Everfree Forest, five hours earlier...
Shining Armor took his eyes away from the nearly decapitated corpse that was lying on the floor and looked at where the bright flash had come from. All he noticed was a long, black, odd-looking stick pointing out from the back. It then moved and pointed to him. Shining's horn rapidly glowed a bright blue with electricity surrounding it as he closed his eyes and shot off several blue streaks of electricity wildly. Whatever that stick was, it made him deaf, and he panicked. The bolts hit all around the inside, sparks flew all around as he fired non-stop.
Shining then opened his eyes slowly. The first thing he noticed was that the inside of this vehicle was now engulfed in light. He looked around and saw that the window screen inside was now showing an image, like a theater screen, but it looked like it was showing the outside somehow. Shining then quickly took his eyes off the screen as he cautiously moved more to the front. He saw that the entrance to the main front was smaller than the back, but he was easily able to pass through. He then also saw more screens in the front, a pair of what seemed to be stick-like controls, and other features that looked so... alien...
He was about to move in deeper until he saw another one of the odd, ape-like features sitting limply on what seemed to be a chair a bit too big for a pony. It wore gray and black clothes with several pouches, a large backpack that contained Celestia-knows-what, and a helmet with what looked goggles; strapped to the front of its face, but it had three holes instead of two. Shining's curiosity was then replaced with anger and a hint of sorrow as he looked down and saw that the creature was gripping the stick with its claw-like appendage. He then used his magic to make the creature release its grip as he levitated the stick and moved it to the front of his eyes.
Shining then studied the stick. He saw that it was big for a stick, about the size of a spear. It looked somewhat bulky and squared, yet smooth, curved, and slanted at the top and in other various locations. The entire stick was colored a medium shade of black, and it seemed like it had a trigger and a trigger guard at the bottom with a grip, much like a crossbow, but it seemed way too small for use with a hoof. "So this thing used its claws to fire it.." Shining thought as he looked back down at the creature's claws. "But what did it shoot out?"
Shining then looked closer to the side of this weapon. Overall, it had the similarities of a crossbow, but to say it looked more complex and advanced would be an understatement. He was about to set the weapon down until he saw a bit of words on the left side.
Colt M16A4, 5.56x45mm NATO
"Colt?..." Shining thought with his head tilted to the side in confusion. "Why would they name a weapon 'Colt'?.." He shook his head and placed the weapon down. Shining then felt something touch his shoulder.
Shining yelled and turned to face whatever was behind him, ready to attack. He then eased up as he noticed that it was the Pegasus guard, who recoiled slightly, but regain his composure. Shining saw his lips move and point a hoof at the dead body of the Earth pony guard.
"WHAT?!" Shining shouted. The Pegasus guard seemed to speak again, but all Shining heard was a ringing in his ears. Then, his mind put two and two together.
"Oh wait.. I'm deaf." He though as he face-hoof'd. Shining then put his hoof in front of him to silence the guard as his horn glowed again and he heals his ears with a spell that brings back his hearing. His hearing starts returning to normal with a small 'pop' sound in his ears as he rubbed them with his left hoof for good measure.
"Sorry about that. Can you repeat that again?" Shining asked.
"What the hay happened in here?! I heard a loud bang sound and electric sounds, so I decided to come inside to see what was going on. When I came inside, I saw Romulus laying on the floor, with half his head missing, blood on the walls, and on you!" The guard started saying, but he stopped as he noticed the ape-like creatures sitting on chairs. "Wh-what the hay are those things? Did they kill Romulus?"
Shining looked back at the ape things, and slowly nodded with his head down. "Yes. Or at least one of them did. I don't know how, but we need to apprehend them before they wake up." He then walked towards the creature that was sitting in front of the screen near Romulus' body. He looked at the screen, noticing that it wasn't just putting out a picture of the woods, but it was doing in in real-time. He put one of his hooves over the control panel, and the screen switched to a light and dark grey, but enough to the point where it was visible and it outlined the trees and bushes around it perfectly. He was awestruck, along with the other guard, who was looking over Shining's shoulder. They then noticed the outlines of six ponies walking in front of the view of the screen, with most of their bodies being highlighted in bright white. Shining shook his head as he turned around and faced the Pegasus guard.
