Chapters Prologue: Downfall (Edited)
Author's Note
Edits: Better descriptions and added a few details
Prologue: Downfall (Edited)
The metal walls around him shuddered as the dual rotors picked up speed. He had always hated the CH-47. It wasn't anything personal, he just hated how slow it was. He preferred the Little Birds or Blackhawks. At least those weren't as big as a target. He looked around the hold, grimacing as he observed the fluids leaking from the various hydraulic lines that ran along the wall.
At just 19, Private First Class Jensen Mastiff is the team medic for Raider Squad. He is a Syrian Trinidadian American with short black hair and matching stubble, light tan skin and beautiful hazel eyes. He wore a grey Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) jacket, a set of Army Combat Uniform (ACU) pants, and a Ranger MICH 2000 helmet with night vision goggle (NVG) mount and an attached flashlight with his personal moral patch that read Do No Harm, Do Know Harm on the side along with an American flag on the other. He had a pair of desert goggles on and had a set of Oakley Fuelcells in his vest. He gripped his FN SCAR L tighter and slowly leaned as far back as he could before his vest stopped his movement. He felt a slight comfort knowing that he had at least some protection, even if it was mostly mental. He also felt the Beretta M9 jabbing his thigh and the Ontario Ranger Shank strapped to his belt.
The loading ramp was down as Sgt. Delgato was in position, manning the helo's rear Browning M2. The 30 men of the 75th Ranger Regiment Alpha Company, 2nd Platoon; were all thinking of their next destination: Lashkar Gah Province. Their mission: To take out the Taliban fighters in the around the Bost Arch and call airstrikes on enemy positions.
Jensen only stared out of the open ramp as the dry air blew sand around the window.
His team leader, Master Sergeant Lynch walked up and down the aisle, briefing the men on their objective. He knew, and was friends with, many of the Rangers here. They were together since their graduation from Ranger Assessment Selection Program (RASP). He had been in Afghanistan with them for almost 5 months now. Within those 5 months, he has been on manhunts, long range patrols, raids, and so many engagements that he'd lost count.
"Hey, kid! You alright?" Jensen looked at Lynch, who had stood up and grabbed hold of one of the handles that ran along the ceiling.
"Yes, sergeant!" Jensen hollered.
"Good," Lynch said as he patted his shoulder and turned to address the team.
"Thank you for flying Ranger 2-1 Lines. I'll be your stewardess-team leader today. Also known as 'First Off, Last On'. Today we'll be serving rounds of 5.56. Followed by our main course, All-You-Can-Eat Taliban. We hope you like foreign foods."
"Hooah!" the team roared.
"On approach to target. Fifteen seconds," the pilot announced over the intercom.
"GO TO RED!" Lynch ordered.
With that the Rangers stood up and faced the rear bay.
Here we go , Jensen thought.
P-ping Ping, Ping!
"WE'RE HIT! WE'RE HIT!" yelled the pilot.
The Rangers were helpless as they looked around, trying to avoid getting shot by the hidden Taliban fighters.
Just as the pilots gained control of the situation, an RPG struck the Chinook and sent it spiraling to the desert floor; throwing the Rangers all over the fuselage as the helo plummeted to earth. Jensen and Delgato were unlucky enough to get sucked out of the open ramp as Lynch could only watch in horror as the two were thrown out like rag dolls. Delgato smacked into the ground at 100+ mph and literally dug his own grave. Jensen, however, flew towards the Bost Arch.
Jensen was weightless as he fell. As he fell his life started to flash before his eyes. He thought that he saw the Bost Arch start to glow like a small sun before he flew threw the field and shattered the field like a pane of glass before blinking out of existence.
Chapter 1: Touchdown (Edited)
Author's Note
The age of the ponies and dragon will follow human years:
Edits: More details
Fixed some mistakes
Chapter 1: Touchdown (Edited)
Equestria 18 Feet from the Ground
The man opened his eyes and took the last few moments to look at where he would soon be landing. Instead of the desert floor, there were trees. Instincts and his airborne training took over as he tried to move himself toward the thickest bunch he could see, hoping they would cushion his fall.
Wait, why are there apple trees in Afghanistan? He thought before he hit the top branches.
His RAV body armor took a large portion of the impact and he could feel his armor plate crack as he smashed through the top branches. His Kevlar bounced off another branch and threw his head back, rotating his body so that his side would take the remaining impacts as he made his way to the ground. He felt his body slam into the ground as he tried rolling into the fall. He knew he cracked a few ribs, but that didn't matter to him at the moment. He stared at the sky as he started to laugh as his vision faded to black.
I'm alive...
3 Hours Later Sweet Apple Acres
Jensen awoke to the sound of birds chirping and leaves blowing. His eyes flickered open as he felt a warm, wet substance running down his face. Upon touching it, a sharp, stinging sensation caused him to wince.
"Ow..."
Looking at his hand, he noticed that it was covered in blood.
Thinking quickly, he took off his cracked goggles before reached into his med pack and retrieved a roll of gauze and his scissors. After wrapping his head, he took stock of the situation.
Gingerly, he sat up and checked himself over. Aside from the previously mentioned injury, he had a few small shrapnel wounds in his legs and arms which he quickly wrapped along with his ribs. His rucksack was still attached to his vest and noticed that it seemed largely unscathed aside from a few rips.
Alright... I should've been paste on the desert floor....Why am I in an orchard? He pondered.
