So do not despair my little one

For you are as sweet as the stars’ song.

You gave us all more reason to love

Something that loved us all along.

Jacklyn smiled at him, clapping her hands with such cheer.

“Thank you, thank you.” Ivan made a slight bow, making sure that he didn’t take his eyes off the road. “You’re too kind.”

Jacklyn would stop clapping to say, “Been awhile since I heard you sing, so I’m glad you said yes.”

Ivan scoffed. “Mainly because you wouldn’t shut up about it.”

Jacklyn scoffed also. “I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

“Well… I thought it would be best that we kept quiet. You know, lightening the mood like that.”

She looked back at him, the smile still on her face. “Heh, I don’t think that’s going to cut it.”

“I think it can.”

Jacklyn leaned over to the radio to check the time. “So we’ve been driving for a while, huh?”

“Yep. We should be driving over the state line by now.”

“That’s good to hear.” She was about to turn on the radio before Ivan would say.

“Or you could’ve done that, you know.”

She stopped just inches away from the button before saying glumly, “I just, liked your singing, that’s all. Does it run in the family or something?”

Ivan grit his teeth, while hoping she wouldn’t see.

Jacklyn on the other hand, only needed to see his eyes just to know what he wants to say. “Oh… Okay… Do you mind me turning on the radio?”

“Not at all.”

She turned on the radio. First song being one that talked about wine being the ultimate consultation.

Ivan felt like cringing at this song, even despite actually being easy to listen to. It played onto the end as they drove along, watching the endless trees that covered each side of the road. Nothing came of it though, except for that it was leading him back to his memories. "Hmm, it was a good song Big Mac."

“Huh?” Ivan quickly glanced at the radio upon hearing a voice.

“And that was ‘Red Red Wine’ by UB-Forty.” The DJ would announce casually.

“Oh, so it wasn’t from Bob Marley then.” Jacklyn kidded.

Ivan only muddled a brief, ‘Hmmph’ and a smile.

“And now here are your morning news… Italian Prime Minister, Elsa Bonacelli, along with a quarter of the Parliament have managed to flee to Monaco with the help of RED mercenaries and Italian Special Forces…”

Jacklyn groaned. “You know, I wonder when they’ll show something positive that has nothing to do with war.”

Ivan chuckled, rolling his eyes slightly. "That’s never going to happen, Jackie.”  “Do you think the news does this only in times like this?”

“No, I know they never had. I heard that before the riots, the news would go ballistic over one event, that they’d devote an entire day just to cover it all. Press conferences, Journalists’ opinions, anything you can imagine just to get their stupid point across.” Jacklyn leaned against her seat. “I know that they’d report some positive stuff, but I wish they’d do that more often, you know.”

“Yeah… but I don’t think now’s the time to report on something like that if people are dying wherever you turn.”

Jacklyn kept quiet, watching the radio with a hint of sentiment. “I guess.”

“Princess Celestia is calling for action…”

Ivan could hear her gasp, but not her heart beat.

The volume on the radio was now increasing. “… against the Soviet Empire after the Red Army murdered over thirty protestors in Lhasa. Princess Celestia claims that they were peacefully protesting against the increased Layoffs occurring across the Tibetan SSR…”

Jacklyn frowned. “Aw.”

“However, the Soviet government, along with Chairman Ren Cedain deny that claim. Stating that they were the ones using violence first, provoking them to fire at will. Violently attempting to raid the-”

Click!

“What the-” Jacklyn gasped, watching Ivan change the station. “What did you do that for?”

“You said that you didn’t like bad news.” Ivan then lowered the volume of the radio. "So~."

“But…” She stopped herself from going any further. Then she leaned against the window. “Okay.”

The music on the radio was just a complex piano composition. It gave Ivan an opportunity to talk while not having something creep in the back of his head. “You really need to get your priorities straight.”

She says nothing.

“I mean, news around the world is a bad thing. But when Celestia comes in,” He’d say with sarcasm, “Oh~ man, turn up the volume and stop with what you’re doing. The world’s most condescending goddess is going to bitch at us again.”

Jacklyn, curling her hands into fists, would go on to say, “But, can you blame her? I mean, don’t you remember the October Revolution?”

Ivan sighed. “The Czar didn’t give a crap about his people, and the Princess was too blind to see that. To put it simply, they had it coming.”

“But… you don’t understand how much she felt for th-”

“You’re not making a good point here.”

Jacklyn wanted to say something, but accepted the fact that she couldn’t. “I see.”

“She’s just another story for the tabloids to exploit. Probably till’ we go extinct or something.” Ivan would loosen up. “Got it?”

He heard nothing, but didn’t care.

The Piano composition continued to play on, gently weaving into the scene like a quilt. It would play each quarter note, half-note, full note, and eighth note with ease. The harmonious tone was potent enough to ease the two. For Jacklyn though…

”So, it runs in the family, huh?” she’d ask.

Ivan remained silent.

“Oh, I see.” Jacklyn frowned.

Ivan chose this time to stare at the battered school. Specifically the glass window that was no longer there.

“Another gunfight, huh?”

“Yep.” Ivan sighed, drinking a sip from his can of soda.

The two stared at the broken glass. Jacklyn would grip a tighter hug on her book as the scene sent chills down her spine. “Ivan?”

“Yeah?”

Jacklyn took a second to ask it, but when she did, she’d be wary. “Does this place scare you?”

Ivan was hesitant, but spoke. “N-Not really.”

“Why not?”

The sky was a barely beginning to brighten when he looked onto it. “Do you really think that life outside this place is any better?”

“Um, no.” She loosened the grip on her book. “Well, Celestia said that if you’re ever scared, you just have to remember that you’re not alone.”

“Where, in that book of yours?”

Jacklyn pouted. “You mean the Book of Harmony.”  

She’d take out the book from her clutched arms and opened it to the last couple pages. “In Chapter One-twenty, it reads…”

She took a deep breath before continuing. “Even though the Princess regretted her choice, she understood that it was a necessary punishment for her jealousy and entitlement. But even though it was a necessary punishment, it did not mean that the fear of her return was what embroiled our hearts the most.”

“Hmm.” Ivan took a sip from his soda. “Interesting.”

Jacklyn smiled a bit before continuing. “The Next morning however, was a different story. She’d say, ‘My little ponies, I want to ask that you take the time right now to look into the eyes of your fellow brethren.’ They did, and each and every one of them all had what her majesty was looking for. ‘As you can see, you all feel the same way as I do about yesterday’s events… Keep this in mind my little ponies, for this is what will drive us forth into the future. We all share many traits, especially in response to times like these. So, learn from it, and use this knowledge to break away. Don’t ever let it bind you from reaching your potential.’

“It is with that, that we moved on from that incident and move towards the future… willing to face what is to come.”

  Jacklyn closed the book, clutching it in her arms once again. “You know, there are times when I feel like… like this is hell. Like we’re trapped forever.”

Ivan stopped himself from drinking his soda. “Hmm…. Yeah.”

“But when I read this, I feel a bit better. I guess you can say that Celestia and Luna’s been my little therapy in a way.” She’d smile, making a little chuckle also.

Ivan raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yep… To be honest, it’s a very nice feeling.” She began hugging the book. “To know that I’m not alone. That there are people out there who feel the same. It just makes me feel… great.”

He simply sat there, unable to say anything. Jacklyn would immediately frown upon seeing this. Fortunately, with time, he’d have the courage to share his thoughts. “Well… that’s all you. But the reality is, even with that knowledge, you really can’t do anything about it. Just accept that the world sucks and it’ll be fine.”

Jacklyn had to object. “I disagree… we just have to hope Ivan. Even if that day never comes, it’s what drives us through the day you know.”

Ivan was silent again, taking time before speaking. “Do you think we can stop talking about this, before we weigh each other down?”

Jacklyn sighed, looking back at the brightening sky. “Yeah, for the best right?”

“Mmm Hmm.”

There was a short pause before Jacklyn would say. “Well, the day looks nice though.”

Ivan smiled. “I have to agree.”

Jacklyn felt sorrow as the memory went by. The only option left was to look back at the forest, hoping that would ease her down.  

Then her body would fling forward as the seatbelt held her back. Along with that, a loud screech was heard as the truck came sliding to a stop.

She was able to regain her seating as she asked. “Ivan, what are you-”

“You see that?” Ivan said, pointing out onto the road.

