The Marine in Equestria

Author's note: if you find any mistakes, please tell me. This is my first fic, and was made 100% on an iPhone 3GS. Enjoy the story!

     Alex Johnson, a United States Marine, had just woke from a great sleep. He sat up and stretched out, strangely, still in all his gear. He opened his eyes to an unfamiliar sight. Instead of the normal rows of bunks with other marines, he looked around and saw the inside of a barn. Buckets everywhere, as well as the hay he was laying on. He heard voices outside, but didn't recognize them. Sounded like three little girls. One with a thick southern accent. He looked around and saw his M16 buried in the hay. His M9 on his hip.

     The voices were coming closer, he had no idea what to do. Should he hide? Should he go out and ask where he is or how he got there? He decided to hide, he picked up his M16 and ran to a dark corner, right as the doors busted open.

     "So what are we going to try and do today?" Said the one with the southern accent. He named her Alpha for now.

     "I don't know, we haven't gone into the forest in a while? Maybe there's something we could do in there!" Replied the second. He named her Bravo.

     "Are you crazy! We almost die every time we go there!" Said the third. Charlie would be her name.

     "Yeah, but AJ and Big Mac are out on the farm getting it ready for apple season." Said Alpha.

     "Rainbow Dash has cloud duty today, and Fluttershy's out with the critters." Said Bravo.

     Johnson thought to himself, what kind of names were "Rainbow Dash" and "Fluttershy?" He stood in silence in the corner for about five minutes, listening in on the situation, trying to find where he was. His train of thought came to a crashing halt when one of the voices pointed something out.

     Alpha said, with a curious tone "Hey! What's that over there in the hay? It's looks like somethin's been layin' in it. And what's that there?"

     Johnson looked past the door just enough to see what he left. The magazine to his M9. He quickly retreated back to the corner.

     "What is it?" Bravo asked.

     "I don't know Scootaloo, I've never seen anything like it!" Said Charlie.

     "So Bravo's name is Scootaloo? What the hell is up with these names?" Johnson mumbled to himself.

     "It looks metal, but I don't remember Rarity using anything like this on her dresses." Charlie added.

     "What do you think it is Applebloom?"

     "Awesome, I've got Alpha and Bravo's names, just gotta get Charlie." Johnson said to himself.

     "Shhhhhhh! Did you hear that?" Scootaloo asked.

     "Scootaloo, you're crazy." Said Charlie.

     "No Sweetie belle I swear! It was over there!" Scootaloo said.

     Johnson started to sweat. He now knew the names of the three girls, but they heard him talking to himself.

     "Really? Why don't you show me what it is then?" Sweetie Belle said.

     "Would you two stop arguin'?" Said Applebloom

     "Just wait, I gotta prove something." Said Scootaloo

     Johnson positioned his rifle into its natural position in his shoulder, ready for anything.

     "It came from behind the door!" Scootaloo said as she threw the door open.

     Johnson dropped to a knee and pulled the gun up, looking down the sights. What was seen by both the marine and the ponies, was shocking.

     Their eyes were locked on each other for almost ten minutes. Neither spoke during that time, just watching each other, trying to figure out what was going on. Eventually, Scootaloo stepped forward and decided she needed to break the silence.

     "Ummm... What... what exactly... are you?" She asked

     "I am a United States Marine, my name is Alex Johnson. Where am I?" Johnson replied.

     "In Ponyville, well, the farm near Ponyville, but we are really in Equestria." Scootaloo said.

     "You've got to be joking? Is this some kind of prank?" Johnson asked, while rising up and lowering his weapon. "Alright guys, that was funny, really had me goin' there, I was sweatin' like a whore in church. What are these? Robots? Clever."

     "No, this isn't a prank. At least I don't think so? Are you pranking us?"

     "No. You're just robots aren't you? You are just programmed to say these things. See, if I walk out of this barn, it will be an Afghanistan desert." He walked over to the barn doors and threw them open. But what he saw was nothing he expected. Instead of a barren desert with tanks and humvees, there was an apple orchard. Trees as far as the eye could see.

     "I told you." Scootaloo said, she also turned to Sweetie Belle and stuck her tongue out.

     "Mister, what, or where is the... United States?" Applebloom asked.

     Johnson turned around "You're being serious right now aren't you?"

     She nodded.

     "The United States is a country, it's ah... It's a bunch of states... Really big areas of land that are controlled by controlled by a central government, a leader."

     "Kinda like us? We have all our cities like  Canterlot and Ponyville. And we have Celestia and Luna as our rulers. They're princesses. Celestia controls the day, and Luna controls the night." Said Sweetie Belle.

     "Yeah, kinda like that, only our leader doesn't control the day and night."

     A voice yelled from down the hill "Applebloom! What are you doing?" The voice was unknown, but Johnson assumed it was either AJ or Big Mac.

     "We found this weird feller' here in the barn. Says he's from a United States." Yelled Applebloom back.

     "He's from where?" Came a voice from above all of them. A blue pony with a mane of multiple colors. This was obviously Rainbow Dash.

     "This is a dream. Just a bad dream." Johnson said as the pegasus flew down to see what all the commotion was all about. "I'm still in my bed, this isn't real."

     "I don't know what to tell you buddy, but you're as fake to us as we are to you." Rainbow Dash said.

     Johnson thought for a moment about what he'd read online about dreams, that your hands won't always be normal, you can't remember how you got there, and you can breathe with a plugged nose. Besides remembering how he got there, all the tests were normal. He had all ten solid fingers and couldn't breathe with his nose pinched.

     "Maybe we should get her to Twlight? Maybe she knows what the United States is and, well, what you are." Said, Johnson assumed was AJ.

     "The vampires?" Johnson asked. The whole crowd of ponies looked at him like he was a complete idiot.

     "Vampires? Twi's another Pony like us? But she's good with magic, and lives in the library." AJ said.

     "Alright, let's go, maybe she can find a way to make this right." Johnson replied. He felt a nudge on his leg, and saw Scootaloo holding the magazine. He bent down and put it back in his belt.

     She asked "Whst is that?"

     "It's a magazine." Replied Johnson

     "Like what we read? You can read those?"