He started searching through the compartments, finding various items still where he put them, such as: some rations, his med and field surgery kits, a small short wave radio, a few maintenance tools for his weapons, some batteries of various sizes, a lighter and even some spare ammunition for his sidearm and rifle, and his Monocular NVG. The most exciting discovery was that his Zune was still in the chest pocket that he liked to use it on long trips. Even the fold-out solar panel was there. He could use it to re-charge his mp3 and also the batteries for his radio. He then checked his tac vest and found his weapons and ammo still attached, his pistol in his holster. The tactical combat knife he always wore was still in its sheath on his belt. His helmet and radio was still around his head, seemingly whole and undamaged. He quickly reloaded his weapons and took in his surroundings. He then stripped off his PCU coat and goggles before placed them in his assault bag before replacing it with an ACU jacket and tied his shemagh around his neck.
The large, apple tree filled valley came into the Ranger’s view as he looked around. Getting up, he moved further until he spotted a large red barn just a few meters away, he crouched and scanned the area looking for anyone or thing that could spot him. His eyes flickered down the path as the faint noise of an old, wooden cart being driven reached his ears. Thinking quickly, he ran to the side of the path and jumped behind a tree and drew his knife and pistol. He looked down the open path, waiting for the cart. Soon enough, a red humanoid with a large yolk around his neck came into view of the man. The red bipedal humanoid, and a huge one at that, was pushing a cart full of apples, he got closer to the man’s position behind the tree as he pushed the cart. Then, the stallion snorted and stopped short, he tipped his head upwards and flared his nostrils, sniffing the air. He turned his head and look around suspiciously, then his gaze shifted directly to the Ranger.
The man’s heart stopped as he felt the stallion’s gaze fall on his position, hoping that he wasn’t spotted. Jensen held his breath as the stallion stared for a moment, one of them completely unaware of the others’ existence. The red humanoid knitted his eyebrows and then shrugged, he looked away and continued his journey down the path. Breathing a sigh of relief, the man snuck around the tree once he was sure the pony had left. He decided to walk deep into the orchard in order to avoid any more unwanted encounters.
20 Minutes Later
The apples.
Oh the amazing apples.
The godlike deliciousness the apples withheld behind their crimson coat baffled the man. The Ranger sat inside a small wooden house he had found whilst walking through the orchards. After picking a fair share of apples, he had stumbled upon this little house nestle in a crook of a tree. The front door was open, which was strange, but he really didn't care, he was hungry as hell and need some sort of shelter while he feasted on his red bounty. The man had already eaten 3 of his 15 apples and was working on his fourth when a distant giggling sounded out from the orchard. Putting down his half eaten apple, he quickly got up and made his way to a nearby window. As he slowly peered out the aperture, he could see a trio of fillies coming his way, straight for the tree house.
"That was AWESOME!" The orange and magenta filly yelled in a tomboyish voice.
"Okay, I guess it was, but I told you not to touch Twilight's blue potion thingy. She already said that it would explode if you shook it, do you ever listen Scootaloo?" The small white unicorn scolded.
"Hey, ah thought it was kinda' cool." Said the yellow filly.
"SEE! Even Applebloom says it was awesome! I told you chemistry would get us our cutie mark."
The white filly pointed to Scootaloo shoulder,
"You didn't get a chemistry cutie mark, or even one at all for that matter."
"Neither did you Sweetie Belle, nor Applebloom." Scootaloo pouted.
"Hey, ah still think tha' exploshin' was epic, Anywho! Do y'all wanna hang out some more at tha' club house?" Applebloom suggested.
"Sure! But only for a bit I gotta get back to the Boutique to help Rarity with some coat hems."
"I'll come to, but I've got flying lesson with Rainbow today." Stated Scootaloo with excitement.
"All right'y then, lets go!" Applebloom cheered as they walked to their tree house. The fillies turned to the club house and began to make their way up the steps of the tree house.
"Shit!" The Ranger muttered as he heard the fillies' hoofsteps getting closer to the door.
Frantically, he searched for a way out of the club house, finally he found one way to exit the premises without the fillies spotting him. The same window he had been observing the girls was his only escape. With the extremely close sound of hoofsteps closing in on him, he acted on instinct and dove out the window,
And directly onto a rose bush.
"Fuuuuccck..." he groaned internally as the thorns on the plant jabbed at him while he sank further into the shrub. Thankfully, the window didn't have a glass pane on it. It that where the case, he would have had a lot more problems than just a few thorns in his side.
The girls was in the building just as fast as the Ranger had jumped out and landed in the bush. The moment they walked in, Applebloom saw a brief, blur of movement by the window. Curious, she walked to the windowsill and looked out, trying to see if she could catch whatever caused the movement with her gaze. She stood there, searching for the phantom for a second longer, she then shrugged and walked back inside. She joined her friends at the small table within the club house and picked up a note pad rest on it. The note pad was for her to record every attempt she and her friends had done at getting cutie marks, this was to ensure they didn't do the same activity twice.
While writing down the day’s events, her and her friend's eyes shifted to a half eating apple on the floor.
"Looks like we got fruit bats again," Scootaloo grumbled.
Looking at the apple, she could see that there was odd looking teeth marks within the apple. No pony could have made those indents, the filly then remembered the strange moment blur in the club house when she entered. The theorized that there must have been an animal of some-sort in the tree house eating and apple, and she probably scared it away when she walked in.
