Location//: Near Kandahar, Afghanistan
Local Time//: 00:23 Hours
Date//: xx/xx/2013

Dima readied himself by the corner of the building. He peaked around with his night vision on and saw two insurgents in the dirt road conversing.

“Take them,” He whispered into his radio headset. With a small crack in the distance and a hiss in the night. They were both dropped down.

“Good night,” Kiril's voice whispered through the headset.

Dima signaled for the rest of Vampir squad to move up behind him. Vladimir, Yuri, Vasily, and Ivan stacked up behind him.

“Clear,” Kiril said after eliminating the rest of the guards

“Alexsandar, do you have our extraction ready?” Dima asked over the radio.

“Affirmative,” Alex replied.

“Good, going radio silent.”

Dima's team moved through the streets under the cover of darkness. They stacked up behind the door of their target building. Dima looked back and got a 'go ahead' nod from Vlad. He kicked open the door with him and the rest of the team followed. Vasily went around back to breach with Boris. The rest of the team split up in groups of two. Going room to room, clearing the office section of the warehouse. Ivan slit a sleeping guard's neck as he and Yuri made their way. Dima and Vlad went into the large hanger area of the warehouse.

“Sir, no sign of the dirty bomb. Perhaps GRU's Intel was off?” Vlad whispered,

“Patience Vlad, it's here. Just...” Dima started before a bullet hissed past Dima's head,

“Contact!” Dima shouted as he and Vlad took cover behind metal crates.

They returned fire and dropped two hostiles. But more kept coming in as an alarm blared. Dima and Vlad were still pinned down by enemy fire. Ivan and Yuri entered the hanger bay, taking cover behind a fork lift not to far way. The four men were stuck in an intense firefight. Hot lead flying between both ends of the hanger area. Vlad fired a burst, killing a man whowas aiming at Dima. Ivan threw a frag grenade towards a group hiding behind a shipping container. The fight roared on few a few minutes, but it felt like hours for Dima's team. With every insurgent they killed, they were replaced with more coming in. To make things more difficult, men were now climbing the cat-walk above them and setting up firing positions. Dima attention snapped to one man in particular. An insurgent begun aiming at them with an RPG. Dima shot a burst into the man's chest, but the rocket fired as the guard fell. He watched helplessly as the rocket impacted behind Ivan and Yuri. The blast sent them flying a couple feet. Dima tried to run to them but Vlad held him back.

“GET DOWN!” Just then another rocket flew past them and flew out a window.

A loud explosion rocked the warehouse, Boris had blown a breaching charge on the side wall. Machine gun fire drowned out the enemies as Boris mowed them down with his PKP, along with Vasily following up with his carbine. Dima and Vlad left their cover and charged the rest of the insurgents. Vlad shot a guard in the head with his carbine as they ran. The wall behind the man now spattered with blood. They approached the center area of the warehouse. A few folding tables were set in a semi-circle fasion with various papers on top, and a pin board with maps and other papers pinned up was set on a table, leaning against a shipping container. Dima took a few steps before feeling a heavy mass ram into to him, knocking him to the floor. Next thing he knew, a man was wrapping his large, meaty fingers aroun Dima's neck. The look on the guards face was inhuman, perhaps feral. Dima tried to pry the man's hands off of his neck. His body desperate for air as his vision begun to fade. Dima tried to punch the man on top of him, but the lack of air weakened his blows. Just as Dima was about to black out, a sudden gunshot tore through the man's head, spraying blood, brain, and bits of skull on the floor. The limp body feel to the side, staining the concrete floor with a ever growing crimson puddle. Dima managed to snap out of his daze and begun to inhale gallons of air. He looked to his side and saw Vlad with is carbine trained in his direction. He walked towards Dima, holding out a hand to help him to his feet.

"You alright?" He asked whilst stuff huffing and puffing from the adrenaline.

"Yeah. Thanks for-" Dima eyes shot open in suprise. He suddenly bolting down the warehouse.

Dima then ran to where Ivan and Yuri were. As he rounded the fork lift, he saw their bodies laying lifeless on the ground. He collapsed to his knees, gazing at the horror. Their bodies were torn to shreads by shrapnel. As much as Dima wished he could do something, there was no surviving this.

