The Royal 3: Orion’s passage

The sound of the explosion could be heard throughout Manhattan. Car alarms went off, people were panicking, and nearby NYPD officers were trying to figure out what the heck was going on.

“That was way too close.” Apollo said as his heart pounded out of his chest.

After the smoke cleared, the changelings started shooting at the shield with their pistols. Since Apollo’s magic gotten better since the last time he fought the changelings, the bullets were barely doing any damage at all.

The only one who wasn’t shooting was the changeling that started the attack. He was busy yelling into his radio.

“I got them.” Atlas said before, taking his switchblade out of his pocket and teleporting out of the bubble.

He reappeared behind one of the soldiers and stabbed him right in the neck and twisted the blade. Killing the jackboot instantly. Before the corpse fell on the ground, he grabbed the gun out of the dead guy's hand and started shooting.

*Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang.*

This caused the Black League soldiers to scatter. Most of the bullets hit their targets, someone killed while others were badly injured.

“Atlas behind you!” Apollo yelled.

Atlas turned around and saw that another soldier was charging at him with an assault rifle with a bandit.

He dodged her attack, shot her abdomen and ripped the rifle right out of her hands before spraying bullets everywhere.

“Apollo, I’m going to take our folks back home.”

“Ok. But while you’re at it, call for reinforcement immediately!”

“You got it.” Artemis said before teleporting himself and his parents back home.

His parents were in complete shock, and the teleportation only made things even worse.

“What the hell just happened?” Stephanie asks.

“I don’t know. There was an explosion, gunfire and chaos.” Her husband replied before he noticed Artemis running out the door.

Artemis ran to his truck, open the rear doors and got inside the cargo area.

He pulled the walkie-talkie out of his bag and turned it on. “Earth to Equestria, is any pony there?”

“Equestria speaking, is everything all right?” Celestia answered.

“No, everything is not right. Doomsday is here.”

“Already?! Who’s the enemy and where are they?”

“The Changelings! They are in an area called Times Square, New York.” Artemis replied.

“The Changelings? Wait, that means……. oh no. Artemis, the troops be there as soon as possible, just hang tight and keep your walkie-talkie on.”
Celestia said before signing out.

After he put the walkie-talkie in his pocket, Artemis approached a large metal chest that is against the wall that separated the cab from the trunk. He opened it, revealing three gray and white camo combat uniforms, three assault rifles, 18 grenades and enough ammo to last a few hours.

Knowing that he didn’t have any time change normally, Artemis used a spell that would allow him to switch outfits in a blink of an eye. A spell that Rarity had taught him and his siblings a year ago.

After he magically changed into his uniform and put his bag down, he picked up all the contents in the chest in his magic. He was about to teleport back to Manhattan when he heard a voice.

“Artemis, what are you wearing? Do you know what's going on”

He turned around to see that his dad was standing right outside the truck’s doors.

“I do.” Artemis sighed as he got out of the vehicle.

“Hold on.” His dad got closer to him. “What’s going on with your eyes? Why are they glowing pink?”

“It’s not pink it’s magenta and I don’t have time to explain.”

“Son, if you know what's happening, please tell me. I promise I won’t be mad.”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” He replied before hearing a large explosion in the distance.
“I have to go.”

“Please don’t.” Andrew begged as he grabbed his son’s hand.

“I love you, dad.” Artemis didn’t have the heart to look back at his father before teleporting away, leaving him distraught and confused.

===•••===
Times Square.
2:18 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EZOTBnor18&pp=ygUURmlyZSBFZHVhcmQgYXJ0ZW15ZXY%3D

The moment Artemis came back to Times Square, he immediately ran towards Atlas and Apollo, who were hiding behind an overturned F150. Dodging bullets and magic beams in the process.

After he got to safety, he started handing his siblings their uniforms and weapons. “What did I miss?”

