//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Unicorn Soldier // Story: Einhorn // by AlienVSUnicorn //------------------------------// [][][] The sounds of firefight surrounds Rarity as she takes shelter behind a battered phone booth. Cocking her rifle, she peers down the scope as her visor automatically targets any hostiles nearby. Finger curled around the trigger, Rarity takes aim, when a bolt of energy explodes—throwing the dragon back in a burst of blue lightning. The creature drops—dead, and Rarity nods to Flashfire, thankful for the cover. Rarity scopes another hostile—BANG! She ejects the shell, reloads, and takes aim again—BANG! Scope. Drop. Reload. Rarity repeats this mantra as she loads another cylinder. Her unit is small; made up of three Vanguard infiltrators, and well... Herself. The odd one. BANG! Scope. Drop. Reload. The Unicorn had to hand it to the Vanguard, though. Conserving her artillery, she had enough ammo to last a few hours, half a day at most. However, the Vanguard had held. Using their MaGI strength to reinforce shields, they delivered some powerful blows when things went sidways. Scope. Drop. Reload. And things always went sideways when Draekon were involved. Scope. Drop. Dammit! Rarity pulls back. Alarms sound; warning the Unicorn the engine is close to overheating. This is madness! she thinks, ejecting the thermal clip and replacing it with another. Ammo is running low, and my rifle keeps jamming! Taking aim again, the Unicorn shoots, bodies drop, and Rarity falls back into rhythm. It was all she could do, it was all she can do. “Like we practiced Rarity, up and down." Scope. Drop. Reload. "Like making love." Scope. Drop. Reload. Fuck. Another jam causes Rarity to take cover. This was getting her nowhere. Hostiles were surmounting and she was taking the hits. Lowering her gun, Rarity replaces the clip and takes a moment to breathe. The sounds of electric flares directs her attention back to Flashfire. The length of battle had taxed the poor Unicorn, and although barley standing, she was still fighting hard. "Keepin' the heat off the rest of us. That's just like 'er." Focusing on her own firefight, Rarity switches directives. Inside her helmet, she scrolls through several diagnostics, accessing personal data and double-checking her structural integrity. It didn't look good. Another blip loads her Hard Suit stats. Vital protection is minimal, and piercing resistance was lost earlier in battle. A single run-through with one of those giant claws and she was dead. They all were. Hell, they didn't call it a suicide mission for nothing. Looking behind herself, Rarity spots a tunnel extending farther down the brig. She didn't like it, but with heat on their backs, it was the only viable option. The sound of her proximity alert causes Rarity to move. Trading her sniper rifle for her assault, she jumps from cover and rushes the dragon on her 3 o'clock. Bullets fly, painting pale scales red. The dragon falls, but two more are quick to replace it. Fuck! There's no end to these things! The dragons infested like vermin, and if her team had a chance in Tartarus, Rarity knew they needed to retreat, and now! Looking back toward the tunnel, Rarity makes her decision and signals her team. Nova catches sight and nods once, throwing a few more fireballs to cover their retreat. Sparky follows, both clearing the tunnel and disappearing deeper into the brig. At one time, long before fire and brimstone boiled the skies, this place was a popular transverse hub. Rarity knew there were far too many annexes for creatures to crawl from, but thanks to efforts led by the Vanguard and others, many of the tunnels were now crushed under rock and debris. If they planned this correctly, Flash and her could bury these dragons along with the remaining passes. An explosion disrupts the Solider from her thoughts. Rarity turns and sees the snarling face of a red dragon ahead of her. "Shit! Another Runner!" These things were bad news. Small and limber, their sharp movements made them an immediate threat. Most weapons were rendered useless against their speed, and—if these creatures ever got close enough to you—well... Rarity would rather eat her gun. Well Fuck. The Unicorn snarls and activates the PLASMA directive on her assault rifle. Rarity didn't want to use this ace so soon, but if she was going to die today, she was taking out as many of these goddamn gem-suckers with her! The Runner was nearly on top of her now. Growling, it jumps into the air, claws reaching for her face— There was a moment of silence. Rarity pulls the trigger. A purple light eclipses the two bodies of Dragon and Unicorn. Everything within 30 meters is absorbed: light, sound, color—Everything. Except for the Unicorn's smile; which would be the last thing the dragon ever sees before it explodes into a burst of crimson matter. Rarity is thrown back by the force, both flesh and blood saturate her as she hits the ground. Rarity faintly hears the call of Flash over her comm, but the ringing in her ears is defining. Plus, she really didn't give a damn anyway. "Rarity! ...rity—Rarity!" "Uhh..." Rarity moans, and pulls herself off the ground. She was a bloody mess. A hand to her head, Rarity nurtures a headache that felt like it could split atoms. The Unicorn knew if she survived any of this, she was going home in a bodybag. "Rarity! Can you hear me? Dammit, answer me!" "I'm alive," She mumbles, "Covered in blood and other fluids, but