StarCraft II: Wings of Harmony

Deadmare’s Port - Time Unknown

Jim sat in the saloon nursing his third mug of Sweet Apple Cider, surprising even to his bitter, alcoholic self at how much he enjoyed it’s crisp and sweet taste, when a sudden silence swept across the room as lithe shadow darkened the doorway. Silently announcing a cause for fear among the saloon patrons.  Jim turned, almost involuntarily, to see.The figure turned out to be a Terran female, with raven tresses much like the Raiders' Commander, and eyes of color to match Jim's.  She might have been beautiful if not for the burn scars marring the left side of her face.

"Hello 'dear' brother," said the inverse mirror of the Champion of Freedom, a murderous leer upon her face.

"Jane..." replied Jim with an angry scowl, his hand sweeping down to his holster as his fraternal opposite was drawing out her own revolver.From outside the saloon, gunfire and breaking glass could be heard...

Deadmare’s Port 6:30 - Equestrian Time

Jim awoke from this dream with a gasp knocking over the a bottle the bars finest stuff and only to be caught by the magic of the unicorn.

“Watch it there partner thats our finest stuff hate to see it go to waste.” commented the bartender as he saw the terran start to rise from having his head rested in his arm atop the bar.

“Urg wheres Matt, and how long have been out?” asked the groggy rebel commander.

The Bartender pointed his hoof toward the table of stallions and one man.

“Looks like that little old game of theirs is about to produce its winner.” observed the bartender.

Jim got up from his chair, and haphazardly walked over to the card table and saw that Matt was clearly winning. However there was one detail that made him uneasy: he saw a large pile of credits sitting in the middle of the table.

“ Matt what are you doing? You’ve bet all our money.” said Jim displeased and nervous.

 "Not to worry sir, I know what I'm doing and besides I was about to raise the bet to eleven."said Matt as he was more than confident in his hand pushing him to go all in. This caused unruliness amongst the card table patrons as the other players followed the captain's example.

“Well gentlemen moment of truth some ones life is about to change.” Matt let out knowing that he was about to win a very large sum of credits and bits along with a strange medium sized sack that some pony threw in. One by one the players laid down their cards, Matt was the last but in the process and he saw the second highest hand decided that it would to fun to take Jim on a trip seeing that he did don’t know the cards that Matt held.

Matt looked to Jim “urg Two Pair I’m sorry Jim.” relieved Matt. Hearing what Matt said changed the commanders face from that of support to anger and frustration yet he still remained silent as Matt continued. “But you're not going to see home again for a long time because we are staying in Equestria FULL HOUSE BOYS!” declared Matt who slapped his cards down on the table for all to see, cheering as he did.

   Most of the ponies got up and left, yet a large, black stallion with and black and gray mane, who also wearing suit and tie, remained with four others behind him. The one in the suit began a slow clap as he raised his glass to Matt.The clap was finished by the others behind him.

The stallion in the suite spoke “ Congratulations, Mr.Horner, I’m sure you will want to claim your prize now.” suggested the stallion. The other stallions that stood behind him trotted off and vanished behind one of the doors that lead to a back rooms of the bar.

What they came back with horrified Matt. It was an orange mare with freckles and a cowboy hat. She was kicking and screaming “LET ME GO, LET ME GO”, trying to escape the grasp of the stallions, but to avail. Matt was now backing away from the table as he turned to face the door in an attempt to escape his fate, but was cut off by another two stallions.

“Now Its time for your vows.” said the main stallion

Matt turned his head and lock eyes with the orange mare and could tell that she did not want this either. He could also see the fear and displeasure that geald from them. Seeing this gave Matt a rush of courage  as he thought “ There is NO way in hell I’m going to marry one of these damn horses...”

He charged the biggest stallion he could find holding the orange mare, and delivered a right hook to the side of its face with all of his hate and anger behind it. The puch sent the stallion clean to the floor with a pit of blood and teeth along with him. The bar patrons erupted in a roar as the bar fight started around them and bandplayed music to fit. The knocking out of the bigger stallion shocked and surprised the others, giving their hostage time to escape her bonds and give a hefty buck to the closest captor, knocking him over the bar counter with a shatter of bottles and booze.

