//------------------------------//
// Chapter IV: Recruitment 
// Story: Friendship is Magic: The Covenant War 
// by dragonfang33 
//------------------------------//

Friendship is Magic: the Covenant War

Chapter IV
Recruitment

Location: Ponyville Library, Ponyville, Free Territories, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542), two days later

"Oh," Twilight moaned, as she raced through her library, "where are my quills?" The look to her face was one of absolute panic as she tore through shelf after shelf looking for quills, paper and any book that could possibly be of use when it came to dealing with the Humans. It had only been two days since Queen Luna had not only made Twilight her personal student, but had given her task of serving as liaison between the Human UNSC and Equestria, and to learn all she could about what the Humans were capable of as well as their knowledge of the Covenant.

"Twilight calm down," Spike said, rolling his eyes. 

"I need the Pony's Guide to Encountering Strange and Exotic Creatures Volumes 1-156 where are they," Twilight said, ignoring Spike's protests, as she continued to tear through shelf after shelf.

"I know," Twilight said, as she pulled open a drawer to her desk, pulling out a huge stack of note cards, "I'll make notes on everything I learn from that AI, right down to the basics." 

"Twilight calm down," Spike shouted, finally getting Twilight's attention, "you're over reacting, again. Besides I doubt Luna will care if you don't send a report right away." Twilight turned to face Spike, her eyes alight with  fury.

"Calm down," Twilight said,  trying to her best not to panic, " CALM DOWN, in just two days my entire world has been turned upside down,  Princess Celestia's dead, I haven't had any word on either my brother or sister-in-law.” It was the first time since the letter announcing Celestia’s death had arrived that Twilight had a chance to let all that had transpired sink in. Princess Celestia, the teacher who had been like a mother to her had been killed in a few seconds, her BBBFF and her beloved sister-in-law had yet to contact her, war was spreading across all of Equestria with no end in sight. All she heard were rumors: Queen Luna had ordered the mobilization of every City and Town Guard in Equestria and Princess Cadence had also ordered the mobilization of the Crystal Empire’s Imperial Army, something not done since the Great War. 
In her mind it was as though her perfectly ordered world was crumbling around her. Maybe if she and her friends had been there when the Covenant first attacked...with that thought Twilight simply broke down in tears, Celestia’s death, her brother and sister-in-law missing it was all too much to bare. Spike  wanted to say something, anything to try and cheer Twilight up.

“Twilight,” Spike finally said, placing his hand on her shoulder, “You know I’ll always be here for you.” Through her tears Twilight simply smiled. In the end this was something Twilight had to come to terms with on her own. All he and her friends could do was be there to provide a shoulder or her to cry on when she needed it.

However a sound from outside soon brought Twilight back to her senses. It was the sounds of stampeding Ponies. Twilight raced to the window, just in time to see nearly the entire population of Ponyville racing towards Sweet Apple Acres.

"Pinkie what's going on?" Twilight said, spying Pinkie bouncing in the crowd.

"Haven't you heard the Humans are moving their ship into Ponyville today," Pinkie replied. Twilight let out a loud gasp. How could she have forgotten? Queen Luna had asked the Humans to move the Midway closer to Ponyville to help guard the town against any other Covenant raiders, and protect the northern routes to Canterlot, as well as build up and train the Ponyville Guard. She remembered that Rainbow Dash and Delta III had departed with Elita soon after the firefight with that Covenant patrol ended in order to prep the ship for deployment to Ponyville, and the Midway was due in Ponyville anytime.

"Isn't this exciting," Pinkie said, "I know my 20 Minutes Late Welcome to Ponyville Party was interrupted by those Covenant meanies. But now we can throw one big 5 Hour Late Welcome to Equestria bash for the Midway's entire crew and all of Ponyville." Twilight didn't even bother responding; as she raced back into the library and sped up searching for materials she believed she would need in order to perform her new task.

Location: Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville, Free Territories  Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542) a few hours later 

Applejack had been  shaking like a leaf since sun up. For the last two days the  Apple Family had been making cider and fritters like crazy in preparation for some kind of big party Pinkie wanted to throw that night. Then there was the news the Human cruiser was being moved closer to Ponyville, a fact that made Granny Smith all the more agitated by the presence of the two heavily armed SPARTANS in the West Field and the arrival of more UNSC Marines and ODSTS from the Midway’s landing site in the Everfree Forest, who were posted all across Sweet Apple Acres. 
For the entire morning Applejack and Big Macintosh had been helping the Human Marines and ODSTs move the Covenant bodies into the Everfree Forest to prevent them from being spotted by any roving Covenant scout ships. Even though the Covenant soldiers had been dead since the firefight, the Humans were taking no chances, keeping their weapons trained on the dead Covenant all the way to the Everfree Forest. Yet it was the anger Applejack saw in the eyes of the Human Marines that filled her with fear, never before had she seen any creature filled with so much hatred. Throughout the journey to the Everfree Forest, the Humans kicked, spat upon the dead Covenant.

“Excuse me,” Applejack inquired, “but do y’all think that kind of behavior is appropriate?” Her attention turned to a group of Fillies playing nearby “especially with youngins nearby?” The reaction from the Marine was something Applejack hadn’t expected. His eyes were alight with fury and his voice was filled with nothing but hate.

“Appropriate,” the Marine said, “do you have any idea how many of my men I’ve had to bury because of these abominations? Do you know how many innocent people we’ve all had to watch burn when their warships bomb our planets? Do you know the helplessness of watching men, women, and children being gunned down in cold blood because these monsters see themselves as gods? Do you know how many planets they’ve turned into ghosts where not even bacteria can live and you can’t do anything to stop them? ” Applejack remained silent her thoughts turned to Equestria, the sight of White Tail Wood, the beautiful meadows and forests burning, those fillies....no it was something Applejack didn’t want to imagine. Once they’d reached the forest the Humans were all too pleased to just dump the bodies into a large ditch where they’d be easy prey for any wild animals. Applejack had wanted to bury the dead, but the only responses the Humans would give were to once again spit on the corpses and respond with two phrases  “let them burn in hell” and "leave 'em for the buzzards." 

