1 00:00:00,110 --> 00:00:09,299 rocks I can't believe this whole war has 2 00:00:04,230 --> 00:00:11,309 been about rocks gems coal rarity said 3 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:12,480 something about a meteorite but she got 4 00:00:11,308 --> 00:00:16,410 all evasive when she realized that 5 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:18,990 overheard whatever like it was hard to 6 00:00:16,410 --> 00:00:21,839 figure out sometimes I'm slow but I'm 7 00:00:18,989 --> 00:00:25,349 not stupid dumb rocks 8 00:00:21,839 --> 00:00:27,118 I think rocks are cool I mean my big 9 00:00:25,350 --> 00:00:30,570 sister has gems for a cutie mark and 10 00:00:27,118 --> 00:00:32,519 Pinkie Pie once lived on a rock farm we 11 00:00:30,570 --> 00:00:34,649 need to play a game Scootaloo and Apple 12 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:36,000 Bloom and me we found the rock that 13 00:00:34,649 --> 00:00:37,799 rarity had gotten her cutie mark from 14 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:40,320 and I made Twilight Sparkle enchant it 15 00:00:37,799 --> 00:00:41,308 so we could make it open and close she 16 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:44,579 kind of owed us with that whole 17 00:00:41,308 --> 00:00:46,558 smartypants thing we call it the rock of 18 00:00:44,579 --> 00:00:49,460 Destiny and we pretend that when it 19 00:00:46,558 --> 00:00:51,390 opened up it give us our cutie marks 20 00:00:49,460 --> 00:00:54,660 Twilight made it so we could each set a 21 00:00:51,390 --> 00:00:56,219 passphrase to open it mine was dumb rock 22 00:00:54,659 --> 00:00:56,788 so I could pretend I was just like my 23 00:00:56,219 --> 00:00:59,460 sister 24 00:00:56,789 --> 00:01:03,570 it changes the apple pie for a while but 25 00:00:59,460 --> 00:01:05,010 then I changed it back just as well my 26 00:01:03,570 --> 00:01:07,319 sis and I haven't been apple pie in a 27 00:01:05,010 --> 00:01:09,109 long time not since the ministry's at 28 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:10,729 least 29 00:01:09,109 --> 00:01:15,140 I hope you don't mind me using your 30 00:01:10,730 --> 00:01:18,170 place I mean you can't mind but I hope 31 00:01:15,140 --> 00:01:20,960 you don't anyways sometimes I just have 32 00:01:18,170 --> 00:01:23,240 to get away from all the noise it's so 33 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:26,750 nice and peaceful here and I really love 34 00:01:23,239 --> 00:01:28,640 your flowers anyway I guess I'm thinking 35 00:01:26,750 --> 00:01:30,560 about rocks because we found chunks of 36 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:33,349 that meteorite when we dug into Lunas 37 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:34,728 old foundry at the castle last week it 38 00:01:33,349 --> 00:01:36,679 was all broken up because they'd taken 39 00:01:34,728 --> 00:01:39,560 all the ore out of it and they'd sealed 40 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:42,380 the pieces up I felt kind of sorry for 41 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:45,019 it ponies and zebras blame it for all 42 00:01:42,379 --> 00:01:46,879 sorts of stupid stuff it's not the rocks 43 00:01:45,019 --> 00:01:50,329 fault it's just a rock 44 00:01:46,879 --> 00:01:54,079 and I kind of know what it's like being 45 00:01:50,329 --> 00:01:56,409 blamed for stuff seems like sometimes 46 00:01:54,079 --> 00:01:58,399 everything I do just makes things worse 47 00:01:56,409 --> 00:02:00,799 so I had to make one of the bigger 48 00:01:58,399 --> 00:02:03,170 chunks into a corner stone as an apology 49 00:02:00,799 --> 00:02:06,560 or something I don't know make it feel 50 00:02:03,170 --> 00:02:11,569 useful yeah no that's stupid it's just a 51 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:14,030 rock so I guess not dumb rocks just dumb 52 00:02:11,569 --> 00:02:16,818 ponies and zebras 53 00:02:14,030 --> 00:02:18,680 I came up here yesterday building the 54 00:02:16,818 --> 00:02:21,409 last stable and everfree was my idea so 55 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:23,140 I wanted to be here especially after we 56 00:02:21,409 --> 00:02:25,549 started having problems 57 00:02:23,139 --> 00:02:26,958 rarity said that ever free force is one 58 00:02:25,550 --> 00:02:29,689 of the places she was sure the zebras 59 00:02:26,959 --> 00:02:31,219 wouldn't attack so I thought why are we 60 00:02:29,689 --> 00:02:34,099 putting all the stables in places we 61 00:02:31,219 --> 00:02:35,780 think they will attack doesn't it make 62 00:02:34,099 --> 00:02:36,639 sense to put at least one somewhere they 63 00:02:35,780 --> 00:02:39,680 won't 64 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:42,019 yeah the forest is dangerous but it 65 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:43,430 can't be that dangerous you lived here 66 00:02:42,020 --> 00:02:47,300 and my sister and her friends used to 67 00:02:43,430 --> 00:02:48,920 come in here all the time well just 68 00:02:47,300 --> 00:02:50,260 another one of my ideas that ended up a 69 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:52,099 mess 70 00:02:50,259 --> 00:02:54,609 Applebloom and warned me about the 71 00:02:52,099 --> 00:02:58,039 poison joke but was it always this 72 00:02:54,610 --> 00:02:59,350 aggressive it's been really bad the last 73 00:02:58,039 --> 00:03:01,579 three days 74 00:02:59,349 --> 00:03:02,449 Moonbeam said it's like the excavation 75 00:03:01,580 --> 00:03:04,519 is attracting it 76 00:03:02,449 --> 00:03:07,669 he thinks that either it's vibra 77 00:03:04,519 --> 00:03:09,800 sensitive which isn't even a word or 78 00:03:07,669 --> 00:03:13,699 wants to be near people but that doesn't 79 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:15,469 make any sense it's a plant right but 80 00:03:13,699 --> 00:03:17,899 then Apple Bloom says you told her the 81 00:03:15,469 --> 00:03:21,379 plants want to laugh how could a plant 82 00:03:17,900 --> 00:03:23,299 want something I'm sorry I know I'm 83 00:03:21,379 --> 00:03:25,729 rambling I guess my thoughts are too 84 00:03:23,299 --> 00:03:28,770 coherent I'm just trying to work things 85 00:03:25,729 --> 00:03:32,009 out I think 86 00:03:28,770 --> 00:03:34,830 I think we've lost our faith does that 87 00:03:32,009 --> 00:03:36,359 make sense it's like everything we're 88 00:03:34,830 --> 00:03:40,230 supposed to believe in has gone dark and 89 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:44,100 crumbled like the air is heavy no that 90 00:03:40,229 --> 00:03:46,500 doesn't make sense like I don't know 91 00:03:44,099 --> 00:03:47,549 like everything is too real you know 92 00:03:46,500 --> 00:03:48,960 like when you're just a filly and you 93 00:03:47,550 --> 00:03:50,910 look up to someone in there your idol 94 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:52,860 but then you learn they're not as 95 00:03:50,909 --> 00:03:56,460 perfect as you imagined that they're 96 00:03:52,860 --> 00:04:00,060 flawed just like everypony else maybe 97 00:03:56,460 --> 00:04:01,590 that's just growing up though it's like 98 00:04:00,060 --> 00:04:04,379 we've forgotten how to have heroes only 99 00:04:01,590 --> 00:04:08,879 worse we've forgotten how to believe in 100 00:04:04,379 --> 00:04:10,979 each other in ponies even Scootaloo 101 00:04:08,879 --> 00:04:14,490 she's trying to fix ponies with all 102 00:04:10,979 --> 00:04:15,810 these experiments I once told Scootaloo 103 00:04:14,490 --> 00:04:18,180 I thought she was trying to make ponies 104 00:04:15,810 --> 00:04:20,939 like they were when we were kids you 105 00:04:18,180 --> 00:04:25,550 know what she said she said nostalgia is 106 00:04:20,939 --> 00:04:28,550 just make-believe isn't that horrible I 107 00:04:25,550 --> 00:04:28,550 um 108 00:04:28,699 --> 00:04:32,900 I've started having second thoughts 109 00:04:30,788 --> 00:04:35,389 maybe we should just stick to saving 110 00:04:32,899 --> 00:04:38,299 ponies maybe it's not right to try and 111 00:04:35,389 --> 00:04:41,960 fix things but then won't it be for 112 00:04:38,300 --> 00:04:42,370 nothing like Scootaloo says I don't know 113 00:04:41,959 --> 00:04:45,769 anymore 114 00:04:42,370 --> 00:04:48,860 sometimes these experiments feel I don't 115 00:04:45,769 --> 00:04:52,878 know wrong I know they're not dangerous 116 00:04:48,860 --> 00:04:54,319 we made extra extra sir but I still 117 00:04:52,879 --> 00:04:56,080 don't feel right doing experiments on 118 00:04:54,319 --> 00:04:58,908 ponies who are just trying to survive 119 00:04:56,079 --> 00:05:02,508 isn't that wrong it's not like it's 120 00:04:58,908 --> 00:05:06,168 their fault not most of many ways well 121 00:05:02,509 --> 00:05:07,778 the ones in stable one maybe I just want 122 00:05:06,168 --> 00:05:11,930 to save him and give him a chance 123 00:05:07,778 --> 00:05:13,778 kinda like the rocks I guess I even 124 00:05:11,930 --> 00:05:18,500 almost told rarity about the experiments 125 00:05:13,778 --> 00:05:21,168 but I didn't cuz well I'd be betraying 126 00:05:18,500 --> 00:05:22,459 Scootaloo and Apple Bloom if I told I'm 127 00:05:21,168 --> 00:05:25,339 not sure rarity would do the right thing 128 00:05:22,459 --> 00:05:27,620 if I told her I really don't like the 129 00:05:25,339 --> 00:05:31,758 ministry's image if that's what she is 130 00:05:27,620 --> 00:05:34,908 now like I said before we haven't been 131 00:05:31,759 --> 00:05:36,439 apple pie in a long time sometimes the 132 00:05:34,908 --> 00:05:38,028 little statue of rarity that my sister 133 00:05:36,439 --> 00:05:40,329 gave me feels more like my sister than 134 00:05:38,028 --> 00:05:40,329 she does 135 00:05:40,649 --> 00:05:45,409 today I did ask Scootaloo if staple 101 136 00:05:43,709 --> 00:05:47,969 could be made a control stable instead 137 00:05:45,410 --> 00:05:49,470 but she and Apple Bloom both insisted 138 00:05:47,970 --> 00:05:52,860 the experiment here was too important 139 00:05:49,470 --> 00:05:56,100 and part of me thinks that Scootaloo is 140 00:05:52,860 --> 00:05:58,470 still right like maybe we really do have 141 00:05:56,100 --> 00:06:01,260 to fix ponies to figure out what went 142 00:05:58,470 --> 00:06:04,199 wrong so everything doesn't get so so 143 00:06:01,259 --> 00:06:06,478 bad again but how many times we have to 144 00:06:04,199 --> 00:06:09,449 try before we get it right and what 145 00:06:06,478 --> 00:06:11,219 happens when we fail this time the cost 146 00:06:09,449 --> 00:06:15,210 could be so much more than tree sap and 147 00:06:11,220 --> 00:06:17,760 pine needles scoodle has been looking at 148 00:06:15,209 --> 00:06:21,448 me funny I think maybe she knows I'm 149 00:06:17,759 --> 00:06:23,610 having second thoughts anyway sorry for 150 00:06:21,449 --> 00:06:25,939 all the rambling thanks for letting me 151 00:06:23,610 --> 00:06:28,139 use your place and thanks for listening 152 00:06:25,939 --> 00:06:31,649 Apple Bloom was right you really are a 153 00:06:28,139 --> 00:06:33,930 good person to talk to Sakura we're all 154 00:06:31,649 --> 00:06:37,339 very very sad about what happened to you 155 00:06:33,930 --> 00:06:37,340 I hope you're at peace 156 00:06:39,819 --> 00:06:45,370 you better look at this we all stared 157 00:06:43,389 --> 00:06:48,969 upwards our eyes lifted above the dark 158 00:06:45,370 --> 00:06:50,860 silhouettes of the forest trees the sky 159 00:06:48,970 --> 00:06:52,990 was a cloudy haze that glowed a hellish 160 00:06:50,860 --> 00:06:56,020 orange lit from the fires that stretched 161 00:06:52,990 --> 00:06:57,879 for miles below our gazes were fixed on 162 00:06:56,019 --> 00:07:00,370 the massive black shadow slowly moving 163 00:06:57,879 --> 00:07:01,779 through the everfree fire sky brilliant 164 00:07:00,370 --> 00:07:05,350 flashes of lightning erupting along his 165 00:07:01,779 --> 00:07:09,539 side's it was moving towards us but we 166 00:07:05,350 --> 00:07:13,060 were not as destination the overcast 167 00:07:09,540 --> 00:07:14,680 this was a day too soon goddesses damn 168 00:07:13,060 --> 00:07:17,920 him Colonel autumn leaf was jumping the 169 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:21,280 whistle on his own attack plan my 170 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:25,810 brothers on that ship calamities tone 171 00:07:21,279 --> 00:07:28,949 was a dour I prance tan agitation this 172 00:07:25,810 --> 00:07:31,949 was not good why the hell would he a 173 00:07:28,949 --> 00:07:34,539 sudden wave of weariness passed over me 174 00:07:31,949 --> 00:07:38,709 it had been far too long in a far too 175 00:07:34,540 --> 00:07:41,920 rough day I needed sleep I wasn't going 176 00:07:38,709 --> 00:07:43,689 to get it though above us more lightning 177 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:46,210 flashed at the for Raptors more to the 178 00:07:43,689 --> 00:07:47,949 overcast began to pull away they're 179 00:07:46,209 --> 00:07:50,009 smaller thunder clouds pulling free of 180 00:07:47,949 --> 00:07:52,569 the Thunderhead warships massive ones 181 00:07:50,009 --> 00:07:53,980 two of them began to move ahead while 182 00:07:52,569 --> 00:07:57,159 the other two flanked the mobile siege 183 00:07:53,980 --> 00:07:59,439 platform okay 184 00:07:57,160 --> 00:08:01,420 I said spinning around and addressing 185 00:07:59,439 --> 00:08:04,990 the others change of plans 186 00:08:01,420 --> 00:08:07,050 I looked over to the ponies and Griffin 187 00:08:04,990 --> 00:08:09,220 who would followed me this far 188 00:08:07,050 --> 00:08:11,410 part of me dreaded what I was about to 189 00:08:09,220 --> 00:08:14,680 say but part of me knew that it would 190 00:08:11,410 --> 00:08:16,150 somehow be this way we'll have to split 191 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:19,240 up 192 00:08:16,149 --> 00:08:21,649 before anypony could protest I explained 193 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:24,288 the Enclave is moving on the cathedral 194 00:08:21,649 --> 00:08:27,649 right now they'll be there in what a few 195 00:08:24,288 --> 00:08:31,399 hours I look to calamity who nodded in 196 00:08:27,649 --> 00:08:32,718 my assessment and we can't all go XANA 197 00:08:31,399 --> 00:08:36,559 shouldn't be moved anymore especially 198 00:08:32,719 --> 00:08:39,129 not afterlife bloom uses his spell with 199 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:43,639 a grudging reluctance I added and 200 00:08:39,129 --> 00:08:45,679 neither should the hellhound Velva 201 00:08:43,639 --> 00:08:48,828 romney agreed quietly staring back at 202 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:51,349 her patients life bloom was moving about 203 00:08:48,828 --> 00:08:55,669 dance bed preparing to cast his 204 00:08:51,350 --> 00:08:58,399 trepanation spell life bloom and i need 205 00:08:55,669 --> 00:09:01,189 to stay Shion toned sparing with a task 206 00:08:58,399 --> 00:09:06,528 of saying it she smiled sadly to 207 00:09:01,190 --> 00:09:11,050 calamity and you love need to go higher 208 00:09:06,528 --> 00:09:14,049 light I instructed keep them safe 209 00:09:11,049 --> 00:09:15,399 the balefire Phoenix hooted perching up 210 00:09:14,049 --> 00:09:18,870 straight and giving me a one winget 211 00:09:15,399 --> 00:09:22,950 salute I don't know if I can do this 212 00:09:18,870 --> 00:09:25,028 calamity admitted it after all he's done 213 00:09:22,950 --> 00:09:28,839 after all the ponies dead 214 00:09:25,028 --> 00:09:32,320 I know autumn needs to be put down but I 215 00:09:28,839 --> 00:09:35,950 don't think I can he looked at me his 216 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:39,310 eyes widened hurting my own brother 217 00:09:35,950 --> 00:09:40,870 I remembered prides change after 218 00:09:39,309 --> 00:09:44,649 learning the Enclave had marked calamity 219 00:09:40,870 --> 00:09:46,509 for death that in fact autumn leaf his 220 00:09:44,649 --> 00:09:50,110 own brother had ordered my best friend's 221 00:09:46,509 --> 00:09:51,970 execution yeah then it's a good thing 222 00:09:50,110 --> 00:09:54,820 you're taking me with you Reggie said 223 00:09:51,970 --> 00:09:58,240 flatly Belleville remedy gave a pained 224 00:09:54,820 --> 00:10:01,959 look it's a hard thing going against kin 225 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:04,149 Reggie said to take down your own 226 00:10:01,958 --> 00:10:07,809 brother I don't think I could have done 227 00:10:04,149 --> 00:10:11,100 it not if cage you've been bad nobody 228 00:10:07,809 --> 00:10:13,179 blames you for not taking the shot 229 00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:16,240 calamity watched her check the load on 230 00:10:13,179 --> 00:10:19,359 her guns the guns he had custom-made for 231 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:21,220 the adolescent Griffon if it helps you 232 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:25,360 at all you'll be putting a stop to his 233 00:10:21,220 --> 00:10:26,649 murdering ways even still it struck me 234 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:29,019 that Reggie viewed those guns as a 235 00:10:26,649 --> 00:10:30,789 stand-in for calamity a way for him to 236 00:10:29,019 --> 00:10:33,129 be part of what he needed to be but 237 