Dammit, where the fuck is Pe... My thoughts are cut off when I run into someone when rounding the corner. Twilight is able to stop herself before she too became part of the pile. "Ugh, sorry 'bout that." I said as I pushed myself off the other person. It didn't take me long to realize I had ran into a spartan.

The spartan pushed herself up as well, smoothing out the shirt she is wearing. She is about a foot taller than me and her skin is almost a creamy white. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail. "Yeah, yeah. Just watch where you're going." She replied coldly. I backed up slightly allowing the spartan room to move. She took notice of the lavender colored pony next to me and quickly took interest. "Hey, you're that one pony that everyone talks about." A light shade of crimson formed and Twilight's cheeks. "Say, how was the armor testing?"

Immediately Twi's ears half-dropped at the question. "It went fine."

The spartan gave her a questioning look and seemed to scrutinize her. "No, something isn't right." Twilight backed away at the sentence. The spartans blue eyes scanned Twilight's body before shaking her head. "What did they do to you?" I leaned down to Twilight because it looks like she's about to cry again, but she just scooted away. I took the hint and stood again, facing the spartan who is watching me. "They didn't."

I shook my head and turned to Twilight who is wearing a brave face. "Yeah, they did. I was looking for Perez so we could take care of Sarge."

"Perez won't get you anywhere." The spartan replied before turning down the hallway. "I'm Jessica by the way. Come on." She said waving a hand in the direction she is walking. Twilight and I began to follow Jessica down the bland metallic hallway. Each of our steps made a soft 'clank' as we made our way to room I have never seen before. Inside the room are two rows of long sterile desks with stands set up on top.

Jessica moved to one of the stands, enabling a holoprojector and a screen lit up. "Sarge isn't who you think he is. He has been keeping this stuff covered for years and Perez has wanted to put him on court but didn't have any prove of his wrongdoings. However, I can access them."

Twilight and I joined Jessica at the computer, watching the screen as she explained. "What do you mean he isn't who we think he is? He's just a sergeant... right?"

"Wrong." Replied Jessica as she began to go through network systems. "Sergeant McClain is an ONI agent. That's about as much as I know about him. Dammit!"

"What?"

Jessica let a frustrated sigh escape her lips. "They locked me out. Not only that but I also have to deal with the damn magical interference."

Twilight seemed to shrink back slightly at Jessica's outburst. "I think I might be able to help." Twilight offered as she moved up to the desk. Jessica moved over to give Twilight room to do her thing. Twi closed her eyes shut, focusing on the computer. The computer became engulfed in a faint purple haze.

"Hello miss Sparkle." A familiar female voice came from nowhere. A hologram appeared in front of the computer from a secondary holoprojector. "I should have guessed it was you causing the drop in the magical interference."

Twilight's face lit up at the sight of Renona. "Hello, Renona."

Renona looked around the room. "Jessica, Taylor. I see you two have met since your last encounter. Tell me, what's it like to be held in the air by a spartan?"

I rolled my eyes. "How about you ask me later, we're kind of busy." I turned to Jessica with an annoyed look. "Don't do that again."

Jessica simply shrugged before returning to the computer. Renona glanced in my direction before turning her attention to the computer as well. "So, Taylor." A grin formed on Renona's lips. "How are you and Twilight doing?"

Jessica turned to face us, confusion written on her face. "Did I hear that correctly? That sounded like she was implying you're dating her." She said gesturing in Twilight's direction.

A sheepish smile formed on Twilight's muzzle and her cheeks burned a slight crimson. I can feel my face getting hot as well. "It's still kind of awkward for me sometimes." I looked over at Twilight and smiled. Twi rolled her eyes like I was just being childish. "Plus she's a little stubborn too."

"I'm not stubborn!" she quickly shot back.

"If you say so miss I have to finish this letter for princess Celestia." I mocked at the purple unicorn.

Twilight glared at me. "That doesn't make me stubborn."

Jessica watched us in confusion from the chair she sat in. She turned Renona. "Reno, how long have they..."

"I think its been about a week. They're a 'cute' couple, don't you think?" Renona replied with a grin.