At first Applejack wanted to protest, but then she remembered the looks of absolute fear on the faces of the other residents of Ponyville as they made their way past. Mothers trying to cover the faces of their young fillies as they moved the dead Aliens passed. Aliens with faces covered by shattered breath masks, and a giant clad in bright blue armor, with a gaping hole in its head where a SPARTAN Sniper bullet had found its mark, with a mouth that opened into four mandibles, each with a row of sharp teeth that looked as though they could easily rip a pony in half . Then there was the news that she’d received from Granny Smith about her cousin. It was a mix blessing, Breaburn would at least recover. But his injuries had left him paralyzed from the waist down. 

For Applejack the rumors spreading among the Ponyville residents about the state of the war filled her with more and more dread. She did all she could to drum out the rumors, but every rumor she heard about single Ponies making it to the Celestia Line, or another refugee train making it to the south gave her some hope that more of her trapped family might have made it out. But for the moment there were other things eating away at Applejack's mind. Firstly the Humans were moving their ship closer to Ponyville, and the only place in town large enough to accommodate the massive cruiser was Sweet Apple Acres. Which was both a blessing and a curse, Sweet Apple Acres could at least be protected, but it also ment that her beloved farm would be the Covenant’s primary target when they returned.

The second thing was something she’d never given any thought too in her life, her cutie mark simply didn’t say it was her destiny but after the firefight, after seeing what the Covenant had done to her family and Equestria, her cutie mark and the destiny it told her she was meant for just didn’t seem to matter anymore. What was the point of running Sweet Apple Acres when all of Equestria was burning? 

Location: Sweet Apple Acres, Western Fields, Ponyville, Free Territories, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542) a few hours later

True the west fields had been cleared at the end of the last Applebuck season for crop rotation but recent events had prevented the new crops from being planted on time. Now an entire section of her beloved farm was surrounded by heavily armed Human soldiers, including the intimidating SPARTANS with plans to turn it into a military camp, with a giant warship only a few yards from her own house in the center of the farm. Yet the thoughts of what she had seen at the train station were still fresh in her mind. 

“At least with the Humans here the Covenant might be kept away from Ponyville,” Applejack said, under her breath. She removed her trademark brown cowboy hat, to wipe some of the sweat from her brow. 

The Midway was due to arrive at any time and the thoughts of what could go wrong by attempting to land a ship that was over 4,000 feet long and powered by a series massive fusion engines, each exerting the same amount of power as a small star, in a field ran through her head filling her mind with absolute panic. Then there was the fact that the Ponies had only met a few of the Midway's crew. Were the rest of the crew as trustworthy as the Humans they'd already met? Then there was the fact that it seemed all of Ponyville had come out to see the Human star ship make its landing.

"Are ya'll sure this is safe?" Applejack finally inquired, once again removing her hat to wipe her brow. 

"No not really," McAffee replied, with a smirk,“you ever try to land a few hundred tons of flying nuclear reactor in an atmosphere before?" Applejack couldn't help but gulp, normally Equestrian Airships were slow and majestic, and could land easily; McAffee though had just described something that  Rainbow would've tried blindfolded.

"Now see here sonny," an elderly green mare shouted, "Applejack may have allowed you to use our west field for all your fancy space traveling do hikies, but if you damage even one apple on Sweet Apple Acres..." Applejack cut her grandmother off.

"Sorry 'bout that Admiral," Applejack replied, sighing, "it's just that, this farm isn't just mah family's livelihood. Sweet Apple Acres has been in the Apple Family for generations. It's more than a farm to us it's our home, it's all we have." McAffee placed his hand on Applejack's shoulder. Home, in the end that was what united Humans and Ponies, the desire to protect their homes from the Covenant.

"Everything will be fine," McAffee replied, trying to reassure Applejack. "Landing on a planet is much easier than it sounds." 

"If that’s suppose ta make me feel better," Applejack replied, nervously, "it didn't work Admiral." 

"Tell me something Admiral," Rarity asked, "is all you do is move those hideous military ships and uniforms across your species huge empire, just to fight? Do the finer things in life like the latest styles from the newest designer or the latest fine art or music mean anything to you barbarians?"

“That you’ll have to ask Elita about,” McAffee replied, as a Marine approached from the nearby  Warthog transport.

"Sir we just received a coded IFF message from Captain Ryan," the Marine said, "Midway's approaching the LZ and is requesting permission to commence landing procedures."

"How long till Midway is in range?" McAffee replied.

"Captain Ryan reports ETA in 15," the Marine said, "so far we've had no further contact with Covenant ships in the immediate area." McAffee remained silent for a few moments, at least there was a small bit of good news.

"Collect the signal flares from the Warthog, and outline the LZ," McAffee ordered, "then inform Captain Ryan to proceed with standard terrestrial landing, but be aware that civilians are present." The Marine simply saluted as he removed a large metal box from under the front seat of the Warthog, inside was a set of four silver tubes. After grabbing them, the Marine set them up in a large square, removing the cap which in turned sent a plum of red smoke. Appplejack felt her heart leap into her throat, for all she knew the Humans were getting ready to torch the rest of Sweet Apple Acres. 

Slowly the massive cruiser appeared over the horizon, its forward MAC guns pointed straight at Ponyville and Canterlot. As the Midway began to approach the town it was clear that it was easily twice the size of Ponyville, if not Canterlot itself. Just one of its main guns could have easily reduced any Pony city to ruins. Once the cruiser had arrived over the area marked with the flares the crew began preparations for the final descent. 

"Are ya'll sure they know what they're doing," Applejack inquired, trying her best not to panic. 

"Everything will be fine," McAffee replied, "if anything happens the UNSC will compensate you for any damage." 

