“Best friends means forever”
Incessant chatter sounded in the Chariot as it approached Glorious Dawn, leaving me with a buzzing headache as the voices rebounded around the metal hull. Hefty twitched and paced around, sticking his head out of a gun port from time to time to look down at his dear Spyder. After my suggestion to tow her behind the ship, he and Gadget had a near tantrum, hollering and crying as she was lifted up.
“What if she falls?! We'd never know?!” the green unicorn had wailed, only silencing when Hefty forced a stashed bottle of cider down his throat. No doubt that it was due to this outburst that the other ponies on board the cloudship were giving my squad a wide berth. It didn't bother me though, I was too busy wrapped in my own thoughts to care.
Though such peace was short lived. Not long after take off, my ear began to scream desperately ending in a sky shattering explosion. One of the Sky Chariots carrying the ground force's ammunition went up in a plume of green smoke and flame. A changeling had found its way on board and committed suicide, blowing itself up in the process. It was a harrowing thought, and did very little for morale on all the cloudships.
Soon, everypony on board was pointing hooves at each other. Trigger happy troopers reached for their weapons as the pilot shouted out for silence and calm. I glanced out the window and saw the same happening across the transports, one opening the rear and a earth pony stallion being thrown out to the ground below. A sickening thud ended his cries as he fell, a raucous cheer given afterwards until another passenger pointed out the unchanged broken body.
More fighting broke out across the ships as ponies yelled at one another, sending shivers down my spine, “We're dead if we can't trust each other... how the hell are we supposed to fight and flee from something can pretend to be us?”
“Little busy for philosophical bullshit right now Rivey,” Gadget grunted as he stood guard in front of a logistics officer, “Right! All of ye piss off and calm t'fuck down! She's done nothin' t'deserve this, ye hear!”
“Fuck you she hasn't! We have no radio contact with the superiors because of her! She's one of them!” A hot headed mare yelled back, “I say throw her off!”
“Yer not laying a hoof on her ye bitch!” I moved over to Gadget per his request, standing my ground in front of the cowering mare as he shouted back, “Ye will wait for further orders!”
“You're one of the too!” She yelled, jumping at Gadget. Her leap was cut short by a white hoof crashing into her torso, pinning her to the floor. A cough and whimper sounded as she struggled, looking up at the officer's saviour.
“THAT IS ENOUGH!”
The whole chariot fell silent as Hefty roared, standing up fully, “How /dare/ you suggest such a thing about a higher ranking officer and then attack them with no evidence?! I should have you executed for such actions! Now, let's all calm down and think this through. Together.”
The arguing came around again, but it wasn't until a medic spoke up through the radio that any organisation was found. Her idea was simple, crude and let us all blow some steam; we all give ourselves a shallow wound. The news had come in that changelings couldn't hold their changed appearance after a wound not long after the first ground troop had been deployed, the sickly buck from Canterlot coming to mind.
Taking my father's knife out, I sliced my fetlock shallowly. A short gasp of pain came, but nothing worse than a bug bite. Looking up at my companions, an audible collective sigh of relief came as we all came up clean and safe. Healing potions came around afterwards, the liquid giving an odd after taste as I guzzled mine down. A soft chuckle from a medical mare sounded as I grimaced from the flavour.
“I hear they're designing one that tastes better,” She smiled as she passed the bottle on to Gadget who drank greedily.
I gave a quiet laugh in response, “Wouldn't that mean we'd want to get injured for more of it?”
“I'm not complaining if I get to meet more stallions like you,” A flutter of eyelashes averted my gaze, aiming it to the outside world. A strange feeling of guilt came over me at the thought of rutting with the mare, as if I were betraying another. I shook my head slightly, shaking free the image of a different medical mare beneath me.
“All returning personnel please report to an identification squad. Do not be alarmed, this is a routine check. Repeat, all returning personnel please...”
Gadget growled at the blaring speakers as we disembarked from the Sky Chariot, Spyder clunking behind us slowly. Ponies of all kinds were herded by armed guards into single file lines, trotting through gateways under the eyes and barrels of pegasi. We approached a small tent, the flaps opened and a group of unicorns beckoned me inside.
I sighed and stood to attention, ready for the tests, “Private Second Class, Rivet Bolt of the Royal Engineers, Second Platoon, present and accounted for.”
The unicorns promptly ignored my announcement and moved around me, horns lit. The scratching of pens on parchment was unmistakeable, as was the slight hum of magic in the air. I shifted my hooves slightly, feeling on edge and defenceless. I glanced at the tent flaps and began to make plans before I felt a tap on my cyber eye.
