Blackout Actual and the Equestrian Genocide

Chapter 2

Where's My “Thank You?!”

Storm looked upon the burning village, a dead hydra behind him and shot up corpses of the pony guards suited in golden armor before him. Reloading, Storm began to move forward and out of the town, establishing a new objective.

“Sierra 107, what are you doing?” Meritime asked, already knowing the answer but didn’t want to accept it just yet.

“I’m going to get my “Thank You.” Storm replied, not exactly happy about wasting his time killing a hydra, but he couldn’t care less either way. “Besides, they attacked UNSC forces first.”

“They were most likely scared! Surely you can’t blame these natives for wanting to defend themselves from what’s unknown to them?” Meritime argued, obviously not happy with the way the Spartan was dealing with the situation. “You’re not going to kill them all are you?”

Storm paused mid-step, just exiting the village to the rest of country he landed in. There was a silence between them as the flames crackled in the wind, until Storm spoke up suddenly. “You knew what you were getting into when entering my head after I warned you. You said, ‘If I went through the same things you did, I’d turn out the same.” Storm retorted strongly, already getting tired of the conversation topic.

“I understand, Sierra 107.” Meritime finished, dropping the subject and went silent.

The two resumed forwards, leaving the village and traveled the path ahead with no clue to where it led. The path soon came to an open field, trees becoming less common as they went on. In the distance mountains rose from the horizon as clouds littered the darkening sky.

“I’m detecting an anomaly…” Meritime spoke, something bothering him.

“Explain.”

“I saw it earlier, but I didn’t register it… This planet doesn’t have a orbit around a sun, neither a rotation along its axis.” The AI pointed out, “Look, the sun is setting in the east.”

Storm turned around, seeing the setting sun indeed lower in the east.

“And the moon, it rises from the west… In reality this planet shouldn’t survive. The sun is equal in size and distance from the planet as the moon! How is the moon even projecting light? The size of this planet would surely block the rays of the sun-“ Meritime rambled on, the Spartan soon tuning the AI out as he continued his rant.

Storm began to think about how he would deal with those multi colored ponies, especially what he would do to get his “thank you” he rightfully earned but never received. The thought of it made his stomach rumble in hunger.

“Damn… I wish I had a burger…” Storm said to himself. Now thinking about it, that hydra would’ve made a fine meal if he knew he was going to be hungry.

“Contacts up ahead, Sierra 109.” Meritime said, bringing Storm out of his thought of hunger.

Storm looked and saw what appeared to be a crossing checkpoint lit with torches during the night. As he got closer he could hear someone call, seeing that it was a pony wearing golden armor like the others he had just fought a couple hours before.

“Halt in the name of the Princesses!” The Guard pony said, aiming a spear at the spartan. “You are past curfew established by her highness! State your business or you will be taken into custody!”

More ponies then came out of a building next to the checkpoint to see the commotion, some with spears in their hooves. A minute nearly passed as the guards kept a close eye on the figure that was dimly lit in the dark. They were getting antsy as time kept ticking with no confirmation from the Spartan.

“I repeat! State your business-” The Guard suddenly stopped as a small transparent biped figure appeared before him, jumping back a bit.

“I am AI Meritime, smart AI of the UNSC, or United Nations Space Command. I bring you no harm, but to whom you were calling to will. I suggest you stand down and walk back inside that building,” Meritime said, waving a hand to the building next to them and continued. “Or else you will most likely die.”

“And what position are you in to give us orders?” The Guard pony said, keeping distance from the ghostly figure before him.

“I’m not in any position. But if you listen to me-” A gunshot suddenly went off, a single bullet whizzing past the AI and slamming through the guard pony’s head, putting Meritime in distraught as the body dropped to the dirt road.

The guards suddenly turned to the source of the loud bang to be met with a creature holding up something at them. Suddenly, members of their ranks dropped within seconds of each other as the Spartan fired it’s Magnum, killing all manning the checkpoint.

“I said don’t shoot, god damn it!” Meritime yelled in anger, appearing in front of Storm.

“They weren’t leaving their posts like you said.” The Spartan rebutted.

“I WAS GETTING TO IT!” Meritime’s projection flickered, turning red.

The Spartan just shrugged as he holstered his Magnum and continued walking, going past the dead bodies at the checkpoint. “Took too long.”

Meritime just let out a sigh, having nothing meaningful to combat with against Storm’s decisions. The AI’s projection flickered into nothing as Storm got further away, staying silent as they continued along the dirt road.

The Next Day

Celestia’s face was stoic. The sight before her disturbing but she wouldn’t give in for morale for her ponies also witnessing the scene before her as well. “What ever creature did this… They will be brought to justice for this…” Celestia said to herself, wanting to get away from the scene.

“Your Highness, we’re ready to move the bodies.” A orange pegasi Guard pony said, taking a second glance over the area, a look of worry on his face.

“Thank you, Captain Sentry.” Celestia commended. “Is the chariot ready for the return to Canterlot?”

“Yes, your Highness.”

“Report once their bodies have returned to Canterlot. Make sure their families are notified of their passing. We can’t have ponies know of this monster, so come up with a reason why they had died.” Celestia ordered, walking to her chariot and finding her seat. “To Canterlot.”

The chariot lurched forward, the pegasi transport going into the air shortly after as they then turned towards Canterlot. But little did they know there was another set of eyes watching them.

In a Nearby set of Trees

“You catch any of that?” Storm asked, watching the chariot fly off towards a city on the mountains.

“Yes, the one who took off in that chariot is named Princess Celestia, presumably an important figure of this planet… I assume you can get what you want from her.” Meritime said, slowly regretting what was to possibly come.

“So follow the chariot? Easy enough.” Storm said, hopping down from the tree and headed off towards the city in the mountains.

Today was going to be an interesting day.