Chapter 10: Battle For Ponyville
Chapter 10
The Battle For Ponyville
Noon approached the ruined village of Ponyville. The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a dull knife. So thick that even the Quil were tense as they did that little stumbling step in place. Sgt Rarity looked through the scope of her rifle and scanned the edge of town. After a moment she reached up and pressed the button on her ear piece.
“This is Sgt Rarity, I have visual of the village. I have six targets in sight, each of them are doing a stutter step side to side in place. According to Intel, they are antsy. They know something is up.”
”This is the Everfree CnC we read you Sgt. Forces are moving into position, keep visual on targets and report any changes. Sgt Dash, report.”
”Sgt Dash reporting. Skies are clear and free, no cloud cover for Quil Airborn to hide in. Winged Squads in position and Dragon squads are in place. We are ready to begin operations.”
”This is the ECnC to all forces, stand by for Combat Operations. Ground forces you got thirty minutes to secure the Mana Drain Device and hold it against the Quil. Air forces stand by to clear the skies of Quil Airborn. The Crystal Heart will begin its run in thirty minutes. Once the Crystal Heart is on the field all Air forces convert to fighter screens.” There was a lengthy pause. ”All forces, BEGIN OPERATIONS!”
From the edge poured nearly three dozen jeeps from various outposts and bases on loan for the fight. Each of them carrying their three folk crew and at least four other folk ranging from Twilight’s Rangers, The Royal Guard and even Changelings.
From the ruins of the village a roar could be heard the six patrol Quil started to charge when muzzle flashes from the trees sent six bolts of energy into them causing them to crumple into heaps. More Quil appeared as they charged at the approaching jeeps, again more muzzle flashes and more Quil hit the ground. But it wasn’t enough, soon a whole horde of Quil broke cover from the ruins of Ponyville and charged at the incoming soldiers.
“Ok Ya’ll stand by for deploy!” Applebloom yelled out as she cocked the lever on her mounted weapon. “Here is where things get interesting!” As one body Applebloom and every gunner on the jeeps turned around, their weapons pointed at the forest behind them.
“Hu RA!” Scootaloo yelled at the top of her lungs as she spun the jeep around coming to a dead stop with Applebloom grinning down the sight of her weapon at the charging Quil.
“Smile you plot ugly sons-of…” Applebloom muttered as she opened fire. Bolts of energy spewed from the end of her weapon dropping Quil like fresh mowed wheat before a scythe.
As the Jeeps provided covering fire, along with the Snipers from the forest the soldiers piled on the jeeps bailed out.
“Skirmish Line!” Shining Armor yelled out. The soldiers shouted back a echo of his command as they used him to form up. His purple Royal Guard armor causing him to stand out in the battle field as he stood tall in the middle of the quickly forming line. In one hand, his rifle fired round after round of magical energy as he made himself a living flag for his fellows to rally behind. The soldiers around him were well trained. Falling into two rows, the front role kneeling as they fired at Quil the row behind standing and firing over the first row’s heads. Immediately around him were Royal Guard, their golden armor shining in the noon day sun like beacons. Too his right, the soldiers of the Everfree, Twilight’s Rangers. On his left, the black chitin of the Changelings. He heard a thud behind him but didn’t turn in knew who it was already.
“Line is ready General. Ready to begin on your orders.” He stepped aside for Celesita to take his place in line.
“Keep those Quil off my flanks if you would Captain.” She heard Shining Armor’s crisp reply then took a deep breath. “LINE FORWARD!”
The Echoing call of her command send every Folk and Changeling alike to slowly walk forward. Each soldier stepped with the trained heel-toe step of a soldier walking with a gun. Slow and steady as they fired at the Quil holding them off and slowly pushing their charge into a halt. The Quil Soliders, unable to mount the numbers needed, were pushed back into the ruins of Ponyville.
At that moment the village suddenly came alive with the sound of wing beats as a few hundred Air Born Quil took to the skies.
“TO THE SKIES!” Rainbow Dash called out to over the radio to her squads. From the forest dozens of Winged Squads took to the air to engage the Quil in the skies over the village. Seeing the Winged Squads and Dragon Riders flying to meet them the Quil ignored the ground forces and turned to engage their airborn counterparts.
Twilight Sparkle grimaced as she, along with her dragon riders followed Rainbow up. With nearly twelve Dragon Riders in the skies it was obvious now to the Quil this was a major offensive. She reach up and touched her ear piece.
“Trixie, thin some numbers.”
”Trixie is on it!” The blue mare called back. It was one of the advantages of being a Dragon Rider. Thanks to the dragons acting as a more stable platform the ability to carry heavier weapons into battle over the standard Winged Folk. Something Trixie lived up to as she pulled her flack cannon. It was one of the few weapons that didn’t use magic to power but real shells. Belt fed from a pouch on Gypsy’s side she could quickly pepper an area with shrapnel in a hurry. Her giggling laughter could be heard over the radio as she quickly cleaned an area of Quil.
”Nice one filly. Stand by.” Sunset Shimmer called out from Twilight’s other side causing Trixie to put away her cannon as the two lines drew close.
”Ok you colts and fillies, prepare for merge!” Rainbow Dash called as the Winged Folk, currently with the advantage as more Quil started to rise into the air from the village. ”Merge!”
At her command every Winged Squad and Dragon Squad opened fire. The concentrated wall of lethal energy quickly mowed down most of the flying Quil. But enough survived to still be lethal which quickly became apparent as the two groups met. Screams of agony could be heard over the radio as bodies fell from the sky. The two groups now fully merged as they started to engage single targets as more Quil rose up from the village to engage the Folk flying around above.
Twilight banked hard right as Shimmer and Trixie did the same matching her move for move. Just like the test day the three of them flew in formation never breaking, always on the move. Twilight would guide them round the battle field engaging Quil where she could to support not only her own soldiers but all of those that were there with her. She spared a glance at the ground to see the second wave of soldiers running out of the forest to catch up with the skirmish line as they reached the edge of town. IT wasn’t hard to spot her friends in that charging bunch. She looked back up, it was time to fight and fly like everyone’s life depending on her skills this day. She reached up to her ear piece.
“Beat squad, play us all something to kick some flank to.” She ordered. Within moments she heard it, a techno beat… with a cello? With a spin she looked back down at the battle field below her looking for beat squad and quickly found them. Corporals Scratch and Octavia were standing at the edge of the village as the two of them played. As Scratch rocked out she could see the energy beams streaking out from her weapon as she played. Next to her, almost like the two of them were dueling each other with their weapons, Octavia played her cello. She spun in time with her strokes, as each time she pushed her stick a small energy beam shot out, keeping her targets on Quil as she and Scratch played against and yet at the same time with each other. It was amazing, their instruments didn’t fire the precharged clips but somehow channeled their own energy as they played. Their magic…was music! And it showed as Twilight watched their mana flows. She spun right side up as she grinned firing at a Quil that got too close. It was another Ponyville custom, and it was those customs that she wanted to see more of. Each of their squad joined in throwing their ‘support’ behind one of the two duelist. As Octavia rose, her group played stronger, when Scratch countered her side joined in. It was a blend of techno and classical that was pure beat. Every folk that could hear the beat stepped a little quicker, fired a little faster. The moving beat kept them on their toes.
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To the northwest and southwest of the village of Ponyville two small fire bases stood. They hung on to the line stubbornly where it curved inwards to consume the village. With two sides they can be attacked from only the fact the folk inside were too stubborn to fall back. The line depended on those two bases and it was something they were not going to fail. The firebases, containing nearly a dozen artillery pieces between them, turned their weapons towards the village. It was almost a sacrilege to do this but they were under orders to target the inside of the town lines to soften up any resistance.