"How did this happen?" Dima heard Boris coming from behind him.

"Anti-personnel rockets." Vlad answered with a solemn voice.

“Dammit” was all Dima could say. There were no real words to describe how he felt.

Vlad and Boris walked over to Dima. Vlad placed a hand on Dima's shoulder. He wanted to say something comforting, but Dima rose to his feet before he got a chance.

"Dima?" Vlad tried to get his attention.

"Not now." He muttered, his gaze still on the bodies.

“Hey, you need to see this!” Vasily shouted from the area with the maps.

The rest of vampir squad rallied to Valisy position. Dima took a stepped forward to see what Vasily found. Inside a large red shipping container was a rectangular object covered with a olive drab tarp. Boris removed the tarp covering the ordinance and with all his strength he pulled it out into the light. It was a grey box made of heavy metal. Boris and Dima unlatched the locks and began to lift the top off the container, it stubbornly stayed stuck. After a final push it popped of and they placed it to the side.

“Mother of God...This isn't a dirty bomb. It's a nuke” Dima stared at the explosive in awe.

“Hey I have maps over here,” Vasily said. "" Britian, France, America... my God even Russia."

Vlad began to examine the explosive with careful scrutiny. "I haven't seen many nukes, but we have at least a megaton yield here. North Korean would be my best guess. The workmanship on this leaves much to be desired,” He explained.

“Strange? They haven't added a primer yet, they must not have completed it” Vlad added. That managed to quell some of Dima's worries.

“Set a charge, we're going to bury it in this place” Dima ordered.

Vasily went to work on the bomb. Setting a large pack of Semtex next to the incomplete nuke. Pressing the glowing buttons on the timer until a 1:00 appeared on the glass. Before he could start the clock, gun shots rang out everywhere.

"Contact, left side!” Vasily shouted.

"There in the offices!" Boris added.

More insurgents came into the building, screaming and firing at them. Dima ordered everyone out the back. The squad ran like hell to the other side of the hanger. Just as he was about to reach the exit, Dima felt the extream pain of bullets tearing through him. He dropped to the floor, watching helplessly as the rest of his team left him behind. Dima knew that they would get them selves killed if they came back for him. He decided against calling for help. Dima slowly dragged himself back to the bomb. Suppressing the urge to pass out from the pain, he dragged himself by his arms, leaving a bloody trail in his wake. If he was going to die here, he was take them with him. He pulled himself up to the bomb and set the timer for ten seconds. He raised his hand a few inches, ready to smash the red button that started the clock. He chuckled a little at the irony, the red button, it was always the big red button. He closed his eyes and brought his hand down. Only to have it stopped just millimeters above the red button. He looked up to see a insurgent holding his hand. He had a wicked smile on his face.

“ليس اليوم، الخنزير الروسي” (Not today, Russian pig) He said to Dima before raising his AK-47. The last thing Dima saw was the butt-stock hurtling towards his face.

Dima woke up from his nightmare with a short scream. Slipping off the couch and hitting the hard wood with a thud that resonated through out the house. He felt cold sweats running down his body. He picked himself up off the floor and removed his shirt, silently heading for the door. He exited the house, taking a good look at the night. The cold air blew across his skin as he sat on the porch. He felt something different, something so alien to him....peace and quiet. He was used to waking up to the sound of gun shots and people yelling. But to wake up on his own, in the quiet starry night, it was all so strange. He took a deep breath, taking in the sweet air that carried a hue of apples. He gazed in the sky, wondering if he could still see the man on the moon. There was a face alright, but it looked more like a unicorn than anything. He chuckled at the sight. Unicorns? Yeah right.

He reentered the house, seeking the comforts of the sofa. He didn't bother trying to fall back asleep. He never slept much anyways. He just laid, waiting, for the morning that seemed so far. He thought back to his friends, all dead. The proud team of eight. In his opinion, the best squad in Vympel Group. Until that one mission...he stopped there, the rest was to painful to remember. He was the last man of the proud Vampir Squad. He shouldn't be alive, but now he is. What now? That question hit him the hardest. What is the next move? He can't seem to think of one. He has no meaning on this planet, no purpose. What does a hyper lethal special forces operator do in a world of technicolor talking ponies? Besides go insane.