Jessica wanted to say something but wasn't sure how to reply. She decided it was probably best to not ask and returned to the computer.

Twilight and I continued to argue about her being stubborn which eventually ended in Twilight winning again. I swear mares are like human females. You just can't win an argument against them. I thought as we both turned our attention to the computer as well. "So what are you doing exactly?"

Jessica didn't answer at first but she glanced at me then back to the screen. "I'm going through the ships files on every personnel. Renona here isn't making it easy for me." Everyone is quiet after that. Jessica continued to go through the files until she stopped. "Hey, Taylor. Why don't we take a look through your files. I'm sure something interesting will pop up."

My heart stopped for a second when she said that. "Sounds good." I replied quickly so my voice didn't crack. There are things on there I didn't want Twilight to see for my own good and hers. Jessica pulled up my files and immediately went to the video folder.

Jessica clicked on one of the videos I instantly recognized. The video is a medium quality, maybe closer to low. You can hear people talking such as Sarge, Ray and Drake. After a few more seconds we all got into our pods and are lowered into firing tubes on the ship. It seemed like forever but eventually the pod dropped and you can see the edge of the planet. Twilight watched both amazed and horrified.

The pod continued to fall until a red glowing engulfed the glass and the inside became hot. A few more seconds pass and you can finally see the forest we were dropped into. The pod landed with a heavy 'thud' as it hit the dirt. Explosive bolts threw the door off the pod and I jumped out, grabbing my weapons that are stored in side compartments.

"So that's what you do?" I hear Twilight ask.

I shook my head still watching the video, going through the whole thing in my head. My team and I moved quietly through the forest. The ground is covered in the large jungle leaves and the trees towed high overhead, letting little of the sunlight through the mix of branches and leaves. Through most of the slow creeping there is no talking over the radio. After a few minutes an enemy patrol came into view about two hundred meters away. Not far from them is a large concrete building with the logo of a snake on it.

"Alright, this is it. Rebels wont know what hit 'em." A voice came over the communication channels. Soon after the whole team began to move forward, spread out amongst the trees. A few seconds pass and I couldn't see anyone on my team anymore, save for the motion trackers. All of them are on the edge of the sensors.

About twenty meters in front of me a rebel guard stood facing away from me, assault rifle in hand. I moved around the thick jungle and pulled out a combat knife, coming from behind and sent the blade through the guys throat, my hand over his mouth so he couldn't make noise. A small amount of blood drained from the cut until the knife was pulled out and the guy held his neck as the jungle floor became drenched in his blood. He slowly died, the life ebbing away in his eyes. Once I had confirmed he was dead I continued on closer to the base.

I took my eyes away from the screen to look at Twilight. It seemed everything about me scared her somehow as her face was showing a lot of it. She even looked like she is about to get sick. I didn't bother to look back at the screen, I knew what happens next. All of a sudden the sound of gun fire played through the speakers and people being shot cried out in pain.

The look of horror is stuck on Twilight's face as she continued to watch the video. I didn't pay attention to how long the video went on for and only looked towards the screen once it was over.

"Play another one." Twilight demanded, her voice drained of emotion.

Jessica didn't turn to face the lavender unicorn when she spoke. "I think we need to continue to find McClain..."

"Play another one!" Twilight tried again slamming her hoof on the ground.

This time Jessica turned to Twi and saw the look on her face. "Are you sure?" Jessica tried to take the conversation elsewhere. Twilight simply glared at her. "Alright, alright." With the press of a button the next video began to play. After a few seconds Jessica moved over to the computer to the right and began to look through the files on that one while Twilight continued to watch video after video.

Eventually Twilight got to a specific video that would cause the most damage to any relationship we had left at this point. It's the recording of the battle I told her about, except, there are things I had left out for a purpose. Everything was how I told her it went with the jackal sniper and moving through the streets. Only difference is that I didn't tell her about the rebel presence in the city. I'm pretty sure Twilight recognized the video as well but I prayed she didn't.

