A Grand Journey

Chapters

Intro: Nightfall
Warrior Lost in Time
Vestige
Sonata
Nova
Still We Fight
Endlessly
Black Rose

Intro: Nightfall

"Vitals Elevated. Seek medical attention at your nearest Medical Treatment Facility… Vitals Elevated… ."

The muffled robotic voice abruptly ended with a soft thud. The Rookie groaned as his eyelids fluttered open, consciousness seeping back into his senses. His fingers instinctively found their way to his helmet, grappling with the clasp that held it firmly in place. Struggling against the fog in his mind, he finally managed to unfasten it. The heavy helmet tumbled to the cold, metallic floor with a resounding thud, releasing a gust of frigid air into his face. It stung, and he instinctively shut his eyes tight, a sharp headache pounding between his temples like an invisible dagger.

After a moment, the pain began to recede, allowing him to cautiously pry open his eyes. The world around him emerged from the shadows, revealing the dimly lit interior of a military transport vehicle, unmistakably a pelican. He remembered. A faint sense of recognition washed over him. Along the wall were only five seats. This pelican was meant for transport of supplies, not people.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself upright, wobbling on unsteady legs. His injuries seemed to recede with each passing second. Gripping a nearby crate for support, he labored toward the cockpit door. The pelican's incline gave the illusion of ascending a steep hill, every step a strenuous battle.

At last, he reached the door and exerted all his strength to wrench it open. Moonlight poured in, casting the interior in an ethereal glow. A rush of emotions swept over him - a blend of appreciation, familiarity, and homesickness. "Luna," he whispered, his hand gently caressing the cold glass window as he approached the front. Home - that's what he remembered, but the surroundings weren't... right. Anxiety crept in as he scanned the unfamiliar sight of the moon. This wasn't Luna.

The Rookie took a step back. His earlier suspicion was right - the pelican was askew, and as he staggered back, he lost his footing, sliding down to land beside one of the larger crates, a few feet from where he'd awakened.

He groaned, his gaze settling on the crate he'd fallen upon - one marked 'Weapons.' He had fallen right near his helmet, the one he had thrown off just a few moments prior. He blinked, a strange play of light making it seem as if there was a hole in the middle of his helmet's visor. Squinting, he brought the helmet closer to inspect it. His eyes gazed at the middle of the visor. The moonlight seem to have healed the hallicunation, as the moment he looked closer, the was completely normal.

Exhaling a frustrated sigh, he acknowledged his fatigue and confusion. He remembered. He remembered he was an ODST, but beneath that memory lay a deeper enigma, a mystery he couldn't quite grasp. Frustration simmered as he struggled to recall. He slid the helmet back over his face, and the visor blinked to life, casting a revealing glow on the crates that surrounded him, in various states of being. 'MRE,' 'DRONES,' 'CLOTHING,' 'MISCELLANIOUS,' 'ARMAMENTS,' 'COMMUNICATIONS,' 'MEDICAL' - these were the designations on various crates, each holding its own set of mysteries.

Among them, a compact drone crate seized his attention. The Rookie stood up, and quickly approached. A quick, precise cut from his waist-mounted toolbelt's knife freed its contents. A brand-new drone, gleaming in the dim light, awaited him. A sencse of excitement coursed through him as he connected it to the modular attachment on his helmet, watching as the visor displayed the drone's status. Its battery life was optimal, ready for action. The map it presented was empty, devoid of coordinates or landmarks, leaving the land below a blank canvas. With this, he might be able to find out where he was, where anyone might be, where he could get help.

Linked to the drone, he released it through the pelican's open front door, where it took flight. The drone hummed to life, embarking on its automatic survey mission. As the geographical map slowly filled in, the software crafted coordinates from thin air, effectively pinpointing his current position.

The drone soared above a landscape - the pelican resting on an incline, facing uphill with a vast, dark forest sprawling around it in all directions. As the drone journeyed eastward, there was an eerie emptiness to the gloomy forest, devoid of life or signs of civilization. The rookie took a seat on the pilot's chair, watching the feed with some interest. With time, The Rookie's eyelids grew heavy, his chin dipping forward. His legs stretched out, feet resting on the dashboard, and his reclined position within the uncomfortable chair lured him toward slumber.

Abruptly, a sharp noise yanked him back to reality. Though only half an hour had passed, it felt like an eternity. Blinking away fatigue, he focused on the drone's findings - a sight that defied logic. Before him lay the ruins of a castle, a sight he associated with Earth. It was decrepit, decaying. There was a sense of magic, almost like a tale of magical knights and round tables. Yet, the knowledge that this wasn't Earth pervaded his senses. Luna's absence in the sky confirmed it. Determined to unravel the mysteries of this strange place, he instructed the drone to continue in a different direction, maybe he could find out more.

Turning his gaze upward, he locked onto the unfamiliar moon, its brilliance contrasting sharply with the darkness below. It wasn't the moon he'd known, and the realization added to his unease. With a sigh, he exited the pelican, landing on unfamiliar grass. His new surroundings offered the typical features of a forest, neither remarkable nor mundane. Yet, an indefinable aura of difference clung to the air, casting doubt upon his every step.

As he contemplated the tree line before him, his visor detected a sudden burst of light. His eyes locked onto a pair of vivid green, malevolent eyes glaring at him, a mere fifty yards away. Squinting to discern more, he observed another pair, and then another, until a menacing pack of wood-like wolves materialized. The unnatural encounter triggered his instincts, and he reached for his sidearm, only to discover it missing. Panic set in, and he froze for a moment, defenseless against the approaching threats.

The eyes vanished momentarily, only to reappear, closer and more menacing. In a swift, instinctive motion, The Rookie made a desperate dash for the pelican's hatch, determined not to succumb to fear. Opening the hatch and diving inside, he landed on his back with a heavy thud. He scrambled to secure the latch, fingers clamping onto the handle. But a sudden force pressing against his chest sent him sprawling backward, the latch still within his grasp. It snapped shut, imprisoning him inside, accompanied by one of the sinister wooden wolves.

Gasping for breath, he lay on his back, now perched atop the same weapons crate that had cushioned his fall earlier. His eyes locked onto the wooden wolf, poised to strike. His outstretched arm sought a makeshift weapon, grasping a wooden crate beam he'd torn free earlier. He raised it, bringing the beam to bear just as the wolf lunged at him. The creature's jaws snapped shut on the makeshift weapon, but The Rookie's counterattack was swift. He delivered a powerful punch to the beast's face as they collided, sending it crashing onto its side. This provided a precious moment to regain his footing.

His gaze shifted to the nearby weapons crate, its contents tantalizingly out of reach. A crowbar, conveniently perched atop the crate, called to him. He lunged for it, seizing the tool and swinging it to face the menacing wolf.

The creature, however, had regained its composure and charged at him once more, its gnarled jaws threatening to tear through his makeshift weapon. The Rookie stood his ground, his heart pounding, and brought the crowbar down with all his might. The blows rained upon the wooden wolf's head, each strike chipping away at its eerie, bark-like exterior. The green light that animated it began to flicker, like a fading ember, until it finally extinguished, leaving only a lifeless husk.

He stood still. He panted, looking at the lifeless wooden husk, in disbelief. It seemed to last an eternity. A sudden ping from his drone broke the eerie silence within the pelican. Breathing heavily, The Rookie glanced toward the closed cockpit door, the sounds of wolves scratching and clawing at the exterior echoing in the background. With some trepidation, he shifted his attention to the drone's findings.

The display revealed the existence of a nearby settlement, just seventy miles to the northwest. Its architecture bore a human semblance, yet the designs were oddly archaic, harkening back to an earlier era of humanity. A renewed sense of hope washed over him, coupled with a fresh wave of uncertainty. There were strange train-tracks around the settlement, and in the distance, a mountain. There was a lake in between there and here.

The sight proved too much. Clearing his visor, The Rookie found himself gazing up at the foreign moon. Its radiant glow bathed the surroundings in an otherworldly light, contrasting starkly with the threatening wolves outside. He knew he was far from home, far from any known civilization. Yet, this moon was... beautiful. It was enormous, it called out to him.

As his mind grappled with the enigma of his surroundings, fleeting memories resurfaced. Battles, wars, enemies of note, and allies worthy of legend stood on the precipice of his recollection, but remained frustratingly out of reach. The persistent strangeness of this place, from the magical wolves to the alien moon, reminded him that he was an intruder in a world of mysteries, an intruder who was alone.

Uncertainty and curiosity mingled within him, driving him to explore, to seek answers in the settlement that had appeared on his drone's screen. It was a journey into the unknown, a quest to decipher the unfamiliar and to unearth the secrets hidden beneath the alien moon's beguiling radiance. And yet...

This moon was beautiful.

Author's Note

I'll be honest with you. I don't really remember much of MLP. I'm not even sure what time period I'll be placing this story in, and it's my third attempt at writing it, over a span OF FIVE YEARS. I plan on maybe rewatching the series at some point, but the real reason I'm re-writing this story is because I just want to write. I plan on following through this time. Hopefully, releases can come out biweekly. Maybe more if I end up liking the story, and get a positive response. I've grown a lot, and I have a lot of knowledge that will make this story seem somewhat reality-based. I don't know what I'm going for yet. We'll find out.

Warrior Lost in Time

In the dim light of the pelican's cockpit, a snarl pierced the air, followed by a groan of renewed pain from the relentless headache assaulting The Rookie's senses. He winced, clutching his throbbing temples. Then, slowly, he forced his eyes to open. The cabin was bathed in a warm, inviting glow as sunlight streamed through the cockpit window, offering a stark contrast to the ominous events of the previous night.

Outside, the unsettling sounds of snarling and the occasional scrape of claws against metal persisted, a grim reminder that his unwelcome visitors had yet to depart, even in the early morning light. Despite the discomfort, The Rookie found a measure of solace in the precious moments of sleep he'd managed to snatch, a brief respite from the chaos.

