Chapter 2: The awakening
In the mess hall sat Pinkie, Apple Jack, Flutter Shy, and Rainbow Dash, all seeming to chatter at once. They slowly adjusted to talking one at a time.
". . . NightShade said I was a natural Reaper!" Rainbow said, a grin of triumph spreading across her lips.
"I-I'm just glad they were targets and not animals. ." Flutter Shy looked away, some of her pink hair strung across her face.
"C'mon Flutter Shy! ya ain't gatta worry, we're here for ya!" Apple Jack cut in, fixing the small red scrunchie in her hair. Apple Jack still had her trusty cowboy hat, she smiled, being seen even through her bruised face.
"I miss Twilight and Rarity!" Pinkie whined, her eyes growing huge and sparkling. The door slid opened, gathering everyone's attention. A boy with dark green and green hair walked in, he wore a brownish environmental suit which had a symbol on it, right above a rip on his suit. He quickly walked up to them, keeping his eyes to the ground half the trip.
"Um. . .Tw-Twilight Sparkles calls for you all. . " His eyes averted theirs. They all seemed to gasp, shocked looked crossing their faces. Rainbow stood, palms slamming on the table, making Krasus jump.
"Take us to her then!" Rainbow exclaimed, her excited face radiating to each of the others. They all stood and stared at the awkward Ghost. He simply turned around and walked through the hatches, his hair flicking over his left eye.
Rarity and Twilight got distracted by their soft chatted by the electric door sliding opened. Krasus stood standing in the doorway, Twilight stared at him, he let out a light gasp as he was shoved.
"Well go on!" her voice rang in the small medical room. Twilight pondered at first Could it be the nurse? she thought to herself, still staring at the doorway. She felt a strong wave of familiarity in the air, Rainbow, Pinkie, Apple Jack, and Flutter Shy walked in, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Apple Jack rushed to Twilight and Rarity, frantically yammering on about the various training they went through in the past few days. Flutter Shy stood above Krasus.
"Are you okay!" Flutter Shy helped him up, concern nipping at her mind, pulling her attention away from her normally timid and shy self. Krasus stood with her help, a light blush ran rampantly across his face. It wasn't just that moment however, he'd had it the whole time they addressed him. He heard them and looked up at Rainbow, who seemed to be pointing at him.
". . . . Yeah, he's just so coy! I don't know if he's try'n to be cute or what. . " Rainbow looked back again. Twilight started speaking now, her voice a little high due to still having the drugged effect.
"He wasn't shy when he saved me, he was kinda ruthless." Her head throbbed again, the pain returning. She heard all of them before they spoke, shaking her head dizzily, she finally heard Rarity.
"Are you alright dear? You seem quite. . Out of it." Rarity and the others looked at her concerned. Krasus interrupted.
"She um. . . She needs sleep!" He seemed to shrink down, both shoulders lowering, his eyes drifting to the ground.
"Stop acting so shy! Come on girls. . . Let's go so Twilight can rest, if he's right." Rainbow eyed Krasus up and down, he simply scooted out of the room, quickly walking down the hall looking behind him. They all walked out again, Flutter Shy, as usual, in the back of the group.
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The deep starry sky called out to him, his light brown hair glinted as if the stars shone a smile upon him, he fidgeted in his cot. How could they take me away. . .? I needed more training! I never even got to cloak! Thunder Cloud threw his legs over the cot, unable to sleep, the call taking him by the neck and drowning every other desire to rest away. His light armor was in a locker, his wraith in the hanger of the behemoth class cruiser. Something tugged at his mind, a feeling. Yes. He was being followed. Quickening his pace, he turned the corner, rapid footsteps echoed through the corridor. Rainbow started to turn the corner, Thunder Cloud crashed into her, gripping onto her light, leather jacket. His angry eyes grew soft again. "Sorry. . I'm a bit on edge." He scratched the back of his head and chuckled nervously.
"A little . .? Where were ya goin' anyway?" She eyed him suspiciously. With her surprising strength, she broke his grip.