About halfway through of walking through the streets we ran into the rebels. We took them out quickly, within a matter of minutes. We began to check the bodies for anything useful like data chips, ammo. During the search I had found one who was still alive, took out my magnum, and put a clean hole through his head. The concrete was now covered in blood, bone and brain matter. After that the rest of the video was how I told it.

I felt like an idiot. I wanted to disappear right there and never come back. Unfortunately that can't happen. Twilight began another video. "Twilight." No response. "Twilight stop." I pleaded but she continued the video without so much as acknowledging me. "Twilight please stop!"

Twilight turns to face me, anger and hurt contorting her expression. "Why? Are there more things on here that you don't want me to find? Is there something that you haven't told me about you besides what I've seen. I mean you even lied about that one."

"I lied to protect you!" I yelled, burying my face into my hands. I can feel two, technically three sets of eyes on me, waiting for me to say something more. "We're at war Twi, and I don't know if you've ever been in it, but a lot of those things I had to do. It wasn't a choice."

I looked up from my hands to find that everyone is here. Everyone but Twi. "Perhaps we should continue to search for McClain's files." Renona suggested even though she could bring up the files in less than a second.

I stood up from the chair I was sitting in and moved to the door. "You two have fun with that. Send me the files when you get them. I'm going to Canterlot."
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

The roar of the pelicans engines comforted me as the driver took me to Ponyville. I wanted to stop there first so I could get a few things from Lyra's house, then be on my way to Canterlot castle where I will wait for Sarge and the others to get back. It took a few minutes to reach the edge of Ponyville and the pelican landed, I got off and proceeded down the road to Lyra's house. On the way there many ponies glanced in my direction and began to whisper. ODST's made a name for themselves in Equestria and I think every pony knew the armor of an ODST.

I simply ignored them until I reached the front door to Lyra's. I quickly glanced behind me at the ponies watching, turned back and knocked on the door. It's quiet for a few seconds before the door squeaked open, Lyra peaking through the door. "Hey." I said in a monotone voice.

"Hey. Sorry, but now might not be the best time." Lyra replied slowly closing the door. I shoved my hand on the door and forced it open. "Hey!"

I gave little attention to the ponies out side who are whispering more amongst themselves. I am only halfway through the door when I see Twilight sitting on the sofa, her coat matted from crying. She watched me as I went up the stairs two at a time and entered my old room. Same as before.

In the room is a bed, an old wooden desk and a few pictures here and there of Bon-Bon and Lyra at different locations. I went to the bed and pulled out a large suitcase and a shoe box. Inside the shoebox is my old rookie ODST helmet which I traded for my current one. I opened up the suitcase and inside is a MA5 Assault Rifle, a thruster pack and a Battle Rifle. I took the thruster pack and connected it to the back of my body armor.

The AR and BR are already loaded and extra magazines ready. I stuffed the extra ammunition into pouches on the armor and attached the BR to the back of the thruster pack, and back down stairs. Twilight is still on the sofa with Lyra now next to her, comforting the mare. Both looked up at me when I hit the bottom of the stairs. I went up to the sofa and I can see the usual fear in Twi's eyes when she looks at me, except more intense this time. I kneeled down and took off my helmet, setting it aside along with the AR.

Twilight looked away from me but I won't have it. I take her face in my hands and make her face in my direction. Her eyes looked down at the floor. "Twi, look at me." She didn't respond at first but she eventually met her eyes with mine. I let a smile cross my lips for a second while I though of something to say. "I have to go here soon but I just wanted to say I'm sorry for everything I had done."

Twilight's eyes dropped to the floor as I spoke but I didn't pay much heed to it. "I just hope you can forgive me at some point before we leave back to our system, if we ever go back." I stood up and looked down at the mare whose matted coat is stained with dried tears. "I'll see you around."

With that I collected my stuff, helmet in one hand, AR in the other, and stepped outside. Apparently ponies had been watching through one of the windows in Lyra's home but I didn't care. The ponies backed away or went back to their usual things or watched me as I donned my helmet. I noticed a faint beeping inside and opened up the com channels.

"Finally!" Jessica triumphantly yelled when we connected. "Alright I got the files even though Renona gave me a lot of trouble finding them, but I just sent them to you."

