COLT Memorial- Everfree Forest. Eight years after Griffon-Pony War

"So Lieutenant Skullcrusher, It has come under our attention that you personally knew the COLT known as Big Macintosh?" A historian asked the famous war veteran who was now a COLT-II

"Yes, Yes i did." Skullcrusher responded as he looked at the statue of the missing hero.

"What was he like?" The historian asked.

"Hardworking, brave, loyal, and most of all, compassionate." Skullcrusher responded.

"I see, good qualities in any soldier." The historian said.

"Yes." Skullcrusher responded.

"What was your first encounter with the COLTS?" The historian asked.

"Nine years ago, I was with my wife and Commander Soarin and his wife at Sugarcube Corner. The Steel Talons had attacked and Soarin and I were no match for them. Then the COLTS came and defeated the Steel Talons like they were nothing." Skullcrusher said.

"What was it about the COLTS that made them different from regular soldiers?" The historian asked.

"The COLTS were augmented to be stronger, faster, tougher, and could stand on their back hooves without trouble." Skullcrusher said.

"So do you believe the COLTS were ponies or simply weapons?" The historian asked.

"Whether you consider them weapons or ponies is your opinion but in the long run, they are the single reason you are able to be interviewing me today." Skullcrusher responded.

"What do you believe happened to them?" The historian asked.

"I'm not sure, I don't think anypony is. But one thing I do know is that Big Macintosh was listed as 'Missing In Action'." Skullcrusher said.

"So you believe they are still alive even after all these years?" The historian asked.

"Yes." Skullcrusher said as the interview ended.

Battle of Canterlot Historical District.

"So Commander Soarin how did you become a COLT-II if you are a pegasus.?" A historian asked.

"An exception was made because of my skill in combat, I barely survived the alterations." Soarin replied.

"So what exactly happened at the Battle of Canterlot?" The historian asked.

"The grifs and changelings numbered in the hundreds of thousands. We only had sixty thousand troops in Canterlot. The Steel Talons had crippled the defense shield and the grifs moved in." Soarin recalled.

"And when did the COLTS come?"

"On that ridge over there." Soarin said pointing to a hill west of Canterlot. The COLTS had led the crystal army here and we first saw them on that hill." Soarin said.

"Do you believe the COLTS were ponies or simply weapons?" The historian asked.

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the COLTS, and I don't think you'd be here either." Soarin said as he flew off into the sky.

Griffon-Pony War Museum.

"How long have you been captain of the guard?"

"Eleven years." Shining Armor replied.

"What was your first encounter with the COLTS?"

"I had been taken prisoner by Captain Gore. I was about to die when the first COLTS rescued me." Shining Armor said.

"What were their names?"

"Deadeye, Recoil, and Earthshock." Armor replied.

"I understand you helped lead the assualt on COLTS-01 after the COLTS were framed?"

"Yes, that is my biggest shame." Armor said sadly.

"The COLT known as Deadeye was romantically involved with your sister Twilight Sparkle. Had the two gotten married, would you have accepted Deadeye into your family?"

"Yes, yes I would have." Armor said.

Ten years ago, the griffon empire under the rule of Claws Von Griffon declared war on Equestria. Equestria had not had a war in nearly a thousand years so the ponies were unprepared to fight. The griffons were numerically, technologically, and in some cases, physically superior to the ponies. The ponies fought hard to bring the war to a stalemate when the Covert Operations and Lethal Takedown Squads was commissioned by Princess Luna. Under the command of Army Colonel Striper, select individuals were trained for six months before receiving biological alterations making them stronger, faster, and tougher. The COLTS proved to be Equestria's best weapon against the griffons. The Steel Talons led by the notorious Captain Gore were also augmented supersoldiers. The COLTS were framed and the public believed they had murdered innocents at Trottingham. All COLTS were killed except for COLTS Omega- Deadeye, Big Macintosh, Autumn Leaf, Solar Blitz, and Silent Shadow. They had gone rampant as a side effect from their augmentations but they were eventually restored. They convinced the crystal empire to aid the ponies and the war was brought back into the ponies favor. The COLTS were last seen at Mt. Hooverest attempting to stop a lava canal which would wipe Equestria off the map. The plan was thwarted and the griffons surrenedered but the COLTS were never heard from again. A second group of ponies called the COLT-II's were made to act as a peace keeping force in Equestria and that is where the story starts...