“See what?” She’d find a dozen green circular objects that blocked the road. “Oh no they wouldn’t.”

“Yes, they would.”

Jacklyn’s shoulders would tense up. “What do we do then?”

“Blowing them up will immediately alert them, deactivating them will take forever, and going into the forest will get us nowhere.”

“Basically, we only have one option to choose from.”

“Exactly.” Ivan proclaimed. “We head into the forest.”

“Deactivate them.”

“Wait, why deactivate them?” Ivan asked.

“Think about it Ivan,” she started. “Deactivating them may take a while, but it won’t get the attention of the enemy.”

“Yeah, until the whole thing backfires thanks to scouts, and the possibility that they contain mini-radar systems.”

“Don’t worry.” she said with an encouraging fist to his shoulder. “We have each other. You know, like Wallace and Gromit.”

Ivan, baffled, asked, “Okay then, do you know the passwords to all of them?”

Her smile struggled to stay in place. “Uh… who said anything about…  a-a password?”

Click!

“Well, that’s another one cut.” Ivan whispered.

Jacklyn stood up from her crouch. “Yep.”

“Stay down, Jackie. You don’t want to step in on another trap.”

“Sure.” She crouched to his level, pouting. “I can’t believe they’d put mines on their own route.”

“And I can’t believe that you still don’t know the reason why.”

Jacklyn groaned. “So that jerk offs like us get caught in these things, there.”

“Exactly.”

The birds chirped endlessly as the sun was now looming through the trees. It’s what kept them distracted, making them intentionally oblivious to the fact that this might take an entire day.

“Your turn.” Ivan said, pointing at yet another tightened string.

“Fine.” She was handed the scissors, and proceeded to cut it.

Click!

“Clear.”

“Hmm.” Ivan then joined her, and continued onwards into the empty woods.

Jacklyn, looked out into trees. A soft smile on her face. “It’s nice to be out here, isn’t it?”

“What, out in-”

“You know what I mean, right?”

Ivan too smiled a bit. “Yeah, I do.”

“Aren’t you the least bit glad that you get to be out here for once?” Her smile was being challenged at that moment. “Even if it’s for something different?”

Ivan was about to open his mouth, however, he decided against it. In a few seconds though, he’d say, “Come on… If we want to reach the state line by sunset, then we have to keep moving.”

He crawled forward, slowly and warily as usual. Jacklyn though, stayed there. Jacklyn reached a hand out, wanting to say something. But, like Ivan, she decided against it. She looked down at the dirt below, sighing.

“You coming or what?’

She looked up, finding Ivan looking back at her with that face. Her eyes wanted to fill with water right then and there. She shook her head a bit, blushing in the process. “Uh yeah, just caught up in thought, that’s all.”

She then followed along, joining Ivan in their continuation across the woods. Ivan was still looking ahead, his eyes narrowed and his mouth closed shut, refusing to even glance at her.

“Brother, where do you think you’re going?”

Ivan yanked Jacklyn against one of the thick trees.

“I thought I heard something sister!”

Jacklyn stood frozen in place. Trembling from each word they’d say. “W-we’re... mmph!”

Her mouth was now muffled by his hand. He vigorously shook his head at her. With her cheeks reddening, she’d nod without any unwillingness. Her shoulders loosened and relaxed as she felt her body pressed up against his’. Slowly, she closed her eyes, resting her head above his chest, and placing her hands over the one holding her waist. The birds and the leaves crunching was all she could hear as everything began to vacate her mind.

“Who goes there?” the soldier would shout.

She didn’t care at the moment, as long as she had-

“Sir, we know you’re hiding behind that tree! So please surrender!”

They couldn’t’ve-

“There’s no use in hiding, travelers! Come out with your hands up!”

His hands were no longer holding her.

“Madame, the Jig is up! Hands in the air!”

She groaned silently, putting her hands in the air as well. She found that the enemy had multiplied by four and surrounded them. Their indigo colored greatcoats was all that distinguished them from the forest.

“You know, Children…” the soldier began, making a mischievous smirk. “If you were both Minutemen, I would’ve let you free. Since most of those hooligans just love to get lost.”

“But, seeing that you’re not…,”

“We get the drill, sir." Ivan refuted. "We’re your slaves until we die.”

Jacklyn gasped, beginning to tremble. "What?”

The soldier smiled, adjusting the black service cap on his head. “Well, looks like you know your stuff, lost one.”

Softly, he grabbed onto Jacklyn’s arm, specifically the one holding the shield. “It’s obvious information, something that you people are used to doing behind the Army’s back.”

They’d hear nothing from them, until the man spoke. “Oh, so you’re comforting your little friend there, how sweet.”

“Uh…” Jacklyn muttered. She’d hear the soldiers laugh sporadically, making her legs shiver.

“And look, she’s turning red too.” the soldier in front continued. “I’m sure Luna will bless you both with eternal happiness.”

The laughing would die down as the soldiers voice grew serious. “But, since you both wouldn’t give a damn to her majesty like the strumpet who claimed to be her sister, I think it’s safe to say that we’ll do our best to… enlighten you about her blessings to the world.”

Ivan saw him lift his brow, making a slight nod in the meantime. With that, he violently yanked Jacklyn to his left.

“Aah!” she yelped.

Twang!

Thwap!

Ivan would witness the soldier fall onto his back with a dart impaled into his forehead. At the same moment, he took out his pistol and aimed it to his right. The pistol let out three burst rounds, one of them would hit the targeted soldier in her throat.

“Jackie, push!”

Jacklyn turned around, holding onto her shield like a mast during a storm. “H-huh?”

“I said push!”

With her body shaking, she nodded. She ran towards the closest soldier and took her baton out with ease.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-Click!

She pushed the rifle aside with her shield, and knocked the soldier out in the next move. Ivan would shoot another that tried to flank him from his left. The soldier would drop his rifle as he held his arm in pain. Then there was a raging scream coming from behind.

  Bl-bl-blam!

The soldier didn’t even come close to stabbing him. Jacklyn would use this as a reason to stand in front of him and pull him down. “Wha-Hey!”

Bullets deflected off her shield for her shield. And Ivan would see them fly above him in such a rapid rate. “Uh… thanks!”

The gunshots would cease.

“Go!” Jacklyn whispered.

“Got it!” He switched to his rifle, mounting it over the shield.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

The charging soldiers weren’t great strategists when it came to this unexpected turn. The three of them dropped dead before they could even hide.

Twang!

“Huh?” Ivan looked in the direction of the gunshots.

Blam! Blam! Blam!

“What the-” the soldier uttered, his shaking diminishing his aim

The three bullets deflected off his body. Jacklyn would quickly point her shield in that direction.

Rat-at-at-at-at!

  The soldier collapsed to the ground, holding onto the wounds in his stomach. Without a sense of remorse, Ivan walked to him. With his rifle pointed to his head, he’d begin. “Well then, looks like the table’s turned, mister. Your captain is knocked out, and Luna seems to have run away with her tail in between her legs.”

Jacklyn would walk slowly towards the man, hand over mouth as she tried not to throw up at the bloody scene.

“What… what are you?” he said with a choked voice,

“Not important. Mostly because I want to ask you this: Where can we find the safest route to Washington State?”

The wounded man was in a loss for words. “What?”

Jacklyn’s disgust eased, approaching the man with saddened eyes.

“You heard me, I’m not going to put up with this crap.” Ivan put bluntly. “So, where can I find the safest route.”

“Uh…”

“Please mister.” Jacklyn said with modesty. “We didn’t intend to fight you. We’re being chased by strange people, and we need to get out of here. So if you know where we can find one, tell us.”

The soldier would be quiet for a little while, looking up at the morning sky in thought. In a couple of seconds, he came up with the answer. “I’m sorry… Mister… I really… I really don’t kno-Aargh!”

  Jacklyn gasped.“Sweet Celestia.”

With a stomp on the stomach wound, Ivan would remind him of the obvious. “You know you don’t have to lie to us. I don’t intend to fight your clan, unless you wanna bring the shooting to us of course. Also, isn’t one of the elements called honesty? You should really stay true to that.”

“Grrr, that’s something Celestia values, ignorant o-Aaargh!”

Giving his foot a twist, he’d say, “Pff, should’ve reminded you that that was a rhetorical question there, asshole! So, answer me now, or Luna will be wondering how to give you a new stomach from the moon!”

