//------------------------------// // Prolouge // Story: Mane-Six // by Black_Bones //------------------------------// Disclaimers: You know who owns what so get off my ass, only the plot is mine... that sweet sweet plot... This is the only OC-Centric Chapter... after that its all pretty much Twilight and the Mane Six. Well, here you go. -0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o Mane-Six Prologue Black clouds of smoke rose from Green Saddle Ridge. Contrary to it's name, the once green ridge had long since lost it's color and was replaced with the brown of a barren wasteland. The cries of war and gunfire echoed through the air and plooms of smoke ascended from newly formed craters in the earth. The once peaceful and prosperous farmland was now, like so many other places, a battlefield for a war going back centuries. Behind a rocky outcropping, which was slowly being chipped away by a hailstorm of gunfire, two young mares huddled together gripping there rifles tight in their three fingered hands. “Damn it!” One of the mares cried out over the sounds of suppressive fire. “Where the hell is 5th Company!?” “Oh Celestia...” The other one sobbed. “I don't want to be here... I want to go home!” A large hunk of stone shattered next to her and caused her to scream in fright. A blue maned stallion with a cream colored coat turned to look in the general area of their position and his eyes settled on the pined downed mares. Following the trail of whizzing projectiles the stallion's eyes locked onto the enemy position. On the ridge were three Wolvar soldiers manning a stolen Blackhoof Heavy Machine Gun Turret. Swiftly and with hard earned precision, the stallion raised his own rifle and fired three quick shots, taking out the three enemy combatants and silencing the pilfered turret. The stallion quickly made his way over to the two mares who looked at him with relief. “Lieutenant!” “Are you two alright?” he asked taking cover besides them. “Y-yes sir,” One of the mares answered for them both. “That's good to hear...” He muttered as he looked up towards the ridge. “Do either of you have heavy weapons training?” “I-I do sir.” Replied the other mare. The Lieutenant smiled at his sudden good fortune. “That's great. The 5th Company is on it's way, but we need to hold this position until they arrive.” Pointing towards the now vacant turret he then said. “I want the both of you to secure that Turret and it's ammunition and reposition it to face the enemy, understand?” “Yes, Lieutenant!” The mares replied in unison. “Good, I'll cover your advance. Once you get it set up mow down anything that isn't a pony! I don't want a single mutt stepping over this side of the ridge!” The stallion looked out from the outcropping and seeing nothing waved the tow mares forward. The mares took off stumbling but they quickly reached their objective and were soon beginning the process of reorienting the turret to face the opposite direction. Soon the sound of heavy machine gun fire filled the air, now raining death towards the advancing enemy. Suddenly the radio on the Lieutenant chest roared to life. “Lieutenant, come in!” A sophisticated sounding mares voice called out. “Blue!?” “This is Buckler,” The stallion replied.”Whats happening out there Rarity?” “The enemy is pushing in hard,” Rarity's voice replied mournfully. “Pinkie's entire squad has been K.I.A. She's falling back to Applejack's position to provide support for her squad.” “Damn it...” Buckler swore, a weight suddenly forming on his shoulders. “What's your status?” Rarity asked over a sudden surge of static. Buckler sighed before replying with a wince. “Four K.I.A, Two are missing, presumed dead. The last two are with me right now. We've secured the right side of the ridge for now and have re-appropriated a Blackhoof Heavy Turret.” “How unfortunate...” Rarity whispered hearing the fate of the other six soldiers. “As for the turret that's a small blessing, we we're beginning to fear the next wave might break our line but with that turret we should be able to hold out a while longer. I can send two runners with more Blackhoof ammunition to reinforce your position.” “Negative,” Buckler said firmly. “The enemy is concentrating on your position, you need all the hands and ammunition that you've got. We'll be fine here.” “Lieutenant, don't be stubborn your squad is almost wiped and we need you to hold the righ-” The radio suddenly cut to static as an explosion sounded from the west. Blue Buckler's eyes widened in horror as his gaze settled on a large ploom of smoke rising from the approximate position of the command area. “L-Lieutenant!” A voice cried out from his right. His eyes snapped up to the two mares to see one of them frantically waving at him. Sprinting towards them he focused his mind on them. He could worry about Rarity and the others later. “What is it!?” He shouted as he neared them. “There's enemy armor coming up the ridge sir!” The mare cried. “The rounds aren't penetrating, they're just bouncing off!” Buckler arrived at their side and focused on the metal monstrosity