Chapters Chapter 1 - The Portal (Human)
I stood in the guard tower and gazed upon the open wastes of the dry desert. Sweat seeped through my battle dress uniform. The buzz of flies drilled into my ears. This facility seemed more like a prison than a testing ground. It was square, with a single gate to the west. Dark metallic walls bordered the small facility. Razor wire, attached to the top of the walls, glistened in the hot sun. I was positioned at the south west guard tower that overlooked a small portion of the hot Mojave desert. All I knew was that my battalion was positioned here for security reasons. That's all that I was allowed to know.
I ran my eyes across the barren land and scanned for anything that caught my attention. I still don't know why they find it necessary to wear flak jackets in one hundred and ten degree weather, in the middle of the dessert, where no one will find us. I reached around and pulled my canteen from its pouch. I fumbled around with the lid until it popped off. Taking a quick drink, I replaced the lid and put it back in its pouch.
I glanced back to the desert as something caught my eye. Something skipped across the dirt. I retrieved my carbine from its resting place on a hand rail. I raised it to my shoulder and peered through the short range scope. A rabbit made its way through brush, seeking something to nibble on.
"Stupid jack rabbit." I whispered to myself. To entertain myself, I enjoyed to imagine that the rabbits head exploded.
"Stephens!"
"Huh, what?" I fumbled with the rifle, trying not to drop it.
"Dude, your shift is over," Robert appeared from the staircase and stepped into the small, open windowed room. "What were you doing?" Robert has been my friend for years. In fact, he has my friend the entire time I have been enlisted in the Marines. Even before it became the Armed Forces of the Federation. He stood at about six foot. He would have black hair if his head wasn't shaved. His tan face dripped with sweat.
"Oh, nothing really," I walked passed him and stepped down the stairs. I walked through the small dirt court yard and into the barracks. I don't think I've ever been so happy to feel air conditioning in my life. I stood there for a moment and let the cold air wash over my face. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. As I let it out, I unbuckled the chin strap to my helmet and pulled it off my head. Warm sweat trickled down my face. I tucked the helmet under my arm and slung my rifle around my shoulder. I started down the small hallway to find my housing room.
The barracks were a long two story building. On the inside it felt more like a college dormitory than military housing. Its rooms were about twelve square feet with a small closet in the corner, and a single bed. I found my room on the second floor and pulled out the key that hid in a small front pocket of my combat vest. I placed the key in the door and turned it. The lock made a soft click in reply. Taking the key from the door, I put it back into its pocket. The light wooden door swung open and I stepped in. I flipped on the light switch and set my carbine in a corner by the front door. Not even bothering to take off my combat armor, I collapsed onto the bed. The forty-pound armor plus weight of extra ammunition made sure I couldn't move. I still couldn't figure out why we didn't have an armory yet to store our weapons. I let out a grunt of frustration at the thought of getting up. My eyes began to feel heavy as I continued to lay there. I glanced at my wrist watch. It read three forty-nine. I gave in and let my eyes close. Sleep slowly crept over me. Five minutes, and then I have to get up... I thought to my self.
***
I looked around my self. I found my self to be awe struck at the beauty of the valley in which I stood. It seemed to be untouched by modern life. A large mountain range surrounded the valley. On one end it led the way to a dark forest that brimmed with trees and wildlife. To the north, a large castle clung to the side of a large mountain. I looked around my self once more before laying down. I rest my head back on the soft soil. I ran my fingers through the soft grass. Its blades tickled the palms of my hands. I watched as a large cloud rolled passed me overhead. Two birds chased each other through the sky. Their song relaxed me further.
I felt at piece. I wanted to lay there forever. Suddenly, a soft vibration passed through the ground. I turned my head and pressed my ear onto the soft grass, trying to listen to the vibrations. It seemed to be growing, getting more vibrant. The ground below me began to shake. I pushed myself up and looked around. Something large rolled over a hill in the distance. The artillery vehicle approached me. A few more rolled over the hill, following it. I sprinted in its direction to close the gap between us. The group of vehicles stopped. The heavy guns on top of them slowly rose up. I sprinted harder. As I reached the vehicle at the head of the group, the turrets stopped moving. They pointed to the sky at a large angle.
"Stop!" I screamed at them, trying to catch my breath. "What are you doing?!"
As if in response the first gun fired. The shock wave made my ears ring. I fell to my knees. I cupped my hands around my ears as they continued to fire. I looked up to the castle in the distance. The first shell landed. A tall tower exploded and collapsed inward of the castle. The sound of the bomb exploding reached me several seconds later. I barely heard it. My ears went numb from the sound of the artillery firing. A second shell hit the side of the castle. A large fire ball sent rubble falling from the wall. More and more shells landed upon the castle city.
I screamed. I couldn't hear myself do it, but I wanted to. I had to do something. Then the firing seized. My ears still rang from the thundering guns. I still continued to watch as the last of the shells crushed the castle. I watched as debris flew from the explosions. I wondered why they had destroyed such a beautiful thing. My hearing slowly came back as I heard the sound of helicopters in the distance. I looked up as the first of the troop transports flew over head. It was followed by twenty more as they approached the castle. Then armored personnel carriers bounced over the hills around me, making their way to the castle as well.
***
I was jolted awake by the sound of an explosion. I quickly looked at my watch. It read nine o'four. I cursed as I sprang up and put my helmet on. An alarm began to wale as I grabbed my rifle and open the door to the hall. A few men ran passed, combat ready. I ran after them.
As we approached the exit, one of the men used his shoulder to break open the door leading to outside. The sky was dark and the alarm was only louder outside. Most of my squad ran into formation. A second lieutenant barked orders to move into the testing building.
The testing building was the largest building in the center of the facility. Its tan walls were reinforced for the purpose of such an explosion. We lined the walls on either side of the main entrance. A man kicked open the doors and ran in. He was followed by every one. Soldiers cleared the long hallway on the inside. They ran room to room looking for the source of the explosion. The hallway was dimly light. A few of the lights flickered. I ran to the end of the hall. I pushed open a door that led to the main testing room. I held my carbine at the ready for what may lie ahead.
