Chapter 3: Where the Rainbow Ends

E.V.A Unit version 5.0.1.2

5th of November Year 2078

20:00 Hours

Location Canterlot, Equestria

Abel was taken to a meeting room inside the palace walls. It was redecorated, full of screens and different assets left behind by the Nod. It was a private meeting and only a few attended Princess Celestia, Discord, Twilight Sparkle and her brother Shinning Armor, who was the Captain of the Princesses Royal Guards and also his wife Princess Cadence which surprisingly was an alicorn like Celestia, but not immortal. Taking there seats around the metal table. And she began.

"Well firstly I have to thank you, Abel for your success today."

"Thank you your highness, we were just at the right spot at the right time."

"I don't really think so; you liberated the entire city in a few short hours." Shinning Armor spoke.

"Yes, but I could not do it without Twilight and the others." The unicorn blushed at this sudden trust and gratitude given by the Lieutenant.

"My fateful student, you have taken a new course in the line of friendship it seems." She smiled. "Despite is a dangerous one."

"Why so, Princess?"

"To fight for your friendship and protect it, but be careful not to go the other side and succumb to your base instincts." The lavender unicorn only nodded. "Now Abel, back to our more pressing concerns, you seem to know the enemy better than anyone care to explain us this so called 'Brotherhood of Nod'?"

"Of course, but as I was saying, there are some things we do not know and maybe never find out. Eva I want some help on this one." He said to the AI.

"Of course Lieutenant." She started showing different images of Kane and the beginning of Nod.

"This is what we know." He began telling his story. The forming of the Global Defense Initiative, the wars that they had with the Brotherhood, the emergence of the strange 'aliens' that were also linked to Tiberium. The fourth war the help they received from Kane and is sudden disappearance after the activation of the strange Tower.

"It seems your world is fun can I go there?" Discord began. All started staring strangely at the draconequus

"Well we don't really know how we got here, so I don't know if we could go back to our world. By the way Princess do you have any idea how we got here?"

"I am not sure young one, but from what you told me you, your men and this Brotherhood of Nod were supposed to be sent through that Tower to another place, but something cut the connection and all of you ended up here in Equestria."

" Princess, what could have caused this?" Twilight asked.

"I am not sure, it could have been anything, but we have more pressing concerns now. Abel you and your men need to help us free Equestria from our enemy, we ask for your help. Do you accept?"

"I don't know Princess; I don't know what help we could provide, we are too few in number to face them directly and don't have any armor or aircraft to support us, because those few vehicles we came in are not enough.

"Please spare me of the odds. Tell exactly what do you need to face our enemy." She looked directly at him with determination on her face.

"Do you have a list?" He asked.

"I have one just here." Twilight entered and levitated a quill and a piece of parchment.

"Ok then. Let us start with the basics. We will need factories to produce everything we deem necessary from the smallest bullet to the biggest tank, from the fastest aircraft to the slowest ship." He began with his voice slightly raised. "Also we need hundreds even thousands of recruits and also a place to train them in handling our weaponry and other military assets."

"Lieutenant, forgive my intrusion, but we don't have schematics or designs for these so called 'military assets'." This time the voice of Cadence was recognized.

"You don't need to ask permission to speak Cadence and to answer your question, we have these plans."

"Where?"

"Right here." Smiling he said pointing at the A.I. "Eva here has all the information we need about any kind of technology we want. So any more questions?"

"I have, why did you say we need training some of my Royal Guard are trained to fight and very hard indeed."

"I don't doubt yours or your men's abilities Shinning Armor, but you are not trained against something like the Nod; they are ruthless and from what Twilight has told me there has never been a war like this before. Already many have died, but we can change that if we work together."

"You made your point Lieutenant and we will be more than happy to help you in this. We will start immediately; we will bring the best we have to start working on this new war effort." Then the A.I. entered the discussion.

"I am sorry to interrupt, but I have found something interesting Abel."

"What did you find?" He asked.

"Well I have been searching through the Nod files since I entered there computer. I have found an interesting regarding the Princess Luna and Queen Chrysalis."

"What are you sure?" Celestia questioned her.

"Positive. I have found different references about the two. I have also found out there location." She disappeared and a map appeared in her place. "They are held up in a place called Cloudsdale."

"Is the floating city built from clouds, but only the pegasus ponies can live there." Twilight answered.

"Eva, are you sure?

"Yes sir and to answer your question Twilight they are in that city, but not in any of the structures." The image zoomed and now a saucer like ship was now shown.

"Is a Leviathan."

"A what?" Cadence asked.

"A Leviathan class Nod capital ship. Eva, are you saying the two are on board."

