//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Assault on the Crystal Empire // Story: I Have Returned // by EPiiCx5587 //------------------------------// I Have Returned: Chapter 15 Assault on the Crystal Empire Night still loomed over the Crystal Empire as soldiers of the Royal Equestrian Army were ordered to sharpen their weapons and prepare for invasion. Citizens were ordered to vacate their homes, take only what was necessary, and head for the nearest train station. Any who couldn’t were told to hunker down in their houses, board up all of the door and windows, and to not come out until told. There was a certain organized chaos in the streets as Luna saw from the Crystal tower. She inhaled a deep breath nervously as she waited for dawn to approach. It was still a few hours away, but that did nothing to ease the princess of the night. Cadence trotted up beside her and looked over the railing to see the evacuation of the city unfold before her very eyes. “You really think she’s coming with an army?” Cadence asked. “We don’t even know if we can trust that alien from before.” “From what I saw earlier today, I have no choice but to believe what he said. I saw her myself Cadence, she’ll do anything to get those elements.” Cadence contemplated her next words for a few seconds. “The alien told me that she had been fighting in a war for the past six years, and that all of the death around her damaged her mentally.” “She’s not even a shadow of herself anymore. I honestly find it hard to believe that that was her.” “Does that really change anything though?” “No, I guess not.” “Maybe we should've given him the elements, because all that this is going to do is lead to more bloodshed. And I would feel horrible to put that upon our citizens.” Luna sighed. “I know, but we can’t just give up our only defence. After all, it’s possible to find a new barrers for them. Giving them up would just leave us even more defenceless.” “He also claimed that his species has been losing a war for a few decades, and is almost going extinct. Maybe the elements could save them?” Luna was appalled at this. “Humph! He was probably just lying to you in hopes that you would hand them over.” “Still though, he did come here to warn us, which has given us a chance to evacuate the city.” “He assisted her in murdering innocent guards back in Canterlot, he’s not a good being.” Luna insisted. “But he’s trying to write the wrongs of his past. I guess you could say he’s like you with Nightmare moon in that regard.” That stung. Luna hated when people brought up her actions in the past. Cadence was right though, Luna felt terrible for what she had done back then, and it wasn’t impossible that the alien felt the same way about his actions. “I suppose you’re right.” Luna said. “But none of this talk changes anything. Right now we have to focus on preparing to defend ourselves. Get your brother to make the shield around the city as strong as possible, and we’ll make sure to guard the elements with our lives. “Alright auntie Luna.” Cadence said before retreating back to the castle. ____________________________________________________________ UNSC INFINITY Hanger The pelican’s landing gear extending onto the floor on the hanger as the engines rumbled down. Out through the back came out Crimson in full armour except for his helmet. He looked all around him at soldiers cleaning their weapons for battle, fixing vehicles, and counting ammo. It was sad to see all of them blindly following Jane like this. On a pedestal near him Roland appeared looking worried. “You got trouble coming your way.” He said. Just as Roland said that Crimson saw on the other side of the hanger, a door opening with a fully armoured Jane coming out of it. Roland continued. “I tried for a long as I could, but she eventually got it out of me.” Jane walking up to him looking as pissed as ever, and punched him square in the face. It knocked him back a few feet, drawing blood from his gums in the process. “Traitor!” She yelled. “I can’t believe that you of all people would cross me like that.” Brennan wiped the blood running from his lip. “I did it to get the elements in a peaceful manner. While I disagree with you methods I too believe that the elements will save us.” That was partially true. He did do it to stop Jane, and hopefully snap her out of her madness once she finally got them, but he couldn’t deny that the elements could help the human race. “Do you honestly think they deserve that after what happened to Lasky!” “I don’t care who did what to who, I just don’t want anymore killing.” “Well toughen up then, because that’s our Job, to kill in the name of the human race!” She shouted. “And I’m the captain here, so we’re doing things my way, and you will follow my orders. If you won’t, then I’ll have to charge you for treason, which is something I don’t want to do.” “Then don’t Jane. Look, they didn’t listen to me, and they refused my offer. You on the other hand they know better, and if you go down there and try to make amends then they might give them to you.” He pleaded. “It’s too late for that Crimson. I’ve done what I’ve done, and they won’t forgive me for it if I go down there and offer them peace, which they don’t deserve by the way.” “Please just wake up and realize what you’re doing is wrong. If you claim that you’ve cut all ties to your past as you say you’ve done, then you have no right to take those elements.” “Just because I’ve cut those ties doesn’t mean that my pathetic past didn’t happen. Those elements are far better in humanities