Chapter 49 On Consecrated Ground

“There still are things worth fighting for.” - Norman Schwarzkopf

Front lines of the 3rd Manesville Regiment, Manesville Region: Ginger Snaps

Once we had gotten our kits on, all the scouts from our platoon advanced as a group to the front lines from our bivouac. As we get to the trenches that have been dug, we are directed by squads/teams into our places in the line. My team’s place is with Company A of the 1st of the 3rd.

My team is down two more members as both Morning Mist and Sunny are to make the airborne assault with the other fliers from the 3rd. Frankly, I am beyond angry about this. I need them but it is what it is, I guess. Besides we are better off than some of the other teams as every flier is assigned this way, including Mudwing.

As we get into the trenches, I hear an order being bellowed by Lieutenant Colonel Dull Beak that surprises me, “FIX BAYONETS!”

As I hear the order repeated up and down the line, I wonder what in the name of all that is holy are they thinking. Besides, my people do not have them. After all, we should not be getting that close.

As I lean against the front of the trench, I feel sweat running down my forehead. The sergeant from the regulars looks at me and asks, “Your first-time kid?”

I shake my head, “No, my first time was on the Expedition ten years ago. But this time it feels different for some reason.”

He nods his head, “Yeah, some of the scouts for the 2nd regiment reported they had freed several of our pegasi that had been captured and branded dashites. You know how they deal with dashites. I heard it was just north of here.”

“Those bastards. There will be a reckoning for this,” I hear Double Back say.

The sergeant nods his head, then tells us, “Why do you think we mounted bayonets? This time we are taking payment in cold steel.”

Another trooper from the other side of the sergeant looks around him and tells me, “They say George is back along with half of the Harness regiment.”

I can tell Double Back is surprised when he hears this as he shakes his head and tells him, “While I would love to have my kin up here, I doubt they sent that much, but I did think I saw a dragon flying earlier this morning.”

Before any more can be said our voices are drowned out as all our artillery and mortars open fire on both the Enclave front lines and their three remaining Raptors. This goes on for several minutes and then I hear the first whistle blow three times, followed by so many more.

This is it; Half of the troopers pop up and begin to lay down suppressive fire while the others run up steps that had been cut into the front wall of the trenches last night or climb up using hastily built ladders.

My team goes over the top in the first wave. Several of those doing so make it no further than that, others fall as we run. As we gallop across the open ground, all of us are screaming at the top of our lungs in a sound that is like a pack of Timber Wolves after their prey.

Beside us I see several troops get shot and go down. I want to watch my team more but I am slightly ahead of them, though I do think I hear some of them getting hit and yelling medic, to which Twinks yells, “On my way.”

I find myself taking snapshots more to keep them from shooting at us than to kill them as I run. Around us, I can feel the explosions from the airships' large guns supporting their troops as they shift from counterbattery fire to our troops.

We are halfway to the enemies’ lines when I jump into a shell hole and am joined by those of my team who are still not wounded, or after looking at my husband and seeing the blood dripping from his foreleg again, those not too badly wounded to, continue.

I hear Cowlick’s MG begin to fire in his quick burst then shift mode as he adds its firepower to that to try and keep the Enclavers' heads down.

I have just had to begin a reload when I look up into the sky and I see a large explosion on the bridge of one of the skyships. I briefly look over the lip of the shell hole and fire a quick burst then look back skyward. From that same one, I see pegasi as well as vertibucks and sky wagons flying away from it as it makes its way to the ground below in an almost slow-motion crash. In the distant sky and above us I can see our fliers, including our dragon mixing it up with them.

By now the rest of my team has rejoined us and we are just getting ready to go over the top again as I hear Days End yell, “Look at that! The lead raptor just lost its main engines.”

It is only a couple of seconds later I hear Twinks say, “Dear Goddesses. They just lost their cloud generators.”

I notice how close we are to where it will fall and yell, “Take cover! Incoming!”

We are all as far down as we can go when the Raptor hits the ground so hard that we are all tossed back into the air briefly while we are almost deafened by the screams of the tearing metal as it plows to a stop into the ground.

As I peek back over the top of the shell hole at the shattered wreck. I feel a hoof on my shoulder and Twinks tells me, “Cookie, let me look at your neck.”

“Uh, why Twinks?”

I hear her sigh and see her horn light up and I feel a sharp sting as she pulls a fragment of metal out of my neck. After which she uses her TK to show me as she says, “Here, that is why.” Then she puts a magical bandage on it.

As she does this, I notice a strange silence has come over the battlefield. For a few brief minutes, it seems almost all the fighting stops. Then suddenly the air is filled with bullets and MEW beams as the Enclave troops counterattack us.

They catch our troops off guard and those in the open go to ground as they try to fire and stop them. While we stop most of them almost a company’s worth of power armored troops make it through our lines, brushing us aside at first, but once they have made it past the front lines, we reform behind them to block their escape. Many of the 2nd of the 3rd regiments fliers hot on their heels.

As this happens suddenly, we all hear a thunderous voice shout out, “ENOUGH!” this is followed by a bright flash and the sky for miles around being cleared of clouds.

Beside me, I hear Xochitl yell, “How in the name of Discord did they do that?”

I simply shrug my shoulders, but right after this, I hear the gunfire from those who have broken through our lines die out and I hear over the company circuit that those who broke through have surrendered. In the sky behind the lines, I can see the remaining Raptor class airship trailing smoke and sparks.

