"You've exceeded my expectations tough guy. Because of your bravery and success, our troops are now on the move. I want you to join our assault, with a specific target in mind. I want you to take out the Programmer. It's time to reveal what we've found out about this layer of the Order."

Rainbow Dash informs you with self pride. She continues to brief you with more information about the Programmer, and a little backstory on the Order itself.

"According to the scientific research of Twilight Sparkle, the genetic mutations caused by the virus not only warped the psychics of the Order, but it caused their bodies to decay. Without procreation, the Order has found out that biomechanical enhancements was the only way to maintain their strength in numbers. The decay has advanced so much, that most of the troops that we face are more machine than organic. We believe that their collective conscientiousness is controlled by one being."

"Who exactly is that?" You ask her. She responds with a name that makes you cringe.

"The Programmer. Creator of the artificial intelligence that controls the Acolytes. Destory the Programmer, and we may cripple the Order's troops with a single blow. However, use caution. We have reports that he can 'vaporize' attackers..."

You silently gulp to yourself, just as you recall in your dream how the Programmer put a violent end to your existence. Rainbow Dash then begins to speak for a moment.

"The Programmer's lair is reported to be somewhere in the outskirts of Ponyville. He's in a undisclosed location inside a castle. Now, see Twilight for more info on the Order, Fluttershy for the new stamina installment, and Applejack for your new flamethrower. Fight for the Front and Freedom! Move out!" Dash raises her hoof and salutes you.

You return a fellow salute back to her and move out of HQ. You jog to the lower levels of the base, to finally witness Twilight Sparkle for yourself. A group of stationed humans and ponies, were typing information into a few terminals. Twilight Sparkle, along with her assistant Spike, were busy coordinating strategic infiltration points to infiltrate the Programmer's lair. She dragged her hoof on a large electronic display screen. A pile of captured database files, along with hand printed Order archive books, are scattered and piled next to the purple mare. Spike glances over to identify you, then proceeds to tug on Twilight's tail for her attention.

"Not now Spike! I need to focus on coordinating this upcomming assault! Now let's see...If the Front infiltrates from here..." Twilight stratches her chin while thinking, as she focuses unconditionally on the large electronic viewing board.

Twilight turns over to Spike with a look of discontent. Spike points over to you, as Twilight diverts her attention over to you suddenly...

A) "Oh sweet Celestia! Am I ever glad to see you again!" Twilight completely loses her focus on the large screen, to trot over to you with haste and alacrity. She then proceeds to stand up on her rear hooves, and wraps her forehooves around you. You brush her neatly trimmed mane away from her eyes, and proceed with a reuniting kiss. Spike watches the scene between you two, and rolls his eyes in disbelief. You return the long gone affection to her.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't see you earlier during your missions. Rainbow Dash has assigned me long drawn out complex tasks. It's now my duty to gather new information on the Order's database, and to thoroughly study stolen electronic archives from the Order. I have gained a whole new perspective of how the Order operates and functions. Now, I am in charge in coordinating the upcoming assault for our troops." Twilight informs you.

"However, It's been so lonely since your departure. I've been occupying myself on a few romance novels whenever I have free time. You see, I have been patiently anticipating for your return. Thank Celestia I have Spike with me for company."

"I was worried that something might have happened to you. I don't want to depart from you again." You tell the brainy mare, with your arms wrapped around her soft silhouette.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. I feel that our triumphant victory over the Programmer will be a major leap for the Front. I have all the confidence and faith in you to return from this conflict safely. After hearing all of the successful missions that you have completed so far, I believe we might actually have a winning chance at this!" Twilight cheerfully tells you. She then proceeds to speak about her preplanned future with you.

"I have plans for the two of us, once I can calculate the final crippling blow that will cease the Order to function properly. The Golden Oaks library is completely demolished. Thankfully, I have recovered a majority of the books from the rubble, and most of the library from my memory into our databases. With the help of a few reprogrammed robots from the Order, we can build an even larger library! No matter how inhumane the Order may seem, this newly acquired technology can be used for the positive benefits of both humankind and ponykind! It's the perfect plan!" Twilight excitingly shouts aloud inside the base, unaware she was losing control of her tone of voice.

"Twilight, keep it down for goodness sakes!" Spike tells her in respect for the other humans and ponies working at nearby terminals.

"Whoops, sorry. However, once our lives are established back to normality, I have been thinking about our future together. Maybe we can finally settle down in the aftermath of all of this? What do you think?" Twilight proposes to you, while she taps her forehooves shyly.

"That sounds wonderful Twilight. I am yearning to be with you after the Order is defeated, and once Ponyville can sustain itself again. However, we need to focus on what's important for our survival. I have been sent down here to gain new intel from the Order. Do you have anything new that I am not aware of?" You tell her.

"Oh, I have plenty of new information to share with you. Here, follow me back to the display board." Twilight urges you to follow her from behind. She was anxious to show off her new knowledge of the Order.

She presses her hoof on the touch screen, to bring up a list with neatly organized ranks of the Order. She presses on a integral button, to present a large programmed presentation. A large holographic projection casts down from the ceiling of the room. She trots over near the holograms, to inform you with her newly acquired intel from the Order.

