Caught Red Hoovedby DebonairChaptersWhere Am INo Answers The Truth HurtsMore QuestionsVague AnswersHow Did I Get HereWhere Am IHe opened his eyes slightly to watch what was happening around the room without raising suspicion. "Where am I?" He thought to himself. "This isn't a normal hospital room." After a few moments of silence he heard footsteps, no not footsteps they sounded more like hoofsteps. "Hoofsteps, horses in a hospital." This confused him, a knock fell upon the door and it slowly creaked opened. Once fully opened six silhouetes stood in the door they were equine in appearance. "Equines, horses, tiny horses, ponies. Where am I?" He thought to himself. "Is he okay." A pinkish one shouted. suddenly he felt a giant thud on his chest. This sudden pressure caused him to open his eyes. His gaze was met with hers. "Yep he's okay." She then used him as a springboard backflipping to the side of the bed. "OWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! That hurt." He sounded angry. "Are you alright Sugarcube?" An orange one with a blonde mane asked in a thick southwestern accent. "Well let's see two bruised ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and a pink pony just used me as a diving board. So meh i've been through worse." He replied in a sarcastic tone. "Ya know you're different from the other humans i've seen." A light blue one with a mane of many colors and wings hovering above him said. "How different?" "I dunno, gut feeling I guess." "Well okay." He turned his head toward the yellow one in the back hiding behind the two unicorns. "Why are you hiding I won't hurt you." His tone changed completely, from gruff to sincere. The small yellow pegasus pony emerged from behind her friends. She seemed quite timid, she slowly approached stopping every few seconds and whimpering. He held out his hand and ran his fingers through her pinkish mane. "Hi there." "I'm Fluttershy." She said in a barely audible tone. "Hello Fluttershy I'm Frederick, but my friends call me Red." "Why do they call you that?" "I catch bad people red handed." "Are you a spy?" The blue one flew down to meet his gaze. "Yes I'm a spy, and you're in my personal space." He put his hand in her face and pushed her away. "You seem pretty calm, the other humans were disoriented and confused." A light purple unicorn said as she walked forward. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, and we're here to welcome you to Equestria." "Equestria." "I'm Applejack." The orange one said. "I'm Rainbow Dash. Fastest flier in all of Equestria." The blue one boasted. "Pinkie Pie." The pink one was as giddy as a school girl. "And yours?" Red's gaze shifted toward the white unicorn with purple hair in the sun hat. "Rarity, Darling." Her voice was like music. "I must ask where you got your outfit." "I made it, I couldn't find anything that suited me. so I made them." A smile covered Rarity's face. "Tre magnifique." "Merci Madamoiselle." Red replied. "Where is Princess Celestia?" Twilight wondered out loud. "She's outside." Red pointed out the window at a white horse with a unicorn horn and pegasus wings standing on the balcony. "She's been out there twenty minutes." Twilight opened the window and let her in. "Sorry Princess." "Quite alright my faithful student." She turned her gaze to Red. "Hello Frederick, how are you adjusting to your injuries." "Very well princess, but I do have two questions." "There were no other humans near you when they found you, and no I don't know how you came to be here." "So they didn't make it." "Who are they?" Twilighht asked. "Bring me my briefcase, please." A purple aura enveloped the case and Twilight's horn. The case began to float over to him. "Alright enter passcode, iris scan, and it's open." After letting out a blast of air the case opened. He grabbed two folders one several inches thick, the other had only one page. The three inch thick folder read, Micheal Etheres. Red opened the file and showed a picture. "This was my target a scientist whose experiments could've killed millions. A look of suprise graced the Princess' face. "No it can't be him." "You know this man Princess?" "Yes I do, he's the one who took the castle from me." "He Did What?" The six ponies shared a collective gasp and Rarity fainted on a nearby couch. No Answers No Answers "What happened." Red struggled to remember the events that transpired not but one month before. He shut his eyes and concentrated, moments later he opened them. He found himself back in headquarters. "This mission is the most important of your career, so important in fact that we're sending our two best Agents Tobias Terrance and yourself. Agent Terrance has already been briefed and is currently in the field. Agent Talon speed is of the essence. As you may know Micheal Etheres has been conducting experiments." "Yeah with MR particles, I know it's front page news Commander." "Yes but take a look at page six. As you know MR particles are a new source of energy, but they take a tremendous amount of power to manufacture. We have intel that Etheres is siphoning power from power plants across the globe. The United Nations fear that if he continues on this path he may take enough power to shut down the plants and if the power goes off in hospitals they lose life support and organ refridgeration potentially killing millions." "So they need us to shut down operations for good?" "Without destroying the data and the already created particles." "Where, When, and How?" "Manheim, Germany, 0 dark thirty, Infiltrate and Undermine." "My specialty any other intel Commander?" "No that is all." The two saluted and parted ways. Red walked down the halls of headquarters for a few moments, upon reaching the exit he put his hat back on. The driving snow was frigid to the touch. He stuck out his tongue and caught snowflakes, this reminded him of his childhood in the wilds of Alaska. These memories of home baked pies sled dogs and igloos made him feel at home in the bustling streets of New York City. "Better tell Suzie that I got a new mission." He trudged through the snow to a phone booth stepped in and called his wife. "Hello?" "Hey it's Red I got a new mission." "Oh hey Red that's good. Where you going this time?" "Manheim." "Ooh Germany nice." "Hey is that Red?" A little girl's voice sounded on the phone. "Can I talk?" "Hi Sally." "Hi Red are you coming home or are you leaving again?" "Sorry Sally I can't come back yet." "Okay." The now saddened Sally handed the phone back to her mother. "Bye Suzie, miss you." "Same here Red, love you." "Bye." He hung up the phone and exited the booth. "Hmm sometimes I wish I could just go home." He sighed and walked off. A few hours later he boarded a plane bound for Manheim. After several hours of sleep he arrived. "I'm here." Red grabbed his briefcase and walked out, he took a deep breath of the mountain air. After hailing a taxi he headed for the laboratory owned by Etheres. He arrived at sunset paid the fee and walked along the trail. A rustling sound came from above his head. A sudden flash of light made Red flinch and he heard a clink to his left. He looked in the direction the sound came