> Lost in Battle > by MomoSeyfret > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 & 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1: Simple Mission Journal Entry - The Shadow Sentinels Date: April 27, 1917 The call came in on a crisp April morning, shrouded in secrecy as always. It was time for us, the four members of The Shadow Sentinels, to embark on yet another mission that would push the boundaries of our training and test our mettle in the ever-escalating Great War. In a dimly lit, smoke-filled room, we gathered to receive our orders. Our faces remained concealed by the shadows, our identities known only to each other and the highest echelons of command. Each of us wore our signature all-black uniforms, designed for stealth and effectiveness. Our gear was a testament to modern engineering – silent boots, gas masks, and an assortment of concealed weaponry. Sentinel Alpha - Phantom A man of few words, Phantom was our team leader. His expertise lay in infiltration and reconnaissance. With his trusty suppressed Colt M1911, he could eliminate threats silently and without hesitation. A hardened war veteran, his eyes betrayed the weight of his past. Sentinel Bravo - Silent Strike Silent Strike was our demolitions expert. Carrying an array of explosives and gadgets, he was the one to breach enemy fortifications. His calm demeanor concealed a fierce determination that made him the perfect man for the job. The field was his canvas, and his explosives were his brushstrokes. Sentinel Charlie - Wraith Wraith was our sharpshooter, an expert marksman with a Springfield M1903 rifle. His keen eyes could spot an enemy in the thickest of fog. But he was more than just a sniper; he had an uncanny ability to disappear into the landscape, hence his code name. Silent and stoic, his presence was often a mere whisper in the wind. Sentinel Delta - Tempest Tempest, the youngest among us, was the support weapons expert. He carried a Lewis Gun, the deadly chatter of which often served as a prelude to chaos. A compassionate soul in a world gone mad, he was the one to watch our backs, though he had yet to fire a shot in anger. Our mission was simple - rendezvous with a VIP who claimed to possess critical intelligence on the Germans' next move. As the clock struck 0500 hours, we boarded our unmarked black vehicle, concealed within the gray pre-dawn. Engines roared to life, and we drove through the winding French countryside, anticipating building. The designated meeting point was an abandoned mill on the outskirts of a small village. The cogs of our minds churned as we approached, each Sentinel preparing for every possible outcome. Unbeknownst to us, the enemy had discovered our plans and positioned a platoon of well-trained German soldiers to intercept the rendezvous. The black vehicle came to a halt, and we silently disembarked, taking positions around the mill. Our communication was a symphony of hand signals, a language only we understood. Phantom, with a subtle nod, signaled for Silent Strike to breach the mill's entrance, while Wraith and Tempest covered our flanks. The VIP emerged from the shadows, clad in civilian attire, the lines of worry etched on his face. He hurriedly began to divulge the critical intelligence, providing us with a map indicating the location of the enemy's hidden artillery emplacements. The enemy was planning a devastating assault, and we were the only ones standing in their way. But before we could fully grasp the gravity of his words, the quiet countryside erupted in a hail of gunfire. From all directions, German soldiers emerged, weapons at the ready, their faces contorted in fury. We had walked into a trap, and the enemy had sprung it with ruthless precision. Time seemed to slow as bullets whizzed through the air, our black uniforms offering scant cover. Phantom barked orders, directing our fire toward the enemy. Tempest's Lewis Gun unleashed a torrent of lead, suppressing the German advance, while Wraith picked off enemy soldiers with chilling accuracy. Silent Strike's demolition expertise became our saving grace as he set explosive charges to create makeshift barricades and distractions. But the enemy's numbers were overwhelming, and our situation grew increasingly dire. In the midst of the chaos, the VIP, panic-stricken, tried to scramble for cover. The world around us descended into a chaotic maelstrom of violence and smoke. It was then, just as we were pushed to the brink, that a blinding flash of light enveloped us. It was as if the heavens themselves had intervened. We were plunged into an eerie silence, the world around us fading into obscurity. Chapter 2: Accident Journal Entry - Twilight Sparkle Date: Unknown It was a bright and sunny day in Equestria when my friends and I gathered at the Crystal Castle. My trusted mentor, Princess Celestia, had been informed of my breakthrough with the magical mirror, and she, along with my dear friends, had come to witness my latest experiment. As the Princess of Friendship, my interests had always been a bit unconventional, and this project was no exception. I had been diligently working on the mirror, trying to reestablish the connection to the otherworld, where my adventures with