Jacklyn grabbed onto Ivan’s arm. “Ivan pleas-Ay!”

Falling to the ground, she could only watch and hold a firm grip on her baton.

“Please, mister, do it for-Aaarrgh~!”

He twisted his foot back to its original position. “I told you, where the hell can we find in a safe route to Washington St-”

Whack!

The Soldier didn’t move after that, his eyes closed, and his body limp. Ivan would quickly see a baton on his forehead, before feeling two hands push him to the ground. “Umph, hey!”

He looked up to find Jacklyn glaring down on him, breathing heavily and audibly. Her hands shook with velocity. Her mouth lifted, but no words came out.

“Jackie…” he’d utter, aghast by what he’s seeing.

“Alright Phillippe, cover the right flank!”

“Yes, sister!”

“Shoot.” Ivan then lunged over to Jacklyn, grabbing her arm and pulling her down.

“If you find them, make sure they don’t move!”

“Yes, sister!” A united group would chant.

“Damn it.”

There was a buzzing sound coming from above.

“Get ready Jackie, we’re going in for another g-”

Tw-wich!

A drone above them would turn to look in their direction, then it hovered off into another. Seeing this gave Ivan a chance to see what caused it. Jacklyn was holding onto a long silver tube that was oozing smoke from the top. Jacklyn would look at the smoke with grimacing eyes.

“Uh… let’s get moving.”

Jacklyn took a little while to answer. When she did, she could only manage a little nod. She’d look up to find Ivan’s hand reaching for her. She was hesitant at first, but she couldn’t resist the gesture as usual. But even then, her anguish would still cling onto her like gentle bird.

Slam!

The two men in black joggled at the sudden noise. They found Trevor staring at them with an angered face. They looked back at him in dread.

“Well, yeah, about that.” one of them giggled awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck. “Turns out they chose otherwise instead.”

She didn’t get a response, watching Trevor’s closed eyes and grumbling character.

“Uh, sir?”

He’d pull his fist away from the desk.

“… It’s all right. We make mistakes, don’t we?” He opened his eyes, “On the bright side, it shows that our predictions were correct. Kurt, order the minutemen to mop up the mines.”

He saluted. "Yes sir.”

“Annika, contact the city council of that town. Tell them to withdraw their men back into the town immediately.”

She saluted. “Uh, Yes sir.”

Then she exited out the room.

With them gone, Trevor reached for the slightly large tablet at the top-right of his desk. Pulling it over to him, he woke it from its sleep and went for one of the apps. When he opened it, he began typing.

But before that, he decided to turn on the TV for accompaniment. On screen, was a woman wearing a long blue robe. Violet stoles beckoned over it, with the symbol of the Lunar Princess on each of them. She was singing an old song with such beauty, that it nearly distracted him from typing. It would take a while before he began pressing his fingers against the keyboard again. Even then, her voice, combined with the piano playing made it difficult nonetheless.

And even though she hath gone,

We will always love her until we die.

Her loving embrace lives on

In the beauty of her night sky.

The massive audience clapped with awe at the performance. The lady would walk to her large podium and rested her arms over it. The claps would cease in a graceful manner. When it was quiet, she reached towards the microphone close by.

“In the first eight chapters of our Princess’s book, the ponies were in utter despair for a millennia after the fall of the Equine council. The oppressor only known as Discord lead them astray, crushed their spirits, and forced their weakened bodies to remain divided and battered as he ruled over them with an iron claw!”

The audience remained quiet.

“However, little did that monster know that his age of chaos would soon crumble to the might of our Princess; the Princess of the night!” She opened the book in front of her, searching for the right page. Upon finding it, “Chapter Six, page four hundred and two: The Lord of Chaos asked the beautiful mare if she’d like to stay in his castle. The mare said that as long as she was able to raise the moon peacefully, she’d stay. The beast agreed, letting the mare stay with him for as long as he wanted.”

“Raise the moon, my ass.” one man in the audience mumbled. “I don’t think the Greek Philosophers saw that when-”

“Shh! Don’t let them hear you, you Jackass.” His colleague whispered to him. “They don’t care if we’re News cameramen, they’ll-”

“I know, I know.”

She looked up to the audience, taking off the silver crown from her head. She placed it in front of her sights while showing its blue jewels to the audience. “It was a clever strategy by our holy Princess in order to vanquish the beast into stone. A noble sacrifice to sell her body to the barbarian. All while that filthy wench she was forced to call sister would just sell her body to please him, rather than to dethrone him!”

Those last words would send chills down every non-follower’s spine.

“It is why we must do the same. To create a new world, Humanity must do away with what is holding us back. Our Goddess accepted the ways of Discord, sacrificing her reputation with the ponies to one day bring him down…”

The crown warmed her heart, but her mouth would form a slight frown. “Passing it on from pony to pony, and eventually, from human to human. Her heroism proved that the world can’t be changed without sacrifice.”

  One by one, the people in front of her was beginning to glance away from her. While many began to whisper briefly amongst themselves. She groaned softly, letting that slide before she continued. “When Selene was given that opportunity more than fifty years ago, the world was against her, but they weren’t the real problem. As our following grew, so did our rival’s. Which is why…”

She felt a finger touch her. Though reluctant, she pulled away from the mic to consult the person. “General Gomez, this better be important.”

He reached into the pocket of his greatcoat, taking out a small tablet. “It’s from the Legion, your grace.”

“You mean…”

As she took the tablet from his hand, he’d cut her off with a nod.

“Oh, okay.” she nodded back, beginning to read what it had to say.

   The Escapees have infiltrated the BLU-SNE Territory. Specifically in the Central South Dakota-Wyoming State line. Prepare for the worst.

                                                                                          -Trevor

She frowned before handing the tablet back to her subordinate. “Order a thousand Batwings into the area reported. One in each building, understand?”

“Yes, your grace.”

She placed one hand over her chest, then made a slight bow. “May Luna bless you.”

The General did the same to her. “And may she bless you too, your grace.”

After that, he walked off the stage. She turned back to her podium, reaching for her mic. “Which is why we took up arms to begin with. From then on, we faced many risks, risks that lead us to unite and conquer those who threaten us. However, new dangers will always be lying ahead… Even after Luna returns.”

She adjusted her long brown hair. “Humanity grows more and more advanced with every year passing. But they grow colder and colder just to create so-called ‘Progress’. They make irreparable mistakes and can only wallow in their despair as everything crumbles around them. Which is why her return will signal a new era for humans and ponies alike. An era where greed will be replaced with peace. By that goal, we must risk everything to achieve it… even our lives.”

BOOM!

“Whoa!” Jacklyn gasped, watching the tank’s canon collapse onto the ground in flames.

“Whoa indeed.” Ivan said, “I mean, that just came out of nowhere!”

“It’s the terrorists!” One cried. “God damn it, now of all times!”

Gunfire erupted shortly after.

“Didn’t see that coming either.” Ivan checked his magazine for ammo. “Well looks like it’s time for my favorite game.”

“What is it?” she said with a faint smile.

"Jumping from house to house." He inserted the magazine back in his rifle. “Heh, back in ‘Doofania’ as they called it, we’d…”

He looked back at the streets around their cover, ignoring her sudden frown. “Ugh, you know what I mean, now lets go.”

“B-But I-”

“Just do it and follow me… okay?”

Jacklyn sighed. “Of course, what else is there to do?”

Ivan looked ahead, finding that the troops were mostly concentrating on the three houses down the road. Bullets from both sides were being fired by each side. Ivan would catch some of the Lunar soldiers lose their lives as they attempted to gain a foothold on the enemy.

“Bill!” one screamed.

Jacklyn placed a hand over her mouth, closing her eyes and looking away. All while the sound of a oud engine was close by.

“Damn, reinforce-”

  A loud swish was heard, before Ivan found the houses filling themselves with smoke. Ivan, with his eyes turning to pinpricks could only say, “… ments.”

Once he recuperated from his shock, he turned to Jackie. “Come with me.”

She accepted, and he’d take her to the other side of the house. Where…

“The Hell?”

Although the Personnel carrier found sported the blue coloring of the SNE’s armor, the men beside it wore bullet proof vests of black. Their clothes being of any variety.

Surprised, Jacklyn would say, “But… those aren’t-”

There would be explosions coming from their right.

“Oh Celesita.”

“Hey!” one of the men shouted.

“Over here!” he’d wave speedily.