Their orders were simple. Each weapon fire six rounds into the village then stand by. The fighting was almost too close as is and they didn’t want to hit their own troops. Despite the activity of both bases it was silent. Orders were given in near whispers, no one yelled or shouted anything. It was as if it was a moment of silence for the soon to be bombarded town. Then the words they didn’t want to hear happened but they responded instantly as ordered.
“OPEN FIRE!”
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Celestia looked at the sky above the skirmish line. They have reached the edge of town and were starting their way in. From somewhere off to the right she heard music start up. She couldn’t help but to bob her head in time to the dueling music as she skewered a Quil then slammed it into the ground. {Another Twilight Surprise?} Celestia couldn’t help but to think as she pulled her lance out of the body.
“Captain Armor! Continue the assault, I’m going to help my little folk above.”
“Give them Tartarus ma’am!” Shining Armor saluted. “Jeep squads start your assault!” The charging soldiers from the everfree reached his line. “All troops move out. Press for the Mana Drain Devise.“ Shining Armor glanced back as the Jeeps split into two groups and started to drive into town, the sounds of the energy discharges from their weapons unique allowing him to trace where they were going. As he turned back to the front his eyes traveled along the line’s right flank. He spotted three of his sister’s friends as they huddled behind a wall a moment. The orange Earth Folk mare pointing at the other two then ahead of them. With a fist pump the three of them broke cover and charged. {Hope they survive this fight…} He thought as his mind went back to the task at hand. T-minus 18 minutes and counting. He heard the whistling of shells as they fell deeper in town. The sounds of Quil roaring in pain was welcomed.
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“Scoots there side street!” Sweetie yelled out as she pointed at a smaller street leading into town. Behind them were six other jeeps looking for a way into town with another column of seven next to them. When the folk first shored up the defense of Ponyville they blocked nearly all the entry ways, but during the bombing of the village a small side street was cleared.
Scootaloo was quick to take the side street as Sweetie Bell sweep the sky with her rifle for any airborn trying to ambush them. Behind her Applebloom kept the main weapon forward. The other column kept going on looking for another point of entry.
As they drove a Quil Soldier stepped out of the shadows and roared at them only be silenced by Applebloom. Sweetie Bell, without looking forward threw a shield up. The shield was at an angle that swept the body aside without slowing down. Ahead of them explosions could be heard.
“Sounds like the artillery started. Slow up Scoots, give the shells time ta fall.” Applebloom called out as she gave a hand side to the jeeps behind her causing them all to slow then stop. “Stay frosty ya’ll. Once the shells stop we move!”
“Yes ma’am!” Crew commanders yelled back.
Applebloom looked over her shoulder at the jeeps behind her. Many of them were nervous stopped in such tight quarters but it couldn’t be helped. Today was the day they all would find out just how doomed their way of life was. She turned back to the front her eyes sweeping back and forth for signs of the enemy. If they were lucky and Faust willing, the Quil would see the soldiers as the bigger threat at the moment. Distant explosions could be heard as her mind wondered back a few days.
(A few days ago)
Applebloom was finishing the polish of her weapon as she sat at the mess hall. It wasn’t needed at the moment but she needed something to do. It was getting close, in a few days she and her friends would be engaging in the largest battle on Equestrian soil. All for the faint hope that Twilight was right and she did find away to reclaim land from the Quil. It was then she heard a voice that caused her to grit her teeth. The urge to load and cock her weapon was almost overwhelming. But she resisted it, she was an Apple and Apples didn’t try to intimidate other folk. She looked up at the caller with a blank look on her face.
“What do you want Tiara?” Applebloom asked as she looked at the pink filly before her.
“I…I want to wish you luck.” Diamond Tiara said quietly.
“Come again?”
“You stupid hick.” Tiara shouted outloud throwing her hands up in the air. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them and continued to shout at her. “I’m trying to tell you to be careful out there. I know what’s going on and…” She quieted down some. “I know I have been a pain in your b… flank. I just want to say I’m sorry. I thought I had it all when dad was rich but now that we lost everything we are trying to survive but none of us have any way of helping.” She looked at her hands. “I have calluses on my hands now. I work now, trying to make a living on a base that doesn’t care about who my father is or what he may have done. I have done nothing, no skills of my own and in no way able to fight. I can’t bring myself to do it. Silver Spoon, is able to so what can’t I? She’s up almost nightly as a guard for being so young, it fits her. She has all but stopped talking to me after she was in that fight not long ago when the Quil tried to breach the walls.” Tears started to appear in the filly’s eyes. “All I can do now is make amends for my mistakes, my stupid past of foolishness. Can you forgive me?” Diamond Tiara looked at Applebloom with a pleading look in her eyes.
For years Applebloom dreamed of this day, dreamed of the day Tiara would be on her knees begging forgiveness. And for years she played every idea under the sun from telling her ‘no’ to even punching her in the face but when it came down to it, she couldn’t. Years of teasing her about a blank flank, years of being stuck up and pushy, years of torment and pain welled up inside the yellow filly as she looked at the one folk she wanted to deem her worst enemy…and couldn’t do any of it. She just nodded at Tiara with a small smile.
“Ah forgive ya. Ah know your pride took one hell of a hit when we moved here and Ah know that to admit this…broke the rest of it.” Applebloom quickly finished off her gun then set it on the table and stood up. She noticed that many of the soldiers behind Tiara nodded at her with smiles on their faces. It took a bigger mare to accept such an apology after the years she went through, even after being called a hick. What Tiara didn’t know is when she blurted that out nearly all the jeep squads in the mess hall rose to their feet, their fists balled up and ready to defend one of their own and only sat back down when Applebloom subtly waved them off. “Still looking for that way to help out?”
“Yeah…” Tiara said as she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then come with me. We are short ah few good mechanics down in the motor pool and with ya rich eye for detail, ya might do some good there.” Applebloom picked her rifle back up and popped the energy clip into place but didn’t cock it. Doubling checking the safety she threw it over her shoulder by the strap. Then she put her arm around Tiara’s shoulders as she guided the filly out of the mess hall with a smile. “Some real damn good.”
Applebloom smiled. Yeah, oddly enough Diamond Tiara made a pretty good mechanic down in the motor pool. After all she has been through it gave her a new outlook on life allowing her to be more than willing to get dirty as she worked to keep the jeeps in tip top shape improved her standing with the soldiers, including Silver Spoon. While Silver Spoon was only a volunteer at that point she fully planed on enlisting as soon as she was able to. Silver saw herself as a soldier, and the soldiers saw her as one too. Diamond’s willingness to help the soldiers got the two friends back together and Applebloom was happy.
“You ok there AB?” Scoots asked as she leaned against the steering wheel, her pistol in one hand as she kept an eye out for Quil.
“Yeah, just thinking.”
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Applejack rushed around an artillery crater leading the charge against the Quil in the middle of Ponyville. The plan was simple, rush in and hit them hard, save ammo to point blank range. Not that she needed it as she cocked her shotgun for another round. A Quil appeared in front of her, literally appeared in a blink causing Applejack to react on instinct as she fired a scattershot of energy bolts into the enemy.
Looking over her shoulder she motioned for the troops to follow.
“Come on ya’ll! Scoot your boots!” She looked forward as she cocked the final round into her shotgun and started to reload. The dozen soldiers behind her yelling war cries of their own as they charged was like music to her ears as she too charged. Above her the Winged Folk led by Twilight and Celestia clashed with the Quil Airborne valiantly trying to give them cover as they made for their objective. Next to her Pinkie Pie giggled like a mad mare as her two sub-machine guns sang their duet of death. She was listening to the explosions and counted them. The last hit mear seconds ago so now was the time for the charge. Then she heard it, a whistling sound.
“INCOMING!” The call was loud and crisp, cutting through the din of combat easily and Applejack reacted. Diving into Pinkie Pie knocking her away from the stray artillery shell that was going to kill them.
Pinkie looked over Applejacks shoulder as she pushed to her hands and knees to look at the damage as the rest of the troops kept charging.
