The Eternals were aboard a small frigate several miles away from the military camp in the middle of the night, the lights of Roam shining barely in the horizon, modified in that the cannons housed pony-sized pods that would house the soldiers and be fired upon like cannon-balls. As it approached the camp, the frigate picked up speed before the pods were arched into the air. Once it got close enough, the ship took a sharp turn to expose its side as the pods were launched. The moment the Zebra realized what was happening, the pods slammed straight through the defensive concrete walls as they landed onto the ground before opening a second later to unleash the Eternals. The Zebra had never experienced anything like them. Each Eternal obliterating any defenses that the Zebra had. Each of them ran about shooting down anything that moved with seemingly impossible accuracy, while dancing around the returning fire. It terrified an enemy that was taught to never fear. Skull-breaking blows, enemies being tossed like rag-dolls, enemies with an expertise in unarmed combat never delivering a blow as they attacked by the dozens. They never stood a chance. When morning came, there was nothing but rubble across the camp and a body count in the tens of thousands. Most of the casualty rate coming from a bomb detonated at the supports of the command building, eliminating leadership. Tens of thousands were scattered around the camp, dead. Those who had fled out of outright terror of their enemy made sure news spread about these “Demons and Ghosts”. The Eternal’s left as soon as they arrived, the only evidence that they even arrived at all was the surviving security footage of the attack. As daylight came in the horizon, only a tattered flag remained in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by hundreds of bodies. It was the military patch of a mare, with a white mare with a beautiful orange mane wearing a black valkrye helmet with only the side of her face being seen.
The moment Dark learned of the attack the next day, and had seen the footage of it seeing a mere 9 ponies were responsible, she was far from impressed or greatful, she was downright outraged. She managed to learn of Project Eternal, and taking a company of Commandos all the way out to the Big Mountain facility, where Dr Turner stood outside, obviously expecting her and obviously expecting a congratulations. Imagine his surprise when he recieved a buck to the face and was put into hoofcuffs, "Doctor Time Turner, yesterday you sent 9 individuals into a zebra military camp, without asking for military permission for what, very much is, a military act, and those 9 individuals somehow wiped up the camp. I regret to inform you that that action has left me with no choice but to arrest you for treason and reckless military glory hunting and the endangerment of Equestria. Not only did you commit an unauthorized military action, we will be lucky if the Zebra don't launch their megaspells tomorrow knowing Equestria has near invincible soldiers. Your facility is to be apprehended and put under Royal Armed Forces control and your "Eternals" are hereby drafted into the Equestrian military under my supervision
(There are Eight Eternals, but I’ll let that slide. Also, Dr.Turner is actually arrested in my own head-canon for that reason.) When Dr.Turner was arrested and Big Mountain placed under control of the Royal Armed Forces, life seemed to continue as normal, but the progress of the scientific accomplishments at the facility were seemingly limited now that the facility had become public. The Eternal's, specifically Crimson, was ordered outside into the open to watch his ‘Father’ be taken away in a vehicle. He watched as he noticed him looking at him outside of the window of the vehicle, noticing the face of disappointment. It was obvious that he had broken the law. He would be lucky if he was not executed tomorrow for what he did. Crimson stood there, still dressed in full armor but wearing black aviator glasses with a gold rim, as the Eternal was soon surrounded by an entire company of Commando’s. The remainder of his “kind” were inside of the facility training, unaware of what was happening above. Wearing his armor, the only thing he disliked was the use of masks, hopefully that would be removed under the new administration. He looked at the mare coming towards him and saluted out of respect. It was obvious that she was angry, and that this anger was likely going to be positioned on him. After all, he was the leader of the Eternal's. “Commander Dark Light....” Crimson muttered in a baritone voice
"Your Eternals are now military. Congrats." Dark said bluntly to Crimson, "you are to remain at Big Mountain, I can not risk provoking the Zebra to megaspell attack, nor can I risk them finding your weakness, as they did with the Steel Rangers. Everyone, even you and your comrades, have your weaknesses, all it takes is finding them. And actually, you will not remain at Big Mountain, I will not risk them sneaking in a balefire bomb and detonating it, even if it doesn't kill you somehow, you'ld be forever trapped under the rubble. You and your Eternals will be transferred to a secret, safe facility until the time comes to assault the Zebra Capital, then I will have you put on a single mission; to capture Caesar as quickly as possible in the attack, do you understand me?"
“Yes, Ma’am” Crimson replied. He knew that he and the Eternals have a weakness, the most obvious being that they was not completely immortal nor invulnerable to injury, despite being pretty damn close to it. Committing suicide if he was underneath the rubble is still possible, it’s just much harder. Death is still very possible for the Eternals, they are only mortal beings despite their namesake. He did not reply back to Dark Light about his weaknesses, having a feeling that she knew somehow deep down. “I’ll alert the others of your orders. We will return in the next half hour with our belongings.” Crimson said before walking back towards the entry of the facility and disappearing.