     "Not that type of magazine, you see this hunk of metal..." He pulled the pistol from its holster "... is a very dangerous tool. In my work, it is very important though. Now, the magazine, is like the power for the tool..." He put the magazine in the pistol and chambered the first round "... now, this tool has saved me many times, you see, as a marine, I am in the heat of combat a lot, and this tool, known as an M9, and the one on my back, known as an M16, are my best friends. And what this does, you may want to cover your ears..." Johnson pulled up the pistol and shot an apple off one of the trees "... is fire another piece of metal, so tiny, you wouldn't think it would do anything, but in reality, it's a nightmare if you're on the receiving end."

     "I think we need to get you home as soon as possible!" AJ said, still staring at the apple that now had a hole right in the center.

     "Sounds good, the sooner the better I guess."

     The walk to the library was very silent. Almost nothing was said. Occasionally Johnson would ask about something in this universe, or visa versa. As they got closer and closer to the library, ponies in the town started to look out their windows at the mysterious creature. A being, standing on two legs, wearing all sand colored clothes, with multiple hunks of formed metal all around him. Standing at about Celestia's height. When they arrived at the library, Johnson realized that getting there wasn't the problem, but getting into the library.

     When they got to the door, instead of a pony, a lizard answered the door. Johnson was trying with everything he had not to laugh. But the lizard didn't see him, which was probably best.

     "Spike, where's Twilight?" AJ asked

     "She had to run to Zecora's for some tips on a spell she's been trying to get. Why, what's up?" Spike said.

     "Well, we've kinda got a problem. We was hoping she would know what to do about it." AJ said

     "Hey! I'm her assistant! I could probably tell you exactly what to do with as much as I have had to read. So what's the problem? Pinkie clone herself again? Rainbow Dash lose her wings?"

     AJ just extended her hoof in Johnson's direction. The lizard looked over, and his face went blank. Johnson couldn't hold it in any longer, he burst out in laughter, almost crying.

     "This is our problem. Says he's from a United States. Got any idea what or where that is?" Rainbow Dash asked

     Spike thought for a moment, then finally said "Looks like we're gonna have to wait for Twilight."

     A small voice came from behind Johnson, but he was the only one who heard it. He turned to see two big eyes peeking out of a bush, shaking. He turned and bent down to talk to it, but it retreated into the bush. "Calm down, I'm not gonna hurt ya."

     About the time he was about to reach into the bush, to find whatever was in there, a cannon shot and hit Johnson in the side. He absorbed the impact, rolled, and was on one knee with his pistol out. Confetti flying everywhere.

     "PINKIE!" Both Rainbow Dash and AJ yelled. "You can't do that to people you don't know! He could have killed you!"

     "Why would he do that? He's just a pony in a costume for Nightmare Night."

     "Pinkie... Nightmare Night isn't for another two seasons." AJ said with a blank look on her face.

     "Then who is this pony? And why is he dressed up all scary?" She bounced up to Johnson and tried to take his "mask" off. Johnson picked her up and threw her off.

     "Pinkie, I am not a pony. I am a human. You have never seen my kind before." Johnson said.

     Pinkie was rattling off questions left and right, do humans use magic, what's that metal on your back, what's the gloves for, and on and on and on. Eventually, Johnson asked if he could go for a walk on his own, until Twilight gets back. The ponies kinda looked at each other, then finally said yes, but they recommended he stay on a certain path, it'd be easier to find him when Twilight got back. He set his rifle on the ground near the library, and took off most of his gear, so he was in a T-shirt and his pants.

     He started walking down the trail, ignoring all the looks from the curious ponies. He wondered about how long he would be stuck in Equestria. What was going on back home? Did anyone know he was missing? Was time different from here and home? How real was this place anyway? He walked, for why seemed forever, but in reality, was only about twenty minutes.

     "You seem pretty lonely." A voice said

     Johnson turned around to see Rainbow Dash hovering over the ground "You could say that, this isn't exactly normal where I'm from."

     "Wells what's it like where you're from?" Asked Rainbow Dash

     "Well, it's not this colorful. Everything is the same colors, grey or desert camo. Lots of loud noises. It's quiet here. Peaceful. I haven't had to watch over my shoulder. I have been, but there hasn't been anything."

     "Sounds horrible. We have our times here, the changelings, Discord, Nightmare Moon. Other than that, nothing really happens that makes us paranoid."

     "It's different where I'm from. My job is to go into the tense situations. That's what I signed up for."

     "Like the guards in Canterlot, their jobs are to protect the royalty."

     "Yeah, like that, only difference is I am aiming to protect a whole country, not a queen or king."

     A voice screamed behind Johnson and Rainbow Dash "Rainbow Dash! What IS that?"

     Rainbow turned to her friend "Rarity, this is Alex Johnson, he's not from around here."

     "Well I'll say, what a mess!"

     "You know I'm right here right?" Johnson said to Rarity with a bit of concern.

     "Of course I know you're here! But what is that you're wearing?" Rarity started tugging on his different articles of clothing "This is hideous! Even for a male!"

     "Well I'm sorry that the things that keep me safe from sand storms don't appeal to your eyes."

     "What is going on here?" Another unfamiliar voice said.

     "Twilight! We need your help!" Said Rainbow Dash

     "With what?" She looked up at Johnson and squealed "It worked!"

     Johnson looked down at the purple pony "What worked?"

     "I've been trying spells to summon creatures from other dimensions, and so far it's been unsuccessful. The closest I got was last night, everything that was supposed to happen, except the creature never appeared."

     "You're the one who brought me here?"

     "I guess, where did you wake? It only works on creatures that are sleeping, and they appear in the relative position of where they were to here."

     "Does it matter where I woke? Just find a way to get me back!"

     "Oh... Umm... I was actually wanting to do some tests if that's alright?"

     "Are you fucking serious? You bring me into this world without my knowledge, I wake up fearing for my life, almost take the heads off of little girls, and you want to test on me?"

     She lowered her head "Well... I didn't expect the creature to be intelligent, I thought it would just be an animal."

     "Can you just get me home. Please."

