A Noble Death

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
// TRANSLATION ERROR //
// PROCESSING //
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
// TRANSMISSION INTERCEPTED //
// ERROR_ERRR_ERROR //
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
// REINITIALISING SYSTEM //
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
// BREACH FOUND >>> SEVERING CONNECTION //
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 2
Chapter 11
// REESTABLISHING CONNECTION //

Chapter 1

The crack of gunfire and the breaking of an energy shield followed shortly by the thump of a body hitting the ground were sounds that the covenant knew all too well after these past few days of nonstop combat. Reach had fallen to their might and their glassing was continuing as planned all human resistance had been eliminated well...all but one.

The footsteps of a Zealot behind her were all the information Six needed as she swiftly connected elbow to torso, shattering the elite’s shield and knocking him to the ground, his energy sword flying out of reach. The last thing seen in his alien eyes being the calm and collected but equally rage-filled face of the human he had tried and failed to eliminate. The Humans armor was covered in plasma burns and it had just abandoned its helmet looking the elite in the eye before pulling her magnum and putting one between his eyes.

Given only a moment’s rest before three more elites opened fire, charging at the exhausted soldier. Their plasma bolts hit true as they burned through the human’s black exposed titanium armor. With her helmet broken and armor now incomplete, her shields are unable to form their protective barrier as she grimaced in pain from the plasma burning into her.

She returns fire swiftly felling another elite only for two more to take its place. She needed more firepower as she began duel-wielding her magnum in one hand and her rifle in the other.

Six knew that her end was inevitable after the Pillar of Autumn left Reach...her home before the UNSC and the Spartan III program. The last of Noble team. One of the last humans left on Reach.

‘Ironic’ Thought Six as the Covenant began to converge on her position the Pillar of Autumn only a spec in the sky. Carter had told her that they were a team and to leave that Lone Wolf stuff behind. And now here she was, a Lone Wolf once again clutching the dog tags of her fellow Spartans ‘No...friends’ went through her mind as she looked down at the dogs-tags she held. She had managed to meet up with the last holdout of marines on Reach before all hell broke loose when the Covenant attacked with everything they had.

What followed were three days and nights of hell for Six and the Covenant alike.

The elite’s rushed Six, her ammo running dry as one crashed into her launching her backward before pouncing on her, energy sword at the ready. Just as the elite moved in for the kill Six swiftly kicked him away shattering his shield and dazing him before an elite zealot came from the side energy sword already swinging. Six reacted in-kind by hitting the sword out of its hand before firing her last magnum rounds into the elite’s face. The Zealots’ shield held, the force of the bullets hitting his shield only staggering him briefly. But before Six could capitalize on that the elite from before, now no longer dazed jumped back on her pushing her against the ground, breaking some of her ribs in the process and driving the air from her lungs.

The Zealot pulled his energy dagger out, rising it high. Six struggled below them, gasping for air whilst trying to grab her knife before pain exploded throughout her abdomen as the Zealots energy dagger impaled her. Thinking that the Human was dead the elites released some of the pressure they were exerting against the Human underneath them. That was a mortal wound the elites thought. And they were right, Six knew this too but that wouldn’t stop her, with elite’s atop her letting their guard down she used the opportunity to grab her knife from her thigh and plunged it into the Zealot’s neck, piercing his shield and dooming the Zealot to choke on his own blood. Then while the other elite was still in shock from the sudden attack with the last of her strength she forcefully removed the energy dagger stuck in her gut and plunged it as deep as it could go into the other elite’s torso.

It fell down to the side dead as Six collapsed back to the ground her energy spent. She felt so very tired, the days of combat taking its toll on her as she looked up into the brown sky. Her vision began to darken as she felt more footsteps approach her position. She tried to grab her magnum but her arm wouldn’t obey her commands.

She looked back up at the sky as her life began to flash before her eyes. From her childhood on Reach to the time she signed up to fight the insurrectionists. Her entrance into the Spartan III program and her takedown of multiple militia groups singlehandedly becoming the personal ‘Grim-reaper’ of her C.O . And finally, her return to Reach as a part of Noble. Jorge’s sacrifice to destroy the Covenant carrier. Kat’s sudden death by sniper fire at the start of the glassing. Carter’s death, taking a Scarab out with him. Emile’s stand against the Zealots whilst Jun and Six held the covenant off. Jun...the only member of Noble to make it off of reach. She may not have known them for long but they would always be in her memory as friends instead of fellow Spartans.

A shadow loomed over her, a slight blue hue from the elite’s energy sword covering her as the elite plunged his sword into her chest. The sneering face of the elite above her being the last Image she saw before a dark void consumed her vision.

But even then, one thing will always remain true.

Spartans never die...They just go missing in action.

Something was wrong.

Six hadn’t even opened her eyes yet and she knew something was wrong. Well, for one thing, she was awake which in turn meant she was alive.’ That’s impossible’ she thought, an energy sword to the heart is not survivable no matter how far technology had come. By all accounts being alive let alone waking up should an impossibility for the Spartan. But she was alive and no amount of saying it was an impossibility is going to change that.

Opening her eyes another impossibility greeted her. She was wearing her helmet, the familiar blue light of her H.U.D, and completely intact visor filling her vision. Her shields and armor integrity were reading as full. Outside her visor, however, she was met with a deep blue sky, devoid of any clouds in contrast to the brown sky of Reach after the Covenant glassing.

‘What the he-?’

The sudden appearance of a red marker on her Motion tracker meant no time for questions as something potentially hostile was approaching her position. Acting on auto-pilot Six sprang up instinctively reaching for her rifle, finding empty air she went for her magnum...nothing.

She moved for her knife...Bingo

Holding it out in front of her ready to face whatever was in this desert she now found herself in with her. Six’s mind was calm and collected, different battle strategies running through her mind. There were several rock formations around her with dead shrubbery dotted between them. But before she could look for an advantageous defensive position, Six promptly lost her balance and began to fall forward before catching herself with her ‘arms’.

Once she caught herself she didn’t see her arms in front of her she saw two armored cylindrical limbs instead. But before she could question what the hell had happened to her body the marker was now 10 meters out and approaching slowly. ‘Questions about strange body later, deal with hostile now’ Thought Six grabbing the knife and lowering her posture as if she were a tiger ready to pounce. A small bout of confusion quickly arose as to how she was holding the knife without any fingers with a small eyebrow raise but it was quickly put aside as the hostile was seconds away from turning around the rock it was behind.

Six tensed up ready pounce both literally and figuratively at the opposing... Lizard?

She released the breath she was holding before tagging the lizard as neutral through her neural implant, turning the red marker into a greyed out one. Now that there were no more threats nearby Six could now get a good look at what the hell happened to her body.

Needless to say, she wasn’t ‘herself’ anymore as her body looked more equine instead of a human. Her armor looked the same only it seemed to be changed to adapt to her new body. But what really took the cake were the two black armored wings on her back and the black tail with a single streak of white, attached to her ass.

‘Or would that be flank now?’ Thought the Spartan, amused, as she examined her new body, testing the multiple new muscles her body now possessed. First came her legs as she tested their new range of movement. After several tries, Six was no longer immobile, the cost being the sand now covering part of her armor after several failed attempts at movement. Next came her wings. Six doubted she would be able to fly as her armor weighed several hundred kilos’ at least but as a trade-off, the armored feathers looked pretty damn sharp.

One last thing remained however as Six reached up to remove her helmet, the hiss of a pressure seal being broken startling the nearby curious birds of their pearches. Removing the helmet she turned it around in her hooves, long since accepted that they somehow grabbed stuff as long as she thought of them as arms with hands.

Her face reflected in the golden visor of her helmet as she looked down at it. Her face was still as scared as ever from countless injuries during her time taking down insurrectionists. Her fur was a light grey with a short jet black mane with white highlights on her head. The expression she held was one of calm and collected but yet curious as to why all of this had happened.

Any normal person would have freaked out by now at the prospect of changing species but after literally returning from death and now longer finding herself on Reach, Six was at least happy she got to keep her armor, scars, and memories after this ‘reincarnation’ as she would put it. Plus, as a Spartan, there is no time to panic, if you are still combat effective it doesn’t matter whatever happened to you. It’s one of the first lessons they beat into your brain during the Spartan III program training course.

The ‘Deal with it’ protocol as some Spartans liked to call it.

But now with that out of the way, Six was alive and there was still a war to be won and she would stop at nothing to return to UNSC Space (If she wasn’t already in it that is) and make the Covenant pay dearly for what they’ve done to humanity…

To Reach…

...To her.

Putting her helmet back on and returning her knife to its sheath, she made her way to higher ground before scanning the horizon for any signs of life. At first, there was nothing only desert for as far as the eye could see with large rock formations poking over the horizon. She scanned and scanned but there was nothing until...

...Bingo smoke on the horizon to her south-east.

Be it from a campfire, burning wreckage, or a forest fire, it would get her one step closer to civilization and finding out where the hell she was now located. So with a destination in mind, Six began her trek towards the smoke unknowing of what would await her on this planet but knowing that no matter what happened to her, when she got back the Covenant will pay dearly for what they had done.

Author's Note

I want to get at least a few chapters finished before I submit it.

I lied :trollestia:

Hope ya enjoyed it :D

Chapter 3

The feeling of consciousness began to return to the sleeping Spartan. The buzz of an empty radio frequency and the crackle of faintly burning embers filling the silence of Six’s camp. Faint sounds of birds flying overhead could be heard as Six gently began to open her eyes.

Her visor's field of vision was completely covered in black and white thread. Yawning, Six moved her head upright revealing that it was her tail which was covering her visor. It seems that during that night six had tucked her head right against her barrel and subsequently her tail.

Six chuckled slightly at the mental image of a hyper lethal and battle-hardened Spartan sleeping like a common house cat before getting up fully. After briefly stretching the knots out of her body, Six looked towards the glowing embers of her campfire before kicking some nearby sand onto them, extinguishing it.

The sound of empty radio frequencies was still audible inside Six’s helmet, prompting her to turn it off. If she hadn’t got any response after 8 hours, she wasn’t going to get one now over her radio.

Moving to the edge of her makeshift camp, Six scouted for any points of interest. The smoke was back on the horizon to her south-east and the lights of civilization were no longer visible without the help of a night sky.

Six estimated that the trek into the visual range of the town/city would take roughly two hours from what she could tell. Once Six has a line of sight to the town she would scout it out first, making sure it was either

A: Filled with a bunch of lazy ass ONI Operatives who couldn’t use a radio to save their lives from behind their cushy desk jobs.

B: Occupied by Covenant forces.

And the unlikely third option.

C: Filled with aliens that looked like her or vice versa.

Personally she was hoping for option B, oh how she wanted to make the Covenant pay for not killing her properly. Now with nothing left for her to take with, she abandoned her makeshift camp, once again trekking through the desert towards civilization… or the Covenant, either option worked for the Spartan turned alien.

Two hours of walking later it became obviously clear that Six’s estimates were off...way off. But on the plus side, however, she had found a river. The sandy environment around her turned into a lush green forest instead. It was a welcome change of scenery for the Spartan, she had been in enough barren wastelands on Reach.

Unfortunately, the river was blocking her path. There were no obvious land bridges in visual range and she didn’t want to waste any time looking if a bridge was located somewhere. The river was a clear blue and moving rather calmly. The perfect conditions for a crossing, but first things first as Six hadn’t drunk anything for a while now.

Without her cantine, gathering some water for later wouldn’t be possible but as for right now, Six needed to drink something. Although Spartans are able to be effective longer than normal humans without food or water, they still had their limits and Six was reaching hers. The water was running down from a nearby mountain into presumably a nearby ocean or lake meant it was fresh and as such safe for consumption by the Spartan.

Quickly checking her motion tracker and it coming up empty, Six removed her helmet. Another hiss of her armor’s pressure seal being broken, scared a few nearby curious critters into hiding, as Six bent her head down to the running water before eagerly beginning to drink her fill.

It might have just been dehydration speaking but it was the most satisfying quenching of thirst Six had ever experienced. Her eyes widening after the first droplet reached her mouth. The freshness of the water combined with the abundance of minerals not found in the standard-issue water rations was simply Dev-.

That’s when Six realized something was wrong. It was quiet, deathly so. The sounds of birds chirping in nearby trees were gone. The only sound about being the running water and Six’s eager gulps of said water.

A predator was stalking her.

Ceasing in her drinking of the river water, Six swiveled her ears focusing her hearing whilst slowly grabbing her helmet. Six was careful not to make any sudden movements before she got her helmet on. Keeping her head low to the water, Six equipped her helmet.

Checking her motion tracker she saw a greyed out marker to her left. Slowly pulling out her knife and getting into a low combat stance, she changed the target's motion tracker marker to red. Now facing the direction of the hostile she saw a rustling come from the nearby bushes.

The animal stalking her now realizing it had been made, moved out of its hiding place revealing itself to its prey.

‘The hell are you?’ Thought Six as the creature fully revealed itself to the Spartan. It was big, much bigger than her and looked like a mish-mash of a Lion, bat, and scorpion if the wings and tail were anything to go by.

It growled and snarled aggressively at its prey, it’s claws extended, green venom dripping from its tail, his sharp teeth glinting in the sun at the Spartan in front of it. For the manticore, this pony seemed like an easy kill, as it lowers itself into an attack stance as well.

It was a stare off before both creatures began to slowly circle each other, their stances held low. The Manticore growling and snarling in an attempt to intimidate its prey. Six however was as calm as ever, her eyes studying the Manticores every movement and weakness she could exploit. The wind was calm, a few stray leaves falling in-between them before being dragged off by the surrounding breeze.

The sounds of armored hooves hitting the ground and the manticores snarls filling the air.

They both stopped in their circling, neither of them backing down.

A fight was inevitable now, but a question still remained unanswered.

Who was the predator and who was the prey?

With a violent roar, the manticore pounced at Six at a blinding speed intent on ending this fight in a single blow.

Already anticipating such an action, Six waited until the last second before rolling off to the side. Narrowly avoiding the manticore’s attack before slashing at the creature’s hind legs eliciting a howl of pain from the creature.

Snarling in rage the manticore swung his tail, catching the Spartan off guard as her shield’s flared from the impact before getting thrown several feet away.

Hitting the ground with a small roll, Six used her momentum to land back on her hooves.

Her shields had taken minor damage and she would not be underestimating that tail again as the manticore turned to face her once again, limping very slightly from her attack, before charging at her.

Dodging, Six once again avoided the manticore’s sharp claws as they slashed against the ground where she once stood.

Not wanting this fight to drag on any longer, Six jumped at the manticore’s now exposed neck using her agility to climb up onto the manticores back.

Thrashing wildly, the manticore tried to throw the Spartan off only managing to knock the knife out of Six’s grip causing it to fall to the ground with a thump.

Six held around the manticore's neck even tighter, intent on trying to either break its neck or choke it out.

This did nothing as the manticores gave off another enraged snarl before trying to stab the Spartan with his tail.

He hit his mark as the Spartans shield’s flared gold once again, only to immediately cry out in pain as the still intact shield began burning his stinger.

With Six unable to choke the manticore out and her shields now at half strength she would need to get creative.

Her knife now somewhere on the ground and the manticores thrashing getting ever stronger she wouldn’t be able to stay up there for much longer unless…

Flaring her wings out to their full length Six kicked herself off of the manticores back up into the sky.

The combined strength and weight of the spartan jumping off the manticore slammed it into the ground, kicking up dirt and breaking a few of the creature’s ribs leaving it dazed.

Now above the manticore, Six reoriented herself head first, before pulling her wings in front of her face, razor-sharp feathers facing outwards.

Before long gravity began to take its course, pulling the Spartan back towards the ground.

‘I hope this works!’ Thought Six as she came falling onto the manticore below her, her sharp feathers creating a low whistling sound as air rushed past them.

The sound of flesh and bone being cut tore through the surrounding air, as a gurgled roar escaped the manticores bleeding moar before collapsing to the ground, dead.

Six let out a relieved breath from atop the now dead manticore before pulling her now blood-soaked feathers from the manticores back. Jumping off of the corpse, Six got a good look at her handiwork before glancing back at her still flared wings.

‘Well... I guess there is another use for you bad boys after all’ She thought with a small smile and laugh looking at her extended limb, her feathers now no longer black but a dark crimson. She was definitely noting that technique down for later as it basically made her into a living missile.

A consequence of this, however, would be the sudden literal bloodbath her armor was subjected to. Now with that out of the way, and thirst now no longer an issue for the Spartan, Six looked for the shallowest part of the river to ford it.

She debated on taking some meat with her for later but decided against it as if she were spotted by someone whilst holding a slab of meat under her wings would be the textbook definition of ‘a bad situation to be in after changing species when dealing with an unintentionally xenophobic race’.

She did, however, consider maybe taking some samples for the local biologists as Six didn’t recognize this species and it could be one that had yet to be discovered by the local scientists but decided against it. Finding out which planet she was on came first, before discovering new species.

The hum of her shield regenerating back to full strength brought Six’s mind back to the issue of fording this river before picking up her discarded knife as it glinted in the sun nearby. Sheathing it, Six began walking downstream looking for such a path, and after several minutes, she found it in a nice and shallow in a calm part of the river.

Wading into the water Six slowly began to make her way across, making sure her armor was thoroughly soaked by the river washing most of the blood off of her. A red streak was now visible in the water behind her as her armor turned black once again, the blood running downstream.

Having now crossed the river, Six continued on her journey once again now no longer surrounded by desert and sand but grass and trees.

Author's Note

Leave comments!

absolutely love to hear what you think about my stories :pinkiehappy:

Till next time!

Chapter 4

The sounds of birds and rustling leaves filled the air as a lone figure, covered in black armor walked through the forest. She had been walking for several more hours, after her encounter with the manticore, through this forest. The bush was thick, needing to be cut through at several points to stay on track.

Instead of using her knife though, she thought it prudent to get some more practice in manipulating her wings. After proving that they could be used as a weapon even if she lost her knife meant that unless they got amputated or heavily injured, Six was never unarmed.

During her trek, she tested out multiple different ways she could move her wings in such a way to be lethal to anything they may come in contact with. Be it more of those creatures or some Covenant elites, these wings would cut through them like butter. And trees, as Six cut straight through one during her testing of different slashing motions.

Soon, however, the forest started to become easier and easier to traverse signaling to the Spartan that she had almost reached her destination. Leaving the forest, Six could see the source of the artificial lights she saw last night.

It was still quite far away but it would take an hour at most for the Spartan if there weren’t any interruptions. Six did however let a small huff of annoyance leave her lips when she realized option B wasn’t going to happen. ‘Lazy bastards’ Thought Six with a grumble.

The city was completely fine. No burning buildings or stray plasma fire was visible, and that smoke she had been following since she got here? It was emanating from some sort of factory on the outskirts of town.

‘Whoever is in charge of ONI here will not have a good day when I find him’ went through Six’s mind as she looked for any more points of interest on the path towards the city.

A light brown line cut through the green fields to her left indicating that it must be some type of road leading towards town. Six didn’t want to get spotted yet by the local human population. Getting shot on sight by her comrades in arms was not on the agenda for this Spartan.

Focusing back on the city in front of her, Six used her helmet's magnification to try and get an idea of what she would be dealing with. Small dots were visible against the blue sky, flying from building to building. ‘Just how big is the wildlife here? Those birds must be huge to be visible from here.’ Thought Six as she tracked the flying figures.

Getting all the information Six could obtain from her current position she began to make her way towards the city, making sure to stick to the surrounding tree cover so as to not get spotted yet.

She’d rather be found on her own terms than that of the colonists and local marines.

But as she got closer and closer to the city Six noticed something was off about the architecture of the place. They looked old… outdated even by current human standards. And then came the flashing lights and…

‘Oh my god, out of all the places to be nearby it has to be a Las Vegas Knock-off’ Six groaned inside her helmet. Even after 500 years of human history the original Las Vegas was still going strong back on Earth and was subsequently copied by most of the human colonies.

One didn’t have to be a hyper lethal Spartan, like Six, to recognize the telltale signs of a casino among the rest of the flashy architecture. But Six did have to give them a bit of praise as some of the buildings looked like they were made out of clouds.

Some of them even looked like they...were...floating.

Six couldn’t help but stare at the floating buildings made of clouds. They were sitting among the local cloud cover, hiding them from Six’s earlier scouting. And those dots she saw flying around? Not birds… but small horses with wings just…like...Six.

‘Well, option C it is then. Time for a change of plan’
Thought Six as her eyes following the different multicolored flying horses as they went from building to building. Six was now confirmed not only to have been brought back from the dead but that she was also transported onto an alien planet and made to look like the local population.

Six was, in simple terms, trapped here. With the UNSC fighting a losing war and her status as a Spartan III making her expendable whilst also being transported an unknown distance away from UNSC or Covenant space, going back was another impossibility now. The full reality of the situation she was in, came crashing down on her.

Unconsciously falling down to her haunches, Six retreated into her thoughts. All her life she had been wanting to become a soldier and help defend her fellow man. Now she was a soldier without a way to do exactly. She wasn’t even the same species as the people she swore to protect and die for anymore. She needed some time to think before she began to remember something.

‘The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing -Albert Einstein’

Six thought back on that quote as it was one of the reasons that motivated her to join the Marines. She signed up because she could not stand to do nothing, as the insurrectionists tore her planet apart. She didn’t want to sit and watch, she was a soldier through and through, it is all she ever dreamt about when she was young.

Then it hit her.

Just because this had happened to her didn’t change a goddamn thing. She would protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. She was still the same person. STILL the same Spartan and Spartans don’t get to retire, and Six certainly wasn’t going to now.

First things first she needed more information about the local culture/government. She was one of them now so she wouldn’t stand out much. But her armor would still draw some unwanted attention. The species she turned into, was capable of verbal communication so that wouldn’t be a problem for the Spartan.

Once she had more information, she could then decide her next move. If these flying horses were secretly part of the Covenant, Six wanted to know. Getting back to the war was impossible now, but a soldier's duty is not only to wage war but to once again protect those who cannot protect themselves no matter what they look like. Six hated the Covenant, not aliens in general.

Deciding that now would be a good time to start her new reconnaissance mission, Six began to make her way towards the road she had spotted earlier. Entering town through a road is a lot less suspicious than coming out from behind some back alley.

After ten minutes of walking Six stepped out onto the dirt path before heading towards the city. Other than the singing of birds and the heavy hoof steps of the several hundred kilo Spartan, the trip was rather quiet. And only after several more minutes of walking a checkpoint of some sort was visible further down the road.

As she got closer and closer to the checkpoint Six could make out two figures wearing some sort of white and gold armor on either side of the road. They very much had the same body structure of Six only shorter and missing the pair of wings attached to her sides.

One of the pair even looked like he had some type of horn sticking out of his head whilst the other one lacked both. A large sign was hanging over the pair which read ‘Welcome to Las Pegasus’

‘Well that’s… interesting’ thought the Spartan, eyeing the message hanging above the pair. One of the two figures seemed to have noticed her as he quickly said something to his partner drawing both of their gazes at the approaching Spartan.

Approaching the checkpoint Six now identified the two figures as some sort of guards. Their spears and armor fully confirm her theory as one of them start speaking. But seeing this level of technology only beat the fact she wouldn't be returning to the UNSC even further into her mind.

“Halt! in accordance with article 5 subsection b of the Equestrian code of law, Non Military personnel are prohibited from entering any city whilst wearing any type of armor and or weapons. Unless you have a valid mercenaries/bounty hunter’s license, please surrender the prohibited items.”

The guard finished looking up at the much taller pony standing across from him. She was at least a head taller than the guard. Thinking over what the guard just said, a small smile grew on Six’s face.

‘Only non-military personnel huh’

“What’s your name and rank soldier?” Came Six’s voice through her helmet speaker, surprising the guard in front of her. “U-um Corporal Sword, why do you ask?” Six smirked underneath her helmet at the guard’s nervous response.

“The law states that non-military personnel is prohibited from wearing armor and or carrying weapons, fortunately for me Corporal, I am in the military. So, please move aside.” Six’s said professionally, it wasn’t lying if what she said was partly true. Hearing the authority in Six’s voice brought back some unpleasant memories for the Corporal, and not wanting to accidentally anger another superior officer again, he signaled his subordinate to move aside, allowing the Spartan to pass.

The duo gave a quick salute to the Spartan as she gave a small nod in return, before moving past them and through the checkpoint itself. Leaving two very confused and one sweating guard behind as Six entered the city of Las Pegasus.

‘Heh...still can’t get past that name’

Author's Note

Leave comments!

I always love to read them and what you guys think of my stories.

Till next time!

Chapter 5

‘I knew I was tall but this is just ridiculous’ Was the first thing to go through Six’s mind as she entered the city itself. Six was already used to looking over the tops of people’s heads but the species here were only reaching up to her shoulders maybe halfway up her neck. It was almost comical if it weren't for the occasional taller than average alien.
All around her was the classic hustle and bustle of any human city. Only instead of humans, it was a bunch of shoulder height, multi-colored horses with either horns, wings, or neither going about their daily routine.

She could even spot the many tourists out of the crowd as they snapped pictures of various sights and attractions. Six also couldn’t help but appreciate the sights as well. This city very much relied on its tourism with the amount of flashy and impressive architecture that was on display here. And that’s not even mentioning all the casino’s Six could identify with scores of different ponies entering and exiting the almost seizure-inducing light show on display. Six was honestly quite thankful for her helmet right now as she walked along the street.

She was currently looking for some type of library or information stand to guide her to said library. Even in such a flashy town as this, there would be a library somewhere. After turning several corners six had found just the thing she had been searching for. Since she had entered the city proper she had gone relatively unnoticed by the crowds of ponies, the ones who had noticed her just stared, whispered a bit, and stayed out of her way.

Walking up to the small information stand, Six grabbed one of the many maps of the city. To say the stand’s attendant was confused is a massive understatement, as this huge armored creature started looking at one of her maps. She didn’t know whether to be scared or confused. Should she call the guards? She didn’t have time to answer that question when the creature put the map under its wings and walked off.

Now with a map under her wing and its contents in her memory, Six began to make her way towards the Las Pegasus Public Library. It was around midday when Six entered the building luckily not drawing much attention to herself on her way there. Sitting behind a desk in the lobby was a lone librarian doing some paperwork. The several hundred kilo Spartans approach didn’t go unnoticed by the pony as she looked up from her work. Only to be met with the emotionless golden visor of Six’s helmet looking at her from the other side of her desk.

“U-um how may I help you?” Asked the librarian nervously one of her hooves slowly moving towards the silent alarm button under her desk. Anypony entering any sort of building covered in armor with a knife sheathed on their shoulder couldn’t be there for something legal. So the response she received from the armored creature in front of her thoroughly threw her through a loop.

“I am looking for information regarding general and military history as well as information pertaining to our government” Came Six’s voice through her helmet’s speakers. Short and straight to the point, just how Six liked it. Processing Six’s response, her hoof stopped in its track towards the alarm but still kept it close, just in case.

“U-um first, please remove your helmet as I cannot allow creatures who hide their face to enter.” She said pensively. Six stared at the pony in front of her, debating on whether removing her helmet and thus making herself vulnerable was worth the risk of getting the information she needed. After a short internal debate and an audible sigh through her speakers, Six reached up and grabbed her helmet.

The hiss of the pressure seal being broken startled the librarian slightly as Six removed her helmet with a small twist revealing her scar-filled face. To say that the librarian was surprised that it was a fellow pony under that helmet instead of some type of monster was a massive understatement. Six just stared expectantly at the receptionist urging her to now tell her where the information she was looking for is located. Seeing this snapped the receptionist out of her trance.

“Oh uh yes!” She scrambled through the notes on her desk briefly. “Follow me please” Six nodded and attached her helmet to her hip as the pony in front of her stood up and walked through the double doors behind her, Six following close behind. Passing through the doors and into the library itself Six noted that it looked just like any other library she’d seen before.

After a few minutes of walking and book grabbing by the librarian Six was lead to a small seating area where several other ponies were also reading. Placing the gathered books on the table the librarian turned to the Spartan and spoke. “If you need anything else I’ll be back at my desk” With the librarian now walking back the way they came. Watching the helpful librarian leave Six noticed the mark on her flanks. It had the shape of an open book with a small bookshelf sitting behind it.

Curious Six looked towards the other ponies sitting nearby as they quickly ceased in their not so hidden staring at Six. They also had similar marks on their Flanks only containing different symbols. Noting it down to check whether she had one herself under her armor Six opened one of the books the librarian had grabbed and started reading, opting to stand as she doubted the wooden chair could hold her weight

Hours pass as Six gathered all the information she could about the local government and its history. Good news first, these ponies were not part of the Covenant opting to instead treat their rulers as gods who control the Suna and moon through magic. Speaking of magic, once Six first read about such a force she wrote it off but as it got mentioned more and more in battles, strategies, and general use, Six didn’t write it off anymore. With this new apparently magical force discovered by the Spartan, Six focused on learning as much as possible about it.

And after reading a book on magical theory, Six had found a whole new respect for the rulers of this country. If they controlled the Sun and Moon they must be incredibly powerful and after reading about the military history of Equestria, they were also brilliant strategists and soldiers, leading multiple successful campaigns against their enemies.

Six had gathered all the information she could, and now armed with the intel she needed for a plan, she grabbed her books and went to return them back to their shelves.

Walking back towards the lobby, Six could hear the sounds of conversation through the double doors she had entered through. Opening the door the sounds became audible words.

“-an you lead us to the individual ma'am?” Said a gold and silver armored unicorn guard to a confused librarian. Deciding to face the guards that were probably here for her directly, Six stepped out and into the lobby itself, her heavy footfalls drawing the attention of the guard and the librarian. Both of them stared at the Spartan, the librarian glancing between the guard and SIx as a small “Oh Celestia” escaped her lips before she slowly began to back up away from the staring pair.

“Can I help you?” Asked the Spartan her tone stern, as she looked down at the smaller soldier in front of her. The guard cleared his throat before his horn lit up slightly, Six tensed up at the glow.

“We have received reports of an armed individual creating a disturbance in the area” The guards eyes locked onto the sheathed knife on Six’s shoulder. “So if you could please surren-”

The sound of a faraway explosion snapped the guard's attention away from the Spartan and towards the exit behind him. The muffled screams of running ponies could be heard outside.

Seconds later a pair of guards were thrown through the door. Their armor beaten and damaged, black figures flying in shortly afterward, weapons at the ready.

Within the blink of an eye, Six had drawn her knife and jabbed it into the closest figures neck, a spray of green blood splattering against her still unprotected face.

The other figure was in shock at the speed his battle-buddy was just dispatched. He tried to slash Six, the weapon floating in his green magic.

He let out a battle cry as his sword swung through the air intent on retting revenge for his fallen comrade.

Only for a gargled cry to escape his maw as Six flipped over the back of his injured comrade, her extended wings feathers slashing into his neck.

Both figures soon fell to the ground dead, a green pool of blood gathering underneath them. Wiping the blood off of her knife and face, Six reequipped her helmet and turned to face the three guards staring at her in shock. They had just witnessed her take out two armored pony-sized individuals in less than 15 seconds. As far as they knew nopony was that deadly in the guard.

“What’s the situation outside?” Six asked the two injured guards. They didn’t respond. “Give me a SITREP now!” Six ordered forcefully. That seemed to have done the trick as one of the injured guards began to speak.

“We...We were attacked by an unknown force...F-form what we could tell... we are losing...bad” The guard responded in a strained voice as the uninjured guard began to look them both over.

‘Great guess the action never stops...not even after death’ Thought Six as she blocked the door with a nearby broom. It wouldn't hold them off for long, but it would do for now. Looking around the room, Six’s eyes fell upon the librarian cowering in the corner. Tears were streaming down her face as she was muttering something to herself over and over again.

‘Poor woman’ Six thought. There hadn’t been any major wars to affect Equestria for a few hundred years and violent crime was so rare it was practically unheard of. But as for right now, they needed to make sure this building was secure and that all its inhabitants were safe, and she had the information Six needed.

Walking up to the mare, Six crouched down in front of her, bringing her to eye level with the mare. “Don’t worry.” Six said softly, her voice being broadcast though her helmets speakers.
“Everything will be alright, you will make it through this. I will make sure of that. Now what's your name”

“...Lily” Came the weak reply from the mare.

“Lily... Right now you are the only one of us with the most knowledge about the layout of this building. I need to know if there are any other entrances and or exits” Asked Six.

“O-only one other. I-its a fire exit at the back of the building. I-i-t leads out to the back alley” Responded the terrified mare.

“Thank you, now where do you keep your First-aid kits.” Questioned Six softly.

Lily pointed at one of the draws of her desk. Six walked over to the drawer and opened it, grabbing the kit inside before walking over to the guards.

“How are they?” Six questioned the uninjured guard handing him the First-aid kit.

“Not too great they got banged up pretty badly and…. hey, wait a minute just who the Tartarus are you?!” Yelled the guard in anger

“Lieutenant Sierra-B312 Callsign Noble Six. Now stay here and lock the door behind me while I go secure the other exit. Do not open the door unless it is knocked six times.” Six walked back over to the cowering librarian. “Lily know you're scared, but I need you to go help treat the injured we have okay?”

“...*sniff* o-okay”

“Good” Responded Six moving through the door back into the library itself. The sound of it locking behind her heard over the muffled sounds of battle outside.

‘Time to get to work’

Author's Note

‘Time to get to work’

And 'get to work' she shall.

Leave Comments! :twilightsmile:

Chapter 6

The sounds of a distant battle were sounds that Six knew all to well from her time on Reach. Only instead of gunfire and plasma its swords and magic. And walking through the seemingly abandoned library, those muffled sounds of warfare were all too audible to the Spartan. They were in a warzone now, and that’s just where Six was at her best. Right now the first thing on the agenda is making sure this building is secure by finding and barricading all other entrances and exits. Once that was done Six could search the building for any stray hostiles and or Civilians.

Once that basis was covered, they could begin to plan a way to Evac the Civilians out of the city before going on the offensive. Walking through the maze of bookshelves the silence of the library became obviously clear. Her motion tracker wasn’t picking anything up, it was totally empty and Six didn’t like that one bit. Soon, however, after walking through the maze for several minutes Six had reached the other side of the library. The green exit sign and door visible on the far wall.

Walking up towards it, Six grabbed as much nearby furniture as possible and used it to barricade the door. Once she was satisfied that it was secure, Six went to clear the rest of the building. Since this building wasn’t very large it didn’t take long for Six to check every room. The building was clear, it’s only habitats now confirmed to be Six, Lily, and the three guards, two of which were injured. It wasn’t the best situation to be in but it had to do for now.

Walking back to the entrance to the lobby she knocked on it six hopefully signaling to the rest of her group that it was her and not an enemy soldier. The door soon unlocked with a terrified looking Lily on the other side. She let out a sigh of relief when her eyes identified the figure in front of her as Six. “A-are we the only ones in the building,” Asked Lily. Six inturn gave a nod as another sigh of relief exited Lily’s mouth before moving to the side allowing Six to enter.

The guards had been moved onto the couches adjacent to the wall, the uninjured one having done his first aid. The guard now taking stock of their current situation from what Six could tell as he looked over the map Six had left behind. Walking up to the guard Six could see he was marking it with different information.

“What’s the Situation?” Asked Six as she walked up behind the guard. His horn stopped glowing as he looked back towards Six, seemingly wary of her presence.

“Well… from what I’m getting over the communication spells is that currently, we are here.” He gestured towards a black X on the map.” And by what command is saying this” he pointed towards a black line going through several city blocks all the way from one side of the map to the other.” Is what the current frontlines look like.”

The line he had drawn was on the other side of town meaning they were deep in enemy-occupied territory. They needed to get the Civilians and the injured back to friendly territory, and that wasn’t going to be easy. The hostile had the element of surprise and speed on their side by the looks of it.

“Just who are you?” Came the question from the guard bringing Six out of her thoughts.” You come out of nowhere, order my guards to move aside when I was out on patrol. You are as tall as Princess Luna, wear armor I have never seen before, and take out two soldiers in less than 20 seconds. You say you are a lieutenant ‘Sierra-B312’ but what does that even mean?! Just who and what are you?!”

Six just stared at the guard after he had finished his rant, panting slightly. Seconds pass as Six just looks at the soldier, weighing her options. Now, however, was not the time to disclose classified information.

“The Soldier that’s going to get you all out of this war zone” Replied Six before looking back at the map. “Now does this city have any evacuation routes?”

“Fine don’t tell me but if we get back into friendly Territory, we are going to have a nice long discussion.” Said the guard before looking back at the map. “This city as well as every other has an underground evacuation tunnel network leading out of the city limits. The closest entrance to the tunnels is here, roughly two hundred meters north. Unfortunately, that is also the same way as the front line and the city hall. This area is probably heavily defended, there's no way for us to get there unseen. And that’s not even counting the injured who will undoubtedly make us easier to spot.” The guard finished with a sigh.

The Situation seems hopeless for the guards, but for Six this was just another day in the office. All they needed was a distraction to draw the hostiles away from the tunnel entrance.” Alright here’s the plan.” Began Six grabbing everypony’s attention.

“We are going to make our way to this building here” Six gestured towards a building on the opposite side of the tunnel entrance. “Once we are there I will go out and create as much noise as possible, drawing the guards away. You will then use this opportunity to get into the tunnels and back to friendly territory.”

“B-but that s-suicide!” interjected Lily from across the room. Six couldn’t help but let a small smile creep onto her face underneath her helmet. She looked towards the guard.

“What’s your name and rank soldier?”

“Staff Sergeant Spear. Our Pegasus over there is Private Pixy.”

“At your service.” Came a weak feminine reply from the other guard Lily wasn’t currently looking over.

“And finally that’s Private Sparrow.”

“What Pixy said.” Cane the strained reply from the other guard.

“Good, call me Six, now Spear, grab that sword” He looked a bit confused at her request before grabbing the dead combatants sword with his telekinesis. “And hit me with it, as hard as possible”

“What!?” Came a chorus of shouts from the three of them.

“Just do it Staff Sergeant, and that’s an order!” Said Six her tone one of finality.

And do it he did as the sword swung through the air it’s arc putting its target as Six’s shoulder, much to the protest of the others.

A sound unfamiliar to the ponies was soon heard as a golden shield enveloped Six, stopping the sword in its tracks. Then suddenly the sword was pushed away, out of the soldier’s magical grasp before falling to the floor, it’s blade looking slightly singed.

They all stared slack-jawed at the display before they were knocked out of their stupor by a low humming sound and the golden shield shortly reappearing over Six’s armor.

“H-how did you do that? You're not a Unicorn! A-and it takes a unicorn of incredible power to keep a passive shield up. Such armor development is still only theoretically possible!”

The hiss of Six taking her helmet off interrupted the Sergeants rant, revealing her smirking face. “Do it again, same target.” Said the Spartan, too much more protest. Spear hesitantly grabbed the sword once again before swinging it at Six’s shoulder once again.

The clang of metal scraping against metal soon filled the room when the sword made contact before harmlessly sliding off of Six’s armor. The Spartan unmoving under the assault. Not a single dent was visible where Spear struck, once again sending their jaws to the floor as Six’s smirk grew slightly. “Still seem like suicide now?” Said Six with a small laugh as she reequipped her helmet.

Walking past the stunned Sergeant, Six moved to the injured guards.

“Can you two walk?” Asked the Spartan. Pixy responded by rolling off the couch and onto her hooves, cringing slightly before looking up and giving a determined nod. Sparrow, however, wasn’t so lucky as when he rolled off he let out a yell of pain before falling to the ground holding his foreleg tightly against his chest. ‘Broken...Not good’ Thought Six.

“Okay...Lily, think you can support him?” Question the Spartan, looking towards the worried librarian.

“I-I think…” She took a deep breath “Yes I believe I can” Stated Lily in a determined voice.

“Good. Now we don’t have much time. Right now the hostiles have spread themselves thin, with the speed they have moved through this city. If we wait any longer they will cement their hold on the city and make our escape even harder. We need to make our way towards the evac tunnel as soon as possible.” Six finished walking towards the door.

“Pack everything you think you’ll need, we move out in Twenty”

Author's Note

Repeat Equestria has been invaded! Repeat Equestria has been invaded! The Summer Contingency protocol is now in effect!

Chapter 7

Opening the door Six was met with an empty street. The ground looked scorched in several areas as a fire burned in one of the buildings across the street. This was a scene Six knew all too well from her time against the Covenant. Checking her angles for any more hostiles, she came up empty.

They had spent the last twenty minutes searching the building, gathering supplies, and making makeshift armor for Lily. They were going to move through hostile territory and being caught defenseless by a patrol is the definition of a bad idea. Six had taken different pieces of metal from the soldiers she had killed and used her enhanced strength to bend the surprisingly weak metal into usable armor for the smaller pony. Her actions only surprised them slightly as they slowly learned to just stop questioning everything Six did.

This was met with much protest from Lily about wearing armor that belonged to a dead soldier but after an ultimatum from the Spartan to either put on the armor herself or she would force her into it, Lily reluctantly complied. She was not going to let a civilian go out into an active war zone without protection if she could help it.

Now with Lily no longer naked, she went to support Sparrow onto his hooves whilst muttering about having an hour-long bath when they got out of this. Once he was up and on his hooves, his forelegs holding onto Lily for support, they were all set.

“Okay, let’s move”

They needed to cross through several streets if they wanted to make it to the evac tunnel before somebody came looking for the pair Six had eliminated. With the street clear, Six signaled back to the guards behind her as they moved out onto the street itself. The cover was sparse with the ponies having no type of automobile widely available and parked in the streets with only the occasional destroyed carriage in its place.

The group stuck to the sidewalk, making sure to run from building to building, alley to alley looking for any more supplies and or civilians. They found supplies but there weren’t any civilians. It was completely abandoned, unnerving the group. The Covenant left bodies these guys didn’t leave anything, only splatters of red and green blood.

The sounds of distant fighting were still audible although its intensity had begun to weaken. This could mean multiple things. The first one being that the front was now stable and the guard had put up a successful Defence. The other much worse option would be that the hostiles had won and were beginning to eliminate the last of the Equestrian resistance.

It went without saying that they hoped it was the former and not the latter.

Quickly moving through an alley a type of chittering could be heard from the street in front of them. Quickly signaling the group to take cover as Six listened for the patrol’s hoofsteps. Her motion sensor showed two hostiles stopped just at the entrance to the alley. Seemingly having some type of conversation in their chittering language.

Behind her, Six could see the rest of the group getting agitated as the seconds passed. But after a minute of listening to the conversation, none of them could understand, the two markers continued past the alley. With the obstruction out of the way, Six peeked out of cover confirming that they had in fact left.

Using her hoof she signaled the group to follow her in silence. She then moved up to where the patrol had just been seeing them further down the street to her left. Staying low the group sprinted as quickly as possible across the street and into another alley. Six’s eyes checking her tracker periodically for any more movement nearby.

After moving through several more buildings and streets dodging patrols and even quickly taking one out in less than the blink of an eye when Lily and Sparrow weren’t fast enough, they had reached the target building overlooking the City Hall. Patrols were beginning to increase, they needed to leave the city soon before stealth became impossible and the bodies they left were discovered. Now out of the street, Six could do some scouting of the city hall.

Needless to say, It was filled with combatants. The city hall looked like it had only taken minor damage from their takeover of the building as flags were already being hung from its windows. The white flags with a grey and blue symbol in the center of it waving slightly in the wind. The courtyard was filled with foot soldiers digging trenches, placing barricades, and putting up command tents. They were clearly making themselves at home with their construction of a FOB.

It even seemed as if someone important was going to arrive soon when Six spotted several soldiers with brooms sweeping around the entrance to the building.

And right in the middle of it was a small manhole cover that Spear said led to the evac tunnels. By the looks of it, they would have a straight shot at the entrance if it weren’t for all the guards blocking the way. Six had asked whether the tunnels could be occupied by the hostiles as well. Spear, however, told her that the tunnel’s actual entrance was located in the sewers, behind magically locked walls. So there wouldn’t be any danger of it also being occupied by the invading forces.

From her scouting, she could count a whole platoon’s worth of soldiers scattered about down there. Taking them all on at once would be hard but not impossible. Six did take on an entire Covenant army of thousands singlehanded in her last stand. But with this being an unknown enemy who, by the looks of it, could fly and use magic this wouldn’t be easy. But when is there ever something ‘easy’ for a Spartan.

Six didn’t want to risk getting swarmed. And without any ranged weapons, she was going to have to go toe to toe with the soldiers. That’s when it hit her. Her feathers were sharp, perhaps even sharper than her knife. If she concentrated and moved in a specific way.

She wouldn’t be surrounded… no, she’d be in a target-rich environment. Now taking on that many targets and getting swarmed didn’t seem so bad anymore. Sure magic would pose a problem but from Six’s time in the library, it became known that it takes a lot of concentration to use effectively. This meant that anyone that had glowing horns would be prioritized, and taken care of as soon as possible.

Fear was also going to be a great ally here. Unlike the covenant elites, if Six was seen taking them all on single-handedly and winning it would destroy their morale. That’s the beauty of fighting non-religious fanatics, their morals could be broken.

Now, however, it was time for Six to show them just how big of a mistake they made by invading Equestria.

“Okay get ready to move once I draw them away. When you reach the tunnels, do not wait for me. Just get back to your unit.” Said the Spartan as she made her way to the door.

“Wait.” Called Spear stopping the Spartan in her tracks.” Six… we may not have known each other for long. And, honestly, you’ve been a massive pain in my flank since you first arrived.” A snort was heard from the Spartan. “But if we make it out of this because of your distraction and you don’t.” he raised his foreleg in a salute. “It’s been an honor. Lieutenant.” Six nodded in response.

“P-please… d-don’t d-die” begged a shaking Lily, her form rattling under the improvised armor they had given her.

Six simply gave a small laugh in return as she made her back to the exit before calling over her shoulder.

“Spartans never die, we go missing in action”

Author's Note

Time to make the boys in green proud

Chapter 8

If you asked any marine and or ODST whether the Spartans had it easy with their high tech armor and superhuman augmentations they would of course answer yes. But if you asked the same question to any Spartan they would most likely ignore you and go off and on what normal people would call a suicide mission and come back with more kills than you could count.

So when it came down to the imminent battle Six would undertake where she was massively outnumbered, outmagiced, and deep behind enemy lines with little to no hope of getting reinforced and or extract. Six was wondering just how many bodies it would take before the enemy started thinking of her as a demon instead of a soldier.

‘Heh… just like 117’

Having left the group behind, Six was all on her own now moving along the street, looking for a way in. She circled the compound like a stalking wolf, her strategic mind going over every possible entry-point and way to hunt her prey. There were guards everywhere along the outskirts of the compound, each one armed with a spear and or sword. Six couldn’t help but a little sorry for them as she doubted they could even scratch her armor if they even got past her shield.

But one should never underestimate your enemy as many cocky soldiers lost their lives that way and Six was not planning on joining them. And after several minutes of circling, she had found her entrance.

The main entrance to the compound.

The heavily fortified and manned entrance to the compound with patrols, sandbags, and what looked like crossbow armed air support in the form of a flying object approaching the town hall. It was the perfect place to draw attention to herself

‘Time to kick the door down’

And kick the door down she did as she lunged at the closest guard her wings once again in front of her face. The guard barely had time to scream before the spark of life had already left his body, leaving the guard to collapse to the ground dead.

His partner was barely able to sound the alarm with a yell before a knife was embedded into his skull. It had really hit the fan now as the sound of running hooves filled the air, the sound of a siren going off following shortly afterward.

Six had kicked the hornet’s nest... but when had overwhelming odds ever stopped a Spartan?

“Who knew Equestria would be this easy to invade? '' Was all that Kommandant Mobius of the 4th Infantry Battalion ‘Ribbon’ could think having been given the all-clear that the city had been taken and was safe for him to enter. He had just arrived above what was supposed to be the new HQ for the region of Las Pegasus or soon to be renamed to mnemonica Martynova. With the Equestrian military pushed out of the city and the Queen herself leading the takeover of Canterlot victory seemed assured, all that was missing was the piece of paper saying so.But when he had entered the city's airspace and began his final approach to what would be his ticket up in the ranks the alarm siren could be heard.

Deciding to watch whatever was happening from above until it was dealt with he laughed out loud when he saw a lone figure with two dead lings lying behind them surrounded on all sides by his glorious Changeling Heer. His troops had steamrolled through the local garrison in only an hour, one more suicidal guard wouldn’t stop them. If anything it was free love for his troops and revenge for killing two fellow lings. Then what could only be described as a nightmare incarnate was witnessed by the Kommandant.

A single private stepped forward, an angry scowl on his face upon seeing the two bodies, fangs glinting in the sun. “Pony! We have you surrounded! Surrender now or be annihilated!”

The said nothing in response, the only sound cutting through the air being the dripping on green blood off of their wings. The Kommandant ordered his carriage closer, he couldn’t recognize the armor that the pony was wearing from any VOPS intelligence reports he had read through.

He wanted to understand his enemy and having a pony in unknown armor decide to attack his base alone, did not bode well. It was either a really stupid mercenary or a secret weapon. After all, although it could never be confirmed by any VOPS operatives, there was a rumor of a highly trained and elite Unit in the Equestrian military. They were just rumors however but the Kommandant didn’t completely dismiss the idea that they may be dealing with this unit. If they even existed in the first place.

The seconds dragged on as nopony or ling moved as the Kommandant got closer to the stand-off.

The ponies' menacing unmoving statue began to slowly unnerve soldiers. The sound of dripping blood still being the only thing breaking the silence.

Drip...Drip...Drip

A ling stepped forward, hoof cuffs in hand. The Pony remained unmoving.

Drip…

The soldiers tightened their grip on their weapons as the Kommandant’s carriage was floating just above them, it’s shadow surrounding the Spartan.

Drip…

The lone ling stood in front of the Spartan, her only movement being the slight tilt of her head to look down at the smaller soldier. The imposing statue of Six looking down at him caused an involuntary shaking in fear to manifest itself.

“Boo”

Then as if the very heavens themselves had just split open a massive *boom* was heard as the eastern horizon turned a light shade of pink.

The soldier standing just in front of the Spartan yelped in fright before being cut down in one fell swing of the Spartans wing. The other soldiers and the Kommandant were brought out of their staring at the pink horizon by the sound of the soldiers’ body hitting the ground.

“Attack!” Yelled the Kommandant before he started sending message after message trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.

Meanwhile on the ground below the battle had just begun. They attacked from all directions, weapons poised to strike a killing blow. With revenge and rage flowing through their green blood they would annihilate this pony who dared to kill their comrades.

Six however didn’t move, her stance still low and her wings extended. A renewed green shade covering her armored feathers.

The sheer amount of hooves impacting the ground as they charged at Six caused the ground to shake as if an earthquake were upon them.

Then as if time itself stood still, the Spartan made her move.

She jumped right towards the approaching soldiers.

Then what only could be described as a bloodbath soon followed.

Every movement was calculated. Every flap of her wings was lethal. It was the combination of years of combat and training which led to this perfect movement of death.

The edge of her feathers cut through their chitin as if it were butter. The sounds of bodies hitting the ground never ceased as she moved through the swarm with the occasional sound which sounded like glass being struck filling the air as the pony was surrounded in a golden glow.

This wasn’t a battle. It was a nightmare.

10...30...50

The bodies kept piling up and all the Kommandant could do was watch in horror as his beautiful battalion was cut down by this demon of a pony. He and his troops had led the defense of the capital during the darkest days of the changeling civil war. Because of his leadership, his soldiers lead the changeling race to unity and glory. They had faced overwhelming odds against the Veltix swarm of the north and won. And it was all coming undone right before his dark blue eyes. And all the while one message from the queen herself was heard.

‘Retreat’

It was weak...strained...broken. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what had happened. Their attack had failed.

Their Queen was defeated.

The ponies had won… and there was only one last thing to do before any more needless changeling lives were lost. So with a heavy heart, Mobius gave the order for only the second time in his career.

“RETREAT!”

Two steps left, horizontal strike

Another body hits the ground.

Duck under the sword, continue strike into the exposed chest.

Another soldier gives his life.

Horn glowing, prioritize caster. At range, throw dropped Spear.

More fear instilled into their hearts. This was the cycle Six had created. From soldier to soldier, body to body. Her heart was heavy, this isn’t a fight between soldiers... it’s a massacre. Every hit to her shield was weak and swiftly dealt with. Their magic bolts were about as strong as a Covenant plasma pistol, but every time one hit her shield their caster was swiftly dealt with.

Is this how it felt to be the Covenant? To have an overwhelming advantage. It made Six sick to her stomach. All this bloodshed. Some may have called her hypocritical for she had fought against an entire army alone and slaughtered thousands. But there she was against an enemy that wanted nothing more than genocide because of their fanatical beliefs.

These people...these insectoid soldiers weren’t like that.

Just give up already

Six would still fight, she would still kill in Defence of others but at this point she wants them to run. Just like when she took down those militia groups. Fighting the Covenant was one thing, fighting fellow humans who had the option and the will to surrender was another. And she hoped these guys would do the same and just give up.

So when she heard the insectoid shout above her and saw the soldiers start running. She was glad to see them run and she doubted they would return. And soon the sky was filled with retreating soldiers, their buzzing wings carrying them away from the Spartan once they had retreated a set distance away from her.

The stomps of retreating hooves were music to her ears as it meant an end to this pointless bloodshed.
The ground was littered with bodies and her armor was covered in green blood, she doubted that most of them would ever forget the image of her covered in their comrades' blood. The carriage above left her line of sight as more marching hooves could be heard in the distance.

From the front line behind her, she had however realized after following the sounds. Had her attack done more than just distract or was it the fading pink in the sky? Perhaps both or maybe they were calling for reinforcements. Whatever it was she would be ready as she lowered herself back down into a pouncing position.

She watched her motion sensor like a hawk. The seconds ticked by as the marching got closer then after an agonizing wait, a yellow marker appeared at the tracker’s edge.

Well I guess it’s option one then

Standing back up straight Six made her way back to the main entrance stepping over the bodies she had made.

Did she feel guilty about what she had done? No, this is war there is no time for guilt. If anything she felt sorry for the soldiers that they were sent against her to die.

Did she regret her actions?

Maybe...

Chapter 9

The Sun was still high in the sky as a report from the E.A.F (Equestrian Armed Forces) was put in front of Princess Celestia. The changelings had been driven from Canterlot and Princess Cadence was rescued from her imprisonment. She was staring out from one of the many balconies overlooking the city from her Castle. All across the land, she could see the tell-tale markers of a battle haven taken place across the horizon. The changelings had attacked every major population center in Equestria.

But with their main attack repelled by Shining Armor and Cadence’s love with the help of the element bearers, the threat of war had for the time being been neutralized. Not that there would be a proper war with open conflict anyway as Chrysalis had hidden her territory well and such a counter-attack was impossible until her Hive was found. The best she could do is increase security across the nation and set up checkpoints to uncover disguised lings.

Reports were still coming in of small skirmishes taking place but one thing was abundantly clear. The changelings were retreating. With their plan to occupy all of Equestria in one fell swoop decimated with their leader Queen Chrysalis defeated in the battle for Canterlot, Celestia allowed herself to feel a small sense of satisfaction at having defeated another threat to her little ponies. The reconstruction of Canterlot was already underway bringing a small sense of normality. But that feeling dissipated when she looked down at the report put in front of her.

Celestia had been in many wars and battles over the centuries, but no matter how accustomed she was to war and conflict she always hated seeing this report be put in front of her. The report that said just how many ponies she had failed to protect.

A Casualties Report.

Oh, how she hated this report with all her heart but no matter how much she wanted to burn it she simply needed to know how many of her ponies had fallen. With a heavy heart, she took the folder into her golden aura and opened it. And for the first time in centuries, a smile graced Celestia’s features whilst reading such a report.

Not a single Death to her little ponies.

But then just as quickly as the smile appeared it quickly vanished once she saw the next column: Missing Ponies.

Over a thousand of her soldiers were unaccounted for, and since not every changeling military presence had been driven back those numbers could still rise. And that’s only soldiers. The Civilian numbers were still unknown and injuries were high across the board. It seems as if the enemy were trying to only knock her soldiers unconscious instead of outright killing them. A small note even said that soldiers witnessed unconscious soldiers being dragged out of the combat zone, never to be seen again.

Not if I have anything to say about… Thought Celestia determined to find those missing ponies and bring them home no matter what.

Turning the page containing Changeling casualties she was surprised to see a red marking across the changeling K.I.A column. Only around 100 changelings had died with a small number of changelings having been captured the rest having retreated and or blended into the population. Celestia could only stare at those numbers in shock. Over a thousand ponies were missing whilst the changelings lost almost nothing in comparison!

Celestia didn’t really know what to feel at that realization. She knew her ponies had never known war but this really showed just how underprepared they were in case they were ever attacked. Luna would have blown a vein if she saw this Report without any prior warning.

Hell even then, the military high command and herself wouldn’t be safe from her sister's anger at the state of her once-great military. Celestia made a huge note to massively reform the military ASAP. Shortly after doing that, her eyes were drawn to the red text underneath the Changeling K.I.A column.

The shock of her military failure now gone, the solar princess read through the message which was marked with S.M.I.L.E’s insignia.

Only for a completely new shock to overtake her at what it said.

This has to be wrong… there is no way one of my little ponies could do such a thing…

Thought Celestia in denial whilst reading through the message.

Apparently, over 90-95% of those around 100 changelings dead was caused by a lone pony in Las Pegasus. Furthermore, the message read that so far very little was known about this individual other than she called herself ‘Six’ and that she was wearing some type of armor never before seen in Equestria with her currently under discreet surveillance by S.M.I.L.E as her actions had caused the local guard to think of her as some type of hero among them.

So it was decided by Military Division Head Skyline, that since her presence was increasing morale among the troops in Las Pegasus, discreet surveillance and intel gathering would be put in place until further notice unless told otherwise by her majesty herself. And that a full report would be available in 24 hours.

Having finished reading the message, Celestia was torn. Should she order this apparently very dangerous pony to be arrested for questioning and possibly risk a massive drop in morale among a division of the E.A.F or wait until more was known about this individual before making a move?

Celestia thought about this for several minutes, her gaze having shifted towards the western horizon, the city of Las Pegasus barely visible. And as small the columns of smoke died out leaving the western sky clear, Celestia made a decision.

She would inform her sister Luna first and foremost regarding the situation in Las Pegasus and get her to send some of her elite agents to keep an eye on ‘Six’ for the time being, before summoning her to Canterlot after a day of surveillance. Although she didn’t like leaving her ponies with a potentially very dangerous individual, it would have to make due for now until she meets this ‘Six’ face to face.

It was a compromise Celestia had to make for now. Reading through the rest of the report, she had little time to breathe before another one was put in front of her. This one labeled ‘collateral damage’ report.

Looking down at the city below her and seeing the once great structures of Canterlot in such a state, Celestia sighed heavily before making a vow to herself.

A vow that she would find those taken by Chrysalis, and to never allow such conflict to harm her little ponies again. For if a single one of her ponies were hurt, Chrysalis would face the wrath of her Sun.

Author's Note

Tell me if I messed up pls as I don't want to have a severe case of Deja vu from the first draft of The Interlude in My little sunspot :scootangel:

Leave Comments!

And if you want the full experience Listen to this while reading as this is what I listened to while writing this chapter

Also Happy SPOOKTOBER!

Chapter 10

“Hey, buddy! You know that if you used your wings we would be a lot faster!”

Came the yell from up above the Spartan dragging assorted building materials behind her down the damaged street. Looking up Six made out the familiar face of Pixy hovering above, a smaller payload of materials in her hooves. Confused She cocked her head to the side slightly as she looked up at the fellow pegasus before looking back at her own armored wings tucked against her side.

“You...uh…you know can fly right? Those wings aren’t just weapons buddy.” Continued Pixy, as she landed next to the still inspecting Spartan. Six didn’t visibly react to her presence, her attention seemingly focused on her wings, but Pixy couldn’t really be sure with Six’s helmet obscuring her face.

After a quite tense first encounter between the guard and Six at the town hall, the soldiers had stopped looking at her as if staring at a monster but one of admiration at her actions. Sure the bloodbath she left was monstrous and caused several guards to lose their lunch at first sight. But once the news came in from Spear, Pixy, Sparrow, and Lily about the Spartans bravery allowing them an avenue of escape from the once occupied city.

As such the soldiers began to look at Six in a completely different light. Especially Pixy, who seemed almost glued to the Spartans side since she was released from the field hospital. Some distrust was, of course, still evident but that was in the minority among the soldiers who had heard of her bravery.

Six had still yet not met the leader of this division but had been told that they would make their appearance soon. But that they were quite excited to meet this local hero among the troops. And with no combat in their immediate future, Six took to help the logistical aspect of the Division.

It definitely made helping with the rebuilding of Las Pegasus much easier when Six, and in turn, Pixy volunteered to help with the transport of materials into the city itself.

Just as Pixy was about to comment on what the Spartan was doing, Six beat her to it.

“How much weight can you lift and or carry whilst flying?” Asked the Spartan, much to her fellow soldier’s confusion.

“Uhhhh... “ She turned her head to look at her own wings, metal clanking as her helmet tapped against her armor.” Not sure really... I haven’t measured but I can carry another pony pretty easily, so maybe 150kg? Could be more could be less, I’m not really sure.” She flexed her wings slightly before looking back at the larger Pegasus once again with a questioning look. “Why do you want to know anyway?”

“I needed a baseline for the average Pegasus.” Responded Six, briefly looking back at her armored wings, before grabbing her materials and once again making her way towards the city center. Pixy followed close behind, confusion still evident on her face at Six’s response. Her eyes studied the Spartan’s armor as they moved along the street. It really was something else compared to her own. It was like night and day both literally, as Pixies armor was golden and Six’s was black and figuratively in terms of protection.

From the shield that prevented anything from even touching her armor to the metal that wasn’t even scratched by their blades. And there Pixy was in the standard-issue enchanted guard armor whose only purpose was to make every guard look identical. As well as general protection but once again it was nothing compared to Six’s full body protection.

‘That armor must be enchanted to the Sun and back as well’ Pixy surmised. And then there was the sheer size of Six. She was at least as tall as Princess Luna from her perspective, and for a pegasus to be such a size was almost unheard of in Equestria. The questions were beginning to mount up, and now that they were no longer in danger. The argument of ‘don’t question it right now, there are more important things to deal with’ had since lost its leverage.

‘I’m sure a few questions won’t hurt...’

“Hey, can I ask you something, buddy?” Began Pixy cautiously.

“Only if you tell me why you keep calling me buddy.” Responded Six looking back at the pegasus behind her.

“You did save me and my squad’s life soooo…” She twirled her hoof in front of her.

“...heh alright. What do you want to know?” Asked Six with a small laugh, her pace unchanged.

“What armor is that and where did you get it?” Asked Pixy curiously, her hoof unceremoniously poking said armor. Her hoof, however, was swiftly swatted away by Six’s wing.

“That’s Classified Private” Came the voice over Six’s helmet speakers.

“Okay, fine Lieutenant.” She stuck her tongue out at the Spartan. “Can you at least tell me what you mean by ‘Sierra-B312’ in your name? If you’re gonna play soldier, you can at least tell us what you mean by that” That got a reaction out of the Spartan as she stopped walking, and turned to face the smaller Pegasus. And although Pixy could not see her face through her visor, she still visible shrunk away from the gaze she knew was boring into her.

Pixie’s comment had done one thing which Six thought was impossible. She had struck a nerve. A nerve Six didn’t know she had. She had been told far worse and it never affected her so why now? Why had her comment annoyed her so? It didn’t make any sense. So why was she now glaring at this Pegasus for a simple jab at her designation?

Then it hit her.

It was because it was her designation she made fun of.

Her identity.

One of the only things she had left from her own species.

From her time in the UNSC.

Her time back on Reach.

Her time with Noble.

It was all she had left. It was all she ever was and wanted to be since she was a child. And it now also served as a memory of what she left behind. And having that be made fun of? Having it being used as the butt of a joke?

That did not sit well with the Spartan.

“Pixy.” Came the harsh tone through Six’s helmet, causing said pegasus to flinch in response.”You will not talk to me like that ever again Private, are we clear!?” Spoke Six with such force it was as if being reprimanded by the captain of the guard himself.

“Ma’am, Yes, Ma’am!” Shouted Pixy in response, unconsciously saluting the Spartan. Fear was evident in her voice, but not the sound of standard fear. But the fear as if one had just called the captain fiancé fat just as he round the corner. Basically, unless you followed this order to the letter, you could kiss your career goodbye.

“Good. Now get out of my sight.” Ordered Six only to sigh shortly after. ”I need time to think.”

“Yes Ma’am!” And just like that Pixy had taken to the skies, redoubling her transportation efforts, leaving the Spartan alone once again. Leaving Six with her thoughts of what had just transpired.

This was a first for the Spartan. She was always calm and collected and had never before been filled with such...anger? Annoyance? Disrespect? Whatever it was she couldn’t be sure. But she could only hope that such a reaction would never happen again. She was a Spartan and Spartans don’t let their emotions get the better of them.

And unknown to our Spartan, is that their conversation and her subsequent outburst had not gone unnoticed by prying eyes.

Author's Note

I uhh couldn't really find any music that fits the lighthearted theme at first that turns kinda dark and sad. So if you have a good song link it please :raritystarry:

Also, Comment the hell outta this chapter reading them are the highlights of publishing any chapter!

Be it a simple message that says Noice

To a seven-page essay on how I fucked up XD

I will gladly take those comments in stride

How else am I to get better after all :derpytongue2:

Chapter 12

Approaching the ‘boss’s’ Command Tent, Command Sergeant Major Wild held his hoof up, stopping the Spartan in her tracks as they stood before the entrance.

“Now Six I don’t want to get your hopes up but the boss's word is law around here. And even though I’m second in command here he still outranks me and you. And although he’s heard nothing but good things about you he has the final say on what’s going to happen to you. Understand?” Explained Wild seemingly genuinely concerned for the Spartan.

Such concern was of course not needed, this wasn’t the Spartan’s first rodeo with a higher ranking official so she knew what to expect. Species difference aside, any higher-ranking officer would be a fool to turn a Spartan away, but then again these ponies don’t know what Spartans are, to begin with.

“Thank you, Sir, but your concern is unnecessary.” Responded Six diplomatically to which Wild smiled slightly as he lowered his hoof and pushed the tent flap to the side.

“Well then, ladies first,” he said, allowing the larger pegasus entry into the command tent. Wild following her in. In the Center of the tent, a large map was lying across a table. Little colored unit markers dotted the map at certain points, a majority of them sitting in the center of the map. To the pairs left and right were several rows of desks, various paperwork being worked on by different unarmored ponies.

The low hum of magic being used filled the tent as the scratches of quill on paper cut through the sound every few seconds. On the other side of the table stood a lone amber-colored unicorn, looking over the map in deep concentration. He was wearing a light blue officer uniform with golden accents. He wore a similarly colored officer cap atop his head, sitting gracefully behind his horn.

The heavy footfalls of the Spartan approaching drew the officer’s attention away from the map and up to the approaching pair. Standing roughly a meter away from the table the pair stood at attention and saluted the superior officer.

“At ease soldiers.” Said the Unicorn across from them as he made his away around the table.

“Sir. This is Lieutenant Sierra-B312 callsign, Noble Six. As you’ve heard she is the soldier responsible for the escape of Sergeant Spear’s squad and the recapture of the town hall.” Introduced Wild the officer now standing in front of the pair inspecting the Spartan who towered over both of them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir.” Said Six looking down at the inspecting officer in front of her.

“The pleasures all mine soldier, I’m Lieutenant Colonel Force, the one in command of this Battalion as I’m sure Wild over here has mentioned.” He said looking up into the Spartan’s eyes. “ First, I’d like to thank you for your bravery soldier. Spear is an old friend of mine and I would have hated to have to write him down as a casualty of this war.” His face took on a sad expression. “I have done that too much over these past few hours.”
“I was only doing my duty, Sir.” Responded the Spartan.

“Good. I hope all of my soldiers would do the same as you did that day, then this war would be over sooner, rather than later. Now onto the other reason, I called you both here.” His demeanor changed into a serious one. “Wild, I have a new assignment for you.”

“Sir! Just say it and consider it done.” said the Sergeant, determination painting his voice.

“Good. I have been getting reports that several hostile stragglers have been spotted outside of the city limits to our South-east. You are to comb through that area and try to capture any hostiles you encounter.”

“Capture, Sir?” Questioned Wild

“Yes Capture, the stallions over at HQ want more intelligence on our enemy so all hostile combatants should be taken down non-lethally if the opportunity arises.” Clarified the Lieutenant Colonel to his subordinate.

“Copy that Sir.”

“Good, you’re dismissed, soldier.” Finished Force, Wild gave his CO a salute before making his way out of the tent. Leaving Six with alone the Colonel. Watching his 2nd in command leave Force turned his attention to the other pony he called for.

“Now with that done. Follow me,” Force ordered as he began walking towards the other exit of the tent. Six did as instructed, following the Colonel outside. Stepping out of the tent Six was met with an orange sky above them, signaling that Night had begun to fall on Equestria.
Following the Colonel, the pair made their way towards the city hall overlooking the FOB they had taken over for the time being.

The inside of the building was abuzz with activity as ponies zigged and zagged through the offices, paperwork held in their hooves, or floating beside them using their magic. The pair ignored them, making their way up the stairs and towards the Colonel’s temporary office. Their trip through the building had only brought minor stares from the ponies who had not yet seen the Spartan but they were mostly ignored as the workers were too engrossed in their paperwork to notice the pair.

Entering the office Six went to stand in front of the desk as the Colonel made his way behind said desk taking a seat. “Please sit down.” Began Force.

“I’d prefer to stand, Sir.” Responded Six glancing at the pair of wooden chairs on each side of her.

“Oh? And why’s that?” Asked Force looking at the standing Spartan in interest.

“Because I doubt that these chairs could support my weight without breaking, Sir.” Was the response Six gave, slightly annoyed at the question.

“Huh, and the questions keep on mounting.” Said the Colonel cryptically.

“Sir?” Questioned Six confused.

“You know. When I first heard about you, I looked through every roster I could to try and find you. And you know what I found?” He looked right into Six’s eyes.”Nothing. Absolutely nothing! So I thought ‘well from what I heard maybe it’s above my paygrade’ and I went to call in some favors in SMILE. And you know what they said as well?” He stood up from his desk, his gaze still locked on Six’s. “Nothing!”

“I care a lot about my soldiers, Lieutenant, so understand me when I say I do not trust you one bit. Because as far as anypony in the military is concerned, you just simply appeared in Las Pegasus. The only reason I haven’t had you detained yet for impersonation is because of what you’ve done despite your ‘ghost status’.” Continued the Colonel

“So unless you tell me just who or what you are, you won’t be sleeping in the bunks tonight but in a prison cell instead!” Yelled Force a fire burning in his heart. He was a soldier through and through and although Six had shown herself a capable warrior worthy of being a soldier, she was still dangerous. Six however seemed unfazed at the Colonel’s outburst, her scarred face still perfectly stoic.

“I’m sorry Sir but that’s Classified to any non-military personnel not part of the UNSC.” Responded Six calmly, although inside her head she had a difficult decision to make. She wasn’t going to disclose classified information but she might have to say something to at least satisfy these officers’ need for answers. As long as she kept to the bare minimum and was so vague it would make ONI spooks proud, it would be fine.

“Well, what can you tell me that isn’t Classified by this ‘UNSC’?!” Began the Colonel quite irritated at all this classified information regarding this pegasus. He had heard that she once referred to herself as a Spartan but any further questioning kept on getting stonewalled by the pegasus in question. Six however decided she could have some fun whilst satisfying his curiosity.

