Author's Notes:

BOOK 5: PART 1: REUNIONS

Colonel Cardinal Spitfire cruised over Fillydelphia. Operation Cauterize had just moved to Fillydelphia. The soldiers were hitting the ground for the first time below her. Her job was to provide aerial support and they already had their first job. A sniper was shooting some kind of unknown lightning gun at the deploying troops.

She was now the lead of a fairly fresh Wonderbolt Squad 19, the White Shadows. Pony Patrol was long gone, spread out to other squads in command roles. Her second was Commander Fuchsia Sky. The rest of her team was Lieutenant Commander Bronze Wings, Lieutenant Misty Glow and her inseparable twin, Lieutenant Misty Arc. The final member was Ensign Aegis Blade. He was an up an coming soldier and a risk taker. Colonel Cardinal Spitfire was supposed to calm him down. Outside of the Ensign, her team had at least 2 years in the Wonderbolts.

Commander Fuchsia Sky was in Cardinal Spitfire’s induction class. She was a good commander, it just took a little longer for her. She was also somepony Colonel Spitfire was supposed to nurture and grow, quietly. That was at the command of General Firestorm, the head of the Aerial Combat Battalion and the head of the Wonderbolts.

BOOM!

“Colonel!” Ensign Aegis Blade called over their coms. “The roof! That one! I saw it come from there!”

Ensign Aegis Blade still called her Colonel. He hadn’t broken from the old pattern yet. It was understandable. He had been a Sergeant before becoming a Wonderbolt.

Cardinal Spitfire led them into a wordless bank and then they rolled, turning back to the rooftop. At least her team didn’t need verbal commands for everything. Squad 19 spread out and landed. It was not a very big rooftop. Some mechanical stuff like AC units and vents were present, but nothing noticeable. Aegis Blade pointed her to the spot he had seen the shot come from.

Now it was up to Cardinal Spitfire. But there was nopony visible as she made the announcement. “This is the Wonderbolts of the Grand Pegasus Enclave. Show yourself! I know you have a StealthBuck. Surrender or face our wrath.”

BOOM!

“STEP AWAY FROM THE GUN!” Cardinal Spitfire order as she jumped forward into her shooting stance.

It was hard without seeing them. There wasn’t even the telltale shimmer of a StealthBuck. But she had seen something from where the shot had been made. And she had the sound to identify that they were still on the roof. A bold, but stupid, choice.

Cardinal Spitfire knew what a StealthBucks looked like uncloaking. But what unfolded before her eyes was a cloak being swept aside, leaving the pony under it visible. He was still half covered by it. The Pony didn’t move other that to flip the cloak. The armored pony was in dark blue power armor and around a beautiful anti-machine rifle decorated with lightning bolts.

“One moment,” The distorted voice said. “My target is in sight again. Bastard.”

“I said step away from-” Cardinal Spitfire stopped. Everything froze as she saw the markings on the flank's armor.

BOOM!

“STAND DOWN!” Ensign Aegis Blade yelled jumping forward to his Colonel’s rescue.

“Motherfucking bastard!” The armored sniper yelled from his perch. “You deserve worse than that! I just don’t have time to give it to you.”

“HEY!” The Ensign said with a click as his rifles went off safety.

“Don’t!” The sniper yelled. It wasn’t an order, but a warning soaked in fear. “Don’t move an inch or you will get shot. That goes for the rest of you too. But Simi might want that. So don’t test it.”

“Nah, I’m over here! Watching this bitch they call Stern.”

“Okay, well the fact still stands. Move, and you will either end up very hurt, or dead.”

“Fuck you!” Aegis Blade said stepped forward.

He landed hard as his front legs were swept out from under him with graceful ease. He was obviously pinned despite not being able to see the attacker.

“I warned you,” The sniper chuckled.

Cardinal Spitfire hadn’t moved. She was vaguely aware of the things were happening around her. She was still focused on the insignia on the flank.

“Shad…ow? Is that you?”

The sniper turned around for the first time to look at the Wonderbolts. They were indistinguishable in their armor. There were no markings, ranks, names, or anything. Not even their faces could be seen with the full helmets they wore.

“Shadow Flare is an old name,” He said firmly. “One most ponies have forgotten. If you know it, explain yourself.”

“It’s…me…me…” Was all Cardinal Spitfire could stutter.

The sniper hesitated, weighing the risk back and forth. “Card?”

Cardinal Spitfire struck like lightning. She tackled Shadow in a tight hug. It also rolled them off the building.

“Umm,” Shadow grunted as he kept one hoof on the edge of the old roof. “This is nice, but we are seconds away from falling. And you are chocking me through the armor. Somehow.”

