“W-Who are you?” she asked, as the other ponies ran over

“Have you been living under a rock?” I asked, laughing, “I am Prince Nova Corona Solaris Blast, Shepherd of Fire, Draconic Alicorn and brother to Princess Celestia herself” Starlight Glimmer smirked

“Regardless, you are nothing without your cutie mark” she cast a beam of magic, which hit my cutie mark and did…nothing. “What!?” I smirked

“Please dear, I’m flattered, but at least ask me out to dinner first” I said, making Rainbow Dash snicker “And that’s not even a real cutie mark, it’s a tattoo of a city district called Ta-Metru, now what did you say about me being nothing without my cutie mark?” she began to back away.

“Let me tell you a little story of the last time someone tried preaching your kind of equality” I said, advancing on her before butting heads “OVER ELEVEN MILLION INNOCENT PEOPLE WERE MERCILESSLY SLAUGHTERED BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T FIT ONE MAN’S IDEA OF A PERFECT WORLD OF EQUALETY!!! AND THAT DOESN’T EVEN INCLUDE THE 49 MILLION OTHER PEOPLE KILLED IN THE WAR GOING ON AT THE BUCKING TIME AND THE DECADES OF POLITICAL TURMOIL AFTERWARDS!!! NEED I BUCKING GO ON!!!???”

“No” she said at barely a whisper.

“GOOD!!!” I said, before stepping away, the group of ponies that I didn’t recognise were staring at me slack-jawed and I snorted before shutting their jaws with my magic as I walked past “if the wind changes your face’ll stay like that”

“Whoa…” Rainbow said “what’s bitten you?”

“War” I said, not stopping. I noticed Starlight Glimmer slinking away but didn’t say anything, I doubt she would be much trouble after the talk I just gave her “Killing people for a living changes you, I try not to let it affect me, but people like her just…”I trailed off before shaking my head to clear my thoughts “Do you need me anymore? Because we’re in the middle of preparing for a siege”

“Uh…I think we’ll be fine” Twilight said, I smiled.

“I’ll keep in touch and visit as often as I can” I said, before charging up my horn and teleporting away with a bang.

*POV 3rd person*

As the smoke cleared and a glowing red orb shot up into the sky, Rainbow Dash spoke up.

“Well someone’s pissed” she said

“Rainbow!” the others shouted

*POV 3rd Person, Location: Orbit above Kreecherde (Reptaurian Planet)

Minion held a pony-sized beacon in his hands as he floated outside a modified Manticore Gunship; this was the Portal-beacon that would provide up-to date information on the co-ordinates to send back to the sol system, it would soon be replaced by a large gate like the ones orbiting the planets back home.

“Are you done floating around aimlessly?” Boris called, the Neu-Toa of air was hanging otno the outside of the ship and generating a bubble of air that surrounded them “I can’t keep generating air for much longer”

“You’re free to go wait in the ship whilst I get this beacon set up” Minion said as he began typing on an external keypad “I do have adaptive armour, and Nova proved it works in space after…” He trailed off and Boris gave him a sympathetic look.

“He’s still sensitive about it, isn’t he?” the Griffon turned-Neu-Toa asked.

“Yes” Minion said, suddenly the beacon beeped and a light turned green, causing Minion to smile “And we have lift off” he then pressed a button and the Key pad folded away. With a push against the beacon he drifted back towards the Gunship.

“Uh, guys” Glück called over the intercom “you might vant to get back in here und get back to base sharpish, I’ve got a couple of Banshees headed our way about 2 clicks out” Minion glanced towards the front of the Gunship and zoomed in using his scope to see two Banshees approaching at some speed.

“Get in” Minion ordered, before shoving the Neu-Toa of air inside and following after. He slammed the door shut and turned to Glück “Punch it!”

“Jawohl!” She said before jerking the Joystick to one side. Minion and Boris were thrown against the wall of the fuselage as the entire gunship turned and blasted into the atmosphere below. Suddenly the left hand windows flashed green and the entire gunship lurched violently to one side. A series of thuds followed, signifying that the automatic turrets had taken care of the banshee’s

“Vad i det känt av guden var det!?” Boris exclaimed.

“Banshee took out our left engine” Glück said “…And I think zere is a problem with the landing gear” Minion looked down and activated the x-ray scope on his mask and frowned.