“That would have left a mark…” Pinkie said quietly as she eyed the crater.
“True that. Come on Sugercube, time ta get back in this fight.” Applejack said as she pushed to her feet and held out a hand to help Pinkie.
“Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie grinned as she took the hand. With barely any effort Applejack pulled Pinkie to her feet and pointed her towards the direction of the charge. With a smile on her face, a giggle in her throat and twin SMGs in hand she skipped after the troops. Applejack shuttered slightly as she worried just a tad about her friend. “APPLEJACK OBJECTIVE IN SIGHT!” Pinkie’s yell could be heard from across the battlefield causing Appjeack to grin.
“Form up ya’ll time for the hard part!” She rushed forward towards Pinkie who stood on the edge of the town square along with the rest of the troops. As she joined them she saw a sight that made her grimace. The square was packed with Quil, but only some were looking at her and her squad. Judging by where they were looking the plan was coming together as the Quil found themselves surrounded as Folk came out of every side alley and main street in every direction. “Charge!” Applejack yelled, the call punctuated with a shot of her shotgun. T-minus five minutes.
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“Every thing ready Captain High Wind?” Cadence asked of the shimmering crystal folk next to her. He had a short crop of black mane under a white captain’s hat. He wore the white uniform of the Crystal Empire Navy as his black tail, cut short swished with worry as his Princess Cadenza toured the bridge of the Crystal Heart. They were deep over the Everfree as they awaited either the signal that the objective was secure or thirty minutes were up. As it stood they had seven minutes to go before they would drop their cloak and start towards Ponyville.
“Ready to go your Highness. If I may with all due respect, you need to disembark before we drop our cloak.” The captain said. Then he really started to worry when she walked over to a storage locker that not even he could get into that was tucked into a corner of the bridge.
“Captain, I have no intention of disembarking from this ship.” Princess Cadence told him. With a flick of her magic the locker opened revealing a set of pink battle armor and a large crystal hammer with a wooden shaft. The head alone reached from the floor to her waist and was wider than her. With another flash of her horn her royal dress was replaced with an officer’s uniform of the Crystal Empire Navy, minus the hat but complete with Admiral bars on her shoulder. She turned to face the Captain. “The ship is yours, protect it and do what you must to keep it safe. But this time, this time I will not let my folk go into battle alone. I will be there, on the deck defending our ship, our hope with my life.” Cadence told him as another flash and the armor from the locker now adorned her body. Of a similar cut as the Royal guard armor it contained a chest piece that covered her abs, greaves that covered her hips down to her knees and thick boots that covered her feet and calves. Her arms were covered leaving only her elbow and hands uncovered as she reached behind her and pulled out a helmet and threw it on her head. “I trusted you with the safety of this ship for the last two years, I will continue to trust it even now.” She reached into the locker and helfted the crystal hammer. Down the wooden shafted that connected to the large crystal head she glanced at the name, Love Struck. With a flick of her wrist the hammer landed on her shoulder at rest. “I’m going to be on the deck captain. Move out when ready!”
“As you wish your High…sorry Admiral. Ten HUT!” Every crystal folk on deck snapped to attention and saluted her. “We will give our lives for you, be safe and we all will come home today.” Cadence returned the salute then strode out on deck. Once she was out of sight, and down a flight or two of stairs for the deck the Captain looked at one of the guards on the bridge. “Get me General Luna, she needs to know about this.”
“Yes sir…are you going to try to stop her?” The guard asked.
“Not just no but Tartarus no. I’ve seen her practice with that hammer. It is MUCH heavier than it looks and she swings it like a foal’s toy. Nope, not going there. Just get me Luna and let her deal with it.”
“Yes sir, though I believe that General Luna is dealing with the Press below on the ground. Seems somehow the news of what this battle is about got out and the press are here to try to cover it. If it works its going to be big…” The unspoken remaining part hung heavy between them. After a moment High Wind nodded.
“And if we fail, morale across the land will plummet like a rock in a lake. Princess Cadence was quick to act with the lost of Ponyville and Twilight’s Rangers made some good moves to restore the hope of the folk. But this battle will make or break us.”
“Sir, signal from the ground forces. Objective secured and ready for drop. Your orders?” An ensign called out. Captain High Wind nodded at the ensign as he walked towards his Captain’s Chair.
“Drop cloak! Engines ahead full. Course three-four-nine, four degrees up bubble make your altitude one thousand feet.” The Captain sat down in his chair. “Engage.”
From the outside the sudden appearance of the crystal air ship was a sight to behold as the thruster crystals rotated to point behind as they started to glow with magical energy.
“Sir, two minutes to the edge of the Everfree.”
“Raise shields, all gunners on standby. All soldiers prepare to repel boarders. We must deliver the package at all costs my friends so there will be no retreat until it is done. Do I make myself clear?” The captain asked calmly.
“Clear sir!” Every crystal folk shouted in response.
“Good, now move out. Number one…” A crystal folk stallion nearby stiffened at attention but held a huge smile on his face. Make sure all our gunners know their gloves are off for this mission, just no friendly fire please.”
“Yes sir!” With that the stallion stepped off the bridge.
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From below the Crystal Heart, General Luna was standing in front of a dozen reporters from different cities and papers answering questions.
“General, intelligence states that this battle is to restore the mana lost in this area. Is this true?” One reporter, an Earth Folk asked. Many of the veteran reporters rolled their eyes knowing what was to come from a such a stupid leading question. Luna was famous for chewing up and spitting out reporters and never telling a lie while doing do.
“Seeing as how you are standing in front of me asking such a question, you tell me. Sometimes I swear you are able to find out things before I do and I’m standing at the top of the Chain of Command.” Luna told him. While she did it with a completely straight face the sarcasm was quite evident. “Listen Rookie, I have stood in front of thousands of your peers throughout the last oh, thousand years. If there is anything I have learned is that you only show up when you think you got a story. I’ll give you one. You are right, this fight will be the beginning of the end. If that end is for the Quil or for Us that remains to be seen.” Luna looked at the other reporters as they grinned to themselves about the Rookie getting it like that as another one raised her hand. Luna pointed at her.
“General, it is a known fact that bases and forces from across Equestria has pledged support for this operation. Are you not worried about weakening our forces across the line?”
“While that is a valid concern we are not worried about it. Each base and fort along the line has only pledged a few forces. Alone they are not worth the effort, but together they are quite the army. And 1st Sergeant Twilight Sparkle has done a wonderful job of housing and supplying those forces. Speaking of the newly dubbed Twilight’s Rangers, they are currently engaged as we speak and any moment now the Crystal Heart will appear in the air above us to begin its attack run.” She looked up as did the reporters just in time for the ship to appear above them and start to move towards the ruined village. “And now I am off to join the fray. If you wish to report on the battle stay within the Everfree and do not expose yourselves. Thank you.” With those words Luna vanished in a flash of indigo light.
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Twilight looked over her shoulder as she flew in formation with Sunset and Trixie and spotted the Crystal Heart on its approach. She reached up and hit her ear piece.
“Ok every folk, we got the Crystal Heart Inbound. Winged squads take up screen positions. Don’t get too close her shields are up. All riders prepare for Quil assault. Intel suggests once the Crystal Heart passes the edge of the Everfree the Quil will concentrate their attacks on the heart. Stand by for assault.” Twilight called out and grimaced. She knew this was going to be the hard part. On board the Crystal Heart was the charged Crystal that was going to be their bomb. Drop it into the energy beam from over one thousand feet and it should reverse the pull causing the mana energy to return to the land. The Crystal Heart was the only platform large enough to hold their bomb and stable enough to make the drop. If the Heart went down before the drop could be made, all was lost. She looked down at her friends and family below as they forted up around the Mana Drain Device. It was always possible for the Quil to figure out their plan and destroy the device before they could reverse the flow thus breaking the connection from their island and the land they stole the mana from. Both halves of the plan had to work for this to be successful.
