"Rear Admiral Meier, do you have anything to say in defense of your actions?" Mark Esper, The Sectary of Defense, said as he stared at the Rear Admiral Lower Half. His attire consisted of a nice dress suit and silver-framed glasses.

Meier stood there in his class B uniform, multiple ribbons and metals lining his left breast. He's position of attention was perfect and those of the Senate and Congress. "Time wasn't on our side and this operation could show civilians and Equestrians that these Griffins can be beaten. Also, if they got their hands on that VIP, the will of a future ally will be broken." Many seemed to agree with that seeing as the loss of a nation's leader can break the will of anyone.

Mark begrudgingly agreed considering that the United States president was recently killed soon after the first attacks. Luckily, many of those who help the president survived and are working on growing the War Industry. They needed to work fast before another large assault attacks again.

"But what your asking us is to agree to this week-long ceasefire despite the massive losses worldwide?" Mark was understandably skeptical especially after a few days after the war began. Luckily, Canada was able to fend off the Griffins attacking Alaska coming from Russia.

"Yes, with the time we have, we can use the time to build up the war industry." Many didn't seem to think about that considering that. Though it was coming along nicely, it would take weeks for it to come together completely. "We are severally outgunned and outnumbered, but with this time, we can make as many weapons as possible for the future draft. The way I see it, the risk is well worth the reward." A few minutes of muttering could be heard as the Admiral waited in anticipation for the answer and what their verdict was. His mind was tense, but he remained calm outside and showed no signs of it.

"We have agreed to the ceasefire and we're contacting Hechler and Koch in Virginia to reinstate the XM8 rifle. If those Equestrians can help modify it to prevent the other problems." Despite the rifles' previous performance, they need all they can get and it can be modified into multiple different weapon classes. Assault rifle, marksmen's rifle, submachine gun, LMG, and carbine were all the possible combinations that could be possible just by easily switching a few parts.

"What I'm wondering is why you allow an untrained soldier with no battle experience to plan and lead a Black Ops." The former Vice President asked while trying to wrap his head around why he would do such a reckless thing.

Captain Meier could only smirk as he stared at the screen. "Easy, his unique thinking is something I can rely on, he knows the enemy better than any trained soldier and the last, but most important reason, he has prior knowledge of the Equestrians, Griffins, and Changelings." No one said a thing as the Senate and Congress tried to wrap their heads around what he just said.

"P-please repeat it," Mark asked, he completely froze on the spot and was unable to process the information given.

"It may seem impossible, but I've seen it with my own eyes. It wasn't until I was approached by a lieutenant when he showed me and proved what he said was true. Here." He typed for a little bit on an unseen keyboard and pulled up a picture of Celestia while she was on the ship. "This was what we saw. And this..." He typed a little bit more and the same pony appeared but as a quadruped. "Is what everyone saw before the war. The only difference seems to be that what we saw on the ship is that she's bipedal. Everything else seems to be the same including speech patterns and sound. We are being attacked and allying with living fiction." No one said a thing as they were finally able to process everything they were given.

The last question he was given by the Newest President who could only accept the new reality they were forced into. "Can you trust them, the Sargent and Princess I mean?" He asked as the Captain answered immediately and without hesitation.

"Yes, yes we can. The kid has a better understanding of the situation and our new allies and Celestia have been weakened due to an attempted assassination. She couldn't do much in her current state even if she wanted to." The President nodded and began to speak again, but nothing could prepare Meier for what he was about to hear.

"Captain Meier, we have agreed that your course of action was necessary and justified, but from this day forward; you are no longer a Rear Admiral." Meier internally winced but made no move physically. "You are now Promoted to Fleet Admiral as of today. You're mission if the same as before; take the oil refineries in the gulf then proceed to the Northern Pacific Ocean and link up with what remains of America's Seventh Fleet. The Iowa-class battleships that were preserved will be active and will be replicated in this time of need; however, we need the drydocks on the Western Coast." The. Fleet Admiral nodded as he looked at the president with determination. "We'll brief you more about the situation after you reach the Pacific. We will also agree to the ceasefire which means we can make the decommissioned battleships ready in that time frame for when you began to cross the Panama Canal. We're trusting you, Meier, don't make us regret it." The screens shut off and Meier silently cheered with a happy look on his face as he looked down at his tablet. That smile fell as he tried to gulp down his fear.

