" Alright everypony, let me go over things one last time. ", Twilight explained. " Overnight, me and Rarity designed the suits we're all wearing for the mission. The suits also cover our tails. They're made of a special fabric that insulates the wearer. Vinyl Scratch helped me enchant them. They'll blend into any background, so no need for more mud and leaves. It also has multiple pouches for whatever we may need. They also have hoods with special goggles that Vinyl also helped make. You'll be able to see a radar, and it will show everypony's location at all times, and their physical condition. Now, for this mission, we want stealth, rather than confrontation, understand? We're just checking the force out. No need to get loud. Now, General Hooves and his men have built a teleportation terminal, which will allow me to teleport us within a mile or so of the opposing force, and it will allow me to teleport us back. Let's go. "

No one had any questions. The explanation, and their mission directives were quite clear. Gather intelligence on enemy forces, and report back to General Hooves.

For the first time in the past month or so, Twilight had thought of Spike. She missed him. However, he had been sent away to live with the rest of the dragons. They were the last things any army would take on. He would be safe, for a while.

They approached the terminal. It would take them about a mile from the target area. Twilight shouted, as her horn began to glow, " Alright boys! Fire it up! ". The team stepped onto the pad, and there was a flash of light, and they were gone.

The team reappeared in a lightly forested area, but it was strange. The sky was red and filled with smoke. There was a feeling in the air. Something was wrong. They looked around. Everything was dead. The trees, the grass, even animals that hadn't escaped. Fluttershy whimpered. There was a slight mechanical, or magical, whine as their suits adjusted colors.

" Alright team, let's move out. " Twilight whispered. The team galloped along. Everything was covered in ash. Little puffs of ash popped up from where they stepped. After 5 or so minutes, they reached a ridge and stopped. They crawled to the edge and peered over. There was a massive tent city. A giant tent loomed in the center, white cloth with gold embroidery. The rest of the tents were just plain white.

" Goggles, zoom and enhance, 10 times. " Twilight ordered her suit. There was a whirring sound as the camp suddenly sprang into her field of view. Hundreds of ponies, or what seemed like ponies, were flitting around camp. Pegasi, in golden, flashing armor, flew patrol around the perimiter, while earth ponies and unicorns, depending on their rank, moved around supplies and other things.

On the left side of the camp, there was what looked like a mine. By this time, the rest of the team had also zoomed in with their goggles, and gasped at the sight. Hundred of animals and ponies had been bound and gagged, and worked the mine! One pony fell behind, and was immediately whipped. Whether into unconsciousness or death, the team couldn't tell. The rest of the workers nearly doubled their efforts.

" An army that size must need a lot of resources. It only makes sense. However, I think they mean to stay here. They have plenty of food, and they're constantly digging up more resources. Why would they set up an entire temporary city? I think we have a little more time than we originally planned. " Rarity explained.

The whole time, Vinyl was silently taking notes, along with having her goggles record the spectacle.

" Alright team, I think we have enough information for our first mission. Let's head back to our exfiltration point. There should be a magic circle where we first appeared. It will take us back to the pad. " Twilight directed the team.

They started to crawl back from the edge of the ridge, and when they were far enough, they got up. They started to trot back to the circle.

" That was easier than I thought it would be. " Rainbow Dash admitted. " I'm glad we weren't spotted. "

At that precise moment, a siren began ringing at camp. The team froze.

" You don't think they saw us, do you? " Applejack asked. Before anyone could answer her, the ridge where they laid not minutes before, exploded.

" Yep! Run! " Pinkie Pie shouted. They team ran at full speed. Soon enough, the golden pegasi from them camp were overhead, tracking them. They had some kind of ranged weapon, a bow or crossbow maybe. The team was halfway there. They could only keep dodging, or they risked slowing down. The pegasi were still far away, but their weapons could shoot very far.

Suddenly, one of their bolts was aimed true. The team had only a quarter mile to go when a bolt struck Fluttershy in the back of her leg. She tumbled and fell. The team stopped. Twilight and Applejack began to run toward Fluttershy.

" No! " Fluttershy shouted, as she sobbed with pain and sadness, " Leave me behind! Save yourselves! "

The two ponies ignored her as they approached. The pegasi were still firing, and their aim was getting better. Twilight had had enough and shot a bolt of magic in retaliation. The bolt struck a wing of one of the pegasi, and tumbled to the ground. He wasn't dead, Twilight was sure.

Twilight procured a wall of magic as Applejack loaded a screaming Fluttershy onto her back. They ran back to the team, the wall holding, for now.

They got back to the team, and they all started running again. Fluttershy was sick with pain. Vinyl pulled back and ran next to Applejack.

" What in tarnation are you doin', girl? " Applejack screamed.

In response, Vinyl talked to Fluttershy's suit. " Suit FS, designation Origin, override security procedures. Initiate countermeasure two! ". Applejack had no idea what she meant, but heard a faint whistle emanating from Fluttershy's hood. Soon enough, Fluttershy was unconscious, and admittedly easier to carry.

The team had made it back to the circle and without a moments hesitation, they had teleported back to safety, the circle disappearing with them. The pegasi turned back to retrieve his injured comrade and make a report.

The team reappeared on the teleportation terminal. Before any questions were asked, they escorted Fluttershy to the medical wing, then went to General Hooves' office for debriefing.

" Well team, how did it go? " The general asked.

Rainbow Dash answered up. " Well, sir, there's a huge force of enemy troops camped out in a city of tents, and Fluttershy took and arrow to the dang knee! So what do you think, sir? Was the mission a success!? "

She stormed out of the room and headed toward the hospital wing to check on Fluttershy. The rest of the team looked around sheepishly.

The general asked, " Is that true? "

" Yes sir. There is a large enemy encampment at the target area, and they're using slaves to gather resources. The entire surround area was completely dead. Ash everywhere. Trees, grass, animals. everything. We were on our way back when we were attacked and pursued. " Twilight explained.

The general mulled it over. " Very well team. You've done a good job today. And you have my apologies and condolences for Miss Fluttershy. You are dismissed for now. I'll give you a few days to recover, and let you know what's going on from there. Clear? "

Everypony answered, " Yes sir! "

The general was content. " Good. You're dismissed. Now get out of my office. " Next Chapter: Chapter 7: Rest and recuperation Estimated time remaining: 42 Minutes