//------------------------------// // Day 3: Out of the Frying Pan.... // Story: The Curious Case of Michael Crawford // by The Gunny //------------------------------// 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......