“A lot. All the NYPD officers in the area are dead. The changelings are spreading out throughout Manhattan, and we found out how they got here in the first place.” Atlas said as he magically changed into his uniform. “They are using Orion’s passage.”

“What?! How?!” Artemis said in shock.

“We don’t know. All we know is that the nationalists are coming out of that passage like water coming out of a broken water pipe. Bringing tanks and all sorts of heavy weaponry.” Apollo said before throwing a grenade. “Not only that, they’re not alone.”

“What do you mean?” Artemis asks.

“Look.” Atlas pointed at a Kirin soldier wearing a combat uniform. On his right arm is a dark red flag with a menacing looking black eagle spreading its wings in the center.

“Of course, the Livonians are here.” Artemis deadpanned.

“Yeah, those damn Kirin supremacists will do anything for a piece of land. I wouldn’t be surprised if the rest of the changelings' allies are coming as well.” Apollo said before a portal opened up right next to their position, scaring the living crap out of them.

Before they can aim their rifles at the tanks coming out of the portal, they noticed that one of them have a circle of 10 gold stars on its turret. The emblem of the River Federation.

Their fear immediately turns into relief after realizing that these vehicles were on their side.

Moments after the federal tanks and trucks drove out of the passage, vehicles from Equestria, Buryatia and Kemerovo arrived.

After the soldiers came out of the trucks, they and their armor counterparts started attacking changelings and Livonians in and around Times Square.

Some of the tanks (mainly the Buryats) ram the changeling tanks at full speed. Knocking some of them off their tracks.

“Your majesties!” Firefly yelled as she and her cousin ran over to the triplets. “Sorry for taking so long.”

“You guys didn’t take long at all, you guys arrived just in time.” Apollo said before shooting a changeling down with his magic.

“That’s good to hear. So, what are your orders?” Mapleleaf ask Atlas.

“Hmmmmmm. I got it. After we secured this area, we will go to the Hudson River and the East River, cutting the island in two. Me and Firefly we go east while Artemis and Mapleleaf go to the west. After that, we’ll march north and south to secure the entire island. Apollo, you stay here until further notice. If you see any Livonians or changeling trying to cross the rivers to New Jersey, Queens or Brooklyn, shoot them.”
Atlas commanded.

“Yes, sir!” The cousins saluted before teleporting away to relay the information to their allies and subordinates.

“Are you guys ready to get out of hiding?” Atlas asks.

“I am.” Artemis answered.

“Me too.” Apollo said.

“All right, on account 3. 1. 2. 3!” Atlas yelled before they left their hiding spot, shooting at any jackboot that moved.

===•••===
2:35 PM

The young changeling sergeant teleported onto the roof of the United Nations headquarters and waited for his higher-ups to arrive.

He would rather to fight alongside his fellow changelings, but his higher-ups called him here to receive a new assignment.

The sergeant assumed that what they have to say to him had to be important since they wanted to talk to him in person.

He didn’t wait long before two changelings teleported in front of him. Both of the changelings are stallions, but one of them is in his mid 60s and the other isn’t his early 40s.

The older stallion is supreme commander Karbyshev and the younger stallion is General Yazov. Yazov is Karbyshev’s protégé.

“Supreme Commander, General.” The sergeant saluted out of respect.

“At ease, soldier.” Karbyshev said. “I’m assuming you’re curious of what your new assignment is going to be. Am I right, Sergeant Schörner?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Before we tell you that, we got some good news from our motherland. As of right now, the Empire is at war with the ponies and their lapdogs. Pretty soon the rest of the armed forces will be here to help us conquer this nation and make it our own.” Yazov said as he looked over the edge of the roof, looking down at the fleeing humans in the streets below.
Some of them try to fight back against the advancing changelings only to end up as another casualty.

“Now, your orders. You’ll be putting in charge of a new battle company.” Karbyshev said.

“Me? But I’m just a sergeant.”