I tried to focus on what I was seeing. I lowered my rifle and tried not to vomit my lunch. What was left of dead scientists scattered the room. Bits of bone and oragns clung to the ceiling. Limbs were thrown to the corners of the room. I looked around the blood splattered room. In the center of the large room was a large ring. It was about thirty feet in diameter. It stood on end so that it looked more like a door. I heard foot steps behind me.
Robert stepped into the room. He glanced around the room and turned his head to vomit. He stepped out of the room to hide from the horror. The machine in the center of the room suddenly came to life. The massive ring turned blue as energy began to flow through it. Small bolts of lightning shot across the diameter of the ring. It created a low hum as the center filled with a solid neon blue light. It was strange that the light was not transparent. It looked as if the light had formed a solid blue wall. Two more Marines ran into the room through the door behind me. One stopped and looked in shock around the room. The other stood to my right.
Across the room, a groan rose up from one of the bodies. The three of use sprinted to the source of the sound. A young woman was laying on her right side with her back towards us. I knelt down beside her.
"Ma'am, are you alright? There's been an accident. Ma'am?" I carefully rolled her onto her back, revealing charred flesh. The skin that cover the right side of her face was black and would have easily peeled off with the slightest touch. Where her right eye had been was nothing but a black hole. Her tongue hung freely between exposed, black teeth and burnt muscle where her cheek used to be. What was left of her nose dangled with bits of black skin. One of the men behind me turned and vomited.
She slowly opened her left eye as she came back to consciousness. The eye darted back and forth scanning the room.
Her jaw began to move as if trying to speak. She swallowed hard and tears streamed from her single eye.
"Ma'am you're injured and I need you to please remain calm." I turn and screamed, "I NEED A MEDIC IN HERE!!!"
One of the soldiers continued to stare at the injured woman in disbelief. He looked to young to be in the Marines. His face expressionless. The other Marine hunched over again and vomited once more. He wiped the residue on his sleeve and walked over to the younger soldier. He placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Lets go, we need to find a medic." The young man still continued to stare. The older soldier took his hand off his should and jogged off to find a medic. Just seconds later, several men ran into the room. One stopped and gazed at the gore. He swore under his breath. A medic pushed me aside and began to asses the woman's injuries. I stood and walked out the exit. I followed the hallway to the main entrance. Stepping outside, I found a wall near the door and sit down resting my back on the wall.
People yelled and ran about in the chaos of the dirt court yard. Helicopters flew above, only adding to the noise. Flood lights lit up the dark night. I set my rifle down next to me and drifted off into sleep...
***
I awoke to the hot sun. I wasn't the only one who had taken to sleeping in the dirt yard. Still sleeping soldiers lay scattered across the dirt. I don't know why I hadn't simply just gone back to the barracks. I tried to recall the events from last night, but it all seemed blurry.
I looked to the distant horizon. The sun barely peeked over the mountains. In the sky, helicopters continued to pass over head. There was the occasional group of five or six soldiers that ran into or out of the building. I stood and walked into the building, following a group of non-commissioned officers. I followed them through the long hallway, and into the room that contained the giant ring. The floor had been cleaned of all body parts but was still stained red.
The ring still had been filled with the non-translucent blue light. The machine made a constant low hum that filled the room. A few scientists and high ranking officers gathered around the base of the tall machine. One of the scientists sat at a desk that had a small computer on it. He toyed with a few buttons of the computer that moved an explosive disarming robot around on the floor. The robot moved back and forth while he tested a camera that was mounted on the front of it. An officer approached him and said something. The scientist nodded in response and stood from his chair. He walked over to a wall and pulled down a projection screen in front of a group of chairs that had been filled with the officers and scientists. Another man rolled up an old looking projector and turned it on so that the projection screen lit up. The scientist cleared his throat.
"As you all are aware, we have discovered something extraordinary," the gestured toward the ring. "It seems that in our attempts to discover a new power source, that we've some how opened a wormhole to a different universe." The projection screen behind him changed slides to show a diagram of a wormhole. "Now we don't know exactly how this has happened, but we still need to research into it some more. To explain the explosion that you all felt last night, we've made a theory that suggests that when the wormhole had opened it sent a shock wave of energy that ripped apart or burned anything near the entrance. Now if you will turn your attention the wormhole itself, I'd like to test my theory of this even being a wormhole at all," Grabbing a wire from the projector, he walked over to the computer on the desk. He plugged the wire into the side of the computer so that the projection showed the camera view of the robot that remained on the floor. He pushed some controls on the computer that moved the robot toward the blue field. The robot stopped just before entering. The scientist hesitated a little before moving the drone any further. He pushed forward on the controls. The robot slowly entered the blue. The camera view of the screen became fuzzy and eventually turned black as the robot became fully soncumed by the blue circle.
The audience of officers and scientists sat on the edge of their seats, staring intently at the blank black screen. The scientist continued to move the robot forward in hopes of not being a failure. The projection screen began to go fuzzy again then a picture appeared. It wasn't very clear at first, but the image slowly became visible. The robot had ended up some where in a dense forest. The small audience broke out into applause. The scientist smiled and walked in front of the audience.
"Next, I'd like to try to send a few soldiers to test it on humans."
Chapter 2 - First Contact (Human)
I don't know how Robert and I ended up being valun-told to do this. We both stood, combat ready, in front of the massive portal. They didn't know if there was oxygen on the other side so they gave us oxygen masks similar to what a fire fighter would wear. Robert was designated as squad leader. There were four other people that were being sent in with us. All four were scientists. Robert faced the group.
"Radio test 1, 2, over."
"Copy that," the rest of us replied. Robert turned to me.
"Weapons check?"
"Weapons hot," I said through my mask.
"Any one not ready?" We looked around at each other waiting for a response. "Alright, let's move." Robert approached the portal. He hesitated, looking back for reassurance. Raising his hand slowly, he touched the portal. Robert began to walk forward. His body being consumed by the blue. The other four followed, I was the last to go through. I first stepped through with my right leg. To my surprise; it was warm. It felt like sticking my leg in warm water. When I brought my face into it, every thing around me turned black. Then it flashed back into color.