my friends in the human world had taken place. My goal was simple: to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two worlds and enhance our understanding of each other. As I prepared to activate the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement. My friends—Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and of course, Spike—looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and encouragement. Princess Celestia, with her gentle smile, offered her support. With a deep breath, I channeled my magic into the mirror, focusing on the image of the world we knew, the one where I had met my friends from another dimension. The mirror responded to my magic, and its surface began to shimmer. The connection was about to be reestablished. But something went terribly wrong. The mirror's surface cracked, and an eerie, dark energy began to seep from it. I gasped, my heart pounding as I struggled to regain control of the magical anomaly. The mirror's surface contorted and shifted, revealing an unsettling image. It was not the world I had expected. Before us, the mirror displayed an abandoned mill. The scene was chaotic, as people clad in strange, all-black uniforms engaged in a fierce fight against a large group of soldiers in gray-green uniforms. Smoke filled the air, and the staccato of explosion echoed through the room. We watched in shock, unable to comprehend what was happening. The events unfolding in the mirror were utterly foreign to us. My heart ached for the ponies and creatures caught in the crossfire, but there was nothing we could do to help them. I knew nothing of this world or its history, and it left me feeling utterly powerless. As we watched the battle unfold, questions swirled in my mind. Who were these beings in the all-black uniforms? Where were they, and why did the mirror show us this world instead of the one we knew? It was a perplexing and distressing sight, and I longed for answers. And then, as we continued to watch the harrowing scene, the mirror itself began to tremble. It was as if the magic within it was rebelling against the connection. I could sense a growing instability, and a sense of impending danger swept over us. Just as I attempted to cut off the magic and close the mirror, a flash of blinding white light erupted from the mirror's surface. It enveloped the entire room, and I could hear the startled gasps of my friends and Princess Celestia. When the light subsided, we found ourselves still in the Crystal Castle, but something had changed. The mirror had disappeared, leaving behind an empty, void-like space. Panic and confusion swirled in the air. But the strangest part was yet to come. From this very room, the blinding light had shot through the mirror and had landed somewhere in the Everfree Forest. We couldn't explain it, and the enormity of the situation left us in awe. We were left with more questions than answers, and the sense of mystery surrounding the mirror and its connection to the strange world continued to deepen. > Chapter 3 & 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3: A Strange Forest Journal Entry - The Shadow Sentinels Date: Unknown As the blinding light from the portal subsided, we found ourselves sprawled on the ground in a place we couldn't recognize. Disoriented and still believing we were surrounded by the enemy, we scrambled to our feet and instinctively checked our equipment. The surroundings, however, were far from what we had expected. The forest that enveloped us was a surreal mix of vibrant colors and fantastical flora. Unfamiliar plant life and bizarre structures loomed in every direction. The realization that we were no longer in the midst of a World War I battlefield began to sink in, but it did little to ease our tension. We moved cautiously through the forest, our senses alert for any potential threats. Our training has taught us to be vigilant, no matter the environment. The first hint that we were no longer in familiar territory was the oddity of the plant life. Massive, luminescent mushrooms towered over us, their caps casting an eerie, soft light. Vines twisted and curled, revealing curious, otherworldly fruits. It was a botanical spectacle unlike any we had ever encountered. The forest's silence was occasionally punctuated by the eerie howls of what we initially assumed were wolves. Our instincts kicked in, and we quickly assumed battle positions. Tensions were high as we awaited the imminent attack, but when the creatures finally appeared, we were met with a strange surprise. The "wolves" that emerged from the shadows were unlike any we'd ever seen. These creatures were made entirely of wood, their joints creaking as they moved. Each wooden wolf had an eerie, almost mystical quality about it. It was a sight that defied logic, and we couldn't help but exchange puzzled glances. Our training dictated that we engage potential threats, and with no way to anticipate the intentions of these enigmatic wooden creatures, we prepared to defend ourselves. Firing in unison, we took down several of them with precise shots. However, they proved to be far more resilient than ordinary wolves. As we fought, Tempest, our support specialist, sustained an injury when