"In the months since we made contact with Earth, SGI has advanced dramatically. While I admit I still feel uneasy about leading these ponies... I'm proud of what we have accomplished in such a short amount of time

But there comes a time when you have to stop reacting... and start being proactive.

We're going to have to hit Blackstone if we're going to really show the Tlak'khan the mistake they made when they attacked Canterlot.

I just hope we're ready for this."

-Excerpt from the journal of Twilight Sparkle

Chapter 11

To Face the Darkness

Canterlot Castle

Equestria

Celestia looked over the latest reports from Firestar Base. With help from the humans, EG teams were getting better training, and several recon missions have returned without casualties. And most of them had run ins with the Tlak'khan. Of special interest was the performance of EG-3, the team made up of members of the Wonderbolts. Pegasi have proven to be quite adept at outmaneuvering the larger aliens. Another thing Celestia has noted is the shift in Tlak'khan tactics. They seem to have picked out Unicorns as a greater threat due to their use of magic and have made efforts to single them out specifically. Usually to their detriment in a mixed team.

"Sister?"

Celestia looked up, and saw Luna enter the room. With a smile, she nodded and went back to the report.

"We've made significant progress," Celestia said.

"True... but is it enough?" Luna replied.

Just like the Solar Princess, Luna had been keeping up with the reports as well. While they have indeed started to leave their mark, Luna had a feeling that it was only a matter of time before the Tlak'khan stopped viewing Equus as a nuisance. So far the aliens haven't really considered them a legit threat. But that would eventually change, and... not for the better in her mind.

"It will have to be Luna," Celestia replied as she put the report down and stood up. "I've gone over the basic plan that Twilight submitted a few days ago. Its already gotten approval from the humans. We need a major victory."

"Tia... we know the Tlak'khan are not reliant on the Stargate alone. They will come for us. Despite our advances at Firestar Base, ships can easily bypass our defenses."

"Which is where the humans come in. They can intercept. And hopefully... we'll be making sure they are too busy dealing with us on other worlds that they won't have a chance."

Luna sighed and facehoofed. Her sister tended to be a bit of an optimist at times. But perhaps that is what was needed now. Somepony to maintain hope. After a moment, Luna nodded.

"I hope you are right sister. And I hope... that when the time comes to strike..."

"They'll be ready."

Firestar Base

Stargate Initiative Headquarters, Cascade Mountains

Equestria

Two Days Later

Twilight adjusted her outfit one last time as she looked at herself in the mirror. They were going to do it. The Stargate Initiative was launching an actual offensive.

The plan was already in motion. Or at least Phase One was. If her calculations were correct, the battle would begin soon. She just needed to brief the teams.

Several SG Teams were also present in the base, as the assault would be launched from Equus.

"I hope we're ready for this," Twilight sighed as she blew some loose strands of her mane out of her face. Another figure appeared in the mirror and placed a hand on her shoulder. Turning to look at the owner, Twilight found Colonel Mitchell with a reassuring smile on his face.

"You'll do fine Commander," he said before kneeling down to be more level with her.

"Can't help it Colonel. I'm worried about everypony."

"Its ok to admit you're scared. Hell... anyone who tells you they aren't scared before a battle is either a fool or a liar. What matters is being able to carry on and finish the mission."

For a moment, Twilight just looked the human in the eye as she processed what he said. It was ok to be afraid, but you couldn't let that fear control you.

She was afraid. Not only for those under her command, but for her entire planet. Celestia wasn't kidding when she said the weight of the world would be on her. But... she wasn't alone. She had her team here at Firestar Base. But more importantly... she had her friends.

Taking a deep breath, Twilight nodded.

"Is everypony assembled?" she asked.

"Yea. Everyone's waiting for you. First time you're deploying everything huh?"

"First time. But if we're going to send a message to the Tlak'khan Emperor... we can't afford to do any less."

Mitchell stood up and gestured towards the door.

"After you... General."

"Yea... we might have to have more standardized ranks at some point," Twilight said, suppressing a laugh.

Sunset fidgeted a bit near the stage that had been set up in the cafeteria. It was kinda the only place where they could fit everyone, including the human SG teams, all at once. She knew what was going down. And it was going to be no holds barred in the upcoming battle.

It wasn't long before Twilight came out, followed by Colonel Mitchell. Unlike the blue barding she had worn for the majority of her time as SGI Commander, the young Alicorn was wearing a variation of the standard green SGI jumpsuit. The cafeteria quieted down as she clopped her hoof down on the stage a few times to get everyone's attention.

"Thank you all for coming," Twilight said. "I'm sure you are all wondering why I requested everypony to be here. Well... I'll tell you.