"Money isn't the thing," Applejack snapped, "this is ma family's livihood ya'll are putting at risk by landing that big hunk of metal, and no amount of money can replace generations of hard honest work," she turned to face the large red stallion standing next to her, "right Big Macintosh?"

"EEEEyyyuuuupp," Big Macintosh added. Slowly the massive cruiser began its final decent, the sounds of its massive engines echoing like the roar of a dragon, for the Humans this was normal for a terrestrial landing, but for the Ponies it felt like the roaring of the engines would never end. As the massive cruiser came closer to the ground, the more worried Applejack became, one wrong move and the massive warship would crush the Apple Family's house, or one blast from the ship's engines would set all of Sweet Apple Acres ablaze. 

It took all of  half an hour for the Midway to touch down in the west field, for Applejack and her family it felt like an eternity, for a few moments Applejack felt as though she would have a heart attack. Her fears were eased somewhat when she heard a voice crackle over the Warthog's radio.

"Admiral McAffee this is UNSC Midway, terrestrial transition successful, no anomalies reported, request permission to go to condition yellow." McAffee reply over the radio was enough to alleviate much of the tension over what had transpired, "Granted." 

Slowly the Apple Family's jangled nerves eased when they saw the ramp that lead into the Midway's hanger bay lower, the crowd that had gathered to watch the cruiser land however became all the more nervous as more Human Marines and ODSTs emerged from the hanger along with more Warthogs and even larger Scorpion class main battletanks Would these Humans actually stand and fight against if a larger Covenant force came or would they turn and run? Where they here to occupy Equestria as another front for their blood feud with the Covenant?  For the moment though Applejack's heart filled with joy when she heard a familiar voice.

"OH YEAH THAT WAS AWESOME," Rainbow Dash shouted, as she flew out of the hanger bay, "You all have to try this thing." 

"What in tarnation kept y'all," Applejack snapped

"Easy Miss Applejack," one of the Marines replied, "it takes time to start a star ship, especially in atmospheric conditions." It was at that moment that rest of Delta Squad emerged from the hanger bay, with Sgt. Rhodes not far behind.

"That and she picked a fight with the robots," Rhodes said, not even bothering to exchange glances with one of the SPARTANS, "took two squads a precious half hour separate them before the science experiments made her Equestria's fastest flier with a limp."

"Wasn't my fault," Rainbow replied. Rhodes cut Rainbow off before she had a chance to finish.

"Rule number one," Rhodes said, glancing at 201, "SPARTANS don't think or act like real Humans, don't turn your back on them," his glance soon became a hateful stare, "Isn't that right Lieutenant?" It was at that moment McAffee stepped in.

"That's enough Sergeant," McAffee said, as he turned to face 201, "set up a perimeter around the ship, keep the civilians back until we're sure the area is secured." 201 simply remained silent, motioning for his squad to begin to advance towards the Ponies. Slowly the crowd began to back away, the sheer size of the armored Humans was enough to instill fear into even the bravest Pony. 

"Um Admiral," Fluttershy said, "is this really necessary, I mean Pinkie and the Apples have been planning a big celebration for tonight."

"Parties can wait," McAffee replied, "I don't want any civilians near my ship should the Covenant return." 

Location: Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville, Free Territories, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542) Dusk

Dusk was beginning to settle over Ponyville, as Twilight made her way towards Sweet Apple Acres, dragging a huge bag of books, paper and quills behind her. She'd spent the better part of the day gathering the materials she believed she would need to start her new assignment. It was the first time she'd had any time alone since the Covenant had launched their invasion. The first time she had a chance to think clearly about all that had transpired. 

"It's hard to believe that the Princess is gone," Twilight said to herself, as she gazed at the setting sun. She'd never get use to seeing Luna now raise both the Sun and the Moon. Part of her wanted to simply head back to the library and lock herself away hoping that she'd wake up to find everything that had transpired was nothing more than a bad dream.

A bad dream that was little more than wishful thinking. Try as she might Twilight would never forget the letter she'd received announcing Princess Celestia's death. All she could do was hide her pain behind her normal confident self. Yet even that was a challenge, as she wiped a tear from her eye. Her mind turned back to something Princess Celestia had once told her "Don't fear change, for change is simply another step on life's winding road." However Twilight's train of thought was soon interrupted by the sound of a loud explosion that to the Unicorn was all too familiar. High in the sky Twilight could see a bright rainbow streaking across the sky.

"Gah," Twilight shouted, "the party, my new assignment. I'm late!" With that Twilight raced as fast as she could towards Sweet Apple Acres. 

Location: Sweet Apple Acres, West Field, Free Territories, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542) later 

"And that Ponies and Humans," Rainbow Dash said, as she touched down, "is how you do a Sonic Rainboom." High above the awe struck crowd was a bright rainbow crisscrossing the sky. Its colors filled with the light of the setting sun. For the Ponies Rainbow's Sonic Rainboom was nothing new. Rainbows as a whole were a common sight in Equestria, especially after a good soaking rain, and Dash's boasting of being able to do a Sonic Rainboom was almost legendary.  It wasn’t anything new, the parties Pinkie threw, watching Rainbow perform her legendary feats, were as common as the sunrise in Ponyville and always helped the ponies forget their troubles. For the Humans, though, many couldn't remember the last time they had a chance to simply sit back and gaze at a rainbow in peace without the fear of the Covenant arriving and laying waste to their worlds. 

Not taking anything for granted. That was something this war had taught the Humans well. But the sight of the Rainbow crossing the sky with the setting sun behind it was enough to win a few smiles from some of the Human soldiers. 

One by one the Ponies in the crowd began stomping their hooves against the ground, a sign of applause for Rainbow's accomplishment. One by one the Humans slowly began to join in, for many it was the first thing they had to cheer about in years. For Rainbow, cheering was something she was all too use too, especially after winning the  Best Young Fliers Competition and gaining new respect as Ponyville's resident hero.