from. A hunting knife stuck out from a tree. "Come out now." Red shouted. "Nice reflexes for an american." A man with a Scandinavian accent said jumping down from a tree. He held out his hand. "Name's Tobias we're gonna be working together on this op." "Do you normally shake the hands of people you try to kill." Red took Tobias' hand. "Just a test Frederick." He let out a laugh. "Well shall we go get Etheres?" "Yes let's." Over the next few hours the two got better aquainted. Then they arrived at the castle. "We are here." Tobias stated the obvious. "Yeah it's beautiful." "I'll try not to hurt it to much. "Let's go get the mark." A smile crossed Red's face. "Like a good hunter you must make sure you have a full clip my friend." The two reloaded their guns and broke down the door. Noone was there to greet them with gunfire. They proceeded to the dungeon area, where a strange light and noise emanated. They slowly crept closer to the light, and peered through the open door. A man stood at a console making slight adjustments to the dials. "They thought I was crazy my experiments will change the world." The man said in a french accent. "I know you're there." "Step away from the console Etheres." Red pointed his magnum .45 at the man. "Step away Micheal we don't want to hurt you." Tobias cracked his knuckles. "I am not going." "Fine Etheres you asked for this." Red pulled the trigger and shot Micheal in the arm, the bullet went through and ricocheted off the console. "You idiot it's going to overload I can't shut it down now." "What did you say?" "It's going to explode Frederick." "We have two minutes until critical mass." "Can't we get away." "No we can't." "You Dumbass." Red grabbed Etheres by the neck. "All this advanced technology and one .45 slug destroys it." Red was extremely angry. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now." "Because this is going to do it in twenty seconds." "Dammit" "Merde." "SHIIIII..." KABOOOOM. The Truth HurtsHe opened his eyes and found himself back in his hospital room, Fluttershy curled up at his feet asleep. "Aww, so cute." He took a moment to adore the sight of the pegasus pony at his feet, this sight reminded him of his step daughter Sally. Red didn't want to disturb her, he whispered in her direction. "Hey Fluttershy." She turned around and stretched her wings, yawned, and went back to sleep. "Hey Fluttershy." She groaned, yawned again, and opened her eyes. "Morning." "Oh my goodness I'm so sorry, you just make me feel so safe." She whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Hey it's okay honey." Red said as he wiped the tears away. "Thank you so Much Red." She flew up and gave him a big hug. "Ow bruised ribs remember." "Sorry." "Oh come here." He responded with an even bigger one. "Now could you help me up. "Sure." she said grabbing the arm that wasn't dislocated and pulled him up. "Thanks Fluttershy." He walked over to a wall. "What are you doing?" "Old field medic trick." He slammed his arm against the wall, He screamed in pain. "Are you okay?" Twilight's voice asked through the door. "Yeah just fixing my shoulder it really hurts. "I can get Nurse Redheart." "No i'm okay Twilight." Red replied putting on his long trenchcoat. "Do they know you're here?" "No I snuck in after they fell asleep." "Well they're awake now, you better go." "Okay Red." Her pitite wings carried her out the window and gracefully to the ground. Red sat down on his bed holding his arm. He reached into his pocket and took out a picture. "I'm sorry Sally, Suzie." He sighed and his eyes filled with tears. "I was so stupid, none of this would've happened if I hadn't.." A knock fell upon his door. "Come in." He sniffled and wiped his tears away. The door began to glow a pale yellow, and opened slowly. Celestia led the six ponies from before plus a new face, A dark blue pony taller than the other six with a light blue mane, and the cresent moon on her thigh. "Who do we have here?" "Luna Princess of the night." She spoke softly but still with authority "Nice to meet you Princess." "As you." "Have you been crying?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah I have." Red replied. "What's wrong Sugarcube?" Applejack asked concerned. "Yes, Darling what is it?" Rarity's voice was one of genuine concern. "I may never see my family again. Us being here, Etheres taking Canterlot, Everything's my fault." "What do you mean Red?" Twilight was puzzled. "The explosion I caused it, but I still don't know how we ended up here. Or what MR particles have to do with any of this." "What are MR particles?" Rainbow asked. "A relatively new source of energy that Etheres found them completely by accident but they proved to be invaluable, but when asked how he found them his answer shocked the world. He believed that he had stumbled across an alternate dimension, that intertwined with our own. But alternate dimensions were thought to only exist in science fiction. This was met with scepticism, but he took that as a challenge. He proved that the Mind Realm really did exist." "Wait you have access to the Mind Realm too?" Twilight asked shocked. "What?" Red raised his head. "My mentor Starswirl the Bearded used the Mind Realm to create the Elements of Harmony." Celestia answered. "So you have MR particles here, and access to the Mind Realm. The explosion must've sent us through the Mind Realm, and then into Equestria." A huge explosion sounded in the distance. "What the hell was that?" "It came from Canterlot." Celestia shouted. The nine of them ran outside,their eyes widened and their jaws dropped Canterlot was gone. What stood in its place was an enormous crater in the mountain. "My god." Another tear fell down his cheek. A sharp pain went through his chest. Screaming in agony he fell to his knees. "What's going on." He tore at his shirt ripping it to shreds, a silver gel dripped from a hole in his chest. "What the hell is this?" Despite the intense pain he opened his briefcase. "Need compound list." Red put the gel on the scanner. Seconds later a piece of paper with one word printed out. "No that's impossible. If what Tobias said was true I can't be alive." "Why what is it Red?" Fluttershy asked. "Mercury, I should've been dead weeks ago, unless." Red took a syringe from the case and stuck it in his arm, and drew blood. "DNA Compound scan." A few seconds passed and a picture apeared on screen. "Oh my god." "What is it Red?" Fluttershy was extremely concerned. "My blood has been infected with MR particles. "Is that bad?" Pinkie was confused. "I don't know, they may have saved my life MR particles are new to us and so they're not researched fully." "I don't know about MR particles, but I do know about the Mind Realm I have a few books on the subject in my library." Twilight said helping Red back to his feet. Grasping at his chest he struggled to say. "Thanks twilight, please take me there. I need to learn everything about this place." He winced in pain. "Don't hurt yourself Sugarcube you're the only one who knows anythin' 'bout this Etheres fella." Applejack said in her southern drawl. "Thanks for your concern girls, but I think its misplaced you should be more