The silence between the group was deafening. Rifles were aimed high and low, hoping to catch a glimpse of the invisible enemy that had taken out a quarter of the battalion. Eyes were stretched thing, focusing on every minute detail that might tell them of something that could provide evidence that the monster was around here. Of course, there were others who were more lax with the situation, chalking it up to the sole survivor of the group experiencing some hallucinations. Nevertheless, that didn't mean that they weren't alert with their surroundings, a rustle of a brush there and their heads would snap to that location, taking five to ten seconds of making sure that it was just some wildlife passing through.

When nothing would happen during that time frame, one of them would then be sent to check the brush, nudging the plant life and stirring up whatever was hiding under it. More times than not, what would emerge was something harmless. Although, occasionally they could encounter some of the smaller monsters like the cockatrice, which were dealt with immediately, of the times when there was nothing there was something to bring more concern as they had no idea what had passed through their watch which would increase their paranoia little by little.

Hours had already passed since they left the camp and slowly all of them started to relax, to the point where even a few started cracking jokes which of course was responded with some stifled chuckling, hoping that the captain wouldn't berate them for easing the tension. Meanwhile, the captain, while not as alert as before still looked around his surroundings, he knew something was wrong, he couldn't place it but from his experience he just knew that something was off with the place.

Perhaps it might just be because of the forest's atmosphere, how it's eerie appearance makes one think that there is more to this forest than what meets the eyes. HIs thinking was put on halt when when the he and a few near him heard another rustling to their left. Looking around he locked eyes with one of the hunters who were cracking jokes and bid him to investigate the bush. Said hunter looked to his companions before shrugging and doing what their captain had asked him.

As the man made his way to the bush a faint sound was heard, the sound of something stuttering. Thinking that it was just the wildlife making noise, the all dismissed it. All except two; the captain and the sole survivor. The captain had his reasons as to why this foreboding crackling sound brought a sense of dread inside of him but he never showed it, keeping his composure since his battalion looks up to him. The sole survivor on the other hand was more vocal with the sound.

"DON'T GO THERE!"

The one who was called to investigate looked back towards the sole survivor. "Relax buddy, there's nothing here,"

Captain Rogers looked towards the sole survivor to see him already backing up, fear evident in his eyes. This prompted a few to do the same, the feeling of paranoia climbing up at the back of their minds as they all watched the lone hunter poke the bush one, two, three times even going so far as to shoot the plant so to scare whatever was persistently hiding under the bush.

One second

Two seconds

Three seconds

Four seconds

Five seconds

The hunter turned around a grin on his face, "See, nothi-AAAAAAAAGGGHH!"

All of the hunters flinch at his blood curdling screams as he two blade protruding out of his chest. He was easily lifted up the ground which in turn revealing whatever was impaling their comrade. At first they thought he was being levitated by an invisible being but that all changed when the monster finally decloaked. The ones nearest to the monster started backing away as much as possible. All were still stunned at the horrific sight of the monster casually holding up their still screaming friend. That was finally silenced when the monster brought out its other wrist blade and slit his throat, becoming a gurgling mess before finally dying through the drowning of his own blood.

"OPEN FIRE!" Captain Rogers commanded.

Whether it was because of his commanding voice or the need for revenge, all aimed their weapons at the Yautja. They were about to pull their triggers when another scream came from behind them. Captain Rogers snapped his head behind him to see another one of his men just had their spine ripped out of their body by another Yautja. Under a veil of calm, was a barrel's worth of rage, splitting the group in to half, they all aimed at their two adversaries. Smoke coming out from their weapons covered the area. There was no order anymore, just people firing freely, not caring if one had the intention of firing a volley.

On the other side, the Yautjas were ripping and tearing left and right, 0007 had just finished disemboweling one hunter before he snapped his head to the left, letting his shoulder cannon take out another hunter. One courageous hunter decided that if bullets aren't going to make the cut, then perhaps blades might answer their problem. Aside from scratching the scales of 0007 what followed next was his spine and head on the ground.

It didn't take long for their morale to break as slowly but surely, their numbers decreased but the monsters didn't, their bullets still not doing any form of damage. Those who decided that they should live ran away only to discover that there was third monster ensuring that there were no stragglers.

WIth nowhere to run, things were getting desperate for the battalion and yet despite this, Captain Rogers remained as calm as he could. He took a deep breath before he yelled.

"FORM UP!"

Second nature instincts came in and the remaining hunters formed up behind their captain. Hands were trembling and breathings were ragged as they all tried to look brave at their enemies but they didn't. From their strong seventy six, to their weakened thirteen. They knew that there was no hope for them to see the light of the day. Across the pile of dead bodies stood two Yautjas, eyeing their prey with some interest, mostly on Captain Rogers, certainly, throughout this whole massacre that he had seen, not once did he falter.

Bursting through the brush behind them, another Yautja came. Just when it was going to swing its whip at the hunters, it was stopped when the first one they say brought its claws up. This made the hunters equally curious and terrified. Stepping up, the Yautja which all believed to be the leader pointed at Captain Rogers. The silence was deafening as they all watched the monster take off its armour one by one. This gesture wasn't missed by their captain, it was obvious what it was doing.

It had deemed him worthy enough to be fought on equal grounds, hence why it started taking of its armour.

Once they were all removed, it then focused on removing its bio-helmet. Taking off tube after tube after tube, tensions finally peaked when it had its finally tube removed. It wrapped its hands around its helmet before taking it off, revealing its face to the rest of the remaining hunters. It spread its legs and lowered it form and gave a roar that asked for a challenge. Captain Rogers' features darkened before he stepped up to its challenge, reaching behind him, he took out his ten-inch serrated knife. Just when the fight was about to start, Rogers asked the predators one thing.

"If I give you a worthy battle... will you let my men go?"

This brought some confusion to the predators as the leader looked at its companion which only answered with a shrug. Looking back at Rogers it nodded. A sigh of relief came out of his mouth before his face returned back to its serious look. Bringing up his knife up to his face he glared at his enemy.

"Bring it on, you ugly motherfucker!"

Author's Note

Part 3 of 4! Like always, thoughts about this chapter! Sorry there are still no ponies involved, once this part is done, more will be seen as they will be with 0007, as they retake Ponyville.