He paused, then saw there was no point in running or lying. "To the hanger, don't try to stop me." Thunder Cloud backed away, starting to turn to her.
"Can I come . . .?" Rainbow was pressing her fingers together. "I've always wanted to fly in a Wraith. . ." Surprised, Thunder Cloud turned around, falling right in her puppy-eyed trap.
"Ohhhh fine! Just don't press anything okay?" He turned around and started walking through the empty halls at a steady pace, picking his suit out of his locker and putting it over his casual cloths. They both walked into the hanger, Rainbow finally responding as his dark-blue Wraith came into view, that's when she noticed his mark, a cloud wrapped in lightning.
"No promises. . Uh! . . Nice jet!" Rainbow gawked at it. The Wraith itself reminded her of a hornet, ready to strike. They both climbed in the chamber. Pressing many toggles, the inside jolted to life, the engines whined as the Wraith slowly lifted off the ground, flying out of the hanger. Rainbow pressed the comm on her head. "This is great! Also. . Not to doubt your skill, but please don't crash us!" Thunder chuckled, maneuvering the Wraith through an asteroid field.
"We're entering turbulence!" The jet seemed to shake, small rocks pelted the wings as they descended to the planet, keeping the Nav/comm unit on so they could return if needed. Flying over the planet, some spots seemed to have a grayish material spreading across the ground. Thunder Cloud brought up a close-up on the screen. "What is that!" Thunder Cloud exclaimed. The material had a slick look, veins and arteries ran through it. Dog-like creatures ran across the ground, their claws lashing out at each other.
"What the hell are those?" Rainbow's comm cracked out., she pressed the button to respond
"Should we check it out?" Rainbow replied, removing her finger from the comm afterwards.
"Nah they could be hostile, until we know we shouldn't fire." A face appeared on the screen, Commander Silvermoon stood, hands behind his back.
"Thunder Cloud, what're ye doin' mate?" His thick accent cracked though the mic, his red and black hair was neatly laying on his left eye, his commanders hat sat atop it. He wore a neatly primmed white jacket with golden buttons. "An' 'oos with ye!"
Thunder Cloud responded by touching the comm in his ear. "I'm exploring, and I'm with the Reaper Rainbow Dash. . It's all my fault we went sir, please blame nothing on her." Rainbow watched Thunder Cloud pace, walking just out of the grayish substance. They heard chittering. . . As did the commander.
"Get outta there mate! We be on our way!" Constant chattering filled the comm, a Dropship named Xon set out. The Dropship was a newer, modified version with four Plasma engines, the sleek form could cruise over three hundred Miles per hour. Among the Dropship were the most veteran troops. Zaskorch, Krasus, Whispy, and Nightshade were among the top of any recruits. Whispy for his swift reactions, NightShade for his precision, Krasus for his cunning, and Zaskorch for his ruthlessness. The many creatures surrounded them, Thunder Cloud pulled out his Slugthrower and shot as Rainbow pulled out two P-38 "Scythe" Gauss pistols.
"Cover me!" Rainbow yelled, shooting her pistols at the bug-like critters. They almost looked like wolves, only, two claws arched out of their backs, horns covered their face, and their deep orange eyes stared death at them. They slowly closed in, despite their fallen comrades, they continued closing the circle slowly. Rainbow had stopped shooting, glancing back, Thunder Cloud watched her pull out a Deuterium 8 Demolishion charge out, she tossed it.
Thunder Cloud turned and shot the Zerglings behind them, the smoke in front of them blocking all view, only small silhouettes were now standing, a zerg leaped into Thunder Cloud. Adrenaline coursing through his veins, he pulled out a knife and sank it deep into the creatures neck, not before it struck him in the side. Blood flowed out of both, Thunder Cloud laid, bleeding out as he shot his Slugthrower.
