A slow and morbid ending

Canterlot. Recent past.

The sun was lazily floating through the horizon , hanging high in the middle of the sky, marking the time as noon.
Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne listening to the proceedings during day court, between two farmers debating over land rights involving multiple deeds and feuds, that were spanning nearly over one hundred years. The trial quickly devolved into a hearsay shouting competition, that was testing even the divine princesses patience.

Suddenly the door leading into the throne room was thrown open.
A small unicorn mare with a green beaker as a cutie mark flanked by multiple guards rushed past the double doors.
She interrupted the proceeding, giving a hurried bow before attempting to climb the stairs, and being stopped by the palace guards.
With a wave of her wing Celestia ordered the guards to make way for the mare, moving aside she was greeted

"my little pon…”

Princess of the sun was quickly interrupted by…

"I'm sorry, My Princess, but we have to rush past any pleasantries. I have urgent news: a large surge of magical power has been detected, originating from the everfree forest, the source is unknown. It seems to have washed over Ponyville and other surrounding towns! alongside the effects it could have on both the wildlife and any ponies in the surrounding area…
it is not a type we are familiar with it, also seems to be unstable, any reading we get are rapidly changing and inconsistent"

Anyone who had known the solar princess for long enough could see tiny cracks in her mask, a fraction of her true self peeking from underneath. Now the tells were there you only needed to look deep enough, given how well she always kept herself in check.

Her mane flowing a bit faster, a glimmer in her eye, even just a twitch of her wing could give you a tiny glimpse of Celestia’s mood depending on the situation.

“ A new new type of magic… this could be another villain or threat to Equestria!…”
Princess thought to herself

Wearing a mask of serenity, alicorn female stepped down, walking past the two formally arguing farmers, over to the scientist…

" Oh my that seems like it might be a problem"

…wrapping her wing around her. They both began walking to the door.
Celestia raised her voice so as to be heard by everyone in the hall.
" My ponies! I have received urgent news that must be taken care of. I will regretfully have to end day court until tomorrow if you have any concerns for now you'll have to leave a note with raven inkwell”

Leaning down Celestia spoke quietly

"I will notify my student to keep an eye out for any threats in the meantime, I want you to come with me to discuss any more details away from prying eyes and ears''

Sitting down the unicorn squirmed under a gaze of the ancient princess.

“I'm sorry for the lack of information, but I only have one more piece of knowledge, that I was uncomfortable saying in the courtroom, a chunk of the magic wave broke off and made its way to the castle, most of our equipment used to measure it was shattered as soon as it arrived, so anyone including you and Princess Luna could be affected”

“Hmm… my dear I need to ask something of you”

“y..yes my princess” nervously asked the scientist

“I need you and any other researchers you may need to help you to go and investigate this disturbance as soon as possible. For your protection you will have a platoon of 30 guardponies"

The scientist began sweating
“m.. me?! Your Highness…I don't know if I'm up to the task n…not that I don't trust your guardponies or the elements to keep me safe but eve..."

holding up a hoof, Celestia silenced the timid mare.

"What is your name, dear?”

“It is Strawberry Tinker, Your Majesty”

“Well, Strawberry Tinker, given the fact that you were the first to report this incident, I assumed that you wanted to be the one to research this, possibly once in a lifetime, phenomena.
But if you don't feel up to the task that is fine, I will find somepony else" said the monarch.
Strawberry tinker puffed out her chest, clearly offended by the princesses response, but holding herself back from being disrespectful
"No, Your Majesty, that will not be necessary. I can do this if you're willing to give me a bit of time to get everything in order. I can be in ponyville by the overmorrow"

Strawberry, after finishing her response, fell again under the silent gaze of Celestia. Alicorn noted a slight tremble in each of her limbs…and a spark of determination in the mare's eyes.
Letting a smile spread across her face, she spoke
"I'm glad you had a change of heart, my little pony, there's nothing to do now but prepare "

Earth. Present time

August 3 2018.
Fresh news came in days after the devastating car pile up, resulting in 7 injured, 12 cars in various states of damage and 12 missing people.
Four of which have been identified during the day of the incident, driving a humvee. Four military personnel on leave were said to have been involved.
The identities of each are:

Robert James, rank: Specialist. A five foot eleven inches black man.

