Ghillie in the mist

     I always hate having to lay in the grass for a target. Sheds are one thing. Trees are alright. But just laying in the grass, it's the worst thing ever. I don't know why, I just hate it. Anyway, this was my plan, I was to wait for a day or two in the grass, and when the target pops up, take him down. Once I confirmed the kill (pink mist) a royal unicorn would teleport behind me, grab me, and take me back to Celestia.

     But that's not how it went. Not at all. Not even close. There was no teleportation. No royal unicorn. No Celestia. It was just me. On a suicide mission, but I didn't realize it was until the bullet found its mark.

     I saw the unicorns long before I heard the pegasi. I readied the rifle, firmly tucking it into my shoulder. My AK-47 strapped on my back. The exchange would be slower than the one in Afghanistan, mainly because they were conversing over current affairs as well. I saw the pony come out from behind the unicorns and began shaking hooves with one of the pegasi. I lined up the shot, and pulled the trigger. The bullet found its mark pretty damn quick. The pony exploded into a pink mist, leaving fear and confusion in all their eyes. Then the sound reached them. They all looked straight in my direction.

     "Fuck..." I said as I closed my eyes waiting for the guard to grab my shoulder and teleport me back. I lay there for twenty seconds. Nothing. I opened my eyes as the pegasi and unicorns started advancing towards me. I looked back down the sights. I would have to fight my way out. Nine shots later, nine confirmed kills, three pegasi left. I rolled the Barrett over, grabbing the AK from my back. I got on one knee, and aimed down the sights. I pulled the trigger, dropping the final three. I stood up, breathing very heavily. I almost died, and no one would've known. I started towards the city about five miles away.

     Upon entering the city, I was swarmed by guards, horns humming, questions screamed into my ears. I tried to remain as calm as possible as I made my way towards the train station. My temper was hard to control though. I was pissed. Once I had reached the train station and given the pony at the window the money to Canterlot, the questions got more precise and violent. "Why are you going to Canterlot! What is that! How do you have money?" And shit like that. I just kept my mouth shut, answering only when threatened. The train arrived, I boarded, leaving all the guards to angrily pace on the tracks behind the train. I relaxed a little on the train. I loaded another clip into my Barrett and another clip into my AK. It took a little longer to get to Canterlot from the city. But that was expected.

     When I was getting off the train in Canterlot, it was around midnight. Or it looked like it was midnight. I really couldn't tell. I started walking towards the castle. Those bitches would pay. The guards recognized me and let me go straight towards Luna's chamber. I hadn't slept on the train. I didn't want her to know where I was. I reached the chamber. I heard voices on the other side. Two voices. Celestia and Luna. I tried to open the door. Locked. My anger took over. I brought the AK up to my shoulder, blowing the lock and handle off the door. I then kicked the door in. Surprise and fear jumped onto the faces of my employers.

     "WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED!" I screamed. There was no way I was letting them go with leaving me for dead.

     "Now Michael, calm down..." Celestia started.

     "You expect me to be calm right now? I was in that field for two days! I took down thirteen hostiles, almost trampled by local guards, and you expect me to be calm?" I was screaming at the top of my lungs "I have a little orange pony down in Ponyville, that I said I would be there when a house was built! I am a fatherly figure to her, you said so yourself Luna!" I saw shame cross her face.

     "Now Michael, is this all necessary?" Celestia asked.

     "Damn right it's necessary! You sent me to die! To never see Scootaloo again!" I looked at Luna "If I ever see you in my dreams again, I won't hesitate to pull the trigger."

     "Michael! That's enough!" Celestia said, stepping forward. I raised my rifle.

     "Don't you fucking dare to approach me, bitch." I saw rage in her eyes.

     "You dare raise your weapon at me!"

     "You dare leave me to die? Where was my ride out? Where was the unicorn that was supposed to bring me back here huh?" Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. "That's what I thought." I turned and walked out of the room. Guards blocking my path "Move. Now." I demanded.

