I dreamed of home, a place where fields of lush crops stretched as far as the eye could see, providing food for the brand new Equestria we had built. Thirty years of unbroken peace had dulled our memories of the wasteland that once surrounded us.

In the dream, I was a young colt again, basking in the warmth of the sun as I eagerly assisted my parents with the bountiful harvest. Oh, how I wished I could freeze that moment and live in it forever.

Suddenly, a piercing scream jolted me awake, and I found myself lying in a bed, stripped of my ARA winter trooper uniform and combat gear. Medkit, a coal-black pegasus with emerald eyes and a medical kit cutie mark, greeted me with a wink.

"You're finally awake, sleepy head," Medkit said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and concern. She explained that she had checked on me while I slept and assured me the bullet had passed through without causing severe damage. I winced as I gingerly sat up, feeling the dull ache in my chest and right hoof.

Looking down, I noticed the blood-soaked bandages wrapped around my wounds. Confusion clouded my mind as I asked Medkit “What happened?”

"Zonk brought you in. According to him, you, Plow, Frosty, and Sergeant Winterboots were ambushed by a group of raiders during patrol. Luckily, their aim was off, or you might not have been so fortunate," Medkit explained, her attention already shifting to another injured pony.

As I prepared to leave the medical facility, I gathered my combat gear and dressed myself. Medkit offered a word of caution, reminding me to be careful and not do anything reckless, considering our current shortage of pony power. I reassured her “I will pop one of Programs wonder healing potions if anything happens ok it tastes like shit but you and I both know how well they work.” Medkit smiled and with a nod, she returned to her duties.

Leaving the medical station at Fortress Icy Peaks, I trudged through the snow towards the steps leading to the towering walls. There, I spotted Plow and Winterboots engaged in a conversation that seemed laced with worry.

"I can't believe raiders are back. I thought they had all disappeared or perished," Plow fretted, anxiety etched on their face.

Winterboots, a white unicorn with a light blue mane, countered with the certainty of someone who had witnessed the trials of the wasteland for years. "These aren't your typical raiders. I've fought during the last stronghold against them. They might be mercenaries masquerading as raiders, but one thing is for sure: they're trouble."

Plow, a green earth pony dressed in ARA power armor, looked grim, their cutie mark of a 9mm bullet a stark reminder of the dangers we faced. Winterboots, despite his experience, had never climbed the ranks beyond sergeant, and the tale behind his scorched cutie mark remained a mystery to us all well beside Frosty.

Plow noticed my presence and greeted me warmly, enveloping me in a tight hug before teasingly remarking that life wouldn't be as interesting without my reckless exploits. Winterboots joined in the banter, and I saluted him.

"Sir, I am ready for duty, Sir," I proclaimed with utmost determination.

"Good lad. Frosty is already at the watchtower," Winterboots replied as he resumed his conversation with Plow.

Making my way along the wall, I marveled at the snow gently cascading from the sky, blanketing the roads and fortification. As I arrived at the watchtower, I spotted Frosty, a white unicorn with no mane or tail, her cutie mark showcasing a crosshair with a skull at its center. She specialized in sniping, a mighty asset to our defense.

"Look who's alive! I guess I owe Zonk five-hundred caps," Frosty quipped, her eyes focused down the scope of her sniper rifle.

"Very funny," I retorted, playfully rolling my eyes as I finished climbing up to the watchtower. Taking a seat beside her, I inquired about the attackers, eager to learn more about the situation.

Frosty remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "They were raiders, no doubt. Despite what Dad thinks, their poor combat skills and the signs of drug abuse on the corpses point to their true nature. They also attempted to overpower our patrol and take prisoners. Mercenaries wouldn't bother with such tactics."

It had been years since raiders had plagued our lands, and their sudden return raised questions and fears within me. Before I could voice my concerns, Frosty interrupted, placing a hoof on my shoulder.

"We're about to be attacked," she declared, her voice eerily calm. "Go inform my dad immediately."

I nodded, acknowledging the urgency in her words, and hurried off to find Sergeant Winterboots. As I rushed along the wall, my hoof steps faltered, causing me to slip on some ice and tumble into the snow below the fortress walls.

Grimacing in pain, I picked myself up, only to find Sergeant Winterboots approaching with a mix of exasperation and worry etched on his face.

"Frosty said we're about to be hit, sir!" I managed to gasp, my breath still ragged from the fall.

Sargent WinterBoots wasted no time. His eyes locked onto the horizon as he sprinted towards the edge of the wall, bringing his weathered sniper scope from his bag to his keen eye. With the instincts of a seasoned warrior, he scanned the surrounding landscape, searching for any signs of the imminent threat.

"Get those damn alarms blaring!" WinterBoots roared, his voice carrying the weight of command and urgency.

I rush to the alarm as Plow pushes past me to join Sargent WinterBoots on the wall. I grab and pull the alarm down with all force I could.

The alarm sounded normal at first but then it went silent and exploded with rock music with lyrics by someone who was trying super hard to be edgy or annoying not sure witch.

“I am the second apocalypse of Equestria with my beats. I will finish you all and enslave the weak” the speakers said before somepony shot it for being loud and annoying.

As I got on the wall to join Plow and Winterboots a great snow storm hit us hard. This was the start of something new and brutal.

Alright Rook we are ARA you been trained for this weather they raiders or not it does not matter what does matter what you gonna do here and now.

Then boom.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading first 2 chapters or 1 chapter if count a chapter call 0 it take me a very long time to make theses.

i did this test water see if my writing got better or worsted.