“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”
― G.K. Chesterton
The train trudged steadily down the track. The thump of the ties could faintly be heard inside the cabin. It was early morning. Most of the passengers from Northern Equestria had already gotten off at other stations. This was near the end of the line. Only a hoof-full of ponies remained on the train, including three stallions who had ridden all the way from ponyville. One of the stallions began to stir. A white unicorn with a black mane yawned and stirred in his seat. His eyes slowly blinked open as he peered outside. The train was rounding a seaside cliff face which offered an amazing view of the ocean below. The waves crashed against the cliff hundreds of feet below. If you looked hard enough, in the distance you could see the leviathan breech the water for their morning feeding. The white stallion, MonoChrome, nudged the sleeping dark gray pegasus next to him.
"Roller, check it out!" He said as he rocked his friend. Dungeon Roller gave a snort as he woke up.
"What is it? Are we here?" He asked groggily as he looked outside.
"Almost! look you can see the leviathan pods feeding way out there!" Chrome said with his nose pressed against the window.
"I thought you hated the water and everything in it?" Roller said as he too watched outward. MonoChrome gave a disgusted sound.
"I do, but from a distance they look amazing!"
"What's going on?" A red earth pony sitting across from the two said, rubbing his eyes.
"We're watching the leviathans feed," Chrome said "It's about time you got up, Defender!" Force defender grinned and nodded as he too peered outside. The train began to make its descent into the jungle. From the mountain the train crossed a long bridge that loomed high above a cove that the ocean had dug into the cliff side.
"In a couple of hours, boys, it'll be nothin' but R&R!" Chrome said as he kicked back in his seat.
"I've been needing this for a while!" Defender said "The royal guard can be taxing at times"
"Tell me about it" Chrome said as he waved a hoof
"What would a comedian know about hard work?" Defender said as he arched an eyebrow.
"You think it's easy to talk for hours and come up with new material? It ain't" Chrome said matter-of-factly.
"The real challenge is getting you to shut up!" Dungeon Roller grinned. Defender roared with laughter, followed by Dungeon Roller.
"Wasn't that funny" MonoChrome said, rolling his eyes.
"Could you guys keep it down? It's still early." A blue earth pony asked from a few seats ahead.
"Sure thing" Chrome said. He turned to the others. "Jackass" he mouthed. They giggled.
"How long until the hotel?" Defender asked. Dungeon roller pulled out a pamphlet.
"According to this it's about fifteen miles from that mountain we were just on." Roller said as he adjusted his glasses. Chrome watched the jungle outside as his two friends discussed their whereabouts. Chrome was just as excited as they were about this vacation. If he were to spend another moment in ponyville he was sure he'd go insane. MonoChrome always liked adventure, seeing places he'd never seen before. As a colt he'd always wander into the Everfree much to the horror of his mother. He gave a small chuckle at the memory. He then thought about how his parents were. He didn't visit them as much as he'd like. Maybe he'd stop by when he got home. Maybe his mother would bake those blueberry muffins she used to- Something caught MonoChrome's eye. Up on a distant ridge to the right of the train that now sat between him and the ocean. It was a group of ponies. They all clumped close together. MonoChrome leaned further to the window and squinted. What were they doing? Something flashed and white smoke began to trail toward them. What was it? He then realized.
"GET DOWN!" MonoChrome screamed, tackling his friends to the floor. The RPG round slammed into the side of the train. Baggage fell from the overhead bins as the car rocked sideways and tumbled off the tracks and down the steep embankment to the left. The three stallions were suspended in a sickening sense of freefall until the car slammed on its side and rolled into the jungle. The ponies were now flung about the cabin like rag dolls. Glass shattered and metal creaked and groaned as the car continued. The car abruptly stopped at the base of a large tree, ejecting the trio into the jungle. MonoChrome's ears rang as he looked disoriented around the wreck. He heard a voice. He looked over to see Dungeon Roller slumped over a dislodged seat with his wing bent at an unnatural angle. He then turned to see Defender looking in a dumb gaze similar to his own. Suddenly the face of a blue pony, the one from earlier, was in his own face.
"Snap out of it! We have to get out of here!" He said
"Wha-" Chrome grunted.
"Now!" The blue pony said
"Here! I hear voices!" Yelled a voice from the jungle.
"Shit!" the blue pony said as he jumped to his hooves.
