Prologue : A Rescue Operation Gone Wrong
Time: 0100 hrs
Location: Lower Alps
Squad: Ninja, Hawk, Star
"Let them pass..." I told my squad of three through my DNI (or Direct Neural Interface). Everything was going to plan as we made our way towards the hostages, about a dozen total. It's been about five months since the lost of John Taylor and his team. Though the deaths led to a reinforcement of the DNI to prevent further attacks like what ended Taylor and his team. The end result? Near invincible cyber soldiers with access to a range of Cyber Abilities. As we waited for the patrol to pass, I did a quick check of my custom made KN-44 assault rifle, which sported a reflex, a silencer, and an extended magazine. I also did a quick munitions count, which ended showing that I had almost a thousand rounds (to anyone else, it's overkill, but to me, it's just right). After a tense minute, they finally passed, allowing me and my team to continue towards our destination. What seemed like an eternity later, and a few extra patrols just to slow us down even more, we finally made it to the prison section of the facility. When we came to the holding cell, however, we were greeted with a wooden door.
'Seriously?' I thought, 'A wooden door?' Getting in front of the door while my team moved to the sides, I started to count them down.
"Three. Two. One." With that, I kicked open the door before doing a quick scan for hostiles. When I found none, I said "Clear" and lowered my Firearm.
"W-who are you?" one of the hostages asked.
"We're here to get you out," I replied, then I followed up through my DNI with, "Hawk, Star, get them freed."
"Yes Sir!" While they did that, I guarded the door to make sure we weren't discovered.
Sadly, that was the case.
"Wat maak jy hier?" A voice said.
"Hostiles," I whispered through my DNI, "Wait for them to come to us." A few tense second later, I yelled "Now!"
A minute later, the three guards were down. However, the alarms started to go off.
'Damn it,' I thought bitterly, "Men, we're going to have company! Lethal force authorized." Turning to Hawk, I said, "Hawk, I need you and Star to get the hostages to safety while I hold them back, any questions?"
He looked like he wanted to protest, but he sighed instead and said "No sir..." After they left, I switched over to my Firefly ability. A few tense minutes later, the first NRC footsoldier came into view, seconds later, the rest started to scatter for cover as the first one was taken down. Even though I was vastly outnumbered and the odds were against me, I managed to hold them off. I shot one down, stabbed another, and disoriented three more. Things were going great, until I noticed a RPG rocket heading towards me. Having no time to get out of the way, I braced for the explosion and the sensation of death.
It never came.
Instead, I was greeted with the sensation of falling. With no end in sight, I just decided to just get some sleep.
Time: 1200 hrs.
Location: Unknown
Squad: James "Ninja" Johnson
"Damn, that landing hurts much more that it should have." I muttered to myself as I did a quick check of my equipment. The First thing I noticed was the fact that my KN-44 Assault Rifle had a heat sink on it, which shouldn't be the case. I also noticed that the extended mag and silencer were missing. After the initial confusion passed, I then noticed that I had a multi-core. In the core were two cores, Martial and Chaos. What confused me was the fact that I only had a Chaos core installed during the mission. I then did a complete systems check, starting with my H.U.D., followed by the built in thrusters. when everything checked out, I decided to finally call for backup.
"This is WA Cyber Soldier 'Ninja', please respond." All I got was radio static. I decided to repeat that action with no success. Switching over to my team's private channel, I said, "Hawk, Star, this is Ninja, give me a Sit Rep." I was once again greeted by radio silence. Before I could repeat the action, I heard a scream coming from my right. It sounded like a child. Fearing the worst, I started to sprint towards the sound, activating my new 'Overdrive' ability to increase my speed. I really hope that I wasn't too late.
Time: 1230 hrs.
Location: Everfree Forest
Squad: CMC
As we were heading for Zecora's to try for our potion making cutie marks, we were just talking about....things. However, that was cut short as we were ambushed by a manticore. We tried to run only to get cornered by two more. We were trapped! Sweetie ended up screaming. As we braced for death, three loud BANGs rang out through the forest, followed by three thumps.