Ellis carver, rank: Sergeant. A six foot four inches Latino man.

Howard green, rank: Corporal. A five foot nine white man.

Oscar Paul, rank: First class private. A six foot white man.

From some people coming forward it has been worked out that the squad was taking paid leave in order to have a sending off party for Robert, who was set to be medically discharged for PTSD.
He is known to have dissociations that leave him in a semi lucid state so it is most likely best to contact 911, rather than attempt to assist him yourself. If any information is known about the whereabouts of any of these individuals please contact your local police station.

Everfree Forest. Present time

It hurts him to remember, but he would always have to face his demons when sleep comes.
If he was unlucky, the demons would bleed into his mind even when he is awake.

Opening his eyes, Robert picked his head off the back of the seat in front of him, to see that he was surrounded by broken glass and blood…
Three other passengers in the car were slumped over and unmoving.
Bullet holes littered across each of their chests, alongside a red glow in their sternum ,dried blood coated their wounds,each of them being his former squadmates

"n..no guys… they aren't breathing… you're alright, don't worry… I'll get help, you'll be fine..."

Unbuckling his seat belt, grabbing for the handle, something outside the window caught his attention.
Robert saw a sea of barbed wire with people in tactical gear scattered amongst it, slowly walking through the waves of wire, looking down the sights of their rifles at an unknown threat, before one by one letting out a scream and disappearing below the waves soaking the barbed wire red with blood.
A flicker of movement in the car broke his trance, looking back again at the mutilated body of his fellow soldiers.

Soldier noticed the body next to him had moved from his slumped position.
It was Oscar. He was sitting straight up, blood was pouring from his mouth and eyes and his face was twisted into a devilish grin.
The demon called his name in a voice that made African American man’s blood run cold .

Robert’s fist connected with the demon's face, followed by a satisfying crunch, throwing its head to the side, eliciting a howl in pain, grab at its face.
Whirling around to reach for the door handle, he noticed the two other passengers watching him, they were just as bloody and demonic as Oscar…

Scrambling out of the car and jumping into the sea of barbed wires, deep gashes were opening across his arms and legs, Rob was gritting through the pain.
The soldier picked himself up, screaming for backup and running blindly into the forest in an attempt to escape the demons.

Looking back after running for what seemed like an eternity, the three monsters were still hot on his heels behind him, carrying duffle bags, gaining ground slowly, the barbed wire didn't seem to slow them at all despite cutting into them.
Squinting through the darkness at a glimmer of light a large cathedral with angels sitting alongside the walls came into his vision.
Attempting to calm his breaths, Robert focused on the building

"If I can make it, this monsters won't be able to get me! The angels will save me!" he said to himself
.One arm moving to his chest clutching his dog tags, closing his eyes and putting everything into running becoming a human battering ram.

Before the man understood it, he was on the ground scrambling to his feet and opening his eyes.
Rob was through the door, the three demons were still chasing him.
But now they were joined by a pack of three dogs made of wood, that were trailing behind them…

Robert slammed the door, grabbing a nearby bookshelf to block it to slow down the creatures, taking a left through the halls he found a door with the words “pantry” on it.

Going in he took a seat in the corner curling into the fetal position and trying to make himself small and stifle his labored breathing, quietly whispering
”it's all in your head…” over and over…

The "demons" POV:

"ROBERT! you damn idiot get back here" Ellis Carver and his two remaining sane squadmates Howard Green and Oscar Paul were in unknown territor, their radios didn't work neither the ones on their hips or in their car, and to top it all off Oscar’s nose is broken, because they were running around in a barely visible forest chasing after a nutcase.

