The Beginning of the End

by CyclicStoryWriter


The Past Catches Up

Beginning of the End

The Past Catches Up

All around him, Sergi watched in amazement at the falling snow in the Swiss Alps. Even though he was raised in Russia where snow was now uncommon in the least bit, this seemed to have a different look to it.

"Sergi, snap out of it. We're almost to the compound, we need to keep a sharp eye out." shouted a man further up ahead than Sergi.

Quietly they walked through the mountainside forests, just Sergi and 12 other fellow Cossacks. A clearing showed up ahead and everyone slowed down and all took up hiding spots.

"Well there are the research labs. Once we blow this place to hell, no one will have to worry about being a lab rat ever again." the man from before said.

"I don't know Dimitri, it seems pretty quiet for a military research lab..." another man said to the first.

"These are the coordinates we received from our man on the inside. So this is it, you feeling nervous Yuri?" Dimitri said.

"Just a gut feeling." Yuri said.


Silence fell on the group as a helicopter flew over the building and over the group. Minutes passed before anyone moved again. This time they headed out into clearing to infiltrate the labs. When they were about three quarters of the way across the clearing, gunfire erupted from the building. As some of the men in the back tried to escape the way they came, more gunfire erupted from the tree line. Sergi stood his ground and tried to shoot down as many enemies as possible inside the building. His reasoning would be that if enough of them died, then he could storm in and have some type of defense from the ambushers. Once the clip he was firing was empty, the entire world went into slow. Sergi grabbed for another clip that held Liquid Nitrogen rounds. Thrusting this clip into the gun, he looked down the sights and did what he did best. Opening fire on the building, the liquid nitrogen rounds ripped apart the cover the enemy was using. Out of the corner of his eye, Sergi saw a flash out. The next second he felt a bullet plunge into his right shoulder. When Sergi stopped firing at the building, those troops began shooting back at him. Sergi felt himself being hit by multiple bullets. Some of the bullets stopped at one of the layers of metal in the jacket, but a few went right through and placed Sergi on the ground. Staring up at the falling snow, he was still amazed by its sheer beauty or just how it looked so innocent. Dimitri fell down next to him with his entire left arm missing and blood dripping from his mouth.

"Sergi, it looks like we bit off more than we could chew. Don't worry comrade, the last of us here will..." Dimitri started before noticing the stop of gunfire and a quiet whistling.

Looking up to the sky, both of them stared up into the sun to see what was coming. Tiny black dots appeared in the sky amongst the falling white snow. The dots grew larger and larger until they realized what was happening.

"INCOMING!!!" Dimitri shouted out as the soft whistle quickly turned into a terrifying screech of a banshee.

Dimitri dropped down on Sergi's chest as the first mortar struck the ground.

*SNAP* as a twig breaking snapped Sergi out of his dream.

Sergi snapped out of the dream and found himself back in the tent he had set up yesterday. Silently grabbing the 1887 shotgun from underneath the cot, Sergi listened in on the other sounds surrounding him. Two voices could be heard heading closer to him.

"Where could that thing live out here, I have seen nothing that would say something is here." A male voice said.

"I don't know, but did you see the size of that thing. It was at least as tall or taller than Princess Celestia." Another male voice said.

"I hope we find this thing soon. I have to go help Applejack with clearing the fields." The first voice complained.

"Lucky, I have to go help Rainbow Dash with clearing the skies and bringing back the summer birds." The second voice replied.

"Why can't they just use magic to change the seasons like they do back in Canterlot?" The first voice still complained.

Sergi silently holstered the gun onto his leg and placed his jacket on. Getting up from the cot, Sergi grabbed his Helmet off the desk and slid his Kukhri back into its sheathe. Pressing a series of buttons on his TACPAD, he disappeared from sight and headed outside. The voices still drew closer. He decided to head toward the voices to investigate. Not a fair distance away, two ponies were walking forward toward where his tent clearing was.

"Are you sure that this was where those Cutie-mark Crusaders said they saw him last?" The light brown pony with a darker brown mane who was the owner of the first voice said.

"I am positive. I can still see their tracks in the snow. Who else would be out here?" The white pegasus with a blonde mane, who was the owner of the second voice said.

"I believe that would be me..." Sergi said as they both turned to see where the new voice came from. After pressing another series of buttons, Sergi appeared before their eyes.

"Are you Sergi?" The Pegasus asked.

