//------------------------------// // Interval 02- Awakening // Story: My Little FEAR [First Encounter Assault Recon] : Slow-mo is magic // by JustDing //------------------------------// Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres "Michael! Wake up!". Michael's eyes were open within a split second, he jumped from his bed and reached for his assault rifle and readied it "What is happening?" "Wohaa... relax, everything's fine. Come on, we are having breakfast!" Applejack said. "Oh man, never wake me up like that again! When you woke me up like that, I thought we were being attacked!" "Hehe... I'm sorry, but there's nopony attacking somepony." Michael mumbled something under his breath as he put the assault rifle aside, before fe fellowed the orange pony. As they were stepping in the kitchen, he met the rest of her family. A green pony with white mane was sitting in a rocking chair; a pony with blonde mane and a red fur trots over to the table and a little red-maned filly with yellow fur and a ribbon in her mane. They all are looking with big eyes at Michael. "Don't worry guys. He came to our world yesterday and he means no harm to us. His name is Mishel Begget and he is a Hyooman!" Applejack explained calmly, "And Ah talked about him yesterday." 'Mishel' could not help himself but chuckling at her southern accent. "Well welcome to our little farm, big guy! Feel yourself like home! My name is Granny Smith." exclaimed the green old pony. As she said 'home', Michael's face freezed for an blink of an eye, but the old pony's eyes were good enough to notice it. "Oh, is something wrong, big guy?" "Nothing... just... nothing," he muttered. But Applejack knew it better. She feels that he is lying. As the element of honesty, she could always feel it when someone is lying. "You're lying. Please tell us the truth," she looked into his grey eyes to find any signs of thruth or further lying, but he was avoiding the eye contact. Applejack just shrugged, she could not force him to say the thruth. Then she started to introduce the two other members of her family to Michael.  "This is ma brother Big Mac. He is one of the strongest pony in the family.", Applejack explained as she moved next to her brother. "Yup!" Michael chuckled shortly at his name, thinking about McDonald's BigMac. "And this is ma little sis' Applebloom." she turned to the little yellow filly,"Say 'Hi' to the human!" "Hello!" Applebloom chirped. Michael could not deny it but finding her freaking adorable. After finishing breakfast which was REALLY DELICIOUS for him, Michael and Applejack were going out, to a apple tree. "So, now we hit the core. We are going to applebuck. At first I'll show you. Then it's ya turn!" with that words, she turned around and gave the tree behind her a strong kick with her hindlegs. All apples from the tree were falling down to the ground. "Now ya'! Buck that tree!" she pointed at a random tree. Michael asked "With bucking, you mean... kicking. Not f-" "Yeah. Kick this tree." He walked away from the tree a  few metres, then he sprinted at it. Just metres away from the trunk, he jumped in the air and he bicyclekicked the tree. The years of martial-arts training in the Delta Force apprentice clearly paid off. Some pieces of the tree's rind were chipped away. All apples and a big tree branch were falling to the ground. Applejack stood there, mouth agape. "Dude, how did ya' do that. That was... whoa! Tell me how ya' learn that! And tell me the truth!" "Okay... but please don't go mad! Promise me that," he said. He feared of losing their trust, since he finally found peace in this place. "Okay! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in ma' eye!" she put a hoof to her right eye. Michael was surprised "What was that for?" "Well, that was da' Pinkie Promise!" Applejack said. "Hmm, whatever, just don't get mad!" Michael takes a deep breath, then he said "This legs killed more enemies as you kicked trees... I think..." Applejack was mentally stunned "So ya'... killed..." "Yes, but it was self-defense and duty in one...," he said. Applejack shook her head "It's okay, it's okay... you don't have look so rigid. Equestria has been filled with wars, too!" "MICHAEL!!! APPLEJACK!!!" shouted someone. They turned around and spotted a lavender coloured pony running to them. It was Twilight. As she was with them, she panted "The *gasp* Princesses are... coming. *gasp* You must come... to my library..." Ponyville, Library Pinkie Pie was not in the library. Twilight said that she has work to do. After some minutes after arriving at the library, a golden chariot which was carried by two white pegasi, landed outside of the tree library. Two large creature ponies thingies with crowns, wings and horns were stepping out from the chariot. Michael spotted them through a window. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They entered the library... Michael sat on a chair at a table and waited for them "Ah... finally." As the Princesses spotted Michael, they were shocked. None of them has expected a living being like him. Michael just stared at the Princesses, then he stood up, walked and held a hand to them "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am!" He stood on eye-level with Celestia. She just looked at his hand. She knew the gesture, but she has never seen a hand before. "Oh sorry, ma'am!" he excused. He took his hand back, stood straight and saluted in front of her. "Huh? No no...," she chuckled, "It's not that. I just was wondering what... whatever. Welcome to Equestria, Sir Becket. It's a pleasure to meet you, too." "Sir Becket? No, I'm in the position of a sergeant!" "You're are a soldier? Well, that makes it easier! We are here to say that we can send you back to your world and..." but she was cut off by Michael. "No." "What?!" says everypony "I said No!" Princess Celestia was shocked, "But you have a family in you world..." "Died long time ago..." Michael said monotonously. "Your friends?" Luna asked, terrified. "Murdered by a...eh..." he tried to find the right words for 'psionic insane girl'. "Anyone you are close?" Luna asked again "They all ARE FUCKING DEAD!!!" he said aloud, before he looked around, "...sorry, but the last times were so rough for me." "Oh dear... if you don't mind can I read your memories?" Princess Celestia, feeling pity for him. "Hmph, you can, but you won't be happy with that what you'll find..." he said flatly. Celestia raised her horn to his forehead. Just as the tip of her horn hits his forehead, her eyes goes wide as the memories were flooding from his brain through her horn into her brain. She knew now EVERYTHING. Well, almost... She could not bear the memories, she snapped her head back as she started panting heavily. "Princess Celestia!!!" everypony yelled. "What you've done to my sister?" Luna exclaimed angrily. "I didn't do anything! She was the one who read my mind!" he said, taking some steps back. Slowly, Princess Celestia digested the memories and swallowed the knot in her throat. "Tia! Are you alright?" Luna asked worriedly, still shooting death glares to Michael. "Uhm... yes... I didn't expect so much memories in such a short time... and the contents of them..." she muttered and stood up, "I know it's not the right time, but we must get to my castle as soon as possible. We need to discuss a lot in peace." "Okay, if there's nothing more." Michael said. He was eager to explain a lot to the ruler of this country since she could help him more than the mares he met. "But under one condition..." Canterlot, Princess Celestias Castle After a fast trip to the castle with the golden chariot, the group of ponies and a human were walking through the corridors of the castle. "It's okay that you put value on protection, but why did you take your... Assault Rifle with you?" Twilight asked, looking at said weapon on Michael's back. "A soldier like me never let his guard down." he said. INTERVAL 02 AWAKENING As they arrived at the throne hall, Princess Celestia leapt up with her wings and sat down at her throne. At that moment, a group of Royal Gaurds in golden armor came in the throne hall. Along with them was a white unicorn with blue mane, clad in heavier-looking and iron armor. "Shining Armor!" Twilight exclaimed, runned to her big brother and embraced him. She did not saw him for a long time. The unicorn smiled widely. "Hey Twily, I am so happy to see you" Shining Armor said and looked up to Michael, "So that's the human you talked about. Well..." Michael takes a few steps forward to Shining Armor and salutes. Shining Armor returns the gesture with a big grin in his face. "At least he shows respect" he determined "So, Mr. Becket, what's your position?" "Uuh..." Michael was surprised, to be asked of his status in military by a magical pony "My position is Sergeant" Shining Armor was impressed. "Do you have combat skills?" "I have Combat skills in firearms and close-battle!" Shining Armor did not know what he meant by firearm, but close battle made his ears perking up. Michael was not a magical creature, so Shining Armor believed he had the cards with his magic if it comes to a fight. "Then show me something. But not here right now..." he looked to Princess Celestia, who gave him a nod, "Okay, come with me, Sergeant Becket!" After some minutes of walking, they were outside in a big training area. There were already some recruits who were practicing with wooden swords. "So, just for today, show me some of your close-battle skills! Take it as a training." Shining Armor exclaimed. He picked up two wooden swords with his telekinetic grip and threw one to Michael. But he did not catch it. "Hey, what's with you?" Shining asked. "I don't need a sword. And of course I don't need my weapon right now, too." he says and put his AR on the ground "But you just want to test me?" "Yes, or do you