one of the wooden wolves bit into his leg. The pain was excruciating, but Phantom, our leader, skillfully intervened. As our de facto field medic, he administered swift and efficient first aid, staunching the wound and applying disinfectant from our first-aid kit. The combat was fierce, but we pushed on, not knowing what other surprises this mysterious forest held. Our teamwork and unwavering resolve saw us through as we dispatched the last of the wooden wolves. Our surroundings, however, remained bewildering. After the skirmish, we regrouped to assess the situation. We were still grappling with the strange reality that surrounded us, unable to comprehend how we had ended up in this bizarre forest. As we set up a rudimentary encampment, we discussed the situation at hand. Each of us had the same burning questions—where were we, and how had we arrived in this unfamiliar place? In the midst of uncertainty, we began to exchange our individual experiences and observations. We realized that this was a world unlike any we had ever known. The flora and fauna were otherworldly, and the very air seemed infused with magic. None of us had any answers, but we were united in our determination to unravel this mystery. The forest, though strange and potentially perilous, was going to be our new battleground. With the unknown stretching out before us, we had no choice but to adapt to this fantastical reality and face whatever challenges lay ahead. Chapter 4: A strange Encounter Journal Entry - The Shadow Sentinels Date: Unknown The night passed fitfully as we huddled in our encampment, surrounded by the eerie sounds of the mystical forest. Our discussions covered everything from theories about our current predicament to strategies for the unknown challenges that lay ahead. Phantom, our steadfast leader, insisted that we continue to adapt to this strange world, gathering information and planning our next steps. The bond of camaraderie that had seen us through countless missions was as strong as ever, and our shared determination kept us focused. As the night deepened, we maintained a vigilant watch with shifts to ensure that we would be ready for whatever surprises the forest held. Each of us took turns patrolling the area, our senses heightened, our weapons at the ready. The darkness was alive with unfamiliar sounds, and our surroundings were a constant source of mystery and unease. As the first light of dawn began to break through the trees, we lowered our guard, if only for a moment, to savor the hope that a new day might bring answers to our questions. But as the morning sun cast its warming rays over the surreal forest, our tranquility was shattered by the distant sound of voices. Instantly, we sprang into action, taking down our encampment and moving with the swift efficiency that only well-trained soldiers could muster. The voices grew closer, and we climbed into the trees, choosing our positions carefully as we prepared for an ambush of our own. Our communication was conducted through a complex system of coded sign language, ensuring that even in this unfamiliar world, our unity remained unbroken. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as we waited in tense silence, concealed among the branches. The anticipation weighed heavily on us, our fingers hovering near our weapons. The voices approached, and we readied ourselves for the encounter. Then, through the thick foliage, we saw them. Six small, colorful creatures trotting along the forest path, each adorned with a unique combination of vibrant colors and a stunning array of tattoos. There was one in pink, one in white, one in orange, one in yellow, one in blue, and one in purple. Their presence defied explanation, and we exchanged perplexed glances. The group of colorful creatures seemed oblivious to our presence as they chatted among themselves. It was a surreal sight, and our coded signs became even more crucial as we maintained our readiness for the unexpected. Suddenly, the pink creature halted in its tracks, its ears perking up as it turned to face the forest's edge. "Guys, does it feel like we're being watched by four creatures?" it said, a hint of concern in its voice. The other five creatures paused and looked at the pink one, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and confusion. They had clearly sensed our presence, and our concealed positions had been compromised. Phantom quickly signaled to us that we had been found out and that we should prepare for an ambush. We watched the colorful creatures closely, preparing to emerge from our hiding spots at the right moment. As the minutes ticked by, we kept our eyes fixed on the creatures, waiting for the perfect opportunity to make our move. The tension in the air was palpable, and the forest seemed to hold its breath. And then, with a flurry of silent movements, we descended from our perches, each of us taking aim at the strange, colorful creatures. Our weapons were at the ready, but we hesitated to pull the triggers. "FREEZE, DON'T MOVE!" Phantom shouted as our ambush unfolded. The forest echoed with the command, and we had the creatures in our sights. However, in that tense moment, Phantom signed for us to hold our fire. The