00:10:30,789 --> 00:10:37,389 couldn't much in the same way she 238 00:10:33,129 --> 00:10:38,828 carried cages blades so little PIP 239 00:10:37,389 --> 00:10:41,240 what's the plan 240 00:10:38,828 --> 00:10:43,099 calamity asked 241 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,930 how the hell are we supposed to make it 242 00:10:43,100 --> 00:10:46,070 through miles of fire whatever else the 243 00:10:44,929 --> 00:10:48,789 everfree is keeping in his back pocket 244 00:10:46,070 --> 00:10:53,510 and get the red eyes base before they do 245 00:10:48,789 --> 00:10:55,429 we don't I answered him simply I raised 246 00:10:53,509 --> 00:10:58,129 a hoof to the sky pointing towards the 247 00:10:55,429 --> 00:11:00,789 overcast we're gonna hitch a ride on 248 00:10:58,129 --> 00:11:00,789 that 249 00:11:02,549 --> 00:11:06,250 Calamity Reggie and I made our 250 00:11:04,450 --> 00:11:09,220 preparations while life looms horn 251 00:11:06,250 --> 00:11:11,740 glowed and he tried to work a miracle we 252 00:11:09,220 --> 00:11:13,360 didn't have a lot of time we wanted to 253 00:11:11,740 --> 00:11:16,440 give the overcast enough time to pass us 254 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:19,899 by but not enough to move out of sight 255 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:23,350 this is a stealth mission I proclaimed 256 00:11:19,899 --> 00:11:25,419 wincing at the groans hey we've got this 257 00:11:23,350 --> 00:11:28,180 one in the bag we've got to stealth 258 00:11:25,419 --> 00:11:29,769 cloaks now I pointed out counting the 259 00:11:28,179 --> 00:11:32,409 albino hellhounds cloak along with 260 00:11:29,769 --> 00:11:36,090 zenith's and I have the advanced stealth 261 00:11:32,409 --> 00:11:39,819 buck which only works for a few hours 262 00:11:36,090 --> 00:11:41,190 velvet remedy warned true but we 263 00:11:39,820 --> 00:11:44,530 shouldn't need it even for that I 264 00:11:41,190 --> 00:11:45,970 suggested it once we get up there we'll 265 00:11:44,529 --> 00:11:48,159 snag instead of Enclave magically 266 00:11:45,970 --> 00:11:54,009 powered armor for calamity and I'll take 267 00:11:48,159 --> 00:11:56,279 his cloak ah crap calamity muttered he 268 00:11:54,009 --> 00:12:01,299 dipped his head tossing off his hat 269 00:11:56,279 --> 00:12:04,299 can't be bringing this then he stared at 270 00:12:01,299 --> 00:12:05,679 his trusty black desperado hat half of 271 00:12:04,299 --> 00:12:08,889 it was badly burned from The Buccaneer 272 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:11,979 blaze to be honest it no longer really 273 00:12:08,889 --> 00:12:13,929 looked right on his head in fact it made 274 00:12:11,980 --> 00:12:18,389 me wince remembering how painfully he'd 275 00:12:13,929 --> 00:12:20,458 been hurt I love that hat 276 00:12:18,389 --> 00:12:22,919 I'll take care of it until you get back 277 00:12:20,458 --> 00:12:24,419 Belleville remedy promised her words 278 00:12:22,919 --> 00:12:27,958 carrying a subtle insistence that he 279 00:12:24,419 --> 00:12:30,599 would come back brilliant scarlet light 280 00:12:27,958 --> 00:12:32,938 flashed over Zenith then settled in a 281 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:36,329 halo about her head making her look like 282 00:12:32,938 --> 00:12:37,919 a sleeping angel I remembered how she'd 283 00:12:36,328 --> 00:12:40,469 looked with bat-like wings the day I'd 284 00:12:37,919 --> 00:12:43,588 saved her daughter the mental images 285 00:12:40,470 --> 00:12:45,480 combined strangely Life Bloom was 286 00:12:43,589 --> 00:12:49,049 sweating straining in focused 287 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:51,778 concentration clammy dumped the contents 288 00:12:49,048 --> 00:12:53,428 of his saddlebag which I swear took up 289 00:12:51,778 --> 00:12:55,379 more space in the hut and the saddlebags 290 00:12:53,428 --> 00:12:56,669 could possibly have held and had 291 00:12:55,379 --> 00:12:58,798 apparently come to include several 292 00:12:56,669 --> 00:13:00,328 bottles and jars of desiccated herbs and 293 00:12:58,798 --> 00:13:02,999 dust that calamity had scavenge from the 294 00:13:00,328 --> 00:13:07,588 hut itself insisting that he wanted to 295 00:13:02,999 --> 00:13:09,600 travel light you won't fight your 296 00:13:07,589 --> 00:13:12,329 brother but you'll be taking as much off 297 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:14,670 his ship as you can carry won't you the 298 00:13:12,328 --> 00:13:17,649 hip 299 00:13:14,669 --> 00:13:19,448 regi meanwhile had decided she was as 300 00:13:17,649 --> 00:13:21,688 ready she could be and was leaning on 301 00:13:19,448 --> 00:13:25,799 the doorway smoking another cigarette 302 00:13:21,688 --> 00:13:28,269 velvet remedy huffed at her yeah right 303 00:13:25,799 --> 00:13:31,118 Reggie said with a roll in her eyes 304 00:13:28,269 --> 00:13:34,149 I shouldn't smoke might burn down the 305 00:13:31,119 --> 00:13:35,470 forest or something like that you could 306 00:13:34,149 --> 00:13:36,039 at least show some respect for your 307 00:13:35,470 --> 00:13:39,879 health 308 00:13:36,039 --> 00:13:41,588 velvet commented Reggie just lifted an 309 00:13:39,879 --> 00:13:42,850 eyebrow then waved a wing in the 310 00:13:41,589 --> 00:13:47,199 direction of the ponies she had chosen 311 00:13:42,850 --> 00:13:48,308 to assist particularly me yeah because 312 00:13:47,198 --> 00:13:50,818 I'm well known for making healthy 313 00:13:48,308 --> 00:13:53,649 choices right 314 00:13:50,818 --> 00:13:56,049 velvet opened her muzzle a retort on her 315 00:13:53,649 --> 00:13:59,129 tongue then closed it again as a look of 316 00:13:56,049 --> 00:14:03,849 heartbreaking defeat blanketed her body 317 00:13:59,129 --> 00:14:07,420 it's already too late isn't it what 318 00:14:03,850 --> 00:14:11,019 about me smoking or following a lot Raji 319 00:14:07,419 --> 00:14:12,549 blew a smoke-ring way I see it if I quit 320 00:14:11,019 --> 00:14:15,249 it would be like saying I made a mistake 321 00:14:12,549 --> 00:14:16,778 and insisted on lending a wing and that 322 00:14:15,249 --> 00:14:21,959 would be like saying cage made a mistake 323 00:14:16,778 --> 00:14:21,958 and well that just ain't gonna happen 324 00:14:22,259 --> 00:14:26,850 but velvet wasn't talking about Reddy's 325 00:14:24,389 --> 00:14:32,428 life choices she turned to me with a 326 00:14:26,850 --> 00:14:33,379 horrified look little pip please be 327 00:14:32,428 --> 00:14:36,528 honest 328 00:14:33,379 --> 00:14:39,839 her voice was fragile 329 00:14:36,528 --> 00:14:44,970 the fire how long before it reaches 330 00:14:39,839 --> 00:14:47,069 Fluttershy she swallowed hard it's 331 00:14:44,970 --> 00:14:52,678 already there isn't it she's already 332 00:14:47,068 --> 00:14:53,909 dead or or my lovely unicorn friend 333 00:14:52,678 --> 00:14:56,938 could not bring herself to say that 334 00:14:53,909 --> 00:14:58,379 Fluttershy was dying but it was clear 335 00:14:56,938 --> 00:15:00,509 from the pain in her expression that she 336 00:14:58,379 --> 00:15:04,230 was imagining Fluttershy burning alive 337 00:15:00,509 --> 00:15:08,278 slowly in utter agony it was too cruel 338 00:15:04,230 --> 00:15:10,230 and an for too cruel life I couldn't 339 00:15:08,278 --> 00:15:11,970 bring myself to say that by my best 340 00:15:10,230 --> 00:15:15,028 estimate the fire had been there since 341 00:15:11,970 --> 00:15:17,459 nightfall maybe it was the corrupted 342 00:15:15,028 --> 00:15:19,948 kindness to be dishonest about this but 343 00:15:17,458 --> 00:15:23,479 I just couldn't tell the truth it would 344 00:15:19,948 --> 00:15:25,649 destroy her I opened my muzzle to lie 345 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:28,879 but I was interrupted before I could 346 00:15:25,649 --> 00:15:31,769 manage the first word doesn't matter 347 00:15:28,879 --> 00:15:33,389 Reggie told her drawing stares and 348 00:15:31,769 --> 00:15:35,669 glares from everyone except life Bloom 349 00:15:33,389 --> 00:15:38,220 who was too deep in concentration to 350 00:15:35,669 --> 00:15:41,459 notice his surroundings 351 00:15:38,220 --> 00:15:44,420 they'll was stared muzzle open her heart 352 00:15:41,460 --> 00:15:47,120 tearing apart in front of us 353 00:15:44,419 --> 00:15:51,889 what 354 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:56,089 regi looks taken aback no wait a second 355 00:15:51,889 --> 00:15:59,990 she looked at us all you all really 356 00:15:56,089 --> 00:16:03,050 don't know know what calamity said 357 00:15:59,990 --> 00:16:07,039 carefully the fire ain't burning the 358 00:16:03,049 --> 00:16:09,500 trees reggie announced my jaw was not 359 00:16:07,039 --> 00:16:12,649 the only one to drop she looked at us 360 00:16:09,500 --> 00:16:14,778 all and shook her head hell's it'd be 361 00:16:12,649 --> 00:16:17,259 easier if I just showed you I don't 362 00:16:14,778 --> 00:16:19,460 think he'd believe me otherwise 363 00:16:17,259 --> 00:16:23,200 what do you mean the fire isn't burning 364 00:16:19,460 --> 00:16:26,930 the trees I mean exactly what I said 365 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:28,430 Reggie replied it got a good look after 366 00:16:26,929 --> 00:16:31,879 y'all ran off and left me half dead in 367 00:16:28,429 --> 00:16:34,789 that tree as she said that her voice was 368 00:16:31,879 --> 00:16:38,899 not accusatory if anything she sounded 369 00:16:34,789 --> 00:16:41,269 amused red eyes Fire Brigade pushed past 370 00:16:38,899 --> 00:16:42,289 my position psalm hose down a moss 371 00:16:41,269 --> 00:16:45,019 covered tree with one of their 372 00:16:42,289 --> 00:16:46,219 flamethrowers I swear on my mother's 373 00:16:45,019 --> 00:16:50,139 name that the flames went right through 374 00:16:46,220 --> 00:16:53,959 that tree like it wasn't even there but 375 00:16:50,139 --> 00:16:57,139 but Velvets voice betrayed your 376 00:16:53,958 --> 00:16:58,819 desperation but we saw the trees burning 377 00:16:57,139 --> 00:17:03,080 when we were fighting the Wonderbolts 378 00:16:58,820 --> 00:17:04,519 remember she looked at me and like its 379 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:07,039 sense that she wanted me to tell her it 380 00:17:04,519 --> 00:17:08,599 was just her imagination that Reggie was 381 00:17:07,039 --> 00:17:09,049 right and there was nothing to worry 382 00:17:08,599 --> 00:17:11,779 about 383 00:17:09,049 --> 00:17:13,990 I thanked Luna that this time I didn't 384 00:17:11,779 --> 00:17:16,158 need to lie 385 00:17:13,990 --> 00:17:19,058 those trees are burning because of that 386 00:17:16,159 --> 00:17:23,720 trick sky I pulled I reminded her that 387 00:17:19,058 --> 00:17:27,558 wasn't from red-eyes fires calamity 388 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:29,440 shook his head looking at Regina and you 389 00:17:27,558 --> 00:17:31,579 didn't mention this before 390 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:33,919 well Hales I thought you all knew 391 00:17:31,579 --> 00:17:36,769 besides I was totally focused on the 392 00:17:33,919 --> 00:17:38,690 rest of the freaky the Griffon tossed 393 00:17:36,769 --> 00:17:41,628 her cigarette to the floor and grounded 394 00:17:38,690 --> 00:17:44,538 under a hind paw the tree didn't catch 395 00:17:41,628 --> 00:17:46,009 but the moss on it sure ignited then it 396 00:17:44,538 --> 00:17:47,690 began to heave and thrash and tear 397 00:17:46,009 --> 00:17:50,000 itself off the tree even as it burnt up 398 00:17:47,690 --> 00:17:51,830 I swear it looked like it was screaming 399 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:55,210 I think I'm gonna have nightmares for 400 00:17:51,829 --> 00:18:02,980 weeks well damn 401 00:17:55,210 --> 00:18:07,490 calamity whistled the fire isn't burning 402 00:18:02,980 --> 00:18:13,360 Fluttershy safe warring emotions racked 403 00:18:07,490 --> 00:18:16,429 available remedy yeah yeah I think so I 404 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:19,128 murmured my eyes going wide as the gears 405 00:18:16,429 --> 00:18:20,659 in my mind started turning again I had 406 00:18:19,128 --> 00:18:23,689 seen the reports of red eyes research 407 00:18:20,659 --> 00:18:25,429 into bypass spells his scientists have 408 00:18:23,690 --> 00:18:27,590 been working to apply a bypass to some 409 00:18:25,429 --> 00:18:29,149 sort of weapon effect the full details 410 00:18:27,589 --> 00:18:31,970 had been redacted after the research 411 00:18:29,148 --> 00:18:33,168 have been successful as Anitha told me 412 00:18:31,970 --> 00:18:34,370 she had worked in one of the buildings 413 00:18:33,169 --> 00:18:36,980 where they were creating flamethrower 414 00:18:34,369 --> 00:18:41,019 fuel but I'd never put the two together 415 00:18:36,980 --> 00:18:43,019 at least for now 416 00:18:41,019 --> 00:18:47,490 for now 417 00:18:43,019 --> 00:18:49,319 doublet voice was small but hopeful red 418 00:18:47,490 --> 00:18:52,019 eye the sort to waste resources is he 419 00:18:49,319 --> 00:18:53,629 little pip calamity asked clearly 420 00:18:52,019 --> 00:18:56,700 following my train of thought 421 00:18:53,630 --> 00:18:58,800 he's cleansed in the everfree force but 422 00:18:56,700 --> 00:19:03,960 he ain't gonna burn down the trees he 423 00:18:58,799 --> 00:19:06,659 wants to lumber I nodded I could see a 424 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:08,340 calculating light and Velvets eyes her 425 00:19:06,660 --> 00:19:11,670 quest now had a timeline that she could 426 00:19:08,339 --> 00:19:12,779 see zennith had to recover and they had 427 00:19:11,670 --> 00:19:14,279 to brew a remedy that would save 428 00:19:12,779 --> 00:19:15,450 fluttershy before red-eyes forces 429 00:19:14,279 --> 00:19:16,859 finished burning the forest and 430 00:19:15,450 --> 00:19:19,670 proceeded far enough in their harvesting 431 00:19:16,859 --> 00:19:23,279 to reach the top of Killing Joke Hill 432 00:19:19,670 --> 00:19:25,259 you want this the hellhound interrupted 433 00:19:23,279 --> 00:19:27,420 abruptly holding up his zebra stealth 434 00:19:25,259 --> 00:19:30,539 cloak his bindings laying useless around 435 00:19:27,420 --> 00:19:33,900 him you're not getting it unless you 436 00:19:30,539 --> 00:19:38,609 give me something back there was a 437 00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:40,019 dangerous glint in his eyes and what do 438 00:19:38,609 --> 00:19:40,639 you want in return for your generous 439 00:19:40,019 --> 00:19:42,990 offer 440 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:44,460 velvet asked diplomatically as she 441 00:19:42,990 --> 00:19:46,549 pointedly looked at the stump of a leg 442 00:19:44,460 --> 00:19:50,160 which she had treated and rest 443 00:19:46,549 --> 00:19:52,379 VAM claw blades the hellhound barked 444 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:53,700 pointing a cages hellhound claw knife 445 00:19:52,380 --> 00:19:59,460 strapped in Reggie's belt 446 00:19:53,700 --> 00:20:00,750 Oh hell's no the young Griffon flew 447 00:19:59,460 --> 00:20:03,090 almost within claw reach of the 448 00:20:00,750 --> 00:20:05,099 hellhound guns drawn before she was 449 00:20:03,089 --> 00:20:09,778 yanked short her tail and Calamity's 450 00:20:05,099 --> 00:20:11,848 teeth these are my brothers 451 00:20:09,778 --> 00:20:13,919 I figured they belonged to one of our 452 00:20:11,848 --> 00:20:18,418 brothers before him the hellhound 453 00:20:13,919 --> 00:20:21,690 growled back unimpressed and vicious and 454 00:20:18,419 --> 00:20:23,190 I wonder if hold on here calamity came 455 00:20:21,690 --> 00:20:25,909 as close to shout as he could without 456 00:20:23,190 --> 00:20:30,058 letting Reddy's tail out of his mouth I 457 00:20:25,909 --> 00:20:31,919 figure we can shoot you and have both he 458 00:20:30,058 --> 00:20:35,249 shifted pointing his battle saddle at 459 00:20:31,919 --> 00:20:36,629 the hellhound being an amputee had not 460 00:20:35,249 --> 00:20:38,879 made him any less dangerous 461 00:20:36,628 --> 00:20:39,658 the albino hell han was swifter than any 462 00:20:38,878 --> 00:20:42,238 of us expected 463 00:20:39,659 --> 00:20:43,950 he had an arm around velvel remedy his 464 00:20:42,239 --> 00:20:46,009 claws sharp enough and strong enough to 465 00:20:43,950 --> 00:20:49,098 slice metals right against her face 466 00:20:46,009 --> 00:20:53,729 their barest touch was drawing blood 467 00:20:49,098 --> 00:20:57,210 velvet eat sharply how fast he 468 00:20:53,729 --> 00:21:00,899 challenged coldly i levitated little 469 00:20:57,210 --> 00:21:04,079 Macintosh in front of me let her go 470 00:21:00,898 --> 00:21:07,949 real gentle or you are so amazingly dead 471 00:21:04,079 --> 00:21:09,628 it won't matter astonishingly the 472 00:21:07,950 --> 00:21:12,798 crippled hellhound stared down the five 473 00:21:09,628 --> 00:21:15,439 guns pointed at him and didn't blink 474 00:21:12,798 --> 00:21:17,509 Velvets horn flashed 475 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:19,700 the hellhound dropped limply back onto 476 00:21:17,509 --> 00:21:23,180 his bed one of his claws sliding across 477 00:21:19,700 --> 00:21:24,140 Velvets face as his hand fell away blood 478 00:21:23,180 --> 00:21:28,250 gushed from the wound 479 00:21:24,140 --> 00:21:30,200 staggering