Chapter 1

"Would you like anything to eat or drink Miss Shimmer?" Doctor C. Nile asked as he sat down at a plastic foldout table across from the teen.

"No." she said flatly as she glared at GR-3-5 with obvious hostility. She now wore a grey sweatshirt that was a size too small, and blue skinny jeans. She and the doctor both sat on plastic foldout chairs on either side of the table under a beige colored tent while GR-3-5 stood in the corner, rifle held at ready-low.

"I do apologize for any harm and discomfort my... men... may have caused you." the doctor waved at GR-3-5.

"Whatever," Sunset Shimmer said and Doctor C. Nile sighed.

"Look, I can't help you if you don't help me... and you need all the help you can get. For example, you attempted a coup against a legitimate government, albeit a government in another dimension but that's besides the point. You also assaulted multiple students with what you call magic and physical actions. Not only this, but you caused nearly four hundred thousand dollars of property damage. If a government agency, or your school's principle decided to press charges, you would be in jail for nearly fifty-two years in a federal prison."

"You can't prove most of that," the teenager replied.

"We don't need to. You don't have citizenship, no birth certificate either, no passport; in fact, the only place you exist on paper is here at Canterlot High. We can put you in the deepest, darkest, cess-pit that the C.I.A can find, and no one would be able to prove you even existed," the doctor said as he leaned back in her chair. The teenager seemed to slowly slide down her seat with every word. "But... if you co-operate, we let you leave with a check for two million dollars, a house over your head, a nice quiet job that pays fifty grand a year, a birth certificate, citizenship, a passport, and a social security number." the doctor said. This was, of course, a lie to get her to talk.

"... what do you want to know?"

30 MINUTES LATER

"Scalpel," said a slightly muffled voice.

"Scalpel," repeated another.

GR-3-5 stared into the bright light that the surgeons were using so they could see better. He felt something sharp, probably the scalpel, press against the base of his throat, creating a two inch incision that was deep enough so that it pressed against his trachea.

In the corner of his eye he saw the female teenager staring at him through the glass that separated her from the surgery section of the UniSol Base of Operations. She stared at him with something akin to horror. GR-3-5 was vaguely aware of the reasons behind her horror. It was probably because most normal humans went to surgery asleep and under anesthesia. GR-3-5 was physically incapable of feeling pain, so there was no need for anesthesia, and he could sit, lay, stand, and crouch in the same spot for hours, even days if the temperature was cool enough; so there was no need to put him to sleep.

GR-3-5 watched as the scientist reached over and gingerly picked up a tiny device no bigger than his fingernail. It was a LOUBA, a Low Oxygen/ Underwater Breathing Apparatus. It was GR-3-5's last upgrade before he went to the world the teenager called Equestria, and the device did exactly what it sounded like it did, it would allow him to function in environments that would normally kill him.

There was a slight buzzing sound as the device was implanted in his trachea, and then the scientists stepped away and the temperature started to cool. Once the room was cold enough, the incision healed quickly. Once it had healed, GR-3-5 stood up, completely naked, and slowly walked out of the room. There was another scientist waiting for him at the door and GR-3-5 saw that Sunset Shimmer was sitting at a workstation, writing something down. She looked up at him, glanced down, and blushed.

"Full Combat load." the scientist simply said before walking away. Turning, GR-3-5 spotted a set of forest pattern MARPAT (MARine PATtern) digital camies. Slipping on the green underwear, he turned and put on the black knee length socks, pants, black combat boots, tucked in the brown t-shirt into his pants, tightened his belt, threw on and buttoned the blouse, and then threw on the MTV (Modular Tactical Vest[1]) and the ILBE (Improved Load Bearing Equipment.) Reaching over he grabbed his M-4A1 and clipped it to his vest. He then grabbed the hip holster for his pistol and strapped it to his leg.

"Where are you going?" Sunset Shimmer asked with disdain. GR-3-5cocked his head to the left and stared at her.

"I'm going to your world."

12 HOURS LATER

"Negative contact, continuing patrol," GR-3-5 said into the radio.

