A New World

June 14th, 2011. Al’ Amarah, Iraq, one of the many places I had least expected Taliban activity. My fireteam, codename ‘Warhorse’, was sent out on a recon mission to locate any intel regarding a weapons trade going on there.

The building we were looking for was just ahead of us but the problem was, we were instructed to get in and grab the intel and get out without being detected, eliminating any enemies that gave no way around without getting caught, and the building was well guarded.

The mission was going great until we didn’t see a guard coming out of the room the intel was in as soon as we rounded the corner, he took off running and sounded the alarm before we could take him out.

“Overlord, we have been compromised.” I called over the radio strapped to my ammo vest.

“Copy Warhorse 2-1, we need that intel. Continue the mission, over.” a voice sounded from the radio

“Copy that Overlord, Warhorse out.” I said back.

“What the hell are we going to do now?” questioned Cpl. Jensen.

“We follow our orders and get that damned intel.” I responded “Private Bare, I need you to get a charge on the wall, were going in hot.” I said as I readied a 9-bang flash grenade.

“Sarge, we’ll get killed in there.” said PFC. Johnson.

“Shut your trap Private. We have our orders and we will fulfill them or die trying!” I shouted at him.

“Charges set!” called Pvt. Bare.

“Do it.” I said to him.

Before he could blow the charges, a bullet traveled through his head, I turned to return fire but took a round from a sniper sitting on a rooftop adjacent to the building through a window, I could only watch as my entire team was killed.

I lay still until the enemy had left, thinking that we were dead. I pulled myself against the wall and rested against it, noticing the blood pouring from my chest, I began to feel cold and my vision began to blur, I knew I was going to die there. I closed my eyes and everything went black.

Then suddenly I began to feel a rush of air around me. I opened my eyes to see that the blur was gone but there was nothing beneath me, I was falling. I closed my eyes again bracing for impact. I hit the ground hard with a dull thud, knocking me out instantly.

I wake up to see that I am surrounded by trees, not sand... trees, I place my hand to where the sniper bullet had struck me only to notice that it had healed, I began to think to myself “What the hell is going on here? I was supposed to die there. How the fuck did this bullet wound heal so fucking quick?

“Wondering how you got here and why you aren’t dead?” a mysterious female voice said.

“Who are you? Show yourself.” I called, turning to see a cloaked figure.

“Oh, where are my manners.” the cloaked figure said standing just a few inches away from me, pulling the hood off of her head with her hands “My name is Amanda Lockhart, and you are?”

“Michael Zanker. Sergeant Michael Zanker, United Stated Navy Seals, leader of fireteam Warhorse.” I told her “My team and I were sent to Al’ Amarah, Iraq to collect intel on a weapons trade. We were in the building containing the intel when my team was killed and I wound up here, with a healed bullet wound that should have killed me.”

“Well Michael, I would like to personally welcome you to Equestria, your new homeland.” Amanda said, spreading her arms wide. “I suppose you are wondering how I got here. My brother Harry threw me into a fire because he went psycho and started a killing spree.”. She shuddered, but continued in a steady voice. “But I didn’t die and I wasn’t even burned. I found myself in an area like this just as confused as you.”

“Whoa, wait a minute... Where am I?” I asked.

“Were you not listening, I said you were in Equestria.” she replied.

“Equestria… where is this place? I’ve never heard of an ‘Equestria’ on Earth.”

“Ah…” Amanda said, her voice dropping low. “I don’t think we are on Earth any more. You see… this world is ruled, not
by humans, but by ponies.”

“Ponies?” I asked disbelievingly. Who could believe this ludicrous story?

“Yes.” continued Amanda. “Ponies. All of them talk, some of them fly, some of them use magic and a select few can fly AND use magic.”

I started to laugh. “Yeah, right. You’re lying. This can’t be real.”

“I felt the same way when I found out that I was the first human to ever arrive here when Twilight and her friends found me and took me to their rulers.” Amanda explained.

Twilight? That vampire book?

“Why am I here?” I question confusedly.

“You were chosen by Celestia herself for a reason that I still do not understand.” she said.

