Halo: Contact Equis

Ad Meliora’s Bridge

Captain McCormick sat in front of the main console of his ship. He has been very busy throughout the week. But nothing has been on his mind more than Discord. McCormick had listened and relistened to all the recorded conversations he’d had with the Draconequus. Just like the Chaos lord himself, they only leave with more questions than answers. Discord knows so much yet reveals very little. And when challenged, he is reluctant to reveal more. His lecture on how Magic was given to ponies by the forerunners was the most fascinating. He mentions the first successful Alicorn was created by a certain Forerunner. He fully believes that Discord can observe the galaxy with his magic, but the stories he told were hundreds of thousands of years in the past.

‘Can the lord of Chaos look into the past? Or… is he hiding something much darker about himself?’

The sudden animation of Reagan blipping on the console pulled McCormick out of thought. “Captain, you have been listening to these recordings for hours. I suggest you take a break.” The Shipboard A.I. looked genuinely concerned for the captain, but McCormick only sighed heavily.

“I can’t stop, Reagan. I know Discord is hiding something not just from me but from the Princesses as well.” McCormick picks up his mug of coffee and takes a huge gulp.

“How can you be certain, Captain?” Reagan asked, tilting his head to the side.

“Discord claims to have the ability to see far off into space, but he also told us how ponies were given magic. He claimed it to be hundreds of thousands of years old. At first, after seeing Discord’s near-almighty magic, I assumed he could look into the past as well. But this time, magic is nearly non-existent here on Equis. Twilight confirmed it herself that she and Starlight were the only ones to go back in time. So if such magic is impossible, how does Discord know what happened all those millennia ago?” McCormick leaned back in his chair and began to stroke his goatee.

His thoughts were halted when the console began to flash red, and what sounded like an alarm was blaring all over the inside of the bridge.

“Reagan!? The hell is going on!?” McCormick ordered the A.I. in confusion.

“I’m detecting massive amounts of Covenant forces moving out of Manehattan, sir!” Reagan replied, his voice full of worry.

“Goddammit… Order my two commanders to the bridge Reagan, and bring up the map at the helm.” McCormick orders, standing up and heading to the front of the bridge towards the large screen.

“Aye, sir.” Reagan blips away from his podium

Twilight and Spartan Maverick rush on board the Ad Meliora after being given the urgent summons by the Captain. The run into the bridge, and see the captain facing the helm with his back turned to them. They both stop and salute as McCormick continued to stare at the front screen showing the map of Equestria.

“Sir, we came as soon as we were notified.” Maverick spoke stoically.

“What’s with the urgency?” asked Twilight, lowering her hoof. The Captain stood still for a moment, before letting out a long sigh. He takes a few steps away, allowing both of them to see the map. They were both horrified to see many red blips, spreading out from Manehattan. “The Covenant… they’re advancing.”

“The time for more action is now.” McCormick spoke with a chiseled attitude. “After being dormant for an unnatural amount of time, it appears the Covenant are now enacting their next move on your world Princess. As the one most familiar with this world, I need your input on where they are going.”

“Of course, sir.” Twilight stepped forward approaching the map. She analyzes where the red blips were heading too. She was both confused and alarmed by the directions the Covenant was advancing. “Captain McCormick, The Covenant is splitting their army.”

“Yes, That was one of the first things Reagan noticed on his scanners.” McCormick began to stroke his Goatee.

“But where they are going is… confusing. There is a large force towards the Crystal Mountains to the northwest. And a second rather large army is heading southwest, toward…Oh no… they’re heading for Fillydelphia!” Twilight’s voice is filled with panic when determining where the Covenant is heading.

“If they are heading to another city, then we must intercept immediately.” Spartan Maverick spoke up, stepping towards the map.

“But what of this second advancement heading north? Where could they possibly be heading?” Asked McCormick, turning to look back at Twilight.

“My best guess would be the Crystal Empire, but it’s foolish. The Empire is surrounded by a magical forcefield. It’s very well protected by some of the greatest magic users in all of Equestria.” Twilight narrowed her eyes, she was very confused on why the Covenant would advance there, but was sure they would be unable to invade.

