One Last Breath: I failed them all.
"Valen, wake up." said a voice, soft in the early morning light.
I sat up, my eyes still adjusting to the darkness.
"What's up?" I asked groggily.
I got no response.
The man left the room, the door shut quietly behind him.
It had been a full century since the Fate incident.
It happened when a faulty satellite had detonated, causing a worldwide EMP. When it happened, it is said to have cast a black shadow over the skies.
Humanity had decayed into bands of tribal raiders, the few remaining civilized humans had finally begun to build true cities, electricity was a scarcity, and clean water finally ran smoothly where irrigation had been established.
I belonged to a group of Marine descendants. My job was to reach out for supplies in the surrounding areas, and defend our budding city of New Hope. I was part of Saber group, a squad of light soldiers. Mainly scouts and advance troops.
Action had been scarce in the last month. My squad-mates were itching for a fight. Raider activity in the area had declined recently, for no official reason.
Or so I thought.
I put on my last clean shirt and jeans. I made sure to put the plastic figurine of a small purple unicorn I had found a few years back, the package had said "Twilight Sparkle". I walked out of my bunk to find my squad-mates gearing for a fight.
"What's going on?" I asked to my squad leader his name was James F. Harvane.
"Activity up north. Possibly raider based. We're to go and investigate. Eliminate all hostiles if needed." he said, anxiety lay in his voice. Something was off about this one.
I saluted and left to get prepped.
My armor slid easily over my soldiers, my gauntlets locked into place, my boots fit snuggly on my feet. I lowered my helmet, locked the visor in place and grabbed my assault rifle.
I stood by my squad as we began the march to the objective, a deserted skeleton of a town.
When it got in sight, we scanned the waste over, not a sound came from the town. Not a single move could be seen.
James signaled us to move forward to the town. I was on the right flank of our squad. We reached the outskirt of the first building, a collapsed house. The stairs still intact, leading to nothing.
"Something's sketchy here." said one of my squad mates.
James gave the 'shut up' signal and directed our squad to break into three groups.
Saber 01, and 02 swung to the east side of town. I was Saber 04, me and Saber 05 were sent to the west flank, Sabers 06-09 went up the center.
We hugged the walls making our way up the row of houses.
A faint radio signal crackled over the waves, "All saber groups, we have a supermarket at the end of the street. Keep eyes out, we might have possible raider activity." James called out.
Saber 05 nudged my shoulder, "Should we get eyes on?" he whispered.
I nodded and mapped a route to an apartment building.
We slid through the alleys and corridors until we had a decent view of the market.
"Saber 01, this is Saber 04, how copy?" I whispered into the mouth piece.
"Saber 04, good copy. Do you have eyes on the target?" James replied.
"Yes sir, apartment building on the west side of the main road, we have eyes on Sabers 06-09 sir." I reported.
"Good, hold position until further notice."
I signaled 05 to set up a position ion one of the windows.
Sabers 06-09 moved up the street clinging against the buildings as they went.
"All Sabers, movement, supermarket left side. Call the ball?"
I looked to where the Saber had directed, a quick flash of movement caught my eye.
"Confirmed, Saber 04 has eyes on." I called in.
"Any type of identification Saber 04?" asked the Saber.
"Not at this time." I answered.
Several more movements drew my attention. We had walked into a beehive.
Shots poured over the Saber group, two collapsing in the fray, the others diving into cover.
"All groups, this is Saber 07, we are under heavy fire, we have two down and we need assistance, I repeat we need assistance!" the Saber screamed frantically into the radio.
"Saber 07, hold your position, we are coming to you, hold your ground." ordered James.
I looked down my sights trying to determine any raider positions. I caught the flashing of several rifle muzzles. Shot after shot, clip after clip. It seemed as though there was never an end.
"All Sabers, fall back! There are too many! I repeat fall back!" yelled James.
"On the rooftops! RPG's!" called a Saber.