alive." Trying to sit, Rarity feels a crack rip up her spine, and amends, "Uh—mostly. Mostly alive. Gonna need a bone-weave or two." Flashfire sighs, "Thank Celestia." Then just as sudden, the concern drains from her voice, replaced with cold focus. "—But it'll have to wait," she counters, "Sir, the—" Static drowns out her voice, and Rarity slaps her helmet a few times, before Flash returns, screaming into the receiver. "—Hostiles everywhere! I need cover! Help!" Rarity hears gunfire, a flanging growl, then nothing. "Fuck!" Rarity stands despite the effort. She didn't give a damn if she was in pain or not. If her body can move, then she can fight. Looking up, she notices the barrier still intact. That means Flash is at least alive... and that's if the MaGI haven't begun catabolizing her organs yet. Forcing her legs to run, Rarity makes a break for the upper level. She gets in a few good shots before falling behind cover. Hurriedly, Rarity unlocks her sniper and peers down the scope. The cluster of dragon bodies fill the screen, preventing her from lining a clear shot. Cursing, Rarity lowers her gun, and switches tactics, "I'll rush 'em," she decides. Steady fire with an assault rifle otta' rattle their tiny brains enough to take the heat offa' Flashy. And if that didn't work, well... She had an N2 grenade for just the occasion. The Unicorn trades her sniper for her assault. Pausing to breathe, Rarity counts to three, then jumps cover and rushes the enemy—bodies dropping in her wake. Static passes through Rarity's comm. "Sir. Can you hear me?" Sparky asks, voice flanging in and out. Rarity dodges the claws of one dragon and stuffs her barrel down the mouth of another. Shouting, she answers, "I'm kinda in the middle of something, kid!" Ignoring her, Sparky continues, "There's been a change..." she pauses, a moment passing, then adds, "I don't know how to explain it." Rarity tumbles from a fire blast, recovers, then blows the dragon's head off. Panting, she replies, "Can it wait, soldier?" "No." Sparky replies, levity dripping from her tone, "You need to see this." Rolling her eyes, Rarity was about to reply when a scream erupts from her comm. Several flashing ALERT prompts follow, directing her attention to the top of a viewing platform, where two dragons flank either side. They'd caught something—Flashfire. "Fuck!" Rarity was on the move again. She spots a stairwell and makes a B-line for it. "Listen, Sparky—" Rarity puffs, climbing the stairs two at a time, "—hold your position until further instruction! This retreat just became a rescue mission!" Her visors' indicator leads her up the stairs and across a bridge where Flashy had taken cover. She didn't look good, and from Rarity's position, could see the crackle of MaGI streak across the young soldier's body. The Unicorn was barely alive. Stubborn mule! Rarity thinks, She can barely stand, and she wastes her energy holding the barrier? She's no better than her sister! Rarity almost pitted Flashfire. The poor thing was helpless now; death surmounting from every angle, and what does she do? Bow her head in resignation—No—In service. "For fucks' sake," Rarity says, trading her sniper rifle for her assault. "I'm getting real tired of this Victory at any cost—" She checks the clip, "Glory to serve—" lines the shot, "—Vanguard Bullshit!" and takes aim at the Unicorn. "It would be a better service to put her out of her misery." Peering down the scope, Rarity lines a cross-axey between the Flashfire's eyes. Her visor providing a proximity-to-kill ratio of ninty-five percent. Rarity smiles, and finger resting on the trigger, she whispers, "I'll see you soon enough, old friend," applies pressure, and— Hesitates. Frowning, she takes aim again, and— Nothing. Rarity grips the handle tighter, hands shaking as she tries to force her body to move. What are you waiting for? Line the shot. Take aim. Then— Rarity pulls back. Eyes close, breathing hard, she disengages the rifle and locks it behind her. Just this once. Rarity opens her eyes. Just this once! She equips her assault rifle. I swear i'll never hesitate again. Takes aim. Never again! And rushes the nearest dragon. Jumping on the back of the beast, Rarity runs up the length of its spine. The creature roars and tries to shake the Unicorn, but Rarity holds. Reaching the head, she bends her knees and backflips off the creature's snout. Twisting in midair, Rarity reorients her rifle and lands several shots at the creature's soul gem. The gem cracks. The beast grows still. A whip of light escapes the crack, and the dragon falls to the ground. Dead. Sparing no remorse, Rarity cocks her rifle and turns to Flashfire. "Flashy, we gotta go!" The other Unicorn looks up at Rarity, weariness evident behind her amber eyes and says, "Who... F–Frosty?" Ignoring her, Rarity huffs as she grabs Flashfire's arm, yanking her up, "We're leaving solider," She commands, "Now!" "No!" Flashfire screams. "I—I have to keep fighting!" In a smaller voice, she adds, "If... If I fail, then..." "No time!" Rarity jerks the Unicorn out of her mutterings, pulling her across the platform and back toward the bridge. "NO!" Flashfire squirms, wrenching her hand away from Rarity. Falling to the floor, she begins to weep uncontrollably. "I can't—" She wails, "I CAN'T!" A low hiss interrupts the Unicorn's words, and Rarity's head spins to the sight of talons scraping against metal. Green smog saturates the air. A pool of acid drips from a