“Our forces are limited. It will be a risk if we split our forces. Even with the other nations by our side, the Covies still outnumbers us.” Maverick spoke his mind freely.

“I’m confident in the Crystal Empire’s magic. Though, it’s better to be safe than sorry. We could send a small number of soldiers to the Crystal Empire to bolster defense while the majority face the Covenant head on at Fillydelphia. Another city faces destruction if we do not head there immediately.” Twilight’s voice was bolstered by her confidence and determination.

“With what we got, that’s probably the best approach we got.” McCormick nodded, concurring with Twilight.

“What are our orders, sir?” asked Maverick as he and Twilight looked to the captain. Captain McCormick never took his eyes off the map as he responded.

“We go to war.” He sighed before finally turning to face his commanders. “Spartan Maverick, Princess Twilight. Zeta team and Fire Team Harmony will be heading for Fillydelphia at once. I will send a small sect to the Crystal Empire as you depart. Godspeed, you two.”

“Sir, yes sir!” They both salute before quickly leaving the bridge.

Twilight and Spartan Maverick sprint down the halls of the Ad Meliora, running towards the hanger as an alarm is blasted all throughout the ship. Reagan’s voice echos all throughout the ship as he announces for every soldier to get to their battlestations.

“Alert, all to the hanger! Covenant currently advancing! This is not a drill! All soldiers to the hanger! Get prepped for combat! I repeat, get prepared for combat!” Reagan’s voice was almost ear piercing as it blasted all throughout the ship. Twilight and Maverick arrive at the hanger to find it in full chaos as soldier rush all over to gear up. Sergeant Tex rushes to the two of them and salutes.

“Sir! Ma’am! Me and the rest of Whiskey-7 await your orders!” Tex said quite loudly so that he is heard over the sounds of boots on the metal floor.

“I want you and your squad to accompany us to Fillydelphia, Sergeant!” Maverick responded.

“Sir, yes sir!” Tex goes back into a sprint and runs right past them to prepare himself. Twilight was about to separate as well to gear up when she feels Maverick lean down and places a hand on her withers.

“Wait, Princess!” He yelled to her, to which Twilight turns to look at him, she could see her reflection in his visor. “I don’t want a repeat of Manehattan. All I ask is you keep a level-head.”

Twilight opens her mouth to protest, but no words came out. She closes her mouth and looks away. She closes her eyes, remembering the complete destruction of Manehattan, remembering all the lives lost. She slowly opens her eyes and looks back at Maverick.

“…I understand.” She responds with a nod. He releases her and they both separate to gear up.

Twilight straps on the specially made armor for her, grabs an assault rifle and places it on her back. After she was all set, the Princess turns and faces the Pelicans. UNSC crewmembers were guiding the pelicans out by waving marshaling wands. Twilight lets out a long sigh before approaching one of the last Pelicans remaining. Tex, who was already on board, offers his hand to her. She places her hoof in his hand and he helps her aboard. She takes a seat, seeing all her friends aboard. All of Zeta and Whisky-7 were also aboard.

“Testing! Testing!” Maverick spoke into his coms.

“We read you Mav!” Tex responded.

“Good! Now listen up, everyone! To some of you, this is your first deployment! We tried our best to prepare you, but nothing will ever prepare you for what you are about to go against! Stay together, and don’t do anything stupid! You will stay alive if you follow those simple instructions!” Maverick spoke loudly as the Pelican’s engines kicked to life. The airship lifts off and flies out of the hangar and begins it’s approach to Fillydelphia.

Twilight sat in her seat and gives each of her friends a quick analysis. Rainbow Dash had a determined look on her face, holding her DMR close to her. Applejack was giving her shotgun a quick examination. Pinkie and Fluttershy sat together, they were not holding any weapons, and their helmets had a bright red ‘H’ emblazoned on them. Starlight seemed lost in thought, seeming to focus on keeping her emotions steady. Rarity had her head leaned back against the metal hull of the ship. She had her eyes closed, trying to stay calm. Spike however, had an unnatural expression on his face. He had a very determined expression on his face, like he was ready for whatever they were going to face. It was also then Twilight noticed something about Spike, he looked a bit “bigger” than he did a week ago, like had grown in size. Her thoughts were interrupted when Maverick spoke up again, laying out orders for everyone.

