Dream of Mirrors

by Starreaper088

Rating: teen
Tags: Human, Comedy, Adventure
Length: 8169

During a HALO jump something goes wrong and a U.S marine is surprised to find himself down but not out....yet

Sgt. John Lenard was sure he was going to die when something goes wrong during a HALO jump over enemy territory. When he awakes in a forest, very different from the jungle he was supposed to be in things take an unexpected turn. With no certainty as to where he's going all he can do is push on in hopes of some answers. What he gets instead is a chase that will run him to the ground.

Loosely based off of the song by the same name "Dream of Mirrors" by Iron Maiden.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-15 08:14:13 UTC

Jump gone wrong.

John stood looking down at the passing earth below him. Standing mere feet from falling to the ground at rapid speeds. The V-22 Osprey shook and almost threw him out, yet at the last second a hand shot out and grabbed him. As he was pulled back in he looked at the man who did so. "Thanks Roger. But isn't it time to jump anyway?" He said through the headset.

The older soldier nodded and handed him one of the chutes. He clipped it on and checked himself. All his gear was stowed in his bag and his rifle was carefully secured as to keep him from loosing it during the jump.

Giving the other Marine a thumbs up he prepped himself. Shaking his head he ran for the exit. Leaping off the open door him and the rest of the platoon began to free fall.

Pulling there bodies flat and slowing the decent they all joined into a circle and waited for the right altitude. When it finally came they released their grips and pushed away. Each pulled their chutes at different times as to keep from colliding or anything else.

Pulling his cord John realized nothing was happening. The parachute wasn't working. In one last effort before he was consumed by fear and panic he pulled the emergency cord. It worked but by now he was to far down; even with as much as he was slowing he would still hit the canvas to hard. "JOHN!" Was the last thing he heard over the radio before colliding with the tree tops.

John awoke suddenly. Looking around he saw he was in the forest, but not the jungle where he had jumped. Confused he released the straps of the parachute and held on tight so not to fall too quick. Using the parachute as a swing he threw himself to a nearby tree and let go in time to grab hold of the trunk.

Shimming down he sat at the base of the tree and looked around. This was not the jungle they had jumped over. He pressed the button on his throat mic. "Foxtrot Romeo command. This is Juliett Lima 002513962057. I am down in unknown territory without support, do you copy?"

Nothing but static came from the earpiece linked to the mic. He repeated the phrase; still nothing. Sighing he looked up at the parachute. What had happened last night?

Perhaps they were given bad intel and weren't jumping over Africa but somewhere else. No that would be stupid, FORECON with bad info during an op would be like fish without water. Maybe he hadn't been paying attention during briefing and misheard some details. Again, that didn't make sense because he had given the briefing himself.

After about an hour of resting and regaining his strength he decided to go looking for answers. Standing and hefting his rucksack he began to move. While in the trees he had seen smoke in the distant and decided that he would look there for any answers as to where he was.

As he walked he made a mental note to return for his parachute. Not only was all his gear still attached, but you never know when you'd need a parachute.

After pacing through the trees for about ten minutes he heard a loud roar. Turning he saw a large lion looking beast with wings like a bat and a scorpion tail.

He pulled his combat knife and took a battle stance. Charging him he lept toward a tree and pushed off as it passed him. Turning in the air he grabbed a wing and stabbed vigorously at the base. The beast reared up and flapped its wings causing him to fly off.

He rolled out of the toss and got back up quickly. Releasing the clip that secured the rucksack to him and sliding it off his back he prepared for another attack. Looking up he saw it jump at him again. Dropping he flattened himself and while it passed over him he brought the knife up and stabbed it in the under belly.

Passing over with its entrails hanging out it fell to the ground and died. Jumping up he ran over and stabbed it through the skull. Grabbing his rucksack he pulled out a small baggie and carved out a large hunk of meat. In the event he had to survive out here he could eat this before resorting to eating his M.R.E.

Quickly storing the meat and shouldering his bag he set off for the source of the smoke.

About halfway to the source he heard another noise. Jumping to the side he hid behind a tree. Slowly he peaked out the side. What he saw shocked him; small equines varying in color. What was even stranger was that some had wings and horns.

His jaw dropped from the strange sight ahead of him. Then a lavender one spoke. "Come on girls," it said. "From what AppleBloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said the creature should be just up ahead." From the tone and pitch of its voice it was a female.

