Discovery part 1
The night sky was clear of clouds, the sea calm, and the boat was quiet save for the hum of the engines, and the chatter of some of the crew. I was leaning on a railing on the side of the USS Bonhomme Richard, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship. Looking back towards the other ships accompanying us. There was the USS Blue Ridge, a Blue Ridge-class Command Chip, the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier, the USS Zephyr, a Cyclone-class Patrol Boat, the USS Warrior, a Avenger-class Mine Countermeasures Chip, the USS Thach, a Oliver Hazard Perry-class Frigate, the USS The Sullivans, a Arleigh Burk-class Destroyer, the USS Shiloh, a Ticonderoga-class Cruiser, and the USS Florida, a Ohio-class Guided Missile Submarine. It was a fairly mismatch of American ships from around the globe, but we were told that we were the only ones capable for the job.
The job that we were tasked with was the exploration of a new island discovered in the Pacific. Before there were just rumors about the island, but no one ever found it. But what lead to the discovery was when oceanographers found an unusual current in the ocean, they followed the current and it became calm with little current, just like on the shore of an island. But when they tried to get a satellite image of where the current led them there was nothing there. There was a group of them that thought it was just a false reading, but a majority of them thought that there was something there. So after several weeks of filming the area from space to try and find it they got a brief image of it just before a storm entered the area, it only lasted 3 frames but it was enough to get others involved. The second group of scientists that became involved were the meteorologists to confirm whether or not it was a mirage made by the storm, and after about 4 weeks of reviewing the film, they confirmed that it was not a mirage made by the storm, but there was an island there.
After this confirmation many were confused by how it could be there but not be there at the same time. But a group of scientists called Luminescencists came up with the answer that there must be something on the island reflecting the light from the island, thereby making it invisible to sources that don’t know about its existence, and that someone or something went through a lot of trouble to hide the island and the only reason that we saw the island was most likely due to a lightning bolt hitting whatever was reflecting the light from it and temporarily short-circuit it. But as soon as they released the report to the public and government officials caught wind of this, they immediately started to form landing parties to go and try to claim the island for their nation. I was recruited to be part of that landing party, and according to what Captain David Fluker told us was that this could be the greatest discovery in the history of mankind, and that they wanted the USA to be the ones to discover it.
I sighed as I looked up at the starry sky, wishing that I could be back home or relaxing on a beach somewhere. But knowing my luck I would just end up being called up for something else. I sighed again before returning to my quarters below deck. I walked into my quarters and closed the door behind me. I went to go wash my face from being up on deck all day. I grabbed a white wash cloth and let it soak in warm water for a couple of minutes while I took off my hat, revealing my charcoal black hair, as I proceeded to wash my face. After drying off my now clean face I put my hands on either side of the sink and leaned forward looking at my reflection in the mirror, my left blue eye and my right green eye staring back at me, I rubbed my square chin which was covered by a 5 o’clock shadow since my electric razor broke about a month ago, I have a fairly wide jaw, which when combined with my fairly muscular body and my height of 6’4 made me look like the person who would stop a bar fight with ease. I changed into my spare clothes and took my main ones to the laundry. And when I returned and was about to lie down to get some rest, Captain David spoke over the intercom.
“Attention all personnel: We are approximately 5 miles from the island. Please report to your assigned stations and wait for further instructions. That will be all.”
At this point I punched the steel wall of my quarter’s wall so hard that it left a dent, which was followed by the sound of something smashing, which was followed by the guy next door screaming, “Mother fucker! That’s the 3rd pair this week!” I think I might have punched the spot where the shelves were and caused his glasses to fall and break.
After my neighbors little outburst, there was a pounding on my door. "Open up Mark! You owe me money so I can get my glasses fixed!" And there it was, Steve's eventual outburst for me breaking his glasses just a minute ago.
"I'm coming, just give me a moment." I said in an annoyed tone, as I went into my dresser and pulled out $300 from my wallet before putting it in my pocket. I knew that is glasses cost $300 because this has happened many, many times before. I walked over to the door and jerking it open I tossed him the $300. He replied with a quick "Thank you." and went back to his quarters to grab his gear before heading off. I went back into my room and grabbed the top half of my uniform, my M9 bayonet as well as its M10 scabbard and strapped it to my waist, and my Beretta M9 pistol and put it in its holster on my right leg. I then proceeded to grab my bag from my closet, then went straight towards the armory. Once there I opened my locker and grabbed my M1014 semi-automatic shotgun, and my M4 carbine with telescopic sight and laser pointer. Slamming my locker shut I double-timed it to my CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter and got in my seat, with my squad, and was ready for take off.