“Listen closely, we are approaching Fillydelphia very fast. Sergeant Tex, if me or Princess Twilight are not present, you are in command!” Maverick looks to Tex who nods.

“Yes, sir!” He responds, turning his visor opaque.

“Corporal Torres, I want you to find a highpoint near the Covenant controlled part of the city! I want you to take out any officers you see!” Maverick ordered. Carlito responds by simply pulling back the slide on the sniper, making a very satisfying noise as a round is chambered. As he did, Maverick then points to Spike. “Private, I want you to accompany him! Stay on his ass and make sure nothing catches you by surprise!” Spike nods as Maverick gives out orders.

Twilight looks to her friends, she too was going to give them orders. “Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, when we land, I want you two to stay on board.” She spoke clearly, trying her best to imitate the Commander’s tone. “Once we depart, the ship will then take you to the outskirts of the city. From there, you help the wounded, and make sure the civilians are escorted away from the battlefield!”

“Okie dokie!” Pinkie responded loudly, the only one among them still managing a smile.

“Now to the rest of you, civilians are priority one. All I ask is you try your best to save as many as you can, and push back any advancing Covies. We are not gonna let Fillydelphia fall like Manehattan did! Make these aliens regret ever coming here!” Twilight shouted, trying to pump everyone up.

“Oorah!” Came the voices of most of them on board. Twilight looked up at Maverick, who gave an approving nod.

“Clear the ramp! Thirty seconds! God be with you!” Shouted the pilot from the front cockpit. Everyone stood up and faced the back hatch, prepared for what was to come.

“Pray for us, Carlito.” Marcus said softly, eyes forward, never moving. Carlito tapped the top of his helmet with his hand, then the bottom of his chest. Then his left shoulder and then his right.

“We are blessed, amigo,” Carlito responded. The Pelican then felt suddenly stalling, this was it.

“Opening hatch!” yelled the pilot as the back doors open.

“Move, move, move!” Maverick yelled as they one by one ran out of the Pelican. Pinkie and Fluttershy watch their friends depart from the craft. As the last one jumped off, the pelican began to ascend again.

“Orders, sir!?” yelled Tammy as they all rushed into the city streets.

“We are at the southernmost tip of the town, start escorting civilians away from the northernmost sect!” Maverick ordered “We’ll cover more grounds if we split up! Keep your coms open and stay in your small group! Get too it!”

Just as Maverick ordered, the large group split apart and advance down different branching streets of Fillydelphia.

Twilight, along with Applejack, Marcus, and Rainbow Dash are on main street. It was the largest street, so it was the main route used to escort civilians. Many soldiers in armor ranging from humans to ponies, to dragons were directing them southwards. A stallion soldier salutes Twilight as she approaches.

“Report soldier, what’s going on?” Twilight asked the Stallion.

“Covenant has yet to advance into the heart of the city, ma’am. They appear to be staying around the outer edges and circling the parameter! So we are using the main roads to escort and evac the civilians before the Covenant begin to squeeze in!” The Stallion spoke loud and clear.

“Very well. Keep at it, soldier. Make sure no civilian falls behind.” She places her hoof on his shoulder. He salutes one more time before going back to directing the civilians. Twilight places her hoof on the side of her helmet to speak into the mic “Spartan Maverick, come in.”

“Spartan A776 reading you loud and clear, princess.” Maverick responded over the coms.

“I’ve got bad news. The Covenant has not pushed deep into the city yet, they are going around the city limits to trap us in. Fillydelphia is a port city, if they reach the water on the other side we’ll be sitting ducks.” Twilight spoke with some urgency.

“That’s… that’s not good. Alright, I’m directing the pelicans to change their LZ, if the Covenant surrounds the city, we are going to have to take the civilians directly out of the city. Where would the best possible area be to make an LZ in the city?” Maverick responded, his voice as stoic as ever. Twilight had to think for a moment, but there was only one place in the city that was big enough to hold both civilians and soldiers.

“The Liberty Cowbell. Direct the pelicans near the Liberty Cowbell, that’s where we’ll have the LZ.” Twilight responded, her face grew a determined expression.