     "I'm afraid to tell you that it's not that simple. It took me months just to bring you here, and I have no idea how to send things back."

     Johnson stood there expressionless. He didn't know what to think. The rest of the ponies had gathered around, spike carrying all Johnson's gear. No one knew what to say, even Pinkie was expressionless. Johnson bent over and put all his gear back on and started walking towards the city on the mountain in the distance. The bigger the city, usually more people, someone had to know what was going on.

     After about an hour of walking, he heard a train. He looked over to see his ears did not deceive him. He ran over and jumped on the caboose, it would be much quicker and less energy. It turned dark quick, almost in five minutes. He assumed that was the night princess or who ever's doing. He layed over and tried to sleep, but his mind was racing. Eventually after tossing and turning on the cold floor, he was able to sleep.

     "Get up!" A voice commanded

     Johnson opened his eyes to see multiple unicorns with their horns glowing. They had on gold armor, these had to be the guards. He put his hands up and slowly rose to his feet. He was no longer on the train, but on the platform at the station. The sun was just coming up. "I need to speak with your leader. Please." Johnson said to the guards.

     "Ha! That's funny, there's no way in hell were going to let some creature speak with our princess!" Said the largest guard. He looked familiar almost, but Johnson couldn't tell from where.

     "Please. I just want to go home, one of the ponies down in... Ponyville brought me here. I think your princess can help me."

     "You really think I'm going to believe that?" Said the guard. Suddenly, Johnson recognized how he was familiar. It was like one of the ponies down in the little town.

     "You're related to one of them aren't you? Twilight. Are you her father? Brother?"

     That triggered something in his eyes, both rage and confusion "How do you know Twilight!"

     "She's the one that summoned me, now, take me to see your princess so I can get out of your hair."

     After negotiating for almost ten minutes, the guard decided to let Johnson see Celestia, but Johnson had to surrender all his weapons, and his hands bound together. When they arrived in the castle, Johnson couldn't believe his eyes. A pony with both wings and a horn. Standing as tall as him. Mane flowing in a graceful pattern. She was talking with a black pony equally graceful. He could tell by the marks on their flank that the white pony was for the sun, and the black was night. The guard walked forward to talk to the princess, but kept getting shooed away for another minute. Until the black pony saw Johnson and gasped.

     "What is it sister?" Said Celestia, she turned to see Johnson standing there, hands bound, multiple unicorns with their horns glowing surrounding him. "Oh.... That's not something you see everyday."

     "I just want to go home. Do you know how?" Johnson asked. He was getting tired of asking that question, it seemed it was having no effect on anything.

     "We'll we don't even know how you got here. How can we send you somewhere we don't know?"

     "Well your subject Twilight seemed to do pretty well at getting me from somewhere she didn't know."

     "This was Twilight's doing?" She asked, she stood and started walking towards him "Shining Armor, release his hands, I can handle this."

     "Yes Celestia." Shining Armor replied. The binds on Johnson's hands vanished, he rubbed his wrists while the large white pony motioned towards him, the smaller black one following behind her.

     "Tell me what has happened since you have been here." Celestia said. Johnson went through every detail. When he reached the part about his pistol, the guards immediately moved his rifles farther away from Johnson, in fear of an assassination attempt. In the middle of his story the doors burst open, with the six ponies rushing in.

     "Celestia! I did something that..." Twilight started to say, then realized Johnson was already in the room.

     "Twilight, it is your responsibility to get this man back home. The sooner the better. I don't care what it takes." Celestia said in a booming voice.

     "Celestia, I have no idea where to start! I went through all the books in my library! There was nothing on returning creatures back to their home! And where will he stay?"

     "I guess you better find out. This man is away from everything he knows. Best thing to do now is help him get settled in until we can find out what to do." Celestia said as she turned and walked away. Everyone in the room was once again expressionless. Johnson had to rely on these ponies for everything. Food, shelter, work, and a way home. He turned and retrieved his gear.

     "So... I guess I am relying on y'all for... Well... Everything." Johnson said, looking at the ponies, holding back everything he wanted to say. "I really don't know where I'm going to stay."

     "You can stay with us." AJ said "We can set you up in the barn until we get something built for you. We could also put you to work for some pay, in case you want to get some things while you're here."

     "I could make some clothes for you to wear instead of that hideous thing you've got on." Rarity said, still hating the uniform.

     "I'll find you a way home, trust me." Twilight said

     "Sounds good. Let's get going. Say, what do y'all eat around here? I haven't eaten since I was home." Johnson said. On the way back to the train station they stopped to grab some lunch, and talked more about what they were going to do until Johnson was home.

     Once they arrived in Ponyville, AJ took Johnson back to the barn where they made a makeshift bed for the night until they could make something better. Before he went to sleep, he found a river to bathe in. He knew tomorrow would hold all kinds of tasks.

     Instead of waking up to AJ, a rooster, the sun, or naturally, he woke to his M16 discharging a bullet into the barn wall. Johnson was on the floor with hands over his head just seconds after the discharge. He looked over to see the three little girls, Scootaloo laying on the ground, the bruise already showing, and the other two looking at each other.

     "What the hell was that!" AJ said as she burst through the barn doors.

     "Scootaloo thought maybe this would get her a cutie mark." Applebloom said

     "I think I need to put these in a safe place, away from children." Johnson took the clip out and emptied the chamber. "Didn't really think about it. You alright down there?" Johnson asked

     "My shoulder hurts right now. I thought it would be like the little pistol you had. I didn't know it would pop me like that." Scootaloo said while holding her shoulder.

     "Do you guys have any ice? We'll want to ice this down before it swells too much." Johnson said

     "Yeah, I'll go get some." Said AJ, she ran off an brought back a back of ice.

     "Now, this is going to be cold and uncomfortable, but it'll help, I swear." Johnson took off his belt and wrapped it around Scootaloo to hold the ice in place. "Keep it on there for about thirty minutes, then take it off and give me my belt. Sound good? Awesome."

     "Are you a doctor too?" Asked Sweetie Belle

     "No, but when I was younger I played a lot of football. Cuts and bruises were common, ice takes down the swelling, my mama would always wrap me up in ice after a game. Then I learned about ice baths, changed everything."

