New Frontiers

Alex and I marched down the halls in a professional manner. Evacuated civilians were crammed into small rooms and we're keeping low to the floor. Many near the doors tried to get away from Alex as she passed by with her M249 shouldered, but we can't do any; we're Winchester on ammo or, more commonly known as out of ammo. We couldn't fight even if we want to.

I sighed as I pulled the mag out and put it in a pocket on my tactical vest. I took my helmet off and clipped it to a free loop on the MOLLE system. I didn't care it was good conduct, I was just shot at for almost an hour straight. I may have not shown it, but I was scared out my mind the entire time after I fell off the Blackhawk.

"Hey, Fortuna!" Someone yelled from behind me causing me to look and see Dash along with Luna. "The seventh assault division just got back. Most want to hear how you survived behind enemy lines." She seemed more optimistic than me, but that nickname is confirming my theory more and more.

"It wasn't much, just luck and common sense. Hell, before Zoe found us, we were surrounded with no ammo... SON OF BITCH!!!" I yelled as it finally dawned on me about what just happened.

"What?! Why are you telling?!" Luna asked while also telling for some unknown reason. Maybe to seem like we were in a heated argument so I looked less weird... Or maybe because it startled her.

"ZOE PULLED A DEUS EX MACHINA ON US!!!" Alex just looked at me weirdly before walking away with a sigh. "Don't do that, you know this is a big deal!" I chased after her to the War Room.

"Your so childish." She said as I caught up to her and I ran so fast that I felt like Sonic. I was never that fast, nor did I have the stamina; where the fuck did this come from.

"Yes, I completed my ultimate goal! I will never grow up!" Is it weird that I'm more confident when I embrace my weird side... Nah.

She laughed a little as we continued to the war room our spirits high but my anticipation was killing me about my theory is correct. It wouldn't be long before we got there, but all I could do was hope for the truth from Celestia.

"Damn it!" I yelled as p walked face-first into the door. Was I really that far in thought that I couldn't tell it was there? That's embarrassing.

I opened the door and found the princess standing there with a wide smile as she practically tackled me to the ground in a hug. I would think this was just her being weird and wanting to embarrass me, as she did before the mission briefing, but I could feel her tears soaking into my uniform and a small part of my fur.

"Thank you." She whispered as she squeezed me harder to the point where I couldn't breathe. Oh god! Bones... Are... Cracking!

"Me bones!" I yelled, disregarding all the grammar of school in favor of wanting to live. She let go a few seconds later and went back to where she was at. On the bright side, my back feels so much better.

"I have to thank you, Sargent. You did more than I expected and even persevered through the worst. You have exceeded all my expectations and I have to think you, Captain, for sending you and Alex here." Celestia turned to Alex and began with another speech. "Dear griffin, I know how hard it was to fight against your own sister and killing those who were once you're brothers and sisters in arms. However, you saved so many lives including my sister, but it seems as if you gained a reward better than any I can provide." She gave a sly look to use and my mind went blank as all my movements ceased. Alex, on the other hand, was blushing up a storm and I was a little afraid of her head exploding. Luckily that didn't happen, but I did have to catch her after she passed out.

Taking this opportunity, I began to ask my questions starting with the one that was immediately in my head. "H-how do you know about that?!" I yelled in complete shock as she smiled evilly.

"The feed to earth may have been cut after the portal was temporarily closed, but the one in Equestria was still streaming." The portal closed for a while! I don't care how many ponies saw that I was more concerned about it closing for a small while.

"Okay... The Griffin how held me hostage know of humanity and said: "don't act like you don't know what you did." I wanna know how he knew of humanity." She tensed up for a moment before avoiding my direct eye contact. It's good that they have larger more expression eyes so I can tell that she's hiding something.

"I'm afraid that I don't know what you're talking about." It was a lie... A plain, easy, and simple lie. She was fidgeting too much to make her lie believable

"Fine then... Then how about my new nickname: Fortuna. That's a Greek goddess from Earth, so tell me how your ponies know of her." She bit her lip while looking at her guards, but they were too busy to respond. She seemed desperate for help and I was losing my patience. "Fine... We'll do this the hard way."

She looked at me a bit confused after I said that. "The hard wa-" she wasn't able to finish as I kicked her to the wall and began to choke her with my left forearm. My other arm was occupied pressing the barrel of the gun against her head. "What are you doing?!" She yelled in confusion and fear as the clicking of guns filled the room.

