The two of you back off. There’s too many to fight head-on. A bomb is a tad extreme; especially when you’re not sure you’ll even need it. You close the console, Mark understanding your meaning. You slap him on his back and both of you retreat back into the sea of columns. The leader hisses, sicing its troops upon you.
You take cover behind a pillar and fire a shot. Your shot goes wide, stone shards blast across the floor. A xenomorph pounces at the pause forcing you to roll away. It lands on the pillar behind you, immediately following it up with another leap. Its attack is relentless not giving you time to strike back. Mark is engaging three of them in close-range combat effortlessly. You’ll be sure to ask for some training after this shit is over.
The xenomorph’s tail juts forward narrowly missing your head. It appears to be imbedded in the rock, and with a quick slice of Mark’s knife you cut it off, its owner shrieking in anger. You take a brief moment to introduce its cranium to your friendly 12 gauge. The blood splashes against the webbing which remains immune to its effects. You charge towards Mark, a Pegasus xenomorph sneaking up behind him. “Got your back!” You crash into it shoulder first and take it for a ride.
The both of you collapse into the chamber wall. It writhes around clawing ay anything within reach. You slam your boot on its head to pin it down on the floor. You bring your head next to its, preparing for one of your finer moments in Equestria. “I’ma bleed you, real quiet. Leave ya here. Got that?” You ravage its neck with your serrated blood cutting it in two. The body begins to spasm, spewing its corrosive blood over your already damaged armor. You cut off the straps and toss aside your death trap of armor before it hits you.
Your back begins to tingle, a familiar warmth washing over you. “Oh hell no motherfucker!” You jump over the xenomorph corpse quickly escaping the wave of fire from behind you. Another Unimorph appears from within the flame. You take a shot, the attack reflected by a small barrier. Well that’s out of the question, but how does it like fire? You flip on your incinerator and release your own tasty flavor of flame.
The Unimorph backs away in fear, leaving it vulnerable once more. You tackle it while its shield is down, both of you engulfed by its black inferno. You emerge at the far side of the room, it pinning you down again. It seems to smile at your predicament, possibly the same one that took Duff. It winds up its tail to finish the job it began. “You’ll pay for what you did to Duff!” You bridge on your neck, its claws digging deep into your chest, and scissor your legs to lay on your chest.
Building up, you grab its claw and throw it over your shoulder as you raise your hips. It plops on its back momentarily stunned. You grasp its tail and swing it around, its head colliding with every pillar you see. After gaining enough momentum you let go causing it to fly into the air. “Pull!” You cock your shotgun and take aim. “This is for Duff you bastard.” You blast off both barrels, the body disappearing in a mist of yellow.
Mark seems to be getting overwhelmed, two more joining the fray. You pull out your pistol and Incinerator, sprinting behind Mark. He has his back to a boulder as he dodges and deflects several blows. You sprint on top of the boulder behind him, put two fingers in your mouth and whistle. “I’m right here assholes.” You jump over Mark, an incinerator in one hand roasting some premium xenomorph, and your pistol in the other wounding a few others. You roll forwards as you land, granting some breathing room for the both of you.
This doesn’t last long, as your little stunt attracted the attention of more than a dozen xenos. Mark equips a staff and readies his shoulder-cannon, while you reload your shotgun and pistol. You hear a thunderous roar as the columns come crashing down. The enlarged alien steps out of the rubble, brandishing his two sets of arms and teeth. Turns out your friend didn’t like being left out. “Welp, we’re only majorly fucked.”
An explosion of purple forces him to stumble back and shield himself. Wait if that’s purple, then that means… ”Didn’t think you’d get off that easy did ya?” Rainbow hollers behind you.
“I’m happy to be wrong for once.”
The rest of the mane 6 show themselves, joining you side by side. ”Who’s your buddy?” Twilight asks questionably.
“A friend, but I think we have more important issues right now.” The big guy reels back and wails a death cry in rage. “You guys know what to do.”
The eight of you split up as you engage the army of the xenos. Three take the left and the others take the right, each making sure to split the force up. You and Mark take the middle, dealing with your old acquaintance. The monster screeches and charges right at you. You kick off of Mark steering both of you clear of its path. If that thing picks you up, it’s game over.
You pull out the pulse rifle and pump some grenades at it, though it dodges them easily. It’s fast, you’ll give him that. Tossing down the empty rifle you signal Mark to use his own cannon. The Xenomorph dodges that blast as well and strikes Mark, tearing the cannon clean off his shoulder. A Pegasus xeno swoops in to take advantage of his weakened state, but is waved off by a surge of flame. ”NO! BAD ALIEN! BAD!” Fluttershy screams chasing it down with an incinerator. Make a note, don’t fuck with Fluttershy.
