Chapters The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
“Just stand still and close your eyes.” The Lab tech said, he disappeared behind the two way mirror.
“Fuck my life.” Michael Muttered as a bright flash filled his retinas. When the flash was over Michael opened his eyes to see the room he had been in was gone, it had been replaced by a dark void that seemed to stretch out infinitely but a small sliver of light, similar to light coming under a door, caught his attention. He took a cautious step towards the door, and then another, slowly the light became brighter. Suddenly something pushed Michael through the door, again he was blinded by light. “God Damn it!” Michael shouted as he hit the ground, his eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight but he wasn’t where he thought he was. Instead of being outside the pentagon he was in a very deserted forest, looking at his compass yielded mixed results. North wasn’t north anymore, it was south. “I hate my life.”
Giving up on finding his way back to the pentagon Michael followed his instinct, he followed the path of least resistance to the north east. The forest wasn’t humid but the sun was beating down on him mercilessly like a massive heating lamp, he could barely stand the intense heat. Reaching for his canteen he found it as empty, he cursed his bad luck and continued walking.
“Okay Mikey, you’re in god knows where with no supplies. No water, no idea where you’re going. Just keep your head level and things will be fine, Right?” Michael said to himself, he rolled up his sleeves and gripped his M-16 tightly. He started humming “Devil in Disguise” trying to keep his spirits up. Walking was something he hated, just walking to nowhere specific drove him crazy. He was almost comfortable in his new surroundings when he heard a very loud roar. “Fuck!” he said as he turned to see a massive Creature with a lion’s body but amalgamations of other creatures body parts. The creature charged at him at lightning speed, Michael barley fired a shot before he was grabbed by the monster. “SHIT!” Michael shouted as he felt the muscles of the creature begin to squeeze him. Michael only had one chance, he grabbed one of his grenades, pulled the pin and shoved it down the monsters throat. As the monster gagged he dropped Michael who ran like a mad man from the creature before hearing a loud, wet “BANG!” Michael turned to see the dead body of whatever that thing was lying on the ground. Its head was gone though, what remained was a smoldering mess.
After searching the creature Michael continued walking, his head was aching from dehydration. He thought he had busted some ribs and had also dislocated his arm. He glared angrily ahead, looking for anything else that could possibly go wrong.
“I AM NOT GOING TO DIE IN A FUCKING SWAMP!” He shouted as he began to notice the ground getting thicker and muddier. Continuing his march was an incredible feat from the injuries he had sustained but he was determined to survive, he would keep that promise he made to himself. As if by divine intervention or incredible luck he happened upon a small hut, a very small hut. By this point he was delirious, he could swear he saw a zebra inside the house. He couldn’t keep going anymore and succumb to the dehydration and pain. Before he shut his eyes he saw a zebra standing over him then it was darkness.
“Twilight my friend I must say, I never thought I’d see the day.” A voice said, Michael opened his eyes slowly he only wore fatigue pants, His boots and a T-shirt. When his eyes were fully open he saw a war mask staring right back at him. Rolling out of the bed and standing up he saw dozens more. “Well this is not a joke I would say it has awoke” the same voice said. Michael looked for the source but only saw the unicorn that he was sure was just an illusion of his water deprived mind, it wasn’t alone this time though. A Purple Unicorn was standing next to her just staring at Michael.
“What the hell? Where am I? WHO OR WHAT ARE YOU!” Michael shouted, the purple one’s horn glowed as it stepped forward. “STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!”
“Calm yourself my hairless friend we will not be your end.” The Zebra spoke, Michael just kept backing away from the purple one reaching for something at his side that wasn’t there. Not finding it he reached for one of the masks and held it as menacingly as he could. The purple one looked at him with a smile.
“You, did you just….TALK?!” Michael shouted, the purple one looked at him as if he said an obvious statement.
“Of course she did.” The purple one said, Michael lowered the mask he held a bit. “We all can.”
“We all can? There’s more of you?! WHERE THE FUCK AM I!” Michaels shouted raising the mask high again. “You, You just stay the fuck away from me you…..thing!”
“Please calm down, we won’t hurt you. Why would we have healed you if we wanted to hurt you?” The purple one said, her tone seemed to sooth Michael’s nerves enough.
“I guess you wouldn’t have…” Michael said trailing off at the end, the purple one smiled.
“I’m Twilight Sparkle and that’s Zecura” she said, Michael extended a hand.
“I’m Michael Crawford.” Michael said, Twilight extended a hoof and shook it. “Now if you mind telling me where I am?”
“Equestria.” Twilight said with a smile, Michael’s face went pale.
“What?” He said, this had to be some weird dream right? RIGHT?
“Equestria, specifically the Everfree Forrest.” Twilight said with a worried look, Michael’s face was still very pale.
“I take it you don’t know how I could get home then.” Michael said staring at the door, Twilight shook her head.
“Are you okay?” Twilight asked
“This we could not have stopped, I believe a bombshell we have dropped.” Zecura said to twilight.
“My family? My friends? What about them?” Michael said to himself, he kept repeating that sentence for ten minutes. During which Twilight and Zecura just stared at him. “DAMN THEM! THOSE BASTARDS! BECAUSE OF THOSE PENCIL PUSHERS I’LL NEVER SEE MY FAMILY AGAIN!” He finally shouted, Twilight and Zecura jumped about three feet back. They came up to his waste but they were so scared that they coward down at his knees, thinking he would certainly destroy them they closed their eyes. Instead of a yell or scream they heard a sob. Twilight felt a drop of something wet hit her head, when she looked up she saw Michael sitting on the side of the bed. His face was buried deep in is hands, twilight walked over to him and looked at him. She had so many questions but she didn’t this as the time nor the place.
“I take it you have nowhere to go then?” Twilight asked, Michael looked at her with tears streaming down his face and shook his head.
“I don’t have anything but the things I came in with.” He said, he didn’t know were his things had been taken but he really didn’t care. He just wanted to go home. “My mom and dad must be worried beyond belief.” He said, his hands were shaking as he pulled his wallet from his pants. Inside was a picture of Michael with a smiling brunette and a stoic black haired military man. “Well maybe just my mom.” Michael sighed as he handed the photo to Twilight. His eyes were still watering while he looked through the rest of his wallet, he counted the money. After Twilight looked at him after looking at the photo.
“You’re welcome to stay with me.” Twilight said, she couldn’t believe what she had said. Michael looked at her suspiciously
“You’d do that? For me? Even though I’m not one of you?”
"This I am not sure you should do, what if he does something to you?" Zecura said, Michael sighed. This was all so unreal but it seemed so real, was this a dream or was he really there?
"I get it, if you don't want me I understand." Michael said, he slid his wallet back into his pants. "I'll just get my things and go." Twilight looked at Zecura
"Thank you for your concern Zecura, but I think I can handle this." she said with a smile, Michael had already found his things and was walking out the door. His ribs still ached but he could move his arm which was all that mattered to him. "Michael where are you going?"
"Don't know, don't care. Maybe I'll run into one of those monsters and just let him finish me off." Michael said somberly, with that he walked out the door.
"Uh oh." Twilight sighed "I'll get him, celestia forbid he gets to Ponyville without one of us. Thanks for finding me Zecura" Zecura nodded. Twilight ran after Michael as fast as she could, when she caught up she looked at him. His face was blank, he had rolled up his sleeves and he carried an odd metallic object in his hands. For a while they walked in silence, Twilight watched as Michael constantly hummed an odd tune.
"Look I get it, I could tell you just said that back there. False Promises are what got me here in the first place, I can read people or in this case ponies like a book." Michael finally broke the silence , Twilight looked at him.
"It wasn't a false promise." She said, Michael stopped walking and turned to her.
"How am I to know? I barley met you! I don't know where I am! If I'm really here! I can't trust you or any other of you! I'm better off on my own." Michael shouted, he turned to start walking again. His normally sunny disposition replaced by anger and sadness, "I'm eighteen! I had my whole life ahead of me!" Michael looked at Twilight before sighing again. "Don't look at me like that."
