//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8: Meet Einstein's Personal Pony 
// Story: From Humans, to Cryptids, to... Ponies? 
// by TLP 
//------------------------------//

"Curiosity killed the cat, but not the pony..."



After Rainbow Dash left to bring Twilight, the rest just ate their apples and looked around, until Marcus turned to Applejack and apoligized.

"Hey, um.. sorry for what I said back there. Didn't know that... well, buckshot meant what it meant here.." He said, as his face grew a bit red.

Applejack chuckled "It's all good, sugercube. But ah am curious though.."

Marcus swallowed "About?"

Applejack said "About y'all in general, but ah think Twilight's got that covered. But what does 'buckshot' mean where you're from?" She asked hesitantley.

Marcus put the apple on the ground, reached into the ammo pouch, and pulled out a single, red shotgun shell. He then held it infront of Applejack, who confused.

He then started to explain "See this? It's called a shotgun shell. Inside this little tube are a bunch of small, metal balls. You then insert this into this" He pulled his SPAS-12 from his back and into his lap "..small hole below the shotgun, pump this back and forth once, and when my finger clamps down on the trigger, the balls fly out of the barrel, and will hit whatever's standing in its way until a certain distance. To do that, you need a special ammuntition type called buckshot. There are several other types of ammunition, but buckshot is my perferred ammo."

Applejack slowly understood what Marcus said "Okay, ah kinda got it, but when you said your were gonna given a faceful of...buckshot, does that mean you were gonna shoot me?"

Marcus smiled and shook his head "Hell no, I said that metaphorically!"

Applejack still wasn't convinced "Meta-wha?"

Marcus rephraised "As in I wasn't actually gonna do it. I was fazed and mad when I said that. Nobody's gonna hurt anybody. Er, anypony for that matter.. did I say it right?"

Applejack gave him a look, then smiled and said "Ok, ah can tell you're being honest. And yeah, you said it right."

Marcus then put his SPAS-12 down and bit into his apple. He then complimented Applejack on the apples.

"I gotta say, these apples are the best one I've eaten in my entire life!" 

Applejack replied "Why thank ya very much. We here at Sweet Apple Acres grow only the finest apples in all of Equestria!" She exclaimed proudly.

"I shecond that." Said Jackson with his mouth full. Everyone chuckled and continued eating in silence, until they heard hoofsteps, becoming louder and faster as they came closer.

Marcus stood up, put his shades back on, and looked down the drirt trail, barley making out two outlines. One being a pegasus, and the other looked liked a unicorn, with saddlebags overflowing with papers and quills.

Marcus lifted his shades "Mother of God..." as the figures got closer.

He then heard Rainbow Dash's voice "INCOMING TWILIGHT, BRACE YOURSELF!" She warned. Twilight then braked, making a screetching noise as she came to a halt, bumping into Marcus. She looked up at him, while Marcus smiled and said "Um... hi?"

Twilight's eyes got freakishly huge, then unloaded a salvo of questions upon Marcus..

"OhmyCelestiayouspeakourlanguagehimynameisTwilightSparklewhatsyourswhoandwhatareyouwhereareyoufromeareyoualoneareyouhungryareyouconfusedareyoukevinspaceyhowoldareyouwhereareyoufromwillyou-" She was cut off by Rainbow, who put a hoof in her mouth and was panting.

"Twi- *gasp* slow- *gasp* DOWN. He can't *gasp* UNDERSTAND YOU." She said in-between gasps.

Marcus smiled "She out ran you?"

Rainbow responded "When Twilight gets told something THIS nerdy, nopony can stop her. Not even me! I told you she was an egghead! You try stopping her next time!" She said in defense.

Twilight took Rainbow's hoof out of her mouth, and spoke "Nerdy?! Rainbow, this is the scientific discovery of the MILLENIUM. A new species! Perhaps an entire CIVILIZATION exists exclusivley just them!" She said as she got into Rainbow's face. Twilight collected herself and spoke to Marcus, who was deep in thought.

"What's left of our civilization.." He though.

"Heheh... sorry. Got a bit carried away there. Anyhow, let me introduce myself. My name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia's Star Pupil and personal student." She exclaimed.

Marcus shook his head, nodded, and introduced himself "Pleasure to meet you, Twilight Sparkle. I'm Sergeant Marcus 'Hunter' Ramirez of the United States Marine Corps and member of the Rapid Reaction Force. Same goes with my squad over there." He pointed to his squad behind him "You can just call me Marcus or Hunter. Whichever you feel like."

Twilight nodded "And you can just call me Twilight! Also, who else did you meet here, besides me and Rainbow Dash?" She asked.

Marcus answered "I met Fluttershy and Applejack. Lets go back with the rest of our freinds and I'll answer your questions there."

Twilight replied, sounding very anxious to ask him questions. "Okay then!"

They walked back to the squad, who looked a bit nervous, but were still willing to answer any questions the lavender unicorn had to ask.

Marcus then turned to Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy "You girls might find this boring, so you all can go if you want. It'll be a while."

Rainbow replied "I.. actually want to know how you and your freinds got here in the first place." She admitted hesitantly.

"Me too.." Fluttershy said "...if you don't mind."

"Aw shucks, why not. Ah am kinda curious mah'self." Applejack said.

Marcus shrugged "Okay, but things might get sappy..." He then turned back to Twilight, who had a quill and paper ready.

"Ok Twilight, ask away."