Project Rift

Chapters

Is There any Life Beyond Equestria?
Eyes and Ears Only
Hidden in Darkness
Real and Alive
Bad Dreams and Observing Closely
Don't Follow It Home
Keeping Secrets
Score One for Humanity
Before and After
Not The Only Ones Here
Close Encounters of the Unknown Kind

Is There any Life Beyond Equestria?

It was just another beautiful calm night under the night sky of Luna. Just as always, it was a peaceful night, no worries, no trouble, just at amity with the moon fully out. Twilight Sparkle was just reading a book...-as always-...in her library tree home about historical events that have happened over Equestria through out the ages and, how it changed her world.

"Wow, who knew how things could quickly unfold just in a small or large number of years!" Twilight exclaimed while using her magic to close the book, and store it back to its proper holding place on the bookshelf. She used her magic to grab and levitate another book off the shelf; this one was titled "Celestial Events Over Equestria"

Using her magic, Twilight opened the book, and saw recorded dates and times of many celestial events such as meteor showers; or when a comet is about to pass by over Equestria. Twilight was fascinated by how many have been recorded, and remembering when she also witnessed these events herself. Twilight continued to flip thought the pages with her magic when something caught her attention.

"Constellations in Equestria," Twilight said looking at it with curiosity. "Sounds intersting..."

flipped through some pages and saw how the position of stars form different creatures or items. Twilight saw how one of them formed a saddle, and another formed the head of a unicorn, then another group forming a Manticore.

"I wonder how some pony even found out constellations", said Twilight as she put a hoof to her chin thinking how in Equestria a pony could've discovered the starry silhouettes.

Twilight asked, "How long has it been since the heavens were born?"

Twilight trotted up stairs to her telescope she had all the way at the top of her tree home. She decided to look at the night sky over Equestria. Twilight was all ways fascinated by the endless numbers of stars that were always shining and twinkling. There was one thing that always crossed her mind...

...Was there any life beyond Equestria itself?

Twilight constantly thought everytime she would observe Luna's night sky. Twilight was wondering endlessly about if there's life beyond this planet. Twilight got a little excited eveytime she thought of a race far beyond her own, having an infinite number of knowledge being shared among ponies like herself. Twilight then snapped herself out of her imagination when she suddenly thought of an idea.

Twilight said, "Maybe I should ask Princess Celestia if she's ever wondered about life beyond her kingdom and planet?"

Twilight was about to prepare a piece of paper and a quill to write to the sun goddess , but then she realized one problem...Spike was asleep.

"Darn!"

Twilight was very eager to write this letter to Celestia about what crossed her mind. Twilight had only one option mind...just to get a good night's rest and wait for tomorrow to send the letter. Twilight decided that was best thing to do was to get a good night's rest and went to her bedroom to call it a night. Twilight let out a small yawn before closing her eyes completely and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Twilight woke up the next morning with Celestia's sun giving off its life bringing light all over Equestria. Twilight stretched her forelegs in the air letting out a yawn. She got out of bed letting her hind legs hang over the side of her bed. Twilight felt something rumble, she looked down and saw her stomach was rumbling loudly! She let out a small blush as she thought how embarrassing it would've been if any her friends saw this! Twilight quickly headed downs stairs towards the kitchen without waking up Spike from his sleep.

Having some tea and a few cookies should satisfy my stomach's demands...

Twilight was in the kitchen now sipping at her tea and eating one of Sugar Cube Corner's finest cookies when she heard small light footsteps down the stairs and saw her number 1# personnel assistant, Spike.

Twilight asked, "How did you sleep last night, Spike?" as she saw Spike rubbing his left eye with his claw and waddling a little bit.

"I slept just fine," yawned Spike.

Twilight just smiled at the baby dragon as he took a seat on the chair by the kitchen table. Then suddenly she remembered last night! The letter she wanted to send to Celestia about the idea of extraterrestrial life.

"Spike!"

Spike jumped a little bit at the spontaneous outburst from his mother/sister/friend.

"What is it?!"

"I need you to send a letter to Princess Celestia right away!!!"

"That's all you needed?..." Spike said lowering his eyelids a little bit giving a gesture of "Really..."

Twilight quickly levitated a piece of paper and a quill, quickly writing her thought over what she has been thinking of lately. Twilight then rolled up the letter with a small wrapping to hold it in place then levitating towards the awaiting grasp of Spike's claw. Spike then took a deep breath then letting out a small puff of green mystical fire, vaporizing the letter, not destroying it, but actually sending it.

Twilight just stood there letting out a small sigh of relief that she took that 'burden' off her chest. Spike just crossed his arms and shook his head left and right in disapproval and went upstairs again. Twilight just walked out towards the the living room that was surrounded by so many books, and just stood there patiently awaiting the response from the sun goddess.

"I hope Princess Celestia answers quickly to the letter I sent her..." Twilight said a little worried on how long it will take for a response.

Twilight just decided to read a book to make time fly while waiting, but the book she grabbed with her was the same one from last night "Celestial Events Over Equestria". Once again she was lost through out the pages of the ancient writings over the astronomical records and drawings that have been recorded well...since forever.

Eyes and Ears Only

Date: Classified

Location: Classified

Time: 10:30A.M.

Master Sergeant Ray Williams, U.S. Army Rangers, 450th Infantry Regiment

It was a bright sunny day on this classified Air Force airbase. There were few clouds up in the beautiful blue sky with a small breeze coming from east. Master Sergeant Ray Williams was standing outside with his fireteam by a massive air hangar waiting for...well anything since they were told by security to wait there, after they went through a heavily guarded security checkpoint by the entrance. Ray looked up at the sky enjoying this sunny day thinking...

...Why cant everyday be like this

While enjoying the moment, he was brought back down to Earth with a outburst from his squadmate Corporal Andrew Velazquez.

"HEY SARGE!"

Ray replied with a groan, "What do you want Velazquez?"

"Why do you think we were told to come hear and not say anything about it?" asked Velazquez with a goofy smile.

"I don't know," Ray answered, turning at him with a blank look. "Probably something important"

"As long as I don't get killed, I'm in!" Velazquez said, then turning away from Ray back to his former position.

Ray turned his head to the left after his small conversation with Velazquez observing this mysteriously quiet airbase.

Geez! It's like this is place dead! There's no aircraft landing or taking off...

Suddenly, the sound of approaching helicopter blades interrupted the dead silence of the area as they came closer and closer. Ray looked up to see what type heli it would be. Three Apache attack helicopters were passing by the airbase giving a small shake to Ray and his team.The walls too were vibrating roughly, along with the two massive hangar doors as the powerful blades spun by.

I guess this place isn't so dead anymore...

The three Apache's flew over for about twelve seconds, then disappearing behind a few large hills with a small treeline on them, beyond the airbase's large chain linked fencing's, returning the 'peace and quiet' to the location; however, leaving the 'thunder' behind them.

Ray looked back at his squad to see what they were up to during this long boring wait. Velazquez was leaning against the hangar door, bobbing his head slightly up and down listening to some music through his earphones connected to his IPod. The other squad members were Sergeant Derrick Lancewood and Private John Alveraz having a conversation about something.

Ray, to start off with was white in skin color with dark brown eyes and shaved dark brown hair. He was about 5'10 in height and was all ways paired up with Lancewood if they ever had split up on a patrol during their tours of war. Ray was glad that he was paired up Lancewood rather than hearing the loud-mouthed Velazquez.

Velazquez skin color was dark and was around the same height as Ray. Velazquez had dark brown eyes and had small black hair and always wore sun glasses. There was one thing that made Velazquez...Velazquez...He was a completely annoying, yet funny. He liked to annoy his squad members and other fellow soldiers he was around and knew. Velazquez would change the sound of his voice to sound like a complete idiot or he would talk things rapidly in spanish so no one would understand him!

John Alveraz was the same skin color as Ray and was the smallest out of the squad, sporting a height of 5'8. Alvarez had blue eyes and light brown hair. John was paired up with Velazquez when they went off on patrols out on the field. John enjoyed Velazquez' 'chaos' even when it was upon himself and on other soldiers as well.

Last, but not least, was Derrick Lancewood. Derrick was the tallest out of the squad, he was around 5'12. Derrick had light brown eyes and small hair. Derrick would always get annoyed by Velazquez actions. He was a little quiet, but did speak once in a while.

Ray was starting to grow weary of this long wait they were going through. Ray was about close his eyes when he heard footsteps approaching his direction. Ray turned to the left again and saw a three star Airforce general standing before him!

"Sir!" Ray saluted with his squad following the same action.

"Thank you gentlemen, I am General Granger...now if you would all follow me," said Granger motioning a hand to persue him.

"Yes,Sir!"

The four followed Granger to a security door. Granger put in some password on the security pad activating the door to open. Before they entered, Granger looked at them with a serious gesture.

Granger said in a cold tone, "Eyes and Ears Only"

All four just nodded in compliance. They entered a large hallway with two security guards by the door saluting Granger. Continuing down the hallway there were a few windows on each side of the wall. Ray with a hint of curiosity looked at one of the windows while moving and saw some technicians working on some plane engine that looked liked from a F-22 Raptor. Alveraz too was also curious and saw a Global Hawk drone through the window on the right. There were some parts stripped off and wires connecting to the fuselage with a few technicians working on it.

Must be modifying it...

They eventually reached a door to the left near the end of the hallway. Granger twisted the nob and all five of them entered a medium-sized room with lighting low. All the blinds on the windows were shut and there was a large meeting table in the middle of the room with multiple chairs on each side. On one chair on the opposite end of the table was a four star Army general with two Apache attack helicopters pilots sitting on the other side of the Army general.

"Boys take a seat it! I want you all to get comfy for now," joked the Army general. "Oh, and before we start...I am General Townes".

All five of them took their seats, Alveraz and Velazquez begun taking their seats on the same side and the two helicopter pilots and Ray with Lancewood sitting on the side with the two generals.

"The reason that your all hear is because you've been randomnely hand picked by 'Uncle Sam' to lead a operation far beyond any man, any government, and any military on this Earth," Townes proclaimed.

The squad and the two helicopter pilots raised a few eyebrows on what they've been picked for.

"Have any of you ever wanted to go to some place away from Earth through a portal?" Townes asked. All of them (Except the generals) looked at each other with puzzlement, and were trying to compute on what they just heard right now.

"Portals!? This has to be a joke! There is no way humanity can create a portal right now or even can!" Velazquez exclaimed slamming a fist lightly on the nicely polished meeting table.

"Oh corporal...you are very wrong on what you just said right now," Townes said with an evil grin. "They very much exist among us".

On what the general just said, the sunglasses that Velazquez had were starting to crack down the middle, like if a tiny earthquake was tearing through them. Eventually, the sunglasses went their separate ways towards the carpet floor, landing on it without any sound as if they didnt leave Velazquez' nose at all. The only thing that was left on his nose were another pair of fresh sunglasses, except this time the lenses were green.

"HOW DID YOU DO THAT!?" exclaimed one of the helicopter pilots.

Velazquez slowly made a grin turning his head to the puzzled pilot saying only one thing to him; "Magic"

The other pilot let out a small laugh, and Granger raising a eyebrow in the air, leaving Townes with a slight smile.

Townes continued where they left off saying, "It all starts off when the government started a classified military project called 'Project Rift'"

Granger decided to enter this conversation, "Project Rift was a portal that would allow us to travel to other worlds without any spaceships or such things like that".

Granger took out a small remote control, with a press of a button it brought the projector on the ceiling came to life, letting it display multiple classified photos of Project Rift on the whiteboard.

The pilots and the team just sat there in disbelief as they saw photos of a portal that was being created. 'Rift' looked like a spiral galaxy; the arms where whitish, and was light blue in the areas near the arms, but got a dark blue color towards the center. It also looked like 'Rift' had a few small twinkling stars actually with in it.

"If you don't believe the images here's a video to prove it."

Another click of a button and a video started to play with a scientist in front of the camera with another one holding it.

"What you doing there Steve?" asked the scientist holding the camera.

Steve let out a small laugh saying, "I'm going to feed Rift!"

Steve grabbed some small pieces of tech and parts from multiple military items from a small box. The first thing Steve grabbed was a small part from a UAV spy drone. Steve just lobbed the part towards 'Rift' and just disappeared in a small flash of light. Steve got out a magazine from am M60 LMG with rounds still loaded in then throwing it towards the portal. Steve and the scientist holding the camera just laughed as items were getting thrown towards 'Rift'.

Granger just sat there with a face palm as he saw these two morons were allowed to work on this multi-billion dollar project

The video finally ended after a few minutes of duration. Granger clicked another button turning off the projector.

"Do you all want to meet 'Rift' now?" Townes asked again with an evil smile.

Granger said, "Follow me".

Both generals got out of their chairs and led them out of the room down the hall towards another security door on the left, except this one was being monitored with cameras and small security guard station right by it to enforce it. Ray was trying to process in his head if this is actually real and happening.

This is insane! There is no way these guys created a portal!...

Granger took out a security card this time sliding it on the security pad and inputting another code into it for proper access to open it. The door slowly opened, and all of them entered a massive room, but Ray just realized one thing of this room...it was the massive hangar he was standing by just earlier today!

Townes pointed to the right, and they all looked at what he was pointing at, the squad and the two pilots stood there with a incredulous gesture, leaving one thing to say at what they were witnessing...

"...MY GOD"

Hidden in Darkness

Hidden in Darkness

Twilight was left off reading the book "Celestial Events Over Equestria", desperately awaiting the letter from Princess Celestia. Twilight was about to reach the end of the chapter 'Comets', when the sudden voice of Spike interrupted her reading.

"Twilight?"

Twilight turned her head towards Spike with a gesture of weariness and disturbance, but trying to look completely fine at the same time.

"What is it Spike?"

Spike made a concerned face, knowing that something was bothering Twilight.

"Uhh, Twilight are you alright?"

Twilight let out a sigh of defeat; acknowledging that Spike was fully aware that she was troubled.

"Spike, its just that I haven't got the letter from Princess Celestia in hours, and I'm growing a little concern over it".

Spike gave a warm smile at Twilight trying to get her in a better mood. "I bet she's handling royal business right now. Celestia is the ruler of Equestria, besides her sister of course".

Twilight formed a small smile, believing on what Spike just said.

"I guess you're right, she is the prin-..."

Twilight was cutoff there when the letter from Princess Celestia appeared in a flash of light. The letter gently levitated downwards onto the page where Twilight was reading. Twilights face instantly went into pure joy as the letter she desperately awaited for finally arrived.

"Its finally here!"

Twilight used her magic to quickly unwrap the bow, and she began to read the letter.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I am very sorry if I didn't right back to you immediately. I was in a very important meeting with my royal guard, but I do fully understand the idea you sent to me the other night. Twilight I must show you something right away. I do believe we're on limited time here. I ask of you to come to Canterlot quickly before anything might happen. Please hurry!

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

Twilight read those few words at the end of letter in a chillingly tone. "We're on limited time, and before anything else might happen."

Twilight knew that this coudn't be good at all. Twilight began to roll up the letter, wondering what could be so important that the princess must show her.

"Spike, I'm going to go to Canterlot to meet the Princess Celestia for something very urgent", Twilight said in a very serious tone. "I need you to watch the house, got it?"

Spike saluted Twilight in full compliance of her demand. Twilight made sure everything was in proper order before heading out for the long trip. Everything checked out fine, Twilight made her way towards the front door, opening it to start her trip then shutting it behind her.

"Well now that she's gone, I wonder what should I do now?" said Spike putting a claw to his chin.

The front door opened again, this time half-way. Twilight just poked her head in to say one more thing.

"Oh, and by the way Spike, if anyone asks where I went...tell them I went to go do a few errands, okay thanks, bye!". Twilight said with a smile, quickly closing the door in front of her. Spike stood there watching the door just in case Twilight came back again.

A few minutes passed and there was no sign of Twilight returning. Spike let out a small sigh of relief that Twilight was now completely gone. Spike was heading towards the stairs when he felt his stomach rumble.

"I guess a few gems would be quite good for right now".

Spike went into the kitchen, and prepared a few diamonds and rubys for lunch. Spike was about to stuff the first round of gems in his mouth when he heard a small knock at the door. KNOCK...KNOCK. Spike quickly went towards the door to open it. Spike opened it, only to reveal Fluttershy at the door.

"Oh, Hi Fluttershy! What are you doing here?"

Fluttershy answered in her soft, small, yet shy tone, "I just came by to visit Twilight, while I was in Ponyville buying some food for Angel. Is she here?

"I'm sorry Fluttershy, Twilight is out right now, she's heading towards Can-...uuugghh...I mean doing a few errands, hehe." sheepishly said Spike letting out a small nervous laugh, as he was so close to blowing Twilights cover.

"Oh that's okay, I guess I'll come back some other time. Well goodbye Spike," Fluttershy said, as she turned around to head along the way.

"Well, bye!"

Spike gave himself a few small knocks to his head for almost saying what he's not suppost to say.

...........................................................................

Twilight was at the train station waiting for the train that is on route towards Canterlot. The train came to screeching stop along the metal tracks, letting out a small cloud of smoke from the engine.

"ALL ABOARD! NEXT STOP, THE ROYAL CITY OF CANTERLOT!" the train conductor pony yelled.

Twilight walked towards the passenger car of the train, along with the small crowd of ponies at her sides. Twilight handed the ticket she had in her right hoof towards the train conductor.

"Thank you, Miss," the train conductor complimented. "Enjoy the trip!".

Twilight entered the train car, finding a seat by the window through the vast of row of seats, left and right. Twilight selected a pair of seats to the right unoccupied by any pony. Twilight waited there for the train to come to life, and be off towards Canterlot.

"LAST CALL FOR CANTERLOT!"

The last notice was made for a few more seconds. The conductor entered the passenger car and closed the door behind him. The train started with a small jolt, then proceding onwards towards its destination. Twilight gazed through the window, enjoying the beautiful countryside. The sun was still high up, few clouds in the sky, the endless waves of the nice green land. Twilight felt a wave of sleepiness go through. Twilight started lowering her eyelids slowly, she tried to stay awake, but was defeated, letting herself drift into a small sleep...

..................

Twilight awoke to the sudden stop of the train at the Canterlot train station. Twilight got herself out of the seat and proceded towards the exit. Twilight headed towards the front gates of Canterlot, she saw the royal guards constantly looking at all directions for any suspicious behavior. There were waves of ponies moving in and out of the station rapidly.

I hope I'll get a chance to see Shining Armour around here...

Twilight entered the castle grounds admiring its fabulous scenery. The elegant sculptures and statues along the main path, the beautiful red roses, and the large well-trimmed hedges to accompany it. Twilight saw a guard pony by a statue, as if he was waiting for someone. The guard quickly turned his head to see who it was.

"Hello, Miss Sparkle," greeted kindly the royal guard pony. "You must hurry, the princess is expecting you".

With that notice, Twilight galloped quickly towards the castles frontal entrance. Twilight saw Princess Celestia and Shining Armour having a conversation by the large stairs that were the first thing insight if you entered.

"Princess Celestia, BBBFF!" Twilight exclaimed, as she saw two of the most ponies she cared about.

"Twily!", Shining Armour said in joy pulling his little sister into a hug.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight greeting her after hugging Shining Armour.

"Twilight Sparkle, I'm very glad you have arrived here on time, but we're on limited time. Shining Armour will you please explain."

"Of course, your highness. Twilight there is something you must see that's very vital for you to know, please follow me"

Shining Armour led the way, with Celestia and Twilight following behind him. They entered a hallway with multiple doors on each side. The three of them passed a few royal guards along the way, guarding the area. A little bit more down the hall, clear of all guards and any other doors, there was a large silver looking double door at the end of it. This one looked more enforced than any other door Twilight had seen in the hallway. It had a golden metal bars across of it, and iron bars coming from top to bottom.

"I'll handle this", said Princess Celestia, taking some steps forward ahead of Shining Armour and Twilight.

Celestia's horn glowed, releasing a beam of light towards a large red ruby gem on top of the door. The iron and golden metal bars retracted from place exposing the double door to anyone. The two doors slowly opened, but revealing a pitch-black chamber. Twilight stared into the chamber seeing if anything would happen, but nothing happened.

"The room its....empty," Twilight said, confused at the dark room.

Celestia glanced over at Twilight, giving her a smile.

"Captain, if you would please".

Shining Armour concentrated his magic on the red ruby on top of the door. The red ruby glowed, turning from a red ruby to a green one. The darkened room was suddenly brightened with green crystals along the columns of the chamber. Twilight's eyes went wide as this room was brought to life by these beautiful crystals among the columns.

"Let us proceed, quickly!" Celestia said, heading towards the chamber.

Shining Armour and Twilight trailed behind Celestia. The chamber was filled with glass dome shaped-containers on pedestals, securely locked to make sure no intruder can open it. There were large portraits of royal ponies of Canterlot along the walls. There too was also rows of bookshelves to the sides of the large chamber, giving it a mysterious design. Twilight entered the room, and was amazed on how wonderful the chamber was, yet mysterious. .

"How long was this here for?" Twilight asked with curiosity.

"Its been here for quite a while, Twilight," answered Shining Armour.

Twilight looked at the glass dome containers, observing the contents they preserved. They contained items that Twilight has never seen before. One had a dark green, small ball looking object, with a small ring at the top of it. The other container was bigger in size. It had a large dome-shaped metal object, with what appered to be a ball attached under it. The object had a unknown emblem of a star surrounded by a circle, then featuring rectangles that were striped connecting to the circle on both sides. There was another container that had a had a brownish box like object; it had strange writings on it. The 'box' had small metal tubular objects that that had some 'sharp-looking' points, coming out from the top then going down on one side.

"Where did you get these objects from?"

Princess Celestia and Shining Armour looked at each other with concern. Shining Armour sighed, and looked at Twilight...

"That is something we do not know. They've been appearing over Equestria for years now and we do not know who is responsible for it".

Twilight put a hoof to her chin thinking who made these objects. Twilight came out her thinking having an idea on who could've made these objects.

"Could it have been the Griffons who made all of this?"

"We know how Griffons are, but this looks far beyond their own creations," stated Celestia, immediately erasing the idea that Griffons may have made these objects.

Twilight thought again for a few seconds then giving out another idea, "Is there any pony that's very sophisticated in magic, and may have possibly created all of this?"

"Twily, I like how you're trying your best to solve who mudt of created these objects and I appreciate that, but there is one theory that has been developing since these objects started appearing....Aliens".

Twilight was taken by surprise on what Shining just said.

"A-A-Aliens!?"

"I know it seems a little upsurd, but it's leaning towards that answer everyday, the more we don't know on what these things are, the likely it is to be true".

Twilight stood there frozen in a incredulous state, as the objects were presumed to be 'alien'.

"Twilight, I know it may be beyond us on who created all of this, but all we know is the latest one appeared by the Wonderbolts Academy by a bush about a week ago," Celestia said trying to get Twilight back to normal.

Twilight brought herself back to reality after what Celestia just spoke about. Twilight looked at the objects again, wondering which one ended up at the Wonderbolts Academy.

"Which object appeared at the academy?"

Shining Armour walked towards a glass container, pointing a hoof at it. "This one..."

Twilight quickly put herself by the container; staring at it with complete interest. The object the container had a skull of a creature that she has never seen before. It looked similar to a monkeys skull, but the the skull was more smaller, and it looked smoother on the design it had. The upper and lower jaw were in the same place under the nasal area, yet slightly a little extended outward, rather than the monkey having both jaw pieces extending outwards ahead of the nasal piece.

The teeth were obviously carnivorous in the front, but had molars in the back of the jaw meaning it was also a herbivore. This led to Twilight thinking it was an omnivore, and how rare this creature must've been. The eye sockets were smaller than a monkeys large round, eye socket. Twilight inspected it more closer, the teeth made a small intimidating smile, and a deathly stare from the eye sockets...making Twilight take a few steps back from it.

Shining Armour let out a small laugh at Twilights reaction. "Don't worry, It's locked up, it won't get you"

Twilight gave a scolding look at Shining for his taunting actions against her.

"Just joking," Shining Armour said, nervously.

Celestia too laughed at the small sibling rivalry that was happening, but quickly got right back to business.

"My concerns are; that if a race far beyond our own or any may arrive at this planet to retrive 'their' items at anytime. The danger is that they may be hostile, but if we're lucky then...friendly. The other concern is that it can be anyone that may be threatening us to war."

Twilight looked at Celestia then at the unknown skull inside the glass container.

"What about the skull, do you think it's alien?"

"It possibly can be or it can be a species of monkeys that we may have never encountered before, maybe extinct," Shining Armour answered trying to give out a possible answer.

Celestia made a small nod at Shining Armours statement. She looked around the chamber for one more time, then decided it was now time to leave the chamber and its hidden secrets.

"I believe it is time to go. I'm sure we must all go back to any business we must attend to."

With that decision made, all three of them exited the chamber. Celestia shot again the beam of light from her horn; making the golden metal and iron bars come out to secure the chambers entry way.

"Now I must be off, I must attend a very important meeting. I am very glad that you arrived here soon, Twilight".

"Well, you know that I am your most faithful student, Princess," Twilight said, making herself look like a complete teachers pet.

"Oh great," Shining Armour said, rolling his eyes.

Celestia quickly departed from the two family members; leaving them walking towards the castles front entrance.

"Hey thanks for coming Twilight, but I'm afraid I must go too. Being the captain of the Royal Guard means I must get back to station, guarding Canterlot from any danger".

Twilight let out a small frown, as she really wanted to spend time with her BBBFF.

"Well that's okay I understand, I guess I should go too. I left Spike home alone watching the house, and you don't want to know how that ends up."

Shining Armour and Twilight gave each other a long hug before going there separate ways. Twilight proceded out through the path that cut straight through the garden, towards the front gates of the castle. Twilight trotted towards the train station to catch the train back to Ponyville. The train was ready to depart back home. Twilight entered the passenger car, taking a seat by the window again. The wheels of the train began to slowly rotate its wheels, and increased its speed down the metal tracks.The time of the day was now going into the afternoon. Twilight looked out the window not enjoying the countryside this time, but thinking on what she just saw in that chamber. The skull, the objects, the possible theory that it might be aliens. All of it was completely surrounding her.

Are there more of those objects out there? Are the species of that creature still alive? Is it really that aliens are visiting us and are the aliens related to the species of that skull?...

The answers to Twilights questions will all have to be revealed in time...

Real and Alive

Real and Alive

"...MY GOD"

It wasn't fake or just imagination that was there before them. The only thing that was heard from it was small sound of wind, and everything else was quiet. Rift was Alive.

"It is real...it's actually alive", said Ray, completely left with afew words by the unimaginable creation that was real.

"Woah....That's really cool",Alvarez said enjoying how the portal was 'awesome'. The two generals looked at all of them enjoying the dumbstruck expressions of their military personel. Granger looked at the two Apache pilots seeing them with their eyes wide open, and one of them was moving his mouth, but no words came out. Townes continued to enjoy the moment, when he heard a small whisper from Velazquez.

"You guys are insane..."

Townes glanced back at him with a small smirk; "I know we are"

Ray kept on staring at the portal, but snapped himself out of his trance. Ray turned his towards the group, and saw they were still awed by the portal. He looked back at the portal again, enjoying how the design was; white on the arms, light blue near the arms, then becoming a dark blue around the center. A question appeared suddenly in Ray's head, and quickly turned towards Townes and asked him, "How long was this being developed?"

"About a few years this thing has been under development", answered Townes, raising his eyebrows at the portal on how long its been to complete this project. Ray nodded at the answered, and returned back to staring at 'Rift'. Townes looked at all of them, deciding it was now time to free them from their trance.

"I bet you all wonder now what we're going to do with it now?"

The whole group realized they were being spoken to by Townes, and quickly paid full attention to him.

"Well, since now you're all free from 'imagination land'. General Granger here will now explain a little bit more about the portal, General Granger if you would".

Granger cleared his throat and began to speak, "While the portal was being developed we didn't know what would happen if anything went through it. We decided to test it first by making objects go through it, but some of us decided it was funny to throw things at it!!!". Granger gave a terrifying death stare at some scientists and technicians working in the hangar. "Well...continuing on, they would go through, but we didn't know where they ended up, and we also didn't want to risk any human life being lost through the portal itself".

"I'll take it from here, Granger", said Townes, leading the explanation. "After a few more years of testing, we decided that now is the time to explore on what's on the other side. The really good thing is though, is that our scientists have tracked where the portal's exit point is. I'll show where it is, follow me"

The whole group followed Townes into a small room right next to the portal. There was another projecter in the room showing a picture of the galaxy on the screen. The picture was tagged by red arrows pointing in different directions, multiple sections were highlighted, and a red circle on one specific area of the galaxy. The squad and the two pilots looked at the picture amazed on how it was designed as if the galaxy was under humanity's control.

"Jones! Show our 'guests' here where the exit point is most likely at", commanded Townes, at a scientist behind a desk working on a laptop in front of him. Jones pressed a few keys on the keyboard, and the display zoomed in precisely on the red circle marked on that area of the galaxy. The projector showed a star system first, then showed a few planets and moons. The projector zoomed in again at a certain planet this time, and stopped there. Granger pointed at the planet; "There... that's where the portal's exit point is originating from".

The squad and the pilots leaned in closer at the screen to get a better view of the image. All of them looked at each other asking themselves mentally...

...It's on another planet?

"I know it's crazy, but that where the exit point is supposedly appearing at". Townes said trying to prevent them from becoming dumbstruck all over again. All of them looked back at Townes, and Velazquez asked him, "So we're going to be sent there?

"Not exactly Corporal, drones are going to be the best way to begin this operation before human life is sent through", answered Granger. Alvarez had a confused look on how they were going to get drones through the portal first if it wasn't exactly at the size or capability to do so. Alavarez asked on how this crazy plan was going to work.

