The twin cannons roared to life, unleashing a barrage of fury at the ponies guarding the road. The stallion who lead the squad didn't get a chance to scream, his body sent in all directions.

Gunfire blasted from both the ponies hiding along the wall on the side of the road, and Applejack's own squad. Bullets pinged and sparked off it's armor, hardly making a scratch.

From the right side of the road, rockets flew from the ground towards the walker. At the last second, a green orb appeared around the battlewalker, absorbing the impact of the rockets.

'Stupid...' Applejack cursed herself. For the first time that day, she began to feel the rocket launcher attached above her right shoulder. She had been wearing her armor for so long, at times she forgot it was even there.

Applejack punched the front cover on the launcher, causing it to flop down. A glass eyepiece flipped in front of her right eye, illuminated with an aiming reticule. After a few seconds the reticule flashed red, signaling it was now armed.

However, there was still an obstacle. The translucent green shield was still active around the walker, and would render her rockets useless.

'Hold 'er steady, AJ' She told herself. The battlewalker's turret rotated angrily towards the engineer pony who fired the first barrage of rockets. He was hiding behind a burnt-out van, but the T-39 Bogatyr's cannons shredded through it like it wasn't even there. The engineer dropped to the ground, the snow beneath him rapidly turning red.

'Dammit!' Applejack bit back her desires to avenge the dead EU soldier by firing off the four missiles armed in her launcher. But, the defensive shield was still up and she could do little until it dropped.

The PAC walker continued it's rampage, taking a few steps closer to the square. It focused its attention to the ponies on the other side of the road, who were cowering behind a damaged wall. It opened fire again, sending chunks of concrete and debris flying as it tried to score a hit on one of its enemies.

In the blink of an eye, the shield dropped. The walker's power supplies needed to recharge, and it was now susceptible to damage. Four rockets whooshed out of Applejack's shoulder-mounted launcher, sailing through the snowy air. They slammed into the side of the battlewalker, their explosions shaking the ground. As the smoke cleared, a mechanical squeal sounded as the metallic monster slumped to one side.

Applejack snorted in contempt. “Well, ah'll be! Ah never knew you could cripple them things like that! How ya like that, packies?!” She yelled out confidently.

Yelping in surprise, she was forced to duck down behind the wall. Chunks of stone flew threw the air as the battlewalker proved it's turret was still in working order. Sunbeam, who was hiding next to her, shook his head slowly in disappointment.

Ignoring the gesture, Applejack peered over the wall. The PAC walker now turned its attention back to the ponies pinned along the side of the road. It's cannon ripped through the wall, a few shots gutting an EU soldier. He slumped to the ground, obviously dead.

From far off to her right, wisping lights flew through the air, exploding on the walker's hull. Applejack looked over, and noticed that the engineer from the squad on the other road was now engaging the PAC battlewalker.

The smoke cleared, and all it had to show was measly dent on the walker's hull. “This thing has ta go down now, or there ain't gonna be much of us left if we keep like this!” Applejack declared.

'There HAS to be a weak spot, I know it!' Applejack racked her brain of all she had learned on enemy machinery in basic training. “Aha!” She proclaimed aloud.

“What?” Miller asked nearby. She gave Applejack a confused shrug of her shoulders.

“Don't you worry none.” Applejack told her, “Just be sure to get his attention mighty quick if he starts aimin' at me.”

“Wha?” Miller trailed off, before Applejack got up and sprinted down the stairs.

“Applejack, what the hay are you doing?” Sunbeam yelled at her as she charged towards the walker.

“Gosh darnit, just gimme some cover!” She bellowed back at him, “That is an or-der, Sunbeam!” She didn't look back for his reply, keeping a swift pace towards the enemy armor. She hoped the years of partaking in the “Running of the Leaves” wouldn't fail her now, a daunting 50 yard dash in front of her.

Her launcher wobbled slightly from side to side as she sprinted onwards, the walker's attention still diverted at the pinned ponies along the side of the road. It's cannons roared, as Applejack got closer still.

'Only 30 yards now.' She told herself. She galloped a few yards further, her breath steaming heavily from her helmet. 'Now only 20 yards.' Applejack gritted her teeth, forcing her legs to work harder. 'Now, if he only just doesn-'

Even her thoughts stopped short as the walker's turret turned towards her, its barrels baring down on her, making the mare feel woefully small and insignificant. She lowered her head, and bounded off her back legs like she was trying to buck the ground.