I look back at the ground troops opposite of us and I watch as they begin to withdrawl. I also can see that all of the remaining Enclave troops that are not in range take flight and begin to fly toward their last hope of freedom.

As they are doing so, I can see George and at least a full company of flying troops making an attack run at it. Suddenly they peel off and I think I hear George yelling, “NO!” in the distance, but she too falls back behind our lines leading her escort.

I then look back down to the rolling hills between us, the Stable and Manesville. I know we still have a lot of work to do. Around me, I notice the regulars getting ready to go again. Many of them are bringing the front lip of their helmets further down on their faces almost as if it was a hat in the rain. So, I shift my gear, adjust my helmet and get ready for the next advance.

*****

3rd Manesville Regiments section of the front, Manesville Region, NCR: Xochitl

I finish bandaging my back hind leg up where I was grazed by either a bullet or a shell fragment. I know it is not an MEW wound as it does not show the typical burning around the edges. As I do so, I notice my wife is getting ready to go again as do I.

Then she tells our team, “Ok, let’s go. Follow me,” as she jumps up and continues forward. Soon we are taking fire from a heavily damaged farmhouse with a burnt-down barn near it. We split the squad by fire teams with Twinks, Cowlick, Days End, and Double Back providing covering fire for the rest of us as we run forward. I am almost to the farmhouse when I hear a closeby shot and Tater yelling in pain. Ginger and Epona have already made it to the wall. I begin to turn to run back to him and I hear Ginger yell, “Don’t it’s a trap, get over here.”

I look and see Tater has dragged himself behind a broken cart. He first injects himself with a dose of the painkiller Med-X, and then he takes a healing potion.

Ginger and Epona then have me lead them as we sneak around to the back side of the house. As we come around the side, I notice that the back wall has been blown out and I slowly make my way over the debris and into the kitchen. After the other two have followed me in. I signal for them to stay back as I go to the stairway leading to the second floor. I can hear at least two MEWs firing up there so I signal them the numbers. Then I take out a metal apple, toss it up the stairs with one forehoof, and shift back from the stairway. Just in case they get lucky and somehow knock it back down. They don’t.

Right after the explosion I cover the short distance to the stairs and continue to run up them with my zebra carbine at the ready. I get upstairs and I see one of them has his back half shredded, the other, while also wounded is still trying to move from the window and turn towards me with his weapon. Before he can make it all the way, I fire a three-round burst into both him and his partner. I then do a quick sweep of the other rooms and find two more wounded pegasi in there. One is a wounded Enclave soldier who is unconscious. The other is a civilian mare. When I go to examine her wounds, she begins to scream and that is when I notice her torn clothing. I quickly call for my wife and Epona to get up here and why.

As Epona comes in she takes off her helmet and slowly approaches her. She then begins to talk to her and begins to calm her from screaming.

Ginger gets on her radio to the company HQ, “This is RP1, I need a female medic at my PipBuck tag ASAP.”

“This is DB2-2, most of our medics are busy right now, we will send the first one that becomes available.”

I then hear my wife say, “DB2-2, this is RP2, I have a female civilian who has been branded a dashite by these bastards and that is the least they have done to her, get me a goddess damned female medico over here asap or else.”

“RP2 you cannot talk to me like that!”

“DB2-2, I recommend you talk to DB1 and tell him I found a female civilian in the same condition as Guerre Faucon.”

Right after this, I hear, “RP2, this is DB1, I understand and a female medic is on the way. Once she arrives, continue on with your assigned mission. Also, remember radio protocol from now on.”

“Roger and out DB1”

Soon one of the platoons from A company advances up to us. As they arrive, I hear a female voice say, “Hello the house. I am Specialist Gauze Bandage. Is it ok for me to enter?”

I nod my head and tell her, “Yeah Doc, she is upstairs with two of my team members. There is an unconscious and wounded POW up there as well.”

She nods her head and begins to head upstairs. Before she is halfway up, she tells me, “Once I get her out of here, I will have a couple of stretcher bears take care of the POW.”

Soon afterward Ginger and Epona come back down. Ginger is visibly angry. Epona, well she is very quiet for some reason. Ginger tells me and the rest of the team, “On your hooves, we have to get moving. Doc has her now.”

As we step out of the remains of the house, I can smell the burning fields and woodlands. Above us, I start to see the crows flying nearer as they start to feast. I hear Twinks gag slightly at the sight of it. But honestly Ginger and I have seen this before, and yeah, the memory shakes me a bit, it also makes it easier to handle this time for some reason.

I take point again as we head in the direction of the stable. We are almost to the next farm when we are rejoined by Sunny and Morning Mist.

As they land, I hear Sunny ask, “Did ya’all hear the rumor?”

We are all tired and hurting by this point and none of us really feel like playing games so Ginger asks in an exasperated tone of voice, “What rumor this time, Sunny?”

“They are saying that Moon Lily took down the one Raptor, by herself.”

“Sunny, do you believe everything you hear, come on, that would take a battlemage at the least, or perhaps one of the goddesses.”

He looks around and then says, “That’s it. They are saying Moon Lily has become an alicorn.”

“Ah, Brahmin Dung!” I tell him.

He looks at Morning Mist and says, “Tell them Morning.”

Morning just shrugs his shoulders, “Look Sunny, I did not see it happen. All I know is what I heard back at the aid station. Just like you.”