"Celestia, for both our sakes, I hope your right." He walked out of his private quarters and being to give his sailors the good news. Sounds of cheering came from the ship that day and a new sense of accomplishment flooded the area, but now came a new, hidden objective.

Help Meier prove he deserves this promotion.

(Canterlot Airspace–Hunter's POV)

"RPG!!!" I yelled as a missile screamed past the haul of the chopper. More soared by as flares launched from the Blackhawk. I was more than eager to return the favor with a borage of 7.62 rounds into those firing at us. "Suck on this motherfuckers!" Zoe was avoiding many of the rockets shot our way while I did my best to kill as many as possible.

One of the Griffins got a little too cocky during this invasion and came up to us with a war cry. She met a very brutal death in the form of a grenade on her vest being shot and a very red explosion saved me from a life with shrapnel in my face. I personally like to see, thank you very much.

I continued absolutely slaughtering the feathery fucks and even tearing a few in half due to the insane rate of fire from this gun. That was until the chopper was hit with a rocket causing it to jerk to it's left. Unfortunately, that was behind me and I lost grip of the Minigun. But on the bright side, I got a hold of the edge before I fell off and became a pancake on the ground. Another bad thing was because of that missile we had to get lower so it would be harder for a rocket to hit us, but I had to think of something quite– HOLY CRAP THAT'S A HOUSE!!!

Ya, I wasn't going to go face-first into a house at 222 MPH while dangling from a Blackhawk. I let go and hit the ground hard as the rest went to go find a safe place to land... Hopefully.

"We're coming back! Hold position, Sargent!" Staff Sargent Hawkins said as I got slightly annoyed about her using my rank. Aside from that coming here was a really bad idea especially after we were surrounded moments before.

"Negative, LZ is too hot! I'll find my own way to the castle; you go support them as much as possible!" I say the Blackhawk zoom by for a second at full speed before pulling off a wide turn into the courtyard. That's about a mile away from my position at most.

"Friendly on you six!" I know that voice. I turned to find Alex right behind me, her M249 scanning the area and I couldn't help the small smile on my face. "Couldn't leave you hanging in a place like this!" I nodded in acknowledgment before scanning the area as well, but getting to the castle would be a trial for the ages. If this was an initiation, this was one to make a leader.

"Get off the street! We're too exposed here!" I pointed to a random house and we moved there while keeping an eye on... Everything. Fighting an enemy with wing and in a place that can easily be an ambush point isn't the best place to be.

I tried to open the door while Alex kept me covered, but like I said; I tried to open the door, but it was locked. That didn't stop my boot from kicking the fuck out of it and it flies to the other side of the room. I herd a click to my right and my rifle immediately went to it as a woman and her foals were hiding from the Griffins. The click came from one of the foals who had a .44 Magnum pointed at me.

"Civies to the right, one with a gun, foal." I walked over to him and kneeled down to his level as Alex walked in. His eyes widened as he pointed it at her, but I grabbed the barrel and pointed it to the ground. "It's alright, were with Equestria, not the Empire." He looked at me unsure until his eyes began to light up in recognition as he looked at us.

"You're the guy who saved Luna!" He yelled in amazement which caused me to cover his mouth. If I was lucky, then no one heard that.

"Yes, but you need to be–" Ya, someone heard me and bullets tore throw the wall forcing Alex and me to hit the deck. The mare and filly were fine, but the colt and I weren't so I covered him using my body as a shield.

"Alex! Throw a flash!" She pulled a flashbang out and threw it at them before the explosion went off. "Go to your mom and stay there!" He didn't hesitate to run before I pulled out the HK416 and taking aim out a window. I killed a few Griffins and Changelings before the effects of the Flashbang wore off.

We were now pinned down by rapidly gunfire and approaching soldiers. In short, we were fucked up the ass by shapeshifters and eagle/lion hybrids. All I did was a blind fire at them and Alex followed my example which gave me the conference to peak out and shoot at a couple of them. I wasn't able to kill any because I emptied the clip while blind firing. I reloaded and peeked out again and actually did something with my life as a couple of them now had a few new breathing holes.

"Switch positions!" I yelled as we moved to each other's former defense position. One tried to rush us like an idiot before I gunned him down. He wasn't dead, but he was inside; barely clinging to what little life he had left. I made sure he didn't suffer anymore while mentally praying for him to have a better life in the... Well, afterlife. I may be an atheist, but that doesn't mean I don't hope for others to burn in hell and if my assumption was correct; then he doesn't deserve cruelty.