Twilight watched as the ship slowly passed over the edge of the Everfree when she felt it, as did every horned folk on the battlefield. A massive surge of magical energy that could only be one thing: Teleportation.
As the Crystal Heart crossed the edge of the Everfree Quil Airborn appeared everywhere. The Winged Folk, while ready for a massive fight, were not prepared for the sudden appearance of Quil all around them. Within moments it was a free for all for every Winged Folk and Dragon rider still in the air. They did what instinct told them to do, fall back. They actively did the only thing they could do, fall back for the Crystal Heart. But it was a swarm all around them as they fought for their lives.
“This is the Crystal Heart, we have no air support any Squads in air we need this swarmed thinned out or this is going to be a very short trip!”
Rainbow Dash looked around franticly. All cross her vision the signs of folk fighting and dying against impossible odds flashed before her. They need a game changer, and they needed it now. She grimaced, it was a long shot but she had an idea.
“Fluttershy! Stick close to Muffin Squad, I’m going to thin out this crowd.” Rainbow yelled out.
“Right!” Fluttershy called from between shots of her pistol.
Once she had Fluttershy safe, relatively speaking, Rainbow flew straight up with the speed born of pure desperation. She didn’t pause for anything as she flew, shooting only those that got into her way. It didn’t take long for her to break free of the swarm of Quil causing many of follow her upwards. She glanced behind her and grinned.
“This is Staff Sergeant Rainbow Dash to all Airborn forces. I hope you are ready for a light show, because here comes Awesome!” She curved back around on herself, swinging wide enough to avoid the Quil that followed her as she poured on the speed. Pushing herself as hard as she could she flew for a focal point between the pinned Airborn and the Crystal Heart. The only way she was going to pull this off was to pour on the speed, speed she had in abundance. Rainbow Dash could feel the pressure wave building against her.
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Every airborn, both Quil and Folk heard it, the shriek of something straining against the sound barrier. In puzzlement and confusion the battle in the sky came to a standstill as all eyes, single and double, looked up in time to see a rainbow streak flying towards the ground. They could see the air pressure forming a cone around the rainbow maned winged folk as she struggled to break the barrier holding her back. Time slowed for both Folk and Quil as the cone formed a sphere around Rainbow Dash as she reached a point between her two allied forces. Suddenly the sphere, pushed beyond its limits yielded the fight to Rainbow Dash and from the epicenter of their struggle a rippling rainbow rushed out consuming all. Folk, holding their arms up to shield their faces from the blast found themselves unharmed but the Quil were knocked aside like ten pins.
“To The Heart!” voice shouted over the Radio.
One reporter by the name of Quick Pen watched the sight of the rainboom pass over head then his eyes locked back into the rainbow streak still rushing for the ground. “Pull up, Pull up, PULL UP!” He urged as he was making hand motions for the streak to veer upwards. Slowly but surely the rainbow streak that caused the Rainboom begin to pull up. First level with the ground then slowly back into the sky. From where he stood he could hear a mare shouting ‘yeah’ from the top of her lungs.
“Mares and Gentlecolts, we have witnessed something amazing today. For the first time, no second time, in recorded history we have seen a Sonic Rainboom!” Quick Pen said as he talked into a microphone. “According to the radio message just before the event a Staff Sergeant Rainbow Dash of Twilight’s Rangers have performed this amazing feat. She has single handily knocked the Quil away from both the Crystal Heart and the besieged Winged Squads. The Winged Squads, quick to take advantage of the break have now swarmed around the Crystal Heart in a classical fighter screen formation. Despite the heavy resistance from the Quil our mares and stallions of the Armed Forces keep fighting. It should be noted that I do see flashes of burning dawn colors a sure sign that General Celestia is in the thick of things…”
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Across Equestria folk sat at home listening to the reporter as he described the battle before him. Many folk, young and old alike were on the edges of their seats.
“Wait a minute, I see a very large Quil Airborn. Recent intelligence calls this new Quil a Quil Commander. Intel also states it is stronger and faster than the standard Airborn and seems to command the Quil around it. This Quil Commander seems to be mounting a counter attack against the Crystal Heart. Oh no, the Heart’s shields are down, the commander and nearly half the Quil Airborn struck all at once over loading the ship’s shields. Now the commander is moving to take out the fighter screen…seven, twelve, seventeen winged folk just fell to the onslaught of this commander. Some folk please get in there and take it out…wait. Three Dragon riders are moving in to engage the Commander and its cohorts. Get me an ID on those three…really? Its Twlight Sparkle and her Dragon Wingmares Sunset Shimmer and Trixie Lulamoon. The tight formation flying of the three riders seem to confuse the Quil Commander. Its like it can’t decide who to attack…horse apples the commander made a choice and lunged out for Twilight but one of her wingmares, Trixie knocked her and her dragon aside taking the attack. It seems the dragon is clutching the Quil Commander as they fall, they are falling for the town square. Twilght and Sunset are trying to reach Trixie but they have been cut off by a small swarm of Quil Airborn. I…I can no longer see Trixie and the Commander. This reporter hopes for the best but may her sacrifice not be in vain.”
Across Equestria every stallion, mare and foal listened with intent at the fate of the mare that sacrificed herself and the results of the battle.
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Trixie slowly picked herself off the ground. Nearby Gypsy lay unmoving except for the slow rise and fall of her chest. As she reached her feet she glanced around nearly a dozen Quil Soldiers stood around watching her forming a ring. She snorted slightly as she clutched her right arm, her left foot barely able to take her weight.
“So each of you wish a piece of me?” Her horn glowed, the third person mode of speech gone as she glared at the Quil around her. Nearby she could see the defensive ring of soldiers around the Drain Device and plenty of Quil between her and them. They couldn’t help her, she was truly on her own. With her left arm she reached into the small of her back and pulled out a small handle from her belt. With a flick of her wrist a metal point shot out nearly two feet long. “Come forth if you want to die.”
Instead of charging the Quil soldiers around her went still then a couple parted to let the Quil Commander walk through to her. She could see the injuries Gypsy put all over it still oozing blood. It walked like it didn’t feel any of the pain. She glanced up wards to see the Crystal Heart slowly moving towards the beam as Quil. Winged Folk, and Dragon Riders struggled with each other all around it. As he gaze traveled back to the Commander her horn discharged causing a number of blue sparkles to dance all over her body. Switching her rapier to her right hand she slid back into a combat stance, her wounds better but not completely healed. Once more her horned glowed and three copies of her appeared next to her two to her left and one to her right. The Commander looked at each of the copies as it crossed its bladed arms in front of its chest. Suddenly it lunged for one of the Trixie’s the one standing before the spell was cast. As the other three leaped away the one the commander went fore didn’t move but smiled at it as the blade passed through her chest causing the illusion to fade away. Turning quickly the commander found another Trixie lunging at it, her blade thrusting for its chest. With a skilled flick of its arm the blade was defected with a rasp of steel as another Trixie lunged at it. Twisting around it parried that blow with another rasp of steel against its blade.
“Trixie is a master of Illusion magic. Which is the real me and which is the fake?” Trixie taunted as another of her illusions lunged. Again the commander was able to block and push Trixie’s blade away but a quick counter attack dissolved that illusion as well leaving only two.
The Quil Commander moved to the offensive as it actively attacked another of Trixie’s clones, with a few quick slashes of its arms Trixie’s blade was deflected and she was wide open for the commander’s blade to plunge into her chest causing that one to dissolve. Without slowing down it lunged for the last one, both arm blades slashing through the air with powerful swipes cutting Trixie in two before she could even react.
As her body hit the ground it too faded from sight causing the Commander to step back a moment and look around. Suddenly it turned and lunged catching the real Trixie in mid attack. Her rapier pressed against the Quil’s blade as the two of them tried to push each other back. Trixie grinned in the face of the Quil Commander.