After Crimson left, Dark turned to the company of Commandos, "Well? What are you waiting for? Secure the facility!" She ordered.
While the Commando’s stormed the facility, Crimson went to the training room and alerted his other comrades, who seemed to be on the brink of combat against the Equestrians. After informing them what had happened, the Eternals stood down and left to gather their belongings. Once he was done, the Eternal had to do something. He had to make sure that the zebra could never learn of the immortality secret. He locked the door to Dr.Turner’s facility and deactivated the security cameras inside. Crimson then accessed the database of the head scientist and erased all data about the immortality procedures, with the intention of never allowing the Zebra to have that type of power. Once the deed was done, he left the room and went outside like nothing had ever happened like the remainder of the Eternal's. By the time he went outside, he was perfectly in line with his fellow Eternal's.
Dark nodded to the Eternals, motioning them towards an ATC, whom one squad of the company that stayed behind to oversee the transfer got into it as well, "We're heading to the Freedom Hills complex. The forticiations there go deep enough to survive even a bunker busting balefire missile directly over the site itself. There is also advanced combat simulators to help with the boredom. Hopefully you all won't have to come out to an irradiated Wasteland..." Dark muttered before climbing into the ATC, which had just enough room left for the Eternals.
As the Eternals made found their seats, one of them seemed to disagree with the slow action as the ATC began to move away from the place the Eternal's had called home for 17 years. “So...we’re going to another hole in the ground? *sigh* Great...” One of the Eternal’s piped back, a light lavender colored pegasi. Crimson could understand that Dawn wanted to be involved in the front-lines since she was young; she was raised for the sole purpose of doing so. She wanted action, she did not care what form. Dawn could never stay still for long, it was her nature. “Commander Dark Light has given us our orders. And we are ordered to remain at Freedom Hills until the attack on Roam. Then...the war is likely to be over, and we are likely to not see action again until it’s absolutely nessacary. Hell, we might even have an attempt at a normal life.” Jackpot replied. “I doubt it” Crimson told the two of them. “And what gives you that idea, Crimson?” Jackpot questioned “Princess Luna took us away when we were six years old to make us the deadliest beings on the planet. We have had the privilege to feel every emotion except fear. The scientists could have just made us mindless drones, the Ministry Mares would have loved that.” The super genius stallion, Cinnamon Surprise interrupted. “Do you consider that normal?” “No...” Jackpot replied sadly. “It’s alright.” Crimson replied. “We might not have a normal life because we have been turned into this. But who knows, this war could be over soon. After that, if we are ever allowed to and if we know where to look, we could find our parents and catch up with them. I have not seen my auntie since we were taken away, but Winter Rush is apparently quite successful now. I might never have a taste of normality, but before I die, I want to know what it feels like.”
Dark opened the door of the ATC for the Eternals, revealing an area that seemed nothing more than rugged hills surrounded by mountains on three sides with the road they were on the only one in and out. Dark motioned the Eternals out and showed them to what appeared to be an ordinary rock, which she lifted up to reveal a hatch, "Freedom Hills main strength is appearing as empty, unused land, however should somehow the Zebra invade this place, defenses would be suddenly uncovered that could throw back even that largest of Zebra armies." She explained as she opened the hatch, "Welcome to your new home Eternals."
“I must admit that I’m disappointed that we are not fighting Zebra. Instead, we’re likely going to spend the rest of our lives underground once again. Damn ministry mares....” Dawn told the group, agitated. “Oh shut up...” Jackpot replied. Crimson could not help but enjoy the company of his Eternals. Freedom Hills was a much suitable place to hold the eight super-ponies than Big Mountain, likely because Freedom Hills was not an enormous science facility with a colossal sized dome. Advanced VR systems, a training room, a research facility for Cinnamon and all the comforts of home, it was an impressive facility. “Anything we should know at the moment about the facility?” Crimson asked Dark.
"Mainly that Freedom Hills is miles and miles of bunker tunnels, so it's fairly easy to get lost if you don't know the complex well. Also should the worst come to worse and the Zebra fire their balefire missiles before your deployment, then the Princesses are supposed to move here and you are to become their personal bodyguards until Equestria is ready for Reclaimation. That is all, now I must return to the front, and leave you all to make your way down."
"Yes Ma'am" Crimson said, saluting Dark Light before looking at his fellow Eternals and signaling them to follow him down the currently pitch-black complex. Thanks to the modifications taken place on their eyesight, they could see in the dark as well as they did in the day. Once the generator was on, all they could do was settle in and wait. (Time-skip?)