"Uhm, Sir? How do you plan to get drones through the portal first? If the portal doesn't have exactly a runway or isn't at the correct size to transport anything like that through it?"

Granger and Townes looked at each other then back at the group. "Very good question, private".

"Jones, contact the scientists outside by the portal and tell them to begin the 'Size Matters' sequence", ordered Granger. Jones got a wackie tackie radio out, and contacted the scientists outside. "Hey guys begin the 'Size Matters' sequence, over".

Only one response came in; "Alright".

The squad and the two pilots gathered by the window, observing the scientists outside by a large desk of computers typing in a few commands. Nothing seem to happen, but the portal started to look a little different. The portal began to actually increase in size! It grew and grew, almost to the ceiling and sides of the massive hangar!

"Whoa..." the squad and the pilots said in astonishment, as the portal was now a monstrous height and size.

"You see, we designed it handle any size of any object that goes through it. It can practically devour a C-5 Galaxy if we wanted to!" explained Townes. Ray turned back at the two generals, and asked, "What about getting aircraft through it? All aircraft need 'fresh air' than a huge hangar to fly in or a runway to takeoff."

Granger stared at Jones again, but Jones knew what to do already. "Alright, now begin the 'Anywhere' sequence".

All of them looked outside again. The portal shrunk in size, and faded away into thin air.

"Hey, where did it go?!" Velazquez asked, looking around the hangar through the window searching for "Rift".

"I'll show you where it went," Granger spoke at all of them

All of them glanced back at Granger, and followed him out the room towards the huge hangar doors. A security guard by the doors saw them approaching, and pressed a activation button to open the doors. The huge doors slowly started to open, letting in the blinding sunlight for everyone (except Velazquez) making them put a hand to cover their eyes from the sunlight. They walked out back into the quite outside looking around for anysigns of 'Rift'. Granger pointed a finger down the runway, and there it was. The portal was right there; waiting for anything to come through.

"Well Generals, all I could say this is insane, but pretty smart I tell you," Ray said. Granger looked at him, and grinned, "We want to be prepared for anything, once anything important goes through"

"So when do the drones takeoff?" Alvarez asked.

"In about an hour private," Townes answered. "Our techs are making the final preparations on them as we speak".

"So once the drones return, and everything checks out, we're going to get sent through?" Velazquez asked again. Granger glanced at him, and gave a slight nod at him.

"You should to the barracks to rest for now. God knows how much strength you're going to need if you go to the 'other side' of the portal", Townes said at the squad. "Oh, and you will be paired with a Stryker Company if you go through".

Granger turned his head and pointed at the two pilots, "And as for you two, you will be flying your Apache if everything is in the green, understood?"

The two Apache pilots gave a quick salute at Granger.

"Very well then, I will see all of you when everything is ready and good to go", Townes stated, departing from them with Granger following suit.

The squad and the pilots looked at each other for what was up ahead at them. Ray looked at the two pilots, and decided it was time to introduce themselves. "Sorry, If I haven't introduce you to me or my squad. I am Master Sergeant Ray Williams, and this is my squad. Alvarez, Velazquez, and Derrick".

Both pilots gave a slight nod at them, and they introduce themselves as well.

"I am Captain David Fencer, and this my buddy Lieutenant Alex Hanler".

"A pleasure, Sir," Hanler said

"Well I guess we're in for something, and Wow! You guys get to fly your Apache on a different planet!

"You could say that again! I hope nothing goes wrong if all of us go through," Alex said on how crazy this operation is going to be. "I guess all we could do now is to head to the barracks..."

The pilots and the squad headed off towards the barracks waiting for everything to begin...

1 Hour Later in the Ground Control Station...

"Drones are ready for takeoff, Sir", informed a drone operator to Townes.

"Alright, let's begin".

Five Drones began their way out of the hangars, taxiing down towards the runway. There was one RQ-4 Global Hawk, three MQ-9 Reaper drones, and one RQ-1 Predator drone. The Predator drone was specially designed to take in environmental readings and atmospheric too. All of them lined up along the taxiway; waiting their turns for takeoff on the runway.

"Open up the communications portal," ordered Townes.

"Yes, Sir"

A operator pressed a button by the screen monitor. Townes looked at a monitor to make sure it was functioning properly the command. The Global Hawk contained a small metal box in it that contained the comms. portal. The communication portal was just like a Ku-band satellite link except...it was a portal not a satellite. This small portal was about the size of a car's wheel, it was made to transmit and receive communications anywhere the drones went. The status was green and good to go.

"Alright, take off!"

The Global Hawk began to speed down the runway towards the portal. It got a few feet off the ground, then dissapeared through it. The other drones began their takeoff one by one, and dissapeared through the portal as well.

"All drones are functioning properly, no signs of trouble, we're in the green for now"

There was no live video feed from the drones as they were going through the portal. A few seconds passed by and still nothing happened. Townes started to grow a little concern why the drones haven't returned any feedback yet. "Why haven't the drones returned any video feed yet?"

A drone sensor operator looked closely at the computer monitor she was looking at it. The monitor began a countdown when the video feed will show. "In about 10 seconds, general".

"Well that's good to here".

5...4...3...2...1. The live video feeds came on all screens on each of the drones pilots & sensor operators computers. The cameras displayed the strange worlds environment and it's features. Townes formed a small smile, thanking that the drones made it through the portal safely. Townes was now going to begin the first orders of this operation of the strange world.

"All right now, disperse the drones! Get the Global Hawk to a higher altitude and get the planets environmental readings with atmosphere's too!

"Yes, Sir!" all operators replied in unison.

The creations of mankind will be arriving over the blue skies of Equestria very soon...

**************

Twilight was still wondering about the objects in that chamber in the castle. It was the only thing in her mind right now, and nothing on the outside didn't even distract her from thinking.

If it's a monkey, wouldn't anyone in Equestria would have seen it already? And if it's alien......are they already here or did 'their' items get lost and ended up here in Equestria? I hope it's just someponies creations that are behind all of this...

Twilight has been on the train for about half an hour, and was growing a little bit bored of the long trip. She brought herself out her thinking, but still had the question in her mind. Twilight observed the countryside out the window admiring its features.

"Well at least the countryside is nice. The nice green plains, the homes of some ponies, and the sky has a few clouds with some object flying through them". Twilight closed her eyes taking in what she saw, but opened quickly at what she realized. "A object flying through them?!"

Twilight looked back out the window again at where the object was. She noticed it was way high up in the sky, leaving a contrail behind it. Since it was so far up, all she could notice was a tiny silver-metallic tube looking object that had wings on both sides. Twilight gazed at the object flying as it continued to gain altitude. She looked back at the ponies in the passenger car to tell them about the flying object, but she though it would be gone by the time they looked outside to see it. Twilight looked back and forth between the ponies and the object deciding what to do.

Inform or observe it?...Inform or observe it...Inform or observe it. Observe it...

Twilight made the final decision and went back into observing the object, but it was gone out of sight, the contrail started to break apart. Twilight turned her head away from the window trying to compute on what she just saw flying outside In the sky.

There were three things in her mind that came to her as a possible answer.

Could it have been a pegasus pony flying up there?...No, it didn't even look like one. Maybe it was Rainbow Dash flying up there?...It couldn't have been, it didn't leave a rainbow trail and it was way too high up, probably farther than Rainbow Dash can go.

The final answer Twilight thought of was the one she wasn't going to like

Was it..."'them' that were up there?"

Twilight trembled a little about the possibility that it was 'alien' visitors flying above Equestria. Twilight got over her small fear and continued to look outside the window, but it turns out she had reached her destination. Twilight got out of her seat, and walked out of the passenger train car. She felt great that it was good to be home and out of the long trip she went through. Twilight trotted out of the train station, and toward her library trees home that she hoped Spike didn't have any trouble watching over it.

After a few minutes went by Twilight finally reached the front door of her home and opened it. Everything was in same place she had left it; no messes, no books out of place, no nothing.

"Phew, I thought this place was going to be a wreck when I came back!"

Spike quickly came down the stairs to greet whoever came, and saw it was Twilight.

"Twilight, your back! I thought you were going to be gone for a little longer".

"Nope, just went to go see the Princess Celestia about the letter she wrote to me, and that's about it".

"Well that sounds simple. I thought it was going to be something urgent like Discord creating chaos or the Changeling were going to attack again".

"Nothing like that, Spike."

Twilight looked out at one of the windows of her home, and saw Luna's night had already covered Equestria. Twilight turned her head back at Spike again, preparing to tell him those few words; "It's your bedtime...."

Spike hung his arms low and formed a sad face. "Ahhhhh, But I don't want to go to bed yet!"

Twilight made a small smile and narrowed her eyes down at Spike, waiting for the inevitable to happen.

"But,I don't feel like going to sle-...". Too late, Spike had fallen asleep on the wooden floor at the exact moment for his bedtime.

"Works every time..."

Twilight used her magic to levitate Spike in mid-air and brougt him up the upstairs to his small bed by Twilight's. She tucked him nice and warm in his bed. "Goodnight, Spike".

Twilight quietly walked away from him, and went to the balcony outside. Twilight observed the starry night sky and its constellations it contained. She saw the unicorn and the Manticore, but couldn't find the saddlebag. Twilight looked around for it, and saw there was a small faint star that was different in the silhouette sky. Twilight kept her eyes on it, but one thing that caught her attention; "Since when do stars move or go that fast?"

The star that Twilight was looking at was moving at very decent fast speed. It was heading towards the direction of the Everfree Forest. Twilight kept on observing it, until it traveled off in the distance, and disappearing into the darkened horizon. Twilight continued to stare at the direction it dissapeared at for a few minutes, then she gave up. The sighting of that 'star' and how it was completely it was out of the ordinary began to raise the same common question in her head again....

....Are aliens actually visiting Equestria?

Bad Dreams and Observing Closely

Bad Dreams and Observing Closley

Twilight stood in the cold outside on her balcony wondering on that very small faint star that was moving she saw a little earlier. Twilight came back to her senses, letting go of the idea that it was those...'visitors' if you may call. She sighed, breathing in some air, pulling one hoof into her chest then exhaling releasing her hoof outwards.

"Just forget it, Twilight. It was probably just a shooting star that you've never seen before and thought it was "them",' she said to herself.

Twilight felt a cold wind travel through her; shivering at its cold touch on her. Twilight walked quickly back into the cozy warmth of the inside of her home. She felt the exhaustion of a long day starting to take affect on her. Twilight went all over her home putting out all the lighting then making her way back into her bedroom. She passed by Spike without any noise to not awaken him from his quite slumber. Twilight made it to her bed and tucked her self under the soft, cozy bed sheets. She felt her eyelids slowly closing on her. Twilight barely stayed awake for a few more seconds then fell asleep away into the night.

"Twilight!...Twilight!" Spike awakened her in a hurry.

Twilight got up slowly from her bed; rubbing her right eye. She saw Spike was frightened.

"What is it?"

"There's something by the door..." he whispered, in a shaky tone.

Twilight got out of the bed sheets, and cautiously checked down the stairs then looked at the front door. Twilight slowly approached it to see who it was at the door. She checked through the small window on the door. Nothing. She sighed and looked back at Spike who was still scared by something.

"Spike, I bet you heard a bump in the middle of the night and just frightened you. Let's get back to bed, okay?"

Twilight saw Spike forming tears in his eyes. She smiled and gently hugged him. "I promise you it's going to be okay Spike, just don't cry."

Spike looked up at her with watery eyes and pointed a finger at the window. Twilight looked at where he was pointing at, and saw a silhouette of something peeking through the window, quickly disappearing from sight. Twilight eyes went small at the sight that there was something lurking around on the outiside of her home. She slowly took a few steps back with Spike closely holding on to her. There was strange sounds coming from the outside. It sounded like voices of someone talking and if something was climbing the walls.

Twilight's heart began to race as the unknown disturbance kept acting up. She looked down at Spike who was trembling in fear. Twilight put her head next to his and whispered to him; "Go hide somewhere..." Spike looked back at her with his eyes "What about you?"

Twilight knew he was going to say that and gently smiled, "Don't worry..."

Spike slightly nodded and quickly hid himself somewhere safe. Twilight watched where he hid and was about to act, but remembered the balcony was an opened area. The balcony would be an easy access point for those things that were outside. Twilight rapidly made her way up the stairs to check if any of those things outside didn't enter from there. Twilight looked around the room and saw nothing. She felt glad that no one entered from there, but still kept her guard up. Twilight checked around the area for any signs of those things when a cry for help came from Spike.

"TWILIGHT! HELP ME!"

Twilight galloped down the stairs and saw a tall silhouette dragging Spike by the tail across the floor, and out the front door; dragging him towards a bright shining light outside.

"NOOOO!!"

Twilight charged at the thing, but she started to feel weak as she got closer to it. Her vision started to become blurry, her muscles began to give up, she couldn't keep her balance, and fell to the floor. Twilight tried to get back up, but it was useless she felt numb. Everything started to get brighter around her. A large silhouette approached Twilight and leaned down at her; extending what it looked liked a large hand of a monkey at her. Twilight saw the hand approaching her when she heard a voice calling her name as it got closer...

"Twilight!...Twilight!"

"HUH!? WHAT?!"

Twilight shot up from the bed and saw Spike was in front of her, shaking rapidly her to wake up.

"Twilight, I've been trying to wake you up for five minutes now! What's going on with you?"

Twilight was overjoyed that Spike was perfectly fine and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Spike, I'm so glad you're okay!"

"What do you mean I'm okay?" Spike asked, confused.

"They...They took you away from me," Twilight yelped, forming tears in her eyes.

"Twilight, you just had a bad dream. Who exactly did "take" me away?" Spike asked, a little curious at who his captors were. Twilight looked down at the bed sheets, trying to remeber who were those things that took Spike away from her. Twilight sighed that she couldn't really describe who were those things.

"I don't know, they were just these large tall things that got you and I wasn't able to save before you dissapeared".

Spike formed a small smile and hugged her to comfort her from that horrible dream. Twilight embraced the warm hug from her assistant. "Come on, I bet a good breakfast might help you", encouraged Spike, to get her in a better mood.

"I guess your right Spike. A good breakfast might help me".

They both made their way down the steps and into the kitchen. Spike decided it was probably best to make something really good for Twilight.

"I think waffles might do. What do you think?"

"That sounds great, Spike"

Spike immediately went to work to prepare some delicious waffles for breakfast...

30 mins. Later...

"Wow Spike, I didn't know you were good at making breakfast," complimented Twilight at Spike's well made breakfast menu.

"Ah, you know, a little bit of practice and you end up mastering it," Spike said. "Oh, I almost forgot! While you were away Fluttershy came to visit, but you weren't, so she said she'll visit some other time."

"I wish I was here when she came, but Princess Celestia needed me in Canterlot right away."

"Once I'm done putting the dishes away, what are you going to do for today?" asked Spike.

"I have some magic spells I have to practice for today. Why do you ask?"

"I'm just curious, thats all."

"Well, I guess it's time to start day then," Twilight said, departing from the kitchen table.

Twilight exited the kitchen an into the open living room. Twilight stared at the window, where that silhouetted object was looking through outside in her nightmare. She took in a deep breath trying to forget that horrible dream. Twilight went by the bookshelf grabbing a book with her magic and placed it gently on a table on front of her.Well time to start the day, Twilight...

*****************************

9 Hours Into Surveillance; Reaper Drone 1 GCS.....

"Check out this weird place. It just looks like back at home!" exclaimed a sensor operator looking through one of the Reaper Drones camera.

"Shit, what do you expect to be out here?" asked the operator or the pilot seated right next to her.

"I don't know, maybe something crazy or alien life, I tell you!"

"Sounds legit enough to me," the pilot said, with a smirk.

"How long has it been?" asked the sensor operator, weary at the long flight mission.

"A few hours. Why, you getting bored or what?"

"No, just asking"

The sensor operator kept on looking through the day-TV camera as the drone flew at a optimal altitude. The sensor operator looked closely at the environment this planet held. Trees, rivers, grass, and more. It exactly matched the same environmental traits on Earth.

"Damn, what do you think the Global Hawk is looking at?" asked the pilot.

"Shit, that big flying monster is probably looking at the ground as if it owned the place!"

"Hehehe, what would happen if Townes and Granger agreed to send an SR-71 Blackbird through the portal!" joked happily the pilot.

"Hahaha! Then those two guys have to be the most insanest military generals I've ever heard of!"

"Ahem..."

Both operators turned their heads around to see Townes staring at both of them with a glare.

"I'm watching both of you..."

Townes stormed off from at the operators joke.

"Sorry, Sir! Won't happen again, Sir!" the pilot said, sheepishly. "Shit! I do not want to be on his bad side!" said the sensor operator relieved that they didn't get in any trouble with Townes. "We've got to watch what we say..."

"I'm going to keep my mouth shut now..."

Both operators focused back on their duty at controlling the drone.

Specially modified Predator Drone GCS....

"You getting all the info we need?"

"Yeah, the readings are quite surprising. Just the same as here too," stated the operator.

"Well that's good, we don't have to worry about our troops suffocating for air or being poisoned by it"

"Yeah, seems normal, but the drone is picking up something weird. Like some energy or something, I don't know what it is." the sensor operator said. "I hope it doesn't harm our guys when there on the other side."

"I bet it's like electromagnetic radiation or something like that."

"Your probably right..."

The drone was taking valuable amounts of data about the planet's environment and atmosphere. Though there was one flaw in design...it had to be at a lower altitude to get the planet's environmental readings. Making it visible to anyone with sharp eyesight out there on the ground. It was still a hard to see object, but still was vulnerable.

"I'm kind of getting worried that someone or something is going to see the drone and attack it," the pilot said, anxiously

"Nah, this thing is still invisible to the naked eye even though it's at a lower altitude," the sensor operator said not concerned over the drone's safety.

"I hope you're right on that"

"I bet Townes or Granger have a plan if the drones do become under attacked by something".

"I hope you're right on that one too"

The sensor operator continued to look at the screen. The environment started to change. Thick cloud cover started to come in, but still allowed some visibility to the ground. "Uh oh, we got some cloud clover here," the pilot informed.

"Damn, that's not good!"

"No, I shouldn't think that's not going to be a....ARE THOSE HOUSES ON CLOUDS!?" the pilot squawked at the surprising sight of houses that were on clouds.

"You're joking! Come on, how could houses be on...HOLY SHIT!". The sensor operator looked at the screen, not believing this 'insane' view of houses built on clouds.

"The drone better not be playing some dirty tricks on us!"shouted the pilot, madly confused.

"Let me check!...No, it's functioning normally!"

Both operators observed at this unbelievable sight of homes made out of clouds. The drone passed over a few more cloud homes, but it spotted some that were different.

"Uhh....is that a runway!?" asked the pilot confused at the sight.

"Oh great, now were.....Oh Yeah. It's a fucking runway!"

"Is it just me or is there something on the runway there?" asked the pilot.

"What are those things?"

The pilot focused in more on the specific area with the camera. The camera revealed a stunning, unimaginable sight on the runway.

"ARE THOSE FUCKING HORSES!?!"

"Holy shit! Those are horses!"

"Okay, lets calm down here. We're controlling a drone on a unknown planet...We're seeing a lot weird things...And now we're seeing horses on a runway. Makes sense if you think about it," the sensor operator sarcastically said.

"Your probably right, but this is crazy...."

"Hehe, It's funny how they're being observed and they don't even have a clue," the pilot joked.

"Hahaha! That it is kind of funny. Geez, look at that one go off! Its like madly barking orders at the other ones in front of it"

"Oh yeah I see it. They must be scared shitless."

"Hey look, now they're flying in circles around the runway."

The pilot looked at his friend with a confused look on what he said. "Wait, they're flying?". The pilot looked back at the screen revealing his friend spoke the truth.

"WHOA! You're right they are flying! So that means....a Pegasus does actually exist?"

"Yup," said the sensor operator without emotion, slumped back into his chair.

"Well I'll be damned!"

The operators continued to observe closely at the pegasi that were going around the runway multiple times...

Reaper Drone 2 GCS....

"You seeing this?" asked the sensor operator.

"Yup, it's just like Earth," answered the pilot

"We could call this "Earth 2.0" or just "Earth thats not fucked up" to make it simple"

"I bet NASA has a boring name for it. It's probably like a thousand X's slash 709796788 or something," the pilot joked.

"Ha! That is probably true!"

The sensor operator looked at the land through the screen, but noticed there was a very large cleared open area. The sensor operator continued to observe with curiosity. We can practically build a small field command post then turn to a base if we decided to...

The sensor operator thought it would be very important to inform Townes and Granger about this. He quickly contacted the generals through a button that placed by the controls to alert both generals if something happened. It took a few minutes for both of them to arrive at the station.

"What is it? Is something wrong with the drone?" Granger asked.

"No, Sirs. I just thought it would be vital to inform both of you about something we've spotted."

"Well, what is it?" Townes also asked

"It's this piece of land that's large and has enough space to build a base if we wanted to, generals"

Townes and Granger looked at it closely. The location was large enough to construct an airbase if ordered it was about 4 miles(6.4 kilometers) long. Townes and Granger looked at each other, both having expression that they were interested in that large cleared area.

"Save those coordinates. The location might be useful to us in the long run."

"It will also be a great exit point for any infantry or vehicles we send through," Granger stated, as the location was a good vantage point. "But for aircraft....They're going to have to appear some distance away for some space"

"I most certainly agree with you, Granger. I think we should go check on the Predator now to see what's the status on the planet's reading," said Townes.

"I agree and good call that you told us about this. Keep up the good work," Granger complimented.

"Thank you, Sir!"

Both generals left to check on the latest updates of the Predator drone...

***********************

Wonderbolts Academy...

"KEEP GOING!"

All the new Wonderbolt recruits hustled under the commanding voice of Spifire.

"Don't tell me you're all tired! You still have a some more to go!"

After a few more laps around the runway, the recruits landed dying for some breath. Spitfire stared at them under her shades with a expression of disapproval.

"Alright, Tomorrow you will be put into two teams for the next training exercise. You can all head to the mess hall, dismissed."

All of the recruits flew to the mess hall, leaving Spitfire and her Wonderbolt assistant member behind by the runway. Spitfire heard the sound of wings flappings and turned to the right, seeing one of her close friends Soarin'. Soarin wasn't wearing his Wonderbolt performance uniform, just the casual uniform: A light blue collar shirt with a tie.

"Soarin' what are you doing here? I thought you weren't doing anything today?"

"I kind of got bored and decided to stop by and see how's it going," Soarin' said, with a smile.

"Just training the new cadets and see them struggle during the train exercises," Spitfire said, frustrated.

Soarin' understood how it can be difficult to train pegasi that have no experience under intense pressure to become a Wonderbolt. "They'll get the strength over time just have some patience, you'll see."

Sptifired sighed, and acknowledged what Soarin' said. "I guess you're right on that." She almost forgot to remind her assistant to prepare the obstacle course for the next exercise tommorow. "Okay, I want you to prepare the obstacle course for tommorow, alright?". No response came from her assistant."Hello, I'm talking to you! What is wrong with you!? Answer me!"

Her assistant was staring up in the sky, ignoring Spitfire's words and continued staring upwards. "Uh...Ma'am? What is it that?"

"What do you mean what is that?" Spitifre looked up to the sky and saw nothing. Soarin' too looked upwards and saw nothing. Both Spitifre and Soarin' looked at the strange behaving pegasus confused.

Soarin' raised an eyebrow at him for the strange behavior the pegasus was doing. "Are you sure you're not seeing things? Because I don't see anything."

The assistant pointed a hoof at where he was staring at. "It's right there flying"

Spitifre and Soarin' looked upwards, and this time they actually did see something. It was a small object flying up high above the academy. Spitfire took off her shades to get a better glimpse of the object. The object had wings, but it looked machine. It left a small contrail behind it; revealing it in which direction it went.

"What is that?" Spitfire asked.

"I don't know, but it doesn't look like a Pegasus or dragon, or anything I've seen," Soarin' stated.

"Ma'am, should we send somepony to investigate it?" asked the assistant.

"No, I think me and Soarin' will. What do you think Soarin'?"

"Alright, let's go"

Both Soarin' and Spitfire flew upwards towards the unknown flying object. They gained more and more altitude as they approached the object. The air was starting to become colder and thicker; making it difficult to fly and breathe.

"Geez! How high is this thing at?" Soarin' squawked.

"I don't know, but we're getting there."

They finally got near the the object and did in fact find out it was a machine. It had a large wingspan, bigger than a pegasus wingspan. It had two tail fins under it on the back.The size of the body was bigger than both of them. It had a propeller at the end of it. They noticed frontal portion was just a small dome or bulge. The machine also had strange symbols on it. Spifire and Soarin' were dumbstruck by such a strange machine they were flying with.

"What in Celestia's name is this thing?" asked Spitfire

"I don't know, but it doesn't look like anything from around here.

"You think somethings in there?"

"Doubt it, It doesn't look like it can carry anything inside of it." Soarin' said, at the size of the machine.

"Hm? I wonder what happens if I do something to it?"

Soarin's eyes shot open at the action Spitfire was going to do. "Spitfire, that's a bad idea!"

"It's just a machine. Like it's going to feel anything." Spitfire lifted her leg in the air, readying to kick the strange machine.

"No, no, no, no! Wait!"

Clunk!

The machine wobbled a bit then back to its formal position. Spitfire put a hoof to her chin thinking of what to do next on it. Soarin' was getting nervous if the machine was going to do something back at Spitfire in return of her action. No, nothing.

"Spitfire, I think we should just leave this thing alone. I have a bad feeling about this thing."

"Oh come on, Soarin'. We're just investigating what this thing is."

"I know, it's just that we don't know who are the creators of this machine. It could be someone rich who owns it and can sue us big time for damaging his or her own property!" Soarin' cried out in a desperate attempt to stop Spitfire.

"I guess your right on that...but-"

"No, Wait!"

Clunk!

Spitifire gave another hard kick to it, making a faint hoof mark on it. Soarin' started to sweat at the small marking she made on its wing."Spitfire are you trying to get us both killed or in any trouble!!!"

"Okay, fine I'll stop," Spitfire said in a disappointed tone.

"Oh thank you! Now can we-..."

Soarin' heard the sound of something turning from the machine. He looked at the frontal area of the machine and saw a ball shaped part rotating around under it. Soarin' saw that it was some sort of camera it had attached to it. The camera turned and focused on Soarin'. He looked back at Spitfire for help, but unfortunately she was observing the marking she made on the right wing of it. "Spitfire...help me out here, please!"

"What is it you need help with?"

Soarin' only moved his eyeballs at where his trouble was. Spitfire saw this and flew to the side on where he was. Spitfire recognized that the machine had a ball-like camera observing them closely. Spitfire too was becoming a little nervous that the machine was actually 'staring' at them through a camera.

"What do we do, Spit?" Soarin asked nervously. Spitfire stared at the camera under the machine then at Soarin, forming a mischievous grin. "We do some more things to see what it will do..."

"Spitfire, That's a horrible idea!"

"Well, I'm going with it!"

Spitfire started to kick the machine in multiple areas all over its fuselage. Soarin' couldn't do anyththing but flinch every time Spitfire gave a kick at it. "Oh...I know this is not going to end up well..."

********************

Back at the Predator GCS...

"WHOA! WHOA! THAT MOTHERFUCKING HORSE IS DAMAGING THE DRONE!" shouted the pilot.

"Quickly! Do some evasive maneuvers, actually...DO ANYTHING!" the sensor operator yelled.

The screen showed static everytime the pegasus gave a kick to the Predator drone. The pilot twisted and turned the flightstick, desperately trying to dodge the attacks. "SHIT! I CAN'T LOSE THIS THING!"

General Granger and Townes came storming into the drone control station by the shouting of the operators.

"What the hell is going on here!?" asked Townes, concerned on the situation. The sensor operator looked at both of the generals with a face of utter confusion. "Sirs...you're not going to believe even a word I say on what's going on!"

"Tell us what's going, boy!" Granger asked sharply at the sensor operator.

"You might want to look at the feed, sir" the sensor operator said, pointing a shaking finger at the screen. Both Granger and Townes looked at the screen to see what the problem was. The feed showed something, but wasn't recognizable just a blur or a silhouette.

"What is that thing?"

Townes kept quiet until the camera showed something he could never imagine...it was a pegasus that was showing on the video feed. Townes eyes went wide as well as Granger's too.

"My God...Is that what I think it is?"

"Townes, I may be old, but don't tell me my eyes are giving up on me now..."

"No Granger...it's actually real what we're looking at right now...a real live pegasus.

The generals stood there frozen, mesmerised by such an incredulous sight they were witnessing. They looked at the feed with great curiosity watching the Pegasus fly with the drone, when it came close and rammed it, making the screen show some static. "GET THAT DRONE BACK TO BASE, ASAP!" Townes roared

"Sir! The portals too far we won't make it back with drone intact!" informed the pilot.

"WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THAT DRONE OR ELSE THIS OPERATION HAS GONE TO WASTE!"

Townes grabbed a walkie talkie radio from his pocket he had in his uniform, and contacted the scientists back in the large hangar. "Sam! I need you to open the portal on the location of the Predator drone now!".

"IT WLL BE UP IN TWENTY SECONDS, SIR," replied one of the scientists.

The pilot looked back at Townes with a frightened look on his face. "Sir, We'll lose video feed from the drone if it goes through the portal!" Townes glanced at him with a death stare. "When the monitor shows the countdown for communications to return...you pull the flight stick up when it says one, alright?"

"Yes, Sir..."

The portal appeared ahead of the drone it was somewhat far, but making the oneway trip towards home.

"Townes, what happens if that pegasus follows it back to here! You know what it will cause!?" warned Granger at the great consequence if the pegasus follows it through the portal.

"Oh, don't worry about that, General. I have that under control," Townes said with an evil grin on his face.

Townes stepped out of the Predator control room, and walked towards a phone hanging on the wall in the hallway. He grabbed it and spoke through out the whole airbase's intercom system.