I flinched and instinctively reached to bring my hoof blade out to play. My efforts were for naught, as a great pressure came down upon me and crushed me against the floor. The chatter of safeties being flicked off chorused the room, as all but one of the unicorns pulled out their weapon.
“It would be wise if you did not make such sudden movements, Private Bolt,” The unarmed mare spoke, standing directly in front of me. Her lab coat covered every part of her body, while her head stayed out of my vision.
I growled in response, “What is this? We already have safety procedures.”
I pushed up, only to have myself forced back down by the others. The unmistakeable coolness of a barrel pressed against the right of my head. I turned my eye in the direction, only able to see the hooves of the wielder. After a quick mental calculation, I came to conclusion that the gun was a military grade assault rifle, 'Fuck.'
“Yes, and those procedures are competent for this craft and this craft alone,” She turned and moved out of my vision, though the sounds of tinkering and hooves on steel were still audible, “In your circumstance however, further precautions must be made.”
I kept my eye on the gun, replying in a less than pleasant tone, “And how exactly does my circumstance differ... ma'am?”
The mare tisked as she came back into view, “Either say it with conviction, or do not say it at all. You are a lucky pony Bolt. You're going home after this.”
I blinked and looked up, “Home? The campaign is far from over!”
“It's over for you. You have deliberately disobeyed orders numerous times, gave orders to superior officers and have forcibly gained access to technology which, in the wrong hooves, could prove fatal,” The mare leaned in close, giving me the opportunity to see her covered face, “You are a liability on this craft Private, and it is my job to remove such liabilities.”
I winced at her words, “I have saved hundreds through my actions.”
“That is irrelevant. Orders are absolute, you do not question them,” The venom in her voice dripped out as she spoke, filling me with fear, “Though your actions have been noted... Specialist.”
Though the final word was spat at me, I felt my heart flutter for a moment, 'Another promotion already!' My joy was short lived as my head was jerked to the side, my neck exposed. I gasped and struggled vainly, “What are you doing?!”
The mare moved her head away from me, the slight hum of her magic added to the others, “Just a check up. Don't move, it'll be over a few moments.”
My eyes went wide as I tried to wriggle out of the unicorns' grasp, my body chilling at the feel of more barrels pressed against my coat. The mare moved closer again, and the shape of something appeared in the corner of my eye. I cried out weakly, feeling a sharp pinch in my neck. The sensation of a liquid ran cold through my veins, filling up my entire body.
I lay shivering on the floor, ice coursing through my body. I tried to call for help, yet all that I managed was a squeak. The over powering cold soon took over my entire body, my heartbeat slowing as I gasped out a feeble breath. My hooves scraped weakly against the floor, my mind racing through every possibility.
'This is it. My execution. They're going to kill me for disobedience... I don't want to die... I don't want to die...' I whimpered and closed my eyes. Then something within me clicked. A great warmth surged through my body, and I forced myself to my hooves. My breathing became laboured, spit running from my mouth as I stood up fully, shaking slightly.
“I... will.. not... DIE!” I growled before being forced down on the floor again. The sound of pens on parchment came again. Another pinch came, this time on my flank. I barely reacted to sensation of blood being taken, too fired up to give a damn. One by one, the guns came away from me as I calmed down and got back to my hooves.
The mare stood peering at a vial of my blood, shooing me away as I approached. I felt a push from behind as another unicorn escorted me from the tent, shoving me out to the other side. Gadget and Hefty stood waiting for me, both with concern on their faces.
“Rivet, what happened in there?” Gadget began, stopping as I pushed past him. He and Hefty soon followed, keeping their distance as I made my way towards the barracks. I shunted into other ponies as I walked, showing no care for their reactions or exclamations as I did.
“Rivet...”
I stopped at Hefty's concerned voice, turning around to face the stallion. He sighed and continued with his low rumble, “It's OK if you don't want to tell us. We're here for you.”
I bit my lip, turning my head to the side, “I... I’m going home.”
“... t'fuck? Yer serious?” Gadget moved closer to me, chuckling slightly, “Yer a lucky one alright.”
I flinched and shook my head, turning back around, “I'm not the lucky one. I’ve been declared a liability, they're sending me home.”
I trotted away, an overbearing feeling of shame hanging over me. All I wanted was to save these ponies' lives, to bring as many as I could back home, yet all I had managed was to end up on the military's radar. I slammed my hoof against a wall, grinding my teeth in anger, 'Every step I take forward is another step back.'
I snorted a few times, screwing my eye up in frustration. The moment was spoiled by the joyful tune of a passing Spritebot. Turning and yelling, I kicked the bot into the other wall, the robot dented and struggling to continue the song. A few unicorns down the hall flinched at the noise, backing away as I panted and kicked the bot a few more times.
