//------------------------------//
// Friends 
// Story: Revolution Equestria 
// by SeriousTWILEY 
//------------------------------//

Barrack No 13, Camp Columbus, Equestria
March 20th, 2060

Steel beds sat in rows along the walls of the aluminum building, each possessing grey wool covers that drearily complimented the dull brown paint of the walls. A figure slowly made his way down the rows of bedding, ignoring each occupant until he approached a chosen one, fourth from the far end. The man briefly examined the form that was curled up in the grey covers, and kicked the bed.
“Hey!  Dummkopf!” he said harshly.
The lump gasped and sat up with a start. Letting out a long groan, Boris rubbed his temples as he leaned forwards in the bed.
“Fuck…” he muttered, “what time is it?”
“Time for der Lufteführer to get up” the mystery man said.
Boris looked up and saw the shaved head and serious expression of Captain Kolba looking down at him. 
“Ugh… fuck you Fritz, I’m too hung over for this” Boris grunted as he lay back down.
“It’s not an option you Rusky punk, you have a job, remember?” Kolba said with an irritated voice. “I’ll be waiting outside, then you have some work to do regarding the jets that just arrived”
Boris was already asleep again.
“Fucking Russian…” muttered Kolba as he wound up to kick the bed again.

It was about three o’clock by the time Boris had gotten the fighter situation sorted out, and he leaned against the wall of the hangar as he watched the first fighter patrol take off into the crystal blue skies. Turning to head inside, he but paused at the sound of an approaching jet. Turning his attention skywards, he saw a cyan pegasus tearing through the air towards him. Rainbow Dash pulled up at the last second and landed lightly between him and the door.
“Hey Dashie!” exclaimed Boris with a surprised grin. “What’s up?”
“Nothing really, want to do some flying?” Dash said with a cheeky smile, “I’m sure I can find a way to beat that bucket of bolts you call wings.” 
Boris’ eyebrows raised, “First thing, there is no way that you’re beating Natalia. Ever. Second thing, I can’t just take her up into the air anytime I want. Last time was technically classified as a ‘patrol’”
Dash’s ears drooped and she let out a soft “Oh…”
Boris looked down at the saddened pony, and a smile crossed his face. In a swift motion Boris reached down, scooped her up, and slung her over his shoulder.
“Hey! What? Put me down!” Dash yelled as she flapped her wings, unable to fly with the human weighing her down.
“Nyet Dashie, I’ve found myself with nothing to do, so we’re going to go find something fun.” laughed Boris as he carried Dash across the airfield. As Boris paraded around with the cyan mare slung over his shoulder, Dash placed a hoof to her chin.
“If you don’t have anything else to do, I could use a favor!” she said finally.
Boris stopped and unslung the pony from his back.
“Anything” he said as he brushed Dash’s mane out of her eyes.	
Dash examined her hooves as she kicked up small clouds of dust. “Remember those fillies that led you here from the forest?” she asked, slightly hesitantly.
“Uhh… da, I remember.”  said Boris, mocking her tone.
“Well…” she began slowly, “Rarity needs somebody to foalsit them and there’s supposed to be a Wonderbolt in town today and I really wanted to see her but Rarity-” she continued at lightning speed before she was hushed by Boris. 
“Whoah whoah whaoh!” said Boris with a chuckle as he closed a hand over Dash’s snout. “Let me guess, you want me to babysit little ponies?”
Dash put on a huge, wide eyed smile and nodded.
“Hmm… what the hell, I watch little ones.” said Boris as he twisted the hair above his upper lip.
Dash replied with a hug.