As you all know, we're basically at war with the Tlak'khan Empire. Everything we've done so far has led up to this. The Stargate Initiative is launching its first ever offensive against the Tlak'khan. Our target... is the very planet that the attack on Canterlot came from. The Tlak'khan Sector Headquarters on the planet Blackstone."

Many ponies started to whisper to each other about this turn of events. After a moment, Twilight continued.

"To do this however... we need to deploy the entirety of our forces. That means every EG Team we have. Now... I'm not going to lie to you. Not all of us may return. So... if anypony doesn't wish to participate... there's the door. I won't hold it against you."

Again, there was murmuring in the crowd. But something unexpected happened. One pony actually stepped forward.

"Twilight," Trixie spoke up.

"Yes Trixie?"

"The Great and Powerful Trixie believes she speaks for everypony here when she says," Trixie trailed off before looking back at the assembled EG Teams for a moment. "Lets send the Tlak'khan to Tartarus."

Twilight couldn't help but smile. After asking if this sentiment was true for everyone, a sense of pride swelled up inside her as responses in the affirmative practically poured out. They were in, and willing to fight. After thanking everyone profusely, Twilight got down to business.

"Alright... now... the battle will take place in two phases. Phase One, spearheaded by the humans, is already underway and should actually kick things off soon. Colonel Mitchell?"

Twilight stepped aside to allow the taller human to take her place.

"Now... as your people don't have any ships, the SGC is heading up Phase One, which will give us air superiority for Phase Two. The battlecruisers Odyssey and Daedalus will jump into the system via Hyperspace, accompanied by several Jaffa Ha'tak class vessels. Their goal is to clear out any Tlak'khan forces in orbit. We have the Apollo and a couple Hebridian ships on standby if we need them," Mitchell said. "During the battle in orbit, we'll be borrowing a page from the Wraith in the Pegasus Galaxy by holding the Blackstone gate open with an incoming wormhole. That will prevent them from calling for help that way. It will also enable us to send forces through when we get the go ahead from General Carter aboard Odyssey. SG Teams will secure the Blackstone gate before we proceed to Phase Two of the operation. Captain Shimmer?"

Sunset stepped forward and looked out at everyone. With a hint of a smile, she brushed some of her mane out of her face and took a deep breath.

"Phase Two will be led by SGI. Its only fitting that it be ponies who lead the attack since they hit us first. Once the SG Teams secure the Stargate, EG Teams will proceed through the gate. We're hitting them with everything we've got," she said. "While we have little to no intel on the terrain, Phase One should make this an entirely ground based battle. Twilight will be coming with us through the gate, but she will teleport up to USS Odyssey to handle coordination and logistics. I will be acting as Battle Commander for our forces on the ground.

We have two objectives. One: Take control of the fortress the Tlak'khan are using as their Sector Headquarters. Two: Locate and either eliminate or capture the Tlak'khan Commander, Lord Thok Mok. Now... we have reason to believe Thok Mok was present at both the attack on Canterlot and the raid on Ikana."

Sunset gave some time for the information to settle in before she continued, catching sight of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna standing in the back of the room.

"As we will have a dragon with us... Unicorns should cover the dragon with a shield spell, just like we practiced after the exercise in the Everfree Forest. Reinforce each other, and let the dragon breath fire over the shield.

I know we're all scared. I know I am. But I want each of you to look at those around you. Remember what we are fighting for. Our homes, our families, our planet. Not one of us fights alone today. We may come from different corners of our world... but here we stand united. Pony. Zebra. Changeling. Buffalo. Minotaur. Griffon. Dragon.

The Tlak'kan want to conquer our world. I say... lets buck 'em so hard they'll never forget who we are. This is OUR world. OUR home. And we WILL fight to protect it!"

Cheers erupted in the crowd as Sunset backed up a bit to allow Twilight to step forward.

"The word is given. Dial Blackstone! Lets hit them hard!"

As the teams dispersed to prepare for the coming battle, Celestia approached the stage and smiled.

"Well said," she chirped.

"Thanks," both Twilight and Sunset replied before looking at each other and laughing a bit.

"Princess Celestia," Twilight finally said. "Once we're through the gate..."

"I'll take care of things here while you're gone," Celestia finished.

The gateroom was a hive of activity. Ponies were scrambling to get everything ready while the humans were checking their weapons. Soon, the chevrons on the Stargate started to light up as the DHD Operator started to input the symbols for Blackstone. Shortly after the top chevron lit up, the Stargate activated with a kawoosh.

"Alright! SG Teams, take your positions! Lock and Load!" Mitchell called out as they got into position in front of the gate, weapons ready.

Now... all they had to do was wait.