“Oi, thats my good stuff!” yelled an angry bartender

   “Not now!” was the response of both man and mare as the other four stallions closed in ready to finish off the two. By now Jim could tell that he was needed and proceeded to join the fight and support his friend. The angry stallions closed in surrounding the trio in a menacing ring.

Jim was the first to strike pounding one of his attackers until his face was sipperly with dark red blood and clasping to the floor, only to Jim finish him off with a massive boot to the face. In doing so, there came the sound of breaking bone as boot met face and the stallion was rendered useless. Satisfied Jim turned his focus to another only to start the process all over again.

Matt on the other hand was not doing too bad; he was not as much of a heavy hitter as Jim, but was quick and dodged and hit back when he could. It took Matt a bit longer to to get a result, but he got there in the end with yet another stallion down.

As for the orange mare, she seemed to have her situation well in hand as she brought down her aggressor.

The three made short work of the thugs when they all  turned to face the main stallion who was now running towards that the back door. Jim had other ideas than to stand by and watch this stallion escape. His hand swooped down to his holster and removed his revolver and took careful aim as the shoot was made and the stallion hit the floor cold and lifeless as pool of blood started to form.

The  Bartender walked over to to body and was able to identify it instantly.

“ Do you have any idea who you just Killed!” screamed the Bartender

“No, was he important?” was the reply from the still groggy commander

“Thats Don Vito Corleone head of the main crime family in ponyville  the guard have been after him for a long time. Now that he is dead you have just freed us from his grasp and put an end to a horrible wave of crime here.” cheered the Bartender

“Well, it is pleasure to dispense justice where it is needed.” reported Jim.

  Jim walked back to bar and ordered more drinks as the bodies were cleaned way. “Sorry about the mess.” forgave Jim as he tossed the Bartender a few bits that he took from Matt’s victory. Matt, in the meantime was concerned about the nature of the orange mare that he and Jim had just saved. He was a bit cautious to approach the mare as he did not want to sercombe to fate of the stallons.

“Good evening miss... umm.” Matt spoke nervously as he was not entirely sure to introduce himself to her.

“Applejack”, respond Applejack. “But your more then welcome to call me AJ.” Applejack finished introducing herself as Matt got on with what he wanted to say.

“ Well it is a pleasure to meet you, AppleJack. The names Matt Horner and I just wanted to see how you are doing after our little brawl with the stallons.” asked Matt

AJ fixed her hat and after doing so respond “ Shoot that was noth’n, but I’m mighty glad you and your friend there showed up to help me. You know what I reckon you want to come back with me to my farm. I think you just have earned yourself some Apple Family cider.” concluded Applejack.

Matt gave this some time of thought before he gave answer. “ Do I really want to wander off with some horse that I just saved, yet hardly even know?” was the question that repeated over and over again. “But still it is the least I could do for her, sure why not I’ll go with her it will be good to meet for of these taking ponies.” was the answer that Matt come up with.

“AJ I would be more than happy to escort you home and share some of your Family's Cider.” was the answer that Matt gave to AppleJack.

“Yee Hah! We can leave when y’all feel like it”. said an overjoyed  AppleJack as she walked over to the door and waited for Matt to inform his friend for where he was joining. Jim decided that it would be best he went back to the library and got caught up with how Tychus was doing, as well as Fluttershy. The two meet at the front door as the entirety of the bar said good bye.

“ Matt I’m going to back to Twilight’s Library to see what the situation is over there. You and your friend can have the evening to yourselves.” stated Jim as he departed for  the direction of the Library.While in the same fashion Matt and AppleJack left for Sweet Apple Acres and a night of drink.

Sweet Apple Acres one hour later -   Equestrian Time

The two approached the little farm house with a  white picket fence that help to guide them up the entrance of the farm. As man and mare made their final approach they took notice of the pitch black smoke that billowed and curled from the chimney of the nearing farm house.

“Looks like old Granny left the fire for us.” noticed AppleJack.

Matt did not dare question who this “Granny” was, so he just put it off as a caretaker of the house and moved on to his next thought.

“ Looks inviting enough, let's head inside, it is starting to get a bit cold out here.” complained Matt as he took his first step on the porch then on into the house.

