Once a Soldier always a soldier

Predator and Prey.

“The difference of predator and prey is knowing how it can be switched to your advantage. But, at what cost.”

Three days. Three long fucking days and only half way to the nearest friendly town. It turns out from Zecora some boarder towns have been captured along the swamp of the changelings in the south and the plains of the griffins in the east. That added another three days to our journey. Good news is that Shield is awake but, weak. Still has the attitude, at least that lightens the mood. More bad news, radio is out thanks to some genius that it has to be charged with a unicorn’s magic or it will go dead within twelve hours. Karma is a bitch. Is for tee bagging JoshWe were going down a rocky slope heading northwest toward a town called ponyville but, we have to go through a forest called the everfreet forest. I hate heights even though I’m train to jump out a perfectly good plane at high altitudes but, I was trained to trust my gear to get me down safely. I have hoofs and a backpack that weights with my old armor in it about forty pounds with two rifles one busted and one on swinging off my neck with about twenty pound armor around me. Seventy-four pounds of gear not including the ammo, grenades and the supplies that we managed to find. Plus one plasma pistol. ( I LOVE THIS FUCKING THING!)

Shield stopped underneath a rock outcropping, panting. “Hey, guys can…” he paused to breath. “…take a break please?”

Zecora looked at me looking for an answer for that. “Yeah, we’ve walking for about six hours now. So I think we deserve a break. We’ll leave in fifteen.” I sat down taking off my rifle and bag. It was a relief to get the weight off. I took out three bottles of water and handed everypony one.

“Hey, do you guys get the feeling that your being watched?” Shield said out of nowhere.

“Yes, I’ve had the feeling of being watch too for some time now.” Zecora added. Now that he mentioned it we were total in the open right now with almost now cover but, has a lot of little rocks to set up in.

“Fuck.” Zecora and Shield looked at me with concern. “Sniper.” that was the only word I need to say as we packed and began to move low and fast. Only going into open areas when we need to. Please don’t let there be a bridge, please God or Celestia whatever please don’t let there be a bridge. I looked up as we came to the sound of rushing water. I looked up ahead and saw a bridge. Damn.

“Alright, from this bridge we can make a run for the forest.” Shield said. “Then, it is a straight shot to Ponyville.

I sighed it’s not like we have a better choice. More and likely we are be hunted. I looked at the rotten wood of the bridge. Why do I always have bad luck in the fucking world! I placed my hoof on the wood and placed a little weight on it. It creaked a little but, it held. I turned to Zecora and Shield. “Alright, I’ll go first and see if the bridge is safe to cross.” they nodded looking too tired to do anything else. I faced the bridge, the sun was starting to set. I began to run across. But, I couldn’t fight the urge to look down. It was a looooooonnnnnnngggggg way down. I could only see white water. I ran across to the end. I turned to see that Zecora was half way across while shield was leaning against a small rock.

When Zecora made it we both looked at him as he came across. I had my rifle at the ready. But, halfway across he stopped and began to flap his wings. When he came and landed in front of me. He had a smile on his face but, his eyes sagging. “Parker.” He said in a calm tone but, had it had an edge to it. What is going on? He doesn’t usually use my real name. “The sniper is near the mountain on a small overhang about 600 yards away. Remember, Don’t back down and keep on fighting.” a small tear ran down his cheek. “Goodbye.” he said with a smile just before a bullet struck him in the side of the head spattering some of the blood on my face. He fell to the ground, blood pooling around his head and body. One one-thousand, Two one-thousand, Three one-thousand. Then, I heard the crack.

No. Not again. “NOT AGAIN!” I yelled tears starting to pour out of my eyes as he laid down on the ground dead my best friend, and brother. Not again. I snapped my head toward the mountain. I shot into the air and blasted toward the overhang that Shield said. I felt like broke the sound barrier but, I don’t give a flying shit right now. I saw the sniper and he tried to aim his rifle at me but, I as on him. I pulled my knife and put it in that fucking green eye. The force of me stabbing him forced him onto the wall, the knife was the only thing keeping the Changeling up on his hind legs. I began to pound the body with my hoofs until the Changeling was nothing but, green goo. I ripped off the rifle and dog tags. I flew back to Zecora and Shield’s body. She was still looking at me with fear. “I’m sorry, Shield. I wish I could of done something… I’m so sorry.” I said before I passed out.

********

“Is he going to be alright? He unlocked some of his power before he was ready.” a voice said.

“Yes, he going to be alright but, he put a lot of strain of his body when he did that. Who could blame him anyways. He just lost his best friend.”

“That still doesn’t matter. He is still not ready, for that and his fate. He has much to learn.” he voice paused. “We know that you are listening Parker. You will not remember anything of this. But, you will get answers soon. Now, go your friend needs you.”

********

I woke up to the sound of gunfire. I shot up and saw that Zecora was fighting wolfs that were made of…wood? What the hell is wrong with this place?! As she finished off the last one she saw me sit up. She was breathing heavily with bullets casings surrounding and blood dripping off slash wounds from different places all over her body. It seemed that the claws went straight through her armor. She sat down and looked at me with a smile as she passed out. I got up and slowly walked to Zecora. I propped her on my back. And slowly began to walk north. Just hope to God that we are near somepony. I walked for what seemed to be hours but, according to my smartass watch. It was only fifteen minutes before I saw a flash of yellow and pink. I heard a beautiful voice singing along with the birds. I stumbled forward into a yard. It looked like a small farm but, there was a cabin  made from a solid tree. A yellow Pegasus with a pink mane was tending a small rabbit. I stumbled into the yard. “Help.” she jumped and squeaked at the sound of my voice. She looked at me with concern. “Help us, please.” I said just before I collapsed and fell into darkness.

All I heard was “Zecora!” I feel so loved.