concerned about the citizens of Canterlot or what was Canterlot." Reds eyes filled with tears, he than heard a clink beside him. He turned and found a hunting knife sticking from the ground beside him. "Do not worry my friend." A familiar voice sounded from a tree. "They are safe, but sadly not you." Tobias jumped out of the tree. "You saved them all in one night?" Celestia was amazed. "Yes Princess after I lost the signal yesterday I began work to convince the citizens to follow me. Strangely the castle is unharmed It lies at the foot of the mountain I hope you don't mind Princess but I had to put them inside for the time being." "Quite alright Tobias." Celestia responded. "We will be at the library for a few days, feel free to stay as well." Twilight offered. "Thank you Miss Sparkle I do need to rest for a while." Tobias took hold of Reds arm and draped him over his back. "Lead the way Miss Sparkle." Tobias followed the six leaving the Princesses to return to Canterlot castle. "Goodbye Princess Celestia goodbye Princess Luna, good luck." The Princesses waved goodbye to their two new friends and flew off to return to the castle. More QuestionsA few moments later they arrived at the Library. "Welcome to my humble abode." Twilight said as she opened the door. "You really live here, Miss Sparkle?" Tobias asked "Yes I do." She led them in. "Spike you awake?" Red groaned in pain. "I feel like ow." "Wow is he out of it?" Rainbow laughed. "We should let him rest." "There's a bed upstairs, Tobias." "Thank you Miss Sparkle." Tobias carried Red up the stairs and laid him on the bed. Something moved at his feet Tobias looked down and saw somthing that resembled a dog bed, but what slept inside was not a dog. "What are you little fellow." He lifted the blanket to get a better look. "Well I'll be damned." The purple reptile opened its eyes and stared at the hulking beast before him. "Hello." He managed to stutter. "You must be Spike, I am Tobias I may not look it, but I'm a friend." "It's nice to meet you, Tobias." Spike responded still a bit terrified. "Who's that?" "My friend Frederick." "What's wrong with him?" "I do not know, that is why we are here." "Well if I can do anything to help I will." "Thank you Spike I'm not sure what to do, I am a soldier not a medic." Tobias shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Is there any place I can sit?" "Well we have a balcony, fresh air and quiet." Spike walked over to a door and opened it. "Thank you Spike, they're waiting downstairs for you." Tobias ducked through the small door onto the balcony and shut the door behind him. He took a deep breath of the fresh air. "Aah I had forgotten what fresh air smelled like, and I forgot what quiet was." Tobias spoke to himself, and took another deep breath. "And to think it took total disaster for me to remember what it truly feels like to be at home." Tobias closed his eyes and took a very deep breath. Moments later he opened them and found himself in a dark room. "Tobias Terrance, you are a piece of work, ya know that?" A man said as he walked through the door and sat down. "So you thought you could just run forever? That we'd never catch you. I'm gonna be honest wit ya we did too." "I love a good challenge my friend." Tobias raised his hands and layed them on the table. "Are these really necessary?" "No I suppose not." The man placed a key on the table and slid it over to Tobias. "Don't make me regret that." "Thank you. I just believe in fighting fair." "A mercenary with a moral code, ya know you never cease to amaze me, you look like a Toby can I call ya Toby." "I don't see why not, but you tell me yours first." "The name's James Lanche, here." James took a folder from his briefcase and slid it over. "I know all about you, it's only fair." "Well Mister Lanche, I think you are trusting me a little to soon." Tobias opened the folder. "Let's see, James Lanche, C.I.A. former United States military awarded a Purple Heart at the age of nineteen, Interesting read, and it's just that. Isn't it Mister Lanche?" "Alright ya got me Toby, what now?" "Well Mister Lanche first you will tell me why I am here. Then we'll see." "Okay we know that you have a questionable past, I mean c'mon your file is only one page thick. You ran from us Tobias, I think that raises a few questions. Like why, or what happened." "I have fulfilled hundreds of contracts in the U.S. alone." "Yeah we know, that's why you're here, we need your expertise." "I've seen the movies you plan to waive all of my offenses if I help solve a problem." "Something like that." James took another file out and slid it over to Tobias. "This is your target, his name is Trent Alveen, he's escaped our custody and needs to be dealt with quietly." "Hmm, what do you need me for it's sounds like a simple fix." "The simplicity stops there Alveen is a big player in the mexican drug cartel, and the black market." "So he has alot of hands and can arm them easily." "That's not all Tobias.." "Just tell me where he is and that's all I need." "Argentina." "Good day Mister Lanche." "Good luck Tobias." The two men shook hands and went their seperate ways. "Hmm, Argentina." Tobias smiled and walked out the door to the chilly autumn air. A cold breeze blew through his hair. "Mother nature never leaves her children uncradled." The plane trip was a long one and after a long nap he arrived. Once Tobias arrived he went underground. "This Trent Alveen has a lot of friends, so this may be difficult." He navigated the Argentinan underground to the alledged warehouse where Alveen was hiding. What he found was exactly what he thought the temporary home of the target. "Hello is anyone in there?" A small opening in the door slid open. "What do you want?" A gruff voice with a hispanic accent asked. "Alveen." "You got money." "Are U.S. dollars acceptible?" "Si si U.S. money is fine, if you have enough." "I assure you I have more than enough." "Come in." The man opened the door. "Gracias, Amigo." Tobias followed the man "Show me the money." "Is this enough?" Tobias set down a wad of cash. "Yes this should be enough." The man picked up the money and counted it. "Yes It is plenty. What is your fancy?" The man walked over to a door and opened it. "I got everything from knives to RPGs take your pick." "Hmm I like this knife." Tobias picked up a dark green hunting knife. "And that Magnum .45." He picked up the gun. "And Alveen." "Yes?" "Adios." Tobias pointed the Magnum right at Alveen's face. "Please don't hurt me." Alveen pleaded. "Let me live money is no object you can have every weapon here." "Hmm I don't think so." Tobias pulled the trigger. The loud noise jolted him back to conciousness. He looked around and found a full moon above him and Luna beside him. "Princess Luna how nice of you to come and check on us." "Tobias you are different from the other humans I have met." "How so Princess?" "You kill, but with a sense of honor. You give your opponents many chances to kill you, and you only need one." "I have always thought that a man should never be killed without a chance to defend himself." "I agree completely. I must return to the castle farewell Tobias." "Farewell