It didn't take me very long to realize what is happening by the time we reached the west side of town. The Covenant ground forces had been retreating and two possibilities went through my mind. One: They're sending in hunters and don't want the rest getting in the way or two: they're about to glass the town. What I don't understand is that if they're going to glass us then why go through the trouble of sending ground forces.

I scanned around for the green glow of hunter cannons but found none. I looked up, and about a half click away is a cruiser with its belly glowing the deadly shade a magenta that grew in size as the ship drew closer. "Everyone in the pelicans!" It took everyone to process what I said before other human soldiers began to direct ponies onto the birds.

There are only three pelicans and only so many could fit in them. "Pegasi will fly. That's an order! Twilight, Rarity, follow me." I sprinted towards one of the pelicans that are being loaded and got both Rarity and Twilight on it. Before any of them could say anything to hatch began to close locking me out. I got back as the engines started and the pelican took off towards Canterlot.

There are still a lot of ponies and humans piling into the last two pelicans and I joined one of the lines. Luckily the line is still short and I clamored on, helping others get on as well. Once the pelican is full they drive a warthog up to the back and connect it to the tow hooks on the pelican. The same is done with the last pelican and the other warthogs began to drive out of town.

The pelican lurched as it began to take off and I glanced at the sky and saw the cruiser now hanging just outside of town as yellow flashes hit the side of it. Then a purple beam shot out and I followed it as it hit a UNSC frigate in the engines causing an near-instant explosion. The pelican got off the ground and flew forward just as the magenta orb on the cruiser shot down on the south side of the town, then began to cut through towards the pelican that is still grounded. The hot plasma hit the tail of the pelican just as it began to take off and sent it back down in a piling heap of melted metal.

A flash a mint-green in the warthog caught my eye and I looked up to see Lyra, and next to her Bon-Bon. She looked at me and we made eye contact for a second, although she probably didn't realize it.

The rest of the trip I watched the cruiser glass the town until it stopped, leaving a large area turned to dust and glass fragments. I can see the small shimmers of light that reflect off the glass and I could almost say it is beautiful. If I didn't already know what happened. I looked around to see a lot of depressed ponies. Some scared and others emotionless. It hurt to see Ponyville go like that. And it hurt to know that these ponies have no chance of survival even with our help.

Outside the pelican numerous pegasi struggled to keep pace with the pelican while carrying another pony in their arms. It seems that the flight training really did help. I laid down with my feet hanging out of the pelican slightly and rested my head down trying to avoid any pony's flanks. I closed my eyes and allowed memories to creep into my thoughts.

I laid down with my back propped up against a tree. The sweet smell of the grass filled my senses and the slight chill of Luna's night cut through my thin cotton shirt. In my arms is the soft feeling of the lavender mare's coat and her mane looking a little messier than normal. Her hooves dangled in the air in a cute way while she rested on top of me and gazed at the stars.

She enjoyed this a lot, but I never looked at the stars not wanting to remember the things that haunt them. Instead I looked at the scenery. This was one of the many trees in Ponyville's park but it provided the perfect view for Twilight and something to help me focus on other things.

"They're beautiful. The stars, don't you agree?"

I looked down at Twilight with a somewhat mad expression. "I don't like looking at the stars. Too many bad memories."

"Oh..." She paused and I could tell she was thinking. "Then why do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Why do you bring me out here to go star gazing if you don't like it?"

I smiled at her as she looked up at me with pleading eyes. I kissed her on the nose and a slight blush washed over her cheeks. "Because I love you."

She seemed to like that answer because she closed her eyes and snuggled into my chest with a short yawn. I held her tighter and closed my own eyes and let sleep take over.

"Hey, get up. We're almost at Canterlot." a voice said. I opened my eyes and found ourselves pretty far away from Ponyville. So much it looks like a small dot. Many more pegasi are now keeping up and all are carrying another pony. It didn't take long for the pelican to begin circling the courtyard of Canterlot castle and touch down. The warthog detached and bounced slightly before rolling away to allow the ponies out.

I hopped out of the pelican and went to an area by myself and sat down, taking off my helmet. There were already thousands of ponies waiting that had come from the Canterlot training grounds to help out. On the other side of the courtyard I spot Twilight by herself. I picked up my helmet and made my way to her. When I reached her I'm surprised to see her crying. I don't think she heard me approach her because she flinched when I put my hand on her shoulder, but she wrapped me in a hug none the less.