her don't shoot him she 480 00:21:28,250 --> 00:21:33,440 ordered as she stumbled back holding a 481 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:36,529 hoof to her face the claw barely missed 482 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:40,759 slicing open one of her eyes little pip 483 00:21:36,529 --> 00:21:43,329 your spell please we had used up all the 484 00:21:40,759 --> 00:21:45,950 healing bandages and potions that we had 485 00:21:43,329 --> 00:21:47,569 there was nothing left a delta whiff but 486 00:21:45,950 --> 00:21:49,090 that dark spell I had been granted by 487 00:21:47,569 --> 00:21:52,009 the black book 488 00:21:49,089 --> 00:21:53,779 once again I let myself draw on that 489 00:21:52,009 --> 00:21:55,910 knowledge to create a cast from Velvets 490 00:21:53,779 --> 00:21:59,509 own blood wrapping half her head in a 491 00:21:55,910 --> 00:22:02,900 ruddy mask calamity rush to Velvets side 492 00:21:59,509 --> 00:22:05,539 shoring her up he growled at the 493 00:22:02,900 --> 00:22:08,509 hellhound and clearly really really 494 00:22:05,539 --> 00:22:11,389 wanted to shoot the monster but velvet 495 00:22:08,509 --> 00:22:13,069 wouldn't let him instead she turned to 496 00:22:11,390 --> 00:22:17,420 her attacker and spoke with a touch of 497 00:22:13,069 --> 00:22:18,950 sympathy I can agree with how I point it 498 00:22:17,420 --> 00:22:23,210 is that some ponies have made weapons 499 00:22:18,950 --> 00:22:24,890 out of your kinds body parts she stared 500 00:22:23,210 --> 00:22:28,610 us with the one eye not hidden under 501 00:22:24,890 --> 00:22:30,530 solidified blood and anypony here who 502 00:22:28,609 --> 00:22:31,969 doesn't should try to imagine seeing a 503 00:22:30,529 --> 00:22:36,109 creature wielding a weapon made of pony 504 00:22:31,970 --> 00:22:40,579 hoofs addressing the extremely pissed 505 00:22:36,109 --> 00:22:43,979 looking albino again so in trade for the 506 00:22:40,579 --> 00:22:46,528 use of your cloak we're giving you this 507 00:22:43,980 --> 00:22:48,298 her horn glowed again and zenith's 508 00:22:46,528 --> 00:22:50,339 hellhound claw helmet floated over to 509 00:22:48,298 --> 00:22:52,528 rest upon the albino hellhounds chest 510 00:22:50,339 --> 00:22:56,699 ignoring the strangled sound a protest 511 00:22:52,528 --> 00:22:58,548 from calamity but you will not be taking 512 00:22:56,700 --> 00:23:04,558 Kage grim feathers blades from Regina 513 00:22:58,548 --> 00:23:07,710 she added sternly I am sorry she frowned 514 00:23:04,558 --> 00:23:08,970 and for your aggression II you'll be 515 00:23:07,710 --> 00:23:12,028 spending the rest of our time together 516 00:23:08,970 --> 00:23:15,679 under the effects of this spell it is 517 00:23:12,028 --> 00:23:19,109 never intelligent to attack your doctor 518 00:23:15,679 --> 00:23:21,750 velvet remedy stepped away then her 519 00:23:19,109 --> 00:23:23,879 knees give a little tremble a moment 520 00:23:21,750 --> 00:23:25,589 later she had dropped to them breathing 521 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:28,490 heavily and letting her panic wash over 522 00:23:25,589 --> 00:23:30,928 her now that the crisis had passed 523 00:23:28,490 --> 00:23:35,069 calamity lay down next to her and held 524 00:23:30,929 --> 00:23:37,288 her nuzzling her gently she buried her 525 00:23:35,069 --> 00:23:39,269 face in his mane shedding tears born 526 00:23:37,288 --> 00:23:40,919 from the rollercoaster of Hope despair 527 00:23:39,269 --> 00:23:43,308 and mortal danger that the last few 528 00:23:40,919 --> 00:23:46,169 minutes have thrown my friend through 529 00:23:43,308 --> 00:23:48,148 the Scarlet glow faded and life bloom 530 00:23:46,169 --> 00:23:50,788 staggered slumping to the floor next to 531 00:23:48,148 --> 00:23:52,949 Zenith pulling her muzzle out of 532 00:23:50,788 --> 00:23:54,538 calamities orange mane velvet remedy 533 00:23:52,950 --> 00:23:55,788 immediately bombarded life bloom with 534 00:23:54,538 --> 00:23:58,669 questions about how it went 535 00:23:55,788 --> 00:24:03,929 the only answer he could give was a week 536 00:23:58,669 --> 00:24:04,759 we shall see it's up to her now then 537 00:24:03,929 --> 00:24:07,288 she'll pull through 538 00:24:04,759 --> 00:24:09,929 velvet proclaimed her breathing still a 539 00:24:07,288 --> 00:24:12,299 little shaky she seemed to draw strength 540 00:24:09,929 --> 00:24:15,600 from caring for her friends 541 00:24:12,299 --> 00:24:18,899 Zenoss a survivor a fighter more than 542 00:24:15,599 --> 00:24:19,649 you could possibly know I discovered I 543 00:24:18,900 --> 00:24:23,370 was smiling 544 00:24:19,650 --> 00:24:25,910 just a little somewhere somepony gave 545 00:24:23,369 --> 00:24:27,869 what sounded like a polite cough I 546 00:24:25,910 --> 00:24:30,390 caught readies movement out of the 547 00:24:27,869 --> 00:24:32,099 corner of my eye she drew her guns the 548 00:24:30,390 --> 00:24:34,100 speed of Rainbow Dash and had the twins 549 00:24:32,099 --> 00:24:35,849 pointed out the doorway in front of her 550 00:24:34,099 --> 00:24:39,750 we got company 551 00:24:35,849 --> 00:24:41,909 she warned growling damn it 552 00:24:39,750 --> 00:24:43,769 I was so hoping the Enclave would pass 553 00:24:41,910 --> 00:24:46,820 his chorus hut without taking interest I 554 00:24:43,769 --> 00:24:50,519 really didn't want this fight right now 555 00:24:46,819 --> 00:24:52,289 Belle it moaned behind me life bloom was 556 00:24:50,519 --> 00:24:54,450 trying to get up but he was too 557 00:24:52,289 --> 00:24:59,819 exhausted to stand barely able to keep 558 00:24:54,450 --> 00:25:01,440 his eyes open Enclave he asked pilot 559 00:24:59,819 --> 00:25:05,189 swept across the room to perch on ready 560 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:08,039 said glaring at the door with her na 561 00:25:05,190 --> 00:25:11,490 Reggie said wincing at Peyer lights 562 00:25:08,039 --> 00:25:15,720 talents red eye one of his damned sprite 563 00:25:11,490 --> 00:25:17,599 BOTS true it made sense he'd have some 564 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:23,250 wandering this close to his home base 565 00:25:17,599 --> 00:25:26,308 but I heard no music watcher wait I 566 00:25:23,250 --> 00:25:29,450 called out waving hold your fire 567 00:25:26,308 --> 00:25:29,450 this might be a friendly one 568 00:25:31,390 --> 00:25:36,280 thunder rumbled overhead like the steady 569 00:25:33,490 --> 00:25:37,599 beat of war drums the overcast was 570 00:25:36,279 --> 00:25:40,058 passing directly above us 571 00:25:37,599 --> 00:25:41,589 the massive siege platform locking out 572 00:25:40,058 --> 00:25:44,470 the fiery light reflecting off of the 573 00:25:41,589 --> 00:25:46,029 clouds of smoke the flowers rings Icarus 574 00:25:44,470 --> 00:25:48,779 huts seemed to shed even more beautiful 575 00:25:46,029 --> 00:25:50,859 bioluminescence in the deeper darkness 576 00:25:48,779 --> 00:25:52,928 Colonel autumn leaf was either oblivious 577 00:25:50,859 --> 00:25:56,740 to our presence or he was too focused 578 00:25:52,929 --> 00:25:59,490 now to care it's been a long time since 579 00:25:56,740 --> 00:26:01,690 my home felt crowded watcher was saying 580 00:25:59,490 --> 00:26:03,429 with the mechanical monotone with the 581 00:26:01,690 --> 00:26:06,640 spritebot I couldn't tell if he was 582 00:26:03,429 --> 00:26:07,900 pleased or complaining at least half of 583 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:11,980 the people you asked me to gather up 584 00:26:07,900 --> 00:26:15,460 have already arrived huh calamity 585 00:26:11,980 --> 00:26:20,019 blinked little PIP he asked him do what 586 00:26:15,460 --> 00:26:22,569 now we don't have time I told my Pegasus 587 00:26:20,019 --> 00:26:25,589 friend bluntly the Enclave was moving 588 00:26:22,569 --> 00:26:28,569 too fast I can't be everywhere at once 589 00:26:25,589 --> 00:26:33,029 truth was I was about to ask even more 590 00:26:28,569 --> 00:26:36,369 of spike and he wasn't going to like it 591 00:26:33,029 --> 00:26:39,668 don't you mean we calamity asked 592 00:26:36,369 --> 00:26:41,739 pointedly my little pony scowled at me 593 00:26:39,669 --> 00:26:45,940 and virtually grabbed my head making me 594 00:26:41,740 --> 00:26:46,569 not apologetically yes but that's kind 595 00:26:45,940 --> 00:26:49,808 of the point 596 00:26:46,569 --> 00:26:51,039 I offered lamely we need every Ally we 597 00:26:49,808 --> 00:26:54,730 can get if we're going to pull this off 598 00:26:51,039 --> 00:26:56,428 I know you still haven't filled us in on 599 00:26:54,730 --> 00:26:59,950 exactly what this plan of yours is 600 00:26:56,429 --> 00:27:01,740 calamity groused I'm trusting there's a 601 00:26:59,950 --> 00:27:06,600 good reason for that 602 00:27:01,740 --> 00:27:10,049 there is I assured him yeah great reason 603 00:27:06,599 --> 00:27:12,429 you would try to stop me if you knew in 604 00:27:10,049 --> 00:27:13,990 the meantime I've asked watcher to 605 00:27:12,430 --> 00:27:15,340 contact all the people we know who can 606 00:27:13,990 --> 00:27:19,200 help and start bringing them together 607 00:27:15,339 --> 00:27:22,599 and I'm afraid I have some bad news 608 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:23,799 watcher said through the spritebot one 609 00:27:22,599 --> 00:27:27,369 of your guests is going to be able to 610 00:27:23,799 --> 00:27:30,460 make it I felt an icy cold washed 611 00:27:27,369 --> 00:27:34,839 through my Mane the obvious implication 612 00:27:30,460 --> 00:27:36,910 was that someone had died who I asked 613 00:27:34,839 --> 00:27:41,459 the little pony in my head suggesting we 614 00:27:36,910 --> 00:27:45,940 really didn't want to know what happened 615 00:27:41,460 --> 00:27:47,440 homage watcher said and all of a sudden 616 00:27:45,940 --> 00:27:50,640 my world plunged out from under me 617 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:55,690 leaving me in a numbing lee cold void 618 00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:58,000 luna know the sensation was as intense 619 00:27:55,690 --> 00:28:01,990 as it was brief dispelled by Watchers 620 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:03,759 next words and nothing yet but the 621 00:28:01,990 --> 00:28:05,620 Enclave has figured out that DJ Pony is 622 00:28:03,759 --> 00:28:07,329 moving from one SPP tower to the other 623 00:28:05,619 --> 00:28:09,489 hacking to make the broadcasts and 624 00:28:07,329 --> 00:28:11,230 they've started parking raptors above 625 00:28:09,490 --> 00:28:15,700 each tower just waiting for her to make 626 00:28:11,230 --> 00:28:18,039 her next move Thank You Luna Celestia 627 00:28:15,700 --> 00:28:20,230 please keep her safe 628 00:28:18,039 --> 00:28:22,899 a huge part of me wanted to dash off to 629 00:28:20,230 --> 00:28:25,480 her aid but doing so could lead the 630 00:28:22,900 --> 00:28:27,009 enemy right to her and I knew she would 631 00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:29,519 not approve of me abandoning the good 632 00:28:27,009 --> 00:28:31,359 fight just to make it to her side 633 00:28:29,519 --> 00:28:32,859 fortunately the Enclave don't have 634 00:28:31,359 --> 00:28:34,869 enough Raptors to spare for every tower 635 00:28:32,859 --> 00:28:38,289 and she's not making it easy for them 636 00:28:34,869 --> 00:28:41,379 watch her explained but their dragnet is 637 00:28:38,289 --> 00:28:42,839 eventually going to catch her not if we 638 00:28:41,380 --> 00:28:45,400 can help it 639 00:28:42,839 --> 00:28:48,309 Calamity stepped up beside me putting 640 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:50,410 the hoof on my head if I know little pip 641 00:28:48,309 --> 00:28:54,279 this plan of hers is gonna pull the heat 642 00:28:50,410 --> 00:28:57,160 off a homage in a big way I gave him a 643 00:28:54,279 --> 00:29:00,970 worried but thankful smile he was right 644 00:28:57,160 --> 00:29:03,730 about that we had to win now we always 645 00:29:00,970 --> 00:29:06,640 had to but now it was for more than just 646 00:29:03,730 --> 00:29:10,720 the wasteland now I was fighting to keep 647 00:29:06,640 --> 00:29:12,370 homage safe I realized how horribly 648 00:29:10,720 --> 00:29:14,140 selfish it was of me to place the safety 649 00:29:12,369 --> 00:29:15,939 of one pony as equals to the needs of 650 00:29:14,140 --> 00:29:21,550 tens or even hundreds of thousands of 651 00:29:15,940 --> 00:29:24,009 ponies but I didn't care on which was on 652 00:29:21,549 --> 00:29:25,269 which was homage and I was allowed to be 653 00:29:24,009 --> 00:29:27,420 just a little selfish when it came to 654 00:29:25,269 --> 00:29:29,889 her wasn't I 655 00:29:27,420 --> 00:29:31,990 I'll watch herself insisted she can't 656 00:29:29,890 --> 00:29:34,540 make it she doesn't want to risk drawing 657 00:29:31,990 --> 00:29:36,099 the Enclave to the rest of the 658 00:29:34,539 --> 00:29:40,059 resistance is what she's calling all you 659 00:29:36,099 --> 00:29:41,649 guys resistance radio that's what the 660 00:29:40,059 --> 00:29:44,649 10-point residents had taken to calling 661 00:29:41,650 --> 00:29:47,860 DJ ponies broadcasts clearly she'd 662 00:29:44,650 --> 00:29:49,600 adopted the moniker I'll try to have a 663 00:29:47,859 --> 00:29:52,659 sprite bot nearby so she can talk to us 664 00:29:49,599 --> 00:29:53,769 watch her offered and she told me to 665 00:29:52,660 --> 00:29:55,750 tell you that she's sending some more 666 00:29:53,769 --> 00:30:00,200 allies your way 667 00:29:55,750 --> 00:30:03,529 allies are good I liked allies we could 668 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:07,069 use all the friends we could get then 669 00:30:03,529 --> 00:30:09,230 reality struck me the blow hit me cold 670 00:30:07,069 --> 00:30:12,109 and sharp and hard nearly knocking me 671 00:30:09,230 --> 00:30:13,490 over part of me had been clinging to the 672 00:30:12,109 --> 00:30:14,959 belief that I would see homage again 673 00:30:13,490 --> 00:30:17,420 when I gathered everyone together at 674 00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:18,980 spikes cave at that final gathering 675 00:30:17,420 --> 00:30:21,350 before I set my plan into action 676 00:30:18,980 --> 00:30:25,789 a final respite before I galloped 677 00:30:21,349 --> 00:30:27,980 headlong into my destiny but homage the 678 00:30:25,789 --> 00:30:31,849 one Pony I wanted and needed to see the 679 00:30:27,980 --> 00:30:35,890 most was not going to be there at most I 680 00:30:31,849 --> 00:30:39,189 might hear her voice speak to her but 681 00:30:35,890 --> 00:30:44,509 she wouldn't be there to touch to hold 682 00:30:39,190 --> 00:30:46,309 to kiss goodbye my legs were wet noodles 683 00:30:44,509 --> 00:30:49,339 utterly unable to hold the Titanic 684 00:30:46,309 --> 00:30:53,029 weight of my breaking heart I was never 685 00:30:49,339 --> 00:30:55,009 going to see homage again with a burst 686 00:30:53,029 --> 00:30:57,250 of static the spritebot started playing 687 00:30:55,009 --> 00:31:00,700 the heavy ominous music of The Enclave 688 00:30:57,250 --> 00:31:03,769 watcher was gone his time was up I 689 00:31:00,700 --> 00:31:06,700 barely noticed though I was too busy 690 00:31:03,769 --> 00:31:06,700 crying my heart out 691 00:31:09,369 --> 00:31:14,049 the drumming of the overcast thunder 692 00:31:11,349 --> 00:31:18,159 clouds was receding there was no more 693 00:31:14,049 --> 00:31:19,720 time we needed to go I realized I could 694 00:31:18,160 --> 00:31:22,840 still hear the low horns and booming 695 00:31:19,720 --> 00:31:25,600 drums the mournful tones of violins the 696 00:31:22,839 --> 00:31:28,119 music coming from the spritebot it 697 00:31:25,599 --> 00:31:31,659 hadn't wandered away it was watching us 698 00:31:28,119 --> 00:31:33,669 I knew there was no way that read I had 699 00:31:31,660 --> 00:31:35,200 been using these things for so long had 700 00:31:33,670 --> 00:31:37,240 been running operations in Philadelphia 701 00:31:35,200 --> 00:31:38,650 from a ministry morale hub without 702 00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:42,069 knowing that these machines can be used 703 00:31:38,650 --> 00:31:45,550 to spy grim resolve flooded through me 704 00:31:42,069 --> 00:31:47,799 drowning out the agony of my heart not 705 00:31:45,549 --> 00:31:50,950 killing it but just letting me not feel 706 00:31:47,799 --> 00:31:52,839 it for a while I pushed myself to my 707 00:31:50,950 --> 00:31:54,279 hooves and Schroeder manely out to where 708 00:31:52,839 --> 00:31:56,259 the spritebot was floating amongst the 709 00:31:54,279 --> 00:32:00,309 trees still within sight of the Kouros 710 00:31:56,259 --> 00:32:00,940 hot red I knew we were here knew where 711 00:32:00,309 --> 00:32:03,429 to find us 712 00:32:00,940 --> 00:32:05,130 I wanted to make it clear that wasn't 713 00:32:03,430 --> 00:32:08,980 necessary 714 00:32:05,130 --> 00:32:10,330 we're coming I told the spritebot sure 715 00:32:08,980 --> 00:32:15,110 that I was all but addressing redeye 716 00:32:10,329 --> 00:32:18,339 directly that's what she wanted right 717 00:32:15,109 --> 00:32:20,928 the spritebot kept playing music I 718 00:32:18,339 --> 00:32:23,648 stared at it for a long minute possibly 719 00:32:20,929 --> 00:32:26,870 two before turning away and discussed 720 