As the pain in his head gradually ebbed away, he straightened himself, surveying his surroundings with a determined gaze. Dealing with the menacing wooden wolves lurking just beyond the cockpit was an immediate priority. His eyes fell upon the weapons crate, and in his hand, he still clutched the trusty crowbar that had vanquished the wolf before him.

With a grim determination, he swung the crowbar against the wooden crate, the satisfying sound of cracking wood filling the cabin. The crate surrendered its secrets, revealing two pods brimming with an arsenal of firearms. Rifles, pistols, and an assortment of cutting-edge weapons gleamed invitingly, each promising to be The Rookie's salvation in this mysterious, perilous world.

The Rookie's hand, steady and determined, reached for a formidable weapon from the crate – a BR series rifle. Its sheer power was evident, a potential game-changer in the perilous dance that awaited him. His gaze darted to the ammunition arrayed at the crate's foot, its diverse selection posing a tantalizing challenge. Yet, his choice was decisive, quickly zeroing in on the needed rounds.

With practiced precision, he deftly unloaded the clip from the rifle and began methodically slotting the bullets into the waiting chambers of the 30-round magazine. His intent was clear – no room for error. Another magazine was acquired, a safeguard against unforeseen adversity, a tangible symbol of his relentless determination. These tools, these instruments of survival, would swiftly dispatch the lurking wooden wolves outside.

Steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation, The Rookie strode toward the pelican's entrance. A steadying breath marked the calm before the storm, the moments leading up to his inaugural foray into the unknown. In a fluid motion, he flung open the door, stepping out onto the frame where the window rested, his eyes locking onto the ominous figures below.

The wolves, initially caught off guard by his sudden emergence, would not enjoy the luxury of surprise for long. In the blink of an eye, The Rookie fired a shot that pierced the nearest creature just above its right eye. The malicious green gleam within its gaze flickered, their malevolence vanquished by the ruthless accuracy of his marksmanship.

Shifting his aim to the next wolf, he hesitated for a fraction of a second, the pressure of the situation mounting. It resulted in a miss, but he swiftly regained control. A second shot found its target, striking the creature just below its left eye, extinguishing its sinister presence. The subsequent shots followed like relentless drumbeats, the echoing reports of the rifle bursting through the air, silencing even the forest's ambient sounds.

A hushed stillness descended upon the land as if nature itself paused, an expectant audience to the unfolding battle. The Rookie, with the wolves now vanquished, stood as the lone figure in the eerie calm, a sentinel to this enigmatic world. He approached one of the wooden husks. It was larger than the others. This one had been the one he had missed earlier.

As The Rookie stood amidst the aftermath of the wolf encounter, his weapon radiated warmth, a stark contrast to the cold, unfamiliar landscape surrounding him. It seemed as though late fall had taken hold of this land, with the trees donning a vibrant palette of orange and gold, their leaves whispering mournful tales of change. At first glance, the forest appeared ordinary, but like his elusive memories, an underlying peculiarity seemed to lurk beneath the surface.

The Rookie let out a sigh, his breath crystallizing in the chilly air. His drone chimed, alerting him that it had completed its exploratory mission, venturing approximately 50 miles in every direction, uncovering curious findings along the way. Beyond the now-silent town he had spotted earlier, the landscape presented a medley of natural features – a gorge, more forest, and a vast grassland stretched out before him.

As the drone neared, its battery life dwindling, The Rookie contemplated his next move. Faint memories stirred in his mind, recalling the days when drone pilots would recharge their faithful companions in the pelican. The present situation bore echoes of familiarity, his recollection guided by muscle memory. He needed to locate the charging dock and perhaps reposition the pelican to a less hostile environment. More wolf encounters were far from appealing.

With the drone safely back inside the pelican, he embarked on a brief search. It wasn't long before he discovered the charging dock discreetly nestled behind one of the seats. He swiftly plugged the drone in, securing its return to full power. A sense of relief washed over him as the familiar hum emanated from the drone, a reassuring reminder of his newfound partnership in this enigmatic world.

Seated at the pilot's helm, The Rookie cast his gaze down to the dashboard, its arrangement all too familiar to him. He knew the purpose of each control, the memories flooding back in fragments. Turning the battery on, he marveled at the soft hum resonating from the core of the colossal beast beneath him. His eyes alighted upon the energy source gauge, confirming that this was no ordinary pelican. It ran on a state-of-the-art nuclear power source, a wellspring of energy that would endure without faltering.

A mixture of awe and determination coursed through The Rookie as he watched the array of starting lights flicker to life. The pelican, new and brimming with potential, commenced an initial start-up check. One by one, warning lights materialized and vanished in mere moments, a testament to the pelican's readiness to embark on its journey. In this resilient vehicle, The Rookie found a lifeline to navigate the mystifying terrain beyond, a partner in uncovering the secrets that lay beneath the alien moon's watchful gaze.

The Rookie's hands danced across the controls as he located the ignition switch. With a flick, the pelican roared to life, awakening from its slumber. The vehicle rumbled to action, and in a matter of moments, it righted itself, no longer askew. The Rookie firmly grasped the steering wheel, feeling a sense of empowerment surging within him. His visor displayed the map of the area, revealing a promising clearing some 40 miles to the north, distinguished by a river and a forest that appeared less tainted.

He eased the pelican forward, its responsive maneuvers confirming his control. As the landscape slid past the cockpit, The Rookie leaned back into his seat, a semblance of belonging and purpose enveloping him. This new direction brought him closer to the previously spotted town, a calculated risk he was willing to take. With the drone as his silent observer, he could assess the inhabitants from a safe distance before deciding his course of action.

His thoughts wandered to the nature of colonies and their loyalty to his flag, reminding him that not all settlers adhered to his military allegiance. The memory of confronting insurgents resurfaced, accompanied by the return of his relentless headache. He clenched his teeth, grappling with the pain as it threatened to overwhelm him. Struggling to maintain control of the vehicle, he forced his thoughts away from the agony. Why did remembering have to be so painful? The enigma gnawed at him as he continued his journey north, his determination unshaken by the turmoil within.

The pelican touched down in the grassy clearing with precise expertise. The Rookie maneuvered his vessel with deft precision, bringing it to a gentle halt. He powered down the machine, its quiet hum subsiding as he released the helm. With the terrain now level, he moved toward the back of the cargo bay, where the cargo bay doors beckoned to be opened. A flick of the lever the doors obediently slid apart, ushering in the warm sunlight that flooded the interior.

As The Rookie surveyed the contents of the cargo hold, a pang of hunger began to gnaw at his consciousness, accompanied by the faint, telltale odor of his own sweat-soaked uniform. It was the perfect time to unload the crates and partake in a much-needed wash in the nearby river.

Hours slipped away, marked by the sight of broken crate panels scattered around the grassy expanse. One by one, he had diligently opened the crates, revealing their assorted treasures. Midway through his chores, his drone informed him that it had fully charged and embarked on another exploration of the immediate area.

With the first order of business complete, The Rookie had taken a few hygiene supplies he'd found, allowing the river to serve as a makeshift bath. Now, in a rare moment of respite, he sat atop a heap of disassembled panels, his uniform reduced to minimal coverage. He'd carefully removed his expensive armor, placing it beside him in a neat, orderly array. Adorning a fresh, albeit slightly too-small uniform discovered within the clothing crate, he found himself feeling both vulnerable and invigorated. The helmet rested nearby, its visor seemingly regarding him with an unspoken question.

Gazing at his gear, The Rookie contemplated its significance as he consumed one of the MRE meal kits he'd uncovered. The taste left much to be desired, but it sufficed to sate his hunger. More of these kits awaited, enough to sustain him for several months, he estimated, as he pondered the unfamiliar world that had become his reality.

In The Rookie's lap lay a tablet, a serendipitous discovery among the various crates he had been sorting through. When he'd first encountered it, the tablet had been completely lifeless, prompting him to set it aside for charging while he organized his newfound belongings. Earlier attempts to power it on had proven futile, and he'd resigned himself to the notion that it was likely a lost cause. Thus, he found himself absentmindedly toying with it while devouring a beef stick, its screen illuminated only by the sun's rays.

However, an unexpected vibration, accompanied by a soft ding, jolted him from his musings. His eyes widened in surprise as the tablet's screen flickered to life. With the beef stick still clutched between his teeth, he instinctively moved his fingers to interact with the device. To his further astonishment, he was able to access the tablet.

The screen displayed an unexpected message:

"LANCE CORPORAL @$DK*(@ @(*f!!ZZ"
"YOU HAVE 20 TASKS"
"YOU HAVE 15 MISSED NOTIFICATIONS"
"YOUR ENLISTMENT IS DUE TO RENEW ON... .... ... PLEASE CONTACT... ... ... FOR REENLISTMENT OPTIONS"

The Rookie's brows furrowed with bewilderment. He couldn't comprehend how this tablet could have this information; his contract still had years to run. He cast a glance at the tablet's signal status but found it to be absent. Frustration crept in as he attempted to open the tasks, to no avail. Dismissing the tablet as useless, he set it down beside him, wondering if it was a mere illusion, a figment of his increasingly complex and enigmatic situation.

With a shimmering alert, The Rookie's helmet notified him of an incoming message through his visor. He quickly reached for his helmet, his hair still damp from the bath he'd taken earlier, and secured it onto his head. The visor's interface sprang to life, displaying a feed from his drone. It was stationed at a distance, allowing a partial view of the village. There was movement all around, signs of life. People bustled about, going about their daily activities. Intrigued, The Rookie squinted, attempting to get a closer look, but the drone's camera resolution prevented a detailed view. Frustrated with the limited perspective, he instructed the drone to approach the village more closely.

The drone responded, drawing nearer and eventually hovering over what appeared to be an old-fashioned train station, reminiscent of a setting from a Western movie. Continuing its journey, it traversed deeper into the town. The drone's camera settled on a town square that bore a similarly antiquated appearance.