“Ever heard of the term ‘Super-Soldier’ Lieutenant Colonel?” Questioned Six her tone devoid of any emotion. Force was completely caught off guard by this answer. Sure it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility after everything she had done, but they were only a work of fiction! He had maybe expected another ‘That’s classified’ or ‘above your pay-grade’ Tartarus maybe even a ‘go ask the captain of the guard’. Certainly not the answer he was given by the apparent work of fiction made real in front of him!

All the fire the Colonel had built up instantly left his eyes as he slowly sat back down at his desk. “Well...I guess I should have expected that. If you are even telling the truth that is. But from the way you gave that answer, soldier, it’s the most you can tell me or have been told to say if questioned right?” Asked Force looking back up at the Spartan with a sigh.

“It’s the first one Sir. That’s all I can tell you and even then if somebody from ONI found out I told you we’d both be in serious trouble, Sir,” Finished Six her tone turning serious at the mention of ONI.
“ONI? Ach more questions left unanswered. First this UNSC now this,” The Colonel muttered to himself quietly, before sighing deeply.

“Alright...This still doesn’t mean that I trust you, I still believe you are a very dangerous mare which I know nothing about. You are, however, helping us right now even if you are surrounded by a fog of Classified information. You will be given an escort for the time being until I get word by HQ on what to do with you. Until then you are to remain in Las Pegasus.” Finished Lieutenant Colonel Force once again looking the Spartan straight in the eye. His gaze was as hard as steel.

“Understood, Sir,” Responded Six with a salute.

“Good you’re dismissed, do not make me regret my decision on not detaining you, for if you do you, I will not rest until you are locked away in the deepest dungeons never to see the light of day again, Understand” Finished Force a fire of determination burning in his voice.

Six nodded forcefully in the affirmative before making her way towards the door. And as the sound of Six’s heavy hoofsteps slowly dissipated through the closed door, signaling the end of their meeting. Both parties remained completely unaware of the fact that their conversation had not only been heard by just the two of them.

Author's Note

I am on a roll :pinkiehappy:

Chapter 13

Exiting the town hall after her meeting with the Colonel, Six was met with an orange sky as the Sun began its descent below the horizon. Night had fallen for the second time since Six’s arrival and with her technically under ‘base-arrest’, The Spartan doubted that she would see any more action today and decided to call it a night early.

So with the barracks as her destination, Six began to make her way through the base to get some rest. But as the Spartan began her journey another important task would have to come first. And this task became known by the hunger that became known halfway towards the barracks. Six needed some food so she made a detour towards the ‘mess hall’

In reality, it was one of the less damaged restaurants next to the town hall, having been repurposed until the civilian population was allowed to return. The store was abuzz with activity from what she could see through the glass storefront. Soldiers were chatting, laughing, eating you name it. Each and every one of them forming a rainbow of color without their enchanted helmets equipped. For these soldiers there was no war, it was just them and their comrades enjoying a meal. Muffled sounds of conversation filling the Spartan’s ears.

But as the Spartan entered the building, such sounds of conversation died out as these soldiers stared at the massive soldier. For many of these soldiers had only heard the stories from their comrades about the armored Pegasus, never having seen her in the flesh, until now that is.

Ignoring the sudden influx of stares being directed at the Spartan, already gotten used to it from her fellow marines in the UNSC, She made her way through the building and up towards the counter. Some type of salad was being served to the soldiers. Six, feeling only slightly jealous that they got actual food instead of ration packs, grabbed a bowl and made her way towards one of the surprisingly empty tables. Silence permeating the room as the soldiers watched on in curiosity.

This restaurant used cushions instead of wooden chairs on the ground as seats allowing the Spartan the luxury of not having to sit on the ground. Not that it really mattered anyway since she wouldn’t be able to feel either the cushion or the ground through her armor but it was the thought that counted.

Taking a seat on the cushion, her salad on the table in front of her, Six dug in. As the Spartan ate, the sounds of conversation began to start up again all around her. Every now and then Six could hear snip bits of conversation concerning her. Six didn’t care however as she sat alone at her table, munching on her salad.

Luckily for the Spartan however she wouldn’t be sitting alone much longer when a familiar Squad took a seat at her table. It being none other than Spear, Sparrow, and Pixy, the other Pegasus having a guilty look on her face. Swallowing her food the Spartan let a small smile grace her face at the sight of these soldiers, it wavering only slightly when she gazed at Pixy.

“It’s good to see you all again.” Began the Spartan.

“No thanks to you, Lieutenant. Can’t walk around for two minutes without hearing somepony talking about you.” Said Spear with a snort of amusement as he took his helmet off. With the helmet removed the color enchantment broke revealing the blue unicorn with a blond mane underneath. Following their IC’s example, the other two also removed their helmets.

Sparrow had some difficulty removing his helmet, his foreleg having been healed using magic but still leaving it quite sore and hard to move without pain. He still got it off, however, his coat turning a light shade of green, his mane turning black.

Pixy’s coat, however, remained the same color, a stark white. The only visible change in color being that one of her wings became a deep crimson matching her short red mane.

“Even after all these years Pixy. I still believe you dyed your wing.” Said Sparrow in amusement eyeing the offending appendage with a smile and a small shake of his head. Pixy simply stuck her tongue out at the earth pony earning another chuckle from Sparrow.

“Speaking of… Six do you ever remove your armor?” Questioned Sparrow turning his head to look at the Spartan

“In the middle of a city that was occupied by hostile forces until only 8 -or so- hours ago? Never.” Answered the Spartan before grabbing another spoonful of salad.
Six swallowed before continuing. “It would also take a while to fully get out of my armor. Way too long in the middle of a war.”

“Ah, understandable, don’t want to get caught out of your armor if they counterattack.” Said Sparrow in an understanding tone

“More like ‘this armor may never under any circumstances be allowed to fall into the hands of the unauthorized personnel’” Corrected Six before taking another bite.

“ Yeah guess that works too, buddy.” Added Pixy with a laugh only to seemingly regret her word choice and start backpedaling. “ Oh I...eh didn’t me-“

“It’s fine...buddy” interrupted Six with a smirk on her face causing the Pegasus to laugh nervously but smile warmly back at the Spartan. Six really couldn’t stay mad at Pixy. Not that she was, a Spartan doesn’t hold grudges because of a mistake. Unless your Covenant but that's self explanatory. And with the way Pixy tried to backpedal, it was safe to say she learned her lesson when talking to Six, and what buttons not to push.

After that exchange, the group continued eating the Squad talking amongst themselves as Six listened in silence, Pixy's mood having risen considerably. She had nothing to contribute and just wanted to keep to herself. Some habits as a lone wolf never go away and when you’ve been one for as long as Six has those habits became a lifestyle.

Until Noble that is.

Six once again found her thoughts drifting back to Noble Team as she looked at the squad sitting with her. They were no Spartan team that’s for sure, their demeanor certainly proved that. But that didn’t really matter to her. They would have each other’s backs through thick and thin. Just like what Noble did for her during the Fall of Reach.

Shaking her head slightly to rid herself of those depressing thoughts Six instead focused on finishing her food instead of thinking about her lost friends. It only took several more minutes for the Spartan to finish her food and say her goodbyes to the trio. Exiting the building onto the moonlit street, Six began to make her way back towards her original destination looking to get some much-needed sleep for the super-soldier. After walking for roughly 10 more minutes Six had made her way into the barracks. At its entrance was a scroll showing who was given which bed.

Finding the name ‘Lieutenant Six’ on the scroll, she made her way towards the room it pointed out. And when she reached her destination Six found herself quite surprised at the sleeping arrangements she was provided.

Instead of just being given a standard bunk with the rest of the Privates, she had been given a room all to herself. Whether it was because of Command Sergeant Wild’s Intervention, the Lieutenant Colonel’s distrust meaning this room was probably under surveillance. Or simply because the ponies saw her as a hero, Six could not tell.

The room was quite small and bare. The only objects being a wooden table, chair, and bed for the Spartan. Six sighed at the sight.

Sometimes I hate that I weigh half a ton with this armor.

Author's Note

~~Do you have~~ any ~~idea how close I was to calling this chapter~~

It has been done

Fun Fact!
Mjolnir armor weighs 1000lbs
A Spartan-III weighs 200-300lbs unarmored
A Spartan-II weighs 300-400lbs unarmored
And Math dictates Rainbow dash weighs 168lbs

I wonder what you'll do with this info?
Maybe figure out how much Six weighs?
Who knows?

Well I certainly don't!

Chapter 14

“I’m ready! How bout’ you?!”

“You’re on your own Noble… Carter out.”

“Where does he get off calling a demolition op Priority One-“

“Tell them to make it count.”

Six awoke with a start her eyes shooting open as Jorge said those final words. For the first time since her arrival, she had dreamed during the night. She had dreamed of them again. Ever since Jorge’s sacrifice she had dreamt of her team. And every time she relieved that moment she woke up, but not out of fear or sadness. But because of anger.

Those damn Covenant had taken everything from her and now even after her ‘death’ they still haunted her in her dreams. And now, without any Covenant around to take her vengeance out on that anger changed from revenge to sadness. A sadness the Spartan had never felt before. Perhaps it had been there since Emile maybe even Jorge and simply couldn't show itself because of her rampage against the Covenant. And now without any Covenant to distract her, this sadness had made itself known.

Removing her head from the pillow she had laid on the ground, Six removed her helmet setting it on the bed next to her. Bringing her good up to her neck she removed the pair of dog tags she wore.

One was Six’s.

The other... was Jorge’s.

A sad smile graced the Spartan’s features as she looked at the tags. A piece of Noble had managed to come with her and maybe...just maybe, she could give Noble the burials they deserve. Give her friends the respect they won’t get on the burnt surface of Reach. For the first time since Six had become a Spartan so engrossed was she in her emotions she never realized she had, Six didn’t notice a lone tear sliding down her face.

A knock on the door brought Six back to reality. Putting the tags back around her neck, Six wiped the lone tear away as she put her helmet back on.

Walking up to the door after stretching the knots out of her body, Six opened it to find Command Sergeant Major Wild standing there.

“Ah good to see you up and about. Come follow me, we've been summoned to Canterlot, orders from way up high.” Said Wild as he began to walk away gesturing with his hoof for Six to follow.

Six did so without saying a word her mind still mostly focused on Jorge and Noble team. Following the Sergeant Major into the courtyard where a golden carriage was waiting for them. A Pegasus guard standing next to it, clipboard in hoof.

Wild said a few words to the Pegasus before he began yelling orders to the several other Pegasi patrolling the skies. After that was said and done Wild walked up to the carriage doors opening them before turning around the face Six, his usual smirk on his face.

“Ladies first.”

Ignoring the Sergeant Major’s words Six entered the carriage and took a seat. Luckily this carriage was made of some type of metal capable of holding the Spartans weight. The whole open-air design Six wasn’t really a fan of but who was she to judge their vehicle design.
Wild entered shortly after the Spartan taking a seat on the opposite side.

Once they were both seated an order was yelled as the four Pegasi attached to the front started to fly pulling the carriage forward and off the ground. To say the Spartan was surprised that they were suddenly airborne wouldn’t be wrong per se. But Six just stopped questioning it at this point. Sure the fact those four Pegasi could fly attached to a carriage Six was in was quite surprising but it worked so why question it.

“Any idea why we are being brought to ‘Canterlot’?” Asked Six Breaking the silence trying to distract herself from her emotions.

“ Not sure I’ve really just been assigned to watch you and make sure you don’t get into trouble”
Answered Wild.

“ But wouldn’t you be more useful back in Las Pegasus?” Asked Six confused. Sending a Command Sergeant Major away did not seem like a good tactical decision.

“I’m one of the best fighters in our battalion. I was really the only choice for Lieutenant Colonel Force when it came to watching you.” Answered Wild his eyes watching the retreating form of Las Pegasus.

“Huh…”

The rest of the trip was spent in silence, both parties simply watching the terrain pass by below them. Six using the time to build a map of the terrain on her HUD more information never hurts plus it helped keep her mind off of Noble Team. After several hours of flight, the damaged form on Canterlot could be seen approaching.

Six may not be well versed in architecture but when she saw that castle, even when part of it was covered in scaffolds for repairs, her breath was taken away by the beauty it still resonated. They began to make their final approach towards the main entrance of the Castle and after several minutes touchdown had been made. The Pegasi that has transported them seemed especially out of breath as they landed.

But before the pair could ask whether the exhausted Pegasi if they were alright, a light grey earth-pony with a dark grey mane holding a clipboard grabbed their attention.
Wild smiles at the Pony as she approached them.

“Ah, Raven good to see you again. I hope you're doing well.”

“I’m doing fine, and so is the Princess, Wild. Anyway, you two can follow me.” Finished Raven making her way back towards the main entrance, Spartan and Soldier in tow.

The trio began to make their way through the maze-like hallways of the castle, their gaze lingering on a painting and or vase decorating the halls for several seconds before moving on. This castle was fit for royalty to live in and considering that is exactly what it does it went without saying that Six was impressed. Every now and then they would pass a patrol of several maids every one of them eying the Spartan curiously or in slight fear.

Soon though after several minutes of walking the trio had been brought to some kind of dining room. A long table sat at its center as long flowing purple drapes hung next to the windows. Long stone columns rose to the high ceiling along the walls, a single guard standing in front of each of them eying the Spartan warily.

“You can both already take a seat, the Princess will be arriving shortly.” Said Raven before exiting through the same door they entered the room with.

“Wait, Princess?!” Exclaimed Wild apparently quite shocked that they were meeting the Princess. Six didn’t react visibly, she had already surmised that they were probably going to meet her. That still didn’t stop a hint of nervousness to invade her mind, only for it to immediately be squashed.

Sure the Princess could apparently raise the Sun and Moon and was treated like a goddess and should be feared by the Spartan, but then again Six had single-handedly fought an entire army with massively advanced technology, armor, and air support and was winning for 3 days straight.

Sure she ‘died’ in the end but so had thousands of Covenant in her wake. So Six was fairly confident she could take her on if their meeting went south. Any Spartan worth their salt could tell this was some interrogation in the form of a meeting, and Six was not going to give out any military secrets.

She technically was a foreign soldier and so they didn’t have any jurisdiction over her but Six doubted the Princess would just give up after being told ‘that’s Classified’ when they questioned Six.

Moving past the surprised Sergeant Major Six took a seat on one of the many cushions laid next to the table. It seems as if the Castle also used cushions instead of chairs as seats. Wild joined her shortly afterward, having gotten over the small panic attack he had felt.
Soon the pair sat in silence as they waited for the Princess to arrive.

“So this is this ‘Six’ SMILE was talking about” Muttered Celestia to herself as she watched the pair through her Scrying spell. With the intel report promised by SMILE having been finished early this morning, Celestia had gone ahead and summoned the pony to Canterlot.

The report contained everything they could find out about the pony up and including to her ‘pressure point’ involving her status as a soldier and her claim she was a Super Soldier to Lieutenant Colonel Force. Everything since the EAF first met her was documented.

Sierra-B312?
Possible meanings are written along the side.

UNSC? ONI?
Theories based on what these organizations could be based on clues from the tight-lipped pony.

From her height being confirmed as to be on par with her sister Luna. And from covert surveillance, her weight has been measured to be over half a Ton! Then finally came the ‘Shield’ that surrounded the Pony. Whenever an agent tried to cast any type of long-range stealth scanning spell on the Pony the magic was met with a metaphysical wall blocking it. But that phenomenon only ever showed up when the pony was fully wearing her armor.

SMILE knew how powerful an ally Six could be.

And how much of a threat she posed to Equestria.

It was honestly quite frightening to Celestia how fast SMILE could work when it came to non-Unicorn targets. And after reading through the Dossier.

Celestia was ready to hopefully form a relationship that could benefit both parties in this war.

Author's Note

The long-awaited meeting shall come at last.

————-

Artist: Emphoa

Chapter 15

The minutes ticked on as the pair sat in relative silence. Wild was shaking very slightly as nervousness wracked his body. Having the news that the Princess Celestia wanted to meet them suddenly thrust upon him did not help his already quite nervous demeanor. He had expected to meet the Captain and tell him the situation, introduce Six, and all that Jazz not this.

Meanwhile, as Wild was shaking in his armor and sweating up a storm, Six just glanced around the room, her gaze hidden behind her visor. Her eyes glancing over the on edge guards around the room as they eyed the Spartan warily, their grip unconsciously tightening around their weapons.

Six didn’t really care however and with nothing better to do, she pulled out her knife and began to sharpen it against her armor, much to the guards and Wild’s dismay. The gentle scratch of metal against metal filled the room as a palpable tension began to grow in the room.

Wild immediately voiced his disapproval at the sight of the knife-sharpening pony.

“What are you doing?! Put the knife away!” He whisper-shouted at Six.

“No, it needs sharpening.” Replies Six calmly as if discussing the weather much to Wild’s and the surrounding Guards disapproval.

“Doesn’t matter! Now put that knife away before you get yourself thrown into the dungeon for brandishing a deadly weapon!” Exclaimed Wild reaching over to grab the knife out of Six’s hooves.

Six stopped in her sharpening, turned her head to look at the irate Sergeant Major, and extended one of her wings exposing the extremely sharp feathers contained within. Not another word could be said by the stunned Sergeant as the doors to the dining room were surrounded in a golden glow bringing him back to reality and drawing his attention away from the Spartan.

The doors opened to reveal the Solar Princess in all her glory as she made her way into the room. Her stride and aura radiate regality and that this pony truly was royalty and should be treated as such. So at the sight of his Princess/Ruler/Commander in chief, Wild stood up from his seat and gave her his best bow.

Six didn’t move from her spot as she retraced her wing. The Spartans gaze locked onto the Sergeant as he bowed so low you would think he was trying to do some sort of stretch. She really didn’t know what to make of it as her gaze switched from the Sergeant Major to the Princess, her head slowly tilting to the side in confusion.

She looks about as threatening as a kitten.

Were it not for the one-way visor, everyone in the room would have seen the look of utter confusion and disbelief on the Spartans face. Wild was so nervous because of her yet she looked like she would rather give out hugs instead of leading a nation through this time of war.

She definitely didn’t look like the type of ruler that could deal with the coming conflict. But looks, however, can be deceiving. And a Spartan knew to never underestimate anything.

The room once again lapsed into a tense silence as Six watched from her seat her head slightly tilted to one side. ‘How dare this pony not show respect to their princess’ was the thought that raged through every guard's mind. Celestia, sensing the growing tension in the air now decided it would be a good idea to intervene.

“It’s all right my little Ponies, you may rise,” she said putting on her motherly smile as she made her way towards the Spartan watching her curiously. Said Spartan didn’t move as the Princess approached the table and took a seat on the end nearest to Six as Wild sat back down.

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you...I’m sorry I don’t believe I’ve caught your name”

“You haven’t but I’m sure your agents have already told you what I like to be called.” That caused Celestia’s eyes to widen slightly at this reveal. “Sending spies to investigate someone trained by ONI, isn’t smart.”
Said the Spartan nonchalantly. “So how about we skip beating around the bush and tell me why you called us here?” Finished Six too many surprised looks.

Celestia was definitely surprised by Six’s words, to say the least. SMILE is the best in covert intel gathering operations, how on Equis did this Pony notice them?! If this ONI taught her how to identify such agents with ease they were an extremely dangerous organization.

“That’s no way to speak to the Princess you wel-“ began one of the guards standing watch before being interrupted by Celestia.

“Stand down soldier”

“B-but your majesty she-“

“Stand down.” Ordered the Solar Diarch, her tone one of finality. Six chuckled slightly at the sight.

“Well” began Celestia with a sigh “ Since there is no use beating around the bush with you I’ll just be straight with you Six. I want to offer you an opportunity for a relationship that would benefit us both.” Celestia said diplomatically to which Six raised an eyebrow in response.

“...I’m listening.”

“I know that you currently have no place of residence and no source of income and that you refer to yourself as a ‘Super-Soldier’. I want to offer you the opportunity to work with me and help us win this war we now find ourselves in. And with your help... we can end this conflict quickly.” Offered the Solar Princess.

“I won’t be giving out any secrets about what I am or my armor if that’s what you're asking for. That information is classified no matter what. Knowing that, is the offer still valid?” Asked Six

“It is not what I was hoping for but yes those terms are acceptable.” Celestia conceded after thinking about it briefly.

“I also want a guarantee that nobody and I mean nobody will have access to my living quarters except me. If I even get the slightest suspicion that you have examined anything that belongs to me you can kiss that deal goodbye, and I will make it my mission to destroy all information you have gathered on me. Got it?” Added Six her tone one that promised dire consequences were her demands not met.

The room stayed silent for several long seconds as Celestia thought on these further stipulations Six had added. Should she accept these demands? Six has already proven herself a very dangerous enemy to have, but with these demands, any attempt at analyzing her armor could end in disaster.

But... there is one pony who could circumvent these demands.

“Your terms are acceptable.”

“Then we have an agreement, Princess.”

An almost collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the room once the Spartan uttered those six words. With the agreement made and the tensest subject out of the way for the Alicorn, they could now move onto more casual subjects. It’s always good to get to know your new ‘Super-Soldier”

“Now with that out of the way I’m sure you're both quite hungry and I doubt either of you have had anything to eat yet.” Began Celestia as several servants entered the room, trays of food on their backs.

The rest of the day has passed relatively quickly afterward. Breakfast was a quiet affair as Celestia tried to make conversation with the Spartan. The keyword being ‘tried’ as the Spartan ate in silence. Six sure as hell didn’t trust this princess, sure they had managed to come to an agreement but it was shoddy at best, and she highly doubted she would keep her end of the agreement in leaving her and her armor alone.

Any leader would be a fool if they didn’t try to get every advantage possible during wartime. So the more information Six kept under wraps the bigger of an advantage she held. After the failed attempt at interrogation by way of small talk Six was brought to an actual interrogation room where agents tried to get more information.

Anything classified remained whilst other things she was asked was answered truthfully albeit vaguely. Such as when she was asked what her full designation meant she did answer and translate the ‘Sierra’ but once again leaving out anything classified. The same also went for when she was asked about what the UNSC and ONI was, only giving out the most basic of information

By the end of the day, information had been gained such as Six’s type of soldier being called a Spartan but any more than that was stonewalled. One thing stuck out to the Spartan, however. Her interrogator’s questions were...precise...calculated. It definitely seemed familiar. Then there were his reactions to her constant stream of ‘Classified’ he almost seemed expectant but not in the way of annoyance at the repeat of the phrase. No… his behavior was different as if he already knew what the answer would be...and that he liked it.

It was barely perceivable to all but the most experienced operatives at ONI. And Six did not like it.

Otherwise, the questions she was asked were mostly about her intentions and experience in military matters. They were clearly trying to gauge her talents to probably see what the best thing to do with her was but that funny feeling regarding her interrogator never left her.

Soon, however, after the interrogation session Six was brought to the quarters she had been given in the Castle of all places. The room was relatively simple and probably filled with surveillance with a bed, desk, cushions for seating, and a couch in front of a small fireplace. But what really grabbed the Spartan’s attention were the sheets of paper sitting on the desk.

They contained what tomorrow would bring for Six but one piece of crumpled paper caught her eye. Getting a closer look she picked up the paper and inspected it.

A symbol was crudely drawn on it.

A symbol she had yet to mention to any of the locals.

The Symbol she used to work under.

The Symbol that belonged to those...

God

Damned

Spooks.

Author's Note

SemperVigilans

God I hope I didn't fuck it up

Chapter 16

Spooks… Even after ‘death’ those spooks still existed. This should be impossible. Could they have befallen the same fate as Six? Or was it something else entirely? She couldn’t be sure as such impossibilities had now since become commonplace for the Spartan. And now they had decided to reveal themselves, albeit with a piece of crumpled paper, a crudely drawn ONI Symbol drawn on it. It wasn’t very professionally made and looked quite improvised. Picking up the paper in her hooves she flipped it over, revealing a small string of numbers.

Numbers that would have been indecipherable if one had never invented radio communication. But to Six it was as easy as taking down a squad of Covenant Grunts. Punching the number into her radio, Six spoke into her helmet, making sure to disable its speakers so nobody could listen in.

„This is UNSC Sierra-B312 Callsign Noble Six, Identify yourself."

„A Spartan?!“
„No way…“
„it can't be... can it?“

„*Cough* Shut it up back there!” A Coughing fit was heard by the Spartan before a strained voice came through the radio “Six am I glad to hear your voice. Look we can’t speak for long so I’ll be brief. Come to the castle gardens and I’ll make sure you aren’t followed and I’ll get you a clear path in the meantime.” A laugh followed by another cough is heard “Boy is she going to love this“ The sound of radio static came soon after indicating the channel had gone dead, not giving Six a chance to respond.

Could it be? Could there be an actual UNSC presence on this planet with her? Or was she not the only one brought here. Whatever it was those questions could be answered later in Person when they meet face to face. Right now Six had a meeting in the gardens she intended to keep. Ripping the note to pieces Six made her way towards the door to her quarters.

Watching her tracker carefully, Six waited behind the door. Her tracker may have been empty but she knew there would be guards outside her room. So she waited for the coast to clear waiting to see if the person on the radio came through. Then suddenly some muffled shouting could be heard through the door as three markers appeared on her tracker, moving away from her door as a fourth marker made its way in front of her door before vanishing

Well, that...certainly makes this easier.

Opening the door she was met with a lone guard standing in the middle of the hallway, his eyes catching the tail of her room’s previous guards as they went out of sight behind a corner.

“Change of plans Six, come, follow me I’ll explain everything once we’re back with the others.” Began the guard, his gaze switching to the Spartan as she approached. “And before you ask yes, you aren’t the only one brought here. Now come, quickly! It won’t take long for those guards to return back to their posts” Exclaimed the Pony quickly trotting down the corridor with a slightly surprised Spartan in tow.

She wasn’t alone. It was now confirmed. She hadn’t told the Ponies anything about humanity and intended to keep it that way. She was still suspicious, sure, but with that unasked question answered the chances that they were also in the same situation as her rose dramatically. Perhaps there was a way for her to take the fight back to the Covenant after all? Such questions would have to come later however as now the pair needed to get to the castle gardens.

With the guard acting as her escort they were able to make it through the castle without suspicion much to her escort’s pleasure. Soon they had reached the gardens, Six constantly checking her tracker for any unwanted tails outside of their vision. Luckily the pair hadn’t been followed outside showed the tracker, it remaining empty save for her companion.

“Have we been followed?” Asked the guard to the Spartan as they began to make their way through the gardens towards its hedge maze.

“No movement except us for 30 meters in all directions” Responded Six as they entered the maze.

“Good” he began exhaling loudly in relief. “What I wouldn’t give to have my tracker right now, I’m not trained in counter-espionage.” He said under his breath. “Anyway follow me we’re almost there”

Several minutes later and they had made it to a rather inconspicuous statue inside the maze. Her, so far, unnamed companion walked up to it and pushed his hoof against one of its tiles.
“Here,” He held out his other hoof, “ hold onto me otherwise you’ll be left behind.”

Six did as instructed grabbing his outstretched hoof with her own armored one. The second she did that her shields flared gold. They did not drain but simply became visible to the naked eye. “Well that’s unexpected, hopefully, it won’t interfere with what’s about to happen. Alright, this may feel weird but that’s perfectly normal since this is your first time.” He removed his hoof.

Several things happened all at once in the following seconds. The golden flaring shields began to cycle breaking her protective barrier followed by the feeling of falling through Space topped off by a bright flash filling her vision. Once the Spots were out of her eyes Six could see the position she was currently in. Her body having acted on autopilot, Six found herself above her companion with her wing firmly planted against his throat, ready to end his life in less than a second should she wish it so.

“Stand *Cough* down Spartan, you idiot Crowly *cough* I told you how much of a bad idea it is to surprise her with the teleporter. *Cough* Goddammit you could have warned her beforehand” Game a gruff and strained voice from behind her. “Now would you please get off of the marine *Cough* before you paint the walls red?”

“Don’t do that again.” Came the cold voice through her helmet as she got off the now identified and terrified Marine and turned to face the familiar voice from her radio. Only to be immediately brought back into her battle stance as she pulled her knife. Standing in front of her was another of those insectoid creatures looking at her through his compound blue eyes.
However, as she studied the insectile pony in front of her, her hostile stance began to recede.

He was covered in bandages, green blood soaking through several of them. One of his eyes was covered and his chitin was covered in cracks. He approached the Spartan with no fear in his eyes as he limped closer. Six sheathed her knife, he was clearly not a threat.

“Agent Stanford of the Office for Naval Intelligence, a pleasure to meet a Spartan on this planet. So how did you end up here? It took a pelican getting shot down for me and Crowly over here to bite the dust.” Introduced Stanford moving to help Crowly onto his hooves despite his own injuries. “Get back topside before they get suspicious marine, their already on the lookout for any more changelings don’t make them think you are one.” He gave the pony a fanged smile and a pat on the back. Crowly smiled back in return, slightly rubbing his neck with a hoof, before turning back against the wall and vanishing in another flash of light.

Using the time Six examined her surroundings. They appeared to be in some sort of underground bunker, its walls being illuminated by several improvised lightbulbs. Said walls however were in varying states of disrepair. The bunker must have been abandoned long before they moved in but they had definitely put some work into reversing the damage it had sustained over god knows how long.

Turning her attention back to Stanford she removed her helmet.

“Took 3 days and a whole Covenant army to take me out on Reach” Began Six.

“I would expect nothing less from a Spartan.” His face suddenly took a dark turn. “Did Reach fall?” Questioned Stanford grimly

“I was the last one left on Reach...I made them pay dearly for what they did over those 3 days.” Responded Six with a fire in her eyes.

“Good that....” He sighed “That’s good, it just makes what the lady is doing all the more important. Now come, it’s not just me and Crowly down here after all” He said before limping his way towards the door. “What was your combat rating anyway?” Asked Stanford suddenly, standing beside the exit.

“Hyper-Lethal”

He did a double-take. “Wait you mean just like…”

“117” Finished Six.

“Christ…Well, co *cough* me on then! *cough* We can’t keep the lady waiting!” Exclaimed Stanford, a fire of excitement having seemingly been lit in his blue eyes.
“What’s this woman’s name?” Questioned Six following the excited Agent who simply smirked in response.

“Halsey. Dr. Cathrine Halsey”

Author's Note

So first off Thank you all for 200 followers!
Honestly never thought I would get that far let alone make it to 100 in the first place so from the bottom of my heart thank you :heart:

Secondly, For those people who also like My Little Sunspot, I will be focusing 100% of my writing on getting chapter 13 complete before the end of the year. Or the end of next week.
who knows :derpytongue2:

Chapter 17

“Halsey is here?” Asked Six surprise and confusion quite evident in her voice. Why and how can she be here? This was the question most evident in her mind at hearing that revelation. She should be back on Earth after getting a ride off of Reach from Castle Base. Did the same thing happen to her? What happened to Jun then?

So many questions filled her brain as she processed the information that Halsey was also here. The Spartan was brought out of her stupor however as Stanford exited through the nearby door, Six beginning to follow once more.

“Yeah, she is. Didn’t arrive the same way as us and is currently figuratively banging herself against the wall trying to understand what the hell brought her here and literally against the floor whenever she trips over her workspace.” Answered the injured Agent, limping through the dimly lit corridor. The sounds of dim conversation could be heard. Stanfords limping however caught Six’s eye. Those injuries he had sustained were quite substantial and even with the limited medical knowledge, Six had about their new bodies in general. Even she knew that Stanford probably shouldn’t be walking around. But just as she was about to bring the topic up another voice beat her to the punch

“Stanford the hell are you doing walking around like that?!” Came a high-pitched voice as the pair entered what seemed to be the main room of the complex they resided in.

“Well someone had to prevent Crowly from being turned into a red paste when he brought Six here through the teleporter.” Responded the Agent to the voice, using his injured hoof to gesture towards Six. Moving her gaze towards the voice she saw another pony wearing what appeared to be medic marine armor but changed to suit their new equine body.

“Well, you still could have sent someone else! Do you have any idea how much damage that wave did to your body!? The fact that you aren’t currently stuck in some sort of coma after that impact,” She said as she pointed at a nearby wall in exasperation.” Is nothing short of a Miracle!” Continued the Medic as Six’s gaze wandered to the wall in question. Said wall was cracked in several places with an equine sized indent visible at the center of the cracks.

Six couldn’t help but cringe very slightly at the force Stanfords body must have gone through to leave such a marking in stone and still be able to move around, and just as the medic said let alone be conscious. But who was Six to judge? She fell from orbit and lived, if anything the resilience of Stanford impressed the Spartan.

“And then there is the fact you are healing way faster than you should, you haven’t eaten anything since then and… UGH!” She threw her hooves up in exasperation. “Stupid godamn weird-ass bodies breaking several laws of Biology!”

“Alright! Calm down, Lizzie! Just look at Six over here she isn’t complaining! So calm down I’ll go lie down after I’m done. Are you happy now?” Replied Stanford trying to calm the medic turned pony down.

“Yes, but come by the infirmary then when you’re done so I can change your bandages.” She turned her attention from the changeling to the Spartan and began to smile at the sight of the super-soldier. “It’s good to have you here Six, you’re just what the doctor ordered to get us off this planet.”

Six nodded at the Medic’s comment before following the injured changeling, who was currently trying to sneak away from the medic. It appeared to have worked however as the Medic named Lizzie turned back around to head back to what Six assumed to be the compounds Infirmary.

“Whew. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against her or any medic in the corp but she really doesn’t like this whole pony nonsense. It really gets under her skin if you couldn’t tell.” He laughed slightly.

“Anyway, we’re almost there.” Continued the Changeling, as the pair continued through the room. Six nodded in agreement at the agent’s comment although due to her training of ‘adapt or die/ the deal with it protocol’ she would take what she was given and roll with until it changed. But having her old body back would always be better than this pegasus one she had been forced into.

Looking around Six could see several other ponies along the edges of the room. Each of them looking at her with varying states of awe and what appeared to be excitement on their equine faces. They looked similar to Lizzie with some of them wearing a modified version of their marine armor. There was even a lone ODST among them, judging by the helmet by their side and the dark coloration of their armor. Each of them a different subspecies. Some had horns, others had wings just like Six, and the rest head neither like Lizzie. But what really caught Six’s eye was the ODST.

They had wings just like many of the Pegasi Six had seen, but their wings weren’t covered in feathers. The ODST’s wings we more batlike than birdlike, a dark thin membrane in place of feathers. A small white glint of fangs was visible on their slightly smiling lips, their slitted catlike turquoise eyes full of what looked like rising hope at the sight of the Spartan.

“We have roughly twenty soldiers with us right now not including the doctor. A majority of them came here the same way as us. The rest came with Halsey. I would personally recommend you tell them your story and listen to theirs as morale isn’t as good as it could be right now. So telling them about the amount of Covies you took out will give them the hope we need.” Spoke Stanford sadly. Six could only nod in agreement once more to his words.

Morale was just as important as weapons and ammunition and in this situation, it couldn’t be more true.

The pair then continued through the complex, the walls seemingly turning from stone to a faintly familiar metallic color. Six couldn’t quite place where she had seen something like this before but this definitely wasn‘t the first time she had seen this material.

Following Stanford through a metal archway, the room they entered was no longer lit by improvised light bulbs but by large glowing strips covering the walls. In Front of the pair, in the center of the room was a large metal archway. The floor was littered with random wires and pieces of paper. But what really drew the pair's attention was the cream-colored unicorn wearing the same jacket Halsey had on reach tinkering with some sort of pedestal. Her horn slightly glowing as something was muttered under her breath and scribbled onto a clipboard floating beside her, covered in the same glow as her horn.

“Doctor.“ Began Stanford grabbing the Unicorn’s attention away from the pedestal she was working on. Turning around the doctor laid her eyes on the Spartan completely ignoring the changeling who had left the room soon after speaking. Leaving the Spartan and the doctor alone in the strange structure.

“I take it you arrived the same way as the majority of those here am I correct to assume that?“

Six nodded

“Did you do it before then? Did you do what I asked before it happened?“

Six nodded again and the corners of Halsey‘s lips curled upwards.

“Good our war hasn‘t ended yet. She was right to have chosen you as her courier“ her smile grew a bit wider.“ As did I, after all, ‘great minds think alike‘ do they not?”

Author's Note

I promised you a chapter on my birthday, didn't I?
And when I make a promise...

Chapter 18

„Now with the pleasantries out of the way, I require your assistance here“ Spoke Halsey turning back around to face the metal arch in the center of the room, the discarded clipboard now floating back beside her.

„Well to be accurate, I require the use of the fusion reactor in your Armor if I am to figure out how to turn this thing back on and get us back to Reach.“ Added on the Doctor as she knelt back down at the metal pedestal and went back to her tinkering.

„Reach?“ Questioned the Spartan as she approached the strange metal arch trying to wrap her head around what Halsey was implying.

„Yes, as I am sure you‘ve probably heard by Agent Stanford. I as well as a few others arrived by a far different mode of transportation. The side effects were...unexpected to say the least“ She began, stomping her hoof against the hard metallic floor before returning her attention to her tinkering. „But it's certain benefits, as I‘m sure you have already thoroughly exploited, are quite helpful. The research possibilities on this as the locals call it ‚magic‘ is truly breathtaking to any scientist, myself included.“ A sigh was heard soon after. „But when it comes to being used as an energy source for this damn portal” Continued Halsey as she knocked the edge of her clipboard against the Arch “it‘s useless.“

„Is this what brought you here?“ Questioned the Spartan once again as she looked towards the Doctor

„Yes, but enough with the questions, the others can answer those for you. Now will you assist me by removing your armor?“

Six nodded, albeit slowly, before she began to disengage her armor from her tech suit. She didn‘t like it. No Spartan likes to remove their armor, and those that say they did were lying. The suit was their second skin, and when it comes to a Spartan like Six. The inside of their armor was their home. But even then she would have to remove her armor at some point, at least here it wouldn‘t be examined by the Equestrians.

So hesitantly Six began to remove her armor and soon she stood there before the Doctor in only her techsuit. Removing her changed armor took longer than usual for the Spartan, the armor around her wings took extra care to remove due to Six not having any experience in removing armor from her two new appendages. Halsey nodded in approval however once she was finished, the armor plates sitting neatly against the pedestal Halsey had been working on

„Good I can get to work now, with the power generated by the fusion reactor I should be able to jumpstart this room's systems. For now, though you are no longer needed, you may go.“ The doctor said with a small wave of her hoof as she knelt down and began to do something to her armor.

„How long do you need my armor?“ Asked Six curiously.

„A day or two perhaps depends on how easy this tech can be adapted to use your armor as a power source.“ Answered Halsey offhandedly.

Six nodded in confirmation towards the doctor as she made her way to the exit now no longer covered in her full suit but instead a dark grey tech suit. It was better than nothing but still contained multiple downsides if she were to enter combat with it. For instance, her wings were no longer weaponizable but looked like simple pegasus wings covered by the dark grey material of her suit. However, if there was an upside to not wearing her several hundred-pound armor it was that maybe...just maybe, the Spartan would be able to fly.

The logic was sound, in Six‘s head. Without her armor weighing her down she should be able to generate enough lift with her wings to take flight. She would have to test this theory, and what better time than whilst waiting for the Doctor to find them a way home.

Home

She allowed a small almost predatory smile to grace her features at the mention of home. Once she gets back, the Covenant will learn that the UNSC has not one, but two demons on their side.

As for right now, however, the Spartan had nothing to do in the meantime. The Sun had probably long since set under the Horizon. So Six decided to explore this complex she now found herself in, and maybe do what Stanford had previously suggested.

Heading back towards the main area the pair had walked through beforehand, Six saw the same soldiers from before still doing something around some sort of map. Now without the heavy footfalls of her armor Six was able to approach the group without being noticed as they were all engrossed with their current tasks.

Two marines were seemingly engrossed in some sort of conversation regarding their weapons with the main question being: “How the hell do I pull the trigger with hooves?” Six would have chucked at the question until it hit her. Sure she could wield a knife no problem, but pulling the trigger on a gun? That is a valid concern to have, the unicorns among the group would have no problem wielding such weapons but as far as Six could tell they were only a handful of them here with them.

She would have to ask about that later, but that hopefully doesn't matter by then as Halsey would surely have that machine powered up and ready to go.

Any further thoughts Six would have had on the subject were interrupted as she approached the table where the rest of the Marines and that one ODST were standing.

“So from what our intel suggests the current conflict happening above us has come to… well not a Stalemate per-se but definitely a standstill. It's certainly a far cry from what we’re used to when it involves the ponies as I know them.” Came a distinctly female voice from the Bat-like ODST as she pointed out several places on the map in front of them to her fellow Marines.

Said Marines were intently listening to the Woman, their gazes following the tip of her wing as they pointed out several locations as she continued speaking.

“We haven't got any more concrete information about what the hell happened that sent Stanford and several others flying into walls, as all we can get is that Quote, and I’m not making this up, the power of love between Princess Cadence and Shining armor did it.” She said with the most disbelieving voice the ODST could manage as several of the Marines chuckled slightly.

“Anyway we can’t really tell if they're making it up or if that is an actual thing here but remain cautious either way, I’ll send a letter to Smith to see what she knows about this. Any questions?” The Marines around the table shook their collective heads.

“Well how about you Spartan, you got any questions?” The ODST began looking over her shoulder towards the approaching Six.

“One. Who is Smith?” The Spartan said as she walked up to the side of the table to get an overview of the map they were discussing earlier. It looked like a Map of their current continent with small markers acting as indicators for friendly and or hostile forces. A single marker was different however, it instead made it look like the UNSC Symbol, and it was placed on the mountain next to the Equestrian Capital.

“Good question” She turned back towards the others around the table. “Who else here was wondering the same thing?” Two marines made themselves known. “ Ah, when did you two get to come to join us here in the afterlife?”

“Ma’am we arrived together 3 days ago we were one of the last holdouts on Reach, Camp Independence with Vice-admiral Danforth.”

Independence? I thought that was glassed by the time the Autumn made for orbit.

“Did the Admiral make it?”

“No clue Ma’am but he isn't here so there may be some silver lining to it.” Responded the other.

“Good. You give them covie bastards a good fight?”

“Ha! you should have seen us, ma’am, Mr. Badass over here gave them hell with the machinegun turret we had. How many Elites did you say you took out again?”

“Man, you know I wasn’t counting”

“My ass you weren’t, It's pretty hard not to have heard you holding your rear when you shouted ‘That's number 30!’” Finished the Marine with a laugh that was soon joined in by the others around the table with Six only allowing a smile to grace her features.

Soon what started out as a question about someone called ‘Smith’ grew out of proportion as the Marines around the table shared their stories with each other. The next trying to outdo the last and laughing as situations that would make any civilian's heart ache, become a heroic tale of sacrifice and Alien Slaughter.

Six listened intently to every story, especially those containing the latter. Though as soon as the circle reached her was about to reach her Drop-Trooper neighbor she turned to face Six as the commotion around the table went quiet.

“If you still want your question about Smith answered come find me later. Names Gloria by the way.”

And with that, she left without another word as whispers among the Marines were soon picked up by Six’s ears.

“Any idea what that's about?”

“Dude, remember, we died to get here, not everyone wants to relive that.”

The clearing of a throat was heard. “Anyway I don’t know about the rest of y’all but I for one want to hear what our Spartan friend here did to end up here.” A cacophony of affirmatives was heard afterward as they all looked towards Six as another much more predatory smile overtook her features.

“ Well...where do I begin?”

Author's Note

I'm slow I know XD

Chapter 19 Author's Note

Felt cute, might write more later.
Also, the Chapter title image is fucked and I can't fix it soooooo enjoy the big dramatic spacing as you get to take a peek:

Chapter 19

Luna sat in her room and waited… waited for the moment she felt a specific mind enter the realm of dreams. And soon her target did just that as Luna felt her magical trap take effect and force Six into a state of dreaming.

Her deception had worked flawlessly with ‚Six‘ not even being aware of her current dreaming state. The spell was a special one. Known only to her and the most trusted of royal spellcasters, it could create a self-writing and self-perpetuating dream that catered to the afflicted‘s own subconscious and memories creating a seamless transition between reality and perfect fiction.

Currently, the real Six was curled up on the ground next to her bed, her helmet attached to her hip as the scarred and still, armored mare slept soundly, a smile on her face as the spell did its work. The paper on the desk was covered in the magical graphics needed to infect its observers with this powerful spell.

Now all Luna would need to do is conceal her presence, enter the dream, get what the info both she and her sister wanted, and finally remove the evidence of her ever being there. So with a deep breath and a calm mind Luna lit her horn and entered their guests' dreams.

Willing herself transparent, she could watch Six unimpeded as they dreamt of being contacted by… whatever that symbol was Six had perceived the spell's origin to contain. It was an upside-down diamond, its shape akin to that of a kite with a dark sphere sitting at its core.

Noting it down for later she continued to discreetly follow Six as she traversed through her deception all the way to meeting this ‘Dr. Halsey’ and Six willingly giving up her armor if it meant a way to get home through the strange alien archway, wherever that may be. The technology on display was nothing like Luna had ever seen. It was graceful yet oppressive, Modern yet Ancient. It was simply indescribable to the Alicorn.

‘So this is what she believes could bring her home…wherever that may be’

She listened to the conversation between the Doctor and ‚Six‘ her mind trying to draw conclusions and piece the information together in order to understand this pony. The appearance of Changelings in the dream helped the Alicorn massively in that regard. She had been actively fighting and killing them and saw no problem with these ones.

‚It must be how her subconscious perceives the individuals of this organization. They must be her version of SMILE. If so it would explain why she would see them as Changelings‘ Deduced Luna as she studied the room the pegasus was walking through. Seeing many more changelings and various pony tribes clad in strange yet similar armor to Six‘s own. ‘If the changelings were to know of this weakness then it could spell disaster.‘ Was the grim thought that came to mind.

Luna made another note of this as she kept following the Spartan to where she was standing now, her mouth agape listening to this soldier's tales of battle.

‘No, these are no mere battles. She is no normal soldier… Oh, sister, what have you brought into our home?‘ Thought the Princess of Dreams, her gaze locked onto the smiling soldier's face as she recounted the tale of her massacre of somecreatures called ‘Covies‘ and ‘Elites‘. The constructs around her were cheering and laughing along at the sheer brutality she described in dispatching something called ‘Brutes‘ as well.

Were this a thousand years ago even Luna could see herself sitting there next to her sister listening and cheering along at a battle won and enemy slain. She would be holding up a mug of the finest Ale in Canterlot, her sword by her side as she tried to outdo their tale with one of her own. But this… The death she described, the numbers she faced, the weapons they used against her, and she in-turn. Luna couldn‘t top that… and it worried her greatly.

‘Who, no… what are you?’ Was the thought that came to the forefront of her mind as her body unconsciously shifted into a deeper and more combat-orientated stance as her haze remained firmly locked on this ‚Angel of death‘ that stood before her. This was no mere pony, that much was made clear. She was… something else entirely. Something that even Luna herself didn't want to cross.

Even as one of the only three Alicorns in existence and one of the most powerful beings on the planet this pegasus was somepony to be feared and respected. And Luna was thankful she was on their side and not the changelings for if she were… may the creator help those who face her in battle.

Sensing the dream coming to an end slowly, Luna quickly left the Spartans' mind and returned back to her physical form outside the dream-realm. Opening her eyes Luna found herself standing over the sleeping form of Six as she could sense the morning approaching. Taking care to cast a silence spell to hide her presence she carefully grabbed the paper on the desk and teleported back to her room with a silent *pop*, her mission a success and her target none the wiser.

Gathering her thoughts Luna ruminated on what she had learned about this 'Six'.
So… She is looking for a way home and appears to have been brought here at the brink of death. And the way she recounted her exploits… she may not have been a pony before her arrival here…‘ She would need to inform her sister that much was clear. But when it came to what they should do about Six herself… That was a question best answered later. As for right now, however, the Princess of the Night required some doughnuts. The night may be ending but much still needs to be done before dawn.

Meanwhile back in the Spartans room, its only occupant began to stir an hour later as the Sun and moon swapped places on the horizon bathing the room in the warm orange light of Celestia's Sun causing the Spartans eyes to open slightly in response.

Blinking the sleep out of her eyes Six checked her surroundings with a hint of confusion.

‘What happened?‘ Thought the Spartan in confusion, standing up from the floor she had fallen asleep on. ‘Was it all just a dream?‘ was the thought that went through her head as she stretched the knots out of her spine hearing and feeling several satisfying pops shudder through her body.

A hint of sadness infected her mind when she looked down at the desk and found it empty signaling to her it was all a dream. Her comrades in arms were all nothing but a figment of her imagination toying with her emotions. Teasing her with a way home and the ability to fight the Covenant once again. She needed to clear her head.

Deciding a shower and then some training would do her some good, she began the slow process of removing her armor piece by piece like she had done in her dream before. Disengaging its locks through her neural interface she removed her chestpiece first. After that came the rest of her armor and before long her armor was placed down on the floor before her, every piece nicely organized. Now all that was left was to remove her black undersuit that served as the armor's base. Without it, the armor was unusable, but still highly dangerous if handled improperly.

‘Heh if they can even pick it up that is’ Thought the Spartan amused as she looked down at the removed armor pieces before her.

It was at this moment Six realized that this would be the first time she would see her new body in the flesh. Not even in her dream was she completely visible with her having chosen to keep the undersuit on.

As she slipped her last hoof out of its Titanium-alloy-crystal-lattice home she looked into a nearby mirror and saw her new self completely for the first time, save for the pair of dog tags hanging around her neck. Her body was still the same light silvery color as the fur on her face with the faint lines of various battle and surgical scars visible all across her body. Her wings followed the same color scheme but with a slight difference at her feather tips. They were colored pitch black with a gradient turning the black silver as it got closer to the feathers' base.

Two things caught her eye, however. The first most glaring one being the dark grey outline of a Spartans helmet being emblazoned on her flank. Just like the rest of the ponies she had seen around. It seems as though she had also gained what ponies called a ‘Cutie-mark‘ on her flank. She could think on that later though as the other, more prominent, feature she had taken priority.

Down on her chest were the unmistakable burn markings of an Elite‘s energy sword having stabbed her. There was no fur surrounding it leaving a double slitted patch of burned but healed skin for all to see as the long fur of her coat surrounded and highlighted the mortal injury.

Staring at the injury in the mirror Six said nothing opting to simply stand there and study it before she made a small *tsk* and looked away. Turning around Six made her way to the bathroom to clear her head. Before entering however she turned back and gave herself one last look in the mirror.

And a dead Spartan looked back at her.

Chapter 20

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

// TRANSLATION ERROR //

It was meant to be an easy fight, to be an easy war, an easy victory against the Ponies. The planning was perfect, the logistics were perfect, the implanted spies were perfect. Everything would be just as the Queen planned, and the land of Equestria would be ripe for the Great Swarm of the Empress.

This was the mentality among all the warriors under Kommandant Mobius. This would be their great Masterwork. It would be Mobius‘s ticket to the Warmaster of the entire Changeling Military. A single infantry battalion was charged with the occupation and elimination of the entire pony garrison within the region of Las Pegasus.

It was supposed to be his Masterpiece… now it has become his greatest failure. Because of that thing, that… Demon of a Pony. And now there he stood, in front of his Queen's Throne room to answer for his failure.

He checked over his uniform, once, twice, thrice. It still did him no good when it came to calming his nerves. Even after a lifetime of war, nothing would ever compare to the fear he felt whenever he came before his Queen. He could hear the commotion inside, the sound of buzzing wings and hooves against walls as most probably every square meter of wall and ceiling was occupied by curious and no doubt furious drones.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that this was a trial in all but name to Mobius. This was the biggest loss of changeling life since the massacre of the Onris Hive during the waning hours of the Civil War three years ago.

‘At least those changelings died with honor in their Hives, protecting their Queen.‘ Thought Mobius grimly. He had met the Queen of the Onris Hives on several occasions before the war. She may have even considered him a friend at one point in time. He sighed.

‘If only I could have granted them the same honor’

The commotion inside the throne room began to die down signaling to the Kommandant he was about to be called upon. His two hearts began to race as his wings buzzed against his uniform. He needed to calm down so he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

‘Rein und raus… Rein und raus…‘ he thought to himself in his native tongue as he slowed his breathing and brought his nerves under control. The door began to open and he opened his eyes once again. He steeled his gaze, put his officer’s cap upon his head, and entered the throne room.

The room was deathly silent as the Kommandant made his way before the Obsidian throne. Thousands of pairs of eyes tracked his movements as every possible surface of wall and ceiling was occupied by spectators. Then there was the throne itself. A void black marvel of changeling beauty and power. Dark green accents framed the obsidian throne as a banner of the Great Swarm hung above it. Its decal of an almost pulsing pink heart being enveloped by the Red Empress taking center stage as the two white and blue flags of the Chrysalis Hive flanked it upon the throne.

Following the dark green carpet laid out on the floor to its completion leaving Mobius to stand several meters before the obsidian Throne. Whispered chitters of drones talking among themselves soon fell silent as the presence of the Queen made itself known. Everyling could feel its presence, its pressure upon their minds as a nearby door was opened allowing her majesty to enter her throne room.

The green scars of a cracked exoskeleton illuminating her frame did nothing to settle the Kommandants nerves. Her face was curled up in a barely contained snarl as the jagged edge of a cracked fang. Then there were her eyes. One of them was covered by a black patch whilst the other was locked onto Mobius himself. It took every ounce of mental fortitude Mobius had to remain still as the pure unrepressed aura of the queen brushed up against his very soul.

The room bowed respectfully as the Queen took her throne as the banner of the Great Swarm was rolled back symbolizing that Queen Chrysalis now held the highest authority within this room. This was her court now.

‘Rise’ Commanded the Queen without making a sound.

And rise they did. Then she spoke and the Kommandant’s blood ran cold.

“Kommandant Mobius.”

He swallowed uncontrollably at the utterance of his name.

“Do you know why you are here?”

“To answer for my failure in upholding the Great Swarms Code during my attack on Las Pegasus.” Answered Mobius, straight and to the point.

“Enlighten us. What is the Great Swarms Code.”

“To Serve the Swarm, protect the Swarm and feed the Swarm.” Repeated Mobius like he had a hundred times before.

“Now tell me Kommandant… did you Serve the Swarm?”

“Yes, my Queen. Las Pegasus was captured”

“Good…Did you Feed the Swarm?”

“Yes, my Queen. The majority of the population was captured for extraction”

“Good, now…Did you Protect the Swarm?” And Mobius’s gaze fell to the floor.

“…No, my Queen.”

“That’s right. You didn’t!”

Mobius flinched back at her tone.

“There was only one Pony…“

“One!?” Yelled the Queen in rage, forcing Mobius to take a step back or be burned from the sheer power his Queens Aura now radiated.

“They call them ‘Six‘“

“Why were they not Captured with the rest of the garrison?!“ The power of her aura grew as it began to press against his own.

“They hid, as we finished driving the Ponies back. They came to us and I surrounded them with all the available warriors I had.“ Answered Mobius, trying to appease his Queen before her aura burned his mind anymore. It seemed to have worked as her aura began to recede giving him some room to breathe as he gulped deep breaths of air into his burning lungs. Queen Chrysalis did the same, albeit to a much smaller extent as she closed her eye for a moment.

“…Tell me, when you saw this Pony in their strange armor walk up to your troops were you Dumbstruck?“ Asked Queen Crysalis her voice and aura devoid of the previous anger.

“Dumbstruck?“ Questioned the panting Mobius.

“Paralyzed, shocked?“

“No, my Queen“ Answered Mobius as he got his breathing back under control.

“And yet they were able to avoid capture and kill hundreds of your Brothers, of my Children! You allowed Changeling blood to be desecrated upon Pony Ground!“ Exploded the Queen once again forcing the air from Mobius’s lungs once again as her aura magnified tenfold.

“My Queen, surely you must understand that this Pony…“ Answered Mobius frantically as his mind began to burn under her power. The court broke out in outrage at his answer. Their combined mental anger pushed against Mobius’s mind even more as he steeled his hooves to remain standing under the mental barrage.

“There will be order in this court!“ Shouted a Praetorian

“You were right to be worried about this pony this…’Six‘…but why were you not cautious when it came wandering up to your forces? Surely their emotions must have tipped you off to their intentions?!“ Questioned the Queen again.

“My Queen, by the time I realized the danger this Pony posed… There was nothing I could do...“ Responded Mobius, his eyes downturned and voice tainted with failure.

The Queen closed her eye and her aura began to weaken and take on a red hue. Its pressure against Mobius’s mind lessened once again as he got his breathing under control once again.

“You are one of my most treasured Kommandants, long have you lead your forces with honor and distinction. Without you, I doubt we would have survived the unification wars. But your inability to safeguard your warrior’s lives and uphold the Swarms core tenants is an unacceptable failure.“ Judged the Queen her demeanor much calmer now as her Aura took on a much more reddish hue.

An outroar erupts among the gathered changeling spectators.

“No! It was Treason!“ Came a shout from the walls, further increasing the anger of the gathered Changelings.

“…I will continue my efforts against the Ponies.“ Responded Mobius as his gaze moved to the two Praetorians now flanking him.

“No, you will not. Soon the Great Swarm will wake, and when it does, the weight of your treachery will bury you beneath it. But until that time arrives... you can still serve the Empress” She looked to a pair of her praetorian guard. “Take him to the hall of Vendratis. I will join you there shortly.”

Mobius’s hearts stopped at the decision of his fate. He didn’t resist as the praetorians pushed him back the way he came, the heckling of the spectating drones was but a buzz in his ears as he left the throne room. For everyling knew the fate that awaited those appointed as Venators among the Great Swarm.

Author's Note

I am going to have so much fun with my Mobius.

// PROCESSING //

The halls of Vendratis, a sacred place among the Hives of old. It was where the first traitor Vendratis redeemed himself by saving the Empress in Red at the cost of his own life. It was the only place considered to be sacred ground during the civil war, where no changeling blood was ever to be split. It was here where the final surrender was ratified and the war came to an end when the last Venator Xarix gave his life to save both sides from a sudden dragon attack.

It is an ancient position. One that has been held by many a traitor for hundreds of years. Its mission was simple: To uphold the Swarms Code, no matter the cost. The position was equally respected as it was feared, honorable yet shameful. A Venators duty only ends in death. Such was the main thought that went through Mobius’s head as he was brought before the blood-red doors of the Halls.

The upside-down heart, the symbol of the Venator, was emblazoned all across the large pair of doors as the names of previous Venators were imprinted on each and every heart with the details of their death described beneath them. His gaze jumping from heart to heart he managed to find the heart of Xarix.

He had met the Venator several times before during the war. He was… quiet to say the least. He only spoke when required to and only if what he said was substantial enough to be useful to him and his fellow Kommandants. Mobius himself didn't know all the details when it came to why he was made Venator as he was away at the northern front.

From what he could discover though Xarix had been hoarding his love rations for his own personal stash, breaking the 3rd Tennant of the Swarms Code. He used to be a member of her majesty's praetorians, earning him the opportunity to become a Venator to pay for his crimes.

He was a terror on the battlefield whenever Mobius caught a glimpse of him during the war. He threw himself at the enemy’s lines, with no regard for his own life. He was the Venator and nothing would prevent him from completing his penance to the Swarm. And now… now it would be Mobius to carry the mantle for as long as he lived.

The door to the halls crept open allowing the trio inside its sacred walls. The walls were a bloody red as statues of the Empress stuck out above them. Adorning the blood red walls were several ancient and bloodied weapons put on display as a painting of a battlefield stood above it. The weapon on the wall taking a prominent role in the artworks above it. A large golden upside-down heart stood in the center of the room, the silhouette of an armor stand visible before it. To its right stood the caretaker of the halls, the red glow emanating from their eyes boring into Mobius’s soul as they watched the newest Venator approach.

Queen Chrysalis soon entered from Mobius’s left as she took up position next to the ancient armor sitting before Mobius. Its color was an abyssal black, dark green splotches adorned its surface as a single red one was visible upon the armor's helmet.

The Queen looked towards the caretaker and nodded. Then she looked towards the praetorians flanking Mobius and motioned for them to leave. They did so reluctantly with the pair bowing and leaving without another word. Meanwhile, Mobius’s eyes were watching the caretaker of the halls move behind the large heart and re-emerged with a dagger in one hand and a tome in the other.

“Kommandant Mobius of the Xeraxis Hive.” Spoke the Queen drawing his attention away from the caretaker. “You have been granted the opportunity to find redemption in service to the Red Empress as her Venator.” She moved to the side, allowing the caretaker to step forward before the Queen spoke once again.

“Now you must choose. Take the tome and die now as a traitor to the Empress. Or take the blade and seek redemption as her next Venator. Mobius of the Xeraxis Hive, make your choice now.”

Mobius’s gaze flipped from his Queen to the Caretaker and then the objects they held. His mind was a whirlwind as he looked at the objects before him. Before suddenly a serene calmness overtook him as something powerful grazed against his mind. His vision began to tint slightly red around the edges when he looked towards the dagger.

‘Take it’

His mind heard from the dagger before him.

‘Become the instrument of my will’

His Empress whispered in his ear. Its power was strong, its emotions serene, its will impossible to comprehend. He couldn’t think, he couldn’t speak! But now he knows what he must do.

He grabbed the dagger as the redness faded and the presence receded. “What must I do?” Asked the Venator towards his Queen.

“ Spill your blood against the Armor and repeat after me to complete the ritual.” Answered Chrysalis, moving to the opposite side of the armor stand.

Mobius nodded resolutely as he raised his front hooves above the armor and deftly cut his empty hoof, spilling his green blood upon the armor below.

“I Mobius of the Xeraxis Hive do solemnly swear.” Began the Queen with Mobius swiftly repeating. “To pledge my life to the Empress as penance for my crimes.” Continued the Queen, Mobius repeating as the armor below him began to glow slightly. “I shall become her next Venator and enact her will until death redeems me from Damnation.” The Armor began to shake slightly as Mobius repeated his Queen's words. “I am now no longer Kommandant Mobius of the Xeraxis Hive. I shall now be known as Venator Mobius of the Red Empress.”

At the bleeding changeling utterance of the final verse, the armor below him suddenly sprang up towards its new Venator. The military dress uniform was thrown aside as the armor found its new home. It crawled along Mobius’s Carapace as its shell fastened itself against his Kitin. A strong burning sensation instantly erupted all across Mobius’s chitin causing him to drop to the floor, yelling in pain as the armor finished its work.

Its seemingly living metal burned into his chitin, fastening it permanently against his body. The changeling panted in exhaustion as he shakily stood back up onto his holed hooves, a slight billowing of smoke rose from the edges of the armor as the last of its body burned itself into his chitin. His hearts were racing as he began to look over his newly armored body.

Most of his previously exposed carapace was now covered by the armor with his wings visible being given two small slits to hang out of. His hooves had suffered the same fate as very little of his hooves were now exposed to the outside world. Mobius could even feel the metal within the holes that covered his hooves. Finally, there came his chest that was also covered. However, just below his neck was a large area of exposed Chitin shaped in the form of an upside-down heart.

His head was also covered by the armor whilst his face was free of the living metal covering the rest of his skin.

“Rise Venator Mobius. Until the day the Empress comes for you, that armor shall remain affixed to you. Removal is impossible, but it will serve you well as it has many a Venator before you.” The Queen looked to the side, grabbing a sword and shield that appeared to be made of the same material as the armor. “ You are the Empress's sword as you are the Swarm's shield.” Finished the Queen, handing the weapons to Mobius.

He grabbed them carefully as they were suddenly connected to his armor and moved across his body to be sheathed against his wings. Mobius watched as his weapons moved to their own across his body before he looked back towards his Queen, a red fire behind his eyes.

“What would you have your Venator do, my Queen?”

And a predatory smile overtook her face.

“I believe some of my children need to be avenged. Don’t you think so too, my Venator?”

Author's Note

Next chapter we return back to Six.

Make sure to comment!

Chapter 23

I've got to say… I’m Impressed

Was the first thought that came to Six’s mind as she looked over the 5 guards that had survived her training. They were panting, beaten, and battered. Their coats were drenched in sweat and they most certainly hurt like hell. But out of the 20 that had decided to take part. These 5 had remained whilst the rest had left, deaming her training impossible. Well, they weren't exactly wrong in the eyes of Six. This routine was meant for the genetically enhanced Spartans, any normal human would have collapsed long ago. But these five guards had done it.

Six stood before the five of them, each looking like their hooves were about to give out from underneath them. Six herself was also breathing deeply, the rush of a good exercise flowing through her neurons.

“I’m impressed.” Said the Spartan out loud grabbing the attention of the exhausted guards before her. “ The exercise you just took part in was considered impossible for any normal soldier to complete. Hmm… Captain Armor, a word if you please?” She called out to her side, grabbing the attention of the Captain in Question as he made his way towards the Spartan.

“What do you need, Six?”

“Captain, these five ponies have completed what was considered impossible for any non-Spartans back where I was trained. These guards have the talent the others do not possess. A talent that shouldn’t be ignored. If applicable, I would like these ponies to be reassigned for further training under myself.” Presented Six towards the Captain.

He stood in thought as he looked towards his exhausted guards. He stared at their battered but determined forms before speaking.

“Stallions. It seems as though you’ve impressed our guests here. So much so that she has asked for you to be reassigned under her for further training. She sees something in you that the others did not possess. I am inclined to agree after witnessing your performance. If you wish to be reassigned under Six steps forward. If not, you are dismissed.”

The guards before them were surprised, to say the least at their Captain's words and what the Spartan saw in them. Until three of the guards stepped forward simultaneously on shaky hooves. The 4th had decided it was simply too much for them as they walked away shakily towards the guards’ barracks. Finally, there was the fifth one, his eyes closed in deep thought until he had made his decision.

With barely restrained effort the guard stepped forward.

“What are your names, soldiers?” Asked the Spartan as she eyed the four of them, they seemed familiar to the Spartan but she couldn’t quite place it.

“What?… Don’t recognize us, buddy?” Came the unmistakable voice Pixy. Getting a genuine look of surprise from the usually stoic Spartan.

“You leave for a day and we’re already forgotten? Heh and I thought Pixy was forgetful” Continued Sparrow with a chuckle and mock disappointment as he got his breathing under control.

“Hey!” Exclaimed Pixy as she bumped her shoulder against Sparrows.

“Enough out of you two.” Came the voice of Spear as he scolded the two bickering guards before looking back towards Six “Staff Sergeant Spear, Private Pixy and Private Sparrow reporting for duty”

“Corporal Spirit r-reporting in.” Came the final, distinctly female, voice making up the quartette of exhausted guards.

“Well then Captain. I believe I have myself some initiates.” Began Six with a smirk as she eyed the four of them.

“It seems like you do. Staff Sergeant Spear I take it you're in command of these two privates?”

“Yes Sir, we had requested transfer from the Las Pegasus Battalion and arrived this morning. My Colonel approved the transfer personally.”

“I see… Corporal Spirit, I shall speak to your C.O in regards to your reassignment and finally Six.” He said turning towards the Spartan in Question. “ I will need to inform the Princesses of these changes but you have my full support in this matter. You're one tough soldier, and we need more ponies like you. I shall inform you later on what the princesses' views on this are. Until then, continue however you see fit and give me daily reports.” He turned back towards the now less exhausted guards.

“Until I say so otherwise, Six will be your new C.O. You shall follow her orders and report any problems that she cannot deal with to me.”

“Sir, yes, sir!” Came the confirmation from the guards before him

“Good. I must take my leave now. Six, I leave these four in your hooves.” And with that, the Captain walked away towards the castle, his form disappearing behind a large pair of double doors. Six watched the Captain leave before returning her attention to her newest underlings, a tiny predatory smile appearing on her face.

“Spear, Sparrow, Pixy it's good to see you again.” Pixy looked like she was about to respond before Six cut her off by stamping her hood against the ground.

“Now!” Exclaimed Six putting on her best drill-instructor voice as she began moving from side to side. “Just because we have fought together won’t mean I will be easy on you. Just because I see something in you doesn’t mean you are infallible. You chose to stay here and thus you are my initiates from now on. You will be drilled, you will be tested and you will be pushed to your absolute limits.

“You will fall, you will be punished but you will get back up! If at any point I see any of you give up, you're out. You will be reassigned back to your previous squads and that will be that. Only the most determined of soldiers will make it through my training. So tell me, soldiers, are you ready to become Spartans?!”

“Sir, yes, sir!”

“Then move it, you’ve gotten enough rest! Give me another 10km around the field!”

Shouted the Spartan, briefly rearing up on her hind legs to slam her hooves into the ground. Her initiates didn’t need to be told twice before they were off again, the predatory Spartan chasing them the whole way round.

Deep in the castle, however, something else was afoot as the Princess of the Night recited her findings of the previous night to her sister and niece. Her sister was currently staring wide-eyed at Luna whilst Cadence was looking a little green as she listened to what Princess of the Dreams had to share.

“Luna that… this cannot possibly be true. No… None of my ponies could ever be capable of this… this butchery!”

“I’m going to be sick.” Added Cadence as her face turned ever-more green as her brain processed the mental images of such death and destruction.

“I’m afraid it's true. This all came from her mouth. Sister this Six is quite possibly the most dangerous pegasus to ever exist in Equestrian history, not even Commander Hurricane was as deadly as her. Without her Armor, she is significantly weakened yes… but still incredibly dangerous even without her protection. We should be thankful she is on our side and has decided to provide us with her support for she is far worse to have as our enemy.

“W-we need to get the Elements. She must be contai-!“ Was the kneejerk reaction of Celestia as her protective instincts were suddenly turned up to eleven.

“Calm down Sister. Take a deep breath and calm down. I know it must be hard knowing one of your little ponies could be so dangerous but calm down and think this through rationally. She is dangerous, yes… but she is on our side, for now at least. She may be one of your ponies but she is not from this planet. Her Dream revealed that much as well as the fact she may not have been a pony before her arrival here.”

“Then let's send her home and throw away the key to the door! From what you said she would be happy back there with her people k-k-killing those things!” Interjected Cadence

“That would be the prudent course of action.” Then Luna sighed. “But we do not know where we would even send her. Our magic is powerful but not *that* powerful. She is part of a galaxy-spanning war. I would have noticed if there were any such conflicts in my stars. Wherever her battlefield lies, it is not within my reach. And that doesn't even account for how she ended up here in the first place. She believes she has died and been reincarnated here in Equestria.”

“That is her belief in her coming here?”

“It is not her belief, sister. That is how she got here. I watched the memory. I saw the moment of her ‘Death’. I heard her own recounting of the event. She is here and it is going to stay that way.”

A moment of Silence permeated the room as Alicorn of the Sun and Love digested that information.

“Then what do you suggest we do Luna?” Asked Celestia, breaking the silence.

“She is helping us now, but it is rocky at best. Her loyalties are to the UNSC as she calls it, not us. I do agree that we should grab the Elements. Having them meet Six under the guise of her handlers. Let Twilight and her friends make their judgment whether Six is to be contained or not. Until then she is a valuable asset for us to use until the changeling threat is neutralized.” Reasoned the Lunar Princess.

“Yes, that is a good Idea Luna. Having Twilight and her friends interact with her is the best course of action for now. I trust Twilight's judgment when it comes to who is friend and who is foe.” Agreed Celestia.

“But what if Six decides to hurt Twilight!” Interjected Cadence once again. “ She is a monster who has already killed hundreds if not thousands! What says she won’t just kill Twilight if she is threatened?!” Her voice was frantic and full of fear.

