Nicole calmly, but forcefully, grabbed Isaac by the neck and brought him forward to her.

"Moment of truth Isaac! Who am I?" She pinned him against the wall making it crack. "Am I your friend? Your lover? The one shred; one light; one bright, shinning star you clung to in this universe? Or am I your guilt? Crushing the life out of you because you can't get over the fact that I'm dead? That you feel responsible?" She lifted him back into the air. "Who... am... I!? Why do you keep fighting me? Why can't you just let go?"

He could breath, but not if he didn't answer. He looked over to the Crusaders; Scootaloo was missing, but Applebloom and Sweetiebelle were being held back by two more Nicole’s.

He finally looked back at her and answered. "Cause your my everything." He said sincerely. "And if I let you go, I got nothing left."

She dropped him, her face was normal again, her suit spotless, and her eyes were the soft hazel as before.

"Step four: acceptance." She said.

He fell to his knees, breathing heavily.

"Now you’re ready to finish this." She said walking away.

He slowly got up before turning back to the crusaders. When he tried to walk, something tripped him. He looked back and saw one of Scootaloo's tentacles on the ground, the owner unwrapping one from around her own neck.

"Does this mean..." Applebloom took a large gulp of air. "She's on our side?"

"Yeah, I think she is." Isaac nodded. "You alright?"

"Yeah, just out of breath. Girls?"

"I'm... actually not out of breath." Sweetiebelle said. "Weird, my neck doesn't even hurt..." She rubbed the red ring showing through her fur.

"I didn't realize I was that strong." Scootaloo said. "I'm glad you spoke when you did, I thought I was about to be-head you all. That would have been embarrassing!" She laughed.

The others just stared at her as if she were crazy. But then, they realized, they were all technically crazy.

"Well, what now?" Applebloom asked. "Because ah have no idea what's going on anymore." She rubbed her head and neck. “Ow… why’d ya have to be so strong Scoot’s? Why?” She muttered silently.

"My guess is, we should hurry up and meet Ellie." Isaac said tracing the line towards the door. "Come on, she should be in there."

Isaac and the others quickly made their way over, when they opened the door, four pairs of eyes widened.

"Oh holy shit..." Chuckled Isaac. "Merry Christmas to me." He said running down the ramp.

The others quickly followed suit, all of them staring at the large drill.

"Isaac, over here!" Ellie waved him over as she messed with a power core. "It looks like the mechanic was dragged away before he could finish fixing this."

"Stross is dead, Ellie." Isaac said letting his helmet unfold. His gaze going between her and the core as he stood next to her.

"Well, I'm not sorry about that." She said calmly.

"So what happens now? I thought you needed Stross to destroy the Marker?" Ellie asked.

"Stross couldn't lead us to the Marker. He was running away from his guilt."

"What about you?" She asked casually with a hint of curiosity.

"I'm not running anymore." He looked momentarily at the crusaders. "I know what I have to do." He looked back at the drill. "Well, this drill is a sign of good luck, finally."

"Hey! What about when I saved all of you in the mine shaft?" Sweetiebelle stomped a hoof.

"Yeah, don't forget Sweetiemorph!" Scootaloo argued.

"Sweetiemorph? Really Scootaloo?" Sweetiebelle deadpanned. "Really?"

Scootaloo shrugged.

"As I was saying," Isaac continued. "Why don't you go up to the cab try to get it started. Me and the others will look for the other core."

Ellie pushed in the core in a shower of sparks.

"Alright, I'll see what I can do from up here." She said as she ascended the ladder.

"Hey Ellie? Mind if I help? I'd like to get some blue prints for this thing." Scootaloo said flying up to her.

"Isaac?" She looked back down at him questioningly.

"She's better with electronics than me. She hacked Earth Gov's entire fund. Were rich." Isaac shrugged.

"Well alright then, come along weird, supernatural pegasus pony-thing." Ellie said smiling nervously. "Sorry if I offended you, I'm still not used to you three."

"Me and my friends?" She cocked her head to the side.

"No, you the little white one and Isaac." She smirked. "I think Isaac's the strangest one of you all."

Scootaloo snorted in laughter alongside her friends.

"One time is all I'm asking, to not be insulted! One time!" Isaac yelled. He shook a fist at Ellie.

