"Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime."

- Ernest Hemingway

Gaia, Southwestern "New Pangaea" Continent. July 1st 2038. 1200 Hours.

The forest was alive with chaos as First Sergeant Karliana Mauser stepped out of the Humvee, her boots crunching against the dirt and scattered leaves. The distinct crack of gunfire echoed through the trees, mingling with the sharp shouts of commands. The sun filtered through the canopy above, its light playing against the smoke rising from their convoy's halted vehicles. The familiar weight of her rifle rested against her shoulder as she surveyed the battlefield.

Ahead, 25 meters away, Alex Hill and his team were hunkered down, their Humvee partially shielded by underbrush and tree trunks. Muzzles flashed as they fired relentlessly at an otherworldly sight—a shimmering, transparent purple sphere that seemed to pulse like a living thing. It shimmered under the sun’s rays, with shifting hues of lavender and violet rippling across its surface. Strange, Hexagon-like patterns danced faintly within the sphere, as if etched into the anomaly itself.

“Corporal Ngozi, Colonel Murray,” Karliana barked, her voice cutting through the din, “stay with the vehicle. Man the .50 cal and keep the perimeter secure. If anything moves that isn’t us, light it up.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Murray called back, already climbing into position, his hands steady on the heavy weapon. Nuñez nodded, his face pale but determined.

“Private Nuñez, Sergeant Anagal,” Karliana continued, gesturing sharply, “you’re with me. Let’s move.”

The trio advanced carefully, rifles at the ready, their footsteps barely audible against the cacophony of distant shots. Karliana’s eyes remained locked on Alex’s position. His team was engaged in a furious firefight, their bullets ricocheting off the strange barrier with dull, muted thuds. Each impact sent ripples across the sphere’s surface, like stones skipped across water. Despite their efforts, the barrier held firm, its resilience a chilling testament to the aliens’ capabilities.

As they drew closer, the gunfire stopped.

Karliana froze mid-step, raising her fist to signal a halt. The sudden silence was deafening, the abrupt absence of noise amplifying the tension. Ahead, Alex and his team stood stock-still, their rifles hanging limply in their hands. Their postures were unnaturally stiff, their eyes wide and unblinking. It was as if they’d been petrified.

“What the hell…?” Nuñez muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before Karliana could respond, movement caught her eye. One of the aliens stepped forward, a small, purple figure with an unmistakable horn jutting from its forehead. The creature radiated an aura of otherworldly energy, its fur shimmering faintly in the sunlight. It raised its front hooves in what appeared to be a hesitant gesture of peace, its large, expressive eyes darting nervously between the soldiers.

“What is it doing?” Anagal hissed, his finger tightening on the trigger of his rifle.

“Hold fire,” Karliana ordered firmly, though her own instincts screamed at her to prepare for the worst.

The alien’s horn began to glow, a soft, radiant light that shifted between shades of pink and violet. The glow intensified as it conjured an invisible force, an aura that seemed to distort the air around it. Slowly, with deliberate precision, the alien levitated a stick from the ground. The movement was fluid and strangely graceful, as if guided by an unseen hand.

Karliana watched, transfixed, as the creature used the stick to draw a symbol in the dirt—a circle divided into two halves, swirling together in a harmonious balance.

“Is that… Yin and Yang?” Nuñez asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Anagal frowned, his brow furrowed in thought. “Maybe it’s trying to talk to us.”

Karliana's lips pressed into a thin line. The rational part of her wanted to believe the creature's intentions were not hostile, that it was genuinely attempting to communicate. But her instincts, honed through years of training with NATO forces and EU corps, warned her otherwise. The ambush, the strange purple anomaly, the paralysis of Alex’s team—it all pointed to a calculated trap.

“We don’t lower our guard,” she said firmly. “I don’t care what they’re trying to say. They attacked us first. They’ve incapacitated Hill’s team and damaged our vehicles. Until proven otherwise, they’re a threat.”

She tightened her grip on her rifle, her eyes narrowing as she stared down the alien. Deep down, a small part of her hoped this wasn’t another trap. But experience had taught her one hard truth: in war, if something seemed too good to be true, it usually was.

Around them, the forest remained eerily silent, the absence of gunfire only amplifying the heavy tension. The faint chirping of birds seemed almost out of place, a reminder of the peaceful world they’d invaded. Karliana’s team held their positions, their breaths shallow as they waited for the alien’s next move.

Sky above White Tail Woods, Southwestern Equestria. July 1st 2038. 1200 Hours

The sun was high in the sky, casting its warm, golden rays over the rolling expanse of White Tail Woods. A gentle breeze rippled through the trees, their leaves swaying softly against the azure sky. Captain Frost Wing and his squadron glided effortlessly through the air, their sleek, feathered forms cutting through the wind like arrows. The twelve pegasi maintained a tight formation, their sharp eyes scanning the ground and treetops below for any signs of danger.

The squadron had been tasked with patrolling the perimeter around Whinnypool, ensuring that no threat encroached on the critical settlement. Despite the tranquil scenery, an air of tension hung over the group, each pegasus alert for anything unusual.