"Attention! This General Townes! Possible unknown hostile contact may be coming through the portal! I repeat, Possible unknown hostile contact may be coming through portal! Everyone man your stations, Now! This not a drill! I repeat, this is not a drill!"

Townes got off the phone and looked back at Granger; "Let's give our small pegasus 'friend' a warm welcome shall we, General?"

Granger too formed a menacing smile; "I guess we should give it a warm welcoming."

Both generals laughed as the unpleasant welcoming party was beginning to form all over the base...

Loud alarms went off and the whole airbase was on high alert now after Townes message came through the intercoms. Soldiers, pilots, technicians, and scientists were rushing down the hallways getting ready for the possible threat. Multiple squads of infantry came out of the structures running at full speed towards 'Rift'. Among the swarming squads of infantry was also Ray's squad.

Ray had his M4A1 rifle with an attached ACOG scope and a grenade launcher undermounted on it. Velazquez and Alveraz sported the same weapon except Alvarez had a EOT holographic sight than a ACOG and no grenade launcher. Derrick on the other hand had his M240 light machine gun with the basic iron sights.

As they were running down the runway Alvarez couldn't stop thinking what was likely going to appear through. Alvarez looked to the right at Velazaquez hoping to get some sort of answer. "Bro, What do you think is likely going to show up from the portal?"

"Meh, maybe some alien overlord thing, or some wild creature from the other planet...Haha! You know what would be really awesome?"

"What?"

"If the Queen from that movie 'Aliens' came through," calmly said Velazquez, showing no hint that he was concerned about the possible threat appearing from the portal. Alvarez just gulped at the idea his friend made that a large horrifying creature coming out of the portal and causing unforgivable damage to everyone. Alvarez looked to the left at Derrick, and asked him the same question too. "Derrick, what do you think is on the other side coming right at us?"

Derrick looked back at him and shrugged his shoulders giving the 'I don't know' expression. Alvarez sighed and prepared for the worst if it did came. Ray saw the portal right of ahead of him and his squad and for the other squads along with them. Six humvees pulled over by the portal with their crews quickly piling out from them. All squads reached the portal and formed defensive positions by the humvees in front of 'Rift'. They all waited there patiently to see if the unknown contact would come through. The sound of a machine rolling behind them was heard. Ray turned around and saw a M2 Bradley IFV stopping right behind all of them.

Ray looked at the Bradley tank then back at the portal. He also observed his surroundings seeing the soldiers and vehicles aiming their weapons at 'Rift'. Shit, whatever it is that's going to exit from the portal...it's dead

Don't Follow It Home

Don't Follow It Home

Twilight was practicing her magic spells the next day after that mysterious dream she had about those creatures. Twilight was looking down at the book of spells, deciding which one she should practice. There were many types of spells: Old, new, dangerous, helpful, powerful, etc. The book was filled with a vast array of spells.

"Hmm...I wonder which one should I try first? Turn objects into plants, no...A healing spell, no...maybe this one, no not that one either...Huh?" There was one spell that caught her attention. "How to make things talk backwards? I guess it might be worth trying for, but who should I test it on?" Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin, trying to think on who to try the spell on. It took a few good seconds to find the answer of to her question. "Spike, would you please come over for just a second will you?"

Spike came into the living room to the request of Twilight. "What is it you need?" Twilight looked down at the book again to double check she had the spell memorized correctly. She pointed a hoof at the spot where she wanted Spike to be at."I need you stand right there, Spike." Spike positioned himself right in front of her where she designated him to go. "Uh...Is this some sort of test or game?" Twilight formed a mischievous smile and her horn started to glow. Spike was starting to grow nervous at that smile Twilight had, and the glowing of her horn.

"Twilight, what are you doing?"

"Just going to test a new spell that I learned..."

"Can you first explain to me what is it before you do anything else."

"Nope...". Spike gulped at the response he got back. Spike saw Twilight closed her eyes to concentrate the magic to a higher level. Twilight's horn started to glow brighter as the magic continued to escalate. He looked in all directions trying to find a escape route from her, but it was inevitable. Spike thought of a idea at the last moment; Run for it... "Well, Twilight I guess have to go since nothing is happening, bye!...Zap!....Ahhh!"

Twilight shot her eyes back open to see the result. Spike was flat on the wooden floor, with a small smoke trail coming from his tail. He let out a groan as he stumbled to get back up on his feet. Twilight waited there patiently to see if the spell took it's effect on Spike correctly. "So, how you feeling, Spike?"

"Uuughh....deneppah tahw?". Spike quickly put his claws to his mouth, realizing how he just talked. Twilight was trying to hold in her laughter, but she couldn't contain it anymore. Spike was starting to panic, and waved his arms wildly in the air saying gibberish. "!lamron ot kcab em nrut". Twilight couldn't stop laughing at Spike. The laughter continued on for seconds then slowly started to die down. "Okay Spike, now I have to find a spell to cure you. "Twilight flipped through some pages to find the spell to cure Spike from his backwards language vocabulary. Twilight looked back up at Spike, who had his small arms crossed looking really annoyed.

"Oh come on Spike, lighten up. I have the cure right here."

Twilight closed her eyes again to concentrate the magic. Her horn brightly glowed, then ...Zap!...She opened her eyes to see if the cure work. "Well, did it work?". Spike cleared his throat ready to speak properly.

"Ya, it did work...thanks. Next time would you please tell me what type of spell you're going to do or cast."

"I just wanted to play a little trick on you that's all, but how would you like to be a plant?"

With that moments notice, Spike was gone in a heartbeat. Twilight giggled, and went back to her study of spells. Twilight flipped to the next page seeing it was a healing spell. The page showed a picture of a skeletal structure of a pony, to help locate certain areas that need to be treated right away if ever necessary. Twilight looked at the pony skull, which she regretted looking at, reminding her of the one back in that chamber in Canterlot. That deathly stare the unknown skull would show sent a chill down her spine. To her the stare of the skull felt like it showed a sign or wanted something, but no matter what, it was still a complex mystery.

Although it was frightening, it still brought a large sense of curiosity to her. The origin, what it was, how long did it live, and especially how it got up there by the Wonderbolts academy. All these questions circled around in Twilight's head never stopping to find an answer. Twilight kept on thinking about it when a idea she never thought came to her.

"I wonder if Princess Celestia will allow me to study those objects right here in my home?" It felt like a good idea to Twilight to keep these objects under her watchful eye for research, but then again, if word gets out it could cause the public to panic or spread large rumors of the Royal Guard maintaining alien technology.

I guess it wouldn't be troublesome to maintain these objects, as long as I keep it a secret.

"Spike, will you come in here again, and I promise I'm not going to use any magic on you."

Spike came into the room again, cautiously inspecting the surroundings to make sure it wasn't a trick. "What do you need?"

"I need you to send a letter to Princess Celestia, but all I want you to do is send it, not write it..."

"What do you mean not to write it? I always write the letters most of the time."

"This one is just a bit more...personal, that's all.

"Umm...okay."

Twilight grabbed a piece of paper and a quill to write to Celestia. It took her about a minute to complete the letter. She rolled it up, and handed to Spike. Spike blew the green mystical fire on the letter, and was sent straight towards the princess. Although the letter was sent, Spike was still confused why Twilight didn't allow him to write the letter himself, but he decided just to move along not to bother.

"Is that all you needed, Twilight."

"Yes that about it, thanks."

With the letter away, now the only thing Twilight could is hope that her request will be accepted...

Back with Spitfire & Soarin'

"Spitfire, will you please stop!"

Spitfire was now breatheing heavily now by the nonstop kicks she gave to the machine. She stopped to take in some air, but the machine was now turning in all directions and its speed was increasing. Spitfire saw this, and didn't even bother to rest.

"Hey, Comeback here!"

Spitfire took chase after it, determined to discover where this machine would lead them to. Soarin' was staring to panic by the damage Spitfire had done to it. The machine was marred by dents, scratches, and sparks were flying out of it. This machine couldn't take any more beatings from Spitfire if this continued on.

"Spitfire, I beg you to please leave this thing alone."

"Soarin, don't you realize that it's going somewhere. You see how it's going faster and evading us!"

Soarin' thought about it, and knew that Spitfire was correct, but the most that concerned him was who created, and where it's leading them to. "Spitfire, your right on that, but we don't who created this thing." Spitifre put a hoof to her chin then went back persuing the machine. The machine had driven them off far from the academy, Canterlot, or any known location they knew. They were far beyond reach from anypony now.

"Spitfire, just give it up! We have gone way too far now chasing this thing!"

Spitfirelooked back at Soarin' then at the machine. Her eyes caught something ahead of them than just the machine. Spitifre squinted her eyes down to get a better view, but couldn't tell what it was. As they chased the machine the unknown thing ahead became more clear now.

"What the? What is that?"

Soarin' looked ahead of the machine, and saw the same thing. "It looks like a...uhh...I can't tell what it is."

They got even more closer, and realized it was a giant floating hole right in the middle of the sky. Both of them immediately hit the air brakes, and floated just a few meters away from it. They stared at it dumbstruck by such a extraordinary object before. Spitfire was trying to find words to speak, but nothing came up. Soarin' too was trying, but also ended up not saying any words just few letters or words. "It's....Bu....how can?....wher...a...". Spitifre was amazed by a such a thing she had never before seen, this was something incredible for her. Although it was a great enigma, Spitfire snapped back quickly remebering the machine they were persuing. "Soarin', where did the machi-...."

The machine flew straight into the portal; dissapearing from sight. Soarin' glanced at Spitifre, spotting a face of determination on her. Spitifre was about to give chase again, but Soarin' quickly got her by the shoulder. "Spitfire, we don't have any idea where this giant hole goes to, and you're going to chase it right through there!"

Spitfire looked downwards at Equestria from the sky, acknowledging Soarin's words. She removed his hoof from her, and looked back at him. "I'm sorry, didn't know what I was thinking there." Soarin' gently smiled, letting her ease up. "Look, I know your very interested about that machine, but when it goes through something like that...you're risking so many thing if you chase it." Spitfire sighed and looked at the portal, still wanting to know where that machine went. "You're right Soarin', I am endangering you and myself."

"Spitfire?"

"What is it Soarin?"

Soarin' looked down, very concerned over something. "Do you remeber that thing one of the cadets found about two weeks ago?" Spitfire closed her eyes remebering that terrifying discovery...

Flashback...

"Alright, all of you are going to be put in two teams. Red and Blue. Any questions? Now get rea-..."

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!".....

"What the?"

Spitfire quickly flew over to the source from the scream, and saw it was a cadet who was petrified.

"What are you all screaming about!" The cadet was trembling for some odd reason. The mare pointed a hoof at the bush infront of them, revealing a horrifying discovery: a skull. Spitfire gasped at the sight. That stare it gave Spitfire was making her frightened as well. It felt like it pierced through her mind and soul. Spitfire quickly called security to lock down the area until further notice was made.

A large investigation was held at the academy. Many investigators were on sight to solve this mystery, but none of them couldn't figure it out who or what the skull was or who even committed such a crime. The Royal Guard came within the hour to haul the skull away from the public eye back into Canterlot.....

"I do remeber that thing. That is something I will never forget, but why did you ask me that?"

"I just think that maybe....possibly.... ". Soarin'' sighed, unable to find a explanation to complete his sentence. "I just think that whatever creature that skull belonged to may be on the other side of that thing." Spitfire glanced at the portal, wondering if it was true what Soarin' said. "You can be right, but Soarin' don't you want to know where this thing leads to?"

"I do want to know, but we don't know what could be beyond it or what could happen to us."

Spitfire was ambitious to find out where that machine went and where this thing would take them. A quiet moment went by, only hearing the low sounds of wind the portal made. Spitfire took in a deep breath then looked back at Soarin'. "Soarin', would you let me go through this thing alone if you don't want to come?" she said in a soft tone.

Soarin's eyes went small at such a reply his friend just said to him. "No! I would never let you do that! I hate myself if I ever do that!"

"Well...How about if you went with me?"

Soarin' ran a hoof through his mane, thinking of something to say. "I guess, but what happens if we don't return?"

"I think we'll have a way to come back home, so are you coming or not?"

Soarin' took a few seconds to think. He thought about the critical decision then made the final call; "I'm in..."

"Well, here we go then!". Spitfire and Soarin' flew straight ahead to the portal. Soarin' closed his eyes right about when they were going to enter.

Flash!

Both entered the portal, and it's mysteries. "Soarin', open your eyes, you've got to see this!!!". Soarin' quickly opened his eyes at the excited tone of Spitfire. He couldn't believe what he was witnessing. They were in some sort of tunnel made out of the cosmos themselves. Galaxies and stars were all over them, some of them they had never seen before. Soarin' was awestruck by such a magnificent sight. He looked back at Spitfire, seeing her face was overjoyed at the sight around, the scenery reflecting off her golden eyes. Soarin' couldn't even take his eyes off any of the stars.

"This so amazing! Hey look there's the machine!"

Soarin' saw Spitfire pointing a hoof ahead of the tunnel. He looked ahead seeing the machine dead ahead of them, flying straight towards the exit point. "Well come on! Don't just stay there let's go!"

Spitfire and Soarin' took chase after the machine, not knowing the unpleasant surprise it will lead them to...

******************

"Everyone, get in positions now!"

All soldiers were getting ready for the worst to come from 'Rift'. Ray was crouched next to a humvee with Derrick at his side. Velazquez and Alvarez were right next to another one about two humvees away for them. Many mumblings were heard among the soldiers, some about "What's coming at us" another if it's a "False alarm" or "I hope we can take it down".

Ray kept his eyes glued on to the portal, not letting whatever take him by surprise. Static from a radio was heard, making Derrick look up at the gunner of the humvee right next to them. The gunner was nodding his head at the voice that came from the radio he had on his left shoulder, but he also noticed a small metal box on his right arm in a pouch. The gunner twisted a button on it, and it did a small humming sound then quited down. Derrick was able to recognize the voice; it was Granger. The beep sound came next, ending the conversation with Granger.

"All right, everyone listen up!". Everyone looked at the gunner on the humvee. "I just got word from Granger saying that we got a drone that's going to come out of the portal! But we also got the unknown hostile coming through as well! So check your fire!"

A few seconds went by nothing has appeared yet. Derrick looked down at his ACU camouflaged uniform checking if everything was in place when....VVVWWWWOOOOOOMMM!!!....the drone came out of the portal, flying at full speed, rapidly pulling up to a higher altitude. The majority of everyone looked up at it, but quickly shifted their eyes back at the portal

"Everyone, get ready!"

The sounds of everyone aiming their weapons took place. Alvarez' heart was starting to race as the final moment which was about to come. "This is it, bro! Are you ready?". Velazquez just snickered at something he thought of. "Hey what are you thinking of?"

"If someone played the 'Jaws' shark theme as we wait for whatever is going to come out..."

"You've got to be kidding me, really!"

*****************

We're almost at the end of this tunnel, let's go!"

Spitfire and Soarin' were about to reach the exit point, but right about when they were about to teach, Soarin' stopped. Spitfire halted and looked back at him. "Soarin', what are you waiting for? lets go!". He floated there hesitating to go through the exit point.

"Spitfire, are you really sure you want to do this?"

Spitfire was starting to get annoyed by the sudden second thought moments of Soarin'. "Yes, Soarin! I do want to go to the other side of this thing! Look if your afraid I'll go through first then I'll signal you to come through if it's safe, okay?"

Soarin thought about it for a moment. "Nevermind, I'll go with you..."

"Alright here we go!"

Soarin' closed his eyes again as they exited the portal.

Flash!

Soarin' opened his eyes again, looking around his surrounding. He saw green hills beyond a fence, large structures to his right, and he looked up to the sky, seeing it was a bit different, but still was in the blue. "Spitfire, this place is amazing! Can't you believe this?" No response came from Spitfire. "Hello? Hello Spitfire? Is Spitfire home right now?" he chuckled at his joke, but still nothing came from Spitfire. He saw Spitfire was staring at something and her jaw was also dropped. "Spitfire, what are you loooooookkkkiinnggg aaatttt......" Soarin' faced the same direction where Spitfire looked, realizing they were surrounded by creatures.

Soarin' saw that they were fully clothed in some sort of greyish green uniforms. Some had helmets or caps on their heads, they also looked monkey or gorilla type except they had no hair on their faces; hairless. In the grip of their monkey hands, they objects that had a tube coming out at the front of it. Few of them had sunglasses on them, but the one with the green lenses caught most of his attention.

Why does that one have green lenses? Is it a higher command?...

The creatures were also accompanied with machines. There were six that had four wheels, with one of the creatures on top of it pointing a large object with a tube at them. The one that most intimidated Soarin' was the one behind all of them. A large machine that had a tan colouring, pointing a small slim tube at them just like the smaller machines. Large murmurs began to grow among the creatures.

"Is that what I think it is!!!"

"I better not be drugged right now!"

"Is that a fucking small flying horse?!?!"

'A small flying horse' irritated Soarin', but he couldn't speak what he had in mind, knowing that he could be easily overpowered by these things. Soarin' started nudge Spitfire to make a desperate escape. She quickly looked back at Soarin' with a facial expression of 'lets get out of here!'. Both of them were about to fly back into the portal, but it was too late. The portal closed, leaving them both stranded with the creatures.

"Soarin' whatever you do...fly away," Spitfire whispered.

Soarin' and Spitfire were about to take flight, but a strange sensation hit them. It felt very uncomfortable, like when a body part falls asleep on you. The sensation started to grow all over their body. It felt like it was paralyzing them or numbing their bodies. Although Spitfire was tough, this sensation started to consume all her strength away as well as Soarin's. They couldn't fly or float in the air at all. They lost their strength, and headed straight towards the asphalt ground.

Thump!

Soarin' felt the pain of the impact, but it wasn't as painful as he thought for some reason. He saw Spitfire infront of him to the left lying on the ground. Her shades were cracked, her officer uniform was a mess. She tried with all her strength to move, but failed. Soarin's vision was now becoming blurry, and his hearing was starting to slowly give away. All he heard was the deep voices of those things, but this was by his weak hearing.

"SECURE BOTH OF THEM..."

The creatures were now cautiosly moving towards them, surrounding both him and Spitfire. He saw that they were bipedal and one of them crouched in front of his face obscuring the view of Spitfire. The one in front of him was the one that had the sunglasses with the green lenses. All he noticed it was staring at him with a goofy smile. Soarin' couldn't bare this sensation anymore. He slowly looked up at the sky; wishing he was on a cloud that he saw above. Everything started to get brighter, the creatures were now becoming hazy silhouettes, and the sky was now becoming white. Darkness soon followed after his final glimpse at the sky....

Soarin' was starting to slowly wake up. He heard voices, but couldn't figure out what they were saying. His vision was still slightly obscured; darkness on the sides, blurry in the center. A few more seconds went by, his vision and hearing fully returned. Soarin' looked around, realizing he was lying down in a white room. There was a door, but he didn't even bother to open it, knowing it was likely locked. There a window that was clear to see through, usually it was tinted, but this one wasn't. There were two of those creatures outside by the window, very tall with their backs facing him. They looked really intimidating by their large height.

Soarin' saw that they had shoulder pads and some sort of solid looking clothing they wore. One of them had a rectangular box object in the back of its shoulder with a small window fully lightened. The clothing they wore was the same design as the other ones when he entered this world.

I'm guessing that's some sort of armor they wearing. Looks really tough, but what is that thing that one has on it's shoulder?...

The one on the left nudged the other one with its elbow. The creature on the right did a body movement signaling that it found something very funny. Both of them turned around to face Soarin'. Soarin' jumped immediately up in all four at the sight of these two creatures. One had a mask with clear eye lenses on it, the other one had them tinted. It also had a large disc shaped object on the side of it. Both of them gave a cold stare to Soarin'. Their starse started to put Soarin' on the edge of panicking and he was starting to sweat. The two creatures laughed, but no sound of their laughter was heard.

Soarin' got really ticked off by their harassing actions. The two creatures suddenly stopped, and saluted a elderly looking one in a dark green uniform filled with medals and badges. The elder creature looked at Soarin' with curiosity, but it's expression soon was followed by a unfriendly one. Its mouth moved and pulled away from the window out of sight. The two guards walked towards the door. Soarin' gulped that they were going to enter the room.

Please no!...Please no!...

The door opened with the two creatures entering. One stood by the doorway and the other was heading straight for Soarin'. Soarin' tried to get as much distance from the creature, but the solid surface of the wall against his back meant the inevitable was going to come. The creature crouched to Soarin's height and inspected him. It grabbed his tie, observing very closley. It looked back at the other one who shrugged then went back to inspecting the lightning bolt pins on his collar too. The creature quietly motioned a hand for its partner to come close. What are they going to do?!....what are they going to do?!....

The other creature came near him and inspected him as well. It pointed a finger at the three gold bars on his sleeve. The creature spoke in a muffled male voice by the mask it wore; "What is it this some kind of rank?". The other creature spoke to at its partner; "I don't know, but looks impressive. You think it belongs to someone?"

"Whoever possibly owns this pegasus sure is a lucky owner."

Owned by a owner? What am I? Some sort of pet to them!?...

"Why the hell is it in some sort of uniform?"

"Shit, the world it came from must be crazy."

What? Equestria isn't crazy, It's great!...

The creature crouching in front of Soarin' tilted its head to the side, looking what was behind Soarin'. "Why does it have a logo or emblem right on the back of it?". Both of the creatures went behind him to inspect his cutie mark.

What are they going to do to my cutie mark!?....

"Well, it has a lightning bolt with wings as a logo, kind of cool actually."

"Oh, I get it. Wings because it's a pegasus and a lightning bolt just to make it look cool."

"Maybe your right, but...Fuck, I don't know. Well, time to haul him away for Townes and Granger to see."

Is that one of the names of that elderly looking one?...

Both creatures went to the doorway, but stopped to look back at Soarin'. "Hey come on little guy, we don't got all day!", said the the creaure with the clear lenses. Soarin' stood there frozen, not wanting to leave the safety of the room. The creature with the tinted lenses came close to Soarin' and crouched to his height. "Do you want me to grab it by it's tie?"

"Sure, just don't let it bite you," joked the creature by the doorway.

"Well, here goes nothing."

Soarin' felt the strong pull of the creature and yelled at them in a serious tone; "I could walk, you know!" The creature right next to him fell backwards, quickly crawling back to it's partner. "Holy shit! It just talked!" Soarin' was confused why both of these creatures were shocked by his ability to speak. "I can talk, why are you things so surpised about that?"

"Well, call me crazy because I'm going to talk to an animal, but...You're not supposed to talk or even exist!"

Soarin' was now very lost by the explanation that thing said to him. "I don't talk or exist!?"

"Yup..." the creature on the floor replied firmly.

"So I don't exist!"

A awkward quiet moment passed by all three of them. "Well forget it! I don't care if it talks or exists! We're going taking it back by force!" aggresively said the tinted lensed creature. Both of them were now closing on Soarin'. "Whoa! You can take me wherever you're taking me, but I won't cause any trouble okay?!" The two creatures stopped, looking at each other deciding to agree or not. "Okay, but you try to fly away from us or do anything stupid..." One of them took out a knife from its equipment belt it had, and went right next to Soarin', putting the tip of the blade by his wings; "...they come off, understood?"

Soarin' became very nervous and started to sweat at the unfortunate consequence if he made a mistake. "You have my word, sir."

"Good..."

All three walked out into the hallway. They made a left down the hallway. Soarin' curiously looked around, seeing different photos of these creatures, and their machines. They reached half way down the hall, and made a right into a nice looking room. The room had a couch, a small table with four chairs, and a very long rectangular device on the wall. It was also accompanied by a larger rectangular object in the corner of the room, making a small humming sound. "Wait here, I'll go inform the generals, and if he causes any trouble...you know what to do," said the creature with clear lenses. His partner flipped a knife at Soarin'. The other creature left the room. Now it was just Soarin' and the creature with tinted lenses on its mask.

The creature pointed a finger at the couch, motioning Soarin' to sit down. He followed the order and laid down on it. The creature sat right down next to him. "So..." it said. "Why do you have that uniform?" Soarin' was taken by surprise by the question it asked.

"I'm in a group of elite flyers called the Wonderbolts"

" 'Elite flyers', 'Wonderbolts', You've got to be joking, right?"

"No, I'm actually telling the truth!"

"Shit, wherever your from it must defy the physics of this world!"

"Physics?"

"Long story..."

The creature got a device from a small table on the side of the couch where it was on, and pressed a button. The large rectangular device on the wall came to life with sound and picture. Soarin' was amazed by this device they had. "What is that thing!?"

"I guess where you came from the technology must be very low. This is called a T.V."

"Technology and a tee-vee?"

"*sigh* Long story..."

The creature pressed buttons on the small device, making the T.V. change the pictures on it. "So you could watch anything you want at any time!?" Soarin' asked.

"Yup, anytime, anywhere, even when something on the otherside of the world is happening right now."

"So cool!"

"Let's see what's on about nature..."

The former channel was changed to the nature channel. The channel showed a Great White shark attacking a Sea Lion.

"The Great White shark can deliver a death blow in a single bite of its powerful jaws," the narrator said.

"Why can't we have jaws like that," said the creature.

"Why do you want a jaw that powerful?!" Soarin' asked

"It'll be so awesome for us humans, and yeah, that's name of our race, and F-W-I my name is Victor."

"Okay, 'Victor'," Soarin' chuckled.

The camera filming the attack was soon covered by blood in the water, and the seal was ripped into pieces. This event turned Soarin's stomach turn upside down. "You guys enjoy this!?" he disgustedly asked. Victor nodded his head under his gas mask.

"But, why!?"

"Helps learn about things we still haven't discovered yet."

"The rapid movements in the water, and smell of blood will attract other sharks as well"

A wave of sharks was coming in to hunt down on another Sea Lions. "Please change the show! I can't take this anymore!" whimpered Soarin'. Victor couldn't help, but laugh at how disgusted Soarin' was. "Okay, fine." The channel was changed to a news channel.

"A new Anti-Air weapon was created by small team of scientists to help countries defend themselves more efficiently from hostile aircraft," informed a female reporter.

Soarin' looked at the human in the T.V. guessing that was a human female. "Is that a female of your race?" he asked.

"Ya, that's the female version of our race."

The news showed a Sam site launch a missile at a small drone flying the sky; resulting in a big fireball. Soarin' was frightened at the sight, thinking how horrible it would be to get hit by those weapons. "Your race has weapons to take down flying objects?"

"God, your full of questions...Yes, we have the capability to take down objects within the sky. If you fly away from us think twice."

Soarin' couldn't believe how humans were advanced in such weaponry. A rumble sound was heard, and it came from Victor's stomach. "Shit, I'm hungry, how about you?," he asked.

"No, I'm good," Soarin' answered.

Victor got up from the couch, and went towards the large rectangular object in the back of the room. He opened it, getting out what appeared to be a sandwich. He turned around, and headed back to the couch. Victor sat down putting the sandwich to his side. "I don't think you're hazardous, so I think I could take the gas mask off now." Victor slides the gas mask upwards revealing his identity.

"Whoa! You look so different without the mask!" surprisingly said Soarin'.

Victor was white in skin color, and had dark brown eyes. Everything than his face was covered. Victor took a large bite out of the sandwich. Soarin' wondered what the contents were in that meal. "What's in that sandwich?" he asked.

"Some bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and ham."

"So there's meat in there!?"

"Ya, and unfortunately...you are edible to us", Victor said, making a menacing smile.

Soarin' turned pale, and looked like he was about to faint. "Dont worry, you're not on the main course, Hahaha!"

The door of the room opened, and it was Victor's partner. "So he's not hazardous to us, and you took off your gas mask even though you weren't suppost to, but I don't care, time to go meet the generals," he said.

Victor put on his gas mask, and walked out the doorway. Soarin' quickly followed behind him. "So, who are the generals?" Soarin' asked.

"The ones who decide your fate," Victor joked, in a evil manner.

Soarin' gulped, but regained his courage. They walked down the hallway again, making another right into a stairway. They went up to the second floor, and entered another hallway. There was door at the end of the hall, making look like it was the final destination of your life if you entered. They walked past all doors, and eventually reached the end. Victor twisted the door knob, and the trio entered. The room was bright by the large windows it had. The windows showed a great view of the runway and anything outside on the base.

Soarin' quickly saw Spitfire sitting in a chair infront of a large desk. "Spitfire!" he said overjoyed. Spitfire turned around and was relieved that Soarin' was in fine condition. "Soarin', glad to see that you're okay!"

"I'm fine, but what about you?" Soarin' asked, taking a seat by Spitfire.

"I'm also okay, but they explained who they were, and I was surprised that we're not suppost to talk or even exist!"

"Same here, but they showed me nice hospitality, and some amazing things that we have never seen and some very...disturbing". He looked down at the carpet floor.

"Well that's good to hear, but what are the disturbing things?" Spitfire asked.

"I'll explain those later..."

Both pegasi turned their attention towards the two humans infront of them. Soarin' recognized the one on the right in the dark green uniform from earlier, but the one in the dark blue on the left was a mystery. The two humans were staring out the window, pointing fingers at different directions outside as if they were planning something. It went on for about three minutes then they stopped and turned around to face them, giving both a cold stare.

"Let us begin, shall we?..."

Keeping Secrets

Keeping Secrets

"Let us begin, shall we?"...

Both elderly humans gave Spitfire and Soarin' a cold stare. Soarin' was getting nervous at what these two human might have in mind for him and Spitfire, since they were probably in command all of the humans in this location. Spitfire kept calm and waited for what the two humans have to say. The human in the dark green uniform had his knuckles on the desk and the other one had its arms crossed.

"Well now, let us begin," said the human in the dark green uniform. "From what our personnel have said...You two talk?"

"Yes..." both pegasi said in unison.

"Isn't that amazing..." murmured the human in the dark blue.