"Alright then. You have previously fought a majority of ranks from the Order. I'm sure you already know most of their weaknesses. I will present new knowledge that you might be unaware of, and a few pointers that you can use for your advantage out in the field. For starters, this is the lowest ranking troop on the totem pole...." She points with her hoof towards the projection in the center of the room. It was the familiar small mechanical brown spider.

"This little guy is called a Stalker, manufactured by the weapons plant of the Order. They are used for scouting and reconnaissance on lower grounds. Equipped with basic infrared modules, light armored plating, and a small arcing offensive weapon, they pose only a minor threat to the Front. It has the ability to crawl onto walls and ceiling surfaces. They identify any living organic being that emits heat as a potential threat. If one were to slip into this base, our cover will be completely blown. A single electronic bolt will short circuit it, or a few rounds from a assault rifle will quickly dispose of the threat. Spike, next projection please."

Spike proceeds to the large touch screen, and presses the same integrated button.

"Here we have a Sentinel. We nicknamed them 'the eye of the sky', since they mostly scan the sectors above Cloudsdale. They have the ability to lock onto aerial and ground troops with a targeting sensor, and can take them down with swift precision. However, there is a main design flaw with Sentinels. They are forced to expose their internal computer chassis before open firing on a potential threat. The Sentinel itself is not really made for combat. It closely resembles the duty of a Stalker with the purpose of scouting and patrolling. The outer shell is made up of a bullet resistant metallic alloy. Wait until they expose their internals before open firing. Spike, next slide."

"This as we all know is an Acolyte. The main infantry and the basic foot soldier of the Order, converted from either mutated or normal humans. They are equipped with basic ballistic armor and a bullet resistant shield. Their right eye is replaced with a advanced ocular implant for scanning sectors in low light environments, and for increased accuracy over longer ranges. They have a surgically implanted neural computer inhibitor, to prevent free will and capable independent thought. Also, the Programmer has interlinked their personal computer storage banks to the Orders central intelligence monitors; Gathered from any actions conducted, ideas communicated, or images seen by the Acolyte."

"In the battlefield, a single Acolyte can alert another Acolyte by broadcasting a distress signal through their collective consciousness. However, their distress signal is limited only to a short disperse wave, thus explaining why the alarms in the lower levels of your prision mission were not set off. The surgical process and conversion is extremely harsh, where most of the subjects pass out from the pain. They are injected with anabolic steroids and stamina implants for longetivity on the battlefield. However, their internal computers rely on the power of their organic heart, thus making them a true cyborg. You can take them out with a single posioned bolt from your crossbow, or a few carefully placed rounds in their chest cavity. Next, Spike."

"Here is a Reaver. Half man, half machine. Whenever a severly wounded Acolyte is retrieved back from the battlefield, they are sent to the Order's medical facilites. They undergo yet another excruciating operation. Fusing metal plates to bare skin, and interally wired to a computer mainframe, the Reaver undergoes a series of basic training programs. The Acolyte inside becomes familiar to the new motor control functions of the Reaver. Be careful of these guys, they are armed with a razor sharp metallic claws, and a shrapnel blaster for close quarter combat. Some of our troops have received deep lacerations and severe wounds in close ranges from Reavers. If you can, take them out with stealth, or from afar with a few rockets. They are incapiable of setting off alarms if they spot you, so take your time while terminating one. Spike, next slide."

"This is a Templar, the only known biomechanical cyborgs to contain life support for ponies that serve the Order. They were gifted indivuals after the comet stuck Ponyville, due to severe mutations and genetic alterations. They were among the first to hear the voice of the maligant god inside their heads. Due to this, they were promised immortality from their god, if they could convert as many citizens as possible to join the evergrowing ranks of the Order. The Templars safeguard the archives of the Order, and closely follow the Oracle for guidance on their crusades. They are not hostile towards anyone in town, but are extremely agressive and unforgiving towards anyone/anypony whom they think are inferior. If they view you as a threat to the Order, they will attack you without hesitation. When trespassing inside the Order's facilites, be careful of hositility. They are armed with the new experimental mauler weapon, and razor sharp hooks that protrude mechanically from their backs. Field reports state that the new mauler weapon can completely disintegrate a rebel with one shot. Other reports state that they take pleasure in killing lone rebels with their hooks, just so that they can see the fear in their eyes before they bleed out to death. Take them out immediately from a distance if they pose a threat to you. Don't risk getting up close and personal. Finally, the last slide Spike."

"Finally, we have a Crusader. A new prototype war machine deployed by the Order, and designed to scare the living daylights out of the Front. These robots house thick reinforced metal alloy plating to deflect bullet fire, a napalm flamethrower designed for anybody who might witness the victim burning alive, and a trio micro missle launcher that is pinpoint accurate. It utilizes a infrared advanced targeting module to view the world. When facing these bad boys in close quarters, it's game over for you. They will detect your heat signature and movement if you try to sneak up. However, with thorough research from fallen crusaders and tactics from victorious rebels, they are mechanically flawed in many ways. They are slow and clumsy in some situations. It takes a few moments before they can lock onto your heat signature from a distance. That gives you time to counteract the threat. Also, fire from an external source will confuse the crusader. Use that for your advantage. We are now arming our troops with combustible torches for that reason alone. Aim at the infared module, and their external power canister in between their legs with whatever you have. Well, that's all the intel that we have for now."