Eager to inspect the area up close, The Rookie guided his drone toward the town square, but suddenly, a powerful gust of wind struck the drone, sending it into a chaotic spin through the air. The drone struggled to regain its stability, but it was clearly outmatched. The Rookie clenched his teeth in frustration, realizing that he had no manual control over the drone when using his visor; his instructions could only be general. As the drone plummeted rapidly, the images it captured blurred into an indistinguishable frenzy. Then, in the blink of an eye, the descent halted, mere inches from the ground. The screen took on an eerie purple glow, obscuring everything beyond it. Abruptly, the feed was lost, replaced by a message stating,

"No Signal."

Vestige

With a well-practiced motion, The Rookie swiftly secured his armor, the pieces clinking and locking into place like a well-choreographed dance. His movements were fluid, a testament to years of training and combat experience. His attire, once just a plain uniform, now bore the marks of readiness, the embodiment of a soldier prepared for the unknown.

Gathering his belongings, he surveyed the cargo bay, his keen eyes settling on two large crates that remained unmarked and mysterious. A sense of curiosity nagged at him, a burning desire to uncover the secrets concealed within those sturdy encasements. He had attempted to pry them open earlier, but the material proved resilient, rebuffing his initial efforts. Yet, he knew that this mystery wouldn't remain unsolved for long; his determination was unwavering. In the grand scheme of survival and discovery, these enigmatic containers posed an alluring challenge to overcome.

Beyond these untouched crates, the cargo bay bore no traces of its former chaos. Debris and shattered remnants of wooden crates had been dutifully cleared away, each piece methodically removed and discarded. Now, the entirety of his essential supplies lay neatly organized in their respective pods, a testament to The Rookie's unwavering discipline and meticulous attention to detail.

The source of the earlier drone's destruction weighed heavily on The Rookie's mind, a puzzle he yearned to solve. The drone had inexplicably succumbed to an ethereal purple glow, moments before the feed had been abruptly severed. A lingering sense of foreboding clung to the memory of that moment. In the silence of the cargo bay, his thoughts swirled, the answers to his questions seemingly just out of reach.

Amidst the quiet, a faint ping emanated from his visor, a signal transmitted through the network that permeated the pelican's radio systems. The sound served as a reminder of his limited connection in this surreal world, a tenuous lifeline to the technology that had become his ally and guide. The mystery of the drone's demise continued to gnaw at him, and he knew he needed to uncover the truth behind this inexplicable event.

Seated at the helm of his pelican, The Rookie contemplated his options. Perhaps, if he utilized the connection system within the pelican's control center, he could gain access to the drone's archived footage, providing some insight into the enigmatic event that had befallen it. With the cargo bay doors securely closed behind him, he turned his attention to the computer station he had left untouched until now.

As his gloved hands danced over the keyboard and trackpad, he navigated through the system, bypassing any cryptic messages that had marred his previous interactions. His credentials granted him access without incident, a reassuring sign that this system had retained its integrity.

The Rookie's heart raced with anticipation as he delved into the drone's software. It had successfully paired earlier, a testament to his understanding of the technology. He aimed to access the live feed, yearning for a connection to the drone's perspective that had been inexplicably severed hours ago.

Yet, to his dismay, the screen displayed the same cryptic message he had encountered repeatedly:

"NO SIGNAL - ERROR - NO SIGNAL - ERROR..."

His shoulders slumped with a defeated sigh. It seemed that this approach held no promise, rendering him no closer to unraveling the mystery surrounding the drone's fate. Frustration gnawed at the edges of his resolve, threatening to engulf him in its grip.

Just as he prepared to stand, a noise shattered the silence, a voice intruding upon the solitude of the cockpit. The Rookie's eyes widened, his pulse quickening. He listened intently, his attention fixated on the computer. A voice from an unexpected source filled the air, a cacophony of questions that cascaded through his mind, shrouded in uncertainty. In a hurried flurry of movements, he clambered back into the pilot's seat and swiftly removed his helmet, a mix of anticipation and trepidation coursing through him as he sought to decipher the source of this unanticipated communication.ar? He listened... It grew quiet.

The abrupt intrusion of voices through the speakers of his device caught The Rookie off guard. Startled, he scrambled to adjust the volume, hastily silencing the cacophony that had assaulted his ears. A woman's voice dominated the conversation, her words fraught with concern.

"WHAT IF IT BLOWS UP?"

He winced at the unexpected volume, his fingers swiftly lowering the audio by a wide margin to alleviate the auditory assault. As he struggled to regain his composure, another woman's voice emerged, offering a semblance of reassurance in the midst of the enigma that had befallen him.

"It won't blow up! See? It's just... trying to fly again. Maybe we can fix it..."

The second voice echoed within the cockpit, triggering a surge of hope in The Rookie's heart. He leaned closer to the screen, his trembling fingers tracing the interface. His eyes darted across the display, searching for any means to restore the connection. He spotted a refresh button and clicked it, praying for a revival of the lost camera feed. Disappointment washed over him as the button yielded no results, clicking it again in vain.

As the voices continued their deliberations, he strained to discern their identities and establish a connection. Their words hinted at their intention to assist, yet doubts remained.

"Well... I dunno 'bout ya'll, but maybe we should just leave it be. Whoever this is, I'm sure they'll be upset that you broke it."

The distinctive Southern accent of the speaker struck a chord of recognition within The Rookie, evoking vague memories of the United Republic of North America's southern English-speaking region. Desperation fueled his quest to establish contact with these individuals, the ones he had observed earlier. He had not seen them well, but he had seen movement in the city earlier.

A surge of anxiety coursed through The Rookie's veins, and the voices he had overheard took on a more ominous tone. The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning – these people could very well be rebels, inhabitants of the fringe worlds on the periphery of the explored galaxy. In these desolate reaches, technology had regressed, and the appearance of his advanced drone might be seen as an unsettling anomaly, prompting suspicion.

"Can you guys be quiet for a second? I want to look at it closer, but I can't if you guys are freaking out!"

The distinct voice cut through the deliberations, demanding attention. The other voices fell silent, albeit with an undertone of uncertainty, allowing The Rookie to focus on the unfolding situation. He knew that more than four people surrounded his drone, and their reactions intensified his unease.

"I wonder what this marking is. This isn't an animal, it's some sort of strange... metal bird. It says... United Nations... Something Command."

The revelation about the drone's marking sent a shiver down The Rookie's spine. He had momentarily forgotten about the conspicuous insignia, a piece of evidence that could potentially expose his true identity. Panic set in as he gripped the steering wheel of his pelican with one hand, the metal cold against his palm. If these individuals were indeed rebels, he was trapped out in the open, alone, and compromised. Accusations of espionage would likely follow, sealing his fate.

His gaze darted anxiously outside, scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. A creeping sense of paranoia gnawed at his consciousness. Could they be closing in on him at this very moment? The Rookie's heart raced as he grappled with the decision of whether to engage or evade the enigmatic individuals who now held the key to his fate.

"Maybe I could take this metal bird for a few days... maybe it'll heal. I could..."

The soft-spoken woman's words emanated from the speakers, introducing a glimmer of hope to the situation. Her suggestion, however improbable, revealed a degree of compassion and curiosity.

"This isn't an actual metal bird! I don't think this thing even eats anything. It could be dangerous. I think we should keep it here until we figure out what to do with it. I have to study it more, and then, maybe we can..."

The dominant voice reasserted itself, taking a pragmatic stance that resonated with The Rookie. Their fascination with the unknown, combined with a desire for caution, reassured him that they remained unaware of his true origins, which provided a fleeting sense of relief.

The Rookie, now calmer and more confident, cleared his throat and prepared to address the group. Words didn't come easily to him, but this was a crucial moment. He had to communicate with these strangers, in the hope that they might provide answers to the myriad questions that consumed him. He pressed the communication button.

The Rookie's words hung in the air, a mixture of authority and uncertainty coloring his voice. "This is United Nations Command..." It was strange to say he was in command, but he was alone, and in charge.

A moment of stillness followed his proclamation, a palpable pause that hinted at the tension on both ends of the communication. Then, an almost comical "eep" emerged from the other side, the voice that had previously spoken revealing an unexpected vulnerability. It was a stark contrast to their previous composure.

Subsequently, a heavy silence descended. The Rookie's statement had clearly thrown the others into disarray. As they grappled with the revelation that their metal bird could talk, he pressed on, determined to learn more about the situation and the individuals on the other end of the line. "Identify yourself." His voice held a note of urgency, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The Rookie's words had stirred a sudden reaction from the voices on the other end of the line, a mix of fear and aggression. "IT TALKS! BREAK IT!" one of them exclaimed, while another tried to intervene with a restrained "WAI-." However, the feed abruptly cut off, leaving The Rookie in solitude within his pelican's cockpit.

With the connection severed completely, he sighed in defeat. He couldn't fathom the level of fear and suspicion that had gripped the inhabitants of this peculiar world, leading them to react with such hostility to an unknown entity like his drone. As the world outside began to succumb to the encroaching darkness, The Rookie felt the weight of the day's events bearing down on him. It had indeed been a long and eventful day, from his skirmish with the wooden wolves in the morning to the exhaustive process of dismantling the crates in his cargo bay.

He looked to the outside, at the river ahead of him. It was slow-flowing. There was no movement, other than an occasional bird that would fly by. He watched the outdoors for some time.

Though a lingering sense of paranoia still gnawed at his mind, he knew that he couldn't keep the world at bay forever. As exhaustion took hold, he found himself slowly surrendering to the pull of sleep. He chose to keep his helmet off, but kept his uncomfortable armor on, in case of attack. he allowed his body to succumb to the embrace of slumber. In the quiet confines of the pelican's cockpit, he drifted into the realm of dreams, his battles temporarily put on hold, waiting for the dawn of a new day to continue his enigmatic journey. As he faded away, he found himself somewhere new...

Luna.

