The Marine in Equestria

     Johnson looked for Rainbow Dash for over an hour, with no luck. He decided maybe he needed to design his scope first. Just a couple more targets, should be able to take them down relatively quick. But damn, it gnawed at him every time he thought about it. He almost got sick every time he thought about killing women. Just, thinking that a could be mother could have just died. He shuddered as he lay on a cloud above where Rainbow Dash first taught him to fly. He started drawing his idea. He wanted a scope that would help hit a fly at a hundred yards.

     His art wasn't exactly the greatest, when he was done, it just looked like a stick with rings on the end. He threw the design away, and began the next. After five sketches, he realized he wasn't cut out for designing scopes, he needed an artist.

     "You want us to do it!" Applebloom and Sweetie Belle squealed.

     "I don't want anything to do with that thing!" Scootaloo said, looking at her shoulder. It had healed, but she'd never touch anything like it ever again.

     "Come on Scoot, the sooner it's done, the sooner it'll be out of your clubhouse. And I swear it won't do what it did the first time." Johnson said as he put the weapon on a table. He took out the clip, made sure there was no bullet chambered, and had the safety on.

     "Come on Scootaloo, it'll be fun! And Johnson here has helped us do so much with our clubhouse, a little thing for him isn't anything." Sweetie Belle said.

     "I won't leave you here alone with it, I have to stay and help, make sure none of the Bl.... just make sure it's safe." Johnson hoped the little ponies didn't notice his mistake, they didn't.

     Applebloom traced the weapon on a rather large piece of paper. "What's the shape like?" She asked, eager to help the Marine with his project.

     "Well the part closest to my eye needs to be kinda large, then it gets narrow, and goes back to another big part, but not as big."

     "What color?"

     "Black."

     "Why black? Why is all the stuff you have that surrounds those things have to be black?" Scootaloo said, still eyeing the M16, almost like it would place itself back in her shoulder and fire.

     "It's just better, black goes with everything."

     "Rarity hates using black in her dresses." Sweetie Belle added in, feeling left out.

     "Well.... This isn't exactly a dress." Johnson said, smiling. He thought he heard something strange outside, he dismissed it, probably just the wind or Applejack.

     "There's little girls in there!" One of the sisters said.

     "Then don't hit them!" The leader said. With only seven left in their organization, she was forced to adopt the newest member into her squad.

     "So what exactly are we going to do? There's little girls, the bastard, and both of his weapons." She asked again.

     "He's not paying any attention to the windows, none of them are. If we are able to sneak in through there, we could grab the one on the table and take down the bastard. Then we'll get Celestia!"

     "What if he hears us?" One of the more experienced members asked.

     "Turn and run, but really try to grab the gun." She said, anger started to show in her voice.

     "So who's gonna go in?" The experienced member asked. All the members looked at the newbie, rather a new member than someone who is important.

     "How will you be able to see out of it? If you can't put your eye right on it?" Applebloom asked.

     "Well you aren't supposed to have your eye right on it, back a little." Johnson heard something creak, just the wind he said to himself, paranoia was getting to him again.

     "And it looks like a plus? With dots for how the bullet falls?"

     "Yup, helps me hit things at a distance." Johnson heard metal moving, close. He knew it wasn't his imagination. He turned to see a pegasus in all black picking up his M16, the window open. "I know why you're here, girls, look away."

     "Why John... Oh my! Wh..."

     "I said look away. Now!" Johnson said, grabbing his M9, acting like the M16 was armed.

     "Ha! You fool! You are dead!" The pony said, squeezing the trigger. Nothing. Fear overwhelmed the pony's eyes when Johnson tackled her, creating a massive hole in the wall of the treehouse. He would fix it later, he didn't want the girls seeing someone die. Johnson jumped into the air, swinging himself around. The pistol cracked. The pony lay on her stomach, a hole in the back of her head. She had no idea that Johnson would hear her, let alone kill her.

     "She's in! He didn't even know!" All the ponies started laughing, he was as good as dead. They got back into their positions, watching as he turned to see the newest member with the weapon.

     "Why doesn't she kill him?" One of the members asked.

     "Probably trying to get the other one too. It shouldn't take too long for them to..." They watched as Johnson slammed himself into the newest member, creating a massive hole in the wall.

