November 1943 Just outside of the Everfree Forest
“Damn that woman,” yelled Robert as he stumbled to the outside of the forest. “She screwed up me knee even more, and gave me another concussion. Not to mention some cut above my eye which keeps bleeding onto it.” said Robert as he angrily stumbled along the dirt road.
After some time his stumbling walk began to slow as his mind became more clouded. “I can’t fall asleep, I can’t fall asleep, or else I’ll die just one more step, I need to...” he said as he slowly began to succumb to the sleeping powder.
Just outside the forest was a home built within a tree with what appeared to be a miniature zoo in its side yard. Just outside the house wandered the yellow and pink pony named Fluttershy as she began to feed her “pets”. “La la la la,” hummed the yellow pony. Suddenly a rabbit from near the chicken coop ran over to Fluttershy and began stomping his foot.
“What is it Angel?” asked the meek pony carrying chicken seed on her back.
The rabbit began madly hopping up and down and pointing to the forest.
“Yes, the forest is beautiful this time of year. All the trees change colors.” Fluttershy said as she continued on with the small bag upon her back.
The rabbit continued to stomp his foot and hop up and down while pointing to the forest.
“Am I missing something? Are you hungry?” asked the pony as she continued along to the chickens.
The rabbit rolled his eyes then hopped up and kicked the bag off of Fluttershy’s back.
“What is it Angel, why would you do that?” the now startled pony said as she looked disappointed at the rabbit.
The rabbit jumped up on her back and steered her head to a location on the forest line where a strange creature hobbled towards their home.
“EEEEEeeeeeeeee, baaaaaaa” squealed the pony as she imitated a goat collapsing.
“Halt! Oder ich schießen!” (Halt! or I'll shoot!) yelled Robert as he drew his rifle and began aiming to the area near Fluttershy and Angel.
He continued to walk forward without any real idea where the noise came from but its general direction.
"Kommen Sie mit erhobenen Händen heraus oder ich schieße!" (Come out with your hands up or I'll shoot!) yelled Robert again as he began to see movement to his left. “Ich habe gesagt, zu halten!” ( I said to halt!) Robert yelled as he fired a round into the location of the movement.
With the gunshot Robert cringed in pain due to his headache giving Angel enough time to hop over to the Oberst and trip him. Robert faceplanted into the dirt where he made one last small swipe at the white blur in front of his face but missed as Angel jumped up just in the nick of time. Being to weak to stand back up, Robert finally succumbed to his injuries and just fell asleep.
“Is it dead?” said the frightened pony shivering behind a tree glancing at the now motionless creature.
The rabbit shook his head but climbed onto the back of the creature and with one foot on it looked to the sky in triumph.
“Oh my Angel, this creature looks hurt. We need to get him inside.” said the pony as she quickly flew back to the house to find a stretcher.
The rabbit though taken aback by his mother/owner’s change of behavior decided to just sit next to the body and try to move the loud stick away from the creature.
Twilight’s Library
“So that’s the plan girls, we shall pick up Fluttershy and then revisit the ruins we found the “bullet” at last time.” said Twilight as she pointed to it on the map in front of her.
“Are you sure Twilight? She will just slow our pace.” said Rainbow Dash with a bit of annoyance in her voice.
“Remember the dragon ordeal, Rainbow. If it weren’t for Fluttershy, you would have been a dragon’s snack.” responded Twilight as she looked up towards her flying friend.
“Yeah, I guess. Then I’ll get a head start to fill her in. CYA.” said Rainbow Dash as she sped out the door leaving only a rainbow in her path.
“RD wait, uh never mind.” Twilight said with a sigh.
“Ah don’t mind the forest, it’s just creepy.” Applejack’s voice rose to the forefront due to the sudden silence.
“Don’t you worry AJ, the ghosties won’t get you. And Zecora won’t turn you into a stew. Then again there are Manticores and mustached sea monsters…..” trailed off Pinkie Pie as she jumped up and down.