I looked out to see several raiders running out, rockets on their backs.
I dropped two, not before my position was called out by one.
My rifle jammed, I swore furiously at the useless weapon.
"Get out!" screamed Saber 05. I looked up to see a raider aim the RPG at the window where we were sitting. Saber 05 ran out of the room. Before I could follow him, the shot was fired. I heard the puff of the charge sending the projectile into the floor beneath us.
The floorboards were lifted as if giant hands had shaken them loose. A great fireball belched from the explosion.
I was thrown backwards out of the window. It was a two story drop onto the hood of a destroyed car. The air was filled with the smoke of the blast, all sounds ceased to exist, only for a brief moment.
Saber 08 pulled me off the car as bullets raked the wreck.
He looked me over, "Medic! Medic! We need a medic over here!" he yelled out.
Soon a man, not from Saber group knelt next to me and examined my wounds, "You're going to be alright, just hang on!"
I looked around to see the red sticky pool that was forming around me. I didn't realize what it was until much later, I was still in shock from the rocket blast. My leg instead of the usual denim jeans with armor pieces strapped on, had turned a blackish red color. Tendrils of smoke drifted off it like fingers reaching out for something.
I heard an engine slowly crawl into the town.
"Tanks? Where did tanks come from? Did we have tanks before?" I thought to myself.
I turned the corner to see a big green tank rolling into the town, machine gun spitting furiously at the raiders. Its main gun turned and sent a shell into the supermarket.
I felt a hand wrap around the strap on my back and I began to be dragged, leaving a crimson streak behind me.
I was put on the back of the tank and it began to roll backward, away from the fight, a second steel beast came to replace it.
Another RPG slammed into the turret of the second tank, lighting it ablaze. The ammunition started to burn, a medic pulled a wet cloth over my eyes to save me from watching the horrific game play out. I heard a second explosion. I felt a wave of heat swiftly rush over me, informing me of my wounds. My side screamed with agony, it felt like a dozen burning knives had been lodged in my skin.
I bit down, resisting the urge to yell out. I tasted the hot coppery taste of blood begin to pour. My teeth had pierced the soft flesh of my tongue.
The ride back was a series of agonizing bumps and turns. When we arrived back at New Hope, I was unloaded off the tank, I looked back at the machine, the back was dripping with red. My head began to feel light. The world flickered into black. It faded into darkness.
"Wake up!" a voice boomed through the depths of my personal night.
My eyes snapped open to find a white room. A doctor loomed over me.
In my confusion I swung, my fist connecting with his head.
He staggered back, clutching the area where I had connected. "Ah! Got quite a hook there." he groaned. His face grimacing with pain.
"Oh! I am so sorry!" I pleaded.
He shook his head, "No, no, my fault, I shouldn't have been that close. Not the first time that's happened."
I looked on him very confused.
"Are you a doctor?" I asked, barely hiding the skepticism in my voice.
"Yes, but not yours." he said with blasé. "He is busy at the moment, I will inform him of your awakening."
With that he left.
An hour later my doctor entered, "Welcome back." his voice flat, monotone.
I glared at him, he didn't seem quite right.
"What happened to my squad?" I asked defensively.
He looked at me for a moment, "I'm sorry son. Saber group was defeated. You are the last."
I could only sit, and hope this was some sick joke. It wasn't.
A runner walked into my room and handed me a small bag. Eight red stained dog tags lay inside.
"I'm sorry." was all the runner could offer.
The next day went by in a blur, my mind had been destroyed by the loss of Saber group, my burns has yet to begin healing, I was a wounded soldier without a team to return to.
Reports of final stages of the battle flowed in like water. All vehicles assigned to support our infantry had been damaged or destroyed. Seventy-Eight percent of all ground crews were listed either KIA or were wounded.
New Hope was in trouble. With the armed forces on their last legs, and the raiders building their numbers, there was nothing we could do if they attacked.