"Yes, but sir they are going to be shipped out of there to a Research Facility tomorrow morning.

"So if we want to rescue them we need to act now." He turned to the Princess. "With your permission I would like to call the others and discuss this in more detail."

"Permission granted."

"Alright, Eva, tell the others to meet us at that abandoned Air Tower in the city. I think I have an idea how to get there."

"Yes sir." The A.I. complied and called all the main team members including the ponies who fought alongside the humans to take back the city.

E.V.A Unit version 5.0.1.2

5th of November Year 2078

20:30 Hours

Location Canterlot, Equestria

At the base of the abandoned Air Tower quite a crowd had assembled, firstly, it was because the main team that saved the city was there and the second one was that Princess Celestia herself was there and the ponies had a long time since they saw there beloved leader, but also there was a sight they wanted not to see and those were the changelings and of course Discord which was well known for what he did a few years back. However, the draconequus did not bother looking at them since he knew that if he could he could make there life hell by one single snap of a finger. The changelings however showed there daggers to the bystanders. Nevertheless, for some reason Shifter came and hit them with his hoof full of holes and having an annoyed face made the changelings stop and took a straight position, like a royal guard. The Princess began addressing those that waited there.

"My fateful ponies. I know that my absence has provoked much turmoil and fear among you, but I can assure that this is not the case. As you have seen we are facing an enemy much more powerful than anything ever encountered, but I am here to say that we are already to undergo a plan to make sure this will not be our last victory. You may have seen the new visitors which look very much like the ones that attacked us." All eyes turned to the humans that were talking among each other. "But these are not from those who are our enemy in fact we have a common enemy and for that I ask you to trust them. Also you may have seen the changeling have returned by this time they aren't here to feed upon us today we are united as ponies to fight what we have come to known as the Brotherhood of Nod. For now that will be all." The crowd started to disperse slowly as many of the ponies returned to there old homes and start rebuilding what was lost.

"Very good speech princess." The unicorn said.

"Thank you very much my fateful student and good luck on your mission." She smiled. "Lieutenant?"

"Yes your highness."

"Please take care of Twilight and her friends they are like my children."

"Don't worry Princess Celestia, I will take good care of them, I will die before I let anything happen to them." She only nodded. "Twilight you can do it now." He turned to the pony and she smiled. Her horn started to glow and a purple aura encased the humans and all non-pegasus ponies. "Alright everybody, listen up the spell that our friend Twilight cast it on us will give us the ability to walk on clouds. The city we are going to is called Cloudsdale and is entirely built from clouds. Now everybody get your gear and asses on the Carryall's now!" They got everything from boxes of ammunition to weapons of any kind. The Lieutenant was larger because of his armor standing tall among the other humans. The rear door closed. "Alright Eva we are ready let's go."

"Of course Abel." The engines of the VTOL started turning also of the other two. The small rotor blades moved at tremendous speeds as the aircraft took to the sky. On the ground, Celestia looked as they disappeared. 'Mother, Father, please look after them and bring them all home safe.'

E.V.A Unit version 5.0.1.2

5th of November Year 2078

21:00 Hours

Operation: Where the Rainbow Ends

Location Cloudsdale, Equestria

The Sun started going down into the hills to make room for the beautiful Moon, Thoughts passed through the mind of Abel, first was how in this damn world could the Princesses bring forth the two astral wonders of the sky and second how was it possible to build a city out of clouds, it sliced the rules of normality like a knife sliced bread. But these thoughts were for another time now full concentration was on the mission at hand. It was one of great importance as it succeeded in establishing a peaceful treaty with the changelings and also securing the ponies' leader will give them more hope and help them in this undertaking.

"Alright boys and girls get ready we are nearing the landing zone." The A.I. communicated to the soldiers. The Carryalls hovered over a pack of cloud near a large building until they descended. The ramps opened and the soldier took aim at anything there was outside, but they saw nothing. Walking from the metal floor to the cloud one was a little strange, standing on clouds was indeed a little out of the ordinary.

"Eva, how do we stand?" Abel asked.

"I am picking some interesting communication transmission from a location in the center of the city, that's where our target is. Be advised Venom VTOL's patrol the 'streets' if you are detected the alarm would be sounded and you can expect retaliation."

"Thank you Eva. Alright boys and girls let's roll." The soldier took there equipment and started leaving the area. They wandered on the cloud streets for some time until Snyder broke the ice.

"Well sir it sure looks like a ghost-town."

"Already afraid Snyder?" Karen asked.

"Just stating the obvious. Lieutenant how much further?"