Not a moment later a file popped into the data storage in my helmet. "Alright thanks." I cut off the coms and flagged a way-point for the pelican to pic me up. I waited a minute or two before the iron bird road high above before slowly making its decent. Ponies scattered away as dust flew away from the drop-ship in an attempt to flee from its might. Once the bird came low enough I hopped onto the edge of the ramp and the pelican took off again.

I decided to open up the files I had just received and opened up the first document...
________________________________________________________

ONI: McClain>>>
Field Report:
Encryption priority: Zeta
Encryption code>>> AA9600GOZ
Date: -/--/---

Dear ----------,
Your choice of juveniles and adult test subjects have been located. A team of specialist has successfully abducted and put into holding cells. Medical tests have concluded that each test subject is in a healthy condition and will be prepped and ready to begin testing. Contamination protocols are in place. I expect great results from our testing.

Message>>> End
_____________________________________________

McClain>>>
Test Report:
Encryption priority: Zeta
Encryption Code>>> CI800LN
Date: -/--/---

The test were an success, we discovered that the parasite dose not have a specific choice of gender when it came to infecting. The process was quick and the infection forms took their full combat for in ten seconds. Once the test came to a conclusion we quickly burned the bodies and disposed of them. The whole test was recorded, click 'here'. The children unfortunately did not have enough bio mass to produce combat forms and instead produced carrier forms. I will await you reply for the next assignment.
___________________________________________

I opened the link to the video and it began to play.
___________________________________________

'Sergeant' McClain stood at a console that sat in front of six chambers each with a human subject inside it.
All adults. The first three are female and the last three male. Sarge was pressing a few buttons on the console setting things up. "Now you all need to take deep breaths and lay on your backs. We will begin the test shortly." He said in a calm voice while technicians set up wires on each person.

After a few minutes the technicians left the chambers and locked them. Sarge went up to the console and spoke. "We will begin the test, remember, deep breaths." With the push of a button, small hatches on the top of the ceiling opened up revealing pitch black squares. On the console the readouts began to spike as all three test subject's heart rates increased. After a moment one of the subjects began to yell and struggle to get free of the ball of flesh attached to his chest.

Yells of pain engulfed the man as the infection form burrowed into his chest and began to transform him into an infection form. First his arms deformed into claw like appendages, elongating them to fit the floods purpose. Next his body began to grow deformities that bulged out and his neck snapped back. The skin began to turn a rotten color as the infection form turned the body to suit its needs. It was over within seconds and internal flamethrowers burned the body to a crispy black charcoal.

The process repeated five more times as horror filled screams blocked out any noise and again the bodies charred. The video ended.
___________________________________________

Once the black screen had dissipated I can now see the courtyard of Canterlot Castle. The pelican began to descend and royal guard began to gather at the landing. Not far off a second pelican sat and I felt a panic rise in me. Once the landing gear of the drop-ship hit the concrete I jumped of with my AR in hand and sprinted pass the golden armored ponies. Their shouts got further away, save a few pegasi who chased me but I had more important matters.

I made my way to the large decorative doors of the day court. Two guards stood at their post and turned notice me and the other guards chasing me, pointing their spears in my direction. I pushed them out of the way narrowly avoiding the spear tips and threw open the large, heavy doors. Inside is a large crowd of ponies all listening to another discussing some matter that meant little to me. I continued to run forward, my weapon still in my hands, and the ponies the court watched as I rammed into another guard.

Once I made it to the front of the large semicircle room I stopped slightly out of breath. Not a moment later I found myself on the floor with a heavy weight on my back. "I have him!" The pony on top of me cheered. I pushed myself up and the pony fell off me fairly easily.

I made it to me feet and turned to find a dozen spears pointed at me, and slowly raised my hands in surrender. The guard began to surround me blocking me from my weapon. I can feel the gaze of both princesses boring into the back of my head and turned to face them. The sun goddess didn't look very amused by along with her lunar sister. "What is the meaning of this?" Celestia roared in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

I threw off my helmet and clutched my ears, a loud ringing replaced my normal hearing. I had completely forgotten about the sound enhancements installed in the helmets and the Canterlot voice didn't mix well with them. When Celestia noticed it was me she became even more furious. "Taylor, you should know better than to barge into my court!"