Time: 1229 hrs.
Location: Unknown
Squad: Ninja
As I ran towards the sound, I was greeted by the sight of three lion/scorpion hybrid, manticores, I think, surrounding three fillies.
'That has to be the origin of the sound,' I thought, not registering the fact that horses, wait, ponies, can't talk. Turning on Tactical mode, I set the fillies to "Civilian" and the manticores to "Hostile." Aiming, I shot my firearm the the manticores, taking them all out with three shots. After they hit the ground, I noticed the fillies looking around in confusion. Against my better judgement, I started to move towards the fillies.
When I was in range, I said, "Are you three ok?" causing the three of them to jump before looking at me. Sadly, before they could respond another manticore came into view. Aiming my KN at it, I shot three bullets into it's body and one into the head. That was followed by me moving closer and putting one more shot into it's head for good measure. Certain there weren't anymore in the area, I turned off tactical mode and turned back towards the fillies, only to see that they were gone.
'Guess I scared them off. Oh well, at least they're safe.' I thought to myself before leaving to find somewhere to set up camp, using my knife to cut off chunks of meat off the manticores so I had something to eat.
Chapter 1: The Hunt and Answers
Time: 1400 Hrs.
Location: Everfree Forest
Squad: Elements of Harmony
As Twilight and her friends trotted to the location of the event, she had to think over what the Crusaders said he looked like. Tall, hairless ape covered in strange devices with a 'fancy looking club.'
"Girls," Twilight started, "What do you think about this...'Hairless Ape?'"
"It sounds like I could take it," Rainbow commented.
"Darling, that 'Ape' took down four manticores without trouble," Rarity retorted, "There is no way you can take it down."
"It still doesn't sound that strong."
"Girls, we're here," Twilight told her friends.
As we looked at the scene, we noticed that the manticores, or what was left of them, were butchered to pieces. Fluttershy, who was already scared at the fact that this...'ape' took down four manticores, got ever more so when she saw what it did to the manticores.
"Twilight, I see smoke farther north!" Rainbow exclaimed, "Looks like a camp of sorts."
"Good job, Rainbow," Twilight told her, "Let's get going."
A couple minutes later, they made it to said site, only to find a fire pit with nothing there. As they looked around the camp, they noticed something coming back. It was the ape! When it noticed them, he dropped the sack it was carrying and ran.
Time: 1430 Hrs.
Location: Outside camp, Unknown
Squad: Ninja
When I noticed that my camp (which wasn't even completed yet) was compromised, I started to run, with the cyan pegasus(?) gaining up on me, I activated my Active Camouflage ability and dove off to the right. I started to run off to the right, leading them on a chase, after my Ability wore off. A few more failed attempt to catch me later, she finally gave up. Just as I was about to celebrate my victory, a lavender aura surrounded me, lifting me off the ground.
'Really?! Now that's not fair!' I thought bitterly. As the lavender unicorn approached me, a million scenarios went through my mind, none of them good. Deciding to try something, I released a swarm of fireflies towards the unicorn. which caused her to drop me do to her concentration focusing on the robotic flies.
"You should know better that to try to take on a super soldier," I chided them, "Trust me, if I wanted you gone, you would already be dead." They all looked at me with some degree of fear, until I smiled at them. "However, seeing as you aren't dead yet, I guess you have a few questions for me, so ask away." They all looked dumbstruck before the lavender one regained her composer.
"My name is Twilight Sparkle."
"My name is Applejack," the orange mare said.
"I'mPinkiePie!" the pink one said excitedly.
"I'm Rainbow Dash," the cyan pegasus said reluctantly.
"I'm Rarity," the white unicorn introduced in a fancy accent.
"I'm Fluttershy," the yellow pegasus whispered, so silently that I barely picked it up.