“Cadence, Six is a soldier through and through. When she first arrived in Las Pegasus as the changelings launched their assault she helped save a librarian named Lily. When she was asked about Six she responded that she comforted the librarian whilst she was panicking. She is not the type of pony to kill without reason. Twilight will be quite fine, I promise you.” Luna’s tone was one of understanding and reassurance towards the frightened pink Alicorn.

“I still don’t like it…”

“Nopony here is completely in favor of either Cadence. But it is our only option that does not involve the sudden containment of a pony, that is, voluntarily I might add, assisting us. We have offered her no compensation, nor did she ask for any and yet she is still here.” Continued Luna.

“Deep down I can feel that she is a good pony beneath her ‘Spartan’ exterior.” Added Celestia hoping to ease Cadence's fears.

“What does that mean anyway Luna? Were you able to find out just why she calls herself a ‘Spartan’? Or why does she prefer to be called ‘Six’ instead of her actual name?” At Cadence's Question, Luna’s face fell, this did not go unnoticed by the royal pair as their faces morphed into one of worry and compassion.

“What's wrong Luna?” Questioned Celestia worriedly.

“Nay tis just… it's just your Question. From what I could get a Spartan is… Sister, Cadence you are familiar with the term ‘Super Soldier’ are you not?”

“Naturally.” Answered Celestia

“I can guess what it means. Are you suggesting that ‘Six’ is such a soldier?” Questioned Cadence

“She is. That is what a Spartan is, she was… she believes she volunteered for it, but her memory of it is… strange to say the least. Anyway, that is not the point, what is concerning is that she has been groomed from a young age to be the perfect soldier, a Spartan.”

“By my Sun... Do you know how old she was?”

“Nay I couldn't risk burrowing deeper into her memories lest I risk alerting her to my presence. Spell or no, the invasive magic would tip her off to my snooping. But she was young, very young that's for sure.” Answered Luna, her tone serious.

“They must have truly been desperate to resort to such measures...” Continued Celestia almost breathlessly.

“Yes, this ‘Covenant’ Six has been fighting. It is a losing war for her people. They are indeed desperate because this ‘Covenant’ wants to exterminate her entire race.” Answered Luna darkly, the mood of the room instantly becoming colder.

“W-what?” Questioned Cadence, a horrified look upon her face. A look that Celestia shared.

“Not even the griffons a thousand years ago wanted to exterminate us during their war, and they wanted to eat us!” Added Celestia appalled.

“That is the reason why she became a Spartan. The last hope against a genocidal enemy. And now she is here, helping us fight our enemy as that is all she’s ever known.” Continued Luna, her face drooping as silence descended upon the room

“Well, then it is decided. I shall send for Twilight and her friends. If anypony can handle Six it will be the Elements. They will see if Six needs to be contained.” Decided Celestia, getting a nod from Luna. Cadence meanwhile looked catatonic, her mouth opening and closing like a fish.

“Cadence, do you have any objections?” Asked Celestia, knocking Cadence out of her state

“N-no I...I need to go hug my Shiney...I-If you would excuse me” Stuttered an obviously agitated Cadence as she got up and limped her way out of the room.

The sound of the door being shut was immediately followed by a silence descending upon the room's inhabitants. A silence that was shortly broken by the sound of Luna sighing loudly.

“You really know how to pick ‘em, don’t you sister”

“I know.” Answered Celestia, her gaze moving towards a window that overlooked the guards’ courtyard below. The shouting of the Spartan in question was quietly audible through the glass. “It's just one of my talents…”

Author's Note

This was all done today... My power is growing rapidly.

Will this be the start of something great?
I have no idea!

Make sure to comment! If there would be a price for reading this chapter it would be one comment.

Lova ya :heart:

Chapter 24

“Alright, that's enough for now.” Ordered Six towards the now even further exhausted guards before her. The guards in question promptly fell to the ground before her as their hooves gave out underneath them.

“Oh…thank…Celestia” Panted out an exhausted Pixy.

“You can…say that….again.”

“Yep…”

“I can’t… feel my…hooves”

“You're dismissed, for the time being, go get some rest. Meet me here tomorrow at 0500 Hours in full gear, do not be late.” Ordered Six as a chorus of weak ‘Yes sir's' gave their affirmative. Six nodded towards the quartette as she went to equip her helmet to check the time.

1300 hours huh… well time flies when you’re doing PT, so… What to do now?

Was the big Question on Six’s mind. She had worked her trainees to the bone, anymore exercises were out of the window for them without it risking their physical health. Perhaps she could keep going on by herself?

“I see you have already started breaking my guard.” Came the familiar voice of Princess Celestia, the extremely threatening kitten.

“They volunteered for it, Ma’am. They knew what they were getting into when they decided to train under a Spartan”

“Yes… Captain Armor has informed me of their newest assignment. Is this how you were trained?”

“No.”

“Really? How wer-“

“Classified. Don’t even bother asking.”

“Can’t an old Mare have a little small talk with their newest guest?”

“I’m not your guest. I’m your asset.”

“Well then. Would my ‘asset’ care to join me for some Lunch with my sister? We have some things we would like to discuss with you."

“…Alright.”

“Splendid! Follow me then.”

Six motioned with her hoof for Celestia to lead the way. Celestia did so as the pair made their way back inside the castle. The trip through the winding corridors and hallways was a quiet one as every attempt of small talk was shot down by the Spartan with the classic answer of ‘Classified’ or just a simple ‘no’ when it came to a certain subject manner.

It was starting to annoy the Spartan slightly as the door to the dining room came into view. ‘*Finally*’ The Spartan thought, the sight of it making her glad that the talking kittens' attempts to talk would stop. In there, there would be business to discuss, the business of war... her specialty.

A short walk later during a silence Celestia found quite uncomfortable the pair had made it to the castle's dining room. The very same room, Six realized she had first met Celestia in. The Princess in question lit her horn and opened the door for them both.

It was the same dining room from before with a tall extravagant ceiling, a long ornate table, and several very expensive-looking purple curtains framing the windows. But that meant nothing to the Spartan, what truly caught her eye was dark-blue Alicorn staring at her warily.

*That must be her sister…Luna I think…huh*

Her gaze flipped between the large kitten wearing a crown and Princess Luna before she chuckled to herself.

*At least the theme is consistent… I wonder if the same goes for their personalities?*

The lunar Alicorn in question stood up from their seat and trotted over to her sister and the Spartan, her gaze still firmly locked onto Six’s own.

“Greeting Sister, Six, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Princess Luna Co-Ruler of Equestria, and I must say it is strange to be eye to eye with another pony in my current form.” Greeted the Lunar Princess with a smile as she presented her hoof

“I know the feeling.” Answered Six with her own small smile as she shook the offered hoof in greeting

“Now come, join us for some tea, we have much to discuss regarding your future working with us.” Began Luna politely

The three of them soon took a place at the long ornate table as a nearby servant set out some cups. The Princesses took theirs with a smile, Six did the same with several small nods as a cup of tea was put before her.

“I have heard much about you Six” Began Luna as her magic surrounded her own teacup. “Both from my sister and quite literally. I take it you have already taken a liking to several of our guards?”

“You could say that. They have what the others there didn’t.”

“Yes… what would that be if I may ask?” Interjected Celestia with a curious look and a sip of her tea.

“Drive.” Answered Six as she also took an experimental Sip from her own cup, prepared to spit it out should it be laced with something. “Determination… Luck.” After several seconds and her body not screaming out that something was wrong, Six took another, larger sip. “The traits of a Spartan.”

“I see.” Began Luna as she looked down into her cup. “I take it the training you're subjecting them to is the same you went through?”

“Nowhere near close to my level.”

“Very well… what is ‘your level’ then?” Questioned Luna

“We are getting close to Classified Territory Princess. I believe we had something else to discuss Princess so cut to the chase.”

“I’m sorry I simply wish t-“ Answered Luna before being cut off

“Yes, know me better. Don’t bother. You are at war and war is my specialty. So tell me what am I dealing with and where am I headed. I am a Soldier, a Spartan, not a Diplomat. I do not do small talk.” Responded the Spartan forcefully as a silence descended upon the trio.

Luna glared, a frown on her lips, at the Spartan for having the gall to interrupt her. When Luna next spoke, gone was her friendly demeanor as it was replaced with a cold authority devoid of any friendliness. “Then so be it. Our enemies are known as ‘Changelings’ a race of insectile emotionvores. Several days ago their queen led a surprise attack during the wedding of our niece Princess Cadence. They had also launched multiple smaller attacks all across Equestria, like the one you participated in Las Pegasus.”

“We were, however, able to defeat their Queen, forcing their full retreat from Equestria. Save from the occasional skirmish with disorganized forces yet to leave our lands, we have no idea where their main Hive is located.“

“Asymmetrical Warfare… I have dealt with this before. Luckily for the two of you, I’m *extremely* well versed in this doctrine of conflict. But with the way you're describing their recent actions… More intelligence is needed before I can make a plan.” Spoke the Spartan, deep in thought.

“Yes… without more information, the only thing we can do is put the guard on high alert and start searching for any disguised Changelings” Added Celestia as she took another sip.

“Disguised?” Question Six with a slightly tilted head.

“You do not know of their shapeshifting ability?” Responded Luna mimicking the Spartans expression

“No. So what exactly am I fighting? What biological advantages do they possess?”

“Of that, we are not completely certain. They are a secretive race that we had thought to have gone extinct during our reign 1000 years ago. But what we do know is that they can fly like a Pegasus and use magic like a unicorn. They feed on emotions with love being the most potent and their preferred food and energy source. Changelings have the innate ability to disguise themselves as anypony they wish, the true extent of this ability is still unknown to us.”

“How good are these disguises?”

“Nigh perfect, we are currently researching a way to detect such hidden changelings but the process is slow.”

“Great… just great… Well, is there anything else I should know?” Responded the Spartan with the slight annoyance of not having been told of this sooner.

“In regards to the current state of conflict no. Your authority among the Guard itself however will need to be discussed. Due to your…*unique* nature. I feel it may be best that you take your orders from us directly. In regards to who you yourself may order around, I will leave that to Captain Armor to decide.”

“I can live with that”

“Good. We will also be assigning a mare known as Twilight Sparkle to you in the coming days to act as our representative. You would take any order from her as an order from us. Understood?” Questioned Celestia, her serious tone sounding strange to the Spartan's ears.

“Crystal. But how am I to know who she says she is, and not a changeling in disguise?”

“You do not need to worry about that, if she were to be replaced we would know far before she ever made it close to something important.”

“Good, because I’m not babysitting. My trainees can do that.”

“What are you planning to do with them anyway? Are you planning on taking those trainees under your command once they're finished with whatever training you're giving them?” Questioned Celestia curiously.

“Maybe…But I will make them as close to Spartans as can be” Responded Six, her gaze briefly locked onto her own reflection staring back at her from her tea.

“…hmm. What should we expect from them once you have concluded their training?“ Came the query from the Lunar Alicorn, her demeanor now one of interest

“If they all make it through, you’ll have four elite soldiers far superior to anything else in your guard.” Responded the Spartan casually.

“Is that a challenge?” Answered Luna playfully.

“No, it is a fact. Their training, physical characteristics, and psychological mindsets will far outclass anything else in the Guard from what I have seen.” Luna’s grin only grew at the Spartans' answer.

“Do you wish to prove that theory?”

“...What are you getting at?” Responded Six curiously.

“Let us propose something then, Six. How about a test…a game between your trainees and our best guardsman as their final exam? You say they will be better than anything we have would you like to… oh how do they put it, sister…’Put your bits where your mouth is?’” Proposed Luna, her face so smug one might mistake it for that of a cat.

In response, a predatory grin began to spread across the Spartan's face at the smug cat's challenge.

“That is much better than what I had in mind for their final test”

“And what would that have been Six?” Questioned Celestia as Six took another long sip from her tea before pulling away and answering as casually as one would discuss the weather.

“A mock assassination attempt on your lives.”

Author's Note

This chapter took longer than usual as I had to axe a large chunk of it whilst it was still in development as it was just...terrible.

Anyway, leave a comment! Join the Discord! Tell me how I fucked up and what I can do to fix it. Till next time!

Love you~

// TRANSMISSION INTERCEPTED //

The screech of metal cutting metal filled the otherwise silent air the Chamber of the Venator was known for as Mobius cut his opponent's shield in twain, knocking the caretaker of the hall to the ground. Mobius sheathed his sword with his armor moving it back across his back as he reached down to offer the caretaker a helping hoof. He accepted it with a silent grunt and wordless pantings of exhaustion.

*Never in all my cycles, have I had the honor of training a Venator such as yourself*

Came the voice of the silent caretaker within Mobius’s aura.

*The connection between you and the Panssari of the Empress is quite impressive for having only just been linked to it*

“Is this not what my predecessors felt after their joining?”

*No… The Empress must be smiling upon you*

“If she were then I wouldn’t be here. So then why is she blessing me now? I broke her code… I do not deserve her favor.”

*The answers you seek are known only to the Empress…* A mental chuckle reverberated through Mobius’s mind as the caretaker smiled in silent amusement. *You are not the first to ask this question. I remember Xarix asking the same thing when the strength of his connection with the Panssari was discovered.*

“Did he find his answers?”

*I cannot speak for your predecessor… But his aura was a sight to behold during his prayers. I dare say the Empress herself was attempting to speak with him… but that may just be my overactive imagination. It was nothing like the Queen's aura when the Empress speaks to her… Anyway, after that prayer, he held himself differently and when asked, he said his prayers had been answered*

“What was the answer?”

*He never said. Only the Empress will give you the answer you seek. Now let us conclude our training for today. It is almost time for the evening prayer, maybe you will find the answer you seek just as Xarix did. Now enough speaking, I need my energy for the Ceremony.*

“Ceremony?”

*A new Caretaker is to be initiated tonight, it is my duty to perform their initiation so that they may take over when I am with the Empress. Would you like to observe the Ceremony, Venator? It truly is something special to behold.*

“If my presence doesn't hinder its proceedings. I would be honored too.”

*Splendid I will send another to fetch you before the Ceremony.*

“If I may ask… Do I perhaps know this initiate?”

*I doubt it… he was never strong enough to be initiated into the warrior caste.*

“Really?”

*Yes now enough Questions, this much speaking is taking its toll. Venator, I shall see you at the Ceremony. May the Empress be with you.*

With that final thought, the slightly battered Caretaker of the Halls left to prepare, leaving Mobius in Silence as he now wandered what was technically his halls now as its Venator. His gaze wandered back to the many paintings of his predecessors lining the walls. All of them were traitors of the highest degree and yet they were praised as heroes. Those the Empress had deemed worthy of Redemption. Those worthy of her Love.

Would he get a painting for his death? Wondered Mobius. Would he prove himself worthy of such a work of art? He looked down at the armor that now acted as his new defacto exoskeleton. Its surface shimmered with a wave up his foreleg as the Panssari reacted to his thoughts.

It was a strange thing, the Panssari of the Venators. A Powerful weapon that carried a heavy price to those who wore it, as Mobius knew from his own ritual binding it to him. He focused his gaze as he watched its surface ripple and move in response. Its void-like surface shone back at him almost hypnotically. The Green Splotches of where his predecessors spilled their blood reminded him of how many had worn the Panssari before him.

His gaze moved skywards as he looked towards the redness covering his helmet. Some say it is where Venatrix’s blood was first split upon the Panssari. Sealing the pact of the first Venator. Others say it is the blood of the Empress herself from the wound Venatrix could not prevent. But whatever its origins were all Mobius could do was stare at it as if it were an oasis in a sea of sand.

His mind became blank, time held no meaning anymore. His mind was gone, his speech was mute and his aura was silenced as something smothered it. A sound, a Voice a whisper was heard.

*V_____ _s _h__ y__*

He blinked, and he was looking at his foreleg once again. Confusion began to set in as a headache made itself known behind his red-stained helmet.

“Was…Was ist gerade passiert?”

Questioned Mobius out loud in his native tongue, his hoof moving up to rub his now aching temples. He could have sworn he had just felt someling brush against his aura. And yet he could not remember who. He shook his head to clear his mind.

“Hmph, probably some nymph nearby connecting for the first time.” Reasoned Mobius as he stood back up. It was not uncommon for such whispers to be heard when close to the young of the Hive. He brought his hoof back up against his pounding head as he grumbled to himself.

“Damn nannies must have forgotten to repower the seals. By the Empress just who trains those damned drones.”

The pain began to slowly recede as he walked through the halls towards its exit. He had some time to kill and he had done enough training for today. He pushed the doors to the halls aside and stepped into the tunnels that spanned the entirety of their domain.

He didn't need to look at their aura’s to just feel the word *Traitor* bring directed at him from the two guards flanking the entrance to the Halls. He paid it no mind, or at least as much as he could as it reminded him of just how he ended up down there. How he ended up wearing the Panssari and the title of Venator.

He looked down the tunnels to his left and right, their almost unending length completely devoid of any other drones as he could peer into the endless darkness the tunnels of the grand Hive possessed. If it weren't for Mobius having spent his whole life down in these tunnels, navigation would almost certainly be impossible.

It didn't take the Venator long to find his way up the walls and across the various ceilings the tunnels contained to make it into the grand atrium of the Grand Hive of the Swarm.

It truly was a sight to behold for any Changeling, even those that have spent their entire lives walking its streets. Its size was comparable to that of Canterlot itself with the superstructure of the city being contained within a massive underground cavern. In the Center, standing far above all structures was the palace of the Empress.

The Place where all the Queens met, and it was where the Empress herself first declared the formation of the great Swarm a millennia ago. Its Blood-red colored spire extends all the way up towards the roof of the cavern where the City of Queens was built. A separate hanging city built specifically for the many Under-Queens of the Hive. If one were lucky, a drone might even perhaps catch a glimpse of one of their Under-Queens overlooking the city.

Its sight was as breathtaking as ever to the Venator as he began to wander the streets of the city below. The many civilians that were minding their business gave the Venator a wide berth as he walked among them. Their aura’s screaming ‘traitor’, ‘failure’, and ‘brother-killer’ at Mobius were all drowned out as the shame it was meant to bring him only fed his determination and stride as he saw his destination.

The headquarters of VOPS, the ever-vigilant eye of the Queens, and the place Mobius had many dealings with before his audience with the Queen and his trip to the Halls. The building stood in stark contrast to its surroundings with its strong, almost oppressive, black rectangular design compared to the circular and more spiral greenish architecture around it.

Drones in and out of Uniform were wandering throughout the streets surrounding it with many entering and many more leaving as not a single civilian worker dared go anywhere near this imposing structure.

He entered the Building without much fuss as everyling around him was either too invested in their conversations, work and or they just simply didn't care much for the Venator walking among them. The distinct sound of buzzing wings and documents being shuffled or written on permeated throughout the whole of the building's lobby. Even the very energy of the building itself was ablaze with activity as auras blazed, shrunk, pulsed and communicated with one another as one large interconnected system.

It was not unlike the system he and his troops had used for nonverbal communication, albeit not as complicated as the system VOPS was using here. Making his way through the building he made his way past the civilian sector and into the military one, well more specifically the office of one Agent Curxe.

“Hallo? Curxe, you in?” Began Mobius cautiously as he peeked into the office

“Mobius!” A shout came from inside. “Old friend, come in, come in!”

Mobius did so and was met with the smiling face of Curxe looking at him from behind his desk. The Venator smiled in turn as he entered fully before closing the door behind him. The Old changeling hadn’t changed one bit from when they had first met during the Civil war. He still wore the same tattered officer’s cap he had stumbled across on the battlefield all that time ago and refused to take off for any reason, nor tell anyling who it had previously belonged to.

His left eye was a dark green whilst his right remained a light blue with a large crack in the membrane visible in its pale blue glow. The remnant of an old injury that left him blind in his left eye and almost his right as well. His smile was still as obnoxious and as infectious as ever to the Venator as he began to speak.

“So mein Freund, what can I do for you today?”

“You're... not gonna call me a traitor?” Was the first question that came to Mobius’s worried mind.

Curxe just laughed at the worried Venator.

“Nein nein. You think just because the Queen says you're a traitor and puts you in that armor I’m going to do the same? Ha! Do you think so little of me that I would turn my back on my savior just like that? Don’t make me laugh!”

Mobius joined in with his own laugh this time.

“I'm your savior now?”

“Of course, Mobius, of course! Do you think saving my life during the battle for the grand Hive meant nothing? HA, the Queen must have done more of a number on you than I thought. Anyway enough catching up with your old pal, with your new position I doubt this was purely a social call.”

“As much as I wish it was, no… How are my Ribbons doing Curxe?” Questioned Mobius, his tone as serious as anytime the fate of his beautiful Ribbons was at stake.

“Pretty good actually. They naturally didn’t take kindly to your current situation, but that's the thing. They are angrier at the Queen for taking you away from them!”

“...Was?”

“I know! Just what did you do to these drones Mobius? They honestly don’t blame you for what happened in Las Pegasus. They aren't particularly happy either but it's not directed at you.”

“Well… I was not expecting that. What's going to happen to them anyway? Who is my replacement going to be?”

“Yeah see that's the thing. By the Empress, they will not accept anyling else to lead them. They said, and I quote: ‘The Ribbons without Mobius are no Ribbons at all’. Hah, they're as loyal to you as they are the Empress herself.” Exclaimed Curxe as he leaned back into his chair. “Just as stubborn as well”

“I’m flattered but... they need a Kommandant if they are to return to active duty.”

“Hmmm…” Curxe’s gaze began to dart around the room before he lit his horn in a green glow and surrounded the two of them in a bubble of green magic. “Okay so I’m not supposed to be telling you this but you deserve to know.”

“What is it?”

“The Queen herself has taken an interest in your troops. More than that I do not know. But I do suggest you talk to them sooner rather than later before the Queen takes any action.”

“Okay...thank you for telling me Curxe.”

“Anytime, now remember you didn’t hear this from me, in fact, you didn't hear this at all.”

“What were you talking about?” Responded Mobius with a slight grin.

“Good.” He displayed the shield with a wave of his horn. “Now! Is there anything else your old friend can do for you?”

“Yes. What intel have you managed to uncover on the Pony known as ‘Six’?”

“Ah her… She is the puzzle of the decade here in my department.” Curxe began digging around in one of the filing cabinets behind him. “Short answer: We got nothing. Long answer: We have so very little it's basically nothing.” He managed to find what he was looking for and brought out an incredibly thin document folder. The number 6 was emblazoned across it in changeling Script.

“That's everything?” Questioned the Venator incredulously as he lifted the document up from the desk to inspect its contents.

“Everything so far, mein Freund. We have her under investigation of course but this pony is careful. The first-ever sighting of that armor and that pony was in Las Pegasus. Before then she didn’t exist.”

“Could the rumors be true then?”

“Possibly, I’d say a 10% chance now of them being true. But this one pony does not make them true by default. If you take a look in there you can see the transcript from what one of our undercover agents managed to get when the ponies interrogated the pony in questions themselves.”

“The Ponies interrogated her?”

“Yes yes, it's all in the file. Now it's been bugging me constantly so if I may ask. How does it feel? The Panssari I mean.” Began Curxe curiously.

“It's uhh weird? By the Empress, it hurt when I completed the ritual. But now it's just there. It's like having a second…living carapace. I really don’t know how to describe it.”

“Huh neat. Well.” He suddenly reached down and opened up a drawer on his desk. When he came back up he held two glasses in one hoof and a bottle of golden liquid in his green magical aura. “Care to share a drink with me for old times sake?”

“As if you had to ask” Answered Mobius with a growing smile. Curxe began to pour a glass out for the two of them. Once he was finished he floated one of the glasses over, and Mobius took it without hesitation.

“Have anything to drink too?” Asked Mobius once he held his own glass.

“How about to a long life and having many lings to call your own?”

Mobius just stared at his friend, who subsequently burst out into laughter once he realized who he was toasting with.

“Pffff… Haha sorry, Mobius. I forgot what you were now for a second. Here.” He raised his glass up. “To dying a good death, my friend.”

“To dying a good death.”

And with a satisfying burn, the liquid went down their throats.

“Ooh, that's the good stuff right there Mobius. Fine geltisch Scotch lifted straight from the moon princesses stache in Canterlot. A crisp 856 brew. I hear that the Princess was quite upset the next morning when she found her scotch missing.” Retold Curxe as he inspected the bottle with a slight nod.

“She certainly has taste, I'll give the ponies that. Well anyway, I should be going, I’ve been invited to watch the initiation of a new Caretaker for the halls, can't show up drunk now can I?.”

“Yeah yeah, I’ve got work to do as well, you head on out. I’ll come to visit you in the halls when I’m done here for today.”

“Are you going to bring al-“

“What do you take me for? A Lemon like those down in civilian affairs?! Of course, I’m going to bring alcohol!”

Mobius just chuckled and shook his head as he opened the door to Curxe’s office and left.

Now all alone Curxe poured himself another glass and raised it to the closed door.

“To your long life Mobius. May the Empress protect you.”

————-

The trip back to the halls was a short one for the Venator, and soon he found himself back within its now somewhat familiar blood-red walls. The halls themselves now had a slightly different look since Mobius was last there as the altar where he completed his Ritual was now replaced with something more similar to that of Pony Churches. With a cushion and a tome, Mobius hadn’t yet seen before lying next to the altar where the Panssari once lay.

Scanning the room the Venator saw the current Caretaker sitting before the statue of the Empress, his aura as calm as a lake. Slowly Mobius moved towards the Caretaker, trying to remain as silent as possible as to not disturb his prayers.

*I thank you for your consideration, but it is unneeded, Venator.*

“Sorry. I simply did not wish to disturb your prayer.”

*Not a prayer Venator. I was Meditating. One can only read the scriptures of the Empress for so long before they become a poor way to keep the mind occupied.*

“Will the Ceremony be taking place soon?”

*Once the initiate arrives we may begin. But until then why not say a prayer? You still seek answers do you not?*

“What if my prayers are not answered, Caretaker?”

*There is only one way to find out, Venator Mobius.* Finished the Caretaker as he gestured for Mobius to take a seat beside him.

Mobius did so after a brief moment of consideration. The Venator bowed low to the statue before sitting upright and closing his eyes as he reached out with his aura into the void. Exploratory tendrils of his mind reached out towards his Empress, a query, a question, a prayer etched into their surfaces.

He called into the void… and it answered back. At first, it was a shift, then it was a wave in the fabric of the void. Now it was an earthquake in the plane of the void. His aura shook and shook as the quakes came in regular intervals. The darkness receded as it was replaced by a brilliant red as a star appeared in the dark void.

Its surface was wild, untamed, blinding to the Venator as it felt as if he was back in the throne room with the Queen only far, far stronger. He reached towards the Star only to fail as his tendril was burned away by its radiance. That didn't stop him as he tried again and fought through the heat, its power burning his very soul. He wouldn't be surprised if his face was currently trapped in a pained grimace back in reality.

He paid that thought no heed however as he pushed more and more to approach the star. But it was too much and the star lashed out back at him. Its energy overwhelmed him and returned his tendril back to his aura as the star burned his mind with its unrepressed power.

It felt as if his entire soul was currently burning in the core of the red giant, his mind on the verge of shattering into pieces. Then… it stopped. The pain disappeared. The energy was still flowing into him as it had before but now it was… pulsing. Expanding and contracting in tandem with his own aura, with his own two hearts even. Then it stopped as the void exploded into an Ocean of red.

*Gasp*

Mobius opened his eyes, back to reality. His hearts were beating in tandem, their pounding in his ears and his breath coming in short bursts. He looked to his side in a daze, a red tinge in the corners of his vision, and found the Caretaker looking at him with worry in his eyes. He tried to speak but nothing came out. The Panssari was pulsing and waving and moving all across his body in a chaotic dance of red, black, and green.

Before Mobius could question anymore his mind fell into the sea of unconsciousness his mind red.

Author's Note

I learned how to define red in Hexcode for this and I do not regret it

// ERROR_ERRR_ERROR //

With a gasp the Venators eyes shot open, his hearts pounding in his chest as if he had just run a marathon throughout the entire hive tunnel network. He focused his mind as he began to slow his breathing. Deep breaths in and out… in and out. It took several minutes but eventually, his breathing had returned to normal and his hearts were no longer beating themselves to exhaustion.

Mobius sucked in a sharp breath as he thought just what the hell had happened to him. He had prayed to the Empress many times, yet none had left him in the state he was in now. He closed his eyes briefly with a groan as another headache began to pound against his forehead. He pressed his armored hooves against his temples, hoping the action would do something to help dull the pain.

Eventually, the pain began to subside as the Venator reopened his eyes and sat up from his bed. He scanned the room without really paying attention to what he was seeing, his subconscious having already recognized the walls of them belonging to his living quarters adjacent to the Halls. His mind was still ablaze with questions.

Why did I pass out?

Why is my head hurting?

Why are the corners of my vision red?

Why is there a red translucent changeling sitting on my couch?

*Warte, was?!* yelled the Venator internally as his gaze whipped back towards the couch in the center of his room only to find it empty, with no such changeling looking back at him as the red receded from the corners of his vision. The Panssari shuddered against his carapace, seemingly affected by whatever had happened to him as well.

*Now I’m Hallucinating…Fantastisch.*

Mobius was just about to get up from the bed when the headache returned once again, the corners of his visions turning red once again. This time the Venator fought the urge to close his eyes and instead kept scanning the room. And just as the Venator had predicted, that ghost for lack of a better term was back.

The translucent form of the small red changeling was no longer sitting but instead standing only a few meters away from the Venator causing him to jump back in surprise. The Panssari fused to his carapace however did the opposite as its form was covered in small waves flowing in the direction of the figure.

Its lips were moving yet no sound was heard.

“Uhhhhh”

The ‘ghost’ tried again but to no avail. They also seemed to have noticed their failure to communicate and huffed in exacerbation, their red mane being flung from their place before her red and distinctly female eyes. She sat on her haunches as she seemingly began muttering to herself, her gaze drifting to the floor.

“Can you hear me?”

One of her ears twitched as she looked back up at the Venator before giving a small nod.

“Okay well, that certainly makes this interesting.”

She huffed again and mouthed something Mobius could guess meant ‘You don’t say’.

“Do you have a name?”

She looked incredulously at the Venator like he had just asked what 1+1 was.

“Right stupid Question… Not like you can answer anyway… Wait, hang on why am I doing this? You're a Hallucination!”

The changeling face contorted into a frown, clearly offended at having been called a Hallucination by the Venator. She quite clearly made her displeasure quite known…even if Mobius couldn’t hear a single word of it but it couldn't have been anything nice. The constant showing of fangs and spread-out wings made it obvious just what her current emotions were.

The Panssari reacted in tandem with the ‘ghost’, its surface pulsing and quaking with every beat of her wings or baring of her fangs. Mobius couldn’t take it anymore as the Panssari began to pull against his carapace with such force it was threatening to shatter his very exoskeleton.

“Alright! Alright, I’m sorry for calling you a Hallucination! Now stop whatever it is you're doing, argh, please?” Groaned the Venator as he could feel his exoskeleton begin to reach its limits, any longer, and soon he wouldn’t have an exoskeleton to attach the Panssari to.

The ghost got the message when she saw the pain the Venator was in as her silent tirade instantly came to an end, and a look of worry and regret overtook her features instead.

She began muttering something that looked like an apology to the Venator as she approached Mobius. He would have backed up further but his back was against the metaphysical wall as his limbs refused to follow his commands.

The ghost, probably taking it as permission, flew up onto the bed next to Mobius with a silent buzz as she began to look the former Kommandant over, the bed beneath her remaining still under her translucent hooves. The Panssari reacted to her presence once more with the waves across the armor still flowing towards her. Eventually, once her apparent visual examination was no longer enough she reached a hoof out and touched the Venators thigh.

Mobius winced and hissed in pain at the touch before he stopped and realized. He felt that. Not exactly the touch of her hoof, but the pressure it exerted upon the Panssari and his tender carapace. She appeared to have noticed this as well as she stopped to look at her own hoof before once again muttering something to herself in silence.

Curiously she attempted to swipe at the small table beside the bed, attempting to knock its contents onto the ground. She had no such luck as her hoof simply went through it as if it weren’t there.

Mobius watched on in curiosity as well as the pain on his body and mind began to subside. The redness in the corners of his vision faded as the mare became ever more transparent. And then she was gone leaving the Venator with a single Question.

*Was ist gerade passiert?*

Author's Note

// ERROR_ERROR_CONTACT_SYS-ADMIN_MESSAGE_CORRUPTION_IMMINANT //
// TRANSLATION_SYSTEM_REBOOTING //
// &*(^A&W**($A*()K#$&E*($% //

Yes it's short but like the previous chapter its word count is deliberate when it involves ***&)$#&*(*(_#@&*)$*(_&*(#@()_$#*()@$#**()_@#()_

In the next chapter, we're back to Six and her meeting with a little book horse

Chapter 27

Twilight stood alone before the gates of Canterlot castle, her trusty draconic assistant having been insistent to remain back in ponyville to ‘keep watch’ whilst she was gone. The purple unicorn double-checked the contents of her saddlebags for the 3rd time in the last 15 minutes. Her mane became ever more frayed and frazzled every check.

'Quills? Check. Scrolls? Check. Backup Quills? Check.'

So were her thoughts as she spiraled into the age-old loop of TESTS (Twilight Emergency Stress Test Syndrome). An ailment the Canterlot hospital medical staff had thought all but eradicated when patient zero left for Ponyville to become their doctors’ problem.
But alas, fate did not smile kindly on the inhabitants of Canterlot this fine day, but thankfully due to the great efforts of Twilight not looking where she was going. A light *smack* into the Castle gates saved Canterlot from another bout of TESTS.

Rubbing the frog of her hoof against her now aching nose Twilight looked to the side towards a nearby guard and smiled sheepishly. They did not visibly react but simply lit their horn and allowed the lavender Unicorn entry into the Castles grounds.

The day had started out like any other for Twilight. Waking up with her muzzle slightly drooling into a book, some breakfast courtesy of her faithful assistant Spike and then there came the letter. It had been about a week now since the ruined wedding of her brother and things were just starting to calm down. Or at least it should have until Spike had burped out a scroll by her Mentor saying to come to Canterlot for a task Celestia had for her.

So naturally, she brought everything save the kitchen sink that she could need to ace the test Celestia had decided to spring upon her. ‘There couldn't be any other reason for her summons! It's a test and I haven’t studied ohcelestiaIhaventstudied!’ thought the mare as she walked down the winding corridors of the castle on autopilot. Her sanity on the verge of collapsing into stage 2 TESTS.

Her heart rate was quickening and her mind was devolving into panic once more. It was at about the time Twilight was considering actually taking a sink from the castle's Kitchen ‘just in case’ when the unicorn once again ran into something without looking. Or more specifically somepony as the familiar motherly voice of her mentor rang out.

“Oh! My apologies Twilight I did not see you there. Are you alright?”

“YES!” Shouted the Unicorn “Everything's A-Okay! I am totally ready to write the test!”

“Test? Ohhhh Twilight.” A playful smile overtook Celestia’s features. “You skimmed my letter again didn’t you?”

Twilight laughed nervously. “Eh hehe mayybeee?”

Celestia chuckled and shook her head slightly.

“So there isn’t a test?” Asked Twilight much to the amusement of her Mentor.

“No Twilight there is no test, well, for you at least.”

“What do you mean Princess?”

“Here, follow me Twilight. I have somepony I wish for you to meet.”

Celestia then began to walk down the corridor with her curious Student in tow.

———————

Six watched the match below her with the interest only a Spartan could show. It had been a week thus far of her intense training but its results were definitely already showing with her initiates. It either spoke to the training ability Six didn't know she had or the strange Biology of the ponies she was training.

‘Probably a mix of both’

Whatever it was, it meant she could… accelerate her timeline substantially when it came to the physical aspects of her adapted Spartan training. Psychological and mental training was slower but she could live with that.

Currently, she was watching a match of CTF between Pixy and Spear vs Sparrow and Spirit down in the forest that resided just below the Castle itself and the base of the mountain. Having requisitioned some small hoof-held non-lethal crossbow equipment from the castle’s armory to use in place of paintball rifles allowed her initiates to test and hone their skills in an unpredictable and hostile environment.

Six watched in satisfaction as Spirit ‘sliced’ the throat of Staff Sergeant Spear, causing him to give a huff that bordered between annoyed and impressed at having been snuck up on by the mare once again. The Staff Sergeant returned back to base to wait out the round muttering to himself about probable ways to prevent such a mistake once again.

Through the week of harsh training, Six had managed to come up with a general idea of who excelled in what department, and where they fell short. A good example is the meek earth-pony Spirit. When it came to direct combat she is not the greatest. Her punches were always weaker and her form frailer. But she more than made up for it in another way. That being her maneuverability and stealth.

Six wasn't ashamed to admit that the way she moved when given the freedom to was impressive. It really was quite astonishing to the Spartan to watch this mare easily dart from bush to bush without so much as a sound. Her targets were never prepared for her strikes with every engagement looking more like a straight-up assassination than open combat.

Six’s gaze was drawn to the sky where Pixy was currently dodging bolts with practiced ease. The friendly Pegasus in question was similar in many aspects to the sneaky earth pony. Only her preferred environment was the sky itself and the outspoken personality she possessed. Her speed and agility were comparable to that of the Spartan herself when she was given the freedom to use her wings to their full effect.

“Hah! Can’t hit m-ow!”

Her cocky attitude, however… Six would need to beat that out of her. The Spartan moved her gaze to where that shot had come from and found the prone form Sparrow grinning up at the pegasus. He was certainly the strongest of her initiates thanks to her training. He punched with the force of a scorpion and could shoot with the precision of a sniper. He could certainly take a punch as well with his now much more bulky build.

Why his parents ever called him ‘Sparrow’ would remain a mystery to the Spartan for he was certainly not as nimble as one. But with him, one punch is all he needed to end a fight a majority of the time.

“Point to Red team! Game set and match! Return to base initiates! Spear, Spirit your switching sides for this last one!” Shouted the Spartan as she watched the ever-stealthy Spirit slip the flag back to her base without anypony noticing. Six could see and even hear the neurons in Spears' brain firing as he thought of ways to counter Spirit's tactics of stealth.

Spear was about as average as one could get in the physical department of Six’s training program, but when it came to tactics and leadership ability, the rest of her initiates couldn’t match him. His adaptability is what would have made him a great candidate for the Spartan program were he a Human in the UNSC.

Six watched as both teams returned to their flags, each waiting for the signal from the Spartan that would start the next round. The Teams having now been mixed up to make it more interesting.

“Matchpoint! The losing team will be getting PT instead of lunch! Begin!”

The Spartan watched as both teams ran back into the forest, both intent on not going hungry until the Spartan let them off for the day. And since Six liked her training to go well past the sunset, it went without saying both teams were highly motivated to win.

Her motion tracker suddenly gave a ping as two yellow markers appeared within its ranger behind the Spartan. Glancing back Six saw princess Celestia approaching along the path, with a smaller lavender Unicorn in tow. The two ponies seemed to be having a pleasant conversation. Or they were, until the little Unicorn spotted the armored Spartans Visor glancing at her.

The Unicorn's face morphed through several different expressions. It started out with slight fear, weariness, sudden curiosity, and finally something Six couldn’t quite place. The only thing she could place was the inferno suddenly blazing behind the Unicorn's eyes as her gaze wandered all over Six’s armored form.

If the Spartan were any normal mare, they might have taken offense to being mentally undressed by the Unicorn. Six, however, didn't care as she switched her gaze to meet with that of Celestia’s with whom she simply gave a small nod of greeting before returning her gaze back to the match below. She looked back at the right time as she managed to catch Spear nail Spirit in the chest with a yelp by the mare when she tried to sneak up on him again.

“I take it this is another of your games I’ve heard so much about Six?” Asked Celestia curiously, stepping up beside the Spartan to also see what was happening down below.

The Spartan didn't answer, her attention hyperfocused on her initiates movements below. It was a 2v1 now with Pixy being outnumbered by her friend Sparrow and former Squad Leader Spear. The Pegasus realized her current situation and her demeanor changed. Her cocky posture was gone as she dropped from the sky and into the treeline, out of the Spartans’ sight.

“Uh hello um ‘Six’? I’m uhh my name is Twilight Sparkle. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you?” Began Twilight nervously as she trotted up beside her mentor, keeping the Alicorn between herself and this giant of a pony. The fire of knowledge behind her eyes had dulled considerably when she approached and got a better look at the Spartan.

The pegasus easily towered over the Unicorn, with Six being at least a full head taller than her, horn excluded. The sheath of a knife Twilight hadn’t seen before was on full display strapped to the ponies shoulder.

*Oh dear Celestia her wings!*

Those feathers looked sharp enough to cut through dragon scales as if they weren’t there to the lavender Unicorn. Then there were the many small hits of damage her armor showed. A small scratch here, an almost imperceivable dent there, a few hints of melted paint and burnt metal. Things only a pony with a keen eye would be able to spot on its dark metallic surface.

Her armor was worn, it had seen many battles and taken many hits. Twilight didn’t dare look back towards the razor-sharp wings or the Pegasi’s sheathed knife, for the amount of blood that may have stained them would be too much for her to handle.

Once more the Pegasus ignored her greeting as their strange armored helmet was focused on ponies below. Twilight followed her gaze and spotted a Pegasus with a single red wing darting from tree to tree in an attempt to close the distance between her and one bulky earth pony firing small crossbow bolts at her.

The Pegasus, however, was too quick for the Earthpony as every bolt was dodged or intercepted by stray branches. The pegasus reached the pony and with grace, she hadn’t seen before deftly flipped over the head of the pony and shot one of those bolts at the back of their helmeted head with a *clang*.

The earth pony groaned and made its way out of the playing field, leaving a smug Pegasus to celebrate. Before said Pegasus was swiftly brought out of their celebration by another bolt careening towards their body from a rapidly approaching unicorn.

All three spectators were captivated by what they were seeing below them. One out of necessity and the other two out of curiosity and excitement. Movements like the ones Celestia was seeing were some she hadn’t seen in action for a long time. The Princess couldn’t help but allow a proud smile to overtake her features as she glanced back towards the Spartan.

The abilities she saw on display here were on par with that of her and Luna’s elite and this was after only a week of training with this ‘Spartan’. Worry did begin to creep in as the princess’s gaze lingered on Six.

*If this is what her trainees can do after a week… I shudder to think what she can do after years of this torture. By my sun am I glad she’s with us, Twilight you’re going to have your work cut out for you.*

As Celestia finished her thought she returned her attention to the two rapidly approaching ponies below. Pixy was dodging and weaving with only millimeters between her and Spears oncoming bolts, But they were getting closer and closer to hitting their targets. Pixy knew she had to end this soon before Spear’s shots would hit true.

She steeled her features as adrenaline pumped through her veins. Pixy had gone too long without her lunch thanks to Spear she would not miss out on another! Her wingbeats doubled in speed as she bounded ever closer to the Unicorn. She knew he must have seen her maneuver that took out sparrow as his stance prevented her from doing the same to him.

That only left her with 2 options. The sensible one is to go around his sides and get a clear shot that way. Or the completely bonkers idea that Spear would never suspect and go down and slide in between and through his legs. She had to make a decision and at the last second, she did.

She fainted to the right, locking the Staff Sergeant into his counter as she gave a powerful flap of her wings, throwing her body to the ground and under his now raised forelegs. She could see her Sergeants eyes widen when he realized he had been had as Pixy rolled across the ground and landed in a pounced stance. Her crossbow aimed directly at the back of Spear’s head.

“Gotcha”

She pulled the trigger… yet nothing happened. She tried again and again. Still nothing. Then she noticed the magical glow enveloping Spear’s horn and the crossbows firing mechanism. Thinking quickly she pulled her paint-coated dulled knife with her wing and deftly swung it at Spear instead.

Spear was doing the same with his magic, part of it winging his own knife towards pixy whilst another, weaker, aura tried to grab hold of Pixies in an attempt to slow it down. The Unicorn couldn’t grab a hold of it fast enough however Spear redirected his own to parry the blow.

With a screech, the knives collided, splattering a small amount of multicolored paint against the two knife-locked ponies, both of their faces now only inches away from each other. Pixy was running out of options until she remembered something she had only seen once before.

Pixy smiled as she pushed herself off the ground, using her free wing to guide her. With a single well-timed flap, pixy flipped over Spear’s back as she deftly tossed her knife to her other wing. Spear recognized the move but there was nothing he could do as the pegasus flipped over his back, landed on his opposite side, and ‘sliced’ his throat.

Six couldn’t help but smile within her helmet when she watched Pixy perform the same move she had when they first met in Las Pegasus. “Game set! Red team has been Eliminated. Blue Team wins. Initiates return to me.” Shouted out the Spartan through her helmet’s speaker, causing Twilight to jump at the sudden noise.

The Spartan then turned to face the Alicorn and Unicorn and spoke. “I take it this is the representative you mentioned during our talk?”

“Yes, Six, meet my personal student Twilight Sparkle. You are to take any order from her as you would an order from me or my sister.” The Spartan nodded at the Alicorn before focusing on Twilight

“Student huh? Hey Kid, you’re sure you’re up for this? I’ve been told I’m quite the handful, even on a good day.”

'Handful?' Thought Twilight before answering with determination. She would not disappoint her Mentor for entrusting her with this task. “ Yes. Princess Celestia trusts me to represent her and I will not disappoint her.”

Celestia smiled at the answer.

“…Alright. You just let me do my thing and I’ll let you do yours, now if you excuse me.” Six turned away and walked towards the 4 dirtied and battered ponies coming up behind her. Princess Celestia and Twilight opted not to follow and instead remained on the sidelines as they watched the Spartan approach her initiates. Once the initiates were lined up before her, Six removed her helmet with a hiss and attached it to her hips before beginning her debrief.

She congratulated the winning team on a job well done, but not without some complaints and suggestions on what to do better and where they needed to work on. The losing team got the same treatment only with fewer congratulations and more ‘what you need to work on or you will not survive the field’ but nonetheless, every initiates adaptability was commendable to the Spartan.

A Spartan had to be ready for anything, and be able to adapt instantly to the changing winds every battlefield posed. After her comments were finished she dismissed Pixy and Spirit to go and get something to eat, leaving Spear and Sparrow to undergo their punishment for losing.

Celestia turned to face her student. “Are you sure your sill up to the task Twilight? Six is… well like I said, different when compared to the average pony. And I don’t just mean physically Twilight. She is a very dangerous pony to have as an enemy.”

“I meant what I said Princess. You have placed your trust in me. I won’t let that go to waste by failing.” Answered Twilight with a smile. “I will keep an eye on her Princess. If I need anything I’ll tell you A.S.A.P!” Twilights smile widened, mirroring her Mentors.

“Then I’ll leave Six in your capable hooves Twilight. Oh, before I leave, let me mention that your brother wanted to speak with you later when you’re done here.” Added Celestia as she began to make her way back down the trail that lead towards the Castle’s gardens.

“I won’t disappoint you, Princess!” Shouted Twilight back towards the retreating Alicorn.

“I know Twilight! I know…” Called the Princess back as she left earshot.

Twilight turned her gaze back towards the Spartan and her two, not yet dismissed, initiated.

“Kid! You finished back there? I’m gonna need your magic for a moment!” Yelled the Spartan towards the purple Unicorn. She looked towards the Spartan and nodded before approaching. Twilight could hear the groans of the initiates from where she stood and the smile Six was wearing did not help in alleviating Twilights worry.

Some of the castle guards say that when those two initiates returned to their barracks, they couldn’t even make it to their beds before they collapsed from exhaustion. Their sleeping forms were found the next morning by Pixy and Spirit with the pair having just made it inside the building before they fell into Luna’s warm embrace.

Chapter 28

Another week and a half had passed since the day Twilight became her de facto handler with her initiates making rapid progress thanks to the introduction of the Unicorn's magical presence. Her handler’s personality and mind however were certainly an annoyance though, not to mention her obvious innocence and general skittishness when the matters of war were discussed.

There was even a moment during one of the Spartans many, many sparring sessions turned into impromptu anatomy lesson where the Unicorn excused herself behind a nearby building to probably recompose herself after hearing the sheer casualness in Six’s voice when she discussed where to stab an opponent to end a fight quickly. This also happened incidentally on her first day, but Six was surprised when she didn't immediately go running off to the kitten called her mentor.

But even throughout all of that, the Unicorn was beginning to adapt to the Spartans’ demeanor. Still couldn't grasp the concept of leaving the Spartan alone however as her Questions and attempt at conversation were repeatedly shut down yet still continued despite the Spartans repeated attempts to get to understand the definition of ‘Classified, stop asking.’ The constant attempts to get the Spartan to talk about themselves were also getting incredibly annoying to Six. To the point, it was beginning to become a tangible issue to the Spartan.

Every Question about her past or just herself, in general, would bring up unpleasant memories to the point that her usually peaceful sleep was becoming evermore marred with dreams of her death, Noble, and the destruction of Reach. Her only reprieve was her training with Pixy, Sparrow, Spirit, and Spear. Twilight would rarely join in but mostly she was content with sitting on the sidelines using her magic to make the training more interesting.

It was those moments where Six could forget about everything and just do her job like she was meant to. To just be a Spartan doing their part in the war. But those thoughts would not stay intact for long. Once good dreams now only became reminders and the rate at which Six was punching things was beginning to increase with training dummies ending up so battered and broken they had to be disposed of after her own morning training.

She paid it no mind however for with the rapid progress her initiates were making she could move to the final stage of her training and prepare them for their final exam. She was going to make Princess Luna eat her words.

————————

The day started out like any other for the Spartan. She awoke at the crack of dawn, her visor full of tail and the floor covered in clinging to life pillows that could only barely support her enormous weight. Sitting up with a yawn, Six stretched her limbs, with satisfying pops in her joints releasing the built-up tension. Six had a slight smile on her face as she stood up fully, the contents of last night's surprisingly pleasant dream having not yet left her mind.

If she closed her eyes and focused she could almost remember how it felt to break that Elites ribcage with a single punch, to massacre a group of Covenant with Jorge and blow the brains out of a Sangheili Field Marshal with Jun. But the memories of the dream faded, as they always did, every single morning. The only thing she could remember was the faded feelings of loss and sadness.

It annoyed the Spartan to no end.

‘Damn ponies are starting to rub off on me. I need an assignment soon or I’m going to lose it. Where’s an elite to kill when you need it?’

Thought Six with a growl. After Reach, the last thing she needed was to be alone with her thoughts. After the Pillar of Autumn left she only had one goal in mind. Make the Covenant pay. It was her one desire, her unspoken final order, her goddamned one Spartan revenge against those who had taken everything from her. Her friends, her family, her home.

These quiet moments away from her initiates always served to piss her off as her mind wandered to those dark places. As it had every morning and night. The same went for those Princesses' attempts to converse with her. She is a Spartan, small talk isn't in her vocabulary damnit. She spoke the language of the Spartan-III: Go there, kill everything. If you lived, great! Do it all over again tomorrow.

There was never a dull moment in that war, in the War for Humanity. The humanity she may never return to…

A swift armored punch against the wall crushed those thoughts as the stone cracked like a spiderweb. Errant shards of stone falling to the ground, revealing the structure's grey insides. The Spartan was breathing heavily, her heart pounding against her ears. Six didn’t know how long she stood there. Seconds? Minutes? Hours? Her eyes were unfocused and her hoof was still lodged in the cracking wall.

But eventually, the Spartan removed their hoof from the wall only to stare at it from behind her helmet's visor. What the hell was happening to her, was the main thought that dominated her mind as she looked down at her hoof and the crater it had punched into the wall.

Her emotions kept getting the better of her training and it was starting to worry her. A Spartan shouldn’t, couldn’t be able to feel like this. The memory of what happened after her first night in Las Pegasus came to the forefront of her mind.

‘Spartans do not cry.’

If that were true, then why did her face feel damp?

A knock on the door brought the Spartan back to reality as she turned towards the closed door.

“Is everything alright in there?” Came the voice of that damned purple annoyance through her door. “ The others have been waiting on you for over an hour and the guards say you haven’t left your room for your morning run.”

Six sucked in a deep breath and exhaled with a small shudder as she looked at the digital clock her HUD contained.

10 am… She had lost 3 hours.

‘Damn it.’

Without a word Six trotted over and opened the door, surprising Twilight who had pressed her ear up against the door. Six honestly couldn’t care less at that point when Twilight fell to the ground in a heap as the Spartan left the room and began making her way towards the training grounds.

“H-Hey wait up!” Called out Twilight as she got back onto her hooves and quickly galloped to catch up with the silent Spartan. After several long moments, she had caught up with Six and was now trotting beside her. Her pace bordering that of jogging compared to the large strides the bigger Spartan was doing.

“Are you al-“

“Shut up.” Interrupted the Spartan suddenly, causing Twilight to jump once again. Twilight, annoyed at the way she was currently being treated, opened her mouth to give Six a piece of her mind. She was only able to take a deep breath before her tirade before swiftly deflating at the look Six gave her. Twilight didn't know what stopped her, she couldn't even see her face! But just the turn of the Spartans head and finding herself face to face with that emotionless visor brutally murdered her ability to speak.

Twilight stopped in her tracks whilst the Spartan continued unabated, their gaze reoriented forward once again. Eventually, the Six had disappeared around a corner leaving Twilight to stand alone in the hallway, still looking like a deer in headlights as her own gaze remained where she had last seen the Spartan.

It didn't take Twilight long to return to normal and her mind to start working again. Something was wrong with Six, that much was blatantly obvious to the Unicorn. But what was it?

‘Whatever it is, the princess must be told!’

Thought the Unicorn as she began to make her way back the way she came. When she rounded the corner however and made her way past Six’s room she noticed something. The door was still open. Now Princess Celestia was very clear about the arrangement she had with Six. It basically boiled down to: Let me keep my secrets and I will help you. Much to the chagrin of the Unicorn who would like nothing more than to see what made that armor of hers tick.

And one of the core tenants in this agreement was that nopony, not even cleaning staff, would be allowed in her room. It was Six’s own little private island in the Castle. Yet something was wrong with Six. And investigating her room might shed some light and what had caused this change.

‘It couldn’t hurt to just look…’ Reasoned Twilight as she checked the corridors to her left and right for the occupant of the room she was about to enter. ‘Yeah, I’ll just quickly go in. See what I can see, then go tell Princess Celestia what happened. I’ll be in and out, quick as can be.’ And with that thought Twilight entered the room, her steps light as if at any moment Six would return.

————————

Celestia sat overlooking the guards' training grounds like she had almost every morning since Twilight had arrived to help understand this puzzle named Six. A tea sat floating in her golden aura as the morning paper floated before her eyes. Occasionally the solar diarch would glance down from her paper to see what Six’s ‘initiates’ were doing. Last she checked, they had decided to continue with their morning training without their instructor due to them not having made an appearance yet.

Twilight was also there until recently when she had left too, most probably, get the puzzle in question. Celestia paid it no mind, the Spartan had been working hard over these past weeks, a little lie-in was deserved. Looking back at her paper Celestia studies its contents before sighing as she read an article concerning Celestia’s ‘secret weapon’.

‘Truly, the press works in mysterious ways.’ Thought the alicorn. ‘My they even got a picture of her… I believe a letter to the publisher may be in order.’ Granted it wasn’t a very good picture of Six with her form being blurred beyond belief but anypony could tell from that picture that Six was not your average pegasus.

‘Hmm, it seems they got Lily too. I’ll make sure to have some guards check up on her, make sure she isn't being harassed by the press, or at worst targeted by the Changelings.’ Thought Celestia worried for the mare’s safety as she read through the ‘interview’ section of the article.

Taking another sip of her tea Celestia caught Six walking into the courtyard, her initiates still in the midst of their training having not noticed their trainer’s arrival. The armor she seemingly never removed was complete with her helmet worn and knife sheathed. Turning the page on her paper, Celestia idly read as one ear remained firmly pointed towards the courtyard where she could already hear the Spartan aggressive Drill-Sergeant voice.

In fact, her voice sounded a little hoarse, but it was hard to tell through that helmet as Celestia’s ear flicked at the sound.

‘All that yelling must be catching up with her.’ Thought Celestia with a hum before giving a single chuckle as a grin grew on her face. ‘It seems as though even super-soldiers aren’t above getting a sore throat.’

The sound of the door behind her opening, brought her out of her musings as she lowered her paper and turned towards whoever had arrived.

“Oh! Greetings Twilight, I was not expecting you. Is there anything I might help you with?” Greeted Celestia with a large smile as she watched Twilight enter the balcony alongside her. Only for the smile to drop when she saw the face of her Student.

“What’s wrong dear Twilight? Is everything alright?” Began Celestia worriedly standing up and moving to stand beside her Student.

“Something is wrong with Six.”

“Explain.” Celestia’s tone darkened. “ Did she hurt you?”

“No!” Began Twilight forcefully, surprising the Princess. Twilight noticing her outburst began to backpedal hard much to the amusement of Celestia. “I,uhh, I mean…”

“It’s alright Twilight” Began Celestia with a mirthless chuckle. “ I might have jumped to conclusions too soon. So tell me then, what troubles you.”

“Promise me you won’t be mad?” Asked Twilight sheepishly.

“Alright…” Answered Celestia carefully. “What happened?”

“Well….” Began Twilight as she retold what had transpired from Six not doing her own morning training to how she acted in the hallway and finally what Twilight had seen when she entered that Spartans room. And as Twilight finished her tale Celestia stood motionless, her face unreadable to the Unicorn.

The pair stood there in silence for several more seconds as Twilight looked to the floor in shame. Eventually, the silence was broken by Celestia letting out a loud sigh.

“I’m not angry, Twilight. You did the right thing even if it might jeopardize our relationship with Six.”

“I didn't touch anything! She’ll never know I was there.” Answered Twilight hastily as Celestia gave another chuckle.

“I’m sure you did Twilight.”

“So what do we do now?”

“The Question is Twilight. What can we do? Six, as I am sure you have noticed, is a tight-lipped pony. I will have to consult Luna about this recent development. Due to her access to Six’s dreams, she must know what has caused these changes.” A Sigh escaped her lips. “I should have expected this. Being trained from childhood to be a ‘Spartan’ and now she finds herself in a land completely devoid of the war she had grown accustomed to. How could I have been so blind, the signs were there and I didn’t heed them”

“It’s alright Princess. I am making progress with Six, and so are her initiates. She seems to be most comfortable when with them, judging by the amount of time she removes her helmet around them.”

“Yes…” Celestia looked behind her and down at the courtyard where the Spartan stood before her soldiers, her helmet still equipped upon her head. “ Thank you for bringing this to me, Twilight.”

“Your welcome Princess.”

“Here Twilight, why don't you come join me and watch. I doubt she will want to see you so soon after what happened in the hallway. You can tell me all about what you have learned under her.”

Twilight smiled. “Thank you, Princess. My Magic could definitely use a break.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, her idea of ‘training’ is downright Tartarus to those ponies. Even to me and all I do is shoot my magic at them, or increase their weight tenfold. How they have not collapsed to the ground in exhaustion the moment Six gives them a break always surprises me…”

Twilight would continue with her recounting of her own unofficial training under the Spartan as Celestia listened whilst idly sipping on her tea, and watching Six throw her trainees to the ground in the Sparring Arena, much to the surrounding guard spectators amusement.

A few even began taking bets on how long each initiate would last against the Spartan, most bets never made it higher than 10 seconds. And some fights never made it past 5. Truly, many wallets lost their lives that day as their contents were ripped from their homes because Six wasn’t pulling any punches.

She was pissed, and everypony knew it.

‘So… what changed you, Demon of a pony?’

‘Nothing good, dear Mobius.’

Author's Note

Write the Comments Kronk!

// REINITIALISING SYSTEM //

‘Really. This is the first time I’ve manifested so vividly and it takes you over a week to establish a connection?!’ Huffed the ghostly changeling towards the Venator.

‘Silence Spirit. We will be the ones asking questions here. I can still cut the connection between you and the Venator permanently should I so wish.’ Threatened the Caretaker.

‘No… you really…can’t hehe. Many have tried but yeah I’m here to stay. Nice trick, by the way, using yourself as the bridge. But once the Venator and I are connected properly, there's no way to reverse it.’ Explained the ghost sheepishly.

The caretaker grunted. ‘We’ll see about that. I am far more powerful than you think’ He threatened once again quietly before taking a deep breath. ‘Now back to Business. We have Questions and you will answer.’

‘This is not my first song and dance, Caretaker. At Least Panem was cordial with me when we first met.’ Responded the Spirit.

“Enough about her, Spirit. Who are you? What are you? And why are you here?” Interjected Mobius, wanting his questions answered sooner rather than later. The Spirit in turn gave a playful giggle.

‘I have been given many names over my long existence. Voice, Spirit… Panssari.’ She said that last one with a grin. ‘You may even call me Empress if you so wish. Given my *connection* to her. But personally, I like the name Redfang.’

She buzzed down to stand before Mobius.

‘As for what I am. Well, you're wearing me. Or at least my anchor. What I really am’ she gestured to her ghostly form. ‘Well… I’ll leave that up to your imagination.’ She said with a smug grin and a wink as her translucent foreleg bumped against his nose. His muzzle reflexively scrunched up even though her hoof passed right through it.

‘And for your final question. I have always been here. Just never *here* here like I am now. Most of the time I’m just a whisper in a Venators' subconscious after they don the armor. Maybe a voice here and there in some cases. But this’ she buzzed around in a loop.‘This is new. She must see something in you to awaken me like this. With Panem I didn't get a body, I was just a voice.’

‘And yet the damage you caused…’ added the Caretaker, causing Redfang to freeze up and repeat in an emotionless voice.

‘I was created to protect and serve those who don the Panssari of the Empress… that is my purpose.’

“Then why did you not stop Panem from slaughtering thousands in her rebellion!?” Questioned Mobius demanding an answer.

‘I was created to protect and serve those who don the Panssari of the Empress… that is my purpose.’Recited the ghostly changeling once more, her eyes empty and emotionless. Mobius was about to ask again before being stopped by the Caretaker raising his holed hoof.

‘It is no use Venator… It seems like she is sworn to follow the Venators, no matter what. Empress-damned Panem… the destruction she caused during her rebellion is still felt to this day. My predecessors should have foreseen this and prevented her from performing the ritual and donning the Panssari!’ Fumed the Caretaker against Mobius’s aura.

‘She was always so nice to me… And I was forced to do such… such horrible things.’ Muttered Redfang quietly, her gaze locked to the floor.

The caretaker audibly sighed. He may not leave the Halls often but even he knew to comfort a changeling in need. ‘That is in the past now Redfang. But we must now know if you are a threat to the Swarm.’

‘NO! No, I am not! I will serve this Venator like I have hundreds before. The Swarm will be protected. And our enemies will be crushed beneath my Venators hooves!’ Exclaimed Redfang with determination. The Panssari Mobius was wearing, reacting to the Spirit's words with a fire of its own. Its surface moving, pulsing and glowing slightly with the fire burning behind Redfangs eyes.

“… I do not trust you Redfang, not yet. But it seems that we will be together for the foreseeable future. I am willing to take a chance. But know this, should you betray the Swarm. Should you give me any inkling that you are working against my Empress and Queen. I will give my life to stop you without a second thought.” Began Mobius, his tone deadly serious. Redfang nodded.

‘I understand Mobius. But it is unneeded. I cannot break my oath, the Empress willed it so. I exist to serve you, now that you wear the armor. Any action against the Empress, or Queens, would be yours alone...’

“Then we will not have a problem.” Answered Mobius with a very slightly fanged smile.

‘I should hope not. I do not wish to lose this, well *form* so soon. It feels so good to stretch my legs again. Thanks to that infusion, I feel almost a hundred years younger!’ Exclaimed Redfang almost giddily, her translucent form trotting in place. Her mood apparently improved.

A knock on the door to the chamber would signal the end of their encounter as the voice of Curxe began to ring throughout the chamber.

“Hey Mobius, the new ling told me you were in here! Open up, the Queens got an assignment for you! And it's one you’re gonna like!”

The Venator didn't need to be told twice before he opened the door to go meet with his old friend. Leaving the Caretaker and Redfang alone to speak with each other.

“What is it, Curxe?” Questioned Mobius closing the door behind him

“Something big appears to be going down soon and our ‘friend’ appears to be at the center of it.” Answered Curxe, keying Mobius in on just who he was talking about.

“Hmm, here let's go to my quarters. There we can discuss this away from prying eyes.” He quickly looked back into the room and found the Caretaker standing there alone. Mobius decided not to question where Redfang had gone. “I thank you for your help, Caretaker.”

‘Your Welcome Venator. If anything else happens, come to me.’

‘Or me, I’m always here’ rang the voice of Redfang within his mind.

Mobius nodded towards the Caretaker before leaving them and making his way towards his quarters, Curxe in tow. After a short walk in silence, the pair entered the Venator’s room as Mobius began to speak.

“Sorry that I couldn’t share that drink with you before, Curxe.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it, you doing alright though? Caretakers wouldn’t tell me what happened. Just that you were ‘indisposed of’. We are still going to have that drink later though.”

“Yeah, I thought as much coming from you Curxe. But anyways I’m fine, the issue-” Mobius briefly glanced at a nearby bookcase where the translucent Redfang stood, studying the book's binders. Specifically, one that had a picture of a lightbulb inscribed on its back. A single ear pointed towards them. “-Has been resolved”

“Good to hear. Now!” He floated a binder towards the Venator. “Your orders from the Queen herself.” Began Curxe before taking a seat on the room's couch whilst Mobius began to flip through the binder, Redfang buzzing quietly next to him as she read over his shoulder.

‘Six…’

“Demon… what are you planning? Curxe?” He called out as he moved to sit across from the VOPS Agent in Question.

“Well from preliminary observations and reports from our operatives. She has been busy training multiple ponies to become a similar version of what she is. A ‘Spartan’ but to a lesser degree than her. ” Began the Agent, his voice becoming that of a senior VOPS agent and not that of his drink-loving friend.

“And I am too…disrupt this training I presume?” Guessed Mobius, his gaze studying an enhanced picture taken of the Demon that disgraced him.

“Yes. We believe she is almost finished and has managed to persuade the princesses to pit her trainees against the best of the Equestrian army in what must be their final test. Judging from the reports our infiltrators have supplied.” Continued Curxe, pulling a flask out from under his trademark officers cap.

“I see… But surely they must realize how juicy of a target this is for us to attack? All of their most valuable soldiers, gathered in one place? We could cripple the majority of the ponies’ special forces in a single battle!” Exclaimed Mobius, almost laughing at the princesses' stupidity for allowing this blunder.

“That is the idea. The Ponies have tried to keep it secret, but our top infiltrator was keyed in on the plan. Heh, dumb ponies. Anyway, this leads us to your mission. Tomorrow at the break of day you and a small contingent of Praetor class lings will travel out to Canterlot to observe whatever the ponies are planning. Once you are there, report back any findings and prepare yourselves accordingly. These are Equestria’s best after all…” Explained Curxe from across the room before taking a swig from his flask as Mobius continued to study the documents before him. Redfang quietly read and listened along.

“Could this be a trap set by the ponies?” Question Mobius cautiously. Better to be safe than sorry.

“No. Our infiltrators confirmed this information. It is no trap. But do still be careful. They may be ponies, but they shouldn't be underestimated. We do not yet have a timeframe as to when this ‘exam’ will take place but that does not matter. Your objective will be to disrupt it and take out as many of the ponies as possible. Six being the priority target in your attack.” Continued Curxe, alleviating Mobius’s suspicions.

“Are we to capture them?” Assumed Mobius with a sigh.

“No. The Queen has authorized, and prefers, the use of lethal force against the ponies for the duration of your mission.” Corrected Curxe. The smile that then proceeded to grow on Mobius’s face unnerving the Agent as he took another swig from his flask.

“Good. That Demon will never threaten the Swarm again once I’m done.”

Author's Note

Greetings one and all.

I come to you bearing news. News that I have started a Ko-fi and that I am currently in contact with an artist to commission a portrait of our beloved Spartan Six! And that if you feeling generous enough to tip me know that any and all proceeds will go to commissioning pieces of artwork for my Stories!

I will keep you all in the loop and I am certainly looking forward to seeing Six somewhere outside of my own imagination.

That's all folks! Make sure to comment!

Chapter 31

The clang of metal striking metal is the only sound that filled the nightly silence that had descended upon the castle's training grounds. A lone motion-sensitive magical light is all that illuminated the Spartan and the unfortunate training dummy Six was refining her movements on.

It had been several days since the Spartans caving in of her wall and subsequent outburst against Twilight. Sleep had not come easy for the Spartan since then. Her mind refuses to allow her body to drift into her makeshift bed embrace. Every time she closed her eyes all she could see was the life that had come before. Was she technically a deserter now? A Spartan gone AWOL? Could she even call herself one of humanity's finest when she was no longer Human herself?

These were the questions running through her ever more muddied mind as she tried to beat them out of her head through the damaged dummy that stood before her.

The metal that gave the dummy modesty was beaten, cut, and dented beyond a simple repair job for palace maintenance staff. Six was panting slightly, her armored chest rising and falling subtly as her breath turned to vapor in the cold midnight air. Her wings were outstretched, razor-sharp primaries glistening slightly in the pale moonlight as she deftly brought them across the dummies neck.

It passed through as if it weren't there as the dummies stuffed head fell to the ground, detached from its home. Six stared down at the rolling, faceless head of the dummy. Her breathing slowing and her turquoise eyes unreadable. How was the war going? She thought as she stared down at the severed head. It almost stared back at her through its faceless cloth.

“If you keep up with this nightly routine, there will not be any dummies left for you by the end of the week.” Six’s ear flicked towards the sound of the moon princess voice behind her. “Mayhaps I can find some of the more hardy ones my sister and I used a thousand years ago to take their place to prevent such a shortage due to your… nightly training.”

Six remained silent for several long moments as she heard Luna walk up to her side where the princess promptly drew one of the many dulled swords to inspect.

“Tell me as a fellow warrior. Do these dummies count as worthy opponents for somepony as yourself?”

Six took her gaze away from the severed dummy head and glanced towards the dark form of Princess Luna. Her eyes still scrutinized the dulled blade she held within her grasp.

“…No.”

“I thought as much.” Luna grabbed another blade and deftly tossed it towards the Spartan. “Come.” Beckoned Luna towards a slightly confused-looking Spartan. “You wish to fight a worthy opponent do you not? And I wish to see what you’re capable of.”

Six looked down at the sword that now lay in her armored hoof, her head tilting slightly as she studied the dulled blade. She looked back up towards the retreating form of Luna, the Alicorn making their way towards the sparring arena Six was intimately familiar with by now.

‘…screw it’

Thought Six as she then began to follow the lunar Alicorn into the moonlit arena. Visibility was what one would expect during a full moon. Pale blue moonlight shone down upon the arena making the Lunar princess’s sword glow in her grip. Six moved to stand opposite from her.

“Would it be too much to ask to fight without the armor? I wish to see how your trainees will stand up in the upcoming test.”

Six’s face remained stoic and emotionless as her body lowered closer to the ground, her sword at the ready. Luna frowned very briefly before doing the same.

“Very well. We shall fight until the other is either unable to continue, pinned for 10 seconds, or whether they are at the mercy of the other. Are these terms acceptable to you Six?”

“Yes” replied Six, her teal eyes glued to the princesses watching her like Hawk would a mouse.

Who struck first, Six nor Luna did not know but that only moments after the word left Six’s mouth were their blades locked against each other. Both of their faces locked into grimaces of exertion as both tried to overpower the other.

Luna struck first, her blade sliding down Six’s, the force strong enough for sparks to illuminate their faces from the oppressive darkness of Luna’s night.