“I never had a chance to truly test my powers. TO fight one such as you give me the chance I never had before…” Her horn started to glow as the commander raised its other arm and slashed down at her, only to find open air. With a roar of frustration he felt Trixie using its arm as a agility bar as she flipped over it and to its back. The commander tried to turn to strike at her only to find its blade still stuck against Trixie’s as it glowed with her magic. “…I have a chance…” She spoke as she flipped around its head and fell enough to avoid a strike before grabbing the arm that swung at her. “…To grow…” She flipped over that arm to stand on the other then rolled up the arm to avoid another swing. Trixie paused at its back as she clung to its neck. “…To better myself…” She rolled over to the free arm as it tried to stab her. As the commander pulled its arm back Trixie grabbed ahold and with a swing of her body threw herself straight up. Her feet pointed to the sky as she straighten out like an acrobat. Suddenly her blade gave a jerk pulled the commander forward a step causing it to lose its balance for just a moment as her blade launched up towards her. Grabbing it out of the air Trixie flipped forward as she brought her blade downwards. “…TO RISE!” As she plunged her blade into the back of the Quil Commander.
With a roar of agony the Quil Commander fell to its knees as it tried to strike at the mare latched onto its back only for her to pull her blade out and stab again, this time into the back of its head. As it fell unmoving to the ground she hoped off and looked at the Quil Soldiers that surrounded her.
“Trixie says you might want to run.” She calmly told them. The Quil soldiers paused a moment as they glanced at each other. Suddenly as one body they roared and charged only to be met by dragon and rifle fire as Sunset Shimmer and Twilight landed on both sides of her.
“Keep us covered Skylight as she hopped off and embraced Trixie. “You stupid mare I’m going to kick your flank for this.” With a quick kiss to the lips Sunset shook Trixie’s shoulders. “If you pull something like this again I’m going to kill you myself!” Sunset half shouted at her as Trixie smiled back.
“Maybe Trixie should let you on top from time to time if you are going to whine like this.” She said with a wink as her horn glowed and Gypsy started to sparkle with her healing magic. After a moment Gypsy climbed back to her claws.
“My head hurts.” With a quick shake of her head Gypsy spotted Trixie and Sunset’s embrace. “Ma, time to get back to the air. Stop kissing your marefriend and let’s get back to the fighting.” She said.
“I agree, come on you two save the PDAs for later. At least it isn’t as bad as it was during the Academy.” Twilight said as she fired a few more bolts into on coming Quil. Spike chuckled as he blew another stream of green flames.
“Trixie believes you are right.” Pulling away from Sunset she climbed back on Gypsy. After a moment the three of them launched back into the sky as Quil Soldiers swarmed where they stood just moments before.
**********************
Shining Armor glanced around the defensive perimeter as more and more Quil appeared before his troops. The Royal guard fought valiantly but they were getting swarmed. Though Twilight’s Beat Squad was doing a pretty good job keeping the soldiers active with their music, if he was honest with himself he would have to admit that the only reason they were still standing before such an onslaught was because of their music, their own magic. He hefted two pistols in his hands, having given up his rifle long ago to a disarmed Armed Forces member. He preferred his pistols anyway, easy to recharge with his own magic and easy to handle. Easy enough to head shot many Quil he fired against. Only the ones known as Fluttershy and Scootaloo were better shots with pistols than he was.
“Sir another wave!” A Royal Guard stallion yelled out.
“Stand strong my friends, hold this line at all costs! The Crystal Heart is about to make its drop.” Shining Armor roared out. All around the collective sound of the soldiers shouting back made him grin as he fired relentlessly into the hoard.
Next to him a Changeling landed. “Sir, south side is starting to buckle!”
“Horse apples!” Shining muttered.
“Go ahead, we got it here. Help them hold it up sir!” Another Royal Guard mare called out. She was one of the few with a melee weapon and had just pushed the body of a Quil Soldier over the edge of the half wall they were fighting behind.
“Thanks, hold the fort folk, I’ll be right back.” Shining yelled out.
“HU RA!” Was the answering reply.
Turning on a heel Shining Armor quickly turned and made for the changeling section of the wall. He could see they were hard pressed just to hold out but the changelings fought valiantly. The pride he felt for those soldiers bolstered him as he rushed in with a battlecry on his lips. His horn glowed as a pink shield appeared and with a sudden thrust pushed the Quil off the wall a moment.
“Send them to Tartarus, for your Queen and for your hive soldiers of the hive!” He shouted back. Every changeling paused, the pause was just a moment, almost easily missed but as one body the whole group suddenly roared in a battlecry of their own. The sheer ferocity of their attack pushed the Quil back. Many Changelings zipped over the barricade, their wings buzzing in anger and pride, and make a quick slash against a Quil Soldier then back to the barricade. Shining Armor looked at the Changelings around him, another burst of pride welled up inside of him as many of the Changelings perked up even more. He couldn’t help but to grin.
{Emotion absorption, even pride is food to them. The energy they need to fight on.} He thought to himself as he shot another Quil. Then he saw it, green bolts of energy intermixed with the blue bolts from the rifles many of them were equipped with. All around him many Changelings had their horns glowing as they not only fired rifles but their own magic as well.
Despite all that was achieved, they were holding the Device to be honest but it wasn’t without their own loses. Many of the Jeep units that rushed to their aid once the Quil started to teleport in were left in burning heaps throughout town, very few were able to make it to them. Shining Armor moved on to the check the section of the wall where Twilight’s troops were holding up. He almost didn’t have to worry about these troops though, they knew how to handle themselves. The few Jeeps that made it though were hold up in this area adding their considerable firepower to the troops there. But he was surprised at the survivors of one jeep unit. Three fillies who seemed to have taken over one small section of the wall. They shouldn’t be here floated across his mind but they were in full uniforms and even he could see the rank bars on their shoulders.
“Scoots, Ah need some accuracy here. Sweetie, shield up, left side they are about to push through.”
Shining watched as the white and orange fillies listened to the yellow filly’s words. A mulberry panel of a shield appeared then suddenly smacked the Quil that was about to strike at a downed soldier off the wall and back into its fellows. It spun around and did the same thing to another near by before it expanded into a full shield. The white filly, Sweetie, had her horn glowing but she didn’t look up from her rifle as she keep Quil at bay.
{She’s good, but a few techniques could make her as good as I am with shields.} he thought as he pulled up next to the orange filly.
“Reloading!” Scoots yelled out as she ducked behind the barrier. That was when Shining Armor saw it, she had wings, but they were stunted.
“I got you covered.” Shining Armor called out as he stepped up to the barrier. He glanced down as he watched her reload with a few flicks of her hands and he grimaced. So young yet she could reload that thing blind folded. As she stood back up she saw who was covering her.
“Captain Armor! Sorry for no salute but I got more pressing matters.” Scootaloo told him as she started to fire into the Quil.
“Quite understandable.” He glanced at her pistol and noted her stance and expert marksstallion or mare taught her how to shoot. “You any good with two?”
“Don’t know haven’t tried.” Scootaloo told him.
“INCOMING ABOVE!” A voice shouted. Scootaloo pointed up wards at the same time Shining Armor did and dropped a few airborn whom were trying to get the drop on them.
“Your good though. Small of my back is another pistol, grab it. It’s a gift from Twilight but I’m too use to using these pistols. It has her auto recharger enchantment on it. May it serve you well.”
“Sir?” Scootaloo asked, her eyes never leaving the Quil before her.
“I’m recharging my own clips as I keep in internal count of my shots. It is too ingrained, I keep trying to recharge that thing but my magic keeps feeding back on me. I’m sticking to these guys here. You take it, and see if Twilight can enchant that second one for you. Get good enough and you can challenge me to a shooting contest.” Shining Armor told her. He glanced to see her grin as she reached behind him and pulled the pistol out of the small back holster. He paused a moment and undid the holster letting it drop at her feet. “I’ll cover you as you put it on. Move!”