"To start off, I am General Townes and this is General Granger. We are in charge of this airbase you're in right now."

Well that answers one of my questions... Soarin' thought

Both Spitfire and Soarin' were a bit surprised by the term 'airbase'. Sure, there was Wonderbolt HQ or Academy or Cloudsdale, but not airbase, still they paid full attention to both generals, despite the unknown words of human language.

"So...What are your names?" Townes asked

"My name is Spitfire and this is my friend Soarin," Spitfire said

Granger raised an eyebrow at how peculiar these two pegasi were named. Townes went along with conversation despite their names. "Strange names you both have there, but I guess that will do."

"What do you mean 'strange'?" Soarin' asked, confused at why their names were odd to them.

"Well, you see your names differ very much than from ours, we have a first and last name. I believe you dont have last names do you?" Granger said

"I guess that makes sense, but some of us do have a last name as you humans do," Soarin said

Townes turned around and stared outside the window with his arms behind his back. "Where do you come from Spitfire and Soarin?" he asked, Spitfire and Soarin' looked at each other at the sudden question that came out of nowhere from Townes.

"We come from a place called Equestria," Spitfire said. "I believe that we're not on it anymore?"

No, you're not," Granger answered. "You've travelled a long way from yours to ours, but you got here in such a small matter of time."

"How far are we from our world to yours?" Soarin' asked

"Oh, you're quite far actually. You're about 20 million light years away from your world Soarin," Townes stated

Spitfire and Soarin's jaws hung at such a incredulous answer. Even if they had wings there was no possible way to make a return trip back home by flying. This was beyond bad news for both of them.

"You can't be serious, right?" Spitfire asked weakly

"I'm afraid no, Spitfire. You and your friend are farther from home than you think."

Soarin' was starting to slightly panic due to the vast distance they were from home and if it was possible to return. Spitfire too was also starting to get worried. Her other Wonderbolt friends, her family, anything back home in Equestria was starting to get to her. "Will we be able to get back home though?" Spitfire asked. None of the generals spoke a single word. Townes turned his towards Granger with a concerned gesture. Granger did a single nod back at him.

"Yes, you will be able to return home," Granger said.

"Phew! Oh thank you!" Both Spitfire and Soarin' rejoiced

"But..."

That word quickly terminated the moment of happiness for both of them. "But, what!?" Soarin' asked

"There are a few things Townes and I must privately discuss before you are allowed to return back to your world."

Soarin' sighed that the return trip would take longer than expected, but never the less, he would make it through the wait. Spitfire continued to concentrate at both generals, waiting for what else they had to say for them.

"Our discussion may last a while, so you will be in this room until we return, understand?" Grange said.

"Yes, Sir!" both pegasi replied in unison.

"Very well. Are you ready, General?" Granger asked to Townes.

"Yes, let us leave."

Both generals went around the desk, and passed by Spitfire and Soarin' to the doorway. Townes was about to exit but stopped in between the two soldiers that escorted Soarin' to the room. "You two will provide any service to our guests until we return, got it?"

"Yes, Sir!" The two soldiers replied.

The sound of footsteps exiting down the hallway was heard. They slowly faded away as the distance continued then came silence. Spitfire and Soarin' turned around at the two masked soldiers by the doorway. It was a awkward moment between the two humans and pegasi. The awkwardness was suddenly interrupted when one of them asked,"Do you two need anything?"

Spitfire looked at Soarin' if he needed anything. Soarin' put a hoof to his chin to see if he wanted something. "Do you guys might possibly have a salad or apple pie?" he asked. Spitfire planted a hoof to on her face at the ridiculous question Soarin' asked. "We do have them, but do you need anything, Ma'am?" the soldier on the left asked, which was the one with the clear lenses on his gas mask.

Spitfire was glad that they called her Ma'am rather than 'Miss' or 'Lady'. "I think I'll just have a salad, thank you."

Why do you have to have a crazed obsession with pie, Soarin?...

The soldier turned around, and went down the hallway to get the food they ordered. Leaving Victor again with Soarin', but with Spitfire accompanying this time. Victor went to the back of the desk, and sat down in the large office chair that was placed behind it. He put his arms on his head and placed his feet on the desk. Spitfire and Soarin' stared at Victor as he did this foolish consequential action.

"What? You guys need something from me?" he asked, in his muffled voice.

"No, no. It's just that you didn't go with your friend back their and you're doing something that will get you in trouble if they catch you like this," Soarin' said

"It's alright. We'll take turns and don't worry, I know when to act right or wrong."

"So, who are you by the way?" Spitfire asked

"Soarin' will you please do the honor..." Victor said, spinning the chair towards the window.

"His name is Victor and he was the one that showed me all these things about them."

Spitfire nodded her head at the information she was given to about the human infront of her. Victor stared out the window, but was interrupted by the voice of Spitfire. "So, Victor. Why do they call this place an 'airbase'?"

Victor spun around facing both pegasi. "They call this an airbase because this is where our aircraft our held and maintained."

Spitfire and Soarin' were confused by the word 'aircraft'. They've never heard of such a word. "What do you also mean by aircraft?" Spitfire asked again.

"Machines that fly and are used for almost anything, actually," Victor answered.

"Anything?" Soarin' asked

"Yeah, Cargo, passenger, military, stunts, you name it."

Both Spitfire and Soarin' were surprised at the helpful benefits of aircraft. A sudden voice came from behind Victor, making Spitfire and Soarin' look behind him. "First transport has arrived!"

"Who's talking?" Soarin' asked, surprised by the voice coming out of nowhere.

"Oh, it's the guys outside on the radio.The first of our aircraft are going to arrive here," Victor said "You want to see?"

Spitfire and Soarin' got out of their chairs and went right next to the window. They look over the edge and their eyes went wide at a sight they have never seen before. A huge grey machine was coming in for a landing at the airbase. It slowly made its way down then touching the runway with its landing gear. The loud sounds that it made came through the windows; slightly vibrating them as it landed. Spitfire and Soarin' were astonished on how such a giant flying metal machine can land perfectly like that without any trouble.

"Wooooaahh...." Soarin' said

The C-17 Globemaster III made its way out of the runway then on to the taxiway. It continued down the taxiway and turned to the right. It stopped right next to a hangar, and it lowered the large ramp down of the cargo bay. Spitfire couldn't take her eyes off this machine for a second as it opened up the section behind it. Multiple humans were seen coming in and out of it with multiple objects being loaded out.

"Pretty sweet, eh?" Victor asked

"You humans have the craziest flying machines!" Spitfire exclaimed

"Oh, that's not all...for now."

"This is just...amazing on how these things could fly!" Soarin' said

Victor pulled away from the window, and sat back down in the chair. Spitfire and Soarin' stayed by the window observing the C-17 for minutes then returning to their chairs. "Where did you guys get this idea of that machine?!" Spitfire asked. Victor formed a grin under his gas mask, but removed it to answer her question. Spitfire was surprised at the true look that Victor had under that mask. "Whoa..." She responded

"I know, right?" Soarin' joined in

"I don't know, but humans can have some ideas that are crazy, yet some of them can be very beneficial," Victor said

"Imagine if we got this for the Wonderbolts!" Soarin' said

"I don't think we'll be giving any of you guys our technology, Hahaha!"

A short while later Victor's partner returned with the food they ordered. He carefully put the apple pie infront of Soarin' then the salad for Spitfire. "You could've helped me out, dumbass," Victor's partner snorted

"You know how rude it would be to leave our guests here alone, Jerry," Victor said, with a mischievous smile in return. Jerry groaned, and took a seat in the corner of the room. "Whatever...". Soarin' was stuffing his face with his apple pie and Spitfire properly eating her salad. Jerry took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, letting himself relax for a little. Victor looked at the clock, seeing that it was about mid day. I wonder what the generals are talking about right now?...

Victor spun around again to face the runway. The portal opened up again, and one of the Reaper drones came through. He wasn't surprised at the sight but glad that they made it safely back home. Another Reaper came through then another tagging right behind it. They circled around the airbase; taking their turns landing on the runway. The last drone came through, and it was the Global Hawk. It too circled around then made a safe landing on the runway. Each of the drones made their way into a hangar.

Victor spun around to see if Spitfire and Soarin' had noticed. Nope, none of them had a single clue that the drones have returned or circled around the place. A hour went by and Victor was getting bored out of his mind. "Man, what are they discussing in there? How to build a spaceship or what?" Spitfire and Soarin' were too growing impatient as the delay for the trip kept on lasting. "I hope the crew isn't getting too worried about us," Spitfire said.

"I hope not. They probably think we just stopped by somewhere, but I hope they didn't make the Royal Guard go on search and rescue mission for us! It'll be pointless since where far beyond than they can imagine!" Soarin' replied.

Soarin' thought about what was going on back home. The concerns his fellow Wonerbolt members must have for him and Spitfire. But that voice that came from behind Victor came to his mind. Where did that voice come from? It couldn't be Victor because no one else was there behind him...

"Hey, Victor?"

"What is it?"

"That thing on your back, what is it?"

Victor moved his left arm to grab the radio he had on the back of his right shoulder. He grabbed it, and placed right in front of Soarin'. "It's called a radio. Allows anyone who has this to communicate with others if they have this or any other radio."

"Communicate, how?" Spitfire asked.

"Watch, I'll show you," Victor said. He turned the volume knob to let them hear the constant radio chatter. It was all static at first, but then the room was filled with sounds as the multiple voices of man came through.

"Hey, we're going to move the cargo from the transport to hanager seven. Over...."

*Static*

"Does anyone have the keys to Area B?

"We're downloading the data off the drones then we'll give you the information you..."

"Roger..."

"We're doing a maintenance check on the helicopters, and then we will report back to you..."

*Static*

"Next transport arrives in...uhh...two hours..."

*Static*

Soarin' was amazed how humans can instantly communicate with one another. He could only imagine if Equestria had this technology. The benefits would be endless for them. "Is there some sort of magic that thing has to communicate with others?" he asked

"Magic? Really!? Hahahaha!" Victor broke down laughing at the word 'magic' that came from Soarin, "Magic! Thats not real! Soarin, you're funny!"

Soarin' was confused why Victor thought it was funny that he said the word magic. "What's so funny about that?"

"Nothing...I guess your world is way different than mine."

The sudden sound of footsteps approaching them was heard. The sound echoed off the walls, appearing as if it were multiple personnel were heading towards them. Victor lifted himself out of the chair to see who was approaching. He saw Townes, Granger, and five other soldiers behind him. This cannot be good at all...

All seven of them entered the room. Both Victor and Jerry saluted. "Sir!..." The two generals were again giving a cold stare at Spitfire and Soarin'. Spitfire was hoping in her mind that they can return home without any complications. Soarin' was frozen in his chair, not moving a single muscle until the news was told.

"Well, Spitfire and Soarin' you are allowed to return home..." Granger said

Spitfire and Soarin' leaped into the air, giving each other a high hoof. "But..." That word again immediatley drained the hopes out of them.

"There is one problem..."

"What? What is the one problem?!" Spitfire asked hastily

A silent moment came with no sound being made heard from anything. Granger took in a deep breathe and continued the news he had for them. "...You two are the problem."

"What!?" Both pegasi said in unison

"You endanger our troops..." Granger said, but hesitated to continue on and faced Townes right behind him. "Should I explain them everything, Townes?"

"Go ahead, General. They won't be remebering any of it," Townes said menacingly

Victor knew exactly what Townes meant by that. Ohhhh, shit! This is not going to end well...Spitfire and Soarin' were confused on how they were endangering human troops, but put all ears on the general.

"You see...we were going to travel to your world in the first place, but we didn't know what was on the otherside. So, we sent the drones in survey your world before we would enter. Unfortunately, thats where you came along Spitfire, you attacked one of our drones and persued into our world..."

Spitfire blushed and made sheepish smile at her actions she did earlier. "Hehehe...Sorry."

"No matter..." Townes said, with some frustration in his tone

"Since the drones have returned, we plan to travel and explore your world," Granger stated

"Wait, why can't we introduce you to our society. It will be much easier like that," Soarin' said, giving a opinion to reduce the growing tension between them.

"I thank you for your opinion right there, Soarin. But we do not want to make any associations with any of the civilizations on your world for now, maybe...but not in the beginning of everything. We want to keep it clean and simple for now, and to ensure this proceeds as planned...we're going to make sure that you don't remeber any of this at all," Granger finished.

Spitfire and Soarin' were stunned that their memories of encountering humans were going to be taken away. "Whoa! Whoa! You're going to erase our memories!?" Soarin' cried out.

Townes joined this conversation between the two pegasi and Granger. "Soarin, may I ask what is the purpose of a mouth?" he asked

Soarin' was confused on why Townes asked him that, but answered it. "Well, its made to allow you to eat food and speak words..." Soarin's eyes went small as he realized the meaning why Townes asked him such a question. "Wait! We won't tell anypony! We swear!"

"Well "anypony" is very unusual, but that doesn't concern me. I'm sorry Spitfire and Soarin but this is for the safety of our troops who will be visiting your Equestria in a very short matter of time, farewell. Its been something meeting you two. Gentlemen, you know what to do..." With the final decesion made, both generals exited out the room. Now Spitfire and Soarin' were left with a seven man team of soldiers. All of them, even Victor started to enclose upon them.

Spitfire and Soarin's heart began to race as the soldiers began to surround them. Spitfire desperately searched in all directions to escape humanity's grasp, luckily she saw the path to freedom above their heads. One of them was about to grab her by the hindleg, but she quickly evaded and made a quick dash for the exit. It did work well, but unforunately, she was brought down to the ground by a hand of one of the soldiers. She quickly recovered and kicked one of the soldiers square in the face. The soldier fell back, but immediately got back up with rage coursing through him.

...Uh oh, I think I just made it beyond mad!

Soarin' was having trouble fighting off the soldiers. He quickly dodged to the right; evading a fatal grip from the human. He saw Spitfire zoom past the exit doorway, and made a desperate escape from the humans too. He dodged in all directions from their grasps of death, and made it out the doorway. Spitfire was ahead of him, flying in any direction to get out of this deathtrap. She was about to make a turn when Wham!...A random door was instantly flung open to let her slam into. She slowly slid down from the wooden surface of the random door. "Spitfire!.." Soarin' yelled

Spitfire was barely conscious by the severe impact of the collision. She looked up at Soarin' and said weakly; "Go...just leave me here. You have to find a way back home and warn everypony about these things before it's too late..."

"No! Spitfire, I am not going to leave you here with these oversized gorillas!" Soarin scooped up Spitfire with his forelegs. He was about to fly away but was immediately halted when a shadow loomed over them. Soarin' stopped to look up who it was; It was the human with that goofy smile and the sunglasses with green lenses. Soarin' slowly started to hover back away from it, but the human kept on approaching them. Soarin' raced through his mind on how to get out of the area. If he turned back it would lead straight into the group of humans back in the room and going forth would mean facing the human in front of them.

This is it, there is now way out of this one...I'm going to have to fight this thing to get both of us out of here...

Soarin' gently laid Spitfire on the floor. He positioned himself infront of the human and made a charging stance. The human had a surprised look, but still had that goofy smile. "You dare attack Andrew the Great!? Very well, I accept your small horse challenge, Hahaha!" the human taunted. That really pissed off Soarin, he dragged a foreleg back, readying to make the charge at the human then he let himself go at full speed.

"GRRRRRRRRR.....AAHHHH!"

The human lifted his arms in the air and yelled; "Embrace your destiny!" Soarin' was about to collide with the human, but the human ducked down, catching Soarin' off guard. The human lifted him up and flipped Soarin' to the other side of him; landing roughly on his back. He groaned at the pain, but his Wonderbolt training immediately kicked in and recovered quickly.

"Tough you are little guy," the human said

Soarin' flew up in the air. This time he was going to try to attack from above than charging straight at it. He dived towards it but the human ducked down again, evading the attack. Soarin' grunted that he missed, and came around for another run. He stook a hindleg to pound right on the human. The human saw the incoming threat and turned its torso sideways. It raised a fist in the air; slamming it against Soarin' stomach, letting him drop onto the cold floor. "Gah!.."

Soarin' tried to get back up but the pain wasn't helping at all. He tried to move any legs he could,but his whole body was stiff. The human towered over him with that same smile. It stared at him closely with curious eyes then lifted a boot in the air; positioning to lay a heavy boot stomp on him. Soarin' closed his eyes to not witness the rain of pain that was going to come upon him. This is it Soarin'. Prepare for the end...

He prepared himself for the pain but nothing happened. Seconds went by, and still nothing happened. Soarin' still had his eyes closed and he was starting to get confused. He opened his eyes to see why he hadn't been stomped on, yet. It turned out that he was surrounded by some of the humans that tried to capture him and Spitfire back in the room. All of them were staring at him as he laid there on the ground defeated. One of them crouched right next to him, and it turned out it was Victor.

"Sorry, Soarin'. I know this is hard on you, but you threaten me and my fellow soldiers who are going to your world."

Soarin' ignored his words, and looked where he laid Spitfire down; she was gone. Soarin' felt his forelegs being grabbed and was immediately being dragged across the floor. Soarin' closed his eyes again to ease himself from the pain. He felt the different turns that he and his human captors made as they dragged him down different hallways. Soarin' heard a door open, meaning it was the end of his experience with humanity. They stopped and he was lifted upon a surgical table.

Soarin' opened his eyes to see where he was. He saw that he was in some sort of medical room with Victor, Jerry, and another human in the same uniform as Victor. Victor and Jerry came to his side and strapped him down to the table. "What are you guys exactly going to erase from me?" he asked, in a shaky tone

"We're just going to make sure that you never remebered laying eyes on homosapiens," Jerry answered.

"Homosap- what now?"

"Nevermind..."

"Do you have a family, a home, kids, or a girlfriend?" Victor asked

"I do have a family and a home, but no kids or a marefriend..." Soarin' said

"Marefriend"? I guess thats what you guys call it over there then, but not even a single crush on anyone over there"

Soarin' blushed at that question if had crush on somepony, remebering a certain pegasus he liked, "I kind of do have a crush, but why do you ask?"

"Because we don't want you to panic that you believe we're going to erase everything. All that's going to happen is that you won't remeber any of us or the portal," Victor stated

Well, at least it beats losing everything you know. But thats what the giant floating hole is called...

"Well, Soarin'...I'll probably be seeing you on the other side. But I hope you remember me if you see me, Hahahah!" Victor laughed evilly

Jerry had a flashlight in his hand and approached Soarin'. The light it contained was extremely brighter than other flashlights. He turned it on and shined at Soarin'. Everything went bright, but then Soarin' felt a sharp sting on the left side of his neck. Darkness was starting to slowly consume his eyesight away from him. It came to the point where it now completely obscured his vision and memories.

Those would be his final moments with humanity on Earth before he lost them forever...

***************

Twilight studied her spells as she waited for the letter that contained her request to observe the strange objects at her tree library home would be approved. She hoped that it wouldn't take long, unlike the last time it took to be written back to her. Twilight continued to study her book of spells when suddenly a knock on the door was heard. She trotted to the door to answer it. Twilight opened it, and discovered that there were two peculiar visitors at her door; two royal guard unicorns. Twilight was surprised that two royal guard members were at her doorstep. I wonder why the royal guard is here in Ponyville?...

Twilight cleared her throat and asked, "Hello, may I help you two?"

"Yes, we just want to know if you have seen these two pegasi here, Miss? They went missing hours ago," the guard on the left said, with his fellow partner holding it in his hoof. Twilight observed closely at the image, and was shocked that it was Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts and Soarin one of the members. She instantly thought about Rainbow Dash who was probably really upset that two of her idols are missing.

"Nope, I haven't seen any of these two here or nearby, sorry," she answered

"That is alright, Miss. We thank you for at least helping us in any way possible," said the royal guard.

The two guards departed, and went to the next house to ask the same question. Twilight closed the door and thought about how did two Wonderbolts suddenly vanish. "This is doesn't make any sense! How can two professional Wonderbolts suddenly go missing? I hope this is all a huge misunderstanding or if not, they are at least founded by somepony." Twilight was about two walk back to her book when the front door instantly flung open. Twilight looked back to see who it was, but was knocked down to the floor.She looked up, and saw it was the one and only, Equestria's fastest flyer, Rainbow Dash right on top of her.

"Twilight! Please tell me you've seen these two!" she cried out, leaning over Twilights head, holding the image of Spitfire and Soarin' in a hoof.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I haven't seen any of those two Wonderbolts anywhere..."

"We've got to do something!"

"Rainbow Dash, please calm down. I know that they are missing, but at least have some hope that maybe somepony or the Royal Guard might find them," Twilight said, attempting to calm RD down. Rainbow Dash continued to panic at the mysterious disappearance of her idols. Twilight felt horrible that her close friend was suffering a painful moment of her idols dissapearing out of nowhere. "Rainbow, just please try to calm down, okay?"

"Calm down!? Calm Down!? Without Spitfire and Soarin'...it means the end of the Wonderbolts and my dreams are ruined!" Rainbow dash yelled, holding Twilight by the cheeks in midair. Twilight rolled her eyes at Rainbow Dash's belief of the Wonderbolts ending by two of them dissapearing. "Rainbow, just because two of them went missing doesn't mean it's the end of the Wonderbolts. I'm just asking you to please calm down..."

With a final attempt to calm Rainbow Dash, she did succesfully manage to calm her down. Rainbow Dash started to slowly to ease up, and came slowly to the ground, with a small frown. Twilight went right next and put a hoof on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Rainbow. I bet everypony in Equestria is looking for them right now," she said, trying to brighten up RD.

"I guess you're right, Twilight. I think I'll probably help out in the search for now, but hey...thanks." Rainbow Dash said, heading towards the door.

"What are friends for, Rainbow" Twilight said. Rainbow Dash was about to exit the doorway, but stopped, and turned around to face Twilight. "Hey, what are you doing by the way?" she asked curiously

"Oh, I'm just reading a few books and practicing some spells," Twilight said

"Ppppfff....egghead," Rainbow Dash said, her expression turning into boredom than curiosity. She exited out the doorway, and flew into the air, dissapearing from sight into the blue sky with a cluster of clouds. "You to are also a egghead once in a while, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, under her breathe with a mischievious smile. She closed the door, and went back to her book of spells. Twilight opened the book when suddenly, the letter from Princess Celestia appeared before her. "Wow, that was quick..." She unravelled the letter with her magic and began to read the letter...

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I understand you are filled with great curiosity over these strange objects, but it is very risky if you contain these objects in your home. I have very much faith in you to keep these things a secret, So I now give you full permission to maintain these objects with you for research. But make sure nopony see's this for the safety of Equestria, the only ponies that are allowed to see these things are you friends; The Elements of Harmony. My sister will arive at nightfall with the objects to your location. I am sorry if the objects cannot be delivered earlier, but this is just for security reasons. Please send me letters over your studies of these objects for a better understandment, Twilight.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

Twilight was suddenly filled with glee as her request to maintain the strange object was fully accepted. She couldn't wait until these objects arrived. But she suddenly stopped when she remembered the ominous item that would come along with the rest of the objects; the skull. Twilight put a hoof to her a face as she forgot the skull was going to be in her home for research.Uuughhh....How could I forget that 'it' was going to come along...She was starting to get frustrated where she would put the skull if anypony came over to visit and suddenly have a heart attack if they saw this terrifying thing in her home.

"Now, where would I put this thing If I was going to have some company over here?" Twilight scanned the living room if there was a niding spot to conceal the skull in. "Ohhh...this is so not good!" Twilight travelled all over home, searching for the right hiding spot for the skull.

"...No...No...No...No...No...Ah, Ha!" Twilight found a hiding spot for the skull: a small drawer by her bed. She felt that it was the best spot, but started to have second thoughts about its area of concealment. ...It should be good for now. I don't think nopony should have an idea that I'm holding a skull of unknown origin here. But what would happen if Spike found out I'm hiding this thing here, maybe it's best I show him these things when they arrive....Twilight still had doubts but decided it was the best place to keep it there for now. She trotted down the stairs back into the living room, where her book of spells was.

Spike suddenly appeared from the kitchen, and came into the living room and asked, "Did you get the letter yet?"

"I did get the letter, and Spike?"

"What is it?" he said

"Have you seen the two Wonderbolts Spitfire and Soarin' lately?"

"No...Are they here in Ponyville or are they going to perform nearby?"

"No, it's just that they dissapeared a few hours ago, and I'm wondering if you have seen them," Twilight said concerned

Spike shrugged at the fact he hasn't seen the two Wonderbolts nearby. "Sorry, I haven't seen none of them lately..."

Twilight sighed, and went back to her studying of spells. "It's okay, I guess we'll have to rely on the Royal Guard to find them or some other pony..." Spike left the room, and went up the stairs, passed the bedroom, and into the balcony outside. He stood by the ledge and stared off into the far mountain range on the horizon. ...I wonder what's over there? I've never been to those mountains before, I wonder if anypony has ever been to those mountains or explored what's behind it before? Spike wondered in curiosity of those mountains far beyond than Ponyville on the horizon. Suddenly, he thought of an idea. Spike quickly went back inside and grabbed a small telescope. He extended the telescope outwards and focused in on the distant mountain range for a better close up view.

"Woah...Now that looks really far away, it will probably take hours to reach there. I wonder if Twilight has thought of any plans to travel over there or has already been there?" he asked himself

He also observed the features of the mysterious mountain range. It appeared very ominous by the faint look it had by the few surrounding clouds nearby the place, it felt like there was nothing just beyond it; No trees, no land, no sky...no life. "Hmm...I think I should ask Twilight if she has ever gone over there or possibly will," he said, closing the telescope back to its small form. He went back inside and placed the telescope back into its proper location. Spike walked down the stairs and stopped at a few steps from the end to ask Twilight if she has ever traveled to those peculiar mountains. "Twilight?" he asked

"What is it, Spike?"

"I just wanted to know if you have explored those mountains that are far way? But they are visible from the balcony," Spike said. Twilight put a hoof to her chin at the question Spike asked. "Which mountains exactly?" she asked.

"It's visible from the balcony, come on I'll show you..." Spike went upstairs again with Twilight trailing behind him this time. He grabbed the telescope and exited outwards to he balcony. "You see them now?" He asked, giving the telescope to Twilight.

Twilight levitated the telescope with her magic, and put her right eyen in the scope. "Strange, I've never been to that mountain range before, I think thats where that star..." Twilight instantly remebered that star she witnessed the other night. How it had the ability to move and how it dissapeared into the horizon. That's where that star went the other night, it likely disappeared behind those mountains, but I probably couldn't see those mountains by how dark the night was...

"Twilight?...Twilight?...Helllooo? Twilight?...Hey, don't tell me this is going to happen all over again," Spike said, at Twilight's not responding movements. "Huh!? Oh, Sorry. I just thought about something, that's all...hehehe," she said, with a sheepish smile. "Well have you ever been to those mountains before?" Spike asked, again with his arms crossed. Twilight continued to gaze at the unfamiliar mountains and remebered its special visitor that dissapeared behind them the other night. "No, I haven't been there...but maybe I will someday," she said. Spike shrugged, and went back inside but Twilight stayed behind on the balcony, still staring at those mysterious mountains. "Soon..." she said under her breathe..."Soon..."

Score One for Humanity

Score One for Humanity

It has just been a while since the small incident with Spitfire and Soarin'. Their memories of encountering humans are now nothing, lost forever in time, yet barely few memories of these humans remain and their devoted dreams that have been dreamt throughout the ages...

"Are both of their memories completely erased?"

"Yes, Sir...They won't even remeber a single detail about this place or us"

Townes was back in the same office room where Spitfire and Soarin' were held earlier. He stared out the window at the vast airbase that occupied these lands. It was a quiet, peaceful scenery that has endured for this moment without any disturbances. Townes couldn't help, but smile at the peaceful moment. He then turned and faced Victor who was behind him, waiting silently for him to speak his next words.

"Will there be any small fragments in their memories of us in them?" Townes asked

"Possibly, but that's likely a five percent chance that they will remeber any of us," Vicor said

"Where are they right now?"

"Still in the medical rooms unconscious"

"How long do we have before they wake up?" Townes asked again

"About 5 to 6 hours"

"That's plenty of time..."

Townes knew this was enough time to get rid of both Spitfire and Soarin' before the wake up from their slumber. Now, all he needed to do was to quickly assemble the small strike force and prepare them for the journey. "Corporal, your dismissed, but the briefing starts in thirty-five minutes, and I need everyone to be there on time," he said. Victor saluted, and exited out the room, leaving the general by himself in the room. He went down the hallway, passing by the many unknow doors to both sides then entered made a left, and headed towards the door where Spitfire slammed into. Victor stopped and examined the infamous door. The door had a small dent where Spitfire crashed and a few scratches on it. "Geez...how hard did she slam into this thing?" he asked himself.

He turned the knob and entered its domain. The door led to another hallway, but there were three signs on the ceiling that pointed in different directions. One pointed to the left and said Outside Access, another pointed to the right stating Hangars, and the last one lead straight ahead saying Briefing Room. Although, Victor was by himself in the area, it turns out he wasn't. Two vending machines down the hall by the briefing room quietly humming as the 'Great' Andrew Velazquez stood infront of them, deciding which of its contents to choose.

"What you trying to buy there?" Victor asked

Velazquez quickled looked to the right at him surprised that he made a sudden appearance out of nowhere. "I don't know, maybe some chips or a drink. Victor began to walk towards Velazquez to see what the machines had within them. He came right next to the machine, and also became interested in what they contained. "Hey there's a lot of good stuff in here," Victor said "They got chips, gum, cookies, and a few other things"

"Now, those look really good!" Velazquez excitingly said "Beef Jerky for the trip might come in handy!" Velazquez put in a few dollars and typed in the code to acquire the long lasting dried meat. The vending machine slowly started to push the bag outwards then the packaged meat fell to the metal floor. The small thud sound came next, and Velazquez reached down to grab his purchased food. "Well at least I got something to eat when there's nothing to eat." Victor was puzzled at Velazquez, knowing that there was going to be food during the operation. "You know that there is going to be food while we're on the otherside, right?" he asked

"Yeah, I know. But this is just going to be something small when we're on the move," Velazquez said

Victor stared at the vending machine, deciding what he too should decide to get. It didn't take long for him to decipher what he wanted. Victor put in a few coins and ordered for a bag of chips. "I think this might do for now because I'm getting a little hungry." Velazquez looked at a clock on the wall and saw that the briefing would begin in twenty-five minutes. "So, now what do we do now until the briefing for this whole entire thing starts," he asked.

