Chapters "Come on! We got to get to the Point!" said a armored pony while sprinting. "Hey wait up!" called another pony behind him in identical armor color running behind. "Look they have the lead there's no way we can catch up to them." said a pony over the radio in a melancholy voice. The pony in the lead stopped and looked around while three other ponies caught up beside him. "Where are they?" asked one panting while looking around. They were on some harmonic resonance platforms hidden deep within the clouds, believed to sustain the existence of artificial stars, code-named Haven . "This place isn't too big. Where the hell are they?" Suddenly a short scream came over the radio. The Spartans looked at each other. "That may answer our question." one said. The lead pony pointed to one of them. "Double time it to his position. And if he's joking, the team-kill would be justified." The Spartan saluted and headed towards the teammate's location. "Alright, if you're kidding around sarge told me I could kill you." The Spartan tripped and fell with a loud boom of the armor hitting the ground. He quickly got up and held up his Assault Rifle and looked around the room. He soon found his teammate's lifeless body on the floor with a UNSC knife in his neck. "Sargent, we have confirmed casualty." The Sargent sighed. "Understood. Get back to the team and we'll try and form a plan." "Yes, sir." "Sarge, he's been gone for awhile now. Are you sure he's alright?" "Label him as KIA then. We need to eliminate the enemy." he hissed back. "But it's the the three of us and six of them. We won't make it." said a pony in recruit armor. "He's right you know." said a pony coming out of camouflage. Five others did as well. "Put your weapons down and accept the defeat." said a spartan in purple and steel recon armor. The pony in the recruit armor ran in one direction trying to escape. "Dash, handle him." said the Recon spartan. A spartan in light blue Air Assault armor lowered her weapon. "Yes, ma'am." She turned to face the fleeing spartan. Wings shot out of her back and thrusted to him. She quickly caught up to him and tackled him to the ground them held her knife to his neck. She leans her head closer to his. "If you run, you are unfit to be Spartan." she whispered to him. The knife slid into him as he suffered a shameful death. When she returned, one of the enemy Spartans were on the ground while a gold and yellow pony in CQC armor stood over him. She looks up at her team-mate. "Sorry, he tried to pull a fast one." she said in a thick country accent. They all look over at the last remaining spartan. "Well are you finished?" said the recon pony. He held is head in shame and nodded. "Game Over. Victory-Harmony Team." said a AI's voice. The mission ended and the beautiful scene of Haven turned into a large, plain white room. "They're great aren't they?" asked a mare in fire colored armor to the ship's captain. "Yeah. But I'm sure any team could do well against a newly formed spartan squad. I've yet to see impressive stats against the Covenant." he said back looking down at the Spartans form the observation deck above the simulation. "Wait. impressive ? Captain, with all due respect, Harmony is the best Spartan team the UNSC has. Their stats are far beyond impressive." she said glancing at him. "Commander Spitfire, your Spartans are good, i'm not saying anything different. But it takes more than what they have to defeat the Covenant." The captain turned and walled out. Spitfire sighed as her AI appeared on the dashboard. "Frost, you back me up right?" The AI with white spartan armor and snow white coat. She brushed her grey hair and blinked her blue eyes. "No doubt that Harmony is the best, but...." she said trailing off. "Frost don't tell me you're on his side." "I'm on nopony's side. But.... training never hurt anypony." Frost disappeared into the ship's systems. "Harmony Team meet me in the Spartan Deck. I got a mission for you."