Princess." Tobias waved her off and went inside. Red was still asleep on Twilight's bed. "Any luck Spike?" He walked down the stairs and found everypony was asleep. "Well that answers that question. I'd better try to sleep some more. Tobias returned to the balcony after putting Spike back in his bed and covering the ponies with blankets. "Good night everypony." Vague AnswersRed opened his eyes and found himself in a dark room. "Where am I Where are the others?" "What others?" A deep voice sounded behind him. "Who's there?" Red put his hand over his gun holster. "Show yourself." "Why should I?" The voice replied. "I don't know." "Well that is quite a reason isn't it Frederick." "How do know my name?" "A simple question begets a simple answer. If you seek the truth you have to stop lying to yourself, Red." "Speak english." "If you wish I shall oblige, but only for a moment, this is the Realm of Dreams, better known as the Mind Realm." "How do I get out?" "That depends." "On what?" "Which door you choose." "What?" A silhouette apeared before him and two doors apeared beside it. "One leads home yet the other leads to a place that feels like home. Which one which one?" The figure paced between them. "Whichever you choose you will be surrounded by those who love you. But as you know you have limited time, the Reaper has already missed you once, and Death doesn't like to be cheated. You are faced with a choice Mister Talon and it is a difficult one. No matter which you pick you will die eventually." "Why are you telling me this?" "The Mind Realm is home to many dreams as well as nightmares, that man Micheal Etheres, has weakened the boundry beyond repair, not to mention the explosion that followed sent everything within five miles right through here." "Five miles." "Yes five miles, but something else happened across the globe in New York City." "What? Is my family okay?" "I do not know but the Reaper has not taken them." "How do you know this, who are you?" "I know this because I am someone you don't know at all yet I know everything about you." "What are you talking about?" "Do you ever stop to listen?" The voice paused and Red felt someone move beside him. "To the sound of your own voice." "My god." Red looked beside him and found a man who looked like him. "What are you?" "I'm you, just like every creature here I have a connection to my other self, you. Some beings have a better connection than others. These beings are able to communicate through the boundary and manipulate either side. Your world knows them mages and psychics. But the other world knows them but only by name the most famous are Discord and Starswirl the Bearded." "So either door we walk through we'll be surrounded by loved ones?" "Correct." "My family might be with the others, and I must stop Etheres." "Maybe but you alone cannot defeat him." "Can you help me?" "No not from here, but I must warn you if I leave with you, you may not like what you become." "I don't care I need all the help I can get if Etheres can harness the MR particles here, and the ones back on earth." "Agreed, so on to Equestria then?" "Yes open the door to Equestria." "Alright but there is no turning back." "I understand." The man opened the door and walked through with Red. He opened his eyes and looked around. He felt different the pain in his chest was gone, and he couldn't feel his toes or hands. His head started to hurt he lifted a hand to grasp it but he had none. what was on the end of his arm was a hoof. "Aahh." Red screamed and jumped out of the bed the scream and the giant thud that followed woke up everypony including Spike. "Red are you okay?" Fluttershy and the others ran upstairs. "Owww. I think I'm okay. I might be crazy." He looked over his new arm and found it wasn't just his arm but his entire body. His skin had become fur the same color as mercury, and that his hands and feet had been replaced with red hooves. "Oh my goodness." Fluttershy stuttered. "My stars." Rarity stared. "Woah." Applejack's eyes widened "Awesome." Rainbow cheered. Pinkies jaw just dropped. "What is everypony so excited about it's not like we haven't seen this before." Twilight shouted. "What happened?" Tobias walked back into the library. "Hey Tobias." Red tried to stand up on two legs like always but soon found that he had four hooves for a reason. "I'm a pony, I think. I can't turn back can I?" The sharp pain returned but this time all over his body. He fell to the floor writhing in pain. His bones began to shatter one after another, He was screaming in absolute agony. His coat began to change color to a skintone, and his hind legs stretched and the hooves turned into feet. His forelegs stretched and the hooves returned to hands. His face returned to the one from before. He had become a human once again, with one exception he maintained his horn and wings. "GOD DAMMIT THAT HURT." He shouted. His bones reformed rather quickly. After the pain left he stood up on his two feet. "What the hell just happened?" "Well as far as I can see the MR particles that infected you may have turned you into a changeling." Twilight answered scepticly. "But how?" How Did I Get Here"Why would he take the castle, Princess?" Twilight asked her mentor. "I do not know." "I might. Does the castle have a vault of treasures mainly gems and jewels." "The Canterlot Mines!" Twilight shouted. "Can he find these mines?" "No only a select few even know they exist." The Princess stated. "Hmm that buys us some time, but if he does somehow find the location is there any security protocols to keep him out?" "Yes he needs a key." Celestia reached around her neck and grabbed a chain from her saddlebag. "A key, no offense Princess but that's a little under thought. Humans lock our doors with atleast two keys. and our most valuable items well we use the utmost security." "Like your briefcase." Fluttershy said quietly. "Yes Fluttershy like my briefcase for anyone to open it they need the passcode and my eye." "Would somepony really take your eye?" Fluttershy asked scared. "Why." "Some humans are sick minded." Static emitted from the case. "I couldn't agree more, Red." The face from the other file appeared on the monitor. "Tobias hello what happened do you know where I am?" "Yeah you're in Equestria, Ponyville to be exact. Are you okay man I've been trying to reach you for a month." "A month." "You'd be dead if you weren't so paranoid, those books you carry with you saved your ass." "He's right Red." Twilight said. "There have been thousands of humans but they were soldiers, or fighters, but never medics." "So you never learned human anatomy." "No." Twilight rersponded. "Well I'm glad to help." "Red how are you feeling." Tobias asked. "Not really good, Etheres is here and he's captured the castle." "He's captured Canterlot?" His voice faded in and out of static. "L..sing ...nal ....group l..ter. "Damn." "Don't worry Red." Fluttershy held out her hoof. "I'm not worried about him." Red grabbed her hoof. "I'm worried about us." He took a deep breath. "Could I have some time alone to think?" "Of course you may come My Little Ponies let's leave him to his thoughts." Celestia led the six out the door, and shut it behind them. "What happened?"