00:32:23,648 --> 00:32:30,829 calamity Reggie let's go hit ourselves a 721 00:32:26,869 --> 00:32:34,969 ride I started to walk away from the 722 00:32:30,829 --> 00:32:37,158 spritebot then stopped I trotted back 723 00:32:34,970 --> 00:32:42,620 around to it my horn glowing softly as I 724 00:32:37,159 --> 00:32:44,690 announced sorry I have to kill you this 725 00:32:42,619 --> 00:32:48,408 time however I wasn't addressing red eye 726 00:32:44,690 --> 00:32:50,298 but the spritebot itself my PIP leg was 727 00:32:48,409 --> 00:32:53,450 still dead and I was going to use the 728 00:32:50,298 --> 00:32:55,158 little spy machine to reboot it my 729 00:32:53,450 --> 00:32:56,990 telekinesis opened the repair hatch on 730 00:32:55,159 --> 00:33:00,278 the spritebot and yank its spark battery 731 00:32:56,990 --> 00:33:04,308 out the spritebot dropped like a stone 732 00:33:00,278 --> 00:33:07,759 dead or at least the robot equivalent of 733 00:33:04,308 --> 00:33:09,740 dead sitting I proceeded to disconnect 734 00:33:07,759 --> 00:33:10,190 audio and video feeds then bring it back 735 00:33:09,740 --> 00:33:14,048 to life 736 00:33:10,190 --> 00:33:17,058 a robot vegetable or something like that 737 00:33:14,048 --> 00:33:20,388 whatever stupid robots making all at 738 00:33:17,058 --> 00:33:22,158 metaphors awkward I looked down where my 739 00:33:20,388 --> 00:33:25,459 pipbuck was grotesquely melded into my 740 00:33:22,159 --> 00:33:27,049 fore leg miserably I realized that maybe 741 00:33:25,460 --> 00:33:27,700 was for the best that homage never saw 742 00:33:27,048 --> 00:33:30,259 me again 743 00:33:27,700 --> 00:33:32,798 let her last memories of me be before 744 00:33:30,259 --> 00:33:37,278 the balefire bomb before Canterlot and 745 00:33:32,798 --> 00:33:40,759 before our boo life bloom approached me 746 00:33:37,278 --> 00:33:43,038 as I was rebooting my Pip leg I assumed 747 00:33:40,759 --> 00:33:44,929 he was going to offer comfort or ask a 748 00:33:43,038 --> 00:33:47,898 question about watcher or the gathering 749 00:33:44,929 --> 00:33:49,759 I preempted the conversation somepony 750 00:33:47,898 --> 00:33:54,089 else on my mind 751 00:33:49,759 --> 00:33:56,190 how did you meet homage my voice sounded 752 00:33:54,089 --> 00:33:57,539 small to me I didn't have the will to 753 00:33:56,190 --> 00:33:58,850 hide the sadness that was leaking from 754 00:33:57,539 --> 00:34:02,009 it 755 00:33:58,849 --> 00:34:05,579 life bloom pause then sat down next to 756 00:34:02,009 --> 00:34:08,880 me the Twilight Society assigned her to 757 00:34:05,579 --> 00:34:12,059 me he told me they thought I would be 758 00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:14,099 able to connect with her leaning forward 759 00:34:12,059 --> 00:34:17,579 on his for hopes life bloom gave me the 760 00:34:14,099 --> 00:34:20,400 story when she first gained residency in 761 00:34:17,579 --> 00:34:22,170 tenpony tower she was in mourning she'd 762 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:24,110 lost the mare she loved and she didn't 763 00:34:22,170 --> 00:34:28,139 know she could ever find love again 764 00:34:24,110 --> 00:34:32,269 he smiled gently I'm happy to see she 765 00:34:28,139 --> 00:34:34,559 was wrong that only made it hurt worse 766 00:34:32,269 --> 00:34:36,360 my heart was bleeding onto the ground 767 00:34:34,559 --> 00:34:40,500 and I could feel the tears building up 768 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:42,599 behind my eyes they felt like fire even 769 00:34:40,500 --> 00:34:44,130 worse the little pony in my head didn't 770 00:34:42,599 --> 00:34:47,099 really want to hear about homages past 771 00:34:44,130 --> 00:34:51,059 lows of course she had to have had at 772 00:34:47,099 --> 00:34:54,389 least one you can't get to be as good as 773 00:34:51,059 --> 00:34:56,090 she was without practice right but I 774 00:34:54,389 --> 00:34:59,279 liked being able to pretend otherwise 775 00:34:56,090 --> 00:35:02,010 even though I knew better even though I 776 00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:05,940 was pretty sure I knew who it was joke 777 00:35:02,010 --> 00:35:08,610 blue I wasn't going to be jealous not of 778 00:35:05,940 --> 00:35:11,220 homage is dead beloved I refuse to be 779 00:35:08,610 --> 00:35:14,460 that horrible 780 00:35:11,219 --> 00:35:16,259 we were the same age I'd suffered loss 781 00:35:14,460 --> 00:35:18,990 of my own that the others of the society 782 00:35:16,260 --> 00:35:21,480 thought was similar life bloom continued 783 00:35:18,989 --> 00:35:24,088 his tone suggested that the society was 784 00:35:21,480 --> 00:35:26,940 an error on that supposition he 785 00:35:24,088 --> 00:35:28,440 explained I was kicked out of the 786 00:35:26,940 --> 00:35:31,530 Republic after they discovered I had a 787 00:35:28,440 --> 00:35:35,630 preference for stallions I blinked in 788 00:35:31,530 --> 00:35:38,510 surprise what 789 00:35:35,630 --> 00:35:39,920 the Republic I remembered was the little 790 00:35:38,510 --> 00:35:42,560 town that the Raiders from Fluttershy's 791 00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:44,960 cottage have massacred a bizarre 792 00:35:42,559 --> 00:35:46,460 cult-like group of weirdos but not bad 793 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:49,699 ponies according to the wasteland 794 00:35:46,460 --> 00:35:55,010 Crusaders if they kicked you out because 795 00:35:49,699 --> 00:35:56,659 of that I was astounded since my youth I 796 00:35:55,010 --> 00:35:58,040 had been resigned to my feelings for 797 00:35:56,659 --> 00:36:01,069 mayor's lowering my prospects for 798 00:35:58,039 --> 00:36:02,650 finding love but I never experienced 799 00:36:01,070 --> 00:36:07,550 actual prejudice because of it I 800 00:36:02,650 --> 00:36:10,910 couldn't even fathom that why why would 801 00:36:07,550 --> 00:36:12,650 they even care for the same reason I 802 00:36:10,909 --> 00:36:16,099 reckoned at the enclave rewards it 803 00:36:12,650 --> 00:36:19,039 Calamity said approaching us his words 804 00:36:16,099 --> 00:36:21,369 prompting another little wait what from 805 00:36:19,039 --> 00:36:24,829 the Little Pony in my head 806 00:36:21,369 --> 00:36:26,809 population control small places like the 807 00:36:24,829 --> 00:36:30,679 Republic not but they need as many 808 00:36:26,809 --> 00:36:34,039 babies as they can get life Bloom nodded 809 00:36:30,679 --> 00:36:35,539 frowning and if I wasn't going to 810 00:36:34,039 --> 00:36:40,279 contribute to the growth of the Republic 811 00:36:35,539 --> 00:36:44,539 I wasn't wanted and the Enclave 812 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:46,910 I asked driven by morbid curiosity my 813 00:36:44,539 --> 00:36:50,239 pip leg hung to life the screen flashing 814 00:36:46,909 --> 00:36:53,239 status reports I brought up my EFS and 815 00:36:50,239 --> 00:36:55,429 checked the most critical readouts 816 00:36:53,239 --> 00:36:57,349 there's only so much cropland above the 817 00:36:55,429 --> 00:37:00,949 cloud curtain all of it around the rain 818 00:36:57,349 --> 00:37:02,630 towers too many pegasi means famine The 819 00:37:00,949 --> 00:37:06,529 Enclave keeps real tight rains on 820 00:37:02,630 --> 00:37:07,400 childbirth officially y'all are probably 821 00:37:06,530 --> 00:37:09,200 dead already 822 00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:13,160 calamity had told tracker and the other 823 00:37:09,199 --> 00:37:14,929 pegasi knew Appaloosa by the weekend The 824 00:37:13,159 --> 00:37:16,969 Enclave will have delivered condolences 825 00:37:14,929 --> 00:37:20,779 and new birth approval certificates to 826 00:37:16,969 --> 00:37:22,579 your families being allowed an extra 827 00:37:20,780 --> 00:37:25,010 foal is one of the perks of Pegasus gets 828 00:37:22,579 --> 00:37:28,219 fun listed in the enclave calamity 829 00:37:25,010 --> 00:37:29,990 admitted so why there's nothing official 830 00:37:28,219 --> 00:37:31,489 the Enclave has little extra 831 00:37:29,989 --> 00:37:33,049 appreciation for those officers who 832 00:37:31,489 --> 00:37:37,039 won't be taken advantage of that benefit 833 00:37:33,050 --> 00:37:40,780 i sat and thought about that for a 834 00:37:37,039 --> 00:37:42,679 moment then shook it off like a wet coat 835 00:37:40,780 --> 00:37:46,570 we really need to go 836 00:37:42,679 --> 00:37:49,279 I stood up looking down to life bloom 837 00:37:46,570 --> 00:37:51,789 but when I get back I want to hear 838 00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:56,780 everything you can tell me about homage 839 00:37:51,789 --> 00:38:02,619 he gave me an odd look I'm not prying I 840 00:37:56,780 --> 00:38:02,620 explained I just miss her 841 00:38:05,730 --> 00:38:10,920 within minutes we were soaring through 842 00:38:07,949 --> 00:38:13,409 the smoke beneath us we could see the 843 00:38:10,920 --> 00:38:15,269 flames burning through the forest true 844 00:38:13,409 --> 00:38:17,609 to Reggie's claim the trees were not 845 00:38:15,269 --> 00:38:19,469 burning although occasionally it 846 00:38:17,610 --> 00:38:22,530 appeared as if they were as the moss or 847 00:38:19,469 --> 00:38:23,969 vines clinging to them were cremated we 848 00:38:22,530 --> 00:38:26,040 were all wearing scarves to protect us 849 00:38:23,969 --> 00:38:29,609 from the worst of the smoke but it only 850 00:38:26,039 --> 00:38:31,079 mitigated the finest my lungs burned my 851 00:38:29,610 --> 00:38:33,780 eyes were stinging it felt hot in my 852 00:38:31,079 --> 00:38:38,190 skull most of that was from the smoke 853 00:38:33,780 --> 00:38:39,480 but not all of it I was exhausted even 854 00:38:38,190 --> 00:38:40,530 more so after hearing Watchers 855 00:38:39,480 --> 00:38:43,710 soul-crushing news 856 00:38:40,530 --> 00:38:46,100 it took massive almost monumental effort 857 00:38:43,710 --> 00:38:50,010 just to keep my eyes open 858 00:38:46,099 --> 00:38:52,319 foot I yelped as something struck my 859 00:38:50,010 --> 00:38:55,830 left hind of a Lansing pain followed by 860 00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:57,269 a burning sensation I listed it spotting 861 00:38:55,829 --> 00:38:59,819 a dart like thorn impaled on the 862 00:38:57,269 --> 00:39:05,030 underside of my hoof the burning 863 00:38:59,820 --> 00:39:08,580 increased poison foot foot foot foot 864 00:39:05,030 --> 00:39:09,990 goddang it calamity hollered banking 865 00:39:08,579 --> 00:39:12,659 sharply as the air filled with more 866 00:39:09,989 --> 00:39:15,719 plant spikes a patch of forest 867 00:39:12,659 --> 00:39:19,440 vegetation was shooting at us goddesses 868 00:39:15,719 --> 00:39:21,139 I hated this forest the plants stopped 869 00:39:19,440 --> 00:39:23,369 shooting as the fires reached them 870 00:39:21,139 --> 00:39:24,960 calamity braved thicker smoke in an 871 00:39:23,369 --> 00:39:27,650 effort to keep us at a range of anymore 872 00:39:24,960 --> 00:39:30,030 of ever freeze hostile plant life the 873 00:39:27,650 --> 00:39:30,480 fire of my hoof started to climb up my 874 00:39:30,030 --> 00:39:33,269 leg 875 00:39:30,480 --> 00:39:36,750 aching Lee painful but I'd suffered so 876 00:39:33,269 --> 00:39:37,759 much worse hell I'd been set on fire by 877 00:39:36,750 --> 00:39:40,920 a dragon 878 00:39:37,760 --> 00:39:42,390 compared to that hell compared to the 879 00:39:40,920 --> 00:39:44,550 plethora of hurts from the Battle of the 880 00:39:42,389 --> 00:39:46,210 Wonderbolts the plant spike poison was 881 00:39:44,550 --> 00:39:48,310 trivial 882 00:39:46,210 --> 00:39:51,519 we were catching up with the overcast 883 00:39:48,309 --> 00:39:53,739 but it was taking time I held off 884 00:39:51,519 --> 00:39:55,119 activating the mg stealth buck - for 885 00:39:53,739 --> 00:39:56,259 fear that would run out before we had 886 00:39:55,119 --> 00:39:59,500 secured a hiding place on the 887 00:39:56,260 --> 00:40:01,990 Thunderhead I closed my eyes for a few 888 00:39:59,500 --> 00:40:03,369 minutes I was using my levitation to 889 00:40:01,989 --> 00:40:03,849 make myself weightless in Calamity's 890 00:40:03,369 --> 00:40:08,469 arms 891 00:40:03,849 --> 00:40:09,759 I felt safe there I could close my eyes 892 00:40:08,469 --> 00:40:14,139 for just a minute 893 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:15,910 I was Rainbow Dash the clouds were a 894 00:40:14,139 --> 00:40:17,679 beautiful white fluffy and soft 895 00:40:15,909 --> 00:40:19,149 underneath of my hopes and they 896 00:40:17,679 --> 00:40:20,469 stretched out forever beneath the warm 897 00:40:19,150 --> 00:40:23,680 glow of Celestia Sun 898 00:40:20,469 --> 00:40:26,799 I could see colourful pegasi flitting 899 00:40:23,679 --> 00:40:29,500 and flying about there was a town nearby 900 00:40:26,800 --> 00:40:32,950 but I wasn't looking at it I didn't want 901 00:40:29,500 --> 00:40:34,329 to instead I looked at the ocean of 902 00:40:32,949 --> 00:40:35,500 white that rolled out beneath the canopy 903 00:40:34,329 --> 00:40:39,489 of brightest blue 904 00:40:35,500 --> 00:40:43,090 I was Rainbow Dash and I was not a happy 905 00:40:39,489 --> 00:40:46,829 pony everywhere under those clouds was 906 00:40:43,090 --> 00:40:49,180 Equestria or what was left of it 907 00:40:46,829 --> 00:40:51,250 everywhere beneath was a nightmarish 908 00:40:49,179 --> 00:40:53,169 hell where those ponies unfortunate 909 00:40:51,250 --> 00:40:54,369 enough not to be in stables and not to 910 00:40:53,170 --> 00:40:57,340 be killed in the onslaught were 911 00:40:54,369 --> 00:40:59,949 struggling and dying and I was watching 912 00:40:57,340 --> 00:41:01,300 ponies fly about happily ignoring what 913 00:40:59,949 --> 00:41:02,769 was out of sight beneath what some 914 00:41:01,300 --> 00:41:07,510 ponies were beginning to call the cloud 915 00:41:02,769 --> 00:41:09,579 curtain it wasn't right never mind that 916 00:41:07,510 --> 00:41:11,350 all my friends all of them were 917 00:41:09,579 --> 00:41:14,110 somewhere down there and I didn't know 918 00:41:11,349 --> 00:41:15,759 if they were dead or alive I couldn't 919 00:41:14,110 --> 00:41:16,809 just live up here and pretend Equestria 920 00:41:15,760 --> 00:41:19,420 didn't exist anymore 921 00:41:16,809 --> 00:41:22,509 I could understand the temptation true 922 00:41:19,420 --> 00:41:23,829 but I wasn't that kind of Pony and it 923 00:41:22,510 --> 00:41:25,630 hurt more than my heart could bear that 924 00:41:23,829 --> 00:41:28,900 apparently the rest of the pegasi were 925 00:41:25,630 --> 00:41:32,920 willing to be I wanted to be disgusted 926 00:41:28,900 --> 00:41:36,369 with all of them instead I just felt sad 927 00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:39,519 I was Rainbow Dash and I was ashamed to 928 00:41:36,369 --> 00:41:43,539 be a Pegasus if this was what being a 929 00:41:39,519 --> 00:41:47,980 Pegasus meant now well maybe it was time 930 00:41:43,539 --> 00:41:51,159 for me to go I felt my wings flap slowly 931 00:41:47,980 --> 00:41:54,159 lifting my hooves off the clouds I loved 932 00:41:51,159 --> 00:41:57,579 flying but today I could barely find the 933 00:41:54,159 --> 00:41:59,679 inspiration to lift myself my head 934 00:41:57,579 --> 00:42:02,650 drooped low my body hanging from my 935 00:41:59,679 --> 00:42:04,980 wings like deadweight my hooves brushed 936 00:42:02,650 --> 00:42:07,720 against the clouds as I began to move I 937 00:42:04,980 --> 00:42:11,440 turned around my back to the colorful 938 00:42:07,719 --> 00:42:15,549 flying ponies it took one last longing 939 00:42:11,440 --> 00:42:17,409 glance before flying away I awoke in a 940 00:42:15,550 --> 00:42:18,519 coughing fit violent enough that clam he 941 00:42:17,409 --> 00:42:22,000 crushed me to him to keep me from 942 00:42:18,519 --> 00:42:23,320 jerking out of his forelegs below us we 943 00:42:22,000 --> 00:42:24,880 were passing over part of the fire 944 00:42:23,320 --> 00:42:28,269 brigade moving through an already burned 945 00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:29,680 part of forest I watched as a unicorn 946 00:42:28,269 --> 00:42:32,829 marched before the wing of red-eyes 947 00:42:29,679 --> 00:42:34,299 Griffins her horns glowing the glow 948 00:42:32,829 --> 00:42:36,250 spread out over the ground in front of 949 00:42:34,300 --> 00:42:39,039 her lighting up a large swath of 950 00:42:36,250 --> 00:42:42,630 blackened forest floor a moment later 951 00:42:39,039 --> 00:42:44,980 the ground churned tearing itself apart 952 00:42:42,630 --> 00:42:47,230 the Griffon swept forward with their 953 00:42:44,980 --> 00:42:48,940 flamethrowers setting ablaze the tangles 954 00:42:47,230 --> 00:42:52,000 of blue vines that the unicorn stilling 955 00:42:48,940 --> 00:42:55,720 spell had uncovered whoa there little 956 00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:57,130 PIP calamity comforted he okay there 957 00:42:55,719 --> 00:43:01,059 girl 958 00:42:57,130 --> 00:43:03,130 yeah sorry about that I apologized 959 00:43:01,059 --> 00:43:08,199 bringing my levitating field back up 960 00:43:03,130 --> 00:43:09,490 around me dozed off yeah I reckon when 961 00:43:08,199 --> 00:43:12,389 we get on board we're gonna find a place 962 00:43:09,489 --> 00:43:13,809 to lay low and you're gonna take a nap 963 00:43:12,389 --> 00:43:17,139 