Shadows of Hope

Chapter 6: One hell of a ride

Everyone was intense. While they had been use to fighting in forested areas, This was different. Japan was a combination of city and woods, so they could possibly go from street fighting to woodland war.

“Well, This isn’t going to be easy. ” Ghost said.

“Is it ever?” Scarecrow replied.

“Well, it’s still all confusing to me.” Twilight said.

“Shh, here they come.” Dash said. The group of Scarecrow, Jester, Ghost, Specter, the girls, and a select few TF141 and SC soldiers quieted down as Price and Soap walked to where a slide projector was.

“Alright, this is what we were able to get from our Intel,” Soap said. “ We will make our entry point here, near Chichibu. We will then head northeast until we come to what’s a supposedly old temple. That is where we should find the element of loyalty. We leave at 1830 hours. We have 10 minutes, so get your stuff together. Dismissed.” He finished.

The soldiers started to walk off, and the girls regrouped with Soap, Price, Ghost, Scarecrow, Jester, and Specter.

“So, you think we can do it?” Twilight asked Specter.

“Anything is possible,” he replied. The group talked as they got ready for the fight that lay ahead.

________________________________________________________________________

Time: 1830 hours

Location: Near Chichibu, Japan
Mission: Find hidden “temple” in Chichibu forest and retrieve element of loyalty before Russian Spetsnaz
________________________________________________________________________

It was a quiet trip. Most of the soldiers had been sleeping on the long trip from the Middle East to Japan, but now they were almost there. Scarecrow was just waking up. He looked around and saw that most of the soldiers were asleep. The girls were still asleep also. A couple of soldiers that were up were either reading a book, checking their weapons, or praying.

Scarecrow then felt something on his left shoulder. He turned his head and saw Applejack’s head leaning on his shoulder. She was sound asleep. Scarecrow thought that she looked so calm and angelic. He smiled and started to softly play with her hair. Applejack smiled as she felt the hand of Scarecrow. She opened her eyes, and yawned before picking her head up.

“Morning,” Scarecrow said, but kept his voice low so he wouldn’t wake up the others.

“Mornin’ sugar,” Applejack replied with a smile. “What time is it?”

Scarecrow checked a watch he had on. “In this time zone, it’s about 6:50, so the sun will be rising soon.” he said.

Applejack looked at her weapon, a Skorpion EVO with foregrip and an EOTech sight, and then back at Scarecrow. “Do ya have any idea what these woods are like?” she asked him.

“Not sure. I’ve been to Tokyo a couple of times, but never went into the forest near Chichibu,” he replied.

“Do you think that those other guys could have possibly gotten here earlier than us?” Applejack asked.

“I’m not sure, but don’t worry. As long as we’re together, we’ll be alright,” Scarecrow responded, smiling.

He and Applejack then kissed for a moment, pulling away before anyone else woke up and noticed them. The silence was then broken by the intercom from the pilots.

“Rise and shine boys and girls, Welcome to Chichibu.” one said. They looked out the windows on the plane to see the lush forest below them.

“30 seconds!” the pilot then called out. The soldiers got their gear together and checked to make sure everything was ready. Scarecrow put on the last part of his ghillie suit on (since he and Applejack was a sniper, they both wore ghille suits.). He then checked his ammunition and loaded his XPR-50, and then attached a suppressor.

“10 seconds,” the pilot then said. The helicopter in use, a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, started to slow down as it was preparing to sit still above the LZ that was designated.

“Let’s go mates!” Price said, getting the men to focus.

“Go, go, go!” the pilot said.

“Drop the cables!” Soap said. Two soldiers, one SC and one TF141, were holding cables. They threw them out the open hatch of the chopper and slid down them. The other soldiers followed, then the girls. When they got on the ground, some of the 141 soldiers got in a defensive formation as the others slid down the cables.

After everyone slid down, one of the 2 pilots started to pull the cables back into the chopper.

“Good luck down there,” the pilot said over squad communications. The chopper’s hatch then closed, and it flew off to a U.S. base in the Tokyo area for refueling.

“All units, operation hidden warrior is a go.” Ghost said. The unites then moved in the direction that intelligence officers said that the temple would be in. they went for about 6 minutes without meeting any resistance.