“I guess we will find out later. But Sunny, tell you what, I will bet you another five caps on it, if you win, it is a wash from earlier on the barn. If I win, you owe me ten caps total,” Ginger tells him with a grin.

He sticks out a hoof and tells her, “Deal.” This is followed by Epona and Cowlick making the same bet with him.

Twinks then tells us, “I want all of you to drink some water before we get moving again.” She pauses and then tells us, “Also, let us do a quick check for saddle sores and blisters people. No need to go into the next fight with an issue we can avoid”

Shortly after this, we have done as Twinks has ordered and after a couple of minor injuries are taken care of, we all get to our hooves and begin to make our way towards the base and stable.

We then continue our trek as we slowly lead the 1st of the 3rd on our way to relieve those poor souls inside the stable. As we go we are finally joined by a forward observer for the artillery.

When we cross the last hill to the stable, we find that there is almost a company of dug-in Enclave troops in a mixture of standard barding and power armor.

I watch as the three companies begin to envelope their positions. Then once done, Dull Beak calls out to them to offer them a surrender.

It almost seems perfunctory as of course, they refuse. We then hear over the radio as Dull Beak orders his battalion, “All DB forces, Mad Minute on the surrounded position.”

After which every trooper in the battalion fires their weapons at the enemy positions as fast as they can for a full minute. Once done, we cease fire and again the offer of surrender is offered and refused. I shake my head as I know what comes next. Within a minute a single artillery round lands in the center of the position. Shortly afterwards a full bombardment begins that lasts for at least ten minutes.

After the bombardment ceases, I carefully peek over the lip of the shell hole I am sheltering in and I begin to see the pegasi start to climb out with their weapons held butt up. Some of the regular infantry with us then start to act as guards and begin to direct them. Those who cannot walk are assisted by the other Enclavers as they slowly stack their weapons into piles and move to the side.

Shortly after this, we get word that the area outside of the Stable and base have been secured, but to remain alert for hold outs. Right after this A company as well as our team of scouts begin to head to the stable entrance to pony the defensive positions there.

We make it to the stable with A Company just in time for the call over the radio requesting a tech to open the stable. I smile as I see the grin on Twink's face as Ginger replies, “This is RP2, we are on the base and are escorting our tech to the stable's main entrance right now.”

“Roger RP2, be aware hostiles may still be in the area.”

As we arrive, I see Colonel Mollygirl standing there with her staff and escort looking at the shattered remains of the Stable Tech door control. Once we have made our way forward enough, she asks Twinks, “Can you open it for us?”

She grins back as she rubs her front hooves together, “Yeah, it sure is a mess, but if I can’t do this, I really shouldn’t be called a repair pony.”

The Colonel nods her head and returns the smile. “Ok, Twinks. Thanks.”

As the Colonel steps away from the controls, I see Ginger put a hoof gently on her shoulder and nod to her. As she does this Epona joins them and asks, “Ma, there is a rumor that Moon became an Alicorn. Is it true?”

I am then surprised as the Colonel slowly and deliberately nods her head again as she answers, “Yeah. Right after she brought down a raptor.”

I know I am thoroughly stunned and I can see by their body language and the expression on my wife’s face they are as well. Then I hear my wife tell her mother, “Thank Sweet Cream that she and Millie never had a really bad fight like me and Pona did then.” Then all three begin to laugh.

Soon we are all laughing at this. Especially after I hear Sunny whisper, “Thank the Goddess, I won back those caps.”

Then we all hear Twinkle Hoofs say out loud to herself, “Ok, this should do it, right, here.” And I hear machinery begin to move on the far side. The Colonel then tells us, “Thanks, now move back so they do not open fire on you.”

I watch as the Colonel stops laughing and straightens her uniform before she goes to attention as the door is pulled back and rolls to the side. I find the lights from inside are almost blinding. Beyond the shadowy outline of her, I can barely make out some of the troopers inside who are in defensive positions and ready to defend the stable again. Before they can react, she calls out, “Cloudsdale has fallen, Canterlot has returned.”

The blinding lights are then dimmed and we hear Colonel Starburst say, “Oh thank the Goddesses. Welcome back.” She then slowly limps her way forward on three legs. Her front right leg is gone from the knee down. And I overhear her ask, “How bad is it out there?”

Before I can hear a reply, both colonels turn and walk deeper into the stable along with many of the troops that had fought their way here. Ginger raises her hoof in the air and calls out, “Repair Ponies, follow me,” as she leads back out of the tunnel.

Once in the trenches and fortifications there, we begin to repair the defensive works. As we do so, I finally get the chance to worry and I ask Ginger, “Do you think the shop and our team members there are ok?”

She shrugs and tells me, “I do not know. I have wondered that myself. As soon as we get released again, I plan on heading that way.”

I nod my head and continue to dig out a collapsed portion of the trench. I laugh though when I find an old mouth-painted wooden sign next to the bunker that says, Lil Buck’s Playstable, by Haysburro. I show it to Tater and ask, “I wonder who did that?”

He chuckles lightly then says, “I do not know, but I sure find it funny. Why not put it back up for now.”

I smile again as I look at the old sign and I do just that as we continue to work on this section of the trench and bunker network that runs around the stable.

The next day, shortly after sunrise we receive a runner from Captain Trade Winds who informs us, “The Captain would like to see your whole team.”

