Login

The Chronicles of Swarm: The Equestrian Front

by kildeez

Chapter 29: Chapter XXIX: Rock Drill

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

“Scouts say we’ve got multiple drop zones poppin’ up here, here, and here,” Parker said, placing a few rocks on the ground. Behind him, a small model of Coltton built out of paper cups, canteens, and rocks stretched out across the floor, with streets lined with pebbles and twigs demarking the city’s border. “We know they aren’t ours, so it’s probably safe to assume they’re enemy.”

“Well, at least we have time until they actually land,” Vance grumbled, frowning at the map unfolded on the countertop before him.

“Actually sir,” Parker sighed. “The scouts are saying these zones are opening up almost right on the ground: they can just hop out.”

“What!?” Miller gasped, stepping away from the shelf of hayseed he’d been leaning against. “When in the hell did they learn to do that!? I thought the whole point of opening a portal high over the ground was so it didn’t phase people into trees or something!”

“That IS the point,” Vance’s frown deepened. “Apparently, the enemy has discovered a way to open up a portal with enough accuracy where that isn’t a worry. This is…concerning, to say the least.”

“Maybe a third party’s joined the war?” Parker added. “Somebody who CAN open up portals with that kind of accuracy?”

Miller and Vance eyed each other with concern. “That’s an even scarier thought,” the SEAL commander mumbled. “Another faction with that kind of power could definitely tip the scales in their favor.”

“That’s not our concern right now, gentlemen,” Vance barked. “We can let the politicians and the intelligence boys hash that shit out when we get home. Right now, we could be looking at an entire brigade of enemy dropping in on our heads, and we’d never know it until they were knocking on our doors!”

A few short raps on the front door interrupted the Captain, and all eyes immediately turned to it. With hardly a thought, Parker’s hand went to the pistol in his holster, but Vance knocked it away the moment the door creaked open and Uris poked his head in. “I’m really sorry, sirs,” he said. “But I’ve rounded up the Elements of Harmony, as requested.”

“Good show, son,” Vance replied, shooting a dirty look at Parker. “Go ahead and let them in.”

“Yes, sir,” Uris nodded and opened the door, herding all six ponies into the store, except for Fluttershy, who was intent on clinging to the pilot’s leg. After some coaxing on Rarity’s part, she too joined her friends at Vance’s feet, shooting uncertain glances over her shoulder back at her human friend. ‘It’s alright,’ he mouthed to her, before carefully shutting the door behind her, making extra sure not to slam it.

The six ponies all gazed up at the human commanders for a short time. Growing impatient, Rainbow Dash flapped her way onto the countertop and stuck a carrot stick from behind the fridge in her teeth, holding it their like a cigar as she smeared a bit of grime from the poorly-oiled cash register under her eyes.

“So,” she said, shifting the carrot in her teeth. “What didja need?”

“What we need,” Parker replied, slipping the carrot out from between her teeth and taking a quick nibble off one end. “Is every single advantage we can get.”

“We have reason to believe The Ridchir is planning a counterattack, with a heavy focus on retaking this village,” Vance said.

“Based on the number and size of the portals we’re detecting nearby, we could be looking at upwards of two-thousand enemy tangoes, with God-only-knows how many and what type of support assets.” Miller added.

“What do you need from us?” Twilight asked while Rainbow pouted over her sudden loss of awesomeness.

“Our intelligence says you six are the best defense Equestria has to offer,” Vance said. “Though reports are somewhat vague, they made reference to some sort of title: the…uh…’Elements of Harmony’?”

“Oh, that isn’t just a title,” Twilight explained. “They also refer to the powers granted to us by six mystical jewels as the physical representatives of the six traits behind all harmony and friendship everywhere.”

“I think we can take the explanation from here, egghead,” Rainbow Dash grinned, backflipping off the countertop and sticking her hoof out. “Because big adventure with the ponies you love can only work out with LOYALTY!”

“And to appreciate tons of fun with friends, you need LAUGHTER!” Pinkie screamed, trailing confetti as she rushed to stick her hoof out next to Dash’s.