“Who’s Cele-”

Suddenly, I hear what sounds like hoofsteps, in uncertainty of the creature being either hostile or friendly, I hide behind the nearest bush motioning for Amanda to follow.

I look over the bush to see what it was I was hiding from to see that it was a yellow pegasus, whom suddenly looked my way and began walking towards me, I quickly ducked down, ready to tackle the pegasus, if it had noticed me and was going to attack.

Once the pegasus reached the bush, I instinctively lept out of the bush and tackled the pegasus to the ground, but it didn’t fight back, instead I heard crying, I looked down to see that I had frightened the pegasus.

“I'm so sorry, erm... whoever you are?” I said, getting off of her.

“You’re… not going to hurt me.” the frightened pegasus choked, still shuddering with fear.

“No, I’m not going to hurt you.” I say to calm her down, which I was surprisingly successful at doing as she stood and shook her wings to free them of the dirt and dust that got on them “What’s your name?”

“My-My name is Fluttershy.” she said, her voice still a bit shaky from what had just happened “Are you the one that fell from the sky?”

“Heh, yeah I am.” I replied “My name’s Michael, why are you out here? Isn’t it dangerous out here for you to be traveling alone?”

For a fraction of a second, when I said my name, ‘Michael’, a flash of familiarity flashed across her face. But I must of imagined it, for when I blinked, she was unchanged.

“I came out here because I saw you falling into the Everfree Forest and I wanted to make sure you weren’t hurt… or worse.” Fluttershy said, voicing her concern noticing a few cuts and bruises from the fall. “You should come with me so I can get those cuts bandaged so that they don’t get infected and so that I can look for any other minor injuries”

As Fluttershy began leading me and Amanda out of the forest, I began to hear what sounded like predators prowling about and tensed up, ready to defend against any creature that attacked. Luckily we reached the edge of the woods just in time, so I was able to relax.

Just as we left the forest, I saw that Fluttershy was leading us to her cottage. “You’re welcome to stay here with me as long as you like.” she said as she led us through the door of her home and went to get her first aid kit.

“So um, Amanda, uh… how long have you been here?” I ask, a nervous tone setting on my voice.

“I’ve been here for a few weeks now. Well I should get back to the farm, Applejack is expecting me to be there soon.” Amanda stated “See you tomorrow?”

“Uh, yeah.” I say to her.

“I guess I would need to see the princess anyway and I would need to look presentable, but I don’t have anything to wear other than this.” I say to no one in particular as Fluttershy enters the room with her first aid kit.

“Okay, this may sting a bit, but it is necessary to prevent infection,” Fluttershy said to me.

I know that I can handle pain, so I sit there and nod to her to let her know that I am ready for whatever she has to put on the wounds.

I flinch a bit as she applied the solution to the first wound, as it did sting more than I had thought it would.

“Oh, are you okay?” Fluttershy asked with concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just stung a bit more than I had thought it would.” I replied.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” She asked.

“Nah, if there’s anything I know about you, you are too kind to hurt a soul in Equestria, and I like that about you.” I told her.

Her eyes grew wide at the compliment, she wrapped her forehooves around me, I returned her embrace.

“That is the nicest thing I have ever heard your kind say about me, Thank you.” Fluttershy said.

“I guess others weren’t that nice, were they?” I ask.

“No, not really, some of them even made fun of me and just pushed me around.” she said, looking depressed.

“Well you don’t have to worry any more, I will make sure that it doesn’t happen anymore.” I told her.

“Do you know where I could go to have my uniform repaired and cleaned?” I ask her.

“Well I would like for you to meet my friends, so lets start with Rarity.” she said as she finished the last bandage on my arm “She will have your clothes fixed in a heartbeat. ”Just leave all the heavy stuff here and whatever that is attached to your belt.” she said, looking at my still holstered M9A1 w/ laser sight.

As I was removing my gear all except my uniform and all, “I will be keeping my sidearm just in case anyone tries to harm us, but don’t worry, I will not shoot to kill if that makes you feel better.” I tell her.

“It won’t be necessary.” Fluttershy said “But I appreciate the need for security, so just use it to warn anyone and anypony that try to hurt us that you aren’t one to stand down when they are being hostile, okay?”