Leading them to a large ruined building, possibly what's left of a castle.
They saw Robert disappear through a doorway, slamming it closed right before any of them made it.
Squad heard a thud as something collided on the other side

"damn it! Ocsar, get this door open! Howard keep watching, f……." As Ellis was giving commands, multiple growls caught each of their attention as three wolves made of wood, with emerald green eyes, glowing with evil appeared from the thicket slowly prowling towards the team.
Each “wolf” had a sap like liquid dripping from its razor-like teeth.
As the sap made contact with the ground a light sizzling sound emanated from the grass, as it slowly drained of all color, leaving only black goo.

Stepping forward, small beams of light shown on the beasts, giving better vision.
Their wooden skin wasn't the only thing unique about these abominations, they had multiple rows of teeth and claws similar to fish hooks.

Pulling a Glock out of his holster, Ellis aimed at the center wolf
"I got the middle on, Oscar you got the left, Howard shoot right" He said

" Yes sir!” both men responded in unison as they aimed

Pulling the trigger, letting out a volley of fire, shots echoing across the forest, a few shots missed, most drove home hitting the creatures and splitting the wood causing green luminescent blood to spray out, lightly burning the surrounding grass and making each beast howl in pain.

They were undaunted by the bullets, none of them sinked deep enough to do lethal damage, the pack rushed forward through the hail of bullets barely slowed…
In 10 second each gun let out a hollow click.

The trio attempted to reload, but the creatures were too fast, just before wooden creatures reached the men, a howl load enough to cause the surrounding trees to vibrate emanated from the bushes, causing the three wolves to fall back, running out of sight.

Ellis turned to Oscar "GET THAT DOOR OPEN NOW!!!!" loading another clip, as him and Howard got ready for the new arrival.

It was like a work of art: a wolf like creature that looked to be chiseled out of solid granite on all fours, the beast had to be around five and a half feet tall.
It was slowly walking towards the squad, the only flaw in its skin would be a pulsing sphere, only somewhat covered by an amber like material in the center of its chest.

Suddenly one of its arms launched out, swiping at a nearby tree, taking nearly a foot deep chunk of wood, sending it flying and embedding it into the ground.

Never had the sound of metal bucking and breaking sounded so relieving as this moment. Turning towards the sound of breaking wood,
"Let's go!" Ellis said, pulling Howard and running through the door.

In the building, each of them saw three main paths, one left leading down a run down hole riddled hallway.
Path forward lead into a large courtyard at the end of the hall and the right path had flecks of blood soaking into broken wood leading down a mostly intact hallway with doors lining the walls

"Alright we're not splitting up that's probably Roberts blood he's probably on the right path. We don't have time to deal with him and that rock devil, so we take it out and then look for him. Take a left!" Ellis said as both other men let out a "yes sir!"

The wall exploded behind them as they broke out into a sprint. Dust and rubble spilled into the hallway.
A sniff of the air followed by a deep growl echoed along the halls. Before the thudding of the creatures movement was heard again. Its large body wasn't made for the somewhat narrow hallways causing it to grid against the walls and smash into fallen over rubble, slowing the beast down, but filling the soldier’s hearts with fear just from the sound.

Making it to the end of the hallway, they took a right and were greeted by a large set of double doors, about thirty feet tall and a foot thick inlaid with silver we're two crescent moons.

The doors were slightly a jar allowing each of them just enough room to get through. Attempting to push them shut, even with the three of them, little progress was made, before the creature collided against the other side, throwing the trio to the ground and pushing the door about a foot closer to being open Oscar attempted to throw his body into the door again, in a futile attempt to close it.

The wolf's massive head rammed through, shaking the wall's foundation. Biting into the door narrowly missing Oscars arm. The creature left multiple sets of teeth marks in the metal before continuing to attempt to get in.

Ellis took account of his surroundings. They were in a library with bookshelves, hundreds of them, towering at least thirty feet in the air, two staircases leading up to a balcony, on both sides of the room.

Running up the staircase on the left they made it to the balcony the sound of metal denting becoming more frequent.

