**********
The portal opened. It resurrected in front of my squadron like some star-gate from a movie I watched as a kid. We had orders to head to this unknown planet. No. Unknown universe, that we had no freakin' clue where it led to or why we were going. Our orders from the boss was just to head through the portal and recon. The UNSC had speculations that our fore longed enemy, Tsu-Zamamee, was hiding out in this universe. That he ran when our fleet attacked theirs.
The portal grew, just big enough for a human Spartan to pass through it. We could see the other side through the emancipated matter. A colorful world, bright green foliage. Why the hell would Zamamee be in here?
My squadron passed through the portal. The other side was exactly as it was depicted through the portal. There was many wildlife. A few clicks north we could see a mountain, with a castle overhanging the side of it. So there indeed was civilization here. Maybe a couple miles away from the castle-mountain, there was a small town.
"Alright Spartans, let's move out. Toward that village. Maybe the villagers may have seen Zamamee." I commanded to my squad. We immediately moved out. Didn't want to waste any time here. Can't let Tsu get away...
The name's Kurtis James Galil. General ranked in the United Nations Space Command. Leader of the Omni Squadron. We were Spartans. Trained for the most elite essence of combat. Our Mark grade power armor could protect us from a blast of a Wraith mortar. My team made up several. Introductions can wait for later though.
My squad very soon arrived to the village. We did not expect what was waiting though. It was inhabited. Not by humans though. Little prismatic colored horses... They seemed to be a human-like life form. They all were walking, socializing. Was this the civilians of this planet. Spartans have seen weird creatures before. From tiny Grunts to the damned Flood infection. But never something so close to creatures from Earth.
One of the horses caught an eye on us. It immediately screamed of feared. Crap. They all began running. Fleeing to houses and locking up market stands along the street.
There was one horse that did not react like the others. It seemed to be a bright cyan color with a rainbow mane and wings. Looked like a pegasus... But those were just mythical creatures. Weren't they? Either way. It flew down toward my Marksman, Sergeant Zuke, and kicked him right in the helmet.
Out of natural retaliation, Zuke raised his weapon to the flying horse. "Whoa, whoa buddy. No need for that! I was just trying to protect my fellow ponies. No need to get hostile!" Did that damn thing just talk?!
"Stand down Zuke!" I commanded. He obeyed. But the 'pony' flew away in a flash. Dammit, "Follow it. If these things can talk, we need to see if they know anything about Zamamee."
**********
I was with the rest of my friends. We were hiding in Twilight's library, "Wh- What are those things...?" Fluttershy asked nervously.
"I don't know Fluttershy," Twilight replied, "Where the hay is Rainbow Dash?!"
Coincidently, Rainbow came barreling through the door. She was breathing heavily, "They... Have... Weapons..."
"Weapons? What weapons?" I asked my cousin.
"I... Have no... Idea." She gulped her breathes and attempted to speak normal, "They had some big, metal, shiny things with a huge barrel at the end of it."
Twilight immediately began searching her shelves, "What are you looking for darling?" Rarity had asked.
"I remember reading about these before. What were they called..." She continued looking, "Ah! Here it is. The History of the Ancient Equestrian War."
"The Equestrian War?" Dash asked uneasy, "Isn't that the reason the Wonderbolts were made?"
"Yes." Twilight replied, "Ah here. The things they had were called 'Guns'."
"Guns? That sounds awfully dangerous sugarcube. Are you sure that's it?" Applejack interrupted.
"If that is what Rainbow saw, then yes." Twilight continued reading, "Guns are packed with highly explosive projectiles that can puncture a pony's skin and bone, instantly killing them..."
"Oh my..." Rarity said, mouth agape.
Twilight continued, "Apparently Celestia destroyed all guns in Equestria after the war. To prevent combat ever reoccurring. Replacing them with the Elements."
"If they are all destroyed, how did these creatures get them?" I questioned.
"I don't know..." Twilight seemed confused, "What did they look like Rainbow?"
"I really couldn't tell Twi! They were walking on two hooves and looked like big robot things." Rainbow explained, making gestures with her hooves.
"Well we ought'a find out who and what these things are an' get 'em outta our home." Applejack said, as-matter-of-factly.
"I agree darling." Rarity butted in, "These THINGS can't just barge in and disturb us in our peace."
"Yeah..." Twilight replied unsurely, "Maybe they're friendly?"
BOOM!
**********
After that pegasus flew away, that's when all hell began to break loose. It flew away and these other horses, or ponies. Whatever they were. They came over to us and set up shields along with large lances hanging on their sides. Were these things in the medieval ages or something? Can't be... Then again, we are in a alternate dimension from our own. Why the hell has Tsu come here of all places?
"Drop your weapons!" The one guard-like horse barked at us. So this one can talk as well? "He said, drop your weapons!" The other said. There were three of them total. They were wearing bright golden armor. Like some sort of medieval guard crap.
"What's the command sir?" Zuke asked me.
"Put your weapons away team." I commanded.
"Better. Now who are you and why are you here?!" The guard interrogated.