"My name is Lieutenant Colonel James Johnson, but you can call me Ninja." They all tilted their heads at that.
"Why Ninja?" Twilight asked.
"Because of my skill in the art of stealth," I said, appearing right next to her, causing her to jump.
"Gah!" she exclaimed, "How did you do that?!"
"Cyber Abilities," I said simply.
"Cyber-what...?" she tilted her head in confusion.
"Cyber Abilities is what I used to get away from y'all," I explained, "One of the abilities is Active Camouflage, which allows me to go invisible for a short time."
"So that's how you disappeared from sight," she said while writing on some paper with a quill, "I originally thought that you could use magic."
"Magic?" I parroted, "From where I'm from, magic doesn't exist. Only Illusions and tricks."
"A...a place without magic...?" she said, "Then, how did you use those...'Cyber Abilities'?"
"Where we lack in magic we make up in technology," I explained to them, "I actually lost my arms during a mission."
"If you lost your arms, then why do you still have them?" she questioned before glancing at Pinkie, who was still bouncing.
"Oh, these things? These are prosthetics, or replacements, that use technology that I control using a DNI embedded in my brain." I explained.
"DNI?" Twilight parroted.
"A DNI, or a Direct Neural Interface, is what connects me to my new body and the outside world," I told them, "It's what allows me to control my new limbs and use my abilities."
"Now that that's out of the way, what are you?"
"A Human."
"Wait, aren't humans just myth, Twilight?" Rainbow asked.
"Y...yes," said pony stammered before looking curiously at me because I started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"It's just where I came from, Pegasi and Unicorns were just myth, too," I told them, unable to control my laughter, "From Greek Mythology, to be exact." She looked at me for a moment before giving a laugh herself.
"I guess it's funny when you think about it." Before she could continue, we heard a roar from our right.
"How about we get out of here?" she asked.
"Agreed, meet me back at my camp in an hour, I'll hold it off," she looked like she wanted to protest, "Now!" With that, I raised my new energy directed KN-44 and got ready to hold off the manticore.
Time: 1530 Hrs.
Location: Ponyville
Squad: Elements of Harmony
As we awaited the response of the princess, Twilight couldn't help but think about how selfless James was, he stayed behind, intentionally, so that they could get away. She was torn out of her thought when there was a flash of gold in the corner of her eye. In its wake was Princess Celestia along with some royal guard.
"Princess!" I exclaimed before bowing, which was followed by the rest of my friends.
"No need for that, my little pony," she said, "Now, where is this human you were talking about."
"H-he stayed behind so we could get out, he also told us to meet him back at his camp in about ten minutes."
"Ok, should we get going?" she asked, to which I nodded.
Time: 1539 Hrs.
Location: Camp, Unknown
Squad: Ninja
I was cleaning my KN-44 as I waited for the girls to return, who were due to be here in a minute (actual time). As they were due, I quickly put back together my firearm. During the time they were gone, I managed to finish my underground food storage. So I was waiting up top when I saw a cyan blur directly above me, so I assumed they were here. Checking my watch, I saw that they were 30 seconds late, not that I was picky about it. As they walked into the camp, I turned to them and nodded a head in there direction. However, I tensed when I saw some guards and who I assumed was a princess. Quickly equipping Active Camouflage, I got ready incase they attacked.
The Attack never came.
"James!" a voice that I recognized as Twilight's said.
"Twilight, I said you can call me Ninja," I chuckled. Before I could continue, the guards pointed their spears towards me, causing my instincts to kick in. Boosting back, I disengaged the safeties on my firearm and pointed it at the princess.
"Drop the spears or I shoot," I warned. Seeing where I was aiming, they dropped the spears, though a few were reluctant to do so. Once they dropped them, I lowered my gun and re-engaged the safety before putting it up. "The last thing I wanted to do on my first visit from Royalty is to hold her hostage, even though it was from a distance," I sighed. I then motioned for them to pick back up there spears. After they picked them back up, albeit reluctantly, I asked, "So Twilight, were there any other questions you wanted to ask?"
