Nothing is Over

Before we set off, I did a double check on my belongings: two candy bars, my watch, my dog tag, a bag of 47 bits, the picture of Raven team, my journal, a box of matches, and my combat knife. Fluttershy seemed a little surprised or scared by the last one.

The walk into town was pretty quiet at first. I don't know if she just doesn't like to talk or if she's scared of me and the fact that I carry around my old combat knife. She finally gained enough courage to ask me a question.

" Um, h-how did y-you get those s-scratches, if you don't mind me asking."

"Hm, oh. A manticore." I answered," A manticore tried to get me."

" Oh my." She squeaks," Um, why do you h-have t-that k-k-knife."

" I had it for a while. Everypony in my squad engraved their names in their handles."

" Y-your squad? You were in the royal guard?" She looks over at me almost quizzically.

"Sorta. I was a soldier, not a guard."

We finally reach Ponyville and I take a moment to stop and look around. Down one road there's a market. Down another there's what looks like a gingerbread house. Further down there's a really decorated what looks like a tent or spire with links Andy purples. Finally to my right there's a bouncing pink pony coming at me and more houses.....wait what? Immediately my field of vision is filled with pink.

" Hi,mynameispinkiepiei'veneverseenyouaroundhereareyounewhereandiknoweveryponyinponyville *GASP* ihavetoplanyourwelcometoponyvillepartydoyoulikecakeilovecake..." the pony talked for 45 seconds, and I didn't understand a word that was said. I look over at the pony who is eagerly bouncing in place and just say "Yes." Both this pink pony and Fluttershy give me a confused look. I just smirk and continue on my way. I look back the pink pony darts off towards the gingerbread house. I look over to Fluttershy and ask who that was. She said it was Pinkie Pie and that I should watch for a party later on.

We finally reach the hotel and get me checked in. I thank Fluttershy for patching me up and showing me around. Looking at my watch, I see it's about 5:30 in the evening. I decided to grab something to eat from town. Setting down my bag, I head out onto the town. Wandering around, I noticed how empty the streets were. I decided to head for the gingerbread house. 'Could really go for some pastries.' I think to myself. As I continue my way, I take note of how eerily quiet everything is. "Something's not right," I mutter. Not wanting to be out in the open if something is going to happen, I double time it over. The whole building is dark on the inside, much like all the other houses and shops, however the sign on the door says open. Slowly opening the door, I'm greeted by darkness until....

"SUPRISE!"

*BOOM*

That sound. That single sound brought it all back. Every part of me was screaming 'We're under attack!" Every face, name, bullet, explosion, cries of anger, cries of pain, and every drop of blood came flooding into my mind and eyes. My mouth can only make one word as I dive for cover.

"CONTACT!"

Then, there's silence. A silence that makes me peer out from behind my cover. What I'm greeted by is the mixture of confused and scared faces of the ponies of Ponyville. The pink pony from earlier is behind what looks like a cannon. Looking up I see a banner that says 'Welcome to Ponyville!' I emerge from behind the table I was using as cover and see every pony start calming down. I used this moment to calm everypony down, even though I'm still a little teary eyed.

" Everything's fine, just a little.. spooked." This seemed to work as they all went back to enjoying themselves, except for six younger ponies, that seem to be coming over to me. Two I recognized as Fluttershy and the one she called Pinkie Pie, but the other four are new. There's a white unicorn with a purple curled mane, a purple unicorn with a purple mane with a pink line, an orange earth pony, and a blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane.

" Gosh, Pinkie, Ah ain't never seen anypony be that surprised from you before." The orange one says. Pink rushes to my side apologizing for scaring me. The blue one looks over at me and notices my watery eyes.

"Pinkie, you scared him so much he's crying."

"No no. It just brought back.... unwanted memories. You surprised me good though." I reply hoping to make this all less awkward." In fact, it's been awhile since I've been to a good party." They all seem shocked at this. Pinkie was the first to speak up.

" Sorry I scared you, but at least your not mad are you?"

"No, I'm not mad. You all have names?" The purple one is first

"Oh, my name is Twilight Sparkle."

"Ah'm Applejack."

" My name's Rarity. It's a pleasure."

"I'm Rainbow Dash. Fastest flyer in Equestria."

" Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie. Sorry for scaring you, I was trying to make you feel welcome, because every pony deserves to be welcome. I love maphhh!" She's cut short by a blue hoof in her mouth. 'Could've used that earlier today.'

"Well, I'm Marble Force. Please, just call me Marble."

" Hey you have the same name as my baby sister, Marble Pie!" Pinkie comments, " It almost as if the author forgot about her!" We all look at her puzzled until I ask what she's talking about. The others reassure me that it's just "Pinkie being Pinkie." We all continue to talk for awhile and eat different cupcakes and other treats.

"This has probably the best welcome I've received. Definitely better than Manehatten."

Rarity's eyes seem to sparkle at the mention of the city. "You've been to Manehatten?" She's almost as excited as Pinkie when I first showed up in town.

"Uh... yeah, I grew up there. Set up a little cartography shop for awhile."

"Oooh! What's it like. The ponies, the fashion, the colors! Ooh tell me" she squeals causing me to flinch a little while I think about the last time I was in Manehatten.

" So this it." Timberhoof comments looking out the window of the train as trash and raw eggs are thrown against the car. "This is the respect we get." He takes out a piece of paper and a quill and quickly writes down an address and gives it to me." You every in town, let me know. It'd be nice to meet up again sometime." I take notice of the name of the city Neighton. The train comes to a stop and I move to exit

"Hey Marble, good luck." Timberhoof calls out with a smile.

"Take care, Timber." I call back. That would be the last time I every saw Timberhoof.

As I move to the door, I noticed a younger pony also move to leave. He takes a look at my service beret and goes wide eyed.

"Your a Solar Beret? You guys were real badasses over there you know." He stammers out I just smile. "Didn't get to see much fighting over there. I was only over there a couple of months."

We both exit the train car and are greeted by yelling and trash being thrown at us.

"Foal killer!"

"Murderer!"

"Your not REAL ponies!"

I position myself so that I'm taking most of the blows and not the other pony. He didn't deserve it. None of us did.

"Marble...are you..ok?" Twilight asks. I shake my head to clear my thoughts.

"W-what?"

"Dude, you just dazed off after Rarity asked you about Manehatten." Rainbow says.

"Sorry, just..lost in thought. But to answer your question. The city's nice once you get past the name calling, the eggs and garbage being thrown at you as you get off the train, and that your family won't associate you with them because you were serving your country for six years." I say,"but I wouldn't know, never really liked the city life."

"Oh, it sounds.....lovely." I think I just ruined the city life for her.