Where Am IHe opened his eyes slightly to watch what was happening around the room without raising suspicion. "Where am I?" He thought to himself. "This isn't a normal hospital room." After a few moments of silence he heard footsteps, no not footsteps they sounded more like hoofsteps. "Hoofsteps, horses in a hospital." This confused him, a knock fell upon the door and it slowly creaked opened. Once fully opened six silhouetes stood in the door they were equine in appearance. "Equines, horses, tiny horses, ponies. Where am I?" He thought to himself. "Is he okay." A pinkish one shouted. suddenly he felt a giant thud on his chest. This sudden pressure caused him to open his eyes. His gaze was met with hers. "Yep he's okay." She then used him as a springboard backflipping to the side of the bed. "OWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! That hurt." He sounded angry. "Are you alright Sugarcube?" An orange one with a blonde mane asked in a thick southwestern accent. "Well let's see two bruised ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and a pink pony just used me as a diving board. So meh i've been through worse." He replied in a sarcastic tone. "Ya know you're different from the other humans i've seen." A light blue one with a mane of many colors and wings hovering above him said. "How different?" "I dunno, gut feeling I guess." "Well okay." He turned his head toward the yellow one in the back hiding behind the two unicorns. "Why are you hiding I won't hurt you." His tone changed completely, from gruff to sincere. The small yellow pegasus pony emerged from behind her friends. She seemed quite timid, she slowly approached stopping every few seconds and whimpering. He held out his hand and ran his fingers through her pinkish mane. "Hi there." "I'm Fluttershy." She said in a barely audible tone. "Hello Fluttershy I'm Frederick, but my friends call me Red." "Why do they call you that?" "I catch bad people red handed." "Are you a spy?" The blue one flew down to meet his gaze. "Yes I'm a spy, and you're in my personal space." He put his hand in her face and pushed her away. "You seem pretty calm, the other humans were disoriented and confused." A light purple unicorn said as she walked forward. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, and we're here to welcome you to Equestria." "Equestria." "I'm Applejack." The orange one said. "I'm Rainbow Dash. Fastest flier in all of Equestria." The blue one boasted. "Pinkie Pie." The pink one was as giddy as a school girl. "And yours?" Red's gaze shifted toward the white unicorn with purple hair in the sun hat. "Rarity, Darling." Her voice was like music. "I must ask where you got your outfit." "I made it, I couldn't find anything that suited me. so I made them." A smile covered Rarity's face. "Tre magnifique." "Merci Madamoiselle." Red replied. "Where is Princess Celestia?" Twilight wondered out loud. "She's outside." Red pointed out the window at a white horse with a unicorn horn and pegasus wings standing on the balcony. "She's been out there twenty minutes." Twilight opened the window and let her in. "Sorry Princess." "Quite alright my faithful student." She turned her gaze to Red. "Hello Frederick, how are you adjusting to your injuries." "Very well princess, but I do have two questions." "There were no other humans near you when they found you, and no I don't know how you came to be here." "So they didn't make it." "Who are they?" Twilighht asked. "Bring me my briefcase, please." A purple aura enveloped the case and Twilight's horn. The case began to float over to him. "Alright enter passcode, iris scan, and it's open." After letting out a blast of air the case opened. He grabbed two folders one several inches thick, the other had only one page. The three inch thick folder read, Micheal Etheres. Red opened the file and showed a picture. "This was my target a scientist whose experiments could've killed millions. A look of suprise graced the Princess' face. "No it can't be him." "You know this man Princess?" "Yes I do, he's the one who took the castle from me." "He Did What?" The six ponies shared a collective gasp and Rarity fainted on a nearby couch.
No Answers No Answers "What happened." Red struggled to remember the events that transpired not but one month before. He shut his eyes and concentrated, moments later he opened them. He found himself back in headquarters. "This mission is the most important of your career, so important in fact that we're sending our two best Agents Tobias Terrance and yourself. Agent Terrance has already been briefed and is currently in the field. Agent Talon speed is of the essence. As you may know Micheal Etheres has been conducting experiments." "Yeah with MR particles, I know it's front page news Commander." "Yes but take a look at page six. As you know MR particles are a new source of energy, but they take a tremendous amount of power to manufacture. We have intel that Etheres is siphoning power from power plants across the globe. The United Nations fear that if he continues on this path he may take enough power to shut down the plants and if the power goes off in hospitals they lose life support and organ refridgeration potentially killing millions." "So they need us to shut down operations for good?" "Without destroying the data and the already created particles." "Where, When, and How?" "Manheim, Germany, 0 dark thirty, Infiltrate and Undermine." "My specialty any other intel Commander?" "No that is all." The two saluted and parted ways. Red walked down the halls of headquarters for a few moments, upon reaching the exit he put his hat back on. The driving snow was frigid to the touch. He stuck out his tongue and caught snowflakes, this reminded him of his childhood in the wilds of Alaska. These memories of home baked pies sled dogs and igloos made him feel at home in the bustling streets of New York City. "Better tell Suzie that I got a new mission." He trudged through the snow to a phone booth stepped in and called his wife. "Hello?" "Hey it's Red I got a new mission." "Oh hey Red that's good. Where you going this time?" "Manheim." "Ooh Germany nice." "Hey is that Red?" A little girl's voice sounded on the phone. "Can I talk?" "Hi Sally." "Hi Red are you coming home or are you leaving again?" "Sorry Sally I can't come back yet." "Okay." The now saddened Sally handed the phone back to her mother. "Bye Suzie, miss you." "Same here Red, love you." "Bye." He hung up the phone and exited the booth. "Hmm sometimes I wish I could just go home." He sighed and walked off. A few hours later he boarded a plane bound for Manheim. After several hours of sleep he arrived. "I'm here." Red grabbed his briefcase and walked out, he took a deep breath of the mountain air. After hailing a taxi he headed for the laboratory owned by Etheres. He arrived at sunset paid the fee and walked along the trail. A rustling sound came from above his head. A sudden flash of light made Red flinch and he heard a clink to his left. He looked in the direction the sound came from. A hunting knife stuck out from a tree. "Come out now." Red