//------------------------------// // Unleashed // Story: Our Last Hope // by Field Marshall Nuggetman //------------------------------// The year is now November 4, 2022. Humanity is almost extinct with a population of only 15 million worldwide. The ponies came through a portal 3 years ago, promising peace throughout between them and the other countries. With them, they brought a special potion that can change them into anthro pony/human hybrids; some of the ponies that came through have already had this potio n used on them. At first, a single human volunteered to do it. However, since changing their species would get rid of diseases that humans can’t be cured of, many additional humans have volunteered for the potion. Also, with the ponies being able to fly and use magic, many other humans converted to anthropony hybrids. Around 2021, the human population had dropped to 5.4 billion; before the ponies arrived, the population count was 8.3 billion humans. A group of paranoid humans created a conspiracy theory that stated that ponies were attempting to take over human civilization so they founded a secret organization called the APO (Anti-Pony Organization). Soon, powerful leaders of the APO started disappearing, as well as leaders of the human countries. Humans who haven’t adopted the anthropony potion became suspicious and thought of the anthroponies as threats. On a day that seemed as normal as it could be, Equestria, the country that the ponies founded, sent royal guards to capture a Russian nuclear facility. Once captured, the anthroponies had nuclear warheads shot towards China and the European countries. After the warheads’ explosions settled, Equestria invaded the United States and started converting the native humans by force. With the human population already at an unbelievably low 2.3 billion, the ponies had increased their population up to 10.2 billion. The humans had little to no chance of survival as the Equestrian forces continued to mobilize. As the Equestrian soldiers closed in, the human race grew inconceivably desperate. A scientist by the name, Joe William, had made a controllable virus in hopes that biological warfare would help the humans push back against the opposing forces. This virus was designed to instantly kill its host and reanimate the host’s corpse. As the virus took control of the brain, most moral views were trashed and forgotten. If the human UN were to unleash this virus upon the anthroponies, it would send out t he message that the humans won’t back down. However, there are a few problems. After its release, the virus will go out of control in three months. Before then, the humans must terminate the virus and only then, will they be able to assume control of the lifeless corpses that were victims to the virus. The second problem is finding a volunteer who is willing to plant the virus bomb in the capitol city of Equestria: Canterlot. Although we don’t have an answer to the first issue, we have one for the second, the answer is me. My name is Quinn Evergreen, and I am 26 years old. I joined the APO and remained with them for a year now before all this bullshit made history. My wife had died in Europe during the bombings and hell, I'm not going down without a fight. [ ----- NYC UN building 6 hours before unleashing the virus. ----- ] "So Quinn, how long did you have a grudge against these fucking ponies?" asked Greg. Greg was an old friend of mine ; we went back to a few years before the portal was opened, allowing the ponies to take our world. "Greg, ever since my wife was killed during the nuclear attack, I fought for my race. I killed every pony I could and accepted no prisoners without a reason to be spared. How ‘bout you?" I asked back, tightening the strap on my left boot. "Well, I don't know. I signed up for the army the day Los Angeles was invaded. My whole family was converted and they don't even remember me," Greg replied in an unhappy tone. "So you feel the same way I do." I clarified with a slight smirk. "Yeah Quinn, sure, I do. But hey! We’re going on that mission to infect Canterlot. Finally, I can get revenge on those so call 'princesses' of theirs." "You better fucking get ready ‘cause we’re leaving in just under an hour," I barked, picking up my ammo bag and my M4. "Wait, an hour?" inqui red Greg, with eagerness echoing through his voice. "Yeah… you didn't know?" I turned to look at him with a retarded face. "Hey Quinn, I'm not good with remembering things so let’s just get the bombs loaded and get going." Greg scoffed as he strolled out of the room. I got out of my chair and picked up my bag before following suit. After going to the lab and retrieving the bombs, we exited a thick wall that served as the humans’ primary line of defense. We made our way to a dock where a boat with a UN soldier at its wheel waited patiently for us. After another boring hour on that small