I trotted away, still seething as the distorted music weakly played out. A hiss of static sent me running, Pinkie's voice calling out to me, “Oh silly, what have you done now?”
I raced through the corridors, tsking as another bot swerved in front of me, “Rivet! Come back here!”
I slid to a halt and gave a sigh, noticing as three more bots floated behind me. Glaring at the polished steel frame of the flying orb, I cleared my throat, “Apologies ma'am, I did not mean to take out my frustration on Ministry of Morale property.”
The Spritebots floated in silence before bursting into echoed giggles, “Oh silly, you think I care? I don't like it when ponies get upset, so talk to me. What's got you so frowny? Oh! We could throw you a party!”
A garbled party horn blared through the speakers, followed by another giggle fit from Pinkie. I allowed myself a small smile. As much as I despised myself right now, her laughter was too infectious to ignore. A chuckle slipped out, bringing the sound of applauding hooves through the speakers.
“There we go! See? Don't you just feel better for laughing?” It sounded as if Pinkie was beaming at me, a strange feeling of pride and motherly love washed through in her voice. A pang of guilt and pain shot through me at the thought of my real mother, 'How long has it been now?'
I shook my head, those thoughts will have to wait, “Thank you Pinkie...”
The bots moved closer, Pinkie's voice coming through sincere and kind, “Come on glowy pony, what's bothering you?”
“This whole campaign for starters ma'am. It's suicide!” I cried out, the time for calm long past, “Rainbow Dash has sent us all to our deaths for no damn reason!”
“... there is a reason, we just can't tell you,” Pinkie's voice dropped, all warmth turning to ice and kindness to venom in her words. I felt a shiver as it echoed through the four bots, feeling isolated and exposed to the pony behind them.
Swallowing hard, I felt my voice break slightly as I replied, “And w-what is this reason?”
“Didn't I just say? You cannot know,” the mare's tongue had taken a turn to sinister with this, the bots advancing, “I don't want any more ponies to be sad, and I will do what I can to do so.”
My thoughts raced, trying to find a way to get her to talk. A realisation clicked inside me, and a smile creeped onto my face, “How about a game then? I’m awfully sad and I think a game will cheer me up.”
“Yay! What do you want to play? Pin the tail on the pony? Apple bobbing? Oh, silly me, I can't play any of those with you from here!” the warmth returned to her voice, though the creepiness of her echoed speech remained, “Oh! How about Hide and Seek?”
I smiled at the thought and nodded, “OK... how about we make it interesting?”
“Okie dokie lokie! If you can catch me, I’ll tell you everything!” the bots seemed to beam a strangely sinister happiness, putting me on edge.
“How did you...?”
“Oh silly, I know you better than yourself Rivet. I promise I’ll tell you, cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” the three floating orbs turned around, flying down the corridor leaving me alone with the fourth, “Now close your eyes and count to ten.”
I chuckled and did as I was told, 'This is easy.'
Another click sounded in my head as I was hit by another realisation, “Oh shit.”
My eyes snapped open to find row upon row of Spritebots through the corridors, Pinkie's giggling resounding throughout them. I bit my lip, feeling humiliated and outsmarted by the mare. A chuckle escaped my lips as I studied the identical bots, “And how will I know which is the real you?”
“Only one of me is the real me speaking,” the bots chorused, all out of time with another. My ears dropped at the hopelessness of the situation. Standing back to all four hooves, I peered at the hundreds of bots, spotting several confused pegasi pulling unicorns from the sea of metal spheres.
Each bot was an exact clone of the other, all bobbing together in unison as unsynchronised giggling resounded through the metal halls of the Glorious Dawn. My throat ran dry at the prospect of solving this puzzle, but at the same time a feeling of excitement floated its way into my body. This campaign had pushed me hard, and now I was going to be rewarded for my efforts.
Pushing a path through the waves, I studied each of the Sprites in turn. The giggling continued, a distraction to my pounding head. What had started to be something that filled me with warmth had turned into a constant buzz, no emotion coming in response to the sweet sounds. I reached a hoof to my ears, sealing off all sound to give me room to think.
“Clever pony.”
I blinked as Pinkie's voice rang clear in my head, “What?”
“I'm always with you Rivet, you're very valuable to me and Rarity. We have lots of things you need to do for us,” Her voice held little warmth, as did her words, but it was not the icy Pinkie from before, “You win, I’ll tell you everything.”
“BugSpray is a testing ground, many ponies are unhappy with the war and are scared about what will happen. I don't want anypony to be sad any more, and I want everypony to be friends again with the zebras, but that won't happen unless we force them to be friends with us again.”
