> World of Tanks Chronicles: Tales of the 20th ERAD
>  by TS874
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-Act 1: A New Era-


Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. 

One fateful day, the younger sister refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.

It has been nine hundred year since then, and much has changed. Once humble towns and villages are now in the late phases of industrialization, and new developments in transportation has made traveling easier and safer. But one development has stood out the most: a rise of public curiosity to explore ancient ruins. At one time the ruins were seen as haunted or cursed-those who were either brave or stupid enough to explore those either returned scarred for life or were never seen again. 

But technology has given the Equestrians assurance, and so now they are prepared for whatever supposed horrors lie within. The initial reports were grim-there were sightings of skeletal remains, both of ponies and those of a mysterious bipedal creature. The ground would just spontaneously explode below an unlucky pony's feet, leaving them badly injured at the very least. 

At first these only confirmed the ponies' fears that these ruins were cursed-but a small group of Royal Engineers discovered that, by carefully sifting through the soft ground with metal poles in these ruins, the cause of the exploding ground were small devices designed to detonate when pressure was applied. Though the devices were completely alien to the Equestrians, the concept itself was not unheard of. Some did not detonate due to age, and was taken for studying. With this knowledge, there was further exploration into the ruins. Traps aside, the ruins were filled with technology that drew parallels to Equestrians innovations. Soon the ruins became proverbial gold mines in which treasure hunters looted whatever seemed intact and sold them off to whoever was willing to pay. 

One particular ruin, Southwest of Trottingham, had garnered great interest due to rumors of a mysterious machine buried underneath the surface. So enticing was the prospect that it caught the attention of the Royal Army, which sent part of its Trottingham branch to excavate it. What they found was apparently a large hollow concrete block buried just beneath the surface. When they broke through the top of the "block", they found an odd-looking machine. Next to it was a plaque that had mysterious writing on it. Assuming that this was the language of those who used to live in what is now the ruins, they brought in a translator who studied the script. 

It's name was equally odd-"Mark V Tank". From its description, it was a machine made for war. The Royal Army then sent their prize to Canterlot for studying. Further exploration of the ruin in the years ahead yielded new vehicles and blueprints, some curiously enough appearing no more than a few months old. But the Equestrians were not the only ones. Soon there were reports of other nations who also discovered the "Tank", as the type of vehicles was called in the language of the long gone. An arms race has begun.

Before the (re)discovery of tanks and other ancient technology, Equestrian military had only just started to implement the use of gunpowder. It's usefulness for anything other than intimidation and the occasional lucky hit was in question. The military divisions still relied primarily on swords, spears, and crossbows. But the discovery of entire caches and armories of firearms had perked the Equestrian's interest in finding out why this apparent weapon was the most used of the ancients. They discovered that, through carving out spiraling grooves in the barrels of the guns (called "rifling" by the ancients) and by redesigning the firing system, the firearms' accuracy and rate of fire was greatly improved and was much more useful as a combat implement. 

These same details were also present in the cannons mounted on the tanks. As to be expected, they were capable of out-ranging normal Equestrian cannons and at greater accuracy while also being easier to load. Also, the tank used armor similar to those used by the Equestrian Knights and the Royal Guards, but much larger and made using mass production industrial techniques instead of the individual workmanship of blacksmiths. Testing showed that the tank is capable of deflecting arrows, heavy blows, cutting weapons, and even the firearms which were capable of penetrating a royal guard's armor. The only way to damage it was through use of explosives, other tanks, and through specially made field guns based off of the tank cannons themselves. Despite the heavy armor, the tank was still able to move at a decent speed thanks to its strong engine. Initially the rifle and the tank was relegated to defense forces within Canterlot, but a few were later shipped out to the Frontier due to increased bandit activity. 

In the year 923 AB (After Banishment), one particular raid on a military convoy that was slowed down due its escorts (three Mark V tanks not unlike the one first discovered) ended with all bandits either dead or captured. Indeed, the old sword, knife, and lasso combination stood no chance against machine guns, rifles, and tanks. It was due to the increased relevance of essentially relics of a dead species that the Equestrian military was equipped with these new weapons in bulk. Along with this, a new kind of division was created, the Equestrian Royal Army Division, or ERAD. 

Despite the military buildup, relations between nations remain relatively peaceful. But whereas external conflicts remain nonexistent at best, minor at worst, internal conflicts are another story. 

In the year 945 AB, a cult has made itself public. It worships Nightmare Moon, and intently awaits for her inevitable return. Some denounce them as lunatics, others believe that their claims are legitimate. The cult claims that Equestria is ruled under a malevolent tyrant, and that the old regime will fall in the return of the rightful ruler, Princess Luna, on the one thousandth anniversary of her banishment. 

The cult received widespread attention and its influence encroaches on every social class. Celestia herself has received a letter from the leader of the cult, though it's contents are unknown to everyone but the writer and the recipient. Despite this apparent threat her power, she does nothing to stop it. It is not until the year 975 AB that the Royal Army decides to take action, after a militant sect of the cult had started a riot in Trottingham. 

The riot quickly escalated into a battle between the Royal Army and the cultists, who had apparently anticipating the Royal Army's interference and drew weapons. Much to the Royal Army's dismay, this was not swords and knives, but guns and tanks of unknown origin. The 14th and 20th ERAD, armed with new tanks, were deployed to counter the new threat. This would be the first real battle that a Equestrian Royal Armored Division had a direct combat role in. 

Despite a good number of cultists escaping, the overall outcome was a victory for the Royal Army. Military leaders received promising reports, stating that the performance of the tanks were exemplary in the city battles as mobile cover and assault guns. The tanks saved many lives that day, and the Royal Armored Division became cemented as a relevant and useful combat force. Publicly, the Nightmare Cult denounced the attack as independent actions by militant fanatics. For the Cult's ideals is to sway support to their cause peacefully, not intimidate the masses through war. This was apparently true as a large sum of funds were donated from the Cult to repair the city and as compensation to the grieving families of those who died that day. 

Since the battle of Trottingham, no further conflict between the Nightmare Cult and the Royal Army arose. As a precaution, all of the military divisions concentrated in Canterlot has then been assigned to locations all over Equestria, including the Equestrian Royal Armored Divisions, which had been stationed only in Canterlot and a few major cities like Manehattan and Trottingham. Since then, Equestria has turned their attention to external disputes and diplomatic relations.

It has been 25 years. The year is now 1000 AB. As the cultist has claimed, Nightmare Moon will return by this year's Summer Sun Celebration.
> Chapter 1: Writing on the Chalkboard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Hi. Um, my name is Chalkboard. I'm a Canterlot school teacher-or at least I used to be one. Taught for three years in history. Just around a few months ago my sister, Dartboard, and I joined the Canterlot Military Academy. I was drafted in-Dartboard joined voluntarily. Dartboard always did wanted to get into one of those tanks-she had posters of them all over her room. Me, I'm somewhat nervous about the concept of being in a tank crew. Maybe it had something to do with my slight claustrophobia, or the fact that tanks are almost always the first ones to head right into danger's way. 

Anyway, we took a qualification exam to see which role we would fit the best. This included a background check and an assessment on our natural talents. Dartboard's is marksponyship, mine is teaching. We both qualified for commander positions, but Dartboard also qualified for secondary training as a gunner. We were assigned to different crews. I have to say, they were a curious bunch.

There was Far Shot, a yellow maned blue earth pony stallion with a slight anger issue; Carry All, a young brown maned tan unicorn stallion who apparently was really inept at magic; Merry Melody, a poofy orange maned yellow earth pony mare who love to talk and sing; and Trail Blazer, a blue maned grey pegasus mare that seems to always have a problem with superiors. 

There were some slight problems on our first day of crew training-Far Shot would yell at me for telling him what targets to hit and Blaze (that's what Trail Blazer insists on us calling her) would sometimes drive from location to location a bit too aggressively, plowing down a good few trees and bushes along the way. She usually ignored the road and just drove through the shortest way posible to the next location. Carry All was pretty compliant-he loaded the tank rounds exactly when I call for him to load one, and he worked quick at swapping shell types. Merry Melody surprisingly remained quiet while we were at a firing ranges-she started singing traveling songs while we were driving between ranges. Carry All would sometimes sing along, Far Shot would just bob his head to the beat. Me, I just read a tanker's manual for our tank, a M4A3E8, while we are transitioning between ranges since Blaze won't take orders from me anyways.

Granted, that was just the first day. The two problem members of our crew gotten better over time. True, it wasn't fast, but a few conversations in our bunks helped lighten things up a little bit. As we spent more time together, I learned more about each of my crew. 

Far Shot was from a family with a distinguished history in military service. He said that his dad, Arc Shot, always kept a PIAT under his bed-I don't know whether he was joking or not. Most of the members in his family are crack shots-it seemed like marksponyship ran in the family. He's not any different-I saw him hit a target six hundred and eighty meters away, center of mass. That was with a Lee-Enfield. From what I've read, that's outside the rifle's effective range (but not maximum range). With the Sherman's 76 millimeter gun, he can see and hit a target before I can properly identify it and call the shot. Heck, he sometimes idly points out targets and land features that I could only barely see with my binoculars. . He also has a sister at home that he cares deeply about.

Carry All's father was in the military, and still is today. He's a requisitions officer, but then again his name is Packall and his natural talent was storing things. As I guessed, he's not that good at magic. Sure, lifting and manipulating light objects like a pencil or a cup he can do, but he can't lift a tank shell with his magic-he has to do it manually like how a Earth pony or Pegasus does it. He also seemed a little nervous handling firearms at the infantry firing ranges. Admittedly, I did too. 

Trail Blazer had a job before joining the military, like me. She was a airborne navigator and guide for travellers and aircraft. I guess that her navigational confidence comes from her profession. Hey, she hasn't gotten us lost before. She says her sister is also in the military-but as a pilot. Her sister said it was because she wanted to fly just like her-Blaze's sister was an earth pony, and thus flightless through natural means. I asked her what kind of plane her sister flew-she said it was a de Havilland Mosquito. I remember seeing a few of those before. It's a unique aircraft in that it's airframe was made out of plywood. Despite the cheapness of the material, it flew fast and can hit hard. On days where we drove outside of the Canterlot training grounds, she would tell me to take the wheel while she flew up above to look at the terrain. It's a good thing I read the manual.

Merry Melody was also from a military family, although it was only on her dad's side. On her mom's side there were many carefree ponies. If she were to believed, one of her ancestors was the Element of Laughter. I guess she inherited a little of both sides of the family. She also said she had a cousin in Ponyville. She joined the Academy so that she can follow her brother's footsteps. Her hair sorta...deflated when I asked her where he is now. She says she doesn't know. She hasn't gotten a letter from him for two months so far. So I then asked if there was something that reminded her of her brother. She said there was a old song by an Ancient named Vera Lynn that her brother played on a gramophone the day he left for Canterlot. She left the gramophone and vinyl record at home when she went to Canterlot. I promised her I'll find it-her hair poofed up a little, if only slightly.

I took a little guess at what the song was, and went to purchase a record of it in Canterlot during one of our off-duty days.The rest of the crew also gave me the money to buy it. That night, I gotten the crew together and started playing the song on a gramophone that I brought from home-it was a short walk from there to the academy. The song was calming-it had such a cheerful feel yet it also had a somewhat sad tone to it. I looked at Merry Melody-she had tears in her eyes. She then hugged me tightly, saying "Thank you." After a while, she finally let go. Her hair was all poofy again. By then the finale chorus of the song had begun. We all sang to it.


-----------


It's been two weeks. Merry Melody is now in a cheerful mood almost all the time now. It could have something to do with the song I played for her, but she also started getting mail from her brother again. His platoon was operating in the far north and got stuck in a huge snowstorm. They were cut off from long range communication, but local griffons and changelings were friendly enough to help them through their predicament. From what he wrote in the letters, he became friends with a female griffon and a male Moscow changeling. 

The griffons of the north were cold like their environment, but they can open up to new companions although rather slowly. The Moscow changelings are rather...eccentric about the culture that they've adopted. Apparently their hive is located in an old ruin of the Ancients that contained much history within. One night we even got a letter by dragon fire that had a photo of a group of them doing the "Cossack Dance." In it appears that they were singing. I wonder what song it was.


-30 Minutes Before-


"Oy polnym polna mоya korobushka
Yest' i sitets i parcha.
Pozhaley, dusha-zaznobushka,
Molodetskogo plecha.
Vyydu, vyydu v rozh' vysokuyu,
Tam do nochki pogozhu,
Kak zavizhu chernookuyu,
Vse tovary razlozhu.
Tseny sam platil nemalyye,
Ne torguysya, ne skupis',
Podstavlyay-ka gubki alyye,
Blizhe k molodtsu sadis'.
Vot uzh pala noch' tumannaya,
Zhdyot udalyy molodets.
Chu, idyot! – prishla zhelannaya,
Prodayot tovar kupets."

"An odd bunch, aren't they?" Sharp Turn commented.

"Indeed, but they do have talent, you can't argue with that," Clear Canvas replied. "They're singing Korobeiniki almost just like the Ancients did in the films and records."

Steel Lance, the brother of Merry Melody, took a picture of the group of dancing Changelings while his crew was discussing about the curious occurrence taking place.

"Hey, Lance! You want to hear a version of this song that the Brits created?" one of the Changelings in the group shouted.

"Sure, why not." Steel Lance replied.

"Alright friends, new song! The History of the Soviet Union!"

The group of Changelings stopped singing their song. The band that was accompanying them had stopped too, and some swapped out their orchestral instruments for ones more of the jazz variety. One of the changelings in the band pulled out an accordion and started singing.

"To Moscow I came seeking fortune
But they’re making me work til I’m dead
The bourgeoisie have it so easy
The Tsar’s putting gold on his bread
The people of Moscow are hungry
But think what a feast there could be
If we could create a socialist state
That cared for the people like me: "

The rest joined in. The melody was similar to their previous one.

"I am the man who arranges the blocks
That descend upon me from up above.
They come down and I spin them around
Til they fit in the ground like hand in glove.
Sometimes it seems that to move blocks is fine
And the lines will be formed as they fall -
Then I see that I have misjudged it!
I should not have nudged it after all.
Can I have a long one please?
Why must these infernal blocks tease?

I am the man who arranges the blocks
That continue to fall from up above.
Come Muscovite! Let the workers unite!
A collective regime of peace and love.
I work so hard in arranging the blocks
But the landlord and taxman bleed me dry
But the workers will rise! We will not compromise!
For we know that the old regime must die!
Long live Lenin, kill the tsar!
We salute the sickle and star!"

"Talent, huh?" Sharp Turn remarked, "I guess you're right, Canvas, they do have it. Ooh, I think I might've just gotten this one stuck in my head."


-Present-


I was wondering what kind of songs the Moscow changelings would sing, and while I was at that Merry Melody wrote a letter to her brother asking for a vinyl record of the song. She received a package about a week later.

Maybe I should have seen this coming, but she basically sang a song version of the history of the Soviet Union (one of the former regimes of the Ancients that ruled the area that the Moscow Hive now occupy) for the rest of the day. She was still humming it the day after. Admittedly, it was pretty catchy. Though maybe it also had something to do with me being more appreciative of history due to my former occupation as a history teacher. 


----------


Eight months at the Academy, and we're already being shipped out. We're being assigned to the 20th Equestria Royal Armor Division, M company. They're stationed in Ponyville. I'll admit, it's nice to finally see something other than the bustling city that is Canterlot. And it will be certainly interesting to meet Merry Melody's cousin and Far Shot's family. We are to take the train, and then head to the small military base there. From what I've heard, it's pretty relaxed. Also, as part of being assigned there, we're going to get our own tank to have-a M4A3E2. It's like the E8 we've been training in, but slower and better protected.

We went to train station laden down with luggage. At the station was Mom, Dad, Dartboard and one of her friends, Loudmouth. Dartboard told me she's now a commander of a VK3001H. Her friend is the commander of a Jagdpanzer IV. He actually joined the military a year earlier-saw some action in a StuG III. Both of their crews were also carrying some heavy cargo with them. Loudmouth is a rather nice guy...it's just that he tends to shout a lot, but I don't really mind that. 

Oh, did I mention he's the son of Jack Foremast? He's a very renown captain in the Equestrian Royal Navy, famous for leading the evacuation efforts during the Battle of Hippocampus Bay. He's also credited with apprehending about 20 pirate crews, at least 5 of them were armed with contemporary equipment and ships. There was even one time where his crew had successfully subdued the pirate crew of the Ark Royal II. As in THE Ark Royal II, Invincible-class. It was all over the newspapers-the technology in the hulking aircraft carrier was at least a good half century ahead of our own. Too bad much of the components had been cannibalized for a while now. I'm surprised that Loudmouth isn't having problems with having to live up to his father's fame. 

That might be justified though-his crew seems to perform pretty well at their roles despite some disadvantages (the gunner had a tendency to fall asleep, the loader always has cooking grease on his hooves, and the driver keeps on getting the marbles annoyed out of her from the engine breaking down). Before we got on the train, Dartboard and I said goodbye to our parents and promised to write letters to them regularly.

All three crews had seats in the same car. While the train was leaving Canterlot, Dartboard and I exchanged stories of what happened over the eight months we were in the Academy. Her crew seemed to get in trouble a little bit-one time the driver accidentally set the gear to reverse and crashed the training tank into the rear of the garage. Another time the gunner accidentally knocked off the instructor riding on the tank. She also mentioned an incident in which the tank wounded up being completely covered in tree sap. As in tree sap all over the gun, the viewports, the suspension, the hatches, everything. It took them days to clean it off. You're probably wondering how did that happen. I did too. Dartboard says that I really don't want to know. I'll take her word for it.

I looked over behind my seat. Merry Melody was talking with Loudmouth. Something about singing. Evidently they had a few friends in Ponyville that want to do a little get together. Next to our seat, Blaze and Loudmouth's driver, Stingy Wheel, were having a conversation on maintaining tank engines. From what I remember Blaze telling me, she only handled plane engines before. Then again, some plane engines are also used in tanks, so she might not necessarily have no knowledge at all about tank engines. The rest of the train ride was mostly uneventful. I just kept to reading books-some of them novels, some history books, others are tank manuals I decided to pick up and look at in case we get any new tanks to use. Dartboard just tapped her right forehoof on the foreleg rest for most of the time.

When the train arrived at Ponyville, we gathered our belongings and exited the car. A few of us had to stretch a little due to sitting for so long. Today must've been a pretty busy day-there were ponies moving back and forth on the platform everywhere. I heard a very loud gasp and then saw a pink blur tackle Merry Melody. The tackler in question was a pink pony with a poofy pink mane and tail. The two looked so similar-this must be her cousin that she was talking about.

"Pinkie!" Merry Melody exclaimed.

"Merry!" the pink mare exclaimed back.

"How's my favorite cousin doing?"

"I'm doing great! I'm super duper excited that you came to Ponyville. Oh we could do so much together!"

I rubbed my eyes. It was as if I was looking at two Merry Melodies at the same time. If she wasn't wearing dual ponytails on her mane, the only difference between the two would be color and cutie mark (Merry's is a radio with a music note, Pinkie's is  three balloons). I saw the other crew members meet up with whatever friends or relatives they had in Ponyville. Dartboard and I didn't have any in this town, so we just watched. Blaze was with her parents, a pegasus stallion and a earth pony mare. Farshot was talking with his mom and sister. Carry All was talking to his older sister and a stallion around his age whom I assume is his friend. I noticed that along with Pinkie was a purple maned white unicorn mare. Her hair was all curly.

We all started picking up our possessions. While the others had ponies to help them, Dartboard and I just decided to bear the weight of our luggage by ourselves. Right then the white unicorn noticed all the things I was carrying and walked over.

"I can carry some of your belongings," she said.

"Ah, no thanks. We can do it by ourselves," Dartboard replied.

"Nonsense, darlings. You two look like you might collapse!" the unicorn insisted.

She took a few of our luggage using her magic. I'll admit it-I didn't feel like I was going to tip over now that some of the weight has been taken off.

"Uh, thanks," I said.

"Oh no problem, dear," the unicorn replied.

"By the way, my name's Chalkboard. And here's my sister, Dartboard. What's yours?"

"My name's Rarity. Quite nice to meet you."

"Same here."

"I can see your friend over there has become acquainted with Pinkie Pie."

"Yeah, it's as if I'm seeing two of them. They're so similar."

"I've noticed."

We all walked outside. The weather was slightly dreary-the sky was gray and there was a slight drizzle. Granted, it was not too bad. I noticed that most of the houses here used thatched roofs and were made mostly of wood. Sort of gives a village kind of atmosphere, but that's why the called it Ponyville, right? We proceeded towards the military base near the town square. I tried not slipping on the paved road. While Rarity did take some of the weight off of me, it was still a little difficult trying to keep upright in such conditions.

Maybe I shouldn't have bothered, because what happened next knocked me over anyways.

"Watch out!" someone yelled.

I turned my head towards the direction of the speaker. All I saw was a rainbow streak before I got bowled over, launching me right into a mud puddle. My belongings were luckily in waterproofed bags. Unfortunately I didn't bring a raincoat. I was covered in mud. I'm going to need to clean my uniform after this.

"Whoops, heh heh. Uh, sorry," said the rainbow maned pegasus that crashed into me.

This town won't be boring, at least.
> Chapter 2: Making the Far Shot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	On a regular day, if Chalky were to accidentally fall off our tank and onto the ground I would have helped her up. This day, though, was not a regular day. Her being bowling-balled by a pegasus right into a mud puddle was way too funny not to laugh at.

What? It was. What happened next was even funnier-the pegasus responsible tried to get the mud off of her by creating a whirlwind around her. She was able to, but now that Chalky got flash dried her mane was all puffy. It was rolled into a semi-spire pointing upwards. The rest of us started laughing our butts off at her predicament. That's when I noticed the prissy-looking white unicorn was just staring at the mess with horror. The unicorn went up to her and told her that her mane was in a utter mess and that it needs to be fixed up. She dragged her away towards what I think was the spa.

The rest of us walked in the opposite direction-towards the military base in Ponyville. Aside from a chain-link fence, the base itself wasn't that intimidating. The complex looked like it was converted from some of the larger buildings in the town. Thatched roofs, exterior wood bracings, walls being made out of wood themselves, and brightly colored coats of paint gave the buildings a more homey feel than a militaristic one. 

After saying goodbyes to families and friends-Mum made me promise to visit her and sis when I'm off duty-we went inside the barracks. I was right-the place was essentially a bunch of converted apartments. The interior reminds me of that hotel that my family and I stayed at when our house had to be fumigated. Long corridor with doors off to the sides leading into very, very large rooms. Each crew was to be assigned to separate rooms. Not complaining, as this was the same setup back at the academy in Canterlot. As usual, Blaze called the top bunk, I got the bottom. In the other bunk Merry was at top and Carry was at bottom. Chalky would get a bed to herself. After unpacking our luggages, Blaze and I went to check out our new tank while Merry and Carry went to explore the rest of the base.

As to be expected, there wasn't anything that looked particularly interesting about our new tank, seeing as it's just a different version of the training Sherman we used back at Canterlot. In fact the only difference I noticed is that the turret looked a little fatter. It was painted olive, typical of the Sherman series of tanks. 

"Hey, since this our tank now, does that mean we can do anything with it?" asked Blaze.

"I'd think so, as long as we don't wreck it on purpose," I replied.

"Okay, then the first thing I'm going to do with this is to give it a new paint job," she declared, "It looks awfully dull."

"Mmph, and can maybe after you finish playing hoofpainter maybe we can do something practical with this thing?" I said, "Like maybe file a requisitions for a longer gun?"

"Fine, fine, geez. You're such a killjoy sometimes."

"Aye, the lad's got a point, yah know," said somepony.

I looked behind me and saw a brown pegasus mare with a sandlebag of equipment. She was also wearing a Brodie helmet with a pair of dust goggles on it. She must be one of the engineers. Next to her was an undisguised changeling wearing a pulled up winter cap with a red star on it. I think it's called a Shanka or something. It had something on its back with a blanket covering it.

"The Sherman's seventy five millimeter cannon is good for fighting against infantry, but it's absolute rubbish against more modern armor. Tossing a wet piece of haggis would be more effective," she said. 

"Huh, and you are...?" Blaze asked.

"Name's Cogswing," the pegasus replied, "but ye can call me Cogsy. Most of my friends do, and I got a feeling we're going to get well acquainted in the next few weeks." She held out a forehoof, I held mine out to shake it.

"The name's Far Shot," I said. I then pointed to Blaze, "And this is my crew's driver, Blaze."

"Nice to meet ya lads," Cogsy said, "I'm one of the Sappers here-got shipped out after a few months of training in Trottingham. Been here for about a year so far."

"A few months?" Blaze said skeptically, "Doesn't training usually take around a year?"

"Aye, but mine was a little streamlined, due to my natural talent." Cogsy pointed at her cutie mark-a gear with a screwdriver and wrench in front of it. "Had experience with engineering before joining up-used to help my dad in his job as a mechanic."

"Wait, since you're a Sapper, that means you're going to be put in combat duty?" I asked. 

"Yes. Why ya ask?" Cogsy replied.

"My dad was a Sapper at the Battle of Trottingham."

"Huh. What's his name?"

"Arc Shot."

"Oh. Hey, wait a moment! Arc Shot was our Drill Sargent."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Really tough on fresh recruits, although he's really confident in us. Said that we were the pride of the army at training graduation. Loved to yells insults at us to fire us up during exercises. "Mule dung" was one of his favorite ones." I saw the changeling wince a little. "There's a rumor that he sleeps with a PIAT under his mattress."

"Yeah, that definitely sounds like dad alright. Always did love to see things blow up, especially when he was the one doing it."

"Wait, so the rumor's TRUE?!?" Cogsy exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Sshhh," the changeling said, "you're going to wake up little Katie." It pointed at the tiny thing on its back. I only just noticed it was a tiny sleeping changeling. It murmured at bit, then resumed sleeping.

"Oops, sorry," Cogsy apologized, "By the way, this is Anton. He's from the Moscow Hive."

"Is good to meet you two," the changeling said. He had a slight buzz to his voice.

"Nice to meet you too," I replied, "And if you don't mind me asking, where did you get the little one?"

"Queen Anastasia gave the nymph to me," Anton replied, "Most changelings traveling abroad are given a nymph to take care of. The queen says it's better to have them grow up away from the hive."

"And you are here because...?"

"I grew up in Stalliongrad, just like many others from the hive. I returned to Moscow after I reached adolescence, then came back after I became an adult. Afterwards I was granted Equestrian citizenship. Decided to join the Royal Army. Got shipped to Ponyville five years ago."

"Wait, so the nymph is about five years old?"

"Seven years."

"Wait, then why-"

"She's having one of her daytime naps right now. Younger changelings tire out a lot easier, but that's common with most creatures, yes?"

"Huh, that's not how I remembered it. Isn't seven years when kids are the most hyperactive?"

"Oh she is when awake. You should have seen her getting all excited about you and the other crews coming here. Was jumping all over the place. Loves it when there's new people coming over. Bzzt, is exhausting trying to calm her down..."

"I hear you. It was bloody difficult to have my sister sit still for more than five seconds when she was younger." 

"Same here, only except she's still like that sometimes even as an adult." None of us said that, but it sounded familiar. 

I looked at the garage entrance and saw a green earth pony mare. Took Chalky long enough. She was all cleaned up. She wasn't wearing her uniform anymore, then again us ponies don't normally wear clothes anyways. I notice something else that was a little bit different-while before she always wore her red mane down, now she was wearing it in a ponytail.

"Took your sweet time, eh?" I remarked.

"Not that I really had a choice," Chalky replied. "Rarity insisted that I get all the mud cleaned off, get at least a better manestyle, and get a hooficure. And that was when I said I had to get somewhere quick. Otherwise I'd be stuck with her for the rest of the day off to who knows where."

"Lemme guess," Cogsy said, "Ye got knocked over by the resident daredevil? Cerulean coat, rainbow mane?"
"Yeah...what's up with her?" Chalky asked.

"She's an avid Wonderbolt fan. Wants to be one of them some day. You can always see her practicing stunts when she's not handling the weather. Or napping," Chalky replied.

Wait...

Why was she answering her own question? 

I looked away from Chalky and back over to Cogsy and Anton. Only except, Anton wasn't there, just Chalky. Cogsy didn't seem surprised. I looked back over to the other Chalky, her eyes were very wide. I looked over to Blaze, her jaws were dropped right open. I looked back at the Chalky behind Cogsy.

"What."

Cogsy couldn't hold it in any longer. First it was a snicker, then it turned into full out laughing. The Chalky behind her had a smirk on her face. I also heard another voice of laughter, this one much younger. Then I noticed that a tiny changeling with a blanket and a oversized winter cap on it was standing on that Chalky's back.

"Oh of bloody course. Changelings can do that," I said. Why in the name of Celestia did I not remember that.

"Ye shoulda look at yer faces! They were hilarious!" Cogsy said after she was able to talk through her laughter. I just gave her the evil eye.

"Alright, alright," she said after wiping her tears off, "the name's Cogsy, and me buddy behind is called Anton. And you are...?"

"Sergeant Chalkboard. Certainly interesting meeting you two," Chalky replied.

"The feeling is mutual," the not-Chalky replied.