"Alright sir what's the plan? I didn't see any doors leading out of here besides the one blocked by that thing" asked Howard.

" Everyone open your duffle back! What did each of you bring that could be of use?"

BANG!

Dust began to fall freely from the ceiling, minorly obscuring everyone's vision, making it harder to see the door below.
Attempting to make use of what little time they had left, each member dumped their bags contents on the floor

“Two cans of shaving cream,a gas nozzle, three razors, clothes aplenty, four bottles of whiskey, three packs of matches, twelve feet of rope and few mags of ammo for the Glock”

"Fuck! No one could have brought a grenade or some c4?!" said Ellis

"I’m sorry Sarge, I thought we were headed to a sending off party for Robert, not back to the front lines"

Ellis slowly turned to look at Howard

"For being a smartass, it's your job to distract that thing, while Ocsar makes himself useful helping me”

Howard gave an unenthusiastic salute and opened his mouth, before being interrupted by a loud sound

“BANG! cree… SLAM”

looking over the balcony, one of the doors laid flat on the ground, the creature about fifty feet below them stalking through the bookshelves periodically sniffing the air for them.

Slowly crouching down, Howard made his way down the stairs, hearing the sound of splintering wood, he made his way to the ground floor

"Alright, what's the game plan how to distract a two ton stone wolf…”

grabbing onto one of the lower shelves, Howard shakes it to check how stable it is…

“comfortable”

He starts climbing, trying to stay silent. Getting about ten feet up, Howard's body goes numb, his ears ringing.

Nearly losing his grip he looks down, seeing the abomination looking up at him, opening it's mouth it lets out another bark, echoing off the walls and shaking books loose, the second sound wave threatens to rupture his ear drums causing him to climb faster, gritting his teeth in pain and anger

"Fucking wolf !why am I the one doing this?! fuck off! " he screamed, grabbing a book and throwing it down at the monster it explodes against it's muzzle, pages were fluttering like snow around it.

Seconds after the book connected it was followed by a snarl, the creature was bearing its teeth.
The crack of wood blared out from below, the rock monster launched its body to the side, colliding with the shelf and nearly toppling it.
The gigantic bookshelf splintering the wood along the bottom, multiple rows of books falling to the ground.

The echoing sounds of snarls and splintering wood emanated from below…

"Sir, are you sure Howard is going to be ok down there?!”
“ Oscar I'm going to be honest, no I'm not sure if he's going to make it, but we haven't heard a scream yet, and we're almost finished, so let's pray we're not too late…"

Between the two men there was a crudely put together IED.
Multiple shirts soaked in whiskey were wrapped around the bottles of shaving cream and directly in the center was the gas nozzle.
The gas nozzle was the main component of the IED. The shirts would slowly burn until the shaving cream cans reach their boiling point, exploding and finally hitting the gas nozzle in the very center, turning, hopefully, anything close by into mist. All of that nicely tied together with rope.

" The only problem with this is how are we going to hit that thing without hitting Howard?" both of them put the finishing touches on the IED, while attempting to think of a plan to throw a 20 pound ball of death

“Without hitting that Howard"

Howard continued to climb, while the overgrown monstrous doglike creature continued its effort to knock down the bookshelf.
With another hard shove it rammed straight through the bottom, pushing one shelf into another causing a domino effect and launching Howard through the air.
Causing him to land hard flying into the railing of the stairs leading up to the balcony. The beast lay buried under a mountain of books. Howard’s ribs being much worse for wear, he pulled himself up, limping up the staircase towards the rest of the squad…

As he reached the top, steps clutching his side, he made eye contact with the duo

" I got the beast…it's buried under a few of the book shelves" while soldier was saying that, the familiar sound of wood cracking resounded yet again.

The trio looked down, to see the creature sporting a few cracks now in it's formally flawless skin, crawling out with a slight limp.
It sniffed the air, most likely catching the volatile smell of alcohol, it looked up towards the three soldiers, forming a toothy grin before bounding towards them.