"I don't know. You want to go see what is happening outside?" Victor asked

"Sure, why not?"

Both soldiers walked towards a window nearby and stared outside to see if any activity was ongoing. There wasn't really much activity happening, just the crews outside unloading cargo from the Globemaster that landed earlier ago. While he was staring outwards, Victor wondered what the other planet might have once they cross into portal and end up on the otherside. It raced through his mind like lightning strikes. I wonder what will happen once we crossover into Spitfire and Soarin's world, but will there be more of their kind or any other types of creatures that doesn't exist in our world? Man, I hope this turns outwell!...

"Hey, what's that?" Velazquez suddenly asked, interrupting Victor's moments of thought. Victor came out of his mind and looked at Velazquez. "What is what?" he asked again. Velazquez pointed a finger at what he spotted. "It's right there flying..." Victor looked at the object that was flying, and was unsure what it was. "I think that's a F-15 or a F-16 flying through here," he said.

The object rapidly turned to left, dissapearing behind a snow covered mountain with the green land at its base. Th object reappeared again and was heading in their direction. "Woah, it's heading this way," Victor said. The object got closer and closer and closer. The object was now in clear eyesight, and revealed the body of an F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft screeched by; creating its large thunderous sounds of speed. The windows violently vibrated and the walls shook as the jet flew by the airbase. Victor winced at this, not by the sounds or the shaking, but that hopefully that it didn't wake up the unconscious Spirfire and Soarin'. "I wonder if that pilot is assigned here to this place," Velazquez asked

"Probably...but who knows," Victor said in return

Victor remebered the briefing and looked at the clock on the wall for the time. The briefing began in just about ten minutes. "Oh crap! We have to be in the briefing session right now!" Both of them quickly headed towards the starting session before it became late. They went down the hallway and entered the metallic doubled doors and stopped to look around the place. The large room was filled with many soldiers and personnel with their voices consuming all the sound in the area. Victor searched left and right to find a seat, but Velazquez interrupted over the loud chattering voices, "Hey there's two seats right over there!" The two walked towards the two seats and, squeezed right in the row filled with personnel.

"Hmm? I wonder where my buddies are at?" Velazquez asked

"They're probably in here somewhere..." Victor said "...But by the way, how did you that we were trying to capture Spitfire and Soarin'?"

"So that's their names? Kind of weird, but...yeah, I was by the vending machines and I heard all the commotion going on. I decided to check what was happening then I heard something was heading my way, and I suspected it was those two. And by all the noise I knew you guys were trying to get them, but unfortunately, by opening the door one of them slammed right into it..."

"Well at least that worked to stop them both, actually!" Victor said

They waited for about five minutes then a door opened at the front left side of the room. General Townes and Granger stepped in, and the area went suddenly into dead silence, All personnel paying full close attention to the two generals. Granger grinned at the sudden disposure of sound, Townes kept a straight look, and cleared his throat to begin. "Welcome, I believe we all know what we're here for, right? Then let's guet started."

The sound of a light switch being turned off was heard, and all room went dark. A projector was turned on, barely brightening the room with its light. A photo of an area was displayed on the screen that was easily recognizable that it was taken by some surveillance craft. "This image here was taken by one of our drones that entered the portal," Granger said "This area is about four miles wide, its cleared out of almost everything, and a perfect spot to send anything through."

The personnel in the room were surprised about the size of the area in the photo. "We don't know exactly what this area might contain, such as plants, creatures or anything else," Granger said. A hand rose in the crowd, and Granger noticed it right way. "Have any of the drones at least spotted any creatures in the area?" a soldier asked

"I'm afraid not, that is one of the things that concern us very much right now," Granger said, then faced Townes "General, would you like to say anything here?"

"Yes, Do we all recall our little incident with our two pegasus friends?" he asked. Large murmurs of agreement were heard among the crowd. "Well that's good to hear because I think they might be more out there..." The room fell silent again at stunning words. Another hand rose from crowd, and Townes answered it, "What's your question?"

"If we do encounter any of those things on the ground or in the air, are we allowed to use lethal force against it?" another soldier asked.

"Very good question you asked there." A staff member suddenly entered the room, and handed Townes a small metallic rectangular item, all the personnel in the room were confused why randomnely a member of the base just entered and handed Townes a small rectangular metallic object to him. "You will be using this device here that will neutralize anything within its range. It does this by spreading harmless radiation we've created into the area. Anything that's not human will be affected and weakened by it. How do you suppose those two pegasus out there suddenly collapsed without any of us using any force?" he said, with a small menacing grin forming on his face.

Again, large murmurs were heard. Some, were about the surprising details about it and the others about if it was safe to us eat all. A hand was raised, and Townes spotted it, "What's on your mind you have to ask?"

The room went silent as the soldier was about to ask his question. "How are you sure it will be safe to use? Since, it is radiation after all".

"We've done numerous tests on it, and has appeared to have no affects on humans. The only things that will be affected are going to some animals or any likely creature you may encounter, and possibly some plants, but that's still unclear," Townes answered. All the personnel were amazed on how such a advanced device was created to handle almost anything. Velazquez had few words on the device, and that was "Damn...". Victor was also surprised, but kind of annoyed that they could have given them that device when they were ordered to capture Spitfire and Soarin'.

"You will all be equipped with this device," Granger added in "And will use any non-lethal force to keep yourself and others safe and to maintain your presence a secret from anything. If you can't turn the device on or it malfunctions or for some apparent reason you lost it, which I hope that doesn't happen, and suddenly you are spotted or caught by any of the inhabitants....you will then have permission to use lethal force to keep humanity's presence a secret, understood?"

"Yes, Sir!" the crowd said in unison. Townes decided to continue on the briefing to keep everything on track. "Now, that you have been informed of the device, I'm going to explain what your orders are going to be once your on the planet. The mission will be called Operation Galactic Footstep. You will patrol the planet and report anything you spot out there. And what I mean by 'anything' I mean everything! Every single mountain, river, hill, creature, location! We cannot afford to be compromised on this very crucial mission that man has always dreamed of! Are you all with me or will you fail and let down everyone you know!"

"No, Sir!" the crowd roared

"Very well, You will work together with Stryker's and there will be six squads in the beginning of this operation: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta plus two extra. The Stryker's will transport you across the portal then begin your patrolling missions. Alpha and Bravo will be together and choose any direction to patrol. Charlie and Delta will also do the same thing, the two extras will be called Echo and Foxtrot. Echo will be with Alpha and Bravo, and Foxtrot with Charlie and Delta"

"Where are my two helicopter pilots that participating in the beginnig of the operation?" Granger asked, scanning left and right to spot the pilots in the crowd. "Over here, sir!" a voice called, right in the middle of the room. The two pilots stood up to make it more easier to be visible to Granger.

"Oh there you are! Well since you are likely going to be seen by anything out there, just make sure you're not followed around while patrolling, especially on your return to the portal where all our troops are! Now, the good thing is no one will know who you are or what the helicopter is. And if your are persued back to the portal, you are allowed to terminate the target".

"Now, that everything has been practically explained, is there any questions anyone will like to ask?" Townes asked. A hand rose up, and Townes gladly answered it. "What's your question?"

"Will we be patrolling during the day or night?"

"Both. You will constantly be patrolling with the Styker's, but I may recall them back because I have different plans for them".

"And one more thing, General. If we do come across a farm, house, or a town during the day, what should you advice us to do?"

Townes rubbed his chin at the critical question that all should know during the operation on the other planet. "Observe the location and its dwellers, if it has any. When night falls, enter the town to investigate and report anything based upon your findings. Is there anymore questions before the operation begins!?" he asked. There were no hands that rose in the air for a question. "Good, now you will all be deployed in one hour! So, get ready!" Everyone in the room filed out quickly, and went to prepare themselves for a mission that they could have never imagined.

Townes turned around to face Granger with a grin, "Well, General. Here it begins..."

One hour later...

"Ohh Man, this is so amazing!" Alveraz said excitingly

"Yeah, but I wonder what's on the other side?" Ray asked

They were all back in the massive hangar, fully geared and prepared for the mission. Six Stryker's were lined up in hanger waiting for the operation to begin. There was one Company Commander Stryker and five ICV Stryker's, all the vehicles had supplies strapped down on top of them and protected by slant armor. Ray had a piece of paper in his hand that listed the squads and what Stryker they were assigned to. "So, we're in Bravo squad and the squad leader is Staff Sergeant Boxer and we are assigned to Stryker Two," he said.

Velazquez was crouched right next to Alvarez, checking his combat backpack to make sure he had everything in check, and especially making sure his beef jerky was there when he felt a tap on his right shoulder. "I guess we're in the same squad, Andrew!" a familiar voice said. Velazquez got up and turned around to find out it was Victor. "Well, isn't that amazing," he said, in a joking sarcastic tone. "Shut up! At least we're all in the same squad!" Victor squawked.

"Hey! Derri-...Bigfoot! Bigfoot! Hey that's what I'm going to call you for now on, Derrick!" Velazquez said

Derrick groaned and turned to face Velazquez, and surprisingly spoke words, "What do you want, Velazquez?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to tell you that's what I'm going to call you while we're out there! Hahaha!"

"Whatever..."

The majority of soldiers that was participating in the operation were equipped with one eyed or two eyed night vision googles, but all were equipped with the device that spreads the non-lethal radiation to put down targets. It was like if they were the ultimate soldiers, but as always they were still the ordinary human, but highly trained. "Hey look! Two giant walking mutated monster plants!" Velazquez joked, pointing a finger at two Ghilie snipers that were by Charlie squad. The fireteam laughed at his joke, even Derrick formed a smile at his joke. "So, where's your friend?" Velazquez asked

"Oh he's on his way right now. He went to go use the restroom," Victor said

"Better go now or be taking a piss on an alien planet!"

The sound of helicopter blades was suddenly heard, meaning it was almost time to begin. The AH-64 that was participating in the event came into view outside the large hangar doors, hovering above the runway. Some of the soldiers turned to look at it while they were chatting then turned away continuing their conversation. "Does anyone think bringing a Apache helicopter during the 'nice and quiet' part of the operation is a good idea?" Alveraz asked

"Come on, what will be the problem? That helicopter can take care of anything if it's attacked or followed around," Victor said

"I guess your right...But if that thing is spinning out of control and crashes, I am going to be yelling "I knew this was a bad idea!" '

A sudden gust of wind came from within the hangar, and the portal appeared before them infront of the Styker's. Everyone went quiet and faced the portal in awe. The speakers in the hangar were turned on, and Townes voice came through.

"It is time to begin the first step of what man has always dreamed for. The success of this mission will mean you have lead humanity far beyond into the future. You will enter the doorway human, but exiting out will mean you are alien and no one knows who or what you are. We hope for you a safe journey, but you will arrive as heroes upon your completion to the operation. So, commence Opeartion Galactic Footstep! And don't get yourselves or others killed out there!"

After Townes finished his speech, everyone immediately rushed towards their positions. The Styker's lowered down their ramps on the back, and all squads piled into them. The Bravo squad leader was inside the Stryker motioning a hand to enter. The sound of footsteps on a metal surfaces was loudly heard then queitly fell silent. Two soldiers suddely appeared carrying stretchers with a body covered in a dark green tarp over it.

"Hehehe...you guys get the honor to take this pegasus here, and leave it somewhere else before it wakes up", the soldier said.

The two soldiers placed the stretcher in the aisle between the squad. One of the soldier's dusted his hands after placing the stretcher. "Have fun!" he said sarcastically. The ramps raised up, and everyone silently sat there waiting for the Styker to enter the portal. Victor reached down from his seat with a large smile, and pulled the tarp away from the head of the pegasus, "Hahaha! It's Spitfire!" he laughed. The squad was completely shocked that it was the pegasus from before that was wrapped up.

"Holy....This is what we have to ditch out there!" the squad leader Boxer squawked

"Oh this is going to be fun..." Velazquez sarcastically said

"How long does it have until it wakes up?" asked one of the soldiers in the same squad. "Three hours," Victor answered, still with his smile. He covered up Spitfire, and the sudden motion of the Stryker moving was felt.

"Here we go!" Boxer said

"I hope this portal doesn't beat up the vehicle," the driver grumbled

The Stryker slowly entered the portal, and everything inside got a little brighter for the moment. The brightness was then dimmed, and the squad leader opened up the hatch to see what was on the outside. "Holy!!" he yelled "Where the hell are we!?" The squad was starting to get concerned about the sudden reaction from Boxer, and knew that this couldn't be any good. "Hey, what's going out there!?" the rifle team leader yelled.

"Check for yourself!" Boxer yelled back

The rifle team leader open up the hatch above him to see what the situation was all about, "What the...Are we in space!?" Ray opened the hatch right next to the rifle leader, and was awestruck by a sight that he had never seen before. They were in a large tunnel filled with the heavens and cosmos of the universe. His eyes went very wide at the astonishing sight. The sound of the hatch opening by Boxer was heard, and the Vehicle Commander poked his head out of it, "What's all the commmmottioonnn...." The VC also went silent at the sight. The crews from the other Stryker's did the same action, and had the same result. The crews were yelling back and forth from Stryker to Stryker in amazement of the universal tunnel.

Ray looked at the Stryker's in the back of the one he was riding on, and they appeared just as dark silhouettes in the tunnel. Maybe it's the lighting in here that makes them look like this... Ray looked forward ahead of the first Styker, and saw the exit poin of the portal. The Stryker in front was about to reach the exit point then dissapeared into the white light. Ray and the other three quickly closed the hatches and prepared for the exit point. "Next stop alien planet!" the driver said

The brightness returned for the moment, but then immediately became almost dark. "Hey, turn on the lights," Boxer said. The lights inside the Stryker came on. Boxer poked his out of the hatch to check the surroundings of the Stryker "...Clear!". The VC got on the communications system to message the other Stryker's it was clear. The ramp dropped, and the whole squad piled out. The day was almost over with sun barely above the horizon. Ray took a few steps away from the Stryker, and breathed in the first alien air of his life, "Score one for humanity finally setting foot on another planet," he said under his breath.

"Check this place out!" Velazquez said out loud. Large murmurs were heard among the other squads as they took their first steps on the planet. Some of them put on their night vision goggles just for the heck of it since it was getting darker by the minute. One of the soldiers took off his glove, and reached down to feel the grass below. He felt the cold smooth grass run between his fingers, and breathed in a breath of relaxation; "Just like home..." Derrick saw the squad leaders and the Styker Company Commander gathering together, planning for the next big step for the mission. One of them pointed in the direction towards the land that was covered in nightfall, and Boxer pointed out towards the direction where land was barely being covered by the last sunlight. Their body movements meant that they have come to a conclusion of their planning. The Alpha squad leader climbed on top of one of the Stryker's, and faced the crowd of different squads.

"Everyone! Listen up!" All the squads went dead quiet at the voice of the Alpha squad leader. "Alpha, Bravo, and Echo will recon the area where the sun is setting! Charlie, Delta, and Foxtrot will head towards the darkened area of the land!" he ordered, pointing a finger in the direction where the three squads will patrol. "...We're moving out in thirty!" The squads resumed their conversations, and continued to observe the planets features with great curiosity.

"Ray!" Boxer called out "Get your men, and take the 'body' somewhere far from here.."

Ray got Derrick, Alveraz, Velazquez to take Spitfire, and lay her somewhere far from the DZ of the portal. Boxer got his fireteam, and did the same action. Ray and Derrick carried the stretcher, and they headed towards a random unknown direction without delay. The Stryker's were now starting to become nearly invisble by the rapid falling of darkness over these mysterious lands. "So...where are we going to put this pegasus or "Spitfire"? Because that's what Victor called it back there," Velazquez asked, as they walked farther into the unknown land.

"I don't know, but we have to make sure that when it wakes up it's not near any of us or the others..." Ray said

"Why not kill it? It would make our jobs easier" Velazquez asked again, this time completely halting the fireteam's movement. Ray stared at him with a face of disapprovement at him with Derrick copying the same expression, but Alveraz had a confused stare on his face. "Because..." Ray said, in a irritated tone "If we take its life away, that could lead this whole operation being a total disaster. We don't know how may of these things are out here..."

"Ohhh...well good point," Velazquez sheepishly said

They contnued on throught out the darkened land, trying to find a spot to put down Spitfire. Velazquez put on his night vision googles; watching out for any unknown movement in the vicinity. Alvarez looked up to the night sky, admiring its celestial features that it displayed unlike the ones back on Earth. The only light they got to see the way was the faint moonlight that was above; glowing over the alien planet. Alveraz stared at the moon, but found something very odd about it. "Hey, guys...why does the moon have a unicorn on it?" The team stopped again, and turned around at Alveraz's peculiar question.

"What do you mean a unicorn on the moon?" Ray asked

"No, seriously!"

All of them looked up at the moon, and did in fact find out there was a unicorn on it. "Woah! There actually is a unicorn on the moon!" Velazquez exclaimed. Ray and Derrick were dumbstruck that moon did actually have a marking that resembled a unicorn, however, even if it was a sight to see Ray knew they had to put down Spitfire somewhere before the Stryker's rolled out without them. "That's nice, but lets move on," he ordered. As they continued on, a dark small forest began to appear infront of them. "We can ditch the pegasus there," Velazquez said. They entered the forest which made them go on complete high alert since anything can easily ambush them out of nowhere."Stay on guard..." Ray cautiously warned

They continued deeper into the forest, and it was starting to become pitch black. The thick tree canopies blocked any small trace of moonlight. Up ahead it appeared to be some light penetrating the forest from above. Ray cautiously took a few steps to the edge of it, and discovered it was a small clearing that the moonlight shined upon. It looked tranquil and if it was left untouched by anything. "Alright, this is a good place," he whispered. They approached the clearing with Velazquez aiming his rifle right and Alveraz aiming left. Ray and Derrick quickly uncovered the tarp from Spitfire, and removed her from the stretcher then gently laying her down on the soft moonlit grass. Derrick carried the stretcher by himself, and Ray patted Velazquez' on the left shoulder meaning they were done, "Let's go!"

All four them retreated back to the Stryker's in a rush before they were left behind..

**************

Twilight's Home...

The night had already fallen upon Ponyville and all of it's nearby neighbors who lived on the land. Twilight was eagerly awaiting for the arrival of Princess Luna with the objects for her to study upon. The night had already fallen, and it would not be long for the arrival. "I wonder when Princess Luna will get here?" Twilight asked herself. "It's already nightfall so, where is she?" Spike came into the living room with the heavy sensation of sleepiness weighing down on his small tired body, "I don't know what you're doing, Twilight, but I'm going to go to bed. And are you even tired at all?" he asked. Twilight looked at Spike with a sme, but then made a concerned look. "Spike, I'm going to tell you something that is very important, but don't tell anypony about this, got it?" Spike tiredly saluted at Twilight. "Princess Luna is going to be here in any minute with these strange objects that nopony knows where they even came from."

Spike had a confused state under his tired eyes, "What do you mean 'strange'? He asked. "Are they just a bunch of old temple artifacts or something like that?"

"Spike, what I mean by strange is that..." Twilight hesitated to continue, and tried to find a way to explain the situation "Go on," Spike urged. " *sigh*...Spike, they are believed to be alien..." She muttered. Spike completely came out of his state of sleepiness, and was trying his best to hold in his laughter. Twilight noticed that he believed the explanation of the objects that were soon to arrive as a whole joke. "Spike! I'm telling the truth here! These objects look far beyond our own civilization!" Spike broke down in laughter at the belief of the objects were alien. "You!...You!...You think that 'aliens' created these objects! Hahaha!" A sudden knock was heard on the door, and abrupted Spike from laughing.

"Oh good! She's here!"

Twilight trotted to the front door, and opened it. Princess Luna stood at her doorway with her starry mane and tail gently flowing in the air with her two lunar guards behind her. "Greetings, Twilight Sparkle. I have brought forth the strange objects that you have demanded for personal study. Even I cannot figure out what these things are, but with you studying them I anticipate we should have a answer to them soon".

"I thank you so much for bringing the objects here, Princess!" Twilight thanked excitingly

"Why your very welcome, Twilight Sparke" Luna turned around to face her guards. "Guards, Grab quickly the items, and place them inside!"

"Yes, Princess!"

There was another group of her guards that brought a separate a carriage with the items. They quickly unloaded the packaged objects, and placed them inside Twilight's home. Spike curiously watched the multiple rarely seen guards as they placed these boxes into the living room. After for about ten minutes, all the boxes we're safely inside Twilight's home. "I'm afraid I cannot stay for long, and I must be off. I hope that you will find a explanation for these things. Farewell, Twilight Sparkle". Luna quietly departed, and mounted upon her carriage. The guards quickly hooked in back on both carriages; galloping off then rising swiftly in the air, and into the night sky. "Good bye, Princess Luna" Twilight said, even though her voice wasn't likely going to be heard by her.

Spike was standing right next to the boxes with a claw on his chin. "Twilight, are you actually being serious that these things are alien?" he asked. Twilight approached one of the boxes, and slowly started to open one up. "Ohhh I hope it's not the skull," she whimpered. She opened it, and it was the ball shaped object with the ring at the top of it. "Well I wonder what this is?" she asked "Spike, check what else the other boxes have". Spike opened up a box, and reached his claws inside to grab the object. He pulled it out, and it was a helmet that was similiar that Spike once wore Hey, this helmet looks almost the same as this one!" he said, grabbing a olive drab WWll style Army helmet from a shelf then placing it beside the unknown helmet. The unknown helmet was larger and had a greyish green camo pattern on it with a small plastic plate that was strapped on to the front of it.

"Twilight, why do you think it has this part on it rather than mine just being plain?" he asked

"I don't know, but I wouldn't touch it at all. Who knows how delicate these things can be. But why would they look so similiar?"

Spike placed the helmet back in the box, and opened another one to see what it contained. He pulled out a slim tubular object that had a tip at the front of it. "Woah...what is this thing? Is this some sort of pencil or writing utensil?" He asked, feeling its metallic texture, and noticed that it was a shell on the outside, but contained the rest of it inside. Spike tried to pull the inner part of object out, but was tightly sealed in. "I give up..."

"GAH!" A sudden shriek from Twilight was heard, and Spike quickly turned his head at her. "What is it, Twilight!?" he asked concerned. Twilight sat on the floor, trembling in fear of something. She stared at the box that was infront of her, and Spike approached the box infront of Twilight cautiously. "Twilight, is there something in the box that's real or is there something you need?"

Twilit calmed herself down, and regained her composure. "No, Spike...Just don't get terrified about what I'm going to show you right now," she muttered. Spike was confused on how could something that's just a small object can scare Twilight so much. Twilight used her magic to levitate a object that was a pale white. She rotated the object around for Spike to see what it trully was.

"Twilight?....what is that thing?" he said, in shaky voice.

"Spike, I wish I could tell, but nopony knows what this skull is..."

"So, is that actually a....alien skull?"

Twilight signed and shrugged at Spike. "It appeared out of nowhere with the objects sharing the same story...I hope that they haven't possibly shown up, yet," she said. Spike was puzzled why Twilight was concerned if something or pony has arrived and appeared somewhere. "What do you mean "they" haven't possibly shown up, yet?" he asked

"Spike...Princess Celestia and my brother believe that possibly if these objects are alien, the aliens may are already be here in Equestria or may arrive soon. But the other case is that the skull is from a extinct race of monkeys that nopony had ever discovered". Twilight placed the skull back into the box and sealed it.

"Aliens!" Spike cried out "So are they invading or taking over!?"

"No, Spike. That is just a theory, but it can be true..."

Spike's was trembling at the theory that aliens are likely among them in Equestria or on their way. But he suddenly remebred the mountain range that was said to be unexplored by anypony. How it had that ominously look did also raise a few suspicions for him. "Twilight, do you plan to go to that mountain range that's far away?" he asked. Twilight was surprised by the question, and remebered the star that disappeared over it the other night. "Spike...how about tomorrow we go and explore those mountains?" she asked

"Umm...okay, sure!"

"Well good. Because we're leaving early in the morning"

Spoke groaned at the fact that they were going to wake up early which he very much disliked. "Do we really have to get up that early?" he complained

"Unfortunately, yes. But we'll have much more time to explore the place if we get up early, and now it is time for your bedtime..." she said, with a mischievous smile.

"Fine..." he grunted

Spike went up the stairs, and tucked himself in his bed for the night. Twilight looked back at the box where the skull was contained, feeling a sesnation that meant it was something beyond or menacing. She took the skull out, and trotted upstairs to place it in the drawer right next to her bed. She opened it and placed it inside then closing it with a lock attached on. Well at least that's taken care of, but now I have to go organize the other boxes as well... Twilight went back downstairs, and started to organize the boxes all over home where they wouldn't be easily recognized as suspicious.

Now, I guess its time for me to go to bed too for tomorrow...

Twilight turned off all the lighting in her home, then went upstairs again. She covered herself under the bedsheets, and was about to close her eyes, but suddenly opened them again. Twilight stared down below at the area of the balcony; the moonlight faintly shining upon it. She got herself out of her bed, and went down towards the balcony. She felt the cold air swiftly passing through her mane and around her body. Twilight stared in the direction of the unknown mountain range, it was visible this time under the moonlight, but appeared transparent or ghostly. There were few clouds floating over the mountains; darkened by the night sky.

I wonder what's over there? It doesn't look like anything has been there, but what is it that?...

Some of the dark clouds moved away, and exposed a faint small blue light glowing behind the mountain range. It flickered for the moment then suddenly faded away. Twilight felt her heart skip a beat as the theory of extraterrestrial visitors came to her when the light dissapeared. Please don't tell me it's them! Please be a pony, pegasus, or thing that's not alien... Twilight continued to stare at the mountains, but it was all dark; no light came from it or around, complete silence filled the night. Nothing else appeared, and Twilight gave up on observing the mountains. She turned around, and entered her home; tucking herself back in bed again. The light of the moon came through the window by her bedside, shining lightly on her.

Just wait until tommorow, I bet there will be a answer to these objects once me and Spike explore that mountain range...

*************

Ray's fireteam were running hastily back to the Strykers. They quietly traversed the alien land, keeping a low profile from anything that might be resting upon nearby. They had about ten minutes before everyone would start their recon missions.

"Stop!" Ray whispered, the team immediately halted at Ray's sudden command. "What is it?" Alveraz asked. Ray pointed a finger upwards at the night sky. Everyone looked up, and spotted a silhouette flying above ahead of them. Ray suddenly realized the grass reflected the moonlight, making them easy to be spotted from above. "...Drop!" The whole team hit the deck as the object stopped, and floated there looking around in all directions. Derrick looked up at it, and noticed it had wings and a tail, resembling a body of a horse. "I think it's one of those pegasus..." he whispered

The object rapidly flew away, becoming a small speck as it continued into the distance. "Shit...You think we could've been spotted if we didn't drop?" Velazquez asked. "I don't know, but maybe," Ray said. They got up again, and carried on back to rejoin the others. A small mound was just ahead of them, and that's all they needed to cross to regroup. Ray was about to step on the mound when "...Drop!" Ray instantly dropped to the ground at Alveraz's alerting voice. He slowly looked up, and saw it was that same object that flew above them just barely a minute ago. It hovered right above them; turning in random directions. It flew away again, dissapearing over a hill.

"Seriously! What is that thing!?" Velazquez asked

"I think it was another pegasus...it looked almost looked like one," Derrick said

"Pegasus or not, we still have to get back right now!" Ray grunted

They made their journey up the mound then carefully traversing downwards. The Stryker's were still there, and they barely made it just on time. All the soldiers were starting to climb in back into the Styker's, and readying to pull out. Ray and his team entered there Styker, and the ramp closed behind them. "Where did you guys ditch that horse?" Boxer asked. "Hehehe...we 'ditched' it in a forest about a mile away," Velazquez answered "Where did you guys leave the other one?" he asked back

"Somewhere far away from here...I hope it won't spot any of us," Boxer said

The motion of Stryker moving was felt, and their recon mission was about to begin. It was dim inside the vehicle, no one said a single word. The VC was looking at the the computers, observing a map that has been made by the drones while they were observing this planet. "Hey are we able to communicate with the others back on Earth?" Alveraz asked. The VC turned around at Alveraz, "The Company Commander has a very small communications portal that is a implement of the vehicle so...yeah, we can communicate with others back on Earth". The squad was fascinated that a small portal was created to allow communications from any distance everywhere they went. All the lights were off on the outside of the Stryker, and the driver was looked through his thermal sights to see the road ahead, it was all quiet for now...

Fourty-Five minutes later...

"What exactly are we doing again?" Velazquez asked, in a bored tone

"We're suppost to be patrolling, but nothing has been spotted, yet," the VC said "All I see is just a bunch of hills, and the area is just a forest so...it's not a real great idea to drop you guys here..."

"It doesn't feel like patrolling, it feels like we're taking a boring ride..."

It's has been already half an hour, and nothing has been spotted, yet. The VC looked through the night optics through the camera from the gun on top, and started to notice the area was becoming a bit different. The forest stopped spreading to this area, and now the land was becoming plains with a few hills in the background. But a large treeline started to appea, but there was fencing around them this time. "I think we just found some private property," he said.

"What do you see out there?" Victor asked

"All I see is a....well a bunch of fences and I think that's a farm, the angle I'm viewing it at is not helping" the VC said "Hey make a left right here!"