"Hello! I'm Katherine!" the tiny changeling said. It was now standing right in front of the real Chalky. "But you can call me Katie!"

"So the little princess awakes," not-Chalky said.

Wait, princess? .....Nah, probably just one of those nicknames given to children.

"Anty, why didn't you wake me up?" Katie asked.

"You needed your rest. You want to grow up properly, don't you?"

"Fine then, mom." At this statement not-Chalky blinked out of confusion. Then "she" realized what was wrong and was momentarily engulfed in blue fire. So that's what happens when a changeling disguises. Anton then cleared his throat and walked over to Katie to take the winter cap off of her. He placed it back on his head.

"Huh, that was pretty a good impression. You sounded and looked just like me," Chalky commented.

"Many thanks. Us changelings appreciate being complemented on our ability to mimic others," Anton replied, "Sure, is not necessary for our hive anymore since we can get love and other emotional energies without needing to pose as others, but is good to stay in practice."

"Hey, Anty?" Katie asked.

"Hmm?"

"Can we show the new ponies around?"

"I don't see why not."

"Yay! Okay everypony, follow me!" Katie ran off through one of the doors. The sign on it said "TO: War Room, Armory, Hangar". We followed after her. This could be interesting.


--------


Well, some of the rooms did seem interesting to look in (the armory and forge coming to mind in particular) but Katie just spent around two minutes explaining each room before running off to the next. Maybe I'll look into the rooms more extensively next time. They were not unlike the ones at the academy, though a few were off-limits to us back there. 

Eventually it was time to have dinner. Everyone met up at the mess hall. While there is a sizable amount of ponies here, it's definitely not as much as there were back at Canterlot. There's even some unoccupied tables. Anton, Cogsy, and Katie sat with us alongside a few other ponies that I haven't seen before. They said their greetings and introduced themselves, we did the same. A bunch of them were Cogsy's fellow sappers. They had different shoulder patches to indicate their role. A wrench meant they were repair and maintenance sappers, like Cogsy. A detonator and mine detector meant there were explosive ordnance disposal and demolition sappers. A flying rocket meant that they were anti-tank sappers. A fire meant they were flamethrower sappers. A few of the others said their job is to guard tanks in combat. Quite a few were just regular soldiers. The rest of the time was just each of us eating our meals; I noticed that Anton, Katie, and several other undisguised changelings eating regular food. I'll have to ask them about that later.

After the meal most of us head back to the barracks-some of the ponies who were on night shifts instead headed towards their stations. Me, I went back to armory to pick up the Lee-Enfield I gave to security at the entrance and practiced at the shooting range. Nothing is more satisfying to me than hitting a target dead center. I spent about an hour shooting cardboard targets before I decided turn in for the day. I gave my Lee-Enfield back to the quartermaster and went back towards the barracks.

While walking outside, I decided to take a little stroll. The moon was out tonight. The bright side of it was fully visible. On the moon was a pattern of craters that resembled a pony. I remembered a old tale about why the craters on the moon are arranged as they are-supposedly a mare was banished to the moon because she threatened to engulf the world in everlasting night. It is said that the stars will align a thousand years after she was banished, and she will once again threaten the safety of the world. 

Now I'm not much for a doomsday theorist, but I'm a little worried. She was banished almost an entire millennia ago. Our calendars mark years by Years After Banishment (but the banishment was said to have happened in the middle of the year), based on that same story. Right now it is 1000 AB. That means that her return will be sometime this year. Then there's the Nightmare Cult, who claims that she will return this year's Summer Sun Celebration. That's only a week from now.

Well, I decided to stop brooding over that and to get some sleep. I'm not one for doomsday theories. I headed back to the barracks and to my crew's room. Everyone else was already sleeping. I checked the clock-it was ten o clock. Must've stayed out longer than I thought. I got into bed and pulled up the covers. It took me a while before I could fall asleep.
> The Dream
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

.....
"Shhhh."
"Who are you?"
"My name is ------. I need your help. Do what I say, and we can avenge this massacre."
.....
"Wait until the bombers are directly overhead. The sound of their engines will drown out your shot."
*gasp*
*crack!*
"AGAIN!"
.....
"For days, I have crept through shadows like a rat. This place, once echoed with conversations of friends and lovers...No longer. Mark my words comrade, one day things will change. We will take the fight to their land... to their people... to their blood."
.....
"Shhh...German patrol. Let them pass."
"ARF ARF! GRRRR ARF ARF!"
"They have found us! We need to leave now! HIT THE FLOOR!"
*woosh!*
*crackle!*
"They are trying to burn us out! Stay low, try not to breathe!"
.....
"Kommunisten!"
"Her mit dem Flammenwerfer, verbrenn diese Russenschweine!"
*bzzt!*
*bzzt!*
"ARGH!"
.....
"Into the river, ------! It is our only chance! Go!"
*splash!*
*zip!*
*zip!*
> Chapter 3: Sunset
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Gunner, KV-1 5 o' clock, one hundred meters."

"Got it."

"Loader, load AP shell."

"AP, up!"

"Fire!"

*thump!*

*plink!*

"We didn't even scratch 'em!"

"Loader, sabot! Now!"

"Sabot up-"

*CLANK*

"Ah cripe are we lucky this thing has thick armor! Fire, fire!

*thump!*

*crack!*

"Enemy vehicle has been knocked out! Good job lads! Get this tank moving...wait, what was that?"

*clickclankclunkclickclankclunk*

"That sounded too heavy to be a medium tank...HOLY MOTHER OF-"

*CRACK!*

"Bail out! Bait out!"

"Indy's dead! His brains is all over the place! Oh Celestia!"

"Churchill reporting! We have been knocked out by an unknown heavy tank! It has a massive gun on it! Requesting backup! I repeat, reque-"*CRACK*"GAAARRRGGHH!!"

"Oh shite! The wanker's still shooting at us! Get out before we're all dead!"


--------


"Get out! Get-aaack..." machine gun fire had cut off the gunner trying to get out of the Churchill.

"Aaahhhh! It's trying to kill us all! Help! Help bloody dammit!" yelled one of the panicking Churchill crew members.

"Sherman engaging target! Argh! It's not working!" yelled the Sherman commander. All of the chaos was being seen and heard in the briefing room. A projection of the carnage is being shown in the front. A few of the ponies there had left the room, too upset at the bloody scene unfolding. "Uh-oh. That thing's turning to engage us! Drive, or we're DEEAAAAD!"

"Someone get behind that bastard!" A Cromwell attempts to drive behind the heavy tank. Unfortunately, it notices and traverses its hull and turret to engage. Another thunderous boom is heard as the tank fires. The shot smashed into the right side of the Cromwell and exits through the left side. Inside the tank, the spalling inflicted by the shell had severely wounded the radio operator. She was bleeding badly.

"Shite! Saphy's bleeding out!" the Cromwell gunner cried. Right when the Tiger had exposed its back to the rest of the tank formation, it dispersed smoke shells and disappeared. 

It was right then that the film stopped rolling.

"This tank was encountered a month ago," the base commander, Firehawk, said. "It possesses a eight point eight centimeter cannon, more than enough to destroy most of our tanks with one or two shots." The film projector was removed and replaced with a slide projector. Currently, it was going through slides showing the numerous destroyed ERAD tanks. "It also has very tough armor, impossible to reliably penetrate at a distance." The next slide showed a distanced shot of the heavy tank with a few shells sitting on the grass in front of it, distorted and crumpled. "If intel is right, this is one of the Ancients' most feared tanks during the Second World War." The next slide showed a remastered photograph of the heavy tank. "Fillies and gentlecolts, this is the Panzerkampfwagen VI Henschel Tiger I. A most frightening adversary, many of its opponents fled in terror at the very sight of it. Those who did not usually were not able to live out their normal lifespans." The next slide showed a remastered photo of multitudes of Sherman wrecks in front of a Tiger.

"Usually the only effective counters against these monsters were through smart infantry tactics," - a slide of a Ancient hiding behind a Tiger while holding a M1 Bazooka - "tank-hunters,"-a slide of a ISU-152 -"AT guns," - a slide of a 17-pounder anti-tank gun - "aircraft," - a slide of a de Havilland Mosquito - "or another heavy tank of the same caliber." - a slide of a Super Pershing is shown. "Engaging a Tiger by yourself is suicide, and attempting to fight it with an already inadequate tank gun is doomed from the start." 

The slides swap to another picture of a Tiger, this time a modern day photograph again. "We don't know the tank's affiliation, but it's definitely hostile. For the last few months we were receiving multiple reports of convoys and combat groups being attacked by this tank. It is almost certainly always the same tank, but each time there are different tanks escorting it." The next slide showed a still shot of a round that impacted the turret, ripping off one of the smoke dispensers. "This photo was taken three months ago." The next side showed the Tiger again with a missing smoke dispenser. "This photo was taken a week after the previous one. Our only other way of making sure it was the same tank is this:" - aslide of the Tiger turret's right side is shown - "Jäger. Germane for hunter. Every time we fought the Tiger, it had the word clearly showing on the right side of the turret. And guess the big news." The next slide showed the Tiger firing upon ERAD tanks. It was similar to all the other slides of it in combat, except for one detail. 

"Wait, is that the Everfree Forest in the background?" Cogswing asked.

"Indeed it is, warrant officer," Firehawk replied, "Recently this thing has been ambushing convoys near Ponyville. Each attack shows that it is getting closer and closer to the town." There are murmurs and whisperings amongst the audience. "And if our calculations are correct...it will be in Ponyville by  Summer Sun Celebration, which is the day after tomorrow."

A few of the members of the audience started getting extremely nervous. The muted exchanges between each other got louder. "Now calm down. We have a plan to take this thing down." The next slide showed a blueprint of a new tank. "After informing the higher ups about the severity of our situation, they have agreed to grant us two new vehicles to fight against this monster. We're going to fight fire with fire. This tank is the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther. Made by the same group of Ancients who created the Tiger. And a vehicle based off of the Panther," the next slide showed a vehicle similar to the Panther yet had a casemate instead of a turret, "the Panzerjager Jagdpanther. And guess which one of ya lucky ducklings get to use these." The next slide showed a profiling of vehicle crews. It showed Dartboard and Loudmouth's crew. Loudmouth went slack jawed. 

"Now don't get too excited, command wants both of these returned to Canterlot completely intact after this is all over," Firehawk said, "But look on the bright side-you're going to be getting a taste of some of the new vehicles that are going onto the production lines in the near future. Now our strategy....", a slide of an aerial photograph of the Tiger being escorted by various vehicles, "is to lure the Tiger's battle group into attacking a dummy convoy. Cars will be rigged with magic to drive along a predetermined path," a photograph of vehicles with burlap bag dummies in them are shown. "A few will have wood covers on them, disguising them as tanks. The real vehicles" - a slide is shown of tank pits surrounded with bushes - "will be concealed in these." The next slide shows a map of the area, with the concealed tank pits on one side of the road and the expected enemy tanks on the other' behind an incline. "We will open fire on the battle group either when most of the tanks has entered the killzone or when they realize the vehicles are fakes. The Panther and Jagdpanther will attempt to destroy the Tiger, then mop up the rest. The Tiger will almost certainly attempt to flee the moment it notices we have adequate firepower, so work fast and don't miss."

"Snnnrrk...eh? What?" Loudmouth's gunner Sleep Shot said, jarring awake. Far Shot, noticing that she only just awoken, facehooved.

"We are all going to bloody die," he said.

"If things go south," Firehawk continued, "you are ordered to scuttle any knocked out tanks and retreat. Remember that if we fail today, we're going to have to prepare for the worst. Any questions?" No one answered. "Good. Dismissed!"


--------


"Hey, Chalky?" Far Shot asked.

"Mmm?"

"Do you really think that entrusting the mission to...those guys," Far Shot pointed over to the Jagdpanther and its new crew, "was a good idea?"

"Hey, despite their quirks they are one of the best tank destroyer crews we have." A audible clang is heard as Butters, the Jagdpanther's loader, accidentally dropped a shell.

"Best? More like a bunch of ragtag misfits."

"Hey, we're sorta the same. Never been in a battle before, and we aren't necessarily one of the most cohesive crews out there."

"And that's because...?"

"Well you for example still have a major anger problem that can potentially endanger us in battle."

"Mmph."

"Hey, you did try to take over the wheel at one point. You driving is about as aggressive as Blaze's, but several times more reckless."

"Meehhhhh...I still don't exactly trust life and death situations with that gunner."

"The point of the mission is to wait for the enemy to expose themselves. If they trusted that vehicle to you, you would just try to shoot the Tiger the instant it appeared." 

"I can hit its weakspots, no problem." 

"And if you don't? They didn't have a mockup Tiger for target practice on the range back at Canterlot."

"..."

"Just focus on the mission and let the crews do their job. If this all goes up in flames, you can tell me 'I told you so' later."

"And if we don't survive?"

"Then you can bug me for all eternity in the afterlife on how you told me so."

"..."

"And bug Sleep Shot for messing up. The dead can't sleep anymore, right?"

"Fine then."

"Hey guys!" Carry All shouted, "Here's the HVAP rounds that we asked fo-woah woah wooaahhh!" Carry began to slip on a small trail of cooking oil. He fell, dropping the three shells he was carrying. Butters, noticing the trail he left behind ran over to help Carry All.

"Hey, sorry about that," Butters said, helping Carry up.

"Oh no problem its just that the floor was a little bit sliiii-!" Carry fell again, this time with Butters toppled over him.

'Sigh', Far Shot thought, 'we're all going to bloody die.'


--------


It was a few minutes before the Tiger was expected to show up. The tanks were hidden away in tank pits covered by bushes. There was also soldiers hiding in the shrubbery and hedgerows, lying in wait.

"Pfftoo!" one of the anti tank sappers spat a few leaves out of his mouth.

"Sshhh, not so loud. Ya want to give us away?" Cogswing whispered.

"Sorry Sarge, it's just there's freaking leaves everywhere. I can barely breathe without getting a few 'o them in my mouth."

"That's what ye nose is for."

"Sorry, have a bit of a hay fever. Can't breathe through 'em."

"Sigh. Ya can be such a ditz sometimes, ye know that Spigs? ...Oi, Petro, now's not the time to light the flamethrower."

"Huh? Oh, whoops, accidentally kept the igniter on." The flame sapper turned off her flamethrower's igniter and quickly put out the tiny fire that was developing on one of the branches.

"Darn it." Anton said, "I got a branch into one of my leg holes again."

"Get it out," Cogswing replied, "but do it quietly and quick. Don't want to blow our cover. Ugh, any other acts of clumsiness I should be aware of?"

"I have a slight pollen allergy," one of the changelings said.

"Anyone else?" Cogswing said annoyingly. All the others either shook their heads or didn't say anything at all. "Good."

"It's almost nighttime," Firehawk said over the radio, "The dummy convoy and the enemy should converge in a few minutes."

"Good. I hate sitting around," one of the rifleponies said.

"Don't get ahead of yerself lad," Cogswing replied, "We're suppose to wait for the right moment."

"Okay, quick head count. Everyone report in," Firehawk said.

"Panther is here," Dartboard said.

"Churchill, ready to give 'em the business."

"Cromwell, lying in wait."

"T-34-85, just waiting for them."

"M6, ready."

"KV-1, waiting for you."

"Sappers are ready and waiting," Cogswing replied.

"Jägers are all here, kommandant."

"Strelki is all here," Anton replied, "Uhh, pardon for a moment. Need to get this tree branch out of my leg."

"Riflepony squad is ready."

"StuG III, ready."

"Wolverine is waiting."

"Yep, we're still here," Far Shot replied.

"TANK DESTROYAH REPORTING!" Loudmouth shouted, "Tell us when the Tiger appears. We're going to blow it up real good!"

"Zzzzzz....."

"Ffffffffffff-"

"Far Shot, don't blow your gasket."

"Hhhhhh.....We're all going to bloody die," Far Shot muttered.

"Okay, everyone is accounted for." A faint sound of tires could be heard. "The dummy convoy should be passing now. Expect combat in about-" a loud boom was heard and one of the vehicles in the dummy convoy bursted into flames "-right now."

"Identified," Dartboard declared, "Looks like a T-34-85." The tanks held their fire, knowing that more was coming. "I'm seeing more of those tanks coming over the incline. About five of them total. I see Panzer IVs also, about six of them." The ten tanks that appeared after the first T-34-85 started shooting at the vehicles in the convoy, unaware that they have no one physically driving them. "Aaannnd here comes the primary target." 

A Tiger rolled over the incline. It had a damaged smoke dispenser, several shot scrapes, and the word Jäger written on the right side of the turret. Two more tanks accompanied it side by side, along with at least four halftracks carrying unidentified soldiers. "Wait, what are those?"

"Smaller cousins of the Tiger," Chalkboard replied, "VK3601Hs. Precursors to it, in fact."

"Proto-Tigers. That's just great," Cogswing commented. The trio joined the other eleven tanks in destroying the convoy.

"Should we fire now?" Far Shot asked.

"Not yet. Wait for it...." The tanks still had their front to the ambushers. "Wait for it...." While much of the convoy was destroyed, a few vehicles still remained unscathed and were getting away. The tanks were forced to turn their sides to the ambushers in order to pursue the "survivors". "...now! Fire! Fire!"

The attacking tanks were pounded by the massive barrage of shells and rockets that simultaneously flew towards them. Two of the Panzer IVs and three of the T-34-85s were annihilated by the initial volley. A shot from the Panther instantly knocked out another T-34-85. A Panzer IV got nailed in the fuel tank by the M4A3E2, causing the Panzer to be set on fire. One particularly large shell slammed into one of the VK3601Hs and knocked it out.

"Mmm...did I get him?"

"Sorry Sleepy, ya hit one of the VKs."

"What? But I thought that was the Tiger..."

"Grrrr...."

"Far Shot, you better not point that gun at the Jagdpanther or else I will personally make sure you are court marshalled," Firehawk threatened.

The remaining tanks saw the source of the fire and turned their hulls and cannons to repay the favor. The halftracks stopped, their passengers getting out and taking cover.

"They see us."

"Ah just buck it. Hiding time's over, let's rock!"

"Cogswing here, we'll handle the infantry. You lads handle the tanks." The tanks bursted out of their hiding places, driving towards the enemy. The infantry hidden in the foliage opened fire on the enemies dismounting. The Jagdpanther fired, penetrating the turret of the Tiger and tearing off the remaining smoke dispenser on it.

"HAH!" Loudmouth shouted, " No hiding from us now!" The Tiger turned and somehow drove away faster than a Cromwell. "Oh COME ON!"

"The Tiger is heading towards Ponyville! At this speed we will not be able to catch up to it before it reaches the town!"

"Not if I can help it!" The M4A3E2 fires its gun at the Tiger. The round went through the rear armor and striked the engine. The roof of the engine compartment then bursted wide open, a sizable smoke cloud coming from it. Now that its engine was damaged, the Tiger's speed was reduced to what could be described as a limping run.

"The Tiger must have been over clocking its engines. We can pursue it now."

"Right then. We'll take our Cromwell to chase it do-" Suddenly, a rocket hits the Cromwell in the front left sprocket, detracking it "-wn. Ah well never mind. Up to the Jumbo Sherman to chase it down now."

"Alright then. Blaze, you think you can catch up to it?" Chalkboard asked.

"We will, but slowly. This thing isn't fast you know," Trail Blazer replied. The E2 turned to pursuit, leaving behind the battle.
> Chapter 4: Nightfall
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The M4A3E2 was able to catch up to the Tiger despite it making several maneuvers to lose it's pursuer. Its engine was simply too damaged to make any of them effective. By then the moon was clearly out on the night sky. Just as the E2 closed within effective on-the-move weapons range, the Tiger slowly rotated its turret and hull to fire back. The E2 was able to send several shots towards the side of the Tiger before it fired. While most harmlessly bounced off, one shell was able to penetratre when the Tiger's side was perpendicular to the shell. The Tiger finally bore its turret on the E2 and fired. Its shell failed to penetrate.

"Wow. Didn't think this tin can's armor was THAT heavy," Blaze commented. The Sherman fired again before the Tiger could face its frontal armor. The Tiger was still responsive as it started driving backwards while shooting at the Sherman. "Okay, it has its front to us. What now?"

"Just keep driving, I'll figure it out in a moment," Far Shot replied. He aimed for the lower glacis plate of the Tiger, since most tanks had thinner armor in that area, and fired. He guessed right-the Sherman's 76mm cannon was able to penetrate. "And now we just shoot at it until it stops." The sound of crunching armor and glass was suddenly heard. Chalkboard had only just ducked, narrowly avoiding the shell that went through the commander's cupola and the subsequent spalling.

"You might want to do that quick, he's aiming for weak spots!" she shouted. The Sherman fired again, this time the shell bounced. The Tiger then angled its front at roughly a forty five degree angle with its opponent. "We cannot penetrate the glacis at this angle, shoot at their cupola! Driver, turn and try to flatten the angle of the Tiger's front!"

The Sherman was able to fire another shot before the Tiger was able to fire again. The shell missed. The Tiger fired back, hitting the thick turret mantlet. The Sherman turned in order to get itself perpendicular with the Tiger's frontal armor. It fired. This time the shell tore into the driver's area. The Tiger stopped, then fired back a shot that missed. It didn't move again. "I think the driver's dead, flank the tank before they can get it moving again!"

"Already on it," Blaze said. The Sherman turned to the right and drove around the Tiger. As it fired a shot into the Tiger's side, the Tiger retaliated with a round that hit the Sherman's side in return. It ripped through the ammunition rack, bending the rack but not detonating the shells.

"Uhh...guys? Ammo rack is damaged," Carry All said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah just do your job," Far Shot replied. Carry All struggled to pull a shell out of the rack. Luckily it wasn't malformed or punctured from the impact. He loaded it into the gun. The Tiger meanwhile was struggling to bring its gun to bear on the E2, as its turret had suffered damage due to the penetrating hit from the Jagdpanther a few minutes ago.

"AP, up!" Carry All declared. Far Shot fired the shell into the Tiger's rear, causing even further damage to the engine. This caused a fire.

"Enemy Tiger is on fire! I think we're done here!" Chalkboard declared. Suddenly the engine compartment started glowing. "Uh-oh. Driver, get us out of here!"

"On it!" Blaze replied. She turned the Sherman to drive away from the Tiger as fast as possible. Just as Blaze shifted both treads to forward gear, the Tiger violently exploded. A shard of its armor jammed itself into the far right of the Sherman's rear. Luckily, it did not damage anything vital. Another flew into the back of the turret and was deflected due to the thickness of its armor.

"Looks like this tank's armor just saved us again," Chalkboard commented.

"Meh," Blaze said, "I still prefer going fast than being well protected."

"A risk taker, aren't you?"

"Hey, I'm just saying. Better not to be shot at in the first place."

"I'll say. If that round had hit just a little closer to the right we would've been dead," Carry All added.

"Command's transmitting to us right now," Merry interrupted.

"Patch him in," Chalkboard said.

"This is Firehawk here, requesting a situation report on all elements."

"Warrant Officer Cogswing, enemy is neutralized. Minor casualties, no one died but some of us are going back in a stretcher."

"Sergeant Dartboard, Panther received no damage. We knocked out two enemy tanks. Got some shell marks, but I think the engineers can buffer it out. None of our tanks have been knocked out but a few need repairs."

"TANK DESTROYAH REPORTING! ...eh-hem, sorry. Staff Sergeant Loudmouth here. We knocked out six tanks, including both of the VK3601Hs. All shots glanced off of our front. Conclusion? I LOVE THIS THING!"

"Sergeant Chalkboard, reporting that the Tiger has been knocked out." A few cheers were heard over the radio.

"Confirmed, aerial recon is showing the wreck," Firehawk replied, "It's completely annihilated-what happened?"

"Nailed it again in the engine. Looks like that was enough to cause it to blow up. Must have been unstable."

"Copy that. You colts and fillies did well; keep it up and a nice medal and promotion will be right around the corner. Return to base and get some rest."

"We'll have to return these afterwards, don't we?" Loudmouth asked sadly.

"Roger, but seeing as you performed well in it I'll see if I can't get the higher ups to make sure you're one of the first to get the production model version of it." A scream of triumph and excitement was heard on the radio.

"So, looks like we're all still very much not 'bloody dead', Far Shot," Chalkboard commented.

"Aahhhh shut up," Far Shot retorted.




Victory!
Battle: Murovanka 9 June 1000
Vehicle: M4A3E2
Battle Achievements: Mastery: 3rd Class, Valor Shield



---Dawn of the Final Day---


"Morning everyone. You all get a good sleep?" Firehawk asked. The briefing room was filled with personnel that had only just awaken. Some of them are in the middle of having a quick breakfast, while others are getting a few extra minutes of sleep in.

"Yawn...yeah, nothing like a little time for rest after a battle," Cogswing replied. Firehawk nodded.

"Alright, today's an important day," he said, "This year they are hosting the Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville, and that means we're pitching in to help set everything up. Also, as usual, security will be tightened up a little bit seeing as the Princess herself will be here for the occasion. There's also someone else we're told to look after." The slide projector switched on, showing a photograph of a lavender unicorn with a star burst cutie mark.

"Hey, I saw that unicorn before. Isn't that Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia's personal student?" Chalkboard commented.

"Indeed it is. We got a letter from the Princess that she's sending her to Ponyville. From what the letter said, it's to apparently make some friends."

"Wait, what?" Far Shot interrupted, "So you're saying that she is being sent here just to make friends? What kind of reason is that!?"

"I'm not going to question the Princess' logic, Corporal. She always has a good reason behind her choices," Firehawk replied. Far Shot muttered something unintelligible in return. "Anywho, just keep an eye on her. For today, each of you will be given a specific task. Once you are done, you're free to go do wherever you want in the town. Consider it an off-duty day. Dismissed."


-----


"Grrrr. This stinks. Why do I have to be assigned to decorations?" Far Shot quietly complained. He was getting very impatient at how Rarity wanted the decorations in the Town Hall to be arranged just right.

"No, no, no, oh, definitely no. That doesn't fit at all with that color." Rarity was examining the various ribbons.

"Hmph....if I didn't know any better I'd say she has OCD...." Far Shot muttered.

"Hey, it isn't all that bad. At least we aren't carrying heavy loads in the noontime heat," Carry All replied, "Besides, she pays attention to detail. You'd just try to make it as simple as possible." He carefully tied one of the ribbons on a wooden pillar with his magic. The sound of a door being opened was heard. A lavender unicorn and a purple dragon walked in. "Well then, looks like she's here." 

"Hey, noticed something a little off about her?" Far Shot asked. Carry All had only then noticed that the unicorn's hair was all in a mess, not unlike the same kind Chalkboard had gotten a week ago from a certain rainbow-maned pegasus.

"Decorations. Beautiful..." the dragon said.

"Yes, the decor is coming along nicely," the unicorn replied, "This ought to be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed." 

"Not the decor, her!"

"Oh geez. Looks like someone has the lovebird syndrome," Far Shot commented.

"Good afternoon-" the unicorn began to say.
"Just a moment, please! I'm 'in the zone', as it were," Rarity interrupted, "Oh, yes! Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent. Now, um, how can I help yo-WAHAHA! Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!"

"Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!"

"Out of my hair? What about your hair?!" Rarity began to drag the unicorn out of the town hall.

"Oi, we done here?" Far Shot asked.

"Hmm? Oh, yes you are dearies," Rarity replied, "You can go now. I'm going to have to take care of this affront to fashion!"

"Wait! Where are we going?! Help!" the unicorn exclaimed.

"Finally, no more fru-fru duty," Far Shot said.

"Hey, do you think we should maybe help her?" Carry All asked.

"Nah, I already have my monthly quota of frilliness here. You want to go play dress-up, be my guest." Far Shot began to leave.

"H-hey! Wait up!"


-----


Chalkboard hummed a little tune while she was arranging books in the Golden Oaks Library. There were a few times where her tongue accidentally touched the books, but she took the precaution to dry her mouth before carrying them. She walked over to another pile of books, this one being used by Merry Melody to hang party ribbons. "You sure that throwing a party for her is necessary?" she asked. 

"Of course it is, silly!" Pinkie Pie replied, "I throw a party for every newcomer to Ponyville. Remember the one a week ago?"

"Oh yeah, that one." Chalkboard thought back to last week. The day after her and her crew arrived Pinkie had set up a huge party in the mess hall. Apparently the entire town was invited-it was comfortably filled when normally it would have only had a fifth as much in there at maximum. "Though she comes off to me as one of those social recluses. Never really talked to anyone every time I saw her. Just stuck to her books."

"A party can't hurt, though. After all, one of the reasons she was sent here was to make some friends," Merry Melody replied.

"Don't you think this might be forcing it a little?"

"Hmm..." the two relatives pondered in unison, "...nah!"

"Heh. Oh well, why not." Chalkboard returned to putting the books on their proper shelves.

"Hey, Chalky, can you stand still like that for a moment?" Pinkie asked.

"Sure, but why you as-AAHHHH!" Pinkie lept onto Chalkboard's shoulders while she was standing upright to place a book into one of the higher shelves. Pinkie then jumped straight up, using Chalkboard as a springboard, and hung up one end of a party banner.

"Aand done! Thanks Chalky!"

"Argh, no problem Pinkie but could you warn me next time about this?"