"If you shoot me my body will seize up and cause me to pull the trigger," I stated as I looked back at them causing those in the room to freeze. "Now answer me, how did the Griffins learn if humanity. Their first attack was far too thought out to be lucky."

"I... Don't... Know." She croaked out as I began to apply more pressure on her throat. She was struggling for air as I pressed the gun harder against her head.

"You can't play ignorant Celestia, you deliberately tried to dodge the question! Stop holding information! We NEED to know! Or are you fine with a new hole in your head." She said nothing which seriously pissed me off, os I pushed even harder against her neck as she fruitlessly gasped for air as tears fell from her eyes. They were not of joy like last time, but of pain and fear. I let up a little and began to tell her about the situation on Earth. "You think I'm fucking around! You have no idea what humanity is going through, do you! In three days over four billion were killed, FOUR BILLION IN THREE DAYS!!! Men, women and children slaughtered like sheep for reasons we don't understand!" Tears fell from my eyes as my grip loosened a little. "I lost my Dad, my stepmom, and even my little fucking brother! We need to know... I need to know..." I stopped as I lowered my head as soft sobs came from me. It brought up memories that hurt so much but felt so distant. It was still all surreal for me, but it wasn't like there was a way to bring them back. The dead are gone, and I have to accept that I'm never going to see them again.

(First Person - Celestia)

It became clear to me why he agreed to help; he didn't want me to suffer like he is. The Griffins took more from him then they realize and they've done it without remorse or hesitation. I doubt the king sees what pain he's causing through his clouded judgment. He says that he wants to make those who killed his brother pay, but he does not see that he has become no better than the killer.

"Okay," I said, my mind made up about telling him without leaving any details. He deserves to know why they attacked him and why I didn't want to tell him in the first place. I was still a little reluctant, but that sad face and the tears rolling down his face were real and not fake. That little bit of faith he held in his eyes held reluctance; reluctance to kill... To find a better way. It was small, but it stood out on that sad face of his. "I will tell you."

"You aren't the first human to come here. The other was a man by the name of Damian, but that was all we knew of him. What he did do was help us advance beyond our primitive swords and Spears to rifles and artillery. No longer was Equestria seen as an example of a stagnant nation, doomed to stay in the same place in technology. He did so much and built gun after gun, factory after factory to help us catch up. He helped us so much that I thought a reward was due and at the time... I thought money wasn't enough." He didn't blush, but after Alex woke up, she sure did. If it wasn't for Hunter being near her, she surely would have passed out again.

"So he helped you advanced to where you currently are now and in turn you fucked him." Now it was my turn as his blunt, but brief, summary of what happened was accurate and summed it up easily.

"Well... Yes, but I wouldn't put it in such a vulgar way." He rubbed his temples in annoyance and to possibly sooth a growing migraine.

"I ran out of fucks to give for years ago." I could tell he was done and the grumbling of his stomach probably wasn't helping him. "Why is this important?" He kneeled down and picked up his gun and put in in his holster... IT WAS UNLOADED!!! WHAT!!!

"I'm going to that..." I coughed to get him to stop and it worked. He was now paying his undivided attention to me... That can be misinterpreted. "He was also the one who trained my soldiers and created the Unicorn, Earth, and Pegasi Armored Battalions. This had an unintended effect of the naval ships going past the divide into Griffin control ocean. Tensions rose and the call for armed assaults from Equestria passing the divide came roaring from the Griffins. Thanks to the griffin diplomat assigned to Equestria, the war was thought to be a case of mob mentality. He went back to the Griffin Empire to do so and when he came back I sent Damian and a small guard squad to escort him back to the embassy, but a griffin returned back to his king and said he was killed and my guards never returned. It is unknown what happened to them after that since we were driven past our investigation area after they invaded, but the king had made this war about vengeance instead of helping us find the real culprit. Since Damian was a human, I think he may have thought that the humans planned this for some bigger scheme." His eyes seemed to light up as a revelation came to light as I could see his mind go into overdrive.

"That might be because it was..." He said, but I wasn't about to go off on him because it seemed like news to him as well. "If Damian wasn't the first one here, it might be quite possible that he was visited by someone else as well and they planned it." His eyes widened as he stared at me with shock and Alex seemed to mimic my expression.

He didn't stop or even acknowledged anyone in the room as he went into what I call 'Theory Mode'. It's how I was able to learn how to control the sun, learn more magic than thought before and create laws that would improve my little ponies quality of life here. "He may have planned it before he came here, or maybe he was sent here with the only goal being to advance Equestria. That would mean he was in the dark about the plan and thought he was doing good but was setting up a war. Then whoever kidnapped him wanted it to seem like he was killed and the messenger was killed before it got here. That way it would seem like each nation went to war after that." I could see the gears in his head turning as he continued to explain his theory.

