A Lost Cause

The eagle approached the Crystal Empire. "ETA 2 minutes, disengage stealth mechanisms."

RK, the only pilot said. "We are jumping into some deep shit, Elite."If we lose the Crystal Empire we lose the war, RK." Shruko explained.

"Drop me off in the castle tower, me and Elite will secure the courtyard with sniper fire. At the same time RK, you, Manuel, and X infill through the back, and secure the castle. Eliminate every Changling you you see."

The squad gave a unanimous "Roger."

Elite brought up a map of the castle with his magic, Griffon advanced recon reports an extraordinary force, exceeding 10,000. Any other squad would be mowed down on sight. A yellow dot appeared in the tower and a lot of red dots in the courtyard. "We have been given 30 minutes until the main army comes and reinforce us. We will be laying down continuous sniper fire. Got it?" Elite commanded.

The squad grabbed their gear, RK being the heavy support 'The heavy artillery' he says. Manuel the medic, He has a speed enhancer to get to hurt troops. X being the CQB specialist, he having portable stealth mechanisms.

The ship reached the tower. The pegasus and unicorn hopped onto the crystalline surface. "I never got to visit the Crystal Empire ya know.... Before the war and all. It seems really beautiful.." Shruko said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Yeah, me and Rainbow visited once, the market was bustling with the Crystal Ponies. Also-" He was interrupted by slight sobbing.

"W-What was that?" Elite said, putting his gun up.

The two snipers moved to the closet, where the sobbing was coming from. Shruko slightly opened the door to see a crystal guard cowering in fear, he chanted "T-The Crystal Empires' f-falling down... F-falling down..."

The sight scared the two battle-hardened soldiers."Great Celestia...." Shruko whispered at the sight of the guard.

He then raised RK on the communicator. "RK hurry up with that clean up we have a traumatized guard here."

RK responded, heavy amounts of gunfire in the background. "Almost done, there are less Changlings in the castle. they must all be outside. On our way."

Shruko sighed. "No, RK, get back to the eagle we need to evac this guard. HE NEEDS OUR HELP!" Shruko yelled to RK, his distress getting the better of him. He was always the caring one.

"Fine, fine. I need a minute to get to the ship." RK said, then cutting his communicator off.

"Thank you." Shruko said, calming down.

After the first 20 minutes it was easy, slowly picking Changling grunts off with little effort. Then they got smart and shot back at them. But it wouldn't matter.

Pretty soon Canterlots army would come in and massacre the remaining Changling forces. After 10 minutes of constant sniping, war cries were heard through the entire kingdom. Shruko smirked. It was the army.

He took his helmet off and whipped his dark brown hair into shape. "Another day another success, eh Elite?" Shruko said.

"Hell yeah, Shruko..." Elite replied, sighing

"OH DEAR CELESTIA!!" RK screamed, then static, A fiery explosion was heard outside.

"RK!!!!!" Shruko yelled, flying out so fast he almost imitates Rainbows' Sonic Rainboom.

He then moved the wrecked eagle from over top RKs' body. "RK!! Speak to me, brother!" Shruko yelled, shaking RK's dead body.

"Don't die on us now!!" He screamed again.

Elite flew up behind him, his helmet retracting. "He's dead, Shruko, there's nothing we can do..."

Shrukos' head fell, you couldn't see or hear it, but he was sobbing, like a newborn filly. He just lost someone who was like a brother to him. Who wouldn't sob?

Elite raised a hoof to Shruko. He grabbed the unicorns' hoof too lift himself off the ground. He then lifted RK's dead body onto his back and began the long track back to Ponyville, and to tell Applejack of RKs' death.

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