-----


"...and then she said something along the lines of 'okie dokie loki' and honked my nose. As in she literally made a honking noise with my nose. How is that even possible?" Chalkboard proceeded to self-consciously rub her nose, pressing on it a few times to make sure it wasn't making any odd sounds. Currently everyone was gathered at the town hall. Most of the military personnel were near the back of the audience, close to the entrance. The tank crews were discussing about what happened in their tasks during the day. Cogswing and Anton were listening to the conversation; Katie was off in the audience with her friends. Firehawk was walking around, making sure that everyone was present and that no incident occurred.

"Geez, why does it seem like I'm the only one of us that gets the boring job?" Far Shot asked. 

"I was there too," Carry All added.

"You don't count. It looked like you were actually enjoying it."

"What? I did."

"And that's why you're such a bloody wimp."

"Hey!"

"I don't need to break up a fight, do I?" Firehawk interjected.

"No sir," Far Shot replied.

"Good. Cause the last thing we need is hooficuffs while the Princess is here. This isn't a bar you know."

"Right..." Far Shot began awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. Right then, mayor of Ponyville stepped out on the stage.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" she declared. The large audience (specifically, the entire town) cheered. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria...

"Here she comes..."

"Princess Celestia!" Rarity pulled back the curtains on the balcony above. No one was behind it.

"Huh?" Rarity said.

"What." Far Shot said right after.

"Uh-oh. Not good," Blaze said. 

"Indeed. Soldiers!" Firehawk yelled, "Weapons at the ready! Crews! Get to your vehicles immediately!" A small thundering of hooves was heard as crews rushed out to man their vehicles. Several of the crew members stayed in the town hall, among them were Far Shot and Chalkboard. Far Shot readied the Lee-Enfield he was carrying on his back. The audience was filled with anxious murmurs. 

"Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!" the mayor shouted.

"Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Pinkie asked.

"She's gone!" Rarity declared after looking in the room behind the balcony. Much of the audience gasped.

"Ooh, she's good." Far Shot facehooved when he heard that. Pinkie yelped when a blue mist started to form on the balcony. Once it gotten large enough, it suddenly dissipated, revealing a black alicorn in blue armor. Her mane and tail was made up of the blue mist, which also appeared to have stars in them.

"Oi, just my day." Far Shot slid the bolt of his rifle into the closed position, ready to fire. By then many of the other military personnel in the town hall had readied their weapons too.

"You think a bullet is going to be enough?" Chalkboard asked quietly.

"No," Cogswing replied back in the same amount of volume, "and that's why we have enough firearms and sharp weapons to take down a manticore in five seconds."

"Oh, my beloved subjects," the black alicorn said, "It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces."

"What did you do with our Princess?!" shouted Rainbow Dash. She tried to fly toward the alicorn, but was held back by a orange earth pony wearing a Stetson. The alicorn chuckled.

"Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" she asked.

"Ooh, ooh, more guessing games!" Pinkie said, "Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty-" a treat was shoved into her mouth by the same earth pony. She still tried to talk through her chewing.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"Oh shite," Far Shot said.

"Is she who I think she is?" Chalkboard asked. Far Shot nodded back grimly.

"I did," someone declared in the audience, "And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon-Nightmare Moon!" The audience gasped. Several ponies began to panic, including some of the soldiers. Chalkboard looked over at the source of the voice and noticed that it was Princess Celestia's personal student-Twilight Sparkle.

"Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here."

"You're here to...to..." Twilight gulped.

"Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last FOREVER!"
> Chapter 5: Into the Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Seize her!" the mayor ordered, "Only she knows where the Princess is!" 

"You heard the lady! Sic her!" Firehawk shouted. Royal guards armed with spears and swords charged Nightmare Moon while rifleponies took aim.

"Stand back, you foals!" Nightmare Moon effortlessly repelled all of the melee fighters with lightning strikes.

"Have a bullet or two, wanker!" Far Shot fired, all the others followed in suite. The collective boom of the rifles firing had caused most of the audience to drop to the floor with their hooves over their heads. A mass of lead flew right towards Nightmare Moon, only to be all stopped by a shield that materialized right in front of her. Apparently it was almost too much, as the shield suddenly cracked and disintegrated. Dozens of bullets fell onto the ground, all malformed from impact with the shield.
"Impressive. But not enough!"

"Fire! Fire!" Firehawk shouted. This time Nightmare Moon changed into the mist, and then appeared right in the middle of the formation of rifleponies. She forcibly scattered them in all directions. Far Shot was launched into another pony. Cogswing was thrown to the ground, dropping her weapon. Anton was sent flying into a pillar. Chalkboard was knocked onto her back. All that was left near the alicorn was Firehawk. He drew his revolver with his mouth and fired. Nightmare Moon simply caught the shots with her shield and then shot the revolver out of Firehawk's grasp with her magic. He then pulled out his dueling sword from its sheath, and then charged. Seeing the sword, Nightmare Moon promptly created a sword of her own using her magic, and parried the attack. He quickly leaped back, anticipating a counterattack. 

Nightmare Moon once again transformed into mist, but this time instead of moving to another position she shrunk down to size of a normal pony. Firehawk was only allowed a moment of astonishment and confusion before Nightmare Moon attacked. He was able to block her sword, and attempted to jab her midsection. She reacted quickly, deflecting the strike. She then attempted to swipe at his sides, but he was able to block that too. Suddenly, she brought her sword downwards onto his head. He barely keeps it away using his sword. Nightmare Moon then rapidly pulls her sword away and rammed him in the stomach using the hilt. He fell over and clutched his stomach. She held the tip of the sword pointed at his face.

"Did you really think you could defeat me, even on equal terms?" Nightmare Moon said, "I had centuries to hone my skills in the blade. Your experience pales in comparison."

"UUURRAAAA!" Anton charged at Nightmare Moon with his Mosin-Nagant's bayonette. She swiped the blade away from her, then slammed one of her fore hooves into the changeling's jaw. This sent him flying and then falling face first into the ground.

"Pathetic little insect." Anton, enraged by the insult, got back up and charged again. This time many of the other guards and rifleponies had recovered, and resumed their attack. Even with Nightmare Moon assuming a smaller form, they still couldn't even inflict a scratch on her. She parried every weapon and dodged every bullet without breaking a sweat. One by one she incapacitated each of her attackers. After nearly shooting one of their own, the rifleponies fixed bayonettes and charged into the fray. Unfortunately, this is no more effective than before.

Anton got up for the sixth time to attack. Unlike many of his comrades (of ponies, changelings, and otherwise), he just simply refused to be put down. Even so, he isn't invincible. His running was way more fatigued than the first time, and his injuries were starting to become much more pronounced; his chitin-protected body was riddled with bruises and small cracks. This time instead of trying to stab her, he used his rifle as an improvised club. Nightmare Moon, now thoroughly annoyed at the changeling's persistence, caught the rifle in mid-swing. Anton tried to pull his rifle away, but Nightmare Moon had an iron grip. She then tugged-hard-on it, sending Anton towards her. This time, she aimed her hoof at his right eye. 

"AAAARRGGHH!" Anton collapsed onto the floor. The protective membrane over his eye had cracked and ocular fluid was leaking out of it. He was slowly losing vision from his right eye. Nightmare Moon stood over him, now a fully-sized alicorn again.

"Your attempts are futile. The only reason why none of you are not dead is because you all will still have a purpose once I have taken over Equestria," she said.

"I'd rather die than serve a dog like you," Anton replied raggedly. Nightmare Moon stomped on his face, then kicked his stomach for good measure. "Grr...ggnnn....What's the matter? To afraid to crush a 'pathetic little insect'...?"

"So be it then." She raised her hoof again, this time intent on smashing the changeling's skull.

"Gunner, target twelve o'clock! Fire!" A loud explosion was heard. A tank shell flew past Nightmare Moon's face and impacted the wood floor in front of her. Luckily the splinters did not injure anyone. Sticking its gun through the town hall entrance was a Panzer IV. "That was a warning shot! Stand down or we will ram seven kilograms of metal right through your skull!" Nightmare Moon only chuckled.

"Did you really think I did not expect that? Two can play at that..." She turned into blue mist and flew towards the entrance. The Panzer IV fired again, the shell going through the mist and into the other side of the town hall. "Hehehe...now the game truly begins..." The mist passes the panzer and disappears into the night.
-------
The scene of the aftermath was sobering. Soldiers and guards were strewn all over the floor like rag dolls. Quite a few of the civilians were traumatized by the whole incident that unfolded in front of them. Some though have recovered and are trying to help the injured personnel. Medics arrived to patch up the injured as much as possible. Two of them, a batpony mare and a unicorn stallion, are tending to Anton. Katie watched as the medics tended to him. She was very scared about Anton's current condition.

"You think he'll be okay?" Firehawk asked. He was one of the first to get back up and refused to receive any medical attention, telling the medics to tend to the rest before him.

"Vell, zis one has multiple closed and open wounds and a particularly nasty gash at ze chest area," the unicorn replied, "Also, ve are going to try our best to heal his eye, but whether it become fully functional again is unsure. Zat liquid leaking from his eye? Not a good sign. Not good at all."

"Just do what you can, Doktor."

"Alright lad," the batpony said, "try not to bite yer tongue off. This is going to sting a little." She poured a potion over one of the open wounds on Anton's chest.

"Nnnnghh!" Anton's body jerked from the sudden pain.

"Anty!" Katie cried.

"Aye, hold still. It'll be better in a minute. If you think that's bad, this next one you're REALLY not going to like." The batpony held open Anton's damaged eye. "Want a wood block this time?" Anton nodded weakly. "Alright then. Doc?"

"Jawohl." The unicorn levitated a small wooden block and placed it in between Anton's jaw. He then opened a surgical kit. "Sorry, comrade. Zis next procedure can only be described as being...excruciating. Has to be done without painkillers."

"Just do it already," Anton said while biting the block.

"If you say so. Don't move too much, or else you might get a blade in ze eye...probably shouldn't have said zat, but might as vell give you ze warning." The unicorn held up a medical scalpel and a syringe containing blue potion with his magic. He then carefully levitated the scalpel near a loose piece of protective membrane.

"Close your eyes, lass," the batpony said to Katie. She did as instructed and also covered her eyes with her forelegs just in case.


"I swear, once I got my hooves on that bastard child of a unicorn and pegasus I'm going beat her to a bloody pulp." Far Shot had received a blow to the forehead and several sword cuts on his right foreleg from the fight. He had bandages wrapped around both. The medics said the injuries wasn't too serious and that they should fully heal within a day or two. He was angry because the medics said that he should avoid using his rifle or operating a tank cannon while his foreleg heals.

"Don't jump the gun, Far Shot. That's going to get you killed," Chalkboard said. Far Shot just snorted in response. 

"Alright, anyone who can still walk, gather around," Firehawk declared. The personnel who already had their injuries tended to or didn't suffer any serious injuries walked over to where Firehawk was. "The Princess is nowhere to be seen. Our current goal is to try and find Nightmare Moon and capture her. Seeing as she's already immortal, lethal force is authorized. Infantry is almost useless against her, so you'll be accompanied by vehicles. A tank shell would probably just knock her out cold whereas it would scatter a normal pony's bits all over the place."

"That's our plan? You sure that's going to work?" one of the soldiers asked.

"Currently we do not have any other solutions. I'll call you over the radio if something comes up."

"Commander, what about Canterlot? Shouldn't we let them know about this?"

"One of our radioponies back at base said that communication's all messed up as of the moment. They're trying to figure out the problem right now. Just in case, I told them to send some runners to Canterlot to deliver a report of our situation. Any other questions?" No response. "Good. Everyone able is going to be on guard duty. Cover all major points of entry into town. Let the rest of us know if you see any suspicious activity. Dismissed. Be careful out there, who knows what tricks Nightmare Moon has up her sleeve." Everyone started filing out the entrance, some with a slight limp. A young mare ran up to Far Shot.

"Be careful out there, big bro," Far Shot's sister said.

"Don't worry. I'll be back soon enough," Far Shot replied.

"Just promise me you won't be coming back in a bucket, alright?" she asked worriedly.

"...Okay then, little sis," Far Shot promised, "Make sure you don't get in trouble neither."

"Didn't even cross my mind." Far Shot's sister grinned. Far Shot smiled back.
-----
At the southern entrance into Ponyville a small detachment of soldiers and vehicles stood guard. A male pegasus and a female batpony was idly chatting away the night, however long it takes.

"Sigh, ich habe diesen Beitrag, weil ich dachte Dinge wäre ereignislos," the pegasus said in Germane.

"Wenn Sie einen unauffälligen Job wollten, sollten Sie bis Buchhaltung haben abgeholt," the batpony replied to her friend.

"Du weißt ich hasste Mathematik, Nacht Lied."

"Mögen Sie es nicht zu langweilig? Sie können sich so wankelmütig zu Zeiten."

"Oi," another pegasus said, "any o' you want a smoke? Helps calm the nerves." He had a cigarette in his mouth.

"Nien danke, Trench Spade. Mother did always say smoking was bad for you," the batpony replied.

"Suit yourself, Night Song." The pegasus blew out another puff of smoke.

"Hmm." The batpony looked up at the moon. "To think that ze world's really going to end...."

"The world's not ending, dummkopf," the Germane pegasus replied, "We're stuck on night, so what?"

"It's not natural. Ze sun and moon are suppose to take zeir turns up on the sky. Ze moon up zere when it should be broad daylight, it's very ominous."

"I thought you were a batpony, Nighty," Trench Spade said, "Your kind thrives in the night."

"Yes, but imagine ze sun up there, all day and night."

"I guess that can be pretty annoying, if not downright creepy."

"Excactly. Ze sun and moon, zey are one of the most essential balances in nature."

"Don't worry, mien freund. We will figure out something eventually," the Germane pegasus replied. 

"Achtung!" one of the soldiers yelled, "Ve have six civilians attempting to leave ze town!"

"Can you identify?" Night Song asked.

"It's...Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Princess Celestia's student, and-"

"HI!"

"Waaah! Pinkie, don't do zat!"
------
"Sir, one of garrisons have something to report," a radiopony said. The war room was filled with ponies manning radio equipment and examining maps. Several were operating telegraphs, attempting to send out messages to nearby cities and towns.

"Patch them in," Firehawk replied. 

"This is the southern garrison," a soldier said over the radio, "We have six civilians trying to exit the town. One of them is Princess Celestia's student. She says that she knows how to stop Nightmare Moon."
"Hmm...hear her out. I want to know."

"Got it, sir."

"Uh...hi, this is Twilight Sparkle speaking."

"Go ahead ma'am. You said you had a solution to our little problem?"

"What? Oh, you mean Nightmare Moon? Well, yes I do. Legend goes that she was defeated when her sister used the Elements of Harmony to banish her to the moon. The last known location was the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters."

"The Everfree Forest."

"Correct."

"Sir, permission to speak freely?" the radiopony asked.

"Granted," Firehawk replied.

"You sure this is such a good idea? I mean it's just an old legend."

"One that just came to life again!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Mmm...she's right you know," Firehawk said, "We don't really have any other options than to patrol in hope that we might bump into Nightmare Moon."

"Your orders, commander?" the soldier over the radio asked.

"Let them through. Make sure they have some escorts."

"Roger. South guards, out."

"Sir! A garrison has something urgent to report!" one of the radioponies said.

"Put them on."

"This is the western guards! We are under fire!" Gunfire can be heard over the radio.

"What happened?"

"Bloody tanks rolled right out of Whitetail Woods! They got Panthers and a Tiger with a forward mounted turret! We are undergunned, repeat, we are undergunned! Our weapons are doing jack against them! Send help!"
-----
"We need help damn it!"

"Chyort! Stay down!" One of the changelings knocked the radiopony over, just barely out of the machine gun burst directed towards them. In a nearby pit, a earth pony soldier stood up with a M9 Bazooka and fired. The rocket impacted the Tiger in the upper front hull. It did nothing but reveal the anti-tanker's position. He quickly got out of the pit before the Tiger fired. He then ducked into one of the quickly dugged slit trenches.

"Hey! Is help coming or not!?" he yelled to the radiopony.

"The commander says they'll be here in five minutes! They're bringing seventeen pounders!" A SdKfz 234 tried futilely to damage one of the Panther tanks. It received a shell through the turret for its troubles. A sickly scream was heard broadcasting from the vehicle. The driver panicked and backed the armored car away from combat.

"Tell commander he better make that two minutes or else there will be no garrison left to save!" A nearby M4A1 Sherman fired its 105mm cannon at one of the Panther tanks. The explosive shell detonated on its front armor. The Panther lurched backwards from the blast, but is otherwise unscathed. It fires back-its 75mm shell ripped clean through the frontal armor of the Sherman. The shell tore into the engine, causing a fire. As the crew desperately tries to put it out, the Panther loads another shell in preparation for the knockout shot.

Suddenly, a much smaller shell hits the Panther in the lower glacis and penetrates. Before the Panther's commander could discern the source of the shell, yet another hits the lower glacis. The commander finally sees the tank firing-but not before it fires another shot right into the cupola. The commander had ducked just in time. Looking back at the tank, he momentarily wondered how he did not see it before. It was a Crusader, but it was painted red and had lots of mismatched tank armor strapped onto it. Also attached to it was various "war trophies" from large beasts. It also had a spiked ram attached to the front and dual machines guns mounted on a pintle on the turret. A slightly more subtle addition was a second coaxial machinegun mounted to the right of the gun in addition to the one mounted on the left. The gunner, seeing the more dangerous enemy at hoof, fired at the relatively diminutive tank. Against a regular Crusader, the shell would have penetrated the front and exit out the back almost effortlessly. This Crusader was anything but regular-the shell made a metallic crack and broke into several smaller pieces as it hit almost perfectly unangled armor.

"Hmph. Dat 'ittle kitty ain't so scary! He's gots a biggah shoota, but we has da shootier one! Drivah, close da distance and let's wreak sum havoc! Say it wit me boyz!" Two of the hatches on the turret and the one above the driver's viewport popped open. Sticking their heads out were three green ponies. The commander had a brown mane. The driver wore a bomber cap and a pair of goggles. The gunner was bald, and his lower jaw was metallic.

"WAAAAAAGGHH!"

"Wait, it isn't...?" the antitank pony asked.

"Da, it is," the changeling replied, "I almost feel bad for our enemies. Almost." The Crusader made a mad charge towards the Panther tank that fire at it. Just as it fire again the Crusader veered out of the way and drove behind the Panther tank.

"IT'S DAKKA TIME!" the gunner yelled. The Crusader's six pounder fired at blistering speed into the rear of the Panther-far faster than any normal six pounder gun should have. The sheer amount of shells shredded the back armor and started a engine fire-an ironic twist of fate for the Panther's crew. "Oooo, dat 'un burn real good!"

The Crusader drove to the Panther on the right. It unleashed a stream of shells into the sides of it. This time it shredded apart the ammunition rack and caused an explosion. The Panther's turret went flying from the detonation. The remaining tanks finally took notice of the Crusader and turned their guns to fire.

"A'wright, da numskulls think wee's worth fightin' now," the commander said, "Let's take down da biggest one before dey do da same ta us!" The Crusader towards the Tiger. It once again unleashed a storm of shells on the tank. The Tiger had taken extra caution and positioned its hull to face the Crusader. Most of the six pound shells simply bounced off. "Gunnah! Quit goofin' around! Ya can't penetrate dat armor!" the Crusader veered to fire at the Tiger's side armor. It let out another burst of shells, right before the cannon made an audible click.

"Uhhh...boss?" the gunner said, "We gots no more ammo left. We gotta go!" 

"Ya heard 'im! Drivah, get us outta 'ere!" the commander shouted. One of the Panthers fired. Its shell impacted the Crusader in the rear sprocket, detracking it, and jammed itself into the engine compartment. The Crusader drifted a few feet before stopping, exposing its sides clearly to the Tiger. The Tiger turned its cannon to fire at the immobilized tank.

"Uh-oh! WEE'S ALL GONNA DIE!" the driver screamed. A thunderous boom was heard. 

The seventeen pound shell slammed right into the Tiger's back armor. Another drilled through the back of the Tiger's turret, instantly killing the gunner. The Tiger attempted to turn its thick front towards the new combatants. One of the AT crews, anticipating this very maneuver, fired a APDS round into the Tiger's very angled side armor.It penetrated and then wildly bounced around inside the compartment, injuring the Tiger's radiopony, loader, and driver. More seventeen pounder shells ripped apart several of the Panther tanks. Some tried to retaliate-most of the return fire either missed or glanced off of the AT guns' shields. In addition to the anti tank fire, several tanks rolled out of town to engage the remaining Panthers. Seeing the situation rapidly being turned against them, the surviving Panther tanks retreated back into the woods.

"Her Majesty's royal seventeen pounders are reporting for duty. You lads missed us?" said one of the gunners of the 17-pounder AT guns.

"Thank Celestia you got here! Those tanks almost murdered us," the radiopony replied.

"Ya would 'ave if wee's didn't stall em fer ya," the commander of the Crusader added.

"Indeed you did," the AT gunner said, "I'm actually a little surprised you only knocked out two tanks. What's the matter, getting a little soft?"

"Oi! Youse know dat be fightin words!" the gunner of the Crusader replied, "We woulda killed dem all if we didn't run outta shells to shoot!"

"You ran out of shells?" the AT gunner asked incredulously.

"Yes, Zzaptzgutz 'ere finally got dat autoloada ta work."

"Dey makes good dakka dakka! Me newest invenshun woz a success!" Zzaptgutz, the Crusader's driver and crew mechanic, declared proudly. He had gotten out to replace the Crusader's missing sprocket and fitting the knocked off tread back into place.

"Uses up dem ammo too fast dough. Youse gotta work on dat," the Crusader's commander said.

"How about you colts figure out how to do that some other time," the AT gunner said, "We're going to be very busy with defending the town. I think that was only their first wave."

"Good. Dat means once wee's fill up on ammo again, its back to killing time!" the Crusader's gunner declared.

"I didn't know the Royal Army accepted homicidal maniacs," the antitank pony commented.

"Better them being on our side than on the enemy's," the changeling replied.
-----
"Commander, the attack on the western garrison has been repelled," one of the radioponies reported.

"Good. Keep all channels open and monitor for any activity," Firehawk replied.

"Soldiers from the garrison had reported tanks that fit the description for the Panzer Five Panthers...and the Porsche Tiger."

"Ugh...where do these ponies get those kinds of equipment?" Firehawk said to himself.

"Sir, the runners have returned," another radiopony said, "Canterlot is currently undergoing a coup right now. They'll try their best to send some reinforcements to help, but don't expect too much." Firehawk sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"This is going to be one very long night."
> Chapter 6: Dreams and Nightmares
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	*Chugga chugga chugga...*

*Screeech!*

"Hm? The train stopped."

"Oh thank God finally. I thought it never would..."

*Click! Sliiick!*

"Everyone off!"

*thunk thunk thunk thunk*

"Men to the left! Women to the right!"

"Where are they taking us David? I'm scared..."

"Schwienhund! Move it! Men to the left! Women to the right!"

"We have to go different ways Samantha. I'm sorry."

"But David!"

"I SAID MOVE!"

"I love you sister, never forget that!"

"David? DAVID!"

------

Sleep Shot snapped awake. She looked around. She was inside a vehicle. It took a few more seconds to remember what vehicle exactly-a Jagdpanzer IV. The interior was small but not cramped-the driver's seat (currently vacant) was right in front of her and Loudmouth was standing behind her. He was occupied with a conversation on the radio. 

"Just another dream..." Sleep Shot said to herself. Loudmouth suddenly became alert to his immediate surroundings. He said something into his headset and then lifted the left side of it.

"You fully awake now, Sleepy?" he asked Sleep Shot.

"...Yeah." Sleep Shot replied. She stood up and looked at a small picture frame sitting on the small countertop inside the vehicle. It was a photo of her and her older brother. She started thinking back on the dream she had. She remembered the sound of a train, the sliding of car doors, the dull thud of shoes on wood, harsh shouting, and black uniforms.

Just like the one she was wearing.

Sleep Shot decided to unbutton her uniform and hang it on the breech of the Jagdpanzer's gun. She then reached for the handle of the exit hatch on the roof of the vehicle. "I need some fresh air," she said.

"Keep the hatch open, alright?" Loudmouth said, "It's a little musty in here." Sleep Shot nodded and climbed out. Loudmouth returned to the conversation he was having on the radio. Sleep Shot gazed at the night sky and took a deep breath. She lept off the Jagdpanzer and landed on the soft grass. She then looked back at it. The tank destroyer didn't look particularly special-it had a grey paint job and a small cross on its side. It was also a rather short vehicle height-wise. A pair of green hooves were sticking out of the top of the engine compartment. It belonged to Stingy Wheel, the crew's driver and mechanic.

"Blasted thing's broke down again...Why does it have to be tha engine every time..." Stingy Wheel said, "Ah swear it's almost as if they made it unreliable on purpose." Sleep Shot decided to leave her be. Stingy was always very concentrated in her repairs. 

Sleep Shot looked around the area. It was mostly open ground with the Everfree Forest on one side and Ponyville on the other. A short distance away from her vehicle a batpony and two pegasi were having a conversation. One of the pegasus was black, and wore a Stalhelm. The other was orange and wore a Brodie helmet. The batpony also wore a Stalhelm. Next to them was a Puma armored car and a AEC Matador. A unicorn was working on the AEC's engine. Sleepy decided to listen in on their conversation.

"You sure about zat, Spade?" the batpony said, "You've never been to one of those ruins before."

"Trust me Nighty, a bunch o' my pals told me about it," the orange pegasus said, "They're not one for jokin' around."

"Vich ones? Ze tank crew or the rifle section?" the black pegasus asked, "Cause I remember last time ze tankers had a box of whiskey in zeir vehicle."

"Oi, whiskey ain't that tough." An explosion issued out from the AEC's engine, covering the unicorn in soot. He coughed and then wiped some of the soot off of his face.

"Can you please start the engine only after I finish fixing it?" the unicorn asked annoyedly.

"Whoops," the driver said, "My bad." In addition to the AEC and Puma, there were also several Panzer IIIs and Crusaders sitting around, their crews idling about. Several infantry halftracks were also parked, soldiers dozing off in them. Sleepy decided to walk around for a little bit, going to no place in particular. Eventually the calming atmosphere of the night had made her sleepy again.

'Maybe sleeping with some company will help...' Sleep Shot thought. She walked over to an occupied M3 halftrack. Inside were several sleeping soldiers of various species. There were also a few unused sleeping bags. The driver, a dragon, was reading a magazine and hadn't noticed her. Sleepy decided to snuggle in one of the sleeping bags and fell asleep.

------

"What is going on?"

*clank*

*Pffssss*

"What the-gaagh"

"Can't...breathe...ackkkk"

"AAAAAARRrrrgghhhh....."

------

Sleepy snapped awake again. This time she was breathing very heavily, afraid that she was suffocating for real. Some of the sleeping had moved a little, but are otherwise undisturbed. The driver finally noticed Sleepy.

"Hmm? Had a nightmare?" he asked. Sleep Shot nodded. "Nothing to worry about. Some of us are getting those too when we sleep. Must have something to do with Nightmare Moon's return. She was known as being capable of jumping into dreams." When he said that, Sleepy decided not to sleep again for a while. She got out of the halftrack carefully. She walked back over to the trio next to the Puma and AEC.

"So you've actually fought a Gary Stu(G) before, Saber?" Nighty asked.

"Vellll....no, actually," the black pegasus replied.

"Zen how are you sure zose existed?"

"I got a letter from my brother in the 8th ERAD."

"I didn't know those buggers could build something like that," Spade said.

"Yeah...trolls aren't ze brightest thing around, even ven you compare zem to ze orkponies," Nighty added, "At least ze orkponies know how to actually build things. And zen zere's zat odd magic field ze orkponies have...how do ze trolls even have something like that?"

"Damned if I know," the Saber said, "Zough I do know it isn't because of ze orkponies. Zey hate zem. A lot. Called zem a bunch of...vhat do you call it?"

"Do you mean 'tryhard, brainless, posing gits'?" Spade suggested.

"Yeah, zat seems about right."

"Do ze orkponies really hate zem zat much?" Nighty asked.

-Meanwhile-

"WOT DIDYA JUST SAY?!?" the orkpony shouted at the troll.

"U herd me. Ur a wussie. ur so tiny a ant can beat ur weak ass. do U even lift lol." the troll responded. He was bound tightly to a chair.

"I'LL SHOW YOU TINY YA LITTLE-" a couple of ponies tried to restrain the orkpony. "LEMME AT EM! DAT GROT DESERVES TO HAVE HIS TEEF KICKED IN!"

"Come on," one of the two ponies said "it's not worth it man."

"Taht's wat ur mom sed wen i banged her! Trolololo," the troll said.

"...." the two ponies looked at each other, and then at the orkpony. All three nodded. The two ponies let go of the orkpony.

-----

"Who doesn't?" Saber answered.

"Though 'posing'?" Nighty asked, "Why would zey call zem zat?"

"I heard that ze orkponies originally did not look like vhat zey do now. Apparently a troll looks a little like vhat zey vere."

"How does zat happen?"

"Honestly? I have no concrete idea how."

"I might have one," Spade said, "Some biologists think we descended from the Ancients. Whose to say that isn't true for them?"

"I don't know...I mean look at the Ancients. Zhey look very different from us in the photos and films," Saber replied.