“It’s too quiet,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Too right mate.” Ghost responded. They stayed close to each other to make sure they wouldn’t get lost. They moved slowly and stealth fully, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.

Price and Rarity were at the front of the line.

“Ugh, I can’t stand the woods.” Rarity complained.

“Well, I will admit I would like to see what could possibly be looking back at me,” Price responded .

“I feel the same, this reminds me of Everfree forest..” Rarity said, shuttering at the words everfree forest.

“Must be some hell,” Price said with a joking smirk. But he quickly lost the smirk as everyone heard something moving.

“Something’s coming this way,” Ghost said.

“Hide!” Soap said.

“Shadow Company, One with the Shadows!” Specter ordered. This was a special stealth tactic made up and used only by shadow company, where as they would lie down in a dark area that was clear, but dark. Though it sounds like it is commonly done, Shadow Company perfected this tact as to where they could be lying down right beside or even in front of an enemy, but they are undetected.

Everyone held their breath as they saw what it was that made the noise.

Spetsnaz special units, and a lot of them. They were walking through the woods, obviously searching for TF141 and SC soldiers.

“If you have to move, do it very, VERY slowly. These guys could spot ants that aren’t moving,” Scarecrow whispered to Applejack. Applejack slowly turned her head back, and saw how still Scarecrow really was.

There was a Japanese Mamushi slithering over his legs but not reacting. Scarecrow was so still that the snake must have thought of it as hilly parts of the ground. Applejack silently gasped, then whispered it to Scarecrow.

“I know, if I move, I’ll have snake bites all over my legs.” he replied quietly. The snake finally got over both his legs, but then started going towards Soap.

“Bloody hell,” Soap quietly muttered, staying still because the spetsnaz soldiers were still walking through, but wanting to move because the snake was staring at him.

The snake hissed, and started to coil.

Fluttershy was beside Soap, and saw the snake.

“Oh, no mr. snake, don’t bite my friend,” She whisper to the snake. It cocked it’s head, as if understanding her. It then nodded at Fluttershy, and slithered off into the woods.

“How did?” Soap started to ask.

“Back in my world, I would always talk with the animals. They were my best friends,” she said with a smile. After the soldiers were finally gone, the group got to their feet.

“We have to move faster now, they’ll come back.” Price said. The group started to pick up their pace, and were in a full sprint, until they ran into another group of soldiers, the same number of SC and 141 soldiers together.

“Враги заметили, открытый огонь!” (enemies spotted, open fire!) one of the Russians yelled out.

“Open fire!” Price ordered. Both sides let out guns blazing as they found a tree for cover.

Rainbow dash got a headshot on one as she fired her MP5 at one of the soldiers.

“Got one!” she called out. A TF141 soldier looked at her and gave her a thumbs up. She smiled at him, but she was then caught off guard as a RPG hit right at the soldier, blowing him away.

“Holy shit!” Jester yelled as some remains of a tree nearly hit him. He fired his MG36 at a spetsnaz soldier that was about to throw a grenade. He got a lucky hit, and the soldier that had the grenade fell dead, dropping the live grenade. It took 3 other men in the explosion.

Scarecrow aimed down the scope of his XPR-50 and fired. The bullet struck one soldier, went through him, and entering another. The two hostile soldiers fell, blood gushing from the hole in their heads.

“Nice shot!” Applejack said. She then fired her weapon, and shot one soldier hitting him in the shoulder. The kick from the bullet spun him around, the dead body’s trigger still held as he did. It hit 5 other men near it, killing them.

“Nice shot to you to,” Scarecrow said. Applejack blushed a little. The firefight kept going until the spetsnaz got a dangerous advantage:

Flamethrowers.

“RUN!” Price yelled, the remaining soldiers running. Some were caught in crossfire of the remaining spetsnaz. One 141 soldier was shot in the foot and knee and couldn’t move.

The spetsnaz flamethrower unit walked up to the soldier, and flipped him over.

“No, please!” The British man begged. The Russian man had and evil smile as he pulled the trigger on his flamethrower. He watched as the British man screamed as he burned to a gruesome death.

Twilight was about to puke at the sight.

“Come on, we can’t help him now!” Specter said. He the grabbed Twilight’s hand. Twilight looked at him, and saw the care in his eyes. She then grasped his hand as they ran in the direction they started at the beginning of the mission.