“OH!” Cardinal Spitfire said, letting go. She dropped all the way down to the ground before opening her wings and flipped back up, unleashing her joy among the sounds of the battle unfolding. It was a joy she had long ago lost.

Shadow had his helmet off when she landed and she threw hers off, wrapping him in a hug.

“I always knew,” She breathed. “I never gave up.”

“I was always coming back,” Shadow said, smiling at the love of his life. “But I got chased out of Equestria before I could make it above. Shit happened down here. Your memories kept me alive.”

“No wonder why we could never pick up your trail after Rosemary. We tried once things finally fell back under General Shielded Vengeance's control.”

Shadow shrugged with a grin. “I was going by another name.”

“We left a recall message at Rosemary and Rainbow Dash’s Cave.”

“I checked the cave,” Shadow said. “But I must have been early. The air was still cold from the ice.”

“That was a bad storm. Your family survived fine.”

Shadow sat down hard. For now, he held his tongue.

“The bastard Honey Bee destroyed the data drive once it was locked away in storage. A shit ton happened up here from him. By the time we got control, it was too late.”

“He deserved more than the bullet I just gave him.”

“I’m confused,” Aegis Shield grunted from his position, still pinned.

“Didn’t you pick up anything the Colonel taught you?” Commander Fuchsia Sky quipped. “That’s Recon Team 4. They have been MIA almost a decade now. That’s her husband. You were told to be on a lookout for them. It was the first thing she covered with us.”

“Honey Bee kept dashing around,” Shadow spat. “I took out a few good soldiers trying to hit him from this distance. Its about 2 miles. He didn’t stay still long enough for the bullet to find him.”

“Who is here with you?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“My team,” Shadow smirked. “I got entrusted with building a new one. My second is Lieutenant Simi. I also have Master Ukuzwa, Tech Sergeants Bukhali, Sergeant Izala, Specialist Kogata, Specialist Kachi, Corporal Chiha, Corporal Koto, Corporal Kami, Corporal Sumida, Corporal Sensha, and Corporal Nukia. We are Kikosi Kisasi. The Vengeance Squad.”

Several Wonderbolts jumped as they found themselves dangerously close to uncloaking Zebra Warriors. At least one warrior had each of them in their sights. Two were in Zebra Power armor, strapped down with heavy weapons on either side.

Most of the Zebras had Equestrian guns they had reverently took from the outside of Kifopiga. To get Shadow home, they needed guns they could replenish ammunition supplies with. Equestria didn’t have enough Zebra ammunition for their team. Four had the Type 100 sub machine guns, but those fired the same 9mm rounds that was readily available in Equestria.

“Simi, is it anything we need to worry about?”

“Nah,” Simi said uncloaking from the other corner. He was sporting Shadow’s last battle saddle with the DCD shotgun and the 5.56 machine gun. He came trotting over and bowed low to Cardinal Spitfire. “It is an honor to finally meet Mtoaji’s Vrou. In my training, I have heard a lot of stories about your skill. I have no doubt it has only increased tenfold. Especially if you have 5 Wonderbolts under you.”

Simi stood and looked straight at Shadow with a look Shadow was all too familiar with. “Mtoaji, much blood is being spilled as we wait here. The Light Bringer is not here but her forces are. Below is now a three way war for the city. We must make our choice. We can not wait it out here.”

“We need to regroup,” Shadow said, breaking down Soarin’s Lightning. “Our job is done here.”

“Don’t run,” Cardinal Spitfire said, her heart torn. “I can get us a cloudship for pick up.”

“Do it,” Shadow said with a nod. “But that was about our role here. Honey Bee was going to die, and now he has. I still am a Enclave Recon Soldier, am I not?”

Commander Fuchsia Sky answered that. “By our records you still are. Including rank. You are actually still the Command Sergeant Major of Reconnaissance. I checked as soon as I caught your insignia. Our ID system still identifies you, and recon has never taken on another Command Sergeant Major because that is you. Even if you were MIA.”

Bronze Wings reported in. “Regroup is with the Twilight Sky two clicks south in the open. They know we have others coming with us. We need to get a move on it if we are to get there in time. Especially on hoof.”

“Ha,” Shadow laughed as he stretched his wings. “Already planned ahead for that.”

Corporal Nukia, who was pinning Ensign Aegis Blade, stepped off him and pulled out an talisman. He put it on and white pegasus wings grew off his back.

“They needed my feathers to form them,” Shadow explained with a shiver. “It was a pain, but it was worth it. They are not us or any of the Aerial Combat Units, but they are more than competent fliers.”

Shadow flipped his helmet back on and hopped backwards. It took him off the building and a second later he was joyfully ascending into the sky. Cardinal Spitfire launched to join him. They playfully flitted and floated around as Simi and Fuchsia Sky got their soldiers moving.

