They Came from the Everfree

Once the door behind us was shut, the lanterns around us somehow ignited, without any visible switches being pulled. I look behind me at the door to find no rigging, levers, wires, or anything. Perhaps a camera activated the flames. It's a later questions.

I feel something brush past my leg, I look down to see that Rainbow character passing us and following Twilight into the center of the room.

Turning back, I catch Elliot looking around in shock. The inside was completely carved out of the tree, and I was sitting in a small library covered in small decor. There was a large sun pattern on the ceiling which seemed to help illuminate the room. The most shocking fact lied with how much larger it was on the inside! This treehouse was enormous!

"Wow, how long did this take to build?" Elliot asks, looking at every crevice of the shelves.

"Oh, this? I'm not sure, actually. I bought this years ago, when I moved to Ponyville. The books and shelves were the only additions I made." She replies, sounding a little proud of her property. That statement made Rainbow look around the library, observing the room.

Twilight moved to the far end of the room, sitting in an area where two couches were placed beside one another near two shelves. The couches, one Green and the other Blue, formed a loose L shape. A table sat in front of the two. Twilight gestured for us to have a seat on the Blue. Meanwhile, she planted herself casually onto the opposite. Rainbow casually sat next to her, on the end further from us.

I had only just realized the guard had somehow disbanded, and left us alone. Not a good idea, if you ask me. I mean, not that I would at this point, but if I was an enemy, I could dispatch the two before anyone armed could stop me. Not the best security measures.

"So, what are your names, with rank? I want to make sure I remember them, since we'll probably be talking the most for the next few days." Twilight asks, breaking the disturbing silence.

As usual, my answer comes first, Elliot trailing as usual for introductions.

"Sergeant First Class David Grayson." I greet.

"Sergeant Elliot Lee." Elliot follows.

"Alright, I apologize if I have to ask again, but those are unusual names to me. At least compared to Ponyville. So, the plan is I ask enough questions about you, and do some examining of your specimen, then contact Princess Celestia when I have enough information." She explains, making proud eye contact, a common interrogation or diplomatic method.

Elliot turns to me, signalling with a hand.

Looks like I'm the talker.

"Alright, I'll answer what I'm permitted to, but don't expect me to give up information that could endanger anyone." I speak, keeping a sternness to my voice.

"We don't mean to hurt you, don't worry. First off- may I?" She asks, reaching for my hand.

"Sure, so what did you want to know?" I ask, letting her grab and examine my hand.

"Well, how did you get into the Everfree?" Twilight asks. Rainbow leans closer to hear our answer as well.

"We aren't totally sure, we were under transport to a mission area, when our chopper was hit by a rocket. Most likely an RPG. It didn't spin like I'd expected, we just swayed a bunch and tipped forward 'till we hit the ground. Second we touched down, I went out, Elliot says he did too. I woke up, and found Elliot to be the only man visible. Once he woke up, we checked the bodies. The rest were already gone, so we had to make do with just us." I explain, leaving out detail where possible.

"You used a few words there I've never heard before, mind explaining the definitions?" She asks.

I nod.

"Well, you used the words 'chopper and RPG'. Those aren't Equestrian words that I've ever heard." She explains.

I forgot about how low tech these citizens are, damn it.

"Well, chopper is short for helicopter. It's how we get around quickly. It lets us fly, but risks being destroyed, as we were. RPG stands for 'rocket-propelled grenade'. They are explosives that are propelled by a rocket. The RPG-7 projectile will cut through armor, and blow up a vehicle or building from the inside out. Luckily, the angle of attack seemed low enough that we didn't get blasted." I say, punching Elliot in the arm.

"This guy though, I'm not sure. Pretty sure that thing blew your brains out." I tease, chuckling to myself. Earning me a slightly harder punch in the side.

Twilight offers a little smile at our antics, she had at some point grabbed a quill and paper, and had started writing. Her observations to my hand had continued to up my arm, where my sleeve had been rolled up to allow access.

"Well, you two are clearly military, is that also why you are wearing those fuzzy suits?" She questions, poking at my shoulder.

"These, are ghillie suits. They blend in extremely well with grass, and allow us to kill the target without being seen. In fact, this leads me to something you should know. Remember when you were with those other few, and your Pink friend was waving at a bush about seeing two figures?" I mention.

Twilight slowly nods, before her eyes slowly widen. Rainbow's jaw dropped slightly. It was too good of a picture to stop at that.

"You were so close I could have touched your leg. You looked right at us at least twice, before your friend almost ratted us out. And you-" I point to Rainbow, making her straighten up slightly. "-almost stepped on me when you were walking by." I finish.

"Well if you weren't stalking me in the forest-" She starts.

"You were looking for us actually." Elliot cuts her off.

"Well-" Rainbow starts, getting interrupted again.

"Dash, let's not fight with them right now. We've still got things to learn." She speaks, using that parenting tone again. She was now poking at my neck, which was a little annoying.

"We've also used call-signs to remember you all. Typically by color. For example, you were Purple." I say, pointing to Twilight. I move my finger over to the other character. "You were Rainbow, the Orange one was country, the Yellow one was shy, the White one was regal. We heard you use Pinkie's name, so we know that one. I actually joked about giving you another call-sign after we first met, when you started pelting us with questions when everyone was watching you." I explain, triggering Twilight a slight blush.

"Sorry about that, by the way. I guess I got a little carried away." She offers.

"You embarrassed yourself in front of Ponyville? And I wasn't there to see it? Aw, come on!" Rainbow pouts.

Twilight tries to brush that one off, clearly having trouble ignoring it.

"And what was that call-sign? I'm assuming that means a nickname as well?" Twilight asks.

"You could call it a nickname, I thought about calling you egghead." I say.

I didn't expect such a reaction.

Her jaw dropped, as every muscle in her face went limp. She went totally blank.

The Rainbow one did the exact opposite.

She exploded with laughter, falling out of the sofa into a giggling pile on the floor. Any time she tried to form words to further poke fun at her friend, they died off with more laughing.

"W...What did you call me?" She asks with disbelief.

I turn to Elliot a little nervously, offering a face that asks 'too much?'

His terrified expression clearly answers that.

Yep, we're getting beheaded, nice job insulting royalty.. Smooth move, Grayson.