"Umm...hey, guys?" Sleep Shot interrupted.

"Oh, hello," Spade replied, "You the gunner of the Jagdpanzer?" 

"Yes. I just want to add something...recently I've been getting strange dreams. In them I'm one of those Ancients."

"Vhat?" Saber said, "And how does that carry any vieght? It's just dreams."

"Dream are like vindows into anozer vorld, Saber," Nighty replied, "Don't take zem lightly."

"Anyways..." Sleep Shot said, "The dreams were very vivid. I could feel the air, smell the scents, and see everything as they were back then. I remember in one that I was being herded into a cattle car along with many others. Then, in a more recent one, I was being choked to death by...I think it was some kind of gas."

"Hmm....zat is ominous..." Nighty said.

"Ze dream you had," Saber said, "Ve can't be too sure zat its not just a simple product of your mind." Sleep Shot nodded.

"I'm not sure either," she said, "It could be because of Nightmare Moon's return. Someone said she could travel through dreams."

"Oh great," Spade said, "now you're giving me the nagging feeling that we're being watched." A clank was heard as the roof of the Puma's turret was opened. The Puma's commander peeked out of the turret.

"Orders just came in," the commander said, "we are to prepare for battle. Aerial recon indicates we have movement coming our way now."

"Talk about coincidence," Nighty said, "We'll go wake everyone up." Nighty, Saber, and Spade went to alert the rest of the garrison of approaching combat. Sleep Shot ran back to the Jagdpanzer. When she climbed inside, Stingy and Butters were already at their posts.

"Alright, everyone's here," Loudmouth said, "Stingy, you got the engine working again?"

"It should hold for now," Stingy replied, "but no guarantees if we're being shot at." She started up the Jagdpanzer IV.

"Alright. Driver, orient the vehicle towards the Everfree Forest," Loudmouth commanded, "That's where the enemy is coming from." Stingy shifted the left track into reverse gear. The tank destroyer then pivoted left until it was facing the Everfree Forest. "Loader, AP round." Butters placed a armor penetration shell into the breech. Sleepy noticed dark forms moving around in the forest.

"H-hey, did you see that?" she said nervously. 

"No. What was it?" Loudmouth replied.

"I don't know but they don't look friendly."

"Get ready to fire but remember to have a positive ID on them before you do. Don't want to hit our own or an innocent creature."

"Oi, I'm getting a really bad feeling about this," one of the Crusaders' commander said over the radio. Loudmouth decided to try and goad the enemy out of the forest. He peeked out of the hatch and put his fore hooves to his mouth.

"HEY! WE KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE! COME OUT AND FIGHT US!" It worked: two tanks rolled out of the forest. The tanks looked like modified M3 Lees-the right sponson gun was removed in a favor of a turret. Another turret was mounted to the left. When they revealed themselves, they did not fire. "ALRIGHT, YOU ARE OUTNUMBERED! SURRENDER NOW OR-" one of the Lees fired. Loudmouth ducked into his vehicle. Three rounds hit the Jagdpanzer, all of them bounced. "Well what are you waiting for? Gunner, hit that Lee!" Sleepy aimed at the offending tank and fired. The 75 millimeter shell penetrated the left turret and continued into the main hull. The other tanks fired back. Both Lees were annihilated by the retaliatory fire. Suddenly, more tanks drove out of the forest. Most of them were the modified M3 Lees.

"Sweet Faust, what is that!?" one of the Panzer III gunners yelled. A ginormous tank had flattened several trees upon exiting the forest limits.

"Oh dear," the Puma's commander said, "TOG II! We got a bloody TOG II!" The tank fired. Its seventeen pounder shell shredded one of the Crusaders' armor. The crew bailed out, the gunner and commander carrying their injured driver.

"We got this, the rest of you take care of those Lees!" Loudmouth shouted into the radio, "Gunner, target that TOG!" The Jagdpanzer fired again. 

"Punched clean through their armor!" Sleep Shot declared. Normally she wouldn't have the energy to declare the shell's impact, Loudmouth does that normally. Tonight though she felt extremely alert.

"Up!" Butters declared. Another shot penetrated the TOG II's armor. Despite that, the TOG II was still active. It opened fire on the Jagdpanzer. The shell penetrated the front. Fortunately, it did not hit anything or anyone in the crew compartment. Unfortunately, it then tore into the engine compartment.

"Hey! Ah only just fixed dat!" Stingy yelled angrily. 

"Keep firing!" Loudmouth commanded.

"Up!" Another explosion as the loaded shell was fired from the gun.

"Penetration!" Sleep Shot yelled before another seventeen pounder shell ripped through the front armor.

"Driver, get us moving!" The Jagdpanzer turned to the right and drove forward. The TOG II turned its turret to its left to fire at the Jagdpanzer. The shell flew out of the gun and hit the ground right in front of its target. This time, vines exploded out. Undaunted, the Jagdpanzer got closer to the TOG II, crushing the still-developing vines. 

"Ah hayseed, it's got magic shells too!" Stingy exclaimed.

"Hug that TOG, right below the turret! He can't hit us there!" Loudmouth shouted. The TOG II had noticed this tactic and tried to turn itself in order to prevent this. "Loader, HE round! Quick!"

"HE up!"

"Fire!" The explosive shell hit the TOG II in the tracks, damaging it and making it slower to turn.

"Critical hit!" Sleep Shot declared. As the Jagdpanzer got closer, a M3 Lee drove on a collision course with it. A burst of fire from the Puma's autocannon knocked it out. Another Lee turned around to stop the Jagdpanzer, only to be shot in the back by a PIAT. The TOG II fired back desperately. The shell just barely missed, this time flying right over the Jagdpanzer. Behind it the shell exploded into a green fireball, scorching the earth around it. Another shot from the TOG slammed into the Jagdpanzer's upper glacis, its magical payload transforming into a purple sticky sludge. Fortunately it did not get in the cannon nor the tracks.

"Gak? Wait, magic can manifest into that?" Butters asked dumbfoundedly.

"Just do your job!" Loudmouth snapped. Butters quickly complied and grabbed another armor penetrating shell from the ammunition rack. He fumbled slightly, but did not drop the shell.

The Jagdpanzer turned just as it was going to collide head-on with the TOG II and scrapped against its side. The Jagdpanzer then angled its hull to fire its gun as close to perpendicular with the TOG II's armor without exposing itself to the seventeen pounder. It fired a armor penetrating round into the back half of the TOG II. It then followed up with a high explosive shell through the hole that the previous shell made. This destroyed the engine and ruptured the fuel tank, causing a fire. 

"The TOG's gonna blow!" the Puma's commander yelled, "Get clear, now!"

"You heard her! Driver, get us out of here!" Loudmouth commanded.

"Already on it!" Stingy replied. The Jagdpanzer began to drive away from the TOG II before the fire could cause a premature detonation. Right then the seventeen pounder gun had a clear shot at the Jagdpanzer's rear armor. It fired, destroying the Jagdpanzer's engine. "...Ah give up." Stingy slammed her head into the driver's viewport in frustration. Loudmouth covered his ears. Butters dropped to the floor, forelegs over his head. 

'If this is my last few seconds to live...' Sleep Shot thought 'at least it's with my friends.' She shut her eyes, preparing for the inevitable.

The TOG II's regular and magical shells detonated in a chain reaction. The tank blew up in an all-consuming blaze. The explosion engulfed the Jagdpanzer, which had only managed to make it ten feet away from the tank before it was immobilized

Sleep Shot felt nothing.


------

When Sleepy opened her eyes again, she was standing in the middle of a snow-covered field. The sky was completely overcast. A chilly breeze bit at her. 

"Am...am I dead?" she asked. It wasn't directed towards anything in particular-she just hoped that someone or something would answer her. No response. She turned her head around. The land was largely flat featureless plains except for small shapes jutting out over the horizon. Sleepy decided to walk towards the shapes.

It felt like at least an hour of lonely treading before she was able to clearly what the shapes are. They were guard towers and barbed wire fences. As she got closer, she noticed that the towers were completely abandoned. Beyond the fences-or rather within them-were houses. Some were made out of brick, while others were made of wood. Not wanting to look like she was intruding, Sleep Shot decided to try and find the entrance. She walked left alongside the fencing. Eventually she noticed something peculiar-a long house with a guard tower in the middle, with train tracks underneath it. 

'It must be some sort of checkpoint,' Sleep Shot thought. Next to it was sizable parking lot with cars of various colors. They were nothing she had ever seen before-while the cars she seen were generally blocky, these cars had sleek and smooth edges. The next thing she saw was even more amazing-one of the cars that had only just stopped had its doors opened and out came not a pony, but a bipedal creature. "Ancients" was the word that registered almost instantly to Sleep Shot's mind. Out the car were three of them-a adult male, a adult female, and a little girl. Sleep Shot tried to find the entrance without attracting their attention, before the little girl pointed over to her direction.

"Mommy! Mommy! I think I saw something!" the girl said. Sleep Shot hid behind one of the cars.

"What did it look like, dear?" the mother asked.

"It looked like a pony, mommy!" the girl answered. Sleep Shot cringed upon hearing her say that. The girl knows she is here. Sleep Shot tried to make herself as small as possible behind the car. 

"It must've gotten lost, the poor thing."

"Can I go find it? Please, oh please, mommy?"

"Not right now. You can try later, Samantha. We're visiting aunty. It means a lot to dad."

"No, I'll be fine Martha. Go with little Sammy, you know where I'll be," the father said.

"You sure, David?" the mother asked. Sleep Shot's ear perked up, but still tried to remain hidden. 

"She's still a little too young to understand this place." -Sleep Shot realized that the voice sounded like it belonged to one of the people in her dreams-"I think helping someone find their lost horse won't hurt," David replied. Excited, the girl ran off towards where she last saw Sleep Shot. 

"Hey, I can see its tail!" Samantha said.

'Uh-oh' Sleep Shot thought. She looked at her hindquarters-her tail was indeed sticking out just enough for the girl to see her. 'They know I'm here already...might as well try to ask them for help. And that guy...' It didn't take long for Samantha to make it over to her. Now that she had a better look at her, she was surprised at the abnormal coloration-Sleep Shot's mane and tail are periwinkle, and her coat was purple. She stared at Sleep Shot for a while her mother was walking over.

"Mommy...are ponies supposed to be purple?" Samantha asked.

"No they aren't, Samantha," Martha replied. Sleep Shot was still out of her sight, so she wondered why her daughter asked that. When she did see Sleep Shot, she was startled by how unusual looking she was. Both looked at Sleep Shot and Sleep Shot looked back. 

"Um...hi?" Sleep Shot said weakly.

"A talking pony? That's so cool! Mom, can I keep her?" Samantha asked. It took Martha a few seconds to recover from the shock of hearing a pony talk to answer.

"I don't think we can. She can talk, so keeping her is like keeping another human being."

"Is-is that what you call yourselves?" Sleep Shot asked nervously.

"Humans? Why yes," Martha replied, "But let me introduce myself. I am Martha. And this is my daughter Samantha. What's your name?"

"Oh, i-it's Sleep Shot," Sleep Shot answered.

"Why you have a name like that?" Samantha asked.

"Because...well I sleep a lot."

"That seems like very strange way to name someone."

"Well I'd have to same the same about you. Samantha and Martha? I never heard those kind of names before."

"Are you lost?" Martha asked.

"You could say that. I'm trying to find my way home. But...I'm here because I think there's someone here I know."

"Oh, and who is that?" 

"Well that guy you walked with...his name was David, right?"

"Yes. He's my husband."

"Oh! And you said he was visiting someone?"

"Were you peeping on us?" Samantha asked suspiciously.

"Uhh...maybe?" Sleep Shot answered sheepishly.

"David was visiting his sister's resting place," Martha said, "We decided to give our daughter the same name as her." 

"Could you please lead me to him?" Sleep Shot asked.

"Well...sure. Make sure you only talk to him after he has payed his respects, okay? He really loved his sister. The only time I see him cry was when he's at her grave." Sleep Shot nodded. She also felt a little saddened-after all, she was his sister in the dreams she experienced if this was the right person.

The two humans and the pony walked through the entrance into the camp. The place was eerily silent despite there being a good number of people. There was the occasional weird look towards the trio, but none had decided to question why, at least for the moment

"Hey, why is it so quiet here?" Sleep Shot whispered.

"This place...is a concentration camp known as Auschwitz," Martha answered

"Auschwitz? ...I've heard of this place."

"So then you must have also heard about the horrors of this place."

"Yes..." Sleep Shot remembered from a old film about what they had done here. Though it was incredibly aged, the images of systematic death were still very vivid. Sleep Shot decided not to speak anymore until she could see David-to see and hear what happened here through film is one thing, to be here in the flesh is another. 

Eventually they came to an open field. Standing there was David. He was just gazing at the expanse, wondering how something like this was even possible. He muttered a prayer.

"...I'll see you again, Samantha. Just like every year," He said quietly. 

"David...?" David was startled by the voice. It sounded very familiar to him.

-------

The main hatch of the Jagdpanzer opened. Spade peeked his head inside .

"Oi, you laths sthill alive?" he said while holding a flashlight in his mouth. Loudmouth's body stirred. He rubbed his head.

"Uhh...yeah, I think so. Crew, status report," Loudmouth said. Butters opened his eyes, then took a deep breath and exhaled.

"I'm okay," he said.

"We aren't dead? Gosh dat was close," Stingy said. Loudmouth noticed that Sleep Shot was lying on the ground. Closer inspection revealed that she was only sleeping. He decided to leave her be.

"What does it look like on the outside?" Loudmouth asked. Spade placed the flashlight next to the hatch.

"Nothing too serious," Spade said, "a few burn marks and a few random bits of residual magic but that's it."

"Residual magic? As in...?"

"Well there's some slime stuck in the tracks-" Stingy groaned at this statement "-and one of the spare roadwheels got turned into what looks like one of those old Manechurian coins.

"Also, there some jelly leaking out of that hole in the engine compartment. When we opened it up, there was literally nothing left of the engine. It was all jelly. Judging by the color and smell, it's cherry flavored." At this statement, a strand of Stingy's hair curled up. She then had a sudden realization.

"Wait...if da engine's gone...we can have it replaced, right?" she asked.

"Well, yes," Spade replied, "but it might take a whi-"

"YES, YES, YES!" Stingy screamed, "AH'VE BEEN DYING TA GET RID OF DAT OL' PILE OF SCRAP!" Loudmouth flinched slightly at how loud she was yelling. He then looked back at Sleep Shot. She was still deep asleep.

"...as I was saying..." Spade continued, "It'll take a while before they bring in a new engine. Probably within a few hours, but until then this vehicle has been effectively mobility killed."

"We can wait," Loudmouth replied, "It's not like we need to go anywhere soon."

-------

"Sir, an attack on the southern garrison has been repelled," a radiopony reported.

"Casualties?" Firehawk asked.

"Minor, a few unconscious and wounded soldiers but nothing too serious."

"What's the status on the reinforcements?"

"ETA ten minutes. Elements of our division and the 12th Royal Guards are coming."

"The 12th? They're sending one of the only Royal Guard divisions equipped with tanks to us?"

"You heard that right, sir. Must be because Celestia went missing here-they're sending some of the best equipped to find her."

"Let's hope they get here before the enemy gets lucky."
> Chapter 7: Eclipse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"You think Mom and Dad will be okay?" Dartboard asked.

"I'm not sure," Chalkboard replied, "but I hope they are." Chalkboard and Dartboard's crews were assigned to the north garrison. The two sisters are currently sitting on the former's tank, looking at the distant city of Canterlot. It had smoke billowing out and occasionally an explosion would be seen.

"Y'know, I'm sort of regretting that I forgot to write a letter back to them now."

"You should try reminding yourself of that more often. Maybe write a sticky note or two."

"Ehhh...I'm not much of a note-taker. Isn't that sort of your thing?"

"I can't do everything for you, sis."

"Yeah, yeah...by the way, where did your driver go? I didn't see her with the rest of your crew."

"Blaze? Oh, she went to try out one of the surplus tanks. I think it was a M7."

"She tired of driving a slow tank?"

"Mmhmm."

Light thumps was heard coming from the hatch on the commander's cupola. Chalkboard pulled it open. Merry popped her head out of the cupola

"Command checking in for a report," she said. She gave Chalkboard her radio headset. She spoke into it.

"Sergeant Chalkboard here. Nothing odd to report as of the moment."

"Copy that," Firehawk said through the headset, "keep your guard up though. We already went through two attacks in the last hour. Also, some of the wounded has recovered and are now heading out to reinforce. They should be here in a few minutes."

"Pardon me sir, but may I ask a question?"

"Go ahead."

"Any idea who we're fighting against?"

"We checked the insignia on the tanks. They're Militant Nightmare Cult markings. Any other questions?"

"No sir."

"Alright then. Command out." The headset went silent. Chalkboard took it off and then took a look at the garrison. A few tanks, mostly Shermans and Stuarts, sat in the open. There were also a few VK3001Hs and KV-1s. Occasionally one of the tanks that had a idling engine would turn its turret. There are also a few anti-tank guns set up, their crews either sleeping or chatting. Rapidly created earthworks provides the guns with additional protection. 

There were also a few self propelled artillery sitting around, most of them GW Rieters. The GW Rieter was a rather simple design-it was essentially a Panzer IV with it's turret replaced with a Quick Fire 25 Pounder field gun. As with the other garrisons, infantry transports were being used as improvised sleeping quarters so that resting troops could respond at a moment's notice. 

She then noticed the sound of wheels and hoofsteps. They were coming from behind-the reinforcements had arrived. It wasn't a large group, comprising of about ten soldiers and a Matador. Sitting in the cargo bed were ten additional personnel-one of them Anton. After the truck stopped, Anton carefully got off. Accompanying him were two changelings and a earth pony. While one of the changelings and the earth pony were wearing ushankas and brown uniforms like Anton; the other changeling was wearing a black beret and a tan uniform that also had a black tie. All four had saddlebags on them. They approached Chalkboard's tank.

"Is good to see you, my friend," Anton said.

"Same here. Are you okay now?" Chalkboard replied. She noticed that one of his green eyes were not visible.

"Da, da. Changelings may have a reputation to swarm, but they aren't so easy to put down. Us Muscovites are no different."

"How's your eye doing?" 

"Oh, this thing?" Anton tapped the place where his injured eye was supposed to be. On closer inspection, an eyepatch was covering it. "The good doctor gave me a medical eyepatch. He said it'll be fine as long as this stays on for a while."

"Does it hurt?"

"Nyet. You can say it feels pleasantly minty right now. Oh, and before I forget-,"  Anton pointed his hoof at the changeling wearing the beret, "-this is Alastair. He's going to be your-ah-replacement gunner for the time being, seeing as your regular gunner effectively cannot do his job." The changeling he introduced flew and landed on the engine.

"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Alastair said, holding out a hoof.

"The pleasure's all mine. And please, since we're going to be fellow crewmates you can call me Chalky, short for Chalkboard," Chalkboard replied, shaking his hoof.

"Chalkboard, eh? A quaint name you have. And the mare sitting next to you is...?"

"Name's Dartboard," Dartboard replied, "but my friends call me Dart. Oh, and by the way-" she lightly bumped Chalkboard in the shoulder "-she's my sis." Alastair nodded.

"Right then, better man my post, get familiarized with the tank and the rest of the crew," he said. He climbed onto the turret and opened the hatch. Merry Melody noticed him coming in.

"Hi!" she said.

"Hello there, name's Alastair," he said.

"You're the replacement?" Far Shot asked.

"That I am. You must be the gunner," Alastair answered.

"Yeah yeah. Don't mess up, will ya?"

"Anyways...you know where Cogsy is?" Anton asked Chalkboard.

"I think she was assigned to escort six civilians," Chalkboard answered.

"For what purpose?"

"Does the words 'Elements of Harmony' ring a bell to you?"


-----


Meanwhile, a group of ponies were trekking carefully through the Everfree Forest. Recently they had trouble crossing a river due to an upset sea serpent. Luckily one of them figured out the solution and they are back on track. Though it was too late for one stallion who had almost drowned trying to brave the river while the sea serpent was still upset.

"Argh, I hate this place," Spigot said. He tilted his head to get water out of his ears.

"Deal with it, Spigs," Cogswing snapped, "We've almost reached the castle."

"There better not be another pansy overgrown lizard along the way...or a bloody manticore."

"Oh shut up about the manticore already." 

"Woah!" Twilight shouted. She nearly fell off a cliff before Rainbow Dash caught her by the tail.

"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" Rainbow Dash asked rhetorically. The rest caught up. There was two posts that held one end of a rope bridge, but the bridge itself was out. The other side was obscured by minor amounts of mist.

"Great, now what?" Spigot asked.

"Should be a simple solution," Cogswing answered. She stretched out her wings and prepared to take flight.

"I got this," Rainbow Dash said, diving down into the chasm to retrieve the other end of the bridge.

"Never mind then," Cogswing said annoyedly.

Rainbow Dash was able to wrap one of the ropes of the bridge onto the other side before the mist started getting thicker. Spigot saw a tinge of blue in it.

"I have a really bad feeling about this..."


-----


"So wait, you're saying you have a changeling for a sister?" Alastair asked curiously.

"Yup!" Merry replied, "Well, stepsister. Our dads were good friends and brothers in arms."

"So what happened to her father then?"

"Don't know. He just disappeared. His crew never talked about it."

"What about her mum?"

"Disappeared also," Far Shot replied, "From what me old man said, she had to go into hiding because some old unfinished business was catching up to her."

"That's rough, that is."

"Yeah. I think she was from one of those hives in which they don't take desertion very kindly."

"I wouldn't know a thing. My family have been living in Canterbridge for many generations. My parents and relatives think that living in a hive is downright barbaric. Well, 'cept maybe the Muscovite and Amber Hives, though I wonder whether the latter counts anymore..." Alastair took off the saddlebag he was wearing and opened it. His horn glew white as he lifted out three tin cups, a bag of ingredients, and a thermos with his magic. "Tea, anypony?"

"Ooo, yes please!" Merry answered excitedly.

"Eh, why not. Was getting a bit thirsty," Far Shot replied.

"Perfect," Alastair said, "now what would you want in them?"

"Roses, with some sugar."

"Manuka tea tree leaves, if you have them."

"Done and done." Alastair put the appropriate ingredients in the tin cups, then swirled the thermos and poured warm water into them.

Outside the tank, Chalkboard was still keeping watch for anything suspicious. Her sister, on the other hand, had grown bored of waiting and was playing a game of chess with Anton using his chess set. Needless to say, she was very bad at it. On her first game she had fallen to the Fool's Mate strategy. Anton couldn't help but chuckle.

"Out of all games I played," Anton commented, "I never saw someone make this mistake."

Dartboard played again. And again. Every time was the same outcome: she loses. Eventually she grew frustrated enough to flip the board.

"Augh! I'm sick of this!" Dartboard exclaimed, "Isn't there something else we can do?"

"I don't have anything else that could be of entertainment," Anton replied. He was picking up his chess pieces and stowing away his chess set.

"Hey! Chalky! Anything interesting happen yet?" Dartboard yelled to Chalkboard. She winced, and then looked back at Dartboard.

"Uhh...not yet. You didn't have to yell, you know," Chalkboard replied.

"Well something better happen soon! I'm dying for some action right now!"

A loud bang was heard. A few seconds later one of the AT guns was blown to pieces, scattering dirt and burnt bits all around. Before anyone could react, several more bangs were heard and two Stuarts bursted into flames shortly after. Soldiers and vehicles began retreating back to more defensible positions, as most of them were in the open. 

"Cannon fire! Take cover!" a pegasus  yelled.

"Where are they coming from!?!" an earth pony exclaimed.

"Over there!" another earth pony pointed northward. Occasionally a flash appeared out of thin air.

"They're cloaked!" a unicorn shouted. 

"You and your big mouth," Chalkboard said to Dartboard. Anton ran off to join the rest of the soldiers in combat. Dartboard, after a moment's hesitation, ran to her tank. Passing her was Carry All, running towards Chalkboard's tank.

"Blaze just drove off!" he shouted. Chalkboard facehoofed before yelling for him to get in. Carry looked at the changeling confusingly before Chalkboard told him about the replacement.

"Far Shot! Take over for me, I'm driving!" she commanded.

"Where's Blaze?" Far Shot asked.

"Only Celestia knows..."

Chalkboard put her headset back on. While before there was just a few messages being transmitted on the frequency she was on, now it was filled with screaming and shouting.

"Can't see them!"

"Run you moron! RUN!"

"We're done for! Bail out!"

"Fire back at those flashes!"

"Get out! Get ou-"

"Driver, get this tin can moving!"

"Crew, fire a explosive shot at sector K7!"

"Command, we are under attack! Send backup NOW!"


-----


"Y'know, ah'm sorta thinkin' 'bout joinin' the Royal Army," Applejack said.

"Really? Which branch?" Cogswing asked.

"One o' those Armored Divisions. Those tanks seem mighty tough."

"Yeah, well ye could say that it's more dangerous that being a infantrypony. What with being a bigger target and all."

"Yeah, but ah'm not afraid of those risks. Mah Pa was a tanker."

"Oh?"

"Eeyup. When he's not on the farm bucking apple trees he's off ta the battlefield in a tank. Always had a tale ta tell Big Mac an' me when he comes back home."

"There's the castle!" Spigot declared, pointing his hoof at the old dilapidated structure. He and Cogswing ran to the two doors at the entrance and pulled them open. Twilight and her friends went in first. 

"Alright lads and lassies, before we go in let's take a quick roll call," Cogswing ordered.

"Yeah yeah," Spigot complied, "Spigot here."

"Dizzy here."

"Petroleum here."

"Parasol here."

"Noteworthy here.

"Lucky here."

"Frosty here."

"Sundowner here."

"Sundowner?" Spigot whispered to Cogswing.

"Oi, ye forgot already? She's the new pony."

"Right, right. Though I could swear I remember seeing another pony called Sundowner..." As the escorts went inside Spigot eyed the pink-maned white pegasus suspiciously.

"There's a whole lot of us Spigs. To have ponies with identical names are not uncommon. Now come on, we still have a job to do."

The inside did not look to be in much better condition than outside. Vines had sprouted out of the floor and climbed up the walls, much of the windows and columns were broken, and there were cobwebs everywhere. In the center of the room was a large pedestal holding five round stones.

"Whoa. Come on, Twilight. Isn't this what you've been waitin' for?" Applejack said. Several ponies went to take off the stones.

"The Elements of Harmony, we've found them," Twilight declared, "Careful, careful!" 

"One, two, three, four... There's only five!" Pinkie counted.

"Where's the sixth one?" Rainbow asked.

"The book said: 'when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed',"Twilight answered.

"And what the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked.

"I'm not sure," Twilight replied, "but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen." Everyone distanced themselves away from Twilight.

"Come on now, y'all," Applejack said, "She needs to concentrate." Twilight's friends went back outside to wait. The escorts stayed, standing guard a fair distance away from Twilight. She focused, her horn slowly glowing brighter. Suddenly a blue mist descended upon the elements and started to spin around them, forming a tornado.

"Aah!" Twilight exclaimed. The tornado grew taller and taller. "The elements!" She dove into it.

"Aye! Go, get in there!" Cogswing yelled. The escort group charged at the tornado. Cogswing, Spigot, and Petro managed to enter the swirling mass. The rest fell on each other into a pony pile as it disappeared in a blinding light. By then Twilight's friends ran in. The remaining escorts quickly got themselves out of the pile. Everyone looked around for where Twilight could possiblly have been teleported to. 

"Twilight, where are you?" Applejack asked worriedly.

"Look!" Rarity shouted, pointing her hoof over at one of the towers. It had light pouring out of the windows.

"Come on!" Applejack commanded. Everyone ran towards the tower.

Meanwhile, the four disoriented ponies were surrounded by smoke from the teleportation. After it cleared, they saw Nightmare Moon standing on a circular platform. She was levitating the five elements. Twilight gasped.

Then she quickly strengthened her resolve and prepared to charge. Cogswing, Spigot, and Petro formed a triangle in front of her.

"You're kidding. You're kidding, right?" Nightmare Moon said. Twilight's horn hummed and shimmered with energy. The three escorts made a mad dash towards Nightmare Moon, with Twilight close behind. In response Nightmare Moon also charged towards the four, intent on breaking the formation. Right as the were about to crash, Spigot and Petro suddenly moved to the side. Cogswing leapt straight up, knowing that Twilight is Nightmare Moon's target and what Twilight was going to do. 

Twilight disappeared in a flash, now appearing behind Nightmare Moon. The three escorts formed up again behind Twilight, this time taking combat stances. Cogswing drew her Lee Enfield, Spigot pulled out his PIAT, and Petro readied her flamethrower. Twilight meanwhile ran to the elements that were now sitting on the platform.

"You're starting to become real pests now," Nightmare Moon said threateningly.

"The feeling's mutual, mate," Spigot replied coldly. Twilight yelped in surprise. Cogswing looked quickly behind her. Shadowy ponies had materialized from the floor when she approached the elements. Each of them were carrying a melee weapon. 

"Petro, get that Ack Pack ready, you're with me. Spigs, stall her!" she commanded. Cogswing and Petro ran to defend Twilight from the shadow ponies. 