They cruised to the meet up point. As they touched down a cloudship blasted through the cloud layer.

“What is that?” Shadow asked.

“It’s the Twilight Sky,” Cardinal Spitfire explained. “A Corvette Class defense cloudship in the Third Fleet. She is one of the cloudships that brought us and a group of ACUs to assault Fillydelphia. They built her from nearly the ground up a year or so after you disappeared.”

Shadow took a very deep breath in. “I was gone a long, long time. It flew by while I lived in Shanyisa. But I never forgot you or my home. Every night in bed was agonizing without you.”

“I know you never forgot,” Cardinal Spitfire assured him. “My bed was just as empty. If you have a team, you were doing something big down there.”

“Eh,” Shadow shrugged. “More of the same old same old.”

“Ha!” Cardinal Spitfire laughed as the Twilight Sky performed a soft landing. “That is a tale I want to hear. Your normal was always fun.”

“Oh, I will tell you soon enough,” Shadow chuckled as they walked up the ramp together.

“Uh,” Cardinal Spitfire hesitated. “Everyone wait here in the Bay. Commander Fuchsia Sky has command. We will need to explain the Zebras.”

Shadow chuckled deeply in joy at the idea of them flipping out over his team. Way too many Pegasi were xenophobes. Still, Zebras were the last thing they were expecting in the wasteland.

Cardinal Spitfire took the lead as she brought him through the narrow hallways and up to the bridge. She knew the ship well. The Twilight Sky was in the air when they got to the bridge.

“Permission to come aboard?” Cardinal Spitfire asked at the door.

The Captain’s chair swiveled around to reveal a worn light blue pegasus with messy orange hair under his cover. A very big rack of ribbons was on his chest. A black eye patch sealed off his left eye, and a gold cuff covered his left ear.

“Always Cardinal,” Deke grinning.

“DEKE!” Cardinal Spitfire squealed. “When Bronze said Twilight Sky, I forgot that meant you as Captain!”

“Please,” Deke scoffed. “Its Commodore, not Captain. I am over the Ebony Grace and the Firecracker as well. And we seriously need to talk about your memory. I just dropped you off a few hours ago!”

Cardinal Spitfire laughed deeply. “I forgot you are holding onto that title. And my mind just got rocked hard.”

Cardinal Spitfire stepped aside so Deke could see Shadow standing in the doorway.

“No,” Deke breathed. He glanced at Cardinal Spitfire’s shining face and then bolted across the area to embrace Shadow.

“I WAS ON A MISSION TRYING TO CONTACT YOU!” Deke exclaimed. “Well, it wasn’t official, but I knew what was going on. But you had left Rosemary!”

“A lot of ghosts were going to kill me,” Shadow said hugging Deke back. “They got to Slice and Thunder. I turned my focus to hurt the wasteland rather than a gun on myself. Then I ended up south, in the Zebra Lands. But what happened to you, Deke? Last I knew you had a left eye and gold cuffs are not regulation.”

“I’m under special circumstances,” Deke replied as he sat back down. His mood shifted to quiet and somber. “The Buttercup took a major hit during a storm. I protected the ponies in the South Cloudsdale District, but we got pretty well crushed. I evacuated all I could, but all of the 14 crew members on board were gravely injured. The Twilight Sky is named for one of the four that died. So is the Ebony Grace and the Firecracker.

“I was broken and bruised, barely conscious, but I got us back. I wore glasses over the years, but the past few months it has just not worked. I’ve lot most of my sight in that eye. And the ear is because we did a hearing bypass after I fractured my head in the blow. Officially, I am on the way out from front line duty. But that got suspended as we organized for Operation Cauterize.”

“But that doesn’t matter right now,” Deke said waving Shadow further into the bridge. “We are in the middle of a battle. Command Sergeant Major of Reconnaissance, what should we do? We now have a third force attacking Fillydelphia. We were not prepared to face two enemies.”

“Pull back,” Shadow said. “The Light Bringers forces are too strong. She is going to squash us. We need to rethink the wasteland. It isn’t what we believe it is. Assuming the ideas haven’t changed.”

“I believe you said to burn Filly,” Cardinal Spitfire poked. “But no, the ideas haven’t changed much.”

“Filly needs to burn,” Shadow spat. “But we can’t do it. The Light Bringer cleaned up Red Eye for me. He was right, I was coming for him. He just died before I could clean that mistake up.”

“We can get a full report after,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “Deke, Shadow isn’t alone. He was kicked out of Equestria and survived deep in the south. He has a new team.”

“Zebs,” Deke snorted. “As soon as you got aboard my bay officer reported the presence of 10 Zebs-”

“SIMI! UKUZWA!” Shadow yelled.