ahead of us 964 00:43:13,809 --> 00:43:19,989 the overcast loom closer we would be on 965 00:43:17,139 --> 00:43:21,819 it within a few minutes he might only 966 00:43:19,989 --> 00:43:25,599 get a couple hours but that's a couple 967 00:43:21,820 --> 00:43:28,269 hours better than none I turned on my 968 00:43:25,599 --> 00:43:29,739 advanced stealth buck we were getting 969 00:43:28,269 --> 00:43:30,420 close enough that all of us needed to be 970 00:43:29,739 --> 00:43:32,589 invisible 971 00:43:30,420 --> 00:43:34,599 Reggie and calamity followed suit 972 00:43:32,590 --> 00:43:38,079 donning the hoods of their zebra stealth 973 00:43:34,599 --> 00:43:40,779 cloaks a strange silhouette shot out of 974 00:43:38,079 --> 00:43:42,579 the sky a dark figure the size and shape 975 00:43:40,780 --> 00:43:44,019 of a pony but with leathery bat-like 976 00:43:42,579 --> 00:43:46,840 wings that reminded me strongly of 977 00:43:44,019 --> 00:43:49,659 Xenophon her flying amulet and impacted 978 00:43:46,840 --> 00:43:52,710 one of the raptors like a bullet what 979 00:43:49,659 --> 00:43:57,129 the hell was that Reddy's voice murdered 980 00:43:52,710 --> 00:43:59,110 either you see that - the Raptor began 981 00:43:57,130 --> 00:44:01,960 to veer off moving away from the Thunder 982 00:43:59,110 --> 00:44:03,700 head I floated my ear bloom into my ear 983 00:44:01,960 --> 00:44:07,179 and quickly sought out the enclaves 984 00:44:03,699 --> 00:44:11,009 military Channel then breached 985 00:44:07,179 --> 00:44:12,699 I repeat we have unknown hostels aboard 986 00:44:11,010 --> 00:44:14,230 the voice from the Raptors 987 00:44:12,699 --> 00:44:17,730 communications officer sound a 988 00:44:14,230 --> 00:44:19,659 professional unconcerned even bored 989 00:44:17,730 --> 00:44:21,730 disengaging from position to deal with 990 00:44:19,659 --> 00:44:23,829 the intruders 991 00:44:21,730 --> 00:44:25,809 if the overcast was still hours away 992 00:44:23,829 --> 00:44:28,690 from the cathedral and attacks were 993 00:44:25,809 --> 00:44:31,000 already starting I had no doubt that 994 00:44:28,690 --> 00:44:32,550 redeye was behind this attack but 995 00:44:31,000 --> 00:44:34,750 something wasn't right 996 00:44:32,550 --> 00:44:37,000 sending a single creature against them 997 00:44:34,750 --> 00:44:39,460 wasn't going to stop them it wouldn't 998 00:44:37,000 --> 00:44:43,570 even slow them down and that meant it 999 00:44:39,460 --> 00:44:45,880 wasn't intended to acknowledge raptor 1000 00:44:43,570 --> 00:44:46,990 lenticular rendezvous with the target as 1001 00:44:45,880 --> 00:44:52,000 soon as you've exterminated the 1002 00:44:46,989 --> 00:44:53,500 infestation I suspected rather that read 1003 00:44:52,000 --> 00:44:55,000 I was just looking to soften up the 1004 00:44:53,500 --> 00:44:56,559 Enclave a bit before pulling whatever 1005 00:44:55,000 --> 00:45:00,030 big surprise he had hidden beneath his 1006 00:44:56,559 --> 00:45:02,559 cloak lenticular two overcast 1007 00:45:00,030 --> 00:45:05,680 this time the officers voice sounded 1008 00:45:02,559 --> 00:45:08,039 panicked it's the demon I repeat the 1009 00:45:05,679 --> 00:45:12,219 demon is on board 1010 00:45:08,039 --> 00:45:14,019 though what now Reggie started to say 1011 00:45:12,219 --> 00:45:16,899 something but I waved a hoof for her to 1012 00:45:14,019 --> 00:45:19,420 be quiet which in retrospect was really 1013 00:45:16,900 --> 00:45:20,740 silly since I was invisible my attention 1014 00:45:19,420 --> 00:45:24,130 fully on the conversation my year 1015 00:45:20,739 --> 00:45:25,959 bloomer overcast lenticular please 1016 00:45:24,130 --> 00:45:29,860 confirm are you reporting that the 1017 00:45:25,960 --> 00:45:31,840 monster was down the mammatus is the 1018 00:45:29,860 --> 00:45:33,760 officer aboard the overcast never got to 1019 00:45:31,840 --> 00:45:36,760 finish his question much less get an 1020 00:45:33,760 --> 00:45:38,410 answer a loud whine toward my eardrum 1021 00:45:36,760 --> 00:45:42,010 and the enclaves injured warship 1022 00:45:38,409 --> 00:45:44,289 military channel became deaf i bucked in 1023 00:45:42,010 --> 00:45:45,850 calamities grip my vision going red is 1024 00:45:44,289 --> 00:45:48,610 agony tore through my brain and took 1025 00:45:45,849 --> 00:45:51,009 hold of my horn I quickly shut off my 1026 00:45:48,610 --> 00:45:53,059 pip legs radio gasping and wiping blood 1027 00:45:51,010 --> 00:45:55,289 from my eyes 1028 00:45:53,059 --> 00:45:57,569 whatever the hell had just made its way 1029 00:45:55,289 --> 00:45:59,009 aboard the lenticular had just infected 1030 00:45:57,568 --> 00:46:04,619 the military channel with the Canterlot 1031 00:45:59,009 --> 00:46:06,528 signal by Lunas main we had run into 1032 00:46:04,619 --> 00:46:09,329 corrupted broadcasters in zebra town 1033 00:46:06,528 --> 00:46:10,858 even with Canterlot itself gone any 1034 00:46:09,329 --> 00:46:13,700 broadcaster that survived would still 1035 00:46:10,858 --> 00:46:16,308 create his own a malignant noise he'll 1036 00:46:13,699 --> 00:46:18,239 still had one of those in my saddlebags 1037 00:46:16,309 --> 00:46:19,950 it had never occurred to me that 1038 00:46:18,239 --> 00:46:21,809 somepony might think to use one of those 1039 00:46:19,949 --> 00:46:24,838 devices to actually broadcast across a 1040 00:46:21,809 --> 00:46:26,880 normal Channel fortunately for the 1041 00:46:24,838 --> 00:46:29,818 Enclave all they had to do was survive 1042 00:46:26,880 --> 00:46:30,989 to turn their radios off but this meant 1043 00:46:29,818 --> 00:46:32,308 that they were flying into battle 1044 00:46:30,989 --> 00:46:37,759 against red-eyes forces without 1045 00:46:32,309 --> 00:46:37,759 communications the battle was engaged 1046 00:46:37,818 --> 00:46:42,558 the burning in my hoof consumed my 1047 00:46:40,199 --> 00:46:45,538 entire left hind leg before fading dolly 1048 00:46:42,559 --> 00:46:48,329 my leg felt stiff and swollen but the 1049 00:46:45,539 --> 00:46:51,269 worst seemed to be over the plant spiked 1050 00:46:48,329 --> 00:46:53,869 poison was far from lethal at least not 1051 00:46:51,268 --> 00:46:56,518 to anything larger than a rabbit perhaps 1052 00:46:53,869 --> 00:46:57,599 aside from the earlier plants attack the 1053 00:46:56,518 --> 00:46:58,669 stealth mission seemed to be going 1054 00:46:57,599 --> 00:47:01,199 perfectly 1055 00:46:58,670 --> 00:47:03,479 no pony shot at us as we drew close 1056 00:47:01,199 --> 00:47:05,039 behind the overcast all the Thunder 1057 00:47:03,478 --> 00:47:07,798 heads dangerous magical weapons were 1058 00:47:05,039 --> 00:47:09,900 pointing forward we just needed to fly 1059 00:47:07,798 --> 00:47:12,599 up to a hatch pick the lock and slip 1060 00:47:09,900 --> 00:47:14,459 inside and with calamities knowledge of 1061 00:47:12,599 --> 00:47:18,749 the Thunder heads we found a hatch in no 1062 00:47:14,458 --> 00:47:20,639 time I cursed the Enclave the pegasi and 1063 00:47:18,748 --> 00:47:26,068 the entire concept of wings the moment I 1064 00:47:20,639 --> 00:47:28,618 saw it fucking cloud locks ain't gonna 1065 00:47:26,068 --> 00:47:31,498 be able to pick this one calamity said 1066 00:47:28,619 --> 00:47:33,739 his voice muffled I wasn't sure if he 1067 00:47:31,498 --> 00:47:38,879 was talking about himself or me 1068 00:47:33,739 --> 00:47:41,179 probably both rainbow I called out as 1069 00:47:38,880 --> 00:47:45,140 loud as I dare disclose to the overcast 1070 00:47:41,179 --> 00:47:47,969 - came the muffled response 1071 00:47:45,139 --> 00:47:50,429 unlike stealth bucks the zebra cloaks 1072 00:47:47,969 --> 00:47:52,528 dampen sound it was impossible to tell 1073 00:47:50,429 --> 00:47:57,088 where Reggie was but at least she was 1074 00:47:52,528 --> 00:47:59,548 close okay backup plan calamity 1075 00:47:57,088 --> 00:48:02,909 announced just loud enough for Reggie we 1076 00:47:59,548 --> 00:48:04,650 hoped to hear we couldn't actually be 1077 00:48:02,909 --> 00:48:05,998 sure where the Griffin was and it 1078 00:48:04,650 --> 00:48:09,180 already resorted to call response 1079 00:48:05,998 --> 00:48:12,988 navigating I had begun to regret not 1080 00:48:09,179 --> 00:48:15,118 using rope to tie each other together we 1081 00:48:12,989 --> 00:48:16,318 got to get up above this thing knew one 1082 00:48:15,119 --> 00:48:19,619 of the landing bays and wait for 1083 00:48:16,318 --> 00:48:21,989 somepony to open a door with that 1084 00:48:19,619 --> 00:48:26,028 calamity beat his wings drawing us 1085 00:48:21,989 --> 00:48:29,219 higher below us the hatch hissed open 1086 00:48:26,028 --> 00:48:31,068 you coming the muffled voice of a 1087 00:48:29,219 --> 00:48:32,989 Griffin asked 1088 00:48:31,068 --> 00:48:37,538 I tried to exchange a look with calamity 1089 00:48:32,989 --> 00:48:39,559 and of course that totally failed 1090 00:48:37,539 --> 00:48:40,969 honestly the way you to act he'd think 1091 00:48:39,559 --> 00:48:45,739 little pip is the only person the entire 1092 00:48:40,969 --> 00:48:47,539 wasteland II can pick a lock we were 1093 00:48:45,739 --> 00:48:49,489 inside the corridors of the overcast the 1094 00:48:47,539 --> 00:48:52,400 throwing of its thunder clouds rumbling 1095 00:48:49,489 --> 00:48:54,079 against the hall the vibration mixed 1096 00:48:52,400 --> 00:48:55,548 with the hum of the lights the hum 1097 00:48:54,079 --> 00:48:58,519 seemed in deeper here than in the Raptor 1098 00:48:55,548 --> 00:49:01,159 pyrocumulus or inside the stables more 1099 00:48:58,518 --> 00:49:04,848 ominous but that could have just been my 1100 00:49:01,159 --> 00:49:06,440 imagination the voices of Pegasus ponies 1101 00:49:04,849 --> 00:49:09,949 were omnipresent in all but the most 1102 00:49:06,440 --> 00:49:11,958 isolated passageways the corridors were 1103 00:49:09,949 --> 00:49:15,289 painted black making lights seemed to 1104 00:49:11,958 --> 00:49:16,759 provide stunted illumination colored 1105 00:49:15,289 --> 00:49:18,979 shrikes ran down the middle of the walls 1106 00:49:16,759 --> 00:49:20,329 like an abbreviated rainbow the paint 1107 00:49:18,978 --> 00:49:22,278 reflecting the light that the rest of 1108 00:49:20,329 --> 00:49:26,420 the walls absorbed making them seem to 1109 00:49:22,278 --> 00:49:28,458 glow the colored lines weren't solid but 1110 00:49:26,420 --> 00:49:30,889 had slanted breaks and they would change 1111 00:49:28,458 --> 00:49:33,588 dropping away or being added as we moved 1112 00:49:30,889 --> 00:49:35,179 through the ship I gleaned that they 1113 00:49:33,588 --> 00:49:37,068 were some sort of color-coded guidance 1114 00:49:35,179 --> 00:49:38,328 trips that would tell an enclave Pegasus 1115 00:49:37,068 --> 00:49:39,708 if the hallway they were in would take 1116 00:49:38,329 --> 00:49:42,619 them to the section of the massive ship 1117 00:49:39,708 --> 00:49:44,808 that they wanted they were monitors 1118 00:49:42,619 --> 00:49:46,400 placed at intervals along the wall each 1119 00:49:44,809 --> 00:49:48,380 glowing with the enclave symbol an 1120 00:49:46,400 --> 00:49:50,059 emblem of the clouds and wings with a 1121 00:49:48,380 --> 00:49:53,960 pair of eyes gazing up from the shelter 1122 00:49:50,059 --> 00:49:56,660 of an arch green and purple on black 1123 00:49:53,960 --> 00:50:00,289 we moved quietly holding each other by 1124 00:49:56,659 --> 00:50:02,179 the tails calamity taking the lead my 1125 00:50:00,289 --> 00:50:03,190 hind leg made walking unpleasant and 1126 00:50:02,179 --> 00:50:05,269 difficult 1127 00:50:03,190 --> 00:50:07,099 fortunately sneaking through the bowels 1128 00:50:05,269 --> 00:50:10,909 of the overcast didn't require me to run 1129 00:50:07,099 --> 00:50:12,410 I felt awkward and uncomfortable warm 1130 00:50:10,909 --> 00:50:15,019 with Reggie Gina grim feathers biting my 1131 00:50:12,409 --> 00:50:17,719 tail I tried to focus forward and 1132 00:50:15,019 --> 00:50:19,519 immediately regretted it tasted like 1133 00:50:17,719 --> 00:50:22,598 calamity hadn't washed his tail in weeks 1134 00:50:19,519 --> 00:50:25,088 I knew that couldn't actually be true 1135 00:50:22,599 --> 00:50:29,150 velvet remedy would never stand for it 1136 00:50:25,088 --> 00:50:30,889 but that didn't change anything I fought 1137 00:50:29,150 --> 00:50:36,230 a slowly losing battle against my gag 1138 00:50:30,889 --> 00:50:38,328 reflex I survived about five minutes and 1139 00:50:36,230 --> 00:50:40,039 two floors waiting until we reached a 1140 00:50:38,329 --> 00:50:41,750 secluded stairwell before I had to spit 1141 00:50:40,039 --> 00:50:45,318 my friend's tail out and dry heave in a 1142 00:50:41,750 --> 00:50:48,230 corner I felt Regina spit out my own 1143 00:50:45,318 --> 00:50:52,460 tail snarking yeah like yours was a 1144 00:50:48,230 --> 00:50:54,318 picnic if I was beginning to understand 1145 00:50:52,460 --> 00:50:55,789 the overcast guidance scheme the 1146 00:50:54,318 --> 00:50:57,318 striping that flanked the metal stairs 1147 00:50:55,789 --> 00:50:59,058 suggested we were midway between the 1148 00:50:57,318 --> 00:51:01,039 barracks and the overcast Medical Bay 1149 00:50:59,059 --> 00:51:01,579 with a longer path towards the officer's 1150 00:51:01,039 --> 00:51:04,608 quarters 1151 00:51:01,579 --> 00:51:07,780 I would have expected such a hallway to 1152 00:51:04,608 --> 00:51:10,699 be in heavy use but it was utterly empty 1153 00:51:07,780 --> 00:51:13,548 hang on there little pip calamity 1154 00:51:10,699 --> 00:51:15,439 ordered I'll go round us up some Enclave 1155 00:51:13,548 --> 00:51:19,369 armor the barracks are on the floor 1156 00:51:15,440 --> 00:51:21,200 below opposite the rec center we had 1157 00:51:19,369 --> 00:51:22,970 skirted what calamity referred to as the 1158 00:51:21,199 --> 00:51:24,919 rec center on our way by the stairwell 1159 00:51:22,969 --> 00:51:27,919 getting a good look at through a set of 1160 00:51:24,920 --> 00:51:29,930 large observation windows it was a large 1161 00:51:27,920 --> 00:51:31,940 three-story open room filled with mares 1162 00:51:29,929 --> 00:51:33,649 and stallions exercising lifting weights 1163 00:51:31,940 --> 00:51:37,250 and even flying through obstacle hoops 1164 00:51:33,650 --> 00:51:38,900 all out of armor in uniform a third of 1165 00:51:37,250 --> 00:51:40,849 the room was at a cloud ball court and 1166 00:51:38,900 --> 00:51:42,588 there had been nearly two dozen sweaty 1167 00:51:40,849 --> 00:51:46,280 Enclave mares and stallions faced off in 1168 00:51:42,588 --> 00:51:47,808 a friendly game I had to admit watching 1169 00:51:46,280 --> 00:51:49,430 some of those mares temporarily 1170 00:51:47,809 --> 00:51:51,630 distracted me from the concentrated 1171 00:51:49,429 --> 00:51:53,698 disgusting in my mouth 1172 00:51:51,630 --> 00:51:58,289 made sense that the ponies down there 1173 00:51:53,699 --> 00:52:02,068 had suits of armor nearby but alone into 1174 00:51:58,289 --> 00:52:04,979 a barracks Reggie asked echoing my 1175 00:52:02,068 --> 00:52:07,409 concern before I had fully formed it but 1176 00:52:04,978 --> 00:52:08,939 then she added how do we just wait for 1177 00:52:07,409 --> 00:52:11,098 the next Anglais bastard to come down 1178 00:52:08,940 --> 00:52:14,389 these stairs and take him out now these 1179 00:52:11,099 --> 00:52:18,170 cages knives real quick and quiet 1180 00:52:14,389 --> 00:52:20,400 no I insisted taking her back 1181 00:52:18,170 --> 00:52:25,979 fighting the Enclave in a battle was one 1182 00:52:20,400 --> 00:52:28,219 thing but that that was murder my 1183 00:52:25,978 --> 00:52:30,048 brother needs to be put down yes 1184 00:52:28,219 --> 00:52:33,208 Calamity said sternly 1185 00:52:30,048 --> 00:52:34,170 but most of these ponies ain't evil they 1186 00:52:33,208 --> 00:52:36,509 just following orders 1187 00:52:34,170 --> 00:52:40,229 we ain't killing anypony we don't have 1188 00:52:36,509 --> 00:52:44,369 to none of these ponies are innocent 1189 00:52:40,228 --> 00:52:47,968 Reggie hissed some of these ponies might 1190 00:52:44,369 --> 00:52:49,619 be calamity countered I don't recall the 1191 00:52:47,969 --> 00:52:51,739 overcast getting directly involved in 1192 00:52:49,619 --> 00:52:55,680 the fight in any way yet 1193 00:52:51,739 --> 00:53:00,059 that's not how we do things I added only 1194 00:52:55,679 --> 00:53:03,208 for Reggie to scoff oh please Reggie 1195 00:53:00,059 --> 00:53:05,430 repudiated I'm a child of God remember I 1196 00:53:03,208 --> 00:53:07,558 know all about what you did it shattered 1197 00:53:05,429 --> 00:53:11,819 hoof you're an assassin when it suits 1198 00:53:07,559 --> 00:53:14,250 your cause I flinched 1199 00:53:11,820 --> 00:53:17,210 I really really didn't want to think of 1200 00:53:14,250 --> 00:53:19,469 myself that way but Regina was right and 1201 00:53:17,210 --> 00:53:22,190 I deserved the sucker punch to my 1202 00:53:19,469 --> 00:53:25,259 self-image to knock me off my pedestal 1203 00:53:22,190 --> 00:53:29,130 still mentally smarting I changed tactic 1204 00:53:25,260 --> 00:53:31,200 okay fine you're right but so is 1205 00:53:29,130 --> 00:53:32,940 calamity we've already seen crew 1206 00:53:31,199 --> 00:53:34,859 rebellions there's a chance that many of 1207 00:53:32,940 --> 00:53:38,490 these ponies would side with us giving 1208 00:53:34,860 --> 00:53:40,019 