Time was running out the longer we stayed here and we needed to move or we'll be outnumbered. I looked around for anything that may be useful or anywhere to run if we couldn't defend this place anymore. Damn it, I can't think straight with all that noise, but what am I going to do.

Going to the back would leave wide-open airspace for the enemy to gun us down with and if we stayed; we would be overwhelmed. I looked around for a moment before spotting stairs leading to an upper level and what I hoped would be a safer place than this.

"Alex!" I yelled, she looked at me as she crouched down and out the line of fire of the bad guys. "Take those three upstairs and provide covering fire! We need to push up the street!" She nodded and ran to the small family before they all did what I said.

I tossed a frag out and it exploded and hopefully killed a few. It wasn't magically enchanted, but I bet it didn't some damage. I peak out again and killed one who was leaning out a building while taking potshots at me. I minimize their visibility of me by preforming a small sweep of the area and killing those in my sight. It was eating at my ammo, but it was necessary to make sure we were good.

Sometime during all that, Alex joined the fray with her covering fire which I eventually took advantage of to find cover outside to get a foothold so we could advance up the street. I did, however, had to switch to the M110 after I ran out of ammo for my assault rifle. Some now had a sizeable hole in their heads, but I pity the guy I shot in the dick. Honestly, that was a misfire on my end. I put him out of his misery. Eventually, they began to retreat from the area with their tails between their legs.

"Finally, that took longer than expected," I said while I looted some bodies for ammo and anything that they have that I don't. I tossed Alex a mag for her LMG which she caught without looking. "Holy crap, that was awesome! Nice catch!" She tossed me a mag, but I totally didn't stumble to catch it.

"We better hurry if we want to get to the rest before my people do." We left only searching half the bodies left behind. Hell, there had to be at least a hundred there if not more. It was an insane battle that had one too many close calls on my end with that ballsy move I pulled.

We moved down the street with our fingers on the triggers with each other covering the other blind spots. The occasional enemy appeared every once and a while which was dealt with swiftly. I just hoped the rest had a better time than us.

(Canterlot Castle–Zoe Hawkins POV)

"Shit!" We were up shit's Creek with how many were here. After landing within friendly lines, we were immediately tasked with defending the southern corridor leading to the throne room. The corridor was small – possibly fitting for people standing side by side comfortably – but the number of bullets being traded was making it hard to see. Flashes gave away their position easily enough, but the amount of bullets made it hard to kill any without getting hit. This Kevlar helped, but five shots and I was fucked until it recharged.

I pulled a flash off my vest and pulled the pin before calling over the gunfire to get behind cover and cover their ears. The flash went into the hallway before exploding seconds later as all gunfire stopped which I took advantage of. I threw a frag behind their lines while they were disabled.

An explosion and a dark cloud of dust and debris flew to our side. "All troops, advance!" I commanded while walking down the hall as those in my temporary squad followed me.

"Yes, Princess!" I got irritated at that but held my tongue to not provoke anything that may be near. They've been calling me princess since I was given temporary command over them even after I explained I was human.

We stacked up near a corner that leads to one of the main entryways. We moved around the corner and slowly moved up as the sound of combat came from the other hall ahead of us.

"Guard that entrance. Stay quiet." I ordered and moved to the other corner and peaked to see what I was up against. A small unit firing upon the other squad to defend the northern halls. That team was lead by Dash and Spitfire.

I grinned and tossed a grenade into the middle of the ground which confused them. It swiftly turned into panic when it exploded and gunfire came from behind them. It tore through their ranks easily and I stopped after they were all gone.

"Blue, Blue!" I yelled as I waved a hand around my cover so they wouldn't shoot. I peaked around the corner and saw them walking up to us as a few of the windows let small amounts of like hit them. They were shattered, but nothing could get through them. "We should push to the courtyard, take the wall and guard it for Hunter and Alex."

"I agree, that kid's awesome! Not as awesome as me, but still amazing! But are you sure that we can even trust Alex, she is a griffin?" Rainbow said while Spitfire ordered the combined might of our squads.

"Ya, I trust her. She had plenty of opportunities to fuck us over, but didn't." She nodded and we walked to Spitfire who was preparing to move forward to a better defensive position. "We're going to take the courtyard, you want in?" She smiled and loaded her gun before we proceed further in the castle.

"I honestly didn't think I'd see this from a pilot. From what you've told us, you mostly used for support and transport runs." I chuckled as I lifted the M4A1 up and smiled.