You pause to think for a minute. The images of behemoth robots whom assisted the Acolytes, pops into your mind as the presentation ends.

"What about the gigantic bipedal robots, Twi? I saw a few assisting Acolytes during the first raid on Ponyville." You ask her, after realizing the monstrosity wasn't present during the presentation.

"Oh, are you referring to Inquisitors? Well, unfortunately we do not have much information on them. Largely due to the fact that our rebel scouts assigned to retrieve data were never heard from again. I'm sorry, I cannot tell you much information, other than that the colossal robots safeguard very important locations of the Order. Anything else that you need to know?" Twilight asks you.

"No, but thanks anyway. Well, I'm off to see Applejack and Fluttershy before I depart..."

"Wait! Before you go..." Twilight trots towards your stature inside the intel room.

She blushes to herself, while proceeding to grasp you for a goodbye kiss. You kiss her for a long five minutes, wishing you couldn't depart from the moment in time. Spike impolitely interrupts the scene.

"Ugh! You two really need to get a room! Twilight, we have work to do!" Spike tugs on her tail impatiently.

"Please be safe out there..." Twilight withdraws herself from you, and lowers to her normal posture.

She trots back to the viewing board, to coordinate more designated areas for the attack. You drag your feet/hooves into Applejack's small arms training area, located to the right of the large intel room.

B) "Oh, hi there! I'm glad to see you again!" Twilight completely loses her focus on the large screen, to trot over to you with haste and alacrity. She then proceeds to stand up on her rear hooves, and wraps her forehooves around you. She returns to her normal posture on her hooves.

"It's been hectic since your departure. Rainbow Dash has assigned me long drawn out complex tasks. It's now my duty to gather new information on the Order's database, and to thoroughly study stolen electronic archives from the Order. I have gained a whole new perspective of how the Order operates and functions. Now, I am in charge in coordinating the upcoming assault for our troops." Twilight informs you.

"I was worried that something might have happened to you while I was gone." You tell her in concern.

"I have plans for a whole new library, once I can calculate the final crippling blow that will cease the Order to function properly. The Golden Oaks library is completely demolished. Thankfully, I have recovered a majority of the books from the rubble, and most of the library from my memory into our databases. With the help of a few reprogrammed robots from the Order, we can build an even larger library! No matter how inhumane the Order may seem, this newly acquired technology can be used for the positive benefits of both humankind and ponykind! It's the perfect plan!" Twilight excitingly shouts aloud inside the base, unaware she was losing control of her tone of voice.

"Twilight, keep it down for goodness sakes!" Spike tells her in respect for the other ponies and humans working at nearby terminals.

"Whoops, sorry. However, once our lives are established back to normal, I've been thinking about what will happen to Ponyville. I sure hope Celestia is safe, now that I can't send any more letters to her...." Twilight sighs to herself.

"I hope for her well being too, Twilight. Do you have any new information that you would like to share with me?" You ask the brainy mare.

Spike proceeds to the large touch screen, and presses the same integrated button.

"In the battlefield, a single Acolyte can alert another Acolyte by broadcasting a distress signal through their collective consciousness. However, their distress signal is limited only to a short disperse wave, thus explaining why the alarms in the lower levels of your prison mission were not set off. The surgical process and conversion is extremely harsh, where most of the subjects pass out from the pain. They are injected with anabolic steroids and stamina implants for longevity on the battlefield. However, their internal computers rely on the power of their organic heart, thus making them a true cyborg. You can take them out with a single poisoned bolt from your crossbow, or a few carefully placed rounds in their chest cavity. Next, Spike."

"Here is a Reaver. Half man, half machine. Whenever a severely wounded Acolyte is retrieved back from the battlefield, they are sent to the Order's medical facilities. They undergo yet another excruciating operation. Fusing metal plates to bare skin, and internally wired to a computer mainframe, the Reaver undergoes a series of basic training programs. The Acolyte inside becomes familiar to the new motor control functions of the Reaver. Be careful of these guys, they are armed with a razor sharp metallic claws, and a shrapnel blaster for close quarter combat. Some of our troops have received deep lacerations and severe wounds in close ranges from Reavers. If you can, take them out with stealth, or from afar with a few rockets. They are incapable of setting off alarms if they spot you, so take your time while terminating one. Spike, next slide."

"This is a Templar, the only known biomechanical cyborgs to contain life support for ponies that serve the Order. They were gifted individuals after the comet stuck Ponyville, due to severe mutations and genetic alterations. They were among the first to hear the voice of the malignant god inside their heads. Due to this, they were promised immortality from their god, if they could convert as many citizens as possible to join the ever-growing ranks of the Order. The Templars safeguard the archives of the Order, and closely follow the Oracle for guidance on their crusades. They are not hostile towards anyone in town, but are extremely aggressive and unforgiving towards anyone/anypony whom they think are inferior. If they view you as a threat to the Order, they will attack you without hesitation. When trespassing inside the Order's facilities, be careful of hostility. They are armed with the new experimental mauler weapon, and razor sharp hooks that protrude mechanically from their backs. Field reports state that the new mauler weapon can completely disintegrate a rebel with one shot. Other reports state that they take pleasure in killing lone rebels with their hooks, just so that they can see the fear in their eyes before they bleed out to death. Take them out immediately from a distance if they pose a threat to you. Don't risk getting up close and personal. Finally, the last slide Spike."

