"That's the 16th.." Stephanie noted down on a notepad. Another gunshot rung out, "Now the 17th! Now try with the scope." Stephanie handed Tim a 16x scope. Time attached it quickly on his SMLE No.4 Mk2. He then got back laying on his stomach and fired a few rounds on cans he placed far away. "Fire, cock bolt, aim, and fire." Tim's thought to himself to stay focused. Quickly hitting all of 30 as he wanted his tryout to end. After everyone's jaws dropped, he could hear Ewok, Soviet, and Tankery cheer on for him as Stephanie gave him a high five as Tim stood back up.
"First place!" An announcement rang out.
"Just like old times." Stephanie said as Tim got out of his train of thought.
"Yeah.. that's right." Tim remembered when he visited Ewok at his sister's firing range before she sold it off. They were in an open green field at the back of Twilight's castle. Tim was in an Australian uniform from the 1940's.
"So, before you guys somewhat got up after Alex left. I set up cans so you can practice shooting. I asked the Princess if we could borrow this field of land for practice and she said yes." Stephanie said.
"Thank you Stephanie." Tim said.
"You guys got me into this, especially since I got vacation leave, so I got all the free time." Stephanie explained.
"You're now a Doctor, right?" Tim asked.
"Yup!" Stephanie excitingly said.
"So that explains how you were able to patch Ewok quickly." Tim said.
"Yeah, this isn't the first time he got in trouble like this. Well except the part about the war and how he lost the arm." She replied.
"Oh, and if I may, I don't know if we told you this but me and the guys think of you as our older sister. And we can't thank you enough for helping patch up Ewok, and willingly helping us here in our mess." Tim thanked.
"Oh that's so sweet!" She hugged Tim. Seeing as she was taller than everyone, she practically carried him upwards.
Tim, gasping for air, even though he was under military gear her hug cannot be underestimated in hand-to-hand combat as it can choke people. He tapped her shoulder. "Please, air, please."
She let go of him, "Oh, sorry!" She said.
"It's alright, I enjoy your hugs anyways. Even though they don't allow this very important thing called air through." He jokingly said.
"Oh that reminds me, shall we start the practice?" Stephanie asked.
"Oh yeah! That's right." Tim then crouched on the ground, using his arm as an.. armrest for his SMLE rifle.
5 minutes later...
Tim had knocked out half of the cups that were a mile or farther away. Nearly reaching the treeline of the Everfree forest.
"So they can summon weapons and equipment from their thoughts?" Stephanie asked.
"Yup."
"Interesting.. have they conjured anything that isn't military related?"
"Uhm.. I guess the bedsheets, pillows, and flags I think." Tim answered. "That's all I know so far."
"Very interesting... that reminds me.." Stephanie looked down and spoke in a worrying manner. "How's Alex? Especially since.."
Tim stopped firing and looked at her, "He's doing good now. Hell, we haven't seen this much happiness or excitement from him since he visited us in Australia. He's somewhat building a life for himself here. I think he might stay here."
"I'm glad he's happy now. I'm just going to miss him. But I bet he'll come visit us once he has free time." Stephanie said.
"Most likely, since he considers you, me, Ewok and Tankery as family."
"How sweet of him, though I can't blame him. Well at least we're here now and we're all happy. Except the war part." Stephanie giggled.
"Fair." Tim put down his weapon.
"Oh, that's right!" Stephanie remembered as she pulled out her notepad and binoculars. She looked at the field where the cans were, and all that's left is heavily damaged cans. "70/70! Perfect score, you've improved since last time we did something like this." Stephanie remarked.
"Yeah, it's been a while. But at least I improved." Tim said. "Oh, and here." Tim handed her an Glock-19 with her symbol of a Pink Rose on the side of it.
"Awww thank you! But why would I ever need a gun for?" She asked.
"In case anything happens. Wouldn't want to leave you defenseless, even though we plan on keeping you out of the dangerous roles. Just in case."
"That's sweet, but why would you guys want to keep me out of the dangerous roles? I'm just as capable as you guys."
"Well, for the most part we're more experienced with these weapons and also we're living our dreams with them, and also because we don't want you to be harmed. You already helped us and we don't want to lose you." Tim said.
"You guys are really sweet. I'm glad that you guys think of me as your older sister." Stephanie said.
"Hey, we're glad to have you. And also, I wonder what Soviet is doing right now... Well anywho, let's clean up and get back to the castle. I still have to introduce you to stuff here. And I'll tell you what we've been doing."