With a couple cringes from Applejack and a failed attempt by Rarity to convince Twilight she should stay behind the remaining Mane 6 headed off to Fluttershy’s house.
Fluttershy’s house
“Angel get me the bandages and gauze.” firmly stated the usually shy pony with a helmet in her one hoof.
With a nod the rabbit ran into a bathroom and returned with the needed materials.
“Thanks Angel. Poor, poor creature what hurt you so bad?” Fluttershy whispered as she looked at the creature she was attempting to repair.
After some stitches on a gash over his right eye and two bandages being wrapped around the creature's waist she sat down. Suddenly a crash was heard outside the door and in walked Rainbow Dash with a flattened nose.
“Ow, Derpy needs to watch where she's going." commented the rainbow maned pony with her nose now back to normal. “Fluttershy where are you?”
“Over here… “the startled pony said as she crept out from behind a table.
“Sorry Flutter, OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG what is that!” asked the actually fearful Rainbow Dash pointing at the creature on the couch-bed.
“I don’t know Rainbow, he collapsed after yelling gibberish at us and he was seriously wounded.” replied Fluttershy as she pointed to the creature.
“Ooo where’d you find that?” commented Rainbow as she pointed to the helmet on the shelf.
“He was wearing it.” Fluttershy said, “Any idea what kind of hat this is?”
“Ponies in the military wear similair ones to them for additional protection. I guess this creature is in some kind of army.” Rainbow Dash said as she put the helmet on her head and gave a mock salute. “This reminds a bit like the one Granny Smith has.”
“Since you know so much Dashie, would you tell me about, uh this here? That is if you don’t mind, I don’t want to bother.” said Fluttershy as she gestured over to the long metal and wood thing being guarded by Angel the rabbit.
“Ooo there’s more!” Rainbow dash squealed then immediately dropped back into her “cool” demeanor. “Sure, Fluttershy.”
“Oh thank you, watch out though, it put a hole in my chicken coop and the tree near it.” Fluttershy stated as she trembled at the thought of it.
“Really, it must have been flying really fast! I gotta go see what this thing did!” RD said as she literally dashed out the nearest open window.
Rainbow Dash went over to the coop to find a small hole on each side of the roof and then went another few flaps over to the nearby tree which now had a dent in it.
“This sure looks familiar….. think think think.” said Rainbow as she poked her hoof at her head. “Wait, isn’t this what that Manticore was killed by.” she exclaimed as she began quickly trying to fetch the metal from within the tree’s trunk. “Well I guess that solves Twilight’s missing weapon problem.”
She then promptly flew back into Fluttershy and explained what she had found to which Fluttershy fell over again as a goat would. Only to be further startled by a collective gasp by four other ponies as they walked in the door.
“Twilight, look I found your bullet’s shooting device!” Rainbow Dash said as she held up the gun, puffed out her chest and took a bow to an invisible cheering crowd.
“Hmmm, what was that Dashie, you said that too fast.” Twilight said with as she put her hoof on her head and scratched.
“This gun here is what shot the Manticore in the forest.” said Rainbow in a slightly slower pace.
“Really, where did you find it?” Twilight enquired as she used her magic to levitate the bullet to her along with the gun.
“It shot a hole in Fluttershy’s chicken coop and dented a tree.” explained Rainbow Dash.
“This looks nothing like the book I had with all the prototype weapons the engineers attempted to make over the years.” Twilight remarked as she took the rifle from Rainbow with her magic.
“Ah reckon it’s from som other country of ponies on another continent. Their always fightin since the Princess gave up trying to make peace between them.” Applejack commented.
“My dad told me about these sorts of weapons, he went over to Angor for a year to study the engineering of their weapons for the Princess. Supposedly that’s why we have stockpiles of weapons hidden all around Equestria.” Rainbow Dash said as she grinned, knowing for once she was the expert on the subject.
“Why would we need such inefficient weapons Rainbow, not to mention weapons at all.” Twilight replied with much confusion while holding up the gun in assorted poses trying to figure out how it is used.