"No no, please, sit down" came an oddly suave voice followed by the pop of a gun. MonoChrome heard the whiz of a bullet come into contact with flesh directly in front of him as the blue pony howled in pain and fell to his knees. A smoke grey unicorn strode out of the foliage wielding a pistol in his aura. "Now then, where is she. She was supposed to be on this train. Where. is. she." The unicorn pressed the barrel of the gun into the fresh wound on the blue pony's leg. The blue pony spat in his face. One of the guard ponies kicked the blue pony as the unicorn calmly wiped his face.
"Right" he said. He turned, but his gun did not follow. "It's obvious now that your little troop leader is not here. Does it not trouble you that she would willingly give up your life to save her own?"
"I would gladly die for my la-" The gun went off in the blue pony's face sending flesh and blood showering the three stallions.
"Well poo, It appears our morning was wasted on miss information." The unicorn gave a pouty face. "No matter! Come along, I think we can still redeem ourselves with a nice breakfast."
"Sir, what about these three?" Asked a guard as he poked Defender with his gun barrel.
"Oh dear me! Where are my manners?" The unicorn said as he trotted over to the three. "Dreadfully sorry, I am Gentilhomme, but my friends call me Gent. I'm what you'd call the prime minister of sorts around here!" Gent gave a smug grin. "Bind them" The guards quickly bound the trio with ropes and put bags over their heads. One guard even went as far as to striking Force Defender violently in the head. Gent trotted over into a clearing until he could see the large bridge that loomed over the below cove.
"Do treat our guests with respect won't you?" Gent grinned as he levitated a detonator from his pack. "They'll be with us for a while." With those words he pressed a button and the bridge erupted in flames blowing out supports and ultimately collapsing into the water.
FarCry: EQUESTRIA
The soothing sound of the band filled the room as ponies sat at the bar or sat in the booths to talk among themselves. The door creaked open as a red earth pony walked in.
"Hey! It's Force Defender!" somepony said. The establishment erupted with applause. Force smiled and nodded as he approached the bar.
"Force! How ya been? I heard 'bout the little filly you saved today." The barkeep greeted.
"Please, Al, I just did what anypony would've done. That house would've come down on top of her if I didn't get her out" Force said as Al slid him his usual cider.
"Yeah, house fires can be scary. Say, I also heard you got promoted!" Al said as he leaned on the bar. Force took a drink.
"Sure did, I'll be transferred to Canterlot within the week."
"Hey that's great! Tell ya what, that one's on me" Al said as he nudged Force on the shoulder. "Now I gotta go, that Berry Punch is here and I gotta make sure she don't get too carried away."
"Take it easy, Al" Force said. Al nodded as he trotted down the bar to confront Berry Punch. Force turned around to watch the band. He sipped his drink and tapped his hoof to the beat. He loved the atmosphere here. The band, the ponies, the drinks, but mostly he came here for her. He scanned the crowd but had yet to spot her. His shoulders sagged a bit in disappointment. He sipped his drink. He swayed in time with the music. This was a great way to unwind after work. He finished his drink and went to turn and order another. That's when he saw her. She had just come through the door. She was just as beautiful as he'd remembered. Her light cerulean coat seemed to glisten in the light as she walked, giving her a pleasant aura. She flicked her mane out of her face. Her mane, her beautiful mane. It literally contained every color of the spectrum. Every lovely color. She cantered up to the bar and rested her hooves upon it.
"Al!" She called in her adorable, if not a bit scratchy, tone of voice.
"Ah, Rainbow Dash. What'll it be?" Al asked as he trotted over to take her order.
"The usual" she said with a small grin. Now's my chance Force thought. He'd finally worked up enough courage. Tonight was finally the night that'd he make his move.
"Put it on my tab, Al" Force said as he joined them. Rainbow Dash turned and looked at him. She arched her eyebrows.
"You heard the stallion, Al" She said, still looking at Force.
"No problem" Al said stifling a chuckle. He turn to leave, but not before giving Force a wink.
"You're the one who saved the little filly today, right?" Dash asked Force, before taking a sip of her drink. "That was pretty awesome. It must have taken a lot of courage."
"It's just part of the job ma'am" Force said giving a warm smile. Rainbow Dash laughed.