Applebloom sighed and face hoofed.
"We should start closing the front door, and get that window some glass..." She trailed off.
She then returned to tossing ideas around with her friends and jotting them down on her note pad, seemingly unaware of the Ranger getting out of his thorny tomb and running away from the club house and into the woods.
The man had climbed out of his "Prickly Situation" and brushed himself off. Seeing the sun was close to setting, he checked himself over before heading out for the trail and moved further into the orchards.
As he moved, his mind started to wander to his past…
5 Years Ago
Back inside of his two story home, 14 year old Jensen ran up to his room and locked the door behind him, jumped onto his ‘bed’ and began to cry. The bed was just a mattress on the floor without a box spring or covers, he pulled out the small necklace and held it in his palm. Jensen looked out the window and saw that it began to rain, he then heard them yelling and started to pound on the door. He looked in horror as they broke down his door. They had an angry look on their faces.
“WHO THE FUCK IS THAT!?”
“She’s no one! She’s just a friend! That’s-” he was cut off when she struck his face. She then proceeded to grab him by his hair and smack him in the face. The force was enough for his hair to rip in the woman’s grip.
Jensen began to wail in pain as the two continued to beat him.
After she let go of him, he threw Jensen against the wall and zip-tied him to the radiator and left the room. Jensen tried to get to his feet but found no strength left in his body, as he looked over to his cuffed hand, he realized that he was still holding the necklace that his friend had given him. He held it close to him, as he looked out the window he could have sworn he saw a rough outline of a winged figure outside of his window. As a bolt of lightning lit up the sky… it vanished. But he knew his grandparents were watching over him.
15 Minutes Later
As Jensen sat against the radiator, he had stopped crying only because he thought that he had run out of tears. He heard heavy footsteps approaching his door and merely gave a dead gaze at him, who was glaring at him. He stumbled over and kicked Jensen in the ribs before stumbling back out of the room and slamming the door and dead bolting it. Jensen felt his ribs break upon impact from his steel toed boot as he started to cough up blood and soon, his vision started to fade. Before he finally succumbed to the darkness, the words of his friend’s father came through his mind:
“Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.
Gallantly, will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.
Rangers Lead The Way!!!”
“Rangers… lead…the…wa….”
Present Time
As the man’s past resurfaced, he felt hot tears streak down his face. He backhanding them away and moved on.
However, before he was more than 25 meters away he heard the screams of a certain yellow filly.
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Chapter 2: Puteus' Hoc Corporis Defende Periculis (Edited)
As the man’s past resurfaced, he felt hot tears streak down his face. Backhanding them away, he moved on.
However, before he was more than 25 meters away he heard the screams of a certain yellow filly.
Applejack 800 Meters from Jensen’s Position
“APPLEJACK! YOU GOTTA HELP US!” a set of young voices shouted.
“What’s the problem? Where’s Applebloom?”
“That’s the problem, we were with her when a pack of timber wolves attacked us,” Sweetie Bell said with tears in her eyes.
“We managed to get away, but Applebloom is cornered in a nearby tree, she can't hold on forever,” Scootaloo said.
“APPLEBLOOM! WHERE IN THE ORCHARD?”
“In the south end we’ll show you!” the two fillies took off with Applejack in hot pursuit.
General POV
Jensen heard the scream and immediately readied his SCAR. He continued towards the noise. From the sound of it, it sounded like a small child was in trouble. When they got there they saw a small yellow filly hanging on to a broken limb surrounded by about ten timber wolves.
“Applebloom! Hold on we’re coming, you girls go get Big Macintosh. Hurry!” he heard a voice order. The wolves then heard the voices and noticed the Ranger.
Five of them began to circle the human.
Jensen was focused on the wolves while a blonde mare was looking at her sister who was barely hanging on to the branch. Just as she was about to yell, Jensen engaged the wolves, leaving Applejack to focus on Applebloom.
“Hey!” he yelled as he aimed down his holographic scope and fired a round from his rifle. The 5.56mm round hitting one of the wolves and
Applejack stared in awe and fear as the strange alien fought off the beasts before he made their way to the filly. The branch was breaking and Applebloom looked down to see the wolves with hunger in their eyes. Applebloom began to feel the branch to give, it soon cracked in half sending the filly down towards the wolves.
“APPLEBLOOM!” the orange mare shouted.
Jensen then charged into the pack, his assault rifle was slung up as he drew his M9. Firing at the pack, he tackled another one and emptying his mag into the remaining wolves who backed off before carrying the filly and backing out.
AJ caught up her sister’s savior and charged off towards the house. Jensen then handed the filly off to the mare before reloading his weapons and escorting the two to the house.
Applejack and Jensen came into the house with the filly in her arms, she laid her down on her bed and began to examine her cuts.
“Can you understand me?” Jensen asked. Not caring about whether or not that the two were aliens, but more focused on his patient.
“Y-yes,” hesitated Applejack
“How is she?” Jensen said as he brought out his medkit.
“Not good. She's bleeding and awfully pale,” she said as Jensen came her side he began to examine the filly.
“She's bleeding out. But I think I can help her,” he said as he opened his medkit, the orange mare the stepped in front of him with an angry look in her eye.
“NO WAY! I’M NOT LETTING AN ALIEN ANYWHERE NEAR MY LITTLE SISTER!”
“Listen ma’am, that little girl needs medical attention! She won’t make it to the hospital, so unless you want your sisters’ blood on your hands, I suggest that you GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!” he said as he glared at the now shocked mare.