"We are about two clicks away. However, we need more intel we will stop here for a pause. Twilight, Karen, Spike, Dash and Raynor your with me let's see if we can look at our 'neighbors'." Those who names were heard stood up and went after Abel into the building. They reached the last level Twilight took a pair of some advanced binoculars and looked from a window in the center of the city.

"Well now that's a sight. Abel there is a platform that I presume uses the same technology like the Leviathan and enables aircraft to land. I also see two SG-11 Salamander Gunships, also some Vertigos and Banshees, the Leviathan is actually part of the platform and also there is another ship, but is design is different from the others do you recognize it?" The lavender unicorn gave the binoculars to the Lieutenant.

"Cover me in chocolate and call me tasty, if that's not a Kodiak class battlecruiser I don't know what it is."

"Sir are you sure?"

"Yes, Snyder I am very sure. This kind of changes the situation a little."

"How so?" Spike asked.

"Well if we could capture that ship we will have the biggest advantage ever and also we can escape from here a lot easier. Let's get back to the others." The soldiers were al ready and standing by. "Alright guys we have a new objective and for that we have to change our plans. We will be divided into three groups. Spike and Rarity you are in charge of the first group. You are going to one of the ships and requisition it. Squads Beta and Delta you are with them. Take Eva's card you will need it. He handled them the AI's card. Rainbow Dash and Raynor, take the rest of the pegasus and plant these explosives on the Leviathan's engines.

"Yes sir." Dash responded.

"Twilight, Armor and Shifter and the rest of you come with me. Stay hidden until I give you the signal. Now let's get moving." The three groups separated. The one led by Abel was nearing the platform when they started assessing the situation. "Snyder, take out those guards." He pointed at the guards in the towers that were on different sides of the platform. He stood in the position and took them out with his GLS-70 riffle. The guards fell down, in silence. "Good job, let's go." The team approached the edge and using a metal ladder they climbed on. Four watchtowers that thanks to Snyder will not raise the alarm illuminated the large metal platform.

"Abel how are we going to get on board?" Shifter asked.

"There is an elevator that that they use for troops and supplies, that's our ticket in, but we need to access it in order to do that." No one else was on the platform hopefully they will get this out without to much interference. They reached the panel that controlled the elevator.

"Alright. Now does anybody know how to hack it?" Snyder asked. A white unicorn stepped forward; she had pink glasses and a strange blue and red mane. A red aura encased her horn and the panel. The elevator ramp started going down.

"What's your name?" Abel asked.

"Netrunner, sir." She saluted.

"Ok Netrunner why are you here?"

"Well to tell you honest I came here because of someone who caught my eye."

"I see. Very well you will come with us, but stay out of trouble and don't get into the battle if it is not necessary if the reason you came is because of someone, I don't like to tell him that you are dead."

"I am full aware of what I am getting myself into."

"If that's settled let's go then." The soldiers got onto platform and Netrunner used her magic again to get them up. As they neared the entrance of the ship, arming there weapons. Darkness encased them all as they entered the 'belly of the beast'.

"A light anybody?" A soldier asked. A few of the unicorns started using there horns to light the room. "Thanks."

"Ok Netrunner. Do your magic." She went to one of the consoles and started to use her abilities to hack it.

"Ok I am in. Let's see where our objective is." Searching she found something. "I found Chrysalis she is in a laboratory at this level."

"What about the Princess Luna." Shining Armor asked.

"I can't seem to find her anywhere, but there is something amiss. One of the security cameras seems to be offline."

"Where is that camera located?" Abel asked.

"It's it appears to be from a secondary lab near the hangar."

"Ok. Team listen up our first stop will be the lab where is Chrysalis since is closer after that we will try to find Princess Luna. Move out!" The large door opened and they went forward onto the corridor. The hallway was decorated in grey metal plating, which had red pipes that were going in every direction. Making progress was easy they moved two by two in order to be properly covered. They stopped at another bulkhead door, which seemed to be sealed.

"Give me sec to open it." She began. The door slid open and five Nod soldiers were facing the door.

"Intruders!" It took one second to shoot them all.

"Sound the alarm!" Another soldier said which was further and pressed a button. He fell down as Snyder took him out.

"Great, now the whole ship now's we are here." Snyder groaned.

"Come on we need to get to the lab, now." The team moved faster, but where shortly stopped by a large group of militants that placed barricades on the corridor. Two unlucky fellows a pony and a changeling were shot by there fire, the first blood on this mission. Pierce took the initiative throwing some of the disks at the enemy detonating when they got to there target, but it was not enough. Then Pinkie Pie brought large cannon and then fired a large projectile that made a deafening sound, but it made the trick and the road was now clear, only smoke.

