//------------------------------//
// Chapter 14: We're Off on the Road to Rodeo Island 
// Story: Once Upon a Time, on an Alien Ring World 
// by Hi World 
//------------------------------//

Sergeant Cheerlie laid on a towel reading a book whilst the Ponies under her command relaxed or played on the beach. She had just finished reading the third chapter of "Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny," when the drone of an engine grew louder and nearer.

She and her troops took a break to stare down the beach at the returning Warthog. Looking closer, she realised it was reversing all the way over to them.

Upon arrival, the Hog skidded to a backwards stop, jostling the two Ponies on board; Derpy the driver and Fluttershy the gunner.

Cheerlie walked up to the vehicle an greeted, "Hello again. That was fast." She then looked around. "... Where's Pinkie Pie?"
Derpy provided the answer. "She trapped on other side of door."
In affirmation, Fluttershy nodded.

"What door?" Cheerlie raised an eyebrow.
It was Fluttershy's turn to speak up this time. "The door to the cartographer."
Explaining further, AI Twilight surfaced, "The Covenant have locked themselves inside, and Pinkie is in there with them."
"Oh goodness!" Cheerlie gasped. "That doesn't sound good."
"In order to open the door, we have to get to the island's security centre. We were hoping you could spare somepony to tag along with us."

Nodding, Cheerlie stated, "Well, I'd be happy to tag along."
Twilight thought otherwise. "Nope. You're the Pony in charge. You should stay here. This beach is sort of our HQ."
"Oh... ok, sure."
"Just lend us a Pony and we'll be outa here."

Rotating to study her troops, Cheerlie rubbed her chin and narrowed her eyes. "Hmmm... Amethyst!"
The Unicorn Mare called Amethyst glanced around before pointing to herself and asking, "Me?"
"Yes, you. Do you think you can help Fluttershy with her mission?"

Fluttershy looked at the sand by Amethyst's hooves, careful not to make eye contact. She didn't have a problem with Amethyst, she just didn't know her that well, and that made her shy.

Answering Cheerlie, Amethyst mumbled, "Sure," and came trotting over.
Amethyst had a light pinkish purple coat and purple eyes. Her mane and tail were a darker, two tone purple. Her cutie mark couldn't be seen under her regulation green armour.

"Thank you, Cheerlie," Twilight expressed her appreciation, then commanded, "Derpy, move over and let Amethyst drive."
As the derped one grumbled and shuffled over into the passenger seat, Twilight checked with Amethyst, "You know how to drive this thing, right?"
"Uh, of course I do," she answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Great, hop aboard! I'll be your sat-nav. You can call me Twi Twi!"
"Twi Twi?" Amethyst quizzed as she climbed into her seat.
"Yeah, y'know, like a Tom Tom, only it's Twi Twi."
"... Was that supposed to be funny?"
"Aw come on, that was plenty funny!"
"If you say so."

Changing gear, Amethyst sent the Hog on it's way.
"Good luck!" waved Cheerlie.
Derpy and Fluttershy both bid, "Bye Cheerlie!"

As Amethyst continued to drive the Warthog down the beach, Fluttershy asked Twilight, "Can you radio Pinkie Pie?"
"Sure, I'll do that now."
There was a crack of static from Fluttershy's armour as Twilight connected them to the trapped pink Pony.
"Pinkie, do you read?"
Pinkie's delightful voice replied, "Every now and then."
"Oh, hello Pinkie! Are you ok?"
"You bet! It's kinda cold though, but I can't complain."

Randomly, Pinkie joked, "Hey Fluttershy, knock knock!"
With a giggle, the young Mare replied, "Who's there?"
"Why did the chicken cross the road?!"
Fluttershy was unsure who was more confused; herself or Pinkie. "Uh, why did the chicken cross the road - who?"
"Why did the chicken cross the road to get to the other side! Get it?! Hahahaha!"
A grin emerged on Fluttershy's face and she soon began to laugh. "Oh, Pinkie."
"Tee-hee!"