Mark manages to get back up; the blow would have knocked any human out cold. You release a few shells into the creature, merely irritating the colossal being. It sweeps its tail under your feet, knocking you down. You roll out of the way as the tail immediately spikes into the ground. You cock the shotgun and let both barrels go to town, chipping away at its large headdress. This thing just takes a lick and keeps on ticking.
Mark takes out his disk and throws it at the alien, cutting the sides of it. He takes another attempt and the xenomorph dodges in time for it to lodge itself into a wall. How many ways is this thing going to screw you over? You ready your shotgun again, the creature smacking you away with its tail. Your gun is stripped from your hands, the xenomorph crushing it under its feet. Turns out you thought too soon. You get to your feet and pick Mark’s disk out of the wall.
The incinerator puffs out a little gust of fire before shutting off. A fucking Bunsen burner would be more useful than this thing. You toss it away, now limited to your pistol, disk, and knife. None of which would be useful in taking it down. You hear a blast of confetti and get an idea. “Pinkie, bring that thing over here double time! Rarity I need to help out my buddy.” Mark is circling the xenomorph stabbing at it with his spear, Rarity trying to protect him with her telekinesis. You’re both fighting a losing battle, but maybe you can turn the tide.
Pinkie gallops over with her party cannon in tow. “Give it hell.” An amalgamation of confetti and other party equipment knocks the xeno on its back. “Bull’s-eye, now go back to help Applejack.” Pinkie does as instructed as Mark goes in for the killing blow.
“That’s right kick his ass!” you scream, Mark stopping midthrust, a trickle green fluid running out of its mask. You look to his stomach, the Xeno’s tail… run him through, “NO!” It tosses Mark aside, leaving him a bleeding mess on the floor.
The xeno aims its tail at Rarity who’s frozen in fear. You draw your knife and disk and charge at it. “Get away from her you bitch!” Its tail zooms toward the vulnerable Rarity. The tail hits cold hard stone as Applejack saves her just in the knick of time. You slide under the Xenomorph’s head and begin skinning it of its large headdress. It squeals in pain, unable to pick itself up to defend himself.
Before you can finish it thrashes its head about throwing you away from it. You lay next to Mark, still bleeding from his gaping wound. Picking up his spear you place it in his hands. He weakly begins to take off his mask. His arms shaking something fierce. You finish the process for him, resting it on his lap. His face is covered with his green luminescent blood.
He coughs, a surge of blood dripping out of his mouth. ”Ff- fffr-“ *cough* You look back at the thrashing xeno, completely immobile with its damage. Probably should’ve invested in Life Alert. Mark’s coughing catches your attention again. He barely picks up his spear and mask, forcing both into your chest. ”Frrr- *cough* eeend.” Is he saying what you think he’s saying?
“Did you just say… friend?” He nods before grunting in pain. He extends his hand, imitating the human handshake. This is- kind of sad to be honest. You meet his hand, Mark pulling it close to his chest, putting you right next to him. You wish you could have got to know him…
Mark flips open the console on his wrist and presses a few buttons. He gives you one last look staring you in the eye. “I… hold…” You pull out Evans’ dog tags and place them in his hands. He gives a pained chuckle and presses the last button initiating countdown. The light in his eye fades, his hand going limp, still clutching the dog tags.
“Goodbye Mark.”
You spring up to your feet. Performing your signature whistle you gain the attention of your friends. “Ponies, we are LEAVING!” You quickly pick up Mark’s equipment and sprint towards the exit after the Mane 6. The beeps of the device echo behind you, increasing in pitch and speed as you rush up the tunnels. “Twilight close off the tunnel, now!” Her horn sparkles to life rumbling the tunnel’s interior.
All you need now is a boulder chasing you out. Applejack trips and falls flat on her face. You pick her up by the waist and keep moving up. The walls begin to fall apart. Dust and rock coming down around you. Twilight appears worried that she has doomed us as well. “The cave is collapsing!”
“This is no cave,” you reply nonchalantly. Another quake, this one dwarfing all those you’ve experienced thus far blasts from behind you. You dodge a falling stalactite and run past the entrance which collapses as you make it out. “Keep running!”
The others don’t ask questions, instead galloping faster than before. The quake reaches its apex as you turn around. An aura of neon blue erupts from the ground, tossing you off your ass. You never thought death would look so beautiful. Everything fades to black as the light consumes you.