After a while, they stopped. It was just Price, Soap, Ghost, Specter, Scarecrow, Jester, and the girls

“I… I think we lost them.” Jester said, trying to catch his breath. No one said anything.

“What, am I the only one here?” Jester asked. He looked up, and saw that the others were quiet, and staring at what they were looking for. They had found the hidden temple. (It had the same design as Shangri-la, just without the need of power and zombies.)

“Alright, we have to find that element of loyalty, and fast, so lets all split up.” Price said. The others agreed. They arranged groups of two, which were like this:

Jester and Scarecrow, Specter and Soap, Twilight and Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, Price and Ghost.

“Lets move out.” Specter said. The six groups separated and explored the temple.

Jester and Scarecrow were walking through the temple, and then came to what looked like an empty room.

“I don’t like it.” Scarecrow said.

“You don’t like anything the easy way,” Jester replied. He then stepped forward, but tripped over a plate that was sticking out of the ground. He fell on it, pressing it down. Then walls immediately shot out of the ground, and the two looked around.

“Great job, easy boy.” Scarecrow said, crossing his arms, obviously un-amused.

“Hey, it was an accident!” Jester objected. He then got up, and looked behind Scarecrow.

“Uh, why is mud coming towards us?” Jester asked, pointing. Scarecrow turned around, and saw the mud filling the floor.

“The room must be filling up! Go! Through the maze!” he ordered.

The two went through the maze, and, after going in circles for what seemed like hours, they finally came to a waterfall (where the water slide would be.)

“Well, at least there is a waterfall to get the mud off our clothes,” Jester said. Scarecrow simply scoffed.

The two stood right under the waterfall, washing the mud off. But alas to Jesters somewhat clumsiness, he slipped and fell onto the hidden waterslide. As he fell, he grabbed Scarecrow, pulling him down with him.

The comedy duo screamed their lungs out as they slid down the slide, trying to stand, but falling back down, getting soaked in the process.

“Jester, when we get off this thing, you are so de-” Scarecrow was cutoff as water splashed into his face.

When they came to the end of the slide, Scarecrow hit the ground first.

He grunted when he hit, but slowly got to his knees. But Jester then collided into Scarecrow, knocking him down again.

“I always hated damn waterslides,” Jester said. He then sat up and looked around.

“Scarecrow? Where are you?” he yelled out, not seeing his friend.

“Mmph mmph mmph!” A muffled reply came out. Jester look under where he was sitting.

“Oh shit!” He said. He got off Scarecrow and helped him up.

“Thanks, but next time, BE CAREFUL!” Scarecrow said.

“Hey, what is that?” Jester asked, pointing at something stuck in a rock wall. Scarecrow turned around, and the two walked up to it. It took both the strength of Scarecrow and Jester to pull it out. When they got it out, they gasped. They found the element of Loyalty! (the elements are in the same shape the are in the pony’s universe, incase you were wondering.)

“We found the element of loyalty!” Jester proclaimed.

I just said that.

“When did you say that?” Jester asked, looking up into the sky.

“Dude, are you serious?” Scarecrow asked.

There is no need for repeating what I just said.

“How was I repeating something if I didn’t know anyone else said it?” Jester asked

“Dude, quit arguing with the author!” Scarecrow yelled.

“But I didn’t hear him say anything! It’s not like I’m about to tell something very important is later in the story.”

You practically just did.

“What? FUCK!” Jester yelled.

“Listen! Bushwacka, excuse my friend, he’s wanting to get way ahead in this story.

“I do not!” Jester protested.

“Dude, shut up!” Scarecrow muttered.

“Why?” Jester asked.

“Because, I’ve heard that characters that argue with the authors get the unlucky things happen to them.”

Don’t you two have a story to continue?

“Oh, yeah! Lets get going.” Jester said.

“One of these days…” Scarecrow said. He then ran off to catch up with Jester.

“Guys! We found it!” The two yelled, coming to where a shrine was. But no one responded.

“Where is everyone?” Jester asked with a yell. Still no response.

“See, I told you not to argue with the author!” Scarecrow said.

“Why go blaming me all of a sudden!?” Jester replied. The two argued, moving around in a circle and pushing each other. Scarecrow then pushed Jester into the shrine.

