Chapter 6

Pov none

Corridor

The eight strong group didn’t have to wait long for ed and the death corps to catch up. As they walked their pace slowed considerably. Jacob started keeping a sharper eye out for anything out of the ordinary. The other death corps members received helmets from the supply cave and turned on their head mounted flashlights as the path they walked got steadily darker.

The dead silence combined with the crunching of snow underneath them set a grim mood. It also didn’t help that every now and then pinkie would make a random noise forcing everyone on edge. A few times later she got a swift warning.

“Pinkie one more time I fucking swear I will put a bullet through your skull.” Ed said tersely.

There were no further problems as we moved forward.

POV Jacob Fidelis

I held my hand in a fist and everyone stopped abruptly.

“What is it?” Azure asked me.

“Something is stalking us.” I said calmly looking at a rocky outcropping.

“Ed our stalkers are likely gonna ambush us up ahead prepare for combat.” Ed nodded checking his weapon one more time as did the other death corps soldiers.

“Twilight whatever happens make sure you and your group stay near azure at all times be prepared to kill whatever comes at you.”

“Wha I can’t.”
“You can, and you must if you want to survive.” I didn’t wait for her reply as we continued on keeping our current pace.

As we passed the rocky outcroppings, we heard a howl from behind as a group of red eyes followed us just outside of flashlight range.

“Everyone bunch up stay within arm’s reach of each other!” I barked out, no one questioned my order as everyone got into a tight circle around ponies and azure while everyone else covered a direction.

“AHHH!” We heard a scream, and all looked at the man who yelled.

“It got me! ITS GOT ME HELP!!” He yelled as a rotting arm started pulling the man into the snow.

“OH, HELL NO!” One of the death corps soldiers said as he tried to pull the man away from the decomposing arm.

“WEAPONS FREE FIRE AT WILL!” I yelled as the howls came. White translucent wolves came at us from where we came while we were distracted. Gunshots rang out as they fired at the wolves. The wolves shattered like glass upon contact with the rounds.

I proceeded to cut the arm off pulling the soldier down with him.

“Move now!” I yelled as we half ran half walked with one half giving covering fire as I had the other half looking forward making sure we didn’t get overrun. The firefight didn’t last long as we continued forward. The wolves backed off and we, still in our rough circle formation went back to our slow pace.

“First did we lose anyone?” I asked as we continued moving. No one said anything.

“Anyone low on ammo?” I asked looking at everyone. Everyone nodded minus ed and azure.

“Okay.” I said stopping to drop a backpack.
“Stay in the vicinity it will refill your empty pouches and or magazines.” We stayed for thirty seconds before I shouldered the backpack again. I saw the ponies about to say something. I preemptively shut them up.

“After we get through this.” No one spoke as we moved. The air temperature suddenly rose, and I felt myself sweating in my gear. My gear made an audible warning.

“Warning temperature rise detected, anomalous activity detected.” The robotic voice said. We quickly formed the circle again and continued. The snow disappeared and turned into a rocky trail.

“Sir!?” one of the men asked nervously.”

“What?”

“Um there is a wall following us.” Me and ed stopped looked at each other and looked back.

Sure, enough a flat rock wall was following us. It stopped when all of us stopped but when we went back it wouldn’t budge.

“Ed, heat, rock wall preventing escape, no snow.” Ed nodded grimly.

“Everyone listen up were going to dealing with some enemies up ahead that can’t be killed don’t waste ammo. Move quick, stay with the group, we have five minutes once we enter the arena! It takes six to cross at a jog. The last minute is critical anyone that gets left behind is not getting rescued understood.” I said in a commanding voice. The men nodded.

“Take a quick drink from your canteens, azure and I will share with the ponies. We start after our drink. Whatever you do don’t ditch your clothes it meant for extreme cold but if you take them off you will slowly be boiled alive.” Nobody said anything as we took swigs from our canteens.

“Sir what is protocol here exactly? Do we run as a group or is it every man for himself… and pony no offense? None taken.” Pinkie answered.

“As cold as this sounds its every man for himself here, If you get separated from the group, you’re on your own.” We walked for a little more then came to a huge open space. A flat stone arena spread out before us bodies and weapons of previous death corps excursions and bones of unidentified beasts lay all over the arena in different states of decay and conditions.