fucking boat, we reached Equestrian territory. Greg thanked the driver as he hopped out of the boat and began walking towards the closest town: Amyitiville. With the utmost stealth, Greg uncovered a guard on patrol that carried the keys to a train car that was, in our luck, about to make its way to Canterlot. With quick thinking, I incapacita ted the guard while Greg immediately leaped at the fallen guard, seizing the keys before we both met up in front of the train car. Greg unlocked the train car and peered inside. His eyes went wide as he relayed his findings back to me, “Holy shit dude! There’s loads of war gear in here. Here’s a few crates full of body armor and another one right here full of weapons.” Greg hopped up into the car and opened another crate, “…and this one has bombs.” "Set up a C4 charge on the wall of this car and and blow it when he get off the train. There shouldn’t be many guards around to notice the train car catch fire," I suggested. “I’ll also collect some of the supplies that we could use. "Good idea," agreed Greg as he moved some boxes around in the car to make room for the two of us to sleep and hide. After lifting some bombs out of a crate and equipped ourselves with weapons, ammo and body armor, we looked around to find a map o f Canterlot that we could use. “Over here.” I whispered back to Greg and showed him the map I found. He brought his hand to his chin in thought and replied, “Alright then Quinn. What’s the game plan?”. "Well if there were more men coming along with us, I would have planned a distraction in the middle of the city so you and I could plant the bombs in strategic locations. Unfortunately since the UN’s general decided to keep most of the men he had at NYC to defend, I think it would be smartest to start a fire at the train depot. That way, it would serve as a distraction while you head downtown to set up another fire in one of the buildings in the downtown plaza. I'll try to scan the area for cameras for the time being while you get yourself ready. When it's 4 o'clock sharp, we’ll ready our gas masks and blow this place to kingdom come. Sound like a plan?" Greg looked down at the map I had drawn on and turned his head to look at his wat ch. After turning back to face me Greg answered, "Quinn, I like that idea, but don’t you think we should get more guards near the blast zone?" "Uhh, yeah. Slight revision. We’ll start firing off warning shots into the air near the castle and get every single guard that we can into the city. When I see a subtle number of guards I'll blow the bombs. Make sure your gas mask is on when that time comes, got it?" "Yeah, yeah, I got it. Now let’s get some sleep. It just might be our last time to do so." [ ----- Canterlot Castle 4 hours until the bomb is unleashed ----- ] Twilight and her friends were in their rooms within the castle. Ever since the war began, Princess Celestia told them that it was too dangerous to leave the city because there were human terrorists scattered across Equestria setting up dirty bombs and destroying military buildings. One of which, put Princess Luna in a coma. "Tw ilight, are you sure the Gala is cancelled this year?" asked Rarity. The group of ponies was having lunch in a room. "Mm hmm. I heard Princess Celestia say that they’re cancelling the Gala due to an increase in human activity all across Equestria. More than usual as well." explained Twilight with a sympathetic expression. "I don't … understand. Why can't the … guards just … break through the humans’ line of … defense and … defeat them already." ranted Rainbow Dash, who spoke between bites. "Look Dash, we know you’re still upset with Thunderlane getting murdered by the humans 4 months ago." said Applejack, "but yeh gotta ferget that now." "I'm trying guys, but it's hard." "I know how you feel Dash… Flash Sentry and my brother, Shining Armor, were both killed 5 months ago when they tried to take over NYC." said Twilight with a saddened tone. "My par ents died to a surprise attack by the humans and Cadence committed suicide. I have no family left, but now I’m over it. You need to try to get over it too Dash.” "She's right Dashie. You gotta turn that frown upside down." cheered Pinkie Pie who was jumping over Rainbow Dash back and forth. "I'll try my best guys." "We understand but I'm still worried about Fluttershy; and you too, Applejack. Ever since Big Mac passed away last month you two haven’t really been all that well." said Twilight. "Yeah… you’re right, sugar cube. I'm still having an issue with Big Mac, but you really don't have to worry about Fluttershy or me for that matter. She and I have both been to therapy. If we hadn’t, then we might not even been standin’ here right now." Explain Applejack. "By the way, where is Fluttershy?" inquired Rainbow Dash, look around the room. "She's using the lavatory," replied Rarity. "What about me?" asked a