Chapter 2
Semper Vincit
TIME: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Day 1
After walking for what seemed like hours through the dense foliage, stopping every now and then to shoot an azimuth and reestablish my position. I had finally reached the edge of the forest
Bursting through into blinding sunlight I found myself in a wide open field, about a half klick away stood the object of my trek. The castle was, in a word, majestic… and that was severely understating the point. Tall spires reaching towards the light blue sky, carved and polished stone so white it almost had a pinkish tinge to it.
I stood in awe of it’s beauty, I’ve always loved medieval architecture and this was a stunning example. My training kicked in and I quickly scanned for threats, finding none apparent I started advancing across the field. I lifted my rifle and flipped the 3x magnifier up, checking for movement around the perimeter of the massive structure I saw several of what appeared to be Shetland ponies milling around, keeping my joy at seeing some kind of civilization in check was tough as I kept an eye out for silhouettes and commenced hauling some serious ass towards the wall surrounding the castle proper.
About 10 feet high, the wall looked more ornamental than defensive, I filed that away in my already (as you can imagine) extensive list of questions for the occupants of the castle. As I approached the wall I slowed up, falling into a crouch and making my way silently towards the base, at this point I wasn’t taking any chances. I tightened my grip on my MK18 and stalked forward, checking my flanks, when I heard voices coming from just over the wall.
“I heard the Princess had to reschedule her appearance”
Princess? I thought, Royalty?, where the hell am I?
“Hmph, I get the feeling there’s more to it than that”
“Could be, but who can say? It’s probably nothing”
I pressed myself flush against the wall, trying to glean whatever information I could before I just waltzed into the courtyard, unfortunately the speakers had moved out of earshot. I assessed my options, I could A) Bail over the wall and hope for the best or, B) Walk up and knock on the front door and hope for the best.
Needless to say I didn’t care for my choices, but it was game time.
Deciding on the main entrance (sneaking around is no kind of way to prove you‘re not a threat), I took a deep breath and stepped out into the open. To say I wasn’t prepared for what I saw is like saying the Israelis and the Palestinians annoy each other, small ponies were walking around, having what appeared to be conversations…It took me a second to realize it was a market.
I was observing commerce conducted by ponies, kinda goes without saying that I was in shock at this point, then one of them caught sight of me and all hell broke loose.
“OH MY CELESTIA , WHAT IS THAT THING!” A brown pony cried.
“IT’S A MONSTER!! RUN!” shouted another.
“I’m not going to hurt anyone I just need some help” I tried to tell them before a sharp blow to the head knocked me the fuck out……
1 year ago
Khost Afghanistan
“You got him?”
“I tally, Wind?”
“No value, range 975 meters”
“Set”
“Blast the fucker”
The report from the .300 is deafening, I regain my sight picture just in time to see the round blow off the Insurgent’s leg mid-femur….
“Huh, Wind must’a kicked up” my spotter said with a grin….
Location Unknown
My eyes snap open as I regain consciousness, the pain starts immediately radiating out from the back of my head to what seems like everywhere. Trying to move, I discovered I was bound tightly, and to add the toothpick to this shit sandwich all my gear is gone. I realized at that point I‘m laying on the cold stone floor of what appears to be a dungeon of sorts. Through the bars I can see a lone guard, a pony in silver armor, he bore a striking resemblance to a Roman Legionnaire.
“HEY, BUDDY!” I yell.
“QUIET DEMON!, The Princess will deal with you soon enough!”
Immediately following that lovely little exchange, the door at the top of the stairs opened, I couldn’t get a good look from my floor-borne vantage point, but my pony-guard bowed deeply
“Princess” I heard him say.
Walking into my field of view was a white horse, no, a Pegasus Unicorn hybrid of sorts, around five and a half feet tall with a mane of pastel colors and a shining gold crown atop her head. I couldn’t keep my eyes from widening at how majestic she was, her presence commanded respect but I felt no fear, I felt…comforted. Her violet eyes took in my prone form and she turned to the guard.
“Captain Strike, untie the prisoner, please” she said softly, her voice was almost musical, but filled with authority, I could see immediately why she was in charge.
The guard bowed once again “As you wish princess”
He unlocked the cell door, moving towards me “Strike” pulled a sword from a sheath on his side with his mouth and swiftly cut the ropes binding my hands and feet, I stood up rubbing my wrists where the ropes had dug in as Strike beckoned me out of my cell. I bowed to the Princess, god only knew I didn’t want to piss off the locals. She inclined her head in my direction and spoke.
“Strike? Will you give us some privacy for a moment?”
The guard looked stunned “ Princess! This, this THING might be dangerous I must insis--”
The Princess gave him a small smile “Strike this being means nopony harm, please give us a moment”
The Captain looked mutinous but acquiesced with a nod of his head “I’ll remain just outside the door, in case you need me”, the last part was said with an openly hostile look in my direction. I couldn’t help but smile, that little guy had some fight in him, on the heels of that thought I couldn’t quite believe how accepting I was of the whole “talking ponies” thing. Guess a lifetime of cartoons will do that to ya.
I heard the door close and the Princess turned her attention back to me. “May I have your name young man?”
The question caught me off guard, I was expecting “what are you” or “where are you from”. I cocked my head to the side, “My name is Petty Officer Michael Dunn, Princess, United States Navy. and If you don’t mind me saying so, you seem a little too casual about all this”
“I know of Humans if that’s what has you confused, I’ve known of them for some time now” she shot back with a smile “Although, that knowledge is not widespread among pony kind.”
“I gathered from the warm welcome” I said rubbing the tender spot at the base of my skull. “Now that you have my name, may I have yours?” I held out my hand.
She raised her hoof I grasped it gently and shook it, “Princess Celestia, Ruler of Equestria
I couldn’t help but crack a smile “ It’s a pleasure and an honor ma’am, I have to ask, what’s the plan for me now?”
Again with that smile, like there was a joke and she was the only one who got the punch line. “You will stay here, in the palace for the time being. You will be taken care of until we can find a more permanent residence”
“Thank you Princess, I’ll be as unobtrusive as possible”
She looked directly into my eyes and chuckled “Somehow I doubt that, Captain? You can come in now”
The door opened and Captain Strike’s head appeared, “Princess?”
“Please escort our guest upstairs. Make sure he is fed, clean and comfortable, I’m making his welfare your responsibility Captain”
Strike snapped to attention, ”Yes Princess!, He’ll be kept safe you have my word”
Celestia nodded “ Very good captain”, she turned to me “I’m sorry to leave you just yet, but it is very late and I do have certain responsibilities that require my attention”
I bowed “I understand Princess, thank you again and goodnight”
After she left us, Strike and I made our way out of the dungeon and into the main hall. Once again I was left in awe of this place’s beauty, the colors were so vibrant, as if I was seeing the world in high definition. I was shown to a lavish bedroom, to my surprise my gear minus my weapons was stacked in the corner, after washing up and changing into a fresh pair of skivvies I sat on the bed taking stock of my situation. I was the only one of my species, in a strange new world… and I felt strangely at peace. Digging in my pack for my smokes, I stumbled upon the photo of Jess, I fought back the tears threatening to fall as I laid down on the bed, placing her picture on the pillow next to me, her face the last thing I saw as I faded off to sleep.
“Goodnight my love”…..