Chapters 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.
“Wha…what are Reapers.”asked Fluttershy while cowering behind Rainbow Dash.
“I’ll explain later because right now we need to leave. NOW!” I yelled, sprinting back towards the creek. The ponies immediately follow, keeping very close to me. I glanced over my shoulder to see a lone Reaper in hot pursuit. It looked exactly like a Deathclaw from the Fallout games, but twice as deadly.
“Fuck! We got one on our tail. I need you ponies to keep running in this direction and then follow a creek until you reach the edge of the forest. Don’t stop running no matter what you hear! I’m gonna handle this guy!” I shouted, stopping and crouching to aim at the Reaper.
“No way! We’re not leaving you!” cried Twilight Sparkle, stopping with the rest of the group. “YES.YOU.ARE! Trust me, I can handle him.” I said to them. Realizing that it’s a lost cause, Twilight takes off with the others following close behind. Once they were out of sight, I opened fire.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
The six shots hit their intended target, causing it to slow down and giving me a chance to make a break for it. I stand up and sprint towards the creek and then followed it till I reached the edge of the forest. As I exit the woods, I see the six ponies huddled together in fear. I quickly make my way over to them.
“Are you all okay?” I asked, standing over them.
“Yeah we… LOOK OUT!” yelled Rainbow Dash.
I turn around to see the Reaper charging, but I couldn’t react fast enough as it was already on top of me. Smashing into me, I am knocked to the ground and my rifle is tossed a few feet from me. As I try to crawl to it, the Reaper grabbed me with its hand and picked me up. I see its free hand unleash its sharp claws ready to cut me into pieces. I reach down and unholstered my 1911 and let loose a barrage of bullets into its face. The Reaper roars in pain and drops me. I drop and rolled as I hit the ground, then sprinted to my rifle. I pick it up shoulder the rifle, and unleashed a storm of 5.56x45 at the ugly bastard. It tries to swipe at me, hoping to kill me. I just dodge or roll out of the way. I burn through another whole magazine before it finally drops dead. Sweat beads down my face and my lungs feel like they’re on fire. I walk up to the corpse with my rifle still readied and fire three shots into its head just to be safe. With the deed done, I turn back to see them huddled together and looking at me in complete horror. It’s like I committed a act of evil in their eyes.
“Why did you have to kill.” asked Fluttershy, looking at me with fear in her eyes.
“What do you mean, why did I kill it. The bastard was trying to kill us.” I replied, completely dumbfounded by her logic. But that answer didn’t fly with them as they still looked unconvinced.
“That doesn’t give you the right to kill it in such brutish manner.” said Rarity.
“I have to agree with Rarity. You should’ve tried talking to it and…” Rainbow Dash stops mid-sentence as she notices that I was getting extreme pissed off. I gripped my M4A1 tighter as I tried to contain my rising anger. I took a deep breath before I spoke.
“If you want to know why I killed it then you have to follow me to my place. You have no say in the matter because you won’t last out here and you won’t be able to get home if y’all are dead.” They were about to protest the idea, but one look from me quickly shut them up.
“Ok, we will go to your place. But we want answers as soon as we get there.” Twilight said with a bit of concern.
“Very well. Lets get going.”
With the ponies in tow, we begin to make the journey back to my place that is 2 miles away in the middle of the suburbs.
“This is a gorgeous home you have here,” Rarity said, examining the décor in the entry way and living room.
“You should thank my parents really. This was there home before the war.” I replied, placing my M4A1 on the coffee table in the living room.
“And where might they be at?” Rarity asked.
I don't speak for a few moments I try to suppress the memory of their death. “They're dead,” I replied with sadness. Rarity’s ears fold down as she realizes that she hit a sore topic.
“I'm sorry.” Rarity replied as she holds back tears. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie rush over to comfort Rarity. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack stare at me with shock and sadness at the revelation.
“It's alright, you didn't know.” I said, trying to reassure her before she started balling her eyes out. If there's one thing I can't stand, it would be girls getting upset over the stupidest of things. While they deal with their crap, I take off my vest and placed it with my rifle. I also take off my top and threw it with the rest of my stuff. I have a camo shirt on underneath so I don't have to worry about things getting awkward. I keep my M1911 on me just in case something happens. As I finish up, I notice Twilight waking over to me.
"What you need?" I asked while picking my M4A1.
"I think it's time for you to answer some questions." She said sternly.
Author's Note
Boom chapter done.
What would you like to know?" I asked Twilight as she used her magic to bring a chair over to sit on. I wasn’t surprised by her use of magic, mainly because it wasn’t the strangest thing I’ve seen in my life. Invaders from another planet would be at the top of my list. Twilight sits down in the chair and stares at me awkwardly. After a moment of awkward silence between us, she finally spoke up.
“Tell me how the war began,” she asked. This got the attention of her friends. Rainbow Dash and Applejack move and sit on either side of Twilight. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity get comfortable near Twilight. I remain stoic at the question so that the ponies couldn’t notice me literally screaming internally. I personally didn’t want to talk about the war right off the bat. Those were dark days for Humanity. I decide with a different option.
“I’m going to save that one for last. It’s not a pretty story. How about I tell you a little bit about myself.” I replied, praying that she would agree.
“Very well,” Twilight said while still looking excited. It looked extremely creepy.
“You already know that my name is Brandon. I am twenty years old, graduated from Kingwood High School in 2013. After high school, I joined the US Army as an Infantryman,” I paused and saw that the ponies were one hundred percent listening to me. Twilight somehow had a pencil and paper, writing down everything I said. “I started basic training on June 10th at Fort Benning, Georgia and remained there for fourteen weeks, graduating on September 13th. I then went to Airborne School for three weeks that was on the same base.” Rainbow raises her hoof into the air. "What's your question?" I ask her.
“What is “Airborne” School? I doubt you can even fly without wings.” Rainbow questioned, earning a glare from Twilight for her last comment. “Airborne School is where you learn how to properly jump out of an airplane, which is a type of flying machine humans use to travel. It's actually more falling with grace than anything else. You have a parachute so that way you don't fall to your death. Standard combat jumps are around 700 to 800 feet."
“WHAT!?!” All the ponies screamed in unison, causing me to instinctively reach for my pistol. Realizing my actions almost immediately, I release my grip on the pistol and relaxed. "Why did y'all shout?" I ask as I try to stop the ringing in my ears.
"Is everything you know always have to be killing or fighting. It seems to be horrible way to live a life." Pinkie said, her mane deflating in the process. Ignoring the defiance of proper hair structure, I answer her question in the most truthful way I could. "I enjoy it. It's the best job I ever had. The killing part is not the glorious part but it comes with the job. I do it to protect those that can't protect themselves." Hopeful that they were satisfied with my answer, I decided to move to the topic that they were all "dying" to hear about.
"Twilight...."
"Yes, Brandon?"
"I think I'm ready to talk about the war."
Author's Note
This a pre-chapter to chapter 4 which will discuss the beginnings of the war and how everything started and how things got to how they are today. hopefully I can have the first done by the end of the day but no promises. Sorry for the delay on this story. The military is taking all my time and energy so I have little time for MLP and other things in general.
This story is going haitus for sometime. My military career is eating at my free time(Infantry leads the way). I will keep y'all posted on updates on the status of this story. Don't worry it ain't getting cancelled.
