Rising Tensions, Shifting Powers (version 0)

by I Stand To Be Stealthy

Chapter 8: couldn't forgive and forget

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Location: Equestria, Baltimare forest coast
Time: 2 days 2 hours after Naval battle
Perspective: Lt. Tristan Summers, gunnery sergeant Nathan Reeds, WHA-91 pilot Nicholas Diaz, Joshua Richardson, Jeremy Manowar, Rainbow Dash, 3rd person

Rainbow Dash was in an interrogation room, though instead of an actual interrogation room, it was a hastily built tent that only took the whole of 10 minutes to construct. Nevertheless, gunnery sergeant Nathan Reeds, Lt. Tristan Summers, and Nicholas Diaz along with 5 others walked into the tent, all of them wearing full gear.

"Okay *looks at tablet and pauses* Rainbow Dash, let's make this quick and easy" said Tristan, who looked towards Rainbow Dash.

"How did you know my name?" Asked Rainbow Dash with slit eyelids.

"We got it from the surviving guards after the battle" said Nathan, not long after Tristan said "now, can you tell us what your kingdom was going to do with the changeling's?"

"None of your business" said Rainbow Dash.

"Actually, it is our business, the changeling's are under our country's protection" said Tristan, who said it not a second after her statement.

Rainbow Dash was caught off guard by his statement, "why would you protect the changeling's? They literally attacked Canterlot and crashed the Royal wedding."

For every Marine in the room,this was hundredth time they'd heard this question and statement.

"I'm going to ask again, what your kingdom going to do to the changeling's if you captured them!?" Screamed Nathan as he stared at Rainbow Dash.

"Why should I tell you?" Said Rainbow Dash in a taunting way.

"Because, your leader seemed to be very keen on capturing them, so much so that she would put her entire fighting force on the line to get them back" screamed Tristan who slammed the table making Rainbow Dash jump as high as the restraints would let her.

"Now. Tell. Us" said Nathan, who was gritting his teeth.

"Wh-what are yo-you g-g-going to do, i-if I tell you? Are yo-you goi-going to hu-hurt "my fr-friends?" Asked Rainbow Dash.

After hearing the obvious fear in her voice, every Marine in the room felt like monsters, like they were interrogating a child, and not an actual adult. especially since they where wearing their full gear and helmets, which made them look like robots instead of actual humans.

"N-no, we might different, but we're not monsters" said Nicholas.

"Than why did you kill all those guards!?" Asked Rainbow Dash, with a furious expression.

"Because they where going to capture the changeling's if we didn't engage, which falls under probable cause" said Tristan.

"We also gave specific warnings not to step above 200 meters (656 feet), or we would engage in armed combat. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes" said Nathan, who stared at Rainbow dash with a bored expression.

"Come on boss, that was pretty harsh, didn't have to go for the throat" said one of the 5 marines in the tent.

"*sigh* I guess you're right, but that doesn't dispel any truth from my statement" responded Nathan.

"Again, can you tell us what you where going to do with the changeling's?" Said Tristan.

"Again, why would you like to know!?" Screamed Rainbow Dash, which made Nathan and Tristan go back slightly, while the 5 others Marines to raise their weapons slightly.

"Because, your leaders where trying to start a genocide, and we don't want that to happen" screamed Nathan.

"Genocide, that isn't even a word!" Said Rainbow Dash.

"Wh-what?" Said Tristan.

"Genocide isn't a word in the Equestrian dictionary! So whatever your accusing the princess of doesn't exist!" Screamed Rainbow Dash.

"Yup, their species is stupid, it really is" said Nicholas.

"Well, I guess 1000 years of peace can really blind you to the terror of the universe" said Tristan.

"I could only imagine what they would do if they saw a nuke, or rods from god, or blackswift" said one of the 5 Marines.

"Yay, this place just keeps getting more, and more annoying by the minute, it really.seems like every historical events for us just never happened to them, both in terms of technology and history it seems" said Nathan.

