> An Unknown Savior > by FlyboyMuffins > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A strange arrival > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Keep them back! For Celestia!" Their officer was attempting to rally his troops, but they kept losing ground. Suddenly, a strange portal opened nearby, causing both parties to spin and look to assess this new arrival. Out emerged a strange pony. The pony had a light brown coat, gold rimmed sunglasses, and a cutie mark resembling a nuclear fallout symbol. Looking harder, and as the light faded, they saw it was a unicorn. The strange pony instantly assessed the situation, and threw off his cloak, previously hiding a metal hoof, seemingly made of scrap parts, but still well built. The pony took a few seconds to regain his balance, almost seeming to not be used to having four legs, but the imbalance didn't last. Looking at the changelings, then to the Guard, he came to a decision. "Changelings, huh? Come on then, come fight a Quin." Then, picking up a spear from a fallen Guard, he charged the changelings. The changelings, not expecting the attack, quickly responded in kind. The Guard, now seeing their enemy was flanked and distracted, formed a wedge and galloped into the fray. However, the changelings still heavily outnumbered them, and they were pushed back into a defensive circle. However, with strength in their hearts, for every one of them that fell, 10 changelings fell as well. But the changelings still outnumbered them, and some had infiltrated the line. The strange pony decided to play his trump card. Stepping out of line for a second, he pulled off his pack, and pulled out an assortment of items. Then, concentrating on his horn, he was engulfed in a bright green light, darker however than that of the changelings. He started to morph into a creature that was taller, much taller. After fully transforming, he was wearing full clothing: a leather jacket and a white shirt, jeans and fighting military boots. "That's better," the human said. "Now I can do what I came to do." Only few noticed, the rest fighting for their lives. Walking over to the components on the ground, the pony, now a tall human, quickly pieced them together, leaving him with a shotgun and two pistols. Quickly loading them, he rejoined the battle line, where everyone finally noticed him. "Cool trick, Quin! How'd you pull it off?" Looking over, Quin saw a Guard marvelling at him. "You'd be surprised at what I can do. Now, I've got some changelings to kill." "Ditto." They jumped back into the battle line, but this time Quin blasting 2, 3, even 5 changelings into oblivion using his shotgun at a time. The changelings, trying to adapt to this new creature, could only change into his pony form, and missing their front left leg. Quin, smiling, led a charge until the guard was free to do as they wished, and the changelings began to flee. Their commander walked up to Quin, saying, "You did well back there. What's your name?" "John. John Quin." "Well, John, what's your plan?" "You all protect as many civilians as you can." "What about you?" "I'm going to rush the castle." "On your own?" the Guard exclaimed, "That's suicide! Take my men with you." "No, you need them with you. I'll be fine. Trust me." "Fine. Until we meet again." "Ditto." John started his walk towards the castle, and the Guard reorganized and went to gather more remnants. John transformed back into a pony, and snuck his way into the castle. Upon arriving, he transformed into his human form. > The Confrontation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, Queen Chrysalis was hearing the report about the strange being who stood on two legs and used a weapon that had not been heard of before. She was angered by this, and sent changelings to look for this new arrival and destroy him. Little did she know that he was right in their midst. Watching the changelings leave, John guessed the reason and smiled. Walking to the doors to the throne room, he was stopped by the two guards who charged him, hissing. John pulled out his shotgun, and blasted them into the door, making it rattle. Hearing the noise outside, everypony inside turned towards the door. Suddenly, a loud knocking was heard. Changeling guards approached the door, hissing. A large THOOM was heard, followed by a bunch of small holes being blasted into the door. Then a flash of metal was seen, and a hole large enough for a person to walk through was created. John Quin stepped through, looking around the room at the occupants. Seeing the changelings, he quickly pointed his shotgun at one, pulling the trigger. An audible click was heard, but no bang. "Dammit." John then pulled out his first pistol, shooting into one of the changelings, before the second tackled him from behind. Now wrestling with the changeling, John took a few hits, scratches, and bites, before landing a punch to the changeling's temple, and it fell unconscious. Standing, and pulling out his second pistol, he turned to the evil Queen. The Queen, looking at him, attempted to change him onto his side. "You fight well, John Quin. I respect that." John nodded, knowing it was true. "And?" "I could offer you a high position in my new rule. We could rule Equestria together!" "A tempting offer, but I refuse." "You refuse? Why? I could give you everything!" "But I don't want everything. I want to protect my family, what I stand for, and the innocents of all worlds." "All worlds? You talk as if you come from another!" "As a matter of fact, I do. I come from a world of nuclear fallout, where bandits and criminals run rampant. Without me, who is to defend my family?" "I understand about your family, but what of your values?" "I value freedom, justice, and above all, peace." "A warrior speaks of peace? How hypocritical." "If I must fight to protect the peace, then I shall. Do not try to tempt me, evil one. You and your changelings are like wasps, angry wasps, and the only way to stop the wasps is to get rid of the Queen. Now let us tarry no longer. Fight or run," John said, leveling his pistol at the changeling's face. "Very well. I gave you a chance," Chrysalis replied, "now feel my power!" The changeling fired a beam of pure energy at John, causing him to dive out of the way. John fired a few shots, only to have them stopped by a large ball of energy fired towards him. John dived again, this time getting closer, and fired a few more shots, managing to graze the Queen's shoulder. She hissed in pain, and fired more beams. John managed to avoid all but one, instead blocking it with his arm, the energy deflecting in all directions. When the light dimmed, John was left standing in a defensive position, his arm steaming from the heat. "Well isn't that neat," John smirked. "Die, insolent fool!" The Queen of the changelings fired more beams at John, landing a hit square on his chest, right below his heart. John fell backwards, transforming back into a pony, his sunglasses falling off, his eyes shut. "NO!" A new arrival appeared at the door, unarmed. It was an almost exact copy of John, except smaller and with a different outfit, and a cutie mark that resembled tools used for inventing. He rushed the evil Queen, before being held in a magic field and thrown next to his brother. "Agh!" The new arrival called, before trying to get up but realising his legs were broken, and cried out in pain. The Queen laughed, before standing over the new arrival, charging a beam to fire.