//------------------------------// // Entscheidende Schlacht // Story: Mares und Panzer // by Indulgence //------------------------------// A light breeze blew across the hilltop, running waves through the trimmed grasses which covered its surface. The sun brightly illuminated this lush summit, looking down through a thin layer of clouds, lending the place comfortable warmth. Similarly the background scent of meadow flowers joined in to create a natural serenity. Running counter to these facets however, carried on the winds as they created shiny ripples in the green stems of the ground, there was the echoing sound of a great many voices all talking excitedly in unison. The source of this out of place noise was far below, crossing an expanse of similarly manicured garden-like fields, rising up from the streets and promenades of a town. Hoofington did indeed seem to bear a marked resemblance to its sister settlement of Trottingham, similarly adorned throughout with blossoms and greenery, giving it the carnivalesque look of a summer fete. Its constituent buildings were however not the rustic structures of wood and thatch previously seen, rather rising as neo-gothic towers of plain stone. Wrought ironwork marked the borders between domiciles, in many places woven with flowering creepers to disguise their barbs. Such details were however made hard to spot by the hordes of ponies milling about on every street and in every square, together filling the air with sound even at a distance. At one end of the town its station was clogged with trains, all at rest having deposited their passengers. One of these was Appleoosa’s, given its own berth to one side, which despite its size was made to look tiny set against its rival next to it. Ponyville’s serpentine vehicle was truly huge in comparison, a contrast which was mimicked in those vehicles it had delivered. In amongst the crowded visitors thronging throughout Hoofington purple was the predominate colour, worn on scarfs, on shirts, and as war paint, all declaring their loyalty to the obvious favourites. It was all more than a little imposing to look down upon. Hardly a confidence booster! ‘Don’t let it get to you, you’ve been here before, more than once’ Dawn thought to herself, taking a calming breath. Both she and her mind more than needed it. ‘Sweet Celestia!’ A perfect summation. Alongside the captain stood the best part of her command tank’s crew, all likewise caught up in the scene before them. Of them it had been Coquette to voice the exclamation, with it encapsulating the look on her and everypony else’s face. ‘Look at all of them!’ ‘National championships’ Blossom observed, ‘kind of a big deal! Still hard to believe it’s really real though.’ ‘You can say that again!’ Toffee, who had been for some time quite literally skipping around, made almost permanently hysterical by excitement, seemed to have finally calmed down a bit. Their collective tension was however still palpable. Dawn nodded her general agreement. It did not seem that long ago that she had been walking through AIA’s front gates for the first time and the four of them had been strangers. They were now a world away from there in more ways than simply one. In reflection the changes felt stark, going right to her very heart. Unreal was not the half of it, providing something else unhelpfully for her subconscious to obsess over. Along with the Turtle, the Split situation, and, you know, trying to win the freaking finals! ‘Just keep reminding yourself that it’s no different to any other game, it helps.’ The advice was called down from above, succeeded by a blast of rushing air as its speaker touched down behind them all, turning them about. ‘Star!’ Toffee yelled out. ‘Hey Sweetie!’ Solstice replied, catching the caramel earth mare and wrapping her in her wings as she leapt forward into them. For a moment the two of them were heedless of all beyond themselves, each burying themselves in the other’s embrace, only rising out again to find their partner’s lips. ‘What’re you doing here?’ the driver finally managed to ask as she reluctantly extricated herself from their reunion. The black-suited night mare raised an eyebrow in return. ‘Oh, I don’t know, I was out for a quick flight, took a few wrong turns, realised I was in the neighbourhood and just sort of ended up here!’ she scoffed sarcastically. ‘Surely it’s pretty clear why I’m here!’ ‘But you said you couldn’t make it?’ Solstice’s visage became a conspiratorial grin. ‘True enough, but isn’t it obvious? I’m sick.’ She made a show of a mock cough. ‘So sick in fact that I couldn’t make the exams and am currently at home in bed as we speak. Seriously though, there was no way I was going to miss this!’ Her faked coughs became a giggle, before she moved in to steal another kiss. ‘Hi to the rest of you as well by the way! Glad to see you’re looking well Dawn.’ ‘Thanks’ the other captain replied, meaning it wholeheartedly. ‘It’s so good to see you again; it feels like it’s been so long. How’ve you been?’ ‘Well in many ways it has been, you’ve come so far since we first met, as I quite rightly predicted I might add. As for me, there’s a small part which is a bit disappointed that I’m not in your shoes right now, it would’ve been good to have another go for the win, but this is a nice consolation.’ She shrugged. ‘Plus I suppose the look on everypony’s faces, not just those joyless gits from Ponyville, is going to be utterly priceless when you strip the title from them.’ ‘Kinda getting ahead of yourself there don’t you think?’ Coquette countered. ‘Not that we don’t appreciate the confidence’ Blossom added in support, ‘it’s just that we are going up against the reigning champions here, something that you’ve done far more than us…’ ‘No, not really, I think I’m on the mark.’ Solstice swatted away both their comments with a wave of her wing. ‘I reckon my predictions have been pretty much spot on so far, or more correctly you’ve defied and gone beyond them, not to mention everypony else’s. You’ve all obviously come together as a team and achieved so much, so why the hay shouldn’t your sights be set on total victory?’ She pointed to the town below, specifically picking out the unmissable shape of their adversary’s not so secret weapon by the repair sheds. ‘I might also add that for all their show you’ve got them scared. At base their team’s formidable, so they don’t always roll out the Turtle to face everypony, and yet here it is when they’re set to go up against you lot. You’re still relative beginners, if extremely successful ones, but they’ve still chosen to bring out the big guns. That looks a lot like fear or nerves to me.’ ‘Like a filly screaming that she isn’t scared as loud as she can at a dark room’ the hazel unicorn mused, contemplating as she spoke, ‘except their version of it is a bit more effective.’ ‘True, but look past the whole massive war machine thing and it stems from exactly the same place. Keep that in mind when you face them. You’ve bothered them, caught them off guard.’ The pale night mare made a fanged grin, before returning her attention to her fellow captain. ‘Going back to the previous topic however, it is really good to see that you’re alright with my own eyes. Despite the win against Canterlot I still had my worries.’ ‘Thanks’ Dawn repeated, although she found her foreoof subconsciously drawn to trace the scar above her eyebrow, ‘and thanks for the support as well. I assume Toff kept you up to speed with everything?’ Solstice gave a nod, catching eyes with the equally black-jacketed earth mare beside her. Her face then furrowed slightly with understanding, having picked up on the pale cream commander’s movement. ‘Sorry I brought it up, I didn’t mean to bother you, but if it does you shouldn’t let it.’ She pulled down her collar and pointed to an almost invisible line running in amongst the faint markings on her neck. ‘Lots of mine have faded with time. I’ve got my fair share of battle scars elsewhere though that Sweetie can attest to.’ Toffee went beyond turning pink, rather graduating to a full blown burning red, much to her partner’s amusement and furthered by the laughs which escaped all others in response. ‘Like I said before quite a while ago now: stuff like this are an “occupational hazard” in this sport, but it also helps to consider them like medals. They likewise stand for all you’ve done to achieve them, every step you’ve taken, but unlike some chunk of metal they’re far more permanent.’ --- Dawn stepped out into rushing winds, letting a door slide closed at her back, whilst trying to hold her billowing mane out of her eyes. With utmost care she hopped across a gap, moving from one swaying platform to another, doing her best to keep her hoofing on the constantly rolling surface. A sharp shiver coursed its way through her, the night’s chill beginning to make itself felt throughout her being as she moved onward. The dark sky above her bore only a few scant clouds, those few wisps there were being swiftly whipped away by the ether’s invisible claws, therefore levelling a patchwork of spotlights to guide her route. Even with this help her path was not the easiest, taking her to the edge of the flatbed as she made her way along the carriage, much of its space occupied by the strapped down forms of armoured vehicles. She hunkered down against the continuing rush of cold air, ducking her way beneath guidelines and ropes as she made her way backward along the train, finally reaching the recognisable shape of the Hydra One. ‘Rook?’ Her call was immediately carried away and lost to the wind, so she hammered a forehoof against the tank, trying again. ‘Rook?!’ The unicorn popped her head out from the main hatch in the machine’s central turret, even her copiously gelled mane wavering in the force of the wind, just about maintaining its sculpted fins. Rook gave a wave, her lips moving wordlessly. ‘What?!’ The Hydra’s commander made a second attempt with no greater success, whatever she said being stolen from her lips. Instead therefore she signalled, pointing to her captain and then her tank as she ignited her horn, pausing to ask permission with her eyes. Figuring it out Dawn nodded, immediately being engulfed by a ball of magic, whiting out everything beyond it. In a flash she appeared within the vehicle, instantly raking back the chaos of her blown about hair, suddenly alongside her teleporter within the tank. ‘Hi.’ ‘Hey!’ Rook returned warmly. ‘Sorry to drag you out here, but Dahl just finished the last of the set up, so I thought you’d like to know.’ She traced the route of a set of wires down through the space as they descended into the hull. ‘We’ve put the speakers on either side of the turret in armoured encasements, so they’re trainable, but also have some degree of protection when not in use. The controls for them meanwhile are down with the radio system at Dahl’s station. Currently we’ve only got music and some engine noises cued up, but in the future we should be able to do some more complex stuff.’ ‘Did you remember to put in the paperwork for all this? From what Toff says the refs are really strict on that stuff.’ ‘Yep, sent them off before we left, plus requested for their reply to be sent to Hoofington, so all being well it should be waiting for us. If not we can simply unbolt the system, so we’re covered if in doubt. I do reckon we’ll get the green light though. A bunch of different vehicles did get systems like this during the War so it should be legit.’ ‘Fantastic’ Dawn smiled. ‘I can’t believe you actually managed to pull it off.’ This if anything was an understatement, the idea for the more than complex addition having come from the rebel team at the very last minute. Their leader was obviously pleased with the achievement, and Appleoosa’s captain felt the same way, but in the quiet afterwards there was a certain awkwardness still unresolved. The fact that it had not been brought up at all made it hang all the more heavy. ‘Erm… Rook?’ ‘Yep?’ ‘Er… I’ve been meaning to ask you’ the cream earth mare began uncertainly. ‘Are we cool?’ The navy-maned unicorn nodded knowingly. ‘Yeah, pretty much.’ ‘Really? I mean, after what happened…’ ‘Really, we’re cool’ Rook interrupted, turning away in thought as she continued. ‘True, I’ll admit that I’m disappointed, I’d be lying if I said anything otherwise, you are after all annoyingly cute. I can’t exactly hold that against you though.’ She turned back to the other mare. ‘Hel’s a whole different story though.’ ‘Helix?’ ‘Yep, it’s probably going to take a lot longer for her to forgive you for “toying with my heartstrings”.’ The unicorn gave a thoughtful shrug whilst trying to sound jokey. ‘Me and her have known each other for an awfully long time, so as you’ve probably noticed she’s a bit protective to say the least, but then again I’m the same way in return. Generally therefore I’d suggest giving her a wide berth for now, but as far as I’m concerned, although there’s a part of me that’s loath to admit it, I’m just happy that you’re happy.’ The simple words were intensely liberating, freeing the captain from at least one of the leaden things weighing down on her. ‘Thanks Rook.’ The electric blue unicorn, in so many ways different to what expectations may have claimed, shook her head and then extended a hoof across the turret. ‘Mates?’ ‘Mates’ Dawn concurred, meeting the forehoof comradely with her own. --- ‘I told you we weren’t the only ones!’ Dawn’s gaze followed Solstice’s observation as they and the three others made their way through Hoofington’s crammed streets, catching a few splashes of sandy yellow in amongst the great swell of purple. Sat around a table in front of a café (something she had discovered the town was overflowing with) was a vaguely familiar bunch in burgundy coloured kepi hats, all sporting flags adorned with scorpions. ‘You obviously made a good impression on Dodge when you faced them.’ ‘That or it’s a case of solidarity amongst the underdogs’ Blossom suggested. ‘It’s still nice though.’ One of the members of the Dodge Junction group looked their way, face lighting up in recognition, her comrades following suit as they all gave a cheer and a wave. ‘I could get used to this fame thing’ Coquette grinned, leading the reply to the fans. The Appleoosa captain was meanwhile far less at ease with the attention. In a word it was surreal, not exactly pleasant, but feeling unfair to call it the opposite. Her loader was maybe in part right though: at least they were nice in contrast to a few of the other looks they were receiving from the purple-clad majority (although some of the darker ones were probably directed more against the two in black officer’s coats of their number). Regardless the five of them made their way onward, dipping in and out of light conversation as they mapped their way back to the station. Eventually with some effort they made it past the still full platforms and into the relative quiet of the assembly areas. Things were far from calm there however, the two sides of opposing sheds being well filled with frantic preparations under the watchful eye of several referees. Appleoosa’s half in this was far more spacious, one of the only real benefits to their limited numbers, giving the room for a large planning table set up in their centre. ‘Hey Dawn!’ Dice called, waiting with the rest of their team’s tank commanders, nursing coffee mugs as they looked over a map, their crews busy in the background. ‘Me and Belle will go give the Panther a last look over’ Blossom announced, moving off. ‘It was good to see you Solstice.’ ‘Likewise’ the night mare smiled. ‘I should take my leave too though, don’t want you to be penalised for me hanging around. I wish you the best of luck’ she concluded Dawn’s way, ‘not that you particularly need it though. “It’s the will for victory which…”’ ‘…“make’s a commander strong”’ Toffee finished, cued in by a glance.1 Solstice gave a nod with a broad smile. ‘Correct, so knock ‘em dead and show everypony what I know you’re capable of.’ She leant in towards the caramel earth mare beside her, dropping her tone slightly, adding a last kiss on a cheek which turned instantly pink. ‘And that goes the same for you too my little desert fox.’ ‘If you’ll pardon me to interrupt for a moment…’ Dawn, feeling a bit like a third wheel, had some appreciation for the surprise distraction, turning back around to locate the politely spoken speaker at her back. Behind her were several figures, suited neatly in red dress tunics like the last juncture they had seen them, except this time with the addition of yellow war paint decorating their forms, something which looked particularly odd on their lilac leader. ‘Hello again’ Coronet greeted in her softly spoken accent, the antithesis to the jagged battle markings adorning her aspect. ‘We don’t want to keep you from your briefing, but we likewise wanted to show our support and to wish you good luck.’ The earth mare straightened with her compatriots and then they all made a bow. Appleoosa’s captain, caught off guard, instinctively bowed back. ‘Thank you.’ ‘These are also for you all’ another of the Trottingham mares added, levitating a crimson wicker basket over to the table, ‘they should go well with your drinks.’ ‘Anyway, we’ll be off.’ Coronet gave a parting smile, moving out with her comrades. Solstice joined her in departure, meeting another group of the night mare’s teammates who had evidently appeared at the shed’s doorway. Both parties met with a degree of formality, recognisable in their words despite going unheard. After a brief exchange the Hollow Shades representatives went into their saddlebags, drawing out and showing off a set of oversized yellow foam scorpion claws. A couple of these were exchanges for a tub of face paint and then all went off together. ‘Ahem’ Dice broke in, ‘that’s nice and all, but could we please get on with actually planning this out!’ --- Coquette let out a long sigh, letting herself collapse forward onto the low table as if actually deflating with her breath. She proceeded to lift her head just enough to lay it on her forehooves, in the same motion brushing away several of the sheets before her. ‘I bet they set this stuff just to piss me off! I mean, when in real life is any of it gonna actually be at all useful?’ She pouted accusingly at the mess of scribbled equations, huffing again. Dawn could not help but join the other earth mare in a little sigh of her own, although hers had very different origins, more a sigh of contentment. The world was already cosy, softly lit and filled with warmth, yet in addition to this she had been given a blanket to curl up in. All around were rich savoury scents wafting in from the kitchen, mellow spices mixing with the sweet smells of peppers and onions. The desert chill outside meanwhile seemed only to amplify this general bliss, an effect furthered by the first patter of another unusual shower playing against the covered window panes. ‘Okay okay, I get the less than subtle hint!’ Blossom called from the kitchen, from which both the delicious smell and a mouth-watering orchestra of sizzling was flowing. ‘You can take a look at my notes; they’re in the usual place.’ ‘Thank you!’ Coquette immediately regained her energy, rising to her hooves and shrugging off her fleeced cover as she went. She bounded across the room to a desk set at one side, without having to search pulling open its top drawer and plucking out a green folder from a dense host of differently colour-coded others. Returning back to her seat, she drew out the unicorn’s version of the homework from within the file and placed it between herself and her captain to look over. ‘You look about as bored as I am, and Bloss doesn’t mind.’ The pair set to work, one openly copying and the other a tad guiltily just checking her notes against her friend’s. They sat in the by now quite familiar surroundings of Blossom’s apartment: a simple two room affair, plus bathroom, situated in the loft of a stack of similar domiciles. The hazel unicorn’s tastes were as varied as all her others, most clearly displayed on the walls of the main room which were all completely covered in an intricate collage of art pieces, film posters, and her own drawings. Her home’s kitchenette meanwhile was in stark colour blocks of black and white, interspersed with red details, all in a minimalist modern style. Throughout all of this none of the furniture matched. From the stools of the breakfast bar, to the futon (currently set as a seat but unoccupied), everything had a different style or patterning. It somehow however defied looking messy, everything having its ordered place and position in what might otherwise have been utter chaos. ‘Whatever point you’re at can you clear a space?’ came Blossom’s voice again, ‘it’s almost ready.’ ‘You’re seriously gonna love this’ Coquette stated definitely, partly hindered by her mouthful of pencil as she raced through the last of the questions on her paper. ‘Unsurprisingly, cooking’s another of Bloss’ limitless array of talents.’ Bringing her scribbling to a halt she stowed her sheet and others back in her bag before slinging it into the one untidy spot in the whole place. One of the corners seemed to be set aside permanently for the golden earth mare’s use, complete with a rollout mattress and mass of personal effects in a heaped pile. Dawn had noted a similar if antithetical setup to one side in Coquette’s place, not odd bearing in mind how close the two were. On the other hoof though, they also did live in the same building, if at opposing poles of it. Forestalling any further thoughts on the subject the sounds of cookery cut out in the other room, directly followed by Blossom’s appearance, levitating in front of her a large platter and trio of plates. ‘Sorry, I’ve made way too much’ she began, ‘but I hope you enjoy, which pre-emptively Belle is not an invitation for you to eat yourself drunk again!’ ‘Oh come on! Can you stop bringing that up already!’ Grinning at the reaction she received the hazel unicorn took her seat, pulling up a set of cushions and delivering the steaming tray to the table. On it was a fried potato tortilla, piled high with vegetables sautéed in garlic oil and further smothered in a layer of melting cheese. True to the coms mare’s prediction the dish looked more than delicious. ‘It’s a shame the others couldn’t make it’ Blossom mused, cutting thick wedges from the colourful slab and hoofing them out. ‘Yeah’ Dawn nodded, more than happily accepting a heaped plateful. In the case of Split the pegasus was at home with her sister, Milly having fallen under the weather during their team’s visit to Yan Hoover. She was therefore spending some time with the sick filly, showing her caring side which she generally preferred to conceal. As far as where the fifth member of their party was however, that remained an unknown. ‘What happened to Toff?’ ‘Her parents wanted her to help with something on the farm’ Coquette answered. ‘Unsurprisingly she wasn’t happy about it, but looking on the bright side I guess that’ll mean she’ll be kind of getting in some extra driving practice.’ ‘In less than favourable conditions.’ Blossom gestured to the curtain covered windows and the sound of continuing rain coming from behind them. ‘Between that, the team, and her studies it’s amazing how much she quietly does. Anyway, speaking of which, did you both get finished?’ ‘Yep, all done. Thanks for your help.’ ‘Likewise’ Dawn agreed, ‘and also thanks for tonight.’ The hazel unicorn shook her head. ‘Don’t, this was nice, and it made sense to take the time to clear the decks a bit. What’s the blueprint for tomorrow?’ ‘If all goes to plan we can start work sourcing some extra armour for the Little Lion and the Tornado.’ ‘Do we really have to add those boxy sheets to everything?’ Coquette complained. ‘Our tank looked better without them, and it’s the same with everypony else’s.’ ‘We’re going into the grand final’ Blossom countered, rolling her eyes, ‘so I reckon how pretty our vehicles are is probably the least of our worries! Besides I thought that you found them all ugly?’ ‘Well, most of them aren’t exactly lookers, but they’ve grown on me in a weird way.’ Dawn covered her mouth with a forehoof, catching a contented burb before it escaped. She snuggled a bit deeper into her blanket, for a while just listening, watching her friends discussing the relative beauty of various armoured vehicles. There were a lot of things at the back of her mind which demanded her attention, but for now she felt relaxed, choosing to merely enjoy it and her company. --- ‘So, let’s go over what we’re up against.’ Dawn gave her usual intelligence mare her cue with a nod, moving on to take a sip from her mug and selecting a piece of vanilla shortbread from the basket Coronet and co had gifted. ‘Their line-up is a straightforward division of three types’ Toffee began, putting her own coffee aside and taking up a number of technical sheets to pass around the assembled commanders. ‘Most of their squad, thirteen tanks worth of it, are versions of the EL-4 or Leopard Four, like what Canterlot’s “Racket” was based off of.2 In amongst the one’s they’re fielding there are quite a few infinitesimal variations which I could easily go into too much detail about, but suffice to say they’re mostly later versions.’ ‘How do they compare to ours?’ Beret asked. ‘Hard to say.’ The sage scratched her chin. ‘Since we’ve upped its armour they’re probably most similar to the Little Lion, except as a cruiser it’s much faster. As medium tanks they universally outgun the Tornado, but it can outrun them, and the opposite’s the case for the Hydra. Likewise it’s the same for all our Rhinos, including yours. I think only really our Panther beats them on all fronts’ she almost guiltily admitted. ‘So they’re relying on a reliable middleweight in large numbers’ Rook put forward, snapping a biscuit in two and dipping one of the halves into her drink. ‘So we should expect a brute force approach, trying to out manoeuvre and drown us.’ ‘I think so’ Toffee agreed. ‘Their other selections are more interesting though.’ She hoofed around another set of images depicting what was in essence an open-topped box on treads.3 The relatively small and incredibly simple looking vehicle had three flat sides, only slanting at its front plate which had a notch cut out in order to mount a stubby high calibre cannon. ‘Six more of their selections are earlier Leopard Ones kitted out as self-propelled artillery pieces. They’re a weird choice from their arsenal: small and nippy, easy to conceal, and they pack quite the punch for their size. Oh and, just to be extra confusing, as a nickname they’re called Bison.’ ‘So from them we should expect and ambush?’ Lens queried this time. ‘They don’t look particularly fit for a pursuit role.’ ‘Maybe, or they’ll use them to support the Turtle, which as it’s hard for us all not to have had a good look at I won’t go into further. That final beast of theirs is slow and insanely powerful. If anything it’s got hits you you’re probably out.’ ‘And we’ve got to destroy all of that’ the Tornado’s commander added in. ‘To call it a “challenge” would be a stupidly big understatement!’ ‘What do you think Dawn?’ With her words Crystal gathered all attentions and sent them to the pale cream earth mare at the table’s head. The captain looked back at the expectant faces. It was true that the idea of command had never really been her thing, nor had the thought of being involved in a martial sport such as this one she found herself in ever crossed her mind until coming to Appleoosa, now quite a while in the past. Here however was a group with which she had been through a lot, done a lot, smiled a lot. With them she had grown, they having trusted and supported her throughout, and she them in return to the best of her ability, just as they did again in the present. With all this at the back of her mind her self-consciousness failed to trip her up, her thoughts going straight to the task at hoof and in this sending her eyes to the map laid out at the centre of the group of friends. ‘Here.’ Dawn brought a forehoof to the bird’s eye image, drawing it in a circle a region at its top right corner: a slightly raised plateau with woods on its two edges. ‘They’re mixed force looks like they’re playing two different games, and I think one of them will be to place the Turtle there, with the assault guns in support. On the plateau its back is covered, so there’s no issue in its lack of manoeuvrability, meanwhile there’s only three other approaches, which we’ll eventually have to use since it’s annihilation. Either we go straight up the middle, exposing ourselves as we go over the rise, or we go through the woods, in which I reckon they’ll hide their Bison divided across the two.’ ‘So they’ll just wait us out if they take that position’ Lens came in, ‘so we should strike them first in transit at the start before they get set up.’ The captain shook her head. ‘If that’s their plan, and we have therefore “spooked” them, they’re playing conservatively, meaning they’ll have their whole force, or at least most of it, guard their trump card into place. After that they’ll turn all their Leopard Fours loose to scout and destroy us with their superior numbers. The good thing about that though should be that it’ll gain us some time to set up ourselves.’ ‘So we dig in deep somewhere and do the same to them.’ Beret’s face became steely, seeming to look off into the distance. ‘We’ll stand up tall on the barricades, draw them in, and let them crush themselves against our resolve! Where?’ ‘Perhaps here’ Toffee jumped in, hoof landing on a central hill surrounded by flat grassy country. ‘If we place ourselves up there we’d have a clear view in all directions when their force comes, and with all our guns we could easily defend it, even if they attack from all sides.’ ‘That’s my thinking’ Dawn smiled back to her comrades. ‘However we won’t all be up there, rather the Rhinos and the Hydra will go out on their own, aiming for their prize behemoth.’ ‘Wait wait wait’ Dice cut in, ‘so three of you are going to hold a ridge against thirteen of them, whilst the four of us are going to face seven, including the Turtle, ensconced in a defensive position?’ She raised a particularly high eyebrow. ‘The aim with our offensive group will be to destroy their self-propelled artillery and to wound the Turtle before pulling back, hopefully drawing the thing out.’ The captain remained firm, channelling confidence. ‘On the hill meanwhile we’ll use smoke and movement to convince them that we’re all up there and then knock out as many as possible. By staying on attack as much as we can we’ll be able to set the pace of the game.’ The pale cream mare looked to each of her comrades in turn, hoping she conveyed something akin to strength, pausing a little longer in Crystal’s silver irises. ‘Just cos they’re playing defensive and trying to cover all bases doesn’t mean we have to follow suit.’ ‘She who “tries to hold everything at once, finishes up with nothing at all”’ Rook quoted in support, adding: ‘Manestein’ in explanation.4 ‘Hey!’ Toffee’s face wore something of a mixture of surprise, like a few others, and a pout, as if her thunder had been stolen. The electric blue unicorn grinned back. ‘Just proving I’ve been going through the reading list you gave me.’ She turned back to her captain. ‘My question is how do the four of us go after them, bearing in mind they’re probably hoping we’ll do just that?’ ‘For that’ Dawn answered, ‘I’m banking on you and Dahl’s secret weapon.’ --- The carriage rocked with motion, rolling almost gently despite its thundering progress through the late evening outside. The whole space swayed in time to the rhythmic *clack* of wheels against track beneath it, creating a regular ticking almost like a clock’s pendulum. As potentially soothing as this may have been however, each count of the constant tempo marked a step closer to their final destination, something which had the very opposite effect. Dawn therefore lay awake, her eyes purposely half-lidded and her breaths made deep and slow, but as yet being denied the sleep she sought. Too much plagued her mind, creating an inner bulwark against unconsciousness. She had tried to reassure herself. One: she knew their vehicles (stored on the flatbeds elsewhere) were prepared, and two: she knew they were as ready as they were going to be, the mass of papers and books filling most of the rest of the cabin as testament to that. She had attempted escape, distracting herself in considering everything else under the sun. All however had been to no avail, and so she stared upward at the slats supporting the bunkbed above her. A couple of knocks came from the door. ‘Come in’ both earth mares muttered together, simultaneously showing that neither was having any luck in discovering sleep. The door opened a crack, allowing a rainbow-maned pegasus to look in. ‘Hey guys’ Lens began at a whisper, ‘sorry to disturb, but do you mind if I crash in here?’ ‘No, that’s fine’ Dawn replied, ‘I don’t know if there’s space though.’ ‘Thanks’ the colourful athlete smiled gratefully, bringing with her a couple of cushions as she came in and closed the door. With these she set about creating a nest for herself on the floor, accepting a couple of fatter pillows passed down by her comrades to form an improvised mattress. ‘There’s also an extra blanket in one of my bags’ Toffee offered. ‘What’s up with your cabin?’ ‘Split’ Lens sighed in answer, settling herself and pulling out an urban camouflage patterned cover. ‘She’s decided that now’s the perfect time to hold a boxing match against her bed.’ ‘Hold on, you’re bunking with Split?’ ‘Well yeah, so?’ ‘Well, aren’t… actually never mind’ the farmer backpedalled in the face of a defensive response. ‘Anyway, she’s not really been herself since the fight with Rook’ Lens continued. ‘Not that I care that much or anything, but it doesn’t make much sense. I mean, we clearly won, no matter what Miss Doom and Gloom might say.’ ‘Wait, so you don’t know what that was about?’ ‘No, I just figured it was the usual. You know: somepony said something, somepony replied, and so on. Why, is there more to it?’ ‘Er… no, again nevermind. We really should be getting some sleep’ Toffee ended uncertainly, making an audible show of turning over onto her side. Silence fell between them, punctuated only by the occasional yawn or stretch, each of the trio restarting their interrupted quest for sleep. For Dawn however this uphill struggle had become even steeper a climb, fresh and old worries collectively jostling one another for dominance in her mind. New amongst these was the image of her gunner angry, or worse miserable, a few cabins further down the carriage. The picture struck her deeply, painful for the blame she levelled against herself for the hurt she had caused her friend. Caught like this she remained still, the world around her ever rumbling forward towards their conclusive stop. --- ‘Alright everypony!’ Dice bellowed. ‘Captain’s orders: mount up and do final checks, we roll in five!’ Dawn allowed herself a grin, watching the teal unicorn in her element. It would have been wrong to call the council member bossy. Even at her loudest she never quite warranted that title, rather seeing her take charge was strangely reassuring, adding a sense of normality to any situation. Even in the chaos of the Hoofington repair shed, as everypony jumped to their vehicles, it managed to have such an effect. Any further thoughts the cream earth mare had on this were however cut short as she felt her fur stand on end, a corona of energy swiftly forming about her being as it flashed her out of existence before she had time to react. Just as quickly she found herself reappeared, a pure white forehoof moving to catch her as she stumbled, landing unsteadily back on solid ground. ‘Sorry about that.’ Crystal made a sheepish smile, extinguishing her horn. ‘Erm… I just…’ Her soft voice stopped and started, stumbling over its own words, whilst she left her hoof holding onto her opposite’s shoulder, her face cutely pinkish. ‘Er… buck it!’ She moved in to her partner, her eyelids falling closed as she brought their lips together. It took Dawn a moment to react, surprised enough by the sudden teleportation, her eyes initially going wide. In a second however she recovered, falling under the spell of the kiss which had pounced upon her, likewise letting her vision flutter shut. Having been effectively ambushed, she then counterattacked, her own hoof coming up instinctively to caress her partner’s cheek as their tongues sparred playfully between them. And so it went on, neither surrendering to pull away, both fuelled by a potent mix of excited passion, surprise, and the moment, all the tension coiled within them overflowing in the embrace. Eventually though they did have to part, catching their breath, with irises returning to gaze on one another. ‘Well’ Crystal began again once she had recovered, ‘I just wanted to wish you luck, although I already know you don’t really need it.’ Granted a moment to take in her surroundings the earth mare realised that they were somewhere at the back of the garage, hidden out of view by a wall of supply crates. ‘Neither will you, but likewise the same.’ She wanted to say more, but found her words less than capable, instead putting her hopes behind her smile and enjoying the one it elicited in return. The silvery unicorn brought a hoof to her bobbed mane, stroking to one side a few of its translucent strands. ‘Also… keep yourself safe, okay?’ Dawn was drawn back toward the other mare; rising to wrap her forehooves about her and feeling her partner do the same. ‘You too.’ They each held the other tight, both supporting them together on their hind hooves in their hug. ‘Is everpony set?’ Dice shouted, receiving various degrees of confirmation from around the shed. ‘I think that’s our cue’ Crystal whispered at her captain’s ear, adding a last kiss to the earth mare’s cheek. Once again Dawn felt energy crackle around her, and in a burst of light she appeared alongside the Panther. She boarded her tank, in the corner of her eye catching the pure white unicorn she had just parted from doing the same, sending a quick wave her way. The captain scaled her vehicle’s hull, quickly reaching the turret, just as Split was likewise ducking inside. ‘Are we all ready?’ ‘Looks that way’ the pink pegasus returned, bluntly cold, not bothering to look up as she spoke. ‘Let’s get this over with.’ --- ‘Sweet Celestia, this waiting is the worst!’ Coquette moaned loudly from down in the hull. ‘We get all psyched up, face each other down, the crowd roars, and then… nothing, exactly squat!’ Dawn nodded her total agreement. It was normally bad enough being caught on the cusp of action, but here it was worse, not just scouring the horizon, rather also listening intently at the radio for any news of the others far away. Her decisions weighed heavily upon her, whether her instincts had been right or wrong, whether her choices would lead to success or failure. All she could do however was watch and wait, trusting in those she had dispatched, knowing that enquiring after them would more hinder them by looking over their shoulders than it would help her. The radio mare gave another aggravated huff. ‘I just wish something would happen!’ ‘For the love of Luna, shut up!’ Split thumped the side of the turret alongside het outburst, sending echoes throughout the vehicle. Coquette stopped for a moment, side swiped like all others by the pegasus’ sudden shout. ‘Oh… well, sorry. I’m right though aren’t I, you more than anypony has gotta hate sitting still? In fact you tend to be the one voicing it the most, not me.’ ‘All you’re managing to do currently is piss me off!’ the gunner snapped back, ‘so shut the buck up!’ ‘Watch it!’ Blossom growled back, cutting in with a voice dripping in menace, a threatening tone that nopony was used to. Split was however evidently deaf to this. ‘Why don’t you watch it! I only want your marefriend to be bucking quiet!’ The unicorn’s visage became one of cold iron, something else unnerving, whilst her horn let out a low crackle. ‘Bloss, it’s okay’ Coquette jumped back in, far more aware of the change in her friend. ‘There’s no need for this. I was being annoying, and I’ll shut up…’ She stopped, catching a hoof to her headset. ‘Hold on… they’re all in position, about to start the attack!’ Everypony stopped, turning instantly to the coms mare and her radio. Dawn’s eyes meanwhile, previously caught up in the scene below her, with their owner feeling powerless in what she saw, fell to the folded map unfurled ready nearby. The Rhinos were set to approach the edge of the north-western forest, whilst the Hydra was hidden below the plateau’s rise. As one, both Dice and Rook looked to their watches, counting down the seconds. There was hush, there was silence despite continually murmuring engines, all sound held in as baited breath. ‘They’re off’ Coquette reported, ears glued to her receivers. Deep in the Hydra’s heart Dahlia flicked a switch and instantly outside the speakers sparked up, sounding the charge of a great many far off beasts beyond her own. The noise travelled up and over the rise, coming to the ears of a Ponyville sentry awaiting her prey. For a moment she had to digest what she heard, not quite believing it, but then overjoyed she turned tail and bolted full tilt into the woodland. ‘Here’s hoping they take the bait… Yeah I’ll give you that’ the golden earth mare grinned down her mic to her counterpart on the other end, ‘you are definitely good at making yourself the centre of attention, and also more than capable of making a scene!’ With the lookouts distracted, making for their waiting vehicles, the Rhinos slipped into the trees, keeping their movements steady and the revving of their power plants to a minimum. As the most experienced Dice took the lead as the point of the trio’s spearhead, her two turreted comrades scouring their path carefully as the sun above was masked by thickening branches. They crept forward, kind of a crazy concept bearing in mind the war beasts they rode, but they relied on the enemies own engines to cover theirs, along with the Hydra’s feint. Dahlia elsewhere gradually cranked up the volume, making it seem like her summoned ghost tanks were getting closer. Within the Panther all had gone silent, all minds with their teammates. Time stretched out hatefully, none of them daring to breath or make a sound, all held at the edge of their seats and an unseen precipice. Nopony moved. ‘They got ‘em!’ Coquette announced, a glow of both relief and jubilation illuminating her features. ‘They caught three of the Bison from behind, just like you said they would!’ The three Rhinos travelled passed their gored foes, their gun-howitzers overkill for the light vehicles to say the least. They had been caught turning about, setting themselves up to engage a non-existent enemy. Hopefully Appleoosa’s luck would continue to hold out and the artillery in the opposite forest could be equally taken unawares. They were however the Hydra’s responsibility. ‘Rook’s moving out now, and Dice says she’ll report in when they locate their main target.’ The speakers atop the multi-turreted tank continued to blaze out their soundtrack, the vehicle’s main weapon mount swivelling to give the faux noises direction as it swung about, making for the north-eastern woods. Dahlia flicked the switch off again as they crossed into the foliage, aiming to stalk their prey as their teammates had done so successfully. Like those she succeeded Rook rose out from her turret, casting her eyes across their route, but without the benefit of comrades to aid her. She was a lone hunter. Her quarry however was far from unwary, if given the chance set to turn the tables on their erstwhile predator. More than anything she had to have surprise on her side and strike first. ‘Yes!’ Coquette thumped the air. ‘Nice one!’ She turned back to the rest of the Panther’s crew, pressing her mic to general coms. ‘Rook bagged the rest of their self-propelled guns. The last one caused her some trouble, but not enough to save it. So that’s Appleoosa six to Ponyville zero!’ Cheering from all the other tank crews came back in reply; loud enough to be audible from the radio mare’s headset. Almost immediately though the golden earth mare went back to the dials. ‘Rhinos have the Turtle in sight, again where you said it was gonna be, but on the move… It’s turning in Rook’s direction!’ ‘Tell Dice to engage!’ Dawn ordered immediately. All three Rhinos fired at once, loosing a thunderous volley of ordinance, their guns roaring at the same time as their rockets were let fly. Leaving smoking trails behind them the missiles shot into the sky, punching holes in the canopy and scattering a shower of scorched leaves in their wake. They reached the peak of their trajectories and came crashing down on the other side, landing together with a trio of high calibre shells. ‘Good hits!’ Coquette relayed the report with all the excitement with which it came to her through her headset. ‘Seven of eight rockets smashed the Turtle’s stern guns!’ Flames leapt up from the rear of the wounded behemoth, a pair of its gun barrels bent off at wrong angles. Beneath it, its enormous tracks stirred in opposite directions, labouring to quickly turn itself around in search of those who had dared to strike it. ‘The Leopard Fours have appeared’ Split cut in, beginning normally before remembering herself and dipping back to a darker tone, having at some point pressed her face back to her gunsight. For Dawn this was a wakeup call, drawing her from her film-like thoughts and back into her own tank. At once she returned to her position atop the Panther’s turret, sending her gaze out from the hilltop and down to the fields below. Ponyville’s main force was indeed appearing, emerging out from a small copse, their guns swivelling quickly upward to locate their present adversaries. The captain looked to her left and then to her right, catching eyes first with Lens and then with Crystal in turn, each time giving a nod. ‘Here we go.’ --- ‘Yeah, they got us pretty damn good’ Dice grimaced, watching the mangled cargo loaded onto a tank carrier as it came to a halt before them. ‘When the shell hit they actually managed to flip us over, as impossible as that sounds.’ Dawn similarly took to the hulk strapped to the back of the vehicle, a bent and bludgeoned mass which only memory made recognisable as the Hunting Rhino. The skirts added to its left side had been torn away and the tread beneath was likewise busted, evidently where the enemy had landed their hit. The rest of the tank was meanwhile a mess of crumpled armour, as testament to its ordeal in being rolled onto its back. ‘I’m amazed you’re all okay.’ The teal unicorn gave a dry laugh. ‘Yeah, nothing but a couple of bruises. One of the benefits of being so cramped up in there is that there’s nowhere to really fall.’ She stepped up to the flatbed, her magic simultaneously conjuring a clipboard and pen as she brought a forehoof affectionately to the side of the butchered war beast, beginning what would inevitably be a long list of repairs. ‘We’ll live, and she’ll live again, I’ll make sure of that, but regardless it was well worth it’ she concluded, turning with a smile. ‘Thank you.’ --- ‘Fresh target at three o’clock!’ ‘I know, just feed the damn gun!’ *Bang!* Up on the flattened crest of the hilltop thick white clouds rose up in plumes from a scattered mass of smoke canisters, casting thick veils across the expanse. In amongst this, bright flashes blossomed as a trio of tanks lashed out or else received fire from their enemies, slowly but surely trying to scale the incline in pursuit of them. For all their numbers and superior firepower however, for Ponyville the attack was proving both heavy going and costly, not that this was putting any dent in their enthusiasm. Evidently spurred on by their losses elsewhere they pushed on relentlessly, chasing their elusive targets with a hail of fire whenever they revealed themselves. Dawn rode atop the ebb and flow of battle, exposed to the flying mud and acrid fumes in her command cupola. None of this fazed or gave her pause though, caught within the moment and her discovered element. ‘Split, switch targets to cover Lens, she’s under threat of being overrun.’ ‘Doing it.’ The Panther’s turret swung around and its cannon bellowed, spitting its shell screaming through the air. This shot however, very much fired from the hip on the go, flew high and wide, whizzing past its intended recipient. ‘For buck’s sake!’ the gunner cursed violently. ‘A reload would be nice!’ The captain winced. Therein was the greater plague preying on her mind than all that surrounded her: an insistent dark shadow, cast over her and the rest of her crew. For this she felt responsible on several levels, whilst for it she still was no closer to coming up with an effective solution. ‘Crystal says they’re massing on her sector’ Coquette reported across her mic, ‘probably moving for a final assault.’ ‘Okay’ Dawn registered in reply, ‘relay to the other two that we’ll pop the last of our smoke and pull back on my signal.’ ‘Buck that, let ‘em come!’ Split interrupted roughly, anger coursing back into her words. ‘We’ve got almost half already, and I’ll happily smash the rest too, as long as you don’t quit on me that is!’ ‘Belle, relay the order’ the captain continued, choosing to evade, and when she received confirmation going further: ‘three, two, one, go!’ At her either side two clusters of tubes placed on the turrets front corners erupted as they launched their remaining canisters, laying down a thick screen. The Panther however made no further move. ‘Toff, what’s wrong?’ There was no answer, so in confusion she tried again, ducking through the hatch. ‘Toff?’ Three equally confused faces met her with no better reply. ‘Toff?!’ Then finally a reply came up from the driver’s compartment. ‘I’m not moving.’ ‘That’s pretty obvious!’ ‘What’s wrong?’ Dawn asked more productively than the sportsmare. ‘Is there something up with the engine?’ ‘No.’ Toffee had been quiet for quite some time, and now in speaking her tones were fallen far from their usual selves, low and sad, but cut through with steely determination. ‘I don’t even want to try and win like this, it’s not worth it.’ ‘What’re you talking about? We’ve really gotta go!’ Coquette warned. ‘No, not happening.’ The caramel earth mare remained adamant. ‘The tank may be fine, but there’s still plenty of stuff inside it which needs fixing. So, at least until one conversation is had in here I’m not going anywhere. With things as they are we might as well let them tear us apart, we’re already set to do it to each other. I don’t wanna lose you guys, and I reckon you feel the same.’ Dawn looked down to her right, knowing exactly what her driver meant, catching eyes with a pink pegasus whose guilty visage was a mirror to her own. ‘Split…’ ‘Dawn…’ the athlete began at the same time, each of them cutting the other off and spurring an awkward silence. ‘I’m sorry’ the pale cream captain began again, trying to marshal her thoughts into something intelligible, very aware of the rapidly approaching threat. ‘I’m sorry for hurting you…’ ‘Please don’t say that’ Split interrupted, her previous rage dissipated, obviously just as much focused inwardly on her thoughts. ‘I don’t want to hear you say that.’ ‘But I am. I’m sorry I was blind, I’m sorry I never really listened, and I’m sorry I trampled all over your feelings.’ ‘Dawn…’ ‘We’ve gone through so much, and you mean the world to me okay! I don’t want my stupidity to change that.’ A pause followed; hanging and hoping. ‘Me too’ Split tentatively admitted, ‘on all counts. You’re right; we have been through a lot. Before now I… I guess I’d gotten used to being a loner and a hard case. You’ve been one of the first to put up with that. More than that though you’ve listened and understood, never judging me, and for that aside from anything else you’ll always be special to me. I’m sorry too okay… to everypony.’ She added an apologetic nod to the rest of her crew mates. ‘Crystal’s a lucky bitch, again sorry, but I don’t want to spoil what we’ve already got. I also want things to go back to how they were if they can.’ The two of them came together, although majorly hindered by the cramped conditions of the tank succeeding in unison to draw each other into a hug. They held tightly onto one another, in this continuing the far more they both still needed to say. ‘Buck it; I guess there isn’t going to be a better time than this.’ Blossom’s words were muttered in the background, just audible to the two caught in their reconciliatory embrace. ‘If this is when we’re going to get everything out in the open or die trying… Belle?’ ‘Yes?’ Coquette returned quizzically, a raised eyebrow intrinsic in her tone. ‘Erm… well I…’ As soon as the unicorn started she paused, so unlike her usual self who tended to be the most confidently spoken amongst them. ‘I… You know that Hearts and Hooves Day card you got?’ ‘What, the one I got from my “mysterious admirer”?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘What does that have to do with anything? Why bring that up now?’ ‘It was from me, along with all those previous…’ ‘What?!’ The golden earth mare became the one to trip over her words, surprise allowing only a further monosyllabic ‘why?’ ‘For exactly what they said, I meant everything I wrote.’ ‘B-but you’ve always been the first to criticise them, calling them everything in them cliché or lacking and their writer creepy…’ ‘…and a coward’ Blossom finished. ‘All true for describing somepony putting pen to paper in the shadows because they don’t have the courage to tell you how they feel to your face, being too afraid of how you’d react…’ ‘For buck’s sake you silly filly!’ There was a clatter, followed by a surprised yelping sound from Blossom as Coquette leapt up, pulling the other mare into an embrace. ‘Y-you idiot… I…’ her words turned into silence as she found the other’s lips, cutting off any further failing words. ‘You may’ve missed me and Rook’ Split whispered in Dawn’s ear before they separated, ‘but please tell me that’s not news to you.’ ‘Yeah, I kind of had a hunch’ Dawn giggled back, the two of them turning to find the loader and the radio operator wrapped up in one another, both of them heedless of all beyond as everything held in for some time came out in one go. An explosion fell closely outside, rocking the Panther roughly on its tracks, in this startling all the crew back into their positions. ‘Thank buck for that!’ Toffee called out above the noise, the tank’s engine coming back into full roaring life with her words. ‘For the record though Belle: you’re as much a “silly filly” as she is!’ ‘I know’ Coquette agreed, her voice revealing her lightly blushing smile. ‘Now, can we please get the hay outta here!’ ‘On it!’ The Panther’s treads whirled rapidly against one another, spinning the great machine in a tight circle. Its turret meanwhile in the same instant revolved to guard its back as it set off charging through the thinning fog and down the rear of the hilltop. In the place they had occupied only seconds ago appeared a Ponyville Leopard Four, its gun swivelling about, confused by the lack of resistance. Instantly the Panther’s cannon fired, its shot joined by those of its two comrades waiting at the foot of the rise, hammering the newly appeared enemy tank into immediate submission. As the rest of the remaining vehicles rolled through the mist Appleoosa’s captain reached the lighter tanks of her allies, the three vehicles taking off across the plains. --- ‘The Turtle got Dice!’ The three lightest vehicles of Appleoosa’s force sped across gently undulating fields of tall grasses, creating trails as they crushed the yellow stems beneath their caterpillar tracks or burst through the green tufts of clustered ferns. Close behind, their adversaries pursued them in an equal frenzy, the six remainders of Ponyville’s strike force straining their engines for all they were worth. Both parties in this running battle blazed at one another, cannons lashing out wildly, loaders obviously in overdrive to feed their weapons, shots throwing up burnt undergrowth with their blasts. Dawn rode through the frantic wind and flying dirt, one hoof holding back her mane whilst her other braced her against the side of the perch, hanging on as the Panther weaved wildly, its route intentionally erratic. Her emerald eyes were cast behind them with their main armament, watching as the Leopards drew inexorably closer, inevitably bringing with this a greater chance that they would be hit. The tactic was risky but there was only a bit further to go. ‘Just a little more…’ As she muttered the reassurance to herself however an explosion rose to her right, her fear realised as the Tornado careened sideways, grinding to an immobilised halt. ‘Damn it!’ ‘Lens is down!’ Coquette called out, confirming what had been already witnessed. ‘She wishes us luck.’ ‘Keep going everypony! Let’s do this for them!’ They maintained their pace, defying the lengthened odds, skipping down a small hillock into a bowl of similar slopes, patches of the area dotted with bushes. Shortly afterward the hunters also followed, leaping down the incline to continue their chase. ‘Just a bit further!’ Suddenly a trio of shots rang out to the left of the captain, tearing through and bursting out from a thick clump of foliage to all strike Ponyville’s leading vehicle, knocking it out. The Hydra One charged out from its hiding place, running in parallel alongside its adversaries with all guns turned together to face the enemy. Pre-empting any reaction Rook’s vehicle fired one broadside after another, hammering two more vehicles out of play before they could attempt to return fire. The ambusher then peeled away, stealing any chance for a reply, disappearing back into the undergrowth. Those that remained formed together, their vengeful anger made impotent by their total surprise. ‘Break formation!’ Dawn yelled, her order being relayed straight to the Little Lion rolling beside her, the two vehicles pulling away from each other. Ahead of them there were two flashes, sending high calibre shells in arcs overhead through the gap they had formed. These fell as heavy blows on two of the three remaining Leopards, the medium tanks literally running headlong into the shots and being turned a glowing crimson shade. The last meanwhile, finding herself alone, regained her wits, turning straight away in flight. ‘Oh no you don’t!’ As the Panther came to a stop, Split homed in its cannon on the fleeing vehicle. She fired, her shot smashing off the plates of one of the Leopard’s track guards, but still it kept going. Almost immediately however a fresh shell was in her weapon’s breach, supplying a second chance which she took, forcing the adversary into a submissive stop. ‘Buck yeah! Nice one Bloss!’ Both gunner and loader brought their forehooves together in celebration. Dawn drew in a long satisfied breath, allowing herself the moment’s pause in reflection as her teammates emerged from their hiding places. ‘Maybe we can actually do this’ she thought silently to herself. ‘Just one more monster to overcome…’ Her mind was cut off by a titanic pair of detonations, forcing her on instinct to duck down in the cupola. Almost as an echo the sound of shots cracked in the distance, whilst far closer there was the crash of toppling metal as both the Rhinos Two and Five, having just revealed themselves, were thrown over onto their sides, turrets falling from their hull mounts. ‘Sweet Celestia!’ The exclamation was common of everypony in Appleoosa’s team, shouted both verbally and non-verbally by all of them. Pulling herself back up the captain spun around, taking in the destruction and spying its cause: a vast creature sat on a far off hill. How the Turtle had dragged itself so far was anypony’s guess, the insane feat seeming clearly impossible, but it was up there, titanic guns facing their way. The Hydra and the Little Lion both pulled up either side of the Panther, their commanders like its sat proudly atop their vehicles. Crystal and Rook both looked to their captain expectantly, their machine’s engines revving to go and with determined looks etched onto their faces. Dawn looked from their most recent losses, to the distant beast which had done the deed, and then to her two surviving comrades. In an instant (if even wavering at all) she was resolved, the expressions infectious and reinforcing, hardening her will to steel. ‘Okay everypony, they’re reloading as we speak, so here’s what we’re going to do…’ --- Across a fluid terrain of faintly rolling curves three war beasts galloped, the remnant trio of Appleoosa’s force, skimming like stones over the ground. Their approach was closely watched, glowered down upon by their hulking enemy, like an immobile rock formation set atop the rise ahead, its statuesque form disguising the frantic action going on within. The Turtle’s guns trailed their close-knit targets, waiting for a chance to strike. Even as it watched however its potential easy prey broke apart, single spear point becoming three smaller bolts, defensively dispersed. Set central as the head of their broad formation, charging head on towards the last of their adversaries, Dawn waved off her comrades as they veered away from her. ‘Okay everypony, hold on tight, it’s about to get rough. It’s down to you Toff, get us in close.’ ‘On it!’ Toffee shouted back excitedly across her mic, betraying the truckload of adrenaline coursing through her being, whilst likewise the vehicle’s engine kicked up into its highest gear. ‘Here we go!’ The Panther surged forward, seeking as quickly as possible to devour all the distance between them and the enemy. As much as they could they hugged the scant plant cover there was, darting between thickets in flowing zigzag motions, trying to remain both unpredictable and interesting. Proof they had the Turtle’s attention came in the bellicose form of a shot from one of its enormous main guns, swiftly followed by its twin in kind. Their driver was however in time to swerve, skidding to narrowly avoid the first shell, whilst the second fell short, having attempted to read their route and just failed. They leapt across the crater so newly formed, flying through smoke-clogged air and burnt soil as they fell back to earth. Still they kept going, dodging further salvoes which came their way, not stopping even as their added armour was torn away by the blasts, making for the hill. ‘We’re almost there!’ Dawn shouted back against all the noise and fury, channelling her all into her war beast, its crew, and their assault. A little way above the Panther, their target struggled to the very edge of the rise, its cannons straining downward as they tried to keep track of them. It was so pre-occupied in fact that it had no time to react as two more vehicles appeared, scaling the hillock on its flanks and pitching forward as they landed on the summit on its either side. Neither the Hydra nor the Little Lion spared a moment, each with guns turned to face their foe lashing its sides with fire as they raced for its rear. They fired with everything they had, landing hit after hit point blank, flaying apart the behemoth’s tracks beneath its dwarfing form, rendering its wheels less than useless. In sync as they came to the unguarded back of their prey, the two tanks then turned about, gunning their engines as they rammed the enemy vehicle, heedless of the destruction they wrought on themselves. The Turtle jerked forwards, sliding despite its resistance along its broken treads like slipways. Appleoosa’s captain watched on; caught up in the scene as her own tank made it into the safe zone, unreachable as a target beneath the rise. ‘Again!’ Together Crystal and Rook reversed, extricating their vehicles’ blunted noses from the damage they had caused and then making their second charge, forcing their adversary forward again. The Turtle’s drive wheels spun ineffectually, trying desperately to backpedal, but despite these efforts its prow slid over the hill’s edge. ‘Now Split!’ On cue the Panther’s gunner fired, her weapon pointed straight up at the now partially exposed underbelly of their rival’s titan. Seamlessly the cannon continued to roar, its shots blurring into one continuous blast as its loader threw every round that they had left into the breach. Then as suddenly as these thundering hammer blows reached their crescendo there was silence, thick smoke masking everything from view. Dawn, having instinctively hunkered down away from the flames exploding so close before her, rose to standing, raising a forehoof to lift the blackened goggles from her eyes. Fire scorched her nostrils and her ears twitched, the crackling of ignited brush pricking at her senses. Her body tingled all over, as if every one of her nerve endings had been touched by exposed wires. At the same time though, she shivered, the sweat on her form giving even the light breeze an icy chill. She caught her breath, panting whilst transfixed, staring intently forward. Gradually the fog thinned, allowing light to pierce through the misty shroud, shining out as a great crimson torrent, a vast beacon which signalled victory.