“Yes, but you are the right changeling for the job. You’re ruthless, zealous and you follow orders very well. Anyway, after the reinforcements arrive, you will meet up with your company and fly over river into two large neighborhoods called Brooklyn and Queens, when I give you the go ahead. Over there, is two large air stations. If you capture those air stations, the city will be cut off from the outside world and our supply lines will be more secure. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.” He was about to fly away when he heard
Yazov call his name.

“Maximus, wait.”

“Yes, general?”

“Before you go, I just want let you know that Brooklyn is triplets home neighborhood.”

“Oh really?” A intrigued Maximus said. “Thanks for letting me know.”

“Anytime. Now, you’re dismissed.”

Maximus saluted the General and the Supreme Commander before flying away.

As he was flying through the sky, Maximus couldn’t help but smile. Finally, not only did he have a chance to contribute to cause in a big way, but also get his revenge.

If it wasn’t for the Royal three, not only would the Empire be in its golden age right now, but also his father would still be here.

Instead of coming back home as a war hero, his father, Ferdinand, was captured, humiliated and sentenced to life in prison on bogus charges.

The Changeling-Equestrian war was supposed to be his last conflict before being discharged from the military with full honors. Instead of enjoying his retirement and eventually becoming a grandpa.

He was sent to prison and later beaten to death by another prisoner a few months later. His father was a good military stallion, and did not deserve any of that.

Which is why he joined the Black League. Not only to service his country, but to write the wrongs of the past.

The elements of harmony, the triplets, the royal sisters and the traitorous princess Zaya will get what they deserve.

One way or another.

===•••===
2:57 PM

Atlas and his large battalion of troops were fighting in front of the famous Grand Central Station. Slowly pushing the changelings back.

Smoke came out of tank cannons like they were fire breeding dragons as they rolled over abandoned cars and confront their adversaries in the shadow of the MetLife and Chrysler buildings.

Despite all the death and chaos that happened around him, Atlas remain calmed. After all, he’s been training for this day for long two years.

After he send another nationalist to God, Firefly teleported right next to him.

“Your majesty, I have received an urgent message from Canterlot. The Changeling Empire and their allies have declared war on the Harmony Entente. As we speak, a large invasion force is coming to New York right now.”

“What?!” Atlas said shock.

“That’s not all. Before the fascists declared war on us, they launched a bunch of missiles into our territories. Most of them were shot down, but some were able to hit their targets. Saigon, Krasnoyarsk, Saint Peterhoof and a few other cities all over the world have been hit. Mainly in civilian areas. Atlas, we’re in another great war.”

Atlas couldn’t believe his ears. She did it. That sick bastard of the queen accomplish what she was trying to do two years ago. Starting a war that the world would never forget.

“Your majesty!”

“Yes, master sergeant?”

“What are your orders? Emperor Apollo and Prince Artemis has already called for land and air reinforcements from Equis. Should we do the same?”

“Tell Equestria to give us everything they can spare. I don’t care what they give us, as long as it can be used to get rid of these worthless bastards. Do I make myself clear?!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Good, now send the message.” Atlas commanded.

“I’m on it.” She said before grabbing her radio.

Ten long minutes later, the coalition forces continue to advance eastward. Spite the heavy resistance the changelings were putting up.

When they were almost at the banks of the east river, they heard a loud buzzing noise. Much louder than before.

They looked up to see that six large Zepplin coming out of three separate portals. After the portals closed, paratroopers from Lavonia, Wingbardy and the Empire, jumped out of the air ships and started floating down towards the streets of New York.

To make matters even worse, the Zarian Air Force, mostly made up of Astra fighter jets, were accompanying them. Overwhelming Pegasus, Thestrals and US aircraft.

“Oh shit.” Firefly said.

“Jesus Christ, this is going to be Canterlot wedding all over again!” Atlas stated before they both used to magic and bullets to take out as many paratroopers as possible.

Despite their best efforts, 70% of them landed safely on the ground and immediately started attacking every pony.

It was at this moment when Firefly had an idea.

“Atlas, can you cover me?”