Sonata

An ethereal purple glow enveloped The Rookie's surroundings, casting a majestic and mesmerizing shimmer. As he gradually sat up, his eyes took in the extraordinary scene that unfolded before him. It was a place both wondrous and familiar, a sight he had rarely witnessed in his life.

Stretching in every direction lay a rocky, mountainous surface, one that he recognized all too well. It was Luna, the moon. While he had spent the majority of his life within the climate-controlled confines of a dome-city, this was different. Here, he was on the surface of the moon itself, an experience that stirred a mix of awe and nostalgia within him.

Turning his gaze outward, The Rookie peered into the distance, where the lunar landscape met the infinite expanse of space. The Earth loomed in the cosmic void. It was an Earth he remembered, a sight he had held in his heart for as long as he could recall. The Americas, with their distinctive shape, stretched across the horizon, as did portions of Africa and Europe. The blue, fragile marble of Earth was suspended in the boundless emptiness above, radiating a beauty that transcended any human words.

In this surreal moment, The Rookie couldn't help but be captivated by the celestial panorama before him. It was a reminder of the grandeur of the cosmos and the interconnectedness of all life on Earth, a perspective that, despite his military training and missions, filled him with a sense of profound wonder and humility.

"Is this... the home of thou? The planet beyond?"

A woman's voice, an enigmatic voice resonated with power, spoke, it carried an unexpected tranquility and peace. It did not startle The Rookie. He remained still, his gaze fixated on the Earth's distant beauty, not turning to look behind him from where the voice had emanated.

His mouth parted, but for a moment, he felt a surge of fear, as if the very act of opening his mouth could suffocate him in the airless expanse of the moon's surface. Yet, he recognized the surreal nature of this experience, an awareness that this was indeed a dream or something beyond ordinary reality. With a sense of intrigue and curiosity, he responded to the voice, its ethereal quality woven into the fabric of his dream.

"Home... I have returned to it, for now. This is Luna. That is... that is the Earth."

The Rookie's voice held a quiet resonance, a stark contrast to his usual reticence. He spoke with hints of awe, acknowledging the celestial marvels that stretched before him, as if immersed in a dreamlike state.

"In a realm of horror, thou dreamest of home. A wonderful dream. I, however, sense a troubled mind. Restless. Confused. Lost. This will not last."

The enigmatic voice responded with an olden English tone, its words laced with hints of royalty, wisdom. The Rookie listened with rapt attention, no longer concerned about turning to face the source of this ethereal communication. Instead, he was drawn to the voice's words, its insight into his inner turmoil, and the promise of guidance in this strange dreamscape.

"I'm... me?"

As The Rookie voiced his inner turmoil, the dreamscape around him underwent a surreal transformation. In the blink of an eye, he found himself fully adorned in his battle attire, his hands gripping a rifle. The sudden and startling shift in his surroundings left him disoriented, and he watched in shock as the tranquil lunar landscape was replaced by the chaos of a city under siege.

Before his very eyes, a brutal battle raged, as if it had sprung forth from the depths of his memory or perhaps a past he couldn't recollect. The Covenant, alien and menacing, had encircled the city, closing in from all directions. He witnessed a horrifying scene—a monstrous brute, orcish in nature, gruesomely attacked a marine mere feet away from him.

Instinct overtook him, and fear gripped his core. There was no time to hesitate. With resolve, he raised his rifle and unleashed a relentless barrage of rounds upon the brute. The monster refused to fall until the magazine was emptied, displaying an inhuman resilience. The chaotic tableau that unfolded before him mirrored the nightmarish battles he had once fought, and he recognized this as a memory, a fragment of his past.

In the midst of the fight, a Spartan, a symbol of unwavering courage and strength among his kind, was thrown into a building by another brute. It was a scene that had haunted his recollection, a stark reminder of battles waged and the comrades who had fallen.

The vivid dream continued to assault The Rookie's senses, and he felt as though he were plummeting into the depths of his own memories, grasping at recollections that slipped through his fingers like sand. Panic swelled within him, his breathing grew erratic, and he fought to regain control of his fraying thoughts.

With a determined effort, he shifted his gaze to the right, seeking an escape from the nightmarish memories that had consumed him. In an instant, the dreamscape transformed once more, and he found himself standing before an old friend. The contours of their camaraderie began to surface in his consciousness, but the details remained frustratingly elusive. They had been close friends, that much was certain, but as he delved deeper into his recollections, the clarity he sought continued to elude him.

The scene had changed again, and now they stood in a peaceful, forested landscape with no one else around. Yet, the tranquility was shattered when he glanced downward and beheld the lifeless body of his friend in his arms. His mind reeled at the sight, and for a moment, he struggled to process the grim reality of the situation.

With a sense of sorrow and inevitability, The Rookie gently lowered his friend's lifeless form to the ground and took a step back. This was indeed a nightmare, one filled with bitter and painful memories. His heart weighed heavy with the knowledge that he had suffered and now was condemned to relive these memories, trapped within the recesses of his own mind.

"I cannot help. This is a battle for thou. Alone."

The voice's enigmatic words offered a modicum of reassurance, acknowledging the painful memories that tormented The Rookie were his to confront alone. His silence in response conveyed his understanding of this truth, even though he yearned for clarity and answers.

"Alone," he murmured, his voice heavy with the weight of his unspoken questions and lingering pain.

With resolve, he redirected his focus away from the somber memories that had resurfaced in his dream. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. He shut his eyes tightly, clenching his fists as he mentally counted down, using the exercise to regain his composure.

One.

The clamor of battle and the desperate cries of the wounded and dying surrounded him.

Two.

The mournful wails of a woman's anguish pierced his mind.

Three.

A voice over the radio, uttering the chilling word "genocide," sent shivers down his spine.

Four.

The haunting sounds of malevolent creatures wreaking havoc and devastation engulfed him.

Five.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself once again on the moon's surface. He was standing but staggered to his knees, his inner turmoil still raw. A tear threatened to escape, but he fought against the tide of emotions, determined to regain his composure and press forward.

The enigmatic voice's words were draped in the regal tapestry of archaic English, resonating with an aura of ancient wisdom and authority:

"Thou art a child of the moon, as am I. Thou hast engaged in dreadful battles, waged wars most terrible, and beheld monstrous horrors. Even as I have. Unlike mine own self, thou hast journeyed from realms unknown. Nonetheless, thou art graciously received within these realms."

"I don't belong here."

The memory of the Covenant war had stirred within The Rookie's consciousness, yet he understood the weight of countless other conflicts that persisted in his world. What troubled him the most was the team, his family, still facing these trials. He could not abandon them in this unfamiliar land, and their safety and survival remained his paramount concern. He could barely remember them, but he remembered they were there. They waited for him.

The enigmatic figure, ethereal and otherworldly, had captivated The Rookie's attention. The sudden wanting to know of her true identity left him in awe and wonderment. His voice trembled with respect and curiosity as he inquired, "Who are you? You are not of my dreams. You are something more."

Turning to face the being, The Rookie beheld a mesmerizing figure, a strange cloud of purple, starry radiance, both dark and innocent. He could not make her silhouette out, not even a figure.

"We are the moon herself, the guardian of many, the scourge of others. We embody darkness and evil, yet we are a force of good. We are the lesser of two, yet possess greater power. I am Luna." Her words were profound, carrying the weight of her celestial existence.

"Despised by those whom we safeguard, our name is offered reverence by only a rare few. Without us, the stars themselves would cease their celestial dance. We are a force that sustains Equestria's vitality and motion. Ten millennia of exile, evil into virtue, celestial, radiant."

A hushed calm descended upon the world, leaving The Rookie to gaze upon Earth, the cradle of his kind, the heartland of humanity.

"Thou is welcome in Equestria," the voice proclaimed, only to be followed by a protracted silence, steeped in reflection.

"Darkness, not born of our own, looms perilously over our subjects. The Frozen King menaces our crystalline brethren anew. Changelings have infiltrated our very ranks, and trust has become a scarce commodity. Villains from the depths of Tartarus aspire to usurp the thrones of both sun, and moon. The Griffin kingdoms restlessly await our misfortune, predicting our fall. The very fabric of magic wanes."

Her tone took on a somber and earnest quality.

"Equestria yearns for an ally. Stand with us in this hour of need, and we shall stand by your side, in your time of need. Discover us, and reach for us. The very power of the moon is shared between us. After all..."

It is our home.

Nova

The Rookie awoke, his body protesting the discomfort of the chair he had slumbered upon. Groaning, he stretched his stiff limbs and yawned, eventually settling back into his makeshift bed. Through the cockpit window, he observed a world transitioning into the light of dawn, the sun casting its early rays upon the landscape. The river from the previous day flowed steadily, as beautiful as ever. While the air retained a chill, the fog on the windows indicated that his body heat had begun to warm the pelican's interior, making his surroundings more comfortable.

The dream he had experienced last night lingered in his thoughts, its strangeness leaving him in a state of uncertainty. It hadn't been unsettling or disconcerting, yet he couldn't quite decipher its meaning. The enigmatic being in his dream had evoked a sense of protection, but for now, he chose to dismiss it as nothing more than... just another dream.

The Rookie began his morning routine, taking time for hygiene before heading outside. He left his helmet behind; it was a relief to have a break from its cumbersome weight. His trusty rifle, which had already proven its worth in battle, was his sole companion on this morning walk or patrol, as he would come to see it.

The planet felt perfectly suited for humans. There was a sense of serenity as he ventured into the cool, refreshing breeze of the winter morning. As he strolled, the gentle wind swept through his surroundings, rustling the leaves and whispering the secrets of the land.

He meandered westward, retracing the path where the drone had ventured into the nearby town. This side of the river appeared untouched by the events of the previous day, and The Rookie couldn't help but appreciate the natural beauty that the planet offered. Soon, he came upon a hill that offered a promising vantage point to view the town. He climbed the incline cautiously.