"You see the guards outside?" Shining asked. The guard nodded. "They must be part of one of the other larger patrol units around here! C'mon, let's go!" Shining said. They then ran towards the back of the vehicle, avoiding Romulus' corpse. They then stumbled out and put themselves in the other patrol unit's line of sight.
"Hey! Over here!" The Pegasus guard shouted. The guards in the other unit turned to him and raised their spears and swords, but eased up as they noticed who it was. They then stood at attention when Shining Armor walked out from behind the guard.
"Captain Shining Armor." The leader of the other unit said, saluting to him.
"Sergeant Ironhoof." Shining said, returning the salute. "It's a good thing you came when you did. We have an issue."
Ironhoof nodded, and looked at the vehicle in confusion. "Um, permission to speak freely?" He asked. Shining nodded. "What in the name of Celestia is that?" He said, pointing at the vehicle.
"I have no idea, Sergeant. But we have a huge issue on our hooves, and we need all the help we can get." Shining said, leading the unit and Ironhoof to the back of the vehicle. They climbed in, and gasped at the view. They saw the same thing that he and his unit saw, but they stopped dead in their tracks as they noticed Romulus' body on the floor. One of the guards ran up towards him, who had a cutie mark of two longswords and a medical cross. in the background. He kneel'd next to Romulus' corpse and turned his head. His eyes shot open wide in horror as he just looked at the horrible fatal wound that Romulus had obtained. Shining trotted slowly up to him and placed a hoof on his shoulder to calm him. He saw that tears were slowly rolling freely down his face, until he stood up and ran outside. They all watched him run out the vehicle, then turned their attention to the corpse while they heard the sound of heavy vomiting, and weeping from outside.
"Damn... that's his brother, yo.." One of the guards said, taking of his helmet and lowering his head down. Shining looked up to him, a bit confused.
"Wait.. that was Remus?" He asked. The guards nodded as they also took of their helmets and lowered their heads in respect. "Oh crap.."
"Who killed him?.." They heard Remus faintly ask from outside.
"One of the creatures.." Shining answered. He started walking outside, but stopped as he turned around to face the guards. "I need you all to clean the inside up. Don't touch the creatures or anything inside here." He then turned to Ironhoof." I need one of your Unicorn guards to sent a warning to Celestia. Also, I need one of your Pegasus guards to go to the train station in Ponyville and arrange a transport cart. We're taking this machine over to Canterlot."
Ironhoof saluted in understanding as he ordered one of his Unicorn guards to send a letter, while he sent another to Ponyville to arrange the train. Before Shining could step outside, he heard Ironhoof ask a question.
"What about the creatures? What will we do with them once we transport this?"
Shining paused for a second, before looking over his shoulder. "We'll leave them in here, but they'll be on tight security. If they wake up, do whatever you have to to make sure they go back to sleep." He said coldly as he walked out of the vehicle and let the guards do what they were ordered to do. Shining then walked up to Remus, who was silently sobbing as he looked his right hoof, which was stained in his brother's blood.
"I.. why? Why did he die?.. He'd never do anything to hurt anypony innocent!" Remus shouted in anger as he turned to Shining, who had a depressed and tired look on his face.
"I don't know, Remus.." Shining said as he approached Remus with a look of determination. "But that thing will pay for what he's done. He will be brought to justice, you understand me?" He said assertively to Remus, who still hung his head low, but nodded. Shining patted him with a hoof as he reassured him. "But right now, you need to help us take these things to Canterlot so we can do so, and we need your help."
Remus nodded as he and Shining walked back to the vehicle. As they did, Ironhoof poked his head out the back and called for Shining.
"Hey! Captain!"
Shining rushed over to him, along with Remus. "Yes? What is it?"
"We sent the letter to Celestia, and we got the transport ready. We just need to take out Romulus before we can move it." Ironhoof said hesitantly because Remus was behind Shining. They both nodded.