"Isaac, I found another one of the core stations." Sweetiebelle said tugging his leg. "Come on."

He went with Sweetiebelle to the awaiting Applebloom. She looked slightly bored and she threw rocks at the Cysts.

"It’s over there?" Isaac said looking at the station. "Everyone grab some rocks and start throwing."

He picked up a hand full of pebbles before chucking them at the Cysts, making one go off.

"Got one, Sweetie-holy fuck!" He yelled as he ducked the boulders soaring over his head. "What the hell Sweetiebelle?"

"Hey, I got rid of them. And I was eco-friendly about it too."

"That's all that matters." Applebloom nodded. "Making sure nature is safe."

"Next time, give me a warning, ok?" Isaac said putting his hands together. "Please?"

"Warning." She said as another boulder was lifted behind her.

"For fucks sake!" He yelled as it flew cleanly overhead landing on a Cyst.

"I gave you a warning." She smirked.

"Alright, I'll give you that one." He pointed a finger at her. "This time."

"Are yall done flappin’ your gums or what?" Applebloom said trotting past them, core positioned on her back. "We've got a drill to start!"

They walked back to the drill where the first core was stored. Applebloom let Isaac push it in, only it got stuck. He pushed as hard as he could, boots sliding in the gravel before slipping out from under him, making him hit his faceplate against the side.

"Ow..." He groaned. Applebloom walked onto his back and bucked it into place. "Double ow." He groaned getting up as she jumped down. He stretched and popped his back, sighing in relief.

"Hey, what'd you do?" Ellie said on the comm.

"What did!" Sweetiebelle coughed into her hoof.

"I just lost the control holograms."

"Yeah, the circuit junction shorted out. I'll have to find another one." Isaac said looking around.

"Well its standard, there should be another one around her somewhere."

"I'll look. Any luck up there?"

"Well, no, not now."

"Hang on, let me try something." Scootaloo said coming on.

A series of light flashed from atop the drill, the circuit below started to spark before it shined green from the inside. Isaac and the others stared in awe and fear.

"Scoot's, what are ya doing up there?" Applebloom asked casually jumping behind a boulder. "Not that ah'm worried or anything."

"I redirected the flow of electricity to certain parts of the circuit and other systems." She replied.

"You hotwired it, didn't you?" Isaac asked.

"...No."

"Can we get going now?" He asked impatiently.

"Yeah, just hurry up before the Pack gets you." Scootaloo said getting out. "See?" She pointed behind them all.

The two crusaders and human turned and saw multiple Pack members get shredded in the drill's blades.

"Well, time to go!" Isaac said grabbing the crusaders. He grabbed Sweetiebelle by her barrel while he held Applebloom by her tail. She was not amused as she had her fore-legs crossed.

Just as the Necromorph's got passed the blades, Isaac and the two fillies had already made it up.

Scootaloo was waiting for them up there, looking at the set of blades in front. Nodding her head as she followed a specific one.

"Alrighty, let’s see what this beast can do..." Ellie said as she sent the drill forward.

Only for it to get jammed and stop.

"What? No, no, no, no!" She panicked as more of the Pack were heard.

"Maybe we can back up?" Suggested Sweetiebelle.

"Bloody thing! Work!" Ellie yelled as she pressed multiple buttons. "Dammit..." She sighed as the controls started to smoke.

She climbed out onto the deck, looking at the broken drill.

"Sorry Isaac, its dead." She said.

"Damn." He muttered.

"Maybe we can hotwire it with magic?" Scootaloo suggested.

"It’s dead, it’s not coming back on. And we don't have the time to be building another." Isaac muttered.

"I've got the blue prints, it could take a while but I could build another."

"There’s not enough time. We'd be dead by then."

"Well we can't just stand here and wait for an idea to show up. We've got to think of something." Sweetiebelle said getting looks from her friends and Isaac. "Why are you all looking at me like that...?" She asked taking a few steps back.

Isaac shared a knowing smile with Scootaloo and Applebloom, even if Applebloom was shaking her head side-to-side rapidly.

"Hey Sweetiebelle," Isaac said crouching to show off his best smile. "How's about you give us all a ride?"

She stuck out her tongue as she pointed a hoof towards her mouth. The others smirked a she continued making gagging noises.

Ponyville.

"Well, that escalated quickly." Alex said.