"Copy that GR-3-5," came the response.

Seeing movement to his right, GR-3-5 turned and scanned the dark, twisted, trees to his right. He didn't see anything, but that didn't mean there was nothing there.

"Possible contact, threat level... unknown. Awaiting orders," GR-3-5 said into his radio, scanning the area.

"Investigate. But do not attack unless you are fired upon or otherwise put in danger," came the response.

"Understood," GR-3-5 replied. Walking forward, he scanned for the target, looking for anything. He was at the edge of the forest when the creature showed itself. It wasn't human, that much was obvious. It had the head and body of a lion, with bat like wings, and a scorpion’s tale. It stood there and stared while he stared back, keeping his weapon aimed at this new creature.

"New contact. Unknown species. Threat level... moderate." GR-3-5 said. But then, without warning, the scorpion tail shot forward with blinding speed. A normal human would have been impaled, but GR-3-5 wasn't a normal human... in fact some even said he wasn't human.

He threw himself back and fired the M-4A1 with one hand. The tail hit him in the left shoulder and was followed up by the creature backhanding him. The creature was much stronger than it looked because he was sent flying for a few dozen yards. GR-3-5 landed on a red and white plaid blanket with food, plates, and drinks scattered on it.

Sitting up, GR-3-5 looked around. Surrounding him were six equines; two to his left, two to his right, one by his feet, and one above his head. Of the two to his left, the first one had cyan blue colored coat, a pair of wings, a rainbow colored mane, and rose colored eyes. The next one had a white coat, with a purple mane, blue eyes, and had a horn above its forehead. To his right was another with an orange coat, green eyes, and blond hair. The one standing next to the orange one was another with a pink coat, pink hair, and bright blue eyes. Laying at his feet was the unconscious form of another equine with a buttercup yellow coat, with long pink hair, had blue eyes, and a pair of wings. Standing behind him was yet another with a lavender colored coat, purple hair that had pink strip running through it, purple colored eyes, and had both a horn just above its forehead and a pair of wings.

"Six new contacts," GR-3-5 said as he stood up. "Species... Equine... subspecies... pony... three tertiary subspecies commonly referred to as... Pegasus, and... Unicorn, and… Alicorn. Threat level: Minimal. Lost contact with previous hostile... awaiting further orders."

There was no response other than a burst of static, so GR-3-5 took off the headset and ran a diagnostic on it. The radio was working. The microphone was working. The optics were working. The only problem was the speaker in the headset itself.

Putting the headset back on, he took several steps past the group of equines, turned around, and then trained his M-4A1 on them but otherwise took no other action. The equines stared at him first in fear and then with curiosity. It was the one with the rainbow colored hair that approached him first.

"So what are you, some kind of hairless Diamond Dog or something? Or are you a spy?" the rainbow maned pegasus said as she flew up to him, but otherwise she didn't pose a threat.

"I do not recognize the term 'Diamond Dog,' nor am I a spy. Awaiting further orders."

"Then what are ya'll?" asked the orange pony.

"That is classified. But you may call me GR-3-5."

"That'safunnyname. Itmakesyousoundlikeyou'rearobot. Your'renotarobotareyou?" said the pink colored one. "YouknowyoulooklikeyouwouldbecalledGreece. That'sfunny,howcananypony'look'likeaname. Itkindaremindsmeofthetime-"

"Greece is not what I am called. I am called GR-3-5."

"Yeah... Greece."

"That is not what I am called."

"Yeah, butifI'mcallingyouit, thatmustbewhatyou'recalled." the pink one said, bursting with energy as she jumped up and down.

"I... I'm... yes... no... I am confused. I am not programmed to think with this logic track."

"You're not programmed silly. I mean you're not a robotandrobot'sareprogrammedsothatmustmeantha-"

The pink one was interrupted as the pony with the lavender colored coat shoved its hoof in her mouth.

"Just ignore Pinkie Pie. You get used to her... eventually." suggested the lavender unicorn. "Anyways, what are you? You aren't a Diamond Dog, and you aren't an ape."

"That information is Classified, Above Top Secret."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked the rainbow maned pegasus.

