Our helos flew in a tight formation as we skimmed the treetops, I rode with the Deltas, hooked onto the skids of the lead Little Bird, the other staying in the rear, covering the two birds loaded down with civvies. We’d gotten all of them, but we should’ve been faster…one-hundred ponies confirmed dead in a town of three-hundred, that was too many friends and neighbors for me to feel anything but guilt as the pilot pulled us into a steep ascent up Canterlot Cliffs, the sun rising behind us.

“Gents, we are primed for a landing in the castle courtyard, touchdown in five.”

I could hear Dwight relaying to the pilot, but the words were muffled; I was too focused on what we’d lost. When you’re in the middle of it, it’s easy to brush off the horror; you simply focus on not getting killed and finishing whatever mission is ahead of you. But the time after, the ride home, the end of deployment when you’re on your couch again, even in the arms of someone you love, it all comes roaring back. I knew I was going to carry this with me for a minute.

I lifted my feet out of reflex as the Little Bird touched down, the gardens stretching out before me, scores of medical personnel and more than a few guards were waiting. I pulled my mask up over my face in case the press was lurking somewhere, and unhooked myself from the skid. I bounced a little, working the blood back into my legs as I watched the ponies march off the birds, looking broken and bloodied, but resolute. The Elements emerged last, supporting Twilight as she limped down the ramp, magical exhaustion had been the cause, she’d held that barrier manually, healed wounds, and fought off incursions for hours, and damn near by herself before we’d finally shown up. I watched Applejack break from the crowd to hug her friends, followed by Celestia and Luna. The crowd parted for them like the Red Sea, Twilight limped forward, but Celestia covered the distance for her, wrapping the crying Unicorn in her arms and sinking to her knees, stroking her hair.

Tia had told me about her student, how she’d cared for and cultivated both the mare and her magical talents, there was such a warmth to Tia’s voice whenever she spoke of the little Unicorn. I’d always wanted to meet her, pick her brain about magic, and hear about the Elements firsthand. Maybe when it ended, I’d finally get my chance.

I wanted nothing more than to sprint across our ad-hoc landing zone and hug Tia myself, fuck what either world thought, but I checked it, time to get back to the Embassy, and relay what we’d seen. I unsnapped my helmet as I walked, running a hand through my hair; I needed a drink and some sleep.

A few hours later, the boys and I had debriefed, I was sitting in the Embassy lounge turned flophouse, stretched out on a cot in a corner, running through the events of the last twenty hours, berating myself for the mistakes and the slow response, while still trying to be grateful that we saved as many as we did. Frank walked in just in time to break me out of my rumination.

“Good job out there, kid.”

I raised my head slightly, “What you call a good job I call a hundred dead civvies Frank. This never should’ve happened.”

Frank looked like he’d aged ten years since I’d seen him last, “I know, they didn’t listen, do they ever?”

“Not fucking likely, any move on Earth?”

“The Reds haven’t budged, they say their fight is with the Equestrians, something about keeping the Griffon Empire destitute for their own ends, fires of revolution, blah blah fucking-blah.” He sighed, then smiled, “No one’s buying, last I heard we have the whole Second Ranger Battalion, the Tenth Mountain, and the entire Fourth Marine Division on their way here, Brits are mobilizing everything they have, and the French sent the Second Parachute Regiment of the Foreign Legion as an advance. Word has it NATO is all in for this one.”

I felt relief flood in, a new faith in humanity welling up inside me. “Coming to back the EQ’s up, Jesus, that's amazing.”

“Seems that way, nobody wants to see Equestria fall, or the Griffon Empire stay under the control of the Alliance if we can mow down the Reds and end that threat once and for all, icing on the cake.”

“What’s the situation as it stands?”

“They’ve got Manehattan ad Baltimare locked down. The first step is clearing the Griffs out from their footholds deeper inland. We’ve gotta push them out of Trottingham and Fillydelphia, establish a unified front and move to take back the ports. Before we can even think about taking the fight to the Isles.”

“Where do they need us?”

Frank gave me a toothy smile, “JSOC is requesting partnerships, you guys are gonna be running with Task Force Orange, sneaking and peeking before we send in the Marines.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the old man’s enthusiasm, “Oh, hell, yes.”

“But for now get some sleep, we’ve got some time to kill. Proud of you, kid, you came back like a champ and warned us, we should’ve listened.”

“Thanks, Frank, I don’t blame you, or the politicians, or Langley. What I was peddling was too horrible to consider. Now we have the chance to set it right.” I settled in, yawning.

“Gonna crash here?”

I cracked open an eye, “Do I have a choice?”

“We’ll set you up in town, somewhere close by for when the gun goes off.”

I pushed myself off the cot, “Music to my ears.”

Twenty minutes later I was showered, and settling into the studio apartment Frank had lined up in the diplomatic block. The place was a little spartan, but it beat the shit out of a ranger cot in the Embassy hallway. I tooled around the kitchen before pulling out my phone and dialing Mom, who answered after a ring.