I looked around at the forest. Vegetation grew very densely. Trees rose high above me, casting shadows across the ground. My group had landed in a small clearing. The scientists had already begun to take samples of every thing around them. I turned back to look at the portal. It was a massive black circle with a diameter of about thirty feet, same as the machine. A scientist pulled a gauge from a bag that she carried. She studied it for a minute.
"Oxygen levels are good. It's safe to remove your masks." I knelt down in the soft grass and removed my helmet. I pulled the mask off my face and shrugged the tank off from my back, letting it land with a thud. I scooped up my helmet and buckled it back onto my head. I stood back up and re-positioned my rifle so that the sling held it around my neck.
A twig cracked to the left of us. I knelt down and shouldered my rifle. I scanned in the direction of the noise. A shadow move from behind a tree.
"I've got movement to the left," I said. The scientists froze and turned their heads. Robert had already been looking in the same direction.
"Copy that," Robert echoed.
The shadow began to approach us. The figure stepped into the sunlight and revealed itself. It appeared to be some kind of miniature purple unicorn. It's mane was dark blue and had a purple and pink stripe that ran down it. It only stood waist high.
Robert and I looked to the scientists in confusion. They looked at each other. I lowered my rifle and shrugged at Robert. He looked to me, then to the unicorn. It looked at us with curiosity. A grin tipped the sides of its mouth. Robert lifted his hand to wave.
"Hi there little guy..." he said as he waved at it.
"Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I'm actually not a 'guy' I just so happen to be a female." I just knelt there dumbfounded. The scientists' jaws looked as if they'd fall off. Robert had froze in a state of half-wave. I was the first one to say anything.
"The hell?" Twilight's grin disappeared. She looked as confused as we did at this point. The moment just dragged on and became more awkward by the second.
"Uh... ...what exactly... ....are you?" a scientist spoke up.
"I'm a pony. Haven't you seen a pony before? So what are you?"
"...uh, were human."
"No way! I thought that humans were only a myth, like a bedtime story! This is so exciting! You must teach me about yourselves!" The pony hopped up and down with excitement. "Please follow me to my library." She turned and trotted off down a trail. The group looked to Robert.
"Why not," he said, uncaring. We started our journey following the pony down the trail. As we trailed behind her, she told us about Equestria and it's history. She shared stories of her and her friends, and she informed us about the different species of ponies, and what cutie marks are. She enjoyed telling the story of how she earned hers.
I ignored her half the time and could care less. I didn't come out here to learn. I was dragged out here to shoot things. The scientists, on the other hand, were very interested in her stories. They asked questions and milked her for information, writing down every word.
As we left the forest we passed a small cottage. Twilight said something about a butterfly, but I wasn't paying the slightest attention; so I continued to ignore her. I looked passed the group in the direction we were heading. We appeared to be approaching some sort of town.
"...and this is Ponyville!" Twilight said as she came to a halt. Our group looked around the small town. The town hall towered above all other buildings in the center of the town. The pony started down the street. We followed her through the cobble stone streets. We passed bakeries, houses, and many other shoppes. I looked in the windows, scanning for life. Ponies stared back at me. We walked through a busy market. The colorful ponies walked throught the streets cheerfully. A few stopped and watched us with fear and curiosity.
I gripped my rifle harder. I thought back to when I had been deployed to Afghanistan three years ago. I was on patrol through a busy market such as this. I was walking around the small plaza with my battle-buddy at the time which whom I had only known the name of. His last name was Rogers which I had read from his name tape. We walked casually booth to booth looking for interesting souveners to send back home. My battalion was one of the last in Afghanistan before our troops pulled out. He walked away from me for a second to just look at something that cought his eye. Thats when the IED was detonated, ripping off both of his legs. The explosion sent people and body parts flying through the air. I had been thrown against the nearest wall. I regained my balance. My ears rang and I stumbled around, trying to re-focus. I looked around for Rogers, but couldn't find him. Then I saw him laying in a pile of rubble. I ran to him. He leaned forward and felt the stubs of his legs. I knelt down next to him, in the pool of his blood. As my hearing came back, I heard him as he screamed and cried for his mother. I tried to comfort him. I did what I had been trained to do. I had ripped off strips of Rogers' uniform and used them as tourniquets. I tied them just above each knee cap, above where his legs used to be. I used my radio to try and contact the rest of my battalion. It would take them five minutes to reach our position. That was the worst five minutes of my entire life. I had to watch a fellow soldier bleed out and die. He cried the whole time. I tried to tell him that every things alright, but we both knew it wasn't. He slowly calmed down. I thought it was fine until I realized he had fallen asleep, never to wake again...
I looked up and realized I had been left behind. I had stopped in the middle of the market and was now being stared at by two dozen colorful ponies. I took a minute to gather myself. I searched beyond the crowd for my group. They had continued walking towards what appeared to be a house made out of a large tree. I ran to catch up.
As I caught up the purple pony at the head of the pack trotted up to the door of the tree house. The horn protruding from it's forehead began to glow purple as the door formed a purple aurora around it. The door opened leaving the scientists mystified.
"Please come in, I have to show you around my home." the scientists followed her in. Robert and I followed after the scientists. We stood in the midst of a library. Books lay neatly organized on each book shelf. The scientists gazed around the room, their minds slobbering from the thought of reading. "Make your selves at home!" said Twilight. The scientists immediately scanned for books, flipped through notes they had taken, and discussed things with Twilight. The lead scientist, which was the female, turned to us.
"You guys can relax, I don't think we'll be doing any fighting," with that, Robert and I walked over to the round table, with a wooden bust of a horse, in the center of the room and cleared off the books that rested on it. I un-slung my carbine and laid it on the table. I pulled off my helmet and set it on the table as well.
"I'm glad to be taking that off," I said as Robert responded with a chuckle. Robert finished taking his gear off as well. I ran my fingers through my short, sweaty hair. Robert reached down and unbuttoned the pocket on his calf. He pulled out a patrol cap and put it on. Robert walked around the room and found a chair to sit in. I looked around the room and saw nowhere to place my self, so I just stood there.
