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// Chapter 6 *edit* 
// Story: A Dash of Hope 
// by gunmanforever 
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	I ran down stairs as fast as I could. When I hit the last stair, another bang rang out. I quickly dove under a window. Instincts where starting to kick in, as I quickly crawled over to Twilight, who was immobilized in fear. There was then a loud knocking on the door, almost like it was getting kicked in. I quickly took action as I knocked over one of the bookcases in front of the door. 

"Twilight, we need to get out of here now!" I yelled. We quickly ran into the kitchen, trying to find a way out. Twilight pointed at a door near her icebox, I opened to door to more stairs going down. We took off down the stairs after there was a loud thump and the sound of boats on the wooden floor. Wait, pony's don't wear boots. Do they? I though as we hit the bottom. Twi then grabbed me and galloped over to a dusty old closet. We dove in as the door opened. I held my breath, the tention was killing me. We both sat their, Twilight silently sobbed. No way am I going to let this fuck hurt her. I though as I stood their. I moved Twilight behind me, then got ready to pounce. The steps stopped in front of the closet. That was when everything stopped, time slowed down, every second felt like hours. The doors slowly opened. In-front of me was what another......me I guess. He was wearing green textured shirt with brown mixed in with it. 

"I wouldn't move if I were you." He grumbled in a low, demanding voice. I just stood their, frozen. He just chuckled and said,"I couldn't imagine meeting another human here, but its going to be fun killing you both." And drew out a long knife. I stared at him for a couple of seconds, then, I basically lost control of myself. My hand quickly grabbed his wrist, twisting it until it made a should [pop. I then tackled him into the wall, putting an indent of his back and some weapon he was caring. I forced him to the ground by kicking his legs out, he landed with a loud thump. I quickly grabbed the knife and held it to his throat.

"What are you going to do? Kill an old man. I didn't think you had that in you James." He said before taking the knife. He started to laugh like a mad man. Then, he took the knife, held it againts his throat, and pulled. Everything went black as I passed out.



Everything came back slowly. Where I was, what my name was, even family members. My memories where pouring back into my head. From what I could understand, I was a military member. I quickly got up, dizzy as hell, and looked around. I was sitting on my bed, Twilight was sitting next to me, staring. She had a look of amazement.

"Y-you saved me......." Was all she could say before she broke down into sobs. I did my best to comfort her, but I was still shocked. "H-he-e killed himself after calling you James. Is that your real name?" 

"Yes, I-i think so." I managed to say. We sat there for a couple of minutes before hearing knocks coming from downstairs. Twilight quickly hid herself behind me as I walked back down stairs. Dash, AJ, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie where standing in front of a broken down door, and where looking at one broken down pony and a monster. 

"What the bucking hay happened!?" Applejack yelled as she looked around. I just stood their, staring at the floor.

"Did you do this, are you some kind of spy?!" Dash then quickly got in my face. I jolted backwards, and tripped over some of the door.

"He didn't do anything. It was some other human." Twilight quickly yelled back at Dash.

"Human?" Rarity asked.

"Yes, that's what Princess Celestia called them. She said that she was seen them before, and had mixed results. Apparently, humans are warlike creatures, but also can be compassionate and friendly. The one that was here last night tried to kill us. And James here......." Twilight was cut off by Dash.

"James? His name is James now?!" Dash said out of anger.

"Yes Dash, his name is James. Now, James here saved my life. He didn't hurt anypony, the other human killed itself in the basement. In fact, I've already sent a letter to the princess stating that I need her here. She will be here within the hour to tell us what to do from here." I heard Twilight say, trying to defend me. I just sat on the ground, staring at the floor. Ever memory was coming to me. Every person I shot, every teammate that was killed, everything. I felt like a balloon that was inflated to much, almost bursting. By now, everypony was staring at me. I looked up, and looked back down to the ground, to ashamed of myself. I killed him, he died because of me, like everybody else on my team.... I realized that I would be considered a terrible person in Equestria. 

"I'm a monster." I mumbled it a couple times. I just sat their, wishing that I would die. But, I felt a warmth come across me. I looked up to see not only Dash, but everypony was hugging me. I was having mixed emotions. I wasn't sure if I should embrace it or push away.

"This is when you hug back." I heard Dash whisper into my ear. I did my best, kinda hard to hug six freakin ponys at once. But, we sat their for a good five minutes before breaking up. I looked up and Dash and smiled.

"Looks like I owe you a date."