"Look Michael, I understand you miss home and everything, thats why you need a friend to help you." Twilight said softly "just let me help you." Michael thought for moment and then smiled.
"How could I say no to those eyes." Michael said with a chuckle, Twilight smiled.
"Hold still" Twilight said, her horn was glowing. She cast the teleportation spell.......
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
Day 2: Some Important Questions
The night before was a blur, he remembered he was in a library but that was about it. Michael looked at some of the titles.
"Super Naturals........" he trailed off reading one. Twilight was up and in the kitchen leaving the soldier to the books, he felt something grab the back of his helmet and lift it off his head. "The Fuck?"
"Oh thats spike!" Twilight shouted from the kitchen
"Uh huh, hello spike." Michael said too the small purple dragon "Mind giving me that back?"
"Hi! What are you?" the dragon said, Michael sighed
"Here eat this." Michael said pulling a candy bar from his bag, the little dragon gobbled it up without removing the wrapper and then proceeded to belch. Much to Michael's surprise the belch was accompanied by a scroll of paper. "Twilight? Is it normal for Spike to belch scrolls of paper?"
"A LETTER FROM THE PRINCESS!" Twilight shouted, she ran from the kitchen and picked up the scroll. "My dearest student, would you mind bringing you new friend to the throne room tomorrow?" she read aloud
"Give me that!" Michael said nervously, twilight gave it to him and he read it. He dropped the note and started pacing back and forth. "Meet a princess? Meet a Princess!" he started repeating, he fumbled through his things and pulled out a small book titled "Field Manual"
"Hey Michael calm down." Twilight said, Michael continued to pace back and forth flipping through the book until finally he threw it back with things. "CALM DOWN!" Twilight shouted before blushing a bit "Sorry"
"Okay you’re gonna be there right? Okay Mike you can do this." Michael began to put his fatigues on, he wiped as much dirt and grime from them and then took his helmet from spike, placing it on his head he smiled. "Can't be that bad right?" Twilight nodded
"Why are you still pacing?" she asked, Michael was just walking back and forth.
"Need to get outside." After a day of recuperating he wanted to do something, his trigger finger was itching like crazy. Twilight looked at him with a bit of worry. "I would like to spend time doing something.”
“Well I would like to learn more about who you are, where you’re from.” Twilight said with a smile, Michael smiled and sat down.
“Okay, go ahead and ask.” He said
“How did you get here?” Twilight asked, Michael frowned
“Bad luck, I was part of a project called time walker. More specifically the pentagon’s little Lab Rat.” He replied, while he was talking he began to take the metallic object he had apart.
“What’s the Pentagon? And what’s that?” Twilight continued, Michael grunted a bit.
“The pentagon, it’s the military headquarters of the entire American military.” Michael replied as he pulled a piece of metal from the odd thing he was working. “And this? This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. It can put a round up a flea’s ass at 200 yards.” Michael smiled when he had finished dismantling the “rifle”
“So it’s a weapon? How does it work?” Twilight said with a look of intrigue “How do “’Rounds’” factor into it?”
“A round is a small metallic capsule like this.” Michael began to explain, he tossed a round over to twilight. “Basically the rifle ignites a very small explosion in that capsule propelling the bullet, this thing here,” he pointed to the lead point “out the barrel and into whoever is unlucky enough to be in front of it. This thing moves faster than the speed of sound.” Michaels said, he began to clean different components of the rifle.
“So is there a conflict in your world?” Twilghts questions continued for several hours. After Michael had finished his rife he moved on to a “Pistol” and then describe something called a “Grenade”. Twilight had two more questions “What is it you do when you aren’t on duty?”
“I listen to music, The stones, Elvis and so on.” Twilight raised an eyebrow, Michael laughed. “I’ll explain later, anything else?”
“What are these “’Commies’” doing in this place called “Vietnam” if they aren’t supposed to be.” Twlight said with an expectant look
“War by Proxy, I’ll explain that to you later as well. I could use some food.” Michael said, Twilight’s stomach growled in agreement.
“I could have spike go get some cupcakes.” Twilight said but Michael shook his head.
“I need something with a little more protein, you have any steak?” Michael said with a grin, it’d been a while since he had had a quality rib eye.
“Steak? What is Steak?” Twilight said raising an eyebrow, Michael facepalmed.
“I take it you don’t eat meat here then?” he said with a frown, twilight looked horrified.
“OF COURSE NOT! WHY WOULD I EAT A CUTE LITTLE ANIMAL!” Twilight said in shock, Michael growled.
“Guess I’m stuck eating MRE’s for a while.” He said, from his back pack he pulled a large grey package.
“Whats that?” Twilight asked, her interest overcoming her shock that her new friend was a carnivore.
“MRE or Meal Ready to Eat.” Michael said before he began to eat the food that had been in the package. “Tastes horrible but it beats cupcakes.” Twilight was about to say something when a loud crash came from the upper floor of the library. Michael grabbed his reassemble rifle instinctively and aimed it up the stairs.
“Twi! Twi are you in here? We haven’t seen you all day!” A voice called out, Michael recognized it had an accent like a guy he knew from new York. Twilight looked at Michael and shook her head. Michael lowered his rifle as a rainbow maned pony with wings appeared. “Fluttershy has been….” The pony began but just stared at Michael for a moment. “What’s that?
“Rainbow this is Michael.” Twilight said, rainbow just looked at Michael for a moment before bursting into laughter. Obviously this did not go over well with Michael. He growled at the cyan Pegasus, when he did she stopped laughing and instead flew over to Michael.
“It can talk?” She asked
“Of course I can talk” Michael snapped, rainbow looked at him with a grin.
“That is so COOL!” she said, Michael stopped glaring and smiled. Michael, Twilight and Rainbow talked for several hours. By the end of the day they had run out of things to talk about. Michael excused himself to go to his bed, sitting on the side of it he took the picture of him with his mom and dad from his wallet and put it at the side of his bed. The night had set in and Michael just stared out at the stars and sighed, he missed the stars over his home town in Colorado. He hadn’t mentioned it to Twilight but the farm hs family owned was a horse farm, all manner of equine lived there but he figured Twilight would look at him differently if he told her. Settling into his bed he thought about what princess celestia was like, would she be kind or harsh?
Twilight sat downstairs while Michael went to his makeshift bed, dash was there yawning.
“So whats he like?” she said abruptly, Twilight giggled a bit
“He’s kind of like a puppy, he feels things differently, does things differently even speaks differently. Didn’t you notice that accent?” Twilight replied “I think he really misses his home but I think he’s warming up to life here.”
“He’s certainly weird looking, I mean he has no fur except the mane on his head. He always clings to the metal thing like it’s a child. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ate meat.”
“Well he explained some stuff to me about that, apparently they call their manes “’Hair’”.” Twilight said with a smile. “That metal thing is a weapon as I understand it, I don’t think it can do what he says it can do though, and he did ask for cow flesh earlier.”
“Wow, that’s weird.” Dash said with a laugh, she yawned again. “I’m gonna head home, night Twilight.”
“Night.” Twilight said as her friend walked out the door, after she had closed the door Twilight walked upstairs and saw Michael curled up in his bed. She saw the photo next to his bed and sighed. She saw that he didn’t have a blanket so she conjured one up and tucked onto him.
Michael looked around and saw he was home, his mom was tending the garden. His dad was fixing the plow, the horses were running around in the pen. The air smelt just a sweet as he remembered. Before he could say something he saw a bright flash, a massive heat wave hit the farm causing it to burst into flame and the people and animals he loved vaporize. Only he stood in the burning ruins then another flash….
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
Day 3: Out of the Frying Pan....
Michael's eyes shot open, he was sweating and panting like he had run a marathon. Looking around he saw he was still in the library but he didn't know what time it was. His nose took a few sniffs, Eggs? Steak? How? He rolled out of the bed and rubbed his aching ribs. Slipping on his fatigue pants and boots he walked downstairs. Finding the main room empty he moved on to the kitchen where his nose was met with the sweet scent of Steak and Eggs.