At the top of the hill, he took a moment to catch his breath and enjoy the expansive view of the archaic town nestled below. The early hour left the settlement relatively still, its buildings basking in the gentle morning light. Eager to gather more information, The Rookie raised his rifle and adjusted the scope to his eye, which rested comfortably against the cool surface of the weapon.

As he observed the town, a sense of disbelief crept over him. The people moving about were unlike any humans he had ever seen. They appeared... short, and their bodies seemed almost equine in shape, it looked like... they were standing on all fours. Their colors were perplexing – various shades of blue, red, and even pink, every color imaginable. The combination of these peculiarities left him questioning the nature of what he was witnessing. It was as though he had stumbled upon a fantastical world, distinct from anything he had encountered before. Surely, just a trick of the morning light.

The Rookie continued to observe the village from his vantage point, his trained eyes carefully studying the people below. It was clear that he needed more information about them, and the only way to obtain it was by getting closer. However, the situation presented challenges. The distance to the village was far, and walking there would consume precious time. If things took a turn for the worse, he would find himself in an unfamiliar territory where the villagers held the advantage.

As he contemplated his approach, his attention was drawn back to the two large crates in his pelican. These crates had piqued his curiosity earlier, and they might contain items that could prove useful in his investigation. The lone wanderer decided to explore their contents, believing that they could hold the key to uncovering more about the villagers and their intentions.

Returning to his pelican, he faced the task of opening one of the crates. With a bit of effort and the sound of reinforced wood being dismantled, he managed to crack one of them open. Inside, he discovered a brand new, shiny all-terrain vehicle, a mongoose. The sight of the vehicle, gleaming and waiting for use, offered a glimmer of hope. He also noticed two canisters of gas, likely the fuel for the mongoose.

The Rookie considered the significance of this find. An ATV could be his ticket to a faster and less conspicuous approach to the village. It could allow him to observe and interact with the villagers without raising too much suspicion. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that these items were meant for him, a gift or a test of some kind.

The Rookie's curiosity was piqued as he turned his attention to the second crate. This one was tall and relatively narrow, and like the previous crate, it seemed to be quite securely sealed. With determination and a touch of frustration, he set out to dismantle it, layer by layer. After a considerable amount of effort, he finally managed to access the crate's contents.

To his surprise, he found yet another crate inside, leading him to believe that whatever was inside must be of significant importance. It took a total of five layers of crating to unveil the true treasure within, a small green box marked with the word "NOVA." The contents of this box remained a mystery, and the lone wanderer couldn't help but wonder about its purpose.

With gloved hands, he carefully unlatched the box and opened it, revealing a small core inside. Its appearance resembled that of a drive or chip, and a dark green radiance emanated from its center. As he observed it, a memory surfaced in his mind, a vague recollection of some sort of chip placement in the back of his helmet. The core before him now seemed to be related to that memory, leaving him to ponder its significance and potential use. Others, in units he had previously been in, would insert basic AI into their helmets. They claimed they were helpful. He himself had used one, when he fought on Earth. These AI were basic, enough for simple navigation, maybe able to change music on command.

The Rookie's gloved fingers closed around the chip. He lifted it, studying it briefly before attempting to insert it into the slot behind his helmet. Predictably, it didn't fit right on the first try. With a sigh, he reversed it and carefully slotted it in, hearing it click into place. He waited for a moment, perhaps a minute or two, but nothing happened. Disappointment welled up within him, as he had half-expected an AI companion to manifest.

Suddenly, his visor turned off. Frustration and self-doubt coursed through him as he contemplated whether he had accidentally malfunctioned his visor with some kind of strange virus. Just as he began to lose hope, something miraculous occurred. The visor lit up, outshining its previous state. It appeared cleaner, as if tailored specifically for him.

"Heya!" A voice reverberated within his head, seemingly originating from behind him. Startled, The Rookie reacted with an uncharacteristic gasp, whipping around and raising his weapon. His surroundings, the cargo hold, were eerily empty. Confusion marked his features as he hesitantly lowered his weapon, and the voice spoke once more.

It was a woman's voice, exuding smoothness and gentleness, yet demanding his attention. While he kept scanning his surroundings, trying to make sense of the situation, he finally vocalized his thoughts. "What are you?" His voice, raspy from disuse over the past two days, felt peculiar, like he was conversing with himself.

"Navigational, Operational, and Vector Analyzer, or NOVA," it spoke. "This is my first time being powered on. I'm very excited." Each second that passed saw alterations in his HUD, flickering and rearranging elements as NOVA seemingly took it upon herself to reorganize things without seeking his permission. The Rookie was left both fascinated and apprehensive about this unexpected development.

The Rookie remained silent, he had heard that AI could go rampant, crazy. This encounter marked his first interaction with such advanced technology, leaving him unsure of how to navigate the situation. Nova, the AI, seemed to sense his hesitancy and ceased her adjustments on his screen. The map of the area lay before him, a tableau of the unknown.

"Quite the quiet type, huh? Aha..." Nova chuckled awkwardly. "Don't worry. I'm not about to go rogue. Got self-deletion protocols and all, set to trigger seven years from now. Not that I know why-"

Ignoring her, the Rookie moved toward the front of his pelican, gazing at the stationary treeline beyond. The AI lapsed into silence, grappling with the uncertainty of their interaction. Soon, his visor was alive again with her manipulations, displaying a tidier arrangement, seemingly tailored to him.

"Now, about your name... I can't see it, so, since I've shared mine, maybe you should spill yours!" Nova's tone carried a hint of desperation, yearning for a response.

"I don't remember," he uttered, the quiet of the pelican intensifying his raspy voice.

"Fantastic! I guess I'll have to give you with a name, like... umm-"

"Rookie," he declared, taking the pilot's seat. Talking to an entity, even an artificial one, felt like a lifeline after days of solitude. Nova's casual demeanor offered a welcome reprieve, suggesting he might not be entirely isolated in this strange realm.

"Rookie it is! While you've been yapping away, I've checked out the data you collected." Nova's words held a hint of excitement as she prepared to guide them into the uncharted mysteries of this new world. "I can see that there's no UN outposts anywhere nearby and I can see that you haven't seen any bad guys yet. I've been looking over the footage your drone captured, and... it's very strange."

"How so?" The Rookie asked. He leaned back into his chair. "Well... the inhabitants are some sort of... weird alien we've never seen before. They're like horses, but cute." Nova replied to him. The Rookie felt his eyebrows furrow. "Horses, but cute?" The rookie whispered, dryly. Nova laughed again, awkwardly.

"Cute horses! Maybe-" Nova's awkward laughter filled the air, abruptly interrupted by the pelican's violent shake. The Rookie, reacting swiftly, armed himself and stood. He could sense Nova's tension, even if he couldn't see her.

"Insect... Insect aliens are surrounding your pelican. Almost ten of them. One of them is trying to open the back door. I wasn't finished integrating with your systems; I couldn't see them coming," Nova urgently relayed.

The Rookie, with his rifle, climbed out of the cockpit, crouching near the front of the pelican. The aliens had encircled the back, oblivious to the front.

"Open the door, Darkshade! She will be upset if we don't get what's inside. She's been looking for this metal bird for years!" One of the aliens spoke. The gruesome creatures resembled the cute horses Nova had mentioned earlier, but malnourished and ragged.

"A-Alien!" one of them cried out upon spotting The Rookie, triggering a chain reaction of alarmed gazes. A sudden darkness enveloped him, accompanied by the sounds of battle and an assault of war memories. His senses were overwhelmed, and the grip of the illusion tightened.

"It's... done some sort of... magic spell on you. I can't explain it. You have to fight back!" Nova's urgent voice cut through the mental haze. The Rookie, breaking free from the spell, raised his rifle, aimed, and fired. The illusion shattered, revealing an injured alien leader.

The wounded leader moaned in agony, its companions clamoring around it. Some fled, others lifted the injured leader with strange magic, enveloping it in green. They retreated, swift as they had attacked. The Rookie, shaken by the ordeal, chose not to pursue. He was in no position to do so.

"You could have killed them." Nova spoke, after a quiet moment of reflection. The Rookie lowered his rifle, and looked at the insect...horse creatures, running away.

"I know."

Still We Fight

The green blood that had oozed from the wound was on the brown dirt, forming a stark contrast against the terrain. It mirrored the encounters The Rookie had faced with other extraterrestrial beings in the past. Green blood.

Oddly, it... somehow shared a semblance with his own blood. It never got easy to look at.

When The Rookie pulled the trigger, precision guided by his human instincts, he didn't aim for a vital organ. Even through the disorienting effects of the illusion, he managed to target a leg. No species he encountered had crucial organs in their lower extremities.

A voice cut through his contemplation. "How long are you going to stare at this green goo?"

Nova, his newfound companion, interjected, jolting The Rookie from his trance. How long had he been staring? He sighed and stepped back, turning around to assess his ship. The cargo bay doors were unscathed; the aliens had failed to inflict any damage. Despite catching only a fragment of their conversation, The Rookie sensed an unsettling truth. She, whoever she was, not only wanted the contents of his pelican... but also anticipated its location.

"How did they know we would be here?" The Rookie's voice cut through the air, dry and probing.

"I don't know," Nova replied, her uncertainty underscoring the mysteries of their predicament. The uncharted land held secrets that demanded unraveling, and The Rookie couldn't shake the feeling that more challenges lay ahead. "I don't detect any trackers, I can't even sense any electronic equipment that isn't ours. They must have different technology, or... just found us by dumb luck."

The Rookie sighed as the echoes of the encounter lingered. Swift and practiced movements disarmed his weapon, each step revealing the expertise of a seasoned warrior. He walked towards the small hill that revealed the forested treeline just beyond.

His black-armored figure stood solitary against the backdrop of the bright green landscape. He looked out of place, out of order. He did not belong here.

A sense of unease lingered in the air as he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "We have to leave. Do you think the town is safe?" There was a small break in his voice, a moment of uncertainty.