"Bare with us, Pinkie," Twilight interjected in a happy tone. "We're working on setting you free."
"There's a bear with you?"
Amethyst scowled.
"No, Pinkie," giggled Fluttershy. "She means we'll be a while."
"I know. I was just messing. But if there ever is a bear, I left some honey in the glove compartment."
Out of curiosity, Derpy clacked open the glove compartment, revealing a bee-hive accompanied by many buzzing bees. Derpy hurriedly slammed the compartment shut, a nervous expression on her face. "She wasn't kidding about the honey!"

"Well, I guess we'll see you soon, Pinkie," Fluttershy spoke. "Goodbye. Take care now."
"You too!" Pinkie chimed back, and with a click, the connection ended.

It was quite a long drive before they happened upon a canyon leading towards the centre of the island. Lots of trees and rocks were clustered around the mouth of the canyon, and multiple Covies scurried around amongst them.
Twilight suggested, "We should explore this canyon. If the Covenant are here, it probably leads somewhere."
"You're the boss," replied Amethyst, weaving the Hog through the trees and rocks, running over several Jackals.

After a quick skirmish, the Covies had been silenced, and the three Mares could dismount the Warthog. Fluttershy took the time to take a swig from her flask.

With their MA5Bs at the ready, the Ponies stood before the narrow, inclining canyon. It daunted Fluttershy into gulping, but she'd been through worse, so she set off walking with the other two by her side.

Whilst ascending the canyon, Derpy started, "So, Amethyst, how's Li-"
"-Don't talk to me," Amethyst snapped.
Well that was rude.
"I was only gonna ask how Liza was doing... She is called Liza, right? I didn't get the names mixed up again?"
"Yes, she's called Liza, and she's none of your business."
"... Who is Liza?"
"Didn't you hear what I just said? She's none of your business!"
Fluttershy drooped and kept quiet. She glanced over at Derpy, and the two shared an expression of uncertainty.
In private chat, Twilight soothed, "Never mind her, Fluttershy. She's just a little cranky."

Amethyst reached the end of the canyon with Derpy, where a line of tall trees was situated.
Impatiently, she tapped her hoof. "Come on, come on."
"Patience, Amethyst," sang Twilight as Fluttershy came up, disregarding the Mare's frown.

Fluttershy trotted past Amethyst and out of the canyon, when she immediately heard a deep, ferocious roar. She yelped and zipped back into the canyon.
"Twilight?" she shivered.
Derpy and Amethyst looked quite spooked too.
"It's Hunters," Twilight informed. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up. They weren't moving, so I couldn't track them on my motion sensor."
"Hunters?!" exclaimed Amethyst and Fluttershy.
Derpy just stared at Fluttershy, gone out.
"Yes, and they're still not moving. They're really committed to their position."

Turning, Amethyst stated, "Welp, guess we gotta find a different way."
"Not so fast," ordered Twilight, making the purple Mare stop. "These are Hunters."
"Exactly," Amethyst delivered, dead pan.
"The Covenant use them for things like heavy demolition, and the guarding of things they consider vital. Since they're not chasing us, they must be guarding something."
"So?"
"So, they're probably guarding the security centre! That's where we need to go to open the door."
Amethyst moaned dramatically, "Uuhh! So we have to fight them?"
"Yes."

Devising a plot, Twilight adjured, "Derpy, I want you to fly over to the other side of the Hunters. That will distract them long enough for us to sneak up behind them and take them out."
Derpy grinned. "Aw, you're taking them out? That's sweet. Anywhere nice?"
"Derpy!"
"What?"
"Can you please do what I told you?"
Derpy nodded, "Sure." With that, she took off into the sky.
"Not now!"
It was too late; the Hunters roared at the grey Pegasus gliding overhead.
"Ugh! Come on, girls!" Twilight pushed Fluttershy and Amethyst to gallop out of the canyon.

The area beyond the canyon was a small hollow, and there appeared to be a second hollow beyond. Between that hollow and the canyon was a large metal disc that indented the earth. Like some sort of tone-arm for a giant record player, a Forerunner structure arched over from the grass and touched down on the centre of the disc.

Standing on the silvery circle were the two hulking Hunters. They had their backs turned to the advancing Fluttershy and Amethyst, their spines raised. Their attention was focused on Derpy, who flew around evasively through the air, dodging their deadly green fuel rod projectiles.