     "What's football?" Applebloom asked, nudging Scootaloo.

     "Well, it's a sport, a game. Eleven versus eleven. The field is fifty-two yards wide, one-hundred twenty long. You have to score as many points as possible in four quarters, maybe sometime soon I can teach y'all how to play." Johnson said, seeing the girl's eyes light up at the idea of a new game to play. "AJ, do you have anything for me to do today?"

     "You can call me Applejack, but yes, we were actually coming up to get you when your thing went off. We need to get ready to get the apples. You can help Big Mac put the buckets under the trees for when we get ready to buck."

     Johnson was taking a drink and about choked to death "Did you say you say out the buckets under the trees for when we get ready to fuck?"

     "No! Buck. B-U-C-K."

     "My bad! My ears are ringing a little."

     Johnson stayed on the farm almost all the time, except to eat and bathe. He only conversed with the Apple family, they took him in as their own almost. He very rarely went into town, only to check up on Twilight's research. He found a place to hide his guns and ammunition until its needed. Rarity made him some clothes that were tough for work on the farm, and some for when he is doing something elsewhere. His house was eventually built, decent sized, but nothing giant. A bedroom, kitchen, and small living room, with Applebloom's clubhouse within rock throwing distance. He became a brother figure to them. He taught them how to play football, and helped make occasional renovations to the clubhouse. Everything was pretty calm for about a month. Then Applejack burst open Johnson's door one day.

     "Listen, Twilight was kidnapped. We were wondering if you wanted to help us get her back, considering she's your way home." Applejack said

     "Give me a couple minutes to get ready." Johnson replied, already up grabbing his gear.

     "When you're ready, we'll head down to the library, from there we have to go into the forest. I forgot you've never been there. It's very dangerous, be sure you are one-hundred percent ready."

     Johnson dropped his M9 into its holster "They won't know what hit them."

     "You sure about this? I ain't an expert on what you do, but don't you think a little over a month without any experience isn't exactly the safest?"

     "It's like riding a bike, you never forget." Johnson looked over to Applejack with a puzzled look on her face. He'd have to explain later, no time.

     They ran to the library, Johnson was glad he had been working on the farm, or there would be no way he could keep up with the pony in full gear. Once they arrived at the library, Johnson almost collapsed. He hadn't ran that long, that fast, and with all his gear in a long time.

     "You alright? We haven't even started yet." Rainbow Dash said, with a bit of concern in her voice.

     "Yeah, I'm fine, just been a while since I ran like that." Johnson replied.

     "Alright, then let's get going!" Applejack said

     Johnson went to protest but they were already moving. He decided he could at least ask them to slow down a little. They said the walk into the forest to the temple she is being held in is about a mile in, not to far normally, but through thick vines and tree roots, it takes a while. When they arrived at the temple, all the ponies were looking around the door, looking for ways to get in.

     Johnson walked forward "Does this temple hold any sentimental or religious values?" The ponies shook their heads. Johnson took his only grenade from his belt and planted it at the bottom of the door. "You will want to get behind cover and plug your ears." Johnson waited until they were all behind cover, pulled the pin, and ran. He and Rainbow Dash shared a tree, the blast blew a hole big enough for even Johnson to fit through without ducking, the temple was not well built.

     Johnson walked in first, M16 up to his shoulder, flashlight switched on, as well as Rarity's horn shining. Whatever moved and wasn't purple, was considered hostile.

     "Where do you think she is?" Fluttershy asked

     "I don't know, but just stay close. It's too dark to wander off." Applejack replied, hurrying Fluttershy right behind Johnson.

     A dark figure started moving on the wall, Johnson whipped his gun and tried to find the head of whatever was moving.

     "Greeting, you are looking for your purple friend, no?" The thing said "Allow me to enlighten you, your friend is at the top of the temple, but for her release..." Johnson found the head and pulled the trigger. The figure dropped from the wall, blood from the head running on the stone floor.

     "Let's move! We know where she's at! Lets get her and go!" Johnson yelled, running up a flight of stairs.

     At the top, a cage holding Twilight, and three creatures, all holding a tool that looked like it was made for carving a pumpkin. The rifle cracked three times, dropping the hostiles. Fluttershy started crying, she had seen critters die, but because of natural causes, not being blown apart by a hunk of metal from a different dimension. While Rainbow Dash and Applejack tried to soothe the broken pony, Rarity and Johnson worked at finding a key to the cage.

     "It's no use! The key is somewhere inside the temple! You have to go back in and find it." Twilight said. A bit of annoyance in her voice.

     "Bull shit, I am not going back in there!" Johnson stated. He pulled up his M9, blasting the lock off.

     When he pulled the cage open, he hear something click. A boobytrap. He looked around to see a rock start rolling towards Rainbow Dash, on her way over to the lock. Johnson jumped to push the pony out of the way. In doing so, leaving him in its way. He started to crawl, but the boulder rolled over his leg. He felt the bones crush under the weight, he wouldn't be able to walk on the leg in a while.

     "What was that fo... Oh my Celestia!" Rainbow Dash ran over to Johnson. "We've got to get you back to Ponyville so the doctor can fix your leg!"

     "And how am I going to walk a mile through thick forest wearing all my gear and a broke leg?" Johnson snapped, his adrenaline was pumping, he didn't mean what he said. It still seemed to hurt the pony though.

     "Here, if Fluttershy and Rainbdow Dash hold your arms up, me and Rarity use our magic to help ease the pressure off your leg, and Pinkie and Applejack carry your gear, would we be able to get back to ponyville faster?" Twilight asked. However, none of the ponies waited for a response, they immediately started doing their job. Johnson didn't resist, he just let then carry him. He kept trying to start a conversation with one of them, to keep his mind away from his leg, but it was almost like they were ignoring him. He started to black out. The pain was becoming unbearable, and without any of the ponies talking to him, it hurt even worse. After walking for five minutes, he did eventually black out.

