//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: The End has Begun 
// by Bronycommander 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 2


I awoke with a gasp and panted heavily.

Still panting, I looked around trying to remember what happened.

The Forgotten Army… the Artillery….

Then it hit me like lighting.
I was very lucky that I survived this at all.

Checking myself, I had only a few bruises and scratches but no severe injury like a broken bone. The ditch I fell in was too deep to climb up and it was impossible with my heavy gear.

So I got up and wandered into the forest.
Panic was a foreign word in the Enforcers Corps. Still it was quiet. Too quiet.

I was alone. Lost in the forest. No gunfire. No explosions. Not even in the distance. I wondered if the battle was over. If so… Why didn’t my comrades help me?

I just walked as I did not know which way to go.

Everything was so strange. I mean the Forgotten Army had not any type of Artillery.

While being lost in thought, I walked for… I don’t know... 20 minutes in this forest.
Suddenly I heard a scream. It sounded like a child.

I started to run into the direction the scream was coming from, my MP12 ready.
My legs increased in speed as I heard growling.

Either I was dead or hallucinating. I saw wolves made out of wood. Green eyes, sharp teeth, terrifying, like a beast from hell. They were called Timberwolves if I remember correctly. As in the show, they had a distinctly foul breath. Could be a problem to take them out, but I stayed calm, I was an Enforcer after all, they never panic.

Four fillies were cowering, trapped by the wolves. They were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Dinky Hooves.
Wait a moment. This would mean that I am in the Everfree Forest.

Shoot first, think about it later.

There were three wolves. They didn’t saw me but I couldn’t live with myself, if I would let them eat the fillies, so I fired a short burst to kill the Timberwolf that was about to attack them.

It was surprising that it killed him.

This got the attention of the others. Their eyes glowed green with revenge.

While I didn’t think that the Taser could harm them, I still used the ballistic shield to block the attack of the first wolf, and then putted a bullet to this head.

The last one charged at me, but I sidestepped causing him to miss and smashing his head into a tree. As he was stunned now, I stomped his head with my boot.

Turning around, I saw that the Cutie Mark Crusaders were still cowering.

“Are you hurt?” I putted my weapon away to show I meant to harm.

“N-no we’re fine. You’re saved our lives,” Dinky said still shocked in...German. It was clear that none of them had ever seen a human before.
I heard the sound of heavy boots in the distance. Actually it sounded more like… hoof steps.

Turning around, MP12 ready, a squad of Royal Guards came from behind.

Five Guards surrounded me. Just like in the show, they had golden armor.

The Pegasus had a white coat and blue eyes and the Unicorns a grey coat.

The fifth unicorn had a purple armor. If I remember correctly, this was Shining Armor the Captain of the guards and Twilight Sparkles brother.

“Scootaloo, are you alright?” One of the Pegasus guards asked her. He had a purple helmet crest instead of blue. Probably a Lieutenant.

“Yes, Daddy. He saved us from Timberwolves.”

Daddy? This must be her father.

“Stay where you are. I must ask you to put down your gun, sir. I am afraid; this war is over for you.” Shining Armor ordered surprising politely.

“I surrender.” I raised my hands.

For me, surrendering was always an option and not a shame.

Besides, prisoners of war had a better chance of survival than their fighting comrades.

We took prisoners, Russians and Americans alike and treated them under the Geneva Convention.

As Equestria was a peaceful country, I expected and hoped that they would treat me well.

I was stripped of my weapons. Still, Scootaloo's father was impressed. “You took all those Timberwolves down by yourself?” I nodded.

My body was trembling, my throat was dry and scratchy, and my legs could barely support my weight. The Adrenaline was wearing off.
We walked through the Forest to an exit. After a few minutes, I tripped over a root I didn’t saw.

I tried to stand up with a grunt of pain, but I was exhausted. “You’re alright?” Scootaloos father offered his hoof. He looked like the other Pegasus but I recognized his voice.

Even the CMC helped me up. “Thanks, girls.” They smiled at me which melted my heart. Now, if cuteness could be used as a method of interrogation, would it be torture or would it be still under the Geneva Convention?

I hadn’t time to think as we reached a chariot.

The Guards wasted no time to get me in.

The CMC and Scootaloo's father got into the same chariot while Shining Armor got into another.

I was a little bit nervous as I never got into a flying chariot before.

I looked out of the window. The view was beautiful.

“So, Scootaloo, how did you even get into this?” Her father asked curious.

“Well Daddy, we were playing near the Forest, as we suddenly heard explosions and screams.
Scared and in panic, we wandered off into the Everfree Forest where we got lost and surrounded by the Timberwolves.” She explained.
“You have my gratitude… Lieutenant Hartmann.” He read my name tag.

“You don’t need to thank me, it’s my duty. Besides, I am a father myself.” I explained.

“We are all very grateful Lieutenant Hartmann. We owe you one.” The filly’s said together. 

“You own me nothing.”

Lucky for humanity, the shield protects us from nuclear annihilation. Otherwise, earth and Equestria would be an atomic wasteland now. Still, this war is terrible for the civilians and children. Good thing we are winning the war.

Judging by Shining Armor's reaction, Equestria is neutral. I should have nothing to fear. I just hope that the Forgotten Army does not discover it. Who knows what they will do to the ponies. The Spetznaz and the JSF would not harm them, I am convinced of that.

Looking again out of the window, we were heading towards a mountain. They were taking me to Canterlot.

“Don’t worry Lieutenant, you have nothing to fear. We will treat you well.” Scootaloo's father looked at me with a promising and honest look.
I could just hope that Princess Celestia and Luna would do this. Still, I had the feeling that I would regret saving the CMC later for some reason.