Dominic walked quietly through the woods behind his old home in Evergreen, snow had covered the ground and he could see his misty breath in the freezing cold air. The sun had just started to rise, the birds hadn’t started to chirp yet, and everything seemed calm. The man didn’t know why, but part of him felt uneasy. He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets for warmth and continued walking along until he stopped just short of a large pine tree, silently he looked up to the top of the tree, then he reached out to touch it.

“It’s getting close to that time.” Discord’s voice said before his hand made contact with the bark, Dominic turned and looked to his left. There was discord, dressed up like an eskimo. “We’ve already gone over what I’m going to do, but I figured I should pop in and check on you before you go.”

“I’ve made peace with myself…” Dominic said simply as he looked back to the large tree in front of him, his hand was still hovering inches away from it. “I assume you’ve seen my world… Be straight with me… How bad is it?”

“The scariest environment imaginable.” Discord said in a serious tone. “That much chaos… If I had been in charge, it never would’ve gotten that bad.” Dominic nodded quietly as he lowered his hand to his side and closed his eyes. “In case we don’t see each other again… For whatever it’s worth, I hope you find who you’re looking for on the other side.”

“Come hell or high water, I will…” Dominic replied quietly as he leaned his head back. “Goodbye, Discord. Tell me when you need some more vacation time, we’ll see if we can work something out.” The man chuckled, Discord started laughing himself.

Dominic found himself staring at the ceiling of his office on his cot, quietly he let out a sigh and swung his legs over the side until his feet landed in his boots. The man stood up and stretched, his back popping as it usually did, before he walked downstairs to the bathroom to do his morning routine. After his shower he stopped to stare at himself in the mirror, he combed what remained of his hair back before bowing his head and doing the sign of the cross.

“Lord… I ask for your blessings and protection as I undertake this mission that I believe to be right and just…” Dominic said quietly, his eyes closed as he continued to stand there in front of the mirror. “Keep my soldiers safe… And my blade sharp. Amen…” The man turned on his heel and walked out of the bathroom with his towel around his waist until he made it back to his room. Once he was there, he dressed himself in his uniform and pulled on a pair of black leather gloves, followed by his jacket and peaked cap. The man had already loaded his shotgun and other items in his tank, save for his revolver and sword, which were present upon his belt.

The man silently walked to the window and looked out over New Liberty, the sun wasn’t even rising yet, already he could see activity out by the tanks. Dominic turned away from the window and back to face his office, it seemed so bare now that he’d cleared it of his items. The man’s hand rested quietly on the hilt of his sword, and after a minutes or so, he’d pulled it from its scabbard and held it out in front of him. It made a whooshing noise as he twirled it through the air, and when he was certain that he’d gotten used to the weight, he slipped it back into its scabbard.

Several minutes later the door to the office opened, Dominic could already tell it was Luna, and sure enough he was right. She entered the room with silent dignity and grace that Dominic normally didn’t associate with her, she acted as an actual princess would, rather than the relaxed posture she seemed to hold on a normal day. The two of them stared at each other silently for what felt like an eternity, neither one of them was sure what to say.

Finally Dominic cleared his throat and looked to the floor awkwardly, his gloved hands moving so that he could clasp them behind his back.

“I… I suppose this is… It.” He said as he brought his gaze up to meet her once again. “I’ll have to go get in the tank soon, make sure everything is all squared away, and-” He was cut off as Luna just walked forwards and hugged him tightly, after a few moments he returned the embrace and rested his head against her neck.

“I didn’t want to use the spell, but… I wouldn’t be able to tell you what I must as it’s meant to be heard…” Luna said as she held him against her, refusing to let go, as if it was the last time she ever would see him again. For all she knew, it very well could have been, no matter how much she told herself that wouldn’t happen. “I still care about you… More than you know, and no matter what happens, that won’t change…” Dominic could feel her trembling, could feel her holding back tears, until finally the dam burst and he felt her crying against him. “You’ve been there for me, I’ve been there for you, and that bond can never be broken… And… I have so much I want to, no, need to tell you… But I can’t. Not now.”

“It’s okay, Luna…” Dominic said as he leaned back and put his hands on her shoulders so he could look her in the eyes. “You… You just tell me when I get back, after you meet Maria…” He tried to put on a smile, but it quickly faltered. “I’m coming back.” It wasn’t just a statement, Luna could see in his eyes, it was a promise. Not once had Dominic ever broken a promise to her.