Six reacted sharply, her body moving back to get some distance between her and the princess.

Luna charged forward, sword at the ready, quicker than the Spartan had ever seen before. But not quick enough as Six deftly parried the oncoming blow opening Luna up for a swift kick.

Six’s hoof hit empty air however as Luna’s wings gave a large flap, launching her away to dodge the oncoming blow just as six did but a moment before.

The Spartan, not one to lose, gained momentum charged towards Luna, and struck at her sword. The impact sent sparks flying once again. Were it not for the enchantments covering the blades they would have surely broken under the force of their strikes.

The Spartan was relentless as Six kept up with blow after blow against the princesses sword, the clang of metal on metal so loud and powerful some might have mistaken it as that of a hammer hitting an anvil.

Luna however was in a deep concentration as she blocked the sword with an equally powerful blow. It seems as though Luna has found herself an opponent worthy of her blade.

Six suddenly dropped, her sword going for Luna’s legs instead forcing the princess into the air.

Both ponies turned to face each other with Six rolling onto her back and Luna using her wings to take to the pitch-black skies.

Luna didn’t know whether Six could fly but wasn't going to take any chances. In a Prolonged fight against Six, it would simply come down to who ran out of Stamina first. Looking back down towards the ground Luna noticed something glistening in the moonlight on the Spartan’s face.

Confused, Luna stopped her accent and ever so carefully lowered herself back to the ground, her eyes still glued to the Spartans deathly still form. Her eyes studied the pony and found something quite peculiar.

Six was staring up at the night sky her eyes a million moons away, and there, ever so slightly glistening in the moonlight was a lone tear running down the side of the Spartans' face.

Six meanwhile didn't know what was happening to her. One moment she was calculating how hard she would need to throw her sword in order to ground Luna. Then the next she was back on Reach, falling into the atmosphere, watching the covenant assault carrier be torn in two by a slipsace bomb.

She looked up at the stars looking for Luna and found only loss and failure as constellations that weren't her own stared back at her. Her body wouldn't move and her voice could not be found as her mind refused to look for her opponent. Six’s heart was racing and her breathing was quick and panicked.

Her mind was a whirlwind and her thoughts were impossible to understand. Voices were heard from across the yard yet their meanings were lost as the scenery was suddenly replaced with the wasteland Reach had become.

Six was lying on the ground, her body refusing to answer her orders as she could only stare up at the dark brown and storming sky. A figure then moved to stand over her still equine body. Its color was a deep blue and the horrifying face of the split-lip Elite looked down on her with contempt.

It raised its arm up high, the blue glow of an energy sword enveloping its three-fingered hand. She was going to die again and there was nothing she could do about it.

The sword began to plunge towards her chest and just as it made contact and began to melt through her armor and sear into her flesh she was suddenly jerked back to reality.

Acting on pure instinct and years of training Six grabbed the figure standing over her and pinned them to the ground, her wing extended and its razor-sharp feathers just a hair's breadth away from slicing her victim’s throat.

The fog before the Spartans eyes and mind began to clear. The scenery of the dark castle training grounds returning. She looked down through her somewhat blurry vision and was met with what could only be described as a terrifying look upon Luna’s face. Her eyes darted between that of the Spartans and the feathers aimed at her neck.

Luna was struggling to break free from the Spartans’ grip, her wings screaming out in protest of having the heavy Spartans’ hooves pressing down upon them. Where she anypony else those bones would have been dust by now under the Spartans enormous weight.

“I…yield…”

Came the strained voice of the Alicorn beneath her. Its tone was reluctant but pain marred its intended message.

Six, her judgment no longer clouded by whatever the hell had just come over her, got off the alicorn before offering a hoof to help her up. Luna sighed in relief as the weight of her sensitive wings was removed. She took the offered hoof and got back up on her hooves.

“I believe that is the first time in a thousand years I have been bested by somepony other than my sister in a duel.” Began Luna somewhat proud and yet not. It was hard to decipher but Six was not listening. Her mind was too occupied with what had happened during their fight.

“Are you alright, fair Six? You’re…crying…” Luna trailed off as she noticed the glistening tears running down the silent Spartans’ face, their facial expression stuck in a daze.

The Spartan shook her head to clear her mind as she brought a hoof up to her face. The armor came back damp, and Six growled ever so slightly.

“I’m fine” Came the forceful reply from the Spartan as she moved to grab the helmet from her hip before being stopped by a deep blue hoof.

“No Six. You are not.”

“Let. Go.”

“I will not. You are injured.”

“I. Am. Fine.”

“Then what happened hmm? Nothing?”

“Stop.”

“No Six. If that happened in a real battle you would be dead. Think. About. It!”

“It won’t happen.”

“You're lying.”

“It. Won’t.”

“…Fine Six.” Luna released her grip from the Spartans hoof. “But know this, you cannot fix this on your own.” Continued Luna as Six resealed her armor as her helmet slid over her head. Her golden visor looked Luna in the eye.

“I will fix it when I’m dead. Until then I have a war to fight. Excuse me.” Came the Spartans voice over her helmet's speakers, its tone brokering no argument as she turned around and left. Luna watched the retreating form of the Spartan as she flexed her bruising wings.

“Princess, are you alright?” Came the voice from the darkness as her personal bodyguard made themselves known.

“I am fine. Nothing that won’t heal within the hour. But I do have to admit, that was an exhilarating duel. Six is certainly a fine opponent to spar with.”

“But still no match for your skills right?”

“I lost, did I not?”

“On purpose right?”

“…”

“On purpose though right? Princess?”

“I will need to talk to Ms. Rose and have her clear my schedule to add some more intense practice to my routine… With my magic, I would have easily won and Six has shown me my time on the moon has made me weak when it comes to my other skills…”

“You did still put up a good fight though princess.”

“A good fight, yes, but without victory, it may as well be meaningless if I end up slain in the process… Now come, I believe some extra measures will need to be taken in light of recent events.”

“Yes, my Princess… If I may speak freely?”

“You may.”

“I saw what happened with Six more closely and I have seen the look on her face before. But much, much less severe on the faces of those I have served with before. Honestly, the fact she is still able to get up in the morning and train those ponies so well is quite inspiring…”

“Yes… hmm tell me, in your opinion, do you believe Six is able to properly perform her duties in her current state?”

The guard hesitated.

“This will be off the record, there is no need to worry.”

“Well then…No, combat would only aggravate her condition in its current state.”

“Hm…” Luna flexed her wings in thought, the pain gone. “Thank you for your input. Now let us head back to court. The paperwork next to my throne is sure to have grown several hooves since we left.”

“Your sacrifice for Equestria shall be remembered, my Princess.” Joked her guard.

“I should hope songs will be sung of my deeds tonight.” Laughed Luna along with her guard as the pair made their way back indoors leaving the dummy Six had broken to be cleaned up by whichever poor soul would have to bury another sand-filled soldier.

Mobius landed in the courtyard as silent as a whisper, his holed hooves absorbing the impact effortlessly. His eyes scanned the yard, the darkness a non-issue thanks to his biology. Once he was sure nothing was watching him, Mobius crept towards the beheaded dummy, his movements were slow as to not activate the light as Redfang manifested herself. Her translucent form already inspected the cuts across the severed head's neck.

Mobius remained cautious meanwhile, he didn't want to be down there so soon but the voice of Redfang was quite insistent about coming down here as it would help in their upcoming operation.

‘Hmmm, metal is not one I recognize and it's sharper than any blade I’ve seen.’ Began Redfang seemingly talking to herself.

“Any weakness?” Asked the Venator quietly

‘Hush…hmmm, bring me over here and touch your hoof here’ She gestured to a specific area of the head's neck. Mobius did so curiously but somewhat hesitantly. Once his hoof made contact the Panassari pulsed and writhed underneath his hoof and against the dummy. Redfang had closed her eyes and was deep in thought and focus.

“What are you doing?” Questioned the Venator quietly.

‘Trying to find some traces of the… ah-hah!’

The armor stopped moving as its efforts seemed to focus on one single point. A moment later the tendrils the Panassari had sprouted returned and Mobius retracted his hoof.

‘Hmmm, this metal structure is unlike any I have ever seen… slash, felt. It will take some time and extra love but I should be able to adapt my plating to resist its cuts.’

“You can adapt to it?”

Redfang gave the Venator a blank look. ‘I am a living piece of armor made by the Empress of all Changelings. With enough time and extra love, any advantage her enemies have will become ours.’

“Hmm.” Hummed Mobius in approval as Redfang continued.

‘The process will go much faster if you can get me close to her armor. If you can even get me in direct contact with it for several seconds I would be able to adapt its composition to my own armor no problem.’

“And the drawbacks would be…?”

‘An extreme drain on our love stores until the process is complete. This metal it's… very difficult for me to synthesize quickly, let alone efficiently in the heat of battle.’

“How long would it take you currently?”

‘With this small sample… a week with a constant supply of love. Get me more and it will go quicker.’

“And if you were in direct contact with it like you say?”

‘10 maybe 15 seconds with a lot of love, and I do mean a lot of love. You’d only be able to keep going for maybe an hour but probably less before starvation would set in.’ Informed Redfang with a warning towards the Venator who nodded in understanding

“Understood. Now, are you done? I don’t want to stay here much longer, we may be spotted.”

‘Not yet. Bring us over to the arena. I want to see where the pony froze.’

Mobius did so quickly but reluctantly as he quietly moved towards the arena, his nose picking up the smell of a very chaotic and frankly disgusting cocktail of emotions permeating the area where Six had frozen.

Mobius brought his hoof up to his nose and he could see Redfang do the same.

‘Euch, by the Empress, what was she feeling for it to remain this long in the air?!’

“Can we use this to our advantage?”

‘You overheard the same conversation I did.’ Redfang took a deep breath before shuddering. ‘Okay, Mobius you aren't going to like this but it may give us some more information about Six’

“...Do it. Any edge is better than none.”

‘Then please forgive me for any discomfort this is about to cause.’ Apologized Redfang preemptively as she took another deep breath and began to drink in the surrounding emotions.

Pain, regret, failure, sadness. So many emotions and all so very potent as Redfang and in turn Mobius absorbed the cocktail. Mobius’s stomach twisted and turned in protest, making his head spin in nausea, but he remained standing. He had eaten worse on the battlefield. Eventually, Redfang had stopped as the last remaining drop was absorbed into their combined body.

“Why…” Mobius panted, “Did you…”,he swallowed and shuddered, “do that?”

‘Eugh’ Redfang shook her head. ‘Whew okay come let’s leave. I’ll fill you in once we’re back with the others. That, euch, dinner contained some very important information about our target. Now let's go, we’ve got everything we can.’

“No argument from me.” Mobius’s wings buzzed as he took to the skies, the ghostly form of Redfang flying alongside him as they left the courtyard. Leaving one broken and violated dummy alone to await his burial tomorrow in Luna’s dark night.

Author's Note

Chapter 32

The day after had started out like any other for Six’s squad of initiates. They woke at the crack of dawn, put on their weighted armor, and marched into the courtyard to meet their ruthless Spartan trainer. Only today was far different for the four initiates lined up for their morning drills with the already awake Spartan.

When the Spartan moved to inspect the initiates all she did was give a nod and say a single sentence that dumbfounded the Squad.

“You're all dismissed for the day.”

And with that, the Spartan simply left and returned right back the way she came leaving the four of them to stand there, confusion plastered all across their faces. Their final exam was only days away. Perhaps Six considered them ready, was the collective thought among them before the Silence was broken by Pixy.

“So… What do we do now?” The pegasus asked the group.

“Let's just get our morning PT done, for now, she may be testing us to see how we act without her. So let's get moving.” Responded Spear as he began to start jogging around the courtyard. Sparrow followed suit without hesitation whilst spirit followed after a hesitant glance towards the door Six had just left through. Pixy stood there alone for several moments longer watching the rest of her Squad go before joining them with a huff.

Two hours later and a small shower break the four of them were now eating breakfast in the guards' cafeteria. Spirit took a seat next to Sparrow while Pixy and Spear sat opposite from them. The food portions before them varied somewhat with Sparrow having the largest meal out of the rest of them due to Spirit offering the Stallion a majority of her own portions most of the time.

“I swear Spirit you feed Sparrow anymore he’ll have a bigger flank than Celestia.” Commented Pixy as Spirit smiled sheepishly behind her now much lighter portion of greens. Sparrow meanwhile just shrugged and continued eating before giving a nonchalant response

“I’m not complaining.”

“Neither am I. I’m just not very hungry. I had a very filling dinner last night” Commented Spirit quietly as she very slightly scooted closer to the larger Stallion. Sparrow didn’t mind or didn’t notice as he kept stuffing his face.

Pixy and Spear just watched with unreadable faces before glancing at each other. The pegasus smiled cheekily whilst the Unicorn rolled his eyes.

“Mind out of the gutter Pixy.” At that response, a very light blush suddenly began to grow on Spirits cheeks. Sparrow meanwhile was too engrossed in stuffing his face to notice as Pixy laughed heartily.

“So anyway what are we doing after lunch?”

“What do you think Pixy, back to training.”

“But without Six?”

“You got a better idea? We’re soldiers and we're Six’s soldiers and personally, I don’t want to piss her off anymore than she usually is.”

“I say Six has given us the day off so let's use it! Let's go out into the city, actually have some R&R. Tartarus, if anyone here deserves some it's us after these weeks of torture. Cmon Spear even I know the offer sounds tempting enough for you.

“It's tempting yes, but I still do not believe it to be a good idea.“

The sound of Sparrow’s plate being emptied brought their attention towards the large Stallion.

“I'm down, it's been so long since my last drink I’ve forgotten what it tastes like.”

“I, um, also wouldn't mind getting a drink. I think it would be a good team-building…exercise” Spirits voice got progressively quieter as the other three’s attention was suddenly focused on her.

Spear’s gaze switched between the three ponies before sighing loudly.

“Fine, I could use some time to unwind after having to deal with Pixy without alcohol for this long.”

“Hey!” Interjected Pixy whilst Sparrow and Spirit laughed at the comment.

An hour later and a short trip to the armory to drop off their equipment later the four Spartan trainees were exiting the royal castle and wandering the streets of Canterlot. The ever-eager Pixy led the group to their establishment of choice.

‘The Gilded Barrel’ was the building’s name, a popular spot for the many guards of Canterlot. Ponies of many different kinds were sitting inside, enjoying Celestia’s sunny day with a cold pint and some hay-fries. The sound of laughter and soft music could be heard faintly playing inside.

Entering the building the four of them went somewhat unnoticed by the sparse crowd inside. Surprisingly Spirit was the one recognized by the owner behind the bar as a large smile grew on the ponies’ face. Putting down the glass they were cleaning they moved over to greet them.

“Spirit! Good to see you again, been a while since your last visit. And I see you’re not alone, and new faces as well. Names Tap, a pleasure to meet some new faces.” He extended his hoof and got a shake in return from the rest of the group. “Here follow me, I’ve got a free booth right over here.” He lead the group over towards one of the free corner booths where they all then took a seat and ordered their drinks as the next song began to play.

“So Spirit.” Began Pixy catching the earth-ponies attention. “Didn’t take you to be a friend of the owners.”

“I, um, met him during the Invasion. I stopped them from… taking him.” That got the attention of the rest of her group as Sparrow gave a whistle.

“Nice.”

“Damn right that’s nice Sparrow,” added Pixy with a large grin towards the earth-pony that was now trying to hide in her seat.

“I gotta agree with Pixy. Good job Spirit.” finished Spear towards a now embarrassed Spirit.

“Please stop…”

“Alright lay of her Pix. What stories have you got?” Questioned Sparrow towards the red-winged Pegasus bringing the attention away from the now almost under-the-table Spirit. Noticing this Spear quietly whispered towards the pony whilst Pixy began to rattle off her own tales of her time before Spear and Sparrow.

“You alright?”

“I… don’t like the attention.”

“Okay, but you shouldn’t need to worry. Pixy will always bring the spotlight back to her. Now cmon out, our drinks are here.” And with that Spear resumed his previous posture as the Stallion known as Tap arrived with their food and drinks, but mostly drinks as Sparrow was the only one who ordered anything to eat.

But now with drinks served and portions of alcohol being introduced to their bodies Pixies already strange and downright weird stories only got worse. Or better depending on your view as laughs became evermore pronounced and boisterous. Even Spirit was taking part after downing several glasses of liquid courage. Eventually, it was suggested they play a game of darts and after a quick talk to Tap by a slightly tipsy Spirit the four of them were embroiled in a battle that would be talked about for many future happy-hours to come.

*Thump*

The group was roughly halfway into their game when what could only be described as incoming heavy hoofsteps by them outside of the building and approaching. It made the four of them freeze in their tracks. They knew what those hoofsteps were. They knew who they belonged to. And it made them all the more terrified as to why they were getting closer.

The door to the bar was opened and in strode the Pegasus that could make the most hardened of guards quiver in their boots. The Spartan the initiates had learned to equally fear as well as respect. So why in Tartarus was she here?

That was the big question on the somewhat inebriated soldiers’ minds. The hustle and bustle of the room were silenced when they saw this absolute giant of a pony stepping inside. The ambient sound of conversation stopped with only the faint sound of the jukebox in the corner filling the silence.

Six entered the building with her helmet on, its featureless Visor scanning the room before suddenly stopping on an empty on the adjacent wall to the initiates dartboard. Without a word, the Spartan made their way over to the booth and took a seat. The wood audibly creaked under every step and bent under her enormous weight.

The four of them noticed something, however. Her posture, her demeanor. She wasn’t taking the same confident strides full of power and grace like she normally did. They seemed… off to the group.

Once the Spartan had taken her seat the first thing they did was remove their helmet and place it upon the table and that’s when everypony knew something was wrong.

Her eyes looked sunken and deadened as if she were perpetually stuck staring a million miles away. Tap walked up to the booth to greet the Spartan, only to not even get a single syllable out of their mouth.

“Just… Get me some alcohol…please?”

“You got it. I’ll be right back.” Any barkeep worth their salt knows when it’s best to just get the customer their alcohol and leave, and this was mare was not one he wanted to keep waiting. As the stallion left to grab the Spartan her drink she took her helmet into her hooves.

A face she could not recognize stared back at her. Her mind, muddied by the residual drink she had consumed before coming here. Six would have laughed at the guard’s face when she asked where the nearest bar was if the reason for her asking wasn’t so personal.

It had become too much. She couldn’t sleep, she could barely think when she wasn’t training. The crushing despair from the memories of what she had lost had left her with only one option as ignoring it only made it worse. She wanted…needed to forget before the memories got her killed. Her fight with Luna was the wake-up call she needed.

A moment later her drink had arrived and she downed it without a second thought. It was certainly not the best drink Six had ever had but it would do. All she needed was its alcohol and a lot of it due to her enhanced Biology.

The ambient sounds of the bar had returned but they were very much subdued and marred with the subject-manner of Six. Meanwhile, the four initiates didn’t know what to think there the terror of Las Pegasus sat, their muzzle already deep into a second glass with an expression of hollowness on their face.

The group sat back down at their booth, their want to play darts gone. It seems as though they hadn’t been noticed by the Spartan yet and they hoped to keep it that way, for now at least.

“I know that expression” Began Spirit. “My father used to do the same when he retired. He would just… stare into his glass for hours on end.”

“Should we do something? Maybe invite her over here?” Asked Pixy

“Pix, do you really think it is a good idea to invite her here, in that state? I think it's better we just leave it to her when she notices us. What do you think Spear?”

The Unicorn in question glanced towards the Spartan then down towards his own glass. He had barely touched it.

“I’m going over.” Spear said, grabbing his glass. Sparrow was about to protest but before he could a hoof was placed over his muzzle. He was confused he looked down to where the hoof originated and found Spirit looking up at him shaking her head.

“Trust him.” She whispered towards Sparrow as well as Pixy whilst Spear made his way over.

As Spear approached the table the Spartan did not look up, their gaze was still unfocused as the mare stared into their own reflection. The Spartans' ears flicked and swiveled towards the approaching stallion.

“Mind if I join you?” Spear asked. Six remained unresponsive for several seconds before she ever so slightly shook her head. Seeing this Spear took a seat opposite from the Spartan and placed his glass down on the table in front of him.

“I know that I can not possibly understand what your going through Six but I do know that drinking alone is not the way to go.”

Six didn’t react other than by taking another sip of her drink. Several minutes would pass of the two of them sitting in silence, each sipping from their drinks before Six’s gaze suddenly met with Spears. Some say the eyes are the windows into one soul and those deep blue eyes spoke of loss incomprehensible to the Unicorn. But even then as the Spartan peered back into his own eyes a very slight smile grew on the Spartan's lips.

“Yeah… I suppose it isn’t”

The Spartan raised what was her fourth glass and Spear brought his own up to hers with a *klink*

Author's Note

It my Birthday.
I gib update on birthday
simple as'

Chapter 33

Night had come to the once busy streets of Canterlot. Markets were closed and high-class restaurants were filled with the nobles of Canterlot enjoying their expensive meals. Nightclubs were booming and bars were packed with all kinds of ponies enjoying a finished work week with a nice cold drink. The Gilded Mug was one of those bars as it soon found itself full of stallions and mares looking to wind down and enjoy the start of the weekend.

Six meanwhile just tried to tune out the loud sounds the bar's patrons now produced. The alcohol she had been given had begun to do its job. Six didn’t care it took so many bottles she may have set a new world record for alcohol consumption, the buzz she was experiencing right now was worth it. Her enhanced biology and higher-than-average weight did not make it easy for the alcohol to take hold. Damn her augments and extremely athletic build.

She looked up from her glass and saw Spear sitting across the table, his drink half gone and his head bobbing ever so slightly to the music as he gazed out towards some corner booth. He still only had the one glass in front of him from when he came over whilst Six was on her…something glass, she hadn’t been counting, she didn't want to.

Curiosity took hold over the inebriated mind of the Spartan as she tilted her head and followed Spears' gaze towards the corner. What she found were 3 slightly blurry ponies looking back at her with large eyes. She squinted slightly in an attempt to discern the ponies' faces, her body leaning forward outside the booth.

They seemed to be talking or something. Six couldn’t be sure as she turned her gaze back towards Spear, a questioning look upon her face.

“Whho-?” Her voice slurred momentarily, confusing the Spartan before she shook her head clear hoping to banish whatever caused her to slur.

Spear meanwhile gave what sounded like an amused chuckle as he muttered something Six couldn’t discern before Speaking. “Okay Six, I think you have had enough to drink for today.” He stood up and moved next to the Spartan that towered over him from their seat. “Cmon, let's head back to the castle because, honestly, you getting a worse hangover than you have already condemned yourself to, terrifies me.“

Six giggled uncharacteristically. “Just try to bring me away from my glass!” She reached an armored hoof to grab her glass and lifted it to her lips to gulp the already drunk contents down again. Confused as to why she felt no burn on her tongue she looked down into the glass and frowned. She then unceremoniously pushed the glass into Spears' hooves. “Get me another.”

Spear sighed and put the glass back on the table, much to Six’s quite visual annoyance. “No. You have had enough now, come on.” He hooked his hoof around Six’s still outstretched one and pulled ever so slightly. It felt as if he were trying to pull a brick wall apart with his bare hooves as Six didn’t budge and simply looked even more annoyed.

The rest of the initiates, obviously sensing the change in the bar's alcohol-layered wind, stood up from their seats and moved to reinforce their friend. Six’s features meanwhile grew ever-more familiar to the Unicorn albeit less forceful than he was used to seeing for now. The furrowed brow, the lightly bared teeth, and those eyes that screamed predatory observing the Unicorn.

Spear, however, had grown quite accustomed to that look and did not back down. Any normal guard would have felt themselves shrink under the lethal gaze of the Spartan with their flight or fight response forcing them to back down. But Spear was no ordinary guard anymore, Six had seen to that herself.

Even now to her drunk and grief-muddied mind a deep part of her could not help but feel pride at what she had managed to do to this pony in such a short amount of time. His gaze was as cold and hard as hers, veritable tungsten of a stare that seemed more in place on a Spartan than Pony. His stance followed the same principles with its firm and unyielding demeanor meeting the Spartans’ drunken challenge in turn.

What could only be described as a silent battle was waged between the Spartan and Unicorn. Six’s expression of annoyance and anger grew evermore pronounced until she was actively scowling at the much smaller Unicorn. Her drunken gaze looked down at the Unicorn as if they were nothing but a covenant Grunt standing in her way between her drunken fantasy and harsh reality.

Spear cared not for the scowl upon Six’s flushed face, it was merely nothing more than a drunken mare lashing out at the obstacle between her and their next drink. A starved timberwolf growling at the stallion between it and its next meal. Spear had seen and been subjected to worse during his time in the guard. He was a stallion like any other and enjoyed a drink after a long day of work. He had also been subjected to the exact same stare many times before when it was time to put the glass away.
Albeit it was Pixy scowling at him back then and not his commanding officer, that did not mean he would give in.

The rest of his squad arrived moments later, questioning Spear why Six looked like she was about to toss the steadfast Unicorn out the window.

“I am telling her that she has had enough to drink tonight and that we should get back to the castle”

“I~ ammm… fiiiine!” Slurred the Spartan, quite clearly not fine to the rest of the Squad as they took in her drunken features. Their own facial expressions dropped at the sight. Their normally straight-faced, steel gazed Spartan looked more like a drunken fool they would throw in a holding cell till dawn. Rather than the ‘Angel of Las Pegasus’ as she was known in the papers and to the common guard who has heard of her actions in Equestria.

“Six, ma’am, no. You are not.” Responded Spirit with steel she was not known for like a puppy suddenly barking with the voice of a fully grown dog.

Sparrow, momentarily taken aback by Spirits proclamation, quickly recomposed himself and agreed with the usually shy earth-pony. “Lieutenant, You have had enough.”

“Yeah, c'mon buddy. You drink anymore and I believe you will even have trouble in the morning. So let's get back to the castle before you pass out in the bar.”

Six’s gaze flicked between the four ponies that stood before her, scowl deepening. Once again her scowl, the stuff her foes would have nightmares about, had no effect on the ponies as they remained there unmoving, urging the Spartan to come with them back to the castle. She was about to give them a piece of her mind before said mind suddenly flashed with images, no… memories of a time long past.

The four stood there unmoving and now somewhat confused. The scowl Six wore suddenly lost its fury and began to sink, the scowl softening and the bared teeth receding. The Timberwolf had just lost its bark before the Spartan initiates. Without a word Six moved to stand up from her seat.

With a loud thump her four armored hooves hit the ground, the wood creaking and groaning beneath her wobbly limbs. The Spartan tried to keep her balance but couldn't as she swayed from side to side. Her wings instinctively flared to help keep her balance, their razor-sharp feathers nearly impaling the form of pixy that stood to the Spartans left. Were it not for the Spartans training Pixy would surely be bleeding and screaming profanities by now. The headboard to her right however did not fare so well.

The feathers cut through the wood like a burning knife through butter, causing parts of it to splinter and fracture near the initial impact contact point. A small thin line of cut wood and cotton snaked up the rest of the structure surrounding her still embedded feathers. The bar turned eerily silent at the sound of splintering wood and *eeping* Pegasus, turning all eyes towards the still wobbling Spartan.

“Woah Woah take it easy.” Began Spear as he moved to support the larger mare, he grunted in exertion slightly when he brought his hooves up to support the extremely heavy Spartan. Seeing their leader's obvious distress Sparrow quickly joined in and helped support Six, keeping the Spartan from swaying any longer.

Six, her mind still muddied under her drunken haze didn’t fully realize what was happening around her as her mind blinked in and out of sentience. One second she was standing still, the next she was walking out the door with the feeling of several ponies pushing up against her and finally the feeling of a cool nightly breeze against her folded ears.

She blinked rapidly, the nausea-inducing haze that had descended before her vision clearing up allowing her to see where she now found herself. She was walking, well more like stumbling, down a somewhat empty street. The moon was now high in the sky and the lights of the Castle illuminated the sky before her. She could feel something against her sides, taking some weight off of her wobbly hooves. Her wings were still extended but drooping against her sides and over something she couldn’t discern through her armor.

Meanwhile, to the outside observer, it was a sight to behold as two, obviously struggling, ponies helped this massive mare of meat and metal stumble their way down the street. Spear and Sparrow's brows were furrowed and damp with sweat from exertion. They had come to the bar to escape their nightly workouts, it seems fate had a cruel sense of irony. The addition of heavy and sharp armored wings being draped across their back and poking into their torso did not help as well.

“Celestia, forgive me for uttering this, but I believe we have found the heaviest mare to ever walk Equis” Panted out Sparrow eliciting a laugh from the rest of his entourage save the extremely inebriated Six. Were she fully aware of what was happening around her, Sparrow would surely be kissing dirt now. But luckily Sparrows poking of the, not really fully there, wolf did not elicit such a reaction.

The group turned into an ally-way as a shortcut when suddenly Six brought her hoof to press against her mouth as she stopped in her tracks. Then as quick as a minx Six ran towards a nearby dumpster and unceremoniously evacuated the contents of her stomach. The weak metal of the bin bent under her weight as pixy hovered above the alcohol poisoned Spartan, her hoof gently rubbing the Spartans back. Pixy didn’t know if it actually helped but it usually did with her.

Several minutes later the Spartan now sat on the ground, her back against the dumpster. She felt like she belonged there amongst the many items the ponies of Canterlot threw away, as the failure of a Spartan she was. The stench of her stomach's evacuated contents permeated the alleyway, its foul smell meshing with that of half-eaten food rotting in their bags. First, she couldn’t die right, now she couldn’t even control her own mind.

Six pulled her pair of dog tags out from their hiding place under her armor and brought them before her eyes. Thanks to her enhancements the alcohol that muddied her mind dissipated to the point that conscious thought returned to the Spartan as she stared at the tags before her. She could see the panting forms of Sparrow and Spear catching their breath across from her as she felt the wind of regular wingbeats against her scalp.

She was about to glance up when Spirit suddenly appeared in her field of vision and began to look the Spartan over, making sure nothing was visually wrong with the mare before speaking softly.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like trash.” Responded the Spartan as she switched her gaze from her dog-tags to the pair standing across from her, their furs caked in sweat like they had just run one of Six’s now-famous marathons. “I-I’m sorry.” Apologized the still somewhat inebriated Spartan, to everyone around her.

“Don’t… be” Panted out Spear as he fought to catch his breath against the stone wall of the building he leaned against.

“Yeah, it's… our pleasure… to help you… instead.” Added Sparrow as wiped his muscled hoof across his brow.

“Yeah buddy, no need to worry, this isn’t our first rodeo” Added Pixy from above as the lookout of the group.

“No… This should never have happened.” She focused her gaze back onto the dog tags before her. “ I don’t deserve to wear this armor. I’m a damned failure of a Spartan. Hell, I can't even die right…”

“Six. No. Don’t think like that. This is just the alcohol talking. ” Interjected Spirit forcefully but Six didn’t react as her eyes were still focused on the pair of dog tags she held in her hood.

“No… Do you know how it feels to know that your homeland is fighting a war for their very right to exist and you have no way to return or even know if what you did had any meaning? To watch your friends die right in front of you one by one until you're the last one left?”

The rest of the ponies around her watched and listened in silence as Six continued.

“To be denied the death you deserved.” Six suddenly slammed her free armored hoof against the metal of the dumpster she sat against causing the initiates around her to jump. The metal of the dumpster squealed and groaned as it was forcefully reshaped by the force from the Spartans hoof. A Large indent that was on the verge of ripping apart at the seams was now a part of the metal dirtied surface.

“Goddamned Magic. Couldn’t let me die right. It just had to keep the saying alive. Spartans. Never. Die…”

The alley stood silent at the Spartans' confessions. Nobody knew what to say to *that*. To the pony that had watched friends die, and then herself. But that last part must have been false, just alcohol-addled memories being recalled wrong. Necromantic magic was outlawed so long ago the exact date is impossible to remember to all but the ageless alicorns. And Six looked like no Lich of undeath to them. But like a broken mare, no… Soldier. A soldier that needed help but would accept none,

The silence continued to reign over the alleyway, the soft wingbeats of the hovering Pixy and the distant bustle of ponies were all that could be heard over the Spartans, now labored, breathing.

Spear fell to his haunches. “Five years ago, I was leading a patrol on the southern border of Equestria with 10 other guardsponies. It was meant to be a simple mission along the border, to look for any wild beasts that like to make its caves their home. During that patrol, we came across a nest of Badland devil-snakes. Huge, terrifying beasts as big as a carriage, known for their tenacity and unpredictability.”

Curious, Six looked up from her tags, what she saw was not the same pony that had met her scowl from before and more. He looked… broken, like herself.

“I made a mistake in the fighting. My mind was still so rigid and full of Combat and strategy textbooks that I planned and struck with, what those textbooks said were the perfect moves… I was the only one who made it out alive… barely.” Spear lifted front hooves and twisted them to inspect their forms.

Six focused on the limb, its light-blue fur popping out in the darkness. She traced its form as she saw the scars. They were almost imperceivable against the white fur but there they were. One long cut that went from hoof to shoulder, snaking around the elbow like a snake strangling its prey.

“You know what a Devil-snake venom does to the body? It's… almost alive in a way as it targets the limb's nervous system, causing every pain receptor affected to scream out at once in unending agony. The Venom then proceeds to liquefy any muscle tissue it touches. It made me want to just end it all right there so that the pain would stop before it spread throughout my body.”

Even Six, the Spartan that had felt plasma fuse and melt titanium onto her skin, cringed at that description.

“Because I made a mistake everypony under my command didn’t come home, because those damned snakes learned our tactics and countered them with some of their own. Captain Shining Armor at the time told me it wasn't my fault. Son of a diamond dog even gave me a medal because I got bitten while trying to pull a snake off my battle-buddy and fell unconscious shielding the already long dead pony.”

“I should have died with them… but a nearby garrison saw my flare and found me unconscious and managed to save not only my hoof but also my life from the snakes' Venom. After I recovered I personally led the attack that exterminated that nest off the face of Equis.” Spear looked Six dead in the eye “ I know what it feels like Six. I also sat in an ally like this, wanting to forget and drown everything in cheap beer. To deem myself unworthy of the armor I wore. But you can’t give that thought the time of day.”

Spear sighed before looking up at the hovering Pegasus above them.

“You ever wonder why I deal with Pixy? She annoys me and everyone around her to no end with her antics-“

“Hey!”

“Yet I still stick by her and defend her. Do you know why? It's because she found me in that alley and helped drag my sorry ass back to the barracks and just listened to what was eating me up. She, believe it or not, made me remember why I joined the guard in the first place. And now we’re going to do the same with you. Because no matter how hard you kick and scream or call yourself lower than the garbage around us. You helped turn us from some bumbling guards in Las Pegasus to the Spartans you call us now. So let us return the favor.”

Spear sat back up and held his scarred hoof out towards the Spartan, a smile blossoming on the Unicorn's face.

“So what do you say, Lieutenant? Let's get back to the castle and fix these scars we have together.”

Six started at the outstretched hoof, her eyes flickering between it and the tags she held in her armored hoof. She looked to her hip, where her helmet hang. Its visor reflected the moonlight that shone down upon them as Six’s now only slightly dazed mind worked on what Spear had said.

The taste and burn of regurgitated stomach acid remained on the back of her tongue, its presence acting as if a sweet contact by the devil she only needed to sign with more booze for the pain to go away again. Then there was the hoof before her, its contract offering an overwhelming force of pain, loss, and grief with only the chance that it may all be worth it in the end.

Six remembered Reach… and her mind was made up.

The Spartan rose from her place on the ground shakily and took the offered hoof with one of her own. After all, When have overwhelming odds ever stopped a Spartan in the past?

“Good, now do you need any support? Are you good to walk on your own back to the castle?” Asked Spear with a growing smile as Six turned to the side and began walking.

“I’ll be fi-“ Six couldn't finish what she was saying before she promptly lost her balance and tumbled to the ground again. Her armor left small cracks in the cobblestone as the titanium-like alloy smashed into the ground. Six glanced to the side where Spear stood. She sighed. “Give me your hoof.”

As she held out her own. Spear gave a single chuckle before heaving as he helped the Thousand pound Spartan back to her hooves. Sparrow quickly joined in on the other side to lighten the heavy load on his friend.

By the end of their, now with less drunken stumbling, journey the Spartan was lying on the screaming in unheard pain couch inside barracks, sleeping soundly unknowing of the punishment her body would bestow upon her in the morning.

Author's Note

Ever read The Infinite and the Divine?
Because I have and it was beautiful

Chapter 34

The pounding of a headache and the blinding lights shining through her eyelids were Six‘s first indication that she had made a terrible mistake the night before. Her makeshift bed felt unfamiliar and the sound of muffled murmuring and hoofsteps around her were clear indications that she was not where she usually decided to pass out for the night.

The distant yell of a Drill Sergeant screaming “Get up Maggots!” A bunch of fresh recruits forced the Spartan's ears to fold tightly against her cranium as her forehead screamed in protest at the unbearably loud voice. For the first time since Six was first put in the Spartan III Program did she want to sleep in. To just put her helmet on, mute its auditory sensors and go back to sleep.

“So this is the mare in charge of those ‘initiates’ I’ve heard so much about?”

Such hopes by the Spartan were dashed as a scratchy voice reverberated from her left. Its volume making Six flinch and bring her hooves up and over her ears to protect them from the noise that resembled nails on a chalkboard. She cracked one of her eyes open ever so slightly to see who it was that decided to wake the sleeping Spartan.

“Humpf, one too many drinks last night I take it?”

Asked a yellow Pegasus mare, their mane a blazing two-tone orange with a light blue flight jacket resting over their shoulders. Six also saw a pair of sunglasses, covering the mare's eyes.

‘Great it's one of those…’

“What do you want?” Asked Six groggily as she shielded her eyes from the light of the room once again. The Spartan honestly couldn’t care less about the mare right now, and that message was reflected in the obviously tired tone her voice spoke with.

“Nothing really. Just wanted to see who we were up against on Monday.”

“Well, you’ve seen. Now go away, come back later. You do not want to deal with me right now… whoever you are.”

“It's Spitfire, now if you’ll excuse me I have some squad members to drill, unlike you I am a responsible Leader who doesn’t drink all night before a war game.”

Six opened her eyes and turned to look at the cocky mare that dared speak to her like that. Like a wolf rising from its slumber to slay the rabbit that ventured too close to its den, Six rose from the couch that was her makeshift bed. Rising to her full height she towered over the now somewhat nervous-looking mare. The glare Six wore bore into Spitfires very soul. She now suddenly very much regretted antagonizing the mare that now stood over her.

Six’s head was pounding and spinning slightly but she really did not care for her bodies complaining right now. She was pissed at this mare now and wanted to make sure she knows she just made a huge mistake.

“Okay fine, since you like to poke the Spartan with a stick. I am giving you two options since I'm feeling *nice*. Apologize and leave me alone. Or I throw you out that window.” Six pointed an armored hoof towards the far window to her left. “So… what's it gonna be?”

Spitfire stared up at the Spartan who’s teeth were slightly bared. Like a rabbit staring into the jaws of a wolf her prey instinct kicked in and she did not want to be eaten, or in this case, thrown out the window by this massive mare. “Okay! I’m sorry.”

“Good. Now leave before I change my mind. We will speak later.”

With that, the mare scurried out of the room, her tail quite firmly between her legs as the Spartan glared at the mare on her way out. Moments later Six was alone in the room once again, her head still pounding and throat incredibly dry. The world was ever so slightly spinning as if her mind could suddenly perceive the rotation of the planet itself. Six grumbled as she took in her surroundings for the first time.

It appeared to be some type of common area in one of the many barracks of the castle grounds. On the wall closest to Six sat the, now quite obviously bent, couch. Across from the couch, light shone in through a window as the building's exit stood to Six’s left. To her right was the hallway that no doubt led to where the occupants of this barracks slept.

Six attempted to recall her memories of last night but came up blank. It was like she was trying to see an image through several meters of dark and murky water whilst she was also blindfolded. Six could guess however by the faint taste of cheap beer on the back of her tongue and the slight smell of alcohol her breath contained. She sighed as she brought her hoof up to her forehead to try and soothe the aching that plagued her.

‘God…damnit’

Six sat on her peak looking down below at the forest she had decided to *appropriate* for her daily training with her initiates. Her head was still pounding, although it was starting to dissipate as she basked in the abnormally fresh air. Below her, her initiates were in the throes of their final tests with Six. It was a simple exercise really. Just beat your other three teammates, alone, to pass.

It was simple, effective and they wouldn’t be allowed to leave until they all did it three times and Six was there to make sure they all gave it they're all. If she saw any cheating or going easy on their squadmates she would be sure to give them a nice marathon to run all night long.

It was Sparrows' turn currently as Six removed her slightly darkened helmet to take a sip of water. Six did wonder where Twilight was as usually she would be here by now but hey Six wasn’t complaining about her absence. She doubted she would be able to restrain herself right now should Twilight appear and continue with her incessant yapping and probing for personal information.

“It seems as though that even you are not immune to the effects of the drink.” Voiced the approaching Celestia from behind her.

“Though quite resistant to its effects if your excursion last night was any indication” Added Luna as she followed her sister towards the still drinking Spartan.

“Well, I’m paying for it now.” Six said as she put the bottle she had back down and re-equipped her darkened helmet.

“Quite.” Finished Luna as she took a seat next to the Spartan, her sister following suit as they both looked down to see what was going on.

Sparrow had the advantage as he managed to nail Pixy on the wing, forcing her out of the fight.

“We do have something we wish to discuss with you however regarding your recent… behavior Six.” Began Celestia after a moment of thought.

The Spartan tensed up.

“It's well… Forgive me for saying this but it is…”

“Not becoming of a Soldier of your caliber Six.” Luna finished what her sister began as she focused intently on the way Sparrow was fighting Spear in hoof-to-hoof combat.

Six didn’t fight the sigh that escaped her lips or the drooping of her posture. The Sisters were right. Her emotions were getting the best of her and last night was one hell of a wake-up call for her.

“I haven’t, have I?”

“You… are not going to fight me on this?” Asked Celestia, quite confused as the Spartans' response. Six gave a single loud chuckle of amusement before swiftly bringing her hoof up to her helmet in a vain attempt to soothe her headache resurgence.

Six sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth before answering. “No…Not this time. If I can’t be the Spartan I am because of this, then it has to be fixed. Otherwise, I’ll be endangering everyone around me…I won’t lose another squad, not this time.”

“Well, that certainly simplified things” Both Luna and Six chuckled at Celestia’s answer.

“I am glad you wish to seek help Six. I do not want our next duel to end prematurely like last time” Added Luna with a grin towards the Spartan.

The sound of a tree being felled down below brought their collective attention down towards the forest. There they managed to Spot Sparrow standing alone in the middle of a small clearing, His stance constantly flipping as if he was expecting an attack from every angle at once.

Looking to the side they saw Spear sitting next to Pixy meaning the Unicorn had been eliminated whilst they were talking. Spirit was the last one remaining of the trio and it seems as though Sparrow wasn’t taking any chances when it came to her possible hiding spots as he bucked another tree to the ground.

Even from their vantage point above the forest not even they could spot the earth pony sinking around the most they caught was the edge of a tail there, the sound of muffled hoofsteps there. Sparrow must have seen them as well as tried and failed to track Spirits' movements through the trees. Even from his place within his small clearing, he did not feel completely safe. He felt more like a fly that had gotten itself caught in the spider's web.

That Spirit was simply playing with her food as she tapped the strings and shook the foundations. Sparrow remained calm however, Six had done worse. To him, Spirit was merely a house spider compared to the tarantula Six was. Then, the spider struck. From a nearby treetop, Sparrow had deemed unreachable for the small mare the spider pounced… and her aim was true.

Sparrow didn‘t even notice he had been slashed across the neck until he felt the paint run down his chest. The large Pegasus didn't even hear the clip-clops of Spirits hooves against the hard ground until she stood before him, a cute smile on her face.

From above the three watched the spectacle below. Every round was more vicious and faster than the last. But eventually, the test was over. Every initiate had done it. Each and every one of them had beaten the other three alone. Pixy used her speed to end fights before they began. Sparrow used force in combination with his accuracy to flush his opponents out of cover to deliver the killing blow. Spirit was as silent as the night itself, her opponents barely even glimpsing her before their fake blood was spilled. Finally, Spear was the most creative of the three, using tactics so unconventional and adaptable to his opponents that their fates were sealed the moment they let Spear stare at them for too long.

Now the four of them stood before the two Princesses and the Spartan. Their final exam was only a day and a half away and Six knew that they were ready for anything her opponents would throw at her. She looked over her initiates, pride beaming out of her with the remnants of her hangover gone. Within only such a short amount of time, she had turned these ponies into Spartans. The only thing missing was the matching armor and augmentations to boot, but that did not matter here.

She had her new team, and they were going to show these smug Princess exactly why one should never challenge a Spartan at their own game.

Six removed her helmet and looked over towards the two Alicorns, her Spartans behind her. A massive grin was plastered on her face and it was mirrored by the equally proud ponies behind her.

“Princesses, my Spartans are ready.”

When the group returned back to the castle grounds Six was brought aside by the princesses leaving the squad to entertain themselves for the time being. The two alicorns brought the Spartan into one of the many castle tea rooms where several ponies clad in military dress were waiting deep in the throes of conversation. There were two mares and two stallions among them. One of the mares appeared to have Bat-like wings protruding from her back unlike the familiar orange feather ones the other mare had.

When the three of them took their seats the speaking died down as they all took in the figure of this Spartan. Six looked about the room and recognized one of the mares sitting across from her. It was the orange mare from this morning, sunglasses and all. Spitfire was her name. The mare Six had threatened to throw out a window during their first meeting.

“Mares and Gentlestallions. This is Lieutenant Six. The leader of the first equestrian ‘Spartans’ and your opponent in this coming war-game.” Began Celestia, introducing the Spartan to the assembled officers.

Six nodded in greeting and the officers did, in turn, Spitfire included. Celestia then prompted the other officers to introduce themselves. The dark mare with bat-like wings introduced herself first.

“I am Captain Midnight of the Lunar Special Tactics Squadron. And this is my 2IC Master Sergeant Crimson. We specialize in nighttime operations and stealth. And I have to say it's quite an honor to meet the Angel of Las Pegasus in the flesh.” Began the mare quite enthusiastically, her 2IC mirroring the expression in his dark red eyes.

Six just chuckled lightly at the mare's excited words before she looked at the other officers. Spitfire went first.

“My name is Captain Spitfire of the Bolts or Wonderbolts to the general public. We specialize in Speed and Aerial Operations.” Introduced the Pegasus, her tone one of seeming boredom.

Six didn’t care really, the mare introduced herself properly and that was that. Finally, she looked at the Unicorn Stallion who introduced himself shortly afterward.

“Commander Dawn of Horizon Squad. We get the job done.” His voice was gruff and old as if the Stallion was only a few years away from retirement. The large greying beard he wore helped support this claim. But Six didn’t really care about that, this Stallion clearly spoke no-nonsense and got to the point. Just how Six liked it.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Greeted Six to everyone.

“Lovely. So as you all know this Monday your squads will all be participating in a battle of Squad vs Squad in order to better prepare our soldiers for all eventualities should we come to further blows with the changelings.”

“And to also determine whether the Lieutenant’s bite can live up to her bark.” Added Luna, gaining a frown from her sister in return.

“Yes… This will also be a test for our newly formed ‘Spartan’ Squad. To see how effective they will be. According to Six, they would be more effective than all of you combined.”

A Silence descended upon the room at the princess's exclamation. Spitfire was the first to break it.

“Well… I guess we’ll just have to see who is the better leader then huh?” She stood up and raised her hoof towards Six. “May the best mare win?”

Six shook it. “May the best mare win.”

“Well if it's a fight you’ll want it's a fight you’ll get Angel!” Began Captain Midnight enthusiastically as she also stood up and approached the Spartan, a large fanged smile on her face. “The L.S.T.S. hasn’t failed Luna yet and I don’t intend to be the first. But if I have to lose, not that I plan to mind you, it would be an honor for it to be you.” Six shook her outstretched hoof as well, a smile upon her face. The challenge was accepted.

Finally, there was the Commander of Horizon Squad who opted to remain seated.

“I will order my squad to show you no mercy.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Commander.” Responded Six with a curt nod and slight smile.

Dawn just grunted in acknowledgment, his beard hiding the small smile that grew on his face. The battle lines have been drawn and this coming Monday…

There would be war.

Author's Note

Tensions are rising
The test approaches
The Horizon comes

Chapter 35

“Alright Spartans, your time to shine has come.” Began Six the Hyper-lethal Vector and now the leader of the first equestrian Spartan team, instantly grabbing the attention of her squad as they otherwise occupied themselves around their barracks Common room. Within a flash the four of them stood at attention before Six, waiting for what she had to say.

“Tomorrow is your final test. And it will be tomorrow where you show the princesses the soldiers you have now become. But before that, there are several obstacles you must first overcome. Obstacles that I have no doubt you will crush under your armored hooves.” Six used her back leg to kick against the door frame slightly, the wood still groaning in protest even with the small amount of strength she used.

At her signal, four ponies clad in equestrian military garb entered the room behind her before taking up positions to her left and right.

“These ponies Spartans will be your opponents.”

It took all the willpower Six had beaten into their brains for the equestrian Spartans' jaws not to drop when they saw who now stood before them. Like any soldier, they knew of the special forces divisions within their country. They knew that only the best of the best even got the chance to join these ponies of the Wonderbolts and the L.S.T.S. They didn’t quite know who the old stallion among the leaders was but they doubted they would remain in the dark much longer.

“So these are your ‘Spartans’ in the flesh huh?” Began Spitfire as she inspected the four ponies in front of her. She stopped before the two pegasi Pixy and Sparrow. Her eyes roamed their bodies and wings. Her eyes stopped on Pixie's single red wing, gaze narrowing.

“You dye that wing?”

“N-No, ma’am!”

“*Hmpf* Well… Let's see if you live up to the legacy then.” Spitfire returned to her spot looking thoroughly unimpressed. Six eyed the Pegasus but gave it no mind for right now, it didn’t matter as Midnight of the L.S.T.S spoke up.

“Are these all of them? Four seems a bit low don’t you think?” The bat pony questioned as she brought a hoof up to her chin.

“It's enough.”

“Hmm, it's your squad. What about armor and equipment? You got anything special in the works?” The Captain questioned whilst eying the Spartans Mjolnir armored form.

“If you're talking about my armor, no. Nothing you have could ever replicate this, nor would I allow you to attempt to. I have something more… practical in the works for these Spartans.” Answered Six with a grin. “But as for right now, they’ll be using their standard-issue armor.”

“Your armor is really that special?”

“These Spartans here have seen its strength first hand. Any more than that is Classified.”

“Is this true?”

“Yes, Ma’am. Her armor is unlike anything I have ever seen and beyond anything we could possibly replicate.” Answered Spear with a very slight glance towards Six.

“Hmmm alright… What is your operational specialty?”

“Everything. When you send a Spartan to get a job done, success is guaranteed.”

Commander Dawn of Horizon Squad grunted.

“Well, I guess we’ll have to see tomorrow.”

Finally, there was the old stallion who watched from the sidelines. Nopony of the Spartan Squad knew who he was but they certainly felt like they should due to the number of commendations that hung from his coat. Everything from the Celestia Medal of Valor to the Lunar Medal of Honour. Finally, there was the insignia that was sewn onto his shoulder. It looked like the rising Sun behind the Horizon. A crescent moon stood before the Sun, splitting its orange coloration with its light blue one.

“Interesting…” Spoke the old stallion before looking back towards Six. “Very interesting… Tomorrow will be a very interesting exercise indeed”

‘How are our preparations coming along?’

‘Almost ready Venator. Taris’s team is already in position.’ Responded the lead Praetorian through his aura, Mobius smiled.

Weeks of preparation and observation and soon it would all come to a head. Tomorrow they would strike and cut the head off of the Equestrian Elite. Killing the pony that led him to this very moment would be the icing on top of the love-flavored cake.

Mobius turned his attention to the courtyard below him once again, the spectral form of Redfang appearing in his peripherals as his vision tinted red once again.

From above he could see his targets enter the courtyard once again, this time that ‘Spartan’ Squad in tow behind them. Looking around Mobius managed to spot 3 other groups of various sizes lined up across from them. Their armor each has a distinct color and design.

One was a dark blue and black variation of the normal guard armor. The several Pegasi of the group were mixed in with what Mobius could see were Thestrals. The bat-like wings are a dead giveaway. But what stood out were the wings that jutted from the backs of all the ponies, wings or no. What purpose this served exactly Mobius did not know but he could guess it may be an intimidation tactic or perhaps gliders for the ponies not fortunate enough to be born with wings. Whatever it was Mobius knew the armor of the LSTS when he saw it, and that squad was most definitely wearing it.

The LSTS would be no problem he had, after all, prepared for these ponies extensively. One did not become the Kommandant he used to be through luck.

The next group needed no analysis to the Venator. The light blue suits and the celebrity faces among the ponies were all the information he needed to recognize the Wonderbolts.

Ponies that were more focused on their public image than fulfilling their roles as aerial combatants.

‘How far the ponies have fallen since a time long past.’ Spoke Redfang suddenly

‘What do you mean?’

‘Several of your forebears had fought the Wonderbolts of what the ponies would call the ‘Dark Ages'; they were far more…intimidating than these glorified Celebrities. They cared not for Public Opinion or branding back then. Now I would not be surprised if they spent more time in the dressing room than on the field.’

‘Still, we should not underestimate them, Redfang.’

Redfang simply hummed in response. The vibrations of her spectral voice sent shivers through the Panassari’s living Carapace.

‘It will be interesting to see just exactly how far they have fallen from those your ancestors fought.’

Pulling his gaze away from the glorified stunt team Mobius was met with armor he could not recognize. It appeared to be a combination of the two guard armors of the Princesses. One half of the armor was a shining gold whilst the other half was a cool midnight blue. The line separating the halves goes straight down the middle of the armors' backs, between two false wings. Well, false when one wasn't a Pegasus or Thestral. What was interesting though were the designs of the false wings. On the lighter side, they looked like any normal Pegasus wings. On the dark side, however, they resemble those of the Thesteral race.

The whispering in the back of his mind knew who this squad was. VOPS would have briefed him on their existence. But now it seemed like he would have to wing it as the Rumors were true.

‘Redfang, keep an eye on those ponies. See if you recognize their armors’

‘Why?’

‘Those ‘rumors’ you’ve no doubt heard me mention with Curxe seem to hold love after all.’

‘You think they are those ponies?’

‘I know every Equestrian military division insignia and armor like the holes in my hoof. This armor I do not recognize from any VOPS reports or my own knowledge. I’d bet my love that this is that Rumor.’

Redfang remained quiet at that answer. Her spectral crimson eyes now watching the ponies intently.

Moments later Six and her squad were lined up among the rest of the ponies whilst the four officers discussed amongst each other as the LSTS 2IC returned to their Squad. Mobius briefly wondered why specifically that 2IC was allowed to take part in senior officer discussions and events before banishing the thought. It made no difference to Venator as he carefully moved away from his vantage point.

A short walk later and the Venator had returned to where his forces had set up shop. Mount Canterhorn was not purely a spire of rock. It did, naturally, contain many systems of underground caverns and tunnels. But not all of these tunnels were natural. In preparation for the Queen's invasion of the Capital, changeling digger drones had spent months creating an intricate system of tunnels surrounding the city of Canterlot.

Most of these caverns were found by the ponies, most notably being the one the Queen used to hold princess Cadence in, and either sealed them up or marked them for exploration. But they did not find them all, and it was in this main cavern where Mobius had been allocating his resources.

Taking on the entirety of Equestria’s special forces was by no means going to be an easy endeavor. In fact, Mobius was quite sure that if anyling wasn’t going to make it out alive it would be him. He tried not to dwell on that fact as he moved throughout the makeshift hive outpost. Multiple lings of various types were in the midst of their equally various duties.

Digger drones were putting the finishing touches on their various new tunnels. Average worker drones were helping out wherever they could whilst the Soldier and Praetorians were waiting in what one could describe as a sort of ‘hibernation’. They did not have enough love being gathered and or delivered to feed them all were they awake. So in the meantime, the large majority of Mobius’s assigned changelings remained in this state to conserve their already meager love reserves.

Looking over the hibernating changelings Mobius watched Redfang appear once more, hovering just above the large form of a sleeping Praetorians.

‘I wonder what they're dreaming about… A job well done? A large meal of Love? The Empress herself?’

Redfang reached out one of her spectral hooves to stroke the ling. Only for her hoof to pass through the Praetorian as if they weren't there. Mobius decided to leave the red ghost be as he continued on through the cavern and towards where his subordinates were gathering. He would have to inform them of the newest wildcard that had just been introduced.

He could see the senior Praetorians gather just ahead of him, the map they had been using to plan laid out before them. Its surface was covered in multicolored markers and lines indicating a well-thought-out plan. A plan Mobius was the architect of. Walking up to the table Mobius had to look up to meet the gaze of the much larger changeling Praetorians.

What Mobius would have given for his Ribbons to be made of Praetorians instead of the normal warrior and soldier class lings. It would have basically annihilated his supply lines at the time but it would have made battles a cake-walk. No wonder the Queens kept them on a tight leash and by their sides. Their Strength and Power were superior to that of the normal drone but their dietary needs were much, much larger. Some texts say that the Empress had armies thousands-strong made of nothing but Praetorian class lings. That nation shook in fear at the buzzing of its wings.

But those were but stories of an age long past where there was no fight for survival…no rationing of love.

“Preparations are complete Venator. With this last delivery of Love, we can begin the awakening of the soldiers.”

“Good… begin the awakening process then once we are done here. First, a new element has entered the mix.”

“New element, Venator?”

“A previously thought to be unknown equestrian squad has arrived, presumably to do the same as the others and ‘test’ our primary target.”

“Do you have any intel regarding their tactics?”

“No, and that's the problem…How are our current preparations faring?”

“Taris’s team is already waiting in position to remove the Wonderbolts from the equation and Lexi’s squad is heading there now. We should hear from them via their aura soon. Once they are in position the LSTS won’t know what hit them. Your team is already in place and waiting for you to join them, Venator.”

“Good, that just leaves our newest problem…” Mobius looked over the map intently, Redfang peering over his shoulder. “I have an Idea, these tunnels here-“ Mobius gestured towards some lines marked in blue.”-What's their condition?”

“Sealed off. The ponies managed to follow some escaping lings from the invasion and closed the tunnels behind them.”

“How long would it take to reopen these tunnels and expand them?”

“If we reassign all of our current diggers as well as awaken some of our reserves we should get it done before Operation start.”

“Then make it so. This will give us the advantage we’ll need against these ponies.”

Author's Note

Oh boy next chapter shit will hit the fan. And I intend to make it live up to its build-up

We also got a new Coverart. In case you boys haven't noticed.

Chapter 36

The day had started like any other for the Spartan, as she opened her eyes and was met with her midnight black tail filling her visor. She stood up and felt one of her pillows breathe its last breath under her as the cloth exploded outward, filling the air with cotton-like balls. They danced through the air, caught in the currents of her room creating the effect of freshly falling snow.

Six exhaled loudly into her helmet as the contents of her gutted pillow floated to the ground and across her back. Shaking like a wet cat coming in from the rain, Six shook the white substance from her armor before making her way out of her quarters. The Spartan shook her head. She had much more important things to worry about today, and spring cleaning was not one of them.

Regardless of species, war games seemed to be a universal constant among military organizations. Humankind did it, the Covenant most definitely did as well and these ponies' did it, although, to a much lesser degree. War was, after all, a reality these ponies hadn’t faced in centuries. How fortunate these ponies were for the Spartan to drop in just before their first.

In fact, now that Six ruminated on this coincidence, it was strange that she was thrown into this ‘second life’ at this exact moment. For a nation woefully unprepared for war to gain an asset that had known and been trained for nothing but.

“Good morning Six!”

The Spartan's thoughts came to a standstill as her ruminations were dashed by the annoyingly cheerful voice of Twilight Sparkle, who smiled up at the Spartan expectantly and enthusiastically. Six glanced through a nearby window and found the Sun only barely peeking over the horizon.

‘Can’t say my routine hasn’t done her any favors as well’ Thought the Spartan with equal feelings of pride and more annoyance as she glanced back towards the clearly energetic unicorn. Her form, which was once slightly pudgy, had been changed dramatically. Muscles, previously hidden from sight, now shined in the faint light of the rising sun. She was no Spartan or a soldier for that matter, but she was now most definitely, ‘In-shape’.

“Hey.” Greeted Six in turn, her slightly tired tone hiding her annoyance as she continued to walk down the corridor; Twilight now in tow.

Thankfully for Six’s sanity, Twilight did not attempt her usual morning routine of poking the Spartan with a metaphorical stick. And Six wouldn’t have put it past Twilight to poke her with an actual stick if it meant satisfying her curiosity about the armor Six never took off.

Six chuckled to herself as she recalled the time Twilight accidentally hit Six with one of her Stun-bolts meant for, the now fully trained Spartans. Twilight was lucky Six was wearing her helmet at the time. Or otherwise Twilight would have had to deal with one very pissed-off Spartan. Thankfully all she did get was a light show.

The energy shielding absorbing the bolts kinetic energy and dissapating its charge. Six, being the one and a half thousand pound Spartan, took the blow like a solid brick wall. In fact, were it not for the gold flash and the slight draining of her shields energy bar on her hud she would not have even realized she was hit to begin with. It helped Six remember just how powerful and advanced the Covenant was compared to the Equestrians. A Plasma pistol bolt would have had more of an effect than Twilight's magical misfire.

Now if only that incident didn’t cause the unicorn's curiosity to explode leading to more and more ‘misfires’ when Twilight used her magic. Six naturally did put a stop to her experiments after the third incident within a single exercise, by having a ‘misfire’ of her own during target practice… with throwing knives. The subsequent loss of roughly 3 centimeters of purple mane made sure Twilight didn’t ‘misfire’ again.

“So where are we going?” Questioned Twilight innocently, breaking the silence Six was enjoying as the last vestiges of sleep left her mind.

“Breakfast.” Was the Spartans answer. Today was an important day after all and even a Spartan needed food to get their engine running. And the engine for a one and a half tonne Spartan required a lot of fuel to run efficiently. The armor did do most of the work but nothing beats actually eating solid food. After a long enough time even the MRE rations of the UNSC became a veritable gourmet.

“Oh! But the Kitchens are the other way…”

Six chuckled as she shook her head. “We’re not going to those Kitchens.”

“We’re going to *these* Kitchens.” Exclaimed Six as she opened the doors to the guard's on-site cafeteria. It was already brimming with all the guards stationed at the castle enjoying their, surprisingly appetizing, meals. The air was thick with the sounds of conversation ranging from tired acknowledgment to enthusiastic joking. The majority of said enthusiastic joking came from the tables to the far left of the room. It was also her destination as she spotted members of the Wonderbolts, LSTS, Horizon squad, and her own Spartans eating their breakfast together.

Six, being the largest mare in the military second only to the Princesses, was easy to spot by the group of eating ponies. Her Spartans, and surprisingly many of the members from the other squads, waved in greeting towards the pair. Six nodded in response whilst Twilight waved back with a large smile. Twilight also didn’t seem to mind eating her breakfast in the guard's cafeteria.

Yesterday had worked wonders for inter-squad relations. Due to Six’s Spartans being the ‘New kids on the block’ as Spitfire put it during their joint training yesterday. Although it was more akin to an unofficial Olympic game with how competitive everyone was, it did not stop her Spartans from tieing the unofficial top spot with Horizon Squad. But it did more than prove Six’s bark had bite. It showed the other squads that these ponies were worthy of being considered the best of the best.

The true test of combat prowess though would come later, during the war games where Six’s and her Spartans would be put to the test. But that was hours away, as for right now she had some breakfast to eat.

One short walk later and a tray full of surprisingly high-quality veggies in her hooves both Six and Twilight took a seat next to her Spartans. Or more specifically: next to the wildcard with a red wing. The wildcard who was most definitely not moments away from using her breakfast as a pillow. No, Pixy has a will of lead thanks to Six. She only looked like so to lure her fatigue into an ambush that would leave no survivors. Anyone who questioned the pegasus otherwise found themselves part of that ambush when the caffeine reinforcements arrive.

When they did it would be a massacre. On the outside it seemed to look like a switch had been flipped for Pixy as her hunched-over posture instantly straightened and the bags under her eyes faded away into nothingness. Spear was the first to notice the change as he ever so slowly scooted slightly away from the pegasus, before said pegasus started to… *eviscerate* her breakfast like there was no tomorrow.

Across the table sat Sparrow and Spirit, one munching away and the other pressed up against them, nursing their own cup of coffee. A half-eaten bagel sat lonely on Spirit’s plate in stark contrast to Sparrow’s which was almost double the size of everyone else's meal. It's not that he was greedy, his appetite was just larger due to his increased muscle mass. Meanwhile, Spirit was still as small as ever yet never seemed to look malnourished. Six shrugged it off, she wasn’t the first soldier she had met that had an unnaturally fast metabolism who hardly ever ate anything yet did not succumb to starvation.

Bringing her gaze further down the table as Six slowly began to fill her stomach, she focused her attention on the LSTS that had taken their seats next to the Spartans. Six idly wondered if they either all dyed their fur or whether joining them required a dark fur color as they all had varying shades of grey, black and dark blue like Six. It went without saying that she hoped it was the former instead of the latter, but in truth it didn’t really matter to her. Another thing that stood out to the Spartan were the pegasi… or rather the thestrals among them.

Unlike the other squads that had a somewhat equal balance of the subspecies, save for the Wonderbolts who were all pegasi, the LSTS had no pegasi and was instead full of thestrals instead with the occasional earth-pony and unicorn. They were somewhere in between the Wonderbolts and Horizon squad on the scale of how loud they were, with the Wonderbolts being the loudest and Horizon the quietest. Or on the scale between the Marines dinner table and a Spartans, they were a solid ODST.

The Wonderbolts were as loud and rowdy as one would think even if it was still quite early into the day. It seemed the boundless energy from their performances carried over into their daily life as well as they joked and laughed around with the other ponies around them. It was quite endearing in a way to the Spartan that even though they knew, after yesterday, that there would be no easy win they still kept their spirits and competitive spirit going with Soarin, the 2IC of the Bolts, keeping morale high whilst also making sure their joking didn’t cause the war games to begin early. In other words, standard squad to squad relations in the marines of the UNSC.

Finally, there was Horizon Squad, the quietest of the bunch. They did still engage when prompted but otherwise they remained pretty silent and only conversed among themselves. They were the most subdued of the three but by far the most well trained, if yesterday's events were anything to go by in their unofficial competition. If Six hadn’t already trained her own Spartans to perfection then she would be sure that someone else had already beaten her to the punch. If there was anything close to equestrian home-grown Spartans, Horizon Squad was it.

With members consisting of every subspecies of pony, with backgrounds from every walk of life and regiment of the guard, if the other squads were considered the best of the best. Horizon Squad was the best of the best of the best for lack of a better term as from the way the other squads talked with Horizon members they must have previously been squadmates at one point in time.

Their Commander, the old Stallion whose many medals spoke of untold heroism and valor, was still an enigma even to the other officers when Six asked around. His Second, however, was much more well known.

He was an earth-pony, or a Zebra to be more precise, with his darker than average grey fur and midnight back stripes that crisscrossed his body at sharp angles. Six didn’t get his exact name but everyone called him Raidat and so she would do the same. In the field, he was the stallion the Horizon followed, and judging by the scars intermixed with his stripes as well as his performance yesterday, he had earned his spot as well as the respect of his fellow officers.

The door to the cafeteria opened once again drawing the attention of the Spartan away from Raidat. Looking she spotted the approaching forms of Crimson and Spitfire. Giving them a nod and getting one in return Six returned to her, almost finished, meal as the remaining officers joined their own squads.

“Hey, Raidat, where’s grandpa? He should already be here by now.” Six overheard Spitfire questioning the Zebra.

“Dunno. Said he had something important to take care of first. You know how the Boss is anyway. Always likes to keep you waiting.” Answered Raidat with a shrug, his voice was as rough as sandpaper. Spitfire simply chuckled at his answer as if she had already known what the Zebra was going to say.

“Yep, he sure does.”

“Good, Once my sister arrives we may begin.” Began Luna looking over the assembled officers before her. They all stood before the arena that was to be their battleground. It was one of the old, long since abandoned and decrepit, quarters of Canterlot city. A place her sister had tried for many moons to revitalize but to no avail.

So out of options, and to make sure it would not become a ghetto, Celestia turned the area over to the guard to use as they see fit. They in turn used it for their annual war games and exercises in urban warfare. A forest also bordered the district to their south making it the perfect place for all forms of training exercises that made up the equestrian militaries war games.

Looking to the whiteboard set up behind her; Luna studied the map it contained. It was a top-down view of the area with multiple buildings of importance marked in red. Currently the squad leaders were gathered in the staging area located just outside the district, the room they were located in was quite barren. It’s only contents being several maps and documents pinned against the whiteboard Luna was studying. Against the far wall stood an old table with refreshments placed upon it. Five normal cushions were set up around the room of which only one was occupied by the aging stallion known as Dawn.

Six was standing off to the side, looking out of a window that contained no glass, down towards the empty street where the squads were waiting patiently and readying their equipment. The LSTS were doing drills with their non-lethal blades, getting some last-minute practice in. The Wonderbolts were doing the same only in the air. Six could spot them whizzing through the streets at speeds even Six was impressed with. She was also mighty confused as to how they were able to do 90° turns at such speed without turning their brains into paste due to G-Forces.

The Spartan subconsciously flexed her wings as she watched the Wonderbolts in action, and this did not go unnoticed.

“Impressive huh?” Boasted Spitfire as she walked up beside the Spartan, one glass in hoof and another on her outstretched wing offering it to the Spartan.

“Thanks and yeah, quite impressive.” Thanked the Spartan, taking the offered glass. It was filled with several ice cubes and water.

“Well, not to brag or anything but speed is our specialty after all in the Bolts… Hey, as a fellow pegasus, and Soldier, what’s your top speed at?” Asked Spitfire, her tone genuinely curious about Six’s answer.

“Don’t know.” Responded Six taking a sip from her glass as she watched her own troops testing out their new armor. To any uninitiated observer, one might have mistaken it for anything but. It was vastly different from the other armor in the guard mostly due to it being more similar to something one would find in the UNSC than the equestrian military.

Instead of the armor looking like something one would find on a knight’s horse from ancient Human history the Equestrians seemed so fond of, despite not knowing about humanity or its medieval times. Her Spartans wore something far more modern and, in her mind, superior to the outdated design of the ponies. They wore a dark grey uniform, it’s pattern that of multiple grey, black and white squares in a chaotic cacophony of visuals specifically designed to confuse its observers.

Sometimes a little camouflage could do wonders for one's survival in the field. That was just their uniform that would remain under their actual protection. In contrast to the large single piece of metal protecting their extremities, Six opted for something more… maneuverable and practical for the Spartan fighting style of overwhelming force combined with lightning-fast speed and agility.

Small, quite dense, metal plates were to be worn across all vital areas of the pony similar to that of actual Spartan armor only without the energy shield and titanium alloy undersuit. A more accurate comparison would be the standard UNSC Marine Armor, just made with strange pony metal instead of Kevlar. It was sleek, it was practical, it was Spartan and it was perfect.

Spitfire looked at the Spartan in confusion at her answer.

“Do you mean you don’t know as in you haven’t measured?”

“No”

“So what is it then? Y-“ Spitfire bit her lip. “You *can* fly, right?”