slowly making it's way towards them. It looked like a giant patchwork turtle shell made out of scrap. There were multiple gun ports all over it with Diamond Dog and Wolvar Soldiers shooting out from within. He watched as the turret rounds just bounced off the metal plating leaving only the tiniest of dents. “Were there any HEAT or just plain AP rounds?” “N-no, just regular Blackhoof!” The mare on the turret replied. “W-what are we gonna do sir?” Buckler looked over at the approaching armor and after a moment of thought nodded to himself. “We're gonna take it out.” He said resolutely. “Do you both still have your A.V.G.'s?” “Y-yes, but sir the grenades weren't designed to take out something as heavily armored as that!” “Never mind what they were designed for, just pass them here!” Buckler ordered as he pulled out his own grenade. While the mares hurriedly passed over their grenades, Blue pulled out a roll of gauze from one of his vest pockets. “Alright you two,” Buckler said as he began to wrap the grenades together. “You need to get out of here, take the Turret and hurry towards Rain- Lightnigflash's Squad. I'm gonna take this out and hurry back towards the Command Area. Hold that position until 5th company arrives, that's an order!” “But Sir, the enemy wi-” “What part of 'That's an Order' don't you understand, Private!?” Buckler shouted as he finished tying the gauze. “GET GOING!” The two mare's quickly and reluctantly dismantled the heavy machine gun turret. Securing the turret and its stand on their back, they picked up the remaining ammunition and sprinted away. Blue Buckler watched them go for a moment before turning back to look over the crest of the ridge. The Diamond Dog patchwork A.P.C. was halfway up the side of the ridge, its engine roaring above the potshots they were making at him. Buckler set down his grenade cluster and took up his rifle. What he was about to do was going to need perfect speed and accuracy. Buckler took a deep breath and made a quick prayer before making his move. Time seemed to slow down as Buckler rose up and took aim into the center most gun port. The Wolvar occupying it stared at him with its yellow eyes gleaming. One pull of the trigger and the mutts was blasted back, giving Buckler the perfect opening. The rifle fell from Buckler's hands as he quickly picked up the grenade cluster and pulled the pins out of the explosives with one quick motion. He reared his arm back and with a mighty heave, he hurled the grenades into the air. A round whizzed through the air and caught him in the chest just as the grenade cluster flew through the weapon port and into the hulking vehicle. There was a moment of silence before the grenades detonated. The resulting explosion ripped the vehicle to shreds causing the fuel tanks to rupture and sending a shower of flaming metal into the sky. The few surviving Wolvar and Diamond Dogs inside howled as they burned inside the wreck. Buckler crashed into the dirt and rag-dolled down the ridge coming to a stop at the bottom. He lay motionless for a moment before he rolled onto his back and looked into the sky above. His breaths came in and out with great effort. “Well...” He whispered to himself,“... I guess... my timing... was off...” Another moment passed as the last howl of the burning Wolvar ended. “...enant!?... Blu... Can...u hear me!?” The radio on his chest suddenly flared to life. His arm felt like lead as he raised it to his chest. With a click of a switch he replied. “... This is... Buckler...” “Blue!” Rarity voice cried in relief. “Are you alright? The command tent took a shell to the generator, we lost power for a moment but Shorty got it working again.” “I've lost the ridge... sent Rainbow the turret...” Buckler said with some effort. “She probably sensed that,” Rarity said, a chastising tone in her voice. “You know she's gonna kill you for calling her that.” “Too late...” He replied with a dark chuckle which quickly turned into a hacking cough. “Blue, are you alright!?” Rarity asked in concern. “...Been better...” Buckler replied after regaining control his body. “I'll send Fluttershy and Pinkie to extract you,” Rarity's firm voice “they'll be there as soon as I can rea-” “Don't bother.” Buckler said firmly. “They won't... make it in time...” “But Blue-” “No buts Rarity!” Blue shouted with a wince. “That's an order... Hold the area... and don't let the Wolvar... take this patch of dirt...” His vision began to go black, even as a blue shape in the otherwise blackened sky began to descend towards him. “Don't... let them... have it...” “Blue!? Blue, stay with us!” Rarity shout sounded dim in his ears. “I'm sorry...” Blue whispered even as the shape landed next to him. “Blue, don't you bleed out on me, just stay calm!” The shape yelled at him. “You need to stay awake!” Blue Buckler felt a tear escape his eye as he looked into the shapes face. “... Rainbow...” Bucklers quivering voice replied. “...It's... so dark...” The world went black and Blue Buckler passed on from the world. -0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o-0-O-o