Maria carried Snow Runner into Ponyville's hospital, "Can someone help me with her injuries?" Maria asked gaining the attention of a few nearby ponies.
A pony with a red mane and tail and white coat approached her, "I am Nurse Red Heart. What kind of injury does the filly have?"
"Her wings were cut off. The wounds were never cleaned so I fear they might become infected if not treated properly." Maria explained.
"Well you came to the right place. If you would please follow me." Nurse Red Heart turned and started to walk towards one of the hallways. Maria followed her.
----
"So let me get this straight. Maria managed to get an entire ship of Covenant to follow her. How did she do that?" John asked as he walked into the Captain's quarters on the defender.
"I have no idea but they seemed utterly terrified of her. Well except for the one that actually spoke to us." Rider said as he followed John, "Where is Qi'meen?"
"Helping the ponies build defenses. After they heard the combat from earlier they wanted to make a town watch."
"Makes sense."
"Want to go and see if they need any help?" John asked.
"Sounds better than just sitting around here."
----
"Just a little more." Qi'meen said as she directed a unicorn who was placing the last piece of a wall, "That should do it. I want all of you to go back to town and be with your families. They are the reason that you are doing this, so make sure that they feel loved."
John and Rider came running over, "Qi'meen, how is the fortifications coming along?" John asked.
"All sections of the town that are facing the Everfree Forest are walled off with a gate to allow travel into the forest." Qi'meen answered.
"That’s good." Rider said, "Have you seen Maria since we got back here?"
Qi'meen shook her head, "The last I saw off her was when she took off with that filly."
"Guys what's that?" John asked pointing towards a large approaching force of what appeared to be apes, "They don't exactly look friendly."
++This is Shadow Rider calling on all UNSC frequencies. We have hostile Covenant inbound. We could use any assistance on the Everfree boarder.++ "That should do it." Rider said.
Suddenly a voice broadcasted from out of nowhere ++All who do not bow to us shall perish. These demons may have protected you from the weak elites, but they cannot/will not protect you from us.++
"Welp. Lets get busy busting some heads." Rider said as he pulled his sniper rifle and fired off four rounds taking out a couple of the charging brutes.
"Show off." John said as he pulled out his blaster pistol and light saber, "But I accept your kill count challenge."
"Boys…." was all Qi'meen said as she drew her light saber.
The three humans looked up as the sound off a pelican's engine filled the air. The pelican landed a little ways away, and Maria walked out with her light sabers on one side, her short sword on the other, and a ridiculously long katana on her back, "You were going to start without me. That’s not fair." she pouted as she drew her short sword to reveal an abysmal black blade, "Lets kill these fuckers." she said as she moved to the front of her team, "Rider I want you up high. Keep them from getting behind us. Qi'meen I need you to keep them from getting into the town, and John would you be so kind as to join me in the slaughter of these beast."
"Yes, ma'am" the three said in unison.
Maria charged the crowd of brutes followed closely by John. Maria dropped and slid as John jumped over her and cut the head off of the closest brute. He then fired off several rounds from his blaster pistol. Maria used what little momentum she had left to push herself into the air and brought her sword down into the head of a brute. She pulled her sword out of its head just fast enough to block the blade from a brute shot. She lunged towards the staggering brute and plunged her sword into its gut. There was four loud cracks in the air from Riders rifle being fired and killing a small group behind Maria as she grabbed the brute shot and started to fire the grenades at the groups of brutes. Suddenly a massive force smashed into Maria's brute shot, breaking it and sending her flying. The air filled with buzzing and Maria cursed under her breathe, "Qi'meen, fry those things." she ordered. The air filled with lightning as Qi'meen started to attack the buggers. A swarm of them managed to get to Rider stopping him from helping the others. Maria ducked as a brute swung his hammer over her head, “Rider, get rid of these guys already!” she yelled at the sniper who was being swarmed by buggers.
“I would, but I am a little busy right now!” he replied.
“We don’t have the manpower to keep this many Covies busy for long!” John shouted as he cut the head off of a brute, “We need help.”
“Qi’meen, get to the pelican and grab the .950. Rider needs it.” Maria ordered as she pulled out a chain sword and an assault rifle, “Sebastian and Sebaste, we need your help.”