We make our way to where he now has his headquarters. Once we are there, he tells us, “While I appreciate your help, unless you want to sign up in the regulars, you are free to go.”

We are all stunned at this, but honestly, I am pleased to hear it as it means we can go back to our normal operating pattern. This line of thought is interrupted though when Ginger tells us, “Ok, lock and load, we are heading to the shop, and from the looks of the map in there, the Second Regiment has not gotten to that part of Manesville yet.”

We quickly check our weapons to make sure they are loaded with full magazines and the safeties are on. As we begin to make our way out of the trenches and onto the road to Manesville I see a shadow fly over us and I am just about ready to fire when I realize it is Choo. She lands next to Ginger and tells her, “Thank you Cookie, I have the team again. Let us head to the shop.”

*****

White Cloud/ Emerald Grove Militia sector, Manesville Region, NCR: Choo Choo

My sisters and I, while we do not need much sleep, we take the time to get a quick nap. Shortly before daybreak, we see George flying overhead, and together, we decide to go talk with her.

She slows her flight and is weary until the three of us get close enough for her to tell who we are. Then she quietly says, “Good Morning? Can you show me where the headquarters for the 3rd Regiment is?”

“Yes George, we would be glad too,” I answer then begin to lead her there.

After she sees where it is, she tells me, “I’ll be right back, I got to bring the Lieutenant Colonel to the Colonel.”

“That is okay, George, we will fly with you,” Blue Star tells her.

Eventually, we can barely make out a long column of soldiers marching through the morning mist. George tells us, “There they are,” and she leads us towards them.

Soon the four of us land alongside a column of soldiers as they march towards our main lines. Once on the ground, I hear George say to one of the troopers, “Where is the Colonel, I need to let her know where the Regiment’s HQ is.”

“Got it, George, she is on the way to my location right now,” The burly mule tells her.

We keep pace with the troops and as we go, I hear one of the Harness soldiers tell another, “See, we got them as good as licked. Not only do we have George, but look over there, it looks like Corporal Choo and two more of her kind.”

“I am sure that they will help, but neither dog is out of this fight yet, so keep your head in the game pal,” another Harness trooper replies.

Soon I see Laura Lee trot up and I hear her call out, “What have you got for me George?” then she sees myself and my sisters and I hear her say, “I wasn’t expecting to see the three of you. By the way Choo, it is really good to see you again. The family told me to tell you hi if I saw ya.”

“Thank you, Colonel,” I tell her with a smile, then I add, “I had not expected to see you here either, but you are a welcome sight.”

George then interrupts with, “The brigade HQ is near that of the 3rd Regiment. Would you like me to give you a quick ride?”

I see Laura Lee pause for a second, and then she calls on her PipBuck, “XO, you have the battalion. I am flying to the Regiment’s HQ.”

I do not hear the reply, but she smiles briefly and tells George, “No time for me to put on a harness. Can you just carry me in your foretalons.”

George grins and tells her, “Yes ma’am.” Then she grabs Laura Lee before she is ready and leaps skyward.

As she does so, we fall in and fly in formation with George to make sure they are not intercepted by the Enclave.

Once we land at the HQ, George sets Laura Lee down and as she heads into the headquarters tent George continues talking with me and my sisters. Soon I see George sit up straighter and I turn to look behind me. As I do, I notice General Threat Vector approaching us. We all almost go to attention but are able to fight that urge as well as that of saluting him.

“Thank you for not saluting, while we should be far enough back from the front lines, there could always be a sniper.”

“You’re welcome General,” Quick Frost answers for us, “We were just discussing the upcoming fight, sir.”

“Interesting, George, no offense, but I know what you can do, between the previous battle of Manesville ten years ago and the reports I read about the battle of Harness, I plan on you leading the fliers. Now you three, I have heard rumors of what you can do. Would you mind enlightening this old war hawk?”

We, all three, smile at each other as I hear Quick Frost say, ({Did, did the General just ask what can do?})

({Yes, sister he did. In my dealings with him he has shown me he means such a question as well,}) I tell them.

({By our mother, I had never thought we would be asked. What shall we tell him,}) Blue Star asks.

({The truth sisters, let them know what we can do to protect our home.})

Quick Frost then responds vocally, “A lot General, but here are some of our ideas…” and she proceeds to tell him what we had been discussing with George.

When she is done, he nods his head and tells us with a grin, “I like it, you three have free rein then. When the artillery starts, I want all of you to get into action as fast as you can.”

He looks at his watch and then tells us, “I need to get back to my HQ before it begins. Now, good luck and good hunting.”

({You know Choo, I kinda like your general. Maybe we should have had more like him during the war.})

({I understand how you feel Quick.}) I look quickly at my PipBuck and nod my head then continue, ({It is almost noon, get your gear ready ladies.})

At noon, all of the artillery for the Manesville Brigades units open fire simultaneously. They all fire several shots, then briefly cease firing as they limber up, move to another position, and open fire again. Each battery takes turns so the fire is continuous.

I watch as the Colonel walks to the front of her troops. She blows her whistle in three quick blasts, signaling the beginning of the attack.

With that, the troopers on the front begin to fire and go over the top of their trenches howling like timber wolves. At the same time, we also see all the fliers of the Brigade launch themselves into the air as they follow George into the fray. Well, all except for me and my two sisters. Quick Frost then tells us, ({Ready, here we go!)}

And suddenly we are teleported to the bridge of one of the attacking Raptors. As we pop into existence, I can see the panic on their faces. Myself, I am just thanking the Goddesses that we landed in an empty area with no equipment or ponies in it. Otherwise, that would have been bad.