creatures stared back at us with wide, bewildered eyes. They were clearly intelligent and capable of understanding us. As we faced these enigmatic beings, a new chapter in our otherworldly journey began. We had discovered a group of colorful creatures unlike anything we had ever seen, and the exchange of information and communication was about to commence. > Chapter 5: Deceptive Intentions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Journal Entry - Twilight Sparkle Date: Unknown It was a world of chaos, an unraveling of reality, as the blinding light burst forth from the magical mirror and spilled into the Everfree Forest. The six friends—Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy—stood in stunned silence, watching the inexplicable phenomenon unfold. The Everfree Forest, a place known for its unpredictability and the source of many of their previous adventures, had become a realm of uncertainty once more. As the light dissipated, the forest was eerily quiet, as if holding its breath in anticipation. Twilight, always the logical and analytical one, was the first to break the silence. "Did you all see that? What just happened? Where did that light come from?" The others exchanged worried glances, unable to provide an answer to her barrage of questions. It was a situation beyond their understanding, even for ponies who had experienced countless magical anomalies. Princess Celestia, with her usual composed demeanor, stepped forward. "Stay calm, my little ponies," she said, her voice filled with a calming presence. "We need to investigate what came through the portal. It's possible that a new creature or entity has entered our world." Twilight nodded, feeling reassured by her mentor's guidance. They needed to act quickly and cautiously. The first step was to gather their thoughts and pack necessary supplies before heading deeper into the Everfree Forest. As they prepared for their journey, Twilight couldn't help but ramble on, her mind racing to comprehend the bizarre event. She recounted all the times she had ventured into the human world, the friends she had made, and the adventures they had shared. Her friends listened, trying to provide comfort in their own way. Rainbow Dash attempted to soothe her nerves with a confident smirk. "Twilight, we've faced chaos and danger before. We'll figure this out just like we always do." Pinkie Pie, ever the optimist, chimed in with her usual enthusiasm. "Yeah, Twilight! Maybe this new creature will love parties and cake! We can throw it a welcome party!" Applejack, the practical one, sighed and shook her head. "Pinkie, now's not the time for party planning." The orange earth pony's no-nonsense attitude was enough to make Pinkie Pie pipe down for the moment. With their supplies gathered and their nerves somewhat settled, the group made their way to the edge of the Everfree Forest. They took a collective deep breath, shared a reassuring look, and then ventured into the shadowy expanse. The forest's canopy loomed above them, and the ground was uneven and overgrown. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls surrounded them. It was a world untouched by pony hooves, a place where nature reigned free, and magic worked differently. The first few hours of their search proved uneventful. They moved cautiously, with Twilight occasionally using her magic to scan for any unusual disturbances in the environment. But there were no signs of what had emerged from the mirror. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the ponies decided to set up camp, creating a small, cozy clearing amidst the dense underbrush. They were determined to continue their search with renewed vigor when the morning light returned. With campfires crackling and tents set up, the ponies sat together, enjoying a simple meal of sandwiches and apples. Pinkie, however, couldn't resist the urge to add a bit of her own flair to the situation. "Hey, guys! What do you think came out of the mirror?" she asked, her eyes shining with curiosity. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, whispering to Applejack, "Pinkie's at it again with her wild imagination." Applejack shook her head. "Now ain't the time for fantasizing about things that might scare Twilight and Fluttershy half to death." As they wrapped up their meal and prepared for the night, the ponies couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Twilight and Fluttershy huddled together in their tent, their shared fears eased by one another's presence. The morning sun arrived, and the group packed up their camp to resume their search. It was during this expedition that Rainbow Dash's sharp ears caught a strange sound in the distance, a low, murmured chatter. She perked up, turning to her friends. "Did anypony else hear that?" They all strained their ears and, sure enough, the faint voices grew louder as they approached the source. With Rainbow Dash leading the way, the group began to move in the direction of the mysterious voices. Applejack couldn't help but inquire, "Rainbow, are you just trying to mess with Fluttershy again, or did you really hear something?" Rainbow Dash's confidence wavered for a moment as she considered the possibility. "I'm not