I look at her and see that she is serious about me not hurting anyone with my M9, so I tell her “Okay, I will use it for warning shots only.”

“And would you be willing to let my friend Twilight study your… whatever it is?” she asked shyly.

“It’s an M9A1 Beretta, it’s got enough firepower to pack just the right punch for whatever you need.”

“Oh.” she said, becoming interested in the firearm “It is unique, I have never seen one like it before, but I don’t want to hold it or anything.”

“As for your friend studying it, I don’t mind and if there is some type of military here, then I would like to speak to the captain or general to see if there is anything I can do to help.

With all her questions answered and my combat gear removed, besides my combat knife and M9 for security measures, we are on our way to her friends home and place of work which is what they call the Carousel Boutique, a name that rings with elegance and delicacy.

Once we arrive Fluttershy knocks on the door with her forehoof, a moment later the door opens to reveal a white unicorn, who looks first at her friend, then at me, seeming a bit nervous because of my appearance with a firearm at my side.

“It’s okay Rarity, he’s a friend.” Fluttershy tells her reassuringly “He just needs his uniform repaired and new clothes as well, because this is all he has, the weapon is for protection, not to harm any of us.”

To prove her point I unsheathe it and place it on the ground and kick it under the bushes where no one or no pony could see it.

“See, if you don’t want him to carry it when he’s here all you have to do is ask him to hide it away.” Fluttershy said with a confidence that rung true, because I don’t want everyone and everypony fearing me because I carry a weapon that is unfamiliar.

Soon after that I also remove my M9 from it’s holster and place it in the same location.

“If you don’t want me to carry my weapons with me, then I won’t carry them unless the time of need comes about.”

“You can keep the knife, just be careful with it, the other one though I don’t mind as long as I don’t see it in plain sight.” Rarity said, sighing with relief “As a matter of fact I will have a lock box to put it in while you are here.” she hurriedly runs up stairs only to come back down with a box just big enough to hold my M9.

To make her comfortable I place my M9 in the box and she closes it and locks the box placing it on a shelf in view where nothing will happen to it.

“Now, lets see what we’ve… Oh my, your uniform is a disaster, just look at those stains, rips and tears, let me get you something to put on while I work on your uniform.” Rarity said before running to the clothes closet and pulls together a simple pair of denim jeans that actually had a loose fit acceptable for my comfort standards, and a white t-shirt. she lead me to one of the dressing rooms so that I could change into the clothes that were given to me.

Once I finished changing and got out, I handed her my uniform so that she could get to work on it. “I will have it finished in six hours, just stop by when you are ready to get it after seven.” she called out, I knew that I would be going back so I left my M9 in the box where it is.

I remembered that I had an mp3 player that I always listened to when there was nothing better to do and I quickly pulled it out of the arm band pouch that I wear under my uniform then turned to the first song that came to mind, a song called ‘Ten Thousand Fists’ by Disturbed.

I began to unknowingly sing the lyrics, before Fluttershy looked at me.

“Why are you singing?” she asked.

“I was just listening to some of my music and I tend to sing along with it a lot, why’d you ask?” I respond.

“Well… I think you’re a really good singer.” she said.

I began to feel joyous on the inside and then said “That is the first time anyone has ever liked my singing, you really know how to make people feel good about themselves.”

.”What do you say we get something to eat? We’re already nearing Sugarcube Corner.” Fluttershy asked me.

“Well, I am hungry, but I don’t have any money with me.” I state as I feel my stomach growl in hunger.

“Don’t worry about it, I have a friend that works there and she loves to throw parties at anytime, so be on the look out for her.” Fluttershy said, warning me of her friends habits.

“Well then I guess it’s time to go eat then.” I said in response “I am really starting to like it here, what’s the name of the town?”

“Oh, this is Ponyville, it’s usually peaceful here aside from some of the usual disturbances from those like Discord and Queen Chrysalis.” Fluttershy stated, mentioning the names of the most common nuisances in Equestria.

We reach the entrance of Sugarcube Corner, but before entering I allow Fluttershy to enter, so as not to be caught off guard by her friend.