"It means that he can't tell you." said the purple unicorn with a role of her eyes.

"Ugh... those colors on your clothes are just dreadful, darling." said the white unicorn with the purple mane. "With those greens, and browns, and all that black... just awful." Without saying anything, GR-3-5 removed the bulletproof shoulder pads and started to remove the black MVT. The ponies all looked at him with confusion as he did this.

"What are ya'll doing?" asked the orange colored one.

"My body armor and uniform is not to satisfactory standards."

"No, no, no. It's not that I don't approve of your clothes, I just think that it could be made to look better," the white unicorn with the purple mane said.

"Anyways, why are you here?" asked the lavender colored unicorn.

"I was ordered to portal the area ahead of the main task force," RG-3-5 replied. Hearing a sound behind him, he turned around to see the shadow of the creature that had attacked him. Before he could engage, the creature disappeared into the forest.

"... and where is this 'task force' or whatever they're called?" asked the rainbow maned pegasus with suspicion.

"As of last contact... they are twelve to forty-eight hours away. Currently traveling from the west. Warning: New contact... species... reptile... threat level: minimal. Standing down," GR-3-5 said as he saw a reptile with short, stubby legs, purple scales on its body, and a light green colored stomach, running towards them with several scrolls held in its claw.

"Spike's not a threat silly. He's just a baby dragon," said the pink one. GR-3-5 ignored the mares as the 'baby dragon' ran up to the lavender colored unicorn. He studied the group of mares, they were very intriguing. They were different from the scientists and officers that he was normally around, and they were so... so... colorful.

"Hey, big guy. Are you okay? You don't look so good," asked the rainbow maned pegasus as she flew around him. GR-3-5 looked at the small, black, device that was strapped to his left wrist. There was an urgently flashing orange light.

"I am overheating. I need to cool down."

"But it isn't even hot outside!" exclaimed the pegasus.

"I need to cool down."

"Then…" the lavender colored unicorn started, "... you can come back to the library with us... I guess."

10 MINUTES LATER

GR-3-5 stood in the library, waiting for the alicorn he had learned was called Twilight Sparkle to get the ice he needed to cool down. By now he was sweating profusely and had taken off some of his gear. He now sat at a couch, naked from the waist up, as the five other ponies stared at him from across the room. Out of all of them, it was the one with the pink mane and buttercup yellow coat that interested him the most. She was hiding behind a chair and would peek around it every minute or so. Suddenly the with the pink mane, which he had learned was called Fluttershy, flew towards him.

"Oh my gosh! You're bleeding, you poor thing!" she cooed. "Stay right there, I'll be back to patch that up."

Fluttershy flew out of the room in search of a first aid kit while the other four gave each other with various forms of facial expressions.

Looking at his shoulder, GR-3-5 saw there was a small hole about the size of a dime. Standing up, GR-3-5 looked around the room until he saw something that would suit him just fine. He picked up the candle that hung above a table that was covered with books. He then inserted the candle, still lit, into the wound, and there was a sizzling sound as the flesh was cauterized. There was the sound of a crash and GR-3-5urned to see Fluttershy standing in an open doorway, slack-jawed, and the contents of a first-aid kit all over the floor.

"The bleeding has stopped," he told her calmly as he saw Twilight enter the room, twelve large bags of ice floating in front of her. GR-3-5 grabbed the bags of ice, and without a word, wrapped the ice in a blanket and removed the rest of his clothes. He saw the ponies blush and avert their eyes as he lay on the bags of ice. He closed his eyes, and for the first time in many years... he dreamed.

VIETNAM, 1966

"Captain! There's civilians down there!" yelled a private over the roar of helicopter rotors. Captain James A. Smith took a long drag on his cigarette and then blew the smoke out his nose.

"No there ain't," the Captain told the private. "The only thing that's down there is a village filled with yellow gook bastards."

"But sir-" Private Jonesy started but the Captain interrupted him.

"Just kill 'em all. Let God sort 'em out later!" the Captain yelled to the rest of the platoon of Marines over the radio.