“Damn it!” Simi said uncloaking just inside the door. “Do you really thing I am going to let my commander go with strangers without back up?”

“Ukuzwa?” Shadow asked firmly, but with more kindness.

She uncloaked on Deke’s left. “An amazing piece of engineering you have here. I see why they elicited much fear. The dragons never stood a chance. Even them you could certainly make prance.”

Shadow sighed. “Deke, Simi is the greatest Zebra warrior of his generation. I had the honor of training him. Ukuzwa is a master magician and seer. Both are critical members of my team.”

Deke looked Ukuzwa up and down. He blurted out his first question. “How did you get those rings on your neck? I see no clasp.”

“It was a difficult journey,” Ukuzwa said with a straight face, looking out the front of the bridge. “We had to start early. Slowly they wound the metal around my neck, tighter and tighter until my coat could not be seen a speck. A brutal process, but one of great success.”

Deke was unsure what to say back. He switched to Shadow. “Well, you said we need to retreat. Let’s sound the retreat.”

The pegasus at the communications station nodded her head. They were ready to transmit Deke's message.

“This is Commodore Derecho, Third Fleet, The Twilight Sky. We just recovered Command Sergeant Major of Reconnaissance Shadow Flare. He has advised us to fall back. His knowledge of the enemy forces and the situation below is beyond what our scouts have gleaned. He is ready to offer a full report to the Council so proper adjustments can be made. The Third Fleet is falling back so that we can regroup and strike properly.”

With the communication line closed, Deke turned to Shadow. “Shadow, what exactly happened? Why did you end up south, and not come back up?”

“I got forced out,” Shadow explained. “We were intentionally cut off in our communications by Honey Bee. And then the others died and I got chased off before the recall message was received.”

“Yeah, but why didn’t you just come banging on the door?”

Shadow sighed, steeling himself. “Our last mission that Honey Bee sent us on, with the promise that we could come back after…we were ordered to kill a group of new Dashites. The papers we found after we did our job identified them as the Pillars of the Community. We murdered them and I killed my sister. Literally. I put the bullet in her that killed her.”

Cardinal Spitfire latched onto Shadow, nuzzling his neck in support. It was all she could do at the shocking news.

“I see,” Deke said, contemplating the news. “That was something I was not aware of. The Pillars of the Community was a big blow to the reunificationists. It proved the dangers below.”

“I doubt anypony was aware,” Shadow said coldly. “It was covered up well. We were outright betrayed and discarded.”

“By a few ponies,” Deke spat. “But not by the Council. I am certain they didn’t know. Or else Honey Bee would have been in real trouble.”

“Commodore!” the ensign at the comm station called. “Incoming message from the Glorious Dawn.”

“Fuck him,” Deke groaned. “Put him through.”

“Captain Derecho!” the pony on the other side yelled. “You will not break in retreat!”

“Fuck you Admiral!” Deke shot back. “I am actually here, with Command Sergeant Major Shadow Flare, and we are picking apart his betrayal. A betrayal that killed or illegally sentenced their unit to banishment. Along with a variety of other orders that were illegal. We need to fall back and track this down before they do the same to us!”

“If you back out from your position, I will make sure you are banished below and then executed!”

“Sorry Admiral, I have Wonderbolts on official Wonderbolt business to ferry. Colonel Cardinal Spitfire must make a report about the Command Sergeant Major’s recovery.”

The comm line was cut at Deke’s nod.

“Alright,” Deke immediately said. “I have ACUs deployed down in that city. I doubt you want me to abandon Golden Dawn and Olive Pit.”

“Shit,” Cardinal Spitfire swore. “I forgot they were deploying here. Move us into position and get the others. We are falling back. Like you said, we have a lot we need to sort out.”

“Colonel,” the Comm station said. “We have a message coming in from General Firestorm.”

“SHADOW! IS THAT YOU!”

“I am here General,” Shadow replied. “Alive and mostly unharmed. Its been close a lot of times.”

“We searched for you! But you disappeared.”

“I only just got your messages,” Shadow replied. “I got forced out of Equestria. I’ve been waiting south in the Zebra Lands for the right time to come back.”

“Did you get kill orders for the Pillars of the Community?” General Firestorm immediately asked.

“Yes, we did,” Shadow reported. “Lieutenant Honey Bee ordered us to kill a large group of Dashites that the Council couldn’t prosecute because of the citizen’s had twisted their wings. I shot my sister in cold blood. After it was done, we realized our mistake and it was too late. We survived as best as we could, but we were down to 3 at that point.

“I eventually had to leave Rosemary or the ghosts would have driven me insane or to commit suicide. Like they did for Slice and Thunder.”

“Shit,” was all that came over the comm system for a while. “We pieced that together, but the data drive was pulled from the computer. We couldn’t recover anything. We did the best we could, but Honey Bee was from a strong family that protected him. We did all we could for you.”