“Don’t know, I haven't had the time. Doubt I can really with this.” She flexed an armored hoof to punctuate her sentence. Spitfire didn’t know what to say. She had met many flightless pegasi but never one like this. pegasi that couldn’t fly either due to an injury or some disability. But hearing this giant of a mare, a clearly experienced and dangerous soldier that was as large as Princess Luna ‘didn’t have the time’ to learn flying. It seemed almost…criminal to the Captain of the Wonderbolts to have this grown Mare unable to experience the joys of having been born with wings.

To fly among the clouds, free from the confines of gravity in a place where the only rules were your own. To Spitfire that was a Celestia damned right for all pegasi to experience the joy of flight. No matter what!

Whether hell or high water Spitfire was gonna get this mare flying. Steeling herself, Spitfire spoke… only to immediately falter once she remembered who she was talking to and what the implications might be should she offend this pegasus.

“We have developed certain… techniques to allow us to fly wearing heavy loads, armor…”

Six’s ear flicked in her direction, prompting Spitfire to continue with less hesitance than before.

“But first you need to be able to…fly… without the armor.”

Six glanced towards the much smaller pegasus.

“Alright, this is driving me nuts! Do you want me to teach you how to fly or not!” Blurted out Spitfire having grown impatient at her own attempts to dance around the subject whilst avoiding offending the Spartan. Six, completely uncaring at the Captain’s attempts to avoid offending her, was glad she finally got to the point.

It was getting tiresome that these ponies always seemed to dance around the issue instead of just outright saying it to the Spartan

“Find a place where I can store my armor where only I have access to it. Do that, and I’ll use these” She flexed her armored wing in response, showing off the many armored feathers that could cut through steel, “as something other than oversized knives. It would be extremely useful in the field.”

Spitfire, her confidence returning in full force, grinned.

“So when you take a face full of dirt during our practice I don’t need to sugar coat it? Nice. Well, you better get ready then as director of the Academy and Captain of the Wonderbolts. I’ll get you flying in no time.”

Six chuckled before answering whilst shaking her head slightly with a small grin on her face. “I’m sure you will.”

At the utterance of the final syllable, the sound of the door being opened drew their attention as three ponies entered the room. The first to enter was Princess Celestia. Following closely behind her was an Alicorn that Six had yet to meet. All about them was varying shades of pink. Guessing their sex took no effort whatsoever to the Spartan as the phrase ‘Pretty pink Princess’ had just been given physical form.

They didn’t appear to carry themselves as Celestia and Luna did as an almost imperceivable limp could be spotted out by the Spartan. What happened exactly Six didn’t know but if she had to take a guess it’s probably related to the changeling attack on the Capitol weeks earlier. On the day Six arrived in Las Pegasus and subsequently helped retake it.

The Pink mare looked to be the same height as Luna and so was also as large as Six.

Coming in behind the pair of Alicorns was the familiar Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard Shining Armor, clad in his equally shining guard armor. Six seriously thought for one moment that if she were to shine her helmet’s light on his armor it may act as an omnidirectional DIY flashbang, without the bang. The Spartan promptly crushed this thought under the weight of its own stupidity as Celestia greeted the room.

“I wish to apologize for my tardiness but I had some business that required my immediate attention.”

“It is fine dear Sister. Now everypony gather round. Now that we are all here we may begin.” Began Luna as Six and the remaining officers already began to converge around the Princess save for Dawn who simply remained seated as his neighboring cushions were occupied. Six opted to remain standing to the side, not trusting her weight not to create a fluffy IED out of any cushion she chose as her seat.

Noone seemed to mind as Captain Armor and the pink mare took their seats closest to the Spartan. The pink one briefly glanced towards the Spartan in what looked like fear and nervousness before Captain Armor whispered something that Six couldn’t decern in their ear before sitting down on the closest cushion. Leaving the seat to his left, and the only free seat furthest from the Spartan that wasn’t occupied, to the pink one.

Six made a mental note to introduce herself to the pink Mare, they obviously seemed quite important, and being able to put an actual name to the face instead would be a huge upside.

Bringing her gaze away from the still nervously glancing pink pony, Six focused her attention on Luna and subsequently the whiteboard located behind her. Just as Luna breathed in to begin her briefing the door behind them burst open and Six openly sighed and couldn’t stop her hoof from meeting her face. This sentiment was also shared among the room's other inhabitants, Celestia especially as the sheepishly ginning form of an upside-down Twilight Sparkle looked back at them.

She was lying on her back, limbs splayed out in every direction.

“Ehehehe…sorry I’m late?”

“Twilight…” Began Celestia, her tone one of disappointment as if scolding a child with their hoof in the cookie jar.

“Should I go?”

“No, Twilight, you won’t be taking part anyway so you might as well stay and listen.”

Twilight nodded as she took a seat between Shining Armor and the pink Alicorn.

“May I now begin dear Sister? Or are there any other uninvited guests we are awaiting?”

“No, Luna, you may begin.”

“Very well.” Luna turned to look towards her gathered audience as she cleared her throat.

“Now, as I am sure you are all aware, today will be the test of our newest squad.” She looked towards the leader and founder of said squad. “Do you have a name for this squad so that we may refer to them as such, instead of just your ‘Spartans’?”

Six smiled warmly at the question. She knew exactly what to call them.

“Noble”

Six knew that they would never be able to replace them, nobody could ever replace them, but so long as Noble remained they would never be forgotten.

Luna nodded and Six couldn’t quite place it but some sort of expression very briefly overtook Luna’s features at the utterance of that name, it almost looked like…recognition before it vanished entirely. Six wrote it off, probably her mind playing tricks on her.

“Yes, an appropriate name… Now, this is what is going to happen during these exercises. One Squad will be chosen at random to defend these.” She gestured towards the point of the map marked in red. “Objectives. They will be on defense whilst another squad will be on attack…”

Luna continued her briefing but Six already knew what she was going to say. It wasn’t anything she hadn’t done before back in the UNSC. This sentiment also appeared to be shared by the rest of the officers judging from the looks on their faces.

Once Luna’s briefing was complete there was to be an hour of preparation before the games would begin. Six, being the professional Spartan that she is, instantly went to give her newly christened Noble Squad their briefing. She didn’t have to say much. Six knew they could do this without her and when they proved themselves to the princesses, with Six in the lead they would become a force to be reckoned with.

The same went for the other squads as their seconds took charge. Horizon Squad was an outlier, however, due to their Commander being unable to take to the field due to his advanced age. Raidat, as its field-lead, would be sitting out along with Spitfire and Midnight. They were also as equally confident as Six was but they were more so interested in seeing how their seconds would fair.

To say Midnight was a little excited would be a lie, to call Spitfire a little overconfident would be an even bigger one to call Raidat and Dawn a little curious would be criminal. Shining Armor just seemed happy to be included and to be able to watch these elite squads in action as he stood by the window, the pink pony standing next to him. Twilight once again seemed to be running some sort of experiment judging by the paper she held in her magic and the equations she was muttering under her breath as Six re-entered their briefing room.

The Royal Sisters sat in the far corner on some, far more regal, cushions that weren't there when SIx first left. They appeared to contain some sort of decal on them resembling the Sun on Celestia’s flank. It didn't take a genius for Six to assume who said cushions belonged to and who most likely brought them.

They still had half an hour until they were set to begin and each squad was already heading to their assigned locations. Noble’s first opponents were the Wonderbolts, the Spartan could even spot the hovering form of Spitfire just outside the window. Her, apparently signature, Sunglasses covering her eyes and shielding them from the Sun.

Six, having already said her piece to her troops, simply opted to wait with the other squad leader.

Leaving Spear to devise their game plan without her oversight. Some might call her overconfident for not staying to help with their planning, but those people have then never dealt with a Spartan before. Six simply knew that Spear could and would devise the perfect battle plan. If he couldn’t, he would have never made it through training.

Six scanned the room, at a loss of what to do until her gaze settled on the couple by the window. Now would be a good time as any to introduce herself to the pink one so that she could stop calling her the pink one and get an actual name.

Walking up to the pair, her heavy hooffalls against the aging wood of the floor made no attempt to conceal her approach as the pair’s gaze turned to meet hers.

“Hey, Six. Looks like you got some serious competition out there. You sure your Spartans are up for it?”

“If I weren’t sure I never would have made that challenge, Captain.“

The unicorn clicked his tongue.

“Touché…Oh, I don’t believe you two have met yet *Ahem*” He cleared his throat, garnering an eye-roll from the mare standing beside him. “Six my I introduce you to my wife, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza” He promptly got an elbow to his rib by the mare as he chuckled light-heartedly in response.

“Just Cadence is fine, please.” She added with a small smile and shake of her head at her husband's antics as she, a little hesitantly, raised her hoof.

“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. You may call me Six.” Six shook the offered hoof with a small smile in an attempt to calm the clearly nervous mare.

“Is that your real name?” Asked the pink alicorn with slightly less nervousness than before.

“No ma’am. Names are for those you trust.”

“Why ‘Six’ then?”

“My Callsign. Rolls off the tongue better than Lieutenant Sierra-B312 Callsign Noble Six.”

Cadence laughed. “It sure does.”

“So I take it was your wedding I’ve heard so much about? The place where the changelings launched their main offensive?”

“Yeah… but through the power of our love we foiled Queen Chrysalis’s plans.”

“Hang on… When I was in Las Pegasus there was this large pink light moments before the changelings retreated. Was that you?”

“Yes.”

“Well…Impressive, can you do it whenever you wish to? Or was this a one-time use weapon?”

“We don’t know… It, kinda, sorta happened.” Added Shining. “The magic of love is weird.”

“But wonderful” Added Cadence with a nuzzle towards her husband as Six was deep in thought, not noticing the affectionate display before her.

Magic… still that concept didn’t quite sit right with the Spartan. It wasn’t some technology she could understand. Some tactic she could devise a counter for. The only real counter to magic is even more powerful magic. Magic that Six had no access to due to her apparent luck to be given wings she couldn’t even properly use due to her armor and most probably her augmentations in general.

At least, if there was a silver lining to this situation, her shield could do something against magical attacks and protect her from their effects. She hoped anyway, it wasn't a theory she wanted to test out anytime soon so she would stick to her fighting style of killing the attacker before they got their shot off.

Just like in Las Pegasus.

Six spent the rest of her time idly conversing with the pair to pass time. Cadence became ever more comfortable the longer they spoke. The constant displays of affection between the two ponies was getting annoying though and Six couldn’t place why. But it just… rubbed her the wrong way.

Six was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of a faraway clocktower sounding its ancient bell. The bell that had been designated as the one that would start the games.

In preparation for this moment, the Princesses had cast a spell in the center of the room that projected what looked to be a holographic map of the area with small multicolored dots with names above them to indicate each squad member of both teams.

First up was of course Six’s Spartans as the newly christened Noble Squad led by Spear vs the Wonderbolts led by Soarin. Spitfire spoke up, grabbing the Spartan’s attention as they all gathered around the projection.

“May the best mare win Six.”

“How are we looking up there Pix?” Questioned Spear quietly through his messaging spell as he made his way through the various abandoned buildings of their Arena. Sparrow and Spirit were following close behind him as they cleared each room methodically whilst Pixy remained on lookout on top each cleared building's roof.

“I can see them, they're just where you said they would be.”

“Good, keep low and stay out of sight Pix. Tell me once you're in position.”

“Copy.”

“Okay, we’re on the clock now you two. Move through these buildings double time.”

His two squadmates nodded firmly as they sped up their movements through each building.

Six watched the projection in interest as she saw the four markers of her team approach their target building where the Wonderbolts were set up. Six brought her gaze up towards Spitfire who seemed to be intently focused on the marker with the tag ‘Pixy’ right above it.

“What did you mean yesterday when you spoke to Pixy?”

“Hmm, what?” She pulled her gaze away from the projection and met Six’s eyes.

“When you met Pixy you mentioned something about a legacy when you saw her wing. And you seem awfully interested in her right now, In fact, you’ve been staring at her more than your own Wonderbolts.”

“Pff, I know my Bolts have got this in the bag. I’m just curious to see if the Solo-Wing lineage still lives up to its legacy.”

“Mind explaining what you mean?”

“You mean you don’t know about the solo-wings, the dynasty that created the first royal guard regiment?”

“Should I?”

“Uh… yeah?“ Began Spitfire as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.

Six just looked at her, waiting for Spitfire's mind to catch up and realize who she was speaking with. It took several seconds but the look of realization on her face brought an amused smile to the Spartan’s face.

“Oh right, I forgot I was speaking with Ms. Super-soldier. You’ve probably never gone to military school.”

Six promptly frowned.

“Well? What are you then if not a Super-soldier? The armor, your size and your general demeanor scream: Multi-million bit project!” Spitfire smiled cockily. “A multi-million bit project I’m about to bea-“

When she returned her attention to the projection she froze. Weren't all her squad markers meant to be white instead of red?

“Care to repeat that statement, Captain?” Responded Six with a voice so smug hearing it come from the Spartan seemed almost as unbelievable as telling Cadence her husband found her ‘a little ugly’.

“Great job Spartans!” Called out Spear as he walked over the debris that once belonged to the outer wall of the building. His plan had worked flawlessly and the building was theirs. Who knew that blowing through an outer wall with a combination of Sparrows strength and Spears magic would be such an effective breaching tool. Couple that with Spirits uncanny knack for stealth leading them to within spitting distance of their objective without being spotted and it was as easy as pissing Six off.

Those poor Wonderbolts had no idea what hit them, unless their guess was broken support beams. Scanning the room Spear found several tired and annoyed looks being shot at him from red, white, and blue stained pegasi. The multicolored paint dripping off them was gonna be a real hassle to clean off their uniforms.

Spear flashed them a grin and a wink and got rolled eyes in response as he turned his gaze to a nearby window where Pixy hovered, an equally cocky grin on her face.

“I take it we won’t have to deal with any stragglers?”

“Nope! Stallions barely even put up a fight once you lit the fireworks. Tartarus I think I even managed to make one of them soil his uniform the second I popped up.”

The sound of a faraway bell being rung signaled the end of the round. With grins on their faces, they helped the paint-colored Wonderbolts back to their hooves. The ponies grumbled under their breath, their pride wounded, but even they had to admit that these Spartans were no pushovers.

“Well… You only won because you surprised them! If it were open combat your squad wouldn’t stand a chance!”

“Maybe… but if this was a real battle, there are no second chances. And your Squad is dead, my Spartans killed them.” Six looked over towards some slightly shocked-looking Princesses of the Sun and Moon, a grin on her face. “One down, two to go.”

“Yes…” Celestia swallowed, “Who is next Sister?”

“The LSTS. Midnight, ready your troops, they shall be heading to the next arena. Six, do the same.”

Both mares gave their confirmation, one with a salute and the other with a firm nod as they left the room to ruminate on what they had just witnessed. Shining was the first to speak up.

“I just watched the *Wonderbolts*, the *greatest* fliers in Equestria get absolutely wiped in less than 20 seconds.”

“Well, you don’t have to rub it in, Captain.”

‘They're almost in position, ready your Praetorians. Once the bell rings, we strike.’

Ordered Mobius through his aura to the other leaders as he returned back to his position. The dark and damp tunnels his digger drones had excavated were full of warrior and praetorian drones alike, each waiting anxiously for the order to strike.

Slithering down the tunnel like a Tatzelwurm, Mobius decided to do one last check on their unwilling ‘guests’. Reaching the large cavern, Mobius approached the glowing green cocoons that lined the walls. Blissful smiles and multicolored uniforms stared back at them. Some a light blue, others a dark blue, and a few a combination of gold and black.

“Let me guess: ‘I wonder what they're dreaming about?’”

‘How’d you know?’’

“I didn’t.”

‘Tch… Well? What are they dreaming about then?’’

“Why do you keep asking?”

‘I…don’t know what it's like to dream as I have never slept before.’’

“You… don’t sleep?”

‘Well I don’t exactly have a body, do I?’’

Mobius chuckled. “True.”

‘So answer me. What are they dreaming about?’’

“Anything and everything that lets us feed off of them. Maybe it's them getting a promotion, or perhaps an intimate moment with their Mates.”

Redfang remained silent for several seconds as if in thought.

‘What do you dream about Mobius?’’

“Killing the Demon that put me here. Now enough talk, how is your ‘adaptation’ coming along?”

Redfang remained silent once more before answering.

‘Time-consuming. This metal… it's some sort of alloy that's made up of metals we have yet to give names to. It is also incredibly dense. How that pony isn’t crushed under the weight of her armor is a mystery. Full adaptation of this metal into my own composition is not possible. I can only do it partially but that *should* be enough to halt a blow or two from that pony. Any more than that I cannot guarantee.’’

“What if I come in direct contact with the pony. Could you still do as you mentioned before?”

‘Yes… but only temporarily. The initial Love cost then the drain that would follow to keep you from being crushed under the new weight… I can give you 20 minutes, 30 tops before the drain will be too much and you’ll lose consciousness.’’

“But until that happens, I’ll have her advantages?”

‘Yes… So end the fight quickly or we will both die. You cannot allow me to fall into those ponies' hooves. Doing so would be an irreplaceable and completely unacceptable loss for the Empress.’’

“Understood” Answered Mobius as he briefly inspected his sword. “What about your ‘surprise’? Think it’ll work?”

‘We both saw what happened in that alley. Even she is not infallible. It will give you the perfect opening to strike.’’

Mobius resheathed his sword as he gave a firm nod towards the red ghost before making his way back into the small tunnels. The ground began to vibrate ever so slightly as the muffled sound of a distant bell reverberated through his and Redfang's ever-moving chitin.

‘The bell has been rung we are ready to engage on your command Venator’’

Came the message into his red-tinted aura as he reached his own position.

‘Pardon my skepticism Venator’ Began the nervousness-laced message that entered his aura. ‘But are you sure this will work? This powder is known to be quite unstable.’

‘I know’ Answered Mobius confidently as the tip of his sword began to glow in a light green magical fire. ‘I’m counting on it.’

“So… you say that the LSTS specializes in stealth right?” Six asked as she watched the projection before her in interest. Her troops were already on the move towards the abandoned church that had been chosen as the objective for this round. They had just reached the halfway point and seemed to be taking this round much slower than with the Wonderbolts.

“Night operations more specifically, its where we Thestrals thrive.” Answered Midnight as she surveyed her own troops. Their formation was much more split up when compared to the Wonderbolts with a majority of their squad positioned in the various buildings surrounding the church instead.

“What about those among you who aren’t Thestrals?”

Questioned the Spartan, curious on how they compensated for their feathered squad members. Midnight smiled, glad that Six was taking interest in her squad's operations.

“Thanks to a special training designed by your truly in combination with a low-light Spe-“

The building suddenly began to vibrate before the deafening sound of a large explosion tore through the air, cutting Midnight off and forcing everyone within the room to cover their ears. Then another, and another and another could be heard and felt by all. Shockwaves tearing through the air and forcing the building to buckle and groan from the sudden stress. The vibrations were getting stronger as the sounds increased in volume. An orange light shone through the shaking window frames bathing the room in its swirling, chaotic light.

The room inhabitants struggled to keep their footing as they struggled to find some measure of cover or support. Six was attempting to reach for her helmet but the pain in her sensitive ears was beginning to reach its peak. But pain alone would not stop a Spartan. Fighting through the pain her now bleeding ears radiated she managed to grab her helmet and slot it over her head. The silence that followed once the pressure seal was made felt like music to her dripping ears.

The air was beginning to heat up as more and more explosions wracked the buildings across the district. The Princesses threw up magical shields, as did Shining Armor as he stood protectively over his groaning wife. Midnight and Spitfire were standing close enough to Shining to be protected by his magic whilst Commander Dawn was under the combined Princesses magical shield. That left Six as the only pony outside of any protective magical barrier. Luckily her armor came equipped with a shield of its own.

The only thing Six could hear was the ringing of her burst eardrums and the vibrations of the explosions outside. Then as if the planet itself had opened up beneath them to swallow them whole, the wooden floor beneath them began to bulge outwards. The same orange light that shone through the windows bled through the splintering floorboards below them as flames began to lick at Six’s armored hooves and golden flaring shields.

As if perceiving the world in slow motion, Six watched as herself and everyone around her was thrown from where they were standing and began to fly through the air. Flames bellowed through the now open floor as shards of shattered and burning wood and stone were shot, close to the speed of sound, through the air like tiny misshapen bullets. Six watched her shield's energy drain as more and more of those tiny projectiles the size of bullets slammed into her golden energy barrier. Its flaring field prevented them from reaching her titanium armor fully as their potential energy was absorbed and dissipated.

Across the room, Six could just barely spot the same happening to the Princesses and the Captain's magical shields. Large spiderweb-like cracks were covering their surfaces. Their caster’s faces locked in strained grimaces as they too were flying through the air. But even with the power of a fusion reactor behind it, Six’s shields would not hold forever.

With the resounding crack of shattering glass audible even through the loud cacophony of the point-blank explosion, the barrier broke. Six’s HUD began flashing red, the alerting sound of a broken shield still audible even without intact eardrums. Golden arcs of electricity arced across her body as her shield tried to cycle and reform their protective barrier. Fragments began to slam against her titanium plating, their kinetic force rattling her internal organs as they were thrown around inside her body. Her reinforced bones and many shock absorbing materials that laced her suit prevented any major damage. Six then, for the slightest moment, felt something solid impact the back of her head before her consciousness was lost to the inky black void.

Spirit grunted weakly as she dug herself out of the rubble that had buried her. Her lungs were burning from dust inhalation as her body coughed uncontrollably in an attempt to clear her airways. Her mind pounded in a way she had not felt in a long time as she took stock of her current situation. The distant sound of shouting and the clash of metal on metal could be heard by her ears as she located the pony she was searching for.

Laid against the far wall lay an unconscious Sparrow, a shard of wood impaled through his wing pinning him to the wall. A trickle of blood ran down the structure of the wood and the feathers of his wing pooling down on the cracked stone. Light shone down from above them through the collapsed ceiling and broken wall that led into the street. A large crater now stood ominously where once cobblestone had laid on disused streets.

Spear and Pixy were nowhere to be found by the small earth-pony and right now she didn’t care as the only thing that mattered to her right now was making sure Sparrow was okay. Willing herself to stand on bruised bones Spirit hobbled over towards Sparrow. She had made it to only a hooves length away when her back hooves gave out from the stress. Not one to be deterred, Spirit crawled the remaining distance before reaching for her first aid kit.

Spirit knew he was alive but wasn’t sure how much longer he was going to stay that way. The bleeding from his wing was starting to increase as his heart and lungs began to work faster and harder. Reaching into her kit she pulled out the emergency clotting agent.

“I’m sorry… but this is going to hurt.” Whispered Spirit as she grabbed onto the wood impaling the unconscious pegasus. The pain was sure to wake Sparrow up so as an unfortunate precaution Spirit pressed her other hoof against his muzzle to silence any screams of agony. With a yank Spirit removed the fragment, jolting Sparrow awake with a muffled scream of pain.

“Shh shhh shh it's alright, everything is fine now.” Comforted Spirit as she injected the wing with the clotting agent stopping any further bleeding before reaching for some bandages to cover the golf-ball sized hole in his wing.

“It…Hurts.” Whispered Sparrow weakly.

“I know, I’m sorry but I can’t give you anything for the pain. In your current state it would do more harm than good.”

“A-are you…okay?”

“Bit bruised but otherwise, I’m fine.”

“And, the others?”

“I don’t know. Don’t move, I’ll go search for them.”

Sparrow chucked weakly.

“I wasn’t planning to, love.”

Spirit smiled and nodded as she carefully stood back up, her joints aching but not breaking. With a slight limp Spirit slowly moved about the room, searching for where Spear and Pixy might have ended up. Last she could remember they were together before the street exploded and the building collapsed on top of her. After circling the room Spirit could find nothing as the distant sounds of combat got louder. Spirit could feel something she had long thought left behind begin to nag at her mind. A feeling that screamed:

Run

Daring to peek outside and onto the street, Spirit could see black figures spilling out onto the street from a previously hidden tunnel the explosion had revealed. Like an anthill that had been disturbed changelings as black as night excited the tunnel and began to fan out into the surrounding buildings.

The feeling in the back of her mind began to intensify, a feeling she had only been told stories of.

An armored hoof stepped out into the sunlight. It's midnight black undulating metal pulsing as if in tandem with the beatings of a changeling's dual hearts. A second hoof appeared and before long the changeling stood unimpeded in the Sunlight and its sight made Spirits blood run cold.

A will unimaginably superior from her own radiated from the changeling, its color tinted to that of the Empress herself. It pressed against her weak mind, almost threatening to crush her completely under its mental pressure… but she resisted, barely.

The Venator of the Empress in Red herself looked down the street with his red-tinted eyes in contempt, as if willing that the very street itself may catch fire and burn as the many others were.

Spirit threw herself back down into cover, her breathing rapid. Green flames danced across her body as the stress threatened to reveal her true nature to the world. She tried to fight it, to fall back on the gruesome training Six had put her through, but the mental taxation of holding her disguise prevented her from fully doing so.

Through her wide and darting eyes, Spirit's gaze settled on the corner where she knew Sparrow was lying behind. He was defenseless in his current state and would no doubt be captured or killed by the Venator should he find them. She couldn’t let that happen.

Her resolve intensified as she let go of her fear of discovery. Right now all that mattered was Sparrow’s safety. The green flames consumed her body, destroying the visage of the small and shy earth-pony leaving behind the jet black carapace of Equestria’s enemy.

Her dual hearts began beating in overdrive, pumping the green oxygen-filled blood throughout her body as minute amounts of adrenaline were released into her system. Her insectile wings gave small unconscious buzzes of protest against her wing-hole-less uniform but Spirit could care less about her disused wings right now as she dashed across the room to where Sparrow lay. She needed to get him away *now* before they were spotted by the Venator or his troops.

The second Spirit came into view, Sparrow’s eyes widened and he made an instinctual grab for his weapon not realizing it was basically as useful as a paintbrush due to its nature as a nonlethal training weapon.

He raised his crossbow loaded with soft paint covered bolts and aimed it at the approaching changeling. He was about to fire when he noticed the uniform the changeling was wearing.

“What?”

“It’s Spirit, we need to move. Now. We can deal with this later but right now I need to get you out of here before they find us. Can you walk?” Asked Spirit as she quickly helped Sparrow back onto his hooves, her head looking behind her every few seconds.

“Weakly, but yes. What's going on out there?” Asked Sparrow as the undisguised Spirit quickly led him out the back of the building and into a nearby alley.

“The Venator is here.”

“Just can’t…catch… a goddamned…break around here…can we?!” Panted out Pixy as she narrowly avoided the swing of a changeling's sword before grabbing the opposing changelings head and slamming it down onto their own sword spraying her in green, slightly glowing, blood.

“It's you…and your goddamn…ego… that attracted them!” Shouted back Spear as he deftly used his magic to appropriate the dead changelings’ sword to parry an incoming blow. Using his momentum he forced the approaching steel into the ground before impaling his attacker through their hearts. A weak gurgle and cough marred with green blood signaled the changeling's demise.

The two of them had been in the process of scouting when the very ground below them erupted throwing them into the air. Thanks to Pixie's pegasi instincts however she was quickly able to gain control of their flight and bring the two of them back down to safety.

Their safety, however, involved crashing through a window and into a changeling squad several streets down from where they had started. The short scuffle that followed was just a precursor however to what would become constant combat as every building they subsequently went through was occupied by changelings.

This was their 5th building in a row to fight through as they attempted to make it back to Spirit and Sparrow. They had to go on foot as the explosion had managed to pepper Pixie's wings with enough shrapnel to effectively clip them as her feathers were no longer long enough to generate sufficient lift.

Their old mission was a bust now for sure and the rising smoke, as well as the sounds of further conflict, indicated that this wasn't an isolated incident. The changelings were here, and they were ready for round two it seems. How the other squads were faring they had no idea, all they could do is hope that equestria’s elite could fight back this invasion.

“Okay this building looks clear…for once” Spoke Spear quietly as he signaled for Pixy to fall in behind him. They had made it pretty close to the church that had served as their objective before the ground had exploded and Ash began to reign down upon them.

Heading up to the second floor of the abandoned shop they felt an eerie sense of Deja Vu as they spotted what was happening down below.

Green and red blood alike were scattered all across the ground as several remaining members of the LSTS and what looked like royal guards who had been caught in the crossfire were fighting for their lives under the shadow of the celestial church. Bodies of changelings and ponies littered the ground as the sound of metal hitting metal filled the air.

They were getting overwhelmed, and it wouldn’t be long before only changelings would remain alive. Knowing what had to be done Pixy got to her hooves ready to sprint down and help save her fellow soldiers…only to be stopped as Spears magical aura surrounded her body.

“What are you doing!? We need to help them!” Whisper shouted Pixy as she helplessly tried to fight against his magical aura. Her clipped wings flapped uselessly in the ash covered air.

“Watch… somethings happening” Answered Spear quietly, grabbing Pixies attention and causing her to cease in her silent flailing to see what Spear was talking about. And indeed when she looked back out the window something was happening. The sound of combat coming from the church…stopped. The changelings, they ceased in their attacks and were now just standing there in a semicircle around the battered and beaten ponies.

There were five ponies left. Three from the LSTS including their 2IC Crimson and two, what looks like fresh recruits, from the royal guard. They were back to back, their weapons pointing in every direction in the middle of a circle of changeling and pony bodies.

“Well come on you Bugs! We still got plenty of fight left in us!” Shouted out Crimson with a grimace as he spat out a bloody tooth onto a nearby changeling corpse.

The changelings didn’t outwardly react but even from where Spear was standing he could see the rage in their eyes at Crimson’s disrespect.

“Spear, look. Down the road.” Whispered Pixy now having been released from Spears magical grasp. Curious, the unicorn looked where the pegasus had pointed out. Walking down the street with an escort of several changelings larger than he had ever seen before stood what had to be their commander. They wore some sort of strange pulsating armor that never seemed to stay in one place. It looked as if the very armor that the changeling wore was a living being.

Making sure to hide their presence the two ponies watched as the changelings surrounding the remaining ponies parted to make way for their leader.

“Now you look like the one in charge here. Come to offer us terms of surrender? Well, save your breath! We’ll fight to the end!” Panted out Crimson, his resolve steeled as the other surviving ponies gave their own cries of defiance against the changelings.

Their commander, however, didn’t seem phased as their gaze floated over the bodies that lay between him and the ponies.

“Where is Six?”

Spoke the changeling, their voice coming out as a mixture of two separate tones. One high and the other low, creating a sound that pierced through a ponies’ very soul.

“Oh her? She’s back in my quarters sleeping off a night she won’t soon forget!”

“Your attempts at humor are pathetic, pony. I will ask again. Where is Six? Tell me, and I’ll let you live.”

“Alright you got me.” Began Crimson with a sigh as he lowered his weapon. “She’s actually back at her place instea-“ The blood-red thestral was suddenly pulled from where they stood in an aura of red tinted magic. They flew through the air for less than a second before they were impaled against the changelings waiting blade.

“I warned you.”

A bloody cough was Crimsons only answer before he was pushed off the blade and fell to the ground, choking on his own blood. The Commander didn’t seem to notice or particularly care as he calmly stepped over the still bleeding and writhing body to approach the four remaining survivors.

“Where is Six. Tell me, or end up like your friend over there.”

They remained silent as they raised their shaky weapons towards the approaching changeling commander. The changeling clicked his tongue as the second member of the remaining LSTS was pulled out onto the changeling's blade with a gurgled scream. The pony tried to fight back as their horn sparked and smoked but blood loss quickly took over and the pony fell limp on the changeling's writhing blade.

Only three remained now. And one of the royal guards simply couldn't take it anymore.

“S-She’s at the abandoned school! They were using that as their Headquarters!” He yelled, will to fight broken.

The Commander's face curled up into a hideous smile as he looked at the terrified pony that had thrown his spear to the ground in fear.

“Thank you.”

The guard could only watch in silent terror and guilt as the other two ponies were suddenly cut down by the commanders’ sword. The changeling moved faster than the pony had ever seen before. They barely even had time to react before the blade pierced their hearts and ceased their beating forevermore.

“Now why don’t you go run along and deliver this message for me hmmm?” Asked the commander in a sickly sweet voice as he brought his blood stained and writhing hoof under the pony's chin. With a slight amount of force, he made the guards tear filled eyes gaze up into his own as he spoke in a low and threatening dual tone voice.

“I am coming for you.”

A strangled cry escaped the ponies' maw as the commander blade sunk into their chest in one swift motion, piercing the ponies gut and dooming him to a slow and painful death.

With a twist, the commander forcefully removed his blade with a sickening sound of metal cutting flesh as the guard fell to the ground with a thud.

“Unfortunately that message was not for you to deliver.” Said the commander to the gurgling pony that looked up at him with glazing over eyes filled with guilt. The changeling watched as the life drained out of the pony moments before they fell limp, dead. Suddenly his head turned to face the window Spear and Pixy were observing from and looked them straight in the eyes. The two froze in shock.

“You hear me?! Go tell your Demon that I am coming for her! That I am coming to take back the changeling lives she has taken from the Empress! Now RUN!”

The two ponies didn’t need to be told twice as they quickly ducked back into cover and scrambled away from the window, breathing short and panicked. The shock of the execution they had just witnessed breaking through Six’s mental training.

“Spear, we need to run. Now. We can’t fight that.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice now hurry! Out the back!” Ordered Spear as he grabbed Pixy by the clipped wing and sprinted out the back door. His powerful kick nearly blew the door right off its hinges as they both sprinted down several streets.
After about two minutes of running, they both came to a stop in a faraway alley to catch their breath.

“What…did we just… watch?” Panted out Pixy as she looked back the way they came from.

“Tartarus… incarnate…we have to get to Six. There is something… something really wrong with that changeling.” Answered Spear as he creeped to look down the nearby street.

“Agreed… Okay, I’m good to go.” Responded the red-winged pegasus as she stacked up behind Spear.

“Then let's move, we don’t have much time.”

Author's Note

Shout out to Darthball, Xblaster, and Squirrel ~~(Who doesn't use this website so he will never see this)~~ (He saw this) for helping me make this monster of a chapter.

We don't thank waffle tho, the man who somehow got access to the WIP Document. ONI will be having words with you later

Chapter 37 Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait, technical difficulties will do that to ya. Anyway word of warning this chapter earns the damn Violence and Death tag. So be warned the only thing I know for real, there will be blood-shed!

Enjoy!
or cry, it's one of the two emotions your gonna be feeling after reading this.

Also join the discord, we recently got some Six themed Emotes. Here have some Love for reading my HoRsE HaLo WoRdS

Chapter 37

Six’s head throbbed as she opened her eyes. Darkness clouded her vision, the only light she had was the dim blue of her helmet's visor. Her ears rang like a church bell, a feeling of blood dripping down the sides of her head from burst eardrums. Clumps of shattered wood and smoldering stone filled the outside of her visor as she could feel the weight of the collapsed building lying atop her armored form.

‘The building must have collapsed…damn it’

Thought the Spartan as she began to will her limbs to push the debris off of her. Her efforts were met with some success as she could feel most of the debris come loose but a large support beam still lay across her armored underbelly, pinning her to the ground.

With slightly bared teeth and an inaudible growl, Six hooked her front forelegs under the beam. Pushing with all her might, the Spartan hoisted the beam up and over her head as It fell to the side with a crash. An ash-covered sky shone down into her eyes.
Pillars of dark smoke rose into the air from the corners of her visor with a slight orange glow of fire.

How long had she been out?

As if prompted by her thought, the back of her head began to throb as a feeling of nausea began to make itself known. Slowly, the Spartan pulled herself upright, shaking the last of the debris off of her as she scanned her surroundings. Memories of Reach’s final days came to her.

Destruction surrounded her as the building they had called their headquarters for the training was reduced to nothing but shattered stone and burning wood. The horizon turned into a chaotic mixture of orange and yellow as buildings burned under the heat of the explosions that wracked the district.

Standing up carefully, Six’s back left leg protested in pain as her sprained ankle refused to carry her weight for now. Huffing into her helmet, Six proceeded to limp her way out of what remained of her broken prison of wood and stone. She needed to find the others that were caught in the explosion. Her armor protected her…mostly. The others, would not have had such luck.

With a grunt Six limped out of the hole she was once buried in and got a good look at her new surroundings. With her ears still ringing, rendering her deaf to the world, all Six had was her sight. And it did not look good.

All around her were the remnants of what was their staging area. Injured ponies from the Guard to Horizon Squad lined broken and cracked walls across the debris-covered street. Torn uniforms being used as makeshift tourniquets and bandages as the bandages they had on hand were simply not enough.

They had been caught completely by surprise, and they were paying the price. Small black forms were buzzing around in the distant orange sky. Small beams of multicolored magic fired into the swarm like flak-cannons but all it did was tickle the buzzing changelings. Turning her head to the side Six scanned the wreckage of the building looking for where the others were.

The flicker of a golden light underneath a nearby pile of rubble turned a bright blue before exploding outwards suddenly in a dual light, clearing the rubble that buried them.

Limping over to see who it was and whether they needed help, Six reached the edge of the hole and looked down before quickly jumping in to render aid even while her ankle screamed in defiance.

The princesses were there, both bleeding and unconscious as a panting Commander Dawn, his horn aglow in a mixture of blue and gold, seemed to be barely hanging on to life himself. But he didn't seem to care as he limped his way over to Celestia and began to look her over, before doing what Six guessed to be CPR.

Six, not needing to hear the Commander's orders through her bleeding ears, quickly approached the Princess of the moon to render aid. Standing over the bleeding alicorn, Six could see her labored breaths meaning the alicorn wasn’t out of the fight just yet. The blood dripping from her left eye, however, foretold the opposite.

Thinking fast Six scanned her surroundings for anything she could use as a bandage to stem the tide of blood. Six had to settle for tearing a strip off of Commander Dawn's jacket as a makeshift substitute until actual bandages could be located. The exhausted unicorn didn’t mind as his energy was entirely focused on the large white alicorn lying before him.

After making sure Luna was in no further danger of bleeding out and or dying in the immediate future, Six made her way to Dawn and Celestia to see how she could help there. The tears dripping down the stallion's face and his increasingly weakening compressions did not bode well, the Spartan quickly took over as Dawn collapsed in a heap of silent tears and exhaustion.

Six, seeing that Celestia was running out of options due to her heart not cooperating under the vicious beating the Spartan was now giving it, needed another solution. Looking around and picking up a nearby rock with one hoof while the other continued its compressions, Six ordered her armors charge dissipation systems inert, before stepping back.

With all the power of a desperate Spartan, Six slammed the rock into her chest and with a resounding crack her shield shattered and golden arcs of unrestrained energy danced across her body. Uncaring of the pain she just inflicted upon herself and the red warning her HUD flashed, Six quickly returned to the still alicorn. With a silent apology, Six pressed her electrified hooves against Celestia’s chest and barrel, completing the rudimentary circuit through the alicorn's spasming heart.

The alicorns' body spasmed under the electricity before stopping once Six’s shields reformed. With a loud gasp and gulping of air Celestia’s survival was assured. The only casualty being the two armored hoof-shaped circles of burnt fur and flesh by Six’s makeshift defibrillator.

After a second check for her pulse to make sure Celestia was stable, Six could slowly begin to hear once again as the ringing that overpowered the world began to subside. Looking over to where Dawn was now lying, Six could see the visible relief on the old stallion's face as he watched the slow rise and fall of Celestia’s chest.

“You alright?” Asked Six through her helmet's speakers.

“Bit banged up but I’ve had worse…” Dawn answered without looking away from the Princess as he rested his back against a collapsed wooden beam. His breathing was slow and deep as he looked up at the slightly limping Six. “Thank you, without your help, I would have surely lost her.”

“As long as you excuse the, most likely, permanent burn scars. She’ll make it.” Six looked up and out of the hole they both found themselves in, the sounds of fighting were getting closer.

“Know what happened to the others?” Asked Dawn before being overcome with a coughing fit. He brought his hoof up to his mouth to stifle his coughs as continued to speak. “If the…*Cough* the Princesses were hit this bad they can’t *cough* can’t have fared much better.” His fur came back bloody.

“Don’t know, but we need to move you three out of the combat zone.” Began Six before stepping back down into the hole. She was about to help Dawn up onto his hooves but a look stopped Six in her tracks.

“No missy. I may be old and battered but I didn’t earn these medals for sitting pretty. Go find and help the others, I’ll get the Princesses out of here.” Answered the unicorn as he got back to his hooves and made his way towards the alicorns of night and day. “The day you carry me out will be the day I retire.”

“Then I hope that never happens.”

“Good, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Once the Princesses are out I’ll rally the reserves and lead the counter-attack. See if I can find the royal couple and get them to do another one of their ‘love bombs’”

“Copy that. I’ll go find the other officers.”

Dawn nodded as he hooked Celestia's front hooves over his shoulders with a grunt. “Damn, you have got to lay off the cake sweetie.” Six could hear the stallion say quietly to the unconscious alicorn as she exited the hole and began to search through the rest of the wreckage.

The sounds of combat had gotten even louder, and Six had had no luck in finding the others. Either they were buried underneath all this rubble or they had already made it out of the combat zone. Six hoped it was the latter instead of the former in this case.

Having done her search, and coming up empty, Six could no longer ignore the sounds of combat as she rushed out of the building’s crumbling remains. Following her ears to the sound of the greatest fighting. Right now she was itching for a damned fight. One does not simply drop a building on top of a Spartan and expect them to remain calm.

And Six was anything but calm right now as she dove wings first over a frontline of shocked ponies and to the thick of the Swarm. Green blood already beginning to drip from her razor-sharp feathers.

Spirit fought to catch her breath, her black chitinous chest heaving as she glanced back the way they came. It doesn't seem like they were followed as an equally heaving Sparrow stood several hooves behind her.

“Thank the Empress” The exposed changeling spoke, exhaling loudly in relief “We weren’t spotted.”

“Good, because be ain’t leaving until I get some answers from you.”

“Now is not the time to-“

“Now is exactly the perfect time ‘Spirit’ if that even is your name.”

“…it is” Answered the Changeling small and meekly in her dual-tone voice before it regained its previous fire. Its intensity now that of a raging Dragon as the reality of the Situation set in on the changeling. And just what it would mean for the Pegasus she cared about “But now is not the time to question my loyalties! We-… I need to get you out of here before we get found and brought before the Venator! Because he. Will. Kill. YOU!”

Her vision was blurry as she finished her declaration, tears she didn’t realize she was crying were falling down her face.

“Now please…you can do with me what you want later. Arrest me, interrogate me, even kill me. But please… you need to get out of here.” Spirit was practically begging at this point, her face downturned and teary eyes squeezed shut. Pleading with the pegasus to leave while they still had the chance, before the Venator found and killed them both.

Sparrow was silent to the changeling's ears as only the silence of the alley filled the air. The subdued hoofsteps of the pegasus then reached Spirits drooped ears before she suddenly felt a wing being draped across her back. She unconsciously pressed herself into it as Sparrow spoke.

“Tell me just this one thing then.”

Spirit looked up and was met with the muzzle of the larger pegasus only wingtips away from her own. She could hardly breathe now with her stomach in knots and hearts fluttering.

“Is what we had real?”

“Yes…” The changeling answered almost breathless

Sparrow smiled as their foreheads touched in a loving embrace. Oh, how Spirit wished that they could remain like that, together in that embrace. The trickle of Love she had thought lost turned into a downpour that invigorated her very being. But as with all good things it came to an end as Sparrow pulled away.

“Okay, I trust you, but we must warn Six. This Venator, their dangerous?”

“Extremely, they're the Queens strongest warriors, champions of the Empress. That's why we need to run.”

“No, we need to fight.”

Spirit looked at the pegasus incredulously. “Did…Did you not listen to a word I just said!? We can’t beat him!”

“But Six can, that’s why we need to find her and you need to tell her everything you know about these Venators. Otherwise, all of us are going to be changeling food.” Sparrow’s eyes suddenly widened once he realized with who, or more what, he was talking with. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Answered Spirit with a small giggle before the fire behind her eyes blazed once more. “Fine. But I swear to the Empress and all the good Queens of the Swarm if you die, I will crawl down to Tartarus and kill you myself.” Threatened Spirit as she stepped away and closed her eyes in concentration, her aura searching for the threads connecting the Venator to his armies.

Sparrow chuckled at the changelings' words. “Whatever you say.” Spirit didn’t hear him however as she searched for the weak aura of a changeling drone in the void. She sensed around, felt with her mind, and found her prey.

Their mind was weak, and aura defenseless against that of Spirits. Striking out with a ruby-tinted tendril she connected herself to the drone and forcefully took the information she was seeking before willing the drones' hearts to cease beating.

Retracting her tendril Spirit watched the drone's aura fade into the void as its owners' life ended before her eyes. Some small part of Spirit felt guilt for what she had done, to forcefully break into another changelings aura. But if it meant making sure Sparrow would live to see the day's end, it was worth it.

Sifting through what she had taken, Spirit found exactly what she was looking for. An overheard message from drone to drone. Six about a league away, tearing through a changeling attack like a wolf terrorizing a Shepards flock. Spirit had to quickly throw the images to the back of her mind lest she loses her stomach's contents on the street.

Opening her real eyes, she briefly brought a hoof to her chest in an attempt to ease her upset stomach. She was no stranger to bloodshed, but those images… even Luna, the warrior princess herself, might have to look away from its sheer terrifyingly efficient, bloody ending of lives. No move was wasted and every blow was fatal. You couldn’t run, Six was faster. You couldn’t hide, Six would find you. And every blow one struck was shrugged off by a golden glow that cocooned the true Spartan.

Spirits legs wobbled as they almost threatened to give out from under her. Luckily Sparrow was close by to help with a hoof preventing her fall.

“You alright?”

“W-we…were training, under…that? W-what…how di-didn’t I notice?!”

Confused, Sparrow was about to ask what she was on about before he saw the look in her eyes. A look they had all shared after witnessing Six on that fateful day in Las Pegasus that changed their lives forever. It seems the looks Six caused were not confined to just ponies. How she even saw the carnage Six was no doubt creating at the moment he didn’t know. He guessed it was some weird quirk of changeling biology and left it at that. Even then Sparrow couldn't help but let loose a single chuckle at the horrified changeling's face.

“Think this Venator stands a chance now?”

“Oh crap oh crap, OH CRAP!”

“Just run!” Yelled out Spear as he barely dodged an oncoming green magical bolt. The ground before him exploded outward in a shower of dirt and stone as he rounded another corner, Pixy following close behind. The changelings were hot on their tails. The black buzzing and hissing mass was gaining on them, their movements not constrained to purely chasing by hoof.

Lighting his horn, Spear shot as strong a magical bolt he could manage into the nearest wall behind him. The bolt hit true and with a blast of magical light, the wall exploded outwards prompting a large chunk of the building to collapse in front of the approaching swarm. It slowed them down for but a moment, the sounds of angry shapeshifters dimming down before returning louder than before.

“Great! You managed to piss them off, Spear!” Exclaimed Pixy with a yelp as she could now physically feel the swarms buzzing against her vibration-sensitive wings.

The Swarm was beginning to gain on them rapidly, bolts of burning changeling magic were exploding around them. The shower of smoldering rock and the small craters now along the street slowed the pair down even further until eventually the Swarm engulfed them both.

They came like a tide of hissing saltwater. The Swarm washed around them as if they were caught in the eye of a tornado. The pair stood back to back now, their gaze twitching all about them in an attempt to find where the first strike would come.

The buzzing intensified even more as both ponies could now feel the vibrations in their very bones, rattling their equipment and fraying their nerves. The sound of readying swords and spears filled the air as every swarming changeling readied their weapons and pointed them inward. The walls of swirling swords began to close in as the changelings tightened their formation.

“Caught you.” Boomed the dual-tone voice of the changeling commander from all over, turning the equestrian Spartans' blood to ice. The Swarm began to close in, the sound of their many swords cutting through the air creating a low whistle that signaled their demise.

Artificial wind currents generated by the many buzzing changeling wings blew against the ponies that could only look around in despair. They had no weapons to block and their armor couldn’t withstand the oncoming punishment. Spear attempted to use his magic to clear a path, build a shield, to do something to get them out of this hurricane.

But to no avail.

The moment his horn began to glow, the unanimous response of the changeling swarm lighting their horns stopped any spell he was attempting to cast. The sheer amount of magic being channeled around him prevents any facsimile of concentration from forming in the unicorn's mind.

“Spear, we’re not getting out of this are we?”

“I-I…” Spear looked around, desperate for any angle, any weakness, any minute opening he could exploit. There were none. Only a miracle could save them now.

“I’m sorry.” Spear hung his head.

“Well… we had a good run didn’t we?”

“Yeah…yeah, we did”

The two pressed back up as fast as they could, but all it did was delay the inevitable. The sound of rushing wind got louder and louder as the blades approached and began to form a coherent circle around them.

Sparks from slight impacts of metal against metal showered them as Pixy closed her eyes and prepared for the inevitable. In a second the blades would connect. In two they would slice through her armor, and in three they would have her life.

Yet…death never knocked on her door. As their miracle had arrived.

With a crash of bright golden light, the Demon of Las Pegasus smashed through the outer layer of the Swarm. Landing in front of the pair with force one could only describe as coming from a crashing meteor.

A large plume of dust clouded the pairs, now open, eyes. The bright golden glow of Six’s shield vanished, leaving the two blind to the world around them. Only a thick layer of swirling dust and ash surrounded them, as the screams of Six’s victims became audible to their ringing ears.

Flashes of green magical discharges illuminated the dust cloud before showing brief silhouettes of Six rending her armored wing through a charging changeling warrior.

Two swords of changeling origin suddenly slid towards the equestrian Spartans, their dark metal scraping against the dust and ash-covered cobblestone of the street below them.

Taking the hint Pixy grabbed them both and threw one to Spear, the unicorn grabbing it in his magical aura. The dust began to dissipate and they saw the carnage Six had already inflicted upon their enemies.

The raging swarm that had attacked them was in complete disarray as even with their compound eyes and fanged muzzles the expression of fear was still easily readable among their ranks.

Their cohesion was gone, and their formation was nonexistent as Six dealt with the changelings in front of them, but just as they thought their ranks were broken and the battle was won. Something changed.

All at once, their movements ceased before suddenly taking to the sky, their eyes and wings now bearing a shade of red. It was as if a switch was pulled and the strings that guided the swarm were now being pulled by someone else. Silence reigned as all three ponies questioned what was happening. Six remained low, her knife drawn, ready to strike with all the force of a lightning bolt.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

The sound of two armored hooves applauding from a nearby rooftop broke the silence as the changeling commander, clad in his strange writhing armor, stood there watching.

“Well, well, well. The Demon has come out to play.” Spoke the changeling, his dual voice portraying equal parts amusement and pure hatred. Flanking him on either side of the rooftop was a row of large changelings neither pony had seen before. They stood as large as Six herself from where they were standing, their forms covered in heavy armor that looked much more ornate and intricate than those of the common warrior.

Seeing such a high-value-looking target exposing themselves Six, as fast as a bullet, threw her knife at the changeling, intent on decapitating the enemies command structure in one fell swoop. The knife’s aim was true and the force behind it was comparable to that of a subsonic bullet.

With a resounding *Clang* the knife hit, but not its intended target.

“I can’t fault you for trying, Demon. I’m more hurt that you didn’t do that during our first meeting in Las Pegasus.” He said before removing the knife that had embedded itself within his pulsating shield. “There it would have surely killed me and saved me the trip to return the favor!” The knife was thrown back with equal force, surprising the Spartan, her eyes widening under her helmet.

Unable to dodge, her shield absorbed its full impact and flared a bright gold, half of its energy drained. Six bearly flinched, Mobius snarled, “That damned shield, that Empress damned armor, your Swarm cursed being! I will have your head for the changelings you have killed!”

Mobius looked to his right flank of changeling guard and hissed and chirped out his orders in changeling tongue. Its hissing and scratchy tones grated against the pony's ears, their eardrums unable to process let alone comprehend its meaning.

The changelings nodded and sped off, their much larger wings generating enough lift to throw several roof tiles loose and onto the street below. Looking to the left Mobius did the same but the message was different.

Its hisses sharper chirps shorter and clicks louder as the changelings gaze turned and bored into the Spartans visor before switching to the two ponies wielding changeling blades. A single low hiss left the changelings fanged mouth, his armor seemingly reacting in turn as its writhing surface increased its movements. Then, all hell broke loose.

All together the larger changelings beside Mobius flared their wings and buzzed down to the street below, two surrounding the pair of equestrian Spartans once again whilst the rest approached Six. The pair took their combat stances as the first changeling charged at them whilst Six remained low, waiting for them to make the first move.

A red-tinted green magical glow began to envelop the Spartan, her shield suddenly becoming visible as it resisted its supernatural power. With her shields' energy subtlety draining, Six scanned the changelings surrounding her. Looking for the telltale green glow emitting from one of their horns. All of them were silent.

Looking back up to the rooftop Six found the channeling changeling. She only managed to take a single step forward before the remaining changelings surrounding her charged.

Speeding up into a gallop Six went straight for the Praetorian in front of her, intent on using them as a stepping stone to reach the commander before her shield's energy was fully drained.

Rolling to the left to dodge an oncoming swipe, Six pounced directly towards the, now exposed, Praetorians side. But something went wrong, her momentum suddenly halted mid-air as she snapped backward as if a running child's clothing had gotten trapped against a door handle.

The pain of pulled hair exploded at her backside before she was suddenly spun and thrown into a building. Her shield cracked and shattered as she was launched through its outer wall.

A warning light flashed through her HUD as she scraped across a shattering wooden floor. Her momentum slowly bled until she came to a stop against the buildings opposite outer wall.

‘What the hell? Shield must not extend to my damned tail. Ugh, I hate magic.’

Growled Six as she got back up to her hooves, arcs of leaping golden energy igniting and burning the wooden remnants under her hooves. The red-tinted magical glow that surrounded her had disappeared, giving her a moment to think as she walked to the Spartan-shaped hole she had created.

Warning lights continued to blink within her helmet before silencing as her armor hummed and reformed its protective barrier. Six used this brief respite to rethink her strategy when dealing with these far superior changelings. To Six they mirrored Elites with their structure, with them being much larger and stronger than the common soldier she had been dealing with till now.

She looked back at her aching tail, a sizable chunk missing from its end. Six would also need to pay more attention to that, to ensure she wasn’t grabbed there like some common chew toy again.

Stepping out into the street once again Six narrowly ducked under an oncoming blade. The metal embedding itself into the crumbling wall and trapping its user next to one very pissed-off Spartan.

Extending her armored feathers it took but a moment for Six to slice through the Praetorians' arm and embed her wing into the changelings jugular. Killing them, instantly.

Six barely had time to remove her wing before two more came rushing at her, weapons raised and mouths hissing like snakes.

Six only barely managed to remove her wing and raise them both to block the incoming strikes. Her shield shattered on impact as the two praetorians gritted their fangs in exertion. The titanium of her armor held, its dense structure taking the impact as if it were bee sting.

Six found her wings bending under their combined force, their strength matching that of her augmented body, but with a cry of defiance she exploded her wings outward, tripping one guard and unbalancing the other.

Quickly Six jumped onto the tripping Praetorian before bringing her wings down into the Praetorian's sides whilst simultaneously bringing her hoof onto the changeling's face.

Green blood spurted onto the Spartans' wings as the changelings' skull was crushed under her armored hooves and lungs pierced by her sharp feathers. Breathing heavily Six had but a moment before her motion sensor pinged the other Praetorian in her flashing HUD.

Rolling towards the oncoming marker Six avoided a downward slash by the changeling, his blade now slicing through his dead comrade instead of the unshielded Spartan.

Now on her back underneath the assaulting Praetorian, Six grabbed her nearby discarded knife and proceeded to thrust it through the changelings exposed chitinous underbelly.

Spiderweb-like cracks exploded outwards across the changelings' exoskeleton as the Praetorian howled in unbearable pain. Their green blood filled the cracks creating a sadistic piece of organic art as its vital organs were pierced by Six’s blade.

The changeling struggled, its pain-clouded mind trying in vain to pull itself away from the foreign object lodged in its abdomen, but to no avail as Six redoubled her efforts and drove the knife deeper into the Praetorians chitin.

A strangled cough, marred with its glowing green blood, signaled the end of the praetorian veteran of countless battles. Falling limp on the blade Six threw the changeling to the side, leaving her to stare up at the ash-covered sky.

Her chest heaved up and down through her armor before she rolled to the side and returned to her blood-stained hooves. Electricity danced across her body as her armor continued to attempt to reestablish its protective barrier.

It was only moments away from doing so before her body glowed in the same red-tinted green as before and she found herself being floated up several meters off the ground.

The Spartan barely had time to process this new development before she was slammed back into the cobblestone below. The air was driven from the Spartans' lungs as they were forcefully compressed against the cracking ground.

Six coughed inside her helmet as she fought to catch her breath before she was lifted and thrown back down again, and again, and again. Without any magic to call her own, Six was powerless against the commander's supernatural assault.

Six could see the changeling's sadistic grin as they flew down and approached the floating Spartan. “What's wrong little Demon?” Another smash against the ground, Six felt one of her ribs beginning to strain under the assault as her lungs burned like raging wildfires. “How does it feel to be at the mercy of someling else instead!”

Six was once again thrown to the ground as the stone finally gave way underneath her, dropping her to the sewers below. Mobius, however, wasn't phased as he lifted Six by her hind legs and brought her helmet to his eye level.

Six coughed inside her helmet, droplets of blood staining her HUD as she felt her now cracked rib stab into her lungs. Spots danced across her vision as she began to feel the pain of her now dislocated, and probably broken, wing radiating throughout her body. She needed a moment to recover as she hung there limply, and that was all the time Mobius needed.

He drew his sword and placed its tip right in the center of the Spartans chest as he attempted to pierce the Spartans heart. The blade scraped against the hardened Titanium, the metals structure having withstood the changelings' assault as if it weren't there.

He hissed dangerously as tendrils of his armor began to crawl their way up his sword, before expanding across the Spartans' armored chest. “Your armor may have protected you, Demon. But now your strength,” The tendrils pulsed and writhed with red light as Six saw her opportunity approach, “Will, be, mine!” Growled out Mobius between gritted teeth as he removed his sword and brought his hoof to his helmet.

His legs began to give out from under him as Redfang drank heavily from his reserves of love. The aura around Six began to flicker, its pressure across her body receding, giving her just enough leverage to deliver her decisive blow.

Rearing back with her armored hoof and growling through gritted teeth Six delivered a blow with all of her enhanced might against the changelings flickering horn.
With a sound akin to crystal shattering, the changeling was thrown several meters screaming in unimaginable pain as shards of his own horn rained down upon him.

Six fell back to the ground grabbing onto the side of the crater with her aching limbs to prevent another trip to the sewers below. Screams of pain and exertion echoed throughout the street, grabbing the attention of the remaining two Praetorians.

Jumping back at the screams of their leader the two withdrew from their fight against the panting Pixy and Spear. Cuts and bruises marred the forms of both parties with neither having been able to gain the upper hand on the other.

Quickly buzzing over towards their leader, the changeling waved them off. Ordering for them to just be on guard while he recovered in their chittering language. Spear and Pixy did roughly the same, the two of them rushing over to Six as she climbed up onto the street.

“You good Six?” Questioned Spear as he glanced towards the Spartan.

The Spartan coughed into her helmet in response, as she tried in vain to move her broken wing “I. Hate. Magic.” Hissed Six through the pain.

“She’s good.” Confirmed Pixy with her trademark grin.

“What are your orders?”

Six seethed through her gritted teeth as she mentally ordered her armor to lock her limp wing against her side to prevent any further damage to it. Every breath she took sent sharp stabs of pain through her body but she didn’t care as she spoke out her orders. Armor flaring gold as her shield was finally able to reform itself.

“Keep the guards occupied, that commander is mine.”

They didn’t need to be told twice as they both nodded forcefully with Six stepping between them. Across the plaza the commander did the same having returned to his hooves yet… something was different.

His horn was gone, its form in pieces across the ground leaving red-tinted green blood to drip down his forehead. His armor glowed and pulsed at the seams, red light spilling out as its texture resembled that of Six’s armor.

The changeling spat out a wad of green blood, “You’ll pay for that.”

Six crouched low in response before sprinting forward, her one good wing flared and cutting through the air with a low whistle. Spear and Pixy followed close behind her, their blades ready to meet the enemies in the middle.

The commander did the same, his two Praetorians following suit intent on finishing what they had started.

With the loud clang of metal on metal and a flash of golden light, they met in the middle.

Mobius’s blade smashed into Six’s reformed shield with such force it was already on the verge of breaking and allowing his blade to strike the Spartans extended wing. Undeterred by the warning lights blinking across her HUD, Six reared up, intending on striking the commander with her full weight under her hooves.

Seeing this Mobius raised his other hoof and brought his shield to bear.

Metal screeched as the two made contact, Mobius’s armor glowing brighter as he held firm against the Spartans' assault. With a mangled battle cry through gritted teeth, Mobius pushed Six off of his shield, moving her several hooves back.

Not one to waste gained momentum Mobius swung his sword skyward only to hit nothing but empty air as Six dodged to the side.

He found his air driven from his lungs and his sword leaving his hooves as Six delivered a punch straight into his exposed side. Then another and another and another.

The Spartan fought back with unrestrained rage, growling like a wolf before delivering her strongest blow, throwing the changeling to his side.

Mobius coughed up another wad of green blood as he attempted to return to his hooves.

Pouncing like a wolf going in for the kill, Six extended her one good wing intent of impaling the changeling through her armored feathers.

Seeing this Mobius used his gathered strength and rolled to the side and underneath the airborne Spartan. With a buck that could shatter stone, Mobius drove his hind legs into the Spartans underbelly, driving the rib that pierced Six’s lungs deeper into her soft tissue.

Her shield shattered on impact as she flew for several hooves before crashing back into the cobblestone. Six could feel several more ribs breaking from the impact, her chest screaming in pain.

Both parties groaned as they moved to return to their hooves. Mobius panted as he held one hoof to his horn whilst Six rolled onto her side.

Her chest was heaving as her body was wracked with more blood-marred coughs. Sitting up could barely see through the inside of her helmet anymore, its visor visibly smeared with her blood.

With a hiss she removed it and threw it off to the side, it was getting in her way now.

The arcs of golden electricity across her armor ceased as her shield was now unable to form without its helmet. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her one good lung now working overtime to make up the difference.

But Six didn’t care. Right now all she could feel was rage. She was a Spartan, she was the best, of the best, of the best. She had killed aliens far more dangerous and threatening than this changeling ever was. Six would be damned if she let some cocky changeling with a vendetta kill her now!

As if a switch was flipped Six moved as fast as a bullet towards the recovering changeling and with a yell brought her hoof down onto the changelings head, driving it into stone. The Spartans' second wind kicked in as more adrenaline flooded her bloodstream.

Mobius stumbled back before an uppercut forced him back to the ground. Looking up he witnessed the avatar death itself approaching him. The sounds of nearby combat between his soldiers and Six’s fading away to the Venator.

Blood dripped down the corners of the Spartans' mouth as she picked up Mobius’s own discarded blade and began to approach the downed changeling. Her armor was drenched in the dried blood of herself and those she had killed, it's usually dark grey marred with splotches of green and red. Yet Mobius was not afraid, no… Mobius grinned.

‘Do it’

Suddenly the sword that Six held glowed a bright red before melting right before her eyes. Its metal writhed and began to drip down from the tip of the blade before climbing up Six’s hoof.

The Spartan’s eyes widened as she tried to drop the blade and remove the liquid that began to flow up her hoof but to no avail. Within seconds it had reached her head and expanded. The living metal grew across the side of her face like a plant spreading its roots, tendrils pressing into her still healing ear.

Six tried with all her might to remove the substance across the side of her head. But no matter what she tried, her hooves could not get a grip on the liquid as it settled onto the side of her face.

The metal began to glow as six felt its tendrils move and writhe across her skin before suddenly stopping. The glow disappeared and the moving halted as the metal suddenly began to start flaking and peeling off. Six, wasting no time, removed the brittle metal and threw it on the ground before crushing it to dust under her armored hoof.

Within moments it was gone with only the slightest impression left upon the Spartans face. The world stood still for several moments as Six moved to take another step towards Mobius before suddenly falling to her knees.

“SIX!” Yelled out Pixy from the side as she stood sword locked with a growling Praetorian. She attempted to throw the Praetorian off and managed to succeed before she was thrown back by said Praetorians magical aura.

Spear wasn’t faring much better as he barely managed to parry an oncoming sword swipe as he watched what was happening to his friend and mentor.

Mobius returned to his hooves, chuckling as he ordered Redfang to reform his shield into a new sword. He gave a small groan as bruised muscles protested his movements yet he didn’t care. He was kind of glad his muscles ached so, it meant his armor had worked. Redfangs adaptation had worked, for otherwise he would be but a red paste on the cobblestone.

The Venator coughed slightly as he looked back towards the kneeling Spartan, unrestrained tears running down the side of their usually composed and unreadable features. His feelers told him exactly what the Spartan was feeling.

Six was lost in a Tsunami of emotion. Grief, sadness, pain, loss, despair, anger. They all ran rampant across her mind as the floodgates were pried open by the living metal's influence.

She couldn't think, for all she could imagine was Reach. She couldn’t move, for all she could feel was the burn of a plasma sword through her chest. Her voice couldn’t be heard under the sea of all those she had mercilessly torn apart because of her need for a purpose. Her need to be an instrument of death.

She could recall names she could not pronounce and lives she had not lived. She felt the pain of her wings cutting through her body again, and again, and again. As souls that should never have been lost fell to her wings.

Her mental barriers were gone with emotions Six didn’t know how to handle overtaking her psyche, and she could do nothing as she was imprisoned within her mind. Forced to watch all that transpired before her, unable to react. The emotions she has walled away for so long becoming her captors.

Mobius couldn’t help but smile as he saw what had become of the Demon that had brought him here. Redfangs ‘surprise’ had been more effective than he had previously thought as he felt the hurricane of emotions the Spartan was emanating.

He expected nothing more than a slight stun, perhaps a long-lasting distraction. But this… this was far better. She was defenseless, absolutely and completely at the Venator's mercy, her one good wing now hanging limply at her side.

And he loved it.

Raising his newly reformed sword Mobius savored the look on the Demon's face as he prepared to end its miserable life.

“NO!” Came the shout before Mobius suddenly felt a pair of hooves colliding into his barrel once again. Yet, he did not budge. Looking down to the side he was met face to face with the green bloodied face of Pixy.

The blood-covered Pegasus gritted her teeth as she delivered another blow with all her might. Then another and another and another. A flurry of blows was launched against the Venator as fast as the pegasus could. The changeling blade she wielded simply bouncing off Mobius’s enhanced armor with every strike. Her hooves began to bleed as the constant punishment began to take its toll. Her blows starting to lose their power as the blade began to dull.

Pixy stopped and fought to catch her breath as she looked at the still changeling. He hadn’t moved an inch or even looked like any of what she had done had any effect on the changeling.

Mobius grinned as he suddenly grabbed Pixy by the throat with his free hoof. Was this how it felt to be Six? The overwhelming physical power compared to any normal pony?

The Venator brought his blade to bear against the scrambling Pegasus. Her bleeding hooves uselessly beat against the armored limb in defiance.

“A single red wing.” Spoke Mobius in his dual-tone voice as he eyed the appendage uncaring of the ponies resistance. “How would your ancestors think of you now?” A Spit in his face is the only answer he got, he didn't flinch. “Let me save them the trouble.” He brought his sword down with sickening speed.

Pixy screamed as loud as she could, pain wracked her entire body as her wing, the wing she equally loved and hated, was cleaved straight off of her body. Blood sprayed like a faucet from the open wound, staining the Venators sword.

She collapsed from the pain, becoming limp in the Venators arms as he dropped her to the ground to lay in a pool of blood. The dismembered appendage lying a few inches away from where it had once called home.

“PIXY!”

“Now wha-?!“ Was all Mobius could get out before he was suddenly lifted and thrown into the same wall Six had been launched through several minutes earlier. The building finally collapsing under the punishment it had received since the battles start.

Spear panted in exertion, his horn aching under the amount of weight he had just thrown with his already meager energy reserves. The equestrian Spartan having used a majority of it dealing with his own Praetorian by overpowering and crushing its surprisingly sturdy windpipe.

He stood protectively over the unconscious and bleeding pegasus he had known for so long. He wanted to see her over, to check her pulse and make sure she hadn’t already passed on. But he couldn’t.

The brief reprieve he had been given didn’t last long as the building he had thrown the Venator into exploded outward in a shower of spurting red magic. Mobius stood panting, the glow of his armor having increased tenfold as its original texture began to return in patches.

The changeling hissed loudly in rage, tongue lashing and dripping fangs exposed in their entirety. His shattered horn began to glow bright, liquid mana blubbering and spurting from the wound. Its powerful fluidic energies mixed in with his green blood.

Uncontrollable bursts of magical arcs, resembling that of unrestrained red lighting bolts, burst from his horn. The energy vaporizing any wood it struck straight to ash.

Spear was ready for the fight of his life until suddenly, the changeling stopped and looked towards the horizon, ears twitching.

Spear followed the changelings' gaze, making sure to keep his aching horn lit. At first, he didn’t see anything. Just the orange horizon of a burning and ash-filled sky, but as the unicorn continued to watch. Spear couldn’t help but smile when he realized victory was at hand.

“NEIN!” Screamed the changeling in another unfamiliar language to the ponies. “NO, NOT AGAIN!” The changeling hissed in his two-tone voice once again at the growing pink bubble expanding on the horizon. “I WILL NOT HAVE MY PRIZE TAKEN FROM ME NOW!” The changeling took off like a bullet towards Spear, his sword raised and poised to kill.

Spear raised his own to meet the Venators, the unicorn managing to block and parry several vicious downward strokes. Sparks flew as his changeling blade tried to withstand the punishment from the augmented Venator.

But the changelings' strength proved too much as the blade shattered in Spears' hooves on the third and final strike. The remaining momentum forced the Venators blade into the unicorn's shoulder as his drained magic failed to grasp it in time.

Spear yelled out in pain as the blade cut through his armor as if it weren't there and embedded itself within his shoulder, only stopping once it had reached the bone. This did not stop the changeling, however, as he redoubled his efforts with a yell and cleaved right through the joint as well. Removing the limb utterly and completely from the unicorn's torso.

Spear fell in a heap, holding onto his gushing shoulder for dear life, screaming his lungs out in pain as he saw the Venator approach the still catatonic Six through tear-filled eyes. Pink light began to radiate brighter and brighter. Its unrestrained power illuminated the back of the Venators armored head as he raised his sword to deliver the killing blow against Six.

The barrier would be here in just a few moments more but Six would be dead before then. Spear had to do something, anything to try and stop the Venator before he succumbed to blood loss and let his friend be killed.

Lighting his horn with as much energy as he could muster he enveloped the changelings' blade in his magical aura stopping it in its tracks.

Hissing in rage and annoyance Mobius picked up the blade Pixy had wielded and threw it at the dying unicorn. The Venators' aim was true as it embedded itself into the unicorn's side.

The aura around Mobius’s sword ceased as he raised it for the third and final time, rage and vengeance coursing through his veins as he brought it down onto the Spartans’ exposed neck.

But he was too late. Mere centimeters before his sword would have taken Six’s head clean off, the barrier hit. Its form of concentrated love magic sweeping the changeling off of his hooves and down the street.