As soon as Fluttershy and Amethyst set hoof on the mysterious alien platform, Twilight commanded, "Fire, now!" making the two Mares unload their assault rifles into the monsters' exposed backs.
The Hunters had no time to turn around as the bullets tore into the clusters of worms, punching holes and making them bleed orange, curdled blood. United they stood, together they fell.

With the huge aliens taken care of, Derpy came to a steady landing by Fluttershy and Amethyst who were reloading their rifles.
"Nice job, guys!" she beamed.
"Don't mention it," spat the moody Amethyst.
Fluttershy rubbed her foreleg.

Without consultation, Amethyst carried on walking towards the next hollow.
Twilight shrugged, "Well, I guess we keep moving. Great job on those Hunters by the way."
"Thanks."
Breaking into a trot, the two Pegasi caught up with the Unicorn.

Traversing a second canyon, the herd came up to a blocky, silvery structure that played the same roll as the cliffs; making up one side of a narrow canyon.

Before proceeding through the cramped crevice, Fluttershy had a quick drink of water and followed the impatient Amethyst, Derpy in tow.

"So, Derpy, what's your story?" Twilight pondered as the Ponies paced on.
Amethyst rolled her eyes, unable to express her grumpiness direct at the AI.
Answering Twilight, Derpy started, "My story? I thought I told everypony. I live in a pet shop where all the-"
"-Where all the animals can talk, I know," Twilight carried on. "The Autumn's ship wide com wasn't meant for you, or story telling."
"Yeah... I got yelled at."

"But... what's your real story?"
Looking confused, Derpy repeated, "My real story? Why would you want to know?"
"Just starting conversation," articulated Twilight. "I hope I'm not touching a nerve here, but, why are your eyes all... y'know?"
"Googly?" Derpy finished, taking the pressure off. "It's ok, you can say it."
Phew. Fluttershy had looked worried when Twilight brought up the subject, afraid that it'd upset Derpy.
However, Derpy didn't seem upset in the slightest.

"Hehe. I was born this way," she revealed with a grin. Pointing to her right eye, "I got a lazy eye here." Pointing to her left eye, "And a lazy eye there. Lazy, lazy everywhere."
"I see," remarked Twilight, intrigued.
"I see too. I can see enemies coming from any direction, hehehe!"

Pacing through the canyon of rock and metal, Fluttershy noticed the sea come back into view up ahead. They emerged upon a ledge, crossed with a silver balcony, that overlooked the beach and a small, rocky mesa.
It was a very nice view, and Fluttershy would've gazed longer at it, were it not for Twilight warning them, "Covenant are exiting the building."

As well as the ravine that had just deposited them, the entrance to the ancient alien building was situated just behind the trio, and a group of Grunts came waddling out of the murky interior. The three Mares mowed them down like it was second nature, although Fluttershy still had the guilt of murder and the fear of danger stricken on her face.

Whilst reloading, the Ponies gazed into the structure's entrance, now littered with Grunt bodies. It was dark in there, and Fluttershy didn't like the dark. Not one bit.

Shakily, she asked, "W-we... have to go down there?"
Amethyst rolled her eyes and replied, "Well yeah. We didn't fight our way over here for nothing."
"What are we fighting for?" wondered Derpy, sat on her haunches with a daft grin on her derped face.

Amethyst came up short upon Derpy's question and twisted her neck to look at the grey Pegasus. Fluttershy stared at Derpy as well. Silence befell them, and Fluttershy and Amethyst looked glumly at the silver floor.

Slowly, Fluttershy and Amethyst made their way down the steep ramp at the mouth of the Forerunner complex, stepping around the fallen Grunts. Derpy got up and fluttered in after.

At the bottom of the ramp, a doorway lead left into a large cavern. Natural rock formations made up the ceiling of the metal room and lush green foliage crept down over the walls. The only light in the room came from a crack in the rock above, where sun rays cut into the darkness like a knife left in a wound.

Forming a maze on the cavern floor, was a collection of purple Covenant crates. Anything could be hiding amongst them, and Fluttershy swallowed with trepidation.

Giving the necessary requests, Twilight whispered, "Derpy, can you fly over these crates and tell us if you see anything?"
"I can," came Derpy's answer.
Derpy continued to stand and smile at Fluttershy before Twilight eventually asked, "... Can you please do that?"
"Oh, ok."

