Unknown System, Unknown World
September 5th, 2552

[UNSC Saratoga Captains Report]

We exited our slipspace route and found ourselves in an unknown quadrant of space, all alone out here, and on top of that we all got turned into horses, I know that sounds crazy. I honestly think it is, I've slapped myself just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. A lot of the crew is feeling the same way, I just woke them from cryo sleep about an hour ago and they are getting ready. Doctor Bowman says from his understanding the planet we now find ourselves in orbit of is habitable for equine life, it still feels weird to call it that. I've only been in command of this vessel for 2 weeks and we've already lost a battle, and found ourselves adrift in space with no known way home. We activated our emergency beacon as well, hopefully, we are close enough to reach UNSC space. I really hope we aren't drawing in anything else though, namely the Covenant, or since we're in a new system, heaven forbid another civilization just as hostile. Maybe we will find answers on this world.

Before I forget, Doctor Bowman found something in the air around us. It is registering on one of his devices. I'm unsure what to make of it since it's also in the space around us. I just hope it isn't dangerous. Doctor Bowman has told me he will keep me informed on his findings. Nothing else to report as of now.

Captain Snowden, Albert
[Signing Off]

Captain Snowden sat at his desk in his quarters, mostly pondering what he was doing, he looked up at the picture of his wife and daughter. He could remember the moment they took the picture at the New Alexandria Carnival three years prior. A wave of depression finally hit him and he lowered his head refusing to look at the picture. He folded it down to stop himself from looking at it. He couldn't, he needed to be strong. For his crew.

"Captain?" Ben appeared behind him. Snowden sighed. "What is it, Ben?"

"Scans are showing signs of life on the planet's surface, sir." Ben informed. Snowden turned his head slightly. "What kind of life? Snowden replied with intrigue.

"Unknown at this-" Ben paid putting a finger up to his ear as if listening to a radio transmission. Snowden left his quarters heading up to the bridge at a quick trot.

Snowden made his approach on the bridge, a pair of marines stopped and saluted him as he passed by. Within a minute he stepped through the doors of the bridge. "Attention on deck!" Dunkirk called rendering the usual salute. "At ease. What's the situation?" Snowden asked walking up to the holo table which showed a terrain scan of the surface of the planet. What was on the map though was why he was here.

"Are those structures abandoned, or inhabited?" Snowden asked.

One of the crew ponies brought up another layer which was the life scan which showed population density in colors. "Populated, sir. It appears this is a first contact scenario." the purple pony informed. Snowden nodded, pinching what would have been the bridge of his nose.

"Still no contact from Fleetcom?" Snowden asked, the radio officer just shook his head. "No, sir, not a peep. Distress beacon is still active though."

"Looks like it's on us then." Snowden said pointing to an unpopulated location on the map, a forest to the south of a population center. "Here seems like an unpopulated area, if we drop in here via pelican we can bring the ship into the atmosphere here once night falls." Snowden gestured to a pair of mountains in the forest. "Put some of those Marines on the ground. I wanna make sure they're not hostile before we attempt to make contact." Snowden finished.

"Aye, sir."

"Come on Marines, tactics are the same, nothing has changed!" Ramirez shouted as his marines struggled to maintain their bearings.

"We're in a different body, Sarge." A marine retorted.

"Shut your dumb ass up Marine, get used to it, the enemy doesn't care what you are, they gonna try to kill you whether your a squishy human or a fucking horse, so reset! Jackson, I want you to start doing flutter kicks for insubordination!" Ramirez shouted as the Marine in question jumped down and began doing flutter kicks with his MA5 resting on his belly.

"Sergeant." Called Grace as she made her way over to them.

"Group, attention!" Ramirez called rendering a salute to his CO.

"Carry on!" Grace looked at Ramirez and returned the salute. "You know I hate it when you call attention for me." Grace teased.

"Why do you think I keep doing it?" Ramirez smiled.

"Keep it up Sarge and you can join that sap down there." Grace looked to the Marine doing flutter kicks.

"If I go down there I'll probably smoke that poor boy to death." Ramirez replied earning a laugh from the unicorn mare.

"Anyway, orders come from the bridge, we're headed to the surface." Grace handed Ramirez a map of the area.

"Now you're speaking my language ma'am. What's the op?" Ramirez replied looking over the map.

"Recon, Captain wants to know what the population is like, whether they're hostile or not." Grace replied, Ramirez, nodded in earnest.

"Sergeant Carlos!" Ramirez called over his shoulder.