     "You have no authority over us." The one in front said "If anything, you follow our orders."

     A voice came from the room "Let him go. He needs time and space." It was Celestia. She had Luna under her wing. It was obvious she was crying.

     "Yes Celestia." The guard replied. He gave me a dirty look as I passed. Shining armor always was a douche. The guards parted. I heard Luna's sobs. I saw it as a victory. I was greatly mistaken. Never make royalty cry, unless you're going to die very soon, it's a very bad idea. I apologized later.

     I was waking in the castle, just blowing off some steam before I left. I didn't want to take my anger out on an innocent pony just walking down the street. I was talking to myself, pretty loud. I didn't even notice Cadence following me for a while. I finally noticed when I bumped a vase. It shattered on the ground. I bent down to pick it up, slicing my fingers. I started bleeding. Not bad, but enough to need bandages.

     "Here, let me he..." She started. I spun around, AK shouldered. She had a hint of fear on her face. Her horn was slightly humming. I don't know why I did, but I lowered my weapon, and let her magic work on my hand. The bleeding stopped, leaving a scar on my fingers.

     "I don't believe we've met?" I said. I started picking up the vase again. More careful this time.

     "You can call me Cadence." She said. She use her magic to pick up and fuse the vase back together.

     I noticed her wings also. "Are you related to Celestia?""

     "Yes. Niece." She said. "You know Twilight don't you? You are in her library daily?"

     I kinda gave her a weird look. "Yeah, how'd you know?"

     She smiled "Sister in law." I nodded in acknowledgement. I started walking away. "I heard you yelling..." I stopped, and looked down, a little in her direction. "What were you doing anyway?"

     I thought if it would be okay to tell her, I then remembered she was kin to Celestia "Assassination. Kill one target and leave."

     "So what happened that made you so angry?" She asked.

     "My ride never came. I had to take down fourteen targets. I almost died."

     Her eyes widened "Oh my!" I nodded. I was cooled off. I was going back to Ponyville. I wanted to see Scootaloo so bad.

     I was on my way back to the library. I walked to the door, about to open it when I heard something inside. I put my ear to the door. Crying. The door started to open on the other side, I stepped out of the way. Spike came out, carrying a towel. I grabbed his mouth, pulling him towards me. Bastard bit me.

     "Little fucker, stop!" I whispered sternly. He recognized my voice. His eyes brightened with excitement and confusion.

     "Michael! We thought you were dead?" He said. My face dropped.

     "Who told you I was dead?"

     "A day after you left, Celestia sent me a letter. You were KIA it said."

     "Who's inside crying?"

     "Who do you think?" Spike said.

     I dropped Spike on the ground and threw the door open. The crying was coming from where my sniper is usually setup. I ran up the stairs. When I got there, poor Scootaloo was sitting in my chair. Tears running down her eyes. She must've heard me, she looked over. Her face immediately brightened. "Daddy!" She screamed. She ran towards me, jumping into my arms. We both started bawling.

     "Hey Scoot." Was all I could get out.

     "They said you were dead." She said. She started feeling me, making sure I was real.

     "Don't worry Scoot. This is real. This isn't a dream. I'm alive."

     "Why'd they say you died?" She looked up at me, I wiped away her tears.

     "I don't know Scoot. All that matters now, is that I'm alive." I pulled her closer. She embraced me more.

     The door downstairs opened, I heard a pony start coming up the stairs. "Michael..." The voice said.

     I turned around. I saw Luna. Sympathy in her eyes. "What do you want, b..." I stopped myself. I didn't want to cuss much in front of Scoot.

     "Michael, hear me out! We had reason to believe your demise!" She said.

     "Oh really, and what reason was that Princess?" I sounded like a smartass.

     "You never slept. I was unable to enter your dreams."

     "I never sleep when I'm on an assignment."