“O-Okay…” Luna said as she nodded her head and wiped her eyes, she was doing her best to recompose herself. The mare put her hooves on Dominic’s shoulders and straightened his jacket, then his hat, before she smiled sadly and relaxed. “There… You look much better now.”

“I just needed a haircut.” Dominic mused as he ran a hand over his head, it earned a bit of a chuckle out of the mare before the two of them lapsed into an awkward silence. The mare paused for a moment, then her eyes widened.

“I almost forgot.” Luna’s horn began to glow as she spoke, several seconds later there was a flash of light that forced Dominic to shield his eyes. When he looked he could see Luna had a needle and thread, as well as an embroidered patch floating in her magic. “I had this made for you, so you can carry a reminder of your friends here with you.” Dominic smiled for a moment before he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out the feather he kept there, just enough to show her. “You… Kept it?” Dominic nodded. “May I?” Luna asked as she looked to the patch, the man slipped out of his jacket and held it in place for her.

“I’m sure they’re all going to be very surprised when we come through…” Dominic said as he watched the mare sew the patch to the free shoulder. It took a few moments since it was leather, but eventually Luna had finished her work and Dominic had slipped the jacket back on.

“You’re ready.” Luna said simply as the man admired his jacket’s new bit of flare. The sun began to rise in the distance, just little rays of light at first, but enough for both of them to notice. “You… You should go.” Dominic turned to look out the window, then back at Luna one last time, he grabbed her tightly in his arms and held her for as long as he could before letting go.

“G-Goodbye, Luna…” He said quietly, he wiped his eyes and walked to the door, doing his best to straighten up and appear professional for his troops. Luna watched him descend the steps and out of sight, then she rushed to the window and watched as he went up the street. As soon as he turned a corner and disappeared from view she felt a lump form in her throat, her stomach was tied up in knots.

“Goodbye, Dominic…”

Dominic straightened his cap as he marched towards the motorpool, his boots clicked against the wooden sidewalk and rapidly drew the attention of the early rising media and other onlookers. Gradually they were following him as he got closer and closer to the training ground, he could see the gate ahead. Chipped Blade and numerous other MPs stood there, and upon seeing him they opened the gate.

“Morning, Chipped. Anything to report?” Dominic asked, trying to sound as upbeat as he could. The thestral shook his head as he closed the gate behind Dominic.

“Nothing yet, sir.” The stallion said, Dominic smiled faintly and gave him a nod before he began walking towards the motor pool. “Oh! Sir!” Dominic turned and looked at Chipped, as well as the other MPs. “Give ‘em hell, sir.” The MPs snapped into salutes, salutes that Dominic returned just as respectfully. The man turned on his heel once again and continued walking to the lines of tanks that were being prepared by their crews.

The first tank in the line was his, and already he could see Avos and Gear Grinder were securing their gear and other supplies while Scribs was jotting down notes like a madman. The second tank seemed to be down a crew member, specifically a woman. Dominic put off greeting his crew to find out where she was, and walked over to the driver.

“Where’s Captain Poplawski?” Dominic asked. The driver, an earth pony mare with banana yellow fur and a white mane, shrugged.

“Probably still saying goodbye to her fiance.” The driver said, Dominic raised an eyebrow at that. “We’re all set, sir, we don’t mind if she get’s some extra time to say goodbye.” The president was about to say something, but shook his head and shrugged.

“Alright… Have her check in with me when she gets here.” Dominic said as he walked back to his tank to begin going over his own duties, all the while he did his best to try and remember the sensation he had felt when he hugged Luna, the warmth of her body, the softness of her fur. It was all he could do to keep himself calm. The man removed his jacket and opened a rucksack that had been stashed inside the tank, from within he pulled his armor. The man quickly slipped it on and tightened the straps before he pulled his jacket on over it, then he went back to getting the vehicle ready.

[♦]

Jen sighed quietly as she looked at herself in the mirror, she’d just had Johnny cut off her hair, leaving only a short crop of the one long luxurious black locks. She wore her uniform pants and boots, but aside from that her skin was bare, this was so none of her hair would get caught in her shirt and make her itchy. Now that the deed had been done, Johnny offered her her tank top and she quickly pulled it on over her chest.

“Don’t worry, Jenny Bean.” Johnny said as he knelt down and picked up a bit of the hair, he discreetly set it aside, just so he’d have a piece of her while she was away. “You’d be beautiful even if you were bald.” Jen sighed quietly as she stood up and turned to face Johnny, her eyes watering a bit. “Come on… Don’t cry…”

“I just… I’m going to miss you so much…” Jen spoke in a rather melancholy voice as she reached out and hugged him tightly, the man returned the hug just as tightly, holding her close against him and resting his head against hers. “We can still write letters to each other, you know? It won’t be the same, but…”

“I’ll write you every chance I get.” Johnny replied quietly as he ran a hand over her head and rubbed it up and down, the woman let out a little whine.

