Beginning of a Future

…

Rainbow dash was the first one to break the unnerving silence. “What kind of first contact are you going for mister alien thing? ‘Take me to your leader’...” Rainbow face-hoofed and kicked off into the air, startling the marine, and crossed her arms while sticking her muzzle into the air. “I have read better first contact lines in a Daring Do book, and those books are cliche all in their own right!” Rainbow narrowed her eyes at the armored creature. “But who are you to tell us to take you to Princess Celestia who is safely tucked away inside a castle on the side of that mountain over there!?” Rainbow Pointed at the distant mountain behind the creature.

Applejack gave a Rainbow Dash an ‘Are you kidding me?’ look. Rainbow was about to ask why Applejack was staring at her like that, but then it hit her. Rainbow Dash landed on the ground next to the five ponies and lowered her ears in shame. “Sorry… Um… I was getting caught up in the moment…”

Twilight sighed. “Rainbow Dash…” She looked at the creature with a nonchalant gaze that could rival Pinkie Pie’s sister in nonchalantness. “Do you really need to see the Princess that bad? I’m sure she’s busy doing paperwork, or busy dealing the the nobility, or busy dealing with matters of national securit-”

Rarity laughed nervously and pushed Twilight to the side. “What Twily is trying to say is that Princess Celestia has more important matters to deal with than a… creature… such as yourself.” Rarity looked at the armored human from head to toe. “I mean… Look at yourself. You are so very dirty! Why, you wouldn’t be let in just because you were covered in a layer of muck and filth!” Rarity seemed to get taller as she gained more confidence in her words. “Perhaps when you get cleaned up and taken out of that dreadful looking armor, then I’m sure you’ll be all ready to go. that is, if the Princess would wish to see you in the first place.”

The Sergeant lowered his pistol, deciding that these creatures were not a threat to him. If the nonchalant and friendly attitude was anything to consider, he would say that they would much rather want to be friends. He had friends in the marines, but he was never too close to them. They could die at anytime, and look what happened. Lowell quickly checked the power on his suit, and was shocked to find that the battery was charging on its’ own. He did a quick diagnostics check and found that nothing was wrong.

He felt a tap on his shin and looked down to find a butter-yellow pegasus with pink hair staring up at him with confused, yet gentle eyes. They truly were a peaceful species, and had members of society to show for it. “Mister creature? Are you okay?”

Her voice was soft. It was probably the sweetest voice he had ever heard. Next to his daughter’s of course, but she wasn’t very fond of him. He looked at the sky and noticed a heart shaped cloud passing overhead. It was almost perfect. The moment was perfect, that is. The man’s knees felt rubbery as he collapsed on them. His voice carried the same electronic tone as it had previously. “No. I don’t think I am right now, but I highly doubt you ponies would understand.”

The five mares exchanged worried glances, Rainbow Dash had taken off in embarrassment of giving away Princess Celestia’s position to the unknown creature. Applejack rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof while looking behind the worried creature. The orange mare sighed and looked at the creature. “Well I suppose ya’ll could stay on my farm if’n you’re willing to help out a bit.” Her ars perked a bit. “If ya could lift buckets of apples and bales of hay all day then you’ll fit right in.”

Twilight smiled at Applejack. “That’s kind of you to offer Applejack, but I think that I should be the one to show him around to-”

“That’s fine. I don’t have anywhere to go anyways. I’ll stay at your farm, Applejack. I think I could get used to helping out a little, but I have a mission to stick to.” Twilight let out a growl at being interrupted for the second time. “And I would rather get to know the people, or ponies here on my own. Sorry for being so hostile earlier. It’s just that I had to be that way in my line of work.” He stared at the five ponies, who were now beginning to open up to him.

“So… Does that mean you don’t want a welcome party?” Pinkie cocked her head to the side and looked at him questioningly.

The creature cracked a smile from under his visor. “A welcome party would actually be appreciated more than anything, but don’t force anybody to come if they don’t want to.”

“How noble of you.” Rarity commented to herself. “Would you allow me to clean your armor?”

Sergeant Lowell stood back up. His imposing form towering over the ponies, who were not so terrified of him anymore. “Sorry, but there is a protocol to cleaning armor and equipment.” He holstered his pistol.

Pinkie pointed at the pistol he had just holstered and frowned. “What is that thing?”

