Just Rumble

by Bronycommander


Chapter 7 A long and dangerous road

Chapter 7: A long and dangerous road

At the next day, Rumble was relieved as Rico, Teo and Annika came back in one piece. Giovanni was talking with Rumble.

“I’m glad when the general is gone, but how do we prevent that someone else takes his place?” The young man wondered.

“A good question. May I ask how your parents were?” Rumble hoped it wouldn’t upset him

Giovanni smiled. “Great. Mother was caring and loving. She was loyal to the general but didn’t like the idea that her only children were being sent to the front lines.

I and Marco understood her fear but we had no choice as you know. After she died, we’re keeping her alive in our hearts.” He chuckled. “She always said even as kids we were rebels. How were yours?”

“My brother told me that they were also caring and loving like yours. They were both Wonderbolts and died in a terrible accident. Thunderlane joined them to keep their honor alive. Father always said to Thunderlane that he would make a good Wonderbolt.” Rumble had to smile.

“Guess we aren’t so different from each other.”

“Howdy there, you two.” Sheldon joined them.

“Sheldon, how’s it going?” The Scientist asked.

“Good, Dimah. I see you managed to capture a Bavarium tank. I found out there’s more at a bunker. I can give you the coordinates.”

“Good. I can build an EMP device that can destroy the tanks, but I need to take some parts of this tank.”

“Forget it! I won’t lose it!” Annika protested.

“Annika, we need something against those tanks and this is the only way.” Dimah countered.

While Annika saw the captured tank as very valuable, she also knew that said tanks couldn’t be allowed to exist. “Alright, Dimah.”

“Giovanni, Rumble, can you help us to take the parts out of the tank?”

“Si,” Giovanni replied. Rumble, can you get the tools?”

“Ovviamente!” Making sure he wasn’t watched, he gave Zeno a sign to report which he confirmed with a nod.

After some hard work, they had built an EMP device that was loaded on a truck.

“We wait at Vico Spigola for Rico. And Dimah, this better works or you’ll regret it that I lost my very valuable tank.”

“It will be worth it… …if it doesn’t explode and kill us first.” Teo was a bit worried.

“Don’t worry; there is only chance of 1% that this can happen.” Dimah was sure of it.

“I hope you’re right.” They left.


Rumble played with Giovanni and looked over Mario, who was getting better until the night, as Rico returned with the test being a success.

Yes… that will work!” Dimah worked with Teo at another EMP. Rico walked to Annika.

She held her arms in a defensive position. “Don’t worry, your friend Mario is getting better. I still wouldn’t move him yet, though.”

“Sheldon’s supposed to be here.”

“Well, nice of you to drop by, hombre!” Sheldon entered but was missing his hat.

“Where’s your hat?”

“Uh, in a nutshell, Di Ravello knows where ya are and he’s sendin’ a big ol’ army to kill you.”

“Well…I wonder how that happened?” Annika wasn’t surprised and left with Teo.

“Huh! She’s a peach!”

“It is a remarkable coincidence, Sheldon.” Rico pointed out.

“Hey it ain’t like that partner, and you know it. I came to warn you that Di Ravello’s cleansin’ flame is comin’ for ya!” Rico was about to walk away but Tom stopped him.

“Hey – Di Ravello’s forces are going to be here soon to take out that EMP and kill Dimah and probably Rumble.”

Rico put a hand on his shoulder. “Always playing both sides, eh, Sheldon?” Then he walked outside.

“Okay. You do with that information what ya want! I’ll see you around… …amigo.”

After that, Rumble helped to prepare a defense.

“Giovanni, bring him to safety,” Rico said to him, he saluted in return.

“I will defend him with my life.”

“You stayed with me, I stay with you,” Rumble said to him with a brave smile but before they could leave, the army was already here, firing at everything.

Teo and Annika had left in an Urga Hrom D, but Mario had recovered and joined the fight.

The EMP was moved to the docks. Some bullets flew past Rumble as he went to cover. “You dare, and I will kill you!” Giovanni fired at the soldiers.

Rico manned a minigun to destroy incoming Urga Hroch barges, Urga Szturm 63As, Weimaraner W3s and killing foot soldiers.

“Come on, Rico, let’s take back the beach!” Mario exclaimed.

“Helicopters incoming, Rico!” Dimah warned as light attack helicopters came from the water.

“Rico there’s a flak cannon on the wrack!” Giovanni informed him. The wreck was an old aircraft carrier from World War 2.

Rico used it to shoot them down, creating small fireballs as the wrecks fell into the water. Giovanni looked to Rumble. He was scared as he cowered but not as scared as he was in Costa Del Porto, trying to look brave.

“Rico, they coming in trucks!” Mario warned, but Giovanni manned the minigun to take them out, destroying them in seconds, leaving only burning wrecks.

“Device almost charged, you can activate it shortly. Will disable all vehicles. Hold off soldiers!” Dimah reported. “Detecting incoming paratroopers!”

With the flak, Rico shot them out of the sky. “More soldiers coming in, Rico!” Giovanni fired the minigun.

“Ehh, guys, they’re coming from everywhere!” Mario was speechless.

“The EMP is ready, Vehicles are in range!” Dimah said via radio as they came now with boats. “

We’re being overrun! Use the EMP!” Giovanni yelled and Rico activated in.

All vehicles in range caught fire and exploded, as their electronics were overloading. “Success! Needs to recharge.”

“That should buy us some time to regroup!” Mario reloaded his shotgun.

More paratroopers were deployed but were killed by the cannon, falling out of the sky.

“Incoming gunboats!” Dimah saw them on the radar but Rico manned a minigun that was facing the water, taking out before they were in range to use their guns, the wrecks sinking into the water.

“Why are so many of them?” Rumble asked scared.

“Because they want to end it.” Giovanni fired as boats, trucks, and helicopters and even tanks closed in. Almost overrun, Rico activated the EMP again.

“More soldiers!” Mario fired as Teo and Annika returned in an Urga Hrom D, an Attack/Transport helicopter, firing its rockets and miniguns.

“Can’t let you guys have all the fun, now can we?” The woman asked.

“I knew you couldn’t stay away!”

“Not at all. I simply needed to verify that the EMP works!” Teo said to Rico.

“You’re no good to me dead, Rodriguez!” Annika added.

Together, they defeated the last remainings of the military.

Giovanni looked after Rumble. He had his eyes closed, hooves over his head. The rebel patted him, causing him to flinch. Then he realized it was over. “It’s finally over.”

“Yes.”

Rumble got up. He heard how Mario and Rico had a conversation.

“How did Di Ravello know we were here?”

“Because he’s psychic.”

“No, it’s Sheldon.”

“Sheldon is psychic?”

“Mario – I don’t trust him. We have to use him. Tell Sheldon we’re going to attack the power plant.”

“That is a good idea.”

“Yes. You lay the bait – we’ll see if Di Ravello bites…”

That was close. They think Sheldon is the mole, not me. Rumble thought relived that his cover was not blown, but soon it would be.