"What the hay are you creatures talking about?" Said Rainbow Dash.

"Nothing, atleast nothing you would understand. Guys, take her back to her cell carefully, her wings are still in bad condition" said Tristan.

2 of the 5 Marines in the tent went to Rainbow Dash, one picked her up as carefully as they could, though he still got a yelp from her when he picked her up. The 2 Marines brought here to her cell, which was a small metal container built for two human, the container was somehow constructed in the span of 8 minutes.

Joshua Richardson and Jeremy Manowar perspective

Joshua and Jeremy sat near the M3A3 that came back from Canterlot a day ago to get some shade, they were bored and had nothing to do, it seemed like being in a new world wasn't as cool as they thought it would be. The magic in the land didn't even work on humans, no spell, bolt, telekinesis, or curse seemed to have any effect, which made the situation more annoying.

They both sat and starred at one of the new helicopters that came after the beach massacre, the helicopter itself was an AH-24B Fennechawk attack helicopter, it came to support troops if the ponies began bringing ballista's, catapults, or any weapon of that type.

Not long after, they decided to get up and take a walk around the outskirts of the encampment to waist some time. They walked around the outskirts of the encampment, they talked about people, places, machines, what they planned to do later in life, so on and so fourth. As they did this, they saw several bell 360- Invictus attack helicopters patrolling the woods around the encampment.

"Hey Joshua, what do you think would happen if Equestria declared war on tye United States?" Asked Jeremy.

"I honestly don't know, and from what the changeling's say, we've got an edge over every kingdom in...everything" answered Joshua.

"I guess all our technology takes away from the splendor of battle" said Jeremy.

"Yay, I guess that's the downside to the military industrial complex, everything just keeps better, to the point where it's boring" commented Joshua.

Location: Equestria, Twilight's castle
Time: 2 days 2 hours after Naval battle
Perspective: princess Luna, princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Apple, Rarity, Fluttershy princess Cadence, Shining Armor

Princess Celestia and princess Luna, along with 4 of the main 6 was waiting for Shining Armor and Cadance, reason being a meeting to discuss a suitable course of action in dealing with Equus's new residents. To say Celestia and Luna where nervous was an understatement, the idea of being watched at all times, without even knowing was an unsettling thought, especially since the TR6 TELOS was that thought.

It could be right over Celestia's head right at this very moment, listening to her dialogue, and she wouldn't know it. So right now, she could only hope that these creatures wouldn't hold a grudge against her sister for insulting one of their nobles fathers.

"Princess, you seem quite bothered, what seems to be the problem?" Asked Rarity.

"It's about the creatures I told you all about, they've seen to deviate from any normal kingdom, atleast different from the ones I've seen" answered Celestia.

"The-they couldn't b-be that pr-princess" said Fluttershy.

"They aren't bad, I can see they are truly good, but have been through extreme hardships the likes of which most ponies have never seen, which makes them extremely cautious and suspicious of others" Celestia said.

"Which can lead to violent altercation, especially if hostages are involved, because as of right now, the changeling's are under their protection" said Twilight.

"They can't be that powerful" said Rarity.

"But they are, from what we've seen, all forms of magic is useless against them, and let's not forget the capabilities of their technology. Which exceeds that of any powerful magic" answered Luna.

"Well, all I'm hoping for is a safe way to solve this problem" said Apple Jack

After the conversation, they stood and waited for the carriage carrying princess Cadance and Shining Armor to arrive, which after several minutes arrived from its several hour journey.

Both princess Cadance and Shining Armor stepped out of the carriage , started walking towards the 6 ponies who stood only 15 feet away to greet them.

"Hello Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Apple Jack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. I've come for the meeting you told me abo-" said Cadance before noticing the obvious cuts and bruises on Luna, Twilight, and Apple Jack.

"What happened to all of you!?" Said Shining Armor.