“Copy that. Pelicans are heading there now.” Maverick’s voice then cut out.Twilight lets out a sigh of relief, but soon her relief turned into stress once again as explosions were heard coming down main street. The line of civilians broke into a sprint of panic as the explosions were coming behind them, to the north.

“Form a barrier! Covenant’s pressing in!” Twilight would call out loudly. From both sides of the street, the soldiers escorting the civilians pushed the carriages into the street as the last civilian ran through, and pushed them on their sides. “I need half of you to stay with us as we hold them back, the rest make sure you get these civilians to the Liberty Cowbell at once!”

“Yes ma’am!” Yelled the stallion Twilight just spoke too. As the barrier was finished, half the escorting marines stayed with Twilight and her squad to hold the lines. Smoke was blocking visibility down the main roads as each soldier aimed their guns. It was almost deathly quite as all eyes were fixated down the road. No one spoke. No one moved. Finally, they came. Out of the smoke, half a dozen ghosts emerged at full speed coming right at the barrier.

“Open fire!” Twilight yelled as she pulled the trigger, all present began firing bullets that fly at the speeding ghost who returned fire with plasma.

The bullets were doing minimal damage to the ghosts, until Marcus peaked up, aimed his grenade launcher and fired. A direct hit on the leading ghost as it ignites in a brilliant orange and cyan fireball. Rainbow Dash takes aim with her rifle, she looks through the scope, and pulls the trigger. The bullet was shot expertly at the head of the grunt piloting it, causing the ghost to careen out of control and into one of the buildings.

The marines lay down heavy fire, as plasma is returned at them. Twilight ducks her head multiple times as she reloads, and then continues firing. A pony next to her doesn’t duck down as she is reloading her SMG as she is shot directly in the face by one of the plasma bolts fired by the ghosts. She falls to the ground, and Twilight turns and holds her hoof out to her, but that was it. She watches as the plasma burns a hole into the mare’s face, rendering her lifeless. Twilight closes her eyes tight, keeping her emotions in check as she turns around and continues firing.

Marcus fires another grenade, striking another ghost and blowing it up. There were two ghosts left, both being piloted by elites. By now, they were too close for them to keep firing.

“They’re gonna ram us! Everypony out the way!” Twilight yelled out as she rolled out of the way. Many others also tried to get out of the way, but many were not fast enough as the first one rammed through the wooden carriages, splintering it to pieces.

A human soldier was nailed hard by the raming Ghost and flung to the side with a sickening crack. He lay lifeless in the street as the second barrage made its way through. Both ghosts turn to the side and halt, the two drives step out and pull out their plasma rifles and begin to fire. Most marines were not even to their feet yet when the plasma fire started.

Twilight focused her fire on one as Rainbow trained her shot on the second one. The single shot DMR blasting the elite with powerful shots. Before his shields could break, he does an evasive rollout of the way. Rainbow Dash refocuses on the elite and fires. Click! Rainbow’s eyes widen when her gun ran out of ammo. She quickly pops the mag out and slams a new one it. By the time she aimed, the Elite was right on her. He slaps her gun away with his own rifle and kicks her to the ground

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shouted to her friend as the Elite aimed his rifle at her. Her horn comes to light and an aura surrounds the Elite, eyes widening as he is immobilized. Twilight then uses her magic to fling the Elite away from Rainbow. The Elite tumbles to the ground and skids on his stomach. He hears the sound of a shotgun being pumped and looks up, only to see the angry gaze of Applejack, holding her weapon to his face. He growls at her, showing her no fear.

“Vermin!” Was all he barked at her. Applejack grits her teeth and finally pulls the trigger, blasting his mandibles right off his face while the combined fire from Twilight and Marcus’ sidearm put down the second elite.

With a short breather, Twilight assesses the scene. Six dead Covies and ten dead soldiers. She shakes her head at that, She sees Marcus helping Rainbow Dash up, but then looks to Applejack, who is still staring down at the Elite she just killed. Twilight approaches Applejack, who is looking at the corpse in disdain.

“You okay, AJ?” Twilight asked, looking down at the mangled elite. Applejack hesitated for a second before answering.