"That Mares, Gentelstallions," Applejack said, trying to form the right words, "and Humans, is Rainbow Dash's legendary runaway Rainbow Ego."

"Yeah Rainbow Dash," a familiar voice shouted from the crowd, Rainbow couldn't help but hold her head. 

"Derpy I thought I told you to stay at the train station," Rainbow said, for the first time noticing her sister in the crowd.

"Dr. Suitor..." Rainbow cut her sister off.

"Let me guess you got fired...again?" Rainbow inquired. Derpy simply lowered her head. 
"I just don't know what went wrong sis," Derpy replied. Rainbow couldn't help but facehoof. 
"We'll sort it out in the morning," Rainbow said placing her hoof on her sister's shoulder, "right now I think everypony and every Human could use some fun." Before Derpy had a chance to reply, Applejack once again cut her off.

"Now if y'all turn your attention," AJ said, "we've got the tastiest bitters in all of Equestria, along with the finest cider you'll ever taste." Smiles broke out among many of the Humans, finally they would be able to eat something other then the freeze dried space gunk the cooks in the galley served, and some fresh made cider, just the thing to take the edge off. However a few giggles soon broke out among the Human soldiers, they had other plans when it came to RnR.

"Okay boys and girls," one of the officers said, "let's show these Ponies how to really party," two troopers reached into one of the warthogs, and removed a large drum and a large container holding all sorts of game equipment.

" Here's the good stuff fresh from Lord Hood's personal stash on Sygnus," one of the troopers said, "and here's the entertainment. Everyone," he paused for a few moments to laugh at his next statement, "and everypony have fun that's an order." Rainbow however simply turned away from the Humans, as they began gathering mugs of the strange liquid or grabbing some of the balls and instruments in the other container. A few seconds later though, one of the Human ODSTs suddenly approached. 

"Hey," the trooper said, handing Rainbow a mug of cider, she suddenly recognized the voice, it as the same trooper who had insulted her in the Warthog, it was the first time she'd seen him without his helmet or visor on, she had to admit without their armor the Humans weren't as intimidating, "I have to admit I had you pegged wrong." Rainbow's face lit up, it was the first time one of the elite Human troopers had complimented her. 

"Really now," Rinbow replied, smiling.

"I admit you've got potential," the trooper responded. "It's rare to find a creature who's able to break the sound barrier with little effort."

"Oh what about me," Derpy pipped in, cutting Rainbow of before she had a chance to respond.

"Hey D why don't you go mingle a little," Rainbow said, smiling, Derpy simply sighed and lowered her head. Rainbow could see tears forming in her crossed eyes. More than anything she wanted to prove to Ponyville, and especially to Rainbow Dash, that she was more than just a klutz, that she was just as worthy of being Rainbow Thunder and Lightning Storm's daughter as Rainbow Dash was.  

"Is she okay?" the trooper inquired.

" No Derpy's just being Derpy," the memories of the damage the two of them had caused to Town Hall filled her mind and she couldn’t help but smile. “ But hey,” she sighed, thinking about everything that had transpired since her parents’ deaths, “I just want her to be safe,” the tone of her voice became more assertive, “and if you tell any Pony I said that I’ll deny it till the day I die.” 

"My lips are sealed,” the trooper replied. Rainbow was about to form her reply, when she noticed a familiar figure staggering its way towards Sweet Apple Acres. 

"Sorry I'm late everypony," Twilight said, gasping for breath.

"Let me guess you flipped out and tore apart the Library again?" Rainbow inquired.

"No," Twilight replied, slowly regaining her composure, "it's still standing this time," her attention turned to the Human that was standing next to Rainbow, "where is the Admiral?" 

"Up by the barn," the trooper replied.

Location: Near the Barn, Sweet Apple Acres Year of Luna 0001 (Earth year 2542) later that night

For Twilight the image of the celebration had helped eased the grief she still felt over the death of her beloved mentor. It was strange seeing Ponies and Humans willing to get along, at least for the time being. Twilight was actually surprised to see a wide variety of other Humans not just officers, Marines, ODSTs and SPARTANs but technicians, doctors, flight deck crew, pilots, gunnery crews, system operators, repair crews and mechanics. Unlike most of the military compliment who wore armor over a body suit these humans seemed to be dressed in work clothes or at least a dress uniform. Though in Rarity's eyes Human fashion wasn't anything to be impressed by,  but they at least washed them before the party.

Deep down Twilight loathed the fact the Midway was only one ship that was part of a vast number of fleets whose sole purpose was waging war and expanding the UNSC's already vast interstellar empire. Yet her mind was filled with admiration for the organization and mathematical precision it took to coordinate a ship with a compliment as large and as diverse as the Midway. Most Pony Airships and balloons only had a pilot and maybe six to ten crew members to provide comfort for passengers and to steer the vessel. The Midway on the other hand had to have tens of thousands of soldiers, technicians and other personnel who provided everything from food to security. In terms of organization, Twilight's greatest accomplishment had been getting Ponyville's Winter Wrap Up  finished on time. But that seemed miniscule compared to the organizational skills Human and Covenant leaders needed to command their troops.

From the corner of her eye Twilight soon spotted Admiral McAffee's unmistakable green uniform. The Admiral was leaning against the side of the barn, with a mug of cyder in his hand. Like the rest of his crew it was the first time in many weeks they'd had anything to eat or drink that wasn't K-Rations or tasted as though it had been cooked by a computer. 

"Admiral," Twilight said, gaining McAffee's attention, as she raced towards the Human officer she failed to notice a large rock in her path, and soon tripped over it, landing flat on her face and spilling the contents of her saddlebags all over. 

"Sorry, sorry," Twilight continued, as she quickly regained her footing and began to clean up the books and papers. 

"A little over packed aren’t we?" McAffee asked, smiling.