The Venator tried in vain to halt his momentum by impaling his sword into the cobblestone but all it did was damage his blade as the magic launched him, his troops, and every single changeling within the district towards the sky. Mobius’s screams of defiance echoing all the way.

The day had been won, but at what cost?

Six returned to reality at the feeling of rain pitter-pattering onto her head, the distant sounds of thunder signaling to the Spartan that this was real. She shook her head and coughed, the feeling of blood leaking out the corners of her mouth signaling to her that she needed a medic. The stabbing feeling of her rib puncturing her lung on every labored breath marred her senses with pain.

The sky was a mess of thunder and lightning as the rain began to pour down onto the district. How long she was out, Six didn’t know. But she did know that the wetness flowing down from the corners of her eyes wasn’t purely rainwater. Her emotions were still running amuck in her mind. The wall that had kept them locked away for so long was completely shattered by the changelings' actions.

Six could still remember the faint flashes of those injected memories, still remember what it felt like to die by her own wings over, and over, and over again.

Labored breathing to her left caught the Spartans' attention as she looked down to find Pixy lying in a pool of her blood. The rain had already washed away most of it, leaving a dark red trail to run down the cobblestone and into the sewers below.

“No,”

A gushing red stump is all that remains of Pixie's signature red wing, the appendage nowhere to be found in the pouring rain. Six’s heart rate quickened as she quickly retrieved Pixie's torn aid kit from her uniform and grabbed a soggy bandage.

“Not again!”

She applied as much pressure as she could to the wound. Wrapping as many bandages as possible around it. Looking around for anything more she could use to help staunch the already out of control bleeding. Her body was wracked with more bloody coughs as her adrenaline began to run dry, yet Six pushed on once she saw Spear.

Instantly rushing over towards the soldier, Six went to grab Spears aid kit only to find it torn open, contents missing.

“No… please.”

Frantic Six tore the fabric from Spears uniform, careful not to disturb the sword impaling his abdomen. The uniform became a makeshift tourniquet for his hoof, yet it was not enough, the bleeding too severe to be stopped.

“Leave…me.” Came the weak voice of Spear, its volume bearly that of a whisper through the rain. “S-save… her…” He weakly pointed with his bleeding stump towards Pixy. “W-while she…still…can…be…” His eyes began to dim and glaze over, his body no longer having enough blood to keep them going.

“N-No! I-I won’t let you die!” She shouted out before keeling over with another fit of bloody coughs as she applied as much pressure as she could to the heavily bleeding wound. It still wasn’t enough as blood continued to spill onto the flooded streets before being washed away.

“Please…don’t.”

Spear wasn’t breathing.

“Not again.”

She couldn’t feel his pulse. Six started chest compressions with her one free hoof, but he was too far gone. Spear, one of the first ponies she had met, one of the first she respected, and the first she considered a real friend since her awakening…was dead.

“Please…”

She looked up to the sky, her free-flowing tears mixing with the rain that fell onto her face, and asked one question to any being that was watching. Her cry echoed throughout the silent district.

Why did another Spartan have to die, so that she could live again?

Chapter 38

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Chapter 39

For Spirit and Sparrow the walk back to base was a difficult one. The changelings' chitin was cracked in several places and her energy was running dangerously low. By the halfway point Spirit could no longer walk on her own four hooves, leaving Sparrow to carry her on his back instead.

The changelings' wings buzzed in annoyance briefly as she was hoisted onto the larger pegasus’s back before it turned into a low hum as her body remembered who it was carrying her, to begin with. If Sparrow didn’t know any better he would have mistaken the vibrations and hums for that of a cat having decided his back was a particularly comfortable place for a nap. The Pegasus smiled briefly when he looked back at the smiling face of Spirit.

“If only we could stay like this, I wouldn’t mind using your back as my new pillow.” Spoke Spirit with a relaxed sigh as Sparrow felt her press into the crook of his neck.

“I know, but we’re almost there. Can you disguise yourself? I don’t want them to hurt you.” Asked Sparrow as he somewhat worriedly looked towards the approaching rescue camp.

“I can’t, I don’t have the energy…We could just tell them the truth, I… I knew it would only be a matter of time since I signed up before I would be discovered. I just hoped it wouldn’t be like this.”

“Are you sure you want to take that risk? I won’t…I won’t be able to protect you in there. You’ll be thrown into a cell and interrogated after this” He gestured to the destroyed buildings that surrounded them.” They’re not going to be the most amicable of hosts.”

The changeling looked towards his worried features and smiled. “I’ve dealt with worse during my time in the Hive.”

Sparrow stared at her a few moments longer before sighing. “Fine just…be careful okay? I’ll do what I can to keep you safe but I’m not Six. I can’t take on the entire military.”

Spirit gave a small peck on Sparrow’s cheek and smiled. The pegasus returned the gesture before steeling himself with a deep breath and continuing towards the base.

It didn’t take long for him to be spotted in the moonlight as a small patrol came out to greet him, oblivious of the passenger he was carrying. Spirits pitch-black chitin and ripped black and white urban camo hiding her from view from that distance.

“Hey, Sparrow! Wasn’t expecting you back till morning, finally find what you’ve been…looking…for…” The guard trailed off as he witnessed the compound blue eyes of a changeling looking back at him from Sparrow's back. Tattered and ripped remnants of Noble squads' uniform hung around the injured changelings' form. The lightly luminescent green glow of changeling blood stained the underside of the creature's broken armor.

All together the guards raised their weapons.

“Put your weapons down or I swear to Celestia, I will turn you all to paste!” Yelled Sparrow towards the readied guards

“But, Sir-“

“Don’t ‘But Sir’ me soldier. Put your weapons down, if she wanted to hurt anyone you would all already be dead. The changeling here is Spirit so I demand you treat her like you would any other member of Noble Squad. Changeling or not.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” Spoke Spirit quietly into Sparrow's ear.

“I can’t believe it-“ Whispered one of the guards to themselves, but just before the lead guard was about to speak again another voice cut through the darkness.

“What in Luna’s name is up with all the shouting?! I’m trying to get some shuteye over here!”

Everyone looked up towards the source of the annoyed voice of none other than the Wonderbolts captain accompanied by the leader of the LSTS Midnight. Both looked no worse for wear with only the pegasus looking like she had just rolled face first, out of bed.

“Well?!” Shouted out Spitfire once again impatiently as she waited for an answer to her question. Sparrow was the first to speak up as the two senior officers closed the distance.

“I was able to locate M.I.A Spartan Spirit and she requires medical attention.”

“I am not in the mood for jokes Sparrow, that's a changeling on your back. So you best choose your next words *very* carefully.” Began Spitfire with a threatening aura that would have made Six proud.

“Look, everypony, can we move this inside? I don’t want to interrupt your discussion on who Sparrow says I am and who you think I impersonated but I think I’m about to pass out and I would prefer not to die out here with the information I am willing to share.”

Multiple sets of surprised eyes stared at the annoyed changeling who, like she said she was, looked to be on the brink of unconsciousness as the struggle to keep their eyes open was outwardly visible.

Midnight laughed, breaking the silence and causing everyone present to stare at her incredulously, “She has us there.”

A look from the tired Spitfire silenced her laughter but the grin she wore remained.

“Fine, you three escort them to the hospital, I'll have some Bolts join you on the way there, they are both not to leave your sight, got it? Best make it worth our time changeling, or I escort you personally to the gates of Tartarus for what you did to my Bolts.”

All three guards saluted in the affirmative with Sparrow just nodding and Spirit weakly attempting to salute from Sparrow's back. She was only barely able to lift her holed hoof to her forehead before she fell limp with her eyelids becoming exponentially heavier.

“I think that's your cue to hurry it up, Spartan.” Spoke Midnight as she flew down to hover next to the changeling upon the pegasi’s back. The Thestral inspected the weak changelings form as Sparrow began to make his way towards the hospital. She made sure to keep a reasonable distance just in case, changelings were, after all, tricksters by nature.

The first thing she took a closer look at was the armor they wore, an unusual design. Yet again its designer and commissioner were equally unusual so no problem there. But it's the fact that as far as she knew, and she knew a lot about what went on to the other squads above and below her, only four sets of this armor were made. And the materials Six requested this armor be made of were in equally low stock, with the metals needed to be specially ordered from outside of Canterlot. Needless to say, it was impossible for the changelings to recreate such armor without some flags being raised.

This narrowed down the possible time Spirit (if this was the changeling who had been impersonating her for Celestia knows how long) had been replaced for. Midnights eyes roamed to the damaged sections of the uniform as Sparrow turned another corner. Cuts and rips stained with green luminescent blood turned the strange camouflage useless but there was something about the damage that marred the changelings black chitin.

Small dual puncture wounds with spider-web like cracks spreading outwards, dark green burn-marks that still radiated ever so slightly with green mana. Wounds that couldn‘t have been inflicted by ponies, no…these wounds could have only been inflicted by other changelings.

“Well, would you look at that…” Midnight began whispering quietly to herself as she watched a group of Wonderbolts join their little convoy, unaware that Midnights little *laughing* fit had already called a further squad of LSTS to watch the group from the shadows. Being able to make and hear sounds outside of a normal ponies hearing range was one of the perks she loved about being born a Thestral.

Minutes later they had reached their destination with word already having reached the hospital of their new unique patient. A gurney was already waiting outside for them with doctors and nurses on standby. Without hesitation, Sparrow placed the injured changeling upon the gurney and followed the doctors inside. He didn’t make it far however as he was prevented from entering the trauma room they had wheeled the changeling to.

A guard clad in gold and black armor stood in the corner of the room, horn glowing a light blue as Sparrow watched his beloved’s hooves, horn, and wings be covered in the same magical aura. The pegasus couldn’t stand seeing such treatment towards a creature that had almost died for them but there was little he could do now. Until they realized who the changeling was they would both have to put up with it.

Sparrow felt a tap against his side grabbing his attention. Turning around he was met with Captain Midnight looking back at him, two ponies clad in pitch-black armor he had never seen before flanking her.

“We’re going to have to ask for you to come with us”

“Let’s start from the top. When did you first meet Spirit?” Asked the pony sitting across from him in the interrogation room.

“When I first took part and managed to make it through Six’s test, before then we had never met before.”

“Never? Not even stationed in the same base?”

“No, that was the first time we had met.”

“Did you harbor any suspicions?”

“Why should I? I was there in Las Pegasus, I watched Six turn an entire swarm into green paste without a scratch. And everypony knows what she did. And if we did, the changelings most definitely did as well, so why should I believe that a changeling would wish to willingly go through hell to work under them.”

The interrogator hummed as their partner, Sparrow thought, just watched from the corner of the room, their face unreadable. The Spartan continued.

“So no, I did not harbor any suspicions about any of the ponies that survived that exercise least of all Spirit.”

“Why is that?”

“She seemed too shy and nonconfrontational to be the spying type.”

“I see… let's fast forward a bit then. You say that the changeling you brought in is in fact Spirit and not an impersonator.”

“That is correct, that changeling is and always has been, Spirit.”

“How can you be so sure? You could have been influenced by her magic.”

“No, Spirit revealed herself to me willingly when the attack started, if she were a spy she would have used that opportunity to kill me. We may not be as dangerous as Six herself but I doubt the changelings would want to take that risk and let us live.”

“So you're telling me she willingly dropped her disguise?”

“To save me, yes”

“Why?”

“Why else? You never leave a soldier behind.”

The pony hummed and glanced towards the other standing in the corner. The pony gestured with a nod towards the door.

“Well, I think we are done here for today.” The pony moved to leave but before he could Sparrow spoke up

“Wait, can I see her?”

His questioner looked back and stared at the large pegasus for several seconds before saying a single word.

“Maybe.”

The door closed behind him leaving the Pegasus alone in the interrogation booth once again, left to contemplate on what he had just gotten himself into.

The moon princess watched apprehensively through the one-way glass window unsure of what to think. She didn‘t know the Pegasus very well, in fact, it was fair to say she didn‘t know him at all apart from his status as one of Six‘s Spartans. She knew the basic information, of course, his personnel file told her all she needed. But the pony behind the document, behind the beaming commendations and reports of the original Spartan? She had no information at all.

She had been called down by a member of her LSTS whilst she was in the middle of her daily visit to her sister's bedside when the news came. That one of Six’s Spartans had come with a changeling he claimed to be the MIA Spartan known as Spirit.

This news naturally confused and highly interested the now one-eyed princess, prompting her to oversee the investigation and interrogation of everypony involved herself. But the changeling, that is what interested her the most.

During the initial attack during her niece's wedding, once the dust had settled, casualties from both sides were, naturally, recovered. But whenever her ponies found and attempted to help any changeling left behind when their queen was ejected they would just…die. Their breathing would cease and their hearts would stop regardless of the severity of their injuries.

So being able to catch a live one, one that said they were willing to give up sensitive information… That was something a princess would not allow to fall out of her hooves. But until the changeling was well enough for questioning, the debriefing of Sparrow had to come first.

The door to her side opened, grabbing the princess's attention, as the SMILE agent assigned to this case cantered inside.

“How fares the interrogation thus far, my agent?” Questioned Luna in her regal speech.

“Well, compared to the first ‘Spartan’ I’ve questioned, having a willing participant feels like heaven.”

Luna grinned playfully, “I imagine so, but pray tell, what have you learned thus far?”

The pony grabbed a nearby clipboard and quickly scribbled something down before turning to face the princess once again. “Well after extensive and discreet magical scans we can confirm that he is most definitely not under any changeling control.”

“Changeling mind magic is still a great unknown to us agent, I would not be so hasty in your conclusion.”

“I was getting to that princess, with everything he is saying I don’t doubt that for one minute that his words are genuine. According to him, quite vehemently I might add, the changeling is, and always has been, his fellow ‘Spartan’ Spirit. That there is no deception afoot here and that she is actually here to help us.”

“A tall tale for certain…” Luna stood in thought for several moments before a memory came to the front of her mind. “Agent, return Sparrow to his barracks in an hour, I must prepare something that will give us the answers we need.” Ordered the lunar princess as she made her way out the door.

“As you wish, princess.” Could be faintly heard behind the alicorn on a mission but it meant little to her now. She had a spell to prepare. After all, if it worked on the original, why wouldn’t it on their underling?

Two hours later and Luna floated through the dream-realm waiting, searching for the dream her spell had created. And after minutes of looking, she had found it but she did not enter it right away. She stopped just before it, her hoof partially outstretched before her.

Should she really do this, she thought. Against Six the risks were negligible, her physical body is second to none and her mind was honed to perfection. Last time the spell was only barely able to take hold and even when it did Luna was basically along for the ride. The princess only able to subtly influence the direction Six’s mind was traveling to learn all she could from the Spartans memories.

Against Sparrow simply willing a memory to appear would do the trick with how easily the magic took hold. The object it took as its form must have held a serious significance to Sparrow then.

Lighting her horn, Luna inspected the spell's imitation matrix in order to find out what the object in question was. It appeared to be a black shell of some sort, one side glowing slightly in a luminescent green and the other as black as Luna’s darkest nights. Luna didn’t have to be several thousand-year-old alicorn to recognize a shard of changeling chitin when she saw one.

Luna’s confusion spiked and she swore several dream bubbles around her turned into question marks as well for the briefest of moments. Why in the name of her sister's sun was a shard of broken and cracked changeling chitin so important to the Spartan?

Luna needed to find out now and so with her hesitation banished she extended her hoof and entered Sparrow’s mind, her own mind focused and figuring out just how far this rabbit hole went.

“My Venator, I bring news!”

Mobius looked up from his seat, and away from the pony, he had been feeding off of. They were a zebra cocooned in the light green changeling resin that housed their…rations. They wore the decaying remnants of the gold and black armor of the ponies ‘Horizon Squad’. Its metal having been turned to ribbons by the Venators blade when he personally went to capture him during their attack.

Having the second in command of the ponies' most secretive squads (thought only to be rumors among the agents of VOPS until yesterday) would be a great gift for the Queen and a massive boon for the spooks back in the Hive. Much to Mobius's chagrin however the Zebra’s armor would not survive the trip with its structure being broken down by the slightly acidic fluid the pony found themselves floating in. It seems the trophy case at VOPS Headquarters would have to remain one armor set lighter for the time being.

“What is it?”

“I’ve had my drones undergo a headcount as ordered, and you were correct my Venator. We found a discrepancy and upon further investigation, we found one dead and one wounded drone on the southern border of the camp. The injuries inflicted to them were changeling in origin and the survivor says he cannot remember his own name.”

“I knew it.” The Venator turned around fully to look the Praetorian in the eye, “Get the priest, if this is the work of the same hiveless as encountered during the attack we must find them and eliminate them. If my hunch is correct they have aligned themselves with the ponies.”

“Aligned themselves with our food?”

“Memory loss can only mean one thing, Praetorian. Our little traitor has taken those drones' memories for themselves. Redouble your search efforts, and find that hiveless before the Queen hears of this. If the ponies find the location of the hive all will be lost so move it!“

The praetorian hastily nodded and left in a hurry as the Venator watched them leave. Once the Venator was alone once again the familiar voice of Redfang resonated behind him.

‘Hiveless here, hiveless there. Why would anyling dare, for the Empress's light is for all. And those that don’t heed it, fall.’

“Speaking in riddles now? To what? Toy with me for allowing this to happen?”

‘A poem actually, and no this situation just…reminded me of something long ago.’

Turning around Mobius followed the voice of the enigmatic Redfang to find their ghostly form lying atop the Zebra’s cocoon. Her transparent red eyes stared into the sky, unfocused as if recalling some time long past or a memory yet barely forgotten.

Mobius paid it no mind, just another one of this entity's strange quirks he would sometimes catch the ghost doing. From staring into space and inspecting objects as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. Cryptic doesn’t even begin to fully describe the consciousness he now had to live with.

“Mind sharing what's on your mind? Or, heh, armor?”

‘Ha, ha.’ She laughed dryly. ‘Very funny.’ Mobius grinned at the exacerbated expression Redfang wore.

“Humor never really was one of my strong suits, that's why I’ve got you.”

It took a moment as the words sunk in before Redfang gave a proper laugh of her own. ‘Empress, dammit.’ She managed to get out through her fit of giggles.

“Okay, okay break times over now, we’ve got a hiveless to catch and I for one would not like to be the Venator that served when the hive was exposed.” Finished Mobius as he drew and inspected his sword once again.

‘Yes, you're right.’ Responded Redfang from behind before she suddenly reappeared in the reflection on Mobius’s sword. ‘Now let's go, I’ve already repaired and reformed what we lost in the attack. We’re good as new again, with perhaps a few minor improvements.’

Mobius nodded and smiled slightly in thanks towards the reflection before the sword returned to his back where the recovered shield already lay. “Good, now let's go find ourselves a traitor, shall we?”

Author's Note

Happy 90k words Six!

Edited by the now available for hire freelance editor Squirrel I have decided to give up my monopoly on his services XD
More information is available on my discord which you can join via the link on my profile.

Chapter 40

Several days have passed since the changeling Spirit and the Spartan Sparrow were taken into the custody of the equestrian intelligence service. Sparrow had since been released, his questioning over but surveillance remained. But news, no matter how secret, would always travel. And it took one word, one whisper, one random coalescence of ambient sound for Six to awaken. And as it just so happens a nurse, with nursery rhymes on her mind, was tending to Six’s wounds.

“…Pixy…”

As if a veil had been lifted, Six returned to reality. She blinked her eyes once, twice, and thrice as she took in her surroundings. She was in a hospital that much was certain and a nurse, staring at her like a deer in headlights, was currently trying to change the bandages that encircled the Spartans waist.

Six knew she was injured, its true extent was unknown but that didn’t matter to her, she had only one Spartan on her mind.

“Pixy…” Six managed to croak out with a voice suffering from severe disuse. Six couldn’t recall much over the past several days, a majority of it nothing but a cacophony of grief and an overwhelming sense of failure.

The nurse, having grown used to the large mare in a catatonic state since she was assigned to care for her, didn’t know what to do. So the nurse did what she thought best: finish what she was doing and get the doctor.

Six meanwhile continued to breathe in her surroundings before her gaze ultimately settled upon her own body and the fact that she was currently naked, save for the pair of dog tags around her neck with her armor nowhere to be found.

“Where…is…my…armor?” Six croaked out once again, the Spartan punctuating her sentence with a sharp cough as she attempted to sit up straight. Her entire body permeated with a dull pain and she could feel the familiar sensation of fresh surgical scars under her bandages.

The nurse, now having finished setting the fresh bandage, prevented the Spartan from sitting up straight before speaking. “With the rest of your possessions ma’am but please, you need your rest. Why don’t you lie down while I go and get the doctor okay?”

Six, currently in no position to fight back against the nurse acquiesced and laid back down. The nurse smiled down at the large mare before quickly checking her work and leaving the room to go and grab the nearest doctor.

Yet the pony who entered only moments afterward was not a doctor but the Princess of the Moon herself, an ornate eye patch covering what she had lost during the attack.

“It is good to see you lucent, Six. Most had thought you were lost within your own mind.” Luna greeted as she approached the injured Spartan.

“Where is…Pixy?”

“Alive, thanks to you.”

“The…rest?”

“You needn’t worry Six. I believe it may be I who must concede our bet. Your Spartans fought with as much ferocity and determination as you did, they will make fine additions to Equestria.” Luna attempted to raise the Spartans spirits, but it didn't work as Six turned her head away from the Princess.

“I…lost…another…one” Six choked out, the princess didn’t need her eyes to know that there were tears flowing down the Spartans face. Luna approached slowly.

“We all have Six…we all have.” Luna took a seat next to the Spartan and raised her wing to rest on the Spartans back.

“Can you…please mark him…as M.I.A… officially.” Six asked, her voice starting to return to normal. “Spartans aren’t… meant to die.” She gave a single humorless laugh. “We go…missing in…action.”

“I will see what I can do, Six.”

“Thanks…What about…the others?”

“Pixy is here in the hospital, she will be fine. The situation with Sparrow and Spirit however is much more…complicated.”

Six turned around to face the princess as she removed her wing.

“Explain…”

“I believe now is not the best time to hear what I have to share but do know that they are both alive and healthy.”

“What are you…hiding? I’ve been…an intelligence…operative long…enough to recognize… that wording.” Even when bedridden and recovering from the worst mental break of her life Six still found the time to smirk at the princess.

“Are you sure you want to know?”

“How much worse…can it get…for me?”

Luna stared at the Spartan through her one good eye for several long seconds.

“Fine…I have discovered that Spirit is in reality an exiled changeling in disguise and Sparrow has engaged in a courtship with her, despite knowing the truth. Both are currently in the custody of our intelligence services.” The princess braced herself for the inevitable explosion but all she got, was an amused chuckle.

“I always…knew something…was up with…Spirit…Could never…place my finger…on it though.”

Luna looked at the Spartan in unrestrained confusion.

“That's it? I expect a much more…explosive reaction to Spirit's true nature.”

“Oh, believe me…When I'm out of here…We are going to have words… But I trust Spirit and Sparrow…with my life…and Spirit is no…traitor…and neither is…Sparrow…I should know…I…Trained them.” Six managed to get out before she was overcome with a coughing fit. “Al-also…Where the hell…is my armor?”

Luna couldn't help but smile slightly at the Spartans words.

“Your armor has been placed in my personal vault, it is safe.”

“Good…but Luna…I swear to god…if I see a scratch on that thing…” The Spartan attempted to threaten, but with her voice being as raspy as it was, and the clear lack of energy the pony possessed, it wasn’t very effective. But that didn’t matter, Luna took it in good faith as she gave a good-natured laugh and smile at the Spartans comment.

“It will be returned to you in exactly the same shape in which you left it, you needn’t worry Six.”

As the words left the princesses' mouth, the door to the room was opened as several ponies in white lab coats poked their heads in.

“I believe that may be my cue to leave, Six. I will return later when you are no longer…preoccupied.” Excused Luna as she made her way past the bowing doctors.

“So! How are we feeling today Ms. Six?” Began one of the doctors enthusiastically as he went to check her IV.

“I’ve had…worse.”

“That, I do not doubt. But anyway, now that your…*ahem*….shock has worn off. I would like to discuss how we are going to be moving forward from now on. That includes a few questions I have for you regarding your past medical history.”

“If the Questions…don’t involve…Classified topics… I will comply.”

“Great! But before we begin I would like to inform you on what we have done thus far. You were, after all, until recently unable to understand your situation yourself. So…”

That doctor would later be overheard saying: ‘I swear to Celestia, if this chart were covered in any more black ink princess Luna would call it a lovely painting of her night sky.’

Yet while one Spartan had returned from the spiral their mind had taken. Another, the very pony that had returned Six back to the world of lucidity, was falling down ever deeper.

Since she had awoken from pain and blood loss induced unconsciousness all she could do, all she wanted to do, was stare out the window and into the deep blue sky and remember. Remember how the wind used to feel on her missing…red…wing.

Several more days have since passed and Six was making a rapid recovery. This was, of course, not in the least surprising to those in the know of Six’s unique physiology. But, as was already hypothesized, the mental damage was not so easily healed.

Her mood, which was normally some varying degrees of amused to annoyed, would suddenly and unexpectedly turn dark and sour. Most of the time she was fine, but when the rain started to fall, and the sky began to dim, tears from the Spartan were sure to follow.

But even through all that, progress was being made because when the Spartan closed her eyes and imagined the feeling of crushing the windpipe of the changeling that had done so much to her. That had taken another Spartan away from her. It kept her mind focused, it kept her emotions in check. In the end, that changeling would feel her anger, even if it meant taking on their entire military alone.

Currently, Six was still lying on her bed, waiting for the doctors to tell her what she already knew. The Spartan was growing tired of these stainless white walls and barely edible hospital food that was simply not nutritious enough on its own to sustain the recovering pony. In order to sate her ravenous hunger, the doctors and nurses had resorted to ordering an entirely separate meal cart to be brought up just for Six.

Six had heard whispers and gotten glances from some of the more lithe nurses that constantly wondered how the hell she managed to eat so much while seemingly gaining no weight whatsoever. The Spartan couldn’t care less about their whispers, it is simply how she was.

The door to her side opened and a familiar princess of the moon entered with, surprisingly, a wheelchair in tow.

“Greetings Six, how have you been since we last spoke?”

“Better…also, why the wheelchair?”

“Because I have something which may need your… expertise. Spirit has since recovered from her injuries and is being questioned, your input may be required.”

“Okay… that still doesn't answer the wheelchair question. I can walk perfectly fine.” To demonstrate this point, swung her hooves off the bed, landed on all fours with a grimace, took exactly three steps, and promptly collapsed into Luna’s magical aura.

Six was then floated into the reinforced wheelchair Luna had brought, a smug smile resting firmly upon the diarchs face.

“If you say anything, I will break your nose.” Threatened the Spartan with a raised hoof as Luna’s grin only grew as they both left. The wheelchair did groan slightly in protest of having to carry the heavy mare but it held thanks to her armor not currently on her person.

Six tried not to think about the fact she was technically naked, save for the dog tags, with all of her bandages having been removed the prior morning and evening, leaving her bare and scarred fur visible. She didn’t like it. Having grown used to her armor acting as a ‘second skin’ without it she did not only feel naked, she felt…incomplete. The fact that all her scars, particularly the two-pronged burn scar that lay on her chest, were visible for all to see did not help matters when it came to the Spartans' already sour mood.

“Is there no other way to bring me there? No magical cane you can give me instead?”

“Oh there is, but with your…mass… it would likely break after prolonged use.”

“Get me one anyway, I prefer to do my questioning on my own two, well, four hooves.”

“It can be arranged.”

“Then arrange it.” Six growled out before softening her voice somewhat. “This wheelchair is degrading.”

“Would you prefer I hoist you around in my magic like a foal?”

Six opened her mouth to respond but her retort died in her throat so the Spartan frowned instead and angrily exhaled through her nose. “Point.”

So the Spartan held her tongue as Luna brought her out of the hospital and towards an unmarked building located on the castle grounds. Six had always wondered what was in this building whenever it caught her gaze in between training. She knew it was a building of military importance, that much was certain due to its constant guard presence, but what she did not know. Until now that is.

Inside the building was abuzz with activity, with guards in full black armor Six had yet to see standing at every intersection and stairwell. Six couldn’t help to be impressed with the ponies in that regard, she could have almost mistaken it for ONI headquarters itself were they human.

Luna brought her deeper into the building, the guards opening the various doors for the pair with nods of respect towards the princess and Six. Eventually though, as they got deeper and deeper into the more heavily guarded areas the amount of ambient hoof traffic began to slow before ending almost entirely at the end of a long corridor. It was eerily silent with not even the light making an ambient hum.

It was the perfect uncomfortable environment to stage an interrogation in. The pair entered a guarded door to their right and it brought them into the familiar dark interrogation observation room Six had so much familiarity with.

Sitting on a chair in the middle of the room, their gaze locked onto the one-way glass that separates the interrogator from the interrogatie, was one of the ponies Six recognized from her own interrogation.

Hearing the door open the pony focused their attention on the princess and the Spartan before promptly getting up from his chair and moving to greet his visitors.

“A Princess, Six. Long time since we’ve spoken. Still as tight-lipped as ever?”

“Comes with the job.” Answered the Spartan as she brought her gaze to the one-way glass. Looking through she could see the back of another pony, the Spartan recognizing them as the other pony present during her own interrogation.

And sitting in the center of the room, their hooves chained, wings restrained and a glowing ring on their horn was a changeling. Sweat was pouring down their brow and their eyes were shut tight in some form of concentration.

“What is wrong with her?” Asked the Spartan as her ears swiveled towards the speaker that transmitted what was being said in the room.

“We don’t know. Since we brought her in here she has seemed distracted and this has only happened recently.” Answered the pony as he stepped back to his desk. “ She has been quiet as a mouse. Perhaps you can get her to open up, or at least calm her down. We’re not going to get anything out of her like this.

Six watched the changeling through the glass for several seconds more before making up her mind. Looking towards the Lunar Princess that stood beside her, Six commanded.

“Get me that damned Cane.”

She needed to concentrate, she needed to hold firm or she would die. If she cracked now her life would end, her aura had to hold until Six arrived. Spirit knew she would come, she had to otherwise everything she had to do would be in vain.

The figure before her spoke some unheard words and asked illegible questions. Spirit couldn’t hear them; she had to concentrate, she needed to reinforce her aura lest the order for her hearts to stop beating reach her brainstem.

The door to the room opened and the pressure retracted. She could breathe a sigh of relief as she carefully peeked at her newest visitor. Her compound eyes visibly lit up as she witnessed the limping Spartan enter the room, cane in hoof. She took a breath to speak but found no voice as she felt the assault against her aura suddenly pulsed.

Some words were exchanged between the Spartan and the source of the mental assault. Spirit needed to get the message across to Six, that the pony she was speaking with was no pony at all before her energy wained.

Cracking open her eyes just a tad Spirit could see the usual unreadable expression upon Six’s face, looking at her from across the room as her ‘interrogator’ had his back to Spirit. She needed to get a message across to the Spartan without her voice, good thing Six taught her other ways of communicating that didn’t involve sound. Spirit could only hope now that her fangs did not complicate the message.

Gathering her remaining energy Spirit managed to mouth a single word towards the Spartan with her eyes glancing towards the interrogator.

‘Spy’

That was all she could do as she focused everything she had on reinforcing her collapsing aura. Now she could only pray to the Empress that Six heeded her message.

…

‘Pleas-‘ Suddenly with the sound of shattering bricks the assault stopped completely. Opening her eyes, Spirit found the interrogator pinned against the cracking glass by the Spartans hoof. With a flash of green flame and a cough of green blood Spirit's executioners' disguise fell apart.

“Well hello there~” Six began in a sickly sweet voice full of barely restrained fury. “Thanks for the tip, Spirit.”

“Y-your welcome, Lieutenant” Spirit replied with a slight stutter before sighing loudly in relief.

“Don’t think you’re out of the water just yet Spartan. We are still going to have words.” Six continued as the door to the interrogation room was thrown open by a very angry-looking lunar princess.

“What is the meaning of thi-?!“ Luna’s eyes locked onto the struggling Changeling in Six’s grasp. Evidently, Luna was not there to witness the changelings transformation through the glass.

Looking back Six tossed the sputtering changeling at the princesses' hooves as Six herself collapsed to the floor. “Had to deal with an…uninvited guest.”

Luna’s eyes flipped between the Sputtering changeling at her hooves, the panting Spartan attempting to right themselves with their retrieved cane, and the relieved-looking changeling sitting at the table. Lighting her horn Luna restrained the injured changeling and focused her gaze on the, now standing, Spartan.

“I shall call for another pony to assis-“

“Not necessary.” Interrupted Six as she righted the chair across from Spirit that got knocked over in the scuffle. “I need to have a word with Spirit. She is my Spartan. She is my responsibility.”

Luna stood in silence for several more seconds before answering with a single, somewhat hesitant, nod before leaving the room, a restrained changeling in tow.

A silence soon took ever the room as Six took her seat across from the changeling.

“Than-“

“Shut up.” Interrupted Six with her cold and demanding tone Spirit knew all too well. “Spirit, why are you here?”

“Wha-?”

“Why are you here Spartan?!” Six yelled with a slam of her hoof against the metal table, its metal bent as Six grimaced in pain due to her still tender injuries.

“Sir! Because I am a changeling Sir!”

“Yes, so I ask again: Why are you here? Why have you chosen to side with the enemy of your people?”

“Sir! Because I could not in good faith follow the Queen anymore, Sir! She has perverted the Hive and brought it away from the Empresses of all changelings will!”

“So why, Spartan, did you not decide to omit this detail to me during your training?! You must know information vital to the war effort! Such as the location of your hive correct?”

“I do now, Sir!”

“Explain.”

“Sir, when a changeling breaks their link to the Queen such information is purged. I have, however, managed to grab said information while I was…Missing, after the attack during the training exercise. I was…barely able to escape from the regrouping changelings.”

“And you’re willing to share this information now?”

“It is why I took the risk in the first place to return here.”

A smile began to blossom on the Spartans' faces as their facial expression relaxed and softened.

“Heh, and Luna wondered why I still trust you.”

A questioning look of surprise appeared on Spirit's insectile face.

“You do?”

“With my life. It’s why you're not sitting there as a captured enemy combatant, but as a Spartan being debriefed. So tell me: What intel have you managed to… Acquire?”

The intel Spirit would share with the Spartan was vast. The location of the changeling Hive had been found and the road to ending the war was clear. Plans would be drawn up, fresh volunteers would be trained and numbers would be replenished. For the first time in over 500 years, the equestrian military would be mobilized.

But before that could happen, a Spartan needs to be put to rest…and a friend must be consoled.

Author's Note

The time has come.
Execute order 312 and occupy the featured page.

Chapter 41 Author's Note

A warning that at the end of this chapter there will be mentions and implications of attempted suicide.

This will be the only time in the story when it is mentioned/Written out/put at the forefront if you get what I mean in case this subject matter is uncomfortable to you.

Chapter 41

To Six, the outside world may have been another planet as she could only stand there, as unmoving as a statue, watching the rain soak the freshly filled-in grave. Officially, Spear was not dead. His status being changed, at Six’s request, to M.I.A like any Spartan would be. But, again, that was only officially. Spear was gone, and there was nothing Six could change about that.

She was wearing her full suit of armor, its surfacing baring several more dents and scratches since she had last donned it. Rain ran down her visor's edges in long streams, the hydrophobic coating her visor contained preventing the water from obscuring her view.

She didn’t know how long she had been standing there in the rain thinking…contemplating…remembering. As far as she knew Spear didn’t have any family, he never talked about any as if he did. But from the way he spoke and acted when around herself and the others after that fateful night in the alley on the day Six’s control broke. It was safe to say that if he didn’t have any family by blood, he had them by bond.

Six heard the sound of approaching hoofsteps through the pouring rain in her helmet's audio stream.

“You shouldn’t be up and about Six, your wounds need rest.” Came the soft voice of none other than Celestia in all her recovering glory.

“I could say the same to you.” Responded Six without looking back through her helmet's speakers.

“Please, I already got enough of that from my sister. A mare does not get as old as me without acquiring a few scars in the process” Continued Celestia as she moved next to Six holding a large umbrella within her magical grip. Glancing over Six could see the very edges of the scars she had given the princess. Her silver regalia, reserved for times of morning, hid a majority of the hoof-shaped damage. An unfortunate side-effect of Six’s makeshift defibrillator that had burned and singed the alicorn's flesh. “Though, I never expected hoof-shaped burns to become one of them through means other than assassination attempts or encounters on the battlefield.”

“Hmm…” Six hummed in acknowledgment as she returned her gaze to the grave before her.

“I wanted to thank you, by the way, Six… For saving my life.” Continued the princess softly. “It has been…a long time since I have last come so close to the beyond.”

“Your…Welcome…Is there anything else?”

“No…nothing that needs your immediate attention. I just wished to give my thanks…and pay my respects as well.” Celestia looked towards the soaking grave. “He was a good soldier and a better Spartan… I once even saw his name in the nomination files for High Command after the Captain became Prince.”

“Then please leave… I want to be alone.”

Celestia looked like she was about to say something before deciding against it, but just as she turned to walk away and leave the Spartan to their grief, she found her voice.

“We will get him Six, but do not forget that you still have another Spartan that needs your attention.”

And with those words hanging in the air, Celestia left, leaving Six all alone once more. The rain slowly began to let up as the evening shift weather teams started with their cleanup, allowing the orange rays of the setting sun to break through the cloud cover.

Six straightened her posture as she brought her hoof up to a salute, her wings splaying outwards and extending to their maximum.

‘I’ll get him, Spear… And I’ll tell the bastard to see you in hell.’

Six wandered through the halls of the hospital she was now so intimately familiar with. She had to be, afterall, how else would she be able to avoid the nurses and doctors long enough to retrieve her armor and say her promise. She had no doubt that the moment they discovered she was missing they threw a conniption.

They probably had to call in Luna or another one of their ‘Spooks’. And that was ‘Spook’ in name only, these ponies didn’t hold a candle to ONI’s operatives. They at least gave Six the dignity of staying juuuust outside her field of vision to make her question herself whether she saw them at all. The ponies seemed lazy in comparison.

Oh sure they had their ‘invisibility magic’ and their wings (Of which Six still had no idea how to use) that gave them some advantage, but Six’s motion tracker cut through them like butter. She could save the agent walking behind her about five meters away, cloaked, the trouble, and just turn around, look them in the eye, say ‘boo’ and scare them half to death. Seems fitting since they had been following her since she left the cemetery. But where is the fun in that?

No Six would much rather make them earn the privilege of tailing her so she took the most convoluted, busy, and narrow paths she could find on her way to her destination. By the time she was standing before the stairs that contained the final stretch she swore she could hear the cloaked pony panting and swearing under their breath about ‘Celestia-damned stairs’

It was at that moment Six decided to end the charade as she, turned to look at the corner of the room she knew the cloaked pony to be in and decided to ever so slowly unsheathe her knife from her shoulder.

Surprisingly the pony did not budge instantly as her tracker remained barren. The echo of the agent's previous movement was still visible.

“They train you well.” Spoke Six through her helmet speakers as she resheathed her knife with a clink.

Six didn’t get a response but she knew the pony had yet to move.

“I’m giving you one chance to decloak, leave me alone for the time being and call it a mission success. You know where I am and leaving without being noticed is going to be impossible. You don’t and we’re going to have a problem, understand? I am not in the mood to be followed right now. ”

Still nothing, but the marker on her HUD had returned. Seemed the pony was starting to fidget. “I’m giving you to the count of three.”

“Three…”

Nothing

“Two…”

The marker pinged once again yet made no movement towards the exit. Sighing, Six completed her count.

“One.”

With a swiftness, only a Spartan could use Six quickly, but delicately in order to not kill the pony, struck the cloaked pony right on the muzzle.

“Oh, Celestia!” With a crack on breaking cartilage, the ponies' cloak vanished as they yelped in pain and fell backward, holding their broken nose. “Y-you broke my nose!” The pony yelled out nasally as they held onto their now bleeding muzzle.

Six only sighed in disappointment. “I warned you… Now is not a good time to test me. Now go, find a doctor or something, just don’t follow me.” With that, the Spartan gestured towards the nearby door that led back into the hallway. The pony, still holding onto their slightly bleeding muzzle, not wanting to have it broken any further, complied with her order and left in search of medical attention. Once the door was shut and Six was sure she was alone the Spartan began her trek up the flight.

Six let out a breath she didn’t realize she had taken as she reached the halfway point. She didn’t want to break that pony's nose but with what she was going to do…who she was going to visit, she did not want to be eavesdropped on. She was sure to get an earful from Luna and or Celestia later for that stunt but she honestly didn’t care at the moment. She had a friend to visit… and another promise to make.

The hallway was barren with all the nurses assigned to this ward working at their station. The scratch of notes and charts being filled out quietly filled the air. Six knew Pixy was somewhere on this floor, but the exact room number she didn’t know. Walking down the hall, the Spartans' heavy armored hoofsteps alerted the working nurses to her presence as a head peeked out from the station.

The pony's eyes locked with Six’s emotionless visor, a visor that everypony respected… and equally feared. With a squeak, the nurse’s head shot back behind the corner. Several seconds of hushed whispers followed before what looked to be a much calmer and senior nurse walked around the corner to stand before the Spartan.

“How may we help you, Lieutenant?”

“I’m looking for Pixy.” Responded the Spartan after removing her helmet with a hiss of pressurized air.

“Of course, she is in room 312 down the hall, take a left and it's the last door on your right.”

‘312…Ironic.’ Thought Six as she gave a firm nod towards the mare before following their directions.

She was not able to go alone however as the nurse kept an eye on her from down the hall by beginning to do their ‘rounds’. Unfortunately for the nurse without any sort of covert training, it was quite obvious to the Spartan as they reached their destination and looked back to quickly see the nurse's head turn away from her.

Six just sighed and looked back at the door before her. She removed her helmet, Six wouldn’t be needing it for who she was about to see. Taking a calming breath she didn’t know she needed to soothe her suddenly racing heart, Six opened the door to room 312 and walked in.

Six attempted some modicum of stealth by trying to keep her hoofsteps quiet but it was a lost cause on the hard and sterile floor that only seemed to make her louder. The floor creaked and groaned under her armored hooves as if she were only a slight gallop away from cracking the sterile material completely.

“Six… are those your hoofsteps I’m hearing?” Came a call from further within the room in a familiar scratchy, yet hoarse, voice.

Seeing as stealth was no longer needed nor was it apparently needed in the first place Six entered the room fully and saw what had become of her Spartan.

Pixy looked, to put it mildly, terrible. Her mane, which was usually arranged in some type of organized chaos, was completely unkempt as if it looked like it had not been cared for in weeks. Dark bags marred the space between her red and puffy eyes with the damp streak of previously shed tears. But what really spoke volumes about Pixy’s condition was the lock on the window… and the restraints around her hooves.

“…Hey.” Came a weak greeting and a small wave from the broken Pegasus.

Six didn’t say anything as she simply switched her gaze between the window, her restraints, and the Pegasus herself as she approached the bedside.

“Yeah, I um… tried to fly.” Pixy continued with a weak and humorless laugh as Six now stood at the shying away pegasus’s side. “It didn’t work out…”

Six watched as Pixy's now singular white wing ruffled against her side, its movements lonely and incomplete without its red sister. Six found her attention being drawn to what remained of the red wing, the only thing she could see was the slight reddish-colored furs that surrounded the join of the missing appendage.

Fresh tears began to roll down Pixie's face “I-I a-allways h-hated the w-wing a-and now…I-I j-just w-want i-it back!” The pegasus cried as she suddenly threw her hooves around Six’s neck and began sobbing into the Spartans' shoulder. The restraints around Pixy's limbs were brought close to their limit as the Pegasus continued to cry into the surprised Spartan's neck.

“I-I j-just want t-to see S-Spear A-again!” Came another muffled cry from the bawling pegasus as Six felt her neck become evermore damp with Pixy's tears. The Spartan was at a total loss for words. She didn’t know what to say or to do in this situation. She had never had to deal with this before. The most she had seen was a panicking marine she had to slap some sense into and even then she could at least understand why. This…this was something entirely different.

Not trusting her words Six instead decided to resort to actions as she brought her wings up and very delicately cut the restraints and enveloped the smaller pegasus within her armored embrace.

“I’ll get the one that did this, Pixy.” Spoke Six for the first time since entering the room to the weeping pegasus she now found in her armored hooves and metal wings. And when the Spartan spoke next, they spoke with such unyielding fury and confidence it may as well be taken as a proclamation by the angel of death themselves.

“That bastard will die…”

Chapter 42

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

// BREACH FOUND >>> SEVERING CONNECTION //

The trip back to the Hive was never easy for any changeling of the great swarm. Between the constant equestrian patrols (Their number having only increased dramatically in the days following their attack), many collapsed tunnels from their initial invasion, and the general fact they needed to remain hidden lest they be destroyed. But what angered the Venator most of all was the outcome of their excursion. On paper, it had been a huge success and should be celebrated as a great victory. Redfang had even said as much with the spirit basically ordering the Venator to see it as one as well as acting like a royal nymph was not becoming of a Venator.

He did after that, but the fact that his mission to kill the Demon didn‘t succeed still hampered his overall mood, and the trip back home was only exacerbating his mental state. How was he meant to explain this to the Queen in a way that wouldn‘t cause her to leave him flightless? He had already lost his horn to the Demon, he would prefer not to lose his wings to his own Queen now for his failure.

He and his troops had just reached the edge of the badlands and he could see the toxic fields that landmarked their home. The Venator gave a fanged smile. Even after all these years, and even after knowing what the fate awaiting him there, he could only smile at the land he swore to defend. Where any other creature to witness such an event, a changeling giving a proud smile towards a field of lethal sulfur, they may believe them to be insane.

But that was the beauty of being born a changeling when worst comes to worst and the world is out to get you. Your mind will always be at ease knowing that should the enemy step on your soil, the very ground itself is there to protect you. For the Empress decreed it so a long time ago.

‘No matter how many Venators I live to see, that look is constant among all.’ Interjected Redfang, knocking the Venator out of his thoughts and prompting him to continue forwards into the fields.

‘What can I say? It is a beautiful sight for any changeling.’

‘But you do know it's purely there for defensive purposes right?’

‘Of course, I just don’t care. Underneath is the cradle of the Empress's Swarm. Surely that's worth some appreciation, right?’

Redfang said nothing in response leaving Mobius to organize the trip through the fields by himself. It was going to be a time-consuming process as those who had been forced into hibernation due to lack of energy or extreme injury required extra care in transporting. Especially those that survived an encounter with the Demon, and those were extremely few and far between.

Only the hardiest of praetorians and lucky of the warriors were able to live through its onslaught. And even then, the prognosis was not good. Chitin would be seared due to contact with their shield. Bones turned to dust at a single kick. Limbs, horns, and wings were removed, not at the joint, but through bone itself in frighteningly clean cuts.

Mobius could only stare as he watched such a victim pass before him. A warrior class ling and only a basic swordling at that. Their exoskeleton was basically nonexistent, its chitin plates held together by only the thinnest of natural healing membranes. Were that membrane to tear, the lings internal organs would surely follow suit. Mobius had been told a single buck by the Demon had done this to them. The ling had been thrown through several windows before impacting a stone wall where, luckily, a contingent of drones had been moving past.

Mobius found his own hoof moving unconsciously to his side where Six had bucked him with arguably more than enough force to tear a ling in two. Mobius didn’t dare let his mind dwell on the fact that were he still a regular officer and not the Venator he would surely be dining at the Empress's table right now. But luckily, even with the Demon's participation, casualties and deaths had been minimal, perhaps even negligible. Though the ponies fought tooth and nail they just simply didn't have the numbers to really make a dent in their lines allowing actual deaths on the changeling side to be minimal. The Demon having done the vast majority of actual lethal damage to his changelings but the Swarm is many.

Changeling blood was still spilled on foreign soil, however, and that was sure to agitate his Queen. Just like it had the first time not so long ago. But the Venator pushed that thought to the back of his mind for right now. That would be a problem for his future self, right now he had to help transport the wounded and get an accurate count of just how many had been lost.

The anger he felt when he reached those injured by the Hiveless worsened his mood dramatically. They had failed to capture them and it angered him to no end. The order he had sent to their Canterlot infiltrators was received but he had yet to get a confirmation on a report of success or failure. The last message he was able to receive was from one of their spies in SMILE that simply said ‘Standby, I think I might have something’.

Usually, the protocol was to assume the agent's discovery and plan accordingly after such a long period without a check-in. So that would be exactly what Mobius would do once he could contact the ling in charge of the outer Hives defenses. That Hiveless now knew secrets that could prove disastrous to the Hive and the Queen herself. The biggest one is the location of the Hive itself as that information is scrubbed from the minds of all exiles from the Swarm to maintain secrecy!

If the ponies now knew where the Hive was located…Mobius didn’t dare dwell upon that thought any longer and simply resigned to preparing for the worst whilst hoping for the best. VOPS would take care of the problem once he informed them of it. At least Mobius could be sure about that much.

Finally at the back of the convoy came the POWs or to be more accurate, their spoils. Captured and subdued ponies that acted as their portable meals and food stores, each equine captured in a blissful slumber inside their cocoons. And among them lay the trophy of their attack.

A Zebra brandishing the colors of the Dusk and Dawn, a member of the most secretive and elite branch of the equestrian military that until recently was thought to be a myth by the former Kommandant. From what Mobius could gather they were named ‘Raidat’ and they were one of the very few Zebra living on the Equestrian Continent.

The Venator had been told it took a whole contingent of warriors and a single nearby praetorian to finally subdue the pony, and even then the injuries the praetorian sustained were more akin to that of a manticore attack than of a simple Zebra. But that meant little, the pony had been captured and Mobius was sure that little brain contained all the information they would need to bring the ponies to their knees.

The fact that his cocooned form would also pose as a nice booster to changeling morale was just the icing on top. The Queen will surely be pleased with this development if anything. The same would go for the VOPS agents assigned to interrogations.

With the last of their convoy passing the Venator and into the sulfur fields Mobius followed close behind, volunteering to be the last changeling in and to check whether they were followed or not. They of course weren't but it never hurt to check in the Venator's mind. He had learned that lesson during the retreat from the Firaxis hive during the unification wars where his unit was followed into the secret evacuation tunnels. The fighting that followed after was…brutal, to put it lightly. Mobius remembers not one square hoof of him not being covered in either dirt, blood, or sweat once the dust had settled.

The Venator shuddered slightly at the intrusive memory before finishing his sweep. Once he was certain their stealth remained intact he followed his troops into the fields and down into the Hive he had just been reminded of. Its entrance shimmered as its magical camouflage rippled in tandem with their intrusions.

Entering the outer hive Mobius signaled to the messenger drones the status of his mission. The drones, as efficient as ever, communicated the information to all relevant changelings from interrogation drones at VOPS headquarters to the personal messenger drones of the Queens. But the only relevant one here is the messenger of Chrysalis herself.

It wouldn’t take long for the messages to be received and responses sent so Mobius got to work on his preemptive defensive preparations of the Firaxis hive. This hive was, after all, the main source of their protective fields above ground. Even from where he was standing just in its airlock-type cavern that served as its secondary entrance he could feel and hear the arcane and biological machines built by the Empress millennia ago pumping their poison onto the surface above.

If Mobius were to close his eyes and reach out with his reddish aura he would see a veritable spider web of crimson leylines filling the walls of every room and leading up to the surface. It resembled that of a circulatory system he had glossed over in certain medical textbooks he had studied.

It was always a great question among the scholars of the Firaxis hive whether the Hive itself was alive in some fashion. That the very hive they resided in was a member of the Empresses brood and still lives to this day with the singular purpose of keeping the lands outside uninhabitable for all but her subjects. But that was just speculation and fanatical priests' interpretation of scripture.

The Theory had long since been discredited and rejected by many of the swarm's most established scholars. It still, however, remained as an urban legend and children's story among those of Firaxis. Mobius was indifferent however when it came to this theory or myth. Alive or not, he would protect it all the same, which meant warning the local garrison commander about what might come should VOPS fail…or they had less time than expected.

Luckily for the Venator, he did not need to rely solely on messenger drones to convey his orders as once the inner gate opened into the Hive itself the Commander he was looking for was already waiting there for him, a familiar face by his side.

“Well looky here who finally decided to show up. And would you look at that, it's not in a black cocoon!” Began his old friend Curxe with his usual trademark fanged grin. The changeling commander next to him remained unreadable, the only visible reaction being the slight glance with his compound eyes towards the agent by his side.

“I fail to see how that's positive. Venators are meant to perish for the Empress. Returning alive is against that convention.”

“Oh shut it you spoilsport. You know as well as any that his condemnation was not his fault.”

“Not my place to argue with the Queen.”

Curxe stared at the commander with a frown before mumbling under his breath. “It should be when it's idiotic.”

“You say anything Agent?”

“No. Nothing.”

“Oooookay?” Interjected Mobius for the first time grabbing the attention of the two lings. “Whatever it is your squabbling about it has to wait. Commander, I must speak with you.”

“Can it be done here?”

“It's highly sensitive…and I don’t think you’ll like it if I’m being honest.”

The changeling officer bit his lip in thought. “Fine, follow me. You too Curxe, since I doubt VOPS would like to be left in the dark about this if my hunch is right. Which it usually is.” The ling waved his hoof in a gesture to follow as he turned around and made his way towards a nearby outcropping surrounded by the frosted green glass that made up a majority of all high-end changeling glass works. The palace at the center of the Swarm itself where the Overqueen reigned was made almost entirely of that emerald material. A Symbol of the status and power this changeling held over the Firaxis Hive as its military leader… and local Administrator.

“Why in the name of the Empress did I have to be correct.” Began the commander after a long moment of silence, his face forlorn and already looking like death touched him. The three of them were now in the commander's office. It was a large and ornate room, more becoming of that of a royal than a Commander. After they had entered and the official pleasantries were over Mobius told the bad news. That the ponies could very well have a Hiveless on their side that knew the location of the Hive itself.

That at any moment Firaxis could be attacked and become a war zone between themselves and the ponies with the infamous ‘Demon’ at their head. Somelings say that the only thing faster than light is rumors, and by now Mobius didn’t doubt that even the most unimportant of digger drones knew about the Demon. About the Pony that had crowned their newest Venator and singlehoofedly killed more changelings than any creature alive.

For the Commander, who until this point had mostly had to deal with the occasional tunneling Tatzelwurm, this was the worst possible outcome. The normally calm and composed high-class changeling was beginning to sweat. His hearts began to beat faster and his breathing became erratic and panicked. He began muttering to himself as Mobius changed his gaze to meet that of Curxe.

His old friend was much, much calmer compared to the spiraling Administrator. He looked to be in a more reserved contemplation at the news. His mind going through the problem logically rather than emotionally.

“This does pose a major security risk for the Hive no…the entire Swarm. Tartarus perhaps even the Empress herself! We cannot allow this information to become public, it would cause chaos among the Populus if they knew the Hive was exposed. Our sulfur fields are more of a deterrent than an actual defense, against a full offensive by the ponies it will do little more than slow them down…”

“We need to prepare the Hives, wake up what lings we can, and make plans for our defense. I have already informed the queen via messenger drones so she has most likely already begun following our current train of thought.”

‘You are correct Venator’ Came a voice from everywhere and nowhere as the three occupants felt the tendrils of their Queen’s aura intersect their own. Its power almost overwhelmed all but the Venator as his companions found themselves on their knees. ‘Even if I should have you hanged for this failure!’ Yelled the Queen with a blast of power forcing the Venator to his knees as well.

“I-I did what I could to contain the damage, my Queen.”

‘Silence!’ Another blast of pressure forced the Venator to the ground. ‘If you weren't the only changeling save for myself and those useless Under-queens with any modicum of a chance against that Demon I would have your head paraded around the palace as a traitor! Be thankful you are still useful to the Swarm.’

“Y-yes my Queen.”

‘Now, because of your failure, the ponies have tightened their security even further now, preventing even our gatherers from getting anything meaningful. I even had to guise the setting up defenses around the Hive as a military exercise in order to not incite a panic for your insolence! As such I have sent your ‘Ribbons’ to gather as many ponies as possible from the nearby towns. You better hope those lings are as good as you or the only love for you to feed on will be at the Empresses table!’

“I understand my Queen.”

‘Good, now return to the Halls immediately. If we wish to withstand your mistake I will need you here.’

“May I ask why my Queen?” Mobius asked, strained as he returned to his hooves, his companions doing the same.

‘No. You have one hour.’ And like that the three of them felt the Queen's tendrils recede into the void and away from the Hive. Curxe was the first to speak up with a shake of his head and a roll of his neck.

“Hate it when she does that. Aural pressure kills the neck.”

“You can say that again.” Spoke Mobius doing the same as his armor pulsed in unison with his movements.

‘Me Three, and I’m not even corporeal’ The armor around Mobius's neck vibrated at Redfangs comment

‘And here I thought our aura would be able to withstand hers.’

‘I’m a piece of armor, Venator, not a miracle worker.’

“You…*Ahem* You should get going, Venator.” The Commander began having regained his composure. “ I will prepare should the worst occur.”

“Yeah, you better. Queen was pissed off enough as is, imagine what she’ll do to you if the ponies breakthrough.” Curxe said with a chuckle, and the Commander gulped audibly.

“N-Noted.”

Curxe looked back towards his old friend who looked no worse for wear thanks to his writhing armor. “Want me to join you? Seems like you could use the company before…whatever it is the Queen wants of you.” Mobius smiled at the notion.

“Yeah, some friendly company would be nice after the day I’ve had.”

“Curxe, no. Now is not the time to get a drink?” Began Mobius towards his friend as he walked through the tunnel connecting the Firaxis sub-hive with that of the main one where the Queens and the majority of changeling society resided. It was dark and damp and not a single fellow changeling was in sight. Their destination appears as a bright green light at the end of the tunnel.

“Are you sure? We have time for a glass.”

“Yes, a glass. Which will turn into two, then three, and before you know it we are both out of commission and the Queen will have both of our heads.”

“Is that really such a bad way to go?” Curxe continued as he brought a makeshift cigarette out from under his trademark officers cap and offered one to his friend.

“What? Drunk out of our minds?” Asked Mobius as he took the offered commodity and lit it with the green fire of changeling polymorphism.

“Yes.” Answered Curxe quite nonchalantly as he took a long drag from his cig. Mobius did the same as he let his friends' words bounce around in his mind. Maybe one drink couldn’t hurt?

“…on second thought, screw it. ONE drink, you bust out a second glass and I’m smashing it on your carapace.” Curxe grinned.

“Then follow me,” The now cheery VOPS Agent began gesturing with his holed hoof, “I know a nice little out-of-the-way spot where I can get you that drink and back in time for the Queen to execute you!”

“She is NOT going to execute me.”

“Right…she *needs* you for something sooooo important it will help defend the Hive.”

“Have you forgotten what I’m wearing?” As if one cue his living armor flowed all across his body to illustrate his point.

Curxe stopped in his tracks and took one last drag from his cigarette before stomping it under his hoof. “ You're my best friend, you know that Mobius?” The changeling looked back towards the smoking Venator.

“I don’t see what that has to do with-“

“Look,” Interrupted Curxe “The moment you of all lings were singled out and condemned as a Venator my hearts dropped. Because out of all the officers that could have been condemned, you should not have been one of them.”

“I don’t understand what you mean. I deserve this, hundreds died under my command and it was because of my arrogance. I don’t *want* to die but I will if I must. The Empress chose me for a reason.”

“Empress chose you for a reason, my flank! Chrysalis, the Queen who has not only revealed our race to the world but also authorized an attack that put the biggest targets on the Swarms' backs since ‘She who shall not be named’ betrayed the old Queens, chose you! Not the Empress.”

“Cur-“

“No, shut up you blind fool! Even as the Venator your duty lies to the Empress herself, not the Queen! You are not her disposable lapdog!” Curxe was breathing heavily as he took a moment to compose himself. The changeling closed his eyes and began to speak in a much calmer and more reserved tone.

“I know you're not going to be executed Mobius but I just… I don’t want to lose my friend. Not to a Queen that has led our race on the path of ruin.” His face was downturned and his eyes were still squeezed shut.

Several seconds of silence passed before Curxe felt a hoof rest upon his shoulder.

“Don’t you worry my friend I’ve known the Queen far longer than you have. She may be a bit… on edge right now-”

“On edge?! She condemned you to death through service!”

“A Mercy. You are not an officer, you have never had a thousand warriors ready to follow you to Tartarus and back on a whim. A thousand lings who trust you implicitly with their life… I remember every name I have ever lost under my command and those from Las Pegasus burn the brightest. Because I could have stopped that massacre and for that, I deserved the noose. The Queen, as unstable as she might be after the initial invasion attempt, cannot and won’t kill me now. Six, that Demon, is far too large a threat.”

“You don’t say… I heard what happened to your horn by the way,” Curxe raised his eyes to gaze at the false armored horn where his friend's real one used to reside.” Sorry.”

“Look, Curxe, my friend, trust me.”

“…Fine, you owe me two drinks now thou-“

‘Venator!’ A sudden psychic scream threw the pair to the ground in panting heaps. Mobius’s armor vibrated as if struck like a church bell. ‘Get to the halls now!’ The order was desperate, its tone full of urgency and…fear.

“M-my Queen, is something wro-“ Mobius couldn’t finish his sentence as he heard his answer coming from the way he had just come from. Down the tunnel where the Firaxis Hive lay.

Screams.

Not yells or battlecries of brave and courageous changelings. These were the screams warriors would make when faced with what could only be described as a Demon. The clashes of metal he could hear were marred by the overbearing cacophony of blades rending flesh. He had only heard that sound twice before, but it would never leave him. He knew exactly what blades caused that awful sound.

It appears the Demon has arrived ahead of schedule.

Jumping up to his hooves, armor practically lashing out and exploding in barely contained red glowing love energy Mobius was about to make a mad dash towards the sounds of death in a desperate attempt to stop the Demon. But he couldn‘t as the Queen repeated his directive.

'Get here now! Your Queen demands it!'

Cursing to the Empress he looked down towards the wide-eyed Curxe.

“Get back to Headquarters and initiate Directive Rot! I don’t care what anyling might say. If we don’t stop that Demon at Firaxis the entire swarm will be at risk!”

Curxe jumped to his hooves as well at the mention of that infamous order, his eyes uncharacteristically wide with fear. “Mobius, do you even have the authority to order that?!”

Mobius growled with his fangs bared, his aura becoming more akin to that of a red giant, “I DO NOT CARE! Get it done or we will all die!”

Curxe, and several faraway warriors just beginning to make their way into the tunnels to investigate the screams, fell to their knees under the aural pressure.

Mobius didn’t have time to care as he turned and ran as fast as himself and Redfang could provide towards his Queen. Whatever it is she needs him for it better be damned important or by the time he would return to combat the Demon in pony form it may be too late.

Author's Note

Chapter 44

Her eyes were hard as steel.

Her wings were dripping with green blood.

Her augmented heart was beating out of her chest.

And her shields were flaring as another panicked burst of green energy blasted against her flank. Getting in was easy, actually staying in would take some work. Work she was all too happy to carry out, but it seems she may have been a tad too good at her job.

Six turned her head, its golden visor reflecting the panicked changeling's look right back at him causing him to freeze. A single line of dark green blood trickled down the corner of her visor as a look of pure terror made itself known on the small changeling's face.

That bug was the first to run.

Then another. And another. And another. A full-on retreat by the local changelings followed suit. Warriors and soldiers she had seen staring at her not so long ago with stoic looks of focus were running with fear in their eyes. Their normally unbroken and swarm-like cohesion had completely dissipated leaving only a buzzing mess to retreat into the almost honeycomb-like walls of the cavern.

Within moments all was silent, only the dripping of green blood from her wings and the whirr of her shield recharging filling the entrance zone of this changeling hive.

With but a flick of her head Six signaled to her partner.

“Let’s move quickly before more show up.” The voice of Spirit came from behind her.

“You know where our objective is?”

“Yes, follow me.” The undisguised changeling wings began to buzz before she hovered past the bloodied Spartan. Six watched as her underling's face turned when she witnessed the Spartans' carnage in full. More blood than she had ever seen before painted the nearby walls and floors.

“Okay… the engines are this way.” Continued Spirit as she landed at a tunnel entrance roughly 30 meters off the ground. Inspecting the entrance and sharpening her senses Spirit could feel the panicked messages being sent all throughout the local aural network. The tunnel was clear as far as her eyes and ears could see, only the light sounds of distant skittering filling the air.

Looking back down from her vantage point, Spirit scanned the cavern for the much larger Spartan. She didn’t have to search long however as she could see the disappearing tail of the Spartan entering a nearby room made from royal green glass.

Spirit watched the Spartans' silhouette through the glass. Something was happening in there judging by the sudden influx of noise and movement emanating from the area.

Suddenly, with a muffled battle cry, the glass was shattered as the Spartan was tackled through it by a large praetorian class changeling.

Before Spirit could jump in to help her however movement in her peripheral vision gave her another target.

Trying to slink away through the now rather large hole in the glass was a changeling in a rather ornate uniform. Spirit had a choice to make, and it would have been a hard one was she an average soldier.

Unfortunately for that changeling, however, Spirit knew that one praetorian class was no match for what they called ‘Demon’.

With a powerful buzz of her insectoid wings, Spirit pounced on the fleeing officer. The unsuspecting changeling was unable to even realize he had been caught in the spider's web until he was already eating dirt. Spirits holed hoof pressing forcefully against the top of his head and neck.

“*pfff* *ack!*” Gasped the officer as he suddenly found it very difficult to breathe. Spirit paid it no mind as she focused her aura on delivering a single command to the restrained officer.

‘Sleep’

Under the sudden aural intrusion, the officer stood no chance as their breathing involuntary slowed and their brain entered a deep sleep. Relaxing her hold on the changeling Spirit returned to reality just in time to hear the praetorians neck be sliced open by Six’s bladed feathers.

With a heavy *thump* the large Praetorian's head hit the ground before the cavern glowed golden as Six’s shield recharged to full strength. Six’s helmeted head turned to look at where Spirit was standing, her hidden eyes behind the visor no doubt inspecting the unconscious changeling below her.

“VIP?”

“Uniform certainly screams that.”

“Intel?”

“Give me one moment then.”

Six watched as her underling closed their eyes in deep concentration, their horn glowing ever so faintly a shade of red. The Spartan paid it no mind as she turned to pace around the changeling pair like a lion would patrol their pride. Her eyes darted from entrance to entrance on the honeycomb ceiling, watching for any potential counterattack. She didn’t like staying in one place for too long, they were on their own until those engines were destroyed and the cavalry could arrive.

They were well and truly on their own behind enemy lines, and Six hated that with a passion.

“Hurry it up.”

“Yes yes give me one minute. This isn’t easy you know.”

Six said nothing in response and continued in her circling.

“There, I got it.” Began Spirit, opening her eyes and stepping off the unconscious officer below her.

“And?”

“They're evacuating the hive.”

“What?” She couldn’t have heard that right.

“They're preparing for something called ‘Rot’, he didn’t know anything more than that.”

“What about our objectives?”

“Heavily defended, they’re to be the last ones to leave.”

“Then our mission remains the same. We destroy the engines, secure the entrance, and await reinforcements. Now, you good?”

“Golden”

Six nodded and followed a now flying Spirit with her eyes as the changeling flew up to the tunnel towards their objective. Walking up to the wall Six gave her armored wings a few experimental flaps. She couldn't even feel any sort of strain on her hooves. Sighing inside her helmet Six reared up and began to look for a path to climb up.

Bringing her hoof to bear the Spartan smashed it into the stone creating the outcropping she would need to get started. Extending her wings she also buried them deep into the stone with a powerful swing providing her with the extra stability she would need to make the climb.

“You alright down there?” Came a call from above. Looking up from her position halfway up the wall the Spartan didn’t need to give a verbal response. The featureless look her visor gave the changeling said all it needed to as they promptly disappeared back into the tunnel with a hastily “Nevermind!”

Several moments later and a near fall due to a particularly weak section of rock the Spartan stood side by side with Spirit once again. The pair looked down the dark tunnel that led to their objective, the faint sound of defenses being prepared told them it would not be a walk in the park.

Heading down the dark tunnel towards an unknown number of changelings, Six's mind began to wander. Her thoughts turned to the substance of their two-person (or pony in this case) operation, and what failure would mean.

Waiting just outside the fields of sulfur was the largest army Equestria had ever fielded. Its number even outdoing that of Equestria’s ancient warlike history. A force to rival any on the continent, and unless the two Spartans could clear a path they would have to resort to magical clearing. A plan Six knew would result in many deaths should the changelings counterattack the then exposed ponies.

They were on the clock so speed here was key. Whatever that ‘Rot’ was would have to come later. If it even was anything important at all. It could, to Six’s and Spirit's knowledge, just be an evacuation order for all civilians in order to prevent collateral damage in the fighting.

‘But wait…’ Six thought ‘if that's true, then why were they evacuating military personnel as well?’ She stopped walking and focused entirely on solving the problem in front of her. Spirit did not fail to notice her superior's sudden stop.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Spirit, did that officer know of any other locations that were to be evacuated last?”

“There were a few but they're nowhere near our objective… nor any other important area. Just some of the rooms near the center of the hive… but there is nothing important there other than… oh, crap.” The changeling's eyes widened considerably and Six found her suspicions confirmed.

“Goddamit… ‘Rot’ is scorched earth! How far away is the center?!”

“Other side of the hive! W-we won”t have enough time to get there if we go for the engines!”

“Then we split up. I’ll deal with the engines, you stop them from bringing this place down on top of us.”

Spirit's face hardened at Six’s proclamation as she gave a forceful nod and began galloping back down the way they came. Six did the same in the opposite direction, her wings fully extended in front of her with her razor-sharp feathers pointed outwards. Their tips sliced into the wall every now and then as Six ran full-speed towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

A green light that slammed into her chest making her shield flare a brilliant gold as more and more bolts of green fire began to fire down the tunnel. Pushing through the magical onslaught Six exited the tunnel and rolled to the side behind a nearby pillar.

The changeling that has been waiting there in ambush was swiftly dealt with in a single flap of her wing and buck of her hoof. Taking a moment to let her shields recharge the Spartan took a deep breath as she heard the war cry of a charging squad of changelings supported by magical fire approaching her bloodsoaked pillar.

‘Their land’

She lept from cover and sunk her blades into the leader of the charge. A veritable fountain of green changeling vitae covered the ground below her as she began to slice and dice her way through the swarm and towards the engines that stood in her comrade's way.

‘Their blood’

A trio of larger figures jumped in her way, praetorians with fangs bared and swords of dark steel at the ready. They swiped at the Spartan in unison, their blades aimed at her head and sides, an attack from three angles. There was no room to dodge, but Six didn’t need to.

Removing her wings from the necks they had been implanted in she caught the sideswiping blades between her feathers as she gave a furious headbutt into the center blade.

Her shields exploded and shattered in a brilliant gold as her helmet collided with the metal of the oncoming sword and turned it to dust. Arcs of unrestrained golden electricity danced all across her body and the blades caught in the space between her feathers.

Everyling around her froze in fear as they witnessed the praetorian's blade shatter into a thousand pieces and fall to the ground. Bolts of energy jumped from the Spartan's wings, burning into the exposed chitin of the praetorians whose blades were trapped.

They began to yell out and pain as they tried to scurry away, but their hooves would not obey them. The electricity forced their muscles to grasp their blades ever harder as their innate magic began to go haywire. Their hooves spasmed with green flame as their forms rapidly changed from pony to griffon to zebra.