Applejack dove for the finish, aiming for landing under walker. However, as the milliseconds seemed like hours, she realized she miscalculated her jump. She'd still be a few yards short.

Applejack closed her eyes, bracing for impact with the ground. She imagine she'd just hit the ground, laying there in horror as the walker would tear her to pieces.

She hit the ground with a thud, to be expected. The surprise was she still felt herself moving. Opening her eyes, she saw the snow kicking up in her face. She was sliding on the snow.

Applejack had barely noticed it before, the thin icing of snow on the road allowing her to glide the few vital yards she needed.

Bringing her back to reality, she could hear the cannon rounds hissing over her and eventually stopping. Applejack looked up, noticing she was underneath the walker. It tried to move, but sparks flew from the joint of it's right leg.

“How you like it?!” Applejack roared with confidence. Then, picking herself up, she went to work on disabling the battlewalker. It was nearly invincible, but it was also that. Nearly invincible. Applejack found the air vents along it's bottom, laughing menacingly.

“Y'all better be ready for some fun!” She called out into the air duct. Punching in the vent with her left hoof, she sprayed her submachine-gun into walker's weak spot. Sparks greeted her with the hiss of failing electronics. Slapping her left foreleg across her chest, she pulled out a grenade.

Applejack twitched her hoof and chucked the grenade inside. Without a second thought, she charged away from where she came from. Skidding to a halt a good distance away, she turned around towards the walker.

A loud explosion came from inside the monstrosity. The sky lit up as streaks of energy flew from the walker as it's power core began to fail. With an even bigger explosion, all the bearing and joints came loose, and the mighty battlewalker imploded. It collapsed into a heap of metal along the ground.

As Applejack slowly walked back towards the square, the morning was quiet. No one said a word, trying to take in all that had just happened. The snow crunching under her boots was the most audible sound, lonely echoing.

Applejack stepped over a low part of the wall alongside the road, the two remnants of the squad getting up slowly. “Howdy,” She started, trying to be friendly “What're your names?”

One of them spoke, his deep voice was shaken, “I-I'm Corporal Sterling, ma'am.” He shifted uncomfortably.

Applejack winced at his words. The term “ma'am” made her feel old, or unable to defend herself. Although she admired he was trying to be respectful, it would have been better if he didn't say more than his name.

“And what about this feller 'ere?” She asked. The other pony was still wobbling on it's knees, looking away as Applejack started talking again.

“This is, well... Klepto.” Sterling said, putting his arm reassuringly around the other pony. His confidence began to rise as he talked more. “Her real name is Moss, but she earned a nickname back in basic training. Long story, but in short she's a good pony. Hardly talks, though.”

Klepto didn't move or talk, except to put away her assault rifle. She just stared back at Applejack.

“Ah reckon so.” Applejack said in a deadpan voice, “You two best be formin' up with me, 'cuz now me and my squad have to defend this road.” The two ponies nodded, following behind her. “We ain't got much time before the packies come back again. If you two are needin' any medical help, ask around for Miller okay?”

The three ponies walked up to the monument platform, where they were greeted by Miller and Sunbeam. “AJ, what the hay were you thinking!?” Miller asked frantically. Sometimes, she really acted like a mother towards the rest of the squad.

“I actually thought she did a damn good job.” Sunbeam said, turning to her. “We would've lost many more ponies if she hadn't.” Miller recoiled her head back in surprise, before shrugging her shoulders.

“Maybe she did,” She said, “But Applejack, don't you even go doin' that again, ya hear me?”

“Miller,” Applejack replied, trying to maintain her posture.

“Next time, you sit yourself here and wait until we get some air support...” Miller continued, ignoring Applejack's words.

“Miller...” Applejack said, her voice growing louder and impatient.

“If we really need someone to go out there, we'll send Sunbeam.” Sunbeam tilted his head in disbelief, as Miller kept talking, “His head is so thick, even a cannon round wouldn't make a dent!”

“MILLER!” Applejack roared, getting in her face. Miller took a few steps back, quietly mumbling something she couldn't hear. The orange earth pony sighed, her tone softening. “Ah know you're trying to look out fer us and all, but ah'm the one with the golden mark here. Ah hate ta have to bring it up, but it was mah call.”

“You're right, Applejack. Sorry.” Miller said quietly, looking up to her. Applejack put a hoof on Miller's shoulder, her smile masked by her helmet.