"Ah your up!" Twilight said happily, she was standing by the stove cooking.
"Yeah, I got the scent of the most delicious food I could think of." Michael replied as he walked over to see the steak was cooking perfectly. "Care to tell me how you managed to get steak if you don't eat meat?"
"My friend Fluttershy takes care of the animals and I told her you like meat so she gave me bear food." Twilight explained, Michael chuckled. "And the eggs I got from Applejack."
"Apple who?" Michael asked, twilight chuckled. "And how did you learn to cook
"I read it in your book, that thing is an amazing guide on what you need." she replied "and you'll meet applejack in while." Carefully using her magic she put the steak and eggs on a plate and then floated it over to Michael who was sitting at the table, he began to shovel the food into his mouth.
"My field manual? It never has any useful information." Michael said, Twilight shook her head.
"Just eat up, you have a meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna today." she said, Michael stopped eating for a moment but then continued until his plate was barren of any morsel of food. Twilight floated it over to the sink and washed it.
"I'm going to get dressed." Michael said with a smile, Twilight looked at him
"Okay Michael" she said, Michael went upstairs and put the rest of his combat fatigues on. When he had finished he looked at himself in the mirror and frowned, his clothes were covered in mud. After brushing as much dirt off as he could he was satisfied and went downstairs, Twilight was waiting. "Ready?"
"as I'll ever be." Michael said, he looked at spike who burped on a scroll which was set on fire and disappeared. After a minute Michael heard a loud pop and found himself in a massive room looking at a horse sized pony with flowing hair, a white coat, wings, a horn , and a sun on her flank. Acting on impulse Michael just snapped into a salute. A small voice in Michael's head began to shout at him "HOW DID SHE KNOW!?" over and over again.
"Twilight! My Favorite Student! And is this the human I have heard so much about." The White Mare said, Twilight hugged her and smiled.
"P-P-Private M-M-Michael Crawford, Untied Sates M-M-Marines your highness." Michael stammered out, he still didn't know how he had gotten here or how the princess had known of his presence or why he hadn't thought to ask earlier.
"Welcome Michael of The United States." The Mare said in a nice tone "I am Princess Celestia."
"Very Welcome Indeed." A sarcastic, Snooty voice said. Celestia looked angrilly at someone. Michael turned to see a white Stallion Unicorn.
"Blue Blood leave us." Celestia said angrilly, the stallion nodded with a smug look and left. Michael wanted to just pulverize that little bugger and take a branding iron to his sorry hide. "I apologize for that incident."
"No Problems Ma'am." Michael replied, his nerves were barely holding on when he heard a beautiful voice call out.
"Sister? Is he here?" the voice said with excitement
"Yes Luna!" Celestia called out, a beautiful Indigo mare stepped into the room. Michael's mouth hung open for a minute before the Princess spoke. "This is Luna, she is responsible for the night. She couldn't help but hear your comment on her work and she wanted to thank you personally." Michael stood speechless, he steadied his nerves.
"Uh Hello. Your Highness." He managed to get those words out of his throat before it shut.
"Hello Private, It is nice to know someone like you has taste in the night." Luna said with a smile.
"Yes I used to stare up at the stars on my families farm when I was a kid." Michael replied, "STUPID STUPID STUPID!" he thought to himself
"What type of farm was it?" Celestia asked, Michael began to sweat. He muttered somthing. "Could you speak up?
"Uh A horse farm?" he said with a cringe, he was sure he'd get zapped or crushed. Instead he looked up to see celestia smiling.
"I understand Michael, your world is different from ours." she said sweetly, Michael breathed a sigh of relief. "please come and eat with us."
"Oh uh I just uh....." He trailed off when he saw Twilight looking at him with those puppy dog eyes. "I would love to your highness." The table was massive and had no meat whatsoever instead fruit and vegitables which Michael was fine with. Unfortunatly he was seated across from Prince Blue Blood.
"So Michael what is this "'Rock and Roll'"" Celestia asked, Michael's face lit up like a light bulb.
"Well if I could get my hands on an electric guitar." Michael said with a smile, Celestia looked into Michael's eyes and saw what he was talking about. She conjured up one of these "'Electric Guitars'". After tuning it Michael smiled and stood up. "This is the first song I learned to play and It's my favorite."
"Oh yes give the Neanderthal an instrument, I hope his music is better than his clothing." Blue Blood said, Michael looked at him angrily putting down the guitar.
"I'm sorry I didn't catch that?" He said with a look of rage on his face.
"I hope your music is better than your clothing!" Blue Blood said louder this time.
"You can insult me but you do NOT insult my Uniform!" Michael shouted, he stood up angrily. Blue Blood mimicked his motion, A look of worry came over Celestia and Twilights faces. Luna however looked intrigued, she hoped that this new comer would beat blue blood to a pulp. Oh how she loathed him.
"Oh does that tacky piece of cloth have feelings?" Blue Blood said with a smug look, Michael's eye began to twitch.
"Boy! Y'all BEST NOT TEST ME!" Michael shouted, Celestia was about to intervene but Luna shook her head.
"I'll do what I like, I am royalty! You are a lowly grunt!"
"BOY! Y'ALL BEST START RUNNING!" Michael shouted angrily.
"ENOUGH!" Celestia shouted, her horn glowed. "YOU SIT DOWN!" She put Blue Blood in his chair. "AND YOU SIT DOWN!" She flung Michael back into his chair. Twilight, Luna, Blue Blood and Michael looked at her. She appologized and after that the meal went rather well.
"Thank you your highness, I do apologize for my behavior." Michael said politely
"It's okay, Blue Blood has that effect on people." Celestia Replied, "I will see about finding a way for you to get home. Unless you want to stay."
"I need some time to think." Michael said "Talk to you later." With that the princesses horn glowed and the same pop he had heard before had him back in the library. Michael walked upstairs and was about to get into bed when he noticed something. The night was here and he wouldn't have seen it if it hadn't been.
"Twilight, whats that?" He asked, Twilight looked out the window. There was a massive fire at sweet apple acres. Michael didn't need to hear Twilight say anything to know what to do, he grabbed his rifle and threw his helmet on. Racing down the stairs Michael burst through the door and charged towards the burning Orchard. When he arrived he found the oddest sight, dozens of odd looking pegasi with insect like wings and Sickly Green Eyes were buzzing around the barn. When one noticed the new person that had arrived they all stared at him. Michael raised his Rifle and fired a shot into one of them causing it to begin to bleed a sick green smelly substance. The others shrieked and charged down at him, he fired several more shots dropping more and more with each round.
"What the Fuck are these things!" he shouted as he beat one back with his rifle. Twilight came running up the road and began to fire at the creatures. When the last one fell it was wounded, Michael walked over to its squirming body and put his boot on its throat. He smiled when he heard the satisfying crunch of the creatures wind pipe, Twilight was looking over the creatures when Michael heard a noise from inside the barn.
"Anyone alive in here?" he said in a whisper. On the floor he saw several bodies, a green old mare, an Orange mare about the same age as Twilight and a Big Red Stallion. All were dead, when he heard a rustling he moved the orange one and found a cowering filly.
"D-D-Don't hurt me!" she shrieked, Michael picked her up and she began to squirm. He held her close trying to calm her.
"Calm down little one, your safe now." Michael said in his most soothing voice
"Your a monster like those other things!" the filly shouted still squirming.
"Why would I get rid of them if I was a monster like them?" Michael reasoned, The filly stopped squirming and began to cry, Michael held her in his arms and walked out of the barn to find Twilight looking nervous.
"What happened in there? Why are you carrying Apple Bloom?" Michael just frowned and shook his head. Twilight understood what he meant "You mean?" Michael nodded. "Damn Changelings." Twilight said, Michael had never heard her swear before but she had every right. He put his hand on twilights shoulder, he felt her shaking. He felt himself shaking, not with sadness but rage. "Just like Nam" he thought, a flood of images filled his head making him even angrier. Michael knelt down holding the filly and looked into Twilight's eyes.