"W-we left S-Spike! W-why did we leave him t-there?" she cried into my shoulder.

I took off her helmet and set it aside before comforting her. I let my hand run through her soft mane while holding her close to me and cooed 'It will be alright' into her ear. Of all the times I've comforted someone or somepony, it's never been quite like this. I felt closer to Twilight than I had with the others, and I felt closer to her now than I had before, even though we aren't dating anymore.

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"You're supposed to be asleep."

"I couldn't. Too much on my mind to sleep."

"Understandable." I paused. "I'm sorry about Spike, Twilight."

She let out a sigh. "I think I understand now. I didn't before but now... I get it."

I looked over to her with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"

"Every night when you took me out to star gaze and I always asked you if you thought the stars were beautiful, and you'd say you don't like to look at them. Too many bad memories. I was trying to understand why."

I nodded without a word and turned back to the night sky. It looked peaceful and I finally allowed myself one small glance at the stars. "They are beautiful." I said to answer her question.

I felt something push up against me and faced Twilight who is now leaning against me. "Do you..... do you still love me?" I looked away from her and I can feel her looking at me. I can imagine her expression, but I didn't want to face her. "Taylor?"

Now I can hear the worry in her voice. The fear that I might not anymore and truth is I don't really know at this point. "I...."

"Please just tell me!" she begged.

"I don't know."

"Bullshit you don't know! You do know and you just can't to tell me because you can't face me!" Twilight yelled at me, pointing a hoof at me. "You're too scared! And you promised me that you would love me no matter what!"

Now I faced her. "You avoided me for almost three months and you expect me to just wait and hope that you'll eventually come through? As far as I was concerned you didn't care about me anymore! I thought you didn't want to see me anymore! And you're mad at me for not knowing if I still love you?"

Twilight looked at me with surprise at my sudden attack on her and shrunk slightly. "I'm sorry..."

"Damn right you are!" I shouted pointing a finger in her direction. She looked at me with a slight hint of fear in her eyes. "I thought you would have thought that through before trying to blame me."

"I'm sorry." she said again now looking down at the rocky earth beneath her hooves.

Her voice sounded sincere and hurt. I hesitated but I took my helmet off pulled her to me saying "I'm sorry" too. Twilight wiggled out of my arms before laying herself down on the rocks as she stared up at the stars and I joined her, letting our heads touch. Neither of us says anything for a while, just enjoying the cool breeze.

"I wonder how Luna makes them so beautiful. So... peaceful." I faced Twilight who has that look of distant amazement in her eyes. The same look she used to get before the Covenant attack. She looked at me with a smile. "What do you think?"

"I think," I wrapped my arms around her waist, "the most beautiful star is right next to me." I whispered as I drew myself closer to her until our faces were an inch apart.

A blush washed across her face and she couldn't help but smile. "R-really?"

I replied by closing the gap and our lips connect. She taste sweet with mint and it only made me want her more than ever. I closed my eyes and leaned it the kiss more and I thought I could hear Twi let out a short moan but quickly forgot about it as she pulled back, practically beaming.

"So... do you still love me?" she asked innocently with a glint of hope in her eyes.

I thought for a moment before answering. "I think you need make up for those three months of ignoring me. Deal?"

"Deal." Twilight replied looking giddy as one could be during the events that occurred only a few hours ago.

"Good. Now go get your flank to bed. You'll need the rest." Twilight let out a groan before getting up to her hooves. I pushed myself in an sitting position. "Good night, Twi."

She smiled at me before turning and leaving, leaving me to my duties for the rest of the night. I glanced around me and I noticed a shadow off in the distance and I recognized the night sky-blue alicorn who has a hint of a smile. The princess then melted in with shadows and is gone in seconds.
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Next day...

Celestia sat in the throne room on her chair, a highly decorated pure gold seat made specifically for her. She wore her pale green combat armor with her helmet sitting on the hoof rest. Her flank guards lay bare of her cutie mark. It's morning and she had just risen the sun, but everyone was already up by that time, working on whatever the UNSC needed.

Celestia let out a long yawn as she had not gotten enough sleep last night and wondered how the humans functioned on such low hours of sleep. Let alone do it every day. She sat there waiting for her sister to arrive so they could go to breakfast. The doors that led to the castle hallways opened and she smiled, but only for a moment to see it isn't Luna.

