The full moon is at its highest point in the night sky. Its light illuminates the forest below, giving light to six equine figures.

“Ugh…where are we?” Rainbow Dash asks, rubbing the back of her head with her hoof.

“I don’t know.” Twilight Sparkle replies, studying her surroundings. She and her friends were just walking along the edge of the Everfree Forest when a bright light flashes before their eyes and then darkness. Next thing they know, they are in the middle of a unfamiliar forest. Twilight glances over to see Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity getting up and seem to be unharmed.

“Twi, you honestly have no clue where we are.” says Applejack, adjusting her Stetson.

“This isn’t the Everfree, that I know for sure.”

“Well, it’s just as dirty.”Rarity complines, using her magic to clean the dirt from her mane and coat.

“Of course you complain about the filth.” Rainbow Dash mutters under her breath.

“Um, Pinkie Pie, what do you think of all this?” asks Fluttershy.

They turn to look at their pink friend, who is deep in thought. “I’ve seen weirder.” answers Pinkie very causally. Expressions of confusion spread throughout the group. But they just brush it off as Pinkie being Pinkie.

“So what do we do now?” asks Rainbow Dash. Before Twilight could answer, a two legged creature pops out from a behind a nearby tree. “DON’T YOU FUCKING MOVE!” ordered the creature while pointing a strange black stick at them.

I hate these patrols sometimes….

It was around midnight and I was patrolling the woods for any sign of Reaper activity. Thank God there was a full moon out so I didn’t need to use a flashlight to see. Before the invasion, I would walk these very same woods just for fun. Now, I’m hunting aliens in full combat gear. I wore multicam top and bottoms with a multicam hat. On the front of the hat has the flag of the greatest state in the former United States of America: Texas. My plate carrier is a mutlicam recon version of the militaries body armor. The vest features five rifle magazine and three pistol magazine pouches across the front which hold up to ten M4A1 magazines and three M1911 magazines, a general purpose pouch, a radio pouch and a admin panel with a map pocket. On the left shoulder strap, I have my military/survival knife with reverse blade. Four M67 fragmentation grenades are in pouches on the vest as well. A drop-leg pistol holster with a magazine pouch is on my right leg.

My primary weapon is a military grade M4A1 carbine with some modifications. The standard stock is replaced with a Magpul crane stock. The handguard already had a rail system when I got it. I just swapped it out for a lighter, stronger version. The attachments included a Holographic sight, a vertical grip, and FMA PEQ15 Style LED Illuminator & Laser Combo on the top rail. My secondary is a Colt M1911. It’s a modern variation with a more comfortable grip and night-sights.

I patrol along a creek that cuts the forest in two. One side is thick with undergrowth while the opposite side has little to no undergrowth. I stay on the side that has little undergrowth because I produce less noise when walking, adding stealth to my side. With alien invaders slaughtering humans by the millions, you have to learn these things in order to survive in this new world. I follow the creek for about thirty more minutes then veer off to recon the deeper section of the forest. I never really patrol into that section because it is to easy to get lost if you venture too deep. Another downside is that the deeper section is littered with undergrowth, making it a bit harder to be stealthy. Only by small percent though. But something felt off so I had to check it out.

The detour added about a hour and a half to the patrol. Mostly because I was moving slowly, ducking, crawling, crouching, and untangling myself from vines or branches the majority of the time. I notice a small clearing about one hundred yards ahead of me. The rising urge to free myself from this shit motivated me to move towards the clearing. As I move closer, I begin to hear voices talking. Six to be exact and were female in nature. This sets off alarm bells in my head. Not wanting to take any chances, I readied my M4A1 and switch off the safety. With everything readied, I begin my approach as quietly as possible. I make it to the edge of the clearing and began searching for the source of the voices. But I was totally unprepared for the complete mind fuck that I saw. In the middle of the clearing, stood six colorful ponies talking to each other! I mean they were talking in perfect English and communicating with each other.

What the actually fuck are these things

Having seen enough, I stealthily move behind a tree that is the closet to the group. The group was to focus in their conversation that they didn’t notice me. I take a deep breath and then pop out from behind the tree and aimed my rifle towards the “ponies”.

“DON’T YOU FUCKING MOVE!” I ordered, still pointing my M4 at them.

They all turn to look at me and are startled at what they see. A rainbow maned pony with wings and a blonde maned pony wearing a Stetson hat get into a defensive posture in front of the group. Three of them were cowering behind a purple pony with wings and a horn. The forest was quiet as if it was holding its breath. The purple pony tries to move towards me, but I quickly notice and shift my aim towards the pony. She freezes immediately.

"Can you please lower that black stick of yours." asks the purple pony with a hint of fear in its voice. "Only if these two back down." I quickly replied, pointing my rifle at the two aggressive ponies. The two look back for a answer and received a nod from the purple pony. As they drop there defensive posture , I lower my M4.

"Now that's out of the way, can you please tell me who and what you are?" she asked, studying my body.

"The name is Brandon and I'm a human or Homo Sapien if you want the scientific term." Now what about y'all?"

"My name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, and I'm a Alicorn. Alicorns are a mix between the three pony races: Earth ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns. My friends Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are pegasi, Applejack and Pinkie Pie are Earth ponies, and Rarity is Unicorn." She said as she pointed to each of her friends. Rainbow Dash was giving me strange looks the entire time. I would have to ask her later.

"So Brandon, why are you dre....." But Twilight was cut off by a sound that was all to fimiliar to me.

ROOAR

"What the hay was that!?!" cried Rarity.

"Reapers." I replied, aiming towards the direction of the noise.

Author's Note

backstory information will be in future chapters.
Update: changed some the gear and weapon specs because it seemed weird to wear marine camo instead of army.