     "Go! Go! Go! Run!" The leader screamed as a loud crack came from the black object in his wings. The newest member was dead, only six remained.

     "What was that?" Twilight asked Pinkie as the walked towards Applejack's.

     "It sounded like a firework!" Pinkie said.

     "Kinda, but why would someone be shooting fireworks off during the day?" Twilight looked at the sky to see three pegasi in all black, flying away as fast as they could. "Pinkie, that wasn't fireworks, it was Johnson. We need to hurry!"

     Johnson flew back into the clubhouse. The girls were all huddled in a corner, tears running down their faces "Are y'all okay?" Johnson asked, slowly moving towards them, trying not to add any pressure on them. They all nodded while sobbing.

     "Who was that? Why did you do that?" Scootaloo asked.

     "Ermm.... I really can't tell you who that was, except that they were going to hurt me very bad, and very possible you three." Johnson said, trying to ease the stress. He really wanted someone besides himself to explain. He didn't have an excuse for killing.

     A scream came from below, someone found the body. Then a voice, Applejack's "What happened here! Johnson? Applebloom? Scoot? Sweetie?"

     "They're all in here Apllejack, give me a second and I'll be down there." He looked at the girls "Will you guys be alright?" They nodded. He flew down to Applejack who was staring at the body.

     "What did you do?" She asked, fear in her voice.

     "Black Pegasus. Had to." He replied, looking at the M16 pinned under the body.

     Twilight stood beside Johnson. She noticed his eyes starting to turn red and water. "You alright?" Twilight asked.

     "Where's Rainbow Dash?" He asked, trying to hide his sorrow.

     "She is still at my library getting a book."

     "Do you know what to do with the body?"

     "Yes." Twilight said. Johnson immediately took off towards Ponyville. He couldn't control his tears as he made his way to the library. When he busy through the doors, instead of seeing Rainbow Dash sitting in a chair or looking for a book, instead he saw three ponies in all black, the blue pony pinned to the ground. A knife to her throat.

     "Listen here you bastard, we have yo..." The pistol cracked three times, blood splattering over Rainbow Dash. Johnson's heart was racing. Johnson dropped the M9, collapsing to his knees. Seven in one day. He began crying uncontrollably.

     "Alex... Please... Don't cry... You saved me again." Rainbow Dash said, getting up from the ground.

     "That's seven... Just today..." Johnson said, his hands in his hooves.

     "Alex..." She wrapped her wings around him "how often are you required to kill females back where you're from?"

     "This is the first time I've ever had to... It's horrible!" He said, returning her embrace. He smelled the blood that stained her beautiful mane, but it didn't matter. Where he was at, he felt safe. At home.

     A guard busted into the library "What was that?" He looked at the bodies on the ground, realizing they were Black Pegasus members.

     "I have it under control." Johnson said.

     "Under control? There are three bodies on the floor! Someone has to take responsibility!"

     Johnson stood up "Stand down! I was assigned to kill them, I am working under Luna, you have no right to take me into custody!"

     The guard stated at Johnson, then turned as left the room, as Twilight came in. She looked at her library, blood covering the floor and splattered on her books.

     "Johnson... You realize there's only three left right?" She asked, teleporting the bodies.

     Johnson walked back one to Rainbow Dash, wrapping his wing around her. "Yeah, they'll be the hardest."

     "You know what they means right?" She asked, concern in her voice.

     "No, what?" Johnson had confusion in his voice.

     "I have to send you back."

     Johnson looked at the ground, realizing she was right. Once he killed the last three, he had to go back to his world. His time in this world was limited. "But... I am not sure I want to leave?" He said, sadness filled his voice.

     "I'm so sorry Johnson, but when you kill the final three... I have to send you back."

     "Alex..." Rainbow Dash grabbed him tightly "I don't know what to do without you. You've saved me numerous times and I... I... I love you."

     Those words hit Johnson like a freight train. "I love you too Dash." He replied. What had he just said? He was maybe a week from leaving Equestria, forever, and he's announcing his love for someone he'll never see again.

     Spike came downstairs, just waking from a nap, how he slept through the gunshots was a mystery. He looked at the mess on the walls, floors, and Rainbow Dash "What happened here?" He said, eyes wide. He then burped a letter up, Twilight grabbing it.