“Aw, don't you worry none sugarcube.” She turned back to two squad-less ponies, who had shifted a few yards away during the argument. “Ahem, uh, sorry 'bout that.” Applejack told them, “Anyways, are you two still fit to fight?”

“I think so.” Sterling said, stretching his legs. Klepto simply nodded, her body language still as blank as a rock.

“Good.” Applejack said. They continued off the platform, Applejack in the lead. A few yards away from the monument walls, two mangled vehicles lay covered in snow. “We're gonna set up from these two back to the monument. Heath an' Haybale are gonna be hidin' behind this car 'ere, while ah'm gonna be behind that 'un.”

She thought for a second, placing a hoof to her chin. “Unless you two wanna set up here...” She offered, pondering the idea more. “Actually, ah think that's a mighty fine idea. That way, ah can see the whole field from the monument.”

“Okay, fine by me.” Sterling said, “How about you, Klepto?”

Klepto shrugged, as if saying “Why not?”

“Ah'll take that as a yes.” Applejack chuckling. “I reckon you two just get comfy until the packies decide to show.” She turned away, heading back up the stairs. Heath and Haybale walked past her, heading to their defensive positions.

Applejack reached the top of the stairs, greeted by Sunbeam's questioning. “AJ, I don't have a thick head, do I?”

“What in tar-” Applejack facehooved, her armor clanking against her helmet. “I reckon ya do, considerin' how easily you let Miller get on yer nerves.”

Miller laughed, pointing a hoof at Sunbeam's shocked expression, “See, I told you she'd agree! I knew I wa-”

She was cut short, a shot ringing through the sky. The three ponies on the monument platform dropped to their stomachs along the metal flooring. “Obs!” Applejack whispered as she flipped on her microphone, “Do you see where it came from?”

The line went dead, the air silent once more. “Got 'im.” A voice whispered back a few seconds later. A shot rang out almost simultaneously, echoing in the expanse of the city.

“Oh shit!” A pony cried out, “Medic!” Applejack poked her head over the wall. Behind one of the cars, Sterling was holding up Klepto's upper body. He wailed at the top of his lungs, “For Celestia's sake, someone get the medic over here!”

Even though it wasn't her duty, Applejack bounded over the wall. Miller was on her heels, landing next to her. They both rushed over, Applejack nearly slipping on the blood-soaked snow. Klepto was bleeding profusely from a bullet hole in her chest, which was seeping onto Sterling.

Miller was at her side in an instant, moving her arm to better examine the wound. The medic peered a little closer, before looking up to Sterling. “I'm afraid she won't make it.” Her tone was cold, unlike her emotional scolding before. Sterling's head dropped in defeat. “A main artery has been severed above her heart. Even if I apply the Nerofoalin regeneration serum now, she'll bleed to death before it can do anything significant.”

Klepto's breathing become more labored, coming out in short, quick rasps. Her breath flared from her helmet like a tea kettle on a hot stove. Miller pulled out a long syringe, filled with a clear liquid. “The best I can do is numb the pain.” She injected the pain-killer into an opening in her armor.

Sterling nodded sullenly, shifting Klepto so she'd be more comfortable. “Moss,” He said quietly, his voice shaking severely. “When-when you go up there, can you tell my parents that... That I wish I could have made them proud.” His voice cracked, his breath laced with sobs. Blood was now all over him and spreading into the snow nearby.

Sterling looked down, noticing it for the first time. He realized that her time was running out. “I'll see you soon.” He concluded despairingly.

Klepto coughed violently, her body shaking. “No.” She said. Her voice was almost as flat as her personality, no trace of regret or sadness. Instead, there was a little something else... Anger, perhaps?

“Damn you to hell if I do.” Her voice was breaking with effort, “ I better not see you... for a long... time...” Her last words took forever to say, barely recognizable. Then she went limp in Sterling's arms, the blue dot on Applejack's mini map crossing itself out with an “X”.

Sterling carefully laid down her body, before getting up angrily. “Fuck the PAC!” He roared, loading the grenade launcher on his assault rifle. “I'll tear them apart with my bare hooves!”

As he started to move forward, Applejack punched him in the face with a right hook. A buck to the chest would crack his ribs, so this would have to do. The stallion clashed against the ruined car, looking up at her. “Get a hold of yaself, feather-brain!” Applejack growled at him, disdain in her voice, “How good are you dead? Din't she jus' say NOT to die?”