"Oorah!" came the response.

As soon as the squadron of Hueys crested the large hill and a small village came into view, the machine gun opened up, spitting 7.62 millimeters of copper plated lead and death on the village bellow. The Captain watched as men, women, and children ran for cover, but were cut down by machine gun fire.

"Captain! We're taking fire from the northern edge of the forest!" the pilot yelled as the Huey banked to the left, orbiting the village.

"Set us down! We'll take care of 'em!" Captain Smith replied as he readied his M-16.

PONYVILLE LIBRARY/ EQUESTRIA

"Are you sure he's alright Fluttershy?" Twilight asked as she eyed the creature wearily. The creature was laying on nearly forty pounds of ice, the air conditioner was going full blast, he was naked, and yet he was STILL sweating profusely.

"Oh yes Twilight, I'm sure of it." Fluttershy replied as she cleaned the creature's wound in its shoulder.

"Its wound, it's not infected, is it?" Twilight asked.

"Oh no, I cleaned almost as soon as he fell asleep. He's probably just having a bad dream"

"Well it must be one darned bad dream if he's sweating like that. I ain't never seen anything sweat that much that fast, let alone on ice." said the mare called Applejack.

"Do you think... we should see what's causing the nightmare darling?" Rarity asked.

"And how are we supposed to do that?" Rainbow Dash said as she stared at the creature.

"Well there IS a spell I know of that can put several of us in his dream."

"Like Princess Luna Twi?" asked Spike.

"Sort of Spike. This can put a pony in the other's dream, but they can't interact with each other." Twilight replied as she shut her eyes and her horn started to glow.

VIETNAM 1966

The helicopter moved in to land just outside the burning town and Captain Smith readied his M-16. As soon as the helicopters landing skids hit the ground he was out of the helicopter, followed by a squad of his platoon. In the corner of his eye he saw movement and turned to look. In the trees he saw a lavender colored unicorn with wings in the trees. After shaking his head, he turned to look and it was still there. In response he just looked away and blamed it on smoking too much dope the night before.

"Let's move it Marines!" Captain Smith yelled as he ran for the shacks. As they started to move towards the town, a women in a long dress ran towards them. Two Marines moved to grab her but she evaded them and continued.

"Bitch has a grenade!" one of them yelled. But it was too late, she had already gotten past them and was next to the helicopter when the grenade detonated. The helicopter disappeared in a ball of flame and the Marines were thrown to the ground as the grenade detonated. Captain Smith watched as a marine ran from the burning wreckage, his body consumed with fire.

"Fuckin' bitches!" the Captain yelled as the ratatatat of AK fire came from the village. "Come on marines!! You want to live forever?" He yelled as he picked up his rifle and ran towards the town.

In the end, the firefight lasted a little more than an hour and they had to call in the support from a nearby Army unit.

"Captain! What's the Colonel doing?" yelled Private Jonesy over the sound of helicopters as he pointed towards an Army officer that was throwing playing cards onto the bodies of dead VietCong.

"They're death cards! Let's Charlie know who did this!" the Captain replied. In the corner of his eye he saw the winged unicorn disappear in a flash of purple light.

PONYVILLE/ EQUESTRIA

Twilight opened her eyes and sat up, dazed and scared from the nightmare she had just witnessed. The images of death and destruction flashed behind her eyelids every time she closed her eyes.

'It didn't happen. It didn't happen. It didn't happen...' Twilight thought to herself over and over again, like a mantra that would keep the images away.

"Twi!" Applejack yelled, cutting Twilight from her thoughts of denial.

"... what?" Twilight replied, still somewhat dazed.

"Is everything alright darling? You do look unwell." Rarity asked.

"Y-yeah. Of course every thing's fine. I mean why wouldn't they be?" Twilight told her friends nervously as she slowly backed up. Applejack gave Twilight a look that said she didn't believe her. By now, Twilight was at the base of the stairs that led to her room.