“Alright ready? NOW!” I yelled going at a jog. I didn’t keep track of anyone behind me as I was point.

For five minutes nothing happened. Then horns blew signaling the attack.

“Keep running don’t stop!” Ed yelled he was picking up the rear.

I did not look behind me as I heard screams and the sounds of gunfire. I reached the edge of the arena first and looked back. To my horror ed, azure, and the six ponies along with some soldiers were caught in combat. Two others were right on my rear and looked back behind me.

“Stay here don’t move without me or you won’t survive understood.” The two men nodded as they got ready to fire at any incoming enemies.

‘Damnit mom. Ill get you guys out of that mess.’

Pov none

As jacob ran back to assist the group azure was fighting off vaguely human shaped creatures. Their faces a fiery red over black skin that was charred to their bones.

Azure not bothering with her firearm any further used her tail and a short sword she had unsheathed dispatching the enemies into a molten goo only for them to reform back into their previous shapes. “This is bullshit!” She yelled slicing the head off yet another of these monsters that tried to attack the ponies.

“you’re telling me! Death corps keep moving these things aren’t worth your ammo!” Ed yelled.

“Ah gosh darnit I can’t buck these vermin they just burn me!” Applejack said coldly her back hooves starting to show serous signs of burn injuries.

“We can’t even touch these guys without them burning us!” Rainbow dash yelled. As she and the others of the main six started backing up into each other. Pinkie was throwing random party items at them to no effect, fluttershy was cowering. The only two able to do anything and that was magically push them was twilight sparkle and rarity.

“This is so uncouth! They mean to burn our new clothes.” Rarity said genuine anger in her voice.

“Rarity our clothes are the least of our problems they are blocking off our exit.”

“Rainbow dash cantcha just fly out of here!?” Applejack yelled

“I’d love to but my wings have decided they don’t want to work at all.”

Soon enough the surviving death corps soldiers azure and ed formed up in a protective circle around the ponies. Resolved to fight to the death for whatever it was worth.

“I need a solution ed!” Azure yelled the goo getting on her skin only for it to smolder and fall off her. In the confusion she forgot she was immune to heat damage. And as such immune to the enemy, they were fighting.

“I got nothing unless.”

“FUS. RO. DAH!” a group of the monsters was pushed out of the way a path to the exit was now available to them.

“Hurry up its gonna take a bit before I can use that again!” They heard jacob yell. The monsters turned their attention to the dragonborn.

“GO I’ll go rescue foxtrot!” azure commanded ed who didn’t hesitate as he guided the group to exit while azure headed into the thick of these monsters.

POV Azure

‘Damnit son I told you not to use thuumes!” I mentally yelled as I cut my way through the monsters their molten goo melting the clothes, I wore but not affecting my body at all.

The monsters tried to block my progress pissing me off.

“AHHH! I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS OUT OF MY WAY!” I yelled cutting my way through them my body for the first time in a long time feeling the terrible joy of fighting. I felt myself getting stronger and faster with every supposed kill.

I felt my blood boil when I heard a cry of pain.

“Hang on soldier im on my way.”

I cut my way through enemies as they seem to grow in number making it to my son. The sight horrified me.

“His visor cracked and had some holes in it. His cloak protected him from the globs of molten goo but some of the titanium plates got some of that stuff on them and were smoldering on the ground beneath him. His rifle lay on the ground melting. His chest plate was also on the ground a clear slice made through the titanium grade A armor. He stood with his bastard sword in a defensive stance trying to hold the oncoming horde back.

“JACOB!” I yelled my body going into an overdrive. My sword now felt weightless, and my minds worry and fear turned into resolve. I saw as a spear got him in the chest. He screamed in pain and defiance before getting hit from behind by a club. I watched as his body fell his face hidden behind the cracked visor and dented helmet.

“no…” Was all I said before I lost it.

Pov Twilight Sparkle

After we reached the end there were two death corps troopers waiting for us. The ground was littered with shiny metal objects that were ejected from the weapons they carried. Some felt hot to the touch.

“Sir where is your commander?”

“She was right behind me.” Ed looked back as did the rest of us as we saw her armor and clothing slowly melt away the cloak being one of the few things covering her aside from some scraps of leather armor that held itself underneath the plate armor she used to have. Her speed and efficiency grew with every swing of her blade.