"We are alone."

In stark contrast, Nova's voice burst forth, a lively counterpoint to the solemnity of the moment. "Maybe. The... people, if we can call them people, in the town, are different than those bug guys. I was going to show you what I managed to capture before we were attacked. I can still show you. They are cute horse people, just like I said."

"Show me," The Rookie responded, his demeanor shifting as he prepared to face the unknown once more. The juxtaposition of the stoic warrior and the exuberant AI hinted at the delicate balance they would need to navigate in this peculiar world. Images of the people showed up in his visor.

The dull, gritty display of the visor's built-in colors failed to capture the vibrancy of the pictures Nova presented. The Rookie sensed that his helmet was limiting the true spectacle of the scene. In the images, various horse-like creatures adorned the screen. Some gracefully flew with wings on their backs. Pegasus. Others sported horns akin to the recently encountered aliens. Unicorns? Despite their diverse forms, each creature displayed a riot of bright, whimsical colors, radiating an aura of innocence. The low-quality images hindered facial details, or really any detail, leaving him confused. The last image was the strangest. A blue mass, a rainbow behind it. It was what took out the drone.

"I... What?" The Rookie's voice cracked, breaking his stoic composure, for a moment. The bizarreness of the fantastical creatures against the backdrop of his military background left him in a state of bewilderment. It was a world unlike any he had encountered—an unexpected blend of the familiar and the extraordinary. No other alien looked so... familiar. These looked like horses, no, ponies, from Earth. He could remember what those looked like, he saw some at a zoo, he could faintly remember.

"I am in just as much disbelief as you are! Soooooooooo let's gather more info before we-" Nova's voice was suddenly interrupted.

"...lo?"

His drone. The drone that had been downed in the town yesterday, it reconnected. Suddenly, and quickly. The Rookie felt tense, he couldn't see Nova, but he could feel her tension too. Nova cleared his screen clear, and silently brought up the camera feed.

"...ello? Hello? Can you hear me?" Audio streamed from the connection. The camera feed was down, but audio had come back. He recognized the voice, a woman's voice, the one who had tried to prevent the destruction of the drone just the day before.

"I'm sure I fixed the thing that my friend broke. This thing has so many wires, it took me all night! I was really worried I wasn't going to be able to fix it, but..." Her words spilled out rapidly, a mix of excitement and relief evident in her voice. The fragmented audio revealed snippets—a chorus of voices, laughter, and someone expressing fascination with the alien technology. The connection was fleeting, but it felt human, a connection to something beyond the isolation of the past few days.

The transmission abruptly cut off, but not before he caught the last sentence amidst the overlapping voices.

"We... are friendly."
"Please come to P...ville."
"We want to learn all about you!"
"We'll throw a party!"

The Rookie stood up, a decision made. "We will go to their town."

"It could be dangerous," Nova interjected, concern evident in her voice. "We don't even know what these... people are! We should study them at a distance, watch them. Not to mention, this would break first contact-"

"We have already broken rules, Nova. I fired on those who were here today first. These aliens, they speak our language. They-" The Rookie spoke with a calm determination.

"We are outnumbered if they attack, Lance Corporal. I-"

"We are outnumbered, I know. I have tried to reach someone, anyone, for the last few days, before you were with me. There isn't a single, not a single satellite in this region of the galaxy, much less this star system." The Rookie's frustration and agitation were palpable. He wasn't accustomed to being in command, to arguing. He would let them argue for days and not get involved, they...

They.

Who were they?

Memories surged, incomplete, hazy. They overwhelmed him, driving him to his knees. Clutching his head, he groaned in pain, the familiar headache accompanying the fragments of his past. It felt like an icepick... no, a bullet to the temple.

"Rookie!" Nova's urgent cry pierced through. Panting, he staggered back to his chair, lifting the control panel.

"We will go to this town. We are alone, Nova," The Rookie declared, his tone cold and demanding.

"I know..." Nova sighed audibly. "I know."

There wasn't much spoken, other than the routine flight checks from Nova as they ascended into the sky. The silence that ensued was deafening, creating an itch in the Rookie to break it, but his mouth felt dry with words. The flight itself was brief, almost uneventful. Taking off consumed more time than the journey to the quaint town below. The pelican descended gently, finding its place in a field a few miles outside the town. Here, nothing but grassy expanses stretched around them. In the nearby distance, an apple orchard and a charming cottage added to the picturesque scene, as if pulled from a fantasy movie.

The pelican's arrival in proximity to the town didn't go unnoticed. In the distance, flying horses observed them, sporting a variety of expressions. Some displayed fear, while others wore looks of perplexity and confusion. The Rookie marveled at how distinctly he could discern their emotions, their reactions mirroring those of humans.

The town center lay not far off. Utilizing the magnification setting on his helmet, he observed the gathering populace on the outskirts. They regarded his vehicle with the same range of expressions as the flying beings. Horns, which he had noticed in the blurry images earlier, adorned some of the inhabitants here, though not all. Most appeared without wings or horns.

The colors of these peculiar beings spanned a wide spectrum. He spotted a blue individual with vibrant hair standing beside another in hues of grey and yellow. Attempting to discern their gender, the Rookie noted a size difference between males and females, though uncertain if this mirrored Earthly species norms.

A palpable silence hung in the air, seemingly stretching into eternity as the Rookie locked eyes with the alien inhabitants, and they reciprocated the gaze. Suddenly, a stir among the townspeople caught their attention, as they gravitated toward a group of figures, potentially leaders or some form of military. The distance made it hard to discern the details.

"This is so out of SOP, Rookie. I hope you know what you're doing," Nova's voice, tinged with judgment, echoed in his helmet.

"I don't."

The Rookie stood up and reached for the pelican's hatch, hesitating as he pondered his next move. Casting a glance at the shifting mass of people, he took a small breath and pushed open the hatch, leaping out. Armed with nothing but a sidearm, he stepped onto the grass below. A slight gust of wind accompanied his boots touching the ground, offering a refreshing sensation. He walked forward step by step, gaining a clearer view of the surroundings.

Approaching him were a group of armored horses, drab in color compared to the vibrant townsfolk. Uneasy glances were exchanged among them, a small group of five guards alongside another group of six. The Rookie halted, feeling an uneasy tension. Despite wielding archaic weapons like spears, the guards posed a potential threat if they got too close.

They stopped a mere hundred meters away, scrutinizing him. Among the group that didn't resemble soldiers, each individual was uniquely strange. An orange one wearing a western hat regarded him with suspicion, a white unicorn stood nearby, her wide eyes conveying an ambiguous expression. A blue pegasus with a colorful mane seemed upset, standing protectively in front of a cowering yellow pegasus. Adjacent to them, a pink one smiled strangely, prompting the Rookie to quickly avert his eyes due to... how weird she was.

Leading them all was a purple figure, distinct from the rest, including the guards. Unfazed, she continued walking, displaying a horn on her head that differed from others he had seen. A sudden scattering of feet brought his attention to behind her. He hadn't noticed earlier, but there was some sort of gremlin in this group as well. He panted as he caught up to the purple one, the leader. He was scribbling on a parchment, with... a quill. The letter suddenly poofed away, as did the quill. The little bipedal creature, the only he'd seen here, suddenly tried to pull on the purple one's leg to halt her, but she didn't stop. He seemed too afraid to keep going, leaving her approaching him, saying one last thing as she approached.

The Rookie watched as she approached. His helmet looked down at her when she finally was just a few feet away.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle. What is your name?"

Endlessly

A profound stillness enveloped the atmosphere. A few moments lingered after her question. Rookie's mouth opened, and a soft breath slipped out, but no audible response followed. He felt the slight tightening of the loose fist his hand had unconsciously formed.

Why was it so hard to talk? He just had to speak, just his name.

"-"

"Hello!"

It was Nova, finally taking a holographic form – a sight he vaguely recalled witnessing before, maybe in other AI. Instead of assuming a human appearance, she seemed to be adopting an approach to ease the tension, mirroring... them. A horn protruded from a disheveled-looking mane, and she sported oversized, conspicuously nerdy glasses on her face. Her form shimmered in a bright blue hue, making it challenging to distinguish color variations, especially with the streaks of straight white lines adorning her body. She appeared shorter than the others, but gauging their height from this distance proved difficult.

Twilight, the purple... pony in front of him, startled at Nova's sudden manifestation. A small gasp escaped her, eyes widening as she turned her attention to Nova, who responded with a goofy smile.

"H-How did you do that? It was just him - there was no teleportation spell. No one can hide their magic, not even the princesses! A-Are you a ghost?! You look so clear! You're not made of crystal, so maybe you're another kind of..." Twilight's composure shattered, her thoughts consumed by Nova's abrupt appearance. The sudden lapse in composure prompted some eye-rolling among her companions, hinting that such reactions were not uncommon.

As Twilight rambled on, the other five who had accompanied her finally broke their stillness. They moved, gathering beside Twilight, who was now scrutinizing Nova with curiosity.

"Twilight, I think ya need to snap out of it, now's not the time," an orange one spoke. The Rookie's gaze shifted to her; she appeared more composed than the others. The blue one, with the rainbow hair, shot him a dirty look. The white one's eyes were fixed not on him, but on Nova, filled with excitement rather than fear. The yellow one remained concealed behind the blue one, but Nova's appearance prompted her to peek out slightly. As for the pink one... she was nowhere to be seen among them.

A sudden blip on his radar appeared behind him, causing the Rookie to feel uneasy. In a swift, methodical movement, he sidestepped and focused on the blip. A sudden burst of confetti obscured his vision, making everything unclear. His hand instinctively twitched towards his sidearm, but once he saw only the confetti, he halted. The movement went unnoticed by all except Nova and Twilight, who stared at him, particularly at his hand. The slight twitch seemed to break Twilight out of her gaze, as if she sensed the sudden... hostility.

