Chapter One: Homecoming.
I looked at the dusty door. The Special Forces HQ in Nevada. It was an old presidential bunker but was refitted for the Special Forces. I opened the smaller door to the HQ and walked in, closing the door behind me. I walked by and was saluted by the lesser ranks, me being a Lieutenant First Class, and walked to the hydraulic lift to get to the lower levels. I got on and picked the second last floor, there being 17 floors. With Command being on floor 16. I slowly descended and waited for the door to open. When it did I stepped put to be greeted by my superior, Major General Thomas Loan.
“Hello Lieutenant Roland,” he said calling me by my rank and last name, as he usually did, my first name being James.
“Good morning Sir,” I smiled. “How’s the wife?”
“Sabrina’s fine, how are you?” He said.
“I’m good sir. So what do you need? A mission?” I said.
“No. I’m sorry to say it’s much worse. For you and me anyways. The Special Forces are… in a nutshell, firing you. I’m sorry.” Thomas said sadly.
“What?! But… Why?” I said.
“You’re not the only one either. The Special Forces are being shut down to make a new Elite force. Super Soldiers if you would.”
“But I’m one of the best! I’ve worked myself to the bone to get here!” I said getting upset.
“I know but command says it has to be. Maybe you can go back home.” He said.
“I need this! War and fighting is all I know!”
“I know James. But it’s not my decision to make.” He said, a saddened look on his face.
“I’m sorry about this James” he said looking as if he just kicked a puppy.
“Don’t worry Sir. I’ll be fine… Yeah you’re right, I could go home now. See the family” I said looking better, though my heart was a different story.
“Sorry old friend.”
“As long as we can keep in touch I’ll forgive you.” I said with a smirk.
He laughed. “Of course!”
I smiled.
“Can I keep my weapons?”
“I-I don’t know… your knife probably. But I doubt your AUG would be given to you.”
“Darn. Ah well.”
I hugged him and put down my AUG HBAR. I signed the needed papers. I smiled and walked out of the base, but not before saying “See you later” as I was one who believed that saying goodbye means you’ll never see them again.
I walked into the barracks. I changed into my normal clothes and backpack. Putting my knife, a twelve inch trench knife, and its sheath into my backpack. I walked out of the Barracks. I asked the guard where the pickup is.
He pointed towards a building with a Heli-Pad on it, with a Boeing CH-47 Chinook docked on it. I opened the door nodding to the Corporal. I walk up the stairs and get into the Chinook. I ask the pilot to take me to the Military Head-Quarters in Washington. The Pilot starts the Chinook up and takes off.
We land in the Washington HQ about five hours later. I get out of the Helicopter and stretch my legs, having them fallen asleep an hour prior. I thank him and walk into the Parking grounds.
“Hello, what are you here for sir?” says the Guard.
I show him my ID and he lets me in.
“Which is yours?” he said.
“The Pontiac GTO,” I grin.
“Ah, that’s been there for some time now.”
“Yep, I’ve been in Nevada at the Special Forces.”
“Well! Good job getting in, I tried and didn’t make it” he said frowning.
“Oh, sorry to hear that. I’ll have to drop your name Mr…?”
“John Heller.”
“John then, anyway, can you help me find my car?”
“Of course”
He led me to my old 1966, aqua blue, Pontiac GTO. I thanked him.
“This is a nice car,” he said.
“Thanks, I got it from my dad after he died and I got my license.”
“Oh I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. You didn’t do it, so why should you?”
“I know, but it’s nice to say something”
“Thank you for that, well I’ve got to go.”
I get in and try and start it. To my immense surprise it starts up.
I drive out and drive to the highway. Rocketing down the highway I reach my old house and find no one there.
I go to the neighbors and ask where April is.
“She’s at a family reunion”
“Well that works just fine.” I mutter “Could you tell me where please?”
“Washington.”
“Okay, where in Washington?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“It’s about her son.”
“What happened? Is he dead?” he said eyes widening.
“Yes, now, could you please tell me where it is?”
He tells me the location and I thank him. I get in my car, driving back to Washington and then to the location of the reunion.
I grab my military Uniform and sneak in changing in the bathroom. Before Walking out and into the main room, it being filled with my family. I look around and find my mom near the front. I walk towards the woman who I haven’t seen in 15 years.
“Mrs. Roland. James’s mother?” I said.
“Y-Yes?” She said.
I pass her my dog tags. And say I’m sorry for her loss, before Saluting which she doesn’t return because at this point she is sobbing.
“I served with James and he told me to give you this.” I said setting the note on the table beside her.
I salute again and walk out. Getting in the GTO I drive to a hotel. I had a decent amount of money saved up from my service in the Special Forces. I rented a room for the night and stayed up until 11:00 PM, before going to bed.
When I got up I got in my GTO and drove to a gun shop, I look at what was inside. I found two guns that captured my interest. I purchased the guns and enough ammo to fill seven mags and extra in my backpack. I took the Colt M1911 and the AUG HBAR and walked out of the gun shop with $20,000 less. I got in my car and went back to the hotel, stashing the guns in my trunk before having lunch and going to a shop that sells military supplies. I bought MREs and body armor as well as a full helmet with a gas mask and NV and IR goggles
I got back in my car, and drove to the gym, I worked out for five hours until supper time, showering and driving to a restaurant, where I saw an old friend. My lip twitched as I sat down at the bar. I ordered a Mike’s Lemonade and a burger with fries and ate in silence. I finished and got up, paid and left, going back to the hotel. As I was driving I saw a Kung Fu shop.