"Dash, what was that all about?" Twilight asked while checking her armor. "What?" replied Dash looking inside her locker. "What did you say to that recruit?" said Twilight glancing up at her friend. Rainbow Dash shrugged and closed her locker. "I told him Spartans don't run." "But in that way?" Dash looked around the room with her eyes. "Not exactly." Twilight just rolled her eyes. "We need to be an example to the newer ponies. We can't have them going into battle thinking they're not good. Got it?" she asked putting a hoof on Dash's shoulder. "Yeah, yeah." Dash replied shrugging her hoof away. Just then Rarity peeked from around the door. "Are you two ready yet? Spitfire still needs us in the Spartan Deck." "Yeah we're ready." Twilight said. As Rarity when back into the hall with Twilight and Rainbow Dash behind her, the rest of the team was waiting for them. "I'm so glad we get to go on another mission! It's been so long!" said Pinkie Pie almost jumping out of her coat colored armor. "Pinkie, we where on a extraction mission yesterday." Fluttershy said. "I know! That's a full twenty-four hours!" The team giggled and headed to the Spartan Deck to receive the orders. On the way, they over heard some Marines talking. "Hey, did you hear about that Super Carrier coming?" one asked. "Yeah. Things like that make me glad to be stationed on Moonlight." said one patting the ship's wall. "I don't think you get it bro. They aren't just here for the planet. They came to destroy any UNSC ships." said another Marine. Harmony kept walking but can still faintly hear them. For awhile they all walked in silents. Finally, Applejack broke it. "So, uh, What do y'all think we're doing today?" she asked to anypony who would answer. Twilight looked back at her friend. "I guess, stopping the Covenant? Same old same old." "I guess so." Applejack replied. They continued to walk without a word. When they got to the Spartan Deck, Spitfire was sending off other Spartan teams onto the planet by Pelican. She turned and faced Harmony. "Ah, glad you can make it Harmony. As you are aware, The Covenant are here. On Icago. We aren't sure why, but all we know is we got to get them out. ONI as made the order of heavy Spartan Operations on the planet. Almost at the same level of Reach. So Commander Shining Armor will soon be taking over." Twilight grinned slightly. Spitfire continued. "But until then I'll be in charge of Spartan Ops here, he's preoccupied anyway. It's time to get to the point, I know you're all dying to get started." she said looking at Pinkie Pie's overly excited face. "Command has got a plan for a week long campaign to gain a edge on Icago, so after you get sent off, you won't be on board for a while. Your first task is to secure a Command Post. It's communication array is the strongest on the planet and we can stay in contact while you're on the surface. The Covenant must know this and they have been attacking it for hours. Marines have been sent there but make no mistake you're the true heroes here." Rainbow Dash broke into a gloating smile. Spitfire noticed and gave her a look but kept talking. "After that, the rest of the order will come through. I'll send you schematics on the way. Understood?" Harmony nodded. "Any questions?" Twilight spoke up. "Ma'am, how badly is the situation at this point?" Spitfire looked a little confused but finally answered. "High civilian casualties. High UNSC casualties. three percent of the planet is now glasslands." she said grimly. Twilight nodded. "Understood ma'am." She put her helmet on as the the rest of the the team. "Okay then. Time to get to work Harmony." Spitfire said with a salute. They saluted back and loaded up inside a Pelican. As it took off the, pilot slightly turned around in his seat. "Spartans, just as a heads up, the Covenant has the air held pretty tight over the Post. So after awhile the ride might get a little bumpy." He faced forward again and the Pelican sped towards the planet's surface. "Spike did you get the schematics yet?" Twilight asked her baby dragon AI. "Yep and I gotta say, I think the situation is worst than what Spitfire told you guys." "What do you mean, Spike?" Well that three percent of glasslands has jumped to fifteen percent." Harmony looked at each other and didn't say anything. Twilight tried to change the subject. "Spike, send the schematics to everypony's HUD." Spike did so just as Spitfire's voice came over the radio. "Alright. Teams Harmony and Onyx, you two Spartan squads are heading to Command Post Omega. Believe it or not, the Marines have actually got the main complex locked down tight so the only things you can do is secure the Research Facility and Barracks. The 'problem' is that it's crawling with Covenant forces and have dug into both of them. So here's a challenge. Which ever team clears out their building first, wins."