     Twilight read it aloud "Twilight, it has come to my attention that the human "Alex Johnson" has almost brought down the entire terrorist organization, the Black Pegasus, singlehanded. We ask him and all your friends to come to Canterlot. Luna and I wish to speak with you all." She put down the letter "I wonder why for? Doesn't matter, looks like we're off to Canterlot!"

     The train ride was horrible. Johnson sat at his bed, all his gear in a suitcase, his M9 under his pillow. He couldn't sleep. He eventually went to the caboose, and leaned over the railing, watching the scenery go by. He heard soft footsteps behind him, he turned, expecting to see three black figures, threatening his life. That's all he has turned around to recently. Instead, the three little girls were coming up behind him.

     "What are you three doing here?" He asked, turning again to face the scenery. Beautiful. A shame he had to kill in such a majestic world.

     "We didn't wanna stay in Ponyville, after what happened in the clubhouse." Scootaloo said.

     "Yeah, we were scared they would try t' get us!" Applebloom said.

     Johnson laughed to himself, the assassins wouldn't kill little girls. Would they? Johnson was killing females and felt horrible, what could a mindless killer do? "They wouldn't come after you, girls. They wanted me." He said, trying to make even himself believe it.

     "So... You did kill that pony? The one that took your thing?" Sweetie Belle said, she was tired.

     Johnson tried to come up with an excuse. He was unable, instead, he recited his favorite quote. "You must kill the spider to get rid of the cobweb."

     "What does that mean?" Applebloom said.

     "It means, that someone could just keep destroying something, like how Luna was sending in wave after wave after wave of troops to destroy the organization that is trying to kill me. But unless you kill the whole thing, the spider, the cobweb will keep coming back."

     "So what you're saying, is if you don't do it, they would just keep coming back?" Scootaloo asked.

     Johnson nodded "I am doing what I was told. I do not like it, not one but. But it's my job."

     "Then why don't you quit?" Sweetie Belle asked.

     "It's not that simple." He said.

     "How so?" They asked in unison.

     "I pretty much promised my entire country. I promised that I would protect it at all costs. It's near impossible to break a promise like that." Johnson said. The memories of training started to flash through his head.

     "What do you think is happening now?" A new voice said.

     Johnson turned to see Rainbow Dash standing behind the children. "How long have you been there?" He asked.

     "Long enough. Girls, could you am Johnson leave us alone for a minute?" Rainbow Dash said.

     "Sure thing!" They said, they ran into the next car.

     "You must kill the spider to get rid of the cobweb?" She had an odd look on her face "You make that up?"

     Johnson shook his head "No, after my first kill in Afghanistan, I was shocked at what I did. That quote gave me the most peace. Have me assurance that whatever I was doing, had some good in it."

     "You know why we're going to see Celestia right?" Rainbow Dash asked, a deep sadness in her voice.

     Johnson shook his head "Not a clue."

     "The three remaining members of the Black Pegasus surrendered themselves yesterday. They said that they were all newer members and had no idea what to do now that every high rank was dead."

     Johnson's heart sank "So she's sending me back?"

     "Alex, once we get there, you are to be returned to your normal form, and Twilight will preform a spell that will send you back, five minutes before you were summoned here last time."

     "Why wasn't I told earlier?" Johnson asked, anger in his voice.

     "We didn't know how to tell you, and only me, Twilight, Luna, Celestia, and now you know."

     "You weren't going to tell me until I was human weren't you?" Johnson turned to Rainbow Dash, she was looking at the ground.

     "I... Alex you..."

     "I what? Do I not get to know what's about to happen to me? That I don't get to see any of you anymore?"

     "Alex..."

     "Dash, I am about to lose you. I'm about to lose everything this world has given me. And you girls keep it a secret."

     "I'm sorry." Tears started to mass in her eyes.

     "Rainbow Dash, please, don't cry." Johnson's anger quickly vanished as he put his wing around her. He escorted her back to her bunk.

     "Alex?" She said, already drifting to sleep.

     "Yes?"

     "I know it's a little early, but I'm going to miss you."