The driver turned the Stryker to the left, and entered the vicinity; the VC quickly radioed the two other Strykers about the situation. The Stryker parked to the left side of the barn, and the other on the right side then one right in the back of the farmhouse. Boxer poked his out of the hatch above him, checking the surrounding area. He gave the word it was clear, and the ramp lowered down.

"Well lets greet our new "neighbors" '....

Before and After

Before and After

One Hour before Spitfire's awakening...

"Time to get up!

Voices were shouting to wake up the sleeping soldiers on the ground. Ray flashed opened his eyes at the loud voices, he got himself up and looked around him; the sun still hasn't risen to start the day, but the moon was shining brightly. The groans of soldiers getting up was heard all over area, some of them put their helmets and others didn't. Velazquez yawned out loudly and stretched is arms in the air. "Man, how long we're we asleep?" he asked, tired.

"I don't know, but it was worth it," replied Alveraz

"Better eat now, than starve later," said a squad leader

The soldiers got their MRE's out and began to eat their preserved food. Ray got his out and looked at it to see what type of meal he had: Beef Ravioli. "It'll do...". He opened up its contents and began to prepare the main course, he then took the first bite out of the meal. Ray then took out the cracker snacks that came in the meal, and also bit into them.

"Kind of wanted something better, but beats being famished," said Velazquez. "But what did you guys get?"

"I got a Sloppy Joe," replied Derrick

"Beef Ravioli," added Ray

"Nice..."

All four were in the middle of their eating, when the portal suddenly appeared before all soldiers and vehicles. "Oh shit, I wonder what they're going to send," a soldier said. All eyes were on the giant spiral vortex, silence only filled them. Its brightness reflecting off the surfaces of anything nearby. Seconds went by, and nothing happened, then a moment passed by; still nothing had happened.

"Uhh, is something suppost to happen, or are they pulling some foolish joke," a soldier said. Murmurs began to grow from amongst the crowd of soldiers. Suddenly, figures appeared from the portal. Ray squinted his eyes to get a better glimpse of the figures from the portal's brightness. The portal disappeared, revealing four ghilie snipers.

"Welcome to the party, amigos!" Velazquez happily announced at the snipers

"So that's all they sent? I though it was going to be a tank or something," said a soldier in disappointment

All personnel went back to eating their meals. The squad leaders approached to confront the four snipers. "Welcome to the planet where all your dreams come true," Boxer sarcastically joked

The sniper infront of him smirked under his balaclava mask, "Isn't that exciting," he said. "Well I'm Master Sergeant Nathan Biller, USMC, We'll be your eyes and ears out there."

"Good to have you here, we already have two of your friends wandering somewhere on this planet." Boxer said, with a smirk.

"Do you know them?"

"Sorry, don't know them, but do you know where they went?" Biller asked, wanting to know their positions on this uncharted planet.

"Oh, one of them went up that mountain over there," Boxer said, pointing at the large mountains far from their position. "The other one went somewhere up there too, but I think he's probably farther away than any of us by now.

"Well lets hope they don't get their cover blown," Biller regarded.

"I have confidence in them that they won't get caught..."

Everyone was now finishing their meals and readying themselves for what was to come. Ray stashed his trash into the MRE bag, and placed in his backpack. Derrick was making sure that his weapon was prepared, and Alveraz and Velazquez checking through their equipment.

"Alright! I got some news for all of you!" the Stryker Company Commander said, out loud. "We just got orders that the Strykers are going to guard the drop zone. So, that means you're all going on foot. Echo and Foxtrot are staying here with us. Everyone else is going to move out in ten."

"So, is there anything that's going on back on Earth?" Boxer asked Biller.

"Not really, but the promised helicopter support will arrive in a few hours," Biller replied. "But by the way, what are you guys going to do while your away?"

"Just scout the planet out and report anything that we see, or encounter out there," answered the Alpha squad leader

"Well, I guess I'll grab my partner, and send the two others on their way as well..."

The moon was now lower in the sky, turning into a transparent circle as it descended. The night sky was starting to turn to a indigo as it withdrew, while dawn was nearing.

"Let's go!" Boxer commanded loudly

Ray strapped on his backpack and grabbed his rifle, the three others formed up with the squad.

"We're going to head up the mountain with Alpha, and we're going to check out what the hell is on the otherside that we didn't cover. Charlie and Delta are also going to do the same thing, but once we get up there the squads are going to split up in different directions. So, we can cover more ground that way. We possibly might also encounter some of our "hidden" friends along the way," Boxer explained. "Any questions?"

"Yeah, I got one, when is the helicopter going to arrive?" Alveraz asked

"In a few hours or midday," answered Boxer. "Anymore questions?"

Silence only remained in the squad. "Alrights let's go."

The four squads embarked on their journey up the mountain. They walked their way up, passing by multiple trees, bushes, and more vegetation. The terrain started to rise the more they approached the mountains. The path was still darkened by the slowly dissapearing night sky, the cold air covering the darkened lands. Ray looked to his right, and saw Alpha squad traveling along with them, just a meters away, he then looked up at the ominous mountains ahead of them. Something tells me that we're going to discover something very odd...

"Where are those four snipers that came through the portal?" Victor asked

"They got a head start and are probably minutes ahead of us," Boxer replied

"Were they assigned a special task or something?" asked Alveraz

"Nope, they're just like us, trying to discover what this planet holds."

The squad started to enter the forest that was at the base of the mountains, the path becoming darker, as the light barely lit the way for them. The trees were but tall shadows; standing menacingly in the path. The sounds of the unknown forest critters rang throughout the dense forest, their noises echoing off the surfaces.

"Does anyone have a bad feeling about this?" Victor asked, suspiciously

"Yeah...this place doesn't look "too" friendly. But I wonder what animals are making those sounds?" Alveraz asked.

"I don't, but let's hope that-" Victor was cutoff when shuffling in the bushes right next to him was heard. The squad aimed their weapons at the bush, Victor slowly took steps backwards away from it. The shuffling got louder; the fingers on the triggers getting itchy. The shuffling stopped and a small rabbit appeared from the bush. The squad lowered their weapons down at the non-threatening animal.

"Jesus! I thought it was going to be some savage animal that was going to jump out!" Victor yelped, at the small rabbit.

"Whoa, I was about to blow its head off," Boxer said, pointing his M1014 shotgun away from the rabbit.

"Phew! I guess we got lucky on that," a squad member added.

"Yeah, but...doesn't it look a bit wierd," Boxer said, pointing a finger at the "strange" rabbit. The squad looked at it with beady eyes, determining if it was strange or not.

"It does kind of look wierd," Velazquez said. "But, we're scaring the shit out of it, just by us staring at it." The rabbit was trembling in fear at the tall unknown creatures it considered. The rabbit lifted its right leg slightly above the ground, and dissapeared instantly out of sight back into the bush. The squad was surprised to see how quickly the small animal escaped from them.

"Whoa, Did you see that little bastard run!?" Victor said, amazed at the rabbits speed.

"Damn, the little guy looked like he was going to have a heart attack," Alveraz said.

"That's cute, but we need to move on! We got no time to waste!" Boxer added, making the squad get back on track. They continued up the path tot he mountains; listening to more of the sounds of the creatures within the forest. Alveraz looked tot he left of him, observing how the terrain went downwards to the side looking really muddy, then raising upwards again with dirt at the top. Some light fog started to roll in the area where the squad was; obscuring the path slightly ahead.

"Uh oh, that shit doesn't look friendly at all..." a squad member cautiously warned.

"Afraid of a little fog," Victor taunted.

"No, but some alien creature could be in there..."

Victor facepalmed at the statement of the squad mamber. "We are all alien creatures here. If there is one that wants to kill us so bad, then we'll gladly put rounds in it. Does that sound good enough?" Victor asked, sarcastically.

"Good enough for me..."

The squad entered the fog-covered path. They had their weapons aimed up, as they continued deeper into the obscuring wall of low clouds. "Man, what would I do to have some thermals sights right now," Velazquez said, as it was difficult to see throughout the fog.

"Wimp..." Victor randomly said.

"Who you calling a wimp!" Velazquez said, childishly.

"Both of you shut up! We're almost out of this crap," Boxer retorted.

The fog slowly started to fade away as the exit approached more closer. The exit revealed the same dirt-covered path that continued upwards up the mountain. "Oh, finally!" Alveraz said, in glee that they came out of the fog. The early morning sunlight begun to penetrate the thick tree canopies from above,striking its warm, orange light on the tree stems, and its rays of light hovered in the air. The forest appeared very mystical and tranquil, as morning already begun to arrive. .

"Now, this place looks way more friendlier," the same squad member added.

"Here we go again..." Victor snorted

Ray looked ahead of the squad and saw two of the four snipers that came from the portal earlier. Ray observed them curiously at these elite marksmen. But they slightly dissapeared from his eyesight, as they easily blended in to the environment. The two snipers suddenly stopped, and they crouched down aiming their weapons upwards. Ray's realized what this meant and immediately alerted the squad. "Everyone get down!"

The squad dropped into the vegetation to the sides of the path and check their surroundings. "Seargant, what wrong?" Boxer asked, still looking around for any likely threats.

"Look at the two snipers ahead of us," Ray replied.

Boxer glanced at the two sniper infront of them and saw they were crouched and aiming their weapons. "Oh shit....that's not good," he said, under his breath.

Ray looked up in the direction where the snipers were aiming at, he didn't see anything, but then it came to sight: a pegasus. It wasn't clear enough to see all details it had, since it was a silhouette by the sunlight shining from behind it. The pegasus then flew above the airspace between the squad and the two snipers.

It floated there turning its head in different directions, then descending to the ground. It planted it hoofs on the dirt path and was now clearly visible for full detail. It was a mare, it had a blue seafoam green mane and tail. The coat color was a light yellow, and the eye-colour also matched its mane and tail.

The two snipers dropped instantly to the ground and gazed at the prime threat to all. The pegasus had a smile as it observed the natural surroundings of the dense forest. It then took steps forwards, heading for the direction of the squad that was hidden with the enviroment.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Boxer hissed, as the pegasus approached them. "Go away you dumb horse...go away!"

The pegasus stopped just meters away from them. But it miracously didn't notice them. It turned around and went the opposite direction, heading towards the two camouflaged snipers. Although they were completely covered, they were still on a dirt path with some slight vegetation; meaning they were still slightly exposed to the naked eye. "Oh shit, it's heading for both of them!" Velazquez whispered out loud.

The pegasus was nearing the two snipers down the path, it was now just a meter away from them. The pegasus took another step, and was now in between the two camouflaged marksmen. It took a single step forward but felt that it stepped on something organic. "Huh?"

The pegasus looked down at where it stepped on, and realized that it was actually something alive, "What the!" The pegasus jumped back from it and the sniper to the right immediately rose up from the ground.

"What are you!?" she cried out. "Some sort of plant monster thing!"

The "plant monster" slowly approached her as she backed away and trembled in fear. The leaves it stepped on crunched loudly as it took single steps. The pegasus looked at whatever it had at the end of its arms; claws or anything else; it had a object that was covered in what appeared to be grass or vegetation on it with a tube in the front. The pegasus lowered herself as the distance between her and the monster diminished. "What are you going to do!?" she yelped.

She then felt that she bumped into tree bark, meaning that now she was cornered against a tree with the plant monster. It approached and stopped a few steps away infront of her. The monster gave her a cold stare under its plant-covered eyes. It pointed the object it had in its grasp at her. The pegasus' heart was rapidly pounding against her chest as the monster pointed the object at her. But it then the monster lifted it up in the air, rotating it sideways, then pointing the end of it at her.

WHUMP!

The plant monster struck her down violently unconscious to the head. "Shit happens...." it menacingly said.

"Holy crap!" Boxer yelled, while getting back up from the ground

"Hahaha! You totally scared the shit out of it!" exclaimed Victor

The squad got back up and approached the sniper with its unconscious pegasus "companion". They circled around the scene, and looked downwards at the pegasus. All of them were shocked at this unexpected encounter. Victor nodded his head at the unconscious pegasus with a menacing smile. "We showed it..."

"Yeah, but...what's it doing all the way out there? I thought there was nothing out here but us," Alveraz said, wandering why this certain pegasus was out here on its own.

"Good question, but who knows why. Now all we gotta do is put it somewhere away before wakes up," Boxer said

"You guys should take it and find a place to leave it," the sniper added.

"I guess we're going with that then. Lancewood, your going to carry it!" Boxer commanded

Derrick grabbed the pegasus and firefighter carried it. The other sniper up the path got up in disbelief at what his partner did, "Man, are you crazy!" he yelled. The sniper with the squad shrugged back at the other sniper. They began their journey upwards tot eh mountain again without delay. While they were traveling up the mountain, Velazuqez curiously observed the markińgs it had on its flank. "Why does it have drops of water on its flank?"

"What do you mean?" Alveraz was confused. "Are you sure that some animal attacked it and left some bites."

"No, I mean, first there's a photo of a horse that has apple markings on it. Now, there's a pegasus that has drops of water as an emblem, or whatever it is," Velazquez said

"I get the feeling it's going to get more weird while we're scouting..."

The morning light begun to emerge more brighter as the sun rose into the sky. Its light bringing life and warmth to the cold, darkened forest. The birds sung, the sounds of wind traveling through the forest, the sky was no longer a silhoutte; it was now a dark blue clear sky. The hills and trees brought much natural diversity to the land. The squad was brought to a halt by a river that divided the land into two. It flowed downwards into a cave. It didn't appear deep but it was best to make sure it was safe to cross.

"Hold up, I'll go check it out," said Boxer.

Boxer went ahead of the squad and observed his surroundings, seeing if there was a large stick or object to make sure the river was deep or shallow. He was able to spot a large stick by a small boulder by the bank of the river. "That'll do."

He grabbed it and placed the end of it into the tranquil, flowing water current. The stick sank a foot down, Boxer withdrew the stick upwards and threw it somewhere randomly; making the sound of a water splash where it landed. He returned back to the squad to inform them of the river depth. "Its shallow enough to cross, lets go." The sqaud proceeded to the river and took their steps into the murky water. Their legs dragging the water everytime they took a step forwards, leaving a stream of water behind, just like a contrail of an airplane. A sudden moan came from the pegasus that Derrick carried was heard.

The squad immediately halted, and turned their heads at Derrick and the pegasus. Derrick too, also turned his eyes towards the very unusual package he carried. "Let's get a move on!" He nervously said, as the pegasus was near to waking up. The squad continued their way up the hill before the pegasus awakens from a painful sleep...

************

Fourty-Five minutes before the incident with the humans...

"Come on, Spike. I gave you an extra hour to sleep, we have to get moving if we want to get there on time."

Twilight was packing her saddlebag for the trip ahead of them, she packed food, water, and a very special item too: the skull. She observed this intimidating head piece of bone, every single detail was recorded down: eye-socket size; teeth; structure. The jaws was the attention grabber for Twilight. The carnivorous teeth it had in the front, yet, there was teeth that was suited for a herbivore creature. "This creature must eat both plants and..." Twilight winced at the word that she didn't want to hear. "...meat."

"Okay, I'm ready," Spike added

Twilight looked took her eyes off the skull, and directed them at Spike. "Well, let's get going."

Twilight gently placed the skull inside the saddlebag and closed the pouch. Spike was surprised to see that Twilight was actually going to take the skull with her along the trip. "Are you sure thats a good idea to take that thing with us?" he regarded. "Because I think it will be nothing but trouble."

"I'm just going to bring it to study it along the way. It might also be our answer to what this thing might belong to," said Twilight

Spike shrugged and walked towards the door to start the trip, he turned back at Twilight who was at her podium, writing down on a small sticky note. "Alright, I'm ready, but what are you doing?"

"I'm just going to leave a note at the door saying that we're going to be away for awhile," Twilight replied, with a smile.

She finished the note by placing a firmly printed period at the end of the sentence. Twilight then strapped on her saddlebag, and trotted towards the door by the awating Spike. They both exited out the doorway, and Spike closed the door; Twilight placing the note on its wooden surface. "Alright, let's go."

Ponyville was barely awakening for the day. The night sky was above them and the moon glowed brightly. Few ponies were outside preparing their shops or stands; a faint orange light barely began to glow from the horizon. Morning was soon to come. Twilight and Spike greeted the early-morning ponies with a smile or a simple "Hello." The street lamp posts softly glowed and reflected its light off the surfaces of the houses, and lit the dirt floor around them. Twilight looked back at the pouch on the saddle where it contained the unpleasant item. I hope it will solve this mystery of aliens or creature it was...

The wide open exit to Ponyville was ahead of them. The mountains were stightly visible by the darkness they were conceived in. The size of the natural large bodies begun to intimidate Spike as they were traveling towards it. "What do you think we're going to find there?"

"I don't know, but I hope we find an answer to this 'thing'," Twilight said, looking backing at the pouch where the "thing" was. "But I forgot to tell you this."

"And what would that be?" asked Spike

"The other night when the packages arrived, I stayed up for a while after you fell asleep. I tried to fall asleep but I couldn't. So, I went down to the balcony to see if it would help me. But it only made me witness a strange event," Twilight said, suspiciously.

"What is a comet or a meteor shower?" Spike randomnely guessed

"No, I saw a light that glowed from behind those mountains. I thought it was something else but...from that far away, it had to be something large or great to produce such a light," Twilight explained

"So, are you saying it was possibly the aliens that you believe are real or it's just a random event?" Spike asked

"I wish I had the answer but who knows who could have done that. But you could be right, it might possibly the aliens."

Spike gulped at that fact it was possible that extraterrestrial beings were responsible for the strange light. They were now out of Ponyville and were on the outskirts of the small town. The morning light was slowly rising from the dark horizon. They travelled the path that went up a hill, and the sight of Sweet Apple Acres was in full view. The apple trees were tall silhouettes and the fields were faintly brightened by the moonlight.

"You think Applejack is awake?" asked Spike

"Maybe, but it doesn't look like it. There's no light coming from the farmhouse or anywhere, actually," Twilight replied

The two headed down the road to the apple farm, they approached the front gate to enter, but there something very peculiar they saw. The ground was marred by prints or tracks of something large. Multiple apples were scattered all over the ground, as if the Apple Family bucked the trees but didn't even bother to pick up the sweet fruit. "Strange, this is very unusual. But why are all the apples all over the place?" asked Twilight, suspiciously.

"Yeah, but you think some animal could have down this?" Spike asked.

"I don't know, but I'm going to check on Applejack to see if everything is alright," Twilgiht said, still suspicious at the sight of scattered apples and strange markings on the ground. They approached the farmhouse where there was more markings on the ground. Twilight was growing concerned for what could have happened to her friend or her family. Twilight neared the door of the farmhouse and knocked on it. "Applejack? Applejack?"

Silence was the only response Twilight got back. Strange sounds were heard from the inside and Twilight put a ear against the door to hear what was the noise. The noise of shoving heavy objects and items was loudly heard on the otherside of the door. Twilight took three steps back away from the door. The door slowly opened with Applejack cautiously poking her head out; her mane was a mess and her eyes were tired.

"Twilight, come in quick!" Applejack whispered

Twilight hastily entered the farmhouse with Spike behind her. Twilight looked around the living room, noticing furniture and other objects were used to strangely block the doorway. "Applejack, why did you barricade the door?" she asked, suspiciously

"Twilight, Ah don't know how to explain this..." said Applejack. "...these things came into Sweet Apple Acres and..."

"And what?" Twilight urged

"Ah don't know. They were walking around the place as if they lost somethin', but it got worse after that," Applejack said

"What do you mean 'worse'?" asked Spike

"There were so many of them. They all looked through the windows to see what was on the inside of the living room, but then they were somehow able to unlock the door."

Twilight and Spike were surprised that these things that visited Applejack's home managed to open a secured locked door. "What did you do next?" Spike asked, excited at the story.

Applejack sighed and continued on her story. "Ah went upstairs and got Big Macintosh to help me out with this problem, but they unlocked the door by that time, and we went upstairs and locked ourselves with Granny and Apple Bloom in my room. They tried to enter my room but they couldn't. Ah thought they were also going to unlock that one too, but Ah think they gave up on it," Applejack explained

Twilight and Spike were now really shocked at the surprising story they were just told, a souden was suddenly heard outside, but it sounded simliar to sounds those creatures made last night. "Uh oh...That's not good," whispered Applejack. The sound suddenly stopped and silence remained. "Why are you whispering?" asked Spike

"Stay quiet! It sounded like one of those things that came here last night," replied Applejack, whispering louder

The sound never returned but Applejack frantically peered through each window to make sure it wasn't one of those things. Twilight and Spike stared at her confused on why Applejack was desperately looking outiside through each window.

"Uh...Applejack? Why are you looking through each window in a hurry?" asked Spike, scratching his head

"Because they could be out there!" Applejack lowly exclaimed

"Applejack, I know you're afraid but how did these things look like?" asked Twilight

Applejack calmed down and sighed to explain, she also rubbed her right foreleg as she tried her best to explain. "Ah don't know how to explain but they were tall and the body shape they had was very...different."

Twilight raised an eyebrow at how the body type Applejack explained. "What do you mean their "body shape" were different?"

"It was just you know, not pony or anything Ah've seen," said Applejack

"It must of have been some strange animal around here," said Twilight

"No, Twilight, they were really different; it didn't look like a animal but more like a creature not from here at all," Applejack lowly said

"What do you mean "not from here"? Spike asked, suspiciously

Applejack sighed at the unexplainable questions she was being asked. "Ah'm sorry, Spike. Ah just don't know what they are or anything else about them, Ah wish I knew but Ah don't."

"That's okay but it's just weird how these thing look like when you told us," said Spike

Twilight turned her head away from the conversation and looked out one of the windows; the sun was starting to barely rise, and she knew they'd have to be on their way soon. She turned back at the conversation, but a sudden strange force came upon her, then went away. "Uh, did you guys just feel something right now?" she asked, confused

"No, why? Did you feel sick for the moment?" asked Applejack

"Must have been nothing," Twilight calmly replied

"Twilight, I want to ask you something," asked Applejack, in a suspicious tone. "What are ya doin' up this early? And why do you have a saddle with you too?"

Twilight happily smiled at the question her friend was asking. "Oh, me and Spike are going on a little trip. We're heading to some mountains just for fun."

"Well, that's sounds nice, I wish I could go. But I've got some work to do today."

"But, Applejack..."

"What is it?"

"Have you noticed those markings outside on the ground?"

"What do ya mean?" Applejack was confused at the question. "Did those things destroy the outside!?"

Applejack approached the door and opened it, but stopped frozen in her tracks at the sight of fog blanketing the farm. It prohibited any view of the apple trees, fields, or anything that was too distant. "What in the hay? When did this appear?"

"Woah, it's like if it suddenly came out of nowhere," Spike said, surprised at the random fog cover.

"How was this able to get here real fast?" Twilight asked confused

Applejack took a step forward out of the farmhouse and checked her surroundings. The area seemingly was empty but Applejack felt there was something mysteriously wrong about this, she then took more steps forward, but she felt that she stepped on an uneven piece of dirt on the floor. "Huh?"

The dirt was lowered down in certain sections or patterns by a large marking on the ground. It appeared as if a giant wheel had rolled over the area. Applejack was shocked by this large unusual marking on the ground. "Twilight...Ah think Ah found the markings on the ground that you mentioned."

Twilight trotted up to her and too, looked at the bizarre marking. "Applejack, did a large wagon suddenly showed up to your home while working yesterday?"

"No, Ah dont recall any large wagons or even carriages coming' here. But what did make this thing?"

"This doesn't make any sense. First there's your encounter with those things, then the markings here on the ground, then this fog mysteriously appears, but I think this is natural fog. But the main question is: what were those things that came here last night?" Twilght asked, growing very suspicious over the recent events

"Ah just hope that whatever it is it won't come back here any more," said Applejack

Twilight looked up to see where the sun was, but saw a hazy line of light in the thick fog. She decided it was best to leave to catch up on time for her expedition to the mountains. "Applejack, I have to get going now. I wish I could stay longer but I can't, I hope everything turns out alright for you and your family."

"Thanks, Twilight. Ah hope you have fun."

Twilight was about to depart, but didn't Spike wasn't anywhere in sight. "Where is Spike by the way?" Spike!"

"Ah think he stayed inside the farmhouse," Applejack said

Twilight and Applejack entered the farmhouse again but Spike wasn't in there either. Twilight was growing concerned on her assistant's location. "Where is he?"

Applejack went outside again to search for him but still he didn't appeared. Suddenly, sounds of footsteps running towards was heard within the fog. Applejack turned her head at the sound and observed closley for what was approaching. Spike appeared running from the fog and out of breath. "Take it easy their, partner! What in the hay are y'all running from?" Applejack asked, suspiciously

Twilight came out of the farmhouse and was relieved that Spike was alright. "Spike, where were you? I was getting worried!" She trotted right next to Applejack to confront him but also noticed that he was out of breath. "Were you running or something?"

Spike caught his breath again and explained. "You've got to believe me! When you two went to go see that marking, I saw something in the fog. So, I went to go see what it was, and it was a creature or a thing. I followed it but it was wierd how it looked like! It was tall and made out of plants or grass, or whatever it was. It turned around and saw me and it started started to approach me! So, I ran away from it. But you really got to believe me!" he cried out

"It was made out of plants?" Twilight was caught by surprise about a creature made out of plants. "Are you sure it wasn't one of the apple trees or your imagination that you mistook for a 'plant creature'?"

"I swear it wasn't a tree or imagination!" Spike yelped

Applejack was growing more frightened if that creature Spike saw was actually those things that invaded her house last night. "Twilght, if he's telling the truth, then Ah'm going back inside the house right now to block the door again. Ah am not taking any chances with those things crawling around here," she stated boldly

"That's okay, we'll also be on our way too," said Twilight, as she begun to depart from Applejack.

"Please be careful, Twilight," said Applejack from behind

"Always..." Twilight replied.

Twilight slowly dissapeard into the fog in Applejack's sight, but something in the corner of her eye caught a object run into the fog-covered apple trees. "What the?"

By the time she turned to see it, it was already out of sight. "Ah hope it was nothin'."

Twilight calmly made her way towards the exit of Sweet Apple Acres, but Spike was on edge as he frantically searched every apple tree for that plant monster. The front gate was emerging in sight and Twilight grinned at the exit. "Ow!" Spike randomly yelped. Twilight stopped and turned around to see what was wrong. "Are you okay?"

"No! A rock just hit me in the back of my head!" exclaimed Spike, in a irritated tone.

"A rock couldn't have just been thrown at you or fallen. So, what did?" asked Twilight, confused

They both faced the path behind them, trying to find the responsible cause for the anonymous rock thrown at Spike. Nothing appeared in sight, but only the fog-covered dirt path and the apple trees to the sides. "Spike, it probably fell from a tree," Twilight suggested

"It didn't feel like it fell from a tree! It felt like it was thrown at me! But why would a rock be on a tree?" he cried out

"Well thrown or not, we still have to get moving."

"Fine..."

BONK!

"SERIOUSLY! WHO'S THROWING THEM AT ME!" Spike shouted, as he rubbed the back of his head where another rock collided. Twilight was shocked by the sudden loud, aggressive tone of Spike. "What's wrong!?"

"Something just threw another rock at me!"

Twilight was now really suspicious over the rock throwing thing. "It can't be Applejack, she's too far to be throwing a rock at you, but she wouldn't do that and the fog wouldn't even allow to see where she was going to throw it; 'if' she did. But what's throwing them?" Twilight looked back at the trail behind them to see if another rock was thrown to point out its origin from where it was thrown from; but not a single rock or pebble was flung at them. "Spike, walk backwards towards exit," she cautiously advised

The two slowly began to walk backwards to the exit as the rocks were no longer being thrown for the moment. It took them some seconds to reach the front gate. They turned to the right and quickly made their way out of Sweet Apple Acres, Spike turned around to make sure it was clear. But his left eye twitched at the sight of the plant creature standing in the middle of the fog-covered road, waving its arm at Spike as he left the property. Spike didn't say any words but coldly stared at the tall plant creature as he travelled further and further away.

****************

Present time...

The squad had already traversed through many terrains as they continued up the mountain. They were still making their way up top but had delays whenever the unconscious pegaus made a twitch or any noise at all. "Hurry!" Alveraz said. The squad begun a fast pace to the top before they experienced a rude-awakening. The path dissaperead and now it was a steep grass covered way up. The squad rushed to the top but some of the members stumbling as they went up.

Ray was infront of the group and was near the top of the troublesome mountain. He took a step forward and planted his boot on the top of the mountain. The others shortly arrived, some of them slightly panting for air. Velazquez came right next to Ray to the left, punching him playfully in the arm. "Showoff..."

"Shut up," Ray replied, with a grin. "But check out the view."

All of them were amazed by such a magnificent sight; the land was so vast and had a color of green that they have never seen before. The sky was a much more colorful shade of blue and they were above the clouds on this mountain. Down below we're large hills that formed canyons that stretched more into this land. Ray looked back and saw a massive hill that obscured the view of the portal's drop zone, but by going to the side of these mountains would allow a great view of the zone, or simply just by going on top of the hill that was behind the mountain.

"This is amazing," said Velazquez

"Isn't that so..." a voice came to his left

"What the!"

A ghillie snipe rose from a bush and stepped out of it to confront the squad. They were surprised to see that one of their own was there the whole time without them noticing. "So that's where you went you bastard," Velazuez mischievously repiied.

"Yup, had a all-nighter up here," said the sniper

"I've bet that was fun...," Jerry surprisingly talked.

"When the hell did you start talking!?" exclaimed Victor, surprised

"Just about now," Jerry replied, under a different gas mask he wore with the lenses acting like a mirror, reflecting anything he stared at. "So, you've seen anything important while you were here?"

"Just some of those pegasus flying out there from far away, but damn how attempting it is to try and shoot one down," the sniper replied, making a fist.