"I will kill them." is all he said before standing up with the filly Applebloom in his arms.
"Where are you going with her?" Twilight said, she still looked like she was in shock.
"Home." Michael said sadly, the fire was dying down as Michael walked through the night to the Library with Applebloom in his arms sleeping. He swore his Vengeance for Twilight and he was sure to give it to whoever deserved it......
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
Day 4 Part 1: Into the Fire
The next morning Michael groaned as he got out of bed, for a moment his mind was blank until he saw the sleeping filly. His blood began to boil, he swore to god that he would get the monster responsible. Throwing his fatigues on he grabbed his M16 and began to reload the weapon when he heard a familiar noise outside.
"Shit." Michael cursed, he put his helmet on and walked outside. The buzzing of Insect like wings was incredibly loud, after finishing the reload and pulling the bolt back on the M16 he took aim at one of the flying creatures which twilight had called "Changelings". The round flew from the barrel and punched a hole the size of an orange through the creatures body causing it to crash to the ground leaving a trail of its green blood behind it. Without hesitating Michael began to lay into the creatures.
"What's going on out he-" Twilight began. As she groggily rubbed sleep from her eyes she was met with the sight of changelings everywhere and Michael dropping them like flies. "I thought was just a dream!" she shrieked as one of the Changelings crashed inches from her feet, a massive hole in its head. Michael was firing at a group that was charging a group of ponies when he heard a click that made his heart stop. As if in one fluid motion he dropped his M16 and reached for his Colt 1911. Bringing the weapon up from its holster Michael focused on the group which was now charging at him, several shots rang out as the group landed on the ground dead. Michaels pistol was now empty and so in the same fluid motion he pulled a large combat knife from his belt.
"Twilight! GET INSIDE OR HELP ME FIGHT!" Michael shouted seeing the unicorn just staring at the sight in front of her. As if a switch clicked Michael saw Twilight's eyes flash with anger and her horn begin to glow brightly, a flash of purple light shot out at one of the changelings causing it to vaporize. Several more flashes killed dozens more. After minutes of fighting the buzzing noise faded, several of the creatures were twitching on the ground and Michael was covered in green blood.
"What is that thing?" a voice said, a crowd of ponies had surrounded Michael.
"Is it an alien?" another said, a bright light filled the sky and Princess Celestia arrived with dozens of guards. When she saw Michael covered in green blood and the piles of dead or dying changelings she shuttered, she saw the anger in his eyes but why was he so angry?
Michael walked over to one of the wounded changelings and grabbed it's throat, he lifted it up and looked it in the eye.
"Who sent you!?" Michael shouted, the crowd jumped back. The changeling muttered something. "SPEAK UP!"
"Q-Q-Queen Chrysalis." it managed to say before Michael crushed its windpipe.
"Michael stop." a voice said, the princess was standing behind him. When he turned around she saw the anger and hatred even clearer in his eyes. "You've done enough."
"No I haven't! Not until I kill Chrysalis!" Michael shouted, he tossed the dead carcass aside.
"You'll get your chance Michael." The princess said, she looked to the guards. "You'll all get your chance." she looked at Michael "Come we must speak privately" Michael kicked one of the corpses out of his way.
"Yeah?" he said when the princess had lead him out of earshot.
"I know what you are feeling right now, I under-"
"No you don't!" Michael snapped, the princess looked shocked "You've never seen what I've seen! In nam everywhere you went was a deathtrap! Every kid, every girl, every old woman could be packing enough Explosives to turn you into a pile of red mush!" The princess had a knack for reading people's eyes but she wanted to know more, to do this she had been working on a spell that would allow her to see the memories of others with their permission.
"Allow me to see what you have seen." she said confidently, Michael shook his head. If it was that bad she was sure she didn't want to see now and so she conceded for now. "Very well. I have a request to make of you."
"Ask away." Michael said, his rage was cooling and he was easier to talk to now.
"These weapons you used were very effective, can you teach us how to make more of them?" Celestia continued, Michael thought for a moment. His field guide had enough information to use in production but introducing automatic weapons to a different culture like this?
"I'm sorry princess but I fear if I did they would fall into the wrong hands." he finally said, the princess nodded as she understood. "However, If you could make some more for me I could use them to help you and give them to guards you deem fit." The princess smiled and nodded. "Could I also get my uniform washed?" The princess nodded as well.
"I am told you found a young filly at the Apple Orchard, Is this true?" the princess asked, Michael nodded. "How is she?"
"She's okay, a little skittish at first but now she's just mourning her family. If it's all right with you your highness I would like to take her in." Michael said, his rage was near non existent now.
"I suppose, but only after this is over. And I take it you'll be staying here then?" Celestia said, Michael nodded again. "A good chat we had, Luna will be wanting to speak to you as well." With that Celestia walked back to her guards, Michael turned around to see Twilight walking over to him.
"Thank you Michael, reports of Changeling attacks are coming in from Detrot to Manehattan." Twilight said, tears were in her eyes. Michael knelt down to get on her level "If it weren't for you the changelings would have taken ponyville."
"Hey as long as I'm here you won't have to worry." Michael said with a fake smile, he hated seeing Twilight like this. He was only here three days and he already liked her a lot. Twilight smiled and wrapped her forehooves around Michael in a hug that almost crushed his ribcage which ,although fully healed, was still tender. Twilight looked over and saw her friends, they didn't know yet. "Go, tell them. I have something to take care of." Twilight nodded with tears flowing down her face before she ran to her friends, Michael walked back to the Library where he found Applebloom hiding under his bed.
"A-Are they gone?" Applebloom said with a shutter, Michael reached under the bed and pulled the filly out. She was shaking like a leaf, that was the effect of gunfire though.
"I put each one of them in a permanent time out." Michael said, a wicked smile crossed his face. This was going to be a long day....
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
Michael placed Applebloom on the bed and reached into his pocket, from it he pulled a rifle round.
“This is the bullet I will use to kill that bitch Chrysalis.” he said tossing it in his hand and then giving it to Applebloom.
“Promise you’ll get her?” Applebloom said, a small tear formed in her eye. Michael smiled and made an ‘x’ over his heart. Applebloom looked up at Michael and smiled before walking to the edge of the bed and jumping into his arms. He caught her without a second thought and sighed as he felt her nuzzle into his chest for a moment. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
He gently began to comb his hand through her mane as he hummed a gentle tune to help calm her down. After a few minutes Applebloom had fallen asleep in his arms. He carefully and quietly as he could, set her down on the bed and covering her up before beginning to gather his gear.
After about twenty minutes of gathering, preparing, and carefully organizing his equipment, a small knock was heard at the door. He got up and went over to the door before quietly opening it and peeking outside. It was none other than Twilight standing there with a small smile.
“How is she?” Twilight asked with hope in her voice.
“Better than she was earlier. Sleeping now.” He walked out into the hall with Twilight before gently closing the door behind himself. He turned back to twilight with a small smile and let out a sigh. “So what is going on?”
“I came up to tell you that Princess Celestia has assigned you a small group of her best soldiers. They are the best when it comes to fighting, although one of them is a bit.... Off.” Twilight said rubbing the back of her neck.
“Off? What do you mean off?” Michael asked in curiosity.
“Well... You will see when you meet him. He is the grey pegasus with yellow stripes. He’ll be the only one wearing a set of goggles instead of a helmet.” Twilight said before walking towards the stairs. “They are downstairs when you are ready to meet them.”
“About damn time.” Michael said under his breath before tiptoeing down the stairs, the group of soldiers looked shocked that he was a human, but he ignored it. “Gentlemen, your princess has called on you to serve your nation in a time of need.” Michael began his speech
“Yea!” A soldier spoke for the group. “Woohoo! Time to slaughter some changeling flankholes!”