"All will be explained in due time, but for now let us walk towards the castle's meeting room, we have much to discuss" proclaimed Celestia.

Not long after, they all entered the castle and made their way through the maze like corridors of the castle, and much like Celestia, Twilight was wondering weather the TELOS was listening in on their meetings. Though also much like Celestia, she just hopped it wasn't.

"So, are you going to tell me what happened?" Asked Shining Armor, who was looking towards Twilight with a worried expression.

"Well, it's a long story, and it involve the new creatures on the Baltimare forests coast" answered Twilight.

"So, the rumors are true, these new creatures do exist, at first I only thought it was just parents trying to scare their filly's" said Cadance.

"What do you mean by new creatures?" Asked Shining Armor.

"Their are the-these new cr-creatures in the Baltimare forests, and me, Luna, Apple Jack, and Rain-Rainbow went to confront them, be-because.... they're helping the changeling's le-leave Equestria" answered Twilight, which left Cadance and Shining Armor wide eyed and confused.

They both starred at Twilight confused, thinking about how anyone could help the changeling's, the same race that kidnapped Cadance and ruined her wedding.

"W-why would they help the changeling's?" Asked Cadance.

"We still don't know, but we're hoping we can get a meeting with them" answered Twilight.

"Okay, but that still doesn't answer why you, Apple Jack, and Luna are filled with cuts and bruises" said Shining Armor.

"That also includes the creatures, because we were going to confront them about the helping the changeling's, but they didn't want us to interfere, so they told us to leave or we would be dealt with" said twilight.

"Than what happened?" Asked Cadance.

"One thing led to another and both Luna's forces and their forces engaged in combat, though all our attempts to push their forces back failed due to their weaponry and immunity to magic" answered Twilight.

"Why are you being so vague?" Asked Shining Armor.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Asked Twilight.

"You're not answering my question clearly, what happened on tha-" Before shining armor finished his sentence, he was interrupted by Celestia.

"We will explain the situation about the creatures in due time, but for now we walk" Celestia said.

20 minutes later

"They did what!?" Screamed Shining Armor.

"They killed more than 2000 Royal guards in under 3 minutes" said Luna.

"Ho-how?" Asked Cadance.

"Because, their technology out matches any magic in Equestria, and their flying machines give Rainbow Dash a run for her bits, despite being larger" said Twilight.

"What are these flying machines capable of?" Asked Shining Armor with slit eyelids.

Not long after Celestia spoke up, "they can break the sound barrier with relative ease, and have the ability of traveling over a thousand miles an hour" said Celestia, which made Cadance and Shining Armor eyes widen.

"Nothing in Equestria can break the sound barrier, not even the most powerful magic could allow a pony to do so" said Shining Armor.

"And yet they've done it, I've seen one of their machines travel to such a speed and faster without any sort of struggle" said twilight.

"And what about their naval capabilities?" Asked Shining, crossing his hooves and raising one of his eyebrows.

"Though I haven't seen their naval capabilities, they've easily obliterated a rogue Equestrian fleet of 30, reducing the ships and their crews to ashes" said Celestia.

"How are they able to achieve this, they must have some sort of magic" said Cadance.

"Unfortunately, they do not use magic of any sort, their species has survived without magic for over 6,000,000 years" said Luna.

"But, how have they servived that long without magic?" Asked Rarity.

"We do not know" said Twilight.

Celestia could see now that the whole meeting was getting sidetracked, and was diverting away from the initial for being requested, "right now we're not trying to explain why they have these capabilities, or why they don't use magic, we're trying to find a way to have peaceful relations with them" said Celestia, she than continued with "that is why I've taken full responsibility when concerning these creatures" said Celestia.

"Wh-why i-is that Ce-Celestia?" Asked Fluttershy.

"We-well, their whe-" Before Celestia could finish, she was interrupted by Luna.