"Don't we all want to hunt some insane sport," Velazquez added

"Of course, But I see you have a certain traveller with you," said the sniper, noticing the pegasus that Derrick carried on his back. "Did you guys kill it or knock it out?"

"Some of your "plant monster" friends knocked it out," answered Alveraz

" 'Plant Monster'?" The sniper forming a smirk under mask. "Is that a nickname you gave us or is it something else?"

"That and it actually talks..." Boxer replied blankly

"Well I'll be damned..."

The squad observed the land from above and it's natural features, how mysterious it appeared. Alveraz was enjoying the view, but some large objects caught his attention. "Hey, I think see some structures down there!" All of them focused their attention at the objects to see if it was structures, and surprisingly it was.

"Well, looks like we found a actual town than instead some apple farm in the middle of somewhere. I guess it's time to go check it out," Boxer said

"Yeah, but we have go in at night, remember?" Velazquez reminded

"Damn, you're right."

Boxer looked up at the position of the sun to tell what of day it was, unfortunately, it would be a long wait until nightfall.

"Randler, come in, over." a voice whispered over the radio

"What is it?" Randler the ghillie sniper replied, putting a hand in the radio he had

"I'm right on the outskirts of a small town and there's a lot of activity in the area"

"You didn't get your cover blown, didn't you? Because I don't know how we're going to rescue you, or you yourself escape the area."

"No, I haven't been seen or...you know what?"

"What?" asked Randler

"I did get a...uh...I think it was a small dragon mad"

The squad immediately looked at Randler when the sniper on the radio said "Dragon". Randler also was dumbstruck by his friend's spoken word. "Did you just say "Dragon"?'

"Yeah, I was in some farm and it was really foggy. And there was also a unicorn! But the little bastard dragon saw me and he followed me, then he took off running scared shitless when I looked at him! It was funny, but they didn't really believe him on what he said"

"Ramirez, are you crazy! You were at the border-line of getting caught!" Randler scolded at him. "It doesn't matter if there a lot of fog to cover you, but stay hidden at all times! But who is this 'they'?"

"It was that unicorn and some other horse, but it wasn't a unicorn. They actually talked! You've got to believe me! But they also discovered tire tracks around the farmhouse. They don't even have a clue it was the Strykers that rolled in. So, the unicorn left with the dragon and I decided to mess around with them!"

"...What did you do?" groaned Randler

"I threw two rocks at the dragon! Man, how pissed he got! But, however, the unicorn turned around and I decided to give up. So, now I'm near this town just watching anything that happens. Oh, and by the way, the unicorn and dragon are heading for the mountains you guys are-Oh shit! I've got to go, some unicorns are heading my way!"

The radio went silent, and everyone still had dumbstruck expressions. They all turned their eyes-sights at the objects that were placed on the land far away. All the information that they have been just infomed about didn't make any sense to them. Unicorns, dragons, that coudln't be true, besides the unconscious pegasus; this wasn't believable to them.

"Dragon?" Velaquez asked, surprised by the peculiar word

"And unicorns!?" Victor was shocked by bizarre information. "That doesn't make any sense! They're not suppost to be real! But if it's a dragon that breathes fire and tries to kill us...I'm gonna blow its fuckin' head off!"

"Calm down, "killer".' said Ray. "They don't know we're here yet. So, let's not try to kill the entire population or alert them."

"But even if it is true," Boxer added. "They're heading our way right now. We can easily hide from them by the size of the large forest, but if another squad sees them...it could turn out very "unpleasant" for this whole mission."

"Not unless we warn everyone about this," suggested Alveraz

"True, but they'll probably won't believe us. But they all know they're not suppost to engage any of the locals; unless they have a proper reason to," Boxer reminded

A moan came from the pegasus and they instantly put all eyes on it. Derrick turned his head around at the Pegasus as one eye slowly started to crack open. "Oh shit!" he exclaimed, dropping the pegasus to the ground. It fell on its side and all the soldiers quickly separated to find somewhere to hide. Velazquez dived into a bush with Alveraz and Victor. Randler dropped back to the ground in the same spot where he was and Ray, Derrick, and Boxer hid behind a log, prone to the ground. Jerry and the three other squad members hid in some large, overgrown vegetation. The pegasus moaned again and slowly rose up from the ground, rubbing it's head where it felt the harsh pain. "What happened to me?"

The pegaus stumbled when it took a steps forward, but was able to get her strength to walk properly. She looked around confused where she was and how she got up there. The pegasus then turned around facing the massive hill, she called out with a squawk if anyone was nearby. "H-Hello?" No response came, but the sound of wind and the trees swaying as they were blown by it.

"Is anyone out there!...there...there..." her voice echoed throughout the land. Randler poked his head above the edge of the bush he was by and observed the pegasus as it appeared very gloomy. The pegasus begun to walk again, but turned to the left seeing strange figure on the other part of the mountain. What is that?...

The pegasus observed these things move about around the mountain, the things then dissapeared by going down the moutnain on the other side of the mountain. The pegasus ignored this and turned around and saw a single tree and a bush right next to each other. I've got to rest, this headache is getting more painful...

The pegasus approached the two natural objects to rest, but she didn't know the other occupant she will have to share it with. She came under the shade of the tree and laid down for comfort. The view was very relaxing and tranquil. Although it was nice, she went throught her memories to remember how she was aced on this mountain. The only image she saw was a figure that appeared to be made out of plants or grass, she couldn't understand why it was the only thing she remebered.

"Why can't I remember anything?"

Randler held his breathe as the pegasus was right next to him, he had his finger on the trigger on his silenced rifle. The only thing he thought about was not moving at all, but he was cursing in his mind as the pegasus did not move away. The pegasus then got up and took a step forward, but unfortunately, it stepped on his arm.

"Huh? GAH!" the pegasus yelped

Randler instantly got up and tackled the pegasus to the ground. The pegasus thrashed around to get the heavy body of Randler off of her. "Get off! Get off!" the pegasus cried out. Randler backed off of her and stood there staring at her with death in his eyes. The pegasus took steps away from creature that appeared in her memories, she realized it and was trembling in fear.

"What do you want from me!? And what are you!"

The creature only stood there staring at her, but then, multiple creatures rose up from behind the plant creature and approached her. They all formed a line by the plant creature but one that was darker in skin-color and had green-lensed sunglasses, approached her rapidly and had a snarl that was combined with a smile. But a strange force came upon her, the grass around the creature lowered down until it was flat. The pegasus felt like collapsing, she remained as strong as possible, but her body could no longer bear this sensation.

She collapsed to the ground and her vision was becoming hazy; the other creatures from behind begun to run towards her, a boot was placed right in front of face, she looked up at the creature and everything was getting bright. The creature became a silhouette and she fell unconscious again...

Not The Only Ones Here

Not The Only Ones Here

The sun was up higher now in the blue sky, the fog had faded away, the lands had transformed and changed. Spike and Twiligt have been walking for about an hour towards the mountains that has dragged there attention this faraway from home. They were on a path in the middle of vast, open green plains. Spike looked up to the dark blue, cloudless sky. There not a single pegasus traversing the air. Spike then looked to his right to the fields; no small critters or anything at all was moving freely around or in sight at all, he shifted his sight to the road ahead, a towering forest in the distance afar.

"Hey, Twilight?" asked Spike.

"What is it, Spike?" replied Twilight.

"Are you sure there's not any you know... 'aliens' out here?" asked Spike, checking to his left and right. "Spike, why would there be any aliens out here? They can't hide anywhere out here, it's too open," said Twilight.

"I guess your right... It's just kind of odd that there's nothing out here but us."

"We're probably in a part of Equestria that nopony has ever really gone but just create a road," said Twilight.

The slightly overgrown grass waved gently, but then they were getting blown quickly. Spike noticed this and kept his eyes on the strange behaving grass. The wind became stronger, too. The way to move forward became difficult. Twilight's mane and tail were blowing rapidly. "What's going on?" asked Spike.

"I don't know! But the wind jsut beacme violent!" shouted Twilight.

The wind died down, and everything mysteriously turned back to normal. Twilight adjusted her mane back to its composure and Spike was wiping the dirt off his arms. "What was that all about?" asked Spike. Twilight looked around the area to see if there was a cause for this anamoly. "I don't know but let's just get out of here before it happens again." The mountains peeked above the forest. There was not a single sign of life no matter how close they got.

"Hey, is that... Spitfire?" asked Spike.

"What do you mean?" .

"Seriously, look up." Spike points a claw upwards to the sky. Twilight raised her head, and surprisingly did see the captain of the Wonderbolts. Spitfire appeared to be in a rush, flying away from the forest and mountains. "That's strange, what it is she doing out here?" asked Twilight, confused.

"Do you think the Wonderbolts are performing out here?" asked Spike.

"Spike, there's nothing out here but us, she's not even wearing her suit that she uses to perform."

They observed Spitfire fly away from them, the distance increasing and increasing. But then she suddenly stopped and floated there. "Why did she stop?" asked Spike.

"I don't know but-" A strange sound was heard, it sounded like it was somewhere in the distance, echoing loudly. The sound was making a rapid cutting sound. The sound felt like it was coming closer, but then it went away, returning silence to the area. "What was that!?" asked Spike, surprised by the strange noise.

"It wounded like wind or-" Twilight barley caught a glimpse of something large disappear into the forest above, "...Spike, I think I saw something fly into forest."

"What do you mean? But what about Spitfire?" Spike turned around to see Spitfire, but she was already long gone. "Well, Spitfire is gone, but did you see a dragon or a Griffon?"

"No, Spike, it looked smaller than a dragon, but it was larger than a Griffon or pegasus."

The sound came back, Twilight and Spike stared in the direction it was originating from, it was getting louder very second passed by. The forest concealed any view of the source of the sound. Twilight was able to notice something moving above the forest treeline, disappearing downwards, then reappearing upwards again. "Spike, don't you see it!"

"I kind of do, but I can't figure out what it is."

Suddenly, it appeared, a large dark object flew out of the forest, and passed by Twilight and Spike overhead, blowing air down on them.The object kept on flying over the path, but then randomnely hovered there went it got some distance. The objects was some sort of machine that was in a dark green paint color, it rotated to its left and right. Twilight and Spike stood there mesmerized with their mouths agape. "What is that thing!" shouted Spike.

"I-I-I...think thats... the aliens," Twilgiht stuttered.

The machine had a long tail, it had short stubby wings with one large tube under each wing, there was also two pairs of four other ones to the sides of the large one. But there was also a very slim tube connected to a larger part under the front area of the machine. There four spinning rapidly spinning propllers on top of it, or its what they belived to be, that kept it in flight. Spike continued to observe this machine and it's strange appearance. "Is that actually alive or is something in it!?" asked Spike.

The machine then rotated around, facing them ahead on, Twilight saw the machine had windows in the front and something was moving in it. "Spike, whatever you do don't move," she warned. The machine tilted downwards and heading towards them. "Nevermind, Run!" The two began to run straight for the forest as the machine approached them. The sound it made was getting louder, the forest grew larger and larger the more they got closer.

"Don't stop running!" yelped Twilight.

The forest was now right in front of them, and they were able to make it inside its safe boundaries that kept them out of reach from the machine. Twilight's heart was racing as she stopped to catch her breath and Spike was on the floor also breathing in the air. Twilight turned back at the path to see if it was still behind them. The machine was outside the forest, hovering very close to the ground, appearing to hover between the trees. Twilight felt the machine was staring at them with the two large parts it had on the sides with a hole in the center.

Spike got back up from and also turned to face the machine, he was able to notice the occupants in the inside of it. But all he saw were helmets with a dark visor. After what it felt like staring forever at each other, the machine ascended in the air and rotated arounded, flying away to the direction where Twilight and Spike came from. They stared at the machine until it became a small object in the sky. "What was that all about?" asked Spike confused. Twilight remained quiet and continued to stare at it. Spike came up to her and waved his claw in front of her head.

"Twilight, Twilight, Twilight!"

"Huh? What!" Twilight came out of her mind. "Oops, sorry... I was just surprised to see that thing."

"I'm also too, but we need to get out of here before it comes back or another one shows up!" shouted Spike.

"Alright, but what was that thing?" asked Twilight.

"I don't know! But if it's the aliens that means..." Spikes eyes went small at the shocking answer. "They're are already here..."

"Spike, we need to get to the bottom of this now," said Twilight, taking steps down the path.

"Are you sure this a good idea?" asked Spike, unsure.

I'm sure we'll be fine." They both continued down the path into the unknown forest, no sound travelled along the empty natural formations, not a single small forest dweller scurried across the path. Tall dark trees stood along the way on both sides, they spreader across all the way to the mountain that raised behind all others around its base, no sign of other flying machines in the air.

"Umm... Twilight?" Spike asked.

"What is it, Spike?"

"I know I'm probably asking too much questions about aliens, but... do you think we'll see any walking around here?" he asked nervously.

"That's one thing I've been wanting to know, I want to know if there is any actually walkg here." Twilight looked down at the ground, "But I hope there not dangerous if we do meet one, or they're all ready all over Equestria."

"Do you think it's just the machine that's the only one here or there is large group of them?"

"Who knows, but the way Applejack described her encounter with those things would mean there's likely many aliens or if they are, since she said there was multiple of them.

Spike also looked down, the questions he wished that were answered were becoming more difficult as they went along. The forest was suspiciously quiet, usually there would be sounds of its dwellers but surprisingly there wasn't. Spike looked up ahead of the path dissapearing into the ocean of trees. A figure suddenly ran across the dirt path and into the brush to the sides.

"Twilight..." Spike was frightened by the anamoly. "Did you see that thing pass by?"

"What did you see?" asked Twilight, raising her head back up and staring at Spike.

"It was this thing or creature, it like tall but it was just one."

"Spike, I think you're being a little paranoid. It was probably a bear that ran by."

The area where the figure dissapeared to was coming close, Spike stared at the spot cautiously as they passed by. There was the sound of a twig snapping, Spike instantly turned his head at the sound, then another twig snapped. "Twilight, did you hear that?"

"I do, it's coming from the brush." Twilight was also staring at the brush to their left side. "Spike, just keeping moving."

The two maneuvered away from the disturbance, the twig snapping stopped, silence returned back to the empty area. Spike checked behind to make sure there wasn't behind them like last time. Okay, at least there's nothi-... A figure came out of the brush and travelled down the path in the opposite direction they were going, but another figure appeared, then multiple figures came out of the brush. Spike lost count on how many we're there, he stared at them in awe, no sense to warn Twilight about this came to his head. One of them turned its head back at him, then turned it back to look forward, but then it instantly faced Spike again; the whole group of things turned around to face Spike and Twilight.

They had something in their grip and raised it at him. The ones that were in front crouched and the ones in back remained standing. One of them raised a object to its head, Spike noticed it had a mouth and was moving. The road curved to the right, and the figures were disappearing from sight as they turned alonged with it. Spike looked back at Twilight who still didn't have a clue that those things were right behind them. "Hey, Twilight?"

"Yes, Spike?"

"Did you see anything suspicious?" Spike asked, nervously.

"No... did you?"

"Hehehe, Me? of course not," said Spike, checking behind them.

Twilight stopped and observed a fork in the road that separated their one path. To the left it led to the mountain they planned to go to, the right was a path that continued more into the huge forest. "I guess we're taking a left then," announced Twilight. Twilight began her travel to the left, but Spike stood there facing the right. Twilight noticed Spike wasn't at her side and looked back at him, "Spike, what are you doing? We need to go this way."

"Oh, sorry, just lost it their for a second."

Spike turned to his left and caught up with Twilight. The mountain was growing more in size as they got closer, The trees were becoming less and was becoming more open. "Help!" a voice cried out. Twilight's ears perked up at the sound of distress. Twilight frantically searched in all directions to locate the voice. Spike, where did that come from!?"

"I don't know! But it sounded close!"

"Help!" it yelled again.

"It came this way! Come on!" Twilight galloped in the directional the voice. The went off the road, and into the brush and vegetation that obscured sight of what was ahead. "Help!" the voice shouted again.

"Don't worry! We're coming for you!" Twilight loudly answered back.

Twilight saw large bushes in front of her and she charged forward to overcome the natural barrier. Twilight leaped through the bush and made a shocking discovery: a pegasus was tied up to a tree. Spike came forth from the bush, and also was surprised. Twilight approached the pegasus and untied her form the tree. "Don't worry your safe with us."

"Oh thank you!" the pegasus shouted in joy. "But you need to get out of here before they return!"

"Who's 'they'?" asked Spike.

"You don't understand! There's multiple of them!" the pegasus yelped.

"Please calm down," said Twilight. "But I recognize you from somewhere... aren't yo-"

"Raindrops... Raindrops is my name," she answered.

"Well, Raindrops, what are you doing out here and what happened to you?"

Raindrops looked away saddened and confused, "I-I don't know, I was flying back home from a visit to a relative of mine, then I landed to catch a break, and then..." she was speechless at the unknown answer. "Go on..." insisted Twilight. Raindrops sighed and continued her story, "I accidently stepped on- well what I thought was a plant, but it wasn't, it was a monster or organism made out of plants!"

"Made out of plants? So, it was a creature made out of plants!?" Spike excitingly asked.

"Spike!" Twilight made a glare at him. "If this thing attacked Raindrop, then it's likely going to attack us!"

"Well actually, it didn't really but at the same time it did." Raindrops had a unsure look, Twilight looked at her confused, "It didn't attack you...? But you also said it did." Raindrops rubbed her left foreleg nervously, "Well, it won't attack you unless you step on it. I guess they really hate that or something. But it didn't look like it had intentions to hurt me, just probably in self-defense."

"Well harmless or not, I'm going to solve this mystery!" Twilight made her way to the mountain.

"No wait! Please don't go! There's many of those things!" Raindrops shouted.

Twilight stopped, and glanced over at her confused, "There's more of them? Are you sure it wasn't just one?"

"No! There are other ones who aren't like the plant monsters! But they have the same body shape and size!"

"They're different but have the same figure? Hmm...they can be the same species, but..."

"They can be like us, same species but different types like a unicorn and pegasus," replied Spike. Twilight rubbed a hoof against her chin, as the answer was slightly confusing, but also within range to be answered. "I guess your right, but Raindrops, would you like to come with us? We're going to the top of these mountains." asked Twilight. Raindrops had a gloomy gesture, she looked up at the ominous mountain with fear crawling up her spine, "I-I don't know about that...I think I'm just going to be on my way home."

"Come on, I'm sure nothing will happen. I guarantee it!"

"Umm...okay..."

Raindrops slowly caught up to Twilight still unsure if she made the right decision, "Ok...I guess I'm going with you. But the slightest sign of those things, and I'm out of here!" Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes at Raindrops fear. "Well lets just hope that was the only or at least two of them you say."

"How are you so calm? These things are terrifying!" shouted Raindrops.

"Because you always need to stay clam, even in the most dangerous situations."

"We're doomed aren't we?" asked Spike, hunched over and letting his arms hang, Twilight looked back at him with a glare. "Hey, I believe in Raindrops more than you this time!"

"Don't worry, it will all be fine."

"We're doomed..."

"Spike!"

Twilight rolled her eyes, and concentrated on the path they travelled on, the road now made a direct route to the mountain, nothing appeared to block the way. "Hey, we're almost there! We just got to follow path," happily announced Twillight. Raindrops still had a frightened look, and Spike also and a expression of dissaproval of Twilight's decisions.

"We're are so doomed..."

"Hey!"

********

In the sky above the alien world flew a machine that would be unexplainable to the eyes of the inhabitants of this planet. A Apache attack helicopter flew across the sky, surveying this unfamiliar world. It swiftly curved to left and right as it maneuvered across the obstacles that stood in its way: mountains and large hills. "You got anything?" asked Fencer.

"No, just the never ending green planet," replied Hanler.

"I think we traumatized those two animals back there!" recalled Fencer, mischievously smiling at their recent event with the two 'animals'.

"It was a actually a unicorn, and a small reptile if I'm correct."

"Whatever it was it's long gone now. But keep an eye out for anything...who knows what might be watching us right now," Fencer warned. Hanler looked outside to the right side of the helicopters cockpit, just trees and more land, "Damn, how big do you think this planet is?"

"Who knows, it could probably be bigger than Earth, or the exact size. But do you remember what they told us specifically about those houses that were on clouds?" recalled Fencer. Hanler turned his head away form the window, and down at the controls in forth of him, "Yeah I do...Do you think it's a joke?"

"No, they wouldn't do that! This is the most important step for Man! But if there is houses made out clouds...then lets check it out."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Hanler questioned.

"We're in a flying tank! Who the hell wants to go against a attack helicopter?"

"Unless they swarm us..."

"Forget it! Then we'll just light em' up!" Fencer lowered the helicopter's altitude, Hanler rolled his eyes, and went back to surveying the area, he scanned to the left and saw nothing, then to the right, and saw a large red structure. "Hey, Hey! I see something down there!"

"What is it!?" desperately asked Fencer.

"I don't know but bring us in closer!"

"Roger that!" The helicopter curved to the right, and approached the red structure. Hanler started to notice there was many trees and vast fields surroundings the structure, "Hey, I think this is a farm? But if it is, then where is everyone?" Fencer also scanned the area to spot any personnel. But strangely there was nothing, "I don't see anyone, but I'm going to circle the place to see if there is." He maneuvered the Apache forward, then started to rotate it in different directions when he came to a halt. Hanler looked downwards to the left, and saw more trees, then to the right, but saw a figure disappear behind a tree. "Woah Woah! I saw something down there!"

"Where!?" shouted Fencer.

"Down to the left! Back up!"

Fencer pulled back on the control stick to maneuver away from the possible threat. The two pilots stared down where the figure was spotted once they got some distance. "What the hell was that?" asked Hanler.

"You tell me! You saw it!"

"I didn't get a good glimpse of it! But ke- hold on...I see the thing," announced Hanler, looking through the sight-system. He saw what appeared to be a large bow. Hanler had a confused look at the odd object, "Uhh...the hell is that?"

"The hell is what?" asked Fencer.

"I see a...bow? It looks pretty large for someone."

"I don't see any 'bow'. Are you sure you not imag- wait a minute...I see what your looking at."

Fencer also spotted the object behind the tree with his naked eye. He maneuvered the helicopter around to see what this object really was. Hanler had smirk as they were about to reveal what this bow really was, "Now, let's see what you truly are..." The Apache was in place, and hovered in forth of the object. "What...the...hell..." said Fencer, he stared down at a small pale yellow filly that shook as the helicopter hovered above. "It's a small horse! And it has a bow on its head!?" shouted Hanler.

"Pppfff....Hahaha! This is too funny! Have you ever seen something like this!" Fencer laughed as he thought the sight was humorous. "Oh man...whew! 'I can't wait until we tell the generals about this!'.

"Aww...look at it, it's completely scared of us."

Hanler saw the 'small horse' frightened by the Apache and it's loud noise. Fencer stopped laughing and sighed to calm himself, he slid the helmet visor upwards to rub his left eye when he felt it itch. Fencer slid down the visor when he was down, but caught something in the corner of his vision. He looked to the left, and saw a orange horse running away from them, "Oh don't think we see you! Hanler we got another one over here to the left!" Hanler also glanced over to the left and saw the horse, "Forget this one! Let's see what this one does!"

"I'm on it!"

Fencer rotated the helicopter and slowly pursued the other 'target, knowing they would outrun it'. "Hey, howcome this one's hair is purple? And...holy hell this one has wings!" Hanler announced. Fencer had the targeting monocle's crosshairs on the pegasus, and anticipated for it to fly away, "Come on, fly away pegasus." The pegasus didn't take off, but instead gallop away as fast as it could. Hanler gazed at the pegasus to see if it would get airborne, but it strangely didn't. "When is this thing going to take off?"

"I don't know, bu-"

Knock! Knock!

Fencer slowly rotated his to the right at the sound of something knocking on the window panel, he twitched his left eye at seeing a cyan pegasus angrily staring at him. "HOLY SHIT!" he yelled loudly, the pegasus appeared scared by his gesture and baked away from the helicopter. "Hey what is it!?" asked Hanler, looking back at him. "BACKING UP BACKING UP!" Fencer desperately pulled the Apache away from the area and headed towards a unknown direction. "Fencer! What's going on!"

"You'll see right now!"

"Well, make it quick!"

Fencer rotated the helicopter, once they got plentiful of space away from the pegasus. Hanler stated outward ahead for the anomaly Fencer panicked about it, "I don't see anything." Hanler raised an eyebrow. "Are you alright?"

"I swear! A pegasus was right next to the window!"

"Well, if there was one, all I could say that 'good job' for getting away from it."

"You have to believe me! I saw a pe-"

The pegaus was right next to the window again, and stared at Fencer annoyed. He slowly looked away and stared down at Hanler, "Hanler, can you please look to the right, and tell me what you see," he calmly said.

"Alright alright, now let's see what 's all the comm- the hell?"

The pegasus then came to Hanler's window panel, and crossed its forelegs, giving him a glare. "I'm not really impressed by the stare it's giving me, but that rainbow hair it has and its angry look...then let's see what in can do." Hanler made taunting looks at the pegasus and pretended to laugh at it by pointing a finger. The pegasus looked even more irritated and stared shouting words at them, but no sound came through by the loud rotor-blades. "Aww...it's mad at us how 'cute'. Well, we got no time to waste. So, let's get out of here!" Hanler announced.

"Hahaha! Time to leave this one behind!"

"Pppfff...don't 'terrify' it! Who cares! Let's go!"

Fencer fastly maneuvered away from the pegasus, and proceeded as planned. Hanler hummed a tune, and Fencer concentrated to the area up ahead. "Hey, do you think we lost it?" Hanler asked. Fencer looked down at the instrument panel, then to Hanler. "We probably did...Who wants to chase after a he- huh?" Fencer saw the pegasus flying to the side of the Apache; it still had that annoyed look. "Urrgghh...Come on! We don't have time for this!" he groaned, Hanler also noticed the pegasus and shook his head in disapproval. "This is going to be a real pain if this thin follows us around! Do you want the guys down below t-"

THUD!

The pegasus bumped itself against the cockpit, but had no affect against the Apache's armor. "Okay that's it...contact the guys down below," Fencer commanded, he started heading back towards the DZ. Hanler got himself on the radio to explain the situation to the others. "Uhh...this is Vulture one, we are currently being persued by a pegasus. This is no joke...Uhh...any squads who have a visual on us please respond, over."

"This is Bravo squad we have eyes on you. Do you need help with your problem?"

"We're heading back to the drop zone, and we need to get this thing off us!"

"Alright, we got some snipers in the area. Uhh...we'll contact them, standby."

"Well, there going to get some marksmen to get rid of it," explained Hanler. Fencer stared at the pegasus, then back at the instrument panel. "They better make it quick..."

"Vulture one, this is Hunter Two, we have a visual on you and your flying 'friend', we're on a hill that has a large boulder, how copy? Over."

Fencer and Hanler searched for the hill that was described to have a large boulder. Hanler saw the location and contacted the snipers, "Alright, we see the hill! What do you what us to do?"

"Just stabilize right there, and we'll take care of it..."

"Better make it quick!"

Both Fencer and Hanler stared at the pegasus, and mischievously smiled and waved at it, "Goodbye, whoever you are..." The pegasus stared at them confused. Hanler flipped it off, and the pegasus became bewildered. Pppfff...How much you want to bet its going to be taken out in ten seconds?" asked Hanler, shaking his head at the pegasus. "I say in five!" replied Fencer. The pegasus suddenly put a hoof where the bullet struck, and spiraled towards the ground.

"Ooooohhh!" the two pilots excitingly shouted.

"Thanks for the help, Hunter Two! We're off!"

"No problem, We'll contact Bravo to check out the area where it landed."

"That was something to see!" shouted Fencer.

"Yes it was, now where were we?...Ah yes! Let's go see what this planet has..."

*********

"Bravo squad, this Hunter Two, we neutralized the threat against the helicopter, its all yours now to make sure if the pegasus is dead or not."

"Roger that, Hunter Two, we're on our way."

Ray got off the radio and looked back at the squad, "Lets go see what happened to that thing."

"Right behind you!" replied Alveraz.

The squad began to proceed to the area where the pegasus had landed. Some of the members watched the Apache fly away and become a small, dark speck as it went farther and farther away. "Do you think it's dead?" asked Victor.

"Maybe, but if it is...what are we going to do with it?" Alveraz asked back.

"Sell it for big money!" added Victor.

"No one is going to make a living off it! You sound like a barbarian!" shouted Boxer.

"Maybe I am one!" mischievously said Victor. "In the name of- Ow!" Boxer punched him on the shoulder to stop his foolish actions "Get your shit straight!" Victor rubbed his shoulder, and made a irritated look at him, "Fine.."

"Hey, I think I see it!" Velazquez announced, pointing to a cyan figure in some brush. "Come on let's go!" The squid started to sprint towards the pegasus, all of them aimed their weapons at the pegasus. They secured the area, and cautiously approached it. "Woah, you don't see this everyday," said Alveraz, as he and Velazquez stood in front of it. "Boxer, we got General Townes on the line! He wants to speak with you!" announced Jerry.

"Oh crap! Hand it over!...Sir, yes, we had a-" Boxer continued to talk to the General while the squad stared down at the pegasus. "Damn, where did it get hit?" asked Ray.

"Right here." Derrick pointed a finger at the wound it had. Ray went around and observed closely the damage, "Whoa, they got it under where the wing connects. That's not good."

"Yes, sir...I'll see to it." Boxer got off the radio, and approach the squad. "Well, here's some crazy new for us all; General Townes is planet side here, I explained what happened, and he wants us to bring back the pegasus to the outpost he's established here...we're in for it." The whole squad stared at him surprised. "Is he crazy! Why does he want this thing back here?" asked Victor.