trying to scare anypony. I really did hear something." The confirmation of Rainbow Dash's statement came swiftly as the forest rustled once more. The noise was more pronounced this time, as if someone—or something—was approaching. The ponies shared anxious glances, their hearts racing with anticipation. The forest, however, grew silent once more, as if holding its breath for the impending encounter. Moments later, the group entered a peculiar clearing in the forest. The air felt charged with an inexplicable energy, and the sense of being watched was palpable. Each pony felt a tingling on the back of their neck, a prickling sensation that sent shivers down their spines. Pinkie Pie, her voice a touch too loud in the heavy silence, said, "Guys, does it feel like we're being watched by four creatures?" The colorful ponies turned to Pinkie with curious, uneasy expressions. The feeling of being observed weighed heavily on them, and the forest seemed to hold its collective breath. Suddenly, the stillness was shattered as they heard a heavy stomp, and the ground quaked around them. The group turned their heads in unison, their eyes widening in shock. Four bipedal creatures emerged from the shadows, each pointing strange gadgets at the ponies and yelling frantically for them not to move. The creatures were unfamiliar and alien in their appearance, causing a wave of fear and uncertainty to sweep over Twilight and her friends. Fear gripped the ponies, and they screamed in terror. Fluttershy, overwhelmed by the strange and hostile presence, hid behind Twilight and Applejack, seeking refuge from the unknown intruders. Twilight's horn began to glow, her magical energy surging in preparation for an unknown threat. > Chapter 6: Stressful Meeting > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Journal Entry - The Shadow Sentinels Date: Sun Year 2000 Our hearts pounded in our chests as we pointed our weapons at the strange and colorful beings before us, demanding their compliance. The creatures—no, the ponies—stood frozen, their eyes wide with fear. Wraith, always the observant one, noticed something peculiar about the purple horse. Her head was adorned with a shimmering horn. He swiftly signaled to Phantom, conveying his discovery. Phantom, recognizing the potential significance of this detail, gave the order. "Delta, secure the purple unknown," Phantom said, keeping his tone steady and focused. He turned to Silent Strike and added, "Charlie, cover Delta for hostile action." The instructions were clear, and the Sentinels moved with precision. First, Tempest approached the purple horse, barking orders for her to stop her mystical display and lie on the ground. "Stop with that on your head and get down on the ground, NOW!" Tempest shouted. The purple horse hesitated for a moment before reluctantly obeying, her horn still bathed in a soft, lilac glow. Tempest's patience wore thin. "TURN THAT STRANGE LIGHT OFF NOW, OR ELSE!" he yelled, the urgency in his voice clear. The horse complied, extinguishing the magical glow. As she did, the atmosphere in the clearing seemed to ease, but the tension still hung heavy in the air. Meanwhile, Wraith kept a watchful eye on the other horses, ready to react at the first sign of hostility. As he observed, something caught his attention. The blue pony began to unfurl her wings, moving slowly and cautiously. Wraith's voice rang out, warning of the sudden movement. "BLUE TANGO MOVING! BLUE HORSE, STOP MOVING OR WE WILL USE FORCE!" The other Sentinels swiftly directed their weapons toward the blue horse. Phantom added his authoritative voice, demanding her compliance. "STOP NOW!" The blue horse hesitated for a moment, then continued her movements, pushing the Sentinels to the brink. Phantom wasted no time. "Neutralize all targets." With that order, Phantom and Tempest rushed the group, knocking out the blue, white, and pink horses. The orange and purple horses, however, refused to submit without a fight. The purple horse utilized her horn to vanish before their very eyes and reappear behind the Sentinels. The orange horse charged Tempest, attempting to buck him but missing as he swiftly evaded the attack. The situation had escalated, and the Sentinels were forced to employ more aggressive tactics. Wraith, always the sharpshooter, took action. His rifle roared to life as he fired a warning shot that darted past the purple horse's head, the deafening sound of the gunshot ringing out like a thunderclap. The blast was enough to startle the horses and force them into submission. The confrontation came to an abrupt halt as the orange and purple horses seized their aggressive actions. The forest was eerily silent as the tension began to subside. The purple horse, now much more composed, spoke in a soft, feminine voice, "We surrender, please don't hurt us. We just came to find out what came out of the mirror." Phantom and the other Sentinels exchanged uncertain glances. The situation had taken a drastic turn, and they were now faced with the need to determine whether these colorful beings were friend or foe. Phantom made the decision to secure the horses, instructing his comrades to tie up the other horses. Only the purple horse and the yellow