"Brave and handsome? Dash what've you gotten yourself into tonight?" She said mockingly. They both laughed. The night rolled on. The band played, ponies began to leave, and last call came and went. Force and Dash remained in a booth still talking and enjoying each others company.
"You know, for a guard you lead a pretty exciting life!" Dash said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Force said jokingly
"No offense" Dash said quickly throwing up her hooves. Force laughed, making Dash blush a bit.
"Force?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything for you"
"W-ke -p"
"Huh?"
"Wa-e u-" Force was dumbstruck, he fumbled his words until finally..
"WAKE UP YOU DOG!" Shouted a voice from just beside Force. He was then doused in liquid. He coughed, spitting out water that had entered his airway. He weezed. He couldn't see for a second. He eventually looked up to a cloudy sky as stars began to come into focus. His hooves were tied and he was bound in a sitting position. He looked around in the cage where he was kept. A pony walked away holding a bucket, no doubt the one who woke him from his pleasant dream. He looked across from him to see Dungeon Roller and MonoChrome tied similar to the way he was.
"'Sup" Chrome said sarcastically, wearing his trademark scowl.
"Where are we?" Force said, shaking out his mane.
"Wonderland" Chrome said looking straight ahead.
"Thought of any ways we can get out of here?" Dungeon Roller asked as he wiggled in place to get more comfortable.
"Why not use your magic?" Force asked. MonoChrome gestured to his horn.
"They put a magic cuff on my horn. I can't use magic." He said. Force looked to see what appeared to be a demonic ice cream cone atop his horn.
"They've been having some sort of party, so the guards are preoccupied with that. If we could just- Hey!" Chrome said as he looked to Force, who had already unbound his hooves.
"The ropes weren't all that tight." Force said as he worked on his body.
"Hang on, I'm gonna call the guard over, then you take care of him" Chrome said. Force nodded.
"Hey buddy!" Chrome called. "C'mere!"
"Shutup!" The guard called as he walked over.
"Hang on, I'm a comedian. I'm gonna run a few jokes by you and see what works." Chrome said. The guard stood menacingly. "Okay, What do you call a promiscuous pony? A little whorse!" Silence. After a bit the guard began to chuckle. "You like that one? Alright, how about this one." Chrome cleared his throat. "What's the quickest way to mail a little horse? The pony express." The guard laughed hardily. "Okay, okay." Chrome said silencing the guard. "What did the face say to the bars?" The guard thought for a second. "Give up?" Chrome said. The guard gave a nod. Force sprung up and reached outside of the bars and wrapped his legs around the guard's head. He then quickly pulled the guard toward him and collided his head with the bars. The guard then fell to the ground unconscious.
"SMACK!" Chrome said with a huge grin. "Okay snag those keys and untie us!"
Thunder rumbled overhead as a few raindrops began to fall.
"Lovely night for an escape, wouldn't you say?" Dungeon Roller said as he glanced up.
"Where do we go once we're out?" Force said as he bit into Chrome's ropes.
"Anywhere beats here and now" Chrome said as his bindings fell to the ground. Force fumbled with the keys for a moment before finally turning the tumblers and unlocking the door. Force looked around cautiously before nudging the cage door open. Chrome freed Dungeon Roller and joined force at the opening of the cave.
"Keep low and follow me" Force whispered. "It probably won't take long for them to notice we're gone"
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" The trio froze.
"Run now?" Dungeon Roller said.
"Splendid idea" Chrome said. Without missing a beat they all bolted in the immediate opposite direction of the guard that spotted them. Gunfire began to erupt. Bullets whizzed past them and struck the ground and the huts of the compound. Now the entire complex were alerted of their escape. Rain now poured heavily. The trio rounded a corner only to find a large bungalow blocking their path.
"Slide under!" Force said as he quickly slid on his stomach to crawl under the building. Roller and Chrome followed suit sliding through the mud. They could see hooves running by and could hear the yelling of the guards as they searched for the runaways.
"Release the hounds!" one said.
"Buck! Dogs?!" Chrome swore. They were now emerging from the other end of the bungalow. They could see the end of the compound open into a gate and could see the jungle beyond. Freedom. They ran. First force, then Roller, with Chrome close behind. They ran. Twenty yards, fifteen, closer! Closer! MonoChrome felt teeth sink into his hind leg and felt the full force of the guard dog collide into his own body.