"Finally, we have a Crusader. A new prototype war machine deployed by the Order, and designed to scare the living daylights out of the Front. These robots house thick reinforced metal alloy plating to deflect bullet fire, a napalm flamethrower designed for anybody who might witness the victim burning alive, and a trio micro missile launcher that is pinpoint accurate. It utilizes a infrared advanced targeting module to view the world. When facing these bad boys in close quarters, it's game over for you. They will detect your heat signature and movement if you try to sneak up. However, with thorough research from fallen crusaders and tactics from victorious rebels, they are mechanically flawed in many ways. They are slow and clumsy in some situations. It takes a few moments before they can lock onto your heat signature from a distance. That gives you time to counteract the threat. Also, fire from an external source will confuse the crusader. Use that for your advantage. We are now arming our troops with combustible torches for that reason alone. Aim at the infrared module, and their external power canister in between their legs with whatever you have. Well, that's all the intel that we have for now."

You pause to think for a minute. The images of behemoth robots whom assisted the Acolytes, pops into your mind as the presentation ends.

"What about the gigantic bipedal robots, Twi? I saw a few assisting Acolytes during the first raid on Ponyville." You ask her, after realizing the monstrosity wasn't present during the presentation.

"No, but thanks anyway. Well, I'm off to see Applejack and Fluttershy before I depart..."

"Alright, good luck on your mission! Please excuse me back to my viewing board, I have work to do with Spike."

She trots quickly back to the viewing board with anticipation, to calculate more designated marked areas for the attack. You drag your feet/hooves into Applejack's small arms training area, located to the right of the large intel room.

Applejack's small arms training area was extremely overcrowded with both human and pony rebels. Big mac, Applebloom, and Applejack were busy dealing with the cluttered crowd of rebels. Big Mac was distributing assault rifles and magazines over the counter. Applebloom was given the task to preload the magazines for the troops. Applejack was focused on trouble shooting a few selected firearms.

"Mah hooves are gettin' sore and dirty, big brother!" Applebloom whines to Big Mac.

"Now now little sis'. Remember what wer fightin' for, and what that cult did to our Sweet Apple Acres." He returns to the filly.

Applejack spots you inside the mob of rebels. She wave her forehoof over to her position behind the counter.

"Ah, howdy partner! Over here! Ah heard you got some new fancy gizmos for me. Please 'cuse us ya'll.....Make a single file line fer goodness sakes!" She loses her temper at the crowd. The crowd was startled by her shout, and they obediently listened to her request. It make life alot easier for you navigating through the crowd.

You budge through the narrow lines of rebels. Applejack greets you to the left opposite corner of the armory.

You pull off your backpack, and place the flamethrower parts on the counter. The rebels witness the new hardware, as they receive their gear and exit the room. Applejack looks over the new equiptment on the table, and silently thinks to herself.

"Hmmm, yer gonna have to give me a few hours with t'ese gizmos. Am gonna need my big brothers help. Why don't ya go over to Fluttershy in the meantime, for that stamina upgrade she's been patiently waiting to give ya'll. Aile have something mustered up when you wake up from yer operation. The crowd in here should gone by then."

"Alright, sounds good Applejack. I'll return once I'm ready to move out." You tell her.

You squeeze your way out from the congested room, to travel into Fluttershy's medical facilities. She was overwhelmed with patients herself, with her own staff of nurses and doctors working energetically as you enter the room. Combat medics with wounded patients on strechers charge in behind you. The room was overcrowded with fallen rebels. Some of the rebels were laying on the floor, recovering from wounds on makeshift beds and blankets on the floor. Fluttershy witnesses your arrival inside the crowded room, and carefully prances over the patients lying on the floor.

"I'm so glad your not hurt. This new assault is frazzling for my medical staff. Um, ready for your stamina upgrade?" She asks you in a mellow sigh.

You nod your head in return. She leads you over to the operation table and makes you confortable, even though the atmosphere of the medical facilites was unsettling. She releases the gas value from the anesthesia canister, with the facemask over your nose/snout. You breathe in the anesthesia gas, and drift off into the dream world once again. In your dream, you face the largest foe that you have yet to encounter on your journey.

A colossal Inqusitor towers in front of you as a dark shadow. You let out a war cry, as you discharge your assault rifle towards the giant behemoth. The Inqusitor remained unphased by your gunfire, as rounds deflect from it's heavily armored chassis. The firing pin inside your rifle clicks dry with no ammo. You release your assault rifle in defeat. The Inqusitor slowly levels it's left arm, to aim a giant mauler weapon directly at your stature. It fires a single dispersion of visible electron particles from the mauler. The large green dispersion melt through the chest plate right of your armor, and burn directly through your flesh down to the bare bone. You scream in agony, as you can feel the particles create a firery chain reaction inside your cells. The pain you've experienced from the dream felt too legitimate to be true.

You wake up in a cold sweat on the drone operation table. She runs over to you in distress for your well being.

"Oh dear! You shouldn't feel pain from the operation! Oh my! It must be a side effect from the stamina upgrade! I thought the bugs were ironed out by now!" She rushes over with a syringe of morphine gripped inside her mouth. Angel was busy tending to another patient's wounds.