I sat on the floor, trying to understand her logic, “You mean... a position where neither side can fight any more?”
“Oh no, that's Fluttershy's idea. Mine is to scare the zebra,” the ice cold Pinkie had returned, filling my heart with dread, “That's why everypony is here. Rainbow wants to test a new weapon on someone and the changelings-”
“Were the perfect subjects... you want to either raise troop morale by wiping the entire race out or scare the zebras into surrendering,” I felt my stomach drop at the plan, it was brilliant and brutal. An entire species wiped out to prevent Equestrian and Zebra blood from being spilt unnecessarily.
A cold chuckle came from the pink pony, “You are clever. Now, how about a guessing game? What is Rainbow testing?”
I grimaced at the mare's words, feeling like her plaything. She was toying with me, putting me in my place as the bottom of the herd. Gritting my teeth, I concentrated on every possibility. Some kind of energy weapon? No, the Air Force were well aware of such weapons, they held the majority of them. A new type of gun? Couldn't be, it would have to pass through the Engineers in some form for construction and testing. Then it would have to be a bomb, something that could devastate a large area despite its size.
My eyes snapped open as everything came together. It was horrifying to imagine, something I wished couldn't be true, but my deductions pointed to one conclusion. I swallowed, replying quietly, “A megaspell. A weaponised megaspell.”
A warm giggle came across clear, “You win Rivet! Now off you go, you've got a lot to pack before you leave!”
I stood up to my hooves, feeling sick at the thoughts that floated into my head. The memories of that battle came to mind, the awe inspiring power of the spell sticking into my skull, “No.”
“What?” Venom dripped off Pinkie's question, oozing into the air as the bots echoed the remark.
I pushed through the sea, picking up speed as the turned towards me, “I will stop her! She shouldn't set this off!”
I raced through the hull of the ship, my hooves clashing against the steel floor. Skidding around a group of slow unicorns, I slid into a staircase and leapt down the flight. My heart had never beat as fast as it did then, pounding my body into a steady gallop as I ran. Jumping down another flight of stairs I came across another Spritebot, nearly crashing into the surveillance robot.
My ear slid along the underside of the bot as I slid along the floor, bringing myself to my hooves as Pinkie's voice echoed at me, “Rivet! Don't go looking for trouble!”
“Trouble's already here!” I yelled back, racing towards the hanger. All evidence pointed to there for the megaspell, hiding such a weapon in plain sight. My anger fuelled my mad dash, absolute hatred directed at Rainbow for her stupidity, 'What is she fucking thinking?! Nothing good can come out of this!'
I burst into the hanger, to find it crowded with ponies, all bustling around command consoles. I ran at the closest, bashing into the mare, “Where is commander Dash?!”
The mare looked panicked, her eyes wide, “I wish somepony knew, she took an uncharted chariot from the hanger four hours ago. Nopony has heard from her since.”
“FUCK!” I whirled around, running back through the cloudship. I knew the next destination, and it sickened me to stoop to his level. I needed Thunder's help. He was the only pegasus on board that didn't hate my guts, the only one who would listen to my pleas for help and assistance. That fucked me right off.
Speeding towards the barracks, I leapt over ponies and ducked under bots at every turn. My legs had turned numb from the constant beat of hoof against metal, yet I still ran on. The steel edge of my left hoof squealed against the floor as I reached the Airpony quarters, my head bursting into his room, “Thunder!”
The black pegasus looked up from his book, a confused look on his face, “Rivet? What are you doing here?”
“I need you to meet me in the hanger in thirty minutes, we need to catch Commander Dash before it's too late!”
He titled his head and set the book down, “Too late for what?”
I span on the spot and began running to the ground troops' quarters instead, “She's going to kill them all!”
If he replied, I didn't hear it. All I cared about was collecting the next pony who was vital to my plans. Pinkie told me that Snowfall was there as an adviser to Rainbow, if anypony could talk her out of it, he could. I burst into his room, slamming my hoof against the frame of the door.
The entire place had been ransacked. Drawers left open, footlockers spilling non-vital equipment on the floor, the beds were messy and unkempt. Somepony had either left here in a hurry, or somepony else was looking for something. I turned back around and began making my way back through the corridors, looking down every turn to see if I could catch sight of one of Snow's squad.
Luck finally shined on me, as I passed two of his team members. I cursed as I skidded, racing down the hallway they were turning to. They seemed flustered, panicked slightly, and were moving at a pace that rivalled my own. Something had spooked these two, which served to only worry me more. If members of the Ministry of Morale had lost their nerve, then things were a lot worse than they already were.