The inside of the house was warming and inviting with the fire roaring way in the fireplace. Matt noticed that it smelled of fresh baked pies with the entirety of the house done up in an old west theme. He also found himself surprisingly at home here.

“ Why don’t you make your self a home sugar cube. I’ll get us some drinks.” stated AppleJack as she trotted off in into the kitchen. After a few minutes of digging around, she found what she was looking for, two silver beer mugs.( Like Those found in Germany.) The mare brought them out and set them on the wooden table then proceed to go outside and on to the big red barn.

A few moments went by and Matt decided to follow the advice of the orange mare. He removed his boots, sat them near the door, and hung his uniform jacket on a nearby coat rack. Next he walked over to the small couch and sat down. It was just big enough to fit him, yet it was comfortable. The fire glowed on his face as he propped his feet up on wooden table with the relaxing warmth of the fire on his feet. He admired the dancing of the yellow and orange flames as their show now seeked to involve another log. He was invoked by the beauty of something so graceful yet so destructive.

“This place is not so bad after all.” Matt thought in a state of tranquility. It was soon interrupted by the slamming of the front door and AppleJack storming in with decent sized keg of fresh hard apple cider. She rolled it over to the table and Matt helped her pour the first glasses. Matt raised his mug to his lips and took his first taste of Apple Family hard apple cider.

The taste was unmanageable the rush of apple and the hint of whiskey overtook his taste buds in wave of liquid heaven which led to give a satisfying “MMMM” He finished off his first glass rather quickly and poured himself another as AppleJack did the same and soon the two were happily drinking the night away.

Matt and AppleJack told each other stories of their adventures when AppleJack came to admit something to Matt.

“ You Know -hic-Y’all ain't so bad -hic-” stumbled AppleJack as she was now getting to point of drunkenness and falling to the floor in a heap of pony that was now asleep. Matt was getting the feeling that he too should stop before he had Jim to answer to.

“You ponies aren’t so bad yourselves and you know what I’m rather starting to enjoy myself here” he thought as he laid down on floor with a pillow from the couch to support his head when  AppleJack curled up next to him. He wrapped his arm over her and pulled her in even closer and soon the two were fast asleep in each others warm embrace.

Sweet Apple Acres The next Morning -   Equestrian Time

   Matt awoke next morning to find Applejack sprawled  out over his chest in left to right position as he himself was laying up and down. At first he did not know what to make of this pony laying over him he thought it was rather cute then it hit him.

“ Did I have it with a - noooooo I couldn’t have I mean I was not that drunk.”  questioned Matt as sat up and  looked around the room for any clear indications of human and pony entanglements. After surveying the room from his sat up position he was convinced that nothing of that sort happened but he still had the problem of the sleeping mare on his stomach. Matt thought about this carefully and in the end he pick up the ball fur and placed it on the couch. It reformed itself into a ball and as it did she gave a yawn. Matt had now just saw the cutest thing in his life and gave a little “d’aww”. Matt now looked away from AppleJack and into the kitchen wondering if was a good idea to find something to eat.

“I wonder if there anything good to eat here” Wondered Matt as he walked in the kitchen and found a fresh apple pie sitting on the table. Matt was overcome with the temptation to eat the free pie that sat alone and helpless on the wooden table. Matt found a knife and fork, sat down and attacked his helpless victim as pie was spattered in every direction on the the table.

Matt ate what was left of the best pie he had ever eaten when he heard hoof steps in the kitchen. It was AppleJack who had awoken and had caught Matt in that act of eating the pie. Matt sat like a deer in the headlights with the murdered pie in front of him and the fork in his hand.

“ Y’all ate that there pie faster than timberwolves on their prey. Lucky for you I set that out there last night for us to have this morning but then again.” consulted Applejack as she saw the terran put down his fork. and was about to address Applejack when a knocking came from the front door.

“ I got it!” hollered Apple as he rushed to the door. She pulled it open to see Twilight standing at the front door.

“Well good morning Twilight. What can I do for this morning” greeted AppleJack.

“ I really came to collect Matt his friend wants him back at the Library says it is important.” replied Twilight.