I entered the shop and asked the man if he had a liúxīng chuí. He smiled and went to the back of the shop. What he brought back was a meteor hammer. I paid $2000 for it and left.
I got back and paid for another night before falling asleep.
Death and Rebirth (Slightly Edited)
Chapter Two: The Fight of Infernus Saltus.
When I woke it was 6:56 AM. I got up and paid, then grabbed some breakfast. I ate my breakfast composed of Bacon, Waffles, Eggs, Toast and Blueberry juice. I finished all this at 7:56 exactly one hour from when I got up. I returned to my room and showered before grabbing my backpack, and walking to the bathroom grabbing my shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. I grabbed my keys and walked out the door.
I walked out and got in my car. I started the 1966 Pontiac GTO and drove out of the parking lot waiting till I got on the highway before I put the petal to the metal. Having a car that can put you back into your seat is fun. I got to my old house around 9:30.
I parked away from my house so mom didn’t know it was me. I geared up in my armour and helmet/gas mask/goggles. I put the MREs in my backpack with the ammo. I had bought water just before I got here. I grab the meteor hammer and my knife, I sheath the knife in a quick-draw holster and put the meteor hammer in my pack. I put the clips on my belt and one in each gun. I holstered the M1911 and put the AUG on my back with the strap hugging my shoulder.
I walk to the edge of the forest. I peer up at the tree tops. I frown as I remember that day. I walk in and the forest seems to acknowledge my entrance. As if it has been waiting for me. I squint as the early day sun assaults my vision. I look back down at the forest and notice it’s completely silent. I tense up and scan my surroundings. I see something out of the corner of my eye. My sharp eyes dart to the movement and I catch a glimpse of it as it sprints away from me. What I see is something from a child’s nightmare. Tough, black as night skin. A muscular build. Long jagged claws at least seven inches in length. Long strong legs meant for traveling at high speeds to it’s prey. My lip twitches as I race after it. I gain speed quickly. I barrel through the woods nearly slamming into trees. I grunt as low hanging branches whip at my face but maintain my speed through the forest. I spot it turn at the beginning of a clearing. I continue running until I hit the clearing.
I search for my prey, but it’s nowhere to be found. SNAP! I turn pale as a spin on my heel and grab my AUG. I fire a quick burst of three shots before it tackles me to the ground. I kick it off my body and stand up. I get a look at its face. Dark red eyes in sunken eye sockets. A large mouth filled with sharp 2 inch long fangs with the canines being 4 inches. It had a scar over its eye.
“Damn! You are one ugly Motherfu-” I’m cut off as it shrieks and lunges at me, attempting to rip out my throat.
I roll out of the way and take my back pack off. I suddenly realise I’m empty handed. I reach down and open my back pack which most likely saved my life as it flew over my back. I grab the meteor hammer and roll as it descends upon where I was as I get back up and spin the chain around my body as I get swing it towards it clipping its arm causing it to snarl in anger as it cracked something in its arm. I grin at it as I keep whipping it around me. I wait for it to lunge before I bring it down on its back. I hear a couple snaps as some of its ribs break, causing me to smirk only to grunt as it slams into me hard knocking me down as my grip slips on the chain. It flies from my hands slamming into a tree making it crack.
I push it off in its dazed state and grab my knife, I prepare as I get up and back up a bit. I wait as I'm a bit more honorable then to kill it whiles it down and dazed. It rises with a loud growl as it flexes its claws. I hold my knife in a reverse grip as I stare it down before, as if it were staged, we both attacked together trading blows on each other until both of us were bloodied, beaten, and bruised. We both get ready for what we both knew was going to be our last attack as we were getting weaker. We jump together as I feel his claws enter my torso while I feel a jerk and warm blood cover my hand as my blade pierces its neck. It chokes out in a strangled growl as its claws leave my body. I fall to my knees as blood pours from the 5 wounds dotting my dying body. I see it die as its corpse turns to ash. I feel myself starting to fade as I die.
I wake in a complete void of white. I look around noticing I'm stripped down to white boxers.
"Hello young one." I whip around to look at a woman with white skin, like actually white not like human white, with pure golden hair.
"What the fuck?" I say blinking in surprise. She simply giggles.
"You died facing off a Tartarian Demon. Something that is not an easy task by any means," she says with a smile.
"Uh, that's, uh, good I guess?" I say in confusion.
"That it is. Anyway. I'm offering you a second chance. You will be reborn as something else in a universe that needs you."
"Something else? What?"
"As Death. You will be given a new body with enhanced strength and speed as well as flight. You yourself will be able to use Death and Dark Magic as well as Holy Magic for demons." "
"I see. I accept. Where am I going?"
"Equestria. It is plagued with war by the Demons of Tartarus lead by the dark one known as Sombra. Sombra made a deal that if he released the demons then he would be their commander. As Sombra is more powerful than the old demon lord so they accepted him as their new leader. It is now your duty to destroy them and Sombra. Including the old demon lord so that he does not rise up again as their leader."
"Very well." I say nodding respectfully.
"Good, now. Do you wish to keep your old name or have a new name to match your new life and body?"
"New."
"And what shall you be called?"
"Mortem."