half a chance in a touch perspective but 1209 00:53:38,489 --> 00:53:43,309 they sure as hell won't if you start 1210 00:53:40,019 --> 00:53:46,949 slitting their throats in the stairwell 1211 00:53:43,309 --> 00:53:47,460 Reggie seemed to accept this she fell 1212 00:53:46,949 --> 00:53:51,899 silent 1213 00:53:47,460 --> 00:53:53,460 I moved amongst a few Enclave crates 1214 00:53:51,900 --> 00:53:57,300 stored beneath the stairwell and laid 1215 00:53:53,460 --> 00:54:00,199 down beginning to drift asleep Calamity 1216 00:53:57,300 --> 00:54:02,820 I assumed moved off to fetch the armor I 1217 00:54:00,199 --> 00:54:06,509 couldn't really tell but it was a safe 1218 00:54:02,820 --> 00:54:07,830 assumption but either way he and Regina 1219 00:54:06,510 --> 00:54:09,890 weren't arguing or bringing up 1220 00:54:07,829 --> 00:54:16,769 unpleasant points of morality anymore 1221 00:54:09,889 --> 00:54:18,509 peace and quiet time for a nap wait too 1222 00:54:16,769 --> 00:54:24,230 quiet 1223 00:54:18,510 --> 00:54:24,230 rainbow I whispered - 1224 00:54:26,969 --> 00:54:31,500 I woke up when calamity returned with 1225 00:54:29,010 --> 00:54:36,270 the Enclave armor and if I were to guess 1226 00:54:31,500 --> 00:54:38,579 most of the medical Bay went smoothly 1227 00:54:36,269 --> 00:54:41,670 he said slipping off the zebra stealth 1228 00:54:38,579 --> 00:54:43,190 cloak and passing it to me I reached out 1229 00:54:41,670 --> 00:54:45,780 for it and realized I could see my arm 1230 00:54:43,190 --> 00:54:49,769 the MG stealth luck too had drained 1231 00:54:45,780 --> 00:54:51,660 while I slept fortunately no Pony or at 1232 00:54:49,769 --> 00:54:56,159 least no pony observant had used the 1233 00:54:51,659 --> 00:54:59,549 stairwell since then wait how long was I 1234 00:54:56,159 --> 00:55:03,599 out long enough room to make a few trips 1235 00:54:59,550 --> 00:55:05,870 regi teas from someplace nearby figured 1236 00:55:03,599 --> 00:55:09,110 we oughta let you get some sleep 1237 00:55:05,869 --> 00:55:10,889 regi shifted her attention to calamity 1238 00:55:09,110 --> 00:55:12,510 don't you think your brother's gonna 1239 00:55:10,889 --> 00:55:16,589 notice one half of his damn ship is 1240 00:55:12,510 --> 00:55:18,740 missing I would have swarmed one of the 1241 00:55:16,590 --> 00:55:21,600 goddesses had a love of ironic timing 1242 00:55:18,739 --> 00:55:23,779 before calamity could answer we heard a 1243 00:55:21,599 --> 00:55:26,519 door open several floors above us 1244 00:55:23,780 --> 00:55:28,080 music flooded into the stairwell hidden 1245 00:55:26,519 --> 00:55:30,150 speakers coming alive at their entrance 1246 00:55:28,079 --> 00:55:31,710 pouring haunting orchestral music with 1247 00:55:30,150 --> 00:55:35,970 an exquisite cello performance at its 1248 00:55:31,710 --> 00:55:40,920 centerpiece oh hell calamity moaned 1249 00:55:35,969 --> 00:55:44,159 softly it's autumn at my querying look 1250 00:55:40,920 --> 00:55:46,110 he explained who else would have the 1251 00:55:44,159 --> 00:55:48,960 whole ship rigged to pop classical music 1252 00:55:46,110 --> 00:55:50,690 wherever he goes I noticed that he 1253 00:55:48,960 --> 00:55:53,039 positioned himself Wingspread 1254 00:55:50,690 --> 00:55:55,710 so that he could feel afraid he tried to 1255 00:55:53,039 --> 00:55:57,690 pass him I wasn't sure if he was 1256 00:55:55,710 --> 00:56:01,139 intending to stop the Griffon or just 1257 00:55:57,690 --> 00:56:04,740 wanted forewarning the voices echoed 1258 00:56:01,139 --> 00:56:07,559 down the stairwell again sir my deepest 1259 00:56:04,739 --> 00:56:09,389 apologies the mayor said almost whining 1260 00:56:07,559 --> 00:56:13,739 I still can't understand how that 1261 00:56:09,389 --> 00:56:17,299 monster got past us teleportation no 1262 00:56:13,739 --> 00:56:19,679 doubt autumn leaf replied his tone hard 1263 00:56:17,300 --> 00:56:21,000 two of those beasts that tried to reach 1264 00:56:19,679 --> 00:56:24,149 Navarro a few years back were 1265 00:56:21,000 --> 00:56:28,469 teleporters he added that little spell 1266 00:56:24,150 --> 00:56:31,550 proved no help to either of them sir you 1267 00:56:28,469 --> 00:56:34,409 know this is a trap a mare's was saying 1268 00:56:31,550 --> 00:56:38,269 of course it's a trap 1269 00:56:34,409 --> 00:56:40,920 a Styron's voice replied smooth as glass 1270 00:56:38,269 --> 00:56:44,070 unlike calamities other brothers there 1271 00:56:40,920 --> 00:56:46,800 was no trace of his family's accent red 1272 00:56:44,070 --> 00:56:49,950 eye is calling me out there is simply no 1273 00:56:46,800 --> 00:56:52,890 other explanation for that autumn Lee's 1274 00:56:49,949 --> 00:56:58,199 voice twisted into a snarl mental 1275 00:56:52,889 --> 00:56:59,759 violation my head was spinning unless I 1276 00:56:58,199 --> 00:57:00,329 had gravely misinterpreted what I was 1277 00:56:59,760 --> 00:57:02,250 hearing 1278 00:57:00,329 --> 00:57:04,170 I hadn't been the only one that red-eyes 1279 00:57:02,250 --> 00:57:07,710 alicorns had tested with that vile 1280 00:57:04,170 --> 00:57:10,980 mental rape autumn leaf sternly 1281 00:57:07,710 --> 00:57:13,030 announced I do not intend to disappoint 1282 00:57:10,980 --> 00:57:15,380 him 1283 00:57:13,030 --> 00:57:19,099 I'm now understood what had pushed 1284 00:57:15,380 --> 00:57:21,559 autumn leaf to jump the whistle sir 1285 00:57:19,099 --> 00:57:24,920 the mayor pleaded their voice is drawing 1286 00:57:21,559 --> 00:57:26,809 closer with all due respect I believe 1287 00:57:24,920 --> 00:57:30,680 will be a grave error for you to enter 1288 00:57:26,809 --> 00:57:33,829 the battle yourself like this I don't 1289 00:57:30,679 --> 00:57:35,779 doubt it respond to the Pegasus who had 1290 00:57:33,829 --> 00:57:38,409 brought so much harm and devastation and 1291 00:57:35,780 --> 00:57:40,790 suffering to the equestrian wasteland 1292 00:57:38,409 --> 00:57:44,230 but there are some transgressions that 1293 00:57:40,789 --> 00:57:48,289 absolutely require personal reckoning I 1294 00:57:44,230 --> 00:57:52,010 heard another door open above us if I 1295 00:57:48,289 --> 00:57:55,570 die colonel autumn leaf instructed or if 1296 00:57:52,010 --> 00:57:58,099 I am taken hostage you have your orders 1297 00:57:55,570 --> 00:58:00,970 his voice were seated as the two ponies 1298 00:57:58,099 --> 00:58:04,039 walked away I barely caught him ad 1299 00:58:00,969 --> 00:58:08,989 besides redeye is not going to see this 1300 00:58:04,039 --> 00:58:11,269 coming the door slid shut when it closed 1301 00:58:08,989 --> 00:58:13,309 the virtual classical orchestra 1302 00:58:11,269 --> 00:58:18,050 evaporated plunging the stairwell into 1303 00:58:13,309 --> 00:58:19,710 an oppressive silence rainbow I asked 1304 00:58:18,050 --> 00:58:23,030 cautiously 1305 00:58:19,710 --> 00:58:23,030 there was no dash 1306 00:58:25,460 --> 00:58:29,000 I listen to my ear bloom as I drank 1307 00:58:27,409 --> 00:58:31,098 another of the healing potions calamity 1308 00:58:29,000 --> 00:58:34,400 had pilfered blinking away blood-tinged 1309 00:58:31,099 --> 00:58:38,059 tears my headache and Hornick receded 1310 00:58:34,400 --> 00:58:39,619 then disappeared completely at least we 1311 00:58:38,059 --> 00:58:42,588 were going into this magically restored 1312 00:58:39,619 --> 00:58:45,010 to complete health even the swelling my 1313 00:58:42,588 --> 00:58:47,299 leg was almost completely gone 1314 00:58:45,010 --> 00:58:48,589 Canterlot static from the lapped rollin 1315 00:58:47,300 --> 00:58:52,280 ticular was still flooding The Enclave 1316 00:58:48,588 --> 00:58:53,989 injure warship channel the fact that the 1317 00:58:52,280 --> 00:58:56,359 lenticular had managed neither shut down 1318 00:58:53,989 --> 00:58:57,979 its Komori nor get far enough away for 1319 00:58:56,358 --> 00:58:59,838 the overcast to be outside its range 1320 00:58:57,980 --> 00:59:01,429 suggested that the Enclave aboard had 1321 00:58:59,838 --> 00:59:04,699 not been successful in dealing with the 1322 00:59:01,429 --> 00:59:06,319 demon I was willing to bet that at least 1323 00:59:04,699 --> 00:59:08,750 one of the other Raptors was trying to 1324 00:59:06,320 --> 00:59:10,910 hunt the lenticular down but without 1325 00:59:08,750 --> 00:59:13,760 communications there was no easy way for 1326 00:59:10,909 --> 00:59:15,529 them to coordinate efforts I pictured 1327 00:59:13,760 --> 00:59:19,640 Enclave soldiers flying between ships 1328 00:59:15,530 --> 00:59:21,589 relaying messages I'd switched away from 1329 00:59:19,639 --> 00:59:23,059 the channel as soon as I had heard but 1330 00:59:21,588 --> 00:59:25,088 to concentrate a blast of Canterlot 1331 00:59:23,059 --> 00:59:27,559 static had still taken its toll 1332 00:59:25,088 --> 00:59:30,079 now I was switching through the other 1333 00:59:27,559 --> 00:59:32,150 transmissions the enclaves hellhound 1334 00:59:30,079 --> 00:59:34,969 control broadcast the interest ship 1335 00:59:32,150 --> 00:59:38,210 classical music station all cello all 1336 00:59:34,969 --> 00:59:40,579 the time red eyes broadcast straight 1337 00:59:38,210 --> 00:59:43,670 from the Cathedral sans towers and thus 1338 00:59:40,579 --> 00:59:46,000 free of the enclave takeover and finally 1339 00:59:43,670 --> 00:59:51,800 the normal wasteland broadcast all 1340 00:59:46,000 --> 00:59:54,800 enclave almost all the time still a no 1341 00:59:51,800 --> 00:59:57,160 sign or sound of Reggie it had been 15 1342 00:59:54,800 --> 00:59:57,160 minutes 1343 00:59:57,239 --> 01:00:03,109 I got a few ice-cold Sparkle colas in 1344 00:59:59,969 --> 01:00:05,489 the rucksack over there Calamity pointed 1345 01:00:03,110 --> 01:00:08,369 that's almost as good as a couple hours 1346 01:00:05,489 --> 01:00:10,618 of sleep I reckon he turned to the 1347 01:00:08,369 --> 01:00:14,550 Enclave crates under the stairs opening 1348 01:00:10,619 --> 01:00:19,230 the first unlocked one woo-hoo-hoo he 1349 01:00:14,550 --> 01:00:21,240 whistled grenades I began to dig through 1350 01:00:19,230 --> 01:00:22,949 the second question as the dour tones of 1351 01:00:21,239 --> 01:00:26,609 fancy horns and kettle drums played in 1352 01:00:22,949 --> 01:00:29,118 my ears you really need a pit buck I 1353 01:00:26,610 --> 01:00:32,250 whispered to calamity with a chuckle in 1354 01:00:29,119 --> 01:00:33,840 his kleptomaniac enthusiasm he had 1355 01:00:32,250 --> 01:00:35,760 dumped the contents of who knew how many 1356 01:00:33,840 --> 01:00:37,860 medical boxes in Enclave crates into his 1357 01:00:35,760 --> 01:00:40,830 saddlebags and even more into his 1358 01:00:37,860 --> 01:00:44,700 military ruck sacks if only for the 1359 01:00:40,829 --> 01:00:47,340 inventory sorter the song on the radio 1360 01:00:44,699 --> 01:00:50,868 changed the new one was heavy on the 1361 01:00:47,340 --> 01:00:53,940 string section oh shoot 1362 01:00:50,869 --> 01:00:56,820 calamity said face hoping his armor-clad 1363 01:00:53,940 --> 01:01:00,720 hoof against helmet with a thunk the 1364 01:00:56,820 --> 01:01:02,070 aawaz got one of those clearly it had 1365 01:01:00,719 --> 01:01:04,858 been a while since he'd properly used 1366 01:01:02,070 --> 01:01:06,720 Enclave armor a few times I'd seen him 1367 01:01:04,858 --> 01:01:08,880 use his own suit with the exception of a 1368 01:01:06,719 --> 01:01:13,139 brief stint in old ohne he'd always had 1369 01:01:08,880 --> 01:01:14,608 the helmet off i smirked about to say 1370 01:01:13,139 --> 01:01:17,819 something witty when I found the 1371 01:01:14,608 --> 01:01:21,389 ice-cold sparkle-cola and decided a 1372 01:01:17,820 --> 01:01:25,150 couple tins of mint alles I stared 1373 01:01:21,389 --> 01:01:29,230 feeling a moment of cold shock 1374 01:01:25,150 --> 01:01:31,670 calamity I asked trying to sound casual 1375 01:01:29,230 --> 01:01:36,769 did you even look at the stuff you were 1376 01:01:31,670 --> 01:01:39,440 taking nope he said I can almost feel 1377 01:01:36,769 --> 01:01:42,650 his grin through the helmet he had no 1378 01:01:39,440 --> 01:01:48,679 idea what I just seen reckon if autumn 1379 01:01:42,650 --> 01:01:51,200 wants it best I have it right I looked 1380 01:01:48,679 --> 01:01:52,669 back into the rucksack my mind insisting 1381 01:01:51,199 --> 01:01:54,889 on replaying the taste of party time 1382 01:01:52,670 --> 01:01:59,119 entails the feelings of competence and 1383 01:01:54,889 --> 01:02:00,889 intelligence the certainty I took the 1384 01:01:59,119 --> 01:02:02,929 ice-cold sparkle-cola in my teeth and 1385 01:02:00,889 --> 01:02:06,039 telekinetically zipped the rucksack shut 1386 01:02:02,929 --> 01:02:10,669 the little pony my head echoing calamity 1387 01:02:06,039 --> 01:02:12,170 nope I got to mentally celebrate my 1388 01:02:10,670 --> 01:02:15,619 little victory for about a minute before 1389 01:02:12,170 --> 01:02:17,809 I heard a door open below us a pair of 1390 01:02:15,619 --> 01:02:22,039 lightly armed enclave officers strode by 1391 01:02:17,809 --> 01:02:23,869 trotting up the stairs calamity whisked 1392 01:02:22,039 --> 01:02:26,239 his scorpion like armored tail around in 1393 01:02:23,869 --> 01:02:26,869 a salute one of the officers saluted 1394 01:02:26,239 --> 01:02:29,989 back 1395 01:02:26,869 --> 01:02:31,849 I watched them disappear up the metal 1396 01:02:29,989 --> 01:02:33,139 stairs following the line that led 1397 01:02:31,849 --> 01:02:35,719 towards the officer's quarters without 1398 01:02:33,139 --> 01:02:37,789 even noticing it once they were well 1399 01:02:35,719 --> 01:02:41,599 away I shifted my attention back to 1400 01:02:37,789 --> 01:02:43,449 calamity got a question for you I said 1401 01:02:41,599 --> 01:02:45,829 as I opened the frosty sparkle-cola 1402 01:02:43,449 --> 01:02:49,669 enjoying the little fizzy hiss it made 1403 01:02:45,829 --> 01:02:50,179 and the aroma of carrots and : s go 1404 01:02:49,670 --> 01:02:52,700 ahead 1405 01:02:50,179 --> 01:02:55,579 he said alleviating another crate of its 1406 01:02:52,699 --> 01:02:57,109 cargo which in this case included some 1407 01:02:55,579 --> 01:03:00,559 ponies wing bone or magazine collection 1408 01:02:57,110 --> 01:03:02,480 three hot plates 17 pre-war bits and a 1409 01:03:00,559 --> 01:03:05,579 copy of the pre-war book give peas a 1410 01:03:02,480 --> 01:03:10,500 chance the vegetarians guide to cooking 1411 01:03:05,579 --> 01:03:12,809 shoot remembering Reggie snide remark 1412 01:03:10,500 --> 01:03:14,400 about carrying healing potions I started 1413 01:03:12,809 --> 01:03:17,239 to telekinetically fill my saddlebags 1414 01:03:14,400 --> 01:03:19,680 with a healthy supply from the rucksack 1415 01:03:17,239 --> 01:03:22,250 what kinds of defenses does The Enclave 1416 01:03:19,679 --> 01:03:24,539 have around the SPP central hub I 1417 01:03:22,250 --> 01:03:26,969 questioned before tipping back the cola 1418 01:03:24,539 --> 01:03:30,750 and taking a swig yay 1419 01:03:26,969 --> 01:03:32,969 carrots I knew that the hub itself had 1420 01:03:30,750 --> 01:03:34,760 defenses the most significant being the 1421 01:03:32,969 --> 01:03:37,109 shield surrounding the entire structure 1422 01:03:34,760 --> 01:03:40,200 but those were not under the enclaves 1423 01:03:37,110 --> 01:03:41,579 control the single Pegasus project was 1424 01:03:40,199 --> 01:03:43,980 the core of the enclaves grip on the 1425 01:03:41,579 --> 01:03:46,110 heavens even if no pony could get inside 1426 01:03:43,980 --> 01:03:47,969 the central hub I had to assume the 1427 01:03:46,110 --> 01:03:51,800 Enclave had guards or at least some kind 1428 01:03:47,969 --> 01:03:55,529 of warning system you mean in Navarro 1429 01:03:51,800 --> 01:03:57,750 clam he asked I almost choked on the 1430 01:03:55,530 --> 01:04:00,440 taste of fizzy carrots the healing 1431 01:03:57,750 --> 01:04:01,590 potion I'd been levitating hit the floor 1432 01:04:00,440 --> 01:04:04,740 Navarro 1433 01:04:01,590 --> 01:04:08,250 I asked back slowly setting the Cola 1434 01:04:04,739 --> 01:04:12,919 safely in one of the Enclave crates son 1435 01:04:08,250 --> 01:04:16,039 of a clammy knickers giving a stomp 1436 01:04:12,920 --> 01:04:18,528 that's your plan huh he asked spreading 1437 01:04:16,039 --> 01:04:23,799 his wings you'll want to take on the 1438 01:04:18,528 --> 01:04:26,298 enclaves biggest military base oh fuck 1439 01:04:23,798 --> 01:04:31,309 the base with a Thunderhead permanently 1440 01:04:26,298 --> 01:04:32,900 parked overhead fuckity fuck the base 1441 01:04:31,309 --> 01:04:37,339 where my father serves as a drill 1442 01:04:32,900 --> 01:04:39,829 sergeant while luna shoved my come full 1443 01:04:37,338 --> 01:04:42,759 moon rocks and call me home the enclave 1444 01:04:39,829 --> 01:04:45,798 have built a whole damn base around it 1445 01:04:42,759 --> 01:04:48,009 stealth mission he asked his voice 1446 01:04:45,798 --> 01:04:50,239 betraying the ludicrousness of my idea 1447 01:04:48,009 --> 01:04:54,108 or were you just planning on a full 1448 01:04:50,239 --> 01:04:57,639 frontal assault I opened my muzzle to 1449 01:04:54,108 --> 01:05:03,338 reply but all that came out was a squeak 1450 01:04:57,639 --> 01:05:06,199 huh yep this is gonna be barrels of fun 1451 01:05:03,338 --> 01:05:07,699 he would have said more but the sound of 1452 01:05:06,199 --> 01:05:10,989 