The dark grey shuttle speeded towards the planet below. The massive ruins that cover the surface had laid hidden by thick forests for hundreds of years. Only now had storms and space raptures uncovered the Ruins that had once housed many of Celestia's treasures. The ruin was made of faded tan stone which had been worn away at by nature for quite some time. There is no way of telling how much force the stone could withstand. The team would have to tread lightly is they wished to not risk being crushed by a torrent of rock and dust.
As the shuttle landed the six ponies set off towards the entrance. "I did not sign up with the AOTB to walk". Grunted Jordan. "Well we did not sign up to hear you whine" replied Scorpiontorn. "To which Jordan stopped and glared at him. "To shay" He whispered before continuing. The restless Monthrax could not stand keeping his wings still much longer so he leaped into the air and started to circle the high forest trees. Little did he know he was being watched silently? A figure watched out from atop a nearby part of the ruin. Slowly stepping backwards into the shadows to vanish from sight.
As they reached the mouth of the ruin CDThorne yelled up to Monthrax "Hey Monthrax stop messing around and get in here". To which the Pegasus flung himself down into the ruins rushing ahead of the others. "So what are we looking for?" Asked Jack. "Anything that looks important snarled Jordan who was still enraged from their past disagreement. "Look at this" Yelled Tyler as he used his magic to levitate a freshly broken slab of wall. On it scrawled into the stone where the words "Unity will hold the future in place". As he read this out his eyes were caught by a flash of magic rocketing from the corridor from which they came. Soaring towards Jack with the intent of harming him. Without a second to waste Tyler ripped away a segment of the wall to make a blockade between the magic and Jack.
As the magic hit the stone is exploded in a devastating array of flames, destroying large portions of the walls leaving them as piles of ash and dust. "AOTB attack!" CDThorne yelled as the squad turned to engage their watchers. But there was nothing there. Then suddenly out the shadows behind them emerged as squad of dark blue earth ponies in reinforced Luna republic armour. Each one wielding a short blade capable of slicing through the AOTB suits in a single swipe. Their eyes all enhanced by dark magic just like Scorpiontorn's.
They flashed towards the AOTB squad at the speed of light. Easily taking them off guard. Luckily Tyler had seen them and raised a magic ward to halt their approach. Quickly Monthrax Shoot through the magic ward at his attackers smashing two of them into a stone column before turning to engage the rest. The rest of the AOTB now aware of the situation also charge at their enemies taking them down one by one. CDThorne and Jack engaging them in close combat using the suits enhanced strength to push the attackers back. Whilst Jordan distracted others for Scorpiontorn to sneak up and take them out from behind. During which Tyler used the rubble to smash into the other Luna followers.
During the brawl Jack did not see one of them get in close behind him. Scorpiontorn saw this and had the chance to engage them at the loss of his kill he was currently committing. He did not engage so as a result the attacker sliced through Jacks thigh plating and torn through his flesh with ease. As he went in for another swipe Monthrax grabbed him by the tail and flung him into a piece of stone Tyler was holding.
As the team try to protect the now injured Jack, the roof of the ruin starts to collapse. Sending giant chunks of stone rocketing towards to ground, crushing some of the attackers. "Woodchip we need evac" Screamed CDThorne through his in suit microphone. As they dragged Jack to the safety of the forest, narrowly avoiding the ruins collapsing around them. They desperately try to keep jack from flatlineing from blood loss. Then a moment of relief is shared between them as the shuttle flies overhead ready to take them home.