hands than in anyone elses, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get them.” “For gods sake there are innocent ponies down there Jane, there lives will all be at stake if you send an army down there.” “Then I’ll order the troopers to not harm any civilians unless provoked.” Crimson guessed that that was all he was going to get from her. As crazy as Jane was, it was good to see that even she drew the line at a certain point. Jane turned around and stormed off in the other direction. “The attack starts in a few hours, I hope you come to your senses by then.” She said before leaving the room. Roland once again appeared on his pedestal. “Good thing she has some sense in her.” “Who knows how long that’s going to last though. Hell, before we know it she could be declaring war on their entire species.” “Lets hope it doesn’t get to that then.” Roland said. “Sadly she’s taking me with her down there, I’d much rather stay up here than assist her. Plus I don’t want to leave Pearl in the system.” “Palmer told me she was showing signs of rampancy.” “Yes. From my scans it looks she has some memory gaps. That’s a bad thing for A.I.’s, because were practically pure data. A gap in data is like losing a body part to us. It hurts from what I’ve heard. It’s a taste of what’s to come, and because Pearl is a prototype smart A.I. it’s throwing her into early rampancy.” “That doesn’t matter right now though. I have to go down to that planet with Jane.” Roland was confused. “You’re going to help her?” “No. I’m going to pretend to be on her side. I’m done with trying to stop her with words, so I’ll stop her with force when she least expects it.” “So you’re going to backstab her?” “If it means stopping her, then yes I will. How much longer until we get our slipspace drive working?” “We have a few huragok working on them. I’m guessing maybe twelve hours at the most.” “Good, I’ll knock Jane out, bring her back here, then we’ll enter slip space. Once were far away from here, she’ll lose her powers, then we can take her into custody.” “Do you think that will work?” Roland asked. “I don’t know, but I have to try. For the ponies sake, and Jane’s.” ___________________________________________________________ UNSC INFINITY Bridge Crimson walked into the INFINITY bridge to see Jane looking out at the planet below through a window. He stopped right beside her and looked at her face which was still turned to the window. She was gritting her teeth in anger as she looked down upon her homeworld. Her entire face had furry plastered all over it. Except her eyes though, once again Crimson saw sadness in her eyes. He almost wanted to try and convince her again, but he choose not to take the risk. This was the only chance he had to stop her. And while he hated the thought of betraying his best friend, he knew he had to do it. “Jane.” He said, knocking her out of her focus, and diverting Jane’s attention to him. “What do you want now?” She growled. “I came here to apologize for my actions Captain. I realize that I acted like a fool. My number one concern should be the protection of the human race. After all that’s what I signed up for. Those elements might be our only way to save our species.” For the first time in a while a smile lit up on Jane’s face. It was almost as if she was back to normal. “I’m glad you see things my way Brennan. I knew I could count on you to side with me, you just needed a little time to think about it that’s all.” “Ya, that’s right Jane.” He hated lying to her like this. But it was what needed to be done. It was the only way he could save the ponies, and hopefully Jane. “So what’s the game plan.” Crimson asked. Jane pulled up a holographic display of the city on the holographic projection desk in the bridge. “Our troops will come in through the south in the remaining working vehicles. As you can see a massive shield is over the city. Normally anyone can pass through it, but recent scans show that it’s been hardened following a recent evacuation of the city. It’s a strong shield by their standards, but not by ours. A few rockets from a pelican will shatter it. That’s where we come in. While the soldiers take the city, and surround the tower on both ground and air levels, you and I will fly in using a landing pad at the back of the tower.” “I think I already know what comes after that.” “Yes, we storm the tower from the top while the other spartans storm it from the bottom. We’ll make our way to the throne room where I presume they’ll have the elements.” “Be careful though, you’re family is there Jane. Your mom, dad, and brother are all there.” He saw Jane almost freeze up for a second. He wasn’t expecting that. “Then I’ll have to do everything I can to keep them out of harms way. If worse comes to worse though, I’ll do what I have to do. Hopefully they’ll see things my way like you.” It was good to know for Crimson that even she didn’t want to harm her own family. Once again it was nice seeing her draw the line at a point. Crimson gave Jane a fake smile and said. “Then lets get our weapons and get going sir” “Right you are Crimson. I knew you had it in you Spartan!” Jane put on her helmet. Pulled Roland out from the system, and placed it in her before leaving the Bridge with Crimson to load up. __________________________________________________________ UNSC Pelican en route to Crystal Empire. Crimson looked out through the Cargo bay door of the pelican and down at the mass of vehicles driving on, and flying above the cold tundra. There was everything imaginable. warthogs, mongeese, gungeese, Falcons, hornets, and