Six cared not for their struggling as she coldly looked up and into the praetorian's terrified eyes. All around her silence reigned from the surrounding changeling warriors that watched on in horror. Noling made a move as the emotionless and cold visor stared into the soul of all who stood before her, the screams of the electrified praetorians trying desperately to get away only heightening their fear.

‘For Spear’

Six took a breath and within a flash, the two praetorians at her sides were a head shorter, her wings now covered in a fresh layer of green blood that dripped to the ground below, bathed in the golden light of her reforming shield.

At first, there was silence, then there was a yell, a desperate change soon came… and a massacre followed. The Demon of Las Pegasus had returned…With a Vengeance.

Author's Note

I shall leave you with this as we approach the largest land battle in Equestrian history with Six at its head.

Chapter 45

Spirit ran as fast as her hooves could carry her, and when that wasn't enough, she brought her little wings into the equation as well. She needed to be fast, that was non-negotiable. As much as the execution of ‘Rot’ would complete their objective and open the path for reinforcements, being buried under several tonnes of rock in the process is not a preferable outcome.

She could hear the terrible sound of metal rending flesh growing ever quieter behind her as she moved further and further away from the carnage of her Mentor. Some small part of her felt sorry for the changelings sent against Six. Surely they knew it was suicide, right? If they did, the aural pressure of those above them overwhelmed those feelings.

Dashing through abandoned cavern after cavern, Spirit didn’t stop to smell the roses planted in the small gardens littering the various outcroppings some no doubt called home. Spirit nearly tripped over a discarded ball and pile of toys as she sprinted round the corner and towards her destination. She could faintly sense the presence of a more powerful aura dead ahead, most likely the changeling in charge of executing or overseeing ‘Rot’.

Slowing her pace and calming her breathing, Spirit assumed a low crouch as she slowly approached the tunnel's exit. The sounds of orders being barked in changeling tongue now audible to her insectile ears that twitched in response.

“Come on! We don’t have much time, the Demon could be here any second!” A changeling wearing some sort of officer's cap yelled out towards a much lower drone before pulling out a flask and taking a swig from it.

Spirit began inspecting the room and saw barrel after barrel of unknown contents piled up all around the room. Watching from her position, she began to study the movements of the changelings below her. There was only a hoofful now as she watched them finish up whatever it was they were doing with the barrels before heading off into a far tunnel. Stepping forward to get a better look, the ground beneath her hoof broke off and fell to the cavern below. Its impact upon the stone reverberated throughout the cavern.

“Leave now. I’ll deal with it myself.” Spirit heard the officer speak out after several long moments as she listened to one last pair of hoofsteps retreating into the far tunnel.

“You can come out now, Demon. If your going to kill me, at least give me the honor of looking you in the eye before you do so!“ The changeling yelled out in Equestrian as he unsheathed a sword from his side.

Seeing that stealth was no longer an option, Spirit lept out from the tunnel and landed several hooves before the officer, her own blade at the ready as well.

“So you’re the hiveless I’ve heard so much about.” The changeling began as he…sheathed his sword? What? “I would offer you a drink, but I doubt I have any left after today.”

Spirit didn’t respond and kept her blade at the ready. The changeling noticed this and gave a single chuckle. “Yeah, I get it, mortal enemies and all that but honestly, I couldn’t care less about that now. Right now I believe we have a common enemy, and I’m not talking about your Demon.” The changeling pulled his flask out again to take a sip, only to find it empty. “Ahh, thought so. Names Curxe by the way, sure those memories you’ve stolen should have me in there somewhere.”

Spirit didn’t dare take her eyes off the way too casual Changeling as she searched her mind for the ling in question.

‘V.O.P.S ; Senior Agent Curxe ; Known friend, compatriot, and V.O.P.S handler of current Venator ‘Mobius’ ; Alcoholic.’

Her mind spat out many more snippets of information at her, but it was all inconsequential when compared to his relationship with the Venator. She couldn’t stop the widening of her eyes and the quickening of her breath. Such a reaction did not go unnoticed by her current company.

“All good things, I hope? Anyways, you don’t like me and I sure as Tartarus don’t like you, but right now, if you don’t want the changeling race to die out, you should listen to me and put that sword down. I just want to talk.”

“Why should I trust you?” Spirit hissed out quietly.

“Because.” Spirit gasped and suddenly dropped her weapon as an overwhelming aural order smashed into her mind. “If I wanted you dead we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Curxe responded quite nonchalantly as he began rummaging around in a nearby barrel.

Shaking her mind clear to recover, Spirit gritted her teeth and attempted to steel her mind further. “Fine, I’ll bite.”

“Lovely,” Curxe called out as he ceased his rummaging and pulled out another flask which he promptly took a swig from before offering it to Spirit. She refused, making him shrug and take another gulp. “So, as you may already know, the current Overqueen of the hive is…” He rolled his hoof, “less than desirable.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Yeah, well, unlike a majority of my comrades, I swore an oath to the Empress, not Chrysalis, and frankly she doesn’t deserve my loyalty anymore. Not after she condemned my friend too.”

“What does this have to do with me?”

“Right, yes. Well, since you’ve decided to support the ponies, you must know of their pertinacity for friendship, correct?”

“After what you did at Canterlot, I doubt that ‘pertinacity’ is in high supply.”

“The cost of having an incompetent leader and a blind friend, I’m afraid. Anyway, that is why I wish to speak with you, and for you to pass on a message to your superiors. Preferably a superior that will listen, as I doubt that flying ball of hate you call Six would be talking with me right now.”

“What would you expect?! You killed our friends!”

“You have done the same to me and countless others here in the hive! We both have blood on our hooves, but that does not mean what I’m trying to do here isn’t just! So are you going to listen, or should I just order your hearts to stop already?”

“…fine.”

“Good, now I don’t have much time if I want to keep my cover, so I’ll make this brief. ‘Rot’ here must be executed or they will know something is wrong, but I’ll leave a path unscathed to help your reinforcements come. Should I, however, detect even a lick of you not holding up your end of the baragain, I will collapse it and bury them all down here, capiche?” He gave Spirit a look that she returned with some hesitation. She didn’t like making a deal with the enemy, but it’s not like she really had a choice.

“Now, let’s get into the meat of things. I have friends…many friends who are equally upset with the Regime. They will be willing to help you with the coming peace in exchange for two things. “

“An agreement that there will be no interference from the ponies in the organisation of our new government… and that the Venator be granted amnesty and immunity.” Spirit sputtered

“Nopony would allow that! Least of all Six, let alone Celestia and Luna!” Curxe sighed heavily.

“Was a long shot anyway…Fine, forget that clause just… allow my friend a fair chance at life. He’s as blind as the rest of them, but I know he will see the error of his ways if I can just talk to him before he’s butchered by that Demon.”

“Your Venator killed my friend, killed Six’s friend!”

“You have done the same to me to all of us here at the hive! We never hurt any of the ponies till your *Demon* massacred my friends' battalion! All following deaths are her fault as much as they are the queens! So don’t pass the blame on us when you’re equally at fault for their deaths!” Curxe stared the now crouching Spirit down as his much more powerful aura forced her to the ground.

Taking a breath, he weakened his grip on her mind.

“Just send it up the chain and I’ll know your answer, but ‘til then, I must remain your enemy in the eyes of the Queen.” Curxe turned and made his way towards the dark tunnel where the others had left minutes before. “If they accept, I’ll be in touch soon, until then.” He lit his horn and closed his eyes. “You have 3 minutes to get you and your Demon back to the main entrance. May the Empress forgive me for this.”

A large wave of aural pressure pressed over Spirit and all throughout the Firaxis hive. Its energy compressing a single word into the ears of all who were near.

‘Execute’

“Good luck, and may the Empress forgive us all.” Was the last Curxe said before he disappeared into the tunnels leaving a scrambling Spirit to find and warm Six.

Six gave her wings a hard flap causing the green blood that had accumulated along her feathers to fly off and splash onto the ground below. Her armored feathers now bear a visible tinge of green along their sharp edges.

Letting out a deep breath, Six didn’t have time to process the carnage that now surrounded her, ‘Rot’ wouldn’t wait on her ruminations. She had a mission, and her objective was only a few short steps away.

The Engines puffed and contracted and groaned with sounds more akin to that of a living, breathing creature's internal organs instead of what the name ‘Engine’ would suggest. Large red sacks of unknown contents lined every wall of the chamber as small red veins connected them all in a massive spider web of red. Small sparks of red-colored lightning jumped between the hanging bulbs triggering their movements.

The whole room resembled a creature's lung, and it left the Spartan frozen in her tracks. A temperature warning suddenly appearing on her visor snapped her out of the stupor as she read the external temperature exceeded the boiling point of water. The blood that still stuck to her armor began to boil off and turn to mist triggering the Spartan to act.

She needed to destroy these sacks to complete her objective, but slicing and dicing each individual bulb would take too long. She needed to find a way to stop this Engine in its entirety and fast. Spirit mentioned during the briefing that this… contraption (if you could even call it that) needed love to be fed into it constantly to keep it working efficiently. And should that supply be interrupted, or better yet destroyed, it would cause the whole system to collapse.

Looking around the boiling room for anything that seemed vaguely important enough to be said love intake, and that pulsing pink pillar in the center of the room looked promising.

Walking up to the pillar, Six watched the temperature outside her armor soar. Yeah, if it generated this much heat, it was most definitely something important. Flaring her wings and bringing her feathers to bear.

Six slowly…ever so slowly sunk them into the pulsing pink pillar of highly energetic love. Her shield began to flare and lose power as the burning liquid love began to seep out of the edges of her cuts. All around her, the sacs started to twitch and pulse with higher frequency like a panicking animal with nowhere to run.

With her feathers now firmly slicing into the pillar and shield draining, Six pushed as deep as she could before slicing backward with all the force her augmented muscles could muster.

The sound of ripping flesh tore through the entire hive as a waterfall of boiling love cascaded down onto the floor. The sacs lining the walls pulsed faster and faster and faster before ripping themselves apart. Half-processed love and incomplete sulfur fell to the ground. Both compounds mixed into a soup of chemicals and toxic fumes that began to permeate the air.

Six’s shield ceased in their drainage but did not yet recharge, the heat and energy of the liquid reaching her knees preventing it.

“Si- Six!” Came a yell from behind marred with coughs.

Turning around, Six watched a choking Spirit limp into view, ankle-deep in the chemical soup. The Spartan could see the weakness in her hooves and quickly, before she collapsed, dashed over to support her fellow Spartan.

“We- *Cough* we need to go *Hack, Cough, Wheeze* Quickly!” The Changeling hissed out, her eyelids beginning to droop. “C-couldn’t stop *Cough* Rot. Found *Wheeze* turncoat…entrance cavern is s-safe… Empress, c-can’t… breathe…” Spirit was beginning to lose consciousness because of the fumes, her body unable to find any breathable particles in the polluted air.

Six’s heart rate began to quicken as she listened to her partner’s strained whispers. Before Spirit even finished her plea, the Spartan had thrown the changeling onto her back and began sprinting back the way she came. What she said could be analyzed later. Right now, the health of her fellow Spartan mattered more than anything in the world.

As the fumes lessened, Spirit’s breathing began to normalize, her consciousness returning. She blinked once, twice, then thrice as wind rushed past her face, the fog that clouded her mind cleared…and she began to panic. Their time was about to run out.

“Faster Six! It’s about to bl-“ *BOOM* The ground began to shake below them as the sounds of explosions throughout the hive echoed all around them. The walls started to crack as the tunnels began to strain and buckle under the intense vibrations. They were so close to safety now, but something had to go wrong.

Six’s half-power shields flared once more, choosing now as the perfect time to recharge. Spirit yelled in pain as her chitin was suddenly burned from the energy, making her reflexively roll away from the searing heat and onto the shaking floor.

Six skidded to a halt as she turned around and saw two things that made her heart quicken. Several meters behind her laid the burned Spirit clutching her underbelly tightly and groaning in pain. And just behind that was the fast-approaching collapse of the tunnel. She needed to be quick or they would both be buried under several hundred tonnes of rock.

Running back, Six grabbed one of Spirit’s hooves and galloped as fast as she could back down the tunnel, dragging the injured changeling behind her. It wasn’t pleasant for Spirit, but luckily (if you can call it lucky), the pain of the burn served as the perfect distraction. But now, comfort was the least of their concerns as the tunnel collapse behind them began to catch up.

Even with all her enhanced speed and the adrenaline pumping throughout the Spartan’s system, the collapse was gaining on them. The combination of having to drag an injured changeling as well as dealing with the uneasy footing of a shattering tunnel proved too much for the pair to outrun.

The light was growing brighter and brighter. They were so close to making it. But looking back at the rapidly approaching collapse, Six realized that together… they wouldn’t make it.

Six had a choice to make…leave Spirit and survive, or keep running and hope for a miracle. The collapse was beginning to catch up as explosion after explosion after explosion began to tear through the rest of the Hive. She needed to make a decision now!

Then a third option presented itself to her as she looked back and knew what to do. Spirit would be crushed, but she might, just might, live.

Gritting her teeth, Six sucked in as much air as she could before throwing the injured spartan in her hooves with all her might towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

Six could see the shocked look in Spirit’s eyes for but a split second as she flew through the air before the ceiling came crashing down onto her, burying the Spartan under the remnants of Firaxis Hive.

Author's Note

Thanks Always Tired for the editing bro.

Chapter 46

Six didn't know where she was. She couldn't even tell if there was a where to begin with.

She could feel everything, and yet…she could feel nothing.

She felt her aching muscles but could not see them. She felt the slow rhythmic beating of her heart in her chest yet could see no torso. All she could see was the inky black void that surrounded her.

Then, in the distance, a star manifested itself. Then another, and another before a whole constellation made itself known. As seconds ticked by, the black void was quickly filled to the brim with dots of light, and before she knew it, Six was floating in the void between planets.

Then she felt a pull and realized she was no longer floating, but falling. Falling to the planet below her, a planet she knew all too well.

A bright light suddenly shone from the corner of her vision, making her blink rapidly.

She looked away for a moment before focusing her gaze on the source, and then everything froze.

The falling sensation was gone. The slipspace bomb tearing a covenant carrier apart above her ceased in its expansion and unraveling of spacetime.

“I have witnessed thousands of acts of courage and bravery over my long life. I remember every face. I remember every word. I remember the looks on every one of the faces of their loved ones as I told them their beloved wasn’t coming home,” came a voice from the inky blackness of space.

“I thought I had witnessed the worst this universe had to offer… and then you came along.” Six knew that voice, the moon princess, but she didn’t care. Her only focus was the black hole above her… and the friend that resided at its singularity.

“With skills unheard of and armor impossible to understand yet with no magical interference to speak of. So naturally, I needed to take a look to determine whether you were a threat or not.” She could hear Luna’s hooves clack against the nothingness of space as she began to walk around the frozen scene. The alicorn’s eyes roamed the spectacle before finally settling on the Spartan.

“Am I?” asked Six absentmindedly as finally tore her gaze away from the destruction above her.

“Very much so, but that does not matter now. The past is the past. It makes us what we are today. But you… you're shackled by it with chains of your grief.”

Six looked down at Reach. Luna slowly walked over before standing next to the Spartan, her gaze similarly pointed downwards towards the planet.

“This was your home,” Luna stated.

“How do you know?”

“Because I have seen your memories, I have watched your dreams. I created a fantasy of this ‘ONI’ to discover your intentions, a violation I am deeply sorry for.” Luna braced herself for the tirade and possible beating she may soon be the target of for her confession.

Six chuckled ever so lightly, surprising the alicorn.

“Are you not…upset? Angry?”

“If I was, would it matter anymore? Hell, I’ve trusted you ponies too much already. So what did you get? My technical knowledge on how to build a gun? I should warn you about that, though. Once the genie’s out of the bottle, there’s no way to put it back in.”

“By my moon, no! I had only seen what you allowed me to see when you…’talked’ with those ‘marines.’”

“…You know about the Covenant?”

“I know what you know. I have seen what you have lived through, and listened to your retellings…And I know that nothing I could say could bring back what you have lost.”

“Then why are you here? We have a war to fight, I…” Six closed her eyes and focused on recalling what she could before her arrival here in what she assumed to be her mind. Then she remembered: The Engine, Spirit, the collapse…her hail mary.

Six’s breathing began to quicken, and her heart resumed to pound out of her chest as she quickly turned to Luna with eyes full of emotion she didn’t realize she could experience…fear. “Is Spirit okay?!”

“Relax, relax, my little pony. She will be fine, thanks to you. You should be more worried about yourself, however. We have yet to extract you from the tunnel. The mere fact that we are having this conversation means you have fallen unconscious,” Six let out a breath of relief.

“Okay…okay, good. I just–I can’t lose another one…not again, never again.”

Silence overtook the pair as they looked down at the planet below. Six spoke up a minute later.

“Why are you here?”

“To help you.”

“How can you possibly help me from here?”

“I can help you move on, help you remove the chains that bind you to what you can never return to.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said… Here,” Luna stood up and began to walk towards a door that suddenly stood in the middle of the void. ”Follow me. I want to show you something. Show you that I know exactly what you’re going through.”

Six looked back up at the silent black hole, contemplating what Luna had offered. The Spartan stood up and followed the expectant Luna through the doorway.

Light washed over Six, and as she stepped through she found herself bare, her armor vanishing with the dim glow that materialized into the form of Luna beside her. She could feel the breeze brush against her skin, the grass beneath her hooves, and the chill of the midnight air. Looking down, Six could see the two-pronged burn scar across her chest in the moonlight. The rubbery pink skin clashed with her dark blue fur.

“Follow me,” spoke the moon princess as she began to canter towards a nearby hill. Six followed suit after a moment of inspection. They appeared to be in a forest of some sort, where exactly she didn’t know.

Making their way to the top of the nearby hill, the pair found themselves looking down at what looked like the remnants of a military camp. And standing in the middle of the burning wreckage was another Luna covered in silver armor and wielding a dark blue scythe. Bodies of ponies littered the ground, blood slowly pooling on the grass.

“What am I looking at?”

“A memory from an age long past… The ponies of the present call you Angel, and our enemies call you Demon. Back then, I had no such luxury… they just called me Nightmare,” Luna took a breath. “What you are seeing here is…was one of my duties a thousand years ago. The following morning my sister arrived to find this camp reduced to ashes, with myself waiting among the remains. They never stood a chance.”

“I don’t see what that has to do with me,” Luna laughed mirthlessly at the Spartan's response.

“Come now, miss Grim Reaper. Surely you see the resemblance?” Tilting her head in confusion, Six looked back down towards the scene below them, though she could not see Luna standing there. She saw herself, clad in her armor, standing over the bodies of insurrectionists among the ruins of what had been their camp. Her trusty rifle and magnum were in hand.

Luna continued. “Like you, I had to do many things some would consider deplorable. I had been fighting bandits since I was but a filly. Celestia could not always be there to protect me after all.” The scene before them changed once again, from a burning camp to a decimated village. A small blue filly wearing a ripped cloak was wandering the desolate streets, crying out for anypony that could hear as the remnants of dried tears clung to the sides of her face.

“This was my home over a thousand years ago. It was meant to be a happy night.” With a blink, the surroundings became that of the same town but filled to the brim with music, laughter, and the sounds of merrymaking. And where there was once a crying child now stood a smiling filly playing tag with a bigger snow-white mare. “There had been an extremely bountiful harvest, and in such times of strife, an occasion like this was to be celebrated… What the village elders didn’t know was that all this ruckus had alerted a nearby flock of pegasi.”

Screams began to ring out among the crowd as pegasi clad in plate armor came from the night sky. Some landed on rooftops while the others continued to circle the town like a pack of vultures above a rotting carcass. Then, in a moment of synchronicity among the bandits, they all struck at once. Chaos reigned, for there was nowhere for the panicking masses to run. The little filly stood in shock before she was scooped up by the white mare and began running through the streets, looking for somewhere, anywhere they could hide.

Six watched them burst into a nearby building as the streets began to run red with the blood of those foolish enough to fight back. But just before the pair entered the building fully, the white mare was grabbed by her golden tail and pulled back into the street. The filly was dropped from the mare’s forelegs in the doorway as the white mare rolled and attempted to fight off the pegasi above them.

“Luna, run!” she screamed out before a blade was suddenly thrust into her side. She yelled in pain but continued to weakly struggle against their attacker as the little filly looked on in terror. More pegasi came as the mare gave one final yell of “Run!” before she disappeared. The filly did what she was told and galloped as fast as she could through the building and out the other side.

“I don’t know how long I ran, nor how I wasn’t spotted. This entire night is but a blur to me. I must admit, my memory is not perfect, but I remember one thing with absolute clarity.” The scene returned to the desolate village, the wandering filly standing where the white mare had dropped her, the corpse of one of her attackers lying against the building. “I remember what those pegasi looked like.”

Luna turned to look Six in the eye. “I can’t even remember that mare's name anymore. Were they a friend? Nanny? No matter how hard I try to recall, the only thing I see is that Tartarus damned armor and the faces of those monsters as they dragged her away!” Luna found herself panting heavily. Taking a deep breath to calm down she continued in her usual serene tone. “It would be nearly a day later when my sister found me surviving among the wreckage. From that day on, I vowed to myself that I would find and make every single one of those pegasi pay.”

“I let my hatred fester and grow. I became the very nightmare I dreamt of every night to my subjects. And eventually,” an image of Luna appeared, clad in the same silvery armor locking her scythe against the halberd her sister wielded on the fields of battle. “I let that nightmare loose.”

Silence overtook the pair as Six remained as stoic and unreadable as ever, but Luna knew in this realm of dreams exactly what was going through her mind.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” spoke Six after what seemed like an eternity, but something was off with her. The words had left her mouth, but her mind was lightyears away. Seeing this, Luna lit her horn again, and the scene around them changed as its progenitor was switched from the alicorn back to the Spartan.

Another flash of light overtook the pair, and when they emerged, Luna barely had time to process the change before her senses were overcome with the sounds of warfare.

A jungle of concrete now surrounded the pair, its structure vaguely reminding Luna of Manehatten. The visible destruction that marred every inch of this street brought Luna’s stomach low as flames and smoke licked the upper floors of the white skyscrapers surrounding the pair. Luna looked back at Six and found her staring at the entrance to one of those skyscrapers.

The words ‘Biku Tourist Office’ were inscribed on the closest wall in golden coloring, black burn marks dotted the stone, and Luna could see melted concrete dripping out of the holes. A glass entryway stood between the two melting walls, but before Luna could get a good look at the writing on its surface, its structure was suddenly shattered as a series of rapid ‘bangs’ echoed throughout the street.

A large dark-blue figure fell to the ground in front of the pair, purple blood and indigo lighting pouring out of their armor. She recognized this creature, an ‘Elite’ she believed it to be called. One of the soldiers of this ‘Covenant’ Six and her people had been fighting for the very right to exist. She couldn't help but sneer at the entity that lay dead at her hooves, a feeling shared by her present company as Six spat onto the elite’s face.

Six’s teeth were bared, and Luna could swear she heard some sort of growling come from the pegasus as they glared another hole into the elite. A phrase made literal by the Spartan’s mind as the princess watched the elite's mandibled face lose all distinguishing features and collapse in on itself. The sound of footsteps drew the pair's attention back to the entryway as a group of five humans clad in green armor jogged out, their weapons at the ready.

No words were exchanged, but hand signals were as another pair of humans excited the building, the larger one holding the other smaller girl in their arms and close to their chest. They were wearing some type of ramshackle protection of scrap metal as they carefully stepped out and hugged the closest wall. Her eyes attempted to focus on the faces of the humans now standing before her, but no matter what she tried, their faces remained a blur. As if watching the scene through a watery lens, the detail of every person's face was blurred beyond recognition.

But the look Six gave that pair of humans covered in scrap metal told more than anything the scene before them could explain.

“Is that your father?” Luna guessed, snapping the silent Spartan out of her staring and causing her to nod slowly with reddening eyes. Six’s composure began to strain as she turned back to watch the blurry scene.

The marines used more hand signals, directing those at the rear to move up and into the street, their weapons pointed at the sky. Luna watched their tense postures begin to relax, exhaustion cutting through.

Only for the marines to be thrown from the street as a large monster of some kind landed next to them with a massive hammer in its grasp. Surprisingly, this creature wasn’t blurred, giving Luna a full frontal view of its deformed and minotaur-like face. The creature roared and slammed its hammer with an eardrum-shattering *BOOM*, sending the marines beside it flying down the street. The alicorn heard their spines snap like twigs as they hit the asphalt thirty meters away.

A warcry by the remaining three marines followed as they opened fire on the creature, who simply shrugged the bullets off with a thunderous roar of its own. With another swing of its hammer, a hurricane of debris was thrown toward the remaining humans. Shards of glass and spikes of metal that flew close to the speed of sound peppered the survivors.

Time began to slow as she watched the human holding the little girl turn to shield her from the oncoming shrapnel as the other two marines were shredded by the blast. Though the human shield was not perfect, several flakes of shrapnel cut across one of the girl's eyes, bearly missing her cornea.

Luna turned and could now see tears openly flowing from Six’s eyes as she watched the memory before them play out. The brute snorted like a wild animal as it inspected the carnage before it, looking for any signs of life. Luckily, the little girl was too shocked and scared to make a move as Luna could just barely hear the dying wheeze of ‘I love you’ leave the father's lips before going limp.

A yell of rage from her companion snapped the princess's attention away from the carnage and towards a charging Six. Luna didn't even have time to process what had just happened before the sound of a blade plunging into flesh over and over and over again filled her ears.

Six had pounced on the brute in rage and began to brutally stab the life out of it as the knife she had seemingly plucked from nowhere rended the creature’s flesh with ease.

“Die!” she yelled as she raised her blade for another blow. “Die!” A spray of blood splattered the Spartan’s face as she continued to butcher the creature again and again and again.

The Scene around them began to flicker between that of a city and a desolate brown wasteland as every stab from Six was driven deeper and deeper into the Brute. “DIE, YOU ABOMINATION! YOU’VE TAKEN EVERYTHING FROM ME!! DIE!!!” yelled the Spartan with such ferocity and emotion that it made Luna’s very soul shiver. Seeing Six this overcome with rage would be an image forever burned into the alicorn's mind. One final stab to the forehead changed the scene for good.

A vast desert surrounded them, its sand utterly barren of all life as corpses upon corpses upon corpses dotted the land. Luna knew where they were. She had seen this memory play out countless times in the dream realm, the place where Six crossed over.

The Pegasus was breathing heavily as she sat atop the dead brute, her hooves still holding onto the blade lodged in the creature's skull. Luna approached slowly, careful not to step on the bodies around her. But unlike those close to the horizon, these bodies were humans, clad in armor similar to that of Six’s, only made to fit bipedal creatures.

Yet, it was the bodies closest to Six that truly grabbed Luna’s attention because one of them wasn’t humanoid in appearance. Lying directly in front of the heavily breathing Spartan was a light blue unicorn, their body sprawled out among those of her previous, human, friends.

Luna could recall all their names. How could she not after the number of times she had watched them die alongside Six, unable to change the outcome? It would always lead to this place by the end, a mountain of alien bodies paving the way. Yet no matter how many she killed, be they Covenant or changeling, she would end up here.

More bodies, more blood, and Six never felt any different.

“I lost everything to the Covenant,” Six said as she looked up at the orange and dust-filled sky. “My parents, my home, my family…everything.” She looked the alicorn in the eye, tears and blood staining her face. “I enjoy watching the life drain out of an elite's eyes. I relish the sounds of a grunt’s bones shattering under my boot. Now I can't do that…I can’t help humanity from here. Hell, I’m not even human anymore.”

A silence descended upon the pair, the only sounds being the rustling of the wind in their feathers and the drip of blood from the dead brute. Luna spoke up after a pregnant pause.

“You have lost more than anypony could possibly imagine…but you have also gained something you would have never found in your old world.”

Six snorted, “And what’s that?”

“An opportunity to heal, an opportunity for peace.”

Six snorted again. “Some peace. I’m currently buried under tonnes of rock.”

“Not a physical peace, not yet anyway, but one inside of yourself. You have killed thousands of this Covenant in search of revenge, yet now you cannot. So you have focused that rage on finding vengeance for Spear, and you will find no peace there. You have friends who will run through Tartarus for you should you command it, but if you continue on this path, you may find yourself alone once more.”

“What do you want me to do then?” Six asked as the world around them began to fade to nothingness. Their time together coming to an end as consciousness began to return to the Spartan.

“Put your past to rest, you have done your duty there, and you have been given a second chance. Use it. Do not let your nightmares consume you as they did to me. Do what I could not and become stronger from it. Be more than just a Demon…Be the Angel they already believe you to be.”

Author's Note

1/5

Next Chapter tomorrow

Art by Azure#7722

Chapter 47

“How is she?”

“I-I don’t know. I can’t find a pulse through this armor a-and h-her chest, I…I don’t see it moving.”

Shining armor approached the motionless Spartan slowly before leaning down and coming face to face with her visor. He studied its glass, looking for any hint of life. The sounds of muffled breathing or the pounding of a beating heart, nothing.

He sighed as he attempted to remove her helmet with his hooves, that strange shield still preventing a magical intervention, but it refused to budge. Slowly he laid Six’s head back against the rocks as he stood up and turned around to face a nearby guard who was watching the scene quietly.

“Call for the strongest earth ponies we have in reserve,” he glanced toward the unmoving mare one final time before looking back at the nearby guard. “We ain’t leaving her here.”

He heard a loud gasp from behind him as a weight suddenly pressed against his shoulder, “Yeah, your not.”

“Heh, crazy mare. Had to give us a fright, didn’t you?” Shining responded as he turned before helping Six back up to her wobbly hooves. “One of these days, that armor of yours is going to bite you in the flank, you know that?”

The only response he got was a chuckle through Six’s speakers. “How are my Spartans?” Six asked as she turned and saw the bandaged Spirit.

“Been better,” answered the changeling with a small smile before wincing as she accidentally irritated her burns. “Thank you, by the way. Some burns are better than being crushed.”

Six smiled under her helmet, “Good to hear.”

Shining interjected, grabbing the Spartan's attention, “Rest of your team is at the front tasked with supporting our mages. The operation had to go on with or without you, I’m sure you understand.”

Six did. One pony, even a Spartan, was not equal to an entire offensive, after all. “Well then, where do you need me? We still got a war to finish,” Six replied as she dusted herself off, only wincing slightly as her sore muscles were agitated.

“Hold your horses there, Six. We just dug you out from under several tonnes of rock. There’ is no way you're going into combat without a medic giving you the green light.”

Six ceased in her movements before looking Shining in the eye and ever so slowly removing her helmet. Her face was as hard as steel as she spoke, “Do I look like I need a medic? This,” she pointed at the pile of rocks behind her, annoyed, “was nothing compared to what I’ve done in the past.”

Shining still wasn't convinced. “You're going to see a medic. Do I have to make that an order?”

Six growled but ultimately relented after several seconds. “Fine, you can catch me up on the situation then.” She looked to Spirit once more, “Need any help?”

“I'll be fine, just give me a few minutes. I’m sure my medic will be here shortly to check up on me,” the changeling reassured with a small smile as she appeared to make herself comfortable on the rocks, grumbling as she tried to avoid agitating her injuries. “Though having Sparrow here would make this faster.”

Six nodded before following Shining Armor through the Cavern they had turned into their forward operating base. The area was filled with various logistics-oriented divisions of ponies hard at work ferrying ponies and supplies to and from the front line. The Spartan's awakening and subsequent arrival did not go unnoticed by the masses as several stopped in their duties to watch, smiles growing on their faces.

Normally, Six would have ignored the looks and the smiles. She had already received enough of those from marines she would watch die not hours later in a Covenant attack. But here, she felt different. The emotions and words from Luna still resonated within her subconscious.

Her eyes traced the faces of those looking at her, now seeing them as more than just the result of her stature as a Spartan. These ponies saw her as a symbol and as a protector. What was it those ponies in the news called her? She briefly looked to the roof of the cavern in thought.

‘The…Angel of Las Pegasus.’

That was it… An Angel, a selfless protector of those weaker than themselves. And isn’t that exactly what a Spartan was? Isn’t that exactly what she was?

Six once again looked across the room of smiling faces and hopeful eyes. For the longest time, the only thought on Six’s mind was that of revenge. To repay what the Venator had done to her and those around her. Everything else just seemed…unimportant. But now, looking upon these ponies—these people, Six couldn’t help but also allow a small smile of her own to grace her lips. Soldiers fight for those who cannot do so themselves, and it had been far too long since Six had done just that.

With Shining Armor leading the way, it wasn’t long before they reached the medical area. It seems someone had called ahead as a large area to the side was cleared out with several medics already waiting. Six raised an eyebrow towards the guard captain beside her.

“Ready for everything, I see.”

Shining did not look amused, “Try being in my hooves for a change and being told that the super soldier under your command is buried under several tonnes of rock.”

Six chuckled lightly, “I see.”

Shining just sighed before pointing towards a nearby metal table set up against the far wall of the tent. “Just take off your armor and get checked out. I’ll fill you in while they examine you.”

Six’s gaze switched between the table and Shining several times before sighing loudly and giving the Captain a cold stare, “Fine, but if we get attacked while these medics are prodding me, I will break your legs.”

Shining swallowed nervously, unsure if the threat was genuine. “A-alright.”

Six reluctantly walked over to the table and began removing her armor plating. First came her chest piece, which she disengaged with a thought through her neural implant. The table before her bent ever so slightly under the chest piece’s weight as she continued to disengage and remove her protective suit.

Within a short span of six minutes, the Spartan stood in only her dark grey undersuit, its titanium composite shell organized neatly upon the buckling table. Turning around, Six took a few steps towards the waiting medics before a clearing of Shining’s throat stopped the spartan in her tracks.

“What?” asked Six, annoyance marring her tone.

Shining responded in kind. “C’mon, you know what. The docs can’t do their jobs if they can’t see what they're doing.”

Six huffed, “Believe me, if there was anything wrong underneath my suit, I wouldn’t be standing here complaining to you.”

Shining responded in a tone that brokered no argument. “Lieutenant, I order you to submit to a full medical examination. Failure to do so will result in you being deemed unfit for combat and sent back to Canterlot.”

Six growled through gritted teeth, “Fine, Captain.”

Shining’s tough guy persona held. “It’s for your own good, Six. We need you at your best for the coming battle. Having you walking around with, say…a broken ribcage would, again, not be favorable to your combat performance.”

Six responded over her shoulder as she slipped out of her undersuit, “Neither is being completely defenseless in enemy territory.”

“Please. Thanks to you, this place is complete- Sweet Celestia, your wings!”

Six just sighed as she stepped out of the suit and placed it on the table. “What?”

“What do you mean ‘what’?! How in Tartarus have you been walking around all this time with feathers in that condition?!”

Six just remained confused as she walked toward the medics while idly inspecting her wings. ”I don’t get what you mean?”

She responded genuinely. Sure there were a few feathers out of place…and broken…and, yes… yes, that red tint near the base of her primaries was, in fact, her own dried blood beginning to itch like a thousand little ants were biting her. But to the Spartan with no frame of reference and stoicism that could make a brick wall blush, it wasn’t a serious issue.

Shining was left speechless as the medics surrounded Six’s outstretched wings. Luckily, it only took a minute for the unicorn to speak up once more with an exhausted face. “Just be glad Spitfire is on air support and not here to see those wings. I’m pretty sure she would actually have a stroke if she saw them.”

“Yeah, okay, can you get on with the briefing now? I want to know where you’ve sent my Spartans.” Six asked in irritation as the medics got to their poking, prodding, and overall checking up on the Spartan, her wings being the focal point of their inspections. Six couldn’t stop from wincing slightly each time they pulled a long dead feather.

“Right, well, thanks to the…help we have received from a changeling turncoat, the offensive is proceeding as smoothly as it can. Your mission was a success, as you can see. But as far as the war is concerned, that was the easy part.”

Six spoke through slightly gritted teeth as the poking of the medics touched a particularly painful secondary feather. “Where are my Spartans?”

“Pixy and Sparrow are currently supporting the 5th mage battalion on the southern side of the front. ”

“Pixy? Why is she at the front?”

“Yeah, I’m asking myself the same thing since the prosthetic she’s been outfitted with is an early prototype, at best. But you know your Spartans. Add in Pixy’s personality and…” he circled his hoof around. “Point is, nothing was stopping her from not getting in the fight. But aside from that, she’s doing what you trained her to, and a damn good job if the reports I'm getting back say anything.”

“Hmpf… I’ll tell her how idiotic this is later. Going into combat in her condition.”

Shining just cleared his throat at that comment while gesturing towards the Spartan herself. “Yeah…you don’t say. Well, to give you the short version, progress is slow but still being made on the front. Reported casualties on both sides are high. We need to open up a hole in their lines to start making any actual progress.”

“I take it this is where I come in?”

“If the medics here give you the green light, yes. Speaking of, she good?”

The medic looked up from his clipboard, “Aside from a serious lack of wing maintenance,” he glanced at the unamused Spartan’s now somewhat useable wing, “Yes, she is fit for duty.”

“Told you, waste of time,” commented Six with a grin.

“Just get your gear and listen.”

Six did so with that grin on her face the entire time as Shining explained what her new orders would be.

The distant vibrations of small magical explosions reverberated throughout the Halls of Vendratis. The living metal shell that encompassed Mobius shivered in tandem as the Venator approached the wall where a large statue of the Empress used to sit. Now the wall was bare, and stones lay across the normally pristine floor. A door of red-tinted steel now revealed to the world, the Overqueen Chrysalis still covered in half-healed scars standing next to it, watching the Venator approach with imperious eyes.

“Took you long enough.”

“Apologies, my Queen. I wa-”

“No matter, you are here and that is all that matters. Now come, I need this door open and I cannot do it without a Venator.”

Mobius walked up to the exposed door before the pair. It was covered in an ancient script he could not recognize and inlaid with a reddish material he could not discern. Two small holes were located on each side of the doorframe. A Spiderweb of rubies surrounded each hole with threads that led into a larger upside-down heart made of jewels above the door.

“What must I do?” asked the Venator as the rippling of his armor increased with each step closer.

‘What is…This feeling…?’ spoke Redfang in Mobius’s mind as tiny tendrils of metal began forming on his chest as if trying to reach out towards the mysterious door. The faint waves of some distant and powerful aura were brushing against his own in the void. Yet these waves were not the ones usually associated with those of strong minds, no. Whatever the source of these waves was, it gave him a feeling of peace, belonging… familiarity with its progenitor.

But these emotions did not worry him as he approached the gateway.

“The same as I. Put your hooves in those holes and channel some of your magic into the gems.”

Mobius looked at his hooves and the wriggling metal encompassing them for a moment. His gaze locked onto the keyholes before him as he reared up and completed the circuit before him. He didn’t even need to focus on the task before the feeling of his magic leaving him voluntarily graced his mind.

Redfang gasped in his mind as the armor that made up her anchor began to flow like a summer spring towards the gems, only the thinnest of shells remaining on his hindquarters and limbs.

‘C…Closer….’ came a whisper from the vastness of the void, its voice so alike to Redfangs yet… gentler, like a soft summer breeze brushing across his aura.

His armors movement still wasn’t done as it continued to flow most of its volume off of the Venators body and onto the many jewels inlaid on the door. It took a whole minute before the living metal had fully hidden the gems and both the Queens and the Venator’s hooves under its writhing, pulsing and red-glowing mass.

A click reverberated throughout the Cavern as the living metal began to slowly recede and flow back onto the Venator’s form. Mobius gave a relieved sigh at the familiar weight returning to his body as the last of his armor reformed onto his body. A prominent reddish coloring now overtook its usual green accents.

A loud groan of stone grating stone overtook the cavern as the ancient doors began to swing open with the speed of a snail yet the power of a hurricane. A rush of air whistled as the ancient seal was broken and the way forward made clear. An oppressive red light shone outwards from the gateway, illuminating the path forward.

“Come, your presence is still required for now, if I am to annihilate this pony incursion.”

Mobius couldn’t stop himself from swallowing as he looked down the winding red hallway that his Queen now walked through. A moment later he followed Chrysalis, his armor continuing to change and flow all across his body as the sound of Redfang’s heavy breathing reverberated through his ears.

‘Everything alright?’ he asked through his aura, yet the only response he got was that same whisper from before.

‘…Closer…’

Something was clearly affecting the consciousness he had grown so accustomed to and it worried him. But he was still a soldier and a Venator at that. Whatever was affecting Redfang would have to wait. It wasn’t like there was anything he could do to help anyway. The waves were simply too…welcoming to block.

“What is this place, my Queen?” His eyes scanned the glowing red tunnel. Dust marred every surface that wasn't affected by the draft, as hundred-year-old gems glowed and pulsed with the Venator’s energy. But this energy wasn’t stagnant. It continued to flow down the tunnel toward some unknown consumer.

“The resting place of the Great Swarm…and the Empress herself.”

Mobius’s eyes threatened to burst from his skull at that proclamation. His armor mirrored his expression as its ebbs and flows sped up dramatically and its red coloring became more pronounced.

“T-the Empress is down here?”

“In a state between life and death, yes… but that does not matter. What does is those down there with her. The Great Swarm and the Custodians entombed among them.” The Queen spoke slowly, almost as if only mentioning the content of this ‘Tomb’ for lack of a better term, required tremendous willpower and commanded any listener's attention.

Mobius was at a loss for words as he followed his Queen further down the path, his mind a raging storm. Were those waves he was feeling those from the Empress herself? From the many of her Great Swarm? He couldn’t think straight, but how was he supposed to? He was about to meet their god.

Moments passed in complete silence as the pair reached the end of the tunnel and entered a massive chamber bathed in a deep crimson. The waves were stronger than ever as an ever-present pressure encompassed his aura. Redfang had gone silent, only her breathing was audible now.

The pair stood before a long bridge made of rubies with a vast drop on either side. The walls of the Tomb were inlaid with crimson symbols he couldn’t recognize from any known runic language. They all glowed and pulsed with power as they worked their unknown purpose and flooded the ancient cavern in red.

Below them, bathed in the dull light, was a field of roses as far as the eye could see. And among them were thousands upon thousands of cocoons of every shape and color, red being the most prominent among them.

And at the center of the room, across the bridge of ruby…was the resting place of the Empress herself. An island of scarlet, made from a material he couldn’t discern, stood in the distance like a beacon, beckoning him to come closer.

Chrysalis continued across the bridge before them, every step sending ripples of energy outwards underneath its sparkling surface. Mobius followed, his mind still in awe at what he was seeing. At the halfway point across the bridge of ruby, the Venator found his voice.

“What…What are we doing here? Why do you need some… lowly Venator to help you?”

“Because,” Chrysalis looked Mobius in the eye, “ in the Empress’s infinite wisdom, she decreed that only a willing Venator in combination with the Overqueen may wake her.”

Mobius’s hearts skipped a beat, “We…we’re going to w-wake her?”

“No, you blithering idiot!” yelled the Overqueen with a pulse from her aura, bringing the Venator to his knees. “We are not going to wake her. You are going to help me wake the Custodians that protect her. Because of your failure, this is our only chance now to destroy those ponies once and for all! Now get up while you’re still needed here.”

Mobius did so, not wanting to further anger his Queen. It was obvious that his presence was a necessity she didn’t like, and he would prefer not to find himself permanently banned from visiting this tomb once the dust had settled.

A minute of silence passed as the pair reached the crimson island, where the Empress herself lay dormant. Glancing upwards, Mobius quickly averted his eyes, the sight too intense for the lowly eyes of a mortal like himself. For only a crimson staircase away, sitting atop her blood-red throne, was the dormant form of the Empress in Red.

Clad in crimson armor and encompassed in a giant red bubble of magical energy, she remained on her throne, unmoving. A green blade of unknown origin was impaled through her abdomen, baleful green energy still lashing at the Empress' form.

The waves he had been sensing were at their strongest now, the small Venator’s aura bathed in the red light of the Empress herself. Not the tendril he had felt not too long ago that connected him to Redfang. He was what an asteroid was to a star, an insignificant body orbiting something incomprehensibly more powerful.

His armor was barely cohesive now, more akin to a rushing waterfall than practical armor. There were moments where the burnt chitin underneath was briefly revealed to the world as even the lowest of layers liquified and were swept up in the tide. Redfang was completely silent now, as not even the faint presence of his companion could now be felt in the deepest recesses of his aura. Mobius muttered a prayer under his breath.

“Cease in your prostration. We do not have time for prayers,” Chrysalis snapped, pulling Mobius’s gaze to meet the Queens. “Waking the Custodians takes precedence. You can pray when the ponies are crushed under their hooves!” The Overqueen spoke with such conviction and power it broke Mobius out of his trance. His commitment to his Queen and the Hive reasserting itself, the waves and glow of his Empress dampening.

“Yes, I’m sorry, my Queen. What must I do?”

Chrysalis pointed towards a small outcropping in the ruby wall to his left while she moved to a similar, onyx one across from the Venator. “Same as before, place your hooves and reach out with your aura carefully! You will be skimming the aura of the Empress, and the smallest failure in your concentration may be disastrous to our plan. I will do the actual work. You are merely my key, understand?”

Mobius nodded and did as instructed. Duty came first. Duty must always come first as the Venator. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hooves as instructed, and instantly the world began to fall away.

His mind left the confines of its physical anchor and began to travel and skirt across the deep red ocean. He felt his aura brush ever so slightly against the sea, making the connection his Queen desired. An opening was created, and Mobius felt his Queens tendrils snake alongside his before reaching down through the gateway. Now all he had to do was wait.

‘I…’

Mobius’s ears twitched under the writing mass that his armor had now become. He heard something coming from the ocean.

‘…feel…’

Again his ears twitched, but this time he felt his armor had stopped moving, almost as if frozen in time. He definitely heard something that time, but it could wait. The Queen's tendrils began to recede, and the sound of century-year-old stones moving told him his job was complete. Yet, no matter what he did, he could not remove himself from the Empress's surface. A red tendril he had not noticed had sprouted and tethered him to the Empress.

‘…you.’

Mobius yelled out in pain as the small tendril began to drink deeply from his aura as if trying to consume a portion of his very soul. He pulled as hard as he could, drawing every bit of strength available to him to keep his energy from being consumed by the Empress.

He had felt this once before on the field of battle, the feeling of a starving changeling attempting to consume another's store of love in an attempt to keep themselves alive. And the Empress was ravenous, his own strength failing rapidly as his defenses were shattered to dust under the desperation of his God.

Were it not for the intervention of his Queen, his death would be all but assured. With a slash of green, the connection was severed, and Mobius opened his eyes to the real world once again.

He was panting heavily with his hearts pounding out of his chest as his armor began to slowly drip off his body. His form lying on the ground before the throne of the Empress.

‘So…weak’

‘R-redfang?’

‘H-here…s-she is c-calm n-n-now…H-had…she…we…’ his companion barely stuttered out within his mind. Mobius breathed a sigh of relief, his unknown worry for Redfang sated.

‘Q-quiet…S-save your strength,’ he interrupted the mare's incoherent speech in his own panting aural voice.

“Fool. Be grateful I still need you to deal with the Demon. Otherwise, I would have just let you be drained for that failure to heed my warnings.”

Mobius looked up from his position on the ground towards Chrysalis standing over him, her horn glowing brightly with a red tint at its apex. She brought her horn down and touched it to his own deforming false one.

“Now, drink before you die.”

Mobius did as ordered and greedily consumed the love offered to him by his Queen. He could already feel his strength returning as he watched his liquid armor return to its base form and power. The pool that had grown underneath him shrank as Redfang reasserted her control. With love feeding his muscles with much-needed energy, Mobius moved to stand up and dust himself off.

The ground beneath his hooves shook as the deep vibrations of nearby heavy hoofsteps made his hearts jump. The only other time he had felt vibrations like those was when the Demon was approaching him. Spinning around, instincts having taken over, Mobius was ready for a fight. Yet standing behind him, halfway up the stairs that led to the Empress’s throne and woken from their long slumber, were the custodians they had come for.

Larger than any praetorian and as big as the Queens themselves, these were no mere changeling warriors in crimson armor plating. They walked in unison down the stairs, their march making the Venator shake in his armor. A burst of deep laughter resonated throughout the cavern from his Queen as she joined the Venator in watching the Custodians march. Her horn aglow in a brilliant green and red, its magic mirrored in the armor of the warriors before them. Mobius watched in real-time as their crimson armor took on a hue of green, with only the accents remaining as red as the Empress.

“With this army, with the Custodian warriors of the Empress, those ponies will rue the day they ever dared enter our sacred hives! Their love will feed our conquest, and all of Equestria will fall under my command!” the Overqueen proclaimed with a conviction never before seen by the Venator or any drone in the Swarm. Her aura burned bright, its power nearly mimicking a fraction of the Empress as Mobius was swept along in his Queen's maniacal laughter.

“Now go, my Venator! Do as your Queen commands and crush the ponies, turn them all to dust! Shatter their morale and bring their Demon to the gates of Tartarus!”

Author's Note

2/5

Next update tomorrow

Chapter Art by CrimsonWolf360#5418

Chapter 48

Six shrugged the dirt kicked up by the nearby explosion off her back as she witnessed the battlefield before her. It reminded her of Reach, watching the clashes below from her point in the backline. She had just arrived through the entrance left by the changeling turncoat when a magical artillery bolt smashed into the cavern wall above her, bathing and showering the Spartan in a mix of orange light and shattered stone.

Black and green buildings of various angular and geometric shapes made up the bulk of the changeling architecture. Most were already damaged or destroyed the closer one got to the frontline as magical artillery destroyed all in its crosshairs. A line of completely collapsed buildings told Six exactly where the front had stagnated and where the fighting was at its bloodiest. A single glowing red dome stood out among the ruins, just behind what Six assumed to be the changeling defensive line.

But what really caught Six’s eyes was the spire at the center of it all. It rose to the roof of the cavern, its thinnest point at the very center before thickening out again as it approached the hanging city. Ornate buildings with various colored accents ranging from blue to purple and red hung like stalactites and stalagmites from the ceiling. What was up there? Six couldn’t know. But the way the changelings were defending it from magical strikes with multicolored shields certainly gave her an idea.

She had been told that one of the support mage companies would be waiting for her just outside the tunnel to give her new orders and assist her. Some squad known as the ‘Elements’ were waiting for her arrival. Shining Armor had given her the surface-level briefing. Hopefully, this ‘Elements’ group would have her orders. Scanning the small plaza before her, damaged chitinous buildings walling them in, she found the aforementioned support division slinging spell after spell into the air and towards the front.

Cantering over, Six found her attention drawn to one multicolored group of ponies in particular, a group that all looked completely out of place save for one purple unicorn who was seemingly keeping the others in her group in check. Judging by the purple glow surrounding a vibrating pink earth pony.

‘Twilight? What's a civilian, no…civilians doing here?’

Confusion overtaking her mind, Six approached the group curiously, her heavy hoof falls muffled by the sound of the magical barrage being fired all around her. She was now close enough to hear the pegasus with rainbow hair speak to Twilight in a scratchy voice not too dissimilar to Pixy’s or Spitfire’s.

“Why are we still waiting here, Twilight? Shouldn't we be out there kicking changeling flanks instead of waiting for some pegasus we don’t even know?”

“Darling, you must really check the papers every now and then. This ‘pegasus’ is no mere nopony. Surely you know what happened in Las Pegasus during their invasion? Does the ‘Angel’ ring any bells?” The white unicorn answered in what seemed like a comically high-class tone.

“You could have also just listened to my brother when we arrived here… if he wasn't so preoccupied with our safety.” Six heard Twilight grumble under her breath as she looked up and around before her eyes met Six’s, and a smile began to grow on her face.

“Pff, probably just some overenthusiastic reporter looking somepony other than us to talk about. I’m betting you this ‘Angel’ is nothing more than a pony that was in the wrong place at the right time.”

Six was now standing directly behind the rainbow pegasus, who appeared to be the only one of the group not aware of the Spartan's presence. The orange pony in a cowboy hat spoke up next with a nervous chuckle.

“Uhh, sugar cube, you may want to turn around.”

“They're behind me, aren’t they?” was the deadpan response the orange pony got.

“Eeeyup.”

Turning around, the rainbow pegasus had to crane her neck to look up at the much larger Spartan, a nervous smile and laugh leaving her lips at the full stature of the mare that towered over her.

“Ehehehe… It was all a joke?”

Six just huffed in annoyance before looking towards Twilight, who now had a small yellow pegasus hiding behind her.

“What are you doing here with a bunch of civilians?”

“Waiting on you, actually. As the Elements of Harmony, it's our duty to help protect Equestria. And as the wielders of its strongest artifacts, it means we’re here to help you!”

‘She…she has to be joking, right? I’m…I’m not taking a bunch of civilians into a warzone.’

“…really?” Six asked in a deadpan voice. “No. I refuse to bring a bunch of clearly untrained civilians into the middle of a battlefield. Just give me my orders, bring me to my Spartans, and leave the fighting to the soldiers.”

The rainbow one spoke up, “And leave all the fun to you? No way!”

“Although we may be a bunch of ‘Civilians,’ as you so kindly put it,” Continued the white Unicorn, “We have had our fair share of… encounters with these ruffians during the wedding they so hideously crashed. We are not as defenseless as you may think. I once even saw Applejack here take on five of those changelings at once without a scratch on her!” She pointed towards the orange pony in a cowboy hat attempting to coax the yellow pegasus out from behind Twilight.

“And what about her?” Six pointed towards the eeping pegasus behind Twilight.

“Fluttershy is…different,” answered Twilight as a single turquoise eye looked up at Six from behind the unicorn.

“And her?” Six gestured towards the pink earth pony that seemed to vibrate while trapped in a purple glow with an almost manic smile on her face.

“Don’t worry about it,” Twilight answered quickly, causing Six to raise an eyebrow. Frankly, she wanted to ask about it now, but the nearby impact of a changeling spell sending a pair of unprepared unicorns flying straightened her priorities.

Six had looked away for only a second to assess the damage, but when she looked back, Fluttershy had already gotten to the injured unicorns. The Spartan watched the previously extremely shy pegasus almost expertly direct the medics toward the injured. It seems she was most certainly the closest thing to a doctor in the group.

Six bit her lip as she looked over the group before her. She knew Twilight could at least handle herself, having been supervised by Six personally, but it was the others that worried her. They didn’t even have any armor or weapons with them of any kind! No, she would not take them with her. Orders be damned. She was finding her Spartans and completing her objective. Bringing them along would only slow her down and risk their lives unnecessarily.

“You’re not coming with me. My Spartans and I can do the job without you. If you really are needed, you can remain in the rear here until the fighting stops or dies down. Now, are you going to give me my orders?”

The rainbow pegasus at Six’s side looked like she wanted to speak up, but a look from Six made her words die on her tongue. “Artifacts or no artifacts, this is a warzone. You would only be a danger to yourselves and others without proper training. The only person here I trust to hold their own is Twilight since I know what she can do. The rest of you would only be target practice for the changelings.”

Six looked Twilight in the eye, “Unless their presence is absolutely necessary for whatever it is I need you for on the mission, they are staying here.”

The unicorn pulled out a piece of parchment and began looking it over. “The only thing it says is that us Elements are there to help ‘Deal with any serious magical difficulties’… If you take it at face value, only myself and rarity would be needed.”

“Perfect, grab some armor and come with me, Twilight. The others can stay here until the fighting is over.”

“But what about the Elements? Only when the six of us are together can we use them!” Twilight called out after the Spartan.

But Six had already begun to make her way towards the perimeter of the camp, leaving the four still present and one vibrating mare alone to watch the Spartan walk away.

Six waited on the edge of the plaza, inspecting her armor for any residual damage it might have received. Everything looked to be fine, only a few new scratches marring its plating around her hooves. Superficial damage only, she noted as she spread her bladed feathers and began sharpening their edges as well. It took more effort than her knife, as feathers were not as easy to run a stone across, but she got the job done.

Her body shivered involuntarily as the vibrations every few strokes triggered a tingle that ran down her spine. Not even Six was entirely sure whether her sharpening had any effect on her feathers, but that wasn’t the point of her actions. She needed to keep her mind sharp and focused on the task ahead, but she couldn’t stop Luna’s words from bleeding through her mental barriers.

How does she put the past to rest? How could she even? She was created for one specific purpose: to fight the Covenant. It was all she knew… it was all she ever wanted to do. But now? Now she couldn’t do that. She had accepted that long ago with the help of Spear. The first pony she viewed as more than an annoyance. The first pony she would call a friend.

But the changelings took that from her… that ‘Venator’ butcher. She couldn’t suppress the growl from leaving her lips at that thought. She wanted to do nothing more than get up and charge the changeling lines by herself. To force the ‘Venator’ to scream out Spear’s name as she sunk her knife into his throa-.

‘No…’

She stopped herself, her body freezing alongside her train of thought. She remained like that for several seconds before sighing heavily, her mind still filled with Luna’s words. Protecting those around her had to come first, but she didn’t know if she could keep that mentality when she would see the Venator again.

Luckily for the Spartan, however, her mind wasn’t able to ruminate on that question as Twilight, clad in an appropriated set of guard armor that looked oddly similar to that of her brother, approached.

“The girls will be staying behind with our reinforcements should we need any.”

“Good… you know where my Spartans are?”

Twilight nodded, “After we’re all together, we can begin our mission.”

Six hummed as she stood up and gestured with her hoof for the unicorn to lead the way, “Good, you can give me the rundown on the way there.”

Twilight did so, leading the Spartan towards the rest of Noble and explaining exactly what their mission was.

Their objective was to help break the defenses of what seemed to be a type of detention center for changeling prisoners. It was currently serving as the bulwark for the entire center changeling defensive line. The changelings organized and supplied their front with the love they needed to fight effectively from there. It was a high-priority target, and the changelings knew it. As such, it was defended by a shield artillery spells could not crack.

Their mission was to sneak through enemy lines, reach the detention center, and use Twilight's magical expertise to crack the shield before storming the building. The unicorn mentioned that the shield was the reason why all of her friends were here. Although those higher up in the chain did not doubt Twilight's magical skill, it appears they wanted to be sure the shield would fall by bringing in the ‘Elements of Harmony’ as a surefire way to break the changeling defenses.

That still irked the Spartan to no end. Why would the most powerful magical artifacts in Equestria be entrusted to a bunch of civilians with no formal training whatsoever?! Hell, one of them was even hiding behind Twilight like some scared cat. It just confused and angered the Spartan to no end that if something went wrong and Twilight couldn’t crack the shield on her own, she would be responsible for what amounted to five civilians in the heart of enemy territory. A situation not even a Spartan would be comfortable in.

But so long as Twilight could do what was required, such a contingency wouldn’t be needed. Six and her Spartans could do the rest and bring this conflict one step closer to its end. From what Six understood, should they succeed, a total collapse of the central changeling line should soon follow, allowing for a follow-up offensive that would encircle and utterly crush the majority of the changeling armed forces. Allowing for the final strike against the palace, bringing this war to a complete and definite close.

Outnumbered, outgunned, escorting a valuable asset, and deep behind enemy lines on a mission that would decide the entire course of the war. Any normal soldier would be shaking in their boots, but to Six? It sounded like a bog-standard mission for a Spartan team.

Only this time… they would all be coming home.

The pair reached their destination shortly afterward, armor covered in kicked-up dust and dirt when a partially collapsed building they passed gave out under its own weight. Nobody was seriously hurt, but a lot of uniforms would need a good cleaning.

The position they approached was a lot like the one they had just left. A plaza surrounded by angular changeling buildings that served as the firing positions for the many artillery mages. And on the sidelines, sitting and waiting under the logistical tent, one talking with a guard he towered over and the other sitting atop a box fiddling with their metallic red wing, were her Spartans.

“There they are, “pointed out Twilight with her foreleg. Six merely hummed in acknowledgment, her eyes focused on Pixy and the new red wing she bore. Pixy seemed to be completely engrossed in her task, with what Six could now identify as a screwdriver of some kind held between her lips. She was adjusting some dials and gears across the wings structure, the pegasus paying extremely close attention to the metallic feathers.

Approaching the tent, it didn’t take long for gazes to turn and their presence to be announced with a wave of whispers and stares. Sparrow’s conversational partner was one such guard to have noticed the approaching Spartan and Element bearer. Confused as to why the pony he was talking to suddenly began staring at something over his shoulder, Sparrow followed their gaze before his own rested upon Six. A smile broke out on his face as he extended one wing and gave a light smack against the back of Pixy's head, who was still too engrossed in her task to notice the shift in the atmosphere.

With a yelp, Pixy dropped the screwdriver between her lips. “Ow! What was that for?!” she yelled towards Sparrow with a glare. The grinning stallion simply raised a foreleg. Confused, Pixy looked to where he was pointing.

Six barely had time to react to the smile on Pixy’s face before the white and red pegasus was hovering right in front of her, the biggest smile she had ever seen on her face.

“I knew it would take more than a few rocks to bring you down!”

Sparrow joined his hovering partner, walking up to stand before Six. “It's good to see up, Six. When we arrived, they were still digging you out.”

Pixy added, “Should have seen Spirit, poor bug. Blamed herself for letting you be buried.” Her gaze turned to Twilight. “Long time no see, purple. Here to help us kick some changeling flanks?”

Before Twilight could answer, Six began speaking, her eyes fixated on the metallic red wing Pixy wore. “ Spartan, were this any other time, I would have you sent home.”

Confused, the pegasus followed her gaze before a lightbulb went off inside her mind as she realized what Six was talking about.

“Oh…yeah, I know I… shouldn’t be in combat, yadda yadda. Practically everypony won’t shut up about it. Early prototype this, some kinks to work out that. I’m sorry, Six, but I just don’t care, not after Canterlot. I’m not going to sit in some… physical therapy while you’re all out here risking your lives. Plus, the ‘Morgan’ here, “She gestured to the prosthetic in question, “ Is working pretty damn well.”

Six sighed, “Is it combat-tested, at least?”

Pixy grinned sheepishly,“If you count the past few hours as it being tested, yes?”

Six bit her lip, “Fine, but if anything goes wrong, you’re going back and will have to answer to me. Got it?”

Pixy swallowed nervously, “Y-yep.”

The Spartan smiled, “Good, now listen up. I have our new mission.”

Sparrow spoke up, “Does it involve that dome I’m hearing these mages complain so much about?”

Six nodded, “Twilight here will brief you on the specifics.”

The sounds of combat were more prevalent than ever now as they approached the divide between friend and foe. Thanks to the air support Spitfire's Wonderbolts provided, a gap could be found on the changeling line, giving the Spartans the opening they would need to enter enemy territory undetected. But that opening wouldn’t last for long as a magical message informed Twilight that their window was closing.

Finally reaching the divide, they found two unicorn guards exchanging magical fire with what remained of the changeling defenses. A particularly intense aerial and ground-based bombardment had weakened them severely, giving the Spartans the opening they required.

Looking back through her visor to the Spartans crouched low behind her, she didn’t need any verbal confirmation that they were ready. Their hard faces said it all. Six’s eyes did linger on the prosthetic Pixy wore in worry for a moment before her mind steeled itself. Even if something went wrong, Six had trained her for all eventualities. There was no doubt about it anymore in the Spartans' minds. They were ready, and it was time to end this war.

Dashing out from cover and jumping over the makeshift defenses the guards had set up, Six sprinted over the no-man's-land and lept, wings outstretched onto a surprised changeling.

Their battle buddy yelped in fright before he, too, was cut down by the red wing Pixy bore. Twilight and Sparrow joined them seconds afterward as they all ran deeper into the changeling city. They had to move quickly before any more changelings arrived to reinforce the garrison.

Galloping from building to building, navigating the changeling architecture would have been nigh impossible were it not for the dome of their objective visible on the horizon. Its red-tinted glow acting as a lighthouse for the Spartan team.

Before long, after dodging the changeling reinforcements they had predicted, the four of them were overlooking their objective from the safety of a nearby, partially collapsed, clocktower.

It was a base not too dissimilar to the one she had dealt with in Las Pegasus, only this time, instead of repurposed garden fences being used as walls, thick barricades of black resin protected the building at its core. The structure looked…familiar to the Spartan. It reminded her faintly of an old building she had once seen framed in an ONI handler’s office. The words ‘Old Sydney Opera House’ were etched into its frame on a golden plate. Six shook her head, clearing her mind of the intrusive thought, before continuing her scouting.

Watchtowers made of the same black and green material stood at each corner, with all of it protected behind the red barrier they had come here to destroy. Six could already spot several concentrating changelings of various sizes powering the dome as thin tendrils of red magic linked them to its structure. A spiderweb of magic providing the perfect frontline defense. Six had no doubt the changelings would deploy something similar around the palace once the ponies' artillery was in range.

Pixy was the first to speak up as Six continued to study the area below. “So, purple, think you can get us in?”

Twilight peeked over the wall, “I…should be able to.”

Sparrow interjected, “But can you do it without alerting them?”

Twilight took a deep breath, “I don’t know, maybe? If I brute force it, most definitely, but that would require the Elements with the power I can feel that barrier radiating. If… If I can find a weak point in its matrix, I should be able to open a hole in it quietly.”

After a few minutes, Six suddenly spoke up. “How about there?” She gestured towards the eastern side of the compound, where they all watched a changeling convoy exit through an opening in the barrier. A carriage filled with luminous red jars left the dome’s protective field and began its journey down the street and towards the front with a contingent of soldiers buzzing around it. The Spartans watched as the opening it left on the barrier rippled like flowing water before closing completely, sealing the shield once more. The ripples they saw radiated outwards across the dome for several meters in every direction before smoothing out.

Twilight spoke up with a smile now upon her face, “Yes! Those disturbances are sure to have weakened the spell's cohesion just enough for me to get us inside quietly, though we may have to get quite close to where the opening was for my intrusion to go smoothly.”

“Leave that part to us, Twilight. We’ll get you close enough. Once we’re inside, I want you to stick to Sparrow like glue. Stealth is of utmost importance here until the changeling in charge is dealt with and the prisoners below are freed. So keep your mind calm and remember my training.” briefed Six looking for confirmations of understanding from her subordinates. She got a nod from all involved.

“What about after?” Pixy questioned

“We hold the fort until reinforcements arrive. After that, we push towards the palace and capture the enemy Queen, ending this war.”

Sparrow interjected, “And if that ‘Venator’ arrives?” His question caused Six to freeze momentarily before responding.

“I’ll deal with him… Now let’s go before a patrol shows up.”

Doing as ordered, her fellow Spartans quietly followed Six into a neighboring alley before dashing across the street and toward the barrier. Hugging the wall encased by the dome, the team remained low to the ground, making their visual profiles as small as possible as they approached the weak point.

They were only a few hooves away from the rippling section of the wall when the sound of hoofsteps came close. A changeling guard was directly above them, patrolling the battlements. The team remained as still as stone, each pony holding their breath as the slow hoofsteps began to dampen, the guard above them walking further down the wall and away from the Spartans. With a flick of her wing, Six signaled the group to continue, and within moments they had reached their destination.

Stacking up, they found a small gap between the dome and the wall, giving them just enough space to enter, then climb up and over. With another flick of her wing, Six gestured to Twilight to work her literal and figurative magic on the barrier.

Taking a deep breath, Twilight did just so, touching her horn against the rippling dome and channeling her own purple magic into it. The effect on the barrier was almost immediate as the purple coloring spread out across a small area before opening up the gateway they required.

Twilight was visibly sweating and drained from the ordeal, but they now had their entrance.

With a nod of thanks to the unicorn, Six squeezed her way through the opening before scaling the wall before her. Using her feathers for support, Six was quickly up and over the barrier, her armored form landing behind several empty jars and unopened crates.

Scanning her new environment, she watched her Motion tracker ping only a handful of moving targets in range, one of them being the changeling on the battlements from earlier. But that was only the changelings she could detect. For all the spartan knew, a veritable swarm could occupy their target building as her tracker seemed unable to detect anything past its angular jet-black walls.

Several *thuds* to her left and the appearance of three yellow dots appearing behind her signaled the rest of her Spartans' arrival.

“Okay,” Six began with a whisper towards her teammates, “Pixy, you're with me. Sparrow, stay with Twilight and hold our exit.”

A cacophony of silent affirmatives was her answer before she turned and scouted out the entrance to the compound.

It was a doorway of the same frosted green glass she had seen during their entrance to the outer hive. A single large changeling praetorian stood guard at the entrance, overlooking the buzzing worker drones ferrying supplies and jars from one place to another in the courtyard.

Dealing with the guard wasn’t going to be a problem. Getting to them, however, is where it got complicated. Unless they wanted to risk the lives of any potential prisoners held within the building's walls, they needed to remain undetected for as long as possible. And currently, there were way too many eyes between them and the door.

They would need a distraction of some kind to draw the praetorian at the door away, and luckily for them, there were several distractions waiting to happen right in front of their target. Specifically, a drone that was clearly struggling with the jars they were carrying. It appeared that they were on their last legs. Six looked at Pixy and saw that she was thinking the same thing, getting ready to dash. They knew it would only be a matter of time until…

“Woah!” *Crash*

A collective groan resonated throughout the assembled changelings. It seems this was not the first time that such an accident had happened. A pained cry left the fallen changeling’s lips, causing several ‘lings to come over and see what was wrong. The praetorian at the door yelled something at them in their unknown language.

The pair used this small distraction to get closer, dashing from cover to cover before coming to a stop just around the corner from the door.

Another yell back towards the praetorian as a sizable circle had now appeared around the fallen changeling. The guard groaned and muttered something under their breath before calling back and making their way toward the buildup.

With the opening they had been waiting for now upon them, Six and Pixy quickly turned the corner and entered the building, making sure the coast was clear behind the frosted green glass before entering fully.

The inside of the building was barren with the same jet-black walls and connecting tissues. The walls, however, never quite seemed to be at a perfect 90° angle to the ground creating a chaotic hallway that never seemed right to any ponies eyes. Six could Identify a psychological warfare tactic when she saw one, and this was most definitely one.

Slowly sneaking down the hallway, Six’s eyes were glued to her tracker, watching like a hawk for any faint flickers of approaching hostiles. There were none, the only blips being Pixy and the group of changelings outside at the very edge of her tracker's range.

They methodically checked each room, looking for either the changeling in charge or the holding cells where their prisoners were kept. And it seems as though they were about to find one of those objectives as the sound of a distant pair of pony hooves against the ground reached their ears.

Looking over to see if Pixy had heard the same, her expression said it all. The sounds came from a faraway doorway on their right, a pair of stairs leading downwards.

Six took point, her posture low and wings poised to strike should it be a ruse. Changelings were, after all, shapeshifters. And Six wouldn’t be surprised if they suddenly found themselves peering into a training session of some kind.

Heading down the jet-black stairs, illuminated by the glowing green light of multiple crystals lining the walls, Six could hear somebody speaking.

“…-ust what? You expect me to trust you?” She recognized that voice, but only barely. She had only ever heard it once before and even then in passing. ‘Raidat,’ she remembered, the second in command of Horizon Squad. She remembered they were considered M.I.A. after the attack in Canterlot.

“No, but a little consideration would be nice. I did just betray the Queen again by helping you here, “an unrecognized yet distinctly dual-tone voice spoke.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Six peered into the cell and was met with an unconscious changeling lying on the ground just outside where the talking was coming from.

“Speaking of which… Hey, Demon and co. No need to hide, could hear you walking down those steps from a hive away, ‘the voice called out, making Six and Pixy freeze mid-stride.

‘Alright then,’ Six thought as she carefully entered the room, wings ready to strike at any possible threats. Pixy did so as well, though from a hovering position behind Six instead.