shouted. "Nice reflexes for an american." A man with a Scandinavian accent said jumping down from a tree. He held out his hand. "Name's Tobias we're gonna be working together on this op." "Do you normally shake the hands of people you try to kill." Red took Tobias' hand. "Just a test Frederick." He let out a laugh. "Well shall we go get Etheres?" "Yes let's." Over the next few hours the two got better aquainted. Then they arrived at the castle. "We are here." Tobias stated the obvious. "Yeah it's beautiful." "I'll try not to hurt it to much. "Let's go get the mark." A smile crossed Red's face. "Like a good hunter you must make sure you have a full clip my friend." The two reloaded their guns and broke down the door. Noone was there to greet them with gunfire. They proceeded to the dungeon area, where a strange light and noise emanated. They slowly crept closer to the light, and peered through the open door. A man stood at a console making slight adjustments to the dials. "They thought I was crazy my experiments will change the world." The man said in a french accent. "I know you're there." "Step away from the console Etheres." Red pointed his magnum .45 at the man. "Step away Micheal we don't want to hurt you." Tobias cracked his knuckles. "I am not going." "Fine Etheres you asked for this." Red pulled the trigger and shot Micheal in the arm, the bullet went through and ricocheted off the console. "You idiot it's going to overload I can't shut it down now." "What did you say?" "It's going to explode Frederick." "We have two minutes until critical mass." "Can't we get away." "No we can't." "You Dumbass." Red grabbed Etheres by the neck. "All this advanced technology and one .45 slug destroys it." Red was extremely angry. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now." "Because this is going to do it in twenty seconds." "Dammit" "Merde." "SHIIIII..." KABOOOOM.
The Truth HurtsHe opened his eyes and found himself back in his hospital room, Fluttershy curled up at his feet asleep. "Aww, so cute." He took a moment to adore the sight of the pegasus pony at his feet, this sight reminded him of his step daughter Sally. Red didn't want to disturb her, he whispered in her direction. "Hey Fluttershy." She turned around and stretched her wings, yawned, and went back to sleep. "Hey Fluttershy." She groaned, yawned again, and opened her eyes. "Morning." "Oh my goodness I'm so sorry, you just make me feel so safe." She whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Hey it's okay honey." Red said as he wiped the tears away. "Thank you so Much Red." She flew up and gave him a big hug. "Ow bruised ribs remember." "Sorry." "Oh come here." He responded with an even bigger one. "Now could you help me up. "Sure." she said grabbing the arm that wasn't dislocated and pulled him up. "Thanks Fluttershy." He walked over to a wall. "What are you doing?" "Old field medic trick." He slammed his arm against the wall, He screamed in pain. "Are you okay?" Twilight's voice asked through the door. "Yeah just fixing my shoulder it really hurts. "I can get Nurse Redheart." "No i'm okay Twilight." Red replied putting on his long trenchcoat. "Do they know you're here?" "No I snuck in after they fell asleep." "Well they're awake now, you better go." "Okay Red." Her pitite wings carried her out the window and gracefully to the ground. Red sat down on his bed holding his arm. He reached into his pocket and took out a picture. "I'm sorry Sally, Suzie." He sighed and his eyes filled with tears. "I was so stupid, none of this would've happened if I hadn't.." A knock fell upon his door. "Come in." He sniffled and wiped his tears away. The door began to glow a pale yellow, and opened slowly. Celestia led the six ponies from before plus a new face, A dark blue pony taller than the other six with a light blue mane, and the cresent moon on her thigh. "Who do we have here?" "Luna Princess of the night." She spoke softly but still with authority "Nice to meet you Princess." "As you." "Have you been crying?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah I have." Red replied. "What's wrong Sugarcube?" Applejack asked concerned. "Yes, Darling what is it?" Rarity's voice was one of genuine concern. "I may never see my family again. Us being here, Etheres taking Canterlot, Everything's my fault." "What do you mean Red?" Twilight was puzzled. "The explosion I caused it, but I still don't know how we ended up here. Or what MR particles have to do with any of this." "What are MR particles?" Rainbow asked. "A relatively new source of energy that Etheres found them completely by accident but they proved to be invaluable, but when asked how he found them his answer shocked the world. He believed that he had stumbled across an alternate dimension, that intertwined with our own. But alternate dimensions were thought to only exist in science fiction. This was met with scepticism, but he took that as a challenge. He proved that the Mind Realm really did exist." "Wait you have access to the Mind Realm too?" Twilight asked shocked. "What?" Red raised his head. "My mentor Starswirl the Bearded used the Mind Realm to create the Elements of Harmony." Celestia answered. "So you have MR particles here, and access to the Mind Realm. The explosion must've sent us through the Mind Realm, and then into Equestria." A huge explosion sounded in the distance. "What the hell was that?" "It came from Canterlot." Celestia shouted. The nine of them ran outside,their eyes widened and their jaws dropped Canterlot was gone. What stood in its place was an enormous crater in the mountain. "My god." Another tear fell down his cheek. A sharp pain went through his chest. Screaming in agony he fell to his knees. "What's going on." He tore at his shirt ripping it to shreds, a silver gel dripped from a hole in his chest. "What the hell is this?" Despite the intense pain he opened his briefcase. "Need compound list." Red put the gel on the scanner. Seconds later a piece of paper with one word printed out. "No that's impossible. If what Tobias said was true I can't be alive." "Why what is it Red?" Fluttershy asked. "Mercury, I should've been dead weeks ago, unless." Red took a syringe from the case and stuck it in his arm, and drew blood. "DNA Compound scan." A few seconds passed and a picture apeared on screen. "Oh my god." "What is it Red?" Fluttershy was extremely concerned. "My blood has been infected with MR particles. "Is that bad?" Pinkie was confused. "I don't know, they may have saved my life MR particles are new to us and so they're not researched fully." "I don't know about MR particles, but I do know about the Mind Realm I have a few books on the subject in my library." Twilight said helping Red back to his feet. Grasping at his chest he struggled to say. "Thanks twilight, please take me there. I need to learn everything about this place." He winced in pain. "Don't hurt yourself Sugarcube you're the only one who knows anythin' 'bout this Etheres fella." Applejack said in her southern drawl. "Thanks for your concern girls, but I think its misplaced you should be more concerned about the citizens of Canterlot or what was