A Fractured World

(Locker Room. Earth.)

“Sargent Simmons,” General Burner was standing by Simmons’s locker. The two were by them self in a locker room. “You disobey a direct order. You were told not to talk to the creatures on the other side of the portal. The only reason I’m not sending you packing is because you’ve put yourself in a great position.” Markus looks a bit shock but Burner ignores it. “This stay between us and only us. I got a bad feeling about what that portal did to the Governor and until I hear otherwise, you’re going to be the one talking to these being for a while. I’ve already talk to the president.”

“Yes Sir,” Markus said, saluting him. “May I ask, why did you choose me?”

“It not just the fact you talk to them,” Burner said. “I look into your files. You be in five hostage situations and out of four of them, you manage to talk down. I believe you have the skills to makes sure we did have any problem. Can I count on you?”

“Yes Sir,” Markus said. “When do I start?” A soldier ran into the locker room, partly out of breath.

“Sir, one of the creatures is at the portal. It wants to talk to someone.” The soldier said quickly and out of breath. Burner looks over and Markus could almost hear the amusement behind the words.

“I’m guessing now.” He said with a smile.

(Portal. Equestria side.)

Luna look up to see the moon shine brightly above her. The portal was only open for about a day and a half but Luna already saw several nightmares of guards fearing the portal. So now, Luna was going to make sure that she wasn’t putting those in her care in danger. She turns back to the portal to see one of the humans standing there.

“You’re not the one I’d first talk to,” Luna said, eyeing the human carefully.

“I’ve talked to one called Twilight Sparkle.” The human said.

“Ah, Markus Simmons,” Luna said. “Twilight mention you before she left to rest. I’m taking it that the Governor is not doing well. Should I be worry?” Markus looks behind him and back at Luna.

“The Governor is doing fine but until we are sure there is no ill effect, I’ll be the messenger for now,” Markus answered.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Luna said, starting to pace. “We only agree to one ambassador.”

“We might be able to fix that,” Markus said, pulling out a photo. “This appeared on the Governor after being exposed to this portal.” Luna steps close to the portal and looks closely at the photo. She looks surprised and looks back at Markus.

“That…looks like a Cutie Mark.” Luna respond.

“A Cutie Mark?” Markus repeated and flip the photo around. “May I ask what is a Cutie Mark?”

“It’s a mark a pony receive when he or she discover her true talent,” Luna answered. “It usually deals with what will make them most happy. Why do this surprise you?” Markus looks behind him and then look at back at Luna.

“You have something that shows you what to do with your life?” Markus said in disbelief. “This is unbelievable. Most of my people go through their whole lives not knowing their purpose. And even those who find out their purpose, sometimes they question if it's real. That not counting the ones who do have gifts but used them for the wrong reasons.”

“The more I hear about your world, the more intrigued I get,” Luna said, laying on the ground. “This sounds very confusing if your kind can’t easily find your purpose.” Markus kind of shrugged. “Tell me more about your world and its’ ways?” Luna asked. Markus smiled. This was going to be an interesting night.

(Three miles away from the portal. Human side)

“I don’t know about this, Carmine.” Frank mutter as the two crawled under a chain link fence. “I mean, breaking into a military location because the Governor ignore your call?”

“It not because he ignores my call,” Carmine said as she brushes some dust off her pants and put her hair up. “You don’t find it weird that every road that leads up in this area do to ‘road work? How about the fact that the Governor was last seen heading towards here?” She pulls out an old Canon and started tuning it up. “Something is up and I’ll be damn if I’ll be the last to know. Soon the whole news world will know the name Carmine Rose” Frank shook his head and brush the sand out of his hair.

“You know that Big Papa gave you the Governor assignment to keep us out of trouble.” Frank pointed out as she started adjusting the lens. “You been a bug up everyone ass because you keep thinking there’s a great scoop. So far, all you were done is piss off the police.” He looked around to make sure that no one was around. “Now, we only have five minutes before the patrol makes another sweep. What are we looking for?” Carmine pointed behind Frank, smiling. Frank turn to see a glow in the distance.

“I’m guessing that way. What do you think?” Carmine said.

“Shut up.” Frank mutter.
(Portal. Human side.)

Markus was actually enjoying talking to this Luna. She seems sweet and enjoys learning about his world. He just told her about democracy and how the government works.

“So, every one of your citizens can vote on who your leader is?” Luna asked, leaning a little closer to the portal.

“Well, we have something call the Electoral College that decided our president.” Markus pointed out.

“And how does that work?” She asked. Markus was about to explain but then stop.

“Really? We have no ideas how it works.” Markus said. “It works back in the old days to make it fair but now it just confusing.”

“So, do all your kind follow this democracy?” Luna asked.

“Not really. There are several different ways we governed. Most countries gets along but some do not. That where people like me come in.” Markus thought back to the IED that took his friends and shook away bad thoughts that came with them. Luna tilted her head and Markus notices her horn glow a bit.

“What’s wrong?” She asked. “I sense pain and sadness.”

“You sense? How can you sense what I’m feeling?” Markus asked. Luna stood up and present herself like a royal.