"Moving Sarge!" The light purple pony called out moving from his position at the start of the course.

"Alright Carlos, load up, we're going on an op to the surface, Recon!" Ramirez called to him as he approached.

"Oorah, Sarge. You heard the man, get tactical marines!" Carlos shouted to his squad who responded by moving to the armory! "Oorah!"

"Move your ass, Private Jackson! You can do flutter kicks later!" Carlos yelled to the Marine. "Moving Sarge!"

Ponyville, Equestria
September 5th, 1007 ALB

Dear Princess Celestia,

It has indeed been a while since my last report, but this isn't a friendship report, it's merely a letter to give you an update on everything that has happened since my last report which was approximately 1 year, 4 days, and 23 minutes ago. Everything is going great, as you know I have taken on my own student, Starlight Glimmer and she is such a great student, I think I should open a school for friendship here in Ponyville. She's learning so much, and I couldn't be more proud of her. I think you would like her if I introduced you two. I think it would be great if my student met my teacher? I think it would do great things for and show her I'm just as much of a learner as she is. I look forward to the next time we can have tea together, maybe Starlight could join us there!

~~Your faithful~~
Princess, Twilight Sparkle

P.S. Please forgive my little mistake there, old habits die hard!

Twilight rolled the scroll in her magic and wrapped her seal to it before giving it to Spike.

"Who are you sending a letter to Twilight?" Spike asked taking the scroll.

"Princess Celestia please Spike." Twilight replied, the drake blew his flame onto the scroll which it promptly turned into a wisp of smoke and trailed out the open window.

"Why a letter to the Princess all of a sudden?" Spike asked with an innocent smile.

Twilight picked up the crumpled pieces of used parchment and dumped them in the nearby trash can. "Just sending a report, for old times sake." Twilight replied as she walked out of the library.

Spike stayed behind with the pile of books left behind needing to be put away. Spike turned to it and scowled. "For a pony with OCD, you sure are messy." He said to himself as he went to put them away.

Twilight oblivious to the drakes trash talking made her way to the exit with a smile on her face. She was going to enjoy the sunlight. Stepping outside she took in the fresh air. With that Rainbow Dash flew by and waved. Twilight returned the wave with a wing flap.

"Hiya Twilight!" a pink blur came bouncing on the road towards her.

"Hey, Pinkie. What are you doing?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie bounced to a halt in front of her. "Oh just handing out invitations to Pound and Pumpkins birthday party. Can you believe they are already turning 2?!" Pinkie exclaimed in glee.

"Wow, already?" Twilight replied, she couldn't believe it had already been that long.

"Hope to see you there Twi!" Pinkie turned to leave.

"Wait, Pinkie what about my-"

"Whoops, almost forgot to give you your invite. How dumb would that be?" Pinkie said leaning back in and handing over the invite. Twilight took the invitation and waved goodbye. "Thanks, Pinkie!"

Pinkie was already gone.

Twilight decided today would be a good day for some reading down by the pond in the park. With that, she went back inside to collect a book.

"Full body twitch! It's a doozy!" Pinkie yelled.

Unknown Planet, Unknown territory

[UNSC - 1st Squad, 3rd Marine Infantry Company, 69th Marine Infantry Battalion]

A single Pelican flew low over the forest, to avoid detection.

"Foxtrot 9 to Raider 7, we will be on the DZ in five mikes."

Ramirez stood up from his seat in the back fixing his helmet to his head.

"Remember the Op Marines, weapons on safe unless told otherwise!" Ramirez shouted.

"Roger that sarge!" Carlos shouted standing up himself.

Ramirez raid his hoof to his helmet and pushed the comms button there.

"Raider 7, to Saratoga. Starting our deployment." Ramirez said. "Roger, that Raider 7, I got you lima, charlie."

The pelican continued its decent approaching a ruin the map indicated in the forest. Ramirez looked out as the ramp began to lower revealing the vast jungle that awaits them below.

"Touchdown, in one mike."

"Semper Fi marines!" Ramirez shouted back.

"Oorah!"

"Touchdown, in three, two, one."

The Pelican landed.

"Move it out Marines!" Ramirez shouted jumping off the Pelican onto the ground.

The Marines followed suit all jumping off and forming a horseshoe perimeter of the Pelican entrance.

"Foxtrot 9, to Saratoga, we have made the splash, I repeat we have made the splash returning to home base."

"Saratoga, to Foxtrot 9, read you lima charlie, come on home."