Applejack woke up in her bed, as usual. Birds were chirping as the first rays of the morning sun bathed the farm in their golden glow. The snow had passed during the night and the apple trees were beginning to bloom again, filling the air with a sweet scent. Suddenly she remembered that she had an inter-dimensional traveler sleeping in the living room. She steadily climbed out of bed, dawned her trademark hat, and trotted down the stairs to check on her guest. She entered the living room seeing Dima lying awake on the sofa.

“Didn't get much sleep?” She inquired,

“I don't sleep much anymore” he replied.

He rose and dawned his combat shirt. He began to take a short inventory of the belongings in his bag. He used up one of his fifteen mags for his AK-12, along with two of the twelve for his MP-443, his saperka needed sharpening, he had his solar charger for his electronics, a few changes of clothes (mostly uniforms in different shades of camouflage), his night vision, a whetstone, gas mask, binoculars/laser designator, a flashlight, a case carefully packed with his grenades, duct tape, a small survival kit, a partially melted Hershey bar, the Alpha Timber wolf’s head wrapped in his scarf, a blueberry muffin (how did that get in there?), a 4x rifle scope, his body armor set, and a few other various belongings strewn about in his bag.

Applejack watch as he went through his things. She noticed something on the floor and picked it up. She examined the two metal tabs with a thin chain connecting them. It also had writing on it that she couldn't understand.

“Hey Dima? What's this?” She asked, holding them out in front of her.

He turned to face her. It didn't take him long to realize what she had. “Those are my dog tags. They must have fallen off”

“Yer what?”

“This would identify my body if I were to die in combat,” He explained.

Applejack did want to think about that. She politely handed them back to Dima, who then placed it around his neck. He finished up his inventory, placing it all in his rucksack. Applejack suddenly felt her stomach growl.

“Hey Dima, care fer breakfast?”

“No you have been to kind, I couldn't,” He said politely,

“It'll be mah pleasure. No one in the Apple house is gonna go hungry” She said with a resolute tone,

“I've survived on less, I'll be...”

“Follow me,” She gestured with her head,

Dima decided not to argue and went with her to what appeared to be the kitchen. Dima sat down at the table, unsure what to do next. A few moments passed before Applejack returned. She had made some eggs, various greens, and her personal favorite, apple fritters. Dima wanted to scream “How is that possible!?” when he saw her using a fork with her hoof, but he decided it would be best if he kept his mouth shut. He took his first bite, than another, than another. Aside from the greens that didn't seem safe for human consumption and the lack of meat. The rest of the food was pretty darn good. The best Dima had in a long while. Beats MRE's by a long shot.

“Thank you for the meal,” Dima said. Wiping his mouth clean with a napkin,

“It's nothing” She gave him a warm smile.

“Hey Dima? Mind if I ask you a question?” She asked. The smile now replaced with a more serious expression.

“You just did,” He replied.

“Very funny. Anyways, where did cha learn to fight like that?” Applejack started.

“I was... well, still am a soldier. Spetsnaz, the best of what Russia has to offer” He replied.

“A soldier? Oh, you mean like a Royal Guard?”

“I assume so.”

“Did you ever...you know...kill?”

“I’ve done many things. I can't say I'm not proud of all of them.”

“What did ya do?”

“I rather not say.” Applejack gave him a small nod in agreement.

“Sounds like you've been through a lot,” She said in a tone of sympathy and curiosity.

“More than you know.”

“Can you tell me what it was like?” Applejack asked,

“Where?”

“On your world.”

“Yeah, Earth... home. I.. I really can't think of a way to sum it all up.”

"Ah come on now. Use that head of yours." She cheered in a patronizing sort of way. Dima just gave her a small glare, before letting out a small chuckle.

"Fine, fine, let me think. Umm, my world is full of natural wonders, kind people, beautiful art, great music, and amazing culture. I wish I had pictures or something to show you."

"It's alright. Can you tell me what is your kind like?"