"Actually I think I'm under packed," Twilight replied, " I mean I need to be prepared for anything." 

"In that case," McAffee said, "Consider yourself drafted." Twilight felt her heart sink.  Drafted as in forced into the army? She wasn't a soldier, she was a librarian, a book worm who was happiest when surrounded by her closest friends, chatting about the days events over milkshakes and cupcakes or her spell books.

"I think you're mistaken Admiral," Twilight replied, "I don't recall joining the army as part of what I'm supposed to be doing." 

"It's not," McAffee added, "it's because I say so, you work for me you're active duty as far as I'm concerned."

"But," Twilight replied, "I can't be a soldier my cutie mark is clear that it's not my destiny." McAffee simply sighed. Applejack had sent her sister and her friends outside while she and her Grandmother had a private discussion. He'd spent the last hour listening to the so called “Cutie Mark Crusaders” talk about cutie marks and what they meant to Pony society. 

"You really think a little tattoo defines you," McAffee asked, "That just because you don't have the right "cutie mark" you can't decide how to live your life?" 

"No," Twilight said, lowering her head, "it's just that.." She was suddenly at a loss for words. She'd never met a creature that openly criticized something that defined a Pony's destiny, something that was part of their very culture.

"You're scared," McAffee continued, lowering his cup, "Fear isn't anything new, every new recruit is scared when they first arrive for Basic Training. Even when they graduate the fear never goes away.”

"No I'm not scared," Twilight replied, "I just don't have the cutie mark to be in the Guard is all. There are plenty of Ponies that also lack the cutie mark to be in the army." McAffee sighed. 

"Well then," McAffee said, putting his mug down, "we'll have to do something about those feelings now won't we?" 

Location: Covenant Headquarters, former Mayor's Office, Occupied Manehatten, Occupied Territories, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542)

The only time Trixie had known the kind of fear that was now coursing through her veins was when Snips and Snails had brought that Ursa Minor to Ponyville. Yet the enraged looks on the faces of the two Sangheili guards that grasped her hooves, told her all she needed to know. Something was wrong, true the Arbiter had assigned her two Sangheili guards to keep an eye on her movements. But when they told her that the Arbiter wished to see her immediately, Trixie couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her. The Arbiter's threat of ending her life was still fresh in her mind as were the orders he'd issued earlier demanding the immediate termination of all Unicorns and Pegasai, for now the only thing that was keeping her alive was her willingness to share information, but that had its limits. 

Before Trixie even had a chance to rub the sleep from her eyes the towering aliens grabbed her, nearly breaking her front hooves in the process. The fury in their eyes was all the proof she needed to tell her something had happened to the patrol the Covenant had sent ot Ponyville, and the Arbiter knew it.

The two Sngheili tossed the terrified unicorn into the Arbiter's personal chambers. Slowly Trixie began to regain her composure, but her fear remained. The Arbiter stood in front of her, gazing out the window at one of the many slave pits the Covenant had set up across the occupied city. To dig for what they referred to as holy relics. 

"So you lied to me after all heretic," the Arbiter said, as he turned to face Trixie, his piercing yellow eyes burning with fury. 

"Excuse me but," Trixie said, trying her best to hide her fear, "The Great and Powerful Trixie does not lie." Trixie's arrogance did little to ease the Arbiter's rage. In many ways it had the opposite effect. He grabbed Trixie by the neck. 

"THEN EXPLAIN WHY WE HAVE LOST CONTACT WITH OUR PATROL," the Arbiter roared, tightening his grip on Trixie's neck. 

"Maybe," Trixe replied, struggling to form words, "maybe they're still scouting Ponyville or they're having equipment problems?" The fury in the Arbiter's eyes only grew stronger, his grip around her neck tightened. With all his strength the Arbiter slammed Trixie into the floor, his rage growing more frightening by the second.

"YOU WERE WARNED," The Arbiter snarled, as his energy sword roared to life. Trixie struggled to try and come up with a response, as the Arbiter brought his energy sword down, preparing to make good on his threat to end her life.

"Maybe Ponyville just got lucky," Trixie blurted out, fully expecting to feel the energy sword slice into her at any moment, but to her surprise she only felt the warmth of the blade's energy upon her blue fur. Opening her eyes she was shocked to see that the Arbiter had stopped his arm only centimeters from where her  neck and shoulders came together. 

There was some truth to Trixie's claim, reports of Covenant losses had been coming in as their army pressed across the Heretic's lands, especially towards the south along the Heretics main defense line, and reports that the Heretics were starting to set up more effective defenses. While the Covenant's losses in the war had been minimal, the Arbiter knew full well that any losses they sustained would affect the Covenant more than the Heretics, and there was no chance of being able to call in reinforcements without raising suspicions among the responding units and in the High Council about his motives. 

"Very well," the Arbiter said, lowering his weapon, he motioned for the two Sangheili guards to enter, "inform Shipmaster Thel and General Xytar that they are to turn their offensives south and break the Hertics defenses at all costs." The two guards bowed and took their leave. However the Arbiter's gaze remained fixated on Trixie, "for your sake heretic you'd better be right."

Location: Covenant Command Post, Hoofstar Hotel, Baltimare, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542), that night


At one time Baltimare had been a thriving metropolis that owed much of its prosperity to the numerous merchants who used its massive harbor to ship goods across Horseshoe Bay and the Atlantican Ocean and the large number of jewel traders who used the Jade River, which cut Baltimare in two, and the Canterlot-Baltimare Railway to reach the Jewel Mountains and eventually Baltimare's massive harbor to ship their haul over the Atlantican Ocean to the kingdoms outside Equestria itself or sell their prizes in Canterlot to one of the numerous designers or boutiques that lined the city's famous Fashion Row or the prized jewelers of Coltinvale.