The sound of a jet thundered over head. I looked to the ceiling in curiosity. A droning sound gradually became louder and louder. It sounded like a dive-bomber. Suddenly, the building shook with a crash. I grabbed my rifle and pushed over the table with the bust on it. I used the table as cover. Robert dove in next to me with his sidearm at the ready. I stood and sat the barrel of my rifle on the edge of the table, using it to steady my aim. As the bellows of dust settled, a figure approached from a doorway, rubbing its head.
"Sorry Twilight I was trying one of my new stunts and--" It stopped and froze with fear as the dust settled. The blue pegasus had a brilliantly colored rainbow mane. Its rose colored eyes widened. It looked at me and then to Robert. I had my weapon aimed directly at its chest, which moved up and down with panicked breathing. The pony looked around at the frightened scientist that laid on the floor with their hands covering their heads. Twilight coughed, waving a hoove to clear the dust from her face.
"It's alright guys, it's just my friend. This is Rainbow Dash every one." Robert and I lowered our weapons. Rainbow Dash sighed with relief.
"I thought I was gunna have to kick some butt!" Rainbow Dash shouted, trying to demonstrate how tough she was.
"Oh, Rainbow dash; these are my new friends. They're humans!" she pointed her hoove at one of the scientists. "That's Jacob, Rachel, John, Christopher, Robert, and..." her hoove stopped on me. "I'm so sorry, but you never told me your name."
"Craig Stephens," I responded with a short wave at Rainbow Dash. Behind her, a voice came from the room she had exited.
"Oh, Rainbow Dash, are you okay? We saw you crash and I just wanted to check on you," A yellow pegasus and an orange pony wearing a leather cowboy hat walked through the door way. The yellow pegasus squeaked at the sight of us. She backed into the room she came from. Twilight walked up to the orange pony.
"It's alright Fluttershy, they won't hurt you."
"But their big and scary looking," she poked her head out from around the corner. Her pink mane shielded her eyes from us.
"They're friends of mine." Fluttershy, shyly walked around the corner. "Everypon-- err, everyhuman this is Fluttershy and Apple jack," the orange pony tipped its hat.
"Howdy," said Applejack, tipping her hat to us. Fluttershy only let out a squeak in response. The scientists walked over to them, firing questions at them like rockets. Fluttershy became overwhelmed and ran from the room. Robert raised his hand like a grade school student.
"Um, may I ask you a question Twilight?"
"Yes?" she said through the group of scientists.
"Where can I get something to eat around here?"
"Oh! Rainbow Dash, would be so kind as to give the kind man a grand tour of Ponyville?" Rainbow Dash jumped up with excitement.
"He'd be honored to have the fastest flying pony in all of Equestria as his tour guide!"
"Uh, if its fine with you, I'd like to go also," I spoke up.
"Of course! The more the better!" Rainbow Dash said as she trotted toward the door. I fixed the table and replaced the bust that had fallen on the floor. I bent down and scooped up my helmet. Buckling it, I ran towards the door.
Chapter 2 - Twilight's New Spell (Pony)
It was your average early morning in Ponyville. The sun shown brightly through the soft clouds, and birds sang their songs. It was the perfect day to try a new spell. I walked through my library, searching for the book which contained a spell I had been studying for the past week. Today seemed like the perfect day to finally test it. I know the spell hadn't been done in a few centuries, but I was curious to what it did.
I first discovered the spell in some old book I usually kept around as a paperweight. The book says how to preform the spell, but it tells nothing of what it actually does. I've tried doing research on it, and I have found that it creates something like a portal to an alternate universe. I finally found the book and grabbed it with my magic. I trotted toward the door but stopped. I looked back up to the second floor; where my still sleeping assistant still lay.
"Oh Spike!" I yelled up to him. He grunted with frustration for having to awake.
"Yes Twilight?" he asked sleepily as he rose from his small bed. He yawned and rubbed his eyes with his claws.
"If any one needs me please tell them that I shall be in the Everfree Forest," I said to him. He grunted in response and closed his eyes as he lay back down to return to his sleep. I faced towards the door once more and opened it with my magic. I trotted down the street towards the dark forest. I felt the warmth of the morning sun as it landed on my coat. I placed the spell book I carried on my back. I stopped in the street to take in the morning freshness. I closed my eyes and inhaled the moist morning air. It cooled my lungs as it filled them. Dew still clung to the tops of leaves as I continued my journey. As I passed houses, I waved to the friendly ponies as they rose to do their morning chores. I trotted across the bridge that led to the outskirts of the small town. As I passed I listened to the soothing stream as it ran over rocks. I always enjoyed passing Fluttershy's cottage for the birds sang the most wonderful songs in the morning. As I passed the cottage, I stopped just before entering the dense forest ahead of me. I looked back and gazed over Ponyville. It's beauty couldn't have made me happier. Life seemed almost perfect. I watched as a few pegasi started their duties of clearing the morning skies. I turned and faced the forest. I started my trek into the woods once more.
I walked for several minutes before coming to a small clearing. The short grass sparkled with morning dew. Perfect I thought to myself. I will use this to test my new spell. I sat myself down in a dry spot in the grass and flipped open my book. I lost track of time as my mind became consumed with reading. I knew preforming the spell would be difficult so I wanted to read the procedure for it several times over before I attempted it. After what seemed like a few minutes I looked up to the sun. It sat at it's highest point in the sky. I was surprised that it was already noon. Rainbow Dash suddenly flashed by over head. She spun around and flew in my direction. She landed softly in front of me. I closed my book and set it the grass. I noticed that Rainbow Dash carried a picnic basket in her teeth. She set it in the grass.
"There you are Twilight! Spike told me you were out here so I thought I could bring you some lunch."
"Thanks Rainbow Dash," she placed the picnic basket next to me and opened it. Rainbow Dash sat herself down across from me. We enjoyed the lunch of sandwiches and cupcakes together. We giggled and joked as we ate. Rainbow Dash told me about some of her new stunts that she was trying. I shared with her about my new spell. After a good conversation, we cleaned up after ourselves. Rainbow Dash said her goodbyes and left, taking her picnic basket with her. I thought about how nice of it was for her to do that. I saw it a little strange for that seemed like something Fluttershy would do. Oh well, who wouldn't enjoy lunch with a friend. I re-opened my book and continued my studies.