Naturally, I stepped forward, "I am General Kurtis James Galil. Leader of Omni Squadron." I sent order through my teams' HUD to fire on mark, if needed.
"Why are you here?!"
"My team tracked a very deadly and crazed enemy to your planet. We have come to eliminate him. We are at no harm to your kind. Our pure mission is to eliminate Tsu Zamamee."
That's when I saw it. The spark to our long dispute. A boulder came flying right toward me. My HUD conducted me to move to dodge it. I didn't want to fight the civilians back though. The rock hit me head on. It clashed with my armor and I fell back. My HUD flickered. Shit.
The flicker caused my life signature to flash for a moment. That was all my squad needed to suppress fire. I heard the mechanisms of a sniper lock a bullet into place.
BOOM!
As my HUD came back on and my Optical Vision Emulator came to life, all I saw was blood splattered on my helmet. I looked to where the three guards were standing, one was on the ground. Dead.
I looked to the other guards. They were just staring at their fallen partner, completely dumbfounded. I got up and knocked Zuke down, "What the hell were you thinking?! Did I fucking give you clear to shoot?!" I cursed him out so vulgar, to this day he's afraid of pissing me off.
The guards looked to my squad, then back to their partner. One lunged its lance at my corporal. All I heard was the clash of his armor. He staggered a bit, it didn't affect him though, "Listen! I am very sorry for your partner. My fucking idiot squad-mate doesn't know how to take orders." I announced, trying to make peace with the guards.
They didn't listen. Of course not, we just killed one of their friends. Great way to make a first impression everyone! "Fire the cannons!" One of them commanded. At that moment, another ball came flying at my direction. "Lock!" I shouted. In unison, we wen into lock position and stabilized our armor. Armor Lock as it is known in laymen's terms.
The projectile hit, exploding into pieces as it made contact. I got up, "I don't want to fight with you! We are NOT the bad guys!" They still didn't listen.
I looked to my corporal, his helmet was cracked. Must've locked too late... He removed his helmet to shout orders to me. I don't remember what he said. All I remember was the scream he made as a lance went through his neck. Blood wet everywhere and he fell to the ground. I saw the pony that committed the slaughter, as it removed the lance and shook the excess blood and gore off of the lance.
That was it, "SUPPRESSIVE FIRE MEN!" I commanded, immediately shooting the guard. A bullet when through its eye socket, leaving a star-shaped hole. It became a total warfront as cannons fire and the sounds of Designated Marksman Rifles echoed through the air.
What the hell have we done...
**********
Everypony ran out of the library. I wasn't sure what was happening. We all ran out to investigate the sound. It was like thunder, no. Like a miniature Sonic Rainboom.
"The sound came from that way!" Twilight shouted, running toward the end of town. We galloped with her at a swift pace. Soon me and Dash were gliding side by side, keeping up with the purple alicorn. When we made it, we were horrified.
There was at least two ponies, on the ground. Blood was gushing out of their bodies. There was another creature lying there with them. Also dead.
"Wha- What happened here?!" Rarity gasped, practically tearing.
"I'm not sure. Let's go! We need to see Celestia about thi-" Twilight began. A bullet zipped by her, causin her to scream.
"Everypony in here!" Rainbow shouted, pointing to a nearby house.
We ran toward it. Inevitably, a boulder flew into the entrance right before we made it to the house, "Oor not! This way!" Twilight shouted at us, jetting in a different direction, "Applejack! Do you think we can hold shelter at the acres?!"
"I dunno sugar!" Applejack shouted in reply, racing beside Twi, "I don't wanna put mah family in danger!"
Everypony was shouting over the sounds of these 'guns'. It was scary. I looked over toward the creatures and the royal guards fighting. They were just attacking each other. Merciless death. Between the guards flinging lances and the other things shooting the guns, I wasn't sure what was going on. I snapped out of my daze when Twi shouted toward mine and Rainbow's direction.
"Spectra! Did you hear us?! Applejack decided to let us go to hide in the apple cellar with her family! Let's go! Where are you going?!" I didn't notice, but I was still flying in the same direction as they turned toward the acres. I followed Twilight as we galloped after the others.
**********
My team suppressed, neither side would back down. Why the fuck did it escalate to us killing techni-colored ponies? Zuke shouted to me, "Sir! There are some there, they are fleeing." I looked to see seven ponies. I noticed something specific though. I saw that rainbow one. I ran after them. My team followed, "Stay here!" I commanded. "No sir!" They dejected. I took some-what drastic measure. I activated a stun grenade and dropped it. I risked their lives as their armor systems shut down. My squad became immobile and fell to the ground. Paying no attention I ran forward, chasing after that rainbow-maned pony. They seemed to be heading toward some sort of apple orchard. These ponies seem to talk and have a normal society, why wouldn't there be farmers as well...
**********
The others and I ran toward the barn as we entered Sweet Apple Acres. I flew by Twilight and landed by the entrance. I opened the door and held it as my friends entered. Suddenly, a round metal object landed in front of me. I gulped, closed my eyes, and prayed to Celestia it wasn't what I thought it was.
