Beyond Equestria's Border

The Squad disembarked from the train, squinting in the afternoon sun as they stood on the platform. All around them, ponies were going about, doing various things such as shopping and eating. It was a normal day, nothing was strange or amiss.

"Well, everything looks normal so far" Ghost said.

"Ah agree mate, it looks normal enough" Dufford agreed.

"We'll have enough time to judge how normal or strange the place is later, lets just head for the hotel we were told to check into" The Commander stated.

As the squad walked farther into town however, things began to turn sour. People kept screaming or gasping or running do to the sight of Masticator and Ghost. People also whispered about the groups armor, due to the fact that expedition force armor looks completely different from normal guard armor.

"Say ghost, maybe you should shape shift, these ponies are getting scared by you" Rampart said.

"No way in hell" Ghost growled "They have already seen me, besides, they would figure out who I was sooner or later. I will not hide myself."

They kept moving, getting more frustrated as they could not find the hotel and more and more people were pointing and whispering.

"Hey, ya'll want to buy something" a young high pitched voice said.

The squad looked down and saw a small yellow filly with a big red bow looking at them expectantly.

"Well of course we will, and whats your name miss" Masticator asked.

"Its-" the filly began.

"APPLEBLOOM!!" a voice yelled

The filly winced and turned around as a larger orange pony with a cowboy hat ran out from behind a stand.

"What have I told you about talking to strangers" she said "Especially ones who ain't pony folk." she said squinting suspiciously at Masticator and Ghost.

"And whats that supposed to mean?" Ghost said coldly.

"Ya, do you have a problem with my species" Masticator asked with venom dripping from his voice.

"Well, Diamond Dogs have not only kidnapped mah friend Rarity onetime, changelings once attempted to take over all of Equestria!" she shouted.

Commander Meteor Mash had to step in now or the two being challenged would launch a total racial showdown, right there in the towns market.

"Excuse me Ms...?" he had no idea what here name was.

"Applejack" The pony supplied.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding, your sister, I am assuming she is your sister, simply wanted us to buy something." He stated

"Sis, don't go throwin out accusations again" Applebloom said.

"Hush for a second, your were saying Mr..?" Applejack said

"Commander Meteor Mash of the Equestrian Expedition Force. I have served with these two for many years and can assure you that they are completely loyal" He stated

"Well, alright, but if they cause trouble, there gonna be run out of town on a rail" She cautioned

"I will keep that in mind. Good day" And with that they squad left, looking for the hotel.

XXXX

They day kept going south from there. They found out that due to a large tourist group from the Crystal Empire showing up, they registration had been shifted around and they were all sharing a room. So they dropped there gear off at the room, but decided to keep their armor on.

"Were to now sir? We should probally try to track down Princess Twilight." Falkenhayen stated.

So they set of, looking for the library. Eventually, after a lot of cursing and stumbling through alleys, they discovered the place.

"Since when was it a good idea to put books inside a tree that is flamable?" Hail Storm asked.

"I seriously don't care at this point" Meteor Mash snapped back. He had patience, but it was beginning to fray.

They knocked on the door a few times, with no response.

"Hey, anypony in there? Open the damm door!" The commander yelled.

The door finally swung open, revealing a small purple dragon standing in the doorway.

"Um, who are you guys?" he said, glancing fearfully at the changeling and the diamond dog.

"We are members of the Equestrian Expedition force, we were ordered to meet one Princess Twilight Sparkle here. Is said pony on the premise?" Commander Meteor Mash asked.

"Ohhhhh, you just missed her, she went out with some friends, something about a pet day at the park" Spike said "And of course, I have to organize all the books" he grumbled.

"Excellent, point the way and we will head out" The commander said.

"Its over that way"  Spike said pointing a claw.

"Oh no pal, we have been running around in circles all day looking for stuff, your coming with us" The commander said.

"Um, well, you see, I have short legs so I would only slow you down" Spike said nervously

"Hop on my back then" Ghost growled "I can fly being a changeling and all, so lets not waste anymore time with exscuses" He said.