     Alex Johnson woke, staring at a grey ceiling. He closed his eyes and chuckled to himself "So it was a dream." He lay there for a moment then decided it was time to get up and get ready. When he went to stand however, his leg was locked in place. He looked down to see his leg in a hard cast. Looking around, he saw beds with monitors occasionally occupied with a pony in a similar looking cast. To his right was the monitors for him, from all he could tell, he was stable. To his left was a table, multiple "Get well soon!" balloons tied onto it, with a plate of food, a glass of water, and a pill. At the end of his bed by his feet, was a mound of blankets. He looked at it for a minute then realized the blankets had a steady rise and fall. Something was asleep under them. Johnson wanted to move the blankets, to see who was sleeping with him, but he decided not to disturb its slumber.

     "Ah, you're awake." A voice said, Johnson assumed it was the doctor. "You've been out for almost a week, the way your leg shattered was probably the cause, too much pain." The Doctor walked over to flip on the X-ray results. Johnson's leg looked like broken glass. "So we have good news and bad news, what do you want first?"

     "Bad news."

     "The bad news is you will have to go into rehab and won't be able to walk for a long time. The good news, is if you commit to rehab, you will be able to walk again."

     "How will I get around then? Can I use crutches?"

     "Could you draw what they look like? We only have crutches for ponies, never thought we'd have someone like you."

     "Sounds good, hey Doc, who is this?" Johnson asked, pointing at the mound by his feet.

     "That's Rainbow Dash, she's been here as long as you have, only left to eat and use the restroom." The doctor said as he turned to exit the room.

     "Why?"

     "You saved her life, sacrificing yourself. By my understanding, that meant a lot to her." The doctor said, as he closed to door behind him.

     Johnson laid his head back down on his pillow. "You saved her life." "That meant a lot to her." Were the thoughts repeating in his head. He looked down at his feet again, moving the blankets so he could see the blue pony. That must've woke her, she stretched out her legs and wings. She hopped onto the floor, not realizing Johnson had woke. She sighed and looked over at the X-rays, she knew that was what her whole skeletal system would look like if she wasn't pushed.  She tried to count how many pieces the bone broke into, but lost count several times, she finally just assumed a lot. Johnson tried to prop himself upright, but moved his leg too quickly, shooting pain through his body. Rainbow Dash heard movement and quickly turned, a smile appearing on her face.

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"You're awake!" She flew straight into his chest hugging him, pain shot though his leg, he still wasn't in a comfortable position, she saw the pain in his face and quickly let go. "The doctor said if you hadn't of pushed me out of the way, I would've been crushed. When you tried talking to us on the way back, we didn't want to startle you any, you kept asking how bad your leg was. It was pointed in the wrong direction, but then you passed out. We took brought you here and X-rays were taken almost immediately. Applejack and Pinkie took your stuff back to your house. Twilight was trying to find a spell that help speed up your leg's recovery." She looked at the balloons "Everyone in ponyville heard about what you did. Spike even sent a letter to Celestia about what you did."

     "It's my job. I was trained to do that. I told Applejack I could do it, that it was like riding a bike."

     "I wasn't talking about killing them, I was talking about saving me."

     "I don't understand why it's that great."

     "Because, without you, one of the bearers of the elements would have died. Any evil could have taken over Equestria in a matter of minutes." She looked down and her face showed a little red "And because no one has ever done that for me before, I've always been the one saving people, not the other way around. They knew they were in danger. I had no idea, you just shoved me, and I was pissed at you, until I saw the boulder crush your leg."

     "Yeah, that wasn't the most pleasant experience. I couldn't just let you get crushed." Johnson said. "The doctor told me you've been laying there since I got here"

     She blushed even more, a smile smile on her face "Yeah, I just wanted to be the first pony you saw when you woke. But I guess you saw the doctor first."

     "No, I saw a pile of breathing blankets first, assuming it was a pony, just didn't know which."

     Rainbow Dash was silent for a moment, then finally spoke "Twilight found out some more information about incidents like this. You being in our dimension. It was said that the human didn't feel welcome, being the only of his kind. So he had a choice. The wizard made a soup, that would make the human into a pony, Twilight was able to get it into pill form..." Rainbow Das pointed at the grey pill "...it said it turned him into a unicorn, because of his personality. I don't know what it'll turn you into, but it would help you seem normal. She's already got the other pill that would turn you back for when she learns how to send you back."

     Johnson looked at the grey pill. He thought how great it would be to walk like them, have the same abilities as them, and not have to worry about special nutrition that was expensive. If he turned into an Earth pony, he could help Applejack even more, if he turned to a unicorn, he could help Twilight with her research. If he was a pegasus he would be able to help Rainbow Dash with the clouds.

     "Does it hurt? When I transform?" Johnson asked, holding the pill.

     "Twilight said it'll knock you out almost instantly, you'll be out for thirty minutes, but when you wake, the transformation will be complete."

     "Well... I guess I have nothing to lose" Johnson dropped the pill down his throat. He was out cold in a matter of seconds. Instead of waking immediately however, nightmares entered Johnson's head. A boulder came rolling down a hill, smashing Johnson after running forever it seemed. When he woke, he sat straight up, drenched in sweat.

     "It worked!" Twilight jumped up and ran over to the bed "How do you feel?"

     "I had a horrible nightmare." Johnson looked around to see all the ponies with their mouths open, eyes bewildered. Rainbow Dash started to smile.

     "What's your cutie mark?" Scootaloo yelled.

     "Yeah, or does he have one?" Applebloom stated

     "Pull the blankets off, let's see if he does!" Sweetie Belle said

     "Now girls, I don't think he even knows what's going on right now." Applejack said "So, how do you feel?"

     "My leg doesn't hurt anymore. Wait, did you say it worked?" Johnson looked at his hand, which were now hoofs, the same color as his gear.  "My God..."

     "So did you get a cutie mark or what?" Scootaloo asked

     "Ummm... It's on my ass right?

     "Yeah it's on your flank!" Sweetie Belle said

     "Well let's just see!" Johnson hopped down from the bed, in the place of a cutie mark was the U.S. Marine insignia.

     "What is it?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking at the cutie mark with a weird look on her face.

     "It's the symbol for the United States Marine Corps, the world, anchor, and eagle. That was much less painful than getting a tattoo on my shoulder.  Hey, what are you touching?" Johnson turned to see Pinkie's mane.