“Yeah, why?”

She answered his question by transforming into her nirik form. Colorful flames covered every inch of her body, making her look twice as intimidating as before.

She took a deep breath and breathe out a long stream of fire. Burning more than dozen soldiers to death.

Seeing this, their comrades tried to take her out only to be stopped dead in their tracks by Atlas.

After she ran out of breath, she saw a Wingbardian Griffon that was approaching two injured NYPD officers.

Firefly teleported right behind him and stabbed him in the back with her bayonet.

The soldier screams out in excruciating pain and fall to the ground with loud thud.

After she went back to her normal form, she looked at the officers and ask. “Are you right?”

The officers slowly nodded.

“You did a pretty good job back there.” Atlas said after running over to her.

“Thank you.”

Then Atlas noticed the state officers were in.
“I’ll take these guys to the hospital. Can you hold a fort down for me?”

“Of course.”

After that Atlas teleported himself and the officers away.

While the human emperor was gone, the battle continued to rage on. Five minutes later American soldiers arrived from the north.

At first, they were going after everyone, but after realizing that the ponies were on their side, The Americans and the ponies try their best to work together.

As they were cutting down the nationalist ranks in droves, Firefly noticed a brigade of Kirin soldiers coming towards them from the south.

And they weren’t Equestrian.

Before she can warn her comrades, the Kirins attacked them with a powerful magical assault.
Taking out half of an infantry division from the Crystal Empire and severely damaging a hotel between the station and the Chrysler building.

After the dust cleared, an American M1 Abrams tank aimed its cannon at them and fired.

*BOOM*

The shell landed and exploded right in front of the Lavonians, turning most of them into a red mist. The ones that survived mainly retaliated by shooting beams of magic, disabling the Abrams.

A group of American and Kemerovoian soldiers tried to save the Abrams by taking out as many Livonians as possible, but their efforts were in vain when the tank exploded when its ammo was hit.

Firefly would’ve been hit by some of the debris from the explosion, but thankfully she was able use her magic to shield herself.

It was at this moment when large Livonian stallion teleported behind her and kicked her in the back. Knocking her to the ground and her rifle slid out of reach.

Firefly immediately teleported back on her feet and punched the stallion right in the jaw.

Before she can throw another punch, she was enveloped by the stallion’s magical aura. Not allowing her to move a single muscle.

He moved his tongue around his mouth before leaning over and spitting out blood in a few knocked out teeth.

He then spoke up. Speaking in an accent that sounded like he was from Norway. “Pretty good for an Equestrian.” He spit out another tooth. “But not good enough.” The soldier said before punching Firefly right in the face. Causing her nose to bleed and the pain her feel a dizzy.

The Livonian slammed her onto the ground, punched her two more times, he grabbed his combat knife.

Before he can finish her off, someone shot him in the back of the head. When the body fell, she saw that it was Luna and Atlas.

“Are you ok, Master Sergeant?” Luna ask.

“Not as good as before, but yeah, I’m fine.”
Firefly said before Luna moved the corpse off of her and Atlas helping her up. “Thanks for saving me but what are you doing here, your majesty?”

“We got your message that you need reinforcements, so I decide to come to earth and help out. Before you ask, I did not come alone.” Luna answered.

“Who else came with you?”

“Look around.” Atlas said.

Firefly did just that. All around them were thousands of marines helping their army counterparts to fight back against the fascist soldiers. Some of them even have flamethrowers.

In the air, blimps and airplanes from the Equestrian Air Force were massacring the changelings and the griffons. Saving their American counterparts and shooting down one of the changelings zeppelins.

The large aircraft burned as it slowly fell, eventually crashing into the Hudson.

“Oh, thank goodness. I thought we would be stuck fighting in the middle of Manhattan forever.” Firefly said with relief before she noticed the green and red blood stains on Atlas uniform.

“Atlas, are you ok?”