hinged jaw, and several holes begin to melt into the ground. The creature heaves itself onto the platform, and Rarity makes an unconscious step backwards. Great. A Spitter. It just had to be a Spitter. "Flashfire." Rarity whispers to the whimpering Unicorn, "Shut. The. Fuck. Up." The dragon was watching them. Rarity could see the green of its fluorescent eyes flicker as it glanced between her and Flashfire. It was thinking. This one was smart. Below her, Flashfire continued to weep. Every now and again, Rarity would hear the nonsensical ramblings of, "I can't–I can't–I can't," or, "Glory to serve! Glory to die!" Gritting her teeth, Rarity lays a hand on the other Unicorn. "Flashfire, listen to me—" she begins, raising her rifle, "—you need to stand up." Cautiously, Rarity lines her mark with the Spitter's soul gem. "I know you're scared," she continues, "Hell, I'm scared too—" The Spitter takes a step forward, and Rarity quickly moves in front of the other Unicorn. "—But I need you to be brave, soldier. I need you to remember why you are here: The Lanzdelunar. The Refugees. Your Sister!" Suddenly, something awakens within Flashfire—causing the Unicorn to cease her ramblings and for the first time, notice her surroundings. The dragon doesn't miss this change, and its split pupils narrow. Rarity sees it coming a mile away. "Flashfire—Run!" The dragon lunges at the two Unicorns. Firelight explodes as Rarity shoots widely at the creature barreling towards them. The dragon roars, and opening its mouth, spits out a stream of lethal green acid. Out of time, and no where to hide, Rarity closes her eyes and braces for the subsequent impact. But nothing comes. A sudden rush of air, followed by a loud—"BOOM"—has Rarity looking up to see Flashfire standing above her. Arms held out—MaGI rippling across her body—sweat dripping down her face—Flashfire, soldier of the Vanguard, restrains the dragon with her remaining Magik barrier. Surprised, Rarity sputters, "Flashy, what are you—" "Sir, please... Just—Go." The MaGI had already began to eat away at the Unicorn's body. Rarity could see the skin sizzle, peel, then incinerate right before her eyes. Flashfire's face, arms, and hands had nearly burned to the bone, and Rarity couldn't help the immediate feeling of nausea bubbling to the forefront of her mind. The MaGI was a dangerous power to wield—Rarity knew—yet this defied natural science. This— she thought with disgust, This was unnatural. "Rarity!" Shaking her head, Rarity looks back to Flashfire. The Unicorn wrestles to hold the dragon against the force of its weight. The Spitter's jaw opens and a set of dagger-like teeth snap against the energy field, causing currents of electricity to spark from the struggle. Rarity could see Flashfire tiring. She wouldn't last much longer. Making her decision, the Unicorn unhooks something from behind her back, and palming the small round object, replies, "I have a better idea." "What?" Flashfire voices, turning her head to the other Unicorn. "What are you talking abou—" Her jaw drops when she sees what Rarity is holding. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!" "Only a little," Rarity replies. "Sorry soldier, but you'll have to die another day." She unhooks the safety, and presses the DETONATE button. "Frosty has enough reasons to hate me. I'm not giving her another." "Dammit Rarity! You'll kill us both!" The MaGI field begins to rupture, causing a burst of sparks to momentarily blind the Unicorn. When sight returns, Rarity is gone. "—No. Only Me." A flash of white and the sound of tearing—the last things Flashfire remembers before everything explodes into brilliant color. [] [] [] "Commander!" Twilight turns to the anxious face of Frostfire, her Chief of Intelligence. The Commander follows her gaze down to the geo-map, and no words are exchanged as she walks past the Unicorn to examine its holographic imagery. "It's the Gunnery Chief." Frostfire yields, "Her life signs, they've—" "Frostfire." The Information Tech salutes her Commander. For a moment, a flash of concern crosses Twilight's face before military resolve clouds it again. With a voice that demands authority, she commands, "Comm. Captain Luna. Tell her I am ordering a withdrawal of the Einhorn within 0400 hours." "Yes sir," Frostfire confirms. The intensity within her Commander's eyes reminds the Unicorn with whom she is speaking to: The Genius behind the Marenarnian Blitz. Twilight Sparkle may hold herself to the idealisms of valor and democracy—but—the Commander could burn a dragon from the inside-out. It was a terrifying reminder, and Frostfire nods without hesitation. "I will inform her of your decision." She continues, "Captain Luna will expect a debriefing when we return to Equus Space." "I will not." Hesitating, Frostfire responds, "Sir?" Twilight pulls a pistol from her right hip, checks the magazine, then holsters it again. "I'm taking the drop." She states matter-of-fact, "If I don't return in 4 hours, then..." Twilight pauses, smiling at her Information Tech. "Withdraw without me," she answers, "And in my place, you will lead this Unit as Auxiliary Command." "But sir—" Frostfire begins, but Twilight turns away. Many of the other soldiers salute their Commanding Officer as she walks out of the Ops. Center. Frostfire watches as her Commander retreats, but does not miss the vow Twilight makes for the only soul she would willingly sacrifice for. "Rarity," Twilight whispers, "I will save you."