But for the citizens of Baltimare that was all in the past replaced by the nightmare of the present. For those unlucky enough to still be trapped in the city those days of peace seemed more like a dream. All around the trapped Ponies the once proud city burned. From the eastern banks of the Jade River, hundreds of Covenant Wraiths and Artillery pieces hurled bursts of white hot plasma into the Pony occupied portion of the city, setting fire to whatever the projectile touched. In the darkness the light from the numerous fires that licked the night sky and the streaks of Unicorn Magic and Covenant Plasma fire crossing the sky seemed to turn night into day, perfectly illuminating the doomed city. The train station was littered with the remains of countless Ponies and the wrecked and burned out remains of numerous refugee, supply, and troop trains that had attempted to evacuate as many civilians as possible or bring in fresh troops and supplies from Canterlot or other villages and cities south of the Celestia line only to be caught by patrolling Banshees. 

Thel gazed out the window of the large hotel room that made up the Covenant's forward command post in Baltimare. He stared almost sorrowfully into the darkness that enveloped the burning city. The only light that penetrated the darkness were the numerous fires burning across Baltimare or when the enemy attacked with energy based attacks or the Covenent's artillery fired rounds of white hot plasma into the parts of the city still under pony control. To Thel this should have made his heart sore, every Sangheili warrior longed to live and die in glorious battle. But this, an attack against an enemy that could barely defend itself, where in that was the honor and glory the Sangheili sought? At least the Humans for whatever transgressions the Prophets said they had committed were indeed a worthy enemy, deserving of high honors. 

"Shipmaster," a Sangheili major said, kneeling before Thel, "Some of our patrols report encountering resistance on the far end of the street." 

"Casualties," Thel inquired. Normally the Covenant wouldn't concern themselves with their losses. But for Thel every Covenant warrior wounded or killed no matter what their position in the Covenant's stringent hierarchy was something they could ill afford. At least until they repaired their communications systems. 

"Acceptable," the Sangheili replied, "15 Unggoy and a dozen Kig-Yars. I've already sent for a pair of Mgalekgolo to finish the job." Thel felt his heart sink. For the stand they took whoever was holding out they deserved the chance to fight again, on terms the Covenant would deem more honorable. 

"Belay that order at once Major," Thel said, grabbing his energy sword and plasma rifle from the table, "inform the Mgalekgolo to report to the river, I'll deal with these hold outs personally." The Sangheili major gave a confused look in response but questioning ones superior without proof of wrong doing was grounds for execution.

Location: Ruins of Gemstone Academy, Baltimare, Covenant Controlled Territories, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542), an hour later

Two Sangheili guards led Thel to a bombed out building on the far end of the street. Judging by what little remained of the building and its surroundings, Thel could only guess at what it had been used for. At one time it had been Baltimare's premiere fashion academy, where gifted fashion designs went to learn their trade from filly to adult, but now it was little more than a shell of its former glory. Covenant air and ground fire had reduced the building to a burned out hulk. In the large front yard were the charred remains of playground equipment and the broken bodies of at least a dozen or so Guardsponies and the impaled and burned bodies of the Uggony and Kig-Yar who had tried to storm the building.

"Shipmaster," one of the Sangheili guarding Thel asked, "is it wise to venture in there alone?"

"Those who fear death at the hands of the enemy or petty betrayal," Thel replied, not even bothering to exchange glances with his bodyguard, "aren't worthy of leading the Covenant’s holy forces into battle. Let alone calling themselves Sangheili." Without stopping Thel threw the doors open and made his way into the building. His yellow eyes scanned the burned out hallways like those of a hawk searching for its prey. Searching for any signs of life be it friend or foe. 

The only things that broke the eerie silence that had fallen over the area was the occasional sound of Covenant artillery fire coming from the river front or the sounds of loose rocks crashing to the ground. Thel clutched his Plasma rifle tighter, as he made his way forward, his eyes fixated on the ruined classrooms, and the corners, any place where an enemy could have set up an ambush. Thel gripped his weapon tighter when he overheard the familiar sounds of hoofbeats coming from the far side of the hallway. Ducking behind the corner, Thel could make out the shape of one adult Heretic, and numerous children.  Thel felt his heart sink even more, his brother's orders were clear any Heretic with wings or a horn was to be killed on sight for they were abominations in the eyes of the Gods. Yet to Thel it was  an order he would obey out of loyalty to the faith of the Covenant. Yet at the same time he it hated more than anything and it only further cemented the hatred he felt for his brother. 

To kill the innocent regardless of whether they were heretics or abominations to the Gods or not went against the very core of Sangheili honor. To a Sangheili death at the hands of a worthy enemy in battle be it against fellow Sangheili or their foes was the greatest honor. This order though, though given in the name of the sacred religion of the Covenant was a disgrace to all who called themselves Sangheili or Covenant. 

"Hurry," the adult said, trying her best to keep her voice down, as she guided her charges towards the back door. In the distance she could hear the loud thumps of Thel's footsteps drawing closer, the only sound echoing louder was her own heart. As the group approached the back door to their horror they found it blocked by rubble. In the distance the Fillies could hear the sound of Thel's thunderous footsteps as they drew closer, and for many, as Thel rounded the corner it was the first time they saw a Covenant warrior up close.  

Slowly Thel closed in for the kill, his hand clasped tight around  his plasma rifle, dying in honorable battle that was the only way a Heretic could hope to regain their lost honor and win the forgiveness of the Prophets and be allowed to make the Great Journey. A cold smile crept over Thel's face as the adult Heretic leapt in front of her charges, she had no wings nor horn like many of the other Heretics Thel and his comrades had slain in battle or had been ordered to kill on sight. Yet there was something in her eyes that made the proud Sangheili stop in his tracks. It was determination, the same determination he'd seen burn the eyes of his brothers and in the eyes of the Humans, especially when faced with defeat. Yet at the same time he gazed upon the young the adult heretic was so bravely trying to protect. It was a sight Thel had rarely seen on the battlefield. The childrens’ large eyes, filled with tears reflecting the fear within their hearts, a sight that would’ve broken the heart of even the most fanatical Covenant warrior, a sight that convinced Thel to lower his weapon. 

