The Ponigeddon headed back to Salika, and Eldeer forces were spotted right away.
"Commander Hammerheart," said Spike, "we have located the Eldeer raiding party that threatens our supply lines between Salika and Dolmaska. We have identified their leader as the dangerous Ranger Lumiere. He is apparently coming from an operation in Hog territory. This is our chance to cripple Eldeer operations on Salika. We may also uncover more of the Eldeer's plans. I suggest we neutralize them immediately, Commander."
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Hammerheart and the Pony Marines descended on Salika and quickly dealt with all Hog and Eldeer alike throughout the jungle. They eventually reached the Ranger Lumiere himself.
"No wonder the Farseer chose the Hogs as our instrument instead of you." said the Ranger.
The Blood Phoenixes unleashed their holy fury upon the Eldeer, and in no time at all defeated him.
"And all this time... you might have been killing Paranids." Lumiere said with his dying breath. "You deserve... everything that's coming to you..."
"The Eldeer know the Paranids are coming." said Pinkie. "That explains their actions among the Hogs."
"What do Paranids have to do with Eldeer helping Hogs?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"A full fledged Hog uprising could actually slow the Paranids, Rainbow Dash." Pinkie explained. "If the Eldeer were not doing this on our own recruiting worlds, we could use the situation to our advantage."
"Using Hogs and Eldeer to stop an enemy?" Hoovitus asked. "Why would we waste our time with that? We are Pony Marines! We fear nothing because we are fear incarnate!"
"We may be fear incarnate, Hoovitus," said Pinkie, "but we face an enemy that knows no fear. We will need every advantage we can get if we want to save the sector."