Meanwhile on the other side of town...
"How much for a batch of cupcakes?" Tankery asked in all tactical black gear he wore when they had first met Fluttershy in her cabin.
"For you guys? Free! You saved us more than once already and a couple of cupcakes wouldn't be too much of a hassle!" Pinkie Pie insisted.
"Are you sure?" Tankery asked. And Pinkie responded with a joyful and energetic nod, a couple of them. "Thank you, next time I'm paying though because I feel bad for taking free goods from you guys." Tankery insisted as Pinkie handed him a box of cupcakes.
"Oh how kind of you. But you really don't have to do that." Pinkie added.
"Don't care, already outside of the shop." Tankery walked backwards through the doors of the Sugarcube Corner. Thinking it was a bit rude, Pinkie wondered if he was joking with that tone. It was confirmed when he peaked back through the door, "Thank you though Pinkie! I'll repay you somehow!" He said as he walked back to the castle. Pinkie smiled and said, "What a strange one."
"I should really be on Guard duty or patrolling this town. Well I might as well drop half of these cupcakes at the barracks and give half to Fluttershy." Tankery thought to himself. Still feeling guilt from basically raising her house as if she didn't pay taxes and they were the spawns of hell. (IRS Agents)
Then his radio blurted, "Hello? How do I work this thing?? Ah there we go. Hey guys, I just received a letter from Celestia herself. I'm going on a mission back to Griffonia, I have to spy on them since I'm the only Griffon friend you know." Elta chuckled.
Tankery responded, "Roger that. Radio in if you need any assistance. I'll try to stay nearby if anything. I'll tell the rest of the guys about this. Over and out."
"Got it! I'll start packing now.." Elta said. But when she spoke about packing her voice became sad. As if she remembered something.
"Elta?"
"Oh.. yeah I'm still here. You guys need me to do this to prevent the war, right?" Elta asked.
Tankery, confused but also worried. "Yes, but if anything happens radio it in, okay? I'll try my best to help, but stay safe. It's best that you quickly leave so it can end faster."
"Oh yeah, that's right." Elta said. "Oh that also reminds me I have nothing to pack! Well I guess I'm ready to go now!" Elta said in her usual excited and alive tone.
"Well stay safe." Tankery said as he saw Elta fly out from the front gates of the castle and heading somewhere over the horizon.
"Well, I guess that's that." Tankery sighed. He entered the castle, seeing Twilight and Soviet enter the throne room as Tim and Stephanie enter the barracks. Tankery followed Stephanie and Tim. Entering the room and placing the cupcakes on the table. He seperated half of it onto a plate and left it on the table. "Alright, so these are for you guys. And the rest is for Fluttershy."
"Ooh, got a crush?" Stephanie teased.
"No. We basically raided her house on accident, I didn't even know who's house it was until I met Fluttershy who introduced us to the rest of Ponyville." Tankery explained.
"Ah, how thoughtful of you." Stephanie said.
"Anyways, did you guys hear about Elta?" Tankery asked.
"No, not yet." Tim replied.
"She's going back to Griffonia as a spy for us apparently. I guess Soviet and Twilight are going to meet with the Royals about it since last time I saw them they were in the throne room." Tankery explained.
"Well, at least we don't have to worry about being stabbed in the back without knowing it." Tim said.
"Yeah, but I'm going to go to the train station. I'm supposed to be patrolling right now anyways so might as well go." Tankery said. Leaving Stephanie and Tim to hang out in the Barracks while Ewok is asleep.
Meanwhile in the throne room, Soviet stood at attention beside Twilight as they stopped in front of the table with Luna, Celestia, and Cadance on the other side. He was wearing his ODST armor with a Hell Jumper symbol on his right shoulder armor piece and an American flag on his left shoulder armor piece.
"Princess Celestia, you have called me?" Twilight asked.
"We're glad you're here Twilight. But we are terribly sorry that you had to postpone your school's activities. But these matters have postponed our own activities as well. We have planned out 2 operations after consulting our Generals." Celestia explained.
"2 Operations, ma'am?" Soviet turned his head towards Celestia.
"Yes Soviet. Operation Earshot, your Griffon friend Elta will inform us of any military activity from both Changeling and Griffonian militaries." Luna explained.
"Will she have any reinforcements, ma'am?" Soviet asked.