     She laughed "It's funny really, you said the next time you saw me in a dream, you wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger."

    "I don't under..." It hit me, this WAS a dream! I saw Luna start to fade. Not in my dream. I cut off all her magic once again. Her face quickly contained fear. Chains from the library floor grabbed the princess around the hooves, wings, and horn.

     "Release me! Now!" She screamed.

     I twitched my fingers, the chains tightened, making the princess collapse. "They say it is impossible to feel in dreams, I counter that." I pulled a meat grinder from my pocket. "Let's see how good it feels to be on the receiving end of this." I placed the grinder on  her horn.

     "No! No! Please, I beg you, don't!" She screamed, trying to pull away from the evil device put on her horn. Even though it was a dream and wouldn't actually affect her in the conscious world, it would still hurt like a bitch.

     "You left me for dead, give me a reason I shouldn't." I said. I had my hand on the level.

     She fought back tears, then spoke "It was Tia's idea! Once you left, she started thinking, then she said that you were a threat to all of Equestria! She told the unicorn that was going to get you to abort! You're considered KIA!"

     I released the chains, and threw the grinder away. "What?" I helped Luna up. "She saw me as a threat?" She nodded. "How do I know you're not lying to me?" I asked. The chains started to levitate.

     "You can trust me! I swear! Just please, don't do what you're thinking." She pleaded. I let the chains drop.

     "Is this normal? Celestia not trusting aliens?"

     "You're our first alien, although I do believe it was a bit radical."

     I looked out towards the schoolyard. The dream was slowly starting to collapse. I looked back at Luna "I apologize for the way I attacked you. You didn't deserve it, for your sister's actions."

     She smiled "I accept your apology. I will apologize in place of Celestia for leaving you in that field."

     "I still don't understand, she saw me as a threat?"

     She nodded "I will tell her that you are to be trusted. Nothing else will happen to you."

     I smiled. "Thanks Luna." The dream collapsed around me. I woke to the sun hitting my eyes. The train was just arriving in Ponyville. I grabbed my gear, and set off towards the school. She should still be in school. I would surprise her.

     I was almost at the school, they were in class, and working. I thought of how I was going to let her know I was going to let her know I was we'll without disrupting the whole class. Then, I got the greatest idea ever. Scootaloo always knew I was looking at her when she would see the glare off my scope. I quickly detached it, and ran towards the window. I peeked in. Scootaloo was in the back of the classroom with her friends. They were trying to comfort the sniffling pony. They were saying things, but I couldn't hear them. The teacher would occasionally walk over, put her hoof on her back, and say something. Scootaloo would just nod. I decided I had stood there long enough. I pulled up the scope, I could see the glare on the classroom. I maneuvered it to where I shined in her eyes. She didn't notice at first, but I started moving it back and forth. She tried to put her hoof up to block it. I was getting annoyed. Then finally, she looked up to find what was bugging her. The look on her face was priceless. A giant smile, ear to ear. Her friends were confused, then they looked out the window. Their jaws dropped. He teacher was even in shock. Scootaloo started bouncing up and down, then got up, running out of the classroom. I started towards the front door. She bust through, tackling me, actually putting me on my back. I then knew exactly what it felt like for everyone in the armed forces. Having to leave a family, then returning home to see their face. Even though I was gone for only days, I got the same feel.

     She started crying into my chest. I embraced her and started stroking her purple mane "Shhhh... It's alright baby. Don't worry. I'm here now."

     She just cried into my chest. "You must be Mr. Johnson." The teacher said.

     "That would be me, yes." I said. I buried my head in Scootaloo's mane. I just wanted to cherish that moment forever.

     "Scootaloo told us what happened..." She trailed off.

     I waved her off. I didn't want to think about the incident. A voice came from behind me "You are one stubborn bastard aren't ya?"

     I turned, Allen had been passing by, he had just been passing by. "Hard to keep me down." I said with a smile.