“I know you did,” Shadow said. “I have pieced that together from down here. General, I recommend the ACUs be recalled before they get needlessly torn to shreds. A lot of information needs to be discussed. Their tactics are superior, but they are already out maneuvered and out of their league.”

“The Wonderbolts are coming back,” General Firestorm informed them. “And the Third is pulling out with the ACUs in tow. Some of the Wonderbolts didn’t…agree with your first message across all channels. They fought. Particularly the strike group sent to kill Little Pip.

“Cardinal, Cinnamon is dead. Her team fractured over the situation and she didn’t make it. They were right about to stop Little Pip when they destructed. Rasp and Fountain survived, but Cinnamon is dead. Her second turned on her for hesitating. Rasp won’t talk about it, but I believe she shot that degenerate. Eight of the Twelve died in the fracture of their two squads. They are regrouping at Camp Bullis.

“Shadow, this wasn’t just over you. A group was brainwashed, no, reset by Little Pip after they were captured. We have gotten an interesting look at the situation. I wasn’t able to pull the plug until I got you back. But I am certain others died over it. The ACUs are spread thin, and they are even more likely to not follow the orders.”

“General, Colonel, Command Sergeant Major,” Deke said breaking up the conversation. “Turns out, the ACUs can’t disengage. We need to go in and break them free.”

“Right,” Shadow smiled. “General, we will talk face to face soon. But I have been waiting to get back at that Red Eye fucker for turning on me and trying to kill me. It will be a pleasure to kill his army.”

“Did you set him up in Fillydelphia!” General Firestorm asked over the coms. “Last I knew the Disciples were in Filly and then our scouts and recon reboot confirmed it was Red Eye and a fledgling group.”

“He wasn’t talking like a tyrant,” Shadow fired back. “I have a feeling the slaves I feed stayed slaves. He needed a place to reclaim the wasteland, the Disciples were about to be eliminated. I…whatever. I can explain that shit storm later.”

“We have about 15 minutes,” Deke said. “Go. Cardinal’s room is already in the officer suite.”

“Uh, go?” Shadow asked confused. “Where? Why?”

Deke rolled his eyes and sighed, frustrated. “Cardinal, drag him out of here.”

“What? What is happening?” Shadow asked, not budging.

Deke spoke slowly. “You. Cardinal. Her room. Married. Go.”

“Oh,” Shadow said, finally connecting the dots.

“Go!” Ukuzwa ordered. “Simi, get back with the toon. Make sure they are ready to be a typhoon.”

Simi flipped his cloak on and disappeared. Shadow was being pulled away by Cardinal. Deke was just smiling as it all went down. He rotated back to face out of his bridge. Ukuzwa hadn’t moved. He looked her over again.

“You don’t appear to have a gun,” Deke commented.

“I am not a combatant. Magic is my skill as it might happen. Hexes and Curses I avoid, but it is wise to not make me annoyed.”

“I’m just trying to figure out what is going on inside that striped brain of yours,” Deke replied. “Like why rhyme?”

Ukuzwa rolled her eyes. “Zebs?

“I think I like you,” Deke chuckled. “And it’s the old wartime slang for Zebras. I never thought I would meet one, let alone one that could destroy my ship in the blink of my eye.”

Now it was Ukuzwa’s turn to look Deke up and down and snort. “You are not worth my time.”

“Exactly,” Deke mischievously chuckled.

Five minutes later Shadow came back onto the bridge.

“What!” Deke exclaimed. “I said get busy! Shoo!”

“Cardinal is recovering in the room,” Shadow calmly stated. “She always just...well, we have our secrets.”

Deke let out some evil laughs. “You two better get busy. It’s just not complete with just me and my mini mes. I need yours to really raise terror with them all.”

“Mini mes?” Shadow asked.

Deke turned his chair to full face Shadow. His face had the same, familiar mischievous grin on it. “Yes. Four to be exact. Four half me, half Early Blossom. They truly have blossomed alongside their half siblings. Yeah,” Deke chuckled. “That’s right. I got busy with your sister.”

“I regret my suggestion,” Shadow said with a straight face. “I regret telling them your name.”

“They got to ask me in person,” Deke continued. “Before they contacted me, I got to them. Also, I slept in your bed at the cherry orchard as I saved your family.”

“My first news from home,” Shadow sighed. “And it comes from Deke. Gloating about half sleeping with my sister.”

Cardinal Spitfire joined them in the bridge as if nothing had happened.

“They all turned out cute,” Deke’s First Mate, Crimson Rain, said. “I know, I know. With somepegasus like Deke, how could they? Your sister is cute enough to fix that downside to him. I can personally attest to all of that. We did a routine stop out that way a few months back.”