My doctor replaced the runner, while the doctor that I had attacked stood back, watching as my bandages were changed. The pain was agonizing, I felt my skin being shifted and pulled with the wraps.
After he finished and a new thought rushed into my head. Twilight! Where is she?
I reached out and grabbed the doctor’s shoulder. "Where's Twilight?!" I demanded.
He looked at me in a sense of confusion, "What?" he asked.
"The unicorn! She was in my pocket!" I yelled.
He looked up trying to remember. "Oh, the purple thing? It's right here." He reached into his pocket and pulled out Twilight. "Here you go."
I cradled her in my hand. The heat hadn't hurt her as far as I could tell.
I felt hot tears begin to roll down my face, over the bandages on the cheek only to fall on my wrapped shoulder, it made a slight tapping noise.
This was the only thing keeping me attached to the world.
The burns weren't healing, the bones refused to set. Open wounds denied closure. It had been three weeks since Saber squad had been destroyed.
"I'm sorry, I should have stayed in the fight. I failed you guys." I spoke quietly into the night. For days now, my dreams have been burned by the nightmare of that day. Watching those two sabers fall, and the RPG gliding through the air, only to disappear under the floor. Knowing that I was the only Saber left, it was a horrid feeling. I let my team down, I let New Hope down.
"This is Archon 7-3, we are under fire! I repeat, we are under heavy fire! Raiders are right on top of us! We need support ASAP! Can anyone hear me!?"
That was the last radio call from Archon group. They too, were wiped out. Raiders had finally gathered their strength and slammed into New Hope.
I lay in my bed, eyes darting about. "Hello!? Is anyone there!?" I screamed out. My body disagreed with my actions. The burns retorted in painful waves. The bones broken, shifted unnaturally.
My doctor walked in. "Son, I'm sorry. New Hope is falling. The soldiers are doing their best to try and hold them off, but we are running out of time." His eyes were full of fear, and of sorrow. His hands stained red, knees ready to buckle and collapse.
"Private Valen, do you have any regrets?" He asked solemnly.
"Several, I failed New Hope, I am out of action, I failed my officers and they paid the price. I never had a son or a daughter to carry my name." I looked at my leg. "Why do you ask?"
He took a deep, shuddering breath. "Because, the hospital is all that remains of New Hope. You didn't fail her, or your officers. You were wounded in the most honorable way I could imagine, you are a soldier."
He reached into his pockets and removed two things. A bottle of whiskey, and a syringe.
"I'm afraid I cannot help you anymore." He refused to look at me while he spoke these words. It finally sank in what this was for.
"What are you talking about?" I asked cautiously.
He handed me the bottle. "Drink." He commanded.
I took a breath, and put the bottle to my mouth and swallowed the deep brown liquid; it burned as it ran down my throat.
I felt a slight prick in my arm. I looked to see the needle buried in my flesh.
"What is that?" I asked.
"Nothing." Was all he could say.
My vision began to fade in and out, I couldn't tell if it was from the drink, or the shot.
A small click came into my ears.
"I'm sorry son. I cannot help you, not anymore."
A flash ended my life.
I lay face down in the grass. The sun warm on my back, the air was crisp and inviting. The only sound was that of a light breeze drifting through the grass. I sat on my knees and looked into the sunset.
It was over, everything. New Hope was gone, the raiders were gone. The fighting was finished.
“Are you okay?” a voice softly spoke.
I turned to see a familiar face.
“Hello?” she asked, her eyes held curiosity.
“Twilight?”
One Last Breath: A second chance...
Valen rose unsteadily to his feet, his eyes began to slightly burn. "T-Twilight?"
"Yes, who are you?"
He stopped to think for a moment, something wasn't right. "I'm V-Valen. Where are we?"
"I haven't met you before," she said "are you new in town?"
"I, uhh yeah. What town is this?"
"It's uhh, Ponyville. Are you sure you're alright?" The deep purple mare asked.