"Because I couldn't forgive and forget!" Screamed Luna, who followed up with "I created this problem, the only reasons that we lost so many lives wss because of me!" Screamed Luna.

"I-is th-this tru-true?" Asked Cadance.

"Unfortunately, yes, yes it is" answered Celestia.

"Luna couldn't have possibly caused all this" said Shining Armor.

"I d-did cause this, I'm the reason those rogue ships tried to intercept them, because they wanted revenge for those who've fallen on that beach" said Luna.

"Well, th-than what c-can we d-do to h-help?" Asked Fluttershy.

"Well, I'm unsure how you can help, because as of right now, theirs still many ponies still in those creatures cus-" Before Celestia could finish, Fluttershy said, "why don't we just try and talk to them?"

"Well darling, I highly doubt they would want to talk to us considering our recent hiccups" said Rarity.

"Oh, I-I guess y-your right" responded Fluttershy.

"Than what else can we do?" Asked Shining Armor.

"I guess for now we make sure no royal guard's go rogue and try to engage the creatures" said Cadance.

"While me, Luna, and Twilight find a way to create a plan to approach this peacefully" said Celestia.

"What about us?" Asked Apple Jack while she pointed to Rarity and Fluttershy.

"I believe you can could try and keep the ponies calm and worry free, while we do what we can to divert tensions" said Twilight.

"We'll try our best" said Fluttershy, while trying to do a salute but failing measurably.

"Well, I guess we'll rally up the guards and tell them the news" said Cadance, unaware of a rogue company of royal guard's closing in on the encampment.

Location: Equestria, Baltimare forest coast
Time: 2 days 4 hours after naval battle
Perspective: commander Honey Bun, AF-21C black Tiger pilots Warren Steel and Justin Berratt, U.S. Army lieutenant colonel Owen Cooper, U.S. Army major Christopher Lara, 3rd person

"Whiskey 1-2, this is Gray Ghost 1, I'm tracking more than 100 tango's coming towards the encampment from the northeast, approximately 30 meters (98 feet) from your position, over" said Justin, who was looking at the 134 ponies that walked through the pitch black forest with his thermal tracking system.

"Gray Ghost 1, understood, we have visuals on all tango's. We're going to see if we can M5 Ripsaw unmanned system to scare em' off, over" responded colonial owen Cooper, who was hunkered down in a 3 foot tall trench with 5 U.S. Army soldiers, 5 M5 Ripsaw's accompanyed by 2 Centaur 3 main battle tanks.

"Whiskey 1-2, understood, we'll be here to provide overwatch, out" said Justin, who started to slowly bank to his 9 o'clock while descending 200 meters (656 feet).

The turret of 2 M5 Ripsaw's started pointing northeast, centering on a tree 28 meters (91 feet) away, which was 9 meters (31 feet) tall, the 134 Ponies where 2 meters (6 feet) away from the tree and in closing while the M5's where reading their aim for said tree, then they fired.

commander Honey Bun and pony guards perspective

Commander Honey Bun was leading her troops towards the U.S. encampment with the intent to save one of the element barriers, along with the rest of the ponies the Marines and Army troops captured.

Though at first glance her intentions seemed admirable, they where all just a ploy so she could seem heroic in front of the princesses. She could really care less about the wellbeing of the hostages and guard's she brought, Honey Bon only wanted recognition, nothing more. Honey Bun was also ready to sacrifice anyone to achieve this goal, which is why she convinced 134 Royal guards to join her. In reality, she was quite ignorant on the whole situation, and any information she was able to acquire she dismissed as false and merely fairy tales.

When told about the fleet of 30 strong Equestrian ships being obliterated by only 4 ships, she dismissed those as well, when told about Luna's defeat Honey Buns said it was it was impossible, when told about the superior speed and maneuverability of their flying machines, she proclaimed it as nonsense.

Overall, she was as arrogant as one could be, which is why she didn't expect the massive tree right behind her to explode.