Entering room, Six was met with a surprising sight. It was a large cave with green cocoons lining the walls and a high ceiling. Standing in the middle of the cavern, a lit cigarette in hoof and a worn officers cap bearing an unknown insignia, was a changeling. And standing next to them, a few hooves away and poised to strike, was Raidat the Zebra clad in half-melted blue and gold armor. The remnants of cocoon fluid still dripped off his coat as a drying ripped-open husk lay behind him.

The changeling's eyes met Six’s visor, the Spartan seeing a flash of fear in their gaze as they tried to hide it by taking a long draw from their makeshift cigarette.

“You're…bigger, face to face.”

Six said nothing and instead began slowly circling around the changeling from a safe distance, her eyes behind the visor scanning the room for any more potential threats. Pixy did the same from above, ready to strike at a moment's notice from an unpredictable angle.

“It’s uhh…” the changeling gulped nervously, composure failing for a moment, “*Ahem* Excuse me, it’s not every day you come face to face with a…Spartan, correct?” He looked towards the Zebra, “Mind telling them what I did for you? I would prefer not to lose my head if I had to sneeze.”

Raidat stared at the changeling for an uncomfortably long second before facing Six. “Stand down. He is no threat.”

“You sure?” questioned Pixy from above, “I don’t trust him.”

“Neither do I, but he did just release me from captivity.”

Six spoke for the first time, causing the changeling to flinch. “You’re that turncoat the Captain mentioned.”

The changeling released the breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Yes, thank the Empress my message got through to you. Look, no offense, but your reputation among my species isn’t the best if the ‘Demon’ nickname didn’t tip you off already.”

Pixy grumbled quietly under her breath, “Wish I had a cool nickname.”

Curxe glanced up to the pegasus with the metallic red wing, having heard the comment. But before he could respond, Six spoke up. “Pixy, shut it.” The pegasus did so as Six faced Curxe once more. “Why help us?”

“Enemy of my enemy and all that. The Queen needs to go, and you ponies are our best shot at removing her before she does something stupid,” he sighed, “But knowing Chrysalis, she’s already done so. Anyway, as you can see, I was attempting to sow a little chaos here to help you out before you showed up.”

Six’s combat-ready posture began to ever so slightly soften. “…Alright, the Captain said you had supporters. Are they doing the same?”

“My most trusted compatriots, yes, though until something dramatic happens, the majority in the common ranks won’t. They’re still following their old leader, damn ribbons.”

“I take it that's why you helped me out, correct?” questioned Raidat.

Curxe nodded. “The Commander in charge of this compound is on the fence. Give me a few minutes—alone—with him, and I’ll get him on our side,” the changeling explained as he made his way to the exit, giving Six a wide berth. “Oh, and the name’s Curxe, by the way. The Armory is on the first floor, second door to the right. When you’re done down here, meet me on the roof.”

And with that, the muffled sound of holed hooves heading up the flight of stairs greeted the trio’s ears as Pixy came down from her position above.

“Think we can trust him?”

Raidat responded, “I don’t know, but he did certainly make himself known as an ally.”

Six raised herself to her full height. “We will see. Now, let's free the rest down here. I’ll go see what he wants afterward.”

Raidat and Pixy nodded before they began searching through the cocoons lining the walls, freeing anypony they found. From fresh-faced recruits to members of the guard captured during the first attack on Canterlot, ponies from all walks of life were stored inside those strange cocoons.

Working quickly, most captured military personnel were freed, and the Spartans decided that it was safer for the non-combatants to remain asleep inside their apparently comfortable prisons. Once every pony identified as a guard and or soldier was freed, Six left Raidat and Pixy to organize their makeshift military force in order to see what this Curxe wanted on the roof.

Heading up the flight of stairs, she found the compound to be eerily quiet, the sounds of the drones ferrying supplies in front of the building having vanished completely. Confused and curious, Six carefully peeked out the green glass door and into the courtyard.

Sitting at its center, surrounded by drones armed with makeshift weapons, was the praetorian that had been guarding the door. Their limbs were bound by resin and their armor was reappropriated by the drones around them. Standing off to the side, looking just as confused and surprised as the near-catatonic praetorian, was a purple unicorn.

Twilight and Six’s eyes locked, the Spartan tilting her head questioningly.

Twilight shrugged back. The dome surrounding the complex was still active, yet from what Six could discern, the compound was theirs. Stepping back inside, she watched as a group of ponies entered what Curxe mentioned to be the armory, each pony leaving with several hooffuls of changeling armor and weapons.

Giving the soldiers a nod while also making sure to mention that there were friendlies outside, Six made her way up to the roof of the building. The floors above were barren, with abandoned offices and empty barracks making up a majority of the rooms she passed.

Making her way up and onto the roof of the curved building fully, Six found Curxe and several other changelings overlooking the plaza below. Standing next to Curxe was a changeling clad in military uniform, the same insignia that was emblazoned on Curxe’s cap being proudly displayed across the changeling’s military dress.

Gathered to the left and right of the pair were a bunch of what seemed to be normal drones, their horns emitting the glowing tendrils that held the dome together. A small pink jar hung around all of their necks as a pink mist emanated from its small opening before being breathed in by the drone who wore it.

It didn’t take long for Six’s presence to be noticed as several changelings with jars around their necks began to back up as far as they could away from the Spartan, fear visible in their eyes.

Curxe and his companion turned to greet the Spartan, an almost burnt-out cigarette falling from the base commander's lips as he laid eyes upon the being his people called Demon.

“Have you freed and armed your comrades? Once the Colonel here gives the order, we won’t be able to hold this masquerade of loyalty any longer. We’re bound to receive some company until help arrives.”

As if to answer the changelings' question, ponies of every color of the rainbow, clad in black and green changeling armor, began to fill the courtyard below. Members of the LSTS, Wonderbolts, and Horizon Squad led the defensive preparation efforts as a combined force of unicorns and changelings mounted the walls with pegasi circling the space between the building and dome.

“That answer your question?” spoke Six, an audible smugness in her voice.

“Yep… well, I guess this is as ready as we’re going to get.” He turned to face the base commander. “ Send the order Colonel. It's time we depose ourselves a Queen.”

The officer nodded. “For the Empress.”

Mobius couldn’t help but give a large fanged smile as he watched these, for lack of a better term, Demi-gods march down the main street below the palace. His armor’s red accent glowed a brilliantly as his heart swelled with a feeling only present when one witnessed their God. The ground shook in tandem with the march of the Empress’s Custodians below as he turned to face his Queen upon her throne.

The room was eerily empty, with only himself and Chrysalis inside. How long had it been since he stood before this very throne, hundreds of eyes watching him be condemned to be the Venator? He couldn’t recall. It seemed so long ago when it had maybe been a few months. Mobius shook his head to rid himself of such thoughts as he approached his Queen, the royal horn emitting a deep crimson light as Mobius briefly felt his own aura brush against one of Chrysalis’s many tendrils.

Her face was one of deep concentration, with her eyes closed and breathing slowed. Mobius didn’t dare make a sound as he kneeled before the throne and mouthed a prayer. Awakening the Custodians was no easy task, and keeping them awake was even harder. Their auras, once linked to the Empress herself, still required a powerful royal’s touch and immense amounts of love to remain active after leaving the magically sealed tomb. The Queen was barely able to make it to her throne before entering her trance fully.

Finishing his prayer, Mobius began to make his way to the streets below, where his own contingent of Demi-gods in red awaited him. They stood in two long columns of five, giving him a total of ten custodians under him. The Custodians waited in absolute silence, save for one who stood at the formation's head. Each of them wore a deep crimson armor that covered them from horn to hoof, only a thin opening for the eyes allowed them to see. Glaives with blades made of metal so dark it appears as nothing but a void in reality to the changeling's eyes.

The Custodian at the head of the formation wore far more ornate armor with a golden accent breaking up the uniform crimson that made up his uniform armored plates. Their helmet, unlike the others, was far more akin to the one Mobius wore, allowing for an unimpeded view of their scarred and stoic face. Wisps of red magic emanated from the corner of their one good crimson eye. Their other eye was clouded beyond use, only the faintest hints of the underlying cornea still visible to the Venator.

Walking through the formation, Mobius could feel the power his Queen was pumping into their auras. More love than Mobius had ever seen, let alone felt, was being funneled through a spiderweb of queenly tendrils into each and every one of the fifty total Custodians she had awoken. Were he any other changeling, Mobius would have surely succumbed to temptation and begun to drink deeply of the power his Queen was projecting at this proximity.

The aural pressure the Custodians expelled was strong, comparable to traversing the great ocean in the middle of a thunderstorm. His mind could withstand it easily, but that didn’t mean the boat didn’t rock. Every Custodian towered over the Venator, their size nearly double that of the Queen, with muscles and strength to match.

Approaching the Custodian at the head of the formation, Mobius had to crane his neck to meet the gaze of the warrior before him. The much larger changeling stared into Mobius’s eyes for several moments before, to Mobius’s surprise, they began to kneel. They spoke in unison, their deep jet refined voices booming throughout the plaza beneath the palace.

“For the Empress, we fight. By the Venator, we die. What would you have us do, my lord?”

Mobius was about to respond, but before he could, a flicker in the distance caught his eye. Squinting, the Venator watched the red dome on the horizon begin to flicker before vanishing completely in a flash of crimson light that left spots in his vision.

Almost instantly, pulses of SOS calls emanated throughout Mobius’s aura. Distant calls for help and confusion about what was going on filled his mind as messages of changelings fighting changelings entered his aura. But before he could even process the calls for assistance, a unified message sent out by hundreds of Aura’s simultaneously slammed into his own.

‘By the Empresses, we reject the Overqueen’s rule!’

Mobius shook his head as he brought his hoof up to his head to soothe his headache. He recognized the most prominent voice in that proclamation. How could he not?

“Curxe, you damned fool…why?” he muttered to himself quietly in a mixture of anger and sadness.

Another message was whispered into his ear, one directed specifically to him.

“I’m sorry, my friend, but you left me no other choice. Please, let me show you the error of her ways…I don’t want to lose you too.“ An image of the broken dome flashed in his mind, the location of his best friend.

Mobius stood in thought for several seconds, his mind in combat with itself. A battle between his duty to the Queen and the trust he held for his friend. Eventually, Mobius made up his mind. His face became as hard as steel as he rose to his full height and looked towards the still kneeling Custodian before him.

“We march on the traitors, make them regret ever turning their back on the Swarm.”

Six watched from the battlements of the changeling wall for any signs of movement.

Something was wrong.

Where was their counterattack? All around them, the signs of combat could be seen from every aspect of the front. So why were they ignored? They held the most strategically vital area. The moment their reinforcements arrived, this war was as good as over, so why weren’t they fighting tooth and nail to not be overrun?!

Six glanced to her side where the changeling turncoat stood, eyes glued to the street before them. The street that led directly to the palace was at the center of it all, and they watched that empty street.

Could they have been betrayed?

‘No, he would have already made his move if we were,’ thought the Spartan as she turned back to look down the eerily empty street. Everyone around the two of them was nervous, with wings twitching, horns buzzing, and armor clanking. Only the low buzz of faraway chaos gave them company, and it didn’t help when it came to calming the troops' nerves.

Suddenly Curxe, the base commander, and every single changeling's head snapped towards the palace and down the empty street. This uniform reaction did not go unnoticed as ponies began preparing for battle, ready to face whatever it was that had grabbed the changelings' attention so thoroughly.

Six did the same, her eyes scanning the street like a roaming hawk searching the ground for prey.

“Oh no…” came the whisper from Curxe as several large figures bathed in red entered the Spartan's field of vision. And at the formations head, his small stature contrasting harshly with the much larger changelings around them, was the changeling Six would never forget.

“It can’t be. Those are…” another disbelieving whisper from the changeling at her side. Their unfinished thought hung in the air before every single changeling simply said one word in what could only be described as a mix of awe and terror.

“Custodians.”

The ponies among the combined forces manning the walls looked around in confusion at their uneasy changeling allies before steeling themselves for the battle that was sure to follow.

A low growl unconsciously made its way out of Six’s throat as she stared the Venator down, Mobius doing the same in turn as he approached their defenses with his Custodians at his back.

A buzz to Six’s side drew her attention for a moment as Curxe flew down and landed several meters away from Mobius.

“Mobius, my friend, what’s happened to you?”

“I could ask you the same thing, traitor.”

“My friend, deep down, you know I’m right. We’ve fought together, bled together, and watched friends die together. You saved my life once, let me save yours. The Queen is our real enemy, not the ponies.”

“And you think these ponies know what's best for the swarm? With the Demon standing at your side?! By the Empress, you really are lost. Join me, put this rebellion down and serve the Queen once more. This transgression can be forgotten if you just join the Queen again!”

Curxe stomped his hoof in frustration, “Don’t you see Mobius?! The Queen is the one who got us into this mess! She broke the most sacred of tenants and exposed our race to the world! And these Custodians, you must be able to feel the amount of love being consumed by them! It's enough to feed the entire swarm several times over! Even if you do win, you’ll all end up starving! Please, Mobius, I beg of you. By all that is holy, by the Empress herself, please… We’ve both lost too many friends. I don’t want to lose another.”

Mobius stared at the begging changeling before him, the only sound filling the air being that of his armor flowing across his body.

“…I’m sorry.”

The living metal began to coalesce to a point on his hoof before extending and reshaping into a blade of pure crimson. With the force and speed of a lightning bolt, the Venator brought his sword down. Curxe looked at his former friend in sadness, the shadow of the approaching blade signaling his doom. He closed his eyes, waiting for the end.

…

Yet it never came.

Opening his eyes, he was met with the towering form of the Demon catching the blade between their bladed feathers. Her form glowed a brilliant gold as the Spartan's shield strained.

“Go.” A cold voice from Six’s helmet speakers broke the silence.

Curxe didn’t need to be told twice as he quickly scurried behind the fortified wall leaving Six with Mobius.

Mobius roared in anger as he pulled his blade back and quickly turned to buck the Spartan in the chest, only for his legs to be swept and his form to hit the ground with a loud thud.

Six, acting quick, moved to bring her bladed feathers down into Mobius's throat to quickly end this battle.

Her blades were only inches away from his throat as Redfang quickly formed a thicker neck covering, preventing the killing blow.

Sparks flew as the Spartan’s feathers scraped across the metal before her whole form was wracked with the full force of Mobius’s buck against her torso. Her shield was strained to its limit before cracking with the sound of shattering glass filling the air as she was thrown several meters back.

Mobius growled as he got back up to his hooves. “Custodians! Crush these traitors and ponies. The Demon, however, is my prey.”

Six did the same, her armor now visibly dirtied and paint scratched. Arcs of golden electricity danced across her form as the ten Custodians marched past the dueling pair. Six gave them only a passing glance be her eyes focused back on her opponent. Her teeth bared underneath her helmet as a single thought, a single overwhelming goal, entered her mind.

‘Avenge Spear.’

Author's Note

The Penultimate chapter

Art by Azure#7722

Next chapter tomorrow

Chapter 49

The two soldiers stared at each other in barely restrained anger, emotions kept in check by their rigorous training and mental fortitude.

Behind Six, the battle between Chrysalis’s Custodians and the Spartans' combined force of changeling turncoats and rescued ponies raged. The Custodians, although outnumbered almost ten to one, were incredibly dangerous opponents.

With crimson armor that seemed impenetrable to their appropriated changeling armaments and glaives whose black steel cleaved through metal as if it weren't there thanks to their incredible strength, the fighting would be fierce. But luckily for the ponies, reinforcements were coming. The only thing they had to do was survive the Custodians' onslaught until they arrived.

“So, Demon, we meet again,” began Mobius, venom dripping both figuratively and literally from his mouth as he stared the Spartan down. “This time, there won’t be a love bomb to interrupt us.”

“Good. I’m going to enjoy killing you,” Six growled out, her tone that of a snarling wolf as she lowered herself into a combat position, wings flared and blades glinting dangerously in the green light of the hive city. Her entire being was filled with one overwhelming goal of vengeance at the sight of the being that had caused her so much pain.

Mobius mirrored her actions, his chest low to the ground with his previously discarded blade now held above him in its red magical aura. The Venator’s reformed horn bubbled as liquified mana was pumped into the faux appendage from what remained of his real one. Duty to his Queen and revenge for what Six had condemned him to clashed throughout his aura.

A single drop of blue and red colored mana seeped out from the horn's base and slid down Mobius’s snarling face before seeping into the upside-down heart that resided on his chest. The red coloring that accented the decal became brighter as the mana was absorbed.

Within milliseconds feathers and blades collided as their respective weapons of choice clashed. A squeal of metal sliding against metal cut through the air as Six caught the Venator’s blade between her feathers and hooves against her own.

They both stood muzzle to visor with one another, growling like a pair of starved beasts.

Six was the first to strike as she, with a roar of defiance, broke the bladed stalemate with her enhanced strength and threw Mobius off balance and to the ground.

The changeling snarled as he rolled away to avoid the follow-up. The smash of Six’s armored hooves impacting the ground sent shockwaves through his living armor.

“Fine, you want to play that way?” Mobius stated as he recalled his blade and returned to his hooves. “Let's even the playing field then.”

Mobius didn’t have to order Redfang to do what he wanted because she was already on it. Connecting herself to the stores of love Mobius held deep within him, she began to draw upon its power and pump its energy throughout her morphogenic form.

Mobius breathed sharply through his fangs as he felt the energy cascade throughout his body. Crimson light began to bleed through the edges of his armor as he fought to withstand the power surge.

Six, seeing the opening this was creating, drew her knife from its sheathe and threw it as quickly as a bullet into the Venators still vulnerable shoulder.

With his armor still in its partially liquid state, it could give no significant resistance allowing the steel knife to embed itself deeply into the Venator’s limb.

A deep yell of pain left Mobius’s maw as he brought his shaking hoof to the wound. He could feel the knife's steel scraping against the bone, with his external chitin not faring much better.

Grabbing the knife handle, with a guttural roar of pain, Mobius removed the blade from his person and threw its dripping form to the side, panting. He could already feel Redfang’s living metal begin to seep into the wound and begin slowly stitching it back together.

“That… hurt,” spoke Mobius through gritted teeth as his breathing began to slow.

“I was aiming for the head,” came the cold response from Six as the two began to circle each other dangerously. A slight limp was visible in Mobius’s step before it slowly vanished as Redfang worked her magic.

“It will be the last mistake you ever make, Demon,” threatened Mobius as he retrieved his sword and Six’s knife in his crimson magic.

Six prepared to dash at the Venator before her attention was suddenly drawn to the fighting behind her. The Custodians had begun to scale the walls, their large crimson armored forms shrugging off blows as if they were nothing but minor annoyances.

Seeing an opportunity, Mobius attempted to grasp the Spartan in his magical aura, only for it to fizzle out as Six’s shield became visible to the eye. Not giving up, Mobius instead focused on grabbing the Spartan’s tail again as he had in Canterlot months ago.

Six snapped out of her stare as she suddenly found herself flying through the air and into a pile of rubble, the air driven from her lungs as they were forcefully compressed by the impact.

“Now is no time for distractions, Demon. We have a score to settle,” threatened Mobius with a hiss as he charged a bolt of magical crimson-red plasma at the tip of his horn before blasting it toward the wheezing Spartan.

Six rolled to the side, barely dodging the projectile before she was suddenly pounced on by the Venator, who attempted to impale her with her own knife. All he managed to do was scratch her titanium armor plates as she wrestled to catch her breath and remove the blades from Mobius’s magical grasp.

Mobius began charging his horn again for a point-blank shot against the shieldless Spartan before an arc of golden electricity jumped from her helmet to the Venator’s horn.

The unstable magic gathered at the limb's tip detonated prematurely, launching the two enhanced soldiers apart and further down the street to the palace. Covered in ash, the two were at each other's throats moments later as their battle continued down the ever more battle-damaged street.

The fighting on the walls was fierce. The so-called ‘Custodians’ pushed the combined pony-changeling forces ever so slowly off the walls of the compound. Like quicksand, their advance was slow but persistent. Every attempt to push them back, to wriggle free from their stranglehold, led to a faster tightening of the metaphorical noose.

Their armor of crimson metal was stronger enough to easily withstand their flimsy changeling-made weapons. Brittle blades cracked and shattered like glass against their ruby armor plating.

Their weapons were even worse, wielding glaives with blades made of a material so black that it appeared as nothing but a void in the shape of a weapon. It cut through pony and changeling alike with ease. Their only hope was to either dodge the swipe or be struck by the staff. Anything else was a death sentence.

For now, though, the ponies held, but it would not remain so for long. To the side, Pixy, Sparrow, and Twilight were in a battle of their own against one of the 10 attacking Custodians.

Pixy buzzed around the beast like a hornet, looking for any soft tissue to sting. Her metallic wing rattled louder and louder with each hectic dodge and flap, its structure not designed for such prolonged use at a Spartan’s level.

Sparrow was locked almost muzzle to armored muzzle with the Custodian, his large stature making him the only pony able to reasonably match the changeling in strength. Were it not for him at the front, they would surely all be in serious trouble.

Twilight remained a reasonable distance behind them all, her horn blazing with power as she spread her magic out in an attempt to help combat the other custodians scaling the walls, but it was a losing battle. With her magic and concentration as spread out as it was, the constructs she could produce were weak and fragile but served as much-needed distractions.

The Custodian laughed cockily through its crimson helmet as it overpowered a straining Sparrow who was holding onto their glaives staff in an attempt to wrestle it from his grasp. With a battle cry, Sparrow was thrown to the side as the Custodian spun his glaive within his grasp, its sharp end grazing the flying Pixy as she went in for a pass.

Both crashed into the ground next to Twilight with yelps of pain as another laugh from the Custodian graced their slightly ringing ears.

Pixy was the first to recover, sputtering as she spat out the dirt that had filled her mouth, “We can’t get past his armor! How in the name of Celestia are we meant to hurt him?!”

The pegasus only had a moment of reprieve before she had to roll out the way of the Custodian's oncoming glaive.

Getting back to her hooves, Pixy yelled angrily at the approaching changeling, “Argh! Can’t you at least give me a moment to think?!”

Her answer was another swipe she was forced to dodge by taking to the air, her metallic wings internals banging against its casing, signaling its disapproval at the pegasus’s actions.

The Custodian looked up at the offending pony, the small slit in their helmet allowing Pixy to see the hard and absolutely focused yellow eyes that were staring into her very soul.

Then it hit her. “The Eyes!” she yelled down to the recovered Sparrow and shielded Twilight. “The small gap! That's our only opening!”

“But nopony can hit that! The opening is just too small!” shouted Twilight back, fear and uncertainty painting her voice.

Pixy barely dodged another swipe by the Custodian before responding, “Well, have you got a better idea?!”

“I can do it,” spoke up Sparrow as he rose to his full height, picking up an old, out-of-date crossbow from the ground. A single bolt remained loaded against the tensioned string. “Get me an opening.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice!” With that, Pixy dove in, her one goal to try and get the custodian off balance and disoriented in the hope it would provide the opening Sparrow required.

Twilight also helped along by focusing most of her magic and attention on helping Pixy achieve her goal. With magical bots being fired with surgical precision at specific joints and ends of the custodian's blade, their plan was working.

The custodian roared in annoyance as he found his glaive shot off course again by a purple bolt of kinetic energy. This would not do. In a rage, the changeling stomped his heavy hooves into the ground, the sudden vibrations unsteadying Twilight and interrupting her focus.

With this small opening, the Custodian swung wildly at the buzzing pegasus, forcing her into a frantic flurry of movement.

Too much movement, it seemed, as with a loud bang of metal, her wings reached their breaking point, and Pixy lost all aerial control. Her prosthetic wing went completely limp mid-flap as its internals snapped under the prolonged strain.

With a yelp, Pixy fell to the ground with a loud crash, the bone in her right foreleg shattering on impact.

With a shriek, tears welled up in the corner of her squeezed-shut eyes as the shooting pain of a broken bone sent her mind reeling. Were it not for the intervention of Twilight running up and shielding the writhing pegasus, the follow-up by the changeling would have surely killed her.

The Custodian attempted to pull his blade back and strike again but found his glaive stuck against the purple shield.

“Do it now!” yelled out Twilight from beneath the cracking shield.

The Custodian, too focused on dealing with the pegasus that had angered him, looked up and met his maker.

The sound the bolt made as it was shot from Sparrow's crossbow cut through the air like a thunderbolt. The small, iron-tipped bolt flew through the air like a bullet toward the Custodian's eyes. The last thing they saw before they closed forever was the focused, emotionless face of Sparrow, firing the shot that would end his centuries-old life.

Like a tree being felled, the Custodian collapsed to the earth with a loud *thump*. The ground shook and vibrated harshly before coming to a standstill.

Twilight gasped in happiness, “You did it!”

Said happiness was short-lived, however, as her eyes and ears witnessed the combat behind them and the groaning below her. They were losing badly. Without Twilight's magical support, their lines collapsed under the custodian's constant assault.

“Fall back! Into the Building!”

A shout from behind, its origin being a combined order from Raidat and the changeling Curxe for a withdrawal.

“C’mon, you heard the Zebra!” spoke Sparrow, kicking twilight into action as she surrounded the writing Pixy in her magical aura and carefully set her upon her back.

With this, she gave a nod of confirmation to Sparrow before they both made a mad dash for the building entrance.

A multicolored glow began to envelop the structure as the many unicorns and uninjured changelings among them began to work their magic. Fighting was impossible in their current state. They needed to regroup and treat their wounded before they suffered any more losses.

Their opening began to close as the shield became brighter and brighter. The small gateway at the building's entrance was shrinking fast as they sprinted with all they had toward safety.

With the Custodians nipping at their heels and rallied changeling forces loyal to the Queen filling the skies, they didn’t have much time.

Dodging and weaving from side to side, the three of them barely made it into the building as a Custodian glaive smashed into the multicolored shield behind them.

Twilight and Sparrow panted in exhaustion as Pixy continued to very quietly sob in pain as they collapsed onto the overcrowded floor of the hallway.

Behind them, the Custodians banged on the shield, those channeling their magic into it wincing slightly at every strike.

They were up against the wall now. When that barrier fell, and they all knew it would eventually, there would be no escape.

They were cornered and forced to lick their wounds in the small amount of time they had. Their only possible hope for survival was a struggle between their best.

The battle between Mobius and Six was beyond what one would call fierce. With speed and power comparable to two forces of nature fighting for dominance. Both of their armor was visibly damaged as both parties fought with all of their body, heart, and mind.

Cuts and slashes began to reach deeper and deeper into Six’s titanium plating, her armor being slowly chipped away by the Venator’s material-mimicking blade.

Mobius wasn’t faring much better, however, as even Redfang, as gorged on love as she was, failed to reform every cut in her solid appendages, allowing drops of blood to be drawn.

They came ever closer to the palace at the center of it all, with Six forcing Mobius back whenever the opportunity arose and Mobius doing the same when possible. But even then, it was a big hive. There was plenty of ground for Mobius to give, and he had brought Six right where he wanted to.

Mid dash, Six was suddenly thrown from where she was standing. The ground next to her exploding outward as a bolt of magical artillery, intended for the palace, landed too short.

Her shield flared once more as the Spartan was sent into a nearby crater from a previous artillery shot.

More and more bolts began to land in the street around Six, dirt and rocks showing her as she attempted to right herself. But the sudden weight of Mobius jumping on the Spartan and putting his blade at her throat changed her priorities.

Thinking fast, Six attempted to flare her wings and bring their bladed feathers into the Venator’s side.

Only for them to hit empty air as the Venator retreated back into the street, more bolts of misaimed artillery fire impacted the world around them. With the slight glint of the nearby palace shining through, he kicked up dirt and stone that fell around them.

Climbing out from the crater, Six stood once again opposite Mobius, her shield reforming with a golden flare. Its glow reflected in the Venator's bared fangs.

Both parties were panting heavily, their stamina strained after such a prolonged battle at their unmatched level.

“What are you hoping to accomplish here, Demon?!” Mobius hissed out, his voice nearly drowned out by another nearby artillery spell impact. “We both know you don’t belong among those ponies! Creatures like us-”

Six growled, “Shut. Up.” They began to circle one another once more before they clashed at the center, wings and swords locked against each other.

“I serve the Queen! What’s your excuse?!” Mobius yelled as his armored glowed slightly brighter, and Six found her wings buckling against the Venator's suddenly enhanced strength, “For murdering hundreds of changelings without care?! I watched you butcher them like they were nothing but ants to be stepped on!”

The Venator's assault doubled as he grabbed a nearby rock with his magic and began to smash it into the Spartan's barrel. “YOU are the reason I’m standing here right now!”

Her shield flared and cracked, a groan leaving her mouth. She attempted to counter, to leave the blade lock. But she couldn’t, as the enhanced Venator prevented any such moves.

“YOU are the cause of all this bloodshed!”

Another smash, her shield shattering like glass as the rock was driven into her torso, the air forced from her lungs in a wheeze.

“AND YOU are far more of a monster than I ever will be, Demon!”

One final blow struck her side, sending her flying into the path of another incoming artillery spell. Smoke engulfed the Spartan’s form as the explosion wracked her insides and strained her armor to its limits.

Looking towards the cloud of dark smoke that now engulfed the Spartan, Mobius spoke. “What would Spear say if he saw…you…now?”

A sudden yell of pure rage exploded outwards from the spoke as Six slammed herself into the Venators chest and through a nearby crystalline wall.

Mobius only had milliseconds to recover and order Redfang to form a shield on his foreleg before blow after blow after blow fuelled by unshackled emotions smashed into his shield.

Mobius didn’t even have time to recognize that the room he had been flung into resided within the very palace he was sure was at least a block away from where they were not a few moments ago before he was thrown through a set of doors and brought deeper into the structure.

The fight continued on like so, the Venator completely unable to mount any substantial defense against the unending onslaught. Redfang was glowing brightly as ever as she continued to drain Mobius’s love reserves dry. But he was beginning to run dangerously low.

“Don’t you dare speak his name!” Six yelled in unrestrained fury as she continued to push the Venator through room after room. Dining halls were destroyed, offices were eviscerated, and general living quarters were made uninhabitable as they fought up the palace before, finally, Mobius could take no more.

With a final mighty buck, the shield Redfang had created for him shattered in a spray of liquid metal. Mobius, now unprotected, took the full force of the Spartan's buck, sending him flying through the wall behind him and into one of the palace's many libraries.

Books and splitters of changeling resin flew throughout the room as a large hole in the room's outer wall illuminated the heavily injured Mobius.

Lying in a pile of debris and books, the Venator wheezed in exertion as one of his lungs failed to inflate. His vision was nothing more than a blurred mess, with pain shooting all throughout his body the moment he tried to move.

‘R-Redfang…little…help?’ he called through his weakened aura. The response he got was not promising.

‘Need…time…Love…too low.’

Across the room, Six made her approach, her form obscured by the dust kicked up by the Venator's crash through the wall. Stepping through, the palace vibrated as another volley of artillery spells crashed into the superstructure causing the room behind her to collapse in on itself.

Incidentally, that room appeared to have been the only way out as the other door to her left was blocked by rubble, the only other way out being the gaping hole in the room's outer wall. Outside, a dim glow of another multicolored dome caught the Spartan`s eyes. She recognized it as the same building where they had started this battle, the place where her Spartans resided. She refocused her gaze on the Venator. She needn’t worry about them right now.

Mobius had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. He was completely and utterly at Six’s mercy.

Approaching slowly, Six removed her helmet and let it fall to the ground at her hooves. She was going to watch the life drain out of Mobius with her own eyes, not through the glass of her visor.

Drawing her knife, Six stood over the bleeding and coughing Venator.

“For Spear.” She whispered as she raised her knife up high, her light blue eyes locked on the fear-filled ones of the Venators. She was mere seconds away from plunging the knife deep into the Venators throat when a voice echoed through her mind, a bolt of indescribable agony soon followed.

In the corner of her eye, she could see the multicolored shield begin to flicker and fail as she was assaulted by the worst migraine she had ever felt.

“Six-…-help u-“ She dropped her knife as she reflexively brought her hooves up to her temples in a futile attempt to stop the pain. “Thei-…comin-…no chanc-…we need yo-“ It was Twilight's voice, that much she could discern through the pain before she found herself flying through the air and against the far wall she had entered through.

With her mind beginning to clear, she saw a metal construct of some kind cutting out from the Venator’s upside-down heart decal on his chest. Then, before her very eyes, the construct reformed itself into a shield that surrounded the Venator completely.

“No!” Six yelled as she slammed her front hooves into the shield before she herself was wracked with a bout of bloody coughs. But that didn’t stop her from pounding on the shield again and again and again, but it remained intact. Only the slightest of dents were visible on its crimson surface.

The shield at the edge of her vision flickered and crumbled once more. The message…her Spartans needed help.

She looked back down at the shield beneath her hooves. It couldn’t hold for long. With the amount of damage its creator had sustained, it would fall soon enough. But waiting for it to do so would mean leaving her Spartans to fend for themselves.

There was no other option. She had to choose. Either stay and finally end the life of the changeling that had killed Spear, or leave and go answer the call for help.

Her mind was a whirl, gaze constantly swapping between the two, the smallest of tears in the corner of her eyes. The one that had killed her friend was right here! This may be the last time she ever sees him, the last time she may ever have the opportunity to avenge Spear.

The shield flickered once more and began to dissolve at its peak, and seeing this Six, knew what she had to do.

With Luna’s words bouncing inside her head, Six gave one last look to the protected form of the Venator before grabbing her discarded helmet and knife.

Her eyes scanned the crimson metal, its surface already beginning to slowly liquefy before her mind refocused once more. Putting her helmet on, Six jumped from the palace and slid down the side onto the street below, another bloodied cough splattering drops of blood inside her helmet.

Her Spartans needed her, and she would be damned to allow any more Spartans to die under her watch. Heavily injured and dangerously exhausted or not, there would be no more dead Spartans, even if that meant Spear's killer would live.

Twilight winced once more as another strike was brought against the shield that surrounded her building. Even with her own tremendous magical reserves being channeled into the barrier, she and all the remaining changelings and unicorns doing the same could not keep the shield up for much longer.

The combined strength of multiple Custodians and the now growing number of normal changelings still loyal to the Queen did not help matters. Through attacks, both magical and physical, the shield was beginning to break. A feeling shared among the strained morale of the allied changeling and pony troops.

Peeking out a nearby window, her view tinted by the shield, her heart dropped as she saw the changeling force that now resided outside. There was no way they could beat them once the shield fell. It only took 10 Custodians to force them into the building. Having to deal with 9 of them plus a whole swarm of normal warriors and praetorians would be a death sentence in their current state.

With a third of them injured and Pixy in need of medical attention, their situation was beyond bleak.

Twilight winced again as the shield took another terrifying blow. She watched as another unicorn and several changelings in the same room as her fell unconscious with a shower of sparks emanating from their horns.

“C’mon, Six…where are you?” she spoke quietly to herself, begging Celestia that her makeshift messaging spell worked. Without a horn, there was no guarantee Six got her message, let alone understood its meaning. Until 3 minutes ago, such a spell had never been tested.

“She’ll come,” a voice came from behind her.

Turning around, wincing again at another strike against the shield, Raidat stood behind her in his own set of appropriated changeling armor.

“What makes you so sure?” asked Twilight with another flinch.

“A feeling. Now save your strength. When that shield falls, and it will fall, we will need you as support.”

“Yes, I’ll…wait,” she responded as she realized something was wrong. Ever since that shield went up, every 6.3 seconds (Twilight had been timing it, a way to distract from the pain) the Custodians would attack, yet 7, now 8 seconds, had passed and another wince of pain was nowhere to be found.

This was a feeling shared by the still-conscious unicorns and changelings, judging by the confused looks on their faces.

Peeking out the window once again to see why the Changelings had stopped attempting to breach the shield, Twilight found them all looking toward one specific section of the outer wall. Following their gaze, an action mirrored by every pony and changeling that had noticed the change in the Custodians' behavior, Twilight found the biggest smile imaginable growing on her face.

A voice from the side broke the silence, a pegasus with red fur. “It’s…It’s-!”

“The Angel,” Raidat finished for them, a smirk of his own as he looked towards Twilight. “Told you she’d come.”

“Yeah…you did.”

Six, meanwhile, stood against the distant dull glow of the palace, blood dripping from her feathers as the two changeling guards next to her on the wall lay bleeding on the ground.

There were a hundred of them, maybe more, surrounding the failing shield. The Spartan could see the relieved and smiling faces of those trapped inside the dome. She scanned for her Spartans, and once her eyes met those of Twilight and those of Sparrow on the opposite side of the building, the smallest of smiles grew beneath her helmet.

Such a smile was short-lived, however, as she diverted her attention to the nine large Custodians moving into a semi-circle formation in front of the smaller changeling swarm.

One of the Custodians stepped forward to the center of the circle, their helmet being far more ornate. Six could recognize a leader when she saw one, and a challenge to duel at that.

No words were spoken, but the tossing of an extra glaive into the open field in front of the custodian was heard louder by the Spartan than any words could manage.

Jumping down from her perch, she approached where the glaive was thrown, its blade embedded in the dirt, causing it to stick out at an angle.

The Spartan stood next to the blade, her emotionless visor staring down the Custodian Leader. The changeling mimicked her gaze.

Six picked up the glaive…and threw it directly into the leader's chest with all the power her enhanced, yet tired, muscles could muster.

Eyes widening, the leader used his own glaive to try and deflect the blade away from his chest. With a bellow of pain, it impaled itself into the custodian's right foreleg. It's black as night steel cutting through his centuries-old armor like butter.

Six sprinted after the blade and towards the injured Custodian. Within three moves, the fight would be over.

First, she dodged the custodians' blind thrust using her wings to propel her forward and under the swinging blade.

Second, she jumped onto the impaired glaives staff, using it as a stepping stone to reach her final destination: the Custodian's exposed neck.

With one final mighty flap of her bladed wings, she sunk both sets of her bladed feathers into the windpipe of the surprised Custodian leader.

Their final words were a strangled gurgle before Six decapitated the changeling that had seen the rise and fall of the Empress herself.

Everything went silent as the eldest of the Custodians fell backward to the ground, his head missing from his shoulders.

Six panted heavily, her stamina now beginning to wane and fail her. With her legs feeling like jelly and her own breathing coming in gasps and wheezes, she stood to her full height atop the dead Custodian.

Fearful looks surrounded her from not only the changelings and praetorians, but the Custodians as well.

With a cry of rage, four Custodians charged at her, their glaives cocked back like hammers on a rifle.

Thinking as fast as she could, Six grabbed the nearest weapon she could find. The glaive of the fallen Custodian was her choice as she used it to narrowly block the combined assault of the Custodians.

Sparks flew as four separate blades as black as night smashed into the staff of her stolen glaive.

Six groaned and hissed through her gritted teeth as she used every ounce of her rapidly diminishing strength to hold the Custodians back.

She wouldn’t be able to hold them for long. With her own hooves getting weaker by the second and her lungs getting more erratic with every painful breath, she knew her end was coming, and it was arriving quickly.

When she fell, the changelings would attack the shield again.

Her Spartans would fight to their last breath even if they knew the fight was unwinnable.

Noble would die again…

‘No.’

With a burst of energy rousing from deep within her soul, Six’s second wind began to kick in.

With a roar of defiance that surprised even the Custodians, she stopped their glaive in their tracks. Then, ever so slowly, Six began to push them back before, with strength the four combined Custodians could not match, she broke their guard.

With another yell and a slash faster than the very lightning that cascaded off of Six’s armor, four more Custodians fell to the ground, one head shorter.

All went silent once more, the only sound cutting through the air being the heavy panting emanating from Six’s helmet, her armored legs twitching as her tired and aching muscles began to reach their limit. Her right foreleg radiated with pain at the joint, indicating a possible dislocation, adding to her injuries.

The sound of weapons and shields clattering to the ground rang out.

Craning her neck, still panting heavily, Six saw the source of the sound.

Several changelings…were running. Not retreating, not pulling back to a more advantageous position. They were running in fear.

More and more began to join in, the weak-willed letting the primal terror within them overtake any sense of duty or will to fight. Several of the larger and stronger among them remained frozen where they stood, fear gleaming in their eyes, but they remained.

Another one of the now dwindling Custodians, having broken out of the shock of watching four of his brothers be killed in a single swipe, charged with a roar of equal parts fear and rage.

Six, unable to block, could only redirect the angle of the attack so that the blunt staff of the weapon struck her instead of its sharp edge.

With a silent gasp, Six was thrown from where she stood, the air driven from her lungs, before crashing into a stack of empty jars that shattered on impact. The Spartan was only barely able to raise her own glaive, supported by her wings, to defend against the continued assault by the Custodian as they delivered another mighty blow intent on ending Six’s life.

She couldn’t defend against this. Her body was too injured, her stamina too drained. The toll of fighting Mobius then multiple Custodians was too much, even for her own enhanced body. The only thing keeping her conscious was the adrenaline flooding through her system, which was beginning to run low.

The joints that connect her wings to her back burned in pain as even the ligaments there began to tear from the strain, and her feathers broke and snapped underneath the titanium plating.

First, her right wing went limp, then her left, before finally, the glaive she shakily held within her hooves was thrown to the side violently.

She tried to fight it, but her strength was falling fast. Six was utterly unable to defend herself as she lay there as the Custodian prepared to deliver the final killing blow.

“For Equestria! For the Princesses! For the Angel! Charge!!!”

A deafening battlecry shouted out by hundreds of pony voices at once boomed through the air, forcing the Custodian’s attention away from the exhausted Six. The changeling had mere moments to block before another glaive slammed against them.

A purple glow suddenly enveloped the Custodian's glaive before it was violently ripped from their gasp and pulled away to some unseen location away from Six.

Without a weapon to speak of, the Custodian was forced away as the void-like blade was pointed at their neck. Sparrow held the blade within his grasp as a unicorn clad in purple and gold armor stood next to him, a pink shield encompassing all three of them. It was then that Six saw a change in the skies above them through the magic shield's pink tint and her darkening vision.

No longer was it swarming with the black forms of changelings buzzing the skies. No… those were ponies flying above them. Pegasi in the deep blue uniforms Six recognized as belonging to the Wonderbolts.

The sound of a struggle in front of Six brought her gaze back down to the backing off Custodian. They were bucking around wildly, a blazing orange form hooked around the back of their neck.

A blade was drawn that glinted in the pink glow of nearby casted magic. It was only visible for a second before it was plunged into the opening of the Custodian's helmet.

Six could barely register the wink shot at her by Spitfire before she disappeared in what seemed like a streak of fire towards another distant fighting Custodian.

Questions filled the Spartan’s mind before she laid eyes upon the unicorn standing before her next to the pegasus she recognized as Sparrow.

“You did a good job, Six,” spoke Shining Armor with a smile on his face as he moved to remove Six’s helmet. He waited patiently, knowing that the only way that helmet got removed was with Six’s consent. The hiss of the pressure seal breaking was the signal he was waiting for as, with a small twist, the hunk of metal came off.

Six was barely awake, her breath coming in wheezes and blood dripping down the corner of her mouth as she gave a weak smile toward the Captain.

“Nice of you to finally show up,” Six whispered before she was silenced by a look from the Captain.

“Galloped into some company on the way here, now rest, Six. You’ve done your part. We’ll do the rest. But for now, you’ve earned yourself some R&R.”

“Heh, lucky me,” were the last words Six was able to get out before unconsciousness began to take her as her adrenaline was finally used up. The last thing she felt was herself being lifted from where she lay and onto something soft.

Another fit of bloodied coughs wracked the stumbling Venator, a trail of green blood and liquid metal behind him as he made his way through the abandoned halls and tunnels of the palace.

How he was still alive, even he could not really fathom. But since the Demon had left him, Redfang had been eerily silent. His body was growing weaker and weaker as it cried out for sustenance, his reserves of love having been fully drained, his cells turning to cannibalize his already meager mana reserves to keep Mobius moving.

Every step felt like his last as the weight upon his back grew as he wondered to Empress knew where. Conscious thought had begun to dwindle as pure instinct began to drive him down the palace halls. Were it not for the many escape and maintenance tunnels that crisscrossed every room, he would have surely remained in the pool of his own blood back in the library the Demon had left him in.

Even in what little part of his mind could think rationally, he knew the war was lost and that the ponies would win. That he should just lay down and die like a good Venator that had failed in his duties.

But he did not. Even with those thoughts at the forefront of his mind, he kept moving down the palace as more and more of his chitin was exposed to the open air once more as the Pannasari dripped off his body.

Was Redfang still alive? If not, why did she sacrifice herself for him? And if she was, wouldn’t she give him a sign?

He wanted to dwell on these thoughts, but the distant sound of ponies breaking into the palace refocused his primal brain's priorities. He dragged himself along as fast as he could before he reached the destination he didn’t know he had.

Pulling himself through the partially open doors to the Halls of Vendratis, he saw what was calling him.

Ignoring the sounds of distant hoofsteps, the Venator limped his way towards the door he had helped open. Bathed in the red glow that emanated from its contents, Mobius stepped through, not noticing the doors click shut behind him, sealing the Tomb of the Empress shut once more.

The Venator fell to his knees as he reached the ruby bridge that led to the Empress’s island. His Empress was calling him, however, so Mobius pushed onwards and crawled across the bridge with what little energy remained in his broken body.

Indecipherable whispers filled his mind as he got closer and closer to where the Empress lay, and once he reached the island, the whispers were deafening. They all lead him to one spot.

A small crimson throne now sat next to that of the Empress herself. Even in his nearly delirious state, Mobius knew that that throne was not there before, but he didn’t care.

Reaching the stairs, now empty from the previously sleeping custodians, the Venator’s legs fully gave out. His tired and starved muscles were unable to hold his own weight anymore, but he did not stop.

Using what little energy he had left, the Venator began to drag himself up the stairs, even using his chipped fangs as anchors to pull himself up the ancient crimson stairs.

He reached the throne, aura buzzing, vision darkening, and breathing slowing. He wanted to close his eyes, to finally put his broken body to rest, but the throne beckoned.

Using every last ounce of his dying body's energy, Mobius brought himself upon the throne as his consciousness began to leave him.

The sound of running water came to his ears as the world became ever darker. A deep crimson sheen began to overtake his vision. But just before the world faded away, his withered aura picked up one last message from his Queen.

‘…Surrender…’

And Mobius closed his eyes, unknowing if he would ever open them again.

Author's Note

Only the one last chapter remains

Art By Frazy#1225 the Ferret God

Chapter 50

Six looked down at the Box she held under her hooves with mixed emotions. The bright shine of the blazing sun at her back cast a shadow upon the container.

Months had passed since the end of the war against the changelings, the Spartan, unfortunately, having fallen unconscious a mere hour before the final capitulation of their Queen. When she did awake, it was to the sound of distant cheering and the faces of the Spartans she cared so much about, and one quite peeved Shining Armor.

Six could only chuckle to herself as she recalled the Captain’s outburst at Six rushing into combat with several broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung, hairline fractures in all four of her hooves, and a dislocated foreleg. And those were only the injuries she told him about, adding in the injuries sustained afterwards some would call it a miracle she held on for as long as she did. It seemed almost poetic when Six walked out of the hospital a month later as good as new.

‘Well, almost,’ she thought as a dull pain continued to radiate out of all her recently healed injuries. It would still be quite a while before she truly would be as good as new and ready for active duty once again. The constant worrying and coddling by those around her was getting on her nerves, however, so the relative silence and tranquility of the desert was a welcome change.

She looked around her environment, memories of her awakening at this very spot filling her vision. This was where it all started. Here, in the middle of the desert, was where Six returned from death. And it would be here she would put that life to rest.

Within her hooves, she held that life. A container of metal emblazoned with the symbol of Noble. Within lay the dog tags she had once held on to so dearly, the tags of the family she had lost on the plains, streets, hills, and buildings of Reach.

It seemed only fitting to the Spartan that they be buried where her old life ended and a new one began. She would have to make sure to thank the princesses for not questioning why she wanted this box made and why her journey was so important to undertake alone. Especially considering that in only a few days, the Spartan was to be awarded a medal for her efforts.

She recalled that the medal was dubbed ‘The Alicorn Honor,’ which was apparently quite a prestigious accolade for a soldier to receive. According to highly energetic and excited Pixy, the last pony to receive said medal was a mare by the name of ‘Commander Hurricane.’ Six had no idea who this Commander was but with the reverence Pixy spoke of them it was safe to assume they were important.

As such, Canterlot was abuzz with the preparations, and while Six couldn’t have cared less, she went along with it anyway. She had no need for such accolades, after all, and said as much when the news was broken to her. Yet the princesses, public—hell, the whole damned guard—brokered no argument. So for her to suddenly undertake a journey to the middle of the desert for reasons entirely her own required some persuasion on her part.

Though that was only with Celestia. Once Luna saw the symbol she had etched into her cargo’s surface, Six could see in her eyes that the moon princess wouldn’t interfere and even supported her impromptu trip. On reflection, Six remembered that Luna looked even…proud when they waved her off.

Six scanned the sand dunes around her, making sure one last time that this was the correct location, the small outcropping of rocks in front of her all but confirmed it.

The Spartan got to her knees and began to dig, the sand moving easily beneath her armored hooves as memories of all she had accomplished back in the UNSC came rushing back.

The life she had lived flashed before her eyes. Landscapes from hundreds of worlds and areas from thousands of missions. From the earliest memory of her childhood to the wastes her dreams always brought her back to. Before long, the grave was dug, and the box was placed within.

Six looked down upon the exposed container, the symbol of Noble staring back up at her, glinting in the blazing sun. Her posture straightened as she brought her hoof to her head for one last salute towards her fallen family. A final paying of respect to the life she had lived and the planet she called home.

She didn’t know how long she remained there, but when she brought her hoof back to the ground, cheeks damp from silent tears, the sun had passed its apex. It was time to put the past to rest.

Filling in the hole, memories from the moment of her awakening began to flow through her mind. Her first night in this very desert to her first experience with pony civilization.

A civilization free of war for a thousand years… or at least it had been. But with the changeling war over and their hives occupied under the provisional government with Curxe at its head, Six could finally experience a world at peace.

‘What would it be like?’ she wondered, to experience peace? For the first time in her long life as a Spartan, there was no ‘next mission,’ no ‘new assignment.’ For the first time, Six felt…scared at what the future held. Could a Spartan ever be a civilian?

Such questions flooded her mind as she finished burying the box under the desert sand. She stared at the slightly raised mound of sand before her, eyes once more threatening to shed tears. Yet they never came.

Six turned around and walked back to where she had dropped her helmet, picking it up from its spot on the sand. She held it in her hooves, looking down at her reflection.

Months ago, she didn’t wear this face. One could have even argued she never truly had one to begin with, the Spartan opting to keep her helmet on wherever she went. But now, here, on this planet, she didn’t want to put it back on. That was the old her, the little girl that watched the Covenant take everything she loved away, the Spartan that wanted nothing more than revenge.

Six put the helmet onto her hip as she gave one last look behind her. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked forward once again. Taking the first step into her new life.

And for the first time, when she looked towards that distant rising smoke on the horizon, the sun beginning to slowly dip behind it, and the distant specks of flying pegasi against the orange sky, something else stared back at her.

A feeling that maybe, just maybe… her new home had been found.

Author's Note

And So A Noble Death comes to a close.

The changelings are defeated, the war is over and Six has found something more important than revenge.

But where one journey ends a new one begins...but that is for another time.

But in all seriousness thank you all for following and reading A Noble Death for two long years. If it weren't for all the comments and support in following Six's story I doubt I would have ever reached this point as happy as I am right now.

So from the deepest pits of my heart thank you. And thank you as well to everyone who helped me along the way. Especially you AlwaysTried, you helped makes this finale the best it could possibly be.

Six's story will eventually continue, but I think for now, I've earned myself a break.

Praise be Frazy#1225 for the amazing art.

Join the Discord for the latest news on what projects are to come in the future (Also Six emotes, LOTS of Six emotes) ((And a Masochistic Bug))

Chapter 2

Six had been walking for several hours now through this desert , her pace never wavering even under the scorching sun. Well on the outside the ambient temperature read as a sweltering 40 degrees centigrade but inside her armor, it was a cool as a cucumber. If Six hadn’t already thanked her armor designers for the built-in cooling system after a particularly challenging solo operation to take down an Insurrectionist Cell in the deserts of Durisdeer, she would be thanking them now. Well... not that she needed to anyway, as it came standard issue with the armor, but she did so anyway after the ambient temperature exceeded 60 degrees during her tracking of the cell through the desert.

The trek had been uneventful allowing Six time to think about her current situation as well as get more acquainted with the new body she found herself in. The fact that she could still use her armor meant that her neural interface was still there but what about the other modifications? She didn’t feel any different and her reflexes seemed to have improved a little as well... or a lot. It’s hard to tell how your modifications meant for combat were holding up if there was no combat to test them with.

‘Well, there are some birds in the sky. And some food just in case wouldn’t hurt’ Thought Six stopping in her tracks whilst looking up at the birds circling high above her. ‘Vultures huh... well it’s better than nothing’ Six pulled her knife from its sheath on her shoulder, it’s blade reflecting the one-way golden visor of Six’s helmet. She looked up at the birds above, her helmet calculating their distance from six.

‘Target range around 100 meters, medium to large size...Should be a piece of cake’ Thought Six moving to stand on her hind legs, flaring her armored wings out as a counterbalance to prevent herself from falling. ‘Heh... well at least they’re useful’ Went through Six’s mind in amusement, before focusing her gaze back on the bird above her.

Momentarily flipping the knife as to grab the blade, Six once again wondered how the hell she was holding the knife through her armored limb, once again, crossed her mind. She could feel the knife’s warm steel as if she were holding it with her bare hand. Unless her armor got an upgrade (Which she doubted massively) this was seriously weird.

The ‘Deal with it’ protocol went through her mind once again as she was reminded that it didn’t matter in the long run. She could hold a knife, which meant she could fight and that meant that this bird was dead meat as Six threw the knife at the flying bird (or moving target, whatever you prefer).

*Squawk*

Bullseye.

‘Heh... I still got it’ Thought Six a small grin on her face as she followed the falling form of the bird, her knife glinting in the sun, as it fell to the ground stuck to her target. It landed nearby with a small *thump* kicking up some sand into the air with its ‘landing’. Walking up to the corpse of the bird she saw her knife glinting in the sun as she went and removed it, wiping the blood off before sheathing it. Picking up the bird for later she tucked it under her wings before tightly pressing them against her barrel, keeping the bird in place before resuming her journey towards civilization.

Or again, what she hoped was Civilization and not some random forest fire or burning wreckage in the middle of nowhere.

After about roughly another hour of walking, daylight was beginning to fade as the Desert got progressively colder and darker as time went on. Six needed to find some shelter for the night and luckily a small rocky overhang was visible on the hill in front of her. A large pillar made of rock extending into the sky serving as the overhang’s origin. Several other of these pillars were visible in the distance and had been for several hours now. If they were natural occurrences or not Six couldn’t tell, but night was beginning to fall on the desert as Six made her way underneath the overhang.

Dropping the bird off on a nearby rock Six moved to the nearby edge of the hill she found herself on. Since night had fallen the smoke she had been following had vanished into the dark sky, but what it left in its place was exactly what Six was looking for.

Just on the horizon lights could be seen. These weren’t just any lights, of course, they were far too bright and spread out to be anything natural. These lights were artificial meaning a town was nearby. Six allowed a small smile to grace her features before turning around and going to gather some wood to start a fire for the night.

After a few minutes of gathering dry sticks and shrubbery, a small fire was now burning, lighting up the overhang she now found herself under. Sitting down on her haunches six removed her helmet with a *hiss* of the pressure seal being broken cutting through the otherwise quiet atmosphere. Setting the helmet down on the stone underneath her she grabbed the bird and began to prepare it for consumption.

As she began cooking the meat on the tip of her knife another thing became clear. Could she still eat meat? Her body seemed quite herbivorous, but whenever she looked at the piece of meat she was cooking, her mouth couldn’t help but water a little, after eating little to nothing during her three-day last stand, her body was crying out for sustenance. Plus with the uncontrollable response of a watering mouth at the sight of meat, it was safe to say that she could still eat it.

Taking a bite out of her meal and not gagging instantly confirmed that meat was still on the menu for this Spartan. Now with that question out of the way, Six hungrily devoured the rest of her food, getting as much off of the bone as possible. Leaving nothing but an exposed skeleton and feathers.

After burying the stripped bird carcass in some nearby sand and now no longer starving six grabbed her helmet and went to tinker with its radio. Putting her helmet back on she changed to the standard ONI frequency. ‘Rather get the spook’s involved after what happened to me. I doubt the marines will hear me out before shooting on sight’ Six thought with a small chuckle. She really couldn’t blame them for such a reaction, as the only other alien species they know wants to wipe them off the face of the galaxy.

ONI was a safe bet for the Spartan turned alien, sure they would poke and prod her, maybe even lock her in a cell until they confirmed her identity but they for sure wouldn’t shoot her on sight, as a live alien prisoner is too rare an opportunity to pass up for the ONI Spooks.

After tuning the radio, Six began to speak.

“Local ONI contingent, this is UNSC Sierra-B312 callsign Noble-Six respond.”

Nothing but empty air and static is what she got in response from her radio. Six tried once again…

Still nothing.

Deciding to take the risk she transmitted her message on the standard UNSC Marines channel.
She was once again met with only static and empty air.

Thinking this over there were several possibilities for such a situation. Either she was A: Inside a covenant jamming zone or B: the soldiers stationed on this planet had become way too comfortable. There was a third option however and that would be that whatever brought six back from the dead, transported her to another planet.

Saving answering those possibilities for once she reached civilization Six set her message to repeat on both channels for the duration of the night before she lay her equine body down on the smooth cold rocks underneath her.

Putting her helmet back on, Six adjusted her position, laying on her side, forelegs tucked close against her body.

‘I feel like such a cat right now’ Six thought in amusement with a small chuckle, adopting the position of a cat laying down for a nap, her black and silver tail covering her back legs. Lying there, staring into the fire Six allowed her eyes to close as the crackle of her campfire and the static from her radio lulled her into a dreamless sleep.

Author's Note

‘I feel like such a cat right now’

Meowble Six :3

Chapter 11

“Hey look! It’s that Pegasus I told you about!”

“Really wow.”

“No way.”

“Do you see that armor? Sweet Celestia”

All around the Spartan such whispers could be heard as she walked up to the Town Hall. Soldiers all around her sneaking glances at the Lieutenant both in awe and fear. Whispers abound of her role in the liberation of this city. Six, however, didn’t pay any attention to the whispers. She was a Spartan and simply did her job. Sure said job was against insurmountable odds any normal soldier would have died in. But to Six, it was business as usual.

Well...as business as usual as one can be when having an internal conflict about your actions regarding a fellow soldier who had done something one didn’t think possible. It really didn’t sit well with the Spartan that she could so easily lose herself to her emotions. And being a soldier, a Spartan no less, with such an obvious trigger was not good. She had lost fellow soldiers before.

Lost fellow friends before.

A drawn-out sigh escaped the Spartan’s lips.

Where’s some Covenant to kill when you need some. I’m a Spartan goddammit I don’t have time for this.

Luckily for Six, a guard waved her over, bringing her mind off of her sudden psychological issues and onto something, hopefully, more important. As Six approached the guard the one who waved her over whispered something to another pony next to him, who was looking over a table behind them. He, in turn, turned around to face the Spartan who now stood several meters away now, a smile visible on his face.

“Ah, so you must be the Pegasus all the troops are talking about. I gotta say seeing you in pony like this shows that the stories weren’t exaggerated” The guard exclaimed with a laugh. It certainly helped distract Six as she allowed a small smile to grace her lips underneath her helmet.

“Heh, I was just doing my job.” Responded the Spartan. The soldier’s smile only seemed to grow at her answer.

“Ah, there’s no need to humble yourself. You did us all a great service soldier. The names Command Sergeant Major Wild, of the 2nd Equestrian Infantry Battalion at your service sweetheart.” He finished his introduction with a wink directed at the Spartan.

Well, he’s certainly charismatic that’s for sure.

“Lieutenant Sierra-B312 Callsign Noble Six. It’s good to meet you, Sergeant.” Responded the Spartan introducing herself to the Sergeant who’s smile wavered slightly at hearing it.

“Cmon I want to hear your name sweetheart, not your callsign. Also, lose the helmet we ain’t in no danger no more. Heh pretty sure that’s thanks to you anyway. I want to see the face of the pretty mare who the whole battalion is talking about.” Reasoned Wild with his most charming smile plastered on his face.

He does have a point about the helmet Whispered the Spartan’s conscience. She wasn’t in an active warzone anymore and her own actions against the enemy would discourage any counterattack. Plus her helmet would always be on her hip and within arms reach.

“You’re right Sergeant-” She reached up to her helmet before giving it a small twist.”- About the helmet I mean. Names, however, are for the people I trust.” Finished Six as she removed her helmet revealing her smirking face to the Sergeant.

“Drat! Guess I’ll just have to get on your good side then” Said the Sergeant in fake disappointment getting a small laugh from the Spartan. “So what unit are you in, Lieutenant? ah- wait don’t tell me. Classified right?” Said Wild still smirking, taking the words right out of the Spartans mouth. “They don’t give that kind of gear to any old Pegasus, do they? And judging from that pretty face of yours and what my boys are saying, I think you’ve earned it.” Wild finished eying the Spartan from smirking head to armored hoof.

“Heh... well you called me over here Sergeant is there anything I can do for you?” Questioned the Spartan, amused by the Sergeants' antics.

“Well other than me trying to figure out what I’ll need to do to see you out of that armor completely.” He added with another wink directed at the Spartan. “I just wanted to say thank you. Spear is a good soldier. And if it weren’t for you I doubt he would still be here with us today. Ain’t that right soldiers?!” Shouted the Sergeant.

“Sir Yes Sir!” Came a chorus of shouts from the eavesdropping soldiers around them.

“Damn right! Anyway, Lieutenant, the boss should be arriving soon. Come-” he began to walk away gesturing the Spartan to follow him “-walk with me. We’ve got time and I doubt you have been given a proper place to rest your head yet. Sweet Celestia if anyone here has earned a break it’s you.” He glanced at the slight green tint coating the Spartan’s armor as they walked around the once hostile occupied FOB.

“And some cleaning from the looks of it...doesn’t it bother you? Having somecreature else’s blood staining your armor?” Asked the Sergeant curiously, a small hint of disgust audible in his voice. Six followed his gaze towards the green coloring visible on her armor.

“Huh...yeah now that you mention it, you got a hose or something to clean this off with?” Asked the Spartan, looking at the offending green tint.

This wasn’t the first time she had been covered in blood, her encounter earlier with the manticore came to mind. However most of the time it was Covenant blood that she didn’t mind staining her armor. It helped add a demoralizing effect to her enemies. When it came to human blood, however, like when she was hunting innies down across the colonies, being covered in her own kins blood wouldn’t sit well with anyone. Spartan or not.

And although those creatures weren’t her kin, they also certainly hadn’t done anything for them to get the same hatred Six had for the Covenant. They were simple soldiers and their legacy shouldn’t be smeared on her titanium plating. Even if they were enemies, they deserved that much. Also yeah it was pretty gross to be covered in the blood of your enemies. Unless you’re part of the Covenant. They deserve no such mercy.

“I’ll do you one better. Hey Private!” He pointed at a nearby pegasus guard patrolling the skies above them grabbing their attention. “Bring us a cloud over here for the mare!” The guard promptly saluted the Sergeant as he turned to face the Spartan. “If you don’t want to get your mane wet I’d suggest putting that helmet of yours on.” Suggest Wild his now trademark smirk back on his face.

Six did as instructed, promptly reequipping her helmet before speaking. “What are you planning Sergeant?” She said with a small laugh through her helmet’s speakers.

“Just getting you that water you ordered.” He said his smirk growing slightly before looking above the Spartan. “Alright Private! Let her rip!” And just like that, it began pouring down on the Spartan completely soaking her armor in seconds. Which was weird considering the Sun was still shining and Wild, who was only standing a meter away, was completely dry. Craning her head to the sky. Six was met with a lone white cloud floating above her, completely draining its watery contents onto the mare.

The Spartan couldn’t help but let out a laugh at this sight. “Heh, that’s one way to do it, Sergeant. Thank you Private but that’s enough for now!” Called out Six to the guard floating next to the cloud. Six had read about the Pegasi ability to control the weather but this was the first time she had witnessed/experienced it firsthand.

And now with her armor clean, albeit completely drenched, the pair could continue through the FOB and impromptu tour. From the command tents to the logistical tents and all the way to the barracks where Wild asked whether Six had anywhere to stay. To which she promptly answered in the negative. Seeing such a travesty of a Mare having nowhere to sleep, his inner gentlecolt could simply not allow this to continue.

He made the arrangements and just like that, Six had a bed to call her own. And just as the pair left the soldier’s barracks a courier walked up to them.

“Ah good there you two are.”

“What do you need soldier?” Asked the Sergeant curiously.

“The Boss has arrived and wants to see you two in the command tent.” Answered the messenger eying the Spartan curiously.

“Well let’s not keep him waiting shall we. Cmon Six follow me.”

Author's Note

You can thank these guys for making this chapter happen

// REESTABLISHING CONNECTION //

It had been a somewhat quiet week for the Venator since his…encounter with the, well for lack of a better term, ghost that remained by his side. Her presence is always foreshadowed by the light pain in the back of his mind and the red tingeing of his vision. When he would next open her eyes she would be standing somewhere in the room, her gaze fixated on whatever random object had decided to catch her interest.

Sometimes it was a book, other times it was a lamp. There was even one time where the ghost seemed absolutely fascinated by a lightbulb of all things during one of the many trips to various libraries and archives since her first appearance. Communication was still an issue, however, as it was purely one-sided. Mobius could converse with her but not the other way round, and even then her answers were unclear. There is only so much one can convey through body language and charades alone. Especially when it came to such questions as ‘Who are you?’

An interesting reaction however was when it came to the Panssari. She couldn't touch anything. Her holed hoof would simply phase through it as if it weren't there. But when it came to the armor Mobius wore it was a far different story. Where she touched, he could feel. Wherever she stood, the armor would pulse towards her as if she were calling to it in a silent siren's song.

It didn't take a genius to realize that the two shared some sort of connection. Could she perhaps be the manifestation of the Panssari and her Empress's will? If that were true it must be a cruel joke at his expense. How was he meant to interpret his Empress’s will when the damned ghost was more interested in lightbulbs than carrying out the Empresses will?!

It would all come to a head however during the many visits the caretaker of the Halls had given him since the ghost's appearance and his…’ experience’ in the void where the Empress resided. He was the first to be told about what had transpired and about the existence of the ghost that followed him. He was sworn to help the Venators and so he did by going on his own search to discover what this meant.

It was late at night in the grand Hive of the Great Swarm and the Venator had just returned from yet another dead-end in his quest to understand this ghost his Empress had thrust upon him. He had just entered through the great ornate doors that guarded the Halls when the familiar pain and tinge made themselves known. After blinking a few times, he looked around the halls to try and find where she had appeared this time.

‘Greeting Venator are you looking for something?’

Came the familiar voice of the Caretaker within his aura. Looking to his side he found the Caretaker approaching him, the ghost walking beside him with her features studying the Changeling intently.

“Not anymore caretaker.” Answered Mobius before turning to face the Caretaker.

‘You seem to be doing that a lot since she appeared.’ Responded the Caretaker before stopping just before the Venator. ‘She’s here now isn't she?’

“Yes, she’s standing right next to you actually.”

‘Ah… What is she doing?’

“The same thing as usual. She’s just… staring at you, muttering something I cannot decipher.”

The ghost in question briefly glanced back towards the Venator before waving her hoof at him absentmindedly.

‘Well then let us decipher her. I’ve found something I believe will help solve the communication problem’

Both Mobius and the Ghosts’ Attention were fully focused on the caretaker now. The ghost, especially as a smile, grew on their face.

“Really? You have found something?”

‘Something indeed. I had to dig through the ancient archives quite a bit to find it. What you are experiencing is not the first time this has been said to occur... But it is the first time for it to manifest so strongly within a Venator.’

“So my predecessors have experienced this as well?”

‘Predecessor, dear Venator. Only one other is said to have experienced this ghost. But not in the same way you describe it.’

“Who was it?”

‘Venator Panem of the Xeris Hive. One of the first Venators after the fall of who the ponies call Nightmare Moon.’

The ghost's ears perked up at that name, her face becoming one of distant recognition. Like one was remembering something from days long past.

“I’ve heard of her… didn’t she die in disgrace? Executed for attempting to overthrow the Queens?”

‘The very same… A shame she betrayed the Hive again, from the records of my own predecessors she was one of the best Venators of the time and a pleasure to fight alongside with.’

At the sending of that answer, the ghost looked to the ground in what appeared to be...regret?

“So she saw this ghost as well? Should…Should I be worried, Caretaker?” Questioned Mobius worriedly. He was loyal to the Queens and the Empress! He would never attempt to challenge them! He swore an oath!

‘We shall see… Come, I have found a ritual that will allow us to converse with it… then we may finally get some answers. Should anything happen, I will handle it. Matters of the aura are my specialty after all'

The Venator followed whilst the ghost remained standing. Her form faded once more before vanishing along with the red tint in his vision.

After a short walk, the pair of Caretaker and Venator entered one of the hall's ritual rooms, where all sorts of special prayers and sermons were conceived and prepared. The walls were a deep crimson and covered in various religious paintings regarding the Empress. At the back of the room stood its most important treasure.

It was a large stone statue of the Empress herself protecting several smaller hooded changelings. Her blade was drawn and bared between her fangs. Her large wings resembling that of a dragonfly were proudly bared in defiance. This was the image of the Empress everyling knew. The ruler that defended her swarm, and made the rivers run red in the blood she spilled to create the first changeling nation. To create the Great Swarm.

The headache returned again and the ghost made another appearance. This time she was floating before the muzzle of the statue, her wings buzzing silently. Mobius ignored the ghost this time and followed the Caretaker into the room before being motioned to sit down before him.

Mobius did as asked as the Caretaker moved to place his hoof against the pulsing Panssari’s helmet.

‘I am going to try and create a bridge between your aura and that of the Panssari. I will place myself as the intermediary to prevent any actions that ghosts might take against you.’

“I understand”

‘Good then take a deep breath and touch your aura to mine. I will do the rest. Should anything go wrong I will break the link immediately.’

Mobius nodded and did as was told. His aura began to brush against that of the Caretakers as a connection was formed. Once that was done the caretaker reached out with his own towards that of the Panssari. The aura resisted at first but then it receded and allowed the tendril to connect.

Instantly a flood of red suddenly began to feedback into the tendril. Its Power threatens to overwhelm the caretaker. That didn't stop him though. With a silent grunt, he steeled his resolve and worked to control the energies and turn them into something comprehensible by the changeling Psyche.

It started off slowly for the pair. At first, it was small differences as the energies began to be decoded. The light buzzing of wings was one of them. Said buzzing was definitely not coming from one of them. Then came the red that tinged their sight. It too began to recede as something coherent began to resonate through their senses.

‘-il you’

The Caretaker removed his hoof from the Venator. He would no longer need the physical connection anymore, his job was done. His mind can take it from there. Stepping back, the pair both took a deep breath.

‘Are you two done… oh why do I even bother asking. You can’t hear me anyways’

‘Correction dear Spirit. We can hear you just fine now.’

The ghost froze before turning their head to see both the caretaker and Mobius looking directly at her. Both of their eyes a deep crimson. She then proceeded to huff.

‘Took you long enough.’

Author's Note

I AM SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED

Yes its short but I literally wrote this while High on Motley crew and the Empress in red known as Xblaster egging me on in the CE Discord.