"Understood, Commander. We'll get the job done. Onyx out." responded Onyx's leader. "Harmony, now just as a heads up, Onyx's Pelican left before yours so when you land you might wanna get going. Good luck-Spitfire out." Rainbow Dash is rubbing her hooves together and ginning under her helmet. "This is gonna be fun!" she said. "Dash, remember it's not who finishes first, we're here to complete a mission." Twilight said. As the pilot mentioned earlier, as that approached their part of the Post, they were met with heavy fire. The Pelican weaved and bobbed in attempt to evade the hail of hot plasma. The Pelican landed and the bay doors swung open and Harmony quickly got out and into cover. The Pelican took off before it was quickly shot down. "Onyx to Command, we have captured the Barrack's courtyard." "Come on Harmony pick up the pace." Spitfire said as a reply. Twilight looked over the rocky cover they were in and surveyed the area noting that it was the Research Facility. The team started opening fire on anything that wasn't a pony. Twilight and Rarity focused on the snipers that pinned them down. After that, Applejack and Fluttershy attempted to move up but quickly moved back behind cover. Applejack pointed to the many guns placed around they're landing area. Twilight gestured to Pinkie who typically carried some type of heavy weapons. Pinkie took aim at the guns and fired. As a rocket zipped to a Shade Turret, the Grunt inside of it quickly dismounted and tried to run for his life. With the turrets destroyed or no pony using them, it was a whole lot easier for them to progress. "Hello anypony there? I'm not hearing anypony and scans say none of you are dead. Come on! We don't got all day!" Spitfire said to both teams in a mocking tone. "Sorry ma'am, we have hit heavy resistance in the Barrack's main buildings." said the leader of Onyx. "Harmony, how's your situation?" Spitfire asked. "Well we cleared the outside and is now moving inside the main building." Twilight said as they sprinted to the entrance. "So it's about neck and neck then." Rainbow Dash said. They entered the lab and found it was ransacked. "Harmony to Command, I think the Covenant may have stolen something from the Research labs." Twilight said looking around. "Most likely. But after it's clear we'll just have science team investigate what's missing." said Spitfire. Harmony left one of the labs and walking in a empty hallway. "Wait, that means if somethings stolen, then that means they were looking for something and that means-" Applejack was saying until Twilight cut her off. "Yeah. Zealots." she said grimly. "So, there may be an invisible hinge-head right down the hall and we won't know it until it's to late?" Rarity said focusing down hallway as were the rest of the team. Twilight nodded. She then noticed Rainbow Dash moving faster towards the hall. Twilight looked at her. "Permission to take point?" Dash asked. "Permission granted." Dash continued to the end with the team slightly behind. She finally met the end and touched the wall. "Nothing?" she said under her breath. Just as she was going to say clear an camouflaged Elite tackled her to the ground. Dash's Assault Rifle left her and slid back to Harmony. The Elite slowly became visible again and drew his energy sword. Dash punched the Elite and grabbed his head, trying to get him off. He roared as he lashed out at her. Before she was decapitated, Fluttershy kicked the Elite in the head and he was disoriented. Dash managed to kick him off of her and in seconds they were both standing up. Another Zealot Elite appeared behind Fluttershy and wrapped his arm around her neck and lifted her up into the air. He already had his sword activated and already in hoof. He was preparing to ram it into her back but Pinkie jumped onto his back and jabbed him in the neck with her knife. Pinkie Pie got off of him and the Elite released Fluttershy. The Elite backed into the wall grasping the knife in his neck. He looked at Pinkie and painfully roared and sung the sword at her. It grazed her stomach, but still was enough to slash her armor and make her fall on her back in pain. The Zealot looked back at Harmony and was met with the barrel of Applejack's shotgun in his face. The word 'Apple-Bucker' scratched on the side. She pulled the trigger and the shells collided with the Elite's face. He did a back-flip and hit the ground with a thud. Three more Zealots showed up from behind the Zealot that attacked Dash. They backed away slowly and