I raced after them, trying to call out to one when I noticed it. Not only were they carrying an excessive amount of equipment for just Morale ponies, their speed had increased after they had noticed me. They weren't in a hurry, they were trying to shake me. I gritted my teeth and pushed on harder, slamming into walls and several confused ponies as I chased the two down.
The two ran past a Spritebot, one turning and yelling over her shoulder, “Agents compromised, initiate clean up!”
The bot suddenly turned towards me, the jolly march stopping. A small barrel slid out as I slid to one side, a red burst striking the floor I had just left. I dodged another blast, bouncing off the floor and bringing my father's knife out of its holster and into my mouth. The bot crumpled under my weight as the blade struck home, sliding between a weakened panel weld. A short zap and the Sprite powered down, the knife singing a little as I pulled it free.
I ran on, biting down on the hilt of the blade as I tried to catch up with the two, 'They just tried to kill me! What the hell is going on here Snow?!'
I sped through more corridors, flew down stairs and slammed into more walls than I cared to remember until I reached a fairly familiar location. The two ponies had ran into the abandoned hanger Pinkie had led me to at the beginning of the campaign, and had joined what remained of their squad. Snowfall stood watching the group as they rushed around, preparing several Sky Chariots for their escape.
“Snowfall!” I called out, the pony turning around. He wielded the Mower and her battle saddle, and wore a strange smile, “What are you playing at?”
“Ah, Rivet, good to see you again. Come to see Pinkie's master plan?” the stallion replied, trotting towards me as his squad turned to face me. Each one was wielding a gun of some sort, putting me at a horrific disadvantage. I growled and placed my father's knife back into the holster, pacing around Snowfall.
“Her master plan? You mean the megaspell she and Rainbow constructed? The one Rainbow has just unleashed?!” I yelled, keeping my eyes on the smug stallion and whispering as he replied, “Sparkle on.”
“Ah, you figured it out. Pinkie had a feeling you would. Too clever for your own good Rivet, you won't find a nice marefriend with that sort of attitude,” he chuckled and began to circle me in return, “Rainbow unleashing it however? Now that's news to me, didn't know the pegasus could perform magic.”
I growled as his entire squad lit up red through my EFS, yet felt a little relived at the yellow colouring it had given Snow, “And what do you mean by that?”
Snowfall smiled to himself and stopped, “How has she launched it when it's right here?”
I felt my stomach drop as I noticed the shapes under the numerous sheets in the hanger. Any single one of them could be the megaspell or a chariot to carry it, and I had thought nothing of them when Pinkie led me here.
“And the bit drops. Yes, it's true. Rainbow disappeared to confer with Pinkie, seems she didn't have it in her to take responsibility for this little campaign of hers,” Snowfall snorted and continued pacing, “Stupid bitch, placing her friends over the fate of Equestria.”
“And you wouldn't Snow?” I snarled in return, his words struck deep, “I fight for my friends just as I fight for Equestria, don't you?”
“Put it this way Rivet, if I had the choice between saving you and picking up a weapon to continue the fight, rest assured that I’ll give you a good send off at your funeral,” Snow chuckled slightly, stopping after placing himself between me and the exit, “Come come Rivet, you honestly think I give a shit about individuals in this? We're all in this war, we all need to make sacrifices.”
“Who are you?” I growled, moving towards the pony, “What the fuck have you done with Snow?”
The stallion stopped and let out a snort before bursting into laughter, “You're kidding me! Oh Luna have mercy, you just don't get it, do you? Go on, run any scan you want, do anything at all.”
“Thermals on,” I snarled, stopping as I finally came to the worst. His heat signature was the same as normal pony, he was the real thing, “No... no, that's not right!”
“You're honestly surprised? Oh this just gets better and better!” Snow pushed past me and moved towards his squad, the colour my EFS gave him turning to red, “I've always been this way Rivet, I’m just good at hiding it. Wouldn't be a very good spy if I wasn't, right?”
“Sp-spy?!” I reeled around, only to slammed to floor by two of his squad members, their hooves pinning me to the floor.
Snow shrugged, “I have time to kill... as well as you, so why not? I’ll indulge in some theatrics for a while.”
The stallion stopped and chuckled, “I'm sorry, that joke was terrible. But still, you won't be coming out of this alive, Rivet. Sorry, I can't have you telling anypony about this here. National security.”
I grunted as I tried to fight off the ponies pinning me, the mare placing a gun to my head to dissuade any further efforts. I glared at her, only to have the wind driven out of me as Snow stamped on my torso, “Oi! Look at a pony when they're talking to you. Did your mother never tell you that?”