Deke broke down laughing, unable to hold it in. “I do love you family,” He finally said in between laughs. “They produce some really good cherries and turnips.”

“I have not met them yet,” Cardinal Spitfire assured Shadow. “I know you wanted to introduce me. My family knows. Your family knows only because you went MIA, but I have not met them yet. Your family only knows my name and that you got married. They are diligently waiting for you to introduce me to them.”

“As soon as this is all over,” Shadow assured her.

“Five minutes to rendezvous,” A lieutenant reported.

“We should go then,” Shadow said. “Ukuzwa, make sure Deke doesn’t do anything stupid.”

Ukuzwa just stood there, beside Deke. You couldn’t tell if she heard the order or not.

Shadow was beside Cardinal Spitfire as they jumped out of the Twilight Sky. Simi was leading the others except for Tech Sergeants Bukhali who was staying behind. Her specialty wasn’t fighting. It was technology. She didn’t need to be in the fight and risk an injury or worse.

They flew at their top speed, enjoying the feel of flying together once again.

Cardinal Spitfire issued her orders. “Twins, strafe the ground in between the ACUs and Little Pip’s forces. Discourage them from fighting. But don’t hit them.”

“Simi will handle that separation,” Shadow added. “Let the Zebras help force that front to hold off on shooting the ACUs. The wastelanders will respond better to the Zebras. We need to engage Red Eye with heavy prejudice.”

“Twins, still make that strafing run and then lock up that front with our ACUs. We can deal with Red Eye. Shadow has more than enough to rip them to shreds in your place.”

Shadow chuckled in glee over their coms.

“We got it,” Simi said. “I am readying us for the split and disengage tactics. But it is Steel Rangers. I am not sure how it will go.”

“Are they tied into our coms!” Cardinal Spitfire protested. “We tied in your com. That was easy. But we couldn’t even see their coms. These are a high priority and very secure network.”

Shadow let out a laugh “My Tech Sergeant made easy work of it. And She never had my system to work off of. I left all of it in Rosemary and just got it back. She is very good.”

“I trust you, but not quite them. Yet. Not cool.”

“They came all this way, leaving their families to cross the great sea of sand to fight in a foreign land for a foreign pegasus. We will be parting after this. I won’t be going to my home there. They are my team. They want to make sure I get to my real home and have a home to go home to. I have done a lot for them. And they just want to reciprocate something. I had fun helping them out of the goodness of my heart.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Cardinal Spitfire said dismissing it. “You ready for this strafing run?”

“They won’t even see it coming,” Shadow replied.

Shadow made up for the twins not being present. He unleashed his minigun, lighting up the entire area with deadly magical laser fire. It was four times stronger than the Novasurge rifles the Wonderbolts were packing.

They flipped around and landed in middle of the ACUs.

“Who is in charge?” Cardinal Spitfire asked. “I am Colonel Spitfire.”

“Her, in the power armor. General Wind Rustler just died of his wounds a minute ago.”

Shadow Flare surged after Cardinal Spitfire. She expertly slid up to the side of the pegasus.

“Golden Dawn!”

“Cardinal!” Golden Dawn exclaimed.

“We are here to get you out.”

“Out?”

“Retreat orders for the 3^rd Fleet, ACUs, and all members of the ACBs. We need to regroup and reset. Shadow Flare has some new information for us.”

“SHADOW!”

Shadow just waved at his friend. They never had time to do more as a rocket exploded, forcing them all down.

“Damn rockets. We are pinned by it and can’t get a beat on it. And command has been shredded. I know I am in charge, but that is about it.”

“Got it!” Shadow said dashing away.

Shadow got into a better position. He waited for a second and then saw the glint he was looking for. He unleashed two rocket towards an eighth floor window. A rocket was launched back at them. The first rocket collided with it and the second found it’s home in the rocket snipers.

Minigun fire forced them to all dive out of the way. Red Eye’s forces were stronger than Shadow thought. Shadow came out of the dive and engaged his E.F.S. targeting system. Time slowed as he picked out the target. He locked on with his 7.62x51mm rifle and put down a single round.

The one with a mini gun’s head snapped back in confirmation of the hit. The Zebra rounds were great, but they were not his beloved 7.62 rounds. They were better than the 5.56, but the 7.7mm didn’t have the same feel.

More weapons fire opened up on them. Specialist Kogata and Specialist Kachi slid up to Shadow in their power armor.

“Mtaoji! The Light Bringers Forces are holding their fire. That cease fire is dire. Kachi and I are going to put the hurt on those guys. We won’t stop until there is not one left to issue cries.”

“No you are not,” Shadow said.

They ducked as more fire swept through the area and a few grenades were tossed.

“Fine,” Shadow said. “But I am coming with you.