Canterlot." Reds eyes filled with tears, he than heard a clink beside him. He turned and found a hunting knife sticking from the ground beside him. "Do not worry my friend." A familiar voice sounded from a tree. "They are safe, but sadly not you." Tobias jumped out of the tree. "You saved them all in one night?" Celestia was amazed. "Yes Princess after I lost the signal yesterday I began work to convince the citizens to follow me. Strangely the castle is unharmed It lies at the foot of the mountain I hope you don't mind Princess but I had to put them inside for the time being." "Quite alright Tobias." Celestia responded. "We will be at the library for a few days, feel free to stay as well." Twilight offered. "Thank you Miss Sparkle I do need to rest for a while." Tobias took hold of Reds arm and draped him over his back. "Lead the way Miss Sparkle." Tobias followed the six leaving the Princesses to return to Canterlot castle. "Goodbye Princess Celestia goodbye Princess Luna, good luck." The Princesses waved goodbye to their two new friends and flew off to return to the castle.
More QuestionsA few moments later they arrived at the Library. "Welcome to my humble abode." Twilight said as she opened the door. "You really live here, Miss Sparkle?" Tobias asked "Yes I do." She led them in. "Spike you awake?" Red groaned in pain. "I feel like ow." "Wow is he out of it?" Rainbow laughed. "We should let him rest." "There's a bed upstairs, Tobias." "Thank you Miss Sparkle." Tobias carried Red up the stairs and laid him on the bed. Something moved at his feet Tobias looked down and saw somthing that resembled a dog bed, but what slept inside was not a dog. "What are you little fellow." He lifted the blanket to get a better look. "Well I'll be damned." The purple reptile opened its eyes and stared at the hulking beast before him. "Hello." He managed to stutter. "You must be Spike, I am Tobias I may not look it, but I'm a friend." "It's nice to meet you, Tobias." Spike responded still a bit terrified. "Who's that?" "My friend Frederick." "What's wrong with him?" "I do not know, that is why we are here." "Well if I can do anything to help I will." "Thank you Spike I'm not sure what to do, I am a soldier not a medic." Tobias shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Is there any place I can sit?" "Well we have a balcony, fresh air and quiet." Spike walked over to a door and opened it. "Thank you Spike, they're waiting downstairs for you." Tobias ducked through the small door onto the balcony and shut the door behind him. He took a deep breath of the fresh air. "Aah I had forgotten what fresh air smelled like, and I forgot what quiet was." Tobias spoke to himself, and took another deep breath. "And to think it took total disaster for me to remember what it truly feels like to be at home." Tobias closed his eyes and took a very deep breath. Moments later he opened them and found himself in a dark room. "Tobias Terrance, you are a piece of work, ya know that?" A man said as he walked through the door and sat down. "So you thought you could just run forever? That we'd never catch you. I'm gonna be honest wit ya we did too." "I love a good challenge my friend." Tobias raised his hands and layed them on the table. "Are these really necessary?" "No I suppose not." The man placed a key on the table and slid it over to Tobias. "Don't make me regret that." "Thank you. I just believe in fighting fair." "A mercenary with a moral code, ya know you never cease to amaze me, you look like a Toby can I call ya Toby." "I don't see why not, but you tell me yours first." "The name's James Lanche, here." James took a folder from his briefcase and slid it over. "I know all about you, it's only fair." "Well Mister Lanche, I think you are trusting me a little to soon." Tobias opened the folder. "Let's see, James Lanche, C.I.A. former United States military awarded a Purple Heart at the age of nineteen, Interesting read, and it's just that. Isn't it Mister Lanche?" "Alright ya got me Toby, what now?" "Well Mister Lanche first you will tell me why I am here. Then we'll see." "Okay we know that you have a questionable past, I mean c'mon your file is only one page thick. You ran from us Tobias, I think that raises a few questions. Like why, or what happened." "I have fulfilled hundreds of contracts in the U.S. alone." "Yeah we know, that's why you're here, we need your expertise." "I've seen the movies you plan to waive all of my offenses if I help solve a problem." "Something like that." James took another file out and slid it over to Tobias. "This is your target, his name is Trent Alveen, he's escaped our custody and needs to be dealt with quietly." "Hmm, what do you need me for it's sounds like a simple fix." "The simplicity stops there Alveen is a big player in the mexican drug cartel, and the black market." "So he has alot of hands and can arm them easily." "That's not all Tobias.." "Just tell me where he is and that's all I need." "Argentina." "Good day Mister Lanche." "Good luck Tobias." The two men shook hands and went their seperate ways. "Hmm, Argentina." Tobias smiled and walked out the door to the chilly autumn air. A cold breeze blew through his hair. "Mother nature never leaves her children uncradled." The plane trip was a long one and after a long nap he arrived. Once Tobias arrived he went underground. "This Trent Alveen has a lot of friends, so this may be difficult." He navigated the Argentinan underground to the alledged warehouse where Alveen was hiding. What he found was exactly what he thought the temporary home of the target. "Hello is anyone in there?" A small opening in the door slid open. "What do you want?" A gruff voice with a hispanic accent asked. "Alveen." "You got money." "Are U.S. dollars acceptible?" "Si si U.S. money is fine, if you have enough." "I assure you I have more than enough." "Come in." The man opened the door. "Gracias, Amigo." Tobias followed the man "Show me the money." "Is this enough?" Tobias set down a wad of cash. "Yes this should be enough." The man picked up the money and counted it. "Yes It is plenty. What is your fancy?" The man walked over to a door and opened it. "I got everything from knives to RPGs take your pick." "Hmm I like this knife." Tobias picked up a dark green hunting knife. "And that Magnum .45." He picked up the gun. "And Alveen." "Yes?" "Adios." Tobias pointed the Magnum right at Alveen's face. "Please don't hurt me." Alveen pleaded. "Let me live money is no object you can have every weapon here." "Hmm I don't think so." Tobias pulled the trigger. The loud noise jolted him back to conciousness. He looked around and found a full moon above him and Luna beside him. "Princess Luna how nice of you to come and check on us." "Tobias you are different from the other humans I have met." "How so Princess?" "You kill, but with a sense of honor. You give your opponents many chances to kill you, and you only need one." "I have always thought that a man should never be killed without a chance to defend himself." "I agree completely. I must return to the castle farewell Tobias." "Farewell Princess." Tobias waved her off and went inside. Red was still asleep on Twilight's bed. "Any luck Spike?" He walked down the stairs and found everypony was asleep. "Well that answers that question. I'd better try to sleep some more. Tobias returned to the balcony after putting Spike back in his bed and covering the ponies with blankets. "Good night everypony."
