Prologue: Explaining the essentials and the first orders.
This is starting to get old.. Visiting and traveling Equestria for the tenth time already. Even though cities grow, forest's got chopped down, and every once and a while and Alicorn princess will have to slug it out with a giant Centaur, I'll still know and remember the beauty and terrain of my home. However ever since "that day" it's been a lot harder to call this place home once again but I'm getting off topic. So as me and my phoenix friend Foxtrot exit the boat from the docks of Baltimare, we were introduced to cold winds of the winter Equestrian weather yet greeted by the music of street performers. We were annoyed because we were supposed to be on the boat to Manehattan. It was probably because of me not bothering to try reading the difference between Baltimare and Manehattan... Or perhaps was it fate?
So I thought to myself, "Might as well see the town center to read any news that's happened, probably nothing big happened." I couldn't have been more wrong. As soon as I reached the forum all I could smell was hot cocoa, coffee beans, and pastries from the local cafes, not to mention the laughter of colts and fillies playing next to the fountain , there was also a bunch worrying or intrigued faces looking at Foxtrot perched on my shoulder. but nowadays I just ignore them. Anyway I analyze the news papers and eavesdrop on a few heralds.
"Lets see...Elements of harmony? Hmm, sounds vaguely familiar. Ooh Tirek defeated by Princess of Friendship, it's about time someone put the bastard in his place. Oh dag, the crystal empire is reborn!? That is actually pretty neat."
And last but not least. "Oh, the Alicorn princesses have announced a colossal snowball fight that will span all of Equestria" " It also says that residents and visitors can sign up and participate." So Foxtrot and I both agreed to participate and then see the Crystal Empire. As we reach a sign-up kiosk we both realize that this was FAR more complex than your average snowball fight.
The first big thing to know about is that you don't even throw snowballs at the enemy, you shoot them. Let me explain: Basically, somepony had a brilliant idea to make these sort of pellet guns but instead of pellets the guns shoot tiny snowballs. The pony also added in a dash of realism to, because since the guns are pressurized so the small pellets of snow could actually go anywhere, so when you get "shot" it hurts.. A lot. You should know that there are four types of pellet guns (The factions invent more along the way): The Bolt-Action Pellet Rifle, The semi-automatic pellet rifle, The sub-machine pellet gun, and of course the trustworthy handgun.
The factions are pretty simple: the kingdom of Friendship controls the southern territories and cities like Baltimare, Apple Loosa and Las Pegasus with Pony Ville being the capitol. Princesses Celestia and Luna represent one faction, they control Central parts of Equestria like Fillydelphia Clouds Dale and Canterlot, obviously Canterlot being their capitol. Crystal Empire controls the north Like the Crystal City and Manehattan. You should know what that faction's capitol is. One more thing the factions both the crystal empire and the kingdom of friendship are allied and fight against Celestia and Luna's Factions (Since theirs is able to handle two fronts).
What are the conditions of being eliminated you say? Well you are considered eliminated when a snow pellet hits you in any of the vitals you are considered eliminated. You are also eliminated if you are covered in snow or when somepony smudges a bunch of snow on your face.
Now back to the story... Again. As soon as me and few other hundred stallions and mares were told the same things I told you, we were put into training on how to use and maintain the pellet guns. The fact that this was way more complex and larger than the snowball fights I was hesitating. But thanks to my knowledge of well, everything including ballistics, I slowly became more confident in my training. It took a while but pretty soon I became a natural with all four types of pellet guns. In fact I even introduced a little trick were I made a snow ball, put a spell on it, then threw in the middle of a clearing and of after a few seconds It exploded. It was so ingenious that news spread like wild-fire about the new "snow grenade". The hardest part of the training was really getting to walk on two hooves instead of four because we had two of our hooves to use the guns correctly. So as soon we finished our training we were giving our roles and ranks. Since I was one of the top ten I was given the rank sergeant, that seemed alright until my role was the I would hate to be the most: The sharpshooter. The reason why was because I just simply wanted to be in the thick of the action, I got to admit I'm kind of an adrenaline junky But hey, beggars cant be choosers.
