//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Marching Forward // Story: MvC3: Fate of Equestrian Worlds // by MaverickHunterZero //------------------------------// Chapter 4: Marching Forward A single changeling ran towards the queen’s chambers in the structure known as The Hive, which was the changeling’s base of operations as well as the home for the swarm. The small drone ran as fast as he could, avoiding every other drone that stood in his way, the news he had were too important for him to delay. He was smaller and thinner than most of the other changelings that walked through the Hive. His body had a purpose though, he was neither a soldier nor a worker, he was an infiltrator. The changelings had mastered the modification of their own offspring by using their magic to shape them in different ways. They would make the exoskeleton thicker and heavier, as well as making the frame wider if the changeling was intended to be a worker or a soldier; If they needed researchers they would instead modify the size of the head and stimulate the brain cortex and the length of the horn, making them more skillful using magic; the infiltrators would have a really thin exoskeleton, and a small frame that would make them faster and would help them find cover in places that a normal changeling or pony would not fit. The lone infiltrator finally reached his destination and after informing the guards of the situation they let him in. Inside was Chrysalis the queen of the changelings, who was discussing military tactics with her new allies. The meeting was interrupted as the small changeling entered the room. “Excuse me for the interruption mistress,” said the drone as he bowed, still trying to catch his breath. “But this is important.” “It better be,” said the queen of the changelings her gaze fixed upon the lowly drone. “Now speak.” The drone nodded. “The whole infiltration team that had been sent to Canterlot has been discovered and captured; I’m the only one that managed to escape.” Chrysalis eye twitched before she snapped “WHAT?! How did that happen?” The table that was in front of her trembled as she stomped her front hooves on it. The drone recoiled at the outburst of his leader, and proceeded to explain Princess Luna’s spell, and why they all had been captured. “Not only that but they seem to have allies of other worlds just like you mistress.” Chrysalis was surprised to say the least; she hadn’t expected the princesses to get help from outside their world. “Explain yourself.” Demanded the queen. “I have no idea how they got to Equestria,” began the drone. “The first one is a robot called Zero; he sports a red armor and a long blonde mane. The second is a human called Deadpool, he is by what I understood the most unpredictable of the three. And the third is Dante, a human with a white mane, he was the one that discovered and killed the first two members of the squadron.” “Drone, you are dismissed.” Said Chrysalis, the drone bowed and left, and as he did so the queen turned to see her allies. “I can’t believe it,” said Ajax, displaying a manic grin. “Wilson is here, this is just great. It’s time to settle my score.” Vergil admired the pendant that hung on his chest, his face displaying no emotions. Sigma grinned. “Zero may be a formidable opponent, but, he can’t beat me. Not alone.” “Darling please,” Pleaded Rarity. “Let me do something about your garments, they look just awful.” “It’s the last time I say this,” said Dante, slight irritation adorning his features. “No thanks. I like my clothes just like they are.” “Humph! Be that way.” Huffed Rarity. As she turned away she saw a familiar unicorn marching along the lines. He was tall with a frame wider than most of the other ponies, he had a pristine white coat, a dashing short cut blue mane, an elegant mustache and a monocle resting on his left eye. “Fancy Pants?” said Rarity out loud, taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of one of the most popular unicorns in all Canterlot. “Rarity how lovely to see you again,” started the gentle pony, with a smile always present on his face. “Well it would be, if not for the fact of the looming war we are marching towards.” “Indeed it is.” Said the ivory mare. “I hadn’t seen you since the wedding at Canterlot. What are you doing here?” “Why, I am one of the princess tacticians of course.” Answered Fancy Pants. The two unicorns continued to walk as they got away from Dante, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Don’t mind her so