After a few seconds Fluttershy walks out with a pink pony who had her eyes closed and followed her all the way to me, once they stopped, the pony opened her eyes and let off a huge gasp of excitement and started bouncing endlessly, as she knew that I was new in town. she then rushed Fluttershy and I inside and things went from there.

“Hey Fluttershy.” I said, getting her attention.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Who is that pony over there sitting alone?” I asked her.

“Oh, he’s just a friend of mine.” she replied, blushing.

The pony in question gets up from his seat walks over. The stallion was completely black with white wings folded at his side. He also had a horn, poking out from beneath his silver mane. His green eyes seemed to survey me for a moment before he placed a note on the table directly in front of me and whispered something in my ear, then walked out. Instead of reading the note immediately, I put the note in my pocket and decide to wait for a better time to read it.

Still curious about him I decided to look for anything that could lead to who he was, and why he was alone. What did I do? I stood up and shadowed him for a while, not with malicious intent, it was out of curiosity.

“Why were you in there alone? What is in the note? What did you mean when you said that I will face grave danger in the future?” I thought to myself, but to no avail, I found no answer.

I gave up shadowing him after getting about halfway to the edge of town, I turned to see that Sugarcube Corner was still in view and headed back to where Fluttershy was waiting for me.

I then noticed that she wasn’t there.

“MICHAEL, HELP!!!” was all I heard and it sounded like Fluttershy, I bolted out of Sugarcube Corner and in the direction of Fluttershy’s voice.

As I was running, I suddenly had the same stallion from earlier running alongside me.

“Who-” I started, but the alicorn cut me off.

“Where’s Fluttershy?” he asked. “Wasn’t she with you?”

“Yeah, I told her I would be right back. When I got back to Sugarcube Corner she wasn’t there, that’s when I heard her cry for help.” I replied “I don’t know who you are, but we need to get to her.”

“Agreed.” he said, flapping his wings. “I’ll try and find her from the air.”

He took off from the ground, but not before saying, “Good luck, Sergeant.” and giving me a small salute.

This left me more confused than before. Just who was this pony? With a burst of adrenaline, I sped up, anxious to find Fluttershy.

As I was running I checked each alleyway and there was no sign of Fluttershy or her captors.

“DAMN IT!” I shouted with rage “Where is she?”

Then after my fit of rage I hear another cry that sounds like it was to my right, causing me to turn to the alley on my right and took off like a bullet, combat knife in hand, I was ready for a fight. I stopped as I heard a familiar voice, “Fluttershy, I will save you.” I said under my breath.

Seeing the stallion above, I signaled for him to land where I was standing.

“Any sign of her?” he asked, still hovering in the air so we maintain eye contact.

“She’s just around the corner. I don’t know how many there are, but we aren’t getting her out of there without a fight.” I said “I will draw their attention, you get to her and teleport her to safety. Don’t worry about me, Fluttershy is more important right now.”

The stallion nodded. “As soon as she’s safe, I’m coming back for you. No exceptions.”

“Stay out of sight until I make my move.” I said to him.

He nodded again.

I took my place at the corner with my knife in hand, I peeked around the corner to see six ponies surrounding Fluttershy, but these were not normal ponies, they were all black, had insect like wings, a hard shell on their back, and their legs and horns had holes abound.

I ducked back behind the wall, breathing slowly to avoid being heard. I picked up a rock and threw it across the alley over their heads, causing the rock to hit the wall opposite of my direction.

They looked away and walked over to investigate the sound which gave me some distance from them and the plan was in motion.

The stallion stealthily crept up to Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus raised her head and her expression brightened. With one last nod at me, the pair vanished.

I stepped out into the open and shouted “HEY, DIRTBAGS, YOU WANT HER, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME FIRST!!!” and charged headlong into the group, impaling the first with my combat knife and tossing the body aside and moving on to the next, then I noticed that something wasn’t right.

They had reinforcements.

The more of them that advanced, the longer I kept fighting but they never stopped coming, suddenly, my knife was wrenched out of my hands by a green glow and tossed aside, and they swarmed me tackling me to the ground and holding me down.

I tried to throw them off but I couldn’t move, they had me paralyzed with their magic.

I thought I was helpless, until I heard a set of hooves make contact with the ground. A moment later, a burst of light blasted all of them off of me. Looking up, I saw a familiar black pony reaching out a hoof.