"Good work. We'll move Romulus out of there and take him to the hospital outside of Ponyville." Shining said. Then, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"I'd like to go with him and just.. well.. s-say goodbye and stuff.." Remus said, trying not to sound weak as tears started to reform in his eyes. Ironhoof and Shining nodded as they stepped aside to let Remus inside. He then reached into his saddle bag and slowly pulled out the Royal Guard flag and handed it to the two Unicorn guards tending to Romulus. They took it, slowly unraveled it, and draped it over Romulus, who was laying on a makeshift stretcher. They, along with Remus, started to carry out Romulus' corpse out of the vehicle.
"Okay, take him to Ponyville General." Shining said simply. They nodded as they trotted down the dirt path that lead to Ponyville. Then, one of the Unicorn guards shouted from inside.
"We got the creatures detained! We're ready to go!"
Shining nodded, wiped his forehead, and sighed. "Now that that's taken care of, let's move this thing over to the train station." Shining then waited until the guards walked out of the vehicle. They stood behind Shining as he closed his eyes and his horn glowed once again in a light blue color. He then shot out an energy beam, surrounding the vehicle in the energetic aura. He then concentrated and used all of his strength to lift it. He pulled and pulled, but he was only able to get the vehicle out of the marsh by a couple feet. He kept going and going, putting on more energetic strength until he collapsed, breaking the energy beam and letting the vehicle fall back into the marsh with a loud 'squish', splattering mud and water all around.
"That... thing.. is... too.... HEAVY!" Shining said, gasping. "I can't do it... by myself..."
"Don't worry about that." Ironhoof said. He then looked at his Unicorn guards and pointed a hoof at the vehicle. They nodded as they walked besides Shining and aimed their horns at the vehicle. Shining saw this and stood up with a slight groan and aimed his horn back at the vehicle again.
"On three.." Shining said, with beads of sweat rolling down his head.
"One.."
"Two.."
"Three!"
They all shot out an energy beam simultaneously, engulfing the vehicle in a mix of light blue, yellow, purple, and red. They then pulled the vehicle out of the marsh once more with all of their strength. They gritted their teeth as they moved it over their heads and made it hover next to them.
"Alright.. let's.. get.. MOVING!" Shining shouted. They then slowly trotted towards the dirt trail that lead to Ponyville as they carried the vehicle over their heads, using all of their mental strength to do so.
"I'm gonna.. break a vein.. form this.. SIR!" One of the guards complained, almost losing their grip on the vehicle, making the others lose their balance and strain out even more of their strength.
"S-shut up.. and MOVE!" Shining said as they kept moving, with Ironhoof, and the remaining guards forming a perimeter around the Unicorns, protecting them in case any of the dangerous creatures in the Everfree decided to attack.
After about half an hour of painfully slow walking and deadly mental straining, they finally made it to the Ponyville train station, where the train was awaiting them. The guards ignored the looks of confusion and shock they were getting as they slowly brought down the vehicle down onto the transportation cart. The engineering ponies that conducted the train were just as confused, but they covered the strange vehicle with tight ropes to steady it so it wouldn't fall off as they traveled. The Unicorns collapsed and breathed heavily, most of them getting severe migraines as they held their heads in pain.
"Ugh... I think I'm gonna get permanent migraines from all of that.." Shining said as he slowly stood up, with a hoof still on the side of his head.
"Told you.." The same guard said, also standing up. Ironhoof and the other guards helped the Unicorns into the train and prevent them from any further injury. They put Shining on the seats with the Pegasus guard as they tended to the other Unicorns. Then, one of the train engineers walked in and told Ironhoof that the vehicle was tightly locked in. Ironhoof nodded as the train started to slowly move and pick up speed as they left Ponyville.
Shining was then handed a bag of ice by one of the attendants. As little as it did to help, he took it anyway. As he placed it on his head with a hiss, he looked at the Pegasus guard, who also had a bag of ice on his head.