much,” said Rainbow Dash. “She may be prissy and a little pushy, but she means well.” “Ah rekon it’s all these traveling what has been making her so jumpy,” complemented Applejack, as she fixed her Stetson above her head. “she’s not used ta’ all this dust and travelin’ stuff.” “Whatever,” said Dante as he shrugged. “As long as she restrains from insulting my way to dress it’s all right, I guess.” The whole group had been traveling with the equestrian army for three days now; they departed the morning after Dante discovered the changelings that had infiltrated the castle. Deadpool and Dante were ready by the door with Shining Armor and the six Elements of Harmony at first hour in the morning, all waiting for Zero to come out of the dungeons. Zero arrived moments later with a gloom expression reflected on his eyes. No one asked a question regarding the interrogation, and after a brief greeting the group joined the rest of the army. The three warriors splitted ever since the travel started. Deadpool went with Pinkie to find a way to have fun, meanwhile Dante tried to relax as much as possible, since he wouldn’t be getting much more rest after they arrived. Zero on the other hand joined the princesses and their tacticians, trying to decide the best route of action for both the whole army, as well as his own group. The whole congregation of military ponies stopped only to eat and sleep, they still needed to cover much more ground in the least time as possible to prevent the enemy from spreading too far. Every hour a pegasus would fly in the direction they had been traveling to report about the enemy progress, most of the time the work landed on the shoulders of Spitfire, Soarin and the other Wonderbolts. It was early in the morning and after all the ponies had breakfast, Celestia called her tacticians, as well as her commanders to a meeting. She asked Shining Armor’s group to choose a non pony representative, as well as an Element of Harmony to be there. To no surprise Twilight offered for the job, as did Zero. “At this rate,” Began commander Storm Chaser. “We should be getting to the splitting point by nightfall.” “Splitting point?” Asked Shining Armor. “The Dawn Warriors and your group will split from the main army to accomplish your individual objectives.” Said Bright Fire, a Brown coated unicorn stallion with a bright orange mane. “I don’t understand.” Said Twilight. “Why should we split up?” “We won’t be able to reach the enemy’s fortress if we try to advance through the battlefield, so we must move on our own.” Answered Zero. “This way we will also move faster than following the whole army.” “According to the Wonderbolts,” Began Princess Celestia. “The changeling army has recruited Harpies, Minotaurs and even Cyclopes and Hydras from Tartarus. They have but opened a small gap on the gates as of now, so only a few number of creatures can get out, but if this continue we will be facing an army that won’t be able to be stopped.” “Don’t worry princess,” Reassured the earth pony known as Siegfried. “My team and I will make sure that those gates remain closed.” “Braveheart has already been briefed of your mission and will join you after he finishes his current mission.” Said Luna, earning a nod from Siegfried. “Unless he succeeds on convincing the Griffon Kingdom to help us, we are going to be facing an army almost three times bigger than ours.” “I’m sure the young lad will make it,” reassured Fancy Pants. “As of now I think we should end this meeting if we hope to make it to the splitting point by sundown.” The unicorn earned some nods from all the ponies in the room, and the meeting ended. After the meeting ended every pony resumed their duties, and the march carried onwards. As the day passed the Elements of Harmony as well as Deadpool, Dante and Zero reunited. “I’m glad we are all reunited again,” Said Twilight, a relaxed smile displayed on her face. “Zero and I just came from a meeting with the tacticians.” “And?” Inquired Dante quirking an eyebrow. “What was so important that you needed to get us all together in such a rush?” Twilight’s smile disappeared and was replaced by a stern look. “Tonight we are splitting from the equestrian army.” “Huh? Weren’t we supposed ta’ remain with the army, till’ we arrived at the battleground?” inquired the honest Earth Pony. “Yeah! I wanted to kick some changeling flanks before heading to the queen’s hive.” Said a pumped up Rainbow Dash as she bucked the air and did some aerial maneuvers around the group. “It’s not