Twilight frowned at the pink pony, who had somehow gotten ahold of a journalist’s hat, a notepad, and a quill. Complete with a note sticking out the side of the hat. “Pinkie. I think he’s had enough questioning for today. Why don’t we all leave him alone?”

Pinkie pouted at Twilight. “But-”

“Twilight’s right Pinkie. Looks like this creature’s had a tough time. Just look at ‘im!” Applejack waved her hoof in the armored creature’s direction. “We’ve been talkin’ bout him this whole time, but we don’t even know his name!”

“The name is Bill Lowell, but you can just call me Lowell, or Gunnery Sergeant Lowell. Whatever you prefer really.” Lowell shrugged his shoulders and dusted off the armor plate that had the insignia of Gunnery Sergeant. The ponies gasped in shock, and Fluttershy even hid behind Twilight.

Pinkie Pie saluted him and put on a stoic face. “Private Pie at your service, sir!”

Lowell sighed and shook his head at Pinkie. “Don’t call me sir. That’s reserved for officers and my father. Of which I am neither.”

Pinkie Pie nodded her head. “So when should we give you your party?! Oh! Tomorrow? Yesterday? No wait…” The pink pony put a hoof to her muzzle in thought.

“Why don’t you surprise me. I think you’ll do a good job at that.” Lowell let out a short chuckle.

Rarity was beginning to fidget, something Twilight quickly noticed. “Oh! Why don’t we all head inside. It would probably be more comfortable than sitting on the grass.” Rarity let out a silent thank you to Twilight as she stood up.

“Actually Twilight… I have to go take care of my animals. They are probably worried about me…” Fluttershy nodded her head in the direction of her cottage.

“I think Fluttershy’s right. We should all go our separate ways fer now and meet again tomorrow. Sound good?” Applejack looked around and got confirmation from all ponies but Twilight, who let out another grumble as her idea was shot down.

“Alright. See you girls tomorrow now.” The ponies went their separate ways leaving Applejack and Gunnery Sergeant Lowell alone together. Applejack eyed the Gunnery Sergeant up and down. “You’re downright filthy. What happened?”

Lowell visibly tensed up. “Something that you ponies will never understand. Besides, it doesn’t matter to you anyways. It was the past and we’ll leave it at that.”

Applejack sighed and nodded her head. “I suppose we can leave it be for now, but I wanna hear you talk ‘bout it sometime in the future. It’s eatin’ you up, that’s what I know.” Lowell stared at her through the visor. “Why dontcha take that bent up helmet off? It’ll give ya’ll some fresh air and i want ta see what you look like.”

The marine shook his head. “I don’t know if I breathe the same air as you ponies.”

Applejack looked at him smugly. “So yer sayin’ that you don’t breathe oxy… oxy…” Applejack’s muzzle scrunched up, making the marine laugh.

“Oxygen?” Lowell finished for her. Applejack nodded her head. “Yeah, I breathe oxygen, but don’t run away and scream when you see my face, okay?” Applejack nodded her head again.

Lowell twisted a small knob on the back of his helmet, the steel and glass object letting out a hiss in response. He undid two clamps on either side of his helmet and slipped it of his head. The helmet let out a short *beep* as it came off, signifying that it had been undid from its’ suit. He unscrewed the nozzle that was attached from the helmet’s mouth to his shoulder. Lowell casually set the helmet on the ground next to him, where he sat down meeting eye contact with Applejack.

Applejack stared at his face in shock. She expected a face of a minotaur or an insectoid appearance like those space novels. She didn’t expect the face of an ancient species to meet her. “Y-you… Yer one of those?”

The man stared at her with confusion etched on his face. His blonde eyebrows lowering in worry. “I’m a human. Is that a problem?”

Applejack shook her head. “It’s not a problem, no. Princess Celestia says that your species created the ghastly gorge, and that your species is supposed to be extinct.”

This wasn’t news to the former marine. He did somehow survive a nuclear war. It was odd to think that these ponies knew of his species. Most nations were blown to smithereens after all. He knew that he was somewhere in America. Continents couldn’t have shifted too much over the years. The big question is ‘What year am I in?’.

“Oh I see where you’re coming from. The ghastly gorge is some kind of canyon I suppose. Most likely caused by an explosion. Yeah i definitely see where you’re coming from.” He shook his head and stood up, his helmet at his side. “Let’s just get back to wherever you live and we can figure out the semantics of this situation later.

Applejack nodded dumbly.

“Alright!” The marine happily cheered. “Then let’s move out!”