So Spike joined them on there hunt for Twilight, pointing directions out. Eventually, they came across the park, the mane 6 sitting there chatting amiably as their various pets ran around. It was completely peaceful.

"OY, any alicorns down there!" Dufford shouted, completely shattering the peace.

The ponies looked up at the group.

“We need the situation report from Twi-” Thats as far as he got before a pink blob of hyperactivity interrupted him.

“Ohmygosh, your new to town aren’t you? Hi, my names Pinkie Pie, what’s all of your names” Said pony stated with a huge smile plastered on her face.

“Um, well I’m Commander Meteor Mash” The commander said hesitantly.

“Ohhhh, do mash meteors or do meteors mash you, who are all your friends and-” The stream of words was blessedly cut off as Twilight Sparkle covered her mouth.

“Apologies, Pinkie gets a little carried away. You said you were looking for me?” Twilight said.

“Yes Celestia sent my team an order to show up here, effective immediatly. I am guessing you convinced her to send the letter.” He asked.

“Yep” She said.

There was an awkward pause “Mind telling me why?” He asked

“You are here to asses and assist the Royal Guards who were deployed to the Everfree forest. They were deployed to investigate mysterious figure moving around in the forest. A few weeks ago, they engaged an unknown hostile force and dug in. I want you to go out and find out whats going on” Twilight stated.

“What? Haven’t you been out there lately?” Commander Meteor Mash asked

“Yes, but you have more of an eye for combat than I do, so, I want your opinon”

“Fine, we will head out at once” The commander stated

“WAIT” Pinkie yelled suddenly “What about the extra special welcome party I throw for new ponies?”

“Maybe later Pinkie, when they have finished their jobs” Twilight responded

So without further distractions, the squad set off towards the Everfree forest.

XXXX

The squad was uneasy, the closer they got to the guards base, the more they could hear the sounds of a pitched battle going on. The sounds of stallions screaming, however, was the loudest of all.

They pushed through the undergrowth and reached the trench line, only to see it under heavy attack.

“Contact, left side!”

“Focus fire on the left!”

“Kill em all!”

The squad ducked into the trench and headed for the command post. Upon reaching it, they saw a white stallion walk over towards them.

“You the squad the princess called in? Good, we need all the help we can get. Come inside the command post” The officer said.

Upon entering the earthen bunker, they were confronted with a hectic sight. Soldiers running every which way, maps of the forest and surronding areas. There was even a green glowing torch over to the side for sending messages long distance.

“Excuse me colonel, but we don’t even know your name” Rampart said

“Its Orosius. Anyways, pardon me if I come off a bit angry right now, but I just received the worst orders of my life” He growled

“Take a look” he said handing them a scroll.

The commander cleared his throat and began to read it.

“Colonel Orosius, the attack is to go forward tomorrow. Your guards are to attack the enemies trench and drive them out. I repeat, the attack is to go forward. Good luck to all of you” The commander said

The commander looked up in shock “Hand me those binoculars” he said.

Raising the glasses to his eyes, he could see the enemy was heavily fortified. Their trenches were deep, their razor wire thick. The great wooden stakes in front of the trench were built to repel any charge. And, there were tons of repeating crossbows and rapid fire ballistas all along the trench line.

“Its sucuide to go out there” The commander exclaimed “Who issued this order?”

He looked at the bottom of the scroll and saw the signatures on the paper. There was Celestia’s and Luna’s, Cadence and Shining Armor’s, hell they even had that pompous jerk Blueblood’s signature on it.

“So, you ar going to attack?” The commander asked.

“You bet, first thing in the morning. The press is going to be here, cameras rolling, taking photographs as we all fall” The colonel said grimly.

They talked into the night about what to do, eventually settling on the grim fact that the attack would go forward.

“Colonel, can we get a place to sleep, its been many hours and my men are weary” Meteor Mash said.

Orosius nodded “There’s a dugout over there. Good night, see you in the morning”

The squad plopped down into their hole for the night, most of them thinking about the day tomorrow.

Finally, Ghost broke the silence

“Brave boys, all of them”