As they begin to get over the shock they begin to move again. ({Let the dance begin sisters,}) Quickfrost tells us and I begin to fire my minigun across the helm and bridge crew. As I do this, Blue Star throws up a shield to the side and protects us from the ship's crew that is trying to take the bridge back from the passageway leading to it.

Quick Frost then uses her magic to destroy the radio communications equipment on the bridge. ({That should prevent them from warning the other ships,}) she tells us.

Then I grin as I go to the helm, move the incapacitated crewmembers from their seat there, and taking the controls, I put the ship into a low-speed dive for the ground that will destroy it. I then hit the button for the collision alarm. Following this I get on the ship's PA system and announce, “This is the bridge, Abandon Ship! I repeat, Abandon ship!” just before I destroy the helm controls.

As we feel the deck shift, I move closer to my sisters and Quick Frost teleports us back to the HQ area where we briefly take stock of the action before. As a wing, we leap back into the air and join the dog fight in the skies over the battlefield.

As we go in, I see one of our griffons lose a wing and begin to fall towards the ground. I quickly see the enclave soldier in their bug-like power armor and I fire off a quick burst of my weapon as we pass each other. To my left Blue Star opens fire with her dual auto rifles and we weave our way past an Enclave vertibuck. We all fire at it and I see some sparks from the hits and I see one of the gunners go limp, but the pilot dumps their speed and we are past it in seconds.

In the distance, I can see George leading at least a company of our fliers in a charge against the second Raptor. As we fly to catch up with them, I see her flames walk across the outer surface of the skyship. I also see several of the gun turrets on it go dead, however, it is not one-sided, it never is one-sided, and I see more of our fliers as well as theirs fall out wounded, or too often dead.

As it tries to escape, I see more companies of our fliers making their way to attack the cripple and finish it off before we go after the one that has yet only taken damage from the artillery and not much at that.

We are halfway to the crippled ship when suddenly I hear my sister say, ({Look, they lost their main propulsion drives on the other ship.})

We all turn to look at it, then Quick Frost points towards it and says, ([By the Goddesses, look, it has just lost its cloud generators.})

As we continue to fly, we start to watch it fall out of the sky. Even from a distance, we can hear the sirens and warning alarms, as well as the screams of its crew as it quickly falls from the sky near the front lines of our troops.

As it crashes into the ground and explodes it seems that almost everyone is stunned by the immensity of it as almost all of the fighting ceases.

({Did you see that, wow.})

({Yes, now get your mind back on what we are doing}) Quick Frost tells us. Then we hear the battle not only restart, but it now becomes a frantic death struggle as those of the enemy who are still alive throw everything into the fight. Over my radio, I hear, “This is MG command, we have leakers that have broken through our front lines, cut them off, all artillery, nearby, canister over open sights if you see them, if not, high explosives rounds. MG support troops, let’s stop them.”

Next, I hear my love's voice over my radio calling, “Choo, get you and your sisters to my tag, NOW!”

The three of us wheel about in a maneuver that allows us to make sure our tails are clear, and to then see the breakthrough and the desperate fight of the 3rd Regiments HQ staff and Service of Supply troops.

As we continue towards them. Suddenly I hear someone shout in the Imperial Canterlot voice, “ENOUGH!” This is followed by the sky being cleared of all clouds for miles around us. I also notice that those of the Enclave left on the field are all pointing toward the HQ staff.

Once close enough I see the Colonel and next to her, floating on a new set of wings is my great, great, granddaughter Moon Lily, with her horn lit. My sisters and I are all stunned. I am so surprised I feel my hoof go up in front of my muzzle in surprise.

({Sisters, am I seeing things?}) Blue Star asks.

({If so, Blue, so am I,}) Quick Frost answers.

We quickly fly over to her, shielding her from the Enclave forces with our bodies, and still stunned I ask, “Moon, how?”

Moon Lily smiles shyly as she tells me, “Granny Choo, I saw them. I saw the Princesses. They remembered you.”

I feel myself blush as the Colonel and both of my sisters look at me in surprise. I am so proud of her though that I fly over to her and put a hoof around her in a hug, I tell her, “I always knew you had it in you dear. I am so proud of you.”

Then Quick Frost asks her, something I had not even thought about, “Do we call you Princess Moon Lily now?”

She lightly giggles as she responds to the question, “No, the princesses no longer live in our universe. I am just like you. A citizen of the NCR.”

Right after this, the Colonel asks, “Could you three take Moon and Tek back to Site Paddock for me?”

({Of course, we would}) one of my sisters sends to us.

We then all nod our heads. Then Blue Star tells her, “Colonel, it seems the heaviest of the fighting is done for now, so we will do that. We will be back in a bit.”

Then we are off for Site Paddock the four of us flying together, with the zebra Tek, who seems to be like a big brother to Moon, trotting behind us as we go. As we fly, Moon tells us all about the last couple of days for her, and then about having met Celestia, Luna, and two other princesses in an area she calls the Great In Between.

Once we arrive at the cave entrance for Site Paddock, we all land and I notice that the ghouls who live here, have set up an MG position, off to the side and hidden with brush.