“You’ll get your chance soldier, in the meantime you will train with one of these!” Michael continued, he picked up his M16 and the room went silent as if even the air stopped to admire the beautiful piece of killing power.
“Ooooh. It’s shiny.” One said. “That the thing that spits fire and makes a hole the size of a apple?”
“Yes, this is the Colt M16 assault rifle, it fires a three round burst and is capable of putting a round up a fleas ass at up to 800 yards. If you pass the test you will be allowed access to this beauty all the time.” Michael continued before being cut off
“Soooo... It’s like shooting a crossbow?” The same pony asked taking a step forward. “Only harder of course.”
“No nothing like a crossbow, it fires three rounds within two seconds. It can put a massive hole in multiple enemies. This thing is one of the greatest weapons in the history of man.” Michael explained, he began to go into the various parts of the M16 and then began explaining the basics of gun safety. “You with the goggles, look down the barrel of this.”
“Hmm? Sorry, I was miles away. Was busy remembering something.” The pony said tapping his chin. “What was it.... Oh yes! How I love the taste of changeling blood.”
The pony grinned showing a set of canines causing a few of the soldiers to scoot away from him. “What? All I did was say something.” He said tilting his head.
“Boy, I like you. You other’s could learn a thing from this guy right here. He is a perfect example...” Michael began, he paused and looked at the pony “Of Sheer INCOMPETENCE!”
“Oooh. You insult me good sir! I am not incompetent! Merely... Mentally incoherent.” The pony said smiling again. “And I have been listening. I know how to load, shoulder and fire that weapon.”
“Oh really, then look down the barrel.” Michael said
“And risk splattering my grey matter all over these book? No thanks.” The pony said waving his hoof at Michael.
“You are a smart one I’ll give you that, Maybe you may just make it.” Michael said with a smile.
“Thanks! Be nice to see if I could get something to eat though.” The pony said scratchign his neck
.
“That is because you are a disgusting meat eater you freak.” One of the other soldiers said to the goggled pony, who simply cringed.
“Meat eater?” Michael cocked an eyebrow. “Want to go get some steak?”
The pony was silent before standing up and saying. “Hell to the yeah I do! Buck you guys!”
“Twilight!” Michael shouted.
“What?!” she replied
“Who did you say had steak again?!” Michael asked
“Fluttershy!” She answered
“Okay, now you boys read up on the basics of cleaning your weapon while Mr. Meat eater and I go get some steak.” Michael said, he smiled at the thought of delicious cow flesh. He could practically taste the sadness in the cow right before it got slaughtered.
“Oh that is complete crap.” One of the soldiers mumbled as he picked up a manual.
“Well if you want to come eat with us you’re welcome too.” Michael said happily, if these boys were going to be Marines they needed more meat in their diets. The pony turned slightly green before shaking his head ‘no’.
“No thanks.” He muttered before he put a hoof over his mouth to stop himself from puking. Michael laughed before putting his soft cap on and walking outside with the other meat eater.
“Soooo.” The odd pony began as he followed Michael. “What’s up with you? Besides killing a bunch of stuff that is.”
“Not much, grew up in a small town in Colorado, raised horses. Joined the marines when I was seventeen. Spent a year in Vietnam.” Michael began. he chuckled a bit.
“Ve-it-nam?... Huh that is strange name.” The pony said nodding as he listened.
“It was a hell hole, land mines, pungy stakes, snare traps, the works”
“Whole lotta nasty traps huh?” The pony said.
“You wouldn’t believe what those bastards did.” Michael said
“Ever seen a comrade get eaten alive?” The pony asked smiling.
“Yes, I saw in this one POW camp we liberated we found one of our guys in a pig pen. The Pigs were just chewing on him while he screamed.” Michael shuddered. “That was the best bullet I ever used.”
“Huh.... Well I wa born into a split special family! Mom was a pony, dad a diamond dog!” The pony said smiling.
“You have dogs here?” Michael raised another eyebrow
“Well yeah. Normal dogs then diamond dogs. The diamond dogs are big bipedal guys. Kinda like you! Only with bent legs and they are covered in fur. And have razor teeth.” The pony said.
“Sound kinda like the Vietnamese women I met.” Michael laughed, this pony was alright.
“Ha! You should have seen this one diamond dog! We just got done riding out one of their tunnels and as a joke me and my friends shaved all his fur off! It was hilarious when he ran out yipping with his tail between his legs.” The pony laughed out loud. “Looked like a massive rat just running away on his hind legs!”
“That sounds awesome!” Michael said with a chuckle “But let me ask you, what is your name?”
“Ah! That is quite the question! It all started long ago...” He began before laughing again before he held out his hoof. “Sorry sorry I couldn’t help myself! The names Azure. Azure Gear.”
“Azure Gear?” Michael said as if processing the name.
“Yup! I craft items from what I can find! I am one of the ponies that built that M-16 from the blueprints in the book!” Azure said smiling. “Had to know how it worked before I built.”
“Well thats good to know, I think this is it.” Michael said pointing to a small cottage, Michael looked at Azure. “Remember Fluttershy is in mourning so we need to be respectful.”
“Really? Who dead?” Azure asked.
“Applejack, one of her best friends.” Michael explained
“Oh god really? I used to know that gal.... Had a nice set of legs on her she did.... Kicked me in the groin.” Azure shuddered for a moment.
“Hey show some respect.” Michael said
“Look I liked her as much as anyone. Even if she did try to nuder me, I will still pay my respects.” Azure said putting a hoof over his heart.
“Ok good.” Michael said, he was standing in front of the door, he rapped his knuckles on the hardwood surface three times. The door opened slowly revealing the Small Yellow Pegasus with a Pink mane.
“Hello miss shy.” Azure said politely and smiling.
“Yes hello ma’am, We are here to inquire on some Bear Food.” Michael said with a somber look on his face
“Oh....Hello.” The yellow mare said sadly. Her eyes were slightly red and a little puffy, mostly likely from the tears she shed for her lost friend. She still attempted to hide her face behind her mane, not to cover her tears, but because she wasn’t used to guests, much more a human and a random pony, knocking at her door. “Let me go and get you that Bear Food.” she said, Michael sensed she just wanted to get rid of him which he understood.
“Of course, take as much time as you need.” Michael said with a respectful smile, the yellow mare disappeared from the doorway and was gone for several minutes before she returned with four large, juicy, plump, mouth watering, succulent T-bone steaks.
“I think I am drooling a bit much.” Azure said as he looked at a puddle in front of him. Michael smacked the back of his head. “Ow.”
“Thank you miss Shy, you have our sympathy.” Michael said, the yellow mare nodded and closed the door.
“.... So can I eat the steak raw now?” Azure asked. “Yes. Raw.”
“Hell its your steak do what you want with it.” Michael said tossing a steak to Azure, he smiled fiendishly “These two are for our squeamish friends back at the Library.
“Oh yeah! Last time I ate something, they both threw up. This will be fun to watch.... Can we cook this now? I am starting to get more hungry.” Azure said as he picked up his steak with a hoof and then put it on his wing.
“Sure.” Michael said, he pulled a small silver object from his fatigues and walked over to a tree. Removing several branches he created a small pyramid of wood, with a flick of his thumb the silver object created a small fire which he proceeded to use to light the larger wood.
“Oooh. Portable fire. I need to make one of those.” Azure said smiling.
“Its called a lighter.” Michael said with a smirk as he removed a cigarette from his fatigues and lit it. “Very handy”
“I’ll say. I tried to find a matchbox to light my cigar one day and couldn’t find one! Was so annoying. To make matters worse I lost the cigar the next day.” The pony said furrowing his brow in annoyance.
“Well actually its better to light a Cigar with a wood match, it seals in the flavor.” Michael began to roast the steak on a stick over the fire.
“Hey want to see a cool trick when you don’t have a stove?” Azure asked smiling.