“Oof!” Jester let out as he hit the shrine. The shrine tilted some, and a peculiar stone fell out of it and hit Scarecrow in the head.

“Ow!” Scarecrow said, holding his head. Jester then got up and picked up the stone.

“You ever see a stone like this?” Jester asked Scarecrow.

“No, looks like a meteor or something,” he replied. Scarecrow’s eyes then widened when he looked at Jester.

“What? Is there something on me? GET IT OFF!” Jester said, starting to spin around, knocking the imaginary thing off of him.

“Dude, look at the element!” Scarecrow said. Jester looked at the element of loyalty that he held in his hand. It was glowing a bright rainbow color.

“Whoa, you think its going to turn us into gays or something?” Jester jokingly asked.

“Really?” was all Scarecrow asked, un-amused. The element got brighter, and the two the noticed the stone getting brighter as well. The two objects then flew towards each other and stuck together, floating in the air.

“Ooh, new playmates!” said the voice of a young girl with a German accent. “You two can join my little game!” the girl then said. But this time, it was with a demonic voice. The element and the stone then started to swiftly spin around Jester and Scarecrow.

Electricity started to form around them.

“Dude, we are so screwed.” Scarecrow said.

“Oh, this is going to be a total clusterfu-” The two disappeared.

Twilight and Applejack then came to where Jester and Scarecrow once were.

“Are you sure you heard Scarecrow here?” Twilight asked.

“I’m positive.” Applejack said.

“Well, they’re not here.” Twilight said.

“Say, what’s this writin’ on this wall?: Applejack asked. Her and Twilight looked at it.

“That’s strange,” Twilight said. She read it aloud.

“Let the games begin.”

_______________________________________________________

If Scarecrow and Jester’s voices were being recorded, you would think that they were being brutally tortured. The two screamed as they went through the teleportation process.

“HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!!” Jester yelled.

“The Lord is my Sheppard, I shall not want…” Scarecrow said, quoting psalms 34 of the bible. The two then went through an opening in the portal.

Jester and Scarecrow came out of the portal and immediately crashed into some robots, hitting the floor with a loud thud.

“Robots? What the fuck?” Jester asked. The two got up.

“Hey, there’s someone over there.” Scarecrow said, and pointed at a metal box. He could see the tip of what looked like a helmet.

“Anyone there?” Scarecrow called out.

“Oi, who’s out there?” replied a man with an Australian accent.

“Well, we’re two U.S. soldiers in a special forces group called Shadow com-” before Jester could finish, they started to teleport again.

“Oh, come on!” Scarecrow said before they teleported again.

“Must have been our imagination,” the helmeted one said.

Going through the teleportation process once again, Jester started singing a tune.

“When you need to fell big and strong, reach for juggernog tonight!” he sang.

“What’s with you?” Scarecrow asked, who was doing backflips to pass the time.

“I don’t know, I just feel like it is a drink that I want. Like how a Russian wants a bottle of vodka.” Jester said. Scarecrow simply face palmed. They then went through another portal and landed on a bus. Scarecrow got up first, and saw that the bus was being driven by a robot.

“Whoa…” Was all that Scarecrow said, holding his XPR-50.

Jester landed in front of Scarecrow, and just now got up. He got up, and then immediately shot his hands up.

“What?” Scarecrow asked.

“Don’t ya’ll move now.” Said a girl behind Scarecrow. She was pointing an AK-74u at his head. “Now just turn around real slow like.”

Scarecrow turned around to see a brunette haired women that was dressed pretty skimpy. Jester came up beside Scarecrow.

“And what’s a good looking lady like yourself doing here?” Jester asked.

“Surviving the zombie apocalypse, of course!” she said.

“Zombie apocalypse?!” Scarecrow and Jester blurted out unanimously.

“Yeah, how have y’all not heard of it?” she asked.

“Ma’am, we don’t even know your name.” Scarecrow said.

“Oh, just call me Misty,” Misty said.

“Misty, I like that name.” Jester said.

“What’s yours?” Misty asked.

“Well, we don’t really tell people our names. We’re Soldiers in the U.S. Special Forces, in a very elite unit called Shadow Company,” Jester said.

“We go by nicknames, like mine is Scarecrow.” Scarecrow said, shaking Misty’s hand.