"What was that!?" Honey bun screamed while looking every way her head would let her.

"I-I don't know M-Ms. Honey Bon" said the Royal guard that was next to her.

Not a 3 seconds later, another tree exploded into pieces, than another, than another. None of the ponies had any idea what was happening, they could only guess what was causing the tree's to combust.

"Continue forward guard's, this won't stop us!" Screamed Honey Bun.

They group continued forward while glowing red rods streaked past them as speeds no magic bolt could reach, and they came at a rate no unicorn could match, not even StarSwirl himself.

The cracks and whizzing was something unfamiliar, so terrifyingly different that it shouldn't even exist, though that was nothing could compare to what came next.

U.S. Marines and Army perspective

"Sir, the ponies are continuing towards forward towards are position, what's your order?" Asked Major Christopher Lara.

"Start picking of some of the ponies, I'll try and get the 360-Invictus's or the AF-21C's to scare them off" said Owen as he picked up his radio, he then began to speak, "this is whiskey 1-2 to gray ghost 1 and Spector actual, I need a strafing run 13 meters (42 feet) away from the tango's on their 9 o'clock, over."

30 seconds later

"This is gray ghost 1 to whiskey 1-2 one, I'm approaching the strafing area. Run will begin in 3...2...1" said Justin.

Royal Guard's perspective

The guards continued forward, following the orders of commander Honey Bun. Though, after several moments of continuous motion several royal guard's started dropping to the floor, having their heads completely ripped off their bodies.

The sight was especially gruesome because of how cleanly they where cut, the only thing remaining was the spine, jetting out where the neck should have been.

"Wh-what's happening!?" Screamed Honey bun as one of the royal guard's besides her head exploded, sending a stream of blood in all directions.

BRRRRRT

Not long after a strange sounds could be heard, the sound was loud and monstrous, much like the roar of a dragon, though the thick forest blocked any sight of what ever was creating the noise.

Than soon after, 13 meters (42 feet) to their 9 o'clock the ground seemed to explode in a vibrant red light that only seemed to stay for several seconds, and it seemed like everything in the area the lights where got obliterated.

Honey Bun could wonder wither it was magic, or the beings she sought to destroy creating this destructive light show, though as soon as they appeared, they vanished as if they never came at all.

"Wh-what should w-we do commander?"

"We continue forward, let nothing block ou-" Before she could finish, she saw a large, gray box that with a large stick at the front with a metal guardrail at the front that read M5.

When looking more to it left and right, she saw several bipedal creatures laying on their stomachs as they used large strange looking sticks to fire the smaller rods of red light towards the group's of royal guard's. She felt an ocean of rage consume her, these creatures where trying to take away her chance of fame and glory, so she decided on the only logical course of action.

"All ponies, forward charge!" Screamed Honey Bun.

ponies and U.S. Marines and Army perspective

"Shit, sir their charging at us, what's your order!?" Screamed Christopher.

"Open fire and make sure they don't get past this defensive, do it for as long as possible. Get the M5's to start pushing forward, I'll try and get either the 360-Invictus or FA-21C to do another strafing run!" Said Owen.

Less than a second later, every gun in the trench started firing their munitions which made the forest light up in a vibrant light show, much like the Fourth of July

The 5 M5 Ripsaw's started moving, slowly exiting the trench with Marines and Army troops using them as cover, while the 2 Centuar 3 tanks took positions on both on the left and right of the mechanized infentry vehicles, both tanks than started using the guns mounted on the top of the cannons to mow down any ponies that tried to flank the platoon.

The Marines and Army troops picked off targets in quick succession, either aiming for the bright eyes that where clearly visible through the dark forest, or the brightly colored golden armor that covered the ponies vital organs. The M5 Ripsaw's used their turrets 50. Caliber main gun to pick off any pegasus that tried dive bombing the infantry, the pegasus dropped like flies due to the M5's thermal cameras, or their brightly colored armor that made them stand out like a sore thumb.