He knew the orders his brother had issued prior to his departure. Yet looking at the young, Thel for the first time saw no heretics only frightened children whose only source of comfort was the adult with them. Most of his brothers and fellow Covenant would've been all too happy to carry out the Arbiter's orders, but to Thel, he saw no honor in what he was being asked to do, whether they had committed heresy or not they deserved a chance to fight and die as warriors on the battlefield. What the Arbiter was asking was a disgrace not only to the Sangheili but to the Covenant as a whole. 

With that Thel once again drew his Plasma rifle, the heretics closed their eyes in fear, awaiting their fates. Thel stood motionless; the only sounds were cries of mercy. Every fiber of his Covenant beliefs told him to fire at the heretics to punish them for their crimes. Yet these heretics the adult was unarmed, and the rest were merely children who had no means of defending themselves. Thel couldn’t explain why, but he just couldn’t bring himself to fire his weapon yet he knew he couldn’t leave without some proof that he’d accomplished his mission. With that the only sounds that broke the silence were a few shots as Thel emptied his weapon into the ceiling. Slowly Thel turned to walk away. 

"Leave through the back door our army has all the other exits covered. Our scout ships report that there's an abandoned airship parked just outside, use it and get your charges out of the city. I give you my word on my honor as a Sangheili warrior that our air force will not peruse you." was all Thel said. 

Upon exiting the building, the Covenant soldiers surrounded Thel, demanding to know the details of what had transpired. Yet the look to Thel's face was one of regret and confusion. He’d openly defied his brother and spared heretics, a crime punishable by death should it ever become known and something he’d never done before. But they were innocents and the thought of killing them in such a disgraceful manner no matter what heresy his brother said they committed was a far worse crime.  The only word Thel said to the eager crowd of Covenant soldiers was simply "Terminated." Before issuing orders that the patrolling Banshsees were to focus all their efforts on bombing enemy targets on the other bank of the Jade River destroying the last remaining airship in Baltimare didn’t matter as much as capturing a bridge and crossing the river.

Location: Pony-Covenant Front Line, along the Jade River, Baltimare, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542)


The only sign of life in the station was the single refugee train preparing to head to Canterlot and the few dozen civilians and wounded Guardsponies who had managed to reach the station before the Covenant had cut most of the routes. 

For the Baltimare Guard and civilian ponies struggling to hold the city or escape it was a race against time. Covenant soldiers had managed to breach the city's defenses in the North and the East taking the neighborhoods of Pony City and Hoofington before destroying 60% of the 2000 strong Baltimare Guard in the area with light casualties before launching a major offensive that pushed all the way to the eastern shore of the Jade River and brought over half the city under Covenant control, including the harbor, cutting off the city's access to the Atlantican and Horseshoe Bay, before they were finally halted at the garrison's final line of defense the Baltimare Line on the west bank of the Jade River.

The news coming in from the battle front was mixed, the overall advance into the remaining portions of Baltimare had been slowed by hit and run raids launched by some of the remaining Guardsponies and some of the civilian Unicorns still trapped in the city. 

More alarming were the rumors that the horned Heritics had pinpointed a weakness in the Covenant Wraiths, and had managed to knock one out with a combination of energy based attacks which blew off the light rear armor protecting the plasma reactor while others took out the reactor with either kicks or spear hits, leaving the tank disabled. Before attacking the injured Elite and Grunt Crew members as they clawed their way out of the crippled Wraith, plunging spears into their chests before they had a chance to draw their weapons or activate their shields. In the eyes of the Arbiter and his lieutenants these were simple annoyances.  

But to the Ponies defending Baltimare's government district and western shore, the minor annoyances were even more vital. Even if they delayed the Covenant advance by only a few seconds it would be a few seconds more to get the wounded and civilians out, even if they only crippled one enemy war machine or killed one enemy soldier they would be reducing their numbers and giving the trapped garrison and civilians hope. 
Hidden in a ground level bunker were the city’s Mayor a black mare with a white full moon cutie mark, Blackmoon and the Guard Commander a large snow white unicorn with a Red Star for his Cutie Mark, General Winter Storm, were kept up to date on the losing battle above ground.

"Madame Mayor," General Storm said, as he entered the bunker, flanked by two Guardsponies, each of whom had lost an eye or part of their snouts in the fighting, "The Alien forces have taken Chariot Port, the mouth of the Jade River and the entrance to Horeshoe Bay are all blocked by wrecked ships and enemy ground troops have also taken all of the east bank of the Jade River, enemy cannon fire has been reported striking the western business district, and a few raiders have been crossing the river to probe our defenses but so far have been beaten off, with few losses to either us or them." Winter Storm was a career soldier; one of the many subordinates the new commander-in-chief Shinning Armor had to deal with and one of the few who was whiling to give him the benefit of the doubt.

A proud son of the warrior culture of Stalliongrad, who was as loyal as it came to the Princesses despite having been passed over for a promotion to command of the elite Canterlot Guard for disrespecting his superiors during a Griffin Uprising in the Everfree Forest. An action that led to three full regiments of the Canterlot Guard walking into an ambush and being wiped out. It had taken years to rebuild and retrain the shattered regiments just to bring the Canterlot Guard back to full strength. In the aftermath of that debacle, Winter Storm was dismissed from the Canterlot Guard and reassigned as General of the Baltimare Guard. An assignment that still offered Winter Storm a chance for glory but kept him far enough away from the capital to prevent him from spreading gossip about the Everfree Forest disaster.  

Despite this set back he'd been one of the few pony generals to have seen battle it had been his Batlimare Guard, one of the fifty Guard divisions from all over Equestria then Captain Shinning Armor had called up to provide security in Canterlot during the Royal Wedding and it had been the Baltimare Guard that had helped drive the remaining Changlings from Canterlot not so long ago.