AJ let him pass.
“Smart move, I’m going to need help holding her down,” AJ did as he was asked and restrained her sister, Big Macintosh soon entered the room along with the fillies.
“What happened?” he asked as he burst into the room.
“Fuckin’ wooden wolf-things. They attacked the girl,” Jensen said as he withdrew a small morphine syringe and injected the filly with the substance before sedating her with half a Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) tablet.
“What’s that?”
“Morphine and Benadryl. It’s a type of painkiller and something to help her sleep, now I can get to work, you all have to leave the room now.”
“No way, no how!” AJ said as she released her grip on her sister.
“Look, I know you want to be there for her, but I need time to work in privacy. Plus this is not going to be pretty,” the group of ponies started
“Please, please save her,” she said with tears running down her face.
Jensen gave her a nod and began to get to work.
The Apple family was waiting in the living room, the rest of Applejack’s friends soon arrived after Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had spread the word. The group waited for hours. Rarity was comforting Fluttershy, Pinkie as softly weeping in the corner, Rainbow was comforting Applejack and Twilight was pacing around the room.
4 Hours Later
The human then came down the stairs to see the group. His helmet was off and blood was splattered on his uniform and face. The group crowded around the young man.
“She’s going to be fine, I stopped the bleeding, but she still lost a lot. I had to give her several stitches for the deep cuts, medical super glue for the minor ones and gave her some antibiotics. She’s be under the drug I gave her, and I want to keep her asleep to let her body recover on its own. Finally, I've hooked her up to an IV and blood pouches. Usually, I would need to replace the IV every few days, but she should be fine,” Jensen said as he wiped his forehead with his sleeve, smearing more blood over his forehead. AJ then brought him into a hug.
“Th-thank y-you!” she said as she began to sob, Jensen then broke the hug with a blank look on his face.
“No worries ma’am, I’m just doing my job. A Ranger will never leave a man behind and I’ll be damned if I let a child die,” he collected the rest of
“Yer all welcome to stay for dinner, it’s the least ah can do for helping mah little sister,” the red stallion said with a smile. Jensen looked over to the group who shook their heads in approval, except for the cyan one.
“I’m fine-”
“Of course you can stay for supper. It’d be my pleasure,” the orange mare said with a warm smile.
10 Minutes Later
Sweetie Belle left with Scootaloo after making sure their friend was alright and thanking the human. Jensen was allowed to use the shower. When he returned, he only wore his ACU pants, boots and undershirt, revealing his strong arms and a tattoo on his forearm that read Sua Sponte to the mares. Around his neck were his dogtags and a worn silver sun pendant. Rarity, Applejack, Dash, and Pinkie all stared as he took his seat.
As the ponies sat around the table, the mares mostly gossiped while the men ate their dinner in silence.
“Ahem,” the red stallion said as he nudged his sisters’ shoulder and motioned his head towards Jensen.
“I’m sorry, I never caught y’er name. I’m Applejack,” the mare said with a sheepish grin.
“My name is Jensen Mastiff ma’am.”
Jensen shook her hand and sat back down. He noticed he was catching some nasty looks from the blue girl who was sporting track shorts and a sleeveless hoodie, while the yellow winged Pegasus seemed to be afraid of him. The pink one kept giggling to herself for some reason, and he kept feeling the white unicorns gaze on him.
“What?” he asked as he looked at the unicorn.
“I was just wondering where you got your attire,” She said as she ran her eyes over him.
“The US Army.”
“The Us Army? I never heard of that store.”
“The US stands for United States, the country I’m from. I’m a soldier in my nation’s Army.”
“Well, you certainly have an...interesting taste.” She said as she eyed his tan undershirt and UCP patterned pants.
“I didn’t pick it. It’s standard issued,” Jensen said as he rolled his eyes.
This peaked Rainbow’s interest.
“So you’re a soldier huh?” she asked as she leaned forwards.
“A Ranger more specifically. And a medic on top of that… why?”
“You don’t look all that tough… I bet I can take you on in anything!” she declared in a cocky tone.
“Ma’am, you’re talking to a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. We are the top light infantry unit in my country. Are you absolutely sure you want to try me?” he asked in an irritated tone.
“Hell yea-” Rainbow was cut off by Twilight’s hand connecting with the back for her head.
“Rainbow Dash are you crazy?! You saw what he did to those wolves!” She halved screamed.
The winged mare rubbed the back of her head while frowning at her friend. “Chill out Twi, I totally got this--”
“He isn’t just your average fighter,” The unicorn gestured to the man, “you aren’t built to fight somepony with his build.”
Dash huffed, “The reason he won was because of those loud things-”
“Firearms, those were firearms,” Jensen helped.
“Whatever. He won because of those. He can’t fight hand to hand,” Dash said.
“Hey now, he just saved lil’ Bloom. Let the man rest,” Big Mac cut in.
“Yeah Dashie, Don’t be mean,” Pinkie added
“I haven’t eaten in the past forty-eight hours. Please, I just want to eat,” sighed Jensen.
“Fine…” Dash mumbled.
“Thank you,” sighed Jensen.
“But don’t think that this is over,” said Dash.
After Dinner
After they finished, the ponies continued with their questions.
“Well, first off, what are you?” Twilight asked
“I’m a human,” The ponies jaws dropped at this statement.