one remained unbound. Tempest approached the yellow horse, his concern evident in his voice as he asked Phantom for guidance. "Alpha, this one seems docile. What should I do?" Phantom considered the situation before responding, "It's up to you, Delta, but be prepared to neutralize if they attempt anything unexpected." Tempest nodded and offered a reassuring message to the trembling yellow horse. "Hey, you on the ground, I won't tie you up, but don't do anything strange." The yellow horse, still visibly shaken, nodded in response and continued to shake. Her vulnerability touched the Sentinels, but they remained vigilant. Returning their focus to the purple horse, Phantom inquired about their location and the nature of these horses. "Where are we, and what time is it? Also, what are you, horses? Why do you have such intelligence?" The purple horse answered their questions. "First of all, we are NOT horses; we are PONIES. It's quite rude to refer to us as horses. This is Equestria and this is the everfree forest, and it is the sun year 2000. Also, as far as I know, we have always possessed intelligence." The purple pony continued “Also please don’t call us by the color of our coats, My name is Twilight Sparkle. And the ‘Yellow’ on the ground is Fluttershy. The rest of my friends can introduce themselves when they wake up.” The Sentinels found themselves in a delicate situation. Trust was a fragile commodity, and they needed to decide whether to believe Twilight Sparkle's words. They conferred with one another, attempting to assess the situation and make a decision that would best serve their interests. After a period of deliberation, they returned to Twilight Sparkle, maintaining their cautious stance. "Can we trust you not to attack, poison, or use that horn of yours on us?" Phantom asked, his tone measured and cautious. Twilight Sparkle looked at each of them and replied, "Only if you agree to do the same and apologize for hurting my friends." Phantom shared a look with his fellow Sentinels, acknowledging the ponies' demands. They finally reached a consensus. "Alright, we have come to an agreement. We will untie your friends when they wake up and understand the situation." The purple pony seemed content with this resolution. "I don't think they will attack you when they wake up. My friends are good ponies and usually ask before doing anything, mostly." Phantom's attention shifted to the group of tied-up ponies, assessing them for any signs of aggression as they began to stir from their unconscious state. The Sentinels had secured an uneasy truce with these enigmatic beings, but the true nature of their new allies remained shrouded in mystery. > Chapter 7: Temporary Truce > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Journal Entry - The Shadow Sentinels Date: Sun Year 2000 The forest air hung heavy with tension as the Sentinels and the colorful ponies faced each other. The decision to establish a truce had been made, but the aftermath of their initial encounter left a trail of uncertainty and mistrust. Twilight Sparkle, the purple pony and apparent leader, stepped forward to explain the situation to her friends. However, Applejack, the orange pony, was not ready to let the events slide without questioning. "WHAT THE HAY IS GOING ON HERE?" Applejack's voice boomed through the clearing, echoing the sentiments of the group. Twilight Sparkle quickly intervened, "Applejack, it's okay. We have a truce now." Applejack, however, was not convinced. "So yer telling me, that after they ambush us, knock out our friends, AND pointin' that doohickey and firin' whatever came out of it toward you, we're supposed to act like none of this happened?" Twilight Sparkle responded with sincerity, "Well, I don't believe we have another choice. These humans seem to be from a very different world than what I saw when I went to Canterlot High, and most likely a very different time as well. At least, we should try to understand what is going on because I am the one who brought them here by mistake." Phantom and Wraith couldn't contain their frustration. "Are you saying THAT you're the reason we are here, instead of defending against the Germans that will kill millions of people?" they yelled in unison. The outburst startled Applejack, terrified Fluttershy, and seemed to wake up the others who were still tied up. Twilight walked over to her friends, then turned to Phantom, "Yes, I was the one responsible for bringing you here, but it was an accident. I was trying to link the mirror to a world I had visited before, but when I tried to link them again, it connected to your world. However, something went wrong, and the mirror brought you here." Phantom sighed, "So let me get this straight. You wanted to connect a mirror to another world, but for some reason, it connected to ours. Then something happened and brought us here... in a forest... in another world." Twilight responded, "Yes, and I am very sorry about—" Her apology was cut short by the tied-up ponies, "HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? UNTIE ME. IF YOU SO MUCH AS LAY A HOOF ON MY FRIENDS, YOU'LL BE SORRY," the blue pony, Rainbow Dash, yelled. Applejack tried to help control the situation, "Rainbow