“Looks like I came just in time…” he said, pulling me to my feet.

“Let’s just get out of here, I need medical attention.” I said, noticing the broken ribs from being tackled.
“Hang on a second…”

The stallion walked towards the closest body and prodded it with his hoof. It awoke instantly and it tried to fly off, but a bolt of magic froze the creature in midair. Then it disappeared. The pony looked around at the similar bodies lying on the ground and with a burst of light, they disappeared too. He walked back over to me and grasped my shoulder. With some tingling in my arm, we too, vanished.

“Where’s… Fluttershy?” I asked weakly “Where... are we?

“Flutters is fine.” he started, releasing my shoulder. “And welcome to the hospital.”

“Is she here?” I ask “I need to know that she hasn’t been harmed by those… things.”

I tried to walk forward, but the pain in my chest became unbearable, and I collapsed to one knee.

“She’s here, and she’s fine.” he said again. “And I think you need some medical attention first.”

“Right.” I said, grunting and groaning in pain “What… were those things?”

“They are called Changelings. They can take the form of anypony they choose. I thought they were wiped out years ago… but some still survive… this can’t be good.”

“Wait, are you saying… you’ve faced them before?” I asked confusedly.

His eyes seemed to drift out of focus, as if he was remembering something from a long time ago.

“Yes… a few years ago…” he said, his voice barely audible.

He didn’t seem like he wanted to talk about it, so I changed the subject.

“So uhm, may I ask you for your name?” I asked.

“Most ponies know me as Melodic Attraction. Others know me better by another name.”

“And that name is?” I asked him.

He seemed to consider things. Then, as he opened his mouth to speak, another pony arrived. This one was definitely a doctor. The red cross on the flank signified as much. He trotted over to me and the black stallion and after a quick word, the doctor levitated me onto a stretcher.

“I’ll be back soon.” called Melodic. “I must notify the princess about these events.” He spread his wings and flew out of the door.

My mind was racing. More questions were arising about this black stallion. Who was he? What was this ‘other name’? When did he fight other changelings? These questions and more chased each other round in my head.

My vision began to blur, then go black and then I was out like a light.

Melodic Attraction landed at the gates of Canterlot castle and rushed through, hurrying to the princess.

Once in the castle, he knew that Princess Celestia would be in the main hall so he went there, and just before he was able to make it to the hall, she stepped out in front of him.

With a quickness, he bowed before her. “Your highness, I have grave news.”

“Speak.” she stated simply.

“Changelings have been encountered in Ponyville. They attacked and kidnapped a pony, who has since been retrieved with minor injuries. A human was also injured in the rescue of the pony. I have detained the Changelings responsible.” Melodic bowed even lower. “That is all.”

Celestia didn’t speak. She merely gazed out at the sun, sinking low over the horizon.

“I see. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.” she responded.

“Celestia…” started Melodic nervously. “What are you planning to do with the humans you have brought here?”
Once again, Celestia failed to respond instantly.

“You’ll see.” she said simply “In the mean time I shall pay this human, which you mentioned, a visit. What is his name?”

“I- I don’t know. We never got around to introductions.” he replied.

“Then I will find out myself.” Celestia stated, then vanished in a soft glow of golden light.

I was just waking up when all of a sudden I saw the doctors lowering their heads and kneeling. to a certain pony, she was taller than all of them, standing about my height.

“Tell me, human. What is your name?” the taller pony asked.

“Michael... My name is Michael, and you are?” I responded.

“Michael, I am Princess Celestia. and you will address me as such. Now, are you the one that confronted the Changelings in Ponyville when one of my subjects was captured?” Celestia asked.

“I am, your highness.” I replied in a humble tone.

“I commend you for your bravery, you risked your own life to save one of my beloved subjects. Melodic Attraction informed me of the rescue the two of you performed, and for this deed, I am grateful.” Celestia said proudly.

“Your highness, the pony we saved was none other than Fluttershy and if I was correctly informed, the Element of Kindness.” I stated “If I may request permission to see her at this time?”

Just as soon as I had finished speaking, Melodic arrived. He too, bowed to Celestia.