Sterling sighed, rubbing his head as he stared at the ground. “I... I guess you're right.” He slowly got up, forcing himself to look Applejack in the face. “Thanks, Applejack.”

“It was nuthin.” She replied, “I would have done the same thing,”

“I'm sorry to break up the heart-to-heart here, but you better get ready to pony up.” Obsidian's voice interrupted over her intercom. “I count at least a dozen and a half hostiles coming down the road. I'm marking them on your HUD... Now.”

In rapid succession, red dots began popping up on her mini map. They were everywhere, streaming down the road, only a hundred yards from their position. “Aww, horseapples!” Applejack swore, running over to the stairs. “Y'all better be gettin' ready now. Looks like we're gonna have ta dig in here for a short.”

Applejack's armored hooves clanked along the metal flooring, coming up next to Sunbeam. The support stallion cocked his machine gun, now supported along the wall. “This should be fun.” He said grimly.

“It'll be worse than fun if'n we don't get some help soon. We're losin' three to one here, an' our reinforcements still haven't shown up.” Applejack warned. She clipped her submachine-gun onto her right forehoof, holding it out in front of her. The falling snow reduced their visibility, giving the oncoming enemies a screen to advance behind.

After a few seconds though, black shadows appeared on the road. In the corner of her eye, Applejack saw the flash of a gun. Obsidian's rifle blared, one of the black shadows falling to the side.

However, the shadows kept growing larger, until they could be made out clearly as PAC soldiers. “And the guests have arrived.” Sunbeam said. His machine gun rattled as he sprayed downrange, felling another pony.

The EU soldiers on the ground nearby were also shooting, popping in and out of cover to fire bursts from their rifles.

In response, the black armor-clad ponies fired back as they advanced down the street. Their guns flared green, thanks to a variant of velocity-augmenting gunpowder created solely in Ponyussia.

Applejack lined up an enemy of her own, firing a burst of her own. Most of the bullets kicked up the snow, but one managed to land on it's target. The pony stumbled a bit, but kept moving. The shot may have left a bruise at most, the submachine-gun's ammo not designed to kill at longer distances.

Another shot rang out into the sky, originating from Obsidian's perch in a top-floor balcony. A PAC pony slumped into the road, dead. The recon pony's usefulness in thinning the crowd would be crucial if they were to survive the counterattack.

From the side of the road, a missile streaked away and exploded along the walls of Obsidian's balcony. The sky around there shrouded with dust and ash, chunks of the building dropping to the ground below.

“Obsidian, you okay?” Applejack asked frantically as she turned her radio on. “Goshdarnit, answer me!”

“Yeah...” Obsidian coughed, “I'm just gonna lie low for a bit until they forget about me.” Applejack sighed in relief, although stunned at the small pony's toughness.

Applejack turned her attention to where the rocket came from. She saw a black head pop out from behind a van along the road. It should be noted that this was the same van that and EU engineer was killed behind too.

“Two can play this game.” Applejack snickered to herself, punching the rocket launcher's flap open. With a hiss, it ejected the used, square cartridge of rockets that clattered along the ground. Gears churned as it automatically reloaded fresh missiles. The glass eyepiece flipped into view, the reticule flashing red.

Smoke flared out the back end of the launcher, as the rockets streaked forward. The PAC engineer hardly even noticed as the missiles hit the partly-destroyed van and exploded. When the smoke rose, there was nothing left to say a pony even existed, save for marks of gore along the ground.

Sunbeam nickered, firing off a burst from his machine gun. A pony who had tried to cross the street was killed instantly. “Damn, I wish I could make my kills that dramatic.”

Applejack scanned to oncoming force. Sure maybe four were dead, but there was still a whole lot more of them. Even worse, they were closing in too. She watched as a PAC pony got too close to one of the defensive cars, Haybale popping out behind it to cut him down.

Behind the other car she saw as Sterling tossed back a grenade, only to have it explode in mid-air. He didn't look hurt, but it was too close.

“Everypony! Get yesself back up to the monument, quick-like!” Applejack ordered through her microphone. She ducked as bullets danced over her, ripping chunks out of the marble monument. Hooves clattered as her squadmates retreated up the stairs.

Applejack looked back over the wall, a confident PAC pony trying to press onward out of cover. Her was only 20 yards away, perfectly within range of her submachine-gun. The Turcotte Rapid SMG chattered as she mowed bullets along his chest.