It was astounding what he already came up within a short amount of time. I can see why Meier let him come, he was able to see past what others couldn't or it was because he could keep a calm head despite what he's going through. If that's the case, are all humans capable of this kind of deep thinking or is it just a set few. "It would cause chaos and when that fell through, they sent the assassins to kill you, Luna and Discord. It makes more sense the more I think about it, but the only question now is who would want to do that. So far no one would benefit from attacking both the powerhouses of the world?" He paused for a moment as he seemed to think for a while until he opened his eyes and looked at me. "No one comes to mind after thinking about it since the villains I know about from the show are either imprisoned, allies or never show up again." He sighed before leaning his head back and running his fingers through his hair... How he still has it is beyond me. "Our best guess would have to wait since we don't have the necessary info to work off of, but one thing is clear..."

"We were set up."

(First-person - Hunter)

All was quiet as everyone looked at me in silent shock, but I didn't say anything afterward since it wasn't my place to say anymore. It was just my own theory, so it couldn't hold that much merit; however, that doesn't mean it isn't out of the realm of possibility. Alex, to my surprise, was the one least affected by the revelation.

"A-are you sure?" It was all Celestia could say as I looked up for a moment in thought, Alex clasping my hand to comfort me. She must've heard my outburst when she went down earlier.

"Don't know, but based on what you told me, I'm inclined to believe that he was a pawn used to start the war; or he's a higher power and set this up in the beginning." I glance at Alex who seemed to go deeper in thought while I began to speak again. "Two possibilities off the top of my head that might be true. However, this is completely speculation and not fact, just me using the information given to make an assumption, but now I need some food. I'm hungry." Celestia tried to regain her composure before speaking in her calm regal tone.

"Okay, but you don't have a lot of time to eat since I've been given the okay to send you on your next mission." I sighed as an MRE was thrown at me... Oddly enough, this is the first time I've ever eaten an MRE so I guess it doesn't matter now. It was chicken pesto pasta. I didn't bother to cook it so I ate it as it is... Not bad.

"What's the mission?" I gave some of it to Alex to keep herself some starving herself while being around me. She didn't need to wait, but it was nice.

"You are to link up with local resistance in the Crystal Empire and destroy the portal. Our informant, Rogue, has mentioned that the creator of the portals, Alice Jack, is going to be going there. If you can, capture here and they'll have a hard time creating portals. You are to capture or kill her, but my informant has stated that she is more reluctant than her brothers and sisters about the war." This could get us a huge advantage and cripple their abilities to make more portals. That'll make it easy for us to destroy the Griffin controlled ones on Earth and allow us to advance farther in terms of Magiteck. Then again, this could get us soldiers on this side. "Rogue is going to try to convince her to meet up with you tomorrow. If so, what would your name be to let her know it's you?"

I was about to say it, then I stopped. This could lead to another fiasco that would leave me facing an army alone... Again. They sent a lot of those Griffins and Changelings out to kill me and Alex. I walked up to her with my knife out and came up to her.

"Do Changelings bleed different color blood?" I asked causing her to look at me quizzically before answering.

"Yes... Why is that important?" I grab her arm and cut a small wound on it causing it to bleed. Red, good. Now I have to do that to everyone other than me and Alex. It didn't last long as she pulled her arm back with a yelp as I walked to the next pony in the room and did the same.

"Why the buck wouldn't you do that?!" Celestia yelled as she used her magic to heal the wound and alleviate any pain that came with it.

"Changeling check. My guess is that they don't bleed red like most ponies or anything else." I said as the last check ended and he healed himself. No changelings... Good. "My assumption is that when a Changeling bleeds, it starts as a definite color and remains like that long after the wound heals. This is different from you or me where blood looks reddish-black where a higher quantity is and begins to gain its infamous crimson color the more it travels and therefor making the amount in that area less than the source of it." It was biology, not my best subject, but one that I definitely didn't fail. It kicked my ass, but I definitely kicked back.

"Okay, now tell me what your code name will be." I looked at her as I cleaned the knife of blood. I thought for a second before I chose a name that would cause her to know who I am despite me not knowing the name.

"Arctic Fox, I want her to know who I am before she approaches me." She summoned a parchment and quill and wrote before sending it to this Rogue. I guess I'll meet her when we start the attack on their Empire.