small, female voice in the back. They turned around and saw Fluttershy looking at them through her mane. "Oh Fluttershy, we were just talking about the Gala being cancelled," Twilight half-lied trying not to hurt her feelings. "Oh, well there's still other things we can do, right?" asked Fluttershy. "Oh sure! Of course. I heard there was a new movie coming out next week," said Pinkie Pie trying to steer the awkward conversation away from personal matters. A guard pushed open a door and stood at attention. "Girls, the princess would like to speak to you right away." [ ----- Canterlot Train Depot ----- ] "Quinn! Quinn? Hey Quinn! Wake the fuck up. We’re here." My left eye opened to look at Greg above me. After a few tense seconds, my right eye opened to join the left. "Ugh… Did you get everything we need?" I asked pushing myself up. "Fuck yeah! Everything we need is in this bag and also, I already set up the charges so we better get moving.” The remnants of sleep in my eyes were cleared and I got to my feet and hopped out of the stationary train car. We pick up our 9mm pistols, cocked them, and attached silencers to them before hopping over a nearby fence. Once both of us had cleared it, I blew the train car. The explosion was a much bigger one than we had anticipated because the whole back of the train blown off and blowing up black smoke and flames. The people who managed the train were afraid to get close to put it out in fear of setting themselves ablaze. "Here's our chance to walk away." I whisper to Greg. We got out of the brush that we had hid in behind the fence and began to make our way towards the castle of Canterlot, which was conveniently placed in the middle of the city. "I think we should skip the setting buildings on fire and proceed to the main part of the," suggested Greg. I looked at Greg and scoffed, "Why? Is your inner pyro dying?" "Pft, no. I was just thinking that in case you were to get attacked, I can cover you while you plant the charges." "Hmm, nice idea. Alright then, let's go." After 20 minutes of boring ass walking, we finally reached the castle. We found our way to the back door but along the way we had to put down three guards. We planted one of our charges on the back door and in the ventilation systems. Soon after, Greg and I made our way to the Security Room and secured it. Greg cut the camera feed so we could walk around the castle invisible. Along the way, the halls were littered with guards so we did what we had to do and headed towards the armory and replenished our supply of C4s. Greg even picked up a SMAW. "Princess, you wanted to see us?" asked Twilight walking into the throne room. "Ah Twilight, my favorite student. I wanted to tell you that it was agreed upon to have the Gala tonight. It seems that the Gala will boost the morale of my subjects." "OH! THE PARTY’S BACK ON?!" cheered Pinkie, bouncing around the room uncontrollably. 2 ponies strolled in the room with coats and gas masks on. They immediately ripped of their coats to reveal the arsenal of weapons at their disposal. "PONIES OF EQUESTRIA! PREPARE YOURSELF FOR EXTINCTION." yelled out Greg with a hint of eager anticipation in his voice. "HUMANS!!!!!" That's all the guards had said as they readied their rifles. Before the guards could take any course of action after raising their rifles, an explosion behind the two humans easily obliterated the guards. We quickly ran and dove for cover behind a stray pew and started firing at the Princess. In turn, she instant ly casted a spell around herself and the 6 mares around her creating a large bubble. With her magic, Celestia moved her protective bubble full or mares away from the line of fire as she summoned more guards to fend Greg and I off. “There’s so many of them…” I quickly armed lugged a flashbang over my pew and waiting for the deafening pierce. Before long, the room was enveloped in a white flash momentarily leaving the guards blinded and discombobulated. This gave Greg more than enough time to gun down the guards. Greg and I immediately hopped over our pews and headed for the stairs as soon as the beat down concluded. The guards outside the castle and around the city was converging on us and we need hostages if we were going to have any chance for escape. We went into another room and saw Celestia still shielding the 6 mares. 10 guards around us raised and cocked their M16s at out faces. "Greg, now is the best time there is." I whispered to him. &quo t;With pleasure." smirked Greg as he reached into his pocket and pressed a button. The viral bombs detonated and the guards in front of us collapsed to the floor; unfortunately, the shield Celestia set up worked against the explosives and virus as well. "What did you do to them?" Celestia asked, worry evident in her voice. "We created hell on earth," I replied, "and your going to see your precious little kingdom fall to its knees."