“Uh… He can’t be talking about us, right?” Ivan asked uncomfortably.

“Both of you by the house, get over here!”

Then he noticed Jackie now beside him… Then he noticed that he was walking past him. “Jackie, what the hell are you-”

“What other choice do we have, Ivan!” she shouted back.

“But you could be… Uh, you might, you know… uh… Ugh~!” With that, he stormed over there with a hurry.

They ended up entering the personnel carrier before the door would close behind them. There, Jackie felt Ivan’s breath brush into her ear. Her legs shook softly as he’d whisper in her ear. “If we suddenly get backstabbed by these people, you owe me a soda or two… If we survive, and if they have soda.”

Cautiously, she only nodded.

“You don’t have to worry about getting backstabbed, you know that right.”

Looking behind them, they found one of the men staring back at them concernedly. “In time, the sisterhood’s going to discover that this carrier’s been stolen.”

“Uh, they already did, sir.” Ivan addressed.

The news snapped the man out of it. “Huh?”

“Yeah, I just saw five Humvees drive up towards the intersection.”

The man grew furious. “Er… you can’t be serious! How come you didn’t…”

“Look, just get your boys to ambush them and it’ll be fine.”

“I…” He could only put his lifted finger down. “Fine…”

He then reached for his walkie-talky and sent out the orders.

“Ivan?”

“You better be right on this.” Ivan would put simply.

“Oh… Okay.” On the verge of biting her nails, she could only stay as such. ”Please Ivan....”

“For only five dollars, you too can own a piece of history, as well as honor our veterans. Order the World War Three commemorative coin today.”

Click!

“So, Jack, for fifty dollars and five ration cards, here is your question…”

Click!

“Your head will be in bloom when you drink all new Chi-”

Click!

Cl-clack!

Blutarch turned around, finding Marianne entering. “Hello Marianne. You’re back early.”

“Yeah.” she said formally.

“So what brings you here then?”

She sat in one of the chairs. “Well, Trevor informed me to tell you that…”

“Ivan has infiltrated the BLU-Lunar territory?”

Marianne looked at him, dumbfounded, “Uh…”

“He sent me the message, Marianne.” He showed her the message on his tablet. “Turns out the plan with killing Ivan didn’t go so well, didn’t it?”

Marianne sneered, “Obviously.”

The thought of it though, made her lose the smile. “But…”

“He has a friend with him, I know.” Blutarch informed. “We were told that the moment he fled Fort Xavier.”

“Oh…”

“It’s obvious that this is going to be a difficult process, isn’t it?”

“Of course.”

He turned to look at the TV. “So… with that out of the way, what brings you here?”

“Huh…? Oh, right, I was on my way to ask you for your assistance in bringing down Ivan.”

“Oh, that.” Blutarch took a sip from his tea. “Of course we will.”

“Really?”

“Yes, from the beginning we knew that you and the policemen couldn’t handle it. So, I was thinking of helping out.”

“The US Army also pitched in, sir.” Marianne sighed. “They weren’t as lucky… They even deployed a squad of Delta Operatives to stop them…, but they were wiped out while engaging them.”

“Damn…. that bad, huh?”

“Yep.”

"Well that's great." He poured himself a small cup of tea. “Would you like some tea, Miss Petit?”

Marianne turned to find a woman in a classic business outfit, a cup of tea in her hand. “Yes sir.”

She took the teacup in her hands. “Thank you.”

Then she took a sip.

“In Canada today…”

Marianne was on the verge of choking before swallowing it safely. She looked to the TV afterwards.

“… the newly formed Federal States of Quebec are now recruiting soldiers from the defunct CAF into the Militia. President Lee de Pointer stated that all soldiers who fought for the old Parliament are welcome to fight alongside the new army…”

Marianne pouted at the news, rolling her eyes.

“They called that day ‘Bloody Leaf’, right?” asked Blutarch. “The day that Ottawa was razed to the ground?”

Marianne was silent, drinking another sip of tea.

“Hmm, they shouldn’t’ve left the Nunavut mainland nearly undefended then, am I right?” Blutarch then noticed her frown. “Marianne, it’s been three years since that battle. Shouldn’t you be…, I don’t know, over it?”

“I’m not thinking about that, Blutarch.” Marianne scoffed.

“It sure looks like you were.”

“Well I’m not.” She took another sip of her tea. “You can put those worries to bed if you like.”

“Okay then.” He took another sip of his tea.

She did the same thing, only she did until she ran out. After letting out a breath of air, she reached for the teapot close by.

“…, marking the first escape ever by a worker within military grounds.”

Marianne looked at the screen as she poured herself some more tea.

“This incident happened at Fort. Xavier in eastern South Dakota. Base officials state that they managed to stow away in one of the Minutemen’s vehicles before escaping from them unseen.”

The news was making her worry. ”Of course they wouldn’t…”

Then she felt her hands begin to sear.

Crash!

She wiggled her hand violently as it oozed steam. “Hot, hot, hot, hot!”

She blew her hand as hard as she could. “Ow... ow… ow…”

“You all right there?” asked Blutarch worryingly.

“Oh, so now you ask.” Marianne said flagrantly. She grabbed a napkin close by, wiping the tea from her hand. “Ouch.”

“You really got worked up there.”

“You think?” Marianne groaned, holding onto her hand.

“Hmm.” Blutarch simpered. “It seems that you’re worked up over him, this time?”

Marianne didn’t say a word. Instead, she reached over to the plate of scones and took one.

“Not talking, aren’t you?”

Bit by bit, she ate it. Chewing as slow as she could.

Blutarch reached for his tea. After a sip, he’d say, “Well, in order to quell the escapees, I’ve arranged for my scoutsmen to join the patrols, just to make sure the Sisterhood doesn’t try anything funny.”

Marianne hastily swallowed the piece of scone in her mouth. “Agreed.”

“Trevor didn’t actually tell us in what city they had run off to, but we’ll get the location in no time.” Blutarch took his teapot for a refill. “He was smarter than we predicted, wasn’t he?”

“Mmm Hmm.” She took another scone from the plate, and began to eat it the moment she sat down. “Wait, who?”

“I’m referring to Trevor this time.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh…, him.”

“I’m serious, the man’s creeped me out since the day I got him to sign the contract.” Blutarch commented. “For a guy who can’t speak, he surely knows how to strategize.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Blutarch took the time to ponder a bit, but quickly came up with, “Well, we’ve been alerted about this the moment you lost him in the first attempt. And now, a joint task force has been assembled to bring him down… get a piece of the pie, you know. Trevor’s been very shady about what he does. I find it surprising that he’d turn to us for his problems.”

Marianne smiled casually. “Hmm, kind of contradicts the whole statement there?”

“I’m sorry?”

“You just said earlier he was a great strategist. Then you follow that up with reasons why he isn’t.”

Disconcerted, he scrambled for a rebuttal. “Well... I…”

“Same old Blutarch.” Marianne chuckled. “Two hundred and sixteen years alive, and you haven’t changed a bit.”

“Well, to be fair, I’ve not the dull turd I was back.” Blutarch said. “Thank my new life extension machine for that.”

“I might. Still though, Trevor isn’t the best, but he does his best.”

“Agree.” The next statement though, made him frown before it was said. “Though, his background gave me high hopes.”

“I guess that’s how you came up with the ‘great strategist’ argument.”

He nodded. “Yes, you can say that?”

“Sad when things don’t go as hoped, right?”

“Mmm Hmm.”

The two sat there quietly, the fancy-suited people on TV still reporting yet another story after another. Marianne was on the verge of taking another scone, but was quickly deciding against it. She leaned against her chair, sighing softly as she held her hands together. “Yeah, it’s always been like that.”

The Lunarist soldiers looked to the sky, finding a massive fleet of silver colored helicopters flying above them.

“Are they…”

“Yes Brother, it’s them.”

In time, they’d all land atop the many buildings and empty roads of the town. In each chopper, half a dozen troops would exit out. The only thing that distinguished them from the troops below, were their shorter coats, and the black berets on their heads. One of them would walk up to the two soldiers close by.

“Status report, sister.” she’d say.

“Were we expecting you?” was the first thing the soldier would ask.

“This is urgent, sister. That’s why we were ordered to come here.”

“Oh… uh… terrorist forces attacked us while we were investigating gunfire out in the woods.” She then pointed at the Personnel carrier down the street. “They managed to steal that, but then left it.”