“And mine is Jester, but I’m serious around women,” Jester said.

“Really now?” Misty said, chuckling. The teleportation sound started again.

“Aw, come on! I meet a good girl and now we’re gonna teleport?!” Jester asked.

We have to continue with the story. You’ll get a girl later, don’t worry.

“Who is he talking to?” Misty asked Scarecrow.

“It’s a long story, but we’re about to go. Good luck.” Scarecrow said with a smile that represented his southern hospitality.

“Ok, nice meeting you, I’ve got freak bags to kill.” Misty said, reloading her AK-74u.

Jester and Scarecrow once again entered the teleportation process.

“She was hot,” Jester said.

“Dude, you didn’t have a chance with her.” Scarecrow said.

“Yeah I did!” Jester said. Scarecrow then looked up.

“Dude, look out!” Scarecrow said, pushing Jester. A British telephone booth went past them. Just missing Jester.

“Thanks,” Jester said.

“Not a problem, but we’re coming up to one!” Scarecrow said. The two looked at an open portal and saw a factory. A giant sign read “Der Riese”. they saw 4 figures running around with zombies chasing them.

Scarecrow and Jester went through the portal. They landed, this time on their feet, and looked around. The factory looked like it was from 1945.

“Where are we?” Jester asked.

“Well, judging by the language on that sing, I’d say we’re in Germany.” Scarecrow said.

“Yo, heads up!” Jester said, aiming his MG36 at some undead zombies running towards them.

“What the hell are those?!” Jester asked.

“Zombies.” Scarecrow said, aiming his XPR-50 at them. “Take em’ out!”

___________________________________________________________

“OOH FUCKIN RAH MOTHER FUCKERS!!!” Scream badass marine Tank Dempsey as he killed a zombie with the browning.

“You make rucky shot American.” Takeo said.

“Still did better than you, asshole.” Nikolai said.

“Um, I hate to interrupt your tea party, BUT ZHEY ARE EVERYWERE!” Richtofen yelled. The group began firing again at the zombies. But they soon started running the other way.

“Where the fuck are they going?” Nikolai asked.

“Where ever they’re going, I’m kicking their asses!” Tank said, letting out a war yell and chasing them.

“For the rove of the emperor, will he ever stop?” Takeo asked as the other 3 chased him.

“Probably not.” Richtofen said. As they ran after tank, they could see the zombies heading for the starting room.

“Is vodka finally getting me drunk again, or am I seeing two people killing zombies?” Nikolai asked.

“your vision somehow is right. There are two men fighting them.” Takeo said.

“Fuck, and I was hoping I was drunk again.” Nikolai said.

“Vwe might as vwell help zhem since zhey are not undead.” Richtofen said. The group watched as the two moved tactically to outsmart and kill the zombies.

“Get them in a line, and then blast them! I’ll provide sniper support from here!” Scarecrow said. He and jester moved into position and expertly took out zombies with their futuristic weapons with ease.

Scarecrow took out 4 zombies in one shot with his high powered XPR-50 and then heard a voice behind him.

“That shot was very honorable!”

Scarecrow turned around to see the German madman, Bushido Warrior, and Drunken Russian.

“Thanks for the compliment, but since you are all holding weapons, think you could help?!” Scarecrow exclaimed.

“Oh, right, We are on the way!” Nikolai said.

Dempsey was already in the starting room taking out zombies.

“You freak meats are going back to hell!” he yelled.

“Hey, thanks for the assist.” Jester said.

“No problem.” Dempsey said as he jumped down beside Jester. “Any man that kills freakbags is a friend of mine.” he said. They made a crawler.

“Don’t kill him!” Dempsey ordered. He and Jester walked over the where Richtofen, Nikolai, Takeo, and Scarecrow was.

“Now zhat we are togezher, who ze hell are you?” Richtofen asked Jester and Scarecrow.

“Well, we actually don’t tell people our names. You see, we are U.S. soldiers in a very elite select company called Shadow Company, and we use nicknames to keep our identity secret.” Scarecrow explained.

“I see, makes very much sense.” Takeo said.

“great… more Americans…” Richtofen groaned.

“Doc, shut the fuck up before you get fucked up.” Tank warned

“So, I’m Scarecrow.” Scarecrow said.