Vague AnswersRed opened his eyes and found himself in a dark room. "Where am I Where are the others?" "What others?" A deep voice sounded behind him. "Who's there?" Red put his hand over his gun holster. "Show yourself." "Why should I?" The voice replied. "I don't know." "Well that is quite a reason isn't it Frederick." "How do know my name?" "A simple question begets a simple answer. If you seek the truth you have to stop lying to yourself, Red." "Speak english." "If you wish I shall oblige, but only for a moment, this is the Realm of Dreams, better known as the Mind Realm." "How do I get out?" "That depends." "On what?" "Which door you choose." "What?" A silhouette apeared before him and two doors apeared beside it. "One leads home yet the other leads to a place that feels like home. Which one which one?" The figure paced between them. "Whichever you choose you will be surrounded by those who love you. But as you know you have limited time, the Reaper has already missed you once, and Death doesn't like to be cheated. You are faced with a choice Mister Talon and it is a difficult one. No matter which you pick you will die eventually." "Why are you telling me this?" "The Mind Realm is home to many dreams as well as nightmares, that man Micheal Etheres, has weakened the boundry beyond repair, not to mention the explosion that followed sent everything within five miles right through here." "Five miles." "Yes five miles, but something else happened across the globe in New York City." "What? Is my family okay?" "I do not know but the Reaper has not taken them." "How do you know this, who are you?" "I know this because I am someone you don't know at all yet I know everything about you." "What are you talking about?" "Do you ever stop to listen?" The voice paused and Red felt someone move beside him. "To the sound of your own voice." "My god." Red looked beside him and found a man who looked like him. "What are you?" "I'm you, just like every creature here I have a connection to my other self, you. Some beings have a better connection than others. These beings are able to communicate through the boundary and manipulate either side. Your world knows them mages and psychics. But the other world knows them but only by name the most famous are Discord and Starswirl the Bearded." "So either door we walk through we'll be surrounded by loved ones?" "Correct." "My family might be with the others, and I must stop Etheres." "Maybe but you alone cannot defeat him." "Can you help me?" "No not from here, but I must warn you if I leave with you, you may not like what you become." "I don't care I need all the help I can get if Etheres can harness the MR particles here, and the ones back on earth." "Agreed, so on to Equestria then?" "Yes open the door to Equestria." "Alright but there is no turning back." "I understand." The man opened the door and walked through with Red. He opened his eyes and looked around. He felt different the pain in his chest was gone, and he couldn't feel his toes or hands. His head started to hurt he lifted a hand to grasp it but he had none. what was on the end of his arm was a hoof. "Aahh." Red screamed and jumped out of the bed the scream and the giant thud that followed woke up everypony including Spike. "Red are you okay?" Fluttershy and the others ran upstairs. "Owww. I think I'm okay. I might be crazy." He looked over his new arm and found it wasn't just his arm but his entire body. His skin had become fur the same color as mercury, and that his hands and feet had been replaced with red hooves. "Oh my goodness." Fluttershy stuttered. "My stars." Rarity stared. "Woah." Applejack's eyes widened "Awesome." Rainbow cheered. Pinkies jaw just dropped. "What is everypony so excited about it's not like we haven't seen this before." Twilight shouted. "What happened?" Tobias walked back into the library. "Hey Tobias." Red tried to stand up on two legs like always but soon found that he had four hooves for a reason. "I'm a pony, I think. I can't turn back can I?" The sharp pain returned but this time all over his body. He fell to the floor writhing in pain. His bones began to shatter one after another, He was screaming in absolute agony. His coat began to change color to a skintone, and his hind legs stretched and the hooves turned into feet. His forelegs stretched and the hooves returned to hands. His face returned to the one from before. He had become a human once again, with one exception he maintained his horn and wings. "GOD DAMMIT THAT HURT." He shouted. His bones reformed rather quickly. After the pain left he stood up on his two feet. "What the hell just happened?" "Well as far as I can see the MR particles that infected you may have turned you into a changeling." Twilight answered scepticly. "But how?"
How Did I Get Here"Why would he take the castle, Princess?" Twilight asked her mentor. "I do not know." "I might. Does the castle have a vault of treasures mainly gems and jewels." "The Canterlot Mines!" Twilight shouted. "Can he find these mines?" "No only a select few even know they exist." The Princess stated. "Hmm that buys us some time, but if he does somehow find the location is there any security protocols to keep him out?" "Yes he needs a key." Celestia reached around her neck and grabbed a chain from her saddlebag. "A key, no offense Princess but that's a little under thought. Humans lock our doors with atleast two keys. and our most valuable items well we use the utmost security." "Like your briefcase." Fluttershy said quietly. "Yes Fluttershy like my briefcase for anyone to open it they need the passcode and my eye." "Would somepony really take your eye?" Fluttershy asked scared. "Why." "Some humans are sick minded." Static emitted from the case. "I couldn't agree more, Red." The face from the other file appeared on the monitor. "Tobias hello what happened do you know where I am?" "Yeah you're in Equestria, Ponyville to be exact. Are you okay man I've been trying to reach you for a month." "A month." "You'd be dead if you weren't so paranoid, those books you carry with you saved your ass." "He's right Red." Twilight said. "There have been thousands of humans but they were soldiers, or fighters, but never medics." "So you never learned human anatomy." "No." Twilight rersponded. "Well I'm glad to help." "Red how are you feeling." Tobias asked. "Not really good, Etheres is here and he's captured the castle." "He's captured Canterlot?" His voice faded in and out of static. "L..sing ...nal ....group l..ter. "Damn." "Don't worry Red." Fluttershy held out her hoof. "I'm not worried about him." Red grabbed her hoof. "I'm worried about us." He took a deep breath. "Could I have some time alone to think?" "Of course you may come My Little Ponies let's leave him to his thoughts." Celestia led the six out the door, and shut it behind them. "What happened?"