“Anypony hurt,” A pony asked sliding forward.

Shadow snapped his head to look at him. He recognized his voice. Olive Pit was barely distinguishable under all of his gear. It was definitely him under all the packs and armor. His exterior was soaked in blood.

“You took a bullet,” He said to shadow. “Your chest is bleeding.”

Shadow looked down. His armor had taken several strikes in the same area from the minigun. One had poked all the way through. Blood was indeed drawn.

“Filly loves the taste of my blood,” Shadow shrugged. “Others need your help Olive Pit. More than me. I’ve taken worse. Card, get them out of here while we wreck them.”

Before they could respond Shadow disappeared under Mwokozi’s Cloak. Kogata and Kachi were gone as well.

“Who was that?” Olive Pit asked.

“That was Shadow Flare,” Cardinal Spitfire chided Olive Pit. “Haven’t you been listening to your radio?”

“Do you see this blood on me!” Olive Pit shot back. “None of it is mine! I’m trying to keep these guys pieced together. We are spread thin all across this wasteland and dying in droves. I don’t have time to keep up with that shit! I have to make sure we have supplies to continue to save your asses.”

“You won’t have to save them much longer,” Golden Dawn rebuttaled. “We are regrouping on the Corvettes. Get your Colonel Ass moving these ACUs! Unit 47, with me. Lets show this fuckers what Shock Troopers mean!”

The ACUs began falling back to their rear and then jumping into the air, back on their way to the Corvettes that brought them here. Cardinal Spitfire had Wonderbolt Squad 19 protecting their flank and funneling them. As soon as she was sure it was safe, they formed up on her.

“Shadow, we are out and clear. Your team has retreated as well.”

“I’m getting Golden Dawn out of her mess," Shadow replied. "As usual, she bit off more than she could chew.”

“Giving you cover then.”

Cardinal Spitfire looked all along their enemy lines. She picked out bodies. And then she began to see a trail of ice, fire, and blood. Bodies sliced in two or who had their heads removed.

She spotted Unit 47. They were making a brave defense. Golden Dawn’s Applesnack Submachine Gun ran out of bullets and the others appeared to be out or jammed as well. Cardinal Spitfire almost dove to the rescue, but stopped as movement caught her eye. A blur dashed in between the raiders as they converged on Unit 47. Ponies and griffins toppled after the blur moved on.

Golden Dawn crouched, ready to go into hoof to hoof combat as the last three got to her. They were cocky, but they had never faced Pegasus Shock Troopers before. She never had a chance for them to meet her as their heads fell off their bodies.

“GO!” Shadow ordered from right beside her. “Run! I mean fly! Back to the ships!”

Unit 47 didn’t have to be told twice. They all formed up in the sky and quickly pressed back to the cloudships.

The Twilight Sky was a mess and packed tight. The Ebony Grace had been turned into their medical unit. If you were not hurt, you were on the other two ships. The bay doors closed as soon as they got inside.

“Shit,” Cardinal Spitfire swore in frustration.

“What was that!” Golden Dawn pressed before they got split up. Out of nowhere you zipped over to us and their heads rolled.”

Shadow drew Kifo Herixleta from where it was concealed on his left. “Meet Kifo Herixleta. He is one of the pieces I inherited during the first few missions I was below. Its a rare, special variant of the Zebra swords. An old, powerful artifact. I can easily split your power armor from front to back with a single swipe.

“Its not the only magical thing I inherited or bought. I also have this sound dampener. I can shoot my battle rifle without it making a sound. It was more useful on my solo trips, but even in battle, its a great addition.”

“How are you gripping that?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“Oh,” Shadow chuckled. “Along with the sword, I inherited a very rare magical Zebra band that latches onto the sword and a few other Zebra weapons. Normally, the band can’t work through the power armor, but Ukuzwa spent a lot of hours, sweat, and tears boosting it so it could.”

Shadow put Kifo Herixleta away and headed for the bridge. Cardinal Spitfire shrugged at Golden Dawn and followed after him. The ACUs were now in Golden Dawn’s control. She was the senior officer for the group they had been deployed with.

“Deke we need to try and re-balance the troops,” Cardinal Spitfire said entering the bridge.

“Can’t,” Deke stated. “I am already accelerating. Plus, Olive Pit is good at his job. He split them down the center. They are a mess, but the troops are here. We can’t shift them around any better than they are.

“Plus, I have my orders from Admiral Ruby Snow. All 3^rd Fleet ships are on recall. Immediate recall for the defense of the Enclave.”

“Sir,” a lieutenant commander at the navigation terminal called. “The Solar is breaking from the Glorious Dawn. It is turning for a pursuit.”

“Let them come,” Deke chuckled. “I have been waiting for this match up. Captain Green won’t find me an easy target this time.”