"When I was asked if I wanted to help the special forces, they put me in special training just in case I was shot down during a mission. Honestly, if I wanted to, I could become special forces, but I prefer to fly then fight." I readied my gun as I swept the area for any hostiles that were in the room. I couldn't hope to catch up with BEAR's eyesight, but mine were pretty sharp and could still pick out differences in the shadows.

"The latter you need is to the left. It'll take you to the top of the walls and we can flank them in the chaos." Dash said, despite what I thought earlier. I thought she was more headstrong than smart, but I guess there's more than meets the eye with these ponies.

"Okay, on you." I began to climb the latter before we looked at one another and nodded. Spitfire leads the ground assault while Dash and I took out those up top and flanked them. The sound of the palace doors bursting open was our mark as we came up as quietly and quickly as possible. After that, it was like target practice.

I gunned one down with ease, but not wasting any bullets at the same time. I moved slowly and moved my gun quickly to deal with anyone who sees me. It was also to maintain accuracy whilst on the move. One played dead, but I made sure to check if they were or not so they got a face full of 5.56 point-blank.

Dash and I eventually met up and went out a little. We cleared off the wall and began to shoot off the Griffins and Changelings from behind. Many were too focused on the Ponies to see the real threat while others scrambled to find more protective cover. One even tried to fly at me... In a straight line... With a knife... I feel if I explain this more, I'll become more retarded. Either way, he painted the wall red when he hit it.

More flew in, but I never guessed they wouldn't come on the wall, but they did. None of them landed on the wall and it just surprised me how dumb they were. Was war so much of a foreign subject that they wouldn't try to take the high ground with lots of cover to shoot at the lower ground that had little cover? If that's the case, I expected a quick war.

I took a few shots at some of them as most fell to Dash's excessive fully auto fire and the constant harassment from the ponies on the ground. Between Dash and I, I got the most kills because of my carefully placed shots. Soon, more ponies joined us up top and began shooting Griffins out the sky. A large number of them reenforced the ground troops and they began to retreat and the wall doors opened for anyone who didn't evacuate in time.

They would stay open for the rest of the battle with little scuffs here and there, but hardly anything happens after that except me out shooting a sniper. I think he'd be mad if he was still alive when he realized that I only have a carbine. Today was a good day.

(Canterlot City–Hunter's POV)

"Contact! Two o'clock!" I yelled as I opened fire on the Griffins coming at us at fast speeds. If I had to make an estimate of their speed; they had to be as fast as a World War 2 Japanese Zero fighter.

"Shit, I'm out!" Alex yelled as she pulled her pistol out and began to fire. I ran out of ammo a while ago and just began using my pistol, but I was down to my last mag and I was out of grenades and red crystals.

"I'm out!" I yelled as I hid behind a food stall and waited till they either got bored or Alex killed them. I was vulnerable at this point.

Minutes went by and Alex decided to join me in my cover as we stayed there without any ammo. "Why weren't you helping?!" I stared at her with the most 'what the fuck' look u could muster.

"What do you want me to do?! Bum Rush them with a machete! This ain't CoD!" A bullet punches through our cover and I scoot closer to Alex until I'm pressed against her; our Kevlar would be fused together if I had the strength to crush it like I was trying to do. "We're going to die." I could feel my anxiety beginning to fill me as the possibility of death fills my being.

I'm scared. Weird, I never felt this type of fear before. Death always scared me, but I'd never thought it would come for a long time. I'd make fun of it a hell of a lot, but it was a brave face I put up to distract me from it. I was going to die before I did what I wanted. Hehehe, sixteen and never had a girlfriend in my life. What a pathetic way to live... Alone. Family dead, middle of combat, not knowing if you're family will remember you. Damn it, I'm just making myself more scared. I'm scared. I'm so scared. I'm really scared. I'm sorry Alex; I'm sorry I got you killed. I'm a pitiful excuse for a friend.

I felt something press against my lips as whatever it is pushes me to the ground and pins me underneath it. My eyes are beyond widened and my vision begins to clear from the tears that filled my vision. I never realized I was crying until my vision began to clear and I saw Alex really close to my face but her eyes were closed.

For a moment, I was confused about what was happening. We're we co close in a cover that we fell over or did she tackle me to the group when the bullets were about to push through. Maybe when she did that she hit her beak on the marble road when she tackled me. Why were her eyes closed like she was taking a short nap? Her eyes opened and stared into mine and they almost looked pleased. I swear I could see a tiny heart in her eyes.