"Yes Sir. What is needed of me now?" Sergi replied

"Well, you don't have to call me sir for obvious reasons and also the Commander wanted to see you about something." The pegasus replied.

"That sounds good. What were you talking about before?" Sergi asked to try to get some more intel.

"Today is Winter Wrap Up. Everyone today has special jobs they have to do for the seasons to change." The brown pony said.

"You have to manually change the seasons?" Sergi asked as this did not make any sense in his mind. Well, neither did the Manticores, Timberwolves, or the Basilisk.

"Yeah, don't you have to back where you come from?" The pegasus said as if Sergi was crazy.

"No, the seasons just change by themselves back where I came from." Sergi replied, adding. "If you gentlemen.. I mean gentlecolts are heading back to town then may I join you for the trip? I might as well try to get acquainted with everypony that lives here, including the undercover guards."

They had no objections and the trio headed back through the woods. Ten minutes passed before the town appeared through the thinning trees. The pegasus headed into the air and headed toward a group of pegasus in the sky. While the other said his farewell and headed off to a farm off in the distance. Every pony seemed to be out doing some sort of task. All of the commotion reminded him of his early life. Men and women walked around a base, busy with the jobs at hand. He remembered watching this off the shoulders of a young man.

"Amazing isn't it?" He asked Sergi who was still thinking over what had just happened a few days ago.

"Let’s start out with something easier. My name is Dimitri. What is yours?" He asked in a gentle voice.

"My... My name is Sergi." He barely mumbled out.

"Sergi, that's a good name. Glad to meet you." Dimitri said as they began walking toward the base.

The vision disappeared from his mind and Sergi refocused at the task at hand. He walked down to the town in front of him to find the Commander. Walking through the town he received many looks from the residents. Some were of curiousty, but most were of fear. Ponies even stopped what they were doing to head off to their homes. Sergi continued his journey until he found who he was looking for. Twilight Sparkle stood on a pedestal, overlooking everything that was going on. He quietly walked around the pony crowd standing around the pedestal. As he neared, Twilight caught his movement and turned to meet him.

"Look who finally decided to show up? Did you come to help out with Winter Wrap Up? We already have Anderson and Sir Henry out working." She said as the attention quickly turned to him.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but Commander said that he wanted to see me this morning. Would you know where he is stationed at the moment?"

"Yes, he just left for breakfast. I think he went over to the cafe that is on your way to Sweet Apple Acres." She answered looking slightly sad that Sergi was busy with other stuff.

"Thank you ma'am. Have a good day." He replied as he wanted to quickly leave the center of attention.

Quietly Sergi made his way out of the town center and headed out of town in the direction he was given. The cafe was easily spotted with tables sitting around the outside of the building and one lone guard sitting at a table with only his breastplate on. Sergi came up and stood by the Commander as Dawn Treader casually drank a steaming cup of coffee.

"Enjoying your coffee there sir?" Sergi inquired after a few moments had passed.

"Ah Sergi, I was wondering when you would show up. I trust that my men found you without starting trouble?" Dawn Treader asked.

"It was more I found them stumbling through the woods trying to find me." Sergi replied

"But they still did their jobs. Now I know you’re a straight forward man so I will get straight down to business. Equestria might seem calm and nice, but something else is stirring beyond our borders. The Griffons have been building up their armies and have been increasingly more hostile to Equestria ever since Steel Wing took control of the Griffon Empire. Since you are a solider yourself, I was thinking of maybe enlisting you into the military here. First we will have to do an evaluation of your skills. I want you to at least consider this option and give me an answer. Are we clear?" The Commander explained as he set up the last sentence to hear his favorite word.

"Sir, yes sir!" Sergi replied with a smile before slipping away from the table and heading back to his quarters.

"Since your here, would you like to have some breakfast Sergi?" the Commander asked as he realized that the human had already departed.

"I really underestimated him. I guess he is going to be a hard one to pin down..." The Commander mumbled to himself as he finished his cup of coffee.

Sergi was already fast on his way back to his camp. He had just been asked to go back to what he knew best. This part did not bother him. The part that bothered him deeply was the having tests done on him. The secret that Celestia had seen was just the surface of it. He had his secrets for being a 'super soldier' and he planned on keeping them secrets. Upon reaching the clearing of his camp, his helmet buzzed on.

"Welcome back commander, Is there anything you want to talk about?" The female voice piped in through the headset.

"Not right now, I have some things to think about. Can you start up a training simulator out here?" Sergi replied as the thoughts ran through his mind.

