*cling* *cling* *clang*

The sound of steel colliding with steel filled the air inside the barrier as six ponies, with double bladed swords in mouth, clashed with a host of little metal men. Their shoulders and flanks lit up with runes boosting their strength and agility as well as a rune on the side of each head to improve awareness.

Major Corbin was impressed at how fast they were improving. These girls will do anything for Equestria. he thought, Their sense purpose is definitely their greatest strength

Twilight was the most promising of the group with weapons. She was fighting with four double blades floating around her swinging them with frightening precision. Using mage form attacks and defenses along with the swords.

Rarity, also levitating her sword instead of biting it, was also impressive in her use of her earth rune in combat. She had surrounded herself in a light layer of pebbles (Rarity purposefully covering herself in dirt... yeah) to act as a sort of stone armor. Her favored attack method was shooting a small stone rod out from underneath the opponent.

Applejack and Fluttershy teamed up with AJ using her twice rune boosted strength to launch a shielded Fluttershy at the golems like a bowling ball.

Rainbow Dash just swooped down, when she wasn't dealing with the airborne golems, and let her speed do the work.

Pinkie Pie was phasing in and out as she hacked and slashed every time she blinked into reality. Coupled with her own natural knack for defying the laws of physics, she was an impressive sight to behold.

There were almost one-hundred and fifty golems and six mares in the clearing. In a matter of thirty minuets there were only six mares.

Major Corbin, walked through waving a spell over the golems as he approached the soldiers in training.  The constructs jumped back to their feet and marched back to a storage container.

I'm glad those blades were enchanted to only disable them. I'd hate to have to make more of them. he said, “That was really impressive. You've shown great improvement in utilizing your runes alongside your natural talents. Keep this up and we just may survive.” He turned and opened a crate and passed out six gray-green plastic bricks with the word 'vegetarian' written on the side, “Enjoy.”

After he left the girls were left to eat and talk to themselves.

“I can't wait to get outta here,” Rainbow plopped down and tore open the Plastic, “The first thing I'm doing is getting a barley burger.” she quickly devoured the 'food'.

“Ah've tasted better things after fallin' off the roof of mah barn.” AJ said, “but it still beats your cookin', Rainbow.”

“AAAHHH!” Rainbow Dash let out a frustrated yell, “How much longer do we have to do this?”

“We've been here for two weeks now, so we're half way done.” Twilight said as she opened the pouch of macaroni and cheese, “Oh, god not this again.” she looked at the contents with disgust, “That stuff is NOT cheese.” Hunger conquered her disgust and she ate the mysterious thing.

“The cardboard crackers help a bit.” Applejack said.

“Shove it down fast and don't give yourself time to taste it.” RD recommended, “What happened to the stuff we had on the first day. That stuff was great.” she just tried eating the 'dessert'.

“Ah think it was our last meal, kinda like criminals who're gonna be executed in tha mornin'” AJ said jokingly trying to lift the mood. It worked a little.

The girls ate the rest of the meal following Dash's advice. They were done in less then a minuet, and training continued.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

The girls were getting rather exited with three days left before they're done with this hell. They were standing at attention in rank.

The Major stood in front of them, “Good morning, ladies.”

“Good morning, sir!” the yelled in unison.

“Today is a very important day.” the Major said, “Today you will implement what you've learned in an actual combat situation.”

This startled the six mares but they didn't flinch.

“I have received a report from Princess Luna about a large pack of wolves heading towards the small town of Marebury. These are not normal wolves, they are blighted wolves. Which means we must destroy them before the blight spreads.

“We will depart in one hour. Eat, hydrate, and hygiene.” He opened a cart behind him and gave them their food... real food. Then he left

The girls eyes widened and their mouths watered at the more than welcomed sight.

After an hour the six ponies and the two humans climbed into the hauler and took off down the road toward the threatened town.

“Gear up!” Major Corbin ordered.

The six mares complied. They put on armored breast plates, helmets, and boots. Rainbow Dash's armor was reenforced leather. She hated wearing the skin of a dead animal but she knew it would help protect her without hurting her mobility.

A harness across their back and waist held their double swords and pistols (modified for pony use). Twilight had two of each of these weapon. They also had retractable blades on their boots.

“Ten minuets” Jacob called back.

A chime was heard and David answered the communicator. Luna's face appeared on the screen.