Shining Armor grinned to himself. Despite being grounded she was still a Winged Folk and the idea of a challenge, the idea of a contest of skill still appealed to her as much as it did any Winged Folk. He heard of the medical inspection from Twilight and instantly reslized how the little filly was able to pull such a skilled fighter like Rainbow Dash away from her job of taking out the defenders. The challenge yell was something Dash COULDN’T ignore no matter what was on the line. The fact it was another winged folk just made it worst. He noted Scootaloo standing back up and firing into Quil with her new pistol.
“Aww yeah, this is so awesome! Thanks Captain!” Scootaloo called out.
“Welcome soldier now hold this line!”
“Sir!” Scootaloo shouted as Shining Armor slowly worked his way down the line to the yellow filly. As he neared he just smiled. There was nothing he could do for her, she already achieved all he could have taught her already. Just the very feeling of being near her was enough to inspire him as she stood there at her mounted weapon and helping keep the Quil at bay as she directed her crew and those around her to the best she was able. He listened to her a moment and nodded. With her in charge he knew nothing would break through this section of wall.
“Ya need through sir?” Applebloom asked.
“Yes ma’am.” Shining Armor told her simply. She stopped firing a moment and lifted her barrel out of his way allowing him through. “Thank you soldier, keep up the good work.”
“Sir!” Applebloom shouted as she started to fire her weapon again. “Sweetie, push that shield out on mah mark…” Applebloom paused a moment as she lined up another target. “MARK!”
The mulberry colored shield suddenly launched forward from where it was placed knocking Quil over like Ten pins as Shining Armor slid up next to her in the line.
“Pretty good with shields I see.” Shining Armor told her.
“Its my special talent.” Sweetie Belle told him sweetly as she fired her rifle.
{Oh this filly is going to be a heart breaker when she gets just a little older.} Shining Armor said. He thought to his Marefriend, Cadence, she too was a little heartbreaker until she tamed him almost five years ago. {Thankfully she is on our side.}
He watched as she raised another shield nearby. While he wasn’t his sister in anyway he could see the lattice of shields pretty easily. It was pretty impressive to say the least, reaching frequencies that rivaled himself, Twilight or any Alicorn with her shield. But within the lattice he saw something that made him grin.
“Listen up Filly, quick lesion in shelding techs. Pay attention and you can become a master of the warding arts understand me soldier?”
“Sir yes sir!” She shouted without looking up.
{Damn all three are really impressing me, I need to get Twilight to give these fillies some real rank. Assuming we all survive this.} He thought then opened his mouth. “Your lattice is to sloppy. Pull it tighter together. The less space between the lattice structure the less energy needed to maintain it and the stronger it will be. Now drop that shield and try it again, I’ll cover you.”
Sweetie did as she was ordered and dropped the shield as Shining Armor let loose a flurry of energy bolts from his pistols. The Quil, thinking the shield went down because of them rushed in to the perceived weakness only to be met with a grinning Shining Armor dropping them like flies. After a moment the shield went back up. Shining Armor’s jaw wanted to desperately visit the ground but he held his stance only by sheer force of will. The lattice was so tightly packed together it was like Sweetie used a shoe horn to force them together.
“Sweet Celestia it worked. Your right sir, its barely taking anything to maintain!” Sweetie shouted out loud. With a flick of her horn she swung the shield in an arc smashing many Quil into each other. “And I barely felt that too!” The shield moved back into position then suddenly expanded to cover the entire section they were covering. “Applebloom ma’am! New and improved shields are up!”
“Well Horse Apples, color me impressed.” Applebloom said truly impressed at Sweetie Belle, she glanced around like she was looking for someone as a blush crossed her face.
“AB, we live in a barracks now, I don’t think AJ is going to tan your hide for language.” Scootaloo said with a laugh.
“Granny still might.” Applebloom said with a roll of her eyes. “Shut it and keep firing Scoots.”
“Good work soldier. I’ll give you more lessons later.” He glanced around seeing no soldier reaching Sergeant rank around him. “You, Corporal Bloom! I need someone clearly in charge for this section so I’m field promoting you to Sergeant. From the changeling line to the other side of Lance Corporal Belle here is yours keep it secure!” His horn glowed as did her rank pin and shoulder bars as they changed from the two bars of Corporal to the three bars of Sergeant.
Applebloom blinked then nodded at him. “Sir!” As he turned away and Applebloom went back to maintaining the line, no one noticed a small sparkling appering through her fatigue jacket over her hips.
**************
Shining Armor was working his way long the barrier when he heard the thud of arterially being fired. “What in Celestia’s name?” He asked as he worked he way farther down the line where he saw Pinkie Pie and Rarity working her party cannon.
{How did she get that here?} HE thought as Pinkie fired again sending more of her razor streamers into the Quil. {That horse apple just works like bouncy grape shot…}
He watched as many of the Quil dismembered themselves trying to get free of the razor streamers as Pinkie pulled the cannon backwards for Rarity to shove another shell into the front then take a long padded rod and pack it down.
“Clear!” Rarity yelled as Pinkie rolled it forward slightly then fired again. The blast causing it to roll backwards for her to reload again. It was like clockwork, the cannon would fire and roll back Rarity would grab a shell and slam it into the barrel and with one smooth motion ram her rod home and pull out as Pinkie rolled it forward and fired again. He blinked but didn’t say anything as he spotted Applejack directing fire and troops where they were needed. This side of the line was good as well, time to get back to the rest of the royal guard.
He glanced above at the air battle. It was harsh, even he could see that but the air ship kept moving towards her goal.
*********************
Thanks to Rainbow Dash’s Sonic Rainboom the Heart started her run but the Quil sure didn’t make it easy for the ship or the Winged Squads flying protection for her.
“Damage report!” Captain High Wind called out from his chair.
“Shields are gone, damage to secondary decks. All but one gun emplacement is offline. Engine one is offline, engine two is fluxing wildly, sir we may have a magicore breach here soon.” An ensign called out.
“I’ll head down there and give them a hand.” Captain High wind looked over his shoulder at his number one and dear friend, Steady Note. After a second he nodded. “Keep my ship together Number One, I’m counting on you.”
“Yes sir.” Note told him as he ran out the door.
“Redirect all power to remaining shield crystals. We need to maintain a defensive form.” High Wind yelled out. He could see the deck from where he sat. Many Quil Airborn were trying to break into the bowels of the ship by the only way open to them, the main deck. Princess, Admiral Cadence, with her bright pink armor fluttered around the battlefield wielding that oversize maul with a one handed ease. Around her many of the Royal Guard, Crystal Marines and even many of the Nightmare Special Forces were fighting a holding action.
Captain High Wind shuttered at the reports he saw about Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon.
After that first battle so many years ago, Luna almost let herself be lost to the rage of her defeat and the shame of those lost that day. In the days to follow as those civilians from Los Pegasus and the remains of the Armed Forces from the beach and those that joined them fled from the advancing Quil, Luna stood on the van guard, never leaving never flinching as she held off the Quil to protect the folk who depended on her. The insanity of battle, the lust of the kill caused Luna to change almost before everyone’s eyes. Those that stood with her, ninety-nine mares and stallions who took their strength from watching one of their Princess fight alongside them changed at the same time.
The transformation was something that was forever burned into the memories of those that saw it but were not changed themselves. Luna seem to grow in height, where once she stood a head shorter than her sister, she now stood a head over Celestia. Her horn grew in length and sharpened to a lethal point. Her mane and tail, both already flowing with an astral breeze turned into pure dark mist. Her thin frame, turned lithe yet powerful the body of a true athlete. Her wings, made of dark feathers that matched her skin turned leathery and bat like. From her mouth sharp teeth appeared giving her a truly predatory look. But her eyes, her eyes held the sharpest change. Her round teal eyes changed into the silted eyes of a dragon. Her weapon, the Lunar Lance, grew in length with wicked looking serrations forming along the bladed end becoming Lunar Eclipse.