"No, Fluttershy. I'm fine...Just another nightmare..." You tell her to ease the tension.

She places the syringe on a metal tray in relief. You proceed to pick yourself from the operation table. Afterwards, you regather your clothing, armor, and backpack. Fluttershy makes a medical request before your departure.

"Well, I think you should rest a little bit more. Please take your time while fighting the Order. Most of my patients are here due to poor decisions. I have all the confidence in you....That you'll be alright. You made it this far without getting severely hurt. Before you go, take this field operational health kit with you. I pre-programmed a medical bot inside the suitcase, in case you receive any major field injuries while your gone. Be careful Sweetie...."

She hugs you one more time, after a human patient calls out to change his IV bag. She trots over to the patient with a IV bag grasped by a flap inside her mouth. You carefully step over the moaning patients on the makeshift beds, to revisit Applejack for the new flamethrower.

It appears Applejack was wrong with her prediction. The small arms room was just as crowded as before. Applejack waves you over for her newest contraption. She pushes over the flamethrower and a attached energy fuel tank; Across the counter for you to try it on. You slip the new fuel tank on the side of your backpack, and grasp the handle of the flamethrower. She proceeds to tell you a few things about your newly aqquired equiptment.

"Alright, Partner. Here's the scoop. We've fixed the hose leaks inside the values of yer flamethrower. We also welded a few things together, and gave it a good test run inside the range. Big Mac almost burnt down the entire place! Ya'll should be good to go Sugarcube. Stay safe out there Partner, I gotta get back to all te'se anxious rebels waitin' in line." She hugs you briefly, and trots back to her station.

You step out from the congested room, to jog out of the base back into the tense atmosphere of Ponyville. A steady steam of rebels gathered around Ponyville's town square. You tag along with a squad of both ponies and humans, while they circled around a white stallion for orders. The squad leader of the group was no other than Twilight Sparkle's brother, Shining Armor. He was in exactly just that. He boldly displayed the family heirloom armor, and was armed with a custom assault rifle. He was assigned as both a combat medic, and a group leader for his squad. As Shining Armor followed up with every role within the squadron, you gaze around town before the squad was dismissed. The Acolyte guards in Ponyville now lie dead, due to the sheer number of rebels reclaiming the town's square. Businesses were boarded up, and store owners slam their metal shutters for protection. The rebel squads sprinted towards the metal gate near the sludge factory, directly in the pathway of the Programmer's lair. Just as you ignite the small blue flame on your flamethrower, You receive a message from Blackmare.

"We have conflicting reports about the Programmer's location. One says that he's in a computer room, another says that he's in a keep, and yet another that metions that he's in a long hallway."

That translates into more exploration for you. Shining Armor and his squad position themselves along the large metallic door. Before you open the metal gates into the battlefield, two Acolytes from the left attempt to flank the squad. You sqeeze the trigger handle of your flamethrower, and disperse a steady stream of unstable napalm. The Acolytes scream in excruciating pain before collapsing to the ground. The intonation of assault rifles discharging, stallions screaming in pain, and rebels shouting orders was audible from your position. Shining Armor never experienced a situation such as this one. The amount of training he received as a royal guard, would never prepare him for an assault against the Order. His squad gazes over to you for a decision. You have a choice to make. Open the metallic gates and join the fray, or follow the path from which the Acolytes attempted to engage you and Shining Armor's squad?

A) You decide to open the metal gates, and join the assault head on. Two ponies lift up the metallic gate and expose the open battlefield. Rebels rushed inward to take cover behind walls. They blindly fired at a few Stalkers and Acolytes. Others bravely charged ahead into a castle outpost. Your squad scatters to join the rebels, while Shining Armor discharges his assault rifle endlessly. From several meters away, a group of crusaders lock onto your body heat signature. Your flamethrower didn't help the situation. They discharge a cluster of precisely aimed rockets towards you. All color and life drained from your face, as you gazed at the tips of the homing rockets. Two of the rockets glide right by your head, while the last rocket strikes the side of your napalm canister on your backpack. The canister erupts into an explosion of metal shards and smoldering napalm. The flaming napalm douses your entire body, as the flames set you into a inextinguishable fireball. You drop to the ground while screaming in pain. Your skin melts until nothing remained but a charred skeletal structure. Go back and read path B to continue with the story.

B) You decide to travel the stairwell up from where the Acolytes attemped to flank you and your party. The squad, with Shining Armor directly following you from behind, follow you up the stairwell into a second story viewport. You turn the gas value off from your flamethrower, to switch to your assault rifle due to the confined space of the stairwell. The second story room contained reinforced viewports that overlooked into the battlefield from above. You find more rebels inside the room, taking cover from the relentless firepower discharged by the Order. You kneel down behind one of the viewports, to gain intel from a stallion commander that was wounded. A large metal shard from a crusader's rocket, protruded painfully from his right hoof. Shining Armor proceeded to take out a field surgery kit, to withdraw a syringe of morphine from the medical pack. You begin to question the Stallion, as Shining Armor worked on his wounds.

"What's the status on the battlefield?" You question at the top of your lungs. The explosions and gunfire from outside made it difficult to talk.

"We're taking heavy casualties out there, Sir. Our troops are slowly advancing to the Programmer's lair." The stallion grimances in pain, as Shining Armor dabs the gash on his hoof.