Now the pieces were set, every faction was armed and ready to go. Then as soon as Celestia covered Equestria in snow (except for the farming communities.) Everyone was given our orders. I was pulled into my room from CO to give me my personal orders since I was basically an assassin. "Alright Darius. I should tell that you are considered one of our best shots." My CO said, I nodded with agreement. "That's why I'm ordered to order you to take out one of Celestia"s Generals. Here is a picture of her, lucky for you she has a unique color for her coat so she should easy to spot."
Yes sir." I answered "Do we know her location as well?" I asked.
"I was told this morning that there was Intel on her location in Ponyville, I'm sorry but your gonna your gonna have to leg it from here to Ponyville. I know it may seem long but Baltimare and Ponyville aren't that far from each other."
"Yes sir, understood" I respectfully answered and I was dismissed. The long walk was pretty relaxing with the light snow raining from the skies and the sound of the running water and tress wiggling back and forth. Eventually I got bored and started small talk with Foxtrot.
"Can you believe it Foxtrot", I said, "Our first orders!"
**SQUAWK!*
"Oh dang it! I forgot to put the spell on you again, why didn't you tell me?" I quickly cast the spell on Foxtrot when no one was looking.
"I WAS trying to tell you earlier but you were so focused on your training and excitement for when this game starts." Foxtrot said, "And weren't you mad earlier about you being a sniper and all?", he asked with a tad bit of concern.
I chuckled and said, "Well yea at first, but it's pretty obvious that the master sergeant thinks I have potential with assigning me to assassinate a general and all."
"Well you cant argue with that." Foxtrot answered.
We were silent for a couple hours on our way to ponyville until a huge wing of pegasi flew over us broke the silence. "Peculiar.", Foxtrot said with intrigue.
"Very", I said soon after. They seemed to be going to the same direction we were going. Forty-five minutes and a rest stop later we've nearly reached our destination only to hear yelling and explosions.
"That doesn't sound good." I said. As soon as we trudged up a little snow covered hill we saw ponyville under siege by one of the armies of Celestia and Luna.
"What, already!?", groaned Foxtrot. I looked farther in the distance and saw the mountain Canterlot was perched on.
"That makes a lot of sense.", I said, interrupting Foxtrot and his ranting on how upset he was.
"What makes sense?" He said, almost out of breath.
"Think about it", I explained, "This is the capitol of one of the royal armies enemies. A small, unfortified town. It would only make sense to get Princess Twilight out of the game first because she seems to be an easy target."
"I guess your right. Again" Foxtrot said. "So I guess you want to get a birds-eye view of the situation huh?" Foxtrot asked.
"Of course" I answered.
"Alright, fine", he shrugged, "I'll be back". Then Foxtrot flapped away from my shoulder. A few minutes passed were he came back with some news. "Okay, it looks like amount of troops attacking aren't that massive with about 5,000 as my guess."
"Okay, who's leading the attack?"
"A mare actually." Foxtrot said.
"Really? What color is her coat?"
"A light brown."
"Her mane?"
"Black I think."
"What was her cutie mark?"
"I didn't get a good luck, but I did see her play the cello, She's Magnificent."
" Alright lovebird", I said with a sneer, "What if I told that that's our target" I asked with anticipation.
"Well then I would regrettably say that it looks like were gonna have to go in that mess huh?" Foxtrot answered.
"That is correct Mr. Obvious." I said with excitement. Foxtrot and I readied my sadly bags, and grabbed my bolt-action and headed into the thick of the action.
Chapter 1: Among them, but not one of them
3 days... Nothing but three days of pure, utter, frustration. The first day went by and I was stupid enough to actually risk and take the shot, yeah... Not a good Idea, in fact I almost got caught, but thanks to Foxtrot he scared the enemy off and bought me time to escape. The second day was just pure luck for Melody, because the wind screwed up the path of the pellet because as I pulled the trigger a huge gust of wind came from the west and made the pellet hit the bodyguard next her, now she knew someone is after her, so I had to lay low for the third day.