"Pinkie, I told you not to use the cannon." Twilight yelled at the earth pony.

"Oh come on Twilight, it did the trick we have clear road now." She tried to move it again, but Abel stopped her.

"Sorry Pinkie, but we can't use it again we need to leave it here."

"What? I don't want to lose my special Party Cannon."

"I am sorry, but we have to. It was already too hard to get it here, we have to leave it." The pink pony began to cry. "Oh, ok Pinkie I promise I will make you a new one."

"Pinkie promise." She faced him with a big smile.

"I don't know what a Pinkie Promise is, but ok I swear."

"Yayyy." She squealed.

"Now then, let's get this job done." They were moving again and this time they were undisturbed. They got to a door on one side were the letters LAB and the number 02. Again opened by the unicorn. Stepping inside with there weapons raised. Inside where several devices including a number robotic arms and a quarantine chamber and other equipment, but no human was inside. However, in a glass-tube filled with green liquid rested the changeling queen. Wires where connected to her body and had a mask to give her the all-necessary oxygen. "Ok we found her. Now to get her out. Netrunner."

"I am on it." She responded and started working on the computer. After a minute she started. "Draining liquid from the container. Opening containment." The glass began to rise and she was about to fall down. Nevertheless, Shifter intervened and managed to get her on his back, stopping her.

"Is she ok." He asked.

"Yes, just unconscious." Netrunner responded. "Lieutenant the engines of the ship have just been activated.

"What?"

"In a few about two minutes are going to be fully powered." She responded.

"Damn." A voice interrupted them.

"Lieutenant."

"Yes, what is it Spike?"

"We have secured the ship and Eva is already taking control a few minutes until we are fully prepared."

"Alright, Rainbow Dash and the others are ready?"

"Yes they came with some survivors from the city and are in the hangar inspecting some strange aircrafts."

"Good job everybody. Tell Eva to give me the control of those explosives. Be ready to move out."

"Yes sir. Spike over."

"Alright all of you back to the elevator you have transport to get you all out."

"Abel what about the Princess?" Twilight asked.

"I said no one is left behind I am going to find her. Now all of you get back to the Kodiak." He shouted the soldiers started to get out and back in the direction, they came. Including Twilight and her friends. However, he asked someone before they left. "Shinning Armor."

"Yes Lieutenant."

"I want you to do something for me. If I do not come back, you are in charge of this resistance from now on. You are in charge of everything, ok." The unicorn mouth was hung so down it almost hit the floor.

"But…"

"No 'but's Captain. You are the highest ranking officer."

"With all due respect, sir I don't this is the end just yet we still need you and Celestia be blessed you will come back." He smirked and left.

"You are the true leader Captain, is just you don't know it yet." He thought turning to the other side. He started running down the corridor. A large number of Militant's shortly met him. He couldn't fight them all so he used a easier way, he shot the one of the large windows and air started to flow out taking with it almost all the enemy soldiers. He then shot the ones that were still standing and posing a threat. Silence was installed again. A metal door sealed the shot window. He continued on his mission he finally reached the second lab where the camera was not working. He tried to open the door, but failed to open; now there was only one choice. Taking a few steps back arming his Railgun. Shooting one single projectile made the doors bend also leaving a large hole on it. He used his foot and gave the door the largest kick ever sending it flying inside. With is gun firmly in his hand he stepped inside, but something was different, everything was a mess there was metal twisted and different experiments littered on the floor large glass tubes shattered, probes and wires scattered also several Nod officers on the ground some were clearly shot others had blood coming from there ears and noses. 'What could have possibly done all this?' He wondered. The sound of something breaking caught his attention; turning with his weapon, he activated his lights. "And what may you do here?" A dark voice spoke. He waved around seeing a small pluck of dark smoke moving. "Are you trying to kill me? Because if you are then you are going to die." Something shot him in the back and sent him flying a few meters away. He turned aiming his weapon, expecting a human instead he saw a large black pony is mane was like a smoke going up it had strange blue helmet and shoes. However, what caught the eyes of the Lieutenant was that it had both wings and horn. 'Is she…'

"Bow before Nightmare Moon and I may kill you quickly." She hissed.

"Nightmare Moon. Then that means..." He regained his composure and pointed his weapon at the alicorn. "Leave the Princesses body, now."