He looked down, his eyes burned, but were wide open. "I-I-I don't know."
"Well, come on. Let's get you to the doctor and get you checked out." She suggested.
Valen nodded, his head felt bulkier than normal. "Alright."
They walked side by side into town, Valen noticed that all the residents were like Twilight, except some had wings and no horn while others had neither.
They walked into the hospital and Twilight made the appointment. The was a mirror on the wall and Valen out of curiosity, walked to it.
"WHAT THE HELL!?!" He screamed out in shock. He jumped away from the mirror and looked at his hands. He had none, they were circular appendages and his face was now longer and shaped like theirs. His coat was a bright white, his mane was a lightning blue with black stripes. "Oh my god!" He yelled again.
He stood on four legs instead of two.
And two feathered appendages lay flat against his sides.
Twilight ran to his side. "What? What's wrong?" She asked in concern.
He looked at her. "Where exactly are we? Where's New Hope?" His voice sounded shaken.
"We're in Ponyville, you know in Equestria. I don't know where New Hope would be. I haven't heard of it." She said her voice was in much curiosity.
Valen looked around, trying to gather words to explain the predicament, but found none. He sat down in an attempt to wrap his head around what was occurring.
Twilight sat beside him and asked, "What's the matter?"
He looked at her, his eyes were glassy and dripping. "I-I'm dead. I died, the doctor put one in my head. I let them all down."
She looked at the ground confused. "What doctor? What did they put in your head? And who did you let down?"
He looked at her, his eyes burned in hot tears. "I-I was a soldier. I was wounded in combat and the doctor, he...he" Valen couldn't finish, the words caught on his tongue. "I let them all down." He whispered.
Twilight looked at him with concern, she held his shoulder with care. "I'm sorry." She said quietly.
Valen looked to the floor is despair.
Twilight whispered to him. "Valen? Is there anything I can do?"
He looked up, his eyes stared to the mirror, saddened, and disheartened. "What am I?" He muttered.
"You are a pony. Why?" She replied with concern.
"I was a man, just a few minutes ago. I heard the doctor take the shot. I-I...." He bowed his head once more as a new stream of tears raced down his face.
They both sat there on the hospital floor, the staff left the area to let him find ground to stand on. The only sound was Valen's sobbing, and the constant ticking of the clock, hung on the wall.
He barely moved for the next hour, his shoulders shuddered and his hooves only moved to wipe his eyes. Twilight stayed at his side, giving him comforting advice to help stay his shattered nerves.
Valen's breathing finally became stable enough for him to stand. His eyes now bloodshot, full of sorrow and confusion. "I need to lie down." He spoke, his voice shudders in the words.
Twilight stood up and embraced him. "You can stay with me Valen. I want to know about you when you're ready. Is that alright?"
He nodded and looked at her. "Why are you doing this?"
She smiled. "I am worried about you."
They walked in silence to her house in the center of Ponyville. As they entered, Twilight turned to Valen. "Alright, here we are. You are welcome to any of the books here, just remember to place them exactly where they were. And don't dog-ear the pages. Other then that, just ask me if you need anything. You want me to show you to your room or do you want to look around first?"
Valen looked around the room. "I just want today to end." He muttered under his breath.
She nodded. "I understand. I just wish I knew what to do. Come on, I'll show you to your room."
He nodded and followed her as they descended a flight of stairs to a small open area below the main floor. She motioned for him to follow as she opened a door adjacent to the stairs. "This is the guest room. You can stay here as long as you want."
Valen nodded his thanks as she departed, and laid onto the bed.
His eyes finally met restless slumber late into the dark night. He was assaulted by night terrors, visions depicting New Hope crumbling to ash, the day he watched his squad get destroyed, and the doctor pulling the trigger.
He awoke in the sunlight with a yelp, sweat dripping off his muzzle onto the bed sheets. "It was only a nightmare, come on Valen.
Twilight ran to the noise, "Are you alright?" She asked.