Spigot shot his PIAT at Nightmare Moon. The warhead detonated and created a dust cloud from the blast. It was to no effect-Nightmare Moon stepped out of the cloud unscathed and approached Spigot, her stature towering over him and her eyes showing murderous intent. His ears drooped as he uttered two words.

"Ah cripes."


-----


"We better figure out something, those invisible tanks are chewing us up!" a Stuart commander yelled.

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking..." Chalkboard replied.

"Al! Gun flash ten o'clock!" Far Shot declared. Chalkboard's Sherman fired. Unfortunately all the shell did was throw up some dirt.

"Missed the target, they must be shooting and scooting." Alastair said.

"Carry, load another AP round!" Far Shot commanded. Carry quickly took a shell from the ammunition rack without paying attention to its particular coloring.

"AP, up!" Carry announced. Another distant gun flash appeared.

"Al!"

"I see it!" The Sherman fired again. This time the shell bursted open on impact, showering the surrounding area with luminescent blue paint.

"Huh?" Far Shot said in confusion, "Carry, I said AP not bloody training rounds!"

"Oh, whoops." Carry took a look at the shells. A few had blue ring stripes on them that were hard to see in the dimly lit interior.

"Why are we carrying them anyways? Carry, toss em out befo-" 

"No, wait!" Chalkboard interrupted, "I got an idea! Carry, load another training round. High explosive, preferably." Carry did as he was told.

"HE Paint, up!" Carry announced. Alastair fired the moment he saw another gun flash. While the shell did not hit anything directly, the paint from it splashed onto a Panzer IV and rendered its invisibility useless.

"That's it!" Chalkboard exclaimed, "Whatever they are using to hide themselves, the paint from the training rounds make them show up like a sore hoof. Merry, relay this information to the others!"

"Okie dokie!" Merry complied.

After Merry had spread the word through the radio, tanks that had training rounds fired them on where the enemy was hiding-revealing them. Several of the GW Rieters joined in, their training rounds covering a larger area and thus more likely to expose the invisible tanks. As they relied on their invisibility for protection, much of the enemy tanks were out in the open. Reveaed tanks were quickly knocked out by the antitank guns. Seeing the situation being turned against them, they retreated.

Only to come back even stronger than before. While before there were only Panzer IVs and small numbers of Panthers, this force consisted mostly of Tigers and Panthers. Instead of trying to pick them off using stealth as before, the enemy has switched to simply crushing them with brute force.

"Blimey, that's more Tiger tanks than I've seen so far in my lifetime," Alastair commented.

"I think we might be in trouble now," Carry added.

"No, you think?" Far Shot said sarcastically.

What happened next could be described as a curb stomp. Most of the tanks the garrison had were unable to deflect the rounds from the Panther and Tigers, and their guns were unable to penetrate their armor. The enemy had prioritized the antitank guns and GW Reiters first, eliminating what firepower they had left. The infantryponies, lacking any anti-tank weapons whatsoever, retreated with the tanks providing cover for them. After only five minutes the garrison was close to being overrun. The only tanks still active were a handful of M4A3E2s, KV-1s, M7s, and a lone VK3001H. 

And their numbers were still dropping. Two exposed KV-1s each received penetrating shots through their front, destroying them. Three M7s that attempted to outmaneuver the approaching tanks were demolished by the interception fire. Now there were only four E2s, three KV-1s, one VK3001H, and one M7 left.

The situation only worsened. The E2s and remaining KV-1s were dug into the ground at a eight degree angle and five degree angles respectively, granting more protection to their already thick sloped hulls while allowing them to still engage the enemy. Unfortunately, the enemy already had a solution to that. One particular Panther that had a differently shaped turret took aim at one of the M4A3E2s and fired. The shell ripped right through.

It then took aim at a KV-1. The KV-1 fired back with its 85mm gun. The shell simply glanced off the Panther's armor. The Panther fired, destroying the KV-1. It then took aim at another E2, destroying it just as effortlessly as it did with the tanks before. It then took aim at Chalkboard's E2.

Just as it was about to fire, a shell smashed into its front hull and bounced off. Though it inflicted no damage, the shockwave from the shell bouncing threw the Panther's aim off just enough to miss.

"Stay away from my sis!" Dartboard yelled. It only served to provoke the Panther to aim at her VK3001H. It was ready to fire.

*BOOM*

A 75 millimeter high explosive shell detonated on impact...with the Panther's suspension. The explosion caused it to collapse, sending dent roadwheels rolling off. This made the Panther list sideways, making its gun unintentionally elevate. This resulted in another miss. The commander of the Panther looked in the direction of where the shell came from, furious that her crew was denied a killshot not once but twice in a row. Anger turned into horror when she saw what appeared to be a wider Panther with the Tiger's turret. One Tiger-Panther hybrid wasn't the reason why she was utterly mortified, though. No, the reason why is because there were ten of them.

The commander of the lead Tiger S, designated Blade 1, had the complete opposite expression. He currently had a very smug look on his face.

"Priority target: Panther!" he declared, "Blade 1, 2, and 3, concentrate fire on it! The rest of you, focus on the Tigers and lesser Panthers."

The other Tiger S crews complied. The lead Tiger S and the two flanking it took aim at the Panther's side. They fired in unison. The force of the three shells impacting the Panther caused it to lurch to the other side.

"It still appears to be active, sir," Blade 2's commander said.

"What are you waiting for then? Finish them off," Blade 1's commander replied. The Panther's crew panicked and quickly abandoned their vehicle. Just as the crew cleared their tank, the Tiger S' finished reloading and fired. This time the Panther's turret was blown off from a ammo rack explosion. It wasn't spectacular though-it simply flipped off the tank and landed right next to the hull due to its weight.

The other Tiger S' were approaching the enemy Panthers and Tigers from their flanks, striking at their thinner side armor. The enemy weren't able to turn their hulls fast enough to deflect the shells shot at them. The attack force was completely demolished.

"12th Royal Guards reporting, anyone still alive?" Blade 1's commander asked through the radio. 

At first it was only static, then a voice was heard.

"Sergeant Chalkboard here, what took you so long?"

"Apologies. It took a while for the train to get all of us here from Canterlot."

"Well, better you got here now than never. We wouldn't have lasted another minute." Just as Chalkboard finished talking, a thunderous explosion was heard and one of the Tiger S' received a shell through its front.

"Carry, HE paint!" Far Shot quickly ordered. Carry loaded the shell. The unseen assailant fired again, this time just narrowly missing another Tiger S. Alastair fired at the gun flash. The round hit right on target, revealing a large imposing tank.

"Uh-oh," Chalkboard said upon recognizing it.

"I don't think I'll like the answer, but what tank is that?" Far Shot asked.

"I-it's a Tiger II," Chalkboard replied fearfully.


-----


"Bluh..." was the only sound Spigot could make. He was chased around the room by Nightmare Moon, then lifted by his tail after he finally tired out and was thrown around like a rag doll, and then he was slammed over the head with his own PIAT. Luckily it wasn't reloaded-the part that was suppose to hold the warheads for launching was bent in the shape of a pony's head. 

Cogswing and Petro were doing somewhat better. While rifle rounds did next to nothing against the shadow ponies, a few bursts from the flamethrower were quite effective at destroying them. Seeing how ineffective her rifle was, Cogswing resorted to using her entrenchment tool as a weapon instead. Twilight wasn't exactly helpless either-she blasted several of the shadow ponies using concussion spells. Just as Spigot was tossed aside by Nightmare Moon, enough of the shadow ponies were destroyed for Twilight to get to the Elements safely. She knelt down and concentrated on the Elements, hoping to conjure up the sixth Element.

"Just one spark. Come on, come on..." Twilight said. Nightmare Moon, realizing what she's going to do, desperately tried to stop her. Cogswing and Petro ran right into her path, hoping to stall her just long enough. Petro fired her flamethrower right in Nightmare Moon's face.

Unfortunately, it was no more effective than when Spigot shot his PIAT. Nightmare Moon simply charged through the flames unharmed, swiping the two ponies aside. As there was still considerable distance between her and Twilight, Nightmare Moon transformed into mist and then rematerialized right in front of her. By then Twilight was just about ready to cast her spell. Tendrils of energy came out of her horn and touched each of the elements, wrapping them in a purple aura.

Twilight was then blasted back from the magical feedback. The Elements were charged with energy, appearing to have a reaction to the magic. They started levitating in midair.

"No, no!" Nightmare Moon shouted.

And then the aura surrounding the Elements disappeared. They fell back to the ground, inert.

"But... where's the sixth Element?!" Twilight said, shocked.

Nightmare Moon laughed evilly, seeing that her foes have failed. She then lifted up her forehooves and smashed the Elements to pieces.

"You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!"
> Chapter 8: The Darkest Hour...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Tiger II! Tiger II! Everyone, concentrate fire!" Blade 1's commander shouted. A thunderous boom could be heard from miles around when the tanks fired. This was followed by the gratting sound of tens of projectiles failing to penetrate armor. The Tiger II began crawling menacingly towards the tanks.

"Ah crap, all rounds deflected!" Blade 2's commander declared.

"Even the side ones!?!" Blade 4's gunner exclaimed.

"Even the side ones!" Blade 2's commander responded, "We cannot get through that armor!" 

"Move!" Blade 1's commander yelled. The hulled-down tanks tried to abandon their defensive positions quickly; staying would only make them a stationary target. The Tiger II fired-it hit a E2 as it tried to escape the ditch that was supposed to protect it.

Luckily for Chalkboard's crew, it wasn't theirs.

"What to do, what to do..." Chalkboard said to herself as she drove her E2 out of the ditch it was in. Another shot from the Tiger II impacted one of the Tiger S'.

"AW FFFUUU-" the driver managed to yell before the turret was blown off.

"Well we're dead," Far Shot said, "If those Royal Guard tanks can't do anything against it, then what will? Can this get any worse?"

A distinct sound of clacking gears was heard. It was not from a friendly tank.

"Uhh..." Carry said, holding up a hoof.

"Don't tell me, we missed a few invisitanks," Far Shot deadpanned.

The sound of a cannon was heard. The crew flinched from the sound. A Panzer IV just to their right materialized out of thin air, a shell jammed into its engine compartment. The source of the shell was a StuG IV that sat a good distance away from the two tanks, towards Ponyville.

"I had my eye on ya the whole time!" Loudmouth shouted. 

"Thanks for the assist, Loudmouth!" Chalkboard said gratefully.

"Any time!" Loudmouth replied.

Two regular Crusaders and a very odd-looking red Crusader zipped past his vehicle. The red Crusader then crashed into the rear of a invisible Panzer IV, causing the Panzer to fire. A high explosive shell slammed into the turret of Chalkboard's E2. The Crusader then fired. The swarm of six-pounder shells ripped apart the backend of the Panzer IV. 

"I HATE it wen dey try an' go all sneaky-like," the Crusader's gunner said. The Crusader backed up and then drove around the newly created wreckage. 

Following behind the Crusaders were several Panzer IVs with ERAD insignias. One crashed into a invisible cultist Panzer, revealing the cloaked tank and breaking both of their guns. Another Panzer IV finished off the cultist tank. More vehicles and troops started coming out from Ponyville. Amongst them were several seventeen-pounder guns. 

"Woahoho, that's going to be the biggest catch of the day," one of the AT gun loaders said, looking at the Tiger II. Several seventeen-pounders were set up and began firing at the Tiger II. None of them penetrated the Tiger II's armor.

"Bounced off! Switch to APDS!" another loader yelled. After switching shell types, the seventeen pounders fired again. The shells still did not penetrate its armor.

"What is this thing made of, diamonds?" one of the gunners said annoyedly. No matter what they tossed at the Tiger II, nothing seemed to do more than cause very minor dents. As the Tiger II was moving closer it shot a Crusader that failed to avoid moving in a straight line, annihilating it. By then several GW Rieters arrived to barrage the Tiger II.

Most of the shots were direct hits. Several meaty cracks were heard and the Tiger II was blanketed in a dust cloud. When the dust cleared, the Tiger II was still approaching, albeit somewhat slower. The suspension did not take to the sudden addition of weight so kindly-a few roadwheels were dented and cracked. Yet the Tiger II still crawled menacingly closer and closer to Ponyville despite the metallic protests from its damaged suspension.

It then turned its gun on Chalkboard's tank. She veered just as the Tiger II fired. The shell flew into the E2's angled side and penetrated.

"AARGH!" Alastair screamed in pain. The shell had sent spalling flying right into him. It knocked him right onto the floor of the fighting compartment. Far Shot had flipped around on reflex right as it happened. What happened next startled him. Small amounts of blood had been splashed into his face as Alastair fell. It was red.

It took him several more seconds to register that it was not his own, but from Alastair. Sure, he was from a replacement for him specifically, but he's not going to let something like that stop him from aiding fellow crew members. Far Shot quickly grabbed a medkit and applied field dressing after removing the most obvious metal fragments. 

"The engine's not responding, we're stuck!" Chalkboard declared.

"Grr...piss! We need to bail out before that monster fires again!" Far Shot commanded. He reached for the hatch and tried to push it open. At first it was not budging for some reason. 

He punched it hard, which cracked open bits of melted metal that had been blocking the hatch from opening. He winced from the pain. The doctors are probably not going to like what I just did, he thought.

"You first, Carry!" Far Shot commanded. Carry nodded and attempted to get out of the tank. He had to jump due how small and young he is, and had trouble climbing out the hatch. It took a push from Far Shot to get him out. Merry then climbed out. Far Shot held out the wounded Alastair for Carry and Merry to pull out. Chalkboard then attempted to climb out before a stray shell had hit the tank, sending her falling back into the tank. By then Merry and Carry were able to drag Alastair a safe distance away.

As the Tiger II was about to fire again, a M7 desperately rammed into its side. This cause the Tiger II's suspension to collapse from the impact and also crumpled the M7's front. The Tiger II fired.

Far Shot, seeing that there was no time left to bail out, covered Chalkboard with his body in an attempt to protect her from the blast.

The shell hit dead center, ripping the E2 wide open. What remained of the turret was launched high into the sky.

"Ouch! That went up good!" Loudmouth commented. "I feel really bad for whichever one of our guys bought it, right Chalky?"

No response.

"Chalky? Oh no..." Loudmouth was struck with a horrific realization. 

"Sis...?" Dartboard said weakly, refusing to believe what just happened.

Still no response.

"Sis, please respond...it's not funny. Ch-Chalkboard? R-respond..." Dartboard started to cry.

While she was lamenting, the combat was still happening around her. Vehicles and foot soldiers went past her tank to engage the now immobile Tiger II. Even though it was unable to move, its gun and turret were still largely undamaged. Along with having to contend with a still active Tiger II there were still several cultist tanks hiding in plain sight.

-----

When the group approached the tower they were ambushed by shadow ponies. The sound from the fighting also alerted the guards in the tower, which poured out to prevent the group from entering. While the escorts had rifles, the guards seemed to be able to dodge the bullets and close the distance while the shadow ponies simply were not affected at all. 

The escorts had to resort to using knives, clubs, and entrenchment tools to defend themselves. This was a bad situation as hoof-to-hoof combat was taught as a last resort, thus most of the escorts were less experienced than their enemy in using melee weapons. Fortunately they ponies they were escorting are capable of holding their own. Sergeant Noteworthy had just noticed this in the middle of a fight with one of the guards-both quickly glanced when two shadow ponies were blasted away with cake batter. This momentary distraction gave Noteworthy enough time to smash the guard in the head with his entrenchment tool.

"We can't stay here!" Noteworthy yelled.

"Right!" Lucky responded, "Frosty! Sundowner! With me! Let's clear a path! Everyone else, try to keep up behind us!"

Frosty and Sundowner nodded. The three tried to force a path to the tower. Despite being a sapper, Sundowner carried a dueling sword in addition to her engineering equipment and was good at using it. The extra reach allowed her to fight more offensively in contrast with the other escorts. Although the sight of a sapper presumably fresh out of training in possession of a dueling sword (which is normally reserved for officers) raised a few questions, Lucky and Frosty simply didn't care as long as it gave them a fighting chance.

One particularly large guard pony holding a halberd tried to crush Lucky with his weapon. Lucky, with his rather diminutive combat knife, wouldn't have been able to parry the attack due to the sheer weight of the weapon. Sundowner quickly blocked the descending halberd. With a grunt, she force the halberd away, throwing the guard off balance. Frosty then rammed the guard, knocking him over. Lucky, charging towards the entrance into the tower, narrowly dodged a pike. He quickly slashed the offender's face as he ran by him. The guard lost grip of his weapon as he covered his face due to the wound inflicted.

As Lucky get closer to the door though, he saw a problem. Two guards blocked it. They didn't look like they will budge easily.

"Incomin'!" Applejack yelled. The three looked behind them before quickly jumping out of the way of the guard that had just been bucked by Applejack. The guard was sent flying into the two blocking the doorway, their combined weight smashing in the aged wooden door.

"Inside!" Lucky commanded. Fluttershy was the first to run in, utterly terrified of the shadow ponies and guards. Rarity and Applejack were the next to enter. Pinkie came in riding a shadow pony.

"YEE-HAW!" she yelled. The shadow pony tried desperately to shake her off. So concentrated in getting her off that it did not pay attention to a hoof-sized rock in front of it. It tripped over the rock, slamming into the ground face-first and disappearing. Next came each of the escorts. Noteworthy was the last to enter the tower. Lucky took a quick head count. It wasn't long before he saw that there was still one missing.

"Hey, where's Rainbow Dash?" he asked.

"Come on! You can do better than that!" somepony taunted outside. 

"Get inside! You're the only one left!" Noteworthy shouted.

"Really? ...Uh-oh." Rainbow Dash realized that she IS the only one still outside. She was so caught up in fighting that she didn't notice the rest entering the tower. The remaining guards and shadow ponies concentrated on her in an attempt to overwhelm her.

"I'll go get her," Sundowner said. She went back outside and proceeded to knock away enemies using her sword. 

She managed to make it to Rainbow Dash just as she was dogpiled by a bunch of shadow ponies. Rainbow Dash had attempted to fly away beforehand, but the shadow ponies had leapt on to her before she could have gotten out of their reach. Sundowner swiped the shadow ponies away, freeing her.

"Ehehe...thanks," Rainbow Dash said sheepishly.

"You might want to get inside now. Your friends are waiting," Sundowner said. Rainbow Dash nodded and ran to the tower as fast as she could, ignoring the enemies in her way. As Sundowner ran back to the tower, more shadow ponies materializd around her. She sighed.

"Being a soldier is not easy..." Sundowner wearily said to herself. She spread her legs out and flared her wings-she was ready for whatever the shadow ponies could toss at her.

"Huh? Where's Sundowner?" Noteworthy asked. Rainbow Dash, surprised by the question, looked behind her and saw that the pony that saved her was now surrounded by shadow ponies and guards. She immediately tried to go back. Applejack grabbed her by the tail.

"Woah there, pard'ner!" Applejack said through her teeth.

"I have to help her! Let me go!" Rainbow Dash protested.

"You need to get to Twilight! The Elements are our only hope!"Sundowner managed to yell while fighting. Rainbow Dash hesitated.

"Now go! Before it's too la-oof!" Sundowner was struck in the stomach by a wooden club. She hastily swiped at the offending pony only to miss. She caught a glint off to the side of her eye and dodged a battle axe. She was then slammed in the back of the head by a war hammer, almost losing consciousness. Still, she refused to be put down and continued to fight.

"Sundowner...." Rainbow Dash said solemnly. The rest began walking up the stairs, climbing toward the top of the tower.

"Come on," Noteworthy said, "We don't want her sacrifice to be in vain." Rainbow Dash took one final look at the one-sided fight, and then followed the rest.

-----

Some ponies wonder what does the afterlife looked like.

Far Shot now knows. It's just...nothing. A white void stretching out for all eternity.

For the first time ever, he's truly scared.

Not the "teen in a cheesy costume burst out of a box" kind of scary, because that's just being startled. You're scared for the first two seconds of the surprise, and that's it. Not the "tense moment of silence in a horror movie" kind of scary, because while you're on your seat up until the moment someone gets decapitated it does not stay with you. You know it's not real. It's not even the "real life war in all its horror" kind of scary, because staying alive takes priority over showing fear. 

But this, this is truly something to be afraid. Far Shot was expecting something along the lines of high up into the clouds, angels singing, and a gate with a saint at it. Saint Petters was it? Or was that Patton? Palmer, maybe? Anyways, he even had the soldier's poem recited for this very occasion: 
"And When he gets to heaven,
To Saint Peter he will tell;
One more Soldier reporting, sir.
I've served my time in Hell!"
Ah yes! It was Saint Peter. He looked like a Ancient in most of the depictions of him. And then maybe he'll finally meet Celestia in person after he goes in.
But that's just it-there just simply wasn't anything like that or anything at all for that matter. There's not a single discernable feature in this empty world. The only thing he could hear was his own breathing-there wasn't even any white noise. The ground is cold and hard. Even the air is empty-devoid of scent and of substance.

His father had at least two decades of active service before deciding to retire and become a drill sergeant. His grandpa was a Royal Guard. The military way was in Far Shot's blood. Yet here he is, not more than a week and a half out of training and already dead. Real shonky work that is. Maybe he could have went down in a blaze of glory, in a brave last stand. But he knew Chalkboard wouldn't have wanted that. 

"It's better to run and fight another day than die pointlessly," Chalkboard would have said. While the running part did not seem like such an attractive idea, Chalkboard did have a point. That and he would never let his fellow crew members die. They were like a second family to him. 

Speaking about Chalkboard, did she survive? That was what Far Shot wondered. Would his body have been enough to shield her from the blast? The fact that he felt nothing as the shell detonated was not a particularly comforting fact. It meant that it killed him instantly. Had he felt excruciating pain for about ten seconds, the chances that she is alive are much better. He might even have enough life in him to say a sad farewell before he finally kicked the bucket, as sappy as that sounds.

Thinking about all this is the only thing Far Shot could do to keep himself from going insane. Walking would eventually tire him out. Sitting there doing nothing actually started causing him to hyperventilate after ten minutes (or at least he percieved it as ten minutes) because the only sound he could hear was his own breathing. He felt very naked-and that's not just because his uniform was gone. Curious thing was that he still had his bandages and his forelegs still felt very sore-though it's not as painful to walk as before.

He paced around in a small circle, revisiting memories. He was born to the earth pony Arc Shot and pegasus Bright Sky. His dad had served in the Royal Army as a Sapper, his mother was a sailor. Eventually they moved to Ponyville where his sister, Quick Shot, was born. It was a nice place to settle down. His dad would still occasionally go out to serve in the Army. His mum liked to take him and Quick Shot out on cruises out to sea on at times. 

He then thought about his crew. Crazy, isn't it? About eight months ago the only friend he had amongst the crew was Trail Blazer. Really, they only knew each other because his mum and her dad were close friends.

He never thought he'd get used to his crew, much less actually befriend him. But working with them for a while as comrades in arms helps, even if it was just training for most of the time.

Eventually he grew tired. How does that happen? He wonders, I'm already dead...but I guess I'll take a rest anyways...

-----

He had a dreamless sleep. Or at least he thought he did. When he woke up he was still in the same white expanse. He had hoped that maybe this was all just a nightmare and that he'll wake up in a nice hospital bed with his mum, sister, and crew at his side. Disappointed, he went back to thinking.

That's when he heard something. 

It startled him. It sounded like the wind. Suddenly, he felt the wind too. This only unnerved Far Shot-something is approaching, and he didn't like it. He turned towards where he felt the wind was coming from. There was something off in the distance. He squinted his eyes. Its shape was a vague half-circle. It was still too far to properly discern, but it was growing bigger. That could only mean it was moving closer. He briefly thought about running away from whatever was approaching him. He then doubled back on it.

Nothing risked, nothing gained, Far Shot thought. He starting walking towards it.

As he got closer, he got more nervous. Eventually a little part of his mind is telling him that it is starting to look like a REALLY good idea to go the other way. Still, he persisted. He got close enough to spot details. It was still a descent distance away, but then again he didn't get his cutie mark for being short-sighted. It had two holes, with another hole below and midway between the two holes. There was a black mist surrounding it. And at the base...was pony teeth. 

It was a skull.

"Ahh!" Far Shot screamed. He turned back around to run, but instead ran into a wall. Luckily it was not a dead end-he could immediately turn left. He ran down the corridor that materialized. Everything looked like the inside of a dilapidated building. At the end of the corridor was two turns; one leading straight ahead, the other leading right. He turned right. Immediately ahead was another turn, which led to a ramp. At the top of the ramp was another long corridor that led to a flight of stairs going downwards.

When he got to the stairs, he took a quick look down. It was a very long fall-more than certain to break his legs and possibly his ribcage. Sure, Far Shot wasn't alive anymore but he did not want to take the risk. He just took the stairs like most sensible ponies would. Except for pegasi.

Pfft, pegasi. Always defying gravity with their wings, Far Shot thought as he went down the stairs, too bad I rolled Earth pony. I wish that I had inherited mum's wings. He shook his head as he ran down-now was not the time to dwell on things like that. Not when that...thing...is chasing him. It'd be the end of him if he winds up tripping down the stairs.

The bottom of the stairs led to what looked like a large basement. Far Shot looked around quickly-the less time he used to find a way to escape, the better. He finally saw another corridor to go through. He then noticed a bunch of moths flying around him. Odd, he thought.

The corridor lead to another turn, this time left. The path ahead was slightly interrupted in flatness by a small set of stairs, leading up to a door on the right and to the corridor straight ahead, which was down another short set of stairs. Before continuing on, he tried to open the door. The handle did not budge. Locked, Far Shot thought to himself. He proceeded Through the corridor. More moths had gathered around him. At the end was another turn to the right. He made the turn.

Around the corner was another skull wrapped in black mist. It was huge, being almost as tall as Far Shot. It approached him.

NO NO NO!

Far Shot ran back the way he came from. His heart was pounding, feeling like it would burst open. He then came back to the turn he made before.

IT WAS STILL THERE.

He ran back the other way, then stopped when he saw what came around the corner at the other end.

Do you know what is the only thing you can never run away from?

Oh no...

Looking back, Chalkboard saw that tHe otHEr skULL haD come AROunD THE CorNER.

Look at it.

No...

Far Shot fell back onto his behind. He desperately tried to back away, sliding across the floor. He came to a stop when he touched the set of stairs.

LOOK AT IT

GET AWAY YOU WANKER!

He quickly stood up and went up the stairs.

DEATH IS ETERNAL.

GO AWAY!

DEATH COMES FOR ALL.

I SAID GET AWAY!!

There was only one way of escape. The door. Chalkboard grabbed the handle and tried to open the door. It still would not budge.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, MY LITTLE PONY? AFRAID? ACCEPT OR STRUGGLE, IT MATTERS NOT.

Far Shot tried to force it open with all his might. It still did not give.

The skulls were almost at the stairs at either end. tHey tHEn staRTed MoVInG Up thE StaiRs.

PLEASE! I DON'T WANT TO GO!

Tears were streaming down Chalkboard's face. 

YOUR TIME IS ALREADY GONE. PREPARE TO FACE OBLIVION.

Far Shot screamed out against fate.

I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I WANT TO LIVE!

THe skULls weRe nOW jUst IncHES awAy FRoM Far board. thEy cAMe cloSEr AnD closEr. tHeRE wAs NO ESCAPE. Chalk Shot dID thE oNly THinG they couLD do.

She closed her eyes and braced for the inevitable.
> Chapter 9: ...Is Just Before The Dawn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Far Shot jolted awake. Everything was as they were before...that is to say, there was nothing at all.

Phew, it was just a nightmare, Far Shot thought, Wait...this better not be one of those recursive dreams. He looked around. Nothing. He perked up his ears and listened. Still nothing. He then slapped himself in the face-they say you can't feel self inflicted pain when dreaming. It hurts...a little too much. Hooves tend to do that. Well, at least I'm not asleep anymore.

He sat there again to simply think. What was there to think? His mind started wandering off to the nightmare.

Old complex building. Twists and turns. Stairs. Railings. Moths. Skulls. Darkness. Orange. White. Black and gray. Blue and red. Green...

Far Shot had heard what was presumably the voice of death itself. It was terrifying-being flat in emotion and yet sounding thunderous and distorted. But there was another voice. It sounded very familiar.

Admittedly he cried a little bit in the nightmare. Okay, well maybe more than a little. He probably came off as a wuss now that he thought of it. Hoo dear, that's something I'm not so proud of, Far Shot thought.

He also swore that at certain times he didn't look nor felt like himself. At one point he thought he saw his foreleg switch colors-green instead of blue.

Then there was the skulls...decayed, foreboding, and their eyeholes looked like they were each a bottomless pit that tried to drag your soul inside. When he had gotten close to them his vision flashed and distorted. He also started going colorblind-it had started to look like the darkness was trying to swallow him up.

While he was reviewing whatever he could remember from the nightmare, he heard a faint noise.

Bloody hell that better not be the real deal this time, Far Shot thought. He perked up his ears and listened really hard.

It sounded a little like crying.

Now Far Shot has seen way too many horror movies to not get the feeling that this is some kind of trap. It could might as well be some depressed mutant mare with sharp claws and red eyes that will maul him to death the moment he startles her. Well, he's dead anyways but that's beside the point.

Yet something nagged at him. It didn't just sounded like crying. No, it sounded like it came right out of his nightmare.