"Lucky, how come they get a ride?" Discord complained. He turned to Luna. "How come you never let me ride on your back?"

"I'd end up trying to run through low lying bridges and doorways." Luna joked.

"Now that's just cruel..." Discord pouted.

"Hey, Twilight." Applejack and Rarity walked up.

"Oh, hey girls." Twilight greeted. "Apparently the drill they were going to use broke, now they're going to ride in Sweetiebelle again. Isn't this exciting!?"

"Yes... but Twilight." Rarity said. "Me and Applejack would like to talk with you in private, if you don't mind?"

"Oh... ok." She nodded.

The two mares led they're friend away from the growing crowd of ponies and into an alley, away from prying eyes and ears.

"Well, what did you want to talk about?" Twilight asked. "Well, I think I know what already, but..."

"Twa'light," Applejack said biting her lip. "Do ya think things will ever be the same? Ya know, when they get back and all?"

"I... Applejack," Twilight sighed. "That's one question that can only be answered when they get back. Not now. But, my guess is, in time it will take some adjusting. But things will go back to normal eventually."

"Ah know. But ah definitely won’t get used to Applebloom's cutie mark. It sends chills down ma'h back every time ah look at it."

"Now Applejack, I know Applebloom's is... violent. But you need to see the good in it."

"What good is there in killing?" Applejack said stiffly.

"She's good at protecting." Twilight said. "Remember when Isaac was grabbed? Or when she was helping the little girl? Or what about when Scootaloo was hurt by that Tripod? She protected her friend, she saved her life." She put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "Her special talent isn't killing Tripods, its making sure they won't hurt anypony else."

"Thanks Twi," Applejack nodded. "That… that helped a lot." She gave a small smile before going back to the mirror.

Titan mines.

"This is disgusting!" Ellie said as she tried to straighten herself out in Sweetiebelle's stomach. "What is that?"

She pulled up a glove and lifted Isaac up instead.

"Hey, you come here often?" He asked.

"Isaac shut up. Or I will throw you in the stomach acid." She looked around. "Where ever that is..."

"Just enjoy the ride." He said. "Isn't that right Applebloom?" He said over the comm.

"This is horrible!" she yelled.

"She means that in a good way." He said.

"No ah don't! This is worse than cleaning the pig pens!"

Outside of Sweetiebelle.

Lurkers assaulted Sweetiebelle as Slashers and Pukers attacked her armored hooves.

'Ew, ew, ew, ew!' She thought as she clawed through more of the Corruption. 'This is so gross!'

She clawed her way through it even faster than the rock it was growing on. She stepped on or burnt the Necromorph's that assaulted her as she went.

She let out a sigh of relief when she hit normal rock; she looked back and furrowed her brow at the small horde of Necromorph's behind her.

She charged her horn and sent out a storm of electricity. All of them stopped and started twitching as they fell to the ground, smoking and burnt. She smiled before digging back into the Corruption.

She broke through that and found a cavern like area. She cocked her head before throwing up Isaac and the others.

Ellie was wiping her faceplate clean from the extra suit Scootaloo, 'borrowed' from a nearby body. Applebloom was the same as before, Isaac was flinging more of the goo away and Scootaloo cleaned herself off like before.

"Why'd we stop?" Isaac asked.

She pointed to the wall ahead.

"Looks like we've reached the foundation pylons for the Government Sector." Ellie said.

"So how do we get in there?" Isaac asked.

"Straight ahead. We do have a giant hybrid unicorn with incomparable strength."

Sweetiebelle picked up Ellie, Isaac and her friends, set them on her back, put them in a protective cage of bones and charged the wall.

On the other side of the wall.

"So, did you hear that three ponies and a nutcase have managed to outsmart the big cheese?" A guard asked his colleague.

"Yeah, weren't you there when we got the picture?" The one on the left turned to his partner.

"No, I was busy trying to find the nutcase and kill him." He took his spot again. "I got a copy of the picture though."

They both jumped when the middle of the wall behind them, was pushed forward.

"Uh... maybe we should start running?" The one on the right asked.

Another hit and the wall had a small hole in it.

"You don't say!?" The one on the left yelled as the wall caved in.

They were knocked back and made it behind the desk. When the dust cleared they peeked over the edge and shot back to the wall.