     "Word got around town pretty quick. Something like a funeral was actually going to be held next week, without the body."

     I just shook my head "That's funny. Gone for a couple days and everyone thinks I'm dead."

     People always ask me about my dreams. I keep a seperate journal just for them. I see my dreams as a major part of my life. One of the things that really bug them, is my ability to control them. They always ask what it feels like. What is it like knowing what is happening in your head. I only have one analogy, and it doesn't even work for them. Say you're in a store, and you see a old small TV. Next to it is a big 3D HD Bluray TV. The small TV looks like shit in compassion doesn't it? With my dreams, it's like real life, my councious world, is the small TV and my dreams are the giant TV. Vivid. It's like my head pushes the unreal to be more realistic than possible. And I love it. Literally anything is possible.

      However, mt dreams aren't always as stable as other people's. Because I become concious in my dream, my subconcious hates this. It will sometimes do random things out of my knowing. Spawn things that I don't want. But usually just try and collapse the dream. I learned that with Luna, my subconcious is greatly more successful at collapsing the dreams. It happens much sooner and quicker. But enough talking about how my dreams work. Let me tell you the dream I had last night.

     I stood in an open field. Green grass everywhere. I closed my eyes and took a breath. When I opened them, a gaint sparring arena with lights and empty seats. I needed to work on my hand to hand combat, and mental reps worked just fine. "Alright, whatcha got for me tonight?" I yelled. Clouds formed, a lightning bolt hit the ground.

     "Michael." The ODST said, rising to his feet.

     "Rookie, long time no see." I always loved Halo, and ODSTs were my favorite. I raised my hands up. The rookie drew a knife from his armor. Cheating bastard.

     "So I heard you became a dad." He said as we circled each other. He threw his knife, it missed my head by three inches.

     "True story, not sure what I'm going to do though." I swung my right arm, landing a fist right under the ODSTs helmet, sendinh it into the stands.

      "Well what do you mean by that?" He swung his leg, knocking my feet from under me, he grabbed my foot, pullede through the air, and landed a well placed fist right under the chin. I hit the ground, rolling awsy from the marine, he was already charging me with his left arm drawn for another hit.

      "I jusy don't know, they were told I was dead by the government. Not sure if it's safe for little Scootaloo." I stepped to the side as the first passed my chest. My left hand grabbed the extended arm's wrist, and I placed my right hand on his elbow, I twisted my body and extended my right arm. A deafening pop rang through the stands. The ODST fell to the ground, his arm bent backwards. I could only imagine the pain, but pushed the thought away. But being a dream character, unless it's a death blow, they will keep fighting. Even if their arm is useless.

     "Huh, have you talked with them any?" He swung his right elbow, landing a hit on my temple.

     "Yeah, a sister." I rolled over the ODST's back, I grabbed the ODST's chin. I then yanked with everything I had. His eyes met mine. Our conversation was over. His body fell into a cloud of smoke. I stood up, the dream was collapsing far away, I could hear it. I assumed I had time for anither fight, but a unrealistic one this time. Metal formed around my fingers like brass knuckles, with blades reaching halfway up my forearm. "What else ya got, bitch?" The clouds formed again. A lightning bolt hit the ground.

     "Michael."

     "Luna? What the fuck are you doing here?" My hands dropped. Luna was in full body armor, her horn slightly glowing.

     "I was watching you fight, I don't think you can take me." She smiled. That smile, damn the smile. That was the one thing that would get me during my time here.

     "Well this was going to be my quick round, I show no mercy. Are you sure you're ready?" I raised my blades again.