"Any idea's on how to infiltrate the lair?" You grasp your assault rifle near your chest. A human rebel to the right of you, targets an Acolyte with his assault rifle and squeezes off a three round burst.

"If you follow the pathway on this floor, you will run into the Chapel. We were informed that the Programmer might be in there. We've attempted to blast charge the door, but it won't budge. You will have to find the Chapel's key to make any progress forward. There should be a rope that lowers down into the battlefield, next to the doorway. Climb down and work your way from around the Chapel to find that key. Make sure your surroundings are clear before you run off...."

A ceiling turret detects your presence along the catwalk. You point your assault rifle and sqeeze off a few rounds. The rounds strike the turret. It erupts into a white flame of electronic debris. You locate the rope and swing down to the battlefield below. The lower levels of the Chapel was successfully breached by the rebels. As you open the door with haste, you witness Acolytes engaging in a firefight with rebels. The rebels were pinned down along the top floor. You swiftly aim your assault rifle and sqeeze off a few bursts. The Acolytes did little to react towards your entry. The rounds struck them along their right side, in which they bleed out onto the floor. A trio of rebels expose themselves from cover, to advanced forward along the upper floor. A lone human rebel sprints down the staircase, to thank you for your efforts.

"Thanks for your help. We were pinned down with little ammunition to spare. The Programmer should be in the next room on the second level from here. Excuse me while I catch up with my squad." The lone rebel loots the corpses for spare magazines, and rushes back to regroup with the squad.

The squad waits for your arrival next to the door. You take a deep breathe, before breaching the Programmer's chapel. You activate the door and swing your assault rifle. You locate a lone cyborg at the far end inside a electronic command room. The Programmer releases a cold sweat, and proceeds to raise his hands in submission. However, he posed no threat towards you. You are suddenly interrupted by a transmission from Blackmare.

"This looks good! Computers, Programmer....What do you think?" Blackmare questions.

Something wasn't quite right. Why hasn't he attempted to vaporize you yet? The Programmer trembled nervously, with your assault rifle fixed at him. You charge over with a few questions.

"Are you the Programmer?" You shout with a intimidating tone of voice. He returns an answer, with a medium pitched robotic voice.

"Pro...Programmer? Who told you that? There is no Programmer. That story was rumored ages ago. Don't tell me the Front believed that crap....Idiots." The false Programmer nervously laughs.

"My patience is growing thin, scumbag. What's the truth then?" You press your muzzle of the assault rifle on the chest of the trembling cyborg.

"I....I honestly told you all that I know! Your...Your wasting your time with me." The fake Programmer violently shakes in fear.

Blackmare then sends you another transmission, in response from the interrogation.

"Look's like were not going to get any answers from him. Let the rebels handle this situation. Keep moving soldier."

You remove your muzzle and step away from the false Programmer. The rebels surround the false Programmer, and knock him out with a quick blow to the back of the head. You exit the room and retrace back out from the chapel, back into the battlefield once more. While taking cover, you swap out your assault rifle to reassemble the micro missle launcher. Two crusaders fired a barrage of missiles at Shining Armor's squad from the second floor. They were preoccupied to lock onto your heat signature. Just as you aim your rocket launcher at the opposing threats, Pinkie Pie charges from nowhere with a facetious yodeling warcry. Her rocket launchers fired simultaneously towards the crusaders. The rockets penetrated and implode the infrared sensors of the crusaders. The crusaders malfuction and erupted into a fireball. It boosted the morale of the rebels behind cover. Pinkie Pie turned around to the rebels and proceeded to shout:

Pinkie leads a squad of both rebel humans and ponies. They charge inside the large outpost located in the middle center of the battlefield. You follow quickly from behind the group, and advance upwards into the structure. A lone, battle scarred crusader twiches on the floor and metallically shrieks from your arrival. It proceeds to point it's flamethrower, but you take out the threat from a safe distance. The crusader ignites into a pile of rubble. You jog inside the outpost, to where Pinkie and a few rebels were engaging a lone crusader. Pinkie Pie depletes the last of her rockets, as some of the rebels fire at the crusader in desperation. The crusader was badly damaged, but it attempted to point its rocket launcher towards Pinkie Pie. She dropped her rocket launchers, and expressed a nervous gulp.

You aim your rocket launcher at the crusader, and fired off a volley of micro missiles. Pinkie uncovers her forehooves from her face, to look around and locate you at the top of the second floor. She bounces in joy, as you step down from a lift that descended to the ground floor.

"Weee! Thank goodness you came here in the nick of time! The Programmer's lair should be located at the far end of the battlefield. I'm out of rockets to get rid of these party poopers. You wouldn't have any to spare?" She proposes while bouncing.

You reach into your backpack and hand over a belt of micromissles. She hugs you with gratification, and loads up back into battle. She darts off into a right pathway with a few rebel allies. You can hear the sound of her rocket launcher discharging, as she squeals with laughter and overwhelming joy. Typical Pinkie Pie, nothing ever seems to phase her.

You travel to the left pathway of the outpost, and emerge into the battlefield again. A few rebels exchange fire while taking cover behind a nearby bridge. They point out a large underground entryway with an affixed golden Order symbol at the head of the structure. This has to be the Programmer's lair. A transmission from Blackmare reconfirms your thought.