"SHIT!" Chrome screamed in pain as he tripped over his front legs. He and the dog rolled in the mud eventually leading to the dog snapping at Chromes neck. Force quickly reeled around and planted his two hind hooves into the dog's side, sending it flying. He helped Chrome to his hooves and continued to run. The rain spattered on their faces making it difficult to see. The broke into the jungle feeling the fronds slap their faces. Dungeon roller said something from up ahead and disappeared, then Force and Chrome fell. They ran into a portion of the ground that had washed out into a bit of a water slide. The slid fast, feeling sticks, rocks, fronds and other bits of debris hit them as they sped by. They quickly leveled out and tumbled into a pile in the middle of the brush. They all panted. They couldn't hear any gunfire or dogs. They were safe for the moment.
"Guys" Roller said.
"Hang on. I gotta catch my breath" Force said as he panted, the adrenalin still coursing.
"Guys, really" Roller said being more persistent. Chrome looked up only to see a gun barrel pointed in his face.
"Stand down. These are escaped prisoners, look this one still has his cuff on." came a hushed voice from the foliage. A green female unicorn came from the brush and helped the three up. "If they've escaped then the compound will no doubt be on alert". As if on cue alarms could be heard from atop the hill.
"This was supposed to be our chance to take down Gent at his own doorstep" Said one of the ponies at the green unicorn's side.
"It appears we will have to prolong this meeting until a later date." She said as she eyed the ridge. "Why did he have you three?" she said as she looked down.
"We were in the train that was attacked" Force said as he shook the mud from his body.
"Wait. So you three came here voluntarily?" She asked in an astonished tone.
"Yeah, we were heading to the resort when-"
"Resort? That place has been closed for years" One of the allies said.
"Where did you get that pamphlet, Roller" Force said.
"Now that you mention it, Some shady looking pony gave it to me."
"One of Gent's slavers no doubt. That's how they lure ponies here" The green unicorn nodded. "No use standing here in the rain. Come back to camp with us, we will talk mor-"
"There! At the bottom! Liberty is here as well!"
"TO THE JEEPS!" Liberty said as she bolted through the jungle. "Come with me, quickly!" From atop the ridge standing in the rain was the gray unicorn from earlier in the day.
"End them" he said
The group ran through the jungle until they came across a handful of vehicles. Liberty quickly got in the passenger seat of the lead vehicle followed by an ally that got in the driver seat. He started the ignition causing the head lamps to illuminate. They sped off down the road
"You three will ride with me!" The remain ally said as he climbed into the last jeep. Chrome got into the passenger seat while the other two climbed in back. The jeep started up. "You're all in good hooves now!"
"What's your name?" Force asked over the hum of the engine and pouring of the rain.
"In the outside I was known as sketch!" He said as he accelerated. "But here I am known as the Everfree De-" A sniper round ended his sentence and his life. The windshield was coated in blood and debris. Chrome wiped his face causing the blood to streak across his face.
"Why the hay does that always happen to me?" He grumbled as he slid into the driver seat and sped off after the lead car. The headlights bounced along the trail as Monochrome struggled to keep pace with the lead car. Force tapped Chrome's shoulder."
"We got company!" He called. Chrome looked to the rearview to see headlights gaining on them, followed by the familiar sound of bullets being fired. MonoChrome stomped the gas and sped up. The lead car was now crossing a narrow bridge over a large chasm. Chrome puled onto the bridge and sped up quickly.
"They stopped" Roller cheered!
"Guess the didn't want to chase all crossing at once!" Chrome said with a grin while his heart pounded.
"Or maybe they want to blow the bridge" Force said looking faintly behind them
"WHAT!?" Chrome said as he chanced a glance behind them. Six ponies climbed out of their vehicles, all armed with RPG-7's Chrome looked back ahead. Liberty's jeep had made it off the bridge.
"This is gonna be bad." Roller said.
"Hang on!" Chrome said as he punched it. They were almost halfway over the bridge when the pursuers fired. Six rockets collided with the support struts of the bridge. The top wobbled. Chrome struggled the keep the wheel centered. Metal creaked and groaned. The entire left side of the bridge sagged. Chrome Kept the jeep top side, the engine growling loudly. Another round of rockets slammed the bridge. This time it gave. The bridge angled violently down.The metal screamed. The jeep swiftly descended. The final 3/4 of the journey across the bridge ended with the jeep flying down and colliding with the cliff-face.