Then it hit me like a flaming semi-truck to the face. She was kissing me and was on top of me. I was even more confused when I tried to think of why she was doing this. I'm not going to lie, I'm dense as hell, so I can't pick up on hints as easily as most people – Shadowflame can attest to that. But why would she even consider kissing me? WE MEET THREE DAYS AGO!!! THIS MAKES NO SENSE!!!

Her tongue wrestled mine for domains that didn't have much to offer due to lack of experience and me still being in shock. It honestly felt weird for my first kiss, but I was slowly getting into it as began to sink into it. Her tongue running over my teeth and shivered when it ran over my canines as I attempted to mimic her actions... And failed spectacularly. How was she so good at this?! It was around this time I remembered I could breathe through my nose... Muzzle, whatever.

Eventually, she pulled away and I was surprised by the lack of gunfire, but I didn't take my eyes off the griffin as a small string of saliva still connecting our mouths to one another. A massive blush was spread across her face and there was no doubt that there was one against mine. Our heavy breathing didn't keep us from gazing into each other's eyes as we stayed in that position for what felt like hours until I felt a hard impact on my left cheek.

"Don't say stuff like that." She whispered as she hugged me despite me being on the bottom. I could hear soft crying next to me. "You saved me time and time again. Even when you could have killed me and had every justifiable reason to, you didn't. You treat everyone with kindness when you can, but you're so nice to those who don't deserve it. Damn it, you should've killed me when you found me, but you didn't! I'm responsible for your suffering, for taking away your life, for killing your family, and for killing countless civilians. I feel awful for what I've done, but you refused to see me as a monster even after everything the others said. You were more angry that I was hurt and not glad like the rest. You've done so much for me and I wish I could do more to pay you back!" I could feel tears soaking my uniform as I did my best to wordlessly comfort her. I was never really good at it, but I guess I didn't have much of a choice now. I can't leave her hanging like this; wallowing in self-pity.

I got to at least a sitting position and move a little away from her before I did the same thing she did to me. I pulled her close and gave her a deep kiss that she tentatively returns, but this one was more reserved than the last one. I was much slower since I literally have no experience with this. Once again, she dominated me before she pulled away and our ears caught the sound is footsteps.

"I know I'm not the best to cheering someone up, but you know I'm more of actions speak more than words. I'm better at listening than talking, but I will say this: You've done more for me than you know. Before I met you, I hid behind a make made of lies that I told myself and others. Even amongst my peers and the amazingness that is band, I felt alone; like an outcast... Then I met you. You helped me through a time when I thought I couldn't be saved, a time where I would've given up, and a time... Don't sell yourself short; because you are much more." The footsteps got closer and my little tirade ended, but I grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly and stared deep into her eyes. Our foreheads, my muzzle and her beak in contact while we continued to stare at each other.

"Hunter." She said as she closed her eyes. She seemed calm and ready for what was going to come.

I smiled and followed her example as I closed my eyes softly and linked our fingers together. "Yes," I responded softly as I brought her closer with the other arm.

"I love you." Those three words that mean so much, but are said too little. The hardest sentence to say to anyone much less anyone you love.

"I love you too," I said back, as my hands tightened band I pulled her closer. If they were going to fire at us... They'd hit me first.

"Never thought I'd see this." Our eyes shot open as we heard that familiar voice. We look towards and saw Zoe there with a wide grin as pony forces marched past us.

Relief flooded my system as all feelings of fear and acceptance left me. I began to chuckle as Alex followed until we were uproariously laughing. I lied on the ground as my mind attempted to catch up with my body. Alex fell back as well and did the same.

"Knee-deep in shit creek with no ammo and surrounded... Then the cavalry arrives before they get to us! Your luck Hunter is legendary!" I couldn't help but laugh as I got up and grinned happily at Alex as my adrenaline was slowly leaving my system.

"I recommend you go to the castle for debriefing. Most soldiers want to see the famous Fortuna." Zoe left as Dash and Spitfire followed while distant gunfire echoed in the distance. The sky was clear of all activities as small specs off in the distance showed the Griffin's retreat and prisoners were escorted back to the castle; most likely being lead to the dungeon.

Then it dawned on me what Zoe said. "Wait, what?"

Author's Note

If you like this story, or not, please go check my other story The Last Goodbye and let me know what you think. It's a completely different shift from this story, but I want to know if anyone wants me to do something like that again.