“Ah think so.” Applejack’s voice was a bit horse. Twilight assures her friends by placing her hoof on her shoulder.

“I know, it’s difficult to process. But it was him or us.” Twilight spoke in a regular voice.

“Ah know that, Twi.” Applejack turned her head to look at Twilight. “I know it was necessary. That doesn’ make me feel better for doin’ it.”

“We have another wave coming! Heavy infantry!” Marcus yelled from the remains of their battered barriers. Twilight turns to see dozens of Covenant squads quickly progressing down the street. Twilight’s eyes widened to see three wraiths in the back, being escorted by the infantry.

“Fall back! Lay down fire as we retreat towards the Liberty Cowbell!” Twilight called out to the remaining soldiers as she slammed a new mag into her assault rifle.

Spike and Carlito were climbing up a tall staircase inside a large building. Spike was covering Carlito’s rear as they cautiously and quietly climbed up, not wanting to make too much noise. He aims his suppressed SMG downwards, making sure he and Carlito were not being followed. Upon confirming they were safe, Spike looks up at Carlito who pressed his back against the wall, his magnum at the ready as he took each step closely.

“How do you do it?” Carlito is a bit surprised to hear Spike’s voice coming behind him. He stops in place and turns his head and looks down at the purple dragon.

“Que?” Carlito asked, cocking his head to one side. “What do you mean by that?”

“Sniping.” Spike admitted, looking at Carlito’s opaque visor. “How are you so calm when you snipe? It looks so difficult to do.”

Carlito stays silent for a moment before softly chuckling. “Sniping an enemy is like hunting any other animal. Fire at the wrong moment and your chance will be forever lost.” He began to lecture as he continued up the stairs. Spike stayed close as he listened to Carlito’s every word. “A hunter has to stay hidden from his prey, knowing the routines and movements of your prey tips the balance of a hunt.”

“Do you ever find it difficult to… to take a life by sniping them?” Spike asked, watching Carlito pause on the steps once more.

“At first.” He admitted, not turning to look at Spike. “But after the Covenant glassed my home planet, Kroedis II, I started putting these hijos de putas down without a second thought. They’ve taken so much from me, so I am eager to send these bastards straight to hell.”

Spike almost couldn’t understand how Carlito felt. Carlito had always seemed a bit excited to kill the Covenant, taking some pleasure in it. And yet, Spike knew he didn’t have Carlito’s full story. Perhaps it would be a story for him and his pal to discuss another time, as while Spike was still in thought, he hears Carlito whisper to him from the top of the stairs.

“Psst! Amigo, I think we made it to the roof. Keep quiet in case we aren’t alone up here.” Carlito whispered loud enough for Spike to hear.

Spike quickly ascended the stairs to where Carlito was. He had his back pressed against a set of double doors, peeking through the windows. “Can’t really see anything. Prepare to breach, amigo.”

Spike held his SMG close to him as Carlito began to count down from three. As soon as the ODST finished counting, he plants his boot in the center of the doors and kicked them open with a lot of force. Spike and Carlito quickly scan the roof and find no Covenant on top. With a sigh of relief, Spike lowers his SMG. Carlito clips his magnum to his hip and takes his sniper off his back. He approaches the edge, and looks down towards the ground.

“Perfect. I can see all the way to the ocean from here.” Carlito said as he pulled his sniper off his back. He took a knee and place the bipod of the rifle on the guardrail of the roof.

Spike approaches him to which Carlito hands him a pair of binoculars. Spike takes them, and glances up at Carlito for a second before looking through them.

“Just like last time, dawg. You see any officers, just point them out. I’ll do the rest.” Carlito let out a soft sigh and began to peer through the scope of the sniper.

Starlight and Rarity were at the LZ location, in the courtyard next to the Liberty Cowbell along with Tammy, Adam, and Maverick. Tents had been set up by the other marines so that the wounded could be taken care of. A pelican descends on the LZ and opens it’s back hatch. Out steps Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, as they step out, a group of civilians are escorted in. Pinkie and Fluttershy look a bit confused as they step out, looking all around them.

“I thought we were to be taken outside the city to help everypony.” Pinkie scratched the side of her head, ruffling her puffy mane.