Sweetiebelle, Scootaloo, Applebloom, Isaac and Ellie were staring right at them. Scootaloo in her Slender form, Applebloom with the psychotic killer look on her face, and Sweetiebele with her Drag Tentacles, Lurker collar, Stalker claws, Puker acid dripping from her mouth, her horn over her head on a stalk, Cyst's on the sides of her fore-legs, and her spinal tail curled around to the side.

And Isaac trying to atleast look as half as intimidating as any of them.

"Top of the morning boys." Ellie said walking up. "Me and my friends would like to go have a talk with Tiedmann, any objections?"

"They seemed so much more cuddlier in the picture..." The one on the right said.

"We surrender!" The one on the left said. "If it would be alright, can we join you guys? Because this place is seourisly going to shit."

"Uh, you’ll have to talk with Isaac." Ellie waved him over.

He came over, Plasma cutter pointed at them.

"Yeah Ellie?"

"They want to join our little group."

"Really?" He turned back to them. "Do you really want to become fugitives and help destroy and alien artifact's replica, while fighting alongside three ponies from another dimension; one a supernatural entity, another is a hybrid, and the other is practically unstoppable when she's ticked off and you want to help us?"

"Yeah... what about you?" Asked the one on the right.

"Uh, sure..." Shrugged the one on the left.

They both slowly got up, hands raised over their heads.

"If you'd like, we could show you where the gun ships are?" The one on the left said. "Just in case, you know?"

"Ellie, go with them. You three too." Isaac nodded to the others.

"Uh... ok." Applebloom said. "Come on Sweetiebelle, Scootaloo. We've got to go and guard some... guards."

Sweetiebelle nodded before her hair fell out and she repeated the process of sliding chunks off. She climbed out, shook off and had Applebloom giver her, her suit back.

The two guards stood there, amazed.

"That was awesome!" They both yelled in unison.

"Thanks, it was nothing really." Sweetiebelle blushed in embarrassment.

"Alright you six, go on. I've got work to do." Isaac said.

"Actually..." The guard on the left wavered off. "You might need those three."

"Why...?" Isaac asked, groaning in despair.

"All the other guards are right behind that door." The one on the left said.

"You'll need some serious fire-power. And if the stories are true about you four, then nothing should be able to stop you if you all go in." The one on the right said.

"Fine, you three are coming with me." Isaac turned back to the crusaders.

"Isaac! Watch out!" Scootaloo yelled pushing him out of the way.

The guard on the left aimed and fired his Pulse rifle, only it wasn't anywhere near Isaac, it was the Slasher that crawled through the hole.

"Ma’am, I think now would be a good time to leave." The guards said passing her another rifle. "And for you three to get those doors open."

"Right, Scootaloo," Isaac turned to her, a serious look on his face. "Hack the terminal over there. Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, your with me. Now move people! And ponies... move!"

Scootaloo hurried over to the console as the guards gave a quick salute and ran off with Ellie. Isaac, Sweetiebelle and Applebloom took their spots in front of Scootaloo.

The first wave of Necromorph's came in. They were slow to see, but fast to die.

The Slashers that came in were wasted in seconds after Isaac and Applebloom fired off grenades and set off mines directly at the mouth of the tunnel.

The second wave consisted of Slashers, a Divider and Exploders.

"Ah've got this." Applebloom cracked her neck before she ran forward.

She rammed into the first Slasher, knocking it to the floor. She blew off its head with a well-placed plasma bolt. Another two Slasher's came at her from behind, she jumped as they both swung, causing them to cut off each other’s arms.

She saw an Exploder come at her from the side; she turned and shot off its legs before grabbing the sac, tearing it off and throwing it into the others. In a sequence, they all wen' off in a chain reaction.

The Divider was running at her. It swung down as she lifted her Plasma cutter up and parried the blow. She was stuck, holding its arm back as it tried to slice into her.

"Step the fuck off!" Isaac yelled ramming into it.

It looked at him as it stumbled and was about to swing down but was crushed by a chunk of concrete. He looked at it for a second before seeing the word, ‘Warning.’ Written on it. He turned to Sweetiebelle.

"Come on, scoot's got it. Now hurry up! I think I see a Brute!" Sweetiebelle said as he glared.

"You three go and find Ellie, I'll meet you there! Now go!"