have problems? I don't mean to force you." "Nono, let's do it." "Yeah, come on!" Shining yelled, grinning widely. Twilight then rembered about yesterday. Michael had a very special ability... "Are you sure about this? I forgot to say that he has a special ability...", Twiligth warned, but Shining Armor waved a hoof dismissely. Shining Armor began to circling Michael, but he just stood there. Michael really did not know how to make the first step and he didn't has any weapon. But then he remembered what the trainer in his apprentice said... If you don't have a weapon, then use the enemy's weapon against himself! Slow-mo On He just walked to Shining. As Shining noticed him approaching quickly, he swiped his sword from from top to bottom, but Michael dodged his attack with ease. Then he kicked the sword away in mid-air, releasing it from Shining's telekinetic grip... then he just grabbed the sword with his hands, rushed to Shining, tackled him down and held the sword at the captains throat. Like a XXL combat knife... or not. Michael thought. Slow-mo Off Even Celestia's jaw dropped as she spotted Shining loosing. Twilight was surprised, normally her brother would win in a sword-fight... Shininig was stunned. That was too fast for him. Michael released him "Are you okay?" Shining stood up and said "Yes, I am...Whoa, that was impressive! How did you learn that? And what is the special ability Twily talked about?" "Well, the ability your sister talked about is called 'Slow-mo'. Just think of the enemys move slowly around you and you've got the time to kick them all hard."  Michael explained with a grin. Shining said smiling "Hey, that was cheating." They both shared a laugh, as suddenly a female servant pony rushed to them, screaming the whole time... "AAAAAAH!!! HELP!!!" "What is it, Serving Star? What's the matter?" Celestia asked worried. But Serving Star just manages incomprehensible words, while gasping heavily. "Please, calm down...," Celestia said, but it sounded more like a order. Finally, she calmed down, took a few deep breaths and said "I-I s-saw... I-I-I walked... *deep breath*  I just walked through the lower floors of the castle as suddenly I smell decay. I fo-followed the smell, when I saw-w that corridor. In the middle of it, there was a... big spot of blood and some chunks of...somepony!" She looked like she was about to hyperventilate, but Twilight casted a paper bag and gave it to her. Michael's comlink gave a quiet metallic screech as her horn began to glow. The poor pony took it and used it to calm down her breathing. Fluttershy rushed to Serving Star, hugged her, trying to calm her down. "Okay while you calm her down, we are going to the lower floors of the castle." Celestia said and moved on. Princess Luna, Shining Armor, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity followed her. Michael picked up his AR, and followed them. They were walking down stairs and corridors. Suddenly, Rarity held her snout and said "Aaah, what's that for a awful smell?", as she screwed up her face. Celestia sniffed and immediately closed her eyes in disgust  "We are close..." At the next crossing, they went  to the right and spotting the crime scene. In the middle of the corridor, there were big patches of dried brown blood. Maggots were crawling around the pieces of flesh. It is an horrible sight. "Ohmygosh... what by tartarus happened here?" Luna asked horrorfied. Michael stepped to the biggest patch of blood... *SCREEECH* His feets were surrounded by a black liquid, he could not move them. A creature emerged from the ground, the same creature which killed the guard, and began instantly to lung out at Michael... Everypony shrieked in horror, and Shining Armor started to summon a magical blast, directed at the creature... but he was interrupted by a steady rhythm of loud thunderclaps, which sent all ponies again in shock. Then they are hearing a high-pitched scream. When they all opened their eyes, they all sighing in relief. Michael still stood there, the muzzle of his AR was smoking, twelve empty bullet casings were surrounding his feets. The monster was nowhere to be found, instead there was a small crater in the floor, a few inches deep. "Well, that was new!" Michael muttered, walking to the group of terrified ponies. "Wha-what was that?" Twilight asked panting. "I don't know, but I know the cause." he said back. "Who or what is the cause. Please tell it us!" Princess Celestia said, fearing more of those creature which can hurt her and Luna's folk. "...Alma..." -Music (Please open a new Tab)- "Who is Al-" she asked, as everypony, with the exception of Michael, were pinned at the wall by a invisible force. Michael's goggles were scrambling heavily at that moment and the comlink in his ear emitted such a loud cracking noise he feared of losing his ability to hear. Rainbow Dash tried to struggle herself free with her wings, but to no avail. And Applejack