Although he died nearly instantly, other enemy soldiers began advancing too. At least five of them were making a charge for the monument's stairs. One lobbed a grenade onto the platform, only to have Heath return it to its sender. The explosion ripped one pony's legs off, leaving him to bleed out along the ground. It also injured another, who fell over only to be raked by EU fire.

Looking over, Applejack saw the first pony reach the stairs. He didn't go much further, a burst of fire catching him in the face. The PAC soldier skidded off to the foot of the stairs.

Applejack was closest to the stairwell, so defending it would be her task. Luckily, she was the perfect pony for the job. Turning around the corner of the wall, she aimed down the stairs. The one pony who was walking up hardly noticed her, until the bullets ripped through his armor. By then, however, it was too late.

Applejack turned back, ejecting her empty magazine. Before she could even grab a new one, she heard the clanking of new hooves on the stairs. There wasn't enough time to reload.

Thinking quickly, she clasped her combat knife in her left hoof. Unsheathing the blade, she spun around upon the advancing hostile soldier. The knife cut seamlessly along his throat, blood spraying Applejack's visor. Even through it, she watched as the pony fell to the ground, still grasping his neck.

She rubbed her hoof along her mask, clearing it up enough to see somewhat clearly. The burning desire to throw up was almost paralyzing. She was shaken back to the battle as she noticed other blue dots making their way onto her HUD.

Shaking herself, she walked past her squad. The other friendly ponies were setting up on the other side of the monument's walls. 'This can't be the other squad!' Applejack thought, 'There's only three of them left!'

Her fears were true as she got closer, recognizing the female squad leader with two other ponies beside her. The orange earth pony raced over to her, her armor swaying slightly.

“Hello,” The other mare said, noticing Applejack. Her back was up against the wall, reloading her assault rifle. “As you can tell, the PAC has given us some shit.” Her armor was dinged up, one of the shoulder pads broken.

“Ah can see that. Ah reckon y'all could use some help?” She said, crouching beside her. Applejack looked over the wall, before shouldering her submachine-gun and firing on an advancing PAC soldier. He screamed and fell to the ground.

“Well, we better focus on Harping over here,” The mare said, pointing to the recon pony next to her. The pony was breathing heavily, a wound on his shoulder patched up crudely. “She caught a round as we fell back here.”

“Miller!” Applejack called out, turning her mic on, “Get over here!” One of the green dots on her HUD began moving over to her, eventually showing herself around the monument.

“What is it?” Miller asked, setting down her medical hub as she crouched on the floor. Then, she looked over to Harping. “I see.” She rummaged through her box of supplies, pulling out an auto-injector of a light-blue serum. Placing it above the wound, she pulled the trigger.

Air hissed as the cyan liquid left the vial. Miller threw the auto-injector back into her hub, before turning back to the injured pony. “The Nerofoalin should regenerate your tissues back in a few minutes. Just... Try not to move unless it's absolutely necessary. It could cause the tissues to grow back awkwardly.”

“Thanks,” Harping grunted, shifting uncomfortably.

Gunfire rattled above them, coming from the other squad leader mare. Then she dropped down, looking over to Applejack, “We may have taken out half a dozen or more back at our previous location, and mebbe a couple more here...” She sighed, “But I have no clue how command thinks we can hold this much longer. The PAC probably has a couple extra squads coming this way to help support.”

Worry flashed through Applejack's mind. She wondered how her own squad was holding up, defending against the enemies coming from the adjacent street. She turned on her microphone querying the next highest-ranking pony there.

“Sunbeam! How you guys holdin' up?” She asked, before popping above the wall again. She sprayed the last of her magazine at a pony hiding behind the column of a nearby building. The bullets missed, but succeeded in keeping his head down.

“We're doing fine, especially now since Obs' has started shooting again.” Now that he mentioned it, the distinct sound of the recon pony's sniper rifle was evident amongst the sounds of battle. “I think we've reduced them to around a couple- Ah! I take that back!” Applejack grimaced, knowing what was going to happen next. “We got at least another dozen an' a half coming again. Shit! Do these ponies ever give up?”

Applejack gulped, assuming the it would be the same for her position soon, too. “Okay. Y'all just hang tight while ah help out the other squad over'in this side. Command's reinforcements will be here soon, an-”

“Ahh, that's bullshit and you know it AJ. We are all screwed in this piec-” He was cut short as Applejack muted him. She didn't want to hear his cruel truth.