"Just one, how did you get here?" a voice interrupted, which originated from the princess.
Sighing, I said, "Sit down, this is a long one." After waiting for them to get comfortable, I started to recount what had happened before I woke up here. After I was finished, they looked at each other before looking back at me.
"W-why do you fight this...NRC?
"Personally? They killed my family." And with that, the questions ended. It wasn't long before I was embraced by Pinkie.
"Um, Pinkie, there's no need for that, that happened years ago. I've taken my anger out on the NRC by taking out the ones who threaten innocents," I told her. She held on for a few more moments before releasing me, wiping a tear from her eye.
"W-who would do such a thing?" she asked.
"They only did it in retaliation for the Cairo Uprising, which they were apart of," I told them with nearly no emotion, on the outside, "They killed thousands of innocent lives that day." This caused gasps all around.
However, before I could continue, someone said, "Star? Are you ok?"
"Star? Are you ok?" the voice of Hawk said.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a few bruises, nothing serious," the voice of Star responded.
With my eyes widening, I quickly said though my team's private communications channel, "Hawk, Star, Can you hear me?"
"Ninja?!" the two voices said in unison, "We thought you were dead!" I quickly took a glance at the ponies who had confusion on there faces.
"Hold on, I just got a communication from my squad!" I told them before returning to the communications channel, "Where are you?" I asked.
"In some kind of clearing, there is a forest behind us and a town in front." I relayed the information to the ponies, only to get shocked faces.
"Tell them to stay there and that you'll be there in a few minutes," Twilight said. Relaying the information to my squad, and with that, the channel went silent.
"Ok, when we get there, stay out of sight until I can introduce the Inhabitants of this world to them," I told the ponies present. After getting a nod from all of them, I gathered some Manticore Jerky from storage.
"So that's what happened to the manticores," Twilight commented.
"Humans are Omnivores, we can eat meat and plants," I said, much to the disgust of the ponies present. With that, we started to head out of the forest. However, we didn't get very far before....
"What the hell are those things?!" Hawk's voice said.
"They won't stay down!" Star's voice followed up.
"Hold on, I'm on my way!" I told them before closing the channel. "We need to move, my squad just reported something that won't stay down!" I told the ponies.
"They're getting attacked by Timber Wolves?!" Twilight nearly screamed, "We need to get there, now." With that, we started to run. A few seconds later, we were greeted to the sounds of gunfire.
"Ok, stay here," I told them, "I have a way to take them down and make sure they stay down." Pulling out a lighter and a spray can (where the spray can came from, I'll never know), I started to make a makeshift flamethrower. After a short run, I quickly yelled, "COME ON YA PILES OF TIMBER!" After gaining their attention, I started to burn every timber wolf in the vicinity with my makeshift flamethrower. A few minutes later, every timber wolf were piles of ashes.
"Is everyone ok?" I asked.
"Yes, thanks to you."
"James?" a voice said.
"Umm, did either of you..."
"No..."
"Who is this? This is a private channel! I yelled through our private channel, baffled about who managed to crack the encryption.
"It's Princess Celestia," the voice said, causing me to sigh in defeat.
"Umm, who is this 'Princess Celestia'?" Star asked.
"The Princess of this world...or country, I really don't know yet," suddenly a thought came to me, "Wait, how did she talk through the channel without a DNI?"
"Using magic," A voice said next to me.
"She's next to me, isn't she?" I asked Hawk and Star, only to get dumbfounded nods in return. As quickly as I could, I boosted away as fast as I could, landing next to Hawk. "Geez, don't sneak up on me like that," I told her, "That could have ended much worse that it did."
"Sorry."
"Ok, can someone tell me what's going on?!" Star nearly screamed.
"Apparently, we're on a completely different world," I replied, taking a look at my handiwork.
"Anyway, I know it wasn't under pleasant conditions, but welcome to Equestria."