"You know, when I went inside the vehicle, I saw the thing that the creature used." Shining said.
The Pegasus looked up. "Really? What was it?" He asked. Shining shrugged slightly.
"Hay if I knew, it had some things that looked similar to a crossbow, but it looked so much more.. well.. different!" He said.
"Did the thing have a name?" The Pegasus asked.
"Yeah.. on the side of it, it had the name 'Colt M16A4, 5.56 x 45mm NATO. I don't know what the hay the words beyond 'Colt' mean, but they named the weapon 'Colt'. Can you believe it?" Shining said, chuckling and trying to brighten the mood. The Pegasus chuckled and shook his head. Their chuckling then rose to a full-blown laughter. The guards around them looked at them like they had lost their minds, but they decided to just with the flow. After about three minutes of laughing and gagging, they finally calmed down, leaned their heads back, and went to sleep to pass the time.
Sergeant Ironhoof's P.O.V
After about four hours or so, the train was smoothly going through Appleloosa. Sergeant Ironhoof was outside at the back of the train, just sitting with a cup of cider and looking at the sunset. He sighed as he reminisced the events of the day. Worst of all, they had lost one of their own. The battalion's very best. Romulus. The good times they had when they were stationed at a forward operating base near Saddle Arabia, where he would drink and go around pranking the NCO's, and the cadets. He chuckled as he took another sip of his cider. Ironhoof looked to the left and saw that one of the buildings in Appleloosa were burning, and destroyed. He couldn't tell which building it was specifically, but it seemed like the townsfolk and the firefighters were tending to the situation well. He then set his attention back at the sun, which was setting over the town behind the Appleloosian Mountains.
"Damn.. I need to get out more often. Maybe I'll take my marefriend to the nearby mountains and just relax.. or arrange me and my unit to train up there.." Ironhoof thought with a smile. He was about to head back inside the train, until he caught something in the corner of his eyes, and heard a faint buzzing sound in the distance.
Ironhoof turned around and saw the silhouette of something flying through the skies at a pretty high speed. It looked very odd, something that he had never seen before. It looked somewhat curved and had a circle-like shape to it with what seemed to be a long pipe sticking out of the back. It soared through the skies as he noticed that he saw some little sticks dangling from the side of the flying object.
"What the.." Ironhoof said outloud as he shook his head. "Maybe it's.. nah.. no, it's not. I'm just seeing things." He turned around and just as he put a hoof on the door, he heard a deafening 'zoom' and the figure of the flying object over him.
Marcus' P.O.V
"What's a 'Stryker'?" The girls asked simultaneously as the Little Bird turned around and changed directions and flew towards the train.
"A Stryker is an Infantry Fighting Vehicle, or I.F.V. This one seems to be a mobile gun system, but it has no 105mm cannon on it. Strykers are basically made to transport infantry to a battlefield safely, and some are made to support the infantry in battle." Marcus said as he kept his eyes locked on the train.
"Fascinating..." Twilight said out loud. The Marines chuckled a bit before they got serious.
"But how the hell did they get a Stryker?.." Jackson asked.
"Maybe they found it? Maybe it was teleported here like us? It looks like it has mud on the front.." Thompson said.
"Then we should go in and see if that Stryker came with her crew..." Marcus said. He then turned to the pilot. "Fly us over the train."
The pilots nodded as they increased their speed and flew down to the train. Marcus noticed a pony wearing silver and gold armor at the transportation cart looking up at the Little Bird. The helicopter then slowed down a bit and maintained the same speed as the train.
"Alright, you're at a good altitude if you want us to drop you off. What's the plan, Marines?" Mike shouted. Before Marcus could answer, the entire helicopter showed a bright flash of purple as a scroll appeared in front of Twilight. She took it with her magic, unwravled it, and started reading it. As she read, the Marines were waiting anxiously.
"Well, what does it say?" Marcus asked.
Twilight put the scroll down with her magic, showing her face which held a look of confusion, fear, and worry. Twilight then turned to Marcus.
"Celestia wants to see you all. Right now..."