From this another spoke, a light blue one with a rainbow mane. "I swear if that thing tries anything I'll teach him a thing or to about messing with the element of loyalty." It said hovering slightly off the ground and crossing its hooves.

Yet another responded, this one was blonde and had an orange coat. "Easy thar Rainbow. We don't even know if this thing is hostile, let-alone weather 'er not it'll attack us." Same as the last two this one had a very high feminine voice yet the accent seemed very southern.

Perhaps it was just a common trait shared by these horses for this time a light yellow one with a pink mane spoke up, yet barely above a whisper. "Oh I hope it's alright. The poor dear must be so scared right now." From the tone in her voice she seemed genuinely worried about whatever they were talking about.

Thinking about the direction they were heading and the way they were talking, he thought they may have been speaking of him. If he had been seen it is also possible whoever had seen him  had told someone, er something. How long had he been out? The jump had been scheduled for about 5 A.M local time, and if this place kept the same time patterns it was about noon now.

As they got closer he shuffled around to the other side of the tree out of sight. When they passed he began to follow behind and pick up some information. So far, this was still a green op, meaning he was still to continue to collect any information he could and that no shots had been fired. When the first round was fired it was instantly a black op and mission was deemed failed, this meant he was to kill any hostiles in way of exvile and keep any info currently detained out of harms way.

When they reached the site of his harness and chute he crawled under some bushes and watched them. The lavender one's horn lit up and began to pull the chute from the tree. Yet another impossible feat was shown to him that day. A horse flying and now, a horse with magic. "Hmm, I guess it got away. Maybe it's still in the area. Rainbow Dash, can you fly up and see if there's anything nearby?"

This earned a quick salute from the rainbow one and it flew up high. It circled twice before landing and shaking its head no. Sighing he lowered himself and waited for them to leave. That's when the purple one spoke again. "Well perhaps I can use this object as a base item to locate it."

Before he could even think about what she was doing her horn lit up and his chute was once again covered in the purple glow. "I'm picking up a trace from it close by, very close. In that direction." She said lifting a hoof and pointing in his direction.

Holding his breath he silently cursed the pony before prepping himself to run. That's when he realized his Flyers Kitbag and SARPELS was still attached to the chute. A Flyers Kitbag was a large bag used while using a parachute and harness that would contain the users Rucksack, weapon, munitions, and communications during a jump. The SARPELS was a larger bag that held much of the equipment the Flyers Kitbag couldn't hold, as well as other things. Generally it would be attached to the harness and at an altitude of around 30m it would be released and held by a 25ft rope as to keep injuries during landings to a minimum; since he had been in a struggle during the jump he never pulled the cord and it was still attached to the back end of his harness.

Without that bag all he had was his knife and any items stowed in his bag. The iPod he listened to during long flights before and after missions, the MEU(SOC) Pistol that was standard issue for any FORCON Operator as well as a compressor, three M.R.E's, a 3.0 liter hydration pack, and the meat from that weird lion thing, along with some water purification pills and such.

Silently he pulled his knife, a standard KA-BAR knife that has been used by the Marines since WWII. Pulling the blade he waited for whatever they were going to do. If the reacted violently he would have to fight, but first diplomacy would be his first action.

They slowly approached his position before a voice rang out not far from them."Twilight! A letter just came from Celestia, with a second letter saying that you needed to read the first letter immediately." said a small reptilian looking animal that sounded like a young boy.

With another sigh he slightly lowered his guard. "Spike? What did the letter say?" The purple one, seemingly known as 'Twilight' asked.

"I don't know. The second letter said it was for your eyes only and that under no circumstances should I read it." The lizard thing said.

Seemingly out of no where he pulled a scroll out. The purple one grabbed it with magic and began reading allowed. "Dear Twilight Sparkle. I have just witnessed a large release of magic in the Everfree forest. I would like to ask you to refrain from investigating this until my royal guards can arrive to help with the investigation. Whatever has caused this I feel may be dangerous and should be approached with caution. Be safe, Princess Celestia." She finished looking at the other horses.

Then the white one of the group spoke. "Princess Celestia is worried? This creature must be very dangerous. Perhaps it is best we head back home and allow the guards to speak."

The blue one closest to him sat down seemed to be thiking. Her tail wagged back and fourth in front of his face; it tickled his nose and almost made him sneeze before subconsciously smacking it away. She jumped into the air and struck a battle pose. "Hey! You under the bush! Get out here!" She yelled before diving at him.