"A new shiny pony, and a new... weird pony! Well not weird in the bad way, but in a good way! Weird is good! I lo-" The pink one started to ramble, her eyes wide with joy, her smile, unnaturally... joyful. A sudden purple mist surrounded her mouth, and she was suddenly shut up. To Rookie, it was a slight relief. She... talked too much. The other four seemed bug-eyed at her display, simply looking past her, as if this happened often. Too often.

"Pinkie! Now is not the time!" Twilight's voice carried an authoritative tone, swiftly reprimanding the exuberant pink one. Rolling her eyes, Pinkie sighed and strolled back to the group of four, the dissipating mist leaving an air of quirky disappointment.

The Rookie, sensing the need to diffuse tension, sighed softly. He straightened his stance, directing his attention back to Twilight. Her unusual eyebrows furrowed slightly as she studied him, and she inquired, "What is your name?" The undertone carried a note of accusation, a touch of distrust, as if she had detected a hint of hostility in his movements.

"Rookie," he replied, his voice carrying a quiet undertone, slightly muffled by his mask. Twilight's ears perked up upon hearing his response. Nova, attempting to break the ice, cleared her holographic throat, redirecting Twilight's attention.

"He... doesn't talk very much, but I promise he's a good guy! As for me, my name is Nova! I'm his... assistant, you could say. We're really far from home, so if you don't mind, I'm sure we'd love to learn more about you all, who you are, and what you are!" Nova's cheerful words resonated, and she gave the Rookie a warm smile. "Right? Rookie?"

The Rookie nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting back to Twilight as he gave her another nod. Twilight, however, seemed perplexed. Her hoof instinctively went to her face, a sigh escaping her lips as she rubbed her temple. "Fine. I'll show you to my home, in Ponyville; we can talk more there. It's not too far. Follow me."

Twilight briskly turned around and began marching towards her companions, who followed suit. The guards in the distance looked to her for guidance, and she assured them, "I'm sure we'll be fine without you." Although they appeared unsure, they obeyed and walked away in unison. The townsfolk, having witnessed the encounter, seemed to sulk away, leaving the streets nearly empty. The presence of the Rookie, or perhaps his imposing armor, had evidently unsettled them.

The group accompanying Twilight huddled together, engaged in whispered conversations. The little gremlin and the orange cowboy-hatted one spoke to Twilight, while the rainbow one exclaimed something to the others, flying beside them. Abruptly, she halted and turned to face the Rookie and Nova, who were following at a slight distance. In an instant, she zoomed to the Rookie's face, hovering just in front. Unfazed, the Rookie maintained his pace, continuing to walk.

"You seem shady! Is there a reason to hide your face? You got something to hide?" The forceful, accusatory voice came from the rainbow-maned one.

Nova attempted to interject, but the rainbow one interrupted her before she could say another word. "Try anyyyy funny business, and I'll be sure to kick you back to wherever you came from, no matter how tough you think you are!"

The sound of running approached as the orange one came up to the three, smiling apologetically. She bit the end of the rainbow one's tail and began pulling her away. "Ahm ahwully shorry. Rhainbosh jusht a little defenshive ish all, Ahll talk to 'er." She laughed awkwardly and pulled her away from the Rookie.

"Oh, it's fine... Aha... No worries." Nova sheepishly laughed beside Rookie, smiling awkwardly back at them. They soon rejoined their group, leaving just Rookie and Nova again.

"You look like them," the Rookie said quietly. He kept his gaze forward at the group of seven beings ahead of him. They were full of character, even at this moment—talking amongst themselves, even laughing once or twice. He noticed the buildings, so strange in architecture as they approached. They looked like pictures of old villages in Europe or America, from times long past. There was almost no technology to be seen anywhere. In a nearby bush, a group of three eyes peered at him, poorly disguised. They were perhaps younger ponies, though it was hard to make out any real detail, other than their smaller sizes. People looked at him from their windows, from the fronts of their houses. There didn't seem to be any maliciousness; a few seemed wary, but most appeared curious.

"I had to break the tension somehow. It's a lot easier to speak to someone who looks like you. Too bad we only get to design our bodies once," Nova mentioned with a little, sheepish smile. The Rookie let out a small sigh in response as they approached a large oak tree. It was strange in shape, large and old, with windows all around its frame, and a door presented right at the base of the tree. It was a curiosity.

"Home sweet home. Please come in," Twilight said, inviting the two in. Nova and Rookie followed the seven, who made themselves right at home. It seemed like they knew this place well. The inside was a library. Books littered the area, though it was organized—an organized mess. Nearby was a table with chairs set all around beside it, and in the center of it, his drone. The Rookie stepped up to it and looked down. The wiring was an absolute mess, the blades bent and twisted; the poor drone had seen better days. Much better days.

The Rookie's hand slipped downward, touching the frame, only for it to spark violently, making him recoil his hand quickly. A sheepish laugh broke the silence beside him. He looked over at Twilight, seeing her looking at his drone. "I have no clue what that thing is; I take it that it's yours?" She asked, looking at him. He nodded.

"I'm very sorry that we broke it. It took me forever to get it to light up again, but it was the most intricate piece of technology I've ever seen! I mean, if you were able to get a metal bird to fly with wires, I have no clue what else you can do! I tested all of the wires; I even found out that it has positive and negative charges, even a ground! I had to test it with the same technology I have with my ligh-" Twilight started to ramble, her eyes going wide, her breath quickening. A sudden "ahem" from her friends, all of them, broke her trance. She coughed, blinked, and looked back at her friends with a sheepish smile.

The Rookie thought she maybe... was weirder than the pink one. Maybe.

"I'm sorry. I got too excited. Again, my name is Twilight. Welcome to Ponyville," she said, looking to Nova. She lifted a hoof up to her, seemingly to shake her hand. Nova reached her own 'hoof' up to shake Twilight's, but it slipped right through. The action surprised Twilight, threatening to bring her to another weird 'science attack.'

"You're... holographic?" Twilight whispered quietly. Nova was about to reply, only to be interrupted by the pink one. She appeared out of nowhere, yet again, and stuck her whole leg through Nova's body, her eyes wide with excitement. She let out a loud squeak of excitement and tried to poke at different parts of Nova's body. The white one suddenly appeared too. The Rookie hadn't expected her to show up too; she had been reserved, yet noble the whole time. She seemed at a loss for words.

"So beautiful yet... no way to correct! What a catastrophe! Whatever will I do? I was already planning on what to do with your mane, it's so unkempt, just like Twilight when I don't get on her for it. How am I going to fix you if I cannot touch you?!" She exclaimed, touching at Nova's face, her hoof going through Nova. Nova seemed shocked somewhat, but the rest of the six in this room seemed so unbothered by her actions; they barely even looked over at her. The pink one had somehow gotten a bubble machine and was blowing bubbles through Nova.

"Please ignore them," Twilight sighed, putting her hoof down, looking back to the Rookie. It seemed, for now, the others were preoccupied with Nova. Perhaps it was because she looked like them somewhat, or it was her friendly demeanor, but the other five ponies had gathered around Nova, and were speaking to her, rather than to Rookie.

"I need to know if you're really not here to hurt anypony. As Princess Celestia's number one pupil, I have to make sure anypony that appears in Ponyville is here for everyone's good and not out to hurt others."

The Rookie stood in contemplation, unsure of how to respond. He looked at her. He could see her eyes straining to get a look at his face, through the dark visor. He looked outside. It was midday. The landscape was beautiful. It was strangely beautiful. He had forgotten what a peaceful place looked like.

"I saw her in a dream. She had taken a nightmare away from me," he whispered, still looking away from Twilight. She seemed confused somewhat, a perplexed look coming to her face.

"I dreamt of Luna."

Black Rose

"Luna?" Twilight asked, a look of confusion on her face. The Rookie nodded. "I suppose she could have visited you in-"

Nova suddenly appeared next to them. "Miss Sparkle, would you like to learn what that is?" She asked, pointing to their drone. Twilight's eyes widened, and her attention turned to Nova fully. "Do I?" She asked, excitement in her voice.

Feeling a subtle uneasiness, Rookie seized the distraction Nova provided. Silently slipping away, he ventured out into the town. The streets, once vacant in response to his presence, now hosted people who had seemingly grown accustomed to his arrival. Their watchful gazes followed him, perhaps influenced by Twilight's trust, or maybe the occasional arrival of strangers. Rookie chose to ignore the silent scrutiny and redirected his steps towards the northern outskirts. A gentle stream or river near the town's edge caught his eye, flowing peacefully under the daylight.

The Rookie approached the riverbank, his focus drawn downward. He was aware that Nova was still watching him, she was still in his helmet. He wasn't sure how she managed to make a hologram, he'd have to ask later.

As he peered into the reflective surface of the river, a familiar yet distant figure stared back at him. The dark visor concealed the majority of his face, revealing only scant traces of his skin. Choosing a sense of liberation, he had shed many of the underlying layers of armor before venturing into the town. Clad in nothing but his standard-issue blouse and pants, with the armored vest, gloves, kneepads, and elbow pads, and of course, his visored helmet. Any additional layers would have burdened him with extra heat and weight.

The Rookie let out a sigh, turning his gaze away from the reflective river to the surreal town that lay behind him. The situation was beyond strange. Struggling to recollect his past and memories, he now found himself in a place inhabited by talking horses—some capable of flight, others wielding mystical powers. His fists, previously loose, tightened with frustration. The overwhelming sense of helplessness consumed him, even so, an unfamiliar tranquility washed over him, an unnatural calm.

The Rookie's eyes continued scanning the town, where pony inhabitants engaged in their daily activities. Conversations, laughter, scolding, and bartering created a peculiar backdrop against the surreal sight of ponies mirroring human behavior. Though not human, they bore a striking resemblance to his kind. Amidst the ordinary scenes, he spotted an odd creature in his peripheral vision, observing him. Struggling to focus on the distant figure, he raised a hand to his visor, clicking its side to adjust the vision. The creature, reminiscent of the aliens from the day before, revealed themselves with bug-like eyes that seemed to lock onto him ominously, even from a distance.