"I called your Captain again and asked him for some off-road land transportation and a heavy winter uniform. Judging from your fur, you aren't built for the cold yet." She was right, my fur was like that of a newborn kit; therefore, I needed the clothing to not freeze to death in that giant freezer of the Equestrian nation.

"Okay, first off, what's the land transportation?" I really hope it's something fast and easy to use. I may have a driver's license, but I recently got it almost three months ago.

"He called it an Advanced Light Strike Vehicle." So he sent me a dune buggy, it'll definitely get me there, but it doesn't provide much protection.

"Do they know of my existence?" I asked knowing that could be either a walk through the park or creep in the shadows. Hopefully, it was the former and not the latter.

"Our sources say no. They are almost completely isolated except the few times they open the portal for supplies, mostly food, and water." I nodded as I began to make a plan for what I was going to do. I'd have to fool them and have an airtight story if I'm going to convince them I want to join them.

"Okay, come on Alex, we need to plan." I was about to leave before Celestia stopped me with the sentence I dread the most.

"Unfortunately, you have to do this alone. Something will begin soon that affects us and you don't want to be here when it happens." Damn, doing this alone would be hard, but if I'm linking up with the local resistance, then I won't have to worry. I won't be completely outnumbered.

"Your vehicle has been modified and the train is being prepared to take you halfway. You have today and tomorrow to complete this mission and the resistance leader will contact me if it's either a success or a fail." ALRIGHT, NO PRESSURE OR ANYTHING. JUST WALK INTO A HEAVILY FORTIFIED AREA AND LIBERATE IT IN LESS THAN TWO DAYS!!! Two days aren't a lot, but if I can destroy the portal and get Alice then I should be able to leave it to the resistance.

"Okay, I have the bare bones of a plan. It'll take some time to completely flesh out, but not having Alex with me will definitely through a wrench in my plan." I sigh in defeat as I ask one simple question. "If they're isolated, then why not destroy the portal and take it back?"

"Cadence is confirmed to be there and undergoing interrogations that are... Less than pleasant..." She paused after I sighed in annoyance before looking at her with a tired look.

"Celestia, you can say torture. Trust me, I know plenty of techniques... Mostly because of YouTube." She gulped down her fear as she glanced at every direction other than me.

"She's being tortured for information and has remained strong, but they haven't killed her yet knowing that it's preventing us from getting to her." She handed me two gems they were pure white and seemed to pulse green as it came into contact with my hand. "This is a healing gem made for high ranking generals and creatures of authority. Use one for Cadence and the other can be used how you see fit." I nodded before I began to leave the room before I was stopped once more by Celestia as she came up be hide me and gave me a hug.

I was really confused about this after I assaulted her, nearly choked her out, and pressed a gun against her head. She should be livid and not so friendly as she is now. I expect a slap or a threat about me staying in line or threat of execution... What am I saying, this is Equestria; they choose to forgive over anything else. How the fuck they haven't been invaded before is beyond me.

"I'm sorry." She whispered causing me to be even more confused from those two simple words. You're doing this backwards Celestia, you're not supposed to be apologizing; I am. "I should've told you from the beginning, but I didn't." Oh no... Please don't bring it up again. Your better than this Celestia. "You've lost more than I–" damn it, "–and I assumed that you were willing to help because of your rich history of war, but I was wrong. I didn't wish for you to relive that moment of time, but please... Don't do this for revenge."

"I'm not... Well, not anymore. I see that we were all played like pawns in chess, but that doesn't mean the bloodshed will end... It only means that there'll be fewer casualties, but there are already more than either of us can fathom." I walked away from Celestia and past a fuming Alex as she glared daggers at Celestia but I grabbed Alex's hand and pulled her out to save Celestia from her glare. "Wait!" She yelled before walking up to me as I turned around. "About three days ago we lost contact with the empire. If you can take advantage of this and find out why, I'd like to know." I nodded as I left the room with Alex following me.

I guided us to the armory so I could load up and stock up and anything I could need. Less than an hour or so after Operation Lunar Eclipse and I'm already being sent out... Or was it two hours. I don't know. All I know was that a lot is happening in one day. I was a little tired, especially after nearly dying, but what the hell could I do when Celestia is your current CO.

"I don't know why you didn't shoot her. She withheld information that was important." I sighed and looked at her as we stopped. "Why'd you stop-mmph!!!" I kissed her to get her to listen because that tone she was using would've led to a rant... I've heard it way too many times to know when someone is about to rant... including myself.