The guards there nod at us and wave us inside, telling us, “Get in quick, no need to attract their attention.” I see his eyes go wide as he looks at Moon Lily and he then quickly adds, “I am sorry Your Highness, I had not realized we had a new Princess,” as he begins to bow to her.

Moon stands up straight and looks at him with a sad smile, “Please rise, I am not a princess, I have discussed the events of our world with the Princesses of another, and they agree, since there are none left in ours, that I do not have to be one. Instead, I am a simple citizen of the NCR, just like you sir.”

“Are you sure ma’am? We do not want to be disrespectful to royalty.”

She smiles again and nods her head, “I understand, but I am not royalty. But thank you.”

Once inside, one of the others, I believe it is Lieutenant Cake who asks, “Where in the tarnation did you get wings and a horn little one?”

So, she quickly tells him and I see his eyes go wide, I also notice several of the others have heard this and I hear a dull rumble through the crowded cafeteria about it. Several times I hear the word princess mentioned. Each time she hears it, Moon tells them that she is not a princess.

Then I hear Moon Lily’s mother Sutures calling out, “Moon Lily, you are in so much trouble young mare.”

The crowd parts in front of her as she walks in our direction and then she stops and asks, “Young mare, where have you been? Do you know how worried you have had all of us?”

Moon Lily looks down at the ground and says, “Sorry Mama, but I had to go. They needed us.”

“Who needed you?”

“The Dead, Mama. Tek and I could both hear them calling.”

I can see the anger in Suture's eyes as she looks at Tek and tells him, “And you sir, family friend or not, you should have known better.”

Moon Lily at this point lifts herself into the air on her wings, positions herself in front of him, and tells her mother, “Mama, it was not his fault. I would have gone without him if I had to. Besides, Mareigan was there to protect us.”

It is then that I can tell that Sutures can see how much her daughter has changed as her eyes go wide and she cautiously asks, “Moon, do you have wings now?”

“Yes mama, I do.”

“How?”

So, Moon tells her the story of how after she gave the Blessing of the Dead to the one Raptor, she shut off its engines and then its cloud generators, using so many different forms of magic so quickly and then how she found herself between universes and met, first Celestia herself, then Luna, the Ministry Mare Twilight Sparkles, who had ascended in her universe, as well as another name Cadence who used to be a pegasus.

I hear her sigh, then with a forehoof on her hip she asks, “Really Moon, you expect me to believe all that?”

This time I step forward, and I notice several of those there are pointing at my cutiemark and whispering as well as I tell Sutures, “She is telling the truth Sutures. I have met three of the four, and they mentioned Cadence to me.”

“Really Choo? Is there any way you can prove it?”

I find myself sighing, and then I tell her, “Actually, yes.” And I take out my photo album and show her and those near her, that photo of myself and Luna, as well as the one of my team with the princesses. Then I notice Magpie, one of Sutures's other wives, and I tell her, “By the way, that is who ended up with Epona’s copy of the Book of Little Pip.”

I almost laugh as I see the look of surprise on her face. Then I watch as all the parents of Moon Lily’s family that are here blush slightly when Moon tells them, “Yeah, they not only remembered Pona, Ginger, and Granny Choo, but they know all about our family.”

Behind them I hear Sumac, say, “Oh dear goodness, I am afraid to hear what they thought of us.”

I must fight to keep from laughing at their discomfort. Then Moon says, “Mama if you want to know, let me touch your horn with mine. Celestia taught me how to do a quicker version of a memory spell.”

I watch as Sutures cautiously nods her head. Then Moon walks up to her and once her mother lowers her head enough, Moon gently touches her horn to her mothers. There is a brief flash of light, and they stand that way for several minutes. Finally, Moon moves back and I watch as Sutures shakes her head briefly, sits down hard, and then says, “Oh my, they really do know about us.” She looks up at her wives and with a tear starting to well up in her eyes, she says, “They know and accept us as we are.”

I then watch as she hugs her daughter and the other two spouses who are here join her. As I get ready to turn and leave, I hear Sutures tell me, “Thank you for bringing my daughter to us. You do not know how much this means to me.”

I think back to the life I once had, and I remember my son who never came home from the war, and this time I feel a tear well up and I tell her, “My great-granddaughter, I do understand. But it was our pleasure to do so.”

Once we leave Site Paddock, we fly back to the brigade HQ. Outside of it, we find General Threat Vector. As we land, he waves us over and tells us, “Choo, unless you want to volunteer for the duration I think you can head back to your team. Thank you.” He then turns to my two sisters and tells them, “I know Sirocco and the Militia will need you two. Please return to him and give him my compliments.”

Quick Frost then tells him, “Yes sir.”

As we get ready to go our separate ways. I hear Quick Frost tell me, ({Farewell sister until we met again.})

({Farewell to you as well. Please stay safe.})

({We will. Besides, we now have a grandniece that we need to mentor as well.})

({Yes, we will all need to be there for her. I am just so glad you consider her family as well.})

({We have since we found out she was descended from you. Now, we best report back in, take care sister.})

With that, they take off and fly in the direction of the Militia’s headquarters. I look at my PipBuck and I notice that not only is it getting late in the day, but when I check my field team’s locations, I find them all together near the stable. I take to the air once again and find my way to them. Once there, as a group, we begin to make our way into Manesville to try and find the rest of my people, I can only hope that they are still alive and as healthy as they can be, all things considered.