     "Your wings are all folded in different directions." Pinkie said, popping the wings into their correct places. Johnson hit the ground, it hurt at first, then a feeling of power overwhelmed him.

     "Don't try anything too big right now, we've got to get you used to them first." Rainbow Dash said, folding his wings back into their natural position at the side. "You may actually want to walk around for a while, get used to this new position. I'll teach you to fly tomorrow."

     "What am I to do about my guns? I can't shoot them like this." Johnson said, admiring his new self.

     "We'll worry about that later, as for now, we need to get you home and fed. You may find our food a little more tasteful now."

     "I'm really not hungry, I really just want to get my legs. And not gonna lie, I've always been kinda jealous of the air-force."

     "Then let's go for a walk Marine." Rainbow Dash nudged Johnson

     "Well first I have to clean up this room and pay the doc."

     "You don't owe me anything, you saved two ponies is just a minute of each other, you are not going to be charged anything, you won't have to clean up either, we'll have the nurses take all your things to your home." The doctor said, apparently he was working on another patient when Johnson came to.

     "Wow, thank you!" Johnson turned to Twilight "Thank you for the chance to experience things the way you ponies do." He then backed up, almost falling, to see all of them. "And thank you all for carrying me all the way here from the forest. Without you, I would still be laying at that temple, slowly dying."

     "Well we couldn't leave you after saving one of us from death." Twilight said. All the ponies in the room nodded in agreement. Rainbow Dash nudged Johnson again and motioned for the door. Johnson started walking, step by step, like a newborn. By the time they reached the doors to the hospital, he had it down.

     "Where to?" Johnson asked

     "Let's just get your legs under ya first, we'll go for a walk around Ponyville." Rainbow Dash started walking, then realized she had to wait up for Johnson. Even as a pony, Johnson got strange looks, he was a new pony, with a unique cutie mark, walking with Rainbow Dash!

     Johnson was stretching his new wings, he wanted so bad to try them. Almost like Rainbow could read his mind, she lead him to an open area just outside Ponyville, an area that if something went wrong, nothing would be destroyed.

     Somehow she got a hat and whistle "Alright, you're flying skills, if you can even get off the ground, are most likely like Derpy's"

     "The pony that delivers the mail?"

     "Yes, she runs into everything, and can't exactly fly in a straight line."

     "Ok, so do I need to put my wings out straight or does it matter?"

     "Whatever is most comfortable."

     "It's hard to control them, not used to things I can move coming out of my back. This doesn't seem possible anyway."

     "You see me fly all the time, and yet you question if it's possible? Push-ups! Now!"

     "You're joking right?"

     "No! Get on the ground and give me twenty!"

     "Shit, okay." Johnson dropped to the ground "One, two, three..."

     "No! No! No! Not with your arms! Arms behind your back, wings only!"

     "I can barely put them out to my side, and now you want me doing push-ups with them, seriously?"

     "Do you want to fly or not?"

     "Dammit." Johnson tried all he could, but after going down once, he couldn't force his wings to straighten out, not because they were weak, but because he had little control over them. "How do I go back up?"

     "Just flex, come on, you can do it!"

     "I just flex huh?" Johnson put his nose in the dirt, then flexed with everything he had. He launched himself thirty feet into the air.

     "Flex again and you'll fly!" Rainbow Dash yelled from the ground. Johnson thrust his wing towards the ground, lifting him even higher. He learned the harder the flex, the higher you go.

     "This is so scary. Why'd I sign up for this?"  He said to himself

     Rainbow Dash pulled a cloud under Johnson "I swear to you, this is the most comfortable seat you can ever sit in. Nothing softer than a cloud." Johnson lowered himself onto the cloud, amazed by how soft it was.

     "So I know how to fly up, now how do I go different directions?"

     "We have to make sure you can control yourself right now before we start going places. Let's just get the basics down, like hovering and landing safely. We don't want you hurting yourself."

     "Okay, then let's get to work." Johnson and Rainbow Dash worked on the basics for about an hour, until it was almost a natural feeling, being able to hover and fly. It was more work than he thought, once they landed on another cloud, he rolled over breathing hard, the most workout cardio mix he'd ever experienced at one time.

     "You look tired Alex."

     "Nah, I'm good, and please, call me Johnson, it sounds better."

     "Whatever you say Johnson, you ready to learn how to fly in different directions?"

     "Gimme a minute, I gotta admire this cloud first, it's really soft. You know, this isn't even remotely possible where I'm from, you'd just fall through."

     "You keep thinking the way things work around here are going to be like where you're from. Haven't you learned by now?"

     "It takes time, breaking the laws of physics isn't something we do on a day to day basis."

     "Then break some today, come on, you've almost got it. This time, lean forward to go forward, and side to side to turn."

     "Can I just lay here for a minute? It's only.... I don't even know what time it is."

     "There's a clock in Ponyville, I think you're good enough to fly into town."

     "Come on, do I really have to fly all the way into town?"

     "It's just over there, come on."

     "You have to persuade me like a coach." Johnson quickly realized his mistake. Rainbow Dash blew her whistle, while kicking the could into pieces.

     "Let's go! You gotta fly to survive now! The clock's that way, we'll grab something to eat while we're there." Rainbow Dash was right, he had to fly, or he would just splat on the ground.

     Johnson recovered himself, hovering in place. He didn't really know what she meant by lean, just, tilt your head forward? Or did you have to put all your body weight forward.  Maybe it was a combination of both, along with some different kind of wing movements.

     "Come on Johnson! Fluttershy can fly faster than you!"

     "Fluttershy has also been doing this for years! I just got these things! Who says you're fast anyway? I haven't seen you fly fast at all really!" Rainbow Dash took that as a personal insult, and a challenge.

     "Oh really? Get ready Johnson, I'm about to blow you away!" Rainbow Dash jumped from her cloud, flying straight towards the sun, then stopping, just long enough for Johnson's eyes to focus. She came straight down like a bullet, Johnson had to admit, it was fast, but he would blame it on gravity, just to make her mad. Then, an explosion of color and sound that shook his whole body. A giant ring made of multiple colors formed in the sky, along with a Rainbow following the blue pony. She came to a stop just hovering above the ground, sweating, breathing hard, water in her eyes.