Static!

“This is Brother Nakamura, there’s no one in the-”

BOOM!

“Whoa!”

The soldiers scrambled to assist the wounded, while the three stood there in shock.

“So, where do you think they are now?” the soldier asked.

“Uh…”

The choppers could still be heard from underground, to the point where the ceilings were now rumbling in a discordant pattern.

Ivan looked at the man’s blue arm band. Specifically at the red cog lying underneath a white bird.

“We are the American Liberation Movement.” The man said. “And I am in charge of this region’s resistance group.”

“Uh… Thanks for the info?” Ivan remarked.

“Heh, you’re welcome.” he laughed quietly. ‘But knowing is only half the battle.”

Ivan shrugged. “I guess.”

“So, you’re wondering why I brought you to my humble abode?”

Ivan answered in an instant. “Aside from the fact that I just now-”

Bam!

“We’re heading to the western green zone, sir!”

The two looked to Jackie, her hand now against the desk as she stood on her two feet.

Taken aback by this, the man would cautiously say. “Uh…, that was uncalled for… but okay.”

She sat back down, bowing her head down. “Uh, I’m sorry sir. I was just very...”

He raised his hand. “It’s all right, ma’am. Also, call me Dave.”

“Okay… Dave. My name’s Jacklyn.” She said modestly, reaching out her hand. “But call me Jackie.”

“Makes sense for me, Jackie.” Dave would do the same, shaking each other’s hand. “Should’ve introduced ourselves before… But hey, war never waits.”

He then turned to Ivan. “Oh, and your name?”

“Ivan.” he’d say.

“Okay then. Nice to meet you Ivan.” He nodded. And then they’d sit back down. “Introductions aside, I’m just gonna go out on a limb here and say that you’re the people that escaped from Fort Xavier.”

Ivan held a firm grip onto his rifle. Jacklyn would slightly lift her fingers at the same moment.

Dave lifted his fingers too. “Please Ivan…, think of who you’re dealing with.”

Ivan briefly faced the door behind them. He then looked at Jackie, who was already eyeing him with that face from before. He then turned back to Dave. “Fine, but only because she’s here.”

Jacklyn briefly looked down to take in the air.

“Okay then.” Dave leaned down towards one of the cabinets, taking out two sheets of paper. Attached to it were photos, photos of them. Ignoring their reactions, he went on to say, “Now, escaping from a maximum security zone must’ve been difficult. Hell, maybe impossible. According to these files you both were once mercenaries. Then your bosses…, laid you off I guess.”

“You can say that.” Ivan commented, much to the dismay of Jacklyn.

“I knew the moment when you fled that place, you were going somewhere else and live the rest of your lives there. But… then I noticed a catch.” He looked at Ivan. “Can you really afford living…”

“I have relatives in the Green zone, sir.” Jacklyn interrupted. “There’s no need to worry.”

Dave frowned. “It’s very naïve of you to think that, ma’am.”

“Huh?”

“The US Army will be looking for you, even there. You know how they can be when it’s up to hunting down two people.”

Jacklyn’s shoulders tensed.

“Especially in a time like this.” Dave continued. “By now, word of your escape has probably gotten to Washington by now.”

She began to shake.

Slam!

Jacklyn nearly fell off her chair at the sound. She now found Ivan with his hands against the desk.

“Fine, what’s your solution then!” he shouted. “We’ll do it, just as long as you don’t feed us the obvious.”

Dave rolled his eyes. “Well…, that’s the reason why I brought you two here.”

Ivan sat back on his chair. “And what would that be?”

“Well, I’m leaving for another resistance sector in Northern Colorado, so I can reorganize the resistance groups in the area. They’ve been dealing with heavy losses, and it won’t be a matter of time before they start finding cells in the area.”

“So, you want us” Ivan was pointing at Jacklyn and himself. “to transport you to Colorado then?”

Dave nodded.

“All the way to Colorado?”

“No, can I explain…”

Ivan slammed his fists against the desk. “Ugh, you do realize that we’re not at all mercenaries, right?”

Dave pointed at Jacklyn’s uniform, making her blush in shame.

Ivan rolled his eyes. “We’re fugitives dressed as a Base worker, and a mercenary. We don’t fight for a cause, we’re just trying to get on with our lives.”

“Well then, your friend here seemed to have contradicted your statement when she ran into our carrier.”

“That’s because… that’s… Oh screw it, why do you need our help anyway, isn’t there an ALM member in that sector thing?”

Dave sighed. “He has his hands full and his fighters aren’t as productive as this sector. You saw these people take out that tank didn’t you?”

Ivan was silent.

“Fighters over there can’t even take out a Humvee without losing five people in under thirty seconds.” He sighed. “The fighters there are even too scared to actually…”

“Oh why are we talking about this!”

“Huh?”

The two looked to Jacklyn, who was standing there with a scowl on her face. “We’ll do it.”

Ivan couldn’t believe it, as Dave smiled.

“We’ll take you to Colorado.”

“But Jackie, didn’t you say you wanted to…”

“How do we do it?”

Dave reached for his tablet, displaying them a map of the state. “We’re heading to an outpost controlled by the Lunarists in the west, several miles outside this town. If we take that outpost, we can signal our arrival and…”

  Dave looked at Ivan. “Are you listening?”

  Ivan looked at Jaclyn, who’d look back at him with that scowl. He shook his head and sighed. He leaned over, and listened to the rest of his assignment.

“I’m glad we’re in agreement.” Dave walked over to the door. “I’ll go alert the others. I recommend that you stay here, though.”

“Why so?” asked Jacklyn.

Dave frowned. “You’ll under-”

Ivan interrupted. “You know what a doctor shouldn’t do with their Patients, Jackie?”

Jacklyn’s heart sank. “Oh, right.”

“Exactly.”

Dave grinned awkwardly. “Okay then, I’ll be back.”

He closed the door behind him.

“What happened, sir?”

“They’ve agreed to fight…”

Ivan ignored their conversation, looking at a fraught Jacklyn.

It took a moment, but she’d utter. “I’m sorry.”

Ivan just sighed, “You know you made a pretty damn risky deal there.”

“But what other choice did we have Ivan?” she objected.

Ivan rolled his eyes. “I don’t mind crippling this ‘sector’ to get to Washington State. We can start right now.”

Jacklyn grit her teeth. “You can’t just go around killing people just to get what you want!”

“You’re not making sense again, Jackie. We’re gonna do that tonight, aren't we” Ivan moaned. In response, she could only shiver once again.

“By the way, isn’t that something the Peace Corp taught you?”

“Obviously not!” she rebutted aggressively, “Why do you think I get all of my ideals from there, anyway?”

“Well with a name like that, it seems likely.” Ivan scoffed. “I mean, you were from the slightly better part of Chicago. Where none of you didn’t have to worry about getting shot.”

Jacklyn faced him without hesitance. “Ivan, I’ve seen just as much as you have. I’ve told you this several times. Especially when I was with the Peace Corp! I mean, do you even remember what I did there?”

“Yeah, you were the Police’s first option when people rioted in the street.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So what makes you think I don’t know what I’m doing?”

Ivan was quiet, looking at the picture frame of a woman and three teenage children.

Jacklyn loosened her rage. “I saw people in my street get shot over the most pointless things. They’ve gone crazy Ivan. Unable to leave a crumbling city and forced to survive with what they have. You wouldn’t know because people like you aren’t allowed there.”

He’d stay quiet.

“My time in the Peace corp and my home was never different. They’d do anything for some dose of happiness… Sacrifice their families, their sanity…, anything. So if you want go and do that, then that’s fine by me…, I may be doing the same…, b-but I at least know who I’ll be fighting.”

He said nothing

Jacklyn sighed. Then she told him in a softer tone, “We’re going to do this, and then we’ll be on our way. They know how we work, and I know how they work. It’s a win-win for both of us. So…”

“Relax?” Ivan shrugged. “Got it.”

“Heh, that’s the spirit!” Jacklyn said with a smile.

Ivan then looked to Jacklyn. “Does that mean you should be doing the same?”

“What?” Then she looked at her shoulders. “Eek! Heh, yeah, you’re right.”

Cheerfully, she motioned her hand from left to right and back. Breathing in and out at the same time. Ivan frowned upon this sight, making Jacklyn’s situation worse.