“Zack?”

“Hey, Mama.”

“Oh, thank God, tell me this isn’t happening.”

“It is Ma; they fucking whacked us.”

“Jesus, are you okay? Where are you?”

“I’m fine, as far as where I am, well, you know the drill.”

“I do, goddamnit, I do.”

I shifted the phone to my other shoulder, “How’s Jen and Dad?”

I could hear the stress in her voice, “They’re a mess, you should see the pictures on TV, plus they’re worried about you.”

“Tell them I’m safe and that I love them, I just had to hear your voice mama, I’m gonna try and get some sleep. I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart, please try and keep us posted.”

“I will bye, Mama.”

“Bye, sweetheart.”

I settled down on the edge of the bed as I ended the call, exhaustion hitting me like a freight train. I was out before my head hit the pillow.

I don’t know how long I was out for when the text woke me up, I rolled off the bed and tried to blink the sleep from my eyes, fumbling for my phone. The text brought a much needed, genuine smile to my face.

“Raven is alright.”

I fired one back.

“Good shit, brother, give her a hug from me.”

A minute later, my phone pinged.

“Will do. Princess is looking for you. Can you make it in?”

“On my way.”

“Meet in the Conference Room.”

I threw my old Dropkick Murphy’s hoodie and a pair of jeans and hustled to the castle, months ago the blue sky would have been full of Pegasi, now Blackhawks, Little Birds, and CH fifty-threes dominated the air, heavy-lift helos carrying tanks, and other equipment were a constant stream overhead. I kept my eyes down as I weaved my way through the streets, ponies were out and about now, eyes downcast, generally looking miserable. Who wouldn’t, though? Their country had been invaded, their fellow citizens killed and maimed, all for a fight they didn’t understand. After a few minutes, I started catching the eye of ponies walking down the street, making sure to give them a smile or a nod. One older Unicorn stopped and shook my hand before continuing on without another word.

I took the backstreets to save time, and before I knew it, I was standing before the front gate, I knew so well. A few quick words and I was walking across the marble floors towards the conference room. The Guards outside the heavy oak doors stiffened a little at my approach.

“She’s expecting you, sir, please go right in.” One stepped aside and opened the door for me.

“Thanks, guys, be safe.”

Celestia was standing on the opposite end of the room, her back to me as she stared out the window. She turned when she heard me coming, looking as majestic and beautiful as I’d ever seen her. “Hello Zack,” the closer I got the more I could see she was teetering on the edge of unkempt her eyes had bags under them and I could feel the stress coming off her in waves. “Can you give me an honest assessment of the Ponyville attack?”

I took a deep breath, she needed the truth, “It wasn’t so much an attack as an attempt at genocide, the Griffons were killing everything that moved without any regard whatsoever. If we hadn’t been there, I don’t know that they would’ve stopped until Twilight dropped that barrier. Even then, I have my doubts,” When she didn’t speak, I continued, “It seems as though the Reds have done a great job as painting every Equestrian, Stallion, Mare, and Foal, as the enemy of the Griffon people. When people have that kind of focus, that amount of anger, and that level of certainty that what they’re doing is absolutely right, atrocities seem justified.”

She’d closed her eyes halfway through, when she opened them, they brimmed with unshed tears, she stepped forward and hugged me, “Monsters, all of them. Thank you, and thank your men from me for saving who you could. For saving Twilight and her friends, I cannot begin to express my gratitude.”

I hugged her back tightly, “Anytime anywhere; I’m just glad we made it in time.”

We stayed like that for a moment before a knock sent us flying apart. “Come in,” Celestia called, the doors swung open, and in came a group of men in uniform, that cavalry had arrived. Leading the pack was a two-star general, I’m surprised the man could move under the weight of his ribbon rack, I saw purple hearts, silver stars and a slew of other commendations. The men trailing him were British and French, respectively, equivalent rank by the looks of it.

The American bowed, his shadows following suit, “Your Highness, My name is Briggs, Major General in command of the American Joint Task Force. This is Major General Collin Branagh, of the Royal Irish Regiment and commander of the newly arrived British forces, and General Henri Devereaux of the French Army.”

Celestia bowed shallowly, her best “princess smile” on her face, “Gentlemen, Thank you for coming to the aid of my country and my subjects so swiftly. We are eternally grateful.”

Briggs seemed to notice me for the first time, side-eyeing me as he answered Celestia, “We take care of our allies, your majesty.”

Devereaux stepped forward, “ Naturellement, Highness, France stands with Equestria.”

“And the Queen sends her regards, Princess.”

Celestia seemed to relax infinitesimally, “Thank you, for your warm words, your actions even more so. My sister will be along shortly, and we can begin, until then, please make yourselves comfortable.”

Briggs sidled over to me as the others took their seats, “And who might you be son?”

I lowered my voice to a whisper, “OGA, General. I came to give the Princess an informal AAR on the Ponyville operation.”