After reading over the casting process of the spell several more times, I set the book down in the grass. I looked up once more to the sky. I was now early in the afternoon. I don't understand why time passes so quickly when I read. I stood and walked to the edge of the clearing. I turned to face the center of the area. I gathered myself as I prepared for my first attempt at casting the powerful spell. I closed my eyes and focused. I lowered my head to point my horn towards the center of the clearing. I felt the warmth of my magical energy swell up inside me. I concentrated on preforming the spell exactly how it said in the book. My horn began to glow brighter and brighter. I felt the power of my magic as it exited my horn. I focused harder. I felt a burst of energy as the magic shot from my horn. I opened my eyes to see it form a dark purple sphere at the center of the clearing. It grew larger as I poured more magic into it. Suddenly the ball imploded with a silly deflating sound. I stared at it confused and frustrated. I some how messed it up. I turned to the book and flipped through the pages looking for an answer of my failure. I found nothing. I had preformed it perfectly. I decided to try once more. I set the book back into it's resting place in the grass.
I focused my horn once more toward the center of the clearing. I summoned all my energy to cast this one spell. I felt the warmth of my magic as it filled my horn. My horn began to glow brightly. I felt the force of my own magic as I once again shot the glowing orb from my horn. I was pushed back a few inches and dug my hooves into the soil to counter the recoil. The dark purple ball hovered in the center of the clearing. I felt exhaustion consume my body. I looked to the orb. It suddenly imploded again. I stared at the empty space angrily. I noticed that the sun had already begun to set. How has so much time passed? I thought to my self. Suddenly the clearing exploded from where the purple orb once was. The shock wave sent me flying through the air, only to be stopped by a tree. My head bounced off the tree and I collapsed on the ground. The world around me became fuzzy and dark as I drifted into unconsciousness...
***
I awoke late into the night. My head pounded with a massive head ache. I rubbed the lump on my forehead with my hoof. I look around at the clearing. Nothing seemed different. I used my horn as a source of light to search for my book. It lay near the edge of the clearing. I looked to the center of the clearing. It was pitch black. I took a step towards it in curiosity. It remained dark even as I approached it with my glowing horn. Turning to face the outer edge of the clearing, I moved to the woods and found the trail I had taken into the forest. I followed it out of the creepy forest and continued my journey towards Ponyville. I looked upon the sleeping village. It was quiet with the calming sound of crickets. I followed the path into the streets of the dark town. As I found my way home to my library, few lights remained on and shown brightly through the windows. I opened the door and walked in. I placed the book into it's place in the book shelf and walked up stairs to find my way to my bed. I looked to spike. He lay asleep in his small bed. He let out a soft snore. A small smile made its way across my mouth as I blew out the last candles. I made my way to my bed and crawled in. I laid there and let my eyes drift close.
I awoke around noon. I sat up in my bed and looked around the room. Spike wasn't in his bed. I got up and walked down stairs. Spike was nowhere in sight. I wondered around my home looking for him as I started to worry a little. I trotted to the front door. A note from spike stuck to it.
Twilight,
Went to help rarity with gem searching,
-Spike
I smiled with relief and opened the door to walk outside. The bright sun blinded me briefly as my eyes adjusted to the light. I looked around the busy streets as ponies went this way and that. Something caught my eye in the distance. The top of a dark ring protruded from the Everfree forest. It appeared to be were I had been practicing my new spell the day before. Without thinking to grab the spell book I had used, I sprinted in the direction of the forest. I ran through the streets and over the bridge at the outskirts of the town. I ran as hard as I could passed Fluttershy's cottage. As I followed the trail to the clearing, the forest seemed quiet. Almost too quiet.
As I entered the clearing, I stopped to catch my breath. It was hard to breath since I was not athletic. As my heart rate began to slow, I looked to the black circle. It was large with a diameter of maybe ten yards. I walked up to the large circle and looked into it. I saw nothing but black. It seemed as if the light was sucked into it never to return. It must have blended in with the night. There's no other way I would have missed this. I have to try to figure out what it is. Should I tell Celestia about it? More and more thoughts raced into my mind. I backed away from the black thing. Something suddenly began to form from the black mass. I ran to hide in the shadows, behind a large tree. I peeked around from the side of the trunk of the large tree. It appeared to be some kind of a creature that came through. My heart raced as it stepped into the clearing. It raised a black metallic... ....stick thingy to where it's upper leg was connected to it's torso. It stood on it's back legs. The creature looked around the forest. It's glass eye's scanned for something. It wore strangely patterned clothes much like a dessert camouflage. It wore a heavy looking vest with various pouches. The creature's face looked more of a mask. On it's head, it wore some kind of helmet. Fear crept over me as I wondered what this monster was. Behind it, another creature appeared from the black mass. Then two more rose after them. These creatures were different from the first. Instead of that weird vest, camouflage, and helmet; they wore white suits. They didn't carry stick things either. Instead they wore saddle bags on their backs. A hood from their white suites covered their head around their strange face. The three white creatures scattered around the clearing. They pulled grass and picked up rocks and looked at the insects. A fifth creature appeared. This one looked like the first one. It looked around the clearing, then turned back to look at the black ring it came from.
A white creature pulled off it's saddle bag and pulled out some kind of gauge thing. I heard a muffled voice from the creature as it spoke. As in response, all the creatures dropped to their knees. The white ones pulled down their hoods and pulled off the metallic face mask they wore, reveling a fleshy face with hair on its head. They reminded my of a mutated monkey. The other two with the metal sticks took of their helmets and laid them into the grass. They too pulled off their metal faces. They all dropped some sort of tank they carried onto the ground. The two with the sticks replaced their helmets. They must be some kind of soldier I thought to myself. I looked around at them. The white ones continued to investigate the clearing as the soldier creatures scanned the woods. Are they friendly? I asked myself. I hesitated to take a step forward. I twig cracked under my hoof. All the creatures turned to face me immediately. The one closest to the black ring spoke.
"I've got movement to the left."
"Copy that," the other soldier creature said. They both aimed their stick-weapons directly at me. I swallowed hard as I stepped forward to reveal myself...