“Attention Citizens of Wilson Creek, your Government’s nine o’ clock curfew is now in effect for the entire city.” announced the woman behind the speaker. “You will be under the watchful eye of the Sisterhood, as always. Violation of this law will result in punishment through lethal force. Thank you, and may dear Luna bless and watch over you on this beautiful night.”

Cl-click!

“Ugh, the start of Idy really changed everything.” Dave whispered. “One minute I was fighting the Soviet Empire in Japan, the second I’m quitting the army to help these people.”

“Hmm, must’ve been rough then.” Ivan remarked.

“Yep, things will never be the same again, courtesy of World War three.”

“Hmm, that’s a given.”

Dave quickly closed the blinds. “Alright, they’re gone. Let’s get moving.”

“Got it.” Ivan lifted his rifle away from the terrified family in front of him, their hands and legs tied up and their mouths covered. “Just thank Luna that we didn’t kill you or something.”

He then left.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Jacklyn stammered, bowing her head repeatedly before dashing off. The anguish was still resonating, but she had to let it slide. "May both Luna and Celestia bless you on this night."

The three, and a squad of ten followed them across the street and into another alleyway. They stood against the wall as another platoon of troops passed by.

But Ivan had to ask. “Dave, do you ever wonder why they don’t look into the alleyways for us?”

“Just be happy that they didn’t.” he whispered back. “Now follow me.”

“Fine.” Ivan groaned.

They’d run past another street, where they reached a building that was reduced to become nothing but abandoned. Bullet holes riddled it, and the windows were smashed, the usual. It took little effort to open the doors, and the group went in without delay…

Until they found a soldier in one of the rooms.

“Ivan, take out that guy on the…”

“No,” Jacklyn cut in between the two; “I got it.”

“Jackie, wh-”

Slowly, she opened the door and entered with a casual walk. The soldier in front of her was writing on his notepad. Regardless, she still kept going. It would only take a couple of seconds before the soldier would look up.

“Oh hey, are you the mercenary from-”

Whack!

He was now lying motionless on his chair, his arms dangling. “Now go.”

Reluctantly, they nodded before proceeding down the hall. In front of them was a double door, which Dave quickly peeked through. “Yep, these bastards truly got the perimeter surrounded…, until now.”

“Dave, you do realize that…”

Dave reached for his walkie-talkie and with his fingers...,

Snap!

Thwap!

Thwap!

Thwap!

“What the…”

“Go!”

Quickly, they opened the doors and rushed in. Their silenced rifles quickly took out any remaining troops in the chapel. All of which were unable to even react in time to the sudden gunfire.

“Clear!” Dave declared. “Fun fact though.”

“What would that be?”

Dave looked down at the body of one soldier. “Blackwings are said to be the toughest of the Sisterhood. Pfft, morons are so disorganized, we didn’t even come across one on the way here.”

Then the rasping of the floor would get their attention. Looking at the source, they found Jacklyn pulling the unconscious body into the chapel. With a groan, she let the body slam itself onto the floor. She then turned to the puzzled fighters and said simply, “A little help?”

“Alright, grrr, put ‘em down!” Ivan ordered with a grunt.

The two let go of the body, letting it slam against the bench.

“Okay boys and girls. You may take a break, We’ll receive the signal soon enough, so make it count.” Dave announced.

“Yes sir.” Then they separated to do what they can in the time range.

In the meantime, Dave chose this as an opportunity to head to the altar. All while asking Jacklyn, “So, you a pacifist?”

“Hmm, what gave it away?” Jacklyn replied sarcastically.

He pointed at the body, which was leaning against the bench.

Ivan groaned. “Not a good reason to be out here in the first place, but letting it fly is better than forcing her to go back.”

Jacklyn hid her frown from Ivan, the best she could. “So, what are we going to do with…”

Thwap!

Everyone in the chapel fell mute at the gunshot, finding that the unconscious hostage was now bleeding from his forehead. Jacklyn didn’t look at it, then the others would do the same.

Dave would say glumly, “I’m sorry, Jackie… It’s not worth it.”

And she kept looking down, saying nothing.

Ivan in the meantime, began to look at the altar. Which was one that was devoid of anything. Even the cross was gone.

“Man, the place just doesn’t seem right without it.” Dave sighed, changing the subject also.

“That’s all you. Me? Doesn’t really matter.” Ivan spoke.

Dave grew curious. “I gotta ask you then, where are you from?”

“Chicago.” he answered.

“Bingo.” Dave walked up to the altar. “And judging by your age, you have no idea how the Ideological wars began.”

“Not a clue.” Ivan admitted.

“That’s why I’m here….” Dave paused as he mesmerized the past. Then he’d speak. “I remember going to church and see how the place filled with song. Seeing this though; you wonder how much will time do to something.”

Ivan looked at where the cross should be. “Back in Chicago, this was a rare sight. Makes sense that you’d feel that way for your church.”

“Yeah, and you wouldn’t know how much of a bunch of Pacifists we were back then when the Sisterhood and Celestia’s hoof said screw you, we’re ‘declaring war’.” Dave sighed. “I swear, if those leaders never found those books back then, we’d just be putting up with two morons fighting for control of the land rather than fighting a succession of bimbos fighting for which pony is right!”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “I think you had enough there Dave, just relax.”

“Heh, you’re right.” He sat down on one of the steps. “I’ve just been living too long, that’s all.”

“Heck, who doesn’t feel that way?” Ivan chuckled sitting on one of the front benches.

“I don’t.” Jacklyn interrupted, sitting next to him.

“Again, that’s all you.” Ivan repeated. “But hey, it’s obvious that you’d feel that way.”

Immediately she’d pipe up and say. “Well, I’m positive that it doesn’t apply to just us, you know.”

“Well, whatever you say.” Ivan conceded, placing one leg over the other. “I mean, some people like to think that, some don’t. Drum and base you know, whatever works.”

“Hmph.” Jacklyn said with a frown. “You both just don’t understand, don’t you?”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “We don’t know and we don’t care, right Dave?”

Frowning also, Dave would say, “Well, sometimes I wish I can agree with you…, but, that’s something I know might not be true.”

Ivan joined them in their disappointment. “Why say that?”

“Look at this armband kid.”

He did just that. “Alright, what about it?”

“I told you moments ago that I quit the army to fight for this country.” Dave began, glancing at the empty wall. “You remember why?”

“Yep. Those Idiots and their ‘Treaty’.”

“Exactly. Doesn’t end until two of the four win.” Dave sighed. “God wanted us to defend him in exchange for his protection. But, seeing that those two showed no mercy to anyone who opposed them…, I just, I just had to act.”

Jacklyn looked down to her hands, her sadness carrying weight. "But, what about the Ten Commandments."

"Huh?" asked Dave.

Jacklyn made her question known. "But, wasn't one of the commandments called, 'Thou shall not kill'?"

Dave leaned back to face the ceiling for a bit. “If both sides aren't going to play fair, then the factions caught in the middle can't do it either. Besides, God never abandon us when we’re in our time of need. So why am I going to abandon him in his time of need?”

Jacklyn said nothing in response. Instead, she faced down at the floor with gloom.

“Hmm.” Ivan shrugged. “So why say that you’ve been living too long then?”

“Because he’s seen more than you, Ivan.”

Ivan looked at Jacklyn, finding her looking back at him with a glare. But she immediately looked away in a timid fashion. “You know, because he was in Japan during World war three…, and, saw when the Ideological wars started. You know.”

Dave looked straight at Ivan after the outburst. “I don’t blame you both though. Chicago was basically just a safe haven during the recession. Held on ever since.”

“Hey dude, you don’t know how life was like back in Chicago.” He leaned down. “I may not know more than you, but I know for certain that this is the exact same thing. People fighting for the role of mayor. Conflicts between the authority and the small. It was just that every day.”

“Yeah.” Jacklyn added, “None of it would end. No one would just get the idea that we can sort it out with open dialogue and not with guns and torches. People dying was just the norm, I suppose.”

Ivan felt glum at this, but the thought would fade when Dave would say, “So… I gotta ask you…”

“How did I end up in Fort Xavier?” Ivan said. “Hmm, remember when I said that we weren’t mercenaries?”

Dave nodded.

“I lied.”

Dave raised a fist halfway and-

“Kind of.” Ivan finished. “See, I use to be one… for a week.”

“Oh.” Dave said. “And what did you do?”

“I worked alongside this Earth pony from Equestria and…”

“Wait.” Dave interrupted, standing up on his feet. “You fought alongside a…”

Ivan groaned. “Let me finish.”