“Y-you’re a human?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Well, it looks like we owe Lyra twenty bits.” Rainbow whispered to Applejack.
“How old are you?” Rarity asked.
“Nineteen. I turn twenty in June.”
“I see. How did you get here?”
“Don’t know. One minute I’m about to smack into the ground at Mach Jesus, the next I land in an apple orchid,” He said as he pointed to the window.
“Oh darling! That’s horrible!” Rarity commented dramatically.
“You’re telling me. Now it’s my turn for some questions, who and what are all of you?”
“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” The lavender mare said.
“Rainbow Dash.”
“Applejack.”
“F-Fluttershy.” she said in a timid tone.
“Rarity, darling.”
“Hi I’m Pinkie Pie!” the pink one said in a happy tone.
"Big Macintosh, but you can call me Mac."
"And were ponies. More specifically, Rarity and I are unicorns, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are pegisi, and AJ, Mac and Pinkie are earth ponies," Twilight concluded.
“Nice to meet you all and thanks for feeding me,” He said with a nod. The ponies returned the gesture.
“Don’t worry about it sugarcube. You save our little sister,” Applejack said with a smile as Big Mac nodded.
“It’s no problem ma’am. All part of the job.”
“So... Jensen, where did you learn to provide medical aid like that?”
“I’m a combat medic, it’s kinda my job. I wanted to help people for as long as I can remember, and I had a natural talent in the medical field. So I figured that I could use my gift to serve my country.”
Rarity was next to ask a question.
“Now darling when you said you are a soldier, do you mean-”
“Yes, I’ve taken lives. And yes, it’ll stay with me for as long as I live. But this is the path I’ve chosen, and I’m happy here,” he said as she fell silent.
“W-why would you kill other…h-hoo-man?” the yellow mare asked.
“Humans ma’am, humans. But to answer your question, they belonged to a terrorist group known as the Al-Qaeda. A multinational terrorist
The girls were shock. That his own species would commit such acts of violence.
“W-why would they ever do such a thing?” Twilight asked in disgust.
“They claim to be doing it because my country’s support of another country named Israel, the presence of my country’s troops in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq.”
The table sat in silence. Reflecting on what the man said.
“Why don’t we just… go home? It’s getting late,” said Twilight.
“Yeah, let’s,” said Jensen as he retrieved his gear.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where are you going?” Big Mac asked as the man was about to leave.
“Um, to sleep? I can stay out in the orchid sir. It doesn’t bother me.”
“Wha- You can’t stay out there! You’ll freeze to death!” Applejack cut in.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll build a shel-,” He was cut off as AJ shushed him.
“No you won’t. You saved our sister. You can stay in the guest room,” she said.
“I don’t want to be a burden ma’am. I can work to stay,” Jensen said.
“It’s no problem at all sugarcube. ‘Side, Lil Bloom would want to meet her hero,” AJ said with a wink.
“…Alright, I’ll stay” answered the man hesitantly.
Big Mac nodded and patted his shoulder before heading to bed. AJ hung around for a few minutes before passing by the man. Standing on her tippy hooves and giving a peck on his cheek.
“Thanks again sug’,” she said as her tail inadvertently brushed up against his crotch.
“A blush formed on the man’s cheeks as he stood in shock. A few seconds later, he shook it off and moved to follow Applejack to the guest room.
Applejack led him to an upstairs room. Inside was a bed, a desk, a few chairs, and a closet for anything he needed.
"This is where you'll be stayin'. Nothin' fancy, but it's cozy she said with a light blush as Jensen walked in.
Turning to her, he thanked her before shutting the door. After setting his rifle on the desk and field stripping it, he reached down in his pocket and took out two pictures: one of his team and one of a special person that he held near and dear to his heart.
Smiling, he placed it by the reassembled rifle, and set his backpack in the closet before stripping down to his compression shorts and tags. The man then jumped into bed and dozed off.
Wondering how this turn of events would change his life.
Sweet Apple Acres
Z-ZIP
Jensen jolted awake as he heard a bullet hiss by his head.
BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!
Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he let his eyes adjust to the darkness before shutting off his alarm.
As he looked around; he saw his gear neatly organized in a row at the back of the room, and his clothing at the foot of the bed. Casting his attention to the actual room itself, he saw rustic wooden walls, a door, and a single window in the room; decorations of any kind were scarce to be found.
Getting his thoughts together, Jensen recalled what happened previously.
The wreck, his "death", landing in the apple orchard, saving that little girl from the wolves and then operating on her, and finally having dinner with the family and friends of that mare, Applejack.
Jensen blushed slightly as he remembered that kiss.
Calm down Jens. She was grateful, that's it.
Swinging his legs around the edge of the bed, Jensen stood up and started his stretching, followed by his morning warm up of 100 push ups and sit ups. After this, he put his pants, boots, undershirt and tied his shemagh around his neck before retrieving his Zune and loading up his M9 and holstering it just in case he encounters anymore wolves.
He opened the door, and crept through the hallway before making his way to the door. Checking his watch, it read 0330 hours on its analog display, probably not a good idea to wake the tenant just yet.
He walked over to the farm entrance and turned so he was parallel to the fence. He cracked his neck and back before getting into a start position.
"A timed 5 mile run followed by a light PT session, then we’ll face the day", Jensen said to himself, as he took a deep breath of the crisp, pre-dawn air. He then plugged in his ear buds and starting up the ‘Cadences’ playlist.