The fourth day was In my favor however, Melody must of thought I got eliminated or something because she was out and about inspecting the local camps and outposts setup north of my position. So, playing it safe I began to stalk and study her routes if she got away again. As I was shadowing her, I couldn't help but notice dilapidated or even just wrecked houses and buildings that caved in because of the amount of snow that came down all at once. There was wrecked furniture and building materials used for boarding up doors and barricading alleyways. I knew that if I was compromised again Foxtrot wouldn't be able to help me this time because he got hungry and left to hunt for the rest of the day. I predicted melody's path and was a block or two ahead of her. I ran into a square with a fountain. It was clear that a firefight happened a few minutes ago with several comrades playing dead (because they were eliminated) or on the ground whimpering in pain, like I said, getting shot hurts.
I was checking the fountain for anypony that was severely injured, like a broken leg or if anypony was unconscious, luckily no one was. It wasn't until I heard a nearby patrol coming from the end of the street. I was in a slight stage of panic because I couldn't go anywhere or else I'd stick out like a sore hoof. I looked for the shortest route to a nearby hiding spot until I realized there was nowhere to go. I didn't know what to do, I was freaking out on the inside. Melody and the patrol would be here any second. Until I thought of something so simple that I bonked myself on the head for not thinking about it. I sat up against the fountain.
And I played dead.
After a few long stressful moments of hope and praying the sounds of hoof steps and small talk faded away. Relieved, I opened my eyes and found out somepony else had the same idea.
She was an orange mare with a blonde mane and wearing one of those hats the ponies in the south are fond of wearing. With three red apples for a cutie mark. I looked both ways to see if the coast was clear and I said "Shhh." The sound of me hushing made her nearly jump out of the fountain.
She found the source of the hush and said "Gee, I guess we both got the same idea eh partner?" I nodded to her and motioned her to follow me.
"I need your help." I said while crawling to the other side of the fountain.
"Shure thing, It looks like you know where yer going anyway." She answered.
"If you do what I say, we can avenge this massacre." I told her. She nodded and pointed at a certain group of celestials across the road.
*Whistles to get my attention*
"Look at that mare over yonder, she looks mighty important." She said. Melody arrived at the nick of time
.
I sat down and explained my objective. "The mare across the road is General Octavia Melody. Architect of Ponyville's misery. She'll soon be responsible the mass elimination of our comrades. Not just here, but throughout the southern regions" The mare and I observed Octavia having a little inspection in the nearby camp. When she entered the compound the sentries guarding the entrance greeted her with a salute and when she was out of sight the sentries went back to their post and continued there small talk. Soon, after the inspection Melody enters in a nearby building. I continue my explanation "For three days, I have hunted her, for three days, luck alone has saved her life. Sniping your enemy is like hunting any other animal. Fire at the wrong moment and your chance will be forever lost. Now take that rifle" I said pointing at a rifle on the ground, "But hold your fire, we can just sneak past these fools without being noticed."
"Alright, Good plan." The mare acknowledged. We quickly run over to a corner at a wall Octavia entered. I look over the corner seeing several troops coming down the street and some pulling a carriage with a Gatling Gun like pellet gun mounted on it.
I quickly turn my head back "What's wrong?" The mare asked with concern.
"Its a armored patrol" I said, "We must find another route to Melody" I look at the side of us seeing a deserted building with a large broken window. "This way, before they discover we're here." We run over to the building. I see a sign perched on top of the door saying:
SUGARCUBE CORNER
We quickly jump inside. Then the mare did nothing but just stare with a frightened face at the details of this abandoned shop and I could tell she was reliving memories. "For days, I've crept through shadows like a fruit bat" I said. She turned around to pay attention and I swear she shuttered when I said "fruit bat". "I can tell by the look on your face that this place once echoed with friends, family, and lovers. No longer." I look around noticing a few broken chairs and tables, a pastry counter that was ransacked with nothing but raisin cookies. .Dang! No chocolate." I thought. I also saw a few broken pictures of a stallion, a mare, and two foals. One of the foals was a unicorn and the other was a pegasus. I couldn't bear looking at the two foals for five seconds before breaking away. I couldn't have those flashbacks again. Not ever again.
The mare finally speaks up "I wonder how Pinkie is doin'?"
"Who?"