Rolling to the side he allowed the horse to hit the ground before jumping up and running from them; it seemed diplomacy was out of the equation. The blue one known as Rainbow jumped back up and flew after him. Yet, by the time she was up he had dissipated again.

Stopping for a moment she looked around. John leaned down from the tree he was in with his knife in one hand and his other hand about to grab the horses muzzle. As a Force Recon Marine, and as a Marine alone he had been trained in Guerrilla Warfare since basic training. Hiding and slitting throats was a basic routine on most ops.

As he was about to grab the blue one the tree shook and he was knocked from the vantage point. Falling on the pony left him stunned for a moment before grabbing his knife from the ground and yanking the horse up. It seemed the orange one had seen what he was about to do and kicked the tree to distract him.

Putting the blade to its throat and eyeing the others questioningly.

"Where am I?!" He said pushing the blade hard against the horses throat.

Twilight spoke now. "Calm down please, you're in Equestria. Please put our friend down." She said trying to calm the soldier down.

"Fuck you! Where the hell is Equestria? Is it that small place in southern Africa?" He said lowering the knife slightly.

With that a the orange one yelled. "Pinkie Now!" Before he could react a loud boom came from behind him. Jumping back he left a shallow cut across the front of the throat of the hose and another across it's shoulder. The cut on the throat was to far away to hit the jugulars and to shallow to hit the vocal cords.

As he jumped back he saw a pink pony behind him with a cannon device and pounced on it. As he raised his knife to strike he was tackled by the orange one.

Rolling he threw it into a tree and jumped up again. Sheathing his knife in the sheath on his combat vest he began to run from the scene. Jumping over roots and jiving through the trees he ran into a small clearing with a small stream and a pond on one side. Sprinting over he jumped into the pond.

It was about ten feet deep and partially darkened. Swimming to the bottom he saw a partially exposed root and held on to keep himself below the surface. He released small bubbles to keep him below and expel some of the processed oxygen in his lungs.

Looking up he saw the blue one fly over as well as the shadow of the orange one running along the side. Faintly he could hear the purple one yelling after them.

Slowly he resurfaced and looked around. He didn't see anything. Swimming over he got out of the water and crawled over to a tree and sat beneath it. Breathing heavily he looked to where the ponies ran to. They were probably well away from him with the speed they had been going, now he could take a moment to process this and rest.

After a few minutes of resting he stood up and began to walk toward where he earlier saw the smoke. He figured that if there was any chance of getting his stuff back and talking over this it would be where the ponies came from and where the smoke came from.

Checking his watch he saw it was about 8:30 P.M. and the sun was now setting. Deciding that it would be best to wait till night to see about getting his stuff and talking to someone sane about where he was, and possibly find answers.

John sat and pulled out an M.R.E. While he was being hunted he decided that a fire would be very risky, so cooking that meat was out. Settling in with the combat meal he waited, it was going to be a long night.

The following days.

Darkness fell over Equestria as John sprung to action. He sprinted to the edge of town and laid in wait till he saw no one on the streets. Quickly he ran to a nearby alley way and moved down it cautiously.

Reaching the other end of the street he saw a few lights heading toward him. Ducking he crouched behind some trash cans. After a few minutes he saw five white pegasi in golden armor walking past the alley.

"I'm telling you," said one holding a lantern with his wing. "This thing is some kind of monster from another world. It's like that old mares tale, the monster of the Everfree. About that beast that walks on two legs and kills without batting an eyelash. We're like the amazing guards that Celestia assigned to kill the monster."

The other guards snickered at him. "Yeah except we're a bunch of rookies that just got out of basic, that Celestia only sent because she didn't have any other guards to accompany Captain Armor." Said the other lantern bearer.

"Where is he staying anyway? I didn't see him in the barracks." Asked another.

The fourth of the group spoke up. "He's staying in the library here in town with his sister Twilight." So that's where he could find this Twilight at, that's also most likely where he could find all of his things.

Slowly he crept out from bihind the trash cans and across the street. Moving silently he managed to find a town directory. Apparently the Library was up the street. Following the directions he went about a block up, yet he saw nothing.

All there was down the street was a large tree... wait. Stepping closer he saw that there was a door in the tree. Approaching the door he saw a sign saying "Golden Oaks Library". Pulling the pick-gun he used to silently open doors while on an op.

Sliding the end in and putting the torque wrench in at a 40 degree angle. Quickly he pulled the trigger and waited till the wrench fell straight down. After three pumps he flipped the wrench and reset the tumblers, after another three tries the lock finally clicked and he opened the door.