“Yeah, I am. The blood is not mine. I got these stains because I was protecting an apartment building from a bunch of changelings and Wingbardian griffins after I dropped off the cops.” Atlas explained.

“You need get patched up.” Luna said before spotting a nearby medic. The Kirin in question has a gray coat with a dark purple mane. “Hey, you, can you come over here real quick?”

“Yes, Empress?” The medic asked.

“Before I ask my question, what’s your name?”

“Staff Sergeant, Tallinn Blade. Your majesty.”

“Staff Sergeant, can you make sure that Master Sergeant Sequoia is doing all right? She took a bit of a beating.”

“Sure thing.” Tallinn said.

Firefly blushed when he looked at her. She didn’t know why it was happening.

“Can you walk on your own?” He asked.

“Yes, I can.” She said before they walked away.

After that, Luna and Atlas rejoin the fight. Eventually, they were able to defeat the changelings and continue their march east.

Their next stop, the United Nations HQ.

===•••===
Lower Manhattan.
3:45 PM

Apollo and Mapleleaf were walking through the war-torn streets of Manhattan with their battalion and a small company of US Marines. Occasionally fighting with a few nationalists here and there.

Everywhere they looked was a depressing site. Every store and restaurant they passed were either destroyed or ransacked, destroyed vehicles were scattered all over the road and dead bodies from soldiers on both sides of this conflict were a common site.

But the most heartbreaking thing of all was the civilians that were morning their loved ones and homes they lost or trying to flee to safety.

Apollo hate this. He hates seeing so much suffering happening around him. He hates seeing his hometown being destroyed, and he hate every member of the black league for causing all of this to happen.

After they left an area named Hudson Square, they arrived at a hotel with a bunch of US troops in front of it. It was clear that a battle just happened here. This is the same hotel that his cousins from DC were staying in.

‘Oh no.’ He thought.

“Mapleleaf, let’s check if they need any help.” Apollo said before he headed towards the hotel with Mapleleaf following him.

“Excuse me, sir. Where is your platoon leader?”
Apollo ask one of the soldiers.

When the white man turned around, Apollo immediately recognized him. His name is Christian Lemley, one of Barlow’s friends.

“Mr. Lemley?”

“Holy shit, you’re one of Barlow‘s nephews.” He snapped his fingers before saying. “Artemis, right?”

“Apollo.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“It’s all right, I’m used to it.”

“Well, it’s good to see you again, but what are you doing here and why are you wearing that uniform?” Christian said.

“It’s a very long story. But I am the leader of this battalion right here.” Apollo said, referring to the pony soldiers behind him.

“Ok?” He said in confusion.

“Anyway, do you know where your platoon leader is?” Apollo asks.

“You’re looking right at him.” Christian said.

“That’s convenient. Do you need any help with this hotel?”

“Yes, we do. Just a few minutes ago, we defeated a group of those shape shifters and now we need to check if the guests at this place are all right, but we don’t have enough manpower.”

“How many volunteers do you need?”

“At least 15.” Christian said.

Apollo turned around and yelled. “Can I have some volunteers to search for survivors in this hotel?”

20 ponies step forward. Mapleleaf included.

“Is this enough?”

“This is more than enough.”

“Good.” He turned to look at his soldiers said. “All volunteers follow me. Every pony else, make sure that the area is secure.” Apollo said before entering the damaged hotel lobby.

They went up the hotel stairs and little by little a few soldiers went their separate ways into different floors. Since the building lost power during the battle, it was not only cold, but dark too. Thankfully, they had flashlights.

By the time they got to10th and final floor, it was just him and Mapleleaf.

After checking a few of the abandon rooms, Apollo finally arrived at the room his relatives were staying in. Room 1005.

“Mapleleaf wait right here.” He said before knocked on the door twice.

Then all of a sudden, he hurt his aunt yell. “WHO EVER YOU ARE, DON’T YOU DARE BREAK THIS DOOR DOWN OR ELSE I WILL SHOOT YOU DEAD RIGHT HERE AND NOW.”