vanished into the shadows. "Alright, Dash, AJ, and Fluttershy. You three secure the area. Rarity and I will stay here with Pinkie and get her out of here." "No i'm fine Twilight. Honest." With the help of Rarity, Pinkie painfully got to her hooves while holding on to her wound. Twilight just gestured for the other three to get those Zealots. "This is Twilight to UNSC Moonlight- requesting airlift for wounded Spartan." Down the dark hallway the three Spartans had their helmet's light on while looking at their surroundings. Applejack stopped and got lower to the ground and waved to Dash and Fluttershy to follow her. They came to a corner and stop has they heard a conversation between the Zealots. "What are they saying?" Fluttershy asked. "Do I look like I speak hinge-head?" Rainbow Dash replied. "Oh wait I got a makeshift translator." Applejack said looking on the com-link on her wrist. She turned the volume down and read the text. "Did he get the Code-X?" "Yes. Ship Master should be also receiving it as well." "Good with this information the filthy ponies won't be able to stop us." The Elites stopped talking after that. "What was that all about? Code-X?" Rainbow Dash said with confusion. "I have no idea. But we have to get this back to Command. I'm sure they will know." Applejack said. Then an Energy Sword swung from around the corner and hit just above Applejack's head. The sword was stuck inside the wall and Applejack held his arm into place. Fluttershy unloaded her Magnum into the Elite's head and he collapsed onto the ground. The other Elites growled in anger. Dash and Fluttershy turned around the corner and opened fire on the Zealots as so did they. One Elite turned invisible as the other fell and died. "Where did he go this time?" Dash said in frustration. She started down to pursue him but Applejack stopped her by putting her hoof on her shoulder. "Job's done. Let's get back to Twilight." she said. Outside of the facility, the Pelican has showed up to bring Pinkie back to the Moonlight. "Twilight to Command, we have secured the Research Facility." "Nice work Harmony. Better luck next time Onyx" Spitfire said. "Yes ma'am" said the leader with mild resentment. "Rarity, you stay with Pinkie and make sure she's not lonely on the way back." Twilight said. "Alright. Come on Pinkie I got you." Rarity said helping Pinkie onto the Pelican. As it took off Twilight looked back at the other ponies. "So, the Zealots?" she asked. "Yeah we handled them. But they said something about a Code-X and they apparently stole it from here." Applejack said showing Twilight the log of text the Elites were talking about. "Heads up Harmony! Inbound Covenant Phantoms on approach to your position." said Spitfire. "Later." Twilight said. "First we need to deal with this." As Harmony looked up and saw the many Phantoms closing in on them.
Over The River and Through The Woods
"Onyx! Get to Harmony's position now!" Spitfire commanded over the radio. "Yes, ma'am. R-right away, ma'am!" he replied. Harmony Team was held up on top of the Research building. As two Phantoms hoovered over them they quickly had to move back inside. "Harmony, status." Spitfire said. "Same as before, ma'am. Well...they've breached the building. But we got it covered." Twilight replied. The sounds of a heated firefight in the background. Back on Moonlight, the Captain of the ship gloatingly glanced over to Spitfire. "So. How's your 'super' Spartan teams?" he asked mockingly. She shot him a 'no time for your bullshit' face. He just calmly walked away chuckling to himself. Back on the ground, Harmony has re-secured the facility and were back outside. Onyx finally arrived. They linked up with Harmony. "What took y'all so long?" Applejack asked. "We ran into some problems. Looks like the Covenant want to retake this place. The Marines are also getting compromised at the Com-Tower." one of the Spartans replied. Out of nowhere, the Covenant fell back into the forest that surrounded the whole base. The Spartan teams stopped shooting and looked around cautiously. "Twilight to Command, we lost visual on hostiles." "Can you repeat that, Twilight? 