“Things have changed. We can’t have the LZ on the outside of town. So we are setting up here." Maverick informed them. This causes Fluttershy to begin shaking violently.

“W-We have t-t-to help the injured in the middle of th-the battlefield!?” Fluttershy begins to curl herself up as fear grips her. Tammy had to kneel down and gently place her hand on Fluttershy’s withers to comfort her.

“Easy Fluttershy, this is the safest spot you could be. Come with me in the tent, help me with the wounded. It’ll help distract you.” Tammy said in a very soft voice. Despite still shaking, Fluttershy slowly looks up at her and nods. Tammy stands up and leads her inside one of the tents. Pinkie happily starts bouncing in a pattern, following them.

“Keep this spot secured, you three.” Maverick looked towards Adam, Starlight, and Rarity. “We got quite a handful of soldiers here to defend this spot with you. Under no circumstances are you allowed to let this area fall to the Covenant.”

“We understand, sir.” Said Adam. “But what about you?”

“I’m gonna meet up with one of our other squads out there.” Maverick pulled MA5B off of his back. “We need to find more civilians and get them out of here.”

With a nod, Maverick then departs to leave the three there. They look at each other as another small group of civilians are escorted into the LZ. The three, along with other marines, approach them, seeing if they could assist in any way they could. They see a human marine carrying a unicorn on his shoulder. Slumped like he was lifeless. Starlight prepares herself for him to be dead as she approaches them. She sees the human soldier kneel and then slowly places the Unicorn on the ground. His helmet rolls off of him and Starlight is a bit surprised to see him still breathing.

“What happened to him?” Starlight asked the human.

“Don’t know, found ‘em like this.” The Human responded. Starlight takes a closer look at the Unicorn soldier. His breathing had a good pace, and there was no blood on him. However, his eyes seemed a bit dull. Starlight raises her eyebrow at that.

“Soldier, are you alright?” Starlight asked, kneeling down to him.

“…He’s… He’s… back…” The unicorn whispers, almost inaudible.

“Huh? Who’s back?” Starlight asked. Before she could get a response. A loud primal roar is heard just a block away from the LZ. Starlight’s heart skips a beat upon hearing it.

A pelican’s engine sparks to life, its back hatch full of civilians. It slowly begins to ascend in the air when the thing that made the roar turns the corner down the street and is visible to the LZ. Both Starlight and Rarity could not believe what they were seeing.

“Oh, by Celestia’s mane, no…” Starlight said to herself.

“He’s… he’s not supposed to be here!” Rarity shouted.

“Who the hell is that!?” Adam asked, looking at the creature who was about 300 feet from them. The pelican begins to fly overhead as the creature uses two of it’s long horns to generate magic. As the pelican gets close, it unleashes a powerful beam, striking one of the engines. The engine explodes, and the pelican begins to descend, crashing hard out of sight.

“Holy shit!” Adam yells loudly as the creature begins to cackle like a demon. “Who the fuck is that!?”

“Lord Tirek!” Rarity shouted loudly. Tirek, as if he heard his name being called, turned his head to look at the LZ. His horns light up again and he fires another blast of magic directly at the LZ. Starlight and Rarity quickly evade as the blast punches a hole right through the sandbag barriers. One unfortunate marine is instantly incinerated into ash upon being hit directly by the blast.

“Maverick! Come in, dammit!” Adam yelled into his coms, his back firmly against some sandbags.

“I read you, What’s going on?” Maverick’s voice comes in, oblivious to the situation they are in.

“We have a big fucking monster firing directly on the LZ! It just shot down one of our pelicans full of civilians west of our position! I have never seen anything like it! We need you back here now!” Another blast comes from Tirek, destroying another part of the barrier.

“Shit!” Maverick cursed loudly into the coms. “Alright, I’m on my way with some heavy guns. I’ll send Clara and her squad to check the pelican for survivors. Hold out till I get there!” Maverick then cuts out. Adam looks at the two mares next to him, both their eyes full of fear.

“Wh-what’s our orders?” Rarity choked out.

“Hold down suppressing fire till backup arrives.” Adam replied. He leans his head back, saying a silent prayer, and then turns off his gun’s safety. “May god help us all.”