*****

Rainbow Dash Skyport, Hoofington, Enclave Territory: Ball Lightning

I am woken out of a deep sleep by my wife telling me, “Ball, something doesn’t feel right. I, I think I need to go to the base hospital.”

Groggily I ask, “What do you mean something doesn’t feel right?”

“I keep having severe back pains, and now I am feeling them on my belly too. I am afraid I am going to deliver early.”

I am suddenly clear-headed. I get up and get dressed quickly. I then make sure Scout and Savanah are awake. Then I tell them, “I am taking mom over to the base hospital. I need you two to make sure the others get up on time and make it to school.”

“Sure Dad,” Scout tells me. Beside him, Savannah nods her head.

As I begin to take Sundancer to the base hospital in the terminal, I see them begin to prepare breakfast for the others.

I assist her as we go. Once there we are taken to the emergency room. While waiting for the doctor, I send a quick message to the Battalion CO as well as to Lieutenant Bullseye Target letting them know where I am and why.

Soon after we start to wait in the ER room, a nurse arrives and takes my wife’s vitals and other information. After another hour of waiting, we finally see the doctor. He comes in and begins to check her out. He nods his head several times. Then he brings in a machine that allows us to see the foals inside of her. I end up doing a double take as I quickly look at Sundancer, then back at the screen again and I see two foals inside of her. I feel my jaw drop when I see this.

After this, the doctor tells us, “Congratulations, it seems that you are carrying twins. The GPE will consider this as having two children, so you will not be allowed to have anymore and be able to live in the clouds again.”

Sundancer nods her head in understanding, and then asks, “What about the pains I am having doctor?”

“Ah, those are false labor pains. Your body is shifting them around and getting them ready for you to deliver. I would say to keep an eye on them but for now, I would guess you should be delivering in another month or two at the most.”

“Is she going to be ok, Doctor?”

He nods his head, “Yes, barring any complications she should be.”

“Thank you, doctor, sorry for wasting your time like this,” she tells him.

“My good mare, you did not waste my time, it was a pleasure. However, I would like for you to see a doctor again in two weeks.”

I notice my wife looking embarrassed as she says, “I, uh, don’t have a regular doctor.”

“Hmm, well, I had not expected that. Come back and see me in two weeks for a prenatal checkup.”

After we leave the medical facility of the RDS, I am just telling her I am going to see my CO, when I hear a large explosion from out by the gate. This is followed by alarms going off around the base, as well as a notification on my PipBuck calling for a full security alert. As we go out the front door, I hear Sundancer first gasp, and then she says, “That smoke looks like it is coming from the Volunteer Corps building.”

I turn to her, “Go home, make sure the kids are ok. I will be back home as soon as possible.”

“No, I should go help them, if they bombed the office, I should help those inside.”

“From the looks of that smoke, if they were inside, they probably do not need help. Besides, I must go look after my company, I need you to take care of our children and yourself.”

She looks like she wants to argue, but agrees and heads towards our home. As she goes, I begin to coordinate my people in a rapid reaction mode. I first head to my office for my kit and as I come back out, I am met by Bullseye and Blotter. They both tell me, “Sir, our troops are assembled and heading out to the fence line.”

“Very good. Now where is Lieutenant Sky Blossom?”

Bulls Eye cringes slightly and tells us, “Sir she would not wait for the rest of the company, she led her platoon off to the Volunteer Corps office building to secure the perimeter and assist with the casualt..”

Her words are drowned out by an even larger explosion. I know what happened. The first explosion was just to create a scene and bait for those who would respond.

I shake my head and tell them, “Ok, let's get out there and secure the perimeter.” Then as we are flying to our assigned areas, I head in the direction of the VC building and my missing platoon.

As I approach, I notice that the building has had the front of it knocked down completely as well as part of the roof. I also see the bodies of several of my soldiers as well as civilians lying on the ground; most are wounded, but many are also lying there silent. As I approach, I begin to give directions to those who are still on their hooves, and I call for more ponies to come assist us.

Before too long I am met by a very disheveled Lieutenant Sky Blossom. She salutes me and I tell her, “Lieutenant, never salute someone in the field, it could attract the attention of snipers.”

I watch as her head goes down, and I notice blood and bits of shiny metal stick out of her neck as she tells me, “Sorry sir, I tried to get here as fast as I could to help. I, I, I just never thought that they would plant two bombs.”

I wave a medic over as I tell her, “I understand Lieutenant, but I have seen this before. Now, I need you to let the medic check you out. Oh, where is your 1st, Sergeant?”

I see a tear in her eyes as she says, “He was next to the building when the second bomb went off.”

“Ok, Lieutenant, I got your platoon for right now while you get treated.”

“Yes sir.”

As I walk towards the wreckage, I see some of the ponies I know that worked with Sundancer among the dead. I know I will be the one to have to break the news to her. But it also brings home how close I came to losing my wife and our unborn foals.

As the clean-up progresses, I overhear a few of my troopers talking to each other. “I don’t know who did this, but they really need to pay for it.”

“You are right, when we find out who did this, we need to hold them accountable. One bomb is bad enough, but that second one. I saw several ponies I knew from 1st squad go down.”

Then another one asks, “But who would do such a thing?”

The first one then asks, “Do you really have to ask? Of course, it has to be those buckers in the NCR.”

“You really think so?”

