I sprinted down the path thinking to myself how it could be possible. Three months. It felt like I was in there for an hour at most. It didn’t make sense. Then again I’m in Equestria where I’m heading off a new kind of warfare. Why the hell should anything make sense?

My cardio was pretty good before but I’m sprinting in full gear and I haven’t even broken a sweat. I couldn’t even feel the weight that a reinforced flack jacket should have. Maybe taking that thing in wasn’t such a bad idea.

It wasn’t much longer before the barn was in sight and the house along with it. I continued through the gate and up the path to the farmhouse. I arrived at the door and took a breath before raising the mask on the helmet. I knocked on the door and waited for an answer before knocking again.

“I’m coming hold on!” Said a voice before the door opened to a rainbow maned pegasus. We locked eyes for a second before she almost tackled me with a hug.

“Uh, hey.” I said confused. Rainbow pulled off of me and looked me in the eyes. It lasted a second until she flew past me and up into the sky. I stood there for a second, unsure as to what just happened. The questions could wait for later.

“Now if that ain’t somethin’.” Said a voice with a country twang. Apple Jack walked out of the kitchen with a grin on her face.

“Yeah I just woke up.” I said walking through the doorway and into the living room.

“Well I’m happy to see you back on your feet. Had us a might bit worried there. Care for a cider? Have a couple barrels we keep for ourselves.” AJ asked. It was an enticing offer.

“Sure. Um, don’t suppose you know where Scootaloo is, do you?” I asked, watching her walk through the archway that separated the kitchen and living room. She returned with a mug of cider in her hoof. Somehow she managed to make it over to me just fine with only three legs.

“Thanks. So what happened while I was out?” I asked taking the mug in my hand.

“Well, a bunch of people are joining up. Are we really going to fight the gryphons?” She asked.

“If it comes to it.” I said staring into my drink. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when. A memory flashed through my head of my talk with Celestia.

“Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice.” Said the princess.

“No problem. Should we just get right down to business?” I asked.

“Indeed. You may be wondering why I asked you here. Well from what I understand, you come from a military background.” She said, sitting on her throne.

“That is correct, I was trained in just about every kind of warfare we had. Plus some others.” I said.

“That is good to hear. Equestria’s army, while moderately sized, is not well trained and somewhat…unimaginative in there ideas. I was hoping you would be able to offset this trend. Perhaps some tactics from your world?” She asked.

“I’ve got a few ideas. It’ll have to wait until I’m healed up though. I will also need to meet with your officers. Lest I repeat there ideas.” I replied, already thinking of ways to bolster and improve the army.

“That won’t be a problem. I encourage you to see my royal physician. She should be able to get you back on your feet a bit quicker. A guard will escort you to her.” She said.

“Thank you, I’ll meet with the officers tomorrow morning.” I said.

“Thank you for your cooperation. In honesty I was afraid you would decline. With the growing tension with the Gryphon Kingdom, you are something of a last resort for us. Otherwise I wouldn’t have asked you for your help. At least not so soon.”

“Well I’m happy to help either way. If you don’t mind, I would like to get some rest.” I said starting to turn around.

“Very well, I’m expecting good things from you Rush. Don’t disappoint.” I heard her say. The words bounced off the large walls in the room.

“Rush? RUSH!” My train of thoughts were effectively derailed by a yell from AJ.

“Huh?” I mumbled looking up at AJ. She was staring at me with a worried look.

“You gonna drink?” She asked pointing at the mug in my hand.

“Oh, yeah sorry. Got a bit distracted there.” I brought the mug up to my lips and took a hearty drink. I couldn’t believe the taste. It was amazing. I quickly finished the drink, much to the amusement of AJ.

“My god, I see why ponies go crazy for this stuff.” I said looking around the room. Pictures lined the walls of the house. A memory flashed in my head of a drug house I had cleared with the squad. I quickly shook the memory, not wanting to remind myself of what I had seen in there.

“Ya okay? Got that blank stare you had when you walked into the guard station.” Asked AJ. I quickly nodded my head so she wouldn’t worry. I felt a little light headed and decided that it was my time to leave.

“Thanks for the cider Apple Jack but I should get going. I have a surprise for Scootaloo and I was hoping to do it at the school.” I said putting the mug down on a nearby table.

“It was good seein’ ya Rush.” Said AJ as I walked over to the door.

“You too, AJ.” I said walking out the door. I pulled my mask back down over my face and headed off towards the school. A thought ran across my mind of how the kid was going to react to seeing me. I arrived in the plaza and took a quick look around to get a bearing on my direction to the school.

“Rush!” Someone yelled. I looked to my right and saw Twilight running towards me from a shop called quills and sofas. A rather odd name for a store.

“Hey Twilight.” I called out as she stopped in front of me.

“Don’t hey me, mister. When did you wake up!?” She said in an overbearing tone.

“Uh, a little while ago I guess.” I said, unsure of how this was going to play out.

“Come with me! I’ve never seen anything like what happened to you. I need to see if there were any adverse effects.” Said Twilight, trotting a circle around me.