40 Minutes Later
Big Macintosh yawned and kicked at the tree again, causing a shower of large, multicolored apples to fall into carefully placed baskets. A late night of watching over Applebloom, mixed with a 3:40 am start and the fact that their house guest was missing, was never good.
“Stand up, hook up, shuffle to the door! ”
Big Mac's ears pricked up, and he cocked her head as the odd melody reached him.
“Jump right out and count to four! ”
Cautiously, he paced towards the sound.
“If my main don't open wide! ”
As he rounded a corner, he saw the singer doing pull-ups on one of the apple trees. It was Jensen!
“I got a re-serve by my side !”
He was pulling himself up and down on an apple branch, back turned to her and legs dangling about three feet above the ground.
“And if that one should fail me to! ”
Having said those last two verses Jensen dropped to the ground and without missing a beat, began doing push-ups. Remembering what had happened to the Timber Wolves when he saved Bloom, he slowly made her way out around the apple tree he’d been working on, leaned back, and just watched.
“LOOK OUT GROUND, I'MMA COMIN' THROUGH! ”
“And if I die on the old drop zone, box me up and ship me home! ”
“Tell my girl I did my best! ”
"Bury me in the leaning rest! "
"When I get to heaven! ”
"St. Peter's gonna say-a! 'How'd ya earn your livin', how'd you earn you pay-a?' "
"I will reply as with a whole lot-a anger! 'EARNED MY LIVIN' AS A AIRBORNE RANGER!' "
Big Mac had been counting how many push ups he’d been doing… So far he was at 70, and there was no indication of stopping. As he watched the human, he couldn't help but feel impressed; considering this man had literally dropped out of nowhere and took on a pack of Timber Wolves. He must be mighty strong… and dedicated. Strong and dedicated enough to work on the farm. But he need to see what the man was made of.
XxX
Jensen finished his 75th push-up, sweat dripping off the end of his nose. He would've easily gone further, but it was only morning PT and he didn't want to wear himself out plus, his ribs were starting to hurt again. He still needed to see if he could work around the farm.
A slight motion on his peripheral vision caught his eye and he took a knee as he drew his M9.
“Now hol’ on there partner, it’s jus’ me.”
Lowering his weapon, Jensen recognized the red pony from the other day, making a mental note to be more observant in the future.
“Good morning sir,” he puffed, surprised at how hoarse his voice was as he stood up and shook his hand.
“Mornin'.”
“Sorry about up and leaving like that, I just needed to do my morning PT,” Jensen said.
“It's not a thang, we were just wonderin' where you went.”
Jensen backhanded the sweat off of his face as he got his heart rate back to normal.
As Mac was thinking on what to say, Jensen spoke up.
"Sir, is there anything I can do around the farm? I want to work for my stay. I don't want to be a freeloader."
Mac was stunned. The young man beat him to the punch. He was ready and willing to work, and by his looks and attitude, more then capable.
Nodding his head slowly, Mac spoke.
"A'right. Come with me, you'll help me harvest the north orchid."
"Yes, sir," Jensen responded as the two walked down the dirt path.
"An' another thing Jensen: call me Mac."
"Okay...Mac."
Mac nodded as Jensen was getting use to the feeling of not addressing someone by 'sir' or 'ma'am'.
As the two reached the orchid, Jensen admired the beauty of the row and rows of apple trees in the rising sun.
"A'right Jensen, we're gonna be picking apples. I hope you know what your doin'?" Mac drawled.
"Yes. Climb up, delicately pick the apple without falling out of the tree, and climb down. Sounds easy enough."
Mac chuckled at Jensen's summery.
"Yea, that just about covers it."
The duo walked to the first tree and began working.
6 Hours Later
The two have been working most of the day, but the two got it done. Strangely, Applejack didn't show up. When Jensen asked, Mac explained that she was in town, working the apple stand.
Applebloom haven't woke up yet, but the siblings' grandmother, Granny Smith, returned home from visiting their family out in Appaloosa.
Mac introduced Granny Smith to Jensen and explained what he is so it wouldn't shock her and what happened in her absent. Needless to say, she accepted the human with open arms. She let the men work, but came back out and brought the workers tea to re-hydrate. The two took a half hour break, in which, Mac asked Jensen a few questions. He found out that Jensen was originally from a city called Manhattan New York but moved south to Georgia. He also learned that his father was also in the Army. The same group in fact, but transferred out to become an instructor.
Jensen also learned some things about Mac, such as, that he always worked on the farm since he was a colt, he's 25, and that he has a marefriend named Cheerilee, who teaches the local school.
As the two finished up their break, an explosion in the distance broke the silent atmosphere.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Chapter 5: The Cracks Begin to Show
3 Hours Later
They sat in the waiting room, awaiting any news on the condition of the three. Around the five were Mac, who came in after the medics administered oxygen and cleared him; members of the local police units, who were assigned to protect the creature (Jensen) so the princesses can interview him; and finally, two detectives named Nightshade, a lean black and white pegasus stallion with a dark grey Stetson; and Blackout, a tall and built black earth pony stallion with a black mane with white tips and edges and purple eyes, to take a statement from Jensen when he is stable condition. Both wore grey cloaks with a thin blue line going from the tip of the hood down the center underneath their black tactical vests . The vests carried their personal swords and tasers. Applejack continued to check on him, despite the doctors telling her he was fine. Pinkie, as her usual ecstatic self, nervously tapped her hoof as she looked from the door to the floor several times with tears welling in her eyes.