Nope, that's it, I'm going the other way.

But the nagging only tugged at his brain harder the farther he walked away. After taking a deep sigh, he walked towards the sound instead.

When he got close enough, the sound was more distinct. It was definitely crying. While he half-wanted to run back the other way, the nagging part of him told him to go faster. So he ran. Eventually he got close enough to actually see the source.

He could not believe it. It was Chalkboard. She was lying on the ground, forehooves over her eyes. Like Far Shot, she wasn't wearing a uniform yet her ponytail was still there. There was a steady trickle of tears coming down her face.

He broke into a mad sprint towards her.

"Chalky!" 

Chalkboard heard a familiar voice. She took her forehooves off her eyes and looked over to where she heard it from, her eyes still blurry from her tears. What she saw was a vague blue form running towards her.

"F-Far S-Shot?"

"Chalky, I'm here!" Far Shot yelled. He ran to her side.

"Oh Far Shot, I t-thought I was a-alone h-here..." Chalkboard said through her tears, "I t-tried t-to s-sleep, h-hoping this w-was all a b-bad d-d-dream." Chalkboard starting crying more. Far Shot sat down and tried to comfort her.

"A-and t-then I-I w-w-was t-trapped! Ru-ru-running away f-f-from..." Chalkboard covered her eyes again. "Oh Ce-ce-cel-e-e-stia! The sk-sk-kulls! Th-those d-d-deathly sk-skulls! Th-th-they w-w-wanted t-t-to take m-m-me away! I d-d-don't w-w-want t-to go-o-o!"

Far Shot realized what the second voice in his nightmare was. It was her.

"Chalky, I'm here with you know. There's nothing to be afraid of," Far Shot said. He wasn't good at consoling others, but this was his crew mate. 

"P-p-please d-d-don't l-l-leave m-m-me..."

"I won't, mate. I never abandon my crew."

"I-I-I m-miss ev-everyone..."

"I do too, Chalky. I do too..."

Chalkboard's crying started to subside. The emotional trauma inflicted on her had tired her out. Eventually she fell asleep.

That's when a shadowy apparition of Nightmare Moon appeared. It began walking towards Chalkboard. Far Shot got up and stood in front of Chalkboard's sleeping body. He clenched his teeth and prepared to fight it. Suddenly, his body was surrounded by a red aura. The aura grew more and more intense until the apparition disappeared. It then started to fade.

Far Shot didn't know what just happened, but he is sure that the apparition must be what was causing his and Chalkboard's nightmares. Thinking about it gave him the chills. Certain that it will come back, he stood guard over Chalkboard.

Sleep tight, Chalky.


-----


Dartboard was curled up into a ball on the floor of her tank. Life held no more worth in it. Or at least it felt like it didn't right that moment. Her crewmates were also very solemn. As their tank was now behind the bulk of the Equestrian forces, they ran no risk of being hit.

"Dart! Dart!!" someone yelled over the radio.

Dartboard didn't respond.

"Sergeant Dartboard, answer me!" it was Loudmouth.

"L-Loudmouth?" Dartboard stuttered.

"Focus, Dart! A bunch of invisible tanks and the Tiger II are still active!"

"..."

"...Look, Dart. You can still avenge your sis. We need that monster disabled before it can hurt more families."

Dartboard's expression hardened. The Tiger II was responsible for killing her sister. She was going to make sure the crew will regret ever stepping foot on Equestrian soil.

"Crew, get ready for combat," Dartboard commanded, "We're going to bring down that miserable pile of scrap once and for all."

Dartboard's VK3001H joined in the fray. Much of the tanks were occupied with taking on the invisible cultist tanks-there were only a few that were directly engaging the Tiger II. Her tank fired after flanking it-still a bounce. They weren't kidding when they said that even side hits were deflected. Driving behind it and firing did no better-its rear was just as thick as its sides.

"Out of the way!" somepony shouted. A Matador was cutting right through the combat on a collision course with the Tiger II. One cultist Panther shot at it, striking the transmission. The truck started moving erratically, and then made a sharp turn. Its occupants (a uniorn, a batpony, and two changelings) jumped out right as the truck lost control. It then made a half donut counterclockwise-right into the Tiger II. It slammed into the side opposite to the M7, breaking the Tiger II's other suspension.

"Das vidanya, svoloch!" the unicorn said. He then lifted up a remote detonator and pushed the trigger.

*click*

Nothing happened.

"Wuh?" the driver said dumbfoundedly. He pushed the trigger a few more times.

*click* *click* *click*

Still nothing.

"Argh, I knew I should have just brought a wire detonator..." The driver kept on pushing the trigger, but there was still no response. He then tossed it at the Tiger II in frustration. When the detonator hit the tank, the impact accidentally pressed the trigger. This time the truck exploded. A roadwheel from the Tiger II flew out. "Hahaha! It worked!"

"Ura, comrade!" the changeling sprawled on the ground said. She lifted up her forehooves in triumph.

"We should do it again!" the other changeling yelled.

"How about we don't?" the batpony replied.

"Lighten up," the unicorn said, "we took down that tol-" when the dust cleared, there was a large blast mark on the Tiger II's side but no penetration, "-stak. BLYAD!"

The red Crusader came in to engage the Tiger II.

"If ya wont sumfing done, ya gonna 'ave ta do it yerself!" the commander said, "'Ard'Ead, you an' me will get on dat tank an' shtomp da crew."

"Aye, boss," the gunner replied, "Youse wont me ta take da chain choppa?"

"Just fer choppin up dat armor. 'Ugegob Iron'oof's gonna make da crew suffa!" 'Ugegob then readied his powerklaw. It was about twice the size of a regular pony's head at the very least.

The Crusader drove up next to the Tiger II, on the side with the M7. The two ork ponies climbed out of the tank and prepared to board the Tiger II. Right then a Panther shot at the Crusader, forcing it to drive away. This in turn knocked over 'Ard'Ead and 'Ugegob.

"Oi! Get back 'ere!" 'Ugegob shouted. The two then tried to board the tank without the help of their Crusader. The sloped sides just simply cause them the slip off. 

"Um, boss? Wot 'bout dat ponie tank ovah dere?" 'Ard'Ead asked. Right now there were three soldiers tried to get the crew out. One of them was Anton.

"Wot 'bout it?"

"I di'nt see anyone get out. Maybe dey's still in dere. Weez can use da 'elp."

"Mmm...fine. Weez get dem out." The two got onto the M7. 

"Gerroff da bluddy tank and let da orkz get ta work," 'Ard'Ead said.

"The hatch is jammed shut," Anton told them.

"Not a problem fer me choppa," 'Ard'Ead replied. He revved up his chain choppa and brought it down on the roof of the tank. The sight of a chain choppa cutting through the roof startled the M7's gunner.

"Oh Celestia we're dead!" he exclaimed, "We're dead dead de-"

"Shut up," Blaze said, "I think it's a rescue." After a messy slit was cut into the front of the roof, it was pried open by the powerklaw like a sardine can. Looking down at the crew was the two ork ponies.

"Uhh...hi?" the commander said. The gunner was cringing on the floor. 'Ugegob ignored the two and pointed his powerklaw at Blaze.

"Youse da wun dat decided ta crash inta dis tank?"

"Uhh...yes," Blaze said sheepishly, "I was trying to save my frie-!" Ugegob bursted into a loud guffaw.

"Youse see dis ponie? I loiks 'er! Crashing inta a tank loik dis is very ded'ard!" Ugegob then bent down closer to Blaze. "Now, youse gonna finish da job?" Blaze nodded. The two orkponies pulled the crew out of their tank. Using the M7 as a foothold, they climbed first onto the engine compartment of the Tiger II. 

Anton tried to pry open the ammunition disposal hatch on the back of the tank's turret. It wouldn't budge. As if the crew inside noticed the intruders, the turret rotated clockwise. This threw Anton off balance. He quickly spread out his wings and balanced himself again. This time they tried to get onto the roof of the turret. Easier said than done. The Tiger II would be constantly moving its turret. Anton, Blaze, and the pegasi of the group tried helping up the rest of them using their wings to lift them.

"Hey, I see somepony trying to board that King Tiger!" Blade 1's commander said, "Scratch that, it's several of them! All forces divert attention away from the Tiger, we have friendlies trying to board it!"

Upon hearing this, Dartboard opened the hatch of her tank.

"Chev, you're acting commander now," Dartboard said.

"Yes ma'am. And Dart?"

"Hmm?"

"Be careful out there. You don't want to leave your parents with no children at all."

"...Will do." Dartboard climbed out and ran to the Tiger II while avoiding stray gunfire. She climbed up the M7 and jumped onto the Tiger II's engine compartment. Several of the group had successfully gotten on top of the turret by then. 'Ugegob noticed her trying to climb aboard.

"Oi! Do youse 'ave a bone ta pick wiff dis tank?"

"You could say that," Dartboard replied darkly.

"Good enuff." 'Ugegob reached out his powerklaw. Dartboard grabbed onto it and was then pulled onto the turret.

"So now, what's the plan?" Anton asked.

"Weez gonna beat 'em up gud foist, an' den lattah weez make dem suffa sum more wiff sum gud ol' torcha...an' DEN weez gonna kill em," 'Ugegob answered. Anton started sweating a bit at how sadistic that statement was.

"Bzzt...uhh, maybe we should-" Anton began to say.

"Sounds good to me," Dartboard interrupted, "We're starting now, right?" 

"Heh heh heh. Now dat's proppa orky thinkin'! No waiting fer da shtompin'!" 'Ugegob said, "'Ard'Ead! Will youse do da honah?"

"I thought ya nevah ask, boss," 'Ard'Ead complied. He revved up his chain choppa and slammed it down on the commander's cupola. Unlike with the M7, the chain choppa did not instantly shear through the roof. Eventually though it was able to cut through. 'Ard'Ead then ran it along the frontal half of the roof of the turret. 

The crew of the Tiger II had already noticed this. The driver grabbed a Remington 870 that was right next to his seat. The commander pulled a G3A3 off of its weapon rack on the turret wall. They were ready for them. 

The powerklaw reached in through the slit right above the gun, and pulled. The metal protested greatly, but it was slowly being torn off nevertheless. The driver and commander pointed their weapons at the opening in the tank's turret.

The hatch on the commander's cupola was suddenly pulled off. Dartboard jumped right in through th cupola and grabbed the commander from behind, causing him to drop his weapon. Dartboard held him in a chokehold while the driver pointed his shotgun at the two. In the moonlight, Dartboard was able to see that the driver was a female zebra and the commande was a male batpony.

"Do it. Take us both out," Dartboard threatened. The driver did not fire. The commander then flared his wings, shoving Dartboard back and making her fall on the floor. The loader stepped over her to grab another shell.

"Not so fast, bastard!" Dartboard yelled. She grabbed the loader, a male zebra, by the legs. This caused the loader to fall over. The commander reached for his weapon.

"WAAAAGGHH!!" 

The driver looked back up before 'Ugegob landed on her through the opening in the turret. Blocking a shotgun blast aimed at his face using his powerklaw, he then grabbed the driver and tossed her outside. By then the commander had aimed his G3A3 at Dartboard.

"YAAAH!" Blaze screamed. She dove right into the commander and grabbed his neck, throwing off his aim. He fired erratically, sending bullets flying around inside the tank. 'Ugegob grabbed the gunner, a wingless batpony, before she could fire the main gun after loading a round by herself. He then slammed her into the side of the interior. He then proceed to climb outside the tank with her still in his powerklaw. This was to give him more space to pound her.

The radio operator, a unicorn, got off the hull machinegun and pulled out his M1911. As he went into the turret to shoot Dartboard, Anton flew down and grabbed him. The radio operator started thrashing about, making it hard for Anton to fly. Anton had to drop him the moment they were outside the tank. The radio operator fell on the grass. He then aimed his pistol at Anton, and fired. 

Anton moved barely just in time-the bullet glanced off of his chitinous exoskeleton. If it had hit him center of mass instead of at the edge of his body, it could have potentially killed him. He dove to the ground as the radio operator shot more bullets at him. 'Ard'Ead jumped off the tank and right on top of the radio operator.

The driver had recovered from her brief toss and now aimed her shotgun at 'Ard'Ead. Anton charged right into her and knocked away her weapon.

"The Tiger II's not firing anymore..." one of the Panzer IV commanders said, "I think they done it!"

"Outstanding, fillies and gentlecolts! Now let's mop up the stragglers," Blade 1's commander said.


-----


Chalkboard woke up. The first thing she saw was that Far Shot was standing next to her, alert.

"Feeling better now?" Far Shot asked.

"Yeah..." Chalkboard replied. She wiped her face, which was still a little wet from the tears, and then sat up. "Thanks for being here for me."

"Like I said, I never abandon my crew." Far Shot sat down on Chalkboard's left. The two just looked off into the white expanse silently for a while. Eventually Chalkboard broke the silence.

"You think we'll ever see them again?"

"To be honest, I don't know."

"You think there's anypony else here?"

"I highly doubt it."

"So this is it then. Spending eternity trapped in this featureless world. Nopony to be seen except for us."

"If it is eternal though...I'm glad to have you to spend it with." Chalkboard blushed. 

"Far Shot..."

"What? Don't get me wrong, I'd like to have at least somepony to be with me if this is life after death. It's nice to have someone to talk to other than yourself. But after my sister, and maybe not even her, you would be the pony I would wish to be with till the end of time."

"You really mean that?"

"Should I humor you by saying no instead?"

"Okay, okay, I get it...I sort of feel the same way too."

The two resumed looking back at the empty horizon. Far Shot put his right forehoof on Chalkboard's right shoulder. Chalkboard leaned on Far Shot, and put her left forehoof on Far Shot's left shoulder.

Eventually though, they both felt tired.

"Yawn...I feel all drowsy again," Chalkboard said.

"Yeah, me too...ah no...." Far Shot said.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Me staying awake was what...yawn...what kept away whatever it was that was causing your nightmares...if we both go to sleep..."

"Oh no...no no no...I-I don't want to go through that again..."

"A-aaaahhh-at least this time we don't have to face it alone..."

"I-yaaawwnn-wouldn't have it any other way..."

The two fell back-they didn't have the energy to sit up anymore. Both fell asleep almost simultaneously.

That's when a apparition of Nightmare Moon appeared.


-----


All hope was lost. The Elements of Harmony, the only way to defeat Nightmare Moon, lay shattered at the black alicorn's hooves. For the second time in her life, Twilight had no idea what to do.

Suddenly she heard voices coming from the stairs. It was from her friends. That's when she realized what the spark is.

"You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that?" Twilight's friends had made it, along with their escorts minus one. "Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here!"

"What?" Nightmare Moon said, astonished.

"You okay, Cogsy?" Noteworthy asked Cogswing. 

"Ugh...yeah, I'm fine," she said, "Wait, what about Spigs and Petro?"

"I'm okay," Petro replied. She was still flipped over but relatively unharmed.

"I'm...I'm going to need a nap..." Spigot said before fainting. Meanwhile, Twilight and her friends stood together in front of Nightmare Moon along with several of their escorts. The shards of the elements began floating around each of them except for Twilight and the escorts.

"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty!"

"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness!"

"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... laughter!"

"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of... generosity!"

"And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty!"

"The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us. And we had help from these brave mares and stallions who accompanied us!"

"You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!" Nightmare Moon exasperated.

"But it did!" Twilight declared, "A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!"

Suddenly the sixth element materialized, surrounded by light. It was so bright that Nightmare Moon had to shield her face from it.

"You see, Nightmare Moon," Twilight explained, "when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic!"

Her friends were levitated into the air. The shards that surrounded each of them combined and transformed into necklaces, each holding a gem that resembles its wearer's cutie mark. The final element transformed into a tiara, and rested on Twilight's head. 

With the six elements present, a massive ball of light began forming in the middle of the six. Once it grew big enough, a burst of pure energy in the form of a rainbow spiral out. It then descended upon Nightmare Moon.

"No! NOO!" Nightmare Moon screamed.


-----


"Ugh, my head," Rainbow Dash said.

"Amen to that," Spigot said, having regained consciousness.

"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked.

"Oh, thank goodness," Rarity said. Her sheared off tail has grown back.

"Why Rarity, it's so lovely," Fluttershy commented.

I know! I'll never part with it again.

"No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark."

"What? Ooh. So does yours."

Fluttershy looked at her own necklace and gasped.

"Look at mine! Look at mine!" Pinkie said excitedly.

"Aw yeah!" Rainbow said after looking at how cool her necklace was.

"Gee, Twilight! I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey," Applejack said, "but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship.

"Indeed you do." The sun began to rise and in a flash of light, Princess Celestia appeared.


-----


"Kzzz-This is Bravo One, we are losing this position!"

"Delta Five is getting pummeled! We're out of here!"

"Charlie Actual to all Canterlot Defense Force elements, retreat to Canterlot Castle! The cultists are trying to breach the doors!"

"*BOOM* *CLACKCLACKCLACKCLACK* This is the Delta Two! We're doubling back!"

"Saber Six! Falling back to defend!"

"This is Captain Shining Armor! All Royal Guard regiments, fall back to defend Cantlot Castle!"

"Oh deary THEY GOT ISUs! Get down!"

"*WOOSH* *BOOM* Rocket fire! Rocket fire! Delta Four, turn left!"

"Captain Basil to all ERAD elements, get back to the castle! We need to stop them here and now!"

"Move move move! Go through the buildings!"

"Push! *CRASH* Belay that! Back up! Back up!"

"Gunner, target that ISU, we have it flanked! *CRACK* Kzzzt"

"*RATATATA* Get that wreck out of the way!"

"They're still pounding the gates! *BOOM*"

"*BOOM* Those doors are not goi*BOOM* any longer! Private! Get ba*BOOM*ver here!"

"Kzzz-Huh? What's happening? The shelling stopped!"

"Down on the ground!"

"Aw you little son of a.....huh? He's not shooting us."

"AAAA-Wha? Those tanks stopped firing!"

"They're putting down their weapons!"

"Shining Armor to all forces, status report!"

"Sir! The cultists are surrendering! It's a miracle-we did it! We won!"

"Yeah!"

"Woohoo!"

"Alright!"

"Drinks are on me, boys!"

"I can't believe it! We have beaten impossible odds!"

"You did it, Twily. You did it..."


-----


Even though the crew was left without their Tiger II, they still fought back. The driver was in a scuffle with Anton, Dartboard was wrestling the loader, and Blaze was currently trying to choke the commander. 'Ard'Ead and 'Ugegob meanwhile were beating the living daylights out of the radio operator and gunner respectively.

The other cultist tanks were no different. Each time no one was paying any attention another ERAD tank was knocked out, initiating a scramble to find the invisible tank. It was a brutal game of cat and mouse.

Then the sun rose up over the horizon. Suddenly the cultists stopped fighting. All of the active invisible tanks stopped and decloaked, their crew exiting out from the hatches with their hooves up. Soldiers rounded them up and put them with the rest of the cultists who had their tanks already knocked out. Though many had a desire to kill them right then and there, it took their fellow comrades to stop them from doing something they're going to regret.

The driver decided to fall on the ground out of both frustration and exhaustion. Anton took a quick look at where her weapon was-way out of leg reach-before figuring out that she gave up. Better not beat the dead horse, as they say.

Dartboard managed to pin the loader down when she saw sunlight instead of moonlight pouring into the tank. She looked back at the opening in the turret before being kicked in the face by the commander-unintentionally, that is. The commander then collapsed-weakened both by loss of cause and lack of oxygen. Blaze got off of him and reached for his weapon in case he snapped awake again.

It took the two orkponies about ten seconds before realizing that the fighting had stopped. 'Ugegob dropped the gunner onto the ground.

"A'right 'Ard'Ead, da foitin's ovah. Youse kan drop da git now," 'Ugegob said. 'Ard'Ead shrugged and then let go of the radio operator. 

"Youse be lukky weeze in da Royal Army," 'Ard'Ead said to the radio operator, "I heard dem gray poniez don't treat gitz loik youse so kindly. Heh heh heh."

"Oi! Where's Zzapgutz?" 'Ugegob said, "I'm gonna teach dat runt a liddle less'n fer runnin'." He then saw a red Crusader crashed into the left side of a Panther. The Panther's side was punctured by all the spiky bits on the front of the Crusader.  "Hmmph. Nevah mind den. No bludd, but me tinkz it be bettah dat way."
> Chapter 10: Sunrise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Everyone in the room bowed down to Celestia, except for one. 

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight ran over to her. Celestia embraced Twilight.

"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I knew you could do it," Celestia said.

"But... you told me it was all an old pony tale."

"I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. 

"Now if only another will as well." She looked over to the pedestal. "Princess Luna!"

Everyone in the room looked over. What they saw was not a imposing black alicorn, but a blue alicorn not much bigger than a average pony. She was lying down, somewhat disoriented. Nightmare Moon's armor lied in pieces in front of her. Princess Celestia walked to her. Luna opened her eyes and looked up at Celestia.

"It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this," Celestia said, "Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister." She then laid down in front of Luna.

"Sister?!" several of the ponies yelled in surprise.

"Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia asked. Everypony else looked at the two in anticipation.

"Woah!" Pinkie fell over after leaning too much. She quickly got back up. Luna closed her eyes, full of regret. She then got up and ran to her sister.

"I'm so sorry!" Luna cried, "I missed you so much, big sister!" The two embraced each other, having finally reunited in one thousand years.

Pinkie blew her nose and then started crying. Her tears drenched the pony to her right, but not the one to her left as he had pulled out an umbrella.

She then had the most brilliant idea.

"Hey, you know what this calls for?" Pinkie said rhetorically. The pony to her right just grumbled.

"What, Pinkie?" Twilight asked.

"A PARTY!!"

The group went back down the stairs, with a few escorts in front of Twilight and her friends and a few behind Celestia and Luna.

As they exited the tower, they saw that the shadow ponies had disappeared and the guards were knelt down with their weapons dropped on the ground. There was one pony missing though.

"Hey, where's Sundowner?" Lucky asked. Luna's eyes grew wide in realization but said nothing of it.


-----


When Chalkboard had expected a nightmare, this was not what she was thinking of. She was in the middle of the woods, sunlight poking through the canopy. There was a nice, brisk, mid-autumn wind. The only aspect that could possibly pass off as a nightmare was the fact that everything looked so big to her. 

Wait, maybe it's not because everything is so big... Chalkboard thought.

Chalkboard looked around for a while. Eventually she stumbled upon a pond. She peered at her reflection in the water. What was looking back was not a fully grown mare, but a little filly. Never thought I'd see that face again.

She looked at her flank. Her cutie mark, a set of books and a piece of chalk, was still there. Something suddenly clicked in her head.

If this is a nightmare and she's just a filly in the middle of the woods, then it could only mean one thing-Slendermane is coming to get her. She looked around nervously, then remembered if you looked at Slendermane, it will take you. But walking around blind was just as terrifying, so she instead looked at the ground.

Sure Slendermane was just a story that parents told their kids so that they'll stay inside once the sun sets, but in a nightmare your fears can turn very, very real to you.

Chalkboard heard a rustling of branches. Must just be the wind. Then she heard crunching leaves. That couldn't be Slendermane, can it? And then she heard a fallen branch snap. Keep calm Chalkboard, it's probably some kid that wants to scare you... She turned slowly towards where the source of the sound came from. 

*eee*

There were two warning signs that Slendermane was near. One: a audible electronic screech; and two: everything would darken and turn black and white.

Dontpanicdontpanicdontpanic...

*eeeeEEEE-EEE-EEEEE*

Warning sign number two hasn't come up yet. Yep, it just must be somepony that think they're going to scare m-

Suddenly the sunlight faded. Everything became darker. Once Chalkboard had turned completely around, she saw a white, blank face.

*EEEEEEEEEEEE*

"AAAAAHH!"

Chalkboard ran the other way. She ran as hard as she could with the small body she was now stuck in. Or rather the small body she used to have. She had her eyes shut.

"OOF!"

Chalkboard crashed into another pony. The two crashing into each other had knocked both of them onto their behinds. She opened her eyes a crack in case it was Slendermane-instead it was a blue earth pony colt with a yellow mane. He was wearing a crocodile hunter hat and had a BB rifle with him. His hat was obscuring his face.

"Um...sorry about that," Chalkboard apologized. The colt lifted his hat to take a look at Chalkboard. 

"Crikey! It's a croc!" the colt shouted.

"Huh?! A crocodile?! Where?!" Chalkboard yelled. The colt laughed.

"I'm talking about you, mate!"

"What? But I don't look like a-" Chalkboard then remembered that crocodiles were green-colored, just like her. She smiled and began to laugh with the colt.

*EEEEEE*

Chalkboard screamed in terror and hid behind the colt.

"Slendermane's coming to get us!" she told him.

"Slendermane?" the colt said, "Looks like I'm going to bag a big one today!" The statement didn't quite reassure Chalkboard; she tried to make herself as small as possible behind him.

Everything grew darker as a pony with a featureless white face approached.

*EEEEE-EEE-EEEE*

The colt aimed his BB rifle right at Slendermane's head.

"Steady, steady..."

*EEEEE-EEEEE*

*fftoo!*

*EEEEE-*

The round striked Slendermane right in the head. For a moment Chalkboard thought he was only made it madder-then she heard something that wasn't very like Slendermane.

"Ow!" Slendermane fell to the ground. It then starting rubbing the place on its head where the BB hit. Everything became a little brighter. Chalkboard noticed that the reason why it was getting darker at times was because of the overhead clouds.

"Boom, head shot! Victory for Far Shot the Monster Hunter!" the colt shouted.

"Murrrf..." Slendermane replied. Chalkboard noticed that it was much smaller than she thought it would be now that she had a better look.

"Better luck next time, Blaze!

Wait, Far Shot? Blaze? Is it really them...? Chalkboard thought.

"Slendermane" pulled off the thin white sack over its head, revealing the face of a blue-maned grey filly underneath. On top of her head was a small tape recorder that kept on emitting an electronic screech. She pressed the stop button on the tape.

"No fair, I was focused on chasing someone else," she said.

"Oi, you mean lil' Crocky right here?" the colt asked. He moved aside, revealing Chalkboard to the filly. Chalkboard chuckled weakly.

"Oh, hi there Crocky," the filly said, "Sorry about scaring you-it was all part of a game Far Shot and I were playing. By the way, I'm Trail Blazer! But you can call me Blaze."

"So, what brings you to these parts in the Whitetail Woods?" the colt asked. Chalkboard didn't know what to say. Yet she talked without thinking about it.

"Um...I here to find the old Whitetail Lodge back from when the Apple Family first settled here."

"And why is that?"

"Well...I'm very interested in history. Also, my grandma and grandpa would always talk about the place-it was where they first met each other."

"Oh is that so? Well then follow us! We know where it is!" the filly declared proudly. The colt and her ran to the deeper part of the woods. 

Chalkboard was somewhat reluctant-she remembered that back when she was younger she would be picked on by bullies for having a teaching cutie mark. "Teacher's pet! Teacher's pet!" they would chant. And they always tossed papers, pencils, erasers, apples, and (to mock her name) pieces of chalk at her. 

"Well? Are ya coming or not, Crocky?" the colt said. It sounded genuine enough-Chalkboard nodded and then joined them.

Though it felt like hours, they finally reached what looked like a old and big lodge made out of tree logs. The door was left ajar but was surprisingly in better condition than the rest of the building. Above the door was a faded sign that said "W-it--ail L--ge".

"After you," the filly gestured to Chalkboard. Inside there were several rooms-what looks like a kitchen, a living room, and a washroom. There was also a set of stairs that led up to the second floor. She carefully climbed them. On the second floor were several bedrooms, one of which she is looking for. 

She saw it-a room with a drawer right in front of a window. That was where her grandparents lived in when they were younger. She entered that room and climbed onto the drawer. She looked out the window-which was opened.

Suddenly she felt someone push her. She fell through the window and to the ground below.

"AAAHH!" She fell into a large pile of leaves that cushioned her fall.

"Bombs away!" The colt leapt out of the window and right into the same pile of leaves. He was laughing.

"Banzaaiiii!" The filly jumped out with her wings spread out. She glided upwards and then corkscrewed downwards into the pile. Her impact sent leaves flying in all directions, reducing the pile to the size of a mole hill. She began laughing with the colt. Chalkboard had a sour face.

"Oh come on Crocky, lighten up!" the colt said, "We do this all the time during the fall season!"

"Let's do that again!" the filly said. She ran back into the lodge. The colt followed after her. He then noticed that Chalkboard wasn't coming with them.

"What's the matter, Crocky? Mad that we surprised you? Come on, you have to admit it, it's fun!" The colt then ran into the lodge. 

Well it was a little fun... Chalkboard thought. She then giggled to herself. Oh well, why not?


-----


"Sir, we have successfully defended Ponyville!" a radio pony declared, "All cultist forces are surrendering."

"Canterlot has reported in," another radio pony said, "the attacks have stopped."

"Looks like the long night has finally ended....sir?" A third radio pony looked behind him for Firehawk. For a moment he thought that he had left the room before noticing something on the floor. Firehawk had fallen asleep, having not rested once during the night.

"Looks like the Second Lieutenant decided to take a nap," the first radio pony said.

"Can't blame him. You try pulling a all-nighter," the third radio pony said.