"Sure. My kind is the human race, or humanity. Humanity is an array of different humans, or people as we say. We look similar for the most part. But there is still a lot diversity in my people. Our bodies come in various shapes and sizes. Our skin color can vary, usually from different shades of white, tan, or brown. Our hair comes in shades of blonde, brunette, or black. But that is just the physical part of the equation. Thought some people can look alike, no one person is exactly alike on the inside. We all have our own aspirations, thoughts, beliefs, and ideologies. But, there is one common thread that holds us all together. Every single human being is searching for something. Whether it be searching for fulfillment, love, money, lust, knowledge, wisdom, security, power, fame, friendship. Every person is searching to find something that he or she believe is missing from their life. Humanity is tied together by the belief that we are missing something in our current lives, if we didn't believe we were, we wouldn't desire to change anything that is around us. We wouldn't seek to be a better race of people, better families, or better individuals. We've had many trials and tribulations. Storms have stroked, societies have collapsed, evils have risen and tried to take control, but in the end we beat the odds and used the lessons learned from our past to better ourselves in the future." Dima took a pause to catch his breath. Applejack stared at Dima, dumbfounded with his small speech.

"Sorry, I uh... ramble sometimes." Dima's apology managed to snap Applejack back into attention.

"It's alright sugarcube, really. It's just your world seems amazing. It seems so much like mine too. I mean, i'd use about eighty percent of that to describe Equestria." She explained.

"So, what do you plan to do next now that your here in Equestria?" Applejack asked. Dima stopped eating when she asked that, placing his fork down on the table.

"Truthfully, I don't know what to do anymore.” He said with a soft sigh. "I have no meaning here... no purpose."

Dima hung his head, staring at the grain of the wooden table. He then felt a soft object touching his arm. He looked up to see Applejack reaching across the table and placing her soft forehoof on Dima, coupled with a beautiful smile.

"Hey, don't you worry now. I'm sure things will get better. Just wait and see." She spoke with a voice as soft as silk. He gave her a small smile as a way to say thank you.

Dima wanted to believe her, but as far as he's concerned, things don't look to bright. He knew the best thing for him would be to keep moving forward. As much as he would like to stay, doing so wouldn't help his cause of surviving here, and perhaps getting home. He got off from the table and headed towards his rucksack. He slung it over his back and started out the door.

“Where ya going?” Applejack inquired.

He looked over his shoulder to Applejack “...I have to go.”

“Go where?”

“I don't know.”

“So you're just gonna wander off into the sunset?”

“What other choice do I have? I can't stay here, it's obvious. The only way that things will get better is if I make it better. And I can't do that if I just stand around and do nothing.” Applejack wanted to argue, but Dima was right. He can't stay forever.

“Well, will ya come back?” She asked in a worried tone. Her mouth forming a small frown, and puppy eyes in full swing.

He got down to one knee on her front porch while Applejack stood in the door way. His eyes now level with her's, he stared. Getting lost in the beautiful sea of green that shined with the light that came from the beautiful sunrise behind him. Applejack stared into Dima's dark hazel eyes. His light skin and short dark hair glowed slightly reddish in the light.

He then reached behind his head, pulling off his dog tags.

“These have been a part of me for as long as I can remember...I've carried them through hell and high water, then back again.”

“I want you to have them. And thank you... for everything.” He said with a sincere smile. Carefully undoing and redoing his dog tags around her neck. They hung perfectly over the center of her chest. The cold steel tickled Applejack's fur.

Dima stood back up and began to walk. Just as his foot steeped off the porch, Applejack spoke.

“Dima?”

“Yeah.”

“Promise me you'll be safe.”

“I don't have to. You've already saved me.”

“From who?”

“Myself.”

With that, he left the house. He began to walk, unsure where to go or what to do. But he knew that it was best to keep moving. Even though she was about 10 meters away, he missed Applejack already.

Applejack could do nothing but watch as he slowly walked off. Farther and farther, until he disappeared from sight. She looked at the necklace Dima gave her, with little understanding of what it was. Yet she cherished it, missing the strange creature that owned it. She went back into her house. She remembered she had to meet her family coming back from Appleloosa. She packed her saddle bag and proceeded to the train station.

“Back to life I suppose” She said to herself.