"Yes commander. You’re afraid that they will find out you are not all human?" The female voice said as if she had read his mind, adding "Don't worry commander, I only overheard your conversation with Commander Dawn Treader."

As the simulation began, Sergi was able to think about everything that had happened. Not only the things that happened in this new world, but also things that happened many years ago. The simulation was a standard hologram program that was used in modern times. 'Those Americans think they are too good for an actual physical beating...' Sergi thought scornfully. He had the AI change the simulation to constantly push him with five different targets until he was overrun. He held his ground against the five targets for about an hour which the system was moving more than double times normal human speeds. As he was pushed passed his limits and the program beat him, memories flashed into his mind. His surroundings changed into a white surgery room with bright lights pointed towards him. Two silhouettes stood over him talking about him.

"I will not allow it! The subject has already gone farther than any before him. I will not sacrifice him to find out that we can recreate something from an old movie!" One said in pure disgust of the idea.

"But if we can actually recreate it and possibly exceed it... Think of the possibilities! This war could be over before it ends us all!" The other said with excitement in his voice.

"If we fail now, we will lose everything we have been working towards! We already tried this procedure with the other subjects and received less than optimal results." The first one retorted.

"Doctor, I know that you sometimes grow attached to your projects, but remember who is funding your projects." The second answered with a cold voice.

"Fine! I will create you a movie prop from the early 21st century! Don't come crying to me when your little idea ends up killing our only step off first plate!" The first voice roared, making the lights shake a little bit.

The vision quickly disappeared as the AI broke his train of thought.

"Commander, you have an incoming message from Private First Class Michael Anderson. Shall I patch you through?" The female voice inquired.

"Yes...That will be fine." Sergi replied as his mind came back into reality.

"I guess you weren't kidding when you said you would be in touch, you already have a network set up. I also heard you made a trip into town this morning, something about Commander Dawn Treader... Anyway, I was wondering if you would like to join me and the others for lunch?" Anderson said through the helmet speakers with a joyful voice.

"It sounds like you are living a dream come true Anderson. I will be able to come to lunch, but I'm bringing my own meal." Sergi replied to Anderson before cutting the call.

"That was a little harsh, this sitting around isn't getting to you already is it?" The AI piped in after Sergi cut the call.

"No, just old habits." Sergi replied flatly.

Sergi went inside the tent to switch out some supplies. He pulled out the 1887 shotgun and stared at the gun for a moment. He still remembered when he first picked it up in those labs. Oh, how it filled him with joy when he turned it against the doctor who’d previously owned the gun. Sergi placed it beneath his cot and thought about what he would bring. After a while he grabbed the officer’s sword and inspected it. The only indication that it was an officer’s sword was the intricate design of the hilt and grip. The blade was either an oversized bowie knife or a short sword. The blade ran about 20 inches long and looked to have been kept in good condition. Sergi found a strap and placed the blade on his back where a gun would normally go. If it was an officer’s sword, might as well show off this prized position. Heading back over to the cot, he rummaged through his personnel bag and found what he needed. Sergi walked out of the tent with a hand around a large brown bag. As Sergi walked through the forest and into the town, he could not help but glancing around. Taking in all the information he could get in case of an ambush or possibly catching the enemy first. It was not hard to find the others once he was in town. All the gossip he could hear was about two strange creatures with some ponies at 'Sugarcube Corner'. Sergi was glad he was bringing his own lunch, for he was not very big on sweets. Sergi turned the corner and guessed he was at the right place. A giant structure stood in front of him looking as if it was pulled out of Candy Land. He had not personally played the game but had seen enough copies of the game in his life to understand the concept. Outside the building was a ring of ponies looking in awe at the strange creatures. Sergi spotted the three little fillies that he had spotted watching him yesterday. A fun idea jumped into his mind. He pressed some buttons and soon disappeared into thin air. Sergi quietly strolled around the ring of ponies and stood right behind the three fillies. They were deep in amazement as Anderson was recollecting the story of the first few days they had been there.

"...We meet Sergi later that day along with Twilight Sparkle and Commander Dawn Treader who just came back from dealing with a Basilisk."

"WOW, that most have been exciting. I never knew anything could take on a Manticore AND a pack of Timberwolves in the same Day!” exclaimed the yellow filly.

"He sounds almost as cool as Rainbow Dash!" the orange pegasus filly said with just as much excitement.

"Ah am still in disbelief that he took on a fully grown Basilisk. Those things don't get out often." Applejack added in.