Sergeant Dapper Dash broke the silence, his voice carrying over the wind. “Hey, anypony else heard those rumors about the new species? The one that supposedly attacked the Royal Guards a few days ago? They say it has contraptions that can fly without wings. What do you think?”

Lieutenant Shadow Hoof chuckled dismissively, his tone laced with skepticism. “Oh, come on, Dapper. You believe that nonsense? The division commander himself said this species doesn’t have magic. How could they possibly fly? It’s probably some wild exaggeration.”

Private Ivy Glow, flying slightly behind, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it sounds absurd. No magic, no wings—how does that even work? Some ponies will believe anything.”

Corporal Caramel Breeze added, “Honestly, it’s just another tall tale. I bet they’re just trying to scare us. Besides, if they can’t use magic, they’re no match for us in the air.”

However, Lieutenant Silver Blitz’s voice cut through the chatter, his tone thoughtful. “You’re all underestimating ingenuity. Remember the Minotaurs? They built the first hot air balloon. And the Abyssinians—they unveiled an air glider at the convention in Manehattan a few years ago. None of them used magic to fly; they relied on engineering.”

The squadron fell silent, contemplating his words. Dapper Dash broke the quiet. “So, Captain Frost Wing, what do you think? Is this species a hoax, or is there something more to it?”

Frost Wing kept his gaze forward, his mind racing. He considered the possibility of non-magical flight. It wasn’t unheard of—after all, Equestria itself had adopted airships thanks to Minotaur innovations. But the idea of a species without wings or inherent magic defied the principles of aerodynamics. “I believe in the power of ingenuity,” Frost Wing finally said. “But a creature defying both magic and aerodynamics? That’s… difficult to imagine.”

Before he could elaborate, a distant boom shattered the tranquility. The sound reverberated through the air, startling the pegasi.

“What was that?” Ivy Glow exclaimed, her voice trembling.

“Look!” Shadow Hoof pointed toward the forest. Through the gaps in the trees, bursts of light flickered—brief but sharp, like tiny stars blinking into existence and vanishing just as quickly. The flashes, coupled with faint plumes of smoke, painted an ominous picture.

The squadron descended cautiously, their keen eyes narrowing as they approached. The scene that unfolded below left them stunned. In a clearing, strange metallic structures gleamed under the sun. It was long and boxy, with wheels and angular protrusions, while others were smaller and seemed to float just above the ground. Beside these contraptions stood creatures unlike any the ponies had ever seen—bipedal beings clad in strange, angular armor.

But what truly horrified them was the chaos surrounding these creatures. In the center of the clearing, six familiar ponies—the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony—were under attack. The bipeds wielded long, black, L-shaped objects that emitted bursts of fire and sharp, deafening cracks. To the pegasi, these weapons looked like slender steel wands that spat destruction with every movement.

“By Celestia…” Dapper Dash’s voice quivered. “They’re attacking the Element Bearers! We have to do something!”

Lieutenant Silver Blitz nodded, his usual composure replaced with urgency. “If they’re hurt—or worse—Equestria could lose its most powerful defenders. Sir, we need to attack!”

Frost Wing’s mind raced. Their mission was to patrol and report back, not engage. Yet the sight of the Bearers—Equestria’s greatest hope—under assault was impossible to ignore. “We’re outnumbered them,” he said grimly. “But we know nothing about these creatures or their capabilities. But the safety of the Bearers takes precedence.”

He issued his orders swiftly. “We’ll split into two teams. Team A will focus on distracting and disabling the creatures. Team B will secure the Bearers and get them to safety. Stay coordinated and watch each other’s backs.”

The pegasi nodded, their faces steeled with determination. As the squadron broke formation and began their dive, Frost Wing felt a pang of doubt. Was this the right decision? They were stepping into the unknown, but retreating wasn’t an option.

The wind roared in their ears as they descended, the metallic contraptions and their strange operators growing larger in their sights. Frost Wing tightened his formation, leading his team toward their targets.

Unbeknownst to him, their intervention would shatter Equestria's first and last hope for peace.

White Tail Woods, Southwestern Equestria. July 1st 2038. 1200 Hours.

The sunlight filtered softly through the canopy of White Tail Woods, the weather pristine and calm—a stark contrast to the tension that crackled in the air. Twilight Sparkle’s heart pounded as she stood before the alien beings, their strange, angular armor glinting faintly under the sun. Fluttershy’s 'Stare' seemed to have subdued the immediate threat, the creatures lowering their weapons slightly, some exchanging glances filled with confusion and even fear. Twilight recognized this as her moment to act.

Summoning every ounce of courage, she took a small step forward. The ground beneath her hooves felt like it might crumble as she began to speak, her voice wavering but firm. “Greetings,” she said, her tone carefully modulated, though she doubted they would understand. “My name is Twilight Sparkle. I am the personal student of Princess Celestia, the ruler of this land. My friends and I mean you no harm. We are here to resolve the conflict between our peoples peacefully.”