'Lost visual'? she said in misunderstanding. "Yes ma'am. They went into the forest." "Well I guess you know where your team is headed don't you miss Sparkle?" "Yes ma'am." "We're sending reinforcements to the Post. You'll be out and about shortly." "Can hardly wait ma'am. Twilight out." Hours later, UNSC forces have fully secured the area and only small patrols have been sent out into the forests and found nothing. Rarity came back and informed the team about Pinkie being a little late. Pinkie would always choose to fight alongside her friends and for the UNSC than go home with a Purple Heart any day. Harmony were all waiting inside a large guard tower and awaited Spitfire the order to head into the forest. The Spartans were quiet and they've heard nothing back about the Code-X. Only, 'It will be handled.' Sometimes they got the BS answers form Spitfire which of course makes no sense. While inside the tower, Twilight constantly looked out towards the woods through the scope of her rifle just to see what she could see. Finally, Fluttershy spoke, "Um, Twilight? How are we going to find the Covenant? It's a really big forest after all." Twilight agreed on the forest's size and wasn't sure how they would fine them. "I'm sure Command is working on that. 'Probably why we're still here." Shortly after a Pelican showed up with a Warthog attached to it. Inside the bay was Pinkie Pie with the body language of a healthy pony. Another Pelican dropped in behind it and was carrying another 'Hog. Harmony came out of the tower and greeting Pinkie. Spitfire came over on the radios. "Harmony, the next step in the campaign is underway. It's time for you six to hunt down those Covies. The Warthogs are your means of transport. It's getting night down there so get going and good luck. Spitfire out." The two Pelicans departed and the team mounted the jeeps. Rainbow Dash got on the back gun on one of the 'Hogs and Applejack got on the other. Fluttershy and Pinkie took driver positions as Twilight and Rarity rode as passengers. "Alright girls, let's move." Twilight said. The Warthogs raced through the forest, avoiding trees and other obstacles. They bounced around as they tore though forest shrubs. Branches zipped pass their heads. As night drew quicker, the jeeps' headlights flickered on. "High energy reading, Twilight." Spike said. "Where?" she asked. "Just up ahead." he responded. Suddenly, the two Warthogs came to a stop. In front of them was a large river. As they looked in the direction of the river, it seemed to stretch for miles. "Can we cross it?" Pinkie asked revving the engine. Applejack hoped of the back and approached the body of water. She took a large branch that was near it and slowly slid it in. By the time she was laying on her stomach and her arm was fully submerged, "Nah, too deep." she said standing back up, the branch floated to the bottom. "So now what?" Dash asked. They looked around for answers. Knowing that an airlift could be a waste and also there might be a Covenant camp just beyond this river. They were stuck. Rarity quickly hit her hooves together. "Idea!" she exclaimed. She gets out of the vehicle. "We can make a makeshift ramp and jump the river." she said gesturing at a large slanted piece of rock. The ponies nodded and went over to the bolder. The six started to move the large stone into place with their super-pony strength. "Great idea, Rarity. Sounds like something I would have came up with." Dash said. The team moved it into place in front of the river and got back into the 'Hogs. "Alright everypony, let's hope for the best." Twilight said. The two war jeeps sped to the natural ramp-hitting it with great force. As they went air born, everypony held their breath. They neared the other side and landed with a loud crash. As they looked around to see they were fine, the celebrated a little and headed to the high concentration on energy. "Spike, set a way-point to everypony's HUD for the location." Twilight said to her dragon AI. "Got it, Twilight." he said. Pinkie and Fluttershy changed their direction as they got the location. After a short time they came upon a shield. "Are you serious?" Applejack asked in frustration. Twilight and Rarity got out and got closer. "Ah, perfect." Twilight said as she approached a console. "I guess they were suspecting some over Covenant to show up." she said examining it. "Spike, can you get us inside?" she asked pulling his construct out of the back of her helmet. He appeared holographic and an looked other at the console and back to Twilight. "It's just a simple code, I can get it." he said closing his eyes and crossing his arms. Twilight plugged him into the system and the shield quickly disappeared. "Great job." she said sliding him back inside her helmet. "Alright, Rarity and I will stay on hoof, you girls stay in the 'Hog. Let's go." Twilight said.