Instead of feeling scared, Apollo was confused. “Auntie, how in the heck did you get a gun? Did Uncle Barlow give you one?”

It was silent for a few moments before the door opened.

“Oh my God. Apollo what are you doing here?”
Deborah asks.

“To get you to safety, of course.” He smiled.

“But how did you get here? Manhattan is a war zone.” She said before noticing Mapleleaf.
“Oh, hell no!”

Deborah pulled her nephew into the room behind her and pointed the kitchen knife, she had her right hand at the Kirin.

“Oh Faust.” Mapleleaf was surprised that a pregnant lady could so fast.

“Jesus, they know English.”

“Auntie put the knife down, she’s not threat.”
Apollo said as he pushed her hand down.

“You know this alien?” Deborah asks a shock.

“Yes, I do very well, actually. She’s also one of my subordinates.”

“Subordinates?” Then she saw what Apollo was wearing thanks to the natural light coming from the suite’s windows. “Why are you wearing this? Where did you get this?”

“It’s a long story. A story that started three years ago. Can I come in?”

“As long your friend behaves herself.”

“Don’t worry ma’am, I will.” Mapleleaf said.

“Good.” Deborah said as she allowed them in the suite and closing the door.

“Apollo.” Patrick said he ran towards his cousin and hugged him tightly.

“Hey cousin.” Apollo greeted before Patrick let him go. “Is everyone all right?”

“Everyone is fine, cold but fine.” Douglas said. “Is she friendly?” He asked.

“Yeah, her name is Mapleleaf.”

“Guten tag.”

“Nice to meet you.” Douglas said in confusion. “Apollo, how and why are you here?”

“It’s a long story, but I’m here to evacuate you to a safer area.”

“Manhattan is a war zone. For all we know this hotel could be the safest place for us.” Deborah said.

“Yeah, but I was thinking of taking you guys out of Manhattan.”

“How? The Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges have been shut down. And I know for fact that we’re not going to risk our lives trying to get to the Williamsburg Bridge. Especially with our six-year-old.” Douglas said.

“Thankfully we don’t have to go through New York.”

“You got a helicopter or something?” Deborah asks.

“No, it’s something better. But it’s pretty strange at the same time.” Apollo said before closing his eyes and taking deep breath. He then opens them to reveal that his brown irises were now blue.
“Don’t freak out.”

In a blink of an eye, the family was teleported from their hotel suite to the Yukon residence with their belongings.

“What the heck.” Douglas said in shock.

“Who is that?” Stephanie said that she came out of the kitchen. Her eyes widened when she saw who was in her living room. she hugged her sister and said. “Oh, my goodness, all of you are alive. We were worried sick. Come, everyone is in the family room.”

They walked into the family room to see that the entire family was there. The grandparents, Uncle Barlow, Auntie Maya and the little cousins. With the TV set on ABC News showing the horrors of the conflict.

“Oh my God. It’s a miracle.” Amelia said. “How did you get out of Manhattan?”

“We don’t know. One minute we were in our hotel suite talking to Apollo, and next do you know we ended up here. But I am glad that we’re out of there.”

“Was Apollo’s eyes glowing before this weird event happened?” Andrew asks.

“Yeah, how did you know?” Douglas asks.

“Because that’s what happened before Artemis disappeared.” Maya said.

Pretty soon, the entire family was looking at Apollo.

“Son, are you fighting with the aliens?” Andrew asks.

“Yes, I am. The ones I’m with are not only fighting to save the city, but for their homelands as well.” He answered.

“So that’s why you, Atlas and Artemis been fighting all over the city like your superman or something.” Barlow said.

“So, you have magic?” BJ ask.

“Believe it or not, I do actually. It’s just been dormant for most of my life.”

“What does that word mean?” Patrick ask.

“Oh yeah, prove it.” Stefan said, believing that what his cousin was telling them was complete and other bullshit.

“Ok.” Apollo said before he started levitating off the ground.