"Attention all personnel: We are within a mile of the target area, the shield is within visual range now. Please make sure you are in your assigned spot and prepare for entry." Captain David said over the intercom.
Well as soon as all ships are within the shield we can take off to and set up base camp on the beach head. I think it was about 3 minutes before I could feel the ship violently rumble, and I'm guessing that meant that we had entered the shield are getting ready for take off soon. I could feel the engines of the helicopter start up, and as they slowly built up speed Captain David said over the intercom, "All units that are scheduled for first take off, please proceed to do so, we will wait just off the coast, we await your signal to start sending in gear to set up base camp." And then we were off, into the sky towards the island, lucky for us it wasn't long until we landed on the beach. the landing door opened and I told my squad to move out. We moved onto the beach and scanned it for any life, when we found none I had Private Fred and George stay on the beach and wait for the others to arrive, while John, Will, Paul, and I proceeded into the forest that backed up to the beach.
With our weapons at the ready we proceeded carefully into the forest making sure to remain as quiet as possible so not to alert animals to out location. We were about 10 minutes into the forest and about to turn back when we heard a loud road from behind us. we quickly spun around and prepared to subdue what ever snuck up on us. But what appeared out of the darkness of the forest was what looked like a Lion, but it had a scorpion tail and bat wings. As it lunged towards us I yelled, "Open fire!" and a volley of lead was hurled towards the creature, but as it kept coming towards us we kept shooting it. It came within 20 feet of us and I quickly switched to my M1014, and when it was within 5 feet from us I fired 3 shots in rapid succession right at its head, and it hit the ground and slid towards us, halting at out feet. What ever it was took a beating before dying. I went up to it and kicked it to make sure it was dead, which it appeared to be so. Then John said what was on everyone's mind, "What the hell was that thing!?" and of course he sounded scared shitless. "I have no idea, but we are obviously in uncharted territory now boys. Let's head back to the beach and contact the fleet, for back up." I said to them. And as we headed back towards the beach, we failed to notice a pair of green eyes staring at them from inside a bush and muttered quietly, "Oh, my."
Author's Note
Yes, the ships mentioned are actual ships, and the Captain of the Bonhomme Richard is the current captain. I take pride in making it accurate. And incase you didn't read my most recent blog I am looking for Proofreaders for this story.
(Edited version)
Twilight POV
"Spike! Have you seen my copy of "The Birds and The Bees for Dummies"? Rainbow Dash wants to barrow it but I cant find it anywhere." I shouted without looking away from my book.
"I think The Crusaders, were barrowing it for an experiment or something." Spike shouted groggily from the bedroom.
"Well can you go find them and get that book back. It our only copy and I really don't want them to destroy it in one of their daily attempts to get their Cutie Marks. But why would they need that book I can only imagine."
Spike came out of the bedroom and walked down the stairs rubbing his eyes, "Fine I'll go find them." He said as he opened the door and headed out side, "Oh, hi Fluttershy. Twilight is inside reading up on The Magical Field Theory if you need her."
"Oh, thank you Spike." Fluttershy said as she rushed into the library and slammed the door, which is not like her at all.
"Fluttershy? What's going on? It's not like you to rush into places, or even slam doors for that matter." I asked her. She was clearly disturbed and frightened. But by what, is what I want to know.
"S-s-strange creatures just killed a M-M-Manticore in a clearing in the E-E-Everfree forest no to far from the t-t-town." Fluttershy said with shaking violently with tears in her eyes. But what shocked me the most was the fact that she had said "just killed a Manticore".
"Fluttershy, look at me. Are you sure it was a Manticore? Since you know as well as I do that nothing has killed a Manticore in a fight in over 500 years. And if what your saying is true, then Celestia help us all." I said in a firm but caring tone
"I-I'm positive it was a M-Manticore." She said still visible shaken
"It's ok Fluttershy. Now if you'll excuse me I need to alert Celestia." I said as I walked towards my upstairs balcony.
"B-but didn't you just send Spike off? H-how are you going to tell Celestia?"