The white stallion moved back and motioned to my captors, the two dragging me so only my hind hooves touched the floor. The weight of my entire body now hung on my shoulders, causing me to shudder as the tendons and muscles stretched to compensate for the weight. I looked up at Snow, and gave him a cocky smile, “Enlighten me then.”
Snow chuckled and began his pacing again, “It was tough you know, blocking all that information. Somepony kept finding a way around my filters and convincing the top brass that my ideas were stupid.”
My eyes widened at that remark, “You recommended those plans?!”
“Of course! The Ministry of Morale's personal advisor to Commander Rainbow Dash, it's a very important experiment after all,” Snow beamed at the title, his pride washing over me in waves, “If she wanted to do something, it has to go through me.”
“Experiment? You mean the megaspell, correct?”
Snow chuckled, “Well done, A grade for you. Yes, it's the ultimate weapon in terms of morale. Equestria will be elated that we created such a masterpiece, the zebras and changelings will tremble in fear at our might! All it would take is the right encouragement and Rainbow could be convinced to release it.”
The stallion gave a disturbed grin at that, “You would not believe how easy it is to change her mind! And it was going so well, if you didn't stop that little tiff at the start. I could've had half the force slaughtered on the first day!”
“Sl-slaughtered?! You were trying to get us killed?!”
“Of course! How else would I justify releasing Epona? Oh, where are my manners, Rivet meet Epona. Epona, Rivet,” Snow pulled a sheet off revealing a chariot. The harness was connected to a pulley system above, while the back contained a giant glowing ball, “She's beautiful, isn't she? A metal casing, designed to unleash pure destructive magic when burst. The spell matrix was so easy to copy after Fluttershy made the designs public, wonder if the zebras have made one yet...”
I felt the breath catch in my throat, “Fluttershy?! Fluttershy made this?!”
“Hmm? Oh yes, she worked along side Twilight to create the megaspells as the ultimate healing spell. If this test is successful, she's planning to create a Mutual Destruction Scenario with the zebras by giving them the designs.”
I felt my heart turn cold. The mare I had adored since I was a colt had not only created such a monster, but was willing to give that monster to the enemy. Even then, that wasn't the scariest realisation. Based on size alone, the spell could take down half a city. Couple that with pure destructive magic, then the entire Changeling capital would be wiped off the map.
Snow span around to me, looking fondly at the weapon, “Do you know the story of Epona? Legend has it that she was an alicorn, an ancestor to Luna and Celestia. She founded the world, and created the Elements of Harmony to maintain it, ruling alongside Discord. He then tricked her into becoming the earth we walk upon, the ultimate insult for creating the elements. She was a being above all, and now all are above her.”
I blinked and struggled, my only reward being a hoof to the ribs. I coughed hard at the blow, wincing as a new pain was added, “Heh, you think that scares me Snow? Everypony will notice that thing flying along anyway, it'll be shot down before it gets anywhere near the city.”
Snow chuckled in response, “That would be the situation, if I hadn't ordered the entire ship to return to Baltimare. Come on, give me some credit! Though I think a round of applause goes to you for thinking this far ahead.”
The stallion turned and made his way to a small panel next to Epona, pulling a few levers. The pulley began to move, slowly dragging the modified chariot away from the hanger doors, “I'm not about to sacrifice one of my ponies to see this through, so we set up a pulley system. It'll slingshot the spell straight at the city. Nothing can slow it down.”
“Then I guess I have to stop it before it sets off,” I yanked my left fore leg towards me, the mare's hoof pressing the first button on my steel hoof and squealing as the blade sprung forth and sliced the hoof open. I brought it around and drove it into the neck of my other captor, pushing him away and grabbing his gun as the rest of the group opened fire on me.
I slid to the mare, throwing her body between me and the wall of lead as I ran for more substantial cover. Taking solace behind a crate, I flicked the blade away and checked my ammo. Full clip in a full auto submachine gun against ten plus hostiles and Snow. I allowed myself a grin, 'Here we go.'
I leapt from cover and let out a burst, catching a pegasus in the chest and a unicorn in the leg. The two crumpled, the unicorn crying out as two others went to her aid as I opened fire again, my shots going wide and striking the tethers to another chariot. A groan of metal sounded as the vehicle slid along the floor, the injured unicorn shrieking as it rolled over her and her attendees. Sickening crunches sounded as their bones and muscles were smoothed into paste, a trail of blood and gore painting the road to their corpses.
“I didn't want to do that Snow! Call this off and we can all walk away,” I shouted out, ducking behind another crate as the remains of the squad opened fire.
“Can't do that Rivet, you've just committed treason. You're going to die either way now, there's nothing you can do about it,” Snow replied, kicking Mower into life and bracing himself, “Come out now and I promise a quick death.”