Cha-chink. A Zergling in front of Rainbow exploded, it's blood flying all over her, she cringed. Another shot- It buried into a cobra-like Zerg, It's scythe-like claws flailed as it fell back. Rainbow turned to Krasus, the boy with green hair wore optical goggles, three scopes on it, he was using night vision. His C-20 Canister Rifle clicked again. The rapid chatter of two P-38 Gauss pistols sounded. NightShade was rampaging through them, laying one bullet in eat of their skulls as he went. His jet-pack blazed as he jumped on a tall rock, tossing 3 Demo charges into a group of the unrelenting beasts.
Two more sounds erupted, she looked back to Zask and Whispy, fighting side-by-side above their bleeding comrade. Whispy threw him over his shoulder and quickly retreated while Zaskorch covered him, his C-140 "Epyon" Plasma Incinerators erupting with flames. The Zerg let out the closest they could to a scream as they were scorched.
"Back to the Dropship!" Krasus yelled, surprising Rainbow from his outburst. NightShade was among the first to move, using the move that made him famous. He flew backwards while shooting, letting out a joyful yell. Zask held his post.
"Everyone go! I'll cover you!" Zask stopped using his Plasma Incinerator while they passed. "Lets burn. . " Zask said, spreading both arms out and drenching the Zerg in fire, he backed up. A spike shot from one of the Cobra-like Hydralisks and went into the heavy armors shoulder. He backed into the bay.
"Where's the Rainbow-" Whispy started, then let out a long sigh. She was in the Wraith, Whispy pressed his comm. "'Re 'y kiddin' me? 're ye tryin' 't be left?!" Whispy shot out of the still opened craft's door, raining death with his C-14 Gauss Rifle. Krasus shot a grenade from an under barrel grenade launcher. The grenade blew in a wide range, flames erupting out of the hell-fire grenade. Zask sat near Thunder Cloud, muttering as he pulled the spike out of his shoulder, the bandaged pilot laid groaning.
"This is the second time I've had to save your ass. ." Zaskorch let out a light chuckle, his comm was connected to the others, he listened in.
". . .Push the yellow button and pull the toggle, then press auto-pilot! Quick!" It was Krasus's voice. The Wraith lifted off, frying a few Zerglings as it took off. The Drop Ship trailed beside it, spines from Zerg Hydralisk's still pelting them hard. The constant pang of the spikes rang through the hull as they flew deeper into the atmosphere, the bay doors shut. The Wraith and Drop Ship flew in a tight side-by-side formation, Rainbow seemed exhilarated. Thunder Cloud sat up after the medics attended his wounds.
"What happened to my Wraith?!" Thunder Cloud exclaimed, looking out and seeing the Rainbow haired girl. She smiled and waved, it seemed like an eternity cruising through the expanse of space back to the lead ship. The main ship was named The Eternal as Luna named it. In all, the fleet consisted of twelve Battle Cruisers, twenty-seven wraiths, four Golieths, nine Vultures, two Tanks, and ten Drop Ships. Each Battle Cruiser carries around five to six hundred crew members (Not including those it takes to pilot, navigate, refit, and repair the ship). The Silver Lining was the second in command of the fleet, the General. The Captain of the ship was named Captain Silver Moon. A silly name Thunder Cloud thought, but that was beside the point. Luna had called for a report.
Zaskorch helped Thunder into a lift that quickly rose to the control brig. Luna was pacing next to a holographic sensor, Their whole fleet showed. Luna had long bluish hair, her dark-blue suit seemed radiant in the brilliant light of the many stars in space. On her shoulder sat a dark spot with a crescent moon in the middle, Her face wore a look of distress.
"Thunder Cloud, what are you doing, what were you thinking!" Luna's face turned somewhat enraged, her hair stringing down into her eyes. "You know Delta squadron needs you!" She got in his face, Zaskorch stood by his friend stone-faced.
"Sorry Luna. . I just wanted to show Rainbow what it's like to fly in a Wraith. . I didn't know those. . Those things would be there. ." Luna's look softened, she slowly backed away from his face.
"The Zerg are everywhere. The broken colonies are controlled by Valleran. Valleran was a great Terrain scientist, a master Biologist. . I only fear his plans. ." Luna looked away, fingering the side of her pistol.