“It’s beautiful in a horrific sort of way I mean.” Fluttershy said from behind me. I only nodded as she continued to cut her way through the growing horde. We had no idea what her goal was till we heard a male scream.

“Uh. Oh.” Was all ed said before azures body went into a deep shade of blue followed by an angry war cry and powerful words that made my body shiver in fear.

“HUN. KAL. ZOOR!”

Translated: Hero. Champion. Legend!

Suddenly soldiers came from all directions of the arena armed in a vast variety in appearance and armaments as they charged the enemy. The monsters didn’t know what to do as these men were continually replaced as quickly as they were. Their cries and shouts came in so many different languages that i could not even begin to identify.

“What is going on.” I asked in wonder and horror.

“Mama dragon is pissed.” Was all ed said as we watched the battle continue to unfold.

Pov none

Azure knowing the situation would only be in her favor temporarily picked up her now wounded child and rushed through the carnage to the exit. She saw faces of those she fought along side those many years ago who nodded at her before continuing to fight. When she made it back to the exit she didn’t look anyone in the eye as she set her son on the ground and began pumping healing magic into him.

Pov Twilight sparkle

I felt my gaze suddenly shift when I felt another huge surge of magic. “oh no” I said as I looked at azure who ran up to us laying the soldier on the ground just past the arena exit. The amount of magic energy she was pumping into him felt extremely excessive and wasteful, but I didn’t say anything. None of us did as we watched her. Ed finally spoke up.

“Ma’am he is gone I have no bio signs even with the amount of magic yo” If looks could kill ed would be dead.

“We soon saw her close her eyes and started speaking in what I now guessed was thuumes.”

“Im picking up vitals ma’am” Ed said astonished.

Jacob suddenly jerked up coughing heavily held down by his mother. After he calmed down, he looked up.

“Yo ed am I dead?” I heard Jacobs muffled voice speak through the helmet

“Naw man.” Ed said smiling as he walked past me.

“Well ill be darned.” As I looked away from the sight at my friends.

“That. Was. Amazing!” Rainbow dash said stunned by what she just saw.

“Which part darling the fact that she raised the dead or that she fought through all that just to rescue her son.”

“For once rainbow dash im in agreement but I sure hope we don’t get into nother one of these scuffles.”

“She was like swish swish and the monsters were like blagh and she just cut through them like they were nothing.” Pinky said reenacting the whole thing mimicking everything pretty darn well.

“You sure you guys’ ponies?” One of the death corps soldiers asked.

“Yes. Why?” I asked confused.

“It’s just that I never thought you guys would be able to handle this I know its tame compared to most things I’ve dealt with but still fighting for your lives cutting up monsters.”

“I won’t lie it was a bit disturbing at first, but having seen this amazing feat of magic has overridden anything I felt previously.”

“Huh alright then.” After that the solider fading from existence. ‘What the buck!’

“Hey equestria to twilight hello.” Rainbow dash said waving her hoof in front of me.

“What just happened?” I said confused. ‘This is impossible.’

Pov Jacob Fidelis

“Umm can you let go of me your kinda breaking me.” I asked as I was put into a spine breaking hug. She let go and looked at me.

“Captain what the hell were you thinking!?” She yelled at me.

“What? Rescuing you of course.” I said confused.

“Why didn’t you retreat with the rest of us?!” She asked digging.

“I-I didn’t expect to make I just…” My words caught in my throat as she looked at me with a fury.

“You were going to throw your life away?” I was now just slightly annoyed.

“It’s my life to throw away. Even so they swarmed to quickly for me to counter.” I saw her face contort into fury before she just sighed and gave me a look of annoyance.

“Were dropping this for now as well. However, I expect the a reason for why you charged blindly without a backup plan I taught you to always have a second plan should the first go tits up.”

“Yes ma’am.”

I got up with some help from ed after looking at the remaining five death corps soldiers I took my position in the front and started leading. I told azure one more thing before we continued our journey.

“Mom it’s duty. It’s my duty as your honor guard to protect you and if it costs me my life then that is the price that Im willing to pay.” I said looking her dead in the eye. She nodded in understanding.

‘Dad thanks for the advice I’ll keep it in mind.’ I thought to myself as our remaining group continued forward

Author's Note

Well chapter successfully broken in half any comments suggestions or fixes you know the drill ill see ya around peace.