Peeping over cover, she scanned the view. True enough, a dozen fresh ponies were bolstering the PAC's number in the assault. Applejack clipped in her last grenade along her left hoof. After arming it, she forced herself to wait an extra second. She didn't want to have her grenade coming back to her.

Standing up in full view, she chucked the cylindrical explosive over a nearby wall. A pony yelped in surprise, before the explosion killed him and one of his friends. Applejack slumped back down, reloading her gun as she looked over to the other mare.

“We got some more of 'em comin'. Let's just hope that-” The ground began to shake nearby, the sensation almost clear as day in her memories. The shaking was accompanied by mechanical sounds and churns, only worsening the fear growing inside.

“Now what in tarnation?” She said, still clinging to the hope that she had heard wrong. Applejack looked over the wall to where the sound was coming from. However, it wasn't where she planned.

The sound was coming from behind them. Turning her head around, she spotted three battlewalkers advancing on the city square. These were more blocky and armored, not curved and rounded like the PAC-made T-39 Bogatyrs. These were Equestrian walkers.

Their miniguns blared, massive bullets tearing at the PAC besiegers. Those that weren't mowed down under a hail of lead were sent scampering back home. The walkers continued onwards, firing short bursts at the stragglers who remained.

A hearty cheer erupted from the weary defenders along the monument walls. Applejack reared up, galloping off the platform. She had to check on someone first.

Obsidian slowly hobbled across the ruined landscape. His left hind leg was shattered, the blast breaking it in three places. Walking on his remaining hooves was tough enough, wincing in pain every time his crippled leg touched the ground.

Applejack skidded in front of him, worry in her voice, “Obs! What the hay happen'd to ya?”

Obsidian looked up, snorting quietly. “It's nothing.” He said, before adding in, “You don't look so great yourself.” He stared at her chest.

Applejack looked down, noticing her chest plate was caked with blood. The same could be said for her shoulders, and she could only imagine how freakishly barbaric she looked with her helmet on. “Hehe, yeah well...” She said ashamed, “I tried not to, but someone decided to get in my way and...”

“Yeah, I saw.” Obsidian said. “Don't worry about it, I can confidently say you did the right thing. If you hadn't, who knows how many of our ponies he would have killed?”

“Thanks Obsidian.” Applejack sighed, “Now, go see Miller. That's an order.”

“Yes Master Sergeant squad-leader ma'am.” Obsidian replied cheekily, obviously knowing what words Applejack hated to hear.

“You git along, you hear!” Applejack leered at him, as he tried to scamper off as quickly as possible. She kicked some snow-dirt mixture at him playfully.

In a moment, a flood of blue dots entered her HUD. Looking around, she noticed the reinforcements streaming in, at least four score ponies entering the square. Sighing a breath of relief, she thanked Celestia that her job was now done. Now, she could head back to the EU outpost and take her well-earned rest.

“Hey Applejack!” A familiar voice called from behind her. Whipping around, she noticed it was the other squad leader calling out to her. “Ermm... No offense, but you look a little scary with your bloodied armor on.”

She took off her helmet, revealing her true face. She was a brown earth pony, with a darker-brown mane that flowed neatly along her neck. Her eyes were strikingly light blue, a deep contrast from her earthen coat palette.

Shrugging, Applejack took off her own helmet. It wasn't nearly as tough to do as usual, probably the sweat along her coat to blame. The air hissed slightly, before a breeze flowed over her neck. It felt amazing, the cold air a desirable replacement to the hot, filtered atmosphere of her helmet. Shaking herself, her mane came out from under the armor along the back. It draped to one side, swaying lightly in the breeze.

“There we go.” The other mare said, “Hey, that stallion... Sunbeam, is it? Anyways, he told me that you took down a walker single-hoofedly! Would you mind telling me about it on the way back to base?”

Applejack thought she could have blushed, but the cold air kept her face devoid of any hot, rushing blood to her cheeks. “Uhh, I reckon so.” She said, letting the other pony catch up to her. “However, where ah come from, ya don't tell ponies a story 'less ya know their name.”

“Oh, sorry. I forgot my manners.” She stuck a hoof out to Applejack, “My name's Mahogany.”

Applejack shook her hoof firmly. “Nice to meet yer, Mahogany.” Back on all four hooves, they started back down the road, “Anyways, the ground started all shakin' once we set up in the monument...”

Next Chapter: Morning's Ether Estimated time remaining: 21 Minutes