"In another hour or two they'll be within range of Alicorn Bridge and some of the smaller bridges, after that." The Mayor cut Winter Stallion off.

"If the enemy crosses the Jade River in force Baltimare will fall." Blackmoon replied.

"The Alicorn and any of the bridges over the Jade River must be blown or held to the last Pony. I've got the remains of the 3rd Unicorn Demolition Unit trying to marshal enough magic to blow the bridges," Winter Storm said, hesitantly. "and the few Pegasi Archer and Earth Pony Spearponies left in the Baltimare Guard who are still able to bare arms covering them. But against the enemy's heavy armored vehicles, spears and arrows are useless, and we don't have enough Unicorns left in the Guard to mount a counterattack against armor." 

"There are still civilians trapped on the other bank." the Mayor replied. Winter Storm remained silent, he knew full well the Baltimare Guard lacked the Stallion and Mare power to mount any kind of evacuation and the letter he'd received earlier that day from General Shinning Armor was even grimmer. "Risk of enemy break through into the South too great, all available Guard Divisions and Imperial Army Divisions from the Crystal Empire needed to defend Celestia Line. Casualties to enemy air attacks have been too high to risk sending further reinforcements to Baltimare. By order of Queen Luna, keep evacuation routes to Coltinvale and Canterlot open as long as possible. See to it the wounded and as many civilians get out of the city. Attempt to slow enemy advance for as long as possible. Good Luck may Celestia be with you General."

"I know that Madame Mayor," Winter Storm replied, turning his back to the Mayor, "Pray to Celestia's spirit, neither of us will have to make that decision." Before the Mayor had a chance to reply another messenger, a Pegasus Guardspony, stumbled into the bunker. His armor had all but melted to his skin, the result of the laser and plasma fired from Kig-Yar sniper rifles on the eastern shore. Worst of all one of his wings, and one of his front legs had been blown clear off, the result of a Mgalekgolo’s assault cannon. It was clear to all he didn't have much time, but slowly he delivered his message.

"3rd Unicorn destroyed....Enemy," the Pegasus groaned, in pain, "has taken the Alicorn Bridge....large force crossing the Jade River at high rate." Silence was the only thing that filled the room.

Location: Throne Room, Canterlot Royal Palace, later that day, Year of Luna 0001 (Earth Year 2542) 

To say Luna was intimidating when she was angry was something that even her own personal guard or her own cousin knew all too well. The last messages from Baltimare, had simply said the enemy had crossed the Jade River in force and was now advancing into the heart of the city and that the Baltimare Guard would do all they could to slow the enemy's advance but there was little chance they could hold without reinforcements.

What enraged the Queen the most was the news that only one of the more than one hundred refugee trains that were due to evacuate the wounded and civilians from Baltimare as well as a single  badly damaged airship had managed to reach Coltinvale and Canerlot. Gazing out the window,  Luna could see the smoke rising from the Royal Academy district, two more squads of Covenant Banshees had bombed Canterlot earlier that day,  hitting the Royal Academy District, leaving not so much as a statue at any of the Academies standing. Let alone leaving any of the Canterlot Guardsponies who'd been sent to repel the assault alive before they retreated.

“They dare violate our sacred capital,” Luna growled.

"Your highness," a familiar voice said, from behind. Luna turned just in time to see Cadence standing behind her, her normally pink fur and wings coated in blood from the wounded. "another message from Batlimare." Luna simply looked at the paper it contained one phrase "We are holding our own." The Night Queen lowered her head. She could see the look of concern in her cousin' eyes, concern for her beloved husband, the rumors reaching Canterlot that the Covenant Army was advancing on the border of the Crystal Empire, and most of the Imperial Army was on its way to  defend the Celestia Line and more Covenant troops were arriving at the Celestia Line by the day. 

This turn of events had brought a new thought to the Night Queen's mind, there were rumors of traitors within Ponykind itself. A faction of Ponies who were willing to sell out the Humans who had offered to aid Ponykind in defending Equestria in exchange for the Covenant leaving, but deep down Luna's heart told her the Covenant would never leave in peace and the only hope they had, now that both sides knew of Equestria’s location was to trust the Humans to keep their word. 

Then there were the nations and creatures that surrounded Equestria. Some like the Minotaurs and  Dragons only desired to be left in peace as long as their treasures and borders were respected. Still others harbored nothing but hatred for Equestria. Griffarus, the proud kingdom of the Griffins, for eons they had harbored a grudge with the Ponies ever since  Queen Morning Glory had driven them from their hunting grounds, a grudge that flared into open hatred with their defeat in the Great War under Queen Shinning Sun.

But worst of all were the Changlings. Once they had been known as the Flutterponies ruled over by the kindhearted Rosedust. But that was a long time ago. All Ponies knew of the Changling Empire was that a spell had gone terribly wrong, transforming Rosedust into the nightmarish Queen Chrysalis, and her Flutterponies into twisted abominations who ruled over an Empire that stretched from the Shadow Mountains in the west to the very border of Eqestria itself. Long had Chrysalis desired to annex Equestria to her own empire, using Ponykind as nothing more than food and slave labor, a desire that turned into open war when she attacked the Royal Wedding. If either the Griffins or the Changlings got word of the invasion, no it was a thought Luna didn't even want to consider. Even with the Humans and the training they offered there was little hope of stopping the Covenant's inevitable breech of the Celestia Line.

"Sergeant," Luna said, getting the attention of one of her guards, "take a letter. Inform General Shinning Armor that the Celestia Line is no longer defensible and he is to return to Canterlot at once for reassignment." The Guard simply bowed. For Cadence a brief moment of hope filled her heart, after all the pain and suffering she'd seen from refugees and Guardsponies coming in from the Front and the Occupied Territories, the chance of seeing her beloved husband again was the first joyous news she'd heard since the war had begun.

Stay Tuned for Chapter V: War Dawn