Chapter 3 - Human Occupation (human)
I looked upon the portal as the convoy of armored trucks and tanks drove through. They hauled helicopters and other military supplies as they made their way down the dirt road. The AFF Corps of Engineers had cut down a large portion of the Everfree forest in order to construct a base around the portal. They had also created a make-shift road leading to the new human embassy located in the pony city of Manehattan.
It has been nine days since the first contact with pony kind. The human and pony governments quickly became allies. Princess Celestia and WTF leaders have had many conferences and discussions over how they plan to maintain balance between the two species. Princess Celestia has generously donated a small portion of Equestria to the World Trade Federation. The humans are quickly establishing colonies to house military personnel.
After touring the town of Ponyville, Robert and I had to return to our world. We stayed there for a few days just writing reports on everything we had done and learned in Equestria. Since I have returned I've been assigned guard duty for the portal and the AFF Corps of Engineers. It's pretty boring until my sift is over. I have made friends with a few ponies in Equestria and spend most of my free time with them. They all remind me of friends I have lost years ago. The radio inside my Humvee crackled to life. I turned and reached inside to grab the microphone.
"...War Horse 2-1 this is War Horse Actual, do you copy? Over." I squeezed the button on the microphone to speak.
"Go ahead War Horse Actual," I replied.
"We have a small situation in sector 4 of Ponyville. Go check it out."
"Copy that." I set down the microphone and walked away from the vehicle. The rest of my squad sat in the shade of a large oak tree eating their lunch.
"Gear up, we are oscar mike in thirty seconds!" I shouted to them. As they re-packed their MREs, I sat myself down into the driver's seat of my Humvee. I started the engine, which responded with a roar. Robert climbed through the back door into the gunner seat. The other three soldiers in my squad found their seats and slammed the doors closed behind them. I put the vehicle into gear and pressed the gas pedal; moving the armored vehicle towards Ponyville. The soldier in the passenger seat looked to me.
"Hey Stephens, why do we always do everything? I mean com'on, we get dragged out here into a five-year-old girl's dreamland and as if that isn't enough, we're told to 'guard this magic portal' or 'kill this manticore thing'. I just don't get it. There's plenty of AFF Marines here and yet our very squad just so happens to be assigned to do everything! I think they hate us."
"Nah, they don't hate us Perdoma. I think they just hate you." reassured Robert from the gunner seat. I chuckled at the remark.
"Well you see Perdoma; we're Marines. We're the bitch of the AFF. We're paid to do the dirty work." I said. I slowed the vehicle down as we approached the outskirts of Ponyville. As we drove through the town, ponies stopped to stare at the armored vehicle in amazement. Robert cocked the large machine gun that was mounted on the Humvee.
"Where are we going?" said Adams, who sat behind me.
"Sector four," I replied. Perdoma jumped with excitement in his seat next to me.
"You mean the market sector right? With like cupcake stands and shit?! Man I fuckin' love the cupcakes here. Thats one thing I don't understand about this place. All they eat are cupcakes." Johnson, which sat behind Perdoma, entered the conversation.
"There's no way that all they eat are cupcakes. They're horses so-"
"Ponies." interrupted Robert.
"Ponies; what ever. Any ways, I'm sure they eat hay and grass and crap like that right?" I turned a corner and stopped the armored vehicle. The market street swarmed with ponies as they gathered in a large group. Grabbing my rifle, I opened my door and stepped out of the Humvee. Robert turned the turret to face the group of ponies. The rest of my squad exited the vehicle. I flicked off the safety on my rifle and approached the large grouping. The ponies stepped aside; allowing for my squad to enter the center of the group. I stopped as I saw what the ponies gathered around. A dead marine laid face down in a large pool of blood. A small wooden sign tied to his back read "Go Home Humans". The man's skull was caved in from the pounding of hooves. His legs sat at broken angles.
"Holy shit dude," Perdoma gasped. "Anybody have a camera? 'Cause I want a picture of this."
"What the fuck Perdoma?" Johnson said. "Why would possibly want a picture of this?" I knelt down next to the corpse and turned it over. The marines face had been crushed, leaving a bloody mush. I looked to the crowd of ponies.
"Does anyone here know what happened?" I yelled. "Anyone?"
"I saw a couple of pegasi drop it, if that helps," a pony spoke up.
"The pony that said that; come forward." I ordered. A pony pushed through the group to us. He was an earth pony with a dark brown mane and a brown coat. His cutie mark depicted a picture of a quill and ink bottle. I turned to Perdoma and Johnson. "Start questioning the locals to find any more information about what happened here."
"Yes sir" they responded. They both started with the brown pony and began asking questions. I walked back towards the Humvee. I picked up the microphone for the radio inside the vehicle, and squeezed the button to speak.
"War Horse actual, this War Horse two-one. Over."
"Roger War Horse two-one."
"It appears that we have a dead marine in sector four. Over."
"Uh, shit. Well find out who it is and see if you can get the body back to the portal zone. Over and out." I set down the transmitter and stepped away from the Humvee. Perdoma ran through the the crowd of ponies toward me.
"Did you guys find anything out?" I asked as Perdoma came to a halt in front of me.
"Not much, but there's a group of pegasi that don't tolerate not owning the skies any more." he said.
"Well help me get the body and move it into the Humvee." Perdoma followed me to the body of the marine. I grabbed the hands as Perdoma grabbed the ankles. As we lifted the body, the broken legs popped with the sound of the broken bones shifting. Adams, which had done nothing the entire time, let out a sound of disgust. We laid the body down next to the Humvee. Perdoma gave me a questioning look.
"Where do we put it?" he asked. I gestured toward the back of the Humvee. Perdoma shrugged and bent down to pick up the legs once more. We lifted the body into the back seats. Blood spilled from the sunken face of the body. "Oh god that smells."
"Alright, let's move!" I ordered. My squad piled into the Humvee. I jumped into the the drivers seat. As I started the engine, the market streets began to clear. I drove the heavy vehicle forward. A group of three helicopters passed over head as we neared the outskirts of Ponyville.