     Johnson smiled, and kissed her on the cheek "I will miss you too." Johnson flew to his bed, seeing all three of the girls passed out on it already, he took the floor. He closed his eyes, passing out.

     When Johnson woke, he was still on the floor, but they were nearing Canterlot. He started to stretch his wings, then his arms. It was strange, he didn't feel the ground on his wings. He opened his eyes and looked around, still in the same car. He rolled over, about to push himself off the ground, when he saw it. Instead of hooves, his human hands were touching the ground. He looked at himself to see he was in his full gear. The train door opened, Twilight's horn glowing. Johnson got up to charge the pony, his anger and adrenaline pumping.

     "I'm so sorry." Twilight said as she pulled Johnson out of the train. Guards surrounded them all the way to the palace. Helping Twilight carry the pissed, cursing marine.

     When they reached the main chamber, Celestia had used her magic to draw strange symbols on the floor. "Twilight, set him in the middle, and we will begin."

     Johnson looked to see Rainbow Dash being held back by two guards, her eyes like waterfalls. She was screaming to let him go. That wouldn't happen. A strange sensation overwhelmed Johnson's body. He looked to see the strange symbols on the floor start to circle him.

     "Celestia, will this work?" Twilight asked.

     "No doubt in my mind." She answered. Johnson's legs started to disintegrate, leaving just his arms, torso, an head. He saw a strange fire start to eat at him, it didn't hurt though.

     Twilight screamed over the noise of the spell "This should send him back just five minutes before I summoned him the first time!"

     A horrified look came across Celestia's face "Five minutes before! Twilight! What have you done?"

     "I don't understand?"

     Celestia looked at Johnson, only his head remained "You have just created a time para..."

     Johnson! Get the fuck down!" Johnson looked around to see that him and his squad were dug into a trench on the side of the road. An I.E.D. had hit their convoy, they were holding out until air support arrived.

     "Johnson! Get that look off your face and start laying down cover fire!" Someone screamed. Johnson didn't even remember his name, but did what he was told.

     An Apache helicopter flew in from behind them, laying down a barrage of missiles and bullets. A voice came over from the radio "Everyone get in the Humvees and let's get the fuck outta here!"

     Johnson did just that. He hopped in the nearest humvee, and sped off.

     "Johnson, you about got fucked up man!"

     "It's like you forgot everything you knew in five seconds man."

     "Say, what's that?" One of the marines pulled a feather out of Johnson's helmet. "A blue feather? When the hell'd you get that?"

     "No idea." He replied.

     "Johnson, you alright, you look kinda sick?"

     "Nah, I'm fine." Johnson's memories ran wild. The firefight, Black Pegasus, Rainbow Dash, Equestria, it just wouldn't stop.

     "You know, I heard that Jorge considers himself a 'brony'"

     "What the fuck's a brony?"

     "Someone who watches a show, My Little Pony."

     "Are you fucking serious?"

     "Yeah man, he says that shit's crazy. His favorite character he says is called 'Fluttershy', what kind of name is that?"

     Johnson's head shot up "Fluttershy?"

     "Yeah dude, says she's all nice an' shit, reminds him of his mama."

     Johnson looked out the window. They had been on the road for about three minutes. "That's funny. I knew someone named that."

     "Johnson, are you sure you're alright?"

     Johnson started seeing spots. "No, I'm seeing stars."

     "You created a time paradox for the poor man!" Celestia cried out. "Do you know what that is?"

     "No?"

     "Remember when you sent yourself back in time to warn yourself to not worry?"

     "Yeah."

     "It's like that!"

     "I remember, I was knocked out about four minutes after the spell too! So... I caused another time paradox?"

     Celestia shook her head "Nothing we can do now."

     "Johnson! Johnson look at me!"

     "I am!" Johnson yelled back. He was losing consciousness.

     "My God! Sarge! Look at his legs!" A black fire started to creep up Johnson's body.

     "Water! We need water!" Water was poured on the fire, but nothing was happening.

     "Johnson! Stay awake!"

     "No... I know what's happening. I want to sleep."

     "Johnson! We'll get the fire out! I..." The humvee hit a giant rock in the road. Johnson's head crashed into the door. The flames had him completely covered. Then vanished. Johnson was no longer in the vehicle.

          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.