The two fillies and human ran like bats out of hell, Isaac back tracked and went upstairs as the three fillies went through where Ellie and the two guards went.

Isaac looked back and saw he wasn't being followed; he sighed and proceeded through the orange door ahead.

"Main power- On." Ellie said over the comm. "...Auxilary systems... booting up."

He walked in front of the launch panel, facing away from the ones inside the gunship. A hurt grimace on his face.

She noticed him and stopped. "Isaac... what are you doing?" She asked.

"Isaac, why are ya in there? Ya said you'll meet us here." Applebloom said, resting her front hooves on the window.

He turned to the console and activated the ship.

"Whoa, hey Isaac what are you doing?" Ellie asked.

He ignored her.

Her screen came on. The other watching intently from behind, the crusaders looking slightly shocked, saddened and hurt.

"Isaac!" She yelled. "What are you doing? Open this door right now!" The ship started to release steam as it prepped for flight. "No. No! No, don't you dare launch this ship!" The ship was released from its locks. "Isaac..."

"It's your best chance Ellie." He said. "For all of you. You got life support, comms... hey, you're gonna be rescued."

"...you bastard..." She said sadly.

"I need you to be rescued. I couldn't save Nicole, but I can save you. So, uh... bye."

Inside the gunship.

"Isaac..." Applebloom cried into her hooves. "We've got to do something..."

"But what…?" Sweetiebelle said, folding her ears back.

"Hey, can't unicorns use magic?" One of the guards asked.

"Yeah, why?" Sweetiebelle said.

"Can't you just... I don't know, teleport in?"

"Yeah... yeah! He's right!" Scootaloo said excitedly. "Crusaders, hang on!" She grabbed her friends before switching her wings out for a horn.

In a moment, the three vanished in a flash of light.

"Awesome." The two guard’s fist bumped.

Behind the glass window.

Isaac was slouched against a wall. Barely noticing the flash of light from behind a crate. He only noticed Nicole as she lay next to him.

"Are you ready to talk now?" She asked.

He shook his head, a scowl still on his face.

"Why? So I can let you go too? I can't do that Nicole. I never wanted to let you go."

"A lot happened that we never wanted." She said sympathetically. "Isaac... touch me." She said extending a hand.

"I... don't think that's a good idea."

"Isaac, please, make us whole." She begged quietly as he got up.

He walked in front of her, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

The crusaders watched on, silently from behind a crate.

"I can't." He said looking at her before facing forward again. Staring off further down the hall.

He looked back and saw she was gone. He sighed before hitting the wall and letting out a hurt wail.

"Dammit... just.... dammit..." He shook his head.

"Isaac...?" Applebloom said.

He whirled around, nearly losing his balance. An enraged look on his face.

"Applebloom!? Scootaloo!? Sweetiebelle!?" He yelled, face red. "I thought you were on the ship!? What are you doing here!?"

"We couldn't let you go alone..." Applebloom sniffed, tracing a circle with her hoof. "Ya never left us behind, so we aren't gonna start either."

"But why?" He said clenching his fists.

"Because, were a team, Isaac." She walked up to him, a small smile on her muzzle. "And teams don't abandon each other. Especially when they need it."

"So, you gave up freedom to help me complete a suicide mission?" He sighed.

"No, Isaac, we came back to help you." Applebloom said hugging his leg. "And were not leaving without a fight."

"Then," Isaac breathed in sharply before exhaling. "Who's ready to finish this?"

"Ah'm with ya." Applebloom nodded, getting off his leg. Her helmet folded up as she took her place between her friends.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Sweetiebelle smirked as her helmet folded up.

"I'm game." Scootaloo said as her helmet folded up.

"Then," Isaac brought out his Plasma cutter. "You three can do your cheer. With me."

"Really!? You want to do the cheer with us!?" They all asked in unison.

"Yeah, but if you don't want me too..."

"Just follow our lead." Sweetiebelle smirked under her helmet.

They all took a deep breath, turned up the volume on their helmets, and yelled at the top of they're lungs.

"Cutie mark Engineer's, slash ,Necromorph killer's! Yay!"

Author's Notes:

The Peng shall be used soon. In next chapter.

And a certain someone, who doesn't follow plans of attack, doesn't care about the odds of survival, (even if the numbers are repeating of course.) Is going to show up too. And be a total badass.