Marcus stood before the corpses of the dead Elite. He looked down and saw the blue black blood oozing its neck. He flicked his knife, splattering drops of blue blood on the ground. He wiped it off on his on an extra cloth he had, and sheathed it. Even if I go through a portal to a different dimension, death and war still stalks my life. Marcus looked around at the ruined town. Buildings that were once burning infernos were now ashes. The Library was still standing, but it had bullet holes and plasma burns marking its large trunk and branches. Houses still stood; if the ponies were lucky, they could rebuild the town. Marcus walked around, moving debris from dead bodies of ponies that littered the ground; they all had the same stare; empty and everlasting. Marcus sighed to himself, clenching his fist from anger. I can't just let them lie here, rotting away...
Marcus decided to make a mass grave. He carefully carried the bodies of those lost onto a makeshift pier outside of town. Some he knew; others he had only briefly seen. He pulled the bodies on a pre-made pier; there were 15 bodies total. Looking around, Marcus found a burning plank from one of the houses, and placed it on the pier, setting the bodies aflame. He looked on into the flames, watching as the bodies turned to ash. The pier burned on as the ashes spread over the land. Marcus took off his helmet, hoping for some fresh air. What he got instead was the stench of burning corpses and burnt ozone; he clipped it to his belt and unslung his assault rifle. One of the clips had 21 rounds in it. Just the right amount. Marcus stood at attention. He brought up his assault rifle across his chest, and took aim towards the sky.
“For those who have fallen today, let it be known now and forever that you will not be forgotten. As a Spartan, I vow to avenge your lives.” Marcus switched his assault rifle to burst, and shot off 3 rounds. The shots echoed over the land, startling a flock of birds. They took flight, and soared overhead. Marcus regripped his rifle, his hand shaking again, and fired again, and again the shots echoed once more. Marcus continued on, till the clip was empty. A 21 gun salute; fitting. Marcus clicked the empty mag out, letting it fall to the ground. He slammed in the last mag he had into the weapon, and pulled back on the hammer, making a satisfied *click*. It was full, but that only meant he had 32 rounds to spare. He looked around, and began to search the bodies of the dead Elites. They can rot in the deepest pit of Hell for all I care, but I still need the ammo and weapons. From his search, Marcus produced two plasma rifles, and a plasma grenades.
“Good enough I guess.” Marcus clipped the two plasma rifles to his hips, and put away the grenade. Marcus thought of what to do next. I should probably meet up with the others at Canterlot. It would take about a day’s journey, but Marcus could do it. He was about to begin his journey, when a piece of wood fell to the ground. A shadow ran out, try to get to cover again. He saw this, and ran after it. He followed the shadow to a crate of fallen apples. He held his rifle up, ready for anything. What he found was something completely unexpected; Applebloom. She tried to hide more in the pile of crates, hiding her face from the Spartan. Marcus lowered his rifle, holding out his hands to the filly. He took off his helmet as well and looked at her.
“Hey, it’s ok. See? Its me, Marcus” Marcus knelt in front of the crates, holding his hands out. A head poked out from behind, and Marcus saw that it was indeed Applebloom. Oh no, Applejack must be scared out of her mind right now.
“Are they g-gone, Mr. Marcus?” Marcus nodded to her, beckoning for the little filly to come out from hiding. She did, and ran into his arms.
“Applebloom, what are you doing here?” He was petting her mane, trying to get the dirt and grime out of her yellow coat. Applebloom had begun to cry.
“Ah, ah got separated from mah sis when ponies started to panic. Ah hide as best ah could, then ah saw you fighting off those monsters.” The small filly looked up at Marcus.
“You saved Ms. Fluttershy from one of ‘em. Ah, ah saw you! Then ah saw the others…..they…” She began to cry again, and buried her head in Marcus’ chest piece.
“I know, I know. Shh, it’s going to be ok, I’m going to get you back to your sister. How’s that sound?” Applebloom looked up again, and nodded her head. He smiled down at her, and picked up his rifle, slinging it over onto his back.
“Come on; let’s get you to your family.” Marcus carried her in his arms out of the town, beginning the journey to Canterlot. Marcus went past the burning pier on his way out, and pushed Applebloom’s face away so she wouldn't see. She shouldn’t have seen any of this. Marcus carried her all the way to the grand city. His thoughts were lost during the journey; Applebloom had fallen asleep soon after they left the town. When he did focus his thoughts though, they turned to Fluttershy. I hope she made it out ok. Marcus matched fast, wanting t make it to Canterlot as fast as possible.