“Mid-Major,” She had to correct her self, “ the wolves will be in the town in five minuets. How far are you?”

“We're about eight minuets out. This thing wont go any faster.” he answered.

“Dammit. Go faster, I don't care how... and good luck.” with that the screen went blank.

Jacob put his hand on the dash board and focused his magic causing the truck to accelerate even faster than before.

The town was in sight when the wolves appeared. They were hideously disfigured and entirely hairless.

“Thirty seconds!” Jacob called back. The six warriors stood facing the door while David grabbed the latch, ready to through it open.

“Three, two, one,” Jacob called back yanking the e-break, spinning the vehicle around so the back was facing the ensuing carnage, “GO! GO! GO!”.

David threw the door open and the six jumped out. Dash was the first out as she took to the sky on rune wings. Twilight followed with guns and swords, blazing and swinging. AJ jumped out with out with a massive hammer in her mouth with a retracting tether attached to her harness. Fluttershy flew just above ready to shield her friends if need be. Pinkie just phased right through them all and began throwing knives, which phased back when they were no longer in contact with the pink mare, at the wolves. Rarity was behind the others firing her own pistol and launching rocks at the enemy.

They didn't think, there was no time, they only acted. RD swooped and slashed at two wolves that were trying to flank Rarity.

Rarity noticing several wolves converging on her lifted a pillar of earth beneath her. She now was out of reach of the wolves and had a better vantage point to attack from a range.

Fluttershy used her hoof to hoof combat with the boot blades to dispatch enemies, while Pinkie covered her with throwing knives.

AJ hurled the massive hammer with ease and, using the tether swung it as if it were her lasso. It crushed the skull and organs of all unfortunate enough to be in the way.

Twilight had ran out of ammo and now used the pistols to bludgeon while the blades still slashed around her. She would throw a few mage form spears when she wasn't immediately surrounded.

The six elements were vastly out numbered, but the wolves were lashing out wildly without any kind of tactics. Even with the advantage of numbers, the wolves couldn't match the strength, speed, and tactics of the ponies. The entire battle took twenty minutes and after a count they determined there were over two hundred and thirty of the beasts.

When they filed back into the hauler and the adrenalin wore off, they realized... they just ended the lives of over two hundred living creatures. Guilt came over them as they saw they were covered in blood and they all began to silently cry.

David saw them and simply said, “What you did was a mercy. They were crazed monsters, who couldn't be cured. You released them from their torment.” and left them to their grief. He knew what they were going through. He still remembered the face of the first man he killed.

Despite his efforts to separate himself emotionally from the mares, it still tore him up inside to see his wife and best friends in such agony.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

There was no more training after the fight with the blighted wolves.

The six friends had accepted what they did. They still grieved for the creatures but they knew they did the right thing.

The princesses, Shining Armor, Hidden Light, captain of Luna's spy network, and several counsel ponies were in attendance for the ceremony. Much of Ponyville as well as some Canterlot officials and press were also observing.

David once again was in pony form as the as he stood on a small stage in front of princess Celestia. She held a pendant in her aura. Midnight knelt before her.

“Midnight Star,” she began, “Do you swear to protect Equestria and her citizens, with all your ability, from threats of any nature?”

“I do.”

“Do you swear to always put the lives of others before your own?”

“I do.”

“Do you swear to always follow the commands of those appointed over you?”

“I do.”

“Then I, Princess Celestia of the sun, co-ruler of the lands of Equestria, name you, Midnight Star, commander of the Dawn Shield.” She slipped the pendant on his neck, “Rise, Commander Star and instate your warriors.

He turned and walked to Twilight as she knelt. Midnight took a pendant from a box held by the sun goddess, “Twilight Star,” he repeated the oath he had just taken as she replied with 'I do' and put the pendant on her, “Rise Shield Corporal Star.”

He repeated the process six more times ending with Jacob, “Rise Shield Lieutenant Corbin.”

Celestia turned to the crowd and spoke, “I present to Equestria the Dawn Shield, who protects us from the shadows so the promise of tomorrow never dies.”

A great cheer arose from the crowd as the ceremony came to a close and the eight warriors finally could get some well deserved R&R... and barley burgers.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Knowing that the invasion could happen any day, Fluttershy and Big Mac decided to have their wedding two days after the ceremony. Which was, at the time, the next day.