“Problem? There’s nothing left” He said “This is going to be a bumpy ride” as they entered the atmosphere flames started to billow out of what remained of the left engine and the entire craft started to shake violently.

“Minion, do you think you can keep an eye on things and make sure nothing falls apart?” Glück asked

“I’ll keep all four eyes open” He said, before glancing at the left engine “Glück, if you don’t shut off the left-hand engine we’ll be in even bigger trouble” Glück shut down the left engine and set the flaps on the left wing to the landing position to increase lift and make up for the loss of power somewhat, the added drag would also slow their descent, nevertheless the engine was still in flames as the descended to about 30 thousand feet.

“I’ve done zee best I can do” She said “but ve’ll have to vait and see if this crate vill hold together for the rest of the trip”

“Best start praying to your gods, Minion” Boris said, grabbing hold of a handrail.

“If this was an old Hilux we wouldn’t need to start praying” Minion muttered. After a tense ten minute Glück began to hear chatter on the radio and began calling for help.

“Mayday, Mayday, Zis is Terran Union dropship November-Tango one, I’ve come under attack by Covenant Banshees and I’ve lost my number 1 engine & landing gear and I’m suffering from an engine fire, requesting immediate assistance!”

“Reading you loud and clear, November-Tango 1” a voice responded over the radio “we’ll send fire ships to escort and bring you home” Soon a pair of old Blenheim Bombers painted in red and yellow banked around and followed the Gunship as the capital, and the field to one side that served as an air force base, came into view.

“We’ll escort you down” one of the pilots said over the radio, before switching the channel to the other fire ship “hose her down” the repurposed turrets spun around and began spraying foam on the engine, dowsing the flames and dispelling the smoke.

“Alright” Glück said “this is vhere things get interesting” and with that, she began to push the gunship down towards the runway…20 feet…15 feet…10 feet…5 feet…1 foot…CRUNCH! The underbelly of the gunship ground into the earth, carving a small trench along the runway and kicking up dirt on both sides. Eventually the gunship ground to a halt and Boris let out a sigh of relief

“Phew” he said, wiping the sweat from his brow “another happy landing”

*POV 1st person Nova*

Two hours later

I was sat in the organ room with Aiden, teaching him the basics of piano, for the purposes of this lesson, I was using a couple of the low down string-based key-boards, rather than the organ based ones, and teaching him through copy and repetition, I would show him a tune, then I would show him each key until he had the basic tune done right.

“Alright” I said “next you need to…” A scroll with Celestia’s seal landing on the keys interrupted me, what caught my attention was the black ribbon, never a good sign. I opened it and began reading.

Dear Prince Nova Blast

It is with deep sorrow that I must inform you of the death of your mother and step father…

I quickly put the letter down.

“Aiden” I said, trying not to show emotion “Your lessons for today are concluded, if you could kindly send your grandmother in here then that would be most appreciated” he quickly nodded and walked out of the room, I resumed opening the letter, beginning to panic, this could not be happening.

…of your mother and step-father; Ailsa Marie Marshal and Christopher Marshal, in an attack on the Nova house-hold, it is believed that Vapaa Juoksija’s brothers are responsible, as shortly before-hand they escaped from the Spherus Magnan containment facility known as the pit.

Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss.

Sincerely, Princess Celestia

P.S. I am so, so sorry for what has happened, the royal guard are doing the best they can find them and bring them to full justice, and I will visit you and your brother when next possible.

I rolled the letter up and placed it on the piano keys, before sighing.

“This can’t be happening” I muttered, shutting my eyes to try and block out the tears “First my Dad, and now…this?” I was stirred from my muttering by Autumn walking in.

“Nova, what’s wrong?” she asked, seeing the tears running down my cheeks, I passed her the letter and after a few moments she gasped before pulling me into a hug “Oh, Nova, I am so sorry” I didn’t say anything, merely buried my head into her shoulder and broke down completely. After god knows how long I heard the door slam open and Minion shout. Causing us both to look over

“Nova!” he shouted, stomping over whilst Vinyl and Aurora tried unsuccessfully to stop him “Where the fuck is Fantasia?” Next Chapter: Chapter 17 Estimated time remaining: 35 Minutes