our mission to do so.” Said Zero giving a cold look towards Rainbow Dash, her earlier fighting spirit gone as she touched the ground, and looked away from Zero muttering something. Giving no mind to what the pegasus was saying, Zero continued. “We are going to split into three teams.” Everyone gave incredulous looks towards the red reploid as they marched with the rest of the army. “Whoa!” Exclaimed Deadpool in his usual manic demeanor. “I know we don’t like each other very much, but we are like an order of tacos man,” Everyone looked at Deadpool trying to figure out what approach he was giving to Zero. “Be them of pork, beef or chicken. They always come in orders of three.” “You know,” said the half demon. “I have to agree with Deadpool here. We are a team, no matter how odd a team we are, and as such we should stick together.” “I umm… I agree with them.” Everyone turned as Fluttershy finally spoke, Zero’s cold gaze softened after hearing the voice so similar to the one of Iris. “We should travel together.” The Maverick hunter sighed before he started explaining. “Sorry, but it will be safer for us to travel separately.” Zero then eyed both Dante and Deadpool. “You guys must surely know how much easier it is to infiltrate if we keep our numbers as low as possible.” “It surely is,” Said Deadpool. “I remember this one time I had to infiltrate a complex with Taskmaster and some of his pupils.” The manic grin appeared below his mask as he continued. “One of the newbies tripped an alarm and we were found. Worst picnic I have ever gone, we didn’t even have a picnic basket.” Everyone stared blankly at Deadpool, except for Pinkie Pie who was comforting Deadpool promising a picnic basket for when they returned home. “Okay then,” Said Dante. “I get the gist of it, but how do you propose we split? Surely you must have already thought of something.” Zero nodded and everyone turned to see what he was about to say. “We will form three teams: the first one will consist of me, Twilight and Fluttershy.” Zero turned to meet eyes with the devil hunter, “Dante, you Applejack and Rarity will form team two.” “Hold an apple pikkin’ minute over here.” Interrupted Applejack as she closed in on Zero. “Do ya really think it’s a really good idea to let those two together?” She pointed a discreet hoof to Deadpool, who was now giving a piggyback ride to Pinkie, the two of them were laughing uncontrollably. “I trust that Deadpool will try to behave himself when the mission has commenced.” He then turned to the cyan pegasus. “Just to be sure Rainbow Dash, as well as Shining Armor will be traveling with them.” “Okie dokie.” Said Deadpool and Pinkie Pie at the same time. Dante approached Zero, and as discreet as possible said. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” he covered his left hand with his right one so none of the seven ponies could see who he was pointing at. “I don’t really wanna travel with…” Deadpool heard what Dante was saying and happily chanted. “Skippy doesn’t like….” His chant was interrupted by the sound of metal swinging on the air, followed by the cutting sound that steel makes when it passes through flesh and bone. Deadpool’s right arm fell to the floor; the cut was made at the height of the shoulder. All the ponies nearby stopped to look at the scene, Deadpool was on his knees, his face shrouded by a shadow, Fluttershy and Rarity passed out almost immediately, Pinkie’s mane and tail deflated, and the remaining members stood witness of the events, their faces pale as snow. Everyone was waiting for Deadpool to shriek in pain, followed by him passing out due to the loss of blood, but instead, what they got was. “Hey that was my good arm!” With lightning speed Deadpool grabbed his loose limb and used as a flail to hit the back side of Dante’s knees making him fall to the ground. Deadpool pounced on top of Dante and started to slap him with his loose arm in the face once for each word he said. “DON’T YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO MAKE A STITCH IN THAT SPOT?” Dante started to fight back, they rolled on the ground taking turns on who would be on the ground as they exchanged hits, a metallic rustle sound started, they suddenly stopped fighting as they heard an all too familiar charging noise. They turned their heads to see Zero glowing in an orange hue, his right arm transformed into his Z-Buster; his eyes covered by the shade of his helmet, but anger clearly shown in his facial expressions. The fighting duo splitted apart just