Pushing open the door slowly he could hear faint snoring. Waling in he saw a white pony lightly illuminated by the night light. Silently he closed the door behind him and began to move across the room. Testing each step as he went to minimize squeaking he made his way up the stairs.

Reaching the top he looked around for any rooms, besides the large one he was currently standing in. Across the room next to the bed, which he presumed was holding Twilight, he saw a latter. When he walked over he could see a small trap door at the top.

Climbing the latter he pulled on the handle, nothing. After a few more tries he pulled his knife. It was about 7 inches long, apart of the KA-BAR D2 Extreme Fighting/Utility knife collection. It was rugged and very probably the best knife he had ever used.

Putting the blade between the trap door and the ceiling he pried until he could he hear wood cracking. When the handle on the door came out, along with some wood, he pushed open the door ascended into the attic. When he entered a light flicked on behind him. Flipping around he looked at the source of the light.

On the other end of the room stood the purple one, Twilight. She began to slowly trot toward him. "Hello, whoever you are." she said sternly. "My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle, and you are going to meet Princess Celestia." With a commanding tone. Before he could react he could hear commotion outside, looking through the leaves he saw tons of guards. Next to Twilight he could see his parachute and SARPELS.

"Or, you give me my stuff, I go back in the woods, find a way to contact my team for exvile, and our lives continue like this never fuckin' happened." He said standing to his full height of about 6'.

Lifting her head and looking at him disapprovingly. "I'm sorry sir, but due to crimes against pony kind you're officially under arrest." She commanded.

Laughing and sheathing his knife he held his hands up. "You got me, but I'm not surrendering. So, I think I'll take my leave." Twilight was confused by this. He said they got him but he was leaving? Before she could react he turned and jumped out of the tree. Reaching out he grabbed the nearest hoovering guard. Using the struggling guard he lowered himself a few feet from the ground and jumped down.

Slamming the dazed guard into the floor he then took off across town. Eventually running down an alley and kicking in a door. Entering the home he could hear hooves on the floor getting closer. Moving slowly around the kitchen he saw another horse across the kitchen. "Who's there?" It asked, it as obviously a male.

While it's back was turned he snuck up and choked it out. Leaving it's unconscious body on the floor he made for the front of the home. Unlocking the door and slipping out he saw the forest just across the way. Seeing the coast was clear he made a mad dash for the forest and slid the last three feet into the bushes.

Waiting for a moment to see if he had been followed he made back into the forest. He could survive out here for a while until he could find a way to get a hold of the closest base. He had basic survival training from basic, the advanced training that was recommended for snipers, and any training or teachings that had been shown to him from his father before joining the corps.

Sneaking away from the town he made back for that small clearing he was in before. It had a source of water and from the look of it there was probably many small animals there that could be used for food, as well as the small stream that flowed from the pond that could indicate it flowed into a larger body of water and if so he would be able to fish, as well as follow it and find a vantage point besides these trees to look at the surrounding area.

When he reached the clearing he saw a tall tree nearby and started climbing. When he reached about a midway point in it he found two branches that could hold his weight and pulled out some para-cord from his bag and tied himself in; this way he could sleep without being seen easily from the ground, as well as giving cover from the sky because of how thick the canvas was.

After a few hours of sleeping lightly he awoke with the first few strands of sunlight coming through the canvas. Untying himself he got down from the tree and made for the clearing. When he entered he found some sticks and a couple of vines from the older trees. Pulling his knife he set to work on making some snares for animals.

When he finished making ten snares he heard a faint noise from behind him. Pressing himself flat against the tree he sat behind he peaked behind it tentatively. Two of the white guards with golden armor stood behind another presumable guard. He had white fur and a blue mane that had lighter blue streaks going through it. He wore purple armor with golden trim, on his chest was a breastplate bearing the same symbol that he had seen on Twilight's flank inside of a purple shield.

As they approached his position he slowly started moving around the other-side of the tree. As the last one moved by he moved to a crouching position and followed closely behind. He didn't want to fight, yet he felt if he was seen they would attack. What crimes against pony kind had he done anyway?

When he entered this world he killed an attacking animal, acted in self defense against these 'ponies', and then ran from them; how was that a crime?

Deciding it was best to speculate on this later he continued to follow them. "Captain Armor! I found some prints." Said one of the two guards behind the unicorn in the fancy armor. When the leader turned he saw something rustle in the bushes.