Ramirez watched as the Pelican took off back towards the ship. The sounds of nature suddenly came to everyone's ears. Ramirez listened to the crows, and the occasional woodpecker noting it surprisingly similar to a forest you would find on Earth.

"Don't admire the scenery boys. We got work to do." Ramirez said much quieter now. "From here forward we communicate through arm signals and whispering, noise and light discipline." Ramirez finished the cigarette he was smoking and snuffed it out in the dirt with his hoof.

Ramirez made the signal to move out. So they did. They trek through the woods eventually coming across a wooden bridge, and it looked very unsteady. Ramirez gave the 'All Halt' signal and looked down into the valley. Carlos came to the front and looked in the opposite direction. "Doesn't look like there's any way across Carlos."

"I guess I'll test the bridge Sarge since it's our only way over." Carlos replied taking the first step onto the rickety bridge. "Careful Carlos, I won't be able to see you through that fog so once we're all clear, radio in, and yell if you take contact." Carlos nodded continuing his careful steps. He stepped across each plank, one by one, testing each one as he went. Eventually, he reached the other side and searched his surroundings. Nothing but forest and a dirt path. "Raider 3-1, to Raider 7, all clear."

It took a little bit but eventually, the entire squad was across, and they were able to continue on. That was until they came across a river. It was flowing pretty fast too. Carlos this time called to 'All Halt and the Marines set up a perimeter. Ramirez came up and met with Carlos and pulled out his map. "Personally I don't know why they didn't build a bridge here, there's a path after all." Carlos said.

"Well, it leads to that ruin back there. It probably hasn't been used in a while." Ramirez replied pointing to the map. "It looks like the river leads all the way to the town up the road, if we follow the river we might find an area to cross over."

"Hello there!" Came a voice from in front of them.

One of the marines screamed out loud and raised his MA5. "God, dammit, shut your mouth, and stow that weapon Marine before I shove a grenade in it." Ramirez barked.

"But that thing can talk!" The Marine bellowed in fear.

"Yes, yes, we all heard him, Marine, you transformed into a talking horse overnight, am I supposed to scream about you till the cows come home?" Ramirez scolded poking his hoof into the Marines armored chest plate. "N-no, sir." The Marine calmed down.

"Excuse me, sir. I'm sorry about my friends' outburst!" A sky blue mare removed her helmet to reveal her horn and white alabaster mane. She looked up at the serpent with a genuine smile.

"Marine. What in blazes are you doing?" Carlos called to her. She looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Oh, just making friends Sarge." With the look in her eyes, you could tell she had a plan ready.

"Oh, I'm mighty sorry if I scared him." The serpent replied. Looking almost hurt.

"Oh it's quite alright, he's just a big baby. Listen, me and my friends are lost, we're just trying to get back to town. Can you maybe help us get over?" She asked earning an approving look from Ramirez.

"Of course! One second!" The serpent dived down creating a sort of bridge for them to get across.

The mare thrust her helmet back on her head and began to jump across, followed by Carlos, the squad, and eventually Ramirez. When Ramirez was across the serpent came up finally. "If you ever need me again, my name is Steve." The Serpent said before diving back down and swimming away.

"Steve, what an oddly human name." Ramirez commented turning back to the mare who stood by and waved him goodbye.

"Good thinking Marine." Ramirez complimented.

"Just making new friends Sarge." She said again with a grin. Ramirez grinned back at her. "What's your name, Marine?" Ramirez said.

"Janice, sir. Corporal Janice, platoon corpsman." She replied.

Ramirez rested a hoof on her shoulder. "Add diplomat to that resume Corporal, you're my new embassy."

Janice nodded. "Sir, yes sir." So they again continued on, until they saw an opening in the road ahead. Ramirez called 'All Halt' one last time and then made a rallying point in the forest off the path.

The squad moved to the rally point and established security. Ramirez pulled out his touchpad from his assault pack and brought up the map and zoomed in on the edge of the forest. "Alright, Marines, front and center it's time for a little show and tell." Ramirez turned the tablet so it was facing the crew, Alpha team, I want you on the overwatch, on the western end of town, Bravo, and Charlie will take the center, and Delta will get the right flank. Any questions?" Everyone shook their heads and team leaders headed off with their teams.

Jackson and his team leader made their way towards the left flank with their third team member who was carrying a sniper rifle with him.