“Under normal circumstances, I would ask you to do more to grant you more than what you have just asked, but you have gone above and beyond to protect one of the most valued ponies in Equestria. Your injuries are not in vain, for these resemble the mark of a hero that would give everything to ensure the safety of others and even the greatest heroes need a hero at times, and you stepped in on one of them and confronted one of our greatest enemies to ensure the escape of others, standing against the enemy alone. I do grant your request.” she said as she looked at Melodic, who knew exactly what she meant and left to escort Fluttershy to the hospital room I was in “I also ask this of you. Will you, Michael, remain here, in Ponyville, to stand as one of the many guardians of Equestria?”

“Princess, I will have to take some time to consider your offer. As it is I still don’t know the reason behind the Changelings being in Ponyville.” I responded.

“Tell me when you are ready then, to make your decision.” she simply replied.

As soon as she finished Melodic returned with Fluttershy, who had sustained minor injuries from the Changelings. The doctors and Princess Celestia left the room silently, giving the three of us some privacy. Fluttershy galloped up and gave me a hug, which I returned to the best of my ability.

“Thanks for saving me.” said Fluttershy.

“Don't mention it.” I replied modestly.

I looked over at Melodic who was watching me with interest. I met his gaze and the question I wanted answered blurted out of my mouth before I could stop it.

“What is your other name?”

For a second, Melodic looked puzzled. Then he laughed.

“Oh yeah, I still haven't told you.” he replied. “Well, if you really want to know, my name is Michael. Nice to meet you, Michael.” he said, winking at me with that last statement.

“I'll just call you Melodic for now... if you don't mind.” I said.

“Not at all.” he replied.

“Wait a second...” I said, thinking it over. “Why is your name... Michael, a human name? Because... you're a pony, right?”
Melodic/Michael smiled. “Once upon a time, I was just like you. A human. But, certain circumstances turned me into a pony.”

“Certain circumstances?” I asked.

“Another story for another time.” he answered.

“So... what happened? How did you die?”

“Die?”

“Well, I died... and then I came here. So, what about you?”

Melodic's eyes seemed to go out of focus again and he started out of the solitary window in the ward.
“I didn't die.” he finally said. “I was kind of forced to come here.”

“Forced?”

“Another story... for another time.”

“One of these days... you're gonna have to tell me more about yourself.”

Melodic just rolled his eyes. I noticed that Fluttershy had stopped hugging me and was nuzzling Melodic affectionately. He replied in kind. After a few moments of this, I couldn't help but ask something.

“So... are you two like... together?”

Melodic stopped nuzzling Fluttershy and looked over at me, blushing slightly.

“Well... yes, we are.”

“How did you two meet?” I asked.

“Another story-”

“I get it!” I half-shouted.

We laughed for a bit, and then Melodic exited and returned with the ponies that had left the room earlier.

“Mist Shaker, may your service as a guardian of Equestria be well.” Melodic stated before backing away. then the door to the room opened revealing five mares joining Fluttershy one of them being Rarity,

The orange mare spoke first “Howdy, Mah name’s Applejack, I live on Sweet Apple Orchards, and I am the Element of Honesty.”

The lavender mare was next in line “I am Twilight Sparkle, I am the librarian of Golden Oaks Library and the Element of Magic. Thank you for saving Fluttershy from the Changelings.

Then came the cyan mare “I’m Rainbow Dash, the Element of loyalty and Equestria’s best flier.

The pink party pony said “I’m Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter, and I work at Sugarcube Corner.”

Last but not least one of the most unexpected ponies, Shining Armor, enters the room.

“You do understand your responsibilities as a guardian, correct?” he asked.

“Yes sir, I understand them clearly.” I replied.

“We all need our rest, so let us retire to our beds. Mist Shaker, you will reside with Twilight until we can have your home established in Ponyville.” Celestia stated.

With that, everypony filed out of the room, myself included, and I went home with Twilight as commanded.

Once we got there, I saw a human that I never thought I would see again, “Amanda, this is what I was meant to become, a hero.” I said to her.

“And that you did.” she said before planting a kiss on my lips. after the kiss I went inside and retired to the guest bedroom and lied down immediately. I closed my eyes and fell into happier dreams.