“Actually I was going to s-

“No time!” Said Twilight, picking me up by the ankles with her magic and starting towards her house. Before I could argue, I was hanging upside down and watching the shops and buildings go by as I was dragged through town by Twilight.

My sight of the dirt changed to one of wood as I entered Twilight’s house. As fun as it is to be toted around town like an upside down purse that can snap your neck, it was getting old. Something acknowledged my annoyance as the purple sphere quickly turned black and I was brought upright before being set down on the ground.

“The hell?” I asked myself. I looked around and didn’t see anyone else in the library. A quick chill ran up my spine of what might have been able to do that.

“What? How did you do that?” Asked Twilight, turning away from a book that was sitting on a table.

“I don’t know. Just kinda happened.” I said, walking over to the table.

“Hmm, come with me.” She said, picking up the book with her magic and starting towards her basement.

“As long as you don’t pick me up again.” I said following her. In the basement was what looked liked a bunch of computers, machines, chemistry sets, and metal table that belongs in a James Bond villain’s lab.

“Over here.” Said Twilight, pointing at a stand with two clasps and some kind of helmet with vacuum tubes and lights all over it.

“Uh, right.” I said walking over and replacing my helmet with the one on the stand. Wires followed out of the helmet down into a machine with a train whistle on the side. Twilight proceeded to lock the clasps around my wrists.

“Now just hold still while I get it started.” She went around to the other side of the machine. The whistle let out a small scream as it came to life. Paper started to come out with lines drawn on it.

“What’s this thing supposed to do anyway? Probably should’ve asked before I agreed to strap myself in.” I asked while I watched the paper spit out on the floor.

“I’m going to monitor the patterns of your brain waves and see if there is any large difference between yours and Jet’s.” She said.

“Why do you have brain scan of Jet?” I asked.

“I asked for it.” She replied in a cheery tone.

“And he agreed?” I said with a bit of disbelief.

“Well you did to. Though he was a bit more eager about it.” She said as she studied the lines on the paper being thrown out.

“Right. Might need to ask about that.” I said to myself. I watched a frown form on Twilight’s face.

“Rush. Did anything happen that you know of while you were asleep?” She asked in a scared tone.

“Uh…”

“Rush, what happened?”

“I may have, kinda sort of, met the nightmare…” I mumbled.

“WHAT?!” She screamed.

“From your reaction, I can assume that I made a mistake.” I said sarcastically.

“This is no time for jokes Rush! That thing almost destroyed Equestria the last time it was released! What did you do?” She yelled in a worried voice.

“Well shit. You’re really no going to like it.” I said looking over at her.

“Rush, what did you do?” She asked.

“I, um, well see. I allowed it to merge with my mind. At least that’s what it sounded like.” I said. Twilight just stared at me with a dumbfounded face. Her face slowly twisted into one of horror.

“No, no, no, no, no! W-we need to tell the princess! Come on!” Yelled Twilight. The clasps popped open and the helmet flew back down onto the stand.

“Wait, Twilight! There was something else it said.” She stopped and turned around.

“It talked to you? What did it say?” She asked curiously.

“It was talking about it being vilified for the actions of its hosts. Not it. All it does is give them the power to do what they want. While it may have some form of influence, it sure as hell didn’t cause Equestria to be almost destroyed.” I said defending the nightmare.

“Then why does it always come to them. All it has ever done is give power to evil ponies.” Argued Twilight.

“Simple answer, attracted to hate and anger like a bug to light. Besides, it works kind of like a parasite with a mutualism aspect. You of all ponies should know the power of teamwork.” I said hoping for a good response.

“I…I guess, but if I even begin to think that it’s in affecting you personally then I am going straight to the princesses.” She said defeated.

“Fair enough. I’m just asking for a chance to see its effectiveness.” I said grabbing my helmet and starting towards the stairs.

“Fine, but I want you to come back tomorrow. I want to do more tests.” She said grabbing the paper that had been spit out of the machine with her mouth and ripping it away from opening.

“Alright then, see ya tomorrow.” I said walking up the stairs and proceeding out of the house. I took a moment to get my bearings before heading to the school.

Looking around I saw a couple ponies staring as I walked by. Some even cleared the street, allowing a path to form in front of me. The sun on my face gave me a nice warm feeling. I approached the school and thought of the best way to surprise Scootaloo, then it hit me.

I pulled down my mask, got a running start, and jumped as high as I could and just barely got a grip on the roof after slamming into the side paneling. I pulled myself up and crouch walked over to the bell. Hearing a door open and close I turned around to see a confused Cheerilee.

“Rush? What are you doing up there?” She asked.

“Well, um. I haven’t seen my kid in a while and I thought this would be a good way to surprise her. By swooping in, grabbing her, and pulling her back up with me.” I said with a grin.

“With all due respect, isn’t that a bit dangerous?” She asked.

“How about this, I do you a favor and you let me do this?” I offered.

“Well we don’t have anything big planned for the rest of the day. Anything I want?” She asked in an intrigued voice.