“Since we haven’t had a war since Celestia took over for her father; doesn’t mean we shouldn't protect ourselves from enemies like the gryphons and their stooges up north.” Rainbow said.
“But they’re a peaceful nation, Rainbow.” Twilight said with doubt in her friend's logic. “The Princess told me so.”
“They are peaceful at the moment, but back in flight school I remember many gryphons would complain about learning with pegasi. We used to fight the griffons back before Celestia's father wiped out the griffon armies and dethroned their KIng Gold Talon. Most pegasi were warriors back then due to our many fights.” Rainbow Dash explained as she danced about the room doing assorted war-like dog fighting drills.
“Oh, but why wouldn’t the Princess tell us about this?” Twilight said as she felt betrayed.
“Probably since it was over a thousand years ago, Twilight.” Rainbow explained. With a brief sigh by Twilight, Rainbow continued, “But there is no need to fear, Equestria has many armament specialists, like my father, who continue to keep our country up to speed. Not to mention are giant Royal Guard."
“So that’s wha the guards run many of the chariots to and from Canterlot.” concluded Applejack.
“Yes, I guess so AJ. But this technology seems way more advanced than anything my father has seen.“ Rainbow added.
“How do you know this Rainbow?” questioned Twilight with a grin.
“Well, I um, um, looked at my Dad’s stuff occasionally when I was a filly.” said the blushing RD as she crossed her front legs.
“So you know where those hideous gray machines come from darling?” Rarity commented after have sitting silent long enough.
“Yes, Rarity. Everything doesn’t have to look pretty you know. Tanks aren’t made for tea parties.” Rainbow said with a sarcastic tone.
“Well they could really use a better designer, the colors clash and the long cylinder on the top is just a crime against fashion.” Rarity exclaimed.
To that all the other three ponies in the room facehoofed.
“Rarity when did you see a tank?” asked Twilight.
“Oh, my father used to have meetings in Stalliongrad when I was a filly, we had to walk past that atrocious hunk of metal every time we past the museum of machinery. “ Rarity stated with a shiver at the end.
“Ah am interested in all this and all but where’s Pinkie and Fluttershy?” Applejack interjected into the conversation.
With that they heard the crashing of many pans and the sound of scurrying to which they all gave a short laugh. Pinkie was baking something again and scared Fluttershy under the table.
“Fluttershy, Pinkie what are you two doing?” Twilight said as she walked into the family room area behind the living room.
With that a pink pony appeared from out of nowhere and startled Twilight.
“A welcome to Ponyville Party obviously, everypony here is invited and I’ll have to invite Big Mac and Mr. Cake……………” trailed on the pony before being interrupted by a loud PINKIE by Twilight.
“For who is this welcoming party, darling?” Rarity asked as she walked in.
“For the creature over there, he’s sleeping but I’ll get him up with the smell of fresh cupcakes and the sound of party music!” said the pink pony now on the couch-bed with the creature.
“What in tarnation is that?” Applejack yelled.
“Oh meet big super cool soldier creature, everypony.” Rainbow Dash said as she rubbed the back of her neck.
Why do I recognize that creature? Twilight mentally questioned as she stood with her mouth open beside her friends.
“I for one do not care what creature it is, but his fashion sense is appalling.” Rarity said as she yanked on the creature’s pants.
“Well ah hope this thing is the doozy Pinkie was talking about.” added Applejack as she looked around paranoid of what may occur.
Outside their room came the loud noises of Pinkie Pie yelling about it being time for the party cannon to which the five ponies laughed.
“Oh Fluttershy, how’d you get over there?” Twilight asked as she looked behind her.
“Did I startle you, I’m so very sorry, please forgive me.” Fluttershy pleaded.
“It’s no problem Fluttershy, but may I ask where did you found this creature?” Twilight said getting straight to the point.
“He stumbled onto my lawn, and needed help.” Fluttershy said in a whisper.