(Let's go to the Battle of Roam. I have an awesome *totally not badass* idea) One Month Later... Once the order was received, the Eternal's mobilized themselves for what the Royal Armed Forces called "The Big One", the siege of Roam. Roughly six million Zebra, from the eldest grandfather to the youngest daughter were ready to fight to the death for their Caesar. The R.A.F alongside the Steel Rangers and the Commandos were ready to unleash absolute hell upon the Zebra, their already impressive numbers being bolstered in strength due to the technological and strategic advantages that Equestria had held. With the Eternal's being deployed against Caesar himself, the sheer mention of their name sent panic across their command. Dark Light had given the order for the capture of Caesar, and Crimson was the one selected to perform that task due to him being the most experienced out of the Eternal's. The remainder of the Eternal's would assist the main forces, occasionally assisting Crimson if he absolutely needed it. And from what they knew, the battle between him and the praetorian guards was going to be nasty. Caesar was inside of the royal palace, surrounded by the entirety of his praetorian guard, easily 1200 of the finest Zebra soliders in the entire legion, all of them specializing in unarmed combat with power fists & ballistic fists.Caesar decided to make his final stand against his Equestrian opponents, not being the one to surrender. Crimson was dressed in full armor, his mask alongside the remainder of the Eternal's being discarded due to new administration. As he sat on a vertibuck in his lonesome, he was going to accomplish the seemingly impossible mission. He will, by force if necessary, take Caesar alive at any cost.
Dark was trying to fly as fast as she could back to the front after witnessing her sister freeze herself in fear of the "coming megaspell exchange". She couldn't be serious, the Zebra wouldn't be that crazy would they? The war was essentially over! That's when the Stable-Tec broadcaster on her Pipbuck went off, and from the sound of the signal, this was no drill. Dark's eyes widened, quickly sending a broadcasted message out to all Equestrian forces, "WITHDRAW! ZEBRA MISSILES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED LAUNCHED. HIDE AND SURVIVE TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY. CEASE ALL MILITARY ACTIVITY AND SAVE YOUR SKIN!" The frantic message reported, arriving at Ponyville, and more importantly, Stable 2, the future home of her and her sister's small family just as Cloudsdale got hit.
The shuttle carrying Crimson had received the command that the Megaspells and Balefire bombs were being launched by the Zebra, but before the pilot flying the ship could react, a radar of three heat seeking missiles were on the tail of the shuttle, each of them carrying a powerful warhead. However, the third missile suddenly disappeared from radar. “Filly Golf niner-niner transmitting in the blind guard. Disengage! Repeat, disengage!” the Pilot shouted as the vertibird moved about violently. Just as soon as the orders were being shouted, the third missile appeared once more. Directly below the vertibuck... The missile slammed itself into its target, surprising the Equestrian’s onboard that it was not what they expected, that it was an EMP weapon instead of an actual warhead. As the vertibuck began to fall out of the sky, the two other actual warheads caught up with their target, detonating upon contact with a 150kt explosion in the sky. Crimson, knowing what was about to happen, launched himself out of the vertibuck seconds before the kinetic impact of the two missiles sent him flying across the sky before crashing into the ground below him hard. Dawn’s radio transmission went crazy before it went silent. Other radio stations, including command were screaming at each other. Crimson was covered in blood, his legs and arms numb from the pain. He remained on his back, noticing the dark grey cloud above him as lines of rockets went eastwards and westwards, towards Equestria and Zebrica. The kinetic shields on his armour saved him from taking the blunt force of the attack, but it was still enough to knock the wind out of him. The wreckage of his ship was miles away, the pilots not making it out alive. Once he felt control over his limbs again, he moved himself back towards the closest tree and sent a distress beacon to command, if they still existed. Freedom Hills was safe at the moment, but most of the cities were going to fall. However, the anti-megaspell cannons were working wonders for Equestria, but it was not enough to prevent wide-scale devastation. Suffering from the effects of the trauma he had just experienced, he fell unconscious just nearby the Equestrian/Zebrican border. Unaware of Vulcan’s betrayal...
"Let him in Celestia dammit, Sweetie Bell! That's the husband of Snow Mark out there!" Dark yelled at Sweetie Bell, Stable Two's first Overmare, the external camera feed showing a purple unicorn staring in defeat at the door, the ponies around him curling up in balls, dying from the unseen killer that was radiation. "We open the door and we doom everypony in the Vault, Dark, you know we can't do that." Sweetie Bell replied sadly. Dark grimaced at the Overmare and former competitor to Snow, throwing herself at the control panel and pulling up the microphone, "Kleft! Kleft can you hear me?" The purple stallion perked up, "We're safe, Cog, Bubble, and I, we're safe inside. But you need to get to your house, in Snow's study! Your survival will be in the you know where, got it?" The stallion nodded before downing something in a packet, RadAway, with an obvious face of disgust before woozingly running out into the poisoned green air of Equestria once more. Dark slumped at the control panel, tears running down her face, a rare sight from the Commander in Cheif of the Equestrian Royal Armed Forces, "I know why he was late..." "Why?" "He was saying goodbye to Snow..." She muttered before turning around and trotting out before anypony could ask her any questions, sadly waving two unicorns, a bubblegum pink stallion and a light brown mare, away from the entrance room.