“For some reason, I don't take you for the honest type,” I yelled back, checking my clip. Ten shots. Fuck.
“That kind of thinking won't help you much now, but you're right. I’m more into loyalty,” a buzz sounded as he opened fire, a bullet clipping my ear while another pinged off my steel hoof. I waited a second longer, before sprinting to another crate as mine lost all structure. The contents rolled along the floor, several landing nearby the group.
I grimaced behind my cover, biting hard on the submachine gun. I ran through hundreds of scenarios, each coming with one common end. There was no way I was leaving this fight in one piece. Peeking over the cover, I noticed the group had split up. Only Snow stood his ground between me and the control panel, Epona still sliding its way to the release point.
“Clock is ticking Rivet Bolt. Clock. Is. Ticking,” Snow called out, the sound of hooves against metal rang out around me as his squad took positions across the room. I groaned as they popped up on my EFS. I was out numbered, out gunned and nearly out of time.
'Well fuck, time to go out with a bang,' I chuckled at the thought, killed by my own side while defending one of the greatest threats known to pony kind. I kicked the crate at Snowfall, leaping forwards and turning in the air. I opened fire at the control panel, hardly believing my luck as panel sparked from the bullet holes. Epona slowed to a stop, bringing an annoyed grunt from Snow.
“You know Rivet, you can be a real pest at times. I can't even recall how many times you've interrupted my plans now,” Snow sighed and kicked the Mower back into life, “Farewell buck, it was fun.”
I kicked off the floor and galloped at Snow. It took the Mower two seconds to reach firing speed, until then Snow was defenceless. I swung my hoof blade at the white stallion, ducking under him as he reared up to dodge the blow. Plunging the blade deep in his flank, I twisted it home. He cried out as his gun opened fire, spraying the gangways in lead. Two lights on my EFS winked out as yells and shouts of his group rang out.
“Gah! You little shit!” Snow snarled, bringing a hoof down on my head. I cried out as my skull struck the floor, glaring up at the stallion. Snow leaned in and sneered, spitting on my face, “Look what you've gone and done! Just die!”
His hoof came down towards my head, blocked by my steel one. We grunted and struggled under the strain, bringing the other forehoof to block a second attack. I glanced around, painfully aware that I needed to move before his squad could take a shot. As if on cue, a burst of gunfire came worryingly close to us, almost making me loose grip in the struggle.
Snow leaned in close to me, a crazed look on his face, “I'm ready to die for Equestria Rivet, so don't you dare think that you're safe under here.”
I chuckled and grunted back, “You don't think that this is my play, do you? The fun has only just begun.”
I kicked out, knocking his rear legs out from under him. He crumpled to the floor, whinnying as I rolled onto his back and brought Mower into life. I winced at the sound of the minigun firing, turning it with all my strength towards the red marks in my eye. Crates and vehicles were torn apart as the fray of bullets slid through them, the lights winking out one by one until the ammunition ran out.
My body was flung as Snow stood up and shook me off, standing shakily as blood ran from his flank. He staggered towards the control panel, where I noticed numerous ammunition boxes. I cursed and tried to roll to my hooves, only for a spray of bullets to come close to my head. I glanced up, realising I had failed to kill any of the three pegasi the squad held.
More shots rang out as I rolled to cover, crying out as one clipped my rear leg. The bullet had taken a considerable chunk from the limb, blood pouring from the wound. I slammed a hoof into the ground in pain, turning to find my attacker. A female pegasus lined up another shot, pulling the trigger of her rifle. I span around and slipped in the blood, my loss of balance saving me from a bullet to the skull.
I grimaced as I looked up at the three as I heard their guns cock, “Do it.”
I closed my eyes and waited for the end. A choking cry rang out, closely followed by shouts and guns firing. I peeked out as a blur of black grabbed my hoof an dragged me behind cover. More shots rang out, pinging against the chariot I had been placed behind as the pegasi fired upon my saviour.
“If you were planning to take on pegasi, you should've told me buck,” Thunder gave me a grin as I shook my head, passing me a pistol, “Get ready. That big one with the minigun's heading to whatever the fuck that chariot's carrying.”
“Th-thunder,” I began, scarcely believing what had happened, “Why? Why are you helping me?”
“I owe you, for abandoning you and Starshine. Now shut up and get ready to run on my mark, I’ll take care of those two,” another flashed smile and he leapt over the chariot, wooping as he sped at the pegasai, “Go Rivet! Go!”
I leapt from cover, galloping towards Snowfall. I ran past the female pegasus, her face stuck in a look of terror as her head had turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees, bones poking out from beneath the skin. Clenching down on the gun hard I ran on, pushing any thoughts of guilt from my mind, 'They shot first, it's self defence.'