He nodded, taking a slow deep breath. "Fine, just a bad dream."
She nodded unconvinced. "Well, come upstairs for something to eat. I want to hear your story."
He nodded, watching her as she left. "Shit." Was all he could mutter.
When he went to the main floor, Twilight was looming over a table checking a list.
She turned to him and smiled, "There's a shower in there if you want." She nodded toward a door on the far side of the room.
"Thanks." Replied Valen as he stepped carefully through the room in the doors direction.
When he steeped into the porcelain bowl, the dials seemed to alien in this new form.
After several minutes of trial and error testing, lukewarm water ran smoothly from the shower head down upon him.
He stepped out and began drying himself off with a towel on a small rack next to a mirror. He leaned and studied his new features closer then he had at the hospital. His eyes were almost like crimson lightning, the fur covering his body was fine and smooth. The blue and black mane was somewhat spiked forward and was soft and stiff to the touch.
After watching the muscles under his skin move and shift, he stepped out and walked to Twilights side.
"Feel any better?" She asked.
"A little, thank you." He replied quietly.
Twilight smiled slightly and motioned for him to take a seat at the table, he sat down, making himself as small as possible.
"What's the matter?" Asked Twilight curiously.
"N-nothing." Valen replied quietly.
She sat down, "So, I want to know your story. Why are you so scared of who you are?"
Valen looked at her slightly shocked, "This...isn't who I am. Do you have something to write with?"
Twilight nodded and handed him a pen with some paper.
Valen took a deep breath, holding the pen in his hoof, and drew his old face. A full body sketch to go alongside it. "That was who I am. Or was."
Twilight studied the drawing with much care, absorbing each detail of the human before her. "You, were a soldier?"
"Yes," he nodded, "Of a dying world. I was wounded in combat, and didn't have time to recover."
Twilight listened to these words in awe. "I want to know what it was like. Tell me your story, if you don't mind."
Valen sat back a little and sighed, "Where do you want me to begin?"
"As far back as you remember."
Valen nodded and started with his first memories, those of his mother and father.
/"Valen, you are one day going to do great things my boy. Great things. But first, you must learn to survive long enough to do them. You need to know how to tell where potential opponents are and how to avoid them."\ his father spoke.
Valen spoke fondly of these memories to Twilight. She listened tentatively occasionally asking questions for clarity.
/"Good, you at least can point a gun and hit a wall. To be a true marksman, you must be able to knock a rock off of a bottle without damaging the glass. Now, remember what I told you. Take slow controlled breaths, and gently squeeze the trigger. Hold the butt of you rifle against you shoulder and keep your eye down the sight. One target, one shot."\
"What's a rifle?" Asked Twilight curiously, almost too afraid to ask.
"A rifle is a type of gun. When you use a gun, you intend to...I guess kill what you're aiming at. It works by using a small case called a cartridge. It is composed of a black explosive powder called gun powder, a primer which is used to set the powder off, and a bullet. Which is a small metal ball. A firing pin hits the primer and makes the powder go off, sending the bullet down the barrel and at what you're shooting at." Valen explained, "They are both a tool, and a bane, depending on who has one."
Twilight looked at him with a slight expression of horror and curiosity. "Why do they need those?"
"To keep us safe, and to make sure others can't do anymore harm." Valen spoke softly.
"Surely there are other ways to do that. Have you tried using magic restraints? Or simply talking to them?" She asked.
"Magic doesn't exist where I come from. Talking only shows them that you are unwilling to fight. It shows weakness." Valen stated darkly.
Twilight looked down, a little saddened by the fact. "Go on, continue with your story if you want."
"Alright," he replied. He spent at least three hours telling the inquisitive unicorn his life story. She couldn't help but to be skeptical, but at the same time, she believed every word of it.
When he finished, they sat in silence for several minutes. Twilight trying to comprehend the new information. Valen waited, bracing for the impact of what she was going to say.