Fluttershy watched as Derpy hovered away over the crates. She wasn't taking fire, which was good.
"Do you see anything, Derpy?" Twilight fished over the radio.
Shouting back, Derpy informed, "Yes! I see purple boxes! And the floor! And if I look up, I can see the walls and ceilings! No wait, there's just one ceiling!"
"No Covenant?"
"No Covenant! I can also see you! Hi!" Derpy waved enthusiastically.

"No Covenant... so far," Twilight thought aloud. "We should be careful." Back on the radio, she requested, "Derpy, I want you to guide us through this maze. Do you think you can do that?"
Fluttershy and Amethyst sighed together, not liking the idea of being directed through a maze by Derpy of all Ponies.
Even Twilight apologised in private chat, "Sorry, but it's the only way."

In answer to Twilight, Derpy cheered, "Yay! Of course I can does that!" and went about directing her teammates through the Covenant maze in the Forerunner chamber.

After a while of dilly-dallying and being lead to dead ends and around in circles, Derpy mentioned, "Ok, you're close to the end now!"
Turning left, Fluttershy and Amethyst exited the maze. Confused, they looked around.
"... This is where we started!" grated the light purple Unicorn, sighing with frustration.
Fluttershy dusted the ground with her hoof.
"Oops. Sorry," Derpy apologised sheepishly.

Just then, the whole room quaked to the sound of heavy footfalls coming from the other side of the containers. Squealing, Derpy shot through the air and hovered over the other two.
"Enemies! On the other side of the crates!" alerted the AI. "There's two of them! They're big! You know what that means!"
"Oh no!" cried Fluttershy, darting around with consternation.

On the other side, the two Hunters roared and began crashing their way through the containers. Fluttershy looked up and saw those purple crates being flung into the air like toys.

Unsure, Amethyst eyed the exit, wanting to flee.

"Waa!" yelped Derpy as she dodged a fuel rod projectile.
The green ammunition detonated above the exit, blasting a hole into the alien metal.

"Derpy! Fly behind them and flank them!" bellowed Twilight assertively.
Wordlessly, the blonde maned Pegasus flew over the maze of crates and the two monstrosities that smashed their way through it, carving two destructive paths.
"Hey! You're cheating!" complained Derpy, who began firing her MA5B into the back of one of them.

The behemoth grumbled and turned to protect its weak spot. Rumbling together, the two masses of worms communicated, and the second Hunter moved into position at its brother's back. They had each other covered, and that made it extremely difficult to get a clear shot at either of their weak spots.

"Oh no," the AI moaned. "I don't know how we can separate them!"
Twilight didn't have a plan?! Things just went from bad to super crazy terrible. Twilight always had a plan!

Amethyst glanced back and forth between the exit and the shifting congregation of containers. "Um, maybe we should get out of here?!"
Hyperventilating, Fluttershy froze as Derpy swooped around in the air, avoiding shots from the explosive weapons. She could hear Twilight in her head, trying her hardest to think of something.

Before the AI could conjure up a plan, Fluttershy screamed and dove into the madness. Shocked, Amethyst ran in after her.
"Fluttershy! What are you doing?!" demanded Twilight.
"I don't know!" Fluttershy wailed back, tears of fear leaking out of her eyes.

Urgently, Twilight shouted, "Get back!"
Skidding to a halt, Fluttershy narrowly avoided being hit by a crate that was smacked out of place by one of the Hunters. The massive creature stomped through the purple boxes and turned to face Fluttershy. Petrified, the yellow Pegasus backed up, not taking her eyes off the giant.

As its bond brother continued to fire at the airborne Derpy, the Hunter raised its indestructible metal shield.
"Fluttershy!" howled Twilight in horror.
Shrieking piercingly, Fluttershy jumped aside as the Hunter's shield came crashing down to the floor with a tremendous bang, leaving a dent and crack in the metal, right where Fluttershy had been standing.
Acutely, the AI bawled, "Run! Run!" prompting the shy to turn tail and sprint.

Running around a container, she bashed head to head with Amethyst. After the two Mares shook the stars from their heads, the Unicorn gawped at the towering beast behind Fluttershy.