My rear leg gave after a few seconds, sending me sliding as I wailed in pain. Snowfall turned towards me as I did, his eyes full of anger and agony as the Mower kicked into life once again. The plating sparked as I drove my hoof-blade into the floor, using it to change direction rapidly. I winced as I felt one shot clip my flank, glad it had only been a scratch rather than a long lasting wound.
I rolled out of Snowfall's line of fire and sprung to my hooves, using the floor and my blade to slide to cover. Loosing off a few rounds at Snow, I ducked as the body of another pegasus landed between me and him. The dying pony's body slowly turned to a bloody mush as bullets pummelled into it.
I yelped as the bullets came closer to me, kicking the remains up as a macabre shield. Snow roared as his gun span to a stop, pulling out another pack of ammo. I fired off three shots at the stallion, one taking his right ear off and another clipping his fore leg. The third struck his cheek, blowing a hole through his face. My own face dropped as he yelled in pain, his bloodied teeth and gums visible through the hole.
“I don't care what it takes, I WILL NOT LET YOU STOP ME!” he yelled, turning and limping towards Epona. He grimaced at every step, turning around to check me. I was faring no better, barely able to stand up and feeling the wounds take their toll. I gritted my teeth and pushed through the pain, standing up and taking shaky steps.
“You stop this madness right now! It's over Snow! You can't kill me and Thunder!” I yelled out as Snow's final squadmate and Thunder crashed between us. The black pegasus had his hooves pressed on the other's neck as he struggled weakly, gasping for air. A click and a buzz was all the warning they had as Snowfall opened fire on both of them.
Thunder rolled as the click sounded, putting his opponent between him and the wall of lead as I dove for cover. The enemy pegasus gave a choking cry as his body was punctured, his lungs filling with his own blood. I winced at the sound, the horrific choke of a death rattle as he drowned in his own blood in accompaniment with the pain of tens of bullets within him.
Thunder gave a groan as well, his wing torn and bloody from the barrage. He flinched as the whirring began again, Snowfall facing him fully. The stallion's manic laughter rang out as his gun span on faster, “Two friends dying before you Rivet?! What terrible luck!”
I span up from my cover and fired off my remaining rounds at Snow, yelling out in anger. Most missed, one clipping his shoulder but one struck true into his torso. Snowfall whinnied in distress, coughing out a black glob of blood as he crumpled. His breathing became laboured as more blood was coughed out.
Sliding over to Thunder, I began to move the pegasus into cover, “You idiot, nearly got yourself killed.”
He gave me a weak smile, wincing as his bloodied wing brushed a crate, “Heh, could say the same for you. Why haven't you killed him yet?”
I stood up, satisfied that he was safe for the moment, “He's still my friend, and it isn't my place to put judgement on him.”
A strange laugh came from Snowfall at that moment, chilling me to the bone, “Please! Don't give me that holier than thou bullshit, I’ve seen what kind of pony you are Rivet!” the stallion rolled up to his hooves, chuckling as blood poured from the wounds and his mouth, “You're not a soldier, you're a colt dressed up in daddy's armour. If were half the stallion you think you were, you'd kill me right now or set Epona upon the changelings.
“Don't you dare pretend to be above me you little shit! I have fought and suffered for Equestria for thirteen years. Every action I have done has changed the course of history for the better, and now you come in telling me that I’m wrong yet lack the conviction to see it through? You're PATHETIC!” Snow roared the last word and he heaved himself on top of Epona, Mower whirring into life once more.
“SNOWFALL! Get down here right now! Don't you dare!” I tried to step forwards, only for my legs to give way. I pounded a hoof against the plating as bullets shot the cables tethering Epona to the ship free.
Snow turned to me as the last one began to fail, “You will never be a hero, Rivet. You will be just another nameless, faceless pony.”
A loud snap echoed as the dummy chariot broke free, the elasticated pulleys throwing it and Snowfall from the hanger and towards the city. The white stallion stood tall on top of the megaspell, closing his eyes as it sped on silently. I cried out his name in vain again, bringing a hoof down on the plating over and over again. Tears began to fall as he disappeared, an earth shattering explosion informing both ponykind and changeling that the bomb had struck true.
Half the city was under a plume of rainbow smoke, the other cried out in horror as whatever magic contained was unleashed upon the city. I sat and watched as it burned, tears rolling down my right cheek as my left eye soaked up every moment. Pinkie Pie and Rarity had tasked me with documenting a true soldier's experience of the war.
And I plan to let the whole of Equestria know of every little detail.