"This has all the hallmarks of a temple of evil! Severe architecture, big banner...I'd say bingo!"

The underground lair descended underground, with a flight of wooden steps and two posts on parallel sides. Dim torches were visible at the end of the flight of steps. A large reinforced metal door was located at the end. You open the large metallic door, to witness a cerimonial hallway decorated with Order symbolism and a blue velvet carpet. The ceilings and pillars that supported the structure were aligned with gold. As you proceeded onto the blue carpet, you were ambushed by Acolytes on a higher level. One of the discharged rounds from an assault rifle skitted by your metal armor.

You dart down the hallway, towards a dim ceremonial chamber luminated by torches. Acolytes discharge their assault rifles from around you. Stray bullets wizz by your head, rattling your skull in the process. You sprint with all your energy from your location, towards a throne located on the other end of the chamber. Two doors were located behind the throne. You take the right door of the throne and slam the door. You can hear the rounds collide into the metal door from behind, as you attempt to catch your breathe.

The sounds of marching boots draw closer towards the door. You pick yourself up from the ground, and proceed into the inner chambers of the lair. A section of floor lowers suddenly in front of you, which forces you to sprint in a quick session. You lunge forward, barely making it before the floor lowers into a arcing pit of electricity. You jog past another control room with monitors projecting the battlefield, and a elegant bedroom stylishly lit by candles. Opposite of the bedroom, beheld a dark ceremonial cavern with a familiar gilded Order altar on the lower floor. A stallion cyborg with a electronic eye monocle trembled at the bottom of the altar. He was also nervous by your sudden presence. You point your rocket launcher directly at the monstrosity.

Before you had the chance to interrogate him, he proceeded to speak with a familiar robotic voice. It was similar to the first false programmer.

"You've killed all the guards! Please, don't hurt me! I'm just a scapegoat. I told him that this was a dumb idea. The real Programmer is in the Keep. Here, take this key." He reaches out with his hoof, to reveal a golden Order insignia key. You grab the key and interrogate the stallion cyborg.

"How do I know that your not the real Programmer?" You level your rocket launcher closer to the wide eyed cyborg.

"Does It look like I wield ultimate power? The Order uses us all like pawns in a chess game. Now go, I'm dead already."

You lower your rocket launcher from the cyborg, and proceed to exit from the right side of the chambers. The Acolytes were caught off guard by your presence, and attempted to fire their assault rifles yet again. Your agility and stamina was too quick for the Acolyte's robotic thought process. You escape from the underground lair, and out into the battlefield for a final time. The Programmer could only be in one place, and that was directly towards the dead end structure of the battlefield. You jog up to the structure, while rebels located inside tower overlooks press a switch for you. A large solid bridge between the parallel posts lower into the ground. Two etched stone blocks of crusaders, stand in display near the entrance of the lair. This definitely was the Programmer's lair; The final destination before you face the image of your nightmare...

Something unsual caught your eye, as you activated the gate before the Programmer's lair. Two green illuminating pillars were decorated with what seemed like alien hieroglyphics. You could swear that the radiant technology was not from the Order. However, you couldn't focus on minor details. The metallic door crash open before you. You peer inside the lair, to gaze opon a holographic board that projected the real Programmer. His image was located at the opposite end of a hallway. You draw closer to the projected image on the computer screen in caution. A series of metal bars slam behind you. The walls rattled with internal mechansims at work. The Programmer from the projected image began to bellow with a deep robotic voice.

"Your the one who has caused so much frustration for me? Why should I waste my time with a parasite such as you? I look forward to purifying your soul. Confess your sins and I may spare you. Yet again, maybe not..." The projected image laughs sadistically.

The Programmer in the projected image hovers to a nearby terminal, to activate a few controls from a recessed location. He projects his voice in a defening tone over the intercom. The image of the Programmer fades away on the computer monitor.

"DIE UNBELIEVER!"

A series of chambers open inside the room, to reveal a small army of sentinels. You sprint backwards for cover behind a pillar, and unleash a volley of rockets at the hovering sentinels. The rockets caused a chain reaction between the drones. A smoldering ball of fire from one sentinel, collides into the motherboard of the projection computer. The bars blocking your escape, suddenly lower into the floor. The smouldering piles of debris and electronic sparks now lie around you.

Your heart races with adrenaline, with your stamina implant working on overdrive. A squad of Acolytes from a following room overhear the commotion from the firefight. They scatter into the hallways and blindly march into the computer room, as you pick off each one with a single individual rocket with every trigger pull. You follow the pathway into a ceremonial tribute chamber, with candles located on top of a altar. You locate a small golden skull switch, and activate it for a series of stairs from behind the altar to lower into the floor. You disassemble out your rocket launcher, and relight your flamethrower before venturing down.

You pace into an underground rocky lair. Two crusaders emit a electronic shriek, in order to alert a few Acolytes nearby. You dodge the rockets from the crusaders and sprint inside the open lair, while discharging flaming hot napalm in return to the crusaders and the Acolytes. The crusaders short circuit and implode, and the Acolytes catch aflame while screaming in agony. You finally reach the outside on an upper floor, to reveal a towering mayan-like temple. A large floating egg shaped dome mounted on a spiked saucer, rested on the top peak of the temple. The egg shaped dome invigorated into life, and hovered down towards the base of the temple.