“Yes Sir!”

“Once we are sure they are following us, we can make a better choice. For now, stay on this course: North!”

“You are injured,” Ukuzwa said from the same spot she had been since entering the bridge.

“Eh,” Shadow said looked at his chest. “Yeah. I took direct minigun fire. Just a little blood. Except for my second to last trip into Filly, its drawn my blood every time. I’ve been shot, stabbed, and blasted with explosives. And not all in the same visits. I figured it would claim more once again since we were in the middle of a war.”

Ukuzwa shook her head. “Mponyaji and I worked so hard to clear you of lead. I still remember the cries you made as you bled. After all that turmoil, you just undid all our toil.”

“I can’t help it,” Shadow sighed as he walked over to stand in front of her. “It’s not like I want to get shot.”

Ukuzwa shook her head at him and then lifted a hoof that had plenty of jewelry on it. She waved it over the wound several times and a bullet popped out. A few move waves and the wound was sealed up.

“Small it might be, but it does not come for free. Watch your back, stay ready for any attack. I only have so much on me. We are far from home and my reality.”

“Yep,” Shadow sighed. “I’ll avoid it as much as possible.”

Ukuzwa’s smile was mischievous under its obvious care.

“Just how often has he gotten himself hurt?” Deke asked her.

“In one battle, he had a powerful warlord quite rattled. Every time he took a clear hit, he came back in a split.”

Shadow groaned. “That battle was bad. My fledgling team fell apart, I didn’t have anywhere near my optimal equipment, and I didn’t have my sword. I got patched up 42 times in the span of 3 days.”

“42!” Cardinal Spitfire blurted. “You took 42 bullets in 3 days!”

“It was a good mix of bullets, broken bones, and knife wounds. By the time we engaged the enemy, we had no choice but to either eliminate them or die. We didn’t bend, but I certainly bled for that win.” Shadow shrugged. “Just my normal stuff.”

“We need to redefine normal for you,” Cardinal Spitfire stated.

“After this war,” Shadow said. “When the enemy lies dead on the floor. When I crush them to the dust of the stars, then peace can truly be ours.”

“Most of his time wasn’t spent fighting,” Ukuzwa explained. “But when it was needed he struck like lightning. Our land is unforgiving, but he gave it no misgiving. In the end, our standard of living was raised. Something for which he has been greatly praised.”

The sky exploded in a flash of light. It ended their conversation as it blinded them. When they could see again, the sun was shining down on the wasteland, unhindered.

“And so it is,” Ukuzwa declared. “The Light Bringer has brought the light.”

Shadow let out a troubled sigh. He knew this would be the end result, he just had wished he had been able to warn them above in time.

“Thousands are now without homes,” Shadow stated. “Most of the farms are wiped out now too. Things just got very real for the Grand Pegasus Race.”

Explosions from Fillydelphia rocked the air itself.

“Sir, the computers are reading that the Glorious Dawn is going down. It took at least one direct strike from something. The Solar is also clearly on our tail.”

“We need someplace to go,” Deke said. “Someplace that doesn’t compromise the ACUs.”

“Set a course for Baltimare,” Shadow said. “I have some friends there who will probably lend us a hoof. Assuming we don’t try and burn them to the ground. Or pillage them. Just friendly relations.”

“I’m down for friendly relations,” Deke said.

“Sir…fire is reigning down from the sky on our troops and cloudships around Fillydelphia.”

“Someone got a hold of a megaspell,” Deke spat. “I don’t care how good they are, and how wrong we might be. That’s dark shit to be playing with.”

“There are times when it is a good thing,” Ukuzwa said. “Good was not what the Zebras decided to bring. But the Enclave’s assault is brutal and unkind. They do not fight with a just mind. Right and wrong can sometimes be bent, especially when your options are spent. The Enclave is spread thin, but even then the other side can not win.

“Blood will soon be spilled, for how else will we all rebuild? The last link is ready to be shed, beginning the true mend. Father against son, until either side has won. The final link must be forged in person, or things will forever worsen.

“A darker evil than any spell is upon us. Even a dull blade still cuts.”

“Huh?” Deke asked.

Shadow stared out the window. “She is a seer, Deke. She can, at special occasions, see the future. But it is rare and always vague. Deke, how big is the Third Fleet? And how big are the ACUs?”

“Uh, still pretty small. Even with our expansion, we are tiny. A dozenish cloudships and only a few hundred ACUs. Why?”

Shadow’s answer was cold. “Because, the Pegasi are going to war. But not a war on the ground. We have to decide who we are, and how we fit into that world as a whole. Things are not as we were told and everypegasus can now see it. We will be set against each other until we decide. And I doubt the blood sun will not rise.”