"Hey you there! Show yourself!" he commanded. Nothing, Shining decided to try something else, his horn lit up and a small spark started at the end. When it grew a small amount he discharged it and sent it at the bushes.

It struck and threw John to the side. As the guards charged him he put a hand on his knife handle. With almost closed eyes he watched a guard stand over look at him; in one fluid motion he withdrew the knife and slit the guards throat. Throwing his hooves to his throat he clutched at his neck which was bleeding heavily.

Throwing the dead guard off he jumped to his feet and looked over and saw the other guards staring at him; he took it death was an unusual thing here.

In the heat of the moment one of the guards on an adrenalin high from seeing his friend die charged John. Getting into a fighting stance he waited for the guard to close in before bringing the toe of his boot up and kicking the guard in the throat. Falling backward the guard gasped and tried to breath before feeling a heavy pressure on his throat and all access to air cut off.

Looking up he saw the one in special with a ghastly expression. It hadn't attacked yet so he merely stood his ground. After a second the guard ran from the scene back toward town. Huffing John looked around before pulling the bodies toward the pond. Grabbing a long flat rock he started to dig, he may be a trained killer but he wasn't a monster.

He buried the bodies quickly and looked up. Looking over he could see other guards coming through. Acting quickly he jumped up and started to run from the area. Following the small stream that went from the pond. By sunset he reached a large river. Deciding it not wide to stop yet he followed the rivers flow until it was about midnight.

Finding another tree about 10m from the river bank he climbed up and repeated the same action from the night before.

John woke again at around 7 A.M when the sound of the females, along with a few males. "Twilight i really think you and your friends should have stayed back in town. This thing killed two of my finest guards without even blinking, then it knocked me out and I'm pretty sure it ate their dead bodies." What the fuck? He buried them, why the hell would he eat them?

"Oh did you see what it did in the forest?" That sounded like the shy one. "It killed a poor manticore and... g-g-gutted it." She sputtered out with tears in her eyes.

The orange one put a hoof around her neck. "Regardless of what it did, wer here to help. If this thang is to violent we could use the elements to stop it somehow, er Twilight could use 'er princess magic to do something." She assuredly said to the stallion that ran from him the previous day.

Looking at them he realized what this meant. His stuff was unguarded, or at least would be for the most part. Waiting for the column of guards to pass he descended the tree and headed for the town. It was very light out now so this would make sneaking a bit harder... but not impossible.

When he reached the edge of town he saw an apple cart nearby. It was making it's way around the outside of town, a path that would keep him away from most homes and take him close to the library. As they got close he could see another thing of guards approaching the cart and the red horse driving it.

From here it was a straight shot to the library and the only thing keeping him there was the close guards trying to buy from the sales-horse-thing. Reaching up he grabbed an apple and made his way to the back of the cart and looked to see a guard on his rear legs with the front two on the cart as he looked in. Reeling back he aimed and threw the apple at the red one. It hit him and drew his attention to the guard.

"Hey, what the buck was that for!" He yelled at him, the perfect distraction. While they squabbled he ran to the library.

Opening the door he slipped in and looked around. A small voice sounded from up stairs. "Twilight that you?" It was the small lizard thing from the first day.

Jumping behind the couch he waited till he saw a foot breach the edge of the couch. Leaping forward he grabbed the lizard thing and put his hand over its mouth. Eyes wide with fear it struggled for a minute before calming down and waiting to see what he would do.

"You, you are going to go get my stuff and bring it here from where ever she has it." He ordered to the small thing. It slowly nodded under his grasp. releasing it he watched it run up the stairs into the room above. He sat for a moment and collected his thoughts.

He was in a new world it seemed, with new creatures; sentient creatures, he had already killed 2 of these new creatures; 1 'manticore' and two of these horse things, he was being hunted for god knows what, and to top off the list he had been here two days and had made no progress into getting home.

Snapping out of his thoughts he looked up to see an orange guard with blue hair standing in front of him. "What the- Where the buck is Twilight and what are you?" It said walking in and closing the door behind it.

Jumping up he saw just how much taller than the creature he was. "I could ask the same about you, I don't even know where I am hardly. Last I saw her she was out patrolling the river with a bunch the guards." Was he actually having a conversation with one of these ponies. Backing up slightly to put distance between them.

"Now what the hay are you?" It said walking toward him.