Hearing the the ponies conversation from the kitchen Matt got up from the table a walked to the door to see Applejack and Twilight standing in the doorway. Matt then took notice of a brown messenger bag that she had stung over her. This peaked Matt curiosity to know what was inside.

“Twilight, what is inside the bag?” asked Matt

“Oh it is just an ancient Equestrian artfact the princess wants me to study. Now we must be going Mr. Horner Jim said not to keep him waiting.” said Twilight.

Matt nodded in understanding as he put on his jacket next by his boots and gave Applejack a friendly goodbye and thank her for the evening as he was lead out of the house by Twilight.

“Brace yourself Matt” advised Twilight as her horn began to glow with its purple aura.

Knowing that he was about to teleported again he heeded the advice of the purple mare and prepared himself as the aura surrounded him and the two were wisped away.

Twilight’s Library 9:00 Equestrian Time

Matt found himself on the ground in front of the library with the  feeling of nausea and disorientation. He slowly stood up and addressed the unicorn as the effects wore away.

“ I’m sure I’ll never get used to that but anyway let's head inside.” commented Matt as he led the way in side followed by Twilight.

Upon entering the Matt saw the commander was telling Fluttershy stories of their adventures.

“Where’s Tychus?” asked Matt

“He is down in the basement he was pretty wasted from last night but I’m glad to see that Miss Fluttershy is doing better however we need to have a talk about an item you won from your little game.” said Jim as he pulled out a small brown sack and retrieved what was inside. It was small black object that bore strange alien markings. Matt knew what it was but could not believe that something like that was here.

“ Is that a Xel'naga artifact?” asked Matt looking on to the object with all fascination on how something like that could ever come here.

“Yes Matt I had  Stetmann  look it over it is  Xel'naga. Look for yourself.” said Jim as he tossed the artfact over.(2:05)

What happened next took everyone in the room by surprise and dumbfoundment as the artifact stopped mid fight and hovered in the middle of the room as it glowed  a brilliant dark blue. It began to rise to top of the room just before  stopping a few feet below the ceiling. The artifact then erupted in a blinding burst of blue light. After the light had subsided the Equestrian artfact rose from Twilight’s bag and it to glow a golden hue and rose to join the other and like the artifact before it too let out a brilliant blast of colored light as the two objects orbited around each other drawing closer and closer until they meet in yet another flash of interchanged light as both  Xel'naga and  Equestrian technologies were fused into one solid piece that now lowered itself to just a few feet off the floor and hovered there for all to see.

“Well that was a bit unexpected.” commented Twilight as she rush over to study the new object that floated in front of her.

The terrens stood there not knowing what do or what to even make of the new object that was bestowed in front of them.

“Umm Twilight what happened?” asked Jim still conceiving  the object that was in front of him.

“ Well Mr. Raynor it looks like your Xel'naga artifact along with mine have fused smoothly yet oddly in a twist of impossibility to form some kind of new artfact. At this point I still do not know what it capable of nor what its use is.” replied Twilight giving her best answer.

Matt looked on at the oddity that hovered in front of him and thought of the best thing to do.

     “I think one of your Princess might know more about this” suggested Matt

Fluttershy spoke up “ Then perhaps we should go see them. I’m not liking this thing it has a dark feel to it.”As if on cue a letter bearing the royal seal appeared in a wisp of light landing on the floor. Twilight put aside the artifact and retrieved the letter from the floor and read it

To my faithful student Twilight,

Please send your guest Jim Raynor to me at once

It is a matter of great importance.

Princess Celestia

Twilight put down the letter and walked over to Jim who was still admiring the artifact.

“ Jim I just got a letter from the Princess she wants to see you immediately about matter of importance.” Said Twilight as she got his attention away from the hoving artfact. Jim looked away from the object and respond to Twilight.

“ Well then we must not keep her waiting then  lets take the artifact with us. Matt I want you to look after things till I get and don’t let Tychus get out of hand.” said the commander as he walked over the artifact. He was not sure what would happen when he touched it so he just went for anyway and at the very touch the artifact grew dark and fell to the ground. He bent over and picked  it up then dropped it into Twilight’s bag.

 “Ready to go Jim?” asked Twilight as she turned towards the door

“ Yes I’m.” Jim replied as they both walked out of door and onto the main street.