another door opening prompted him to 1453 01:05:07,699 --> 01:05:13,219 clam up we both waited listening 1454 01:05:10,989 --> 01:05:14,659 striving to hear whether or not the pony 1455 01:05:13,219 --> 01:05:17,328 or ponies who had just entered the 1456 01:05:14,659 --> 01:05:21,379 stairwell were headed our way our ears 1457 01:05:17,329 --> 01:05:26,240 were greeted with silence moments later 1458 01:05:21,380 --> 01:05:29,510 we heard Reggie's muffled hiss - 1459 01:05:26,239 --> 01:05:33,038 calamities wingless drooped my brother 1460 01:05:29,510 --> 01:05:36,670 he asked hesitating to speak further 1461 01:05:33,039 --> 01:05:41,599 still alive I'm afraid regi admitted 1462 01:05:36,670 --> 01:05:44,180 sorry I got distracted distracted 1463 01:05:41,599 --> 01:05:47,359 I found they've got prisoners here 1464 01:05:44,179 --> 01:05:51,368 Reggie explained and he pony up to 1465 01:05:47,358 --> 01:05:54,880 breaking him free Calamity chuckled 1466 01:05:51,369 --> 01:05:54,880 welcome to the team 1467 01:05:57,380 --> 01:06:02,789 one Pegasus and Enclave armor on a ship 1468 01:06:00,599 --> 01:06:04,799 full of Enclave pegasi flanked by two 1469 01:06:02,789 --> 01:06:08,190 invisible and virtually inaudible 1470 01:06:04,800 --> 01:06:11,880 companions if we can pull this off we 1471 01:06:08,190 --> 01:06:14,099 didn't deserve to win The Enclave music 1472 01:06:11,880 --> 01:06:18,260 in my ear Bloom had changed again this 1473 01:06:14,099 --> 01:06:20,579 one sounded like a dirge howdy partner 1474 01:06:18,260 --> 01:06:22,230 calamity called out jovially as he 1475 01:06:20,579 --> 01:06:23,340 trotted up to a mare the guard stationed 1476 01:06:22,230 --> 01:06:29,730 outside the ship's Brig 1477 01:06:23,340 --> 01:06:32,789 I so wanted the face of Baudette however 1478 01:06:29,730 --> 01:06:37,369 and identify the guard Pegasus ordered 1479 01:06:32,789 --> 01:06:39,420 wrote lee hwon jie clam delight swiftly 1480 01:06:37,369 --> 01:06:41,579 superior communications officer 1481 01:06:39,420 --> 01:06:46,950 transferred from the glorious dawn last 1482 01:06:41,579 --> 01:06:48,599 week that was a dangerous gamble if the 1483 01:06:46,949 --> 01:06:50,730 mayor knew about the Colonel's family 1484 01:06:48,599 --> 01:06:53,029 using his brother's name and rank would 1485 01:06:50,730 --> 01:06:55,769 give his story a sense of legitimacy 1486 01:06:53,030 --> 01:06:57,150 after all it was understandable at 1487 01:06:55,769 --> 01:06:58,800 colonel autumn leaf might want his 1488 01:06:57,150 --> 01:07:01,440 brothers on his ship for this operation 1489 01:06:58,800 --> 01:07:05,310 and calamities accent lent credence to 1490 01:07:01,440 --> 01:07:07,320 the claim but would she buy a superior 1491 01:07:05,309 --> 01:07:10,279 communications officer wearing Enclave 1492 01:07:07,320 --> 01:07:12,809 armor rather than an officer's uniform I 1493 01:07:10,280 --> 01:07:15,810 had to trust Calamity's instincts an 1494 01:07:12,809 --> 01:07:17,549 enclave experienced on that however if 1495 01:07:15,809 --> 01:07:19,679 she knew what Otto Lee's brother looked 1496 01:07:17,550 --> 01:07:20,850 like then not only would any glimpse 1497 01:07:19,679 --> 01:07:22,858 beneath that armor tell her that 1498 01:07:20,849 --> 01:07:24,480 calamity was lying but she would know 1499 01:07:22,858 --> 01:07:26,789 his palate matched one of autumns other 1500 01:07:24,480 --> 01:07:29,309 brothers the one who was branded a 1501 01:07:26,789 --> 01:07:31,630 traitor the one that the Enclave was to 1502 01:07:29,309 --> 01:07:33,860 kill on sight 1503 01:07:31,630 --> 01:07:35,420 calamities aru's could put the mayor in 1504 01:07:33,860 --> 01:07:39,500 the perfect frame of mind to guess his 1505 01:07:35,420 --> 01:07:42,409 actual identity superior communications 1506 01:07:39,500 --> 01:07:45,530 officer huh the mayor asked immediately 1507 01:07:42,409 --> 01:07:46,969 rendering my worries pointless so maybe 1508 01:07:45,530 --> 01:07:50,300 you can tell me what the hey is going on 1509 01:07:46,969 --> 01:07:53,629 with raptor lenticular she gave clammed 1510 01:07:50,300 --> 01:07:55,760 me an exasperated look I mean we got the 1511 01:07:53,630 --> 01:07:57,110 ship's tag right and even if the 1512 01:07:55,760 --> 01:07:58,790 infiltrators managed to take it out 1513 01:07:57,110 --> 01:08:01,070 we've got the tags for everypony in a 1514 01:07:58,789 --> 01:08:02,659 suit of armor on board why don't we just 1515 01:08:01,070 --> 01:08:06,140 find the damn Raptor and blow it out of 1516 01:08:02,659 --> 01:08:08,960 the sky because we got Raptors to spare 1517 01:08:06,139 --> 01:08:11,299 right calamity chided as he trotted up 1518 01:08:08,960 --> 01:08:13,490 to the mayor the ship ain't turned 1519 01:08:11,300 --> 01:08:14,930 around to attack us yet and I reckon 1520 01:08:13,489 --> 01:08:17,179 that means there's still hope our forces 1521 01:08:14,929 --> 01:08:20,210 will keep it under control as for 1522 01:08:17,180 --> 01:08:21,680 tracking it down my bits are on the 1523 01:08:20,210 --> 01:08:25,338 infiltrators not actually having the 1524 01:08:21,680 --> 01:08:26,600 channel for our communications the 1525 01:08:25,338 --> 01:08:29,659 control for the door had a cloud 1526 01:08:26,600 --> 01:08:31,940 interface and required a code Reggie and 1527 01:08:29,659 --> 01:08:33,739 I had teamed up to Hackett her towns and 1528 01:08:31,939 --> 01:08:37,669 my savvy while calamity kept the guard 1529 01:08:33,739 --> 01:08:40,338 mare busy he shook his carapace helmeted 1530 01:08:37,670 --> 01:08:42,409 head nope 1531 01:08:40,338 --> 01:08:44,869 much more likely they're blasting that 1532 01:08:42,409 --> 01:08:46,210 necro noise broadband flooding out every 1533 01:08:44,869 --> 01:08:50,509 signal coming from the lenticular 1534 01:08:46,210 --> 01:08:52,250 jaymund the tags calamity whinnied hail 1535 01:08:50,509 --> 01:08:56,149 that might be the whole point and screw 1536 01:08:52,250 --> 01:08:57,710 no comms just icing on the cupcake the 1537 01:08:56,149 --> 01:09:00,798 password was fluffykins 1538 01:08:57,710 --> 01:09:02,908 i wasn't quite sure what to think about 1539 01:09:00,798 --> 01:09:07,319 that 1540 01:09:02,908 --> 01:09:09,750 so is the demon really well a demon but 1541 01:09:07,319 --> 01:09:10,980 mayor asked i heard rumor that it's a 1542 01:09:09,750 --> 01:09:14,399 monster released from hell by the 1543 01:09:10,979 --> 01:09:17,939 balefire bombs i don't believe in no 1544 01:09:14,399 --> 01:09:20,579 demons calamity replied no more than i 1545 01:09:17,939 --> 01:09:22,169 believe in goddesses way i see we don't 1546 01:09:20,579 --> 01:09:24,600 need outside forces to blame for making 1547 01:09:22,170 --> 01:09:27,560 the world a shittier place we do that 1548 01:09:24,600 --> 01:09:29,850 well enough by our own hooves I 1549 01:09:27,560 --> 01:09:31,798 positioned myself behind the mayor and 1550 01:09:29,850 --> 01:09:34,529 slipped off my hood giving calamity a 1551 01:09:31,798 --> 01:09:37,319 signal Reggie entered the code while 1552 01:09:34,529 --> 01:09:39,120 calamity kept the guards attention there 1553 01:09:37,319 --> 01:09:41,069 was the faintest whereas the lock cycled 1554 01:09:39,119 --> 01:09:43,048 it our Pegasus friend moved up to the 1555 01:09:41,069 --> 01:09:43,909 mayor speaking more loudly to cover the 1556 01:09:43,048 --> 01:09:46,469 sound 1557 01:09:43,908 --> 01:09:48,719 I'm sure this so-called demon ain't 1558 01:09:46,469 --> 01:09:50,189 nothin more than a pony he said in a 1559 01:09:48,719 --> 01:09:52,439 tone that suggested what he was saying 1560 01:09:50,189 --> 01:09:54,359 was more than just his opinion it was 1561 01:09:52,439 --> 01:09:57,299 the Enclave line and the mayor was 1562 01:09:54,359 --> 01:09:59,250 expected to believe it or just some 1563 01:09:57,300 --> 01:10:03,150 monster twisted up by the byproducts of 1564 01:09:59,250 --> 01:10:06,750 the war Reggie and I slid inside the 1565 01:10:03,149 --> 01:10:09,420 Brig before us was a corridor of cells 1566 01:10:06,750 --> 01:10:11,460 two floors high each cell behind a 1567 01:10:09,420 --> 01:10:13,319 glowing blue force field identical to 1568 01:10:11,460 --> 01:10:15,000 the magical energy cages the Enclave had 1569 01:10:13,319 --> 01:10:17,939 thrown ditsy do calamity and me into 1570 01:10:15,000 --> 01:10:21,210 less than a week ago the sound of 1571 01:10:17,939 --> 01:10:24,988 weeping drifted through the air most of 1572 01:10:21,210 --> 01:10:28,109 the cells were empty most there were 1573 01:10:24,988 --> 01:10:31,289 ponies here not just bucks and mares but 1574 01:10:28,109 --> 01:10:34,309 foals too some prisoners paste in their 1575 01:10:31,289 --> 01:10:36,479 cells others huddled on hard metal cots 1576 01:10:34,310 --> 01:10:38,460 they were from the wasteland 1577 01:10:36,479 --> 01:10:40,609 they looked filthy compared to the stark 1578 01:10:38,460 --> 01:10:42,539 cleanliness of the Enclave vessel I 1579 01:10:40,609 --> 01:10:45,599 recoiled as I found the source of the 1580 01:10:42,539 --> 01:10:47,279 crying a mare cradling a foal the Colts 1581 01:10:45,600 --> 01:10:50,730 body limp in her hose having died in 1582 01:10:47,279 --> 01:10:53,460 captivity there were two guards inside 1583 01:10:50,729 --> 01:10:56,939 standing at a rear airlock and they both 1584 01:10:53,460 --> 01:10:59,340 reacted to the door thought I heard 1585 01:10:56,939 --> 01:11:01,719 something one of them said as they moved 1586 01:10:59,340 --> 01:11:04,449 from their positions looking about 1587 01:11:01,720 --> 01:11:07,180 I shifted moving out of the way as one 1588 01:11:04,449 --> 01:11:10,059 passed me his tail swishing inches from 1589 01:11:07,180 --> 01:11:11,409 me part of me wanted to draw little 1590 01:11:10,060 --> 01:11:15,789 McIntosh and shoot him in the head 1591 01:11:11,409 --> 01:11:17,380 point-blank he deserved no less but the 1592 01:11:15,789 --> 01:11:20,380 noise could draw the whole ship down on 1593 01:11:17,380 --> 01:11:22,630 us I wished I had velvet remedy with her 1594 01:11:20,380 --> 01:11:25,150 anesthetic spell with us or life bloom 1595 01:11:22,630 --> 01:11:28,300 or even Zenith with her paralyzing hoof 1596 01:11:25,149 --> 01:11:32,109 strikes in their absence I did the next 1597 01:11:28,300 --> 01:11:34,060 best thing my horn glowed giving away my 1598 01:11:32,109 --> 01:11:35,589 position as I wrapped my telekinesis 1599 01:11:34,060 --> 01:11:37,590 around their necks and squeezed until 1600 01:11:35,590 --> 01:11:40,180 they stopped struggling 1601 01:11:37,590 --> 01:11:42,310 Reggie pulled back her hood and gave one 1602 01:11:40,180 --> 01:11:45,850 of the limp guards a kick help me 1603 01:11:42,310 --> 01:11:47,860 disable his energy fields I pulled mine 1604 01:11:45,850 --> 01:11:49,329 off to choosing to have faith that we 1605 01:11:47,859 --> 01:11:51,670 could trust the prisoners not to give us 1606 01:11:49,329 --> 01:11:55,269 away and move to the control terminal 1607 01:11:51,670 --> 01:11:58,029 for the cells as we began to work I 1608 01:11:55,270 --> 01:12:00,490 couldn't help but comment if it makes 1609 01:11:58,029 --> 01:12:01,929 any difference I'm proud of you you 1610 01:12:00,489 --> 01:12:03,750 chose to help those ponies over your 1611 01:12:01,930 --> 01:12:07,210 revenge 1612 01:12:03,750 --> 01:12:09,850 Regina grim father squawked a laugh and 1613 01:12:07,210 --> 01:12:14,489 your approval I'm aiming for but thanks 1614 01:12:09,850 --> 01:12:18,370 anywho at my curious look she sighed 1615 01:12:14,489 --> 01:12:20,710 cages wherever my brother is now I want 1616 01:12:18,369 --> 01:12:22,630 his approval and this is what I think 1617 01:12:20,710 --> 01:12:25,170 he'd want me to do what I think he'd do 1618 01:12:22,630 --> 01:12:25,170 in my place 1619 01:12:25,250 --> 01:12:29,909 my mind flashed to the young male 1620 01:12:27,630 --> 01:12:31,590 Gryphon buying a bent tin can from 1621 01:12:29,909 --> 01:12:37,380 silver Bell just to make her happy 1622 01:12:31,590 --> 01:12:39,960 I think you're right I offered I mean I 1623 01:12:37,380 --> 01:12:43,609 know I didn't know long but from what I 1624 01:12:39,960 --> 01:12:47,069 did see of him yeah he would 1625 01:12:43,609 --> 01:12:49,079 Reggie nodded revenge ain't worth 1626 01:12:47,069 --> 01:12:53,460 nothing if I dishonor his memory in the 1627 01:12:49,079 --> 01:12:56,550 process she looked at me a small tear in 1628 01:12:53,460 --> 01:13:00,119 one eye he was always one to do stuff 1629 01:12:56,550 --> 01:13:03,150 like this you know me - of course she 1630 01:13:00,119 --> 01:13:05,488 hastily added but I wanted to be the 1631 01:13:03,149 --> 01:13:07,849 hero he just wanted to make something 1632 01:13:05,488 --> 01:13:12,299 better the Griffins role in Equestria 1633 01:13:07,850 --> 01:13:13,949 she smiled Bleakley sometimes I think he 1634 01:13:12,300 --> 01:13:15,570 took Stern in her lot as a personal 1635 01:13:13,948 --> 01:13:20,669 affront and wanted to try to balance 1636 01:13:15,569 --> 01:13:23,519 things out you one of the prisoners call 1637 01:13:20,670 --> 01:13:26,369 out I rotated towards the voice and saw 1638 01:13:23,520 --> 01:13:27,630 a tracker the Jade Pegasus slammed his 1639 01:13:26,369 --> 01:13:30,809 forehooves against the energy field 1640 01:13:27,630 --> 01:13:33,029 ignoring the feedback this is how things 1641 01:13:30,810 --> 01:13:36,810 are supposed to be get out while you 1642 01:13:33,029 --> 01:13:39,289 still can before they get you - sure 1643 01:13:36,810 --> 01:13:43,199 just as soon as we get you guys out I 1644 01:13:39,289 --> 01:13:44,939 said with a determined smile more ponies 1645 01:13:43,198 --> 01:13:47,099 were getting up moving to the edges of 1646 01:13:44,939 --> 01:13:48,719 the magical barriers staring at Reggie 1647 01:13:47,100 --> 01:13:53,150 and me with mixed expressions of hope 1648 01:13:48,719 --> 01:13:55,640 and disbelief welcome to your rescue 1649 01:13:53,149 --> 01:13:58,789 the sound of Klaxons filled the brig a 1650 01:13:55,640 --> 01:14:00,740 spun to Reggie eyes wide certain that 1651 01:13:58,789 --> 01:14:02,359 somepony had triggered the alarm and we 1652 01:14:00,739 --> 01:14:06,229 were about to be overwhelmed by Enclave 1653 01:14:02,359 --> 01:14:09,109 soldiers then we felt the first dull 1654 01:14:06,229 --> 01:14:11,149 thuds vibrating through the floor the 1655 01:14:09,109 --> 01:14:13,429 Brig was close to the overcast exterior 1656 01:14:11,149 --> 01:14:14,929 I had a terrible inkling that the 1657 01:14:13,430 --> 01:14:17,960 airlock was for easy high-altitude 1658 01:14:14,930 --> 01:14:19,730 disposal prisoners and we could feel the 1659 01:14:17,960 --> 01:14:21,609 impacts of what had to be cathedrals 1660 01:14:19,729 --> 01:14:30,889 anti-aircraft cannons 1661 01:14:21,609 --> 01:14:32,779 Reggie returned my gaze we're here I had 1662 01:14:30,890 --> 01:14:34,910 never seen such disciplined and orderly 1663 01:14:32,779 --> 01:14:37,670 chaos as the Enclave mobile siege 1664 01:14:34,909 --> 01:14:39,800 platform in the heat of battle every 1665 01:14:37,670 --> 01:14:41,720 Pegasus knew where to go what to do and 1666 01:14:39,800 --> 01:14:45,560 they were doing a rapidly under the 1667 01:14:41,720 --> 01:14:47,990 barked orders of their commanders with 1668 01:14:45,560 --> 01:14:49,910 the military channel down officers had 1669 01:14:47,989 --> 01:14:51,109 taken wing brushing the ceilings with 1670 01:14:49,909 --> 01:14:52,699 the tips of their feathers as they 1671 01:14:51,109 --> 01:14:55,250 shouted down to the Troops and across 1672 01:14:52,699 --> 01:14:56,989 the ship to each other no Pony 1673 01:14:55,250 --> 01:14:58,399 questioned the apparently lone Enclave 1674 01:14:56,989 --> 01:15:00,289 soldier moving with purpose through the 1675 01:14:58,399 --> 01:15:02,359 corridors and out into one of the 1676 01:15:00,289 --> 01:15:06,319 overcast hangar Bay's Ladin down with 1677 01:15:02,359 --> 01:15:10,369 rucksacks we're two little PIP calamity 1678 01:15:06,319 --> 01:15:12,710 asked you'll like this I replied from 1679 01:15:10,369 --> 01:15:16,309 beneath the zebra cloak you're going to 1680 01:15:12,710 --> 01:15:19,789 steal one of the enclave sky tanks good 1681 01:15:16,310 --> 01:15:22,820 I could almost hear the grim breaking 1682 01:15:19,789 --> 01:15:26,300 across his face the enclave owes us for 1683 01:15:22,819 --> 01:15:28,489 the sky bandit there's an exterior 1684 01:15:26,300 --> 01:15:31,640 airlock we need to pull up to it once 1685 01:15:28,489 --> 01:15:35,119 we're free the ship Reggie added got 1686 01:15:31,640 --> 01:15:37,590 some extra passengers to take a board 1687 01:15:35,119 --> 01:15:40,439 the entire ship flooded with the tent 1688 01:15:37,590 --> 01:15:42,119 sound of brass drums and violins the 1689 01:15:40,439 --> 01:15:43,769 heavier classical music replaced by the 1690 01:15:42,119 --> 01:15:48,329 stirring battle anthem flight of the 1691 01:15:43,770 --> 01:15:50,010 shadowbolts this is it ponies the voice 1692 01:15:48,329 --> 01:15:52,500 of Colonel autumn leaf boomed over the 1693 01:15:50,010 --> 01:15:53,970 music this is the moment all your 1694 01:15:52,500 --> 01:15:56,880 training and all your experience has 1695 01:15:53,970 --> 01:15:59,280 prepared you for this is the battle you 1696 