John looked over this 'pony'. It was definitely small enough to be a pony, not yet a horse. "I-I'm a human." He said placing a hand on his combat knife. Had this 'pony' not heard of him like the other guards? He certainly looked different. He wore the regular armor except in the front he wore a star emblem holding the front pieces of the armor together. On his back was a bag seemingly holding some flowers and what looked like a box of chocolates.

Looking over he saw the stairs to the right of him. Turning he ascended the stairs and looked over to see the lizard dragging his things across the floor. Running over he grabbed the bag and chute. Looking out the window he could see it was about a 30ft drop from here, he could easily climb down the few branches here and drop the last 10ft to the ground. With the added weight of the pack it could be tedious.

Opening the window and stepping out onto a nearby branch he looked in to see the guard coming up the stairs. Pulling the quick release he saw as the SARPELS fell landing just short of the ground. To avoid any issues he started straight down. When he got to the bottom branch he could see the group from the river coming toward the library. Dropping he started pulling in the rope before running down an alley and making toward the forest.

When he was about to exit the alley two guards ran around the corner in front of him. Stopping he turned and ran at a door. Using his shoulder he forced it open and ran inside. Running through the house he kicked open the front door and ran back in the direction of the woods.

Entering the forest he began to head toward the river. When he arrived he dove in and swam across. All of his things, besides his clothes, were water proof so there was little reason to worry about something being ruined. When he surfaced he could see the guard standing across the river about to fly over when the one with the peculiar armor spoke. "Stand down, he's to deep in the Everfree now. He runs and we'll loose him at the snap of a whip."

Turning he began to run again. Eventually finding a small place between the trees to stop and rest for a second. Here in this part of the forest it was very dark and felt like the jungle he was supposed to have jumped into.

        Leaning back against the tree he hit the clip on his chute and sat it next to him. Tomorrow he'd hike around until he could find a nice vantage point.

        With his last bit of energy he climbed the tree and found a nook to sleep in. Pulling out his SARPELS he cut the rope from it and tied that around himself. Pulling out some para-cord he tied the large bag to another two branches.

        Now that all of his things were squared away he leaned against the tree and fell asleep. It, like the last two, had been a long day.

        Once again John awoke to the sound of voices. "...worry Rarity, just because Twilight's brother called of his guards doesn't mean he called us off. Besides, none of those guards have zip on me and my speed! I could catch this monster easy." Said an arrogant female voice, must be the blue one.

        Looking down he could see them below him. As quietly as possible he undid the rope around his waist. Tying it off to the tree limb he was on he used it to silently descend to the ground behind them. When he reached the ground he laid down and allowed his camouflage uniform to allow him to blend in to the dark under growth of the forest.

        The MARPAT uniform uses fractal patterns that switch from one color block to another rapidly creating large blocks of each color that resemble the smaller blocks. The combination of colors in the small digital blocks in the dark varying colors makes it hard to make out from the naked eye in light (even harder at night) as well as the digital blocks making it very hard to detect by satellite.

        He had stashed the Lightweight Helmet, a lightweight yet heavy protection helmet with V-neck straps, in his bag and allowed the Boonie-hat he wore underneath of it to fold out from beneath. The hat's 'Foliage ring' is usually used to hide the wearers face and neck and is also used to hold foliage and vegetation for additional camouflage. With his face down he was almost invisible in the under growth.

        Looking up he could see them walking away. They seemed to know the area fairly well so he decided it would be best to follow them.

        In a half-crawl he followed after. About a half an hour later they reached an opening where a crumbling castle stood. Staying behind as they ventured forward past the tree line he listened to the last amount of the conversation before he would hike around and wait till they passed through.

        With his back against a tree he could see something strange walking through the forest. Three large, wooden, moss covered wolves with glowing green eyes stalked through the forest toward the ponies. Deciding not to just stand by he jumped on the back of the last one as they passed by. While it thrashed to and tried to throw him off he managed to pull his knife and stab at it's head.

        After about five strikes he managed to land one between the eyes and into the cranial cavity. Twisting the blade he fell to the ground as it disseminated. The others howled and caught the atention of the ponies.

        Another ran at him and he side stepped slashing it across the face. When it turned he was no where to be seen, Looking down he was below it. With a mighty thrust up he lodged the knife through the roof of it's mouth. In a surprised daze it disseminated into ash and fell upon him.

         Jumping up coughing he looked at the final wolf. It snarled and leaped at him. He jumped forward and rolled away as it pounced onto the ground where he had just stood. Coming out of the roll he stood up and got ready to fight. When it ran forward he brought the knife up and slashed across it's face. When it recoiled he took that as an opportunity and kicked at it's foreleg.  The wooden leg snapped and it fell forward.