“Sure.” Michael said puffing on his cigarette
“Heh alright... One second. Gotta find a good stone.” Azure said setting his Steak next to the fire before walking around for a moment. He let out a small ‘Ah ha!’ as he found what he was searching for. He came back with a medium sized flat stone. “Now just find me another rock. Gotta be tall though.”
“Alright.” Michael grunted. As he took a bite from his steak he saw several ponies staring at him with a look of disgust, with a laugh he opened his mouth showing them the chewed steak in his mouth. One of them vomited all over the others, they all looked pissed but just kept walking. “Ya know what? Lets just eat back at the library.”
“Fine by me.” Azure said, Michael kicked some dirt onto the fire and began to walk to the library. He stopped when he heard Azure still looking for a rock and turned around.
“AZURE! Forget the rock.” Michael said annoyed by the Ponies obsession with finding another rock. When the two returned to the library they found all of the others studying just as ordered, they stopped and stared at Michael and Azure when they saw they were carrying several pieces of meat. Michael was eating one with a big grin on his face while Azure was carrying his.
“Oh celestia! Why did you have to bring that stuff here?” one of the ponies shouted, michael shrugged as he took another bite from his steak.
“Because I have a test for you.” Michael said with a fiendish grin, “So this is what its like to be a drill sergeant?” he thought happily “You will fire at the targets outside, the least accurate shooters get to eat the steak with us.” Michael smiled as he saw all the ponies except for Azure turn a shade of sick green. “NOW GET OUTSIDE!” Reluctantly the Ponies walked outside with their M16s. “Azure since you like meat you will not be tested until after the losers have been determined.” Michael said this firmly. The first pony stepped up and aimed the M16 with his magic. When he had finished he had hit the bullseye with every shot. The next two did the same, when the two earth ponies stepped up thy looked worried. Needless to say they failed miserably, Michael looked at them.
“Please don’t make us eat that!” One pleaded
“It’s not fair they get magic!” the other said
“Exactly which is why you won’t be forced to eat it, they will. You need to fire your weapon without magic!” the Unicorns looked shocked and after an hour of groaning, vomiting and cyring they had finished eating the steak. Michael and Azure were rolling on the ground laughing while the earth ponies just sat and thanked Celestia it wasn’t them eating the meat.
“C-Can we go home now?” one of the unicorns said still recovering from his ordeal.
“Dismissed.” Michael said, the Ponies quickly dispersed before he could think of anything else that was as awful as eating meat. The sun was setting and Michael silently walked up the stairs to his bed. He found Applebloom sitting on it with her eyes closed, she was snoring softly. Michael gingerly picked her up and took her to her bed. When she was beneath her covers he went back to his bed to find Twilight sitting there with a smile.
“How was training?” she asked, Michael took of his fatigue jacket and threw it on the ground before sittin on the bed and looking at the stars.
“It went better than I thought which isn’t saying much.” Michael sighed as he felt Twilights fore hoof go over his shoulder. He looked over at her, she had tears in her eyes.
“I just want you to know that if you need anything you just need to ask.” she said with a sniffle, Michael nodded.
“How was she today while I was gone?” He said pointing to the sleeping Applebloom.
“Good until you and your men started shooting.” Twilight said, Michael facepalmed.
“We need a better place to test I know but I can’t find anything.” Michael said frustrated that he had scared Applebloom. He got up from the bed and walked over to his backpack, he picked it up and brought it over to the bed. As he opened it Twilight noticed something about it. It had a small shoebox inside, when michael took it out he couldn’t help but notice Twilight staring at it. Reluctantly he opened it and revealed a small book with several different objects with it. The Title read “Holy Bible”
“What’s that?” Twilight said picking up the book and turning to the first page, michael sighed.
“A gift from my mom.” he said, he looked through the other objects and found an empty shell casing. “This is the shell casing from my first hunting trip, bagged a twelve point buck with this thing. Dad was so proud.” Michael said with a look of nostalgia, Twilight was reading intently, her eyes as wide as dinner plate. Michael Quickly grabbed the book and other objects and put them back in the backpack. “I’d prefer we kept this quiet.”
“Of course.” Twilight said with a serious tone. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” she said as she got up from Michaels bed and walked to hers. Michael lay in his bed for a few minutes just staring at the stars through the window. Soon he was sleeping deeply, but that changed when he found himself on a familiar farm. His mother Tending the Garden, his father fixing the plow. Then a massive flash and everything vaporized. This time instead of standing alone he heard a voice.
“What is this you see that makes you so afraid?” it said, Michael turned to see Princess Luna.
“My Mom and Dad working on the farm, a Nuclear Explosion.” Michael said in a somber tone.
“Fear not my friend, this is a dream that is false. Your family is fine. Now rest and prepare yourself for what lies ahead.” With that the voice vanished and Michael found himself sleeping soundly once more.....
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
Day 5 Part 1: The Battle of Las Pegasus
Another day, another headache. Michael rolled out of bed and slammed to the floor, he jumped up hoping no one had seen that. To his dismay he heard Applebloom laughing a bit. Michael turned and smiled, Applebloom smiled back a bit.
"what are you laughing at?" Michael asked, Applebloom pointed at him still snickering. "You hungry kiddo?" Applebloom nodded, Michael walked downstairs with her in his arms. "Twilight?" Michael called out.
"In the kitchen!" Twilight replied, Michael put Applebloom on the floor and walked over to his M16. Checking it over he smiled and then went back upstairs to get dressed. He was getting sick of wearing the same old uniform, he needed a few extras made. When he had finished he walked down stairs and found Twilight and Applebloom sitting at the table.
"how is everyone?" Michael asked
"Hanging in there." Twilight replied, Michael nodded "A message from the princess arrived while you were upstairs. I didn't open it yet, it says for your eyes only." Twilight handed the message to Michael who promptly opened it, when he finished reading it he just stood there for a moment before grabbing his gear. "What is it?"
"Some place called Las Pegasus is under attack, Celestia wants us there." Michael said urgently packing his gear. "'us' as in my men and I" Michael continued, when he was finished gathering his supplies he walked over to the door.
"Michael?" Twilight said
"Yeah?" Michael replied, a sense of urgency on his face
"Be careful..... for her and me." Twilight said shyly, Michael smiled and nodded. He ran through the town until he reached the barracks.
"GET YOUR SORRY FLANKS OUT OF BED!" Michael shouted, the soldiers jumped out of their bunks and stood at attention. "We're being deployed to Las Pegasus, get you gear we leave in ten minutes.
"Changelings in Las Pegasus?" One soldier said
"We'll make 'em pay." another said
"I'm hungry for some Changeling." Azure said, even he was met with approving looks. After the group was ready they stepped outside and found Princess Luna, before he could say anything Michael heard a loud pop and found himself in a burning pony equivalent of Las Vegas.
"BOYS! FIRE AT WILL!" Michael shouted as he popped a round into a changeling, the group began to lay into all the changelings in the area. They came out of the woodwork, left and right Changelings fell like stones. So many died that the group began using their corpses as sand bags. While the other were firing Michael pulled out a map and looked around.
"WHATS UP SIR!" Azure shouted over the noise.
"WE NEED TO BE DOWN THERE!" Michael replied pointing to the group of Pony Guards holding a building. "MOVE OUT!" Michael shouted, the group hopped over the bodies and ran towards their objective.
"CHRYSALIS DOESN'T GIVE A RATS FLANK ABOUT YOU!" One of the soldiers shouted as he popped a round through a Changelings head. The closer they got to the building the thicker the resistance.
"FIX BAYONETS!" Michael shouted over the noise, the group did as ordered and when ever a Changeling got to close they stabbed it releasing piles of green entrails onto the ground. Then something happened that changed everything, the Changelings Changed into Ponies Identical to the ones fighting them. "MARINES SOUND OFF!"
"OVER HERE!" several soldiers shouted as they beat the onslaught back.