“I, like my kind, have very different abilities. I control the night and everything that falls in that domain. That mean emotion and dreams. I'm helping my kind by protecting their dreams and guiding them in times of need.” Luna said, her eyes seem to look deep into Markus soul. “I can sense that you have pain but that is all.”

“I told Twilight I was in a bombing a while back. According to doctors, I’m suffering from PTSD. I barely get sleep and I just keep going back to that road.” Markus said and sighed. What I won’t give for a good night sleep.” Luna smiled and her horn glowed.

“I believe I can help with that.” She said.

(Outside the containment tent.)

“I understand sir, but until the doctor gives me the all clear, I'm not allowed to let you back in.” The soldier said, unemotional and calm. The complete opposite of how Ryan was acting.

“I don’t think you do,” Ryan growled. “I was ordered by the president to be the ambassador of our country and I’ll be damn if some foot soldier is my replacement.” His head was pounding but not because of the lack of sleep. When he awoke that morning, that thing from his dream was still talking to him. He didn’t know if it was imaginary or for real but it won’t stop talking.

“Come on, Pet.” It’s said, echoing in his head. He winces as it felt like nails on the chalkboard were in his head. “I need you to stop Luna or do I need to hurt you?”

“You need to step aside, NOW!” Ryan shouted but the soldier refuse to move. Ryan was about to punch him when a dark blue light flashes from inside.

“What the…?” The soldier said before Ryan pushed past him and ran into the tent. What he saw made left him speechless. The one called Luna was half way out to the other side and was touching Markus with her horn on his head. A small blue light was flowing between the two and a look of peace was on his face while her eyes were closed in concentration. The soldier ran in and was stop by the same sight. Then the voice in Ryan's head screams like a banshee.

“KILL HER NOW!” It roars and Ryan looks for the close weapon, the soldier side arm. He quickly grabs it but the soldier grab him before he could pull it out. The two crash to the ground, fighting for the weapon. Ryan smashes his head into the soldier nose, creating a sickly crack. The soldier cry out in pain and for a split second, let go of the small pistol. It was enough for Ryan, who ripped out of the holster and smack the soldier across the face. He quickly jumps back up and shoves Markus to the side. It broke the connection, allow Luna to open her eyes to see a pistol in her face.

(Outside the tent, Equestria side.)

“My princess, I really don’t think we should keep talking to this human.” Scorpio said, trying to show his angry. It wasn’t working for Celestia, who was walking over to the tent entrance.

“Dear Scorpio, I know you wish to show strength through battle but these humans had not shown any signs of violence,” Celestia said. “So far, both Twilight and my sister seem to think peace is possible. I would like to…” She was cut off by a bright blue flash emitting from the tent. The two walk in to see Luna had crossed half way out of the portal to the human side. She was performing a spell on a human and didn’t see the two walked in. Before Celestia could even respond, she saw the human pushed out of the way and Governor Ryan Dutoit pointing something at her sister.

“LUNA!!!” Celestia shouted as Scorpio dive forward. What happen next seem to happen in five seconds. Scorpio manages to grab Luna from behind and pull her back to their side. Ryan pulls the trigger and the shot rang out. The bullet hit the portal and disappear with a small flash of light. Markus quickly got back up and tackled Ryan to the ground. The gun went off again and hit the portal causing another flash to happen. Five soldiers and General Burner rush in to see the chaos that has erupted.

The soldiers grab both Ryan and Markus, dragging them out of the tent. Burner look over to see the death glare that Scorpio was giving them. This was not going to be good.

(An hour later.)

“What the hell happen?” Anatolios demanded. General Burner looks at the computer screen and had a face of pure confusion.

“I don’t understand,” Burner said. “The Governor claims he started firing when the one called Luna supposable attack Markus. Markus claims that Luna was helping him and the Governor just went nuts. I’m trying to sort it out but I think you need to get down here.”

“Alright, I’ll be down in four hours. Were any one of their kind injured?” Anatolios asked.

“I didn’t see any injured. It seems none of our weapons can penetrate the portal.” Burner said. “But doesn’t mean they aren’t pissed. The one that grabs the one called Luna looks like he was going to kill us. And let’s not forget that it was their leader’s sister. I don’t see any way this can get worse.”

(Five miles away from the Portal)

“What the hell was that?” Frank shouted as they dived into a Jeep they hid earlier.

“Don’t know but what we got is gold,” Carmine said as she gunned the engine. “An alien race that look like unicorns? This has got to be worth at least a Pulitzer.” She holds the camera up like it was a golden cup. “Now, who do you time is going to bite first? Times or CNN?”

(Back at the military base.)

"You failed me, pet.” The Voice whisper as Ryan paced the small holding cell he was given. “I told you to kill Luna and you couldn’t even do that.”

“I tried.” Ryan mutter. “That portal block my shots.” He felt a stabbing pain behind his eyes and clench his teeth to prevent from screaming.

“You little worm.” The Voice said. “You think you know hell? I will make your blood feel like ice and turn your bones into poison. You will experience pain like you’ve never even thought of. I will make you wish death came to a lot quicker. Do you understand me?”

“Yes.” Ryan moans quietly. “I understand. I have an idea.”

“What is it, pet?” The Voice asked.

“I think I know some people who can help solve our situation.