Applebloom tried to keep her balance, but couldn’t support the weight of the other two fillies. She wobbled, and finally stumbled. All three of the Cutie Mark Crusaders fell to the floor in a pile. 
“Maybe we’re not cut out to be a pony pyramid.” said Sweetie Belle as she rubbed a hoof on her head.
“Are you sure we’re doin this right Scoots?” asked Applebloom as she turned to her orange friend. “Ah’m pretty sure pyramids are supposed to be triangle shaped.”
“Hey, I’m the biggest Rainbow Dash fan here!” snapped Scootaloo, “I know the most about tricks and-”
“Oh my word! What happened here!” gasped a white mare as she entered the room and saw the pile of fillies.
The foals immediately got up off of the floor and stood in a row, giving Rarity their most innocent smiles.
Rarity frowned, “I certainly don’t envy whoever this friend of Rainbow Dash is that’s coming over to watch these girls…” she said as she turned to leave the room.
As the mare made her way into the hallway, the doorbell rang. Desperately hoping it was the foalsitter that Rainbow Dash had sent over, she nearly ran to the door before flinging it open. Rarity’s eyes went wide when she opened the door. She was expecting some lanky teenaged stallion from ponyville, but in the doorway towered a six foot tall human. His tangled black hair stuck out in all directions, and a frizzy mustache covered his upper lip. Worst of all he had a jagged scar running from his eye to the bottom of his cheek.
“So you’re the… um… you’re the foalsitter Dash sent?” Rarity managed to stammer.
“Babysitter yes.” the man boomed with a sinister grin.
Rarity sat down on her haunches for a brief moment as if winded, then she stood aside with a quiet “Do come in”.
The man made his way inside, his boots making loud thumps against the carpet. 
“So um… have you ever done this before?” Rarity asked nervously.
The man turned and looked her in the eye, “Da. I sit baby real good.” he said, his grin widening and eyes narrowing.
Rarity coughed, “Um girls!” she called. “Come out here and meet your new foalsitter!”
One by one the three fillies filed into the room. They were covered in dust, and Rarity worried what mess she’d have to clean up if she entered the room that they had been playing in.
“Girls, this is-”
“Boris!” they all gleefully exclaimed at once.
Rarity’s eyebrows raised, “You know this human?” she asked them.
“Uh huh!” said Applebloom, “We were with cousin Babs when we met him in the forest!”
“We led him back to town.” chimed in Sweetie Belle.
Rarity let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that this Boris character had dealt with the fillies before, which means that he’s 	probably not as scary as he looks. With a nervous farewell and a final, suspicious glance at Boris, Rarity exited the Boutique.
The door shut, and Boris burst into laughter, which eventually faded into a snicker, “Heh, I really put the fear of god into that one, heh heh!”
The three fillies exchanged puzzled glances.
“Um… what do you mean by that Boris?” said Scootaloo quizzically
“Well Dashie told me to put on my best ‘scary human’ act for Sweetie’s sister, she thought it would be funny.” Boris said as he suppressed another snicker. “So” he continued as he turned to the fillies, “who wants to hear about the time me and Anon won medals for crashing a helicopter?”
Apparently a war story was one of the only things that would keep the Cutie Mark Crusaders quiet and still, because all three of them stood in rapt attention as Boris recounted his tale.

Rarity made her way down the path that led from her home and business to the main road. She made her way into town, trotting lightly like a lady of class with her nose held high. As she approached her destination she encountered Fluttershy, whom she would be sharing in spa activities with.
“Oh, hello Rarity” said Fluttershy with a small smile as the unicorn approached her, “I’m so glad to see that you found a foalsitter on such short notice.”
Rarity rolled her eyes, “I do wish that Rainbow Dash had sent over a respectable pony from in town, but instead she sends me this unkempt and beastly human! A soldier by the looks of things!” Rarity said with exaggerated drama in her voice. 
“A human? Oh I hope that he doesn’t frighten the poor dears! Those humans can be pretty scary sometimes.”
“Yes, those humans are a barbaric race!” Rarity exclaimed with contempt, “All of them seem to be obsessed with fighting, not an ounce of culture in them! Not to mention that filthy and vermin infested shantytown that they live in. Why, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if they carry some sort of revolting disease. Oh, and dear sweet Celestia those uniforms that they wear! A ghastly brown colour! With only a little red at the collar! It’s truly a travesty to force an outfit like that on somepony, but I suppose that a ghastly race ought to wear ghastly uniforms.” 
All through Rarity’s long and prejudiced rant Fluttershy listened calmly, her features changing several times. At different moments during Rarity’s speech, her face may show agreement, surprise, and sometimes even a bit of discontent. Rarity’s ramblings were cut off as the pair was alerted to a presence behind them.
“What do yall think you’re doin?” asked Applejack’s voice form behind them.
Rarity and Fluttershy turned to see Applejack, hitched to a cart full of apples. Beside her stood a human with blue eyes and short, bleach blonde hair. He carried a large crate piled to the brim with extra fruit from Sweet Apple Acres. 
Rarity swallowed as she realized that Applejack and this mysterious human had heard every word she said. She then shrank back a few steps as AJ marched up towards her, and gave her a glare full of rage.
“Is that what y’all really think?” said AJ dangerously.
Rarity began to sweat, “Um… yes, I mean, no uhh… well…”
Applejack’s eyes narrowed and she pressed her face closer to Rarity’s. At this point the human decided to step in.
“Whoa there loves!” he said as he gently pushed the two mares apart. “Don’t want to bet gettin’ yourselves in a dustup the the streets, heh heh.” The man turned to Rarity and gave a small bow, “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced madam.” he said politely, “My name is Kommandant Eric McPhee and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” His grin never seemed to vanish.
Rarity blushed slightly, evidently embarrassed at having such an offensive rant greeted with such perfect manners.
“Oh… well I… I do apologize for any offense I might have caused.” Rarity stammered out awkwardly.
AJ simply stood slightly off to the side as Eric assured Rarity of his respect for her opinions.
Soon Rarity and Fluttershy continued on their trip towards the spa, leaving Applejack and McPhee alone.
“She don’t got no right to be talkin’ bout y’all like that sugarcube.” muttered AJ as the pair made their way to the town center.
Eric reached down and scratched behind the mare’s ears as they walked, “Come on now love, she can say whatever she wants bout me. Everybody’s entitled to their opinion.”
“But she can’t just-” AJ began
“Hush Jackie,” he interrupted, “she’s not the mare that matters to me.”
Applejack smiled.