"Nothin'." She answered, "Don't worry 'bout it."
We look around some more until I motioned her it was time to go. We went out the back door and we were out on a deserted street with a river next to it. I looked at another building next to us. It was a good way to avoid the street and it also was facing north, It had a boarded up door however.
"We can use this building to flank Melody's route" I informed her. We start walking towards the window until we hear a little *pew* sound and a second after the sound the hanging sign above the door suddenly made a sharp whipping sound and starting rocking back and forth, it had a tiny splotch a snow on it. I instantly knew.
"SNIPER!" I screamed. I quickly grab my handgun *CLONK* *CLONK* *CLONK* *CLONK* *CLONK* and shot five rounds into the window. "GET INSIDE NOW!" I quickly jump through the weakened window and notice I have a few small cuts on my muzzle and body but nothing serious. The mare came through soon after.
"You alright!?" The mare quickly asked.
"Yea! That simpleton almost got me. We'll have to take him out before we move on" We run to the stairs to get a better vantage point on the sniper. As soon as we reach the second floor the mare unexpectedly gives me the run-down.
"The varmint's shot came from across the river! There, the building with the banners!" The building was three stories but our position had a good angle on the entire side of the building. It was bearing celestia's Flags on the sides. "Looks like were gonna play a good ol' game of cat and mouse!"
"Alright, you draw his fire so we can get a fix on him!" I ordered. She nodded in agreement and took her position behind a table. "Ready? Now!" She stood for two seconds and sat back down successfully luring the sniper. He took the bait and fired. I found him.
"Second floor, right side!" I notified, "Draw his fire one more time I should be able to take him out." Once again she stood up and sat back down. At the same time I was waiting for him to show himself. The sniper from across the way quickly turned and fired and just as when he was about to pull the trigger, I pulled mine first. After what seemed like a millisecond we heard a little shriek from the building and saw the sniper collapse to the ground.
"Good job." I said with relief, "I got him. The nearby patrols would surely have heard the shots, we need to keep moving." I slowly open the door that lead to a stair case and went back downstairs. The hallway downstairs looked like the roof above it caved in. It seemed like just the first floor was demolished. We were walking along a line of windows when we heard the sound of trotting and wheels rolling. Knowing the drill we quickly hid beneath one of the window sills. "Let them pass", I whispered. Everything was well until- *DONG* *DONG* *DONG a grandfather clock caught the attention of one of the patrol ponies.
"Wait, something not right." He said. Causing the convoy to stop. When he reached our window we were immediately found.
"Hey! We got a sniper crew here!"
"They've found us we need to go now!" I yelled, I looked at the window next to see only a unicorn face to face with me charging his horn. "HIT THE DIRT!" I barked. As soon as our bellies flopped on the floor huge gusts of freezing wind came bursting out of the windows and into the hallway.
"What are they doin'!" She asked loudly while we were crawling towards the end of the hallway.
"They're trying to freeze us out!" I answered, "Stay low, try to move quickly!" We were finally able to stand up at the end of the hallway and run to the nearest exit. Before we knew it the building was collapsing, because of the heavy wind spell the unicorns were using the wood was giving way. Unfortunately we noticed that as we were going up the stairs but we didn't care, we just had to get of there. So after I reach the top I hear a loud *CRASH* I turn around to see a pile of rubble pinning the mare to the ground. I quickly run up to her and hold out my hoof. "Here my friend, take my hoof, I need you alive!" She grabs on and I pull her up we then turn a corner and see our saving grace: a hole in the wall that lead straight to an alleyway! We quickly run towards it, but that was before a Gatling gun carriage opened fire on us. "Armored carriage outside!" The loud noise of the gun and the wood cracking and giving way only made us gallop faster. I think that was the fastest I ever ran, but nonetheless we reached and jumped through the hole. We were finally safe.
"Are they nuts!?" The mare asked with anger.
"I don't think they meant to collapse the building, they just used the blizzard spell to try and make us surrend-"
I was interrupted by the sound of running hoof steps and looked to the side to a small regiment of friendlies. Weren't they a sight for sore eyes. They quickly got a few glances at me but payed most of there attention to the mare.