"Where's Sarge?" I yelled unaware how loud I am.

This earned me a raised brow from the sun goddess. "They just left. He said something about having to talk with Twilight. Why does this concern you?"

"Shit." I uttered to myself and grabbed one of the spears still pointed at me and pulled the pony forward, held him around the neck and pulled out my magnum, pressing it to his head. "Back off or he gets it!" The rest of guard hesitated and both princesses have surprise written on their muzzles. Eventually Celestia nodded and the rest of the guard backed off and I moved towards my AR and picked it up with the pony still in my hold. I backed towards the large door and struggled to keep the pony in my grasp, but once I reached the doors I threw the pony unto the floor and bolted.

The hallway seemed endless as I ran to the courtyard, the sound of angry ponies behind me. The courtyard got closer with each step and I can see the second pelican taking off. My pelicans engine began to heat up so I assume the pilot saw me. The pelican lifted slightly off the ground and began to slowly climb, I went into a full sprint. When I got close enough I jumped and landed on the ramp of the pelican which took off as soon as I got in completely. I moved up to the cockpit door and entered. "Follow the other pelican!" I demanded out of breath. The pilot did just that.
_________________________________________________________________

Both pelicans flew over the town of Ponyville, ponies watching as the large metal birds flew overhead. Even though it had been at least a month ponies still watched the pelicans like they were alien or something even though that is technically true. Below rows of straw covered houses zipped by and I thought 'why not jump?', so I did. I stood on the ramp of the pelican, facing inside it, then jumped backwards. I can now see where I should land and used my thruster-pack to slow myself down. Unfortunately for me the pilot decided to fly really low and within a few seconds I found myself crashing through the roof of a random house. Not only that but I also went straight through the second floor and into another room.

"My muffins!" a voice cried out after a short moment of me laying on something hard.

I pushed myself up and found a smashed table under me and my black armor covered in small squished golden-brown pastries. "Well, that's one way to make an entry." I grunted when I got to my feet.

A quick glance around me told me I'm in a kitchen of some poor pony's home. As I continued to turn three-sixty I see a gray coat mare with a messy yellow mane. Her eye are something I didn't expect and overall caught me off guard. One eye looked at me while the other seemed... derp?

The gray mare turned to look from where I came and surprise consumed her. "My house!"

I in turn looked at the two giant holes. One in the floor and one in the roof. "Oh, shit. Sorry 'bout that."

The mare sat on her rump and just stared at the gaping holes, completely ignoring me. "Yeah, I'm gonna leave now..." I trailed off as I pointed at the kitchen door before bolting out of the house all together. Next stop: Lyra's... again.

I began to sprint down the roads of Ponyville using my thruster-pack to launch over food carts and other ponies. After a minute there's a large building in front of me that would take too long to go around. I activated the thruster pack, getting me up about three-quarters of the large wall. I used my hands and the grip on my boots to push me up a little further and grabbed hold of the ledge then pulled my self up. "This is 'high'" I said aloud before going into a sprint again. The edge of the building neared and I jumped when I reached it. About thirty feet below me is the ground and the distance shortened as I feel. I straightened out my legs, adding a slight bend to them. I hit the hard earth and threw myself into a roll transferring the energy to the ground instead of my body, then continued my sprint ignoring ponies.

Lyra's is just a few more feet away. 'CRACK!' The door to Lyra's home is no more as I rammed into, and further into the house tripping on the sofa from my inability to stop. Something hard is poking into my back and turned to see what it is. "Great, now I have to pay for two tables."

A very bewildered looking Bon-Bon sat on the couch, curled up in a tight ball, staring at me.

"Hey, Bon-Bon." Bon-Bon simply waved a hoof back while keeping her eyes on me while I went upstairs with a slight limp.

Again I'm in the guest room with the same boring bed and dresser. I dived under the bed and grabbed the same large box I had rummaged through before. I ripped open the top after I crawled out from under the low frame and donned the helmet. First thing I did is open up a secure com channel to Jessica's computer, hoping that she was still there.