tried to stood on all four on the wall, but she could not move her legs. The Princesses were not moving, but they were looking around with their eyes wildly in shock. Rarity just screamed in terror. Shining couldn't see, he lied on his stomach. The air was somehow orange as a thin humanoid creature stood in the end of the corridor. In one instant, she stood in front of the ponies. Everypony were getting now a clear sight of the humanoid creature. It stood on two legs like Michael and had long, black hair. It's skin was dirty brown, like the skin from the creature in the floor. It's eyes were missing and the lips of it's mouth look dried. From all what the ponies can see, the creature looks like it died a long time ago... Celestia and Luna were then trying to summon an very strong offensive spell, but their horn were just emitting some harmless sparkles. Alma was blocking their magic! Michael could not believe what he just saw. Alma is here! She was teleported here, too! And she was about to finish these ponies off, so he thought about a plan... "Hey, you bitch. You want me? I'm here!" Michael yelled, trying to get Alma's attention.  With effort. Alma turned to him and looked him dead in the eyes. Michael hoped that he could draw Alma's attention away from the ponies. But Alma shook her head... and pointed with her finger at... ...the Princesses... She had already new interests in these powerful beings. "NOO!" yells Twilight and uses her full force to shooting a sparkling beam at Alma. Twilight was known for magical outbursts in emergency cases. But Alma just disappears and reappears in an blink of an eye in front of her... Twilight was hurled against the ceiling. It did hurt her much nor she received an injury, but it was strong enough to send a message through her brain. Never mess with Alma. (Stop Music Here) With all at once, it was over, like nothing happened. The Princesses, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Shining Armor and Rarity were falling from the wall to the ground with wicked thuds. Twilight fell on her belly. THAT hurt her. She was crying as she rubbed her aching belly. The rest of the group were standing up made her way to her. Michael took care of her by patting her back, trying to relax her and return from the shock. "I wasn't able to do something... but how... and why?" Celestia muttered to herself. Michael released Twilight, stood up and said "Because she control brains like a pro. In other words, she can take over your brain and mind and play around with it like a kitten with a cotton ball." "What else she can do?" Applejack asked terrified, but also slightly angry due of the creature that hurled her against the wall. "She can summon fire, create apparitions like the monster in the floor, telekinesis, causing hallucinations and, for which she is quite famous, liquefying the flesh of living beings in split of seconds." Michael explained, not taking his eyes away from the sobbing Twilight, "You all could be glad that she didn't murder one of us..." "Oh... dear..." Princess Luna is stunned. She is ready for anything anytime, but LIQUEFYING the flesh of a living being, that is too much for her. She felt the world around her spinning and in the other moment, she fell to the ground. Michael felt a little bit guilty about that. "Oh... no... Luna!" Celestia exclaimed and picked up her wavering sister "Okay, this is a serious situation. I want you all go back to Ponyville and wait for further instruction. Now, go go go!" Even in a life threatening situation and after, she keeps her head clear... Ponyville, 30 Minutes later 18:30 The group of ponies and a human were walking through Ponyville, not heading for the library - they are heading for Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow Dash said that Pinkie Pie prepared something, but each of them knows WHAT she prepared. And they needed it now... "Where are we going?" Michael asked. He thought about the barn or the library, but he did not know this place. Instead of answering, they kept their mouths shut and entered the bakery... "WELCOME TO PONYVILLE, STRANGE CREATURE!!!" shouted a crowd of ponies. In a reaction of shock, Michael flipped over a table, found cover behind it, unlocked and readied his AR. "Whoa, whoah! This is not the Making-Friends-Into-Swiss-Cheese-Party! This is a Welcome Party!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, but smiling as she trotted over to his cover and tapped on his weapon, in a order of putting it away. "Hu?" Michael looked around. His senses were expecting him a crowd of Replica Soldiers or some other kind of a nasty surprise. "Sorry.", he said as he put his AR on his back and put up the table again. This was followed by the best party they ever had, even for Michael. He never was on a party of this type. And he can feel now something that he has not felt in a long time: Happiness. He felt that he would love this place.