Dash, you're alright. Calm down. They're not going to hurt us anymore." Rainbow Dash shot back, "How can you be so sure? They knocked us out, then tied us up. And look at poor Fluttershy. She's so terrified that she can't stop shaking." Twilight interjected, "Rainbow, if you look closer, they haven't touched Fluttershy. Also, Applejack and I are unharmed. Not to mention, we have made a truce with each other." Rainbow Dash sighed and crossed her hooves in agreement. The white pony, Rarity, chimed in, "Umm, excuse me, sir. Would you be so kind as to untie me? I don't want these ropes to mess up my mane." Rainbow Dash retorted, "Rarity, is now really the time to worry about your mane?" Rarity replied earnestly, "Darling, you don't understand. One must take pride in their mane, and I have a photoshoot with Photo Finish for my spring fashion line." Rainbow Dash shrugged off the statement, and Phantom and the other Sentinels approached the tied-up ponies. Phantom kneeled down and said, "Alright, I will untie you on the condition that you do not try to harm us. If you do, you have my word that I will not harm you either." Twilight Sparkle and Applejack nodded in agreement, and so did Rarity, albeit with some hesitation. Phantom turned to the pink pony, noticing a sweet scent akin to cotton candy. "You, pink pony, do you agree to the truce?" The Pink pony looked at Phantom, violently shaking as if it were to explode, then nodded frantically. Phantom took a half step back, not knowing what to do, then looked toward Twilight Sparkle for guidance. "Is that pony okay?" he asked. Twilight chuckled and responded, "Yes, that is just how Pinkie normally is, but I would be careful after you untie her." Phantom gave Twilight Sparkle a worried look then prepared for the worst. He looked at Tempest and ordered, "Tempest, untie them and watch out for the pink one." The ponies were untied, and the tension in the clearing began to ease, if only slightly. The Sentinels remained on guard, uncertain of what the future held in this strange and magical land. > Chapter 8: Reintroductions and the Radio > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Journal Entry - The Shadow Sentinels Date: Sun Year 2000 Tempest slowly unties the three ponies and, as he finishes, the pink pony starts to shake even more. She then explodes into confetti as she appears behind Tempest and starts rambling on about how strange the humans look. "Why do you only have hair on your head? Oh! Why are you sooooo tall? Do you have wings? Can you use magic? What are those things in your hands? And why are you-" Pinkie got cut off by Tempest stumbling over his own feet. The Sentinels all step back and look confused while Phantom yells to the pink pony, "What just happened? How did you do that?" The pink pony responded while bouncing over to Phantom, "What do you mean? I could always do that, I just never thought about it. But first! What is your favorite flavor of ca..." Applejack, Rainbow, and Twilight rushed over to the pink pony and covered her mouth with their hooves before she could finish. Twilight gave an apologetic look and said, "Sorry about her! She is just very excited to meet new pon..uh creatures. And it is just better to accept the impossible things she does rather than question it. I think both of us owe an explanation, but first, we should reintroduce ourselves since everpony is up now." Phantom gives Twilight a suspicious look but gives in, then looks to his team and asks them to all come to one side of the clearing. The team walks over and organizes themselves in front of their audience. Briefly they discuss if they should introduce themselves with the code name or their nicknames given to them at camp. The ponies walk over to Fluttershy to comfort her as the Phantom team converses. They talk to each other as the ponies look at them with curiosity and worry. When they finish talking to each other, they decide that since they are in a foreign land that their nicknames may make more sense than their code names. However, when the group finished conversing, the ponies noticed that the man named Phantom didn’t seem very happy after the talk. Phantom addresses the ponies, "Alright since we are not from here we agree that introductions are in order. However, due to the nature of our job and the rules that we must follow, we cannot give you our names. We can give you our nicknames or our code names assigned to us. Do you understand that?" All the ponies take a step back from hearing the strange statement. Twilight looks at the ponies around her as they look back at her with worry in their eyes. Twilight turns to the four men and asks, "Okay, but what is your job that prevents you from telling us your name?" Phantom looks at the ponies and with a serious face tells them, "I can't tell you that, but I can tell you that as long as we are here, we will do no harm to those that are friendly. Now should we start with introductions?" Twilight nods and looks to her friends to see if they want to speak first. However, after no volunteers she nominates herself to begin. "Thank you, my name is Twilight Sparkle." She looks back at the ponies around her. Then they go down the line of ponies. "My name