She began her walk. Through the orchards and down the dirt road. The faint *click clack* of the dog tags resonated with every step she took. After a thirty minutes or so she entered Ponyville, still bustling with ponies going about their own business. She walked through town, deciding to stop at Rarity's place for a small visit. She made her way to Carrousel Boutique. Knocking on the door she heard a voice inside shout “Coming!”. Rarity open the door, smiling at the sight of her friend. She gestured for her to come in. They took a seat in the show room.

“What brings you here darling? Oh let me guess! You finally decided to model for me, let me just...” Applejack cut her off.

“No, I said it once and I’ll say it again. I will never model for you. And ah didn't have a reason really, just thought I'd drop by”

“Hmm?” Rarity noticed something different on her friend.

“What's that on your neck darling?” She pointed at the strange necklace hanging from Applejack's neck.

“Oh, uhh it's nothing really,” Applejack quickly explained.

“It sure looks like something to me,” Rarity said in a teasing tone.

“It's just a gift,” Applejack explained nonchalantly.

“EEEEEE, Who is he!?” Rarity screamed,

“What?”

“Who is the lucky stallion of course! Is he cute!?”

“It was just something from a friend.”

“Oh Applejack, still in denial. But I must say that it is a rather... unfashionable gift. I think he should have gone with pearls...no no, Emeralds YES! That would look perfect on you,” Rarity ranted.

“Arrgh ah don't have time for this,” Applejack made her way for the door. Rarity cut in front of her.

“Can at least tell me his name?” Rarity begged.

“His name is Dima,” With that she left the boutique.

Rarity pondered on what Applejack told her while she went back to work on her latest dress.

“Dima? That's an unusual name” She said to herself.

After a while of walking Dima noticed a small town about two hundred meters out. He looked to his left and saw a tree line on a high hill not to far from said town. The way it over looked the town made it a good place to set up an observation post. He headed for said hill top. When in an unknown or hostile environment, it is best to get a understanding of your area. He decided to preform reconnaissance on this town. A stake-out, so to speak. He laid prone on the ground, pulling his binoculars from his bag. He began observing the town. It was made numerous small buildings and cobblestone roads. He adjusted the focus on the binoculars to get a sharper image. The most of the buildings had a Victorian likeness in their design and architecture. That's strange? He looked around and noticed the inhabitants were all ponies of various colors. One in particular caught his attention. A pink pony that bounced instead of walking. It had puffy pink hair, almost like cotton candy. The logic defying pink pony then stopped bouncing to converse with an other orange pony. Wait a minute?

“Applejack?” He said to himself.

He soon confirmed it was her by the cowboy hat on her head. After a minute or so she and the pink pony began to go their separate ways. Applejack disappeared behind some buildings. Dima continued to draw as much information as he could by observing. All he could gather was that there seemed to be three variations of ponies. The standard ponies, like Applejack. The winged ponies, the pegasai that Applejack had mentioned. As well as ponies with horns, the unicorns, just when Dima thought he had seen it all. He also saw that the residents seemed to live just like people do, street vendors selling their products, children playing in the streets, ponies doing various jobs around the town. Perhaps ponies and humans aren't so different. An hour or so had passed and Dima started to become hungry. He reached into his bag for an MRE, but he felt a hole where they once had been.,

“Right...” He said in a bitter tone, recalling the wolves that had stolen them.

He pulled some snare wire out of his survival kit and headed into the woods. He set up multiple traps in the woods, hoping to catch something made of meat. He decided to discontinue his recon and make camp. He started a campfire and built a hammock to sleep on. He pulled the whetstone and began to sharpen his saperka shovel to a fine edge to pass the time. Once he got it sharp enough to the point where he could shave with it. He decided to check if his traps worked. He inspected the first one, as luck would have it, he caught a chipmunk. It had a white, heart shaped patch of fur on its back. It hung helplessly by its feet in the air. Dima pulled it out of the trap, holding it firmly against a log. He readied his saperka to hack off the animal's head when leaves rustling in the distance caught his attention. The chipmunk used that chance and made its escape. Dima drew his pistol and approached the source of the sound. He peaked from behind a tree to see the pink pony from earlier. The pony (which Dima assumed was a she) hung by her hind legs that were caught in Dima's snare. She desperately reached for the ground with her fore hooves, trying to reach the Hershey bar put as bait.

“Almost got it” She grunted.