Those around her also changed, their skin turned into a dull gray. No matter what they were, all grew leathery bat like wings. Their eyes slitting like hers as each of them took on a predatory look becoming Thestrals and instantly loyal to their creator. It was the first time anything defeated the Quil and while nothing was able to come from the victory the retreat was saved. Nightmare Moon was truly blood thirsty and was willing to wade into the enemy to sate her blood lust as seen during that battle but something stopped her. She looked to the sky and nodded at something then turned to face her sister who could only stand there, her jaw hanging open but fear in her eyes.
IF there was one thing both princesses feared it was a Nightmare being born. Negative emotions, buried deep within an Alicorn could give rise to a powerful Nightmare if unleashed and Luna just unleashed all the rage and hate that had built up within her. The Nightmare that was her sister walked up to her then set her wicked lance on the ground before her.
“Sister, it is still I Luna. Yes this is a Nightmare form but I am NOT a Nightmare. This form, forged from the fires of battle shall be mine to bare as long as these creatures roam our fair land.”
Celestia was shocked but she could see into the eyes, while slitted and full of hate, she could still see her sister in there. She wasn’t lost, just powerful…
Captain High Wind Watched as Nightmare Moon herself zipped through the sky with a blood curling scream on her lips as she slaughtered the Quil. He knew part of that was anger for being denied the right to kill the Quil Commander from before. At least she was putting it to good use.
“Captain, we can’t contain the magicore for long. Too much damage to the engines and shields, it is starting to overload from the excess energy. I give it two minutes tops sir!” Note’s voice came over a small crystal on his chair.
“We have five minutes until drop find anyway you can to bleed off that excess energy and hold her together for five minutes. That’s an order.”
“Yes sir.” He didn’t sound too happy but High wind knew his number one would do it to the best of his abilities.
But before he could think of anything else his ship was rocked by a power explosion. Many on deck were knocked off their feet as the Crystal Heart started to list port side dangerously.
“No can do Captain. Last engine just went offline and the magicore is about to go critical. We got to abandon ship. Core breach in thirty seconds.”
High Wind slammed his fist on his chair’s arm and flicked the switch for a general announcement when a female voice called out
“Wait!” All eyes on the bridge turned to the crystal mare standing at the engineering station of the bridge. “Initializing Crystal Heart Rewiring Sequence…” Her fingers flew over the console as diagrams and outlines appeared before her eyes. “Rerouting excess power through secondary system buffers, transferring energy to primary systems: Engines, Weapons, Shields.” Multilayer displays appeared as with on hand she started to actively redrawing the magical lay lines that threaded through out the ship. “Improving Shield Frequency, cycling weapon emplacement repair codes. Writing Crystal Heart repair lines.”
“Captain? Is something happening up there? Magicore power output just dropped by forty percent, core breach avoided captain but we are still dead in the water.”
“Standby Engineering, standby.” High Wind could only breathe as he watched. He didn’t think it was possible for some folk to rewrite lay lines on the fly as she was doing. Whole damage lines were rerouted and rewired around the damaged sections restoring full function to systems. He watched as her hands were a blur.
“Initializing repair and recrystallization procedures. Activating repair lay lines.” The mare called out, then suddenly she stopped as all screens disappeared leaving only a single glowing red spot with two flashing words over it. “Activating Crystal Heart…OVER DRIVE!” Slapping her hand down on the red flashing panel every station in the ship suddenly started to glow brightly.
*********************
Quick Pen could only watch in horror as the Airship stalled, a second plum of smoke started to bellow from the second engine as he lifted his mike. “The Crystal Heart is dead in the water, only a few hundred meters from the beam the Crystal Heart is unable to continue as both engines are disabled. It looks like the mission is a failure, so close yet so far away. Wait, the heart is starting to list to its port side, I can see folk from where I’m standing clutching the rails to keep from falling off. She’s going down, the Crystal Heart is going…wait. The Heart is starting to glow, why is it starting to glow is it going to explode…Sweet Celestia the ship just changed. The damage looks to be gone and the ship is straightening itself out. Its back on course and pulling up alongside the beam. This is it every folk listening to me this is the moment of truth, we find out now if the theory is true or false. Everyone pray, pray to the great mother above that this works.”
Unbeknownst to Quick Pen, that is exactly what most of the folk listening to his broadcast were doing. Praying, and praying really hard.
****************
“Ensign, hold her steady now. All thrusters to position keeping, gunners try to keep the Quil away from the hoist arm and the engine crystals. Maintain position.” Captain High Wind tapped his crystal on his chair. “Number one, get to the hoist arm and oversee deployment. We don’t have much time the Quil assault is starting to intensify.”
“I read you Captain Loud and clear. I’m on my way.”
*********************
Steady Note ran through the ship as fast as he could heading for the main hold where he found a number of his crew loading the hoist crane with the crystal.
“Get that Crystal into place its time to figure out if this is worth it.” Note yelled out.
With a shout the crew managed to get the crystal into place as Note stood by the controls.
“Captain, hoisting the crystal now. Stand by for drop.”
“Copy that Number One. WE are in position and ready to go.”
As Note raised the hoist he watched the Crystal start to rise up. From the deck doors he saw many folk flying and blasting Quil as they swarmed around the heart.
“Hoist in the air. Moving to the beam.” Note called out as the hoist started to move towards the beam.
*****************
Quick Pen looked through his binoculars as he watched the Crystal Heart start to deploy the crystal.
“This is it folks, here we go. The crystal is in position and deploying…now. The crystal is falling, I can see a flux in the beam. It looks like its working, the crystal is falling and wait… the crystal has been knocked out of the beam by a Quil and by Celestia the crystal has been destroyed. The Quil has intercepted the Crystal and destroyed it. Sweet Celestia it failed, but the reaction of the Quil maybe it was a good idea. Maybe we can try again, the idea is sound.” HE paused as he listened to the radio a moment. “It is confirmed, General Celestia just called for the retreat of all forces, the Heart is starting to fall back way from the beam the surviving Winged Squads pulling away along with the airship…” He paused as another voice cut over the Radio.
“This is 1st Sergeant Sparkle to the Rangers. Hold positions, I repeat HOLD POSITION! We are NOT out of this fight yet!”
“Sparkle? What are you up to?” Quick Pen said with a puzzled eyebrow as he lifted his binoculars again.
****************
Twilight started to climb with Shimmer and Lulamoon tight on her six. Behind her three of her six Winged Squads followed as they carved a path through the swarming Quil.
“Twi, what are you planning?” Rainbow Dash yelled out as she caught up with her.
“There is more than one way to reverse that flow.” She glanced at the beam then at Rainbow Dash.
“How?” Sunset asked from next to her.
“I’m going in.” Before any folk could react Twilight slipped off her saddle and into the air. Her horn glowing changing Spike back to his normal form causing Skylight to react and catch him before he fell too far.
“Twilight!” Three mares and one dragon yelled out as they watched her fall. Within moments a bright purple shield appeared around her.
“Keep them off of me! That’s an order!”
Rainbow Dash was the first to react zipping after Twilight shooting any Quil that got too close. “Twi you don’t have to do this!”
“The only other ones who can do this are Alicorns. I’m the only Horned One with enough power to do this. You know what will happen if this fails Rainbow, you KNOW!” Twilight yelled at her. Rainbow held her tongue as she flew alongside the falling Twilight. “Watch the base for me Rainbow, listen to Applejack.” She looked over at Rainbow Dash through the shield as Sunset and Trixie caught up followed by the rest of the Winged Squads. “I’m proud of you all and I’m proud to have served with each and every single one of you.”
With those words she turned in air and entered the beam, energy splashing off her shield as she fell.
“Dash Report!” Applejack called over the radio.