          As it fell forward he brought up his foot and brought the boot down on it's head. The head splintered and the beast died, again disintegrating into ash.

           Looking up he could see the ponies starring at him. Turning he took off for the forest when he slammed into a wall of purple. Falling backward he started to kick wildly a the wall until a voice behind him spoke. "Excuse me." It was the purple one.

          John turned his head and looked at it. "Why did you save us?" He shrugged. "Well, why aren't you attacking us?"

         Standing up he looked down at them. "You haven't attacked me, nor is anyone in danger. I only attacked in the past because you," He said looking sternly at Rainbow Dash. "Attacked me and I responded in self defense. I killed the lion thing because it attacked me. I killed the guards because they attacked me and i had no other choice. Oh, and I didn't eat them, I buried them next to that pond in that clearing." He said feeling at the purple wall.

Rainbow recoiled a little under his stern gaze. The orange one spoke. "Ya could 'ave just surrendered."

John just laughed. "A marine never surrenders, we fight till our last breath. Then we go to hell and regroup."

In a moment the wall faded and he was about to run when the purple one spoke again. "You don't have to run, we won't attack you." He stopped and looked at it. "I'm only speaking the truth, plus we could get you some lodgings in town. You wouldn't have to live in the woods." It sounded nice but he was unsure.

          "How do I know you aren't going to try and turn me into those guards when we get to town?" He questioned. She did an odd swear and promised that she wouldn't. "And why would you help me? I came to your world, killed, and haven't faced any justice." He questioned the purple pony.

She just looked at him. "You killed in self defense, we may not condone killing here but we certainly under stand when it happens, and when it happens in a case like that we are willing to forgive. Just tread lightly some ponies won't be as kind."

          As they walked he told them to wait while he grabbed something. Looking up at the tree where he slept last night he grabbed the rope and began to climb. The mares watched amazement as the monkey like human made his way up the tree. When he reached the top he released the rope from the branch and stuffed it into the bag. Shouldering the SARPELS bag he climbed down the tree and asked them to continue.

          As they entered the town many guards and their commanders surrounded them. "Stand down guards." Twilight said standing in front of the now defensive John. Shining stepped through the crowd.

          "Sorry sis, but I'm afraid we have to put this beast under arrest." He told his little sister.

          Now John spoke up. "Watch what you call a beast. And unless self defense is a crime I don't think you have any reason to arrest me." He said to Shining, who was very surprised at the talking monster.

            Hefting his things he started off for the forest again. When he was about to enter he felt something warm and tingly hit the back of his head. Lifting a hand he felt nothing there. When he lowered his hand he fell forward and passed out.

            Shining nodded to a guard to retrieve his body. He hadn't killed him, merely knocked him out so that he may be transported to the Canterlot Dungeon. "Shining, why did you do that?" Twilight yelled at him.

            "Because you don't have say over what me and my guards are doing right now." He said starring at her. "We have direct orders from Princess Celestia to transport this beast to the dungeons. Regardless what you say." Shining finished before walking toward the train station with his guards in tow.

Twilight looked to Flash Sentry. All he could do was nod his head signifying he couldn't do anything to stop it. In defeat she hung her head and began to walk back to the library. All of her friends followed; they knew they couldn't help, but they could at least try and get her mind off the subject.

The dream is true.

John looked around the hospital room. The whole ordeal in another world had just been a crazy dream. He had fallen into the canopy and got knocked out and had just been sleeping for a few days.

Pulling himself up in the bed he felt different, why did he feel so... light? Looking at his hand as though it was space age technology.

He snapped out of the inspection when the door opened. In stepped a strange girl, she had a light purple tinge to her skin and dark purple hair with a pink stripe in it. She wore a light blue top and a purple bow tie, her purple skirt had a familiar symbol on it.

He had flashback of the other world. Looking at the girl he figured she was just out of high school. "Excuse me sir," she started. "I was wondering if I may ask you some questions."

John nodded and motioned to the seat by his cot. "First, do you know where you are?"

Nodding and looking around at the German signs. "Yeah, Germany. Actually this looks identical...to the one... I was in when we got stranded in the desert and got dehydration sickness." He said looking down. Bringing up his hand he looked at it then at her. "Why do I feel this way? Did I dream that place?"

Before his eyes she transformed into a pony, with wings, and a horn. "Dream what place? And what's Germany?" John jumped out of bed and backed against the opposite wall. "Mister are you all right?" He was about to scream when he everything started to spin.