     She looked at Johnson who had landed next to her, a smartass look appeared on her face "Fast enough for ya?"

     "I was going to blame gravity, but gravity can't pull anything down that fast, I'll admit, I'm very impressed. I will now fly to the clock in Ponyville." Johnson hovered above the ground, then tilted himself forward, he started quickly accelerating, he reared back, only to find himself flying backwards, he folded his wings and landed on the ground. "It's like a Segway! Okay! I got this."

     Johnson started flying as if he'd done it since birth, fast, slow, backwards, he even succeeded in doing a flip. Rainbow Dash watched from the ground, proud of her instructing techniques.

     Rainbow Dash Eventually yelled at Johnson "Are we going to get something to eat or are we going to stay here all day while you do tricks?"

    Johnson fell to the ground by Rainbow Dash "Lead the way Dash. I don't know where to eat in ponyville, I always ate at my house."

     "Once we're done eating I'll help you make a house out of clouds. Like mine."

     "I've never seen your house, the whole time I've been here I've been on Applejack's farm."

     "Really? How did that work for ya?"

     "Kept me busy. Better than sitting around doing nothing all day."

     "You should help me with the clouds, we'll get with the mayor tomorrow."

     "You know, I was wondering, how often do you get into intense situations like that? In the forest."

     "Not too often. Usually it takes a lot longer than how you did it, puzzles, a maze, things like that. You just ran in and got what we were going for."

     "Gotcha... Why is everyone looking at me like I just killed someone?" Johnson asked as they say down at the restaurant. "It's like I just committed murder."

     "You're just new and hangin' with me, don't worry."

     The waiter came over to their table "Hello Rainbow Dash, the usual?"

     "Of course."

     "And... I'm afraid I don't know you. What is your name sir?"

     "I am Alex Johnson, but please, just call me Johnson."

     "Alright then Johnson, what'll you have?"

     "I ah... I really don't know. What do you suggest that's cheap?"

     "A sandwich"

     "Sounds good. I'll take it."

     "I don't mean to sound rude, but, where are you from? I've never seen you before, and I've been around."

     Johnson looked at Rainbow Dash, who gave a reassuring nod "I'm not from Equestria, it's a long story."

     "Alright, I'll get your food to you as soon as possible."

     Rainbow Dash and Johnson in unison, both thanked the waiter. Johnson looked around to see multiple eyes on him, he decided not to say anything, just keep his mouth shut. He started to think about home again, seeing those other human faces. Interaction with something he knew was real, with no doubt in his mind. No flying ponies, no unicorns, no dragons, no magic. Just physics. Something that never changes.

     Then he started thinking about what he was doing. On Earth, he was just a soldier. He had his duties, his gun, and his bunk. His family had died long ago in a car accident, he was sent to military school. He was beaten down by everything he knew, always paranoid of what was going to happen next. But here, everything is different.

     He hasn't had to worry but once if something was going to get him from behind, if there was an I.E.D on his path. Everyone here was nice to him, the apples took him in as family, Rainbow Dash taught him how to fly, and the rest kept him from dying. He started to think of reasons why he should go back, but got cut short when he saw someone new approaching him out of the corner of his eye.

     "What kind of cutie mark is that?" Said the little pony, probably in the same class as Scootaloo

     Johnson looked down with a bit of curiosity "I'm afraid I've never met you before, what is your name?"

     "Diamond Tiara. But back to my question, what kind if cutie mark is that?"

     "It's a long story."

     "I have time!" Said the little snob, a smile on her face that suggested she thought he had him cornered.

     "I don't, so shoo, go to your parents or who ever."

     The smile quickly turned into a frown as she stormed off. Johnson tried to zone out again, but heard his name called from a distance, he turned to see spike running with a brown box. He set it down, out of breath.

     "It's something from Twilight, she found a shrink and duplicate spell."

     Johnson opened the box to see a custom holster for his now pony sized M9, as well as multiple full clips and bullet belts. He slipped on the holster and belts to find that when his wings are folded at his side, the weapon and ammunition is completely concealed.

     "That's a nice look you got goin'" said the waiter as he set the food on the table "Now, is this two separate tabs or just one?"

     "Just one" Rainbow Dash said, pulling money from under her wing. The rest of the evening was smooth. Johnson practiced his flying skills more, and started to learn about how you could alter the way the clouds worked. You could make them rain, lightning, whatever.

     The next two months were very uneventful. Johnson made a house near the Apple family's farm, just in case, near Ponyville for quick access to goods, and near Rainbow Dash's house to visit when he got lonely. Which was often. He would almost never be in his house. He would always be flying around or helping someone with chores. He always wore his holster, though he has never had to use it. The ponies stopped giving him weird looks, realizing that he wasn't anything strange. Sure he carried an alien weapon, but he never used it. Every day he tried to com up with a reason to go back to his old home, but his daily list kept getting shorter and shorter. Everything here was better, he was around smiling ponies twenty-four seven. They had accepted his as their own. He never had to worry about an child with an AK-47 running up to him and blowing his brains out.

     He considered just staying in Ponyville. The thought of a peaceful environment almost all the time sounded good to him. He was still protecting people, or ponies in this case. He had a clear view of the town, and much of Equestria, anything that happened, he could get there pretty quick, and with Rainbow Dash instructing him on how to fly better every day, he was getting faster and faster. He got to the point he barely walked, flying almost everywhere he went. He realized that exposed his firearm, but he didn't care, he actually preferred others to know he was armed. A deterrent to anyone.

     He told Twilight to slow her research on the pill to return him. He wanted more time to consider his options. Either ponies or humans. Each had its benefits and disadvantages. Some larger than others. But he knew he had to make a choice, this wasn't where he belonged. Or, he didn't think so. Sure a spell turned him into a pony, but that's not what he really was. He was a human. While yes, the food did taste pretty good now, it just isn't the same as well cooked steak. He decided to talk with Celestia. It couldn't be that hard to make a decision for a princess right?