“Is there any question after some of them sacrificed themselves to blow up that ammo dump at Marimare?”

I do not believe that they are that fanatical, but part of me still wonders if it could be possible. I pray not because if they are, the war just took an even worse turn.

I next hear one of my troopers in the back room yell, “I need help here, I found a survivor.”

I rush over and I am horrified as I see the badly wounded civilian is Alto. He is unconscious but still breathing. I assist in getting the portion of the wall and broken desk off him. As we do so one of my medics begins to treat him.

As he is doing so, I look up and I see a familiar black-cloaked pony walking among the dead and wounded of the station. The side of her face I see is beautiful and almost makes one’s heart feel light, but she turns her head and I can see the other side that is as horrific as a ghoul’s. I would have been surprised and disgusted if I had not met her before, so I expected as much.

She nods her head towards Alto and smiles. She looks at the others here and tells me, “Hello again Ball. This one will survive; it is not his time yet.”

I nod my head and move my ears in appreciation. She nods her head and says, “Yes, I do understand, we do not want them to think you are insane. Though in war, who is sane?”

Again, I move my ears in agreement and shrug my shoulders. She smiles at me and finally tells me, “I will leave you to your work and continue mine.”

Before she goes, I quietly tell her, “I had expected Val to be here.”

“But why would she be at the scene of a criminal attack? They did not die in battle, but were mere victims.” Then she fades away again before I can ask her what she meant.

I then hear the medic say, “OK, he is stabilized enough to move, get him out of here.”

I move out of their way and watch as my friend is lifted onto a stretcher and flown away to the base hospital.

I then look around and I see one of my other soldiers staring at me and he quietly asks, “Sir, who was that mare that you were talking to?”

I look around and seeing no one is paying attention I cautiously tell him, “Huh, you saw her too. Well, her name is Hela, and from what I understand she is a spirit who assists those who die when not in battle to the afterlife.”

He seems kind of stumped and then tells me, “No disrespect sir, but if I hadn’t seen her fade away, I would think you lost it while you were gone.”

I chuckle lightly then reply, “Honestly, I am glad you saw her too, so that way I do not think I have. Now we both need to get back to taking care of things and how about Hela staying just between us.”

As the wounded are being carried away, I have some of my MPs begin to secure the area and look for clues. Something about this attack just does not add up now, and just what did Hela mean when she said they were victims of a crime, not an attack?

Two nights later, I am at home on the couch with my wife when Scout turns on the radio so we can listen to the Hallowed Dreams broadcast.

Good evening to my fellow equestrians. Tonight, I would like to talk to you about another dirty trick of the NCR and their treasonous allies. Two days ago, there was a string of bombs detonated at Volunteer Corps stations that were in the Hoofington, San Prancisco, and Van Hoover areas.

These unwarranted and unprovoked attacks took place against ponies from the Grand Pegasus Enclave that had volunteered to help those poor unfortunate souls who live below in the Wastelands. These types of ponies can not be reasoned with. Perhaps we need to stop pulling our bucks and start kicking them with both hind hooves. Our benevolent leader, President Winter Wind has so far held the full military might of our forces in check to not cause unnecessary casualties among the poor civilians who may be harmed if we were to do so.

I say, they have cast aside the shroud of civility and no longer deserve the mercy our troops have given them. For all my loyal listeners out there, perhaps it is time that we all go to our local recruiters and enlist for the duration of this war to help and free those who are being oppressed by that filthy band of enfields who call themselves the NCR Government.

As he continues his diatribe, I keep running my hooves through Sundancer’s mane as I begin to think again about the attacks that morning and who may benefit from them. In the back of my mind, something just does not add up. Maybe after a good night’s sleep things will be clearer, I tell myself. But then I ask myself, will I be able to sleep well tonight after all that I have seen the last few days?

*****

This is DJ Pon3 coming to you once again from Ten Pony Tower in Manehatten. Leading tonight’s news is the battle that is still ongoing in Manesville. While much of the region has been liberated, there are reports that the Enclave forces there have fallen back into the city of Manesville itself and that fighting has become house-to-house. For all our NCR allies there, here is wishing you good luck and confusion to the enemy.

In other news, there are reports coming out of Hoofington, San Prancisco, and Van Hoover that some group has coordinated bombings in at least a half dozen of the Enclave’s volunteer stations. As of this time, there are no groups claiming responsibility for these attacks as well as denials from the NCR and Lunar Commonwealth governments of having had prior knowledge of them.

We will be back with more news and information you can use after our first song of the night, Remembrance for the Brave.

Author's Note

While the Battle of Manesville continues, several things are occurring at once. Among them, is the ascension of Moon Lily. If you would like to read the first pony account from her view of these events, you can find them in the Fallout Equestria: Borderlands chapter X115 Choices. https://www.fimfiction.net/story/435807/122/fallout-equestria-borderlands/chapter-x115-choices

We not only see the battle here, but we also can begin to see terrorist attacks on the GPE Volunteer Corps stations as the war continues across what was once Equestria. The strife reaching far and wide. Now if Ball Lighting can only figure out who is responsible.

For those who might wonder, this chapter was written over a month ago, well before the current unpleasantness between Isreal and Hamas, so this is not a comment on either side, only on the cruelty and destruction that comes with war. After all, War, War never changes, but ponys/people do.

For those who would like to listen to the dedication song for this chapter, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YgTOhLZjSE