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It had been a day and a half since the fight in Ponyville, and Marcus and Applebloom had not yet returned. Applejack couldn’t stop pacing in the throne room. How could ah let this happen? May own sis, left behind with those things attackin the town. I just hope Marcus found her and is keepin her safe. Once again, she looked out the window towards Ponyville. She wasn’t able to see anything, but still the thought of her home burning brought tears to her eyes. Marcus could fight them off, she knew that, but at what cost? Macintosh sat on his haunches, watching his sister with worry.
“AJ, Applebloom’s a strong filly. She’ll make it out ok.” Applejack continued pacing, taking no heed to her brother’s words. Ah promised Ma and Pa ah’d take care ah her; now look what’s happened! The others sat away from her, talking to Princess Celestia about what had happened. Spike sat next to Rarity and Twilight, hoping to gain whatever info he could gather. He had been knocked unconscious before anything real had begun. They re-told what had happened in Ponyville since they left Canterlot. Pinkie Pie described how the fight started, with the huge monster appearing out of nowhere and kicking Marcus away.
“Then he got up and attacked them and we all ran for our lives because these huge alien things started to attack us and Marcus fought one of them but then he saw that Fluttershy was in trouble and killed that one then kept fighting….” Princess Celestia by now had zoned out, Pinkies words droning on and on. What she was able to gather though was that what Marcus described as Elites had attacked the village and Marcus had fought them. Whether or not he won, no one knew. Then again, if he hadn't, Canterlot would be burning right now.Celestia raised a hoof, silencing Pinkie Pie, she turned to her student.
“Do you know what has become of Marcus and Applebloom?” Twilight shook her head.
“We had scouts search the village, but only found a mass grave and half the town destroyed. No sign of Marcus or Applebloom.” Celestia looked down at her hooves. A tear rolled down her face. How could I have let this happen? I protect these ponies, but they die none the less to forces I can’t even fight. Marcus, where are you? At her last thought, doors could be heard opening into the great hall that led to the throne room. Shouts were heard, and a few swords clanged. Shouting was heard, nad the sound of hooves hittin stone. Loud crashes and bangs were heard, then all was silent. Everyone gathered around the Princess, looking towards the great doors of the throne room with fear. With one mighty push, the doors swung open with a loud *CLANG* and in strode in one the greatest sights Celestia had seen in her long, long life.
Marcus walked in, a pony’s sword in hand. His armor was covered in dried blue blood, and a few new weapons could be seen on his hips. His helmet was off, and his face was covered in dirt, ash, and grime. Around his neck hung Applebloom; dirtied with ash and blood as well. Thankfully it wasn’t hers. She looked towards her sister with beaming eyes. Marcus walked up to the group and leaned down, letting Applebloom jump to the ground and tackle her sister with a bear hug.
“Applebloom! You’re alive!” Applejack returned the huge, tears streaming form her face. Macintosh joined in; glad his family was once again together. Fluttershy walked up to Marcus.
“You’re…you’re alive?” Fluttershy squeaked out.
“Last time I checked.” Marcus gave her a big smile. Fluttershy flew up and hugged him, and began to cry.
“We all thought you were dead! I told you to come back! I told you!” Marcus nodded, returning the hug.
“And I did, and as you can see. And I didn’t come alone.” Most in the room had tears of joy, and were hugging one another. Celestia strode up to Marcus, who was still holding on to Fluttershy. Celestia cleared her throat.
“I owe you my thanks, Marcus. Without you, my student and her friends would be dead.” Marcus let go of Fluttershy, who then stood next to his leg. Applejack walked up to him.
“And ours, big fella. You brought our sister back. I don’t know how Ah could ever thank ya for this!” Applejack looked up to him.
“No thanks are necessary. I did what I had to do.” Marcus held out his hand and Celestia her hoof. They shook hands/hooves once again.
“Now, tell me. What occurred during the battle, and the events afterward?” Marcus told her everything, the 3 Elite Zealots, the aftermath and his tribute to those who had died. Celestia thanked him again for that, and then Marcus told her of how he found Applebloom and how they got to the city.
“You really need to tone down the guards when it comes to me. I had to fight my way through that hall back there.” Celestia nodded and chuckled to herself. Her guards could get somewhat over protective at times. Then Celestia asked the question she needed answered most.
“So was that it? IS the Covenant dealt with?” Marcus hesitated, and was about to answer, when a pegasus sprang into the room carrying a letter.
"Forgive me my Princess, but an urgent message has just arrived. Baltimare is under attack from and unknown force. The city calls for our aid.” Marcus looked down at his boots, clenching his hands as the others turned to him.
“I believe that answers your question Princess.”