"I'm glad that I'm up here," said Robert with a chuckle. "I'd hate to sit next to a dead body." We drove passed where the edge of the Everfree Forest once was. It now remained bald where the AFF Corps of Engineers had cleared away the forest.
I followed the road toward the portal, passing trucks that carried supplies. I pulled over near the portal. My squad jumped out of the Humvee. Perdoma and Johnson pulled the dead body from the back seats. I walked up to a soldier that stood next to the portal.
"We need clearance to pass," I told him. He pulled a radio from his belt and held it to his mouth.
"Hey, is the portal clear for passage?"
"No, we have a Humvee passing through." his radio responded. A Humvee rolled through the portal. "Alright, you should be clear." With that the soldier gestured towards the portal. I walked through the blue gate. My squad stepped through behind me. On the other side, a soldier stopped a Humvee in front of the portal so we could pass. The wall of the testing building had been torn down to allow vehicles to enter Equstria. A helicopter flew passed over head. The base flourished with activity. Tents to hold additional units had been set up around the base. An armory was under construction at the North side. Perdoma and Johnson carried the body towards a small medical facility. The convoy of trucks continued to pass into the portal.
"Damn, it's like an invasion," Adams said. I walked to a tent that held officers. As I stepped in, I raised my arm to a salute. A lieutenant nodded, and I dropped my salute. He approached me.
"Staff Sergeant, whats the report on that situation?" he held up a note pad.
"Sir, from the information we have gathered, it appears that pegasi are not taking it kindly that we are using aircraft. They are starting to take violent actions against off-duty marines that are currently stationed in Equestia." The lieutenant scribbled down a few notes.
"Do you know the dead marine's name?"
"No sir, his name tap has been removed and I did not check for dog tags."
"Mkay..." he wrote down a few more things and dismissed me. I left the tent and ran to rejoin my squad near the portal. We entered into Equestria once more and gathered around our Humvee to relax until the next time we would be summoned.
The area around the portal in Equestria had been cleared of all trees. A reinforced concrete wall was under construction around the portal zone. Several buildings were being built; including: a recreational facility, an office building, a barracks, a vehicle storage area, and a small armory. A temporary radio tower was in the midst of being built next to a communications tent. I sat in the driver's seat of my squad's Humvee and pulled off my helmet. Salty sweat trickled down my cheeks. I set my rifle down on the passenger seat. Perdoma had gone back to eating his unfinished MRE from earlier. Johnson and Adams laid out under a large oak tree that hadn't yet been cut down. Robert had wondered off to find a place to piss. I glanced at my watch. It read 3:47 p.m. My squad's guard shift is over in about fifteen minutes.
I looked around at the area that once was part of the Everfree Forest. Bulldozers pushed cut down trees and brush into a large burn pile. Men cut away with chainsaws, killing more of the forest with every tree that fell. No wildlife was in sight. Perdoma startled me as he climbed into the back of the Humvee.
"Dammit, that dead guy's blood is all over the floor. Hey Stephens, did you see his head? It was crushed like a soda can dude. Man, those ponies know how to beat somebody! I'd hate to piss one of them off."
"Perdoma?" I turned to face him.
"Yeah?"
"Can you shut up?" He looked at me, offended by the question. Perdoma laid himself out on the back seats in silence. I rested my head on my seat and closed my eyes. I thought about the things I might do when I'm off-duty.
"Hey Stephens?" Perdoma asked.
"What."
"How come they're not using the Army for this shit?"
"I dunno, why do you have to ask me things I can't answer?" I asked sarcastically.
"Dude, when we're done here, you wanna get some cupcakes?" he said with a sense of hope.
"That actually doesn't sound like a half-bad idea. It's better than a MRE at least."
"Sweet," he finished. Robert moved my rifle and climbed into the passenger seat next to me. "Hey Robert; Stephens and I are gunna get some cupcakes after the shift is over. Do you wanna go?" Perdoma asked.
"I don't know, after seeing what they did to that marine, I'd be a little worried." I opened my eyes and looked at Robert.
"C'mon, it's cupcakes!" I reassured, while nudging him. Robert let out a sigh.
"Fine, but if I die by getting beaten to death by a friggen pony; I'm coming back to haunt you."
"It's worth it." Perdoma said. A Humvee pulled up next to ours. The driver got out and approached where I sat.
"Stephens, your squad's shift is over. Turn in your weapons and armor to the temporary armory tent over there." He pointed towards a tent. I glanced at my watch before he turned and walked away. Robert shouted at Adams and Johnson to get in the Humvee. I placed my helmet on top of my head and buckled it. Perdoma crawled up into the gunner's seat, as Adams and Johnson sat in the back. I started the engine and pulled the armored truck over to the temporary armory. We gathered our weapons and hopped out. I entered the small tent and approached a desk in the center where a woman sat. I handed her my carbine, and she placed it on a rack and wrote down a few notes. I pulled my sidearm from my belt and reached out to give it to her. She waved it away and informed me that orders were given that all units are required sidearms for personal security reasons. I shrugged and placed it back into it's holster. I pulled off my helmet and combat armor. She took them and placed them onto another shelf and wrote down a few more notes. I pulled out my patrol cap from the pocket on my calf, and placed it on my head. I stepped to the side to allow the next person to turn in gear. I walked outside of the tent and waited for my squad to regroup. Adams was the first to exit. Robert and Perdoma followed, then Johnson. We gathered around the Humvee. Adams and Johnson walked in the direction of the portal.
"Hey wait, are we just gunna walk there?" Perdoma asked.
"Why not. It's only about half a mile and I don't think we can take the Humvee for recreational purposes," Robert suggested. With that we started down the road toward the small town of Ponyville. A heavily armed soldier stopped us near the front entrance of the compound.
"We are you guys going?" he said while he raised is hand to stop us.
"We were just gunna go to Ponyville and get some cupcakes," Perdoma stated.
"Well I'm sorry, but I'm not supposed to let anyone off-duty pass."
"Why?" Robert questioned.
"Because this isn't some vacation! Soldiers are getting killed!"
"Well there's three of us and we all have our sidearms. What if we bring you back a cupcake?" I suggested. The guard looked around weighing the situation.