“ The trains are the fastest way to the castle. lets head over to the station and wait for one” suggested Twilight. Jim nodded in agreement as headed to the train station and bored the next train to canterlot.

    Canterlot Castle 14:30 - Equestrian Time

 The train pulled up to the station and when it stopped Twilight and Jim step out with artifact in tow. Jim took in the sight of the majestic castle in front of him along with the city that lay just below it.

“ Now there’s something one does not gets to see every day.” commented Jim as he marveled at sights before him. He wish he had some time to walk around and get to know this wondrous place as it seemed full of life and culture before he had to meet the princess.

“ Twilight is there a chance that we can look around before we go see the princess. This place is like no other I have been to. I would like to see more of it.” asked Jim hoping there would be some time to this yet Twilight had other plans.

“Sorry Jim but the Princess doesn't like to kept waiting. If there is time after I would be happy to show you around Canterlot.” said Twilight as they both walked through the streets  with Jim admiring all the shops and ponies as they went about their lives. They approached the gates of  Canterlot Castle as a guard came to meet them.

“HALT who goes there!” commanded the guard

Twilight handled the question easily.

“ I’m Twilight sparkle and this is my friend Jim Raynor. The Princess has asked to see him personally.” respond Twilight as he handed the letter she got from the Princess to guard who looked down at it then up to Jim eyeing him then back down to the letter. satisfied he gave the letter back to Twilight.

“Let them in.” he ordered. The gates opened giving Twilight and Jim a clear path to entrance of the grand castle.

The pair entered the and Jim got his first glimpse of the interior it was grand with a great staircase the divide the room in two then split off leading to two different areas of the castle. Next there was the large windows that flooded in light  and were adorned with elegant curtains next to those where busts of ponies heads with the whole place done up with gold, pink and violet color scheme. Lastly there was the Princess who stood atop the staircase waiting for Jim.

 “ Welcome Mr. Raynor to Canterlot Castle If you be so kind as to follow me I would like to show you what I called you here for.” said The Princess as she walked to right wing of the staircase and left with Jim and  Twilight close behind her. They passed through a long with stained glass windows that Jim decided to be key events in this land history he glanced at each one and tried to make out what each one was depicting. Before he knew it he entered a large rotunda and this where the princess stopped.

“ Guards bring in the creature!” she commanded as the ponies went about bring in a large glass box.

Jim stood there frozen in horror as he saw what the glass prison held. It was small 6 limbed and bristling with scythes with a raptor like appricence. It squirmed and rustled in the container growling and snarling. Jim back away from it as he knew this creature all too well and what it meant.

“ You know this creature.” asked Celestia

“Know it, Princess you have to kill it NOW!” ordered Jim as began to take out his revolver

“Can you tell us more about this creature before we do.” asked Celestia Jim responded without hesitation

“ This thing is a Zergling and it is one of the most feared alien creatures. If there is one there is bound to more and we must find the rest before this thing gets out of control.” warned the commander as he shot the Zergling dead.

The Zerglings death was accompanied by a loud echoing voice  that overtook rotunda.

“ Well if it is not the famous Jim Raynor here to save all of Equestria from the swarm” echoed the strange voice.

Princess Celestia immediately took a defensive stance and replied to the voice.

“Who are you SHOW YOURSELF.” she demanded

“As you wish your highness” said the voice. After this a large wall of what looked to black smoke appeared and out step a creature that was nearly unidentifiable. It was an alicorn wearing the remains of a royal blue uniform with  appendages protruding from its body. It had a  tentacle that wrapped around the horn and one wing. It’s eyes burned yellow with veins that stuck out of its neck and right hoof. It was a monstrosity

The creature spoke “ I’m Twisted Ascension and will see this burned and infected with you and sisters heads at my hoofs.” snarled  Twisted Ascension

This set Jim into a rage “LIKE HELL YOU WILL!” Jim yelled as he fired another shot but missed

Not wanting to be killed by an angry terrain with a gun the infested alicon withdrew into another cloud black but not before saying “ This is the way the world ends.”

“Jim what does he mean by that?” asked  Celestia

Jim took few seconds to cool off before answering

“ He means Princess that war is coming with all of its horrors and all of its glories.”