//------------------------------// // First Impressions // Story: Tanks for the Memories // by BillyMays //------------------------------// “Come on Fluttershy!” Twilight and Fluttershy stood at the edge of the Everfree forest. Twilight had visited all her friends as soon as she had woken up. She had rushed over to their houses but sadly, all of them were busy with one thing or another. Fluttershy was the only pony not doing something. “W-why couldn’t anypony else come along?” Fluttershy mumbled. “I already told you; Applejack is busy with the upcoming harvest, Rarity is busy with an important order, Pinkie was busy preparing a party, and Rainbow had to move the clouds for the upcoming storm.” “Oh. Right.” Fluttershy nervously pawed the ground with her hoof and sighed. “Alright, let’s go...” Twilight beamed in happiness and trotted into the Everfree with Fluttershy in tow. “Twilight, you never did tell me what you saw,” Fluttershy said. “Oh! Sorry Fluttershy!” Twilight said with an apologetic smile. “While I was looking at the stars, I was disturbed by last nights unusual storm in the Everfree.” Fluttershy shuddered as she remembered the storm. “There was a bright flash and I pointed my telescope at the Everfree. What I saw appeared to be a blue light, but it was pulsing like it was alive.” “I don’t know of any animals that glow blue, Twilight.” “Hmm. I didn’t have much time to-” What sounded like a small explosion cracked in the distance made them stop in their tracks. Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind Twilight. “What was th-” Another distant explosion stopped them and was followed by somepony yelling something. More distant explosions echoed around the forest. “I think we should head towards the sounds,” Twilight said. “What?” Fluttershy squeaked. “It’s the only way we can find out what it is. Come on!” Twilight said as she rushed towards the sounds. “But-but-but...” Fluttershy tried to argue. Unfortunately, Twilight had already rushed away. Fluttershy quickly raced after Twilight, running through bushes and leaping over fallen trees. “EAT LEAD YOU WOODEN PRICKS!” A deafening series of explosions made both Twilight and Fluttershy fall to their knees covering their ears. “What in Equestria was that?” Twilight asked, turning to face Fluttershy. Fluttershy trembled and turned to face Twilight but was too scared to respond. The duo sat there quivering and waited for the loud bangs to stop. After a while, the rate of the sounds has decreased to almost nothing. Twilight decided it to wait a bit longer for Fluttershy’s sake. “Are you ok to continue now, Fluttershy?” Twilight asked softly. “I-I suppose…” Fluttershy mumbled. Twilight cautiously trotted forward as Fluttershy hesitantly followed. ’Be brave Fluttershy, be brave…’ Fluttershy thought to herself. They entered a bush that lead into a clearing. Twilight was about to gasp but quickly covered her mouth. Fluttershy nearly fainted. The clearing was with littered with dead Timber wolves and four strange wheeled boxes, one appeared to be upside down. Fluttershy pointed towards the centre of the clearing and Twilights jaw dropped. Four creatures in what appeared to be some sort of armour were digging a hole. Twilight turned to see two more armoured creatures carrying something. Fluttershy began to quietly cry. Twilight moved towards Fluttershy to comfort her. “It-it’s a grave Twilight.” Fluttershy said between soft sobs. Twilight looked up from Fluttershy to see the creatures lay what she realized was a dead body carefully in the grave, cross its arms and remove what appeared to be its helmet. They watched as the creatures filled the grave. When they finished one of the creatures approached the head of the grave holding a long black object in its hand, it stabbed the tip of it into the ground and put the helmet on top. It saluted the rest of the creatures followed suit. “That one must be in command…” Twilight said thoughtfully. Fluttershy gasped loudly as a Timber wolf cub emerged from behind the "commander’s" legs. The group of creatures heard the gasp and turned in Fluttershy and Twilight’s direction. “Check that out.” The "commander" said, pointing towards the bush they sat in. Twilight and Fluttershy sat frozen as two of the creatures moved towards them with their black objects raised. ------ Gunnery Sergeant Utah opened his eyes and was greeted by the bright sunlight. He quickly closed his eyes and covered them with his hands. ’Where’d the storm go?’ He opened his eyes again and blinked a few times to let them adjust. ’Still in the drivers seat. Good. Wait...’ Peering out the windscreen he saw the he was on the outskirts of a forest. “Well isn’t this just fucking perfect!” He growled to himself. ’Where the hell am I and how the fuck did I get here?!’ Slamming his fist on the steering wheel he looked out the door window. He could see fields of what looked like apple trees that stretched forever. Looking closer he could also see a bright red barn. ’This definitely isn’t Afghanistan. But it looks strangely familiar...’ The Gunnery Sergeants stomach growled as he looked at the apple trees. A quick bite couldn’t hurt. Grabbing his M4 and loading a mag he popped open the door. Catching his foot on the rim he slammed face first into the ground. ’For gods sake...’ Flipping over onto his back he gazed into the cloudless sky and pulled himself up. Dusting himself off, GySgt. Utah headed towards the apple fields with his M4 raised. Slowly walking down the hill he noticed how vibrant and colourful everything was. The hill was a lush green and seemed to roll on forever, it was dotted with assorted flowers and the sky was an amazing blue. He slowed down to admire the view. Taking a deep breath he found that the air was surprisingly fresh. ’This place is something...’ Reaching the low wooden fence he cautiously hopped over and headed towards the closest apple tree. Lowering his M4 he picked an apple and inspected it. Taking a bite he could feel the flavors flowing into his mouth. “Oh god. This is the best fucking apple I’ve ever had.” GySgt. Utah said smiling. He took another bite and happily chewed away. Swallowing; he was about to take another bite when he heard footsteps. Dropping the apple he raised his M4 and backed away towards the fence. Seeing an orange pony come from behind a cluster of trees made him stop. It looked down at the half eaten apple and then at him. ’Nope!’ GySgt. Utah hopped over the fence and ran for his life. Peeking over his shoulder he saw the orange pony standing there confused, it shook its head and raced after him. ’It’s got a hat? Oh no. nonononono...’ He reached the top of the hill. Panting he turned to see the orange pony barely 5 metres from him. Eyes widening he stumbled towards his Humvee and remembered he had his M4 in his hands. ’Duh!’ Not wanting to hurt the pony he fired a few shots into the air. It dropped to the ground clutching it’s ears with its hooves. Laughing triumphantly he turned and slammed into the Humvee; losing his grip on his M4. It flew over the top of the Humvee and landed on the other side. Falling backwards he found himself staring into the blue cloudless sky again. ’Why me?’ His view of the sky was suddenly blocked by a pair of large emerald green eyes. “What in the hay do ya' think you’re doing?” The orange pony said with a strong southern accent. “Wha…?” GySgt. Utah rolled over and leant his back against the Humvee staring at the orange pony in surprise and confusion. “But you’re a pony and ponies can’t talk. Unless… No.” “What?” The orange pony seemed to be as confused as him. “Who and what are you?!” “Gunnery Sergeant Utah, ma’am!” He said as he quickly stood up saluting, startling the orange pony. “The name’s Applejack,” She said as she examined him. “Are you a Royal Guard or something?” “Royal Guard… No I’m not a Guard.” GySgt. Utah stood there confused and scratched his chin. “Well what are-?” Applejack began to ask a question. “Could I ask a question ma’am?” He cut in. “o’ Course but you’ll have to answer mine first.” Applejack said with an annoyed tone. “Alright, alright. I’m a United States Marine.” He said. Seeing that Applejack was about to say something so he quickly continued. “Now for my question, Am I in E- erm... is it Ecrustia?” “It’s Equestria.” Applejack corrected. “So I’m in Equestria now?” Applejack looked at the Gunnery Sergeant like he was some sort of idiot. “Course. Where else would ya’ be?” “Are you serious? How is this even possible?!” He exclaimed. GySgt. Utah slumped back down against his Humvee as suppressed memories of his childhood best friend surfaced. He remembered going through school with him and them finally enlisting for the Marines, passing the gruesome training and being deployed to Afghanistan. The IED exploding and flipping the Humvee... ’No, not now!’ He stood up again much to the surprise of Applejack and walked around the Humvee to get his M4. “Where do ya’ think you’re goin’?” Applejack asked as she blocked GySgt. Utah’s path. “I have to get out of here.” He said as he tried to push Applejack to the side. She wouldn’t budge. “I don’t think so partner. I’ve never seen a creature like you before and I’m sure Twilight would like to meet ya.” “What part of ‘I’m leaving’ don’t you get?” He said beginning to get annoyed at the pony. He successfully shoved Applejack away and grabbed his M4. Applejack’s eyes widened as she remembered the weapon. “Oh no you don’t!” She cried. “What no-“ A hard buck to the chest sent him flying through the air and slamming into a tree. He felt a rib break on impact. He slumped onto the ground and let his M4 drop. “Arghh…” Wincing, he tried to stand up only to fall back down in pain. He looked at the orange pony in anger. “What the fuck was that for?!” Applejack winced at the language but didn't say anything as she trotted up the Gunnery Sergeant. She grabbed the barrel of his M4 with her mouth and with the flick of her head she tossed away. “Hey! Argh!” He clutched his side as a bolt of pain shot through his body. “God dammit I think you broke a rib.” Applejack moved her head closer to his and narrowed her eyes. “What in the hay are you? And why were you eatin’ my apples?!” “Look here lady I already told you, I’m a US Marine, so you should probably let me go before someone gets hurt. Oh and sorry about your apples but I was hungry.” GySgt. Utah growled. His hand rested over his sidearm holster. Applejack’s eyes narrowed even further. “Are you threatening me mister?” She said through gritted teeth. ’Calm. Down. The last thing I need is the death of a cute pony on my hands.’ The Gunnery Sergeant sighed and let his anger disappear. “No. Look I don’t want to hurt anyone. I’ll make up for the apple later. But right now I nee- Argh!” Another jolt of pain shot through his side and he coughed blood. “Damn you have a mean kick.” Applejack seemed to believe him, she stepped back and sheepishly rubbed her hoof. “But I really have to get out of here. I don’t belong here.” He tried standing up again but Applejack put a hoof on his shoulder and forced him back down. “I don’t think you should be movin in your state.” “Yeah well your fault.” The Sergeant said as he gently grabbed Applejacks hoof and moved it off his shoulder. “But thanks for the concern.” He prepared himself once more. Taking a few deep breaths he rose from the tree and the pain became worse. ’Ignore it. Come on this isn’t that hard.’ He pushed himself harder. He surprised himself when he found himself standing. He laughed in triumph but another jolt of pain made him cry out and clutch the tree for support. Applejack looked at him with a mixture of worry and surprise. “I’m surprised that you can stand after I bucked you like that.” The Gunnery Sergeant cracked a smile despite the pain. “I’ve been bucked by bigger things ma'am.” His vision swam as he took a step towards his Humvee. “Oh could you grab my M4 that you tossed away?” He asked. “M4?” Applejack asked as she went to grab his rifle. “M4 Carbine to be exact. Be careful with it, it could blow a leg off.” At that she gasped and dropped the M4 on the ground. He laughed which sent more pain through his side. “Don’t worry. The safety is on.” Applejack glared at him and hesitantly picked the M4 back up. “Doesn’t look like it could.” She stated. “It can’t. I’m just messing with you. It can put a mean hole in one though.” “Uh huh.” GySgt. Utah stopped and grabbed his head as his vision swam and blurred. The sound of banjos filled his head. What? Banjos? Really? You confuse me brain. “Uhhh Applejack, ma’am...” He said as he swayed slightly, the world spinning around him. “What is it sugarcube?” “I hope you can catch.” With that he fell to the ground with a hard thud and blacked out.