“Don’t do that… It makes my head feel all funny…” She said as she stepped away from him, her eyes were still glistening with tears as she suddenly gave him a smile. “I guess it’s alright though, I won’t have to put up with your antics for a while…”

“Yeah… And I won’t have to worry about you walking in on me when I read those novels you keep ‘trading’ for.” Johnny replied with his own smile, meanwhile tears streamed down both their cheeks. The man reached out and took Jen’s hand in his own, giving it a firm squeeze as he did so. “I love you, Jen… Even if you can be a goofball from time to time...”

“I love you too, you may be a jerk, but you’re my jerk…” Jen’s voice caught in her throat as she leaned up and kissed Johnny. The bathroom was hardly a normal place to say goodbye, but Jen supposed their relationship was hardly normal. The two of them broke the kiss and stepped out into their living room where Jen picked up her uniform jacket and buttoned it up. Johnny watched her fingers move, the shimmer of the rosegold not once leaving his eyes. “I’m already late…”

“Please, just a little longer…?” Johnny begged, Jen frowned and looked at the floor.

“I have to go…” She said quietly as she came forwards once more and let Johnny hug her tightly. The man could feel her revolver holster against his thigh, in that moment he knew there was one thing he could do to protect her.

“One second…” Johnny said as he walked to his dresser and pulled open the bottom shelf, from within he took his hunting rifle and a box of ammunition, before he walked back over to Jen. “Take this, think of it as me being there and protecting you…” The woman was about to protest, what if Johnny needed it here, what if the town came under attack once again. After looking into his eyes, however, she reached out and grabbed the rifle confidently. Jen leaned forwards and kissed Johnny one last time, it was long and passionate, and both of them wished it could last forever.

“I love you…” Jen said one more time as she pulled back, she felt like she couldn’t say it enough. “When I get back I want your help, we’re gonna have the biggest wedding ever.” Johnny smiled weakly at her enthusiasm, nodding and walking with her towards the door, then down the steps into the empty bar.

“Yeah, with a big band and cake and all sorts of other things…” Johnny added, Jen nodded again as both of them teared up once more. “Just, we’ve gotta wait a while is all, when you come back.” The two of them stared at eachother for a minute or two. “G-Good-” Jen put up a hand and rested it on his shoulder, she looked him lovingly in the eye.

“No need to say goodbye… I’m coming back.” She said, Johnny stared at her for a few moments before silently nodding. Jen slung the rifle over her shoulder and pulled her father’s cap from her jacket pocket, the woman went to put it on, then stopped and reached out. It ended up looking a bit lopsided on Johnny’s head. “K-Keep that warm for me…” With that she turned and started walking down the street, leaving Johnny to quietly watch her disappear around a corner, stopping only once to look over her shoulder and give a slight wave.

Once she’d disappeared from sight the woman let herself begin to cry, she hadn’t wanted to break down in front of Johnny, he didn’t want that to be his last memory of her before she left. After a minute or so she’d composed herself, she had to be on the ball now, she had soldiers to lead. When she reached the gate to the base there was a crowd of reporters and onlookers, the MPs were quick to clear a path for her and she ignored the photos that were snapped off.

When she’d passed the gates she stopped in front of Chipped Blade, the stallion smiled sadly at her as she knelt down in front of him. He began to salute her, but she leaned forwards and wrapped him in a tight hug. The stallion was a bit surprised, but he returned the hug nonetheless. When she broke the hug she stood to her full height and cleared her throat.

“You take care of yourself, Lieutenant… Don’t let any civies get on the base, or I’ll have to come and kick your ass…” She said, Chipped chuckled quietly.

“Yes, ma’am…” Chipped replied before giving her the salute he’d intended earlier, Jen returned it with a sad smile before she adjusted the rifle over her shoulder. “Good luck…” Jen nodded and started walking again, the echo of her boots was soon drowned out by the rumble of engines. Her heart filled with determination as she rounded the corner and caught sight of the tanks, all of them were idling and their crews were getting ready to depart.

“Commander!” She called out over the noise of the engines, getting the attention of Dominic, the man stopped looking over the tank tracks and turned. When he spotted her he walked away from the tracks and got over to her. “Sorry I’m late, sir!”