"Ah, there you are. I see you switched helmets." Jessica's voice came through.

"Didn't mean too. I accidentally left the other one at Canterlot Castle after my little encounter with the princesses."

There is a short pause and a slight static. "I noticed. I hacked into you helmets coms sense you weren't picking up. They've been busy setting up guard for possible war. What did you do?"

I began to go back down the stairs while Jessica explained what is happening. "Well, I took one of the guards hostage for a few seconds so I could escape. Hey, you said you hacked into my com?"

"What about it?"

"See if you can link me to that helmet, I need to talk to the princesses. Sarge is on his way to Twi's and god knows what he has planned. Stay put so you can link me to sarges coms once I'm done." I replied quickly. When I reached the bottom of the stairs Lyra had joined Bon-Bon on the couch.

Lyra and Bon-Bon looked up at me and I moved to the door, but stopped when Lyra spoke up. "Taylor, what are you doing?"

I turned to face the mint-green mare, her golden eyes looking right at me. "Twilight's in trouble, I have to go now, can't talk." With that I rushed out the door.

"Wait! I'm coming with you!"

I ignored Lyra as she jumped from the couch and chased after me. Twilight's place is about a twenty minute sprint from here so every step is precious.

"...eed to set up guards on all entryways to the city." The voice of princess Celestia came through on the coms.

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, it's Taylor. I need to talk to you. I can hear you fine." Said through heavy breaths as I continued to sprint through Ponyville.

There is a pause. A very long pause. "Taylor, I have sent four squads of my best guard to place you under arrest. Do not resist and no harm shall come to you."

"Princess with all due respect now isn't the time. You can arrest me after Twilight is safe, but right now I need you to stand your guard down. What's about to happen could cause some serious damage and I don't need any of these ponies getting hurt. Perez is probably at Twilight's right now and I don't know what could be happening to her."

"What are thou talking about?" Luna inquired.

I let out a frustrated sigh. Fifteen minutes. "Jessica, you still there?"

"Been listening in the whole time. Hello princesses, hope you're doing well."

"I still fail to understand what this is about!" Celestia shouted through the mic.

"Jessica, patch sarges mic feed through, make sure he can't hear us."

Again there is a long pause with a slight static. I can hear the sound of irritated sighs and muffled groans coming from the princesses. "Got it!"

Everyone got quiet as the feed patched through.

"Ray, gag her. If she won't stay quiet then we'll force her." Sarge demanded in a rough voice. In the background we could all hear Twilight screaming and yelling, and after a few seconds it went quiet. "Good, now make sure all the windows are covered and the doors locked."

A moment passed where there is an eerie silence. "All clear, sir." a distraught sounding Ray reported. A sound of two muffled 'bangs' went off, followed by the sound of a limp body hitting the floor.

"Ray's vitals just went flat. He's gone." Jessica quickly advised over the coms. This only caused me to sprint faster, up to the point where I began to lose my footing.

"Now, time to deal with yo......" Static.

"What the fuck just happened?"

I can hear Jessica pressing keys on the other side telling me she is trying to get connection back. "He shut off his coms. He knew somehow!"

A furious princess Celestia spoke up. "This is unacceptable! Guards!" The sound of numerous hoof steps filled the mics. "Go to Ponyville and meet Taylor at Twilight's, he may need assistance. Be diligent!"

Off in the distance I can see the large oak tree that is Twilight's home. "I'm almost there! Move out of the way!" I yelled at a rather large group of ponies. When they saw me they quickly scattered to give me room.

Fifty meters, forty, thirty, twenty, ten.

I skidded to a halted in front of the wooden doors of the library and caught my breath. After a few seconds Lyra joined me just as winded as I. "Ly-Lyra, y-you stay out here and wait for me." I demanded in a low whisper with heavy breaths. After a few more seconds I grabbed the AR attached to my back and double checked the readout of the ammo counter.