is Applejack, nice to meet y'all!" the orange pony states with a nod of her head and dip of her hat. "My name is Rarity, and I must say your sense of fashion is very…unique to put it nicely." the white pony says while she curtsies. “This is the standard issue service uniform with some modifications by me. However, I wouldn’t call this fashion, we wear this so it is harder to see us in combat.” Tempest said, proud of his handy work in the uniforms. “Ah, I see.” Rarity responds as she winces from the color of the uniforms. “Ahem” the blue pony called out while looking at Rarity. "The name is Rainbow Dash, don't forget it," The Rainbow Dash says as she glares at the four men, barely suppressing her suspicion and disdain. "I'm Pinkie Pie, nice to meet ya!" the pink pony says with a grin as her hair poofs out. Finally, the last pony hides behind her pink mane and whispers something inaudible. Phantom and the others look at the yellow pony with confusion, but Applejack interrupts their staring and says, "Don't worry there fellas! She’s just shy around new pon- creatures! Well most creatures. Her name is Fluttershy." As everyone and everypony starts to relax a little, Tempest looks at Fluttershy with worried eyes and responds, "Huh, okay. Well I guess I'll start. I'm Tempest, but you can call me Hazzard. Don't ask. I am the team’s heavy weapons specialist and an equipment operator." The others then begin their introductions. "I'm Silent Strike, but you can call me Smokey. I am our explosive specialist and navigator." Wraith continued as the next in line. "I'm Wraith, but my team calls me Clip. I'm the team's eyes and ears on the field but also our long range specialist." All the members except for Phantom started to laugh a little as they grinned at Phantom, waiting for him to introduce himself. Phantom stared daggers at the team as he introduced himself. "I'm the team leader. You can call me Phantom, and Phantom only. I am also the team medic although all of us are capable of doing anyone’s position." Phantom finished introducing himself and Smokey started to joke and say "Captain, are you forgetting something, like how your nickname was Alex..." Phantom almost instinctively clobbered Smokey around the head after that statement, saying, "Smokey I don't want to hear that name ever again after ASRF training." At the aggressive display, all the ponies are surprised and take a step back but Fluttershy yelps and hides behind Rainbow Dash. The ponies give Phantom a quizzical look, then Twilight speaks up first. "Umm, Phantom, excuse me but what does Mr. Smokey mean? Also, what is the ASRF?" Phantom looks back at the ponies while the other Sentinels try to stifle a laugh, clears his throat then says, "Well I can only tell one of those. And that was what Smokey was referring to, which was my nickname that was given to me during training. In the military, most people get a nickname for something they did or what they look like. Most of the time it is not a positive thing. For example..." Phantom looks at Silent Strike then says, "Smokey over here got his name by having multiple modified Nebelbombe grenades, stolen form the Germans, explode in his hands. Somehow he kept his hands in one piece, so we gave him the name Smokey." As the ponies listen to Phantom, Rainbow Dash chuckles a little as Twilight responds, "If that is the case then what about your name?" Phantom sighs as he responds, "Well mine was just a mispronunciation of my middle name and no one has let me live it down. But now is not the time for stories, it is about time we gave you an explanation. But while I explain what happened to us, Tempest, I need you to check all the equipment and make sure it works, even the SCR-54." Then the Phantom goes on to explain what happened to them before they got to Equestria, while Tempest tended their equipment. "We were sent on a mission to meet a VIP that had intel on the German movement. However, what we didn't know was the Germans had followed the VIP to the set rendezvous point and set up an ambush to kill the VIP and us. But as they ambushed us a bright light engulfed us and before we knew it we were in a forest of unknown origin. Then we heard you and didn't know if you were hostile or not so we planned to ambush you for intel. " After the explanation Phantom calls out to Tempest "How is our equipment?" Tempest replies, "Almost done, just need to check the SCR-54." Tempest then goes to his rucksack and pulls out a fairly big wooden box and opens it up. It looks like a SCR-54 but fitted for longer ranges. But as Tempest turns a few nobs, flips a few switches, and puts on a small headset, he doesn't move for a few minutes until Phantom calls out to him. Then he starts to slowly turn to Phantom and says "Captain, we have a problem." Phantom gives him a confused look and asks, “What is it?” As the other Sentinels and the ponies wait in bated breath, Tempest looks down and then says with a serious tone, “Sir, I sent out a test frequency to test the audio to see if it still worked. However, I got a response.” After that statement all the Sentinels developed serious faces and Phantom asked, “Who or what responded?” Tempest sighs and responds gravely, “The Germans.”