"I'm fine Luna. . ." Thunder Cloud cracked a dry smile, Zaskorch lumbered out of the room, Thunder Cloud and Luna now conversated as if nothing had happened. Zask reported to the mess hall again, sitting in a cushioned seat at a table. Chatter seemed to echo, Zaskorch put a hand on his head, the hand of his suit covering his whole face. Movement to his right made him quickly spin, turning both Incinerators to Rainbow Dash and Flutter Shy. His eyes lightened as he pulled his hands back down.
"Sorry, I suppose I'm a bit on edge. . ." Zaskorch cracked a wry smile. "How may I help you?" Twilight, Rarity, Apple Jack, and Pinkie were all chatting at a nearby table.
"I had some questions. How is Luna different from Celestia? How long have you been with her. . What were those things?" Zask stared for a minute the constant laughter and clinking of glasses filled the room. He looked over to Rainbow and responded.
"Celestia is a tyrant, her system is a corrupt hierarchy. Her troops may as well be slaves. . . We are liberated; given another chance. Luna is my savior so I devoted my life to her cause. As for how long I've served. . I've served over six months, a nice record for a Firebat anyway." Everyone in the room seemed to be listening in, even Rainbow's friends. "And as far as those creatures, they are the Zerg, they also go by 'The swarm'. They are ravenous, ruthless, and almost unstoppable." Zask sighed, picking up his drink and sipping it.
"So. .How many times have you fought them. . .?" Rainbow asked, turning her attention to him. Zask looked sort of grim. Setting his glass down, he turned his head to Krasus, who was sitting alone, his green hair draped over his face.
"I first fought them with the Solar Empire. . . They were everywhere. Krasus was with me, one of my only squad mates. . The Zerg got through the first defense, Krasus and my squad held the perimeter, flying crab-like monsters flooded the skies, the dog and snake-like creatures stampeded the ground, their hungry, soulless eyes staring at us. ." Zask looked down slightly, touching the huge dent in his armor. "A huge mammoth-like creature with large tusks busted through everything we put in it's way. . Tanks, Vultures, even a Thor. Krasus jumped on it's back, using duel knives to climb up. He shoved his Canister rifle in the beasts eye and shot. The monster came down with a huge crash, throwing Krasus to the ground. I stood over him, spewing fire. Through the fire shot a spike that stuck in my chest, blood flowing in and out of my armor. That's when Luna came. NightShade, Thunder Cloud, and Whispy came in. NightShade helped me while Whispy took the Ghost to aid." Zask shook his head. Rainbow and Flutter Shy stood gaping, Flutter Shy in fear, Rainbow in a mixture on anxiousness and awe.
"What about Celesta. . .?" Rainbow choked out, the story playing in her mind.
"Celestia left us for dead. . We were her escape plan. that's the thing about her, ANYBODY is expendable. ." Rainbow just stared, lightly shaking her multi-colored hair.
"No way. . .She couldn't do that. ." Rainbow glanced over to the lonely Ghost, she slowly started walking over to him, leaving the dazed Flutter Shy in front of the stone cold Firebat. "Hey you, what's that rip on your shoulder?" She stared at the rip, wandering what happened, also noticing her friends Twilight and Rarity had a similar rip in the same spot. Krasus kept his eyes down as she stared at him. She sat in the chair next to him.
"It was um. . . Numbers. . " Krasus still kept his eyes to the floor, Twilight and Rarity both walked over to join the conversation.
"Instead of names, Ghosts go by numbers, It's a system that they set up. As well as putting dampeners in us. ." Twilight looked to Krasus, the shy Ghost only nodded, feeling her gaze on the top of his head.
"Y-Yeah. ." Krasus kicked his feet, his brown suit had green energy lines running through them, they shone green and he disappeared. Twilight started walking, leaving the mess hall to go in the hull of the huge Battle Cruiser. They caught the feintest sight of a blur leave out before Twilight.
"Did you see that?" Rainbow said confused, still eyeing the exit. She started walking to the exit, Flutter Shy had finally started walking with her.
