Imagine being one of the most powerful and most acclaimed martial organisations in the known world. Imagine knowing that five hundred people like you turned an army of twenty six thousand, taking only a few losses and destroying the enemy utterly.

Imagine going each day to the God who gave you such a privilege, and swearing to serve Him anew each day. Imagine knowing that each day, you are living the life you have been called to.

Imagine knowing that by fell treachery, torture, and lies, your order was now under threat by those whom it had aided in the past, and that now you were hunted for that help.

This is the tale of Johann von Saxony, and the struggle that this places on his life.

UPDATE:

Due to an unfortunate lack of time and attention, this story has been placed on hiatus. I cannot currently devote the time required to rewrite it and continue it as it deserves. I will continue it, have no fear - but not now.

UPDATE UPDATE:

Due to being asked multiple times to update it and in the end flipping a coin, I have recommenced the continuation of the story. The end will be reached sooooonishly. (like about 100 000 words or so)

Although Flash Sentry is overjoyed to be engaged to Princess Twilight Sparkle, Celestia withholds her blessing until she can interview the couple. At the interview, Flash is even more surprised than Celestia to find that something is indeed terribly wrong. This revelation leaves him questioning whether he ever really knew either princess.

Chapters 1-10 edited by the inestimable Zaponator, who encouraged me to write in the first place.

Featured on Equestria Daily, 5/14/14

The Canterlot Caverns are a strange and enigmatic place, untouched and forgotten by pony-kind for centuries. So when a strange metal object is unearthed in their depths, it's up to Twilight Sparkle and Lyra Heartstrings to discover the many secrets it holds.

Together, the two of them will have to do their best to understand the remnants of an ancient civilization, and decipher what remains of Those Who Came Before.

The cover-image is a cleverly edited stock image, which was modified by the stupendous Corvo.
Proofreading was performed by the equally fantastical writers:
Timetraveling Pony (Who started as a proofreader when Cloud was writing this. Hats off to him for being dedicated and staying on as a proofreader for me.)
DustyPwny
Tidal
Superluminous
Night Spark
PhiliChez

And a special Thank You goes to The Sentient Cloud for allowing me the honor of continuing this great story after he retired from writing fimfictions.

As it turns out, this story is eerily similar to Lyra Heartstrings and the Hand of Man. Due to their similarity, I feel that it would be appropriate to give said story a mention.

'Have you heard about a new major expedition into the Zone? Technically, they're environmental researchers from the U.N., but that's just on paper. Sure, they've got a couple four-eyed scientists, but one look at all the others tells you they're seasoned fighters. Oh, and dig this; They're not using guides.' - Hog the Mercenary

The Tourist, a veteran stalker hired by the United Nations as an escort, finds himself working with the International Scientific Group, a collective ranging from hardened experts to frail researchers. After gaining clearance from the Ukrainian government for another expedition, the United Nations arms and readies their best field operators, the ISG.

Deployed into the Zone, these interlopers reach their destination, a large Space Bubble with an unknown exit. Quickly, the group enters the Bubble before a large emission and arrive within a forest, where they set up their mobile lab and temporary base of operations to make the best opportunity of an new anomalous area inside of what they assume to be Zone. However, as time passes and new encounters are made, it becomes more and more obvious that they aren't in the Disaster Zone anymore. Pressure begins to mount as the Zone's influence begins to leak into the forest, along with old dangers.

Without a doubt, the group as well as the Tourist will have to struggle to survive against the dangerous flora and fauna that sees fit to consume them. Of course, those become less attention-worthy once sentient, small horses come to investigate the stalkers and scientists, who are easily seen as a threat. The Zone is cruel, but new encounters can be crueler.

NOTE: This is a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. crossover that relies heavily on lore. The ISG faction was only mentioned, mostly cut from the series, but is still canon. Takes place roughly during the end of ShoC.