"Were they okay when you got out?" Twilight asked.
"Ah don' know, they were unconscious when the medic took 'em, an Ah couldn't tell if they were breathin'," Mac said regretfully. Fluttershy placed a hand on the stallion's shoulder.
"You did the best you could," She said tenderly. Mac nodded.
A nurse came out to the lobby, and looked upon the group. The mares and Mac stood, as did the officers. They begged, pleaded in their minds that they were okay.
"How are they Nurse Redheart?" Twilight asked.
The nurse had a sullen look.
"'Ms. Rarity and Mr. Spike are stable, Rarity's breathing has returned to normal and Spike had woken up after shortly after we hooked him up to oxygen. They're sleeping now and we're going to keep them overnight just to be safe, but everything is looking fine other than a few broken bones and burn."
Twilight let out a breath of relief, overjoyed that their friend and little brother were okay.
"But what about Jensen? The third one?" Applejack asked frantically before her brother calmed her down.
The nurse turned to the mare.
"He had second degree burns on his chest and face, third degree burns on his hands, along with a sliced cheek that required stitches and we're treating him for smoke inhalation. He's in the burn ward now," Pinkie charged through the door as the others calmly walked down the halls.
Jensen lay on her hospital bed, oxygen mask on his mouth, and a heart rate monitor to the left of him. He still had several smaller cuts along his body. Most were bandaged, and the ones that weren't were stitched were glued shut. His burns were covered in a green slime. What the group noticed almost immediately, were the numerous scars that criss-crossed his body. On his left pectoral, was another tattoo. It was a memorial piece that had several dark red and black roses with the name Cassidy written in a elegant cursive. Mac walked over and sat by the bed. Watching as his chest slowly went up and down. He hung his head, still feeling guilty for what had happened to him.
What in Tartaurus happened to ya?
"It wasn't your fault," Twilight said with a smile. Mac looked back up to the man and placed a hand on his scalp, stoking his head in the parts that weren't burnt. He frowned and brought his hand back to his side.
"I still wish I could have gotten there sooner."
Nurse Redheart came and reported their findings on the man.
“According to his necklace," Redheart nodded to his dogtags that were hung up on the wall, "His name is Jensen R. Mastiff. Date of birth is June 18, 1995. Age 19. Blood type is AB positive...He is about 6 foot, and weights 145 pounds. And," she hesitated as a lump formed in her throat.
"What?" Applejack asked with a look of worry on her face as she stroked Jensen's hand.
"And by the scars...he...he has been horrendously abused as a foal."
The group gasped in shock. Someone as young as him. By his own family.
Tears welled up in Pinkie's and Fluttershy's eyes and Rainbow looked down in shame as she remembered trying to pick a fight with him.
Inside Jensen's Subconscious
The house reeked of alcohol, mold, vomit and other scents associated with a number of other drugs. The sound of a TV with the volume turned all the up shook the windows of Jensen's home.
As he tried to sneak inside, a voice screamed from the basement.
"جنسن ! احصل على فائدة الحمار هنا هذه اللحظة" he screamed. JENSEN! GET YOUR USELESS ASS DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT!
Almost jumping out of his skin, Jensen dropped his raggedy backpack and ran down the stairs.
"ما هو هذا جنسن؟!" he screeched at him. His breath reeked of alcohol and cigarettes as he held a piece of paper. WHAT IS THIS JENSEN?!
"M M - اعادة بطاقة تقرير," Jensen stuttered. He knows he got straight A's, but he still doesn't know why he was so pissed with him. M-m-my re-report card
"ما!؟ كنت اعتقد ان لديك ثم لي أفضل؟! أفضل من الولايات المتحدة?!" he hollered What!? You think your better then me?! Better then us
Oh right. His insecurities, Jensen thought to himself
"رد لي عندما أتحدث إليك !" he screams. ANSWER ME WHEN I TALK TO YOU!
"لا-," No I-
Jensen was cut off as he flipped the table and punched Jensen in the face, splitting his lip and busting his nose before being thrown back and kicking him.
Jensen screamed before one of the kicks nailed him in the face, knocking him out.
XxX
Jensen suddenly jolted up and started screaming and swearing at a unseen person.
"FUCK YOU! I'LL KILL YOU, YOU HEAR ME?! I FUCKING HATE YOU!" Jensen roared.
He was swinging and literally trying to kill whatever demons that haunted him.
As he was throwing punches and kicks, the IV needle came out of his arm, causing him to bleed and his heart rate monitor skyrocketed. The mares inside the room cowered back in fear as he raged.
"I'LL FUCKING DO IT, I SWEAR TO GOD!" He howls.
Mac, Applejack, the two detectives and a few of the officers wrestled him to the bed as the orderlies come to secure his arms and legs to the bed before sedating him.
"FUCK YOU- fucking bast-" and with that, Jensen was out cold.
The group stared at the human with mouths agape and eyes wide with fear.
"W-w-what was that?" Rainbow stuttered.
"He was having a waking nightmare," Blackout said in his deep Manehatten accent.
"This changes everything. He needs to be monitored. If he has what I think he has, then we need to make sure that he stays restrained," Nightshade agrees.
Fluttershy hid behind Twilight and Pinkie's hair deflated as she stared crying. The elements of kindness and laughter couldn't handle seeing a soul that hurt.