"Let's get him to a proper bed," the second radio pony said. The three carefully lifted him up and took him to the staff quarters.


-----


When the group made it back to Ponyville, the whole town celebrated. Civilians and soldiers alike went to see the two Princesses and the newest bearers of the Elements of Harmony return.

Luna was still troubled by what she done. Two pegasus fillies went and gave her a flower necklace. While it did not completely clear her conscience, it was good enough assurance for now that these ponies have forgiven her. A photographer aimed his camera at her.

*FLASH*

Princess Luna looked back at her sister. Celestia gave her a warm smile. 

Twilight was not as happy as they were though. Celestia noticed this.

"Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?" Celestia asked.

"That's just it," Twilight replied, "Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them." Princess Celestia nodded.

"Spike, take a note, please," she said, "I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville."

Her friends, and everyone else for that matter, cheered that Twilight could stay in Ponyville. 

This was the beginning of a new era.


-----


Luna stood in the middle of what was a battlefield only half an hour ago. She inspected the Tiger II. Despite being rammed twice, shot multiple times in the sides and rear, and blown up by several different sources, it could only be registered as a mobility kill instead of a catastrophic kill.

"Any explanation for that thing, Princess?" Cogswing asked, "Nothing was able to get through its armor except for whatever it is one of our ork pony crews used. And only through the roof."

"None except through the roof, Warrant Officer?"

"Nothing, ma'am. It's odd, because Ancient reports stated it had 80 millimeters of angled side and rear armor and 150 millimeters of angled front armor. We should have been able to at the very least pen the sides, and even 150 millimeters of angled armor cannot defeat a seventeen pounder APDS shell at this range."

"That's because this wasn't a regular Tiger II."

"Oh?"

"Twas a...personal project of ours. Thou could see that tis impervious to most attacks. We have made one misjudgment though..."

"And that is...?"

"We made it on the Moon without strengthening its suspension. It had no issues during live fire testing, but the conditions between the Earth and Moon are different."

"Another question, ma'am."

"Thou may proceed."

"You keep on referring yourself as 'we'. Care to explain?"

"Thou must not know of the Royal Canterlot traditions. It is tradition to address ourselves to our subjects by the 'Royal We'. And..."

"And...?"

"To use THIS MUCH VOLUME!!" Luna shouted thunderously.

"Owowow, me ears..."

"You think you have it bad!?" Nighty yelled, hooves covering her ears. Batponies usually have more sensitive ears than regular ponies.

"Do pardon us, but we wished only to demonstrate the Royal Canterlot Voice."

"It's okay, ma'am. Just please, please warn us before ye do that again," Cogswing said.

"We shall consider it next time."

"Also, there's another reason why you're here, right?"

"Thou is correct. We will bring back those thou hath thought fallen."

"WHAT!?" Dartboard shouted in surprise, "You mean-!" Luna nodded.

"We did not go back on our promise that none of thou will be killed. Though that changeling was very...tempting." Anton rubbed his neck.

"Bzzt...uh, we are okay now, yes...?" Anton said nervously.

"Thou need not to worry. As thou would say, 'it is now water under the road'."

"Sorry to correct you Princess, but...bzzzt...it's 'water under the bridge'."

"Anyway, those munition our followers used either stunned the target into a deathlike state, or transported them each into a empty pocket dimension while also having a explosive effect on any nonliving things. For the former, whenever they would go to sleep they would suffer through a nightmare created by a projection of us. 

"They were isolated from each other unless they were in physical contact. Even then they would be placed considerable distance from each other, with the only way they can find each other is through very careful hearing. Their internal clocks are also accelerated, causing them to sleep more often. The nightmares would slowly break their will. Eventually they would do anything to make the nightmares stop."

"Which includes submitting to your rule..." Dartboard said. She shuddered to think what kind of nightmares her sister was subjected to.

"Thou is correct."

"Talk about 'mind rape'," Spade whispered to Nighty.

"It is a most damning way to obtain followers, but as Machiavelli said: "It is better to be feared than loved." At least, that is what we had thought." Luna bowed her head shamefully. "If our subjects will not love us, we thought the only way was to have them fear us. But we had stopped the projections after we had reconciled with our sister. We do not want to hurt our subjects anymore."

"Wait, Machiavelli? But we only discovered Ancient books not more than a century ago!" Cogswing exclaimed.

"We had much time trapped on the Moon. One of our discoveries was a library filled with countless books of long ago. A Wrinkle In Time, 1984, Tom Sawyer, U.S. Army: 30 Handy Flamethrower Recipes, A Series of Unfortunate Events, How to Train Your Dragon, The Art of War, Underwater Basket Weaving: A Foal's Guide..."

"What?" Dartboard interrupted.

"Tis a useful skill. We befriended an entire Lunar Maria colony once by weaving baskets for everypony. We saved them from a giant squid not long after using the same skill to weave a net."

"Lunar Maria?" Spigot whispered to Spade.

"Moon seaponies," Spade replied, "A nice and hospitable lot, from what I've heard."

"There's water on the moon!?"

"Below the surface, actually."

"Reading was one of the things we would do to keep us from going mad," Luna continued, "for our old friends we either put into stasis, outright avoided us, or was taken by the Nightmares."

"And those are?" Anton asked.

"Beings of shadow that hold only malice and contempt. They twist whoever they control into a dark version of their former selves...including us."

"Is that how you became...?" Cogswing began to ask. Luna nodded. 

"But we let them in. We were weak. Like the legend said, we grew resentful of our sister because everypony lived in her day but slept during our beautiful night. There were still those that did appreciate it, but..."

"The Nightmares convinced you that you largely went unnoticed while Princess Celestia took all the credit," Cogswing said.

"Yes...they cloud your mind, distort your views, bring the darkest thoughts in your mind forward, and make you feel that their way is the only way. The worst part? You never know they're there until you are ready to accept them..." That statement gave everyone shivers.

"Bzzzt...what was it like to live with those things?" Anton asked.

"....That shall be a story for another time. We must now approach the task at hoof. Move away from us, and don't stand in any of the wreckage."

Everyone started to back away from Luna. She concentrated very hard. A blue aura formed around her horn, and a white glow developed at the tip. Luna then pointed her horn skywards.


	-----


"Far Shot, wake up," Chalkboard said. No response from Far Shot. She shook his shoulder. "Far Shot, please wake up..." 

His body stirred.

"Mmph...I was having such a good dream too..." he said.

"I think something's happening. I started feeling a breeze when I woke up," Chalkboard said to him.

"Grargh...Chalky, hit yourself," Far Shot told her.

"What? Why?" Chalkboard asked confusedly. 

"Need to make sure this isn't a recursive dream..." Far Shot replied.

"Um, I'm not sure about that..." Chalkboard said nervously.

"Fine, I'll do it," Far Shot said annoyedly. He slapped himself-it hurt just like last time.

"And how do I know you're not just a figment of my dre-" Chalkboard began to ask.

Far Shot grabbed Chalkboard's arm and then swiped his hoof on it.

"OW!" Chalkboard cried in pain.

"There. Not a dream."

The breeze intensified.

"Hey, you hear that?" Chalkboard asked.

"The wind or the rustling of leaves?" Far Shot asked.

"So you do hear it."

Suddenly their bodies started to glow white. They both started to feel a warm sensation.

"You think we're going over now?" Chalkboard asked sadly.

"If we are..." Far Shot grabbed Chalkboard's hoof. "It'll at least be with you, crew mate."

Chalkboard smiled and closed her eyes.


-----


Tendrils of energy poured out of Luna's horned and shot towards the sky. They then scattered and either went back down to the ground near her or darted to Canterlot. Most of the tendrils went into the tanks wrecks.

"Thou might want to shield thy eyes now!" Luna shouted. Everyone complied. In each of the wrecks vague shapes of ponies and other various species began to materialize from the light.

Dartboard briefly squinted open her eyes and looked at the remains of Chalkboard's tank. She gasped and ran towards it. Blaze, Carry, Merry, Alastair, and Loudmouth ran with her to the wreck. While the rest stayed clear of the wrecks, Dartboard ignored Luna's warning and walked closer to what remained of the M4A3E2.

Then the spell finished. A shockwave emanated from each of the wrecks. While most were far enough not to br affected, Dartboard was knocked back. She was flipped over before falling on her back.

Dartboard shook her head and then got back up. She ran to the tank and climbed up its hull. As its turret was blown clean off, she could see inside through the turret ring. Inside was a blinding light. It slowly dimmed.

As the glow faded away, Dartboard could make out the shape of Far Shot lying over Chalkboard. She guessed that he did it to protect Chalkboard.

When Chalkboard opened her eyes again, she saw that she was in the burnt out remains of her tank. She saw someone looking inside but couldn't identify them due to her vision being very blurry. She tried to sit up, but wasn't able to. Far Shot was lied down on top of her. He came to moments later and carefully got off. Now with her forelegs free, she rubbed her eyes.

"Ch-Chalky...?"

Chalkboard's vision became clear enough to see who it was.

"Dart?"

"SIS!"

Dartboard jumped into the tank and hugged Chalkboard tightly. Dartboard had tears of joy running down her face. Chalkboard returned the hug. Far Shot looked at the two sisters embracing each other and smiled.

"Chalky! Far Shot!" Blaze yelled. The rest of the crew, plus Alastair and Loudmouth, climbed up the hull of the tank. The rest of Loudmouth's crew came shortly after. Dartboard, Chalkboard, and Far Shot climbed out of the tank. The group tossed Chalkboard and Far Shot upwards, and then caught them and tossed them up again.

"Hahaha! It's good to be alive!" Chalkboard shouted. Eventually the group put the two down.

Luna looked at all the friends reuniting with each other. It warmed her heart that she was able to do this, but a tinge of regret remained as she was the one responsible for all this pain inflicted in the first place.

She turned around and headed back to Ponyville, where the Royal Guards were waiting to take her and her sister back to Canterlot.

"Hey," somepony said. Luna looked back. It was Far Shot.

"Oh. What is it do thou want?" Luna asked.

"Despite wounding my legs and putting me and Chalkboard through a pretty disturbing nightmare..." Far Shot began to say. Luna was worried that he might be considering hitting her in the eye. "...thank you. And welcome back." Far Shot held out a hoof.

Luna hesitated, then turned around and held out her hoof to shake his. 

"We'll meet again sometime," Luna said.

"That'll be nice. And tell your sister Far Shot said hello. That's me, by the way"

"It shall be done." Luna walked back to Ponyville. Merry quickly ran up to her.

"Hey! Princess Luna!" Merry shouted, "We have a song for you before you go!" Luna nodded. 

"We wish to hear it." Excited, Merry cleared her throat.

"We'll meet again,
Don't know where,don't know when,
But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day."

Loudmouth then sang the next part.

"Keep smiling through,
Just like you always do,
Till the blue skies drive those dark clouds, far away."

The next part then went to Pinkie.

"So will you please say hello,
To the folks that I know,
Tell them I won't be long,
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go
I was singing this song."

The three began singing together. The rest of the Mane Six joined in.

"We'll meet again,
Don't know where, don't know when,
But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day."

The crews of Chalkboard, Dartboard, and Loudmouth joined in.

"We'll meet again,
Don't know where, don't know when,
But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day."

By now, everyone started joining in singing.

"Keep smiling through,
Just like you always do,
Till the blue skies drive those dark clouds, far away."

Luna smiled. This was actually one of her favorite songs when she was trapped on the moon.

"So will you please say hello,
To the folks that I know,
Tell them I won't be long,
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go
I was singing this song."

Although as Nightmare Moon she didn't want to believe it, a small part of her listened to this song because she had hoped to see her sister again. She didn't care if she had to wait a thousand years for that-as long as she held on to that hope, she would be happy.

"We'll meet again,
Don't know where, don't know when.
But I know we'll meet again, some suuunnyy daaaayy!"

A small part of her as Nightmare Moon still loved the day her sister would bring fourth, and knew that her sister still loved her beautiful night.

She truly did love her subjects. And now she knows her subjects truly did love her too.

-END OF ACT 1-
> Intermission: The Desk of the Captain
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Attempted Coup Successfully Repelled, Royal Sister Returns-
As the sun rises once again over the city of Canterlot, the Equestrian flag still flies high and proud on Castle Canterlot despite the violence that broke out during the night. Soldiers of the Royal Army and Canterlot Defense Force have successfully prevented the Nightmare Cult forces from overtaking the city. While the reason is not yet disclosed, the cultists had surrendered when the sun rose. Amazingly, no deaths military or civilian have been confirmed although some military personnel have gone missing. 
This victory has since been overshadowed by news of Princess Luna's return. Though many are belligerent due to her apparent involvement in the attack on Canterlot and Celestia's disappearance, many more cheer for her return to the throne alongside her sister who had "reappeared just as the sun rose" as one eyewitness reported. Royal Guards have forbidden any news interview with Princess Luna. "Orders from Celestia. Give her some time to adjust, she said," one guard explained to the disappointed news reporters.

-VK Granted Kirov Plant License, Production Will Start Soon-
After pending for two months, Canterlot Royal Ordnance has authorized Vladhoof Korporation to produce Kirov Plant vehicles such as the renown T-34 and KV series tanks. VK has also secured license to produce the legendary Ilyushin IL-2 "Sturmovik". Request to gain access to the KV-150 and KV-122 has been denied. "These vehicles are still under testing and not yet ready for the factory line," one CRO official stated.

A KV-1, a VK representative stated that they will be testing out several proposed Ancient variants that never entered mass production back then.
-New Neurological Technology Discovered-
North of Fillydelphia, Royal Army surveyors found a form of Artificial Intellegence that was apparently designed to aid those with mental impairments. Their designation: Mimo. They are currently placed in storage as a method to implement them has not been figured out yet. There are rumors that some of the personnel responsible for finding them have befriended the AIs. "We are not confirming nor denying it," one officer stated.
-FMC Embarks on Another Ambitious Venture-
Fjord Motor Company, known for being a major producer of the KV and Churchill series of tanks, have volunteered to aid the Royal Army on restoration efforts on the T95 discovered weeks before. This surprised CRO officials as FMC had stated before that it was concentrating most of its R&D efforts on what it calls "Project Abraham". When asked if he is sure about helping the Royal Army despite already straining his resources, FMC CEO Jarl Fjord states that "It's no problem." Restoration begins tomorrow, as it was pushed back due to the recent attack on Canterlot.

Old photo of T95, on-site picture unavailable. "This [T95] is a very valuable find and thus must be handled with care," one Royal Army engineer stated.
-New Brain Drug Created-
In the pursuit of creating ways to enhance combat performance in desperate situations, one doctor has created a drug that enhances memory and mental clarity which allows for heightened awareness during the stress of combat and allows information be processed on a dime. This can also be used for civilian purposes. Two groups (the experimental group given the new drug while the control group were given placebos) were tested by first taking a high school level test before taking the drugs and then taking another test of the same level a week afterwards, this time given either the drug or a placebo. The experimental group showed greater overall improvement than the control group. "It also tastes rather minty," one of the testers stated. It has been agreed to call this intelligence enhancing drug by the name that the testers came up for it: Mint-als. 
-Hostility Between Nomadic Tankers and Diamond Dogs Continues, Situation Worsening-
Peace talks between the Jewel Dogs and the Nomadic Tankers have yet again devolved into insults and death threats. Royal Army attempts to discourage fights between the two are starting to become less effective. "Either you fight with us or you get out of our way!" one changeling of the Nomadic Tankers shouted, angered at the Royal Army's unwillingness to use force to help them reclaim their rightful home. "You are either with or against us, little pony," one diamond dog of the Jewel Dogs stated. The Royal Army forces in the Frontier are already stretched due to increased bandit activity and a seperate diplomatic crisis between the ponies of Appleloosa and a herd of bufallo lead by Chief Thunderhooves.

-----

Dear Captain Basil,

Last night has been a rough one hasn't it? Nothing keeps you up like a full blown battle right on your backyard. Or front step, whichever way fits better. From the news I read, it looks like Luna's magic worked. Amazing it is, how you can store magic. It can be inside a jar, a rock, a pendant, a tree...or a tank shell. I've got to admit-keeping your opponents alive and unharmed while making it look like you're actually killing them is a good show of force and intimidation while not damaging potential resource in the process. As they say, an experienced pilot is more valuable than the aircraft he or she flies. Though the price for repairing and replacing vehicles are going to be a little steep...I'll see what reserve vehicles we have to use. In the meantime, I'm going to have our troops in Ponyville take a little vacation. We'll shift the reserves in while our regulars get some well-deserved rest. 

Signed, 2nd Lieutenant Firehawk

P.S: If it isn't too much to ask, I'd like to request an audience with Princess Luna. When she's fine with accepting visitors, of course.


-After Action Report-
Chalkboard
[Training]
Commander, Driver
M4A3E8: 80%, 68%
M4A3E2: 78%, 53%
[Skills & Perks]
Mentor
Crew gains more experience
Educated (Commander)
Commander bonus is increased by a flat 3%.
Read the Manual
Training in a new tank is faster until 95% competence.

Far Shot
[Training]
Gunner, Commander
M4A3E8: 81%, N/A
M4A3E2: 78%, 52%
[Skills & Perks]
Anti-Boarder (Earth Pony)
Earth ponies are usually more physically adept and thus more capable of hoof to hoof combat. Additional training allows boarders to be fend off easily and quickly. Because of this, boarding attempts last a shorter amount of time. While a boarding attempt is in progress, the crew member with the Anti-Boarder skill will be inflicted a penalty on their crew role as they fight the boarder.
Recon
Increases view range and also increases the view range of a damaged viewport.
Loyal *New Perk Unlocked!*
One of the latent Elements of Harmony existing in all has manifested in this crew member.
Decreases chance of fellow crew being injured by 10% while adding it to the specific crew member's chance of being injured. When injured, crew role competence drops down to 50% instead of 0%. Increase crew role competence by 5% when a nearby ally is in danger, increase to 15% for a short time after ally has been knocked out. If an allied crew has the Honest or Honesty perk, remove their camouflage penalty and boost their view range.

Alastair
[Training]
Gunner-Soldier
Cromwell: 87%
M4A3E2: 70%
M4A3E8: 78%
[Skills & Perks]
Snap Shot
Decreases gun dispersion when traversing the turret.
Love-Hungry
Effective crew role competence depends on crew morale and status. If all crew is in action and morale is high, it is 110% of the total competence. If only the specific crew member is active and morale is low, it is 10%. The Camaderie skill increases minimal effective competence to 60% of total competence at maximum. If there are multiple allies with Camaderie, only the highest rating applies.
Anti-Boarder+ (Hiveless Changeling)
Changelings that have long since been intergrated into a society other than a Hive are more capable of independent action than a majority of their Hive-based brethren, while still maintaining the advantages of working in a group. While not the physically strongest, their natural chitinous armor grants them extra protection in hoof-to-hoof combat. Because of this, Hiveless Changelings are less likely to be knocked out of action when fighting during a boarding attempt and injury priority switches to them. While a boarding attempt is in progress, the crew member with the Anti-Boarder skill will be inflicted a penalty on their crew role as they fight the boarder. 
Camaderie 
Improves morale and crew competence of allies.
All You Need is a Little Love
Crew member can slowly recover and return to action after being knocked out of action. Speed of recovery depends on crew morale and crew status. Recovery can occasionally be very rapid due to the love taken from the intense worry and caring for the injured crew member. Chance of this happening increases if the crew has the Brother in Arms perk or if one of the other crew members has the Kind or Kindness perk. Recovery speed stacks with Medical Aid skill and the Kind and Kindness perks.

Trail Blazer
[Training]
Driver-Navigator
M4A3E8: 80%
M4A3E2: 78%
M7: 54%
[Skills & Perks]
Controlled Impact
Increases ramming damage given while decreasing ramming damage recieved. Both vehicles must be in motion. Skill does not go into effect against allied vehicles.
Scouting
Increases view range when vehicle is immobile and decreases the view range penalty inflicted by fog, mist, rain, and snow.
The Earth Pony Way (Pegasus)
For one reason or another, this pegasus crew member really doesn't mind being stuck on the ground. Increases crew role competence by a flat 5% when on soft fertile ground and the pegasus-specific morale penalty of being underground is removed.

Merry Melody
[Training]
Radio Operator
M4A3E8: 80%
M4A3E2: 78%
[Skills & Perks]
Camaraderie
Improves morale and crew competence of allies.
Songbird
Crew member can sing or play songs, which invokes general improvement of morale and crew competence of allies when active. Depending on the song, certain buffs will be granted such as lower gun dispersion or faster loading.
Random
Improve morale while also granting a random buff or debuff for the battle.

Carry All
[Training]
Loader
M4A3E8: 80%
M4A3E2: 78%
[Skills & Perks]
Clumsy Hooves
Occasionally loading will be paused for 3 seconds.
Intuition--
There will be a chance that the shell type will switch instantly when changing shell types, regardless of whether the gun was loaded and ready to fire or in the middle of the loading process. Sometimes the wrong shell is placed, and sometimes the reload time is doubled after switching shell types instead.

Loudmouth
[Training]
Commander
Jagdpanzer IV: 80%
StuG IV: 100%
[Skills & Perks]
Bigmouthed
When in direct combat, enemies will prioritize this vehicle over more vulnerable allies at the cost of camouflage. Morale and crew competence of allies are also improved. Enemies can still ignore this vehicle if a more dangerous ally is present.
Camaraderie
Improve morale and crew competence of allies.
Random
Improve morale while also granting a random buff or debuff for the battle.
Daring
Morale penalty inflicted by situations such as fighting in close combat with a tank destroyer are eliminated. Taking damage no longer inflicts morale damage. 
TANK DESTROYAH REPORTING!
*Unique Perk*
Crew competence in a tank destroyer is increased by a flat 10%. Tank destroyers also grants more experience.

Sleep Shot
[Training]
Gunner 
Jagdpanzer IV: 80%
StuG IV: 100%
Panzer III: 73%
[Skills & Perks]
Hypersomnia
Crew member occasionally falls asleep during battle. When this happens, crew role competence is reduced to zero. Immediately after waking up, crew role competence is restored and boosted a flat 10% for next five minutes.
Snap Shot
Reduced gun dispersion when traversing gun.
I'll Take a Nap
If engaging a slow vehicle with a slow reloading gun or being in a slow vehicle that hasn't encountered any action for a good amount of time, the crew member might just fall asleep from the lack of activity.
Remembrance *Unique Perk Unlocked!*
Now coming to terms with a past she didn't even knew she truly had until now, Sleep Shot has heightened alertness in the right situations.
Thinking about the past and remembering all the happy times she had in both this life and the one of long ago clears her mind, temporarily disabling Hypersomnia and I'll Take a Nap while decreasing aim time down to .01 seconds and boosting gunner competence by a flat 10% while perk is active. Anything that triggers a memory of the frightening times from long ago also disables Hypersomnia and I'll Take a Nap, but it actually slows down aim time slightly and decreases competence by a flat 5%. Fortunately, minimal spotting distance is increased to 100 meters when this happens.

Stingy Wheel
[Training]
Driver-Mechanic
Jagdpanzer IV: 80%
StuG IV: 100%
[Skills & Perks]
Repair+
Destroyed modules are repaired faster.
Clutch Braking
Increases vehicle turning speed.
Engine Blues
*Unique Perk*
For some reason engines really hate her, breaking down at the most inopportune times and at the slightest trauma. Engine durability is decreased by 10%. For what it's worth, she has gotten better at repairing engines, decreasing repair time for a destroyed engine by 50% and restoring it to 70% effectiveness in the process. This effect stacks with the Repair skill.

Butters
[Training]
Loader-Cook
Jagdpanzer IV: 80%
StuG IV: 100%
[Skills & Perks]
Clumsy Hooves
Occasionally loading will be paused for 3 seconds.
Tasty Meals
Occasionally crew and all allies will gain a flat 10% boost to all crew training and skills for the battle.
Oily Shells
*Unique Perk*
Cooking grease makes for surprisingly good shell lubricant. Reload time is decreased by 4 seconds. Guns with a reload time shorter than 4 seconds receives a 50% reduction instead. When a shell hits the vehicle it will occasionally pause reloading for 4 seconds.

'Ugegob Iron'oof
[Training]
Commander-Warboss
Crusader: 97%
[Skills & Perks]
Get ta Da WAAAGH!
Allied vehicles with at least one orkpony crew member will gain a 10% speed bonus.
Da Warboss
"Orkpony Warbosses are some of the scariest individuals to ever fight one-on-one, but it's a kind of godsend for allies. A warboss rally other orkponies using sheer size and strength, though it's not uncommon to see warbosses not much bigger than a burly Earth Pony. There are even instances of warbosses that are only as big as a average pony. These are no less dangerous as they still have enough strength to carry a large weapon into battle without breaking a sweat, Lil 'Ugechoppa being a prominent example. Even non-orkponies have their morale boosted at the sight of one if he's on their side." -Excerpt from "A Study of Equine Species". If dat wuz too much ova mouthful for ya brainless gits, allied orkponiez gain a flat 7% ta crew compahtans and uddah allies gain 3% crew compahtans. Also loik da book sez, dey also run away less.
Anti-Boarder+ (Orkpony Warboss)
Oi! Wot's dis lil boarda thinks 'eez doing'!? GERROFF ME WAGON!
Tiny (Orkpony Warboss)
In reality "Warboss small" means they are just a little bigger than a average pony, which is pretty much normal Orkpony size. Youse call me small, an' I'll krump ya. Allied orkponies do not gain warboss bonus until the vehicle knocks out three enemy vehicles or has killed six boarders. Enemy orkponies gain a flat 7% crew competence beforehand but loses 7% instead when warboss vehicle has knocked out three vehicles or killed six boarders.

Zzapgutz Burnydeff
[Training]
Driver-Mekboy
Crusader: 97%
[Skills & Perks]
Red Wunz Go Fasta!
Tank is painted red, boosting its speed but reducing its camouflage by 10%. The better the paint job, the faster it goes.
Expert Repair 
Destroyed modules are repaired faster and can be restored to 60% effectiveness. 
More Dakka
Reload times are decreased. Only unlockable by Mekboyz.
Mekanikul Geenieus
There's always something cooking up inside a Mekboy's brain. Experience costs for regular modules are cut in half and "speshul" variants can be researched.

'Ard'ead
[Training]
Gunner-Slugga Boy
Crusader: 97%
[Skills & Perks]
Aiming? Wot's dat?
Automatic weapons including the Six-Pounda will inflict knockback if they do not outright kill those who are hit when perk is activated. Rate of fire is increased and aiming time is decreased at the cost of increased gun dispersion and decreased maximum accuracy.
Anti-Boarder+ (Orkpony)
If any git tries ta board da tank, he's gon' 'ave all 'is teef kicked in. Might also lose a limb or two.
Bioniks
Crew member can be returned to action using a repair kit instead of a medical kit.

*We have new recruits!*
Applejack
[Training]
Commander
Wolverine: 50%
[Skills & Perks]
Stubborn (Commander)
When this crew member puts their heart on something, nothing will stop them. Aim locking a enemy for the first time marks them instead. Only one can be marked at a time. Marked enemies take longer to disappear when out of view range and are spotted faster by this vehicle. Fellow crew members receive an additional 6% to commander bonus when perk is activated.
The Earth Pony Way (Earth Pony)
All earth ponies have a natural connection with nature, though it is prevalent in some more than others. Increase crew role competence by 10% when on soft fertile ground.
Honest *New Perk Unlocked!*
One the latent Elements of Harmony existing in all has manifested in this crew member.
Increases radio and view range by 30%. When their respective modules are damaged, this is increased to 60% to compensate. Enemy vehicles recieve a 40% penalty to their overall camouflage, while the vehicle itself receives a 70% camouflage penalty. When a allied crew has the Generous or Generosity Perk, eliminate their self repair time penalty and increase their allied repair time bonus.
> Act 2 Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Act 2: Snow and Sand


June 12, 1000
Canterlot

Just a century ago, who would have thought that ponies could fly into the stratosphere? And how do we tell those dreamers that we now use their dreams for war?

Lieutenant Rainbow Gallop leaned against the side of his olive-grab airplane, musing over the great ironies of warfare. His mind was in a daze. His eyes pointed absent-mindedly at the summer sky and watched as a flock of geese flew past. He took another puff from his cigarette and nonchalantly crushed it underneath his hooves. War. War never changes. It never did for the Ancients, and it never did for the Equestrians. He looked over at the runway-there were still scorch marks and small craters from yesterday. Luckily the engineers were able to get it back into usable condition.

“Lieutenant Gallop, sir?” A voice called out from behind him, “The messages are packed and ready to go.”

Rainbow Gallop turned around and saw a gray unicorn mare approaching, levitating a large paper envelope. “Here ya go,” she chirped, “Sign here.” She telekinetically placed the envelope on the plane’s engine cowling and took out a clipboard and pen.

Gallop yeaned, grabbed the pen in his mouth, and scribbled down his name. “Secret documents?” He asked, noting the label on the envelope. The gray mare nodded and walked away.

The lieutenant grabbed the envelope and tossed it into the cabin of the airplane. He hopped onboard and strapped himself into the pilot seat.