Sighing, he sat back down. “Sorry, just got over-curious, that’s all.”

“Hmm, anyway, I was working with this pony from Equestria.” he continued. “We were sent to deliver a package into a country named ‘Doofania’ and then get the hell out to collect our payments.”

“Oh, that place?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Heard that things are still in chaos after the coup. It just came out of nowhere, and the place is still in shambles to this day.”

“Interesting.” Ivan stated. “Continuing on, we fought alongside one another…, didn’t know much about each other…, but I didn’t care. He ended up being friends with this little girl we met there, out of nowhere, he just took her under his wing.”

Jacklyn’s eyes widened.

“And?” Dave asked.

Ivan took in a moment of silence before speaking. “After that, he said he was running away from his home. So that he and the girl could be with his fillyfriend. Saw a picture of her. Judging by her looks though, I knew that that plan was a train wreck waiting to happen.”

“And why say that?” Jacklyn asked, her eyes nearly watering.

Ivan breathed in and out as he rested against the bench. “It’s best to keep it a secret.”

“Oh… Okay.” Jacklyn said, leaning down.

“Anyways, we ended up in jail…, and were released before the early hours of the coup. Well, he was…, not me. I ended up escaping when the prison was under attack.” he continued. “Then I walked for several hours before fainting, then the Minutemen came in, and that’s the story.”

Ivan then looked out the broken window. “Doofania looked just about the same, and so did the Fort. They all had their pluses and minuses, but they were the same no less. Nothing but False hopes in a place where there really is no hope.”

Ivan then looked back at the two. “And Chicago? None the wiser. No matter what we do from this point on, we’re only adding fuel to the fire.”

They were quiet again. The three only hearing the conversation of the others.

Static!

“Dave, this is Alpha, we’re in position.”

“Good, you know what to do.”

“Yes sir.”

Static!

Explosives were being set off in the distance, popping out like kernels.

Jacklyn gasped. “Dear Luna.”

Dave raised his voice. “Alright, grab your weapons boys and girls. We’re moving out!”

“Yes sir!” they chanted.

The troops followed him out.

“Ivan.” She grabbed onto his arm.

Then he turned around. “Yeah?”

She smiled lightly. “Thanks for your insights.”

Ivan’s cheeks reddened, looking away from her as she gently let go of her grip. “Fine, you got something out of me… Just don’t ask for more.”

Jacklyn frowned.

“Now let’s go.” He began to run.

Jacklyn sighed, muttering, “Alright.”

Then she followed too.

Haystack sat over one of the empty desks. Choosing the time to take out a piece of paper from one of his pockets. He placed the paper onto the desk, reading from word to word. Each one would only contribute to the somberness that was welling up in his eyes. Up until the closing statement, where a little pink colored heart would be drawn.

“From Applejack right?”

At the door, he found Maribelle standing solemnly, holding onto her katana.

He quickly wiped the tears with his hooves. “Uh… Ee-Eeyup.”

“Hmm.” Maribelle walked calmly over to him. “Still holding on after the incident.”

“Eeyup.”

She hopped onto the desk, letting her feet sway in the air as always. “I remembered how she was after that gig in the Badlands half a year back.”

“Eeyup.” The mention of that could only take him back. Back to the day she galloped up to him, hugged him dearly, clearly doing her best to hide those tears. She looked so happy, so happy that he was okay…

“Big Mac.”

He immediately looked back up, finding that she was whispering in his ear. “What?”

“I took the letter away from you.” she’d say with the letter in one hand. “Tears were starting to get on it.”

“Oh… Thanks.” he said, his cheeks turning red.

She skimmed through the letter.  “Don’t know what it reads, but hey, I’m sure the heart means it’s a good sign.”

“Eeyup.” He smiled slowly. “Said that things are doing better than ever now…, but, still not back to how it was.”

“I know. Sales low, people slandering the family, all that stuff.” She smiled too. “Well, at least it isn’t like back then.”

“Eeyup.” Then he’d frown, tears starting to form once again. “But when Ivan dies, Ah’m sure things will be a lot better.”

“Probably.” Maribelle kept swinging her legs. “But we agreed to do this, there’s no turning back now.”

“Eeyup.”

“Haystack, sir!” One of his subordinates called while entering the room.

“Yes?” he’d say.

“It seems that we’ve found Ivan.”

“What?”

Maribelle deadpanned. “Oh, how coincidental.”

“They’ve entered the BLU-Lunar area while we were in combat with RED.”

“Well that’s perfect.” Haystack continued. “The more reinforcements the better.”

The man grinned awkwardly. “Uh…, yeah. There’s… a catch though.”

“And what would that be?”

The man lost his smile. “He’s backed up… by the local resistance.”

“What!” he shouted; making the man jump.

“I don’t know, the Lunar forces were engaging them and somehow they slipped past the radar and…”

He slammed his hoof against the floor. “Damn it! C’mon Maribelle, we’re…”

“What do you mean, ‘We’re going’?” the man interrupted concernedly. “We’re too far away to reach them!”

Haystack ignored him, grabbing the rifle that laid on the wall.

“But Haystack, Trevor is over there!” he went on to advise. “When Ivan’s dead, the bounty will be collected and you’ll get to go home forever! There’s no point in...”

“’Ah don’t care!” Haystack snarled, “C’mon Maribelle, we’re goin’!”

“Got it!” She then hopped off the desk and followed along.

The man could only place a hand on his face and groan. “Damn it all.”

And with reluctance, he followed too.

BOOM!

“That’s the last one!” a fighter cried, watching the APC burst in flames.

“Good, now push forward!” Dave yelled, reloading his rifle.

“Yes sir!”

Dave then grabbed his walkie-talkie. “Squad Alpha and Squad Bravo, head to the outpost immediately!”

“Yes sir!”

“Squad Charlie, Squad Delta, and Squad Eddie, return to base! Make sure the Mooners don’t follow you!”

“Got it!”

Static!

“Wow, that distraction was super-effective!” Ivan said, running alongside Dave.

“Yep, enough to leave the outpost vulnerable of course!” he shouted back. “And there it is!”

The lights out in the distance confirmed his observation, they’d get brighter with every step. And they knew what that meant. “Fire!”

Fighters armed with explosives were the first to go. Volleying several rounds of grenades and rockets out towards their targets. The explosions were enough to give them a little pat on the back.

Witnessing that provoked Dave to take out a metal piece of equipment which he’d insert on his hand. The twin barrels would create an electrical current that headed towards the ground. With lightning speed, bright orbs would begin to ascend from the ground.

“Explosives away!” Dave shouted.

They’d obey.

“Umph!” Ivan grunted, flinching slightly at the sudden strike on his chest.

“Aaagh!”

“Kate’s down!”

Upon seeing more bullets head their way, Dave proceeded to the next order. “Fire!”

They quickly ducked, opening fire.

Hiding behind sandbags, the Lunarist troops would fire relentlessly too. Though the sudden move was too much for them to handle. All five soldiers in each of the sandbags were each brought down easily and without issue. The fact that they’d quickly split up to take each of them wouldn’t make it better.

“Now what?” Ivan yelled amidst the gunfire.

“We hold out of course!” Dave peeked out of cover, finding that reinforcements had already arrived. Using the damaged building as a garrison.

“Shoot!” he shrieked, getting back behind cover. “If we survive of course!”

Ivan peeked out of cover also, finding that troops were already coming out, and closing in. He went back down, putting it simply, “Come with me, I got a solution.”

“What is it?”

He picked one hand up. “Trust me, it’s going to get cold out there.”

“Aside from that being a terrible pun, I’ll trust you.” Dave replied.

Three of the soldiers were engulfed in ice, frozen in place. The three quickly jumped out of cover, firing as many shots as they could before standing next to their new cover.

“Heck! This is better than what’s on paper!” Dave said with awe. He then reached to his walky-talky.

The other fighters would be shaken at the sight. Questions would fly across each of their minds, but what got into mind the most was, ”Dave wasn’t kidding!”

“Explosives, fire!”

The thoughts would be put aside after that order.

Dave and Ivan fired as many rounds as they could against the windows. Making sure they didn’t stick their rifles out.

“Jackie, take out the bottom units!” Ivan ordered.