**********
I sprinted forward. They were entering a barn, probably in hope of shelter. The rainbow-maned one held the door for its friends. She looked o the ground and closed her eyes... That's when I saw what she was looking at exactly. Someone threw a fragmentation grenade toward it. I looked back, it was my squad. "Shit..." I muttered.
Time slowed as I looked to the pony, I calculated my approach. I saw it, the grenade, and a well. I knew what to do... And I only had 2.35 seconds to do it. I used my thruster pack to jettison forward, I grabbed the pony and the grenade in one swift motion. I grabbed a stun from my belt as I threw the frag away. With another swift motion, I threw the stun at my squad and thrusted toward the well, jumping into it. Both grenades exploded behind us...
**********
I opened my eyes. Everything was dark... My eyes adjusted and I saw one of those creatures next to me, my mouth fell agape.
"Good you're awake." He said. I could tell it was a stallion of some sorts.
"Wha-" It was all I could get out.
"Don't screa-"
"Waaaahhhh!!!"
**********
The pegasus woke, I didn't notice it at first. When I did notice her, she was staring at me. It began screaming at the top of her lungs. At least, I assume it was a her as her screams were quite feminine.
"No no! Stop!" I shouted to her, "I won't hurt you!"
She screamed up the well while crawling at the walls, "Twilight! Rainbow! Somepony help!!!"
I reacted, as to not let her draw attention. I put my hand over her muzzle and held the petrified pegasus still, "Now. I'm gonna remove my hand. Please do not scream." I stated calmly, "I'm not here to hurt you. Do you trust me?" She nodded. I removed my grip on her.
She was in fact silent. We sat silent as I managed to catch my breath from the previous action. I removed my Raider helmet to breath easier.
**********
When I saw the stallion remove the helmet he was wearing, I noticed his black some-what long mane. He seemed to be coatless though. He was breathing heavily, "Who- Who are you...?" I asked.
He breathed a few and then spoke, "What?"
"Who are you?" I asked again, "I've never seen a stallion like you before..."
"I'm not a stallion. I'm a human male. Spartan Kurtis James Galil to be specific."
"Kurtis Jame- What?"
"Just call me K for short." K began picking at the ground with his odd shaped hooves, "And you?"
"Spectra Hue."
"Well nice to meet you ma'am." He shook the mud off his hooves and held it out to me, "Don't you ponies handshake?"
"Hand?" I gave him a peculiar look, "We hoofshake... I don't know what a hand is though..."
"Well, then hoofshake?"
I stuck my left hoof out to shake his hoof. He spoke up again, "By the way, this here." K gestured with this hoof, "This is a hand. All humans have them."
I just watched him as he got up, the well was small. I could hear echoes of gunfire above. K began feeling around the wall.
"What are you doing?" I asked him.
"Searching for a way out. A hole, a ledge, a weak spot? Anything really." He kept searching, "So you were the one that bucked my squad mate earlier?"
I was startled, afraid he was gonna do something depending on my answer, "Uh... No?"
"You are that rainbow pegasus that did it. Aren't you?"
"You may be speaking of my cousin... Rainbow Dash..."
I heard K mumble something under his breath, "Crap." He cleared his throat, "Sorry ma'am. I thought you were your cousin. I wanted to see if... Uh, she?" I nodded, "If she knew anything about the bandit that we are after." K paused, "She seemed to be the only one that wasn't afraid of us."
"Hey!" I objected, "I'm no scaredy filly!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me! You were hear killing our kind, of course I'd be startled!"I stood the best I could. I tried to hover to meet K eye-level, my wing cramped up and I fell to the ground, "Ouch." I must've clipped my wing when K grabbed me...
"You alright miss?"
"I'm fine..."
"Good, 'cause I found our exit. Looks like this well is filtered from the rivers. I can break these drainage bars open and we can escape from here." He grabbed onto a bar or something and tugged on it, "We can go, meet up with my team, and fix all of this-"
"No."
K let go and looked to me, "Excuse me ma'am?"
"I said no. You're real kind and all. But no. After what you and your team did, and probably are still doing, I will not go anywhere with you."
"Understandable. Just remember, we are not the bad guys miss. We are strictly here on commands from our boss."
"I will still help you find this, whatever you're looking for. I'm not sure if I know anything about it though."
"Fair enough. Brace yourself."
"Wait what-?" K took a blue ball out of his belt and pressed a button, it lit up like a fire. It glowed a bright blue color. Within an instance, he threw on his helmet, placed the ball on the bars and got over me, "What are you-"
"Just hold onto me." He insured, then K... I don't even know. He punched the ground while couched over me. When he did this, his body glowed a bright white color. All I heard was a explosion and then K released, standing back up. He went over to investigate the drain again.
"What did you just do?" I asked.
"I armor locked to protect both of us from the plasma blast."
I had know idea what he was saying, "Uh... Okay?"
"We should go now, through here." K stated, leading us out of the well, through the drainage pipe.
What was I getting myself into with this Human...?