Nurse Redheart and Doctor Stable stepped away from Jensen when they were sure he was subdued. Mac and Applejack were distraught. The man who saved their sister was hurting, and they didn't know why.
"Keep him restrained. The princesses will be here soon. The officers will keep him guarded," Doctor Stable said.
The officers, who didn't dress like the standard police, were actually special operations members of the military that were stationed in Ponyville. Their off-duty role is to augment the police force and handle any extreme circumstances. They were the stallions that made up 2nd Squad, led by Shadow Fang. Them along with 1st Squad made up the group known as Combat Applications Group, or CAG.
"Da , it will be done doctor," replied the team leader.
Captain Shadow Fang was a white coated, black mane earth pony from Stalliongrad. A bulky and scared stallion from his time as a foal soldier and former Spetsnaz (Stalliongrad Special Forces) operative. He wore a of MULTICAM uniform under a Russian desert camo vest. His deep green eyes scanned the human as he held his crossbow carbine at a low ready.
"Master-serzhant Fuse, keep sergeants Stunner and Echo with you for first watch."
"Yes sir, we're on it," said Fuse.
Master Sergeant Fuse was a olive drab earth pony from Appaloosa with a salt and pepper mane and beard. Barrel chested and ripped from his time as a Appaloosan Firefighter prior to joining the military, he wore a set of DCUs and a tan boonie hat and was the team's EOD tech. His explosive crossbow was slung up on his back, but his hand was resting on his sidearm.
"Sergeant Stunner, Sergeant Echo; you heard the boss. We got first shift."
"Got it Sarge. Lets go E," Stunner said.
Next to Fuse stood the team's primary medic, Technical Sergeant (Air Force rank) Stunner. He was a fairly tall and lean pegasus born in Cape Colt but raised in Manehatten. He stood out because of his Russian blue camouflage coat that was caused by a birth defect, a black mane with light blue edges, and red eyes. As a former member of the combat search and rescue (CSAR) team, the Royal Equestrian Air Force Pararescue, he has seen some of his friends suffer the same mental torment as the human. He wore a set of Airman Battle Uniform under a tan combat vest and his crossbow carbine was hanging off the sling.
The team sniper and assistant medic, Sergeant Echo, was leaning against the wall, observing the whole scene. A usually introverted and observant fellow, he was not a pegasus in a traditional sense, but rather an average height and lean midnight blue thestral with a spiky grey mane and spliced red eyes from a war-torn island between Equestria and Gryphonia. He wore a set of Woodland patterned BDUs and a shemagh tied around his neck. He carried a high powered crossbow that was designed for greater range, precision and damage then the standard carbine model.
He only nodded and got off the wall and gripped his hand held crossbow.
"Serzhant Stratus Breaker, we must go link up with 1st Squad. Do Svidaniya everypony," ordered Captain Fang.
Staff Sergeant Stratus Breaker was standing with Stunner and was one of the stallions that helped restrain the flailing human. He was also a pegasus from Manehatten that had a light blue coat, with a short white mane, and grey eyes. He also served in the Equestrian Royal Air Force alongside his friend Stunner, but Stratus served as a air combat controller. He also wore a set of ABUs and his crossbow carbine was slung across his back.
"Yes sir," Breaker responded.
As the two left, the other troopers began restraining the human as Redheart reattached the IV needle. When it was done, the doctor administrated anesthesia to put Jensen back to sleep.
"Alright everypony, I apologize, but I must ask that you all leave. The...alien, it to be under armed guard until it awakens," Doctor Sable said.
Everypony nodded and left except Applejack and Big Mac.
"Ah'm sorry. Ah'm so sorry 'sug," Applejack murmured as her voice cracked.
Mac hugged his sister.
"Come on now, there wasn't much we can do. It wasn't anypony's fault. The fire ponies said it was a rouge spark that caused that fire. He's a hero sis, now come on. We have to go," Mac reassured her.
A teary eyed Applejack nodded before stroking Jensen's cheek and leaving the room. Closing the door behind her.
Author's Note
The ranks vary in seniority from branch to branch. Stunner and Stratus Breaker were both Air Force and held ranks that were different from the other members of the team, who were Army. The ranks can be seen here
Combat Controller- Air Force Combat Control Teams, singular Combat Controller, (CCT) are ground combat forces specialized in a traditional pathfinder role while having a heavy emphasis on simultaneous air traffic control, fire support and command, control, and communications in covert or austere environments.
Nightshade provided by CodeG H Discordia
Anyone wanna venture a guess on the crossover?
Chapter 4.5: A New Threat Awakens
20 Minutes Earlier
Over on a hill far from the town, a unicorn stallion wearing a ghillie suit lay prone on a hill just inside the Everfree Forest was watching city hall through his binoculars. His horn lit up as he opened the telepathic link to his teammates.
“Target in sight,” the leader said.
“How many?” a tan unicorn mare asked.
“The Element of Generosity and the dragon. The mayor should also be inside. That's all I can see.”
“We can take one out of six. Not to mention the Element of Magic’s pet and the mayor. I’d say that’s a good enough opportunity,” a white pegasus added.
“Is the thermite set?” The leader inquired.
“On your word,” The mare said.
“Blow it,” the leader said.
The mare’s horn glowed. At first, they only saw a small flash as the thermite ate through the power transformer. After a few minutes, the transformer exploded and a massive electrical fire engulfed the building. The three then exfiltrated back into the forest, proud to have been the first to start the revolution.