I stopped just before the balcony and turned towards her, "Fluttershy, do you really think that the Princess and I wouldn't have a system in place for emergencies?" I said to her with a smirk on my face. Before reaching behind a potted plant and flipped a lever, which caused a metal tube and a control panel to rise up from the floor. "Now let's see here, Changelings, Parasprites, Discord turned us all into stallions, Pinkie found your hidden cake vault, Ah here it is!" I exclaimed as I slammed my hoof down on a black button, which the label above it read, "MURDER." Immediately after the pressing of the button a *Cuchunk* sound echoed though out Ponyville as the tube fired the black magical flare towards Canterlot. I turned towards Fluttershy and said, "Now we wait."
Celestia Pov
"...And that princess is why I think I should be able to increase my own pay, and decrease my workers pay." said the stallion in the brown overcoat.
"Well I understand were you are coming from on this. Unfortunately I can not allow you to do that. Your request is officially denied." I said wile maintaining my regal appearance, while on the inside I wanted to launch this inconsiderate fool to the moon, I mean seriously! He wanted to cut is workers pay, and increase his own so he could buy out his workers land to increase his pool's size. Unfortunately my advisors insist that launching ponies to the moon will be bad for my public image.
"I understand, thank you for your time princess." The stallion said as he grumbled out of day court.
I turned towards my guards and said to them, "You know, it's times like these when I actually wish for some disaster to occur. But considering how peaceful Equestria is, I guess that will never happen." As I tuned back towards the open door's leading into the Day Court, I could see the line of ponies stretching out into the horizon. As I sighed and was about to call the next pony up, something caught my eye. Out in the distance, a black magical flare was launched, normally I would have let the local authorities deal with it, but this one radiated with Twilight's magical energy.
Jumping up from my seat I turned towards my guards and said, "An emergency has arisen, go get Discord and have him run Day Court until I get back." My horn glowing I prepared a long-distance teleport to my student's library. Casting the spell, I was quickly dematerialize in the Court room, and rematerialized in my Twilight's library.
"Twilight! I saw your flare, what has happened?" I asked in a panicked tone.
"Princess, Fluttershy said that she saw strange creatures kill a Manticore out in a clearing in the Everfree forest not to far from town." Twilight said. I turned towards Fluttershy and she responded with a quick nod.
"This is indeed troublesome. A Manticore has not been killed in a long time. Tell me Fluttershy, can you take us to where the Manticore is, if I were to teleport us to the entrance of the Everfree forest?"
Fluttershy gave a nod, and said, "I, um, might even be able to show you which direction the creatures when in, if that's ok with you."
"That would be fine, my little pony." I said before teleporting us to the Everfree Forest. We followed Fluttershy into the forest, and like she said, the clearing was close to town. Much to close for my liking, upon arriving in the clearing there were a few things that stood out. The first was the dead Manticore, which did confirm what Fluttershy had said, the next was cylindrical metal tubes littered among the forest floor, another was the fact that the Manticore had many holes scattered though out its body, and the last thing was many prints leading away from the body, towards the other side of the forest.
"This is disturbing, I have never seen anything in all my years of living killed like this before. And what are these metal tubes on the ground for?" I said to no one in particular.
"Um, I think those are what caused the holes in the Manticores body." Fluttershy said in a hushed tone.
"Why didn't you tell me you saw this happen!? If you told me that then we could have tried to figure out what killed the Manticore back at the library!" Twilight said clearly frustrated.
"Twilight is doesn't matter now. But what does matter is finding the creatures that did this and finding out if they indent to cause us trouble or if there can be peace between us." I said, Twilight was about to respond but a large shadow quickly flew over our heads, followed by a loud roar, but the roar didn't sound like any creature, it sounded almost, artificial? Twilight just stood there as if trying to identify what creature the roar belonged to, while Fluttershy had stiffened up and fallen over on her side.
"Princess, what was that?" Twilight asked after coming out of her daze.
"I do not know, But I have a feeling that all of Equestria will find out soon enough."
Author's Note
Things are starting to heat up as the inevitable first contact will be made. But what will the result be?
Also find the reference I made in the first section, and to be nice I will give you all 1 hint. Ever play Feed the Beast the yogscast one?
This is the unedited version, I will update it when my proofreader is done checking over it. So there my be some typos.