"KEEP MOVING!" Michael shouted, the soldiers pushed through the block of resistance until finally they emerged in front of their objective. Before they went in they held off wave after wave of Changelings. Michael laid into one with his knife, slicing it's belly open and ripping its entrails out by hand and then kicking the still alive and screaming changeling over. Another unlucky Changeling was caught by Michael and was thrown to the ground, after which Michael stomped on its throat until he heard its spine crack. Several Pegasus Guards swooped in and began to mop up.
"DAMN FLY BOYS! TAKING ALL THE CREDIT!" Azure shouted
"Lets just get inside." Michael said, before they were allowed entry a unicorn cast a spell on them to make sure they were really who they said they were. Michael was greeted by a scene of wounded and dead pony soldiers and civilians. He walked past them and signaled his men to stand down. When he found the commander of the pony batallion he was met by silence as he walked in.
"You must be Michael?" The Commander said in a harsh feminine voice
"Yes ma'am, Luna sent us herself." Michael said with a salute, the commander returned the salute "What seems to be the problem?"
"As I'm sure you've noticed we are barely holding this position, we need someone to eliminate those Changeling Flankholes." She said
"Well we don't have near enough ammunition to make a dent in that horde." Michael said, the Commander sighed. Then Michael got an Idea, he looked at an oil lamp. The commander saw him pick up the oil lamp and raised an Eyebrow. "Napalm! Of course!" Michael exclaimed.
"What?!" The commander replied, her voice was unsure.
"OIL AND GREASE! WE SPRAY ENOUGH OF THE SHIT ON THOSE BUGGERS AND LIGHT IT!" Michael made a wamph noise, the commander got a fiendish smile on her face.
"Corporal get as much Oil and grease as you can, start mixing it immediately!" she Ordered, the guard nodded and ran off. "while we make this 'Napalm' can you help hold the outside?" Michael saluted and ran outside to his men.
"SECURE THE PERIMITER!" Michael shouted, the group ran outside and began to fortify the building using the dead changelings as sand bags. "KILL 'EM ALL!" Michael shouted as he began to waste dozens of Changelings. After an hour of firing they group was down to their side arms. Michael fired his final round into a changeling and then pulled his knife from his boot and sliced into a Changeling.
"WE'RE FUCKED!" One of the soldiers shouted, Michael looked at him and shook his head.
"NO THEY ARE!" Michael shouted, he pointed to a group of Pegasi flying in with barrels in their hooves, a sticky liquid flowed from them and onto the Changelings. Michael pulled his lighter from his jacket and lit the liquid before running for cover. The Changelings burst into flames and their screams were shrill with pain and fear as they succumbed to the fire that engulfed them. Michael laughed as he saw their futile attempts to flee, this was a good day so far.....
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
Day 5 Part 3: The End is Neigh
Michael stood outside the city, he had to go alone as chrysalis had blocked all ponies with a force field that surrounded the city. With as much ammunition he could carry he walked into the city where he was met by dozens of Changelings. Time seemed to slow down as he raised his M60 and fired into the group dropping them as he slowly walked to the castle. Dozens were killed by the lone gun man, the last defender of Canterlot. While Changelings fell left and right Queen Chrysalis watched as the monster she now new as Crawford slowly walked closer to the tower. When he ran out of ammunition he dropped the M60 and began to use his M16, the speed he gained was immense as he dodged an attack from one of the Changeling Elite Fighters. Michael pulled his knife from his boot and stabbed the blade deep into the stomach of the vile creature, slicing to the left he tore a massive hole in the creatures stomach and grabbed its inards with his girzzled hands. He ripped them out while the changeling still screamed in pain and fear.
Michael was now ready to unleash the beast within, he pulled his knife from the now lifeless changeling and stabbed it up to the hilt into another Changelings head. Michael put his knife on the end of his M16 and plunged it deep into yet another Changeling, instead of pulling it out he fired a round inside the Changelings gut causing a spray of green blood to cover the Changelings just behind him. More and more Changelings fell in increasingly gory and disturbing fashions. When Michael had slaughtered his way to the castle only sustaining minor injuries to his head and legs he found the changelings now were hiding behind the gate as if it would protect them.
"You think you can hide?" Michael said in an almost Demonic voice, he pulled two grenades from his belt, pulled the pins and tossed them towards the now cowering Changelings. "Think again!" Michael shouted in the same demonic voice, he laughed as the grenades detonated and killed the majority of the hiding Changelings.
"How can this be happening!? One Alien slaughtering all of my children!?" Chrysalis shouted angrily, she heard a satisfied grunt behind her. "What are you laughing at!?" she yelled at celestia who was now gagged, she removed her gag.
"Only I can call him off!" Celestia shouted, she saw the gears turning in Chrysalis's head.
Michael kicked the door into the castle and slaughtered his way up each floor again only taking minor injuries. When he reached the throne room he loaded his rifle and kicked the door open to find Chrysalis staring at him with a look of horror, he hadn't noticed but his new uniform was now completely soaked in Changeling blood. He raised his rifle and fired a round into Chrysalis's hoof causing her to shriek in pain and fall down. Michael approached her with a massive burning hatred in his eyes, he took a red magazine from his pack and loaded it into his M16. Putting the barrel to Chrysalis he was about to fire when he felt a sharp pain in his chest, looking down he saw there was a horn sticking through his stomach. Michael turned and put a pistol to the attackers head and firing. then with the horn still through his stomach he turned back to chrysalis
"This........Ends......Now" Michael stammered as he pulled the trigger, a special round capable of killing an immortal flew from the barrel and into Chrysalis's Skull. With that he stumbled over to Princess Celestia and freed her from her bonds before collapsing to the floor.
"Michael!?" Celestia said with a horrified voice "MICHAEL!?" she shouted and flipped him over "SOME PONY! ANYPONY! HELP ME!" Celestia started to use her magic trying to heal Michael but he just put his hand up and looked at her. He grabbed her mane.
"Take care of yourself Celestia, make sure Luna knows how much I loved her gifts and her nights." Michael began to stammer, several guards ran in as the force field died with Chrysalis
"HELP HIM!" Celestia ordered and the Guards hoisted the bleeding and unconscious soldier on their backs, the raced to the infirmary. Only time would tell if Michael would Survive.....
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
“Michael! Michael wake up!” Twilight said to her sleeping friend, he was lying in a hospital bed. His stomach was bandaged and he was covered in bruises, the minor injuries he had sustained turned out to far more serious than he imagined. His arm was broken in seven places and he sustained several rib fractures. He had burns where he had been hit by magic, his leg was in a plaster cast. He looked at the room, lots of balloons and cards saying get well soon. It looked like a hospital at home even the bed seemed to fit him. He saw Twilight sitting at the side of his bed.
“Huh? Wha-Where am I?” Michael said as he came out of the deep sleep he had been in, it had been several days since the war ended with the death of Queen Chrysalis. Twilight smiled at him as his eyes open, he felt shorter. Much shorter, so short he fit in the bed. “How am I in a pony sized bed when I’m…..” His face dropped “Oh no! FUCK NO WHAT THE FUCK YOU DO TO ME!” Michael said as he realized why he fit in the bed.
“I’m so sorry Michael, There was no other way!” Twilight said as tears filled her eyes, Michael pushed the blanket he was under off of his body revealing a pony with olive green fur and a short black mane. On his flank was a crown with a Celestia sun beneath it. A scar covered his eye and his stomach and he had wings that were bandaged. “If we didn’t do it you would have died!”
“HOW! HOW DID YOU EVEN DO THIS?!” Michael shouted still staring at his wings.
“Well I had a hand in it.” A smooth regal voice said, Michael and Twilight turned to see Princess Celestia standing by the door. Michaels fuming rage seemed to be cooled by her voice. “I understand your reservations about this Michael but believe me you would have died without this.”
“But what am I going to do? I can’t fire an M16 like this.”
“You don’t need to, you’re getting a promotion.” Celestia said with a smile
“But I just got promoted to colonel.” Michael said quizzically
“Well you’re being promoted to chairman of the Military. Your work at the battle of Las Pegasus and the fact that you single handedly took down the entire Changeling Army in Canterlot proved to me you are an excellent choice.” Celestia said, Michael’s face lit up.