"Apple Jack!" One of them said, "We thought you your among the dead (eliminated) upon the massacre at the square."
"So that's her name." I thought to myself. "She was." I answered for her, "Among them, but not one of them".
Noticing the three chevrons on my saddle bags one of the soldiers walked up to me and said "We're about to assault the command post north of here."
That's were melody would be "Good! Such a move will take the celestials longer to get to the castle."
"That's great en' all but aren't we supposed to find Melody?" The mare said.
"C'mon Applejack I know a perfect sniping position overlooking the command." Us and the regiment got to our positions. We were perched on balcony on a third story building and the regiment had opened fire on the command post that was guarded by what seemed like a miniature army with mounted carriage and a few dozen and if not a hundred troops. Clearly the regiment didn't observe the HQ and went straight in AJ was a getting ready to fire until I held up my hoof. "Hold fire." I ordered.
"What? Why?" She asked
"Because we're to close to our goal to reveal our position, I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do for the regiment, there sacrifices will not go unavenged." A few minutes passed and the firefight raged on below and we were still waiting.
"Uh, how do you expect for her to even show herself?" She asked sternly.
I was so focused on staring at the door for the command building that I just said "The sounds of battle always flushes them out." As soon as I said that General Octavia Melody exited the front door being escort by a personal bodyguard.
"Coward! There she is! See if you can keep her bodyguards bu-" *Clank* The sound of Applejack's rifle went of and one of Octavia's bodyguards dropped to the ground.
"Way ahead of ya"
Melody and her bodyguard were scrambling for cover. They took cover by a large wrecked wagon. I saw that one spotter saw the flash in my scope and points a hoof right in my direction. A few seconds after a sniper from the wagon turns the corners and fires.
*FLEWM!* He almost got me. I steading my aim on him and was waiting for him to pop out again. When he did, lets just say that was the last thing he did before he got eliminated. I start to hear clanks coming from Applejack's fife and pellets hitting the edges of the balcony and nearby walls. "You might want to speed things up right 'bout now." She said.
"I'm trying but she wont come out in front of the wagon."
"Well how in tarnation are we gonna make her runoff and-" A sudden heat was felt in the backs of us and I heard little pafs of wings to.
We both turn around and see Foxtrot perched on the roof avoiding the crossfire "Hey Dare. Lucky hunt today so I thought I'd come back early. I took me a while to find you with all (Points at the firefight below with his wing) this happening. Oh and who's your new friend."
AJ turns her at towards me as if to ask me if Foxy was friend or foe.
"No time to explain about AJ, but I need your help. Melody is hiding behind that large wagon and there's a fat chance that she's gonna move unless you scare the heck out of her". I quickly inform
"Alright but you owe me if one of them gets a lucky shot" He answered. He flies towards the wagon and a loud shriek occurs causing Octavia and the bodyguard to run for the hills. The gamble paid off.
My eyes were still fixed on Melody and I projected that her path was heading for a nearby pile of snow. I thought it was time to get creative so I gabbed one of my pellets from my saddle bag but a spell on it (The same spell used for the snow grenade) and as she was about to reach the pile, I shot the pile and when she was right next to it, the pile exploded and covered her in snow. Finally. She was eliminated. I started to laugh and celebrate my victory. "I got admit" Applejack says, "You are a pretty good sho-" We were interrupted by hundreds of pellets wizzing above our heads. We caught the attention of the entire garrison guarding the now useless command post.
"They're coming for us we have to go now!" I ordered. "Quickly before they overrun the building!" We jump down a hole that led to the second floor as reached stairs they were about a dozen Celestian soldiers coming up the stairs. Thinking quickly I saw a Sub-Machine pellet gun, I quickly grabbed it and start spraying the lower staircases while at the same times using the blizzard spell the unicorns did earlier to cave in the stairs.
*CRASH*
The stairs caved in. As soon as it did however we were already at the third floor. We ran to the end of the building which led to a hole in the wall leading to the river We looked down at the at the river then at each other giving the " I guess we have no other choice look" Then jumped into the cold river.
As I was under water I looked up to see AJ's hat floating up to the surface.
