//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: Battalion Wars: Equestria // by mathwiz617 //------------------------------// 3:20; Ponyville Library "So, the swarm approaches," Celestia said. "It looks as though Chrysalis has saved us the trouble of tracking her down." Herman slammed the radio's switch to "On", tuned the dial, and snatched the mic off the table. "Get every unit down to Ponyville now!" he shouted. "Princess, we must ensure the safety of the civilians," Lei-Qo said, resting her hand on Celestia's shoulder. “They will be slaughtered if nothing is done.” “Indeed,” Celestia agreed. “Discord, if Chrysalis does have the Gem of Chaos, it would be wise for you to sit this battle out. There’s no telling how your power will interact with it.” “Yeah, it might supercharge anything the changelings are using it for,” Discord theorized. “Then again, it might just explode. It pains me to say this, but I think you’re right. I’ll take the non-combatants to the Everfree Forest.” Twilight thought for a second. “Wouldn’t that lead them into more danger?” “More? Probably not. Different? Definitely. As long as nothing explodes, I’ll protect them. And I didn’t say they were going willingly, now did I?” With a snap of his talons, he teleported the majority of Ponyville’s population out of the town, along with Rarity and Fluttershy. “Well, now that that’s taken care of, I’d say it’s clear for a strato destroyer run,” Herman said. Putting some binoculars to his face, he looked in the opposite direction of the swarm. “Yep, we’ve got a squadron of fighters and a destroyer inbound.” The squadron flew swiftly into view, and the lead fighter launched a missile at the swarm. Unfortunately, a hole opened up, and the missile sailed right through. “Can the high explosives, soldier!” Herman fumed into the radio. “This is a civilian town we’re defending! Use your machine guns!” Twilight shrugged. “The town’s seen worse.” As the aircraft unleashed a hail of bullets, many changelings started to dive to the ground. Many others were not as observant, and were riddled with lead. Entire wings of drones landed around the town, and began searching for something. Twilight assumed they were looking for Celestia, in a bid to capture her and throw the entire kingdom into chaos. As they approached the library, Lie-Qo and Herman retreated dowstairs, and the ponies girded themselves for battle. The door creaked as a changeling pushed it open. It was met by a buck to the face from Applejack. As it reeled, Rainbow tackled it at full speed, bowling over everything behind it for about twenty feet. Within seconds, madness broke loose. Celestia launched herself after Rainbow, and the changelings that avoided the two of them crowded into the library. They were met with firm resistance, as the three Bearers fought back. Twilight stood atop the stairs, blasting anything that got close, while Applejack kicked and Pinkie… well, she wasn’t exactly doing much damage to her foes, but she was doing a great job of getting their attention and dodging their attacks. Slowly but surely, they pushed the changelings out of the library and into the streets. Dragging out the unconscious changelings and barricading the door behind them, the three ponies had a second to look up and see Rainbow, Celestia, and the Frontier aircraft attempting to clear the skies. Glancing to the north, Twilight saw three recon vehicles approaching, scattering changelings as they came. As the vehicles pulled up alongside the library, two grunts hopped out of each. Twilight heard one’s radio go off; Herman was ordering them to clear a landing zone. As they did, an aerial transport appeared over a nearby hill. Once the grunts cleared enough room, the transport landed, dropping off a squad of assault veterans, who immediately began laying down covering fire. For a few minutes, the battle raged, the frontier forces staying miraculously unharmed. All of a sudden, the fighting stopped as a large roar came from the direction of Sweet Apple Acres, followed by rhythmic tremors. Looking towards the farm, Twilight saw something she had never wished to see. A gargantuan, purple Ursa came stomping out of the Everfree Forest, determined to join in the battle. With one swipe of its paw, it knocked out an entire field full of changelings. Riding atop the Ursa was none other than Discord himself. Twilight teleported onto the star bear, and he explained, “I can’t just let you have all the fun. If I can’t use my powers in this battle, I may as well convince others to contribute.” “An Ursa Major? Really?!” Twilight shouted at him. “Are you trying to destroy the town?” “Not really, no,” Discord laughed. “I just found the biggest creature around and led it to the edge of the forest. Don’t worry, I’ll reign her in when necessary.” “Great, we’re relying on your self-control. Ponyville’s doomed.” From her perch atop the Ursa’s head, she gazed out for possibly the last time at the town. The battle had resumed, both sides recovering from the shock of the Ursa’s appearance. One changeling caught her eye, one about twice the size of the others. It had to be Chrysalis. She was standing outside of town hall, presumably barking orders to the swarm. “Need help getting down?” Rainbow asked, suddenly beside her. As Twilight nodded, the pegasus picked her up and flew her back down to the library to rejoin the rest of the ground-bound forces, who were holding their own. As Rainbow flew away, Twilight released a directed blast of power; smaller then, yet similar to, the spell that had ended the Canterlot invasion. It cleared a path to town hall. “Chrysalis is that way!” she yelled to the humans. “Remember, we need to capture her alive!” The soldiers acknowledged her, and made a push for the other building. Within a minute, they had surrounded the queen, their weapons pointed at her, and the remaining changelings stopped fighting. The battle was over.