     "I don't know what to do either." Celestia said, a hint if compassion in her voice "Either way, there are good and bad things that even everything out."

     "It's hard to make a decision. I just don't know what to do. Should I stay and embrace everything around me? Or should I try to go back and leave all this behind?"

     "In both worlds, there are people who care for you, and want you. Leaving would hurt the ones here, one deeply, but the ones in the other world may already be hurt."

     Johnson looked at Celestia with a puzzled look "One would be deeply hurt?"

     "Yes. Can you not see it?"

     "See what? I am blind, help me see."

     She laughed a little "I feel as though if I told you, I would lose her trust."

     "I really don't care who it is, I just don't understand what you're saying about one will deeply miss me."

     "Johnson, one of the ponies has feelings for you."

     It hit Johnson like a ton of bricks. He suddenly realized he had been blind this whole time. He knew the exact pony too. "Thank you Celestia!"

     She just smiled and nodded. Johnson retrieved his gear from Shining Armor. He never liked Johnson. Ever since he came the first day, he's had an eye on him. He always thought that he would try something. Johnson put on his gear outside the castle, then sped in the direction of Ponyville.

     On his way, he heard something behind him. He turned to see three figures in all black following him. He knew he would have to confront them eventually, so he found an open area to land in. He turned to see them fall behind him, ready for a fight.

     "Alright, now, I don't really know you. And you don't know me. Just leave me be and no one gets hurt. This is your only warning." Johnson said to the ponies in black. He pulled out his M9, ready for anything.

     "We want that, your weapon. Give it to us and nothing happens."

     "That makes a lot of sense. Fuck off."

     The ponies charged at Johnson. The pistol cracked three times. Johnson looked down at the ponies in black. He was sure to hit somewhere that wouldn't kill them, but immobilize them. He was determining either to leave them or bring them to some kind of authority. His train of thought wasn't on the bandits for long, he realized he still needed to talk to the special pony. He took off, leaving the bleeding cursing bandits to fend for themselves. Surely something heard the gun go off.

     He starting thinking, what was he going to do with Rainbow Dash? Where could he possibly go that would impress THE Rainbow Dash. He didn't even know where she would be. She was always flying around, doing something, or just lounging on a cloud. He decided he should start at the house. He was on his way, when something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention, and tore him in two.

     He saw Rainbow Dash in a dress, fitting her perfectly, with a blue colt in a tux. Flying towards her house. Johnson wanted to hear what was being said, or at least where they went. He didn't have much time or many options, he had to make it look like he just ran into them. He decided not to do anything. He needed to blow off some steam. He wanted a paper first, maybe reading would help a little.

     "What in tarnation is going on here!" Applejack screamed as she entered the barn.

     Johnson was unloaded clip after clip after clip into a makeshift target.  He turned to face the orange pony, tears running down his face "How the fuck does this even happen! I want to go home!" Johnson collapsed, dropping the M9 in the hay. Applejack didn't know what to say.

     "Ehhh.... What's wrong?" She asked, confusion in her voice.

     "I killed them.... All three of them..."

     Applejack was now more confused than ever "Killed who?"

     "Them..." Johnson replied, pointing at the paper.

                    Equestria Daily

     You may have heard of them before, the black pegasus organization, was shut down yesterday. The group was a female terrorist organization, stealing arms for a revolt on the Princess in the near future, however, their plans were quickly stopped when the top three of the organization, were found dead yesterday, lying in an open field. They had major injuries on their legs, though that was not what killed them. Being immobilized, they were unable to evade the creatures of the night.

     Applejack turned to Johnson, who lay on the floor, eyes still watering. "You stopped a terrorist organization? That's great!" This only made Johnson worse. "What's wrong? You did a great thing!"

     He looked at her, anger and sadness in his eyes "I killed three women! And you say that's a good thing! They were mothers! There are children out there, that are now without a mother!" Johnson tried to continue, but his tears became too much. It became very clear to Applejack, killing men was one thing, women, that was a completely different story.

     "I ahhhh.... Can't really say I understand you, because I've never been where you have."

     "I just... I thought someone heard the shots. It cracked three times! Surely someone heard it!"

     "Something did."

     Johnson became suddenly furious "If I would have gone and alerted someone, there would be three breathing mothers right now! But I was too ignorant, and too full of lust, that I decided that the safety of children was irrelevant!" Johnson picked up his M9 and sped out of the barn. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew no one would find him.

Johnson lay on the inside of a fairly large cloud, away from ponyville. He laid inside for hours, crying, thinking of the things he'd done. He didn't see their faces when they died. The moments replayed over and over and over again in his head. He tried to sleep, but his mind kept racing. There was nothing he could do now. He hadn't killed any mothers on Earth. He knew that for a fact. All his kills were male. He closed his eyes. Trying to fight the tears. He felt something rest on his shoulder, he whipped around, M9 drawn. Rainbow Dash was at the end of the barrel.

     Johnson broke down again, dropping the M9 through the cloud. Violently shaking, Johnson ran out of tears to cry, he just sat there sobbing. She came around and embraced him. Johnson's shaking slowly stated to go away.

     "I was looking around for you earlier, Applejack told me what happened." Rainbow Dash said, as sweet as possible. Johnson just sat there, not wanting to say anything he would regret. "She said you got angry  and flew off. I had to find you."

     "Why? I thought you would be busy fucking around with Mr. Tux!" Johnson immediately wished he had any kind of skill in magic, to rewind time, take back what he said.

     "Excuse me? What did you just say!" Rainbow Dash screamed, letting go of Johnson, his body started skating again as he tried to hide his face in the clouds "That was one of the Wonderbolts! We were taking about maybe getting seats for one of their performances, but I guess you wouldn't want to go, too busy destroying families!"

     Johnson's anger and sadness turned to violence, he pulled his head from the cloud, and grabbed the blue pony by the throat "Now you listen here, bitch! I...." Was all Johnson said, realizing what he just did. "Rainbow Dash.... I..." Was all his meek voice could say, before she started to cry. She flew out of the cloud at high speeds. Johnson sat in the cloud alone. He didn't know what to do.