"Nova," he whispered, hand instinctively reaching for his sidearm—the pistol. Moving with a sense of urgency, he adjusted the magnification on his visor and strategically maneuvered around a building, positioning himself to get a better look at the creature. His pistol remained at a low-ready, his stance poised for immediate action. The unease in the air hinted at potential danger, and the Rookie was prepared for whatever might come next.

"Rookie?" Nova inquired after a brief silence. "Did you see something? I found it strange that you left. Leaving me with a whole bunch of crazies is awful. The purple one - Twilight, she won't stop asking me questions, the pink one won't stop bugging me, and the-"

"Nova," the Rookie interrupted, his voice carrying a tone of command. He needed her attention. She fell silent, and he could almost sense her frowning through her holographic form. In just two days, he had gotten used to her personality.

"There's a bug here, like the ones from yesterday." He peered cautiously from the side of the building, scanning the area where he suspected the creature might be. He had strategically moved to force it into the open, but there was nothing there. His eyes darted around, further into the town. All that met his gaze were the townsfolk, going about their usual activities. Nothing seemed amiss, nothing appeared different.

The Rookie clicked his tongue, straightening his stance as he gave a final glance around. "It's gone," he whispered. "I'll keep looki-"

A sudden force tackled him from behind. It was weak but undeniably a threat. The Rookie lunged forward, landing on his stomach. In a swift move, he turned around, a testament to his combat experience, and raised his pistol at his attacker—a small pony. She was orange, her mane a vibrant purple, and she was grinning mischievously. Behind her, two more ponies appeared. A sense of confusion washed over the Rookie; he hesitated for just a moment before holstering his gun. These were children, not enemies.

The two beside her, a white one and a yellow one, threw what he could only make out to be nets on him. They were of lesser quality, and a simple movement of his hand brushed most of it off his helmet. There wasn't even enough of it to cover half of his body.

"Did we get 'em?!" The yellow one asked, looking at the other two.
"Yeah, we got him! Alien-catchers! We're going to be alien catchers!" The one that tackled him cheered.
"I dunno, it kind of looks like he got out," the third one said, pointing at Rookie, the other two quickly looking over. Rookie had brushed the rest of the netting away and looked back at the three. He wasn't sure what they were doing, but it was childish, a little dorky, but funny. He raised his hands in mock surrender.

The children collectively recoiled and took a step back. Their widened eyes didn't focus on the Rookie; rather, it was someone behind him. Sensing the tension, he rotated his body to see what or who was there. A feeling of unease gripped him. Was it the bug?

Standing behind him was one of the mares he had met earlier, the orange one. Her gaze was fixed on the children, a clear glare in her eyes.

"Run!" came a call from behind. The sound of hooves scattering echoed, and Applejack sighed audibly.

"Ahm sorry. Those girls like to play and all, but sometimes they take it too far. I'll talk to Apple Bloom later, make sure she don't do that again." Applejack extended a hoof towards him, accompanied by a warm smile. "Ahm Apple Jack."

The Rookie sat up, the last bit of webbing falling from his upper body. He observed Applejack for a moment before reaching his hand over for a handshake. The grip was surprisingly firm, in a way he couldn't quite describe. "Rookie," he calmly stated, releasing the unusual handshake rather quickly. It felt odd.

"I saw you leave earlier, and I wanted to make sure you weren't up to anything funny, I'll be honest. I'm a little suspicious of you, being... strange and all. Now I feel a lil' bad, since my sister and her friends attacked ya." Applejack chuckled sheepishly, looking off to the side. The Rookie looked up at her, studying her face. It was strange how they spoke the same language he did, and her mannerisms were almost exactly like a human's – all of their mannerisms were like that.

"They're just kids," he replied. The comment seemed to soothe Applejack somewhat, and she gave him a smile.

"You don't talk too much, do ya?" she laughed. He stared for a few moments again before shaking his head. He grunted and stood up with some effort. He looked at Applejack and then just beyond her. The rainbow-colored one, the one that had been somewhat aggressive with him earlier, was looking at him from the corner of the building. How long had she been there? Applejack turned to face her, following the gaze of the Rookie's visor.

"What are you doin' Rainbow? Come over here, and say sorry for being such a hard-head!" she yelled out to her. Rainbow Dash gave her a glare before hovering over.

"Fine, but not because you told me to!" she huffed, eventually landing right beside her. She looked up at the Rookie, squinting her eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry for being rude to you earlier," the apology sounded somewhat forced, perhaps her other friends had mentioned something too, "I just had to make sure you knew who's boss around here, and that you aren't going to hurt my friends, or anypony else!"

"I won't," he replied dryly. Rainbow Dash seemed uneasy, perhaps unnerved by his short response, but somewhat satisfied by it.

"I think we should get back; Twilight had some questions for ya. Your ghost friend isn't saying much about who you are or where you're from, and it's getting a little annoyin' hearing those two eggheads talk about... wires and technology," she sighed. The Rookie nodded, and soon, the three were on their way.

Soon, they reached the inside of Twilight's home again. Twilight and Nova were talking, Twilight somewhat more frantically, as they looked over the drone. The others, who hadn't gotten a name for yet, were crowded around the two. The white one was taking a measuring tape to Nova's body, while the yellow one seemed to be having fun just watching the others. He wasn't sure where the little purple gremlin or the pink one had gone; they weren't in this room.

"You're back! I had so many questions for you; I was hoping you'd be back soon!" Twilight remarked as she spotted him, a twinge of excitement in her voice. Nova glanced over at him, giving him a smile. The Rookie gave her a nod and approached the table they were huddled around, sitting on a stool. It was rather short, but he made it work, somewhat awkwardly.

"Nova says that you're both not from Equestria, so I want to learn more. I have to send a report to the princess, after all. She's going to want to know a lot more about you," she said, pulling a pen and paper from seemingly nowhere, enveloped by her purple magic, bringing it beside her face. She scribbled for a few moments before looking right at him. "We'll start by where you're from, since we already know your names!"

A deep exhale escaped the Rookie, his eyes shifting briefly to Nova. She, in turn, was engrossed in a discussion about outfits with Rarity, the white mare. The two newcomers, Rarity and Fluttershy, who's names had been conveniently marked above their heads by Nova, had joined the conversation, adding a layer of complexity to the already perplexing situation. It seemed that answers wouldn't come easily, and he felt a twinge of frustration.

"I'm from Luna," he stated, his words hanging in the air. Confusion creased Twilight's brow, a sentiment mirrored by a mix of curiosity and concern. The Rookie could empathize; the concept of Luna being a celestial body, not a princess, was proving difficult to convey.

"Princess Luna?"

"The moon Luna. I don't know who Princess Luna is," he clarified. Twilight scribbled on the paper before squinting at him, attempting to unravel the enigma.

"You're from a place called Luna? There's nowhere in Equestria called Luna. I suppose I don't know the name of every city in other continents, but I'm sure I would've heard of your people at least!" she mused, her words echoing the collective bewilderment in the room.

"I'm not from here," the Rookie sighed, feeling the weight of his words. Uncertain of how Twilight would react, he continued, "I'm from another place, another planet, another... reality?" His voice trailed off into a whisper, reflecting the uncertainty of his own existence in this strange reality.

Twilight set her notepad down, her expression shifting to a frown. She opened her mouth to pose another question, but a sudden onslaught of pain besieged the Rookie. Grasping at his helmet, he winced against the invisible assault on his temple. It made him want to peel the helmet off, but he managed to restrain his urges. The others, previously engrossed in their conversation, turned their attention toward him, concern etching their faces.

"I'd rather not answer any more questions," he whispered, his breath heavy. The pain gradually receded, and Twilight nodded in understanding.

"I think he's a little tired. This situation is stressful. I'll try to explain. Rookie's a human, a soldier," Nova interjected, eliciting a tense atmosphere. "Marine," the Rookie corrected in a hushed voice. Nova offered a sheepish smile. "Right. Marine. We're from a democratic group of nations—the United Nations. Rookie is from the moon Luna." The revelation hung in the air, a complex tapestry of disbelief and curiosity woven into the expressions of Twilight and her friends.

"Moon?" Twilight asked, her expression filled with bewilderment as she glanced at Nova.

Nova nodded, adjusting her circular glasses with a hoof. "Moon."

"We have technology that allows us to travel between planets, even between stars," Nova explained, her calm demeanor in stark contrast to the evident confusion and disbelief on Twilight and her friends' faces. Before Twilight could interject, Nova continued, "Rookie here suddenly woke up in this world, in the forest to the East. He woke up in our plane, which just so happened to house me in it. We've been here a few days, and you weren't the first encounter we've had. Rookie was attacked by wooden wolves and others who looked like you but were... buggish. And since we're alone, he decided to come here."

"Changelings?" Twilight asked urgently, a word that sparked commotion within the group. It became apparent they had encountered these creatures before. "What did they look like? Where was this? How many of them were there?" She bombarded them with questions, her sense of urgency evident as she swiftly retrieved her notepad and quill.

Nova suddenly disappeared, leaving the group of ponies blinking in surprise as she was replaced by a screen. It displayed a scene from Rookie's perspective, capturing the image of the changelings he had encountered just the other day. Nova had thankfully excluded the part where he had shot one of them, cutting the video right before his attack.

"Oh no! They're back, again, and so close to Ponyville. I have to let Celestia know; they're bound to attack again. They-"

The room fell into a sudden silence as the front door was opened with a forceful smack. All eyes turned to the entrance, including Rookie's. A palpable tension filled the air as a dark mare walked in, as dark as the night. Behind her, a cohort of guards with a similar celestial color approached. Her mane flowed with the celestial beauty of the cosmos, and her eyes scanned the room before settling on Nova and then on Rookie.

"We meet thee at last." The regal voice echoed through the room. Silence followed.

"We meet a friend."