To say that the entire family was shocked was an understatement.

“How in the hell are you doing that?” Edward asks.

Apollo teleported right next to where his grandpa was sitting, startling him a bit. “Magic.”

“YES! Magic does exist. Take that Stefan!” BJ yelled. Stefan did nothing but cross his arms.

“So, this time you were able to do all of this?” Stephanie asks.

“Yep. I was able to do this for two years now.”

After Apollo was back on solid ground, he looked around the room and said.

“Now, since you all are safe and sound, I’m going to head back to Manhattan. I can leave them alone for too long. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Oh no you don't!” His mom barked. “I don’t care if you have special powers from God knows where, you’re staying right here.”

“As much as I want to, I can’t do that. I have a duty to fulfill. New York needs me.” Apollo replied.

“And my duty is to make sure that you don’t get yourself killed!”

“Mom, I’m not going to die. I know how to defend myself from these changelings.”

This is when they started to argue with each other. The Anaheim and Yukon families didn’t know what to do.

That was until Barlow got up from the couch and walked over to them. “Both of you, shut up right now.”

The marine turned to Apollo. “Young man, do you know these aliens well?”

“Yes, I do. Some of them I even consider family.”

“Are they willing to go through Hell and back with you?”

“Of course. I’m willing to do the same for them.”
Apollo smiled.

“Well, they sound like a good bunch. Now go. Go to Manhattan.” He commanded.

“Yes, sir.” Apollo saluted before teleporting away.

Stephanie‘s shock immediately turned to anger.
“Barlow, why in the fuck did you do that?”

“Because you weren’t going to stop him from leaving anyway. I only intervene to soften the blow, for you and your son. I don’t know about you, but I saw a fire in his eyes. I know too well that when a young man has that determination in him, you can’t stop him. For some reason he and his siblings have been given a gift and they decided to use it for good instead of not using it by hiding. And with the soldiers he’s fighting alongside with I know for a fact that all coming back to us.”

“Know do you know for sure.” Stephanie said her angry façade shattered, revealing a scared mother.

“Look.” He pointed at the TV.

On the TV screen, Artemis was defending a group of civilians from a bunch of changelings with a few pony soldiers helping him out. He then use his magic to create a shockwave, which send the changelings flying. Many of them did not survive their landings.

Without skipping a beat, Artemis went back to the stragglers. Making sure that they fled to safety.

“See not even a scratch on him.”

Looking at the TV, Stephanie couldn’t help but to feel proud of her son. She never thought he had it in him to put his life at risk for a bunch of strangers. She turned to her younger brother and said.

“I’m sorry for the way I acted. We just got them back and I don’t want to lose them again.”

“You don’t need to apologize, sis.” Barlow said before pulling Stephanie closer.

===•••===
The Financial District, Lower Manhattan.
4:30 PM

Luna and Atlas were flying alongside a motorize division made up of equestrian trucks and tanks, heading towards the southern tip of Manhattan. They were on patrol, making sure that there were no more jackboots in lower Manhattan.

Thanks to the efforts of the temporary alliance between US troops and the Harmony Entente, the changelings and their allies pretty much abandoned anywhere that was south of Times Square. Giving the Entente their first victory of the war.

“Are we able to see the Statue of Liberty from this island?” Luna asks.

“As long there is no fog, we should be able to see it.” Said Atlas.

Five minutes later, they finally arrived at Battery Park. The best place to see the statue.

But they weren’t able to see the statue because blocking their view were three large Changeling battle cruisers. The ICS Queen Chrysalis, ICS Ashton and the ICS Cobalt.

(ICS stands for imperial changeling ship.)

The Queen Chrysalis and the Cobalt was anchored near Manhattan with their four large guns aimed away from the city. While the Ashton was harassing civilian ships in the harbor.

But the thing that caught every ponies attention was far in the distance.

Accompany by three US warships, is a large battleship.

A ship with a famous reputation.