“Are you crazy Fluttershy, this man was holding a weapon that can kill a Manticore without needing to be near it.” Twilight shouted.
“He was hurt, eeek, please forgive me, I couldn’t just leave him there.” Fluttershy said as she cowered into the corner under a table.
“Sorry for shouting Fluttershy, you can come out, I forgive you.” Twilight said with a frown.
While Fluttershy slowly came out from under her hiding spot, she said, “Thank you, now could you help me wake him; that is if you don’t mind. He appears to have a concussion and you’re not supposed to sleep right after receiving one.” said Fluttershy as she began returning to her more nurse-like composure.
“Alright then, if you think he’s safe I’ll trust you. Girls?” Twilight said as she looked to her friends to her left and right. With a nod from the others Twilight’s horn lit up and surrounded the creature in a purplish aura.
"Aah. Mutter, Vater, lasst mich nicht alleine! Ich werde aus der Armee austreten und nach Hause kommen, wie ihr es wolltet! NEIN!" (Aah Mom and Dad! Don’t leave me! I’ll retire from the army like you suggested and come home! NOOO) yelled the creature as he arose from his bed startling all the ponies and sending RD and AJ into defensive postures. “Warum kann ich sehe nicht. Welche die Hölle!” (Why can't I see. What the hell!) continued to yell the creature until he began to calm down as he held his head with a groan.
“Ah’ll take him down Twilight, let me at tha gibberish speakin creature.” Applejack said with her hoofs up in a punching motion.
“You, you speak English?” the creature inquired as he looked around the room trying to find where the words came from.
“Ah speak Equestrian you creature, how do you know it?” Applejack said in confusion.
“Equestrian, no it's called English." said Robert.
"No, ah reckon it is called Equestrian." Applejack replied.
"Well, not where I'm from it's not." Robert finished.
"Where is that then?" Applejack questioned.
“Well who are you then, are you a spy?” Rainbow Dash interrupted getting up into the creature’s face.
“Who am I, the name is Ro...." the Oberst said before being cut off.
"I asked are you a spy and what do you know!" Rainbow Dash said again slightly louder.
Well I know two things for sure; I am no spy and I may not see you but I can tell you need a better dentist...” Robert concluded causing giggles to pop up around him.
“Humph!” Rainbow said as she floated back to her former location.
“Well ladies, you are all ladies right?” Robert questioned. {All of these giggling girls must be wearing high-heels or some sort or tap-dancing shoes}
“Yes, that is true creature.” Twilight said in response.
"As I suspected." Rober deduced quietly.
"What was that mister?" Twilight asked.
“I am Oberst Robert Johansson of the 24th Panzergrenadier Division of the great German Wehrmacht."
“What?” Twilight said again.
“Oberst Robert…”
“No, the last part …. Robert.” Twilight interrupted.
“The German Wehrmacht? It’s the greatest army in the world and I’m Oberst Johansson to you civilians.” Robert stated with a slight scowl.
With that Rainbow Dash began laughing and rolling on the floor.
“What is so funny in that statement miss?” Robert questioned.
“Oh just my friend saved you, but you’re still playing your high and mighty title on us.” gasped Rainbow between laughs.
“Being an Oberst in the German Wehrmacht is no laughing matter young lady. I have killed more people than you have probably met on your pitiful planet.” Robert said confidently even while he knew that the chances of that were slim.
“Um, for starters chump, your just a couple years older than us mister, {I think} also you’re not so scary without your gun.” Rainbow argued back.
“I still have my… “ he replied as he reached for his holster.
“Quiet!” yelled Twilight over the arguers. “What do you mean by planet, Oberst?”
“I am here from a much greater world hoping to find intelligent life and gasoline along with a potential trade partner and future ally for my German Fatherland. Thus far though, I only see little proof of intelligent life.“ Robert explained and then looked to the approximate location to where Rainbow Dash was.
“Fascinating, intergalactic travel! Starswirl the Bearded spoke of the possibility and here it is!” Twilight squealed while hopping in a circle.