"Fine. If you get hurt, it's not my fault." He stepped aside and we began our quest once more. We walked in silence for most of the short trip. The scenery was quite beautiful. We followed the dirt road that passed by Fluttershy's cottage. As we advanced toward the cottage I hoped to see her and say hello. Sadness struck me for as we passed, I noticed that the home had been emptied. The small creatures that once ran free around her home were now gone like she was. As we entered the outskirts of Ponyville, many ponies shot us hateful glares. We continued on our way toward the market streets of Ponyville attempting to ignore the whispers and looks of the colorful ponies around us.
"I'm not liking this one bit," Robert said quietly to not draw more attention. A few ponies stalked us at a distance.
"I'm sure it'll be fine. They're like half our size so I'm sure we can take 'em," reassured Perdoma. His shaky hand slid down and slowly unbuckled the strap on his holster. We turned a corner and quickly walked towards Sugar Cube Corner. Ponies froze to stare at us. My pulse began to pound in my ears. A small grouping of pegasi flashed passed overhead. We speed up our pace as the bakery came into view. It seemed like we could never close the distance. We ran into the shop and I slammed the door closed behind us. A small bell signaled our arrival. I slouched to not bump my head on the low ceiling. Perdoma peeked through the window at our pursuers. Robert let out a sigh of relief.
"Holy shit, that was friggen intense," said Perdoma. I herd foot steps and swung around to see Pinkie Pie bounce out from a back room.
"Hi Craig!" she squeaked.
"Hi Pinkie. We just came to get some cupcakes." I replied with a brief smile. She stopped bouncing and looked around the room. Her smile dissipated as quickly as it came.
"Oh..." she said with a hint of sadness.
"Whats wrong Pinkie Pie?" I asked.
"Well, umm... ...Mr. and Mrs. Cake said that I can't serve humans any more..." Her voice sounded slow and depressed.
"What?!?!" cried out Perdoma. The sinking of his heart was heard around the small room.
"Why?" Robert asked.
"Well, I might be able to spare one..." she thought aloud. Perdoma's face brightened. A grin grew across his mouth. Pinkie Pie smiled back, for she loved making smiles. She bounced into the back room. Moments later she bounced back with a paper bag in her teeth. She set it on the counter in front of her. Perdoma shot across the room and snatched the back. He pulled it open and pressed his face into it. He drew in a long inhalation. Pinkie Pie let out a giggle.
"My god, Pinkie Pie you're the best pony a man could ask for," Perdoma exhaled. She grinned widely at the complement. Robert and I chuckled. Robert and Perdoma started for the door, pulling the cupcakes from the bag as they walked. I turned to Pinkie Pie.
"Thanks Pinkie Pie." I followed Perdoma and Robert out the door. I waved to Pinkie Pie and she waved back as the small door closed behind us. "Hey Perdoma, give me a cupcake."
"No!" he laughed.
"Come on Perdoma," I begged. He stopped and handed me the bag. I pulled out the small cupcake and examined it as I walked. It had light green frosting swirled on top. It's sweet lime scent tickled my nose. My mouth filled with saliva. I sank my teeth into the side, and my mouth exploded with flavor. I chewed the soft cake slowly, savoring every taste of the sweet key lime flavoring. As I pulled it to my mouth for another bite; a rock smashed into the side of Perdoma's head, knocking off his patrol cap. Perdoma stumbled around then, collapsed to the ground unconscious. Blood dripped from the open wound. His half-eaten cupcake splattered on the ground. I fumbled my own precious cupcake trying not to drop it.
"What the fuck!" Robert screamed in surprise. He dropped his cupcake and pulled his pistol from it's holster. I took another bite and threw flavor filled cake. I reached down and grabbed my side arm as I gulped the last bite without chewing. I scanned the busy streets for the perpetrator. A unicorn galloped away down a dark alley.
"Stay with Perdoma!" I ordered as I took off after the unicorn. I sprinted down the dark alley and followed it through the shadows. It turned into an open street. I ran after the speedy pony, then stopped in the street and raised my pistol. "STOP!" It continued to run. I squeezed the trigger again and again. The weapon spat out the empty cartridges which bounced off the ground. The white unicorn disappeared around another corner. "Fuck." I sighed. I looked around at the colorfully shocked ponies. Their gaze fixated on my weapon. A few quickly trotted away to avoid the commotion. I spun around and ran back down the alley I had come from.
Robert supported the dazed Perdoma as I returned. Perdoma's eyes remained locked on the crushed cupcake on the ground. The wound on his head continued to run with red liquid. The once busy market street had cleared at the sound of gun fire.
"Are you alright Perdoma?" I asked
"No," he responded darkly. "That bastard killed my cupcake."
The television lit up the dark room. Using the remote, I flipped channel to channel searching for something to cure my boredom. I stopped on the news channel. It showed a man standing at a podium.
"...saddens me to bring you this news: The World Trade Federation has currently seized control of the last remaining oil reserves. I regret to inform you this but..." He cleared his throat, "but the American republic is on the verge of collapse. We ask of you, the citizens of this great nation, to prepare for the worst." He turned and walk off the stage. A roar of questions erupted from the attending audience. A man quickly took to the podium, shielding his eyes from the flash of cameras that blinded him.
"The President has asked for no further questions until the press conference next week." The roar only grew louder with frustration. I clicked off the television. I could do nothing but sit there. Only one word came to mind: fuck.
***
Prologue
The WTF (World Trade Federation) has overrun all the top governmental super powers of the world and basically owns everything. The WTF is a fascist and militaristic Oligarchy. They have gained control by taking advantage of the growing oil crisis. Controlling the oil fields caused them to grow by the nations of the world paying exceedingly large amounts of money for little oil. This created an ever-growing debt the countries owed to the WTF. Once a country went deep into debt the WTF could easily take control of its central government.
I've been in the Marine Corps for four years now. My current rank is staff sergeant. Once the WTF seized control of the U.S. it immediately drafted all soldiers into the Armed Forces of the Federation (AFF). Recently the science department of the WTF has been conducting experiments in order to find an effective substitute for crude oil. The unit I have been assigned is a recon and enemy intelligence squadron. Currently my unit has been stationed at a top secret facility in Nevada for security reasons...