I released the kiss and stared into her eyes before I began to speak. "I didn't shoot her neck I had no ammo. You know this. Second, we would've been killed just trying to leave. Finally, we would've started a third front to fight against and we currently don't have the means to do so." She looked down for a second before I lifted her head to look at me for a second. "No sad face. I won't allow it." I sighed as I brought her closer and hugged her, which was surprisingly hard to do considering I'm taller than her now. She uses to be taller than me by a few inches and now I tower over her by at least foot. Her six-foot-three hight is minuscule compared to my seven-foot five And my new strong slim build. I may still look like a stick, but now I have easily identifiable muscle.

"So your really going to go on your own?" She asked, but I couldn't help but nod silently for my answer. It may have been heard for her to see but she got it... Somehow. "You know I'm not okay with this." Again, I nodded before I looked at her and she looked at me. "Despite not liking this, I have to agree with Celestia. You won't wanna be here the day after tomorrow."

"And why's that?" People say curiosity killed the cat... But I'm not a cat. They are dangling this info in front of me and not telling me a thing. Seriously, what's up with that today.

"Heat. It'll-" I stopped her there and I know all too well what it was.

"It'll make you crazy and purely driven to – you should expect this from me by now – to fuck the first male with bone-shattering force." All was quiet, but j guess it was just the two of us so I shouldn't care. She had a light blush but didn't seem too surprised.

"Right on the money, and I guess I should've expected that kinda explanation from you." I smiled a little before I began to walk towards my intended destination while Alex walked beside me. "Where are we going?"

"To the armory. If I can leave as soon as possible, then I can get back quicker." She followed almost like a lost dog, but I didn't stop her. I'm not calling her a dog, I'm making an analogy! I'm arguing with myself, what's wrong with me.

"Okay, I'mma go there to get re-equipped and head out with you." I stopped once again, but this time just outside the armory and glared at her.

"You are not." I firmly stated as she looked at me and the gears in her head began to turn. Maybe I was rubbing off on her too much... Not like that brain!

"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't go on the train with you." She gave me a smile that had hidden her mischievousness. I couldn't help but chuckle, but that evolved into laughter as she found a loophole I didn't think of.

"Okay, then let's load up, love," I said causing her to blush as I walked off with her catching up; eventually, we began to walk hand and hand.

(Third Person - Griffin Empire)

In the Griffin Empire, a lone griffiness walked into a bar with a few of her colleagues that helped her make the portals. Most of humanity, that being half, was completely wiped out and they need something to dull the pain of guilt. They had inadvertently caused the genocide of over half of humanity and they couldn't help but feel guilty for it. Alice was among them with her team just taking small shots to not get drunk for a small repair order in the Crystal Empire.

Alice just bought her drink and took a small sip from the glass. No one in the bar spoke; most of them were surprised that some of the brightest minds who had the honor of helping the king himself was in the same room. They were seen as heroes, but they felt like they were nothing but the harbingers of death.

Alice was praised for the innovative advancement in magitech and transportation before a griffiness sits next to her. The new griffiness glared at the crowd and they left out of fear of what she could do. She ordered herself alcohol as she stared in front of her while drinking occasionally. The bartender left his station to go praise one of the scientists as the two could hear a ton of noise coming from the crowd away from them and surrounding the other scientist.

"What I'm about to say is treason, but I can tell you want to get out of the Empire and help." The new griffiness said as Alice's body tenses up after hearing this and how this griffiness. "Do you want to help the humans?" She asked as she stopped talking as the bartender came back to the bar after the crowd disperses.

Alice thought about what she said and gulped before thanking about it some more. She has felt bad about doing this, but she was loyal to her nation since she was a child. However, she thinks that the king's decisions are reckless and dependent on his anger, but if she leaves; her family will pay for it. She could fix everything for the humans if she did help, but how could she do that without her family suffering in the process. Then it clicked.

"Yes..." Alice Said as the griffiness smiles. "But under one condition." The griffiness frowns, it was inevitable that she'd make a condition. She leans into her ear and whispers: "It looks like a capture and not a betrayal." The griffiness nodded, understanding why she would want for it to look like that.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do." She drinks the rest of her alcohol before paying. Alice grabs her arm and keeps her there as a shadow seems to cover her eyes. The griffiness looks at her confused before Alice speaks.

"What's your name?" She asks as a few of the patrons look at her but didn't stare long.

"My name is Gilda." Gilda hands Alice scroll but made sure only Alice could see the seal. Alice's eyes widened as she saw the seal; it was from Princess Celestia herself.