"It is all in a days’ work." Sergi said as he appeared behind the group.

Everyone that was there jumped when they heard his voice and saw him standing there as if he was there all along. The three fillies that he was standing behind quickly jumped around to find the man they spied on yesterday and heard so much about from Anderson. Even the private stood in shock as Sergi just appeared there.

"How did you just get here!? I never saw you coming!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"It is just how I am. I can walk through an entire town and only have one or two people spot me." Sergi replied as he soaked up their stunned reactions.

"Ah Sergi, you never cease to amaze me. I thought I had seen it all in my time." Sir Henry said with a grin on his face as well, adding "Here, take a seat. We were just about to have lunch."

Sergi took up the offer and took a seat next to Sir Henry and a soon grounded Rainbow Dash. She still had a look of suspicion on her face whenever she looked at him. Now the look was more of trying to find out his secrets rather than looking for hostility. Seeing that the story was over, the ring of ponies dispersed back to their schedules except for the three fillies. They had stayed for lunch with the group, all still looked on in amazement at Sergi. A pony came out the building with a platter of items such as Pastries and salads. The pony was had a blue coat with a dark pink mane. She noticed Sergi at the table with the others and gave no hint of any shock. After she finished delivering orders to the others, she directed her attention to the new comer

"Why hello there dear! Can I get you anything?" She asked in a cheery voice.

"Just water would be fine, thank you." Sergi simply replied trying to match her cheeriness.

The pony disappeared into back into the building and quickly returned with a glass of water. She gave a smile to him before she went back into the building. Sergi began to open his lunch and began cooking his meal.

"What are you doing?" Rainbow Dash asked the question that was on every mind of the other ponies at the table.

"I'm making my lunch." Sergi replied as he kept his eyes on his meal.

"How could anypony make a meal out of pouring water into a brown bag? I just can't think of anything." Rarity commented.

"Just wait and watch." Sergi said as he was almost done fixing together his meal.

"What are you making 'urself for lunch?" Applejack asked.

"I am making...Macaroni and cheese with flat bread and a some vegtables." Sergi answered as he quickly checked the side of the bag to make sure of what he was making.

The meal was done and Sergi took a spoon he had pulled out before and began stirring the meal before taking the first bite. The ponies were shocked to see what they had seen as a glass of cold water turn into a hot cheesy meal only by pouring it into a brown plastic bag

"How in the hay did you do that?! I know of nothing that can do that!" Twilight Sparkle blurted out.

"This is the magic of the MRE or also known as a Meal Ready to Eat." Sergi replied between bites.

"I bet it ain't better than my family’s apples." Applejack stated.

"You wouldn't believe how right you are." Sergi said with a chuckle.

"Has anyone noticed were Sweetie Bell went?" Rarity asked with a hint of concern.

"She and the other two fillies left a little while ago after they finished their meals." Sergi replied as he was finishing up his meal.

As if on cue, a large shriek came from just outside the town. Before anyone else could react, Sergi's instincts engaged. He was already up and running toward the shrieks. As he ran through the town he grabbed his mask and attached it to his helmet. Rounding a corner at a full sprint the scene appeared before his eyes. He was looking at a large group of armored creatures. They were searching through houses and pulling ponies into a group in the middle of the town. A heavily armored creature hovered in the sky shouting out orders.

"FIND ME THOSE ELEMENTS! IF WE ARE TO WIN, WE MUST CONTROL THEM!" It shouted out

Sergi found the three fillies on the outside of the corralled ponies. Sergi noted everything that was happening and activated his invisibility. He crept up behind a group of three creatures storming into another building. They went along with their business as Sergi pulled out his Kukhri. He grabbed the one straggler by its beak and sliced open its neck. The others noticed the body fall to the floor and were shocked at what happened. Before they could shout out for help, Sergi threw his knife into the skull of the farthest creature and quickly ran and snapped the neck of last, now screaming, creature. Taking a closer look at the creatures, Sergi realized that these were griffons. 'Those bastards remind me of the world I had just left. Too bad for them I did not really care for that one.'' Sergi thought in his head. More commotion could be heard outside. Walking up to the window he saw that the others had arrived on the site. The Leader of the griffons looked to be having a heated debate with Anderson and Sir Henry. Things seemed to be getting very heated out there. So Sergi reappeared into the world and started to drag the three bodies out into the street. If someone had a grudge against his friends he was sure to make them pay, but if someone decided to settle a grudge and start beating innocents, He was damned sure that he could make them dead.