“I’m Jester,” Jester said.

“Name’s Tank Dempsey, U.S. Marines.” Dempsey said.

“My brother was in the Marines, oorah.” Scarecrow said, saluting Tank. It was hard to mention his brother.

“Good man,” Tank said, returning the salute.

“I am greatest man of group, Nikolai Belinski!” Nikolai proudly boasted.

“You mean most drunken idiot.” Takeo muttered.

“Hey, I heard that!” Nikolai said. He then drank some more of his vodka.

Takeo stepped forward.

“I am Takeo Masaki, honorable warrior from a line of Japanese Samurai and Bushido.” Takeo said.

“I’ve always studied the Japanese culture, I am honored to meet such a great warrior.” Scarecrow said, bowing. Takeo bowed in return.

“Watashi wa anata ni aete koeidesu.” (I am honored to meet you) Scarecrow said in perfect Japanese. Takeo was very impressed at the American’s knowledge of his own language.

“Watashi wa mata betsu no rippana senshi o mitasu koto o koei ni omoimasu.” (I am also honored to meet another honorable warrior) Takeo replied.

“What are they saying?” Jester asked as he and the others stood by.

“Who knows, Takeo always rambles on with his Japanese bullshit.” Nikolai said.

“Anyway, we came here from the future, and we need to get back to our time, which is 2018.” Jester said.

“2018? I did not know zhat zhe teleporter was capable of time travel! How interesting… Richtofen said with an evil smirk.

“Well, it can, but we need to get back to our own time,” Scarecrow said as he and Takeo rejoined the group.

“Hmm, let’s see….” Richtofen said. As the others too turns distracting the crawler, Richtofen work on the teleporter.

“Attach zhe Transproportional microfibulater to zhe atomic neurologic neutralizer…” Richtofen said. “For some strange reason, zhis is making me feel….horny…”

“Richtofen, JUST FIX THE DAMN MACHINE!” Dempsey yelled.

“Alright, sheesh.” Richtofen muttered.

/\/\/\/\/\/\
Later…
/\/\/\/\/\/\

“All done!” Richtofen said proudly. “Now, just step into the machine, and I vwill teleport you back to your time.”

“Thanks doc.” Scarecrow said. He and jester stepped into the machine.

“Nice meeting you all, maybe we will meet again!” Jester said. The group waved goodbye as Scarecrow and Jester teleported back to their time.

“Now, I NEED VODKA!” Nikolai said.

“To late man, here comes the next wave!” Dempsey said. Everyone was out of ammo, except for Dempsey, because had the Wonderwaffe DG2

“GET INTO ZE TELEPORTER!” Richtofen said. The group did, but the zombies started to get in it as Richtofen activated it.

“COME GET SOME!” Dempsey yelled, firing the wonderwaffe.

“You idiot! You’ll overload ze teleporter!” Richtofen yelled. Sure enough, it did, and the group started to teleport to a new location, in a new time (Kino Der Toten if you can’t figure this out.)

_______________________________________________________________________

“Oof!” Scarecrow let out as he and Jester hit the ground again.

“What do you think happened to those guys?” Jester asked as they got up.

“I don’t know. If they made it out of that place, they’ve probably died of old age.” Scarecrow replied. “But we need to find the others.”

“First,” Jester said, taking out the stone that caused them to teleport, “ Lets get rid of this.” He threw it away, thinking it would fall harmlessly on the ground. But it floated in the air, and moved immediately back to the shrine.

“Uh, lets get out of here.” Scarecrow said. Jester agreed, and they ran away.

The two started looking for the others, and eventually they found them.

“Scarecrow, Jester, Where the hell where you two?!?” Specter exclaimed as the group walked to them.

“Eh, it’s a long story.” Scarecrow said.

“Lets just say it was one hell of a ride,” Jester said.

“Well, come on, we’ve got to get bloody moving. The chopper is here. You find the element?” Soap asked.

“Right here,” Jester said. He pulled it out and gave It to Soap.

“Great job lads, now lets get going.” Soap said. The group of 12 got on the chopper, and were heading for their base in Tokyo, where the other element of harmony they had was transported to.

“aw, I lost two playmates, but I shall get zhem back, and have many more!” Said Samantha. She then laughed, knowing that her game can start in this time to.