other pelicans holding tanks. It was an entire army, and they were all out for pony blood, all thanks to Jane. “Magnificent isn’t it Crimson.” Jane said. “It’s amazing what humans can do when we unite. It’s time for us to show our power as a species.” “Yeah.” Was all that Crimson could say. Both spartans made their way up to the cockpit of the pelican where their pilot was driving. Crimson could see in the distance the shield surrounding the Crystal Empire. The sun was just starting to come up, it’s light reflecting off of the crystals in the empire. It was a breathtaking sight. Truly it was a shame that it was all about to be destroyed. “Fire rockets on my mark.” Jane said to the pilot. “Yes Captain Arimondo.” The pilot said back. As they drew closer Crimson could start to make out the entire city. “Mark!” Jane said. The pilot pressed a button on the pelicans controls, and a barrage of missiles fired out towards the shield covering the city. The rockets impacted shattering the protective shield letting the cold inside. With the sun barely creeping out over the horizon, both the shattered pieces of the shield, and the crystals gave of an amazing show of light. The warthogs started to drive through the city, and head towards the massive crystal tower in the middle. Meanwhile the other pelicans started to descend, and release the scorpion tanks from them. Crimson could see from the cockpit a small group of guards from a watchtower start to attack a warthog only to be destroyed by the hogs rocket turret. “Poor ponies.” He whispered to himself. Thankfully the engines of the Pelican made it impossible for Jane to make out what he said. A group of pegasi guards flew up to level with the pelican Crimson and Jane were in. However they were quickly taken care of when Jane fired the machine gun turret at them, the bullets tearing the soldiers up, their corpses falling towards the ground. Crimson strained and found himself turning away so he didn’t have to see the brutal carnage unfolding before him. It was a disgusting sight, but he knew that it would be all over soon once he took care of Jane at the best chance he could get. Jane on the other hand was to focused on the battle to notice Crimson straining to look at the madness. Crimson looked at her. Jane face was very flat and emotionless, but he could just feel the hate as if it were radiating around her. Some of the warthogs made it to the base of the tower. Soldiers started to rush inside to take the place. God knows how many innocent ponies were down there dying. The falcons and hornets on the other hand surrounded all of the balconies, and openings above ground, cutting off all escape routes. Whoever was inside was trapped now. Those poor souls. Crimson almost wanted to stop Jane right here and now, but he knew he had to wait for the right moment. The pelican flew around towards the backside of the tower where the landing pad was. “Hover over that landing pad pilot.” Jane ordered. Jane and Crimson returned to the open cargo bay door, put on their helmets, and lept out of it onto the crystal pad once they were close enough. There were a few pony soldiers waiting for them there who immediately started to fire lasers from their horns at the two Spartans. Alas it was pointless of them to do that as their attacks barely dented their shields. Jane pulled out two M7 submachine guns from her sides, and opened fire on them. The small bullets cutting through their feeble flesh like it was paper. Crimson fired off a few shots from his MA5D assault rifle, but purposely missed so Jane would be the only one with blood on her hands. Thankfully it seemed that Jane was too focused to notice. Jane hastily ran into the building, Crimson following behind her. They were met with another batch of guards, in which Jane quickly opened fire on. One pegasi guard on the other hand managed to leap onto Crimson forcing him to use his rifle. It looked like he wasn’t getting through this completely innocent as he hoped for. Jane ran ahead not wanting to waste any time before more guards showed up. As pathetic as they may have been, they still wasted her very limited supply of ammo for both of her guns. The two spartans made their way down a few flights of stairs, and hallways, passing by the room in which Crimson talked to Cadence. After a bit they turned into a hallway packed with guards all with their horns lit. “Surrender now!” One yelled. “You are outnumbered.” Jane laughed out loud at this, confusing the guards. She lit up both of her hands with magic, and split the massive blockage of soldiers apart akin to moses parting the red sea. The bodies of the guards were crushed onto the wall spilling blood, and guts everywhere. And Jane throughout it didn’t look like she even broke a sweat before she continued forward. Eventually they were met with the doors to the throne room. It was like the events back in canterlot were repeating themselves, but Crimson knew though that the outcome would be different. “You ready Crimson?” Jane asked. “I’m counting on you to watch my back. There is nobody else who I can trust with this.” “Don’t worry Jane, I’m on your side.” Crimson lied while giving her a reassuring fake smile. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you, I promise.” “Good, because it all comes down to this. After we get those elements it’s all over.” Crimson hoped she was telling the truth to him, because if he failed that’s all he had left to hope for. And with a powerful blast of her magic, Jane burst open the doors.