John sat up in the bed with a start. He was in a small cell with one window and a small table to the side. Getting up he went over to the cell doors and looked out. Coming down the hall was a pegasus guard with a food tray in his mouth.

Smiling John waited till the guard was close before grabbing the tray and flipping the food into his face. The guard snarled and grabbed the keys from beneath his right wing. They told him he couldn't kill this beast, they never said he wasn't allowed to beat it a little.

Opening the door he walked in and turned to buck the monster. When he brought his hooves up he didn't expect to be grabbed. In a fluid motion John brought his other hand down on the leg joint and snapped the bone.

Screaming, the guard was about try and fly out of the cell when he was pulled further back; his head was grabbed and neck snapped.

John grabbed the keys from the ground and walked out; he was at the very end of a long corridor with cells lining both sides and a single iron door on the far end. Starting down the hall he could see many ponies in the cells; he had an idea.

"If I were to let you all out, would you help me break out of this place?" He asked the prisoners.

"I will," said a grizzly stallion in the back of a cell close to his position. "And if anyone else doesn't then I'll snap they fuckin neck." He leaned forward to reveal himself a unicorn with slicked back black hair a neat mustache.

"And whom are you?" John asked the Italian sounding pony.

He chuckled lightly at the bipedal creature affront his cell. "Name's Alphonse, Alphonse Capony, call me Al; and you?" Capony asked.

John studied the assumed mobsters laid back attitude. Part of being a sniper was studying someone from the way they piss to the way they walk, and even how they talk. "My names Johnathan Lenard. Call me John." He told the white coated stallion. "If I let you and those you choose out of your cells, you will help me break out?"

"I always repay my debts, but if I get caught you can be assured I'll give credit where it is due." He told John. He seemed shifty, yet faithful enough to be helpful. Sighing John unlocked his cell and handed him the keys.

"Let out who you like, meet me by the door when you have who you need." John told him walking away.

After about 10 minutes and five cells Capony walked up to the door with about 50 stallions in tow. "Some of these guys were associates, the rest are just ponies that are to afraid of what will happen if they don't help me." He told John motioning to the ponies behind him.

John nodded and pulled the key that opened the main door from his pocket, he wasn't about to give a criminal the keys to this place.

Crouching he walked out to see a guard next to the door asleep in a chair. Hooking the guards neck with his elbow he put to sleep and made sure he wouldn't wake up soon.

As they walked around he eventually spotted a door that read 'Armory'. Motioning the door to Capony they made hast to it. "It's fucking locked." John stated, it would have been an easy lock to pick but they took it from him. Looking over he saw Capony nod before being pushed away by a very large pony.

The inmate turned and bucked the door off it's hinges. Entering in he noticed a guard pinned under the door. "Have someone take care of him." John  said before taking inventory of the room.

To one side he could see his knife and sheath atop a table with a note telling not to touch it. Grabbing it he strapped it to his leg before looking at the now armed prisoners. "Time to get out of jail."

On one side of the room there was a map of the prison wing of the castle. "We're here, so we should make our way to this intersection and head away from the entrance. This castle should have a back exit for important officials to escape in case of an attack. You take the unicorns and earth ponies out the back and I'll take the pegasi through the top to the ramparts. We can confuse the guard so they'll split up and make it easier for us to escape." John told Capony.

Capony nodded. "And what of you? How will you escape from this?" He questioned.

"I have my ways." He told him before motioning to the door.

As they exited and the first guard made his presence all hell broke loose. With a mighty war cry the prisoners charged at the guard. John stood back and watched the slaughter. Five prisoners surrounded the guard; swords in mouth.

The guard tried to strike at one of the prisoners only to realize he opened his defense and a sword struck him in the back. Turning to strike at the prisoner another blow hit his rear right leg. The blade lodged in his calf. The one who had the blade turned the blade pointing diagonally up, another larger pony bucked the hilt and the blade up into the guards lower abdomen; in a few moments no less.

The guard, now bleeding internally, fell down about to die. The prisoner he struck at first hefted his blade and brought it down against his neck; killing the now headless guard.

"Wow, you ponies are effective." John said to Capony who nodded in agreement. Capony nodded to the stairs leading up before calling out the orders to the pegasi.

"You follow this man and you follow him with ya fuckin' life! I hear you didn't listen and I swear I'll kill ya."

This was about to be one hell of a fight to get out of this castle.