The egg shaped dome suddenly split vertically. It revealed a abnormally shaped human torso, with a pale muscular build. The torso contained a golden glowing object around the base of the neck, that emitted a powerful sensational energy wave throughout the atmosphere. The Programmer lifted his eyes from his stasis container, to reveal pitch black sclera and pure white pupils that squinted due to the daylight. Without emotion or question, he proceeded to lift up his arms in the air. He violently casts a shower of electricity from the sky.

You snap out of your trance and lunge behind a nearby wall for cover. Lighting crashes at your original stature, moments before you hit the ground. You can hear the slight hum from the hovering saucer draw closer towards your position. Your heart pounds laboriously. You try to keep calm, but you had to make a life or death choice. Fight the Programmer in close proximities with your flamethrower, or swap out your rocket launcher and engage battle from the outside of the temple?

A) You decide to take this conflict up close and personal with your flamethrower. You pick yourself up from the ground, and retreat backward inside the lair. The ambient sound of the Programmer stalked you from behind. He attempts to launch a shower of electricity over your head. While retreating, you witness a squadron of rebels lead by Pinkie Pie. They were busy engaging in a firefight with Acolytes and Crusaders on the lower floor. With the slight hum located from the Programmer's hovering device, you dart down a hallway and anticipate his arrival at the far end. You expose yourself when the hum was at it's loudest decibel, to reveal the tall pale silhouette mounted on the alien device. You squeeze off an uncontrollable stream of flaming napalm over the Programmer. He bellows in electronic pain, as you empty out an entire canister of flammable liquid. The hovering saucer malfuctions, while the Programmer hollers and screams while burnt to a charred crisp. He clashes into a nearby pillar, with his tall frame now sagging over the saucer.

"Was he still alive?" You question yourself. Just to make sure he was dead, you proceed to step foward to examine his charred torso. The golden necklace with the alien relic gleamed around his neck.

All of a sudden, the Programmer's emergency life support systems invigorate to life, as you struggle to take off the golden relic around his neck. His torso re-animates with life, and he firmly grasps your wrist. He sadistically grins, while tightening his grip around your wrist to a level of immense strength. You could hear the sounds of your wrist bones cracking from the extensive force. You holler in pain, as he shoves you off from the saucer. As you try to squeeze the trigger lever on the flamethrower with your other hand/hoof, his charred figure attached to the hover craft floats upward. He speaks aloud in a sinister electronic voice.

"I must say, you put up a worthy fight for such a insect. Now it is time for purification! Time to die, unbeliever!"

Your eyes widen in horror. You watch as the Programmer raises his arms to the sky. He casts a small portal of electricity from above your head. The electrical current strikes the Flamethrower, as 100 million volts travel throughout your body. Death was imminent from the lighting strike. Read part B to continue on.

B) You chamber a missile before joining the fray. You dart from behind cover out into the open, fully exposing yourself in sight radius of the Programmer. The Programmer smirks in delight, thinking how foolish it was for you to be exposed out in the open. You squeeze the trigger of the rocket launcher, unleashing a series of rockets that flew towards the figure of the Programmer until the link ran completely dry. Several rockets glide by the Programmer due to the inaccuracy of full auto fire. Most of the rockets make contact with the metal plating of the hovering saucer. The recoil of explosions send the Programmer airborne backwards. He collided into the Mayan-like temple from behind him. This caused a downpour of bricks and rock to rain down upon him. You reload another chain link of rockets from your backpack, and jog backwards to take cover behind a wall. You expose your head, peeking towards the rubble for any signs of life.

After several long minutes drag by, the rubble pile began to move. The programmer thrashes his arms upwards from the rubble. His saucer spike projections spin around in a circular motion, to move any rocks and debris outwards. His pale white torso was now covered with deep lacerations. due to the rocket and stone shrapnel. He was weak and disoriented, however he still proceeded to raise his arms toward the skies. Now was the time to act. You sprint towards the right behind cover, and unleash more rockets towards his way. Lighting crashes down behind you, striking a pillar of stone that exploded into chunks of fragment. The rockets made contact with the exposed gaps on the saucer, and made contact with the computer motherboard of the hovering vehicle. The Programmer bellows in pain, as his torso jolts with electrical current due to the hovering craft malfunctioning. The craft short circuits in mid air, and erupts with a small series of explosions. The craft crashes within a large shockwave into the temple. The shockwave knocks you off your feet/hooves. A mysterious golden object from the crash site, arcs outward from the debris and skids nearby you.

You pick yourself up from the ground, and proceeded towards the small gleaming object. The object shifts from a radiant golden color, into a highly advanced technological C shaped marvel before your eyes. From a distance, you could hear Pinkie Pie and her rebel support squad advance towards your position. You pick up the small peculiar object for closer examination. As you grasped the C shaped object, a divine flow of energy surges through your veins. The extraordinary energy travels throughout every atom and molecule of your body. However, your stamina implant overrides your bodily functions, which causes you to faint as a result. You fall unconscious at the base of the temple, with the alien device clutched in your hand/hoof.....

My Little Strife: The Sigil Is Magic

by Ichtudirweh

Programmer's Demise