As she continued to mumble about information Applejack decided to save the group from another history lesson on the “Greatest Unicorn ever” and spoke up. “So, Robert where do ya come from? That is planet wise?”
“Earth” replied the Oberst.
“Interestin, we call our planet Earth too. Do you have a sun? ” Applejack responded.
"If you mean a big yellow star, then yes. We are the third planet from our sun." Robert replied.
"Now Big Mac will have to clean the dishes tonight..." Applejack said as she recalled betting her brother over what Pinkie's sense was about.
‘You know, you sound like some of the American's I have interogated." Robert commented to Applejack.
"There's other farmer folk on your world." Applejack asked now interested further.
"Yes, many to to be exact. I have a favour to ask may I have some food, I feel like I just got hit by a truck.” he said while rubbing his head.
“Truck? Ah well we have some hay, flowers, and apples here for sure.” Applejack said since she didn’t know what Fluttershy filled her fridge with.
“Apples, that’s a turn of events I didn’t expect, I would like one if you can confirm their red or green with a small stem on the top.” Robert said with his mouth watering for anything. {What do they think I am, a horse}
“Ya darn tootin that’s what an apple is.” Applejack said in reply and walked over to the kitchen to cut up an apple for the creature.
“Ms. Sparkle, what you spoke about is quite fascinating and I would not mind hearing more about it at some later time.” Robert said surprising the ranting pony who had inadvertently put Rainbow Dash to sleep and made Fluttershy step back as if she were under attack.
“Oh yay.” Twilight said with an odd sounding clap.
“Which one saved me?” Robert questioned as he looked around the room.
“I did.” Fluttershy said in a practically silent voice.
“Eh”
“I did.” Fluttershy repeated barely any more audible.
“You’re going to have to speak up miss.” Robert said.
“I did” Fluttershy said again barely audible.
“Fluttershy did Oberst Robert.” Twilight said.
“Well thank you then Flutter Skine?” Robert replied with a try at the name.
“Fluttershy” said Fluttershy again in a voice silenter than the wind.
“Oh for Pete’s sake, Flutter as in float and shy as in scared to meet people.” Twilight interrupted the two.
“As much as I would love to let you stay up sir, I need you to, after your done eating, to take a nap and let me fix your concussion. Your vision will be back in complete form in six days.” Twilight said to Robert as she put her hoof down.
“Alright then, it’s better than laying here until I die, you just better know what you’re doing.” Robert responded with a slight nod though he felt worried.
“Oh there’s no need to fear Oberst, I have fixed many concussions in the past with my ma---gic( noise of streamers go off in the background along with a brief scream by Rarity after triggering a confetti launcher) on the arguing pony, Rainbow Dash and my assistant Spike.” reassured Twilight.
“Alright then I sure hope you can” Robert said as he trailed off.
“Here’s your apple sugar cube.” Applejack said with a bowl of apple slices.
“Huh, oh thank you.” Robert replied. {Why did she call me sugar cube he thought to himself. Must be some sort of saying.}
Everfree Forest
“Ow, that hurts. why does my head hurt so bad. Why am I bleeding.” Trixie said with a sigh.
“Hmm, Ponyville is near here, I’ve never been there before. I hope somepony there will be a doctor specializing in headaches.” she said as she patted her cart.
“I might be new to some, but I am definitely going to prove my parents wrong. I, Trixie shall become the best magician in all of Equestria and the Great and Powerful Trixie shall be a name heard in every household!” proclaimed Trixie as she held her head high and magically re-placed her hat on her head.
Aaaaoooooooooooo (Timberwolves)
“Then again I guess it can wait another day.” Trixie said while she turned on her exterior lanterns before heading to bed.
“Hmmm, what’s this?” Trixie said as she picked up a cross shaped reward for something. “Somepony named Robert lost his award? He must live nearby, I may as well find him since I’m heading into town.” Trixie said as she floated up into her cart and shut the door.