“Don’t worry about it, just saddle up! We’re getting ready to roll out!” Dominic replied as he adjusted his hat. “Oh, and congratulations!” He patted her on the shoulder before he turned around and walked back to his tank, she nodded and made her way over to her own vehicle and climbed up into the turret, slipping the rifle and ammunition down by her feet. She pulled on her headset, which thankfully doubled as ear protection, and could hear the normal chatter.

Dominic took his own position in his tank’s turret, once again looking like General Rommel as he adjusted his hat and put on his own headset. The man cleared his throat before activating the radio.

“Radio check. This is Night Eagle checking in.” He said.

”Mirage checking in.” The final tank in the column of five that would be going through the portal, crewed entirely by changelings responded.

”Visigoth checking in.” Came the response of the second to last tank, that one was crewed by mainly thestrals.

”Steel Rain is checking in.” Came the middle tank, commanded by Rolling Thunder, it was a mix of changelings and thestrals that crewed the armored vehicle.

”Midnight Special checking in.” Dominic recognized that voice as Jens, he was confident everyone could hear him now, and that meant there was nothing to stop them from carrying out their mission.

“Take us to the portal site, Gear.” Dominic ordered through the tank’s intercom, there was a lurch and the tank began rolling forwards. “All units, we’re Oscar Mike.” There was chorus of affirmatives from the other tanks as they began rolling out behind Dominic, they turned out of the motor pool and started driving towards the gates where the crowd had formed. Chipped Blade and his MPs were already opening the gate for them as numerous soldiers ran from their barracks to cheer their comrades onwards.

The crowd parted as the column got closer, Dominic could see Luna was among them now, he reached up and tipped his hat to her as he drove past before turning his gaze forwards. The feeling of the wind against his face was something he’d missed, the inhabitants of New Liberty began to look out their windows and line the streets as the tanks drove past. Eventually the five armored vehicles left the streets of New Liberty and made their way over to the refugee area that had been constructed.

Many of the Globe Corps troops were already there setting up tents and other facilities ranging from hospitals to clothing and food distribution in preparation for the refugees that would soon arrive. As the tank got closer they paused and saluted when they saw their commander in chief riding in the first vehicle.

“All units halt.” Dominic ordered as the tanks reached a strip of sand that had been left intentionally empty. “Hold position, the portal should be opening any second now…” The man watched patiently as he waited for the portal to open, wishing that Discord would get on with it already. He yearned to go through, he knew Maria was waiting for him. After several seconds that felt like an eternity there were sparks, then loud boom shook the area and a blinding white light forced many onlookers to turn away.

When it had faded Dominic could see a large glowing circle, a spiral swirled around and around inside of it, and Dominic could see odd things like toy boats and baseballs floating past, they almost looked like eye floaters, except in a portal. Dominic took a deep breath and closed his eyes, doing his best to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to do. For a moment he turned around and looked back at New Liberty, then to the portal.

In that moment he came to the conclusion that the only way he’d be able to push through that portal was if he did it screaming like a madman, because he had to be utterly mad to ever consider what he was doing. Quietly he reached down to his sword and grabbed the hilt, then pulled the blade from its scabbard and pointed it at the portal.

“All units! Through that portal!” Dominic ordered, the tank lurched forwards and began rolling full speed at the portal. Behind him he could hear the other tanks revving forwards, as well as the cheers of the bystanders. The man sheathed his blade just before the tank reached the portal, he closed his eyes as he felt the familiar warmth around him. After a few moments he found the strength to pull the hatch closed and sit in the tank.

Jen bit her lip and tapped her foot against the metal floor as her tank rolled forwards, she’d seen Dominic’s tank go through moments ago, and she was doing her best to keep her cool. He’d charged headlong into it, she supposed that was the only way to do it. With a grunt she tapped her driver on the shoulder.

“Full speed.” She said calmly, though she was terrified inside. The driver nodded and put the pedal to the metal, quickly the tank approached the portal and then Jen found herself surrounded by a viscous warmth. Time felt like it was slowing down around her, as it felt for everyone else that drove through the portal. Eventually they all lost consciousness, save for Rolling and Dominic, who had grown rather used to portal travel.

What lay ahead of them was a mystery, and all any of them could hope for was that they were prepared. It had been a difficult task coming out of hell, it would be even more difficult to march back in.

Author's Notes:

This is the end... Beautiful friend. This is the end, my darling friend, the end...

In all actuality, it doesn't really feel like the end... Weird. I might do something special now that this one is finished and the sequel is under way... Not sure what though.

Here's your clip of the day, until the sequel is up, that is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcTM-lRxPbs

Have a good one.