The Timeless War

“Come on, Tame, move, move, move! Lightning, heat ‘er up! Mac, get on that door gun!” I yelled to my team, as we sprinted away from the containment facility. The lavender alicorn on my back gasped as I leapt over a fallen wall.

“Sorry, Princess. We’re almost there.” I said, eyes on the transport just ahead. Bullets and laser bursts rained down around us, reflecting off my suit’s shields. I leapt into the transport, as Lightning and Tame dove into the pilot’s positions. Mac whirled around and sat his large frame in the mounted gun and began firing, leaving a stench of ozone in the air. I sat down the Princess as gently as I could, before I ran up to join Mac. He had retracted his helmet, showing his red coat and pink striped blond mane.

“Keep an eye out for cruisers and air patrols.”

“We’re going cold?” he asked, and I nodded. Going cold was slang for using active camouflage.

“Yeah. Make sure we don’t hit anything, no matter how good the AC is, running into a cruiser wont help.”

“How’s the Princess?” he asked, as he dismounted from the turret.

“I’m going to talk to Lightning and Tame then get back to her.” I said, as I made my way up to the cockpit. The other two members of the team were there, streched out in the control chairs.

“Get us to the Magic as soon as you can.” I told them, and Lightning sighed.

“But you promised donuts.” she whined, and I laughed as I walked away.

“Well you did!” she called after me, as I sat next to the Princess.

“Storm, is that you?” she asked, as I wiped a trail of sweat off her brow.

“Yes, Princess. We’re on our way to the Magic now.” I told her, and she smiled, slightly.

“You’re younger than I’ve ever seen you. It must be early in the war.” she said, and I shook my head.

“Princess, we haven’t met before.”  I told her.

“We haven’t yet. It’s been so long for me.” she said, and I shook my head again.

“Princess. . .” I began, but she cut me off.

“Hold me, Storm. Please, I need you to hold me again.” she whispered, and I sighed. She smiled at me again, and I nodded, sliding under her and cradling her head in my hooves.

“Thank you, Storm. I had almost forgotten how wonderful it was to be with you.” the lavender alicorn said, as I closed my eyes in frustration.

“I know you think I’m crazy. But one day, you will understand everything.” she said, and I sighed again.

“Let’s just get you back, Princess.”

“Storm?”

“Yes, Princess?” I asked, and she turned her head, slowly and painfully, to look at me.

“I love you.” she whispered. I shook my head, yet again.

“Princess, I - Princess? Are you alright? Princess?” I asked, getting frantic. She wasn’t moving, and her purple eyes were staring, wide open. I sighed again, and placing my hoof over her eyes, I  closed them. Sliding out from under her, I placed a hoof on her shoulder, and closed my eyes.

“Rest well, Princess. I hope you’re in a happier place.” I said, then trotted out of the tiny cabin. Outside, I found Mac and Lightning sitting there, watching my with sad eyes.

“The Princess?” Lightning asked, her rainbow mane falling over her green eyes, which glistened from unshed tears. I shook my head, and she threw herself at me, wrapping my in a crushing hug.

“She’s in a better place.” Mac said, wisely, and I shook my head, detaching myself from Lighting.

“That all depends on how you define better. Anything would be better than this hell.” I said, then walked over to the open side door.

“Just get us home.” I said, and Mac walked off, his distinctive heavy tread shaking the transport.

“Want to talk about it?” Lightning asked, sitting next to me, as we watched the horizon.

“I’ve never even seen her before today, now she’s dead. How can I feel like this, like I just lost everything?” I asked, and she sighed.

“I don’t know, Storm. I don’t know. But you can’t blame yourself. You did everything right, we just didn’t get her out soon enough.”

“I know that, and I don’t blame myself. I just don’t know why I feel so. . .heartbroken.”

“Come on, big bro. This isn’t like you.”

“You’re right. And you know something else?” I asked, throwing my hoof around her shoulder.

“What’s that?”

“Even if I am adopted, I couldn’t ask for a better family. Or even a better squad. It just makes everything better that my squad is my family.” I said, hugging her tight.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. When did you get so sappy?” she asked, pushing me away.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe its from hanging around Mac and his distinct lack of success in the dating business.” I replied, a little louder.

“I don’t have bad luck! I just didn’t love any of them.” Mac said, from where he was watching Tame pilot.

“I rest my case.” I said, and Mac frowned.

“Just because I can get a date. . .” he muttered, and I chuckled.

“I don’t need a marefriend. Putting up with you three is hard enough.” I said, and Lighting pouted.

“So you don’t love me anymore?” she asked, with mock sadness.

“No, it’s more like pity. Like when you see a starving puppy or something.” I replied, and she huffed.

“Well, then. Lets just see who doesn’t get anything for his birthday.”

“Captain, incoming transmission from the Magic.” Tame interrupted. I sighed, rubbing a hoof across the back of my neck.

“Patch it through.” I ordered, and turned to the screen on the wall. It shimmered, and then showed a uniformed pink mare.

“Captain Pinkamena.” I greeted, and she smiled.

“You aren’t on board ship, Captain. You outrank me, its Pinkie.” she said, and I smiled.

“I keep forgetting.” I said, and she shook her head.

“No, you don’t forget. I’m calling to check in, do you have the Princess?” she asked, and I nodded, glumly.

“Yes, we have her.” I said, closing my eyes.

“Is she. . .” Pinkie started to ask, but faltered. I opened my eyes and nodded again.

“We we’re too late. She died not long after we had lifted off.” I said, and she sighed.

“Shine is not going to be happy.” she said, and just then a deep growling  voice cut in.

“I’m not going to be happy about what?” it asked, shortly before the speaker, a young adult dragon, appeared on screen.

“Shine, they got the Princess, but. . .” Pinkie started to say, turning to the dragon.

“They were too late, weren’t they?” he asked, with a sigh. Pinkie nodded, and he looked up at me.

“Get back quickly, Storm. She deserves as proper burial.” he said, and the connection terminated. I sighed, and turned to Tame.

“ETA?”

“Fifteen minutes. I’ve already contacted Magic, so we don’t get fired on by our own guns.”

“Good. I’d hate to give the Navy colts more target practice that usual.” I chuckled, and Lighting laughed.

“They do need it though.” she said, and I nodded.

“Yeah, your right. Alright, mares, gentlecolts, and Tame, Lets try and get a little rest before we get back. I have a feeling its going to be a long night.” I ordered, and everypony nodded. We had long been used to catnapping, and soon the only sound was that of the engines thrumming.