Before her friends could call her out on her obvious lie, she turned and ran up the stairs towards the bathroom. Twilight slammed the bathroom door shut behind her and locked it. She rushed to the sink and vomited into it. Then she dry heaved until tears streamed from her eyes. All Twilight could see was the faces of the dead creatures, covered in blood, and no matter what she said to herself, she couldn't even begin to think of the reasons behind the violence she saw.

Wiping off her face with a towel, she realized why the creature was so familiar. It was one of the humans from that other universe. But how did he get here? As far as she knew...

Twilight's eyes shot open as sudden realization hit her. It had been exactly twenty-nine days since she got back. That meant the portal to the other world was open... but that portal led to the Crystal Empire and the Crystal Empire was over twelve hours away if a pony travelled by train. And nopony could make it that far, that fast, on foot. Twilight shook her head and yanked open the bathroom door. There was only one pony she felt comfortable with discussing a thing like this.

"Spike! I need to send a letter!"

6 HOURS LATER

GR-3-5 opened his eyes, surveying the area. He was still laying on what used to be ice and was now cold water. Sitting up he looked around. He could see the sun was setting through the window, and the moon was starting to rise. In the corner of his eye he saw the pegasus that was called Fluttershy slowly making its way over to him. He noticed that there was gauze covering his left shoulder were he had been hit by the scorpion tail.

"Don't move around to much your wound-" the purple maned pegasus started to say, but GR-3-5 interrupted her as he ripped off the gauze.

"Has healed," he said. Fluttershy stared at where his wound used to be, slack-jawed.

"O-oh my..." she started to say but fainted before she could finish. Where his wound used to be was now nothing, it was completely healed.

Standing up he saw that his gear was neatly folded and stacked on a nearby chair. Standing up, he started to put on his clothes when he heard voices coming from outside. Throwing his shirt over his head, he tucked it into his pants and grabbed his M-4.

"Please Twilight, this needs to be done," said a very regal sounding voice that he didn't recognize.

"I'm sorry princess, but I can't let you. He hasn't done anything to anypony." said a voice that sounded like Twilight's.

"He hasn't done anything yet Twilight. He is a human soldier. He's violent by nat-" the first voice was interrupted as GR-3-5 opened the front door to the library. Standing in front of the door was Twilight and about twenty other ponies. The one that caught his attention the most was a tall alicorn with a white coat and a multi-colored mane that reminded him of the sunrise every morning. Her mane and tail both waved in a non-existent wind. She wore a tiara and a gold colored chest plate with the image of a stylized sun in the center. Standing in formation behind her were twenty more equines with white fur, gold and purple armor, and an electric blue mane and tail. Each one carried either a spear, a sword, or a crossbow.

"I would like to disagree with your current analysis of the Universal Soldiers," GR-3-5 started to say, "The Universal Soldiers will only engage hostiles if there is a clear and present danger to ourselves, our allies, or any non-combatants. We do not target civilians unless they present a clear and present danger, or are ordered to restrain them due to the Rules of Engagement."

The tall white alicorn started at him intensely before looking away.

"Twilight I-" the alicorn started to say, but GR-3-5 interrupted her as he saw movement along the rooftop across from him. He caught several glimpses at the new contact and was able to see the equine's black coat, insect-like wings, the misshapen horn, and solid light blue eyes.

"New contact... species: unknown... threat level: unknown. Will observe-" the new bug-like equine pulled out and aimed a crossbow. "-Correction... Threat level: Critical. Engaging."

GR-3-5 took aim with his rifle. flicked off the safety, and fired a three round burst. The .223 caliber bullets entered the black bug-equine's left eye, and each one punched a hole the size of a golf ball in the back of its head. The creature, by reflex, pulled the trigger and the crossbow fired.

GR-3-5 ran across the ten feet that separated him from the white alicorn and tackled her to the ground. As they both fell, GR-3-5 felt the crossbow bolt pierce the flesh on the back of his neck. As the crossbow bolt entered the back of his neck, he lost all feeling from the neck down. He couldn't move, couldn't feel anything, he was paralyzed.

"Protect." was the last thing he said before the equines in the armor dragged him off the white alicorn and then everything went dark.

Author's Note

1- you civillians and CoD players call them Balistic vests.