The plane was a Piper L-4 “Grasshopper”—a marvel of Ancient engineering. Perhaps “marvel” was not the appropriate term; the plane could be better described as “ingeniously simple”. Some planes, like the Grummane F6F Hellcat, had more a dozen gauges; the Grasshopper only had five. The plane itself was largely just fabric covering a tubular steel frame attached to a pair of wooden wings. The aircraft was powered by a Continental O-170-3 engine producing a mere 65 horsepower; some motorcycles had bigger engines. The plane had no flaps, no retractable landing gear, and no frills. It was a rugged, reliable, and practical plane—a true spartan machine.

Rainbow Gallop closed the door of the aircraft and put on his headset. “Canterlot Tower, this is Raven one, requesting permission for takeoff. Runway four.”

“Raven one, you are cleared for takeoff. Runway four. Have a nice flight.”

Rainbow Gallop reached behind him and turned the magneto starter switch. The engine spluttered and then roared to life. He released the brakes and gently pushed the throttle forward. The plane eagerly cruised forward along the taxiway. When he reached the runway, he stopped briefly, lined up his aircraft, and gunned the engine. The airplane accelerated and lifted off the ground.

Gallop climbed to 1500 feet and then eased the throttle back to a leisurely 75 mph. Down below, he could still clearly see Canterlot Castle, shining like a jewel in the sunset. Flying a Grasshopper wasn’t as flashy or exciting as flying a Mustang or Spitfire, but its pilots always enjoyed the best views.

The pilot took out his map. His destination was Ponymunde, an Equestrian outpost near the arctic sea. It was his first time flying there, and it was getting dark. Fortunately, it was summer, and the sun rarely sets that far north in the summer. 

Gradually, grassy plains gave way to icy forests and tundra. The lieutenant didn’t mind; the Plexiglas canopy served as a nice greenhouse, keeping him warm. Normally, pegasi pony messengers would be used for simple message delivery, but they couldn’t fly that far north. Ponymunde relied solely on bush pilots like himself to deliver messages and supplies.

The flight was boring and uneventful. Rainbow Gallop considered reading the messages for their entertainment value but decided against it. He made it to Ponymunde without any difficulties. He circled the outpost once and then landed on a short, unpaved airstrip. He left the engine running to prevent the values from freezing.

The cold was biting, and the pilot uniform hardly gave any insulation. Rainbow Gallop wanted to make the delivery as quick and painless as possible. He bit into the corner of the envelope and galloped to the command center. He dropped off the messages to a secretary and flew home.

-----

Not far away from where Rainbow Gallop was, there was a commotion inside the base. A male pegasus was chasing after a female changeling.

"There is no escape, changeling!" Steel Lance yelled, pointing his dueling sword at the changeling. He had his opponent cornered at the end of a corridor with a locked door. The changeling's blue eyes looked at the tank commander in pure terror. Out of desperation, she pulled out her only weapon-a dueling sword not unlike Steel Lance's. 

She screamed and charged at him, attempting to bring the sword down on his head. He easily blocked the attack. He then shoved his opponent back, throwing her off balance. She awkwardly regained balance-flying was not her forte. Steel Lance took advantage of the opening his opponent had just provided him-he attacked with slashes and jabs, which the changeling only barely managed to block or dodge. 

He then attempted to slash her. The changeling was able to block it-just as Steel Lance anticipated. He slid his sword in a circular pattern, slowly twisting the changeling's foreleg. Once he felt that his opponent's foreleg was strained far enough, he slammed his opponent as he made her unable to respond to the attack. This knocked her to the ground. He then pointed his sword at the face of the defeated changeling.

"You lose," he said, "That wasn't the best, but you're improving." Steel Lance sheathed his sword. He then held out his hoof. The changeling took it.

"I'm never going to get the hang of this," she said.

"Hey, even experts were rookies once, Twinkie."

"Says the one who's been doing this since he was a little colt."

"Staff Sergeant Steel Lance, Corporal Twinkle Star," a base guard interrupted, "there's a briefing for your platoon in five minutes." Steel Lance nodded.

"You think it's something important, Lance?" Twinkle Star asked.

"It could be just another patrol mission, we'll see," Steel Lance replied.

-----

First Lieutenant Icy Wind, a blue unicorn with a light blue mane, would always hold briefings in a floorless tent. Inside the tent it usually felt pretty cold due to the tent entrance being left open most of the time and the ground being mostly snow. Icy Wind suggested this setup as to get troops acclimated to the cold weather-as the base was well insulated and heated and thus provided a nice respite from the frigid conditions outside. 

The briefing tent had various barrels in it-some holding maps and tools, others serving as improvised tables for radio equipment and lamps. In the middle of the tent was a large table that would have on it documents and maps relevant to the mission at hoof. In addition to being a briefing room, it also had several chairs, a bookcase, and a reading desktop. There was even a bed in one corner where the First Lieutenant would sleep on.

"Evenings, everyone!" Icy Wind greeted enthusiastically. The others in the tent greeted back. Despite her name and her cutie mark-a snowflake with a blue ice covered heart in the middle-she had a very warm personality and usually talked in a cheerful tone.

"Everyone had a good day so far?" Several replied positively. She then pulled out a pointer rod with her magic. "Good! Now, I just gotten some docs from Canterlot-orders are that we investigate this area-" She used the pointer rod to circle a area of considereable distance to the east of Ponymunde. "-right here. Evidently there is an unexplored Ancient ruin located right in this area."

The map didn't give away any discernable features of the area Icy Wind had just talked about. It was just a completely blank space where she pointed at.

"There are also reports of increased activity of bandits and various monsters that roam the area between here and there," Icy Wind continued, "In order to deal with this, two of our allies will also be in on the mission.

"This mission shall be acted out with the help of the Muscovites and House Leonid. Queen Anastasia has been kind to offer us aid from one of her Guards Divisions, the 4th Guards Tank Division, also known as the 'Pride of the Federation'. The 7th Joint Motor Rifle Division will also be participating. House Leonid will be providing us with a detachment of the 8th Royal Rangers.

"You will rendevouz with them here:" Icy pointed at a circle somewhat close to the base. "Hope some of you know a little Northern. Not everyone meeting up with you will be able to speak Equestrian English.

"There's also something else of importance I have to tell you. Canterlot recieved a quite particular letter. It is because of this letter that we are undertaking this mission. Let me read it out loud. A-HEM...
To Whom This May Concern,
There is a ruin about 126 miles to the east of Ponymunde. You may find something useful there. We shall also be waiting there for you. If you want to find out more about the technology you have rediscovered, please seek us out.
-WG"

"Ominous..." Clear Canvas, a brown earth pony with a red mane, commented.

"Yes, well..." Icy Wind continued, "we can't be too sure if this a trap or not. We'll try to estabish contact with whoever they are on a open broadcast when we approach the ruins. Any questions?"

"Our allies aren't just there fer the sake of helping us, right?" Sharp Turn asked. He was a green unicorn with a rather unkempt brown mane and tail.

"You're partially right," Icy Wind replied, "The Muscovites only want whatever is relevant to Russian history, so if its something like a painting or a book or a old tank with the Soviet Star or Federation Tricolor on it we will have to consider hoofing it over to them. House Leonid wants to have a sample of whatever weaponry, battlefield protection, and vehicles that might be there. If there is conflict on who gets what, we're going to have to make some compromises."

"That seems like a fair enough deal," Steel Lance commented.

"Any other questions before we start?" Icy Wind asked. No one responded. "Good. Dismissed, and good luck everyone!"
> Chapter 11: Snowblind
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crews ran to their vehicles and prepared to move out. Along with them, several soldiers boarded halftracks. Steel Lance and Twinkle Star went over to one of the partially occupied ones. Twinkle climbed onto it. As she went to sit down, she looked at the other passengers nervously. She started fiddling around with her scoped Lee-Enfield.

"Alright, now before we head out I want to know by name some of you new lads and lasses who will be with us today," Lance said.

"I am Sergeant Resin of the 7th Joint Motor Rifles, recently transferred," a male changeling carrying a PPSh-41 replied, "My new squad is waiting at the rendezvous."

"Private Chernov, 7th Joint Motor Rifles. Same as Serzhant Resin-recently transferred," another male changeling, this one carrying a Mosin-Nagant, replied.

"Sergeant Cheshire, 20th Equestria Royal Armored Division," a female earth pony carrying a Lee-Enfield replied, "And here's Corporal Ditch, Corporal Vinney, Private Mackerel...and Duffy." She pointed at a male unicorn with a Sten gun, a female pegasus with a Bren LMG, a male bat pony with a Lee-Enfield, and a male earth pony with another Lee-Enfield respectively.

"You sounded a little put off at mentioning Duffy," Lance commented,

"When you get stuck with a pony like him, you'd feel the same," Cheshire replied.

"Oi, I heard that," Duffy interjected.

"You were supposed to, Duffy," Cheshire retorted. She then took notice of Twinkle.

"You're the new pony-err...changeling?" Cheshire asked Twinkle.

"C-corporal Twinkle Star, reporting for d-d-duty m-ma'am," she fidgeted. 

"She'd prefer it that others refer to her as a pony," Lance replied, "Also, she gets a little nervous around some of her superiors."

"Ah, well nothing to worry about, lassy. I won't bite," Cheshire reassured. Twinkle smiled back weakly.

"Anyways, remember to cover up. It's going to get cold out there," Lance reminded Twinkle.

"R-r-right..." Twinkle replied. She closed her eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and then was briefly surrounded by green fire. When the flames disappeared, a yellow unicorn that had the same green mane and blue eyes was in Twinkle Star's place. She had a cutiemark of a set of piano keys. She opened her eyes again and exhaled.

"You two acquaintances?" Cheshire asked.

"You could say that. I'm her stepbrother."

"Ah. Well rest assured, I'll make sure she stays safe."

"EVERYONE READY UP, WE HEAD OUT IN THIRTY SECONDS!" a sergeant in a halftrack up ahead yelled. The gates leading outside the base began to slowly open.

"Right. Good luck then. I'll be in the Crusader in the front." Lance hurried to his tank.

"So...is Duffy just a nickname?" Twinkle asked nervously.

"Hm? Oh yeah, me actual name's Duffel Bag," Duffy answered, "But no ane really bothers to call me that anyways."

Meanwhile, Lance had opened the hatch of his tank and got inside. When he climbed in, a male earth pony driver and female unicorn gunner were already at their stations.

"Evenings, Lance," the unicorn greeted.

"Same to you, Crest," Lance greeted back, "Hey, Press, you having a good day so far?"

"Other than the bloody snowdrifts, it's been just fine," the earth pony answered.

"Alright, the gates are open! Convoy, move out!" the lead tank, a Cromwell, declared. The vehicles that followed consisted of two T-70s, one T-80, three Crusaders, two SU-76s, three M5 halftracks, two Panzer IVs, and three M4A1 Shermans.

-----

Not far away, another group of vehicles were waiting. It consisted of mostly T-34s of both the 76 and 85 millimeter gun models, numbering to 8 of the tanks total. Amongst these tanks were two US6 trucks and three M5 half tracks. There was also two tanks that looked very similar to M4 Shermans, and one tank destroyer built on a T-34 chassis.

"Сколько еще мы должны ждать, Алексей?" a female griffon standing on a T-34/85 asked.
[How much more should we wait, Alexei?]

"Не слишком долго. Наездники не известно, обычно поздно," the male changeling commander of the T-34/85 replied.
[Not too long. The Equestrians are not known to be habitually late.]

"Эй, подожди. Я вижу их приходит сейчас," the changeling T-34/85 gunner declared.
[Hey, wait. I see them coming now.]

"This is Starshiy Serzhant Alexei Kolpachi to Equestrian forces. Can you hear this transmission?"

"Staff Sergeant Steel Lance of the 20th Equestrian Royal Armor Division, E company. We hear you."

"Lance? Haha, is good to see you again, my friend! Bzzzt, how is your sister doing?"

"Mmrph.."

"Pretty okay except for you making her very nervous with your buzzing. You know she has a phobia of bugs."

"HA! And ironic one at zat!"

"U-um...p-please don't do that again..."

"I vill try. Still, you should stop being like doormat."

"Hey, I'm not a doormat!"

"Can ve get on vith zis already?" the female griffon interjected.

"Wot's the matter, Helga? Can't we just have a few minute of reunion?" Lance asked.

"It is getting dark very quick. Ve should try to get zere as fast as possible," Helga retorted.

"Da, da. You were always to ze point. Fitting for a Royal Ranger, but still..." Alexei commented.

"She's right. Let's try to cover as much ground before the sun goes down," Lance said. The convoy began its long drive to the ruins. Several soldiers accompanied them on foot, weapons ready for any raiders that tried to intercept the convoy.

"Everyone, switch to global frequency," the Cromwell commander said, "Keep in radio contact-weather conditions might render you unable to see the rest of us if you stray too far."

"Lance, let us team up again," Alexei said.

"Gladly," Lance replied. The Crusader drove alongside the T-34-85, close enough for the two commanders to clearly see each other..

"Oh, before I forget...meet our new SU-100, Shiva," Alexei said. He pointed to the tank destroyer driving on the opposite side to the Crusader. Its commander, a female changeling, poked her head out of the commander's hatch. and waved.

"Shiva...god of destruction. How fitting for something already nicknamed the Pizdets Vsemu," Lance commented. The SU-100's commander giggled.

"Da! A SU-100 can take on Tigers without breaking single sweat," Alexei said, "Wish your sister had some yesterday night, yes?"

"It would have been much more helpful, but we didn't know Nightmare Moon had several dozens of those hidden in the forests."

Steel Lance then noticed the other curious sight in the allied convoy. It was the two M4 Sherman lookalikes. They were indeed Shermans, but with a "refurbished" look to them. To be specific, they were lend-lease tanks that were given to the Soviet Union. Which meant these were practically museum pieces. One of them had a "crab flail" mounted on its front. Lance smirked at the sight of it-while crab flails were used for clearing out minefields it was also infamous for turning anything else that got in its way into the consistency of chunky salsa.

Other than the curious sights in the convoy itself drive was rather uneventful, bar the few times when one of the vehicles got stuck in a snow drift. As it was dangerous to be alone when the sun was going down, the convoy would pause and help in getting the vehicle unstuck. Soon night would come. Lance closed his eyes and leaned against the turret's interior. 

-----

"Everyone watch your twelve o'clock. We got enemy Victors closing."

"So much for the element of surprise, they know where the satellite's goin'!"

"How the hell could they know? You hacked the God damn satellite!"

"How could they know? Look up!"

-----

"Oi, commander. You alright?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. Was just dozing off a little bit. Not much to do right now."

The snow began to come down harder than before. The arctic wind also began to pick up, blowing back several soldiers that were traveling by foot.

"Blizzard is picking up. We should move faster," Resin said.

"I-I c-can't-t s-serzh-zh-zhant" one of the changeling soldiers marching replied, "...M-my h-h-hooves are f-f-freezing..."

"Get in ze halftrack and varm up," Alexei said, "Speaking about zat, everyone, get on a vehicle. You're just slowing us down otherwise."

Suddenly something else was howling.

"Chto eto bylo?" a changeling soldier asked.
[What was that?]

"YA ne znayu ... podnyat'sya na bort." Resin replied.
[I'm not sure...climb aboard.]

Three changeling soldiers ran to the infantry halftrack Resin was in. The blizzard made it gradually harder to see. Two managed to climb aboard-the third was lagging behind.

"Davay! Bystro!" Resin shouted.
[Come on! Quickly!]

"YA idu," the soldier yelled, "ya id-AAARGH!"
[I'm coming, I'm coming-]

The changeling was thrown onto the ground and dragged away, disappearing into the blizzard. His screaming continued on for a short moment afterwards, and was then silenced.

"Chyort!" Resin cursed, "Eto ne khorosho..."
[Damn! This isn't good...]

"Serzhant!" Private Chernov shouted, "My dolzhny spasti ye-!" 
[Sergeant! We have to rescue him!]

"I riskov ostal'nuyu chast' nashey zhizni tozhe? On uzhe mertv Oboroten' , Chernov. Tam my nichego ne mozhem sdelat'."
[And risk the rest of our lives too? He's already a dead changeling, Chernov. There is nothing we can do.]

"N-no...Serzhant Smola..."
[B-but...Sergeant Resin...]

"Pover'te mne, ryadovoy. YA poteryal ves' otryad odin raz, chtoby chto-to vrode etogo ... YA ne khochu, chtoby eto povtorilos'."
[Trust me, private. I lost my entire squad once to something like this...I don't want it to happen again.]

"Kak ty vyzhil?" the first changeling that climbed aboard asked.
[How did you survive?]

"Kto skazal, chto ya sdelal?" Resin replied, "No eto budet istoriya dlya drugogo raza, ryadovoy."
[Who said I did? But that will be a story for another time, private.]

"Report in, what happened?"

"One of our soldiers was taken by...something. Better find a vehicle to get on, and quickly."

"Shiva, reporting. I think I saw something in ze blizzard."

"I think I see it too..." Helga added, "okh yebat'."

Running into sight were several large werewolf-like creatures. Their white coat made them hard to see under current conditions. Twinkle looked out the halftrack for a moment to see what was the commotion was about-she then immediately sat back down and tucked herself tight into a ball, shivering not due to cold but due to fright. 

"Chyort! Vinter vorgens, take zem down!" a griffon soldier yelled. The tanks in front opened up on the winter worgens with their machine guns. The worgen quickly scampered away and disappeared into the blizzard.

"I hate those mudaks..." Resin said seethingly.

"We heard gunfire from the front!", a driver of a M5 in the rear said, "What happened?"

"We got bloody worgs stalking us," Lance replied.

"Och, for Celestia's sake. Is a pony with a gun not scary enough for thae stupid dugs?" Sharp Turn, driving one of the other Crusaders, commented. "I don't think thay even know how dangerous a tank is."

"It's not going to be safe driving in the dark anymore," the commander of the Cromwell said, "Everyone, switch on lights."

Gradually, each vehicles' spotlights were switched on, illuminating the way ahead. The glow also in turn lit up the snow, which was currently being furiously rained down to the ground. 

-----

The snowing was intense enough to coat much of the vehicles with a thin white layer. It was even worse for the two SU-76s, in which due to being open-topped had the crew compartment filled up to knee length. The commander of the first one opened the door in the rear, shoving out the snow. The second followed soon after. The first SU-76 had an all changeling crew, while the second one had a all pony crew.

"Brr...I h-hate t-t-this c-c-c-cold..." the first SU-76's driver said. He looked a little odd in comparison with his fellow changelings as his mane and tail are rainbow colored and his body is a light blue.

"Vell zat's vhat happens vhen you live outside of the North, Isaiah. Cold resistance is trained in, not inherited," the gunner replied. She looked more like the average changeling, minus the fact that she is somewhat taller than the rest, has a broken horn, and a half torn off wing. 

"B-b-bah...I p-prefer w-w-warm p-p-places any t-t-time..."

"Krikiki, ve know you live in Ponyville because you're obsessed wiz zat rainbow maned pegasus."

"Oh hardy h-har-har, Misha. It's c-called being a fan."

"Is it any different? You even changed your last name to 'Dash'. If I didn't know better, I'd say you-" Isaiah turned his head around to face Misha. 

"Misha, you b-better watch y-your mouth before I turn g-g-get up and s-s-sock all your t-teeth out."

"Bring it." Misha readied herself for a brawl. This was not the first time she had to teach a hotshot first-year that messing with a veteran was not a good idea. Isaiah was just about to take his hind hoof off the gas pedal when the loader put himself between the two changelings. While he had remained quiet during the conversation, he had to intervene before it could disrupt the mission.

"Would you both cut it out?", the loader said annoyedly, "We already have enough problems traveling out here in the night. We don't need juvenile crap like this getting us killed." Although not as stand out as Isaiah, the loader still looked a little odd for a changeling-he has a blonde mane and tail, his green eyes were like that of a pony's, and he had a cutie mark of a shotgun shell.

"Zat'll be enough, Sergeant," the commander said in a calm yet firm tone. The commander looked the most like a typical changeling out of the four with the exception of being taller than all of them but Misha and having a slightly molted grey color. In addition to the winter coats that the crew was wearing, the commander also had a thin steel chain on his neck with a blue glass-like shard attached to it.

The loader flared his nostrils, then went back to his position in the crew compartment. Misha and Isaiah decided that fighting each other was not going to solve anything and focused back on their tasks.

"I swear, they're worse than the recruits I had to handle back in Germaneigh..." the loader muttered. The commander sighed, directing his attention back to surveying the area as the SU-76 slogged through the snow with the rest of the vehicles.

Meanwhile, up near the middle of the convoy, Resin repetitively looked outside the half track, alert for any more threats that dared approach the convoy. On occasion he would see shapes skirting on the edge of the lights. He was certain that these were more of the worgs. Sometimes though he saw snow being tossed up in the distance in a peculiar way. He couldn't exactly put his hoof on it, but it did not look like any old animal running through the snow.

"Um....Serzhant Smola?" one of the changeling soldiers aboard asked.

"Yes, private...?" Sergeant Resin replied.

"It's Feodora. You seem very on edge right now."

"I don't think we have only worgs lying in wait."

"Bandits?"

"Most likely. And they don't seem to be of the knives and spears kind."

Twinkle Star, overhearing the short exchange, clutched her Lee-Enfield tighter. The rest were also nervous at the prospect that the type of bandits they're going to be dealing with are properly equipped.

"Hey, you all seeing this?" the driver said. Resin looked towards the front-up ahead there is a faint glow off in the horizon. As the vehicles got closer, the silhouettes of buildings could be seen.

"We're nearly at the ruins!" the Cromwell commander declared, "Pick up the pace, lads and lasses!"

*Thunk!*

"What the-"

*Plink!*

"We got fire coming at us!" the tank right behind declared.

"From the ruins?!"

"No, on our right flank!"

Poking out from behind a snowdrift was four T-34s. They were painted white with small stripes of grey showing from underneath it.

"We got bandits attacking! They have bloody tanks!"

More T-34s appeared from behind the snowdrifts. They began charging right towards the convoy.

"All tanks and tank destroyers, engage those bandit tanks! The rest of you, get to the ruins!"

Following their orders, the combat vehicles in the convoy stopped and aimed their guns at the advancing tanks while the trucks and halftracks made a beeline to the ruins. Just as the first shots were to be fired, the ground exploded beside the T-34 leading the charge. This caused the tank to be flipped onto its side.

"Friendly artillery? Where did that come from?!" Crest exclaimed. Lance opened the hatch in time to see another artillery shell being shot from the ruins and right into another bandit T-34.

"Well, what are you waiting for?!" the Cromwell's commander shouted, "Fire on them!"

The impromptu defensive formation came alive with muzzle flashes, shells barraging the the charging tanks. In addition, those riding on the tanks that had anti-tank rifles contributed to the storm of firepower. Despite this, the T-34s did not falter and approached optimal firing range. While many got hit the moment they stopped to fire, a few managed to pull of a shot.

One shell found its mark into the front of Steel Lance's Crusader. It flew right through the driver's compartment.

"Gah!" Press shouted in pain. Several shards of metal buried themselves right into him. Lance grabbed the medical kit attached inside the turret and pulled him out of the driver's seat to tend to his wounds.

"Lance, your tank's been hit! Status report!" the Cromwell's commander demanded.

"Our driver's wounded, but we can still fight!" Lance replied, "Crest, target that wanker!"

"On it!" Crest complied. She took aim at the offending tank, and fired. The 6 pounder shell tore into the front, through the hull machine gun. Another T-34 attempted to drive right into the Crusader. It got its right front sprocket shot off by a anti-tank rifle. Right after, a 85mm shell destroyed the vehicle.

"No one messes with our friend!" Alexei shouted.

"Thanks for the save!" Lance said.

"Another T-34 closing to your left!" Helga announced.

"Crest! You heard her!" Lance commanded.

"Already at it!" Crest replied. Turning the turret accordingly, she fired another shot at the T-34 that Helga spotted.

The bandit tanks were destroyed in droves. Eventually, with much of the bandits decimated, the surviving tanks fled. 

"Phew, I think we did it."

"Alright, let's regroup with the rest of the convoy."

"Sergeant Cheshire here, we've met with the contacts. You won't believe who they are."

"Roger that. Get mov-"

Suddenly, the rear half of the Cromwell was blown apart. The force of the explosion also partially ripped the turret from its ring.

"Hey, you okay?! What happened?!"

No response.

"Cromwell's knocked out!" the T-80's commander yelled, "Taking fire from an unknown source!"

"This is Shiva, we see it!" The SU-100 shined its light on a misshapen snowdrift. Only except it was not a snowdrift at all.

"IS-2! TWO OF THEM! OH BLOODY HELL, GET US OUT OF HERE!" one of the Crusader commanders yelled. The second IS-2 aimed at one of the Shermans. In panic, the crew quickly tried to abandon their vehicle. The IS-2 fired, destroying the Sherman. The last crew member to get out, the driver, was thrown to the ground by the blast.  The SU-100 fired at the first IS-2. Its shell penetrated the front once. The IS-2 traversed its turret to the SU-100.

Just as the first IS-2 was about to fire again, a tank shell smashed it into its side and destroyed its ammunition, causing the turret to be blown off. The second IS-2, intimidated by the sudden and violent destruction of its partner, backed out of sight.

"Cheshire here, our 'friends' managed to fix up that little problem you were having. Come along now, they don't have all day."

The surviving vehicles resumed their drive towards the ruins. After making sure that Press was stable, Lance took his place at the driver's seat. Three M5 halftracks were parked at the entrance into the ruins.

"Follow me. I vill take you to meeting place," a gruff, male voice said on the radio. One of the M5 halftracks drove back into the ruins. The other two drove towards the knocked out tanks. Next to the Cromwell wreck were its loader and driver; the rest of the crew didn't make it out. The Sherman's crew was huddled not far away from their destroyed tank. 

As Lance's Crusader entered the ruins, he noticed a hard to see shape-it was a tank with a very large and long gun. There was still some residual firing smoke-this was the tank that took out the IS-2.

-----

The inside of the ruins did not look as dilapidated as the outside. Some of the buildings looked almost freshly built or at the very least renovated. The roads were well-maintained. There was even working telephone poles, though they only ran through certain parts of the ruins.

That wasn't the surprising part. What was surprising was that there were actually ponies and changelings living here. Guards stood ready on sentry posts, farmers were tending to crops, and there were even a few shops here and there that sold items that Lance has never seen before. He also noticed several bipedal creatures along with them-they looked similar to apes, but they stood up perfectly straight and lacked body hair. Those creatures were all wearing fully body winter wear-presumably just to keep warm due to having no fur. Lance swore he knows what these creatures were-but could not exactly remember what they were called. There was one point where they passed a few artillery pieces-the crews, consisting of both ponies, changelings, and the creatures, were idly chatting away.

Eventually the halftrack stopped in front of a building, which already had several vehicles parked there including the halftracks and trucks from the convoy. Judging by the simplistic red, white, and blue striped flag flying on top of the roof and how it is taller than all the other buildings, this was the town hall. The driver got out, went to the door of the building, and motioned them inside-Lance noticed that he too was one of the bipedal creatures. Several crew members from each vehicle got out and followed the creature inside. Several of the soldiers riding the vehicles also got off.

The town hall was very spacious-the lobby room had enough chairs for everyone to be seated in and more. There was a vacant reception desk near the back on it was a receiver for a intercom system. The creature went to the desk, put on a headset, and pushed the button on the receiver. It looked almost brand new in comparison to the desk-which was positively ancient.

Wait, ancient, ancient, ancient...oh, right, they're Ancients!, Lance thought. He was amazed that he was seeing living, breathing members of the species in these ruins. Maybe they haven't went extinct as everyone thought they did?

"Ostal'noye zdes'," the Ancient says. After a few seconds, he takes off the headset.
[The rest are here]

"Alright, ze information has already been given to one of your comrades to review," he says, "If zere is any questions you need to ask, ze people who have ze answers vill be vaiting in the conference room, third floor. You're free to explore ze building, but don't do anything funny." He then opens the door at the back of the room. It leads into a hallway. Immediately to the right is a mail room, with several letter desks inside. While most of the crews headed towards the stairs at the end of the hallway, Lance stopped at the mail room.

"Hm, maybe I should write a letter to Smartmouth and Mel..." Lance pondered. He went over to one of the desks and took out two envelopes and two pieces of paper. He then grabbed a quill with his mouth, dipped it in the ink well, and began to write on the first paper. Alexei, curious, went over to look at what Lance was writing.

"'Dear Smartmouth'? Hey, you vriting letter to your girlfriend again?" Alexei commented. Lance carefully put the quill back into the ink well and then turn to speak with Alexei.

"Alexei, I already told you, we're just friends," Lance replied.

"HAH! 'Just friends', eh? I've heard zat one before. A couple says zey're just friends, and zen vhat do you know? Five months later zey get married."

"Alexei..."

"Ah calm down, moi droog! I vas just messing vith you."

-----

"Ah-aah-aahh-choo!"

"Something wrong, Smartmouth?"

"Ugh, it's nothing, Tanky. For some reason my nose was itching suddenly."

-----

Lance sighed and then smiled. Alexei was always one to keep upbeat. He also likes teasing others. Lance went back to writing the letter.

"Dear Smartmouth,

Today has been interesting, to say the least. Not only did we discover new ruins, they are inhabited by ponies and changelings. Many of the buildings are restored to running condition and the infrastructure here seems well looked after. They also possess technology that looks pretty brand new. And that's not all. You won't believe what-or rather who-else lives here..."