Before the pink maned Pegasus could turn or run or do whatever, there was a strident bellow from the stalking Hunter, and it came tumbling down like a sky scraper and landed right on top of her. Her shields popped under the dead Hunter's crushing weight, and she could feel the gross texture of the worms in her mane. Beneath the fallen titan, Fluttershy couldn't breathe, and she gasped for air as her front hooves flailed around in panic.

Amethyst came to her aid as the sounds of battle continued to rage. The Unicorn combined her magic with her physical strength to drag the suffocating Mare out from under the armoured sculpture of worms.
"You ok there, Fluttershy?" worried Amethyst.
Fluttershy just wheezed and coughed, unable to grasp her own voice.

Suddenly, Amethyst leapt over her and galloped away, her MA5B joining Derpy's in the fight against the last Hunter.
"There there, Fluttershy," comforted Twilight, a hint of shock in her synthesised voice. "Just breathe."
The Pegasus eventually regained her breath as her energy shields began to recharge.

Her MA5B rifle had been converted to a crispy metal pancake by the Hunter's fall. Whirring, the mechanical arm discarded the destroyed weapon and reached into her saddle bag, wielding the diamond encrusted pistol Rarity had given her back on the Filly of Autumn.

Frightened, she poked her head around the crate and saw the last Hunter flop to the ground with a groan prior to celebrations from Derpy and Amethyst.

The two soldiers hurried to Fluttershy to deliver the news.
Derpy; "The Hunters are down."
"And they carved a path for us," added Amethyst.

Inspecting Fluttershy, Amethyst checked, "You sure you're ok?"
She'd certainly changed her tune, and Fluttershy liked it, but as she stood shakily before the two Ponies, she still couldn't get over the encounter.
In reply to Amethyst, she said, "Um... I'll be fine."

Sounding a little angry, Twilight drawled, "Fluttershy! What were you thinking?!"
"Um."
"Just running into the maze with the Hunters like that! You could've been killed!"
Stammering, Fluttershy uttered, "Um, I know, but... I-I just... Well, y'see, um... I... I..."
Derpy and Amethyst stared at her, curious.
"... Derpy was in trouble, and I just didn't want anything bad to happen to her," she eventually revealed.

Twilight gasped. "Fluttershy, that's very noble of you, but you need to think about your own safety. And mine."
"I know, but I... I... I always rely on you for a plan, but... you didn't have one, so... I... I just didn't know what to do, and Derpy was being attacked, and I just wanted to help her!" The poor Mare had broken down during her speech, and her two teammates came to comfort her.
Amethyst even produced a tissue to wipe her tears.
"Some help I was." She sat herself down on the floor.

"Fwuttershy, you were a great help!" cheered Derpy, her forelegs spread.
Fluttershy shook her head. "I didn't even do anything."
"Sure you did! You distracted the Hunter!"
She'd heard this many times before, and was starting to get rather fed up of it. "Oh, distract, distract, distract! That's all I ever do! I'm just the bait."

"Speak for yourself, Fluttershy," Derpy giggled. "I've been playing bait longer than you've been alive!"
"I'm a year older than you."
"Bait's my middle name. Derpy Bait... uh... uh..."
"Doo."
"Doo! Thanks Twilight."

"Remember the Truth and Reconciliation?" the once moody Amethyst reminded. "You were the Hunter killer!"
Smiling, Derpy stated, "And by helping me kill these Hunters; you keep that title!"
So Derpy killed both of the Hunters? Fluttershy could hardly believe that.
"Are you sure?" she questioned, not too fond of that title, but touched by the intent behind Derpy's and Amethyst's words.
The two soldiers nodded and hummed, "Mm-hm," their manes bouncing over their happy faces.

The AI spurred, "Now come on! Do you remember why we're here?"
Fluttershy wiped her face, pulling her tired eyelids down, exposing the pink area beneath her eyeballs. "... To free Pinkie Pie?"
"Yes!"
"To find Halo's control room."
"Right!"
She stood up. "To save the Pony race from extinction."
Twilight and the two troops cheered patriotically.
"Let's go!"

Motivated, Fluttershy downed some water, and trotted with Derpy and Amethyst through the Hunters' wake of destruction, deeper inside the Forerunner facility.