“You name it.” I said happily.

“Hmm, deal.” She said walking back into the school. I turned back to the bell tower and made my way inside. In the bell tower was a trapdoor that led to the rafters above all the ponies. I heard one of the ponies ask what it was that was making the noise.

“A bird.” Said Cheerilee turning around and writing on the board. I positioned my self above Scootaloo and prepared to drop in and grab her. Cheerilee looked up and gave me a wink. I locked my legs around the rafter and then dropped. I swung down and grabbed the kid with one arm around her body and one on her mouth. I then curled my self back up and threw myself back over the top of the rafter while keeping the kid’s face against my body.

I heard a series of gasps and a couple of yells. I proceeded through trapdoor once again and set the kid down onto the floor where she screamed and backed against the wall of the bell tower. I put a finger up to my mask before pulling off my mask. She sat there silently as she looked me over.

“What, not even a hello?” I said with a grin.

“R-rush?” She asked in a scared voice.

“The one and only.” I said. Tears started to form in her eyes and she jumped onto my chest, wrapping her fore hooves around my neck. I returned the hug eagerly.

“So now that I’m back, what do you want to do?” I asked with a smile.

“What about school?” She asked.

“Don’t worry about it. I now owe Cheerilee a favor though.” I said.

“Well, I don’t know. I usually do everything with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.” She said.

“Hmm, one second.” I said opening the trapdoor again and putting my helmet back on. I positioned myself above Apple Bloom and grabbed her, then Sweetie Belle in the same way. I handed them up to Scootaloo who helped them up through the trapdoor. I crawled in after them as cries to Cheerilee about the kidnapped students arose.

“Scootaloo, what’s going on?” Asked Apple Bloom as I climbed through the hole and replaced the door.

“It’s Rush. He’s awake!” She said in an excited tone. I turned to them and removed my helmet.

“Whoa. You look…different.” Said Sweetie Belle while she stared at my face.

“Thanks. We should probably get down from here.” I said, climbing back onto the roof with the kids in tow. I proceeded down the roof before jumping off while the CMC followed suit and climbed onto my back as I caught them.

“So now that I have the other two, what should we do?” I asked while walking through the playground.

“We could go crusading.” Said Scootaloo.

“Well actually I need to go see Jet at the base outside town. I’m sure we could find something there.” I said, turning toward the center of town.

“Let’s do it!” Yelled Scootaloo. The other crusaders let out similar cries of excitement

“Now wher-” An explosion echoed through the town followed by a call of “Clear”. It sounded like it came from Sweet Apple Acres. I noticed a lack of reaction from the CMC. They carried on a conversation while I followed the sound of the explosions. I found a small path that I hadn’t noticed before.

I walked the path for about half a mile before I saw the base. It was neatly hidden out of the view of Ponyville. An eight foot tall fence with a concertina wire heading surrounded the whole compound. There was an opening gate with a booth containing a guard in Woodland BDUs. He threw me a quick glance before opening the gate and snapping to attention. On the gate was a sign that spelled out: Fort Victor.

A wave of familiarity hit me as I realized that this place had a lay out that was identical to the one I had been stationed on before my untimely demise. A grid pattern that had the barracks on the far right of the facility and the officer’s barracks next to it. A mess hall sat in the middle. The far left contained a supply office and an administrative building. I figured that would be my best shot for finding Jet.

“Whoa, this place is huge.” Said Sweetie Belle with a squeak in her voice. A formation of soldiers trotted past singing a cadence. The administrative building was a two story building that was kind of like the guard house in town but without the built in barracks. Stepping inside I saw Jet talking to a pony at the front desk.

“Hey Jet!” I called out, walking over to the desk. He turned around and looked at me with a grin until he saw the kids on my back.

“Uh, Rush, what’s with the…” He faded off, pointing out the kids out with his eyes.

“Thought we could find something to do here.” I said happily. An annoyed look gave me the idea that he didn’t approve.

“Well I still need to talk to you, in private.” He eyed the CMC once more. I nodded my head once more, almost shaking Scootaloo off.

“Hey kids, hop off. I’ll be back in a minute. Play with the secretary for a bit.” I said bending over as they hopped off onto the ground. I followed Jet up stairs and into an office room.

“Let’s get straight to business. I need you to act as a training officer.” He said quickly.

“What? Look, as much I want to do that, I’m not qualified.” I said.

“Oh bullshit, you can instruct, motivate, and scream better than anyone else I know. Besides, we’re already working on getting another one down here, so you would only be doing it for a couple of days.” He said with a smile.

“Well, fine. Do we have a schedule?” I asked.

“On the desk under your equipment on the desk. There’s a bedroom connected through the door behind said desk. I’ll leave you too it. I’ll send the CMC up.” He said walking out the door.

I turned around to see the desk and what rested on it. Painful memories surged back into my head. The thing of nightmares lay there, unmoving. The moniker of pain and suffering.

The infamous Round Brown.

Author's Note

I need feedback. I want to know if anyone has a problem with how things are happening.