"Ha, ha, ha. Is that what my good sister has told you that I posses her little sister." She started circling him. "You don't know half of it. I am what Celestia fears the darkness inside her sister. The part of her that want to see the eternal night a reality. I am fear itself and now it is time to see what you have in your mind boy." She turned to smoke and enveloped Abel's armor. The smoke sipped through is breathing filter and purred inside entering through his ears and nose. A slipping pain as if his brain was ripped in two made him lose his balance. "Get out of my head he shouted." He could not get her out. He looked around and saw a large wire that still sparked a little he took it and put it in his metal chest. Electricity flowed into his body, but he resisted. The alicorn screamed in pain and the smoke left the Lieutenants body and taking a physical form once more. Abel looked at the pony it started to change her form it was strange to see this and despite doubts, he knew what to do. Taking her into his arms and went out of there. He reached the hangar there were only a few aircrafts left. He saw an Armageddon Bomber and thought that was the best way to get out. He slowly lowered the princes on the back seat. He placed an explosive charge on the hangars exterior doors and went to aircraft, despite it was a kind of cramped a little, he managed to get in the seat. Closing the canopy, he looked around and familiarized with some of the controls, he had some basic flight training, but does not mean it was easy. He eventually figured it out, starting the engines and making the final checking before he took of, but looking back, he saw a number of soldiers coming to him. "Oh great." They started shooting at the bomber. "Sorry guys can't stay." He detonated the explosive all around the ship with one button. With his hands on the throttle, he shot out of the hangar through a large hole, leaving the burned and dropping ship. "Alright let's see a map." Pressing a few buttons, he looked to his right and saw his location. "Ok I am approximately 400 clicks from where we left, let's put some juice in these engines." Then his radar flared up. "Can't I have a break?" Several Venoms where on his tail including two Salamanders. As the aircrafts closed in, he looked back at the still unconscious Princess. "I hope you are ready Luna because is going to be a bumpy ride." He chuckled. Taking the controls and dived down the Venoms did the same and were closing in fast. Missiles were fired at the bomber. "I hate missiles." He launched some flares and the missiles detonated at some distance behind them. His radar flared up again. "Oh great, now what?" Six small aircraft were approaching from the opposite direction. Then a voice came in the radio. "Lieutenant if you are in that thing I suggest to answer this call."

"This is Lieutenant Abel who am I talking to?"

"This is Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolt's Team. What is your situation?"

"I have the Princess Luna with me, but my ass is heated by a number of missiles."

"Don't worry we will deal with them." Six Firehawk Fighters were nearing his location. "Dash, Soarin escort that bomber back to the Kodiak, do you read."

"Loud and clear Spitfire." Soarin responded.

"Yes ma'am." Rainbow Dash confirmed. They broke away from the main cell.

"The rest of you follow my lead; let's see what those goons are made of." The four fighters took there prey. The low armored Venoms did not have a chance against Rattlesnake Missiles; they went down like flies the gunships armed there AA defenses and were aimed towards the pegasus pilots. However, they were faster and managed to dodge the missiles with ease.

"Surprise and Rapidfire, take out those command decks." Spitfire shouted in her radio.

"Yes ma'am." The two ponies responded in unison. At full speed, they faced the ships, as they neared them they took altitude and launched their Hellcat Bomb on the bridges sending them ablaze. The ship began to drop in altitude burning as they fell.

"Yehaaa." Shouted Rapidfire in his cockpit.

"Good job everyone; now let's get our package home. Rarity, this is Spitfire we have secured the Lieutenant and the Princess and we request transport."

"Affirmative, Spitfire we are on our way." The huge form of the Kodiak started to rise from the clouds. "You are cleared for landing. Welcome back."

"Thanks Rarity." Rainbow Dash thanked her. The fighters and bomber descended into the hangar. Deploying their landing gear and stopping the engines. Abel opened the canopy and took the unconscious Princess in his hands once again. Stepping out he saw that he had a welcoming committee The rest of his team was waiting and looking at him. He began.

"Well guys thanks for the rescue, but I would like to get the Princess to the infirmary."

"Come on I will show you the way." Applejack came from the crowd and said to him. He followed the earth pony through the corridors to the medical bay. He entered and saw Doctor Georgescu looking at some devices, on one of the bed was Queen Chrysalis and on a chair right next to her stood Shifter not taking his eyes from her.

"Doctor." Abel called. She turned and saw him.

"Lieutenant when did you get back?"

"I think two minutes ago. Doctor where can I put her."

"Here on this bed." She lowered the Princess on the white sheet bed. Taking a flashlight, she put it in the Princesses eyes.

"How is she?"

"She's, ok just unconscious."

"Good that's just…" He did not finish the sentence falling down with a loud thud. The doctor rushed to him.

"Lieutenant, Lieutenant, wake up." Her voice was muffed as Abel fell into the unconscious world.