Earth: 1984.

One year into Project Uma Kyōkai.

Begin Transcript:
- "So, Kugelblitz, what are Agent [REDACTED]’s vitals? Is he still kicking in there?"
- "... Good. Send a probe to get an update immediately."
- "... What? One can’t be sent until later this year? Hm. Alright, but make it quick."

End Transcript.

It was only when Pinkie Pie threw a surprise party that you realized it had been a full year since your arrival in Equestria. The cheerful decorations, endless snacks, and Pinkie’s relentless enthusiasm should have made you feel welcome, but instead, the celebration left you contemplative.

One year.

Your mission, the reason you were sent here, was now a distant memory. You hadn’t completed it—not because of incompetence or circumstance, but because you no longer cared. You’d stopped thinking of Earth as “home” and started calling Fluttershy’s cozy cottage your own. Even the name “Agent,” a placeholder title for your anonymity, had become part of you. You’d never shared your real name; it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

You still wrote in your journal every week, but not for them. Those entries were for you—a record of your thoughts, your experiences, and the strange new life you were carving out for yourself.

In the year you’d spent in Equestria, you’d taught your small group of friends about the better aspects of humanity. Your knowledge of engineering, storytelling, and problem-solving had fascinated them, though you carefully avoided mentioning the darker uses of human ingenuity.

Twilight, naturally, had been the most curious. She absorbed every word you said, her quill scratching furiously as she took notes. At first, her constant attention made you uneasy—like you were a specimen under observation. But over time, you understood. You’d studied them, too, when you first arrived. Curiosity was mutual, and no hard feelings lingered.

Rarity, on the other hand, had focused on a more practical aspect of your existence: your clothing. Your old gear, designed for survival and durability, was beginning to show its age after daily use. She took it upon herself to sew you new clothes and even insisted on teaching you a thing or two.

“You’re saying these fingers can do what a unicorn’s horn can?” Rarity asked, incredulous, as she guided your hand through a simple stitching motion.

“Yeah,” you replied, concentrating on the needle in your hand.

Rarity let out a low hum, clearly impressed. “Well, I must admit, your hands are surprisingly versatile.”

You smirked. “We get by.”

Returning to Fluttershy’s cottage after the lesson, you felt the familiar warmth of a place that had become more than shelter—it was home. Fluttershy had been kind enough to offer you a permanent place to stay, and you made every effort to repay her generosity by helping around the house. You cleaned, shopped, and even cared for the animals under her supervision.

“You really don’t have to do all this,” she said one evening as you cleaned the windows.

You shook your head. “Your kindness is the only thing that’s kept me in this world. I owe you more than you know.”

Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she gave you a shy smile.

Despite how much life had improved, reminders of your past lingered. Your sidearm sat untouched on the desk in your room, with only one bullet left in the chamber. You recalled your general’s grim advice: *“Keep one bullet, always. If you get caught… you’re a liability.”*

The thought made your stomach churn, and you’d stopped carrying the weapon altogether. It felt like a relic of another life, one you weren’t sure you wanted anymore.

Life in Equestria wasn’t easy, but it was fulfilling. The physical labor involved in living in a world with less advanced technology had transformed you. Where once you were lean and efficient, your frame had broadened with muscle. Your height had even increased slightly—perhaps due to better nutrition or the constant activity. Last time you checked, you were 6’3”.

As the weeks turned into months, you began to realize something: no one was waiting for you back on Earth.

The day started like any other. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and the faint buzz of life in Ponyville filled the atmosphere. You decided to take a walk alone, enjoying the peace and quiet.

That peace was shattered when you saw it.

A probe.

Your heart sank. They’d come for you—or at least, they were trying. The small device hovered above the ground, scanning the area with a mechanical hum.

You didn’t hesitate. Striding up to the probe, you grabbed one of its antennae and dragged it into the cover of a nearby bush.

“What do you want?” you growled, your voice low and threatening.

The probe struggled in your grip, its motors whirring as it attempted to break free. Your grip was unyielding.

“Of course,” you muttered bitterly. “You can’t talk.”

Still, you knew someone was watching. Staring directly into the camera lens, you leaned closer.

“Listen to me,” you hissed. “Don’t come here. It’s dangerous, and the locals are aggressive and deadly. I’ve only survived this long because of my will. Your soldiers won’t last a day. Stay out.”

With that, you raised your fist and brought it down on the probe. The metal crumpled under your strength, sparks flying as the camera shattered. You didn’t stop until the device was a smoking ruin.

“Agent? Are you okay?”

The soft voice startled you. You turned to see Fluttershy approaching, her eyes wide with concern.

“Yeah,” you lied, brushing off shards of glass from your hands and face. “I’m fine.”

“Oh no, you’re not!” Fluttershy gasped, rushing to your side. “You’re bleeding!”

“It’s nothing,” you said, though the cuts stung.

Fluttershy wasn’t having it. Gently but firmly, she guided you back toward the cottage. “I can’t just let you walk around like this. Come on, let me take care of you.”

You didn’t resist, though guilt gnawed at you. It felt like every time you turned around, you were putting Fluttershy in a position to care for you. Her kindness was boundless, and you were grateful for it, but you couldn’t help feeling like a burden.

As Fluttershy cleaned and bandaged your wounds, you sat quietly, lost in thought. The guilt weighed heavily on you. Every time she patched you up or offered you a kind word, it reminded you of how much you owed her.

“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately,” Fluttershy said softly as she wrapped a bandage around your hand. “You need to take better care of yourself.”

“I’m trying,” you replied, your voice low. “I just… I don’t want to let you down.”

She paused, looking up at you with those gentle teal eyes. “You could never let me down, Agent. You’ve done so much already.”

Her words hit you harder than you expected. You looked away, unsure how to respond.

“Thank you,” you murmured after a long pause.

Fluttershy smiled and gave your hand a reassuring pat.

As you sat there, the thought of the probe lingered in the back of your mind. You didn’t know if your message would be enough to deter them, but you hoped it would buy you some time. Time to figure out who you were in this world—and who you wanted to be.

For the first time in a long while, you felt like you might have a chance to start over.

Author's Note

Another 3 done. I hope you like where the story is going! I’ll probably finish and release the next chapters by tomorrow afternoon.