     "Yes, I am ready when y..." That was all I needed to hear. I teleported, right behind her, a burst of speed and a backflip followed. My blades ran down her side. It looked like red racing stripes. She dropped to the floor in agony. When I landed, another burst of speed. I let my body become a fine mist, exept my arms. They ran across her legs. She was already done. I formed back into myself. I went to teleport again, this time however, above her. I fell towards the hurt princess, spinning on an axis. My blades pierced into her shoulders, dropping her to the ground in a bloody mess. I jumped into the air, the blades tearing as much flesh as possible on their way out of the body. I detatched the blades from my knuckles and threw them at Luna, sepersting her wings from her body. She screamed in pain and aggony. A pistol formed in my right hand, I pulled it up and went to pull the trigger. Then it happened.

    I was picked up by the black light that grabbed me the day I found Scootaloo. I felt my inner organs start collapsing. Blood trickled from my mouth.

     "My magic is still more powerful than yours." She said. I felt my chest explode. I woke up in bed drenched in sweat. Scootaloo had just entered the room. She was having a nightmare. She crawled into my bed. I held her close. Luna was a bitch when I fought her. Magic was a pain in the ass. We don't fight much now, Scootaloo doesn't like it. I guess I know why.

     Scootaloo didn't have to go to school that morning, Mainly because it was a holiday, something like Christmas. Of course, they celebrated it and I stuck to my Christmas. I was even able to cut down a small pine tree for the livingroom. Scootaloo started asking questions, I was debating wether or not to introduce Christianity to her. I ended up just leaving my Bible open and seeing if she ever picked it up. She did one day, but I'm not one to talk about religion, I'm no preist.

     So she would ask questions, and I would answer the best I could. She never did understand how I could consider myself a follower of this book, and at the same time, able to kill. I really didn't have an answer. How could I? I had just always pushed the thought away. I would consider it a job. I would destroy the evil. But I think about it, doesn't doing an evil thing to destroy a greater evil STILL make you evil? Or does using your own evil to destroy a greater one make you good? I finally just assumed that I was an evil man with good intentions. I don't kill innocent people, I kill criminals, warlords, dictators, very evil men. But it's my job. Maybe I should just stop thinking about it. Go back to before, just block out the thought of a life ending, only feeling the recoil of the rifle into my shoulder. I knew what it felt like, and exactly what would happen.

     Repetition, that's how I tick. Same routine daily, I hate surprises, main reason I don't like being near Pinkie, she always has something abnormal planned. A party, cupcakes, games, something. She tried throwing a surprise party for me once, introducing me to everyone in town. Her eyes don't work on me though, only Scoot can change my mind with her eyes. She always wants to go the long way to school, and of course, I always give in. She knows she'll win and get what she wants too, that's what pisses me off. I try to say no, but those damn eyes and her bottom lip extended always get me. I won't lie though, I miss taking her to school, and picking her up somedays. With her always up with Rainbowdash and the Wonderbolts doing their performances, I don't get to see her as much, but I'll write about that later. I still have to write about the school's play.

     "A play? About what?" I asked Twilight, I sipped some more of the water Spike brought me, and looked towards Canterlot. I could see ponies moving, but couldn't see their faces.

     "About Equestria beinf founded, pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies all setting their diffrences aside." She said, she walked up next to me, handing me a book.

     I looked down at the book "Hearth's warming?" I opened the book and began to read. Very interesting story.

     "Their play is tonight, had Scootaloo not told you about it?" Twilight sounded concerned.

     I laughed "I actually told her she was going to be in it before she even knew about it."

     Twilight had a puzzled look on her face. "How did you know about it?"

     I smiled and looked down the scope at the schoolyard "I was concerned about her grades in school, me and her teacher sat down to talk about what they were doing in school, she told me about the play, and that the students thay participate in it get extra credit. Did you know Scootaloo has a C?"

     Twilight's face kept the same confusion "You care about her grades?"

     "Straight A student all the way through school, and I didn't have anyone. Scootaloo has someone now, there's no excuse for failure." Twilight's face lit up, I guess she had no idea that I had intelligence?

     "That's great!" Her hooves wrapped around my neck, all I could do is smile. My heart dropped, affection, something that was so unfamiliar to me. But I had my eyes elsewhere. The stars.