“Uh…, Of course!” she shouted back. She’d leap out of cover, the enemy’s bullets deflecting off her shield. The first soldier she reached would attempt to take her out with his knife, but she was quick to notice. Pulling away the shield to knock him out with her baton. Then it was on to the next one, who was either oblivious to her presence, or making a futile attempt at taking her down.

With the plan in motion, it was now the other fighters’ turn to shine once again.

“You can’t be serious!” the woman shouted, slamming her hands against the desk.

“’Ah know, Miss Esther.” Haystack said, his hooves grinding against the floorboards. “Ah’m mad too. It just came out of nowhere. Not to mention that he’s fightin’ alongside them.”

“Damn, has Trevor arrived though?”

“’Ah don’t know, Ma’am.” Haystack told her. “Ah’m worried for his safety though.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, he’s an old man…, uh, Ma’am.”

She only smiled, staring at the portrait of her beloved Princess, who stood ascending in front of the moon. “You haven’t lived long enough to see what he can do, haven't you?”

"Uh, no?"

Rat-at-at!

The soldier quickly collapsed, twitching his last movements.

“How many lost?” asked a leader from one of the squads.

Dave answered, “One…”

“So, what now?” Jacklyn whispered to Ivan.

“Wait for the stealth chopper, obviously.” Ivan muttered back.

“Then what?” Jacklyn asked, bothered.

Amidst the goodbyes and farewells, Ivan was able to say, “Take that combat truck over there and get the hell out of here.”

At that moment, a bright orange flair would be fired in the sky.

They then saw Dave walk up to them. “Well you two, I wish you the best of luck on your journey.”

“Uh…, thanks.” Halfheartedly, he reached his hand out, shaking Dave’s. “We hope that your movement becomes a…”

Buzzing noises were heard, they looked to their lefts. Finding a massive fleet of helicopters heading their way.

“Is that your-”

He then contacted the squads on location. “Garrison the buildings, now!”

Static!

Dave then turned to Ivan and a shaking Jackie. “I don’t think that they’re gonna make it. Once my ride is gone, get the hell out of here.”

Ivan sighed. “Yes.”

“Mmm Hmm.” Jacklyn nodded.

Dave grabbed his walky-talky. “All riflemen, arm your grenade launchers take out the choppers once the soldiers are being dropped off. They’re going to be the biggest nuisance if they’re not. All rocketmen, stand by. Further orders will be given later.”

“Yes sir!”

Static!

He then turned to the two. “So, you’re still going to Washington?”

“Of course, sir.” Jacklyn assured. “We’re not stopping until we do.”

Dave sighed. “The road ahead is still as risky as before. You sure you’re going to…”

“We’re certain, sir!”

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom…!

“Eek!” she shrieked.

Dave could only laugh as Ivan rolled his eyes.

“Sir, the majority of our transports have been wiped out! Only three remain, including me!”

Boom!

“Shoot, they’ve got me! They’ve got-Aaargh!”

Static!

Trevor could see three more explosions arise in the distance. He closed his eyes and groaned. “Dear God, the Batwings are terrible.”

“Do you want us to help, sir?” asked Marianne.

They looked up, finding that another fleet of choppers were flying overhead.

Trevor took out a telescope. “Not yet.”

“Uh, Dave? There’s another wave of choppers heading our way!”

“Rocketmen, get out of cover and take out the choppers!”

Again, he’d see another wave of explosions ahead.

“All of you, prepare your rockets and grenade launchers”

“Yes sir.”

“Now then, here are your orders.”

They then heard a chopper coming in from the west.

“Well, that’s my ride.”  Dave smiled.

Static!

“All squads retreat back down the same route. Contact Squad Charlie, Delta, and Eddie to engage the patrolling enemy once more.”

There was no response.

“The hell..?”

They heard explosions coming from the buildings.

Dave was in shock. “You need to go, now!”

The chopper landed, and he quickly went in. “Drive off, and don’t come back!”

“Obviously!” Ivan retorted.

“Oh, and Ivan?”

He stopped, “Yeah?”

“A quick question, You know what a doctor should do with his patients, right?”

Ivan lifted a brow. “Isn’t it also obvious?”

Dave giggled, rolling his eyes before closing the door. As the chopper began to ascend, Ivan would notice that Jacklyn had already driven up beside him. He then hopped onto the back of the truck and banged on it, causing Jacklyn to quickly push the gas pedal and drive away.

He found that flashes of light were already visible on the windows. So he took out the smoke bomb and tossed it into the ground.

BOOM!

With the outpost no longer there, Ivan simply sat down, and looked up into the empty night sky. It was nothing but stars this time, the moon nowhere to be found. “Man, what the hell?”

BLAM!

“Aargh!” a fighter cried, grabbing onto his fractured neck.

“Son of a bi-”

BLAM!

“Come on, come on!” muttered another, taking out her pistol.

The clicking noise from the scattergun proved to be a perfect sign that-

Slcccch!

Trevor put the blade up his sleeve. Then grabbing the woman as blood leaked from her neck to his hat. Gently, he placed her against the wall before reloading.

Blam, Blam, Blam, Blam, Blam, Blam…!

One by one, each fighter dropped dead. Unable to react in time to the barrage of bullets coming from Marianne’s revolvers.

“Clear!”

“Clear!”

Static

“Trevor, Marianne, we’ve taken building two without any problem. You?”

“Same here!” Marianne responded. “But…, it’s best that we stay here.”

“I know. That big puff of smoke’s our Big Fat F there.”

Marianne placed a hand on her forehead. “Ugh, yep.”

Trevor, meanwhile, just stood watching it. ”Damn, damn…, Damn!”

“Damn, Damn…, Damn!” Haystack pound a hoof against the metal floor. Making every one in the chopper jump. “Ah’van, just give up…, please!”

Tears began to flow from his eyes. Four years of searchin’ and fightin’…, I don’t want it to be for nothin’…! Even after all Ah’ve been through.”

With caution, Maribelle would place a hand on his back. She then heard his soft sobs, as everyone else went silent.

Once the engine was turned off, Jacklyn opened the door and got out. “Ivan, do you think we drove far enough?”

He turned to her, and nodded. “Yeah, we’ve driven long enough. The outpost is nowhere in sight, and it’ll take for them to reach us.”

“So…”

“What now?” Ivan guessed preemptively. “We relax a bit, we wake up tomorrow, and get going.”

“Actually I was gonna ask what you two did in…, ‘Doofania’.”

Ivan rested his hand over his knee, looking out into the HMG’s direction. “Well, now that you got the gist of what I did, I was supposed to deliver a package to someone named Silver Fox.”

Jacklyn’s interests were at its peak.

“Forgot about it at the end though, I don’t care either.” Ivan chuckled. “Whatever it was, must’ve been just a waste of time if anything.”

Jacklyn smiled. “And…, how was the pony like?”

“His real name is Big Macintosh, needed to dye his body and have the word, ‘Haystack’ as his Alias to avoid the FBI getting involved.”

“What else?”

Ivan sighed. “That’s all I’m gonna say.”

This made Jacklyn’s smile fade. “Uh.., why?”

“What he did back in Equestria is what obviously brought him here…. You don’t want to know what he did.”

“Oh…, okay.”

There were quiet a bit more.

“So…, do you wanna come inside?”

Ivan stood up. “Ech, of course. I got nothing better to do.”

“Good.” She was about to go inside also, but, “Oh, and Ivan?”

“Yeah?”

“Why would Dave talk about that stuff back at the church?”

Ivan looked up at the stars. “He’s a resistance fighter, Jackie. Maybe his little policy of his has a loophole or something…, or maybe he thinks a few doses wouldn’t hurt.”

“Right.” She too was about to go back inside.

“And Jackie?”

She peeked her head out. “Yes?”

Ivan took a deep breath. “Some things are better left untold. You know that right?”

Jacklyn nodded. “Yeah.”

“Good.”

As Ivan hopped off the back, Jacklyn grew tense. Even as she went inside.

A man sat calmly over his chair, reading a book as he sipped a cup of water. “Hmm, it was disappointing of them to reject our little proposal.”

…

“Indeed…, not to mention that even the RED and BLU Alliances are going after them.”

…

“Well, hopefully we’ll have luck there.”

…

“Good luck in Colorado.”

…

The man put his phone away. Then turned to look at the American flag behind him. He then turned to face his book, “Ugh.., why don’t the powerful feel like doing anything?” Next Chapter: Chapter 6 Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 19 Minutes