Dima stepped on a twig, causing the mare to turn her attention away from the candy.

“Who's there?” She asked.

“I'm warning you, I know karate! Hiya!” She began striking stereotypical poses and karate chopping the air.

“I'm quivering in fear,” Dima said sarcastically as he approached her.

Pinkie turned to face Dima, her eyes popped into an unrealistic size as she gasped in gallons of air.

“So you're the new pony in town! Ha, I knew my Pinkie senses weren't wrong.”

Dima held Pinkie in one arm, then cut her lose with the other. Gently setting her down on her feet. Pinkie closely examined Dima.

“Wow I’ve never seen a pony like you before.”

“First off, I'm a human, not a pony. Second, how did you know I was here.”

“Well my Pinkie senses told me that there was a new pony in town Mr. Hoo-man.”

“Pinkie senses? Is that like Radar or something?”

“What's a Radar? OOH does it taste good? Can I have some Radar Mr. Hoo-man?”

“My name isn't Hoo-man” Dima looked away for a moment, he looked back and Pinkie was gone.

“Where did she...?”

“Hi I'm Pinkie pie!” Pinkie was standing on Dima's head. He recoiled back, landing on the ground.

“What's your name?” She appeared this time to his right.

“Just call me Dima” He rose to his feet, dusting himself off.

“So your the one!” Pinkie shouted,

“What?”

“The one who gave the necklace to Applejack”

“What of it?”

“That was so sweet of you.”

“It was just a small gift.”

“So does that mean Applejack is your special somepony!?” She asked excitedly,

“What?”

“You know! The pony who has a special place in your heart.”

“What!? No I...” He began to explain before a loud 'Woah' and more rustling in the trees drew his attention. He went to the other trap to check what he caught. Pinkie followed him, she saw a familiar gray Pegasus hanging by her all of her hooves.

“Ditzy Doo?” Pinkie asked,

“Almost got it” She reached for the Blueberry muffin set as bait. Stretching her neck as far as she could, but was only able to chomp at the air above her prize.

“Oh, hey Pinkie. Fancy seeing you here”

Dima face palmed. He cut Ditzy down in the same fashion as with Pinkie. Ditzy then grabbed the muffin and stuffed it into her mouth. Swallowing it after a few munches.

“Thanks mister.”

“Don't mention it.”

“Well gotta get back to my little Dinky, see ya.”

The mare flew back towards Ponyville. Dima went back towards his small camp site. The sun was beginning to set, and he was pissed about not catching anything. He laid in his hammock, looking upon the town. He slow started to close his eyes, maybe, just maybe, he could get some actual sleep.

“HEY DIMA!”

Or not....

“What do you want?” He mumbled not bothering to open his eyes.

“Since your new in town, I was thinking of throwing you a party. It'll be great! There will be cake, streamers, games, cake...” Pinkie began listing.

“No,” Dima said gruffly. Sitting up in his hammock.

“What?”

“I don't want a party,” Pinkie's hair deflated, her bright pink color beginning to fade.

“Oh, ok.” She began sniffling. Dima could see tears forming.

“I'll just b-be g-going now,” She began to slowly walk away.

Dima is a hard man, but the look on that pony tugged on his soft side. He felt like crap, reluctantly giving in. Damn these ponies!

“Pinkie...” He said. The mare turned her head to him.

“On second though....I'll take that party,” Pinkie's color and puffy hair promptly returned as she jumped for joy.

“On one condition,” He interrupted.

“Yes anything!”

“Don't tell Applejack I'm comming, but make sure she's there. As for the party, nothing to big alright?”

“You got it! Tomorrow night, I’ll come get you when we're ready!” She then bounced back towards town.

Dima felt his conscience clear, but now he had to attend some party. He didn't like crowds or parties. To late now. He laid in his hammock, slowly swinging from side to side. The sun was just dipping below the horizon, the cool night slowly coming in. He relaxed in the warm air. Slowly drifting to sleep.

Author's Note

Sorry it took so long. But hey, at least it's finally here! Thank you to all who waited this long. I promise to make the next one as soon as possible.

HOORAH

-Semper Fidelis

Notice: This chapter has been remastered and may be slightly different to those who have read the orignal version of this chapter.