The girls were having a day at the spa, and Jacob was spending time with Aurora.

Midnight was giving Applebloom, Sweetie Bell, and Scootaloo martial arts lessons.

He was impressed with the way Scootaloo was adapting to her disability. She had learned to use her other senses to a remarkable level. She cold even hold her own against Midnight for a while.

She took to wearing a strip of cloth over her destroyed eyes with ornate writing of a language Midnight didn't recognize. The filly reminded him of the story of the blind warrior.

After a few hours the four took a break.

Midnight decided to break the silence, “So how's the CMC doing.”

“Oh mah gosh, Ah can't believe we forgot to tell you!” Applebloom said excitedly, “We got our charter! We are now an officially recognized youth origination!”

“That's great, congratulations, girls” Midnight said.

“That's not all.” Sweetie Bell said, “Princess Luna's opening a branch of the Cutie Mark Crusaders in Canterlot! There's already, like, twenty Fillies and colts signed up there.”

“Wow!” he said, “That's great. You know I might be able to arrange a branch in Manehattan, too. I have a client who buys a lot of my G-pets (golem pets) who might be interested. His wife has been looking for something to do for the community.”

“Thanks, Midnight that's mighty king of you.” AB said, “Ya hear that Scootaloo?”

She only got snoring in return. Getting a laugh from the others.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Twilight and Rarity were rubbing the Fluttershy's back trying to calm the mare as she breathed into a paper bag. They were sitting in a tent in a clearing near Fluttershy's cottage.

“Calm down, darling, you'll be fine.” Rarity said.

“She's right” said Twilight, “I was nervous, too, but once the music started and the doors opened, I saw Midnight waiting for me and nothing else mattered. This will be the happiest moment of your life. At least until you have a foal.” Twilight was looking off into the distance with a light in her eye as she bathed in the memories of the two greatest moments of her life, “I thought that being chosen as princess Celestia's protege was the best thing that could ever happen. Wow, was I wrong.”

Fluttershy saw the look of pure joy on her friends face and calmed down. She smiled at Twilight She's so happy just remembering her wedding., “Thank you Twilight.” she took a deep breath, “Ok, I'm ready.”

“I'll tell them.” said Rarity as she left the room.

“Ok, good luck, Fluttershy.” Twilight said and turned to Aurora who was sitting by the wall playing with a squirrel, “You ready, honey.”

“Yep.” she jumped up and grabbed her basket.

“Wait for the music and the flap to open.” Twilight said as she left.

After a few moments the music began to play and the flaps were lifted by several birds. Aurora happily skipped out spreading flower pedals as she went.

Fluttershy stepped into the light of the afternoon and saw Big Macintosh waiting in a suit in front of Princess Cadence who was overseeing the wedding.

Just as Twilight said nothing else mattered. The entire Apple family was there, She didn't see them. All her animal friends were there, she didn't see them. Half of Ponyville was there, she didn't see them. Her five best friends were standing in front of her, she didn't see them. Midnight stood beside Big Mac, she didn't see him.

All she saw was the Stallion she loved standing at the alter with a smile on his face. All her fear and nervousness left and she was filled with pure joy.

She slowly made her way to her groom. Stopping beside him as the music finished playing.

Cadence began speaking but all Fluttershy noticed was Big Mac's eyes.

“Macintosh Apple, do you take this mare to be your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, forevermore?” Cadence said

“Ah do.”

“And do you, Fluttershy Fauna, take this stallion to be your husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, forevermore?”

“I do.”

“Then by the power vested in me, as a princess of Equestria, I now pronounce you stallion and wife You may kiss the bride.”

They didn't need to be told that part as before she could even finish they were locked in a deep and passionate kiss.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

It was a great reception as the whole town congratulated Mr. and Mrs. Apple. Twilight remembered how it sounded to her to be called Mrs. Star, and knew Fluttershy loved it just as much.

Twilight and Midnight sat on the balcony of the library lost in their memories of their day.

They gazed at the stars, when something caught their attention. An odd flashing light appeared from with in the Everfree forest .

Midnight stood up, his eyes narrowed as he realized what he saw, “Twilight, send a letter,” he turned to look at her, “They're here.” Next Chapter: Chapter 10: Sacrifice Estimated time remaining: 38 Minutes