Stalliongrad, Equestria
March 24th 2060

Stalliongrad didn’t face much of a chance when the invasion came. It was only thirty kilometers from the Griffin border and like most of Equestria, poorly defended. War wasn’t something that ponies were used to, much less expecting. On the outer limits of the city, three figures crept silently through the abandoned streets with the sound of the fighting fading behind them. The moon had vanished and the only source of light were the fires burning behind them, the light of the flames casting a hellish, orange glow upon the dying city.
Twilight huffed and puffed as Anon led the trio of fugitives through the dark alleyways, Spike was having similar problems.
“Anon… can we… take a break…” Spike wheezed as the group came to a brief stop.
Anon looked back towards the tiny purple reptile, breathing heavily in the same manner as the purple alicorn who stood beside him with drooping ears, “No.” he said coldly.
Twilight didn’t approve of Anon’s behavior. Frankly, she found it downright scary. First was the detached and robotic way that he had barked orders at her in her bedroom. Second was the way he had murdered a fellow human in such cold blood, and without batting an eyelash. Twilight glared at Anon with a frown.
“I’ve had enough of this!” she said angrily, “You’ve dragged us along for a good three hours now and we haven’t even had anything to eat. We’re out here freezing our flanks off and running from Celestia knows what horrible mechanized terrors that those humans are driving around it, and you won’t even give a kid like Spike a break? What the hey happened to you! Ever since this started you’ve been acting like a whole different person! I demand that you stop treating us like idiots! More importantly stop treating us like human soldiers!”. Twilight drove her point home as she stamped her hood into the snow, and a small burst of purple sparks came forth from her horn.
Anon turned around and marched silently towards Twilight, knocking Spike down in the process. “You have no idea what we’re dealing with here” he began in a flat and emotionless tone, “You literally cannot comprehend what unholy things that they’ll do to us if they catch us. We need to get out of here now. I don’t give a fuck if you’re tired, or if little Spikey Wikey is hungry. I’m concentrating on getting us out of here alive, you got that?”
Twilight face contorted into a grimace of sheer rage. Scrunching up her snout, she spread her wings and gave them a powerful beat. Immediately she soared up to eye level with Anon, where she lowered her head until her horn was a mere two inches from the frowning human’s head. Twilight’s horn glowed and bright arc of purple lightning shot out, hitting Anon square between the eyes. He let out a muffled cry and fell flat on his ass, swearing he quickly stood up again, ready to deal with Twilight the way he would an insubordinate trooper.  The human grabbed a hold of Twilight, ready to chew her out in a way that would leave her emotionally scarred. The look in Twilight’s eyes as Anon grabbed her wasn’t one of fear, she was determined not to give any ground, and her gazed pierced Anon right to his core. Before he could even open his mouth, Anon was captured by the deep violet of the mare’s eyes, and he released her. Suddenly feeling weak, Anon leaned against the wall of the building that they stood next to, and sank to the ground.
“S… So… Sorry…” he managed to mumble as he buried his face in his hands, “I’m sorry I… I guess I’m a little too used to working with humans… bad ones… like me…”
Twilight’s ears became less perky as Anon slowly rocked back and forth, face still hidden. “You’re not bad Anon, you’ve just had to do some bad things.”
Anon’s hand raised into the air, searching for Twilight, she leaned forwards and he closed his arm around her. A large crack from the direction of the city drew Twilight’s attention back towards the inferno that used to be Stalliongrad, and as she craned her neck in order to look for the source of the noise she noticed the black writing along the length of Anon’s forearm. His sleeve had been rolled up in Twilight’s embrace, and his mysterious brand was fully visible.
Pulling away, Twilight acquired a puzzled expression. “What’s this?” she asked, examining the markings, “G-24601? What’s that mean?”
Anon’s head snapped up, he was suddenly fully composed an alert. 
“Nothing.” he said quickly as he rolled down his sleeve. “We need to keep-” he began, before growing quiet.
Twilight’s ears shot up, turning and twisting as they searched for what had alarmed Anon. Soon she could hear voices, speaking in a foreign language.
Anon’s head turned to the direction of the conversation, “Follow me…” he whispered, “slow and quiet”
A pony, a human, and a dragon crawled along the side of the nearest building at a snail’s pace, eventually coming to a bend in the narrow street. Anon raised his hand, a signal to the others to stop, and slowly, ever so slowly and silently, he moved step by step until he could peer around the corner. In the street, facing away from them, was a small jeep. It was grey, with the markings of a darker grey eagle gripping a white cross, emblemized upon it’s rear. Beside it stood two men, wearing the grey uniforms and black helmets of ANS scouts, and leaning casually against their vehicle. The relaxed nature of their conversation showed that they were blissfully unaware of the presence of their three enemies. 
“How convenient” Anon said darkly as he lined the first one up in his rifle’s sights.