A brown coat pegasus trotted up wearing a saddlebag trotted up to her and bowed before rising up again. "Princess, the UNSC request an audience."

Celestia's mood darkened. "Tell them it'll have to wait. I have breakfast with my sister when she gets here."

"Your sister is already with them, your highness."

Celestia paused and thought for a brief moment. "Very well then. If that is al-"

"I also have a letter from a certain miss Sparkle."

"Oh? It's been too long." The pegasus pulled a letter from his saddlebag and Celestia took it in her magic. "Thank you. You may be on your way." Once the stallion is gone Celestia opened the letter and began to read it. As she did her anger began to rise, and it continued to do so as she read more. Upon finishing it, she stuffed the letter between her chest and the body armor before rising to head to the "War Room", as the humans call it.

She trotted down the hall to where the war room is at and took a breath before entering. Inside sat a table made of pure metal that has a silver sheen to it. It projected a map of Equestria in the air along with the AI known as Renona. Of course Taylor and the elements of harmony. All of them except Twilight which didn't surprise her. She either was late or didn't want to face Celestia just after she got the letter. Either way the mare isn't here.

Celestia glared at Taylor as she passed by and stood next to her sister. "Good morning Lulu, how was your sleep?"

Luna smiled completely oblivious to Celestia's glare towards a certain human. "It was well. To bad we didn't get to have our daily breakfast, I enjoy them." she said with a smile on her muzzle.

Celestia let a smile cross her lips too before turning to a voice. "Ah, princess, glad you could make it. Sorry for pulling out two from your breakfast, but this is very important."

"It's quite alright Admiral." I'm going to banish you to the moon if you do it again!

The Admiral looks please and presses a few buttons on the table zooming in the map and several blue and purple circles appeared. Celestia knew the color codes. Blue equals them and purple equals Covenant. She saw that borders are marked as well and territory they control is colored blue and Covenant again purple. Renona looked over the map ignoring everyone in the room. "Princess if I can have your attention." Celestia nodded and the Admiral continued. "As you know Ponyville was glassed last night. We have had pegasi doing espionage and they came back with this."

The map disappeared and is replaced by a video. In it she can see a somewhat transparent beam hitting the ground. Before reaching it the beam formed into the shape of what looked to be a sleek shape that had angles that point upward. In a few more minutes the beam slowly became solid until it disappeared showing nothing left but what she could assume is a Covenant base.

"We've never seen Covenant set up their bases in areas they glassed. Not only that but the cities of Manehattan and Trottingham have reported Covenant patrols scouting the area. They're not taking any chances. Not only that but the whole world is on out side. Both the Griffon Kingdoms and the Diamond Dogs are willing to help us in the war." said the Admiral as he explained. The video switched back to the map again. "We have devised a six month plan to eliminate the Covenant once and for all from this world. It starts like this..."
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Celestia's head hurt for two reasons. One: She had to sit through two hours of a plan explaining how to get rid of the Covenant and two: she still hasn't eaten. She trotted down the hallway to the throne room and requested a guard find Twilight as she wanted to talk to her. Celestia entered her throne room and sat at her respected spot and waited. She waited for what seemed forever until the large doors opened and the familiar lavender mare poked her head in.

A moment later Twilight trotted in and up to the throne, not bothering to bow. Celestia raised a brown before speaking. "Hello, my faithful student."

"Save it. What do you want?" Twilight commanded.

"Did you really mean all of it?" Celestia asked, the pain obvious in her voice.

Twilight stayed quiet for a moment before answering. "If you can't accept the fact then I don't want anything to do with you anymore. You can't just deny him or anyone else the right to be with me just because you're jealous that you didn't get to have me. It's your fault you didn't say anything earlier. Now if you'll excuse me I have a job to do."

Celestia watched as Twilight turned and began to trot out. This is not over! She wanted to say more but that mare had other plans. No. Now is the time for vengeance. A flash of white and a glass pad appears in front of Celestia. She fills out two forms and sends them to the high command of the UNSC. She smiled at her success before retreating to the dinning room.
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Author's Note

Government corruption!!! (who knew ponies had it in them?) I really imagined this chapter being longer, but I was having a difficult time writing it and I'm not too happy with it. I may go back later and edit it.