Lyra backed away from the tree house and hid in some nearby bushes and watched. With the AR loaded and ready and faced the door and drove my foot into it, sending the door open with a 'crack'. With the door open I moved into the lobby of the library. The curtains on the windows made it unbelievably dark inside the library and I can barely make out the silhouette of a pony who is bound together by ropes. I rushed forwards and I can now see Twilight with a rag in her mouth to keep her from talking and ropes tied around her legs.

Twilight let out a muffled 'yelp' when she saw me, tears matting the fur on her cheeks. I took the rag from her mouth and used my combat knife to cut the rope. Twilight embraced me in a tight hug and soaked the under shirt with her tears while she cried into my shoulder.

"You okay, Twi?" She responded with a light nod of her head.

I was about to take Twilight outside to safety until I head the unmistakeable 'click' of a magnums hammer being set. I turned my head to find the barrel of a magnum pointed right in between my eye, Twilight let out a small gasp at the sight. "Come to safe your girlfriend, Taylor?" Sarge said pushing the barrel forward until it hit my visor.

"No, I came to kill you." I replied in a cold tone. "Doesn't mean she isn't important to me, nonetheless."

A grin grew across Sarge's lips. "Too bad it's in vain."

I threw my arm at his throwing his aim off right before he pulled the trigger. Four shots rang out as we competed for control over the magnum. Eventually we both lost our grip on the weapon and sent it sailing across the room and into a bookshelf. Sarge pulled out his combat knife, a six inch stainless-steel blade with half serrated edges.

Sarge lunged at my stomach but I dodged it and took hold of his wrist, using my free hand I punched him in the stomach causing him to double over. I threw another punch at him but he caught it with his other hand before breaking my grip on him. He then grabbed my shoulder and brought his knee up to my stomach, knocking the air out of me. He did this about three times before I finally stopped his knew while it is in the air and sent him to the ground by kicking his foot from under him.

I pushed his wrist in his direction causing the knife to point down at him while laying on the floor. I scrambled to get on top of him and force all of my weight down on the knife, slowly pushing towards his chest while he fought to keep it up. We sat like this for a few minutes fighting for dominance, until Sarge flung me off him and I rolled into a bookshelf which in turn caused books to tumble from the shelves and onto me.

A groan escaped my lips as I pushed myself up again, ignoring the pain from fallen books, and found myself face to face with my own Assault Rifle. "It's a shame that you and your girlfriend here will go down just like Ray did. You always were a good soldier." A shot rang out but I didn't find myself dead. Some how I ended up on the ground, probably because of survival instincts. Something isn't right though...

I looked up at Sarge and found him completely confused for some reason. With the opening I took my own side are and pointed it at Sarge's head. He noticed and brought the AR up to bare but he slumped over before he could fire, his head exploding into blood, bone and brain tissue. It all covered the floor and walls of the library.

Once I confirmed him being dead I looked behind me to see a mint-green mare laying on the ground. "Lyra?" The pony looked up slowly, looking like she is in pain. A glance at her hoof told the story. "Lyra, I told you to wait outside."

"I know. I just heard the bangs and I thought you might have been in trouble." she replied with a slight, painful smile.

I was about to say something and until I heard my name being called in a pained and fearful tone. Cocking my head to the side I noticed Twilight holding her hoof on her stomach and taking short, staggered breaths. I quickly rushed over to her side, careful not to cause her any pain.

"Hey, I'm here. Let me take a look." I carefully removed Twilight's hoof from her stomach and revealed a medium sized hole in her side, and bleeding badly. "Shit." I quickly took off my body armor leaving me with just my black undershirt. I tore off a piece of fabric and balled it up, and pressed it against the wound. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." I said trying to keep panic from creeping into my voice.

Twilight looked at me with pained eyes, tears flowing freely down them. "I don't want to die..."

"You're not going to die, Twi. Just hang in there." I replied trying to comfort her. I looked into her purple eye and can see the life ebbing away from them slowly. More and more she began to get worse. "Twi, stay with me. Please! Come on dammit!" That's it. I couldn't do anything except watch her die. So that's what I did...

Author's Note

So here it is, the last part to chapter three. I know, I'm a jerk and I killed Twilight. Go on, hate on me.
So, starting on next chapter tomorrow.