Honey Bun couldn't believe what was happening, the once powerful army of 134 was now cut down to 72 in a mere 30 seconds, if she didn't do something now, her entire chance of fame would be lost, so she came up with a great idea when she looked to the back of the mechanized infentry, their was a lone creature who was speaking into a strange box, she actually saw lieutenant colonel Owen Cooper, who she determined him to be the leader.

Honey Bun sprung into action, she thought that if she would take out the Marines and Army troops leaders, they would fall into disarray and she and her troops would pick them off one by one. Honey Bun took the farthest root around so she wouldn't be located by the M5's or Centuar 3's and they would just focus on the other ponies.

Owen was speaking through his radio to get either one of thel FA-21C pilots to do an air strike to clear the forest line for the 360-Invictus's to pick of the ponies.

"Gray Ghost 2, this is whiskey 1-2, requesting air strike on enemy position so the 360-Invictus's can pick em' off with their main guns, over" said Owen.

"Whiskey 1-2, this is gray ghost 2, I'm on my way to the enemy position, proceeding with air stri-" though before Warren could finish his sentence, Owen could feel something jump on him, knocking him and his radio to the ground.

Honey Bun looked at the creature (Owen Cooper) and raised her sword towards its head, than swang, only for the sword to bounce off the creatures helmet. Her eyes widened when the sword only bounced off the helmet, the sword itself was hoove-made with the strongest steel in Equestria, and yet it bounced off this creatures helmet like the sword was a toy.

When Owen looked back, he saw the lights brown pony on his back with a sword in its hooves, he than brought his arm towards his face, bent his elbow then dug it into Honey Buns face, hitting her right eye.

Honey Bun flew off of Owen, landing 3 feet to his 5 o'clock, she would get up shakily still recovering from the blow that she just received, not long after she heard a voice say "freeze, don't move," though due to her muffled hearing she couldn't hear the voice clearly.

Once she came back to her senses, she would see the creature (Owen Cooper) pointing a strange small objects and saying "if you move, I'll drop you." She couldn't make out what he meant by "I'll drop you," though she didn't care, all she wanted was him dead, so she started to slowly reach for the dagger strapped to her flank.

"Don't you touch that, I will kill you" said Owen, though she continued her trek for the dagger, looking at him with slit eyelids.

Her hoove continued towards the dagger, until she finally felt her hooves touch the grip, though before she could bring it out, she heard a loud bang come from the creatures (Owen Cooper) direction.

Owen sent 6 shots towards Honey Bun torso with his glock 19, all 6 rounds of 9mm hollow point made it to her body, 2 going directly through her. The hollow points entered Honey Buns body at the speed of 1500ft/s (682 miles an hour), once inside their shape distorted, turning her organs into Jelly as they went through her body.

Owen starred at her, ready to fire 6 more shots into her if needed, though instead of another attempt at an attack Honey bun only starred back at Owen, while a stream of blood came out of her mouth and torso, she than fell over in a pool of her own blood.

Though, while all this was happening, the air strike Owen had requested had hit ground near the remaining ponies, giving the arriving 360-Invictus's and mechanized infentry a clearsight of the 72 ponies who tried to run, only to be intercepted by rounds ranging from 20mm to 5.56.

When the rounds made contact, they sliced through ths golden armor like butter, their was zero resistance from the armor, giving the automated bullets free range to shred the royal guard's like paper.

In the end, only 3 guard's made it out of the forest, partly alive.


Author's Note

The AH-24B belongs to afterskies ob deveintart.

The Centaur 3 main battle tank belongs to TheoComm on DeviantArt.

The AF-21C belongs to Bagera3005 on DeviantArt.

The bell 360-Invictus and M5- Ripsaw are real military platforms, look it up.

Fact: technology superior, magic inferior.

(P.S. please tell me if their are any mistakes in the story writing)

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