“It’s Twilight. She just threw herself into the beam to try to reverse it. I can see her from here, a glowing purple sphere falling in the beam. Wait a minute, her decent is slowing down. She’s getting caught up in the beam.” Rainbow told her.
She paused a moment as a light flash across her eyes. Behind her Fluttershy felt the same light cross before her vision as well. Below them Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity had the same thing happen to them. All five knew instantly what it meant. Twilight needed them and needed them now. Without a word Rainbow pushed herself at full speed for the ground where she knew her friends were at. Right behind her was Fluttershy.
“I’m with you Dash.” She calmly said.
“I rather have no one else watching my flank than you Shy.” Rainbow told her as she flipped to her feet and landed. Instantly Applejack was there grabbing her hands as Rainbow took off again. With a graceful spin Fluttershy also landed as Rarity grabbed her hands before taking off to follow Rainbow Dash into the sky.
Below them Pinkie Pie pointed her cannon straight up and dropped a strange object into it with a chain dangling out of the muzzle. Wrapping the change around her hand she fired her cannon. The object shot out and pulled her along with a loud squeal of excitement. The five of them shot over Twilight’s shield then merged into the beam. The pure mana energy being sent out wards burned them. Rarity nearly screamed in pain as the mana started to over load her horn. Before she could pass out she put up a pale blue shield deflecting much of the energy away from her and her friends. Below they could easily see Twilight’s shield ahead of them.
“Twilight Darling, we are coming to help you!” Rarity called out. Thanks to all the mana flowing through and around her she was able to see Twilight’s shield frequency with ease and was able to merge with it.
“What are you doing here?” Twilight asked in shock as her friends pulled in beside her. As they grabbed each other hands Twilight felt something connect from her friends to her.
“WE refuse to let you do this alone. Like it or not Twilight, you are one of us and we will do this together!” Fluttershy said fiercely.
“Agreed. You may be all powerful but even you need us to help.” Rainbow told her. The others nodded at her.
“Then lend me your power. Each of you have your own magics, let’s use it all to push this back to where it came from.”
Five voiced shouted their agreement as each of them started to glow. Applejack a deep amber, Pinkie pie a light blue, Rarity a dark purple, Fluttershy a bright pink, Rainbow Dash a bright red as Twilight’s purple shield turned into a pale purple.
Those at the base of the Device, both Quil and Folk, could only watch in awe as what looked to be a rainbow started to move downwards towards the ground. In the distance Quick Pen was only able to describe what was happening out of reflex as he watched.
Every being, Quil and Folk alike could only stand helpless as they felt the waring magics clash. But finally the Rainbow slowly over came the upwards push of the beam and touched down on the ground with a flash of light. Above the entire beam turned into a rainbow as it rushed back into the land around them changing the barren brown earth back into its vibrant green grass and flowers. Even the buildings seem to reclaim their color as the shock wave from the reversal pushed out wards. As the rainbow subsided folk slowly made out six figures floating feet over the ground with in each of the colors of the rainbow. As it faded out the figures touched down.
“Twily?” Shining Armor asked. Every folk on the ground and in the sky, even those on the Crystal Heart could only watch in awe as the six mares opened their white glowing eyes. Floating in front of them was a single gem shaped like their cutie marks. As one body they reached out and touched the gems in front of them causing them to glow and change shape.
“The Elements of Harmony?! It can’t be…but they have changed…how?” Celestia breathed in shock at what she was seeing.
Once the glowing faded everyone could see exactly what changed, and the Quil were quick to finally react as they charged the still unmoving mares. As the Quil approched they suddenly reacted to protect themselves. One lunged at Applejack but she reached up and with a strength untold stopped it cold with on hand. With a simple jerk she pulled the Quil off balance then punched it sending it flying into the Quil behind it. Rainbow Dash whipped some sort of rod across in front of her slicing three Quil in half as Twilight and Rarity quickly parried and stabbed two quil attacking them. Pinkie, with a giggle danced out of the way of a Quil strike then slammed something into its head as she hopped up to match its height, then twisted to land another blow on the one who was attacking Fluttershy who simple stood there behind a glowing pink shield.
Seeing that their battle was lost the Quil promptly vanished from the field of battle. As the folk looked around in shock and amazement a filly was the first to break the silence.
“We won!” Sweetie Belle yelled out at the top of her lungs. With the spell broken every folk around started to cheer at the tops of their lungs and rushed the six mares as they stood there.
“Twilight! You did it!” Shining Armor called out as he looked his sister over.
“We did? We survived? We shouldn’t have…and what is this?” Twilight asked as she hefted the sword now in her hand. The handle was a dark purple with a pale purple blade extending nearly three feet. The pommel stone was a large six pointed star that looked like her Cutie Mark. At her side a sheath hung there waiting for the blade it belonged to. Still shocked Twilight slowly put her blade away and looked up at her brother. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, but some how you did it you brought the mana back to the land and look what you got as well.” He said touching the pommel stone. Then he looked at each of her friends and saw they two were looking at their new adornments in puzzlement.
Applejack’s boots were covered with golden boot covers and her hands now sported gloves with golden knuckles on them, an orange apple appeared on all four of her limbs. Rarity had a slim bladed rapier in her hand. The handle a deep purple with the blade only slightly lighter than the handle. The pommel stone of he weapon was a deep purple diamond, she too had a sheath on her side. Rainbow Dash held a glave with a red lighten bolt for the blade that was only slightly shorter than she was tall. The new black strap across her chest showed where her holster was located. Fluttershy looked at the tiny shield on her right arm. Small and golden it barely extended past her wrist with a pink butterfly in the center of it. Behind her Pinkie Pie leaned against what looked to be a light blue oversize hammer. The head of it a shining light blue jewel that was rounded on one end and had a slight jut on the other. To Shining’s eye it looked like a balloon.
Before anyone could say anything there was the flap of wings as two dragon riders and three Alicorn princesses landed with a thud. Nightmare Moon pausing long enough to change back into Luna the three of them approached Twilight and her friends, the crowd of Changeling and Folk parting for the three of them.
“Twilight, I…I am amazed.” Celestia said with a serene smile on her face. “The six of you have some how revived the Elements of Harmony.” She looked at their new weapon forms. “And it seams that even the Elements are eager to end this fight, having learned their lesson from when my sister and I tried to wield them against the Quil Emperor.” She glanced over to where Princess Cadence and Pinkie Pie were comparing their weapons to each others. “Keep them with you, for you are the new bearers of the Elements: Honesty, Generosity, Laughter, Kindness, Loyalty and Magic. But every unique weapon requires a name…” Celestia said.
Applejack nodded and lifted her fists. “Honesty Dusters.”
Rarity whipped her rapier through the air as she got a feel for the weapon. It felt like it belonged there. “Generous Gift.”
Fluttershy looked at the tiny shield on her arm and with a thought formed the golden shield around herself and her friends before dropping it. “Kindness’ Shield…if that is ok with you.” She smiled at General Celestia who nodded at her. Then her gaze turned to Rainbow Dash who stood puzzled at her weapon.
“This sucker is a bit long, but light. Quick and agile, a nice glaive to be honest but not my style but you know what I kinda like it. Loyalty Glaive is a fitting name for it.” She said without looking up. Then when a flip of the weapon over her shoulder it easily slid in to its sheath.
Pinkie giggled as she lifted her weapon and swung it a few times and nodded at Princess Cadence. “We can practice from time to time. I’m sure Love Struck would love to get to know Random Giggle here. They can be best of friends.” Pinkie said causing everyone around her to giggle slightly.
All eyes turned to Twilight as she pulled her blade back out and looked at it. “The blade that houses the Element of Magic, shall be known as...Starfall.”
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My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
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I have to admit I like the ponies and the structure of all the poines and their command.
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You mentioned before that trixie should have fought a ursa major. Figured to make it something a little more into the story.