Location- Ponyville. Time- Don’t even care. It’s been four months since the incident. Peace has returned to Equestria once more. The refugees came back home and helped us rebuild. Seeing so many families reunite warmed my heart. You almost couldn’t bear to watch Raúl embrace his wife and daughter. The mane 6 are your family now, and you’re glad for it. Having them as friends is comforting, knowing they won’t leave you.
You still think about Duff and Mark everyday. Their deaths weight heavy on your shoulders. All those you’ve lost… It’s hard to keep that stuff with you everywhere you go. Duff said they chose their fate, and maybe there’s some truth to that. He didn’t want your past to consume you, and you’re not going to let his wish fall on deaf ears. Doesn’t mean you can’t keep a piece of them with you. This journal is what’s bringing me back to the past. This will be my last entry, not because I don’t think I’ll be able to write anymore. But because I need to let this go.
These are the detailed accounts of an ex-marine. A marine who traveled to another world when all seemed lost. His name was Private Anonymous. The problems of his past sought to bring this new world to ruin. But he made an array of friends who helped him overcome his enemies. He lives life anew, no longer constrained the reality of his previous life. His name is Anonymous, citizen of Ponyville, and for once in his life… He’s finally happy. [End of Entry]
You set down the journal on your desk and take a deep breath. It’s finally over. You’re free. You look up to Mark’s mask, still displayed proudly before you. Grabbing your coat you head downstairs into the living room. ”What took you so long? We’re going to be late.” Pinkie says.
“Just wrapping some things up.”
”The ceremony is going to start soon.” Pinkie pulls you outside with the rest of the mane 6. You all trot to Ponyville Square where a mass of ponies await. You and Twilight head on up the steps.
“I’m not sure about this Twilight. Surely you can do it.”
”They still need you Anon. One last time, for them.” You grumble under your breath, but give Twilight a hug anyways.
“Wish me luck?”
”Don’t you remember Anon? Luck has nothing to do with it.”
“Get your happy ass back down there.”
Mayor Mare nods to you, leaning closer to the mic, “And here to speak with us today, is Anon!” The ponies cheer wildly, quieting down at your signal.
“The last time I was in front of you all I came with a message of war. Today, I’m here to give you a message of hope.” You run your eyes over the mob of ponies below you. “We’ve overcome the seemingly unstoppable. We persevered when all hope was against us, but it wasn’t due to firepower, or troops, or tactics.” You smile and look down at your friends. “Friendship got us through those times, and friendship will guide us into the future. I am proud to call you all my friends, and I hope you feel the same.” The ponies give you a round of applause as you jump off the steps and give your friends a group hug. “I’ll never leave your side…”
They eagerly embrace you as well. “And neither will we.” You hold onto them, the crowd still cheering. A tear runs down your cheek, and you hold them a little tighter.
“I know…”
You pick up a magazine off the ground and place it in your pouch. Seems your first run through wasn’t as thorough as you’d hoped. You don’t like to be away from Ponyville. It feels wrong to be far from home. Funny how things work out. You find a fuel canister, swapping out your incinerator’s tank. After the Xeno infestation there hasn’t been a need for you to be constantly bogged down with guns. Old habits die hard it would seem. A headache blisters in your head as you reach for clip. You stow away the clip and head under the trees for some shade. What is up with the light?
You sit down against the tree and close your eyes, but it doesn’t stop the painful throbbing in your head. All that stress really has come back to bite you in the ass. One of those massages Rarity craves sounds great right now. You open your eyes, and… you’re not where you thought you were. You shake your head and stand up, the landscape a constant. It was bright and sunny before, but- Why the hell are you in a forest? You hear some commotion nearby as if two p0nies are fighting. Maybe they can tell why you’re… umm, not where you were. You pull out your pulse rifle and stow your motion tracker. You step through the bushes, something is definitely being attacked.
“Alright break it up, break it-“ They’re human. Holy hell, another human being. One’s on the ground in a leather jacket covering himself up as the other strikes him. “I said hold it!” But he doesn’t stop. You point your gun in the air and fire off a warning shot, the forest silencing.
The aggressor sees you and your gun, “You- You’re a-“
“United States Colonial Marine Corps, stand down and back away from the civilian.”
He lets go of the others jacket, “You don’t understand, he’s not a civilian. This man’s a murderer.”
”The first thing you do when you see me is punch me in the face, and you’re painting me to be the bad guy.”
”You have to believe me, he’s a threat to all of Equestria,” he begins to move.
”I said hold it! One more move and the next shot won’t be a warning.” He pauses. What the fuck is going on here?