“And with a beautiful heart to keep everyone on the side of good, there comes GENEROSITY!” Rarity sang, pirouetting into position next to Pinkie and Dash and daintily sticking her hoof in next to theirs.

“But don’t ferget, y’all need t’be faithful an’ strong, which comes easy with HONESTY in the group!” Applejack replied, oozing strength as she strode into the circle with her chest puffed out and added her hoof to the mix.

“Well, sharing KINDNESS certainly has its part to play, I-I think, maybe…” Fluttershy said quietly, eventually forcing Rainbow Dash to grab her and thrust her hoof into the circle. Her head spinning with the suddenness of Dash’s motions, it took her a second to realize she had joined in. Dash winked at her. “Yay,” she whispered, smiling.

“With all those traits, staying true friends is an easy feat, but it’s up to MAGIC to make it all complete!” Twilight sang, teleporting into the remaining spot on the circle and sticking her hoof in. “And once you’ve learned all that, you realize…”

“…That Friendship is Magic!” The Elements all sang together, giggling in near-perfect unison.

The humans stared. Miller’s eyes glazed over. “That was really fuckin’ adorable. I think I’m gonna puke.” Parker sighed, bringing the ponies back to reality.

“Yes, well, you’re the one who approached us for help,” Twilight said, blushing just a little bit and glaring at the humans.

“That we did,” Vance said. “You mentioned these jewels gave you powers. Can you just whip ‘em out now, or…”

“Well,” Twilight said. “It’s not…exactly…as easy as all that, you know?”

“For one thing, the Elements are kept in a high-security vault way back in Canterlot, which is rather far away: a three-day trot, at least!” Rarity said.

“Plus, the consarned things have a tendency t’up an’ disappear from time to time,” Applejack added. “An’ with all the portals and whatnot poppin’ up aroun’ here, odds are they’ve pulled one a’ their disappearin’ stunts already.”

“And without these jewels, you can’t access any of your powers,” Parker moaned, leaning against the countertop.

“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” Twilight said, her horn sparkling. “Rarity and I still have our unicorn magic!”

“Although Twilight is a hundred times the magician I’ll ever be,” Rarity admitted.

“Oh, Rarity, don’t be so hard on yourself!”

“Dahling, it’s the truth. I’m afraid my talents reside entirely within the fashion industry. My magic is mediocre at best!”

“But I’ve still got my super speed!” Rainbow Dash said, revving herself up in a few laps around the room at supersonic speed, forcing the humans to grab their battle plans to keep them from being swept up.

“And I have my party cannon!” Pinkie shrieked, whipping the now all-too-familiar artillery piece out from behind a shelf and spraying the room with streamers and confetti just as the humans managed to straighten out their papers.

“And I still got m’incredible buckin’ strength!” AJ sang.

“Wha-what didja just say!?” Miller gasped, scanning the room for children who might need their ears covered. Rolling her eyes, the orange earth pony promptly bucked the small stack of apples by the door, rapid-firing them over the countertop and into a set of bottles lined up along the rear wall.

“Oh…bucking…” Miller sighed, relaxing.

“And-and…” Fluttershy started, only to freeze up the moment every eye in the room turned on her. “Eep! I-I know how to take care of animals, if that’s something you needed, if it wasn’t too much bother…”

“Right,” Vance sighed. “Look, girls, that’s all well and good, but we were hoping you’d have some kind of magical death cannon for us! Something that could give us an edge over the enemy and this…new…powerful ally we think they might have!”

“How about a powerful ally of your own?” A voice sang. Everyone in the room turned to the door, where Princess Celestia and her sister stood, framed by the moonlight pouring in through the windows.

Author's Notes:

Rock Drill: Military slang for the final planning of a major combat maneuver, conducted right on the battlefield just before the maneuver is to be executed. Usually done with sticks, rocks, or whatever debris is lying around serving in a mock-up for key targets (bridges, strategically placed structures, etc.)

Next Chapter: Chapter XXX: Eve of Battle Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 17 Minutes
Return to Story Description

Login

Facebook
Login with
Facebook:
FiMFetch