“Ch-Ch-Chairman of the military?! But I don’t even know how to use this body! Why did you give me this body? Couldn’t you change me back?” Michael Pleaded, Celestia shook her head sadly. She didn’t tell him it was a one way spell “AW COME ON! PLEASE HELP ME!”
“It was a one way spell, I’m sorry Michael.” Celestia with a frown, Michael sighed as he took in his new fate.
“At least I’m still me, Michael Crawford, even if I’m in a new body.” Michael said trying to make sense of it. Celestia frowned again.
“You need to change your name, the people would find it hard to believe you were born a pony with a name like that.” She said, she saw rage building inside Michael’s eyes.
“Twilight! Leave Us!” Michael said barely holding in his rage, when she had left he laid into the Princess. His fury made nightmare moon look like a kitten. “YOU ASK ME TO CHANGE MY NAME! CHANGE MY LIFE! AFTER ALL I HAVE DONE! FOR YOU AND THIS GODDAMNED NATION! YOU’VE TAKEN MY BODY! LEAVE ME MY NAME!” he shouted, the princess actually quivered a bit but just stood there.
“Why do you care so much about your name?” Celestia asked, she regretted ever doing so
“BECAUSE IT IS MY NAME! I GREW WITH IT! I’LL BE DAMNED IF I DON’T DIE WITH IT!” Michael yelled furiously “I SAVED YOUR LIFE AND YOU ASK THIS OF ME! TALK ABOUT GRATITUDE!” Michael angrily grumbled. He looked at Celestia and saw tears beginning to form, now he felt like a big asshole.
“I-I’m sorry Michael, my hooves are tied.” She said rubbing a tear from her eye, she left the room visibly shaken. Twilight went into the room to see Michael now smoldering with anger, he flung his hooves over the side of the bed and stood on four legs grumbling. He found this new form of walking considerably comfortable though, he walked past Twilight without a word.
“Where are you going?” she said, Michael turned and shrugged.
“Home? I might just start building my own house. I think I’ve earned that don’t you?” Michael said with a grunt, Twilight looked at him as if to say ‘not in that condition’ but he just shook his head and walked out. “A new name? What do I call myself?” he thought out loud, he knew they wouldn’t change their minds. “What I wouldn’t give to get back home to the land of E Pluribus Unum?” Michael stopped in his tracks. “That’s it!” he said “Epluribus Unum, I could live with that name. I won’t be their little chairman, oh no~ I’ll be a grunt.” He saw the princess standing at the nurse’s station with applebloom. Michael walked over and plopped down in a chair. The Princess looked at him and frowned, he nodded simply. He had come to his decision.
“Applebloom look who it is!” the Princess said, She still looked upset but hid it well. Applebloom looked over and saw Michael sitting in the chair. She rushed over and hopped up onto him earning a small grunt from Michael as she snuggled into his new coat. The Princess walked over and sat on her haunches “Well have you thought about it?”
“Don’t have much of a choice now do I?” Michael said as a small snore came from Applebloom, Celestia Nodded. “Epluribus Unum, out of many one.” He said, Celestia nodded
“Well Epluribus is there anything else?” Celestia said, Michael now known as Epluribus Unum nodded.
“I don’t want to be chairman, I want to get back into combat. Maybe like a Lieutenant Colonel.” He said, Celestia nodded to Epluribus and smilled. “And I’m sorry for what I said, it was out of line. I should have followed your order.”
“Its fine Micha- err Epluribus, I asked so much of you after you’ve given so much already.” Celestia replied, she smiled a bit. Twilight was coming down the hall way when she found them talking. With a smile she sat on her haunches, her lavender eyes were wide and had the feeling of deep pools. It made Epluribus feel better…..
2 MONTHS LATER……
Epluribus stood outside a completed house, just like his farm on earth. With a smile he walkd to the door and opened it. Applebloom ran over to him and jumped up on his back, Twilight was cooking dinner in the kitchen. Life was good for now, Epluribus sat on a sofa with Applebloom.
“Daddy?” Applebloom said with a grin, Epluribus’s heart exploded, the first time she had said daddy.
“Yeah Honey?” He replied
“Thank you.” Applebloom said with a grin.
“For what sweety?”
“Everything you’ve done for me, you’re the best daddy ever.” Michael smiled and nuzzled Applebloom a bit, his new life was finally beginning……….
THE END
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
Prologue
Washington D.C.
The Pentagon
Time Walker Project
March 9,1976
Pvt. Michael Crawford
"Ready Michael?" a lab tech asked as Michael stood in full combat gear.
"Just wondering how I got roped into this FUBAR project." Crawford Replied, the lab tech laughed a bit.
"Your aptitude tests are off the charts, you passed the physical and mental exams with flying colors and the army sent some stellar recruiters to your school." The lab tech laughed a little louder this time. Michael just stared at the giant glowing machine pointed right at his chest.
"Why me? Why can't we test it on a dumb monkey or something?" Michael said, he was having second thoughts about all of this.
"Just shut up and put the goggles on." The tech said angrily, Michael's complaining was annoying. "Now are you clear on what you need to do?"
"Get shot in the chest by your weird ass machine, appear outside, walk inside." Michael said sarcastically
"Yeah that's right, now just stand still and close your eyes." the lab tech left the room and went in a room with a two way mirror, in the room were various military officials and politicians. "Think it'll work?" The lab tech asked a general
"Time travel? What a load of horse Shit! I bet we'll end up with another pile of green goo." the general said angrily "Why the DOD is pumping so much cash into this is beyond me. Just get it over with."
"Yes sir." the lab tech said, he pushed a button and an ominous blue light flashed in front of them. Where Michael stood nothing remained, no pile of goo nor a corpse.
"Did it work?" the general said in amazement, the audience looked at the door waiting for Michael to step through. After thirty minutes of nothing the test was pronounced a failure and the entire project buried under cover ups, but where one story ended another began.....
View Online
The Curious Case of Michael Crawford
Day 5 Part 2: End of the Battle/ Beginning of the End
Michael sat back and watched as the regular guards were able to clear out the remaining Changeling Forces from the city, The changelings lacked any tactical knowledge and so they always attacked with a full frontal assault. These attacks were costly to the Changelings and did minimal damage when repelled properly, that's just what Michael and his newly founded "Equestrian Marines" had done. He heard a loud pop and looked over to see princess Luna smiling at him, he hopped up and saluted. She smiled and floated something out of her saddle bag.
"Celestia and I read one of the copies of your field guide and found a section on ranks. I think that as the EMC's founder you deserve a promotion" the object Luna had floated out was a small box. Michael picked it out of the Alicorns magic field and slowly brought it over to his face. He peaked inside and did a double take before opening the box fully and revealing several Gold Eagles. Not the right color but the rank was just the same, a colonel. He looked at Luna and smiled, she pulled another larger box from her bag and floated it over to Michael. When he opened it he found more uniforms, when he had finished smiling he thanked Luna who then went inside the Building. Michael Proudly put on his new uniform and pinned the Eagles to the collar, he felt like a new man.
"Hey look at you Mr. Colonel!" Azure said lazily flying by with his M16 at his side.
"How do you know?" Michael asked, Azure took out his copy of the field guide.
"I know all the ranks by heart." Azure said with a grin, he landed and walked inside with Michael. The princess looked at him, her look of happiness before was replaced by fear.
"Their attacking Canterlot! I Don't know how but the got through and now Queen Chrysalis is holding Celestia Hostage!" Luna said with a paniced voice he had never heard her use before. Michael saluted, Luna nodded and was about to use her Teleport spell when she remembered something. "Here take this, I forgot to give it to you but i've seen you use it in your dreams." She said pulling a brand new M60 from the second saddle bag. Michael smiled wickedly before preparing to be teleported, one loud pop later and he and his men were on the outskirts of canterlot......
