his finger and looked at Twilight’s name. His wife. A Spartan like him. Killed in battle, like all Spartans were meant to.

“No... I suppose not.” Shade said and John clasped his shoulder.

“Come on. There’s a covenant base on Reach. We’re taking back our home planet.” John said and Shade looked at him. “If we’re lucky, we’ll capture a couple of them for you to beat to death.” Shade smiled at that as they walked away from the crowd. The look on his fellow Spartans face sent a shiver down John’s spine. Spartan-221 had always had a dark side to him. Just how dark could that dark side really be?

Author's Note

Hm... heart wrenching farewell? I dunno. Anyway, here's chapter two.