"No." Celestia answered. Soviet was stunned by this answer, but he couldn't argue with them as it would cause more problems and he might as well collect more evidence of Operation Earshot's failures once it is in action. To prove to the Equestrian public that they need a change in Military leadership. Which he hopes could be in charge of after the military reforms he's planning to cause.
"And the second Operation, ma'am?"
"Princess Cadance will visit Zebrica on a diplomatic mission to prevent their involvement in the war against us. The Elements of Harmony will assist Princess Cadance in this Operation, but to provide extra security, MACE will be acting as the Quick Reaction Force in this mission." Celestia explained.
"And one of my Guard Divisions will be stationed nearby the city in case you need heavy reinforcements. But if anything does compromise the mission or if it threatens the mission, then retreat to the train station which will be guarded by my troops. And pull out of Zebrica as fast as possible. Do whatever it takes to defend the diplomatic team. Colonel." Luna ordered.
Soviet saluted. "Yes, Ma'am." Then he went into attention stance.
"Wait, so MACE is going to protect us as we help Cadance? It's not that I don't trust them, I just don't see why it's necessary to have our military presence in a neutral nation." Twilight questioned.
"Everyone knows about the upcoming war, Twilight. And we cannot risk losing any of you so MACE is perfect in protecting you. As I do not need to explain why." Luna replied.
"When do we move out?" Soviet asked.
"Now." Celestia said in a serious tone.
"Roger that." Soviet said.
"You're dismissed." Celestia said. Soviet, Cadance, and Twilight walked out of the room. But Twilight stopped at the last minute to look back at Celestia. "Go, Twilight." Which Twilight followed her command.
As the door closed, Luna looked at Celestia with a worried face. "Sister? Are you okay? You don't seem good."
"Define good." Celestia said. "It's this entire situation. I can't handle the fact that I have to risk my little pony's lives for the greater good. It never felt right, and not to mention the Humans. They do our job for us, making us seem obsolete but I can't handle the fact that just 4 can cause this much damage but in the end it was for the best for all of us. They'll kill more than our most experienced armies combined. I can't imagine the carnage they'll make if it weren't for us giving them a reason to fight. I want to impose restrictions on them but I don't know if it'll hinder their capabilities." Celestia let out.
"Well, that is a very good reason to worry sister. But we have to let them do their own thing for now, once the war is won we'll impose restrictions because they can easily outmaneuver and beat any soldier the Changelings and Griffons can muster. Look sister, we have to let their events play out for themselves as we cannot constantly watch over them as we may be caught in the crossfire." Luna explained.
"I understand, but this feeling of impending doom keeps looming around me." Celestia explained.
"I know sister, I have it too." Luna sat besides Celestia.
Soviet entered the barracks. "Tim, get the Mark V, we're moving it to the train. And where's Tankery?"
"He left to the train station." Tim answered.
"Perfect, oh and Steph, I need you to stay here to watch over your brother. We're heading to Zebrica for an Operation." Soviet ordered.
"You got it!" Steph said with enthusiasm as she gave Soviet a thumbs up. "Good luck you two!" She said as Tim and Soviet left with the armor.
"We'll need it!" Soviet said in the distance.
"So we're defending a diplomat, aren't we?" Tim asked.
"Yeah, in a probable hostile nation no less. We're going to need the armor to make up for our lack in manpower." Soviet explained as he put the helmet on to complete suiting up in the armor. Now with a MACE logo on his breast armor instead of a UNSC symbol or number.
20 minutes later..
"Rarity.. Pinkie.. Applejack.. Rainbow.. Twilight... Starlight.. and Princess Cadence. We're all set here!" Tankery yelled as he got into the armored car on the back of the train. There he saw Soviet checking his BR55 Battle Rifle and trying to remember how to reload it easily. As Tim got dressed in ODST Armor as well as Tankery. Once they all were dressed, Soviet talked to the AI.
"Yo, how long until we reach Zebrica?"
"An hour or so señor, if there are no distractions."
"Roger that, thanks."
"So señor, keep the Princesses' safe now, ah?"
"I will. Now sush, I'm going to try to sleep."
The AI then shut up.
Soviet then talked to the guys. "Alright men, we defend the diplomat party. We have 4 additional guardsman to defend the train station and Shining Armor to help us defend the diplomats. We are the main security force. So we need to be at the best of our game or we would have another front to worry about." Soviet briefed. "OOAH"
"OOOAH!" Tim and Tankery chanted.
The train started moving and at a surprising faster speed than usual.