"Where do you think they went. .?" Flutter Shy walked faster due to the many stares she was getting. They walked into the hallway and heard Twilight in an opened room. A loud grunt and a thud was heard, they ran to see Twilight on the ground and Krasus standing above her. He helped her up, his eyes softening from the blazing stares of murder.
"Um. . .Sorry. . Are you okay?" Krasus backed away to the wall, looking down at his hands.
"You're a great fighter!" Twilight's shoulder popped as she moved it, she winced for a moment. "I didn't know anyone could beat me that fast!" Twilight turned to her friends who were looking at both Ghosts. Twilight's purple suit ran with pink energy. She tilted her head and smiled. "Sorry girls, I needed to spar, and other than Rarity, Krasus is the only Ghost on board!" Looking to where he was, she noticed he was gone.
"Where'd he go. . .?" Rainbow looked around carefully. He was nowhere to be seen.
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NightShade sat alone in the mess hall, reassembling his P-38 Gauss pistol, his food was untouched. He seemed to be muttering to himself, noticing the many figures staring at him. Many were Marines, new recruits, some were older Marines. Whispy came out of nowhere and sat beside him.
"Howdy partner!" He slapped his arm on the Reaper and snapped him out of his world. "How've ye been?" Whispy smiled, his missing tooth made NightShade chuckle on the inside.
"Hi Whispy, It's nice to see a friendly face." Nightshade kept a straight face, even though he wanted to laugh. To NightShade, laughter was a sign of weakness, just like mercy. Dominance was the key to survival and he knew it.
"I recon. . Did 'y hear, we're stoppin' on Tavin VI to fuel up! That planet's got some mean swamp-bats! Care 't go shootin' with me?!" Whispy let out a hearty laugh. His huge chest heaved up and down, his wide shoulders calmed down, the mark on his shoulder was a sword and shield with a tri-force on top of it. The corners of NightShade's mouth turned up.
"Sure Whispy, I'll join you, after all ONE of us have to hit them!" NightShade grinned. Finally finishing his mandatory gun-cleaning. NightShade was the fastest human gun assembler, his best time was 0:49 seconds. His ability to reassemble guns, and his extensive knowledge also helped his to rig guns. NightShade's pistols had extended mags, and could contain explosive rounds. "Have you cleaned your gun yet?" NightShade pointed to Whispy's C-14 Gauss Rifle. The Gauss Rifle itself was beat up from smashing skulls with it.
"Sure haven't!" Whispy said smiling, he pulled it from the table, NightShade took it from him.
"I'll do it. ." He quickly took it apart, lubing the barrel. "You need to be more careful with this thing. . You could break it." NightShade looked up to Whispy, who was, as usual, drinking alcohol. He downed the glass in one long sip.
"Well, ye gatta shoot when 'ye gatta shoot!" Whispy responded. Whispy's response was more of a trade mark really. Whispy was a 'Shoot now, ask later' type of Marine. NightShade stood up.
"You really should cut down on the alcohol Whispy. . " NightShade shot a look of concern that quickly dissipated. Whispy just waved his hand.
"Hooooo'eee! 'y can never have enough alkehol!" Whispy chuckled. NightShade shook his head and looked up to the tall Marine.
"One day you're gunna mistake someone for a friend. ." NightShade drank occasionally however, it wasen't for fun. . It was to forget. Krasus rolled back in, sitting in a dark corner so all anyone could see was the shining green energy.
"Personally, I think he needs more attention." Whispy interjected Night's thoughts, he nodded in agreement. I wonder what he's trying to forget. He thought to himself, wonder tugging at his mind. He decided he would ask later. Checking his armory, he decided to suit up. As he was getting the jet pack on, the ship's alarm blazed. The ship rumbled, the sound of cannon-fire was heard. What's going on? He threw Demo charges in his pouch, holstered his Pistols, and walked to the brig quickly.
(Authors note: Still taking suggestions if anyone wants to be in the story, Zerg, Terrain, or Protoss, I need them all, I currently have chapters 3, 4 ,and 5 written, I just need to find the time to type.
Also, please leave comments with criticizm, tell me what you think and how I can improve.)