"His ord-"

"Hey, who are you guys an-urgh!" the pegasus yelped by the pain. "Wait unt-" Jerry slammed a boot down on its head, making it pass out right away. "Stay down...it'll be for your own good."

"Well, that works...but, Victor your carrying it this time!" Boxer announced, making a serious stare.

"Ahh, why me!"

Close Encounters of the Unknown Kind

Close Encounters of the Unknown Kind

"Go, Go, Go!"

The squad quietly made their way out of the Stryker, and into the cold outside; all of them scanning the area for any threats. The VC inside the Stryker messaged the other two Strykers about Bravo squad being deployed to investigate the property.

"Damn, it's cold out here," Alveraz grunted, at the cold environment around them.

"Do you need a hug to keep you warm?" Velazquez joked

"No,no,no I don't need you grabbing me," Alveraz retorted, as Velazquez started approaching to actually give him a hug.

"You can't hide your love for my hugs."

"Shut up! Get away from me! And let's get this over with."

"Okay..."

The Stryker holding Echo squad also deployed its troop and began investigating the area. Ray and his team investigated the right side of the farmhouse while the other half of the squad took the left. Ray saw Echo squad exiting their Styker, and quickly went to regroup with them, "Stay here," he ordered. The Echo sqaud leader saw him approaching, and went to confront him as well. "Are you guys going to check the home first?" he asked

"Yeah, we'll check this area out first then we'll contact you guys if we spot anything," Ray said

"Got it, we'll see if that house in the back has anything," the Echo squad leader said, pointing at another structure on a small hill in back of the farmhouse "Alpha is on standby if you guys get into trouble".

"Alright, let's do this..."

The two seperated and returned to their teams. Ray's team were on hold by a few stacked barrrels by the farmhouse. Derrick and Velazquez were next to each other and Alveraz was by the edge of the wall checking around the corner for anything. "This is how it's going to go: We're going to check this house out, Echo is going to check the other structure up the hill in the back, and Alpha is on standby in their Stryker," Ray explained. The team acknolowged the plan, and moved out. They circled around to the frontdoor to meet up with the other half of the squad. The other team was by the door trying to gain access inside. "This is Bravo squad, we're trying to get in the farmhouse, but the door is locked. Over." Victor radioed to all. "So, how do we get in?"

"Shoot both door knobs or put a charge on the door?" a squad member suggested

"No, We're trying to keep this quiet, uh, just find a way to get inside without making noise."

The squad searched around the farmhouse again, trying to find a silent approach to get inside, shining a few bright flash lights through the windows for visiblity of the inside. Derrick stayed with Victor and another squad member by the door, "I know how to pick some locked doors," he said, mischievously smiling. Derrick postioned himself by the door, and got a few small items out from his backpack, then began to manipulate the locked door.

"Where did you learn to pick locks?" Victor asked, curious at Derrick's knowledge at picking locks.

"When boredom strikes, you do anything for entertainment..."

Apple Bloom was lightly snoring in her bed, it was quiet and tranquil during this time of the night in the home of the Apple Family, when a few small thumps and sounds suddenly emerged and interrupted the quiet night. Apple Bloom twisted and turned at the bothersome sounds, after a moment of more sounds she now fully woke up. "What's goin' on out there?" she asked, tiredly. She got herself out of the bedsheets, and approached her bedroom window. Apple Bloom looked to the outside from above, trying to find the cause of the noises, but nothing was in sight. The only things that were visible was the dirt floor, apple trees, and fields. She looked to the right, and there was nothing, then to the left and barely caught something before vanishing from sight, "Huh?" All she saw was a part of something that disappeared by the side of the farmhouse, "What was that thing?"

She constantly looked around to see if anything else was out there, but nothing else appeared. Suddenly, a small noise came from below; making Apple Bloom look downwards at the sound. Her eyes went wide when she noticed two tall shadowy things that were barely visible in the moonlight. Apple Bloom suspiciously observed these things, but all they did was stand there and look in different directions. One of them suddenly looked up at the window where Apple Bloom was, and she instantly withdrew from it, but a strange sensation came over her, then quickly faded away. She was confused why she suddenly felt this but ignored it right away. Apple Bloom was starting to become frightened by these tall things that were outside.

"I've got tell Applejack about this!" she said, exiting out of her room, and quietly going down the hallway to Applejack's room; silently opening the bedroom door, then entering. Apple Bloom saw Applejack peacefully sleeping on her bed, she was about to wake her up when another sound came from the outside, making her to slightly panic. "Applejack...Applejack..." she softly nudged her, "Applejack..."

"What?" Applejack slowly started to wake up from her sleep, lifting herself up, realizing that her little sister was at her bedside, "Apple Bloom, what are you doin' up this time? And why are ya even awake?" Applejack noticed that Applebloom was troubled for a odd reason, "Little sis, is there somethin' wrong?" she asked softly.

"Applejack, there are these things out there..." she said, in a frightened tone. "Ah think there's three of them."

"What do ya mean there's "things" out there?"

"They're really tall and Ah think they want something."

"Okay, Ah'll go see what's out there, and stay here, Apple Bloom," Applejack said, getting out of the bed and heading towards the doorway.

"Please be careful..."

"Ah will, Ah promise." Applejack came out of her room and into the hallway. A strange sound came from the outside, and Applejack's ears perked up at the sound, "What in the hay was that?" She stood still for the moment to see if the sound returned, but it didn't, "Must be some small critter or my imagination." Applejack looked down the hallway at Big Macintosh's room and Granny Smith's then facing the stairs in front of her. Another strange sound was heard, and Applejack was becoming increasingly suspicious at the noise, "Now, what is all the ruckus out there?" She slowly took steps down the stairs, reaching the dark living room. It was all clear, but yet, another strange sound came again, "What is goin' on out there?" She approached a window to see what was responsible for all the noise. Applejack looked to the outside trying to find the cause when suddenly, a tall silhouette appeared in front of the window; obscuring all view of the outside.

Applejack gasped, and fell backwards to the wooden floor, her heart began to race as the thing outside put its head by the window, trying to peek into the inside. Applejack stood frozen in the position where she was; not wanting to move a single limb to avoid detection by that thing or creature. The thing appeared to have some sort of headwear on it, but it had a part that pointed outwards from the front, then going upwards with two tubes above, and the body type it had was very...abnormal than anything else she had seen. It stood there looking into the inside, but wasn't able to notice Applejack by the darkness inside of the farmhouse. It observed there for the moment, then walking away out of sight. What in tarnation was that thing!?

Applejack got back up from the floor checking her surroundings, but a second of one of those things appeared by another window doing the same action as the previous one, and then a third and fourth figure appeared by another window. Applejack frantically looked at each of one of the windows; all of them occupied by those creatures. She slowly started to take a few steps backwards towards the stairs but a strange sensation weighed on her. Applejack started to feel weak, then everything started to get hazy around her, it felt like it was draining her life away, she gathered all her strength to break free from this unbearable feeling, and managed to retreat back up the stairs. She galloped quickly up to her bedroom where Applebloom stood there waiting for her, "Apple Bloom, wake up your brother and Granny! There's more than three of those things!" With that alarming notice, Applebloom scurried off to wake up her two other family members. Applejack went to the window in her bedroom to check if anymore of those things were out there, she looked out and was shocked to see that there was at least a whole group of those things walking through the fields, "How many are there!?"

Applejack saw these tall creatures approaching the farmhouse, and went back down towards the living to check on the creatures outside. She was about to take a step when suddenly, a bright ray of light landed right in front of her on the floor through the window on the left, one of those things had a flashlight in its grasp; searching the insides. Applejack took a few steps back, but the door knob suddenly started to shake, and she knew instantly knew what they were trying to do. But that strange sensation returned to her and she bolted back up the stairs before it overwhelmed her. Applejack entered her room again, and saw Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were in there, both having confused expressions. "What's goin' on here?" Granny Smith asked.

"Granny, Macintosh, there are these creatures just right outside the house! There's so many of them!" Applejack cried out.

"What do ya mean "creatures"? Granny asked again, puzzled by the meanings her granddaughter is saying. "Are they ponies or are they somethin' else?"

"Granny, these things are way different to be a ponies or anything we've seen!"Let me go check if they haven't done anything down there. Big Mac, come with me," Applejack said, both exiting out of her room and went down the stairs, "Oh, Ah hope they haven't done anything, yet." They reached the living room, and the windows we're still occupied by those creatures. Big Macintosh was shocked by so many of these things were outside, then he made a determined look to defend his family.

"Big Mac, no. There's to many of these things for you to handle, who knows what those things can do!" Applejack whispered.

The door knob suddenly started to shake but then stopped, and everything went quiet. All the creatures by the windows pulled away and headed towards the direction of the door. Seconds passed by, and a eerie silenced filled the living room, both Applejack and Big Macintosh stared at the door to see if the creatures would try to do anything else. Moments passed by and still nothing happened.

"Ah think they're gone. Now let's-" The door knob suddenly started to shake, but then stopped again. The lock on the door turned instantly from being locked to unlocked. The two sibling's felt their hearts race as the door was now fully unlocked. "Get back up stairs now!" Applejack whispered out loudly. The two rushed back up stairs back into Applejack's bedroom, and shut the door locking it. "What's goin' out there?" Apple Bloom asked, worried for what was going. "They unlocked the door downstairs!" Applejack cried out. "I think they're -" The sound of those things entering the home was heard, but were barely heard by the small sounds they made. "Wait a minute!" Applejack said, a hint of concern in her tone. "Where's Winona?"

"Ah don't know. Have you seen her, brother?" Apple Bloom asked Big Macintosh.

"Eenope..."

A sound of a footstep on the stairs was suddenly heard, it then took another and another continuing upward. Then the sound of single step was put down on the hallway, and then there was the sound of multiple foot steps coming up the stairs rapidly. All four Apple family members huddled up as the sounds of those things increased, and as they approached closer and closer. Apple Bloom was hugging tightly on to Big Macintosh and Applejack and Granny were frozen in position staring at the door. The barking of Winona came out of nowhere, but then the sounds of footsteps rushing towards her was heard, and a yelp from Winona followed right away. Applejack winced at the sound her pet made and all the possibilities on what they could've done to Winona came rushing to her mind. Suddenly, the exact strange sensation filled the room and came over the four Apple family members, draining their strength away from them. "What's goin' on?" Apple Bloom whimpered, as it affected her.

"No, Not this again." Applejack groaned, as the powerful sensation came over her again.

"Oh my. What's goin' on?" Granny asked, weakly

Apple Bloom swaying her head as the overpowering force drained her strength away, she tried to stay strong but was defeated and fell unconscious on Big Macintosh. "Apple Bloom?...Apple Bloom?" he asked concerned. "Apple Bloom?" "Macintosh take care of her!" Applejack ordered, but this sensation started to consume Applejack strength away as well. Her body felt like it was going to collapse and her vision became hazy again, "Got....to stay strong," she whimpered. The sensation suddenly faded away, and the sounds outside also disappeared. They slowly rejuvanated their strength back to a healthier state, "Please be gone, please be gone," Applejack begged. The door knob to the room started to shake just like the one downstairs, "Oh no..." Big Macintosh said under his breathe. A groan was heard from one of the creatures, as it couldn't open the door and a few faint voices too. "Forget it..." one of them said, then the sounds of footsteps reappeared and travelled back downstairs. Applejack listened closely to the sounds, and heard the door downstairs shut close, "Ah think they're really gone now," she said. "But did it just say something?"

Applejack carefully took a few steps towards her bedroom door and opened it slowly. Big Macintosh moved the unconscious Apple Bloom gently towards Granny and accompanied Applejack by her side. They poked their heads out checking the hallway and down the stairway, but that sensation still lingered along the surfaces of their home, still slightly affecting them, "What in tarnation are these things creating? Some sort of spell to make ponies go to sleep in a very uncomfortable way?" Applejack asked, frustrated. Big Macintosh cautiously headed down the stairs and checked the living room; nothing was in sight, but a few misplaced objects. The door was shut closed with the lock turned back in place, "Big Mac, Ah am not going to take any more chances with these things. Help me cover up this door," she said. They started to place furniture and other objects infront of then door to prevent any of those things to enter again if they returned. "Ah think that's enough. Now, let's go back upstairs to check on Apple Bloom," Applejack said. Please be alright....

They returned back into her room and saw Apple Bloom asleep on Applejack's bed with Granny standing by her side, "Is she alright?" Applejack asked, worried.

"She'll be fine, but what did those things do to make her like this?" Granny asked, in return. Applejack suddenly remebered Winona, and galloped out of her room to find her. She went down the hallway, and found Winona also unconscious on the wooden floor, "Oh Ah hope they didn't damage you." Applejack grabbed Winona by the collar with her mouth and carried her back into the bedroom. Big Macintosh and Granny were shocked to see that Winona also was in the same state as Apple Bloom. Applejack placed Winona on the bed by Apple Bloom, "Ah think we're safe for now since me and Big Mac here barricaded the door downstairs," Applejack said.

"Well Ah hope that stops them if they return," Granny Smith said, in hopes that the makeshift barricade would stop the unknown visitors.

"Ah hope, but Ah think it's safe to go back into our rooms now. Ah'll take care of Apple Bloom here."

Granny and Big Macintosh headed back towards the room, leaving Applejack alone with Apple Bloom and Winona asleep on the bed. Applejack closed the door of her bedroom, and approached the window to check outside. There was not a single trace of those things or anything they could've left behind. Applejack sighed and went back to her bed, she scooted in right next Apple Bloom and wrapped the blankets over themselves. A light snore suddenly came from Apple Bloom and Applejack formed a small warm smile of relief that her sister was fine, "Good night, little sister...Good night."

****************

"Well that was something," Alveraz said

"What do you mean? Finding a farmhouse in the middle of whoever knows where we are or about invading someone's private property?" Velazquez asked, sarcastically

"Finding a farmhouse but I don't know about invading private property."

The whole squad was back in the Stryker heading back the same way they came from. Some of the squad members were starting to fall asleep for a unknown reason. "Hey what did Echo squad find in that house in the back on top of the hill?" Alveraz asked "All they found were jut some barrels and crates," Ray said. "But its kind of weird that the property is actually a apple farm."

"Yeah, but did any of you guys grab any of those apples?" Velazquez asked

"Hell no! Who knows what kind of things those apples might contain or if they even are apples," Victor said

"Good point. But that house we entered-was it kind of weird for you guys the stuff it had inside?"

The awake squad members remebered the contents the farmhouse had while they were investigating the inside of it. Ray remembered the strange photos that hung on the wall that had horses on them and some apples painted on the walls. "Hey did guys notice the pictures on the wall?" he asked. Velazquez put a hand to his chin trying to remeber the insides of the house, "Yeah, I did notice those pictures. One of them had a family of horses on it, but there was one photo that had a horse with a cowboy hat and apples right above of the back legs," he said. "Wait-I think that area was called flank, yeah, it was called flank. Yup, there was apple markings on its flank." Ray kept on thinking about the farmhouse and why it was so strange, despite being on another part of the galaxy. "Velazquez, I can't believe you knocked out that dog so quickly!" a squad member added. "How did you do it?"

"Oh that's easy. All I did was turn on the knock out device, then give a kick to the mutt. And the results are very surprising."

"You are full of surprises."

"Exactly..."

Moments passed by as the long journey back to the portal drop some continued. Half the squad had fallen asleep on the trip, and its awake members slowly started to become asleep one by one. Alveraz's eyes slowly kept on closing on him, but he snapped himself out of it to stay awake. "You wonna fall asleep on my lap, buddy?" Velazquez asked, jokingly "Let's not go over this again, Andrew," Alveraz said, in a tired tone. "I'd rather sleep on Derrick's shoulder than on you."

"Alright, Alright..."

Ray and Derrick were still fully awake and ready for anything. Derrick sat there quietly in front of Ray on the Stryker. But Ray started to notice Derrick had a confused look or was troubled, "Hey what's wrong?" he asked. "Left something behind or about what we're doing on this planet?"

"No, no, Its just that if back on Earth it's about midday and here it's probably the middle of the night-how come some of us are falling asleep quuckly? Though we still haven't tired out of a whole day." Derrick said, confused by the strange anamoly.

"Good question, yeah, that's one thing I've been noticing. But I did feel strange while we were out there. It felt like I was getting tired or falling asleep, but it wasn't the devices we had, since it doesn't affect humans but-I think it's best that we do adapt to the time zones here," Ray said

A sudden bump came on the road shook the Stryker, and some of the squad members woke up to the noise, but went back to their sleep. Derrick squirmed in his seat a little to adjust to a comfortable position, he then looked at the squad members, and noticed they had all fallen asleep. Alveraz was leaning against Velazquez on his left shoulder slightly snoring. Velazquez had his tilted down with his night vision goggles still on, Everyone else was either leaning back in their seats or on someone else's shoulder. "Damn, is everyone sleeping on the job?" Ray asked.

"I guess so," the VC added. "I'm also starting to feel like if I'm going to fall asleep."

"Well that's no good," Ray regarded, at the VC's condition.

"Don't worry. I'll stay awake, but how did it go while you guys were checking the inside of that farmhouse?"

"Kind of weird, but we didn't get into any trouble. Though, there was a locked door on the second floor infront of the stairway. We were thinking about opening it, but we decided to call it off. The other rooms had the covers of the beds all messed up, meaning the occupants living there had probably heard us and locked themselves in that room."

"Well that's surprising, but I just want to tell you guys that the helicopter won't be arriving untill the morning on this planet. The company commander messaged the generals, and they made the decision to put it on hold for now," the VC informed

"The helicopter won't be seeing anything that much even if it's equipped to see in the dark," Derrick added

Fourty-five minutes later...

The return trip had now been almost an hour. Ray, Derrick, and the VC were still awake, but growing tired by the moment. The motion of the vehicle slowing down was felt, and Ray was glad that the trip was already come to an end. The vehicle fully stopped, and the ramp lowered down. The sleeping squad member suddenly awakened, some of them mumbling out a few words as they exited out the vehicle. "Finally..." Derrick groaned, as he made his way out.

The other Strykers from the other three squads pulled up right next to theirs and lowered their ramps down. The different squads exiting their vehicles. The squad leaders and the Stryker commanders gathered again to discuss their findings while they were away. After moments of sharing info, they dispersed and went back to their positions. "Listen up! We're calling it a night," the Alpha squad leader said. "We'll be getting back up again in a few hours to start scouting the planet again. So, better get as much sleep as you can."

All the soldiers from the different squads began to lie down on the ground. Some of them took off their helmets, but some kept theirs on. They used their backpacks as makeshift pillows to sleep let their heads rest on. Velazquez and Alveraz were already asleep on the ground, but Ray and Derrick were barely starting to lie down on the soft grass. Ray removed his helmet and rested his head on his backpack. The moon casted its faint light above all the soldiers and vehicles, Ray stared up at the moon; wondering why it had a unicorn head marked on it. But he felt his eyes lowering down on him as he continued to stare at it. A few seconds passed by, and Ray was now fully asleep under the alien moon.

***************

"Spitfire...Spitfire....."

Spitfire was in her office at the at the Wonderbolt academy reading a magazine on her desk but a unknown voice called her, "Spitfire....Spitfire...."

"Huh? Who's there?" Spitfire frantically looked all over her office as the voice kept on calling her name,

"Spitfire....Spitfire...."

"Show yourself!" she demanded out loud. The voice went away after she yelled at it, and a knock on the door was suddenly heard, "You may enter." The door opened, and Fleetfloot stepped into her office, "Spitfire, is everything all right? I heard you yell. Is there something wrong?" she asked concerned.

"No,no. You must've of heard some thing. I didn't yell or do anything like that, hehehehe....." Spitfire said sheepishly, forming a small smile with a squee.

"Okay....I'll be on my way then."

Fleetfloot closed the door behind, leaving Spitfire alone in her office. Spitfire stood there behind her desk with a wide stare about how crazy she must've sounded to her friend Fleetfloot when she yelled at nothing, "Am I hearing things? Was there a voice calling my name?"

"Spitfire...Spitfire...." the voice returned. Spitfire started to panic as the voice continued to call her name. She covered her ears, but the voice still penetrated the barrier that stopped all sound. "What do you want from me?" she yelped. The voice stopped again and everything fell silent. She slowly removed her hoofs from her ears and looked to both sides of the room seeing it was clear, she sighed in relief that it was over, "Thank you. It finally sto-"

"Aaaahhhhh!!"

A scream from Fleetfloot was loudly heard, and Spitfire rushed around her desk to the door. She flung open the door and looked both ways down the hall. "HELP ME!" Spitfire flew quickly to the left of the hallway, and turned arouse the corner, "What's wrong Fleet-" Spitfire was shocked at the sight of a tall creature that had Fleetfloot in one arm. The creature was a complete silhouette and appeared to have the reflections of water on it, but the reflections were red. The creature was also just a floating torso that curved downwards with what it looked like it's spinal tail bone slightly poking out at the bottom. It turned its attention away from Fleetfloot and directed towards Spitfire, its eyes opened up and they were completely yellow. Then the jaws opened up and revealed a pair of carnivorous teeth in them. Spitfire suddenly realized that the head resembled the skull that was discovered at the academy.

The creature did a deafening scream into the air, Spitfire and Fleetfloot instantly covered their ears as the creature screamed. Other screams that were similar to the creature echoed from far away, "I don't care who you are or what you did, but let go of her!" Spitfire shouted out bravely. The creature gave a cold stare at Spitfire then faced Fleetfloot that was within its grasp, it did a double voiced laugh at her. Fleetfloot started to tremble as it stared at her then she instantly dissapeared in a purple light. "What did you do to her!" Spitfire said furiously. The creature started float towards Spitfire making its small demonic laughs, Spitfire started to back away slowly as the distance between her and the creature closed, "Stay back....I'm warning you!" she said, in a shaky voice.

The creature kept closing in on her and Spitfire lifted into the air. She made a quick look behind her, and noticed there was a wall behind her. The creature growled and leaped forward at her. Spitfire dodged to the side, letting it slam onto the wall behind her; making a large dent on it. "Well that takes care of it. But where's Fleetfloot!" she cried out, thinking where her friend might have gone. Multiple growling sounds came down the hallways. She checked around a corner and her heart skipped a beat when she saw there was at least seven or more of the same creatures just like the one that slammed into the wall. But there was one that was bulky and had a mask on it. "...Bye!!" Spitfire was instantly gone and flew away from the pack of savage creatures.

She flew down the corridors of the academy trying to escape the creatures. "Get off me!" a familiar voice cried out. Spitfire flew towards the source of the voice, and discovered it was Soarin' that was pinned down to the ground by one of those creatures. The creature was trying to bite him, but Soarin' barely managed to keep it away from him, "HELP!!" Spitfire charged in at full speed and powerfully kicked the creature violently on it's side. The creature flew and landed on the floor, making a few groans and gargling sounds as it slipped away from being awake, "You alright?" Spitfire asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks...but what are these things?" Soarin' asked

"I don't know but we have to get out of here!"

"Alright follow me!" he said

They were are about to turn tail and run, but we're stopped at the view of the whole pack of those monsters. "Okay...very bad idea to go that way," Soarin' whimpered. "Come on let's-" Spitfire noticed that Soarin' didn't finish what he was going to say, and looked at him to see what was wrong, "Soarin' are you-" Spitfire's eyes went the widest than ever before at the sight of the creature that was supposedly unconscious had fooled them and had sunken its jaws in Soarin's throat. The creature lowered Soarin' and they slowly started to go under the floor, his mouth quivered, but no words came from them. He looked at Spitfire who had tears in her eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "Get out of here..." Now both him and monster had sunken beneath the cloud floor. Spitfire couldn't move, her mind was empty and she couldn't think of anything. Everything started to collapse around her.

The creature that was bulky and had the mask started to float quickly towards Spitfire, she realized that her doom was coming, but didn't even bother to move. Spitfire frantically started to breathe in rapidly and her left eye started to twitch as it approached her. The large creature extended it arms to the side, opening it's claws up. It was now just about four meters away and leaped at Spitfire with the mask flying off and its eyes and jaws wide open. Spitfire screamed as it was about to come in contact with her....

"AAAAAHHH!!...HUH? What was that all aboutI!?"

Spitfire raised herself up from the grass floor and looked around her to see where she was. She discovered that she was in a small clearing in a forest that she didn't recognize at all, the sun was barely peeking right above the treelines. And the birds were chirping. Spitfire slowly started to calm herself down from that nightmare, "What a horrible dream-But where am I? How did I end up here?" She looked down at her officer uniform; noticing that it was completely wrinkled and covered with dirt and filth, "What happened to me?" Spitfire rubbed her head at a small headache she had and went through her memories trying to solve what happened to her, and how did she end up at the location where she was. All she remembered was being at the academy then Soarin' arriving and her assistant acting strange then pointing upwards at the sky. But when she looked up at the that strange object flying in the sky the memory went blank after that. "What did I see?"

Spitfire went back through her memories again, but there was only a hazy image of something she couldn't determine. All she remembered were tall figures that looked very strange. The figures were shadows with a bright light in the back of them, Spitfire could only recall one of them reaching down for her and that was it, "What were those things?" Spitfire tried to move but the pain of sore muscles prevented her from doing that, she yelped at the pain and tried again. The pain only escalated more, and she fell upon the ground, "What in Celestia's name did happen to me!?" she asked frustrated. The sun rose above the forest and struck her with its blinding rays of light, "Where are my shades?" she went through her uniform to grab her shades, but they were nowhere to be found, "Great....just what I need. I guess have to go on without them." Spitfire spreaded her wings to fly, and rose above the unknown forest and into the sky.

She looked down at the area around her, and didn't even know where she was or heading. But despite the pain to try to find the way back home, it was very nice to look at the beauty of natural landscapes. The forest was small with a few clearings and a river ran along through it then dissapearing more deeper into the forest. There was also a single mountain that accompanied it that was covered in snow and anything around its base, "...Well, this is really nice," Spitfire said. She looked to the right and saw a huge mountain range towering above all. The mountains in that direction contained a very large forest around it, and very ominous in its appearance, "Strange, I've never seen those mountains before." Spitfire stopped and floated there to observe her surroundings. She looked up ahead, and it was just the edge of the forest and the wide plains of grass that stretched all the way beyond the horizon. She then looked to her left, and it was more of the same forest and some hills. "Both directions seem to go nowhere. I guess that means-" Spitfire rotated around to the right and faced the mountains that were unknown to her, "I'm heading that way." Spitfire flew towards those large mountains and its mysterious forest.

Twenty-Five minutes later...

Spitfire was now growing weary of the long flight she had been making since she woke up in that other forest. She had passed many hills, plains, and more to get to those strange mountains. Spitfire passed over a large hill, and saw that there was a large cleared out piece of land below her, "Why is this area suddenly cleared out?" she asked herself. "This part of Equestria must be very strange." Spitfire passed over the cleared area, and was now above the large forest at the base of the mountains. The mountain were now coming in closer as she made progress approaching it. There was a hill with a few trees on it, Spitfire looked at it and saw a figure leaning from the side of a tree then dissapearing behind it, she stopped there to see what was the peculiar thing. "Okay....this place is really creeping me out. I am just going to move along now." Spitfire ingnored the strange thing and flew straight towards the mountains.

The mountains were really close now and she wasn't that far from reaching the top, "Finally!" she said in glee. Spitfire increased her speed and got closer and closer to the top, she lowered down and landed firmly on the glass floor. A small gush wind blew on top of the mountain and passed through Spitfire's mane and tail; swaying them gently along with it. She took in a deep breathe of relaxation, the sun shining down below on the vast lands below and from afar, "When was the last time I felt this great before?" Spitfire admired the view but noticed some small stuctures far in the distance, "I think that's Ponyville down there...Well at least I found the right way."

Spitfire stood there for moments viewing the scenery then spreading her wings to fly. "Time to get moving." She flew into the air and soared across the strange land. The thick forest below obscured all view from above and it seemed lifeless down there. Spitfire made her way towards civilization, but a strange sound echoed from somewhere. She stopped and listened closely, it sounded like if it was loudly cutting or chopping through something rapidly. The sound didn't last long and dissapeared into the land. "What was that all about? I seriously need to get out of here." Spitfire continued her journey back home before anything else strange appeared.

Ten minutes later...

"Oh, thank you! I finally made it back!"

Spitfire gained altitude and headed towards the academy above, she passed by all the cloud homes and training areas for the cadets. Some of the cadets saw her and were surprised that she returned out of nowhere,"Ma'am where have you've been?" a cadet asked, on top of a cloud with another by her side. Spitfire ignored the cadets and headed straight towards the main academy structure, She landed on the runway, and was confronted by Fleetfloot and some other cadets, "Spitfire, where were you!" Fleetfloot cried out, pulling her into a hug, "We've been worried sick and now you appear to us out of nowhere!"

"Yeah-But at least I'm back right?"

"You've been missing for at least a day! We contacted the Royal Guard to find you!"

Spitfire was very confused and shocked that she had been gone for a day, "I was gone for the whole day? How did I end up being missing?"

"You don't remember going missing, Ma'am?" a cadet asked, confused why Spitfire doesn't recall anything that had happened her.

"No, All I remeber is Soarin' arriving here after a training session then seeing a strange object in the sky, but-where is Soarin'?"

"He came here just about half an hour ago, but he went home to rest. And he's just like you: can't remember or know how he even went missing. But what do you mean a "strange object" flying in the sky?" Fleetfloot asked, suspiciously.

"This doesn't make any sense-why can't I remember anything. And that strange object I saw before I went 'missing'...was that cause of my dissapearance?" Spitfire questioned. "But Fleetfloot...will you take over for today? I feel very tired and I've got to get myself back together."

"Sure!" Fleetfloot gladly said, "And you do really need to get back home and rest. You're not really looking that great, either."

"Well, I'm off then. Thanks for covering for me today." Spitfire flew into the air and headed back to her cloud home. "Don't go missing again!" Fleetfloot shouted from behind.

"...Hahaha! Don't worry I won't!"