The General’s eyebrows shot up, “Outstanding, I’ve requested you guys run jointly with JSOC, and your boss agreed, you get word yet?”

“I did, sir, just before I left the Embassy, my team won’t let you down.”

“From what I hear, you guys forgot how to fail somewhere along the way; I look forward to working with you.” He extended his hand.

I shook it, “Likewise, General.”

The door opened once again, and Luna, flanked by her guards, strode into the room. “Sister, We have word from the East.”

Every eye in the room turned her way, and I saw my opening, catching Tia’s eye and giving her as meaningful a look as I could muster. I nodded to Luna, her smile barely reached her eyes as I walked out of the room, Tia’s voice ringing behind me.

“Gentlemen, let us begin.”

An hour later, Scotty, Raven, and I had the ‘Tack to ourselves; they’d insisted I get out and have a drink. I was nursing a Jack and Coke, trying to keep all those dead civvies in Ponyville off my mind.

“So, did you get to see the Princess?” Scott asked, finishing his beer, he’d barely moved, keeping his arm around Raven, almost like he was afraid to let her go. I’d known Scott for years, and I’d never seen him act like this, he was always a bang and bolt kind of guy. Raven was something special.

“Yeah, briefly, before half of NATO showed up. We’re all in it seems.”

“That's wonderful,” Raven added, “Do you guys know where State is going to send you? Will you be staying in Equestria?”

I saw Scott’s eyes narrow a bit before it was gone, I could tell from a mile off that keeping her in the dark wasn’t sitting well with him. “We’ll be staying nearby, babe, for the most part anyway.”

Raven looked like she had something to say, but let it drop.

After a moment the pregnant silence started to get to me, “I’m gonna go grab the next round, you guys need anything else?” Scott shook his head, followed by Raven, so I made my way across the floor to the worn-out bar, knocking softly to get the bartender’s attention, after a moment he made his way over.

“What can I get you?”

“Same thing bud, two Lunar Reserves and a Jack and Coke, thanks,”

I leaned on the bar and surveyed the room as he mixed up the drinks. The crowd was what you’d expect, a few old regulars and some young ones, every one of them had a far-off look about them like they were simply drifting. I felt it too, Equestria had become home for me also, and it broke my heart to see her under attack.

“Ten bits.”

I handed over the note, “Thanks man,” gathering up the drinks, I headed back to the booth. Raven and Scotty were talking in hushed tones, smiles plastered on their faces. I hoped Celestia and I would get there someday, with our relationship in the open for all to see, but I’d have her in the shadows and be glad for it, she brought me back to life in a way I hadn’t known I’d needed. I set the beers down and slid back into my seat. “I miss anything good?”

Scotty smiled, “Nah man, just talking about where we’re gonna go when all this is over, I wanna take Raven back to Indiana to meet the folks.” Raven just blushed cutely.

Now that was big, Scott loved his family like I loved mine, in the years I’d known him, no girl had ever been good enough to see the ranch, now one was. “Big step brother, but Rav’ is a special kinda mare. Hurt my paperwork, buddy, and I'll kill you.” I nodded at the mare in question, who was currently blushing at the praise.

“I-I’ll be right back,” She stuttered before flying out of the booth towards the ladies' room.

Scott watched her go, “I’m gonna ask her to marry me, Zack.”

I fucking knew it. “Wow, man, I never thought I’d see the day. When are you gonna drop the bomb?”

“Later today, got a spot all picked out and everything. I want you to be my best man.” He smiled, dreamily, happiness rolling off of him.

It was contagious; I found myself smiling right back, “Hell yeah, man, gonna be the world’s deadliest wedding party.”

He chuckled, “Right? Oh, shit, be cool” The panic on his face as Raven sat down was hilarious, the unshakeable spook, undone by a secretary.

I was about to comment, maybe make Scotty squirm a bit more when my phone went off. I swiped it off the table and headed for the deck out back. “Hello?”

“All hands on deck kid, got a busy day tomorrow.”

“Hey Frank, I hear ya, I’m with Scott, I’ll let him know.”

“Good deal, see you in an hour.”

“You got it.”

I ended the call and headed back in. “Scotty. We gotta go, man; something came up at State.”

I watched his shoulders slump from twenty feet away, “Right away, or do we have some wiggle room?”

“An hour.”

Scotty took a deep breath, “Nah, fuck it.” He pivoted out of the booth, dropping to a knee in front of Raven, who just looked confused, and pulled a small box out of his coat pocket. “Jesus, Rav, I had this whole plan that just went to hell. So like everything else with us, I’m just going to let it ride. Raven Inkwell, will you marry me?”

Shock replaced confusion before joy swept it all away. Raven’s hands flew to her face as she nodded like a bobblehead on a bumpy road. “Yes!” She squealed, offering her hand, Scott slipped the ring on, and the few ponies in the bar cheered, clapping and stomping their hooves. I just let them have their moment as Raven pulled Scott off his knees and into a deep kiss.

And for a little while, all was right with the world.