Ellis takes out a lighter, lighting the ball before giving it a hard kick, sending it rolling in the direction of the stairs

"Sarge, what are you doing?! we got to run!" Oscar yelled out

" Run? From what?! That thing? You see how fast it moves? We’d be dead in less than a minute. There is only one hope…
I've never seen an animal that didn't fear fire. Tigers, lions, even elephants…
So I'm willing to make a bet. This thing is to go ahead though, if you feel inclined to make a run for it”.

Gnashing teeth, dripping that same acidic liquid that burned not only grass but even the hardened stone, melting small part of the stairs as it bounded them, only hindered by its damaged leg and apparent unfamiliarity with stairs, if it was merely a hill or any other terrain in the forest they would be long dead but with the beast moving on unfamiliar terrain it's movement was hindered even further.

The beast slowed its pace when the ball of fire appeared at the top of the stairs. It continued moving just in a slower and more methodical pace, watching as the ball was kicked back and forth.

Howard and Oscar moved back near the other side of the balcony, watching Ellis play the world's most dangerous game of hot potato, a game with an unknown timer and fatal consequences.

Ellis kept his focus on the dog

“there's not telling how long I have, but every second I sit here, the more danger I'm in. I just need it to get a bit closer…” Ellis thought to himself.

Two opponents locked eyes as the blue flames licked at his boots, tinting them a progressively darker shade, while the ball rolled side to side. Oscar and Howard pulled out their pistols, knowing they would have no effect but still doing it out of reflex and respect for their leader risking his life, as the wolf and Ellis were fifteen feet from each other, the wolf stopping and getting into a lunging position.
Then, in a split second, it happened.

The beast leaped at him with murderous intent; the IED was kicked as the dog opened its mouth. Carried by momentum it missed Ellis by mere inches, who then began to run full sprint from it.

Running half way down the railing away from the beast, a grinding sound followed by Sharp bangs sounded from the opposite staircase, even though it was inside the beast mouth the fire was still raging, infuriating it.

The grinding was and periodic slams where it was banging and rubbing its head against the wall in a futile attempt to dislodge the ball, losing its focus on its surroundings, mixed with its massive frame, when the leg of the creature collided with the top of the staircase. Crumbling apart and sending the creature into the bookshelves again, landing back first now unmoving, with a roaring campfire in his mouth

" I.. is it dead?… Hey, Ellis, why didn't the IED explode?" Oscar said with his eyes still locked on the unmoving animal.

" I can't tell you. I just know that we need to leave. Move it! We need to move before it either goes off or the fire spreads to the rest of the library, we need to go back to the original objective. We take a right from the entrance, give him his meds, drag him if we have to, back to the humvee and find out where we are."

Making it half way down the hall, the IED finally went, blowing dust and burning debris around the hallway.

The dust clouded the vision of the squad, but with a combination of following the light from the now large opening, then the blood trail, they made it.
All that was left to do was open the door labeled “pantry” with sounds of quiet sobbing resonating from the other side.
Smoke slowly replaced the air, filling the lungs of the trio and pushing them to move with purpose.

Ellis' foot smashed into the wooden door, going straight through it, his leg getting caught on the wood before Oscar helped to tear the door off its hinges.
They all slowly walked in, listening for sounds of their friend…

"Howard, your already hurt, stay at the door. Oscar, come with me, Robert might not come easily and with that fire we don't have the time to fuck around"
grabbing the attention of the group, a red glow shined from under the clothes of each of the soldiers
"what the hell is this?" looking down his shirt Oscar saw something very unusual…
It was a gem embedded into his chest. The four red gems were glowing bright, the smoke filling the castle air was now tinted red.

There was one light that shone like a miniature beacon, it originated from the far corner of the room.

"Robert, is that you?" a coughing fit over took Ellis halfway through talking
"Man... it's getting worse…”

Getting closer, they could see Robert, who was looking blankly at the ground. Touching him did nothing, he was alive but unresponsive.
Picking him up in a fireman carry, the four left the castle and made their way back to the humvee.