The trio moved to their position and prone themselves out behind the shrubs. "Lemus, get that rifle downrange." The Orange-winged pony nodded before crawling forward and putting his rifle on its bipod. The team leader, a Grey Mare pulled out her binos and began to look. "I mean it looks peaceful, looks a bit like-" She gasped once setting her gaze on the town occupants. "You boys seeing what I'm seeing?" She said. Jackson nodded. "Roger that Sarge." Jackson replied Lemus nodded adjusting his scope. to zoom in.

"All teams confirm eyes on the target."

The mare put her hoof to her helmet. "Roger that, sir."

"Affirmative."

"Eyes on target sarge."

"Not seeing any military traffic sir, I'd say they are peaceful."

"Can't go making assumptions Marines."

As the radio chatter continued. The Grey Mare and Jackson, the blue-winged pony. listened and watched the town, Lemus however turned head and his eyes turned to pinpricks.

"Do you think they're friendly?" Jackson asked. The mare nodded still looking through her binos as a pink blur squeezed between them.

"I'd say so, they're positively adorable." The mare replied.

"Ooh, are we playing I spy? I spy, a freaking out Orange Pegasus!" Jackson and the grey mare both looked towards each other in surprise at the pink mare. The mare gave a sheepish look. "Oops, sorry. I Gave it away."

"Sarge?"

"What is it, Benson?"

"We've been made."

Twilight now lay with a smile across her face as she read her book next to the pond. 'Today couldn't be any better.' Twilight thought as she reads through her newest book. Glancing up she saw Pinkie looking through the bushes in the forest just past the park. 'Just Pinkie, being Pinkie.' She thought returning to her book. She flipped through the page and went to keep reading. "Oh! Hey Twilight!"

Correction. It 'was' a good day.

"Yes, Pinkie?" Twilight deadpanned having her reading interrupted.

"I'm playing hide and seek with some strange ponies in the Everfree. You wanna play?" Pinkie bounced as she stuck her head into some shrubs.

That got Twilight's attention. "Strange ponies? How are they strange?" Twilight looked up from her book and looked right at the pink mare.

"Oh, they were just laying in the forest on the edge of town just watching us. I mean a few of them pointed these long black pieces of metal at me and told me to get lost which was kind of rude but then they ran off back into the woods. So I said. Gasp. I love hide and seek! Which at this point I'll admit they're pretty good at hiding."

"Pinkie! What did they look like? How long ago did they run off?" Twilight got up from her book now, her interest now piqued.

"Oh, I think they were playing dress-up too, they were wearing his like metal armor, and clothes that were blending into the shrubbery. Huh, maybe that's why I can't find them, ooh, they're good." Pinkie said. Twilight face hoofed.

"Pinkie. How long ago did they go?" Twilight asked.

"Oh! About 5 minutes ago. You wanna help me look?!"

Twilight looked into the Everfree a bit unnerved by the fact there were armored ponies watching them all. "Pinkie. Can you go and get the girls? Tell them what you told me and that I went in to get started on the search." Twilight said. "Okie Dokie Loki!" Pinkie replied promptly bouncing off.

Twilight looked up and saw it was starting to get dark so even if they were being suspicious the Everfree was no place to be after dark.

Twilight lit her horn and stepped into the forest walking the pack to the Castle of the Two Sisters.

"What the hell happened?" Ramirez asked sternly to Gunnery Sergeant Benson.

"We were just doing recon when this pony came up behind us and started talking about I spy or something. Of course Jackson pointed his weapon at her." At this Ramirez facepalmed and shook his head.

"Jackson. What am I gonna do with you?" Ramirez asked rhetorically.

"Either way Sarge, we're made. We need to exfill, and I think we have our answer about whether they're friendly or not so I say mission accomplished." Carlos said.

"Agreed. Janice, get ready to call your serpent friend. We're headed back to base."

"Aye, sir." Janice replied but as they turned to walk away cracking of sticks could be heard from behind them.

"Whoa, watch your motion trackers people." Carlos said as the group formed 360 security. What they saw chilled them to the bone.

Glowing green eyes, and the sound of wood clanging into each other. "Whoa, people remain calm, keep your bearings. It's the local wildlife." Ramirez stated as everyone trained their weapons.

As soon as they came, they scampered off. "Stand down people."

A scream echoed through the trees and every Marine looked to the road.

"Looks like this recon mission just became a rescue op Marines! Move out." Ramirez gestured towards the cries of terror.

Author's Note

Ooh, what happened to Twilight?

Will 1st squad get to her in time or will her friends beat them to the punch?