01:15:56,880 --> 01:16:01,710 were born for it's time to separate the 1697 01:15:59,279 --> 01:16:03,539 pegasi from the Griffins it's time to 1698 01:16:01,710 --> 01:16:05,399 kick red-eyes ass and teaching the cross 1699 01:16:03,539 --> 01:16:09,689 and the Enclave murdering our brothers 1700 01:16:05,399 --> 01:16:11,339 and sisters was his ultimate folly we 1701 01:16:09,689 --> 01:16:13,349 fight in the name of every Pegasus 1702 01:16:11,340 --> 01:16:16,860 ignominiously massacred in the splendid 1703 01:16:13,350 --> 01:16:19,230 Valley sneak attack the monitors along 1704 01:16:16,859 --> 01:16:21,509 each wall came to life The Enclave 1705 01:16:19,229 --> 01:16:24,329 emblem replaced by a slowly scrolling 1706 01:16:21,510 --> 01:16:26,810 list of names every Pegasus killed by 1707 01:16:24,329 --> 01:16:29,880 the splendid Valley balefire bomb I 1708 01:16:26,810 --> 01:16:33,570 forced myself not to look not to read 1709 01:16:29,880 --> 01:16:37,470 each name I knew I should I was 1710 01:16:33,569 --> 01:16:40,920 responsible and but if I did I also knew 1711 01:16:37,470 --> 01:16:42,720 that I wouldn't be able to go on we 1712 01:16:40,920 --> 01:16:48,060 fight in the name of our loved ones our 1713 01:16:42,720 --> 01:16:49,680 home and our Enclave as we made our way 1714 01:16:48,060 --> 01:16:51,960 across the hangar deck towards one of 1715 01:16:49,680 --> 01:16:53,369 the black and green armored tanks the 1716 01:16:51,960 --> 01:16:57,060 flight of the shadow bolts began to 1717 01:16:53,369 --> 01:17:00,510 crescendo the hangar door grout opened 1718 01:16:57,060 --> 01:17:02,340 to the smoky yellow sky explosions of 1719 01:17:00,510 --> 01:17:05,210 black smoke pockmarked the haze as 1720 01:17:02,340 --> 01:17:08,010 anti-aircraft shells filled the sky a 1721 01:17:05,210 --> 01:17:10,500 squad of pegasi and black carapace armor 1722 01:17:08,010 --> 01:17:12,270 shot past the opening embattled with a 1723 01:17:10,500 --> 01:17:12,960 wing of dark green shield protected 1724 01:17:12,270 --> 01:17:15,540 alicorns 1725 01:17:12,960 --> 01:17:17,369 I could hear the sounds of magical 1726 01:17:15,539 --> 01:17:19,229 energy discharges an automatic gunfire 1727 01:17:17,369 --> 01:17:22,349 from the world below mixing into a 1728 01:17:19,229 --> 01:17:24,449 nerve-wracking din the first sky tanks 1729 01:17:22,350 --> 01:17:25,980 and bombing chariots took off flying out 1730 01:17:24,449 --> 01:17:28,470 of the throat of the ship and into the 1731 01:17:25,979 --> 01:17:30,809 heart of the war 1732 01:17:28,470 --> 01:17:33,000 Calamity opened the largest sky tank we 1733 01:17:30,810 --> 01:17:35,370 could find one with multiple plasma 1734 01:17:33,000 --> 01:17:37,590 cannons the kind like the one calamity 1735 01:17:35,369 --> 01:17:39,840 had shot topaz with too big for even a 1736 01:17:37,590 --> 01:17:42,659 battle saddle and space for a dozen 1737 01:17:39,840 --> 01:17:44,460 armored soldiers he pushed himself to 1738 01:17:42,659 --> 01:17:45,720 the front strapping himself into the 1739 01:17:44,460 --> 01:17:48,720 flight harness while Reggie and I took 1740 01:17:45,720 --> 01:17:50,430 up places in the back I noted the name 1741 01:17:48,720 --> 01:17:54,680 stenciled on to the side of the sky tank 1742 01:17:50,430 --> 01:17:57,060 just before I climbed aboard tortoise a 1743 01:17:54,680 --> 01:17:58,800 pair of Enclave soldiers came trotting 1744 01:17:57,060 --> 01:18:01,230 up to the back of the tortoise their 1745 01:17:58,800 --> 01:18:02,670 helmets and their muzzles they had seen 1746 01:18:01,229 --> 01:18:03,979 calamity strapping in and we're 1747 01:18:02,670 --> 01:18:06,510 expecting a ride 1748 01:18:03,979 --> 01:18:08,609 Reggie tossed Macker hood becoming 1749 01:18:06,510 --> 01:18:11,670 visible for just a moment grinning as I 1750 01:18:08,609 --> 01:18:15,269 closed the door on them sorry bucks this 1751 01:18:11,670 --> 01:18:17,180 one's taken they're stunned expressions 1752 01:18:15,270 --> 01:18:21,210 were priceless 1753 01:18:17,180 --> 01:18:23,390 go now I told calamity tossing back my 1754 01:18:21,210 --> 01:18:26,159 own hood the moment the door was shut I 1755 01:18:23,390 --> 01:18:27,840 looked over the door the pony in my head 1756 01:18:26,159 --> 01:18:31,649 panicking as I realized I had no idea 1757 01:18:27,840 --> 01:18:34,949 how to lock it now now is good dough now 1758 01:18:31,649 --> 01:18:38,569 I didn't want to give the two bucks time 1759 01:18:34,949 --> 01:18:40,710 to recover open the door and gun us down 1760 01:18:38,569 --> 01:18:42,059 calamity spread his wings inside the 1761 01:18:40,710 --> 01:18:44,340 armored enclosure of the tortoises 1762 01:18:42,060 --> 01:18:47,850 cockpit pumping twice and I felt the 1763 01:18:44,340 --> 01:18:49,590 tank lift from the hangar floor a moment 1764 01:18:47,850 --> 01:18:52,230 later we were shooting out the hangar 1765 01:18:49,590 --> 01:18:53,880 door the horizontal slit windows of the 1766 01:18:52,229 --> 01:18:57,209 tortoise glowing with the sickly golden 1767 01:18:53,880 --> 01:18:59,369 light of ever freeze dawn beneath us was 1768 01:18:57,210 --> 01:19:03,600 a massive complex of metal stone and 1769 01:18:59,369 --> 01:19:05,640 brown concrete the cathedral high in its 1770 01:19:03,600 --> 01:19:07,500 center Rose an airy gothic structure of 1771 01:19:05,640 --> 01:19:11,010 steepled roofs flying buttresses and 1772 01:19:07,500 --> 01:19:13,319 rosy stained-glass ringing out around it 1773 01:19:11,010 --> 01:19:16,390 was a heavily fortified castle thick 1774 01:19:13,319 --> 01:19:18,920 walls towers battlements 1775 01:19:16,390 --> 01:19:21,350 tower strongholds held anti-aircraft 1776 01:19:18,920 --> 01:19:24,079 guns identicals of the ones that once 1777 01:19:21,350 --> 01:19:26,060 protected friendship city there was even 1778 01:19:24,079 --> 01:19:27,529 a moat and I could see the shadow of 1779 01:19:26,060 --> 01:19:30,920 something the size of three ponies 1780 01:19:27,529 --> 01:19:32,929 swimming about in it beyond the castles 1781 01:19:30,920 --> 01:19:34,909 outer walls and the moat the everfree 1782 01:19:32,930 --> 01:19:36,530 forest was nothing but black and ash and 1783 01:19:34,909 --> 01:19:39,800 severed stumps for at least a mile in 1784 01:19:36,529 --> 01:19:42,199 every direction a deep gorge knifed 1785 01:19:39,800 --> 01:19:45,010 through the land on three sides spanned 1786 01:19:42,199 --> 01:19:47,590 by only a single fortress like bridge 1787 01:19:45,010 --> 01:19:50,949 the scorched land was filled with ponies 1788 01:19:47,590 --> 01:19:53,239 not just dozens not just hundreds 1789 01:19:50,949 --> 01:19:55,279 thousands of ponies wearing red-eyes 1790 01:19:53,239 --> 01:19:58,130 colors were engaging the enclave forces 1791 01:19:55,279 --> 01:20:00,469 in a ferocious battle red-eyes troops 1792 01:19:58,130 --> 01:20:01,850 fought from trenches and pillboxes more 1793 01:20:00,470 --> 01:20:05,150 soldiers lined the walls of the castle 1794 01:20:01,850 --> 01:20:06,980 pouring bullets into the sky red eyes 1795 01:20:05,149 --> 01:20:10,250 alicorns and Griffin's met the pegasi in 1796 01:20:06,979 --> 01:20:13,639 the skies it still seemed like a 1797 01:20:10,250 --> 01:20:15,140 horribly lopsided battle bombing wagons 1798 01:20:13,640 --> 01:20:17,060 rained high explosives down on the 1799 01:20:15,140 --> 01:20:18,070 fortress from high above far enough to 1800 01:20:17,060 --> 01:20:20,300 be out of range 1801 01:20:18,069 --> 01:20:22,359 the Raptors alone could level the 1802 01:20:20,300 --> 01:20:24,680 cathedral with concentrated fire 1803 01:20:22,359 --> 01:20:28,399 goddesses knew what the overcast itself 1804 01:20:24,680 --> 01:20:30,829 could do two of the Raptors from the 1805 01:20:28,399 --> 01:20:33,079 overcast had joined for more encircling 1806 01:20:30,829 --> 01:20:36,050 the cathedral bombarding with heavy 1807 01:20:33,079 --> 01:20:39,260 plasma fire I assumed the third Raptor 1808 01:20:36,050 --> 01:20:40,670 was busy hunting Raptor lenticular 3 of 1809 01:20:39,260 --> 01:20:42,470 the Raptor was showing signs of damage 1810 01:20:40,670 --> 01:20:44,000 from the shelling one of them was 1811 01:20:42,470 --> 01:20:46,560 smoking badly and have begun to can't 1812 01:20:44,000 --> 01:20:48,720 drifting out of position 1813 01:20:46,560 --> 01:20:51,350 Calamity circled us around definitely 1814 01:20:48,720 --> 01:20:54,659 keeping us out of the line of heavy fire 1815 01:20:51,350 --> 01:20:57,530 we drew up to the Brig airlock tracker 1816 01:20:54,659 --> 01:20:59,550 had already opened it waiting for us I 1817 01:20:57,529 --> 01:21:01,819 opened the door of the tortoise as 1818 01:20:59,550 --> 01:21:04,170 calamity backed us up to the overcast 1819 01:21:01,819 --> 01:21:06,809 the Thunderhead siege platform was 1820 01:21:04,170 --> 01:21:08,340 barely moving now jumping from it to our 1821 01:21:06,810 --> 01:21:11,460 sky tank would be more nerve-wracking 1822 01:21:08,340 --> 01:21:12,569 than actually dangerous I moved into 1823 01:21:11,460 --> 01:21:14,699 position to help them 1824 01:21:12,569 --> 01:21:17,880 Regina climbing to the seat of one of 1825 01:21:14,699 --> 01:21:19,769 the plasma cannons the first Pony a 1826 01:21:17,880 --> 01:21:21,980 light grey mare with a shockingly purple 1827 01:21:19,770 --> 01:21:25,050 Mane moved up to the edge of the airlock 1828 01:21:21,979 --> 01:21:27,649 she gulped her knees shaking her brow 1829 01:21:25,050 --> 01:21:32,779 beating with the effort not to look down 1830 01:21:27,649 --> 01:21:35,099 it's okay I coaxed you can do it our 1831 01:21:32,779 --> 01:21:37,590 attention and the attention of everypony 1832 01:21:35,100 --> 01:21:39,600 in the battle will suddenly wrench 1833 01:21:37,590 --> 01:21:43,230 downwards by a horrific Equestria 1834 01:21:39,600 --> 01:21:45,180 shaking bellow something huge dark and 1835 01:21:43,229 --> 01:21:47,429 horrifying rose up from the Cathedral a 1836 01:21:45,180 --> 01:21:50,579 black and monstrous shape against the 1837 01:21:47,430 --> 01:21:52,380 smoke filtered Sun great angry red eyes 1838 01:21:50,579 --> 01:21:54,059 poured hatred down on us as it 1839 01:21:52,380 --> 01:21:57,810 brutalized the air with massive leathery 1840 01:21:54,060 --> 01:22:01,620 wings then it moved towards one of the 1841 01:21:57,810 --> 01:22:03,810 Raptors bellowing BHEL flier as it moved 1842 01:22:01,619 --> 01:22:05,970 I could make out pony sized claws and 1843 01:22:03,810 --> 01:22:08,400 spines and the two-tone green of its 1844 01:22:05,970 --> 01:22:10,970 scales marred deeply by scars that 1845 01:22:08,399 --> 01:22:13,289 looked more surgical than battle born I 1846 01:22:10,970 --> 01:22:14,909 glimpsed at an odd mechanical glow 1847 01:22:13,289 --> 01:22:17,880 coming from inside one of the wounds 1848 01:22:14,909 --> 01:22:20,970 which hadn't fully healed there was a 1849 01:22:17,880 --> 01:22:23,310 dragon in the everfree forest and it not 1850 01:22:20,970 --> 01:22:26,670 just any dragon the luna fucking 1851 01:22:23,310 --> 01:22:28,710 granddaddy of all dragons an ancient 1852 01:22:26,670 --> 01:22:31,440 dragon so old it must have already been 1853 01:22:28,710 --> 01:22:33,510 a huge gigantic terrifying enormous 1854 01:22:31,439 --> 01:22:35,729 totally all grown-up dragon back when 1855 01:22:33,510 --> 01:22:40,409 spike was only a baby 1856 01:22:35,729 --> 01:22:42,750 and it was fighting on red.i side the 1857 01:22:40,409 --> 01:22:44,189 dragon roared again grasping the Raptor 1858 01:22:42,750 --> 01:22:46,159 in its claws as three of the others 1859 01:22:44,189 --> 01:22:48,829 turned their weapons towards it 1860 01:22:46,159 --> 01:22:51,750 dragon killers calamity had called them 1861 01:22:48,829 --> 01:22:54,510 well this was their chance to prove 1862 01:22:51,750 --> 01:22:56,250 themselves worthy of that title the 1863 01:22:54,510 --> 01:22:58,680 dragon blasted the captive Raptor with 1864 01:22:56,250 --> 01:23:00,239 choking black smoke then how does the 1865 01:22:58,680 --> 01:23:02,700 other Raptors lanced it with bright 1866 01:23:00,239 --> 01:23:04,710 pastel beams of magical energy it 1867 01:23:02,699 --> 01:23:06,569 flicked its tail producing massive 1868 01:23:04,710 --> 01:23:08,340 spikes that glowed with eldritch energy 1869 01:23:06,569 --> 01:23:10,529 and lashed out at one of the attacking 1870 01:23:08,340 --> 01:23:14,430 Raptors cutting deep grooves in its 1871 01:23:10,529 --> 01:23:17,189 forward Armour my jaw hit the floor of a 1872 01:23:14,430 --> 01:23:20,610 tortoise those spikes were magically 1873 01:23:17,189 --> 01:23:22,469 enhanced I stared the Dragons unnatural 1874 01:23:20,609 --> 01:23:26,839 glowing red eyes and knew immediately 1875 01:23:22,470 --> 01:23:31,880 what they reminded me of red eye 1876 01:23:26,840 --> 01:23:33,029 cybernetically enhanced a dragon I 1877 01:23:31,880 --> 01:23:34,970 blinked 1878 01:23:33,029 --> 01:23:39,630 the little pony of my head petrified 1879 01:23:34,970 --> 01:23:42,020 then spun okay that's it we're getting 1880 01:23:39,630 --> 01:23:44,430 down there right now I called out 1881 01:23:42,020 --> 01:23:45,900 wrapping the escaping prisoner ponies in 1882 01:23:44,430 --> 01:23:49,200 my magic and floating them on 1883 01:23:45,899 --> 01:23:54,629 ceremoniously into the tortoise calamity 1884 01:23:49,199 --> 01:23:57,090 get us the fuck out of the sky I closed 1885 01:23:54,630 --> 01:23:58,560 the door apologizing to the prisoners as 1886 01:23:57,090 --> 01:24:01,590 I pulled myself into another of the 1887 01:23:58,560 --> 01:24:03,480 plasma cannon chairs the chair and 1888 01:24:01,590 --> 01:24:05,460 controls were made for a larger Pony and 1889 01:24:03,479 --> 01:24:06,959 I had about as much skill with magical 1890 01:24:05,460 --> 01:24:09,329 energy weapons as I did with sword 1891 01:24:06,960 --> 01:24:11,069 fighting but as long as I didn't manage 1892 01:24:09,329 --> 01:24:14,250 to shoot the damn tank we were in I 1893 01:24:11,069 --> 01:24:16,319 figured even I could help Reggie was 1894 01:24:14,250 --> 01:24:18,619 already firing taking shots at the other 1895 01:24:16,319 --> 01:24:20,969 sky tanks and on clay bombing chariots 1896 01:24:18,619 --> 01:24:25,250 the high-pitched Yelp of her plasma 1897 01:24:20,970 --> 01:24:28,020 cannon was making my ears hurt oh yeah 1898 01:24:25,250 --> 01:24:29,789 Reggie shouted over the cacophony as one 1899 01:24:28,020 --> 01:24:31,620 of her shots turned an enclave bombing 1900 01:24:29,789 --> 01:24:33,829 wagon into a cascading explosion of 1901 01:24:31,619 --> 01:24:35,809 rainbow pyrotechnics 1902 01:24:33,829 --> 01:24:37,340 she was already swinging towards her 1903 01:24:35,810 --> 01:24:42,020 next target before the fireworks had 1904 01:24:37,340 --> 01:24:44,869 subsided I love me this turtle tortoise 1905 01:24:42,020 --> 01:24:47,030 I corrected as I linked my pip leg into 1906 01:24:44,869 --> 01:24:48,739 the turret downloading the sky tanks 1907 01:24:47,029 --> 01:24:52,369 tagged and maximizing the value of my 1908 01:24:48,739 --> 01:24:55,010 targeting spell yeah whatever she said 1909 01:24:52,369 --> 01:24:58,119 with a dismissive wave of her wing hey 1910 01:24:55,010 --> 01:25:00,590 calamity can we keep it 1911 01:24:58,119 --> 01:25:03,199 her next three shots took out two 1912 01:25:00,590 --> 01:25:06,770 carapace armored enclave pegasi freeing 1913 01:25:03,199 --> 01:25:08,479 up a very surprised looking alicorn some 1914 01:25:06,770 --> 01:25:09,950 of red-eyes troops along the cathedral 1915 01:25:08,479 --> 01:25:13,699 wall opened fire on the tortoise as 1916 01:25:09,949 --> 01:25:15,769 calamity brought us close I gasped in 1917 01:25:13,699 --> 01:25:18,349 dismay as two of the escapees crumbled 1918 01:25:15,770 --> 01:25:20,750 dead Crimson flowers bursting across 1919 01:25:18,350 --> 01:25:23,180 their bodies several of the other 1920 01:25:20,750 --> 01:25:25,250 escapee screamed the more level-headed 1921 01:25:23,180 --> 01:25:27,619 Pony stepped in trying to prevent a 1922 01:25:25,250 --> 01:25:29,659 panic tracker belted out a command 1923 01:25:27,619 --> 01:25:31,609 ordering everyone to lay flat on the 1924 01:25:29,659 --> 01:25:34,489 floor make themselves a small target as 1925 01:25:31,609 --> 01:25:36,139 possible I floated open one of the ruck 1926 01:25:34,489 --> 01:25:38,559 sacks filled with medical supplies and 1927 01:25:36,140 --> 01:25:41,119 looked around the interior of the tank 1928 01:25:38,560 --> 01:25:43,330 the bullets hadn't penetrated the tanks 1929 01:25:41,119 --> 01:25:46,479 Armour so much as ignored it completely 1930 01:25:43,329 --> 01:25:49,039 there weren't even bullet holes 1931 01:25:46,479 --> 01:25:51,869 red eyes troops were using bullets 1932 01:25:49,039 --> 01:25:54,449 enchanted with an armored bypass 1933 01:25:51,869 --> 01:25:56,399 I turned my plasma cannon on the troops 1934 01:25:54,449 --> 01:25:57,960 along the wall trying to clear a path 1935 01:25:56,399 --> 01:26:01,170 for us to land without losing any more 1936 01:25:57,960 --> 01:26:03,359 ponies suddenly between that and the 1937 01:26:01,170 --> 01:26:07,230 dragon this battle was looking a whole 1938 01:26:03,359 --> 01:26:09,559 lot less lopsided the dragon roared 1939 01:26:07,229 --> 01:26:09,559 overhead