in time to dodge the blast that came from Zero’s arm cannon, the energy bullet was almost as big as the reploid himself. It flew past the two red clad humans and collided with the wall of a nearby cliff. The shot made a hole in the rock that was almost 5 meters deep. Every pony watching had dropped their jaw almost to ground level. Most of them had already witnessed Dante and Deadpool show off some of their skills during the journey, but no one had ever seen Zero display any kind of combat abilities up until now. The pale gaze of the Elements of Harmony that hadn’t fainted kept staring between Zero, the hole in the wall and Deadpool and Dante. It didn’t take long until Dante and Deadpool started snickering, eventually bursting into laughs. “Felling better Zero?” asked Dante after he recovered his breath. “Yeah you had us worried for a moment there buddy.” Reassured Deadpool as he stood up and grabbed his arm from the ground. “It isn’t good to keep up all that stress inside.” Zero stared blankly towards the two of them processing what had just happened. He released his left hand from his Z-Buster, and transformed it back to his right arm. He closed his eyes and smiled, his entire mood now changed. “So you mean to tell me you had all of this planned?” Zero closed in to Dante and helped him up. “Sometimes I forget you two aren’t total morons.” “What the hell is wrong with you?” Asked Twilight, not sure if to feel angry or scared from the red trio. “you mean to tell me that you ripped Deadpool’s arm apart just to have Zero almost kill you and then you all act like nothing?” her left eye twitched as she concluded with a shout. “You are all crazy!” “Chillax Twilight,” Started Deadpool in a calmed way, the bleeding on where his arm was supposed to be had already stopped. “As we told you when we arrived, we aren’t as fragile as regular humans.” Deadpool started to manipulate his loose arm to try to make it fit the junction. “I have watcha call a healing factor.” As he said the last part he let go of his arm, most ponies were sure his arm would fall off, but instead the arm remained attached to the body as if nothing had ever happened, except for the ripped off suit that would have to be stitched together later. “He’s not the only one,” Remarked Dante as he dusted his coat off. “I also got a healing factor, although not as strong as Deadpool’s.” The soldier ponies that had stopped to see what had happened started to march forward, trying to catch up with the rest of the army, leaving only the group of ten behind. Soon after, Pinkie stopped sobbing and after making all three of their visitors to pinkie promise not to do something as hurtful as that again, she returned to her usual bubbly and carefree nature. Applejack and Rainbow Dash offered to carry Rarity and Fluttershy, until they woke up, and so Shining Armor took the lead of the group, Twilight tagging along, and Zero, Dante and Deadpool stayed on the rear. Rarity and Fluttershy awoke after fifteen minutes since the group had resumed their walking. They were explained what had happened after the two of them had fainted. The ivory unicorn offered to repair Deadpool’s outfit once they had a chance. After some more time walking through the dirt road Zero finally spoke again, the warm smile that had appeared earlier on his face still present. “You guys win, we will travel together,” everyone’s attention was upon him. “But,” he began “if we ever need to split those will be our teams.” Needless to say, they all gave Zero a recomforting smile. When night fell the army finally came to a stop, and after a generous dinner, the princesses watched as the two small teams departed each with their own objectives. “Sister,” Began the Princess of the Night. “What if Chrysalis decided to send Ajax, Vergil and Sigma to the battlefield?” “She won’t,” Reassured Celestia, as she watched the final glint of the golden armors that marched almost opposite ways. “She knows that Dante, Deadpool and Zero will go hunt her down, and that no one in her ranks has the strength to stop them.” “You really trust them don’t you sis?” “Uh huh.” said Celestia as she slowly nodded. A small smile appeared on her muzzle. “I have one more question sister,” said Luna, as she looked into Celestia’s deep magenta eyes. “Why did you choose Zero? From what I gathered Megaman X has more potential than him.” “Maybe, Maybe not.” Retorted Celestia as she looked at the beautiful night sky. “Let’s just say that I chose him to honor an old friend’s last wish.”