Her words hung in the air like fragile glass, her violet eyes scanning the creatures’ faces. One of them tilted their head slightly, a flicker of understanding—or perhaps curiosity—crossing their visor-obscured expressions. Another shifted nervously, lowering their weapon an inch further. Encouraged, Twilight continued, her voice growing more confident. “We may not understand each other’s words yet, but this is the first step to building a bridge of coexistence between our species.”

A moment of fragile silence followed, broken only by the rustle of leaves in the wind. Twilight allowed herself a small breath of relief. One of the creatures even seemed to nod slightly—an acknowledgment, perhaps, of her effort.

But the peace shattered as abruptly as it had formed. From above, the sharp beating of wings heralded the arrival of a squadron of Royal Guard pegasi, their golden armor glinting as they descended in tight formation. Twilight turned in alarm, her heart sinking. “No! Wait!”

The pegasi’s sudden appearance startled everyone. Fluttershy’s focus faltered, and her 'Stare' dissolved as she let out a frightened squeak, hiding behind Rarity. Twilight’s plea was lost in the rising chaos. The alien soldiers reacted with honed precision, raising their weapons, only to find themselves forced into melee combat as the pegasi closed the distance too quickly.

Blades and bayonets clashed in a cacophony of ringing steel and grunts of exertion. A pegasus swung his spear at a soldier, who blocked it deftly with the butt of his rifle before countering with a jab. Another guard attempted to swoop in from above, only to be caught mid-flight by a alien soldier who slammed the base of his weapon into the pony’s chest. The pegasus let out a pained whinny as he crumpled to the ground.

“Stop this! Please!” Twilight screamed, her voice cracking with desperation. But her words fell on deaf ears. The battlefield was consumed by the primal instinct for survival.

Rainbow Dash, unwilling to stand idle, charged headfirst into the fray, only to be met with a swift kick from one of the soldiers. The force sent her sprawling onto the ground, where she groaned in pain. Applejack quickly tackled her, pinning her down to prevent her from doing anything rash. “Darn it, Rainbow! Yer gonna get yerself killed!”

Rarity and Fluttershy huddled together, trembling, while Pinkie Pie’s normally vibrant demeanor was gone. Her mane hung limp, her coat’s color muted as her wide, unblinking eyes stared at the chaos. Her tail twitched erratically—a sure sign that something far worse was coming.

Twilight’s resolve faltered as she saw three more of the alien soldiers emerge from the treeline, their weapons raised. The sharp, deafening cracks filled the air, and her world seemed to slow as pegasi guards fell one by one, their cries of pain piercing the air. Blood sprayed in vivid arcs, staining the earth and splattering Twilight and her friends. Rarity screamed, clutching Fluttershy tightly, while Applejack and Rainbow Dash froze, their bravado replaced by raw fear.

The rhythmic bursts of gunfire from the assault rifles reverberated in Twilight’s ears, each shot like a hammer to her chest. The acrid stench of smoke filled the clearing. Pegasi dropped from the sky like broken dolls, their lifeless bodies crashing to the ground.

Pinkie Pie’s tail gave one final, violent twitch. Her voice was hollow, almost detached. “It’s coming. Something... big.”

Twilight’s vision blurred with tears, but she forced herself to act. Channeling her magic, she fired a desperate blast at the trio of soldiers. The spell struck with a thunderous impact, sending them hurtling through the air. Their cries of pain echoed as they landed in crumpled heaps, blood pooling beneath them.

Before she could process what she had done, her attention snapped to a larger threat: one of the soldiers manning a turret atop a strange steel vehicle. The massive weapon swiveled toward her, its barrel glinting menacingly. Twilight barely had time to react, casting another spell in sheer desperation. Her magic struck the creature shoulder, and he let out a guttural scream as he toppled from his perch, clutching his injury.

Twilight’s stomach churned as she saw the extent of the damage. The creature’s shoulder was mangled, blood pouring freely as he writhed on the ground. This was the first time she had truly hurt another being, and the weight of it crushed her. 'What have I done?' she whispered, her voice trembling.

Her moment of horror was interrupted as another soldier charged toward her. She barely registered his shout before the butt of his rifle slammed into her face with brutal force. Pain exploded in her skull, and she crumpled to the ground, blood streaming from a gash on her forehead. Distantly, she heard her friends screaming her name.

Through the haze of pain, she saw the alien soldiers retreating, retrieving and dragging their injured comrades with them. But before they get them all a second squadron of pegasi guards descended, their spears gleaming as they pursued the fleeing creatures. Twilight’s vision dimmed as exhaustion and despair overcame her.

Her final thoughts before darkness claimed her were of failure. I’ve failed Celestia. I’ve failed Equestria. War is coming, and I couldn’t stop it.

Author's Note

Twilight treating this like her typical Friendship adventure, where 6 mares saves the day without any external help at all. The lack of coordination and communication between her and the Royal Guards are the reason for this manslaughter.

By the way, next week I can finally enjoy my December holiday. Yay ^^